Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Charmed. Or Phantom of the Opera. (looks around) Erik, get back in the closet before someone finds you! (looks back at readers) Nope, don't own Erik at all…

AN: This is sort of a chapter and epilogue mixed together, so….yeah. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this final chapter about Erik and Arianna. Thanks to all of my readers and reviewers for coming back for more; I hope you all had a good time. Keep an eye out for my next Phantom story, which will be (hopefully) posted within the next week or two. Thanks so much!

Chapter 27: A Truly Magical Wedding:

With my mom and dad here in San Francisco, the final two weeks leading up to the wedding were chaotic. I had to get my final fitting for the wedding dress, make sure the flowers were perfectly arranged to create the perfect garlands for the enchanted rose garden, and ask Piper, Phoebe and Paige if they were sure that I didn't need to find bridesmaid gowns for them.

"No, sweetie, that's alright," Piper said. "The girls and I already have our dresses ordered so that you didn't have to worry about it."

Well, that was a relief, because hovering beside me was my mother, who insisted on accompanying me to the rest of my dress fittings. She thought it was owed to her, since she was my mother, and she very much wanted to see the dress that I would be married in. To my surprise, Mom actually admired the elegant look of it, and of the delicate materials that made the sleeves and embroidery. However, she also thought that it was rather "old-fashioned" and why hadn't I chosen something more modern?

"I don't see why you didn't pick a dress made from a signature designer," she complained as I stood before a mirror, a statue on a pedestal as the seamstresses fussed around me, pulling at the yards of material and tweaking it in one direction, then another.

"Mom, trust me, this is the kind of gown I've always wanted," I said, holding my arms out so that the draping gauze of the sleeves could be adjusted.

Mom shook her head. "I knew I shouldn't have let you take all of those history courses in college," she muttered while accepting a cup of iced tea from Vicki, who had made it her business to see that my gown turned out perfectly.

Rolling my eyes, I kept silent and did as I was directed until the ladies told me they were finished. "Just be sure to come back in a couple days and we'll see how it fits," one of them said, smiling. "It looks alright now, but you know how things can change at the drop of a hat."

Oh, yes, I knew. I promised to return in a few days at a scheduled time, said goodbye to everyone, and dragged my mother out to do some shopping for her. Considering the last time she had been to a wedding was my uncle's nearly twenty years go, my mom really had no idea what she should wear to a wedding, especially as mother of the bride.

Thanks to the little envelope of cash Erik had given me for just such a purpose, Mom and I had a relatively good time. My mother was excited to be getting a whole new outfit that she didn't have to pay for, and the two of us had had a good time picking one out for her. After hours of shifting through racks upon racks of clothes, Mom chose a blue suit to wear, with a silk shirt the color of ivory, which went well with her black hair and pale complexion. She also insisted on a new purse, so I found an inexpensive one made of white leather that matched the blouse she had purchased.

Dad was much easier to please and deal with; he went out with Leo, Coop and Paige's husband Henry to get tuxedos fitted. Dad also made sure he hung out with Erik to get to know him better –which made me nervous as hell that he would find out something he shouldn't. Best of all, he did his best to keep Mom quiet and happy. Since trying to keep Mom happy was like trying to keep a volcano from erupting, I promised myself that I'd definitely have to thank him by getting him something nice and expensive. Maybe Erik would let me get him a new car?

Finally, The Big Day arrived. I wasn't allowed to see Erik until the ceremony (which would be conducted by someone called an Elder), so I was both sulky and excited when I woke up on my wedding day. The ceremony wouldn't start until noon, but thanks to Wyatt sneaking into my room and pouncing on top of me, I was awake long before then.

Close behind Wyatt was Piper, who was sporting a head full of curlers and baby Chris on her hip, the little boy blinking sleepily. When he saw me, however, Chris immediately perked up and reached for me, crying "ah!" repeatedly in a demand to be held. Piper happily handed the squirming baby over, and I settled both boys into my lap.

"You know, Ari, you're going to be a great mom someday," Piper said, fiddling with her curlers.

I blushed. "Thanks."

She waved a hand at me. "No, really, I mean it. It's not just because you're a nanny. I mean, it partially is that, but you're a very sweet girl with a motherly nature. You'd be a fantastic mom someday, and I'm glad Chris and Wyatt had the chance to have you as their nanny."

My eyes blurred, and Piper quickly fetched me a Kleenex. "None of that; the last thing you need is red eyes on your wedding day before the ceremony even starts!"

A watery chuckle escaped my lips, and I felt Chris press his lips to my cheek in a drooly kiss. "Thanks, Chris-Chris," I said, wiping my eyes, nose and cheek. Not to be outdone by his little brother, Wyatt also gave me a kiss on the cheek, though it was much dryer than Chris's. I thanked him as well, and got up to get dressed.

Phoebe and Paige rushed in, dressed in matching lavender dresses, the loose satin skirts ending just below their knees. Thin spaghetti straps went over their shoulders, and little white corsages were pinned on the left strap. Both women had their hair gathered up on top of their heads in a mass of curls wrapped in lavender ribbons. They looked lovely.

"Okay, let's get going here, people," Phoebe said, gathering up Chris while Paige picked up Wyatt. "Piper, go get dressed. After Paige and I take the boys to Leo, who will get them dressed and off to the ceremony, we'll come back and help Arianna get ready."

"Not before I get her some breakfast," Piper firmly told her younger siblings. "The last thing we need is for her to faint from hunger, and I do not want to get that expensive gown dirty, not after all the time we've spent searching for it and getting it fitted!"

Ten minutes later, Piper brought me a breakfast tray of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, crispy bacon, and a tall glass of milk before going to deal with her hair. I managed to force down one waffle, two strips of bacon, and some of the strawberry topping, following it with the glass of milk. Feeling rather full, I wiped my mouth and waited for my 'assistants' to return and help me get ready. I had just put the breakfast tray aside when all three fully-dressed and primped Halliwell sisters rushed in, followed closely by my mother, apparently having just arrived from the hotel. My dress was being carried by my mother, who was beaming proudly.

"Alright, let's hurry!" she crowed happily. "There's a lot to do and not much time to do it!"

"But it's only nine o'clock," I said as Phoebe and Paige grabbed me by the arms and hauled me over to my vanity, invoking a sense of déjà vu from all the times we had done this before.

"Well, there are all sorts of things that can go wrong between now and the beginning of the ceremony, so we'd better get started and head them off when they arrive," Paige said with a grin. Sighing, I sat in the chair and let the others work their magic.

I suppose that now would be a good time to mention that none of the sisters performed any sort of magic while my mother was around, nor did we mention it when she was nearby. I think she sort of forgot about it because of my upcoming marriage, but still, I was just thankful that Mom was in a good mood and that she had temporarily forgotten about magic. Hopefully, this little bit of forgetfulness would last long enough for me to get married without a 'situation' arising.

Finally, after having my face made up and my hair styled into loose waves with slight curls at the end, I was helped into my dress. I held my breath as my mother zipped me up and Piper helped secure the veil, attached to a wreath of white roses, on top of my head. I was ready just as the clock struck eleven o'clock in the morning. One hour left until the ceremony, and I knew that I was probably going to faint in nervousness.

"Oh, it's just nerves, sweetie, it's okay," Mom comforted me, patting me on the shoulder.

"We'd better get going," Piper said as she attached the flowing sleeve material to my center fingers.

Downstairs we went, and I nervously turned to look at my mother, who was puzzled when we stopped in the middle of the room and went no further.

"How are we going to get to the garden? I thought we would be taking a limo or a car," Mom said, looking at me. "I assume that this garden is nearby."

Paige smiled weakly. "Not…exactly." She held up her hand and said, "Enchanted rose garden."

"What-" my mother started, but finished with a strangled squeak when she saw the swirl of blue-and-white lights. Then she saw where we were and turned pale.

"Sorry, but the only way we could get here was orbing," Phoebe said, brushing off her dress as she looked around the interior of the white tent we had arrived in.

Olivia rose from a chair to greet us; she had agreed that since The Charmed Ones and my mother were much closer to me, they would be allowed to get me ready, and that she, Olivia, would wait here at the tent for me to arrive. Olivia also wore a purple dress, though hers was far more conservative than the others; --elegant purple silk draped down to the floor, and long sleeves covered her arms as a long violet sash wrapped around her waist.

My mother was still stunned at our magical transportation, so she said nothing as I began nervously pacing around, waiting for the wedding to start.

"Erik, would you stop pacing?" Coop asked, though he was obviously more amused than annoyed.

Henry grinned. "Yeah, you're going to wear a hole in the ground if you keep doing that."

Erik merely threw a glare at them and kept going. Suddenly, he felt a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder and stopped, looking up into the kind blue eyes of his future father-in-law. Roger Brooks had to be one of the kindest and most patient men he had ever known, aside from Coop and Leo. Henry was too new to Erik's acquaintance, but after having many conversations with Monsieur Brooks (who had asked to be called Roger by his future son-in-law), Erik felt that he had at last found the father he 'd been denied all his life.

"Relax," Roger said, giving him a squeeze on the shoulder. "I know my daughter, so trust me when I say that Arianna isn't going to change her mind."

For some reason, this did, in fact, make Erik feel better. Until that moment, he was sure that Arianna would decide not to marry him, instead leaving him alone just as Christine had all those years ago. Well, he did have very little experience with women, and all of it had been bad –the last time he had seen a wedding gown on a woman was when she was sailing away with another man, tear-filled eyes turning back to look at him with fear as she drifted away to safety.

'This time will be different,' he tried to persuade himself. Arianna loved him, had agreed to be his wife, and today was their wedding day. Erik took a deep breath.

"It's time," Leo said. "Let's get you to the altar."

Erik went pale.

"It's time," Phoebe squealed as she pulled me to a hug.

'Oh, God.' I knew I'd gone pale and the smiling faces of Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Olivia and my mother weren't helping. What if Erik didn't show up? Well, of course he'd be here, if my father had anything to say about it, but what if he changed his mind about marrying me?

"May I come in?" Dad's voice called through the front opening of the tent. Piper went over and pulled the flaps open just enough for him to walk through. Dad took one look at me and grinned. "You look beautiful."

I blushed and looked at my feet, my hands brushing imaginary wrinkles and dust from my gown. "Thank you, Daddy," I whispered.

A touch on my shoulder brought my eyes up to meet Paige's. She grinned and handed me a bouquet of white roses, lilies, and baby's breath. I muttered my thanks and took a deep breath as Dad took my left hand and tucked it into his right elbow. The three Halliwell sisters took their places before me as my mother stood behind, holding the train of my gown. A violin began to lightly play the wedding march, and the flaps of the tent opened as though by magic (which it probably was).

"Here we go," Dad whispered. "I love you, pumpkin."

I smiled and looked up at him. "I love you, too, Daddy." I looked behind me. "And you, Mom."

She smiled and nodded towards the opening. "Let's go get you married."

Taking one final deep breath, I stepped forward into the brilliant sunlight.

Erik looked up at the sound of violins playing, and for a moment was puzzled. There were no musicians in sight; it was just him, his three groomsmen and the elderly gentleman in the golden robe who would be performing the ceremony. His confusion was brief, however, for the front of the bride's tent opened and out stepped an angel in a glowing white gown.

When Arianna stepped out into the sunlight, and Erik felt as though he had been kicked in the stomach. The air left his lungs, and the world around him disappeared. The only thing he saw was his bride, a glowing blush on her cheeks and a shy smile on her lips as she floated down the aisle. The sun was dazzling on her veil and white gown, lending her an otherworldly glow. She was perfect.

The world came back into focus. Erik saw Arianna gently press a kiss to her father's cheek, then to her mother's before turning to face him, a bright smile on her face. Without looking, Arianna handed her bouquet to Piper and reached out for Erik's waiting hands –funny, he didn't remember lifting them…

"Dearly beloved," began the Elder, "we are gathered here today to unite these two people in the bonds of…"

After that, Erik couldn't remember what the man said, it all sounded the same. The only thing he specifically remembered was saying "I do," and was overjoyed to hear Arianna say it in turn. The sunlight pouring from the sky surrounded him, and when he was finally able to kiss his wife, Erik knew that at last his curse was broken. The last shadows fled before the beautiful fire of Arianna's love, and all that was left was Erik.

Something had happened during our first kiss as husband and wife, but was unable to see it, so lost was I in Erik's embrace. When we separated amidst applause from our friends and family, we were quickly orbed to Piper's club, where champagne flowed and food was passed around to happily chatting guests. Even the Elder attended and helped himself to a few things. I, however, tasted none of it.

Finally, there was a last toast made by everyone there, wishing the two of us well in our married life. When the last glass had been emptied of champagne, Erik and I found ourselves whisked away in a swirl of lights to his house, which was to be a one-night stop before our honeymoon.

"Thank goodness," Erik sighed, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me fully against his body. "I believe I could get used to orbing; it is so quick and convenient."

"Most definitely," I murmured as he pressed his lips against mine.

We stood like that for a long time, kissing one another in the silence of his house. Suddenly, Erik swept me up into his arms, just as I was about to suggest we change out of our wedding clothes.

"Erik, what are you doing?" I squealed, throwing my arms around his neck.

"Husbandly duties, my dear," he said, carrying me up the stairs and towards the master bedroom.

I blushed as Erik nudged the door closed behind us and laid me on the bed, kissing me softly as his fingers removed the wreath and veil from my head. Gentle fingers then moved down to loosen the ties on my gown, and after that, there was no need for words. There was just us.

Placing my hands on my swollen belly, I smiled and reclined back in my chair. The warm smells of spring were all around me and the sounds of children laughing filled the yard. Wyatt tossed a ball in the air while Chris played "zoo" with little Melody and her stuffed toys; –that is the name of our two-year-old daughter, you see: Melody Rose Garnier.

Sighing, I basked in the warm sunlight and knew that life had been extremely good for us. Getting Erik to become friends with the Halliwells and their husbands had been easier than I'd thought, and now he had other people to talk to whenever he felt confused about modern life. Leo, Coop and Henry were more than happy to offer help and advice, and since he was a teacher (of sorts), Leo had offered to give Olivia English lessons, for which she was very grateful.

Glancing over to the left, I smiled at the older woman who sat on the other side of the white wicker table, pouring me a glass of lemonade as she smiled back. Despite having guided Erik into the modern world and helping him break his curse, Olivia had decided to stay here in San Francisco, claiming that we would probably still need her help in the near future. Erik suspected that she already knew how many children we would have, and probably wanted the ability to dote on them like a grandmother or elderly aunt would.

Speaking of family, Mom and I had managed to reconcile over the fact that I was a witch. I explained that I had powers and wanted to use them, even though I usually didn't. True, I wanted a normal life, but I was willing to accept that, once and a while, I would have to use my magic to protect myself and those I loved. It was a willing sacrifice, and one Mom grudgingly admired, much to Dad's relief.

I was jolted out of my pleasant reverie by a loud cry from my daughter. "Wyatt, don't pull Melody's hair!" I called. He backed away with a sulking look on his face as Melody returned to playing with Chris.

Not that Wyatt meant any harm, but it was strange to see how he pouted whenever Melody paid more attention to Chris than she did to him. Olivia gave me an odd, knowing look that said she knew something I didn't about Wyatt and Melody, which only made me suspicious of what the future held for those two.

A pair of soft lips pressed against the top of my head, and Erik drifted off into the yard to play with our daughter and her friends. Smiling, I watched him get tackled by three small bodies, all of them laughing in the afternoon sunshine. Life was perfect.

AN: The end! I hoped you all enjoyed and will leave a review. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope to see you all at my next story!