Chapter 9

Now that the family dramatics were, for the most part, out of the way, the attention of Erik and Christine turned to the imminent arrival of Christmas Eve, and ultimately, the party they were to host.

"We should have started planning this days ago. The party is tomorrow and we haven't done anything!" Christine said, scribbling out a list of things they needed. Erik peered over her shoulder.

"How much is this going to cost?"

"Don't worry, the managers are paying. Indirectly." Christine said. Erik looked at her proudly. She'd learned so much from him.

"Why do we need three different types of sandwiches? Just give them tuna and be done." Erik said. Madeline looked at him, appalled.

"One type of sandwich? Good heavens, Erik, I can tell that you've never hosted a party before!"

"At the Masquerade Ball there were two types of sandwich. So we have to have three." Christine said firmly. Erik looked at her puzzled. She sighed and handed him a list.

"Find Nadir and go shopping. We need everything on this list."

Erik scanned it.

"OK… Christine, why do we need apricots? I don't like them and you're allergic."

"I'm making an apricot tart for the guests." Madeline said. "It was always very popular when we had dinner parties at home."

"…Right."

"Remind me again why I'm here?" Nadir said. "I'm a guest, why do I have to help prepare?"

"Because I said so." Erik said, examining the list and wondering where to procure caviar.

"Erik, we're going to have to talk about my pension." Nadir said tiredly. Erik glared at him.

"You mean about how it's going to be halved if you keep whining?"

Nadir glared back and snatched the list.

"Let's just get going. I want to get home before Coronation Street starts."

Dispelling the image of Nadir watching an old-lady daytime soap opera, Erik paused.

"This would be a good chance to find Christine a Christmas Present."

"You mean you STILL haven't found her something?"

"I'm been meaning to but what with one thing and another, I just… forgot."

Nadir sighed heavily.

"Do you now what to get her?"

"Nope."

"Did you consider writing her that song?"

"I forgot all about it, to be honest." Erik admitted. "But I'm sure I'll find something. Now, where do we get the caviar?"

"Christine, dear, that colour scheme is lovely." Madeline said. "But don't you think the balloons are a little bunched up?"

Madeline began to rearrange all of the balloons that Christine had just spent twenty minutes doing. Christine was about to say something scathing but decided against it.

She didn't want to be bound into a contract, after all.

She was just rearranging the flowers that Madeline had rearranged after she'd arranged them when Erik and Nadir returned, carrying what looked about fifty shopping bags each. They put them down and simultaneously collapsed into chairs. Christine smiled.

"Did you get everything?"

"Yes. That's why it took us so long." Erik complained. "I've written operas that are shorter than that list."

Christine kissed his cheek.

"You're an angel. Now get out of the way, we're busy decorating. Watch Buffy or something." Erik and Nadir settled in front of the television to watch Buffy fight demons. Erik watched closely.

"You know what? I reckon I could do that." He said after some time.

"Do what?"

"Fight vampires. It doesn't look that hard. It's all the emotional baggage that really stops Buffy from achieving her full potential." Erik pointed out. Nadir snorted.

"Erik the Vampire Hunter. Sure, that sounds realistic."

"You can be my trusty sidekick, Daroga Boy." Erik offered.

"No way."

"You can have a cape…" Erik said temptingly. Nadir refused to admit that he was tempted.

"No, Erik. Besides, vampires don't exist. They're as fake as Carlotta's highlights."

Meanwhile, Madeline and Christine were ever-so-politely discussing the best way to lay out the food.

"If we spread the potato chips out, they'll be easier to get to."

"But it'll look terribly messy; why not put them together so it's nice and organised?" Madeline pointed out. Erik listened in interest to their polite argument before saying,

"They're just going to get eaten anyway, why does it matter where they are?"

"We wouldn't expect you to understand, Erik; you have no understanding of table arrangements." Christine said pointedly. Erik shrugged.

"Fine. But no one is going to notice, wherever you put them."

Erik barely recognised the cellar when Christine and Madeline had finished. Instead of the relaxed and morbid atmosphere it usually possessed, his home had taken on the air and appearance of being in a family Christmas special. He glared around.

"It's so… colourful."

"I know, isn't it lovely?" Christine said sweetly. "And look, Dennis sent over a big batch of cookies for us to serve tomorrow night. That's nice of her."

Erik reached for a cookie but Christine slapped his hand away.

"They're for the party, Erik!"

"Oh, go on, Christine. Just one." He pouted. Christine smiled. She couldn't resist that pout.

"Just one." He took a cookie happily and chomped on it as Christine set out the cookies on the refreshment table. Madeline had gone to lie down before dinner and Nadir had gone home so they were pretty much alone.

Erik tapped her shoulder.

"Christine?"

"Yes darling?"

"You know in the contract, it mentioned children."

"Yes, darling."

"Do you… want one?"

"What, a child?" She looked at him. "Well, yes. I mean, not right this instant, but eventually. Don't you?"

Erik swallowed a mouthful of cookie, his brow furrowed beneath his mask.

"…I don't know."

"Haven't you even thought about?" Christine said, turning to look him in the face.

"Not really. Children are… strange."

"You're not exactly run-of-the-mill, Erik."

"What's your point?"

"Let's talk about this another time." Christine suggested. "We've got plenty to do before the party. Here, start hanging tinsel up."

Erik took the shiny bundle and began to pin it up. He personally thought it looked appalling. So garish and tasteless. Christine apparently didn't share his opinion, because she clapped her hands together, cooing, "Oh, how pretty!"

"Isn't it a bit much?" Erik said doubtfully.

"No, it's perfect. Ah, here comes Madeline. What do you think?"

Madeline smiled as she came out of the bedroom.

"It's perfect!"

"Told you so." Christine said smugly.

Erik quickly established the fact that these women were a force to be reckoned with.

A/N: A little, rather unsubtle, tribute to Elektra there. If you haven't read 'Erik: The Vampire Hunter' you must do immediately, the link is in my favourites. You are not going to find a better plotted or written story anywhere on this website. I wish I could write like her! Anyway, next chapter is the Christmas party! Woohoo!

Love

Katie