Chapter 11

"I need a seat for tomorrow." I asked the box keeper, who turned around, a quizzical look resting upon his face.

"They are all full." He said plainly, returning to his work.

"No, they are not." I said stubbornly, I refuse to take no for an answer.

"Look, the only place we have not sold is Box Five. So we are full." He was getting agitated with me, but I don't care, I need that seat.

"Well I'll take it." He spun around again to look at me, the vain in is forehead pulsed with frustration.

"You can't afford it. And besides, it's his box." With a triumphant grin, I tossed a stack of francs onto his desk, more than enough to pay for the the box. He eyed it queerly, not sure how such a rat could accumulate so much money.

"You steel that?" He asked.

"No, I am not one of those lowly scum in this place! Now, if you please, I would like that box for

tomorrow's performance."

Knowing I wasn't going to give up, and wanting to get back to his work, he hesitantly handed the ticket over to me, a sour look upon his face. I went to leave the room, stopping at the door way, and turned back to him.

"If I were you, I wouldn't sell his box again." With that, I hurried out into the hall, pushing the ticket into an envelope I had pulled from my cloak. A young man, no older than thirteen passed by me, humming to himself. He was one of the many Opera House Bastards, who where used mainly to send messages through the Opera House.

"John Mazabeth." I called to him, he turned back to me, face beaming.

"Yes Madame?" He approached me his eyes twinkling.

"Would you like to help me?" I asked.

"Oh yes, of course!" The boys would always jump with the chance to earn some money. I pushed the envelope into his hand.

"Take this envelope to Sophia's tavern, you know which one that is?" He nodded his head eagerly.

"Give it to one of the Navy men, a young Scottish man, the one with the cane. He goes by the name Murtagh. Tell his it's from me, alright?" He nodded his head to signify he understood.

"If you can't find him, return this to Meg Giry, tell her it is for me."

"But were are you going to be?" He asked with curiosity.

"That's not your place to know, John. Please hurry." I gave his a small payment for his work, then he disappeared down the hall. After he was out of sight, I made my way back home.

Erik still was not home, but the note I left him was gone, and my trunk and clothes had been moved into the room with the phoenix shaped bed.

I collapsed down on Erik's bed, exhausted from all the events of the day. Madame Giry had us training the little ones till they collapsed with exhaustion.

The little Kitten curled up against me head, it's tail wrapping around my chin. the heat from it's body soothed my aching mind. I closed my eyes and let my mind wonder.

Oh how good it is to have Murtagh back! Now, I just have to tell Erik about him, and that he must share his box with him. How thrilled he will be, exposing him to another person in my life, but at least he won't protest like he did when meeting Meg.

Erik, why isn't he home yet? When he does get back, I'm sure he will be shocked to find me curled up on his bed, but I don't wish to move, nor do I think my body would let me anyway.

Sometime the kitten go up and left me, but I can't recall when. I heard His soft footsteps enter the room, then his warm, soft body lay next to mine. He wrapped his arm around my waist , and gently kissed my neck.

"Your home." He whispered, kissing me again. I opened my eyes, and rolled over to face him.

"The girls danced longer than I thought they would. Madame Giry wouldn't let them retire, nor would she let up stop."

"I know." He kissed me again.

"I watched you, your so good with the young children." I rolled my eyes, and looked up at him,

"It's all an act." I said playfully.

"Where were you today?" He sighed heavily

"I went to see Christine." My body tensed up, as my heart sank with his worlds.

Christine? What was he doing seeing her?

"Oh." He sensed my uneasy feeling, and held me tighter, kissing my forehead.

"Did I not say this morning you had nothing to worry about? I told her to leave. She has no reason to return, for I don't want her to." he fell silent, still holding me close to his chest.

Almost as if on que, The kitten jumped up onto his bed, and rubbed up against the arm he held around me. He looked over me, watching the cat. She walked around my figure, and laid down between his shoulder and my head. Quizzically he looked down at me, gently stroking the kitten.

"When did we acquire a cat?" He asked happily.

"Oh, I rescued her today, from some terrible little children. I hope you don't mind Erik. I couldn't let something so helpless alone on the street."

"Of course I don't mind, Mon Ange. Anything you wish is welcome in our home. Does she have a name?"

Our home. So he does think of us living together, almost like a married couple.

I looked up at the cat, her little face angelic and joyful.

"I haven't given her one yet, I was waiting for your approval."

"You never need to worry about my approval, anything you want, you can have. I only want you happy. This is as equally your home as it is mine, if you want it to be."

He treats me to well. Does he ever think of himself?

"But I want you to be happy too, Erik." He smiled at me, as I ran my hand down the side of his face tenderly.

"Just being with you gives me all the Joy in the world, Mon Ange." I blushed, looking up into his loving eyes.

"Your too perfect." I teased.

"Why don't you name her, after all, she shall be keeping you company when I am not here."

Erik rolled to lay on his back, picked the cat up, and placed her down on his chest.

"Ayesha?" I snuggled against him, placing my head next to the cat, over Erik's heart. She raised her head to look at me, locking her yellow eyes with my dark brown. She licked the tip of my nose, then returned her head to his chest.

"Ayesha, it's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it." He kissed the top of my hair, running his nibble fingers around my curls.

"Goodnight, Mon Ange."

"Goodnight My Love." That was the first night he let me just sleep beside him, like a wife. How wonder it was to meet my peaceful slumber in his arms. I have only been beside him after that blissful sinful act. It was good to know I could lay beside him, every night.