A/N: Sorry that it's been a while since I last updated. My internet hasn't been working so well lately. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far!

Raoul was unprepared for the sight that awaited him when he stepped from his carriage. The summer home he so fondly remembered had drastically changed. It had not stood well against the elements; the bricks were crumbling and the roof was in obvious need of repair. Raoul shifted Christophe in his arms and approached a middle-aged man shearing sheep at the back of the house.

"How may I be of service, Monsieur de Chagny?" the man asked as Raoul drew near.

"How did you know who I was?" Raoul questioned with a perplexed look.

"I recognize the crest on your carriage. Comte Phillipe visited us many times while we made arrangements to buy this house," he said, gesturing to the building behind him.

"I see. I was not aware that my brother had sold the house. I'm very sorry to have disturbed you," Raoul said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"And who is this?" the man asked, lowering his face to meet Christophe's eyes.

"This is my son, Christophe," Raoul answered, bouncing the child in his arms.

"Is his mother with you?"

"We…recently lost her," Raoul replied, tears clinging to the corners of his eyes.

"I'm very sorry," the man said, lifting his eyes to look at Raoul. "Listen," he began, scratching his beard, "If you don't mind a little noise, you and your son are welcome to stay here."

"I really couldn't impose."

"It's no imposition. My wife and I don't get too many visitors out here, let alone someone as distinguished as yourself."

"I hardly think myself distinguished. But if you really wouldn't mind having us, we won't stay too long," Raoul said, his eyes shining.

"My wife will show you to a room and my son can help bring your things in, Monsieur de Chagny."

"Raoul, please," Raoul said, extending his free hand.

"Olivier," the man replied, firmly shaking Raoul's hand. He led Raoul to the front of the house, where he called for his wife and son. "Amie, Laurent, this is Raoul de Changy and his son Christophe. They will be staying with us for a time. Please help them with their things."

Amie nodded dutifully and led Raoul to the room at the end of the hall, his old room. All of his furnishings were gone now, replaced with a just bed and a simple armoire. The blue paint he had chosen to match the sea was now a dingy green. Despite the changes that the home had undergone, everything still felt the same. Raoul opened the small window and took a deep breath of the salty air. The sun hung low in the sky, casting shadows around the room. Raoul placed Christophe on the wooden floor and sat down in front of him.

As Christophe wrapped his tiny hand around Raoul's finger, Raoul began to speak softly. "Well my love, this is where it all began. This is where I fell in love with your mother for the first time. Even as a child, she had an irresistible charm. I suppose from the very day that I first saw her, she had a power over me. Why else would I be so foolish to run into a raging sea after a scarf?" Raoul chuckled at the memory. "I thought about her constantly from the moment we parted." Raoul drew his son into his arms. "When we met again, we were no longer care-free children, but awkward teenagers. Things were much simpler for us then. If I had known then where life would lead us, I would have taken her in my arms and never let her go," Raoul choked back the sobs that hung in his throat. "The truth is, I don't know what we are going to do. I'm lost without her."

Raoul looked up when he heard a soft knock at the door. "Monsieur de Chagny, would you like some supper?" Amie asked.

"No, thank you. I think we'll just turn in for the night. It's been a long journey."

"I'm sure it has. Goodnight monsieur," she replied as she shut the door behind her.

Raoul lifted Christophe from the floor and laid him down on the bed to change him into his night clothes. Raoul scooped Christophe up into his arms once more and sat down with him on the bed. Raoul gently bounced him until his eyes closed. Raoul rubbed his son's back and felt his heart beat against his chest. He spoke in a sad whisper, "Your mother said something to me once that I shall never forget. It was during our honeymoon in Spain. We were having a picnic on the southern coast and she was leaning her head against me, just the way you are now. She looked up at me, smiling, and placed my hand on her heart. She said, 'Do you feel it?' I wasn't sure what she meant, so she took my hand from her chest and placed it on my own. She brought her face close to mine and said, 'Now do you see? It beats to the same time as mine. It's almost as though we share the very same heart.' Even though it's broken, my heart is still beating; and as long as it does, your mother will be with us." Raoul let out a deep sigh and let sleep claim him.

The next morning Raoul was greeted with a letter. "Where did this come from?" he asked Olivier.

"A servant delivered it before you awoke," he answered, spooning food into his mouth.

Raoul recognized the seal on the back- a monogram "V". Excitedly he took the letter back to his room where Christophe still lay sleeping. He tore it open and read aloud. My dear boy, I am quite distressed that you did not send me word of your arrival at Perros. I thought we were closer than that. I will not have you staying in that house any longer. You and your son, who I am most excited to meet, will be staying here with me. I will hear no discussion on the matter. I anxiously await your arrival. Sincerely yours, Mama Valerius. "Well Christophe," he said, turning to his son's sleeping form, "it would appear that we have no choice but to leave once again."

Raoul crossed the hall back to the kitchen where Olivier and his family were still eating breakfast. Awkwardly he began to speak, "I'm very sorry to leave like this, but an old friend has requested that we stay with her while in Perros, and I'm afraid she is quite adamant."

"We understand completely, Vicomte. I hope your stay was pleasurable," Olivier said, standing to bid Raoul farewell.

"Very much so. It brought back many fond memories," Raoul replied.

"I'll help you with your things."

When the last of their possessions were packed and loaded in the carriage, Raoul returned one final time to his old room. He stood in the center of the room with his son, listening to the echoes of his childhood. He yearned to return to those days, when Christine was still with him and they lived the careless lives of children. With a sad sigh he turned to leave, but not before leaving some money of the bed for his gracious hosts.

The ride to Mama Valerius's home took Raoul past the cemetery. He didn't notice how his body trembled as he gazed upon the spot where he had first seen the ghost who haunted his sleep. Despite all the promises he had made to Christine, telling her she was safe, that she had nothing to fear from the Phantom, he could never convince himself. Even during his most peaceful and happy moments, his mind was never completely at ease.

When the carriage stopped, Raoul wrapped Christophe tightly with his blanket and stepped to the ground. He gave a soft knock at the door and was greeted by Mama Valerius's servant girl.

"Monsieur de Chagny, Madame Valerius has been expecting you," she said, stepping to the side to allow Raoul to enter.

Raoul gave her a polite nod as he passed her and strode down the hall to the old woman's room. She was in poor health, but it was masked by her strong, determined spirit. When he entered, she sat up in her bed and her wide smile caused the dimples in her chubby cheeks to appear. Raoul approached her bedside and placed a kiss on her hand.

"Oh come now, no need to be so proper. Give your old Mama a real kiss," she said, tapping her cheek with her finger.

Raoul chuckled and leaned down, his lips meeting the apple of her cheek. He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.

"May I?" Mama asked, reaching out for Chrisophe.

"Of course," he answered, passing the bundled child into her arms.

"He's beautiful. Oh my dear boy," she said with a sad sigh, "I was so distraught when I received the news about Christine."

Raoul dropped his head and Mama grasped his hand tightly. "I meant to send condolences, but I was told that you had already left for Perros. I know how much you must miss her."

"They say that it will be easier with time, but I don't see how that should ever be possible."

"I understand how you feel. I thought of Christine as my own daughter. My heart shattered when I received news of her death."

"I was hoping to have a service for her here. Nothing large, just those who were closest to her."

"That sounds lovely," she replied as she released his hand. A soft cry came from within the blanket, and grew louder.

"Shhhhh. Everything's alright dear," Mama cooed, trying to comfort the baby. "What did you name him?"

"Christine chose the name Christophe," Raoul answered, stroking the baby's cheek with his finger.

"And how old is he?"

"He will be eight months old next week."

"Well, he's simply precious. But I must ask why you would bring him with you. One would think that you would like some time alone to grieve. Surely there was someone who could provide him with adequate care."

"I could never leave him. He is all I have left of Christine, and I am all he has left of a family."