A/N: Hope you enjoy. Read and Review.

Chapter Forty-nine

Together

By the time evening came around the next day, everything was ready for the wedding. Darcey had given her input for a couple of hours that morning before falling back to sleep exhausted. She woke at about six to find Erik watching her. He smiled back at her as she gently stretched her sore muscles. "For once, I am grateful for corsets," she said as she felt the bandages under her nightgown.

"As am I. Had he not hit the boning..."

"Shh. It's alright. No use dwelling on what could have happened," she admonished gently. She reached for his hand and held it tightly for a moment before the door opened to reveal Meg and Madame Giry. Meg carried a pretty dress draped over her arm.

"Ahem," Meg said with a grin. Erik looked at her in confusion for a second before a blush came onto his face.

"Oh! I'm just going to a... Going to... um..." he flustered as he stood up. He gave her a quick kiss before leaving the room.

Meg giggled before coming to sit on the edge of the bed next to a smiling Darcey. "So how's the lucky girl? Are you feeling better?"

"I'm doing wonderful. A little sore but all things considered, I'm doing superb."

"Shall we get you dressed for your wedding?" Madame Giry asked as she watched the two girls. She couldn't believe that they would both be married now. Darcey felt like a second daughter to her after all.

"Yes please, will you help me up?" Darcey pushed herself into a sitting position.

"Are you sure you should be up?" Meg asked even as she helped her to her feet. Darcey nodded and tightened her grip on Meg's arm for a moment as she struggled for her balance.

She waited for a second before letting go and stepping slowly away from the bed. "She will be fine as long as she is careful. Let's get you undressed and then we can check your bandages as the doctor instructed." They lifted the nightdress over her head and after changing the bandage for a new one, pulled a light weight chemise over her head.

"Where did you find these clothes?" Darcey asked as she fingered the expensive and vaguely familiar clothing.

"The servants found a chest of some of your clothes that had been stored in the attic. Apparently none of your clothes stored here were sold."

Darcey murmured an "oh" as the she remembered events long past. The clothing left here would have been from the spring before her parent's death. That year they had bought her several new dresses supposedly for a house party they were going to have in a few weeks here at their country home. However while the party had taken place, Darcey had been isolated in her room as she had fallen ill. She now remembered how her parents had checked in on her every evening before going down to dinner.

She had seen it as impersonal but now saw it as an act of love. They hadn't needed to stop in personally. They could have sent a servant if they had wanted. She hadn't been sick enough for them to be worried.

Oh how she missed them now. How she wished they could be here. Would they be pleased?

A tear slipped down her cheek as they continued to layer on the gown. "What's the matter Darcey? Are you in pain? Do you need to sit down?" Meg worried, taking her hands.

"No. I'm fine. I was just thinking about how much I miss my parents. Do you think they would be proud of me?" Meg gave her a careful but firm hug.

"Oh Darcey," she murmured.

"Of course they would be proud. How could they not be? You have grown into a wonderful and beautiful young woman that any parent would be proud of." The normally stiff woman softened and hugged the two girls as they failed at stopping the tears.

After a minute or so, Darcey laughed softly. "I am such a watering pot. Will you help me finish dressing?" She wiped her eyes.

"You won't need a corset even if the doctor allowed it," Madame Giry explained as she lifted the gown off of the bed.

"I honestly don't know why you bother anyways, its not like you need one with your figure," Meg teased. She danced away to avoid a smack on the arm.

Madame Giry rolled her eyes before instructing Darcey to lift her arms. She obeyed and the navy blue gown slipped down over her. The gown was simple in design but very flattering to her figure with its short sleeves, and ribbon under her chest before it gradually belling around her feet. Darcey vaguely remembered picking out this dress, it was one of the few that her mother had completely agreed on.

"Oh Darcey, you look beautiful."

"Thank you Meg. Thank you both so much."

"Don't thank us yet. We haven't finished yet," Giry said with a smile before leading her over to the vanity. The three women talked and laughed as they fixed her hair and put on a tiny bit of color onto her lips. "There."

Darcey stood and slowly walked over to the full length mirror that hung on the wall next to the closet. She remembered standing in this exact spot as a child as she secretly wondered if she would be beautiful like her mother.

As she now looked into the mirror, she knew they would be proud of her. "Are you ready?"

"Yes. I'm ready." They all left the room together, Giry walked ahead of the two girls who walked arm in arm. Meg walked slowly to match Darcey's pace as small jolts of pain blossomed from her injury.

As they came to the staircase, she could see Erik speaking to the priest and Garren. Giry cleared her throat which effectively brought all of their attention to the top of the stairs as the two girls began to walk down. She locked eyes with Erik's cobalt blue eyes and felt her heart beat faster. She continued to gingerly make her way down the stairs, her hand held tightly onto Meg's arm. When she flinched slightly in pain, Erik snapped out of his trance and ran up the stairs to her.

"You shouldn't be walking around so much," he said before scooping her up into his arms. He then continued down the rest of the stairs. "You look beautiful," he whispered in her ear before setting her down on her feet.

"Thank you," she whispered as she clasped hands with him.

They smiled at each other as the priest began to read from a small book. Darcey felt energy course through her in excitement. She dutifully recited her vows as did Erik before the priest granted him permission to kiss her. Her heart started beating double time as he pressed his warm lips to hers. They were married!

Meg began to clap energetically which caused Erik to chuckle as he broke off the kiss. "Congratulations!" Meg gave them both a hug before turning back to Garren and throwing her arms around him.

"Shall we have supper before retiring for the evening?"

"Sounds good to me." The priest refused their offer of supper and they all entered the dining room after thanking him.

They sat casually around the large table as the meal was served. Darcey smiled at Erik's ease in the room that was obviously not something anyone around her had experienced. Sure they had lived in the Opera House for many years but it was not nearly the same as a house about the same size. In fact Meg exclaimed several times at the grandness of the room or the food being served.

Darcey finished her meal early as she wasnt very hungry. She sat with her hands in her lap as everyone continued to talk and laugh. Soon, she felt a hand take hers and looked over at Erik who grinned at her before going back to his food. She smiled to herself as they held hands under the table.

She looked up as Garren began to tell a story about Carlotta. They all laughed as he told how they had played a prank on her that envolved her dogs. Darcey held back her laughter as her chest began to ache. As the conversation died down, Meg and Garren announced they were heading to their room.

"Good night," Darcey said as Meg hugged her from behind. She patted her arm before she was released.

"Good night to you as well. Congratulations on your wedding."

"Thank you. We will see you in the morning," Erik said to them zboth as he gave Darcey's hand a squeeze. The sound of Garren and Meg talking echoed softly back into the room as the three sat in silence, Madame Giry finishing her cup of coffee.

"Well I think I will go to bed as well. You too should turn in soon too. You could both use some sleep." Erik nodded and helped Darcey to her feet so that they could walk out of the room. Madame Giry met them at the door. "Be careful with her," Madame Giry said with a knowing smile that sent both of their faces aflame.

Erik cleared his throat as Darcey hid her face in his coat sleeve. "I will. Good night." She nodded and left them.

Erik turned and scooped Darcey into his arms to carry her up the stairs. She didn't even protest as he took them to their room.

A/N: And we are almost to the end. Only one chapter left. I hope you have been enjoying this story. Never fear, I will be writing other stories. Let me know if you want me to continue Music of the Soul or if you would like to hear a new story. Byes!