Kerri hadn't visited Erik for a long time. Before she knew it, her dress was ready, and it was the eve of the wedding.
Christine was a ball of energy; excited, nervous, and ready all at the same time. She absolutely adored Kerri's dress, because unbeknownst to her, it was the wedding dress revived. They had taken in the skirt, removed some of the appliqué, and voila! It coordinated with Christine wonderfully, gave everyone a sense of family unity. This was all according to the planner. Everyone went along with it, because no one had any better ideas.
Raoul and Christine were cut off from each other completely. It was Kerri's job to make sure they stayed that way. No yelling through doors or stolen glances out of the window. Notes were acceptable, however. This was by order of the parents. They were even leaving at separate times. Raoul would prepare at the church, and Christine would arrive at the church in full dress just in time for the ceremony to start. She had her own carriage, only because her dress was that big. After words, everyone would depart for the dinner and accompanying reception in the ball room of the house. Then, after many speeches had been made, and the champagne bottles were empty, they would depart for a week in the mountains.
Her mother had pounded this knowledge into Kerri's memory like the universe would go terribly wrong if it didn't work out exactly like that.
After locking both bedroom doors from the outside, and sealing off any secret passageways, Kerri returned to her own bedroom, exhausted at the mere thought of tomorrow's events. She found a bouquet of roses on her bed. No note to say who it was from, but she had a fairly good idea. They were all in full bloom, perfect in their own ways. There were 13; two red, two light pink, two white, two yellow roses with red tips, two orange, two burgundy, and one perfectly black rose in the center. She put them in an empty vase on her bedside table, and simply stared at them for a few moments.
She couldn't talk to him. Not for what he had done, but what she hadn't. For all of the knowledge she possessed, she was still only a seventeen year old girl. It had been her mistake not realizing she did not know everything, and her ignorance hurt everyone.
She fell asleep reciting one of her favorite poems. A prayer, really. Her grandmother had said this to her every night from the time she could understand the words until her death, when Kerri was twelve. Her favorite flower had been roses, too.
Journey to the end of day,
Come the fire-fly,
Come the moon;
Say a prayer for God's good grace
And sleep with love upon your face.
The morning was beautiful; sun shining, birds twittering. There was no hint of coming storms, no signs of bad luck. Christine had randomly burst into tears twice, once when she saw Raoul's carriage drive away, and once when she couldn't find her shoes. If this is what all brides-to-be were like, Kerri would more than gladly pass on the opportunity.
"Kerri, I need to speak with you." Christine sniffed, still recovering from her hysterics.
"I'm listening." Kerri sat on her bed, watched someone reapply the smeared makeup.
"I know that we haven't exactly connected these past weeks, and I feel that it's my fault. But we do have one thing in common."
"And what is that?"
"Raoul. He loves us both, and he wants us to get along."
"Christine, I haven't had any problems with you." Kerri laughed.
"I know, but t just feels like you're never one hundred percent with me."
"I am one hundred percent with you now, Christine. And I do not want you to worry about our relationship. All you need to think about is walking down that aisle, saying 'I do', and having as much fun as possible with Raoul for the week that you are alone. Because trust me, once he's going, he's hard to catch."
Christine smiled. "Thank you, Kerri."
"You're not going to start crying again, are you?"
The woman laughed. "No, I don't think so. Not until the ceremony anyway."
"Good. Now, I am going to go and get my purse, and then I'm coming right back, because we need to get to the church soon, okay? You're not going to run off on me, right?"
"No; at this point, I don't think my legs are working properly."
"Well, we'll have a hell of a time getting down stairs." Kerri gave her a reassuring smile and left. She wanted to say goodbye to Erik. Although she really had forgotten her clutch.
"Erik, we're leaving for the ceremony now."
"Is that today?" He did not look up from his writing.
"Yes. We'll be back around three o' clock, but the reception is here, so I probably won't be available until eight or so."
"Have a wonderful time."
"Do you want me to bring you some cake? I tried some last week; it's very good."
"No, thank you."
Kerri sighed. If only she had more time…
"Well, I'll see you tonight."
"Of course."
She turned to leave, but stopped.
"Erik, one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for the roses. They're all beautiful."
She was facing the door, but she was pretty sure she felt him look.
"You're welcome Kerri."
The carriages arrived right on time. The weather was still clear, not a cloud in the sky. Six pairs of heels clicked on the stone paving, and the shuffle of one little girl's feet. Christine was fidgeting, swaying from side to said, making her dress fabric rustle. Kerri's father was going to give her away; they were meeting in the entrance hallway.
"Kerri, Oh God." She gasped suddenly as the small group waited for the go-ahead.
"What?"
"What if I trip?"
"You won't trip; you've spent years training with the best ballet corps in France, and you've got two girls carrying your train."
"What if he changes his mind?"
"He won't change his mind, Chrissie! He absolutely adores you." Meg Giry chimed in.
"Really?"
"Really."
She gasped again.
"What?" Everyone exclaimed.
"What about the honeymoon?"
Madame Giry pursed her lips, waving everyone away.
"Va t-en!" She exclaimed, noticing that Meg and another girl were hovering. They hurried off, pretending to be very interested in the church's architecture. She spoke very low, reassuring Christine that everything would be okay. She was hyper ventilating a little bit, and actually stopped breathing all together when the church doors opened.
"Okay, here we go." She breathed, closing her eyes for a moment.
The flower girl, one of Raoul's best mans daughters tottered in, carrying the basket of flower petals and looking adorable in her little dress and matching shoes and hat. Then went Madame Giry, escorted by the girl's grandfather, Jean-Claude. Meg was escorted by Raphael, the Duke's godson, and another one of Raoul's friends. Thankfully for Kerri, however, the Duke himself was not in attendance. Kerri would be escorted by Patrick, the best man, and a man whom she considered her brother.
"Hell Kerri. You look ravishing this afternoon." He smiled, linking arms with her.
"Thank you Patrick. But you really shouldn't be looking. Raoul would kill you."
"He knows I'm always on the prowl for the next ex Madame Pipard. It's not my doing if you fall for me."
Kerri smiled.
"Because a twenty-five year old bachelor with four daughters and two ex wives is soo attractive."
"Exactly! See, it's happening already." He winked at her from his place behind Raoul. She ignored it. If Patrick was anything, he was a push over.
The ceremony was three and a half hours long. Kerri was getting tired of chanting in Latin, then kneeling, then standing up again, and all while holding the stupid bride's bouquet.
Crap, her leg itched. Standing on one foot in her shoes was suicide. Had she left her clutch in the carriage? Yes. Had she remembered the key to her bedrooms? She couldn't remember. And her leg itched terribly!
Finally, it was over. They said 'I do', kissed, and rode off together to the house to change for dinner. Everyone was chatting absent mindedly about the ceremony; how cute the flower girl was, what a vision Christine was, how beautiful their children would be…
"Excuse me, mademoiselle, would you do me the honor of accompanying me at tonight's dinner?" Patrick took Kerri's hand, bowing deeply. She rolled her eyes.
"On one condition, good sir."
"Name your price."
"You have to tell me who made Brigitte's shoes!" She laughed, picking the little girl up.
"She looks adorable."
"We say that now. In ten years, we'll be saying 'she's absolutely gorgeous.' And twenty years after that, 'What happened?"
Kerri smiled. He was also a comedian.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just stay children forever? Never leave home, never worry about if your coat is out of fashion or if my corset is tight enough…"
"Never leave boarding school…." He continued.
"Now, lead the way to our pumpkin carriage, Cinderella."
Together, Kerri and his four children, Anne, Marguerite, Veronique, and Brigitte created a train of poofy dresses and from far away, she was sure it looked like she had a multi colored train.
"As soon as Patrick sat down, he sighed.
"I think I'll be taking these girls home soon. Anne actually fell asleep."
"I did not!" proclaimed the seven year old.
"Yes you did. You were snoring. I heard you." He teased.
"Stop being juvenile. Snoring is not lady like, and therefore, Ann couldn't have possibly been sleeping." Kerri defended the little girl, who beamed.
"And what would you know of being lady like, Ms. Chagny?"
"Don't make me dump you on the highway." She warned.
"Would you really leave the four, defenseless girls to walk all the way to your house?" He pouted.
"Oh, never! Just you." She smiled sardonically. He pursed his lips.
"And I can be very lady like; I just chose not to be." She added.
"Well then, be lady like for Raoul tonight. He would appreciate it."
"I will be ladylike if you stay for dinner."
"Kerri, the girls really have to get to bed soon…."
"Then they can stay in one of the guest bedrooms. Please? You deserve this night as much as they do."
He sighed, rubbing his eyelids.
"The things men will do for a beautiful lady." He clapped his hands together, looking at his daughters.
"And thus, our Cinderella has found her prince."
"For tonight, anyway." She finished.
"Come dance with me, Kerri." Patrick pleaded, taking one last sip of champagne and standing.
"I couldn't."
"Yes you can. It's too boring sitting her watching everyone else." He held out his hand.
"I promise to be good." He added. She rolled her eyes.
"Just one." She warned.
"Lovely." He grinned, pulling her onto the floor for a waltz. Across the room, Raoul and Christine were dancing also. The pair managed to twirl there way towards the other, meeting them in the middle.
"Oh look, it's our dear newlyweds. Having fun, are we?"
"Yes, thank you for asking. This is all really too much." Christine smiled, looking around the room.
"Nothing is too much for you." Raoul kissed her. "And Kerri, you look absolutely wonderful."
"Thank you Raoul."
"Remember Patrick, she is my sister." Her brother warned.
"And you are my friend." Patrick added, twirling Kerri around.
"Exactly. I think this violates the code."
"What code is that?" Christine inquired.
"Nothing. It's something we made up when we were younger. Between Patrick and I. And I can't believe you remember that, Kerri."
"It was only five years ago, if you call that 'younger."
The music stopped, and everyone applauded the orchestra.
"And I am saved." Kerri said under her breath. The grandfather clock in the foyer chimed seven.
"Thank you for the dance, Patrick, but I really should be getting off to bed."
"Oh, you can't! There are still plenty of people to talk to, and drinks to have, and…oh wait. I'm talking to you. Never mind!" His grey eyes shone. Kerri smiled, kissing him on both cheeks. She hugged Raoul and Christine, wishing them well, and then departed. In truth, the wine was taking a toll on her, she was getting a headache.
Removing her shoes, she tossed them onto her bed, along with her purse. Her head was all over the place. She wanted to see Erik; she had told him she would see him. It wasn't that difficult, she had done it earlier.
Still, something was different. Maybe it was the drink. Maybe it was the fact that she really hadn't minded him touching her. Maybe it was both.
Finally, after staring at the roses for a full ten minutes, she resolved to at least talk to him.