Hay guys! Thanks so much for all your positive responses! I really hope you enjoy this chapter! I hope I'll be a little quicker with the next one. By the way, someone asked me why I don't incorporate songs anymore. The answer is really simple: I'm just not that good with writing songs. Lots of love! xxx

Chapter 10

Time seemed to move so fast. There had barely been a moment that passed since their engagement and here he stood, alone. He stared at his suit he still had to dress in. He reflected on how his life had changed in mere months. Years of routine had just melted away, layers of hate broken through. He was awed at how much love could change a person. For too long he viewed love as a weakness, as something only a poor judgment chased after… Until the moment he heard Christine sing. He may have fallen in love with her voice, but he loved her in whole.

While Erik was recalling his pursuit for Christine, she was busy humming to herself as Megan tied her hair up. She stared at the white flowers she had found in Erik's garden and smiled at the simplicity if their wedding. As a little girl she had always dreamed of a fairy tale wedding, one where she'd walk off into the sunset with her husband. She always had this obscure idea of a big wedding with the whole town's eyes on her. She may not have gotten a big wedding, but she did have her fairy tale ready. They might not have gotten along all the time, they might have fought a lot, but on its own the conflict brought them closer.

"Are you nervous?" Meg had started with the flowers in Christine's hair.

"I'm… excited. Nervous is a feeling of uncertainty. I know what I want." She smiled at Meg in the mirror.

"I… I might have felt the bitter taste of jealousy when you… Raoul." She turned her head way.

"I cannot say that I am entirely happy to hear this, Meg, but I am not going to obstruct your happiness," she said surprised.

"Were you not on love with him, them?" Meg asked, daring a look at her.

"Of course I was, but I cannot keep you from happiness." She turned to face Meg. "I cannot be that selfish. I may have been in love with him, but I didn't feel what I feel with Erik. It never was meant to be." She started taking over the project of the flowers. "You are like a sister to me Meg; I can't keep you from what you want."

"Raoul doesn't want me, though."

"What do you mean?"

Meg sighed, but smiled. "Before he stared courting me another caught his eye. I know not her name, but she is beautiful and kind. I tried to dislike her, but she is as compassionate as you are. I let him go." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Perhaps you can introduce me to that curious man with the beautiful eyes?"

"First, you have the task of preparing me for my wedding," Christine said as she winked at Meg.

Erik was busy tying his bow tie. He thought of the irony that he had to teach himself how to tie his own tie.

"You realise you still have time to run away before your life is eternally ruined?" Nicolas walked in looking swaf as he stopped at the door with his cane and top hat.

Erik shook his head. "You stay away from Christine. Or any other lady for that matter."

Nicolas just merely smiled at Erik and Erik turned to the mirror. He gave a sigh and looked up at his appalled face. Somehow he hated it less; he could face it and not be repulsed by what he saw. He combed through his hair and seriously considered using a wig, but dismissed that thought rather quickly. He felt nervous and agitated so he let his mind wander to Christine, to the image he once dreamt about. He smiled at the thought of her swollen belly. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly as his mind wandered to her smile when she looked at him, her hand still on her belly. It was perfect.

As both parties made do of their preparations, the little guests that were invited were slowly making their way to the small chapel on the outskirts of town. Raoul stood against the wall of the chapel, shaded by and old oak tree that needed serious maintenance. His head hung low, though he wasn't entirely sure why. He lost Christine, yes, but he gained someone else. But that was not it… Was it the betrayal? Or the embarrassment? Was it the taunting fact that he was not good enough to keep her mind occupied? The more he tortured himself with these useless thoughts, the more he realised that he had no place to be there.

Finally two carriages could be seen kicking up dust in the distance. Raoul sucked in his breath, held it for a while and let it out. He practised this ritual for a while, it soothed his voice. When he was sure his voice would be even he stepped from the shadow in time to greet Erik.

"Phantom!" Raoul scowled at Erik.

Erik froze and stood with is back to Raoul for a few moments. Slowly he turned his body to Raoul. His stare was unreadable and his fists were clenched. For the first time ever Raoul had the opportunity to gaze upon the famous opera ghost. What he saw repulsed him, it made him sick to think Christine chose someone as deformed and unappealing as the Phantom of the Opera. But it was Christine, she wasn't skin deep. She looked much deeper, searched much deeper for the good in a person. And if she chose him, there had to be some good in him. Perhaps even more that in him, Raoul thought.

"What do you want?" Erik wasn't hostile, but neither was he friendly. He was matter-of-factly.

Raoul shot out his hand to greet Erik. "I come in peace." Erik shook his hand with a firm grasp. He could look after her, he was strong.

"Why have you come, Raoul?" Erik was still not giving away any emotion toward Raoul.

"I came to wish you and Christine happiness and a long blessed marriage." He paused. "And I came to apologise for my utter lack of compassion towards your circumstances. I do not condone how you did it, but I respect your motivation to stand up and build yourself."

Erik's face softened up only slightly and his fists unclenched. "I am sorry I stole Christine away. I love her and I will never let any harm in any form come to her."

Nicolas was standing closer with every word that was traded just in case something broke out.

"I know. And I'm happy she found someone she loves. It wasn't me, but I hoped it wasn't you. Alas, you won her heart. Treat her well and send her my condolences. I wish you well."

With that Raoul walked away from them. He was leaving Paris. London had called him and he was leaving that very day. He felt heavy, but his heart was healing. He decided to let go, to start over and he smiled…

Erik and Nicolas took their places at the altar as the guests started moving in. it was 10 people, no more. Most of Christine's choices. But Erik didn't care, as long as Christine stood next to him within the next few minutes. And he smiled…

White flowers with the odd rose in black lint decorated the small chapel's entrance. Candles were lit in one corner followed by smaller candles leading a trail to the isle that eventually led up to the altar. When Meg came into view Erik's heart started beating heavily.

"Friend, we might have a slight issue, nothing big." Nicolas leaned over his best man spot to whisper to Erik.

"Not now, Nicolas!" Erik whispered back.

Christine walked slowly to the music of a violin playing near the altar. She looked at Erik from across the room and he felt his heart melt. As she walked he took the moment to enjoy the way the dressed danced around her body. The silk smoothed her legs and played at the slit that every few time allowed him a glance at her leg. The corset of her dress sat perfectly; complimenting her beautiful slender body. Her hair hung over her shoulders covered in dozens of little white flowers. He had never imagined that this dress would've been worn at his wedding and he surely never imagined that Christine would be wearing that dress, walking to him, ready to put her hand in his and promise eternity. She smiled at him…

Christine took Erik's outstretched had as she met him. They stared at each other for a few moments when Nicolas's voice broke their attention.

"Dearly beloved and probably departed among us, we are gathered here today to wed these to completely different people that love each other dearly. Yes, to some it may be an offence to nature, a criminal offence in some cases, but it matters not what you think, this marriage will still happen." He paused to look at the amused face of Christine and Erik. "If anyone should have the need to object, I apologise, you will not be allowed to."

Nicolas continued to make their wedding a surprisingly amusing event, not just for them but the guests as well. Christine and Erik were content with just staring at each other as Nicolas continued his charade.

"You may now kiss the bride, please respectfully."

And then their lips touched each other for the first time as husband and wife. Erik held Christine close to him, she was his now. Forever until death parted them.

The rest of the ceremony flew by quite speedily. Madam Giry was talking to them, but Christine did not register any word she spoke. Her mind was occupied with that little hidden box in her closet. Nicolas caught her eye and winked at her. Perhaps he could be an ally in her innocently devious plan? She slipped away from the conversation to conspire with Nicolas.

They left the guests later that afternoon with one of the two carriages they came in followed by Nicolas in the other one. Nicolas had agreed to distract Erik for a few moments, how she didn't care.

"How will we spend our first night, love?" Erik's hand sneaked over Christine's leg and left flutters where it trailed.

She laughed. "What do you have planned?"

A devilish smile played on his lips and he kissed her. The ride home suddenly became longer and slower, her heart started beating faster, Erik's lips not close enough. He will definitely appreciate her plan, she thought…

When they finally reached the home they would be sharing everything seemed so different, so new. Erik climbed out to help Christine down. Her feet never touched the ground as she was carried into their home. He was halfway down the corridor when a loud rapping knocked echoed through the house.

"Eeeeerik!" Nicolas chimed as Erik cursed.

He kissed her and set her down gently. When he rounded the corner she took the opportunity to rush with her plan. She ripped the dress of on her way to the room, swung the closet open. She only hesitated a moment before opening the box revealing a lacy piece of a poor excuse for material. She carefully took out the thin corset that was too revealing for her comfort and started fastening the strings in front. Next she pulled on the stockings that were included followed by the pants part of the extravagant costume.

She looked at herself in the mirror. The black material was a contrast to her milky white skin. Her slender frame looked attractive in the skimpy garments. The corset was a serious of patterns that suggested a fleur de lis sequence surrounded by dainty flower type lining. The stockings reminded her of the nets she saw the fishermen using. But the most revealing was the knickers. It came in too close in front and was merely held together with a thing line of material at the back. She shook her hair and the small, fragile flowers fell on the floor. She messed up her hair a bit, like the ladies that hung out at bars in the late hours of the night. And then she heard the door close.

"Nicolas will be coming back tomorrow," Erik said as he walked through the house. "He queried the best option for a quick stay fo-" Erik stopped dead in his tracks when he lifted his eyes.

Christine walked with the confidence she didn't have slowly to him, pulled him closer with his shirt and led him to their bed. And they smiled…

I have to warn you, though. The next chapter will or will not be raunchy and kind of rough. Don't worry, it's nothing we haven't done before (or possibly will do), but I know some people find offence in reading heavy chapters. Please, R&R your opinion, I'd like to make it as comfortable as I can! :)