Sorry if this seems like a filler chapter to you guys; but things will develop and get exciting very soon :) Thank you to everyone who has favourited, followed and reviewed my story so far :) Your love and support means so much to me :) You know the drill :) I only own Charlene and her lovely children :) Anyone else or any lyrics mentioned belong to their respective owners. Now on with the show! :)

Heartache and Pain: Loving Life

Chapter Thirteen: You Are Beautiful, No Matter What They Say...

Erik's POV

I woke up to see Charlene still sleeping peacefully beside me. As she continued to sleep I thought back to what she told me last night. I am humbled to know she trusts me enough to reveal her innermost feelings to me; but it saddens me to think that she had these thoughts of unworthiness all this time. Why did she only tell me these feelings she was experiencing now? Was she scared of the rejection she might receive from me or the judgement that would ensue if she told me? I just hope in time she will realise the fact that she is beautiful to me and that I would never judge her; no matter what the world says about us. I looked down once again when I heard and felt her stir beside me.

"Morning Mon Ange; how did you sleep darling?" I asked gently as I stroked her hair a little.

"Good thanks since you were sleeping beside me; I'm sorry for worrying you too much last night. I didn't mean to cause you excessive worry." She said quietly and I hugged her tightly a little; to send a wordless message that she was forgiven. As we lay in bed a little longer my phone rang. I reluctantly let go of Charlene to go and answer it; I groaned a little when I saw who was calling.

"You better have a good reason why you are interrupting a relaxing lie-in with my wife Nadir." I growled a little down the phone as I hugged Charlene against me; receiving a playful punch from Charlene who giggled a little at my animosity.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Erik; but there has been news that Meg has been sighted nearby. I want you to be on your guard as she could be after you soon." He said and I looked down at a happy and contented Charlene with a sigh; causing her to look up at me worryingly. Even though she couldn't tell by my facial expressions or body language; it was like she could sometimes sense the way I was feeling.

"Thanks for the news Nadir; I'll protect Charlene and my family at all costs." I replied and with that he hung up the phone and once again I tightened my grip around Charlene.

"What's wrong Erik? I can tell you were unhappy about Nadir calling you." A small voice asked quietly.

"He was the bearer of bad news." I replied hoping to not have to bear the news to her.

"Please Erik talk to me; it's better to talk about it rather than bottle it up. You always tell me that and we promised each other we won't keep secrets. Now please; tell me what's wrong." She beseeched.

"Meg has been sighted nearby; not too far from here. I have been advised to stay on my guard as she could be after us anytime soon." I replied quietly and I quickly caught her as she fell against my chest.

"Charlene are you ok?" I asked quickly. However she didn't respond as she began to fall within herself.

"Charlene please answer me; I'll protect you no matter what." I pleaded and I started to sing hoping to reach and calm her.

"Mummy; what's wrong?" A small voice asked and I looked up to see Christina May standing in the doorway.

"Everything's fine darling; go play with your sister for a while." I said gently as I once again proceeded to try and wake Charlene from her comatose state. I then saw another hand join us and I watched as Christina May took hold of Charlene's hand. It was like she thought her presence would be enough to rouse Charlene from her almost comatose state.

"Mummy please wake up; we need you, daddy needs you and Rosa May needs you. Please wake up mummy." She beseeched. This emotional display caused tears to prick my eyes as it unfolded before me; this beautiful bond between mother and daughter.

"Erik? What happened?" A quiet voice asked and Christina May's eyes lit up as Charlene started to rouse from her bout of unconsciousness.

"Don't you remember darling?" I asked curiously.

"Sorry all I remember was the darkness; I don't remember anything before that." She replied quietly.

"I said about the fact Meg was sighted nearby and you fainted; at least that's what I think happened. You wouldn't respond until Christina May came and roused you from your comatose state." I replied and I watched as she beckoned Christina May to come over before giving her a hug; once again causing tears to prick my eyes at this touching moment.

"Now why don't we all go out for a meal tonight? You must be hungry after all of that drama."

"I'm not hungry." She said meekly as her stomach gave an almighty growl.

"I think your stomach says differently darling. Why don't you clean yourself up whilst I freshen the children up?" And with that I led Christina May out of the room to leave Charlene to get herself ready. As I got the children ready I thought back to the news I received from Nadir. How did she escape? And why does she hold such a grudge against us? More so why does she hold such a grudge against Charlene? I decided not to dwell on the matter and once everyone was changed I carried Rosa May to the car. I then proceeded to strap her in whilst Charlene settled Christina May and Christian into their seats; before settling down into her seat. I sat down in driver's seat and started the engine to drive to the restaurant. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Charlene staring wistfully out of the window. I could also see the children playing with Rosa May from the mirror. From the look on Charlene's face; I could tell she was worried about the news of Meg's escape. However, I stopped contemplating the matter of Meg's escape as I pulled into a nearby parking space.

"We're here darling." I cooed as she stopped staring out of the window. It was like she was in another world; possibly trying to escape a world filled with worry and fear of Meg's return. Once we were settled into our seats and we proceeded to peruse the menu. I watched closely as Charlene looked at the menu; with an intense look of concentration gracing her features. But I swear I could see her thought process; the process of picking then rejecting an item from the menu. But was she thinking really? Was she thinking of the pros and cons of eating a particular dish on her figure? Or was she thinking whether or not she deserved to treat herself to something nice? I had by now picked out something and the children seemed to have picked something too.

"I've picked something." She said quietly and with that I called the waiter over to take our orders down.

"How would you like a holiday? Spend some time away from work and life for a bit? We can also spend some more time with the children." I asked gently hoping she would say yes.

"I like the sound of that. But what about my floristry course? That is starting soon isn't it?" She replied.

"Your course starts in September; so we have three months or so until it starts. I was thinking Paris; it will be like our honeymoon but with the kids."

"I'd like that; when are we leaving?" She replied.

"Will five days time please you? Give us time to book hotel and transportation and pack."

"That will please me greatly." She replied just as the food came up to the table. Even though I suggested the holiday as a way to take Charlene's mind off of thoughts of Meg; there was also an ulterior motive to this holiday. During our honeymoon I found details of a man who looks into ancestry; I decided now was the time to find out more about my ancestors. I had asked him if he could find out anything about my great, great, great, great grandfather. I knew I was named after him but what was he like? Did he hold a love as strong as mine? Was he a great musician? Or a genius like I am? I thought now was the time to find out about my ancestry. I also know the fact that Raoul and Christine are descendents of Raoul De Chagny and Christine Daaé from the time my great, great, great, great grandfather was alive. I also want my children to know what kind of person my grandfather was; but what happens when I find out the truth? Will they be intrigued or disappointed at what they find out? However as I quietly contemplated the information I was about to receive; I noticed the fact that Charlene had hardly touched her meal.

"Aren't you hungry darling? You've hardly touched your meal; is everything ok?"

"Sorry, my mind wandered for a second there." She replied quietly as she tucked into her meal; but I wonder if she started eating just to appease me. However I decided not to press the issue as I didn't want to upset her unnecessarily. Once the meal was finished and the bill was paid; I helped carry Christian and Christina back to the car whilst Charlene carried Rosa May back to the car. After putting them in the car I realised the fact Charlene wasn't following me; I looked up to see her looking around nervously. I went towards her gently before placing my hands on her shoulders.

"Something's wrong I can tell; remember no more secrets. We promised each other that before we got married." I cooed gently and I rubbed her shoulders gently as I knew this manoeuvre always calmed her down before. Soon enough she closed her eyes and sighed a little in rapture.

"I'm sorry; you must be able to tell when I am not being myself. I feel like I am being watched; I am worried Meg is out there watching us. Waiting for the right moment to strike and steal me away; or steal the children away."

"I vowed to you that I will protect you and the children; no matter what. And I will never ever go back on my word." I replied passionately and I sealed her and Rosa May within my protective embrace as I looked around for any signs of danger. However I couldn't see anything; did Charlene have this innate ability to sense the presence of people? I know she mentioned before she could tell when I was near; but did she have the same ability when sensing strangers too? I thought to myself as I continued to look around.

"Let's get you home darling; you're tired and you need to rest. We have a holiday to plan for." I cooed gently as I tried to distract her from the feeling of foreboding she was experiencing. After one last look around she finally went to the car before strapping Rosa May into her seat. She then settled down in her seat to which I sat down in the driver's seat. After starting the engine I looked across to see Charlene peacefully asleep in her seat. A small smile graced my lips as I saw her chest rise and fall gently out of the corner of my eye. We got back to the house and decided to put the children to bed first before carrying Charlene inside. After locking the door I carried Christina and Christian into the house before quickly tucking them into bed. Once they were settled I next carried Rosa May to our room and settled her into her cot. I got back to the car and Charlene was still sleeping peacefully in her seat. I lifted her from the seat before carrying her up to her room. After she was settled I washed and changed before settling down next to her; my arm wrapped around her slender waist.

~Early the next morning~

I wasn't sure what time it was; but I was woken up by a high-pitched scream and a punch to the stomach that winded me for a second. When the blurry haze left my eyes; I saw Charlene thrashing about and screaming; causing me to move out of the way a little.

"Charlene; it's me Erik. Wake up please." I pleaded before gingerly reaching out my hand to her. With another scream that shook me to the core; she grabbed me around the chest and sobbed heavily. Every now and again she would hyperventilate which worried me a little. What did she experience in her dreams that frightened her so? What kind of dream causes such a violent reaction in her? I stroked her back and sung 'Music of the Night' knowing how well she reacts to it. Soon enough her sobs calmed a little and I asked gently.

"Are you ok? Do you want to talk about it?" But she shook her head violently and I decided not to press her on the matter. I knew that if she didn't want to talk about something; there was no point in asking it of her; thus distressing her further. I looked at the time and saw it was still early.

"Sleep darling; I'll be beside you when you wake; always." I cooed and with a stroke of her hair she settled down against my chest once again. As I held her; I thought what her dream could have possibly entailed that frightened her so. Was Meg in it? Was she somehow remembering her past and the boss who harmed her? Were the children in her dream? Was I in her dream? I decided to not think anymore on the matter as sleep took over once again...