Look with your Heart

Plans and Dances

"'Make the phantom look like child's play?'" Erik asked as they walked back to Lily's room. Lily started laughing and nodded. She opened the door and sat down on her bed, Erik joining her.

Erik reached over and grabbed the pocketknife from her skirt pocket, examining it. "And you carry this around with you everywhere?" 

"I have to," Lily shrugged. "I try not to use it, but it's just a precaution. Honestly, I would say that it's saved my life a few times." She sighed sadly, leaning into him. "The only reason I need it is because people cannot handle even the slightest difference." 

"I know, ma chérie," Erik murmured gently, wrapping his arm around her, taking one of her hands in his. "Nobody truly understands how cruel the world is unless they are different, like us." He sighed as well, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

They stayed like that for a few moments, both of them thinking about their past, Erik absentmindedly playing with her dark hair. 

Lily finally broke the silence. "You know, it's almost Christmas. Time has flown by; we met on Monday, December 3, and it's already the 16th. Meg performs on the 21st and 22nd, then we have about two weeks off of work. What shall we do during that time?" 

"You could stay at my home?" Erik suggested, then immediately backtracked. "That is, only if you want. If you don't want to, I understand and won't be upset—" 

He was cut off by Lily, who kissed his masked cheek and gently said, "I would love to. Would you like to spend Christmas with just the two of us, or should we invite Meg and Madame Giry?" 

Erik said, "We could invite them if you would like, especially because you are such great friends with Meg." He watched as Lily brightened happily, smiling because it made him happy to see the girl happy.

"That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed. "We could spend Christmas Eve with just the two of us, then Christmas with the two of them, if they want. Then, we've got the masquerade on New Year's Eve, which we will all attend." 

There was a quiet knock on the door and, exchanging a look with Erik, Lily got up to open it.

"Yes?" she asked. "Meg, Sofia? What are you doing here?"

The young dancer gave a small gasp and stammered, "Isn't that... isn't that the opera ghost?"

Lily froze and muttered a soft curse under her breath, but Sofia said, "Oh, thank you for getting rid of Joseph Buquet! I mean, I don't approve of killing, of course, but he was absolutely horrible! He scared me so much, one time he nearly caught me in a corner, but thankfully, Madame Giry heard my scream." 

Meg, Erik, and Lily all stared at her, not expecting her to say that. "Perhaps you should come in," Lily suggested, astonished. She stepped aside, allowing Meg and Sofia to sit down at her table, Lily returning to her previous place with Erik.

"Well, it was probably not the best idea on my part," Erik said, sighing. "But, you're welcome? Just don't do it yourself, because murder is probably a no-no."

Lily raised her eyebrows and asked, "Probably?" Meg doubled over with laughter and Lily rolled her eyes. 

Erik defended himself, "Hey, you never know what might happen! Like, if doing something like that will save someone's life or your own, you have to judge which is better or worse." 

"Just don't do it," Lily stage-whispered to Sofia, who nodded, giggling. "Oh, we might as well ask them now, right, Erik?" The masked man nodded and Lily asked, "Would you two, along with Madame Giry, like to spend Christmas with us at Erik's house?"