Disclaimer: (see chapter 1)

Chapter 4

"So, do I look like a dancer?" Claire demonstrated for Reece.

"Enough so that you'll fit right in." He mused. "Now get going." She quickly nodded and left the room. Moments later, his two minions entered. "What now!?"

"Sir. We have word that she'll be on set tomorrow. Would you still like us to go through with our plan?" The taller minion spoke.

"Yeah, yeah! Just leave me be!" He angrily waved them away. "Finally some peace and quiet." He moaned.

Last night was a complete mess. When he woke up, he unwillingly replayed the whole event in his mind. But he was rewarded with the reason of why he was compelled to do so. It was then that he recalled the sparkle on her marriage finger. Engaged to that monster, is she? Well, not for long, my dear…not for long. With a chuckle, he rose to his feet and left his office.

Two cars pulled into the theater parking lot. The first car held Marie, Erik and Meg, while the second car held Angel, Andrew, Tobias and Finn. Both cars managed to park near each other and all occupants exited and headed inside the theater.

The rehearsals were for Skywalker, a romantic musical about a man who discovers a portal to a celestial world where he meets and falls in love with a heavenly resident. Meg was cast as one of the Celestials, a race of Angels within that celestial world.

"Well looky who's the angel now?" Erik mused as he tapped Meg's costume wings.

"Er-ik!" Meg squealed. "You'll rip them!"

Teasingly he placed a hand to his mouth as he gasped. "Heaven's no!"

"C'mere you…" Angel pulled him toward where they would sit.

"So when is opening night?" Andrew curiously asked.

"Next week." Marie replied. "It's set to run till the end of January."

"We have to attend one of the shows!" Angel quickly muttered, clutching excitedly to Erik's muscular arm.

"Marie has already secured us opening night seats." Erik patted her hand. Another squeal erupted from her and she roughly pulled him into a near neck breaking hug before latching onto Marie in the same fashion. "Easy, Angel!" They heard chuckles behind them, and Angel warily eyed her protectors.

Then they heard the announcement for silence and the rehearsal went underway. The whole time Angel couldn't blink. Halfway through the rehearsal of a particular scene, Angel leaned over to Erik, "This is incredible."

"You mean to tell me you've never seen a musical?" Erik was wide eyed in dismay.

"Not on stage." She admitted guiltily. Suddenly her cell phone rang and in embarrassment, she fled from the auditorium full of apologies. Once in the theater lobby, she answered the call. "Hello?"

"Hello my dearest Angel."

"How did you get this number?" She panicked.

The caller gasped in fake hurt, "You wound me, love." He then chuckled. "I just wanted to congratulate my little girl on getting engaged." She found she couldn't respond. His voice was getting to her. The urge to tell him where she was at right now was growing. "Angel? Did I lose you?"

"You could never lose me, Daddy." She was breathless now. A small part of her was screaming to hang up.

"I know. But it could happen." He tested her.

"No. I won't let them do it again!" She had reverted to her childlike protest. The same one she displayed when Araphim first took her away from him. "Reece, I want to see you!" He definitely heard the need that time.

"In due time, my love, in due time." He assured her.

"NO!" She breathed heavily. "NOW!"

"Angel!" Finn had been sent to check up on her, only to see her in distress. He knew it could only be one thing. Quickly he snatched the phone from her and hung up.

"NO!" She desperately fought him for the phone, but the hold Reece had on her with just his voice quickly diminished. Abruptly she stepped away from Finn with tears in her eyes. "Oh god." Erik had entered the lobby in time to see her sink to her knees.

"Angel!" Instantly she was crying into his embrace.

"He was on the phone. God Erik, I wanted so bad to tell him where I was." She guiltily admitted.

He glanced to Finn, finally realizing just how bad, dangerous and deep this situation was. "But you didn't, did you?" She shook her head. "Relax, love, it's alright now." Gently he cradled her. By this time, Andrew and Tobias joined them and Finn filled them in.

"Give me the phone." Andrew held out his hand. Finn handed it over. Angel had calmed enough to gaze up as Andrew headed outside.

"What's…what's he going to do?" Erik helped her to her feet.

"Report this to Chancellor Cheyvon." Tobias explained. She nodded her unneeded assent.

"Are the rehearsals over?" She meekly asked.

"Well they'll be breaking for lunch in a half hour." Erik replied. Angel appeared thoughtful for a moment. Erik was about to question her, but she turned to them.

"Well, let's wait outside with Andrew. Tobias…wait with Marie until Meg is free for lunch, and then meet us outside."

"Sounds like an excellent idea, Angel." Finn nodded. The group strolled over to Andrew just as he hung up the phone. "Father Keirnan?"

Andrew turned to Finn's voice, also noticing Angel and Erik with him. "I've informed the Chancellor and he advised not to act on anything yet."

Angel's reaction was to selfishly pull Erik with her a bit away from Finn and Andrew. "Angel?" Erik questioned.

"Hold me, Erik." She replied. She shivered not only from the cold but from the earlier ordeal until his arms pulled her against him. "I was thinking. Should we tell them about the engagement over lunch?"

"We can tell them whenever you like, my love." He beamed at her. She pulled his arms tighter around her and rested her backside against his chest. Angel turned her head slightly, allowing his lips to brush her forehead. A contented sigh escaped her lips. They both reveled in the moment. Words would only ruin it.

A safe distance away, Finn nudged Andrew before pointing to the couple, "Romance at its best." Andrew failed to stifle a laugh. They both half watched as she turned in Erik's embrace to face him fully.

"I wish I could remove this." She complained with a sigh. "But I desire to not make you uncomfortable. That is the last thing on Earth I want to do."

"I can still kiss you." He eased her before following through with it. He may not have been comfortable removing his mask in public, but he was willing to kiss her with immense passion. For the remaining minutes before Marie, Tobias and Meg joined them, Erik and Angel just rested in each others arms.

Meg came back into the auditorium where Marie and Tobias awaited her. "Where's your costume?" He asked.

"I'm done for the day. They're working with just the singers for the afternoon." Meg then glanced around, "Where's Angel?"

"Outside waiting for us." Marie replied. They followed Tobias outside. Meg spotted them. Angel and Erik were lost in a passionate kiss, but it didn't seem to faze Meg. Angel moaned in protest, but politely tore herself from Erik's lips.

"Oh, Meg! You were incredible!" Angel began as they quickly fell into conversation about the musical. Andrew approached them after allowing ten minutes to pass.

"I believe we should be going if we're to beat the lunch crowd." He advised.

"Where are we having lunch, anyway?" Meg curiously asked. To Angel it didn't matter.

"If I recall, there's a Coney island on the next block over." Tobias suggested.

"That sounds perfect, Father Bennett." Angel concluded. The walk to the restaurant was tops on Angel's list—but hardly surprising, since ANY moment with Erik was highly rated. She loved the feel of Erik's hand squeezing hers as well as the silent gaze they shared.

Before too long, they finally arrived. As much as Angel and Erik longed for a private booth, they eagerly sat with the others. Angel was equally eager to share the engagement news, but patiently waited while Finn put in their orders.

Tobias looked over as Finn attempted to steady the immense amount of food on just one tray, "Uh oh, better go help him out." He quickly jumped up with intent to lend a hand to his friend and within moments they both returned to the table. Marie had a salad, Erik and Meg had soup, Finn and Tobias had a burger, while Angel and Andrew had a ham sandwich.

They ate in silence until Angel spoke up. "Erik and I have news we wish to share with you all." Erik nodded in confirmation while reached for her ringed hand, ready to hold it up in display. "Last night, before dinner, Erik proposed!"

"You're getting married?!" Meg squealed excitedly.

"That's the goal, little Megan." She shot Erik a brief angered look before letting it slide. "But as of now, we're engaged."

"Congrats to the both of you then." Andrew raised his water to them.

"Lemme see the ring!" Meg snatched Angel's hand. "Oh my…it's gorgeous!"

Erik chuckled, gently caressing Angel's cheek, "That's what she said."

"I'm very proud of you, Erik." Marie beamed.

"So, when is the date?" Finn asked.

"We've agreed to decide on that after I've completed filming." Angel replied, taking her hand back from Meg.

"Well that's a sensible thing to do." Andrew commented. They lingered for a while, but had finished their meals moments ago. Erik then signaled that he wished to retreat home, as the area around them was filling up rather quickly.

Angel snatched Marie's arm as her group headed back outside, "Marie, come help me with my refill." Erik, as well as the others, had thought that an odd request—yet they dismissed it. Everyone sans Angel and Marie were now outside.

As they reached the fountain station, Marie finally spoke up, "Now, I know you really don't need help here…so what's up?"

"I need you to distract Erik for at least an hour for me."

Marie was instantly uneasy. "And just what for?"

"Well, during rehearsals, I saw just how entranced he was to the music. He loves music, doesn't he Marie?" The woman nodded affirmative to Angel's question. "How come he's never told me?"

"It's not really my place to say…but a long time ago, there was a disaster with another woman and he gave up music entirely after he lost her."

Another woman? Angel wanted to question further, but the look on Marie's face made her eager to avoid it. "He knows how to play instruments right?" Marie nodded.

"His weapon of choice was the violin." Marie was now aware of the reason for this conversation. "Don't worry my dear; I shall distract him while you shop for one."

"Oh thank you so much, Marie!" Angel graciously hugged the woman whom she considered a real mother. Then they joined the others outside.

"Couldn't decide on a refill?" Erik teased her.

"As a matter of fact…yes!" Angel quickly pecked his cheek before getting into a car with Andrew, Finn and Tobias. Erik climbed into the second car with Meg and Marie.

Reece leaned back tiredly in his chair. After breakfast commenced, he immediately set to work on HIS plan. Maps and charts were spread across the table in front of him. He had finished lunch thirty minutes ago, but was still nursing his coffee. He reached over for it and took another sip. Reece set the mug back on the coaster, trading it for a ritualistic calendar. However, it appeared to more of a regular business day planner. "Six days before opening night of Skywalker." He mused, tapping his finger on the specific night. Only a few nights ago he had found out about Meg being in the production. That bit of information was thanks to Claire's dedication to him. This really didn't give him a whole lot of time to prepare, however. He knew Angel well enough to know that she'd be there. It was public knowledge that the after party was a costumed fiesta. He knew he could get close to her then.

Reece glanced up to a set of floor plans. He had rented a warehouse a safe distance away from the theater. The workers he hired were paid well enough to keep their mouth shut. The only changes he insisted upon, was enclosing a small section of the vast space into a private room. The door to that room would consist of an automatic lock that would appear as jammed unless he pressed the release key on his keychain. He had the only copy. This was so that no one could get in or out unless it pleased him. Such a thing was a precaution, but he knew that once he had Angel, she wouldn't ever want to leave—at least not willingly.

The phone behind him rang through the silence of the room. Quickly he was alert and turned to answer it, "This better be important!"

"Sir, the adjustments to your room is almost complete. We should have it done well before the assigned deadline."

A smile spread across Reece's lips as the words from the lead construction worker filled his mind. "Excellent. You just may get that bonus after all." Reece took another quick sip of his coffee. "I shall be by sometime tomorrow to examine your work."

"Yes, Sir!"

Reece hung up on the man. He absently stared at the phone and recalled his earlier conversation with Angel. She wanted him; he could hear it in her voice. It pained him to make her wait, even if he meant his promise to her. "Perhaps, my dear Angel, I should make a visit to you between now and opening night. Something short and sweet though, just enough to hold us both over as well as show you a tiny bit of what to look forward to." His thoughts were interrupted by the phone again. "This better be important!"

"Pardon my intrusion, Sir." Claire's words fumbled into his ear.

"My apologies, Claire. I wasn't expecting your call so soon." He eased her. "Has something gone wrong?"

"Oh no. Everything went perfect." Claire assured him. "Meg is actually easy to get along with, although I only talked with her briefly in the dressing rooms before rehearsals. But I was going to see about attending lunch with her, yet she had already left."

"No need for that, Claire." He praised her for not being overly assertive. Claire was just a backup plan to him.

"Very well then, Sir." Claire felt relieved. Earlier she had been worried that he would be angry with her. "All the dancers were given leave for the rest of the day, so I shall be returning shortly."

"Excellent." He gently hung up on her. "Everything is going so well!" He mused to himself as he laid back and closed his eyes to daydream some more.

The moment they arrived home, Marie immediately carried out Angel's request—noting that Andrew and Finn signaled to help her out. Angel must have filled them in on the ride home. She sought Erik out on pretenses of needing his attention privately about a gift for Angel. Erik eagerly took the bait. Meg, Andrew and Finn insisted on helping. That left Tobias to escort Angel on her mission.

Back outside at the cars, Angel beamed mischievously at Tobias, "He hasn't a clue. Poor Erik."

"Get in before he gets enough sense to realize to worry about you and come looking for you." Tobias urged her. She giggled, yet obeyed. Tobias knew the perfect quaint little music store. "I know the owner here, so the pieces he sells are exquisite and worthy enough for someone like Erik."

Angel followed him into the store and was instantly amazed at the various instruments before her eyes. After a while, the store owner appeared from the back of the shop. He lit up when he noticed Tobias. "Well, I'll be! Father Bennett, what a surprise." Tobias shook the man's hand.

"Tell him what you're looking for Angel." Tobias motioned the man's attention to her.

"What can I help you with, Miss?" The owner attentively asked her.

Angel glanced around unsure. She recalled Marie mentioned that he favored the violin, but the sight of the various instruments made her hesitate. "Maybe I should look at the violins first." She mumbled absently.

"Violins? Do you have an interest to learn the instrument? If so, I'd suggest something a bit easier to learn…you know, to ease yourself into playing an instrument—that is if you've never touched one before."

Angel shockingly shook her head at him, "Oh no, this isn't for me. It is for…my fiancée." She nodded assuringly.

"Then I take it he plays?" The owner led her to his exquisite collection of violins. Since he favored Tobias' friendship, he showed the woman to his authentic collection.

"Well, he used to…according to what I've heard." She mumbled again. Her attention was drawn by his motion toward a shelf of her desired choice instruments.

"Which would you like to examine first?" He stood next to her now. Angel glanced at each one until her eyes settled on the fifth one. Her breath caught in her throat as she marveled at its beauty. She could clearly see Erik playing this one. The owner had noticed her gaze. "Ah the 19th Century vintage French classic, an excellent choice, Miss." He delicately picked up the instrument and gently placed it in her hands.

She cradled it in her palms, but confidently touched her fingers against the strings. "This is perfect."

"I am of the firm belief that musicians don't choose their instruments…the instruments choose them. And even though it's not you that will be playing this fine piece, I can see it in your eyes that this beauty will be cherished." The owner babbled.

"How much does that cost?" Tobias stepped forward then.

"It doesn't matter. I must have this one." Angel muttered breathlessly.

"I can assure you that it's moderately expensive."

"No matter." Angel cut him off as she produced a credit card. "He has more than enough to cover the cost." The transaction was made and Angel and Tobias bid the store owner goodbye.

They returned home in good time. Erik was just getting frantic about her absence. "Where have you been?" He demanded as she climbed out of the car.

"Sorry, Angel." Meg protested. "We held his attention for as long as possible."

"You were all in on this?! What's going on!?" Erik glanced around in demand.

"Erik please, calm down. If you're worried about my well-being, then you can see I am fine." Angel pleaded. "Please, come inside with me."

"What is that you're carrying?" He continued as he followed her inside the house. Angel said nothing further until they reached their room. She set the package onto the bed and turned to him. "Alright, now are you going to tell me what is…?"

Angel placed a finger to his lips, and lifted the mask from his face. She hushed his attempts to continue ranting as she pressed her lips to his. "Erik my love…" She pulled back and looked him in the eye, "The right thing to do is to wait and give you this next month at the holiday…but I myself cannot wait that long." Angel nudged the package over and sat him on the edge of the bed as she sat next to him. "I saw the glaze in your eyes during the violin solo during the rehearsal this morning. I had asked Marie about it at the restaurant and she said you used to play the instrument. Then I wondered why you had never told me."

Erik shifted away from her, having been forced to remember why. "That is the one thing I won't talk about, Angel." He said sternly.

"But Marie hinted that there was a woman in your past that caused you to do such a thing. The jealousy was brushed aside by the longing to surprise you with this…" Erik was about to rant again about how Marie crossed the line until Angel slid the package between them. He glared at her cautiously. "Open it, please!?" She urged him.

Finally he relented. As he lifted the case lid open, familiarity filled his eyes. "The same type of violin that I had in my childhood." When he looked over at Angel, tears fell from his eyes. He couldn't find his voice at the moment, so instead he set the instrument aside and pulled her to his lips. A passionate kiss was how he thanked her.

"Play for me, Erik." She whispered after the kiss. He immediately obliged her, well after he tuned the instrument, that is. The music that filled the room then, sent shivers down her spine.

To Be Continued...