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Christine was out haunting, or doing whatever it is she was doing. Erik didn't know. He never made a habit of knowing where his wife was at all times. He found that, after nearly five years of marriage, he finally trusted that she truly loved him and wouldn't run the second she could.
She loved him.
How did Erik know that? Well, there were the little things, the favors she did for him just out of kindness, the simple kisses she would plant on his deformed cheek, the smiles she gave him when he said something loving to her. There were the big things—they were married, after all—but it wasn't any of those that proved it to him.
It was their now 4-year-old son.
Who was currently dashing across the house, silently speeding around Erik's feet. He had been trying to get the little ball of energy to stop, attempting to ask him nicely, but nothing was working. Erik did have, however, one idea...
"Gustave!" he shouted. "The Phantom commands you to stop running!"
Gustave screeched to a halt and looked back at his maestro. "Fine," he pouted, dramatic as ever. Erik sighed and turned back around, only for Gustave to start running again the second he looked away!
Erik wasted no time now and dashed after him, nimbly sliding around his son and catching him quickly. He kneeled down and put his hands on Gustave's shoulders.
"Gustave, you cannot run on the hard floor! You could fall! The Phantom does not want you to get hurt! Never do this again, do you understand?"
"Yes, Maestro," Gustave replied.
"Now, can I let you go?"
"Yeah."
Erik released Gustave and smiled when the boy didn't instantly take off. He stood up and heard a small laugh coming from the entrance to his house. Gustave was over by his bedroom, so who could it be? He turned to find his wife standing in a boat at the cavern entrance, smiling softly. "How much of that did you hear?" he asked, amused.
"All of it," said Christine. She rowed to shore and walked towards Erik, quickly kissing him before pulling back and saying, "You know, the Phantom is becoming a very good father."
Erik only smiled and pulled her in for a hug.