Sorry, I should have dropped this yesterday, but that was a very busy day for me. I hope you enjoy it!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie - Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)

Karen - Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long,brown hair)

Ms. Jennison- Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 37

Erik barely heard any of the words Pastor Jim said, his heart was beating frantically as he looked forward to the wedding.

Before he knew it, the service was over, and they were greeted by droves and hoards of unknown faces and Erik felt more welcome in a crowd of people than he had ever felt.

Pastor Jim had announced that the wedding was at 2 o'clock, and many of the people showed an interest in coming; he had also made it clear that no gifts were expected; the couple had all they needed between their two households.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Christine, let me help you get ready…I know you could use someone to do your hair." Beth pleaded.

Christine was surprised at the number of people who were interested in helping with the wedding, even though it was in 2 hours.

Vince and Karen had ordered flowers while Erik and Christine were at their meeting with Pastor Jim the day before. They were delivered and set up by 1:00.

Erik was touched by that; he hadn't even thought about flowers.

"Thanks, Uncle Vince…that makes it really authentic." Erik stated, admiring the array of colors.

"They already had the flowers prepared for another wedding that had cancelled, we got lucky."

Erik chuckled; he was reminded of all the events that had occurred to make this day a reality…there was no luck involved, God had this all planned out from the beginning.

Erik was dressed and ready, and had time on his hands to spare. He sat in one of the service rooms with Vince, wringing his hands in a nervous fashion.

"What if I don't make her happy?" Erik reflected. "What if I am not the man she thinks I am or...that I hope I am?"

Vince put his hand on Erik's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Erik, don't even entertain ideas like that…for too many years you have allowed your self-doubts and fears to rob you of love and happiness."

Erik turned his head and looked into the loving eyes of his uncle. Vince smiled with assurance and gave him a gentle shove on the arm.

"You deserve this more than any man I have ever known….that woman loves you and so does Meckenzie…let it be."

Erik shook his head and wiped away the single tear that had crept down his perfect cheek.

"Thank you." He whispered.

Vince smiled and stood up. He straightened his tie and jacket and then reached his hand down to Erik.

Erik stood up and embraced his uncle, relishing the simple gesture.

"You ready to say those vows?" Vince teased, pulling out of the hug.

"More than ready." Erik answered withcontained excitement.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Before anyone could blink, it was ten minutes before two, and the music began. The church pianist had offered his services for the ceremony and his selections softly filtered through the air, as a few guests made their way into the sanctuary.

"Oh Christine, you are a vision!" Karen exclaimed.

The photographer Karen had hired was taking pictures as Christine arose from the chair and took another glance at her reflection.

'Have I ever looked happier?' She asked herself with a wide grin, 'No, I know that I have not.'

Christine hugged Karen and kissed her cheek, "Thank you for being here for me…I know you're Erik's aunt, but you are like a mother to me."

Tears choked her response and all Karen could do was embrace Christine again; they held that for a few moments until Christine heard the song that was her cue to make an entrance.

"Here we go."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Some ancient demon was tickling Erik's mind as he stood in front of the church awaiting Christine.

'Perhaps she finally came to her senses and left you?' The voice said.

'She loves me.' Erik answered in thought.

'Are you sure?' the voice asked.

Just then, Erik's eyes lifted to see Christine standing in the archway. Her eyes captured his and she smiled brightly.

He never heard that voice again.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Christine lifted her hand to Erik's cheek and smiled when he turned into her palm and kissed the soft surface.

"Erik, your voice called to me on the soft, velvet strands of the night. I was drawn to the beauty and sadness, and they called to my heart like a long lost mate…thank you for every smile, every wink, every subtle touch and kiss…before you, I don't think I knew what living really was."

Christine reached over and took his ring from Karen. She placed it on his hand, noting his complete awe at finding her with a ring; then he realized it had been his father's ring – and his heart lurched, his uncle had salvaged it all these years.

She smiled sweetly and continued, "I place this ring on your finger as a sign of my unending, unwavering love for you. I make my home in your heart and promise to seek your happiness along with my own. I care not of the rough waters ahead or the trials we may endure…together, we will face them with bold courage and conquering love."

She looked deep into his eyes, there remained only an echo of the pain that had been there months ago; soon, that echo would no longer be present.

"I want to drown in your laughter, seek sanctuary in your kiss, and build my home in your arms…I take you, Erik Thaddeus Trudeau, as my husband from this moment untildeath parts us."

Erik could feel the tears at the corners of his eyes; he didn't even care, as he said the words he had wanted to say for so long.

"Christine, I was nothing more than a walking shadow before you found me; I loved little, lived even less, and looked at life as something hindering me from eternal darkness. I never thought love would find me…and yet, you did."

Erik couldn't help the smile that covered his face and tears that cascaded down it. He turned and took the ring from Vince.

"I place this ring on your finger as assurance to you that my love knows no bounds…I have reached higher, gone further, and felt deeper than I ever thought possible since you rescued me from the pit I had fallen into. I make you this solemn vow, my love…from this point on, my heart is yours, to do with as you please…you are my breath, my heart beat, my very thought."

Erik touched the soft pad of his thumb to her cheek, wiping the tears away gently and smiling down at her.

"Grant me your smile every moment of every day, your laughter in my heart and in my soul, and your touch every passing moment…I take you, Christine Lorraine Daae, as my wife; from this momentuntil death parts us."

Pastor Jim winked at both of them and whispered, "You may kiss your bride."

Erik grinned and pulled Christine to him, gently taking her lips and sweeping them skillfully with his. The kiss was sweet and beautiful, leaving them both wanting much more.

"I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Erik Trudeau, what God has joined together, let no one tear apart."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The rest of the afternoon went by in a blur. Vince had booked reservations at one of Boston's best restaurants, but Christine and Erik weren't even aware of the food they ate or the people they spoke to; they only had eyes for each other.

"Honey, you're going to spend the night with Vince and Karen while Erik and I get to know each other better." Christine explained to Meckenzie.

"I know; Aunt Karen already told me that."

Erik came and knelt down beside her, pulling her in for a hug.

"Can I call you Daddy now?" Meckenzie asked.

"You sure can, Pip Squeak, you could have called me daddy ages ago, if you'd wanted to." Erik stated, and then kissed her cheek. "Hey, you and I need to have a talk tomorrow evening…it's very important."

"Okay, Daddy." She smiled.

"We'll see you all tomorrow sometime…." Erik said as he ushered Christine out the door and toward the car. He turned to Vince's smiling face and teased, "Don't wait up."

Vince answered in like manner, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Erik and Vince shared a heartfelt hug and grin. They had finally come to terms with the darkness that had hovered over them for years.

Christine had changed out of her wedding gown and put on a beautiful skirt outfit that Erik had bought her. She sat next to him in the car, unable to take her eyes from him.

"Where are you taking me, my dashing husband?" Christine breathed, leaning into his warm body.

Erik smiled, but didn't take his eyes off the road, "I have chartered a private plane to take us to Montreal, where our hotel awaits."

"Oh Erik, I've always wanted to go to Montreal." Christine whispered.

"It is my duty to make all your dreams come true, as well as Meckenzie's." Erik stated with a grin.

Christine pulled up on her elbows and nuzzled Erik's neck, causing a shiver of desire to rush through him, "Does this plane have a bed?" She asked.

"As a matter of fact, it does." He answered, hearing his voice crack, and feeling his heart speed up.

TBC