Your Voice

Chapter 24

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Erik

"Daddy!" Melody barges into my lair, causing the sheet of manuscript paper in my hand to leap out of my grasp. I've been trying new melodies on my instruments for - I'm not sure - days, maybe? I lost track of time; I'm concentrated.

"Yes, darling?" I reply tiredly.

"Would you have a tea party with me?" She smiles warmly, looking down at me at my desk from the top step, one hand holding a doll against her chest, the other rested on the banister.

"Er- not right now," I turn back to my work, sighing a labored breath. "I'm not in the mood to go upstairs." I haven't been in the mood to go out of my lair for quite some time.

"That's alright," she pokes her head out of the door.

"Be careful, you might fall down the steps," I get off my seat to make sure she doesn't tumble down.

"I'm fine," she turns back. Struggling to look at her feet, Melody slowly comes down the stairs, her arms occupied with a massive wooden box which gives off a clinking sound with every step. "I've brought the tea party to you!"

I sigh, giving in. "Let me help you with that, princess." I take the box and clear the nearest table.

Melody, a tiara in her hair, sets out the teacups and saucers. "I've got one for you too," she pulls out a overly bedazzled matching tiara, placing it on my head.

"Thank you," I reply; I don't want to hurt her feelings. Besides, it's so rarely that I get to have fun with her, with all the drama with Christine and I.

"Are you coming to the party dressed like that?" She scrunches up her tiny nose as she takes in the sight of my unbuttoned white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to my elbow. I shrug. She takes out a bright pink tutu and all I can think is 'you've got to be kidding me'. I refrain from resisting.

"You look pretty!" She applauds as I slip into it, making a complete fool out of myself.

"So do you," with a grin, I pick her off the ground and swing her around, her cute laugh resonating throughout the lair.

There is a knock on the door. "Erik?" Christine smiles when she sees me holding Melody. "Hello, darling. Nice to see you two having fun."

"Yes, mummy! Papa and I were just having a tea party."

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need a moment with papa. Would you wait outside a while?" Her eyes lock with mine. Melody nods obediently and exits.

She takes a deep breath. "First of all, you look ridiculous. Secondly, it's about that thing."

"What about it?" I feel my eyebrows furrow in concern. In reply, she pulls out the daily newspaper. On the front page, in bold, brash lettering, it reads:

CHRISTINE DAAE: THE SINGING SENSATION TURNS WILD?

Reportedly, Godric Pensworth - the forty five year old son of honored Officer Alan Pensworth - was attacked by Christine Daae at The Queen's Theatre last Saturday.

"I was in a dark alley near the stage door feeding some stray cats," Pensworth Junior tells us, "when she came out, viciously rammed me against the wall and touched me inappropriately." Despite his story, we have learned that Miss Daae had reported him to the police earlier that night. She claims that he was the one who went on her, and not the other way round as Godric suggested.