Well, here we go: the epilogue. I'm not sure whether to be happy this is finally over or sad that I can't make it last longer.

This fic is about ten months old, technically. I started writing it at my school science fair on the 8th of March 2006, while I was waiting to get judged. I remember the date because that day had been International Women's Day, and I had won a rose from a random draw my school had. I also admit that was kinda the beginning of my fascination with equality, and the day I decided that, if it helped any, I would throw a tampon at a political leader and scream "Feminism FOREVER!", and probably get arrested (laughs). But that's completely off topic. Back to the point; I was staring at this rose, and thinking about a plot that had been forming in my head for quite a few weeks. Then I grabbed some paper I had on hand and wrote the first few sentences. I entered a trance-like state of writing and remained there until a judge tapped me on the shoulder and I almost died of surprise. Thus, my life.

So that's my story. I'd like to thank the people who supported me while I wrote this, such as HPFanatic2478 (Erik's face! OH BURN!) and Golden Phoenix Feathers (It'll work someday, darling), and everyone else who reviewed or supported this fic. I love you all so much! I would list your names, but I know I'd leave someone out and they'd get all huffy at me. Oh well.

Please keep your eye on my account, because there'll be a new story up eventually, just you wait! Maybe it'll be RC because I sorta ignored them in this story, another EOC because they're so much fun, or who knows, maybe I'll actually get so incredibly daring I'll post a slash fic. That might be in the very distant future, though. Don't count on it! Or perhaps I'll do another fic to another fandom, maybe His Dark materials, Airtimes Fowl, Old Kingdom Trilogy, or even Fruits Basket! Oh, it would be really fun to write about Tohru or Momiji-chan! But I'm not good at modern day stuff, so maybe not. So, friends, please keep me in the back of your minds, or on your Author Alert List. Preferable the latter.

Peace, Hope, and Riding Crops in an Assortment of Colours,

Scarletquillraven

Chapter 20: Epilogue

The wedding had been small. A few of the family's friends attended, included Armand and Antoinette Giry, and her daughter. The ceremony was held in a little church close to the Boufard home. Erik had worn his full Don Juan mask and usual dress-coat, and Henri ensured that the priest he found could be trusted in case he recognized the Phantom. All the guests who did not know of Erik's true story were told that he was simply self-conscious of his face, which had been scarred badly in an accident that had happened when he had been a child. Madeline had a simple blue wedding dress. At first she had wanted to wear Opale's, but she had decided that wearing white, the symbol of virginity, would be too big a lie, considering the fact she was a month pregnant. The wedding had been simple, with no real decorations and minimal guests. Erik did not like crowds, and the couple did not want attention to be drawn to them. Armand had offered to fund a larger service, but they humbly refused. So, still wanting to contribute, he bought them a house down the street from Madeline's childhood home. They accepted that gift.

When the plans had been first made a few worries came to mind. How would they support themselves? What would happen to Erik's home in the opera house? Where would they raise the child?

The last question was easily answered; the home Armand bought them was ideal. It was much like the Boufard home and many other buildings along the street. A shop on the bottom floor, an apartment on the top. The couple could sell the wares of their choice, or find business elsewhere and make the downstairs part of their normal home. After some great thought, it was decided that Erik, knowing so much about medicine, would teach his wife about the subject and the two would start an apothecary. As for the Lair, they decided it would be like a second home. Erik would stop by every so often to play his pipe organ and write music, and if the family ever needed shelter because of a fire or other disaster in their normal house they had a simple solution. Also, considering Erik's checkered past, if he or his new kin ever needed to escape the authorities, they had a refuge.

When Madeline broke the news to her father that she was engaged to Erik, he actually fainted. He later tried to explain that he had been so happy and relieved and nervous at the same time it had made him ill, he did a terrible job. After that, it came up I conversation constantly, and was always followed by whooping laughter, much to the shoemaker's distress.

Genevieve's reaction had been far more understandable for someone her age. She had cried "Hooray! Finally!" and grabbed her sister's legs in a tight hug.

Armand had shouted congratulations at the couple, and then proceeded to explain all the things they would need for the wedding, but he spoke so fast and was so elated no one could understand him, so Erik and Madeline just nodded and said the occasional "oh, that'll be just lovely."

Erik had been alone when he told Mme. Giry, and she had congratulated him rather calmly. The older woman had not yet met his future wife, though, and he had to explain the fact she was with another man's child. She was not shocked, seeing the fact she had been living with the artists' extravagant behavior at the opera for so long unwanted pregnancies were not a surprise. In fact she provided much support for Erik during his engagement.

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After the wedding, everyone went to the newlyweds' house. They pushed aside all the furniture in the spacious room on the first floor and brought chairs from upstairs. They set the seats around the walls. Some people went home for a few minutes, and when they got back, they carried bottles of every kind of wine, gin, or other alcoholic drink one can imagine. M. Leblanc, a friend of Henri's, and brought a violin, and Madeline's good friend Carol had a flute that she could play. The bride and groom were pleasantly surprised; they hadn't been expecting a party.

The dancing went on for a long time. There was much cat-calling when Armand and Meg had waltzed together, to the embarrassment of them both and the amusement of everyone else. Genevieve and a few of her friends had to sit out for a while because a certain friend of Madeline's had felt bad and given them a whole bottle of whiskey to share. Everybody got up and moved in whatever way they thought fit the music, and all had a wonderful time.

Soon it was well past midnight, and the group was getting rather tired. Finally, when most of the guests thought they would never be able to walk home, Antoinette realized something.

"You know what, Erik?" she said "I don't think I've seen you and your wife dance together, all alone, as the center of attention."

"That is strange" Henri agreed "Seeing as you two are the entire reason we're here at all."

There was no way to get out of in after that, so the violin started a slow love song and Erik and Madeline became the interest of the entire room.

As they went around in circles, the couple couldn't help but stare at each other.

"Erik," Madeline said so quietly nobody else could hear.

"Oui, mon ange?"

Instead of speaking her reply, she captured his lips in the deepest kiss they had ever had.

While the people around them cheered quietly, Erik thought of how lucky he was, how much he loved his new wife, and above all, how they were so alike. She too had been so abused. Their whole family had, in truth. They were his family now, he realized. And despite the many trails they had seen, they remained as one, though a bit more faded every time, and they kept their unique beauty, like the petals on a grey and withered rose.

fin