Just letting you know... I don't own The Phantom of the Opera. If I did, I probably wouldn't share. Read and review, please! Much love.

"Why? I thought I had left all of that behind. I'm happy now, happier than I ever deserved to be. Christine is finally my wife, and in a few months we are going to be blessed with a beautiful little miracle. I don't know why my aunt contacted me or how she even found me. I am pretty sure my mother is dead so there is no reason for me to shuffle my pregnant wife all the way to my childhood home. No, Nadir, just send her a simple no."

Nadir just shook his head. He knew Erik would probably refuse but he had hoped that he would give it a little more consideration. The invitation had been heartfelt and rather hopeful. Since his marriage to Christine and his impending fatherhood, Erik had grown leaps and bounds. He had proven to be compassionate, kind, and generous to a fault. Nadir only hoped that soon Erik would extend some of that kindness to his mother's sister.

Erik was absolutely floored… and suspicious. He did not remember his aunt. She had married and left town when he was a toddler. It was probably his fault. If his mother could not stand him, his aunt had probably loathed him. The only difference was that she could leave. She surely wanted something from him, perhaps money.

Since his marriage to Christine, he had legitimately taken over the opera. Andre and Firmin had handed their shares over willingly, once Erik had flashed his pocketbook and threatened to remove his mask. Once was apparently enough for them, and they left for Australia two days later. Under Erik's brilliant managing and Christine's angelic voice, the Garnier Opera House had flourished. It was bringing in even more money than before. News of The Phantom's success had apparently reached farther than he knew. This woman might not even be his mother's sister. Erik knew he could not hold his temper around a money-hungry woman. No… It would be better not to go.

"Erik? Have you made a decision?"

Erik was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he had not heard his beloved wife enter the room. She was so beautiful in her last months of pregnancy, but at this moment she looked nothing but concerned.

"Yes," Erik responded. "We will not be making the trip. You are too fragile and I am not even sure that this woman is who she says she is. I think it is best that we stay here."

Christine sighed and walked over to the sofa and lowered herself slowly onto it. "I just thought that you would be curious to meet your family."

"Christine, you are my family… you and this baby. The past is gone and I do not wish to relive it." Erik went to his wife and placed his hand on her swollen belly. "I want to focus on the future. Our future."

The hope and love in her husband's eyes made Christine relent almost without a fight. "You are right, my love. We need to focus on the future, and if you are uncomfortable visiting this woman, we won't go."