Erik's POV

"Mr. Erik, look at my top!"

I stumbled down the stairs around dinner time, my stomach aching in a turmoil of agony. Gustave was laying on the floor and playing with his new top. I probably would have gotten down on the floor beside him, if I didn't feel so sick.

"Erik, what's wrong with you?" Christine asked. She was standing at the stove, stirring something in a pot when I came walking in.

"That's why I've been feeling so ill, Christine."

My hands clung to the tin of tea that was sitting on the counter. "Madame Giry came here to threaten me the other day, and when I refused to let her have her own way with things, she gave you some poisoned tea to give me."

"Poison!" Christine gasped. "Erik, do you need to go to the hospital?"

I shook my head and took a seat at the kitchen table. "I don't believe she lethally poisoned it, Christine. Madame Giry has studied me long enough to steal one of my recipes for making someone ill. Basil or some spice probably did the trick… It's tasteless and it doesn't send off any strange odors. Oh, yes, she probably tossed it in with the tea. She wants to see me suffer for the answer I gave her the other day."

I was cut off when I grasped my stomach again.

"I'll be all right," I waved my hand at Christine as she came to my aid. "She just brewed something up to make me ill. It doesn't take much to do that these days. I have a weak immune system as it is."

"I'm making turkey, Erik… For you, perhaps soup would do you better."

"Thank you, Christine. I think I'm going to take it in my room tonight. I don't believe I can sit here a moment longer."

Christine lifted my up by my arm and helped me to the stairs.

"She will pay for ruining my Christmas dinner," I growled as I made my way up the stairs. "I will give her a visit she will never forget."

"Just rest, Erik. I'll bring your soup up later."

For the first time in my life, I had agreed to attend a Christmas dinner, and because of Madame Giry, I had become too sick to do so. After showering, I crawled into my sleep attire and laid in bed. I wasn't sure what time Christine came walking in, but it was late, for the sky was now purple and dark.

"Sorry about the wait, Erik," Christine said, taking a seat at my bedside. "I had to clean up from dinner."

"It's all right," I assured. "I was just resting."

"You're feverish, Erik."

"I'll be all right after I sleep, Christine. You've been feeding me that poisoned tea for days."

"I'm sorry, Erik."

"It's nothing you need to be sorry about. You didn't know, nor did you know about Madame Giry's argument. She wants Meg to be the leading act… I won't have it, and that's that. She didn't like when I threatened her the other day."

Christine, being the angel that she was began to spoon feed the turkey soup to me. Yes, I would have rather eaten mashed potatoes and turkey, but this was going to have to do for the time being.

"That should help your stomach."

"I hope it does, Christine."

When the soup was gone, Christine placed the empty bowl aside and laid down beside me. It was strange having her here next to me, but it made me feel a little better about being ill. From outside, the snow began to fall once again, making light clicks against my frosted window. The sound was soothing and began to lull me to sleep… At least that was until Christine began speaking to me once again.

"I know I haven't told you this in the past few weeks, Erik, but I really do enjoy staying here with you."

"I'm glad you do, Christine."

"I know in the summer I'm going to have a job and money again, but do Gustave and I truly need to move out?"

"You, Christine, can stay as long as you wish. I know my company hasn't been the most comforting these past few weeks, but as long as you feel comfortable here, you can stay."

"I don't find it necessary to move out," Christine said, pressing her head against my chest. "I've never felt more comfortable living somewhere as I do here. Maybe that's because I have you?"

The mere thought of such sweet words sent my heart racing. Oh, it had been so long since I last felt like this.

"Christine," I sat up and reached beneath my bed, pulling out a folder filled with music sheets. "I…I have a present for you."

"Erik, please… You didn't have to do that."

"But I wanted to. I was saving it for something else, but I wanted you to have it now."

I reached inside the folder, pulling out the exact music sheet and handed it to her.

"This is for you…I wrote it a few years ago…"

"Love Never Dies?" she curiously questioned.

But soon, her voice was humming to the lyrics, and oh, how perfect it was.

"This is absolutely beautiful, Erik. The words… They're so sincere…"

"That is what I want you to sing on opening night come spring. We'll work on it, together."

Christine smiled and ran out of the room, coming back a few moments later with a wrapped gift in hand.

"I wasn't going to give this to you tonight, but it doesn't seem right for me to get a gift without giving you one."

"No one has ever gotten me a gift before," I said, tears rushing to my eyes. "No one…No one but you. "

I wiped away my tears and pulled back the paper. Once my hands were around the box, I opened the lid to find a beautiful black scarf sitting inside of it.

"I knitted you one too… I hope this keeps you warm on your outings."

"This scarf is the best present anyone has ever given me..."

Indeed, it was… It was my first scarf. Now I knew how Gustave felt on Christmas morning. Perhaps I hated Christine before, but the moment I laid hands on that scarf, I knew that maybe, just maybe people could change for the better. Perhaps there was hope for Christine and me after all…if only the slightest chance. Whatever the case, this scarf was certainly a start.

After vomiting for nearly three days, my system was finally cleaned out, and only then, did I decide to make a visit to Madame Giry. After wrapping the scarf Christine had made me around my neck, I ventured out into the city, headed towards her apartment. Once I arrived, I knocked on the door and took a step back. When the woman answered, she smiled and invited me in, obviously believing that I had come bearing good news about Meg.

"Erik, how was your Christmas?" Madame Giry asked as she led me towards the family room. I took a seat and proceeded to remove my scarf.

"Well, it could have been better," I growled. "But, we can't all have what we want, now can we?"

Madame Giry took a seat across from me and smiled once again. "So, have you come here to tell me that you looked over Meg's application?"

"I have," I sneered.

"And you're going to give her the leading lady role?"

"Of course not, Madame. How many times do I have to tell you that Christine will be obtaining the leading role? No, I have looked over her application and there are a few positions open at the fudge shop. She could be a cashier if she wanted to."

"Erik, why must you be so cruel? Couldn't you give Meg something else? The fudge shop? Oh, come now, Erik, surely you must be joking…"

"I'm not, Madame. But, of all people, you have a lot of nerve begging me for kindness."

"What are you talking about?"

From out of my coat pocket, I pulled out the tin of tea and slammed it down on the coffee table that was between us. Madame Giry didn't say a word…No, she simply looked up at me with nervous eyes.

"Would you like some tea?" I questioned. "This blend has a wonderful, minty flavor. One that is sure to satisfy your thirst and make you vomit for three blasted days…"

"Erik…"

"Don't speak to me, Madame!"

"I don't know what you're talking about…"

"I think you know damn well what I'm talking about. If not, why don't you brew this tea up and have a cup for yourself?"

I pushed the tin closer to the woman, but she didn't dare take it. I knew that Madame Giry was playing games with me, and I knew that she knew what I was talking about.

"No?" I questioned. "Well then, isn't that funny?"

"Erik, I was angry…"

"And because of your anger, I spent the last three nights with my head in the toilet. No, Madame… You're lucky that I'm even offering Meg a job after that stunt that you pulled. Make up your mind before the spring, otherwise, I won't think twice about skipping right over her. Threaten me in such a way again, Madame, and I won't think twice about snapping your neck...It would probably be like breaking a twig in half..."

With that being said, I stood to my feet and left. I knew that Madame Giry wasn't satisfied with what I had offered as far as a job, but I didn't care. When I arrived home, I hurried up to my room and hung up my jacket and scarf. Afterwards, I took a seat at my desk and began to write. Christine must have noticed that I was home, for she came walking in a few moments later with a bowl of soup and a sandwich.

"It's really cold out there," Christine said, placing the food down beside me. "This will warm you right up."

"Thank you, Christine," I said, taking a bite of the sandwich. "My walk did make me a bit hungry."

"How did Madame Giry take the news?"

"Well, she didn't exactly take it… If anything, I believe I made her more agitated than she already was. I told her that I was willing to give Meg a job as a cashier at the fudge shop, but that didn't seem to suit her."

"You know, Erik," Christine hopped up onto my desk and took a seat while I ate. "I do have another solution."

"That being?"

"Well, if I'm going to be the leading act, you're going to need someone to open each show."

"No," I growled, shaking my head. "No, Christine. I know what you're getting at and I refuse to listen to any of it. It's preposterous… I will not have Meg Giry opening for your shows. She'll run me straight out of business and you know it. People are going to come from miles around to see you, not Meg. Besides, if I let her into my show business, who knows what her mother will come up with next. She'll bully me right into making her the leading act…She might try to break your legs for all we know."

Chrstine giggled. "I don't think she's capable of that, Erik. The woman did raise me…"

"And yet, she poisoned me with some tea. I don't trust her, Christine. I used to trust the woman, but that has sadly changed. So no, I will not be letting Meg join you on stage."

As I continued eating, Christine wrapped her arms around my back and pulled me close to her.

"Please, Erik…" she whined. "Meg and I used to be best friends. You know this. It would really help her out. I want to help her, Erik."

"Then help me help you by allowing the girl to be a cashier. I'll regret it… We both will, Christine. I'm trying to help you the best that I can and by hiring Meg as an opening act will do you no good."

"I'm not going to change my mind…"

"And neither am I… So, enough, Christine."

I finished my soup and slid it towards her. "Here, I'm finished with it. Thank you for lunch…"

"I can make you change your mind, Erik…" Christine assured.

"Oh really?" I curiously questioned.

Christine smiled and pressed her lips against my own. Yes, that kiss did make my heart stir, but I didn't dare agree to her terms.

"Christine, enough," I growled. "Enough… I refuse to let Meg in the show."

"I'll change your mind later," Christine said, taking the empty bowl away.

"We'll see about that."

When the woman left, I rummaged through my drawers and pulled out the documents for my opera house. My opera house was nearly complete, and therefore, I already had plans running through my mind, that plan being to have Christine perform before the spring. Oh, it would be a tease to those paying customers, a chance to come walking through my park and see what will soon become summer. Yes, it was perfect! I would fill the opera house with paying customers and get publicity for my park. If everyone knew what was to come, then surely, the press wouldn't stop talking about it.

"Christine," I walked downstairs with my documents in hand, already smiling over the idea I had stirring within my head. I found her standing in the kitchen washing out the dishes I had eaten out of. I spun the woman around and placed my documents in her hand.

"What's this?" Christine curiously questioned.

"I have the greatest idea, Christine. My opera house is nearly complete, therefore, I think that it is only best that you perform before spring."

"Perform?" she gasped. "Now?"

"In February…" I blurted out. "Um…on St. Valentines Day! Yes, it will be perfect. We could hold a romantic dinner for couples… an outing! Yes, that would be wonderful. And then, you could fill the opera house and sing."

"Sing? And just what would I be singing?" she questioned. "I'm no where even ready to sing."

"Of course you are," I assured. "I will continue training you in the coming weeks and then, you will be ready as you'll ever be."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, Christine. If there is one thing I've learned about parks, and it's publicity. In order for one to obtain fame, one must have publicity. And this show is what will do the trick. Reporters from all around will be there, Christine."

"And what would I be singing?"

"The song I gave to you the other night. Love never dies… It is the perfect song for a perfect night. Please say that you'll agree to this…"

Christine smiled and evil smile, her eyes gazing at me in a way that she's never gazed at me before.

"If I do this, Erik, you have to let Meg perform come summer…"

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Christine?"

When Christine didn't say another word, I knew it was this or nothing.

"All right, but I know I'll somehow regret this."

And then, Christine threw her arms around me and embraced my body with all her might. Somehow that hug made everything worth it…

Enough Fluff? I'm trying to keep Erik in character without boring you all...Haha, Please review! Thank you everyone! The outpouring of reviews has been awesome..