The Wedding Yeah! The big moment is finally here for Erik and Christine, but the story doesn't end. Following this will be more about Jacqueline and the love she has for her grandfather. I'm annoyed that the song used in this chapter called "I Will Always be with you" It sounded like such a sweet song. It fits the story so well. I copied from listening to the song since I couldn't find the lyrics, so if anything is wrong I'm sorry. Well here goes nothing. Let the wedding bells ring!

As a side note I finished Susan Kay's Phantom. I'd read it again if I didn't have to go back to school, but I still love the book and hope someday to get my own copy of the book. (Also a cardboard cutout Gerald Butler as the Phantom would be just as awesome.)

Serena Fae welcome to the Raoul Haters United Club

Chapter 50: Black and White Intertwine

Erik was tearing his desk apart in frustration. "Where did I put that score? I need it or the whole wedding will be ruined," he groaned as he continued to search.

"Why is it so important?" Pierre asked from the couch where he sat dressed in a tux.

"It's a song Christine and I perfected for this day. We are to sing it, but without the score it's pointless."

Aside from learning her part for the spring show of Hannibal, because Erik hadn't come up with anything better, Christine had practiced alongside him on their wedding song. And now just minutes before he was to be upstairs he had misplaced the score. He muttered a few choice words under his breath as he turned the papers on his desk over for the eleventh time this morning.

Pierre stood up from the couch and looked around the room. Lotte would have known what to do, but she was upstairs with Christine and Jacqueline getting ready for the special event. He was to be Erik's best man, but he had hoped to be with Lotte instead. Suddenly his eyes fell onto a leather bound score settled on the organ bench. He hurried over and picked it up. "Erik is this it?"

In a flash Erik had taken the leather into his hands and let out a relieved sigh. "Oh, that could have been terrible going up there without the music. Christine is looking forward to it and the last thing I want is to disappoint her on this one special day." He began looking in his pockets and let out a startled cry. "Oh, dear god what did I do with the ring?"

Pierre held up the velvet box, a look of annoyance on his face. "Erik either you're really nervous or just high strung, because it seems as if you forgot that you gave me the ring for safe keeping."

"I knew that. What would I do without you around to keep track of everything?"

"Be late for your own wedding?"

Erik looked at the clock and realized what time it was. Before either of them could blink they were heading up the tunnel towards the stage. Clutching the score tightly Erik was more excited than he had ever been and moved faster making poor Pierre run after him.

xxxxx

Inside Christine's dressing room Lotte helped her mother get into the wedding dress and did up her hair for her. This was a special day for all of them for they were finally going to be a true family. Suddenly she heard a sniff. She looked over to see her Mother crying.

"What's wrong? This should be a happy day for you."

Christine was wringing the fabric of the dress between her fingers and looking up at the mirror as if expecting Erik to come rushing through and take her into his arms, but she knew the rule of the groom not seeing the bride until the wedding all to well. She had to be awake and upstairs before Erik woke up to make it work. She had hated to do it, but Lotte went through the exact same thing. Yet, Raoul had broken that rule. On the day of their wedding Raoul had hovered around her like a hawk watching its unsuspecting prey.

She had told him about the rule, but he had only told her to grow up and forget about silly traditions. "I should have left him then. Erik is a man of tradition and would do anything to make me happy, even if it meant he couldn't see me for a few hours before we wed. Why didn't I leave him when I had had the chance and gone back to Erik?" she thought.

"Mother, did you hear me?" Lotte asked concern clear in her voice.

"What? Oh, yes dear I can hear you. I was just thinking about something."

"I see. Let me guess you were thinking about how Father will sweep you off your feet and take you away to your bedchambers as soon as the priest says 'I now pronounce you man and wife.'" Lotte said with a grin.

"No, that wasn't it. I keep thinking about Raoul and why I didn't leave him sooner. I could have been with your Father sooner and the two of us would have raised you together."

"But even if it was that way I still would have had that curse. There was no way around it. Yet, there is no time to think about this now. All I can see on the horizon is the future and it is so bright and happy that I am blinded by the intense light. Come on show me a smile."

Christine managed a small smile, but then Lotte made a face causing her to break out into a fit of giggles. They were both unaware of Erik and Pierre passing by outside the door and the sound of laughter made them both stop in their tracks. Erik made his up to the door in attempt to knock at it, but Pierre pulled him away.

"You don't want to break tradition do you?"

"Well of course not. But I really want to be with her."

"Come on, I think everyone is starting to get ready," Pierre said looking around them as the employees gathered round to decorate the stage and backstage areas. They hung white sheets from the upper floors and vases of roses were set up near the thrust.

Erik went over and looked the roses over. Deep red roses were mixed in with white ones. "So the black of darkness finally joins with the white of light and day doesn't it?" he said running a gloved hand over the petals.

xxxxx

Back in the dressing room Lotte helped her mother stand and secured the veil to her head. "There you're ready. Now you're to wait in here until Mme. Giry comes for you. She will be walking with you towards the thrust," Lotte informed her as she picked Jacqueline up out of her crib; that had placed in Christine's room for easy access during rehearsals.

"I know. I've been through a wedding once before and I'm sure this one won't be much different."

"I don't know about that," Lotte said as she opened the door part way. "Maybe this time around you'll be more likely to enjoy yourself."

Christine couldn't ask her what she meant, before Lotte left closing the door behind her. She stood looking at the door for awhile before she crossed to the mirror and looked into it. Lowering the veil in front of her eyes she gazed at her reflection. The dress was a beautiful sight crafted by her lover's own hands. The one Raoul had made her wear had been bought and paid for and had been rather ugly in her opinion, but he didn't seem to care; as long as she was wearing anything at all. She had wanted the perfect wedding, but it seemed like Raoul had wanted it done and over with.

xxxxx

Erik had made it quite clear that he was ready to begin by standing before the priest eager to see Christine come out of the dressing room. He already knew she would be beautiful, but he wanted to see the dress on her again; a dress he had poured his heart and soul into making for her. Evenings spent working on sections then hurrying to the show or her dressing room making visual corrections on the piece he had just created until finally he had finished.

As much as the two of them disliked the idea, Meg and Pierre walked down the aisle together as the maid of honor and the best man. As soon as they made it to the end they took separate sides breathing sighs of relief.

Lotte and Jacqueline came up behind them. Holding Jacqueline close to her with one arm Lotte used her other hand to throw rose petals upon the stage from the basket she was carrying. She handed one to Jacqueline, who took it and with a squeal let it fall to the floor.

Erik smiled at the child's squeal of joy and as Lotte brought her up to him, she tried reaching out to him, but he only stroked her cheek with his finger. She grasped it with her own tiny fingers and laughed. Lotte soon reached up and released her Father from Jacqueline's grasp and stood beside Pierre.

When Mme. Giry came up and stopped outside Christine's door, Erik could have sworn his heart stopped for just a split second. The door fell open; the light from inside spilling out across the black of the stage floor. Everyone looked up as Christine stepped out into the backstage hall clutching a bouquet of white and red roses in her hands.

She smiled at Erik, who stood there anxious for her to join him on the thrust. From the orchestra pit the wedding march was being played and taking Christine's arm in hers Mme. Giry led Christine down the aisle for the second time. She was so proud that Christine had finally made the right decision and was most pleased that Erik had found that someone special to live out the rest of his life with.

When Christine finally reached the thrust she stood in front of Erik while Mme. Giry stood alongside Meg. For a moment the two lovers stared into one another's eyes before Erik presented his arm and she took it with a smile. She blinked back tears of joy at the sheer joy of being here with him after all these years, wearing his ring and his dress. She was overjoyed and knew it would be hard to resist the urge to just throw aside the bouquet and kiss him now.

The priest began and everyone watched in awe as the Phantom turned to his bride and began his vow. "Christine you are a heavenly angel to me and you will always be. I promise to stay by your side for all time and continue to help you produce the most beautiful sound with your equally beautiful voice. You were the first to see me as a man and not a monster; to love me and care for me as I loved and cared for you. You gave to me a beautiful daughter and we both have a handsome son-in-law and a beautiful grandchild. The Opera House was once your home and it will be your home once again for as long as you wish it to be. I love you."

Christine let a few tears fall, which he wiped away with his finger. "I should have gone first," she said with a small laugh. Erik smiled at her and placed his hands on her shoulders trying to comfort her. She gazed up at him as she began to speak. "Erik you have always been the Angel of Music to me. If Father were still here he would probably agree with me that you were that someone I had been looking for to guide me and protect me. I wish nothing more than to stay within the Opera House with you and our beautiful family. This is the one true place you called home and I will not take you away from it just for my own happiness, because it wouldn't be fair. I love you Erik and you will always be my Angel of Music."

"Erik do you take Christine Daae to be your wife, to love and to hold in sickness and in health until death do you part?" the priest asked.

"I do."

The priest turned to Christine. "Christine, do you take Erik, The Phantom of the Opera, to be your husband, to love and to hold in sickness and in health until death do you part?"

"I do."

Pierre handed Erik a small box and Lotte gave one to Christine. Erik took out a diamond ring and put it on Christine's finger. She gazed at it a moment before opening the box she was holding and pulled out a solid gold ring that she slipped onto Erik's finger.

A few sniffs could be heard from Lotte and a few of the employees; mostly the ballet girls. The priest held up his hand and announced the final statement that would finally tie the two lovers together. "Then with the power vested in me I now announce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

"Don't mind if I do," Erik whispered as he lifted the veil from Christine's face. He put his hands around her waist as she put her arms around his neck and their lips locked in one of the most romantic kisses to date.

Lotte, Pierre, Meg, and Mme. Giry all gave cheers of joy as the two finally pulled apart. "I now present to you Madame and Monsieur Daae," the priest announced closing the bible.

"Oh, father I wish you were here with us on this blessed day. If you're here give me a sign that you are," Christine thought.

Suddenly she heard the most beautiful violin music and she closed her eyes letting the music be absorbed into her ears. Erik looked over at her and whispered into her ear. "Is something the matter?"

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Can't you hear it? Can't you hear Father's violin? He's playing for us."

Erik stared at her for a second then began to hear the music also. Everyone on the stage heard the music and looked around in amazement at how clear it was. Where was it coming from? What did it mean?

Christine felt tears come to her eyes once more and she took Erik's hand. "You have received his blessing. Oh, Erik he has allowed you to marry me," she exclaimed happily.

He gave a sigh of relief. "I would hate to know that he disapproves. I know enough about ghosts getting angry that I totally believe in them."

She reached up and kissed him. She pulled back and whispered something to him. Erik looked into his jacket coming up empty handed then looked frantically around the floor.

"What's Father looking for?" Lotte asked Pierre, who had a large grin on his face.

"He has misplaced his music score again. I guess he forgot he gave it to me to hold onto." He went up to Erik and tapped him. Erik spun around and Pierre held up the leather bounded score. "Lose something?"

"Right I gave it to you to hold onto. I swear I'm losing my mind," Erik said as he took the leather. Then he turned to everyone. "In honor of this joyous day, my wife and I have come up a piece to share with you," he announced.

Christine gave Meg her bouquet before following Erik to the piano down in the orchestra pit and sat down next to him on the bench. She set up the score on the holding tray while Erik warmed up his fingers on the keys.

When he began to play the piece the stage was filled with the most beautiful music. Christine began singing and Erik joined in creating a beautiful duet:

Christine:

I will always be with you Makes no difference where your road takes you to. Even if we're apart now we're joined at the heart. Though a moment may be gone you and I will still live on.

Erik: I will always be with you. I'll be by your side whatever you do. Other memories may fail, but the ones that we made are as eternal as a star. Now I'm part of who you are.

Both: And I'll be there with you in the sound of your laughter. I'll be in the tears you cry

Erik: Cause the way you and I have touched one another

Both: Doesn't end with goodbye

Erik: I will always be with you

Both: Like a Guardian Angel constant and true

Christine: When you're lost in the night

Erik: Lost in the night

Christine: And you can't see the light

Both: My love will see you through

Erik: I will always be there

Christine: You'll have me there

Both: I will always be with you

Erik: I will always be with you

Christine: I will always be with you

Both: Like a Guardian Angel constant and true

Christine: When you're lost in the night

Erik: Lost in the night

Christine: And you can't see the light

Erik: Can't see the light

Christine starts Erik joins in: My love will see you through

Erik: I will always be there

Christine: You'll have me there

Both: I will always be with you

When they finished they shared a loving kiss as everyone clapped and cheered. Lotte wiped away her tears as she realized that for the first time her father had shared his own music in front of people, not just that in an opera, but with his own hands.

xxxxx

At the reception Christine was speechless at the sight of the cake that Mme. Giry and Meg had made for them. Erik had crafted the wax figures to look like them and placed them atop the cake.

Christine took up the knife and cut two small pieces of the cake placing them on napkins. She took up her piece and Erik took his. Intertwining their arms like they had at Lotte and Pierre's wedding they sweetly ate their pieces then licked one another's fingers free of frosting.

There was dancing, laughing, eating, drink, and because of the new couple, plenty of kissing. When Christine threw her bouquet Madeline caught it and looked around to see Lyle smiling at her. She blushed and smiled back.

It was a surprise to everyone how fast Erik got Christine's garter off…with his teeth. He looked at it for a second then back at her. The garter was white with black ribbon intertwined with the lace and a rose charm was fastened to the ribbon. "It seems a waste to throw it," he said.

"I can make another one," she said sweetly.

"Well then that changes everything," he smiled as he threw it behind him and gathered her in his arms.

Lyle had caught the garter and Mme. Giry announced that the two of them were to share the next slow dance together. The music started up and Lyle bowed to Madeline, who curtsied. She smiled and together the two of them started to dance across the stage as everyone else watched.

"They look so beautiful together," Lotte said as she watched them, Pierre's arm wrapped around her waist and Jacqueline resting in her arms.

"Yes they do. It won't surprise me if they next ones to get married," Christine said. Erik came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back against his chest and looked up at him.

But then Jacqueline started fussing. Lotte tried to shush her, but was to no avail. She wasn't wet or hungry, but Lotte couldn't figure out what was wrong. Erik came over to her. "Here, I think I know what she wants."

Lotte handed him Jacqueline and while he held her, Erik went onto the dance floor and slowly moved in small circles, giving his granddaughter the sense of dancing. Jacqueline had stopped fussing and now looked upon her grandfather with a sense of awe in her eyes. The sensation of the movement to her tiny body made her sleepy and she snuggled up against him.

The music stopped and Erik gazed down upon her. Such joy it was to have her, but he wondered what would happen if she saw him without the mask on. Lotte was used to him, but Jacqueline was only a baby. Soon she would ask questions about everything and be very curious about the world around her. "We'll have to be ready when the time comes. If she asks I won't be afraid to answer. She trusts me now and to break that trust would severe the bond we have."

Lotte came up to him and looked upon her daughter. "She loves you so much. And think that because of what you just did she'll love you even more."

xxxxx

Later that evening Erik finally got his chance to carry his new bride over the threshold of their bedroom. He had made a good point that helping someone out of a boat really didn't count as a threshold, so he had carried her all the way to bed.

When he tried to put her down she had been holding on so tight that she ended up pulling him with her. He pushed himself up afraid he had crushed her under his body weight, but he was surprised to find her laughing. And they weren't innocent giggles; they were deep ones, like his.

"Where did you learn to laugh like that?"

"I had the greatest teacher," she said a grin coming to her lips.

"And how great was he?"

"So great…" she said as she sat up a bit so they're lips were barely touching. "…that I couldn't help but love him and…"

She didn't finish her statement as Erik closed the gap and began kissing her deeply trying to taste everything she had to offer within her mouth. Her tongue brushed against him and he let out a low purr in the back of his throat. As he busied himself with that her hand reached up and removed the mask. Gently she caressed the skin and with the other hand ran it along his neck.

Erik pulled back and gazed into her eyes then he realized he had left the door open. He quickly got up and looked around before closing the door. He turned back to see that the curtains had been drawn and there was giggling as two white shoes fell to the floor.

"Now just wait one moment," he said with a snort as he crawled under the curtain. "That's supposed to be my job."

Three guesses as to what the have planned and your first three guesses don't count. Just kidding, it's not that hard to figure out. X-D