"Good morning, Erik," Nadir smiled. "How's Charlotte?"

"She's alright. Quite uncomfortable and in a bit of pain, but as long as she has Angelina, she'll be just fine," Erik replied.

"That's to be expected," Nadir nodded. "I take it you want her to have breakfast in bed."

"I do, yes. Just to get her to stay in one place and let her body heal," Erik said with a smile.

"Have fun with that," Nadir chuckled. "The girl broke her wrist, sprained her ankle, and got scarlet fever all in the same week, and I still couldn't get her to rest."

Erik shook his head fondly. "I'll work on it," he said with a smirk.

"Well, let's hope it works. She's good about resting if she feels like she needs it, so perhaps she'll stay in bed."

"I hope so. She needs her rest."

"Yes, she does," Nadir nodded, handing his friend a plate of crêpes. "I'm surprised you wanted to be in there while she had the baby."

"She needed me. She practically begged me not to leave," Erik said with a sigh.

"I don't blame you. I wouldn't have left even if the midwife tried to make me," Nadir chuckled. "That was probably the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced."

"Yes, it's incredible. Difficult to watch, but still amazing in its way," Erik replied with a nod.

"I agree, and I'm sure she did wonderful," Nadir said with a smile before chuckling slightly. "Poor Gustave didn't leave the corner the entire time."

"She did very well, yes. And I feel bad about Gustave. I should have had you take him out for awhile."

"Well, he'll have to get used to it if he plans to get married in the future."

Erik chuckled. "He will, yes. He might be a husband that leaves the room, I think. Not because he wants to, but because he might faint if he doesn't."

"I guess only time will tell," Nadir replied with a laugh.

"I suppose so. I'll go take Charlotte her breakfast. Do you want to join me? You've yet to meet the little one," Erik said.

"Of course," Nadir smiled, handing him a tray. "After you."

Erik nodded and walked upstairs, pushing the door to the bedroom open a crack. "Hello, love," he said, smiling at Charlotte as she woke up. "How are you?"

"Tired," Charlotte sighed. "But a bit better than I felt yesterday."

"Good. I brought your breakfast up, and I have Nadir with me if you're alright to see him," Erik replied with a small smile.

"Of course," Charlotte nodded, kissing his cheek. "I could have just gone downstairs, you know."

"No, I wanted you to stay here. You're tired and your body needs time to heal. Less activity and sleeping will speed it up," Erik replied. Leaving the tray on her lap, he stepped out for a moment, returning with Nadir by his side. "Here's your Papa, Charlotte."

"Hello," she said softly. "Angelina's asleep in the bassinet, but you can hold her if you'd like."

"Angelina's her name?" Nadir asked as he walked over to the bassinet and looked at the baby. "Oh, she's beautiful. Congratulations to the both of you."

"Thank you," Charlotte smiled. "She just loves Erik."

"Does she?" Nadir asked as he slowly lifted Angelina into his arms. "I'm sure you're pleased about that, Erik."

"Very, yes. She cuddled up on my chest and fell asleep easily, so she's very comfortable in my arms," Erik replied, walking over to Nadir to look at his daughter over his friend's shoulder.

"She's a sweet child," Charlotte said quietly. "Erik, do you want to bring Gustave in here? He's probably still asleep, so just come lay him in bed and let him wake up in here."

Erik nodded. "You two can chat for the moment," he said as he walked out of the room to get Gustave.

"How are you?" Nadir asked then as he sat on the edge of the bed next to Charlotte, gently rocking Angelina to keep her asleep. "I hear from Erik that you were very strong yesterday."

"I'm okay. Still very sore," Charlotte sighed. "It took a lot work, but she's finally here."

Nadir nodded. "Well worth the labor, I take it?" he asked.

"Yes, very," Charlotte smiled. "I love her. She's so precious."

"She is. I'm so happy for the two of you," Nadir said as he leaned over to softly kiss his daughter's forehead.

"Thank you," Charlotte grinned. "I'm happy for you too. You finally get to be a grandfather."

Nadir nodded. "I had always hoped I would be but never thought it would happened after my son...well, you know what I mean," he said, a new sad tone to his voice.

"I know, Papa," Charlotte replied softly, kissing his cheek. "I know you miss him."

"I do, yes, more than I can put into words. But I have you and that has been a true blessing," he said, looking at Charlotte and blinking back the tears in his eyes.

Charlotte smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Papa."

"I love you too, my darling."

It was then that Erik walked back into the room, Gustave in his arms. "He is exhausted," he whispered. "He didn't even flinch when I picked him up."

"Poor boy," Charlotte chuckled. "Lay him down next to me."

Erik smiled as he walked over to the bed and gently laid Gustave next to her, sitting down just beside him. "He was awake the entire day and into the night last night while you delivered Angelina, so I'm not surprised he's so tired," he said as he leaned over to kiss his son's head.

"He was a brave one," Charlotte said with a smile as she began to eat her food. "Thank you for breakfast, Papa. This is delicious."

"Of course, my darling. Your husband and I wanted to make sure you were taken care of today," Nadir said.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it."

"Of course. But it looks like someone else might need to be taken care of in a moment." Nadir looked down at Angelina then, whose eyes had opened as she started to fuss. "It's alright, darling," he said as he got to his feet and started to bounce her in his arms.

"I suppose she doesn't like being woken up. Takes after her father," Charlotte giggled.

"It seems that she does," Erik said with a smile.

"Well, in that case, you're in for quite a ride with Erik and a little Erik," Nadir chuckled. "But she's only a newborn. She's meant to be fussy."

"Yes, let's hope she doesn't keep it up as she gets older."

"We can only pray," Erik replied with a laugh.

"Agreed." Charlotte looked over at Gustave and chuckled as he cuddled up against her. "He's so tired."

"I know. I feel bad," Erik said softly.

"It's okay," Charlotte replied, kissing Gustave's forehead and setting her plate on the bedside table. "Hi," she whispered.

Gustave groaned and shook his head, burying his face in the pillow under him.

"He's not going to want to wake up," Erik said as he got to his feet and walked over to Nadir and Angelina, whose fussing had finally started to cease. "Hello, my little angel."

"It doesn't look like it," Charlotte chuckled. "Let me know when you get tired of holding her, Papa."

"I doubt I will. She's too precious," Nadir replied.

"Thank you," Charlotte smiled. "Erik, have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"No, not just yet. Don't worry about me, though," Erik replied.

"You should eat," Charlotte said softly. "Or at least, give me a kiss."

"The kiss I can do," Erik said as he walked over to her and gave her the kiss she had requested. "I would kiss you again and longer, but we have an audience, so I won't."

"I can leave," Nadir chuckled.

"Gustave is quite comfortable. I can wait," Erik said with a smile.

"Fine," Charlotte pouted teasingly, rolling her eyes.

"I know you aren't pleased. Later," Erik said with a wink. "Do you need to feed Angelina? Change her? Anything of that nature?"

"I should probably feed her," Charlotte nodded. "If Papa can part with her."

Nadir sighed. "I suppose I can for a moment," he said as he handed the baby over to her mother. "I'll give you some privacy. Erik, your breakfast is ready downstairs whenever you come down."

"Alright, I will," Erik nodded before turning his attention to Charlotte. "Would you like me to leave?"

"No, you can stay," she smiled.

"Okay. Just making sure you're comfortable," he said as he sat down on the bed next to her.

"I'm as comfortable as can be expected," Charlotte smiled, kissing his cheek before she looked down at her daughter. "Well, she's hungry this morning."

"Clearly," Erik said with a chuckle. "You're already such a wonderful mother, my love."

"Thank you," Charlotte said softly. "And you're a wonderful father."

"Thank you, but you're doing most of the work. But I do want to help if and when I can, which I know you're aware of," he said, giving her a smile.

"I appreciate that," Charlotte smiled. "It looks like she's done. Can you hold her while I fix my nightgown?"

"Of course," Erik said, taking Angelina into his arms. "Hello, my angel."

Angelina stared intently up at them with her big blue eyes.

"She's definitely an observant little one, isn't she? Always looking around," Erik said.

"Yes, very," Charlotte smiled. "She loves you so much. Just look at her."

Erik nodded, looking down at Angelina and letting her wrap her little fist around his index finger. "She loves me mask-less. I suppose I'll have to get used to that."

"Yes, I suppose so," Charlotte nodded, kissing his cheek. "I love it too."

"I know you do. Me, not so much, but if it keeps my daughter happy, I'll make an adjustment." Erik then glanced at Gustave. "We should just let him sleep, shouldn't we?" he asked.

"I suppose," Charlotte nodded, wrapping her arms around the boy as he rested his head on her shoulder. "He's very tired."

"Why don't you two stay up here? You can just take it easy and he can sleep. I'll take Angelina downstairs so Nadir can see her," Erik said.

"Okay," Charlotte smiled. "Don't take your eyes off of her for a second. I don't want anything to happen to her."

"I won't, of course not. She'll either be in my arms or Nadir's. I won't let anything happen to her." Erik gave Charlotte a tender kiss, resting their foreheads together as he pulled away. "I promise," he whispered.

"I believe you. I just can't help but worry," Charlotte sighed. "It's the first time she'll be away from me."

"I understand. You're a new mother and want your baby to be safe. But she'll be just downstairs, and if she needs anything that Nadir or I cannot supply, I'll bring her right back to you. It'll be alright," Erik replied softly. "If you don't want to part with her just yet, though, I can leave her here with you if you'd like."

"No, it's good that I spend some time alone with Gustave. You can take Angelina downstairs."

Erik nodded. "Okay. We'll see you soon," he said, giving her another kiss. "Rest, my love. I'll give you those extra longer kisses I promised later."

"Good," Charlotte smiled, resting her head against Gustave's.

Erik pressed a kiss to her forehead before he got to his feet, looking down at Angelina. "Let's go see your grandfather," he said as he walked out of the room and down to the kitchen with the baby in his arms.

"Gustave," Charlotte whispered once her husband was no longer in the room. "Gustave, are you hungry?"

"No," the boy groaned, burying his face in Charlotte's shoulder. "Well...maybe a little."

"Do you want your father to bring you up some food?"

"In a little bit, yes."

"Are you tired?" Charlotte giggled.

Gustave just nodded, closing his eyes again. "I was up late last night. I couldn't sleep while you were having the baby. I was a little scared."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Charlotte said softly. "But wasn't it worth it? You got to hold her after."

"It was worth it after. I was just worried that something was wrong," Gustave admitted.

"I know, dear. It just hurt a bit, that's all," Charlotte sighed, kissing his forehead.

Gustave nodded. "Is it better now? Papa said it might take a little while."

"I'm better," Charlotte nodded. "I'm still in pain, but I'm okay."

"That's good," Gustave said, wrapping his arms around her. "Papa's downstairs, right? Does he have Angelina with him?"

"Yes, he does," Charlotte smiled. "Do you want to hold her?"

"Yes," Gustave replied. "But if you want me to stay so you're not by yourself, I can do that too."

"I can have your father bring her back in here."

"It's okay. He can keep her for a little bit. I'll stay here with you."

"Alright," Charlotte smiled. "You can go back to sleep if you want."

"Are you going to sleep a bit more?" Gustave asked as he leaned against her shoulder again and closed his eyes again.

"If you don't mind," Charlotte chuckled.

Gustave shook his head. "It's okay. You need to sleep."

"Alright, then," Charlotte said softly, resting her head against his. "Sleep well."

"You too, Charlotte," he whispered.

—————

Meanwhile...

Downstairs, Erik was sitting at the table and eating his breakfast, watching Angelina and Nadir as he did. "She's very comfortable with you," the father said.

"Yes, well, I have experience with children," Nadir smiled. "That is why I'm here."

"I know that. I'm just saying that it's nice," Erik replied. "I know you're good with children. I saw you with your son in Persia."

"Thank you," Nador nodded. "She's such a sweet little girl."

Erik smiled. "She is, yes. Fussy as a newborn baby should be, but very sweet otherwise."

"She's not terribly fussy, though. My son was worse than this," Nadir nodded.

"I couldn't imagine that. He was really a bit of a troublemaker, was he?"

"It seemed that he would never stop crying. We eventually calmed him down, though."

"Which is good, though I imagine with the illness he had, the crying wasn't a shock," Erik said, only to cringe when he realized what he'd said. "Nadir, I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, no, it's fine," Nadir shrugged. "Really."

"I know it isn't," Erik said with a sigh. "I know it's still a touchy subject. You don't have to try and pretend it's alright, you know. I know you better than that."

Nadir nodded. "Let's focus on this little one, shall we?" He said as Angelina began to fuss a bit. "It's alright, dear. Shh."

"Yes, let's. Charlotte's so nervous about her, though I understand. Letting Angelina out of her sight was difficult this morning," Erik said, moving to Nadir's side and taking Angelina into his arms so he could try and soothe her.

"Yes, it's understandable. Angelina's less that twenty-four hours old. I can see why should wouldn't want to be away from her."

"As can I. She's already a wonderful mother, though. She's going to be just fine."

"Yes, I believe she will be," Nadir smiled. "I suppose I'll be returning to London sooner than I thought."

"If she'll let you," Erik said with a chuckle.

M"I'll gladly stay if Charlotte wishes. It's certainly better than going back to living on my own."

Erik nodded. "We could certainly put you up. I think she'd be pleased just to have you with her," he said, sighing as Angelina's crying continued. "Any suggestions to soothe this little one, Nadir?"

"We could try giving her back to Charlotte before she comes down here herself," Nadir suggested.

"Too late," Charlotte chuckled, leaning against the doorway. "Do you want me to take her, Erik?"

"Charlotte, love, what are you doing out of bed?" Erik asked.

"Getting water," Charlotte shrugged. "I also wanted to let you know that Gustave wants breakfast."

"Okay, I'll bring him breakfast and bring you water. Now, get back upstairs and into bed. I want you to rest today," Erik said, making his way over to her to give her a quick kiss on her forehead.

"Alright, alright," Charlotte sighed. "Do you want me to take her?"

"For now. She's fussing and I can't seem to help," he replied as he passed Angelina to her mother.

When Angelina immediately calmed down and curled up on her mother's chest, Erik gave a sigh. "Mama was all you wanted, was she?" he said as he gently stroked his daughter's head.

"It would appear so," Charlotte replied, chuckling as Angelina stared up at her father with wide eyes.

Erik smiled. "I don't blame you, Angelina. Sometimes your mother is all I want for comfort too."

"She's so cute," Charlotte giggled. "I can't get over it."

"I know. Our daughter is precious."

"Very," Charlotte smiled, kissing his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too," Erik said before laughed a bit. "That's still a bit crazy to say. My daughter."

"I know," Charlotte grinned. "Isn't it amazing?"

"Incredible. I never thought I'd be a father at all, never mind to a son and a daughter."

"I didn't think I'd be a mother," Charlotte smiled, kissing Angelina's head.

"And now look at you both," Nadir said. "Proud parents."

"Certainly," Charlotte giggled. "I should probably get back upstairs."

"Yes, you should. I'll get Gustave's breakfast up to him in a moment," Erik said, giving her a kiss.

"Alright," Charlotte smiled. "Thank you, dear. I love you."

"I love you too," he replied, giving Angelina's head a kiss. "And I love you, my angel."

Charlotte kissed his cheek before taking the baby back up to the bedroom. "Hello again. Do you want to hold her, Gustave?"

"Yes. please," Gustave said as he rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed.

"Alright. Here you go," Charlotte said softly, gently placing Angelina in his arms. "She likes you."

Gustave smiled as he looked at his sister. "Her eyes are so pretty," he said.

"Thank you," Charlotte replied. "I can't tell if she has my eyes or your father's."

Gustave took a moment to quietly observe them. "I'm not sure either," he said.

"They're a mix between the both, I suppose."

"I guess so. That makes them more pretty. I wonder who she'll look more like as she grows up," Gustave said softly.

"Your father said that she looks a lot like me, but that could easily change," Charlotte shrugged.

"She does look like you a bit more than Papa," Gustave said. "He does say that I look more like him than my mother, though."

"That is true. But you have the same hair color as I do, so your mother must have had the same."

Gustave nodded. "She did. It was curly like yours too."

"Do you miss her?" Charlotte asked softly.

"Yes," Gustave replied with a shaky sigh. "I miss her a lot."

Charlotte wrapped an arm around him, leaning her head against his. "I'm sorry," she said.

Gustave kept his focus on Angelina, sniffling but keeping quiet as he looked at her.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Charlotte whispered, kissing his cheek.

Gustave shrugged. "Just sad, I guess," he replied quietly. "I love you, Charlotte, but...I wish my mother was here."

"I know you do, dear," Charlotte sighed. "That's okay, I understand."

Gustave nodded and leaned closer to her, letting Angelina hold onto his finger. "I shouldn't have gone with Miss Giry to the pier. It wouldn't have happened if I had stayed at the theatre."

"Hey, don't you blame yourself," Charlotte said in a softly yet firm tone. "It was not your fault."

"It feels like that sometimes," he mumbled.

"It's not your fault, darling," Charlotte sighed, hugging him close.

"Papa says that too. I believe you both, but sometimes I'm not sure."

"That woman would have taken you, no matter what it took. It was in no way a fault of yours."

Gustave looked up at her and nodded. "Okay. Thank you," he said. He then frowned as a thought came to mind. "Do you tell Papa the same thing? I know he thinks it was all his fault too."

"I have told him that, yes. But I do mean it."

"I know you do. I think he does too," Gustave said quietly. "Thank you, Charlotte."

"You're welcome, my darling," Charlotte smiled, kissing his forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said, looking down at Angelina. "She's been so quiet."

"Good. That means she likes you," Charlotte smiled. "She's looking at you."

Gustave grinned. "Hi, Angelina," he said softly.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Looking up, Gustave smiled as Erik walked into the room, a tray in his hands. "I have your breakfast, Gustave, but I can see you're holding your sister."

"Just set in on my nightstand," Charlotte nodded. "He'll eat when he's ready."

Erik set the tray down before he walked to sit next to Gustave, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "So you got your little sister like you wanted, hm?" he said.

"Mhm," Gustave grinned. "She's pretty."

"She is, isn't she? I am a lucky man indeed. I have a pretty daughter and a handsome son," Erik replied as he looked up at Charlotte with a smile. "And a beautiful wife. I don't know how I'm so fortunate. And you know, Angelina definitely seems to like you. She's very content to have you hold her," he added, moving Angelina's blankets out of her face.

"She really is," Charlotte smiled. "I think you're her favorite, Gustave."

"I think so too," Erik said, leaning his head against Gustave's

"Really?" The boy asked quietly.

"Really," Erik replied.

"She's my favorite too," Gustave grinned.

"We're glad you love her so much, my boy."

"We both are," Charlotte nodded.