November 1881

The small Parisian church was packed to the brim as the crowd, consisting of Raoul's family and friends, sat in anticipation of the one event they'd all been waiting for - the marriage of Raoul Vicomte de Chagny and recently ascended soprano extraordinaire Christine Daae. It had been the talk of the capital ever since the press coverage of 'The Phantom of the Opera' and with such an exclusive guest list it only made the media more interested. However this day was beginning to take a turn for the worst already as the Vicomte bit his lip and paced back and forward at the front of the congregation, wondering why it was that half an hour had already passed since the ceremony should've started, yet he was still missing his bride...

"What is taking so long?" Raoul hissed. "She should've been here by now, what does she think she's playing at!" He shook his head, taking a deep breath before finally forcing himself to a halt. He had begun to let his mind wander to what had become a serious possibility: what if she didn't turn up? He'd have to face the crowd gathered behind him and tell all of the most important business partners, oldest family friends and closest relatives that the wedding was off... Then he would have to leave the church alone in front of every eye in Paris, it would be all over the papers. Would Christine really do that to him...?

"All rise for the bride,"

Never had Raoul been so glad to have his thoughts interrupted, he couldn't help but release a loud sigh of relief as the words reached his ears. Finally the people stood in unison and Raoul got his first glimpse of his soon-to-be wife in her wedding attire; Christine's dress was simple with a white sash to tie in her waist and a long train hiding the silver slippers she wore. Her lace veil was kept in place upon her pile of chestnut curls with the single possession she still had left from her mother, a crystal hair pin which tied the whole of her elegant appearance together. She was oozing class and Raoul couldn't help but smile at the fact that soon she would be his...

Christine saw Raoul's analysing gaze as she stood at the beginning of the church aisle, her train laid out behind her. She swallowed her emotion and took her first steps towards her future... One she knew she didn't want. But she couldn't let herself think in such a way when she was so close to sealing her fate; there wasn't even another option to consider. He'd left, that was all there was to it.

"Ladies and Gentlemen; we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of the Viscount and the beautiful Miss Christine Daae. By holding this ceremony, they have chosen to seal their commitment to one another before the eyes of God, promising to cherish and care for each other..."

Christine couldn't help but let her thoughts slip back to the events of the previous night. He'd seemed so happy, the love and adoration in his eyes through their intimacy would've been enough to confirm that. Yet here she was on what should've been the happiest day of her life feeling abandoned and used. Did she not mean enough for him to say goodbye? Perhaps there was more Phantom than man than she had originally anticipated...

She was halted in her train of thought by the sensation a warm hand clasping itself around hers and found herself looking up into Raoul's eyes, swimming with joy and a glint of pride. She silently prayed that he wouldn't see the flicker of hesitation she knew was present in her own eyes. Why wasn't she able to be content with this man? Raoul was an honourable, kind-hearted, intelligent, brave and wealthy; there was no doubt in her mind he would be able to provide her with a comfortable lifestyle. Not to mention the fact he was handsome and at least tried to be romantic, he was anything a woman could really want - he was seemingly perfect... But of course all these wonderful assets were what made her find fault in Raoul, he was safe. She already felt as though her whole life was set before her and she knew Raoul would do anything to ensure it stayed that way. She didn't want to feel trapped, Christine wanted excitement, she wanted danger... She wanted him.

"Miss. Christine Daae," She turned her head sharply to face the vicar who had obviously finished drawling on about commitment by now and was moving on to the next part. "Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

She closed her eyes momentarily as she pictured the darkness of the previous night's sky and the events that had taken place under it; never again. "I do," She looked up into Raoul's face and plastered a broad grin across her own, knowing in her heart this was the only choice she had no matter how it pained her. He didn't deserve to be hurt...

"And do you, Raoul de Chagny, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" She nodded in what she hopped was an encouraging gesture as he lightly brushed his thumb over her hand.

"I do" Christine tried to stop the tears that wanted to fall. This was her future, she'd decided and there was no going back now; she'd need to embrace her new life or she'd be miserable forever.

"Who has the rings?" As Raoul's cousin stepped forward, Christine began to tremble slightly; the metal felt cold and harsh against her flesh as it was slid up her finger. She reached for the other ring and did likewise, taking slightly longer due to her shaking hand. "If any person should know a reason why these two should not be wed, may they speak now or forever hold their peace." Christine bit her lip; what if someone knew! What if they'd seen her leaving the warehouse that morning? But then she listened and found there was music to her eyes: utter silence. The priest finally finished: "Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Christine's shared a chaste kiss with Raoul, thoughts of who'd been the last person to touch her lips racing through her mind as she did so, then finally the couple turned to walk back down the aisle.

And as the two left the church, Christine continued to smile sweetly, waving to the crowd that had gathered to watch the infamous newly-weds exit. Raoul kept her on his left arm and occasionally giving brief nods to onlookers as he guided his new wife to the De Chagny carriage that awaited them. He assisted her up the step, gathering her dress behind her before pulling the door firmly shut and signalling to the driver to leave. As they rolled off to the wedding reception, the crowd cheering their approval, Christine didn't give a second glance to the figure standing in the shadows across from the church. The same one that had been standing there as she entered...

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Erik watched as they disappeared out of sight, his eyes never leaving the white figure within the carriage. He had watched as she went in to the church a mere hour earlier, looking rather flustered as she tried not to tread on the excessive amount of material which made up her dress. He had been stupid, waiting there as though she would run out again in a sudden realisation of her mistakes and run into his arms...

He shook his head and turned away from the happy crowds, frustration running through him. Why did he let himself bring his hopes up like this? Of course she hadn't come back; the previous night was purely an act of pity! She had probably been relieved to find him gone that morning when she awoke. Surely he'd done the right thing? After all she could never have been truly happy with him and now she belonged to another. That was the end of his thoughts of Christine and it was time to let go of his affections.

He turned back one last time and spoke despite the absence of the carriage or the occupants of it: "Farewell, my Christine..." he blinked hard as he tried to stop his emotions over-taking him. These emotions soon twisted to anger and he stormed away from the scene as fast as his legs would carry him. He wound down the streets and alleys he'd come to know so well and quickly found his way back to Madame Giry and her daughter, a black carriage parked up behind as the horses shuffled impatiently.

"Are you ready, Master?" Madame Giry spoke cautiously as he came closer.

"Just get in the coach; we'll speak of this place no more, you understand me!" He swept himself up and hardly waited for the other two to scramble in before giving the signal to leave. As the carriage proceeded to trundle through Paris, Erik found he was humming to himself and finally he murmured softly to himself as the buildings began to thin out; "Leave this place behind..."

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"I never really believed in love until I found myself watching Christine on the stage the night of her debut performance. I have to say, I hardly recognised the shy little Lotte whom I'd known in my childhood, she possessed such elegance and beauty. I couldn't have really asked for anything more," Raoul smiled down at her and Christine forced herself to return the gesture, trying not to let boredom overcome her. This was Raoul's moment, the speech; it was his 'big chance' to tell her how she felt. It was only fair she reacted like he expected, for the effort he'd put into the speech was obvious and it was quite sweet in a palpable fashion.

"And so it is thanks to my little Lotte that I have become a better man, one who finally has someone to put before himself. Christine, my love, this is a toast to you!" He raised his glass toward her, grinning wildly, and the rest of the room did likewise. She blushed at the gesture, playing the part of the modest bride to its full effect, before sipping her own champagne delicately. She tried hard to keep the joy on her face, but the day felt like it got worse by the second; her one wedding day and she wasn't even able to enjoy it.

The room began to fill with noise as waiters finally started to serve the food; there were further staff offering beverages and it seemed as though each individual guest was being waited on hand and foot. She had never known such luxury after living in the opera house as an orphan all these years. Then again, she supposed this was what Raoul experienced everyday and she too would need to become familiar with it.

Her thoughts drifted once more to the previous night where there had been no luxuries in sight. The only thing that had filled that room was the cobwebs and the passion created between them. But Christine knew she couldn't keep thinking about all that had happened, she had to accept he'd left and move on or else be taunted for the rest of her lifetime. Just one final thought of his touch...

Christine reached across and clasped Raoul's hand softly in her own, lightly stroking his wedding ring with her index finger and smiling tenderly at him; "I do love you, Raoul," She spoke the words as though trying to convince herself of it rather than him.

He simply chuckled before replying: "Well I should hope so too! After all you're my wife now," He lifted her hand from his and kissed it before they both turned their attention back to the food in front of them. The entire room began to eat and soon all were joining with the festivities which continued for the remainder of the evening; Christine was only once briefly distracted, by the loud clang of horseshoes on the cobbles as a jet-black carriage passed swiftly by. She didn't give it a second thought...

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Sorry for the boring chapter, I just felt I needed to get this out of the way. Next chapter will hopefully be a bit less pointless, but this is just his leaving and her marriage really focused in. Reviews will determine how long this'll carry on, and I don't have loads of chapters saved or anything like I do the other stories so uploading will be slow for now. Thanks (: