Hello everybody. The next chapter is finished and we are making good progress. I can also tell you that a few more chapters are already written. So I hope that you continue to be curious about what's going on here and that we'll see each other again soon. Until then.

Greetings Petit Erik

Erik POV

Everyone knows that having a family is wonderful. And it is also logical that you always have little problems that are quickly solved again. However, there are also problems that crop up again and again. When this happened for the first time, I almost went crazy. I mean, I still do now but I've got used to it. When it first happened with Lou, I had thought she was about to die. It was before we were married. Even before we had landed in the present day.

It was still at the opera. Lou was getting better and better. She had recovered quickly from her operation and was on her feet quickly. She had even visited my home under the opera. She was immediately enthusiastic. I had brought her downstairs and we took my boat across the lake to my home. Lou was humming something the whole time. When I asked her what it was, she told me it was the melody of the song 'The Phantom of the Opera' from the musical. By now she had informed me about everything concerning the musical. So I just smiled as she continued to hum.

When we arrived at my house, I helped her out of the boat and she looked around with wide eyes. Meanwhile, I put my hat and cloak on the boat. I remembered Lou's request that she had made to me some time ago. So I took off my mask and wig and put them on the boat as well. Lou, meanwhile, was still looking around. At the moment she was at my organ.

"Can you play?", I asked her.

She turned to me and laughed.

"Me? Play? If you want to stop having eardrums, I can play."

I smirked.

"That bad?"

"Definitely. Ear cancer. I'm telling you, your ears will die right off if I start playing."

I was laughing now too.

"We'd better not do that with the playing. Unless I play something for you."

"That's infinitely better than hearing me."

I grinned at her.

"What would you like to do, anyway?"

"First... do you have anything to drink? I'm terribly thirsty."

"Of course. No problem. What would you like?"

"Water. Water, please."

"All right. Would you like to come to my kitchen?"

She nodded and followed me. In my kitchen I took a glass from a cupboard, filled it with water and gave it to Lou to drink. She took it immediately, downed it and asked me again for water, which of course I gave her immediately. This went on 4 more times until she had had enough.

"That felt good. Thank you, Erik."

"No problem."

She took a deep breath. I could tell that drinking had really done her good. She leaned back relaxed on the chaise longue in my living room. She looked very relaxed.

"How do you like it here?", I asked her shyly as I sat next to her.

"I love it! It's even more beautiful than when I saw it in the musical."

I blushed slightly at those words. That comment was wonderful. She loved my home!

"That's so nice to hear."

I grinned widely as she told me that my home was even more beautiful than how she had seen it on stage that time. Seeing my grin, Lou chuckled.

"You seem pretty proud of me for telling you that."

"Oh, don't worry. I am."

"I'm glad to hear it."

We spent the time still happy together at my house. When evening came, I really wanted to take Lou back upstairs to her room. But she didn't want to.

"Can I stay here with you, Erik?"

I looked at her with wide eyes.

"You... you want to stay here? With me?"

Lou nodded. I felt my face break out into a huge smile.

"Oh, Louise. That would be wonderful. I can get my guest room ready for you while you're in the bathroom in the meantime. How does that sound to you?"

I got her answer by squealing loudly and hugging me tightly. I giggled and gently hugged her to me. With a happy grin, she went into the bathroom while I prepared the guest room. I tried to make everything ready so that she would feel comfortable. Shortly after I finished, she came out of the bathroom again. She had put on a white nightgown and a dressing gown over it. On her feet were white ballerinas. I smiled at her.

"You look very beautiful."

She blushed slightly and smiled. She really did look very pretty. How could I, the disfigured Phantom of the Opera, be so lucky to have such a wonderful friend? I didn't know but I enjoyed it.

"Thank you. It's wonderful here. Can I stay here forever?" she asked, looking at me with big, pleading puppy eyes.

I grinned and replied: "As much as I wish it, I'm afraid it's not possible. You belong in the light, in the sun, while I belong down here."

"No, you don't. Just because you look different doesn't mean you don't get to see the sun, the air and the flowers and plants. Sometimes I'd like to give humanity a kick up the arse to make them more open to people who are different. Or just give them a good shake to get their brains stirred and stop paying attention to this classic ideal of beauty."

She crossed her arms and made a face. I was so grateful for her loving words. She was a wonderful friend. To her, I wasn't the disfigured monster or a freak. To her, I was just her best friend. Sometimes I wished there was more between us but that could never happen. She loved me like a friend and nothing more. As I was almost slipping into the depths of my self-loathing, I noticed something. Louise had her head on my shoulder and was asleep. She had a smile on her lips and looked happy. I smiled, lifted her gently into my arms, laid her in her bed, tucked her in lovingly and after some hesitation, I gently kissed her forehead. She sighed happily, curled up in bed and went back to sleep.

With a smile on my puffy lips, I left her room. Her wonderful company had made me tired too. I decided to go to bed as well. Quickly all the lights in my home were extinguished and I went to my room. I got ready in my bathroom, changed into my night clothes and went to bed as well. Thinking that I was not alone in my hideout this night, I fell asleep with a smile.

Louise POV

In the morning, when I woke up, I felt somehow uncomfortable. And it wasn't because I was in Erik's home. Oh no. It was the most wonderful place in the world. I felt kind of funny. I flipped back my covers and that's when I saw it. Blood. Blood on the white, clean sheets.

"Oh shit," I whispered to myself, "no, no, no."

I tried to get up and go to the bathroom. However, as I stood, a sudden pain went through my abdomen and I squealed loudly. Apparently Erik was already awake because in less than 5 seconds the door had been yanked open and he was standing in the doorway. It looked as if he had just got up too, because he was still wearing his sleeping clothes and his oriental robe over the top. It really was as beautiful as in the musical. When he saw me writhing in front of the bed, he quickly ran to me. His few hair were tousled and he looked very worried.

"Louise?! What's the matter with you? Are you hurt? What happened?"

He put his arms around me. I sniffled and leaned my head against his shoulder.

"Please don't be angry, Erik, okay? I didn't mean for it to happen," I whimpered, burying my face against his shoulder.

"Louise. I would never be angry with you. I just want to know what happened, please, so I can help you."

I nodded and my gaze slid to the bed sheet where my blood was visible. Erik's gaze followed mine and his eyes widened.

"Louise! What happened? Were you hurt? Where did the blood come from?"

His look was panicked and he was eager to help me and find out where the blood came from. Meanwhile, I felt another spasm coming on and I winced in pain again. Immediately Erik looked at me again.

"Louise? How can I help you? Please tell me. I'll do anything."

I looked into his deformed face, which at the moment radiated all the concern in the world.

"Can you please run me a hot bath? And I would need bandages too. Lots of bandages."

He nodded and carried me into the bathroom. There he sat me on a stool and turned on the water for the bath. He put a fragrant oil in it and the whole bath smelled. Then he turned to me.

"Take as much time as you need. If you need anything, I'll leave the door ajar so you can call me. I'll put fresh clothes here in the bathroom and all the things you need. Of course, I'll change your sheets too."

"Please don't be angry with me that it happened," I whispered, looking down at the floor.

He came to me and lifted my chin with his finger.

"It's all right. You don't have to be sorry. I know you didn't do it on purpose. And I suppose there's a reason for it too. If you want, you can tell me later. And if you like, I can make you some tea to ease your pain. Please relax for now, okay?"

I nodded, he smiled again and then left the bathroom. He leaned the door and I heard him humming in my room. I smiled, slowly took off my clothes and got into the hot water in the bath and relaxed. It did my muscles so much good. The water washed over my body and I relaxed as best I could. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the edge of the tub. Erik knocked gently on the door.

"I have put all the things you might need on a stool in front of the door. I've changed your sheets too. If you need me, please call me, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you, Erik," I replied, keeping my eyes closed.

"You're welcome."

I continued to relax in the water for a long time. Eventually, I came out. I took a bath towel, which was beautifully fluffy, and dried myself with it. Then I took the things he gave me and sat down on the toilet. Carefully I began to wrap the bandages around and between my legs. It felt strange but I am sure it would help.

I then changed into underwear and a fresh nightgown. I had wrapped my hair in another bath towel because otherwise it would soak all my clothes. Then I left the bathroom and went in search of Erik. I didn't have to look for long at all. He was in the living room, sitting in his armchair and reading a book. When he heard my footsteps, his head turned towards me and he smiled. He stood up, came towards me and took my hands in his.

"Louise. How are you feeling?"

"Much better. The bath was wonderful. It helped me a lot and relaxed my muscles. I don't feel so flabby any more either."

"That sounds very nice. If you like, I've made you some tea that should help with your pain. Wait here, I'll get it for you."

With that, he disappeared into the kitchen and came back a short time later with a porcelain cup. Meanwhile, I had sat down on his chaiselongue. He handed me the cup.

"Thank you," I said and he returned it with a smile and nod before sitting back in his chair.

I drank the tea, which tasted of peppermint. It felt incredibly good and was also very tasty. When I had finished, I smiled at Erik.

"That was very tasty. I have no doubt it will help me."

"Do you want to tell me what happened? When I saw the blood, I really thought you were badly hurt or about to die."

"Oh no. It's not that bad. It only happens once a month, thank goodness."

"Every month it happens?"

"Yes. You know, Erik... women get their monthly cycle. And it comes once a month. That's why this blood and also the pain."

"Oh. I see. I think I've read about that before. But is it that bad for you in general?"

"Actually, no. The pain is bad sometimes but it's actually okay."

"I'm reassured by that. But please don't hesitate to let me know if you need help. I'm your best friend and I'd like to help you if you need it."

I smiled, stood up and hugged him tightly. He stiffened for a moment until he hugged me too.

"Thank you, Erik. I'm glad to have such a great friend like you."

"I'm happy to have you as my friend too, Louise," he replied, holding me close.

And even now, after we are married and have children, he still helps me and stands by me. My best friend. My husband. My Erik.