Raoul de Chagny was trying his best to look as handsome as possible on that beautiful day. He wore his uniform and shined his shoes as beautifully as it was possible, he trimmed and brushed his mustache, and made his hair to be fashionable but suitable for the occasion. He spent two hours to look perfect. Oh, if only he did not have those gray hairs in his hairdo. Is it really that bold? He looks way older than he should. He was only 33 years old, but he looked like he was 40, or even 45. Damn this gray hair and some small amount of gray hair even started to appear in his mustache. If he picks them out his mustache will be too thin. Why should he age so fast? Philippe was 40 years old, when he died, and Raoul was pretty sure he looked WAY better than he did right now. It was important for him to look good that day, as Yvette should really find him attractive enough. He really should not look so old and weary to make a great impression.

He was invited to Erik's home for an after Christmas celebration along with the Daroga. Christmas was always the right occasion if someone wanted to do such a thing as he planned… he often heard of such things happening among his friends, and it was considered to be romantic by the ladies.

No one else knew about his plans, but him. He knew well that he had a huge risk, as his plan could backfire as well, and it will be much humiliating in front of that many people. There will be Erik, the Daroga, Yvette, all the four children, and… Christine.

Oh, Christine, I hope you can forgive me for the betrayal.

He loves her in a way still, and always will, as a first love, he heard everyone remembers his first love of his life, and he also loved Christine as a friend, and she sure held a special place in his heart ever since their childhood.

But it was time to move on. He can't live his all life alone, knowing Christine can never be his, as she already has her family. Her husband and her children. She already made decisions and has a life. He should do the same finally, stop dwelling on the past and let Christine go, and have an own life with an own family. He will remember the sweet childhood with Christine Daaé, and accept the fact that she can never be Christine de Chagny as he always imagined in the past.

Yvette Berger should rather become Yvette de Chagny, as she deserves happiness that he sure will be able to give her and Sophie. Yvette was such a sweet woman, kind, charming and beautiful. Whenever he went to visit the Spöke family, they had a nice talk, and he spent time with Sophie, and he knew he already loved her, just as he loved Yvette. They were already very close friends to each other, he just wasn't sure if the woman agreed to marry him or not.

Is he handsome enough? Is he kind enough? Is he a good enough party? He is only a retired and injured sailor, with a noble name but his family's displeasure about his plan to marry Christine and then Philippe's death… his sisters did not talk to him since that. He literally made everyone angry with him, even Christine, back then. He has a prosthetic hand, and even that it is because Erik made him one. But as he was thinking, he had to realize that even Erik, the manipulative serial killer ugly monster was a good enough party for a marriage, and he now has children. He had to admit that Erik had changed a lot since those happenings, but if Christine married him, there is no reason that Yvette will say no to him. He is totally capable of taking care of himself and even others, he felt. He learned to use his new hand during those years just as it was his own, he was born with.

He placed the small jewel box carefully in his coat pocket, caressing the lid with his thumb and took a deep breath before he put on his cloak and hat and left the house. Time has come. Either now or never.

As he entered the house, he instantly noticed Yvette and the fact how beautiful she looked again in a mustard- yellow gown. Yes, he saw it once on Christine, but he was ashamed to admit he loved the way it looked more on Yvette than on Christine. The dress went better with Yvette's red hair than the blonde Christine, maybe which is why Christine did not like it that much. Yvette was breathtakingly beautiful, even more beautiful since she wore the clothes Christine had given her instead of her old, simple and weary ones. Since her face wasn't already shadowed by sadness and worry, she looked much younger and healthier. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes shone with delight. It was a nice move of Erik that he did not treat Yvette as a maid, but a family member, so she did not have to help off the coat of the guests, or she did not have to serve meal as the maids at de Chagny households. She met the guests just as the family did, so she received a gentle kiss on the hand by Raoul. Her enchanting blue eyes lit up with happiness upon seeing Raoul again and she sent him a warm and friendly smile. This was a great sign, yet again.

Sophie was cheerfully running after Noel in the Hall, who refused to leave his toy car for more time than to have his needs taken care of, other than that he was driving all around the house, yelling "Out of my way, wrooooom" to anyone who stepped in front of his car, but as the girl noticed Raoul, she happily ran to greet him.

- Dear Monsieur, I am so glad to meet you again! I missed you!

- Oh, Sophie… - He was touched by the child's sudden love shown towards him, and he hugged her tight. – I missed you too.

The Daroga noticed Raoul's intent and he whispered it to Erik during meal.

- I think Raoul wants to make a life- changing decision.

- I know. – Erik nodded, while drinking some wine.

- How?

- One notices someone in love. Especially if I have seen Raoul's pleading puppy eyes. – Erik chuckled in the Daroga's right ear. No one else but he could hear it, which caused the poor Persian to choke on a bite of potato, which met halfway with the upcoming laughter. Erik slapped his back a few times, remarking he does not like dead bodies at his dinner table, so the Daroga should finally learn to eat properly.

During the dinner, Raoul tried to send glances towards Yvette which were supposed to be express his love, but he felt they looked rather awkward, so he stopped it after a while, even thoughhe received friendly smiles from Yvette as a response. Erik and the other adults decided to leave Raoul and Yvette alone in the room for some time, not to bother them while this important scenario takes place, and despite Erik promised the children they may stay up late, he decided to send them to bed so they won't bother.

When the dinner ended, Erik told the children to start getting ready for bed as it was already late. Yvette sent Sophie to bed too, and promised her she will be in the room not too much time later to kiss her good night. Flo and Sophie obediently walked out of the room, but the other two did not like the fact that they had to go to bed earlier than it was promised.

- I thought we could stay up late! – Mahtab expressed her displeasure. – It's Christmas.

- And my Birthday. – Noel added.

- Christmas, and your Birthday, my son, was yesterday. Today you will go to bed just as you always do, so stop arguing.

- You promised we can stay up late! – Mahtab retorted as they were being pulled out of the room by Erik.

- I admit I did, but please stop it Mahtab. Tomorrow you may stay up late, but today plans changed.

- Why?

- Because the adults have something important business to do and you, children have nothing to do with that.

- I am a big boy and I want to see what happens. – Mahtab wanted to turn around, but Erik forced her to stay on her place.

- It is none of your business. The adults will tell it to you later if they want to. – Erik said strictly. – Now you all three go and take a bath and brush your teeth, then go to your room. I will check on you later.

- It is not righteous. – Noel pointed at Erik, and parroted the sentence he heard from Mahtab sometimes, but he backed away when his father leaned closer to him.

- Noel, it is already one.

The small boy found it better not to wait until Erik reaches three. It was a new rule Erik made up with his children, if they misbehaved, he would start counting, and after three, there came some kind of punishment. Either they had to stand in the corner, or kneel on top of bits of corn if they did something real bad. Actually Noel laughed at Erik for the first time as he received the corn – punishment, but after some minutes of corn bits digging into his bare skin he was begging to be let go, and promised in tears that he will never ever do such a thing again. It was really a better idea not to wait until three. So with a bit of grumpy moaning, Mahtab and Noel went to get ready for bed as well.

Christine and the Daroga followed Erik outside of the room, and as Raoul and Yvette stayed in the room all alone, the young man took a few steps towards the beautiful young lady. His hand was shaking and he swallowed some, but finally, he found the courage to start speaking.

- Yvette dear… I would like to talk to you about an important question, regarding the future. – He paused, and looked her in the eye, trying to figure out if he should dare to continue or not. Yvette was looking at him with a smile, so he continued. – Are you happy here?

- Yes, I am happy here. My child and I have a good place to stay and a job. We get enough food and we have everything we should need. But why do you ask?

- I ask this because I daresay I could imagine a better place for you, or at least, I would hope so.

- Do you have something to offer for us? – She looked at him in surprise.

- I would like to ask and offer at the same time. – He went down on his knee before the standing woman, and reached into his pocket, showing her the ring box. – I would like to ask you to be my wife, and move to my home, and gift me with the joy of having Sophie as a daughter and I would like to offer you a home, wealth, and last but not the least: a love of a man and a father.

To be honest, Yvette suspected of something similar to happen, as Raoul was acting strange the whole evening, but to be honest, she could not believe one could be as lucky as her. At first, Erik took them here with her daughter, took care of them just as they were family members, and now a nobleman asks her to be his wife. She felt like Cinderella, and thought so many great things simply can't happen to a person. She got worried that it was too beautiful to be true.

- But what will people say? You, with your name and position… marry someone like me. I have nothing and no one other my blind daughter. I had been married before. People will talk about us.

- Let them. – Raoul answered with passion. – I don't care about them as long as you are mine. Please answer me, Yvette. I love you.

- I love you too. – She replied with a sudden realization. – If you are sure you won't regret your decision later…

- There is no chance for that.

- Then… Yes, I will be your wife.

Silence fell on the room, but not much later, Raoul burst out in a relieved sob, hugging his new fiancée to him, and gently kissing her on the cheek.

- Thank you! – He whispered. – I am the happiest of men.

"They should hurry up a bit and decide… this mask is driving me crazy and I have other plans for the night…" – Christine heard Erik's voice thrown in her right ear and blushed bright red upon hearing it. She whispered a soft "Erik, for Heaven's…" when the door opened and Raoul stepped out, holding Yvette by the arm.

- Gentlemen… Christine… we have something to tell you. We are going to be wed. – Raoul announced with a huge smile.

As the new couple received everyone's congratulations, Raoul turned to Erik and said:

- I would like to ask a favor.

- I try my best to grant it. – Erik shrugged with a bit of surprise. – What that may be?

- I would appreciate it if you were my best man at my wedding.

Silence came, Erik could not believe his ears. He did not want to bother the subject too much in front of Yvette, but he did not believe he was asked to be Raoul de Chagny's best man after the Torture Chamber, Philippe's death…

- Why me? – He inquired quietly.

- Because you did me so much good things in the past few years. You gave me my hand, and you gave me the possibility to meet my wife. I would like you to be with me on the happiest day of my life. Please.

- If it really is what you want… - Erik hesitated a bit, but reached out for a handshake. – I will help with anything I can… and I am happy you will finally have a wife of your own. You will see, your life will change. A bachelor is just half a man. I am so happy to have Christine. You deserve such a happiness as well.

- Thank you, Erik. – Yvette replied in between tears. – But please know that I am not leaving you all until the wedding. I am helping you and stay with you so you won't be left alone in trouble.

- Thank you if it does not cause you trouble… - Erik bowed his head.

- And I would like to ask you not to call me by noble titles. The fact I marry Raoul does not mean I become her Highness. – She laughed. – I am Yvette, and will always be.

The next morning Yvette and Erik told the children about the news. Sophie was happy, but Mahtab frowned a bit.

- So you will leave us? – She turned to Yvette.

- Yes, eventually, but not yet.

- And so will Sophie…?

- Yes, we move to the Chagny estate, but… it is not a final good bye, Mahtab dear. We will come to visit you all, and you will be invited to visit us as well, anytime you wish to come.

- Do you promise? – She asked suspiciously. – I don't want to lose a friend again. I have already lost one because Papa took her in parts.

- Mahtab, silence! – Erik gasped embarrassedly. – I did not murder anyone, before you would think so. – He explained nervously later. – I made up a doll for her as a friend and I dissembled it. She still keeps complaining about it.

- I think that meant a lot to her. – Yvette smiled. – And I know what she feels. I was separated from my best childhood friend once as well and I thought my heart will break. But we would never separate Mahtab and Sophie forever.

The few months passed so fast to the wedding. Spring came with great weather and the wedding day. It was 31st May, a Thursday. Sophie was happily jumping next to Mahtab, who tried to be happy as well, but to be honest, she wasn't. She had to wear a dress and a hat with a veil, and Christine put make up on her face to cover her deformity as much as it was possible, and the hat veil helped a lot as well, and she was wearing her fake nose. But the saddest part wasn't the inconvenience this caused, but the fact that she will have to say good bye to Sophie. She honestly doubted they will meet ever again.

Erik was standing behind Raoul and he was a bit of nervous as well. He maybe was even more nervous than Raoul, even though it wasn't his wedding. It was a really hot day and he was wearing a full tuxedo, with the human mask, and he was praying his sweat won't ruin the mask or make it slip off at the worst time. He was partly happy about Raoul's offer and gesture towards him, but he did not like to be in the center of attention. Too many people were looking at him, and he still disliked that. He never thought he would be Raoul de Chagny's best man.

Christine was the bridesmaid and she was comforting the worked up Yvette. The bride still could not believe it was really happening to her. She was laughing and crying at the same time. Christine constantly had to correct her make up as it was coming off by crying. She finally calmed down enough to keep her condition until the ceremony ended.

The wedding was very simple and there were too small amount of guests, compared to Raoul's state of wealth and nobility, but he did not mind it. He was among the people he liked, and that was all that mattered. He never thought he will have a wife, and he never thought that wife would be someone other than Christine. But now as he looked at his beautiful bride, he knew he chose the right woman to live with.

All of Erik's children were invited, of course, and even Noel behaved normally, thank God. Florian had an important job, he carried the ring to the couple. He wore a black frock coat and looked like a small gentleman, smiling widely. When he arrived to them, he whispered "You are beautiful." To Yvette, which act made the woman so touched she could have hugged the small boy tight right at that moment. Sophie was standing between Raoul and Yvette and both of them placed a hand on her shoulder. She wore a beautiful light peach dress and a matching hat with flowers. No one would have told she was blind as she learned to walk with more confidence at the School of the Blind. Raoul's fake hand was so lifelike that no one noticed the difference. The ring was put on his right ring finger just as it was with any other couple's but later Raoul put it on his left hand, explaining that he felt it there, and he did not want to lose it. It was more precious for him than anything else on the Earth, as whenever he looked at the ring, he saw a proof that he finally started to lead a new life with someone he loved, and who loved him with all her heart.

The wedding was as beautiful as both Raoul and Yvette imagined it to be in their dreams. Raoul was happy to finally have such a sweet and beautiful wife and a child, and Yvette was happy to have a husband again, after so many years spent alone. Raoul was an awesome and caring man, a very sweet partner, a gentleman. And he loved Sophie so much. They both knew it will be a bit of hard to raise a disabled child, but their love for the young girl shall easily overcome everyday problems. They will be such a happy family together…

But they weren't only the three of them for a long time. Not even a year after the wedding was needed for a small miracle to happen. On 11th March, 1895, the first child of Yvette and Raoul was born. It was a healthy and strong baby boy, who looked exactly like Raoul in his childhood. The same nose, the same huge eyes, and he already had some soft blondish hair when he entered the world. The couple chose the youngest family member to receive the dearest male name to the proud father:

"Philippe".