A/N: I'm so sorry this is taking so long! I'm such a lzy bum, I have had this written forever, I just slack off with the typing it up part! Ok well, here it is!

Chapter 15: Christmas Morning

Erik smiled as he snuck into Christine's room, closing the door behind him. He eyes Christine's innocent figure, asleep on her bed, and wondered how she could exude such elegance and beauty and innocence and wonder, when all she was doing was sleeping. He quietly sat on the edge of her bed, and pushed a curl from her forehead, as gently as he could manage. Christine sighed in her sleep, her lips forming a smile, and Erik couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. At this, she awakened, her slight smile breaking into a grin at the sight of his face.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered from above her. She smiled and lifted her head, placing a small kiss on his mouth.

"Merry Christmas, mon ange" Erik took the rose that was in his hand and brought it up to where she could see. Her eyes lit up, and he gently tapped the end of her nose with it's soft petals.

"You must dress, Christine. I have somewhere to bring you." Christine nodded excitedly.

"Five minutes?" Erik just winked at her, and exited through her door.

Christine tied a pink ribbon in her half up hair just as she heard a knock at her door. She smiled.

"Come in." Erik entered with a dozen more red roses in his hands.

"Oh, Angel!" she exclaimed. "You didn't have to do that!"

"Of course I did. How could I let such surpassing beauty go unacknowledged on Christmas day?" Christine couldn't stop grinning. They kissed momentarily before they walked out of the door. Erik felt bad for having to avoid people and sneak out, but what would anyone do if they saw Christine leaving with the infamous OG? Hopefully, once they were away from the opera house, no one would wonder about them. They reached the front door without any problems, and Erik reached for the handle, but hesitated.

"Are you all right?" Christine asked, putting a loving hand on his arm.

"Yes," he replied, placing his hand against the cold door knob. "Yes." He could do this. For Christine. He kissed her gently on the mouth, and turned the handle. The pair walked outside into the crisp air of winter, not noticing little Meg, who had been standing on the front stairs watching, jaw dropped.

Erik and Christine walked hand in hand throughout Paris, which was glistening so brilliantly in the bright Christmas snow that Christine could only look around with the awe-filled eyes of a child. To Erik, it was all very strange and wonderful, being out in the daylight, the joy of the season all around him, so far from the safety and sorrow of his underground sanctuary. They approached a small café, and Erik nervously ordered them each a cup of hot chocolate. He was pleased to find that the man who worked there happily obliged, and surprised that it was that easy to speak with strangers. They sat down and let the sweet liquid slip down their throats and warm their bodies.

Once they were finished, they continued walking along the streets. There weren't as many people out as usual, it being Christmas day, but there were a few that they passed, and they appeared to be filled with the same joy as Erik and Christine were. They passed a father holding his small daughter as they looked in the windows of different toy stores, the small girls curls bouncing as she chattered happily with her father. They passed an elderly couple, hand in hand, and obviously more in love than ever.

They approached a lake that was frozen over by the snow filled air. The sun shined a stream of light on the glassy lake, and a white rabbit hopped across, to be followed by several newborn rabbits. Erik took a deep breath: it was now or never.

"Christine," he spoke, not meaning for his voice to quiver. "Christine," he repeated, hoping he sounded as strong as he didn't feel. He made sure that no one was around before continuing. He reached up and took his mask off.

"I love you ... with all that I am." Christine's eyes deepened.

"I love you too, Angel." He swallowed hard, his throat dry. He began to sing to her.

"Every time I look at you, the world just melts away,

All my troubles, all my fears, dissolve in your affections,

You've seen me at my weakest, yet you take me as I am,

And when I fall, you offer me a softer place to land.

You stay the course, you hold the line, you keep it all together,

You're the one true thing I know I can believe in,

You're all the things that I desire, you save me, you complete me.

You're the one true thing I know I can believe in."

He lowered himself to one knee, taking a velvet box from his pocket. "Would you do me the honor of your hand in marriage?" Christine's jaw dropped and she traced the white gold diamond ring with her fingertips.

"This is the ... " she whispered, unable to finish a sentence. "My father ... " Erik simply nodded, the anxiety growing within his chest. Why should she want to marry a beast like him anyway? His thoughts were interrupted buy Christine's response.

"Oh yes, Erik, yes!" Erik's deep green-blue eyes brightened as he stood. Christine grinned as he slipped the perfectly fitting ring onto her ring finger. Her expression deepened and she looked into his eyes.

"I love you so much, Angel." Their faces drew close and their lips brushed lightly.

"Promise that you'll never go away," Erik whispered softly against her mouth.

"I promise," she replied, just before he claimed her mouth with his in a proper kiss. They then returned joyfully back to the Opera Populaire, hand in hand.

A/N: LOVEloveLoVe reviews!

mrsgerrybutler13: Of course they get together! Aww, I'm nice to Raoul, I think he's a good guy! Just has some Hanson hair issues...

phantomfan1911: Aww, thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it!

erik'sangel527: Hey miss too lazy to log in! Giddy retards are amazing, and so are exclaimation points! I love your story! Aww, haha, I know who Dumbledore is, he has a beard! But Harry Potter... bleh! haha. 3

twinkle22: There was your proposal! hehe!