The Point of No Return- COMPLETE

Chapter Eight

Moaning softly in her sleep, Christine’s eyes flickered as she slowly began to wake up. She rolled over only to find the other side of the bed empty. Her eyes opened fully as she sat up. Her dark curls fell over her shoulder as she turned her head as she looked for Erik. There was no sign of him. The heavy curtain that separated their bedroom from the rest of the lair was drawn closed. She got out of bed and grabbed the robe that had been laid out for her. It was a red satin with a black velvet trim. She slipped it over her nude form, pulling her hair out from the back.

Pulling the curtain back, Christine stepped out into the lair. Soft candlelight lit up the lair, casting shadows on the water. Her ears filled with the sound of a quick melody being played on the organ. She turned her head and a smile appeared when she saw Erik sitting at the organ. She took small steps down the stairs following the music.

Suddenly the music stopped as he scribbled something on a piece of sheet music that lay before him. Erik was in his own little world as he wrote down the notes he just played. Waking up long before Christine, he slipped on his shirt and trousers, not bothering to button either of them. There was only two and a half months until opening night. He would have to work night and day to have this opera done before then. The instant he felt two arms slide around his neck; he smiled as he turned his head. “Good morning, mon amour.”

Christine felt his lips brush against her’s and the taste of his lips brought back memories of last night. Kissing him softly, she asked. “Am I ever going to wake up in your arms? You have this habit of leaving me alone in the bed.”

Erik chuckled as he turned around to face her. “I am sorry.” He sucked in his breath when he saw what she wore. The robe was tied loosely on her body with the neckline forming a deep v, giving him a view of the swell of her breasts. Pulling her onto his lap, he kissed her deeply. Her arms came around his neck in an effort to hold on as his tongue slipped past her lips. “Forgive me my dearest Christine. Please don’t think I have no desire of waking up next to you. I do truly. The re-opening of the opera is so soon and I want to put the finishing touches on the score for the new opera I am writing.”

At the mention of the re-opening, Christine grew silent. She laid her head against Erik’s chest and sighed. She slipped her hand inside his shirt as she drew her fingertips along the hardness of his muscles. “I have this fear that Raoul will not let this latest attempt go unpunished.”

Cradling her against him, Erik brushed a feather soft kiss along her forehead. “Leave him to me.” His voice came out cold. “I don’t want you worrying about him. He is asking a question to which he already knows the answer. This is but one last step to save face. In fact, he has fled during the night. He left a note saying that he is taking care of some business on one of his family’s estates. He warned that he will return on opening night, and then make his decision regarding the Opera Populaire.”

“What else must we do to show him that I love you?” Christine looked up and cupped his face, her palm stroking the scars.

“Perhaps he does not want to hear or see the answer.” Erik sighed as he kissed her softly. “All we can do is go on with our lives and pray that he sees the light by the time of opening night.”

“My life is with you. It has been for a long time.” Christine slid her palm over his chest in a gentle caress.

“My life started the first moment I heard you sing.” Erik took her lips in a kiss as his hand slipped inside her robe to cup her breast. Kneading gently, his thumb brushed over a hardened nipple. “Your voice brought me up from the depths of Hell. Your love is what keeps me going.” He whispered against her lips as he broke the kiss. Pushing the robe aside, he lowered his head and took a nipple into his mouth.

Christine cried out softly as she ran her fingers through his soft brown hair. “I want to be with your forever, Erik. Forever.” She moaned as she arched against his mouth as he suckled at her breast.

Those words had his mind reeling. Would she become his wife if he asked? Once he would have doubted, but not now. However, there was Raoul to deal with. What would his reaction be if he married Christine? He knew the Vicompte would become enraged and possibly go back on his deal. They had to play it safe in front of Raoul. However, with him gone, oh no. A plan started to form in his mind. It must happen tonight. The sooner the better. Once he had Christine safe under the protection of his name, the better it would be for both of them.

His name.

What name did he truly have? Opera Ghost who was The Phantom of the Opera who was Erik. Which one was he really? He barely remembered his full name. It had been a long time since he had even used Erik, much less his last name. However, if he wanted to protect Christine, it would be better to have a name to protect her with. Suddenly a name filled his mind and would not leave. Erik Delacroix. This is my name. Erik Delacroix. The last time he heard it was when Father Pierre told him that was a name to be proud of because it was his and no one could take it away. He smiled against Christine’s skin. Standing up he cradled her against his chest. “You will be with me forever, Christine. I swear on my life.” He began walking back towards the bedroom.

“I thought you wanted to work on your music?” Christine couldn’t help but smile as she snuggled against him.

“I am working on my music.” Erik pulled back the curtain and walked into the bedroom. He laid her on the black swan bed and smiled down at her. “I’m going to work on my greatest masterpiece ever…you.” He pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. His hands went to his trousers as he pushed them from his body.

The sight of him standing there nude, his erection brushing up against the lean muscles of his bell, she swallowed hard. Christine saw the look in his green eyes and shivered. When he crawled on the bed, she welcomed him warmly. Her arms pulled him to her as they kissed passionately. When he entered her, she moaned his name.

Erik closed his eyes as the erotic pleasure of being inside Christine coursed through his body. Tonight he would set his plan into motion. After tonight, it would take more than Vicompte de Chagny to separate them.

* * * * * *


Erik paced frantically as he pulled out the gold pocket watch from his vest. Where was she? Would Madame Giry fail him this time? Would Christine do as he asked? The unanswered questions burned in his mind. Stuffing the watch back in his vest, he growled.

“Erik my son, have you never heard the saying patience is a virtue?” Father Pierre chuckled as he walked into the church from his residence at the rectory.

Turning to look at the aging priest, Erik’s lips turned up in a smirk. “Forgive me father, but I’ve been accused of many things in my life. Certainly virtuous was not one of them.”

Father Pierre smiled warmly as he walked up to the altar. “Have no fear my son. Your love will come. I cannot tell you how honored I am that you asked me to do this for you. God is smiling down on you tonight.”

“Then it will be the first time in my life.” Erik couldn’t suppress the old bitterness that was always there when talking about his past.

Father Pierre was about to respond when the sound of a carriage gave him pause. He smiled at Erik. “She is here.”

Erik’s head whipped towards the double oak doors of the church. He waited with baited breath as they began to open. The slowly began to swing open and through the church doors walked in Madame Giry, followed by Christine. The instant he saw her he felt himself start to breath again. She came!

Christine walked in and her eyes immediately found Erik. The vague note he had left her explained nothing. He had asked her to meet him here at the small church of St. Mary’s, and to bring Madame Giry with her. Asking her to dress in her very best, Madame Giry had helped her pick her outfit. Seeing him now, she had a very good idea what she was doing here.

As Christine walked down the aisle, Erik felt his fists clench in his black leather gloves. She is beautiful, he breathed. He could see that Madame Giry had taken exceptional care readying her for tonight. The gown Christine wore was white silk. The bodice was drawn tight against her breasts as the corset pushed them up in the style of the day. Glittering beads dusted the bodice and the waist, sparkling in the candlelight of the church. The neckline was rounded as the sleeves of the dress came down to bell around her upper arms. Her dark curls were pinned up with white roses entwined within the hair. A black cape lay on her shoulders to shield her from the night air.

Holding out his hand, Erik smiled at her. “I’m glad you made it mon ange.”

Christine took his hand, her soft skin brushing against the leather. “Erik your note said nothing. What are we doing here?” She had an idea but she needed him to say it. Needed to hear the words from his lips.

He pulled her close as he caressed her cheek. “I have asked you here to offer you all that I am. Everything I have will be yours. My music, my love…and my name.” When he saw her suck in her breath, he smiled nervously. “I have asked you here to marry me, my lovely Christine. Tonight become my wife.”

Tears suddenly filled her eyes. She could hear the emotion in his husky voice. Wife. The word echoed in her ears as she grabbed onto his arm for support. “Now?” She managed to choke out.

Erik smiled as he kissed her forehead. “Yes my love, now. Father Pierre will marry us tonight. All I need from you is an answer.” As she looked up at him, he found himself holding his breath as he waited for her answer. This was the moment in his life where time stood still. He searched her eyes for an answer. “What say you, Christine? Will you marry me?”

Suddenly Christine wrapped her arms around him as she whispered over and over. “Yes. Yes Erik.”

He let out the breath he had been holding as he hugged her against him. He looked past Christine to the large crucifix that decorated the altar. “Thank you”, he whispered under his breath.

“Shall we begin then?” Father Pierre spoke softly, as if not wanting to disturb the spirits that guarded the small French church.

Taking her hand, Erik guided her to where the priest stood. He was shaking, his hand trembling in her’s. When she squeezed his hand, he looked down and smiled. She was his strength tonight. He lowered his head and gave her a small kiss.

“Enough for now Erik. It’s not time for that yet.” Father Pierre’s eyes were twinkling with amusement. “I take it the good Madame is your witness?”

Madame Giry stepped forward. “I am.”

“Normally we have two but I don’t think God is going to deny you his blessing without the other one.” Father Pierre opened his prayer book. He looked out at the small group. “Tonight we shall witness the marriage of the lord’s servant Christine to the lord’s servant Erik.”

Christine snuck a quick peek over at Erik. Tonight he looked exquisite. He wore a suit of black that seemed to be tailored just for his size. A crisp white shirt strained across his chest with a deep rose colored silk vest. A black silk tie was at his throat, coming down over the ruffles of his shirt. The black jacket fit him well, conforming to the muscular curves of his upper body. His soft brown hair was slicked back, and he wore the white mask.

“Pardon me Father, but I must interrupt.” Christine suddenly blurt out.

Erik and Father Pierre looked at her. There was a hint of fear on Erik’s face. “What is it child?” Father Pierre asked softly.

“I cannot do this. I cannot marry the Phantom.” Christine turned to look at Erik.

Erik felt his face go white as he stared down at her. Could he have been wrong about her? He tried to keep his composure as several emotions ranging from anger to dread hit him at once. “You cannot marry me?”

“I can’t marry the Phantom.” She reached up and brushed her fingers over the leather of the white mask. Without hesitation, she peeled the mask from his face and handed it to Madame Giry. “He is not real.”

Erik stared at her, feeling the tears fill his eyes. When her hand came up to caress the scarred side of his face, he cupped her hand with his own. He closed his eyes praying the tears wouldn’t fall. Blinking back the tears, he opened his eyes to find her smiling at him.

“I want to marry my Erik. He is real.” Christine whispered as she brushed a tear away.

Erik never loved her as much as he did right now. Just when he thought he knew her, she surprised him yet again. “I always shall be your Erik.” He whispered.

“Shall I continue?” Father Pierre asked with a smile.

Christine nodded. “Please Father.”

Father Pierre began the sacrament of marriage. His voice echoed in the small church as he read off the prayer book in his hands. When he got to the part of the exchanging of rings, he looked at the couple. “Erik you may slip ring on her finger.”

Erik nodded as he removed his gloves and dug in his jacket. He turned to Christine and opened his palm. She gasped softly as she saw what lay in his palm. The ring was a cluster of diamonds and rubies. The center stone was a large diamond surrounded by blood red rubies with a gold band. “It is beautiful.” She breathed.

“Not as beautiful as you are, mon amour.” Erik whispered as he slipped the ring on her third finger of her left hand.

The smile she had on her face disappeared as she looked panicked. “I don’t have a ring for you.” Her voice was filled with sadness.

“Don’t worry Christine.” Erik caressed her cheek. “You will be my wife. That is all that matters.”

“It matters to me.” Christine looked up, fighting the tears.

“Here Christine.” Madame Giry nudged the young woman. “Use this.” She reached into her jacket, pulling something out. She handed Christine a gold men’s wedding band.

Christine looked puzzled. “What is this?”

“It was your father’s wedding band. He made me promise I would hold onto it until the day you needed it. I am quite sure that Gustave would be honored if Erik would wear it.” Madame Giry nodded to both of them.

Taking the gold band, Christine smiled up at Erik. “I think Father would be very honored.” She slid it onto Erik’s finger.

The ring was nearly a perfect fit. Erik flexed his hand and then smiled at her. “I am the one who is honored.”

“Now with the exchanging of rings, I must ask. Christine do you take Erik as your husband, promising to love and cherish him until the day the Lord calls you home?” Father Pierre asked.

Taking a deep breath, Christine nodded. “I do.”

“Erik do you take Christine as your wife, promising to love and cherish her until the day the Lord calls you home?” Father Pierre asked Erik.

Looking down at the woman at his side, Erik nodded. “I do.”

“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Erik.” Father Pierre closed his prayer book.

Erik turned towards Christine, suddenly feeling more nervous than he ever had in his life. He cupped her face in his hands. He lowered his head and whispered softly. “I love you Christine.”

She managed to get a small, “I love you Erik.” before his lips claimed her’s. The kiss started out as sweet but as she moved closer to him, it turned romantic. Using his lips to massage her’s, Erik deepened the kiss. I am kissing my wife. That thought echoed in his mind. The kiss slowly broke as he smiled down nervously at Christine.

“I now present Monsieur and Madame Delacroix.” Father Pierre smiled at Madame Giry.

Christine’s eyes widened with shock. “Delacroix?”

Erik nodded. “That is my surname, forgotten and hidden away until the day I would need it again. I had long given up hope that I would use it. I had grown accustomed to being labeled Opera Ghost.”

“Never again!” Christine replied furiously. “No more. I love my husband’s name. I love you Erik Delacroix.”

“As my wife commands.” There was a twitch to Erik’s mouth. He cupped her face as he whispered. “I love you Christine Delacroix.” He kissed her softly. “Always and forever.”