Nadir's POV

Trying to entertain Gustave was like trying to entertain Erik…It was nearly impossible. While Erik rested in his room, I was in charge of caring for Gustave. All the child wanted to do was see his father, but I told him otherwise, attempting to entertain him with food and games.

"Gustave," I approached the child who was currently laying on the couch and pulled him up. "Why don't you and I play a game?"

"I don't want to play a game," he whined. "I want to see my papa."

"Gustave, he's asleep…We should let him rest. Now, I have a wonderful game we could play. My son loved it."

"I don't want to play games," he growled. "I want to see my papa."

"Gustave, we're going to play a game, or we're going to go to bed. Now, it's eight o clock, so we can play the game or go to bed."

Gustave groaned. "What are we going to play?"

"Chess, of course…"

I led Gustave over to Erik's chess table and took a seat.

"You do know how to play right?"

Gustave nodded. "Yes. My papa's been teaching me."

While Gustave and I played, I couldn't stop looking at the boy, for he reminded me of Erik in so many ways. Yes, I could see Christine in him, but he was more Erik than anything.

"So, do you like living here with your papa?"

Gustave nodded. "At first I didn't, but now I love it. I just want him to be all right is all."

"And I'm sure he will, Gustave. He just needs his sleep is all."

"I miss my mama…"

"I knew your mother, Gustave," I said. "She was an angel straight from heaven."

The child looked up at me, his face curious with questions.

"I wish she was still here."

"She is, Gustave, she's in your heart. My wife died giving birth to my son. I still miss her…I even miss my boy."

"Mama said that she almost died giving birth to me. I never understood why, but now that I know Mister Y is my father, I know it is because of him. He told me his mother almost died giving birth to him."

"It's a common thing, Gustave."

"But look at Mister Y…"

"And what about him?"

"His mother nearly died because of the way he looks. Why does God do things like that, Nadir?"

"Do things like what?"

"Create people who look like Mister Y?"

I shrugged. "Sometimes people are born with problems, Gustave. Back in Persia, people were born with no arms or legs. I guess Erik, your papa, got off easy."

"I wouldn't call it easy," Gustave said, moving his bishop. "People around here still stare at him."

"He's gotten used to it."

"Nadir, did Mister Y really love my mama?"

I smiled and took away his pawn. "He loved your mother more than anything in the world. Sometimes, I wondered how he could love someone so much. I mean, I loved my wife, but the love Erik felt for your mother was deeper than anything I have ever witnessed."

"Do you think it's possible to love someone that much?"

I shrugged. "I loved my wife, Gustave…more than anything in the world, actually. I guess sometimes one can love something more than what they eyes can see."

"I loved my mama more than anything in the world."

"And I'm sure she felt the same way about you."

When Gustave yawned, I lifted the boy into my arms and carried him down the hall.

"Come along, boy…Your papa will be wanting you to get your rest. In the morning perhaps you and I can visit your papa. We should let him rest for the remainder of the night."

Once in Gustave's room, I went into his wardrobe and pulled out a pair of pajamas.

"Here you are," I said, handing him his clothes.

"My papa usually takes my dirty clothes," Gustave said, handing me his shirt.

"I'll find somewhere to put it until your papa is feeling better."

"I wish he could tuck me in," Gustave pouted, crawling beneath the blankets of his bed. "He always tucks me in."

"He'll continue to do so when he's better. For now, you'll have to settle for me."

I tucked the child in and turned out the lights.

"Now, get some rest and in the morning we can make your papa breakfast."

I walked to the door, and was ready to close it, when Gustave called out to me.

"Papa always keeps the door cracked open!"

I chuckled and did just that. "Better?"

He nodded. "Goodnight, monsieur Khan."

"Goodnight, Gustave. Get some rest. If you should need me, I'll be out on the couch resting."

I may have only known the boy for a few days, but one thing was certain, I was already in love with him. He reminded me of Erik in more ways than one, but in that mixture, I also saw a lot of Christine…Gustave was simply the perfect child, for both of his parents were a major part of my life and held special places within my heart.

Erik's POV

I never felt so drained in all of my life. Most of the time, I lay there, too exhausted to move. At my bedside, Christine sat there, dabbing a cool cloth against my forehead.

"You're doing great, Erik," she cooed. "You're being so strong."

"It was worth all the pain in the world, Christine," I assured. "Being with you was the best feeling I have felt in over ten years."

I pressed my eyes closed and sighed, only to hear Nadir's voice.

"Erik, who on earth are you talking to?"

I opened my eyes, realizing that my angel had disappeared and I was left with Nadir sitting at my bedside.

"Man, you really are delirious. Look at you…"

I felt his hand up against my hot forehead. "You're burning up."

I shifted my head to the side, only to see Christine sitting there again. She smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Rest, Erik. In the morning perhaps you will feel ten times better."

"Of course, Christine," I mewed. "You're always right."

"Christine?"

I was so tired, that I didn't even remember that Nadir was still sat at my bedside. Oh, I didn't care. All I cared about was the fact that Christine was here and taking care of me. I didn't care that making love to her had weakened me, for I would make love to her again in an instant. Anything with her was heaven and I was going to see to it that I was always beside her.

"Man, you really are delirious…Christine? Who are you talking to? There is no one here, Erik."

"Christine is here," I deliriously mewed. "She's always here."

I felt Nadir tucking the blankets around my body before rising to his feet.

"Do you need anything, Erik? I already put Gustave to bed, so I am at your beck and call tonight."

"Nothing…" I cooed. "Christine has everything under control."

"Erik, you need to stop talking like this."

And with that, I heard my door close. When I was left alone again, Christine reappeared and brushed her hand against my hot cheek.

"Erik, you really shouldn't speak like that around Nadir. He'll start thinking you're crazy."

"I'm too ill to care, Christine," I mewed. "I'm too sick and tired to care. I feel as though I'm going to die."

Christine crawled into bed beside me and pressed my head against her chest.

"Don't say that, Erik. You're going to be just fine in the morning. You need to be all right for Gustave's sake. You are all he has now…Do you understand me?"

But I didn't care, for I was too weak to do so. Instead, I closed my eyes and slipped away to sleep, never really knowing if I was going to wake once the sun came up.

Gustave's POV

Before the sun came up the following morning, I woke and tiptoed out into the hall. Nadir wasn't up yet, and I was glad, for I wanted to see my papa. Quickly, I hurried up the stairs and to my papa's room, pulling the door open and running to his bedside. Oh, he was having a hard time breathing, but he was still alive and that's all that mattered.

"Mister Y," I shook his shoulder, causing him to groan. "Mister Y, wake up…It's morning."

I waited until Mister Y opened his eyes before I stopped shaking him. His blue orbs were bloodshot and baggy, but I didn't care. All I cared about was spending time with him. Not wanting to move, I crawled in beneath the blankets beside him and embraced his body.

"Gustave, you shouldn't be in here," he murmured. "You should be downstairs."

"I haven't seen you since yesterday," I explained. "I missed you, Mister Y."

"And you most likely won't see me today either. I have a splitting headache and a terrible fever, son. But, in a few days I should be all right. Then, everything can get back to normal again. Which reminds me, you have school in the morning. You should go finish up your homework."

I snuggled my head into his chest. "Homework can wait, Mister Y. Please say that I can sit here with you for a while?"

When Mister Y didn't say anything, I closed my eyes and yawned. I had not slept the entire night, not with worrying about my papa and if he would be alive come morning. But he was alive…alive and breathing. At least for the time being.

"Mister Y, do you want something to eat?" I asked. "I'll make you anything in the world."

Even though Mister Y's eyes were closed, I saw him smile and it made me smile.

"Your mother used to say that to me, Gustave," he mewed. "Whenever I wasn't feeling well, she would say those exact words. Sometimes, it scares me how alike you two really are. In you I see me, but I also see your mother. It makes me happier than anything in the world."

"Well, what do you want for breakfast?" I asked again.

"I'm not really that hungry, Gustave, but surprise me."

With that being said, I pressed a kiss to Mister Y's cheek and hurried downstairs, coming face to face with Nadir. I gasped when I bumped into him, but didn't dare mention that I was in my papa's room. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be there or not, but at the moment, I didn't care.

"And just where have you been?" he curiously questioned. "I thought you would have still been in bed."

I was about to answer, when he answered for me. "Never mind, you're Erik's son…That man is always up before the sun."

"I want to surprise my papa," I said. "I want to make him a really good breakfast and take it to him."

Nadir thought a moment, before taking me by the hand and leading me into the kitchen.

"I have just the idea, Gustave. Your papa will love this."

"Love what?" I asked, raising a brow.

"A Persian breakfast. He loved it when he and I lived in Persia."

"You never told me that story before."

Nadir smiled and pulled a bowl out of the cabinet.

"Well, Gustave, your papa and I worked and lived in Persia. I think I've told you that. Either way, I can tell you some wonderful stories about your papa and I…If you give me that chance, that is…"

Nadir might have been strange, and yes, I didn't like strangers, but for some odd reason, having him here beside me was almost better than no company at all. And as he and I prepared breakfast, I listened to every word he had to say. He wove me a wonderful tale about my papa and magic…And by the end of his story, Nadir and I were already the best of friends…In a weird and strange sort of way.