I totally forgot something in the first chapter: I own nothing that has any reference to POTO! (I don't want to get sued!) I really hope everyone enjoys the chapter. It's a little longer. Sorry it took a couple days to upload. Not near an internet source again. -_-

Chapter 3

Belle hid in the shadows of an alley as she tried to find the de Changy mansion. Some people stopped and stared if she didn't move fast enough going from shadow to shadow. "Why didn't Belle just call for a taxi?" She smacked her forehead. "Idiot! Belle should have thought of that." Talking in the third person was a habit that showed only when she was extremely upset. She stepped onto the street. With one hand on her Punjab, which she kept in a hidden pocket in her cloak, she used the other hand to hail a carriage. When a hand touched her shoulder, Belle jumped and turned on the person. When she saw who it was, she let out a shriek of delight. "Charles!" She jumped into his arms and kissed him.

Charles laughed and hugged her. "Belle, I'm so sorry for the way I handled our discussion. It wasn't right, especially when I left you alone..." He looked down at her. She wasn't listening to a word he was saying.

Belle snuggled into his coat and sighed. All that mattered was that he was holding her. "Oh, Charles... never leave me...please," she whispered. A single tear slid down her face.

Charles smiled and wiped it away. Putting his arm around, he led her to an awaiting carriage. "Come on, Rachel and Matt are probably worried by now." When they reached the carriage, Charles opened the door.

As he helped Belle in, she giggled. "Thank you, good sir." She got in and sat down. Charles followed. The ride to the mansion was quiet. Belle and Charles would look at each other and smile. Not a word was spoken...

}{

When Rachel heard the doorbell, she got up and ran to the foyer. Belle and Charles stepped in and gave the butler their cloaks. Rachel squealed. "Belle!" When she reached her, Rachel hugged her. As she was hugging Belle, Rachel looked over her shoulder at Charles. "Oh, hello Charles." She let go of Belle and started walking to the dining room. "This way." She gestured for the two to follow her.

Matt stood up as they walked in. "Good evening, Charles. Belle, you look lovely tonight." He winked at Charles. He went to Charles and shook his hand. "Congratulations! Rachel told me the news. About you and Belle...getting married and also..." He chuckled.

Charles smiled. "Thank you, Matt. And what about you, are you planning on having any children?"

Matt stopped. "You know, I never thought about that." He turned to Rachel. "What would you think if we had children?"

Rachel blushed. "Well...it's something to consider...I mean, it is customary...well..." She turned to Belle for help.

Belle smiled. "I think you would make a great mother, Rachel. Oh, by the way, could you help me with something..." She pulled the piece of paper out of a pocket.

Rachel raised her eyebrows. "Help you with what?"

Belle gave the paper to her. "I was working on a list of names. Could you help me think of others?"

Rachel looked at the sheet and smiled. "I think you have a good selection of names. Oh, I like Erik for a boy. Maybe you should use Aria if it's a girl." She looked at Charles. "What do you think, papa?"

Charles blushed. "Me? I-I'm not sure. Whatever Belle likes." He looked at Belle and smiled.

Belle hugged him. "Mon ange, I can't make all the decisions myself." She pouted. "If you help me choose the name..." She looked at him. "...I'll renovate the la-my home. You can decide what to do and I will comply."

Charles made a thoughtful pose. He side glanced Belle and grinned. "Alright. I like the names Rachel mentioned."

Rachel wandered over to the table and cleared her throat. "Well, let us have dinner, shall we?"

Everyone looked at each other then sat down...

}{

She looked around the auditorium. In the darkness, she barely could make out the intricate designs of the sculptures and the deep red color of the seats. She wandered aimlessly along the stage. When she heard foot steps coming from the wings, she jumped, dropping her gloves.

Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre walked up to the stage and smiled.

Firmin stepped forward taking her hand. "Mademoiselle Fleur, it is a pleasure. We are so grateful that you agreed to take the position as lead soprano. We had someone else in mind, but she never responded to our requests."

Mademoiselle Fleur de Anges smiled. "Well it is a shame. Such a position is much sought after." Especially if that position gives you contact with a certain tenor. "Is Charles Daae still the lead tenor?"

"Of course, mademoiselle!" Andre answered. He gave Firmin a look, who returned it.

Firmin took Fleur's hand. "Would you like a tour, mademoiselle?"

She removed her hand from his. "Maybe tomorrow. I would like to look around myself."

Firmin shrugged. "Suit yourself, mademoiselle. Goodnight." He walked away, followed by Andre.

Fleur smirked. Her blonde hair fell around her face as she quickly looked around. She reached down and picked up her gloves. She swept away the hair that fell into her blue eyes. When she was sure no one was around, which was certainly no one, she sat down on the stage and laughed. "Yes! I am finally where I should be. A star roll, the chance for a little romance..." She smirked. "Monsieur Daae will be putty in my hands." She closed her eyes and sighed. "Nothing will stand in my way of making him mine..."

}{

After dinner and a friendly chat, Charles and Belle said their goodbyes. They left the estate and went to the Opera house. It was nearly dark when they reached it. When they entered the foyer, Belle stopped walking and spun around.

She sighed. "Wouldn't it be a pleasure to have another Masquerade?" She looked at Charles.

He shrugged. "I suppose so...that would mean you could go."

Belle mischievously grinned. "Would you like to race to Box Five, Monsieur Daae?"

He smiled and started to run. He laughed.

Belle dropped her jaw and started running after him. "That's...not fair...Charles! You're cheating a pregnant woman, making me..." She stopped.

Charles turned around to look at her. He gasped when he saw her stopped and clutching her chest. "Oh, my God! Belle, are you alright?" He ran over to her and held her.

She closed her eyes and fell into his embrace. "I'm tired, carry me." Belle opened her eyes. "Please, mon ange?" She made a pout.

He sighed and picked her up. He smiled as she giggled. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. Now come on, let's go to Box Five."

"Why do you want to go there?"

"Because the managers leave my salary there."

Charles carried her to the door that was marked Box Five. When they reached it, he sat her down.

"Thank you, mon ange." She kissed him.

"Not a problem, mon fleur." He opened the door for her.

Belle stepped in and picked up her envelope. She gasped as she saw another. Picking up she noticed it was also from the managers.

Charles looked at. "What is it?"

"This..." She opened it and read it. "The managers want me to sing as the lead soprano." She laughed. "They enjoyed my performance in Don Juan so much, they want me to sing in the next opera."

Charles smiled. "That's wonderful! We can sing together again."

Belle frowned. "No...if I perform, people will want to see behind the mask. I can't...I don't want people to know. I just..." She put her arms around his waist. "What do you think?"

"I think you should except it. Are the managers still around?"

She thought for a moment. "They should be."

The couple walked down the hallway to the managers' office. When they reached the door, Charles knocked.

"Come in!" Came the voice of Andre.

Charles opened the door for Belle. She shook her head and gestured for him to go. He shrugged his shoulders and complied. "Good evening, Monsieurs."

Both looked up from their work with surprise at the presence of Charles.

Andre was the first to speak. "Monsieur Daae! What brings you here at this late hour?"

Charles stepped farther into the room and smiled at Andre. "The letter you left for the Opera Ghost." The managers perked up at that name.

Firmin gave Charles a puzzled look. "Monsieur, how do you..."

Charles held up the letter. "She would like to say that she accepts."

"B-but Monsieur," Andre stuttered, "the position has already been filled. When we heard no word from...how do you know she accepts?"

Charles sighed and stepped out the door. He came back in, pulling Belle behind him.

The managers stood up and gasped as they looked at her.

Charles pulled her closer and put his arm around her. "She accepts...right?"

Belle looked away and grumbled. "Yes." She sighed and stepped towards the two gaping men. "My dear managers, it would be my pleasure to assist you in the new production." She forced a smile. "But I have demands," she stated icily.

"Demands? Like what? It's not a rise in the salary is it?" Firmin asked nervously.

Belle smirked. "No, of course not. They're about my mask and my identity. I wish to wear my mask at all times. No one should know my previous occupation, excluding the two of you and Char- Monsieur Daae."

Andre stepped forward. "If I may be so bold, what is your relationship with Monsieur Daae?"

Belle stiffened. "He is my fiánce." She smiled and looked over at Charles.

Charles nodded and smiled. "I proposed last night."

The managers looked at each other with great surprise.

"Well, the position has been filled," Firmin said, "but we can place this girl as your understudy, if that is your wish."

Belle nodded and headed towards the door. "That would be splendid. I will join rehearsals tomorrow. If all works well, I might not haunt as much. But I will remain undisturbed in my home. If anyone should try to find where I live, I'm afraid to say they will never be heard from again." She laughed at the looks on the manager's faces. "What I mean to say is that my home is full of traps. A girl can't be too careful." She laughed and walked out the door.

Charles called after her. "Wait for me a second." He turned to Firmin and Andre. "Don't worry, you two are making a wise decision. But it would be well suggested to stay on her good side. If not...well, I wouldn't worry about it." He smiled and followed after Belle.

When he had gone, the two gentlemen slumped into their desk chairs. "Firmin, are you sure that was wise? How will Mademoiselle de Anges take the news?"

"Do not worry, Andre. I shall take care of it tomorrow." He got to his work once more.

Andre sighed and did so as well.

}{

"Are you sure about this, Charles?" Belle asked as she undressed in the alcove. "I mean, I'll have to quit in a couple of months. Why would I start something that I'm just going to end?"

Charles sat at Belle's organ and sighed. "I don't know. Just enjoy it while you can, I guess. On another matter, I have some ideas for the renovations." He smiled when he heard her growl. "I think you should put in another bathroom. The one you have now is small and full of your things. It would be nice if I could have my own bath. Oh, you should also add a kitchen. I know you don't eat much, but when the baby is born you'll need it. What else...?" He rubbed his chin in thought. "What about a library? You could keep your papers and..." He glanced at the sword, which was on the ground, once again. "...your other things."

Belle stepped out of the alcove in one of her outfits. She glared at Charles. "I can't believe this. But another bathroom would be nice. You keep knocking my bottles over and mixing things up."

Charles smiled. Sometimes he just did that on purpose. "Well, wasn't it a splendid idea I mentioned it?"

"I guess. But how will we keep the workers from...never mind, I already have an idea." She grinned.

Charles frowned. "No killing, Belle."

Belle gave look of mock surprise. "I would never...arrange accidents, yes, kill anyone, no..." She ran over and hugged him. "It'll work out, mon ange." She kissed him and walked away. "Good night!"

Charles got up from the organ. "What about...?"

Belle turned around and wagged her finger. "Not until the baby is born..." She blew a kiss and went inside the alcove.

"I can still sleep in the same bed, right?" He called after her.

She giggled. "Yes, you silly man, or course you can..."

Charles laughed and went into the alcove...

Uh oh, something's brewing. I felt I needed a little more drama. I hope everyone likes it. I'll get into Fleur's back story in a later chapter. And yes, Belle accepted the managers offer. I thought it might make the future relationship of Belle and Fleur more interesting. Keep sending ideas. R&R!