Disclaimer: Please see previous chapters. Thank you.

A/N: Sorry it's been a while. School, school, and more school. I'm sure you know how it is. Well, enjoy this latest chapter.

Chapter 15: Of Birthdays, Music, and Randomness

Louise was very happy to see Erik up and about. She was especially glad to hear that he had gotten a real job. She confided in me that she'd been worried about him.

"It's not natural for Master to be so reclusive. A man should get out and about and meet people." She whispered one day while we were cooking supper. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to him. If not for you, he'd never have gone outside." I doubted I was the best thing to happen to him, but I kept quiet.

The music business was thriving. Countess de Ray spread the word that her son had the most wonderful instructor of all. She was forever praising Erik's artistic ability to me while we talked during the lessons. She could seem to say nothing bad about him. If only she knew all that I knew. But, she didn't. The Countess seemed to have put aside her natural misgivings of two unmarried people living together. Maybe she recognized the age difference or that I had no where else to go. Either way, she spread word about Erik to all her friends. Soon we had letters coming in asking if Erik would instruct someone or if he'd come play something.

Erik was still Erik, however. No matter how many people sent him letters begging for instruction, he only picked those that he wanted. Most of those poor people didn't even get "thanks, but no thanks" letters. Erik just refused to write them.

"They just want to see me because I am a novelty." He told me one day in early September, three months after the first music lesson. We'd been going through some letters and I had asked him why he never responded back. His eyes grew sad at some distant memory. "I hate being a novelty. I was that for a good portion of my childhood." He turned his face toward me, anger now burning in those beautiful eyes. "I will not bow to their every whim."

That was the last that was heard on that subject. He eventually took one more student under his wing, a young boy of middle class parents. His name was Jack and he was a sweet boy of around twelve. His passion for music had caused his parents to search everywhere for a decent instructor. Erik was their pick. The two of them became good friends. It was fun watching Erik with the children. He was so good with them.

I must admit, I was always somewhat concerned about the mask. What would people's reaction to it be? Would they treat him as a decent human? Or mock and treat him like some animal? Thankfully, most of the people we encountered over the course of the months treated him with respect. In fact, I think the mask helped to give him that respect. People have a healthy fear and respect for the unknown. The worst we had to deal with, at the time, was just people staring. But, Erik was used to that and would just glare back. Most of them soon lost their nerve after having his cold steel eyes staring back at them. Erik was rather intimidating.

From September, seven months flew by rapidly. Erik and I still took our daily walks in the park, but they were shorter now as our time was consumed with the lessons. Erik would lock himself in his room and not be seen for a day at a time, working on his lessons. He got somewhat obsessed. As soon as I demanded more time with him, however, he was quick to cast all aside and come be with me.

Our friendship was very important to him. I think he'd rather cut off an arm than hurt me or disappoint me. I was still madly in love with him, but I contained my feelings. He wasn't ready for it. Unlike the flower blossoms, our friendship did not wither during the winter. It grew stronger as we learned together about having a business and how to make it run.

I was his unofficial guide to human behavior, as well. Erik was well versed in etiquette, but he still had plenty of questions. Especially questions concerning ten and twelve year old boy behavior. I can't say I was much help on that subject, being a girl, but I had had a younger brother so I knew more than he did. Any question he had about conduct, he'd come to me. I wasn't much help, being from the future and all that. But, I bought a book at the store about etiquette and began teaching myself stuff. So, we learned together.

Christmas came on and it was a merry time. Erik was invited to two or three parties, but declined. As I'm sure you all would have guessed. Our Christmas celebration was at home and very quiet. Louise was not with us this year, opting to go visit her brother instead. She was gone for about a fortnight. Erik and I celebrated by ourselves.

My present to him this year was a beautiful black woolen cloak. His old one had become dirty during our journeys to and from the houses of his students. I'd set out in middle November to have a nice one made. Erik was very pleased with it. He clasped it around his neck and didn't take it off the rest of the night. It made him look mysterious. His look of mysteriousness was also enhanced by the mask.

I received four new books as my presents. I was rather pleased. I am a natural reader and I had already read a good portion of his library. I had a lot of spare time outside of cooking and cleaning and being escort to Erik. He enjoyed watching me open them and as night time fell, I sat and read to him from one.

Due to Erik's generosity, Alex and Jack both got two weeks off from lessons. I can't say the boys were ecstatic. They very much enjoyed their lessons and Erik was fond of bringing treats for them. His Christmas gifts to both them were new music books. The boys were thrilled. A stern warning was placed on them to continue their practicing through the two weeks break. Both were quick to agree.

New Year's Eve came and went. 1875 dawned bright and beautiful. We hadn't stayed up late to celebrate this New Year. I had not been feeling well and I went to bed rather early. I woke up feeling worse and Erik was obliged to play doctor. He rather enjoyed it. With Louise back, he didn't have to worry about having to cook me soup or food, so he sat and read to me.

I could have gotten lost in his voice. It washed over me as he read and the stories came alive. It was wonderful. I now saw why Christine had followed him without question into the underground of the opera house in the movie. His voice was that compelling. One day, I begged him to sing something for me.

"Why do you want me to sing?" He questioned, closing the book and gazing at me with curiosity.

"Well, your voice is so perfect when reading the book…" He laughed, but I continued anyway. "It just has to be that perfect in singing too." He thought a moment and then started singing. Oh, my word. That's all I can say. It was the most beautiful voice. The movie didn't do it justice. I was carried away on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I have no idea what he sang, though. But, it was sad. When it was all over, I told him he had been wonderful. He just nodded and left the room.

I was better within a week and he was back to teaching lessons. I stayed at home the first week he went back to work, because I didn't feel quite up to going outside. It was during this time that Louise pried my birth day out of me. Don't ask how she did it. I was planning on keeping that my personal secret; a day to celebrate my loss of family and friends. But, she soon knew and a birthday celebration was planned. I was going to be turning twenty.

Erik didn't quite know what to make of my birthday party. I don't believe he ever had a birthday party or knew what one was. Louise had to explain to the "Master" about cake and presents and how it was celebrating the day you were born. He seemed to like the idea and we had nice party. I received many nice presents.

The next three months went by. Lessons consumed us and we were happy and content. As spring came on, though, I felt more of a longing for home. I would have given anything to go back. My mind was soon preoccupied with things of the future and it was all I could do to not blurt out some future event, item, or phrase. The guard on my tongues was increased double-fold.

Still, doom over took me. It was the middle of April and I had found that it was time to do some spring cleaning.