A/N: Permit me a tiny bit of humor in this chapter. Also, remember in the movie which this story is loosely based on Christine never learns Erik's name. In fact, it is never mentioned by anyone.
Ch. 35 – God's Hand Revealed
After the ceremony, on their way to Elsa's cottage where Christine had suggested they spend their honeymoon, Christine leaned her head back against Erik's shoulder in contentment. She stared thoughtfully at her wedding ring for a moment. Finally, she asked the question that had been nagging at her mind since the first night when she had seen him again. "Erik, when we last left each other three years ago, there were so many misunderstandings between us. That night I returned to you, you were so angry, so distrustful of me at first. You were going to send me away. Then you came back to me as if you finally understood all that had happened, and yet you have never asked me for any further explanation. Why not?" She turned in her seat so she could look up at him from the safety of his protective arm. Not wanting to upset him, but curious, she waited.
Erik smiled down at her. "I didn't feel the need to ask what I already knew," he said quietly, withdrawing from his breast pocket a worn letter, its edges scorched by the unmistakable mark of fire. Christine reached for it curiously, then seeing the writing in her own hand, realized what she held in front of her. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Erik, I wrote this the night I believed you had died. I read it to you in heaven, where I believed you to be." Her fingers trembled, marveling at the work of God's hand. She looked up at him in wonder, "That night, I prayed for God to take my words to you...and he did Erik! He did! I threw it in the fire, wanting only you to ever read it. God heard my prayers and he brought this to you."
Her eyes shown with tears, and he kissed her forehead gently, "Indeed He did my dear. But I do believe God had some help from an angel of his own." He produced from his pocket the other part of the letter, and Christine recognized at once the familiar, elegant script. "Elsa!" she breathed, bringing a hand to cover her mouth in astonishment, as she read the letter that had accompanied her own.
Happy tears spilled from her eyes, and she giggled suddenly peeking playfully up at her new husband, "I thought somehow that first night was far too easy. I imagined you would punish me horribly, and instead you welcomed me rather...warmly, considering all you believed I had done to you before." Erik's musical laugh filled the carriage, as they both remembered that first passion filled evening. "Indeed, my dear, we have much to thank your dear friend for. I have her to thank for sending you back to me, and you have her to thank for making your apologies for you and saving you from my vengeful wrath."
His eyes still full of merriment, Erik paused thoughtfully, "You know, since we are on the subject of unanswered questions, I have one for you as well, my dear. The night you showed up on my doorstep, you addressed me immediately as "Erik". It occurred to me that I had never given you my name. How did you finally learn it after all these years?"
Christine thought for a second, trying to remember the exact moment when she had discovered it. Suddenly it dawned on her, "Come to think of it, I believe it was from your gardener." Her eyes widened, "Of all the insufferably enigmatic men, Erik de Chagny! You are willing to give your gardener you name without a thought, and yet you withheld it from me for nearly fifteen years!" The look of indignation on her face was so priceless, Erik could not help but laugh mightily. After her initial annoyance, even Christine dissolved into a fit of giggles.
At the sound of highly undignified laughter coming from inside the carriage, the driver shook his head disapprovingly. "Newlyweds," he muttered to himself.
The carriage came to a halt in front of the lovely cottage, and Erik allowed Christine to lead him through it, showing him every room with pride.
Later, they spent the afternoon making love for the first time as husband and wife in the bright bedroom at the top of the stairs with the balcony door open to the sea. In the hushed silence that followed, they sat in a rocking chair wrapped in blankets. Christine sat in Erik's lap watching the sun set over the water as the sheer draperies danced lazily around them in the soft breeze. Erik kissed her cheek, and feeling the warmth and joy of the moment surround him whispered tenderly, "I have never been as happy as I am this very moment. Thank you, Christine." He nuzzled his face in her hair as his eyes filled with tears of joy. Christine turned her face up to meet his lips, telling him without words that it was the same for her as well.