Author Note: Welcome back fellow readers. I am once again writing after a very very extremely long break. School has been busy and going to Scotland also took up some of my time but now I am back and will be posting some excellent stories.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, phantom, money and also I have no idea how to play poker and so I apologize if I do anything wrong pertaining to that game. Enjoy!

Setting: This is set 5 years into the future of Little Words, my other story. If you didn't read Little Words and don't want to it is ok a little catch up for everyone. In Little Words: Erik and Christine have a little time to wait before Raoul comes to save Christine. It is where Christine realizes that she loves Erik and they escape before Raoul arrives (she knows that if Raoul showed up she wouldn't have the courage to stay with Erik) they end up on the outskirts of a town, next to a run down Church. Fluffy good times ensue till Raoul shows up. Christine doesn't want to go with him, Raoul shoots Erik and drags Christine away. After a while he realizes she doesn't love him, she leaves making it back to Erik who is alive and they live happily ever after………for now. And now on to the sequel to Little Words.

Rising Trouble

Raoul looked around the smoke infested room; he wasn't in the best of company. It seemed that the toothless smiles, which resembled scowls, were ready to pounce at the slightest wrong move. Raoul knew that he was over his head, swimming in deep waters with no hope of salvation. He looked down at his cards frustrated to find that once again he did not have a winning hand. It had been some months now since he had any amount of luck at all. The man sitting next to him upped the bet, and then waited to see what decision Raoul would make. Raoul knew he wasn't going to win but he really had nothing left to lose. Matching the bet Raoul knew his time was up. Once everyone revealed their hand Raoul felt his heart sink. He lost.

"Looks ter me ye lost again Chagny," the portly man sneered, taking the winnings from the center of the table. Raoul only nodded before donning his hat and walking to the door to escape the intoxicating atmosphere. He had hoped that this would be his night. The night he won it all back, but it seemed he had sunk further down into his already empty pocket.

He was becoming desperate for money, but was unable to find it any where. The banks had begun to turn him down. His friends had long ago stopped lending him money. He thought that his luck would turn and then he would be able to pay back, not only his friends but the more dangerous people he acquired money from and now his debts were being called in from those less than reputable men that he had to borrow from. He couldn't get the money from anyone else to pay his debt and time was running out. Raoul doubted highly that McClendon would once again give him an extension.

Raoul arrived at the small inn he had been staying at and stepped inside. He waved at some men he knew sitting in the dining area before heading to his room. He had been living here for three months because his house had been repossessed by the bank.

He sat down on the edge of his bed, and placed his head between his hands and sighed. How had he fallen so far? He had become addicted to gambling and lost everything. Raoul remembered why he started. He wanted to find something to do that would take his mind off of Christine. He had been restless for weeks after she had left. He often wondered if she had found Erik. If so was she happy? Did she think of him as much as he did her? These questions tormented him till he began to drink constantly. He could never drown his sorrows or feeling sorry for himself. Soon the bottle wasn't enough and he began to bet and gamble away his money. Years later he had lost it all. His thoughts weren't so centered on his lost love but now his lost money.

"What have I become?" He said close to tears.

-o-

Christine opened her eyes slowly and looked around the quiet room. She had fallen asleep while reading by the fire. Hearing the distant sound of a dog barking she realized it was that which woke her up. Getting up from the chair she could feel her joints stiffen. She knew that she would be sore later on from being in the same position for so long. The barking began to get closer along with high pitched squeals and giggles. Christine looked out the front window and her eyes met with a rather comical and endearing picture.

She could see her husband's strong form coming out from the wooded path, and upon his left shoulder he carried a small child with both her feet dangling off to one side. Her tiny hand was engulfed by Erik's big one, while her other hand grabbed the side of his head. Christine had to laugh to herself at the sight that they created. Erik's hair had become all muddled up and his mask was skewed. He was trying desperately to keep his daughter upon his shoulder, which was proving most difficult for she kept moving around trying to follow the dog. Their hound dog was running to and fro beneath his feet barking up at the giggling girl. Christine was surprised that they made it this far with no accidents since half of his vision was blocked too.

"It looks like the three of you are having lots of fun," Christine said coming out to stand on the porch. Erik laughed before swinging his daughter down from his shoulder. Once Amanda's feet hit the ground she rushed to her mother and buried her face in her skirts.

"I missed you Mommy," the little face beamed.

"You missed me? But darling you were only gone for a couple of hours."

"I know," she grinned taking her mother's finger.

"What did Papa and you do?" Christine asked. Amanda looked over at her father and winked at him. Erik chuckled.

"Nothing,"

"Nothing huh?" Christine glanced at her husband, raising her eyebrow in suspicion. Erik had straightened his mask and came to stand by them both.

"It is true Christine," he added innocently before kissing her on the cheek. "Amanda and I just played with Chance. Didn't we?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded, her brown curls bobbing. "Mommy, I think that Chance is thirsty. Can I go and get him some water?"

"Of course," Christine answered. Amanda dashed off to fill up the bowl with water. Erik smiled at his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist. Christine snuggled into his chest.

"You are a horrible influence on our daughter Erik,"

"Really and why would you say that Christine?" He asked, trying to sound confused.

"Look at her, already lying to me. I saw the look you two were giving each other. You are keeping something from me and I am going to find out what it is."

"Keeping something from you? Christine what is this nonsense that you are talking about?" he continued innocently "We did exactly what we said we were doing."

"Oh, I don't doubt that you two were doing what you said. All am I saying is that you were doing something else too, and I inten-" Erik kissed her, preventing her from speaking more.

"And what were you saying?" He whispered. Christine laughed slapping him playfully on the shoulder. She removed his mask and brought his lips back to hers.

"Mommy! Mommy looks what I found," Amanda came rushing towards the previously occupied couple. Christine looked down to see what her daughter was carrying, a turtle.

"Can I keep it?"

"Amanda, what have I said about animals entering my house?"

"But it is not an animal it is a turtle."

"Alright new rule, no turtles are allowed in the house."

"That is not fair!" Amanda pouted, "Papa tell Mommy that it is not fair."

Erik straightened up and saluted his daughter in the most formal manner before turning to Christine.

"Mommy that is not fair," he imitated his daughters small voice.

"Papa!" Amanda huffed.

"Amanda!" Erik replied back with the same tone.

"Oh you two stop it," Christine rolled her eyes, smiling. "Put the turtle back Amanda."

"But...Mommy."

"Your Mother is right Amanda," Erik said being serious now "but of course if you really want to keep the turtle then you will have to get rid of Chance." Amanda's eyes widened. Without another word she rushed back to the trees and set the turtle down. After she had done that she hurried back to where Chance was lapping up the fresh water and wrapped her arms around him.

"I will never, never ever get rid of you." She said seriously snuggling her face in his fur. Erik smiled and grabbed her little form from behind and whirled her in the air. She squealed in delight.

"Come on you." He said " Let's go and make dinner."

"Yippee," She cried. Christine laughed, following them inside.