It was here, the day I had been waiting for, my wedding day, the day I got married to Erik. I almost felt mean; Christine sat in the corner, watching me as I took in my appearance in the mirror. The flowing white fabric was soft and comfortable. I looked at Christine with a thoughtful frown.
"You look stunning." Her perfect soprano voice sounded weakly.
"I'll never be as beautiful as you." I told her, she looked up at me on the stool. I turned around, stepping down off the stool I stood in front of her.
"Come here, sweetheart." I told her, she stood, walking over to me with more grace that I could even wish for. I wrapped her in a brief hug, how was she to learn that Raoul was never returning to her?
"I miss him so much, it was just days before our wedding when he disappeared. People are blaming Erik and I'm praying that Erik didn't kill him. I just don't know anymore." She cried. I sighed heavily.
"I'm sorry." I told her, stroking her hair motherly. Christine muttered something that I couldn't quite make out and pulled back.
"Well, why don't we go see your happy ending?" Christine asked, I only smiled bashfully and gathered my bouquet.
"Lead the way Christine." I told her, keeping my smile, this was reality, I almost couldn't believe this, my breathe caught in my throat as I entered the church sanctuary. Seeing Erik in his full pride, he seemed ten feet tall, a new white mask shone on his face, I was agitated with that mask, I had begged Erik not to wear it on our wedding day, but he flat out refused. I learned to love him without the mask and I want to pledge myself to him without the damned thing. He thought going mask less would be indecent. I sent him a playful scowl as I approached the altar. I handed Christine my bouquet with a gentle smile. I returned my attention to my fiancé, he smiled handsomely at me. I only blushed, yet the reality that my family wasn't here to witness my marriage began to sink in as well, tears slid down my cheeks, I closed my eyes briefly and took a deep breath. I scanned the chapel quickly, seeing two gentlemen sitting in the audience, the woman Erik was with when I first went to get my measurements for the dress, a young boy beside her and a woman on her other side, possibly her daughter, I sucked in a breath again, I was such a stranger to all the people Erik knew, I didn't even know their names and there they sat, with Erik and I at the head of the chapel, vowing to each other to be at the other's side for as long as we lived. I almost felt uncomfortable. Erik's gentle touch brought me back to reality, I looked at him. His eyes concerned, I realized it was my turn to vow.
"I do." I told them, everyone let out a heavy sigh, especially Erik. We exchanged rings, and kissed, making our souls one. The chapel burst into the quiet applause. More tears slid down my checks, Erik pulled away looking confused, I only shook my head. Closing my eyes painfully, I never guessed my wedding day would be so painful; I never danced with my father, my mother never danced with my new husband. I swallowed painfully, looking to my husband. The thought of Erik as my husband cheered me up. Erik escorted us down the aisle and out of the church, where we boarded a carriage. I set my bouquet down and buried my face in my hands, anguish devouring my joy heartlessly.
"What's wrong?" Erik's voice whispered in my ear. I hugged him tightly, not saying anything for a moment.
"I couldn't be happier with our wedding, but I never knew the pain of my parents being gone was so great. I wanted them to see me get married. I always laughed at the thought of my new husband dancing with my mother at my wedding. I always looked forward to dancing with my father at my wedding. Oh Erik this pain is just so over whelming." I choked out, Erik wrapped his arms around me comfortingly. I sighed and the tears went away.
"You know they watched from Heaven, Jaclyn." He told me, I sniffled and looked up at him, his white mask hiding his deformity. I reached up, hooking my fingers under the mask and took the damned thing off, revealing his face, the twisted knotted skin, slightly red from skin irritation. I sighed heavily.
"See what wearing that mask does to your face?" I told him.
"It can't get much worse, Jaclyn." He told me.
"Of course it can, I've seen worse." I told him, he only glanced at me curiously. I studied the ring that was on my finger, nothing too big but very elegant, with a slender cut diamond, embedded on a cushion of mellow emeralds and sapphires. I glanced at Erik's ring; he refused anything fancy, no engravements, patterns or anything, just a plain silver band. I could tell he took pride in the ring though, the way he gazed upon the ring at the altar said it all. I smiled amusingly at the memory.
"Where are we going?" I asked him, he looked to me.
"Venice." He said simply. I smirked; Venice, Indianna Jones and the Last Crusade took place in Venice.
"What?" Erik asked, curious.
"Nothing, just thinking of the 21st century." I told him.
"Do you want to go back?" Erik asked, uncertainly, almost like he was afraid of my answer.
"Sometimes, but I would never go back unless you came with me." I told him, gazing at my husband. He looked away from me, a look of thought on his face. I tilted my head, my look turning to curiosity. I scooted across the cabin and snuggled into Erik, my hand on his chest, over his beating heart. I was content and I didn't want this to end. Ever.