Chapter 65

The opera was indeed only preformed once. The next day Erik gathered the scripts up and locked them away, saying maybe one day, it will be preformed again, but not now.

Life progressed, Poppy singing on the stage, Erik along with her at times, or Armand. Mme. Giry retired, making Meg who was now a mother of a son, the Ballet Mistress. Amée turned two then three, ever surprising every one around her. She was reading stories, singing in her sweet voice and playing simple songs on the organ. She also was inquisitive about everything. Always asking 'who' 'how come' 'what for' and 'why'? She drove her mother batty at times. Erik saw this and would take Amée to the Opera house or lair to get her out of Poppy's hair. When they returned, Poppy's patience was back on track, and was ready to care for her again. Poppy also had Erik teach her to read, though it only took a few lessons. Poppy had Amée to read to her while Poppy did something around the house. Erik also taught her the violin, and cello. Poppy warned Erik to watch her, for the cello was bigger then her. But no ballet. Singing, fine, but no ballet. Other forms of dancing fine, but no ballet. When Erik asked why, Poppy grew cold as she remembered her parents. She didn't want Amée to go though what she had. Erik understood, for Poppy was deathly afraid the she maybe like her parents. Erik assured her that she was not.

Erik and Poppy both talked about having another child. They agreed that it would be nice, but try as they might, Poppy never did conceive again. She was worried that is was her body that did not want to listen. Sometimes at night, she would tear up in Erik's arms, blaming herself. Erik would hold her and tell her that it was not her fault, that it more then likely was not time yet.

It happened when they least expected. Amée was four going on five, when Poppy found out. For the past few days, she felt short tempered. Poppy had Amée play a few songs on the piano in the living room. When Poppy had moved on to do a few other things, Amée tried to 'compose' her own songs, like 'daddy'. The sound was sweet, and good, but Poppy was fighting with the stove, her blindness and irritability was grating on her nerves. Finally, Poppy slammed the oven door closed, and told Amée to go draw in her room. Amée took on look at her mother and knew something was wrong.

"Alright Mama." Amée shot off the bench and ran to her room to draw.

Poppy sat down on the bench crying. That's how Erik found her.

"Poppy? What's the matter?" Erik was beside her, sitting on the bench, took her in he's arms. "Are you alright?"

"I'm just being emotional. Sorry to worry you." Poppy dried her eyes.

"Emotional? Do you think…?"

"Maybe. I can have Maierline over tomorrow. She'll know." Poppy kissed Erik's cheek, "How did the day go?"

Erik sighed, "They must have been having a bad day. No one was doing anything right."

Poppy laughed.

"Mama? Daddy? Can I show you what I drew?" Amée was standing in the doorway holding a piece of paper.

"Of course, come here," Poppy held out her arms.

Amée ran and climbed up and set between them. She gave Erik a hug than her mother one. "See? It is Ayesha. I drew her. Isn't she pretty?"

"Very," Erik agreed.

Amée looked over at her mother, "You alright now?"

Poppy hugged her daughter, "Now I am."

Amée squealed, hugging both her parents, then wiggled, reaching her tiny arms towards the piano keys, "I wrote a song!" and her fingers ran across the keys, playing a happy little tune.

Erik and Poppy both swelled with pride as they listened to their daughter play her heart out.

XxX

Poppy set her cup of tea down, "I never did understand the concept of teatime. When my parents dragged me to the boring things I kept falling asleep in the chair."

Antoinette nodded, "I never did enjoy them ether. I don't even like tea."

Both Poppy and Maierline laughed.

"What? Is that so hard to believe?"

They laughed even harder.

When they finally stopped laughing, Poppy cleared her throat, "I'm sorry to ask this but I'll like to tell Erik this alone."

"Of course, cheire. Good luck." Antoinette hugged her, and both women made their way out.

Poppy sat there, impatiently picking at her dress. When Erik returned, she was pacing the house.

"Poppy?"

"Erik! Come to the living room!"

Once in the room Poppy took deep breath, "Maierline stopped by today."

"And?" Erik asked eagerly.

Poppy put her head down, a smile on her face, and then raising it, "You are going to be a father again."

Well, that is part of the surprise, but not all of it. And sorry no vote. I already have the name and what the baby is going to be. Sorry. But believe me, it will be worth it.