DISCLAIMER: I only own Paris, the rest belong to Gaston Leroux and Sir Lloyd Webber.
The morning of December 15th dawned bright and early. The weather was clear and cold but there was no sign of snow. All of the guests had arrived on time and were now hurrying in their rooms trying to get ready. Raoul's older brother Philippe was there seeing that everything went as planned while Raoul was being dressed and prepared for the wedding. Philippe had not been too keen on Raoul's marriage to Christine but once he had met the sweet Swedish singer he had consented to the marriage. Philippe knew nothing about the infamous Phantom and his bride staying in the de Chagny estate so Paris and Erik had had to make extra sure that they weren't discovered.
As Raoul had promised Thomas arrived at Erik and Paris' room before the designated time for the other guests to start going to the chapel. Thomas hurried the Desslars to the chapel and then left them to return to his post. Erik opened the doors and ushered Paris inside. They found their way up to the loft at the back of the chapel. Two chairs had been placed up there in case they wished to sit down. Erik said it would be best if they stood in the shadows for the ceremony but if Paris became tired she was free to sit.
Paris and Erik stood in the shadows while the guests began to enter. Paris gasped when she saw Madame and Meg Giry. Tears filled her eyes when she saw her friend and former instructor. Erik gave a small smile when he saw them as well. Madame Giry had always been a good friend and ally to him. They didn't see many other guests that they recognized but as Erik whispered to Paris that was to be expected. They didn't hob nob with the upperclassmen like Raoul did therefore Paris and Erik wouldn't know anyone. However, the same was not to be said about the guests not knowing the Desslars. After all, Erik's face had been seen that night his Opera was performed and Paris had caused quite a stir with her voice that night as well. While Paris may be easier to forget if she didn't speak Erik would not be. Paris had turned and given Erik a hug and a hard kiss after that statement. Erik was thankful they had both dressed in dark colors for the wedding otherwise he had a feeling they would have been spotted for they had moved a bit forward into the light when they had kissed.
By the time the wedding march for Christine's entrance began Erik was ready for the wedding to be over. He was ready to go home and be alone with his wife; however, he knew they wouldn't be able to leave until the guests had all departed the estate. With a sigh Erik pulled Paris back against him as they peered out into the chapel to watch as Raoul and Christine said their vows. He was reminded of his own wedding and he smiled. Christine may be a beautiful bride but Paris would still be far more beautiful to Erik's eyes. As if she knew what he was thinking Paris turned her head to look up at him and smiled.
Erik lowered his head so that his mouth was beside her ear and as Raoul spoke his vows to Christine Erik spoke them as well to his own bride. Paris shivered as Erik's hot breath hit her ear and her heart constricted when she listened to him repeat the vows right along with Raoul. Paris then turned and did the same to Erik when Christine spoke her vows. When the rings were presented Erik raised Paris' hand and kissed her ring. Paris followed his example.
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest called out from below signaling the end of the ceremony.
Two husbands claimed the lips of their wives at the same moment while the guests cheered accordingly. The two wives opened their eyes and stared up at their husbands with tears of happiness trickling down their cheeks. The de Chagnys hurried down the isle to finalize the wedding while the guests began to exit the chapel in order to give their congratulations to the bride and groom. Paris and Erik held back. They knew they couldn't leave the chapel until the coast was clear and with as many guests as there were, that could be a while.
Erik pulled the chairs back into the shadows and he and Paris sat down to wait. Paris didn't know why but she suddenly felt very tired. She hadn't felt that well that morning but had believed it to be nerves. After all, one of her dearest friends was getting married that day. However, now she wondered if maybe something was wrong. Maybe she had caught a cold. Glancing at Erik she decided not to say anything in case she was wrong. When Paris got sick Erik become a mother hen with one chick. He refused to leave her alone and it was only until she growled at him to get out or she'd skin him alive the minute she got out of the bed did Erik actually leave her be for a while.
"It was a beautiful wedding," Paris said softly.
"Yes it was. However, I don't think Christine was as beautiful a bride as you were, my dear," Erik smiled.
Paris blushed and looked down at her hands. "You're just saying that because I'm your wife and I'd hit you senseless if you said otherwise."
Erik grinned and pulled Paris toward him until she was sitting in his lap. "I think I'm already senseless otherwise I wouldn't be risking our lives this way."
When Paris opened her mouth to ask him what he meant Erik wrapped a hand around her neck and pulled her towards his face. He captured her lips in a heated kiss, his tongue sliding into her hot mouth to tangle with her tongue. Paris moaned silently as she shifted herself so that she was straddling Erik in the chair. It wasn't as easy as she thought it would be what with her full skirt in the way but she managed to do it. Erik slanted his mouth over her mouth to deepen the kiss. God, she was a drug!
They didn't know how long they were in the chapel in that position but it had to have been long enough for the guests to go back inside the estate. Thomas entered the chapel and called out to them from below. Paris pulled her mouth away from her husband's with a gasp at the sound of Thomas' voice. She scrambled off of Erik's lab and hurried to straighten her clothes.
"We're coming, Thomas," Erik called down as he quickly tied his hair back again and straightened his jacket.
"Yes, Monsieur Desslar."
Once the Desslar's were presentable again they linked arms and headed downstairs where Thomas waited patiently. Thomas then led them back to the estate and safely through the back entrance so that they would not be seen by any of the guests. Paris wished she could see Madame and Meg Giry before they had to leave but Paris had a feeling that that wouldn't be possible.
However, the minute they were safely in their room all thoughts of the Girys left Paris' mind for Erik pulled her up against his hard body, his lips claiming hers in a rough kiss. Paris moaned as Erik's tongue swept across her lips. Erik pulled away slowly and stared down into Paris' eyes. Smiling he stepped back to allow her to go get ready for bed. A tray of food had been placed in the room while the wedding ceremony had been going on so that Erik and Paris wouldn't have to go out to get food while the guests were around. Erik walked over and lifted the lid off of one of the trays and began to fill two plates full of food for himself and Paris.
He sat down in front of the fire and waited for Paris to come out from behind the changing screen. Once she had she padded over to him and sat down in the chair across from his and began to eat. Erik stood up and went to change as well.
They would be leaving in a couple of days and Erik had a feeling that even though Paris would be sad to leave Christine she was as ready as he was to return home. With a sigh he pulled his robe around his body and stepped out from behind the screen to join Paris by the fire.
"I don't know about you but I'm ready to go home. I don't like having to hide like a criminal," Paris sighed as she stared into the fire.
"Yes, even I'm getting tired of it. I've never been confined like this for this long and it's making me claustrophobic and restless. At least they haven't forgotten about us," Erik gave a small grin at his last comment before taking a bit of cheese.
Paris nodded and bit into a piece of bread. They sat eating in silence for a few minutes before a soft knock on their door sounded. Erik sat up straight, his posture tense. Paris glanced at him while he rose and silently made his way over to the door.
"Paris? Erik, are you in there?" Christine's voice called from the other side of the door.
Erik opened the door and peered down at the new bride. She smiled shyly up at him and stepped into the room after Erik stepped back.
"I just wanted to make sure you two were doing all right. Did you make it to the wedding?"
"Yes, it was a beautiful ceremony. You looked so beautiful, Christine," Paris breathed as she gave her friend a hug.
"And we're doing just fine. We haven't been forgotten in all the excitement," Erik said, his voice laced with amusement.
Christine giggled and looked at them for a moment as if to make sure they were being honest with her. "I'm glad to hear that. Raoul wanted to thank you for the gifts. He thought the horse was one of the best animals he had ever seen and everyone just about died laughing at your song for him, Paris. There was a young lady there who knew how to play the piano and she sang the piece since you couldn't be with us for obvious reasons. I told everyone that you were old friends but that you couldn't make it to the wedding because of distance but that you sent your gifts and regards. They bought the lie thankfully. Thank you for the quilt Paris, it's beautiful and so was your song for me, Erik. I don't know how I can ever thank you both for everything you have ever done for me and Raoul but don't ever hesitate to ask either of us for anything."
"We'll hold you to that promise, Christine. And you're welcome for everything," Paris said softly, tears in her eyes as she hugged her friend again. Erik just nodded in agreement.
"Well, I better get back. I told everyone that I had to go check on something and that I wouldn't be long. Raoul and I will see you off when you leave so don't jump into the carriage without saying good bye first."
"We'll wait. Paris would have my head if I dragged her home without letting her say good bye to you. I'm sure Raoul will be pleased as punch to see me gone as soon as possible," Erik smiled as he kissed Christine's hand.
Christine just laughed then turned and left the room. Erik looked at Paris for a moment before gathering her into his arms for a long comforting hug. It would probably be a while before Paris saw Christine again and saying good bye would be painful to both women. However, Erik knew that they were both strong and that they would keep in touch. If he knew Paris, she would walk in below freezing temperature just to get to where ever Christine was if the young Vicomtess ever needed Paris' assistance. After clearing away their dishes Erik banked the fire and then climbed into bed with his wife at his side. Tomorrow was going to be a long day and they would need their strength just to get through it.
A/N: For anyone who has tried to go to my website in order to read the Lemons and had trouble, the link has been fixed! Celticreeder.