Christine woke before the sun had risen, Erik had his arms wrapped around her. The warmth of his skin against hers was one of the best feelings. She felt safe and warm. His breathing was slow, which ment he was still asleep. She turned to look at him, kissing his forehead.

   "Merry Christmas Erik." She whispered.

"Joyous Noel Mon Amour." He mumbled against Christine's neck. She smiled moving to get up. "Where Christine, do you think your going?", He said fully awake.

  She smiled, "To get everything ready. For Christmas?"

"One more hour. Please."

  "Why? I'm not tired."

"Who said we were sleeping?" Erik said wickedly.

  Christine shook her head as she walked back to him. "One hour, no more than that."

  "Hmmm." He said kissing her neck and jaw-line.  She pulled away from him.

"Are you listening to me?" "Sorry Dear I find you quite distracting." He kissed her before she could reply. She rolled her eyes giving in to her pushy, for all the right reasons husband.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melody had woken when dawn came through the window. No one was up yet. She had decided to go for a walk. She grabbed her cloak and dagger leaving a note to her parents that she would be back. The wind was cold and crisp. Each time she stepped the snow went crunch. Overall, besides the birds, it was a quiet day.

  "Hey pretty lady. Come here." A sluggish voice said. Melody sped up her pace. The man grabbed her from behind. He smelled of alcohol, and vomit. Melody gagged as he got closer.

"I'll make it worth your while."

"Sir let me go." She said firm. His arms constricted around her. Melody began to struggle. The man then let go for some reason leaving quickly.

She turned around seeing a very familiar face.

"Monsieur Marcus?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Thank you. Please don't say-"

"I know who you are, your secret is safe."

"Marcus, are you all alone?"

"Yes. Why?" "Would you join me for Christmas. If you would like.

" it'll would be my pleasure." Marcus held out his arm. Melody grinned holding on to it.

"How did you know who I was?"

Marcus smiled sheepishly." I've kinda been watching out for you. You are the infamous phantomess."

"If you do say anything I may be forced to take action against you."

"I promise." He laughed.

"There is one more thing."

"What?" "My father, is the infamous phantom of the opera..." He looked at her eyes questioning him.

"Okay, well umm. I'm silent ok"

"Good because here we are." 

"Will they care I'm here?" "No, thanks for coming. My mother Christine is a great chef." She grinned at him as they walked through the door. 

"Who is this?" Christine asked as they walked in.

"Would you excuse me for a minute." Melody said to Marcus.

"Of course." He said his green eyes looking into hers. Christine pulled Melody into the kitchen.

"Mama, this is Marcus."

Christine arched her eyebrow, "And."

"He sorta saved my life, long story short, he is all alone, so I decided he needed someone to spend the holidays with us."

"Does he-" Of course I told him everything, and then threatened his life."

"Okay, I'll tell your father, oh goodness Melody."

Christine saw the look in her eyes, she really liked this Marcus. And Christine could see why, he was handsome with his brown curly hair, his dark ember green eyes, chiseled face and height. Christine just had to break it to Erik.

"Honey we have a guest today for Christmas."

He continued to look at his paper, "Yes honey,... What?"

Christine smirked, "Pays to listen Erik. Anyway Melody has a guest-"

"Honey, that's dangerous. I just. Ohh." He sighed. Christine walked over to him, she sat on his lap, putting her hands on his face.

"Erik honey, she is almost an adult, trust her, for me." She leaned into kiss him, but he put a finger to her lips.

"I trust her, just not him." He then kissed her. She smiled against of his lips.

"Come on time to eat." She kissed his cheek running down the hall. He was so grateful for his wife. He chuckled to himself. Pushing in his chair, he walked down the hall. Marcus and Melody were seated with Madem Giry and Meg, Christine was serving turkey, mash potatoes, the whole thing! Christine smiled, seeing Erik at his seat.  He was at the head of the table.

  He was looking at Marcus and Melody contently. She served his food. Christine finally sat down at the table.

"Now it is time for us to say what we are thankful for." Madem Giry announced. She went first. "I am s'thankful for Meg and my new family."

Christine went next, " A time ago a small baby was born to me, Her name is Melody." Christine teared up."Though she was gone ten years I am thankful for her now, and my love Erik Desslar."

She turned to Meg. "You next."

"I am thankful for my job in my mother's footsteps, she is an extraordinary woman. I am thankful for my best friend and her family. Also the violinist Marcus for a new friend."

Marcus smiled his cheeks red. Meg looked at Marcus cueing him in.

Marcus cleared his throat, "I'm thankful for meeting Melody, the infamous phantomess," everyone snickered. "She has a wonderful family, it makes me miss my own. Thank you all."

Marcus nudged Melody. She grinned playfully, flicking his arm.

"I'm thankful for My life, Marcus, and my family together again you truly are wonderful. This is the best Christmas ever."

Erik sighed, "Well I suppose it is my turn." Everyone laughed at his statement. "I am thankful for this family, this love, my Melody and my Christine. Thank you Madem Giry for the chance, you will never know how much of a mother you are to me. Christine, thank you for the acceptance and love I don't deserve, I'm glad to have you, Melody you became my world when I laid eyes on you, you have truly grown into a beautiful young woman. Marcus and Meg, thank you for watching over her."

He picked up his glass, "To all of us."

"To us!" everyone exclaimed, taking a drink. Everyone dug in. Eating the delicious food. It truly was spectacular.

After dinner everyone had opened gifts, Madem Giry from Erik had a painting of her in her youth. She looked Beautiful.

Erik had gotten Christine and Melody Masquerade dresses to the ball in January.

His present from them was a music box from many years ago. Melody had found it in the lair.

Madem Giry and Christine bought Meg new ballet shoes. They were white, lined with expensive silk.

Melody gave Marcus her newest composition. The music was her first written.

After all was said and done everyone went to do their own things.

"So, does this mean we are friends?" Marcus asked her.

"Yes!" Melody said scooting closer to him on the couch cushion.

"Melody close your eyes."

"Why-"

"Just close them, Please?" Melody sighed. Marcus took out a box, it had a beautiful ring inside, it was black, in the shape of a rose with black, rhinestones were red.

"Oh Marcus it's beautiful."

"To our friendship." Melody nodded smiling brightly.

Marcus sighed, "I need to go, tomorrow at the opera house?"

"Of course, in my lair." Marcus grabbed his coat. Melody stood in the door way,

"Goodbye Melody."

"Bye Marcus"

She wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Their faces were inches from one another. Marcus was itching to feel his lips against hers. 

He then did the unthinkable, he put his hand behind her chocolate curls, and pressed his lips to hers.

Melody savored this, the kiss left her feet stuck to the ground, though she could swear she was soaring. She looked at him breathlessly, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Melody peaked out the curtain, Marcus was spinning and smiling. Melody shook her head smiling.

She sunk into her bed, Marcus filling her dreams.

It truly was a Very Merry Christmas

Joyous Noel is French for merry Christmas. if you didn't know. Marcus is to good to be true, things are about to go down as the happiness of the season ends with the cold hard truth. This is not over, but everyone deserves a little Christmas lol.

   ~~~L.O.G