A/N: Hey everyone! Well I worked on this while I was supposed to be doing my English paper so I hope ya'll appreciate my sacrifice. I thought this would be a perfect Valentine's Day treat. Hope it's sweet enough for you! Happy Valentine's Day!!!

XOXOXOXOXO

Chapter 11

It was now 6:30 and Erik stood before one of the two mirrors he owned. Christine's birthday dinner was at 7, but he was so eager that he had been ready at six. For the past thirty minutes, Erik critiqued his appearance in every way he could. But now he was finished, and he looked upon the final piece: He decided to go with his signature black pants with a button-down black shirt, a light pink tie, and shiny black leather shoes. The tie made him feel strange, but Edna insisted he wear it, because it made him look 'approachable'.

He had to admit, from the neck down he saw a normal, attractive guy, but when he looked himself in the face he had to scoff at his reflection. Shaving didn't help, and neither did the black mask in replace of his white. There was no way for him to blend in.

Realizing he still had thirty minutes, Erik sat on his bed to fill the time… that included a little spying.

He realized this was no way to behave, peeping on Christine, but he could never stop himself. And there wasn't much harm; she always changed in her closet or in her bathroom when the shades were closed. Although, he did catch a glimpse at her underwear every once in a while…

At the moment she was fixing her hair in the bathroom. She had been in there for almost an hour! How long did it take a woman to fix her hair? He watched her apply serum to her palm and rub her hands together, and then she smoothed it over her locks. Next came the blow dryer. Never growing up with a female figure around, he never really understood how they worked. I mean, he understood the science of heated air blowing the hair dry, but how did women get their hair to look so shiny? When he thought she was done, Christine took out heat rollers and plugged them into the wall. Her hair looks fine! What is she doing now?! Erik was becoming impatient.

She then went to her closet and came out in the white dress she tried on earlier. But something wasn't right. Christine zipped her zipper with perfect ease…

Oh, God! She didn't need my help in the dressing rooms! What was she trying to do, torture me? If I weren't so God damned in love with you, Christine, I would reprimand you for killing me so.

He was still in shock after his realization. Did she return his feelings? Was she sending signals? Erik was so romantically confused he almost tore his hair out.

Deciding it was best to not watch her anymore, he went downstairs to do something else. He strode into his office and thought drawing would be therapeutically calming, and it was at first, until he realized he was drawing Christine in her unzipped dress.

"Damn it all to hell!" he grunted in frustration.

Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong.

Caesar yelped at the clock as it struck seven and Erik knew he had to leave. He would just have to suck it up…

XOXOXOXOXO

Christine checked herself over for the umpteenth time and she finally concluded that she looked presentable.

She had on her white dress from this morning, white sandals, and silver earrings. Her hair was straightened out with a lot of body and her makeup was light. Yup, she looked presentable.

All of her close relatives were already downstairs waiting to eat. Aunt Susan, her dad's sister, came with her boyfriend of the week, another one of those swinger types with yellow teeth. She brought her daughter, Olivia as well. Now, Christine and Olivia used to be inseparable as children. When Christine came into the world six months after Olivia, they became best friends, but high school changes everything.

It was freshman year when Olivia grew up, physically. Christine was told she was a late bloomer. Her cousin, however, soaked all the benefits of being 'well endowed' and she found ways to attract attention. Once, Christine had even developed a crush that was stolen by Olivia when she seduced him into her scandalous arms. They never got along after that and boys were sore subjects, but it helped that she lived thirty minutes away now.

Grammy Holly and Gramps Joe were also coming. They were her mother's parents, and they were the most loving people in the world, contrast to her dad's parents. Grandmother Katherine and Grandfather Nigel had always been cold toward her and she never knew why. But she didn't care, as long as she had Grammy and Gramps.

Taking one last look, Christine finalized her readiness and ran down the stairs.

"Christine! Come hear, my little adult!" Grammy had her arms stretched out in the living room with Gramps gleaming behind her.

"Grammy! Gramps!" she fled into their waiting arms kissing them soundly on the cheeks.

"I'm so glad you could come!" Christine squealed.

"What? And miss our grandchild's eighteenth birthday? Inconsiderable!" Gramps burst with humor. Christine just smiled her ear-to-ear smile and hugged them again.

"Hello, Christine," came a voice from behind.

"Hello, Grandmother. Grandfather." She treated them with the same coldness they treated her with. Surprisingly, no one was offended but Christine.

"Happy Birthday," they said in unison. Grammy and Gramps were trying to hold in their laughter behind her.

"O-M-G, Christine! You finally filled out!" screeched a girl with bleach blond, board straight hair.

"Hi, Olivia. How are you?" asked Christine with a face full of embarrassment.

"I'm great! Happy birthday!" Olivia said as she attacked Christine with one of her fake hugs. She had to admit, she could be one hell of an actress if she had the attention span to memorize lines.

Ding dong

"That must be the Crains!" exclaimed George.

"The WHO?" Christine practically hissed.

"You know the Crains, Christine. Stop being ridiculous."

Regretfully, it was the Crains, all three of them. Mr. Crain aka, Bob, stood tall and strapping just like his son, and his wife, Janet, stood up straight to accent her new silicon implants surrounded by her platinum blond hair. Christine always got a kick out of seeing her; she looked a lot like Olivia.

"Hey, Darlin'! Happy Birthday!" cheered Mrs. Crain. Christine liked it so much more when Edna called her by that name.

"Hello, Mrs. Crain." She responded with her painted smile.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Janet!" Oh, God.

"Hi, Christine." Ralf walked up to her looking extremely hopeful.

"And who are you, cutie!" Olivia asked sauntering up to the pair.

"Ralf." He was still looking at Christine. Feeling rejected, Olivia left and walked somewhere near the front door to talk to her mother.

Ding dong.

"Good, something to do," growled Olivia under her breath.

At the same time, Christine's heart dropped and her eyes darted toward the door.

Then, Olivia trailed to open it.

XOXOXOXOXO

Erik was almost sweating through his shirt. He had to calm down.

He pressed the button to his ruin.

"Who are you, and are you single?" purred a petite, bronzed blond. Erik noticed her suggestive manner as she leaned against the doorframe with eyelashes batting and chest heaving. He had to admit she would be considered sexy to most men, but to him, she looked like one of the playgirls desperate for attention. It was not attractive.

"I'm Erik. I was invited," he responded politely trying to look over her shoulder.

"Well, Erik," her attempts to make his name sound seductive only made him cringe with disgust, "I'm Olivia and you never answered my question. By the way, the mask is hot."

"Umm," he studdered not really knowing how to respond to such forward action. "May I come in? I'm already late."

"ERIK!" yelped a cheerful voice from inside.

Behind Olivia came a bounding figure in his direction. She ran so fast the only way Erik could tell it was Christine was the brilliant white dress in contrast to Olivia's blood red. However, his thoughts were interrupted as a body crashed against his and he had to wrap his arms around her to steady them.

"Oh, Erik! I'm so happy you're here!" She whispered in his neck, making him shiver in delight.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Christine," he replied with a stupid grin on his face.

As they broke apart, Christine looked at Olivia and saw the pure look of jealousy in her blue eyes. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her cousin.

"Christine, please, introduce us to this masked man you are apparently so fond of," Grandmother sneered from behind them. At a way to make me look like a slut, Grandmother, thought Christine.

"Grandmother, Grandfather, this is Erik, my voice coach," she responded in a monotone voice with a frown on her face. Erik boiled at the reaction her so-called family was giving her. They are obviously not worthy to celebrate with her! I already hate them.

"Erik, these are my dad's parents, Nigel and Katherine. And you've met my cousin, Olivia."

"It's a pleasure." Erik only meant to be polite, but whenever he said the word pleasure in that British accent, Christine couldn't help but feel jealous at whom he was talking to.

"And this is my Aunt Susan and… I'm sorry I don't think even we've met."
She was referring to the creepy looking man standing next to her aunt.

"Frank."

"Well, Erik, this is Susan and Frank."

"Erik Desmond," he replied with a nod. All of the introduced were starring intently at Erik's mask and he couldn't help but feel exposed. However, the stares were directed to behind him.

"What about us? Are we just chopped liver sitting to rot?!"

"Oh, Erik, these are my other grandparents," Christine beamed," Grammy and Gramps!" By the bright grin on Christine's face, Erik felt an immediate connection to the two.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Erik Desmond." He reached his hand out to Gramps to shake but Grammy swatted it away and they both gave him a big bear hug. Christine was silently giggling at the discomfort in his eyes. When they finally let him go, he saw her snickering and he gave her a fake death glare. They were beginning to be comfortable with each other again.

"I'm Holly and this is my husband, Joe." They were linked arm-in-arm, and Erik felt the raw love they radiated. It was something you didn't see that often with couples their age. In fact, Katherine and Nigel seemed the complete opposite with their coldness. He was also relieved they looked beyond the mask and at Erik Desmond instead.

"Erik, you've met Bob and Ralf," George exclaimed.

Why the hell is he here, Erik said to himself as he glared at Ralf. He only glared back at Erik with the same hatred.

"How's it going, Buddy?" Bob cheered as he shook Erik's arm. "This is my wife, Janet."

He looked to the right of Bob and saw a life-size version of Malibu Barbie. Dear, Lord, what is the cosmetics world coming to?!

"Nice to meet you," he said for the billionth time.

"You can call me Jan," she replied with the same look in her eyes as Olivia had earlier. So much for the sanctity of marriage.

After she left to talk to someone else, he leaned down to whisper in Christine's ear. "My, God, what a strange woman." Christine smiled radiantly and took his offering arm as they headed into the dinning room for the meal.

Erik was seated in between Christine and Holly and across from Olivia and Ralf. Occasionally he'd feel Olivia's foot creep toward his own. She never succeeded, however, because Christine's foot always blocked her from her goal. Of course, Christine had no clue Erik knew, but Erik loved the fact she was trying to keep Olivia away from him.

On the lighter side of things, Holly told everyone stories of Christine's childhood while she blushed bright red.

"One time, during 4th of July, little Christine got so thirsty on the hay ride that Joe and I just had to give her some of the ice from our margarita's. Well, we didn't know they still had alcohol left on them. Anywho, by the time we got off, she was drunk off her cute little bottom and he mother didn't let us baby-sit until we could prove our responsibility. She was only four then, right, Joe?" At this time almost everyone was crying with tears of joy except for Olivia, Katherine, and Nigel. They were always sour.

"Let's open presents!" Olivia figured if Christine was distracted with gifts, then Erik would be free from her protective foot.

"Umm, alright."
"Eww! Open ours first!" Holly shoved a pink bag at Christine and shone with glee.

Christine was careful to unwrap it always feeling bad about ripping up the appearance. Then, she pulled out a photo album.

"Oh my God." It was all she could say. Erik noticed that tears were forming and he wondered what had hurt her so.

"I can't have this," she said as she tried to hand it back.

"Christine, you are an adult now, and Gramps and I have had that thing for ages. It's your turn to have it and fill it up with your own memories."

Erik took a closer look and realized it was an album of her mother and her as children. This gift must have meant everything to her.

"Thank, ya'll so much," she said through her tears.

Erik couldn't help but feel awkward so he patted her back for comfort.

"Here is ours," said Nigel. It was a $200 gift certificate to the mall, but Erik could tell it was meaningless compared to her first gift.

All of the sudden there was a foot stroking his calf. Shit.

Erik didn't want to be rude, but Olivia's brash behavior was pissing him off. He tried to push her away but she didn't get the message. Finally, Christine sensed what was going on by Erik's jerking movements and his frown. She caught Olivia's eye, and she gave a look so menacing even Erik felt chills.

"Remind me never to cross you, Christine," he whispered in her ear.
"What do you mean?" She was truly unaware of her power.

"I don't ever wish to be on the receiving end of that glare"

"Oh, well she was bothering you." Her face was now red with embarrassment.

"I'm glad you did it," he reassured, earning him a bright smile.

The presents went on: the Crains got her an Audrey Hepburn DVD collection, and Olivia and Aunt Susan got her a day at the spa. Now it was his turn.

Hands shaking and heart pounding, Erik pulled the little blue box out of his pocket and handed it to Christine, "Happy birthday, Christine." She starred in awe at the Tiffany's logo and slowly began to open it.

Inside was the most beautiful locket she had ever seen. It was a white gold oval about the size of a quarter with a design of a rose on the front. When she opened it, however, she was met with the real surprise. 'To My Angel of Music' was engraved on the left side. She did not read it allowed, but looked at Erik with gleaming eyes. He felt his heart stop at the sight.

"Do you like it?" he asked dumbly.

"Of course I do! Thank you so much!" She then wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He was lost in the moment and took his time smelling her hair. But the ten seconds in Heaven ended when a voice cleared. Ralf was glaring daggers at Erik and all he could do in response was smile triumphantly.

"Well, I think it's time for the cake," George announced.

XOXOXOXOXO

It was 9:00 and everyone was reclined in the living room, stuffed and sated with food for the evening. Holly and Joe had fallen asleep on each other, and everyone else was watching Jeopardy. George, Janet, and Bob got really into it, but Olivia and Ralf were sulking on the couch. They were both so angry that they didn't even think to distract themselves with each other's company. The reason for all of their tension was Christine and Erik. They had become jaded and went into the kitchen to find something to do.

"I think I just might die of boredom," sighed Christine.
"I couldn't agree more with that statement." He grinned at the humor.

"I have an idea!" she squealed with excitement.

"And what is this ingenious idea, my dear?"

"Let's go sing!"

"Do you have a piano?"

"No, I meant at your place. All the people worthy enough to hear us sing our music are asleep." She said OUR music!

"Oh, ok, let's go then," he said as he walked toward the kitchen door.

"Not that way." He looked at her in confusion. "Let's go the back way."

"Why?" She had strange ideas sometimes.

"Because I need to do something exciting for my eighteenth birthday."

I can think of at least ten far more exciting things to do in my house alone.

Erik, being the gentleman, helped her climb to the top, climbed all the way over himself, and caught her on the other side. She hesitated in his embrace fighting a battle in her head before he let her down.

"Well then, let's go inside, shall we?"

XOXOXOXOXO

It was 9:30. Two minutes until Christine officially turned eighteen. And she was in Erik's house, with only Erik.

They had been singing for quite sometime, and they were both ecstatic. First, Erik insisted on singing Happy Birthday to her, and she replied with some sort of thank you song from kindergarten. Erik loved the way she sang, and her voice combined with the sight of the locket on her neck made his heart soar. Now, they just sat there on the bench thinking of what to do when Christine noticed the time.

Surprising Erik, she jumped from the piano bench and watched the second hand of her watch tick to the sound of a saltshaker.

"1 minute and 30 seconds until I am officially 18!" she squealed excitedly.

Erik stood up as well and strode over to her. "Think of all the things you could do."

"I can vote!'

"You can buy a lottery ticket!"
"I can buy stuff off the TV!"

"Now that's a waste," he laughed.

"No it isn't," she argued.

"You can buy cigarettes! Not that you should though, it's disgusting."

"One minute!"

"You can live on your own."

"No curfew!"

"But you would never scare your father would you?"

"Of course not!" She looked at her watch. "Ten seconds!"

"You can date anyone you want."

"I can be with you."

What did she say? All he could do was stare.

Christine looked at her watch for the last time. "I'm legal."

That was all the permission Erik needed. Without a moments hesitation he lunged at Christine, pushing her against the wall while crashing his mouth to hers. Surprisingly, she returned the kiss with as much passion as she grabbed his hair in her hands and ripping off his mask. Erik could care less about the mask and even found it better with it off. His hands were on her face and neck as he kissed her for the first time, releasing all of his anger, confusion, sorrow, and love. He was free.

Coming up for air, they made eye contact, heaving with stolen breath. The look was intense and Erik did everything not to make a fool of himself. Before Christine could say anything, Erik leaned forward again to kiss her again. This time, it was slow and gentle, full of raw emotion. He still had doubts and knew there was a chance she believed it a mistake, so he took the kiss and memorized every movement, every sound of her sigh. If he could only remember one thing of Christine, it would be her kiss.

She felt the grief and pain in this kiss, almost as if he was saying goodbye. She had to reassure him.

"Erik," she said breaking away from his delicious lips, "I'm not going anywhere."

His eyes welled up and his head bowed as she stroked his mangled face in his hands. She took his hand and led him to the couch letting him sit down first and she claimed her seat in his lap. Feeling his arms wrap around her waist, she led his mass of hair to her shoulder. Streaming tears found their ways down her chest and she couldn't help but smile at the sensation, but was quickly reminded that he was crying.

"Oh, Erik, how I've waited for this."
"For what? To watch me bloody cry?" he scoffed sarcastically.

"No, Erik, to kiss you and hold you. To take your pain away." He looked up then, and Christine had never seen more beautiful tears.

"You're beautiful to me, and I can't let you go," she repeated.

"I'll never understand why." He said it with the grin she missed. It shined through his evidence of mourning.

As if he were a starved man, he took her lips again to quench his thirst, and Christine was more than happy to oblige.

XOXOXOXOXO

A/N: I hoped ya'll liked it. Read AND review. Happy Valentine's Day!!