Erik's POV

Tonight, I would be having dinner with my angel. It seemed as though it had been so long since the last time I had spent any time with her. But for now, there were other things that needed attending to, those things being Gustave and his schooling. My poor child was being made fun of, and it was about to stop. The following morning, I woke bright and early like I usually did. Today, I would walk my child to school and confront his teacher about it. I wouldn't dare allow my child to go attend school day after day, only to be teased.

"Mister Y, you really don't have to do this." Gustave insisted as I walked my boy to school.

"No, I don't." I said. "But it has to be dealt with. I want you to be safe."

When we arrived at the school house, I followed my child into his classroom. He took a seat at his desk like usual, a boy already tossing paper balls at him. Oh, this made my blood boil! How I would have loved to walk right up to him and clobber the child for even attempting to touch him! But, I calmed my phantom nerves and spun around to face Mrs. Smith, Gustave's teacher.

"May I have a word with you?" I asked.

The woman nodded, and we stepped outside, away from the other children.

"Mister Y, it is so lovely to finally have Gustave back in my classroom again. I'm glad he's finally feeling better."

I stood there with my hands folded behind my back, nodding as she complimented me.

"There is something I need to speak with you about."

"And what might that be, Mister Y?"

"It has come to my attention, that the other children have been teasing my child. It got so bad, that he didn't even want to attend school anymore. I want the ones held responsible to be punished, so that they won't attempt to hurt him again."

Mrs. Smith placed her hand to her lips, shocked that this had been going on behind her back.

"Mister Y, I swear to you, that I was not aware of the situation. If I would have spotted this going on, I would have stopped it, this I swear to you."

"I want Gustave to point out these children, and I want them taken care of at once. Most of these children have parents that work for me in Phantasma. I'm sure they would love to hear about what their children are doing to my son, their employer's child…"

Mrs. Smith grasped my hand and brought me back into the classroom. The children were speaking to one another and laughing, obviously enjoying the absence of their teacher.

"Children!" Mrs. Smith interrupted them, causing all of the boys and girls to hush. "I want Gustave to come up to the front of the classroom right now."

My child emerged from his seat and stood at my side.

"Well, point them out to me, Gustave," his teacher instructed. "Point out the children that made fun of you."

For the longest second, my child stood there looking out at the children, looking at them as if he were afraid to tattle. When my son didn't say anything, I patted him on the shoulder, causing him to look up at me.

"Well, go on." I said. "Point out the children who were teasing you."

My child raised his hand, ready to point out the children who have tormented him, when he stopped and placed his head down.

"Gustave?"

"No one was teasing me, Mister Y."

"What?"

Oh, this surely had to be a joke! The boy cried to me over and over again about how the children teased him. It made me angry to stand here and have him lie!

"Gustave, are you sure?" Mrs. Smith questioned.

When Gustave nodded, I gently pushed him aside and gazed upon the children, who much resembled my workers, only smaller and much younger.

"You children may not know me, but ask your parents, and they will tell you otherwise. Some of your parents perform in my park, others collect tickets and run the rides, but by God, know that I am and will become your worst nightmare. Heed the warning…Leave my child alone!"

And with that, I left the classroom, knowing that my child had been brave. I knew he didn't want to tattle on the other children. Whether it was because of fear, or something else, I wasn't sure. Though, when he returned home tonight, I would surely find out.

Gustave's POV

Yes, the other children had teased me, and yes, I had complained about it, but I didn't want to tattle on them. I didn't want my father taking care of the ones who had teased me…I didn't want them getting into trouble. Yes, I knew that my father meant well, but I couldn't have him punishing the kids, for they would most likely tease me harder. When school had ended, I found Mister Y standing at the gates of my school, waiting for me with his hands folded behind his back.

"Hi, Mister Y," I said, approaching him.

"Gustave," he replied, his eyes never taking their gaze off of me.

We both turned to head home, walking side by side as we headed home.

"Is there a reason why you didn't point out the ones who teased you today?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I didn't want to get them in trouble, Mister Y. Yes, they did tease me, but sometimes, it's better to take care of things on your own."

"Gustave, I want what's best for you. Do you understand?"

I nodded. "I know, Mister Y. But, they children didn't tease me after you left."

"You are a brave boy, Gustave," Mister Y said, lifting me into his arms. "But you should have tattled on them. I could have helped you."

"I believe I already helped myself today…"

"If you say so."

I hopped out of my papa's arms and ran to the gates of Phantasma, looking through to Mister Y's park.

"Mister Y, could we go into your park?"

Mister Y stopped in front of me and smiled. "It's fall, Gustave. Phantasma won't be open again until spring. You and I have to wait a long winter…"

"I love Phantasma, Mister Y." I said. "Couldn't we just take a walk through it?"

Mister Y chuckled and lifted me off the gate. "Come along, Gustave. Let's go home and do your homework."

"Do we have to?"

"Of course, Gustave. You need to keep up your grades in school."

Erik's POV

After feeding my child and putting him to bed, I showered and prepared for my dinner with Christine. After getting out of the shower and dressing in my best attire, I hurried to the kitchen and began cooking pasta. How strange it would be to have dinner with a ghost, but at least we would be together. I set a table up in my room, placing two glasses on the table along with silverware and napkins. When my dinner was ready, I set it on two plates and hurried up the stairs, awaiting my angel's arrival.

"Everything looks lovely, Erik."

When my angel appeared, I pulled out her chair and took a seat across from her. Oh, for once in my life, I felt whole, I felt normal, I felt loved. I took a seat and poured her a glass of wine, raising my glass to her own.

"A toast," I said. "To love, and may it never die."

Christine smiled and took a sip of her drink.

"I know what's on your mind, Erik," Christine replied. "I know that you are confused over Gustave. I know you're confused as to why he didn't tattle on the children."

"Perhaps," I said. "But he assured me that he wanted to keep things to himself, take care of what needed to be taken care of on his own. I guess it was a brave move, but it still confuses me. I'm his father, I'm supposed to be the one that protects him, and yet, he refused my protection."

"Gustave is growing up quickly…"

My heart skipped within my chest. Growing up? No! I wouldn't have it! If Gustave grew up, my angel would disappear for good. I grabbed her hand, squeezing it within my grasp.

"Don't say that!" I begged. "Please, Christine, don't say that."

"Erik, it's as clear as day."

I pressed my eyes closed and shook my head. "No, Gustave isn't growing up. He's a child, Christine. A child…Please…"

"He is a young man, Erik. He is a young man…He's not a child anymore."

I stood up and flipped over my chair in anger. "Oh, Christine, you'll disappear…"

Christine smiled and placed her hands against my shoulder.

"Erik, I can promise you that I won't be going anywhere for a long time. This I promise you, angel. Now please, retake your seat so you and I can enjoy our meal."

I nodded and took my seat across from my angel, digging into my meal that was sitting in front of me, as Christine did the same. When I was finished, I looked back at my angel and smiled.

"It was delicious, Erik."

I shrugged. "I tried, Christine."

"You're being rather quiet, angel…"

"I guess I'm at a loss for words."

"Now that's something different." Christine chuckled. "Erik, at a loss for words?"

"I know, it's strange, but I am. I love you more than anything in the world, Christine, but sometimes, silence is a good thing. After the rough days I've been having, it's nice to be silent. I miss having you here beside me. I miss having you sleeping beside me during the night. It's strange, because you are here, but only in spirit."

Christine stood to her feet and wrapped her arms around me.

"Remember when you used to dance with me?"

I smiled and relaxed against her touch. "Of course."

Christine began to sway me back and forth, as if dancing. Yes, there wasn't any music, but I was with my angel, and that's all that mattered.

"Christine?"

Christine looked up at me and smiled. "Yes, Erik?"

"May I kiss you?"

Christine giggled and closed her mouth around my own. Oh, how wonderful it felt to kiss my angel. There weren't many times I got the chance to do so, but now that I was, I reached heaven.

"Christine, oh, ange…" I cooed, kissing her even harder.

Christine ran her hands along my shirt, pressing kisses against my neck. How was it that I could feel this? How was it that I could feel everything? I wasn't sure, but I didn't want it to end. I wanted to make love to her…I wanted to make love to every ounce of her body, just like I had done on that night over ten years ago.

"Christine…"

Her lips broke away from my own, but they came crashing down against me moments later. I kissed her even harder this time, our bodies landing up against my bed. I needed this! I wanted this! And yes, tonight I would have it. I hadn't made love to her or any woman in over ten years, and I wanted it, so so badly…

"Christine, I love you…" I mewed.

"I love you too, angel…"

I was about to unbutton my shirt, when my door opened and Gustave came running in. I paused from everything, looking up from the blankets.

"Mister Y?" he questioned gazing at the table and empty plates. "What's going on?"

My Christine had disappeared, leaving me alone in my bed. Oh, this was so embarrassing…I sat up and adjusted my shirt, staring down at my child. He seemed confused, so confused…

"Um…"

"You must have been really hungry." Gustave replied, looking at the table. "And you drank two glasses of wine too…"

I stood up from my bed and began collecting the plates, while Gustave jumped into my bed. And then, my child asked me the question I had been dreading.

"Mister Y, why is your jacket laying on the floor and your blankets are all ruffled?"

So, I updated tonight becuase I won't be able to update for a week or so cause I am going on vacation in the morning. And where I'm going has no Wifi...Anyway, I uploaded a new story. It's called "The Infection which poisons our love." Check it out. Thanks! And please review!