Disclaimer: I don't own POTO; that makes me sad. I don't own Erik; that makes me very, very sad! Author's Note: There has been much commotion lately about Raoul, so let me just take this opportunity to reaffirm a very elementary fact; I am very, very pro-Erik. I still believe Raoul is essentially a fop. That being said, it appears the phanphic has crossed the halfway point, and I may, ideally be able to finish it within a week or two. Much love and many thanks to my reviewers (keep up the good work, guys!) and enjoy! *Erik's POV* Nadir returned about an hour later, an apprehensive young clergyman in tow. The priest looked terribly nervous; Nadir had obviously given him some insight into the singular nature of the rites he was about to perform. He looked like a man who had just walked into a frightful storm; he looked out cautiously from widened green eyes, and he clung to his sacrosanct cross and robes as though they were his only lifelines. Still, he managed to give off the aura of a pious man; a man who because of his virtue is willing to do almost anything in the name of what is holy. Like love; the most pure and divine ideal of them all. Nadir led the bewildered cleric into the sitting room, and gesturing towards Christine and I, he said, "These are the two I spoke of; Christine and Erik, who wish to be married. As you can probably see, good sir, from their rumbled clothes and weary countenance, they have been through quite an ordeal, and cannot go out into public at the moment for fear of even great tragedies that may yet come if they tempt fate." The priest nodded his head, a sign of some level of understanding, he began to speak his demeanor calming slightly as he entered into the realm of sacred duty, "You two are prepared to enter into the covenant of marriage on this fine morning, I take it." "Yes," Christine and I chorused in uncanny unison. "You are certain of this?" He questioned out of formality, "Marriage is not an institution that can be entered into lightly." In earlier times, his insinuations would have raised a terrible anger within me; I would have instantly perceived his words as some sort of a challenge to my love and devotion. Christine, however, had brought something wonderful into my life: perspective. Now, now it was clear to me that the man was simply doing his job. Besides, in the blissful euphoria of my wedding day, I was only focused on one thing, and it certainly wasn't the priest who stood before me. Lost in thought, my attention wandered until I heard Christine say, "Father, we understand the consequences and are quite ready to be wed." "Yes," I reaffirmed, taking Christine's hand, "quite ready." "Well, then," the priest said, "I see no reason why we shouldn't begin. I assume," he said, glancing around the awkward surroundings, "that you want the ceremony to be as simple as possible?" Christine smiled and nodded, and I felt all at once quite overwhelmed. Still, my happiness transcended my inundated senses, and I shook my head in unwavering agreement. "Erik and Christine," he began, suddenly sounding quite official and zealous, "today before God you are promising your devotion and commitment to each other. You are willingly entering into the sacrament of marriage, and are thusly forming a lifelong bond of love, respect and trust with each other. I assume you have your own vows?" I nodded instinctively. Speaking extemporaneously was no problem where my love for Christine was concerned; I could talk forever with the most profound of words and still never fully express my emotions. "Then," the priest bade, "Erik, make your promise to Christine." "Christine," I began, the nervousness in my voice surprising me, "you know I love you with all my heart and soul. For you, I would lay down my life in an instant, for without you, life would hold no meaning and love would be a mere memory. You have brought wonder into my life; you have taught me that the simple things are often the most profound, and that I should cherish them. The glint in your eyes, the smell of your hair, the way you smile and sing; those are the things that I live for, Christine. You certainly know that without you, I am lost. I shall always cherish you and protect you, and as long as I breathe I shall always strive to make you happy, for if you are happy, I am as well." Christine looked at me with tears forming in the corners of her eyes, even Nadir looked touched by my words. I focused on Christine and the ethereal look on her face, as the priest spoke again, "Christine, it is now time for you to make your vow to Erik." "Erik," she began, her voice heavy with yet unspoken feeling, "we have been through so much together, so many things that should have driven us apart, and yet here I sit beside you, more in love with you than ever. You are the center of my world; you are my light, my angel, my only concern in life. I love you with all my soul; I want nothing more in life than to be your wife, and to live with you by my side forever. Without you, I would lose all direction, all hope, I would wither away and become a shell of what I am today. You have made me feel so alive, so wonderfully alive, and I am forever in your debt. I shall always love you, cherish you and take care of you as best I can. As long as we are together, my love, the music shall never die." I could feel myself grow weak at her words, my heart was melting and my soul crying out for her embrace. I smiled faintly, as I tried vainly not to be carried away by emotions. "Erik and Christine, you have this day sworn your love, and have pledged your desire to become one in the eyes of God. In his name, and through the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." I leaned forward, and Christine leaned into my embrace. Our lips met, and I closed my eyes, reality sinking in slowly. She was my wife. Christine was my wife. Surreal reality faded into pressing emotion as I broke the kiss. Christine pulled away, her eyes closed, a small, wonderfully pure smile lingering on her face. "Thank you, Father," I said with genuine gratitude, "thank you for what you've done for us today." The man simply nodded, and I walked over to him as he stood with Nadir. "Please," I said, pulling my wallet out of my inner coat pocket, "please accept a small donation to the church." I pulled out a large roll of bank notes and handed them to the confused man. He looked down in awe at the large amount of money - it must have been about a thousand francs - I had just thrust upon him. "Thank you," he said dumbly, "Thank you. I'm glad I could be of service." Nadir grabbed the man by the arm, and they silently left the small house together. Turning back to Christine, I realized that we were alone, at long last. To be continued. . . |
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