I don't own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, but I'm quite happy to own the plot. The college and the program are real. The inn isn't, so it belongs to me, as do the owners and their guests!

A/N Thanks to all the reviewers. I'm happy you love my Nerdy Erik; you're all very encouraging! Hugs! Remember; we Authors and Authoresses need our readers' reviews to continue writing. I read each and every on of your reviews, dear Readers, and I answer them all. I even accept anonymous reviews. So, please, if you read, REVIEW! ;-)

I'm sorry my update is late! I kept being interrupted Saturday. It's a little short too, so I'll make it up to you, dear readers.

I need a Beta, please. So if you're interested, drop me a word.

For those of you who don't know who Twiggy is, she's an English supermodel, actress and singer. Somewhat tall for a woman, 5"6, she's long and thin, and doesn't have much curves. Go see her photo on Wikipedia.

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Usually the ride from Downtown to Erik's house took less than an hour, but this time since it was after a show, there was a lot of traffic and James warned that it would be a while before they even managed to get out of the city. They didn't mind. They had a wonderful evening, their stomachs were full, they were warm and they had each other as company. All was well in their private world.

Erik wondered if he should kiss Christine. He didn't want to go too fast, it was only their first date after all. But what if Christine was waiting for his kiss, he didn't want her to think he didn't found her beautiful, because he did found her so.

Christine wondered if she should kiss Erik. She didn't want to too go to fast, it was only their first date after all. But what if Erik was waiting for her kiss, she didn't want him to think she didn't found him beautiful, because she did found him so.

Each of them was looking at the other from the corner of the eye, wondering if he/she dared to take the first step and at the same time worrying both about doing it and not doing it.

Finally, after a few minutes of covert looks from one to the other, Erik decided to take the plunge. "Christine," he said, "I wish very much to kiss you. May I?"

Christine was surprised by Erik's words since they were the ones she was on the verge of saying. She was also very moved by his obvious nervousness and the fact he actually asked her permission before kissing her for the first time flattered her.

She finally gave the answer Erik wanted. "Yes, Erik. You may kiss me," and he proceeded to do so. And, oh, what a kiss it was, it went down to her toes and they curled!

She kissed him back with enthusiasm and he moaned in her mouth, which only served to increase her kiss. After a few moments of bliss, Erik stopped, looked Christine in the eye and said "wow".

She blushed a little, giggled and answered back to him "wow".

They were both relieved their first kiss had gone so well. They weren't talking now, just looking in each other's eyes and dreaming.

Suddenly the car slowed down and James warned Erik. "Mr. Korvin, sir, it's begun to snow too fast. It seems there's a snowstorm coming on and blizzard conditions on the road. We can't continue to drive, it's too dangerous."

Erik looked through his window. The snow, which had been falling slowly, looking like powdered sugar falling from the sky; was now coming down like wet cement. They couldn't see very well in front of the car. James was right. It was becoming too dangerous to continue. Thankfully, he had seen an ad for an inn a little further up the road. Erik asked him to phone on ahead to see if there was room for them. Thankfully, the owners reassured James they still had empty rooms. Erik had him rent three rooms for them.

Christine was relieved they wouldn't have to drive further in this weather. She wasn't used to wintry road conditions anymore and she never liked much driving in the country in this season anyway. The visibility was so bad that a ride that should have taken less than fifteen minutes took them about thirty and it was getting worse.

At last they were entering the driveway that had just been swept clear a few moments ago, but already there were mounds of snow piling in. James parked the car and they all got out in a hurry to be safely inside. In the lobby Erik took out his cell phone and called home.

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Meg was wondering how Erik and Christine evening had gone. They were a little late coming back even if they had gone to a restaurant after the show. She looked outside wondering how was the weather as she could hear the wind wailing outside and the snow was falling hard. She knew James was an excellent driver and Erik was careful but she was still worried and hoped they'd find someplace to stay. She went to see if her mother or Nadir had any news but they had none either. Just as Marie was beginning to be worried too, the phone rang and Erik was on the line. She hurried to answer it.

"Erik," she cried with relief! "Is everything all right? Where are you?"

"We're fine." He reassured her. "We're at a small inn about midway between the city and home. We're going to stay there for the night and until the roads are clear. The weather is horrible; the cleaning crew can't keep up with the snow and the wind. Is was really too dangerous to continue driving." "I'm sorry I haven't called you earlier, Marie, but it was a last minute decision."

"It's all right, dear," Marie sighed. She gave the news to Meg about the Inn. Meg took the phone away from her mother. "Erik! How was your evening?" "It was wonderful, Meg. Thanks for asking." "Alright! Pass me Christine", she insisted. Erik shrugged at Meg's strange behaviour and lent his phone to Christine who smiled her thanks. While she was talking to Meg he went to the reception desk to pay for their first night.

"Hi, Meg." Christine didn't even have time to put in another word that Meg was excitedly asking about the outing. "So, tell me all of it, Christine. How was it? I want all the details." Christine laughed at her friend's insistence and related her evening to Meg. When she talked about the raspberries, whipped cream and champagne, she heard Meg's sigh. Then she went on about the supper at the restaurant and the Meringue peach, which made her drool in remembrance of its delights. Meg was nodding verbally and saying 'yes, go on' and 'huh, huh" at everything she was saying. Suddenly Meg interrupted Christine by asking, "So, did he kissed you?" "Meg", she exclaimed shocked. "I'm not a 'kiss and tell' kind of person!" Meg squealed, "Yes, he did! Yes, he did!" "So, tell me. How was it?" Christine was resolved not to tell all the details to Meg. Some things were so precious they were private. It was that way with Erik's first kiss. "All right. I'll tell you more about it when we get home. Goodbye", and she closed the phone leaving Meg surprised and terribly curious.

Marie was wondering what was happening; Meg was dancing around the room. She kept chanting, "They kissed!" "Erik and Christine had their first kiss!" Marie realizing what had Meg so happy took her by the waist and they waltzed together. Nadir who happened to go by the room went in to see what the fuss was all about. Seeing Marie and Meg dancing together and laughing like lunatics, he clucked at their antics and asked them what had them so happy. Marie told him that everyone was safe. While he was happy about it, Nadir still didn't understand what was happening. He shrugged and went away. Marie and her daughter were still celebrating and suddenly, overcome by happiness, she highfived Meg who was surprised enough that her mouth was left hanging open. Marie laughed at her and told her she'd catch flies with her mouth open so wide. She shook her head and closed her mouth, still grinning happily.

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Christine went to the desk to join Erik who was talking to the nice middle-aged couple who owned the Inn. They presented themselves as Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Anna Belay. They asked to be called by their first name since they felt their clients were like an extended family to them. Realizing no one had any clothes to change into, Anna kindly explained it happened often enough that they had clothes they kept especially for that purpose, lending them to their clients. They had a range of sports clothes for men and women in all sizes and they even gave the underclothes away.

Christine was relieved, as she didn't relish the idea of sleeping in her underwear and wearing the same dress all day long at least.

Curtis called his teenage daughter to show the guests the clothes' closet and their room. He explained that Chancy was a college student home for the Holidays and she was helping them out during her stay. He proudly explained she was studying Business Administration at SUNY Oswego. She was the first one in the family to go to college and they had great expectations about her.

A sullen looking young woman of eighteen or nineteen appeared at Curtis' side. She didn't seem happy to work during her vacation. Although Christine understood the feeling she felt Chancy was lucky. In college her choices of jobs had been from saleslady in small boutiques with rude bosses and snobbish patrons, to administrative assistant in small companies downtown with no A/C and clunky heaters, which made for warm summers and cold winters with noise and pollution. So she felt that all things going, Chancy's fate wasn't that horrible. Not of course that the girl was in any mood to appreciate it judging by her expression.

She looked on indifferently at Christine and James, finding them beneath her notice. Then, looking up at Erik's voice and seeing a rich and handsome man, she suddenly brightened and seemed interested in helping out the clients. Or rather, to Christine's disgust, in helping Erik.

She was furious! That 'GIRL' was trying to steal her man! Whoa! Where had that thought come from? She'd never been possessive before. In fact, she couldn't stand possessive people! It was so barbaric and primitive. People don't belong to each to each other! Suddenly she had a horrible doubt, what if Erik was interested in that girl? He had every right to make his own choice. At least, she was trying to convince herself of it. And she'd known Erik since a few days only, why did she felt he belonged to her? She still continued glaring at Chancy as she was choosing her own change of clothes. Humph, Chancy was taking chances with her life, Christine felt.

Chancy looked at Christine glaring at her and smirked 'I don't care'. She was getting obnoxious in Christine's opinion, and her pathetic attempts at getting Erik's attention weren't working, much to her relief. He seemed oblivious and uninterested in Chancy, which made Christine happy. That 'child' was trying to show her generous curves and 'accidentally' rubbing her breasts on Erik's arm. Christine felt it was enough and interfered by telling Erik she was done.

They got out of the room and Chancy had them follow her up the stairs, making sure Erik had a nice view of her ass. She looked behind her shoulder to see what affect the view had on Erik. She was shocked and surprised to see it had none. He wasn't even looking at her but at the skinny, older woman. He had even put his arm over hers to guide her on the stairs.

The rooms were beautiful! They had a quaint, Victoriana look with a private bathroom. The fixtures were very modern with an ancient look. It was very nice. Christine looked at the shower longingly; she was beat and dreamed only of resting after cleaning herself. The three rooms were very much alike, only small details differentiated them. After being shown to James and Erik's room, it was now Christine's turn. She smiled at Erik and assured him she'd be all right after a quick shower. He asked her to knock on his door when she was ready as he had another small surprise for her. She tried to prod him but he didn't revealed what it was all about.

She hurried to shower and change, and went to Erik's room.

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Erik went to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. He'd be happy to wash and change too. He suddenly remembered he hadn't brought any more of his covering make-up with him. He was in somewhat of a quandary. He really wanted to clean up but what about his face? Christine hadn't minded but what about the other guests? And what was it with Chancy? What did she want with him? Surely she didn't believe he'd be interested in her. She was much too young for his taste and he had Christine. How any man who found such a treasure could even think to look at any other woman? Unbelievable!

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Christine knocked on Erik's door and he let her inside. He finished combing his hair and Christine admitted to herself it was much better now he didn't have porcupine quills on his head. She smiled at the memory. He was so endearing in his eagerness to please her. She had never met a man willing to put so many efforts just for her. She loved it.

"Well, what's this new surprise, Erik?" She was eager to know. He smiled at her and gave her his hand so they got down the stairs hand in hand. It was nice; she found that she liked Erik's protectiveness. They went to the living room and Christine saw they were alone. It was late, after midnight, and a fire was still lit in the fireplace, illuminating the room with its gentle glow and soft warmth.

On the table in front of the fire there was two hot chocolate cups with small marshmallows on top. Christine laughed at it. It was so cute; it was as if she was living a scene right out of a Christmas movie. She thanked Erik with a kiss on the cheek. He loved the way she thanked him. They sat down in the stuffed chairs in front of the fire and quietly sipped their warm drinks. Christine rose and went to the sofa. "Come sit with me, Erik." She gestured at the place at her side and he complied. Then she snuggled up to him, he sighed and put his arm around her shoulder. Everything was all right in their world.