I do not own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although I do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time.

A/N Wow, we picked up quite a few new readers, welcome. I am glad that everyone seems to be enjoying the story. This is to be the last chapter with a T rating, moving on up to M next go round. I have had a few readers mention that they might not feel comfortable with the change; I want to reassure everyone that I will not be using raunchy, gratuitous sex in this story. I just believe that to keep the story progressing that it is a natural progression to move to the next step in the relationship between Erik and Christine. I promise to keep a very romantic and tasteful tone throughout the story. Please forgive any errors; my beta is having computer problems at the moment. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Author – ToryD

Choices

Chapter 12

Darius stood beside Judge Smyth as Christine, with her guests descended the massive hand carved mahogany staircase. "Ms. Daae, allow me to introduce you to Judge Smyth, who will be performing the ceremony this evening." Darius informed her as she reached the bottom step.

Christine turned to face the distinguished looking Judge. Holding out her hand, she smiled up into his kind round face. "Judge Smyth, it is an honor to meet you. I believe you knew my father." She said with a questioning lilt to her voice.

"Yes, I did have the privilege of working with your father on several charity boards." Harold Smyth gave her a sad smile as he offered her his condolences on her father's recent passing. "I was sorry to here of you father's recent death, my dear."

Smiling graciously Christine accepted his kind sympathy politely. "Thank you, I know my father thought very highly of you."

Taking the beautiful young woman's arm in his he escorted her towards the study that Erik had so graciously made available for his use. "If you will come with me, I have some papers for you to sign before we begin with the ceremony."

"Yes, of course." Christine followed her late father's friend into the dark wood paneled study that held countless antiques that Erik seemed to be so fond of collecting.

Harold assisted Christine into a chair at the head of the massive desk that seemed to dominate the room elegant room. "If you will just sign your name here." He said as he pointed to the empty line on the marriage license.

Christine ran her finger lightly over Erik's strong distinctive signature that already graced the page. Picking up the heavy pen, she placed its sharp tip to the front of the signature line indicating 'signature of the bride'. With an ever so slight tensing of her frame, she drew in a deep breath and acknowledged to herself that once she signed this document her future would be forever entwined with Erik Desmond. With a quick decisive motion of her hand, she signed her name in a delicate script attesting to the sealing of her fate. An unknown fate that she knew with ingrained certainty that she was powerless to prevent.

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Erik stood next to Nadir pulling restlessly at the cuffs of his hand tailored white starched shirt. Looking around the solarium, he was amazed at the transformation that Darius had preformed in such a short amount of time. Candles stood alight on tall freestanding candelabras that bathed the glass-enclosed room in an ethereal soft light, creating the perfect backdrop for the upcoming ceremony. Flowers of varying shades of white filled the large room with their sweet intoxicating fragrance. Darius had certainly outdone himself with his execution of the wedding planning. Erik sighed deeply as his looked at this watch to check the hour for the third time in as many minutes.

Nadir was amused at the uncharacteristic nervousness of his boss. "Erik, she is with Judge Smyth signing the license paperwork. It will only be a few more minutes. Try to relax." He said in a soothing voice.

Nodding Erik tried to follow Nadir's advice as he waited for the ceremony that would join Christine to him as his wife. "Do you have the ring?" He asked urgently.

Nadir patted the small pocket of his deep burgundy brocade vest. "Yes, I have it right here. The same place I had it when you asked me five minutes ago." He said with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Nadir was spared from Erik's scathing comeback due to the entrance of Judge Smyth and Marie.

"Well now that everything is in order, shall we begin?" Harold asked his host as he took his position in front of the French doors where Darius had placed the alter for the ceremony.

Erik took his place and turned to watch as Meg entered to room carrying a small bouquet of white roses.

Nadir had seen several pictures of Christine's friend from the surveillance files that Erik had commissioned on Christine. But he had never seen this beauty before, for she was perhaps the most exquisite woman he had ever seen as she walked towards him in a pale blue gown that hugged her petite frame.

Meg was conscious of the tall dark man's eyes on her as she walked gracefully towards the makeshift alter. As she drew closer to the three men, she felt a strange shaky feeling in the pit of her stomach as she passed Erik's best man. Taking her place in front of the judge she turned to watch as Christine appeared at the entrance of the room.

Christine stood frozen in the doorway as she looked at the beauty before her. Looking towards Erik, she found herself transfixed as his gaze pierced her with such intensity she was powerless to look away.

Erik's breath caught in his throat as he looked upon his future bride. While the dress she had chosen had been stunning on the model, the memory paled in comparison to the breathtaking vision of Christine in the same simple elegant ivory gown. That she chose to wear his gifts also lifted his heart as he admired the jewelry whose beauty was only out shown by the woman who was currently wearing them. All the other occupants in the room faded into obscurity, as he broke with tradition and walked slowly towards her. His unwavering green eyes never once breaking contact with her own beautiful eyes as he reached out and lifted her hand to his lips, gifting her with the softest of kisses upon the back of her hand.

Christine's heart began to race as her gaze locked with Erik's. She had never seen Erik when he was anything less than perfectly attired and handsome. But on this occasion, he simply took her breath away. He was dressed in an exquisitely cut black Armani suit with a dark green brocade vest that reminded her of the elegant fashions of an age gone by. Teamed with a simple white shirt with a black silk tie, he was perhaps the most attractive man she had ever seen. The black leather mask did little to detract from his stunning appearance. As he lifted her hand to his soft perfect lips, she felt a tingle of anticipation of what married life would bring to them.

"Christine," he whispered in an emotion-filled voice. Swallowing hard he tried to regain his composure. "You are the most beautiful bride, more than any man could hope for." He said in a soft voice that he reserved for her alone.

Smiling she pulled her hand from his and reached up and caressed the side of his unmasked face. "Thank you." She answered in a soft voice that sounded like the sweetest music to his ears.

Marie watched the interaction between Erik and Christine with a knowing smile upon her lips. This was indeed a love match, she thought with satisfaction to herself. Christine may have not acknowledged her feelings to herself as of yet, but Marie knew as she watched the young couple that they were both deeply in love with the other.

Erik felt as if he were on top of the world as Christine looked upon him with acceptance in her beautiful eyes. Holding out his hand he silently asked her permission to escort her down the aisle.

Placing her hand in his she felt as though she was placing herself into his strong capable hands for the second time that evening. The same unexplainable sense of peace enveloped her as she walked at Erik's side towards their awaiting friends.

As the couple approached the alter Meg knew that she had never seen Christine so happy than at this very moment. Proud that she was included in this special moment she smiled as Christine took her place in front of Judge Smyth.

Harold feeling the electricity emanating between the couple decided he had better get on with the ceremony before the two ignited into flames. Clearing his throat, he began the marriage ceremony that he had performed for countless couples. "We are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses to join Erik and Christine together in matrimony. The contract of marriage is a most solemn one and not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. If anyone can show just cause why they should not be lawfully joined together let him speak now, or else forever hold his peace." Harold gave the customary pause at this time to allow for an objection that he had thankfully never had to witness. Looking up from his small black book, he tried to gage the reactions of Erik and Christine. He was not surprised that they were totally absorbed with each other and did not appear to be listening to a word he said. Smiling he ducked his head once again as he continued the service. "Erik, will you take Christine here present, for your lawful wife?"

Erik who had not looked away from Christine since the first moment she entered the room, was almost unable to say the words, as he was awe stricken by Christine's beauty. Taking her hand gently in his, he let the emotion of the moment fill his eyes. "I will." He said in a slightly husky tone.

Harold smiled as he turned to Christine. "Christine, will you take Erik here present for your lawful husband?"

Christine felt as though she and Erik were making a connection that would remain unbroken even beyond the veil of death. Smiling she looked deeply into his seeking gaze. "I will." She said in a soft voice. As the words left her lips, she felt as though a curtain was lifted from her as she let the truth of her feelings for Erik encroach upon her conscious mind. I love him. I love him with every breath I take. I love him to the very depth of my soul. He is truly my other half. Her shocked mind called out to her as she immersed herself in her newfound knowledge.

Harold turned his attention once again to Erik. "Erik if you will repeat after me, I, Erik take thee Christine for my lawful wife."

Erik felt the sentiment of the words to his very soul as he repeated the words to make Christine his own. "I, Erik take thee Christine for my lawful wife."

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." Harold recited the rest of the marriage vows.

Erik lifted his free hand to brush away stray curl from Christine's cheek. "I, Erik take thee Christine for my lawful wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." Erik's voice held such reverence, that Christine felt his beautiful promise as though he had stamped it indelibly upon her heart.

Harold smiled at the love that radiated from the couple. "Christine, if you will please repeat after me. I, Christine take thee Erik for my lawful husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

Taking a deep breath Christine tightened her hold on Erik's hand. "I, Christine take thee Erik for my lawful husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." She repeated the vows that Erik had just recited to her in a breathy voice that held the pledge of each and every word.

Harold knew that his late friend Charles would indeed be please with Christine's choice in a husband, for he had never been as privileged to witness the depth of feelings that Erik held for his bride. "Erik, at this time if you will present Christine with a ring and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

Nadir handed the filigree lace diamond encrusted platinum band to Erik.

Christine handed her bouquet of small white roses to Meg. Turning back to Erik, she smiled up at his handsome half-masked face.

Taking her left hand in his, he gently threaded the exquisite ring on her third finger. "With this ring, I thee wed." He said as he lifted her hand to kiss the newly bejeweled hand with a soft light kiss that brought tears to Christine's eyes.

"Christine, if you will please present a ring to Erik." Harold requested from an alarmed Christine.

Meg sensing Christine's anxiousness reached over and laid her hand lightly upon her shoulder.

Christine turned to face her best friend and was surprised to see that Meg held out a polished band of gold for her to give to Erik. Relief flooded Christine as she took the simple elegant ring from Meg's out stretched hand.

"If you would repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed." Harold once again repeated the final marriage vow.

Christine grasped Erik's left hand in hers as she placed the ring upon his long tapered finger. "With this ring, I thee wed." She said as she joined herself to Erik in a promise of unending love.

"By the power and authority vested by law in me as Judge of the Circuit Court for the County of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Erik, you may kiss your bride." Harold said with a satisfied smile gracing his wrinkled face.

Erik couldn't quite believe that he had finally had all that he had ever hoped for, a person who he could love without question. He slowly lifted his hand and gently raised Christine's chin as he lowered his lips to take hers in a kiss that communicated all of the immense feelings love and joy that were racing through him.

Christine felt her breath catch as Erik bestowed her with the most beautiful and reverent kiss. As Erik lifted his head, she saw that he had the sheen of tears glistening in his beautiful eyes. She felt tears of her own begin to fill her eyes as she took in the emotion of the moment. How long they both stood there engrossed in each other she did not know, but it was not until Nadir's insistence that he kiss the bride that the spell was broken.

Nadir pushed Erik aside as he took the surprised Christine in his arms and planted a deep and overly demonstrative kiss upon her shocked lips.

Erik felt as if he wanted to hit his friend of so many years as he witnessed the blatant over the top kiss. "Nadir!" He called sharply, only earning him a wavy of annoyance from the best man. Erik reached over and physically pulled Nadir off Christine with a fierce scowl upon his half-masked face. "Do that again and you fired!" Erik threatened only earning him an amused grin from Nadir.

Christine was still gasping for breath as she saw the anger evident in Erik's face. Reaching over she grasped his hand in hers, as she tried to pull him from his dark thoughts.

Erik felt Christine's small hand in his and turned to once again look upon his gorgeous wife. Wife he thought to himself with joy filling his heart. She is finally mine. I swear to you Christine that I will make you happy. In time, you will come to love me as I love you.

Christine felt as if Erik was trying to tell her something, as he looked deep into her eyes. She looked up at him quizzically as she tried to decipher what he was thinking.

Erik seeing her confusion, he pushed aside his thoughts for the moment. Leaning down he kissed her smooth cheek. "Darius will have dinner ready in a few minutes. But first, I think some champagne is in order. Nadir, Marie, Meg, Judge Smyth, if you will follow me to the main salon." Erik requested as he pulled Christine into step beside him as he led their guest towards the doorway.

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A/N I actually use the ceremony that my husband and I had at our wedding. Up next wedding night! Let me know what you think in the reviews.