HEY Y'ALL!!!! Like I said last time this is probably one of my favorite chapters, if not my favorite. This will be really long since I am including everything up to Christmas in here. I really like how I wrote Erik and Kerin interacting in this chapter, SO YOU PPL BETTER REVIEW!!!!!!By the way thank you phantomlvr for being the ONLY person to review. phantomlvr gets a cookie and all of you get to watch phantomlvr eat it. Just kidding about the having to watch phantomlvr eat it, but I will say I appreciate seeing that people actually like my chapters. I put an even greater amount of effort into this chapter(not that I didn't try my best on others, it's just this one took the longest to type. You'll be able to tell when you read it.)I'd also like to mention this since my friend said I should probably do this: Kerin is pronounced "Erin" with a "K" in the front. Just thought I'd help people out since sometimes I read stories and am not sure how to pronounce the names. Well enough my rambling, eh?ON WITH THE...show...or fanfic.

Erik's New Obsession

I wake up and Erik's not home so I bathe and dress. Erik comes back shortly with breakfast.

"Morning, Erik." I say with a small nod in greeting and a smile.

"Goodmorning." We eat breakfast then go outside and I bring my money with me. I look around and see ever shop is decorated for Christmas, which makes me smile. I grab Erik's hand seeing that he's a little self-concious about being out here by the way that he is walking. He squeezes my hand then I see a tiny smile creep onto his face from under the head wrap.I lead him into a shop where they are hanging stockings and the air smells of pine and cinnamon. There is a little bakery in the back and I take Erik to a table. He sits stiffly in his chair and shifts uncomfortably so I meet his eyes through the head wrap.

"Do you want to try the cinnamon tea?" I ask knowing he absolutely loves tea and hoping to get a word out of him.

"All right." He says with a sigh and I nod with a small smile to him.

"Okay. I'll be right back." I go up to the counter and see a huge platter of gingerbread men.

"May I help you?" I hear an elderly woman say and lift my gaze to her smiling.

"Yes. May I please have a cup of cinnamon tea,two gingerbread men, and one hot chocolate please?" She smiles and calculates what I owe her.

"Of course. Eight francs please." I hand her the money and in about a minute she has my order prepared. I thank her then carry eveything over to the table, setting Erik's tea in front of him then sitting myself.

"Thank you." I hear Erik mutter and I smile at him as he grabs the cup of tea in front of him.

"No problem." He eyes the plate of gingerbread men then takes a sip of his tea. He places his cup back on the table then glances at me.

"What are those?" He asks gesturing to the plate of gingerbread men with his gloved hand then curling his fingers to his palm.

"They are gingerbread men. Try one," He picks up a gingebread man and bites its head off making me laugh. "Erik! That wasn't nice! You beheaded the poor cookie." His eyes show amusement and he is smirking at me while holding up the headless cookie.

"What a delicious beheading." He jests and I smile at him then take a sip of my hot chocolate. It's made with real melted chocolate and is absolutely delicious.

"Here try this." I say pushing my cup over to Erik and he takes a sip then nods handing it back to me.

"Very good. What is it?"

"Hot chocolate." He goes back to eating the ligaments of the gingerbread and I inwardly roll my eyes at his ironic form of entertainment.

"You may have my cookie if you'd like." Erik finishes his cookie then glances at the remaining victim and shakes his head.

"It is yours. May we retrieve more later tonight?" I can't help but smile yet again and nod.

"Yes, as well as some hot chocolate." He nods with a pleased look.

"Excellent." He drinks his tea and I eat my cookie and finish my hot chocolate. I clear away our dishes then stand behind my chair lightly grasping the back of it.

" Will you help me find a gift for Madame Giry and Nadir?" I ask and he stands smoothing his vest then rests his hands at his sides.

"Of course." I nod and we leave the shop and walk around town eventually finding a gift for Madame Giry and Nadir. A candle for Madame Giry and a silver pocketwatch for Nadir. I start to walk into the pub Nadir likes when my shoulder is grabbed and I feel a hot breath on my ear. "Where are you going?" Erik says in a reprimanding tone and I recall Nadir informing me that Erik would not be fond of me walking into a pub alone. I pat Erik's hand reassuringly and he releases my shoulder.

"I believe Nadir is in here."

"I'm coming with you then." Erik says firmly and I allow myself a hidden grin before walking into the pub with Erik following close behind.I see Nadir in the exact spot I saw him yesterday and walk up to him.

"Joyeux Noel, Nadir." He looks at me and smiles when I hand him the pocketwatch.

"Thank you, Kerin. Joyeux Noel." He hands me some baked goods and a book on Persia. I'm quite tempted to inhale the wonderful smelling baked goods but restrain myself and smile at him gratefully.

"Thank you Nadir, I appreciate it. Oh and thank you again for yesterday."

"You're welcome." Erik comes up behind me and Nadir looks at him. "Joyeux Noel,Erik."

"Joyeux Noel, Daroga." Nadir looks back at me and I smile.

"Have a good Christmas, Nadir. I will see you sometime after Christmas." I say hinting to him to not come over like we planned and I see that he understands perfectly by giving me a small smile.

"You as well, Kerin. Good day." Erik and I leave and walk back to the Opera Populaire. I stop then turn to Erik and he looks at me stopping as well.

"I'll retrieve Madame Giry." He nods and steps back preparing to make his leave.

"Very well. I will meet you in her room." I nod and go to the theatre where Madame Giry is watching the ballet rats...er...girls practice their routine. Ugh...Erik is brushing off on me, I think to myself and shake my head smiling, before walking over to Madame Giry.

"Good day, Madame Giry." She turns to me and smiles.

"Oh, hello dear. Come with me." I follow her to her room and when we arrive Erik is sitting there without his head covering, just his white mask.

"Hello,Madame." Erik says softly and with a ghost of the smile, which is in his eyes. Madame Giry gasps and brings her hand to her mouth in surprise yet happiness.

"Erik..." She trails off and walks over to him embracing him. Erik pats her back gently and she releases him moving to sit in her armchair. "It's great to see you Erik." Erik nods to her then looks at me.

"Go ahead and sit, my dear." Erik says formally which signals he is awkward with the current situation.

"Where?" I ask looking around.

"Beside me is fine." He says gesturing to the foot of bench beside him. I nod and walk over sitting next to him.

"Kerin, Erik, Joyeux Noel." She brings forth two stockings, one black,one red. She hands me the red one and Erik the black one and I see my name sewn on the top of mine and Erik's sewn on the top of his. I look at Erik and see him deep in thought.

"Thank you, Madame." Erik mutters quite clearly and I smile at Madame Giry.

"Yes, thank you Madame. Joyeux Noel." I say getting up and handing her the candle before moving to stand next to Erik.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," I sense Erik's growing discomfort without even looking at him and decide that we should probably go. "There is still much to do today, Madame. Excuse us."

"Goodbye. It was nice seeing you again." Erik stands giving a slight bow of the head in respect then I smile and he follows me out. I turn to him in the corridor and he seems more comfortable.

"Mind if we stop home so I can drop my stuff off?" I ask and he raises an eyebrow.

"Home?" He asks slightly amused and I give him a look.

"Well it's certainly not a house!" I say in a joking matter referring to "a house is not a home". "I'm not just living in it because I have to, I am because I want to, which makes it my home as well." This statement causes something to change in Erik's eyes while he looks at me. I'm not sure what it is but he doesn't look upset at all. In a second the look is gone and he nods.

"I do not mind." We go down to his lair and I drop off my stuff in my room. When I come downstairs Erik is looking at the stocking Madame Giry gave him at his organ so I go over and sit next to him.

"You all right, Erik?" I ask, concerned that he is upset.

"May I be informal and ask for a hug?" He asks softly and I smile as he slowly lifts his gaze to mine.

"Of course." I say embracing him tightly and he returns the hug gratefully.

"Thank you." He says pulling away.

"Do you want to come retrieve more gingerbread men and hot chocolate with me?"

"I'd like to stay here." He mutters and goes back to looking at the stocking.

"All right." I say getting up and squeezing his shoulder before going outside once more. I get more gingerbread men to put in Erik's stocking as well as some candy, for this is his first Christmas and he deserves for it to be special. These I hide under my cloak then I get a plate of four gingerread men and a cup of hot chocolate.The women from before, in the bakery, allows me to leave the shop with the dishes and I return to Erik's home. I see Erik has laid his stocking as well as mine on top of the organ. He seems somewhat out of it and is just staring at his hands on the keys, so I place his gingerbread men and hot chocolate on the the stairs. Running up to my room I lay on my bed and begin reading Nadir's gift, the book on Persia,after making Erik's gifts well hidden in my room. I hear a noise and lower the book seeing Erik in my doorway holding the hot chocolate and plate of gingerbread men, staring at me. "Come,sit." I say replacing my book on my bedside table having Erik walk over and sit on the edge of my bed facing me.

"Would you rather I eat alone?" He asks seriously with a sad undertone.

"No. You seemed deep in thought and I did not want to disturb you." I say honestly with an apologetic tone and look up at him. He nods and slides to the floor sitting with his back against the bed then looks up at me with an amused look.

"Care to help me in the decapitation?" I smile and sit next to him on his left, having him hand me the plate. I grab a cookie and unconciously bite its head off, seeing Erik smirk out of the corner of my eye and I laugh looking down at the headless cookie.

"I seriously do not think I have ever had this much fun eating cookie." I say looking at him and he has an actual smile on his face as he rests his head back taking another bite of cookie.

"There's a first time for everything,my dear." He says closing his eyes and I smile resting my head back against the bed as well.

"Very true." I finish my cookie and he hands me the hot chocolate. I drink some of it then hand it back to him and he puts the cup down turning to me seriously.

"You have not eaten yet and I highly doubt this counts as a healthy meal." He says concerned for it has been established that Erik is my guardian in this time period.

"You're right it's not,however, it is Christmas Eve and a little variation in the regular meal is perfectly acceptable for one night." I say putting a hand on his arm and he squeezes my hand for second then I remove it.

"All right. I'd rather you not be removed from my home by Madame Giry or Nadir for being irresponsible with your care." He says seriously.

"Even if you did slip up a few a times, I would never tell Madame Giry or Nadir, for I liking living with you too."

"Well, thank you."

"You're welcome, mon ami. I just wish I was staying longer than I am. Only then you'll have to take care of your own children." Erik turns to me seriously and I meet his eyes.

"No,I won't. You know I only want love." He takes a sip of hot chocolate and I frown slightly at how great Erik would be for someone if only they saw past his face and realized what a great man he really is.

"Yes,I forgot that. I apologize. You know you're probably the only man in Paris who only wants a woman for love. Most men here are impure with their thinking and actions but I admire you for your unique trait." He sighs and looks straight ahead.

"You're probably the only one." He says defeatedly and I get on my knees grabbing his shoulders.

"You are not wallowing in self-pity are you, Erik?" I ask firmly and he meets my eyes.

"Why, pray tell, am I sensing that you will be monitoring my self thoughts?" He asks sarcastically with an emotionless look in his eyes.

"I'm not sure,why,Erik." I say harshly and move to sit on the bed. " Monitoring your self thoughts? Ha! I very well know you are too proud to accept my "monitoring" as you call it. I'm going to go take those dishes back now or would you rather I begin my "monitoring" tonight?" I retort sardonically then quickly pick up the plate and cup, leaving the room. I let out a small growl of anger as I walk back to the shop and only smile when I hand the dishes to the woman and thank her. As soon as I leave the shop I realize I should be happy for the holidays, so I take a deep breath and head back to Erik's lair. Erik is not there when I return but I find a note on my bed.

Kerin

My apologies for my behaviour, I did not mean to upset you.Please forgive my loss of memory regarding your natural kindness toward me. You were not meant for that response, which is what I usually verbalize to strangers or Madame Giry or...Daroga.I will return shortly.

Erik

I smile and set the note on my bed."Cool handwriting." I say observing his loopy, italicized writing.

"Thank you." I hear an amused voice say and I tense, jumping slightly with an "AH!" then turning to Erik.

"You're sometimes too quiet,Erik." He bows his head in apology and I smile.

"My apologies." He says sincerely and lifts his head meeting my eyes. I walk slowly over to him and pat his shoulder in a friendly manner.

"It's fine. Would you like to know about Christmas?" I ask hoping to spend more time with him on a happier note.

"I would love that." He says with a smile and leads me over to my bed having us sit on the edge again. I sit there gathering my thoughts and Erik leans toward me slightly as if wanting to tell a secret. "You may begin." He says with a light excited tone, which makes me chuckle at his eagerness to hear about Christmas.

"Well, Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, is a plump man who has a white beard,and a red hat. He's bald and drives a sleigh flown by reindeer. Reindeer are like regular deer, only larger, and they're believed to be magic. Santa eats cookies and drinks milk, leaving presents and/or treats in your stocking. Gingerbread cookies are traditional Christmas cookie. You know, my mom used to make almond cookies shaped like Christmas trees with minced cherries,I miss them. They were amazingly good, almost as addictive as gingerbread cookies. Decorations are also a big part of Christmas.Red and green are the traditional colors; a christmas tree, which is a decorated pine tree, a fire, presents under the tree and football on television are common for Christmas as well."

"This Santa Claus will visit us?" He asks in a soft,curious tone, and I smile at his hopeful look and small smile.

"Yes, but you need to sleep in order for him to come." I say with a playful warning tone and he immediately stands.

"All right. Goodnight, my dear." He says moving to the doorway.

"Goodnight,Erik." I lay down after he leaves and surprisingly fall asleep instantly. When I wake up it's one A.M. so I get up and go downstairs. I don't see him at the organ, then stuff his stocking with the items I bought earlier. I then go upsatirs and see Erik asleep with his back against the side of my bed. I take a sheet off my bed and cover him shaking my head. I swear the man sleeps in the most uncomfortable positions. I kiss his forehead then get in bed and fall back asleep dreaming of Christmas and pondering who invented a cookie shaped like a man, for their and a phantom's new form of amusement.

WELL MY LONGEST CHAPTER YET!!!! HOPE YOU LIKED IT!!!! UPDATES NOT FOR AWHILE SINCE I'M GOING AWAY THE WEEK AFTER NEXT AND THIS WEEK AND THE NEXT ARE EXTREMELY BUSY!!!! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!

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