In the morning, Flo was in a much better mood, spending the night with Mahtab, who was a supportive older brother to him and even let him sleep in his bed, and to hug him to chase away nightmares and uncomfortable feelings he had about the situation. Strangely none of the other children considered Mahtab as a girl, and Flo did not think he was sleeping with a grown up woman, but his older brother who offered him his emotional support in this complicated scenario and a night full of chaos.

This could not have said about the adults in the house though. Christine, though she was trying to disguise her real feelings about the happenings, was silently weeping in the dawn, and Erik hated to see her tears. Well, that brat shall receive what he deserves for making his poor mother cry. Erik himself had a nasty stress indicated headache and was restlessly walking around the bed after he could not sleep any more, and when morning came he dressed up for the day without a word. He had to take care of the family, no matter what had happened, he still had younger children, and in front of them he had to act as naturally as possible. He did not know how that should happen, but with a deep sigh, he went to wake up Belle and Noel, and prepare breakfast.

Though he had to disappoint in a positive way. By the time he appeared in the salon, all of the other family members were sitting on the sofa, waiting, properly dressed and well- groomed. Other times this would take one hour longer, and not so peacefully. Not even Noel was up to anything illegal.

- Mahtab braided my hair. – Belle chirped. – He does not pull it like you do sometimes. – She pointed at Erik.

- Sorry. – He sighed. – He did a nice job, your hair looks adorable. And who picked out your outfit? – He added smiling.

- Me. – She grinned. – But Mahtab helped.

- Good children. And you, Noel?

- I woke up by myself and fed the cat.

- Did you? – Erik looked at him with surprise. – How come?

It was a real self-sacrificing act to feed M. LeChat, as he was so very old, he was only eating if someone fed him from the hand. And it took ages. Usually Christine did this task nowadays as the poor old Monsieur took a good hour to eat his breakfast. Noel, the impatient boy was willingly kneeling and feeding the cat from his hand? Unbelievable.

- I thought you will be tired after your illness. – He admitted.

Erik was wondering with a faint smile what has gotten into his youngest. Noel was never so helpful, and never before did consider his father's health. It was always Mahtab and Flo worrying about his health, Noel did not even seem to care.

- It is kind of you, but I am not ill. – Erik smiled. – I am fine.

- I am happy to hear that, but please rest more. Mahtab is preparing breakfast for us. – Noel replied in a manner of a true gentleman.

- I don't recognize you, son. Are you ill? – Erik could not help a bit of sarcasm coming to the surface, seeing the unusual behavior of Noel.

- No, thank you, I am feeling well. – Noel replied. – And I am sorry for causing you a lot of trouble earlier. I am trying to be a good boy from now.

- You are good. – Erik nodded. – On your own way. But thank you for considering the possibility of making less trouble.

Noel, still unusually of himself, walked to Erik and hugged him. Noel was never for hugs and kisses, he was always a distant little scientist, and sometimes Erik thought he will never be able to show his emotions to anyone. In a way, Noel had more trouble expressing emotions than him. Looking down on his son's face, he noticed some tears in those clear blue eyes. Tears… Noel never cried, after his infancy. He was a needy crybaby after his birth, but in his childhood he did not shed a tear.

- Please don't die yet Papa. – He whispered, audibly for only Erik and himself. – I love you. I will be good.

Seemingly Noel got scared about his stress indicated illness the night before and now he thought any bad thing they might do, will cause another one, or his death. Erik was ashamed to admit he liked that thought and did not think he ever wanted to inform Noel about the truth if it meant he will make much less trouble.

- Do not worry. – He stroke Noel's chin with his thumb, which made the boy smile. – I am not going anywhere.

Breakfast was surprisingly peaceful, Erik thanked God for it, not even Christine was crying anymore, and everyone was as obedient as it was written in the book. Flo seemed to be much relaxed as well, which fact annoyed Erik slightly. Does he think he got away with this act? He did not want to confront him though, he enjoyed the silence and good atmosphere in the family. The rest of the day passed in peace, as Erik decided he will talk to Florian when the other children have to go to bed, and Mahtab will be discretely sent out of the room while that. It will be only his and Florian's issue. A man to man conversation.

Enough of the drama in front of the whole family.

Though, something hit his ear when the children were doing their homework and he was just relaxing in front of the fireplace in his favorite armchair. The conversation he overheard was brief and almost inaudible, he only heard it because of his flawless hearing. Noel whispered at first:

- Flo… Flo… I want to ask something.

- What? – The older boy did not dare to speak louder.

- What does it feel like to be with a girl?

Silence. Erik lifted his head up like a hunter dog, not wanting to miss a word.

- Good. – Flo replied hesitantly after some more silence.

- How good? – Noel went on.

- Very… very good feeling…

No more words were spoken, but Erik already heard enough. Seems like he did not only have to talk to one of his sons, but two of them. He did not know which one is the more urgent case: the son who already caused trouble, or the son who only started to get interested in this dangerous activity? He would need to talk to him to prevent another catastrophe.

He did not have to wait too much or search for a time when he could be just the two of them with Noel though, as after they finished homework, Noel carried all of their solved papers to Erik by himself, and handed them to him.

- Here is our homework, Papa. May I help you with anything?

- It is a kind move of you that I don't have to collect them myself. – He smiled. – I don't need help, thank you, but I would like to have a conversation with you, if you had the kindness to come here, after all.

- What is wrong, Papa? – Noel sat down obediently to the chair in front of his father, and waited for the talk.

- You are getting older too. – Erik smiled. – It wasn't so long time ago when you were just a baby, and look, you are nearly a grown – up man.

Noel looked a bit older than Flo, even though he was younger by two years, Noel looked to be at least 17 years old, while he was only 14. He was tall and mature looking.

- Yes, but I don't mind it. – Noel shrugged, not knowing what that was about.

- Me neither. Only the things you all are doing when you grow up too fast. – He sighed with a hint of disappointment.

- Do you mean Florian's issue? –Noel scratched his head.

- Partly. – Erik nodded. – Tell me, my son, honestly… are you really only interested in science?

- Did you hear what I told Flo? – Noel's eyes narrowed a bit, but he wasn't angry.

- Yes. – Erik admitted. – It has no use to deny it.

- Then I tell you honestly I am interested in other issues as well, but you don't have to worry about me, as I won't meet any girls wanting to do it with me.

- You think so. – Erik shook his head. – If you are determined to do something, you will, eventually. I don't want to make the same mistake twice, and you to make your brother's mistake. If you need to do it, there is a way to… get to know it legally you know? It is better to do it safely than to have another early grandchild your poor old father has to support.

- I agree, but how can you make me sleep with someone legally and safely?

- If you are interested in the details, let me know and we are going to make it happen. There are women out there for this very purpose and they ask nothing.

- Sounds good. – Noel grinned.

- But not a word to Mama or anyone else. – Erik pointed at his son seriously. – This is a man to man conversation and only you and I should know of it. Some people find this act, you know… indecent.

- And will you come with me too?

- I accompany you so you are safe. I am a married man, you know. Only men without a wife should ever do it.

- I understand. – Noel nodded. – And I would like you to take me. I wish to try it out so I know what it is like.

- Good. – Erik nodded. – I am going to take you to them in some days. Now please tell Florian to come here. We need to talk.

Noel stood up and walked to fetch his brother, who was playing the violin to calm his troubled soul a bit. He was afraid of the scenario which was about to come. When Noel stepped in his room, he instantly knew why he was sent… He put his violin down in embarrassment, and plucked on the G string absently.

- Come on, Flo, you need to talk to him someday. You can't avoid this conversation forever.

- How can you be so mature sometimes?

- It is easier to examine the situation from the outside, me not being involved in it. – Noel shrugged. – If you go and speak to Papa right away, I will search for tomorrow's Math homework for you and solve them while you are talking and you will only have to copy it later. I know Papa writes them in a few days in advance.

- I… well, you are not obedient, but you are a good boy. – Flo sighed. – Thank you.

- I am only trying to support all of you like Papa and Mahtab does. – Noel replied. – Someone has to take care of the weaker ones.

Flo did not like it too much that his younger brother thought him weaker than he was, but the truth was Flo was indeed weaker than Noel- both emotionally and physically. He felt weak in the knees while walking, even at that moment. When he arrived to his father, he was scared to see he had his walking stick with him. Being afraid of a beating, he did not dare to walk closer. Erik noticed this, and grumpily growled at him.

- You think I am going to beat you, don't you?

- Yes. – Flo nodded.

- Would you deserve it, in your opinion? – He pointed at Flo with the stick.

- Yes. – Flo nodded with a faint whisper.

- And tell me, when was the last time I hit ANY of you, eh? Am I really that much a monster of a father you have to be so afraid of me, eh?

- No. – Flo closed his eyes. – But you are angry with me and…

- And my leg hurts, which is why I have the walking stick, if that is what bothers you. It did not come to your mind, did it?

- No.

- So you did not consider that possibility of your poor olf father being in pain, only that he wants to beat you up. You little coward. – He dragged himself to his chair and sat down, angrily kicking the stick away from him. – Now would you come closer finally? And do you think I would not be able to hit you by hand? Eh? But I won't. At first: because your unwanted child will still be born even if I hit you. It has no use. Secondly: My arms hurt too much, hitting you would cause both of us a great amount of pain. Well, come here, we have to talk.

- Yes Papa.

- Come here and sit down in front of me and look into my eyes. If you were brave enough to impregnate a ballet rat younger than you, now be brave enough to talk to your father about the shame you have caused. Be a man.

Flo brokenly sat down to the chair where Noel used to sit a little earlier, and looked at Erik, trying to be as brave as possible.

- Papa, look. I did not know… well I did not think it was possible to have a baby just once. I swear to God I only went to bed with Lily just that one time.

- Irrelevant. – Erik snorted and pointed at Flo with his skeletal finger. – Don't try to explain this to me, the problem is already here. Tell me a possible solution.

- I am going to teach music and have a degree in music… until that I am afraid, you would have to…

- To support you and your bastard, did you plan to say this?

- Don't call the child that. – Flo sighed. – It is innocent.

- Technically speaking I did not insult the child, only said the facts. And your plan to solve this issue, is laughable. And what shall happen to your little ballet rat while that? I help you, you are not allowed to marry her at all and I am not going to take her in and support her either.

- She has an aunt… she is living with her as her parents died...

- In her 80s that aunt is, I know. She can die anytime, and your ballet rat is on the streets in a blink of an eye.

- I know.

- And can you figure out something better?

- No. Can you? – Flo swallowed.

- Yes. – Erik nodded gracefully. – You, my dearest little son, are going to take a degree in the Parisian Conservatory of Music. It is going to take another five years, and by that time you are reaching adulthood and do whatever you want. You marry anyone you want to.

- But… that means I will be sent to Paris…? All alone?

- Of course not. Everyone who isn't 21 years old yet, comes back with me to Paris. I have enough of London anyway, your contract had expired, and I am not going to wait until you impregnate half of London. It is a shame, we have to avoid scandal by going back to Paris, and you shall not talk about this little incident to anyone. And in Paris, you are going to be under my full control and not going anywhere alone until you finish school and turn an adult. I had trusted you, and you ruined it.

- But… what happens to Lily and the child?

- Until you turn legally adult I send her a monthly alimony which will allow her to take good care of that child. After you grow up you may do whatever you want, but the alimony shall be paid by you once you have a regular income. I am not going to raise your child for you until it turns 21 as well. I might not be around even if I wanted to do so, but I don't want to. You may pray that I stay alive in the next five years so you are able to finish scholarship.

- But…

- No but. I have decided. You are yet a child, and as your father, and lawful guardian, I decide for you. End of the debate.

- When are we leaving? – Flo stuttered.

- The soonest possible. – Erik barked. – I am going to inform your poor mother about my decision tonight and we are going to start to prepare to go home right after. Once we finished packing everything, we are leaving.

- I… I have to tell this to Lily. May I go see her tonight?

- No. And if you try to sneak out I will lock you up in your room and not letting you out even to the bathroom, just to inform you. I don't trust you. You two might make up a plan to secretly bring the ballet rat with us, or I have no idea what your little tricky mind might work out. She is going to receive a letter by me, which will explain everything.

- But… what people will say… I mean about Lily? They will call her a … whore.

- It isn't my problem, I did not sleep with her. As your father I have to protect your name. People will say she had a nobleman "partner", just as usual. Things like these happen. All the time. Remember, I did not create this awful situation, it was YOU who did it. I am just trying to do my best to fix the things you ruined. Think about this and shame on you.

Erik knew this wasn't the best solution he could come up with, but to be honest, he only worried about Mahtab. He found his soul mate and lover to be just now in London. He will be heartbroken if they will have to part… but if he allows Bonnie to go with them, Flo might and will righteously demand the ballet rat being taken with them as well. Yet he did not want to do that. He did not even know that little whore and did not WANT to meet it. Mahtab… well he is going to meet someone else. If he was able to meet someone like this in London, he can meet someone else anywhere else as well. Not Bonnie is the only one with a taste and good heart like that!

He has to be strong and strict like a cliff. No one and nothing was going to change his mind.

The children hardly ever speak French nowadays… They will be better at home finally. He missed his house built by himself, it was left alone for years, only taken care of by the de Chagny's, and no matter how comfortable this apartment was in London, he did not feel it was his home. He always considered it as a temporary lodging until Flo has work in London. Well, he doesn't have any more.

And he did not want to die in London.