The 13th August found Erik in an unexpected silence. It was broad daylight as he woke up, and everything was silent. Too silent. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't hear any noise which was totally unbelievable. It did not happen for years that he woke up to complete silence in the house. With 3 children, it was a miracle to have a moment of silence in his home.

At least Noel should have already protested for his breakfast being late. But no whining, no crying, not any sound. Mahtab and Flo weren't running around in the hallway either, still in sleepwear, playing out an entire act of some silly little opera they made up together which was always about murdering one of them. Usually this was that woke him up in the morning.

- Christine… what's the time? – He asked, still a bit of sleepily, but he did not get an answer, so he put on his glasses and looked at his pocket watch. It was half past eight. He did not remember sleeping so much in the last year or so. Noel always woke him up early. He felt that it was a huge mistake to sleep so much.

He got up from bed, hurriedly putting on his bathrobe to look around the house to find out where on Earth everyone else went.

- Christine! – He tucked his head in the kitchen as he assumed she and the children were already having breakfast, but he couldn't find anything but some leftover coffee in there. Worrying, he turned around and hurried to the children's room to check on the two older ones. Neither Mahtab, nor Florian were there. He got scared.

He ran through the whole house, up and downstairs, but not a soul other than him was left there. Just when he was about to get a heart attack and collapse onto his chair in the drawing room, he noticed a paper put on th small table in front of him. He picked it up curiously and sighed in relief upon noticing Christine's beautifully detailed cursive.

My dearest husband, Erik,

Please do not resent us because we have left before you have woken up. We have much work to do. I took all of the children with me. Please don't worry about them, they are fine and have much fun. I ask you to dress in the wedding suit you wore ten years ago, on the happiest day of my life, and meet us in front of the church Madeleine at half past one. Don't be late please, it is very important that you show up in time. I will explain everything there. Oh, and please wear your old mask, the black one.

Love with all my heart,

Christine

Erik did not understand the whole thing. They were supposed to stay home that day together, the whole family, just quietly celebrating their wedding anniversary, and the children were supposed to play the song they were working on for the past few weeks. And why to wear his old mask, when he has his human mask, and people don't even turn and give him a second look that way? What is this, again? Christine sure made another surprise.

Well, if that is the case, he should really start to prepare for that surprise and arrive in time.

With some uncomfortable feelings in his mind, he arrived in front of the Madeleine in his finest clothes and his old mask he loathed so much. He did not like surprises. He never knew what will happen in the next moment, unpredictable scenarios filled his heart with paralyzing panic he tried not to show. Only the trembling of his gloved hands gave away his worry. And the worst thing was he somehow lost his wedding ring. Damn it! He did not even know how he could lose it. He remembered it was on his finger the last night, but he noticed it was missing when he took a bath. He did not have time to search for it, as he would have been late, but the thought it was missing was bothering him to no end. What a jealousy fit he had when Christine lost hers… It could happen anytime as he lost his as well and he can't even remember how. With a deep sigh he looked around to see if Christine and the children will suddenly show up or not, but all he could see was another masked man standing not far from him.

What the Devil?

Another masked man? Why? The man wore an evening suit as well with gloves, and he wore a full face mask as well, so he could see nothing of his face. He was eyeing him suspiciously for a time, but then he caught his eyes. Those jade green eyes couldn't have been mistaken. Erik walked closer and poked his shoulder then leaned close and asked.

- What has gotten into you, Daroga? What an immature joke this may be? Should Erik take it as an insult? – He hissed.

- No. – He said simply. – I was asked to wear a mask and meet you here.

- Where is Christine? I was invited here by a letter of hers.

- She is here as well.

- And the kids?

- So they are. We should get in shortly.

- In? – Erik repeated questioningly. – Are we entering the church?

- Yes we are.

- What is going on?

Without an answer, the Daroga took Erik by the arm and gently pulled him inside. Erik wasn't able to move from being too much surprised.

In there he was surprised even more when noticing wedding decoration. The church looked like on the day of their wedding ten years before, but there was a huge difference. The few people sitting around in the benches were ALL wearing masks. There were some domino masks that allowed him to see the wearer's mouth, and there were some full face masks, like his. As he looked at the people, he recognized them though, even with mask on. In the first line, there sat his two children, Mahtab and Flo. They were dressed in the most elegant tailcoats, he did not even remember they actually HAD these clothes. Behind the children, there sat de Chagny, wearing a white domino mask. Erik could have sworn it was the same mask he wore at the Masked Ball back at the Opera. He held Noel in his arms, the baby carefully was seated on his lap, and even on that poor thing's face, was a mask, forced on him. There was also Madame Giry, with a black mask matching her black outfit, and Darius with a disgustingly decorated golden colored mask on him. Everyone is crazy here? What has happened?

But then he forgot every problem of his and every unpleasant feeling as he suddenly noticed the most beautiful woman in the world, standing next to him. She was dressed in a wedding gown that was way more beautiful than her dress she wore ten years ago. It suited her so well and showed how enchantingly perfect body she still had, even after 3 childbirths. She wore a white lace mask under her veil, it wasn't covering too much, thankfully, as he was able to see her lips as she was smiling at him, but it was enough not to make her an outsider from the masked crowd.

Yes. They had another wedding to confirm their love for each other after ten years and 3 children. A perfect wedding it was this time. They did not have any unpleasant feelings or worry in their hearts any more, and were able to enjoy the best day of their lives. Even more touching was the Wedding Mass. The choir of the Opera House performed Erik's wedding mass in the Madeleine, and each choir member wore a black domino mask. Erik couldn't see from his tears during the music lasted and he was next to his dear Christine, and he was finally able to feel her unconditional love for him. Christine heard this work of art a lot on the rehearsals in those afternoons when she left for late, but it never was so beautifully sounding before. Erik's music was powerful and charming at the same time, and it did show both happiness and some painfully bittersweet melodies that her eyes did not remain dry either.

Erik was relieved to find out that his wedding ring wasn't lost either, it was just removed from his finger while he slept, but he got it back from Mahtab during the ceremony. She carried the rings there for the couple, walking gracefully, just as a miniature adult, and she was so adorable in her tailcoat, she looked like a small prince.

Oh the kiss… the kiss was real this time. Erik was able to show his deep love and affection to his beloved Christine, even in front of others, and not just imitate a theatrical kiss, as he did ten years ago. A much more mature couple was kissing there right at that moment, not afraid to give and receive each other's love.

As it all ended, and people were congratulating them, Erik felt so much happiness he couldn't even describe. This happiness was missing from his life before, being accepted and not being an outsider. Everyone was wearing a mask. He wasn't treated as an oddity! Even his rival congratulated him, as they shook hands again and Raoul handed Noel back to Christine with a huge smile. Surprisingly, Erik did not gloat upon Raoul's missing fingers anymore and did not feel delight while receiving his congratulations. He would have laughed right in his face ten years ago if he was present at their wedding, saying "See, Chagny? The better had won!" But now, as he looked at the young man, who was only 31 years old, he was feeling sorry for him. He looked so weary, so old. Even though he smiled, his eyes did show some tiredness and his face was a bit wrinkled, especially on his forehead. He unintentionally put his hand on Raoul's shoulder and sent a knowing glance in his eyes that Raoul seemed to understand.

When everyone had left and the family remained together in front of the church, Erik whispered a soft "Thank you." In Christine's ear while gently kissing her face. It was a hard work to teach the whole Mass to the choir and the Masked Ball themed wedding was just a sweet idea of her. He knew exactly that it wasn't only for him, but also for Mahtab. She could attend at their wedding this way, without any scandal happening to the poor little one. Erik was happy to find out that Christine finally understood that covering Mahtab's face wasn't out of cruelty, but love. And so she and Erik won't have to feel awkward about wearing a mask, she organized a Masked Ball themed wedding. No one is showing their real face- however beautiful or ugly they may be.

At home, Christine was surprised to hear that Erik and the children had a surprise for her as well. Especially she was amazed by the fact that the two talkative little kids did not say a word about it earlier. They had much self-control, for sure. She admired them for that, as she did not have so much patience even at her age, and nearly spoiled all the surprise for Erik. She literally had to bite her lips not to say too much. And what a surprise it was! She was looking at her children and Erik in awe and in tears as Mahtab was playing the piano, Flo was playing the violin, she did not even knew he could do, and Erik was singing. The song itself was heartwarming, simple and cheerful, something that was clearly not written by Erik. She was so stunned to find out that her children did compose this song together with a minimal help by their father. When the performance ended, Mahtab jumped off of the piano bench and bowed her head towards her mother, and Florian held the small violin just like an experienced violinist while courtesy. Christine was clapping happily and praised the children to no end, kissing and hugging them constantly, not even being able to decide which of the children got or should get more kisses. She was crying and laughing at the same time.

- Wasn't it good, Mama? – Flo asked curiously.

- Oh, Flo… it was the most beautiful song I have ever heard. Grandpa would be so proud of you two, my sweets! Thank you!

- Ahem… - Erik cleared his throat and chuckled naughtily. – Christine… Erik does exist as well… still…

- Oh, but of course he does. – Christine rose up from squatting position, walking to Erik. – And I am the happiest of wives knowing he does.

- And may Erik ask for a kiss as well? – He teased. – Or did you run out of them?

- Well… - Christine smiled. – I might have.

- Oh that means Erik has to fill you up with them! – He grabbed her hand, kissing it gently for numerous times, then pulled her closer to himself, kissing her face endlessly.

- Oh Erik… not in front of the children! – She giggled.

- Why not? – Erik asked. – I love you! And our children should know it as well! I love you!

- I love you, Papa! – Mahtab ran to Erik and hugged his leg.

- Me too! – Flo did not want to be left out of loving, so he reached out to his parents eagerly. Erik picked him up and sat him on his arm, playfully stroking Flo's dark hair.

- I love you all.- Erik said happily. – I love you all, and you are so dear to me. No one has such a precious family as I do.

- I think so too. – Christine lay her head on Erik's shoulder. – I wish ten more years for us, my dear and sweet Erik.

- Let it be rather twenty. – He chuckled and kissed his wife's forehead with love.