Charlotte thought her leg was doing better after some time and Erik held her hands as she stood up. "Are you ready for what I'm going to show you?" He asked with a smile. "Oui Monsieur" she pulled herself forward and Christine stepped away from the door and found a place to watch in the workshop, hopefully to remain unseen by Lotte.

Erik held Charlotte's hand going at a pace that suited her without struggle. When they got to his workshop he placed Charlotte on the bench. "Is this where you create all your props and things not musical" Lotte asked in curiosity.

"It is indeed." Erik picked up a leather and metal object that was about the length of Charlotte's mangled leg and had a hinge at the knee. Its original concept would help keep her foot turned the right way instead of pointing inward. "But this petite, will help correct that leg of yours and hopefully, allow you to walk with ease. I've made it adjustable so it can move as you grow as well." He fastened the top leather just above her knee and another just below and to her shoe. The metal pieces acted as a splint and a brace that made her foot turn the correct way.

"How does that feel?" Erik asked, lifting her to stand on her foot. Charlotte took a few steps and stopped.

"I don't know about this. It feels funny."

"Funny how? Is it something hurting or discomfort or just a new different feeling?" Erik asked kneeling on the floor to look.

"Well it doesn't hurt exactly. But my foot feels uncomfortable and unnatural. Maybe I'll just have to get used to it." She added and gave him a hug. "Thank you Sir. I don't think you understand how much this means to me."

Christine couldn't help but smile. He was going to change her world for the better and she had no idea how to explain any of this. He was a different angel almost entirely. But she was thankful. Thankful that her daughter would grow up knowing a loving father unlike the one she had lived with before. Christine thought back to when Charlotte had been born and Her eyes were his, and her leg all twisted. The midwife thought she wouldn't live through the night. But her Lotte had been a fighter, and still was. She was thankful to whoever it was that she could watch and talk with her daughter still even in death.

Erik smiled at his daughter, she looks so much like her mother with my eyes. He thought as he took her beauty in, despite her imperfections. "You're so welcome Petite – Would you like to hear me play the piano for a while or would you like something to eat this morning first?" He asked her.

"Can we do both?" She asked with her eyes bright. "Do you have any strawberries and pastries? I like those best." Erik took her hand and walked with her to the kitchen, her limp still noticeable but not as harsh.

"I think there are some left if that is what you wish." Erik placed a plate on the counter and poured juice into a cup, after the strawberries and pastries were served.

"Your mother used to eat this when we lived in the Opera house" He said remembering the past.

"Maman loved you a lot. She used to spend the night with me in my room telling me stories about you from her time in the Opera. I wish I could be as talented as her.

"Who ever said that you won't be?" Erik raised his brows at her in disbelief. "You have so much talent – I heard you playing the piano in your hotel when you arrived, I heard you sing with your Mother. Oh I wish I could have created a song for the two of you…" He sighed.

"You still can if you want. I'm sure Mama is watching from somewhere in heaven. She'll sing all over heaven I'm sure." I looked around wondering if I could see her around now. When I didn't I looked back and my Father and rested my head on his shoulder. "I can sing or play the piano if you want me to. – if it will help?

Erik nodded, "Are you finished with your breakfast? Then we can go make music together."

"I am," They stood and moved to the music room silently, except for the hinges on Charlotte's new brace. "I think your creation might really work. Once I get past the awkward feeling of it."

"Well that was its purpose. I want you to have everything Charlotte. The world is yours for the taking, I will make it so, just like I did for –" he choked on his words. "Just like for your Mother."

"You made her a star, she told me." Charlotte said as they sat on the piano bench together. "I was named after her in a story wasn't I? That's how I got my nickname. Maman used to call me Little Lotte…and tell stories of a little girl with a big imagination. She loved telling stories too. She was good at it." Lotte put her fingers on the keys holding still until the piano spoke to her. Then she played a gentle repeating melody. "I don't think Maman will ever really go away… I can feel her. Can you?"

Erik, listened intently. Imagining Christine here in the flesh with them, but no. The cold chill came back, Christine's ghost had put a hand on his arm reassuring him. "I do" He lied to his daughter to ease her own suffering. His own fingers joined Lotte's melody dancing through the room. She was his new world, new prodigy. She would be known. Charlotte's hands soon grew tired and Erik continued to play, turning the melody some different way, a familiar song that both of them knew. That's when Lotte began to sing.

"In sleep he sang to me…in dreams he came…"

Christine smiled, remembering the first time she sang those words. She couldn't help but sing with them. Charlotte turned and heard her mother, but didn't stop. Erik couldn't know about this. But surely he could hear her. There was a faint sound in his mind that Christine was there singing.

"Stupid Erik, shes gone you fool, you only remember her voice as she sang with you. " Charlotte's voice was similar, but not as perfect as Christine's had been. He would teach her, and they would move on.

Erik continued to play a different song quietly neither speaking. "Papa?" Charlotte spoke the word for the first time wincing slightly at how it sounded. "Can I call you that?" He nodded with a pull upwards of his lips. "I wanted to ask you something and feel free to tell me no if its too much but, I'd like to go shopping for a dress or two if that's ok? Most of my clothes are still in France…"

The music stopped and Erik looked at her. "I can arrange Ms. Fleck to go with you if you like –"

"No, I want – I want you to come with me. I don't want to go out without you. I can't loose you too!" Charlotte hugged him tight and Erik flinched, his arms up around the 9 year old, before bringing them around her in a secure hug.

"You won't loose me child. I promise I'm here. I'm here" He swore under his breath a prayer to the heavens that Christine heard. "How am I to do this without you Angel?!"

Christine thought hard back at him praying he would hear or know that she was there to help. Reassure her, be there for her, Love her, as you loved me. Its that simple. She wished she could hold them both in their troubles. Erik pulled himself together and after a moment the two were able to get up. "Lets go to the boutique. I'm sure you will find something of interest there, and we can see how the new invention works for long distances."

Erik grabbed their coats and had a carriage brought around. "Lets go shopping then petite" He tucked a blanket around Lotte's legs and settled next to her to keep the chill outside away.