Two weeks before the opening of Phantasma for the summer season...
"I love my new costume, Papa. Thank you so much for letting me get it," Charlotte stood in the parlor wearing a dark green leotard with long sleeves covered in green crystals that reflected light. Over it was a light green tulle skirt that came past her knees. Black stockings hid the rest of her legs until light green boots that matched the skirt started at the ankles. "Miss Merriman will approve of this costume compared to the other one I used to wear."
"Will?" Erik laid stretched across the couch; mask, wig, jacket, and shoes off.
Charlotte smiled, "Yes will. She said she will be coming to one of my shows. She acknowledged I have become quite the young lady but she would never be able to take the circus out of me."
"Circus? This is no circus! I will have to have a word with this headmistress before sending you back to that school in the fall. I joke of course. Well, go practice, it is important you practice in your costume."
"Thank you, Dada," Charlotte exited the parlor saying hello and goodbye to her mother as they passed in the hall.
Christine entered the parlor placing her hands on her hips the moment she saw her husband, "And what do we have here?"
He stretched his arms above his head, "It's good to be home at Phantasma."
"Home? You sir are retired. And I just returned from Rose's final opening day dress fitting. I do believe this is their home now."
"Nonsense. It's both our homes in the summer until theirs is finished being built."
"Well, I hope theirs is done before next summer," Christine moved her husband's feet and sat down. "They're going to be needing more room."
He arched his good eyebrow, "NO!"
Christine smiled, "She's three months. Don't say anything, she wants to tell everyone opening night. Though there is something I can tell you that isn't a secret."
"I'm listening."
"I'm four months with child."
The Phantom sat up, "NO!"
Christine's smile widened as she nodded. "I went and saw Dr. Bundy. I knew something wasn't right. He was the one who told me something happened during Arthur's birth and I wouldn't be able to have children again. Six years proved it true, but then…" She placed her hands on her stomach. "My monthly stopped, only a little spotty blood. I…"
"Christine, Christine," Erik took his wife into his arms, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why bother you with something I thought was normal?" She returned his embrace. "I thought it was just the change of life starting. I wasn't having morning sickness like with all the others. But something still didn't feel right. My breasts were sore, my petticoats and drawers getting tight in the familiar places they would when I was expecting. He's concerned about me losing the baby or something being not right shortly after birth. He says if I start spotting again, he'll want me on bed rest…"
Erik pulled back and placed his hands on her stomach, "Bed rest you must then. Did you forget you're retired too?" He rested his head on her chest, "You can lay on the couch as I compose music, we can read to each other. Somedays we can just spend all day in bed."
She ran her fingers through his hair, "You do know if I spot again there will be none of that until after the baby is born?"
"Who said anything about that?" He looked up at her and leered, "However if you shall want to use your mouth, I will not object."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. However, her smile said something different.
He rubbed her stomach, "I am so full of joy, Angel. I know this changes everything but I also know there was that part of you that was crestfallen that you would never have another child."
"We'll be fine. We always are. Though I don't think we'll be going to Florida this winter."
"Brownstone it is," Erik tilted his head up and kissed his wife.