Six months later...

"Good morning, darling," Charlotte smiled, dishing up scrambled eggs on a plate. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept. Let's put it that way. It could have been better, but it could have been worse," Erik said with a sigh.

"That nightmare was really bad, wasn't it?" Charlotte frowned.

"It was, yes. Even after you talked to me and helped me try to relax, I still ended up downstairs pacing in the parlor for a little while," Erik admitted.

"Darling, why didn't you wake me?" Charlotte sighed.

"I didn't want you to be up more than you had. You didn't sleep much for a few days when Angelina was ill, and I wanted to let you make up for that."

"But dear, I'm supposed to be there for you."

"I know and you were earlier in the night. I just needed some time alone to clear my head," Erik said with a smile.

"I know, but...I just wish I would have been there for you," Charlotte said softly.

"It's okay, love. I was alright."

"But you were so upset before. What was your dream even about? You were sobbing so much that I couldn't tell what you were saying."

Erik shook his head. "It...it was nothing. Don't worry about it," he said.

"No, tell me," Charlotte said softly, cupping his face in her hands.

"It was to do with Angelina. Her suffering exactly what I did because of how she looks. All I could do was watch and feel like a failure of a father," he finally admitted.

"Oh, darling," Charlotte sighed. "No wonder you were so upset."

Erik nodded. "I couldn't bear to watch it."

Charlotte pulled him into a hug. "Well, you're alright now. That's the important thing," she nodded. "Why don't you hold Angelina?"

"Yes, I've been wanting to since I woke up," Erik said, looking over to where his daughter sat in her high chair. "Hello, my angel! How are you this morning?"

Angelina gave him a wide smile and reached up toward him, babbling something incoherently.

"Yes, come here," Erik said as he lifted her into his arms and peppered her cheek with kisses. "You're so happy this morning, hm?"

Angelina giggled in reply, leaning her lead on his shoulder.

"You're both adorable," Charlotte smiled, kissing her husband's cheek.

"Did you hear that, Angelina? Your mother says we're adorable," Erik said to his daughter.

Angelina grinned, kissing his cheek as she wrapped her little arms around his neck.

"Is Gustave not awake yet?" Charlotte asked.

"He was still asleep when I came downstairs, so he's probably still sleeping," Erik replied.

"He wanted to play in the snow this morning, so I'm surprised he didn't get up at the crack of dawn," Charlotte chuckled.

"I know. He was thrilled when he saw the first snowflakes last night," Erik said with a smile.

"I know," Charlotte laughed before walking to the doorway and yelling, "Gustave, I thought you were going to play outside this morning!"

Only a moment or two after she said that, the sound of little feet rushing around upstairs could be heard. "I think he might be up now, though that could just be the herd of elephants that lives upstairs," Erik said with a laugh as he set Angelina back in her high chair and picked up her bowl of mashed bananas for her breakfast.

"Or Phantom could be causing trouble again," Charlotte chuckled. "Remember when he got into our closet a few weeks ago and we found him biting one of your cloaks?"

"Oh, that cat," Erik said, shaking his head. "He's going to get it one day."

"Leave him alone. He's cute," Charlotte said with a quiet giggle.

"He's a nuisance," Erik replied.

"He's adorable and your son loves him."

"Which is why he gets to stay."

"Angelina loves him too," Charlotte smiled. "And so do I. Phantom is the cat version of you."

"Exactly. A nuisance," Erik said.

"So you finally see how I feel about you."

"Well. I love you too."

Charlotte giggled, kissing his cheek. "I'm only teasing. By the way, Papa is making dinner tonight. He's currently at the market buying the ingredients for one of his Persian dishes."

"Oh, good. They were always delicious when he made them in Persia. I suppose we shall see if, with time, they have improved or not," Erik said.

"Oh, I'm sure," Charlotte nodded. "He's a wonderful chef."

"He learned from the best. From what he told me, his wife was the best in the kingdom. He might be the slightest bit biased, though."

"Yes, he certainly loved her," Charlotte smiled. "It's such a pity she passed away."

"It is, yes. Not to mention that she left him with Reza as a newborn baby. I would have liked to have met her. She could have given me tips on how to deal with her pesky husband," Erik said.

"Oh, hush. Just because you can't get along with him doesn't mean you have to tell the whole world about it."

"Oh, I dealt with him long enough. I have earned the right to complain about it. As I'm sure he has complained about me to people."

"Oh, stuff a crépe in it," Charlotte said as she rolled her eyes.

"Excuse me?" Erik said with a laugh as he gave Angelina the spoonful of food that she was reaching out for. "What did you tell me to do?"

"Eat your breakfast," Charlotte chuckled, handing him a plate.

"Eat your breakfast," Erik said in a mockingly high pitched voice, throwing on an attempt at her accent.

"Your imitation of the English dialect is horrible," Charlotte laughed.

"Well, pardonnez-moi, Madame, but I am French," he replied with a smile.

"Ugly American," Charlotte said through a cough.

Erik's jaw dropped. "How dare you!" he said with a laugh.

"If the flag fits," Charlotte shrugged.

"You, my darling, are a horrid woman," Erik replied with a shake of his head as he moved to put Angelina's breakfast dish into the sink.

"I'll keep that in mind when you want to try having more children," Charlotte smirked.

"Now, hang on, I didn't mean that," he said, turning around quickly and pulling Charlotte into his arms.

"Were you now?" Charlotte chuckled.

"Yes, I was certainly joking. I love you so much."

"I know, my darling. I'm teasing," Charlotte giggled, cupping his face in her hands.

"Good. Thank goodness," Erik said, leaning in to give her a kiss.

"I love you too," Charlotte smiled.

"Ma-ma," Angelina said quietly.

Erik sighed as he looked over at her. "Yes, Ma-ma. Do you think she'll ever say Pa-pa, Charlotte? I've been trying to get her to say it ever since she said Ma-ma," he said.

"She will soon," Charlotte nodded. "I'm sure of it."

Erik opened his mouth to reply, but stopped when Gustave sped into the kitchen, hugged him and Charlotte around their waists and kissed Angelina's cheek before he ran out to the front foyer. "I'll be out in the snow!" he called.

"Wait, make sure you- oh, never mind," Charlotte sighed.

"He should eat first," Erik said, picking up Angelina walking to the kitchen window and looking out at the boy already laying in the snow. "Do you see your brother out there? Is that Gustave?"

"He'll come back in in about ten minutes," Charlotte shrugged. "He can eat then."

"You say that, but now he'll be out there for two hours to prove you wrong."

"Either way, he'll get cold and come in."

"That part's true. He isn't nearly as stubborn as Angelina. I worry about her. She's going to be so stubborn with us as parents. At least Christine balanced out Gustave's genetics," Erik said.

"Gustave is just as stubborn as you are," Charlotte nodded.

"Perhaps that's why I don't notice it."

"Perhaps," Charlotte chuckled. "Should one of us go out to watch Gustave just in case? It's quite slippery out there."

Erik turned back to Charlotte and hadn't even opened his mouth when he heard a little cry from outside - a little voice that he knew all too well. "Gustave," he said, handing Angelina to her mother before he rushed out the front door, forgetting to throw on his coat.

Charlotte carried her daughter to the front doorway to see what was going on as her husband ran to Gustave's side, who was a teary mess on the ground just beyond the front steps. "Gustave, what happened?!" he asked. As he rushed over, though, his feet slipped out from under him, making him tumble over onto his backside. "Ah. The ice happened," he said, wincing as he straightened up to kneel next to his son. "Tell me where it hurts."

"My arm," Gustave cried. "I slipped and fell and landed on it."

"Okay, let me see," Erik said. He reached over, but had hardly touched his left arm when he yelped in pain.

"Erik, just carry him inside," Charlotte called from the foyer.

Erik took a deep breath, planning out his next move. "Okay, walking is going to be easier. I don't want to bump that arm of yours. I'll help you get to your feet - just focus on keeping your arm very still," he instructed his son.

Gustave nodded and stood up with his father's help, doing his best not to slip again.

"I've got you, you're alright," Erik promised. "We're almost there, come on."

Gustave sniffled in reply as his father brought him into the house.

"What happened, darling?" Charlotte asked softly.

"I-I was playing and slipped on the ice under the snow. I fell and landed on my arm and it really hurts," Gustave explained as his tears started to pool again.

"It's going to be okay," Charlotte said softly, kissing the top of his head. "Come sit with me on the sofa."

"I'll call the doctor. I have a feeling you might have broken your arm, but I want him to take a look," Erik said. "I'll be back."

Angelina frowned at the look on her brother's face and leaned down to kiss his cheek, making him give her a small smile. "Hi, Angelina," he said with a little laugh.

Charlotte smiled and led him to the couch. "Do you want me to get you a pillow for your arm?"

Gustave nodded, so Charlotte grabbed a pillow and propped it up on the arm of the sofa. "Ow, ow, ow," the boy whispered as he moved his arm up onto it.

"Poor dear. I'm sorry," Charlotte sighed, kissing his cheek. "It's going to be okay."

"The doctor will be here soon," Erik said as he walked back into the room with a deep breath. "Charlotte, give Angelina to me. Help Gustave get his boots off, please."

Charlotte immediately complied and began to unlace Gustave's boots. "Erik, help him with his coat."

Erik sat Angelina on the carpet next to her mother before he started unbuttoning Gustave's coat. "I'll start with your good arm and then we'll go very slow with the one that hurts, alright?" he said.

"Okay," Gustave nodded, still sniffling a bit.

Erik slipped the boy's left arm out of the coat, then waited for Charlotte to carefully lift the other one so he could slip off his sleeve. "I'm sorry if this hurts you, my boy," he said.

"It's okay," Gustave winced as Charlotte kissed his forehead.

"Why don't you tell me about the book you're reading?" She asked softly.

"King Arthur?" Gustave asked with a sniffle.

Charlotte nodded. "I've never read it. Tell me about it."

"Well, King Arthur is...well, the king, and he leads a group of knights in a team of sorts called the Knights of the Round Table. He uses a sword that no one else can use called Excalibur. It's really interesting," Gustave said.

"Yes, very interesting," Erik replied as he slowly slipped the coat off of Gustave's injured arm.

"Ow," Gustave moaned.

"It's okay, darling," Charlotte said softly, sitting beside the boy and wrapping an arm around him.

"I really hope it's not broken," Gustave croaked. "It hurts so much."

"I know, my darling, I know," Charlotte sighed, kissing his forehead.

"If it is broken, we're going to make sure you get the help you need," Erik said, giving Gustave's knee a pat. "Charlotte and I will help you, alright?"

"Okay," Gustave sniffled, resting her head on Charlotte's shoulder.

A knock on the door got Erik to his feet at that moment. "Well, the doctor will confirm if it's broken or not. I'll go get him," he said, giving Gustave a kiss on the forehead before he left and returned shortly with the doctor by his side.

The doctor examined Gustave's arm for a few minutes before nodding and deciding, "It's definitely broken."

"Yes, we had thought so," Erik said. "What kind of treatment will we do? Just a sling?"

"I brought the supplies for a plaster cast, but we can do a sling as well."

"Whatever you feel is best," Erik said with a nod.

"Alright. Let's get started then," the doctor nodded.

"How long will I be in the cast?" Gustave asked quietly as he watched the doctor start to work on the plaster cast around his arm.

"Six weeks. Then you'll come to my office and I'll take it off," the doctor replied with a smile.

Gustave nodded, wincing a bit as the doctor lifted his arm as he worked. "Will it hurt this bad for very long? Because it really hurts right now."

"It should go away gradually. It will take a few days, but I promise it will get better."

Gustave nodded again and leaned his head on Charlotte's shoulder, watching the doctor work. "Ow," he said softly.

"I know, sweetheart," she sighed, kissing his forehead. "It's okay. He's almost finished."

"Okay, good," Gustave replied, smiling as Angelina sat at his feet and looked up at him. "Hi, Angelina."

Angelina put a hand on his foot, babbling softly as she gave her brother a small, curious frown.

"Do you want to hold her with your good arm?" Charlotte chuckled.

"Yes please," Gustave said, laughing a bit as he moved his foot away when Angelina's little fingers tickled him.

Charlotte gently lifted her daughter up and placed her on Gustave's lap. "There you go."

Gustave smiled and wrapped his arm around Angelina, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Much better," he said.

Angelina giggled, leaning against him as she continued to babble.

The doctor smiled at the little girl as he finished his work and helped Gustave into the sling. "There you go. Just be very careful with it, get plenty of rest, and you should recover in good time," he said.

"Okay," Gustave nodded as he kissed the top of Angelina's head, holding her close.

"And how has this little one been?" the doctor asked as he got to his feet and gave Angelina's head a little pat. "Healthy, I take it?"

"Very," Charlotte smiled. "She's a very happy child and I'm thankful for that."

"She's started to talk recently as well. Ma-ma is presently her word of choice," Erik added.

The doctor chuckled. "I see she's chosen her favorite parent, then," he teased.

"Ma-ma!" Angelina declared with a wide grin.

Erik sighed. "So it would seem," he said, smiling at his daughter.

"I'm only joking," the doctor said with a laugh. "Favorites doesn't play into it. The M sound is simply easier for some children than the P. I'm sure she'll be saying Pa-pa before you know it."

"I can only hope," Erik sighed. "Thanks again, Doctor."

"My pleasure. Take it easy, Gustave, and you'll be back out in the snow soon," the doctor replied, smiling at the boy before walking to the front door.

Nadir returned home a few moments later and took one look at Gustave before turning to Erik and asking, "What did you do to your son, Erik?"

"I didn't do anything! He slipped and fell outside. How irresponsible do you think I am?" Erik asked defensively.

"Well, let's see. You left him alone to watch the love of your life perform, and then he got kidnapped and was nearly drowned. So very," Nadir nodded.

"Hey, that's unfair. He was not my responsibility in that moment! He was told to go backstage by his mother and then he got kidnapped a little, yes, but I didn't hold any parental authority over him then!" Erik replied.

"He got kidnapped a little?" Nadir frowned.

Charlotte giggled. "Remind me not to leave you alone with the children."

"There was a mentally ill woman vying for my attention about, and as far as I'm concerned, there aren't any here. I am fine to watch my children."

"Oh, how you underestimate me," Charlotte smirked.

Erik chuckled. "You, my love, are relatively stable. The vying for my attention aspect is different," he said.

Charlotte chuckled. "Whatever you have to tell yourself, dear."

Erik rolled his eyes and gave her a quick kiss. "All that aside, at least we got this taken care of. How are you, Gustave?"

"I'm okay. Angelina's keeping me entertained," the boy smiled.

"I can see that," Erik said with a chuckle as Angelina patted Gustave's cheeks with her hands. "Just tell her to be gentle, alright? We don't need her thinking slapping you is entertaining."

"She is being gentle. Don't worry," Gustave chuckled. "Hi, Angelina."

Angelina giggled, babbling senselessly before she gave Gustave a kiss on the cheek.

"Aw," Charlotte smiled. "She just loves you."

"I love her too."

Angelina looked at him for a moment before pointing to his cast.

"Yes, I hurt myself really bad," Gustave said with a sigh.

Angelina gave a small frown and kissed his cheek again, wrapping his arms around his neck.

"Thank you," he said with a smile. "I'll feel better soon."

Charlotte chuckled. "I've got an idea. How about I make you cookies, Gustave?"

"Can they be chocolate chip?" he asked, looking over at Charlotte.

"Of course," she replied with a smile. "I'll make whatever you want."

"Then chocolate chip, please," Gustave requested with a smile. "Thank you, Mother."

Charlotte paused for a moment. "What did you just call me?"

"I...I called you Mother," Gustave said slowly as he realized what he'd said.

Charlotte smiled, wrapping an arm around him. "Do you want to call me that?"

Gustave nodded. "I think so, yes," he replied. "I just wasn't sure if I could before."

"Of course, darling," Charlotte said softly as she kissed the top of his head. "You could have asked me sooner."

"I'm sorry. I just didn't know if you would say yes," he admitted.

"Don't be sorry, dear. It's okay," Charlotte smiled. "Of course you can call me Mother."

"Charlotte and I had actually been wondering if you would or not," Erik added with a smile at his son.

"I just didn't want to pressure you into anything. That's why we didn't bring it up," Charlotte chuckled.

Gustave nodded. "You wouldn't have been pressuring me. I'm just happy that you said I can," he said with a grin.

"I'm happy too," Charlotte smiled, taking Angelina gently as the baby reached toward her.

Catching onto the happy mood of the room, Angelina started to clap as her mother picked her up. "Ma-ma!" she said happily.

"Hi, little girl," Charlotte laughed, kissing her cheek. "Are you happy?"

Angelina simply kept up her clapping, giggling as she did.

Charlotte couldn't help but smile at her daughter. "Do you want to see Papa?"

The little girl's head turned to face Erik, who had a wide grin on his face as he looked at his two girls. "Hello, my angel," he said, opening his arms to his daughter. "Come here. Come see Papa."

Angelina smiled and curled up on Charlotte's chest.

Erik sighed and dropped his hands. "Alright, stay with Mama. I have to go get some work done anyways."

Angelina looked back at him for a moment and gave a thoughtful little frown before reaching her arms toward her father, babbling softly as she did so.

"That's right. Come here," Erik said with a grin as he scooped Angelina into his arms and twirled around, laughing when he got her to giggle.

"She loves him so much," Charlotte whispered to Nadir with a smile.

"I know. It truly is wonderful. I'm glad he has you three," Nadir replied quietly.

"I'm glad to have him," Charlotte smiled. "And I'm glad to have you too, Papa."

Nadir smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Thank you, darling," he said.

"You're welcome," Charlotte said softly. "Now, do you want some help with dinner?"

"That could be very handy. I can teach you a few things about Persian cooking."

"I've missed your cooking lessons on Persian cuisine," Charlotte smiled. "Let's go get started."

—————

Charlotte looked up from her book from where she sat at the table, taking a sip of her water. "Erik, could you check on Angelina? I put her down for a nap about an hour ago, but I just thought I heard her start fussing."

"Certainly," Erik said, getting up out of his chair and hurrying up the stairs. He tip toed into his daughter's room and found her fussing in her bassinet, just as Charlotte had thought. "It's alright, my darling," he cooed as he lifted Angelina into his arms and started to rock her as he hummed a lullaby. "Just go back to sleep."

Angelina stopped crying soon after and fell asleep on his chest, clutching his shirt in her hand.

"There you go," Erik whispered as he heard her breathing fall into a steady rhythm. He slowly laid her down in her bassinet before he crept out of the room, shutting the door behind him. "Charlotte, all is-" he began as he walked down the stairs, only to be cut off when his foot slipped out from under him, sending him tumbling down to the main floor with a gasp. "Good lord."

"Erik, are you alright?" Charlotte asked from the kitchen. "What happened?"

"I fell down the stairs, but I-" Erik began, trying to lift himself up but crying out and crumbling down when his arm burned with the pain shooting through it. "I am not alright."

Charlotte immediately rushed over to his side and knelt down by him. "What did you hurt, darling?"

"My left arm," he replied. "It hurts quite a bit."

"Let me have a look."

Erik nodded and sat still as she went to lift it, only for him to gasp sharply and lean away from her touch. "No, maybe don't do that," he said with a groan.

"Okay, okay," Charlotte nodded, gently helping him to sit up. "How badly does it hurt, sweetheart?"

"Badly," Erik replied, a pained laugh escaping him.

"On a scale from one to ten?"

"A ten? It's really bad, Charlotte."

"Alright," she sighed. "Poor dear. Let me help you get up and then I'll call the doctor."

Erik nodded, taking her hand with his good one and letting her pull him to his feet. "I'm beginning to fear it might be broken," he said.

"It may be," Charlotte nodded, helping him to sit down. "Can you try turning your wrist?"

Erik sighed, making an effort to turn his wrist but groaning when he did. "That isn't happening," he said through gritted teeth.

"Okay, just rest then," Charlotte said softly, kissing his forehead. "Try not to move your arm. I'm going to get you a pillow."

"Thank you, love."

Charlotte hurried up to her husband's study and rang the doctor's office. After quickly explaining the situation, she hung up and gave a sigh, bringing her husband a pillow. "Here you are, my love."

"Thank you," Erik groaned, his head leaning on the back of the sofa.

"You're welcome. I'm going to lift your arm so that I can slide the pillow under, okay?"

Erik nodded. "Go ahead."

"I'm sorry," Charlotte whispered, gently raising his arm.

"I know you aren't doing it on purpose. It's alright."

Charlotte placed the pillow and carefully lowered his arm down, kissing his cheek. "I think it's definitely broken, darling."

"Yes, I'm beginning to be more sure of that as well," Erik said with a sigh

Charlotte nodded as she rolled up his sleeve, making him unintentionally whimper. "I'm sorry, my dear."

"It's okay, really. You're just trying to help."

"I know, but I'm still sorry," Charlotte sighed, kissing his cheek. "You know, you never cease to amaze me with all the different ways you injure yourself."

"I seek to entertain," Erik said with a smirk.

"Poor darling," Charlotte said softly. "Your arm is already swelling a bit. How's the pain level?"

"Oh, it's high. Still very painful," Erik replied as he looked down at his arm. "It is swelling. Gustave's didn't do that this quickly, so I suppose mine is worse."

"It looks like the bone is out of place too. See the bump right here?" Charlotte asked as she gently touched the spot on his arm.

"Yes, but ouch. Don't touch it," Erik said. "But I do see that, yes."

"Okay, I won't," Charlotte nodded, wrapping an arm around him. "My poor darling. Don't worry, the doctor will be here soon."

"Good," he replied with a sigh

"Would you like to hold my hand?"

"That might help, yes," Erik said, taking her hand and interlocking their fingers.

"You can squeeze it if you need to," Charlotte nodded. "Anything that'll help."

Erik nodded and gave her hand a quick squeeze. "One for good measure," he said with a small smile.

"You're very chipper," Charlotte chuckled.

"Yes, well. It distracts from the pain."

"Poor dear. Just try to take deep breaths, alright?"

Erik nodded. "On a positive note, Angelina went back to sleep," he said.

"That's good," Charlotte smiled. "I knew she'd fall asleep for you."

"She would have gone back to sleep for you too. It isn't just me," he replied with a shrug.

"I know, but she really loves you. Plus, I hope it'll encourage her to start saying Papa."

"Oh, so do I. I am waiting for that moment."

"I know you are, darling. You've been waiting for so long."

"The time will come, I know that. It will be my first time hearing my child say that for the first time, so I'm eager."

"I can tell," Charlotte smiled. "It'll be soon, I'm sure."

Just as Erik was about to reply, Gustave wandered into the room and gave a frown. "What happened, Papa?"

"I fell down the stairs, Gustave. We're thinking I've broken my arm - the same one as yours," Erik replied with a weak smile.

"The same one?" Gustave frowned.

"The same one," Charlotte nodded. "Do you Destlers just have brittle bones, or are you just old, Erik?"

"I'm not old," Erik replied quickly.

"Are you sure?" Charlotte teased.

Erik frowned. "Yes," he said. "I'm quite sure."

"I'm only joking, love," Charlotte giggled. "Don't look so offended."

"You called me old, I'm sorry I look offended at that remark," Erik said with a playful roll of his eyes as he looked away from Charlotte.

"Darling, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Charlotte said softly. "You know I love you, come on."

Erik smirked and turned back to face her. "I'm only joking, love. I know you didn't mean it," he said. "I've been called much worse than 'old', I can take that."

Charlotte wrapped her around his shoulders with a sigh and leaned her head against his as she slowly took in his scent. "Poor dear. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, it's alright," Erik replied, kissing her temple.

"It's not alright, though. I know what it's like to be called names and I feel bad that you went through that too."

Erik sighed. "I know you do, but it's been years. I've moved past it, having grown numb to them at this point. Trust me when I say that it's fine."

"Alright. I love you. You do know that, right?"

"I do. I know that very well."

"Good," Charlotte smiled, kissing his cheek. "Because you're very important to me."

"As you are to me," Erik said with a smile.

"Thank you," Charlotte said softly. "Do you want me to get you anything?"

"You can go get the door and let the doctor in," Erik replied with a smirk as he heard a knock at the front door.

"Okay," Charlotte chuckled, hurrying immediately to the door and opening it. "Hello again, Doctor."

"Good evening," the doctor smiled. "I hear there's another broken arm."

"It would appear that way, only it's Erik's arm this time," she replied.

"Oh, dear. Let's have a look," the doctor nodded.

"Hello," Erik said as Charlotte and the doctor walked back into the room. "I'm sorry to call you back so soon."

"Don't be. It's just another paycheck in my pocket," the doctor chuckled. "So, I guess socks and stairs don't mix, hm?"

"They really don't, no," Erik said with a little laugh, leaning his head on his wife's shoulder once she had sat down beside him.

"Well, let's have a look." The doctor sat in front of Erik and touched his arm gently, earning a wince from the patient. "Well, it's swelled up a bit already, and I can see that the bone is definitely out of place here. I'll have to move it back before I can set it."

"Which means what, exactly?"

"Having to physically move it back into place."

"Oh. Wonderful," Erik said, his voice quiet.

"I'll try to go as quick as possible," the doctor nodded. "But you may want to hold onto your wife's hand."

Erik nodded, taking Charlotte's hand as she sat next to him and holding it tight. "Go ahead whenever. Let's just get this over with."

The doctor nodded again and began to move the bone back into place, trying his best to do it as gently as possible.

"Oh, good lord," Erik groaned, biting his lip and squeezing Charlotte's hand in a near death grip. "That is awful."

"I know, darling. Just keep breathing," Charlotte said softly, kissing his forehead.

Erik nodded and leaned his head on Charlotte's shoulder, burying his face in the crook of his neck.

"Almost done, sweetheart," she whispered. "You're doing really well."

"Thank you," Erik said, managing a quiet laugh that quickly morphed into a pained groan.

"I know, darling. I know it hurts," Charlotte said softly.

"Remind me never to break my arm or anything ever again," he requested.

"I'll try, dearest," Charlotte nodded, resting her head against his. "You're so strong, my love. You're going a good job."

"You really are. Most people have been screaming bloody murder by this point," the doctor said as he finished his work. "There we are. Now just try and hold still while I cast it and then we can get you into your sling."

Erik nodded silently, keeping his head on his wife's shoulder.

"I love you," Charlotte said softly. "Poor darling."

"So how long am I going to be handicapped?" Erik sighed, eventually lifting his head to watch the doctor work.

"The same as your son - six weeks," the doctor nodded.

"In that case, my work will need to be put on hold. I can't write."

"I can help you, but yes, you will need to take time to rest," Charlotte said with a small smile. "It's really such a shame you're left-handed."

"It is, isn't it? Me and my devil hand," Erik said with a chuckle.

"Yes, I've heard that one before," Charlotte laughed. "I've heard a lot of things, being ambidextrous."

Erik smiled. "Well, I would think it's trick that would come in handy. No pun intended."

"It really does. It allows me to hold Angelina while cooking or performing some other task," Charlotte nodded. "It wasn't always useful, though. Someone slapped me once when they found out I was ambidextrous, because they were terrified and thought I was possessed."

"Yes, differences aren't always appreciated, unfortunately," Erik said.

"I should say not," Charlotte sighed.

"Well, as much as I'd love to listen to more of this conversation, my job here is done," the doctor said. "I'll just help you with the sling and then take my leave."

"Thank you," Erik said, sitting up so the doctor could slip the sling over his head and gently set his arm into it. "I appreciate you getting here so quickly. It hurt like nothing else. Though I'm not looking forward to being confined like this."

"You're welcome," the doctor nodded. "And I don't blame you. It's certainly not fun."

"I can already tell. Thank you again."

"It's my pleasure. Have a good day now." The doctor gave another nod before leaving the home.

Once the man was gone, Erik sighed and leaned his head against the back of the couch. "Thank god that's over," he said.

"You were so brave," Charlotte smiled, kissing his cheek.

"Thank you. You being there helped."

"I'm glad," Charlotte said softly. "How do you feel now?"

"Now that it's set back into place, I'm better. It still hurts, but it's significantly better."

"Would you like me to get you some ice? I'm not sure it'll do much good with the plaster, but it's worth a try."

"You may as well. Anything for a little bit of relief if I can get it," Erik said with a small smile.

"Alright, I'll be back in a moment," Charlotte nodded.

"Thank you, love," Erik replied, watching her go and waiting for a moment before she came back to help him set the ice pack on his arm as best she could.

"You're welcome," Charlotte smiled, kissing his forehead.

"Dinner's ready," Nadir called from the other room.

"And you didn't burn the house down!" Erik replied as he got to his feet and walked to the kitchen, holding the ice pack to his arm.

"No, I didn't. I also didn't drop a pot on my foot, grab the pan bare handed, or burn myself on the toaster," Nadir smirked.

"Now that was uncalled for."

"I disagree," Charlotte giggled.

"Okay, whose side are you on here?" Erik asked, turning to his wife

"I'm completely neutral," Charlotte laughed.

"Are you pleased, Nadir? You've turned my own wife against me," Erik said.

Charlotte chuckled, kissing his cheek. "You're so cute when you're upset."

"Yes, isn't he adorable?" Nadir teased, laughing when Erik gave him a punch in the shoulder. "Now, is there a need for the violence?"

Charlotte put a hand on Erik's shoulder. "Don't egg him on, Papa. I don't want him hurting himself further."

"Oh, if it means that I get to tease Nadir, I will hurt myself again," Erik growled, glaring at Nadir, who had a smirk on his face the whole time.

"Hush or I will break your other arm," Charlotte said as she pushed her husband toward the table.

"Oh, you're no fun, Charlotte," Erik mumbled. "All Nadir and I did in Persia was drive each other up the wall. That's just how our friendship works."

"Yes, well, it's not charming when it gives me a headache."

"Yes, tell me about it," Nadir said as he gave Erik a quick poke in the side as he moved to grab plates for dinner.

"Oh, so he can pester me as much as he wants, but not the other way around?" Erik asked.

"Papa, stop it," Charlotte sighed.

"Yes, Nadir, stop it. I'm handicapped; you're preying on someone who can't defend himself," Erik said.

"So you finally admit that your weak, ay?" Nadir smirked.

"That is not what I said," Erik replied.

"Oh, will the two of you just put a bloody sock in it?" Charlotte moaned in annoyance. "I've had enough."

"But-" both men tried to say at the same time.

"Enough," Charlotte said firmly, turning her attention to Gustave as he brought Angelina in. "Finally, two people I'm not sick of."

"Wow," Erik said with a laugh.

"Yes, well, they can't annoy me," Charlotte chuckled, taking Angelina in her arms. "Hello, darling."

"Ma-ma!" Angelina grinned.

"That much is true," Erik said, getting to his feet and walking over to his wife and daughter. "Hello, my darling."

Angelina looked up and smiled, reaching toward him.

"Let's see if I can do this with one arm that isn't my dominant one," Erik said. "Give her to me, Charlotte."

"After you eat," she replied with a nod as Nadir set their plates down on the table.

"Alright. Papa will hold you after dinner, okay?" Erik said to Angelina, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek

Angelina smiled back at him as Charlotte set her in her high chair before sitting down at the table. "So, Gustave, have you been making good progress on your book?"

"Yes! It's really interesting," Gustave said with a grin.

"You'll have to let me borrow it when you're finished," Charlotte smiled.

Gustave nodded. "I think you'll like it," he replied.

"It sounds like I will," Charlotte nodded, noticing that her husband was struggling a bit to eat his dinner. "Can I help you, love?"

"Yet to be determined," Erik replied as he tried once again to use his right hand.

"Darling, just let me help you," Charlotte sighed.

"No, it's fine. Nadir made sure I knew how to eat meals like this with my hands when we lived in Persia. I can just do that."

"Well, forgive me for sticking to the English way of things," Charlotte chuckled.

"Okay, I'll give you that," Erik said as he sat back in his chair. "So what are you going to do? Feed me?"

"Yes," Charlotte nodded.

Erik had barely opened his mouth to protest when Charlotte pushed a forkful of food into his mouth. "Thank you?" he said, closing his mouth to chew on the food with a roll of his eyes.

"There you are," Charlotte smiled, kissing his cheek.

Erik nodded, then glanced at his plate as he swallowed. "Can I have more?" he asked quietly.

"Of course," Charlotte nodded, feeding him another forkful.

Nadir laughed quietly. "So cute," he said, smiling wide when he saw the glare Erik was giving him.

"Papa, that's enough. Just leave him alone - he doesn't like it," Charlotte sighed.

Erik waved her off. "I've harassed him endlessly. I'm due for some repercussions," he said. "I'll just get him back later as usual."

"Okay," Charlotte chuckled, kissing his cheek again. "Open up."

Erik obliged before he looked over at Angelina, who was sitting contently in her high chair, having already managed to finish most of her food. "And how are you, my dear? Is your dinner good?" he asked.

"Pa-pa," Angelina said softly, putting a few pieces of rice in her mouth with her fingers.

Erik practically jumped out of his seat when he heard her. "What was that?" he asked excitedly.

"Pa-pa," Angelina grinned.

Erik laughed, looking at Charlotte with a wide smile. "She said it! She finally said it!" he exclaimed as he leaned over and gave his daughter a firm kiss. "Yes, my little angel! Papa!"

"Pa-pa," Angelina squealed.

"I told you she'd say it soon," Charlotte smiled.

"Well, that makes up for everything that's happened today."

"How about you sit back down and finish your dinner? Then I can help you to hold her," Charlotte nodded.

Erik nodded and looked at her for another forkful of food, then glanced over at Nadir across the table and smiled at him.

"Finally, your time came. Your daughter has given you a title," Nadir nodded.

"That she has. I'm ecstatic," Erik replied.

"Now we just need to get her to say Gustave's name," Charlotte smiled.

"Can you please, Mother?" Gustave exclaimed, only to end up nearly choking on his food in the process.

"Oh, careful, Gustave. Chew first," Charlotte chuckled, patting him on the back. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Gustave said as he swallowed hard. "I just really want her to say my name. Then we can try to see if she'll say Nadir too!"

"She will in time," Charlotte nodded.

"Will she be calling me Nadir? Or Grandpa?" Her father inquired.

"Old," Erik mumbled with a chuckle, only to shuffle his chair away from Charlotte when she saw the glare she was giving him.

Charlotte punched him in the arm a bit harder than she intended to before turning her attention back to Nadir. "She'll call you Grandpa."

"That hurt! I'm injured, this isn't fair," Erik whined, pouting slightly.

"I'm sorry. Come here," Charlotte chuckled, opening her arms to him.

Erik rolled his eyes, but eventually leaned his head against hers to give her a kiss. "I love you even though you punch me sometimes," he mumbled.

"Oh, you've seen worse. You've _done_ worse. Need I remind you about Persia?" Nadir asked.

"Oh, not the shah's wife thing again," Erik sighed.

Nadir laughed. "That wasn't exactly what I had been thinking, but yes, let's go back to that," he said. "What a time of your life that was. What a time it was for me to watch that happen."

"It sounded very interesting," Charlotte laughed. "Who wants cookies?"

"I can go get them," Gustave said, getting out of his chair to go to the kitchen.

"Let me help you," Charlotte nodded, getting up to follow him.

Angelina looked over at her father and immediately reached for him, a small smile on her father as she did so. "Pa-pa."

Erik smiled at her. "Nadir, can you pass her to me, please?" he asked.

"Of course," Nadir nodded, lifting Angelina out of her chair and handing her over to Erik. "By the way, how's Charlotte doing? She seems a bit...off."

"She's fine," Erik said as he started to bounce Angelina on his knee. "What do you mean by 'off'?"

"She just seems a bit more tired than usual," Nadir shrugged.

"That I've noticed, actually," Erik admitted. "I've seen her holding her head a bit more than usual as well, now that I think about it."

"Maybe talk to her about it," Nadir nodded, smiling at Gustave as he returned to the table with a plate of cookies.

"I will," Erik replied as he turned to his son. "Do I get first pick?"

"I guess," Gustave shrugged.

"Wow. Are you sick or something?" Erik asked, teasingly putting his hand to Gustave's forehead. "No fever. You're just incredibly unenthusiastic. What's wrong?"

"I want Angelina to say my name," Gustave pouted.

Erik smiled and gave his son's cheek a gentle pat. "She will, my boy, in time," he said, looking back down at Angelina on his lap. "Look how long it took her to say Papa, for goodness' sake! Certain words are only harder for babies. She will say it, in time. I promise."

Angelina looked up at her brother and smiled widely, reaching for him.

"Sit down so you can hold her," Erik said. "She doesn't smile like that for anyone else, you know. Only you."

"Really?" Gustave grinned.

"Yes, my boy! She loves you. She's just learning to talk, that's all," Erik replied, passing Angelina over to her brother as he sat down at the table.

Charlotte rejoined the group at that moment, sitting beside Gustave. "How are the cookies?"

"Wonderful. I've had two already," Nadir admitted as he reached over for a third.

"Have as many as you'd like," Charlotte chuckled, wrapping an arm around Gustave.

"I haven't had one yet, hang on. Stop eating, Nadir," Erik said. "I know you love food, but relax, my god."

"Do you want some help with one, dear?" Charlotte offered.

"If Nadir would just push the plate over, I would be fine."

Charlotte giggled, reaching over and handing her husband a cookie. "Here you are, darling."

"Thank you," Erik said, laughing as Angelina reached towards the plate of cookies. "I think she wants one."

"They're soft enough for her to have," Charlotte nodded. "Do you want a cookie, Angelina?"

Angelina nodded, starting to whine a bit as she struggled to grab herself a cookie.

"It's okay, Sweetheart," Charlotte giggled, setting her on her lap and handing her a cookie. "There you go, baby. Are you happy?"

"Ma-ma," Angelina nodded as she put the cookie in her mouth and started to gnaw on it.

Charlotte chuckled. "She's so cute."

"She is, isn't she?" Erik said with a smile.

"Very," Gustave grinned.

—————

"Okay," Charlotte smiled, shutting the bedroom door. "I got Gustave to sleep."

"Thank goodness," Erik said with a laugh from where he sat in bed. "I thought he wouldn't go to sleep for another three hours with all of that sugar in his system after those cookies he ate."

"I know," Charlotte giggled. "Come here and I'll help you get changed."

Erik nodded and slipped off the bed to walk over to her. "I got my shoes off, but that's about as far as I got," he said quietly. "If I had to break my arm, I don't understand why it couldn't have been my right one."

"Poor dear," Charlotte said softly, kissing his cheek. "Should we start with your shirt or your trousers?"

"It doesn't really matter to me. Just as long as I get into my night clothes."

"Alright. Trousers it is," Charlotte chuckled, quickly unbuckling his belt. "Lean on me as you step out of them."

"Okay," Erik said with a nod as he leaned his good hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for the help. I'm swallowing my pride a little bit to let you help me as much as you are."

"I know, darling. You need to learn how to accept help," Charlotte nodded, pulling up his pajama pants. "Alright, let's get the shirt."

"I know, I know. I'm working on it," Erik said softly as he watched her unbutton his dress shirt. "But thank you."

"You're welcome," Charlotte smiled, slipping his injured arm out of the shirt sleeve. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"Not really, no," Erik whispered as he shrugged the shirt off of his shoulders and setting it down on the bed.

Charlotte retrieved one of his button-down nightshirts and quickly brought it over, smiling as she helped her husband slip it on. "Here. This should be easier for you to get on."

"You know what's even easier? Me just sleeping without a shirt," Erik pointed out.

"I'm perfectly alright with that," Charlotte said with a smirk.

"I know you are, which is why I even bothered to suggest it," Erik said, taking his shirt from her and tossing it away.

Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned. "How about you sit in bed and I give you a back rub?"

"Sounds wonderful," Erik said, giving her a quick kiss.

"Yes, it does," Charlotte smiled, untying the back of her dress. "Just let me change first."

Erik nodded and sat back on the bed, watching Charlotte as she slipped out of her dress and changed into her nightgown. Then, he remembered that Nadir had told him to talk to her that night. "Love, can I talk to you about something?" he asked.

"Of course, darling," Charlotte nodded, climbing into bed.

"Nadir and I were chatting tonight and came to the agreement that you haven't quite been yourself this past few days. He wanted me to make sure you were alright, so...are you?"

"I'm perfectly fine. I just...I didn't want to tell you until I knew for sure, but...I think I might be pregnant again," Charlotte said softly.

Erik turned around to face her, a little smile on his face. "Really?" he asked.

Charlotte nodded. "But I'm not completely certain and...I don't want you to be disappointed if I'm not," she sighed, looking down at her lap as she smoothed out the skirt of her nightgown.

"Love...why would I be disappointed with you?" Erik asked, tipping her face up with the crook of his finger so their eyes met. "This is something that is out of your control. Disappointment wouldn't be something that would come to my mind."

"Are you sure?" Charlotte asked softly, leaning her forehead against his.

"I'm positive, darling. If you are pregnant, that's wonderful. If not, that's alright," he replied.

"Alright," Charlotte smiled. "Whether or not I am...what would you think about asking Papa to move in with us permanently?"

Erik smirked. "As much as Nadir and I pester each other, I do care about him. If it would make you happy to have him living here, then you have my full support."

"I would really love to have him live here," Charlotte nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course, my dear," Erik said softly.

Charlotte crawled behind her husband and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Erik said, leaning back against her chest. "Now, I hate to bother you, but that massage you mentioned would be lovely."

"Alright," Charlotte chuckled, beginning to rub his shoulders.

"I'm surprised my muscles are still so sore. I feel like I've been rather relaxed lately," Erik admitted, sighing as Charlotte pressed her fingers into his shoulders. "Though I suppose parents are never truly relaxed, hm?"

"No, certainly not," Charlotte smiled, focusing her hands on a particularly hard knot in his back.

Erik groaned and leaned into her touch. "God, that one hurts," he mumbled.

"I'm sorry, darling. Do you want me to stop?" Charlotte asked softly.

"No, no. It's fine. Better to work out that knot than let it stay and get worse."

"Alright. Just let me know if you want me to stop," Charlotte nodded, kissing his cheek. "You seem like you're getting tired."

"I'm just relaxing. Not tired," Erik said, raising his good hand to cover his mouth when he yawned.

"I think your body and your mouth are saying two different things," Charlotte chuckled, massaging the knot a bit harder.

"So it seems," Erik said, stifling a groan as she rubbed his shoulder.

"Does this hurt too much?"

"It hurts, but it's fine. I'm alright."

"Are you sure? You need to tell me if it's too much pressure."

"I will, love," Erik said with a deep breath.

"Alright, then. Just relax, my darling," Charlotte whispered.

Erik nodded, rolling his shoulders into her hands, only to wince as she pressed down on the knot in his shoulder again. "Okay, I have to cry mercy. That's enough, love," he requested.

"Okay," Charlotte chuckled, moving her hands to gently rub his neck.

"You're a saint, Charlotte," Erik said with a sigh as her fingers worked into the muscles in his neck.

"You're an angel," Charlotte smiled, kissing his cheek gently.

Erik turned his head then to give her a kiss, lifting his good hand to cup her cheek in his hand. "A fallen angel, perhaps."

"An angel that fell from heaven and into my life," Charlotte said softly.

Erik shook his head. "I love you," he whispered as he pulled her into another kiss

"I love you more," Charlotte replied quietly. "Now, relax while I keep massaging your back."

Erik nodded and turned around again, letting Charlotte continue rubbing his back. "Thank you again," he said.

"You're more than welcome," Charlotte smiled, chuckling quietly as he began to close his eyes.

Eventually, Charlotte noticed Erik's head fall forward a bit, his breathing falling into a steady pattern. She smiled a bit and kissed his cheek, leaning back with him in her arms. After sliding a pillow under his injured arm to keep it elevated, she slipped off his mask and set it on his nightstand, turning off the light. "Goodnight, my darling," she whispered.