HeHe this is a pretty long chappie... let's see... Nothing really big happens here, lotsa fluff... hmm... you know what? I have an idea. Why don't I just let you read it? -gasp- No way! LOL But ok, then, because it's sooo important to you guys... LOL I'm so flippin hyper... Whatever, here you guys go.
And sorry this one took so long, I was gonna update a couple days ago, but someone... wouldn't get fanfiction up and I had to wait... Sorry, guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own PotO, ok? Gosh, rub it in, why doncha?
"Maman, are you alright?" Meg questioned innocently as she opened the door, making Madame Giry jump. The old woman cleared her throat and nodded, then entered the room. Jane was laying on the bed again, and Erik hovered over her, his hand holding hers tightly. They both turned their heads when Madame Giry came inside.
"Meg, would you be so kind as to go get the tea that the doctor recommended for Jane" Madame Giry asked. Meg nodded and left the room, and Madame Giry turned to Erik.
"As for you, Erik, I think it would be good for both you and Jane if you went to the drugstore down the street and got her something for her head." What Madame Giry really wanted was a chance to speak to Jane alone.
Erik was hesitant to leave, but he nevertheless brought Jane's hand up to his lips, murmuring, "I'll be back soon, then." He bowed, put on his cloak, and swiftly departed. Jane watched him leave sadly, but paid attention to Madame Giry as she spoke.
"Jane," the old woman began, "the doctor was kind enough to share a concern of his with me. He... believes that you are in very early pregnancy. I know that you would certainly be able to tell me if that isn't true, so I will ask you: Is it?"
Jane's face whitened, and she looked into Madame Giry's eyes, slightly fearful. "Oh, Madame Giry, if the doctor suspects it, then I guess it must be true!"
"So you and Erik...?" Madame Giry did not finish her sentence, but she did not need to. Jane's uneasy silence was all the answer she needed.
"Please, Madame, pray don't say anything to Erik!" Jane shouted suddenly.
"Why not?"
Jane lowered her eyes. "Because... Erik might not be the father of this child," she murmured, her voice so soft that Madame Giry had to lean close to hear her words.
"Miss Beaumont, what are you talking about?" Madame Giry was now thoroughly confused. Is Jane some kind of prostitute or something? she wondered to herself.
Jane's eyes began to leak numerous tears as she told Madame Giry the whole story. The day she met Erik, and her fear of him. Their first dance. Being kidnapped by the Ratcatcher, and Erik rescuing her. Their intimacy and passion. Jane left nothing out, and Madame Giry simply sat and listened to the whole tale.
"And I'm not sure whether this is the Ratcatcher's child or Erik's, and I fear that I won't know until it's too late," Jane whispered, sniffling quietly. Madame Giry put a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her.
"Well, Jane... I won't say anything to Erik... but you know tat he will find out, eventually..." Jane nodded, and Madame Giry's heart almost broke. She swallowed a lump in her throat and continued. "But Jane... look at me, Jane." Jane raised her head, gradually settling down, and Madame Giry adapted a more assuring and gentle tone.
"I know Erik, Jane, and I know that he loves you very, very much. He knows that it wouldn't be your fault if it was the Ratcatcher's child. He would still love you, Jane."
"I know," Jane breathed, "But I just can't tell him. Not yet." Madame Giry nodded, and it was at that moment that Meg returned, a small pot of tea and a few porcelain cups in hand.
Meg set the kettle on one of Jane's dressers, and poured some of the golden-brown liquid into a cup. She gave the cup to Jane, who smiled at her friend. Jane raised the tea to her lips and took a sip.
Erik gave the door three soft knocks, and Madame Giry let him in. He carried a small brown bag, out of which he produced a small box of pills.
"The man at the counter said that these would dull the pain, and they are also supposed to help you sleep," Erik mumbled, dumping one pill into his hand and offering it to Jane. Jane smiled and stuck the small capsule into her mouth, drinking tea to help it down.
"Well," Madame Giry spoke, "Meg and I will be around if you need us. We shall come back every once in a while to check on you, Jane. Erik, just watch her, and come and find either of us if something happens." Meg helped her mother stand up, and they left. Erik turned his attention back to Jane.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, somewhat nervous.
"All in good time, love." Jane chuckled, then moved over to make room for Erik to lay beside her. He removed his cloak and coat and slid in next to her. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest.
Erik, unable to help himself, covered her with sweet, tender kisses, telling her every time his lips left her skin that he loved her. She caressed his neck and shoulders with her own lips, but did not say anything. She did not have to, for one of her hands reached up and removed Erik's mask, and she leaned up and kissed his cheek as thought there was nothing wrong. He smiled and smothered more of her with his mouth.
Erik's fingers danced along the strings down Jane's back, but he did not intend to untie them. He was completely content to simply be there, drowning her in all of the love in his heart. He pulled Jane closer to him and held her there. After a few minutes, Jane's breathing was slow and even against him, and he allowed the corners of his mouth to turn up. A couple seconds later, Jane wasn't the only one asleep.
Madame Giry lay in her flat, deep in thought. Was it Jane who convinced him to live somehow? she pondered. She still was getting over the fact that someone who she had long believed dead was alive. She watched the candlelight force the shadows to dance, and sighed to herself. It had been almost an hour, but Madame Giry could not make herself move.
She kept seeing the Erik's eyes shook with anxiety in her mind. It was the first time that Madame Giry had ever seen Erik afraid, really afraid. Even when he had been a boy in the cage at that traveling fair, his eyes had only been filled with hate, and despair. But never fear.
At last, Madame Giry rose from her chaise lounge. After smoothing down her skirts, she strode into the hallway, then down toward Jane's dressing room. She carefully and quietly opened the door, striving to be as quiet as possible in case Jane was asleep.
Much to her own surprise, Madame Giry saw both Erik and Jane together, peacefully sleeping. Erik's mask was lying on the ground, and Madame Giry picked it up and set it on the bedside table. Then, just as silently as she had entered, the old woman left the room, the shape of a small smile upon her face.
Erik's eyes shot open as the metallic click of the door shutting echoed throughout the room. His back was to the door, so her turned his head and quickly glanced around. When he saw no one, he relaxed. Suddenly Jane began to stir, her eyes fluttering open.
"Jane, how do you feel?" he questioned when he could tell that all drowsiness had left her.
"One second," she murmured, and she kissed him tenderly. Erik felt a surge of emotional electricity flow through his entire body, and Jane slowly pulled away from him.
"I feel wonderful." Erik blinked back tears at Jane's words and began to cover as much of Jane as he could with his lips. Her shoulders, her neck, her face. Jane laughed and treasured every touch that Erik gave her, kissing him every time his mouth came close enough to hers.
"...Erik?" she asked after a minute. Erik waited for her to continue her question, but she did not say anything else. Curious, he raised his head and looked at her. Jane's eyes were shining, asking him something that her speech didn't. Erik didn't have to be the genius that he was to figure out what it was that she wanted.
"Jane, you're sick," he reminded her, "We can't." Jane lowered her eyes, slightly disappointed, but he tilted her face up with one soft hand. "I love you," he murmured.
"I love you, too," Jane replied, "More than life itself. More than anything. I love you so much..." Tears filled Jane's eyes, and silently began to stream down her face. Erik wiped each one away with the skin of his lips. He gazed at Jane sadly for a second, then asked her what was wrong.
"Oh, Erik... I just had the most horrible dream. I don't really remember what happened, but it made me think. What if... what if something had happened to you... down in the Ratcatcher's home? What if you hadn't made it out... alive? Oh, Erik, I couldn't stand the thought. That would have been awful! Worse than death." Erik stared deeply into Jane's tear-filled eyes, and he saw the sheer pain in them at the thought of himself getting hurt.
Erik reached out and touched Jane's forehead. It was cooler than before, but not cool enough, though Jane was getting better. Erik couldn't wait until she was healthy enough to return with him to his home.
All of the sudden, a terrible sense of foreboding swept through Erik's mind. He could tell that something was going to be very wrong, but he couldn't tell what it was or when it would happen. His first thought was his home, since Jane was obviously very safe.
"Jane, I... I need to return back home. I'm not sure why, but I feel... like something is going to happen. Something bad, but I don't know what." Erik's hand instinctively went to his beltline, but his Punjab wasn't there, and that troubled him.
Erik stood up from the bed, and put on his mask. He couldn't remember if Jane had put it on the table when she had taken it off, but he didn't care, too focused on hi foreshadowing instincts. He kissed Jane's hand, then slid open her mirror.
"Before you go, Erik, there was something I wanted to ask you," Jane called out suddenly. Erik, who had been halfway through the gold frame, stopped and turned back to her.
"Yes, mon ange?" he asked, his visible eyebrow arched and his tone pleasant.
"Did you ever... watch me, from behind my mirror?" Jane questioned, now sitting up in bed. Erik paused for s second, then nodded. Jane's jaw dropped open.
"Please, Jane, I hope you think of me better than that. I have my manners and decency, you know," Erik interjected, "I gave you your privacy when you needed it." Jane's mouth closed, and she smiled, for she trusted him. He grinned back, then turned and continued his journey to his home.
Jane lay back in bed, her thoughts swimming. Pregnant. She was pregnant. How could she tell Erik? How would he react? What would it be like to have... a child?
One of Jane's hands flew to her stomach. What would it be like? This child was going to depend on Jane for survival. What if, when Erik learned that he was probably not the father of the child, he left Jane? Jane bit her hand to keep from crying. No. Erik wouldn't leave her. She was just being paranoid... right?
Erik poled his boat up to the shore of his home and stepped out, his eyes darting around the main room. Everything was how he had left it. His organ, his music box. Everything. Erik gave a sigh of relief and walked down the hall to Jane's room. Everything there was how he had left it, so he walked to his own room.
Nothing had changed. Erik expected his feeling of foreboding to go away, but it didn't; the bad thing had not yet come to pass. Frustrated, Erik walked over to his desk and sat down, burying his face in his hands.
What was going to happen? When? What could Erik do to prevent it? Erik groaned and stood up, suddenly wanting to go back to Jane. He spotted his violin case in the corner of his room and picked it up, deciding that he would play for Jane.
Meg walked down the hallway delicately, slightly on her toes even thought she wasn't dancing. It always took a little bit of time to get used to walking after an hour of practicing ballet. Meg reached Jane's room, and knocked on the door before pushing it open.
Jane raised her head and smiled at her friend. Her eyes were faintly clouded over, as if she had been deep in thought, but Meg paid no heed to it. She sat beside Jane and asked her how she felt.
"Much better," Jane replied. Meg suddenly remembered something that she wanted to talk to her friend about.
"Jane, who was that man who was here before? Not the doctor, but the other guy. That man in the white mask."
Jane did not answer immediately. She wondered if she should tell her friend about Erik. It took a second, but she finally took a deep breath and began, deciding to tell Meg the almost-truth about Erik.
"I met him in the city," she lied, feeling slightly guilty for her false answer, "He's a musician, and well... we fell in love." Meg's eyes grew wide, and she laughed sweetly, then hugged Jane, who, stunned as she was, giggled back and embraced her friend.
Erik gave another sigh of relief from behind Jane's mirror, where he had paused to listen to their conversation. He was grateful to Jane for not revealing to Meg exactly where he lived. He also liked the fact that she hadn't told Meg anything about why he wore his mask. He smiled as he walked down the many passages that le to Jane's door. After knocking on the wood a few times, he opened it and stepped inside.
"Hello, Erik," Jane greeted, beaming at him," Was everything alright with our home?" Erik set down his violin case and turned sharply to her. He smiled, almost as though he couldn't believe his ears.
She said... our home. Not your home... Our home. Erik blinked back a few tears, then strode over to Jane and knelt beside her. He took her hand in his.
"It was fine, love," he murmured, kissing her fingers and not caring that Meg was watching. He held her knuckles against his face, and a single happy tear dripped from his left eye. Jane gave him a concerned look, and wiped the drop away with her fingertips.
'What troubles you?' her eyes asked, though her lips did not move. Erik pressed her hand harder against his cheek, letting her warmth caress his skin.
"Nothing is wrong, my love," he whispered, "I just love you so much." His last words were incredibly soft, almost under his breath, but Jane got their meaning anyway.
"Mademoiselle Giry," he muttered, standing and facing Meg, "Do you think she will be well enough to return home soon?"
Meg shifted her weight. "I'm not sure, monsieur. I haven't had much experience in the field of illness. If you want my best guess, I would say so, but my mother would be able to give you a better answer..." Meg paused for a second, then looked Erik in the eyes. "Would you like me to try and find her, monsieur?"
"If it would not be too much trouble," the answer came. Meg nodded, then turned and opened the door. Before she left, she raised her eyebrows, nodded toward Erik, and smiled. Jane laughed, an Meg walked away.
Erik's lips were centimeters from Jane's skin. "Thank you, Jane. Thank you for not telling Meg." He slid his palm gently down the side of Jane's face, gazing into her brown eyes as though she was the most beautiful ting she had ever seen.
Jane pulled Erik down to sit beside her, gently and slowly... seductively slowly. Erik massaged her neck with his mouth, where he knew she enjoyed it. Her contented sigh was all the answer he needed, and he tentatively began to put more of his weight on her, until they were both lying down.
Jane's breath was calm, and slow. Erik was the exact opposite of the Ratcatcher. He was so caring, and she knew that he considered causing her pain deserving of death. It was just... like him to think so. She wasn't sure whether she liked him thinking that, though. Half of her thought it sweet that he cared so much, but half of her was worried about what would happen f he did hurt her one day.
Just don't think about that... not right now... Jane agreed with that thought, and she moaned as Erik's tongue curled around her own. Erik knew that she wasn't in any real condition to make love with him, and he took care to make sure the situation didn't go any farther. He was as happy as could be just being with her, anyway.
She whispered his name, but Erik knew that she wanted no spoken answer. Giving her what she wanted, he met her lips again.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Erik jerked upright, his eyes wide, and he stood up before the person entered the room. It was Madame Giry.
"Madame," Erik murmured in greeting. The old woman nodded to him politely, then turned to Jane. Her eyes soft, she laid a hand on Jane's forehead. Jane waited patiently, wondering if she was again well enough to return home with Erik.
"Well, Jane, you certainly feel cooler," Madame Giry remarked, "You feel better, I presume?" Jane nodded, but Madame Giry did not lower her hand. "Yes, you seem healthy... I would say that you could actually return back, uh, "home" noe... But, since I fear that you could have a relapse, I advise that you don't leave until tomorrow. I will be busy rehearsing with the corps de ballet, so I won't be able to check on you, but if you are feeling better tomorrow, then I think that it would be safe to say that you are healthy enough to go home."
Jane grinned, and Erik did the same. Madame Giry did not move her lips, but the sparkles in her eyes portrayed her happiness.
Yes, indeed, the old woman thought, Jane is easy to get close to... Just like Miss Daae was...
"Thank you, Madame. How can I ever repay you for your kindness?" Jane asked. Madame Giry finally smiled and shook her head.
"You are a good friend to my little Meg. I see the way you make her laugh. That is all I need," Madame Giry answered. Jane nodded, and the old woman stood.
"I might not see you again for a while, Jane," Madame Giry spoke, "If you plan on returning underground, I want you to take caution." She turned to Erik. "Now, Erik, do not let her leave this room before tomorrow. I recommend sleep, for the both of you. I trust you, Erik." With that said, Madame Giry left the room. Jane knew, by the way her eyes met Madame Giry's before she left, that the ballet instructor's concern was not only for Jane's health, but also for the child's.
Erik gave Jane a slightly quizzical look, but he shrugged it off and picked up his violin case. Clicking the case open, he gingerly took out the precious instrument. Erik hadn't played the violin in a long, long time, and he was rather nervous about playing it in front of Jane, but he nevertheless brought the polished wood up to his shoulder. In that moment when Erik rested his chin upon his old "friend," all doubt vanished. He brought the bow up and gently began to slide it across the violin strings.
Jane listened to his song, not wanting to fall asleep. She knew that she should, but all she wanted was to lie there forever, with Erik standing over her. The song (which she recognized as "Music of the Night") sounded like... perfection. Erik made not a single mistake, and she sighed as the rich melody filled her ears.
"Erik?" Jane asked after a while. He instantly ceased his playing and looked down at her, his eyes soft. Jane lowered her gaze to the floor, almost shyly.
"Yes, Jane?"
"Will you... sing it for me? It sounds lovely when you play it, don't get me wrong, but I... I want to hear your voice." Jane's request as innocent enough, but her tone was layered with a seductive air. Erik, of course, detected it, but he acted like he hadn't.
"Very well, mon ange," he agreed, the tiny hint of a smile playing about his lips, "Would you like me to continue of the violin?"
"Whatever you wish," Jane murmured, "But, um... there's room for you here." She shifted her position so that there was a place beside her. Erik smiled and removed his coat, then slid in to fill the space by Jane's side.
Jane felt her heart flutter as his lips met her shoulder, the tip of his tongue tickling the crook of her neck. The heat of Erik's fingers penetrated the thin material of her dress, and her mouth formed a smile. Suddenly, Erik stopped kissing her and began to sing.
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation,
Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination,
Silently the senses abandon their defenses," he sang in her ear. Jane's back was pressed against his stomach, and he had his arms wrapped around her waist from behind. She fell into a peaceful slumber, so Erik did not continue. He buried his face into her dark hair, and was just thinking about how badly he would like to do this for the rest of his life when a sudden thought struck him.
He... could do that for the rest of his life. It was true. He would wake up every morning, and the first thing he'd see would be Jane's beautiful face. Every night, he would fall asleep with her settled in his embrace. The thought was almost too wonderful for Erik to dare to believe that it was true, but it was. It was really, really true.
"Oh, Jane... my love, my angel..." Erik whispered fond, loving words under his breath, holding Jane as tight as he could without waking her up. It was a long time before Erik felt tired, but he did not fight the sleep as it possessed him.
pinkyphantom- HaHa thank you, thank you! I'm so glad you liked it! I was afraid some people would think that it was OOC, ya know? But personally, I liked it when he got jealous, too. It made it more fun for me, and I don't know why. Anyway, hope you liked this chappie!
RoSeQuEeN- I know what you mean, I love it when Erik becomes a dad... it's so cute! I've never written a fic before where he does, but I think I'll have fun with it... HeHe well, we'll have to see how well he takes the news... if Jane even tells him... Hope you liked this chappie, thanks for the review!
MadameOperaGhost- Very very very very jealous... I dunno, did it seem OOC for you? I thought it was fun to write, but my reviewers may have other ideas... LOL thank you for the review, hope you liked this chappie!
PhantomAngel- Like I said, I could never hate you! Ever, ever, ever, ever! You are waaaayy too cool! I hope this update was quick enough for you, and I hope you liked it! One thing, though... my stupid school doesn't get out until June 17! Oh god it sucks so bad! I still have exams to get through, but after that... bliss. Utter bliss... LOL But thank you so much for being so cool! I'm sorry it took so long to update, but I'll just let you know that I usually let 3 or 4 days pass before I update, just to make you all crazy (just kidding!). Fanfiction was down, unfortunately, or else I would have updatd sooner... but anyway, thank you for being so concerned, my friend. You make me feel loved!
TheAngel'sMaggie- Yep, it is the Ratcatcher's, unfortunately... But since Erik has almost the same color hair (as I imagine it), you won't be able to tell, since I also picture Jane with hazel-ish eyes... I'm glad you like the slightly jealous Erik, it was fun to imagine. Thank you for being so dedicated, hope you like this chappie!
xxXGoddessXofXdeadXloveXxx- HaHa thank you, I'm glad you liked it, and thank you so so so so so much for the presents! I hope you like the video clip! Again, I didn't make it, but I found it, and I hope you enjoy it! The picture of Jane is absolutely amazing, and I love the chibi Erik! It's so cute, and I also love the "How I wish I could be Her" picture, I printed it and now it's on my binder LOL! You are so awesome!
Gabreil'sGirl- Oh, that's okay, no worries. HeHe I surprised you with the Ratcatcher, huh? LOL I thought it was a nice twist. Anyway, the reason no one was worried about Jane was in the last chapter, in case you haven't read it yet, and I'm glad you shared your concern with me. Really, I am. I don't like my reviewers being confuzzled at all... anyway, thank you for reviewing!
VampireStalker- Thank you, I'm gld you enjoy the story! The salsa thing, totally the same with me. I can't imagine a ballet or ballroom style dance to PotO, it has to be a salsa... or maybe a tango... LOL But anyway, thank you so much!
Baby-Vixen- LOL I hear ya, it is troublesome to have to sign in sometimes, especially if you're pressed for time. Thank you, I'm glad you liked that chappie!
Awww, how sweet... LOL But yeah, thank you guys all so so so much! Nearing 100 reviews! That makes me so happy! Hey, did you guys think Jane's getting over her fever too fast? Really, the fever was an excuse for me to get her pregnancy found out... but if it drives anyone crazy, tell me! I don't want crazy reviewers... wait, yes I do... LOL. HeHe but tell me, seriously. If it doesn't bug you guys too much, then that's ok. But be honest!
AIM sn: smaug77785 IM or email me, people!