Evangeline's POV:

I hurried down the passageways (again!). Erik had told me to meet him in his lair a few hours before the party began. He had also said not to buy a dress. He had something for me. An outfit. I was curious to say the least. I walked into the house and saw Erik sitting in front of his piano, the one in the living room. He was in his Red Death's costume. I cleared my throat and he turned around. I thought because he was playing Red Death he might take the mask off and go without it but he had a mask that looked like a skull. I smiled brightly and I thought he might have returned it but I couldn't tell.

"What was the surprise, Erik?" This time I saw the light of a smile in his eyes. He pointed to the wardrobe that his outfit had been in. I opened it and gasped. A lovely dress (the picture) hung there. A perfect mask also went with it. I pulled it out and thanked Erik up one side and down the other. He waved it away and pointed toward the mirror room.

"Go try it on. It should fit. When Erik makes something it works." I gasped. He had made this dress.

"Erik, you made this?" He nodded.

"Erik did make that. He hopes you like his gift." He was giving me this perfect dress. He was giving it to me. I laid down the dress and hugged him. He froze and felt his whole body stiffen like a board. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him close. I took a deep breath and smiled. It was the first time I had ever hugged him and I wanted to do it more often. I didn't care that he felt like a skeleton. I didn't care. I loved this man and if Christine wasn't going to be willing to hug him than I would. I heard a slight sob and Erik whispered,

"What are you doing?" I whispered into his chest,

"Hugging you. You really deserve a hug." I heard a strong sob as he wrapped his arms around me. He seemed so scared to touch me. I hugged him closer and he finally held me tight. I felt his tears on my hair. He finally pulled away and whispered,

"No one has ever hugged Erik. He never has been touched gently." I smiled up at him and said,

"Well, now you have. I need go try this on." I grabbed the dress and hurried away. Maybe he hadn't noticed that I was blushing.

Erik's POV:

I couldn't believe what she had just done. It was impossible. I pinched my arm but I felt pain and didn't wake up. It wasn't a dream. It was real. It was real! I had just had my first hug. I could still feel her warm arms around me. This was more than I could have ever imagined. When she had looked up at me I had seen her eye color for the first time. It was ice blue. A beautiful ice blue. Her hair and eyes were at odds with each other. One was flaming and the other freezing. But they were both beautiful. I shook my head. No, Erik, Christine is beautiful. You love Christine. Eva means nothing to you. All she did was hug you. It didn't mean anything. But deep down somewhere I couldn't believe that was the truth. She was starting to mean a lot to me. In fact, a little too much.

Evangeline's POV:

I gasped at my reflection. It was too beautiful. I couldn't believe it. It was perfect. I walked back out and saw Erik in deep thought. He must still be thinking about the hug. I walked over to him and laid my hand on his arm.

"Erik, are you ready?" He jerked and looked up at me. He nodded and handed me my mask. I smiled and placed it on my face. He held out his arm and Red Death and Red Death's Lady headed to the masquerade ball.