Music of the Night: The Phantom of the Opera Returns (Guile & Melody)

[Guile]

"I understand son, believe me." Erik's voice was laced with the secrets of years ago - long before Alistair had been born. "I won't leave you...ever. I promise." The rest of the journey was taken in silence - from entering the Opera to stepping off the boat at home Erik didn't say a word. He simply carried Alistair and allowed Andrew to follow behind them. Though, a part of him wished the young man wouldn't be so nervous - it was strange for his normal behavior and Erik wasn't entirely sure why he was acting this way. When they finally did get home, Erik put his son down and went over to the wardrobe. He pulled out a suit that he had forgotten - old, but new to him as he had never worn it. It was far too fancy for casual day wear and it would be perfect for a wedding ceremony. He smiled looking at it, hoping Christine would be pleased with his choice of wardrobe, then snuck into an area of privacy so that he could change. When he came out, he was fixing his tie. Going over to the mirror he combed back his hair, making sure it was in order as it usually was, and straightened his mask. For a brief moment, memories flashed in his eyes, but they were quickly pushed aside. Turning to Alistair and Andrew, Erik smiled and opened his arms for them to get a look at him. "How do I look? Like a groom? I do hope so or your mother is going to kill me." He added with a tease, pointing at Alistair briefly to indicate that he was obviously speaking of Christine.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Alistair, who was busy putting on his own clothing, couldn't see it right away, until, of course, his dark brown locks, then pale face shot out of the opening for the head. "I can't move..." he tried waving his arms. Andrew tried to contain himself as he looked at his 'brother'. Shaking his head, he regained composure. "She may, she may not." Alistair finally glimpsed his father's attire. "It certainly took you long enough, Papa." Andrew helped the child adjust his suit. "Better?" He turned Ali to face him. "Much." The boy answered, moving his arms at last. Andrew pulled out a small package from the bottom of the wardrobe and disappeared behind the shower curtain with it, emerging in a semi formal suit, fitting the occasion. "You look very handsome, sir." Andrew assured Erik, listening to the laughter of Catherine and the others above. "They're having far too much fun without us."

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed at his son's attempt to dress himself. He stood in silent admiration at Andrew's willingness to help Alistair - he looked like he would make a good father someday. Hiding a smile, Erik allowed Andrew time to change. When he emerged at last and commented on his attire, Erik smiled at him. "Thank you very much, Andrew." He went silent for a moment to listen above, though it was hardly necessary - you could hear the women loud and clear. "Indeed they are." Erik started to laugh. "Since when did dressing become so much fun to them? What am I saying? They've always enjoyed that. "

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"And, now, we wait for your instructions, Erik." Andrew sat next to Alistair. "It would take forever to wait for those women." He added with a smirk. "Their conversations could go on until the minute that you're supposed to say 'I do'." He said this from his own experiences as a wine server at weddings. Christine was showing off her dress. "Isn't it beautiful?!?" She asked the others while Catherine helped her little sister zip up her dress. "Stunning, Christine!" Meg gushed. "You've never looked better." Madame Giry tucked hair behind Christine's ear. Lifting her chin, lightly, of course, she whispered. "Gustav would be so proud of you." Christine tried not to cry as the realization that her father wouldn't give her away hit her. "Th-Thank you." Catherine opened the door to make sure that there were no snoopers. "Follow me." She had Lilly in one arm, William in the other, while Madame Giry held little Jonathan. Together, the friends headed toward the stage, of all places, for the ceremony, but they did not enter through the backstage area. They waited just outside the main doors to the audience seats.

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed at Andrew's comment, then went dead silent for a few moments. "I hear nothing...it seems our ladies have gone to prepare themselves to start." At this thought, Erik's heart began to race. "Alright," he tried to keep his voice from shaking, "it's time to go." Taking Alistair's hand in his, Erik began to climb the stairs to the world above. As he did so, Erik found himself clenching his free hand over and over again - the nervousness had set in again despite how desperately he tried to calm his heart. When they got up, Erik went around back and stepped out onto the stage preparing himself for the ceremony as well. As a nervous habit, Erik ran his palms over his hair to make sure it was, indeed, settled in the right place. He adjusted his tie again before forcing his hands to rest at his sides. Finding it hard to swallow and realizing that he was shaking, Erik tried to remind himself to focus on Christine, whenever it would be that she entered.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Poligny and Debienne had already approved the wedding to be done in place of the true performance, and were starting to reconsider when they realized who had just graced their stage, but, it was far too late to cancel the proceedings. Christine was also fidgeting as the music started and the door opened. As she journeyed down the aisle, following her sweet little flower girl, her heart skipped. My angel of music is so handsome, as always, but, even more so now. She thought to herself, her hands shaking. Once or twice, she felt that she was stepping on her dress, but would later realize that her mind was getting too worked up. My, he looks so handsome. I feel ashamed, standing next to him, now. For, she was now on stage, lost in a world with only Erik at her side, ignoring the priest.

 

[Guile]

As Erik watched Christine enter the room a smile had become plastered on his lips and his eyes would not, could not, leave her. She was so beautiful it was as if he were seeing her for the first time. She was always beautiful, but there was something about her now that made Erik's heart feel like stopping. As he locked eyes with her when she came to stand beside him, all of his nervousness washed from him. There was no way he could be afraid, not with Christine so close to him. As Erik hardly listened to the priest, he kept his eyes locked with hers and smiled warm and sweetly at her. Speaking to her through his eyes, Erik confessed his love for her - all the things he knew she already knew, he just had to tell her one more time. Before Erik realized it, the priest was asking Christine if she would take Erik to be her husband.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The onlookers waited with baited breath, as did their closest friends and children. Christine seemed to be ignoring the man at first, still lost in those hypnotic eyes that had entranced her for so long before. This is it. This was their union. No turning back now. She would be complete with just two words. Looking away from Erik to make sure that it was her that the priest was talking to, then, back at the Phantom, her heart stopped, then started back up and all she could hear was the slow, steady beating of her own heart. "I will."

 

[Guile]

Erik's smile turned to a full-out grin as he heard Christine say 'I do'. He felt as though his heart were going to burst and his ears rang with the pulsing of his heart. Then, the priest was asking Erik the same question in relevance to Christine. Feeling as if he were in a dream, Erik reached out and touched Christine's hand lightly - a touch that sent millions of sensations through him all at once. Looking into her eyes, Erik felt himself go numb - his dream was finally coming true. He opened his mouth slowly, praying that the words would come out, and they did. In a perfect, barely audible whisper, for he was speaking directly to Christine. "I do." And in those words were many promises to her of a beautiful future. At long last, the priest finally uttered the words, "you may kiss the bride." Feeling all the world around him fade away, Erik reach up slowly and pulled Christine's veil back. He smiled at her warmly as he placed his hands on either side of her face and brought their lips together at last. The kiss exploded Erik's senses and it felt as magical as the first one he had ever had - all the way back when Christine had kissed him. His heart raced in his chest as he held her lips to his in this beautifully passionate kiss, one that seemed to only come once in a lifetime.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Finally unblinded, she could see Erik clearly for the first time all day. Suddenly, their lips were touching as she stood, almost on her toes, blinded to the world outside of her and Erik. Not even their children were in this bubble at this time. He was hers. She was his, now and forever more. Slipping her tongue between his teeth, she prayed that he wouldn't let go for a long time now. All child's play was over and life as a married family became her reality. Christine pulled away from this magical kiss at last, only to adjust her arms around Erik's neck, then, her kiss was over and her face was on his shoulder, crying her make up away. "I now pronounce you Monsieur and Madame Erik Destler!" The man stepped away to allow them more room. Christine whispered in Erik's ear. "We cannot be separated anymore." Reaching up and placing her fingers under the mask, she hesitated, but desired to look upon the man she just married.

 

[Guile]

Erik let the kiss break, let Christine wrap her arms around his neck. He, in turn, wrapped his arms around her waist and let her cry onto his shoulder. He couldn't have cared less about her make up that was now running - she was always so beautiful and the same was true for that very moment. Erik vaguely heard the priest officially pronounce them as Monsieur and Madame Erik Destler, he was too wrapped up in his own little world with the love of his life. He listened to her whisper in his ear, a tingling sensation shooting through him at the feeling of her breath on his skin. "I wouldn't wish to be." He smiled down at her, feeling her fingers under his mask. This was what she wanted - she wanted to see her husband. Erik was frightened briefly for there were spectators that would surely be disgusted, but he did not care. As long as Christine and their children loved him, he no longer cared what anyone else thought of him. Christine clearly wanted this. How could he deny his new bride? So, before she could take his mask off for him, he reached his hand up and took it off himself. Tossing it onto the stage without taking his eyes from Christine, Erik smiled at her. Then, he lifted her chin and placed yet another kiss on her lips. He had to, for he was so overwhelmed with emotions.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

At first, the people were scared of the burned figure, but, this being a theater, most assumed that the make up artists had overdone it. No one knew this to be real. Though it was a real wedding, and they were aware of that, their feeble minds didn't comprehend that the scar was, indeed, real. Christine couldn't keep her eyes off of him, not even when she finally kissed him again. The look of sheer relief on Catherine's face couldn't be more evident. Raoul couldn't, legally, take her, Christine or her siblings away from Erik anymore. Christine worked her fingers into Erik's hair with one hand. "You're so beautiful, Erik. I wanted people to see that." Taking his hand, she started down the aisle again.

 

[Guile]

As Christine explained to him why she wanted his mask off, he smiled and kissed her hand softly. "Thank you, Christine. Thank you so much." He had to force the tears back as she took his hand and they walked back down the isle, together at last as husband and wife. Erik glanced at their children, all sitting up close to the stage, and waved with a loving smile on his lips. Turning from them, Erik continued to walk hand in hand with Christine past all the people. He ignored, not purposefully - in all fairness, he was distracted by his new bride - all the whispers of congratulations. When they finally made it out the back of the theater and away from all the people, Erik grinned and lifted Christine in his arms and spun her around as if they were young kids again. Placing her back on her feet, Erik kissed her on the cheek and asked merrily, "how does it feel to be a bride again?" He didn't want to include the 'again' part, but it was the truth no matter how much he wished it weren't. No matter though, Christine and he were together and that's all that mattered to Erik.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine Destler. Destler. No longer Daae, though she wouldn't mind if that little slip up came by every now and again, especially because it was brand new. "Dearest, I should be the one thanking you!" She admitted. "You gave me everything that I've ever wanted." She paused to ponder his question. "How does it feel? Hopefully, my legs will hold out long enough to answer your question, my angel." She admitted, for her legs were indeed giving out on her. But, the only thing that would cause them to collapse fully was his singing, and he wouldn't do that right here, in an empty hallway. "I can't really answer that right now, Master."

 

[Guile]

"Thanking me? On the contrary Madame." Erik smiled warmly at her. "We should agree to disagree on who to thank - or perhaps we should just both thank God." Chuckling, Erik placed a kiss on Christine's hand again, listening to her answer to his question. "I certainly hope they do! However, if they give out on you I would be more than happy to carry you wherever it is you wish to go." Erik finished with, "well, take your time on that answer. I plan to make your days as my wife lovely and carefree. Though I don't plan on doing so, you will tell me if I start to slip on that promise, won't you?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

She was breathless. "You cannot spend the rest of your life carrying me." She felt herself swaying dangerously, as though she were drunk. "I would lose all feeling in my legs, dearest." The warmth of his smile was overwhelming, so, she decided to walk ahead of him. "What about the party, eh?" Christine whispered. "I believe we're leading them to the main hallway." She grinned. "You know, music and dancing." As she explained what a party was, she demonstrated her own dancing. "Or, are you frightened of crowds so much that you've forgotten? If so, that's upsetting. Lilly wanted a dance with you." She teased. "For, the man that I shall dance with is far better than you as far as dancing goes, speaking of her son. "He knows the right steps, without stepping on my feet."

 

[Guile]

Erik saw Christine swaying, but let her walk ahead of him. Still, he stayed close behind her, prepared to catch her in a moment's notice should anything happen. He watched her dance and smiled again, unable to control how happy seeing her like this was making him. "Oh, yes! Of course, the party!" Erik teased back. "How could I forget?" He laughed at Christine's tease. "Well, let's just hope you don't faint on the poor boy. At least Lilly knows that I'll remain on my feet throughout the night."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The bride stopped spinning, for she was getting more dizzy with each turn. "What makes you think that I'll collapse on Alistair?" She stumbled as she regained her footing. "He knows that I wouldn't do that. Only if the man that I dance with is..." she held his forearms, "strong enough to catch me." Her smile was brighter and more toothy than his at the moment. Handing his mask back, she sighed, standing before the door. "This is it, my husband. We go in together." She held out her hand, then wrapped it around her partner's elbow. "Just remember what Catherine taught you." She kissed his cheek. "Head up, smile, focus on your partner." She suggested to him, knowing that he wasn't removing his gaze from his student.

 

[Guile]

"Well, then, if you chose to faint tonight...make sure you do so while you're dancing with me." Erik took his mask from Christine and put it back on, a smile still on his lips from the sight of her dizziness. When she held out her hand as they stood in front of the door, Erik held out his arm for her to wrap her hand around, which she did almost instantly. The sound of the word 'husband' brought a new brightness to his eyes that he let Christine see. "This is it." He agreed before kissing her back on the cheek. "I will remember what you said, thank you. And you, my love...have fun tonight." He winked at her. "Save a few dances for me." Then, he opened the door for her and they walked in together, side by side once again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Christine walked forward, down the stairs that led to the base floor, where their children waited. She was focused on Alistair, her handsome little prince. "Welcome, everyone. I'm very pleased that you chose to spend this lovely Saturday evening with my family." She lifted her son from the ground. "I welcome you to join my family in dancing the night away." She started twirling with her boy. Lilly scoffed and searched for her Daddy. "Daddy!" She ran to him, arms open. "Daddy, you promised!" She begged him. "Please." She asked, sweetly watching the floor as men took their wives down to the dance floor. Catherine pulled a blushing Andrew as well.

 

[Guile]

Erik came in with Christine and stood still as she spoke until Lilly came running over to him. Seeing her made Erik grin and as she ran up to him he opened his arms and picked her up off the ground, placing a kiss on her head. "Of course I did, sweetheart!" Erik laughed and carried her out to the dance floor and put her down on her feet again. As he music started up, Erik took Lilly's hands - for he was too tall to place his hands on her waist - and took to dancing with her as he promised. He did as Christine had reminded him, what Catherine had taught him, and for the most part he danced fairly well. Occasionally he would spin his little girl around in circles, loving how happy she looked to be dancing with him. "So," Erik asked her over the music as they danced on, "did your Papa do alright today?" He asked, playful laughter in his voice. "I was so nervous up there, but I hope I didn't look to be."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine hugged Alistair close and kept dancing with him, laughing throughout the duration of the music. "Did you see Mama up there? She was crying." She admitted to the younger twin. "When your papa kissed me, I almost fainted." Alistair clung on tightly. "Yes..." he was thinking of how he had almost missed hid cue when the priest asked for the rings. "I am really sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to." Christine stifled laughter as she ran her hand through his hair. "Don't worry about that now, my dear." There was amusement in her voice. "You were sweating like a hog." Lillith teased. "Your whole suit is wet now." She started fingering it, giggling. "Papa, you weren't nearly as bad as Brother." This made her throw her head back in such amusement that her hair was draped over her back for a few seconds until she straightened up. "He almost missed the call for the rings."

 

[Guile]

Erik shook his head as he danced with Lilly, unable to keep his laughter back. "That isn't nice," he teased her and looked down at his suit, pretending to be searching for wet spots. "You're being unfair! I tried my hardest to be calm." Erik wanted to ruffle his daughter's hair but he didn't want to mess it up - she had it all done up and she looked very pretty, as always. "Hey, your brother did his best, which was very good. I don't blame him - if it had been me, I would have forgotten completely." Erik laughed again. "Yes, he did just fine - as did you, my beautiful little flower girl." Erik bent foreword and kissed Lilly on he forehead before spinning her around again.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Lilly's laughter almost echoed off the walls. It was a beautiful sound, though, sometimes, Catherine felt that Lilly overdid it sometimes. Watching her sister and father dance together made her smile. When this song ended, Christine set Alistair back on the ground, watching him sprint off. Christine traveled through the couples to her husband. "Pardon me, but, may I have this dance?" She put her hand on Lilly's back to let her know that her mother was there. Lilly held tight to Erik. "No! Mine!" Christine laughed.

 

[Guile]

Erik saw Christine approaching, but before he could do anything, Lilly was latched onto him. He started laughing and tried to pry her off, gently of course. "Now, Lilly." Erik's voice was laced with a playfulness and his smiled sweetly at her. "You wouldn't want to deny your Mama and Papa some time to dance together, would you? That wouldn't be very fair." Rubbing the little one's back with his hands as she was still latched to him, he bargained with her. "I promise to dance with you again later tonight, but...you have to allow me to dance with Mama a little as well. We did just get married. Isn't that what you wanted all along? And," he kept teasing her, "wouldn't it just be so romantic if we got to dance together?" He laughed again and placed a quick kiss on Lilly's cheek.