Her Innocence || Phantom of the Opera

Chapter Two

~Three Months Later~

I sat on the small, faded red couch looking down at my stomach. Underneath my dress, I noticed the small bulge which had started to form about a week ago. Having a child grow inside of me felt strange, but at the same time comforting. I enjoyed knowing that would be a mother soon, yet I wasn't sure if Raoul would like the idea of being a father. I looked up at the clock on our mantle over the fireplace. Ten o' clock.

As if on cue, the front wooden door swung open and my husband stumbled in. Around me, the air suddenly stunk of alcohol and smoke. The toxins in the room floated around me, but, being used to this entrance, had no affect on my abilities. I hurriedly stood up and went to Raoul's side. He mumbled something incomprehensible as I balanced him upright and began to lead him to the bathroom down our long hallway. I drew a warm bath and left him to clean up.

Raoul had always loved alcohol. Like most men his age, most of his time was spent in bars and breweries around town. Had I known it would become a problem, perhaps I could have prevented it long ago by confronting him...it was too late now.

"Lotte, dear." I turned around from my position on the couch to meet Raoul's eyes. "Little Lotte, forgive me again for this mess I've made-"

"Raoul," I spoke up, content now that he was cleaned of the intoxicating liquor, "I don't mind." He must have seen the traces of the lie in my expression. He casually walked over to where I was seated and sat down.

Gently placing a hand under my chin, he spoke softly, "I love you. Please, I beg of you, don't lie for me. I should know better, yet, I can't learn. I promise to try harder to rid of this cursed addiction."

I smiled gratefully. "Now," I started, "I have some important news. As you probably hadn't known, I wasn't feeling all that well today so I went to the doctor," I held up a hand as Raoul's face turned white and he prepared to apologize again, "-wait, please. Anyways, I went to the doctor to receive some medication. Unfortunately, they didn't have anything to prescribe to me..." My husband, ashamed and a bit frightened scooted closer to me. "The reason they didn't have medicine for my condition, Raoul, is because I'm pregnant. Raoul, we are going to be parents." I waited a good thirty seconds for him to respond. Then out of the clear blue, he jumped up, grabbing my hand in the process, and lifted me up into his arms. "Christine! My dear Christine, I am going to be a father!" He playfully swung me in a circle, holding me by the waist and kissing me on the cheek. He seemed so happy, and I knew I was happy.

We were going to be parents.