hello!how was everyones weekend?good I hope!anway ive got some bad news.i won't be able to update for about 2 weeks. i know thats awful!after getting used to everyday updates, now not having none till after independance day!(july 4th).our computer is on the fritz, i had enough trouble getting this chappy too you all.i dont know when or if it will be fixed but hopefully it will be in two weeks.i am sorry for how short this chappy is but it ends well, believe me!so until i see you all again please keep reading and reviewing!it would really mean alot to come back from not being on in a few weeks to see alot of reviews!thanks so much for the support it really means alot.

Chapter 25

Nicole couldn't sleep at all. She cried silently in her bed, trying to think of a way out of this mess. One thought kept popping into her mind.

Run away with Erik!

The only thing that stopped her from doing this was Anne. She couldn't, and wouldn't leave her sister. Erik would understand, she knew. They all had to think of a way to leave.

Oh, Erik! My Erik! What am I going to do if I cannot be with you?

Nicole rose from her sleepless night and looked out the window. It was bright and sunny, but clouds were forming, and soon there would be rain. What woke was shouting coming from the kitchen. She got out of bed and put on her robe.
Walking toward the kitchen the shouting grew louder, one voice she knew was Anne. The other sounded familiar, but it was still hard to understand.

"I can't believe you would do this to her! I thought you loved her!" yelled Anne.

"I do!" screamed Jacques.

Jacques. It was his voice, only it was much altered. No longer was it soft, and sweet. It was razor sharp and commanding. This was his true voice.

How little of this man do I know?

Her presence in the door way of the kitchen stopped the fighting. Anne's eyes were fierce and trying their best to hold back tears. Jacques stood away from her aloof to everything.

"Nicole," said Anne, "I am sorry I did not mean to wake you. I know that you've had a long night.

A resounding snort came from Jacques.

Nicole decided to ignore it, wondering more on how Anne knew of all that had happened.

"You know?"

Anne nodded, "Yes, I heard everything last night. You both were being very loud."

"Good morning, Nicole." Said Jacques, finally tired of being ignored.

"Why are you here?" she spat back.

"I wanted to make sure you did not run to your lovers arms last night, MY dear."

"Why don't you just leave? This is still my home, and you are not welcome."

"Your mother welcomes me."

"She is not my mother anymore."

Anne placed a tender hand on Nicole's shoulders, and nodded her agreement.

"Mama…Marie has not come out of her room since last night. I've tried to get her to come out but she just throws things at the door."

Nicole could not believe that Anne had used their mother's name. She thought she would be alone in rejecting her mother, but she was grateful that Anne was with her.

"Fine I will leave, but I am returning tonight!"

With that Jacques left the house, and the girls looked at each other in silent understanding. They both went to their rooms, got ready for the day and meant in the front hall. Grabbing clocks and umbrellas, they headed out to the Opera Populaire.

Erik had not moved since he had arrived home last night. He sat at the edge of his bed, staring into the darkness. No candles were lit in his home, often the darkness helped him think. All he could think about was running away with Nicole. Taking her away from her awful home, and giving her everything her heart desired.

But I know she would never leave her sister. There must be a way for Anne to be taken away from that evil woman. There must be something I can do for Anne as well!

His thoughts did not last on Anne for long. His mind kept playing over and over in his mind the kiss that Jacques forced on Nicole.

That insolent boy! Why would he do that to her! He does not love her! If he loved her, he would let her go! I had loved Christine enough to let her go, I knew she loved Raoul. I knew she would not be happy with me. I loved her so I let her go. Jacques should see that Nicole could never be happy with him!

He got up from his spot and headed for his boat. He needed fresh air to clear his mind, he wanted to be refreshed. He rowed across the lake, hoping that the sun would not be out so that he may go to the roof top. As he shored his boat, but stalled on the solid ground. Footsteps, light ones were descending toward him. Voices started to drift down, soft voices, sweet feminine voices.

"Are you sure he won't mind me coming?"

"He won't mind, I promise!"

Nicole!

Erik almost ran up to her, he hadn't expected her to come to him this early. At the foot of the tunnel leading to him, he saw two figures appear out of the gloom.

"Erik?" Nicole's small voice was surprised to see him waiting for them.

Not a moment later she dashed into his open arms, crying into his chest. He rubbed her back and trying soothing her with soft words, but her tears kept coming.
He looked up at Anne, whom he found studying him intently. He could tell that she was sizing him up, making sure he was right for her sister. What he did in these next few moments would either make or break his relationship with Nicole.

Gently he pushed Nicole away, and smiled at her, "Nicole, who have you brought with you today?"

Nicole's face blushed in embarrassment, "Oh I am so sorry! This is my sister Anne. Anne, this is Erik."

Anne held out her hand in greeting and Erik took it into his and she said, "A pleasure to finally meet you. Nicole has told me all about you."

Erik placed a soft kiss on her bare knuckle and replied, "The pleasure is all mine, Mademoiselle."

He heard Nicole giggle slightly at her sister's face turning red from his kiss. Anne withdrew her hand without a word and looked to Nicole to help.

Erik turned to her and was glad to see her tears had stopped, but her face was again cloudy. He hated seeing her like this, and he couldn't stop himself from kissing her lightly on the lips. He felt her lips quiver, and then salty tears mixed in their kiss. He pulled away, and with the pad of his thumb, wiped the tears from her face.

"Tell me everything." He stated simply. He wanted to hear from her own mouth what had happened. He would tell her later that he had been there himself.

"Erik, you remember me telling you about Jacques?"

She waited for him to nod before she continued, "Well, my mother has promised me too him! I am to marry him, before the month is out! I don't want to! I love you Erik, I don't love Jacques DeChagny!"

Instantly Erik froze hearing a name he knew too well.