Sorry that it has taken a while. Left artist less talking more...

I wanted to get this out so I hope that i did not make too many mistakes.

Chapter 36

Christine watched as the doors to the church opened before her almost magically. Suddenly both Annette and Livy vanished and the path before her was aglow with hundreds of candles, and festooned with roses, and rose petals, and gossamer silk and mist. The gothic arches projected a light, which illuminated the organ, which had been elevated on the altar. A magnificent tune was playing; one that was entirely unknown to Christine, but it was the most beautiful cacophony of sound that she had ever heard. So smooth, and yet so majestic, the sound seemed to come from many points at once, as if the shape and the size of the church itself was at one with the instrument. There was only one person in the world that possessed the genius to marry sound and light with the surroundings, her beloved Phantom and Angel, Erik.

To her surprise they were alone in the ancient chapel. Erik began to sing gently and alluringly. As always his voice wrapped around her, enchanting her with its shear magnificence and beauty. It beckoned her to come forward and join him. He was cloaked in a dark cape and wore a wide brimmed fedora. He looked very similar to how he did that night, when he first led her down to his lair beneath the opera house. At that exact moment she understood his intent with full clarity. He had transformed the church into a rendition of his lair, yet instead of darkness, it was bathed in light. The stained glass windows projected the light perfectly, causing Erik's form to be engulfed in it, and he looked almost surreal, like the non-corporeal being that she had once thought him to be, before that night. His powerful voice commanded her heart and her mind to step forward and embrace him, to accept the flawed creature that stood in complete vulnerability behind the mask of magnificence, she felt elated by it and readily succumbed to the siren of his call. His soul spoke to hers in pure musical form and hers responded in the same language.

Clearly, Erik had remembered her past expressed wish to him that somehow the damage to their relationship would be undone. That was so like her angel to see through to her very soul, and anticipate what she so desired. He had recreated the past and gave them a second chance at happiness, this time she would not be afraid of what she would see. She had seen his face many times and knew it as well as she knew her own, and its ugliness was now insignificant, because it too was only a mask. His true face, beneath the hideous one, was stamped upon his immortal soul and radiated pure light, much like the surroundings that she was journeying through on the way to him and her destiny. As she neared him, Christine began to sing, as she once had done…

"Who was that shape in the shadows?

Who is the face in the mask?"

Erik turned to her. He was wearing a full-face mask, made of porcelain, which obscured everything, but his sensuous mouth and lips:

"Would you truly like to know, my angel? I cannot promise you a handsome face, but I can promise you that he will be your devoted servant," he promised seductively.

She reached Erik, and he surrendered to Christine's touch as she gently removed his mask revealing his hideous face to her. He exhibited no response but a loving look in his emerald eyes, and a beckoning smile on his bloated lips. Far from shuddering in fear, she gave him a fierce kiss on his waiting lips searing him with its intensity. When they were finished, she observed, "I see you clearly this time my angel, and you do possess a most handsome face. More handsome than any other of my acquaintance."

Erik beamed and asked in his most velvety tone, "No monster then? No murderous maniac to mar your dreams? You truly want to spend your life with this before you? He placed her hand on his marred cheek and searched her eyes questioningly. "I cannot promise that I will never be angry, but know that I will be as gentle as a lamb, and will love and protect you for the rest of our lives. If you have any second thoughts speak now before God and myself."

"I have no second thoughts. I want to share my soul with yours. I want to pledge my love to you forever, ange," she replied softly.

He kissed her and then placed his leather half mask on his face and placed his gloved hand in hers, entwining his fingers in hers, "Then come with me," he told her in his velvety voice, "It is time for us to go on to the next part of our journey." He motioned to a door.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You shall see, do you trust me?" he asked hoarsely.

"With all my heart." She replied curling her hand into his.

Erik looked into the mist, "Did you hear that rector? The bride is most willing?"

A voice replied, "Yes, I am satisfied. Thank you for letting me be a part of it Erik."

Christine looked at Erik questioningly, "What was that about?"

"Although Father Blackstone is my friend he did require that he know your true heart. Since we did not have time for a session with him, I planned this part to prove to him that you are indeed willing to marry me." Erik explained gently.

"Didn't he believe you?" Christine asked.

Erik sighed, "He did, but he was stubborn. He normally asks a couple to meet with him prior to agreeing to perform the nuptials. I knew your superstition about me seeing your face and therefore found a way to satisfy everyone."

Christine giggled and teased, "How do you know that I am satisfied? Perhaps I shall cancel because you have seen me before the ceremony."

Erik replied, "The ceremony is complete. As far as I am concerned we are now wed, you have pledged your troth to me in front of the rector. He heard the whole thing, as have your two bridesmaids who were standing there the whole time, just behind you."

Christine looked at him and teased, "You tricked me. Is that to be our entire ceremony something done merely before the rector and witnessed only by Annette and Livy?"

Erik raised an eyebrow, "Isn't that enough for you? To be married to me? Or do you truly need pomp and circumstance to confirm our love?"

Christine replied, "Of course not. I would marry you in a grass skirt, dressed like a Tahitian, if you wanted, but you went through all of the trouble of bringing in my daughters, and your friends and family, I would have thought that you would want them to see our wedding."

Erik smiled, "And so they shall my little minx, but we needed to put the last vestiges of the uglier portions of our past behind us so that we could face the future as one."

"So you have something else planned?" Christine asked.

"Did you truly doubt it my love? Of course I have something planned for us." He looked to their right and suddenly a door opened revealing a new light. The path was lined with candles and rose petals.

"Where are we going? Christine asked curiously repeating her previous question.

"Erik smiled, "Your curiosity has often gotten you into trouble, at least with regards to me. For once just trust me and let me lead you, I think that you shall enjoy the journey."

The two bridesmaids looked at one another and then picked up Christine's' train

"Father does enjoy a good surprise." Livy whispered to Annette with a smile. "I think that I know where we are going though, and it is quite special."

"So you did not know your own father's intent either?" Annette asked in amusement.

Livy giggled, "Of course not. Father loves to keep everyone guessing. Mother called it the impresario inside of him."

Erik looked back pretending to be stern, "Quiet, you sound like two schoolgirls, and this is a solemn event." He took Christine by the hand his gloved hand in hers. He had shed the cloak and was in full formal attire.

Christine looked at his grey pinstripe pants in surprise, "You are not clothed entirely in black?"

He smirked, "Would you prefer that I wear a kilt?"

She smiled and squeezed his gloved hand, "Did you put one on underneath the pants? Your legs are magnificently formed."

Erik laughed good-naturedly, "I would spare the assembly that sight, just as I spared them the horror of having to look upon my unmasked face, you requested that you have the chance to marry me unmasked and so I have complied, in a discrete fashion. The past has been corrected, and it is time now to begin our journey to our future."

They walked down a short wooded path to the banks of the river Severn where they entered a large rock hermitage cave. It was ancient, yet beautiful and had been adorned with frescos of angels, dating back hundreds of years. The hermitage too reminded Christine of Erik's old lair but more ornately adorned, like a secret Chapel and open to the river. It was there that the guests had been assembled and were waiting for them. The hermitage was an exquisite and unique setting and Christine gasped at its sheer beauty.

"Look at those angels, they are beautiful! They remind me of you." She exclaimed to Erik.

Erik squeezed her hand and whispered, "I could think of nothing better and more symbolic for us than this place. It has been a place of worship for thousands of years. It represents the eternity of our love. Look around and absorb its beauty."

The river shimmered like a blanket of diamonds just outside the mouth of the hermitage, and the green rolling hills, looked like emeralds against the sapphire blue sky. The river flowed gently, yet steadily. Everyone turned in unison to see the bride and groom approach. It was not a huge group of people, no more than forty, but what the wedding lacked in size it made up in good wishes for the couple, especially for Erik.

Erik took her hand and smiled, "Are you ready, mon amour?"

Christine smiled back radiantly her beauty took his breath away. It was hard to believe that this exquisite creature was to be his.

"I thought that you said that we are already married." Christine whispered back.

"We are in the eyes of God, but it is time, to be married in the eyes of our families, we cannot disappoint them. Are you ready?" he cooed.

Christine squeezed his hand, "More than ready, mon ange."

A lone violin played a haunting melody as the couple made their way into the grotto. Their beloved daughters were in tow still holding Christine's train, and Nadir, Bertie and Antoinette each stood up to assume their roles. Two small children started throwing out rose petals, they belonged to Emma's younger sister Claudia, who Christine had never met, but had been the driving force that had brought the Montgomery's into Erik's life, when a small child had beseeched a mysterious robed stranger for aid. Erik's large heart could not turn her pleas away, anymore than he could resist the tide of love that had once again washed over him, which caused him to join his soul with Christine's at last.

The service was beautiful, with Erik singing once again to Christine, his soul once again calling to hers in a communion of spirits. Christine sang to him as well in dulcet tones. Those in attendance were quickly silenced having been placed into a state of awe at the obvious show of symbiosis that the couple displayed. Of the assembled host, only one uninvited guest stood out in his hatred. Raoul had obscured himself in a robe and positioned himself in a corner where only Christine could see him. He was waiting for the right time to reveal himself to her and watch her response. The Phantom had once played similar games, this time he would do the haunting and startle her. When the opportune moment came, he let the hood drop away from his face and stepped out into her line of vision just for a moment and then he disappeared into the darkness. Christine froze in fear, and shuddered and then turned away from Erik in horror right as the rector was calling for her assent to the union. She paled suddenly and a faint whisper escaped her lips, "Raoul."

Only Erik could hear and feel her shudder, he misinterpreted it and dropped her hand angrily, "You would speak such a name here of all places?"

Christine took his hand and whispered, "No I thought that I saw Raoul, right that moment, but it must have been an illusion. He means nothing to me you know that. I swear it. Please ange forgive me."

He looked into her eyes and saw no deception, and then calmed down, "We will speak of this later and you will explain," he whispered and then looked at the rector and motioned, "Please continue."

The ceremony continued and Erik slipped the beautiful wedding band upon her finger. Moments later they were pronounced man and wife. Once again Christine looked nervously to the niche where she had seen Raoul and saw nothing out of place. Raoul slunk away, content that he had caused enough mischief for the day. He had seen the stricken expression on the demon's face, and was pleased with what he had seen. It would not be difficult to exploit that opening and create more havoc between the couple.

The wedding party continued to a tent, which had been erected at the banks of the river. It was decorated beautifully. Everyone came up to the bride and groom and congratulated them on their obvious happiness.

Nadir teased Erik, "For a moment it looked as if Christine were afraid of you, just like back then. Are you sure that you did not scare her away once again with the intensity of your love?"

Erik replied harshly grabbing his old friends by the throat, "What do you mean Daroga? Are you implying that I had to force Christine to marry me?"

Antoinette stepped in, "Relax Erik, Nadir was joking. It is obvious to everyone here how much in love that the two of you are. If you had broadcast it any more you might have seared us all with the heat of your love."

Christine heard the exchange and mollified Erik sweetly by observing, "Nadir meant nothing ange. It was clear that he was teasing you as people do at these sort of events."

Erik let go, causing Nadir to choke out, "What is the matter with you Doostam? I was simply joking with you."

Erik motioned to Christine, "Over there now," he barked out. "We need to discuss what happened back there. Why that person's name came up when it did, and why you flinched away from me when it was time for you to say your vows. I almost walked away from you right there, but we were already married in the sight of God, and the rector, but I need an explanation."

Christine shook her head and told him, "I could have sworn that I saw Raoul hiding in a niche behind a stand of roses. He was hooded but then he lowered it and I could see his face. He was motioning to me like a madman, making his hands appear to be choking you."

Erik replied calmly, "The Comte would have no idea that we are even getting married, let alone dare be here to interrupt our happiness. He would never risk arrest by coming back here. He is in France, skulking about, no doubt looking for another woman to prey upon."

Christine looked at him, "I pray that he is still in France. In the meantime, this wedding, was so beautiful, every bit of it. It is the most beautifully planned event that I have ever seen and it belonged to us. And you even brought my family to see it. I love you so much ange for your kindness, and huge heart. I am ecstatically happy to call myself your wife."

Erik smiled, now mollified completely, "It is only the beginning of our journey together mon amour. Soon I shall take you on the most amazing honeymoon ever, to celebrate our love. I will take you anywhere that you want to go Venice, Nice, Africa, name it."

"I don't care as long as we are together and continue to share our love, and our music, and that you believe in me, and in us. What we have is real and special." She told him, giving him a passionate kiss on his lips.

Bertie came up to them and pretended to admonish, "You can do as much of that as you would like later, but for now your friends and family would like to congratulate you. I hope that you will plan Annette and my own wedding as perfectly as this one Father."

Erik clapped his son on the back, "Of course son, we will make it just as special. But remember, that it is not about how much planning goes into the event but rather how much love that you share on your own special day. A wedding is about love, and about sharing both of your loves with your closest friends and family. But more importantly than all it is about commending your soul into the hands of another and giving that person your full love, trust and commitment, as Christine and I have done today. Isn't that right Christine?" Erik asked lightly.

Christine laced her arm in Erik claiming him, "It is indeed, my love."

Just then a stunning blond woman, who looked startlingly like Emma, came up to Erik and Christine. She was in her mid twenties, and she gave them a very warm look throwing her arms around him.

She looked at Christine and smiled, "She looks even more stunning than I remember from that night Erik, and your voices were even more magnificent this time. I daresay, I hope that there will be no fires tonight Erik." She gave Christine a friendly glance. "I am Lady Claudia Throckmorton but you may call me Claudia. I am Emma's baby sister. I saw you on your final performance as a diva, back in Paris. You have not changed."

Christine smiled, "I would say that I have. I have grown considerably older and wiser than I was back then. I know exactly who and what I want, but I hope that you know that I will always respect your sister's place in Erik's heart. Erik's heart is large enough to hold love for more than one woman."

Claudia smiled, "I know that. I have always known that about him. He is the only one who would come to the aid of a frightened child. Erik is no ordinary brother-in-law to us; our family gave him our name because he is one of us, just as completely as if he bore our blood inside of us truly. Take good care of his heart and we too can be sisters."

Erik's face took on a look of fondness bordering upon tears, "Thank you for that Claudia. It is good to know that this changes nothing between us. You and the rest of your family have given to me the one thing that I have never had which is a loving family, who would claim me as one of them."

Claudia gave him a fond sisterly peck on his unmasked cheek, "Always Erik." She smiled at Christine, "And now we have one more member of our family. You must both visit us in Ireland some time soon. Our estate is near Belfast, just a short hop across the Irish Sea from Liverpool Birkenhead, or Holyhead to Dublin. Ireland is very green and beautiful. Please promise me that you will darling Erik, you have not been over to Ireland since Eleanor's' christening almost four years ago and you were such a gloomy Gus." She smiled at Christine and continued, "He was worse than I was and Emma was my sister. We were sure that he was going to throw himself right into her grave, if not for the children I think that he would have. Now he looks the opposite, he is positively beaming with happiness."

Erik laughed, "We will definitely visit you at some point Claudia, but first we have much to do, another wedding to plan, and the rest of Livy's season, and then finally a honeymoon."

Others from both sides congratulated the couple. They spent several hours speaking with the various family, and guests. Erik was heartened to see the two families come together thanks to Annette and Bertie, and the bridge between the families that they provided. Christine's stepdaughters, both met Erik, and pronounced him to be nothing like the mad ghost, with the hideous face that they had expected despite Annette's assurances to the contrary. They pronounced him to be the perfect gentleman, with more than a slight array of charm, oozing from him.

Christine laughed at their preconceived notions. "Did you honestly expect Erik to look like a vampire?"

Matilde looked at her stepmother defensively, "Well it wasn't like you described him very accurately, and the Phantom of the Opera is reputed to be completely bald with no nose, and eyes that flashed fire." She looked at Erik, who smirked. "You are tall well built and handsome. Are you and he truly the same man?"

Erik joked, "Perhaps it is only because you have not seen me when I am angry. Do not give your mother any grief or he might come out."

Matilde paled and Erik smiled warmly, "I am only teasing you my dear. I think that you will find that time has mellowed me since my more rash days back then."

He reached over to Christine and gave her a gentle peck on the cheek. "As you can see I have grown quite tame in my dotage, thanks to a healthy dose of love from two magnificent women. I look forward to getting to know you, but if you excuse us, we must go. We have another place where we will celebrate our union in private."

At that point Erik took Christine by the hand and lead her towards a waiting barge on the river.

She looked at him and smiled. He led her into the barge "We are spending the night in private at an old Inn down the river from here. We will have no snooping eyes, or ghosts of ex-fiancés to bother us there," he observed firmly.

Christine sat very close to him, as they went down river. "Today was magnificent Erik, thank you again."

"The day is not yet over, for my favorite part of it is yet to come. You and I shall consummate our marriage. We will make love for the first time as husband and wife." Erik whispered.

Christine smiled and looked at Erik lovingly, "Do we have to wait until we get to the inn?" Eying a hold down below.

Erik grinned, "I was hoping that you would say that." He took her hand and led her down into the hold of the boat, "I had it prepared just in case."

They descended into the hold where they made love, consummating their union.