I love this story so much! Love all the relationships and wonderful endings! Glad I caught it later, when the epilogue is also there! That much better! Wonderful job! Thank you!

Hooked from start to finish. Great story.

I read this story in two days, I was thinking about it while driving and at work My 3 year old watched 3 hours if tv a day so I could sit and read this. Your writing is enchanting and thebstory so very detailed. Thank you

Oh my heart.

Oohhh so far I am loving this

I knewwwww itttt

Ooh a cliffie. "as if afraid it would escape" is so well written one can almost visualize the hand-carved box and Minnette locking the letter away within it If only Erik knew...what?

Obviously-at least to me-Erik sees something of his own childhood abuses in what James has suffered for his lefthandness (and equally obviously Erik knows his dominant hand is no more James' fault than the color of his eyes.) Is there nothing the man doesn't know?
James' father better stay on the road or wherever because his fate is sealed.

By the way my first thought concerning James' "cry of terror" when Erik discovered him at home on a Sunday was that Erik was unmasked.

Okaaaay just as I thought. Erik has assumed responsibility for the boy, James.
This, however, is turning into one of those stories in which Erik is just a perfectly normal individual, a nice guy as it were.
Honestly I prefer him brilliant but at least slightly deranged. I think that's much more interesting.

This was absolutely wonderful! I loved every moment of it. Thank you so much for making such a lovely story. I’m sorry I’m not a more in-depth reviewer, but I truly did adore this work.

How is it possible this was story was posted six years ago and I've overlooked it? Loving what I've read so far. What can he possibly have in mind?

Returning to beloved characters is always such a special feeling- and there is hardly a POTO-Erik out in the whole Phandom whom I adore more than yours.
I admit I had troubles first coming to terms with your idea to mix your different universes- I'm one who loves her universes to stay separated. You know, I have no idea how you do that, but in this case I think it works really well to mix them and have these men meet. It doesn't make Erik any less Erik, which is the most important thing for me.
I love love love your dialogues. In fact, you're an idol for me when it comes to writing witty und funny, yet deep and interesting dialogue, really. Your characters reveal a lot about the way they think and what moves them through the way they talk.
Erik and Christine still have that very special bond and even though life in its ugly forms happened to them their relationship doesn't seem to have suffered. They can be themselves around each other, be honest about their fears and tease each other, they share their thoughts, they are still/again connected through music and they also still feel very much attracted to each other. That's all my silly E/C heart wants from an epilogue. :)
On top of that you put all these very real troubles and thoughts about changes kids bring, the beast in men and all these intriguing hints at your other story!
I adore humor and your writing is still filled with it to the brim. Queen Victoria and the horse? That very special poodle and Erik's very healthy way to express murderous urges? Muster a face suitably condemnatory for eavesdropping? :D Perfect!
Thank you for this!

Oh, so now Erik is willing to adopt a child, and not just to please Christine! :) That should help them ease the pain of their empty nest now that Jamie's gone. It will be good for everyone.

And Ana turns out to be willful, not spoiled, and so very sweet! I love the fact that this child's character is so complex. Too many times, writers gloss over the fact that children are...people, with very complicated psyches, each one unique.
At first, I nearly gasped when Ana demanded that Erik give her his mask (wasn't the painting of the Raoul-poodle treasure enough for her?). And Alexander was dicing with death when he joined his daughter in demanding that Erik remove his mask. In the end, though, it was worth it. Now Erik knows that the violent reactions to his face are generally LEARNED responses - and that a child's innocence can accept his disfigurement, even love it. So, after having reared Jamie, Erik is ready for fatherhood once more.

It's so sad that Jamie is experiencing rejection due to his social status. The hilarious remedy that Erik's friends propose...adopting him! - is a hoot. Both Alex and M. Bertillon are willing to become the proud relatives of the Phantom of the Opera. Life can't get any better than that, can it? Although it's clear from Bertillon's remarks that Erik's past as the Phantom hasn't been forgotten, it's certainly forgiven...and the object of reminiscence.

It's funny, but the women in this chapter are rather scarce. In fact, we haven't yet met the famous Eliane Bertillon, the ravishing beauty married to the frightening and ugly M. Bertillon. We've heard a lot about her. We haven't really seen much of Emily, either, but that's understandable. M. Bertillon has frightened her into the shadows, it seems.

Great epilogue! Many thanks for giving these beloved characters the happy ending we wished them to have! :)

So good to see you back on FFNet! And I love this story...your Erik is amazing. Ideal, in fact.

I love the prankster Erik in this chapter who paints a picture of a poodle for a child...AND GIVES IT RAOUL'S EYES! LMAO...especially at the part where he calls Raoul "that little chicken." Ha! Take that mortal wound to your dignity, de Chagny! :)
Mostly, though, I love the latent passion within this E/C relationship. Even as it matures, it's there. And I love the way Erik deals with Christine's jealousy of the reputedly beautiful Eliane Bertillon. There are lots of rough edges to their relationship, but it's fun seeing how the couple smooths them. This is a love with incredible depth...and somehow you make it plausible, probable...REAL.
The icing on the cake is that Erik and Christine are making music together once more. It's the best therapy for their private sorrows.

It's good to see that Emily is thriving in her marriage, but she and Alexander seem to be experiencing tensions. We haven't seen enough of Ana to judge whether she's really spoiled, but there seems to be that implication. The manner of her upbringing seems to be a matter of some dispute. That's really realistic, of course - the birth of a child will test the parents' relationship like nothing else on earth.

It's sad that Jamie isn't in this chapter, and sadder still that he's unlucky in love. Still, it's good to see that Erik's friends are willing to lend a hand and help him find a place in the world.

So, Emily finds M. Bertillon intimidating? He does seem to harbor something dark, as the discussion in the stables indicates. Hmmm...does man have a beastly nature, or can he be worse than a beast? Erik, of all people, can appreciate the look into the darkness of a human soul.

Thanks for the heads-up regarding your work on Kindle Scout...Time Not Wasted. Intriguing!

Great chapter!

Nice ending! I was just reading this story for the 5th time(!) and then I noticed the recent update, and what a great addition this is. Thank you very much. (Although I got to say I’m a bit sad that Jamie moved on from Mary now... they were so sweet, awesome nonetheless!)

Oh, you merciless tease! A new story in 4 weeks, but we don't get to know which one? I'm planning on bribing you with virtual coffee and donuts until you spill the beans. ;P

Poor Étienne gets thoroughly bashed by Christine, but I have a feeling she'll change her mind about him upon further acquaintance.

Don't know about other Phans, but I definitely read POTO fanfictions because I can't get enough of our Erik, and we see precious little of his interactions with other characters in canon, so I really enjoyed seeing how he relates to the other people in his life.