Chapter 12: What Hurts The Most


Erik was growing concerned for Gustave would not stop crying and yet he was refusing his bottle; Erik had tried changing him, rocking him, singing to him, even playing the piano for him but nothing seemed to sooth him,

"Antoinette!" Erik yelled as he continued to rock his wailing son; It didn't take long for Antoinette and Meg followed by Rose to come running,

"I don't know what to do... He won't stop crying and he keeps refusing his bottle" Erik explained in a panic and Antoinette took Gustave before gently attempting to feed him but still the winging infant refused. The former ballet mistress turned to Meg,

"He may just be being fussy like his father but it is still best to be safe. Go and fetch the doctor" Antoinette instructed and Meg was quick to follow her mother's instructions,

"Is he gonna be alright?" Erik asked worried as Antoinette continued to try and feed him only to know a veil,

"I'm sure everything is fine, Erik" Madame Giry assured gently and could only pray that she was right.


The doctor took a turn at trying to feed a crying Gustave but failed and he sighed thoughtfully,

"It's no use. The baby wants his mother" the doctor explained,

"So what the hell does that mean for my son?!" Erik yelled in frustration,

"It means Mister Y that your son needs breast milk. Not formula... And if he doesn't get it soon then..." the doctor explained hesitantly and Erik felt himself go numb, shaking his head,

"No... There must be something I can do... Something you can do" Erik begged,

"Well giving the circumstances with the mother not present. I could prepare a draft that will activate a woman's milk so that your son might attempt to feed" the doctor explained and Meg instantly backed away,

"Don't look at me. I do five shows daily as it is. I can't afford to skip any of them when he needs feeding" Meg reminded Erik and he could understand; Meg was saving up her wages in order to purchase a scholarship at the Manhattan School Of Performing Arts,

"... And your mother is too old..." Erik reasoned, Antoinette nodded in confirmation; He was about to turn towards Rose when she stepped forward,

"I'll do it" she volunteered,

"Rose..." Erik tried,

"If it helps Gustave then... I will take the draft" she told the doctor whom nodded and opened his bag before beginning to prepare the draft.


Rose twiddled her fingers as she waited; Listening as Gustave cried, Pleading for a mother's milk,

"Here we go" the doctor told her before offering her the medicine draft and Rose took a deep breath,

"How long will it take?" she asked,

"About 10 to 15 minuets... Best to down it in one, my dear" the doctor advised and Rose nodded before downing the draft in one.


It had been 20 minuets when Rose felt her breast grow damp,

"... It's happening..." she said shakily and Erik allowed Antoinette to take his son gently before handing him to Rose after she lowered the front of her nightgown; Erik watched nervously,

"That's it... He's drinking" Antoinette said happily and the former phantom sighed in relief before coming over to Rose's side,

"Thank you" he told her, placing his hand on her shoulder only to have her shrug off his touch and she glared up at him,

"I did this for him. Not for you" she said firmly, not being able to hold back the tear that fell down her cheek.


:O :O :O :O CAN ROSE EVER FORGIVE ERIK?! REVIEW FOR CHAPTER 13!
Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996