I've been told I need to keep going with this story. So I will. Thanks everyone for saying that flame was nothing. It made me feel better about the whole thing. I had doubts about this story being good, but there are those of you out there that actually like it, YAY!

This chapter jumps quite a bit, because I can make it do that. I love having this control. (Lightning flies out of my fingers as I laugh) MWHAHAHAHHA! Oh, okay I'll stop now.

Chapter 20: Tidings of Good Cheer

Brittney woke up the next morning to an empty space, but the mask was tucked gently into her hands. She questioned it when suddenly the bedroom door opened and Tana stepped into the room. Brittney quickly tucked the mask under her pillow.

"So did you have a nice ride home?" Tana asked coming and sitting on the bed.

"It was fine," Brittney replied rolling onto her back and looking up at her mom.

"How is Erik doing? I felt so bad for him when I heard."

"He's doing a lot better. Though he is still angry at Christine for what she did. Just don't ask him too much about it. He hates talking about it and we don't want him angry at Christmas time."

"I know Brittney. Now I work until 5, so you and Erik will be in charge of Corey till I get back."

"All right," Brittney groaned climbing out of bed.

"Hey none of that. When do you work next?"

"I work tomorrow. I'll call Grandma about taking Corey."

"What are you going to have Erik do while you're gone?"

"He'll probably stay here and compose. He's quite capable of entertaining himself."

"Oh, okay. While I have to go or I'll be late. Love ya," Tana said sitting up and heading down the hall.

When the coast was clear Brittney pulled the mask out from under her pillow and went into her brother's room to find Erik sound asleep. His back was turned towards the door and she could see the right side of his face pressed painfully into the pillow. She went to the end of the bed and climbed up under the covers towards him. The guy could sleep though anything it seemed as she pressed herself up against him and rested there for a moment.

Finally she looked up and kissed his chin. Slowly Erik opened his eyes and looked down at her as he let out a small series of yawns. "Did you miss me?" he asked.

"Yes, I did. It was strange having a bed all to me again," Brittney replied lifting his head off the pillow and looking at how red his face was. "Oh Erik, if you press your face into that pillow you'll just damage your face more. Do you want to do that?"

"No, but I didn't want to risk you're mom seeing my face. She still doesn't know what it look like and I would hate to scare her."

"I think she'd understand, because as long as I love you she has no say in the matter."

"I see; and just how much do you love me?" he asked.

Brittney held out her arms. "This much and more. My arms don't stretch that far."

"That's fine for me. I love you just as much."

xxxxx

The days went about at a nice pace and even though Erik hated the fact that Brittney went to work he liked having the time to compose in the quiet of the house. It was also up to him to take the dog out, but he didn't mind. Chester grew to like him and would lie under the chair as he worked.

Christmas was soon on its way and he still couldn't think of a gift for Brittney. He had tried composing something, but nothing worked. He would look about Brittney's room at the things she had on the shelves and figured nothing like that would truly say how he felt. He would have to follow her to the mall some day and find something.

xxxxx

"Brittney, do you want a ride to work this morning?" Erik asked as Brittney was on her way out the door to catch the bus one morning.

"I didn't want to impose. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"No problem at all. Besides I needed to check out the mall and get Nadir a Christmas present."

"Oh?" Brittney asked.

"Yeah, there's a video game he wanted for his game system," Erik lied and to his surprise she bought it.

"Okay, but let's get going so I'm not late."

Memorizing Brittney's directions, so he could get back to the house Erik drove her to work and dropped her off in front of the bookstore. "Do you want me to pick you up when you're done?"

"Sure. I'll see you at 4:30."

"I love you."

"Love ya too Erik."

Once she was inside Erik drove around the mall and found a parking spot. Pulling his jacket around him he went into the mall and looked through the various shops looking for the perfect thing. He didn't know her size, so he stayed away from the clothes stores and he didn't have that much money, so he stayed away from the very pricey jewelry stores.

Eventually he was ready to give up and get her a gift card, when he saw the perfect thing in the window of a jewelry store. He looked at the price and saw it was reliable. Though annoyed that the cashier looked at him funny he made his purchase. On the way out he saw a video game store and asked for a bag.

xxxxx

Brittney stood at the curb with a Barnes and Noble bag in her hand. She hoped Erik didn't question it, because she too had done some Christmas shopping. Finally the black dodge neon pulled up and Erik rolled down the passenger side window.

"Do you need a ride fair Mlle?"

"My mother said I shouldn't take rides from strangers."

"You think I'm a stranger. Just get in the car Brittney," Erik whined.

Brittney opened the door and climbed inside. "Well since you put it that way I guess I have no choice."

"No, you really don't." He saw the bag at her feet. "Go shopping while at work today?"

"Yeah, my mom wanted me to pick up a book for her today," Brittney lied also surprised that Erik asked no more questions after that.

They arrived back at the house and Brittney hurried up to her room and tucked the bag safely in the closet. Erik went for his room and stuck his gift safely in his duffel bag. He felt good about his gift choice and sat down on the bed trying to picture Brittney's reaction when she opened it.

She would probably squeal with joy or start to cry before hugging him. Either way she would love it. He lay back on the bed and closed his eyes.

xxxxx

"Why do you have to work on Christmas Eve?" Erik complained as Brittney pulled her boots on.

"It's good pay on the holidays. On the plus side people always seem very well behaved on Christmas Eve. You'll be going with my mom to my grandma's house and I'll be there when my shift is over. I promise."

"All right. Oh, out of curiosity are we exchanging presents tonight or tomorrow?"

Brittney thought a moment. "It's up to you Erik. I was going to give you yours tomorrow, because I don't want to risk leaving your gift in my locker at work. But to make it fair I can take a risk. People at work are pretty good about respecting one's property."

"It's just that I've waited long enough and hope soon to give you your gift."

"I'm anxious to see what it is, because you make it sound so wonderful. But I need to go to work and my mom said she'd drive me over. I love you; you know," Brittney said going up the stairs to slip his gift in her work bag.

"Yeah, I know."

In no time the car pulled out of the driveway and Erik was left with Chester and Brittney's little brother, Corey, who was watching Christmas cartoons in the front room. He went into the computer room and went on the internet checking his mail. One was addressed from his adopted parents. It read:

Dear Erik,

This will be the first Christmas in 12 years that you weren't here to celebrate with us. We hope things are going well for you and would like if you come visit during your spring break. You're still family to us and we miss you and your music. Happy Holidays dear.

Love,

Mr. and Mrs. Summers

It was nice hearing from them, but Erik wondered why they had even bothered. They had been nice to him as he grew up, but that didn't mean they still in some aspects ignored him. There wouldn't be any harm in going to visit sometime. He did miss the town where he grew up, except for the kids that had picked on him and the guys down at the radio station.

He saved the e-mail to his favorite space and just browsed until Tana pulled into the driveway. It still hadn't snowed and that made Erik miserable. He was used to snow that went to his waist up north.

"Erik? Corey? Anyone here?" Tana asked as she stepped inside.

"Yeah, in here," Erik replied.

"I'm here mom," Corey replied.

"Well does someone want to help me get things together so we can go over to the relatives for Christmas dinner?"

"I will," Erik said signing off and coming into the kitchen.

"Thanks for the help. Can you just grab the covered dishes out of the refrigerator and put them on the counter for me?" Tana asked.

"Yeah, sure."

Erik brought out a plate of Jell-O and chicken dish and placed them on the counter.

"You aren't too nervous about meeting the rest of the family tonight are you Erik?"

"Should I be?"

"No, of course not. They have all been made aware that you are a little sensitive and everyone is very anxious to meet you. They want to know who Brittney's savior is."

"Then that's different. As long as everyone knows and understands how close Brittney and I are then I shouldn't have anything to be afraid of."

xxxxx

Soon Erik was standing in the living room of Grandma Darlene's house with a few of Brittney's aunts and uncles. They were all very polite and even Brittney's cousin, Riley kissed his cheek.

Dinner was over and done with before Brittney got there. "Merry Christmas everyone," she said proudly as she came through the front door.

"Brittney, take off your boots please and I'll fix you a plate," Darlene called from the kitchen.

"Sure thing Grandma," Brittney replied as she sat down to start undoing her laces.

Erik came and stared down at her. "So how did today go?"

"Got one crabby person, but other than that it wasn't too bad. Is everybody being nice to you?"

"Yeah. Your cousin Riley is adorable and I even got a kiss."

"Aw, Erik I'm so happy for you."

"Brittney your plate is in the dinning room," Darlene said.

"Thanks Grandma."

Erik offered his hand and helped Brittney to her feet. She reached into her work bag and placed a few gifts under the tree. She saw one from Erik, but didn't say anything as he led her to the table and sat down next to her.

When Brittney finished it was time for the presents. Everyone sat around the living room and Corey went about handing out the presents. He got confused when Erik's name appeared on the gift, but it was soon cleared up.

It surprised Erik at just how many gifts he had resting next to him after everything was given out. He made a recount and there were six. The majority was cards, but some were indeed packages.

"All right everyone you know the drill. Go ahead," Brittney's aunt, Tracy said and the opening began.

Erik looked over to see that Brittney was purposely saving his for last, so he did the same with hers; pushing it aside and picking up a card. It was from Tana and there was a gift card to Best Buy nestled inside. He was going to have to thank her for that. The other cards contained gift cards to various stores. The one gift that wasn't a gift from Brittney was a gift from all the family thanking him for looking after Brittney when she got hurt.

Suddenly everyone heard Brittney make a gasping sound as she opened a black velvet box. "Oh my god. It's so beautiful," she said quietly reaching in and touching something with her fingers.

"Well what is it?" Darlene asked.

Brittney turned the box so everyone could see it and they all let out the same excited gasp at the necklace nestled among the black velvet. It was a rose with a ruby cut to look like the petals and an emerald cut into the leaves and stem. Tears streamed down Brittney's cheek as she took it out and put it on. "Erik this is the best gift anyone has ever gotten me. Thank you," she said leaning up against him.

"You deserved it. You helped me through all the bad times and I wanted to prove just how much I loved you."

She reached up and caught his lips in a kiss. When she pulled back he wiped away her tears. "Aren't you going to open my present?" she asked.

Erik took up the gift and un-wrapped it. He was overjoyed to see a book on Beethoven and Mozart along with a book on how to write an opera. He wrapped an arm around Brittney's shoulders and kissed her head. "Thank you Brittney for the best Christmas experience I've ever had," he whispered.

Okay next chapter I promise they'll go see Phantom. Sorry it took so long to get to that point, but I had some parts I needed to cover first. The next chapter should be up soon, because I've been planning this one for awhile now.