For you; my loyal readers.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie -Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnon (slightly shorter)

Karen -Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long, brown hair)

Ms. Jennison-Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 8

"How am I going to tell him?" Vince mused.

"You don't need to tell him anything, he'll figure it out on his own…in due time." Karen answered.

When the school had first opened, Vince knew that Erik and intentionally hired women who were older and matronly…so he would not have any temptations. He admired beauty and intelligence, as well as inner strength and determination. The women he had hired were in their fifties, but they were intelligent and kind.

He had left the hiring of any replacements in the hands of Mr. Stanley Lynch, a trusted friend, which Vince had introduced to him.

"What, on God's green earth, convinced the man to hire Christine?" Vince debated.

Karen found the whole thing amusing. Erik did all he could to avoid bringing anything that resembled love or laughter into this life, but it found a way of getting to him anyway. She was convinced, after talking to her, that Christine was perfect for Erik.

"Please Vince, you're becoming annoying." Karen teased. "Erik is a big boy who can handle a little thing like Christine…he needs her in his life, one way or the other."

Vince stood aghast at what his partner was saying, she actually thought Erik would not blow up over this; he wasn't so sure – in fact, he'd bet his last dollar that he would.

"Karen, you know his feelings about these things." Vince stated.

"It's time for a change, my love." Karen stated, "In everything."

Vince watched as she came to him and sat down beside him on the couch. She kissed him deeply and smiled, "I'll marry you."

Vince was stunned and ecstatic at the same time. He had been asking her for seven years to marry him, and for seven years, she had adamantly refused. She made sure that he knew it wasn't because she didn't love him, she had other reasons; which she eventually made known to him.

"I can't believe you have finally said yes." Vince breathed.

They kissed some more and made plans to go to the JP tomorrow after getting their blood tests and marriage license. Erik would be the witness.

"What made you change your mind?" Vince finally asked as they cuddled on the couch watching the news at her apartment.

"How can I expect Erik to overcome his insecurities, when I have so many of my own? I finally realized that I was being selfish. Why would you have given me nine years of your life – not once straying to another woman – if you didn't love me, despite my inability to give you children?" Karen confessed.

Vince smiled and caressed her cheek. "It's about time you came to your senses, woman."

Karen smiled and tweaked his nose, and then kissed his soft, full lips. "I love you, Vince…I really do."

"I know." He agreed with a grin. "Hey, I think I'm going to ride over to Erik's and tell him about the wedding tomorrow, and also talk to him about Christine."

"You really are a sucker for punishment, aren't you?" Karen teased.

"It's a gift." Vince teased back.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Hey, Erik." Vince said on the phone.

"Hello, Uncle." Erik uttered.

"I'm on my way over to your house, are you decent?" Vince goaded. "I'm not interrupting some clandestine moment, am I?"

He heard Erik chuckle into the phone, loving the sound of that, even if it didn't happen often.

"You know the answer to that, and yes, for you – I'm decent." Erik chaffed.

Vince knew what that meant, Erik was in his sweat pants, no shirt, and wet hair – he had probably just gotten out of the shower.

Erik opened the door as soon as he heard Vince drive through the security gate. He turned on the front porch light and waited at the door.

"What brings you out this late?" Erik asked as Vince approached.

Vince took in the sight of his nephew in all his grand glory. The man was a sight if he had ever seen one. He had strong, toned muscles in his arms, chest and abdomen; a lean, masculine waistline; narrow hips, and sculptured, powerful thighs.

Vince gazed up into the face of his brother as it stared back at him from his nephew. Erik had inherited Keith's gorgeous facial features and physique; the sea-green eyes that seemed to read your very soul, the dark brown, almost black, thick, wavy hair – which hung to his neck and was swept back in a layered fashion. He had a strong, perfect cheekbone and chin – both containing annoying dimples that made the women swoon, even if he wasn't aware of it; and a full, sensual mouth that seemed to invite kisses.

The presence of the mask, and what rested beneath if, did not hinder the attractiveness of the man before him, if only Erik could believe that.

"I have some things I wish to discuss with you." Vince stated as he walked into Erik's immaculately decorated home.

"Really, and these things couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Erik inquired.

"No, they could not."

Erik showed him into the den, and they sat down on opposite sides of the Parchese board. It was one of Erik's favorite games, and he loved playing his Uncle, it was a rare challenge.

After a few moves, Vince broke the silence, "Karen has finally agreed to marry me."

Erik's head shot up and a large, beautiful smile graced his features, "That is wonderful, Uncle Vince…when is the blessed event?"

"Tomorrow in front of the Justice of the Peace…I want you there, Erik." Vince implored.

"You know I wouldn't miss it." Erik stated.

They played in silence for the next few minutes, until it became painfully clear to Vince that he was going to lose – yet another game – to Erik.

"I found out some interesting news tonight." Vince expressed.

Erik's eyes did not leave the board, nor did he acknowledge his uncle's statement, until he had soundly won the game.

He lifted his eyes, devoid of any boasting or bragging, to his uncle. "Really, what news would that be?"

"It concerns Christine." Vince uttered.

There was slight change in Erik's eyes, telling Vince that he was interested in this woman, even if all he knew about her was that she had a beautiful speaking voice and a young, blind daughter that was a gifted musician.

Vince knew that the psychologist in Erik recognized the hurt in Christine and the need she tried to hide. It was engrained into him to want to help her, but Vince was persuaded there was more to it.

"What about her?" Erik asked, trying to sound dispassionate about the subject.

Indigo made her entrance at that moment, gracefully springing into Erik's lap and purring loudly while he rubbed her soft coat. She was a very affectionate cat and Erik responded to her feline love by cooing and cuddling her.

"She was looking for a job, and today she was hired." Vince said, evasively; watching Erik caress the cat.

Erik amused eyes danced in the dim lighting of the room, "You are being very secretive, uncle, what seems to be the problem?"

Vince swallowed hard, sighed loudly, and looked Erik square in the eyes, "She was hired as the new Admissions Supervisor at Trudeau's School of the Performing Arts."

If one had been trying, one could have heard a pin drop when Vince finished making his point. Erik's features showed no emotion, and he seemed unusually calm – 'any minutes now, he'll go completely ballistic.' Vince thought.

There was so much going through Erik's mind, he didn't know what to react to first. He was stunned – what trick was God playing on him that He would allow a young, vibrant, attractive, woman to be thrown into his path? Why did he constantly have to fight the raging passions that surged through his body?

Indigo, sensing a change in his mood, meowed softly, put her paws on his chest, and lifted her face to his. She scanned his features and then softly meowed again. Erik leaned into her and nudged her fur with his nose.

"Erik, are you alright?" Vince asked, when Erik didn't respond to him.

"Whatever possessed Stanley to hire such a woman?" Erik finally asked, stroking the cat again.

Vince shook his head and dropped his eyes. "I have no idea."

Indigo leapt out of his lap and Erik removed himself from the chair. He began pacing – something he did often when faced with an ominous situation.

"There is only one way to solve this…she has to go." Erik announced.

"No Erik, you should have seen her…this job means so much to her." Vince argued. "She gets to bring Meckenzie to school every day and take her home every night; maybe even see her during the day – it's just been the two of them for almost six years."

Erik could hear the concern in his uncles voice…he was beginning to care about this young woman and her daughter.

"What does she mean to you, that you are pleading her case for her?" Erik accused.

Vince leveled his eyes at Erik and cast him a fatherly glare, "Don't even go there, Erik. Karen and I both have begun to care about them; they are like a daughter and granddaughter to us."

Erik viewed his uncle through narrow eyes, but that did not intimidate Vince in the least. He had seen Erik at his worst and they had come a long way since those days.

Vince stood up and planted himself in front of Erik. To any other man, Vince would have seemed an imposing figure at 6'1". He was still a very attractive man at 45, with broad shoulders, a slender but toned build, and wise blue eyes.

"Great. This just keeps getting better and better." Erik growled, as he turned from Vince and fought his inner demons.

"Erik, as far as she is concerned, you are only Meckenzie's teacher and the CEO of the school. She has no idea that it was you who got her into that school or that it is your voice on the radio that she hears every Saturday morning."

Erik hadn't thought of that, even though it was quite true. She was infatuated with a voice over the airwaves; she did not have to know that "The Phantom", and he, were one and the same. He could just be the reclusive founder of the school and Meckenzie's voice and piano teacher.

Chances were, she would never have to meet him, and he could watch her from afar – as he always did.

"You're a genius, Uncle Vince." Erik finally exclaimed with a smile.

"I am?" Vince voiced.

"Yes, you are." Erik stated again, "And I thought I was supposed to be the smart one."

Vince laughed, enjoying the moments when Erik was witty and fun – if all went well, he would have the opportunity to be that way more often, in the coming weeks.

"Sometimes, I even amaze myself." Vince bantered.

TBC