A/N: A head's up to those of you who don't care for PG-13 insinuations and romance - skip down to "The two of them waved..." when you reach "'And I love you,' she sniffled..." Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-One – The Beginning of Forever

The sun peaked over the clouds as the noonday bells rang in the cathedral of Notre-Dame. The people on the streets scurried by, some occasionally pausing to marvel at the beautiful church before going on their merry way. They remained oblivious to the spectacle within the edifice, just as Erik had expected them to.

Standing at the altar with his skin mask placed upon his face, he felt his heart pounding madly within his chest as he waited. "Where is she?" he hissed to Nadir, his eyes glued to the doors of the grand church. Horrifying visions of Angelique vanishing from sight filled his stomach with doubt and fear, making him clench his hands in anticipation.

"You know how women are, Erik," Nadir whispered, patting his back sympathetically. "Stop worrying or your mask will come off."

"Nonsense," he scowled at his best man. "I made sure it wouldn't come off, especially today of all days."

"You know what I mean," he rolled his eyes.
"I should like to go over and play the music myself," Erik murmured, wringing his hands behind his back as he listened to the organist.

"You already wrote the entire wedding mass, Erik! You're not going to leave your post to play your own wedding," the Persian frowned at him. "Leave the organist alone!" He watched Erik squirm, slightly amused by his friend's antics. He was still stunned that he had been asked to be the best man for this occasion. Becca had been chosen to be the maid of honor by Angelique, and while there was no bridal party to join them on the dais of the church, all of their beloved were gathered under the same roof to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The music suddenly swelled, causing Erik to straighten at once like a jackknife, his eyes upon the opening doors. As light and airily as the organ's tune, a vision in white entered and walked down the aisle. Erik felt his heart ache with happiness, so much so that he thought he would die on the spot. Angelique wore the dress he had designed for her, her hair pinned into a half-bun while the rest spilled around her face, tumbling in curls down her shoulders. Her face was shielded with a sheer veil, a simply flowery tiara keeping the veil in place. She held a bouquet of pristine white roses in her hands, her arms linked with her adoptive parents. Lamar and Fanette proudly walked her down to him, tears of joy in their eyes. Erik felt his eyes sting of tears as they embraced and kissed him before handing Angelique over to him, offering their little lamb to the monstrous wolf to be joined at the altar. As the priest prattled on with the ceremony, Erik found that he couldn't look away for a moment from his blushing bride. She was perfection, and he was…not. Still, she gazed at him with eyes full of all the adoration the world could offer, and it made him want to weep. It made him want to fall to his knees and thank God he was actually alive and made it this far, just for this moment.

"…monsieur?"

Erik blinked, shaken from his thoughts. "Pardon?"

"Do you take this woman to be your wife?" the priest asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement. This wasn't the first time the happy couple hadn't responded to the age old questions asked at a wedding mass because they were so enamored with one another.

"I do!" he all but shouted a little too quickly, wincing as he realized how he had reacted. "…I do," he repeated softly, his eyes locking with Angelique's as she smiled beautifully at him.

The priest nodded, biting back a chuckle before repeating the same question to Angelique.

"I do," she said, her face flushing a bright pink hue as she spoke. It made his stomach flop in a pleasant manner, the corners of his lips twitching upward.

"The rings?" the priest asked, turning to Nadir. The Persian offered them instantly, and the two slipped them on in the blink of an eye. Just like that, it was finished, and Erik heard the man say, "You may kiss your bride, Comte Chevalier."

Erik stared at him for a moment, stunned by the announcement. Slowly, he faced the young woman – his bride! – and painstakingly reached for her veil. His fingers trembled as he lifted the gauzy object and flipped it over so it rested against her hair. There she was, glowing, beaming, blushing…waiting for him. He took a step towards her uncertainly, his heart pounding wildly within him. She inclined her head just so, encouraging him to kiss her. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized that it wasn't a dream – this was real, and it was happening right now. Closing his eyes, he dipped his face forth and planted his lips onto hers, a shiver running through him as he felt her deliciously warm lips part a breath's width upon contact. He could feel her submitting to him, her fingers gripping onto the lapels of his fine frock coat, her breath quickening just a bit as he, too, parted his lips to taste her. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest. "Mon Dieu, am I making it beat so quickly…? Out of love…desire…affection?"

He was all too aware of his surroundings, however, prompting him to gently pull away, blush appearing on his cheeks – thankfully, it did not show on his flesh-toned mask, which would have earned him playful ridicule at the party afterwards. He watched as her eyelids fluttered open to stare at him. He chuckled, still in awe that he could leave her breathless, with a look of wanting more in those stormy colored eyes. He grinned wickedly at her, earning a scolding look that melted into a dainty laugh. Taking her bouquet back from Becca, she accepted his arm and the two of them walked down the aisle as their friends clapped, following them outside to toss rice in congratulations.

Once more the bells tolled their brilliant, ringing song, and it was all for them.

~OG~

The day felt as if it went by in a blur. After the mass and ceremony, they all gathered at the de Chagny estate for the celebratory supper party. There was music, food, dancing, laughter, jesting, embraces, tears, kisses…Erik felt as though he was in some alien world and if someone pinched him, he would blink or look away, thus destroying the magic. It never happened…it continued.

Christine sang a song for them as they had their first dance as a married couple, and Meg caught the bouquet when Angelique flung it over her shoulders, earning a bright-eyed look from her precious Baron. Paien caused mischief all night, scampering around the tables looking for scraps and tugging at the women's dresses. Erik caught a glance at Nadir pressing his mouth to Becca's in the library; shortly afterwards he caught sight of Mary shocking Adrien with a kiss after they shared a dance, and Fanette brought out a large, mouthwatering cake she had made all by herself. And then there were the gifts…the tickets to the cruise that would take them to and from London, a new carriage, a fine stallion, a set of gorgeous china, precious silverware, handkerchiefs and napkins, rose seeds, a rare Stradivarius, a set of pearl jewelry, and more…

It was not until many hours later, after many toasts were made and they had stuffed themselves senseless, that Erik helped his wife into the brougham cab outside and shut the door. "You're absolutely…certain?" he muttered to Lamar and Philippe as they stood close by.

"Absolutely," Philippe winked knowingly.

"The Comte is kind enough to let us stay the night," Lamar nodded, holding the ever-growing puppy in his arms. "You two spend the night to yourselves. We will see you off at the docks tomorrow afternoon."

Erik nodded, thanking them silently with his eyes before commanding the driver to move. He watched as his friends – his family – became smaller as they drove off, his golden eyes trailing over to his beloved as she waved her kerchief at them, beaming all the while. He opened his mouth to speak, however, he couldn't find any words to say, so instead he slipped his hand over hers and brought it to his lips, kissing each knuckle as he always did, oh so reverently.

He earned her attention at once, her eyes glistened as she looked at him. "How do you feel?" she asked suddenly, startling him.

"…happy. No – euphoric," he said, sighing deeply. "Erik keeps thinking this is all a dream and that it will vani-" His eyes widened as she threw her arms around him and kissed his lips, pulling away just as quickly.

"Was that a dream?" she smirked.

"Mon Dieu, you'll be the death of me," he uttered in a strained tone, his lower regions suddenly awake and alive.

"Did I do something wrong-?" she asked, stopping as he placed his fingers upon her lips.

"Non, mon cher…Erik is simply…having a hard time…controlling himself," he grimaced.

She blinked, perplexed at first, until the message sunk in, her cheeks burning bright red. "Oh…I understand." To think that she made him feel that way…it made her want to giggle and curl up and hide in a corner all at once. "Well then…"

They remained silent for the duration of their short trip, though they remained holding each other's hands. Arriving at the estate, Erik helped her out and paid the driver handsomely, who tipped his hat and congratulated them politely before taking off. Entering the dark and quiet house, they stood there once the door had shut, looking at each other awkwardly as though they were schoolchildren.

"…I have something for you-!" they suddenly blurted out in unison, stopping at once and laughing nervously.

"Where is it?" she asked, tucking a strand of her hair out of her face.

"Upstairs…locked in the desk," he told her. "And yours?"

"In my basket, in my room," she told him. "I need to get it."

He nodded. "…bring it to my room…I have two gifts, really, and one of them cannot be carried out."

"Erik!" she gasped. "I only have one-"

"You have two, and Erik has three," he corrected her, looking away at once.

Once more, she blushed as she understood his meaning. "Still…"

"Do not fret over quantity – it is quality that is important." He stepped towards her, kissing her forehead tenderly before offering his arm and helping her up the steps. "In Erik's room," he reminded her before slinking away, melding with the darkness.

She nodded absentmindedly, trailing off to her room, walking in a trance-like state as she looked through the old, battered basket she had brought from Erik's house. She had left most of her belongings in his home by the underground lake – the scarf, the music box, the painting…the threads she had left in her workroom at the opera, but there was one item which she had hidden carefully since her father passed away. Finding it in its box, she plucked it from its hiding place and clutched it to her heart, quickly kicking her shoes off. Taking a deep breath, she gently tugged the tiara and veil from her hair and set it on her vanity, reaching for the half-bun on her head when she stopped. "No…I'll let him do it…he's fascinated with my hair for some reason…" She smiled ruefully before shaking her head and exiting the room. "Either way, he likes it, and I shan't take that small happiness from him."

Raising her fist, she tapped her knuckles tentatively on his door, waiting for a response.

The door swung open and there he stood, his fist pressed to his chest. He bit his lip, restraining the urge to take her at that very moment, to kiss her until she was senseless and swooned into his arms. No…not yet. He motioned for her to enter, noticing how much more beautiful she looked without the veil. He could see her bare feet as she walked towards the piano, a smile stretching over his artificial face.

"Erik?"

"Oui, mon ange?"

"Take off that mask," she pleaded, casting him a pleading gaze over her shoulder. "Please?"

He merely sighed as he carefully peeled it off, setting it down on the piano before moving to join her. "Better?" he asked almost sarcastically, motioning towards his exposed, true face. He froze as she kissed his lips, her fingers running down his cheek.

"Much better," she whispered, taking his unclenched hand in hers. Holding her breath, she placed the old box into his grip and bit her tongue, waiting anxiously for his response. She watched his thumb flick the lid of the box open, his eyes widening at the sight of a magnificent silver pocket watch with precious gems embedded to create a crescent moon.

"This…" he choked.

"It was my father's," she confessed softly. "I stole it from his study the night he passed away and hid it. I didn't want Maurice to take it…I've hidden it all this time…I know you have a fine pocket watch, Erik, but I…I-I wanted to you own it. My father would have wanted the same, I know it."

"Not after seeing my face, my dear," he chuckled darkly. "He's most likely turning in his grave if he can see me from above."

"Erik," she pouted, earning a friendlier chuckle this time.

"This is…very special…I shall treasure it always," he promised, caressing the lid of the watch with his thumb. "…I, too, have something from my parentage for you." He opened his clenched palm before her, displaying a fine, fanciful ruby perched upon a golden band, surrounded by diamonds. The ring was placed on a necklace chain, glittering in the light of the candelabra of Erik's quarters.

"Oh…oh, my!" she gasped, reaching towards it. "Erik…!"

"It belonged to my m-…mother," he forced the word out of his mouth, wincing as he confessed. "…it is the only piece of her jewelry that I took when she passed away…she wore it always, to remind her of my father when he died…she was not pleasant, but she was mine…Erik wants you to have it…to link happier memories to it."

"Oh Erik," she whispered, taking the item from him and caressing it lightly. Quickly, she set to work and before he could blink, there the ring hung, side by side with the locket he had bought her. Setting the chain aside, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek once more, sensing him shiver at her touch. "…you said you had another gift?"

"Ah…yes," he stammered, hurrying over to the piano bench at once. Placing the watch into the secret compartment, he let his hand linger on it one last time before shutting it away and opening a page of music. "Erik has…composed something for you, mon ange." He stiffened when she sat beside him, slowly relaxing after she placed her head on his shoulder. "Will you play it for me?" she requested gently, her hand covering his.

He nodded, waiting until she pulled away from him before letting his fingers dance across the keys, a sweet, breathtaking tune tinkling to life before them. He glanced over at her and reveled in her wide-eyed wonder, her heartbreaking smile, the glistening tears that slowly streaked down her face.

"Vous êtes ma joie,

Tu es ma vie,

Mon amour vous aurez toujours…

Je t'aime, ma femme."

When he had sung the last verse, he gave a little flourish of his hand and bowed his head to her, accepting her tearful embrace. She rested her head upon his chest, sobbing as he stroked her hair and back, one hand moving to undo the half-bun upon her head. He watched it tumble down, curling the thick tendrils of rich red-brown hair around his thin fingers. "Angelique…don't cry," he said softly, kissing her head. "…I love you."

"A-And I love y-you," she sniffled, pulling back from him and covering her face in a vain attempt to stop her tears. She felt him grip her wrists and gently force her to remove her hands before taking hold of her chin and kindly raising her head to look at him. She remained perfectly still, watching him as he gazed at her, his eyes full of longing. Slowly, ever so slowly, he bent his head towards her, his entire being quaking as he took hold of her and in one sudden, needy motion kissing her lips. She closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his skin on hers, parting her lips for him and moaning as he tasted her. She threw her arms around him, pulling him deeper into the passionate, feverish kiss.

Erik felt his pulse rush like it never had before as he took her in his arms and lifted her off the bench, fighting to work his way to the bed without tripping. He was most stubborn as he was thrown into waves of ecstatic pleasure, and he did not dare break the kiss he shared with his wife.

"My wife."

He sighed into her mouth as he placed her on the bed, the corners of his lips turning up as he felt her hands roaming over his chest, frantically working to unbutton his shirt and vest. He easily threw his coat and vest off before helping her with his shirt, stopping midway as he was struck by the sudden realization that he was going to reveal himself to her, completely.

"Erik," she moaned sweetly, sending his mind into turmoil as he fought the urge to take her at that very instant.

"I…I'm not…Erik has never-…he, that is-" he stammered, stunned to silence as she attacked him with another hungry kiss. She guided his arms towards her collar, forcing him to help her undress.

"I don't care what you look like, I thought you understood that," she whispered in his ear before nibbling his lobe mischievously, hearing him hiss in strained delight. "No one's looked at me either…and I'm…well, nervous," she blushed as she confessed.

"Erik shan't harm you," he promised her, closing his eyes as he indulged himself, softly pushing her sleeves down to expose her creamy, appealing torso in her undergarments. "He is…quite new to all this."

"You certainly don't act like it," she giggled as she ran her finger down his jaw over his neck towards his exposed chest.

"You make Erik…rabid," he growled, claiming her mouth once more. Running his fingers through her hair, he felt her surrender to his caresses, making his heart swell with unbridled happiness. She loved him…he loved her…and they were bound together, for all time.

"Erik," she whispered as he continued to kiss her through the night. "Erik…"

"Je t'aime, Angelique," he breathed, over and over again, as if it were a sacred prayer that he could not get enough of. "Je t'aime…"

~OG~

The sun peaked through the curtains, teasing their closed eyes as it slowly lit up the room. Erik grumbled as he tossed his arm over his eyes, grimacing at the light. "Merde," he cursed. "Since when do I get light down here-?"

"Good morning, mon mari," a sultry, low voice murmured in his ear, making him freeze at once. He removed his arm from his face, his eyes widening at the sight of Angelique lying beside him, her hand placed over his bare, skinny chest, her cheeks flushed pleasantly as she smiled coyly at him. Her hair hung around her face, most of the curls gone, though they wavered around her cheeks. She was positively glowing, soft and warm as she pressed herself against him. "You look as if you'd seen a ghost, Erik," she giggled, kissing his cheek.

"Mon Dieu…it wasn't a dream," he gasped, grasping her and holding her tightly against his frame.

"Must I pinch you to ensure you that this is all very real?" she sighed, kissing his lips fervently. "I love you," she murmured, placing her head upon the crook of his shoulder. "God help me, I love you so much."

His eyes stung with tears as he listened to her, his hold tightening as he kissed her temple. "I…I love you, mon ange…more than I can ever say."

"Prove it," she said softly, a hint of playful challenge creeping into her voice.

"What?" he asked, stunned.

"We still have several hours before we need to leave for London…prove you love me." Her eyes twinkled devilishly, sending his blood racing through his veins. She gave a frighten scream as he leapt upon her, causing her to laugh as he ravished her with his hands.

"You shouldn't tempt Erik so, Angelique," he warned her, his breath tickling her neck. "You are dealing with an untamed beast."

"Yes, I found that out last night, but you were rather docile," she smirked, earning a dark smile from him.

"Erik wished for the first time to be docile…he is not so tame now, however – you've ruined that."

"Oh dear," she feigned concern.

"I shall prove to you how much I love you," he vowed with a dark chuckle, sending shivers down her spines. He bit his lip as she dug her fingernails into his back, a rush of excitement coursing through him. "Each and every night…I'll prove it to you."

~OG~

The two of them waved as the boat took off, their eyes upon the figures that came to wish them off that afternoon. "You don't suppose Paien will miss us terribly?" Angelique asked, blowing a kiss to her adopted family.

"Oh, he'll miss us…but fret not, mon ange, we shall see him again shortly," Erik promised, kissing her hand. "He's in good hands. The Jouberts love him as much as we do."

The breeze mussed Angelique's hair so that it caressed Erik's cheek, allowing him to smell her faint perfume. Wearing his skin mask, he kissed her lips on the deck, ignoring the other passengers. "What shall we do when we arrive in London?"

"Go to bed," she suggested, catching a glimmer in his eyes as he stiffened. "Not that way," she scolded him, slapping his shoulder playfully. "I mean rest. We'll be exhausted when we arrive."

"Ah," he said lightly, grinning as he saw her blush. Chuckling, he held her close, feeling her warmth envelope him despite the cold November air. The memory of a vision floated through his mind as he ran his fingers through her hair. "…Angelique…what if…what if we…had children?" he dared to ask, choking on the last word.

"I expect they would go to school, obviously," she answered calmly. "I'd like to continue being a seamstress, but I want to take time off to stay with the babies at home-"

"You're…all right with the idea?" he asked, raising both eyebrows. Somewhere deep in his gut, he knew she would be, but hearing her say it out loud, as if it were the most normal topic to discuss…!

"Of course I am," she frowned. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"But…what if they…what if they-?"

"If they look like you?" she whispered, reaching up and touching his face. "…I'll fight for them. I don't give a damn what they look like, they'll be my children and they'll have my love."

He gawked at her as she cursed, her eyes burning brightly as she spoke with intense passion. His heart ached as he remembered his own mother, frightened to death of him… "What if they hate me?" he whispered.

She kissed him once more, embracing him tightly. "They will hate if you hate them…show them love and they will return your affections, Erik. Don't be afraid…"

"No…I won't be," he said softly, closing his eyes as they stung with tears. "… as long as I have you with me." He smiled as she snuggled herself into his embrace, casting his gaze towards the grey sky, the sun fighting to peer through the clouds at them. No, he would not be afraid…not completely, anyways…so long as she was beside him.

A/N: ...Well, they did just get married, and poor Erik's been denied any sort of happiness/pleasure all his life, especially in this category... ^_^ Please excuse me, I'm not all that great with "sexy" stuff, I just want to give you a taste of what's going on and then let you imagine all the fun they could have had on your own time ;) By the way, Erik's song to Angelique translated it, "You are my joy, your are my life, my love you'll have always, I love you, my wife". Cheesy? YES! Hope you have fun and please let me know what you think! See you in the next chapter!