DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two

Cecilia awoke the following morning with the worst headache in the entire world. It was not like her nature to stay in bed at such a late hour, but she felt entirely weak and unable to get out of bed. She remembered what a happy night last night had been. The man she loved expressed his feelings, she finally was going to get her opera house, she already had a diva to sing in it, and the orchestra was perfect. She recalled drinking a small amount of wine and dancing the night away with Erik, the managers, and even one time on the dance floor with Raoul. She had often attended her parties and the parties of others regularly in her teenage years, but she never recalled having had such a good time.

The night had definitely been one to remember.

However, she was paying for it today. She left her head throb with every breath she breathed. She could not even muster up enough energy to turn onto her side. So, she lay there, in misery for a while until she heard a knock at her door.

"Cecilia? Are you in there? Is everything alright?" she heard Erik gently say behind the door.

"Erik, you can come in," she said weakly as she watched her door creak open letting a bit of light into her dark room.

"It is at least nine in the morning. Are you alright?"

"I am fine. I just have a horrible headache."

Erik walked over to her side and pulled up a chair by her bed. He placed his hand on her forehead and gently moved her hair out of her face.

"You look exhausted. Did you even sleep last night?"

"Not really. Did you?"

"I never sleep, but my body is adjusted. You, on the other hand, need to get some rest. I will go downstairs and get you something to eat. Then, my dear, will you please get some sleep?"

"Can I open my presents first?" she replied with a little bit of flirtation in her voice.

Erik had completely forgotten it was Christmas. He has never celebrated the holiday with anyone. He did not know what to do. His face saddened as she attempted to sit up and pull the sheets off of herself.

"What is wrong, Erik? Don't you like Christmas?"

"I don't know. I have never celebrated the holiday. I usually dread it. I would often see people holding hands down the snow clad streets singing carols or holding large presents. They made me feel even more alienated from the world as though I was not good enough to celebrate such a joyous holiday."

She pulled him toward her and kissed him firmly on the lips. A few seconds later, she ended the kiss and smiled at him.

"I am going to show you what you have been missing. Come and help me out of bed. I gave the servants the day off. Let's go open our presents," she said as she wrapped her arms around him.

He was surprised that there were presents under the tree for him. He went and lit a fire as she made warm morning tea for them. While she was in the kitchen, he snuck into his personal hiding spot in the closet and withdrew a small bag of herbs. He did not often resort to medicinal methods for curing a headache, but he was willing to look past that considering it was Christmas and the woman he loved.

She returned to the ballroom where Erik had laid out a large blanket on the floor by the tree. While she wasn't looking, he slipped a small dose of herbs into her tea. She collected three or four heavily wrapped boxes and drug them over to the blanket. Erik sat in front of her wondering what exactly proper Christmas-unwrapping etiquette was.

"Here, Erik. Open this one first. It says 'To: Cecilia and Erik With Love: Fredrick and Suzanne.' That was sweet of them to remember us on Christmas. I do hope they liked their vase."

Erik held the package in his hand and began to gently unravel the wrapping around it. As soon as he had exposed the box, he removed a pretty exquisite music box complete with swans and dancing ballerinas.

Erik suddenly became very excited at this whole thought of Christmas. He continued to open presents received from various guests the night before until there were only two boxes left. The one from Raoul and Christine sat in Cecilia's lap, and a small unmarked box in her hand.

"This is for you, Erik."

Erik collected the small box from her as she stared into his green eyes. He looked at it for a few moments until she spoke once again.

"Aren't you going to open it?"

Erik felt like he was going to cry. He did not want to be emotional on such a wonderful day. The last thing he wanted to do was break down and cry like a child because he had never felt like he belonged until now. He sighed as he once again gently unwrapped the box. His long graceful fingers wrapped around the gold chain that was nestled in a bed of velvet fabric. He lifted the beautiful trinket to his eyes and studies the marvelous pocket watch that hung at the end of the gold chain. Tears welled up in his eyes once more.

"I did not know what you get you. I noticed that you never have a pocket watch, so I thought a practical man such as yourself should at least have one. Do you like it?" she asked him as she fearfully waited for his answer.

He looked at her and smiled.

"It is beautiful. Thank you so much."

"You have to open it."

Erik looked at her with a puzzled face. She leaned over and clicked the top of the watch to open the round door adorned with an inlay of sterling silver.

His eyes widened as he read the fine print inside. The simple three word sentence made his heart skip a beat.

"Really?" he whispered as his eyes turned to hers.

"Yes," she replied with a smile creeping across her face.

His long slender fingers pulled her closer to him while his lips claimed hers. His arms wrapped around her body. She could feel his hands begin to explore her voluptuous assets. As their passionate kiss began to heighten with lustful intensity, she suddenly broke the kiss and looked into his eyes. He could see that her eyelids had begun to droop and within seconds she was fast asleep in his arms.

Damn it! I always seem to drug her at the wrong times.