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New Year's Confessions

"I don't think I can do this." Erik proclaimed when he heard the doorbell ring for the apartment.

"Seriously? You have one day left, it's not going to be that hard." Nadir replied, his footsteps heading towards the front door.

Erik scowled. "I do not need a reminder of Antoinette's deadline."

And he didn't. The past week had gone by painfully slow in Erik's opinion. Antoinette's promise constantly repeating in his ear every time he was with the vampire couple. But each occasion he thought there was the slightest possibility of him making his confession, he would chicken out and the moment would be lost. He knew that Antoinette was waiting for him to tell her he did it, but Erik had not been able to do it. Today was the last day of his so-called deadline and Christine and Raoul were here to go out to celebrate New Year's Eve.

And Erik had no idea about how he was going to go about confessing.

"Ooh, you're calling her by her first name only? You must be extremely nervous." Nadir teased.

"Nadir—" Erik started but the cop opened the door.

"Hello, you two." Nadir greeted and his footsteps moved back.

"Hello, Mr. Khan." Christine's voice replied pleasantly.

"Is Erik ready?" Raoul asked.

At the sound of the vampire's voices, Ayesha, who was lying on Erik's lap, jumped off and by the sound of her bell, made her way to Erik's bedroom. Erik sighed at that, she still wasn't accepting of the couple's presence but at least she was no longer hostile towards them. He stood up from the couch, grabbed his cane, and moved towards the door.

"I'm here." Erik stated to get their attention.

Nadir moved out of his way and he stepped out of the door.

"See you later, Mr. Khan." Raoul stated.

"Don't keep Erik out too late." Nadir teased. "He has a curfew!"

Erik rolled his eyes but kept walking, easily keeping track of where he was by his cane. When he felt Christine and Raoul come up on either side of him, he let out an irritated sigh.

"He acts as if we are teenagers and he's my father."

"I think it's charming." Christine replied, the smile in her voice. "He's just having a little bit of fun since his best friend is dating."

"Don't I know it, however, I have to make sure I pay him in kind about Rook." Erik declared lightly, already thinking of ways he could even the score. Nadir knew Erik was already nervous as it is about tonight, he did not have to add more for his own amusement.

"Are they doing well?" Raoul asked.

"I'm certain that Rook is waiting for Nadir to propose but he hasn't brought it up yet." Erik informed them. "He changes the topic every time someone tries."

"Do you think he wants to propose?" Christine questioned this time.

"Positive." Erik answered immediately. "I believe he is only letting his nerves get in the way."

And wasn't that a double standard, Erik thought, considering his own situation.

Erik could feel Raoul shrugged next to him. "Maybe, but it's obvious that she'll say yes. Those two are probably the most in love couple I have ever met."

"He'll propose when he wants to." Christine countered. "Personally, I think the wait will make the proposal all the more special when it finally does happen."

They continued to walk and eventually got to the park that they wanted. There was firework show that was to take place at midnight to bring in the New Year. It had been Erik's idea and he had been amused when the couple had hesitated because they thought he wouldn't enjoy it with his lack of sight. Erik had been able to convinced them when he told them that it would be like the time they had went to 'see' the Christmas lights. For Erik, it was not about the sight of the place, but the feel of the atmosphere of everyone around him.

"We got here just in time." Raoul remarked as they stopped, shifting next to Erik in what he assumed was to check his watch. "It's 11:50pm."

"There are a lot of people here." Christine stated curiously.

"It's the only place in the city where it's legal to set off fireworks." Erik answered, listening to the excited chatter around him. "Because of this, the city makes a show every New Years and 4th of July. This way, people do not try to acquire their own and set them off near houses."

"That makes sense." Raoul agreed. He took hold of Erik's hand that didn't have his cane and started to pull him forward. "Come on, let's see if we can find a decent spot."

Erik allowed him to pulled him gently along, using his cane to easily get out of the way of any obstacles. Christine walking alongside him at a steady pace. It took a few minutes before Raoul was satisfied with the spot he choose. Christine described the place they were at, telling him how they were in a small clearing in the trees of the park. Around them, trees stood and there was a little fountain and bench nearby. Erik heard the chatter of others and Christine explained that there were a couple families with children, a group of teenagers, and a few couples.

"Okay, here we go!" Raoul started in excitement. "11:59pm. Countdown should begin at any moment!"

Christine laughed. "Someone's excited!"

"Well, yeah! When's the last time we were able to see fireworks like this?" Raoul questioned.

"Ah…about a decade ago?" Christine guessed.

"Exactly!" Raoul answered. "Let me be excited about this!"

Christine laughed again and Erik felt warm at Raoul's enthusiasm and Christine laughter. The tug in his gut had quiet down as well, as it always did when he was in their presence.

A loud bang was heard, indicating that the countdown had begun.

"Ten!" the crowds everywhere in the park began. Counting down second by second.

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

"Seven!"

"Six!"

"Five!" Erik felt Christine and Raoul take each of his hands in one of theirs, the smiles in their tones as they counted down apparent.

"Four!" Erik squeezed both of their hands.

"Three!" He felt the two of them get closer.

"Two!" Erik almost took a step backward at the distance but remained where he was.

"ONE!" the crowd yelled the final number but they were mere whispers from Raoul and Christine as they got close enough that Erik could feel their breath on his cheeks.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone cheered as the first firework zoomed into the air and let out a burst in the sky.

But Erik paid that no mind, instead, his senses were focused on the two in front of him as they leaned away after brushing their lips against his cheeks in a short kiss.

"Happy New Year Erik." Christine and Raoul stated softly that was barely heard over the sound of fireworks exploding above them.

Erik could feel the heat enter his cheeks and hoped that it looked like it was from the weather. A smile pulled at his lips. "Happy New Year."

They stayed until the show was over and waited a little bit after for the majority of people to leave. Erik did not want to try to maneuver through the crowds with his cane.

"Anyone got any New Year's resolutions?" Raoul asked as they eventually began to make their way out. Erik could tell that he was walking backwards a few paces in front of him and Christine.

"Those things are silly." Christine replied, from next to him. "If you want to get something done, you just do it. It shouldn't depend on the start of a new year, most people don't finish them anyway."

"I don't know, some people find motivation in them." Raoul countered. "What do you think, Angel?"

"For the most part, I agree with Christine." Erik answered, trying to will the heat of his cheeks away from the nickname. He heard Raoul grumble to himself. "However, I made my own for this year."

"Oh? What is it?" Raoul questioned eagerly.

Erik slowed down and then stopped. He heard the couple do the same and could feel their curious gazes on him from a couple feet away. He hoped that they did not noticed how fast or hard his heart seemed to pound in his chest.

He shifted his cane to be straight up on the ground and placed both of his hands on top of the handle. In a causal voice, he stated, "I suppose I could tell it to you. Christine, if you would be so kind."

Erik held out his hand and waited. When he felt Christine's hand touch his, he tapped her palm and she guided his hand to her face.

"Raoul." Erik called. The other vampire came to him and Erik handed over his cane to him before having Raoul do the same that Christine. Erik pulled the two of them forward, the two following his guide, until his front was in between the two of them, his head inches away from both of their ears.

Erik felt like his heart was going to explode by how fast it was beating, but knew that he would not be able to talk his way out of this one, which is part of the reason he did it this way.

"I love you." He breathed out softly, knowing that they would hear it with the distance and vampire senses.

It was only confirmed as he felt both of them freeze in his arms, his hands feeling the jaws drop and eyes blink in shock. They stayed like that for a few moments, but eventually Christine pulled away, but not enough to remove's Erik's hand.

"You…love us?" she inquired hesitantly but with hope.

"With all my heart." Erik replied firmly. He brushed his thumb across Christine's cheek. "I have for a while, but could not find the courage in me to say it."

"How come?" Raoul joined in, taking a step back to be able to see Erik again, but not break their contact.

Erik felt heat enter his cheeks, how he hated blushing. "I have never felt this way about anyone before. I was going to say it on Christmas when you said it but I…"

"Freaked out and said something else?" Raoul filled in teasingly when Erik didn't finish. Erik felt the smile on the vampire's lips. When Erik nodded, he continued, "Angel, don't you know? We would wait years for you to tell us you love us. You're the most important person to us."

"Ah," Erik felt as if his heart skipped a beat and took his hands away from their faces, not wanting to 'see' anymore. He turned his head to the side for them to not have a full view of his expression either. The words causing him to blush harder because of their sincerity.

"Is that why your heartbeat was fast earlier?" Christine wondered.

Erik nodded, grateful for the slight change of direction, not turning his head back towards them. "It's nerve wrecking, when one confesses."

"If you were that nervous, why didn't you wait?" Raoul questioned.

"Because tonight was my last night to be able to." Erik told them, facing them. "The madam was not happy with me about last week and said I only had until New Years to tell you, or she would."

"What?" Raoul chuckled. "That's mean."

"You might have gotten closer over the past few months, but she is far more capable of things you would not begin to imagine." Erik stated gravely.

He heard them snicker and Erik made a mental note to tell Antoinette about that particular reaction later. He knew how much the madam loved to be underestimated because it gave her the opportunity to prove people wrong.

"It worked out in the end though." Christine stated lightly. Erik heard her moved to him and felt the gentle press of her hand against his cheek. "Say it again."

Erik blinked, not knowing what she was asking at first but then grinned.

"I love you." He whispered to her, his grin widened as he felt her shudder against him.

"Again." Christine demanded, her finger curling themselves in his hair.

"I love you." Erik complied.

"Sheesh. Don't hog him to yourself Christine." Raoul stated in amusement.

"Then get over here and stop complaining." Christine countered, stepping back from Erik, but kept her hand in his hair.

"Don't mind if I do." Raoul replied and Erik felt him get close.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be saying these words a lot." Erik questioned playfully.

He felt Raoul's hands cup his face. "Because you are but don't worry, we'll say it too. Every single day if you want."

Erik raised his eyebrow. "High promise, think you would be able to do it?"

"For you? Yep!" Raoul declared. Erik felt him press close. "But for now…again."

"I love you." Erik replied honestly.

"We love you too." Raoul and Christine answered, and Erik felt himself warm at the words.

And there we go! You know me, I always like an ending where they officially get together! That is it for the main story but next chapter is and epilogue which will be the last chapter. It'll be in Raoul's POV. Hope to see you then and leave a review if you liked this chapter! See ya next time!