A/N – We now have hot water again! Yay us! Back to the story at hand, we are picking up the next day from the previous chapter. Please review if you can – I reply to all reviews in Private Messages, so the conversation can continue. Recap –

Nadir regarded his woman "If it is what will make you happy, I will assign guards to each of their doors Antoinette. Anything you wish, make it known and it will be yours." Nadir kissed the hand of Madame's that he was holding, "And the judge comes tomorrow for us. We won't have to make a trip into town. We will have the Children here with us, and maybe it will light a fire under the boy when it comes to his songbird."

Madame woke up that morning alone, Nadir had already gone down for breakfast. She noticed a tray on her side of the bed, with some pastries and tea, and a note from Nadir "My dear Antoinette, today is the day we wed. I will make sure all THREE of the children are present, and that number includes Erik. He doesn't know our plans, and I'm sure we will hear his displeasure about the secrets. Take your time, and I will see you this afternoon. – Nadir K."

Madame smiled, her heart filled, not only for her and Nadir, but also for Meg, Erik and Christine. Maybe Nadir was right, their nuptials with the judge would push Erik a bit, if it didn't send him reeling from the secrecy. Madame laughed at the thought, knowing Erik would be a handful today.

Christine was already with Nadir at breakfast, having run the rose oil through her hair, and feeling much better about her curls being under control again. She didn't realize how much the little things can make a difference when they aren't there. Nadir had a permanent grin on his face, and Christine was baffled "Nadir, you look like the at that ate the canary. What is going on today?" Nadir knew better "My dear, I can't tell you inside, because the walls have ears. I would love for you to accompany me out to the gardens, where certain GHOSTS don't lurk below ground. Ha!" Nadir laughed, knowing Erik heard his reference. Nadir offered his arm to Christine, and escorted her outside.

"My dear Christine" Nadir began, now that they were out of earshot from the house "Madame and I are to be wed today. Because we are of different faiths, we are only having a legal ceremony, so that we do not force the other to give up their faith of choice. This is just as binding we think, and makes our relationship official in the eyes of the state." Christine was floored "You and Madame? I thought you two were merely friends, or companions. I didn't know it went deeper than that!" Nadir nodded "Indeed it does, and the ceremony has been a secret from all of you, including Meg. I know that you and here are both thrilled for Madame, and hopefully myself, but I have a feeling Erik is going to try and turn the house sideways when he hears about it. We have made careful plans so that he did not overhear us. As far as we know, he does not know. Can you keep it that way until this afternoon?" Christine smiled "Of course Nadir. It is the least I can do after you have opened your home to me. How will this go?" Nadir looked at the girl "We would like all three of you to be present. Erik may be a handful, but I am sure you can think of a way to get him there. We have dresses for you and Meg, Erik will be fine in what he usually wears since he wears nothing less than formal attire at all times. Madame and I were wondering if you would be willing to sing something?" Christine beamed again "Of course I will sing for you! Madame is like a mother, and since you are marrying her, that makes you like a father."

Erik heard the ghost reference, and the secrecy drove him up the wall once he realized that Christine and Nadir were going outside to talk, specifically so he would not hear. Erik panicked at the thought, and then realized that Nadir was planning something, which turned the panic into apprehension. "What is that old goat doing? Why did he take Christine out, and not Meg or Madame? Is Madame in on this too? Why did she not tell me? How did the old goat not let this slip with that big mouth of his? What on Earth is happening here?" Erik quickly dressed, and ran up from his lair to meet the duo as they were coming in from the garden. "Christine" Erik said brusquely "You need to come with me. We have practice to do and you need to work on focusing your mind some more. Come!" Nadir shook his head, knowing that Erik was already working himself up. It was going to be a long day for them all until the ceremony this afternoon.

Christine was led to the solar by Erik, who had her by the hand the whole time. He was mumbling to himself on the way about Nadir and secrets, and Christine had to stifle her laughter, knowing that she knew and Erik did not. She also knew that if Erik tried to get anything out of her, she would have to be strong and not say anything, at least not yet. "Erik, I have just eaten recently, should we not wait until later for my vocal practice? I know how you feel about singing right after having a meal, even a light one." Christine hoped that Erik would agree with her, but instead found that "I have lemon water in the solar, you will drink some, and it will clear your throat. After we sing, we will work on your focus." Erik had yet to turn back to look at her as they entered the solar. "Now, drink. I have to find something. I will return shortly." Erik disappeared through a hidden passage, and after closing the door, he leaned against it and sighed "She knows, and by God I will have her tell me. I won't force it, but ease it out of her." He located the bracelet that he had made for her, it was gold, with treble clef links. Each link had a diamond in it, and the clasp had a sapphire hanging from it. Erik used some of the gems that he had acquired in Persia for this item, and he was very pleased with how it had turned out. "I will give this to her, and suggest she wear it this afternoon or tonight. We will see what her reaction is. From there, I will know how to proceed in finding out what these thrice damned people are hiding!"

Erik emerged from the passage, the box hidden under his cloak. "Christine, hold out our left hand. I have something for you. You must also close your eyes." Christine wasn't sure what Erik was doing, but did as she was told "Christine, you must wear this today or tonight. While it shines so brightly and perfectly, it is no match for your beauty and perfection in my eyes. You may look." Christine opened her eyes, and was awestruck by what Erik had placed on her wrist. "Erik, I can't accept this! It's too much!" Erik cocked his head "I had it made for you, and only you. It is yours to wear anytime you wish, but especially today." Christine turned her wrist, watching the gems sparkle, and the gold shine in the sun. "Erik, it will not leave my wrist at all today! Thank you so much! It is absolutely amazing!" Christine jumped at Erik to give him a hug, and was answered by his embrace, and a kiss on the forehead.

"Christine, what shall we sing today?" Christine thought about what she was going to sing for Nadir and Madame, but decided on something else, so that there would not be any questions from Erik on the song choice. "Erik, anything from Hannibal. It's simple and I remember it all. It was the first opera you allowed me to perform." Erik nodded in her direction "Very well my dear, shall we begin?" Christine started with her aria that she sang as Alyssa, and soon both Erik and Christine were lost in the music. When they were finished, Erik knew how he would try and get information from her. "Very good my dear, your voice seems to have suffered no ill effects from the stress of the last few days. I am happy to see this. Come, we must work on your focus some more. Your words today will be Cotton, Lace, Satin and silk." Christine giggled "Do you have clothes on your mind Erik?" Erik stopped for a moment "Oh Christine, if you only knew how much clothes on the floor are on my mind, and not just fabrics in general." Erik felt his need for Christine rising again, and had to take a couple of deep breaths to focus himself again. Christine stood in the middle of the room, while Erik circled her, looking at her with an intense gaze that could start a campfire. Christine saw the look he was giving her, and her humorous thoughts vanished "Why is he looking at me as if I am something to be consumed? Did he not eat this morning?" Erik stopped to her side, turned, and grazed his fingers up the arm that had the bracelet on. Whispering in her ear "What are the words, my angel?" Christine swallowed, hearing the huskiness that was now in his voice "Cotton, Lace, Satin, Silk." Erik grinned "Very good my dear." He then walked to her other side, letting his hand trace her waist "The words again?" Christine had goosebumps from the touch as Erik grazed his fingers up her other arm "C-Cotton, Lace, Satin and Silk" Erik smiled again "You are remembering well. You must focus, look straight ahead, do not watch my movements. This is a new part of working on your focus." Christine looked for something to focus on, settling on a sconce on the wall. "Very well, I have chosen an object to focus on, other than you." Christine looked straight ahead, not looking over to see Erik's reaction, which was a very pleased look. "We shall go over the words two more times, and then we shall be done with this work for the day." Christine nodded, still not turning her head "Very well." Erik moved behind her, bringing both of his hands to her stomach, pulling her backwards against him. He leaned in and whispered in her ear again, while moving his hands over her abdomen, almost as in a massage "What are the words, my dear?" Christine closed her eyes for a moment, took a breath to steady herself "Do I affect him in the way he does me? Why does this feel so right, having him hold me?" Not taking her eyes off of the wall sconce, she said "Cotton, Lace, Silk and Satin." Erik smirked "You went out of order that time, but you did get all four words. Very good." Erik stilled his hands, and placed a kiss at her jawline. "Say them, my angel, tell me what those words are, and why they are related." Christine took a sharp breath in "Cotton, Lace, Satin and Silk. They are all fabrics Erik. Why?" Christine was spun around by his hands "Because Christine, you are coming with me this afternoon to make sure that the dressmaker has the correct measurements. I will not have your clothes be ill fitting.

"OH, Erik! We can't leave this afternoon! There is – "Christine clapped her hands to her mouth before she could say more. Erik was triumphant "I knew it! There is something going on in this house! You know about it! What are Nadir and Madame planning! Tell me!" Christine shook her head "I have promised not to." Erik looked at her again "You will tell me my angel" Erik said "I will find out from you, or I will find out on my own. Either way, it does not bode well for Nadir to have excluded me from this!" Erik took his fedora and cloak off, discarding them on a chair, and grabbing Christine by the hand, ran down the stairs to find a passageway so that he could hear. "Christine, you will tell me!" Christine was conflicted "Erik, I can't. Nadir and Madame…" Christine stopped again. Erik whirled around, incredulous that Madame had something to do with this too. "And Antoinette? What are they up to? TELL ME!" Christine shook her head "I can't Erik. You will have to wait until this afternoon."

A/N again- So this went longer than I thought... The next Chapter has the big event. I'm trying to keep things from being too long!