Last bit...now maybe I can finally let this thing go...

Vivienne

I made my way down the hall, following the sounds of the piano into the music room. I opened the door and paused to absorb the sight before me—my beautiful family, Erik seated before the instrument with Annelise in his lap, guiding her little hands over the keys as he taught her to play, and Rene on the floor beside them paying no mind to the music but absorbed in building a castle with wooden blocks and other tools he'd collected. I sighed. They had grown so much in four years. "All right, that's enough for now," I said, speaking over the music. "It's time for lunch."

"Just a little longer?" Annelise begged, still concentrating so hard her tiny face was flushed and glowing. Her hair had darkened from pale flax into honey gold, shining like the sun in the long braid she liked to wear it in. "Papa, can we wait for lunch?"

My heart sank. Not again...

"Surely just a few more minutes, Vivienne," he chimed in, focusing intently on our daughter's progress. He glanced up to see my face set in earnest and gave in. "Very well, chicks, you heard your mother. Go wash."

Annelise pouted slightly but otherwise left the room with good grace. Ren sighed heavily and abandoned his toys, turning to Erik and asking, "Can I come back after lunch, Papa?"

"Of course you can," he replied immediately. "Go on, get to the table." He ushered Ren into the hall and looked back at me. "Why so serious, mother hen?" he asked.

"You don't even realize what you're doing, do you?" I countered, folding my arms across my chest. "You almost undermined what I said—again—to give them what they wanted."

He still looked blank. "And?"

"They worship you, Erik. You're their best friend in the whole world."

"Well, I try," he said jokingly, smiling slightly.

"It's not funny. They run to you for everything because they know you'll give them anything they ask for. Then when they step out of line, you leave me to do the scolding and the reprimanding. I spanked Ren for climbing up the wrong side of the banister yesterday, and do you know what he said to me?"

"I can't imagine," he replied.

"'Papa lets me do it,'" I told him. "It wasn't the spanking that upset him, Erik; you know that boy has more heart than both of us put together. He actually burst into tears thinking that I must not love him as much as you do because I don't let him get away with everything like you do. And it's the same way with Annelise as well."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Vivienne," he said, brushing the information aside. "They know you're wild about them."

"Erik, you're like the fairy godfather that makes all their dreams come true, and I'm the evil witch that spoils everything! You're there for all the good times, but the instant it's time to be responsible for once you're never around! You can't leave me to do all the raising by myself!"

"Keep your voice down," he cautioned, looking past me to see where the twins were. "Don't shout like that."

"If I were shouting, you'd know it," I snapped. "I don't think you take your duty as a father seriously."

"I take it very seriously, Vivienne," he told me, fixing me with a hard stare. "Don't ever doubt that."

"Sometimes I can't help but," I shot back. "It's hard not to every time you foist the less pleasant tasks off on me, like disciplining them when they break rules set down for their own good."

"They're only children! You can't be so hard on them!"

"They need a guiding hand, Erik! They have to understand there are things they just can't do and consequences for doing them!"

"If you try to control everything they do, they'll resent it and grow to flout any and all authority, and to hell with the consequences!"

I bit back an annoyed exclamation. "How many times have I asked you not to swear in front of the children?" I demanded.

He disregarded this with a snort. "They're not even listening, and I don't swear in front of them."

In the kitchen, we heard a muffled crash and a cry. Dispute forgotten, we both raced down the hall to see what was wrong, and found Annelise on the floor along with the remains of the stew I'd made for lunch. Ren stood wide-eyed beside her, and an overturned stool sat where it had rolled several feet away.

We were both at her side in an instant. "Are you all right? You're not hurt, are you?" We looked her over to see if she'd been scalded or burned or otherwise injured.

"I'm not hurt," she said petulantly. "I was trying to taste the stew, and the damn stool fell out from under me."

I paused, staring at Erik. "And where did she learn that word?" I asked.

He avoided answering and asked her, "Haven't we told you not to go near the stove? You could have been seriously hurt!"

"I'm sorry, Papa," she said, then added, "but you let me yesterday."

My last nerve snapped. Satisfied that my daughter was unharmed, I got to my feet and said, "There it is, right there. The fairy godfather."

"Don't give me that, Vivienne," he argued. "I was right beside her to watch her the whole time yesterday."

"No, it's all right," I told him. "I'm getting quite used to it by now."

"Vivienne—"

"No! I'm tired of being the only adult in this house! Our children need a father, Erik, not just another playmate!"

"And what am I supposed to be, if not their father?" he stormed.

"You tell me," I said, my voice rising along with his. "You're certainly not much of a parent to them! This is why I say you don't take it seriously!"

"Vivienne, don't you dare insinuate I don't care for my children!"

"Then start caring for them, damn it, and don't make me do all the work!"

"My goodness," he mocked, "I wonder where Annelise learned that word!"

"Why, you—"

"Maman, please stop yelling," Annelise pleaded, tears filling her golden eyes. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

I stopped, looking down at her on the floor, her arms wrapped around Erik's neck and her face turned to me in miserable supplication. I glanced at Ren, still frozen in place and serious as if something terrible had happened. I felt ashamed of myself.

Kneeling down beside them, I drew Annelise from Erik and held her to me. She resisted at first, then buried her face in my shoulder. "I'm sorry, mon cher," I told her. "I didn't mean to yell. You just scared Maman, is all. I thought you might have hurt yourself."

"I'm fine, Maman."

"I know, sweetheart, I know." I kissed her forehead and said, "You know I love you, right?"

She nodded.

I turned to Ren, his red hair sticking out in all directions as usual and his oddly paired eyes glowing like his father's. "And you, my boy? You know I love you?"

"Yes, Maman," he replied.

I nodded, then got some cold beef from the pantry along with bread and butter. Erik and I set the twins down to eat before cleaning up the stew, and I disappeared back into the music room alone.

I sighed as I took in the instruments and the music, remembering every detail of when I first stepped into this room years ago. Things had seemed easier somehow back then, when it was just the two of us and we had our lives ahead of us. I leaned against the piano and caressed the cool wood. This was the very first place we had made love in our new home, and our heads had been so full of dreams. What had happened to us? It was like we weren't even husband and wife anymore, just parents to two rambunctious children and rarely on the same page. I couldn't even remember the last time Erik had called me "little phoenix"...

I climbed onto the piano and stretched myself out on top of it, laying my cheek against the smooth surface and closing my eyes. So much had changed...so much was gone...

There were no footsteps, but I heard the sound of someone opening one of the glass-fronted cases and the soft clatter of an instrument being removed. I didn't look up, and I didn't have to. A lone violin began to sing, clear and sweet, the music Erik had written for me. Its power was undiminished and the love that had inspired it still tasted so pure and felt so alive. And just because I couldn't see it, didn't mean that it wasn't there.

I raised my head and saw him standing there with the violin, his eyes riveted on me and full of apology and worship. We didn't exchange a word as he played, and when he reached the end of the piece he set the instrument down and came to me, gathering me into his arms and holding me to him. He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. "I'm sorry, my phoenix," he murmured. "I'm sorry."

I pressed my face into his chest and mumbled, "How did you know?"

"Know what?"

Drawing back far enough to look into his eyes, I replied, "Do you know how long it's been since you called me phoenix?"

"Too long. I haven't said it enough lately. But I promise you, I've called you little else in my thoughts, even if I didn't make it known."

I leaned against him again and said, "I'm so sorry I flew off the handle. It's just—so much has changed and I wouldn't wish any of this away for the world, but...I feel like we've lost something when I think of how we used to be. Don't you remember, Erik?"

"I remember every time I look at you," he told me. "I still have trouble breathing; I still get dizzy; I still feel the mad desire to lay down with you and lose ourselves in all the old passion until it's impossible to find ourselves again."

"The old passion?" I repeated. "Does it have to be old? We already have two children, and when you talk like that I feel like a decrepit hag."

"Oh, nonsense. What do you have to fret over, little phoenix? You'll live forever with that fire in your soul. I'm turning into an old man before your eyes."

I looked at him, seeing new lines in his face and streaks of silver in his hair. He was much older than I was, after all, and it hurt me to recall that someday I would have to live without him, just one more thing to lose forever. "Don't say that," I begged, hiding my face once more. "I love you far too much, Erik, and I don't ever want to lose you. I'll die without you."

"Don't you talk like that," he replied. "You're not going to lose me any time soon." He cupped my chin and made me look at him, letting that fiery gaze burn into me. "We haven't lost anything," he murmured. "We've gained so much more." Then he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I opened my mouth and my tongue sought his; a delighted shiver passed through me when he met me with no restraint. He broke away and whispered in my ear, "The things I want to do to you, Vivienne..."

My eyes fell shut and I drew in a breath, my body humming with longing at his words and the desire laced in his voice. "Please, mon amour," I pleaded in reply, "please show me."

He kissed my neck and I gave a tiny whimper to feel his tongue lap my skin. "I will," he vowed, "believe you me, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait, little phoenix. We've left our chicks unattended for too long as it is."

He scooped me up into his arms and carried me from the music room back into the kitchen. He set me back on my feet and gave me one last kiss that hinted at ecstasies to come before we followed the sounds of our children into the dining room.

Ren and Annelise were seated at the table, tearing into their lunch like little wolves as opposed to the chicks Erik called them. They looked up at our entrance and slid from their chairs, coming to us and clinging to my legs. "You're not upset anymore, are you, Maman?" Ren asked.

"No, darling, I'm not," I assured him, smoothing his ruffled hair.

"Can we go back to the music room now?" Annelise implored.

"Actually, why don't we all go out for a walk through the park?" Erik suggested. "It's a beautiful day, and we could all use some fresh air."

"Really?" They both showed every sign of pouting and pleading until he gave in.

"Really," he said firmly. "We can go back to the music room later."

They hesitated, then turned pitiful eyes to me and said, "Maman?"

I shook my head, trying not to smile. "You heard your father," I told them. "Come on, let's clear the table, then we'll all go outside."

Ten minutes later, Erik and I followed behind and watched them as they ran ahead, racing each other through the trees on short little legs, stopping to look under rocks and fallen limbs, and beckoning energetically to show us every beetle and wildflower. I felt a peculiar lightness in my chest, as though my heart had sailed away into the clouds, and I took off running and laughing through the trees. I heard the twins' laughter join in with mine and swift footsteps behind me and Erik caught up with me, whisking me off my feet and spinning me around and around. We fell in a heap on the grass, still laughing, and it trebled as Ren and Annelise rushed over and threw themselves down with us.

I gathered my chicks into my arms and kissed them, and Erik drew the three of us to him and kissed me. Our little family might have been more than I'd bargained for when I first hid in the Opera all those years ago, but it was all I would ever need.

Erik

I lay in bed next to her, watching her as she slept. She was stirring faintly; she would wake soon. She gave a soft sigh and opened those beautiful eyes, and she smiled when she saw me. It still amazed me after all these years, how she could wake up to me every morning and still smile as if I was the only thing on earth worthy of the honor. "Have we met before?" she asked. "I'm sure I've dreamed of you somewhere."

I ran my fingers through her hair and across her face, tracing her lips before kissing them. "What did you dream of?" I asked her.

She smiled again and said, "This."

I caressed her skin, her body warm and soft beneath my hands. She still insisted she had changed so much from the ballerina I met in the Opera cellars, but I didn't give a damn. She was still my Vivienne, my little phoenix. "Did you dream this?" I asked.

"Something like it," she replied.

"What about this?" Without waiting for permission, I gathered her night gown in my grasp and lifted it over her head. I kissed her bare shoulder and asked again, "Was this in your dream?"

"It might have been," she told me. "You're getting warmer."

I let my hand wander freely, following her curves down her waist and over her hip, coming to rest at her thigh. "And this?"

A sigh escaped her lips. "Yes, I think so." She wriggled slightly, trying to shift me elsewhere on her body, but I didn't take the bait. "Tell me what you dreamed, Vivienne."

"Do you really need me to?" she asked.

"How else will I know how to make it come true?" I countered.

She closed her eyes briefly and opened them again, holding my gaze and never once turning away as she said, "You put those clever hands of yours on my body."

"Done," I replied, reaching up to cup her breast while my other hand continued to stroke her leg. "What else?"

"I could feel your lips everywhere," she went on, "over every inch of skin."

I readily complied, letting them fall everywhere as she bid, ready to do anything to please her but only after I heard it straight from her. Her wish was my command.

I took her nipple in my mouth, hearing her sharp, sudden gasp. She twisted her fingers into my hair as I devoured her, tracing circles with the tip of my tongue, and her whimpers and cries steadily grew louder. I paused and glanced up at her, saying slyly, "I know how much you like this, my phoenix, but you mustn't get too carried away. We don't want to disturb the children."

"Then why play games with me, Erik?" she asked, her green eyes glazed over.

I bestowed another kiss on her collarbone and replied, "Because it pleases me to please you."

I took my time, moving slowly down her body and feeling her rise up to meet me. She parted her legs but I ignored the hint, asking, "What else did you dream?"

"You kept touching me," she answered, her voice trembling. "You reached inside and you brought me so high, Erik, so high..."

"Like this?" I finally gave her what she wanted, slipping my fingers into her body and moving in the way I knew would please her most. Her shiver of ecstasy was my reward, along with her breathless sigh that was the sweetest music to my ears. "How high did I bring you?" I murmured softly. "Tell me."

"Oh, God, Erik, I thought I'd never touch the ground again!" she declared ardently. Bless her, she was trying so hard to stay quiet, but she was losing the battle beneath my careful, exacting touch. I kept stroking, seeking to take her precisely that high, and she burst out, "Erik, I can't! I can't!"

"Ssh," I soothed, kissing her neck and whispering, "It's all right, little one. It's all right; don't fight it."

She reached out and pulled me down to her, pressing her lips to mine as though it was necessary to save her soul. I didn't do more than gently move my mouth against hers; she'd clenched her teeth and I could hear the cries she struggled not to release trapped in her throat. She was holding her breath, either unable to breathe or afraid to. Her body spasmed again and again. She was nearly there...

One heartbeat later, she arched her back and gave a great shuddering gasp as air rushed into her lungs and euphoria stole through her. I watched her, paralyzed by my wonder at the look of heaven on her face and the light that seemed to pour from her skin. She never looked as beautiful as she did in these pure, unguarded moments.

She fell back onto the bed with her eyes closed and a contented smile on her lips, still panting for breath. I lay beside her again and she cuddled close, burying her face against my chest. "Is that what you dreamed?" I asked, breathing deeply and inhaling her scent.

She gave a satisfied hum. "It was better than I dreamed."

I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

We lay in silence perfectly undisturbed for several minutes before the bedroom door was thrown open and two little seven-year-olds rushed inside, racing across the room to leap onto the bed. Vivienne drew the blankets up around herself and asked, "How many times have you two been told to knock before entering a room?"

"Especially this one?" I amended, stopping Ren from jumping on the bed.

"It's all right, Maman," Annelise replied. "We waited until you stopped making noise."

I had to restrain my laughter as Vivienne cringed and flushed pink with embarrassment. "It's fine, mother hen," I told her. "They don't know what they heard."

"Yes, we do," Ren chimed in. "She was having an orgas—"

I snatched him up and covered his mouth, but Vivienne was already shooting me a suspicious look. "I was having a what?" she inquired.

"Nothing," I replied. "You know, children say the strangest things sometimes—"

He wiggled free and said, "But I read it in that book in the library—"

"For God's sake, Rene, quit digging my grave!"

"What book in the library, Erik?" She paused at the sheepish look on my face and heaved an exasperated sigh. "You were supposed to have put those books in the library ages ago!"

"I was going to," I insisted, "but I came into the room last week and the little scoundrel had climbed the stepladder to the top shelf and was reading faster than I'd ever seen before!"

"Maman," he piped up, eager to share his ill-gotten knowledge, "did you know that by stimulating a woman's cli—"

"All right, enough of that," I interrupted. "You chicks run downstairs and get the table set for breakfast. Can you do that without causing any mischief?"

They nodded.

"Off with you, then. Your mother and I need to get dressed."

They scurried from the room and I heard them hustle down the stairs as I closed the door again. "Honestly, Erik, the things you teach our children," Vivienne remarked behind me.

"Don't blame me," I told her, turning back to her. "You're the one always so curious about everything. Our son owes his new knowledge to you, Madame."

She rolled her eyes and threw off the blankets, making to rise from the bed. Before she could, I crossed the room in three strides and pinned her down, pressing her body into the mattress and restraining her wrists in my hands. "You, my dear, are irresistible," I informed her. "I find it impossible to keep from putting a hole in this bed with you."

"Well, it will have to be possible," she replied, staring up at me in amusement. "We have to make that trip into the city today."

"It can wait until tomorrow," I told her, kissing her eyes and nose and nuzzling her neck.

"Our precocious chicks are downstairs alone doing who knows what," she went on.

I shrugged unaffectedly. "They won't burn the house down. The only danger of that is in this room with me and you."

"And as you so courteously proved," she finished, "I can't stay quiet in the throes of passion and I won't contribute to that branch of our children's education, thank you very much, monsieur."

"Killjoy," I accused, leaning down and kissing her lips. I felt her smile beneath me and she wrapped her legs around me. I couldn't hold back my own smirk of satisfaction, but moments later she brought one leg back up between us and, placing her foot in the middle of my chest, pushed me off her. I rolled onto my back and she straddled me, taking her turn to kiss and caress.

My grin never wavered as I felt her hands brush across my skin. "Still my limber chorus girl," I told her, feeling the stirrings of pride and arousal.

Her own smile widened as her hand wandered lower, saying, "We can learn all over again just how limber..."

"That sounds like an excellent idea," I agreed, my voice going low and rough. My breath caught in my chest as she continued to work me over. My God, she's amazing...

With a devious chuckle, she released me and stood up, leaving me wallowing in misery at the denial. "Just a prelude for later," she said, still grinning wickedly. "I've heard the anticipation intensifies the ecstasy."

"Now where have I heard that before?" I groaned.

"And how does it suit your fancy?"

"Damn it, woman, why must you tease me so mercilessly?"

"Because it pleases me to tease you." She put on her dressing gown and said, "Come on, you lecherous rake. We can't stay in bed all day."

I sighed resignedly and got to my feet. "You owe me tonight."

"Don't worry, I'll repay my debt with interest." She crossed the room and proceeded to dress for the day, further tormenting me by letting the robe fall to the floor again and opening her wardrobe, standing in the door and paying no attention to me as she selected her clothes for the day. I watched her ravenously as she drew on her stockings, rolling them slowly up her legs and halting at the tops of her thighs, brushing her hand tantalizingly close to her womanhood and across her navel before reaching for the rest of her undergarments. Little by little, her flesh was hidden from my hungry gaze, and just as she'd intended, it left me longing for night to fall once more.

"You certainly put on one hell of a show, little phoenix," I told her. "I almost can't bear to wait."

"The best things are worth a little patience," she replied, stepping into her chosen gown and putting her arms into the sleeves. "And I'll be sure to make it more than worth it, as there's no telling when we can do it again."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," she replied airily. She sat down at the dressing table and brushed out her long red hair, twisting it up and pinning it in place. I always knew when she planned on going out by the way she arranged her hair in the mornings. If she simply let it fall free and wild, she was staying in our nest. If she tamed it and subdued it, she was going to stretch her wings. "Don't stand there staring," she told me. "You promised to come with us today."

She had taken Ren and Annelise on several trips into Paris already, but I had always stayed behind. There was one family outing five months after the twins were born, just one. Crashing the Garnier's reopening was one thing, but it was quite another to walk the city streets unmasked in broad daylight. I hadn't minded in Vienna; I'd been too wrapped up in our honeymoon to pay attention to the stares I drew. In Paris, every eye was turned to me and people whispered as we passed, even shouted aloud. There was no overt hostility, but I still felt anxious and exposed and we'd returned home early.

I hadn't accompanied my family anywhere since then. I hadn't worn my mask in over seven years and the children, God bless their precious little hearts, had never seen anything wrong with my appearance. To them, if I looked any other way, then I wouldn't be their father. I didn't want them to see how the rest of the world saw me, ashamed to appear weak in front of them.

"Actually, Vivienne," I said, "maybe it's best if I don't go."

Her eyes met mine in the mirror. She knew why I always chose to stay at home, but she always wore that disappointed expression when I announced the intention. "Erik, you promised them," she reminded me. "You know they always ask me why you never come with us, and I never know what to say to them."

"Tell them I'm spending time alone to work on my music while there's some peace in the house," I replied.

"I have," she told me, "but that excuse will only hold water for so long. You're their father, and they don't understand why you hide at home all the time."

"I don't want them to understand. If they ever came to see me as the freak everyone else does-"

"They're not everyone." She stood up and turned to me, coming to stand before me and still looking me dead in the eye. "They're Ren and Annelise, and they love you just as you are. Nothing's going to change that, Erik, and when they see how it is for you out there, they'll love you even more for braving it for their sake."

She paused and cocked her head thoughtfully, letting her words sink in before adding, "If, on the other hand, you want them to think less of you, then by all means break your promise and stay in hiding for the rest of your life."

Damn it. Why did she have to have such a knack for ending me to her will? I could be an obstinate ass, but she could argue a brick wall into crumbling at her feet. She'd set out to shame me into giving in, and the hell if she wasn't winning.

I pathetically tried to hold the ground I'd already lost. "They've never seen the mask before," I protested. "As far as they're concerned, I've never worn one and there's no reason for me to."

"Which is as it should be," she said.

"So how will they react to it?"

"How will you ever know without trying?" I still hesitated and she went on, "You know, I've never had to threaten certain marital privileges, and it would be a shame to start now."

"You wouldn't go that far," I replied, leaning down to kiss her, but she took a step back and said, "I'd hate to think it was necessary."

I heaved a sigh. "Can't I ever win at least once?" I complained.

"You can win later, I promise," she assured me. She finally allowed me to kiss her, then said, "I'll meet you downstairs." With that, she left the room.

I followed her shortly after, freezing outside the dining room and listening to the three of them carrying on inside. From what I gathered, it was the usual dispute over seating arrangements going on. I smiled to myself and adjusted my mask. It had been so long since I'd worn it, but I was already growing used to it again. The thought didn't make me any less nervous.

I took a deep breath to steady myself, then walked into the room.

They were all gathered around the table waiting for me to arrive for breakfast. I met no one's eye as I took my usual place, but I could feel them watching me...a familiar sensation, and one I'd long learned to despise. "Is something wrong?" I asked, trying to keep the resentful, combative note out of my voice.

"Why is your face covered, Papa?" Ren asked.

While I tried to concoct an answer, I replied, "Because I'm going out with you today."

"Why are you covering your face to go out?"

I stopped, unwilling to go on. What was I supposed to say? According to the world outside, I was a hideous, malformed demon. My children had never once thought of me that way; I couldn't stand to explain it to them. Before I could say anything, Vivienne told him, "Because your papa is famous."

Their eyes widened in amazement and I was completely thrown. Where was she going with this?

She nodded and went on, "He's a very famous musician. He's well-known in Paris, so he has to go out in disguise. That way, no one recognizes him."

"Really?"

"Of course. Didn't you know that's why he stays at home?"

They shook their heads and Annelise asked, "Are you famous, Maman?"

"Why, yes."

"Why aren't you in disguise?"

"I am," she said, tucking a strand of hair that had come loose aside. "Do you ever see me like this at home? I'm not just getting dressed up, you know." She drew out her chair and gestured to the twins to sit down.

"Tell us how you're famous," Ren demanded. "Are you a musician, too?"

"Of course she is, you ninny," Annelise jumped in. "You know how she plays the violin and the piano, even if she's not as good as Papa."

"Well, thank you very much, darling," Vivienne told her, chuckling. "But yes, Papa taught me how to play, and we performed in front of a sold-out audience at the Opera House."

I had to hand it to her, she always knew what to do. I couldn't tell them myself, so she did it in a way I wouldn't feel ashamed. She'd told them the truth, as well. I was famous in Paris...in a manner. We had played at the Opera House...after hijacking the performance. They exchanged incredulous looks, and I glanced at Vivienne. "Thank you," I mouthed silently.

She nodded and smiled.

After breakfast I harnessed the horses and we set off in the chaise. The twins lost no time in informing me that their mother was a good driver, they supposed, but she never went fast enough and she never let them hold the reins. I shot her a questioning look and she shrugged, so under a careful eye, Ren and Annelise finally got their chance to drive the carriage.

When we arrived in the city, Vivienne turned to me and said, "You don't mind keeping them with you for a time, do you? I have some business to take care of."

She said it so officiously I had to laugh at her. "What business might that be, little phoenix?"

"Woman's business," she told me. "I'm going to see a doctor."

"There's nothing wrong, is there?" I asked, suddenly alert.

"Not at all, but it's better to know for sure."

I nodded, still not entirely satisfied, and a short while later I dropped her off outside a physician's office. "I should only be an hour or so," she said as I handed her out. "Try not to get into too much trouble."

"Nothing too serious," I replied. "I'd only planned on making the bells in the Madeleine disappear, or bringing the displays at the Musée Grévin to life, or maybe even vanish the Arc de Triomphe. But I promise, we won't burn down the Garnier again."

"And absolutely no abducting any more sopranos!" she chided.

"Now why would I do that," I asked, "when my own lovely phoenix sings for me every night?"

"For pity's sake, Erik! Not in front of the children!" A final farewell, and we parted.

"What did you mean, Papa?" Ren asked me. "Maman doesn't sing."

"Of course she does," I replied. "I'll tell you when you're older."

"Did you teach her how?"

"I helped her there, so to speak."

"Will you teach me?" Annelise asked.

"Absolutely not," I told her. "In fact, I forbid you to sing for as long as you live."

She was horrorstruck. "But why? You've taught me how to play every other instrument at home."

I turned to look at her, her bright golden eyes wide as she toyed with the ribbon in her hair. Ah, sweet innocent child...it was terribly unfair of me to tease her in her naiveté. And besotted as I was with both of my children, it was very difficult to refuse them anything.

"Well, in that case I might as well give you a lesson or two," I told her. "Tomorrow I'll teach you a few exercises, and if you like it we can go from there."

She beamed. She really was my little prodigy, already proficient in piano, violin, and harp, and the two of us together had ventured to gain competency in several other instruments even I didn't know how to play. Vivienne joined us from time to time, but she was mostly content to watch us. I hadn't yet done anything to train our little girl's voice, but she was quite old enough now that some gentle coaching wouldn't harm her vocal chords.

Rene had no turn for music. He had good taste and would sit and listen for long stretches of time, but he was gifted in other fields. I just knew we had a budding architect on our hands, or some sort of scientist, or a well-read scholar at the very least. He was always asking questions, searching for new discoveries, and working with his hands. He'd spent six weeks taking an old clock apart, learning how it worked, then putting it back together again. He was excellent with numbers and had hardly needed to be taught how to read. He devoured every book we gave him—even a few we hadn't—and was filled with an endless, burning curiosity. In this respect, he was truly his mother's son.

Needless to say, I loved them both more than anything imaginable and I could never find words to express just how much they meant to me.

We took a drive by the Seine before returning to the physician's to fetch Vivienne. She was waiting for us on the pavement, her expression closed and guarded. I caught notice of it and immediately asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied.

"Vivienne, if there's something you have to tell me—"

"We'll discuss it later, but not here." She would say no more on the subject, and I was forced to wait. We took the twins to a park and made our way to the nearby pond, standing on the bank and watching the swans swim serenely. I kept stealing glances at Vivienne. She was as serene as those birds, and I couldn't guess what it was she had to tell me.

My mask drew more than a fair share of curious glances and I could sense the usual whispers and surmises as we walked. I had the strongest urge to gather my family and return home away from those prying eyes, but Vivienne whispered back to Ren and Annelise how my disguise was working. The people around us were only vaguely interested because I was the only one with my face hidden, but if I hadn't been wearing my mask, I would have been recognized in an instant by all my admirers and we wouldn't have been allowed to enjoy our walk in peace. "It's an enormous risk to take this trouble," she finished, "but your papa did it so we could have this time as a family."

The twins nodded.

"So we can't act like we know he's famous, correct?"

They agreed.

My God, what had I possibly done to deserve this, a wife and children I worshiped and cherished so much? They not only put up with my eccentricities and impossible ways, but they loved me, genuinely loved me. And after all these years together, I never ceased to be grateful of that, miraculous as it seemed to me.

We returned home and spent the last few hours of the day together. Vivienne and I joined Annelise for a trio of two violins and the piano, and after dinner we gathered in the sitting room where Ren and I took turns reading aloud. Annelise began to drowse on the sofa, and that was the signal for bed.

Once the twins were settled for the night, Vivienne and I went to our bedroom. Neither of us had forgotten the promises of the morning, but we also hadn't forgotten she had news to share.

"What is it you need to tell me, little phoenix?" I asked. "Is it—serious?"

"Very," she replied, betraying little to no emotion.

"How will I react to this?"

"Your life will change forever."

"Can it change more than it already has?"

"Yes."

I stared at her, getting annoyed and desperate. "Christ, Vivienne, just tell me!" I burst out. "What is it?"

Something changed in her expression, and she asked, "Do you still forfeit your right to name any more children?"

"What do you mean, do I still—" I halted, her words catching up with me. "What do you mean, more children?"

Her entire countenance opened up at last, revealing her secret bliss and making the light in her eyes dance. She smiled at me, and I recognized that smile even after nearly eight years.

I felt my own face split into a grin. "No," I said. "Don't tell me."

She just kept smiling.

"You're not," I went on. "Tell the truth."

"Would I lie about something like that?"

"So we're—"

"Yes! Another one on the way!"

I burst out laughing and threw my arms around her, dancing her around the room. "How long have you suspected this?" I demanded.

"Awhile," she answered.

"And you didn't say anything!"

"I wanted to be sure before I said anything. I didn't want you to get your hopes up about Prodigy Number Three."

I chuckled, then asked, "So what are we going to call this one?"

"Let's not start that argument already," she implored. "Let's just savor the moment before the vomiting and the mood swings and the weight gain strike with a vengeance."

"Do, let's," I agreed, tossing her over my shoulder and carrying her to bed amidst her laughter. I set her down and lay over her, already dying to steal every bit of her I could. "You realize you're not going to get any sleep tonight after telling me something like that?" I asked, pressing a kiss to the hollow of her throat.

"I was counting on it," she replied.

I grinned at her, and those were the last words we spoke all night as we devoted ourselves to making each other even more ecstatically happy than we already were. Such a feat seemed unreal, but we were getting better at doing the impossible, and I looked forward to doing it again and again in the years still to come.

There we are. This really is goodbye for these two...thanks for putting up with them for this long! :)