Chapter 62
The prediction that Poppy made was not wrong. Amée was intelligent. She was picking tunes out on the bells at five months, at seven months, she said her first word clearly, and not surprising though her first word was "daddy". Poppy had just got done feeding Amée, when Erik walked by; Amée reached out her arms and cried "daddy!" that of course got Erik teared up.
She was also starting to crawl and get into everything. Poor Ayesha got the blunt of it all, but the cat took it all in good grace. She became protective of her, always following Amée around, sleeping beside the cradle, or laying beside her on the couch whenever Poppy laid her down. Both Poppy and Erik thought it was sweet, but Antoinette had frowned, believing the old wives tell that cats steal a baby's breath. Poppy tried to explain it to her. Antoinette didn't get it, but then she was set in her ways.
Erik knew that they couldn't stay in the lair anymore. It was indeed dangerous for Amée. Poppy had helped Erik put rocks knee high along the edge of the water, but it wouldn't last forever. So, swallowing his fear of the world outside the Opera house, begin to look for a small home near the Opera house. In the mean time, ether Meg, Maierline, or Antoinette was looking after Amée when Poppy was singing or working in the offices. They would ask to watch her. Which meant Erik could work with Poppy, on the opera he was writing, or spend time with Poppy, but both couldn't stand to be away from Amée long.
XxX
Amée was about nine months old when Erik found a house that suited him. It was only a quarter mile from the Opera house, only a few blocks he found if he opened a tunnel that he hadmade years agobut never used. In fact, he spent a mouth extending the tunnel so that it came up under the house. It had five bedrooms, a dinning room, a den, a kitchen that had a servant quarters that a joined to it, and large attic. Secretly buying it, he had it furnished. He had a smaller organ installed. He was keeping the lair opened though. It was too special to him and Poppy, for she loved the lair and Erik had lived too long there to just forget about it. Antoinette knew what he had been doing, even helped. Erik told her to keep it quiet, he wanted Poppy surprised. A day after it was finished, he had Antoinette watch Amée.
"Poppy?"
She looked up and smiled, "Yes?"
"Antoinette is going to watch Amée today."
Poppy placed Amée in her cradle, and listened to her tap the tiny bells. "Why?'
"Because, I have something to show you. Get your cloak and met me out in the main room."
Poppy raised an eyebrow questionly, but did as he said. She grabbed her black cloak, pausing to give Amée a kiss. Amée giggled and went back to tapping the bells.
She meant Erik out in the main room. Antoinette was there. "She's been fed, right now she's playing with the bells, but will soon fall asleep…"
"Poppy, I know. Don't worry, Amée will be fine." Antoinette pushed Poppy towards Erik, "Now go."
Poppy smiled, and took Erik's hand. He led her up the tunnel, and out the Opera's front doors. She raised her eyebrow, but kept quiet. Erik helped her into a waiting carriage.
"So, were are we going?" Poppy couldn't take the silence anymore.
Erik chuckled, "It's a surprise. Just wait, we will be there in a few minutes." And they were, for five minutes later the carriage stopped. Erik sent the driver on, and led Poppy up the few steps to the house. Leading her in, he closed the door. "I know you love the lair, but as you know it is getting to be too dangerous for Amée. So I looked and found this house."
"You bought it?" Poppy asked as she felt her way around. She came into contact with the wooden banister. She ran her fingers over the smooth dark wood.
"Yes. And what's more, there is now a tunnel that leads back to the Opera house." Erik told her as he watched her stumble around. He didn't help her though. She would brush him aside. He knew she would want to get a feel of her surroundings by herself.
She turned to face him, "My, have we been a busy bee, "she smirked.
"You do not mind?"
She smiled and shook her head, walking up to him, "Of course not. I love it." She cupped his face and brought her lips close to his, "As I love you," pressing her lips against his.
Erik kissed her back. By the time he got around showing her around, it was dark, but thank god for being able to see in the dark. He showed her every room and was patient as she felt her was around the room, memorizing it. When it was time to head back, they took the tunnel Erik had made. Back in the lair, they checked on Amée, saw that she was asleep, thanked Antoinette and hurried to their room to 'talk.' Antoinette just shook her head and left them to their business.
XXX
Within the next week, they were moved into their new house, Amée loving the different scenery and the excitement. They didn't have much to move, only personal things. Erik told Poppy that they'd leave the lair as it was. That when they wanted to get away, all they had to do is take a five-minute walk down the tunnel.
That night, after Amée was asleep, did they settle down into their own bed. That night was the first night that they made love in their new home.
Well, as you can tell Jack is back. Tell me; were can a damn skeleton go?
Jack: To a dance.
(Snorts) Sure, they did the 'Bone Jangle Hop'.
Jack: Touché. Well, aren't you being sarcastic?
Thank you. I do enjoy being that way.
Well, did you all enjoy the chapter? Hope so. Now, the next chapter has me all worried. It is a part not many have written, so it is indeed a touchy chapter. if no one likes it I will take it back down and rewrite it.
