I did it! I wrote another one!

Alternately titled 'Silent night, raunchy night' :) hehe

This is my half of a Christmas challenge between my Beta and myself. Her guidelines were:

Theme- Christmas, hehe

Pair- Erik/Giry because there is no other according to her logic :)

Words/ items to be included in the story- Mistletoe, a Santa suit, woman's lingerie store, Saint Nick himself and Tinsel. Now, some of these were hard to do, so I used a little artistic licence lol. Well, you'll see…

This is a continuation of her birthday story, 'A kiss from any other woman'. It helps if you've read that, but I guess you don't have to. I hope you enjoy it. Please do leave a review. Now, on with the tale…

It was a week before Christmas day.

Madame Antoinette Cassel strolled anxiously down the street of Paris, gazing in the shop windows. She had, trailing somewhere along behind her, two young women, chattering and gossiping away like there was no tomorrow. The ladies in question just happened to be Meg Giry-Cassel and Christine Daae; soon to be Christine De Chaney.

They all stepped into a store.

"Mama! Oh, Mama, look at this!"

Meg was fingering some gold Tinsel.

"Isn't it pretty?"

"It's beautiful my Dear."

"Wouldn't it look wonderful around the house?"

She hinted.

Antoinette sighed.

"Yes Meg, it would, but you know what Papa said…"

Madame Cassel had only recently set up her home with Monsieur Cassel… Monsieur Cassel who was previously known as the Phantom of the Opera. She had moved in with him, at least into his old lair under the Opera House, when they were married a Month ago. That month had sped past and now the very new family was attempting to celebrate Christmas together. A difficult task when Monsieur had a strong dislike for the holiday.

"But Mama, surely…"

"No, Dear. He said no, and I don't want to upset him. He's allowing us to celebrate isn't he?"

"Well, yes."

"So that is something to look forward to. And you can enjoy the decorations around the Opera."

Dejectedly, Meg put on a brave but sad smile.

"Yes Mama."

Poor Christine could do nothing but hug her friend. She, unlike Meg, had taken a while to get used to the idea of her Ballet Mistress (and surrogate mother) marrying him. When they had told her, she was in a complete state of shock.

…

Don Juan went as well as could be expected. Unless you were the Vicomte, Raoul De Chaney. His plan was thwarted by the simple fact that the Phantom had not shown. Sullen and disappointed, he drove Christine home.

Mlle Daae, personally, was relieved. She had done her part, sung the Opera and played the bait. She was actually quite grateful her ex-Angel hadn't taken it. She had no idea what might have happened to any of them if he had. The night could well have been an awful disaster! But all was quiet, almost peaceful as she returned to the Chateau with Raoul; his parents having graciously consented to have her stay with them for as long as needed.

A day passed with no word. Reviews came out for Don Juan; some favourable, some not.

Another day passed. Still no word.

A third day. Christine was anxious… What could he be plotting for her now! Then the letter arrived.

Dearest Christine

Forgive me… I acted shamefully and treated you poorly. I loved you with a passion surpassed only by one. Please accept my apology and know that I will never harm you or the Vicomte. If you will consent, I would like to meet you. I will be at Mme Giry's flat tonight at 8. Please be there. There is something important we must discuss.

It was not signed. It didn't need to be.

Christine went. She found him waiting nervously there, seated beside the Madame, with Meg grinning inanely in the background. They both jumped up as she entered. Christine couldn't help but blurt out then,

"What is going on?"

"Christine…" He started, "There is something we need to tell you."

…

That had been a strange day for her. Especially when she was asked to be a Bridesmaid at their wedding. For his part, the Phantom didn't do much talking after his initial explanation. He just sat and blushed as Meg boasted about getting a new Papa, and smiled dreamily as Giry talked about their plans for a new life together.

They were to live in his abode, and Giry could use her old room as a sort of entranceway. She would disappear on a 'holiday' for a week as a sort of honeymoon and when she returned, would be a newly married woman. No one would ask of her husband, he would be regularly 'away on business' and besides, the Ghost would demand the man never enter his Opera House. The Phantom had a wry smile about that one.

Christine snapped out of her daydream when Madame Cassel huffed.

"Meg, it is almost time for you to be off home."

"But…"

She laughed pleasantly, "You need to go practice, and we need to shop for your presents!"

Meg pouted. She really hadn't grown up a whole lot.

"Why can't I stay? I won't look!"

"Oh Meg, I don't even know what to get you yet!"

"You could give me a little brother or sister…"

"Meg!"

"You know I always wanted one Mama!"

"Well, yes, but…"

Meg smiled triumphantly.

"Alright, I'll go home then. Have fun Christine." She lent in to whisper to her friend. "Sorry I have to leave you with the old stick-in-the-mud."

Christine laughed and waved her friend off. Meg skipped away down the steet. When she was safely out of sight Antoinette sighed again, this time in relief.

"Finally! Now, we can do some serious shopping!"

"What do you mean Madame?" She asked, baffled. Ann just smirked, grabbed Christine's hand and dragged her to another shop.

"It only opened last week and I've been dying to go!"

"But… but Madame!"

"What?" She didn't even slow down, only giggled, and Christine was suddenly aware of where Meg got it from.

"This is a Lingerie shop!"

"Exactly!"

…

"It's perfect!" Ann cried in delight.

Christine, mortally embarrassed, hid her eyes. In no time at all, Madame Cassel's purchase was wrapped up and paid for, and the two women moved on to less… intimate boutiques.

They each found something for Meg, then turned their attentions to Raoul and finally to more distant friends and relatives. Eventually, it became afternoon and they were forced to go home. Christine had, since the Madame's wedding, moved back to the Opera Dormitories, not wanting to intrude on her future in-laws any further.

Once inside they parted ways, saying a quick farewell and 'see you tomorrow'.