Chapter Ten: Don't Worry, Forget Your Sorrow
They arrived back at the house with a bounce in their step, and Marie remarked on that the moment they entered the drawing room.
"All went well? It certainly looks like it did!"
The light in Erik's eyes shone past the hollows of the mask, "Yes, all went well Madame."
Marie smiled full out, "So when is the wedding?"
Erik and Christine stole another glance at each other, and it was Christine who spoke, "We still have to discuss that."
Marie nodded, walked over to her husband, and whispered a little something in his ear. Gerard also nodded, and the two of them discreetly left the drawing room, making certain to close the door behind them.
"Rather nice of them to leave us to discuss this," Erik remarked.
"Yes, it was. Erik, we've never discussed the finer points of this you know."
"Yes, I know my dear." They sat down side by side on the divan, and Erik took Christine's hands in his own. "I think the first question should be, how long do we wish to wait?"
Christine smiled shyly, "Erik, I know this will sound forward of me, but I don't want to wait that long. We . . . we skirted the issue of our feelings for quite a long time as it was, you know."
Erik stared deep in her eyes as she continued.
"I know you enough I think to realize that you were in love with me long before you ever asked me to marry you. And by now you must have realized that I . . . that even though at first I didn't realize I was, that I have felt the same for quite some time."
"I knew you needed to work your feelings out, and I still wonder if I didn't push you to realization."
Christine frowned slightly, "No, not really. I realized it, I just didn't want to admit it right off. There is a difference, Erik."
Erik smiled in answer as he brought one of her hands up to his lips for a gentle kiss.
"You have not told me if you wish to wait a while, Erik."
Erik's eyebrow quirked almost in question, his voice almost gravelly as he answered, "I have no more desire to wait than you do, mon amour."
The light danced in Christine's eyes, and Erik knew she had an idea. She motioned to Erik to bring his ear close, and whispered a date within.
As Erik drew back, his own eyes alighted with mirth. "I think, that if Monsignor Dominique is agreeable that we may marry on that day, that I would very much like it. And since we agree on that point, Christine, the other question would be is there anyone we wish to invite to this little repast."
Christine's eyes were still dancing as she answered, "I think it would be only logical to invite Marie and Gerard, after all, if it were not for them we would not be as far as we are."
"Of course, I was merely wondering if there was anyone special to you yet that you wished there."
Christine lifted her free hand to her lips in a moment of pondering. "I don't exactly know how you will accept this idea, Erik, but if it is at all possible, I should like to invite Meg. She has been my dearest friend for a while now."
Erik sighed in relief; he had almost feared she would suggest the Vicomte. "We shall endeavor to have her there, then."
Christine smiled knowingly. "And what about you, Erik. Other than Marie and Gerard, of course?"
"Nadir," Erik answered without thought, "I daresay he would get a great deal of merriment out of this, knowing that I've given up the ghost."
"Then it's settled, isn't it?"
"Yes, my dear," Erik replied as Christine slipped fully into his arms and they sealed the deal with a long, entrancing kiss.
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An hour later, Gerard and Marie re-entered the room where Erik and Christine were still sitting side by side on the divan, totally entranced by the discussion they had begun.
It took a cough from Gerard to bring the two of them out of their little world, and as they turned their gazes over to the older couple, they couldn't help but smile.
"Am I to assume, then, that the two of you have worked out the details?" Gerard asked humbly.
"Yes, we have," Erik answered. "And of course, we would both be honored if you would attend. The official invitation, however, won't be extended until after we confirm our hoped for date with Monsignor Dominique tomorrow."
Marie and Gerard both nodded in satisfaction. "It's settled, then, whatever day you have chosen, I shall make certain to clear my calendar."
"And," Erik continued, "after we are certain of the arrangements," he paused, looked to Christine and squeezed her hand, "we will have to return to Paris to take care of two other invitations."
Gerard smiled at the couple, then interrupted quietly, "Well, if there are guests, you must be certain to tell them they are welcome to stay here."
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The next afternoon, Erik and Christine hurried over to the church, and wound up there a good fifteen minutes early in their haste.
The vestibule was quiet as they waited in one of the rear pews, each feeling the nervousness coursing throughout the other.
And it was there that Quentin Dominique found them, side by side and holding hands, when he emerged from the nave. "Ah, somehow I knew that you would be early."
Erik and Christine rose in tandem from the pew and came out to face the priest who had spoken behind them.
Monsignor Dominique once again led them to his sitting room, and they sat down in the same chairs they had the day before. "I take it you have decided upon a date then, mes enfants?"
"Yes, Monsignor, we have," Erik answered solemnly.
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Author's Notes: Yeah, I know this one is short, but only because it's really a filler before what is to come!
KR: Oh, it's not that Erik has not been seen, after all, he was seen by a few priests, but by and far, he's been trying to stay out of the public eye. In Rouen, I'm sure it's a bit easier, larger city of course, not many people really took a second glance.
angelofnight: As for Father Mansart, you'll notice I made a little treat for you, entitled "All I Can See Is Your Face" as I didn't really see a way of fitting his death into this phic. Especially seeing as how he's been gone a good thirty years or so! But you get credit for the inspiration, of course, and I'm looking forward to that new phic you promised me! I think I've read all the new ones on the board so far (chants for new phics!)
Everyone else: Sorry if this chapter bored you a bit, but Erik and Christine have a VERY sweet idea for their wedding date, and I think that when I reveal it, you will like it. And there may be some surprises yet at that wedding!
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