Asylum Ghost (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 17 - Opera House

Amber's POV:

I pulled the red dress over my head and slipped on my shoes. This was going to be fun. Madam Jones was going to drive me to the asylum and Erik and I would be married in her office. From there we could make a quick get away down to his lair. I was still wondering what his surprise was. Erik was a strange man and a confusing one. Oh well...

I checked my reflection one last time and hurried down to the car where Madam Jones was waiting. I hoped in and we drove quickly to the asylum. I wore a large trench coat over my dress to keep it from being seen by the guards. There was no need for them to know what was happening. Besides I was technically still insane and couldn't do this. But who cared! I was getting married and no one was going to stop me. I walked through the gates and followed Madam Jones into her office. I left my coat on as I wanted to surprise Erik. Madam Jones' brother was already sitting in her office. He rose to greet us with a kind hello,

"Good morning, Maryanne. And this must be Amber. Pleased to meet you. My name is Arnold." He held out a hand and shook my hand. I smiled at him and he said,

"Now, where is the groom? We can't start without him." I smiled and looked towards his secret entry way. I smiled at the stone began to move.

"I think he is here." Arnold turned around and gasped a little as Erik emerged from his tunnel. Erik walked over to me and took my arm gently. He raised his eyebrows and said,

"What is with the trench coat, love?" I laughed and pulled it off. I swore his eyes grew by three times. I smiled and said,

"What do you think?" I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "This was Madam Jones' idea. I didn't think this up." He laughed and whispered,

"Well, it was a good one." I looked at Madam Jones and Arnold and their eyebrows were raised while they smirked at each other. I glared at them and they quickly reformed. Erik and I held hands and Arnold started the ceremony. It wasn't a long one and we were finally at our favorite part.

"Erik Destler, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Erik stood tall and said,

"I do." Arnold turned toward me and asked,

"Amber Wallis, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I nodded. I had made it clear that I didn't want to use my married name for my last name. Erik was marrying Amber Wallis not Amber Lord. She had died when Nicolas had. That nightmare was gone. Arnold then stated proudly,

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Erik pulled me against him and kissed me with in a inch of my life. Not that I minded but Madam Jones and her brother were watching. We parted and Madam Jones had her eyebrows raised. I glared again and after thanking Arnold we disappeared down into the tunnels. As the stone wall closed behind us, he swept me off the floor and picked me up bridle-style. I blushed. He laughed and started the long walk down to the lair. We didn't say much until he set me on the floor of the lair. He said,

"Amber, I told you I had a surprise. Before anything else happens, I want to tell you that we are moving." I gasped. He nodded.

"We are moving to Paris, France. In the cellars of the Opera House. That is a better and more livable place there. It will be like having a house under ground. It has everything. What do you think?" I looked at the ground then back at him.

"I don't have anyone here. I don't mind. Erik, I will move to France. But I don't speak French." He laughed and said,

"I will teach you," he leaned forward and whispered in my ear, "my wife." I shuddered at the tone. He laid his hands on my hips and I smiled. Well, this wasn't going to be so bad after all. And it wasn't. That was a night to remember.