The reviews just keep on coming and even though there has been happiness in his life there is still trouble for our Phantom. Don't tell me you've forgotten about the mob. A bunch about them is soon to be revealed in a later chapter so don't think it a happy ending yet. This chapter however is about Erik and Jacqueline.

Chapter 51: A Time for Play

Months had passed since the wedding and Erik was proud of his new title; husband. He had thought for years that he would never gain the right to have it, but he had been wrong. Every morning he awoke to Christine nestled in his arms or on rare occasions lying on her side facing him. It didn't matter to him as long as she was there.

Jacqueline was now a year and a half old and had already gotten down the basic movements of walking, meaning someone had to watch her at all times. She also had a very small vocabulary that she added to every time someone attempted to teach her a new word. Erik got to watch her during the off seasons and he enjoyed every minute of it. The little girl was full of energy and always willing to play.

Lotte had gotten her some pictures books, which Jacqueline would take to Erik and hold it up to him begging him to look through it with her. No matter what it was he was doing he would place it aside and take her into his lap. Sometimes Lotte joined them and the three of them would look at the book together.

Erik felt young again. Playing with Jacqueline was the same with how he had played with Lotte, only now the girl was much smaller. Plus she kept everyone busy, because on too many occasions she got rather close to the water's edge before someone snatched her up and said the water was a no-no.

xxxxx

One afternoon Erik was on Jacqueline duty and the little girl had disappeared into his bedroom. He hurried in after her to find the closet door open and her sitting on the floor with a stuffed toy in her hands. She looked up at him innocently. "Granpa ookie," she squeaked holding up the toy.

Erik recognized it as the toy monkey he had made while on display at the faire. The one thing that had given him comfort while huddled within the iron cage. He had hidden it in the closet, but how she had found was beyond him. He knelt down next to her and she held it up higher.

"Monkey, Jacqueline. That's a monkey," he said pointing to the toy.

"Mmmmm…on…keeey," she said trying to sound out the word.

"Monkey," Erik repeated saying the word slowly so she could hear the different syllables.

"Mon…key," she finally said after a few more struggling tries. At saying the word she looked up at him waiting for his praise. He opened his arms and she ran to him wrapping her arms around his neck. "Monkey," she said more clearly this time in joy.

Still sitting on the floor Erik pulled back and looked down at the toy. How much he had enjoyed having it, but to dwindle on such a thing seemed pointless and the way he saw Jacqueline gaze at it made him smile. "Do you want to keep the monkey?"

For a second she looked at him before nodding slightly. "My monkey?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes, your monkey, Jacqueline."

She gave it a squeeze and then proceeded to make it dance upon her knee. Lotte found them some time later still playing with the toy in which Erik had showed Jacqueline how the tiny cymbals had worked. Lotte watched from the doorway as Jacqueline clapped her hands before standing on still wobbly legs and tried to dance just like Christine did.

But as she danced Jacqueline got dizzy and fell backwards hitting her head against the floor. She let out a cry and before Lotte could react Erik had reached over and scooped Jacqueline into his arms trying to calm her.

"Show me where it hurts," he said calmly.

Jacqueline rubbed the back of her head. "Here. Kiss make better," she whimpered through her tears.

Erik reached down and kissed the back of her head. "Better now?"

"Uh-huh. Thank you Granpa," she said wiping her tears with her hand.

Lotte felt a grin cross her lips at what she had witnessed. Her father was reacting just as he had whenever she had gotten hurt, giving love and comfort until all the pain had passed. "Is everything all right in here?" she asked as she stepped into the room.

"Just a wee bump on her head is all. No harm done," Erik said as Jacqueline reached for her mother. Jacqueline loved Erik, but Lotte was still a very important past of her life.

Lotte took Jacqueline into her arms and kissed her. "Did you have fun with grandfather today?"

Jacqueline nodded and held up the monkey toy. "Mama ookie."

"Goodness who gave you that?" Lotte asked her.

"Granpa did. My monkey," she said clutching it once more.

"You gave that to her?"

"It was an old toy of mine and she seemed to like it so I let her have it. At least I know it's being loved," Erik said closing and latching the closet.

"You never mentioned it before. Did someone give it to you?"

"No, I made it. It gave me comfort on cold nights and it was some kind of silent friend. But Jacqueline needs a friend, so I have no problem letting her take care of it."

Lotte knew that her Father was trying to keep from mentioning the faire grounds and the fact that he had once been caged up for Jacqueline's sake. Jacqueline was clever for her age and didn't miss a thing when it came to the world around her. It was best to wait until she was older before telling her about the past. Everyone had agreed on that.

Carrying Jacqueline out into the music room Lotte placed her on the couch and sat down next to her. She enjoyed Mother-Daughter bonding time and this time was like any other. She picked up a book off the table next to her and opened it to the page they had left off on. Jacqueline climbed into her lap and looked eagerly at the pages.

Lotte began to read and soon the two of them were engulfed with the story of a beautiful princess awaiting the handsome prince to rescue her from the clutches of a dragon. But just as the dragon was about to attack Pierre appeared in the boat along with Christine.

"Papa! Granma!" Jacqueline cried.

Lotte set the bookmark back in the book and placed it on the table as Pierre tied up the boat and helped Christine out before came over to them.

"How are my angels today?" he asked kissing each of them.

"Anxious for a bath and a nap. It's been a long day."

"What all did you do?"

"Went to lunch with Madeline and Meg. Also did a little bit of grocery shopping. We were running low on quite a few things so I stocked up a bit."

"I hope no one saw you. You do remember that we are still protecting ourselves from the outside world?" Pierre warned her.

"I know. Don't worry I was careful. You worry too much sometimes," she said gently.

"No, I worry just enough. I don't want anything to happen to you." He pulled her and Jacqueline into a hug. "I can't lose either of you. You and Jacqueline mean everything to me."

Lotte nodded and pulled back a bit looking up into his eyes. She handed him Jacqueline and kissed him. "I'm going to have a bath and then get in a small nap okay. That way you know where I am should you need me okay?"

"All right."

Lotte passed her parents on the way to the bathroom and grabbed a robe from her bedroom. Christine was resting in Erik's arms tired from dancing. Her feet hurt and sweat dripped down her face. Erik took her into the bedroom and sat her down on the bed. Gently he undid her ballet shoes and then got her a drink of water.

"Looks like to me you got in some vigorous practice today," he said as she drank her water.

"It's not so bad. At least you know your next opera will be a success just like all the rest. The ballet girls are doing so well."

"That's good to hear. I love to hear that my performances are doing well, yet I have yet to choose another. I'll have to go through what's left of the archives and see what's available. Oh I can send Pierre to the music company and see what's new."

"I'm sure whatever you choose will be wonderful. You always seem to leave the audience asking for more. You never cease to amaze me."

Erik chuckled. "That was my plan all along. I'm doing my best to make sure your beautiful voice reaches every edge of that house am I not?"

Before Christine could answer Jacqueline appeared in the doorway the monkey tucked under one arm and a book tucked under the other. "Granpa?" she asked timidly.

"Yes, my love."

She came over to the bed and held up the book. Erik reached over and lifted her up. "Read?"

"What book do we have here? Ah, one about the zoo huh? Let's ask Grandma if she would like to look with us."

Jacqueline crawled over to Christine's side. "Read?" she repeated herself sitting there on her hands and knees.

"I'd love to hear a story. Darling will you do the honors?" Christine asked as she propped up the pillows and leaned back against them.

"I have no problem with that," Erik replied as he leaned back against the pillows and had Jacqueline crawl into his lap. Christine proceeded to lean on his shoulder. As Erik read Jacqueline pointed out the pictures and he would sound out the names of the animals for her.

When they got to the monkeys she held up her monkey in childlike innocence. "Monkey!"

"Those are real monkeys Jacqueline. They live at the zoo or in the jungle."

"Me see real monkeys?" she asked.

"Someday you may," Erik said turning the page.

Jacqueline looked up at him then up at her grandma. When she turned to look at the doorway she saw her mother standing there in a white dress a towel wrapped around her hair. "Mama read?" she chimed causing Erik and Christine to look up.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Lotte asked.

"Of course not darling. Come over and sit down. I'll dry your hair for you," Christine offered.

Lotte came in and sat on the edge of the bed. Christine took the towel and began drying out her curls. Erik continued to read. Soon after feeling a little lonely Pierre joined them and together the 5 of them were sitting on the bed listening to the story. To be all together was a real joy and every one of them was wishing the exact same thing; don't let the happiness ever end.

But what they had failed to realize was that one of them was still being hunted and the hunters was five floors up above them seeking out their prey.

Doesn't it just suck when happiness is broken by the hatred of others? It may have been months, but nothing will stop them until they have what they want. Sorry in advance for the cliff hanger, but this is a good place to stop for now. Please don't hurt me. Review for the love of Jacqueline.