Christmas Eve came too quickly.

Christine woke early in the morning to join Raoul's family for the day. His siblings had returned home and were all eager to meet their baby brother's Fiancé.

Meg, after rehearsals were done, was allowed the day with her friends, but was expected back well before curtain call.

Antoinette spent the day putting finishing touches on the nights performance. It wasn't much, just some Carols and dances those members of the Chorus, who were available, liked to put on for the public. She was kept quite busy and didn't see her new husband all day. The Phantom himself stayed out of this particular presentation.

Christmas for the Opera Ghost was not a bad memory or particularly awful time of year; he just didn't understand the hype. It had never been special to him, never meant anything important, so he never made anything of it. At best, it was a break from his 'duties' as resident spectre. The Spirit of the Season had yet to touch Monsieur Cassel, and never would if he had anything to do with it. And his beloved had graciously accepted this.

The curtain rose at 6 PM. Meg danced her heart out, as usual. Christine enchanted all with her rendition of 'O Holy Night', and the Managers gave a short speech with a toast to the New Year. All in all, it was a beautiful Christmas Eve so far, even being blessed with snow.

Antoinette wandered down home with light and joyful steps. She changed quickly, wrapped herself up in a warm dressing gown and joined her husband in his study.

"Good evening my Love." He murmured softly from the big lounge before their fire. She kissed his left cheek, slipped his mask from his face and kissed the right just for good measure, before snuggling up beside him. He chuckled, ever amused by her when the harsh Ballet Mistress melted away into the woman he knew and adored.

"I love you Erik."

"I love you Ann."

"How was your day?"

"Blissfully quiet."

She knew he wouldn't ask about hers. He'd been that way all week. Meg hadn't helped matters with her constant deliberate slip-of-the-tongues either.

"What are you reading?"

He closed his book and laid an arm around her shoulder.

"Nothing now."

She sighed contentedly in his embrace.

"Oh, Erik… This is a wonderful night."

"Why?"

She felt a twitch of nervousness and reminded herself of her goal.

Antoinette had decided to introduce Erik to the delights that could be found at this time of year. She thought, maybe if he knew them better and could associate them with some small enjoyments, then maybe he wouldn't be so adverse to Christmas next year.

"Well… For one thing, we're together… And it's Christmas tomorrow."

"Ann…" He started over again, "We've discussed this."

"Oh please Erik, I don't want to argue about it! I just wish you'd be a little more tolerant. It's so important to Meg and I."

"I am tolerant."

She grabbed his chin and turned his gaze to her.

"You won't even let me mention it!"

"I just don't want to talk about it."

"I'm not expecting you to be involved Erik… Just accept that it's important to us. It's like your music! Some days I can't even get your attention for hours on end. But I know you're just wrapped up in your Music and I can appreciate that. Can you not, I don't know, just acknowledge how happy this time of year makes your family? Will you not at least be happy that I am?"

Erik sighed and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry Ann… I've been ignoring you haven't I?"

"It's not that, and don't try to change the subject. I just wish you weren't so adverse to my favourite holiday…"

He looked at her honestly; this woman who seemed to see right through him.

"I am sorry… I will try to do better. I just don't quite understand it is all. It seems like such a fuss!"

"And I know how you hate fussing."

She grinned cheekily.

"Exactly. You know me too well Madame."

"I do, don't I…"

"I will be more… tolerant from now on, I promise. But don't expect a big change. I will not be celebrating."

"That's all I wanted Dear."

"Good… Now, where were we?"

They both got cosy again and just spend a few silent moments watching the flames dance in the fire.

"Erik?"

"Mmm?"

"About tomorrow…"

He tried, taking a deep breath.

"Yes?"

"I know you didn't really want a present so… I bought one for myself."

She plucked coyly at his sleeve.

"That's nice."

"Aren't you going to ask?"

Erik sighed, but in a good natured way.

"Alright… What did you spend my hard earned money on?"

Antoinette chuckled and slapped his arm playfully before blushing a little.

"Well, it's like a Christmas costume in a way… Are you familiar with Pere Noel suits?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"A Pere… Oh, Ann, but they are so… garish!"

"Not all of them."

He laughed.

"I don't see how you can justify buying something as ridiculous as a…"

While he spoke, his wife smirked and stood up before him. She slid out of her robe and watched with glee as his mouth dropped and eyes bugged.

"You were saying, Dear?"

"Ann… that… you… Oh my-"

"Erik," she chided, "don't you dare blaspheme!"

Shaking his head to overcome the shock, he jumped up and swept her off her feet, fully intending to carry her off to a more appropriate room for such attire.

"I wouldn't dream of it my Ann."

She laughed delightedly as he placed her reverently on their bed. Erik lay down beside her and just gazed lovingly at her for a long while.

"Why, Monsieur, whatever are you looking at?"

"Only you my dear Madame Noel…"

"See. I knew you'd get to like Christmas."

He rolled his eyes.

"At least you didn't try and decorate the house. It's nice to know I still have some authority in my home."

"That's not entirely true… I did put up one thing."

"Oh?"

She pointed upwards to the ceiling. Erik grinned irresistibly.

"Well… I guess it could have been worse. But I believe there is a tradition to be upheld..."

The mistletoe was well used the year.

…

Pere Noel had a joyful and somewhat mischeivous smile as he delivered his last gift to Ann and Erik while they slept. True, they would have to wait nine months before 'unwrapping' it, but he knew that they would love little Vincent with all their hearts…

But that is another story…

There you have it. Bit of fluff for you all. Congrats to anyone who gets the 'Vincent' joke. I hope I don't get sued for that J He's not mine either. If you don't understand and are curious, just ask me, hehe.