- How much gunpowder would one need to send an umbrella up in outer space?

The ominously determined and half –excited murmuring hit Erik's ear from his right, and turning his head into the direction of the voice, his glance met the figure of a ready-to experiment Noel, holding Christine's umbrella to his shoulder as a soldier would hold a gun.

- You are not allowed to blow up Mama's favorite umbrella. – Erik used his "strict father" intonation, knowing his son won't understand any other way. – If you want to try it why won't you use your own as a test object?

- Because I hate London and its climate with all the rain. Mama has more, I have only one.

- And why an umbrella? – Erik went on.

- Because Belle won't give me any of her stupid dolls. I have asked her nicely many times and I also said Nina will meet the Sun, but she won't give it to me.

- It is not nice to blow up your family's belongings. – Erik shook his finger at Noel, who obediently but grumpily put the umbrella back on its place, and walked closer to his father. – Good boy, right way to act. – He praised the boy out of routine, just as always when he was successfully saving the boy or the family from one of Noel's sudden crazy ideas. The world, or at least an umbrella, was saved again, Erik said it was good enough and called it a day. He was sure though, that Noel, just like his younger self, was going to suffer for scientific reasons, a lot, if he won't be able to save him anymore from his mind. He sometimes caught himself asking God for help, and he now understood why the few people who actually ever cared for him in his youth, were half- mad with worry upon hearing about his new inventions and the hard way to build them.

- I am still going to make up an invention which will allow people to fly to see other planets. – Noel stated with determination, with his eyes shining from pride and love for science.

- I know you are, son. – Erik nodded knowingly, and stroke the boy's hair. – If anyone is going to be successful with it, it is you.

With a huge grin all over his face, Noel turned around and ran out of the room, searching for possible helpless victims of his mastermind. Erik wondered for a few minutes that out of all of his children, it's Noel who resembles him the most mentally, emotionally and in a way, physically as well. Erik also often considered the possibility if the temporary lack of oxygen at birth which both him and his youngest living son had to suffer through, was responsible for their strange mental state and their resemblance in that matter. He could not help, but think with a doctor's mind sometimes, but as he wasn't able to help that with either himself or Noel any more, these were mostly only musings no one else was aware of.

- Look what I drew for you! – Now a paper was shoved under his nonexistent nose, so close to his eyes, it would have touched his nose if he had one. – Is it nice?

Well, Erik, if he was still his old self, would probably have told the over excited little Belle, who was eagerly jumping from foot to foot, that the drawing he received resembled nothing he could have identified, and it looked like a spider who was brutally sent to its painful death by an orange, which was also killed in action, leaving its juice flowing all over, just as if it was blood. But who can say such things to an excited child? A madman, for sure. Why to criticize art of a young child to destroy their dreams and pride?

- What a nice… horse. – Erik smiled, not being a hundred percent sure it was indeed a horse, but as Belle was in love with horses, it was a safe guess.

- Not a horse, a Unicorn. – She corrected.

- Oh, but of course, it is. Sorry dear. – He let Belle to climb up on his lap for some minutes, and explain the whole scenario the illustration was based on. She had lively imagination, for sure. She told Erik a story she made up about a baby Unicorn who was found by a farmer and kept as a horse, and when she finished, she jumped off of her Papa's lap, and happily jumped and danced away, working on her other mini play.

This child is going to become a writer, Erik thought with a smile. The stories she created were, of course, a bit of simple and childish for an old man who spent his youth reading classics of literature, but Erik wasn't annoyed or bored by Belle's stories. He enjoyed them, truly. After the horrors he had to survive it was so calming to hear a little girl telling him simple and happy stories about everything a child finds good and funny. No more torture and death but cute pink bears or unicorns.

Correcting the children's homeworks again wasn't his favorite activity nowadays. It gave him trouble to read the small letters Noel used for example, and Flo wrote such stupidities in Mathematics it sometimes gave him headaches. Or was it only the fact he would need stronger glasses by now? With a sigh he tossed the paper away, and wanted to take a break of what he had to read through, considering the possibility of maybe giving less homework to the children. They sure would appreciate that, but this was going to lead to them being released from strict teaching. He did not really want that to happen, his children were hard enough to handle without too much freedom as well.

He reached to grab a bottle when he felt a soft touch on his shoulder. He recognized the soft delicate hand, and smiled instantly, turning around to face the person he adored the most on Earth.

- You should rest a bit dear. – Christine smiled at him with compassion. – Give it to me, I proofread it for them.

- You are kind to your poor husband. – Erik massaged his forehead with a thankful expression and handed Christine a few pages he was yet to check.

- My husband is very kind to me and my all children as well. – She replied warmly, while her eyes ran through the lines of her youngest son's handwriting.

Erik absently admired his dear wife while taking a break, and he wondered how this beautiful woman was able to marry him. He could not thank his good luck enough, and was sure such a miracle can't happen twice in the world… and to this thought his eyes silently filled up with tears, thinking of poor Mahtab, and his misfortune in love. Poor child will have to suffer so much without anyone loving him back… there is no one more Christine Daaé on this Earth.

But just as he was wondering about this, the study's door flung wide open, and Mahtab happily jumped inside the room, cheerfully crying out:

- Papa! Papa, you won't guess what has happened!

- Mahtab dear, what is it? – Christine laughed out, noticing how excited Mahtab was, and she could not recall a time in the near past when the oldest child of the family was so happy about some happenings.

- Mama…

Mahtab ran to Christine and hugged her tight, kissing her cheeks in his emotional outburst, which made Christine's heart melt. When he ran to kiss Erik as well, it just moved Christine's heart the more. Mahtab, since he was in his late teens, wasn't that much of a kisser than he was in his early childhood, and especially it was a long time ago he gave a kiss to Erik. They mostly shook hands, hugged or patted each other's shoulders and sent smiles to each other, but kissing wasn't "manly", and they really acted as a father-son relationship would work. Maybe ice was going to break and Mahtab realized she was a girl for a reason?

- What makes you so happy, my precious? – Erik's voice reflected so much love Christine could have cried of emotional overflow. The scene was so touching.

- I am loved… - He cried, and slipped into soprano range without realizing. – I am loved… for myself… Papa… Bonnie loves me as a male in a female's form, and… she likes girls… and… she.. she saw… saw it… my face… Papa…

Erik wasn't able to say anything, he started crying as well, unintentionally hugging Mahtab close to himself, tightly, and in some minutes, Mahtab was sitting on his Papa's lap, just like when he was yet a toddler, and Erik was cradling him, while they were sobbing, and hugging each other in happiness and relief.

Erik stroke that deformed, tear-soaked face with his bony thumb, and he no longer felt he had to apologize to Mahtab for that face, for the mistake he had created earlier, without any harmful intent. He no longer felt guilt, remorse or pity about the lack of nose and the malformed eyes and lips. If someone is able to love Mahtab as a human being, his existence is not pointless. Maybe is it because of the attitude, really? Mahtab inherited his Mother's personality, mostly, he was emotional, meek, sociable and warm hearted, just like Christine. Maybe this is why it is easier to love him? Erik was really a spiteful and ominous little creature, as he remembered back…

Not sure if Mahtab turned out to become this kind – hearted because he really inherited better personality traits, or it was because of the fact he had a loving and supporting family, a Mother who loved him no matter what – or a combination of the two, but Erik now started to come to a conclusion his face wasn't the only problem with him, and a face like theirs doesn't always mean someone will be unloved through a lifetime.

- I am happy for you… both of you. – He said, after a long pause, kissing Mahtab's forehead.

- Do you give your blessings then? – Mahtab smiled through his tears.

- Absolutely. – He nodded. – Why should I not, my son?

After some happy crying and hugging in which Christine took part as well, Mahtab was told to invite Bonnie for lunch on Sunday so they will be able to get to know her more, and Mahtab was allowed to openly court her.

Florian, as Mahtab told him his success with love and the allowance of openly court Bonnie by his parents, made up his mind to state a huge decision at dinner.

Dinner was a special occasion at the family's life always, as it was mostly the time everyone was around, and everyone could tell what had happened to them during the day. It wasn't only about eating, it was a family event, and any important decisions were made or announced during dinner. Everyone was sitting at the table, and were eating soup, but Flo did not really touch his spoon, being lost in his thoughts and debating whether it was a good idea to tell it now or not, trying to search for the right moment to talk.

- Are you ill, my dear? Why aren't you eating? – Christine called out worriedly, noticing Flo had a full bowl of soup when everyone else finished theirs.

- No, Mama. – Flo shook his head.

- Then eat. – Erik pointed at him.

- I would like to tell you something. – Flo finally spat it out, standing up from his seat.

- What is wrong? – Erik looked up suspiciously. – You are pale. Are you sure you are feeling all right?

- Yes. – Flo nodded, and swallowed in his distress. – But it is important.

Every adult in the room was waiting motionlessly for the thing Flo wanted to say. Noel closed his eyes, waiting for the catastrophe to happen. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy match.

- Papa, I am going to get married. – Flo said suddenly.

- Oh, do not be silly. – Erik waved and shook his head with a chuckle. – I thought it was something serious.

- It is serious. – Flo's voice was dark and determined but one could notice a hint of fear in it.

- You can not. – Erik stated without giving much thought to the matter, while slicing some meat to Christine's plate. – You are yet a child. We shall talk about this issue in 5 years when you turn 21. And now the conversation is finished.

There was silence for some moments, Noel's hand was trembling and he sent a glance towards Flo to make him braver, but Flo just sat back and grabbed his spoon to eat some of the soup. He was going to need strength for the continuation of the debate.

- And when can I get married, Papa? – Belle chirped as Erik kindly but strictly gave a knife and fork in her hands.

- When your prince on a white horse arrives and saves you from a dragon. – Erik replied, half-jokingly, but Belle seemed to get content with the answer.

- Is there absolutely no way for a man to get married at the age of 16? – Flo asked again.

- No. – Erik shook his head firmly. – A BOY at the age of 16 should study and find a job for himself, and after he can marry anyone he wants at the age of 21, when he becomes a man.

- You said you were a man at the age of 14. – Flo pointed out stubbornly.

- I was supporting myself at that young age. Be thankful you do not have to as you have a family. – Erik snorted with a bit of annoyance.

- I am thankful for my family who loves and supports me no matter what. – Flo said softly, and grabbed his glass full of milk and drank it at once. All of the members of the household who were under 21, received milk to drink, the adults, save for the Daroga of course, had a glass of wine. – May I have wine too, Papa?

- No. – Erik's eyes narrowed, as he started to lose his patience, but he was trying his best not to get furious yet. – You are a child and you stay a child for years to come. No alcohol, no marriage for you for the coming five years. End of story and please stop talking nonsense.

Flo found it a wiser idea not to talk more until dinner was over. He was knocking a rhythm unintentionally on his plate by the fork, trying to ease his uneasy feelings. The thing has to be said and done. He can't pretend nothing had happened and can't turn his back at the situation now. He has to be a man now.

Erik picked up some plates on his arm to carry them to the kitchen when Flo softly addressed him, as he wanted to pass his son.

- Papa, is there really not a situation someone has to be a man? To become a man early?

- As I said, only if the circumstances are forcing you. – Erik looked at Flo with suspicion again.

- What if you HAVE TO marry someone?

- Depends. – Erik leaned closer while Christine returned to the dining room to help out her husband, and took the plates from him, and walked away, without Erik noticing he wasn't holding the plates any longer. – What are you talking about?

- If you have to marry someone because there is something going on.

- Need to or have to? – Erik leaned really close to Flo, only a few centimeters away from the boy's nose.

- Have. To. – Flo repeated, giving emphasis to each of the words.

Erik was lucky that the plates weren't in his hands any longer, as if they were, they would have sure landed on the floor in that moment. There was silence for a time. None of them spoke a word, and Erik stormed out of the dining room in a few moments as he felt if he stayed for one more second, he would beat Flo to death.

- Erik what… what on Earth? – Christine gasped as she saw the furious Erik running towards his study.

- Ask that… that DON JUAN! – Erik screamed and slammed the door shut behind himself, and locked it. – Fucking Triumphant! – He yelled from inside but after there was silence for a time.

Christine held his fist in front of her mouth in horror, and ran into the dining room to ask about the horrendous happenings and possibilities.

- Lily is the kindest girl I have met in my life. – Flo admitted as he sat beside Christine on the sofa in the master bedroom, while Christine was wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. – Mama, believe me, I am in love now. It is not just a passion.

- I understand what you feel. – Christine sniffed. – But how could you, dear? How could you be so careless?

- I don't know. – Flo admitted and lowered his head. – But now I have to marry her because she will be thought as a bad woman, while she isn't guilty. I am guilty.

- Both of you are. – Christine looked at her son with a bit of strictness in her eyes. – But now, you are right, you have to face the consequences. But what shall we do now? If you were a big enough boy to act the way you did before, now be a big boy to decide what happens to you in the future.

- I am planning to marry Lily.

- And after? – The bedroom door opened and Erik appeared in the room, still wheezing from anger, but he tried his best to stay as calm as possible. – After what? What are you going to do for a living?

- I am going to find a job.

- Without schooling. – Erik pointed at Flo accusingly. – With your pitiful Mathematical knowledge you can't even go to a shop to sell potatoes as it will take hours to count the bill. You aren't used to physical work, so you won't be needed at a construction either. And don't think you can make a living out of merely composing!

- What if I teach? – Flo asked with hope. – I could teach music…

- Maybe. – Erik sighed. – And what is with the baby? Can you support an infant? Do you know what it needs? How old is the girl?

- 15 and a half.

- I couldn't be happier. – Erik barked. – Two babies want to play responsible adults. And want to raise a baby on their own. What a sweet scenario, such a cute idea.

- Erik… - Christine softly called out, knowing stress won't do any good to Erik in his age and state of health. She was afraid he might have another seizure soon if he won't calm down a bit. – What if we helped them a bit until they can start the family on their own? Flo would still have the opportunity to study and…

- And how do you imagine that, Christine? Do we ask the baby to please only be born after Florian receives a degree? Eh?

- I thought… maybe we could adopt the baby until its parents are able to support it alone. – Christine whispered.

There was silence for some time, Flo started to hope maybe they were going through it without a bigger scandal, and thought it was easily solved and he was already planning the life they were going to lead with Lily and the baby, when Erik angrily slammed his skeletal fist against the end table at his side of the bed.

- Adopt? Well, this is a great idea, my love! Just what I need, another baby to adopt! What am I, an orphanage? I am a man in my seventies, I am tired of having babies with me constantly, how much more children I shall adopt? Aren't those TWO I already adopted, enough? Eh?

Suddenly, he knew he had said something terrible, which he shouldn't have in his outrage, but it was already too late. With a huge gasp, facing the shock both of the issue of his son and he did not watch his tongue before yelling, his brain wasn't able to handle all of these emotions and Erik fell onto the ground unconsciously.

In front of the door, the younger children, Noel, Greg and Belle, who were listening, looked questioningly at each other.

- Two? – Noel asked out loud, looking at his siblings.