Chapter 54

Poppy was on the stage, working with Reyer on her part for Faust a week later. She never knew singing in a foreign language was so hard. She was able to speak French, but she was having trouble with the songs in the language. Carlotta and Piangi had left. That meant Poppy had Carlotta's part as Marguerite. Erik had instated a shy young promising tenor, Armand le Notaire as the lead. And Poppy was the unwilling diva. She was scared of the stage right now. After Don Juan, she wanted no part, but Erik talked her into it. She figured that she was scared because of that night, but, she the remembered the old phrase, if you fall off the horse, the thing to do was get back on. So that's what she was doing, riding the horse again. But at the moment, the horse was bucking.

"Once more, Mam'selle. You know the song. You only need to sing it in French," Reyer instructed.

Poppy sighed and began again,

"Ah! Je ris de me vor Si belle en ce miroir!… Ah! Je ris de me vor Si belle en ce miroir… Est-ce toi, Marguerite, Est-ce toi….."

She finally got it right. Reyer congratulated her, sending her on her way. Sighing once more, she headed up to the offices. It was around noon, so Erik would be in the office. She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Poppy walked in and set down in a chair by an open window. Spring was here in Paris, and Poppy was enjoying the fresh air that blew in gently.

Erik had stopped writing when she came in. she flashed him a smile then set down in the chair and turn her face toward the window. Her ruby red hair was down, so the slight breeze ruffled her baby fine hair. She had been upset with him the past few days. She hadn't wanted to get up on the stage, but he had talked her into it. He knew why Poppy hadn't wanted to sing again: she was scared, though like him, would never mention such a thing. Erik had seen it before. As soon as she sings again, she'll lose her fear. He stood and walked silently up behind her. He picked up a silky lock of hair and let it run though his long fingers. Poppy turned her face up to face him. "How did practice go with Reyer go?"

She shrugged, "Great this time. I think I have the songs down pat. Speaking French is one thing, singing it, another."

Erik nodded, "And how is practice with Armand?"

Poppy felt a wicked bone rise, "He's very nice. I'll really enjoy singing with him. He has good voice. And Meg told me that he is really handsome." She gave Erik a grin as she heard him draw a sharp breath.

"Is that so?" he gritted out betweenhis teeth.

Poppy laughed as she stood. She placed a hand on his smooth left cheek, "I'm playing. True, he's nice, but who am I to take away Meg's crush?"

Erik covered her hand with his own, "Meg?"

Poppy chuckled, "Yep. She really likes him, and he likes her, but is too shy to say any thing." She leaned in and gave him a kiss, "No one can compare to you though, you are the one I 'see' and love. No one will ever take me away." She then pulled her hand away, "So, what were you doing?"

Erik walked back to the desk. "Getting some affairs in order for our trip."

"Trip?"

Erik shot an amused glace at her, "You have forgotten again?"

Poppy flushed with embarrassment and nodded, "You know in my time it was usually the men that forgot."

Erik just shook his head, "And I bet they took their marriage vows lightly as well?"

"Sadly, yes. It is not the same here?"

"I wouldn't know…"

"Sorry."

"It's fine. But from what is seen some do, but not many."

"So, where were you planning for us to go?" Poppy asked as she moved the chair to the front of the desk.

"I was going to let you decide."

"I not sure. I have been to few places, but never truly enjoyed them." She thought, "Flip a coin? Heads Carolina? Tails California?" When Erik made a confused sound, "Sorry. It was from a song. We don't really have to go anywhere. We can stay right here."

Erik was surprised, "You sure?"

Poppy smiled, "I'm sure. It doesn't matter. I'll go were you want to go."

"Well, that is taken care of. I believe your dress is also finished. Not much is there to do. We can be wed in a week?" Erik thought out loud.

Poppy stood and walked around the desk and stood beside him.

"Well, we must leave enough time for you to get jabbed by pins." Poppy giving him a sly smile. "I have already been though that. It's your turn now."

"I have that taken care of as well. It's already happened. I now understand what you meant that day."

Poppy laughed, "And I missed it? Did Mme. Giry go?"

"She was to one who drug me there."

Poppy smiled, "I'll have to get details from her then."

"You will not." Erik warned, "Since the guests will most likely be just the some of the company, we can be wed at the Madeleine. I know it's not the big wedding most girls dream of, but…"

She shook her head and gave him a soft kiss that he quickly deepened. She pulled back, breathless.

"It will be fine. Small is better." She ran a soft hand across his smooth jaw, "I have some errands to do. See you later." Poppy turned and started to walk out the door when Erik called to her.

"You will not go down the tunnel." Another thing he had forbid her to do was go down to the lair by her self. He even had the opera's company to watch and make sure she didn't try.

"I won't," She rolled her eyes.

"And don't go searching for Antoinette just to interrogate her on behalf of my fitting."

"I won't." with that she disappeared out the door.

Erik set at the desk. Suddenly he jumped up, "Poppy!" and he ran out the door after her.

Ha, ha, ha. Next chapter: wedding bells!