Christine's POV

I was surprised when I arrived at my angel's house on Monday to find him there. After filling up a bucket with water and soap, I carried it up the stairs to his room to wash the floor. When I opened the closed door, I gasped, for I never expected to find him sitting at his desk.

"Erik," I gasped. "Forgive me, I didn't think you were home."

He pressed his eyes closed and pressed the palm of his hand against his head. It was obvious that something was wrong.

"Erik?"

"I should have gone to work today, but I couldn't… I woke with an excruciating headache. I get them so much and it stops me from being able to concentrate."

"I can make you a cup of tea…You have natural herbs in the kitchen that I could add into it."

"Thank you…"

I worked quickly at getting Erik his tea. When I came back to his room, I found him leaning over his desk as though he were in agony. I placed his tea down beside him, but he did not stir.

"Erik? Erik, are you all right?"

He lightly groaned, and I helped him sit up.

At the same time, there was a knock at the door downstairs.

"Go get the door…" he groaned. "I'll be all right."

I didn't want to leave him, but listened and hurried downstairs. After pulling the door open, I found Nadir standing there.

"Ah, Christine, is Erik home?"

I nodded. "He's not well."

Nadir's face instantly changed and he went hurrying up the stairs after telling me to stay put. I wasn't sure what was wrong with him, but a few moments later, Nadir was helping Erik down the stairs.

"I don't need to go, Persian…"

"Yes, you do…You have a terrible headache and the doctors told you that they're not healthy. You're going to the doctors."

Before leaving, Erik turned to me and handed me his cup of tea. "I'll be back in a little bit. This ignorant man is forcing me to see a doctor."

And when they were both gone, I went about my day. I cleaned the floor in Erik's room like I was supposed to do, and afterwards, I journeyed to the basement to finish the wash I had started the other day. After folding Erik's trousers, I carried them up the stairs and put them in his wardrobe. That's when I heard the front door opening.

"Erik?"

I came to the top of the stairs and spotted Nadir helping Erik up the stairs. I didn't say a word, no, I minded my own business and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes that were in the sink.

"Christine?"

When I heard Nadir's voice, I spun around to find him standing in the doorway.

"Yes?"

"The doctor instructed to feed him ice cream for dinner. I know he's going to protest, but don't let him argue. He is to have nothing but until tomorrow morning."

When Nadir left, I got together Erik's ice cream and headed up the stairs. His door was closed and I wasn't sure whether to just walk in on him or knock… That's why I decided upon knocking first. When I didn't get a reply, I walked into the dark realm and approached his bed. My angel was lying there with his shirt unbuttoned and had his eyes closed. When I placed the bowl of ice cream down on the night table, he opened his eyes just enough to see me.

"Hey," I whispered. "I brought you a bowl of ice cream."

His eyes looked towards the bowl, and then, shut again.

"I know it's not your favorite, but Nadir said the doctor recommended it."

"I'll eat it later."

"But it's so warm in here," I said. "It will melt, and when it melts, you're not going to want to eat it."

My angel took the bowl into his shaky hands and began to eat the melting ice cream. I straightened up his room while he was doing so, feeling as though I couldn't help but ask him about his time at the doctors.

"You seem exhausted," I began. "I take it that the doctor helped you with your headache?"

"You make it sound so easy," he groaned. "Going to the doctors is anything but easy."

"How so?"

"I don't go much, but when I do, the doctor always reminds me how crippled I am. Nadir insists that I keep up on my checkups, but I can't bear to go to that dreaded place."

"What did he do today?"

"He told me that my legs were not any stronger, my shaking hasn't let up in my hands and my headaches only worsen when I work too hard. Afterwards, he gave me a pill and told me to sleep it off."

When my angel placed his empty bowl aside, I approached his bed once again, only to realize that he was sweating, his open shirt soaked from the perspiration.

"Erik, I'm going to open the window and let out some of this humidity."

The window didn't give much relief from the heat, but the warm breeze that blew in did make it a little better.

"Y…Your son," he murmured. "How…How did he like Phantasma?"

"He loved it," I said as I swept the floor. "He was upset that he didn't get to see more of your magic tricks."

"So, he likes magic, does he?"

I nodded. "More than anything."

"There is a magic show in Phantasma tomorrow," Erik began. "Y…You should take him."

"I would love to, but I have work."

"You did a good job cleaning today… I'll give you tomorrow off if you agree to take your son to the magic show."

A few moments later, he handed me a ticket.

"There you are…"

"Thank you… My son will be so happy."

"Here in Phantasma, that's the point. Happiness is the point, Christine. If we made someone happy, then my job is done."

"But you're not happy."

"My happiness was lost long ago…"

My son was so excited when I came home that evening and told him about the magic show we were to see in the morning. It was even harder to get him to go to sleep that night, but when I finally got him to sleep, I smiled. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to sleep without a cup of tea, I headed down stairs and entered the kitchen.

"Another ticket, Christine…This is the second time he's given you tickets, and yet you haven't gotten Meg or myself one. What does he see in you?"

I spun around to find Madame Giry standing there in her robe.

"It's nothing," I assured. "He's just being kind to my child and me. He's kind, Madame."

"Kind? Since when is he kind? He's the man who kidnapped you from the stage and took you to his lair! He would have killed you, Christine!"

"No he wouldn't have killed me," I cried. "He's a good man, Madame. I don't care what he was in the past, for he's here now and he's a changed man."

"Changed?" Madame Giry grabbed my robe and pulled me close to her in a violent way. "Snap out of it, Christine! He is not a changed man! He just doesn't remember you! If he did, he would kidnap you from the world and hold you hostage."

"I don't think he would, Madame. Erik is a changed man, this I know."

"I want to see him, Christine. You owe me this much, especially after everything I have done for you. You will get me in to see him."

"Madame, I can't just bring you to his house. And why do you want to see him? He won't remember you. He doesn't remember anything."

"It would be interesting, Christine. You will get me in to see him, otherwise you can take your son and leave."

"Madame…He…He doesn't see anyone. He keeps to himself, I don't even think his employees see him."

"Then tell me where he goes. Tell me where I could spot him."

"I…I might see him tomorrow, but I'm not sure. He doesn't really show himself to the world."

"And there is a reason for that."

"I'm sure that reason is harmless."

"I highly doubt it."

When Madame Giry was gone, all I could think about was why she wanted to see Erik so badly? Why couldn't she just let the past just die? I didn't let it bother me too much, for I knew the next day was going to be a fun one. Like I had promised, I took my son to the magic show in Phantamsa. His eyes lit up in excitement every time the magician did a trick, and by the end of the show, my son was sad to see it end. While we were leaving, he bragged about each trick and tried telling me how the magician did each one. Even though Erik didn't know he had a son, he was a great father.

"…And when he pulled the wabbit from the hat, I thought it was the coolest twick!"

Gustave and I were sitting at a table that faced the ocean while we enjoyed a snow cone. It was the only relief from the hot sun, and we had to eat it quickly before it melted. I was eating it as clean as I possibly could, but Gustave on the other hand…he had his entire face stained in blue dye. I was just walking to the trashcan to throw away my cup, when I saw Erik walking by. He seemed extremely hot, for he was wiping the back of his sweaty neck with his handkerchief. Most people were dressed in bathing suits or shorts, but this man insisted on wearing a black suit with a cloak covering every inch of his body. I knew he was ashamed of himself…ashamed to show any part of his scarred flesh.

"Mr. Mulheim!"

Gustave saw Erik and immediately went running to him.

"Ah, did you enjoy the magic show?" he asked.

Gustave nodded. "It was the best show I ever saw. Thanks, Mister Mulheim."

"The pleasure was all mine, boy." Erik's icy blue eyes moved to face me. "And Christine… How are you?"

"Hot…"

"Yes," Erik looked towards the sun as if he were cursing it. "Well, the heat isn't one of the city's greater qualities, but I always pray for clouds."

"You're out of luck," I giggled. "There aren't any clouds today."

"Mister Mulheim, aren't you hot?" Gustave asked. "You're dressed like it's winter time."

Erik didn't say anything, and I knew why. I knew he was embarrassed by his body.

"I…I was just making my rounds around Phantasma and was headed home for some lunch. Would you care to join me? There's this new drink. They call it "Ice Tea." You make the tea like you usually do, but instead of drinking it hot, you add ice to it."

"Sounds lovely," I said, smiling at him.

"Well, we can try it together. As for your son, I have a sprinkler in the backyard that he's more than welcome to play with. The heat really is too much in the afternoon."

When I agreed, we began to walk towards the exit of Phantasma. I don't know what we would have done if Erik hadn't shown up. I knew after eating his snow cone, Gustave probably would have begged me to ride some rides or play a game with him in the arcade. It was too hot to do anything more than sit, and that's why I was glad Erik showed up. My son could play with the sprinkler and Erik and I could talk over a cup of ice tea. There was so much I wanted to say to him, so much I wanted to tell him, but I knew I would have to take things slow, for the wrong words could easily cause him pain.


An early update for all your lovely reviews! Thanks again everyone!