I went over to the tree and sat down, wiping my brow of sweat. It was late afternoon in the heat of midsummer. I had started on the fence, Constance's spirits had risen to their previous heights and being around my wife had once more become as relaxing as before. Speaking of her, she was making her way over to me from the house; she stopped in front of me.

"Come inside. It's too hot to be doing all this work. I have lunch ready as well." She told me. I smiled as I took her offered hand and allowed her to lead me inside. Constance brought me into the kitchen where I sat down at my place at the table. Constance grabbed plates from the kitchen and set down a plate in front of me and placed her own down as she sat. She was extremely chirpy; the smile on her face just brightened the entire room and those eyes sparkled enticingly. She was positively radiant; I narrowed my eyes at her. She went about eating her lunch in a charming way.

"So, Erik; I know you're happy with the idea of being a father. But, are you ready sooner or later?" She asked once we finished our lunch. My heart skipped a beat.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" I asked her already bright eyes glowed as she nodded. I immediately leapt from my seat and took her in my arms, laughing joyously. She was pregnant! She was happy and realizing her dream! Constance wrapped her arms around me as she laughed as well. For the second time in my life I felt joy filling me. I was going to be a father. My heart pounded in my chest as I pulled back and kissed her.

I pulled away from her again and practically lifted her in my arms. She was the to-be mother of my child, our child.

"We have to share the news. Have you written to your family? Have you told anyone else?" I asked her. She shook her head, her curls bouncing.

"Okay, so, while I get the carriage set you start on a letter to Connor. I'll come get you." I continued, Constance giggled and disappeared down the hall. I couldn't stop smiling. I paused as I was at the door. I was in work clothes. I should at least change.

Constance POV

He was so happy! I was too! I was going to be a mother! And to Erik's child! I could hardly control my hand shaking as I wrote Connor to give him and the family the news. My brothers were going to be uncles and Claire would be an aunt! I nearly squealed as I pressed my hand to my still flat stomach, but I didn't care. I was having a child! I smiled broader.

"Constance." I heard my husband. I looked over my shoulder at him. He was still beaming. Thinking back I realized just how much change, the man had experienced. He went from being a hermit to a father-to-be in a little over a year. I went to him and kissed him. Erik happily replied. He took my hand and led me out of the house.

"We'll stop by the Opera House and tell Christine and the others and if we are still there, we'll take them all out for celebration. Does that sound fine with you?" Erik asked me. I smiled as I watched him climb into the carriage.

"Of course, my dear husband." I told him. I loved saying that even now. I loved him so much, getting married to him only made my love stronger to an unexpected extent. I watched as he gently called to the horse. Ella started trotting in the direction of the big city.

Christine

I stood on the stairs with Meg; we had just stopped as we saw Erik and Constance ride around the corner. I smiled. Seeing my teacher and my very close friend contently married was one of the best things I had seen. I always wondered what had made Constance chase after him. Not that there was a thing wrong with him. I just remembered the way that Constance had told me that she and Erik had met.

Their carriage pulled to a stop, Constance nearly leapt out; Erik grabbed her lower arm, causing the Irish lady to stop. She looked at him. Her eyes bright as she looked over her shoulder at him. Erik gave her a low warning consisting of the word 'careful' and that was about all I had heard. Constance proceeded to roll her eyes in her sass but she obeyed and left the carriage in a calmer manner and rounded the front of the carriage. As I met her on the bottom step Constance embraced me tightly. She delivered the news very subtly.

"I'm pregnant; Christine, Erik and I are going to be parents!" She told me as she hugged me, the squeal that leapt in my throat was impossible to keep from passing my lips.

"Oh my goodness you are! You're having a child!" I nearly yelled as I pulled away from her. Constance beamed her eyes glowing. Erik's very passive pride was very easy to see. Meg then embraced Constance as well. I went to Erik and grabbed his arm, walking him a foot or two away from Constance and Meg.

"Are you worried?" I asked him, he gave his wife a glance.

"A little bit. If my child is deformed I know she would never treat them as my mother did me. But I can never trust them with society. I don't know what I will do. But I am praying that we won't have to shelter them. I know that would upset Constance." He told me. I nodded. It was good that he was hopeful for the baby.

"Did you hear about Raoul?" Erik asked. I nodded. It was so unfortunate. I knew why he had changed; Constance had given me a very good explanation. But why would Raoul surround himself with people like that? Sometimes I wanted to ask her, but she had put Raoul in her past, and I knew she preferred to keep him there. Erik and I returned to Meg and Constance, from there the two vanished into the Opera House after Erik informed Meg and I that they were going to go share the news with Madame Giry.

Constance

I happily followed Erik into the building and to Madame Giry's private quarters. We took our time a little, chatting with a few people who were friendly enough to say hello and make idle conversation but not important enough to tell our news.

Once we reached Madame Giry's quarters, Erik knocked then kissed me on the temple.

"I love you." He told me. I smiled.

"I love you, too." I replied. I loved his little random acts of affection. Madame Giry opened the door, a small smile on her face.

"Erik, Constance; how are you two?" She asked, allowing us into the room. We sat down on the divan as Madame Giry took a seat in the chair.

"We actually couldn't be better, Antoinette. We're going to be parents, Constance is with child." Erik said. Madame Giry smiled broadly.

"That is fantastic Erik!" She told him. I never really understood the relationship between Madame Giry and my husband. He spoke a bit more formally with Madame Giry than with other people, even in a formal situation. Was Erik only telling Madame Giry because she was the one who brought him to the Opera House? I didn't know. The two chatted about plans as I remained in my mind. I never really spoke to Madame Giry but once, when I sprained my hand. She was kind enough, but I felt nervous speaking to her for some reason. I did with everyone who was higher up than me. Soon the two finished chatting and we were making our way out to dinner with our friends.