I am both excited for this final chapter and sad that it is ending. I would like to thank all of my wonderful reviewers-I couldn't have done it without you (you were such inspiration and motivation for me to continue)!

I will be editing this story, so if you check back in the future, there might be some refreshing changes.

I also have at least two more ideas for stories-another E/OC fic, and even an E/C. I usually don't write E/C, but I have an excellent plot in mind and would like to try my hand at it. So stay tuned and check for my new stories in the future!

And now, without further delay:

Ch. 60 - Epilogue

-THREE YEARS LATER-

"My love, are you certain that we should not return home? You do not look well," Erik suggested, anxiously awaiting her answer.

Aurelie closed her eyes and grimaced in pain, but she was quick to refuse his offer.

"No, no; I am quite alright!" she insisted stubbornly.

Mrs. Malloy watched her friend attempt to appear alright, though her face was saying otherwise.

Aurelie sat on the edge of the rose-colored divan in front of the fireplace inside of their setting room in the theatre. Once the pain had somewhat subsided, she glanced nervously at the clock.

"Besides," she breathed, "the performance will begin soon."

Erik could not help but to feel on-edge at the sight of his wife's condition, and he found that he could not sit still for long, so instead he rose and paced the room back and forth.

He knew how excited and determined she was to watch his newest Opera being performed, and her enthusiasm for his work brought a warm feeling to his heart. She had prepared herself diligently, sweeping her long dark hair onto the top of her head, she had adorned herself in the yellow diamond necklace and earrings that he had given to her on their first wedding anniversary, and she was dressed in a violet-colored evening going made of silk and black lace. How beautiful she was, especially when he could see the round shape of her stomach beneath the loose skirt of her dress.

"Aurelie, perhaps Erik is right," Elizabeth warned when her friend was enduring another wave of pain.

Aurelie clutched at her stomach and groaned. She was nearly ten months with child, and she should have known better than to have left the house.

Despite herself, she reasoned that the contractions had begun that afternoon, and that she could endure a few more hours longer. After all, she had tolerated the growing discomfort that had recently turned into brief moments of agony for nearly seven hours; of what difference would two or three more make?

She did not want to admit that, for the past half hour, they had become more frequent and painful, though everyone in the room could see it.

"I am fine," she said through clenched teeth. "I do not want to miss this Opera!"

After the pain had subsided, she breathed a sigh of relief and gave a weak smile at Erik, who had begun to hover above her as his anxiety increased.

"My dear," he clasped her hand and attempted to soothe her with his gentle voice, "I am truly flattered that you take such an interest in my music, but you are in labor. At least allow us to fetch a Doctor, if you will not return to our home."

She did not wish to agree with him, but she knew that he was right. Even if she did have the desire to return to their estate, she knew that there would be no time.

She nodded and leaned back in her seat, attempting to relax. How difficult it was, when a million thoughts raced through her head, and the reality of what was happening was facing her.

The Malloys went to request a Doctor and left the two of them alone, promising to return as quickly as they could.

Erik could see that something was the matter with his wife as she frowned, and he furrowed his brows at her. Sitting beside her, he lovingly touched her cheek with his bare hand.

"Is something the matter?" he asked softly.

Aurelie sighed and closed her eyes, willing herself not to let the tears escape. Her heart pounded wildly and she felt as if she was on the verge of hysteria as the panic set in.

When she opened her eyes to look at him, the tears streamed down her face.

"Erik, I am scared..." she admitted. "I am not ready! What if I will not be a good mother?"

He hated to see her cry, and he wiped at her tears and reassured her.

"You will be a wonderful mother," he whispered. "You have given me more than I could ever imagine; you have filled me with such joy. Now we shall have a baby to share it with."

Erik stroked her hair and she immediately felt better. His voice and his touch could always calm her down and make her feel secure.

Aurelie laid down and rested her head in his lap, urging him to continue playing with her hair. Something about it was calming to her, and if it could distract her for the moment then she welcomed it.

"Will you sing to me?" she asked, looking up at him.

He caressed her forehead with a smile. "Of course," he replied.

He sung her favorite song; a composition that he had written for her for their wedding day. Aurelie immediately recognized the tune and closed her eyes in satisfaction as she remembered the happiest day of her life.

The two of them continued this way for a while-Erik would stop every time that she gasped in pain but she would insist that he continue-until the contractions were only few minutes apart.

Erik appeared to be calm and collected outwardly, but he was panicking inside. If that Doctor did not arrive soon, then what was he to do? He had read many books on the subject of childbirth, and yet he felt so inadequate. How could he possibly apply what he had read when it came to the real situation?

Another part of him had also feared becoming a father. He had never had a father, himself, and he was unsure as to how to go about it.

But he put on an air of confidence for Aurelie's sake; it would do no good to frighten her more by his own insecurities. Right now, she needed him and he would do anything for her.

He felt the greatest sympathy when watching her in pain-so much, that she could hardly speak.

Relief washed over him as he heard a knock on the door, and in walked their visitors. Elizabeth rushed over to the side of the divan and inquired as to her friend's condition, while the Doctor urged Aurelie to stand up, if possible.

Mr. Malloy stood in the doorway, feeling utterly helpless and of no use to them, but he knew that he could not leave. Part of him was uncomfortable by watching Aurelie's pain, and he dreaded the day when he would see Elizabeth in such pain. In nearly three months, they would be in Erik and Aurelie's shoes.

Erik stood up and walked over to his friend in the corner as he made room for the professional to assist his wife.

"How are you holding up, my friend?" Edward inquired in a soft voice that was barely above a whisper.

Erik sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as he watched Elizabeth attempt to soothe his wife.

"I am terrified," he admitted quietly, so that the women would not overhear. "I have never known a father; how can I ever become one?"

Edward placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.

"You will both be wonderful parents. No one is perfect; it is a learning process. But I can tell you that I know how much you will love your child-I can see how much you love each other every day."

Erik nodded his head, feeling somewhat better. Still, another question had plagued his mind since the moment he had found out that Aurelie was with child, and he could not prevent it from poisoning his thoughts.

"But what if...what if its face..."

Edward knew what he meant, and he was saddened to think of what troubled him. How unjust it was for Erik to suffer the bad side of his face, and how unfair to damper such a wonderful moment with the fear of a terrible possibility.

"If your child inherits even half of the beauty of your wife, or your talent for music, then there is nothing to fear. Think of how well you have done!"

Yes, Edward had made a valid point. Ever since the beginning of their partnership, nearly five years ago, the theatre had transformed into a roaring success. Tickets were sold out at nearly every performance, with guests who had traveled far to see it. Nobility had often frequented the place, enjoying the music they had heard being praised far and wide across the country.

Erik had even had offers from other theatres and opera houses. Many managers longed to have his work performed in their businesses, for they knew that he was the most sought-after composer in all of England. Stories of how brilliant his work was had already begun to trickle into France, and Edward was certain that his friend would be propositioned by even more places to come.

Yes, Erik and Aurelie had enjoyed the success of his work. Aurelie was allowed to assist in managing the details of each transaction, and with the permission of Mr. Malloy, a few of Erik's operas were being performed in other places for a fee. He had been able to maintain his anonymity-many people thought the mystery of the composer to be intriguing, even a selling point-but still retain the credit for his work. The people knew only of his name, and that he always attended his performances, though they knew not where he was seated (some even made a game of it to guess who he was among the audience).

Aurelie hoped that, in time, Erik would feel comfortable enough to allow a few people to meet him. She knew that there were others out there, like Edward and Elizabeth, who would not mind the fact that he wore a mask, and would simply wish to express their admiration for his work.

"And besides," Edward added, snapping Erik back into reality, "I know that you two will love that child, no matter what."

Erik clapped him on the back with a smile.

"Thank you. I shall return the favor when it is your turn, soon," he smirked.

Aurelie began to cry again and she admitted that she could not stand up. The Doctor concluded that she would have to deliver the baby in that very room, though that idea was certainly unfavorable. If only he could have gotten her to one of the living quarters, so that she might make herself comfortable on a bed, but she had allowed her contractions to carry on much too long for that, now.

The Doctor ordered for the men to leave the room, insisting that husbands typically did not stay to watch the birth, and that he would call them into the room as soon as it was over.

"Erik!" Aurelie reached out in despair and grasped his hand. "I am so afraid!"

As the Doctor placed a few old blankets beneath her, Erik kneeled down by her side and took her face in his hands.

"There is nothing to fear, my love," he breathed before he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "I will not leave you."

Though Elizabeth wished to stay in the room, she felt that it was an intimate moment to be shared by the two, alone, and so both she and her husband exited and waited in the hallway for the announcement of the baby's arrival.

"How are you feeling about all of this?" Edward asked his wife as they stood in the hallway.

Elizabeth smiled warmly at him and touched her own protruding stomach. Though small, it had been growing more noticeable every week.

"They are an inspiration to us," she replied. "Their love is so passionate, and I know that they will be such outstanding parents. I cannot wait for the day when we will join them."

Edward smiled and agreed with her, before pulling her to him in an embrace.

It was not long before Aurelie had begun to push, and her agony brought pain to Erik's heart. Never once did he leave her side, as he held her hand, stroked the side of her face, and sang to her. When she was on the precipice of birth, he even whispered words of encouragement and praise in her ear.

When their daughter was placed in her arms, tears trailed down Aurelie's cheeks. She was more exhausted than she had ever been, but the sight of her daughter was the greatest thing she had ever seen. Instantly, her fears were melted away, and she knew that everything she had endured had been completely worth it.

Erik, too, could not refrain from the emotion that overtook him as his eyes traveled over his daughter's small features-a full head of dark hair, beautiful bright blue eyes that slowly blinked back at him, a tiny round nose. Her face was flawless, and his heart lept in his chest.

"She is perfect," he whispered, kissing his wife's cheek. "You have given me the greatest gift of all..."

They shared a few more precious moments together as a family, and shortly thereafter, their friends had rejoined them to partake in their joy. Soon, Aurelie knew, her dear friend Helene would hear the exciting news and travel for a visit, and how she long anticipated seeing her, once more.

Aurelie had written and visited Helene on multiple occasions over the course of the past few years, and she had been completely aware of Mr. Levering's recent marriage. What a relief it had been to hear, for she knew of his fine character and felt that he deserved all of the happiness in the world.

And, while she looked from the eyes of her daughter, to the hazel depths of Erik's, she knew that she had made the right choice.

"I love you," Erik murmured in her ear. "More than words can say."

"And I love you," she responded with a kiss.

"She is beautiful, just like her mother," Erik cooed. "I will have to beat away the suitors with a stick!"

The two of them watched their little girl yawn and chuckled.

The End

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