Hugs the monkey I got from Mardi Gras at the dorm lobby earlier. It reminds me of the monkey that sat upon Erik's music box. He sits on my computer now and above my Erik picture is a rose sticker I had gotten from an art store over Christmas break. I am such a geek, but oh well. Oh, what master okay I'll keep writing.

Chapter 16: Goodbye is not Forever

The following morning, after Lotte had finally fallen back to sleep, Erik leaned over and kissed her. "Wake up Little Lotte. We must make ready to leave."

Lotte groaned and rolled over. Then to be even more of a pain she grabbed Erik's own pillow and pulled it over the top of her head. Erik wasn't going to stand for her foolishness so he grabbed back the pillow and with a bit more force playfully hit her in the head. This time she took her own pillow and repeated the process of trying to hide.

Erik wasn't about to give up. He pulled the blanket down a bit and began to tickle her. Lotte let out a muffled scream and sat up. She growled and climbed out of the bed. She still was only dressed in her undergarments so she grabbed his cape from the sofa and wrapped it around her.

"You need to learn how to have fun," Erik laughed heartily.

"After last night I'm afraid to even have fun," Lottewhispered as she pulled the cape tighter around her. Then she felt something poke her and she pulled out the sketchbook. The one dry page seemed to be haunting her, but she still didn't get it. What was the meaning behind this? Suddenly a pillow hit her in the back. She turned and saw her father grinning. Well an explanation would have to wait. She picked up the pillow and playfully began beating it upon him. "You must know I always pay back," she laughed.

They finally made the bed after a few more out of the way beatings before heading downstairs. Pierre was waiting for Lotte at the bottom of the stairs. Lotte rushed over to him and hugged him. Erik passed them carrying the sketchbook in his hand. "Meet me downstairs Lotte. I'm going to get some breakfast. I suggest you eat something as well."

"Yes, Father."

"So did you speak to him?" Pierre asked as he held her in his arms.

Lotte explained to him what had happened. Then when she explained the dream again she began to cry. "I don't want my Father to hang Pierre. He's not a bad man."

"Dry your eyes. We'll think of something. Come downstairs and we'll get you something to eat. Everything will turn out all right in the end you'll see."

He led her downstairs and had her sit down at the table. Charlotte had already given Erik some tea and was about to ask Lotte if she wanted any when she saw the cape. "My goodness. This cape is filthy. Erik if you don't mind staying just a bit longer I can wash this for you."

"I was hoping to get going."

"Oh it won't take long. Just make yourself comfortable. Also Lotte if you come with me I have your dress in the wash room."

Lotte followed her and Armand came up from the cellar. "So Erik you'll be leaving us today is that right? Well to make your trip a bit more enjoyable I'll be sending two of the best wines with you."

"Thank you. I do like your wines. Oh, I should feed Cesar."
"I feed him already sir. I did it when I fed the other horses. I hope you don't mind."

Before Erik could answer Lotte came out of the wash room wearingher dress, which looked completely brand new. She gave a small twirl causing Pierre's jaw todrop. Erik reached over and pushed it back up. "It's rude to let your jaw drop in front of a lady," he whispered.

"Here Lotte a band to tie back your hair," Charlotte said handing her a hair tie. Lotte reached up and put her hair into a ponytail.

She sat down at the table and draped her hair over her shoulder. "It's been so long since my hair has been so soft."

Pierre reached up and ran his fingers through it. "Wow that is soft and there isn't even a single tangle. A true work of art."

The rest of breakfast was eaten in silence while Charlotte packed a bag of food for Lotte and Erik's ride. Then she went to check on the cape. Lotte almost felt like she wasn't able to eat, but Erik got her to eat a piece of toast. "You're going to need as much energy as you can master for we won't be making as many stops this time around."

"Lotte come outside with me," Pierre said standing up.

Lotte grabbed another piece of toast and followed him outside. She nibbled at it slowly, but knew she just wasn't hungry anymore. Pierre took her hand and smiled happily at her.

"I have something I wish to give you. It belonged to my great-grandmother and my mother gave it to me, because I like bugs, but I think this would look much better on you then it would on me. Close your eyes."

Lotte did as she was told and could feel Pierre reach behind her and fasten something. Cold metal ran along her neck and it made her shiver a bit. "Can I look now?" she asked.

"Not yet." He reached down towards her front and straightened something before taking both her hands into his. "Now you can open them."

She opened her eyes and looked down at her chest. Nestled at the neckline of her dress was a charm. She reached up and turned it toward her and studied it. It was of a golden butterfly etched out in pure gold, but the inside of the wings were made of small cut pieces of colored glass. "Pierre it's beautiful. Thank you," she said beginning to cry.

Pierre took her toast and threw it aside before embracing her and sharing a long passionate kiss. Then he pulled back and hugged her. "You're welcome. I knew you would like it. You could say it was a going away present."

Lotte's tears went from being ones of happiness to ones of sadness. "Oh, Pierre I don't want to leave you. I wish you could come with me and live with us. Yet I have to go with my Father. My love for him comes first."

"I understand," he said pulling back and placing a finger under her chin. "Always remember that the beauty on the outside is only half as beautiful as the beauty on the inside."

Erik came out of the house and saw the two of them standing together off in the distance. Then he saw them share another kiss. He felt ashamed for Lotte now had a difficult choice; the love for him or the love for Pierre. He wanted to call to her to get ready, but decided to give them a little more time together.

He went into the stable and as soon as Cesar saw him the horse gave out a shrill whinny of happiness. "Calm down Cesar. You act as if I've been gone for a whole week." Cesar snorted and reached out for him. He managed to nip Erik's sleeve, but nickered as if he knew something was missing. "Cesar you're really smart, because you noticed that I'm not wearing my cape."

Cesar reached out again and this time Erik petted the beast's cheek. "All right you knucklehead get out of the way so I can get you ready," Erik said as he gave the horse a playful push and came into the stall. He lifted up the saddle blanket and laid it across Cesar's withers. Then he adjusted the saddle and saddle bags. Without any hesitation the horse took the bit into his mouth and stomped his front hoof impatiently.

Erik put the food and the sketchbook into the saddle bags and led Cesar out into the yard. Charlotte came up to him and handed him his cape. It was now clean and looked like brand new. "Thank you, Madame."

"You're welcome." Then Erik noticed she was looking past him towards Lotte and Pierre, who were still holding on to once another. "This really is sad. I've never seen Pierre love a girl as much as Lotte and now she'll be leaving him for good. And poor Lotte is probably being torn between two things most important to her."

Erik nodded. "As much as I hate to do it we have to return to Paris. But if you allow maybe someday we'll return her and let them see each other again."

"I have no problem with that Monsieur. You and Lotte are always welcome here."

Erik wasn't so sure, but he wasn't about to argue. They had wasted enough time and he wanted to go before the sun got any higher. "Lotte come along. We need to get going."

She looked up at him and gave Pierre a strong hug. Then hand in hand they walked over to the yard. Erik climbed up into the saddle and reached out his hand. Lotte looked at it then into his face with eyes of sadness and longing. Pierre gave her a boost and she climbed into the saddle behind her father. She looked forward for a moment before turning back. "I love you," she managed to say.

Erik gave Cesar a kick and together they raced out through the vineyard, but before they were truly gone Lotte blew him a kiss. Pierre stood there a long time watching as they became smaller and smaller and then no more. He kicked the dirt with his shoe and knew that the only way to be with her was to follow her. He looked up and ran into the house.

"Pierre what are you doing?" Charlotte called after him.

"I'm going after her mother." He raced upstairs and packed clothes into a shoulder bag and some other important things into his jacket. As he turned to leave the room his eyes caught the sight of his pocket knife sitting on the desk. He picked it up and studied it for a minute then remembered the dream Lottehad told him about. "This just might come in handy," he thought.

He ran downstairs and began putting some food into the pack. "You can't be serious Pierre. Leaving your life here for one girl is completely ridiculous. Don't throw your life away. Besides I don't trust that Erik fellow. I know he's a criminal."

"Mother why are you so quick to judge all the time? Lotte explained to me the other night why her father is the way he is and what put such a large fine on his head. I almost feel pity for him."

"But what about the life you live here? You know you're father will need you to help with the raspberry harvest."

"Father has enough workers to help him. Usually I would go to help and he would have me doing simple jobs so I didn't get in the way. I think he can survive without me."

He ran out into the stables and began saddling up his horse, Chandler, as his mother followed complaining some more. "Plus how will youprovide money to them if they let you live with them? You won't have a job."

"I'll find a job. It's not that hard in the big cities. Have some faith in me for once. I'll send you word when I'm safe and I'll invite you to the wedding."

"What wedding?"

"Some day after I've gotten enough money I'm going to ask Lotte to marry me." He mounted Chandler. "Wish me luck mother. Heyah!" He was heard cheering as they took off at a gallop and cleared the fence.

Charlotte watched her son grow smaller. "Good luck," she said wiping back a tear. Then she collected herself and went back into the house where she found a single red rose tied up in a black ribbon sitting atop a note on the table. She picked it up and opened the envelope.

Madame Charlotte,

I'm sorry we didn't see eye to eye about many things, but hopefully this small gift is enough to make up for your hospitality and kindness. If Pierre does follow us back to Paris know that he will have a home with us. Once again thank you.

Signed,

Erik

Charlotte read and reread the note at least a dozen times before setting it back down on the table. Then she looked at the rose and smiled. Maybe she was too quick to judge after all.