Chapter 5: Receptions and Reactions
Marie and Arthur's carriage pulled up in front of the grand doors of the Opera Populaire as night was falling. There was a small spray of pink across the darkening blue, and as they climbed out, a shooting star went flew across the velvet sky. They walked towards the entrance and Arthur took Marie's hand, entertwining his fingers with her small ones. She gazed at his handsome, sweet face, hardly believing that this dream had come true. She was forever united with her love, never to be apart form him.
"Arthur?" asked Marie Claire softly.
"Yes, Marie Claire Page', my love?" He asked, smiling boyishly at her.
"I love you." she said as she looked into his dark, brown, feeling eyes.
"I love you to." He said, giving her another quick kiss before the mahogany doors opened wide in front of them.
A great cheer greeted them as they entered, and celebratory music echoed around the room. There were tables laden with all sorts of delectable treats and scrumptious wines and punches. They were greeted at the door by the wedding party and their parents, all of whom wore big smiles. Lizzie nearly squealed with delight as she hugged both Marie and Arthur at once.
"Congratulations you two! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed as she was led onto the dance floor by her fiance, William. "You looked beautiful Marie!"
Marie and Arthur laughed at their exhuberant friend as they were pounced upon by Felix, who jumped as he ran into their arms.
"Congratulations Marie and Arthur!" he said excitedly.
"Why thankyou Felix." said Arthur as he picked the little boy up and held him upside down for a moment.
"And," said Marie, chuckling, "You did a great job today."
Felix nodded seriously. " I know." he said, his youthful brown eyes filled with mirth.
Then Marie felt herself being picked up by a most familiar pair of strong arms. She turned to see the smiling blue eyes of her father as he swung her around.
"Congratulations Madame Marie Claire Page' !" he said as he kissed the top of her curly head.
"Oh papa I'm so happy. It was beautiful."
"Indeed it was. I just hope it was as perfect as you wanted it." he said, his blue eyes wide and hopeful.
"Believe me papa," she said, kissing him on the cheek, "It was."
"Well I certainly hope so." said Christine coming over to the group after chatting with Meg.
She hugged her daughter tightly for a moment, so glad that everything had gone so well and that Marie was so happy. It was all she had ever wanted. And Marie hugged her back lovingly, wanting her mother to know how much she loved her, and how thankful she was. Then the two released each other, and Marie went over to the Page's, and Arthur came over to them. Monsieur and Madame Page' hugged their new daughter in law warmly and welcomed her into the family. Raoul and Christine embraced Arthur, whom they had come to love dearly over the past two years, and teased him as they often did Felix. Then the young couple was led over to the table where the wedding party was seated. Raoul clinked his fork against his champagne glass, attracting the surrouding table's attention.
"Hello everyone, and welcome." he said, smiling broadly. "I would just like to make a toast before we begin. I have watched the love of these two blossom over the past two years and I hope that their lives together are full of blissful happiness. To Marie Claire and Arthur!"
"To Marie and Arthur!" they exclaimed.
Then they turned to the young couple.
"We have a surprise for you two." said Christine as she pulled out two boat tickets for a two week vacation in the Medditeranean. Marie's and Arthur's eyes widened with a pleasant shock.
"Thankyou!" they exclaimed at the same time.
"We thought you'd like it." said Christine, hugging the two.
"How can we ever thankyou?" asked Arthur, slightly dumbfounded.
"You don't have to." said Raoul, "You deserve it. Now let the celebration begin!"
And with that, the music began and everyone went out onto the dance floor. Arthur took Marie's hand and they began to dance their first dance as husband and wife. Arthur held Marie to him as they waltzed around the room, everything but the two of them fading into the background for the moment.
"I'm so happy Marie." said Arthur, gazing into her big, deep blue eyes, smiling fondly as he fiddled with one of her soft ringlets.
"Happily ever after." said Marie, laying her head on his chest.
Then they kissed, and the world seemed a brighter place. As Raoul and Christine observed them from across the room, they were filled with joy and contentment.
"They're so happy Raoul, everything went perfectly. Look at them." said Christine, chocolate eyes smiling.
"I know, and I'm so glad." he said as he kissed his sweet, beloved wife. "Are you happy?"
"Yes," said Christine, returning his kiss. "So very happy."
The party continued over the next hour or so, full of fun, laughter, and love. Andre and Firmin were, as usual, a little tipsy, Lizzie and Meg were busy planning Marie's wardrobe for the honeymoon cruise, while Madame Giry shook her head and laughed at them. Then it came time for the father daughter dance. As Marie walked towards her papa, she smiled as the pairs of identical blue eyes met. She curtseyed and he bowed and they began to dance.
"I love you Marie Claire, my girl." said Raoul with feeling, as he traced a finger down the side of her ivory face, remembering the day she was born.
"I love you to papa." she said as she hugged him. "And don't worry I'll only be a few miles down the road."
"I know, and that certainly makes me feel better." he said, a watery but happy smile on his face. "I'm just so glad to see you so happy."
But as these words left his mouth, the candles and lights in the room flickered and died. Marie grabbed Raoul's arm as he wrapped a protective arm around her. Then they heard the voices of Christine and Arthur near them, and Raoul took Christine's hand, while Arthur took Marie's. They all knew why those lights had gone out, and a chill went down their spines as a cold voice rang through the room.
"Take this as you first warning, Opera Populaire. I have returned."
Then the guests heard the soft swish of a cloak as the lights came back on. But as the Phantom turned to go, there was someone there blocking his way. The furious face of Madame Giry.