400 reviews + 9 equals SWEET. I'm so happy; I'll be 19 on the 10th of April whoot. I am aware that Erik and crew have gone through a lot, so this chapter is one where things are starting to calm down, but we still ponder what Andre and Firmin are up to. Now let us continue with the story.

Chapter 57: A Little Rest and Relaxation

As the group made its way back to the Opera House; Erik made it well known that he wanted to be left alone. Christine had tried earlier to lie against his shoulder, but he pulled away. She was confused and turned away from him figuring it was best to let him be.

"I'm sorry Christine, but all I want now more than anything is to just allow myself sleep." The truth was his entire body ached and he was still woozy from his rage. What made it even worse was that he had killed in his state and he couldn't get over the fact that he had broken a vow.

He even considered Meg's suggestion of fleeing from Paris to some unknown place and start again, but he couldn't abandon the Opera House. Everyone there was counting on him to keep it running and he was at least doing that by coming back alive.

The carriage came to a halt at the steps leading up to the Opera House and Erik was the first to step out. He gazed up at the building before turning back and offering his hand to help Christine out. "I thought you wanted me to leave you alone?" she asked softly.

"Just for awhile my dear; I had a lot to think about and you know how I am when I'm lost in thought."

"I thought you were going into a rage again. You never want to come near me when you're like that."

He kissed her knuckles sweetly. "That only happened because I was angry. When I'm calm and can think things through I'm more than happy to have you close, but when things become to much for me to handle it's only best that I push people back, especially the ones I love, for I don't want them to get hurt."

She smiled as Pierre brushed past them and paid the driver. "I'm going to head inside. I have some special people I need to see."

"Go on ahead we'll catch up," Erik called after him.

xxxxx

Lotte, Jacqueline, and Madeline were sitting on the stage still from earlier and still discussing what would happen if someone new took over. The door to the house opened and Jacqueline ran off again down the stairs as fast as any one and a half year old could. "PAPA!" she cried as she ran into Pierre's open arms.

"There's my princess," Pierre said happily as he lifted her into his arms.

Lotte stood up and almost felt as if she was in a dream until she too ran out into the house and fell into her husband's arms. He kissed her forehead sweetly and held her close. "Oh, Pierre I was so worried. Are you all right?" she asked softly.

"I am now that I have both of my girls with me. I missed both of you."

He hugged both of them close and thanked God that he had been allowed to see them again. Lyle came into the house and smiled at them to be tackled by Madeline, who was now in tears. "Oh, Lyle darling," she cried.

"Yeah, but you almost killed me there," he laughed.

"Sorry," she said scrambling to help him up.

"It's okay. I'm just as happy to see you too," Lyle said holding her close.

Erik and Christine finally came in and upon seeing them Jacqueline stretched out her arms towards them. Christine eagerly lifted her up, but she reached towards her grandfather hoping he would do the same, but Erik only turned away. The last person he wanted to hurt was her were he to go into a raged state again.

"Granpa," she said sadly.

"I'm going to head down and go to bed. All I want is to rest right now. There will be no rehearsals today," he said heading down through the house and up onto the stage.

"Granpa," Jacqueline said sadly rubbing her eyes confused with why he didn't take her in his arms.

"Mother what's wrong with him? Why would he push back his own family?"

"Lotte, you need to understand that your Father, when under a lot of stress and frustration is drawn into his emotion and lashes out in strange ways. He's only pushing us away to protect us from him until he's had a chance to calm down. Don't take it the wrong way."

Lotte gave her a confused glance, but then fell into her mother's arms. Christine hugged her and Jacqueline. Meg hurried past them and up onto the stage and stood looking down upon the coffin Erik had made for her mother. She knelt beside it and took in just how beautiful it was. He had gone to so much trouble just for her mother and she had been so mean to him. She was going to need to apologize sooner or later.

xxxxx

Erik made his way down to the lair and headed straight for the bedroom. Quickly he changed into some more comfortable clothing and climbed under the covers. His entire body ached and he was beginning to sweat driving him to bury deeper under the covers.

He rolled over and looked sadly at the wall. He had pushed back the chance to hold onto his granddaughter and she was probably confused at his actions. Why had he been so stupid? To lost in thought to go to sleep he just laid there with his eyes open.

"Erik, are you feeling all right?" Christine asked as she touched the back of her hand to his forehead. It felt so hot. "Oh, you're burning up." She grabbed a cloth and hurried to the kitchen where she wetted it down and then came back dabbing the ice cold water against his forehead.

He shivered and gave a sigh. He rolled again onto his back allowing the cloth to fall against his skin. Christine kneeled beside the bed and held his hand. Looking up at the ceiling he finally decided to ask her something. "Christine what would you say if I was to move you and the rest of the family out of here and to a proper house?"

She gazed at him for awhile before answering. "I honestly have nothing against your decision. If you feel it to be right I'll follow you any where. I want nothing more than to see you happy. It makes my heart soar to see you smile."

He managed a weak smile and she squeezed his hand tighter. "All I want is for you to be safe. I don't want anything to happen to you. I will fight a thousand men or even die for you. You know that don't you?" he said sitting up and allowing the cloth to fall from his forehead.

Gently she eased him back in a laying down position. "I know you would. But I don't care about that right now. What I care about now is you getting some much deserved rest. You need to get better."

"If you truly insist," he said leaning back into the pillows.

"I do. Now if you need anything don't hesitate to ask for anything all right."

"Stay with me awhile?" he asked grasping her hand as she went to get up.

She smiled and removed the mask for him. "Let me just wet the cloth again and I will come back I promise."

She walked out of the room and Jacqueline appeared in the doorway. She looked around and then crept into the room and over to Erik's side. Carefully she climbed into the chair and leaned over the edge of the bed. "Granpa?" she asked quietly.

Erik looked up to meet her eyes. "What are you doing in here princess?"

"Don't you love me anymore?" she asked sadly.

"Of course I do…"

"Then why didn't you hug me?"

Erik felt hurt and opened his arms allowing her to climb into them and snuggle against him. He smoothed back her hair watching her closely as she began to suck her thumb and fall asleep. Monk was curled under her arm and he was so happy just having her there. She was perfect.

Christine came back in and was about to lift Jacqueline up, but he stopped her. "She's asleep. All she wanted was to know that her grandfather still loves her. I would hate to take her away from such a comfortable spot."

"But you're not feeling well. We wouldn't want her to catch whatever you have," Christine noted.

"I don't think it's anything contagious. I'm mostly stressed and that makes me seem so warm. She'll be here safe with me for awhile."

"Do you still want me to stay with you till you fall asleep?" she asked placing the wet cloth on his forehead again.

"I would love it if you did."

"Then I will." She reached over and brushed her fingers against his cheek. He leaned over and kissed them. "I love you Erik."

But he hadn't heard her, because her touch had been enough to calm him and allow him to fall asleep. She knew it best to leave and get some work done, but she couldn't pull herself away from the bedside. Finally she did and went into the music room closing the door a bit behind her.

Lotte looked up from the couch. "Is he all right?"

"He'll be fine with some rest."

"Is Jacqueline in there with him?"

Christine nodded. "She was only making sure he still loved her. But she ended up falling asleep. She'll be safe."

"Oh, I know she will be. But I want to know what happened? Seeing as Father managed to get out of there alive."

Pierre sat down besides them and along with Christine told her what had happened at the warehouse. She listened intently and she suddenly remembered the one time Erik had lashed out at her. It had been years ago, but the pain from it still lingered especially now.

"Mother there's something I need to tell you. It's something only Father, Pierre, and I know of, but I think you should know. Just promise you won't yell at Father for it, please."

"I promise."

"Well as you can guess Father and I got along well from the start and we experienced many happy times together. He would read to me, help me to dance or sing, tucked me in at night, and made me feel loved with a hug and a kiss every morning when I awoke. But after awhile I noticed that he seemed sad and whenever I asked what was wrong and he said it was because he was happy and those tears were tears of joy. Then there were times as I was sleeping in my bed I would hear someone crying. It could only be one person and I knew it was Father. I would listen for awhile until I couldn't stand it anymore and I would cry too. Cry for his tears.'

'He must have heard me, because every time I cried he would come in and sit with me holding me close and smoothing out my hair. I would ask why he was crying and he would only tell me that he missed someone; his angel. I had thought I was his angel and he would laugh a bit and assure me I was. I was special to him in another way. Back then I didn't know he was my true father, so I believed him when he would say I was that special daughter to him.'

'For seven years we lived happily enjoying each other's company and there are so many memories I hope to never forget; nights of learning proper dinner manners or dancing to his music. I even took the time to write a few musical pieces myself. But I never once asked about what lay behind the mask, because as curious as I was I knew it wasn't right for me to dig into his personal business. It wouldn't have been fair to him and I knew he would tell me when he was ready.'

'But one night I had mentioned rebuilding the Opera House and that was the first time I ever heard him play the wrong note. He told me to never bring up the subject again and I was confused at why I shouldn't so I asked why. Father had also made it quite clear that he had always lived in secret and he was happy enough here with his music. I felt insulted, because I thought I had been that special someone for him.'

'I had never talked back before and I guess both of us were surprised. Father started yelling at me to tell me to stop my foolishness and be quiet. But I wasn't about to back away from my opinion and…" she quivered for a second and took a deep breath. "…I must have made him really upset, because he slapped me across my cheek. He had never lashed out at me before, so of course I was terrified. So I ran to the roof hoping to escape from him, but he knew I always went there when I was sad. Right away he apologized to me and allowed me to see his true face. If I had screamed he would have forced me to stay there, but if I had remained calm I would be free to go and come back to you.'

'I didn't scream or cry. I looked upon the deformed skin and wondered why he had been so afraid to show me what he was hiding before. Because he had allowed me the choice I realized I couldn't go back to you and Raoul, because I had forgotten everything about my old life except for you and that jewelry box. Besides if I was to just randomly appear after missing for seven years I would never be left alone by the newspapers or the police. I wanted Father to be safe, so I decided to stay. I couldn't abandon him, not after all he had done for me. He had been willing to take me in and love me."

Lotte was now in tears and was clutching her sides as she let her curls fall into her eyes and gasped for breath.

Christine brushed her daughter's hair out of her eyes and lifted her chin up, so they could look into one another's eyes. "Lotte I'm so proud of you, because you did what I couldn't do. You never turned your back on him. The last thing I wanted was to have done that, but he made me go. He didn't want me to be stuck in the life of running away with him, but I see he didn't run. He wanted to make sure you were okay. Knowing that you were growing inside me must have given him a reason to go on living as much as he disliked it."

"Mama why you crying?" a timid little voice asked.

Lotte looked down to see Jacqueline looking up at her with her innocent blue eyes. "Oh, everything's all right my love. Mama was only remembering the past and it made me cry. Is Grandpa still sleeping?"

"Uh huh, he was making strange noises though."

Lotte, Christine, and Pierre exchanged quick glances with one another before Christine hurried into the bedroom and went to Erik's side. He was muttering something under his breath and fresh tears were falling along the side of his face.

"Erik?" Christine asked stroking his face.

Erik's eyes flew open and searched the area around him. When he finally looked up at Christine he took in a big gulp of air and let it out slowly through his nose. "Where did Jacqueline go? She was right here just awhile ago," he asked.

"She came to get us, because she was worried about you. She had said you were making strange noises and woke her up. Is something the matter?"

He laid a hand across his chest and drummed his fingers in a nervous manner. She looked upon the gold band upon his ring finger and smiled sweetly. "I heard Lotte's story and I realized what a fool I was. Almost turning her away like I did you. But I guess I'm living the life I once feared. I made her run with me instead of you and like before I'm rescuing you once again from the clutches of the evils in this world after throwing you into it. I should have called you back or killed that idiot Raoul when I had the chance. I should have run away with you and forgot about the Opera House. I don't deserve to live happily unless I pursue that thought."

"Don't say that. You've had plenty of happiness. Lotte told me those seven years with you were some of the best years of her life. Even though you kept her away from society you were doing it for her safety as well as yours. You didn't want her to be picked on didn't you?" Christine asked taking the ringed hand into hers.

"It's what any good Father would want for his daughter. The first time I saw her I knew she was a blessed gift from God. When I saw that she had the angelic face you possessed I knew my luck was changing. I'm the luckiest man alive and I have you to thank for giving me such a beautiful daughter."

"You're welcome Erik; you're so very welcome." She leaned over and their lips locked into a heavenly kiss. So this was happiness. Now that no one was hiding any secrets they could go on with their lives and be the happy family they always wanted to be.

I love this chapter. I went into a lot of depth with Lotte's character, because she was kind of absent for quite a few chapters, so I wanted to make sure she was included and make a big comeback. I also loved Jacqueline sucking her thumb asking Erik if he still loved her. How could he not love that sweet little girl? I mean it wouldn't be that hard to. Next chapter the opera will be in full swing and the past managers will make another attempt at taking the Opera House Oh, no.