Marie Claire woke up on the morning of her wedding to the soft chirping of the birds outiside. The sun was just rising outside the bay window. She sat up and pulled her curls out of the ponytail at the base of her neck, allowing them to fall down her back. She smiled as she looked around the room, the room which had been hers for all of her life. It was a slightly bittersweet moment, for today was the last day that she would be Marie Claire de Chagny. As of four o'clock this afternoon, she would become Marie Claire Page'. But the name would not change who she was. Her heart fluttered as she thought of Arthur, the man who had completley swept her off her feet. His soft tenor voice singing to her, his gentle kiss on her lips, his warm arms comforting her. They had healed each other over the past two years, making each other whole again. As that thought came to her mind, she thought of the Phantom, wondering if he knew about the wedding, and knowing how he was, she thought that he probably did. She had noticed that her father had had a rather shaken look on his face the other night, and she worried that it was about the Phantom. But she had decided that if her parents knew something, they would tell her when they believed she should know, so she hadn't dwelled on it. Her thoughts fell back on Arthur, and how close she had come to losing him, so frighteningly close. But she hadn't. The love they had was unbreakable, and it made her happy beyond all measure that today they would be united as one. She stepped from beneath her four poster, canopy bed, the cool hardwood floor feeling pleasant under her feet. She turned and looked at her window, remembering the time she had almost fallen out of it. She had been about eight, and had thought that she could reach the tree from her window. But luckily Christine had caught her at just the right time. She chuckled. She had to admit, sometimes she was to curious for her own good. A soft knock was heard at her door, and her parents came in, still in their nightclothes. They smiled brightly at their daughter, so glad to see her so happy. They were feeling relieved as well, for no strange occurences had happened over the past two weeks, and the opera had gone by with no disruptions. They were beginning to wonder if for some strange and twisted reason Erik was waiting until after the wedding to reappear. Or maybe he had changed his mind. But one could never tell. But Raoul and Christine were glad that they had decided not to tell Marie and Arthur about the letter yet, for there seemed to be no reason to worry just yet.
"Well Marie Claire de Chagny, you are an early bird this morning, my girl." said Raoul.
"Yes, we rather thought we would come in and scare you awake." joked Christine, her eyes laughing.
Marie laughed and shook her curly head at them. " I'm sorry I ruined your fun, but I am so excited that I hardly slept at all, so waking up early seemed to be a good idea." she said, yawning and stretching. "And besides it is my wedding day, I'll have to start getting ready soon."
"Wedding, what wedding?" asked Raoul playfully, feigning ignorance.
"Oh papa, you know perfectly well what wedding." laughed Marie, hitting her father playfully on the shoulder.
"Yes dear I know what wedding." said Raoul, a grin lighting his kind, handsome features.
"He was just having one of those selective memory lapses." said Christine chuckling as she kissed his cheek.
At that comment they all laughed until their ribs were sore. Then Raoul pulled his daughter into a fatherly and loving embrace. Marie hugged him tightly, so glad that her beloved father and mother were there to see her married. She knew that not all girls were that lucky, her mother for one. Neither of her parents had not been alive to see her married. Though she had many who loved her there, such as Madame Giry, Marie knew that it couldn't possibly be the same. So she was incredibly thankful for her blessing. Then Christine joined the hug, and the happy moment lasted for several minutes, until the voice of Felix was heard.
"Oh, so this is where everyone is." he said, rubbing his eyes." I couldn't find any of you."
"Come join us darling." said Christine, lifting her arm to include Felix in the hug.
The family sat there for a few more minutes before breaking apart.
"Congratulations Marie, darling." said Raoul as he picked her up and spun her around the room, as the pairs of identical blue eyes sparkled with laughter.
Then the smell of blueberry muffins wafted in from the kitchen.
"Well I suppose Margaret is excited about your wedding, she's cooking blueberry muffins for you." said Christine, ushering them all down the stairs.
Marie walked swiftly toward the curving staircase, deciding to take a slide down the banister. After all, she wouldn't get to do it as often anymore. She had done it everyday since she was little when coming down to breakfast. She laughed as she remembered the times her entire family had slid down this banister. And she knew too, that Arthur also did this. She smiled completely elated at the thought of her husband to be, as she took a running start, and slid down the banister, the rest of the family following behind her.
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Arthur awoke a few hours after Marie, but with the same feelings of immense joy. He looked in the mirror at his rumpled hair and laughed. He needed to fix that. He couldn't believe that today was the day. He was finally going to marry the girl of his dreams. How he loved her, she lit up his life. Many a girl had tried to catch his eye, but none held a candle to his Marie Claire. She was the most amazing person he had ever met. And when she sang, it made him want to melt, the soprano voice souding like pure crystal. And he loved her family as well. Raoul and Christine had become like another set of parents to him, and Felix was like a little brother. But even as such blissful thoughts filled his head, Arthur couldn't help but wonder about the Phantom. Did he know of the wedding? And if so, would he try and prevent it? Arthur sighed as he thought of his former tutor. Yes, his voice had been enhanced by Erik, but in truth Arthur had never really trusted the man. Felt sorry for him, yes. Tried to offer frienship and compassion, yes. But trust, no. Arthur had never understood why Erik had begun to give him lessons, but he believed that it was because Erik grew tired of the horrible male voices that had entered the Opera since Piangi'sdeath. But now Erik loathed him. Loathed him for loving Marie, loathed him for befriending Raoul and Christine. How Erik expected people to live by those chains, Arthur didn't know. But Arthur had never been more than just a student to Erik, Erik had never trusted him enough to consider him a friend really. He was simply a protege, a protege who had gone against his teacher's wishes. Memories of two years ago filled Arthur's brain, and he had a light head rush. But he shook it off, thinking back to today. Why was he worrying about such things on the happiest day of his life? Thoughts of Marie Claire warmed him. Only a few more hours and they would be one in marriage. He smiled, his dark eyes lighting up. But still, as she stepped outside into the welcoming sunlight of the Parisian morning on his way to his parents house, he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
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Erik paced about his lair, his mind spinning. He had tried to ignore the fact that the wedding was today, but he couldn't. The tumble of emotions seemed to make his blood race, his fury making it boil. He calmed himself with thoughts of his plan, the plan that would take the entire opera house by surprise and bring it to its knees. He sat at his organ, playing the notes to ' Music of the night.' Music was the only thing that soothed his fiery soul. Sweet music was always dependable. Perhaps, after his mission was accomplished he would write a new opera. He turned his thoughts toward the wedding. Yes, he had sworn that he wouldn't do anything to disrupt it, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't watch from the shadows.
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A/N: This is kind of a prep chapter to the wedding, which is the next chapter. I hope you like this. I'm so excited about this story, and where I want it to go. Get ready for some twists and turns! I'm really trying to get into all of the characters thoughts. Anyway, thank you for your reviews! Please keep them coming, they encourage me to keep writing. Oh and by the way, I solute all of my fellow RC fans out there, just thought I'd say that. I feel very bad for Erik, but I'm RC all the way! PS: So how many times have you guys watched the Phantom DVD? Gerard, Emmy, and Patrick are awseome!