Wanted

Chapter 36

Upon hearing this, Erik had a look of shock on his face. Christine stood up and Erik looked up at her. He stood up and immediately embraced his wife. "Thank you, my love. For everything. I am here today because of you. You saved me and for that, I am thankful." Erik said and Christine smiled at him.

Erik picked up Gustave and showered his face with kisses before grabbing Christine's hand and walking with his family out of the court house. The group got into the carriage and rode back to the Opera Populaire.

When they arrived, Erik helped his family out and walked into the opera house with them. "I feel like a different man." Erik commented as he unlocked the door to the lair.

"In a way, you are." Christine said and Erik smiled at her as they entered the house. Gustave ran over to his toys and started playing. Erik and Christine sat on the couch and watched their son play. Erik wrapped his arms around Christine and kissed her head.

"What would my lovely family like to do today?" Erik asked as Gustave came over and climbed up onto his father's lap.

"Picnic!" Gustave exclaimed and his parents laughed and smiled at him.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Christine said and Erik agreed. Gustave clapped his hands and snuggled against Erik's chest. They stayed like that for some time, until Erik got up to go pack the picnic.

Erik packed a meal for all of them and a picnic blanket. Christine came in as he was doing this and pecked his deformed cheek before handing him his mask. "Is Gustave ready?" Erik asked as he closed the basket.

"I think so, considering he's sitting by the door waiting for us." Christine said and Erik grabbed the basket and followed his wife to the front door. Sure enough, Gustave was sitting there looking bored. Upon seeing his parents, he jumped up and grabbed Christine's hand.

They walked down the streets of Paris until they reached a relatively uncrowded area of the park. Erik spread out the blanket and they all sat down. Christine pulled out three sandwiches and passed them out.

Once they were done eating, Gustave got up and began running around. "Stay nearby, Gustave!" Erik called, he watched his son for a few minutes before turning his attention to Christine. He wrapped his arm around her as she pulled out a book and began reading.

After a few minutes of her reading and Erik simply running his hand through her thick chocolate curls, she shut the book and looked up at her husband.

"Am I boring you?" She asked and he shrugged.

"A bit, but as long as I'm with you I don't care what we're doing." He said and Christine leaned up to press a kiss against his lips. "I love you." Erik said as they pulled back.

"I love you too." Christine said with a smile. Erik turned his head to watch Gustave, but when he did his son was not there.

"He ran off." Erik said as he stood up and began walking around looking for the little boy who was just like his father. Christine soon caught up with Erik and she sighed.

"He's just like you." Christine said as they continued to look around for their mischievous little boy.

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"Mama! Papa!" Gustave called as he wandered by himself through the park. The child didn't like being alone. And in a matter of minutes he began crying. A woman nearby walked up to him and kneeled down.

"Are you lost?" She asked and Gustave nodded. "What's your name, sweetie?" The woman asked kindly and Gustave wiped his eyes.

"Gustave."

"I'm Nancy, you can wait here with me until we find your parents." The woman said and Gustave nodded. The park was big and there was barely anybody around this area. Gustave waited with Nancy until he saw a man walking around yelling his name.

"Is that your father?" Nancy asked and Gustave nodded. She took his hand and led him over to Erik. Gustave let go of her hand and ran to hug Erik's leg. The masked man bent down and lifted him up into his arms.

Erik hugged his son tight as Gustave began crying again. Erik couldn't even begin to comprehend how scared his son must've been. "Thank you, Madame. My wife and I were very worried." Erik said and Christine came running up to them.

"It's not a problem. I'm just glad he didn't end up being taken." Nancy said and Christine stepped forward and took the woman's hand.

"How can we ever repay you?" Christine asked and Nancy shook her head.

"You don't need to repay me. As long as the child is fine, then I don't need anything." The kind woman said and Christine thanked her again.

"Have a wonderful day, Madame." Christine said as she turned to her family and then proceeded to walk back to their blanket. Gustave had stopped crying as Erik set him down.

"You can't run off like that, Gustave." Christine said and the little boy looked ashamed. Christine immediately pulled her son into a hug.

"I'm sorry, Mama." Gustave said and Christine knew she couldn't stay mad at him. She was the same say with her husband. It was because Christine loved her family more than words could say.

They all sat back down on the blanket and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon as a family. Her head rested on Erik's shoulder and her hand stayed in his. Gustave ran around, but stayed near them. Erik liked this. He liked being a free man.

Cast:
Erik Destler ~ Ramin Karimloo
Christine Destler ~ Sierra Boggess
Gustave Destler ~ Hadley Karimloo
Nancy Dillard ~ Daniela Denby-Ashe