After the Fire (Phanfiction)

19

Henri woke up suddenly, the memories from the previous night rushing back. Her cheek hurt, and so did her heart.

She had genuinely never considered Erik in a romantic light before.

Yes you have

A montage played through her mind of them laughing, joking, the roses she got every day, all of it, and finally, the way she had fled to his arms as soon as she had gotten rid of Jacques.

That man could walk all over you and you would thank him for it

Lying next to her was a red rose, as dark and full as the dress he had made her. She inhaled it's rich scent, and she knew that she had to decide what she was going to do.

It weighed heavily on her mind as she plodded to work.

'Hey!' Jacques popped up, smiling broadly.

She nearly jumped out of her skin. 'Jacques!'

'I don't look that much of a fright do I?' He joked, running a hand through his thick blond hair.

And indeed, although he had received a nasty punch to the nose, and a few kicks to his chest, he was altogether none the worse for wear.

'No no it's not you.' She shook her head.

'Not daydreaming about any other gentleman friends?' He teased lightly.

An image of Erik's questioning look and his comforting hand on her neck swam up in her mind before she squashed it. 'Not at all.'

'I'm glad to hear it. I don't like sharing.' He grinned amicably.

After a little more small talk that Henri was barely aware she was making he left.

'He's nice!' Evangeline, the woman who let her take bread for Erik, remarked that evening as they started preparing the dough for the next day.

'Thanks.' Henri looked down at her work.

'Is he your beau? Your gentleman friend?' She winked.

'Yes.'

'Well he's certainly a fine piece of work.' She giggled.

'Evangeline!' Henri gasped in surprise.

'Don't give me that look. I may look as old as the hills but I'm only thirty.' She replied indignantly. 'That's the same age as him.'

'I didn't mean it like that. I was just surprised you thought that. Aren't you married?' Henri asked curiously.

'Not at all, always been a maid.' Evangeline shrugged. 'I like to say I never saw a man that took my fancy, but we all know it's the other way around.'

'You shouldn't think like that!' Henri examined the woman in front of her.

Evangeline was tall and a little plump, with kind brown eyes and black hair. In fact, under the flour Henri could see a fine woman.

'I'm just realistic. But now you're the one to take his fancy. When did you two meet?' She asked eagerly, glancing around for Mr Dubois.

'Some months ago. He came in here a few times and things sort of went on from there.'

'Lucky duck.' Evangeline whistled.

'Only I'm in a bit of a tight spot. One of my friends seems to have feelings for me and I don't know what to do.' Henri admitted.

'Do you love him?' She asked simply.

'I don't know. Sometimes when I'm with him I feel as though I'm the happiest person in the whole world. But I thought we were just friends and so I hadn't thought about us.'