We are almost done with this story. Just a few more chapters left. I am not ready to say goodbye to them… LOL Am I crazy or what?
I still own nothing, so let's not dwell on the past. On with the show!
Erik was dressed and ready, waiting in a small side room on the right side of the altar. He found it somewhat comical that he be inside a church and looking forward to seeing a priest and yet, he was! He knew this moment was indeed sacred and holy. His beloved Christine was finally going to be his and God wanted it to happen. He looked up and smiled, as he shook his head.
"You truly do work in mysterious ways."
"Say, does Christine know she is marrying someone who talks to himself?" Nadir grinned at his friend.
Erik turned around. "How else could I ever hope to have anyone agree with me?" He looked at his pocket watch. "Any words of advice, old man?"
"Wait, you mean some that you would actually take? I think you need to sit down this instant. You may be having a reaction to being so close to the holy water."
Erik smiled but then looked serious. "I am truly honored to have you here, Daroga. It means a great deal."
"As it does for me, old friend. Yet why am I sharing the best man title with Dr. Gangle? I never would have thought you would have so many friends to choose from." He laughed.
Erik waved him off but then stopped. "Are you alright with that? Because, I never meant to offend or…."
He came up to him and placed his hands on Erik's shoulders. "Allah, I am pleased beyond belief. I am so happy you will experience marriage. It is an institution I cherished wholeheartedly."
Erik felt sad for his friend, remembering how he lost his wife years ago at the hands of the Shah. "Daroga, where will you go now that things have settled? I know you have places to travel to and friends to see but, I would like you to consider Phantasma your home. You will always be welcomed here."
Nadir was touched. "I'd like that."
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Christine had Gustave exit the carriage first, just to be sure that Erik didn't see her until she was walking down the aisle.
Gustave looked to his right and then to his left. "He isn't here, Mother. You can come out."
She took her son's hand, as he helped her exit, ensuring she wouldn't get her dress caught on anything.
"I am so pleased that my best man, is going to walk me down the aisle." She caressed his face.
"I am so excited, Mother. I…." He stopped when he saw Molly approaching. "Hi Molly!"
"Hi Gustave! My, don't you look handsome in your suit." She then greeting Christine. "Ma'am, you look stunning."
"Oh Molly, bless your heart. I know I shouldn't be in white with everything…." She patted her large stomach, "But I don't care. I am so happy. It feels so right."
Molly smiled. "Ma'am, I know this may sound forward and all, but I would be honored if you would like me to help with the flowers and such when you exchange vows with Mr. Y." She then looked away, embarrassed.
"Molly, you are a dear. I don't have any flowers, but I still would consider it my honor to have you be my bridesmaid and from now on, it's Christine." She smiled back at the grinning girl.
Gustave smiled. "Mother, you do have flowers! Father hid them inside."
"He did?!" She giggled. "Of course, he did. Well then, I have everything I need but my groom, so let's get me married, shall we?"
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Although he tried to deny it, Erik was nervous. He knew he was being foolish. He knew Christine loved him and was coming, but a part of him still couldn't help but think it was all a dream.
"What if in any moment I wake up and find myself back on that boat heading to America, alone and broken?" He pinched himself quickly.
"If you keep pinching yourself like that you will leave a mark." Nadir chuckled. "It isn't a dream, or maybe it is but you are wide awake."
He nodded. "You can't imagine how often I have thought about this moment."
Gangle chimed in, "You better do more than thinking, because the organist is about to start."
The small gathering of Phantasma employees stood up and looked on as Gustave proudly walked his mother down the aisle. He smiled at Ms. Fleck and winked at Squelch. Christine couldn't help but notice, how her son blushed when a little girl waved to him from the pew. She smiled and clung to her son a little tighter. Next, her eyes met a pair of glimmering ones with gold flecks, staring back at her.
Gustave presented his mother to his father and then proceeded to sit down in front. Erik was completely in a trance until his hand touched Christine's. He kissed it and then motioned for her to wait a moment. He went up to Gustave and took him by the hand.
"Your place is right up there with us."
"Father…"
"I am committing to both of you today, well technically all three of you." He winked. "Besides, I need my real best man up there." He then gave the rings to Gustave. "What? You didn't think I was going to trust them with Nadir or Gangle, did you?"
Gustave laughed and hugged his father. "Let's do this."
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Erik took Christine's hand. The priest looked over at the couple and said, "I understand this has been a long time in coming."
Erik looked at him oddly and Christine giggled.
The priest then looked at them both fondly. "Although your journeys may not have started together, they certainly have lead you to the other and proved that true love will always find its way back." He smiled. "Son, would you not feel more comfortable without the mask? Your fiancé expressed a desire to see your face."
Erik froze.
"Angel, I love you and will honor your wishes on the matter but if it were up to me, I would have left your mask at home." She winked.
"I…" He looked at the small gathering of people and then at Molly. "Christine, I deny you nothing but this…. I…."
"Mr. Y?" Molly spoke timidly.
"Yes?"
"I am not engaged or anything, but I think you should do what your bride ask of you on your wedding day. If you're worried about me or any of us…" Molly looked at the guests. "We are all together because of you. In our own way, we are a family and we accept each other, scars and all. So, don't let us being here stop you."
Erik didn't know what to say. He swallowed hard and looked at his son, then saw Christine wipe a tear from her eye. She squeezed his hand.
"I would love to marry my Erik and see his face before mine."
He nodded his head and before he lost his nerve, he took off his mask. Gustave took it from him and proceeded to watch his parents. The church was silent. No one gawked or screamed. No, his face wasn't beautiful, but Erik was, and everyone present there today, witnessing the wedding of Phantasma's first family, knew that. They wouldn't have been invited, otherwise. Christine saw to that.
"I don't know what to say." He choked up.
"Fortunately, I have a list of questions that you can respond to." The priest responded, and the rest of the church laughed.
Erik chuckled and found himself relaxing. "I think I can do better than that."
Christine looked puzzled, as Erik kissed her hand.
"I know we didn't discuss it but, you and I have never been one to follow what was expected." He let out a deep breath. "Nadir saw me pinching myself earlier and I still can't help myself. To see you standing here, as my living bride. And not just marrying me but wanting to marry me and having our son and little one witnessing it…. I know I do not deserve such a dream, much less this reality but I have it. All my dreams are in front of me and it's all because of you. My life has changed because you had the courage to kiss a monster and awakened the man.
"I am in awe of your courage and heart. You are my inspiration in all things; music, life and love. I vow to take the gift of your love and never take it for granted. Instead, I will keep your love inside of me and use it as a reminder to be the man you deserve. A man you can feel good about loving. You are proof to me that God exists, and he didn't forget about me. He only wanted to make sure I could be worthy of you. I promise you and Him, I am up to the task and will not let either of you down."
He then placed his hand on Christine's stomach and took his other hand and touched Gustave's shoulder, never taking his eyes off Christine.
"I also vow to the two of you to do all I can to be the best father possible. I love you both so much." A tear ran down his cheek. "You are all music and love to me. The sweetest melodies forever etched in my heart."
Christine couldn't stop crying.
"Angel"? Erik touched her cheek.
"Look what you've done? You've made me a complete mess." She smiled. "And I have nothing that could be said as beautifully or as eloquently as that!" She wiped her eyes.
"All I need to hear is that you love me."
"Erik, love is not a big enough word to express my heart's desire and happiness today. You are my very soul and when I look into your eyes…." She traced his right cheek. "Those beautiful green eyes with tilts of gold, which might I add are shinning as brightly at me as the night sky…." She smiled. "They fill my heart with love, just as your music does. Our children will be symbols of our love. Half of you and me. Proof that Erik and Christine were always destined to be one. You were my first love and you will be my last love." She caught her breath. "Lastly, I vow to always look with my heart and cherish the love we have, because as long as I do that, I know it will never die."
Erik went to kiss her but was stopped by the priest.
"Not yet, although I understand why you want to young man, but first the rings."
Gustave gave one to his father and one to Molly, so she could give it to Christine.
"Erik, take Christine's left hand and place the ring on her third finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed."
"Christine, take the ring and place it on Erik's third finger on his left hand."
She turned to Molly, who was a complete mess of tears. "This is so beautiful…. Oh here." She then wiped her eyes, quickly not to miss anything.
"With this ring, I thee wed."
The priest smiled. "Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Erik kissed Christine without hesitation and when they had to break apart for air, he kissed her nose. "Well, Mrs. Dexter what shall we do now?"
"Mr. Dexter, let's start by kissing one more time."
