Twinkle22 and ShannonRose: You guys are causing me to want to update as soon as possible with your reviews. I love receiving reviews from you, so keep on sending!
Mwfte: I appreciate your feedback and also noticed that I have left out small details, I will try to look for that when I look over my chapters, thanks for bringing it to my attention:)
A/N: Thank you for all of the feedback and the comments to help me make this story better. In this chapter there is some jumping around; Erik and Gabrielle's honeymoon is not detailed at all because I kind of want to get to the good stuff! If you think that this chapter should be re-written, leave your comments and I will be happy to use your ideas. This chapter is kind of long and has bad language and situations almost dealing with rape so if you're not into that, don't read this chapter! Other than that, here is your update!
-Jaimie
Chapter 7
Erik stood at the front of the church as he watched Gabrielle walk toward him. She looked so beautiful, he would have cried with happiness, but he gave up crying about anything six years ago. He tried to put out of his mind all of the whispers that occurred from Gabrielle's side of the church as the people looked at him and tried to concentrate on himself and Gabrielle. But as the whispers continued, he began to shake with nervousness.
The ceremony was long and boring according to Erik. He just wanted to marry Gabrielle and get on with his life. Finally the ceremony was over after their exchange of vows and everyone clapped as he awkwardly kissed Gabrielle due to his mask. They quickly headed outside of the church and to Gabrielle's mother's house where the reception took place.
Gabrielle's mother, Monique DuBois was a wealthy widow who lived in a large estate barely outside of Paris. The ballroom inside her estate easily held the 150 guests. Erik and Gabrielle were seated at the front of the room while everyone else could stare at them. Erik felt himself still nervous as he knew people in Gabrielle's family were asking why a beautiful girl would marry a quiet man who wears a mask.
Christine sat at a table with Jean and his wife Sophie. She chatted on with Jean about his architecture business with Erik and proceeded to tell Jean how she needed a job because Raoul told her that he was no longer going to pay for her to live. Sophie suggested that Jean hire Christine as an office assistant. She could handle communication with clients, schedule meetings and keep sketches organized.
"That's a great idea, Madame D'Astier, and I do have that kind of experience." Christine lied. She didn't care that she lied, as long as she could get close to Erik and have an influence on him the same way he did her.
"I don't know if Erik would approve, after all, I have to talk with him first, he is my partner." Jean said.
"Don't worry about Erik; he will be thrilled knowing that two of his friends are working with him. What could be better than working with people you like? You and Erik could also use me to keep things organized for you which could expand clientele. We could say it is a little wedding present to him from you and me." Christine suggested hoping that he would give in.
"But what happens if you do something wrong and me or Erik has to fire you. The friendship between you and Erik is gone."
"No it won't because I'm sure you would have a good reason."
"I'll have to think about it. Why don't you come by Monday morning at 9:15?" Christine decided that this was the best she could do. She would have to convince Jean to put in a great word for her or she had no chance of working with Erik, she already made him mad on his wedding and now she was going to try and work for him after he told her he never wanted to see her again. She had to convince Jean that she was worth hiring so he would insist on hiring her.
Erik danced with his beautiful wife to the orchestra as the guests watched the happy couple. Erik had been introduced to many of Gabrielle's family and her mother's friends. He knew they wondered about his mask and thought if they only knew about his past and what was under the mask, they would never accept him.
"I love you. You have made me the happiest man alive tonight." He said smiling at her as they danced.
"I love you too, and I couldn't be happier. But Erik, I know you're shy of my family, but give them time, they will eventually love you as much as I do when they figure out what a wonderful person you are." Erik shuddered at this thought wondering how Gabrielle and her family would feel knowing that he used to be a murderer in Persia and in the opera house. I bet they would accept me knowing that! He thought.
After the last bit of food was eaten and the last glass of champagne had been drunk, Erik and Gabrielle left their wedding reception. They stayed in an inn that night making love three times and not getting any sleep. The next morning, they rose early to have a quick breakfast made by the innkeeper's wife and they were on their way to Italy.
As they rode the 18 hours in the carriage, Gabrielle admired her husband. She kept staring at his left hand with the gold ring on it while he slept. He belonged to her and she belonged to him. This thought made her smile and blush uncontrollably, but it didn't matter for she thought he was asleep.
"What are you smiling at Madame D'Avignon?" Erik asked sleepily as he watched her actions.
"The thought of us being together forever and now I am a married woman to the most wonderful man." Erik smiled, put his arm around her and pulled her close to his lips where he kissed her with force and passion. The kiss made Gabrielle feel excited inside and she didn't want to stop kissing him. When he pulled away she began to kiss him passionately again, undoing his cravat and unbuttoning his shirt.
"My dear, what are you doing?" Erik asked not wanting to stop but know that it was inappropriate to be doing such things with a driver right outside who could stop at any moment. Gabrielle sat on his lap facing him straddling her legs around his waist.
"Oh Erik, just kiss me." She said kissing him again as she removed his shirt and began to unbutton his pants. Feeling he could no longer resist her, his hands reached around Gabrielle's back where he removed her dress and undergarments while he continued to kiss her. When all of their clothing was removed Erik positioned Gabrielle on her back on the carriage bench while he was on top putting himself inside her. This was by far the most interesting and best lovemaking experience he ever had. After they reached their climax, Gabrielle giggled at what they had done and soon they both broke out into laughter about the whole situation. They quickly dressed and laughed for hours about what they did.
The next morning Erik and Gabrielle arrived in Italy. They spent their entire honeymoon touring different cities of the country while they also found time to make love 2 to 3 times a day. By the time the trip was over, Erik decided that this was the most exhausting trip he had ever been on.
Late Sunday afternoon, Erik and Gabrielle's carriage rode through the streets of Paris. Erik decided that this was a good time to blindfold his wife.
"Why am I not allowed to see what's going on?" Gabrielle said somewhat annoyed.
"Because I have a surprise for you." Erik whispered. Gabrielle could feel his breath on her neck causing her to shiver. The carriage stopped and Gabrielle was getting excited wondering what her surprise was. Still blindfolded, Erik helped her out of the carriage and made her stand still while he took off the scarf. Gabrielle looked up in shock at a white mansion, three stories high with a stable on the side with 7 people standing outside of the house all in the same kind of uniform.
"Do you like it?" Erik asked with a lot of excitement in his voice.
"Where are we?" Gabrielle asked confused.
"This is our new house my dear."
"Who are those people?"
"They are our household staff."
Gabrielle could feel herself go breathless with shock. Erik led her up the walkway,
"Let's go inside so you can see what I designed for you." Erik introduced himself and Gabrielle to the household staff, 2 maids, Michele and Lucie, 1 butler, Christophe, a cook, Bruno, a carriage driver, Thomas, and a stable boy, Luc.
Gabrielle walked through the front door and almost fainted at the large entryway with a winding staircase with a chandelier at the top. All of the rooms were decorated in the most expensive Victorian design. There were two dining rooms, one for large events and one for quiet family dinners. There was a formal living room with beautiful furnishings and a large fireplace, a library with shelves on all of the walls filled with books, a study for Erik, there were seven bedrooms and Erik and Gabrielle's bedroom was sort of separated from the rest of the house with it's own entryway with stairs leading up from the kitchen. The bedroom had a large four poster bed made out of cherry wood with a dresser and a vanity. A large fireplace was at the foot of the bed and a bathroom led off the bedroom. The servants slept had the best servant quarters of the time on the third floor. Gabrielle's biggest amazement was that there was running water in the house. No more emptying waste pans and boiling water.
Gabrielle asked Erik about getting their clothes and things out of their old flats and he told her that it had all been done. He opened the dresser and closet revealing all of their clothing. Amazed at everything, she smiled and pulled him into a kiss.
That night after celebrating by drinking wine and spending the evening dancing through their new house, Gabrielle climbed into bed next to her husband who asked,
"Gabrielle, why did you marry me?" Gabrielle was taken aback by his question and merely stared at him before answering,
"Because I love you, why would ask such a question? You should have already known the answer."
"It's just that no one's ever loved me before you because of the way I look. I am surprised that you don't feel that way considering that your whole family thinks I am strange because I wear a mask. If only they could see what was underneath it, they would not think I am strange but a hideous creature."
"Erik, how many times have I told you? While I was growing up, I didn't have a say so in anything that happened. My sisters and I were well brought up girls, but unlike them, I didn't believe in anything that I was brought up to be. I didn't want to marry the richest, most attractive man in the country only because of what he had. I wanted to fall in love no matter what the man looked like and how much money he had. As long as I loved him for him and him for me, that's all that mattered. We are so rare, you and I, marrying one another based on love in a society that's based on money. To be quite honest, you're mystery is what I was attracted to the first time I saw you. I love you more than myself."
For the first time in six years, tears came to Erik's eyes. He slid his arm underneath her and pulled her head onto his chest where he twirled her free flowing blonde hair. They laid that way for a little while enjoying one another's closeness. Gabrielle then looked up at Erik, kissed him and fell asleep in his arms. Erik looked at her while she slept admiring her inner and outer beauty until he finally fell asleep happily.
The next morning Erik and Gabrielle ate breakfast together made by their new chef. Gabrielle told Erik that she was glad that he didn't have to be at the office so early anymore so they could have time together in the morning. Erik worshipped her; everything that she said was sweet. Even if it were an argument, he was sure that the mean words would come out of her mouth as if an angel were saying them.
Erik eventually tore himself away from his loving wife, spending the last possible second that morning with her. Thomas hitched up the horses and Erik was off in the carriage waving goodbye to Gabrielle who was standing on the front porch.
Erik looked at his pocket watch as he walked into his building seeing that it was 9:10. He was surprised to see that his office door was open and Jean was sitting at his desk.
"What are you doing?" Erik asked surprised.
"Welcome back, my friend. How was Italy?"
"It was wonderful, we-" Erik stopped and continued, "Wait, what are you doing at my desk?"
"I thought I would sit at your desk and put it to some use since you weren't here last week and you are late this morning."
"It took more time than I thought getting here from my new house." Erik tried to explain.
"Oh sure, sure." Jean kidded with him.
"It really is true."
"How did Gabrielle like the house?" Jean asked.
"Oh she's crazy about it. She's in love with it."
"That makes me very happy." Jean said smiling.
"Now if you wouldn't mind, I would like to have my desk back." Erik said.
At that moment, Jean looked behind Erik at the door to see the same woman he talked to at the wedding standing in the doorway. Erik turned around seeing Christine and immediately asked coldly,
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh she works for us now." Jean answered.
"What?" Erik asked.
"Jean hired me because I desperately needed a job. It's only a trial right now to see if we can all work together."
"I thought the Vicomte was paying for your funds."
"He was until he wrote with his last check saying that he was no longer paying for someone who left him."
"I don't blame him." Erik said under his breath.
"What was that?" Christine asked.
"Oh, nothing." Erik replied and then looked at Jean asking,
"What is she going to do?"
"I figured we could use an office assistant, someone to communicate with the clients and schedule meetings and write letters for us. That way we could devote more of our time to our sketches."
"Could I talk to Miss Daae alone, Jean?" Erik asked.
"Certainly. I am going to head over to the site for the new jewelry store. I should be back before lunch." Jean said getting out of Erik's chair and leaving the room closing the door behind him.
"Erik, I know what you must be thinking, but this was all of Jean's idea, really." Christine said taking a step closer to him.
"Christine, what happened to you? You used to be so sweet and innocent, and now you are manipulating and messing with my life! Where did you ever learn that?" Erik said in a booming voice.
"I learned it from you! You did the same thing to get me. I made a mistake of leaving you, but now I want you back and I will stop at nothing to get what I want!" Christine said yelling back at him.
"You want me back? Is that what you want? I'll take you back just like I did two weeks ago! I'll fuck you so hard that you'll never want me back. Is that what I have to do Christine to get you to stop ruining my life?" Erik said shouting, taking off his belt and throwing it on the floor and he began to unbutton his pants in an angry fit.
"Come here, I'll give myself to you so bad that you'll leave me alone for good!" He said grabbing her and pulling her dress up revealing her undergarments which he reached under putting his hand in between her legs and grabbing at her.
"Stop it, Erik! You're hurting me!" Christine screamed through her tears. He stopped what he was doing and grabbed her by both of her shoulders and pulled her close to him so hard that it made her wince.
"Then stay the hell away from me, or I will fuck with you." With that he pushed her down on the ground, buttoned his pants and buckled his belt.
"If you decide to work here, don't let your presence be known. Now get out!" He shouted at her. Christine picked herself up off the floor and quickly ran out the door. She ran to her desk, sat and cried. This was not working out as she planned and now she angered him to the point where he almost raped her. The sad thing was, she wanted him to be with her, but not with the violence that he gave her.
"What am I going to do?" She asked herself over and over. If she was smart she would give up on him. He didn't want her.
Erik sat at his desk stunned at what just occurred. He had never used force on a woman and now he did. Ever since the affairs at the opera, he has learned to control his temper and that is what made him accepted into society. But Christine's presence angered him. In his mind, he had no other choice; she was going to stop at nothing to destroy his life. Erik felt himself pained with guilt. How could he do that to someone he still loved? If she would just disappear, he knew that he could almost forget about her once again. That is why I behaved like I did, to let her let me go. He thought to himself. But now guilt had plagued his mind and he had to do something about it before he went absolutely crazy knowing that he is still the same monster that would have performed such vicious acts six years ago. The thought made him shiver.