Erik.

Christine was shocked. She couldn't believe it. He was actually there.

Erik looked at Christine, his heart racing at the sight of her.

Christine.

Christine's breath caught in her throat. Neither of them said anything, for they had no idea what to say. The last time they'd seen each other, it had been awful. Finally, Erik stepped forward towards her. "Christine…" he said, his voice soft and gentle. A shiver went through Christine's spine as she heard his voice. Even the child seemed more alert after hearing his father's voice.

Erik saw the swaddled child in Christine's arms. His gaze softened and his body seemed to freeze. Christine slowly turned the baby towards Erik, adjusting her arms so he could see it's face. Erik simply melted.

This was his child. His perfect, beautiful child.

Erik went to the infant, sitting on the edge of the bed and gazing at it. Christine slowly leaned forward and placed the child in Erik's arms. He gasped a little when she did so, staring down at the baby.

He slowly cradled his son in his arms, gazing down at him.

My son…

Our son…

"He… He's perfect," Erik said, his shaky hand reaching to gently touch the child's face. The child did not recoil at his touch, which shocked Erik. He had half expected the child to scream and cry when he held it, but instead, the child was calm and quiet.

Christine smiled slightly at the two. She still had a lot of unresolved conflicts with Erik, but she let herself forget about them for a moment as she watched him hold their child for the first time. She tilted her head to the side to get a better view of Erik's face. He was smiling and his eyes were glazed over with happiness. "What is his name?" Erik asked, gently stroking the child's hair.

Christine reached her hand forward to gently touch the baby's cheek once more. "Gustave," she said gently, watching as Gustave yawned.

Erik smiled. 'After her father," he thought. The name was perfect for their little angel. Erik gently planted a kiss on Gustave's small head, then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Christine looking into his eyes. Her chocolate irises informed him that they needed to speak. Erik slowly stood and placed Gustave in the bassinet, where he dozed off almost immediately. Erik turned back to Christine.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked, sitting up a little more.

Erik stood by the bed, gently sitting on the edge of it. "I was visiting the Augustin's when a note was delivered to Abigail saying that they needed another midwife. It said that a woman was in premature labor and I just knew it was you."

"How long have you been waiting out there?" She asked. Erik ran a hand through his hair. "Since you first went into labor yesterday," he said. Christine was shocked. He waited that long? Oh God…

Christine looked down. "Why did you want to come, Erik?"

He furrowed his brows. "Because my child was being born," he said. "Plus… I've been looking for you.." Christine's eyebrows rose a little. "You have? Why? I thought you hated me."

Erik sighed. "No, I don't hate you, Christine. I wanted to find you so I could apologize to you. I was wrong, Christine. I was very, very wrong." Christine's expression changed from anger to understanding. "Christine, my dear Christine… I should have never said those things to you. I should have believed you. I'm ashamed of myself…"

Christine sighed. "It wasn't entirely your fault, Erik. I should have told you when I saw Raoul. I shouldn't have left you, I was just so upset…"

She was silenced by Erik's hands cupping her cheeks. "No. I don't blame you, so please don't blame yourself. It was my fault and I promise you, I'll do anything to make this up to you," he said. He took advantage of Christine's parted lips, claiming her mouth with his. One of his hands stayed on her cheek while the other plunged into her chocolate curls.

Christine returned the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her lips were warmed by his hot breath. His kiss was electric, waking up every inch of her body.

No. She couldn't do this.

She separated her lips from his, then looked away. Erik sighed quietly. "Christine…" He reached out and gently touched her cheek, but she did not look at him. "Erik, you know we cannot do this, pretending like nothing happened. I'm sorry, I'm just… I'm still hurt, Erik."

Erik frowned, pulling hand away. "I'm sorry, Christine. I never meant to hurt you, I just couldn't control my emotions…"

Christine slowly looked over at him. "We need to take time to fix things, Erik. We can't just jump back into our old lives, as much as I know you want to. Do you get what I'm saying?"

Erik nodded sadly. "Christine, I'd wait a million years for your love if I had to," he said.

Christine had decided it would be better for Gustave if they went home with Erik. She had stayed in the hospital for the remainder of the night, but in the morning the doctor had decided they would be okay to go home. Christine had packed up the few things she had brought to the hospital and got ready to go.

Christine had spoken to Adeline and Jane when they came to visit her and Gustave. Adeline had expressed how excited she was for Christine and Jane had wished her luck on mending her relationship with Erik.

Erik had taken Christine's things so she could carry Gustave. He warily helped them into a carriage. To his surprise, Christine didn't seem very nervous to be in a carriage. They rode across from each other all the way home. Christine never really looked at Erik; she kept all her focus on Gustave. Erik secretly wished she would look at him, but knew that she was still not very happy with him.

The carriage stopped in front of Erik's home. Christine had secretly missed the home very much and was extremely relieved when she saw the large, stone building. Erik helped her out of the carriage, gently kissing Gustave's head as they stepped out. A smile suddenly spread across Erik's face. "I have a surprise for you, Christine," he said. "Follow me."

He led her upstairs, past the bedroom. Christine was confused. "Erik, where are you—"

Her jaw dropped as he opened the door, revealing a finished, beautiful nursery. "Oh Erik…" she said in awe of the room. The walls were white and the floor was made of beautiful dark wood. There was a beautiful, white bassinet in the middle of the longest wall. There was a small chest underneath the window with music notes painted on it.

"I've been a little busy making toys for the child," Erik said, gesturing to the chest. Christine grinned and continued to examine the room. There was a soft rug under the bassinet that tickled Christine's toes as she gently laid Gustave in the bassinet. She then turned to Erik, grinning from ear to ear.

"Erik, this is all beautiful. I can't believe you did this!" She said happily. Erik smirked and reached out a hand to her. "Anything for you and the child," he said. Christine's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he took her hand. "Come now, you must be very tired and it's getting late. Why don't you get to bed?"

Christine nodded slowly and went with Erik into his bedroom. "You will find that I organized the armoire and your clothing is in order," he said before going into the bathroom. Christine padded over to the armoire and opened it. She pulled out a nightgown and quickly changed into it before Erik came out of the bathroom.

She climbed into his bed, still feeling a little weak from her labor. Erik emerged from the bathroom, holding his shirt in his hand. Christine hid a blush from him as she peeked at his bare chest. Erik made his way to the bed and climbed in beside Christine. She felt awkward sharing a bed with him, but didn't say anything about it.

Erik gently took her hand, kissing it politely. "Goodnight, Christine," he said, smiling and turning onto his back and closing his eyes. Christine turned on her side. "Goodnight," she whispered before drifting off the sleep.