Happy Fathers' Day!

I do not own POTO

Little Philippe and Meg ran around the parler. Their mother chased them and laughed.

''Philippe! Meg! What is with you two?''

''It's Fathers' Day!'' they both cried in unison. Raoul came into the parler with his newspaper.

''What on e-''

The two eager children pummeled their father and nearly knocked him over. He chuckled and brushed himself off.

''Alright children, daddy's got to go to work.''

They both frowned and quivered their lowers lipos. They made their eyes as big as possible and closed in on their father.

''Awwwww, well a few minutes late won't hurt me, I guess.''

''Yay!'' they both cried, running to get their presents for him. Later, after Raoul had left for work, Christine couldn't find the children anywhere. The house was so quiet. She searched throughout the house, looking for them and calling there names. Finally, she heard giggling coming from the kitchen. How could she have forgotten the kitchen? She walked in, to find them sitting on the countertop, with the telephone in their hands.

''What are you two up to?'' she asked them. She heard a 'hello?' on the other line.

''We're calling all of the fathers to wish them a happy Fathers' Day!'' they both exclaimed cheerfully. Meg quickly dialed another random number and they both listened. Christine walked over, laughing.

''Come on, I think we should let the other children wish their fathers a happy Fathers' Day instead.''

''Hello?'' the voice on the other end answered. Christine's hand stopped and she felt her heart stop as well. She stood there, the color draining out of her face. She stared down at the phone. A reassuring 'hello?' repeated on the other line.

''Happy Fathers' Day!'' Meg and Philippe exclaimed cheerfully.

''Who is this?'' the voice on the other side sounded annoyed. ''Daroga, if this is your idea of a joke, I'm going to strangle-''

Christine ripped the phone out of her children's hands and covered the reciever. Then she uncovered it for a second.

''And rip out-''

She covered it again and then, uncovered it once more.

''And cut up-''

She waited a few more minutes and then, finally uncovered the reciever and lifted it to her ear.

''H-hello...'' she stammered. The other line was silent. Deadly silent. He knew.

''C-Christine...? I...no...you...can't..no...''

''Erik...it's you...isn't it?''

Meg and Philippe both hopped off the counter and ran into the other room, finding something else to do. Christine stood with the phone in her hand. Her legs wouldn't move and she couldn't speak now.

''...Christine. It's been...I don't know...I..many years.''

''Are...are you alright?''

''Yes yes. I still live under the Opera House in my home. I'm fine.''

''I...I miss you sometimes. I still think about you.''

''I do too, Christine. It's hard to let go.''

''I have to go...but if you want to talk sometime, I'm living-''

''I know.''

''What?''

''I know where you're living. I've seen your children. I just...needed reassurance.''

''Reassurance of what?''

''That you were happy.''

''Oh, Erik.'' Christine smiled, tears forming in her eyes.

''Come visit me sometime...if you wish.''

''I will Erik. And I will make sure that you are happy. No matter what.''

Erik smiled on the other line.

''Goodbye Christine.''

''Goodbye Erik. I hope you'll forgive me for what I've done to you. I just hope you still don't hate me.''

''Hate you? I've never stopped loving you Christine.''

''I'll see you soon, Erik.'' Christine tried to avoid the subject of what she really wanted to tell him.

''Goodbye.''

Christine heard him hang up the phone and she stood there with the phone in her hand. She still loved him...alot.