Chapter 56

I'm still shocked at myself, so no witty comments this time.

Over the course of the next few days, Poppy and Erik stayed down in the lair. They spent time in the bed enjoying one other's company. They talked, made plans, and made love. When they finally joined the Opera's company a few days later, they both looked exhausted, but happy. Mme. Giry was the first to see them. She hid her smile, as they both looked terrible. She said nothing though. It might have been the warning look Erik shot her.

Life soon fell back into a pattern. Days went by. One day, however, both Antoinette and Erik were in the offices. Poppy was down on the stage, practicing with Armand and Reyer for the last performance for Faust. Antoinette was going over the plans for the Ballet dances. She wanted to put Jammes up front.

"No. Meg. She is a better dancer then Jammes." Erik told her while looking though some papers.

"No. While you and Poppy was…down in your lair, Armand proposed to her. They will be getting married soon."

Erik looked up surprised, "Meg is engaged now?"

Antoinette nodded, "Yes. She has her head in the clouds right now. She cannot concentrate on even the simplest steps."

"Grew up did she not?"

Antoinette wiped a small tear away, "Yes, she did."

Everyone else was just as surprised. They congratulated the couple. Poppy was not surprised though. She had been having a feeling that it would happen. Sweet, shy Armand had been more talkative. So, Poppy guessed that he had proposed. She was happy for him. They had become friends. He was such a gentleman, always polite, even to the stagehands. And a great singer. He was a soft tenor, but no one could compare to Erik's voice. Every night, they fell asleep in each other arms. She loved him so, but they still argued. They both were so hardheaded. Nether would give an inch. They would stand and yell at each other, then make up. Mme. Giry had walked in doing one of their arguments once. She had stood there shocked. It had looked to her that they were ready to tear each other's throats out. Then at some unseen signal that she didn't see, they stopped and apologized, wrapping each other in a tight hug. Mme. Giry threw her hands up, crying 'Good God,' and walked out before she could witness any embarrassing scenes.

Poppy finally got rid of her fear of the stage, just as Erik had predicated. She was again the Opera's diva. Every day both Erik and Reyer worked with her, keeping her voice strong and clear. Erik's choices for the operas that they preformed never were a mistake. The public loved them. Even the nastiest critic had nothing bad to say about the cast and orchestra. Every thing was going great, there was no problems…. well, almost none.

XxX

Two months later.

It was opening night for The Magic Flute. Poppy wasn't in this one. But all the same, she was helping the others get ready, or was trying to.

"Poppy, are you alright? You look a bit sick." Meg asked.

Poppy gave her a look that clearly said, no duh. She was indeed feeling very sick. The noise was getting to her as well as the smells. "I'm…fine. Go on, or you'll miss your cue."

Meg gave her a concerned look, then hurried off, pausing to whisper something to her mother.

Mme. Giry watched Poppy struggle to not gag at a cart that was wheeled past her filled with bottles of open oil. I wonder…. She thought. Shooting a glare at the rats, Antoinette walked over to Poppy. "Cherie, what is wrong? You sick?"

Poppy nodded, "Very. I don't know what is wrong."

Antoinette smiled, "I think I know. Wait here a minuet." She then walked back over to the group of Rats. "Meg. You are in charge. You know what to do. Make sure none of you miss your cues."

"Yes Mother," Meg nodded.

When Antoinette went back to Poppy, Poppy was looking a bit green. "Come this way." She took her by the arm and led her to an empty room. "Now, child, tell me what's wrong."

Poppy still looked sick but was not green any more. "For the past few days I have been sick to my stomach. Smells bother me. I can't eat."

"Does Erik know?"

Poppy shock her head, "Heavens no! I have been hiding it for the past day. I don't plan on telling him."

"Hmm. When was your last month?"

"A month ago," Poppy answered without thinking.

"Well, cherie, I think you will have to tell Erik."

"Why? The sickness will pass. I have been…" Poppy stopped. The meaning of the questions sinking in. She couldn't be. Could she? "You mean….?"

Antoinette let out a small laugh, "Yes cherie. I believe you are."

Can anyone guess? It's almost time to wrap this phic up, but I still have a few more chapters.