A/N: I know you are all anxious for an engagment and for the angst to come to an end. Have patience my loves. I have a plan set out.
Twinkle22: Hehe, I am glad you like it. I took time reading this chapter and trying to write a bit more like the authors I admire. I tried to add more colorful vocab lol and more interaction between characters.
secretstrangeangel: Perhaps, keep reading and find out.
PrimaDonnaKate: Erik is a very stubborn man. Although he is deadly with a punjab and brave as it comes to life and death situations the thought of asking Christine to marry him is enough to make him a bit scared.
AriaGothique: Maybe he won't even ask! You will have to wait to find out muhahah
thePhantom'sEvenstar: Yes I tried to add some lovey dovey stuff.
phantomangelex: Hah, but I like keeping it angsty. I love the cliffies! They make my reviewers antsy hehe.
The following morning Christine woke to someone knocking on her door. She groaned, just because it was Christmas it didn't mean she had to get up early. She saw her door open, and saw Meg's blonde head look into her room.
"Christine." Meg whispered.
"Come in." Christine said groggily. Her blonde friend pranced into the room and walked over to Christine' bedside.
"Come on Christine, wake up. It's Christmas morning!" Her friend said, excitement written on her features. Christine sighed and shot Meg a disgusted look.
"I know what day it is." She said as she crawled out of bed.
"Well everyone is waiting for you downstairs." Meg said and left the room. Christine stretched out and headed into the bathroom. She bathed quickly, and tied her hair back with a red ribbon. Then dressed in a matching red gown and headed downstairs. She heard cheerful chatter coming from the living room and couldn't help but smile.
Everyone was already fully dressed and had waited to begin opening gifts. When Christine walked in she saw Erik's smile and couldn't help but blush. She said good morning to everyone and took a seat beside Erik. She could sense everyone was eager to start opening gifts so she cheerily said,"Well what are you all waiting for. Lets open our presents." Everyone nodded merrily and handed each other gifts.
They all enjoyed the rest of the morning opening gifts and such. Christine had decided that she would give Erik his real gift in private, and give him a simpler gift while everyone else was opening presents. He reached for the box that contained his gift and opened the lid. He smiled when he saw what was inside. He lifted the white material out and began to chuckle softly. Christine had bought him a shirt similar to one he wore when she had first removed his mask. It opened in the front to show his chest and had a bit of a ruffle by the wrists and in the front.
He smiled at Christine and made a mental note to wear the shirt the first chance he got when they once again had the house to themselves. Erik handed Christine a large red box, and when she opened it she couldn't believe her eyes.. Inside was a blood red gown, with shoes, gloves and a mask.
She looked at Erik questioningly.
"I'm planning a masquerade ball for New Year's. I might as well make use of the ballroom." Erik said simply. Christine couldn't believe her ears. Erik was planning on having ball, which required people. Erik hated people! She just shrugged and decided to ask him more about it later.
The Giry's and Nadir left later that night after dinner and Christine was excited about giving Erik his gift. She told him to wait for her in the living room and ran upstairs to grab it. Once she came back down she peeked around the door frame and told him to close his eyes. He did so hesitantly. She came up to him and asked him to hold out his hands. When he did, she placed a black case in his hands.
He opened his eyes and was shocked at what he saw. He looked down at the case and back up at Christine.
"Where did you get this?" He asked.
"Well it was my father's. I know the talent you have and there is no one who could play that violin better than you." She said with a smile. Erik grasped the case in one arm and grabbed Christine in the other, holding her in an embrace. "Thank you Christine. You have no idea how much this means to me." He whispered quietly. Christine smiled, glad her gift meant so much to him.
"So when did you decided on hosting a masquerade ball?" Christine asked suspiciously.
"A while ago. I didn't want to tell you though." He said with a boyish smile.
She swatted his arm playfully and he feigned being hurt. "Who did you invite?" She asked, curious about this ball.
"A few people who don't know too much about the whole opera house ordeal. Mostly people from England and Scotland, a few Americans. The Giry's of course and Nadir. Besides, it will be the perfect opportunity to mingle, no one will notice my mask since everyone will be wearing them." Erik explained.
It was true, no one would give him any odd looks about his mask since everyone would be wearing one.
"I'm rather excited." Christine said with a bright smile.
"I knew you would be, that's why I planned this." He admitted.
"Could you be any more wonderful?" Christine asked, kissing his cheek.
He chose not to answer that and instead took the violin out of its case and began to play a beautiful and haunting melody. Christine's eyelids became heavy as she listened, sitting on Erik's wingback chair. She soon dozed off, the music lulling her into a peaceful sleep. Erik saw Christine's eyes shut and continued playing.
When the song was over, he gently set the violin and bow back in their case and walked over to Christine. He easily lifted her into his arms and she snuggled into his strong form. He carried her up the stairs and into the room, gently setting her down on her bed.
He tucked her in and kissed her forehead and watched her sleep for a while before leaving her room. He shut the door behind him and went in his room to plan his costume for the masquerade.
He knew he would have to come up with something that would top his Red Death costume from the last masquerade he attended. This time he would not be an unwelcome guest. Especially since it was his home and his masquerade.
A/N: Kay that was short too, but it sets up the next chapter and I haven't updated this story in some time so I thought I would do so tonight. Three updates in one night! Woot!
thePhantom'sEvenstar: I know I send you one of the chapters, but I already posted it. I promise that next time I will send you my chapters before I post them lol. I just was bored and wanted to do something mildly productive.