A few weeks later.

"Good morning, Papa," Charlotte said as she entered the kitchen, taking in a deep breath. "Something smells wonderful."

"I decided to take it upon myself to make breakfast to give you a little bit of a break," Nadir replied, smiling at her from where he stood at the stove.

"Thank you," Charlotte smiled, moving over to kiss his cheek. "Is Gustave awake yet? He wanted me to show him how to paint Phantom today."

"I woke him up just before I came down, but I don't know if he actually ended up getting out of bed," Nadir said with a chuckle.

"That sounds like him," Charlotte giggled. "He likely fell back asleep, so I think I'll go try to wake him."

"Yes, you should do that. He might never get up if you don't."

"Alright, I will." Charlotte hurried up the stairs and went straight to Gustave's room. "Darling, it's time to wake up."

"No," Gustave replied, pulling his covers over his head.

Charlotte chuckled, walking over to the bed. "Move over."

Reluctantly, Gustave rolled over in bed, making room for Charlotte to sit next to him.

"Will you get up if I cuddle with you for a few minutes?" Charlotte asked with a soft laugh.

"I don't know," the boy replied, finally poking his face out from under the covers.

Charlotte giggled, laying down beside him. "Are you getting more excited about your new sibling? You can actually see them now."

Gustave nodded, looking at Charlotte's growing belly. "I just want them to be here. I'm tired of waiting," he mumbled.

"I know, darling. But we still have about five more months to go," Charlotte sighed, wrapping her arms around him.

"That's so far away."

"Don't remind me," Charlotte chuckled. "But trust me, it'll be well worth the wait."

"I know. I'm just excited to have a little brother or sister," Gustave said. "Mother always wanted another baby, but she never had one with Raoul. I don't know why."

"Maybe it just wasn't plausible," Charlotte shrugged. "I guess we'll never know."

"I guess not."

"Perhaps Raoul wasn't the man she wanted to have another child with."

"Because she still loved Papa?" Gustave asked.

Charlotte nodded, kissing his forehead. "It's a shame they couldn't be together."

Gustave nodded. "I wish Papa had been with us since I was a baby," he said quietly.

"He does too. Very much," Charlotte sighed. "But your father...he didn't think your mother truly loved him, and he left."

"But she loved him so much. Why did he think that?"

"Your father has...he's made mistakes, Gustave. Grave ones, I'm afraid. After all of that, he didn't believe anyone could love him. Not truly."

"Is that why he doesn't talk about his past very much?" Gustave asked. "Because he doesn't want us to know about the things he did?"

"He's told me," Charlotte nodded. "But he doesn't want you to know."

Gustave frowned. "Why not?"

"Because he doesn't want you to think badly of him."

"I wouldn't. I love him," Gustave said softly.

"Gustave..." Charlotte sighed. "Gustave, your father...you've heard stories of the Opera Ghost that haunted the Populaire a while ago? Around the time your mother lived there?"

He nodded. "Mother only mentioned it once or twice."

"But didn't they tell you about it in school too? Of all the terrible things that happened?"

"Sometimes. They told us about when the chandelier crashed."

"Did they tell you that the Opera Ghost killed two men and threatened the managers?"

Gustave nodded, a frown on his face. "What does that have to do with Papa?"

"The Opera Ghost was your father," Charlotte said quietly.

Gustave's eyes went wide. "What?" he asked.

"Your father was the Opera Ghost," Charlotte said again. "But you have to understand that he regrets all of that very deeply."

"Papa...Papa killed people?" Gustave asked, still trying to wrap his mind around that thought.

"They were people who wanted to do him harm, Gustave. He wasn't killing them for pleasure, believe me."

"That's why he thinks people won't love him? Because of what he did?"

Charlotte nodded. "And because of his face."

Gustave sighed. "I feel bad for him. He doesn't deserve that," he said, laying his head on Charlotte's shoulder and trying to keep himself from tearing up.

"Are you okay?" Charlotte asked softly, noticing the expression on his face.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Gustave whispered with a little shrug.

"You look upset," Charlotte sighed. "Your father will probably be cross that I've told you all this."

"I guess I am a little sad that he feels that way. But I don't want Papa to be upset with you."

"Just make sure he knows that you still love him despite everything. Then maybe he'll see that it wasn't a bad thing that I told you," Charlotte said with a small smile. "Now, Nadir is making breakfast, so we should go downstairs. I'll even let you have a bit of coffee if you'd like."

Gustave nodded and gave Charlotte a hug. "Are you going to tell him that I know? Or should we just not say anything?"

"I think we should tell him now," Charlotte nodded. "But we'll wait until after he's had his breakfast."

"Okay," Gustave said before he added, "Can I really have some coffee?"

"If you want," Charlotte chuckled.

Gustave smiled. "Good, because I do want some. Let's go," he said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Alright," Charlotte smiled, taking him by the hand and leading him down to the kitchen. "Look who I found."

"Good morning," Nadir said with a smile at Gustave. "I thought you were going to sleep all morning!"

"Yes, well, I woke him up by telling him of Erik's time at the Populaire."

Nadir frowned. "You told him?"

"Yes, and Erik won't be very happy," Charlotte sighed.

"But I'm not mad at Papa. I just feel bad for him," Gustave said with a shrug.

"We know, Gustave. We feel bad for him too, but...you were the one person Erik didn't want to know about that time of his life," Nadir explained, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"He had to know eventually," Charlotte replied. "I know Erik will most likely be cross, but there's nothing to be done now."

Nadir sighed. "Yes, he'll probably be upset. You're going to tell him that you told him, then?"

"Yes, I am," Charlotte sighed. "I just have to figure out how to tell him."

"It's a difficult subject to approach. You just have to be very calm about it. It will hopefully help keep him calm," Nadir said as he pulled out a chair at the table for her and Gustave.

"I really hope he doesn't get too upset about it," Charlotte said as she shook her head.

"I hope he doesn't either, but I'm never quite sure with him."

"It's hard to tell," Charlotte nodded.

"What's hard to tell?" They heard a voice ask from the doorway.

"Oh, nothing," Charlotte shrugged. "Good morning, dear."

"Good morning," Erik said, wiping the frown from his face as he walked over and gave Charlotte a quick kiss.

"Did you sleep well, darling?" His wife asked softly, giving him another kiss.

"I did, yes. How about you? The baby isn't making you too uncomfortable?" Erik asked.

"No, not yet. It hasn't started kicking, which I'm thankful for," Charlotte chuckled.

Erik nodded. "Good," he said as he walked over to Gustave and gave his forehead a quick kiss. "And you, my boy? How did you sleep?"

"Good," Gustave smiled. "But I'm hungry."

"Well, by the looks of things, breakfast has been prepared. Go grab yourself a plate."

Gustave nodded and hopped out of his chair.

Charlotte watched him walk up to the counter before she put a hand to her side and gave a small frown. "That...feels different."

Erik looked over at her. "What does?" he asked, walking over to her. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"Give me a your hand quickly," Charlotte said with sudden excitement, finally realizing what was happening.

"Charlotte, what's going on?" Erik asked.

"Just give me your hand," Charlotte chuckled. "The baby's kicking."

Erik gave her his hand, his expression now one of curiosity rather than fear. "You can feel it?"

Charlotte nodded, gently placing his hand on her stomach. "There. Given it a minute."

There was a moment of silence before Erik felt something tap against his palm. He couldn't help but gasp a little bit, leaving his hand in place and feeling the little flutters against it. "That was the baby?" he asked quietly.

Charlotte nodded again, a smile gracing her features as she leaned over to give his cheek a kiss.

"That's incredible," Erik said with a laugh as he gave her a hug.

"Don't tell me you're going to start crying," Charlotte giggled.

"No, I don't think so," he replied.

"Good, because you know how I get," Charlotte laughed, kissing his cheek. "Gustave, come over here."

Gustave walked over, leaving his plate on the table before he moved to stand with his parents. "What is it?" he asked.

"Your sibling is kicking," Charlotte smiled. "Give me your hand."

Already smiling wide, Gustave put his hand in hers so she could rest it on her stomach, where he felt a little tap on his hand. "Wow," he said, looking up at Charlotte and Erik.

"Isn't that amazing?" The former asked with a grin.

Gustave nodded, keeping his hand in place as he gave her a hug. "I can't wait for them to get here," he said.

"I can't either," Charlotte smiled, pulling him in close. "I bet they're going to just love you."

"I hope so."

"I know so," Charlotte said softly, kissing his cheek. "Now eat your food before it gets cold."

Gustave smiled and pulled his hand away from Charlotte's stomach so he could sit down at the table. "I wish it wasn't going to be so long until the baby gets here," he said

"I know, dear. I wish it could come sooner too," Charlotte nodded. "But like I said, it'll be worth it."

"I think we all wish it would come sooner," Erik said with a smile.

"I felt like that when my wife was pregnant with my son," Nadir nodded. "But as Charlotte said, it's worth the long wait."

"I'm sure it will be. We should probably start thinking about the nursery as well."

"Yes, that would be a good idea," Charlotte nodded. "I'm thinking pastel colors."

"I agree. I can sketch a quick draft of something simple so we can see the layout. Then we can go out and buy the bassinet and all the other things we need," Erik said.

"Having an architect in the family certainly comes in handy," Charlotte giggled. "That sounds wonderful, darling."

—————

Charlotte took a deep breath as she knocked on the door to her husband's study. "This has to be done," she thought. "I have to tell him."

"Come in," Erik called from inside the room.

Charlotte took a deep breath and entered the study. "Hello," she smiled. "Do you have a moment?"

"I do, yes," Erik said, setting his pen down and turning in his chair to face her.

"I have to tell you something and...I don't know if you're going to be pleased," Charlotte sighed.

Erik frowned. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Yes, everything's fine," Charlotte nodded. "It's just...well, remember how you said you never wanted Gustave to know about your past? Especially the Opera House?"

"Yes, I do remember that. Why?"

"I had a talk with Gustave this morning and...I told him."

"What?" Erik asked. "Why would you do that?"

"The topic came up and I couldn't get around it," Charlotte sighed. "But he's not upset about it, if that makes any difference."

"Charlotte, I didn't want him to know," Erik said. "How much did you tell him?"

"That you were the Opera Ghost, and he knows what that entails."

Erik got to his feet, his hands in his hair as he started to pace back and forth. "Charlotte, he was the last person I wanted to know about any of that! Now my son knows I've killed people! How could you tell him that?" he demanded.

"Like I said, it came up and I couldn't get around it. I'm sorry," Charlotte said softly.

"I find it hard to believe that there was no possible way to get away from that topic of conversation," Erik said, crossing his arms and turning to face her

"He would have just brought it up again later. And I explained to him that those were people who wished you harm and that you didn't just kill them for pleasure," Charlotte sighed. "I know you're angry and I'm really sorry."

"Maybe I didn't kill them for pleasure, but it was still done. Did you provide him an explanation about the people I killed when the chandelier fell? What had they done to try and harm me?" Erik asked. "I killed innocent people and now my child knows about it! If anyone was going to tell him, it should have been me!"

"I know, I know," Charlotte said with another sigh. "And I didn't say anything about people being killed in the chandelier crash, no. I figured that I'd already said too much at that point."

Erik shook his head, looking down at his feet. "He's never going to look at me quite the same. You know that, don't you?" he said quietly, bringing himself to look up at her with tear-filled eyes. "That's exactly what I wanted to avoid because I regret nearly every decision I've made in my life, and I didn't want him to know about it because I fear he'll turn his back like everyone else always has."

"Look at me," Charlotte said softly, cupping his face in her hands. "He loves you. More than anything. He won't treat you any differently, my love. You know he'd never turn his back on you."

Meeting her eyes, Erik took a shaky breath. "But what if he does?" he said.

"He won't," Charlotte said firmly, quickly wiping a stray tear from his cheek.

Erik wrapped his arms around her. "I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's okay. It was wrong of me to tell him without talking to you first," Charlotte sighed, kissing his cheek. "Don't cry, darling. It's alright."

"I just don't want him to think any differently of me because I've made countless stupid decisions."

"I told him how deeply you regret everything. And he said that he just feels bad for you. That's all," Charlotte assured. "You can talk to him yourself if you'd like."

"I probably will. Just to make sure he understands everything," Erik said with a nod. "Though I'm sure he does. He's a smart boy."

"See? It's better that he knows," Charlotte nodded, kissing him gently. "Don't be upset."

"I don't want to be. I hate to be upset with you," he said.

"Good, because I don't like it when you're upset with me either," Charlotte replied with a small smile. "Oh! The baby's kicking again. Quick, put your hand on my stomach!"

Erik smiled, doing as she said. "They don't seem to like it when I'm upset either," he said with a chuckle.

"I don't think so," Charlotte giggled, kissing his cheek. "I can't wait to have the baby with us."

"I know, I'm eager to meet them," Erik replied. "Serious conversations aside, I drafted up the nursery if you want to look at that."

"Of course," Charlotte smiled. "Let's take a look."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Papa?" They heard a young voice ask.

Erik walked to the door and opened it, smiling when he saw his son. "Hello," he said warmly.

Gustave wrapped his arms tightly around his father's waist. "Don't be mad at Charlotte. I asked her about your past. She only told me because I asked."

"It's alright, I'm not mad. I was a little at first, but we talked about it. It's okay," Erik said, kneeling down to hug his son properly.

"Good," Gustave smiled. "I love you, Papa."

"I love you too," Erik said before he cupped his son's face in his hands. "I know what Charlotte told you might have been...upsetting to hear, and I'm sorry if it was. I just wanted to make sure that you understand everything and that you don't have any questions of sorts."

"She explained it," Gustave nodded. "I understand why you did what you did, Papa. I'm not upset about it."

"Good. Very good," Erik said, giving Gustave another hug. "I'm glad."

"I could never not love you, Papa," Gustave said softly.

Erik sighed, tilting his head to rest his forehead on his son's shoulder. "Thank you," he replied.

"I hope you know that I feel the same way," Charlotte smiled. "There's nothing you could do to make me not love you."

Erik raised his head again, looking back at Charlotte with a smile. "You're going to make me cry, and then you'll cry, and it'll be a mess," he said.

Charlotte giggled, kissing his cheek. "It's true. I love you more than anything."

"I love you too. I love both of you," Erik replied, pulling both Charlotte and Gustave into his arms.

"Three of us," Gustave corrected, putting a hand on Charlotte's stomach.

"Of course. How could I forget our new little addition?" Erik asked with a smile.

"And Nadir," Gustave chuckled.

"Yes, Nadir too," Erik replied, playfully rolling his eyes.

"I heard that," they heard him say from the kitchen, making Charlotte giggle.

"God, he's always listening, isn't he?" Erik asked.

"Pretty much," Charlotte nodded. "Come on, let's all go out for lunch."

"Good idea. Maybe while we're out, Gustave can help us find little toys and things for the nursery."

"Yay!" Gustave grinned.