Disclaimer: Erik, Christine and Co are all property of Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber etc. I own the plot.

Chapter Twelve: Second Wedding

Meg and Christine sat together once more. Christine was wearing her brand new wedding dress (the other was beyond repair). "Meg! It's going to go wrong! What if someone hurts Erik, I don't know what I'd do! I'd-"

"Ssshhh" Meg drew her friend into her arms whilst shushing her. "It will be fine Christine. You will go up there again, you will say your vows and you will enjoy it. Do you want me to take my gun just in case?" Christine looked at her, horrified. "Just kidding." She grinned as she stood back to look Christine in the face. "You are my sister in all but blood. I will not let any harm come to you, I promise." Christine took some small comfort from her friend but was still terrified.

Madame Giry came in at that moment to fetch the girls. She kissed Christine on the cheek and hugged the trembling girl. She drew back and resumed her 'strict mode'. "Pull yourself together Christine; it is all going to go perfectly fine. Anyone who tries to ruin this will pay dearly." The familiarity of the strict ballet mistress as well as her words settled Christine and she managed a smile. "I'm ready." Meg handed her the bouquet of red and white roses (meaning unity) and they set off to the main theatre.

Erik stood on the stage of the Opera Populaire. He was not as nervous as he had been last time. No, this time he was absolutely terrified! His mind was invaded by pessimistic thoughts and he was sure it would go wrong….until he saw Christine. She looked stunning. All in white except for the red rose in her hair and the ones in her bouquet. He could tell that she was nervous too. She walked up the aisle and stood facing him. The priest started his speech but Erik and Christine were only half concentrating.

Christine felt a thrill as Erik slip the gold wedding band onto her finger. Its only decoration was a single diamond. She repeated the vows as she slipped Erik's ring onto his finger. There was a pause for a second then the priest's voice rang out clearly. "You may kiss the bride." Erik smiled and removed the veil gracefully before planting his lips firmly on hers. Cheers rang out from most of the cast and crew. Everyone was happy. The managers had decided to allow Erik and Christine to have their reception at the Opera house. "Just this once." André had said in a stage whisper. "These are special circumstances." Firmin had hastily nodded in agreement.

Late in the evening, Erik proposed that he and Christine retire as they would both be performing in the opera on the next night. He carried Christine down to their lair and they made their marriage official.

Erik opened his eyes and glanced at the clock. He was surprised to find it was midday already. He was naturally an early riser and wondered what had kept him asleep so long. That was went he noticed the warm weight on his chest. Christine. Everything was silent except for the sound of their peaceful breathing. He didn't want to move for fear that he would wake up from this wonderful dream soon but he couldn't resist the temptation. He leaned down slightly and kissed her brown mass of curls. Christine gave a groan and pulled her hair away from her face. "Good morning, my dear husband." She whispered with a giggle, as she opened her eyes and happily snuggling into his chest. "Good morning, my darling wife." He replied with a dazing grin and a chuckle. "I must be dreaming."

"This is no dream Erik, I assure you." She pinched him with her long nails. "If it was a dream then that would have woken you up." He smiled. He knew that in this moment, he preferred reality to any dreams. She rolled over lazily to look at the clock. "Goodness. Look at the time. Erik, didn't you say you'd meet Monsieur Reyer at one o'clock to discuss the finale?" He groaned and tried to reason with her.

"Surely he won't mind. It is the day after our wedding." But Christine was having none of it. She climbed out of bed, modestly tying a sheet around her like a dress. "Get up now Erik." She ordered with her hands on her hips, in exactly the same way as Madame Giry. "Get back in bed." He pleaded one last time. She stood firm even though he could tell she was sorely tempted to sleep for the rest of the day.

Christine quickly put a clean chemise and drawers on and waited for Erik to finished dressing in a white shirt and black trousers. "Please will you help me dress?"

"I suppose." Erik consented with feigned annoyance. Christine merely stuck her tongue out at him and put on her corset. He moved forward and laced it up. She reprimanded him several times until he pulled it tight enough. He fastened her petticoat and finally buttoned her dress. She put on her stockings, fastened her hair up and applied some make-up. Erik took her arm and they headed out to greet their friends in the opera house.

That night the new opera was about to begin. Christine stood just off stage in her ballet costume from Hannibal. She heard Firmin and André walk onto stage to make an announcement. "Ladies and Gentlemen. This new opera is based on a true story with several changes. How much of it is true, we will leave for your individual thoughts." Called Firmin and André responded. "Without further ado, here it is….The Phantom of the Opera!" (See A/N.)

Three hours later the crowd spilt into the various halls. The opera had been stupendous, the audience had loved it. It was a bit different than the traditional operas they were used to but they had adored it. The managers were swamped with people asking questions. "How did you make the phantom's deformity so effective?" "Who wrote the story?" "Which parts were true?" "Why didn't Christine choose the Phantom?" and "Who is the composer?" were the most common ones. Eventually the managers managed to flee up the stairs so they could talk to the audience from there. "May I have your attention please?" André and Firmin called several times but the crowd only partially went quiet. "SILENCE!" A voice echoed through the hallway. The managers mouthed a quick thank you at Erik as he and Christine crept downstairs to see Madame Giry before the crowd spotted them.

The managers did a wonderful job of answering the questions. According to them the Phantom's make-up had taken hours (it was actually Erik's face), Christine didn't choose the Phantom because that's how the writer wanted it (Erik and Christine decided that it had been the only final ending that they could give and no one outside of the Opera house would suspect Erik as being the real Phantom) and the story was written and composed by Erik Destler, a private and well-respected man who they should not expect to meet. After that, everyone separated to go to the various celebrations of the new opera's success. All in all, it was a great night.

TBC…

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A/N Just imagine the stage show as the opera.