Chapter 17

Christmas Eve was one of those beautiful winter days that only come along once in a long while. A clear sky, the ground shimmering with a new frost. I smiled out of the bedroom window at the sight. I glanced over at the bed where Erik was lying lazily, watching me as I pulled back the curtains.

"It's a beautiful day." I said quietly.

"Really?"

"Yes. Sunny, frosty… I wonder if we'll get a white Christmas." I said. I wondered back over the bed and stretched out over the duvet. Erik kissed my hair and then my neck. I giggled as he tickled the delicate skin. He smiled and I stroked his deformed cheek. He tensed momentarily and then relaxed. He always did.

I looked at the time. It was only just gone seven in the morning.

"Do you want to get up?" I asked him. He smiled.

"Never. Not when you're here."

"OK, you're in a remarkably good mood." I commented. He arched an eyebrow.

"Is that a complaint?"

"Of course not. I just wasn't expecting it." I replied. Erik smiled and said,

"Do you want to use the bath first?"

"OK. Or, I could just go to my own bathroom." I pointed. Erik nodded.

"Very well. Do you want to wake your father?"

"No, let him sleep. He needs the rest." I said, pulling on my dressing gown over my pyjamas.

Dad didn't surface until gone 10. Erik and I were in the music room, talking about a particular piece of music when I heard him calling. I looked through the door and he smiled.

"I didn't know where you were."

"Come through, Dad." I said, holding the door open. He limped in weakly and looked at the room in awe.

"This is the music room." I said, fetching a chair for him. Dad looked at the piano.

"That's a beautiful instrument, Erik."

"Thank you, Mr Daae."

"Charles, please. How long have you been playing?"

"As long as I can remember." Erik replied. I said,

"Erik was just saying how much he enjoys writing music. We were looking at some old songs. This is one we wrote together."

I handed him the music to Think of Me. He examined it for a few moments whilst Erik and I waited for his verdict. Eventually he said,

"May I hear it?" Erik nodded, took the music (although he didn't need it) and began to play. I started to sing, fixing my eyes on the hills.

Think of me

Think of me fondly

When we've said goodbye

Remember me

Once in a while please

Promise me you'll try

Singing isn't something that you do. A lot of people think that it is, but it really isn't. It's something that happens to you. Almost like being possessed. At first you're just concentrating on the words and making sure you've got the right notes. But once you're a few bars in, the music takes over.

Erik understood that.

Softly, deftly

Music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it

Secretly possess you

That was what he had sung to me. And it was a perfect description. So as I sang I didn't see the look on my father's face. One of pure joy and unmistakable sadness. Erik described it to me later as that.

But please promise me that sometimes

You will think… of me!

The song ended triumphantly and I looked to those two men for approval. I saw it instantly in Erik's face and on my father's I saw only pride.

Those two expressions made me love them even more.

The ball was beginning at seven. We weren't eager to make a big entrance and decided to it our arrival for a quarter past, so the hall would be reasonably full.

Dad considered not going.

"I can't exactly dance in this condition."

"Dad, you have to come! We always go to the Christmas party!" I had objected. He gave in after some convincing and even dressed up in a smart outfit, with a navy blue mask. Erik was dressed in an outfit of scarlet and black. His face was covered with a black mask and made him look extremely mysterious. Not too mention hot.

My own outfit was something I had spent some time deciding over. I had gone to the shopping centre one day, seen the dress and fallen in love with it. I wasn't exactly the sort of girl who liked to dress up all the time and wear extravagant costumes, but every now and again I loved to dress up. The dress was pale pink, embroidered with tiny roses and fitted perfectly. I had had the mask made at a design shop in town. It was the same shade of pink, covering my eyes but leaving the majority of my face bare. I had let my hair fall free and the only decoration I wore in it was a pink rose that Erik had given me from the greenhouses the day before.

I considered my reflection for a moment and then scolded myself for being vain. But I couldn't help being pleased with the results. And it certainly had the desired effect on Erik. He and Dad were waiting at the bottom of the stairs when I came down. Dad smiled and Erik turned. His mouth fell open and I laughed delightedly.

The moment was ruined by an act of characteristic clumsiness as I tripped on the edge of a rug and went flying down the last few steps. Luckily Erik managed to catch me before I hit the floor. I laughed embarrassedly.

"I thought things were going too well!" I said, straightening. Erik still stared at me.

"You look… you look beautiful…" he stammered. I smiled, blushing slightly. I really wished I hadn't fallen down the stairs.

When we arrived in the car park we could already hear the sound of music and laughter coming from the hall. I put on my mask as we walked towards the hall, making sure it was on straight. As we entered the greeting hall I heard Meg instantly. I rolled my eyes as I saw the figure in green and tapped her on the shoulder.

"I knew I'd hear you before I saw you, Meg!"

"Christine! Oh my god, look at you!" Meg cried, staring at my dress. I laughed and greeted her mother, Marie Giry. Dad smiled at her. They had been friends for some time.

"Marie, how are you?"

"I can't complain, Charles. How are you?" She said, glancing at his casts. Dad laughed.

"I'm well enough. Christine insisted that I come."

"I would be furious if you didn't come! Meg's date will be here soon and I need someone to talk to." Marie informed him. She turned to Erik and hesitated.

"I don't believe we've met. Marie Giry."

"Mum, that's Erik, Christine's boyfriend."

The term 'boyfriend' didn't really suit Erik and our relationship, but he didn't complain. He bowed to Meg's mother.

"A pleasure, Miss Giry."

"The same, Erik." Marie smiled. Meg squealed and darted off as her date arrived. Marie took Dad's arm and said,

"Come, Charles, let's get a drink."

"Will you two be alright?" Dad asked. Erik nodded.

"Fine, Mr Daae. Go and have fun."

I smiled at Erik as we walked towards the main doors to the ballroom.

"Nicely handled."

"Thank you."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked. He smiled at me.

"Of course."

We entered the ballroom and I stared at the sight. People in brightly coloured outfits went past, talking happily. An orchestral band was playing at the opposite end of the room, but the dancing hadn't begun yet. I clutched Erik's hand, and felt comforted by its strength and warmth. I tried to see if I could recognise anyone behind the masks but it was impossible really. I didn't mind. I was too busy admiring the many costumes.

Erik and I stood near the edge of the hall, watching in wonder. I laughed,

"Isn't it incredible? It feels like we're going back in time!"

"It does." Erik agreed. I rested my head on his shoulder, watching the people passing by. Meg found us and came over with James Grant.

"James, you remember Christine, don't you?"

"Of course, she was in my maths class." James said, shaking my hand. Meg smiled at him brightly.

"This is Christine's boyfriend, Erik."

"Erik. I'm James." He said, offering his hand. Erik hesitated and then shook it. Meg smiled at me.

"Isn't it incredible? There are so many people! Look at all the outfits!"

"I know, it's amazing." I agreed.

Applause rang through the hall as the mayor climbed onto the stage with the orchestra. He smiled at everyone.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Masquerade Ball! Dancing will begin in just a moment but first may I wish you all a very merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy tonight's entertainment!" He nodded to the conductor of the band who took the microphone.

"We shall begin with a piece called the Masquerade Dance. If you would find a partner, we will begin!"

Erik looked down at me.

"Shall we?"

"There's no one else I'd dance with." I replied, smiling. We took our places in on the dance floor. James and Meg were somewhere nearby but I was absorbed by Erik. We began to dance. He was a wonderful dancer, guiding me perfectly. I smiled up at him as we danced in and out of the other couples. I briefly saw Dad and Marie talking and they waved at us as we passed.

I didn't want that dance to end. I didn't want any of them to end. The music faded and we stopped. Erik kissed first my hand and then my mouth. A new piece of music began to play and we danced again. I laughed through sheer joy. Dancing with Erik was amazing. As we danced I asked,

"Is there anything you can't do?"

"I can't ice-skate." He replied with a smile. I laughed.

"I'll put a stop to that! I love ice-skating."

After four dances we were uncomfortably warm and headed to the table Dad and Marie had claimed for a drink. I sipped wine and turned to look at the dancers. Meg and James were still going, talking and laughing loudly. I smiled and turned to Erik.

"Is everything OK?"

"Of course. Why do you ask?" He said, curiously. I shrugged, taking off my mask due to the heat.

"It's just kinda crowded in here."

"I'm fine." He smiled, kissing me. I smiled and then said,

"Do you want to dance again?"

"Why not?"

We waited for the next dance. The conductor announced.

"The Lover's Dance. Take your places." I smiled, pulling my mask back on as Erik led me onto the floor. Somehow we ended up quite near the centre. Erik took my hand and placed his hand on my waist. The dance was slow and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He stared at me too and then smiled gently. Returned it and closed my eyes, resting my head against his chest. His cheek pressed against my hair as we moved slowly to the music. I couldn't for the life of me describe how I felt just then. I don't think anyone could.

The dance ended and, as was customary, he kissed my hand and then, not so customarily, my lips. I laughed and he smiled.

"Another dance?" He offered.

"Would I say no?" I replied. He raised an eyebrow and took my hand again.

We danced for another hour before sitting down again. Erik said,

"Excuse me for a moment." He went out of the hall, to get some fresh air. I stretched and took off my mask. Dad smiled.

"Having fun?"

"Oh yeah. I haven't laughed this much in ages." I replied. Marie got to her feet.

"I'll go and get some drinks."

"Oh, let me, Marie." I said, getting to my feet and working my way around the hall.

But obviously it wasn't going to be that simple. Because as I skirted past a table I bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" I said, straightening up. He turned and I inwardly groaned. Raoul. He stared at me.

"Christine?"

"Hi… Raoul." I said, uncomfortably.

"Wow… you look… you look amazing."

"Thanks. I'm just going to get some drinks."

"Wait!" He said, seizing my arm. I looked at him.

"What?"

"Will… will you dance with me? Just one dance?"

"I'm just getting drinks for Dad and Marie Giry."

"Couldn't you get them in a minute?" He asked.

I hesitated but then shook my head.

"Raoul, I'm here with Erik."

"Where is he now?"

"He's gone to get some fresh air. He doesn't particularly like crowds."

"Are you still…?"

"Yes. We are." I replied shortly. Raoul looked at me with big puppy-dog eyes. A few months ago that would have made me melt. Not now.

"Raoul, let go of my arm."

"Can we just talk?"

"About what?"

"Us."

"There is no us! Why can't you get that?" I said tiredly. He was starting to annoy me. He didn't let go but said,

"Five minutes. Let me have my say and then you can decide."

Irritably I followed him outside to the entrance hall. I crossed my arms and looked up at him, waiting.

"OK – Christine, I'm sorry that I upset you. But the thing is than I still love you and I don't want to give you up. I know you and… and he are having a relationship, but I don't understand how he can mean more to you than what we had." He said. I didn't reply. He reached out and took my hands in his.

"Please, Christine… don't throw it away. Don't throw away what we have."

"Raoul…" I began. He looked at me hopefully. I took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I just… I love him. I know that what I did to you was unfair. But don't ask me to give up what I have with Erik. Because I can't do that."

He looked at me, still clutching my hands desperately. I looked at him, genuinely sorry.

"I want to be your friend. I really do. But I can't be anything more than that. I love him too much. I can't give him up."

"Christine, please-"

"No, Raoul. We're just friends." I said, taking my hands back. He stared at me, disbelievingly.

I turned away and started to walk back to the hall. Raoul called,

"Christine, don't walk away! Don't you dare walk away!" I carried on, but he strode to me, seized my arm and flung me around, grabbing my shoulders.

"I can't just be friends with you!"

"Raoul, let go!"

"You're my girlfriend, not that bastard's!"

"You're hurting me!" I cried, wincing as he dug his fingers into my bare shoulders.

What happened next happened so quickly I didn't realise what had happened at first. Erik came inside, hearing the commotion, had seen Raoul hurting me, charged across the hall, seized him and practically thrown him to one side. He held me tightly.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine…" I said breathlessly. Erik held me to him and I buried my face in his chest, shaking slightly. After a moment I glanced over at Raoul. He was staggering to his feet, gaping at Erik who glared at him.

"Christine… I… I'm sorry…" he stammered. Erik turned towards him.

"Stay away from her." He hissed in a dangerous voice. Raoul blinked at him and then looked at me, holding out his hand in confusion.

"Christine…"

"I told you to stay away from her!" Erik spat. I touched his arm.

"Let's go back in, Erik." He hesitated. I looked up at him. "Please, Erik? Let's just go?"

He looked down at me and then nodded. With his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulder, we walked back to the ballroom. Meg saw us and came over.

"Where have you been? Mum said you went for drinks and disappeared."

"We had a… a disagreement with Raoul." I said quietly. Meg looked past us and I turned. Raoul was slinking back into the hall, sending sorrowful looks in our direction. I turned back to Meg.

"I'll tell you later."

Erik and I sat down with Dad and Marie. Dad looked like he wanted to ask but didn't. I silently thanked him for that. Erik was clearly annoyed, and didn't release my hand for some time. Eventually I stood up. Erik looked at me sharply. I smiled.

"I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back in a minute."

"…Alright." He said, reluctantly.

In the bathroom I composed myself, making sure my hair was in place and that my mask was on properly. A couple of women came in, chatting cheerfully as I washed my hands.

"Yes, its wonderful this year, isn't it?"

"Of course. I always expect a good time but it's truly lovely tonight." one said, applying fresh lipstick in the mirror. Her friend said,

"I heard a rumour that the man who owns the Manor is here tonight. Have you seen anyone?"

"I really couldn't say. The costumes are very good."

"Hmm. Still, it's rather exciting isn't it? I wonder who he is." I smiled to myself as I put my hands under the drier, letting the warm air blast the water away.

When I entered the hall the conductor was announcing a new song. I went to the table and held out my hand to Erik.

"May I have this dance?" He got to his feet and we began to dance, without saying a word. Eventually I said,

"Thank you. For stopping him."

"I couldn't let him hurt you." He replied softly. I smiled.

"You're like a modern knight in shining armour."

"Does that make you my damsel in distress?" He asked, lifting his eyebrow. I laughed.

"Damsel, maybe. Right now I feel anything but distressed."

He smiled at that and I reached up on tiptoe to kiss him quickly before we continued to dance. When we finished we returned to the table to find four more people sitting there.

"Penny, Thomas. And Andrew and Emily." Erik said. I smiled.

"Glad you recognised them! I didn't!"

"Having fun?" Emily asked. I nodded.

"It's great."

We sat talking for a while before Andrew asked Emily to dance. Thomas and Penny went too. Dad nodded at Erik and me.

"Go on. You should dance as well."

"Are you OK, Dad?" I asked.

"We're fine, aren't we Marie?"

"Of course. Go and enjoy yourselves." Marie smiled.

The dance was due to end at midnight but by eleven many people had already left. It was starting to snow and they didn't want to risk being snowed in. However, there were still about half the people there. Penny, Thomas, Andrew and Emily had left but Dad, Marie, Meg, James, Erik and I stayed. The mayor climbed up onto the stage again at ten to midnight.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! The time has arrived to reveal yourselves! On the count of three, everyone must remove his or her mask."

I looked up at Erik, aghast.

"Erik, I didn't know!"

"It's alright. Come, we'll leave." He said, taking my hand. But they had already begun to count and before we had a chance to escape I was jolted back as someone seized my arm. I was jerked away from Erik and looked up to see Raoul holding me in an iron grip.

"Raoul, let go!"

There was a shout and I turned to see several of Raoul's friends had grabbed hold of Erik. Everyone around us had backed away and the mayor and his companions were staring at us from the stage.

"Raoul, let me go!" I cried. But he was glaring at Erik.

"Come on then. Let's see what you're hiding underneath the mask."

"Raoul, no!" I screamed. Erik struggled but even he couldn't fight of four men by himself. Several members of the town's police force were fighting their way through the crowd. Erik shouted angrily as they pulled him.

"Raoul, let him go." I cried. Raoul was looking at Erik in pure hatred.

"Let's see what he's hiding." He shouted to his friends. I turned and tried to get to Erik but Raoul held me tightly.

"Erik!" I shrieked, knowing that I couldn't stop them and praying that Erik would be able to break free.

But it was too late. One of Raoul's friends had ripped the mask from Erik's face, tossing it to one side.

Several people screamed and everyone took a step back. Raoul was staring at Erik's face in a mixture of horror and disgust. Erik fell to his knees, clutching at his face, desperate to hide it from the staring eyes. I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"Erik…" I whimpered. Raoul looked down at me.

"My god, Christine… he's… look at him!" I wrenched myself away from Raoul and stared at my lover. He couldn't meet my eyes. No one dared to move. I felt numb. Disbelief flooded me. I couldn't believe that Raoul had done this, turned such a strong willed man to this injured creature, huddled on the floor.

Slowly, I crossed to Erik. He didn't look at me, still attempting to cover his face. I knelt and took his hands away from the tear streaked face. I pulled him to his feet. Everyone jostled to move back, away from the sight. And yet everyone waited to see what would happen next.

"Erik, I'm so sorry." I whispered. He couldn't speak. I turned and glared at Raoul.

"Why, Raoul? How could you do this?"

"Look at him, Christine! He's a freak!" Raoul shouted, looking at me as if I had lost my mind. I glared at him for a moment and then turned back to Erik. I reached up and caressed his deformed cheek.

"Ignore them, Erik. Just ignore them."

"Christine, you can't possibly tell us that you love him!" Raoul yelled. I didn't turn to shout back. Instead I reached up on tiptoe and pressed my mouth to Erik's. His face was salty from the tears. But I didn't stop kissing him. I wasn't doing it to prove to the people in that hall that I loved him. I couldn't care less about them. It was the man in front of me that mattered. I had to show him how much I cared, had to prove myself to him.

The hall was silent. Eventually I pulled away and looked at Erik, feeling tears run down my own cheeks in reflection of his own.

"I love you. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen." I whispered. Erik stared down at me and then bowed his head, pressing it against my hair as he wept. I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to him. I wanted nothing more than to stop his pain, make the hurt go away.

I didn't care that everyone was whispering in surprise. I didn't care that Raoul was gaping at us. I only cared that the man I loved was in pain. I was absorbed in that knowledge and I held him tightly.

"I love you. I love you." I repeated over and over again to him. He looked down at me.

"I love you, Christine."

"I love you." I said, my voice choking up. He kissed me then, pressing his face clumsily to mine as we acknowledged only each other.

"Christine…" Raoul said, dumbstruck. I turned from Erik and looked at him with pure hatred, still holding onto Erik as if someone would snatch him away from me again.

"Stay away from me, Raoul. What you did was unforgivable. Why do you think I would care what Erik looked like?"

"He's… well, look at him!"

"I don't need to look at him. I already know what he looks like and I love him because of it. You, on the other hand… I've never known someone to be so cruel or so shallow." I spat.

On that note I turned to look at the rest of the crowd.

"Does anyone else have a problem with this? If so, say it now. Not that it makes one damn piece of difference. Does anyone else think that what Raoul did was right? That I'm wrong to love him? That it's wrong for him to love me?"

No one dared to look at us. I turned back to Erik. He took me in his arms and held me tightly. For some time neither of us spoke. After a moment someone cleared their throat and we looked up. Meg was smiling gently. In her hands was the black mask that Erik had been wearing.

"Do you want this back?" She said, offering it to him. He hesitated and looked at me. I smiled.

"Your choice." I told him softly.

He took the mask, staring down at it. Then he placed it over his face. I kissed him again and then took his hand.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes. Let's go." He replied and I looked around for Dad. He hobbled forward, Marie helping him.

"Coming Dad?"

"Give me a moment. I'm not exactly up to running standards." He smiled.

We started towards the door. But Raoul called out,

"He's still hiding from you, Christine. He's still wearing the mask." I paused and looked up at Erik.

"I'll just be a second. OK?" He nodded.

I turned and walked back through the crowd. They parted to let me pass. I reached Raoul who looked down at me.

"Christine, we belong together. You know that, I know that. Why are you making things so difficult?" He asked me. I looked at him with a calm expression.

"Raoul, there's something I've been wanting to do for some time now."

"Really? What?" He said, perking up with curiosity. I smiled serenely and then slapped him. Hard. He blinked in astonishment as his cheek turned dark red.

"You're a bastard, Raoul. If you come near me or Erik again, this will seem like nothing. Now leave us alone."

I turned away and then hesitated. I turned to the stage. The mayor was staring at us, dumbfounded.

"I'm sorry for the disruption, Mayor. And thank you for the party. For the most part it was great." I said, smiling sweetly. He looked down at me and then nodded, not able to find words.

And with that I walked back to Erik and Dad, took each of their arms and we walked into the snow filled night. We paused on the steps of town hall to look up into the swirling mass of white flakes. The clock reached midnight and began to ring. I looked up at Erik.

"I'll say one thing for us, we've got great timing."

"True." He agreed. I looked at Dad and then back at Erik.

"Merry Christmas, guys."

"Merry Christmas, Christine." Dad smiled. Erik merely kissed me. Which, I have to say, was much better than saying Merry Christmas.

A/N: OK, I'm a bit worried about this chapter. I really wanted to put in the bit with Raoul and Erik, but it seems a bit too cliché now it's there. What do you think? I'm trying not to fall into the patterns that a lot of stories end up following. Please leave a review and tell me what you think.