Wanted

Chapter 69

[A/N]: We're coming up on the homestretch! I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be, but it won't be many, I have my ending planned out, just have a few things leading up to it. In the upcoming chapters, you can expect the return of a few characters we haven't seen in a while. Also revisiting some events discussed in previous chapters. I'll save my sappy thank you notes for the last chapter. For now, enjoy this chapter!
---

[July 1, 1893]

Christine led her husband around the Phantasma ballroom in a frenzy. She had a clipboard in her hand and she was trying to decipher her handwriting, which looked more like scribbles to Erik.

They had traveled to America at the end of May, helping around Phantasma and preparing for performances. All while Christine put together their 'do-over wedding' as she liked to call it. They were really just renewing their vows, but she wanted a grand wedding, and who was he to deny her.

His hands were shoved in his pockets as he lazily followed her around. "The arch will go here, and we'll stand under it, and-" she paused and turned to look at him, noticing he didn't seem to be paying much attention. "Erik, are you listening?" She asked and he turned toward her, stepping forward to wrap his arms around her, she tried to squirm out of his embrace.

"My love, my angel, my sweet Christine. I know how much this means to you, but we don't need to do all of this planning. Everything will be fine." He said, running his hands up her sides, trying to calm her. She nodded and took a deep breath.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just want this to be perfect."

"And it will be." Erik promised, offering her a smile before leaning down and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Let me hear the guest list." He said, and she left his embrace to grab another list. Christine began reading off the names to him.

"Meg, Antoinette, Nadir, James, your mother, Mary..." She read from the list, but Erik stopped her.

"I'm sorry, what?" He asked, not sure if he really heard her correctly. Christine looked down at the ground and his suspicions were confirmed. "You invited my mother?!" He demanded, and she slowly nodded, there was no point in lying. Erik bit his lip, he didn't know what to say. His goal was to never see his mother again.

"I wanted her to see you on your anniversary. To rub it in her face that she was wrong all those years ago." Christine said, approaching him again. She stood in front of him and she saw his eyes soften. Erik liked her intent behind it.

"Ok, but I don't want her around our children too much. She doesn't deserve to be their grandmother." Erik said, and Christine nodded in agreement, she took his hand and smiled reassuringly up at him. He returned the smile, and she leaned up to kiss him gently.
---

[July 8, 1893]

Everything was perfect. Christine had finished setting everything up that morning with help from Erik, then they had gone their separate ways to get ready for the renewing of their vows. Christine had taken Melody and Harmony with her to the dressing room where Meg and Madame Giry helped her get ready. Erik had Gustave with him as James and Nadir helped him do the same.

Meg brushed through Christine's curls and then brought it into a beautiful updo. "Christine, I'm so glad you decided to do this. I was always upset I didn't get to be there when you got married." Meg said and her mother nodded in agreement. Christine stood up and then they helped her get into the pink dress she had decided to wear. She had decided that a white dress would be too formal considering they were already married. The dress had lace around the top and edges, it was truly beautiful.

In Erik's dressing room, he was helping Gustave get into his suit. He was once again wearing a suit to match Erik's. "Papa, why are we wearing pink ties?" The boy asked, fiddling with the pink bow tie his father had just adjusted.