Hey everyone, thanks again for the reviews. Glad everyone is still enjoying this story. Well enjoy the chapter…..Just a reminder, I don't own Phantom...

The morning after my birthday, I awoke hoping to still be lying in Erik's arms, but sadly, I wasn't. When did I ever wake in his arms? There was only a few times I could say that I did. He was most likely down in the auditorium working on one of his symphonies or something like that. After stretching, and standing up to get dressed, I pulled off my night gown and threw it aside. Afterwards, I walked over to the mirror that was attached to the wall and glanced at myself. Oh god….. While fixing my hair, I noticed that there was something very different about my body. Yea, I had scars, but something was terribly wrong. I was a thin girl, always was and always will be, but I wasn't….not anymore. My stomach used to be so thin that my ribs used to show; but as I looked at my reflection, my ribs were no longer visible, and my once thin stomach had a small, but noticeable bump in it. It was then I knew I had to accept the truth; I was pregnant. This could have been a good thing, or bad….I was looking at it as being a good thing, because truthfully, I always wanted to have a child with Erik anyway. I couldn't hold back the truth any longer, and threw my dress over my head before running down the stairs. I was going to tell him so we could move on and be happy about this…..I was pregnant, and today, Erik was going to know. I raced down the stairs of the attic bedroom, clenching the beautiful necklace that was around my neck, the necklace Erik had given me. I was almost to his private box, when I heard him speaking to someone. I would have barged in on him, but didn't want anyone else to hear the news before him. Instead I stood there at the doorway, listening to him.

"So you asked her to marry you?" came a strong French voice. I immediately knew that it was Madam Giry, which reminded me about the letter I had promised myself to give her. She must have been pretty close to Erik's ear, because he heard her and answered.

"Yes, of course, and this time she said "Yes."

"Well this is all wonderful. When is the wedding?"

"On the eve of the new year. It shall be a masquerade wedding."

"Wonderful. It's so nice to finally see you happy, and enjoying life. I suppose you'll be having more children soon."

This interested me….this was the question I wanted to hear Erik's reaction to.

"Oh heaven's, no!" he exclaimed. "And I forbid you to ever bring up such a subject with Lauralye."

My heart seized in my chest…the damage was already done, and I couldn't stop his seed from growing inside me.

"Why? You had Gustave, why not give him a brother or sister?"

"Gustave could have come out looking like a disaster. I thank God everyday that he didn't." he growled.

"But he didn't so why not try again?"

"Believe me when I say that I've been extra careful when being intimate with Lauralye. I couldn't have prevented what happened with Christine, but I damn well will when it comes to her. I will do what ever possible to never implant my monstrous seed within her. For I know that by doing so, I would be placing her in a game of Russian roulette."

"But Gustave came out perfectly fine…"

"Do you not get the game of Russian roulette?" he growled. "Now, enough about this! I don't want another child, and I still to this day don't understand why Christine wanted to play with fire, fire that came from me!"

When I heard footsteps coming, I hid, and watched Erik storm away. Once he was gone, I took the note Meg had written from out of my pocket, and walked into Erik's box. Inside, Madam Giry was sweeping up, preparing for tonight's show. When she saw me, she smiled warmly.

"So, I heard you had a nice birthday."

"Yes, very nice." I said, fingering the letter within my fingers.

"Erik told me about it. He has great taste in women."

I tried to giggle, but couldn't. I handed the letter to Madam Giry, and saw her face recoil in confusion.

"What is this?"

"When I was in Germany, I was kidnapped and taken to an auction. I found this in my room, and thought you should have it back."

Madam Giry unfolded the letter, and silently read it, tears welling up in her eyes. When she finished, she folded the letter and placed it into her pocket.

"I have been searching for her for many years."

She then embraced me for a hug, and sobbed into my shoulder.

"Thank you, thank you…..thank you."

I left Madam Giry to grieve, and walked out of the box to find Erik standing there.

"I've been searching all over for you."

"I had to give something to Madam Giry."

His seriousness turned into a smile.

"Well then, come along."

I followed him down the snow covered streets, thinking about what to do. He said himself that he didn't want a child, and now I was pregnant. I didn't want to make him angry, I just wanted to make him the happiest man that ever lived, but how could he be happy with something he didn't want? Once we reached the gate to our home, Gustave was outside building a snowman with Madeline.

"Mother!" he cried. "Come help us."

I couldn't deny him, and found myself rolling the body with Gustave while Erik shoveled the walk way. Once the body was finished being built, I felt Madeline grab my left hand.

"That's a beautiful ring." she exclaimed. "Did Erik give it to you?"

I smiled childishly.

"Yes, last night he asked me to marry him."

"And?" her excitement seemed to grow.

"I said yes…"

She hugged me ever so tightly. Was she happy about this?

"Finally, I have a daughter. I thought this would never happen."

Gustave's face grew with confusion, and I found him tugging on my cloak.

"Mother, what's going on?"

I knelt down beside him, and smiled.

"Mr. Erik and I are getting married."

He smiled back.

"Does this mean you'll be staying with us forever?"

"Yes, it does."

"Oh mother, this is wonderful!"

"We shall have to celebrate this at dinner." said Madeline, continuing to build the snowman.

I left Gustave's side for the slightest of seconds, and began to roll a snowball within my hand. The coldness from it was numbing my fingers, but I didn't mind…. Once the snowball was a nice size, I aimed it at Erik, and threw it towards him. When it hit him, he glanced over his shoulder, giving me a displeased look. I didn't want to make him angry, so didn't bother throwing another one. Instead I turned around to walk away, and that's when I felt a snow ball hit me in the back. When I turned again, his angry expression had turned into a smile. The cold wind was beginning to make me shiver, and so I decided to go inside. Gustave was having too much fun to want to go in, so I let him stay with Madeline. Erik must have been feeling the same way, because he followed me inside as well. There was a fire roaring in the fireplace, and I hung my wet garments over it to dry. Erik repeated the motion, and took my hand and led me over to the couch. I wrapped myself up in a blanket, and watched as he pulled a leather binder of papers out and began writing.

I wanted to ask him what he was writing, but knew he wouldn't hear me. Instead I placed my hand in front of the paper he was writing on, grabbing his attention. He shooed my hand out of the way, and glanced up at me.

"I'm trying to finish my opera. Madam Giry said she needs it by next week so she can give it to the managers. She said if all goes well, it should be preformed by Christmas eve."

Erik and I were alone, making it the perfect time to tell him about the baby, but I couldn't. We had been so happy together the past couple of days, and I didn't want to ruin it. Instead, I sat there twirling my locket within my fingers.

"Is something wrong?" he asked. "You've been acting very strange this morning."

I wrapped the blanket tighter against my body, and crawled into his lap. I inhaled the strong scent of his cologne, and sighed. Yes, I might have had a few things on my mind, but being wrapped up in Erik's arms meant more to me than anything. I felt his hands embrace my shoulder, and pull me closer to him. He placed his lips at my ear, and whispered such beautiful things into it.

"Are you just excited to be getting married?" he asked.

I had been excited about it, but ever since I heard him tell Madam Giry what he did, my excitement had worn off.

"I'm scared….worried." I whispered into his ear.

He tilted his head to look me in the eyes.

"What? Why?" he asked.

"You wouldn't understand." I said. "Nor would you like it."

"How do you know? Tell me, what is that you're afraid of?"

I snuggled my head into his chest, wanting to cry. I couldn't….I couldn't do this, not now.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm saying."

Erik unlocked himself from my curled up body, and walked over to his piano.

"I must compose now. I……I haven't the time to play such games….sorry."

Beautiful music began to rise up from the keys of his piano, music that he probably couldn't hear; he was just playing the notes that he had written down. I sat there on the couch, listening to it…..if I didn't, who else was going to tell him how beautiful the melody was? I had to get my mind off this whole baby scenario. If I didn't, it was going to drive me completely mad. I began to think about our wedding, and how beautiful it would be. I knew it was going to be rather small due to the fact that I had no one but Esmeralda to invite. Erik on the other hand had his workers, Madam Giry, Madeline, Gustave, and Nadir of course. To leave Erik to his privacy, I moved myself to our bedroom to sit at his desk and concentrate. Erik's desk was full of paperwork, but I was careful not to move anything. I was thinking about our wedding so much, that I had lost track of time. Soon, I heard a knock at the door, only to turn around to see Erik standing there.

"What are you working on?" he asked.

He approached me, and bent his head down to my mouth.

"Thinking about or wedding." I said.

He kissed the side of my cheek, and smiled.

"And what a wonderful wedding it will be. You've been in here for hours….I believe you need a break. Coney Island is having an ice festival tonight. I was going to take Gustave….Madeline has offered to come as well."

"Ice festival?" I questioned.

"Yes, there is a beach walk full of ice sculptures, and ice skating on the pier. I'd like it if you joined me…"

I was getting bored with sitting at his desk. I nodded, and he took me by the hand and led me out into the hallway. He handed me my cloak and gloves, and I placed them on. Once we were outside, Gustave was sitting on a small wooden sled.

"Mother, Mr. Erik made this for me."

The sled was beautiful. It was hand carved, and painted a crimson red that shined in the lamp light.

"It didn't take me too long to make." he replied, taking the reins of the sled into his own hands.

As we walked towards the pier, Erik pulled Gustave on the sled, as Madeline walked beside me. We were one big happy family, and I was loving it. Once we made it to the beach, we noticed other children sledding from off a huge, snow covered sand dune.

"Mother, can I go too?" asked Gustave.

"What about the beach walk?" I questioned. "That's where the festival is."

I wanted to argue with Gustave, but Madeline jumped in the way.

"I'll watch him. You and Erik go ahead. Enjoy some time alone."

Erik who had no clue what was going on, bent his ear close to my mouth.

"What's going on?" he questioned.

"Gustave wants to sled. Madeline said she'd watch him so you and I can go to the beach walk."

"That child has the attention span of Cocker Spaniel."

Madeline rolled her eyes at his remark.

"Like you…" was her next reply.

"What did she say?" he questioned.

Not wanting to get into an argument, I tugged Erik along. The beach walk was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen before. There was a path along the beach, that was lined with ice sculptures of everything imaginable. Bears, tigers, winged fairies, angels, castles, and even one of the Coney Island pier. I had to admit that it was my favorite….every detail was exactly how Coney Island looked. From it's roller coaster, down to last square of Erik's Maze of mirrors. I stood there looking at it, smiling, wishing spring were back. Erik wrapped his arms around me, and placed his hands at my stomach. If only he knew there was a child, his child growing within it.

"You miss the spring." he said, placing his chin on my shoulder.

"I miss Coney Island being alive as it was…..I like the winter, but miss the action of the amusement park."

"Don't worry, my love, spring shall be here before you know it. I actually enjoy the winter."

"Why's that?" I asked, pressing a kiss to his ear.

"Lots of things…." he began. "I don't mind the snow. It gives me a break from running an amusement park, your birthday is in the winter, and most of all, our wedding shall be celebrated soon."

Erik was so excited about this wedding, but I couldn't marry him, not without him knowing the truth.

"All this thinking about the wedding has forced me into such a good mood." he began. "I say we go home, and spend the remainder of the night kissing you inch by inch."

I felt small kisses begin to make there way around my cold neck, instantly warming me up. I wanted to, but couldn't, not without telling him the truth.

"Erik…" I said, turning to face him. "There's something…."

"Mother!"

The sound of Gustave's voice coming from a short distance had stopped me. He was running straight towards me with Madeline at his side.

"We had so much fun sledding." he replied. "Come along and do it too."

"No thank you, Gustave." I said. "I don't feel like sledding tonight."

"I'm thirsty. Could we get some hot chocolate?" he asked.

"What does he want?" questioned Erik, pointing to his ear.

"Hot chocolate." I said, pressing a small kiss to his cold earlobe.

He turned to me, and embraced my cheeks.

"Wait, before Gustave came, was there something you wanted to say?"

Yes, there was, but I couldn't say it with Gustave and Madeline standing around.

"Don't worry about it." I said. "It's not important."

He paused, and stared down at me for a few moments before nodding. He then picked Gustave up lovingly, and placed him into the sled.

"Well then, let's go get something to drink."

For several moments, Erik pulled Gustave around in a circle at a fast pace. Gustave laughed and screamed playfully as Erik did so….watching the two of them made me laugh….why didn't he want another child to share these moments with. When Erik was off, pulling Gustave down the beach, I stood there beside Madeline. We were standing in front of an ice sculpture, completely alone…..if I had only known what was on her mind, I would have gone with Erik…

"Does he know?" she asked.

"Does he know what?" I questioned.

"Don't play dumb with me." she began. "You think I haven't noticed the little bump in your stomach? You're playing with fire you know…"

Oh god…..she knew. God, it was all over….

"You can hardly tell." I said. "It's not even visible without my clothes off."

"I don't need to see it. I can tell by the glowing in your face, and how sick you've been in the mornings. Does Erik know?"

I shook my head.

"I can't tell him….I heard him talking this morning, and he said he was going to make sure he never had another child. I don't want this to come between us."

"It's too late for that." she said. "What's done is done. I just pray that God have mercy on your soul."

"Why?" I asked. "Christine had Gustave, and look how handsome he is. It could be the same for my child….."

"And I don't deny you one second, but you're playing with fire when it comes to Erik."

"Please don't tell him." I begged.

"It's not my place to tell him." she said. "That is up to you."

"What should I do?" I asked. "I have time to think it out, wouldn't you think?"

"I wouldn't wait any longer." she said. "It's best just to tell him."

Moments later, Erik came back carrying a steaming cup. He handed it to me, and kissed me slightly on my cold lips.

"This should warm you up." he said.

I smiled into the chocolaty liquid, and took a sip. I glanced down at Gustave to see that his hot chocolate was already stained onto his lips.

"Well then…" replied Madeline. "Let's get on home."

Gustave began to yawn, and argue.

"I'm not tired."

"Of course you're not." I said. "You always say that to get Mr. Erik to let you stay up later."

Erik pulled the sled as I walked with him back to the house, thinking about what to say to him. By the time we reached the gate of our house, Gustave was already slumped over, asleep in the sled.

"Not tired indeed." he mumbled, picking the child up into his arms.

We walked inside our warm home, and I followed Erik to Gustave's room. I stood there in the doorway, watching as Erik acted out his fatherly instincts and began undressing the child. After removing each snow soaked garment, he would hand it to me and I piled them into my arm. Once everything was off of him, Erik slipped a night gown over his blonde haired head, and tucked him into bed. After blowing out the candle, I walked alongside Erik in the hall, carrying Gustave's soaking wet clothes.

"I'm going to get a bath." he replied. "I'd like it if you joined me in five minutes."

I froze in the hallway, thinking about what to do. I knew if I joined him, Erik would know….could I deny him? I turned around to argue, but he was already gone. Calling out for him would be no use, because he wouldn't hear me anyway. I nervously walked out to the fireplace, and hung Gustave's damp clothes over it to dry over night. Madeline was already curled up on the couch, and I was left to decide what to do…..As I reentered the hallway, I could see the doorway of our room glowing with yellow candlelight….I stopped at the door, took a deep breath, and prayed to god that I was making the right decision. I then slowly turned the doorknob, and pushed it open. As soon as I stepped inside the mirrored, candle lit room, I heard Erik's voice call out instructively.

"Lock the door."

I did as I was told, and turned around to see him standing over by the tub, his soaked poet shirt unbuttoned at his chest. My back was up against the door, my hands sweating as he began to approach me with slow erotic steps. When he was only a few feet away from me, his desire grew, and his once slow steps turned into faster ones. When his body was up against mine, his arms wrapped around my back, and his lips sank into my neck.

"I know you've been urging for this…" he gasped in-between kisses. "I've seen the look in your eyes ever since you threw that snowball at me today."

I didn't move, and stayed frozen up against the door.

"Say you want this…." he instructed, his tone breathless and deep. "Tell me how much you want me."

I did want him, but the thought about him finding out I was pregnant made me uneasy. When I didn't answer him, he placed his ear at my mouth.

"Is everything alright?" he asked. "You're not saying anything."

His teeth then sank into my neck, causing an erotic sigh to escape my lips.

"That's better." he cooed.

He kissed my neck for a few more moments, before placing his mouth over mine to indulge ourselves in a passionate kiss.

"Let's continue this in the tub." he sighed, letting me go to take off his clothes. I knew if I could get into the tub unnoticed, I could sink down into the suds, burying the image of my pregnancy from him. He turned his back towards me to remove his trousers, and that's when I had my chance. I quickly threw off my dress, and slipped into the tub before he could have the chance to see me. Once he turned around, he was no longer wearing any clothes, and the mere sight of his body turned me on. He removed his mask, and approached the tub, shivering from how cold his flesh was. Without a moment to spare, he himself slipped into the screeching hot waters.

"That's better." he sighed, letting the coldness of his body slip away.

His body was now lying on mine, and the feeling I got from it sent me right over the edge….he placed his malformed lips to my wet neck, and kissed gently into it.

"Now…" he cooed. "Where were we?"

His hands explored my body from under the water, touching me in places he knew all too well….When I didn't return the favor, he sighed into my ear.

"Touch me…"

I couldn't….I couldn't do this knowing that I had his child inside me. I couldn't go on making love to him without him knowing.

"Let me make love to you…" he groaned, feverishly kissing my mouth and neck.

I placed my hand over the scar on his head, and ran my fingers gently around his blue and purple veins that stuck out.

"I can't…" I said into his ear….

The kisses immediately stopped, and he was looking down at me, confused and hurt.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "What's the matter?"

My fingers were still placed over his scar, giving him the assumption that it was because of his hideous features.

"Is it me?" he questioned, tears welling up in his eyes. "I can put the mask on…"

"No…' I said. "It's not you….it's…"

What to do? I wasn't sure…..Madeline told me to tell him, but could I? I knew I wasn't going to be able to go on without telling him the truth, and so I did what I thought needed to be done.

"There's something you need to know." I said. "Something, I can't go on without you knowing."

He kissed my ear lovingly.

"What is it? Be honest with me…" he cooed.

And then, from the tub, I stood up slowly. I stood to my feet, and looked down at him, exposing my early pregnant stomach. And there from the tub, his eyes widened in shock. His eyes were blue, but I didn't have to see the red anger flaming within them to know that he wasn't happy…….

More to come soon! Thanks again everyone. Happy Easter!