A/n: Last chapter! Thank you for all of those that have stuck with the story since I first put it up on here. Also a big thanks for those that joined us along the way. This is far from my last story and I hope to see you enjoying the many I have yet to write. If you find yourself longing for more, I put up a new story titled Zephyr. I'll put the summary for the story down at the bottom for you all. Enjoy, my lovelies!

Chapter 40- Epilogue

Third Person POV

"Louis, get down from there." Erik said, reaching for his six year old son that had managed to scale one of the shelves in the study. Scooping the boy into his arms, he returned him to the safe study floor. The boy was a perfect mix of his mother and father. Louis Arnaud Destler had his father's ebony hair and would undoubtedly be as tall as him. A cute, aquiline nose sat between a pair of green eyes that belonged to his mother. Maribelle would often regale the child's resemblances to his parents to the boy and anyone who cared to listen. He was the source of all adoration in the house, at least for a few more hours. "We can't have you getting hurt and worrying your mother."

"Yes, papa." Louis harrumphed, crossing his arms over his chest. The way he stuck his lip out was definitely learned from his mother. Her lips would jut out in the same manor when she did not get her way. The child went back to his toys in the middle of the room and played with them. He would have rather been climbing his father's book shelves. His imagination would make him a fearsome dragon attacking the castle walls. One evening, Erik found piles of the books covering the floor and Louis blamed it on the dragon.

The child's imagination was endearing, but his mischief would catch up to him one day. Erik would be there, though. He would never let his child do the same things he had done years ago. His children would know a parent's love. They would not have to go through the pain he went through, Erik swore. Setting the piece of music he had been working on, he joined his son on the floor. Picking up one of the wooden soldiers Brice had made for him, the two of them played for hours. When Louis' eyes could no longer stay open, Erik picked his son up and placed him on the chaise near the fireplace. The dying fire would keep his son warm for now.

As he finished picking up the last of Louis' toys, Ivette came walking in, a smile big enough for two women on her face. "Come along, Erik." she said. Erik didn't hesitate and followed the apprentice of Maribelle out of the study and up the stairs. Ivette, Jacques' sister, had taken a liking to assisting in child birth. A little over a year ago, she sought knowledge from Maribelle who took her under her wing. Tonight, she had delivered Flora and Erik's second child under the supervision of her teacher. Since she was escorting him to see his wife, the delivery had to have been successful.

Ivette held the door open for Erik and he stepped into the warm room. His eyes were immediately drawn to his exhausted wife and the precious bundle in her arms. She looked up at him, smiling softly. "Come meet your daughter, Erik." 'Damn... I owe Nadir for it being a girl.' Erik thought to himself as he walked over to the bed. The money would be worth it though. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at the newborn's face. It was scrunched up and pink, just as Louis' had been when he was born. If it weren't for the tufts of copper hair on her head, he wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. She was beautiful. Any child of Flora's would be beautiful to him. Flora handed the bundle to her husband and he cradled the infant in his arms, smiling all the while.

"What are we going to call you?" he cooed down at his daughter. Her eyes opened for a moment and his own eyes stared blankly up at him. The girl's button nose scrunched up and she cooed back at her father. "She has my eyes." Erik looked to his wife excitedly who was grinning.

"Amber." Flora said. "Amber Madeleine Destler." Erik nodded in agreement. Amber for the color of her eyes. Madeleine, his mother's name. It was a beautiful and fitting name. His heart was full of adoration and fatherly love, so much that it was overflowing. Tears sat in the corner of his eyes, threatening to fall. They would be tears of utter happiness, though. Looking at the clock hanging over the fireplace, Erik smiled. It was just past midnight.

"Merry Christmas, my love." Flora laughed and returned the holiday greeting to her ecstatic husband. Amber started to fuss in his arms so Erik handed her back to her mother. "Merry Christmas, Amber."

...

"Merry Christmas, Erik!" Nadir exclaimed, clapping Erik on the back. Erik grumbled, wondering why Flora had invited the cursed Daroga when he did not celebrate the western holiday. She had insisted and he the old Persian caved much to Erik's chagrin. Louis came running down the stairs, dressed in his Christmas clothes. Flora had selected them and he looked like the spitting image of his father in the suit.

"Uncle Khan!" Louis shouted, wrapping his arms around Nadir's legs. "Merry Christmas! Did you bring me a present?"

"Louis, do not ask for..." Erik started to reprimand.

"Oh be quiet, Erik." Nadir nagged, reaching into his pocket. He retrieved a small package wrapped in plain brown paper. "I may not celebrate Christmas, but I did not forget to get a gift for my favorite nephew." Handing the package to Louis, the six year-old eagerly took the present and unwrapped it. It was a small wooden flute and the first thing that Louis did was put it to his lips and blow. The instrument made a screeching noise and Erik knew he would have to teach his son how to play it. Otherwise, the entire house would be subject to... SCREECH!

"Louis, why don't you take Uncle Nadir to see your other presents?" Erik suggested, knowing the child would do so. Louis clutched his present in one hand and then grabbed the Daroga's hand. Nadir glared at him as the child dragged him off in the direction of the stairs. Before they could ascend, Flora and Amber appeared at the top of the stairs, escorted by Maribelle.

"Merry Christmas, Nadir." Flora greeted, smiling.

"Merry Christmas, Flora." Nadir returned. "I see we have a new addition to the family. A son or daughter?"

Flora descended and placed their daughter in Nadir's arms. He grinned down at the little girl, knowing that Erik would owe him a nice bottle of brandy due to the bet they made nine months ago. "Nadir, meet Amber Madeleine Destler." Cradling the infant cooing at him, his smile did not fade.

"You've made me a happy man, little Amber." Nadir cooed. "You papa owes me a good bottle of brandy now." Flora laughed and walked over to her husband. He was frowning at his friend, hating that he remembered their bet.

"You did get him a bottle of brandy, didn't you?" Flora asked, wrapping her arms around Erik's waist. He glanced down at his wife, smirking. She leaned against him and giggled, knowing very well that he had gotten his friend two bottles of the best kind.

Jacques and Ivette arrived next, each bringing an armful of gifts for those in attendance. The presents were set in Erik's study where little hands, mainly Louis', could not reach. Estelle announced that dinner was ready and everyone made their way to the dining room. Decorations hung from every wall and doorway. The table was glowing with candle light, the light reflecting off the recently polished dinnerware. Everyone took their seats and bowed their heads as Ivette prayed over their food. When she finished, everyone helped themselves to the wonderful meal Estelle had prepared.

After everyone was stuffed, they retired to the study where presents were shared. There was not a single unhappy person in the room, except for maybe Amber who was a little fussy. Nadir didn't say anything to annoy Erik when he received his two bottles of brandy. Nor did Erik say anything when Nadir gave him some expensive blank sheet music. Louis was drowning in toys and couldn't help but ask people to play with him. Maribelle had knitted a blanket for Amber that was softer than anything I had ever touched. Ivette had received a copy of Frankenstein from myself. Jacques was given a tin of Estelle's famous Christmas cookies that he would kill for. As everyone enjoyed their presents, the good doctor took Estelle out of the room for a few minutes. Upon returning, Estelle wore a darling engagement ring on her finger and could not stop smiling.

The afternoon carried on into the evening. Little by little, our guests returned to their own homes or back to the work around the house. Louis was taking a nap on the study floor, all the new toys he was given all around him. Erik and I sat on the chaise, cuddling up to one another while I held Amber as she slept. "I received a letter from the Vicomte." Erik said.

"Oh. How are they doing?" Flora asked. She had learned of how Raoul had helped in that year when she believed Erik dead. She was very thankful and was happy to hear from the man.

"Christine is almost recovered." Erik answered. "Raoul said that they might stay longer, just to be sure she is fully so. He wishes us a Merry Christmas."

"That was nice of him." Flora gazed into the roaring fire in the fireplace. It's warmth as making her sleepy, as if the turkey Estelle cooked hadn't already. Looking back, she would never have imagined having this life. Having Erik or her two wonderful children. She wouldn't have believed that a thief and a phantom that was really a man could escape prison, let alone find love. Leaning her head against Erik's chest, she sighed. "Merry Christmas, Erik. I love you."

"I love you too, Flora." he replied, kissing her on the top of her head. "Merry Christmas."

THE END

A/n: That's a wrap folks! I don't know if you could tell, but I am ready for Christmas. Hee hee. Hope you guys enjoyed the story and will continue supporting me in future stories. Until next time, my lovelies!

Your ever-faithful authoress,

Andimpink

Summary for Zephyr- Andimpink's next work.

Vivienne Clerisseau has heard of Erik Destler, the mysterious and wealthy man that has Paris talking. She will uncover the truth behind him as she is employed to care for his only son. The son he hasn't seen since his birth. Can she bring the broken family back together or will she be the whirlwind that tears it apart?