A/N: So this has been percolating in my head for some time now, and after finding no other phic to satisfy me, I had to write this one myself. This will most likely be a two-shot. This is kind of a fusion of ALW and Kay's version. Basically ALW's plot for the most part, but with the addition of Kay's plot point of Charles (I changed his physical description). Thanks for reading! UPDATE: Typos fixed!

Raoul knew. The doctor unwittingly confirmed what Christine knew Raoul had suspicions about for the entirety of the pregnancy.

It started when Christine went into labor. They were outside celebrating some achievement of Raoul's cousin when it happened. Instead of screaming out, she pulled her face into a tight knot, unwilling to let out a sound. It was as if she was trying to put a hold on the natural course, trying to keep of the façade just a little longer. She was immediately rushed into the Vicomte's estate with the family doctor shortly in tow.

"Doctor, this is too early, will the baby be all right?" Raoul was practically running the doctor inside.

The short man looked disinterested, "Monsieur le Vicomte, I deal with cases of all sorts I can assure you your wife and child will be just fine."

"But two months sir! Surely…"

The man held Raoul away from the chamber door, "Do not worry monsieur, soon you will be a regular father!"

Raoul lost track of time pacing outside the door. Even if the child survived the birth would it live very long? His poor Christine had already lost so much; the loss of their child may kill her. But was it even their child?

No. Raoul quieted the thought immediately. This wasn't the time for another ridiculous doubt. He just wanted Christine and the baby alive and well. However, the thought had already entered his mind. When Christine told Raoul that she was pregnant he was thrilled, as was she but there was some pain look when she told him. Every time the baby was mentioned it would return again. She also started showing so early…

Suddenly, Raoul heard cries from the other room. A child's. Soon after, the doctor came out.

"Congratulations, you have a son!" The man suddenly came closer, "You did not have to pretend with me monsieur. I am a modern man. No problem with not waiting until the wedding night." The doctor let out a light chuckle.

Raoul's face drained, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, no need to play games, the baby was carried to full term. There was nothing to worry about at all."

Christine was squeezing her eyes shut in a weak attempt to block out some of the pain. Then, there it was, the cries of her child.

"Is that it… Is that my baby?" Her voice was shaking, "Is everything, all right? Does it look…"

"A perfect baby boy. Congratulations Madame." Christine let out a sigh of relief as they brought the baby to her arms and she could see his unblemished face for herself.

He was beautiful. Dark curls were already springing from his head, his lips a gentle "m" shape, long and striking nose, eyes… His eyes were the mark of his father. Glowing amber. If Raoul did not notice anything else surely this was the nail in the coffin.

"Ma'am?"

Her eyes shot up.

"We need a name ma'am."

She let her eyes wander back to those of her son's, "Charles."

"A great name. Shall we invite the father in?" Christine gave a small nod. It was over. She did not know if he was going to scream or yell or just throw her out like that.

Instead he walked in slowly, face colorless. He silently pulled up a chair to sit next to the bed. For a brief moment Christine made eye contact and his face was stone. She watched his eyes move down to the boy's.

Raoul's head moved back a little, "He's beautiful. Like his mother." His lips turned upward in a forced smile.

She did not realize how still she was sitting until Charles started squirming in her arms, "Do you want to hold him?"

Raoul nodded maintaining the smile, but as soon as Charles was in his arms his eyes brightened and smile turned into a genuine grin, "Charles… Our Charles."

Christine let in a short intake of breath. So that was that. Our Charles. Oh, how she loved Raoul. He had his heart shattered minutes ago and still he loved her and now her baby. He would be a wonderful father to Charles, no matter what. Seeing them together allowed Christine to finally laugh and weep. Her family would be alright. But a sharp pang went through her chest, and for a moment she wished it was him beside her.

He loved Charles with all his heart. No past or biology could change that. Raoul knew Christine loved him and that was all that mattered. Sometimes he would catch her watching Charles play on the piano and could tell she was missing her angel. How could she not, she was seeing his eyes everyday.

It would be a lie to say that Raoul was never angry or resentful. One day he and Charles got in an argument when he was little. Charles went on screaming about how Raoul did not understand him and he wanted a new papa. When Christine walked through the door hearing the commotion Charles ran into her arms telling her what happened. When she looked back at Raoul for confirmation it was all over his face: This is your doing. This is your fault. That awful man was still taunting him from the grave. His last laugh.

Still, he loved Christine so, it hurt him to hurt her in times like those. She was his summer. Raoul's heart swelled with pride with every achievement gained by his Charles. He was Raoul's son, and always would be.

Charles grew into a striking young man. He was a talented piano player, singer, and even a bit of a dancer at such a young age. Christine felt like much of their time together was spent singing. They were much alike, but in some moment's she thought she was hearing her angel's voice.

Nothing could assuage the guilt she felt. Raoul and her never explicitly spoke about what happened. It was an unwritten agreement. The closest they ever got was when Charles and Raoul got in that terrible fight when he was still a small child. Charles was gripping onto Christine like mad saying that he never wanted to speak to his father again.

Raoul simply looked at her with scorn, "The real problem is that he is too much like his father, isn't it Christine?"

She had to turn and leave the room immediately so he did not see the tears swell up in her eyes. Charles just felt confusion at the comment, never really looking beyond the surface.

Later, Raoul apologized profusely and it was never brought up again. Christine did think of her angel the most then. She did want him to meet Charles. But mostly, she missed him for herself. But this time there was no going back. Her angel had truly become an angel. But his music and passion… the first time they kissed… so many moments still lingered on.

Charles' music career was just starting and Christine and Raoul had never been more proud of him. He played his first original piece for Christine and she could not wait to hear what other melodies he would bring to the world. One day she would tell him the truth.

But then she got sick.

His darling wife was gone. Too young, too soon. It would have always been too soon. Charles' career was met with great success, a world eager for more work from the young prodigy hardly seventeen. He looked so much like his mother, and acted much like her too. Always looking for the best in people. Every once in a while though, Raoul could see his father in him. The obsessive nature over his music, the temper, and those glowing eyes that haunted him since the day Charles was born.

Raoul was nervous about what he was about to do. It is what Christine would have wanted.

Charles had always had the nagging sense that someone was watching over him for as long as he could remember. When he would compose he could have sworn he heard a voice whispering to him. After his mother passed the voice turned into voices and Charles knew something was about to change.

"Charles!" His father was putting on his coat, "Come on, tear yourself away from the music for a moment. It is time to go."

"One moment papa," he locked his music away, ever protective, "Where are we going?"

"The opera house, I want to show you something."