A/N: Hey, ya'll! I'm really working hard on trying to update as soon as possible, so hopefully this is fast enough. Also, it's my birthday on Tuesday, so your review would be the perfect birthday present! Thank you all for reading and please review! I'm going to start replying to every review as well! Thank you! Love you!

Chapter 10

Today, she would turn eighteen at exactly 9:32 p.m. Eastern standard time. 15 hours and two minutes, she thought to herself glancing at her beeping alarm clock. Suddenly, a huge tray stacked with Belgium waffles topped with ice cream, hot fudge, and strawberries entered her room with her father singing behind it:

Happy Birthday to youuuu!

Happy Birthday to youuuu!

Happy Birthday to Christiiiiine!

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuu!!!!!!

He should stick to the violin, she mused.

"Thanks, Dad!" she squeaked as he put the tray down in front of her. Ever since she was old enough to eat it, her parents made her waffles and ice cream for her on every holiday, including her birthday, and sometimes when she was feeling depressed. Even after her mom left them, her dad stayed strong and kept on the tradition. Christine would forever love him for the man he was.

"So, Sweetie, I know you usually go to your workshop in the morning, but today, we're going to the mall and you can pick out anything for your eighteenth birthday. I only ask that it be under the reasonable price rage," he added with an amused smirk.

"Wow, thanks, Dad! I'll make sure I keep it under 2 million, don't worry," she cooed.

"I swear, you will be the death of me."

Where the bleeding hell is she?!

Erik had been sitting in his car for the past hour waiting for Christine to emerge from his house. First of all, he needed to apologize for his behavior. After that, he would wish her a happy birthday, but she was nowhere to be seen. Her father's car was gone, but Christine's remained in the front driveway.

Just then, his lap began to vibrate.

"What is it?" he snapped into the phone.

"Erik! Where the hell have you been?! It's already 8; we've all been here for well over an hour!" Rick's bantering irritated Erik a little more.

"I haven't seen her today."

"Seen who?" Rick asked in annoyance.

"Christine, I haven't seen her out of the house today."

"Well isn't it her birthday? She's probably sleeping in or her dad took her out to celebrate," Rick offered.

"People do that?" Erik had always had a birth date, but never a birthday. His parents would send him money and a card. They always read, "Happy Birthday, from Mother and Father." Such formalities.

"Yes, Erik, normal people celebrate birthdays. Remember when it was your birthday and we sent you that stripper?" Rick couldn't help but laugh over the phone. The look on his face when Erik saw the skimpy nurse walk into his office was one of utter horror.

"That wasn't celebrating! That was torment!" Erik barked back. It was truly the worst birth date he had ever had.

Rick couldn't stop laughing, and he managed to continue through his tears. "And then you told her she was a whore and she slapped you!" The story got better every year. "Anyway, come to the office already, you can see Christine at her birthday dinner."

"Alright," Erik groaned into the phone. Now he felt like a total fool watching an empty house for over an hour. Damn, you my sweet flower! What odd things you make me do!

Once he was finally at the office, Megan instantly harassed him.

"What are you doing here?! You need to go pick up the present! And you need a new tie, all of yours are so boring!" She directly put on her jacket and got her purse. "Edna! You coming?!"

"Oh, yes! Don't forget me!" Edna's short and stout form came waddling toward the stunned Erik and Megan.

"What is going on?" he asked cautiously.

"We're taking you to the mall, duh!" retorted Megan as if he had just said complete rubbish.

"Why the hell are we going to the mall?" He hated malls!

"Oh, Erik, you didn't think we would let you get ready for tonight all by yourself did you?" Edna smiled sweetly.

"Oh, dear Lord, have mercy on my poor soul…" The mall would swallow him whole

After Megan, Edna, and Erik picked up Christine's present, they dragged him into Ralf Lauren (A/N: favorite store!) mercilessly dressing him like a Ken doll.

"Oh, Darlin'! This is just adorable on you!"
"Edna, it's two sizes too small. I can hardly move," Erik grumbled.

"I believe that's the idea, Baby," sneered a Botox injected woman lustfully while shopping near him. Gross, he thought. Am I really only capable of attracting dried up prunes?!

When he couldn't hear his female companions, he looked around the store to find them unable to resist shopping for themselves. Yes! My escape!

As quickly as possible, he changed back into his normal clothes and purchased the clothes he actually found attractive: a navy blue blazer, kaki pants, a sky blue collared shirt, and a pink tie. When he tried the clothes on, the light colors shocked him, but he had to admit that it suited him.

He was about to leave the perimeter of the store when he saw a familiar pair...

Christine and her father had spent the majority of the morning at the Apple store trying to decide what kind of laptop was best for her at college. Around noon, they finally decided the Mac Book Pro was the way to go. Christine thanked him endlessly with hugs and kisses; she wasn't even embarrassed to do it in public.

"Hey, Sweetheart, I'm going to go look at some of the new HD TVs. Here's some cash; buy a birthday suit on me."

"Dad, that's not the legitimate use of the word," Christine said through her giggles.

"Well, whatever, just buy yourself something for tonight." He smiled so lovingly at his daughter.

"Thanks again, Dad." She was blazing through Anthropology before she could even finish her sentence.

Everything in the store was beautiful. The majority of the girls at her school would find these clothes to be too vintage in appearance, preferring their torn jeans and plunging necklines. No, Christine preferred the sophisticated elegance of the Anthropology. She was just about to check the sizes of a stunning sundress when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Hi, sorry to bother you," Christine looked up to find a handsome boy around her age talking to her, "but I was wondering if you could help me. You see, It's my mom's birthday and I have no idea what to get her."

"Oh, well, umm, what's she like?" She really didn't know how to handle a situation like this.

"You see that's the problem," he said with a smirk, "I couldn't think of anything past the excuse of my mom's birthday. You're hot."

"Excuse me?" Christine really didn't like looked upon as a piece of meat.

"I've been following you since the Apple Store and I couldn't think of a way to approach you. I heard it was your birthday today." He was really starting to creep her out. Where was help when she needed it?

Regretfully, Erik had just witnessed the entire scene play out. From the time George left Christine alone, he saw the boy stalking her. Only I'm allowed to do that, you imbecile! Then Erik did what he did best: eavesdrop. Of course he made sure he was well hidden behind the racks, but it wasn't that hard to hide from a teenage girl distracted by clothes; she didn't even notice the 'horndog' standing directly behind her. You're going to get yourself into danger one day, my love.

Then the boy dared to harass his flower with crude displays of lust and abnormal behavior. At the knowledge that this fop knew her birthday made him boil, and he couldn't take it any longer. He didn't need another Ralf on his hands.

"Christine, Honey! There you are!" Christine's face was priceless. The last person she expected to see at the mall was Erik, especially after what happened two nights ago. When she saw him wink at her, she knew to play along.

"Oh, Erik! I missed you!" She jumped into his arms and kissed his exposed cheek before wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her head upon his chest. I wish this were real. She feels like Heaven in my arms.

"Who is this, my love?" Christine couldn't help but giggle at his excellent acting skills, yet swoon as he called her his love.

"Oh, how rude of me, I didn't get your name…" she said facing the boy.

"Chuck." Erik prided himself in the look of absolute intimidating drawn across his face. Being so tall had its advantages (A/N:-D).

"Nice to meet you, Chuck. Did you need something from my girlfriend?" Christine could have died a happy woman at those last two words.

Erik listened intently and thought he heard the guy say, "Her number," but he mumbled too softly to tell.

"No? Well, alright," he said to Chuck. Then he turned to Christine, "Darling, did you find a dress?" He saw the sundress in her hands and knew it would look beautiful on her.

"Yeah, I was just about to try it on. Want to join me?" Erik knew this was all an act to get Chuck to leave, but he couldn't help but react to the words that came out of her mouth. I don't think there is anything more pleasing in life than to join you in a dressing room.

"If you would kindly excuse us, Chuck, we need to buy a dress," he said with a cheeky smile.

Humiliated and dejected, Chuck walked out of the store trying to hide his burning face.

"Oh, Erik! You're my hero!" Christine laughed up at him still holding his waist in her arms and his still around her shoulders. It was paradise at the mall.

"I never thought I would hear those words in a reality setting," he joked back.

"No, seriously, that guy was harassing me! If you hadn't shown up, I don't know what would have happened."

"I'm glad to be of service."

They both stood there, still holding each other. After a few moments of silence, they blushed and separated losing the magic along with it.

"Well, I should let you carry on with your shopping then," Erik said before turning. "See you tonight."

"Erik, wait!" she shouted.

As much as he cared for Christine, he couldn't face her right now. Things were unresolved and he still didn't know how he should react to her acceptance of his face.

"Christine, I'm not sure if it's right that I – "

"I need an opinion," she said, cutting him short.

"I'm sorry?" He had no idea what she meant.

"On the dress, I don't know how it will look. I need a second opinion on it."

I believe she was serious about the dressing room.

"I don't think that's a good idea – "

"Come on, Erik. I need a better opinion than my 45 year old father." She had a point but he knew he would make a fool out of himself.

"Alright, but just because you asked so nicely," he teased.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cheered.

She quickly took his hand and led her to the dressing rooms. There was a couch facing one of them and she sat him down.

"Don't move," she commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," he chuckled.

When she walked into the dressing room, he could still see her feet and calves, but it never occurred to him how scandalous it was.

"So how's Caesar?" she casually asked from the other side.

Erik was about to open his mouth when he saw her pants drop. Oh, God, she's pants less. After no response, she asked if he was still there.

"He's doing fine," he cracked. Why the hell did I agree to this? Then he saw her shirt drop as well. It took every ounce of will power not to tear open that door and see her free of clothes. Cross your legs, you flipping wanker!

He almost yelped, when he saw another piece fall to the ground. Apparently, she didn't need a bra for this dress.

"Oh crap!" she cursed from inside.

"What is it?" Erik asked with a certain strain to his voice.

"I can't get the zipper zipped all the way."

Please let me do it!

As if she read his mind, Christine opened the door and stood directly in front of his sitting form. "Do you mind?"

"No, not at all!" he said a little too quickly than intended. He stood and moved her to face away from him. Please don't notice my pants, please don't notice my pants…

From his vantage point, he could see down the unzipped dress to reveal her underwear-laced backside. Erik groaned and slowly zipped the dress, letting his fingers skim the smooth skin of her back. She shivered at the feeling.

"Thanks," she said sheepishly. "What do you think?"

I think I want you alone.

He took a moment to close his eyes and calm down, but when he saw the final work, his breath caught in his throat. She looked absolutely beautiful. The dress was a flawless white, fitted around the torso with spaghetti straps, and it branched out at the waist down to the top of her knees. The color made her skin glow and the style accented her perfectly.

"You're beautiful," he managed to exhale.

"You don't think it's too much?" she asked, too intent on critiquing her image in the mirror to hear his compliment.

"Not at all." He needed to sit down. "You look like an angel."

"Thank you, Erik," she beamed at him.

"Okay, well, I think this is the dress, so I'm going to change real quick and then we can leave."

Just as before, Erik watched her legs move with grace as she changes, and just as before he struggled to keep himself under control. She was addicting.

Christine used the money her dad gave her and saw him in the electronic store staring in awe at the game in high definition. What would she do with her father and his obsession with football?

Making sure Erik was still following her, she caught up with George, having to pull on his arm to get his attention.

"Dad, look what I picked up at Anthropology," she said looking back at Erik. He blushed a little and gave Christine's father a "Hey George."

"Erik! So good to see you! What brings you to the mall?"

"Well, George, I'd tell you, but your daughter is standing in our presence so I can't give anything away," he said with a smirk, tormenting Christine.

"Come on! You can't be serious!" she retorted.

"Why, Christine, you are most impatient," he said grinning this time.

"I can help it; it's my eighteenth birthday! I'm sure you were the same way."

"Can't argue there." When Erik had turned eighteen, he used his money he had been saving up since childhood, and bought an apartment in the city. It had been his plan for a long time, and his parents couldn't have been happier than to see him off.

"GEORGE!" All three of their heads snapped back to see the owner of such a robust voice.

It was Mr. Crain, with Ralf in toll.

Oh, please, please, please, nooooo!!!!! Christine and Erik thought in unison.

"Hi, Christine," Ralf said sweetly without acknowledging Erik.

"Hi, Ralf. You remember Erik right?" she asked looping her arms through his right. Erik was shocked to see she was doing this in front of her father, but he figured George was more focused on the discussion of last night's game with Mr. Crain.

"Right. You're the music teacher next door," Ralf said. Then when Christine's head was turned, he whispered to Erik, "So have you made her sing your name, or does she just scream it?"

You little FUCKER!!!!!!

If Christine hadn't been there, Ralf face would have been turned inside out.

"Erik! There you are!" Christ! Does the whole gang lot to be here?!

They all turned to see Megan and Edna with arms full of shopping bags.

"Edna! Megan! What are ya'll doing here?" Christine asked with a face full of surprised delight.

"Oh, we were just here shopping," Megan tried to cover up. They didn't want to embarrass him by telling everyone they were helping pick an outfit out.

"We ran into Erik earlier and we lost him moments ago. I'm assuming he saw Christine," Edna followed up.

"Well, this is just wonderful coincidence, isn't it," piped George. "I must say, Christine's birthday has always been lucky. Remember, Sweetie, during your sweet sixteen dinner I got a promotion call?"

"I'm sure her eighteenth still has lovely surprises waiting for her," Ralf said with a suggestive, sexual undertone only Erik picked up on.

I swear if you touch one single hair on her body, I'll rip you to shreds!

Soon, due to the lack of familiarity between all of the parties, silence filled the perimeter.

"Well, Erik I believe we better get back to the office before Jon and Rick throw tantrums," Edna piped trying to eliminate the awkwardness.

Erik, however, did not look grateful whatsoever. If I leave before that wanker, then my beautiful Christine will be left alone with him!!!! But he finally saw the logic in their leaving and gave Ralf a death glare before turning to the Darlys.

"Well, I will see you both tonight, I assume," he said with a polite smile. "Thank you again for the invitation."

"No problem," was all Christine could muster. She, too, was fuming inside at the prospect of isolation with Ralf and his dad. She would also hate his absence. Whenever they were apart, she counted down the hours until their next meeting.

Erik's pain over the matter of absence was just as bad, if not worse, than Christine's. Even before he would leave, his heart sank just at the idea of her leave. He knew he had to do it, though, for the sake of his sanity.

Painfully, he walked off with the waving women.

"See you later, Deary!" yelled Edna.

"Edna, not so loud! Do you want the entire city to hear you?" Erik snapped.

"I'm sorry, but I just love her so much!"

As do I, as do I.

Erik had never been in love before, but now he knew why everyone was so obsessed with it. Every time he saw Christine's face, her figure, or even someone on the street that resembled her in some way, his heart stopped. If it decided to start beating again, it would race a thousand beats per minute. He couldn't sleep without looking out his window to see she was peacefully in slumber. It was safe to say he was desperately head over heals in love with the girl, and he didn't know what to do about it. Hopefully, something would give him some sort of sign soon. Maybe something would happen at the party. Whatever happened tonight, Erik had a feeling it was going to be big.

A/N: Again, it's my birthday on Tuesday and reviews would be the best present! I'll make sure to reply as well! Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! The next one's gonna be 1000X better! Read and review!

Erik: I didn't know it was your birthday…

Me: Well, yeah, it is. I turn 17 on Tuesday.

Erik: Oh…

Me: waits expectantly

Erik: Well, happy birthday, I guess.

Me: Thanks, Erik. Sarcasm

Erik: No problem…

Christine: READ AND REVIEW!!!!!