As winter melted into spring, Erik worked his hardest to make sure he and his wife did not lose their identity as musicians as they cared for their children. He would lock himself in the music room, pounding on the piano, followed by moments of silence as he transcribed. Some afternoons Christine would join him, her voice filling the house from roof to foundation. Other afternoons Gustave would join his father for his music lessons.

Mr. Y however started to noticed the boy's moods were different. He was in his early teens now and that bodily change from boy to man was soon to start, if hadn't already.

Gustave looked out the window his fingers on the keys and sighed. Erik shuffled the music on the piano's music stand, "What is the matter, son?"

"When is your new workshop going to be finished? I miss doing that with you. This opera can't be the only new thing you're working on for Phantasma. You're always so busy with it and Mama and before you know it'll be mating season again and I'll have another sister," He slouched on the bench and crossed his arms.

"Mating season?" The Phantom was so flabbergasted by that last statement he couldn't address his son's other feelings.

"Yes," The boy simply replied. "In my biology lessons I've been learning about mammal life cycles and…"

"No Gustave, no!" Erik exclaimed, the exposed side of his face bright red. "Humans do not have mating seasons."

"You and Mama seem to; either at the opening or closing of Phantasma."

"Well…that wasn't planned. And you were born before Phantasma existed."

"So, then you and Mama will not be having another child this year? And how come she never had one with Mr. de Chagny?"

"Gustave now is not the time for this conversation!" Erik snapped. "Now come on, let us start some scales for warm up."

The family was gathered around the breakfast table, Christine eating a great deal of scrambled egg as Matilda suckled at her breast. "Erik I will not be available today for practice; I have some errands to run."

"Why didn't you tell me last night?" Erik asked after he finished a sip of his coffee.

"I did not realize just how many of my tops were tight in the bust until this morning. I am taking them to the seamstress. I can barely fit this one. I cannot keep wearing tea dresses; especially after I've received a few calling cards. I also need to order Charlotte a new dress or two, she's growing so fast."

"Maybe it is time we get her something other than white," Erik looked lovingly at the girl as she lifted pieces of egg off her plate and put them into her mouth. "Would you like a nice spring green, Charlotte?"

"No, colors for her until she is fully toilet trained and can use a fork."

"Dada said I can have green dress. I can use fork," Charlotte picked up more egg and put it in her mouth.

"What about you, Gustave? You've seemed to have grown, your slacks are looking a little short. Do you want to come with for some measurements?"

"I get a green dress, remember, Mama!"

"Maybe another time," The boy put some butter on a piece of toast.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Matilda no longer sucked at Christine's breast; instead she grabbed at it with her little fingers. The Diva pulled the infant away and rebuttoned her top, it straining to stay that way.

"Mary gets a green dress too?" Charlotte looked at her dad

"No Charlotte," Christine looked at her older daughter as she adjusted the infant. "Mary and all her friends have plenty of dresses."

"But not green. Dada tell her not green!" She started to kick her feet through the holes in her high chair.

"Charlotte, that is enough do not upset Mama," Erik leaned over and rubbed her head. Her hair was filling in but her deformity was still fairly visible. And of course, there was the one still on her face.

Gustave pushed his chair out, "Excuse me, I'm going to go read." The boy exited the dining room fast.

A few minutes later, Mary entered the dining room, "Mrs. Y did you want me to help with Matilda until Alice arrives since you just fed her?"

Christine smiled at the nanny, "Mary, what would we do without you?" She stood and handed the woman Matilda. "Mr. Y will still be here, disciplining Charlotte if you should need anything." She looked sternly at her husband before heading out of the room.

The Soprano took a carriage out of Coney Island and into Brooklyn proper stopping first at her favorite seamstress. It was run by a couple of spinster sisters a few years older than Christine.

"It's been so long since we've seen you, Mrs. Y!" The one up front exclaimed. "How can we help you?"

"My tops," Christine sat a small carpet bag on the counter "They are tight in the bust. I wanted the seams let out so I could have just a bit more room."

"The new baby?"

Christine bashfully smiled and looked down at the floor.

"It is alright. Come on into the back and we will get you measured."

The Soprano had not mentioned the next stop to her husband. She hesitated outside the house before finally turning the doorbell. Again, she was greeted by a woman a few years older than herself. She handed the woman her calling card, "If she is available and willing to see me now, I would greatly appreciate it."

The woman smiled, "I think she will. Come in and wait a minute."

Christine waited in the hallway of the house and in a few minutes her midwife walked up the hallway.

"Christine!" the old woman exclaimed giving her an embrace. "I am so happy to see you! How are you? How is the baby?"

Christine smiled large, "We are all doing well. Do you have a more private place we can talk?"

"Of course," The elder woman led The Soprano to a small room in the back. It had a bed and right next to it a desk with several drawers where the midwife's bag sat on top. There was a door that opened right into a water closet.

"It is okay, Christine. This is my private practice room. Not all women are keen on these male doctors taking over birthing. I was surprised you had both."

"Well I was supposed to have both," Christine corrected with a chuckle. "I was relieved you got there first. I had only a midwife with Gustave back in France. However, Mr. Y insisted on a doctor with Charlotte, after seeing how they saved me from death when I was shot. I insisted on at least adding you for Matilda."

"Sit, Dear," The older lady took Christine's hands and they both sat down on the bed. "I have a feeling this isn't what you're here to discuss."

The Diva's face went crimson as she turned away. The midwife squeezed her hands, "There is no need to be embarrassed."

Christine took a deep breath and turned back, "Mr. Y and I are…very affectionate with each other. However we do not…"

"Say no more," The older woman interrupted. "I know exactly what you need." She got up and walked over to the desk and opened one of the drawers and looked into for a minute before removing a metal tin. "This is a womb veil. This one should fit you perfectly." She handed it to The Soprano, "You and Mr. Y can be 'loveable' beforehand; I actually recommend it, it will actually make inserting easier. Make sure it is capped over your womb before you become completely 'affectionate.'"

Christine opened the tin and looked at the little round rubber device, perplexed, "Do I wear this all the time after…"

"No, Dear, did you not," The midwife sat down again. "Take it out the morning after. Do not forget to wash it and you if you so desire you can douche."

Christine bit her lower lip, "What if Mr. Y and I aren't only affectionate at night? And is it possible for me to buy two?"

"You do not need two right now. When this one starts to wear out, come see me right away."

"No, not for that," Christine looked sheepish. "I would like the other one to keep in my dressing room vanity."

The elder lady chuckled, "Two affectionate performers, finding a private place in their theatre. I understand."

Mary entered the nursery and Mr. Y smiled at her, "Thank you, Mary." He then turned to Charlotte who was sitting her dolls in chairs in the dollhouse, "Darling, Miss Mary is going to play with you for a bit. I am going to play with your brother Gustave."

"Gustave, is going to play with us?"

He chuckled, "No Gustave and I are going to play. Be a good girl, remember?" He kissed her cheek before leaving the room.

Erik smiled as he walked down the hall to his son's room. What a joyous day, he is going to be so excited to see the progress on the workshop! "Gustave, come I have a surprise for you!" He knocked on the door before turning the doorknob and pushing it open.

Now The Phantom of the Opera had seen many things in his time, but he was not prepared for this. Spread open on the bed were the books his son had took from the library for reading, Gray's Anatomy and The Kama Sutra. Sitting in front of the book was Gustave, his son clearly not so little anymore. His slacks were down and his hand wrapped around his member rubbing it up and down.

"Oh my God, Father!" The boy exclaimed throwing himself down on his side facing away from his father. He tried to cover the books as he adjusted himself.

Erik closed the door instantly and headed downstairs to the library. He needed a drink and to discover what other books his son had discovered.