Maybe I should slow down my chapter updates, but I'm sure all of you would hate me for it and I would hate myself for not sitting down at my computer each day to type. I would probably be off doing less practical things. I would much rather do this and surprise you all with how fast I am. I have plenty of ideas so the story will continue.

Don't worry. I'm going to try at making them a bit longer, so bear with me. Besides I think Christine and Erik should have some more time alone before Raoul comes don't you? And many other things need to be covered.

Plus I have creative writing stuff due Thursday and I'm a bit behind, so I want to keep you guys busy till then.

Chapter 28: Raoul Comes to Call

Erik lifted Lotte up and carried her down to the stage. Meg had already taken hers and his capes and laid them down off to the side, so he could lay Lotte upon them. Meg's cape was a bit softer, so he laid her on that then pulled his cape over her.

"Clear your mind Lotte and try to get some sleep. You've been doing too much lately and sleep is the best thing for you now. If you need anything just let us know okay," he said smoothing back her hair.

She nodded and just stared across the stage. She was scared, but on top of that was too scared to cry. What had just happened was terrifying and was not to be taken lightly. She shuddered a bit before closing her eyes and letting sleep take hold of her.

Erik stood and just watched her. On the outside she was calm and at peace, but on the inside some dark secrets lingered waiting to consume her. He was scared that she would be eaten alive by her fears and turn against him. But she loved him. Why would she turn against the one that had loved her from birth?

"Erik there is much more to be done. Let her sleep," Mme. Giry advised. When she didn't get a response or sign of movement she came over and took his arm. "She'll be fine. Lotte is a strong girl. She has your willpower. Many times she has demonstrated that in my class. You must be proud of her?"

"I am. But I hate to see her suffer. It just makes me remember all the times I suffered. I don't want her to become the same thing as me."

"And what is that Erik?"

"An outcast hated by society and shunned by mankind. Hiding away from the harsh stares and never seeing sun light. I don't want that for her."

"Erik she won't be that way, because you have given her the two greatest gifts a daughter could ask of her father."

"And what's that?"

"Love and Protection, two things it sounds like Raoul never did. I never did like that man and now he's being your Patron. I thought for sure you would cast that man aside."

"I can't. We need the money if we're to get the Opera Houseoff its feet. But you are right. We have much more to finish."

For the rest of the day they worked on patching up chairs and knocking the dents out of the steel frames. Erik was afraid all the noise would wake Lotte, but every time he looked at her, she was still asleep. The rest of the statues were polished and the curtains were all patched up.

Meg and Mme. Giry left around sundown and Christine had them send a message to Raoul telling him that she was going to stay late and sleep at the Opera House, because the manager had wanted her to perform at the Opera, which was entirely true. Erik wanted no one other then Christine to be a star in his operas.

Meg told Erik to hold onto the cape till tomorrow. She would come back for it. Erik thanked her and picked up Lotte gently in his arms. She moaned a bit, but soon fell back asleep. He then motioned for Pierre to turn off the lights and then led the two of them through the mirror to the tunnels.

"The two of you take the boat. I'll take this path here. If there's too much movement Lotte will be woken up. I would much rather carry her right to bed and let her sleep."

Christine agreed. She kissed him. "Be careful."

He disappeared into the darkness and Pierre took her hand. "Come on I'll lead you Madame."

They got in the boat and Pierre pushed off from shore stirring them towards the opposite shore. Beating Erik back they waited in silence till he appeared through the mirror along the opposite wall. He brought her into her room Christine following close behind. "Get her into her nightdress. I'll go fill this hot water bottle for her. She started to shiver back in the tunnel."

Christine closed the door and began to undress Lotte and put her in the nightdress. Laying her in the bed and pulling the blanket up under her chin, Christine began to cry. There came a knock at the door. "It's open," she muttered.

Erik came in with the hot water bottle and put it down by Lotte's feet. He smoothed out the blanket and caressed Lotte's cheek. It still felt cold to the touch. Placing the cape across the blanket he finally noticed Christine's tears when she sniffed.

"Oh, Erik, I'm so scared. What's wrong with her?" she asked as she leaned against him.

"I don't know Christine. I suggest we let her sleep. Even if she was fully awake she would be too afraid to tell us what's going on just yet whatever it may be. I'm scared too, but I'm not going to give up hope. Neither will you."

She bit her lip and nodded. He blew out the candle and let down the curtain. He led Christine out of the room, closing the door behind them, and had her sit in a chair. Pierre was standing there staring at the wall. "I hate admitting it to you, but I'm scared," he muttered.

Erik put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "So are we. Lotte has never had visions like that before. She has an excellent memory, but what she saw was something from our past." He let go and began pacing the room. "She wasn't even born, yet she could see every detail. It doesn't make sense."

"No, it doesn't. Do you think she was hallucinating by chance?"

"What would cause her to hallucinate? I've watched her closely and never once have I seen her do anything that would cause those symptoms. Besides she was fine this morning; eager to start the day and fix breakfast."

"I'm going to go to bed. Will you let me know if she awakes?"

"Of course we will. Goodnight Pierre."

"Goodnight." Pierre went into his room and closed the door.

"She'll be fine," Christine said to herself rocking back and forth in the chair. "She'll be just fine."

Erik came over and kneeled in front of her. Taking her hand he caressed it trying his best to calm her. "Of course she'll be fine. Don't worry Christine. Together we can help her to calm down and find her place." He turned so his back was facing her and placed his head on her lap.

She replied to the gesture by tracing out his ear with her fingers moving down along his neck. Distracted by the mask she had him lean against her other leg, so she could touch his face. Like a blind girl she tried to seek out his features with just her fingertips. He could have been a handsome man had it not been for that infection, but Christine didn't care about that.

"I love you, you know."

"Yes, I know you do. And because of that love we have Lotte."

"She would speak of you often, Erik. She was so curious about you and I don't blame her. You are a mysterious man."

He lifted his head and she slipped out of the chair coming to kneel beside him. "I made a mistake sending you away Christine. I should have come after…" She had put a finger to his lips.

"Don't dwindle in the past darling. Worry about here and now. You always seemed to be reliving the past and thinking of ways to correct it, but that doesn't matter anymore. The only thing I care about is the love we hold for each other and for Lotte. Maybe all the excitement of being with you the entire time caught up with her and she's overwhelmed with all that is going on."

Erik turned away and Christine heard him sniff. She reached for the masked side of his face and brought him back to face her. Tears were falling from his eyes causing the mask to shine. She had only seen this side of Erik once before and she pitied him. As a mother protecting her child she allowed him to come close and lay his head against her chest.

He sobbed softly into her dress feeling the texture of the fabric across his cheek. She smelled so good and her touch sent warm sensations up his spine, but he could only cry. Cry for Lotte, cry for his pains, and cry for joy that Christine stilled loved him even though he was only half a man. He wanted her to stay with him, but Raoul was still a big threat. He was still coming intwo days and Erik was afraid he would unleash rage against Raoul when he had the chance.

Christine leaned her head against his and began to whisper his name into his ear. His body shivered each time she slowly pronounced it. Finally he could feel his body relax and go limp. He never wanted to leave her embrace. For once she had put her Angel to sleep.

Lotte slept the rest of the night into the next day. After waking up from where he had fallen asleep in Christine's arms on the floor, Erik had checked on her and reheated the water bottle.

Today Pierre went to one of the building corporations in town with Erik's instructions and got them to agree with rebuilding the Opera House. They would begin first thing tomorrow and work until it was all finished. Pierre ran out to Christine's carriage and jumped inside. Christine was anxious to know how it went.

"They'll start first thing tomorrow, meaning they'll be there before Raoul. Though we still have to make Erik look the part."

"Don't you worry about that; I have an excellent idea."

Erik was waiting back at the lair for them staring blankly at Lotte's door hoping to hear her stir from within, but nothing came. She had been in what seemed like an endless sleep and it terrified him. "What if she doesn't wake up? Pierre will have no reason to stay here and leave declaring that he will never love again. Christine will fall into depression and I'll probably fall into total writer's block over the loss. The Opera House will fail as soon as it's complete," he thought. "No, wait I'm totally giving up on my daughter. I can't be such a fool and just give up on her. What kind of man would I be if I just sat by and let her fail?"

"You wouldn't be my father," a tiny voice squeaked.

Erik whipped around to see Lotte standing in the doorway. How had he not heard her come out of her room? He stood and reached out his arms to her. She climbed into them and hugged him tight.

"I was afraid I was going to lose you. Don't you know that it's not wise to scare your father?"

"I'm sorry. My mind was just overrun with thoughts that sleep was the only thing to calm them. Plus the bed was so warm I didn't want to leave it, but I had just woken up and heard you putting yourself down again. What have I told you about that?" she said shaking her finger at him.

He snapped at it with his teeth, but she pulled it back with a giggle. "Lotte you know better then to shake that finger at me."

"Lotte, oh my dear your awake," Christine exclaimed as Pierre rowed them up to shore. He tied up the boat and Christine rushed up the stairs and took Lotte into her arms. Pierre then got in on the hugs and gave Lotte a long passionate kiss.

"Did you think I was going to leave you forever?" she said with a smile.

"I came pretty darn close. But I knew you would pull through. You always manage to pull through at the last minute."

The situation with Raoul was explained closely and Lotte had grabbed her make up bag trying to find a base color paler then her father's original skin color. He had to look ill and Pierre announced that he had found a wheelchair in the prop room. It would tie the whole disguise together.

They all decided to get some sleep, because they would need an early start tomorrow. Pierre and Lotte were in their rooms, but Erik fell asleep on the couch with Christine lying across his lap. "I need a bigger bed," he thought to himself as he fell into a deep sleep.

When the clock chimed six, Erik sat up and yawned. He stretched causing Christine to stir. She looked up and smiled at him. Lotte came out of her room clutching the make-up bag close. "Are you ready father?" she asked.

"Lotte I'm ready for you to work your magic."

"I'm going to change into something else. If Raoul finds that I had spent the night here again he'll be so upset. I'm sure you still have some dresses my size in the wardrobe," Christine stated

"I might. You'll just have to go look," Erik teased.

Christine kissed his cheek and went into Lotte's room. She had him remove the mask and began putting on the makeup. "Now you have to remember to not rub your face at all. I have to do all of it and it's possible to wipe it off." She worked at concealing the scar first using at least three layers to hide it properly. Then she spread the makeup across the other side of his face to bring it all together. Taking the eyeliner pencil she redid his eyebrow and with some red lipstick blended it in to make his cheeks and forehead rosy looking. "Okay this does come out after washing it," she said dabbing the base color into his hair to give it streaks of white around his ears and the back of his neck.

Christine came out of the room in a simple day dress carrying Lotte's sketchpad. "Lotte these are beautiful, but rather blurry. What happened to them?"

"They got wet when I fell in the river as we were fleeing Paris," Lotte exclaimed as Erik chuckled. "Father, don't move."

"Though there is one here that isn't wet or blurry. I'm guessing it's not done from real life seeing as you included yourself in it."

"I love that one. I woke up cold and alone one morning and the thought of father keeping me warm made me feel better and I just had to draw that."

"It's wonderful. You have so much talent." She looked up at Erik's face. "Why my dear I hardly recognize you."

Erik opened one eye and still managed to give her a small glare. "Finished," Lotte said handing him a mirror.

"Wow, I look sicker than a dying dog. Wonderful job once again Lotte. Let me get my manager suit on, and then we'll head upstairs."

"I'll go get dressed," Lotte said as she collected the makeup.

"Actually Lotte you won't be able to go this time," Erik said as he reached the bedroom door.

"What do you mean I can't go?"

"We don't want to risk Raoul seeing you. It's bad enough that I'm going up there. I promise that it won't take long."

He went into his room and closed the door. Lotte felt rejected and sat in the chair. Pierre, who had come out of his room already dressed, came up behind her and put his arms around her neck as he leaned on her shoulders. "Everything will be all right I promise you. You'll wait for me won't you?"

"I'll wait till the end of the world for you Pierre. There is no one else I want to see the end with, but you," she said placing her hands on his.

"I know."

Erik came back out dressed in a gray suit. This was the first time they had seen him in anything that wasn't black. "I hope this doesn't take too long, because I really hate this suit," he groaned.

Lotte watched sadly as they sailed away. She sat down on the organ bench trying to hold back her tears. Le Noir came over and jumped up next to her. "Oh, Le Noir what if something goes wrong and they don't come back?" Le Noir meowed and nuzzled her. "I guess you're right Le Noir. We have no reason to worry."

Erik, Christine, and Pierre had gotten Erik situated in the wheelchair just as the workers came to the main door. Pierre let them in and Erik explained, in the weakest voice he had, what was to be done. The men understood right away and went to work. They had started re-supporting the lower floors when Raoul finally arrived.

"Christine, what are you doing here? You didn't come home last night. Actually you haven't been home all week."

"I've been helping at the Opera House. Monsieur Armand has offered me my old job back. He heard me sing before and thought I should come back. Of course I accepted. Hope you don't mind darling?"

"No, I don't mind darling. This will give me something to do once the building is finished and I see a lot of work has already been done," he said looking around the house.

"Does it please you Vicomte?" Erik said using the weak voice and rolling the wheelchair forward.

"Oh, Monsieur Armand I didn't see you there. It's a pleasure to finally meet you sir."

"No, the pleasure is all my Vicomte. I am so glad that you agreed to be my patron," Erik said wishing he could just stand up and strangle the guy. "So does the Opera House please you?"

"Yes, it does. I'm sure even after a fire and 18 years of being abandoned plenty of people will come to see Operas again. I happen to know for a fact that the Opera Ghost has finally fled. Have you heard anything about him?"

Erik's blood was boiling on the inside, but he remained calm. "An Opera Ghost you say. What is he talking about son?" he asked Pierre.

"Father surely you should remember the Opera Ghost. He was in the newspaper as the suspect behind the fire," Pierre said to him. "The man would come to every opera and sit in box five."

"Right that Opera Ghost; now I remember. Thank you Pierre."

"You're welcome Father."

"Actually Vicomte I've heard nothing of him being around. Like you said he probably fled while the getting was good; though if he does come back I won't be surprised. I would love to see how "Don Juan Triumphant" had ended."

"Probably not as good as the start of it," Raoul said turning to look around.

Erik was now steaming and Christine pulled him back. "Don't blow it," she hissed.

"I suppose, but that's not why you're here. Let's discuss this deal of ours. I do have other things I need to attend to."

Pierre brought Raoul a chair and they sat on the stage discussing the pay of the actors, dancers, and stage hands, the cost of seats, and how much it would probably be to finish off the construction.

By noon everything had been covered. Erik shook Raoul's hand and Raoul kissed Christine goodbye, making Erik curse under his breath, before leaving.

The workers stayed until three in the afternoon and when he was sure they were all gone Erik lost his temper and jumped out of the wheelchair.

"That god damn excuse of a man, telling me to my face that my opera was horrible; I will not stand for this. How I would love to see him die at my hands."

"Erik, calm down. He's saying that, because of what happened at the show. I don't think he liked the way you were feeling me up on the stage in front of all those people. Would you want to see someone do that to your fiancé?"

"That doesn't matter. What does is how much I want to wring the Vicomte's neck."

"How dare you talk about my husband like that? I may love you Erik, but I'm still his wife," she yelled at him. "If that's how you feel then I'll leave. I don't want to hear you bad-mouth Raoul anymore."

She took off down the stairs and into the house before Erik could say anything. Hadn't something like this happened before? "CHRISTINE!" he called out at the top of his lungs.

She turned around and looked up at him. "You called me back. You actually called me back," she ran up the stairs throwing her arms around his neck. "I thought you were just going to watch me go and do nothing like last time."

"I won't make that mistake again. I love you Christine and I don't want you to leave me again. Oh, gods never leave me again," he said embracing her.

Christine looked over his shoulder to where Pierre was standing. She winked at him. He smiled and winked back. Christine pulled back a bit and with her hand wiped off a large amount of makeup on the deformed side of Erik's face. "There he is."

"Where is who?"

"There is the man I fell in love with. He's been hiding his features from me out of fear. But even with all those layers he's still there and I love him even more." She took off the gold ring Raoul had given her and let it drop to the stage with a metal clink.

"Does this mean…?"

"I will gladly become Madame Phantom," Christine said curtsying in front of him.

All the anger from Raoul was washed away as Erik swept Christine into his arms and twirled her around. He had never been so happy in his life. Things were definitely looking up for him.

OMG this chapter was long. It took me a long time to write so take your time reading it. I hope to get more responses for my work and thanks for keeping up with my story.