Chapter 49

I hope that three chapters are apologetic enough for you all. I have been sick with a bad cold. I hadtold you all that I had some more surprises for you! Surprise! I also updated Eye for a Ghost as well.

As Antoinette brushed Poppy's hair, her fingers brushed across her forehead. She stopped, and placed her hand fully on Poppy's head. Instead of the cold clammy feeling she had for the past week, it was now hot. For a minute Antoinette froze, just then Erik walked back in. She shook her self out of it.

"Erik? Feel her forehead. Please tell me it's hot."

Erik quickly placed his hand on Poppy's forehead. Wonder crossed his face, "She's starting to run a fever. She's going to get better." Tears came to his eyes. "She's going to get better."

Antoinette's own eyes teared up. Erik bent over Poppy, checking her breathing. It was coming a bit faster; her heart had sped up as well. Her face was also flushed as well. "She's going to get better, but she's not out of danger yet. Go get some sleep, I'll watch her tonight."

"You sure Erik? You need some sleep too," Antoinette inquired.

"I'll sleep later. You go."

She nodded. Then surprising them both, gave Erik a small hug. "Everything will be fine now." She gave him a small smile, then turned and headed up one of the tunnels.

Erik turned back to Poppy. Even though she now had a fever, there was the danger of it going too high. Right now, she was running a normal fever but it could turn any moment. He went and got a cool cloth. Retuning, he ran the white cotton over her forehead. Poppy let out small whimpers and moans. She was dreaming, which was good, after hitting her head. If she was dreaming, it meant her mind was still active. Erik placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Fight it Cuquelicot, fight it." He whispered.

XxX

The next morning Antoinette hurried back down to the lair to see how Poppy was doing. Erik was still beside her. "Any change?"

Erik's gold eyes met hers. He looked better, so was Poppy. Instead of looking pale and pasty, she now had some color. Granted, it was because she was flushed, but it was still a good sign. "She's still running the fever, but it has not raised. It should break soon. When it does, I well need your help." He gestured to a pile of sheets and a cotton chemise.

Mme. Giry nodded. When the fever broke, she would have to be changed in to dry clean sheets and clothes, or she could get really sick. When her fever broke, it was late that night. Antoinette had dozed in the chair as Erik watched Poppy. Then Erik had dozed as she watched her. Antoinette yawned, then turned her eyes back to Poppy. Sweat was glistening on her forehead. "Erik!"

Erik snapped awake, "What!"

"Her fever's broken!"

Relief flooded his face. Letting out a sigh, he laid another blanket on her. "When she stops sweating, we need to change her and the bed."

Mme. Giry nodded. Everything was going to be fine. Poppy was going to be fine. They waited and watched her until she stopped sweating. It was near five the next morning, when she stopped. Together they gently rolled Poppy so that they could change the sweat-drenched sheets. When they had the sheets smoothed, Antoinette shooed Erik out of the room, so that she could change Poppy. She pulled off the wet chemise and pulled the dry one over her head, gently. Erik had been changing the bandages everyday and applying ointment. The gash on the back of Poppy's head was healing nicely. Antoinette pulled her long hair into a lose braid. When she let Erik back in, Poppy was sleeping peacefully.

Erik nodded. "Thank you so much Antoinette. Poppy means so much to me, that I would have gone mad if we had lost her," he brushed a stay hair out of Poppy's face. " It is a healing sleep now"

"I was my pleasure Erik. She is like a second daughter. You deserve her, she deserves you. I thank whatever fates allowed her to slip though time. She will be a good wife."

Erik nodded, his eyes closed.

"I need to go. But I'll be back down later. Make sure she drinks plenty of water," Antoinette paused, "What should I tell the Opera Company?"

Erik thought for a minute. "Tell them to carry on. I'll try to be up there within the next few days."

Mme. Giry nodded. She then headed back up to the Opera House, a huge weight lifted up off her chest.

Erik looked back at Poppy. She was indeed looking better. Her face now had true color. Her hair was still thin and dull. But, that will soon change. Walking over to the bed, he gazed down at her. She still looked so weak. Erik sighed and sat down on the bed with her, and gently pulled her thin body close.