Counterpoint ERIK-

The sun rose over the horizon and Erik opened his eyes, a slight pain imparing his senses. He reached over to where Christine normally lay next to him and then realised she wasn't there - having chosen to sleep at Madame Giry's to perserve the tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding, even with Erik's pleas. He took a deep breath and swallowed nervously - today was his wedding day. Letting out a worried groan he pulled the silk covers back and his feet hit the cold floor with a wince. Pulling on his robe he padded into the kitchen, his head running away with him.

"Good Morning" came Nadir's cultured voice, handing him a freshly prepared cup of tea. "How are you this fine morning?"

"Never better Nadir..." Erik's voice cracking slightly, this giving him away to the man who stood infront of him. Taking a thoughtful sip of the tea he steadied his nerves and looked at Nadir, trying to keep his emotions in check "Everything ready?" he said quietly, having called in several favours off his old friend in the 2 months since Christine had promised herself to him. Nadir had managed to ask a Vicar to perform the rights, paying him handsomly for the privalidge. The venue was set to be a little church just outside Paris, the vicar presiding having the pefect parish for such a ceremony - although truth be told her would have gone to the ends of the earth for her if she would only be his for even a minute.

"Yes mon amis - the vicar, the church, the transport - everything as you said. The carriage will be here for you in 2 hours, I suggest you go and get ready, your suit is in there" Nadir motioned towards Christine's room, the door slightly ajar. Nodding he walked almost silently into the next room, shutting the door with a soft click.

A smile crossed his features as he saw his suit, Christine picking it out for him on one of her trips to Paris with Meg and Madame Giry. It was pure black, with black embroidary down the lapels, shiney silver buttons ran down the length and the tails ran all the way down to his mid knees. The shirt was white, the front open, the white linen crisp, laid on top of his suit jacket. A midnight blue waistcoat completed the look - not a colour he would normally wear but was surprised to see that it brought the amber of his eyes out perfectly.

Walking over to a bowl which was already filled with water he took off his robe and rinsed his face, his neck and underneath his arms before towelling himself dry and walking back over to where his clothes lay neat and tidy. Placing the white linen over his head, adjusting it so that the neckline lay just above where his chest met his stomach. He let out a little laugh and rolled his eyes as he saw that most of his chest was on view, and only Christine would have had the nerve to send him this shirt. Next came his wasitcoat, the silver buttons catching the candle light as he placed it on, careful to keep everything creaseless. Then he placed on his trousers, they fell just below his ankles and fitted him perfectly. Finally the jacket, the tails billowing slightly behind him as they fell downwards towards the floor. He finally settled the white mask onto his face, which was now like a second skin to him.

Closing his eyes, he took another deep breath, and was surprised to feel something inside his pocket. Reaching inside her pulled out a nore, carefully folded, his name on the front in Christine's familar writing;

Dearest Erik,

You will never know how happy you made me the day you said that you would be mine, I thought I had lost you for good when I was foolish enough to leave you for Raoul. I thank the gods every day that you excepted me back and until the day I die you will be my love, my life, my one and my all. Thank you for being mine and thank you for loving me...

Yours Eternally,

Christine.

The ink ran as he stared at it and only after a moment did he realise he was crying. His heart swelled with love at her words and he found himself grinning broadly. No, Christine... thank you for being mine...

Coutnerpoint CHRISTINE-

Meg knocked lightly on the door, afraid she'd wake up her friend but she had been awake for hours, nerves finally getting the better of her as she tried to rest.

"Come in" Christine said, staring at the dress which was laid out on the back of the chair on the right side of the room, the silk shimmering in the early morning light. A thoughtful look crossed her face as it hit her just how important today was, how much she had wished for this since she had left him the first time, the surrealness of this occasion not lost on her.

Meg entered with a broad smile on her face. "Christine, you are not dressed and we've much to do - your hair, your clothes, your make-up!" Her enthusiasm was infectious and soon Christine felt calmer and smiled broadly, as Meg helped her gather everything she would need together. Meg held open the dress and Christine slipped into it, gasping slightly as the coldness of the zip hit her as Meg did it up. Next came her hair, teasing it into shape, her perfect curls falling over the dress and catching the light, bringing up the red which ran throughout.

Had he got her letter? Christine pondered, she hated to leave him but tradition dictated. Nerves ran throughout her body as she tried to remember her vows, pulling out the piece of paper they were written on and reading them over again. Never before had she felt so nervous but never before had she felt so alive, so wanted, so loved as she did with this man. Words could never explain just what she felt for him but she had eternity with which to start. A sharp knock came on the door and Madame Giry's voice sounded on the otherside;

"Christine, the carriage is here, are you ready?" taking a deeo breath both she and Meg answered in the positive and the door was opened to reveal Madame Giry - her familiar black dress replaced by another of dark blue, the light catching it magnificantly and making her seem younger than her years. He familiar hat sat on her head and her cane in hand, she, like everyone else was grinning broadly at the thought of what was going to happen. She considered Christine as a daughter and was pleased to be 'giving her away' because of the loss of her father. Gazing lovingly at her she took in her features. Her white dress simple yet affective, perfectly outlining her slender but curved frame. She smiled proudly and followed her out to where the carriage was waiting. Eternity began here.