Hikari: I'm back! 3 weeks of hell and I'm back!

Erik: I'm sure everyone's thrilled…

Hikari: oh shut up. –Sighs- I've waited to do this chapter…Christmas time! A time of giving, love, kindness…

Erik: stop it! You're making me sick…

Hikari: my, my, my, someone's in a foul mood today…get up on the wrong side of the bed?

Erik: Something like that….You did lock me in the room with your sister after you found out I was on your computer…that child is a demon

Hikari: like I didn't know that already?

Erik: -shutters- and those wretched Barbie's everywhere! It was like an endless pit!

Hikari: it is, Erik, it is. ….Time for the review responses!

Mrs. Malfoy: oh yes…Family! There will be silverware being thrown across the room...maybe….Not really.

Erik: very nice…I'm more civil then that.

Hikari: Yes, but wait until her brother finds out your teaching his sister…oops...Said too much.

RowenaIsolde: Must I type a response? I practically LIVE at your house. You might as well start calling me Big sister (or Nee-san/ Onee-san…Japanese for it)

Erik: -rolls eyes-

SporkGoddess: Glad we straighten out the little misunderstanding…hope you're still reading!

Actress19: Updating soon has become harder and harder. But since Halloween is over, I actually have time now.

Hikari: I think that's everyone…on with the phic!

Chapter 6

"What? What you mean I'm meeting your family!" Erik ranted and raved, while Clarity sat down and read a book while she waited for the livid phantom to calm down. "Clarity, I'm not pretty sure you've noticed, but I'll remind you again, I'm one who would stick out greatly in a crowd; let alone a nobleman's summer home!"

He tore the book for her hands and grasped her shoulders, "I am a wanted man, I have murdered a good number of men…if I leave this opera house the police will be on me in a second, do you understand that?" Before Clarity could open her mouth to speak, he went on, "And you…you invite to some holiday gathering, to meet a nobleman none the less?" He let her go and dragged himself to his organ, sitting down and holding his head. The events from the night over two years ago were still so vivid in his mind, as hard as he fought to push them away. They taunted him, laughed at him. The memories of his love, her betraying him and showing his face to half of Paris; All so painful, all so real.

After a moment he stood up, with his back turned to Clarity and spoke, "So do you really want a person like me, around your precious family" Clarity looked at him and sighed, she knew every time he tried to act tough and dangerous, she knew it was just an act to hide the scars on his heart on soul. Though she didn't know what happened 2 years ago prior to the chandelier crash…she knew it weighted deeply on his heart.

"Erik…despite of what you think, you are a wonderfully ingenious human being. You are not a monster, and you have seen sorrows beyond most men's imaginations. I can feel your heart, Erik…its crying…you're crying." She pulled the handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped his eyes and smiled though her own tears. "Erik, you must cast out your demons and except what God has given you."

At this, Erik scoffed and pushed her hands away, "God? God has only given me the wretched existence of a ghost. A life in the shadows, so far in the darkness…where no light can ever reach"

"Then show me what God has given you, remove your mask and let me gaze upon your face, Erik!" Clarity's quivering hand quickly grasped the ends of the mask and torn it off, leaving his face bare to her dark eyes.

"Well?" Erik asked, searching her eyes for any sign of repulsion over the grotesque half of face. (A/N: its not grotesque…)

A smiled graced Clarity's lips, "Erik, one most not judge a man on his appearance….one must judge them on their soul" she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "You're soul is beautiful, Erik….you're beautiful" she pressed her lips lightly against his.

"I love you"

The next day, December 24, 1872

It was Christmas eve, and somehow, Erik found himself inside Clarity's home with her Parents and her older brother. Speaking of this older brother, since the moment Erik walked in, he had done nothing but glare at him and mutter threats to his life.

"Oh? Elliot? Don't worry about him, Erik….he's a softie at heart" Clarity commented dryly, while taking a bite out of a roll at the dinner table. Erik raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not scared of him; I just don't like being stared at for obvious reasons." He took a sip of wine and continued the glaring contest between him and Elliot. Clarity looked at them and rolled her eyes, "You two are acting like children"

Of course, they were too busy whispering threats to one another to hear her.

"If you so much as touch my sister, I'll have your head on a silver platter"

"Heh, I'll have a noose around your neck before you even touch me with your pathetic sword"

"Why you arrogant…"

"Elliot! Stop being rude to our guest!" His mother snapped, Elliot crossed his arms over his chest and muttered a rather monotone, 'Sorry, Mother'. Serenity turned to Erik and bowed her head lightly in apology, "I'm sorry, Monsieur…he gets rather…protective" Erik nodded his head and downed more of the wine.

"I'm sure he is, Madame"

Elliot rolled his eyes and stood up, "Mother you cannot expect me to believe this man gives Clarity voice lessons. Look at him! He won't even show all of his face!"

"Elliot, dear…" his mother warned in a low whisper, "do not offend out guest!"

Erik stood up, "He's right, Madame, here I have waltzed into your house and you have no idea if I am who I say I am" a devious smile danced across his lips, "I will be glad to show you" Erik took a seat at the family organ and began playing various symphonies from the most famous of composers, even some of his own work. When he finished he turned to the family to meet their shocked faces.

"Monsiuer, that was beautiful, you are a talented musician" Clarity's mother clapped while Elliot just gritted his teeth. Clarity smiled and handed Erik his present.

"I think now would be the best time to give you this…open it"

Erik stared at the box and shook it a bit, he looked at Clarity who's face clearly read, 'just open it and stop making a fool out of yourself' he grinned and untied the green ribbon, causing the red paper to fall off reveling a white box. He opened the lid to find a tiny glass replica of the opera house.

"Well?" Clarity chimed in anticipation, "What do you think, Erik?"

He turned the tiny sculpture around and smiled, "Thank you, Clarity"

"Merry Christmas, Erik."

"….Merry Christmas, Clarity"

Hikari: I kept my promise its long….

Erik: ahem.

Hikari: I thought I might be too short so I kept adding and….

Erik: ahem!

Hikari:…yes, Erik?

Erik: aren't of going to ask my opinion?

Hikari: -sigh- gee, Erik, what did you think?

Erik: …let me put it this way. Some phans are going to love you for this…others will think you're terribly corny and need to get a life…and a boyfriend.

Hikari:…Erik, shut up.

message and review! Aim: Hikariangel426