Chapter 23- The Wedding Mass :: 3 Months Later

Christine used the back of her hand to wipe her tears away as Meg artfully arranged her hair atop her head. There were no words to describe what she was feeling at this moment. Meg looked down to see her friend's tears and shook her head.

"Christine, you're supposed to be happy."

"I am Meg. I'm happier than I ever thought possible. I don't know why I'm crying, I feel so silly."

Looking down at her lap Christine closed her eyes and sighed. So much had changed over the last two years and sometimes she could hardly believe where life had taken her. From the naive daughter of a poor violinist to the fiance of the Vicomte de Chagny. And now...

"How does it look?"

"What? Oh! It's beautiful Meg, really you've done a wonderful job."

Christine examined herself in the mirror and found herself pleased with the result of her friend's efforts. She wanted to look perfect for him - he deserved nothing less. The few ringlets allowed to escape the elaborate hairstyle framed her porcelain face and bounced lightly as she turned her head from side to side. She smiled and stood, feeling like a princess in the beautiful gown she wore, though she knew most would consider it improper for such an occasion.

"It's time, my dear." Madame Giry looked at her, almost disapprovingly (though Christine could hardly blame her for that, considering...), then disappeared to take her place outside. Christine took a deep breath and listened for the music that was her cue to walk. She heard it, the delicate notes written especially for this moment wafting over her and filling her with unspeakable joy. Stepping out of the tent she made her way down the makeshift aisle, looking at the few faces that had gathered to witness one of the most important moments of her life.

Madame Giry stood near the front, stern as ever, softened only by the hint of a smile that touched her lips. Despite the celebratory mood she wore her customary black, which Meg had begged her change but to no avail. Meg stood next to her mother, fidgeting with her own dress, light pink and busty despite her mother's protests. She tapped her foot in anticipation and barely contained excitement, causing Christine's mouth to curve upwards in a grin.

The only other people to attend were the church organ player and the priest, who was carefully chosen and only agreed to officiate after a handsome sum was paid to his church. His shock upon seeing the bride, even after being told what she would be wearing, was obvious.

Christine thought with some measure of sadness of the only other people who she wished to be here: her father, who she prayed was looking down upon her with pride and Raoul, who still had trouble accepting her love. He had responded to her invitation with a short note, politely declining but extending to her his best wishes.

After taking in each of the guests and sending out good thoughts to those who did not come or who were uninvited, she turned her attention to the man who would soon be her husband.

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Erik was a wreck. Never in his life had he been so nervous and he anxiously paced in the grass outside the church. He had been very specific when choosing a priest, sending out Joseph and Antoinette to interview at least twenty in the area surrounding his home before finally making his selection. The man chosen had met all of Erik's qualifications: he was easily frightened and greedy enough to let money sway him to "look the other way" at certain aspects of the wedding, as well as to remain silent about anything "odd" he might find about the groom.

He knew that, being a devout Catholic, his love had been upset at the thought that she had given herself to him before any wedding vows had been said. He chastised himself over and over for not having realized this sooner but she assured him that while she was dismayed with herself for not having waited, she could never regret making love to him. He still felt guilty, however, and told her that they would cease any lovemaking until properly wed.

She had jumped up from her chair, completely ecstatic, "Oh, Erik, really? You want to marry me?"

"Of course, my love. Did you ever doubt it?"

And now, here he was on his wedding day, waiting for his bride to appear. The priest cleared his throat, announcing that he was ready to begin, and the organ player began to play the first notes of the wedding mass Erik had created so many years ago upon first seeing Christine.

There was movement in the corner of his eye and as he saw her appear his heart nearly leapt from his chest. She was wearing a silk dress of scarlet red, slightly off the shoulders and form fitting until the waist where it spread out in waves of fabric. Dainty red heels adorned her feet and she walked slowly but surely towards him, dazzling him with her undeniable beauty.

She had told him earlier that she felt wrong about wearing white, thinking that it would be dishonest. He assured her that no one but he knew of their time together and he couldn't imagine what other color a bride would wear. Certainly not this!

She smiled at his reaction and placed a gloved hand in his own, giving it a small squeeze before turning to the priest, who stood before them with mouth agape, not quite believing what he saw before him. One look at Erik's face though and he immediately began recite the ceremony.

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It seemed as if it was over too quickly and Erik was hardly able to fathom the fact that he was now married to Christine. His hand found her fingers and felt for the small gold band that now bedecked her left ring finger. She looked into his eyes and smiled before pulling his head down to meet hers in a kiss.

"Now, Erik, I have a secret for you."

Christine led the hand that was still intertwined with hers over to her belly and placed it just below her navel. Erik seemed confused for a moment before the realization suddenly came to him. He looked into her eyes for assurance and found them overflowing with tears, though a smile lit her face.

"Christine?"

"Yes, Erik, a baby. Our baby."

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a/n : so this is the final chapter in this half of the story. i hope you enjoyed it... (though i'm a bit nervous now since the last chapter didn't seem to be very well received ): or at least i didn't get any reviews for it) i'll start working on the sequel soon, though first i'm going to finish up a oneshot i've been working on over the last week. for the love of god review!!!!!!!!!!