The Heart Never Lies

Chapter 7

Christine places my hat on my head and hooks her arm through mine. Gustave runs to her side and smiles up at both of us. I smile down at him. Christine gently rubs her fingertips down my mask and gives me a look. She hates it, but knows I refuse to go out without it. I give her a kiss. A long, passionate one.
"Yuck. Can we go?"
Gustave blurts. I smile against Christine's lips and break the kiss.
"Yes, let's."
I lead them both out the door and we start our walk. It's a brisk fall morning. The sky is grey, but beautiful. There's a slight breeze leaves blowing through the air. The smell of the ocean hits us as soon as we leave the front door. We head to the main part of the island, the lack of sun makes for a less crowded day. Hardly anyone is out. A few people here and there. I tip my hat and smile at anyone we pass. Christine gives me a warm smile. We walk past another, smaller park. It's run-down and makes almost no money compared to Phantasma. It's full of drunk carnies and other sketchy characters and broken down rides.
"Mother? Father can we?"
He looks up at us both with pleading eyes. Christine and I exchange looks. I give her a look that says it all.
"Gustave, Phantasma is so much prettier. So much nicer. Why here?
Because Mother. I've been to Phantasma many times! I want to see a new place, with new rides and attractions!"
He excitedly explains.
"Gustave, what your Mother means is that this place isn't safe. there's been many accidents here. We don't want you to get hurt.
Oh. Alright."
He sighs and we continue walking past the park.
"Hey!"
A familiar voice slurs. Whoever it is calls to us from inside the park. We all turn to see a figure stumbling towards us. Drunk. He gets closer and I clench my jaw. Raoul.
"Hey! I called to you's guys!"
He mumbles. He must be extremely intoxicated.
"Hey! Christine you're not dead. Huh. Well that's good news!
Raoul. I thought you were going back to Paris? Remember our little er- chat?"
I glare at him. Christine looks embarrassed to even be the same species as him.
"Yeah well. Got no money. 'Sides. I like Coney Island. Real pretty."
He grins. Christine shakes her head and turns to keep walking. He catches her wrist.
"Ain't even gonna say goodbye? S'thats bad manners Christine."
He pulls her closer to him. She recoils and he yanks harder.
"Let.Her.Go."
I snarl. Gustave is probably horrified at the scene unfolding in front of him. I feel horrible for allowing it to happen. I have to defend he and his mother. Raoul gives me a look, as if he's examining me. Trying to see if I'm actually dangerous. He loosens his grip on her wrist and she pulls it away.
"Come Gustave, Erik?"
Christine puts a hand on my shoulder. I steady my breathing, take her hand and we continue our walk.
"I'm sorry. Gustave I'm sorry you had to see that.
It's alright father."
I smiled. I was his father more than Raoul had ever been. I was Gustave's father. And not just by blood. Raoul had treated both of them horribly. Verbally abusing Gustave and Christine. Even hitting Gustave when he didn't behave. Yes, a little slap on the behind is alright, but Raoul would take it farther than that. I shook the thought from my head and brought my attention back to my family. Gustave smiled up at me and I mussed his hair. He skipped in front of Christine and I and started to jump and gallop, as children do. I gave Christine a smile. I still couldn't believe this was real, that I had a family. that she was mine. That he was my son. I reached over and gave Christine a gentle kiss. My life couldn't be better.