17

Disclaimer: I don't own POTO, duh! But I do own any OC's I do not own Meg or Erik. Sadly..

The next morning; Meg took the blue prints to someone who could build the house for them, Erik gave her money to give the carpenters, and for whatever else she wanted. Meg took the blue prints to the carpenters; and they asked where she wanted it built.

"in the valley just outside of the city." The head carpenter nodded and took the plans.

"OK. We'll begin work immediately. Mademoiselle." Meg nodded; paid them and left. Erik did have a point; it was all too perfect to keep going so well. But that day she was far too happy to even think of something bad happening.

It was December, and a light snow fell onto the streets. Meg couldn't help but dance in it. She felt as if she was walking on air. She had given herself to Erik the previous night; something she'd wanted to do since he started to confide in her. Her mother would never approve of her daughter's love interest. But Meg couldn't help but slide on the slick streets of Paris. She looked rather ridiculous, but she didn't care.She saw Sebastian walking out of the opera populaire just as she slid, lost her balance, and hit her head on the pavement.

-----

She woke to see Sebastian looking over her. She was back in the dormitories and Sebastian was at her side.

"Are you OK?" Sebastian asked.

Yes Are you alright? Erik's voice asked in her head. Meg nodded.

"Yes. I'm alright. A slight head-ache but overall OK."

Thank god. His voice breathed.

"Wonderful. You worried me so much." Sebastian told her, locking his arms around her. Meg patted his back, hoping Erik wouldn't misunderstand the hug. Overall; he trusted Meg and knew Sebastian was just her friend. "You took a pretty nasty fall. Why were you sliding on the pavement in the first place?"

I think I know why. Erik's voice laughed. Meg smiled and told him she wasn't sure.

-----

Meg returned to Erik. He met her at the mirror and hugged her.

"At least you weren't hurt." Erik told her with a smile. "Your so clumbsy.I thought for a moment that I'd have to call upon Christine again as I did before." Meg smiled and felt a rat scurry by her feet. She screamed and clung onto him. He laughed. "Still scared of that silly little rat?" Meg nodded. Erik moved her so he could carry her bridal style. She locked her arms around his neck as he carried her past the rats; and strait to the boat.

He helped Meg into the boat; grabbed the ore and started rowing them back home.

-----

"Madam Giry." Sebastian began. Madam Giry turned to him while the girls practiced. "I came to ask your permission. I wish to marry Meg."

"Of course Sebastian." Madam Giry told him, smiling approvingly. "You've got my permission to marry Meg."

"Thank you Madam Giry!" Sebastian smiled; almost hugging her. "but what if she says no?"

"Sebastian, I gave you permission. I am her mother; I know she'll say yes to you."

----

"Meg honey." Madam Giry confronted her daughter when she came back from visiting Erik. "Your engaged."

"What? No I'm not." Meg told her.

"Yes you are. Your engaged to Sebastian."

"Sebastian!" Meg gasped. "No mother! I don't love Sebastian!"

"Meg, you'll learn to love him. He's already one of your closest friends; and he really cares about you. Your going to marry him."

"No!" Meg shouted in tears. "No!" Her mother grabbed her wrist and forced the engagement ring onto her finger.

"Yes you are! I know what's best for you Megara Ann Giry!" Her mother boomed at her.

"If you know what's best for me, why not let me be with the person I do love?"

"Who?"

"Erik!" Meg put her hands over her mouth almost immediately afterwards.

"Erik? You mean the..." Madam Giry glanced around. "Phantom?"

"Yes mother." Meg told her sourly. "Erik has designed a house for us. He said the opera populaire will be closing soon because Raoul has stopped giving the populaire money. I gave his plans to the carpenters today."

"Now it really is better for you to marry Sebastian." Madam Giry told her. "after last year; I don't like the idea of you being around him."

"How can you dislike him? He's taking care of us. He built us a nice house; and he's going to live with us! I love him mother; isn't that supposed to make you happy?"

"Meg. He's a murderer; you know that. You saw what he did last year."

"That was the past mother.Erik has been taking care of me. He was the one who broke my habit of not eating. Do you remember that mother?"

"Yes." She said sadly.

"It it wasn't for Erik, I'd have starved. If it wasn't for Erik mother, I would be having Joseph Harden brook's child."

"what? Joseph Harden brook died."

"I know mother. Erik killed him. But don't hate him for that.He saved me mother."

"How?"

"Joseph Harden brook was drunk and he.." she went on explaining. Her mother soon saw what she meant, but still would not allow her to marry a murderer.

----

Madam Giry locked Meg in the dormitories with the others and went to talk to Erik. She went through the only way she knew; and when she found him; he was at the organ.

"Erik." She scowled. "How dare you! Bewitching my daughter like that!"

"Madam Giry I don't know what your talking about." Erik lied. He knew very well what Angelique Giry was talking about; but faked ignorance.

"Liar! You've bewitched my daughter.She said you killed Joseph Harden brook because he tried to rape her."

"That part is true. I don't understand how you could hate me for saving your daughter! for god's sake; do you have any idea what could have happened to her? and her starvation; Angelique, you would not even have a daughter right now if it wasn't for me. If anything; you should be thankful. Thankful I saved your little girl's hide on so many occasions that I've lost count."

"No one asked you to. Sebastian could do the exact same, and he will. They're engaged now Erik. Meg sent me here to tell you she doesn't love you anymore." Erik's heart stopped beating for a few seconds. He shook his head.

"No. No that's not true!"

"Yes it is Erik. Meg doesn't love you. She told me so. She said she only pretended to like your face. She doesn't really.Why would she love you? Sebastian can take her out and not have to worry about the police." Madam Giry started back; but stopped and looked at him. "Don't ever come near my daughter again. We don't want anything to do with you Erik." Madam Giry left him. Erik felt that stabbing pain again. Tears fell down his face as he sobbed; he didn't want to believe what Angelique was telling him. Meg didn't love him? She only lied to him? As ridiculous as it sounded; he couldn't help but believe it..