That night was the longest night of Gustave's entire life.

Though Erik would swear his was longer.

Christine had been in Labor ten hours now, the end nowhere in sight.

Erik back and forth outside the hospital room for what seemed like decades. He tried so hard not to hear the pitiful moans and quiet sobs from within the room but it was impossible to ignore.

With complete exhaustion, he collapsed into the bench and, despite his burdens fell fast asleep.

He awoke to some commotion from down the hallway. He nearly jumped from his seat. How long had he slept?! Where was Christine?! What time was it?! Was all well?!

He watched from his hiding place as Gustave stood by the entryway, looking grave and old.

"Sir there's a man here to see your father, says he's family but he don't look like any of you." The One doctor informed Gustave, "He's throwing quite a fight to get in. Shall I send him off sir?"

"No, let him in." Gustave sighed.

They had moved to the apartment next door just that morning, so Gustave figured it had to be someone trusted. Perhaps Nadir had come at last.

The doctor was about to depart when Gustave grabbed his arm, "How are things looking?"

"I can't say." The doctor sighed, "Odds are even. But that Fred fellow is one heck of a Doctor if I ever saw anyone pull anyone through, to be him."

Gustave grinned and nodded, he was thankful Fred was here.

Gustaves eyes went to his poor Father and then gestured towards the door.

"Should I let him in?"

Erik nodded grimly as the Doctor walked away.

"Gustave!" Autumn yelled just as he was about to open the door, "Gustave whats happened where were you? Is everything alright? I fell asleep-"

Gustave easily got distracted and walked away updating her on the circumstances.

"How is he?!" she cried "What happened?!"

"Babys being stubborn." Gustave said solemnly, "He's going to be fine, we all will be fine."

"He?" Autumn laughed.

Gustave grinned, "I got a feeling."

Erik rolled his eyes as Gustaves voice drew farther and farther away.

He would have to get the door himself. He checked both ways before emerging from the shadows, sneaking to the front door and creaking it open.

A pale-faced, tall gentleman stood in all black, an umbrella held in his right hand and a young child in the other.

"Are you Erik Destler?" Came his eerie demand.

Erik helped him inside and into the secret room. He would had gladly left the stranger outside, but a baby that size needed to be indoors. It was so small, he wasn't even sure it was a baby.

"Yes," Erik nodded. "Who are you?"

The man gave a grave look as if he were debating whether to lie. "My name is John Dechangy. I'm Fred Father. He informed me you would be here."

Erik tensed at the name and nodded hesitantly.

"What do you want?" He spat.

John stared back, his eyes icy and cool were eyeing Erik's mask.

"Raoul Vicomte Dechangy is dead. As of this morning at 3."

Erik stared back emotionless.

John continued on, "You'll be happy to know he married this last year, his wife died in childbirth not six months ago."

Erik eyed the small covered parcel which was making considerable noise.

"What does this have to do with me," Erik hissed crossing his arms.

"My brother was highly specific in his will. I didn't even know of the child until last week. He somehow knew-" John shook the thought from his head and set the umbrella down.

Erik gestured for him to continue, Johns eyes searching the mask once again.

"He said sir, you would best know what to do. More so than I and to be frank. I believe that to be a true statement."

Erik stared at the man curiously, he seemed uncomfortable, scared perhaps.

"It's an odd last request, but a desperate one. I'm here- to ask- no sir, to beg that you consider complying. The moment Fred told me your name and that your wife was in labor I came as fast as I could. Praying there was hope, that there was time."

"You try my patience-" Erik mumbled. "What have you come to ask?"

John shuddered, then handed the baby to Erik, "I think Monsieur, you will best see for yourself."

Erik took the child and uncovered it, a beautiful baby girl stared back up at him with bright blue eyes.

"I don't see your point." Erik spat in annoyance, his Christine needed him, he didn't have time for this.

John cleared his throat and adjusted the blanket, revealing a long complicated deformity that ran across both sides of the child's neck and all down her back.

Erik's eyes widened, "Good God," He murmured, "How did this happen?"

"Janet," John sighed, "Raoul's wife, she was on antidepressants when she was with child. We assume, that they had an unexpected side effect."

Erik stared at the child, her happy tired eyes sending a chill through him.

"My brother loved her," John stated defensively as if he were reading Erik's mind. "He gave her everything. Were it not for the accident-"

Erik saw the distressed pain on Johns' face and cleared his throat uncomfortably, "I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's life," John sighed with a shrug, "It goes on."

"If Christine knew-"

"That's the hard thing I've come to ask," John sighed as Erik attempted to hand the child back. He took his hand and pushed the child back to Erik's chest.

"She can't know. We're asking that you raise the child as your own. And that you be the only one with knowledge of this transaction."

"Sir," Erik stated firmly, "This is a human life we're speaking of, not a stock holding."

John shook his head, "If you don't take her sir, the gypsies will have her. And I don't want that any more than you."

Erik saw now the true desperation that brought John here. He didn't want the child mistreated either. But how was he? A wealthy man to keep the child secret all his life. He was no young man, his wife would do doubt not share the same temperament toward the baby.

"What are you suggesting?" Erik questioned slowly.

"That you fake the records. I'm willing to supply funds for her care. Fred will aid you once I speak to him. You've had twins before. It won't be too far of the stretch, besides shes deformed."

"What about it?" Erik muttered darkly and John drew back.

"Nothing sir." John stated quickly, "But please, say you agree."

Erik was about to protest when he looked down and saw those two crystal blue eyes staring up at him.

"Alright," he said hoarsely feeling faint.

John gave a sigh of relief as the baby started to make noise and rapped its small hand around Erik's finger.

"What have I done?" Erik thought to himself.

Fred burst into the room with a grin, "Cograts Erik-"

His face twisted into a frown and he stood up straighter his smile disappearing.

Erik watched with intrigue as Johns' face turned colder and meaner. "Come here, boy. We wish to speak to you."

Fred came closer with a frown, then noticing the child raised an eyebrow and pointed, "Where did that one come from?"

"Idiot," John muttered.

Erik shot him an angry glance and then turned his attention to Fred. "Is Christine asleep?"

Fred nodded, "She's had a rough time."

"You think she will remeber?" John asked slowly.

Fred shot a glance between the two men. "What are you insinuating?"

When John had explained his plan in full, Fred nodded solemnly.

"I think- If you're sure its what you want-" he stuttered

Erik bit the inside of his cheek. Here was his chance, his chance again to decline, to escape.

"Don't look," he told himself, "Keep your hand at the level of your eyes."

But the small girl laughed and giggled and smiled up at him and he couldn't help but draw closer to her with each second. He felt he was betraying his own child, here in a secret room holding a baby who was not his. But if he took her in, then every second now was crucial, was a memory he would cherish forever.

"Yes," Erik said hoarsely, "Yes I'm sure."

Fred gave a hesitant nod.

"Do some good for once," John said harshly to his son, shook Erik's hand and exited by himself.

Erik slowly handed the child to Fred. The little girl pouted when she left Eriks arms, breaking his heart.

"It's a boy," Fred informed him with a sad smile, "Thought you'd like to know."

"Deformed?" Erik asked slowly.

"Perfect," Fred stated his smile returning. He was about to leave when Erik placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You're a phenomenal young man Fred."

Fred looked away insecurely and cleared his throat. "He says some things sometimes and-"

Erik stared at him intently, "I mean it. You're a good man."

Fred gave a small laugh, his eyes thanking Erik with all his heart.

"You ready for this?" Fred asked nervously.

Erik nodded.

Let the music begin.