The coach started off and Erik started with a jump, amazed at just how nervous he was now. All the time he had spent wishing for Christine to be his and now it was actually coming to pass the surrealness hit him - What if she ran? What if she was having second thoughts? What if this was all a dream and he would soon come to back in his layer, cold and alone? What about the Fop! He cursed himself mentally, in his haste to book the day he had totally forgotten to have people to keep Raoul at bay. He growled and sent a plea up that no matter what happened, the boy would NOT spoil this day. Nadir looked at Erik strangely - "You are not well my friend?" he said, concern tinging his voice.

"I am fine Nadir" Erik spat out and instantly regretted his tone of voice. Taking a deep breath he steadied himself and apologised for his outburst, lowering his head slightly to ask forgiveness of the man who had done so much for him, both now and in the past.

"Nerves get the best of us sometimes Erik, don't worry, nothing will spoil today" Erik notcied the slight exaggeration on the word "nothing" and smiled softly to himself. Maybe he was foolish worrying about the boy but he could never underestimate a young man in love - afterall he himself would go through fire and brimestone for the woman he loved.

Erik spent the rest of the journey with his eyes closed, a quiet calm radiated from him which bore false witness to his mind that was reeling. What would today bring? Both men were completely lost in their thoughts, neither say anything to one another for fear of their own feelings coming tumbling out. Erik nervous beyond all belief now, so afraid and yet so alive, so ready and yet so scared of things he could not possibly control, not here, not now.

The carriage stopped and both men were abruptly brought from their thoughts, gazing around as if they had been awoken from a deep slumber. Taking a deep breath Nadir gave Erik a rose to place in his button hole, opened the door to the carriage and slowly stepped out.

The sun framed the trees around the church perfectly, casting everything in a soft glow that seemed to radiate from heaven itself. A bird sang somewhere up above and its mate answered almost immediately afterwards. Turning around to face Erik who had gotten out of the carriage and stood in awe of the specticle in front of him. It had been so long since he had been outside in the day and he was like a child seeing it for the first time.

"It is time my friend" came Nadir's quiet voice, and Erik looked at him deep in the eyes with slight hesitation.

"What if..." he started, unable to finish the question as he continued to stare hopelessly, his amber eyes seeking confidence in Nadir's chocolate ones.

"You don't see it do you Erik?" said Nadir, calmly as if he was talking to a child; "You are all she sees, you light up her darkness as she lights up your days. When you and Christine are together the whole of the world could end and there will still only be you and her. Allah has smiled upon you Erik, take the chance, go to her." He placed his hand onto Erik's shoulder and squeezed slightly, punctuating his words.

They walked together up to the church and nodded in greeting to the Vicar who stood outside, his red robes glistening in the sunlight, a book opened in his hand, smiling he nodded back. They all went inside and walked to the altar slowly, again lost in their own thoughts.

Their wait was short lived as about 10 minutes the door opened slightly. Erik looked nervously and the vision he saw took his breath away. Christine walked in first, closely followed by Meg and Madame Giry. Her hair, like silk framed her features, her dress - she looked every inch the angel that he loved more than life itself. Erik's jaw dropped slightly, and quickly he got his emotions under control, radiating the quiet coolness that he had learnt over the years. Christine walked slowly towards him, her smile soft and shy - she was obviously just as nervous as him, only not as able to hide it. Finally they stood side by side and Christine took his hand in in hers, squeezing slightly in a sign of love and affection and maybe trying to calm both their nerves - Erik couldn't tell for sure.

The vicar nodded towards them and they nodded in return.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. I believe you each have your own vows?"

Both Erik and Christine nodded. "Monseuir, if you please"

Turning towards Christine, Erik took a deep breath and cleared his throat, swallowing as he did so... past the point of no return had never been so true.

"I Erik, do take thee Christine to be my wife. Since I first saw you there has been no other, now I have you there will never be another. To put your needs before mine often and never ask for more than you can give. To bring joy to, strength, smiles, and imagination into our marriage. To work to build a strong marriage and never loose it. To give all of me to you,to never give up, and to finish what i am starting. To be foever faithful, from this day on, till my heart beats no more. To spend my life trying to make you as happy as you make me by being here. My love, my life, my music...forever and a day."

Erik swallowed again, closed his eyes and lowered his head, afraid that if he didn't the tears would come again.

"Madamoselle, if you please"

Christine looked up at the man infront of her, trying to meet his eyes. Eventually he looked at her and deep into his eyes she uttered these words.

"I Christine, do take thee Erik to be my husband. When I first met you it seemed as if my world was as crazy as it could be. It wasn't long before I realized that I loved you and wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. Every time I see you it inspires me to be the best woman I can be for you and for us. Something I share with you is a lifetime dream that we will be together forever and someday have beautiful children to show for our faithfulness and affection for one another. I have learned from you that I don't have to be perfect to be loved. You gave me the ability to feel like I've never felt before and knowing that I will feel that way for the rest of my life gives me more happiness than I could ever imagine. Our love is unique in a way that most people will never get to experience. I look forward to being with you every morning when I wake up and every night when I go to sleep you will no longer be a dream but also a reality. My Erik, my love, everything I have is yours."

The church was silent, everyone in quiet awe at the power of the vows that they had just witness.

The vicar spoke again: "Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."

At the back of the church a shadow moved, unseen by anyone. A man bit on his lip so hard that before long he could taste his own blood. Bile rose up in the back of his throat as he heard the vows and those words and his hands gripped hard on his sword, doing everything in his power not to cry out in anguish. Now was not the time, he would make them pay...

"Bless these Rings, O merciful Lord, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love" - the gold bands that Nadir had given to the vicar lay on the bible. Erik picked up one of the rings and following the vicars instructions said his vows and placed the ring on Christine's finger. Christine did the same and soon they both had completed their vows.

"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Then shall the Minister speak unto the people. Forasmuch as N and N have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father+ and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Erik, you may kiss the bride."

Erik snaked his hands up to the back of her head, pulling her to him as he kissed her with a passion before unbeknowst to him. Oh god how he loved this woman, his wife. He smiled broadly as he led her out into the sunlight.

The shadow had gone, Raoul deciding to move somewhere he would not be seen. He growled deep in the back of his throat as he watched the happy couple go by, their smiles making him retch. "You will pay monster. You will rue the day you EVER stole what rightfully belonged to Raoul DeChagny"