At the Opera House

Chapter 7: The Wedding

"I'm going to be sick."

Christine ignored Emily's claim and continued to arrange the flowers in the bride's hands, Winter flowers purchased the day before.

"Christine. I'm going to be sick."

Christine pursed her lips, at first doubtful, then thought better of it. She took the bouquet from Emily and sat it on a nearby table. Her eyes searched for a bucket, she found one in the corner, and grabbed it.

As soon as it was in Emily's hands she leaned over and threw up what little food she had eaten earlier that morning.

Tactfully looking away, Christine watched the morning sun peak a little more through the window.

"Adam's going to hate kissing me now." Emily murmured gloomily. "I'll taste awful."

Christine still didn't answer. Instead, she poured some water from a pitcher into a cup and handed it to Emily. She took it and began rinsing her mouth.

"I expect you're not the first bride to throw up on her wedding day." Christine said cheerfully. "Nerves are hardly a new concept."

"You know that's not the only reason." Emily grumbled, then swallowed another mouthful of water.

Christine sighed, but smiled proudly at the soon to be bride. Her dress finished, and fitted her to perfection, the lace covering her wrists and collar.

"I can't believe I'm getting married." Emily whispered, setting the cup down and rubbing her forehead.

"I wish that I had advice to offer you." Christine said, then enveloped the trembling girl in a hug. "I almost wish I am married so I could give you some parting words that will guide you." They separated, and Christine held Emily at arms length, smiling weakly. "Alas, all I can think of is 'good luck'."

"I just hope I won't need it." Emily said back.

Christine nodded. "I'll go see if they're ready for you."

She turned, and walked out the door into the main hall of the church. There, she saw Adam, a man with wild curly blonde hair and clear blue eyes. His suit was worn, and rather out of date, but it had the look as if it had been carefully preserved for years.

Adam's eye twitched, then his head turned to Christine and smiled he softly.

"How's she doing?" He asked quietly, eyes flicking to the way she had come.

"She's nervous. But I expect we all are." Christine admitted.

"I love her." He whispered, turning and fixating upon the doorknob in front of him. "I love her like my own life." He swallowed, and his eyes widened. "What if she changes her mind?"

"She won't. She'll be there. I promise."

He turned to Christine and flashed a grin. "I know. My head does, and my heart. But the part of me-" he gestured to his chest. "That makes fear, is blocking them out."

"Very poetic." Christine remarked, but gave him a smile in return.

"That's Emily's fault. She quotes things like that around me all the time. I must be getting it from her." He sighed and turned back to the door. "I'm going to make sure she's happy. But-" here he glanced at Christine. "I understand, that I shouldn't go too far. I should say I'll give her to means to be happy."

"I'm glad she has you." Christine murmured. "Is everything ready?"

"Not sure. I think so." His voice cracked, he swallowed again. "I hope so."

The wedding, was short, and quite small.

Madame Giry, Meg and a few other close friends attended. Emily walked slowly but steadily down the aisle, as she passed Christine she gave a small nervous glance in her direction, in return, Christine gave her a smile, trying to convey how happy she felt for her.

A simple gold band was produced when the priest asked, and Emily sprouted a real smile as she stared at it. Then the kiss came, Adam was quite gentle, holding her to him with a hand on her cheek and on the back of her neck.

Christine felt a few tears stream down her face, watching them smile shyly at each other after the kiss. Her heart ached, she thought back to their conversation when they were fitting the dress.

"Are you ever going to get married?"

Marriage......

"I'm so happy." Meg whispered to Christine, breaking her out of her thoughts. "I can't believe she's finally settling down." Meg dabbed absently at her eyes. "I want to get married some day. After I finish my ballet career, of course." She sighed.

Christine didn't answer, instead she carefully wiped away her own years and stood. She walked to the young couple, Emily turned and smiled, tears streaking from her own eyes. Within seconds they clung to each other, Emily shaking with the force of her sobs and Christine forcing herself not too.

Meg hugged Emily next, and even Madame Giry gave a small smile and a little squeeze. Emily then turned her attention to her few close friends. Christine stood next to Adam, who stood alone awkwardly, but looked at Emily with a softness that convinced Christine he would cherish her for the rest of his days.

"Why is she crying?" He asked Christine nervously, blue eyes flicking to her. "If she was happy, would she be crying?"

"Oh yes." Christine nodded and took a deep breath, feeling her lungs rattle with it. "Women often cry when we're happy. Especially at weddings."

He nodded, and swallowed. "I- I'm just glad she would have me. It's hard to compare to a Viscount."

"I think a Viscount would have trouble comparing to you." Christine murmured, watching Emily, she was accepting a present from a friend of hers. Christine wondered vaguely what was in the small brown package that had exchanged hands.

"Take good care of her, will you?" She asked gently.

Adam nodded, a new determined look in his eyes. "I will, I promise."

"Adam!"

They both looked over to see Emily gesturing wildly for Adam to come closer. Her tears had mostly dried up, and a large smile was spread across her face.

"Thank you Mademoiselle Daae." Adam murmured, then started on a brisk walk towards his bride.

Christine watched him go, feeling another tear streak down her face. Emily and Adam joined hands, he kissed it gently, then they both began walking towards the door.

Christine watched them go, and for a desperate fleeting moment, wished desperately that this wedding had been hers.

"Meg." She called softly.

Meg stopped waving to Emily and turned round at her words. Christine gestured for her to come closer, Meg walked to her, Christine took her hand, covering it with her own. "Don't wait too long to get married will you?" She begged.

"What?" Meg looked surprised, her eyes widening.

"Just don't." Christine insisted, squeezing her hand. "One day you might wake up and it's too late."

"Christine, what's wrong?" Meg asked, looking startled.

Christine realized that more tears were streaming down her face, enough to blur her vision, she blinked desperately and smiled tightly. "Just don't wait too long." Her voice croaked. "Don't make the same mistake I did."

Then she dropped Meg's hand and walked down the aisle alone.