"Angel of music, it is morning," Erik pushed his wife's hair away and sang softly into his wife's ear.
"No, it's not," Christine hugged her pillow tighter. "You exhausted me last night. How many times did you make me run that song?"
"I do not believe that is why you're exhausted," he kissed her cheek.
"I can feel your smile, you wicked man," She reached her hand up and caressed his cheek. "Where did that horrid book end up?"
"I believe it is still at the foot of the bed if either of us did not kick it to the floor during the night. Why do you ask? Do you want to turn the page and try one more for good measure?"
"I cannot believe you kept that in our general library!" Christine sat up, the duvet rolling down exposing her upper nude body. At the foot of the bed lay the open Kama Sutra. She retrieved it and sat it in her lap.
"It is not leaving our room now," The Phantom sat up and wrapped his arms around his wife's waist. "Are you still angry I had not shared it with you?"
She bit her lip, "I don't know. I am sore now that I discovered it."
"Oh, Christine, Christine…" He softly kissed her shoulders. "You should have told me I hurt you. I would have stopped. I am so sorry…"
The Soprano turned to face her husband, "Oh you didn't hurt me at all! We were just a little more zealous and active than usual. And my thighs haven't stretched like that since my ballet days." She kissed him lightly. "If you turn on the lamp, maybe we can find a position a little less strenuous for this morning."
The Phantom wasted no time turning on the oil lamp on his night stand and looking over his wife's shoulder as he turned pages in the book. He stopped turning and pointed at an illustration, "What about that one?"
Christine giggled, "Haven't we done that already? I mean before I discovered you had this book?"
Erik took the book from her lap, closed it and tossed it back to the foot of the bed, "In that case we do not need it." Taking his wife into his arms, he pulled her gently back onto the bed.
Christine lay bundled in their bed's covers as she watched her Angel of Music look into her vanity's mirror as he put the final adjustments on his wig and mask. He fiddled with his cufflinks before turning around and smiling, "How do I look?"
"Handsome. Respectable. Not at all like the man who just ravished me," She smiled wrapping her arms around the pillow. "That is your finest suit, right? You do not want the other students reporting to their fathers how horribly dressed you were."
"I'm sure that is the first thing they are going to report," Erik rolled his eyes.
There was a knock at the bedroom door, "Papa, can you help me with my tie?"
Christine sat up and adjusted her dressing gown so she revealed nothing. Erik opened the door and Gustave walked in, his grey uniform trousers perfect, his shirt crisp, red waistcoat exactly where it should be, his tie in hand.
"Look how handsome you, Gustave!" Christine exclaimed. "You are quite the young man!"
"I hate this stupid uniform! I didn't have to wear one with a tutor. I can't get my tie correct and if it's not I just know the other boys are going to mock me."
"I am not going to let such a thing happen! Come, Gustave I will help with your tie in your room and then I will walk with you on your first day. We need to let your mother get ready."
"Come here, Gustave," Christine stretched her arms out to her son. He ran over and gave her hug. "Have a wonderful first day at school." She covered his face in kisses, "I want to hear all about it tonight."
As the boy wiggled out of his mother's embrace flustered, she spoke to her Husband, "Erik, tell Hannah and Ada I will be down shortly. As with Charlotte; you know she will ask as soon as you leave with Gustave."
With the door closed behind the men in her life, Christine removed herself the bed. However, upon standing there was actual discomfort between her thighs. It increased with each step she took to enter the water closet.
"This cannot be good," Sitting on the edge of the tub, The Diva untied her robe and spread her legs. Using one hand spread herself, the other did not probe her womanhood long until it found her dislodged womb veil. When she removed it, her discomfort instantly vanished. She closed her eyes and sighed, shoulders sinking.
No bother dwelling; I will do what I need and then it is just waiting from there. Christine sat the womb veil down on the counter before opening the medicine cabinet. By now she had her midwife's douche recipe memorized and always had large amounts of its ingredients on hand.
Father and son walked down the busy streets people turning to look or move aside as they approached.
"You know they are looking at you, Papa," Gustave looked up at his father.
"Yes, I know. Does it bother you to be seen with me?"
"No. I just wish they wouldn't." The boy adjusted his lunch pail in his hand.
"Did it cross your thoughts that maybe some of them recognize me as Mr. Y of Phantasma? You know my park and theatre are quite popular." He smiled at his son and Gustave took his hand.
"I'm scared I'm not going to like school. I've always had a tutor; even back in Paris. Why did you and Mother decide I needed school now?"
"You are getting older, Gustave. You need enrichment beyond just book learning. Your mother and I never had such chances when we were your age. And as you can see life has not been easy for us."
"But what if I don't want to be normal? What if I want to be like you and mother?"
Erik stopped walking and Gustave almost tripped. The Phantom frowned at his son. "Did I say you have to be normal? I said you need other enrichment!" He bent down to be eye level with his son, which wasn't much. The boy had a growth spurt over the summer. "You will never be normal, Gustave. You see beauty where others see none. You hear music, fantastical melodies. You feel deeper and more passionate than any other boy your age. Why do you think Rose is so sweet on you?"
Gustave's cheeks burned as he turned his head and looked down at the ground. "Papa, please!"
"What? I know how you feel. Maybe I can talk with her father and you may take her to the park this weekend to tell her all about your week at school."
The boy's eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Yes. Now, come on. You don't want to be late to your first day."