Watch and Learn|Christine/ FINISHED

[christine]

Christine looked at Edward as he spoke to her. Remaining silent, she continued to walk with him and listened to what he had to say. "You think so?" she questioned him a moment later. Perhaps he was right. Maybe she would do well soon enough. Christine still hadn't thought about what school she was going to yet. There were so many to chose from.

Shaking her head lightly Christine looked over at him and said "Well, my husband has been telling me to go to a school somewhere called Julliard. It seems so far away though. And it is for the arts" she said. "Im still not sure yet" she said in a very soft quiet tone.

Looking around she noticed someone staring at them. Was he thinking they where an item? Christine didn't know but she just nodded her head in a friendly hello. Christine looked around then back at Edward. Still studying him with her eyes. Christine noticed a few young children, running about in an interesting area. Christine remained silent after she spoke to him.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Monte Cristo couldn't help smiling when Christine mentioned Julliard, since that had been exactly what he was thinking. Julliard was in Manhattan, in the Upper West Side if he recalled correctly, which was very near by to him, but depending on where she called home, it could be considered far as well. Besides, everyone had different perceptions of "near" and "far." Monte Cristo had been to so many places, and traveled so often, that he considered New Jersey to be nearby. Of course, many people were not of that opinion, least of all the New Yorkers who refused to identify with their little neighbor state.

"Julliard is a wonderful school," Monte Cristo said, explaining his opinion of the place. "Truly the place to be if you wish to develop your voice even more."

The place had an impeccable reputation, and rightfully so. Still, Monte Cristo could only imagine what the tuition was like these days. It would have been nothing for him, but unless Christine was actually rich, it could pose a barrier for her. He would not have minded helping with the cost, but he knew it would be rude to suggest such a thing. Besides, he was not going to blow his cover now.

Monte Cristo followed Christine's gaze toward the children. He liked children- they were innocent, and it was a shame when parents robbed them of their innocence too soon. He sometimes wondered what sort of father he would be. He'd grown up moderately happy, though he wished his mother had survived and been there for his childhood.

He guessed Christine did not have any children, especially not small ones who required so much of their parents' free time. Still, one never knew these days.

"Have you and your husband thought about children?" he asked, hoping he was not broaching on a touchy subject.

[christine]

The wind came upon her and brushed the curls off her shoulders. Coming upon a park where children were playing she couldn't help but smile. Christine loved children, and she wished she had some of her own. Maybe someday she will. They were far away from where they where for a while. So this gave her time to continue talking to Edward.

Once he said develop her voice more, Christine cringed a little. She had been trained and also had the same tutor she had for years and years. Her angel of music in which her father promised. Christine looked over to him and said nothing for a while. The coughed a little. "Im alright" she said softly. "From what I heard about Julliard, it does sound like nice school" she said softly looking at him a moment later.

Finding an empty bench she sat down on it. Motioning Edward to sit with her. Her smile never left her face as she watched the children play. They were adorable, and she loved children. Placing her purse upon her lap she held it nice and tight so no one could steal it. Christine looked upon them softly and then looked over at Edward as he asked her a question.

A sigh escaped her and shook her head sadly. "No we do not have any children. Though we are planning to have them in the future sometime, after I finish my education at Julliard." she said softly. "If I have a son, I will be naming him after my father" she said softly. Christine had always adored her father's name. Which was Gustave. Hoping to have a son, and name him after him. Christine looked over at him then back at the children.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Monte Cristo watched her smile as she looked at the children playing across the way. It seemed she would be a wonderful mother, if the way she looked while watching children play was any indication.

She coughed, something Monte Cristo did not pay much mind to; it was a little cold, after all. He did notice how she had cringed at his words about learning at Julliard, but given what she had said earlier about not necessarily wanting a singing job, he could guess there were some troubling thoughts associated with that subject.

He nodded as she mentioned naming a son after her father. He would probably do the same, with the children's middle names at least. His parents' names were no longer popular as first names, something he had to consider. Not that he was planning to name his kids according to popularity.

"I will probably do the same, though to be honest I have not thought about it much," he remarked, sitting next to her on the bench. "My parents were Louis and Marie. Good strong names, I think."

He looked up slightly. They were sitting near a large magnolia tree, which was apparently just beginning to bloom. "Spring really is a wonderful time of year," he remarked, gesturing at all of the plants around them that were being reborn. Rebirth was something of a theme for him.

[christine]

Some of the children had recognized Christine from a while back when she used to come here all the time. Even though she had lived here for over two years, Christine would watch them play around with each other. Some waved to her and Christine waved back to them. Silenced was placed between Edward and Christine.

Once Christine said her father's name she went silent again. How she missed him. After all she was only seven years of age when he passed away. Her new family was Madam Giry and Meg. Christine turned to Edward again as he spoke to her. Christine always loved that name Gustave. It was her fathers' name and she would very well, name him after her father if she had a son of her own.

"Louis and Marie are nice names" she said softly looking over at Edward. The sun was now setting behind the playground where the children were playing. The sky started to get some color and she didn't know what else to do at this point. Christine looked at him again and smiled lightly. He was a friendly person. Someone whom Christine would probably trust after she got to know him better.

Brushing a string of hair out of her face, she said "Indeed Spring is a beautiful time of year. My favorite season of all come to think of it" she said softly. Christine then looked at Edward. "Though back at home winter had been my favorite time of year. Everything was covered in snow. Its very beautiful there in winter." she said with a light smile upon her face. Christine turned back to the children and kept watching them play around with each other.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Monte Cristo nodded as Christine spoke about her home in winter. "I have only seen snow a few times, all while traveling. It doesn't snow much in New Orleans." He said this with a smile, as if the comment brought back pleasant memories.

Really, though, there were few pleasant memories associated with his life in New Orleans. Everything had been overshadowed by the betrayal that had landed him in jail and cost him the woman he had loved. However, none of this was shown on Monte Cristo's face; he had long since developed the ability to keep a straight face or smile while thinking about the past.

The children playing in the distance waved at Christine; it seemed they knew or at least recognized her. Monte Cristo couldn't help smiling at their energy and excitement. It was always a shame when they grew up and became part of the corrupted world. If only one could keep from losing that innocence and sense of wonder as one came into contact with society.

A few of the parents looked up to see who their children were waving at; they seemed to recognize Christine too, or at least, they decided she meant no harm to the kids and continued with their conversations or business. But one man, presumably a young father, also seemed to recognize Monte Cristo. He stood up and, glancing at the group of children as if to ensure their safety, strode over to where Monte Cristo and Christine were sitting.

He looked a bit nervous as he approached them. "Good day, sir, madam," he said, nodding at each of them. To Monte Cristo, he extended his hand and continued, "Beg pardon, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Grant, an investment banker. I've been reading about you in the papers, Mr. Monte Cristo. Congratulations on your successes."

Monte Cristo shook the man's hand, masking his slight annoyance very well. He hated being treated like a celebrity. "Thank you, Grant. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Grant nodded again and reached into his pocket. After fumbling through his wallet, he took out a business card and handed it to Monte Cristo. "Um, just in case you're ever looking for someone to hire. I'd be glad to send you a résumé."

Monte Cristo tucked the card into a jacket pocket. "I'll keep you in mind."

"Thank you. Have a lovely afternoon." Grant smiled at Monte Cristo, then at Christine, and then headed back over to the children. Monte Cristo turned to Christine with a slight smile, hoping she would not ask what that encounter had been about, but knowing the question was inevitable and that she had every right to ask. Then again, she may have caught the man's brief reference to his last name, and if she had heard of Monte Cristo in the news as well, the situation would be fairly obvious to her. Hopefully she would understand why he had lied about his name.

[christine]

Christine raised an eyebrow for a moment then she looked at him as he spoke about New Orleans. "Really? In most places it snows. From what I discovered in the internet. Some parts of the states. Its very strange that snow won't reach in New Orleans" she said in her light voice. Christine continued to listen to Edward speak. He was very well spoken.

Then Christine turned her head back to the children for a moment. A light smile was on her face as she watched them run around and play tag with one another. Christine always adored children, and hoped to have one some day. Christine couldn't help but smile and giggle every now and then as she watched them play.

Her attention was still on the children for a moment. Suddenly she noticed one man going over to his daughter and he walked over to Edward. Tilting her head softly she watched the two speak for a bit. However, he did seem a bit overwhelmed and yet nervous as he spoke to Edward. Christine watched the little girl for a moment then nodded her head to the man who spoke to Edward.

Christine's eyes looked at the card for a moment, and then back up at the young gentleman who gave him his business card. All she could do now was just remain silent for a while as they spoke. Her eyes darted back to the younger ones playing.

Then the gentleman left them again. The young girl waved goodbye to Christine, and she gave a little wave as well. Christine looked up at the gentleman and nodded her head and said "Good day sir" she turned her attention back to Edward. "So what was that all about? If you don't mind on me asking?" she asked curiously fixing her self upon the bench a moment later. Christine didn't know what else to say for a bit. So she just remained silent, as she waited for his answer.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

As Christine asked the question he had more or less been expecting, Monte Cristo smiled and offered a tiny shrug. He had been considering his potential answers during the brief time that passed between the man leaving and Christine finishing the question.

He would avoid lying as much as possible, because, understandably, people did not take lies well. Besides, Christine deserved as much of an honest answer as he could afford to give. He did not know whether they would meet again after this, but if they did, lies would only hinder the development of a friendship.

His expression remained as nonchalant as it had been before as he spoke, one of the many talents he had developed over the past couple of years.

"That was a young man who apparently has heard of my work somehow, and apparently is a fan of it. He took the opportunity to network by leaving his card with me. It was a daring thing to do, I suppose, though I do not consider myself worthy of the sort of deference he was showing me. I'm just an investor."

An investor, of course, with one of the largest fortunes in the world, but Monte Cristo's demeanor remained humble. "I apologize for the interruption," he added.

"New Orleans is very hot and humid," he explained, in response to her earlier comment. "Snow falls once every several years. But where it lacks in snow in the winter, it makes up for in beauty in the spring and fall.

"How does the winter here compare to your winters back home?" he asked. "I missed most of the winter this year, which most people tell me is a good thing." He grinned a little, indicating that he was mostly joking about with his last statement.

[christine]

Sitting upon the bench she waited patiently for Edward to answer her. A few parents had begun taking their children home for the evening. Christine frowned lightly at the scene. Children had always made her happy. Someday she would have some soon. Though she was not quite sure as of yet. Things were still going very slowly for the new couple.

Christine turned her head to Edward after watching the children leave with their parents. Listening to what he had to say. "I see. He seems like a good worker. I don't know how I know that, but he seems to be a honest fellow" she said in a soft voice. Trying to give Edward some feedback.

A light smile appeared on Christine's face. Turning to Edward she said "Its perfectly alright Edward. I didn't mind it really" she said laying a tender hand upon his own. Then she took it off and looked around once more. The sun was halfway gone below the horizon. Christine sighed softly. Then she heard about New Orleans. it sounded wonderful.

Then he asked how the winters back in Paris. "Well...." she began, shifting herself to face Edward more now. "Winters back at home. Are very cold, though beautiful all at the same time. I usually go to the cemetery to go visit my father who is buried there" she said softly."Here its very freezing. Im not used to it yet" she explained softly. "Where do you go for the holidays Edward?" she asked curiously still staring at him. He was a very interesting man to talk to.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Monte Cristo smiled as Christine offered her opinion on the young man that had approached them. He had gotten a favorable impression of him as well, but the fact that Christine had as well made that perception mean much more. "Thank you, I will keep that in mind," he told her.

He listened as she spoke about the differences between her home and New York in the winter. Certainly the city contained less scenery and more metal; which was the more beautiful was the opinion of each person. Monte Cristo was not inclined to choose one over the other, though at the moment he was very tempted to get away from the hectic city life and take an impromptu vacation somewhere more peaceful.

She asked him where he spent his holidays; Monte Cristo had to think about the answer for a moment. The past year, he had only taken one vacation, a cruise around the Mediterranean with Haydeé. Before that, he had spent all of his time carrying out his plans against certain individuals, and before that, he had been in jail for more than a decade. Monte Cristo decided he definitely needed more vacations.

"Well, last December, a friend and I sailed around the Mediterranean Sea. It was a wonderful experience, one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys cruises.

"Beyond that, I cannot remember any other trips. I suppose I was busy with work." He gave a small, slightly helpless smile, as if acknowledging his "workaholicism" but not doing much about it.

He also noticed the late hour; there was work left to be done, as much as he would have liked to remain in the gardens for the remainder of the evening. He could practically see his staff running about, trying to get their own jobs accomplished. having been thrown off schedule by Monte Cristo's unexpected tarry in the park.

"I'm afraid I must be on my way shortly," he said to Christine, rising to his feet as he spoke. Still smiling, he extended his hand, offering to help her stand as well if she wished to get up. "May I walk you to your car?" he asked, wishing to continue speaking to her for as least as long as it took them to reach the parking lot, or the bus if that was how she had arrived.

[christine]

A light smile appeared upon Christine's face when he respond to her feedback. "Your welcome Edward" she said smiling softly. Christine turned and noticed sunlight had disappeared and darkness had arrived. A sigh escaped from her, and she knew she should be heading home soon. But she did not want to leave just yet.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful" she said softly looking upon Edward again. "Sadly, I have never been on a cruise before. Or, at least I don't think so..." Christine looked to the ground then back at him. Grabbing her sweater, she felt the cold chill come to her. Christine pulled her coat upon her shoulders and felt warm again.

Christine stood up with Edward, and looked around then back at him. "Well, its been nice speaking with you today Edward" she said in a soft light voice. Christine noticed that the lamp lights were beginning to turn on. A few people had already left the area, a few stayed with their loved ones, and stared up at the sky. Christine turned to Edward before she departed.

Then he asked about her transportation, she shook her head and said "No, I didn't come here by car. My apartment building, isn't that far from here" she said in a gentle voice. Christine had spent the whole afternoon with this nice man. "Perhaps, we can meet up again sometime soon?" she asked in a gentle voice. "As, I said before, It was nice meeting you" she said smiling upon him and she had her hand out waiting for him to take it as if to say good bye.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Monte Cristo gave Christine a nod and smile. "It has been a pleasure to speak with you as well, Christine," he said, bowing slightly. He had not planned to spend as much time in the Gardens as he had, but it had been time well spent with a most interesting acquaintance. "I wish you all the best in the future."

He took her hand and shook it very gently. "I am sure we will meet up again. Perhaps here in the Gardens, or elsewhere in the city. This is a surprisingly small town." He made the comment with a slight laugh, because he knew, of course, that New York was the most populated city in the country and one of the largest in the world.

There was also the problem of his unwanted fame. Eventually, Christine would come to realize who he actually was, whether by recognizing his face in the paper or seeing him on television. He could only hope she would understand his reasons for lying, the attempts at preserving what little privacy he had. Privacy truly was little more than an illusion in the age of information and commerce, an illusion he could not seem to attain for all his attempts at remaining out of the public eye.

He glanced around; there was probably enough light that Christine would make her way home safely. Walking a woman to her car was one thing; to her home, something else entirely. While Monte Cristo did wish to ensure that she made it home safely, he was not going to cross that delicate line of- again- privacy.

"Until we meet again," he said with a smile, letting go of her hand and taking a few steps away before turning and heading back in the direction from which he had come. The night was just beginning, and he had plenty of work to catch up on.



[Fin for MC; thanks for a great thread!]