Chapter 18

I took Dad to bed when we returned from the dance. When I came downstairs Erik was sat in the library. His mask was lying on the table and he was resting his head in his hands. The fire wasn't lit and the room was cold.

I sat in my usual chair, opposite Erik. He sighed but didn't look up.

"By tomorrow everyone will have heard what took place."

"I know." I said quietly.

"And you would still put yourself through all of this? If you stay here, then you will be judged and ridiculed wherever you go."

"I don't care." I whispered. Erik looked up.

"I don't understand you, Christine. I love you, but I swear to God that I don't understand you."

"No one gets me. It's a curse." I said with a straight face. But I couldn't hold it and ended up smiling. Erik returned the smile.

I looked down, remembering what I had meant to say.

"…I'm sorry for what he did to you." I said, ashamed. Erik looked at me as if I were insane.

"Christine, you don't need to apologise. You did nothing wrong."

"I just… he…" I made an extremely annoyed noise and started to pace the room, running my hands through my hair. Erik watched me, seemingly in amusement.

"Christine?"

"Yes?"

"Calm down. It's Christmas."

"I know, I know. I just… I feel so stupid. I should have known that Raoul would screw everything up one way or another."

"We knew that this was going to happen. I just wish it hadn't happened so soon." Erik replied. I looked at him and sat down again.

"We'll handle it though. Won't we? We'll get through it."

"Of course we will. And now I suggest we get some sleep before everyone arrives for Christmas."

One of my favourite things was when I woke up early. Despite my late night I woke at a little past five in the morning. It was still dark outside, and I'd forgotten to draw the curtains. I didn't move though. Erik was sleeping peacefully, lying on his back. I was lying across his chest and his arms were wrapped around me. I looked up at his sleeping face and smiled softly.

I tried to get back to sleep but I couldn't. It was Christmas Day! I let out a soft giggle and then closed my eyes, resting my cheek on Erik's chest. It was warm and I sighed happily. I couldn't wait to give Erik his present. I hoped he'd like it. It had been Mr Reyer's idea. He had given me an address and I had gotten everything ready. I wondered idly what he'd got me.

I must have dozed off again because when I woke it was now eight o' clock and Erik was awake. He hadn't move but was stroking my hair gently. I smiled and looked up at him.

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." He replied, kissing my head. I stretched and then grinned up at him.

"Permission to behave like a six year old, running downstairs to open presents?"

"Permission granted." He smirked. I squealed, jumped out of bed, seized my dressing gown and ran down the hall to wake up Dad.

Unfortunately Dad told me that I was only allowed to open one present before the others arrived. After sulking for a few minutes I agreed and spent some time deliberating over the presents that were set out under the tree. Erik seemed to find this very amusing. Eventually I chose a medium sized box wrapped in silver paper. It was from Meg, I found out when I read the label.

Have a great Christmas; don't let anything get you down! Meg

I opened it and smiled as I saw a collection of books. I had spotted them some time ago in the shopping centre and admired them greatly. All the classics. Dracula, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde…

"Oh, she's in for the hugging of a life time!" I said, grinning.

After we had dressed, we sat down for breakfast in the kitchen. I made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast while Erik prepared coffee. Dad was watching us with a smile. I set down a plate of toast and smiled at him.

"Are you OK, Dad?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Just watching how well you two work together." Erik and I glanced at each other and smiled. Dad started to butter toast as I put the rest of the food on the table. We had just sat down when there was a knock on the back door. I answered it and found Penny, Thomas, Andrew and Emily smiling at us.

"Merry Christmas!" They said cheerfully. I laughed and said,

"Come in! We're just having breakfast, come and have some."

The peace was shattered by their arrival and we all started to talk excitedly, laughing, eating and drinking. Penny had prepared all of the vegetables and the starter for dinner. I had put the turkey in the oven much earlier to give it a chance to cook properly and we discussed what time to eat. It was nice, being surrounded by friends and family. I felt so relaxed and happy. I looked over at Erik. He and Andrew were passionately discussing something and I smiled at the animated look on his face.

We opened the presents after breakfast. It was the usual chaotic rush to find out what we'd received, and looking to see the reactions of everyone else. I sat cross legged on the floor in front of Erik's chair, piling all of my presents together and smiling as I looked each one over.

I volunteered to make coffee and looked at Erik.

"Can you help me?" He looked surprised but followed me to the kitchen. I turned to him and held out an envelope.

"Merry Christmas." Erik smiled and took the envelope. He opened it carefully and pulled out the slip of paper. He looked confused.

"What… what is it?" I smiled.

"Do you remember when I told you how Mum and Dad had recorded Angel of Music? They rented out a studio for the day. Well… I booked a studio in town. It's privately owned so there won't be anyone else in there and you can just go there and record your music. You can make as many copies as you like and keep them."

"Christine…" he said, looking back down at the paper with the details on it. I bit my lip.

"Erik, I just… I want there to be something of you that you can keep. Even if it's just one copy, and no one else ever listens to it, your music shouldn't be forgotten. It's too good for that. I can't bear to think that one day it'll be left somewhere and no one will ever hear it."

I was starting to feel like I'd made a big mistake. The present had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Mr Reyer had suggested it and given me the telephone number for the studio. I looked down at my feet, not wanting to see the expression on Erik's face.

"It's stupid. I'm sorry." I whispered. Erik reached out and cupped my chin with one hand, lifting my face to meet his. His face was perfectly serious.

"It is not stupid. It's a wonderful idea. Thank you." He said calmly. I hesitated and then said,

"You're not… angry?"

"Of course not. It's perfect." He said softly. Relief flooded me and I closed my eyes.

"Thank god… I thought you hated it."

"No. But now I want to give you your present." He said. I smiled and he reached into his pocket. I waited eagerly.

He brought out a small box. I opened it nervously and saw a ring inside. I gaped at it.

"It's… it's called a promise ring." Erik said nervously. "I promise that… that I love you. And that I'll stay with you. No matter what."

I didn't speak. I couldn't. My eyes were fixed on the ring. It was beautiful, silver with emeralds and diamonds on it. Erik asked,

"Do… do you like it?"

"Erik, I love it. It's beautiful." I said quietly. I had to say it quietly, because there was an enormous lump in my throat. Erik slid it onto the ring finger of my right hand and kissed me. I smiled.

"Coffee."

"I know." He whispered, but kissed me again anyway.

It was one of those Christmas's that you think will never happen, where everything goes perfectly and there are no arguments and everyone gets on well. But I actually happened and by the time Thomas and his family left, Erik, Dad and I were all exhausted.

We sat in the library and I stretched.

"I am so tired."

"I know how you feel." Dad agreed. Erik looked at me.

"That meal was wonderful."

"I know." I said, grinning. I looked out of the window at the snow that was falling gently. It was a beautiful sight, the white specks falling from the dark sky, dancing together.

"What day do you have to go back to the hospital?" I asked Dad. He said,

"The day after tomorrow. I think it's for the best that I get back there as quickly as possible."

We sat around that evening playing card games and listening to music. When we eventually got to bed, it was still snowing.

We spent Boxing Day in the house for the most part. In the afternoon however Dad decided to take a nap so Erik and I chose to walk around in the snow filled gardens. I shivered delightedly in my warm clothes.

"It's so beautiful." I said. Erik nodded.

"It is."

I kicked at a pile of snow, watching the flakes fly up and settle down again. Erik watched me silently. I turned to him.

"Are you OK?"

"Of course.

"You're just… quieter than usual."

"Am I?"

"Hmm. Nothing's wrong?"

"No. Everything is fine." He said, with a quick smile. I grinned and bent to scoop up a handful of snow. Erik looked at me warningly.

"Christine, don't you dare."

Too late. I threw the snowball at him and it caught him full in the face. He spluttered and giggled, trying to look innocent. He glared at me.

"Christine!"

"Yes Erik?"

"You know what I'm going to do, don't you?"

"Yes Erik." I turned and tried to run but he caught me, pushing me into a pile of snow. I sat up, scraping the snow from my face but Erik smiled, dropping an armful of snow on my head. I shrieked as the cold snow crept down my back.

"Erik!"

I threw more snow at him but he dodged the balls with remarkable agility. He threw more frozen missiles in my direction and I ducked but one caught me. I wiped the snow from my face and held up my hands in surrender.

"OK, OK, I give in! You win!"

Erik smiled and held out a hand to help me up. I took it but tugged him sharply. He lost his balance and fell headfirst into the snow beside me. He looked at me, blinking in surprise. I giggled.

"The look on your face…!" he smiled and said,

"Shall we call it a draw?"

"Lets. I'm getting numb." I stood, brushing the snow from my clothes. Erik brushed himself down and held out his hand. I took it and we began our walk back to the house.

We reached the back door and I looked back out over the snow blanketed land.

"I wish it could stay like this. Just clean and pure forever."

"I don't. I couldn't live without colours." Erik replied, opening the door. I considered this.

"Good point. I suppose white would become a bit boring after while."

I put the kettle on to make tea. As I did, Erik said,

"A good Christmas?"

"One of the best I've ever had." I smiled.

"I'm glad. I wanted it to be perfect." He said solemnly. I put teabags into the pot and turned to him.

"It was perfect. I couldn't have imagined a better Christmas if I tried."

The kettle started to bubble a few minutes later and I poured hot water into the teapot. I glanced over at Erik.

"It's been a while since we had a singing lesson."

"Would you like one now?" he asked.

"I'd love one." I replied, pouring milk into the mugs.

When the tea was made we went upstairs to the music room. After warming up Erik handed me the music to Phantom of the Opera. We tended to work on one piece at a time, perfecting it before returning to a piece we may have become rusty on. This piece was our current favourite. I waited for the introduction and began to sing, watching Erik as he played.

A/N: A bit shorter this time. Well, things are going well aren't they? And a comment from Hikari-no-Tsubasa summed it up. Everything is going too well. I thought so too. So expect bad things.

It may not be this chapter… it may not be the next chapter… but some chapter. When you least expect it…

Actually it'll probably be in the next chapter! So forget what I just said. Lol, please review and tell me what you think!