Disclaimer: If I owned Phantom of the Opera i would have more than 20$ in my wallett. butI do own April, Paul and the plot of the story. any other people you meet are also mine or based off a friend or family member.

A/N: semi fluffy chapter. Erik is ooc. oh and i am makeing up the laws of the time back then.

Erik ran to the bathroom to see what happened. April was sitting on the ground and staring at the tub.

"He's gone. He's really gone. I couldn't help him this time. Oh God, why? Why did you take my father away from me?" April mumbled to herself while rocking back and forth in shock.

Erik looked inside the bathtub and saw Paul's dead body. Erik looked at the body and asked "What on earth happened?" He looked over at April's quivering body. "April, lets get you out of this room. You need help up?"

"Yes, but I can't move a muscle."

Erik bent down and picked her up and carried her over to her father's office. He set her down softly on one of the chairs. "You said that you couldn't help him. What did you mean by that, April?" he asked softly before sitting down in a chair next to her.

"When mom died, he started wanting to kill himself. So I told him repeatedly that he would leave me in a strange world with no one to look out for me. I guess that when you came to take me to the Opera Populaire he decided that he was no longer needed to look after me so he could join the girl he loved most…" April started to cry, "instead of caring for me who needs him more. Momma could have waited another few years before meeting with dad again."

Why am I telling Erik all of this? Why would he care?

Erik got up and went over to Paul's desk, because he saw a note on it. The letter was addressed to April. Erik picked it up and walked over to the weeping girl. April looked at it and shook her head. "I can't read anything right now. Can you read it to me?"

"Anything, my dear."

"Dearest April,

By the time you read this letter I shall be waiting at the gates of heaven. My dear girl, I heard you sing 'wishing you were somehow here again' and I remembered that I miss your mother with all my life and I want to be by her side again. The man, Erik will become your husband when you turn seventeen. I'm leaving all my possessions to you and Erik. There is $2,000 franks in my bag on my bed. I love you but I can not live without my darling Erin.

Goodbye my daughter,

Paul Russell

P.S. Remember what your mother told you before she died."

What did April's mother tell her?

I must remember that she'll send an angel of music to me before I turn fourteen.

"Erik, is this the true reason you came here today? My father asked you to come and take me away?"

"Yes, unfortunately. May I ask who Erin is?

"Erin was my mother." April paused before she continued. "Erik, how did you meet my parents?"

"I only met your father twice. The first time was when we were in the same orchestra. He took the place of one of the pianists. I was the other pianist and we became good friends. Later that night I gave him my address so he could contact me if he needed to. Paul said that he had a young daughter and said his wife just died so he needed some male understanding. I was there and I offered my help."

"My mother died when I was nine so, you were how old? Fourteen?"

"Yes I was fourteen at the time but he didn't care. All Paul wanted was a friend. As did I."

"Isn't that a little too young to work?"

"No. It was a tad hard but it got easier as I practiced. That was when I started write music."

Why doesn't she feel horrible? Her poor father just died and she doesn't feel anything except shock.

"April, I really am sorry for your losses in your young life. Will you come with me to the opera house and try to forget the past? I've had a horrible childhood also but I would very much like to try to make you happy." Erik told the young orphan.

"I would love to go. Pardon my asking but what made you have such a worse life than mine?" April asked.

"Because of my face. My own mother hated me… I don't tell many people this so I won't be able to talk about it…" That and I've killed my owner and other gypsies that tried to stop me.

"Oh Erik," April started.

"Don't feel sorry for me. I hate the pity others give and it NEVER HELPS!" Erik roared. April was cowering in fear of Erik.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you. I never should have asked. Please don't yell at me again." April pleaded.

Why the hell did I yell at her? She was only curious. Damn it! "April, I'm sorry about that. It's a hard topic for me to talk willingly about. Please don't ask for my forgiveness. I beg that you can find a way to except my apology. I swear that I won't try to make you feel uncomfortable ever again," he asked on a single knee.

He's actually begging for my forgiveness on a bent knee. "I forgive you. But when you're ready to talk about the past, just don't explode on me again when I ask questions." April told him.

Erik walked over to April, and then kissed the top of her head. "Thank you, my angel. We should be going now."

"Aren't we going to tell the police what happened?"

"No. All is explained in the note that he left. It was suicide so they can't arrest anyone. You should go pack now. I'll get the supplies we might need for the journey. It will be a long one so bring plenty of dresses and other things you might need." Erik explained.

"Yes sir."

"Don't say that. I want to treat you as my equal. Seeing as basically the same thing has happened in our lives."

"Okay Erik. I will do as I'm told unless I get a bad feeling about it."

"Good. You are a smart young lady. I admire that. Now hurry up. We don't want to be here all day and night, now do we?" Erik asked.

"I suppose you're correct. I'll only be a minute," April said as she hurried into her room.

Erik chuckled to him self when she left the office. "Smart girl. I bet she'll make a fine wife someday. I'm so glad she'll be mine and no one else's." He walked over to Paul's bed and picked up the small bag full of money. Then he went around the house to pick up supplies that they would need.

"Erik, I'm done packing. Do you want some food or something before we go?" April asked.

"Nah, I'm good. You sure you got all the stuff you need before we leave?"

"Yes-no. I need my violin. I can't go on an entire trip that will take three days without playing."

"You play violin?" Erik asked and April nodded. "Awesome, you could be anything you want to be at the Opera Populaire. I'm sure every one would love to meet you and all your tallents."

April blushed and said, "Thanks. Erik, I love you."

And with that she went over to Erik and kissed him on his lips. It was a very affectionate kiss and both of them didn't wan't it to end.

When April pulled back she smiled at him. Erik smiled back and moved his head forward in an attempt for another kiss, which he got.

see? semi fluffy. well i just want to say thanks to sirrius's sister for those encoureging reveiws.

I started this story in a journel and now i have changed the plot and Erik an April's feelings for each other.

please review and everyone who likes the story will get a mask shaped cookie or an Erik/April kiss.

erik:NEVER!

me:please?((puppy dog eyes))

erik:oh fine. quit looking like that.

me:((does happy dance))here's a cookie. )