This is a transitional chapter but I felt it was necessary to see Erik out of his illness. ;-
Each day, I would purposefully go for walks in the Opera corridors until I felt the sickening weakness assuage me once again. Christine stubbornly insisted that she accompany me but I realized she was greatly concerned about my wellbeing. Every day, I would try to go a little farther than the day before until one morning I resolutely declared that I would escort Christine to the market two months after I was shot. She protested but I adamantly fastened my cape around my neck. Hearing her sigh in exasperation, I walked behind her and took her shoulders gently in my hands. Kissing her soft brown hair, I whispered, "Thank you for being so concerned, My Dear. The air will do me good." In concession, I added flatly, "And I promise will tell you if I get tired." Turning to me, Christine smiled brightly at that and nodded before reaching up on tiptoe to kiss my chin. I knew that I would never get used to the small, precious displays of affection she showed me on a daily basis. Awed, I rubbed my chin reverently with my fingertips and stared after her as she bustled away to get ready.
As we stepped outside onto the Rue Scribe and into the fresh air of morning, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. It had been too long since I had been out of doors. Opening my eyes and gazing down at my beautiful fiancée, I smiled and offered her my arm. Looking up at me warily, Christine reminded me with mock sternness "Now you promised me, Erik. Do not feel that it is weak to tell me if you become weary." In response, I patted her hand that held my arm and vowed, "I will tell you the very instant that I feel faint so you might carry me home, my Protective Angel." As we walked, Christine chattered away about the acquaintances she had made at the market and how the baker would always save the freshest baguettes for her. Ignoring the side glances at my mask from passersby, I could not help but burst with pride that such a captivating creature strolled alongside me. Pausing as she was speaking about needing to purchase more yarn, I gazed down at her in renewed wonder. Worriedly, she turned to me and asked if I was tired and I quickly shook my head. Lifting my hand to her soft cheek, I reverently brushed my fingertips over her smooth skin as my eyes pierced hers. Swallowing hard, I murmured, "Christine... Thank you...for everything." Of course, she had no idea what such a simple stroll meant to me. The sheer normality of such an ordinary activity struck me speechless and I experienced a moment of intense gratitude to her. Christine smiled up at me in reply as though it were of no consequence and then instantly felt my forehead with her palm as though she was not entirely convinced of my stamina. Rolling my eyes, I began to walk again as she laughed playfully. Steadfastly disregarding the curious stares I received as I walked next to Christine, I was again astonished at how easily she interacted with everyone at the market. Each person to whom she spoke glanced furtively at her odd companion, but Christine simply smiled and introduced me to her personal acquaintances proudly as 'my Fiancé '. If I was ever uncertain about her love for me, those doubts were expelled by the genuine pride and adoration with which she looked up at me.
As we headed home, I insisted on carrying her parcels as she kept hold of my arm. The trip had infuriatingly tired me more than I cared to admit but since we were relatively close to the Opera, I decided I could finish the journey without worrying Christine. As we neared the Rue Scribe, I suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out my name behind us. "Erik! Erik!" Stunned, I turned around to see who in God's name would be calling me on the street. I watched incredulous as Nadir bustled towards us - his face red with excitement. Catching his breath as he approached, Nadir gazed at my stunned expression with delight. Waving a paper he held in his hands, he sobered slightly and took Christine's hand within his own. Solemnly placing the paper in her palm, Nadir closed her fingers over it and smiled into her eyes. In his thick Arabic accent, he murmured, "It came today and I could not wait to bring it to you..." At that, Christine gasped and dropped the bundle of flowers she held in her other hand. In consternation, I looked to our right and left to make certain we were relatively alone and whispered in exasperation, "Will either of you please tell me what it is you are discussing?" Having never before seen Nadir run anywhere for any purpose, I was beginning to worry at the secretive glances that passed between he and Christine.
Without a word, Nadir took the parcels from my hands and retrieved Christine's discarded flowers from the ground. Nodding once in departure, he stated simply, "I shall await you at the entrance to the Opera." Watching him walk away with increasing aggravation, I turned back to Christine and asked impatiently, "Will you please tell me what is going on, Christine? What is it that I am not aware of?"
Still gazing down at the paper within her trembling hands, Christine raised her tearful blue eyes to me and suddenly smiled brilliantly. Clutching my hand, she whispered breathlessly, "Erik, I went to see a priest several weeks ago. I explained...our circumstances and he assured me that we only needed one birth certificate to be legally married in the Church. I left my birth certificate with him and he assured me he would petition the Cardinal for a... a marriage license. After consulting with Nadir, I left his address as my own so that I could know immediately when word was received." Looking down at the paper in disbelief, she gazed up at me once more and squeezed my hand as she whispered passionately, "Erik, he has consented to marry us. All we need do is decide on the date. Oh, Angel! We will be married!" Her own exuberance settling somewhat as she gazed intently at my expression, Christine whispered worriedly, "Should I not have done so without consulting you, Erik? I was just so excited and I could not wait that I..." Her words faltered and she fell silent as I slowly took the official looking piece of parchment from her hands. Staring down at the declaration unseeingly, a swirl of emotions tore through me. Although the thought of being married in the Church disconcerted me somewhat, I was well aware how much it had meant to Christine but I had little hope for such a ceremony. Yet, in my hands, I held the positive proof that I would truly wed the woman of my dreams. Astonished, I simply gazed expressionless down for several long moments at the thick parchment as I struggled to retain my composure.
Gazing up at Christine, I saw her shoulders immediately slump in relief when she beheld the emotion in my eyes. Smiling up at me with loving understanding, she slowly retrieved the paper from my hands and folded it neatly. Tucking it within her skirt pocket, she beamed as she stated with underlying exhilaration, "All we have to do is set a date." Grasping her hands in mine, I stared down at her intensely and abruptly wished that she and I were not standing on a public street. Every longing demon within me desired to take her in my arms and kiss her until we were both breathless. At one of the most important moments of my life, I replied stupidly, "A date..." Giggling, Christine blushed slightly as a gentleman passed around us and I realized that I needed to return to practicalities. Glancing over at where Nadir stood clumsily balancing all the parcels from the market, I arched a brow at Christine. As she put her hand on my arm and we walked towards Nadir, the incredulous thought kept pounding within my mind..."Christine is going to marry me... Christine is going to marry me..." Upon reaching Nadir, I relieved him of the bulky parcels as he inquired hesitantly, "Shall I not help you..." Noting my stubborn glare, Nadir held up his hands in a defensive gesture and said no more. Kissing Christine's hand politely, he said, "May Allah bless you with an overabundance of joy." Christine smiled sweetly at Nadir who simply turned and walked back down the street. The instant that Christine and I were inside the entrance with the door securely fastened, I set the parcels down and swiftly took her in my arms. Kissing her ardently, I breathed into her hair, "My Love, you can never know how overjoyed I am. I will be the proudest man in Paris...nay, the world when I stand beside you and make you my...wife." Pulling away to gaze adoringly at her in the dim light of the lantern, I did my best not to wince as she carefully removed my Fedora and unfastened my mask. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she whispered frantically, "Kiss me, Erik..." Groaning, I clasped her to me and willingly obliged her request as my heart burst with thankfulness. We were to be wed. Christine would be my bride...my bride. Christine broke our impassioned kiss to breathe and turned her head as her beguiling body trembled in my embrace. Her voice quivering, she asked tentatively, "When shall we be married, Erik?" Making a stern attempt to control my breathing and absolutely certain that the weakness I was feeling had nothing to do with my illness, I fought to restrain my lustful yearnings as I stared down at her. Inhaling deeply as Christine gazed up at me with desire etched in her beautiful features, my hand cupped her smooth cheek as I quipped breathlessly, "Tomorrow?" Holding her as she laughed, I chuckled while marveling at how Christine had turned the dungeon I had condemned myself to for the rest of my life into a place of love and laughter.