Erik's POV

"….See," Gustave said as we sat at the piano. "I can pway…"

"That you can…Amazing, boy. You learn quickly."

The child couldn't play full scores, but he had picked up how to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb." It would have taken a regular child his age weeks to be able to play it, but this boy was playing with less than twenty minutes of practice. He was like me in so many ways…He learned quickly, just like me, and the way he played was like watching myself.

"All right," I said, lifting the boy up from the bench. "Time for a bath..."

"I don't want a bath."

"Oh well…"

I began to fill up the copper tub, while pulling off the boy's shirt. I was just placing him into the tub when I noticed the small mark on his chest…It was a birthmark, one that was small and shaped like a half a heart. It was right below his bottom rib on the left side of his chest…It was strange, because I had the same mark in the same place.

"What's that?" I questioned, pointing to the small mark.

"Oh, mama says that it's my booty mark."

"Beauty mark?"

"Yes…She said that we get them from God."

This was all too strange… The child played the piano like me and had the same birthmark that I had. This couldn't be my son, it just couldn't be. But his eyes…Oh, his eyes were the same color as my own. When I looked into his eyes, I saw myself starring back at me. It was so strange, strange and yet so beautiful.

"Mister E, are you awwight?"

"Come now," I lifted his wet body from the tub. "It's time for bed."

I dressed the child in one of my shirts and placed him down into bed. I wanted to know so badly if this boy was my own, and yet, the suspense was killing me. He might have looked like Christine, but he was indeed me. Maybe I was just seeing things was all…He couldn't possibly be my son. I had only made love to Christine one time…Just one time. My head hurt as I tried to think about the truth, which was why I covered the child up and rose to my feet.

"Get some rest, Gustave. In the morning, we'll go and see your mother."

After turning out the lights, I fastened my cloak and headed out into the night. I needed to check on Christine to be sure that she was all right. The hospital was quiet at such a late hour, and the hallways were deserted. I slipped past the front desk and into the hall where Christine's room was. My angel was lying in that hospital bed, her head wrapped in bandages and breathing heavily…I approached her bedside and took a seat, interlacing her hand with my own. Oh, I hoped they caught that bastard! I hoped that the police shot him down…Raoul didn't deserve Christine in his life and he would never have her again. I squeezed Christine's hand, only to feel a light squeeze back. I gasped in excitement as she opened her eyes just enough to see me.

"Christine…"

"Erik…W…What are you doing here?"

"You were hurt. I couldn't leave you, Christine. I came to check on you, to see how you were doing?"

"My head hurts…a lot."

"That is to be expected. Christine, was it Raoul who did this to you?"

"Y…Yes… I…I told him that he needed to treat me better if he wanted to be married to me. He beat me…He…He treated me horribly. I…I never want to see him again. I'm frightened."

I brushed a lock of hair out of Christine's face and smiled.

"Christine, he is never going to hurt you again, do you hear me? You don't have to return to him…The police are out searching for him now and when they find him, I will make sure that they lock him up. Oh, look at you, you poor, poor angel. No one should ever have hit such a divine creature such as yourself. Never again, Christine."

I took a seat beside her, only to feel her body snuggling itself closer to my own. I never felt this in my entire life, this warm, yet beautiful and wonderful feeling. I loved it, and I never wanted it to end.

"Rest now, mon ange…" I said. "You just rest up. I'll take care of Gustave until you're out of here."

"W…What then?" she asked. "What will Gustave and I do after I am released? I…I don't want to return to that apartment."

"Don't worry about that. We'll talk about those things later…Just sleep, Christine…Just sleep."

I waited until Christine was asleep again before rising and heading back to my home. I didn't want to leave Gustave for too long, for if the boy woke and found me gone, there was no telling what he would do…Wander off? I wouldn't doubt it… The child was known for committing such disappearing acts. I wasn't sure if this boy was my son, but until I found out the truth, I wouldn't let any harm come his way. When I arrived back home, I checked my room to find the child still fast asleep. Feeling a sense of relief, I headed downstairs and filled up my copper tub with hot water. A hot bath soothed my aches and pains, and soon, the warm water had lulled me to sleep. I leaned my head back against the tub and sunk deeper into the water, my eyes becoming heavier as each moment passed. When I could no longer keep my eyes open, I closed them and found myself sleeping.

There weren't too many times when I could actually sleep peacefully, but tonight, I was utterly exhausted. I guess caring for a boy had made me that way…I woke again, when I heard a knock at the door. I gasped and sat up, the once warm water now ice cold against my flesh…How long had I slept? I wasn't sure, but I jumped out of the tub and threw on my robe, fumbling with its opening as I headed to the door.

When I pulled it open, Nadir came walking in, his eyes landing on my robe.

"Just getting up?"

"Yes, you could say that."

"And you're soaking wet…"

I opened my mouth to answer him, but the man was already answering for me.

"You fell asleep in the tub again, didn't you?"

"What is it to you? Damn it, Nadir, why are you here?"

"I came to tell you that Christine's husband is nowhere to be found. Overnight, the police searched high and low and have come up with absolutely nothing. I'm sorry to tell you this, Erik, but I think Raoul made a run for it."

"He's not leaving the island," I assured. "He wouldn't leave without Gustave. He'll be back, and when he does return, I'll be sure to turn him in myself."

I plopped down in the chair that was placed beside my desk and ran my fingers through my thin wisps of graying hair.

"How is she doing?"

"I paid a visit to her last evening…She's awake, but has been falling in and out of consciousness. Oh, Nadir, what am I to do now? How am I to care for her and this boy?"

"You worry too much, Erik. I'd come to the hospital today to visit Christine, but I'm afraid I have work until late tonight. People's fortunes aren't going to be read on their own, you know?"

"Wonderful," I sarcastically replied. "Can Marisha watch Gustave today? Or do I have to bring him to work with me again…That went really well, you know? Thanks for asking me about that."

"And now you're being cruel. I'm sorry, Erik that Marisha couldn't watch Gustave yesterday."

"He nearly got me fired from my job. I have work tonight and I would really appreciate it if Marisha could watch over him until my shift is over…."

"I don't see why not. I'm on my way to work now, but I will let her know that you'll be bringing Gustave by."

"Thank you…"

A few moments after Nadir left, I was met with Gustave. He was standing in the doorway of my bedroom, his hair disheveled and seeming as though he had just woken up.

"Is mama here?"

"No," I said, draining the tub. "She's still in the hospital. What made you think that she was here?"

"I heard you talking to someone…"

"It was only Nadir. We're going to get dressed and go visit your mother…Does that seem all right with you?"

When Gustave nodded, I climbed the stairs and entered my bedroom.

"Are we going to eat breakfast too? I'm weawwy hungwy…"

"We'll stop at the bakery on our way to visit your mother. All right?"

"Yes, Mister E…"

For a while, I stood there watching the boy attempt to dress himself. He struggled with his shirt and then, he even tripped while trying to dress himself in his shorts.

"Gustave, here…"

I reached out and pulled up his shorts.

"Like this…There you are."

"And what about my shirt?"

After adjusting his shirt for him, I bent down and began to tie his shoes for him.

"Thank you, Mister E…I…I don't know how to tie my shoes."

I took the laces in hand and recited a small poem to him as I made the knot.

"This is how I learned to tie my shoes," I began. "The dragon goes under the bridge, through the loop and into the castle."

When his one shoe was tied, the boy smiled and reached out for his other shoe.

"The dwagon goes…."

"Under the bridge," I said, taking his hands into my own and looping the laces.

"Through the woop…"

"And into the castle…There, all done."

"Can I wide on your shoulders, Mister E?"

"I…I don't think it's such a great idea, Gustave…I have a hard time walking as it is. If I tripped and fell, I would never forgive myself. I'll tell you what, I'll let you hold my hand while we walk?"

"Awwight…"

When my cloak was on, I grabbed his small hand and headed out into the brisk morning light.

"It's weawwy getting cold, Mister E…"

"Indeed. I wouldn't be surprised if we see snow by Halloween. There are only two more weeks of the summer season left. After that, Luna Park will be closing down and the crowds will be sailing out of here until spring."

"Will we be sailing?"

"No, we live here. Tourists are the ones who leave, Gustave."

"Mama and me just got here in the spring. I never spent the winter here…"

"And I'm sure we will find plenty of things to do to keep ourselves occupied. Ah, here we are."

I held the door open to the bakery and let the child pass. Once inside, I lifted him up onto the counter and pointed to the sign that was hanging above the register.

"There are lots of things to eat here…They have doughnuts, sticky buns, muffins. So, what will you be having today?"

The child paused and gazed at the sign. I knew he couldn't read it, but I knew he was attempting to do just that.

"Well, when mama and I come here, I usually get a raisin sticky bun…Can I get that?"

My heart stopped within my chest, for the boy not only chose a raisin sticky bun, but he had chosen my favorite pastry…How was it that he and I were so alike?

"You like raisin sticky buns?" I questioned.

He nodded. "Yes, they are my favorite, Mister E…"

"All right then, raisin it is…"

I ordered our breakfast and sat down at a secluded booth with the boy…It was time to see how alike we really were, starting with a game that would compare our likes and dislikes…I could only hope that this wasn't just a coincidence.

Getting closer...haha. Almost phans! The wait will be worth it. Thanks again! Please review...