Author's Note- be sure to read chapter 17 as well…

Chapter 18

Visitations

"I hope Erik likes this." Gabby said, putting a sparkling blue ball ornament on the little tree in the main section of the lair. "Me too." Jen said, stringing some of the tinsel. They had been working for an hour at least, trying to make sure everything was perfect. Jen stepped back and admired their work. "Almost done." She said with a nod, and Gabby agreed. "Aye, looks like it. I think I will go start cooking."

"Ok." The cellist disappeared down the hall that lead to Erik's small kitchen. Jen stayed by the tree, straightening some decorations and making sure everything was just right for Erik. When finished, she pulled the gleaming star they had bought and, standing on tip-toe, placed it on top. The tree was slightly taller than her, though still rather small. It was a nice touch to the room however. Jen smiled and pulled out the next part of decorations from the box she and Gabby had brought down with them, and began hanging the ribbons and other small decorations. Soon the lair's soft candle light fit the Christmassy mood, and the percussionist smiled. "One last thing." She said to herself, pulling out the presents she and Gabby had for Erik and each other. The placed them beneath the little tree in an organized manner. "Done." She said, then stood, brushed the dust off her hands, and went to find her friend.

Gabby was checking something in the oven when Jen arrived. "when should we wake him?" she asked. "When food is ready." Gabby replied. "Or, if he wakes up before then, I guess it doesn't matter."

"Obviously." Jen said, rolling her eyes. "Need help?"

"You can't cook."

"I know." Jen replied. "But I figured I should ask anyway."

"No, I don't really need your help." Gabby told her, stirring the batter in a bowl she had been mixing. "Ok." Jen shrugged and left. She took a seat on the hard ground in the lair, and looked at the tree. "I wish I had my DVD player." She muttered, bored. Suddenly laughter seemed to fill the room, and Jen looked around, rather confused. "Erik?" she asked softly, doubting that it was him. "No." came a reply. Odd, thought the percussionist, that sounded like me. Jen looked around, but saw no one. "Hello?"

"Hello." The voice echoed. "Where are you?"

"Here." Jen spun around to find where the voice was coming from. Nose to nose with her was a girl, around 16 in age, she guessed, who held a striking resemblance to her. Maybe not quite as mature looking, and a bit less pretty, but still, it was her. "What the…"

"Yeah, yeah. I know, odd, huh?" the girl said. "Who the hell are you?" Jen asked. "You."

"What?"

"Or, the authoress if you will." The girl said. "Authoress…oh my…god…"

"Yep. I heard you say you wanted your DVD player. Well, here you go." The authoress tossed a black bag to Jen. "Anything else?"

"No..I mean, yes…er…some movies? And CDs? And never ending batteries?"

"Ok. Wait…never ending batteries?" the authoress gave Jen a strange look. "Well, I can't just go to the nearest Wal-Mart and buy new ones now, can I?"

"good point..."

"thank you." Jen said, smiling smugly. The girl handed Jen the items and stood, looking at her. "So…er…how are you here?"

"Simple. It's Christmas…tis a different day than most, eh?"

"I guess…"

"Plus, I felt like adding myself into the phic." The 16 year old Jen continued.

"I see."

"Yeah. Other authors do it all the time, so I figured 'what the heck.'" Jen gave her a strange look, realizing something. "Is Gabby here too?"

"Which Gabby?"

"I take that as a yes."

"Good. Well, I gotta go. Have fun with that." With a soft flash of light the authoress disappeared, leaving a dumbfounded Jen. After a few minutes, Jen simply pulled out her PotO DVD and pressed play. It would keep her occupied until they could open presents.

XxXxXxXxX

Erik smiled as he entered his room once more, packages in hand. They had been nicely wrapped by the store clerk, and he would give them to the girls that afternoon when he saw them. He yawned and took off his cloak, preparing for bed. After a few minutes the Phantom had fallen into a deep sleep, dreams of Christmas yet to come fresh in his mind. He had never known Christmas to be any different than other days, in fact, it had often been worse. But, he felt like it was going to mean something this year. Erik smiled in his sleep, at peace for the first time in weeks.

XxXxXxXxX

"Hello." Gabby said, walking into the main room to find Jen sitting and watching a movie on her DVD player. "Where did you get THAT?"

"Authoress attack."

"Oooh, them. I saw them too." Gabby said with a grin. "They bring you anything useful?"

"Just my laptop and some other small stuff."

"Cool." Jen said, never once looking away from the movie. "We should get Erik up soon." Gabby said after a short silence. "Ok. Lemme finish this first."

"Alright. How much more?"

"I dunno." Jen said. "Ok, find me when you're done."

"I will." Gabby rolled her eyes and turned to check on the food in the kitchen. About twenty minutes passed, and Jen finally entered the room. "I missed my DVDs."

"I bet. Let's wake Erik."

"fine by me." Jen said, a devious grin spreading across her face. The twosome walked to his door slowly, and Jen knocked it, her fingers barely rapping against the hard wood. After a few minutes they heard someone walking towards it, and Erik opened it slightly, enough to look out. "yes?" he asked, half asleep. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" the girls shouted together, grinning. Erik's eyes widened with surprise, and then he smiled. "Same to you."

"Come on, we have a surprise!" Gabby said, both girls grabbing one of his arms and dragging him out so that he could see the decorated lair. Erik looked around in surprise. "You two…you…did this?"

"Yep."

"Like it?" Jen asked, smiling hopefully. Erik smiled. Jen took his hand once more and lead him to the tree. "We have presents." She said. "For you."

"What? Really…I…thank you." Erik was stunned- he had never experienced this before. "Let's open them!" Gabby said excitedly.

"YES!" Jen said, grinning and taking a seat. "Alright." With that, the Phantom sat down, ready for his first Christmas.

Authors Note- well, there you have it. Kinda a weird chappy, but it will fit in later, I think. Enjoy, and I will try to get more out tomorrow!