Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Phantom of the Opear

Chapter 16

"Where exactly are we going?" Aubrey asked looking skeptical.

"It's still a surprise." Erik said with a smile on my face. Aubrey looked over at her mother and Jane and they both had smiles on their faces as well.

Lacey walked over to Aubrey and kissed her gently on her face. "You have a good time okay."

Then Jane came up and gave her a hug. "Happy birthday Aubrey, I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Aubrey's jaw was still on the floor as she turned to look at Erik. He was holding the corsage out for her and Aubrey stuck her left wrist out and he placed it on her wrist. Erik held his left arm out and Aubrey wound her right arm through his.

Erik walked her to the door and when they got out Aubrey looked around for his car, but could only see a fancy looking car.

"Erik, where's your car?" Aubrey asked looking around.

"This is my father's car. It's a Bentley." Erik said leading her over to the passenger side of the car.

Once he got in Erik started driving towards town. "Okay, so are you going to keep me in suspense all night?" Aubrey asked. She was almost jumping in her seat.

"Well we are going somewhere I know you will like. Does that help?"

"No! I need to know where were going." Aubrey said.

"Did you know there is a magnificent theater a few towns over?" Erik asked her.

Aubrey was completely thrown by the question. "Umm, no….should I?"

"Well that's where I'm taking you."

"Really! Oh wow Erik, I haven't been to the theater since I was little. What are we going to see?" Aubrey asked excitement filling her voice.

"I'm sure you can guess. Tonight is their last night here. But first we are going to eat."

Aubrey was so excited. There was only one opera that Aubrey dearly wanted to see again, and this was probably it. Phantom of the Opera.

Erik pulled into a very expensive looking restaurant. "Is this where were eating?" Aubrey asked.

"Of course it is. Do you like it?" Erik asked looking serious.

"Yes, it's beautiful, but it looks very expensive, and I don't know how you already bought tickets to an opera, plus getting me this dress, it must have cost you a lot."

Erik had bought the dress she was wearing and had given it to Lacey to keep it for him. He had asked for Aubrey's parent's permission to take her out tonight, and they had agreed, and Lacey was all for a romantic evening out for Aubrey's birthday, her father on the other hand didn't get into the idea as much as her mother.

"You don't need to worry about how much this costs." Erik said firmly. "Don't you remember my great, great, great, great grandfather? He was rich, well that sort of thing gets passed down, and lets just say my family is not lacking in comfort."

Aubrey started playing with her finger nails, something she did when she was nervous. "I'm not sure Erik…"

"Don't worry about it Aubrey, I just want you to have a wonderful time on your birthday." Erik said interrupting her.

Aubrey gave up with a sigh, knowing it wouldn't get her anywhere. She had ordered a simple meal of some kind of noodle dish with a salad. Erik had gotten a steak.

Aubrey was almost giddy for the check to come so she could find out where they were going exactly. Erik flagged the waiter down and he gave Erik a little black leather book with the restaurants logo on it.

He pulled a credit card out of his wallet and placed it in the book and handed it back to him.

"How in the world do you have a credit card?" Aubrey asked.

Erik looked at her with surprise. "Are you telling me you don't have one?"

Aubrey burst out laughing. "I turned 17 today, did you really expect me to have any credit to actually get one?"

"Well I have had this one for a year now. It's an excellent way to earn credit, you know in a year you will be out on your own and need credit to get things. A car, or an apartment, or something like that."

"Oh, well that makes sense." Aubrey said with a small blush. She hadn't even thought about getting any kind of credit at her age, but now that Erik pointed it out so easily, she wondered how she didn't think of it herself.

The waiter came back and Erik signed it and replaced the card back in his wallet. He stood up and walked around to the back of Aubrey's chair and helped her scoot it out and gave her a hand to help herself up.

"You know Erik, I'm not made of lace, and you of anyone should know how hard I can hit." Aubrey said with a small giggle.

Erik nodded his head and whispered in her ear. "But I'm being a gentleman tonight. It's rare, so burn this into your memory."

A chill when through Aubrey's whole body as his lips brushed her ear. She turned around suddenly and placed her lips to his. It was a very quick kiss and she pulled back to look at his face, and it showed surprise.

Aubrey couldn't help but laugh a little.

Erik once again stuck his arm out and Aubrey laced her arm through his. "Erik, this has been a wonderful night so far."

"I hope you're not ready to go home yet, because the fun hasn't even begun to start." Erik said as he helped her into the car.

"Erik, you are going to have to drag me home. I would love to just run away with you and start our lives together right now." Aubrey said then blushed at her words. She usually wasn't so outgoing about their relationship.

Erik's laugh filled the whole car. "I wouldn't say that if I were you, because I know if we really did something like that, you would miss your family terrible. Not that I couldn't take care of you, I have the resources, but I know what's best for you."

Aubrey blushed again. Erik had some relaxing Mozart music on in the background, and Aubrey felt herself becoming more at ease.

After only a few minutes Erik pulled into a short line and got out and let the valet take his car. He waited for his ticket. Aubrey was very impressed at his knowledge of what to do and where to go. If Aubrey had gone to something like this herself, she would have no idea what was going on.

It was very apparent that Erik was used to a high society. "Erik, how do you know so much about all this classy stuff?" Aubrey asked shyly as Erik was leading up steps into a private box.

"Well, my mother has always enjoyed the finer things in life, and I guess she bread them into me. All this comes naturally I guess. Why, are you uncomfortable?"

"No! I love this, you are making me feel like a princess." Aubrey confessed.

"Well good." Erik said as the lights dimmed.

The music started and Aubrey gave a gasp, it was in fact Phantom of the Opera, Aubrey didn't even know they still put on a production of this.

Aubrey watched the whole play with Erik by her side in a private box, which she secretly told herself was box five.

Intermission came and went and at the end Aubrey had cursed herself because tears started streaming down her face. The movie did that to her every time, but seeing it performed right in front of you had more effect.

Aubrey was one of the many to give a standing ovation. After the clapping died out Aubrey sat down and grabbed her purse. She dug out a compact mirror and silently thanked Jane for putting waterproof mascara on her. Nothing was out of place.

She turned to Erik and pressed her mouth to his. "Erik, this was by far the most wonderful birthday I could have ever imagined." Aubrey said as soon as she pulled herself away from him.

A huge grin came to Erik's face. "I know you would love it. Now if you are ready to go, I really need to get you home before you dad thinks that I have indeed run away with you."

Erik lead her to the front of the car and waited patiently for the valet to bring his car around. He gave him a tip and helped her into the car.

Halfway home Erik suddenly pulled into a gas station. "What in the world are you doing Erik?" Aubrey asked with confusion in her voice.

"Well I thought we could get a treat, you deserve some chocolate."

Aubrey looked at Erik for a full minute before bursting out into laughter. "Wow Erik, this is really by far the best date/birthday I have ever been on. What could be better than a Reese cup at the end of the night?"

Erik grinned and got out of the car. He excused himself to go into the restrooms and Aubrey was strolling up the isles to find her a Reese. There were a group of two guys and a girl standing in the isle she went into.

She picked up a king sized candy bar and was looking around for what Erik might want. He ended up getting a plain Hershey's bar.

Erik went to the counter and paid for it. They happily ate their chocolate going down the highway.

When Erik pulled into her driveway she didn't want to get out. This had been a perfect evening and Aubrey didn't want to make it end, and so she told Erik this.

"Aubrey, I will see you at school tomorrow, so don't worry." Erik said brushing her check with the back of his fingers. Aubrey's head tipped towards his fingers.

"Okay, I'll get out, but only because your making me." Aubrey said stubbornly.

"I know." Erik said with a grin on his face.

He leaned in and gave her a deep kiss on the lips, which Aubrey refused to break for several minutes.

Aubrey got out of the car and walked to the front door. She turned to wave at him and he rolled down his window and beckoned for her.

Aubrey went back to his car. He got out and stood in front of her wrapping his arms around her. He placed his forehead against hers.

"I just wanted to tell you something." Erik said softly.

It sounded to Aubrey as if there was something bothering him. His voice seemed to be quivering slightly. This was very out of character for him.

"I wanted to tell you that I love you, and you are the only woman that I want to spend my whole life with. I just thought you should know that."

Tears came to Aubrey's eyes. "I love you too Erik. I'm always going to be there for you."

Erik gave her another kiss and this time let her go into her house without calling her back. Aubrey walked into the front room to tell her mother she was home, her father was asleep in his chair. She told her mother about the evening and told her what an amazing time she had.

Aubrey went upstairs and washed off all the makeup Jane had applied to her. She went to bed thinking that she couldn't be happier if she tried. This really was a perfect day.

Yes there was fluff. I'm not 100% sure if they still put on Phantom of the Opera anywhere, but I thougth what the hell, it's my story so I'm going to do what I want lol! I will tell you that there is going to be some drama soon, I'm not sure if it will be the next chapter or not, but I just wanted to let you guys know that it's coming! Thank you to everyone who reviewed or added my story to their alerts! You readers are the best!!! I had a wonderful time on vacation, and I want to thank everyone for waiting for this update! Oh, and there is a picture of what Aubrey's dress looks like on a link on my home page. I searched for hours trying to find the exact dress I wanted, and couldn't find it, so I ended up drawing it, and I'm not the best artist, but you will at least get a virtual aid!

Desiree'