Chapter Fifteen: Til Death

Charlotte stared solemnly at her reflection; once again she was in the church in a wedding dress, only this time her dress was much more flattering. However she still had the wrong groom. She wasn't entirely sure she could go through with the wedding, but she had to try; she had promised Erik. He was happy after all, he had his glory. His Opera was a huge success; she was a star, but only for one brief shining moment.

Charlotte sighed, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks as she pulled her veil down over face and turned to face her terrifying future. Her hands trembled as she reached for her bouquet of white lilies and red roses and her legs nearly gave out as she took her first step down the isle. Her steps were slow and shaky as she approached the cold, cruel man she would be forced to spend the rest of her life with. Oh how she longed for Erik to be the one waiting for her at the end of that long walk to the altar.

As Charlotte approached the final few feet of her walk she caught sight of a familiar face in the corner of her eye. She stopped and turned to face the Comtesse De Chagny.

"Madame De Chagny… I… I was not expecting you to be here."

"My husband's family has close ties with the De Savios family."

Charlotte looked down at the baby in Christine's arms.

"You have a lovely child Madame."

"Thank you dear, but I believe your husband-to-be is waiting for you."

Charlotte nodded slowly and resumed her slow walk to her death. If she married Baron De Savios she knew she would die, most likely by her own hand, if he didn't kill her first. Erik had condemned her and betrayed her; nothing short of a miracle could save her now, a miraculous appearing by her Guardian Angel.

Charlotte cringed as she reached Philippe and he took her hand possessively in his. She stood there minute after agonizing minute as the priest droned on and on. Charlotte felt as though her heart were shattering into millions of tiny shards that could never be repaired. Then came the moment Charlotte had feared.

"Is there anyone among us today who has reason to object to this union?"

Charlotte had dreaded the silence she knew would greet this question, although she longed that someone would jump up and shout a reason for this atrocious match to end before the ceremony could be completed. She turned and scanned the crowd frantically, her eyes pleading for help, she glanced at the Comtesse who only sat smiling at her child, she glanced at her father who was glaring at her. Then her eyes fell upon a cloaked figure in the very back of the Cathedral. The hood of the black cloak was pulled down low over the figures face, but Charlotte thought she saw a gleam of white underneath it. She stared at the figure tears blurring her vision, then finally her final hope collapsed and she turned to face her fate.

She watched as the Priest opened his mouth to speak again.

"Very well then…."

"Wait!" The loud cry cut the priest's words short and took the smirk from Baron De Savios's face.

"Erik…" Charlotte whispered.

"Please Messieur," Erik's voice was frantic, something that Charlotte had never heard from him before, "Please, I love this woman."

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat.

"Oh Erik!" She cried "Truly? You do?"

She watched in silent disbelief as Erik stepped into the isle, pushed back his hood, and nodded. Then she felt her heart stop as she saw the slender graceful figure of the Comtesse rise.

"Eirk? I… I thought you were dead."

"Hello Christine, and where is your husband?"

Charlotte watched as the Comte rose and put a protective arm around his wife.

"Ah, Hello Raoul. You have no reason to fear. I have not come to steal your bride this time." He turned to Charlotte and a smile a of sheer delight spread across her face. "Charlotte, my love, can you ever for give for being so foolish?"

Charlotte nodded and tears of happiness slid down her cheeks as she ran into his open arms. As they leaned in for the kiss they had yet to share they were stopped by the sound of a gunshot.

"No one leaves Philippe De Savios at the altar twice!"

Charlotte flinched as she felt the barrel of a revolver jammed into her side.

"Philippe, please…." she pleaded through sobs. "Please don't do this, you can find another bride…. Many women…would…would be… more than happy to….to marry you."

She had been so close, so close to happiness and now she would die for it.

"None of these other women you speak of have near the wealth you do."

In that moment Charlotte made a rapid decision and aimed a kick where it would hurt the most. That was the last thing she remembered before her world went black.

Erik watched, frantic, as Baron De Savios held Charlotte at gun point. He kept one hand on his lasso, waiting for his opportunity as Charlotte pleaded for her life. Then in one moment he saw her kick and then pull away. With graceful speed he settled the lasso around the Baron's neck, a moment to late.

The gun fired as Erik pulled the rope tight. He heard Charlotte's scream of pain and he ran to her as she fell to the floor. In one short moment he was kneeling on the floor with his arms around her as her blood stained the sleeve of her dress. He did a quick assessment of the damage and noted a tear in the sleeve. Upon further examination he was relieved to find that the bullet had merely grazed her shoulder.

He lifted Charlotte's limp form into his arms and carried her out to his carriage, and moments later they were on their way to the Opera house, leaving Messieur Ó hEachthairn's angry cries behind.