I think a few people were confused by Erik telling Gustave that his father loved him with his entire soul. He was talking about himself, not Raoul. I will take full writer blame on that. LOL Hopefully everything written in this chapter will make sense.

I own nothing.

Riding with his family was a very enjoyable morning for Erik. He praised Christine for her success and felt it was the first of many triumphs in store for her, both in and outside the stables.

"Erik, really. It was just a few gallops." She secretly beamed at his praise, remembering how important it always was to her. She then touched her son's cheek. "How about this little one, no? Gustave, you have far surpassed your mother. Perhaps we should start taking lessons at different times, so I don't slow you down?"

Gustave grinned. "I don't mind waiting, Mother. It's nice being together like this."

Christine couldn't contain her smile and looked over at Erik. "It is, isn't it?"

Erik didn't want the moment to end but he had work to do and it needed his full attention.

"I regret that I have to leave, but I'm afraid I have some work that needs to get done."

"That's alright, Erik. I can work on my music before we meet this afternoon, and hopefully my best man has some free time for his mother for a bite to eat." She messed up Gustave's hair lovingly.

"Mother!" He jerked his head away from her but then took her hand and kissed it.

Erik looked at them both with pure love in his eyes and suddenly he felt a pang of loneliness when he thought of leaving them.

"Well, I shall leave you two then, despite my sincere wish I didn't have to." Erik touched Gustave's chin and kissed Christine's hand. He turned to leave but then stopped. "What are your plans this evening?"

Christine looked at Gustave. "Dear, are you working anywhere?" She giggled.

Gustave thought for a moment. "No, I'm free. Are we going to have another picnic?" He asked excitedly.

Erik shook his head. "Not this time. Tonight, I thought we all might enjoy an evening out. We can take in some of the performances. Would you both like that?"

Gustave practically jumped up and down. "Can we Mother? It would be so much fun! We can see Ms. Fleck and Sally and…."

"Calm down, Gustave. You will wear yourself out before tonight and then where will we be?" She smoothed his hair. "Erik, I think you have made us too attractive of an invitation to refuse."

Erik smiled as much as he could with his mask on. "Excellent. Then I shall take my leave."

"Wait!" Christine pleaded. "Gustave, can you please give Mr. Y and I a minute alone?"

Gustave nodded. "I'll go say goodbye to our friends once more."

When Gustave was no longer within earshot, she took Erik's hand.

"Thank you for this morning."

"Oh Christine, it is I that should be thanking you."

"I saw the two of you. What were you discussing?"

"He was confused about Raoul."

"Raoul?" That was clearly not the answer she was expecting.

"He said he didn't want to be a Vicomte, if it meant abandoning your family."

"Oh No…."

"I told him that his father loved him very much and he can be anything he wants to be. His father doesn't define him."

Christine saw Erik with a faraway look in his eyes, and she placed her hand on his heart. "Except I think in this case, his father does."

Erik smiled weakly at her.

"Admit it, you won't be able to keep up this up. We should plan on telling him."

"No, not yet."

"Erik, he is happy. He sees you as much more than a man without a face."

"I'm his friend. It's more than I ever could have hoped for. I can't risk it and we need to think of your future, remember?"

"Erik…."

"I must go." He looked at his pocket watch. "I'll see you this afternoon."

She simple nodded.

He was worried he had upset her. "Christine?"

"I'm fine. Go. I'll see you later."

He took her hand and kissed it once more. Then he called out to the boy. "See you tonight, Gustave. Do let me know how my employees are carrying on." He winked as he took his leave.

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Erik was acting peculiar that afternoon. He was attentive to the notes, but he seemed a bit preoccupied. Finally, Christine decided to say something.

"What's going on?"

"Hmm?"

"You seem a little off?"

"Me? What makes you say that?" He smoothed his hair.

"Alright, I know something is off. You just smoothed your hair and you do that when you think you are losing control. What are you up to?"

"Angel, really? What could I possibly be up to?"

"Erik…. Did you hear back from Meg? Is there a problem? Or did Madame Giry…."

"Christine, everything is fine. I am a little nervous for tonight, as I want to make sure you and Gustave have a good evening."

She watched him for a minute, without his mask his facial expressions were far too telling but still to her chagrin, she couldn't figure out what was up. "No, there is something else. Tell me." She crossed her arms.

"Well maybe there is one thing."

"I knew it! What is it?"

He then stood up and opened the piano bench and pulled out a box. "Open this."

"Erik!" She accepted the box and shook her head. "You didn't have to get me anything." She eyed it greedily.

"It's something for you to wear tonight and it's a little reward for all our hard work. You sounded magnificent."

She blushed. "Erik, I have only come this far because of you. It was only two weeks ago that my posture was to quote my Maestro, 'Atrocious' and you were appalled that all your training went to waste."

He rolled his eyes. "Now when I said that…."

"Ah huh…."

He just grinned and looked anxiously at the box. "Open it, please."

"In this case, I forgive you." She kissed his marred cheek.

She laid the box on the piano and opened it, pulling out a gorgeous blue gown. "Oh my God, Erik! It's magnificent."

"It will be, once you're wearing it."

She walked over to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Guess what?"

He pretended to think for a moment. "It's absolutely necessary, isn't it?"

"Right again, Maestro!"

Pressing his lips to Christine's, he never relished being right this much before.

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Gustave sat in the middle between Erik and Christine. They had just finished watching Ms. Fleck perform her acrobatic number and he cheered and cheered.

"Wasn't she wonderful, Mother?"

Christine smiled down at Gustave. "She was."

Next the boy tapped at Erik's knee. "Mr. Y, if your offer still stands about my playing during rehearsals, I would be honored to help the others."

Erik smiled. "Did you ask your mother?" He winked over at Christine, who already knew what was going on.

Gustave looked quickly at her. "I'm sorry, Mother. With all the excitement, I forgot to ask you. Mr. Y…."

"Shh, Gustave. The next act is coming on. We'll discuss it later."

"But…."

Christine pretended to look stern at her son and placed a finger to her lips, so he would be quiet, all the while giving Erik a knowing look.

This must be a dream. Could it really be this easy with him? She smiled secretly to herself. Christine had always felt as if she was the sole parent. It never occurred to her how much Erik was right when he said that raising a child should be a partnership in a marriage. She had missed so much, they both had, but no one more than Gustave. She was determined to make things right for him.

Sally did a fine job performing in her Vaudeville act. Her dancing was very good, and Erik had acknowledged on more than one occasion that she had a nice sound. He looked around the audience and from the cheers, he could see that she was doing more than just holding her own. He made a mental note to discuss her contract. He then applauded.

"She was good too, wasn't she Mr. Y?"

"She was, Gustave." Erik then frowned for a second.

"Erik? Are you alright?"

"Yes, I suppose I miss seeing Meg perform. She was good too. Different. I am only now realizing that I never told her."

Christine gave him a weak smile and squeezed his hand, as her eyes went back towards the stage. Just then she felt her hand being squeezed back and looked up.

"What is it?"

"You won't be able to watch the next act from here."

"Why not, Erik?"

"Because my dear, you are on next."