Sweet music's throne it's been a while hasn't it?

I'm so sorry for the tremendous delay- I have no excuse.

-Five-

"Is that everything?" Erik asked as Meg dumped her bag in the boot of his car

"That's everything" she nodded. "Look you don't need to drive me home y'know- I don't mind calling a taxi"

A week had passed since Erik's inspiration had returned and everything had been going swimmingly until Meg had received a call from her irritable landlord demanding to know whether or not she was still his tenant. She had, much to Erik's disappointment, decided to return to her poky little flat. He'd enjoyed having her stay with him. As much as he loved his daughter, Maddie was just a baby; in Meg he had found a companion- someone he could talk with and not feel like he was being judged because of his mask.

"Nonsense" Erik pshawed reaching up and closing the boot. "It's the least I can do to repay you for everything you've done for Maddie and me"

Meg managed a small smile. "My pleasure Erik"

Erik opened her door for her and she slipped into the front passenger seat; sparing a glance at the carry cot secured there. Maddie was settled within it, dead to the world, her dummy had fallen from her mouth and fallen into her lap, one chubby little hand closed around the rubber teat.

"Aww" Meg cooed. "So cute"

Erik, who had got into the car during this interval, said nothing- taking the moment to observe Meg unnoticed. He didn't know where he'd be right now without her help, and to be honest he didn't really want to think about it. Shaking his head slightly to clear it, Erik turned the key in the ignition and started the car.

Meg was touched by Erik's insistence at carrying her bag up to her door for her. Maddie, still sleeping, had been left in the car which was easily visible from Meg's doorway.

"Thank you" Meg said, once again as she opened her front door

"It's nothing" a tiny smile graced his handsome face. "Look, Meg, would you go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"I'd like that" she nodded. "My shift at the hospital ends at five, so say… seven?"

"Seven it is" Erik agreed. "Until then Cherie"

He snatched up her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Meg's breath hitched at the thrill which shot up her arm. As Erik walked back down the three flights of stairs which separated her flat from the car park, Meg reflected for the umpteen-and-someth time on what an utter fool Christine Daae had been to walk out on Erik and Maddie.

She sighed heavily and stepped back into her flat to get ready for work.

Erik was wakened by the baby monitor for the third time that night. Meg had left only that morning, and things had been fine until early that evening. About an hour after he'd put her to bed Maddie had woken screaming. He'd tried everything to get her to calm down; at first he'd assumed she needed changing, but no- her nappy was clean and dry. She'd finally settled after he'd sung her lullaby to her. That calm had lasted until about one that morning when she'd woken screaming again.

That second time she'd had a temperature so he'd managed to settle her easily enough with Calpol and another lullaby. She'd woken him again each hour since.

Erik groaned and rolled out of bed. He shrugged on his dressing gown and staggered into the nursery. The temperature was back- only now it was on the cusp of being a low fever.

"Shh ma petite" he stroked her back gently.

Her brow, which was under his chin, was boiling. He had to call Meg- she'd know what to do.

Cradled his daughter in one arm, Erik carried her back into his own bedroom and scooped his mobile, which was charging on his bedside table, up with his free hand and called Meg's landline on speed dial.

The phone rang twice, thrice, four times…

"Ullo?" Meg's voice, thick with sleep, yawned

"Sorry to wake you Meg" he told her, he loathed asking for help. "But I really need your help"

"What's the matter?"

"Maddie's feverish"

"Calpol's in the…"

"I tried that" he interrupted curtly. "It didn't work"

She sounded far more alert this time. "Give me half an hour and I'll be there"

Erik, still trying to sooth his feverish daughter, would not admit that he was looking out for Meg. He quickly closed the curtain when he saw her clapped out blue Ford Fiesta pull up behind his Aston. She was wearing a pair of paint stained jeans with an old teddy bear nightie and trainers- her hair was loosely tamed into a sloppy ponytail.

"How's she doing?" Meg demanded the moment he had let her in

"You mean you can't tell?"

Meg rolled her eyes at him. "Give her to me"

Maddie calmed slightly once she was cradled in Meg's arms.

"Shh now honey" Meg cooed, stroking Maddie's feathery black hair. "Erik could you get me a cool, damp flannel"

The concerned father nodded and disappeared up the stairs. Meg repositioned the poorly baby in the cradle of her arms and began to sway gently, hoping that the rocking motions might sooth her.

She was still swaying when Erik returned toting the damp cloth in one hand.

"Lay it on her forehead" Meg advised

Soon enough Maddie had fallen into a deep peaceful sleep.

"There we go" Meg smiled, handing the infant back to Erik. "She was probably just hot and bothered"

Erik returned the smile with a tried on of his own. "It appears I'm even further in your debt Meg Giry"

"It's nothing Erik- you choked, it happens to all parents. I'm just glad I could help" Meg stepped towards him, pressed a quick kiss to Maddie's nose then, much to Erik's surprise, she repeated the gesture on his cheek. "Sleep well"

"Good night Meg" he nodded, walking her to the door. "I'll see you later- for dinner"

"I can't wait" she told him quietly. "If you need me don't hesitate to call again"

"I'll bare that in mind Cherie" Erik nodded again.

He stood in the doorway, cradling Maddie and watching Meg return to her car. She waved at him before pulling away from the curb and disappearing into the night.

As he locked the door behind him, he couldn't help thinking about how Maddie had calmed in Meg's presence. Could it be that his daughter mistook his pretty blonde friend for her mother?

"If only that were the case little bird" he addressed the sleeping baby in his arms. "Then things would be perfect"

Maddie snuffled in her sleep, oblivious to the thoughts of the little blonde Angel which danced through her father's tired mind.

And that's all for now.

I've decided properly where I'm going to take this story now so hopefully there won't be any more delays as long as this last one was.

Let me know what you think of this latest chapter and I'll see you soon with the next one. :)