Author's Note: I apologize profusely for keeping you all waiting for so long. I know how crazy and desperate I become when my favorite stories are not updated as frequently as I would like (which in otherwords means that I wish my stories were updated every hour if not sooner) But none the less, I have caused you to wait far too long...and so as much as I regret doing so, I am yet again making another chapter before the wedding. ( Winces at the sound of all fans groaning loudly) I know, I know... I must say that I wanted the 'wedding chapter' to be long, great and perfect...this was to be the beginning of it and I have yet to finish the rest of the wedding itself, and so i think that I should at least give you a little solace in this... I have been quite busy and I do not think I shall be able to work on this until after this weekend. (I will be constantly perfecting my swordsmanship... (aka I have fencing camp...and wont be home til late in the evenings on Fri, Sat and Sun...and when I do return home, I will be too exhausted to do much else) although you can bet that my thoughts will be on Phantom while fencing (perhaps I should watch the swordfight scene a few times to learn from/stare at Erik a little longer!) And so I promise to post the wedding ASAP! Love and best of wishes to you all!

Spare A Thought For Me

Rolls upon rolls of luscious fabric surrounded me no matter where I went. The seamstress allowed me to walk around for a while, taking in the colors and textures of each intricately stitched yard of fabric. After a little while, she gently urged me to begin discussing my wedding dress with her, saying that she would have to begin on it immediately. It didn't take long for us both to agree on a style and fabric. She measured my body, all the while grumbling in a jealous tone and then smiled at me before beginning to cut out the pattern.

The dress would be simple and elegant, the perfect combination. The bottom of the gown would be white silk, which would fall around my legs gracefully, and the straps would be made out of a thin white lace, but it was the bodice that made the dress magnificent and unique. At first glance, the bodice would be a simple, fitted, white top, but on closer inspection, it was apparent that the material was much more detailed than that. The fabric was also white silk, but every inch of it was covered by roses embroidered in a light cream color.

Clothes had never been of much interest to me and so my attention then fell upon the seamstress. She was probably in her 60's, dressed modestly and had her graying hair clipped into a bun on the top of her head. She was nothing spectacular, but something about her spoke of undying kindness. I watched as she stitched frantically at the fabric laid out before her.

"Ma'am…may I ask you something?"

She turned her head briefly to face me. Raising an eyebrow at me she replied, "Of course, my dear…"

"You must have many other clients who have ordered work from you…why is mine so important?…I am sure that it is not necessary for you to complete this in less than a day…I can speak with my fiancé…I am sure that we could agree on giving you more time…we cannot be so important that all other people must wait for you to finish my gown…let me speak with him…"

"My dear, please…I have agreed to finish your dress in one day…and your soon-to-be husband has compensated for my work very nicely…so do not fret, I am content with the situation I am in currently…" She continued on with her work in silence. I couldn't help but resent the manner in which our wedding was forced to take place. I knew that we couldn't take much time, in fear of being caught and our ceremony would have to go un-witnessed, in fear of drawing attention to ourselves, but that was how our fates had declared it would be.

It was then that the shop door opened and a young woman entered, the gentle breeze blowing in with her. Both the seamstress and I looked up to acknowledge her presence. She smiled at both of us, then her attention rested solely on myself. I shifted uncomfortably under the stranger's gaze. She noticed this and gently addressed me.

"You, must be the young bride…"

I couldn't hold back the grin that these words created. "Yes, I am…"

"Well, I have been sent to style your hair and help in those type of preparations…"

I nodded to show that I would accept her kindness and assistance. She placed her hand firmly on my arm and led me to a nearby chair. The moment I sat down she began fussing with my hair.

"Your hair is gorgeous…" she said breathlessly. I brushed off her words with a soft 'thank you'. "I think that curls would be magnificent…do you agree?" I nodded again. I could have cared less what I looked like at that point. It had been many hours since I had last seen Erik and I was feeling extremely anxious. I wanted nothing more than to get to him and become his wife…I loved him so badly

The day dragged on almost torturously. Hour upon hour ticked away on the wall clock, and I felt each tick deep within my heart. My stomach was in knots with butterflies fluttering around endlessly. I couldn't sit still for more than a few seconds and both women would hiss at me to remain calm. Each time they would state this, I would laugh and say, "I never was calm to begin with."

I watched as the hour hand on the clock reached the six mark. It was then that they both declared that they had finished. The seamstress held out the gown for me to put on as final touches were made to my hair. Both of the women took a few steps back so that they could take a look at me. I blushed as they began to fuss over how 'beautiful' I looked. They then presented me with a mirror and as much as I despised talking about my appearance, I had to admit that I did indeed look quite good.

The seamstress then approached me again. As she did so, she reached into the pocket of one of her skirts and pulled out a piece of black velvet fabric. She held it out in front of her and began to unwrap the bundle. Each layer was slowly pulled back until it's contents were visible. I barely suppressed a gasp of admiration as a breathtaking pearl anklet and necklace were held out in front of me.

"They're a gift…from your husband…" she said softly.

I met her eyes briefly and then turned my attention back to Erik's present. She motioned for me to take them and I did so, handling them as if they would break under the weight of a feather. She laughed at my expression and helped me close the clasp of the necklace. Meanwhile the hairdresser fastened the anklet around my exposed ankles. I couldn't resist the urge to touch the necklace and so I allowed my fingers to outline them gently. Each pearl was the perfect shape and size and it gleamed brightly in the candlelight of the room.

"Now…if she isn't the perfect image of how every bride should look…" the seamstress said.

I smiled at them both with appreciation shining in my eyes. I felt like a rich and royal wife with the pearls from Erik now hanging around my throat. The thought of Erik once again made my heart race.

"Is it time? May I go to him now?" I sounded like a child begging it's mother to go play with their friends outdoors.

"Yes the carriage awaits…Good luck in your new life, my dear…"

"Wait! What about shoes?" I suddenly realized that I hadn't any to match my dress.

"Do not worry…where you're going shoes are not a necessity."

"And where might that be?" Now I was just downright confused.

"That is something you will find out soon enough my dear…" She smiled at me mischievously and I regretfully dropped the subject.

It was then that the coach arrived, draped with heavy curtains on the windows. I inquired as to why I was not allowed to see out of the carriage on the ride there and the seamstress smiled and replied.

"It seems my dear, that your husband has an endless amount of tricks up his sleeve…quite mysterious and intriguing, is it not?"

Oh, if she knew Erik, she would know just how right she was.