The Lyre

"You see, Kat, our fathers' haven't been getting along, and that's why my father went home to Boston early. There are things that you couldn't understand, things I can't explain to you right now, that make your father truly hate mine. Now, if it was just a matter of them being unable to get along, I would have no problem staying here at all. Yet I feel uncomfortable near your Papa right now, so my mother and I are going to go home tonight. We miss my father very much, and we've hardly ever been separated. This just might have happened even if there had been no fight."

Katherine watched Allyriane for a little bit, and simply nodded. She was being treated like a smaller child than she was, but she didn't really mind. Undoubtedly, Allyriane and Charles had their reasons for explaining things to her this way. Perhaps it was to protect her feelings. Still, she knew she was going to miss the older girl dearly.

"How long until I see you again?" She finally asked quietly. "Will it be soon?"

"I certainly hope so." Allyriane smiled, touching her shoulder. "Your brother has promised to take you to Boston for a visit, before school starts again." She looked to Charles with a smile, then back to Katherine, seeming to think to herself nerverously for a long moment. "Kat, there's something I would like to ask you. Will you be a brides maid at our wedding next year?"

"Would I?" Katherine's eyes widened. "I would love to! Oh, thank you, Lyre!" She launched herself towards her brother's fiancee, embracing her excitedly. Laughing, Allyriane held her gently, and Charles simply put his arms about both of them. "I can't wait until next year! This is the most exciting thing I've ever been a part of!"

"It's the only thing you've ever been a part of." Charles chuckled drolly.

"Mr. Genie, these plans you've drawn are nothing at all like the senator requested!" Erik's assistant and partner in his contracting firm came hurrying into the office the day after Erik's return to Boston, looking flushed and upset. "We only have a few hours until he arrives to see what you have for him! He may be a rich man, but this would cost a fortune for even his heavy purse!"

Erik looked up calmly, reaching out to pluck the rolled up plans out of his partners' hand. He then simply tucked it into a small cubby hole over his shoulder, against the wall.

"I see you were snooping around while I was in my meeting with the foreman of the Bailey account." He murmured softly. "This has nothing to do with the Senator's home. I created this last night. You see, my daughter was proposed to while I was away with my family. I plan on creating this home for them as a wedding gift."

"Oh . . . well . . . congradulations I suppose." The assistant looked utterly embarrassed for a moment. "Still! How the devil can you possibly afford such a place?"

"I am almost hoping that her fiancee's father will help with the expensives. He's a Comte from France. One of the aristocrats we have over there." Erik certainly didn't expect Raoul to ever speak to him again, never mind help him build a wedding present for Charles and Allyriane. Yet he wasn't about to tell his young assistant that he'd aquired a great wellspring of wealth over his eighty-some-odd years on this earth. No one had any idea that he was over forty-five! "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few finishing touches to get done on the senator's town house."

His assistant turned slowly, starting towards the door, then paused halfway there. He turned slowly, eyeing Erik almost cautiously.

"Might I ask to see the plans?" He asked quietly. "I don't mean to insult your style or intelligence. You've known me long enough to know that. I just . . . you haven't worked with the Senator before. How do you know what he wants?"

"He wants a larger version of what he has right now." Erik stated, not even looking up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Robert, I can hardly concentrate with you constantly asking me stupid questions. I'm not in the mood to be around people right now, either. Now get going, for God's sake!"

Robert sighed, and closed the office door firmly behind him as he left. He'd never seen Erik in such a foul mood. For the most part, his anger could go unnoticed. Yet when he looked up, or spoke, Robert could easily see that his partner was hardly in an accomodating mood. He remained calm and polite, but his patience was on the end of a fatally short fuse today. With two hours until the meeting, he certainly hoped he'd have calmed down by then.

In his office, Erik continued scratching away at the plans for the Senator's new home, and sighed heavily. He'd left Marguerite and Fleur at the apartment that morning, with plenty of money for them to tour the city with. He hadn't liked the idea of sending them off into an unknown place completely unchaperoned, considering they hardly knew any English. Yet he really had no choice in the matter. This was a very important assignment, he was dealling with today. The senator was a close friend of the President, from what he'd been told. If the senator was impressed, he promised to tell the President about Erik. That could mean. . . just possibly . . . that he could become a millionaire in short time. If he built something for the president, he couldn't possibly imagine the reputation he'd gain. He both wanted and dreaded it.

There were several things to be greatful for in a business that prospered. Erik was already well aware of the overpowering financial security he had. The business he'd run in France had been very wealthy, and he had a very large bank account to prove it. Yet there was the fortune from his past which even Isabelle was not aware of, which Erik had left to her in his will, should anything ever happen to him. Still, one could never be too secure about their financial affairs. He took risks in several stocks, and it was easy to lose a fortune in moments. If this business prospered, then he could feel even better about his accounts, and stash the money he made into his bank to sit locked away, untouched by anyone but himself or his family.

Still, if the business prospered that well, it could easily steal time from his life with Isabelle, and what was left of his time with Allyriane. That, he would never be able to cope with. Although he'd had busy days or weeks, he'd never let it interfere with his personal life. Having such a sharp mind helped to ease the burden of extreme demands his clients made of him occassionally. Still, he did not want to become such a successful business man, that his tombstone read about what a great designer and architecht he'd been. He wanted it to say what a loving and devoted husband and father he'd been. That was the thing that kept his business from being a billion-dollar industry, and he damn well knew it.

"Richard!" he called an hour after the first confrontation of that morning. "Come in here, and take a look at this if you're so intrested!" Standing, he moved to stare out a window temporarily, watching as the busy streets bustled with activity. Seconds later, his assistant and partner hurried back into the room, looking at him curiously before moving to the desk. Erik turned slowly, watching him as he examined the drawings, and smiled as the mans' eyes widened.

"Brilliant, Erik!" He announced enthusiastically, looking up at him fast. "Simply god-damned brilliant!"

Erik smiled in satisfaction.

"I knew you would think so. There's only one little question I have for you. I've been thinking of an extra room. The senator, does anyone in his family have an intrest in music?"