Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

XL.

Zuri rocked Aya in her arms as she nursed the small child. She felt Erik's soft hands rub her back as she did so. It had been a week since the incident and still had no leads to who had pushed Zuri down the stairs. There were two suspects in his mind and no doubt he would find them. He knew it had to be Christine and Raoul, the fop. If they were responsible, as he suspected, then he would make sure to wring their necks. He would probably let Zuri beat the hell out of Christine if she wanted to.

"She is beautiful Zuri." Erik told his wife as she held their child to her chest.

"Yes she is. Erik, I want to move."

"What? Why?" Erik questioned her.

"I don't feel safe in Paris anymore. I don't care where we go but I do not want our child to be in any harm." Zuri explained.

"Where do you want to go then?" He asked her as she handed him Aya.

"I don't know Erik, I just want to go somewhere where we have no past. Please Erik. I don't feel safe."

"I know love. I promise that we will move soon." Erik said as he gently rocked Aya in his arms. Zuri smiled as she watched him rocking Aya. He was a great father and she knew that they would have more children in the future. "What?" He asked as she smiled again.

"You look so natural holding Aya. You are a perfect father Erik." Zuri complimented him as he tried to pull his finger away from his daughter's death grip. She laughed softly as he finally pried his finger from his daughter's hands.

"She's a strong girl." He commented.

"She gets it from her father...and her eyes."

"I'm glad that is the only thing she gets."

"Erik. You know how much I love you. I wouldn't have cared if she had come out with your infliction or not. I didn't marry you for your looks." She paused then smiled, "Though my husband is very handsome."

He laughed, Zuri knew how to make him feel better about himself. "I am lucky to have you Zuri."

"You bet your handsome behind on it." Zuri replied as she laughed with him.

"Italy." Erik said, "we'll go to Italy before Autumn comes. I promise."

"Thank you Erik. I love you so much." She thanked him then embraced him gently.

Erik smiled again, "As I love you."

xxxx

"What?!" Christine screamed as she pulled at her brunette curls in frustration. "Neither the brat or bitch died!"

"It was never guaranteed..." The informant told her.

"I don't care. I'm going back and this time I will take care of it properly since no one else can."

"Yes Madame." He said. The informant then left her behind, plotting her next move.

"That bitch will get what she deserves." She murmured to herself then began to come up with a new plan.