I know, many of you are thinking this is moving too fast. I look at it this way. They have both been alone and are tired of it. Erik has searched all his life for someone who could know his secret and still accept him…Christine is that woman. He is not going to waste time when it comes to finding the happiness he has so longed for; and we all know that Christine already goes for what she wants. These two characters, the way I have portrayed them throughout the story…this is what I picture them doing.
So, without further delay, I give you the wedding of Christine Teresa Daae to Erik James St. Clair.
I realized that I had put no disclaimer on this story – so I will go back to chapter one and post that. It is the usual – the plot is mine; and all the characters not in the original story.
BEYOND THE SHADOWS
CHAPTER 19
The minute they walked in the door, the women whisked Christine away to her room.
"Do you have a gown to get married in?" Rebekah asked.
Christine hadn't even considered a gown…she was just going to wear one of the dresses she had with her.
"I'm not a virginal bride, Rebekah…I was just going to…"
Rebekah gasped, "No way…we will get you the perfect gown."
Before she knew it, they were on the helicopter headed for London. It was non-stop chatter and high-pitched squeals as they all rejoiced with Christine over her capture of Erik's heart and hand.
The Bride's Boutique was completely void of people, as Erik had called ahead of time and told them she was coming. They had every clerk and every dress at their disposal.
The minute she rested her eyes on it, Christine knew this was "the dress". It was floor length and eggshell white with burnished bronze accents. It had an A-line silhouette with an illusion neckline and a chapel train. Christine had never seen such a beautiful dress.
Everyone in the room with her was in awe. She was stunning in the dress. Although they looked at others after that, Christine chose that dress in the end.
She opened her purse to pull out her credit card, when the owner of the boutique stopped her.
"Mr. St. Clair had already taken care of that." He said with a bow. "He insists you get whatever accessories are needed."
Christine instructed them to get whatever was needed, including the lingerie she had picked out. She was running next door to buy a wedding ring for Erik.
Shoes, hose, gloves, everything was thought of and Christine came back through the door; after the final transaction was completed, she noticed the owner standing in front of her with a mischievous look on his face.
"Your wedding is at 7 pm, is this correct?" he asked.
Christine looked at her watch and saw that it was 4:30. She was in a panic to get back in time. He put a hand to her shoulder and stopped her.
"Mr. St. Clair has instructed us to get you ready and fly you to the wedding."
That was exactly what they did. She did her own make-up and hair, making sure not to overdo it on the make-up.
When it came time to put the dress on, Christine held her breath. She felt like a modern-day princess as they fastened each button up the back of the dress. Her veil was a pinned to her hair with a diamond-studded barrette and hung about midway down her back.
She looked like a top Hollywood model by the time they were done with her, and she felt like a million dollars.
Somehow, she had never envisioned the wedding she would have; she had never thought much about it after her father died. But now, she realized that Erik was making the dream she didn't even know she'd had, come true.
By 6:15, they were on the helicopter headed back to Wee Cumbrae. Christine was about to marry the man of her dreams. Each of Erik's sisters had purchased new dresses because Christine wanted them as bridesmaids. Meg was her maiden of honor. Her dress was similar in look to Christine's, except it was knee length, had sleeves, and was burnished bronze with eggshell accents; the exact opposite of Christine's gown.
OOOOOOOOOOO
While Christine had been gone, Erik had ordered in flowers to adorn the gazebo. White, yellow, red, and purple Paphiopedolum orchids wound around each column and streams of spider lilies and botanical orchids hung down from the ceiling, creating a waterfall of color where Erik and Christine would be standing.
Dabney McFarland, the minister at The Glasgow Church of Scotland, had been waiting for this moment. He had known Erik for a few years and had waited for a woman to come along that would be worthy of this deeply intelligent, intensely gifted young man.
"Does this mean I will see you in services more often, Erik?" Dabney asked.
Erik stammered and shrugged his shoulders, "We'll try to be there more often, I want my family raised in the church."
That answer seemed to appease the minister and he watched Erik turn to inspect the flowers one last time before his bride-to-be showed up.
Ten minutes later, Erik watched as the helicopter landed in front of the house and out of his line of vision. He wanted nothing more than to run and capture Christine in his arms, but he refrained, knowing she would soon be his.
Erik had managed to round up the Glasgow University Stringed Ensemble to provide the music, all songs that he had written. Their lilting sound was heard on the wings of the breeze as Rebekah and Nadeesh prepared to come down the path toward Erik.
Rachel followed in close harmony, proceeded toward the front, and stood by Rebekah. They both had to wipe the tears from their eyes as they beheld the flowers their brother had miraculously made materialize for the ceremony; he never forgot anything. It had been over two years ago since he had read an article about Christine Daae, and the article had briefly stated that she loved orchids, any orchids, and spider lilies.
Erik looked up and almost dropped to his knees. His beautiful Christine stood at the entrance to the garden in a gown that Erik could have sworn was made just for her. She was wearing a mesmerizing smile and her eyes were riveted on him.
The ensemble began the song Erik had specifically indicated was for Christine's entrance and he nodded at her. He followed her with his misty eyes, as she came to him from his dreams; calling him from beyond the shadows to risk it all and love her.
He walked down the steps to meet her at the threshold of the gazebo, and then he guided her with his arm up the steps toward the minister.
Christine had never seen a man look more handsome than Erik did. He wore a black, signature-peak lapel tuxedo with a gold vest, white shirt, and a gold satin scarf with a diamond stud tie tack. He also wore no mask. She smiled hungrily at him, knowing he would soon be hers.
They worshiped each other with their eyes and then turned to the minister as he began the ceremony.
"If two are caring as they share life's hopes and fears,
If the music of laughter outweighs silence and tears…
Marriage is togetherness.
"If both derive pleasure from the mere presence of each other;
yet, when parted, no jealousies restrict, worry, or smother...
Marriage is freedom.
"If achievements mean more when they benefit two,
And consideration is shown with each point of view…
Marriage is respect.
"And if togetherness, freedom, and respect are combined
With a joy that words can never fully define…
Marriage is love."
He minister read those words, a poem by Gloria Matthew, as though he had never married any other couple in the history of his servitude. They were what Erik and Christine both wanted to hear.
"Erik James St. Clair and Christine Teresa Daae have come before the presence of God, those they love, and the unseen angels, to join their two hearts and souls in the holy bond of matrimony."
He looked over to the attendants and lifted his eyes to the heavens.
"If there is anyone, within the sound of my voice, who does not feel that these two should be bound together…speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Not even a bird chirped as a moment of utter silence encompassed the garden.
The minister looked down at Erik as an indication for him to say the vows he had written on his heart. He dropped to one knee, took her left hand in his, slipped the wedding ring on her finger, and lifted his earnest eyes to her,
"I, Erik James St. Clair, take you, Christine Teresa Daae, to my friend, my lover, my wife, and the mother of my children. I will be yours throughout the ebbs and flows of life; ever trusting that you will walk beside me as my partner. The darkness that once surrounded me has dissipated in the glory of your love.
"I want my home to be in your arms, sheltering me from the storms that are sure to come our way.
"Through your eyes, I can touch eternity and I am a better man than I ever dreamed I could be.
"I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you are and will become, and falling in love with you more as each day passes.
"In the presence of God and these, our family and friends, I make these vows – promising, with Divine assistance, to be unto you a loving and faithful husband as long as there is breath in my body."
Christine reached down and lifted him to a standing position as tears poured down her face. She raised his left hand and placed the ring on his finger,
"Erik, I have loved you since the caress of your voice touched my ears for the first time. You are everything I have ever wanted in a man, but never thought to find.
"When you laugh, the world stands still and listens…for you laugh the laugh of a man who has finally been set free.
"I vow to be your best friend - a best friend will never forsake you; I vow to be your lover, giving you my whole being - body, heart, and mind; I vow to me your wife – an extension of you in every aspect; and I vow to be the mother of your children – nurturing them and teaching them in harmony with you.
"From this day forward, until I breathe my last breath, I pledge myself to you – bound before God and man as your helpmate and partner, forsaking all others and clinging only to you."
The minister smiled at the joy he saw on each face and the love that emanated from them. He had married many couples in his day, but few of them seemed as committed as these two.
"By the power given to me as a servant of God in His ministry, I now pronounce you husband and wife…what God has joined together, let no one tear asunder."
He joined their hands with a silk rope as he spoke, said a prayer for the union, and presented them to their friends and family.
"I give you Mr. and Mrs. Erik St. Clair." He looked at Erik and grinned, "You may kiss your bride."
"Finally." Erik growled.
He gently encompassed her face and bent his lips to hers, sweeping them softly. Christine would have none of that; she presented her moist tongue to him for a passionate, but brief kiss – one that promised the bliss of the marriage bed.
TBC