A/N: Haha! Hi. I know no one reads these, but I am really out of my subconscious mind now. So excuse me if I write something strange.

Eleven months had flown by, leaving most of the park all soldered frames and new bars. Christine admired Erik's work from inside as Gustave sat up, babbling away. He slapped the edges of his cradle in a three-four rhythm, pretending it was a beautiful melody. When Christine turned around and watched him, he giggled happily and cooed at his mother. He attempted speaking, but only came up with ruined phrases. He would try sounding out the words, but only ended up with half of them. Christine smiled, took him out of the cradle and tried once more to teach him how to walk. A few steps was all he could do, but why Erik was home, he tried very hard.

Christine shut the door to his room and let him wander about on his hands and knees. She opened the windows to get a nice, warm breeze from outside and heard Gustave babbling right behind her. He pointed outside and bounced up and down, giggling happily, "Do you want to go outside?" He nodded, babbling away and pointing to the window, "Alright."

She tied the string of her bonnet around her neck and picked him up from the floor. She opened the door to his room and walked the few steps to the front door, her key in hand, and stepped outside. She locked the door, set the key in her pocket, and journeyed about. The docks were empty that morning and she took Gustave to the nearest dock where they played near the water. He splashed the cool, refreshing liquid around his face, giggling happily and attracting attention to few passerby's. Meg happened to be around that day when Christine and Gustave were outside and she rushed over happily, also holding onto a little someone, "Hello, Christine!"

"Meg! I haven't seen you in ages!" Christine smiled at the youngling in her arms, "Is this your little one?"

"Yes. Her name is Antoinette."

"That's after your mother, isn't it?"

"Yes," Meg laughed silently, "You should have seen all the trouble Richard went through. I almost broke his hand delivering her."

"I suppose I almost did the same to Erik," Christine stared at the little girls baby blue eyes, "How old is she?"

"Almost three months. What about Gustave?"

Christine saw Gustave almost fall and saved him before he got anymore water on his clothes, "He'll be a year old tomorrow."

"It will be his birthday already? The days go by fast."

"Too fast. Before you know it, he'll be two."

"Oh goodness," Meg shook her head, "Well, good luck today. I hope Erik gets home safe."

"Thank you," Christine watched Meg as she went down the gravel road to the opposite side of the docks. She smiled down at Gustave and asked gently, "Do you want to go see Papa?"

Gustave exclaimed with joy, bouncing up and down in her lap. Christine smiled and stood with him in her arms, journeying down the gravel path. She approached the unfinished fence that surrounded the park and walked further down in search for Erik. She found him setting up the final frame and waved to him, Gustave mocking her. Erik smiled, whispered something to Squelch, and rushed towards them. He lifted Gustave out of Christine's arms and twirled him around in the air, reveling in the sweet laughter of his child, "Has he learned how to walk yet?"

"He has tried hard for you. Maybe you can get him to walk."

"Alright," Erik gently set Gustave in her arms and backed away a bit. Christine giggled, set him on the ground and let him try. He mastered the first step, the second being wobbly, then the third being a little off-balance. He kept going, though, and surprised each of them when he made it to Erik's arms. Gustave babbled on when Erik picked him up, but he said a word that made him pause for a moment, "Christine, you have to hear this," she rushed in a little closer and gently cooed to Gustave, "Say it for Mama this time."

"P-papa!"

Christine exclaimed out of joy, caressing Gustave's cheek. He then tried to say Mama and stuttered, but said it right. She kissed his tiny nose and held him close, bouncing him in her arms. He stared at Erik, a grin sweeping his face, and whispered Papa once again. Christine smirked at the sound of his voice and felt his tiny hand envelop with that of Erik's. She looked over her shoulder to see Erik kiss his hand and he bowed gently to Gustave. He gave Christine another kiss before returning to his work.

Gustave cooed out to him and held out his hand, whisper Papa over and over again. Christine continued down the gravel path, patting his back gently to soothe him. Gustave rested his chin on her shoulder and snuggled into the crook of her neck as she opened the door. Once inside, he placed on the ground and Christine let him wander around, watching carefully. She sat on the bottom of the staircase so he wouldn't get up, but he seemed to be disinterested by everything.

Christine watched as he tried walking by himself, toddling towards his bedroom door. She was amazed when he made it inside of his room and followed him quickly to see where else he was going. He wobbled towards the door again and walked into the kitchen, looking around. She smiled and followed him there, watching as he jumped up and down. He opened his mouth and pointed to the inside, rubbing his tummy with the other hand, "You want dinner?"

He nodded, licking his lips happily as she got down two bowls. She poured some broth into a cauldron, along with ingredients such as noodles, celery, and chicken. Boiling them over a fire, she dumped a small bowl of water in to make the ingredients mix. Gustave sat patiently in front of the fire, sweating from the intense heat. When she noticed him sitting there, she picked him up and walked outside to the porch.

Together, they sat on the porch swing and watched the sun slowly disappear. Gustave pointed out to the sky and babbled away, saying his first fragment, "Pretty, Mama!"

"Yes, it is pretty," she kissed him on the forehead, hearing a small squeal coming from inside, "Come, Gustave. It's dinner time."

He smiled wide and followed her inside to the smell of fresh soup. He reached at the table, trying to get onto his seat. As soon as Christine had scooped up two bowls of soup, the door opened and Erik stepped inside. She had completely forgotten the time and rushed into the kitchen to grab a third bowl. Along with the bowl, she grabbed three spoons, one small enough for Gustave, and went back to the dining room to see Erik helping him into his chair.

She grinned, setting each bowl on the table and joining them in the delicious meal. Scooping her first spoonful, she watched as Erik taught Gustave how to pick up the spoon. He tried very hard, scooping small portions of noodles and chicken. He shoved the spoon into his mouth and chewed every bit of his food, trying to copy what Erik did. He chewed portions of his food a dabbed his chin with his napkin, trying to be like Papa. Christine watched this and laughed to herself as Gustave tried so hard to be like Erik.

After she finished her bowl of soup, she set down the spoon and watched Gustave eat more. He finished when Erik did and tried to climb out of his chair, but only worried about the ground that was too far away. Erik laughed, helping him down and watching Gustave copy his every move. Gustave pulled down his bowl and spoon, following Erik into the kitchen to wash them off. Soon, Christine joined them with her dishes and picked up Gustave so that he could sit on the counter. He, once again, tried to copy Erik and wash the dishes. Gustave ended up with water all over his shirt as he finished the job, cheering with joy.

Christine shook her head gently and lifted him off the counter, "I'll wash him, Christine. It seems like you've had a long enough day."

"But what about you? You also need to take a bath."

"I will let him come with me. He can wait while I bathe."

"Alright. There are two towels on the rack already."

"Sounds good. We will take no longer than thirty minutes," Erik took Gustave out of her hands and went into the bathroom. A few moments later, when the tub was full, she went in with her nightgown on and handed him his night-clothes, "Thank you, Christine."

"You're welcome."

Once she left, Erik finished undressing by removing his trousers and he sank into the hot water of the bathtub. Gustave waited patiently, playing with the end of the towel and having the time of his life. Erik scrubbed off the underside of his fingers and traveled all the way down to his leg, scrubbing off dirt and other particles from the day. Once he finished, he drained the water and took the towel off of the rack. Gustave watched as Erik dried himself off and combed through his thick mats of hair. He emptied the comb into the waste-bin and set it on the counter.

As he dressed, he filled a small basin with warm water and soap. Gustave bounced up and down, excited about bath time, since it was his favorite time at night. Erik took off Gustave's clothes and set him in the water, rolling up his sleeves so he could bathe him. Gustave giggled, splashing around in the water as Erik scrubbed his hair. He grabbed a nearby cup and rinsed out the shampoo, along with the soap that was all over his body. Gustave continued to giggle as he felt the water disappear from his body and the towel surround him.

Erik scrubbed him dry and gently combed out the knots in his hair, emptying the comb into the waste bin. Gustave giggled as he was slipped into a pair of trousers and a shirt. Afterwards, the basin was emptied and he laughed as the water flushed down. He watched Erik hang up the towels and he began to play with the strings of his mask. When he looked away from his face, he was in his bedroom almost ready for bed. He gave one big yawn as he was laid into the cradle, letting go of Erik's mask.

Erik gently sang to Gustave, singing a lullaby which he had sung to Christine when she was seven. The memories returned of their distant relationship as she stepped into the room. Christine listened to the lullaby and softly sang along, surprising when she remembered the lyrics. Together, they sang Gustave to sleep, "I can't believe you remember that."

"You comforted me in my time of need. How could I ever forget it?" she smiled and placed a kiss on his lips, heading to bed.

Erik watched over Gustave as he snored, thinking silently to himself about his first birthday. An entire year since Christine made love to him. He knew this was special to each of them, not just for Gustave, but for their love.