Trmo77: She will and Raymond...oh well, he's an unusual one.

PhantomSerenity: The connection didn't occour to me until you mentioned it.

Shadow of the red rose: Here's one out of two.

Chapter thirty-seven

All eyes went to Raymond Webber who walked towards Madame Giry. "Ahh, Ms. Antoinette, an honor to meet you again."

"how dare you use my given name!" she shouted.

"easy," Mr. Webber said. "if you get all angry now, you won't have any fight left for the afternoon."

"who is this…this…stalker?" Madame Giry snapped.

Raoul stammered, "Raymond Webber….he's a very good friend of mine from the states."

"an American!" she shrieked. "get him out of here!"

Erik stared as Madame Giry stomped out of the room. He hadn't seen any man get under Madame Giry's skin in a matter of seconds.

Mr. Webber grinned, "Excuse me gentlemen. My lady awaits."

"not so fast." Raoul said. "what did you do to offend my mother-in-law?"

"she resents my natural charm. Fascinating woman actually."

Erik choked and stared at what he'd first thought was a sensible middle aged man, but, to think…Madame Giry was…fascinating? Obviously, he'd never felt the end of her cane.

"I intend to marry her." Meg gasped and Christine choked. Raoul and Erik looked stunned beyond belief. "excuse me, my conquest awaits."

Raoul stared at him, "Raymond, you're a dear friend. Madame Giry has…well."

"she's got a temper." Meg supplied. "she doesn't want anything to do with men. My father died before I was born, and there has never been another man in her life since!"

"interesting." He said. "Excuse me," he moved to the kitchen. "Antoinette grows more and more interesting by the moment."

Erik rolled his eyes. "there's goes a crazy man!"

Raoul turned to them, "so, do we sit down and wait for the bomb to explode?"

On cue, Madame Giry shrieked. "how dare you!" everyone jumped as they heard her smack Raymond and…he laughed!

Erik held up his hand and moved to the kitchen, "I'll go investigate." Everyone nodded. Erik tiptoed around the corner to see Raymond grinning at Madame Giry.

He chuckled. "now, that wasn't necessary. Hit me again, and I'll have to kiss you."

"you keep your hands to yourself!" she snapped wielding a rolling pin. "And you wouldn't dare do a thing like that! Now, get out of here!"

"now Antoinette," he said reaching for her. There was a brief tug of war and Raymond won. He jerked the rolling pin out of her hand and set it on the counter. "be reasonable!"

"let go of me!"

"in a moment," he said. "now, learn this. I intend to marry you."

Erik held his breath and his mouth sagged open.

"you, sir are insane!" Madame Giry squirmed. "unhand me at once!"

"now Antoinette," he said. "you're an attractive woman with an attractive voice. However, at this moment you look like and sound the very devil." Madame Giry groaned. "now, I make up my mind fast. You're going to marry me next Sunday."

"you're insane! Absolutely insane!"

"about you, yes. You're quite intriguing Antoinette, I've never met a woman like you. I'm extremely wealthy, yet you blow me off."

"I don't know you!"

"you will by Sunday. You're a lovely woman, yet, you pin your hair up severely." Erik stared as the man tugged at the pins holding Madame Giry's hair. "You'd look beautiful...if you let it loose."

Erik winced, this wasn't going to end well. Madame Giry started fighting him and she struck his face hard. Raymond moved forward. "told you what I'd do."

Madame Giry gasped and Erik couldn't believe it! Mr. Raymond actually kissed Madame Giry! Erik couldn't stand watching anymore. He didn't know if he should or shouldn't interfere. He wasn't hurting her and Madame Giry could take care of herself.

He turned and headed back to the group who were waiting anxiously. "Raoul," he said. "has Mr. Webber written out his will and is everything taken care of?"

Raoul frowned, "I believe so. Why?"

"Well, let's just say that Madame Giry…may kill him after this."

Madame Giry fought hard and it was no use. Mr. Webber wasn't holding her in a tight grip, but his lips were insistent. It had been twenty-two long years since she'd been kissed. Madame Giry stopped fighting and relaxed, hoping he'd release her. He didn't. he kissed her a little longer and she had unwanted feeling stir inside her. She squelched them down and inhaled as he released her.

He smiled subtly at her, "well, I'll see you at seven. I'm taking you out for dinner."

Madame Giry could only stare at him as he turned and walked out of the room, bumping into Raoul and Meg on their way in. Raoul scowled and gripped that man's arm, "Raymond, we need to talk."

"mama," Meg said. "Are you all right?"

she nodded slowly, "fine."

"you hair."

She spun around, "oh! He took them." she growled. "Meg, he informed me to be ready for him at seven for dinner tonight!"

"are you going?"

"no!"

"Why not?"

"why not? He's insane! He said he was going to marry me next Sunday!"

Meg looked shocked. "he didn't!"

"oh yes he did!" Madame Giry huffed. "I've a good mind to go to dinner and humiliate him into leaving me alone!"

"why don't you do that?"

"because, I'm an old woman."

"you're not old."

"yes I am. Old and stubborn. Meg," she inhaled. "I'm sorry about everything. I'll be leaving soon. You and Raoul deserve to be alone and I'll take Erik and Christine out with me. may you be happy together."

Meg hugged her, "thank you mama."

Suddenly, Christine ran in to the sink. Meg made a face as Christine began to hurl. Erik was right behind her and he supported her. The episode didn't last long. Madame Giry handed her a glass of water. She touched her head and and studied Christine's body closely. She touched Christine's stomach firmly, Christine wasn't wearing a corset so that made it easier for her to feel. Christine's stomach was firm and she smiled knowingly.

Christine looked up, her face slightly pale and Erik held her. "Christine."

"I'm sorry." She said. "I don't know why I'm sick."

"I'll get a doctor." Erik said.

"not necessary." Madame Giry said studying Christine. "you did this to her."

"I made her sick?" Erik shouted.

"no. you made her pregnant."

Everyone blinked.

"impossible." Christine said. "We've only been married

"no. you threw up last week and you're still throwing up. I can tell. Think on it Christine."

Christine did and her face lit up and she covered her mouth with shaking hands. Erik gripped her shoulders. "Christine?"

She nodded, "I-I guess…I am."

Erik kissed her and pulled her close. "oh my love."

Madame Giry shook her head as a slight film caused her vision to go misty. She watched everyone congratulate the happy couple who didn't notice anyone but their spouse.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up and Mr. Webber. She didn't shrug his hand for a moment. "look at that." He said quietly. "the picture of ultimate happiness. You could have that…with me."

Madame Giry rolled her eyes. "No thanks."

"So you say, but believe me," He grinned. "You'll change your mind."

"Not on your life."

He chuckled. "Wanna bet?"

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