The days before the ball Christine and Erik both worked on their costumes. The dress Erik had purchased for Christine was simple enough that she could add or take away what she wanted. He knew she loved blood red, so that was the colour of the gown. He had included black satin gloves, a black satin mask and black shoes.
Christine invited Madame Giry and Meg over to help he with the dress, and together the three of them worked non-stop on their masquerade costumes.
Meanwhile Erik was thinking of something to top his Red Death costume. He wanted something with those dark colours that showed power and sensuality.
He thought of the shirt Christine bought him and then he had a fabulous idea. He set to work right away.
Two days before the ball, food, wine and decorations were delivered to Erik's home. Erik and Christine set about decorating the ballroom. Erik even decided to hire some help to cook and clean as well as to tend to the guests.
The colour scheme was of course red, black and gold. Very Erik and very sensual as well as sophisticated. Flowers would be arriving the morning of the ball and Erik assured Christine she would approve of the arrangements he had selected.
The night before the ball, Christine hung her finished costume in her armoire and smiled as she imagined the look on Erik's face when he saw her in it.
Meanwhile Madame Giry and Meg were staying the night once more; Nadir would be arriving in the morning.
Christine was excited about the ball; she wanted to be around people once more. Although she loved being with Erik he wasn't one who liked being around other people.
Not that she could blame him after all that had happened to him. She wished she could erase his past, and set him free from the demons that still haunted him.
She thought about this and walked out onto her balcony and watched the snow softly come down on Erik's property, covering everything in a white shimmering sheet of frost.
Goosebumps broke out on her skin and she decided to go back inside before she became ill. That night she slept with a smile playing across her lips as she thought about the following night.
"Christine, get up love." Erik purred gently shaking Christine's arm. Her eyes fluttered open to see Erik's face floating above her own. He kissed her forehead and then left her room to allow her to get dressed.
Christine bathed and then dressed in a light blue dress and went down stairs to join Erik. He was helping the orchestra set up in the ballroom, and didn't notice Christine.
She looked around and was amazed. She had only once before briefly seen the ballroom. And now standing in it once more, she saw that it was much larger than the one that had been inside the opera house. It had two floors and a large marble staircase similar to the one at the opera house.
Seeing that Erik was busy Christine decided to leave the ballroom and find Meg. She knocked on her friend's door and was soon greeted with Meg's smiling face. They had breakfast together and then went for a walk on Erik's property.
Before they knew it, it was time to get ready for the ball. The guests would be arriving soon and everyone would gather in the ballroom.
Christine and Meg hurried to Christine's room and helped each other get ready. Meg decided to be a fairy, wearing a light green sparkly ball gown with yellow accents and a glittery yellow mask.
After Christine was dressed Meg looked at her friend with a big smile. "Erik won't know what hit him when he sees you. You look ravishing." Meg said as they checked themselves in the mirror.
Christine smiled; she looked every bit the Spanish seductress. She and Madame Giry and sewed the front of skirt so that it opened up in a "V" showing off her legs, and then flowing on the sides and down the back, in a sort of Latin style.
The bodice plunged a bit in the front and showed off the swell of her breasts. The sleeves were off the shoulder and were black lace that also accented the neckline.
The mask was black and covered her forehead down to her nose. The back of the gown had had black satin laces, and on her neck she wore a black ribbon. She also wore blood red chandelier earrings.
She had put her hair up in a way that curls came cascading down her neck and back and had lined her eyes with black kohl. She had never looked so grown up or as seductive before.
She couldn't wait to see Erik's face. She grabbed her gloves and put them on and with Meg headed inside the ballroom. They went to the upper level where a doorway led to a sitting room where the guests could sit and talk.
Soon guests came through the doors and Meg went out to search for her mother. Christine soon left the room to peer down at the lower level of the ballroom. Her jaw dropped when she saw Erik.
He approached the staircase, his black half mask giving him a look of danger. He wore a shirt similar to the one Christine had given him.
It was blood red and opened in the front to show his chest. He wore a black cape over his shoulders and black trousers that hugged his muscular legs.
Once more he had his rapier resting against his leg. He had also put on a black hat that shadowed his mask a bit. As she descended the staircase towards him, his fiery gaze met hers and she could tell her approved of her costume.
He held out his hand to her, which she took and then placed a kiss on her knuckles before drawing her to him.
Her breath caught in her throat as he peered down at her with such desire in his eyes.
"You look gorgeous." He purred in her ear.
"You yourself look ravishing." She replied. He smiled and led her over to Nadir who was in the company of a dark skinned woman.
Nadir smiled kindly and introduced the woman as his wife. She had green eyes and a smile that lit up her face. Christine could tell right away that she was a good-hearted woman.
The group spoke for a while before Nadir led his wife, Carmella on the dance floor.
Christine could tell Erik was enjoying himself. Everyone believed the Opera Ghost to be dead. In their eyes this man was just a wealthy architect who had invited some of the upper class to enjoy New Year's eve at his home.
No one paid attention to his mask since they were all wearing them.
Erik continued leading Christine around, introducing her to architects from England, and Scotland as well as several other wealthy Americans. Once she had been properly introduced Erik finally asked her to dance, and she couldn't dream of refusing.
She was not surprised to find that Erik was a remarkable dancer. He led her around the floor with ease and kept a good frame. She was sure if they had been alone his hands would wander, but he was doing a good job of being a gentleman.
Throughout the night people were eating, laughing, dancing and drinking. They all had a good time and Christine saw that Meg had found herself an admirer. Stern Madame Giry spoke to a few people and soon, she herself was dancing with a smile on her face.
"Erik, I can't thank you enough for this." Christine said, glad that everyone was enjoying themselves.
"Seeing the smile on your face is thanks enough." Erik replied. Christine's heart swelled. Her love for Erik surpassed anything she had felt before.
Five minutes before New Year's everyone gathered about on the large dance floor with champagne in hand. When the clock struck midnight people were cheering and kisses were seen all around.
Just as Christine was about to raise her glass to her lips, Erik grabbed her and placed a kiss on her lips. She smiled and kissed him back, but didn't let the kiss get too passionate, lest the make a scene in front of their guests.
Soon people began to leave, thanking their host for such a wonderful evening. He kindly said it was not a problem and loved having them there.
Christine was shocked, it seemed that Erik was able to forget his feelings toward other humans for the night and played the part of a gracious host. She wondered what life would have been like for him if he had been born with a perfect face.
Once most of their guests had left, save Nadir, his wife and the Giry's; they began cleaning up.
Erik came up to Christine and asked her for one more dance before the orchestra left. She agreed with a smile and let him lead her about the floor. He dipped her gracefully and swept his fingertips down her side, then brought he back up with ease.
"I love you Christine." He murmured in her ear.
"I love you." She said as he pulled away from her with a smile and then sunk down on one knee before her.
She gasped and held a hand to her mouth as he pulled out a black velvet box.
He was about to open his mouth the say something when the doors the ballroom flew open. Everyone looked in the direction of the doors.
"Raoul..." Christine whispered. She could see Erik's livid expression and knew this would not be a pleasant meeting.
"Get away from him Christine." Raoul roared as he neared and drew his rapier.
"You foolish boy!" Erik growled, and unsheathing his own rapier he charged at the insolent fop. This time he would not allow Raoul to take Christine away.