A New Beginning

Chapter 11

(Erik's POV)

The door swung open and I felt my angel tense up beside me, so I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.

"You can't marry him!" the familiar voice yelled again and I spun around, Christine just after, and there he stood. The Vicomte was here to try to ruin our lives again, but I would not let him.

I tried to move my angel behind me in a protective way, but she put a hand on my arm and whispered, "It's okay, angel." Then she started walking towards him, and I froze in place.

"Raoul," she told him softly, "We never got married, I have every right to marry the man I love."

"I suggest you come back to me, then. I know you love me, and you are right, you can marry whichever man you wish, but not this thing!" He yelled at her.

I was about to go kill the boy, but Nadir held me back.

"I loved you, Raoul, just not anymore," she told him. "I love Erik with all my heart, and he loves me more than you could love me in ten lifetimes. I will marry him whether you want me to or not, and don't you even dare to call him a thing ever again!" she yelled at him, and as soon as she had finish doing so, he slapped her across the face and she fell to the ground. That was enough for me to get free from Nadir's grasp. I ran towards the boy and tackled him to the ground, punching him twice before I dragged him outside. As I did that, Meg came running to my Christine to help her off the ground and to a chair. Her body shook with worry, stress, and fear. Nadir sat next to her, trying to keep her calm as Meg held her in her arms, and tried to get her to stop shaking.

I threw the boy against the wall and grabbed the collar of his alcohol-stained shirt, pinning him in place. "Do you think that's a way to treat a woman?" I yelled at him. "She loved you! She loved you and you chose to push her love aside. The love of an angel! Do you understand that?!" My face was inches apart from his, and I could tell the boy was frightened.

He tried to hide his fear, but I could easily tell he was praying I wouldn't kill him. "It's a shame that you refused her love, but I'm glad because she came to me. Why, if I'm such a freak? Well, I would never hurt her the way you did, and I will not let you hurt her that way, not you, not anyone! So let me ask you, what makes you think you have the right to come interrupting our wedding and hit her?!" I yelled at him as I tightened my grip on his shirt and kept my face an inch from his.

He simply lowered his gaze and nodded. "I love her," he whispered, "she is absolutely free to marry you, and you to marry her. I know the way I treated her was the worst, I was driven mad by so much drinking, and I didn't know what to do, I knew I had lost her, and knowing I wouldn't get her back, I tried to hurt her out of madness; her and the people she loves."

I stood there, shocked, and finally let go of his shirt. The boy started punching the wall. "If only I could change!" he yelled. When he said those words, I pitied him horribly. I knew exactly how he felt.

I took him by the arms and pulled him away from the wall. "You could've asked us, or at least Christine," I sighed, "Look, we will help you, but you have to promise that you will try." I knew I had to help him. I knew exactly how he felt, and I knew it would make my angel happy, he was her childhood sweetheart, after all.

The boy frantically nodded his head. "I'll do anything," he told me, clearly desperate to get back into her life.

"Very well," I said, "now if you'd like, we would be pleased if you could join us to celebrate our wedding."

He nodded, "I'd be honored."

I gave his back a slight pat and took him inside. I went to my angel and I saw her tense up. Meg, Nadir, and Raoul gave us a moment alone, so I kneeled in front of her and took both of her hands in mine.

"He will not hurt you anymore, I promise," she seemed shocked by what I was telling her, and a little confused as well. "He told me he wants to change, and he wants to prove he is worthy of coming back into your life." My angel nodded slowly and hugged me tightly. I wiped a single tear rolling down her cheek with my thumb and kissed her temple. I helped her to her feet and led her to the altar where Nadir was waiting for us to continue with the ceremony.

"Christine?" Raoul whispered as he approached her slowly, and she turned to look at him. "Please forgive me for everything I've done, I know it will take some time, but if you give me the chance I'll prove my love to you," he said to her and she gave him a confused look. "I'd be honored to attend this magnificent wedding and share your happiness, if you'd let me," he finished.

My angel nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Raoul. Of course I forgive you," she kissed his cheek, "And Erik and I would love to have you here with us today." He smiled and placed a kiss on her hand.