Chapter Four: Moving on

Think of it!
A secret engagement!
Look - your future bride!
Just think of it!

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The catholic priest announced and for the first time since their vows on the roof, Raoul kissed her on the lips. If Christine hadn't been so happy and at peace, she would of noticed how her thoughts registered the simple kiss as one of protection, not full of passion, just as it had always been with Raoul. He was her guardian angel, when Erik had been her angel of music.

Music had been her passion, her life, and when she kissed the embodiment of that music that raged in her soul, the kiss had been deeper and darker then she had ever experienced.

She looked into Raoul's eyes as the walked away from the priest, and she saw something that she couldn't place. Behind the blind happiness, she was sure she saw a hint of pride. Before she could ask him what he was thinking, Philippe was at his side.

"Well now that THAT'S over with," he said rather awkwardly.

"Oh brother, when will you learn? It's never over, it's only just begun." Raoul said teasingly.

Christine may have been offended but she'd come to accept Philippe's ways. It wasn't that he hated her; he just cared for Raoul as a father would and didn't want any harm to come of him. She was sure that Philippe knew that the wedding was one of a love match, and that he was just concerned with what people thought of the de Chagny's.

"Yes, well… Christine, you looked… pleasant up there." Philippe coughed.

"Thank you, dear brother." She said smiling and bowing her body a touch. She caught the look in his eyes, the one that was warm and approving. Yes, she knew that Philippe cared for her; it was just that being a Comte was still apart of him too, and he must keep up appearances.

"I shall have to steal away your new husband to discuss the winery he should have closed down." He said a little warily at Raoul. Before she could hear his protestations, Philippe had guided Raoul away from Christine.

Looking around, Christine was suddenly intimidated by the amount of people who were here standing in her backyard. Raoul and she had decided to have an outside wedding. It was as the new rage, and seen as rather unconventional. It had taken a lot to decide on the whereabouts, however it led down to what they wanted, not what people thought was right or wrong. After all, Raoul did marry her and she could tell now by many of the faces, they had thought it was an extreme error on his part. She walked over to the refreshment table where Andre and Firmin were standing and gossiping worse then old hens. Smiling faintly, she felt more comfortable in their presence then her own brother in laws.

"Hello monsieur's," she said capturing their attention.

"Ah! Christine, just the Angel we were talking about. We are indeed happy with your decision, we just hope that you don't pull another disappearing act!" Firmin said sipping his champagne.

"FIRMIN!" Andre said disapprovingly. He smiled awkwardly at Christine, hoping it had not offended. Christine found it amusing how they bantered and watch the horror and realization pass over Firmin's features at what he had said.

"Oh dear, I um… do apologize sincerely Vicomtess." Andre took Firmin by the elbow and veered him away from the beverages going on about how Firmin had drunk enough wine for one evening.

"… And an outdoor wedding! How brazen… why she's no more common then a…"

"Don't say it Marguerite, she's a Vicomtess now."

"Ha! Isn't that a lark, I still don't see why Philippe would allow Raoul to marry some chorus girl. I mean, how do they know she hasn't been…"

"Enough Marguerite, it is not our place."

"I'm just saying Genevieve, I would have never allowed it. Now she's going back to that opera house. I swear, the de Chagny's are going to be crossed off a few guest lists… I'm sure." Christine felt as though a blow hit her stomach. So that was what they really thought of her, some common… whore was what they were going to say. They had said chorus girl like it was filth, like she was no more then a prostitute.

"Christine!" Meg screeched in blind happiness. Christine pushed the tears away and watched the small dancer come running towards her, nearly tripping over the long brides maid dress that she was not use to wearing. To Christine's knowledge, Meg was not use to wearing dresses period, and as she thought on it more, she couldn't remember a time she had seen Meg in something that didn't belong to the costume department.

"Christine it was simply marvelous, you looked exquisite! Maman cried! I have never seen such a sight! Firmin and Andre said they have never seen such a beauty as you! Does that mean you will be returning? Are the rumors of your return to the Opera Garnier as the new Prima Donna true? Is that champagne?" Meg said speeding, passed Christine towards the drinks behind her.

She laughed at her friend's happy exterior, while on the inside she was terrified. There was too many people here, staring and gossiping. Her Raoul was a man of stature and society; she was just a lowly theatre rat.

She had always known most had thought that Raoul would have his little affair and be off with her, knowing she could never be a suitable wife. Still, he had proved them all wrong when he said his vows to her in the gardens, in front of them all.

"Are you alright my love?" Raoul said from behind her and she turned.

His handsome face was plagued with worry, and she couldn't help but smile at the care he was displaying.

"Of course, dear. I was just noticing your brother and Meg talking in the corner." She said pointing in the corner. Meg was laughing and positively vibrant with joy; making many men take notice of her. Philippe seemed deep in conversation with her, his whole body and demeanor stiff and rigid, but smiling no less.

"Maybe you set an example for him, and he no longer thinks he's above the everyday ballet theatre rat." she said with a mischievous smile she rarely showed most.

"Maybe." He said with a smile and pecked her lips. Again, Christine looked at all the masked disapproving faces at her. They reminded her of the masquerade ball, all wearing masks to hide their true feelings.

"Masquerade, paper faces on parade, Hide your face so the world will never find you..." She hummed to herself.

"What's that Christine?" Raoul asked her, in fact not hearing what she hummed.

"Nothing, love, let us dance." She said extending her hand to him so he could lead her to the floor. If she were to be the center of attention for this little charade, then she might as well do what she could do best.

She would give them a show.

(' ) '
-

Say you want me with you,
here beside you . . .
Anywhere you go
let me go too -
Christine
that's all I ask of . . .

You.

It has always been you Christine, and always will be, and now knowing how you feel, his thoughts trailed off. He could hear the music being played below, and he felt a piece of his heart stuck in his throat.

I refuse to look, I refuse to look, I refuse to look! He thought to himself. Closing his eyes, he tried to sing to himself.

"Masquerade, paper faces, on parade..." but still the harmonious music played on, filling his ears, his home, and his soul.

The sweetness of it was all the more bitter for him, for he knew it was her wedding, and he should be standing beside her, he should be the one down there dancing, and laughing and playfully bantering back and forth.

Damn her for doing this to him still, how could he be so blind? She was only good for one thing and that was dealing him blows that made him stagger.

How could he blame her? He loved her, and as fate would have it, she loved him back.

How stupid of him to think he could be her guardian angel without the pain that it would cause, he must face the facts.

He was not her father.

He was not her husband.

He was just the man who loved her.

(' ) '
-

Can it be?
Can it be Christine?

Bravo!

What a change!
You're really not a bit
the gawkish girl that once you were...

Raoul spun Christine around the dance floor happily laughing at the sudden change in her. She was back to his Christine, for rarely did she drift off into space like she use too, a habit that she developed after leaving the shadows of the phantoms underground lair.

No, when he returned, she was very welcoming and happy, saying she had made peace with her ghost, that he had returned to her in slumber to say his final goodbye.

Oh how happy he was that things turned out the way they did, for he knew that at this very moment he could be laying at the bottom of the icy underground lake, instead of gazing into his wife's soft blue eyes.

He had always really underestimated Erik's power until he was praying for his life on the end of the Punjab lasso. He had thought that his life was over until he had given Christine back.

He had given her back! Oh how glorious that was. He did not like Erik, but could no longer hate him, knowing that he undeniably loved her as much as he. Raoul was willing to die so she could be free, and Erik was too, because without her, he surely did die.

Of course, if he ever saw Erik he would have to call the Sûreté, the man was a murderer and should pay for his crimes against society. He did not know if what Christine said was true, but he doubted that he was still alive.

Of course, the phantom could escape the mob, but Erik wasn't a phantom, he was a man.

A man that was surely captured and dead.

(' ) '
-

You alone
can make my song take flight -
it's over now, the music of the night . . .

Christine awoke in the perfect way.

The sun shone lazily through her curtains and the bird chirped out a beautiful melody to fill the quiet air.

She sighed and closed her eyes again to remember her dreams from the previous night.

Erik had come to say goodbye, and she had poured out all the pain she had been harboring inside of her. No longer would she be distant or cold to her husband-to-be. No, everything was to be ok now. She could let go of the past and start a new future from its shambles.

Her phantom was now really a phantom, as well as an angel.

She got up and walked over to her desk where the letter from the previous few days had been sitting at a stalemate,

Dear monsieur's.

I would like to inform you I would be honored as well as delighted to be rejoining the Opera Populaire as the new Prima Donna in Hannibal, it is unfortunate of Mlle. Carlotta leaving, however, if she is not to return maybe you will think of further employment? We shall discuss my contract hopefully soon.

Also, I would be honored if you were guests at my wedding to Raoul de Chagny. Please do attend, for I think of most of the Opera Populaire as my family.

Sincerely Christine Daaé.

With that out of the way, she began to prepare for Raoul's arrival, they would have a lot to discuss on his return. Especially plans for their wedding.

If Christine had made her bed that day, like she normally did, instead of had a maid do it, she would of noticed the small simple gold band Erik had laid on her pillow before it fell down the side of her bed.