Love from the Future

Chapter 14. Talk of Summertime

A/N: Hi everyone! I'm sorry for the delay on getting this chapter up. I had it written out but had time issues getting to a computer. I was in a mushy mood when I wrote this so I apologize if it's too "sickenly sweet" I hope you enjoy it.

Erik held onto Sophie for a good ten minutes before pulling away. There was no crying involved, but lots of thinking. He had come to the conclusion he trusted her more than anyone; excluding Madame Giry of course. However, she already knew that and he told his mind to come up with something else; something she didn't already know. It decided to tell him that she was always the one to kiss him, but he'd never kissed her. Damn you he cursed at his mind that was not what I meant.

He came back to earth when she poked him in the back. "Whatcha thinking about?"

"I don't know."

"Erik don't close off on me, I don't buy that. You have to know, what's going on?"

Just do it you idiot!

"Well, umm…"

This is it!

"You see"

Don't make me get ugly, do it NOW!

He reached over and kissed her deeply pulling her close. Sophie's arms went around his neck out of instinct and her fingers played with his hair.

"No, this is a bad idea" he started, breaking away and turning around

"Wait, hold up. Want to explain why?" she didn't think it was a bad idea, in fact she very much enjoyed it. She was very curious to hear his explanation of why it wasn't good. He did want someone didn't he?

Erik looked at her sadly. "Because this is not your home. You know you don't belong here. You think you do now, but all these little differences between the times will matter soon. What if we were…together and you got the chance to return to your time? You'd leave me in a second."

"I think you know me a tad better than that."

"Don't you miss anyone back in your time?"

She reached over and took his hands. "Erik, I may never get to go back home and I've prepared for that. I've faced that demon. Yes there are people I miss. I miss them now and I'll still miss them 50 years from now so I've decided not to miss them in vain. I'm going to have fun and try to be happy."

Erik's heart was a mess. He wanted her to stay with him forever and then some, but if she was miserable because of him wanting her to stay he'd feel like pond scum. Why was it always him who got stuck making these choices?

"So, what did we have to discuss for Kaitlyn?" he asked quickly while Sophie rolled her eyes laughing. Just like a male she thought. So typical.

"I see, going from the serious talk to underpants…What do they really look like in this day and age? Granny or thong?"

"Who or what?"

Giggling, Sophie sat on the floor laying her head in her hands. It was all she could do to stop from rolling around the floor helpless. She knew he was being serious but she found it hilarious all the same. "I'll show you later," she explained "Let's just say if you ever come home with me, you're in for a real shock."

"After this I will never be able to look at underwear, especially ladies underwear the same way ever again."

"None of us will, now let's get to work. We don't want Kaitlyn to think all we did this whole time was mess around." Sophie stated raising her eyebrows with a smile. "Besides Erik, when do you go around looking at girls underwear?"

"We didn't mess around. We got some serious work done."

"Yes dear, that's our basic excuse. Learn it, commit it to memory, and use at all times."

"I'm not even going to ask."

"Good boy, it's smarter that way. Now about our plan."

The two yapped long into the night bouncing different thoughts off each other. It was harder seeing as they rejected the pole idea and there really weren't that many other ideas to choose from besides Erik's magic. They concluded to do it right smack dab in the middle of Melanie's performance, in front of everyone would be ideal. The crowd would know it was hers by the scene she would make. There would most definitely be photographers present, so they figured the more people who shared in their triumph, the better. Erik lectured her for half an hour about not starting to laugh or fidget before it was done or she would look obvious.

"Relax Erik, I know! I came up with the whole revenge idea anyway"

"Humor me please."

She sighed. "Fine. I promise I will not start laughing before anything is done."

"And?"

"And nobody else is to know because we are all sworn to secrecy."

Erik was satisfied enough to leave her alone and they went back to their evil deed.

"Hey Mr. Opera Ghost?"

"What?"

"I have another idea."

She's a pro at this huh? He thought to himself. Stay on her good side

"Yes what is it?"

"What if we caught her doing a bad habit or something gross and sold it to the papers? Like her spitting, or picking her toes. The people would eat it up."

'There's just one little problem with your plan my dear."

"Oh, what's that?"

"How do you propose to get the picture in the first place?"

"Well, I don't. At least not by myself. I had someone in mind to help me. Someone who is very respected and known" she smirked giving him the puppy dog eyes, cranked up to full power.

"Well... Au revior and as you well know that means goodbye."

"Do I have to black mail you again?"

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh I would."

"If you have any brains left in your head Madame, I assure you that would not be a wise choice."

Sophie grinned wickedly and ran her hands up and down his chest. "Then help me kind sir! Don't leave me all by my lonesome. It's not my fault, honest. I was led astray!"

Erik stiffened at her touch and looked down at her. "You scare me. You know that right?"

"Why yessir. Scaring people is almost as effective as whining if not more so. Plus, it's just more fun."

"Alright I'll do it." Good God what was happening to him? If she told him to run around in public flapping his arms like a chicken and then light himself on fire, he would have obliged.

"Holy shit, you will!"

"What did I tell you about that language and yes, I will do it."

She jumped straight into his arms and held him so tight. This revenge idea was her baby. Well, their baby. They finally had a bond over a common enemy.

"Hey Erik, you rock. You know that right?"

I what? Think Erik, she's in a good mood now, she doesn't sound angry so it can't be a bad thing…can it? Just agree, it's always safe to agree.

"So do you."

She laughed. "You have no idea what that means do you?"

"Haven't a clue."

She maneuvered herself so her head was strategically placed right over his heart. "It means you're amazing."

Erik swallowed the lump rising in his throat. "No mon ange" he whispered "not even close."

"Well I think you are. Does my opinion count as anything?"

Yours is all that matters!

"Yes it does, but I'm not the amazing one of the group. I think you are. I do not think you've changed one bit since the day you arrived on my doorstep. I can only imagine the shock you must have been put through but you're still as nice as you were then. "

"Only to you" she laughed. "I'm soft as a powder-puff Erik, I don't do anything unless provoked or pushed back into a corner."

Erik sat down keeping her close and laid his chin on her shoulder. "You won't ever have to worry about that from me. I promise" If there is a God right now would be the time to show yourself. Please please please make her want to stay with me. I'll change, I promise I will. I don't want to be alone anymore, please!

As if on cue, Sophie leaned her head up to look him in the eyes. "I have something to tell you" she admitted.

Oh great, here it comes. She doesn't want to know me anymore…

"I um, well... I think I love you."

She what?

"Don't get scared alright? It was just bugging me that you didn't know and if I kept it in for another second I would have exploded right here so I said it. I love you. I feel better now"

"I…I…"

She put her hand over his mouth, "I don't want to hear anything back unless you mean it or are ready to say it. You don't have to say it just because I did."

I love you... he rolled the words around in his head. They were words that seemed so foreign and wasted. Just thrown about by people who didn't know any better. Yes, he did love her, suppose he always had.

Thank you God! As per our agreement I'm off to be a better member of society.

"So did I scare you?" Sophie asked. "I mean I just blabbed that I love you and you're just staring at me not saying anything…I think I'm going to crawl into my hole now. When I was seventeen, there was this boy I really liked, his name was Lucas, but I never told him. Then once we didn't see each other anymore, I realized what a putz I was to let him walk away with out telling him, and I regret it to this day, and since regret is the worst feeling a person can have, I decided to go for this." She explained, hoping he would understand.

"Like Luciana" he whispered to no one.

"Like who?"

"Never mind, it's not important. It was a long time ago. Anyway, you didn't scare me sweetheart, I'm glad you told me and I'm glad it's out in the open.

I'd be glad if you said it back she thought sadly…