The Perfect Solution
An Alternate Universe – Phantom of the Opera Story
Nyasia A. Maire
© 2007
DISCLAIMER: I do not hold the rights nor did I create any characters found in The Phantom of the Opera or Phantom, nor have I received monetary compensation for writing this story.
The Kiss of Consummation
Lo! Thou hast granted us for Thee a name,
but never, Lord, shall there be a name for this
the storm and sacrament of love's abyss;
nor shall the mind conceive nor man's tongue frame
nor Music in her farthest flight proclaim
the tale of that intolerable bliss
when breathless lips meet in the final kiss,
and mouth on mouth melts to incarnate flame.
When, lest the astounding racks of bliss destroy
the body with its ecstasy alive, —
the maddened flesh grown infinite with joy,
peace sends her Lethe to the reeling brain,
ere the inexorable flame revive
and Love that slew sound trumpets o'er the slain.
From "Poetica Erotica" by George Sterling – 1921
Chapter Twenty-Six – The Kiss of Consummation
"You may kiss your bride."
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
The day had been quite eventful, but Erik found it exhilarating to be taking charge of his existence. He felt that after years of waiting to begin his life, he was finally making it happen. He sank into the padded, high-back leather chair behind his desk and sighed. Allowing his eyes to scan around his office, he smiled at the thought of the last conversation he had before returning home. He had found Phillipe in his office near the Pont Neuf. Their conversation had been brief as Phillipe had been too stunned for much speech after Erik had revealed the purpose of his visit. However, Phillipe assured him that he could produce the needed paperwork and promised he would be at the cathedral with Cecile Sorelli, Raoul, Meg and Madame Giry at nine o'clock that night.
His smile grew larger as he allowed his eyes to drift to the flat rectangular box sitting on his desk. He removed the lid and allowed his hand to caress the delicate lace.
"Yes, God and Christine willing, tonight my life begins at long last."
The only hitch in the entire day had been his conversation with Raoul and Meg. The two had been late showing up at the restaurant and that had placed him in the awkward position of having to launch immediately into relating his plans for the evening, instead of making pleasant small talk with them for a short time. Initially, Raoul had balked attempting to caution Erik against his impulsive decision, but Meg had squashed Raoul's objections with five simple words, "Raoul, they are in love." After that, Raoul seemed to become just as enthusiastic as Meg did in assisting with the arrangements. Meg promised Erik that she would inform Madame Giry of his intentions as soon as she was certain he and Christine had left the opera house. She alleviated Erik's fear that Madame would strenuously object to the marriage by saying that if Christine agreed, her Maman would trust Christine's judgment.
That left one person for Erik to inform. He returned the lid to the box and rose from his chair then left his study.
"Elaine! Elaine!" He called out as he entered the foyer.
He knew that due to the acoustics of the entry hall, she would hear his voice no matter where in his home she was. He waited for her response. Just as he thought she might have gone out, he turned to see her enter the room.
"Oui, Monsieur?"
"I would like to speak with you for a moment, Elaine. In my study, if you do not mind."
He gestured to the door. The woman said nothing, but cocked an eyebrow at him causing him to laugh.
"Oh, Elaine, please? For once, I have some good news to tell you. Please, after you, Madame."
Following the older woman into the room, he swept past her and waved her to an armchair across from his desk. He returned to his chair and sat there in silence for a moment.
"Well, Erik. You certainly have the look of the cat that ate the canary. What exactly are you planning?"
"You are aware that I met a young woman and that we went on a picnic yesterday."
"Of course, Erik. I prepared and packed the basket myself. I take it that the outing went well."
"Extremely well. So well, that I paid her a rather unconventional visit last night. No! Do not look shocked, Elaine! Her guardian knew and nothing untoward occurred. However, upon my return here last night, I determined that the indeterminable wait of a long engagement was not for me. I am therefore going to ask Mademoiselle Daae to marry me tonight. I spent the day making all of the necessary arrangements and I need to ask you to make the final preparations. I need you to freshen the bed linens in my room. A delivery of flowers should arrive any time now and I would like you to see to arranging the flowers and place them in my bedroom. Also, I would appreciate it if you would use your womanly sensibilities and take any other measures you feel appropriate to ready my chambers for my wedding night."
The man's face reddened, but he continued.
"The contents of this box should be laid across the foot of my bed ... erm ... our bed, please."
The woman smiled a small, but genuine smile and nodded.
"All will be ready for you, Erik. May I add my congratulations?"
"You may, Elaine. Thank you. That is all."
The man pulled his pocket watch from his waistcoat and checked the time.
"Now, if you will excuse me. I need to bathe and dress for my dinner engagement this evening and, hopefully, for my wedding."
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
"But, Maman!"
"No! No! Megan Giry, how could you believe that I would consent to this? Have you taken leave of your senses? I cannot allow this! Gustave would be horrified. Christine cannot marry a man she met two days ago."
The slender blonde suddenly interrupted the older woman's rant.
"Maman, Christine does not need your consent. She is of an age to make her own decision in this matter without your approval. Erik and Christine love each other. I have never seen two people better suited and I know you see this too! They will marry tonight with or without your consent. Please do not ruin their happiness by making a scene! Christine has had more unhappiness in her life than any other person I have ever known. She is not a flighty girl. She knows her own mind and if she agrees to wed Erik tonight, it is because she loves him and wants to marry him. Please, Maman?"
The older woman's shoulders sagged in defeat and she rubbed at her temple.
"Megan, you do realize that if it were anyone other than Christine I would not support this action. Say, if it were you who wished to marry at a moment's notice, I would never allow it. And, I do not give a sou for how old you are. However, if Christine grants his suit, I will support her choice and attend the ceremony."
"Oh, thank you, maman. Erik said a carriage shall arrive at nine o'clock to take us to the cathedral."
"Cathedral? Where exactly is the wedding?"
"At Notre-Dame de Paris."
"Well, I will give Monsieur Destler credit. When he wants to do something, he does not go by half measures."
The stunned woman shook her head in slow wonderment and looked up as she whispered.
"Gustave, your little girl is getting married tonight in the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris."
She allowed her emotionless mask to settle across her features before turning once more to her daughter.
"Come, Megan. I need to fetch something Christine may need tonight. Then, you and I must dress for the ceremony. We must hurry for we do not have much time!"
Meg smiled, lifted her eyes to the heavens and mouthed the words, "Thank you." The lithe blonde then hurried after her mother.
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
Raoul burst into his brother's office and flung himself into an armchair.
"So, I suppose he has been here and gone."
Phillipe took in the slightly disheveled appearance of his younger brother and smirked.
"So, when did he tell you?"
The younger man groaned and leaned forward, placing his head in his hands.
"Oh, come now, Raoul! This is not the end of the world. One would think you would be delighted for both of them. Why does this marriage cause you so much distress?"
The older man got up from his chair, walked around his desk to stand next to his brother. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.
"Christine is a good girl and Erik is an honorable man. They are both friends of yours. He seems to be wildly in love. I have not seen Christine, but if she returns his affections, I fail to see what the problem is."
Raoul shook his head and rubbed his eyes, then lowering his hands, he whispered.
"It just seems that it is happening much too quickly."
"Raoul, how long did it take you to realize you were in love with Mademoiselle Giry?"
Without looking up, the man replied.
"I knew the first moment I lay eyes on her."
"Well then, I repeat, I fail to see what the problem is. Unless …."
The seated man's head snapped up to gaze sharply at the older man.
"Unless, what?"
A gentle smile graced Phillipe's mouth and he gave his brother a sympathetic look.
"Unless, you are jealous."
"What? Jealous? Why would I be jealous of Erik and Christine? No. I am simply concerned that they rush into a marriage that they are not properly prepared to enter."
"Are you certain, Raoul? Look deep into your heart. Are you not the least bit jealous that Erik can undertake this endeavor without the least bit of social censure? While you share a much more restricted courtship with Mademoiselle Giry that has an outcome that is much less certain. Do not blight this happy occasion for selfish reasons, Raoul. You, more than anyone else, knows that Erik never expected to marry. How can you be anything less than ecstatic for him? Please, Raoul! Be happy for him. Do not ruin your friendship over something that is not Erik's fault. Let Erik and Christine have their moment tonight. I make this promise to you. I will do everything in my power to convince mother and father to allow your marriage to Mademoiselle Giry. Do not despair, Raoul. Do you think I shall allow my baby brother to be miserable?"
He smirked and clapped the younger man on the back. Raoul sat motionless, staring blankly at his hands lying on his lap.
"I am jealous! My God, what a selfish bastard I am! Since when did you become so insightful, Phillipe? Maman always said that I was the sensitive one, but it seems she was incorrect in her assessment of our characters."
"Oh, nonsense! Have no fear, little brother! On the morrow, I shall return to my normal insensitive, selfish ways and your reputation shall be none the worse for wear."
He pulled the younger man to his feet and gave him a hearty hug.
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
"You may kiss your bride … then, I shall introduce you to your guests as Monsieur and Madame Erik Destler. That completes the ceremony. The only thing we need to do now is sign the license. I prefer to do that before the wedding as it may be overlooked afterwards."
The small, frail, gray-haired man spoke softly to the couple standing before him.
"I am so happy for Erik. Madeleine, your little boy is getting married. Thank God!"
"Well, let us retire to my office and we shall take care of the formalities. Then, Mademoiselle Daae, I believe your guardian wishes to see you in the bridal room."
"Thank you for everything, Père Anton."
"Erik, you have nothing for which you need thank me. This is a joyous occasion for me as well."
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
Erik stood before the altar with Raoul and Phillipe on one side and Père Anton on the other. He visibly started when the great pipe organ began to play. Phillipe placed a calming hand on his arm and Raoul beamed as Meg walked down the aisle holding a bouquet of red roses. Erik swallowed and cleared his throat. Meg winked at the men and took her place before the altar. The music swelled and then Erik saw and heard no more as his bride began her walk up the aisle. Erik blinked for he almost thought a man escorted Christine. A man strangely familiar, yet truly unknown to him.
"It must be Christine's Angel of Music." He thought distractedly.
Christine was dressed in a gown of brilliant white lace and her head covered with a film of sheer tulle. She carried a bouquet of red and white roses and white star jasmine. As she neared the altar, Erik looked into her eyes and their gaze locked. Erik was grateful that he did not need say more than 'I do' to the priest's questions as he knew he was incapable of anything more. They exchanged rings. After what seemed to Erik's entranced mind as an eternity, he heard the words he had long awaited.
"You may kiss your bride."
With trembling hands, he lifted the veil from Christine's face. He pulled her close to him and pressed her body into his. She lifted her face to him and he took the lips she offered.
And, thusly passed the opera ghost into oblivion.
Author's Note: Isn't it amazing what money and friends in the right places can accomplish? I must say, though, that I am rather disappointed at the sudden decrease in reviews. I hope that it is the result of the holiday weekend and not from you (my reader's) disappointment with the story. Please review and boost your humble Authoress's fragile ego. The more reviews a chapter receives, the more diligently I endeavor to create a pleasing follow-up chapter. I really do require an extra dose of inspiration for the next chapter as it details Erik and Christine's wedding night. Remember, the more reviews I receive, the fluffier the wedding night! (Nudge, nudge! Wink, wink! Grin, grin! Say no more, say no more, say no more!!!) --ny