Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

No Easy Way	By : secretlysecretly Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 7568 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 49
- 50
- 51
Chapter 50

The days passed slowly as Erik and Marianne impatiently waited upon Raoul’s recovery. Raoul’s state had improved greatly according to Doctor Renault, but still he remained unconscious. Two days had gone by already and Erik was starting to worry both for the Viscount as well as his fiancé who always remained by her cousin’s side, barely eating or resting.

Fortunately Marianne did not have to deal with Christine as the Viscountess had been moved to a room and locked away there following to his instructions to the servants. Erik had made sure that the Viscountess would receive food and drink frequently and that Marianne would not come to contact with her unless the latter wanted to.

Fortunately, following to their confrontation of a couple of nights ago, Marianne had taken no interest in consorting with Christine again, henceforth managing to remain calm. The Viscountess on the other hand, had not stopped screaming and ranting for a long time but during the second day of her enclosure in the vacant room had taken to sulking and keeping to herself.

Erik on his part had made sure to remain by his fiancé’s side all through her waking moments, knowing it was doing her a world of good to feel him there. In the nights however, he returned to his mansion, wishing to raise no rumors regarding his attachment to Mademoiselle Pinon and her family.

It was on the third night ever since that fateful evening and Erik was preparing to leave to return to his home, right after Doctor Renault’s departure from the estate, hugging Marianne tightly to him, whispering that everything was going to be alright when they heard commotion from upstairs and a few seconds later saw Louise rushing down the stairs frantically.

“Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle! Your cousin Mademoiselle…” the maid called, out of breath. “Monsieur le Viscount has woken up and is asking for you and Monsieur Destler!” she informed the awe-struck couple standing by the door.

“Raoul…” Marianne whispered breathlessly, hope filling her heart at the notion that her cousin was going to be alright again. She turned her gaze to Erik and found him looking at her with the same enthusiasm she held.

They both hurried up the stairs and reached Raoul’s room shortly, finding the blonde man who was trying to sit up on the bed, disregarding the pain that was shooting through his limbs at the movement.

Erik ran to his side to stop him from hurting himself, but Raoul insisted on moving so that finally he was leaning his back against the bed frame and he finally turned to look at the man hovering above him.

“Raoul, how are you feeling?” Erik demanded, searching his face for any sign of discomfort on his part.

“I’ve been better….” Raoul muttered.

Erik smiled at the Viscount’s snide comment and turned his attention to Marianne who had rushed into the room after him, coming to stand next to him by Raoul’s side.

“Raoul…” she muttered as she reached out to pull a lock of hair away from his forehead, “it is so good to see you awake! I was so worried about you!” she cried relieved.

“It’s alright Marianne. I’m going to be fine.” he slurred tiredly.

“Oh Raoul! I wouldn’t be able to stand it if anything ever happened to you!” Marianne cried, kneeling next to the bed, reaching out to take his hand into both of hers.

“It’s all over now…” Raoul sighed, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “It’s all over now. Everything is going to change.”

“You need to rest.” Erik intervened, taking matters into his own hands. He reached out to pull the cord, summoning Gerard into the room and, as soon as the butler appeared instructed him to call for Doctor Renault again, informing him the patient had regained consciousness. Without even thinking twice, Gerard turned and hurried out of the room, following closely Erik’s orders.

Satisfied, the masked man turned back to Raoul, placing his hand on the wounded man’s shoulder. “You need to keep your strength. The Doctor will be here shortly, but until then you have to remain calm and avoid any sudden movements.” he explained in a grave voice.

Raoul didn’t say anything, merely nodding his head in response to Erik’s request. He saw his former nemesis put his arms around Marianne’s shoulders, gently helping her to her feet and walking by her side, offering her the chair that was resting close to his bedside.

“Erik, we need to talk.” Raoul stated calmly, noticing the look of pity his cousin gave him.

“This is not the time for conversation Raoul. Marianne and I are gloriously happy for your quick recovery. This is a time for rejoicing and celebrating your good health.” Erik smiled good naturedly.

“Good health? I feel like I was run over by a carriage drawn by a dozen of horses. There is a shooting pain running through my leg, and I should inform you that I’m not feeling rather happy at the moment.” the Viscount grumbled.

At his words, Marianne reached out to touch his hand tenderly, pity reflecting in her gaze as she stroked his skin. Erik on the other hand let a hearty laughter escape his lips and walked over to the other side of the bed to stand over Raoul. “My dear friend, I would be rather impressed to say the least if you were not feeling … crashed. I believe it is rather extraordinary that you regained consciousness so soon after your run in with that bullet.”

Raoul knitted his eyebrows in question at his old adversary’s comments. “What do you mean Destler? How long have I been out?”

“Merely a couple of days Viscount.” Erik stated seriously.

“But…” Raoul started, confused.

“Do not stress yourself Viscount.” Erik tried to hold him still as Raoul made to rise from the bed. However, his efforts were in vain as the Viscount de Chagny proved to be quite stubborn, intensifying his attempts to break free from Erik’s tenuous grasp. “Raoul!” Erik’s deep voice boomed in the room, “Stop this foolishness right now! You need to control yourself and remain still!” he demanded of the wounded man.

Erik’s harsh tone appeared to catch the bedridden man’s attention and Raoul tried to relax his muscles when he felt a flash of pain jolt through his injured limb at the tension. He suddenly felt foolish for straining his organism when it was quite apparent that his cousin and Erik Destler were worried for his health, to say the least.

The tall dark man hovering above him groaned irritably and helped Raoul to lie back on the bed, trying to alleviate the latter’s pain and all Raoul could do was grumble between his teeth about how he had stooped to needing help from the Phantom. “I have unknowingly helped you in the past Viscount. You wouldn’t have been so quick in winning Christine’s heart if it weren’t for my hideously deformed face.”

At his words, Marianne froze and her eyes flew nervously to Raoul who also appeared to have lost all sense of humor at the mention of his wife’s name. His body instantly grew rigid, and his eyes appeared to be frozen as he spoke.

“You will not speak of my wife again; do you understand?” he hissed, turning his attention back to the task at hand.

Erik merely nodded his head in response and helped the injured man settle back into bed, before turning to speak to his fiancé. “Marianne, we need to call for Doctor Renault.” he suggested, his eyes imploring her to do something in order to alleviate the tension from the room.

“Certainly darling” she agreed, “I will send a servant to his home right now, to inform him that Raoul has regained his senses.” she pleasantly informed him, standing to walk out of the room. On her way to the door, her eyes caught Erik’s worriedly, but he shook his head wishing to reassure her that everything was going to be alright.

Sighing dejectedly, she opened the door and stepped out of the room, anxious over the situation as it was forming. So much depended upon the way Raoul would chose to respond to his wife’s heartless betrayal. Christine had threatened time and again to turn Erik into the authorities, in the name of an empty vengeance she was set to take on the man who had given her everything and whom she had almost destroyed in return no more than three years ago.

It was perfectly clear to Marianne that Christine was determined to do anything in her power to punish Erik for replacing her, the radiant Primadonna, for a woman as common-looking as herself. It would seem that the Viscountess could not simply accept the fact that the man who had moved heaven and earth to win her love had become so indifferent to her charms. Apparently, it was inconceivable to her that Erik could shift his affection to anyone but her.

She descended the stairs with a heavy heart and reached the servants’ quarters, where she found the cook and Louise talking with each other. “Louise, please inform one of the stable boys that they need to go to town and fetch Doctor Renault immediately.”

The maid stood quickly and bowed her head in the affirmative.

“Yes Mademoiselle” she answered before she hastily took off to follow her mistress’ orders. Indeed, no more than a half an hour later, Zoffrua returned to the estate with the Doctor.

As soon as the Doctor entered the house, Marianne led him to Raoul’s bedroom, informing him that the patient had regained consciousness in the past hour or so. Naturally, the Doctor was thrilled to hear the news and requested to be left alone with his patient, wishing to examine him in privacy.

That was how Marianne found herself in the salon downstairs, sitting across from Erik who appeared to be quite calm in the midst of everything that was happening. He hadn’t spoken for all the time they had been alone, avoiding her gaze so that she couldn’t read his eyes.

Apprehensive at his behavior, Marianne stood from her seat, moving over to where he was perched on the sofa and sitting beside him. Erik did not acknowledge her, stubbornly looking away instead.

“Erik…” her small voice interrupted his reveries, and he felt her hand reach out to touch his timidly.

He looked down, sighing in frustration when he heard his name from her lips again, the sound of her sweet voice eliciting a familiar ache of self-hatred to take residence in his heart.

He looked at her then, his eyes meeting hers sternly. “Why are you so sullen? Have I said or done anything…?” she drifted off, only to be shushed by Erik as he tenderly brought his fingers to her lips. She looked at him with wide eyes, filled with unanswered questions, and Erik felt his heart swell with love at her innocent expression.

“Marianne, please, I don’t want you to worry about anything.” he whispered in a soothing voice, but felt his heart clench when she shook her head in the negative.

“But… you are suddenly so glum… Is it about something Raoul said? Did he tell you that he is going to support Christine without…”

“Marianne, please do not trouble yourself with such notions. Raoul said nothing of the sort. In fact, Christine’s name did not come up at all while we were alone with your cousin.”

“Erik, don’t try to protect me! What did Raoul say to you?”

“Nothing regarding his wife! He merely asked me what has happened of her, and I informed him that she’s safe and in the house, waiting for his recovery. In response, he only nodded his head and changed the subject, inquiring on your state and whether we have made any plans for our future or not.”

“Plans?” was all Marianne could muster, struck by Erik’s casualty given the circumstances.

“Yes” he smiled relieved that she appeared to have forgotten her apprehension for the time being.

“He wanted to know whether we were planning on staying in Rouen or taking some time to travel to avoid any questions regarding your pregnancy, as well as our imminent marriage, so soon after your fiancé’s passing.”

“I had not given any thought on the matter.” Marianne muttered forlornly, the full weight of her condition dawning on her suddenly.

“You have not given any thought to the matter of our marriage? Are you not planning to make an honest man out of me then?” Erik asked in mock astonishment.

For a brief second, Marianne stared at him, and then laughed for the first time since Raoul’s injury, smacking her hand against his bicep.

“Don’t tease me you!” she admonished him in an almost playful manner, her smile withering on her lips when he quickly took her hand in his and pulled her in his arms until their faces were separated by mere centimeters and she felt his breath against her lips.

“Everything is going to be alright Marianne.” he promised her, gently touching his lips to hers.

Marianne allowed her senses to take over for a few passing seconds, losing herself in his embrace, but remembering herself she pulled back, searching his eyes worriedly.

“What if Christine convinces Raoul that she never meant to hurt him? What if she turns you in to the authorities in a last effort to satisfy her sick need for revenge? What if Raoul stands by her side against you, despite of your efforts to save his leg against all the odds?” she cried frantically, her agony at the prospect of his vain suffering evident in her voice.

“Shhh my love. Everything is going to be fine.” he repeated, trying to bring her some peace.

“No Erik! That woman is determined to make both of us suffer. And Raoul… oh, Raoul was adamant when he demanded for her name not to be uttered ever again. Oh Erik… What are we ever going to do? I cannot even bear the thought of you suffering another moment because of that woman and my cousin’s inability to see through her…” she whispered burying her face in the crook of his neck, finally letting the tears she had been holding fall from her eyes.

Erik allowed her to vent her frustration for a while, tenderly running his fingers through her hair in an effort to soothe her sorrow but, unable to watch her suffer any longer, touched his hands to her face and pulled back, looking deep into her eyes.

“Please my love. You have to remain calm; if not for yourself and our baby, at least for my sake. I am absolutely certain that Raoul will do the right thing and manage to control Christine, but even if I’m proven wrong, I need to know you are going to be alright in the end.”

“Oh Erik…” she whispered, knowing he was right and that she would have to be strong in light of this new ordeal, but unable to control her fear against the unknown. “What if…”

“No Marianne!” he interrupted her determinedly. “No ifs, ands or buts! Even if the worse should happen, I have to know you are going to be strong for yourself and our baby.”

“No Erik! Don’t even think it! I could never live without you by my side! It would surely kill me if I ever had to go on without you in my life!” she cried frantically.

“You are my heart and my soul Marianne. You have given me more than I could ever dream of… and now… now you have accepted my hand in marriage and are bearing my child. I could die a happy man right now knowing you love me and I would gladly die a thousand deaths if it meant you would find happiness.”

Marianne stared at him, hot tears running down her cheeks, shaking her head in denial, but Erik held onto her tightly, locking his gaze to hers. “I’m sure it will all work out for the best in the end my love.” he reassured her intensely. “Your cousin is of noble heart and mind and I trust that he will do everything in his power to assure your happiness and well being. Even if I’m proven wrong however and I should end up in prison for the rest of my life, paying for my past crimes and inept foolishness, I should be happier than any king knowing I have your love and our child is healthy and well.”

“I can’t Erik… I’m not that strong! If anything should happen to you…” she trailed off anxiously.

“Do not worry love. Raoul will do what’s right and control that devil woman of his. But even if he can’t I will not go down without a fight.” he promised ominously, urgently capturing her lips with his and delving his tongue in the cavern of her mouth.

Her blood instantly started pumping furiously through her veins as Erik explored her mouth and she answered his kiss with matching passion. She plunged her fingers in his hair, pulling him to her, desperate to take as much of him in as possible. Erik felt her respond fervently to his kiss and almost gave in to his urge to seduce her then and there. He would have tried to make love to her, had it not been for the dire circumstances they were facing, but he knew he would have to regain his control if they were to resolve this situation the soonest possible.

With a heavy heart, he pulled back and disentangled himself from his lover, paying no heed to her whimper of frustration as he stood from the couch they were occupying and walked uneasily to the unlit fireplace.

“I want you to promise me you will remain strong, no matter the outcome of your cousin’s actions Marianne. I want you to promise me you will do everything in your power to secure your happiness as well as our child’s.” he said in a constricted voice, his back turned to her.

“Erik don’t…” Marianne whispered pleadingly.

“Promise me Marianne. Promise me you will seek happiness despite my circumstances!” he urged her.

“Don’t do this Erik… Please! Don’t talk like that!” she pleaded with him.

“Promise me Marianne!” his voice rang out in the stillness of the room, making her voice hitch in her throat.

“I can’t! I will never be whole without you by my side. We were apart for less than a month and I couldn’t bring myself to care about anyone or anything that was happening around me!” she cried, letting her emotions take over the tight control she had over herself.

Discerning the urgency of her tone, Erik turned then, his eyes burning as he regarded her.

“I could never live without you Erik! It would be an empty life, devoid of feelings, love, passion and light. My life without you would be an endless abyss of solitude and pain. Ask anything of me my love but not that. I would have joined my life with Olivier’s if I had known it would keep you safe, but even the thought of you losing everything you fought so hard for makes me ill! I cannot bear the thought of you being forced to live in darkness again Erik, stripped of your dignity and your wondrous sense of freedom.”

“Don’t say such things my love. Don’t even think them. No matter what happens to me…” Erik tried to reason with her, but was interrupted when Marianne stood from the couch and rushed to his side, touching her fingers tenderly to his masked cheek, edging the mask that covered his deformity. In one swift motion, she stripped him of the white porcelain, and in an instant touched her lips reverently to his scarred flesh, tasting the salty tears he had not realized had escaped his eyes.

“You once told me I am your light Erik. Your sun, your moon and your stars. You’re more than that to me my love. You are my breath, my heart beats for you and you alone. I was merely existing before I met you. You have taught me what it means to live and I could never go back to the empty life I had been leading before I met you. We will get through this together. Even if I have to leave everything behind and follow you to the ends of the earth to be with you, I will do so without a second thought!” she cried, trying to make him understand how important she deemed him in her life.

“I would lose my soul if I ever lost you Erik… Who can live without a soul?” she asked him, burying herself in his arms, kissing his deformity and then moving to touch her lips to his, drinking from the sweet nectar of his mouth before she stepped back, increasing the distance between them once more.

“Come, we will find a way to be together.” she whispered, lacing her fingers with his and leading him out of the room. Erik simply nodded, realizing he didn’t have only himself to protect anymore, but also Marianne and their baby. And Marianne, his sweet, loving, strong Marianne was determined to stay by his side through thick and thin… He followed her as she stepped out of the room but, just as she was about to step through the threshold, pulled her to him slightly causing her to misstep and turn to look at him questioningly.

The look he gave her was one of wonder, his eyes caressing the contours of her face lovingly. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” he whispered in a dreamy voice, smiling to himself and the notion of spending the rest of his days by this extraordinary woman’s side.

Her eyes lit up at his words and she smiled radiantly to him as he retrieved his steps and led them out of the room, smiling like a fool as they made their way towards Raoul’s room, much like a man who had no cares in the world.

****************************************************************************************************************

A/N:Thank you for reading and reviewing! Oh, by the way, this chapter has not been proof-read as we wanted to get it to you the soonest possible (about 3 weeks too late that is) so please be kind with any errors you might encounter!
- 49
- 50
- 51
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

No Easy Way