One more after this. Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and for reading.

I will be taking a little bit of time off, don't forget about me.

DARK SIDE OF THE GLASS

CHAPTER 49

Taking Simone and Damien back to Paris could not have been more enjoyable for Erik. They realized, after getting over the initial awkwardness, that they had a great deal in common.

She was a gifted singer; although she had never had the opportunity for training and she did not play any instruments, Erik was certain he could teach her if she desired to learn.

Damien's interests rested in architecture and design…another area in which Erik excelled. He made it clear to his nephew that having an interest in such a thing would help keep him sane when everything around him became muddled and confused.

It took a couple of weeks to get them settled into the large manor that Erik owned by default, and he promised Damien that it would all be his as soon as he was of age and proved that he could handle the responsibility.

Lavanya and Erik did not announce their pregnancy until it was certain. Erik had not even told Simone. Of course, the night that it happened, it was completely by accident...

"Tarrah, you did a marvelous job!"

Lavanya complimented her young friend.

Tarrah hugged her and thanked her, but her face lit up when Erik rounded the corner and opened his arms for her to run in to.

She eagerly embraced him, thankful that he had become far more sociable in the past few months than he had ever been.

"Magnificent, my dear…" Erik murmured into her ear, "…simply magnificent."

She did not want to let go, fearing he would disappear. He had become more like a father to her in the recent weeks and she longed for his approval and cherished his love.

Lavanya embraced her and wiped away the tears that were floating down her cheek. She lifted her eyes to see Phillip coming toward them. He stopped beside Tarrah, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her cheek.

"Did I do the final stanza correctly…I always have trouble on the last two measures?"

Erik scoffed and rolled his laughing eyes, "You were perfect, Tarrah; stop anticipating problems that do not exist."

Phillip nodded and smiled and Erik chuckled and shook his head, lifting the corner of his mouth in a devilish smirk.

"What are you nodding at, my boy…" Erik teased, "…you would not know a measure from an eighth note."

"True…" Phillip agreed, "…but I am certain that whatever you told her must be true, or you would not have said it."

Erik chuckled and shook his head again.

"I would like to treat everyone to a late dinner; La Pierre's on the Pier." Phillip announced.

Erik frowned slightly, still uneasy in public places, but Lavanya squeezed his hand and he smiled; accepting the part he must take on with reluctance, but also with an open mind.

The success of the latest Lacroix play, "Un Meurtre Plus étrange" (A Stranger Murder), was unprecedented, and Erik being reviewed by critics from just about every country in Europe. He had even heard rumors that there were critics from the America's and Asia in the audience.

Damien came bounding toward them, after mixing and mingling with the performers. He was in a new element and he was loving every minute.

"Uncle Erik…one of the chorus girls kissed me on the cheek!"

Erik suppressed the smile that tried to lift his mouth; the boy was just discovering girls and Erik thought it was delightful; of course, Simone found the whole process appalling, thinking he was too young, but Erik could not help being excited about watching the boy grow into a man.

"Did she?" Erik remarked; tousling the boy's dark curls. "You must be careful, Damien…she just may be looking for you so she can get another."

Damien grinned and leaned toward his uncle's tall form, "Do you think so?"

Erik solemnly nodded his head and covered his smile with his hand.

"I am afraid so, my boy…" Erik stated, holding back the chuckle that was lodged in his throat, "…she is probably not far behind."

Lavanya swatted him playfully on his shoulder, as Damien's eyes grew as big as saucers; Simone giggled as her son clung to her as though the shadows were chasing him.

Raoul and Christine had been standing in the background, little Loring was being unusually fussy, but they were determined to join the rest of them for dinner.

"Well Erik, it looks as though this could be your most popular work to date."

Erik shook Raoul's outstretched hand and placed a kiss upon Christine's hand. He swept the corner of the blanket away from Loring's face and gently ran his long, articulate index finger along the baby's soft cheek.

"Thank you…" Erik said, lifting his eyes to Christine.

Her questioning look made him smile.

"…for asking me to teach your son about music." He smiled down at her with a warmth she had not seen from him before. "You have no idea what it means to me."

He extended his hand to Raoul and was thankful when the younger man accepted it.

"Thank you both."

"Come Erik, we need to get to the restaurant."

Lavanya took his arm, smiled at Christine and Raoul, and led her husband out the door.

♦♥♣♠

The restaurant was virtually empty until the opera crowd piled in. The back room was filled by Phillip and Tarrah, and the group they had asked to join them.

It took a good thirty minutes for everyone to order, but they finally got it taken care of and the champagne was carried in – chilled and ready to be enjoyed.

"A toast…" Phillip stated, lifting his glass, "…to Erik Lacroix; may all of his endeavors be as successful as 'Un Meurtre Plus étrange', and may we bring as much richness and joy to your life, as you have to ours." He lifted his glass even higher, "To Erik."

Erik was stunned – needless to say – he had never had anyone do such a thing for him.

"Thank you."

Those were the only words that formed from Erik's dry mouth.

"And now…an announcement."

Phillip demanded their attention again.

"After much coaxing on my part, Tarrah Sheldon has agreed to be my wife."

Phillip said the words and looked directly at Erik, whose brow quirked in amused shock.

"However, only if Monsieur Lacroix will allow it."

Erik chuckled and shook his head, "It is too late now, boy…if I say 'no', she will never talk to me again…but as it is…." He teased, "….the love you have for each other is so evident that I could never doubt your love for her…" he stalled, glancing at the eager features of Tarrah, "…you have my blessing."

Everyone stood to clap, reveling in the happy future in store for Phillip and Tarrah. Erik blew Tarrah a kiss and turned to his wife…just in time to see her eyes roll back in her head and her collapsing body as it plummeted toward him.

"Anya!"

Erik's stunned scream alerted everyone to the problem and they all looked in time to see her fall into her husband's arms.

He caught her in his arms and lifted her easily. There was a receiving room nearby, and he carried her to it…and everyone followed.

He fanned her lightly with the newspaper sitting on the table nearby, and waited until her eyes fluttered open.

"That was the most terrifying experience of my life…do not ever do that again."

She nodded, and Erik nodded once and lifted a sable brow.

"I do believe I had Mitzi lace my corset too tight…I am expanding in certain areas and must remember to make allowances."

Erik lifted her into his arms and gently lowered her to the floor; whispering his fingers through her hair to move it from her face.

The entire room had followed them, so it seemed, and Christine had been the one to hear her remark about expanding in certain areas.

"Lavanya Lacroix…have you a secret you have yet to share with us?"

She stared expectantly into Erik's vivid eyes, and he smiled with equal brilliance.

"Well, since everyone is here and after such an eventful night already…" she glanced over at Tarrah and nodded, "…I hope Tarrah will forgive us for sharing in her glory…" Anya reached up and kissed Erik lightly on the mouth, making his smile extend even longer. "…Erik and I are going to have a baby."

Screams from every woman filled the room as they all came forward to congratulate Anya and give her a hug.

"I knew it!" Tarrah exclaimed. "Christine and I were discussing the inner glow you seemed to have and the way you would absently caress her womb at various times…somehow, we knew."

Raoul and Phillip both came up and shook Erik's hand, giving him a strong pat on the shoulder and an approving wink.

Annette was the first to hug him, but her tears prevented her from forming any cohesive words; she relinquished her spot to Christine who placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek.

"Oh Erik, I knew you would have all that you deserve. You are a good man…and always have been…." She kissed his cheek one more time before pulling back and blushing slightly, "and a handsome one, too!"

He gave a short, doubting laugh, but did not recoil from the compliment…however, he did not fully accept it, either.

"Thank you." He stated, accepting his wife into his arms as she wrapped her arm around his waist.

TBC