Erik's POV

I was sound asleep in bed, until I heard someone knocking on the doors downstairs. I groaned and pulled the pillow closer to my face.

"Erik, someone is knocking on the door," Christine murmured, wrapping her arms closer around my body. It was times like these when I didn't wish to budge from bed. The years had made me weary, so weary that I didn't wish to move most of the time. Gustave was growing into a fine young man, and I didn't know how much longer Christine would be hanging around. We've become inseparable over the years, and to lose her now would be the death of me.

"They can wait…" I groaned. "I'm not feeling well today."

"Erik…There is something that I need to talk to you about later. I was hoping that you and I could have dinner tonight?"

I rose from my blankets and slipped on my robe. "Of course, Christine. Breakfast would be better if you're interested in speaking now?"

Christine shook her head and pulled her knees into her chest. "No, dinner would be better."

"Very well then, Christine. Dinner it is…"

Usually after rising, I would press a kiss to Christine's lips and have her smile. But this morning when I kissed her, her face was filled with disappointment and sorrow. Oh, what was wrong with her?

"Christine?" I took a seat beside her. "Is everything all right, love? You seem extremely sad this morning."

"Erik…Breakfast would perhaps be better…"

The knocking on the door knocked me off course once again. Oh, breakfast wasn't going to be working after all…I pulled my pocket watch out of my pocket and sighed.

"I'm sorry, Christine, but dinner is going to have to do. I have a meeting today, and then, I promised to show Gustave around. It shouldn't be too much longer before he takes control of everything."

Christine just simply nodded, her face never letting up for a single moment.

"Erik?"

"Yes?" I was about to walk out the door, when I heard Christine calling for me.

"Be careful today…"

I wasn't sure what she meant by those words, but I nodded back before heading downstairs. It seemed like that infernal knocking went on forever, but when I was finally able to pull open the door, my heart stopped within my chest, when I noticed Cecile standing there. Yes, over the years she and I had not rekindled our friendship, but she was still my waitress on the train and we did exchange a few friendly words every once in a while. But why was she here?

"Cecile?"

"Hi, Erik…Do you have a few moments?"

"I…I was on my way to meet my son, but I could talk to you on the way."

She nodded and I stepped outside to meet her.

"Erik, times have been hard for me…I…I lost my job today on the train. They are cutting back jobs."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said. "I…I could help you get back on your feet, Cecile…I…I could offer you a waitress position at my restaurant?"

The moment I said those exact words, her arms flew around my chest, pulling me in for a hug.

"All right," I said, breaking away from her embrace. "That's enough…"

"I'm sorry, sir…I…That is…Would you like to go to dinner with me one night?"

I sighed and stopped in place, turning to face the woman.

"Cecile, I told you before how I feel about my wife. She's gone and I simply cannot love another. What you did to me on that Thanksgiving night is unforgiveable, and you must obey by my wishes to be left alone. If you wish to be friends with me, then all right…But our relationship will go no further than that. Am I making myself clear?"

When the woman nodded, I patted her on the back. "Right then…Tomorrow, go and speak to a Mr. Duviar and he will fix you up with a job."

With that being said, I headed inside my park alone and went searching for Gustave. I found the boy in my office, humming and wandering around with a smile across his face. He might have only been fourteen, but he was indeed happy…Happier than usual. Oh, what was he doing?

"Happy go lucky are we?"

The boy stopped in place and smiled widely. "Just excited, I guess…I have a date tonight."

"A date?" my heart stopped within my chest. "With who?"

"A girl…The most beautiful girl in the world, to be exact."

I chuckled a bit, but at the same time, my heart ached. If Gustave started seeing girls, then Christine was more likely to go away for good. At the same time I was happy for Gustave, but also saddened by how mature he was becoming.

"Good," I pouted. "I'm glad…Treat her right, Gustave."

I took a seat at my desk and sighed, this catching the boy's attention.

"Mister Y, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," I assured. "Nothing…You go along with your girl and have a good time tonight…"

"I'm taking her to the opera house," he said. "She's never been to an opera before. I think she'll like it. She sings really well…Well, at least in private she does."

Gustave was standing before me going on about his interest in this girl, but all I saw was red…He was growing, what was I to expect with that? But to have Christine disappear forever…Well, that would ultimately destroy my soul.

"…And if she likes the opera, I was hoping to take her for tea afterwards. It is all right if I use your box tonight, right?"

When I didn't answer, Gustave tapped my arm.

"Papa? Are you listening to me?"

"Yes, of course," I pouted. "Take the box…I…I have work to do now. Enjoy your night."

With that, I stood and slammed the door of my office closed on my way out. Perhaps that's what Christine wanted to tell me at dinner…That she would be leaving soon…I could only pray that she wasn't leaving…

Gustave's POV

I wasn't sure why my papa was acting strange, but I went about my day like usual. Now that I was almost an adult, he gave me a few special daily duties to fulfill in his park. Sometimes he accompanied me, and other times he didn't. Today was one of those days where he left me alone. That evening, I left a little early and headed home to shower and dress in my best attire. I had promised Melody that I would be at her place by six, and I wouldn't be late. After dressing in my suit and black overcoat, I headed towards the pub, only stopping along the way to pick up a few roses to give her. She was the girl of my dreams, and I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that she felt the same way about me. I arrived at her place five minutes early, standing at the back door and waiting for her to come out. At six, the door opened, and the girl stepped out dressed in a black evening gown, one that others would have found strange…Melody was strange, but then again, I was the same way. Her black hair was tied up, making her seem just as beautiful as I had imagined her being.

"You look beautiful, Melody," I said, handing her the roses.

She gasped and smiled at the same time, placing her nose on the soft petals of the flowers.

"These are beautiful…"

"Just like you…"

"Let me just put these inside, and I'll be right back."

When Melody came back out, I interlaced my arm with her own and escorted her towards the opera house.

"You know, Gustave, I didn't actually think you would show up tonight."

"And why would you think that?"

"Because I've been stood up before. Sometimes, they did show up, but then, halfway through the date, they would somehow turn it into a joke. So, in reality, I've never been on a real date before."

"Well, you're in for a treat tonight…" I said, holding the back door to the opera house open for her. "This way, my lady…"

Melody giggled as we entered through the stage door. Once inside, the sight of opera singers and stage hands greeted us. They were hurrying around and getting ready for their performances. Melody gasped and smiled at the very sight of them all.

"Are we allowed to be back here?" she nervously asked.

"Of course," I said. "I practically own the place."

I cut Melody's astonishment short by pulling her towards the stairs that were in the hall.

"Close your eyes," I said, leading her slowly up each stair. When we were at the edge of my father's private box, I smiled.

"All right, open your eyes!"

Melody opened her eyes and gasped once more when she noticed that we were right above the stage and in our own private box.

"Wow…I've never even been this close to an actual performance before."

When Melody noticed the two chairs that were behind us, she gasped once more.

"Really?"

"Of course… This is my father's private box. Soon to be my private box."

I had made this night magical for the both of us. Melody had never been to an opera before, and I had never escorted a girl to an opera with me before. We both won that night, for we were happy. During the entire opera, she and I sat there hand in hand…I loved touching her hand, for it gave me a strange, yet wonderful feeling from within my heart. I knew Melody had loved the opera, for throughout the entire show, she had a smile across her face. When it ended, I took her by the hand and led her out towards the nearby café…The night was going great, and I knew it could only get better as time went on.

"So, I take it that you loved the opera?"

"Oh, absolutely!" she cried. "I didn't even know what they were saying half the time, but it was beautiful and oh, so wonderful…"

"I thought that you would like it."

"I know this is a first date, but do you think that it would be all right if we went to the opera again soon?"

"Sure…How does next Friday sound?"

"Sounds like a plan!"

"And I promise to take you there…"

"Where are we going?"

"I was going to take you to the café for a cup of tea and a scone."

"I…I was thinking that maybe we could take a walk on the beach? It's such a nice night…"

Indeed, it was. Instead of heading towards the café, I took Melody by the hand and headed towards the beach.

"Well, I've never had so much fun before, Gustave. Usually, my life is filled with work and nothing more. Thank you…"

We stopped walking and turned to face one another. I wasn't sure why it felt right, or why I wanted to do it, but I did…I pressed my lips against her own, indulging in my first kiss with a girl…the girl of my dreams. This is what love felt like… This was what it felt like to be in heaven. I loved it so much, that I wanted to do more…I never wanted to stop.

"Melody?"

The girl smiled and looked up at me.

"Yes, Gustave?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course…"

I took the girl by the hand and led her to my house. I knew that my father wouldn't be back until late, for whenever there was an opera, he would stay out for hours, sometimes only returning in the early hours of the morning.

"What is this place?"

"It's my house…"

"Your house?"

"Well, my papa's house. He's not home though… He'll most likely be out until the morning. Usually, when there is an opera his work runs really late."

Once the door was locked, I led Melody to my room and closed the door behind us. Melody smiled and looked around at the walls that were painted blue and had music notes scattered all around them.

"What is this place?"

"My bedroom…"

"I like it…It's nice."

While Melody was looking around, I looked down at my feet and said the words that had been on my mind the entire night.

"Melody, I know that we've only known each other for a short time, but…but I really love you. I never felt love until I met you. I…I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

That was all it took, for Melody jumped into my arms and we continued our kiss. We landed on my bed, our embrace never breaking for a single moment. That evening, we reached heaven…Exploring each other's bodies and sharing what loved ones share. After making love to one another, we fell asleep in each other's embrace. I only woke, when I heard the door slamming closed downstairs. I gasped and jolted awake, still realizing that I was naked…And still beside Melody.

"Melody…" I shook her shoulder, causing her to groan. "Melody…Melody, wake up."

"Gustave?" she groaned and sat up. "What time is it?"

"It's the morning, and my father is home."

This caused Melody to sit up as well. "What? Is it that late?"

"Yes, it is…He can't see you. If he does, he'll become enraged. He has a terrible temper. He'll kill me."

I jumped out of bed and grabbed Melody's dress, handing it to her while I threw on my trousers.

"You can't go out the front door…" I said. "You'll have to go out the window."

I ran to my bedroom window and opened it, helping Melody climb to the other side.

"The fire escape is going to be on your right side…Be careful."

Melody smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "I had a great night, Gustave…Thank you."

"So did I…"

"When will I see you again?"

"Tomorrow night, at eight… I'll come by the pub."

"All right…"

Melody gave me one last kiss.

"Gustave, are you up there?"

When I heard my father's voice, I gasped and shooed Melody down the fire escape.

"Hurry…He's coming up the stairs."

Melody headed down the fire escape and I watched her until I knew that she was safe. Only then, did I close my window and spin around just as my bedroom door was opening.

"Gustave?"

"Yes?" I gasped. "What is it?"

"Who were you talking to?"

"I…I um…I was talking in my sleep, I guess. It's just me up here…"

"Well, I'm making breakfast…" he said. "It'll be ready in a few moments."

My papa gave me a strange look before hurrying back downstairs. I waited until he was gone before closing my door and sighing…And even though I could have been killed, last night had been worth it, for it was the best night of my life. I had reached heaven…the same heaven my father had reached with my mama…Love, pure love…And I couldn't wait until Melody and I came face to face once again. She was my life, my world, my love!

Merry Xmas! Well, love makes us all do stupid things...Um...Needless to say that Gustave won't be breathing if Erik ever finds out about them doing the deep under his roof...Stay tuned and have a happy holiday!