97Chapter 26: From This Day On
She hardly recognized the woman staring back at her in the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was a vibrant, joyful, beautiful young woman. So much had changed in the past year. Looking around her bedroom, their bedroom, a few unpacked boxes remained stacked in the corner. Hanging in the open closet were new clothing companions opposite of her items. Polished dress shoes lined the closet floor. On top of the small dresser tucked into the corner lay his watch, a few pairs of cufflinks, and framed photos of their Christmas spent in Stockholm and finally New Years Eve in Paris. A subtle knock on her bedroom door drew Christine from her nostalgia, "Christine? Are you ready for him to come in?"
She took a deep, steadying breath. "I am. Let him in, Meg."
The bedroom door opened widely and Christine turned to face him. Nadir barely composed himself as he huffed out an unsteady breath, his hand settling upon his bearded chin. "Well," he cleared his throat and tried to speak through the knot in his throat, "you're not my little girl anymore. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Her dress was ivory white, fitted to her hips then subtly flaring out into a simple yet elegant skirt. The bodice adorned with intricate lace, slightly off the shoulder with long lace sleeves falling gently down her arms. The back of her dress held intricate buttons from the top of the lace bodice, accentuating the long lines of her back. Her hair was simply styled, her curls glowing in the sunlight. A simple yet vibrant lavender flower crown adorned her head with a shoulder-length veil clipped from behind. As Meg fluffed Christine's gown one last time, Christine grabbed Nadir's hand and smiled. He looked positively radiant, a proud godfather ready to walk his goddaughter down the aisle to her husband. "You are stunning, Chrissie," he said as he kissed her forehead. "You ready?" Christine smiled, biting her lip and nodded.
They broke apart breathless, their fingers gracing their own lips lightly. It was like a shock, a spark, a flame, an electrifying pulse of infinite love and an immortal bond. By the time Erik had pulled his car into the garage it was close to midnight, and the pair were exhausted after unloading their belongings into the house. "I want you to stay," Christine said as she placed the tea kettle onto the stove.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be tonight, or tomorrow… or ever," Erik said as he wrapped his arms around Christine and kissed her forehead. Water dripped from their soaked clothes.
"Go take a shower," Christine said as she walked down the hallway to the linen closet and pulled out an extra towel and washcloth. Erik watched as she bypassed the guest bathroom and bedrooms and went into the master, her room, to place the items there. She looked at Erik and smiled. "You're no longer a guest here, Erik… hopefully you'll want this to be your home… our home, together." Erik walked towards her slowly in such a way that set her heart racing. He reached for her, his large hands caressing around her face, long thumbs traced along her jawline. He leaned down to kiss her with a devastating thoroughness that threatened to cause her knees to buckle again.
"Home," he sighed between kisses. "Home… home…"
He swallowed the hard knot in his throat as he adjusted the gold tie under his collar. "You ok?" Raoul chuckled as he mimicked the same tie correction. "Nervous?"
"I'd rather perform a concert in front of the Pope and all the world leaders right now," Erik responded, looking like he was about to lose his lunch.
Raoul laughed and Erik looked defeated. "It'll be fine, brother, don't sweat this. You should be ecstatic that today you're getting married!"
"Oh I am, it's not that! It's, um… well it's… later," Erik huffed out exasperated. I'm getting dressed in the church for my wedding. This is NOT the place to have this conversation.
Raoul stopped dead and knowingly smirked. "You mean, consummating your marriage tonight?" He could barely stifle his chuckles as Erik turned pale white. "Oh Erik," he laughed.
"It's NOT funny!" Erik sounded so defeated as he sunk down onto a chair. "What if I'm… it's not… she doesn't… oh no."
Raoul couldn't help himself and laughed harder. "Erik," he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry to laugh, but man, you'll know what to do." Silence. "Your natural instincts will take over, it'll just happen." Still nothing. Then he finally said, "Look, think of tonight as you would when you start composing a new piece… you're creating and bringing something to life. Why not look at tonight as composing something extravagant and blissful. You never overthink when you compose, Erik… maybe think of it that way."
Erik looked up hopeful. Perhaps Raoul had a point. "Let the music take over…" he said to himself and Raoul patted his back.
"Time to head to the grove, brother."
Raoul Sr. entered the small room with a quick knock. "C'mon gents, time to get this guy married!" he said happily and shook Erik's hand. "You look real good, son. Let's go meet your bride."
"Välkommen till Stockholm Arlanda flygplats!" the automated voice announced over the airport speakers. Christine and Nadir walked through the terminal and followed the signs marked bagageanmälan (baggage claim). Nadir noticed Christine fidgeting as they walked through the busy terminal. "Nervous, kid?" he nudged her.
"No, just so ready to see him," Christine smiled. The three-stone engagement ring caught the bright overhead lights as she jostled her passport and carry-on bag.
"Don't worry, you will soon. Should we venture to the train into Stockholm or take a cab?"
"Erik said the cab would cost a fortune and recommended the express train to the City Center where he'll meet up with us."
It didn't take long for their luggage to parade around the baggage carousel. Snabbtåg till Stockholm with a big yellow arrow directed them to the express train area to purchase their tickets. Within a short 20 minutes, Christine and Nadir had reached the main transit up in downtown Stockholm. Christine anxiously looked around for the familiar tall figure in the crowd of hundreds. "Hey beautiful…" the dulcet voice whispered from behind.
Christine jumped. "Oh my God, Erik!" And she jumped into his open arms. "Oh how I've missed you," she whispered in his ear as she kissed his jaw, his ear, and his neck. The thrill of her hot, sweet breath on his bare skin sent his body aching for her.
"Erik, my boy, it's so good to see you!" Nadir said as he pulled Erik into a huge bearhug.
"My family," Erik said pensively, "Merry Christmas. I've missed you both so much."
"The big day's here; you ready?" Jeremy asked as he greeted Erik at the altar. Dr. Marrenesco as well as other faculty members from the music department at Western Cypress were playing various interludes as Erik and Raoul settled to stand next to Jeremy. Jeremy wore his Class A uniform to serve as pastor and officiant for the wedding. Erik smiled as he heard the subtle fussy noises from Jeremy's three month old son, who was held by Emmi.
"I couldn't ask for a more perfect day than this," Erik said to Jeremy.
Jeremy smiled, "It's always a perfect day when God's children unite in marriage. Oh!" he quickly hushed, "Over there, Erik, I believe your bride has arrived."
A warm, autumn breeze gently blew through the brightly colored fall leaves of the towering trees surrounding the outdoor chapel. It was a perfect October afternoon. Erik gazed out to the very small number of guests who were invited to the ceremony. They had wanted to keep the wedding small and intimate. Their theme? A sky full of stars. The benches were covered in white fabric. The large stone altar was adorned with bright Gerbera daisies and sunflowers. Large pots of rosemary and lavender lined the aisle, sending the crisp autumn air fragrant with sweet smells. Two white roses were set upon the altar, signifying the spiritual presence of Gustav and Marie Daae.
The strumming of two acoustic guitars in harmony of the violin and cello and the simple raindrop-like plinking of the keyboard swelled in perfect time and intensity as Christine walked up the gravel, tree-lined pathway from the decorated pavilion to the outdoor chapel. Erik watched in absolute awe as his beautiful bride broke through the treeline with Nadir by her side and Meg holding the train of Christine's dress from behind. Tears clouded his eyes as Christine glanced at him and smiled. He brought a shaking hand to the unmasked side of his face. How could it be possible to smile and cry and laugh at the same time. He felt Raoul's hand on his shoulder, "Wow Erik," he whispered.
"Wow," Erik huffed out of breath, "wow…" and swallowed hard as Nadir brought Christine to him and placed their hands together.
"Who gives this woman to this man, before God and family?" Jeremy began brightly.
Nadir smiled and wiped a few tears from his face. He looked at Christine then at Erik, then turned to the guests seated before them. "I do… we all do. Today, we give Christine to Erik, and we give Erik to Christine."
# # #
As Meg helped Christine into the car and carefully tucked her dress in, Nadir proceeded to the driver's side and started the car. "You ok, kid?" Nadir asked as he turned to look at Christine.
She took a steadying breath and nodded, "Just wish Mom and Dad were here."
"They are sweetie, they are."
The brilliant fall foliage of the trees guided their short drive from the house in the woods to the grove. As they reached the top of the hill, the church stood in regalness upon rolling hills of cornfields and wild grasses. The bells tolled to four, signaling in readiness of the happiness of the hour. Nadir drove past the church, passed the cemetery, passed the church softball and finally turned into the dirt road leading up to the pavilion. The guests' cars were parked at odd angles to fit between towering trees and random rocks and tree stumps. Everything about the pavilion was perfect. Blue and white and gold tulle graced the small structure. Fairy lights entwined with the different colors of tulle giving the place a gossamer and whimsical magic. More white twinkle lights hugged the rafters underneath the pavilion - a true sky full of stars. The long tables adorned with blue table linens, with the place settings being a smattering of constellations. Each table was a different constellation. The sounds of joyful and hopeful music pulled Christine's attention from the pavilion to the path before her… the path and walk to her husband.
She locked her arm around Nadir as he proudly walked beside her up the path. Meg reached the wooden aisle first and proceeded down towards the altar. Again the swell of music set Christine's soul aflame; this was Erik's music. Part of his wedding gift to her: he composed every piece of music for their wedding, for his bride. Tears clouded her eyes as she watched Erik lose his composure. She watched as Nadir placed her hands into Erik's, "We all do," she heard Nadir say.
"Friends, family, we are gathered here this afternoon in God's magnificent and beautiful creation to bear witness to the union of Erik Christoph Destler and Christine Marie Daae," Jeremy began.
Christine and Erik locked eyes. "You're beautiful," Erik whispered.
"I love you," she mouthed in return with a radiant smile, and watched Erik beam with joy.
"Are you sure you can't stay to travel with us to Paris for New Year's to finish out the concert series?" Erik asked as Nadir checked out from the hotel.
"Look you two, you've humored me enough to let me tag along for two weeks. Time for you to enjoy some time alone, together. Besides, I gotta get back anyway. Duty calls," Nadir said as they all stood on the sidewalk as the cab driver closed the trunk. "This has been a fantastic trip. Erik, I am so very proud of you son, I mean that." He pulled Erik in for a hug. "As for you, young lady," he chided Christine and yanked her close to hug her goodbye, "I'll pick you up from the airport when you get home."
"I love you so much," Christine said and kissed Nadir's cheek. "Safe travels. Send me an email when you get home, ok?"
# # #
The concert series ended on an ecstatic high note to ring in the New Year. Paris was everything Christine had dreamt it would be, and being there with Erik only amplified the experience.
On their last night in Paris, Erik and Christine dined at Le Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower. Over plates of authentic French cuisine and decadent desserts, they planned what summer would entail and planned out their wedding. Early October, late afternoon. Small and intimate. A sky full of stars.
"Before God our Father, through Jesus Christ, His Son… I am honored and blessed to announce Dr. and Mrs. Erik Destler!" Jeremy proclaimed triumphantly. "Erik, my brother, kiss that beautiful bride."
Erik took a small step closer to Christine as he reached up to cradle her face in his hands. His soft touch sent exhilarating chills down her skin. "I love you, Christine," he whispered quietly. And with reckless abandon kissed his bride so deeply and thoroughly she felt she would literally float off the ground. Eruptions of applause echoed through the woods.
"Finally," Christine whispered as they pulled their lips from each other. "Finally."
# # #
Laughter and dancing ensued at the reception. Hugs and praises of "it's about time!" rang clear through under the cool breezes of the autumn evening. The party was quickly winding down as the sun slowly began to kiss the horizon. Christine watched curiously as Erik walked up to the front of the pavilion and clanked his glass, "Family, friends, can I have your attention please?" Voices hushed. He motioned for Christine to join him as Raoul brought a chair up next to the microphone, and Erik guided Christine to sit. "This day has been an absolute dream come true. I never thought in a million years I would be this joyous and blessed. Tonight, I wanted to give my beautiful wife something special, an ode to how happy she makes my life. Christine, my darling, I love you." Erik signaled to his fellow musicians:
The summer night, the fading light
The perfect place, the perfect time
To take you somewhere we both want to go
A starry drive in mid July
Park the car, turn off the lights
And venture through a field out on our own
The birds they sang a melody
My heart was keeping time and we
Were dancing on the edge of something new
Slow at first but still it seems
That we'll go down in history
As lovers from the start, just me and you
I've spent a thousand nights
Lost in your emerald eyes
Lost in a place where I know you can see my soul
Make me lose track of time
You and your emerald eyes
Finally found a place that I can call my home
A subtle breeze, it's you and me
Chest to chest, no in-between
And every moment's better than the last
Anything and everything
That I could ever want and need
Is standing right beside me in the grass
The birds they sang a melody
My heart was keeping time and we
Were dancing on the edge of something new
Slow at first but still it seems
That we'll go down in history
As lovers from the start, just me and you
'Cause I've spent a thousand nights
Lost in your emerald eyes
Lost in a place where I know you can see my soul
Make me lose track of time
You and your emerald eyes
Finally found a place that I can call my home
I've spent a thousand nights
Lost in your emerald eyes
Lost in a place where I know you can see my soul
Make me lose track of time
You and your emerald eyes
Finally found place that I can call my home
Family and friends clapped as Christine jumped into Erik's arms. "Oh Erik, that was beautiful. Dance with me, my husband," she said as music began to swell around them.
As the reception came to a close, Raoul, Raoul Sr, Jacques Giry, and Nadir loaded up Erik's car with a small amount of wedding gifts. Christine and Erik bid a fond farewell to the guests as they headed out from the evening's festivities.
# # #
They pulled into the long driveway slowly and the outdoor motion detector lights turned on. The familiar drive reminiscent of just last summer in the pouring rain, finally two hearts confessing their undying, devoted love for one another. "I love this house, Christine," Erik said quietly as he backed the car into the garage and turned off the engine.
"Our house," Christine corrected.
"Our house."
Erik walked to Christine's side, opened her door, and assisted her out. She stumbled into his arms as the small train of her dress tangled around her ankles. The gravity of what was to come within the next few nighttime hours sent pulses racing as they chuckled nervously. As they walked up the steps from the garage to the main living area, they both gasped in surprise. The living room was adorned with a small fire crackling in the fireplace, faux candles adorned the closed lid of the baby grand piano in the living room. "Oh Meg," Christine sighed with much appreciation.
"It's rather romantic, is it not?" Erik observed quietly, his hot breath swirling around Christine's ear.
"You knew about this, didn't you?"
"Guilty as charged, my darling."
They both clumsily collapsed onto the loveseat to take in the simplistic yet romantic sight before them. A harsh gust of wind pushed against the windows as a cold front began pushing through. Christine reached down to remove her high heels with a groan, "God it feels good to get these off my feet."
"Allow me," Erik said as he pulled the shoes from Christine's feet and tossed them to the side. His long fingers began to gently massage the balls of her feet. Christine let out a relieved groan of appreciation and Erik chuckled. She felt Erik's hands drift higher and higher, from feet to ankles, ankles to behind her calf muscles, calves to just above her knees, knees to her thighs. His fingers tracing the lacy outlines of her white thigh-high stockings. She watched his eyes grow darker and his breathing become more uneven.
"Erik," she whispered as she pulled herself to him, her eyes locking on to his, "come with me."
They slowly walked down the hallway to their bedroom where they found more faux candles flickering slowly. Once they reached the edge of the bed, Christine turned away from Erik. "Will you?" she motioned to the back of her dress. Erik swallowed nervously, his trembling fingers brushing her hair to the side. Painfully slow, achingly slow, one by one his fingers unbuttoned each satin-covered fastening, the lace fabric parting more and more. His fingers brushing against the bare flesh of her back sent Christine's skin aflame, goosebumps of desire painting her ivory tones with a seductive texture. Her breathing became harsher and more unsteady as his fingers reached the zipper.
The gentle gliding sound of the bodice's zipper thrilled Erik's senses as the jagged trail came to an end, the lacy fabric parting like the sea to the promised land. His fingers rested hesitantly upon her shoulders. Christine felt Erik's gentle touch as his fingertips pulled the delicate fabric from her shoulders. Slowly, deftly the dress glided down her arms as she wiggled her arms from the fabric. Christine heard Erik's breath hitch as the rest of the wedding gown slid off her hips and pooled onto the floor around her ankles.
He wanted to touch her but was so hesitant and unsure where to begin his exploration, to begin dotting her skin with a melody of music notes. He watched her wide-eyed as she shifted out from the confines of her undergarments and slid the stockings from her legs. Her heart pounding harshly in her chest as she turned to face Erik, completely bare. Erik closed his eyes, his nerves overtaking his desire to touch his bride. "Open your eyes, my love," he heard Christine whisper as he felt her remove his jacket. The pressure around his neck as she loosened his bow tie and pulled his from his collar. "Erik," she quietly spoke, "please look at me." She watched him, his eyes finally locking onto hers and hesitantly glancing down. "It's alright, darling," she reassured as she brought his hands to her chest and laid them upon her bare breasts.
Erik cried out as his lips crashed onto Christine's. His body overcame with desire to touch this beautiful blank canvas beneath his hands. They were breathless as Christine pulled apart from their kiss. "All or nothing at all," she said as she brought her hands to Erik's mask. Ever so gently, she removed the mask from his face, baring every deformity of his destroyed face. Erik gasped as he felt Christine's hands reach for the belt buckle and began loosening the belt from his trousers. He closed his eyes tightly as the trousers fell to the floor at his ankles. He kissed her with a devastating thoroughness which threatened to consume them fully and end their marital bed all too quickly. Christine sat upon the edge of the bed, taking in the full view of her now bare husband. He watched as she moved her bare body up to the pillows of their bed, her body sinking and molding into the soft mattress. Erik watched wide-eyed at his beautiful bride, preparing herself for her husband.
"Touch me, Erik, trust me…" he heard Christine say. He moved onto the bed, covering her with his body. Two became one, a chorus of harmony and melody musically swirling and entwining forming the most composition of life and love and grace.
As Christine and Erik lay together, Erik sighed more than content as he watched Christine sleep. The gentle, steady rhythm of her heartbeat beckoning him to sleep. Life is just beginning, he thought to himself, and finally I am home.
Once upon another time, two completely separate lives were brought together through tragedy and pain. And now, joined eternally together through a shared symphony of love and music.
The End