Chapter 8: The Dream Fulfilled
The moonlight shone intermittently on the heavy, wooden doors of a chapel in a park in an obscure part of Paris. There was a slight chill in the air, but this did not deter the silent form that walked up to the doors, and swung one of them open. Behind him, five more silent forms followed, walking up the stone steps. All six entered the chapel. The last one to go in, a certain Persian daroga, noiselessly closed the door behind him.
Only when they were all inside did they light their candles, and then proceeded up to the altar. Christine sighed. She would have wanted a truly joy-filled ceremony, with daylight shining through the stained-glass windows, the pews filled with jubilant worshippers, and the chapel decorated with arrangements of roses, orchids, and lilies. This somber gathering was more fitting for a funeral. Yet, she had not hesitated when Erik proposed that they married at once. She had assented immediately. Luckily, the priest who had befriended Erik had also agreed to the hasty, secret ceremony.
As if reading her thoughts, Erik squeezed her hand. Pulling her over to him, he whispered in her ear, "I know this is not the type of ceremony you would have wanted, my love. I will make up for this by loving you for the rest of my life." Then he raised her hand to his lips, and kissed it with restrained passion. They continued up the central aisle, until all stood before the altar rail. There was a small gate at the center of the rail, facing the altar. Only the priest and his assistants were allowed to enter. Father Lecourt, dressed in the garments used to celebrate Mass, went in, while the others waited in front of the rail. Madame Giry and her daughter immediately stepped forward, kneeling on one of the cushions before the rail. Christine did the same, and quickly motioned for Erik to follow her example. Nadir, as the only non-Christian present, simply stood right where he was, next to the first row of pews.
As the priest began reciting the Introit, Erik stole a look at his bride, whose hand was firmly enclosed in his. She was breathtakingly beautiful, he thought proudly. Madame Giry had improvised a veil from a delicate, gossamer fabric she had acquired on extremely short notice from a next-door neighbor. The gown Christine was wearing, while not a wedding dress, was exquisitely detailed. It was a delicate shade of beige, with a modest decolletage, and full, long sleeves adorned with little yellow roses. It tapered very becomingly at her small, girlish waistline, and the skirt flared out slightly. Giry had pulled it from her own extensive wardrobe. It fit Christine perfectly.
Feeling Erik's eyes on her, Christine returned his gaze, smiling. His mask, was, of course, in place, and he was wearing his usual evening attire. Her lips parted slightly as her eyes roved over his face. She thought he looked especially handsome tonight, even with the mask. She wanted to see his face completely, his perfect, handsome side, as well as the side marred by a disfigurement that had long ago ceased to matter to her. His golden eyes glistened as they peered into her own, and she noticed that his breathing was rather erratic. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. He mouthed the words, "I love you." She mouthed back, "I love you, too." He could not resist leaning over to whisper into her ear, "You look absolutely beautiful!". To his amused surprise, she whispered back, "So do you!"
Madame Giry looked over at them, smiling, as Father Lecourt continued with the ceremony. Nadir, meanwhile, shifted uneasily, unaccustomed as he was to attending religious events not of his faith. Nevertheless, he was pleased to be able to play the part of Erik's best man.
The ceremony went on smoothly. Its most solemn moment, the consecration, had just ended. Father Lecourt now turned, and approached the altar rail, with a goblet full of wafers in his hands. Christine received Communion reverently, then lowered her head. Erik looked up, directly into the priest's eyes. He simply shook his head, and the priest nodded, understanding. Then he turned away, taking the goblet back to the altar.
After what seemed long minutes, Erik looked up, just in time to see the priest coming down the steps toward the two of them. He heard Madame Giry stand and walk over to them. Meg followed her mother. She and Christine exchanged excited glances. Nadir quietly came up behind them, also, standing next to Giry and Meg.
The time for the wedding ceremony itself had arrived. Erik's heart skipped a beat, and started up a dramatic drumming in his chest. He looked at Christine, whose head was down. In the glowing candlelight, he could see her blushing furiously through the thin veil.
The priest cleared his throat, looking steadily at the couple before him.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony..."
As the priest continued, Christine and Erik stood up, faced each other, and joined hands. They were both smiling joyously, their eyes full of love. Madame Giry smiled tearfully as the priest went on with the ritual. Meg sighed rather dramatically, wiping at her eyes. Nadir quietly smiled as well, while reliving his own wedding memories.
"Christine," recited Lecourt, "do you take this man to be your lawful, wedded husband, to love and to cherish, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Smiling shyly, Christine stared into Erik's eyes, and murmured, "I do, with all my love." Erik squeezed her hands, smiling. When the priest repeated the question for him, he said firmly, "I do, with all my heart!"
Lecourt's own face now also broke into a broad smile, and his eyes shone suspiciously. He suddenly chuckled, and announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife!"
Erik stood looking at his Christine, unable to move. The moment he had been awaiting for years had finally come to pass. He was not accustomed to feeling such happiness...The thought suddenly struck him -- they had no rings to exchange! There had simply not been enough time for him to purchase any. He would make sure to do so as soon as he was able.
Clearing his throat once more, Lecourt said, meaningfully, "Erik, you may now kiss your bride!"
In a daze, Erik slowly moved toward her. She looked up at him, her face made even more beautiful to his eyes by the happiness that radiated from it. He touched her veil with trembling hands, and slowly, even reverently, lifted it, as his breathing stopped momentarily. Then he gently laid it back onto her head, and, leaning down slightly, placed his lips upon hers, closing his moist eyes.
Christine looked up at him, her own eyes brimming over. As his lips touched hers, she closed her eyes as well, throwing her arms around his neck. Erik in turn enclosed her waist in his arms, pulling her firmly into his body. He leaned into the kiss, which became an open-mouthed one. His tongue fiercely embraced hers, completely possessing her mouth, while Christine gave herself up to the kiss, surrendering her heart and soul into his keeping, while taking his in return.
They knew not how long they stood thus, locked in their embrace, which was gradually becoming more heated, when they heard Father Lecourt again clearing his throat, as loudly as he possibly could. They broke the embrace, a little embarrassed. Now they looked around, a bit dazed, as Lecourt, Giry, Meg, and Nadir came up to them, all four smiling and laughing.
"Oh, Madame!" exclaimed Christine, as the lady herself came over to her, embracing her with all the love and happiness a mother would feel. "Oh, I am so happy, so happy!" she continued, sobbing and laughing at the same time. Madame Giry was openly weeping as well, as she kissed both of Christine's cheeks. Meg waited her turn; then, unable to contain her happiness, grabbed Christine in a tearful hug.
Christine was saddened at the thought that she would soon be parted from this girl who was like a sister to her.
"I shall miss you so, Meg," she said softly, embracing the little dancer. "I do not know when I shall be able to see you dance again..."
Meg could not trust herself to speak just yet, so she stepped back, holding her friend's hands, and looked her over approvingly, smiling through her tears.
"Christine..." she was finally able to say, "I have never seen a more beautiful bride! You look like a princess!"
Christine smiled, squeezing Meg's hands. "Thank you, my sweet little sister. I am so glad you were here to witness our happiness!"
Lecourt and Nadir walked over to Erik, who had temporarily removed his mask, and now began rubbing his eyes, fearing the whole thing might be a dream he would soon awaken from. They embraced him briefly, slapping him on the back and shaking his hand, while advising him to take care of his bride. They then went over to Christine, embracing her as brothers would, giving her a kiss on both cheeks.
Madame Giry walked over to Erik, looking at him fondly, also feeling motherly ties to him. As she embraced him, she whispered to him, "You now have a devoted wife whose wellbeing is your responsibility. Please do not endanger her in any way." She then broke the embrace to look at him solemnly. She then softened her stern admonition by smiling gently at him.
"I will not disappoint you, Mother," he said then, with great emotion. Her eyes filled with tears as she heard these words. Then she playfully cuffed his arm, as she smiled at him. "I am not really old enough to be your mother, but it pleases me to hear the word. Still, you should really regard me as your older sister." He laughed, and they embraced again.
Nadir joyfully interrupted them. "Well, Erik," he exclaimed, all smiles, "you are, I suppose, going to claim your new bride, are you not?"
Erik, smiling, turned from Madame Giry, and walked over to Christine. He took her hands, and looking into her eyes, softly inquired, "How are you feeling , my sweet angel?"
Smiling through her tears, she replied, just as softly, "Divinely, my love."
They then turned to face the chapel doors, joining hands, and walked down the aisle toward them, while the others followed with their lighted candles.