No Backward Glances

Chapter 11: Angels at the Alter

December 28th, 1882
{Christine's P.O.V}

"Wake up, my dear." I hear Erik say from behind the closed bedroom door.

I feel my heart start to beat rapidly. I am getting married today. I am getting married to Erik!

"I'm sorry, darling. But I'm afraid I won't get out of bed unless you come in & get me." I tease. Erik wanted to be traditional & not see me until our wedding ceremony.

"Don't tempt me." he joked.

"Well you do need to come in & get your attire." I remind him.

"Do not try to out smart me, Miss Daaé. I went in while you were alseep." he tells me. I curse quietly under my breath.

"Fine!" I huff in defeat.

"I love you, Christine." he says.

"I love you more than anything, Erik. I can't wait for our wedding." he says as I walk over to the door & press my ear up against it. "& happy birthday, ange."

"Thank you." he says shyly. "I will see you at the church, my love. Madame & Doctor Bernard will be here to pick you up in two hours." he informs me.

"Thank you, darling."

"Goodbye." he says. I hear the front door open then close. As soon as it closes, I let out a squeal of excitement.

I run to the chamber room & bathe myself thoroughly. I carefully shave the entirety of my body. As I do this, I remember that tonight is our wedding night. I felt my face turn red at the thought. The last time we laid together, I was ill & I hadn't bathed in a month. Tonight I wanted to make it up to him & give him the night he truly deserved (although I know Erik thoroughly enjoyed himself that night).

After about twenty minutes, I get out of the tub. I dry myself & wrap my curly wet hair in a towel. I walk into the bedroom & get out my clothing. I take a look at the wedding gown Erik made for me. This one was different from the last one he had made for me at the Opera. I found myself loving it even more than the last one.

I put on my stockings & a slip & tied my dress onto me. I twirl around & giggle at my childlike behavior. I feel like a queen in this gown.

Then I walk over to my vanity & take out some make up. I know Erik would be highly upset with me if I put on too much. Every time I try to put on something more than lip-paint & a little blush, he makes me take it off & scolds me for hiding "my perfection".

I look at the blush powder I have but decide against putting it on. I don't need my face to be any redder than it's already going to be. I paint my lips a dark red color, bringing out a more elegant & sophisticated side to my features.

I take a pair of tweezers & pluck my eyebrows a bit. After I finally feel like my face looks alright, I grab my brush & begin to fix my messy hair. I fix all my chocolate curls in an up style. A few curls fall out, as I suspected they would but it doesn't look as bad as I thought it was going to. I then place my veil atop my head.

The veil Erik made me, was a comb-like piece in the shape of a semi-circle which fit perfectly in my hair. The piece was decorated with beautiful white fabric flowers.

I get up from my vanity chair & walk over to Erik's full-length mirror. I am in awe at what I see. I see a woman. This cannot possible be me. I thought about how I looked in the mirror at the Opera House. I could never smile like this. I could never look so comfortable & confident.

I smiled at my reflection. This was all Erik's doing. Without him, I wouldn't be the woman I am today.

Just then I hear a knock at the door. "Felicite?" Doctor Bernard calls.