Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I updated! If anyone is still waiting for the epilogue, here it is! Please forgive me for my absence! At first I had just been extremely busy but then when I actually sat down to write this last chapter, my brain refused! Seriously, worst case of writers block EVER! I think my body was refusing to let go of this story haha. But never fear, I have finished it! I hope you love it and it leaves you with warm fuzzies. Thank you EVERYONE who has ever reviewed or supported me. It took longer then anticipated but I would never have finished without all of your encouragement. I really hope you have enjoyed reading!

Erik strolled in the front door, removed his jacket and called out to his wife.

"Christine?!"

"In here," she hollered from the kitchen.

Moving his feet as fast as he could, he reached the kitchen in record time. Christine was standing by the counter mixing a bowl of cake batter. Her hair was in disarray and her apron was covered in flour. At the sight of her husband, her eyes lit up.

"Christine, for the millionth time we have a cook for this."

She raised her chin, "And for the hundred millionth time, I do not need servants to make my own children's birthday cake."

As if on cue the door swung open and two young children burst nosily inside.

"Daddy's home!"

"Dad!"

Erik lowered himself to the ground as his son jumped into his arms, practically knocking them both over in his eagerness.

"Gustave!" Christine scolded, "Be careful!"

Erik simply laughed and glanced over to where his daughter was now hiding shyly behind the counter.

His brow furrowed. "Gracie, what's wrong?"

Instead of answering, she hid her eyes and darted sharply back behind the counter. Erik cast Christine a questioning gaze.

"Your mask," she whispered, "Remember? It scares her."

Erik shook his head in utter disbelief. He still had a hard time accepting an innocent child would be more terrified of a white mask than the hideousness it covered.

At Christine's insistence, he had ceased wearing it in the house when the babies were born. He now only wore it on the rare occasion he had to make a public appearance or they had visitors.

Taking it off slowly, he set it on the kitchen table. "Is that better?" he asked his four year old daughter.

At his words the four year old peeked around the corner smiled widely. She scrambled away from the counter and flung herself into her father's arms. She kissed his cheek and snuggled in closer. Erik had to blink back tears as he felt her soft cheek resting against his rough deformed one. How had he become so blessed? He held his little girl closer and said a silent prayer of thanks for the chance to able to experience such love.

"Daddy," she whispered, as if sharing a great secret.

"Yes Gracie," he whispered back.

"It's my birthday," she grinned.

Erik mocked a surprised face, "It is?!"

The little girl in his arms giggled and nodded vigorously, her dark curls bouncing up and down.

"And is the birthday girl ready for her party?" he asked.

Grace's face turned serious and she looked at him thoughtfully "Yes, but I'd be even more ready if it was only my party and not Gustave's too." With her last remark she turned to her brother and stuck out her tongue.

Gustave glanced at his father and back to her. He then rolled his eyes and stated mater-of-factly, "You are such a child."

Christine burst out laughing, "Spoken like his father's son. Alright kids, your daddy needs to give mommy some help. Our guests will be here in a few hours and we have lots to do."

"Is Uncle Raoul and Aunt Meg coming?" Gustave asked excitedly.

Erik cringed. Though Raoul and Meg had been married over 2 years now, "Uncle" Raoul was still a bit much for him.

"Of course," answered Christine, "and Uncle Nadir and Aunt Lana."

Both kids cheered, jumping up and down in excitement. Christine laughed again and shooed them both out of the kitchen.

She turned to her husband and grinned. "I've never seen a set of twins so different. I know they aren't identical but I thought for sure their personalities would be somewhat uniform."

"Gracie does have a tendency to push the limits," Erik admitted.

"And Gustave is too much like his father..."

Erik reached over and grabbed his wife's hand. He pulled her slowly to him and whispered seductively, "And what my dear, is wrong with that?" His lips brushed hers softly and started traveling down her neck.

"Erik," she blushed, "I'm a mess!"

"You are irresistible," he murmured as he continued his assault.

Christine gave a half-hearted attempt to push him away but soon found her arms making their way up his chest and wrapping themselves around his neck instead. Erik's mouth made it's way back to hers and he deepened his kiss. She could feel him untying her apron and nearly came undone as one hand slipped underneath her shirt. Brushing lightly he teased her at first until he heard her breathing turn heavy. Christine then arched as his hand firmly closed over her aching breast. Finding himself as lost in the moment as she, Erik's hand gripped her bottom tightly and lifted her up on the counter. Christine's legs wrapped around his waist and she pushed herself against him.

"Erik..." she moaned, "we need to stop...the guests will.."

A throat cleared and an amused voice finished, "Arrive early to offer their help and then to their utter shame, walk in on an extremely awkward situation."

Christine's eyes snapped open and Erik turned around abruptly.

"Nadir!" he growled "Don't tell me your mother neglected to teach you the basic etiquette of knocking."

"Sorry," Lana grinned sheepishly behind him, "Christine gave us a key."

Erik turned to his wife, "You what?!"

Christine was smoothing her hair and trying to catch her breath, "I am pretty sure I said it was for emergencies only."

"Hey, we were just trying to be helpful," Nadir defended. "We thought you'd be getting ready for the party, not having a celebration of your own..."

"That's quite enough," Erik finished. He picked up his mask and placed it firmly on his face.

"You don't need to wear that for us Erik," Lana stated.

Erik's demeanor softened at her words, "I know but I'm still not quite ready to have it off around Meg and Raoul."

As if on cue Meg and Raoul raced into the room. "Out of the way! Out of the way!"

"What on Earth?!" Erik hollered as he jumped to the side.

Understanding dawned on his face as he watched his daughter chase Meg and Raoul around the kitchen counter.

"I'm gonna get you Uncle Raoul!" Grace Duvone shrieked.

Raoul put his arms up in surrender as Gracie tackled him to the floor. Meg watched on in amusement as her husband and god daughter erupted into fits of laughter.

"Where is Gustave?" Christine asked.

Meg motioned over to the door where Gustave stood haughtily, his arms crossed over his chest. Noticing all eyes on him he said in his best grown up voice, "If Gracie wants to run around like an animal that's fine. I don't see the point."

Gracie made a face, "You're just a sore sport because you knew I would get him first!"

"Am not!" Gustave argued.

"Are too!" she countered.

"Am..."

"That's enough."

At the voice of their father, both children stopped immediately.

"Now, off to your bedrooms for a few minutes. Your Aunt Meg will come and get you when everything is ready."

Both children obediently complied and Erik turned to his newest guests. Raising an eyebrow he inquired, "Emergency only key?"

Meg turned red, "We just couldn't wait to see the kids."

Erik's expression grew serious. "Yes, well as much as I appreciate everyone in this room's willingness to be a part of this special day for our children, in the future, I expect you to use the doorbell."

Satisfied he had made his point he turned the conversation to the events for the day. Meg was to stay and help Christine with the cake, Lana was to finish putting up the decorations and the guys were to keep the children out of their way. All went according to plan and soon everyone was sitting around the dinning room table singing Happy Birthday to the twins. Next, candles were were blown out, games were played, and presents were opened.

As Erik sat on the floor with Christine positioned between his legs, her head resting against his chest, he felt his heart would burst. Gustave was enthusiastically admiring his new violin. Erik smiled, his son had been begging for one of his own since the first moment he could speak. Yes, his son had definitely inherited his own gift for composing. Much to Christine's annoyance, they could easily lock themselves in the music room for hours on end. Gustave's ear for music was astounding. Erik was determined to develop his talent and Gustave certainly held no objections, unlike his mother. Erik chuckled. Ever since his opera house had opened he'd been diligently persuading Christine to take her rightful place on stage. She permitted his voice lessons but still refused any attempt he made to cast her in the lead roles. She insisted that she wasn't ready and was content to sing in the chorus. Erik scoffed at the ridiculousness of his wife as a mere chorus singer. She was meant for greater things and his patience was wearing thin. She was more than ready and he would not give up.

Erik's eyes left his son and settled on his beautiful daughter. His expression instantly changed from determination to concern. Whispering in his wife's ear he picked himself up from the floor and strolled over to where she sat. Tears were glistened in her eyes and her face was downcast.

"Gracie, what's wrong?"

Her eyes lifted and she wrapped her little arms around her father's neck. Even his mask didn't stop her from seeking comfort. She was simply too distraught.

"Daddy, I'm so sad. I didn't get what I wanted for my birthday."

Erik's mouth fell open. He looked about the room at all the scattered toys. How could they possibly have missed anything?

Christine came up to kneel next to her daughter and brushed a small curl from her face. Softly she asked, "And do you want to tell me and your father what you didn't get that is worth all these tears?"

Grace looked around the room shyly and noted all eyes on her. Taking a breath she raised her little chin and grinned, "A baby sister."

Erik nearly dropped her as the rest of the room erupted into laughter.

"Well..." Christine started secretly.

Erik's heart beat wildly. "Christine, are you...?"

Christine chuckled in delight. Any chance she had to fluster her always-in-control husband gave her a sense of giddiness. "No darling, I'm not. What I was going to say was..." she looked over at Meg and saw the approval in her friend's eyes. "We may not be able to give you a baby sister just yet..."

"But what about a little cousin?" Meg finished.

Gracie's eyes lit up and she started jumping up and down. "Oh yes! Oh yes! I want a little cousin Aunt Meg! Are you and Uncle Raoul going to have a baby?!"

Meg's eyes sparkled and she looked adoringly at her grinning husband, "Indeed we are. Are you ready to be an older cousin?"

Gracie nodded and then proceeded to give a list of her numerous qualifications for such a job. Nadir and Lana offered their congratulations at which Erik walked over to Nadir and patted him on the back.

"And when is your turn old man? I know how you hate to be left out of anything."

Nadir rolled his eyes, "Left out? Funny, especially coming from a man with an underground lair built purposely for staying in people's business."

Erik's eyes narrowed, "I simply like to know how my theater is being runned in my absence."

"Ah, but you're never really absent are you?"

"Boys, boys," Lana interjected, "I believe the man cave is through the secret passageway in the library. If you wish to continue this conversation, no doubt that would be a better place," she turned to Meg and Raoul, "Ignore those two. As a matter of fact, babies are not really on our list of priorities right now but I have been wondering when I was going to be getting an announcement from you. It's about time! Now, I want details, spill."

Raoul wrapped an arm around his wife and the three couples soon fell into an easy dialogue discussing the plans for the baby. Before long, however, the party was over and Erik and Christine found themselves alone in their bedroom. Their children, exhausted but happy, were now tucked safely away in bed.

Christine sat at her vanity removing her earrings and reflecting on the day. It was wonderful. She couldn't imagine changing one thing. She sighed, well, she might have been able to do without that interruption between her and Erik in the kitchen. Her heart beat faster just recalling it. How was it possible he could still produce such feelings of longing in her? If anything her desire for her husband had only grown in the beauty of their marriage. She glanced in her mirror and watched as her mask-less husband approached slowly from behind. He rested one hand on her shoulder as the other swept her hair to the side. Her eyes rolled back as she felt his lips on her skin. His hand slipped from her shoulder and down her collar bone.

"I love you," he murmured.

Christine's thoughts grew fuzzy and her chest rose and fall with deep breaths. "Erik..there's something I need..." she groaned as his hand delved into her dress, "need to tell you.."

He stopped immediately and came around to kneel beside her, "I knew it. You really are pregnant aren't you?"

Christine smiled and took her face in his hands. She kissed the ravaged side of his face and worked her way around to the other. "What would you think if I was?"

Erik closed his eyes, he didn't want to hurt her. "Christine, I want to be honest with you. If you are pregnant I will love our child with all my soul, just as I do you and the twins. The blessings of children is one I thought I'd never have. Being a father is...something I never want to take for granted. I know what it is like to grow up without one."

"But?"

"But.." he stood abruptly and put some distance between them, "Your voice Christine. I know it's crazy but I feel like I've been put on this earth with the express purpose of bringing the beauty of your voice to the world. I felt it the very first moment I heard you sing. It has been my dream for so long to hear your voice echo through the halls of my theater, to watch people's faces succumb to music through it's power. Another baby means..." he faltered but forced the word out, "to give up that dream once again."

He felt Christine's arms wrap around his waist and her head lean against his back. He shuddered with desire, my God, when would he get used to her touch? For so long he never thought he'd feel the touch of any women, let alone the one who held his very soul in his hands. What a fool he was! Her voice on stage?! What was a dream like that compared to the one he was currently living?! It was nothing! He turned abruptly and told her so. He fell to his knees and held her tightly to him.

"Forget that dream Christine. I have been pushing too hard. If you want music lessons they are yours but you will sing when you want. Whether that is to thousands of people or to our children in their beds at night. If I am the only one privileged to ever hearing you sing again, I will be content."

"Erik," he heard her whisper tenderly. "Stand up and look at me."

He did as she asked. She reached up and grabbed his collar, crushing his mouth on to hers. She felt his hardness and instinctively pressed herself closer. Erik moaned and swept her up in his arms. He sent her gently on their bed and pinned her beneath him. Once again he whispered words of love and adoration.

"Erik..." she breathed as his tongue assaulted her body, "I'm not pregnant..."

His eyes locked on hers. "You aren't?!"

She smiled, "No. After seeing your face downstairs, I just wanted to know how you felt about it."

"Why?" he asked incredulously.

"Because, I'm not ready for a baby either. I'm ready for something else."

Erik tried not to get his hopes up. "And what are you ready for my love?"

She looked straight at him, her lips curving into a smile, "It's time Erik. I'm ready to sing. You aren't the only one who felt that dream. I've felt it too. Music was never the same after you went away. I neglected it terribly. I've always felt I don't deserve another chance. If I was really worthy to sing it, I should have continued, with or with you. You didn't abandon it like I did. It was just so painful after you left.."

Tears formed in her eyes as she confessed her reasons for putting off her debut.

Erik shifted his weight off to his side and cradled her face in his hands. "Unworthy?! My beautiful angel, don't you see? I would have nothing to give this world without you."

He pulled her tightly to him, stroking her hair as he spoke, "Before I met you, music was my way of escape. I wanted to escape every moment of my life. Music took me away from my father, his cruelty and the harshness of everything surrounding me. When I met you, music became something else entirely. It no longer took me away from something, it took me towards it. You were the one to show me what music could really be. You brought true joy to it."

Christine clung to him fiercely as he continued.

"When I left, I kept you with me. Every time I composed, every time I played, you were there. If you hadn't been, it would have only been noise. If you would have faded from my memories, so would my music. How worthy does that make me?"

"Oh Erik," she cried, "What if we had never found each other?!"

"Impossible," he said simply. "You were always meant to be mine." He pressed a kiss to her brow, "Just as I was always meant to be yours."

Christine smiled and leaned into his kisses. "You are right, there would never have been anyone else for me. I would have waited my whole life for you if I had too."

Erik smirked, "Well, I'm glad I didn't keep you waiting that long."

Christine's voice grew low and suggestive, "Well then husband, don't keep me waiting any longer now..."

Erik grinned, happy to comply. He would not leave his wife waiting another second...

Christine's debut was all Erik had hoped it would be. The public adored her. Christine was shocked by such an extreme adoration but her husband showed no surprise. His dream of seeing his music expressed through the perfection of her voice was finally realized. His moment of triumph, however, was nothing in comparison to the blessing of his family. Erik would have traded a dozen professional triumphs for one day in their company. As luck would have it, no trading was necessary. Erik watched his dreams come true on stage and experienced even great happiness each night when he came home, tucked his children in bed and held his wife close. He had been a fool to let her go once and Erik never made the same mistake twice.

THE END