Erik's POV

I was never happier when I woke up a few days later and found myself completely healthy again. I was sure I was going to die, but with Nadir's help, I was now feeling ten times better.

"Good morning, Erik."

When I heard Nadir's voice, I rolled over in bed to find the man entering my room with a tray of food.

"How are you feeling, man?"

"Better," I groaned. "Much better, thank you."

"Great." He set the tray down and took a seat at my bedside.

"I made you some Persian breakfast tea and some toast. I know how your stomach can't handle a ton of food."

"Where's Gustave?" I questioned, sipping on my tea.

"I took him to school. He should be back in a few hours. Then again, I've been walking him to school for the past few days."

I rolled my eyes. "What would I do without you?"

"Probably nothing, man… Now that you're feeling better, I guess there is no reason for me to stay here another night. That isn't to say that Gustave and I haven't been bonding. We've become the best of friends over the past few days. He's quite a little guy he is…So much like Christine, and yet, so much like you, man."

"That usually is what happens when two people make love, and conceive a child, Nadir," I sarcastically replied.

Nadir's eyes grew wide with excitement, which was strange, for I had never seen him looking like this before.

"Oh, that reminds me, man…Tell me just how you and Christine came together…"

"What?" I angrily questioned.

"You heard me, Erik. Just how did you and Christine get to that point? Gustave is the living proof."

"You know, Nadir, I have been a virgin all my life, and never once did I ever ask you such a question when it came to you and your wife. Why would you ask me something like that now?"

Nadir shrugged. "I'm just curious is all, man. She did leave you, remember? Just how did she return and make love to you all in one evening?"

"That is private, Nadir. But, Christine did indeed return to me. She found where I had hid and we talked…for a while actually. It was a wonderful night. And then, I'm not exactly sure why it happened, but it just did…She and I kissed and one thing led to another. Though, I was ashamed for what I had done and so, I dressed and left before the sun could rise."

"And what exactly were you ashamed of, Erik? Christine gave herself to you, did she not? What was there to be ashamed of?"

"My face, Nadir," I cried. "I thought Christine would have been afraid…I thought she would have regretted everything we had shared together. And if she woke and screamed, Nadir, I would have never forgiven myself."

"And yet, she woke to swear her love…"

"I was stupid, Nadir. Yes, I should have waited to see her eyes, but I didn't."

"You could have known your son his entire life."

"I know…But the past is the past, Nadir. And yes, Christine is now gone, but that still doesn't change what I have now. I have a child, one who needs me more than anything in the world. Therefore, I will see to it that he gets all the love that he needs."

"You've changed, Erik," Nadir replied. "And for the better. You're a father. I never would have suspected you to turn out to be someone such as that. But here you are, ten years later and raising a child. In a way, I'm proud of you."

"Oh, thank you," I sarcastically replied. "You're such a great friend."

"You know I am, Erik. And when spring comes, you and I will work side by side like old times. Am I right?"

I nodded. "Of course."

"Well, I haven't been home in days and I probably need to do some grocery shopping. Are you going to be all right if I leave you?"

Once again, I nodded. "Yes, I'll be all right, Nadir."

"Do you need anything while I'm out?"

I shook my head. "No, I'll be all right."

And when Nadir left, I laid back down and snuggled into my pillow.

"You didn't tell him that you had me, ange…"

Christine appeared and pressed a reassuring kiss to my cheek.

"You pulled through it, Erik. I can't believe it…I was sure you would have perished."

"I'm strong, Christine, this you know. Plus, having a child to care for has strengthened my will."

"Indeed. Though, promise me that you'll never put yourself through that again? Promise me that you and I can have a relationship outside of the bedroom? I don't want to lose you."

I chuckled. "If I were to do so and die, Christine, you wouldn't be losing me, but gaining my company in heaven. It is Gustave, who would be losing me."

"You know what I mean."

Christine pressed another kiss to my cheek and smiled.

"Get your rest, ange…You're going to need it for when Gustave returns home. Nadir won't be here to take care of him."

"I know. I must once again step up and care for the boy. Though, that isn't to say that I haven't missed having him around. Nadir has kept him out of my room for nearly a week."

"It was better that way, love. Now rest. You're going to need your strength for later."

Christine was right, therefore, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. Nothing was better than knowing that I had regained my health back. I only hoped that I would never feel that ill again.

Gustave's POV

Ever since my papa came into my class and talked to the children who were picking on me, no one attempted to do so again. Yes, my only friend was Addy, but at times, I hardly spoke to her. In a way, I was like my papa, for he too never liked to be around others. I decided that it was better not to make friends and to just finish my work and go home. When school was let out, I ran past the gates of Phantasma and towards Mister Y's house. Usually, when I came through the door, Nadir would be there to greet me, but today, he was nowhere to be found.

"Monsieur Khan?" I called out his name as I entered the kitchen, finding that the man was still nowhere to be found. "Monsieur Khan, where are you?"

"Monsieur Khan is no longer needed."

When I heard my papa's voice, I spun around to see him standing in the hall with his hands folded behind his back. He was up and out of bed! I couldn't believe it! I ran straight towards him and wrapped my arms around his fragile body.

"Papa! You're all right…"

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around me as well.

"That's usually what happens, Gustave. I was sick, just like you were a few weeks back."

"But you were worse, Mister Y…You were ten times worse than I was. I was worried all the time and Monsieur Khan wouldn't let me into your room. I cried myself to sleep every night."

"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?"

I nodded and pressed my face into his chest.

"I'm feeling much better today, Gustave. But, enough of this, how about you and I go and take a walk to my workshop? I believe those pumpkins aren't going to carve themselves."

"Really?" I excitedly asked.

Mister Y nodded. "The Hallows eve ball is a few days away, Gustave. I have much to do before then. If you would like to help that would be great."

"I'd love to help Mister Y."

"Then let's be off, son."

I was excited and happy to spend time alone with my papa. It had been days since we had last done so. Today, however, Mister Y led me to his workshop, where he and I sat down and carved jack O lanterns. I had never done so before, and found it quite fun. Especially when Mister Y teased me with the pumpkin guts. It was finally nice to have a father who loved me and wanted to spend time together. Raoul never did anything fun with me, nor did he ever joke around. Mister Y may seemed serious, but at times, he was just as fun and silly as my mother. After all the pumpkins were gutted and empty, Mister Y handed me a small carving knife that looked as though it had given to him many years ago.

"You see, Gustave," he said. "You trace eyes and a nose with this marker before cutting out each shape with the knife."

"I like this knife, Mister Y," I said, staring down at its red handle. "It's really beautiful."

"Really now?" he questioned.

I nodded. "The most beautiful knife I have ever seen before."

"No one usually says that about my things."

"You have a lot of nice things, Mister Y."

"Nice things are hard to come by, Gustave. Just remember that, son."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I curiously asked.

Mister Y smiled. "You'll understand someday. Just be careful with that thing. It could gut and elephant. The last thing I need is for you to cut your hand."

I promised Mister Y to be careful with the knife, and so, he and I sat there carving fifty pumpkins together. When we were finished, we washed up and walked towards home. Though, on our way, Mister Y stopped me and pulled me towards his Phantasma restaurant.

"How about some dinner?"

I nodded and he sat us at his reserved booth on the other end of the building.

"I was thinking about a pumpkin milkshake and French fries. Does that sound good?"

"Pumpkin milkshake?" I questioned. "That sounds strange."

"Not strange at all, Gustave. This is the only time a year that you can get pumpkin ice cream around here. And, in my restaurant, they make it into a milkshake."

"Do you like it?"

Mister Y nodded. "My favorite."

"Then it will probably be mine too."

And I did. When my milkshake arrived, I sipped it, taking in the delicious taste. It tasted just like pumpkin pie!

"You know, Mister Y," I began, dipping a fry into my milkshake. "I really love living with you. It's been the happiest time of my life."

"I'm glad, Gustave. To me, that's all that truly matters."

"You're the best papa in the entire world, and I hope that when I grow up, I'll be just like you."

Mister Y chuckled and reached into his pocket. "Well then, if you're going to be just like me, you'll need a good knife to carve with."

Mister Y took out the beautiful carving knife and placed it on the table.

"It's yours now…"

"Really?" I excitedly picked up the beautiful, closed knife and smiled.

"Yes, Gustave. It's been in my family for years. My grandfather had it, and it was passed down to my father, and now, I'll pass it down to you."

"Did you papa give it to you too, Mister Y?"

Mister Y's smile quickly faded away, leaving his face looking serious and hurt.

"I…I never met my father, Gustave. He died before I was born."

"Then how did you get it?"

"I found it in a trunk of my father's belongings."

"If I was your papa, I would have loved you and passed this knife to you…"

I could have sworn I saw a tear escape Mister Y's eye, but I didn't ask. Instead, I embraced my papa and hugged him tightly.

"I love you, papa."

"And I love you too, Gustave. More than anything in the world. You're the best child a man could have ever asked for."

And that night, as I lay in bed, I gazed at the beautiful knife Mister Y had given me, for it was the best present I had ever received. I would protect it with my life, and someday, when I had a son, I would pass it down to him…