A/N: I figured, "what the heck, i'll poast another chapter." Make sure you didn't miss the last chapter. A big thank you to michellecarriveau's reviews. I juast love getting reviews. They make my day. Well, here you go. Please read and review.

Chapter Thirty-seven

The Perfect Solution

He had escorted her back to her room later that night and gave a goodnight kiss saying they would talk about where they would go from there.

Darcy woke up early the next morning to the sound of Erik's voice. She rubbed her eyes and stretched before sitting up. "Good morning, Beautiful." He said with a smile.

"Good morning. What time is it?"

"It's eight 'clock. I wanted to talk to you before you go to pratice. I think you shouldn't wear your ring in public yet."

Darcy looked at him in confusion. "Why ever not?"

"I don't want you to have to explain who you are engaged to. Until I am no longer the Phantom of the Opera and am simply Erik Destler, people can't know. We will both be persecuted if we do." She sighed but nodded.

"I hate to say this but I believe you are right. Do you think it would be safe if I wore it on my right hand? I don't want to part with it."

"I believe that would be fine. I'm glad you like it so much." He took her hand and kissed the palm.

"I love it because you gave it to me and it is a symbol that we will never again be apart." She looked at him with love shining in her eyes.

"I think I better go now or I'll be tempted to stay all day," he said quietly, matching her look. He pressed another kiss to her palm before standing up. "I will talk to you after practice."

He walked to the mirror and turned around. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He gave a meaningful look beofre leaving. Darcy sigheds, wishing she could stay with him but knew ashe couldnt. She threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. As she walked to her closet, she pulled the engagement ring off her finger and traded it to her right hand. She would have to think about where they could go from here.

She looked through the dresses before deciding on a navy blue one with white lace. She hurried to get ready so she could talk to meg. Meg must have had the same idea because when Darcy entered the hallway with her violin, she nearly collided with her.

"Darcy!" she exclaimed, putting a hand against her heart. "You scared me. I was just coming to see you."

"And I, you, I have so much to tell you."

"Did he..."

Darcey grinned and nodded. She looked around to make sure they were alone before holding up her right hand. "It's a secret for now. He doesn't want me to have to explain."

"Oh Darcey. It's beautiful. When will it not be a secret?"

She frowned and shook her head. "I'm not sure exactly. As Erik said, people can't know until he is only Erik Destler. I'm just not sure how we are going to do that."

"I'm sure he has a few ideas. Don't worry. You'll get your happy ending soon enough. In fact, I might have a few ideas. Come, I'll tell you them on the way to practice." They linked arms and headed off, talking as they went. Some of Meg's ideas were perfect while others simply got her mind going. It was a good thing Darcey knew the music by heart because she had a hard time concentrating. Her mind kept racing as she tried to think of the perect solution to their problem. By the time practice was over, she had a few ideas.

She was practically skipping to her room but held back until the door was closed. Once it was closed, she couldn't help herself. She danced about the room, twirling and jumping. She twirled once more, laughing all the while. Se had never felt happier. She stopped and was overwhelmed by dizziness but before she could fall, she was caught around the waist by none other than Erik.

"Hello, my love," he said with a laugh in his voice. "Enjoying yourself?" She laughed as she nodded. "Is there a specific reason you are dancing about, very gracefully I might add."

"I'm just happy is all," she grinned up at him. "You make me very happy."

"You make me happy too." He stepped back from her and bowed.

"What are you doing?"

Erik grinned and held out his hand. "I am asking you to dance with me. Would you do me the honor of a dance?"

"Of course," she giggled, placing her hand in his. He promptly pulled her to him and began a fast paced dance around the room that soon had both of them laughing.

After a final twirl, they were done and left to stand panting from the exercise. Darcey opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a knock on door. "Darcey? May I come in?"

"Please do," Erik called.

The door opened and Meg slid into the room before closing the door again. "I was hoping you might be in here. I have an idea. Actually it was my mother's idea. I hope you don't mind that I told her about you two," she rushed out.

"Not at all. Come sit down," Erik said as he led Darcey to the bed. He waited until they were both siting before siting in the chair next to the bed.

"What idea were you talking about?" Darcey asked.

"Well, you need to be introduced into society right and they will want to know all about you, especially if you just suddenly 'move into the city'." She waited for his nod before continuing. "What if my mother introduced you as her distant and very rich, cousin? It won't be the first time she has introduced a relative into society."

Erik shared a look with Darcey that said how perfect he thought the plan was. "That would be perfect! They won't suspect a thing!"

"We'll have to make up a story explaining why you haven't been introduced until then but it should work. Especally if you change your appearance a bit. Maybe a different colored mask and a more colorful wardrobe," Darcey started. The conversatioin flowed from there until they had figured out everything out.