We had a big turn out for want to be members of the Raoul Haters United Club. There are still plenty of chances to be a part of the fop bashing. The newest members are; Ophicial-Phan, Son Ange, spunkey girl, inkie pinkie, Little Lottie, Melissa Brandybuck, Fox of the Nova, xxXGoddessXofXdeadXLoveXxx, An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin, Vera-Sama, Pickledishkiller, LadyDarkWater, gothicVampireHuntress. If I spelled anyone's name wrong you have permission to yell at me in your review.

We also learn the name of the baby and some other secrets Erik has been hiding about the past. All will soon be revealed.

Chapter 41: The Smallest Angel

For the rest of the night Erik and Christine sat up watching over Lotte and Pierre while each took a turn holding the baby. Erik didn't want her to start crying at any time so he allowed Christine to hold her first. Christine was sitting cross legged on the floor with the baby tucked in her arms.

"What a sweet face she has. I can truly see both of their features in it. It almost seems like she's inherited your nose darling," she giggled. "Though, it must be heartbreaking that you never got to hold Lotte when she was this small."

"Actually there was a time when I did," he confessed shifting uneasily in his chair.

"You mean you actually came into my house without me knowing? When was this?"

"Oh, years ago when Lotte was only about a month old if I recall. I had come to check on her like I always did each night around midnight. The window had been left open and I decided to venture inside. As I crossed to the crib she began to fuss a bit and when I finally reached it she was crying softly. I reached in and picked her up holding her close to me and softly singing to her. Even though I was afraid of being caught I was going to stay with her till she fell back asleep. At first she looked longingly up at me, and then she fell asleep within my arms. Finally I heard you stir from the bedroom and laid her back down before making haste for the window, which I closed behind me; didn't want our daughter to catch cold."

"You were actually there? Wait I actually do remember hearing movement in the room that's why I came to check on her and I had found the window closed. I was rather confused. How often did you come back?"

"I came back every night after midnight to see her. I watched her go from infant to toddler, from toddler to little girl. I saw it all Christine. And I cursed that I couldn't be a part of it."

"I'm sorry I lied to you about her. I would have stayed with you, raised her with you, and maybe raise more someday with you. But because of a stupid conflict we wasted 19 years that we could have spent together." She stood and laid the baby, who had fallen asleep, into the crib.

Erik watched her closely. She had gotten older, much older. He was getting old too, but he worked hard to maintain his younger features. He wasn't ready to get old and stop working all together. He still had operas to write, dark corners to sneak around in, and an Opera House to run. He was yet to give that all up.

Christine came back around him and sat on the floor again this time tucking her legs up under her dress and leaning her head against his leg. Erik reached down and messaged her head and neck with his fingers. "You know what I found out?" she asked him after awhile.

"No, tell me."

"I found out that I was wrong on how the two of you would turn out after that confrontation we had after Don Juan Triumphant. I would have thought you to become more violent due to my choice, but I see that you have become a thoughtful and caring. Raoul I thought was going to be sweet and kind like always, but he became the violent one. And I still don't understand how he found out about you and me. I was very careful to keep my mouth shut around him."

"It doesn't matter anymore. He can't harm you or any of us again. You're a free woman Christine. You are free to love again."

She raised her head a bit. "You're right I am free to love again. Plus there is already the perfect someone for me."

"Oh, and who is this perfect someone? Do I know him?" Erik teased her.

"You should. He's tall and handsome yet he always tries to hide away in black clothing, but he does wear white which is only, because of this mask he wears. Yet, his voice is so beautiful when he speaks or sings. I feel as if I should be floating on a cloud high in the sky. He makes me feel wanted whenever he is near and knows that a simple gift will make any girl's heart skip a beat. I love him so much."

Erik beamed. She had described him perfectly, or at least in the way she pictured him. He reached out his free hand and took hold of the hand she was using to rub his knee. Then in a graceful motion he got down on one knee and smiled at her. "Christine hopefully this time around you can take the honor of being my wife," he said pulling the ring off his own finger and putting it on hers.

"Oh, Erik, you know I will," she said throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him.

Finally he was getting what he wanted more than anything, his Christine, his angel. She would be his to hold and to cherish every morning. She would be there to greet him when he woke and there to kiss him each night as he went to sleep. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he held her.

Suddenly the baby let out a cry bringing their time of joy to an end. Erik stood and had just picked up the baby when Lotte sat up startled by the cry. "Where he is? Where is he?" She cried.

Christine stood and sat down on her bed touching her cheek gently. "Where is who darling?"

"Raoul, where is he, I have the right to give him a piece of my mind," she hissed her teeth clenched.

"Calm down Lotte. Raoul's…" she hesitated a moment. "…dead. Your father has killed him."

Lotte looked up at her father, but then her eyes fell upon the baby in his arms. "Is that my…my baby?" she gasped.

"She certainly is," Erik said holding her in a way that Lotte could get a good look.

"Can I hold her? Please." Lotte asked as if it wasn't hers.

"I don't think there will be anything wrong with that. She hasn't seen her mother at all yet."

Erik laid the baby in Lotte's arms and right away it let out an angry cry. "What did I do? I only just got her," Lotte exclaimed.

"You didn't do anything sweetie. It's just because this little one has grown attached to your father and sometimes refuses him giving her up. She knows you're her mother and will soon feel the same way." The baby soon let out a shrill cry. "She must be hungry. Erik to you mind stepping out for awhile. Lotte needs to be shown the proper way to feed her."

Right away Erik left the room, no questions asked, yet Lotte looked a bit confused. After a little bit of struggle Lotte had gotten the idea of nursing and looked down upon her tiny child. "I was afraid she wouldn't make it. How was it possible?"

"The placenta saved her life. Instead of piercing her, the dagger pierced that. But luckily your father reacted as quickly as he had, because we still could have lost her due to blood complications. But you know what is more important?"

"What?"

"She needs a name."

"I know the perfect name," Lotte said looking at the doorway. "Her name will be Jacqueline."

"But that's the name we use so no one recognizes you," Christine exclaimed.

"I know. I don't want us to hide anymore, at least not to the people in the Opera House. Besides she looks like a Jacqueline to me. It suits her."

Christine nodded her approval. "I think it's a beautiful name for her." Then Christine leaned in a bit closer. "Lotte I have wonderful news. Your father and I are finally going to get married."

"Really, oh I've been waiting so long for this day. I'm so happy for you." But then she remembered something. "Wait, where's Pierre?"

"He's over on the bed. He was hit pretty hard and needs to rest. Don't worry he'll come around soon."

Lotte looked over at him. She knew he was probably going through hell right now and it was all because of her carelessness. Now that Raoul was no longer able to cause them harm she knew what she had to do. She needed to make things right again, for all of them. She looked down at Jacqueline, who had finished nursing. Christine took her and burped her while Lotte fixed her hospital gown.

"It's okay Erik, you can come back in now."

When Erik stepped back into the room Christine was holding Jacqueline, but the little girl's eyes were staring up at her. She reached out her tiny fingers as if trying to reach for him. He noticed and smiled. "I think you got enough attention from me tonight little one, but I promise there will be plenty of time for the two of us to get better acquainted."

"Father, she has a name now, Jacqueline Rose," Lotte told him.

"A beautiful name at that, but what are we to call you in the theatre?"

"The name I was given at birth. I was born Lotte and that is how I wish to be known as."

Erik was confused. What was Lotte pushing at? He wanted to ask, but held back afraid that the answer would come back and haunt him at night. Christine returned his stare and smiled hoping to comfort him. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Just so much happy news all at once. How can this morning get any better?" he asked sarcastically.

"Erik, I require your assistance," Mme. Giry said as she came up behind him making him jump.

"Sorry I asked," Erik growled.

"Mme. Giry welcome back," Christine said standing.

"Thank you Christine. Oh, there she is. The newest star at the Opera House. Does she finally have a name?"

"Jacqueline Rose," Lotte said.

"A powerful name, but that is what we call you on the stage. I'm sure you have a way around this," Mme. Giry said eyeing her.

"I do, but I'm glad to know that everyone is concerned. Though I do feel like a lot of this is my fault."

"How can you say that child? You can't blame only yourself on the matter. Many of us are at fault from the very start of this mess. I particularly for pitying your father all those years ago."

"Which I am grateful for," Erik said his eyes fixed on her, but she ignored him.

"What I mean is all of us pitched into this big mess one way or another, except little Jacqueline here. I see she has no reason to be blamed for anything," Mme. Giry exclaimed taking the baby into her arms.

"What are we to do about Raoul though?" Lotte asked getting unique stares from everyone. "I was just wondering what was going to happen seeing as someone will know he's missing and go searching for him. Someone will come and search the Opera House for the body, which will bring them to lair. They find out about us."

"Lotte I reassure you that I'll take care of it. I already have a plan brewing in my mind and I should take care of it before it is lost," Erik said staring at Mme. Giry, who placed Jacqueline in Lotte's arms.

"Very well then let's be on our way."

Erik started following her out when he felt a tug on his arm. He turned back to be face-to-face with Christine. A cross between fear and happiness was sketched into her features. "Please be careful. There's no telling what kind of men Raoul hired to seek you out if anything had gone on."

He kissed her forehead gently. "I'll be careful I promise. All I need to do is set up one little thing then I'll come back here. I have responsibilities now to the three most beautiful angels in my life and I won't let them down."

He went over to Lotte and leaned down so she could hug him. "Thank you for everything," she whispered. "I always knew I had a guardian angel looking out for me. If it wasn't for him both my baby and I would have died."

Okay, that was a filler chapter, but hey it still works. I have started a collection of Phantom poetry. Go to my profile and check it out. I would like to hear from all of you and I have another idea for a Phantom story so when this one is finished I will leave. Once again I want to hear from you.