I know I took a long time getting this one updated I'm sorry. I got a little bit of writer's block plus I hate Carlotta and I don't want to write her into the story anymore so after this no more Carlotta Hurray. The votes from the last chapter had been tallied and it was made quite clear that many of you want to see Lotte take her on once again. For those of you who just want her gone will also receive your wish. I want to please everyone, so I will probably base this chapter off both ideas. And maybe we'll finish off with Andre and Firmin who knows? (Looks up at the chapter menu) 60 CHAPTERS. OMG!

Note: Some of Jacqueline's character traits are based off Erik's from Susan Kay's novel the Phantom.

Chapter 60: It's Over When the Spanish Lady Sings

Jacqueline was sitting on stage near the orchestra pit watching her mother and Madeline dance. She enjoyed doing this during the day and thought that her mother was the most beautiful dancer in the entire Opera House.

The orchestra played on behind her and Jacqueline would look over her shoulder once and again in awe at their talent, and also because one of the clarinet players was starting to sound really bad. She was anxious to crawl over there and smack him a few times till he played correctly, but she remained still. Her grandfather had clearly explained that he would handle the orchestra himself and usually used her judgment anyway.

As she took a mental note of where he sat, the music stopped playing. Jacqueline was confused and looked up just as Carlotta's huge dress brushed across her face. She whined, but no one noticed her. Jacqueline had made it quite clear to her grandfather that she hated Carlotta and he openly agreed. Now this large woman was standing next to her and if she took one step to her left Jacqueline would be crushed.

Carlotta made no sign of noticing the child and asked the conductor to play Think of Me from Hannibal for her. The music started and Carlotta began to sing. Jacqueline quickly covered her ears, but she was so close that the tiny barriers were no good. She had to stop this obscure noise before her ear drums burst.

She stood up on still wobbly legs and brought herself closer to Carlotta. In one swift movement Jacqueline had slammed her foot into Carlotta's making the woman scream in pain. With her deed done Jacqueline quickly ran to Lotte's side, but didn't get far when someone grabbed her around the collar and lifted her off the ground.

"You will pay for that you little brat! How dare you step on La Carlotta's foot?"

Jacqueline let out a timid cry as her collar was pulling tighter into her neck. "Mama!"

Lotte had run over just as Jacqueline was grabbed by the collar and lifted off the ground and she was now begging Carlotta to put her down. Carlotta however wouldn't oblige to her helpless pleas making Lotte upset. Like any good mother in the animal kingdom, Lotte wasn't about to sit back and watch her daughter be punished by someone else.

In a last desperate attempt Lotte undid the buttons on Jacqueline's day coat see was wearing and seeing as that was all Carlotta was holding onto; Jacqueline slipped free and landed in her mother's arms.

"You are a cruel woman Carlotta. No wonder you never had any children."

"I would have if that Father of yours hadn't murder Piangi. And that little brat deserves a proper punishment for what she did. As I said no one steps on La Carlotta's foot."

Lotte rolled her eyes and then decided to do something so rash it would get logged away in her father's journal; she reached out with her own foot and slammed it into the already injured foot making Carlotta scream twice as loud as before.

xxxxx

Erik and Christine had raced into the house just as the second scream sounded though out the entire theatre. Before them the stage was set for an all out catfight between Lotte and Carlotta. Jacqueline was clutching to Madeline's leotard sobbing out of fear. Meg was trying to calm the two ladies down, but Carlotta threw a horrid curse in the girl's face causing her to back off almost immediately.

"Once again Carlotta you threaten my family after I clearly warned you not to. You attacked my father and now threaten the life of my own flesh and blood. You have a cold and ruthless heart and it seems that once again I have to set you straight," Lotte hissed balling up her fists.

"I was doing you a favor. You didn't move fast enough to discipline her so I thought I'd do it for you. She was close enough to me anyway. On top of that how I am to know that you're either disciplining her or congratulating her for causing me pain?"

Lotte couldn't believe this woman and the way she was acting. She would discipline Jacqueline in her own way, but if her father heard about it no doubt he would be proud of her one way or another. "The way I care for my own daughter is no business of yours even if it was she who caused you pain."

"It is my business as long as I'm in this Opera House."

"We'll see about that," Lotte muttered under her breath as she turned away wanting nothing more than to take her eyes off this horrible creature.

"So you turn your back on me Lotte. Well I can clearly say you're as empty headed as your mother and that half wit we call our manager. They…"

It was too late for Carlotta to utter another word as Lotte plowed into her knocking her to the floor and forcing air from her lungs. Lotte began delivering punches to the woman's face as she shouted at her. "They have more brains than you ever will you evil witch." After a few vicious swings she pulled Carlotta's head up by the collar and glared at her. "Admit to everyone Carlotta that you can't sing. You only got in this business on good looks. Admit that your singing is awful!" Lotte spat.

Nobody moved as Lotte gave a tighter jerk on the woman's collar. Carlotta gave a terrified squeak before she mustered the words. "I can't sing. I only got into the Opera House all those years ago on good looks alone. The few lessons I got weren't enough to improve me and they left me with that," Carlotta said in between chocked sobs.

Lotte's grasp didn't loosen up as she continued to stare at the sobbing woman beneath her. "Promise that you will stay away from my family as long as you remain in this Opera House. Because next time I will not be as forgiven."

Erik was worried. Lotte was becoming as ruthless as he had once been. She was quite capable of going on random tangents, but she did well to keep them under control. Now her motherly instinct was pushing hard on her brain causing her to go out of control. "Christine, guard the doors and make sure Andre and Firmin don't come in. I have to end this before someone gets seriously hurt."

She nodded and went into the lobby closing the door behind her. As Erik had predicted Andre and Firmin came hurrying down the stairs and came up to her.

"Madame Daae, what in god's name is going on around here? We heard a scream," Andre asked.

"It's nothing Monsieur. Just a rehearsal going on. Nothing more. I suggest we end the meeting for today and you come back another day to discuss the matter. Though I am quite sure that Monsieur Armand won't give into your demands no matter what you offer him."

"Well fine then, but we will find a way to get this Opera House even if it kills us!" Firmin shouted raising his cane into the air.

"Good bye Madame Daae. It was wonderful seeing you again," Andre said.

"A pleasure sir," Christine lied.

"Good day to you then," Firmin said putting on his top hat and turning to leave with Andre close behind him.

It wasn't until the door leading outside was completely closed that Christine allowed a sigh of relief to come from her lips. "They truly are fools if they think Erik will ever give this up. It will stay in the family for generations if he can help it," she thought as she pulled open the door leading into the house and hurried up the aisle to the stage where Erik had started prying Lotte off a screaming Carlotta.

"Lotte let go already! You've done enough," he said finally pulling Lotte up and holding her in his arms.

"She threatened my baby," Lotte screamed as she struggled against him to finish with Carlotta.

Christine came up behind them and tapped Erik on the shoulder motioning for him to allow Lotte into her arms. He obliged and Lotte fell into her mother's arms sobbing. Christine held her close whispering words of comfort into her daughter's ear. She knew she probably would have done the exact same thing in this situation.

Erik turned back to Carlotta, who was lying in a pile of skirts sobbing. She looked up at him and began to tremble knowing he was quite capable of killing her. A trail of blood fell from the corner of her mouth.

"Who saw what happened here?" he asked calmly.

One of the younger ballerinas stepped forward and took a deep breath. "I saw Monsieur."

"What is your name my dear?"

"Serena."

"Well then what happened?"

Serena calmly explained the situation and as certain things were stated Erik would look at those responsible and ask if it was true. Lotte nodded as she was questioned and Jacqueline even nodded when she was asked about stepping on Carlotta's foot. But when Carlotta was questioned with attacking Jacqueline she came close to denying everything when Lotte broke free of Christine and plowed the woman once again into the stage.

"Don't you dare lie," Lotte snarled.

Once again Erik had to pry her off and give her back to Christine. "From what I've seen and heard Carlotta you are guilty of threatening Jacqueline and I will not stand for this type of behavior from you. Ever since you've come back to this theatre you have been nothing but trouble. You have threatened two lives, mine and my granddaughter's. I have no choice, but to give you a position as a washerwoman. For I will never allow you to sing on this stage again."

"What, but Father you said you wanted to be rid of her for good," Lotte said wondering why he was even bothering to keep her here at all.

"She knows too much. If I send her away she could go right to the police," Erik explained leaning near to her. "Do you honestly think I would let someone like her out of my sight?"

"No, but…"

"I will discuss my reasoning later." He turned back to Carlotta. "You will be moving your things from your dressing room and going to the employee quarters. The girls will be made known of your arrival and walk you through everything. Be grateful I'm not throwing you out into the streets."

Carlotta looked up at him once again and wiped at the blood trailing from her lip. "You're actually letting me stay? I don't understand."

"This is no easy decision and I would rather it not be me making it, but as the manager of this establishment I must. So my word stands and from this day forward you'll be a washerwoman."

For the first time in her life Carlotta looked eternally grateful. She slowly pushed herself up off the ground and wiped her eyes. Slowly she made her way to her dressing room and closed the door behind her.

Erik let out a heavy sigh then turned back to Lotte. "I can't believe you lashed out like that once again. What has gotten into you?"

"She was attacking my baby. You probably would have done the same thing if you were in my place."

Erik had to admit that she was right. Though he may have taken it a completely different way and finished Carlotta off, but he wasn't going to allow her to do such a thing.

"Granpa," Jacqueline said with a sniff.

Erik turned and held out his arms, so Madeline could place Jacqueline in them. The little girl looked up at him not sure of how to react. She had done the wrong thing and she knew it. Instead of speaking she lowered her gaze down to his waistcoat to afraid now to look him in the eye.

"Jacqueline?"

"Yes?" she said not looking up.

"You know you did the wrong thing didn't you?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry. But she was so bad!"

He gently pushed some hair out of her face. "Next time you let me handle it okay? I would hate to have something happen to you. You're my favorite granddaughter."

"I'm you're only granddaughter," she said wrapping her small arms around his neck and snuggling against his shoulder.

"That's why I don't want to lose you. It would be hard to replace you."

"I love you Granpa."

"And I love you my little princess."

Lotte turned from her mother and wiped her eyes.

"Mama, are you all better now?" Jacqueline asked.

"I am now sweetie; are you doing all right?"

"Yes mama."

Lotte smiled and took Jacqueline into a loving embrace. For awhile the two of them remained like that until Lotte slowly sunk to her knees still clutching her one true treasure to her breast. "Thank you Lord, for this precious child you have blessed me with. I say it again and maybe once more. Thank you," she whispered blinking back tears.

When Pierre returned from the financial office he walked in to find Lotte crying and asked what happened. Erik pulled him aside, so as not to upset Lotte more, and explained what had happened.

"My own daughter stepped on Carlotta's foot? Well I can say I never would have expected that."

"None of us did. I knew right away that she had quite a bit of musical interest in her. Though it isn't that hard to notice how bad Carlotta is. But it baffles me on where she learned to step on someone's foot. Some of her bad habits did come from me I will admit, but that one wasn't my fault."

"I wouldn't know. With all the stuff she's picked up on when she's around you I sometimes wonder if she's even my daughter. She has my looks, but she seems to get all her musical talent from Lotte's side of the family. I don't feel like I contributed enough."

"I can assure you she's yours. She's still young. Give her time and I'm sure some of her other skills will appear in time. Who knows she may know what red wine is the best with which meal or what wine to use at a party or wedding,"Erik said patting Pierre's shoulder.

Pierre couldn't help, but laugh. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and went over to Lotte, who had remained on the floor. "Lotte I have great news. My parents will be here opening night, because they think it's about time they see their granddaughter. And because she's still pretty young they didn't want us to do the traveling."

"How exciting," Lotte exclaimed, but then she lowered her voice. "What are we going to do when they ask about where they're staying or about where we live? We told them about living below the Opera House, but nothing about what it's like. I don't think you're mother would find it suitable for raising a child."

"Lotte I'll take care of everything. Don't worry they'll be happy to see us none the less."

Lotte looked up at him as he stroked Jacqueline's hair. She trusted him with all her heart and she knew he would take care of the situation. She leaned over and kissed him. "I love you Pierre. You know that don't you?"

"Oh, I will never forget it," he said leaning his forehead against hers. "I'll never forget."

Oh, love is such a sweet thing. What will happen when the other grandparents show up and meet Christine for the first time? You'll just have to be patient and see what happens. Oh and Serena Fae I hope you noticed that you got a small part in my story, which I hope to expand on in later chapters.