I looked at Raoul with a skeptical look before continuing with my breakfast. It wasn't long before he pulled up a chair and sat next to me around the rectangular table.

He clear his throat and I tried to ignore the awkward silence that was surrounding us. I then saw that he was looking at me like he was ready to say something.

"Rosie, I realize that this place is much different than your old home, but I can ass-" I didn't even give him a chance to finish before a burst into tears.

He and I both knew that I missed being at the Opera Populaire. He knew I missed Eric and Meg regardless of what they did.

The one thing he didn't know was how scared of him I was. I'm guessing that he picked up on it by the way I was shaking.

He brought me into his big warm arms and held me as I cried. "Rosie whats wrong?", he asked with so much concern.

I looked at him, my eyes red and puffy and my face streaked with tears. His face showed only concern and genuine sincerity. I finally swallowed my pride and told him the truth.

"Raoul, I don't know why but I am afraid. That is why I am very distant. I don't know what you or Christine are like. I don't want to anger you because I don't know how you would handle it. I have seen how Eric can be when he is angry, but I don't know what you are like. I just don't want you to be mad at me and beat me like Eric did."

By this time I was crying again at the harmful memories of when father would come back to the lair drunk and he would get mad at me and hit me.

~~~~Flashback~~~~

I sat at my father's piano and played a soft melody that father had taught me while mother made dinner.

Suddenly father came bounding down the steps and headed into the lair.

I was happy to see him but when he saw me, his eyes flared with anger and before I knew it he was in front of me with his hand raised and soon it came down upon my cheek and it left a red stinging hand print.

I stumbled back from the force that was used against me and looked at him through my now teary eyes.

By now mother had come out of the kitchen to see what the matter was and was horrified at what she saw.

My father looked at her, then he looked at me and his eyes filled with sorrow and regret as he realized what he had just done.

He tried to help me up but I just shoved his hand out of the way and ran into my room and locked the door and cried silently to myself.

~~~~End of Flashback~~~~

Raoul looked at me with such anger when I finished and I knew I was about to get it. Raoul's nostrils started to flare.

I instantly reacted and covered my face with my arms and my hands balled up into fists as a way to protect myself and I closed my eyes tightly until I was sure I couldn't see anything.

I waited for the impact of Raoul's hand against my body, but I felt nothing. I slowly opened my eyes to find that Raoul's face held nothing but pure sadness.

Then Raoul's eyes began to water and he got up from his chair and moved toward the doorway that led out of the kitchen.

Then I heard him crying softly to himself. I didn't know men cried. I thought to myself. I got up off my chair leaving my breakfast and wrapped my little 12 year old arms around Raoul.

He suddenly stiffened and looked at me. Then he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me up so he was holding me better and started to cry harder into the crook of my neck.

When we finally pulled apart, he looked me into my dark crystal blue eyes which somewhat matched his light sky blue ones.

He gave me a happy smile while the tears still continued to fall down his handsome face and I returned his happy smile and threw my arms back around his neck and tightly held on for my life.

It was only when he leaned his head against mine and whispered into my ear so quietly that only I could hear, even though we were the only ones in the room, "I will never hurt you and I will never allow anyone to hurt you ever", that I started to cry too and he held me tighter and whisper soothing things into my ear to calm me. Man it's nice to have a loving father.