I'm not evil the Phantom made me do it. He's picture haunts me as I sleep and as I type, so I must obey his every command. He is my master and I his storyteller.
Okay so the Phantom isn't my master, but yeah he is so cool. Seeing as someone really wants me to continue here is chapter 15.
Chapter 15: Young Love
Erik slipped past the door and could hear Lotte and Pierre talking excitedly from inside. "And I found this cockroach under my mother's chair," Pierre exclaimed holding up a jar.
"Ew that is so gross," Lotte cringed. "Bugs are disgusting creatures."
"Well here are some insects you might like." He went over to the desk and picked up a wooden frame and turned it towards her. There were at least 10 different butterflies pinned down to the foam backing. "I caught these out in the vineyard over the past few summers."
"Their wings are so pretty. Just look at all the colors," Lotte said her eyes glittering. "But Pierre did you kill these harmless creatures?"
"Yeah, but I still feel guilty for it. I caught them, because they looked pretty, but since I've met you their beauty doesn't even half match yours. I've heard plenty of stories of the beautiful Paris girls and you match the description perfectly," he said putting down the frame. "Your eyes are the most beautiful eyes anywhere. I can see heaven every time I look into them."
Lotte blushed as she sat bundled up in the blanket. "You're just saying that."
"No, I mean it. I've never been this sure about anything before Lotte. I've seen plenty of girls before and I would always just past them by. You were different. I get this strange feeling whenever I'm around you and we've only just met. Could this really be love, Lotte?"
"I guess so. For it's a much different feeling of love then the love I have for my father. I love him in the way that he keeps me protected and will always be there to guide me when I need guidance. With you I feel complete and warm inside."
Erik listened intently. His little Lotte had fallen in love. However there was the big damper on all this. He wanted to go back to Paris tomorrow and there was the whole issue with living in the Opera House again. There really wasn't room for 3 people down there; though things could be arranged if it came to that. He smiled happily to himself, than he heard Lotte break down.
"Pierre I'm sorry, but I won't be able to love you. I'm going back to Paris tomorrow and I'm sure my father would rather it be the two of us out there. It could be dangerous and I wouldn't want to put you at risk."
"Danger doesn't scare me. I would much rather live a life of danger and adventure then harvesting wine. My father has enough helpers to do that. Lotte let me come with you. I don't think I could bear being separated from you."
Lotte burst into tears. "It's been me and father for8 years now. How will I tell him about this? I don't know what to do," she thought sadly.
Pierre came over and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry I made you cry Lotte. Forgive me."
"It's not you. Nothing you have done has made me upset. It's the fact that I'm not sure how my father may react to this. I've never been in love with anyone before and I still have things I need to learn from him. Plus our home isn't big enough to hold another person. I don't know what to do," she exclaimed burying her head into his chest.
"Just let it out Lotte. Let it all out Lotte. Something tells me you've wanted to say something for a long time. I'll listen."
Erik listened in horror as Lotte explained everything in between sobs. All Pierre could do was hold her and tell her everything was okay. Erik then heard footsteps coming up the stairs so he went up into the attic. Once inside he slumped against the door his heart pounding. Lotte had just told Pierre everything he was too afraid himself to tell anyone. What would be the result to this? Would Pierre turn them in or would he keep quiet? He thought about this a long time.
Lotte had finally calmed down and had finished telling her story. Pierre's eyes were wide yet when she looked up at him he smiled. "You probably think I'm stupid for not saying something sooner."
"No, I love you even more. I'm very pleased that you were honest with me. But I promise you that your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone."
"Thank you. My father's life is counting on your right to secrecy. I'm almost afraid to go back to Paris with the town still in pursuit of him. But he needs his mask back. Pierre what do I do?"
"Tell him how you feel. Even an adoptive father will listen to your feelings. Why not give it a try?"
"I will, but if it's all right I think I'll clean up. Is there a tub or shower I can use?"
"Sure follow me. I'll take you down."
Pierre took her hand and grabbed a towel from the linen closet. Then he took her to the back of the house and showed her where the shower was. She cleaned herself rather quickly and came back out her eyes full of tears again. He wrapped the blanket around her and held her. "Do you want me to come with you when you talk to him?"
"No, I'll do it alone. Thank you Pierre."
For the first time in either of their young lives they leaned in and kissed. This was no kiss like one Lotte had received from her father, but one that made her dance in the clouds and float over the ocean. It was pure magic.
As she began to climb up the stairs he still held her hand until she was too far away to grasp. "I love you Lotte. Good luck."
Lotte reached the top of the stairs and pushed open the door. Erik was sitting on the couch with his cape across his lap. It looked as if he was examining the number of stains that had accumulated on it. He looked up at her when she closed the door. "I've been waiting for you. Why is your hair all wet?"
"I took a shower. I felt really gross after being out in the woods for so long," she said as she started running her fingers through it.
"Lotte grab that brush and I'll brush your hair for you," Erik said pointing to a brush sitting on the night table. Lotte got it and came over to him. She handed it to him than sat with her back turned to him on the floor. He took a small clump of hair and began brushing through it. "Such beautiful hair you have. Just like your mother's only so much longer."
As he brushed Lotte felt like a rock was sitting in her stomach. Pierre's words kept pushing on her brain to tell Erik how she felt, but she was terrified. She took a deep breath and sighed. This was it. "Father, can I tell you something?"
"You can tell me anything you want darling. What's bothering you?"
"Well I was talking to Pierre and well I explained what was going on for the both of us, because I trusted him…"
"I know Lotte I heard everything," Erik said still taking care with her hair.
In an instant Lotte had whipped around staring blankly at him. "You were spying on me? How could you invade my privacy like that?"
"Well how could you share my secret with someone you just met is my question?"
"Pierre and I love each other Father. I thought you'd be happy for me, but all I can see is that you're jealous. You're afraid he'll take me away from you."
Erik wanted to shout back, but he realized she was right. Within his heart he was jealous. The days that were to belong just to him and Lotte where going to be adding a new face. And he wasn't sure when, but this new face would pull Lotte farther and farther away leaving him alone in the catacombs once more. He fell to his knees in front of her and began to sob.
"I don't want to lose you Lotte. It may not be now, but someday you'll be forced to leave me. I don't want to be alone again."
Lotte sat there for a moment stunned by her father's sudden outburst. She began to reach out her hand towards him, but drew back afraid her touch would break him. He looked up his eyes and face red. She reached out again and stroked the infected skin tenderly. "I forgive you father. And I'm sorry for what I did. I was so scared of going back to Paris that I couldn't hold back my feelings anymore."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her towards him in a strong embrace. "Lotte there's no need to be afraid anymore. The truth is I was scared that I would lose my baby girl. But all those times that you stood up for me showed me how much you really cared."
"Shh, it will be all right. Even if I do fall in love I will always love you first. What kind of person would I be if I abandoned my Guardian of Music?"
That night they ended up falling asleep clutching onto one another on the bed. Lotte hoped for a sweet dream, but instead got one of horror. She saw herself standing in a large crowd as her father was at the end of his own noose. She was trying to run to him, but as she got closer he seemed to move farther away. "No, don't kill him he's innocent." She saw them pull the lever and just as Erik started to fall through the trap door she screamed at the top of her lungs and sat up sweat pouring down her face.
Erik had been startled by her scream and immediately leaned her against his chest. "Relax Lotte. It was only a bad dream; just an awful nightmare."
"No it wasn't that." She told him what she had seen. As she got to the part about the hanging she cried harder and buried her head into his chest. "I'm just glad it was all a dream."
"I'm here Lotte. Just remember I'll always be here."
Okay let's hear it from everyone. I'll count to 3. 1…2…3…awwwwwwww! This just makes you cry doesn't it? wipes away tear The Phantom is so proud that I could capture such a touching moment. I triumphed yeah. I'm sure you all await the next chapter.