It's so great to hear that people like my story and think I should publish it, but I don't know if that's possible. I will look into it though. It would be a dream come true to have my name printed across the cover of a book. I got my Phantom of the Opera companion book the other day and it's so cool. It includes the movie screenplay, stuff about older films, the play, and some stuff about the movie. Yeah for my scanner cause I now have another awesome pic of the phantom on my monitor. And from the look on his face I think I better start writing.

I saw Phantom again tonight and I loved it again. It has got me eager to write more and give all of my fans more to read. Enjoy.

Chapter 22: Important Decisions

Lotte and Pierre didn't mind being shut up in the study. However Pierre was still steamed about the way Christine had address him and Lotte was doing her best to calm him down. She leaned against him on the couch while he wrapped an arm protectively around her waist.

Meg however was bored in a matter of minutes. She wanted desperately to open the door and hear what Erik and Christine were talking about, but a voice stopped her. "Don't tell me I didn't warn you, because if you open that door you'll regret it so quick," Lotte warned her.

"He could be hurting her. I have to make sure she's okay," Meg said beginning to pace.

"If I know anything it's to not bug father when he's deep in conversation or thought. If you interrupt them I can not be held responsible for his actions."

xxxxx

In the music room Christine and Erik were having a heated conversation. With his back turned to her Erik had taken a rag and wiped off the make up, then put the mask back on.

"Erik, why did you fake my daughter's death?" Christine asked him.

He turned to face her. "Would you want people coming into your home everyday to search for a missing child? I allowed you that one day to search and even then I wanted all of you gone. Once you were gone I would be able to care for her as my own daughter."

"But she's not your daughter Erik. She belongs to Raoul and me." Erik shuddered at hearing Raoul's name. He had always hated the Vicomte since the man had stepped into the theatre. "In a way you kidnapped her."

"I didn't take her. I already told you she came on her own free will. The reason I kept her here is because I love her. She told me that you didn't tell her anything about me and because of it her nickname "slave's child" haunted her every night. Neither you nor that husband of yours cleared this up for her."

"I had a feeling you were still around. I wanted to protect her. I did so for 10 years."

Erik laughed. "Did you protect her from the other girl's laughter? No, you didn't. I would have never let anyone laugh at her or make her feel worthless and unwanted. And even though it pained me I told her everything. She deserves to know"

Christine was questioning Erik's defensive comments. Had he actually been able to tell a mere child everything about his dark past and of the past they had shared here in the Opera House? What surprised her most was that Erik was actually fighting to keep Lotte here with him. He had no right to do that. "What was your real plan for keeping her here? Don't tell me you wanted to marry her or something of that nature."

Erik felt like he had been kicked in the gut. "How dare you even think that? You know quite well Christine that you're the only girl for me. Even after all these years I still love you."

"Then why did you tell me to leave? I would have stayed if you had wanted me too, but you sent me away."

"I wasn't expecting you to kiss me Christine. I had mixed emotions sweep through me as it happened. At first my love for you became deeper, but then I remembered all the times you betrayed me and hated me. After I sent you away I wanted to call you back, but I didn't, because I thought you hated me."

"I don't hate you Erik; I'm just disappointed especially with these current events. I miss my daughter. I've only had 10 years with her. I missed8 of those years and that hurts me inside. And for years I would dream that you would come back, but you never came."

"Well I wanted to, but I knew if I was to show my face around your house I would be arrested for sure. I'm not stupid Christine. I know the Vicomte would have my head on a silver platter if I was seen around you after supposedly being dead."

She could see his face begin to soften, yet anger still lingered in his eyes. "Erik," she said pausing slightly. "What if I was to tell you that after all these years I still loved you? You haunted my dreams and every time I saw a rose I thought of you."

Erik wasn't surprised. When she had been searching for Lotte she called to her Angel of Music; him. "I know you do. Even with that makeup you were able to recognize me. Nothing gets past you. But when you came to the jail cell what was that all about?"

"Raoul had told me I was to be harsh in order to get the answers I wanted. Besides I had no idea that Lotte was going to be there with you. If she hadn't been there it would have been even harder for me to be upset. But as soon as I saw her I was truly angry. I had lost my baby. You have no idea how heart wrenching that is," she said starting to cry.

Erik came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. She sobbed into his chest. He felt there was nothing more to say, so he just held her.

xxxxx

Back in the study Pierre had undone Lotte's bun and leaned his head against hers. Meg was beyond herself and was about to go crazy if she wasn't let out.

Le Noir had jumped into Lotte's lap and was purring softly. She smiled and scratched the cat under the chin while Pierre caressed her arm. Lotte couldn't understand why this Meg person couldn't calm down and allow her mother to talk to Erik in peace. She made it seem like she had to be apart of everything.

"She's starting to scare me," Pierre whispered.

Lotte chuckled and patted his leg. "Don't let her get to you."

"But can't we just push her out there and let your Father take care of her?"

"Oh, Pierre," she said laying her head back. She looked up at him and sighed.

xxxxx

Erik finally pushed Christine back and looked into her eyes. "So Christine, do you think we should let Lotte make her decision?"

Christine nodded.

Erik turned to the study door and called out Lotte's name. Lotte sat up and Meg looked at the door thinking it was her chance to escape and ask some questions. Pierre grabbed Lotte's hand and gave her a "don't leave me with her" look. She kissed his forehead and then went to the door where Meg was waiting.

"Follow me and you will regret everything," she warned as she turned the doorknob.

Meg pouted. She hated being left behind all the time. She wanted to follow, but Lotte had just slammed the door in her face. She looked at Pierre, who turned away and looked at the opposite wall.

As Lotte came into the music room Erik took his arms from around Christine and beckoned her to come forward. She came over and stood before him and he tenderly put his hands on her shoulders.

"Lotte I'm sure you understand that Erik is not your real father," Christine said to her.

"I know that. But that doesn't change the way I feel towards him."

"Well we've uncovered our feelings and realized that for Erik and me to be together it will be very difficult seeing as your father…" Lotte looked at her confused and Christine corrected herself. "Raoul won't stand for me leaving him to be at Erik's side."

Lotte felt her father shudder at the mention of her papa's name. "So what do you plan to do? Hide your love from him? If you do that he'll find out."

"We know. You can choose whether you want to stay here or come back home with me."

Lotte knew right away where she wanted to stay. She reached up and placed a hand on top of her father's. "I wish to stay here. It would be hard enough going back to my old life, but what about Pierre? Papa would have a field day if I brought my boyfriend home."

"That surprised me a bit too, but I'll let it pass. All girls your age have a love now and again," she said looking at Erik. "I guess I'll try to visit every now and again, but as I said it will be difficult."

Lotte got a wonderful idea, but wondered if it was smart to suggest it. The last time she had suggested it Erik had slapped her. But he had promised not to do it again and her mother was standing right there. "Mother you should convince Papa to rebuild the Opera House. That way we can all be together again."

Erik and Christine looked rather confused then Erik smiled. Now he understood why Lotte had addressed the idea earlier. She knew that he and Christine had something and the Opera House was the key to bringing back their love. He felt like such a fool for not noticing that before.

"Though," Lotte said breaking the silence. "It's risky. People know that the Phantom is still alive and that I'm with him, except the fact that we're supposedly in the French countryside. Our identities must be kept secret or we'll be sentenced to death."

"Well I know for sure I don't want Andre and Firmin running my theatre again. If we do rebuild I'll be my own manager, but Pierre will be my fleshy stand in. He will be sure my requests are fulfilled. Once again my dear Christine you will be the Prima Donna of the Opera. And my Little Lotte you will help me with costumes, music, and sets. It's perfect," Erik said with a chuckle.

"Erik it's late. Meg and I should return or Raoul will come looking for us. We'll come back tomorrow and I'll give you Raoul's answer. But before I go Lotte can I have a hug from my girl. It's been so long since I've held you in my arms."

Lotte rushed forward and Christine embraced her. Lotte began to cry. She had forgotten her mother's warmth. "Mother I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset and worry about me. I'm so sorry," she sobbed.

"Lotte when you ran away I was so scared. I felt like I had failed at being a parent and would have done anything to get you back. Can you forgive me for not telling you sooner?"

Lotte pulled back a bit and nodded. "Can you forgive me for running away?"

"I already have. Plus you helped me to realize how much I love the man you now call Father."

Lotte turned and looked at her father. She reached out her hand eager for him to take it. He did and she pulled him toward them and together they shared a loving hug.

Suddenly there was shouting from behind the study door. Erik went over to it and before he could even grasp the doorknob it came flying open and Pierre fell backwards with Meg on top of him. "Lotte help me," he squeaked.

She rushed over and pulled Pierre away. Erik turned to Meg. "Just couldn't wait to be a part of the conversation could you Meg?"

"I would have been out sooner if he hadn't tried to block the door. So as I fought to get past I found the doorknob and it was opened."

Lotte was busy tending to Pierre's bloody nose. "You should have just let her through." Pierre growled at Meg and wiped his nose leaving a blood stain on his hand.

"Christine we should get back. Raoul will be furious," Meg said ignoring Pierre.

"I'll take you two back to the street. You two…" he said turning back to Lotte and Pierre. "Wait here till I get back."

Lotte nodded and waved goodbye to her mother while Erik helped her into the boat, then helped Meg. Christine was sad to sail away while her daughter stood on the shore comforting her man, but she knew that soon she would be with Lotte once again. Yet she sighed, would Raoul give in?

Hurrah another chapter is finished. What new scenarios will Erik and the others undergo and will Raoul give in to rebuilding the Opera House? You'll just have to see.