Chapter 28

Today was the day we had waited for for so long. The wedding of Nadir and Alice. Alice had picked me to be her bridesmaid and Erik was Nadir's best man naturally. Erik insisted on paying for the entire wedding even though Nadir refused, but Erik wanted Nadir to finally be happy after so long. He knew what it was like to not be loved at all.

"Christine, I need help!" cried Alice.

As I came running to her rescue, I found that her veil was tangled around her.

"Alice, it goes on your head, not your body!" I laughed.

"I know, I know, it's just too tricky!"

I laughed again while I helped her out of it and put it back on her head.

"There, you look beautiful." I said.

She smiled in the mirror when she turned around. She finally was to be one with the man she loved for so many years.

Suddenly in the distance the wedding march could be heard.

"Come on, Alice, that's your cue!"

"Oh, Christine, I'm so nervous!"

"Don't be." I reassured her. "Nadir loves you so much. Consider yourself very lucky to still be so much in love after all these years."

As I let go of her hands, she hugged me then with her bouquet and began her descent down the aisle.

(Raoul's Point of View)

"I can't let him win." I whispered to myself. I crouched down behind the wall, so he would fall into my trap.

Running down the street, I found the church. Well, here we go.

Nadir stood proudly at the alter as Alice and I walked down together. Erik watched me and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was pretending it was us who were marrying. Once I left Alice with Nadir, I stood beside Erik. He took my hands in his and began to recite his vows to me.

"Erik, this isn't our wedding." I said laughing.

"If we confess to God, then it will almost be like we are."

I smiled at him and recited my vows to him as well.

(Raoul's Point of View)

I opened the church door and walked in silently. I held the gun by my side. Oh, my head! What is wrong with me? I dropped to the floor and let out a cry. The...memories...I don't see...my life...I can't see...right now...

Erik grew closer and closer...I counted the moments he got just close enough.

As I opened the door, I saw them both standing together, exchanging vows.

"Christine, are you alright?" he said as he saw her lying across the bed. Suddenly, I pounced on him.

I fired my gun but it was drowned out by Christine's cries.