Disclaimer- I do not own either Phantom of the Opera nor Erik, although I wish I did. :)

This is my first fanfic that I've posted- please, give me some advice, and tell me if you like the story.

Erik looked around the large room one last time before shutting the door to his lair one last time. His former home had been completely gutted leaving it more eerie and quiet than it had been before. He turned around in the darkness of the Rue Scribe entrance and headed off into a life that was very much the unknown. As he stepped out into the rain of Paris, Erik pulled the hood of his cloak over his head in an attempt to hide his face from the world which had shunned him. Remembering everything that was, and that was to become, a teardrop fell from his face into the puddles that were forming in the alleyway next to the Opera House. Finally reaching the awaiting carriage, he stepped in and motioned for the driver to go. Sitting quietly in his thoughts, he was interrupted by two arms snaking around his waist. He sighed and hugged her tight to him. "It was hard for you wasn't it?" Christine asked. He smiled sadly and kissed her head. "Yes, my dear" he replied, "but it's all worth it." He gently rubbed his wife's swollen belly. "I wish our child to be a child of the light, not of the darkness. Our new home is more suited for him or her, as well as you my dear." Christine smiled and kissed him softly. "I love you Erik." Erik looked at her lovingly and smiled back. "I love you too, mon ange."

The carriage slowly rattled along the cobblestones of the Parisian streets before finally leaving the hustle and bustle of the city. Just as they were leaving Paris, Christine and Erik looked back at the city they both loved. They both looked back with longing, but they knew that this was the right life for them. For many years Erik had saved the money he received as his "salary." A few years previous, he had designed a home that was about 30 miles from the outskirts of Paris in a secluded, but beautiful area. They had been slowly moving their belongings into the home for a couple of months now, as to not draw suspicions to themselves. Erik had found excellent servants, who knew to be silent. Finally approaching the mansion that was their new home, Erik exited the carriage first, holding his hand out to his wife to follow. As the carriage rattled away to the stables, Erik escorted is wife into their new home and their new life.

Later on that night, Christine sat pensively on the divan. Erik had noticed that something was on her mind ever since they arrived at their home, but hadn't said anything. After a wonderfully prepared meal, (they dismissed the servants for some privacy, so Christine and Erik made it together) they retired to the living room. Erik had poured himself a glass of brandy and offered Christine some apple cider, which she graciously accepted. Picking out his favorite book that he had been reading, Erik sat down. Occasionally sipping his brandy, he would look over at Christine and noticed her still deep in thought. Putting the glass down and making a mental note of his page in the book, Erik tried to get Christine's attention. "My love, something's bothering you. Care to tell me about it?" Christine snapped out of her thoughts and gave Erik a smile. "I'm just thinking about how wonderful our life is and will be. Our child is due in two months and we finally have our house. We can finally move on with our lives." Erik smiled and walked over to his wife. Sitting down next to her, he put his arm around her and she put her head on his shoulder. "My love, I've been meaning to talk to you about the child. I suppose I have some concerns." Christine's head popped up. "What kind of concerns?" she asked nervously. This wasn't the time to get cold feet. Erik sighed and got up, walking to the large bay window that overlooked their small pond. "I'm concerned that the baby…that he or she… will have my face." He finally spit it out and breathed a sigh of relief. Christine looked shocked. Surely he hadn't been worried about this since they found out about the baby.

FLASHBACK

She and Erik had been married for about two months now, living in Erik's home under the Opera House until their house was completed. Their wedding was a small and simple one, but very beautiful. Meg and Madame Giry were there, of course, along with Erik's friend Nadir. Now, two months later, she had some very exciting news for Erik. Pulling her cloak off as she came in the door, she ran down the long hallway she'd gotten to know so well. Stepping into the music room, she noticed Erik sitting at his organ trying to compose. Sneaking up behind him, she put her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. She expected him to be surprised, but to her shock and amusement, he didn't even flinch. "Good afternoon Christine." He turned around and pulled her down onto his lap. "Surely you didn't expect me to be surprised dear. I've been living here too long. I know what your footsteps sound like." He kissed her cheek gently. She kissed him softly on the lips and quickly deepened the kiss. Her hands began to massage his well-toned chest and he began to move his kisses from her face down her jaw line and to her neck. Suddenly, she pulled away. "Erik, we need to talk." Erik groaned and began kissing her neck again. She giggled and lightly pushed him away. "This is what got us into trouble in the first place." Erik pulled away with a confused look on his face. She smiled and kissed him softly on the lips. "Erik, I'm pregnant. We're going to be parents." A look of disbelief crossed his features. Still in shock a couple of minutes later, Christine shook his shoulder gently. He seemed to snap out of his trance and hugged her tightly. "Oh, I love you Christine. But are you sure you want to have a child with me?" She sighed and kissed his cheek. "Of course, my love. Who else would I want to be my child's father? Besides, it's a little too late now, don't you think?" she teased him gently. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her once more and kissed her softly on the lips.

NOW, BACK TO THE STORY…

She walked over to where he was and put her arms around his waist. She leaned her head against his back. "Mon ange, it doesn't matter what this baby looks like. Don't you see? That's the beauty of it all. This child will have two parents who love him or her very much and will accept them for who they are, not what they look like. Besides, I think that you're beautiful." He looked down at her with tears in his eyes. "You are truly the best person in the world." He leaned down and kissed her once more.