Wedding Day!

Claude awakened early in the morning despite the fact that the ceremony was not to take place until four in the afternoon.

He decided that he would read to kill some time.

Wandering into his study, he looked at the many books upon books that were located among the shelves. He ran is finger against them and let out a sigh. It was no use. He just was not in the mood for reading. This was odd! Usually all he ever wanted to do was lavish himself among the many volumes in here. But right now, all he wanted to read was Esme. His bride. His mind was continuously wandering to her and how they would spend the evening together.

A sudden feeling came to him between his legs. It was hard not to get excited about the matter. This was something he had wanted since the first day he had laid eyes upon her. Right at that moment he knew he had to have her.

Claude wondered if Esme was awake or not yet. He wanted to see her so badly! But he knew he was not going to be able to see her until she was walking down the aisle.

Claude but his lower lip in anticipation, smiling to himself at the thought of what her new name would be: Esmeralda Frollo. He sighed in happiness and went to sit as his desk.

For a moment he just drummed his fingers on the desktop thinking of something to for himself to do.

He picked up a piece of parchment and began to pen Esme's full new name. Over and over again he wrote it. He wrote it until he was out of ink.

Now he had three pieces of paper with "Esmeralda Frollo" written all over them. He stuck one of them on the wall of his study, one on the wall of his bedchamber and the last one he kept hidden away in his robe pocket.

The only explanation he could think of as to why he did this is he wanted the word to know how lucky he was. He wanted the maids to see Esme's new name, he wanted the servants to see Esme's new name, and he wanted to scream to the world Esme's new name. Claude felt exuberant. Today he was marrying her. The one true love of his life.

Claude burst into tears of absolute joy.

After a few hours had passed he decided he would eat some breakfast. It was already nine in the morning.

The servants greeted him with big smiles and congratulations, those of which he gladly accepted.

"Excuse me Margaret," Claude pulled her aside. "Could you tell me if Esme has wakened up yet?"

"Sir, she is up. Shall I send for her to come?"

"No, no. I am not to see her until the wedding…" A dreamy look entered his eyes and he stared off into space picturing his angel…

"Ahem… Sir?" Margaret asked.

"Hmm? Oh yes, where was I… Yes, I would just like for you to give this note to her." He extracted the paper out of his pocket that had "Esmeralda Frollo" written all over it. He handed it over to Margaret who was looking at it with curious eyes.

"Just tell her, 'only a few more hours'."

"Yes sir. I will do that."

"Thank you."

For breakfast he had some toast. Nothing to heavy, but nothing too light. He ate each bite with care, chewing his food slowly to make the time go by faster.

After that was over, it was time to start getting ready.

Since he had five hours, he thought he might take a long hot bath. He wanted to look his absolute best for Esme. He scrubbed and washed every part and surface of his body twice, along with rinsing and repeating the shampoo process.

When that was done he stepped out of the tub and began drying himself.

It was traditional for a judge to be married in a special kind of robes so that is what he dressed in. The difference between his judicial robes and his marriage robes were that instead of the billowy black and purple, it was black and red. The same color red as Esme's dress.

He gave himself a once over before leaving his bedchamber.

When he looked, he saw a man with stress lines and granite hollow eyes. A stab of pain hit him for a moment. Was this really happening? Did Esme really love him? Did she really wish to be married to him? The man who was fifteen years older than she was? What did she see in him as far as looks went? Not that looks were everything… It just seemed to him like someone with such angelic features would want someone with god-like qualities to match.

The only thing he liked about himself were his muscles. But you could not notice them when he was shirtless or anything. They were lean and compact. You would never be able to tell he was strong.

Claude sadly did not think himself to be all too handsome. Mostly because most people feared him. It was alright that most men feared him, but more to the point, most women feared him. He could never get close to them without having them shrink in fear. He never had a real relationship before.

This was one of the reasons he was so in love with Esme. She had not been frightened by him. She did not flee. She looked into his eyes and saw everything she wanted. She saw him. She saw through the mask of power and straight into his soul and the way he really felt.

Claude found himself smiling vaguely at the thought. And so with that he adjusted his chaperone and left the Palace of Justice for the cathedral of Notre-Dame.

He entered the carriage.

"Where to today sir?" The driver asked being completely polite, more so than usual.

It was because no one wanted to ruin Judge Claude Frollo's wedding day.

So naturally, no one mentioned anything about whom he was marrying.

"Notre-Dame cathedral." He replied, slightly surprised that it should even be a question. But despite his tad annoyance, he felt excited butterflies. This was it.

When they arrived, he walked in and found most of the guests already seated.

Good.

"Good day your Grace." The priest greeted him.

"Hello." He returned with a smile.

Claude glanced into the crowd and spotted all of the Judges and several…gypsies. He just bit his tongue though, reminding himself that having these people here would make his Esme happy.

"We are almost ready sir. We are just waiting on Miss Esme. She is just finishing up getting dressed."

Claude smiled to himself at the thought. For some reason, it amused him.

"Okay, she is ready!" Called the maid who was assisting her.

Claude wanted to push everyone out of the way and have her in his arms. It had been a while since he had kissed her…twenty four whole hours!

But he tuned himself around so he would not spoil the moment.

The music began playing, and that was his cue.

He walked down the aisle alone.

He was greeted with bows of the head and smiles. From his fellow judges and even from the gypsies. There were only five or six of them but they stood out. They wore vibrant colors that could be seen from a mile away.

They bowed their heads to him as he passed by them. Polite as ever.

When he had finally reached the front, he hook hands with the priest before turning around to face the crowd.

A few seconds of music played until the organist began morphing the ballad into a new melody.

The entire crowd stood up and looked behind them.

And then…

Oh! There she was! Holding a bouquet of red and white roses, she walked down the aisle.

Claude's heart took off like wings on a helicopter.

She smiled as she saw the way he was looking at her. This caused her to blush almost as red as her dress.

The dress fitted her well. It was not too modest, but not too risqué. Claude's eyes were wandering from her face and to her chest, and then her torso…he had to pull his eyes up.

Esme smiled at him also giving him a once over. He took her breath away.

And then Claude'e eye happened to wander to who was on Esme's arm escorting her down the aisle.

Clopin

Claude felt a little confused; Esme had never said anything about this. But then he chose to just let it go. Nothing, not even the King of Gypsies would ruin this marriage.

When they finally reached the front, Clopin gave Esme a quick peck on the cheek. "Congratulations Esme. I'm so happy for you." He said to her quietly.

Esme smiled at him. "Thank you. Thank you very, very much."

Then Clopin proceeded to give Claude an unexpected hug.

"Take care of my little sister. I was not sure about this marriage at first, but I have never seen her as happy as she is now. She really loves you. So don't try anything funny." Clopin gave him a pat on the back.

"I will. Thank you for accepting this." Claude shook his hand.

Turning back to Esme, Claude saw her smile ear to ear. My God was she beautiful!

"Dearly beloved, we re gathered here today in the eyes of God the Father Almighty to untie this couple in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony."

The mass continued.

Finally, after much anticipation, it was time for the rings and the vows at would seal them together forever.

"Place the ring on Miss Esme's third finger and repeat after me: I, Claude Frollo,"

"I, Claude Frollo,"

"Take Esmeralda,"

"Take Esmeralda," His voice was like dripping honey from its comb. So sweet and earnest. The baritones of his voice echoed loud and clear throughout the church so anyone inside of it would be able to hear.

"To be my wedded wife,"

"To be my wedded wife,"

"In sickness and in health, for richer or for poor, for better or worse,"

"In sickness and in health, for richer or for poor, for better or worse,

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Claude felt tears coming.

"Now, Esme, place the ring on Claude's third finger and repeat the words after me…"

Esme did so, saying each word in a clear and bold voice.

"Claude Frollo and Esmeralda, by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you man and wife." There was a pause from the priest. "You may kiss your bride."

Claude was bliss. He bent down far enough so his lips could meet hers. They were now bounded to each other. This one kiss had been the signing of a contract to each other.

It was hard for Claude to stop. He began moving to her lower lip, his tongue tracing the outline.

Hi heart rate was galloping furiously as was Esme's.

Some people cleared their throats. When the two of them pulled away, it was impossible not to see the sheer happiness on their faces.

"I love you Mrs. Claude Frollo. More than my own life." He very quietly whispered.

"I love you too."

That was when she saw the tears spilling down his pallid cheeks.

She wiped his tear away with her fingertips and smiled.

"I am so…so happy." He remarked.

"So am I. My God I love you so much." She embraced him.

"Uh, Mister and Mrs.? You are supposed to walk back down the aisle together." The priest whispered.

"Oh…" Claude replied.

So he took Esme's hand and sprinted down the aisle. The entered the awaiting carriage and returned to the Palace.

(No reception followed the ceremony).

In the carriage, Esme sat on Claude's lap stroking his face.

His eyes were closed and there was a smile etched subtly upon his face.

The ceremony had lasted about an hour and forty five minutes, so it was about six thirty in the evening.

When they arrived back at the Palace the two of them ran inside.

Claude arched an eyebrow t his wife wondering what she was planning for them to do now.

She grinned deviously and pulled him up the stairs towards his, now THEIR bedchamber.

Once again the excited butterflies returned to his stomach.

They entered the room and Claude locked the door.

Esme looked at him and smiled. She took both of his bony hand in hers and led him to his giant bed.

First, he bent down to kiss her, sending a flaring sensation between his legs. His knees began shaking. His kiss grew hungrier, moving to her neck. He wrapped his around her pressing themselves together.

Esme put her hands on his back. She was dangerously close to one of his very sensitive spots.

He let out a groan.

That was when he began undressing her. Carefully though, so not to ruin her beautiful gown. His hands roamed all over her body, unzipping and untying…

Once she was wearing nothing, he pushed her down onto the bed.

Esme was just as eager as he was feeling her own arousal. She wanted him so badly!

"Claude…" She moaned.

Claude felt himself go under severe pressure. It begged for release.

Then he thrust himself into her, throwing his head back and yelling her name in deep satisfaction.

She screamed digging her nails into his moonlit skin.

"Are…you okay?" He asked a little worried.

"Just fine. Keep going. Oh GOD KEEP GOING!" She urged him.

He carried on coming in and out of her faster and faster. His height was coming.

"Oh…OH! ESME!" He screeched as his height hit him. He felt liquid leave him draining into her.

Then it was her turn. It hit her and she could only yell his name while pushing him closer and closer to her body.

When her height had passed the lay on to of each other panting, but deeply satisfied.

"Are you sure you were a virgin before this?" She teased resting her head on his chest.

"Yes." He sighed and put his arms around her. He loved the feeling of how their bodies touched. "My beautiful, beautiful wife." He murmured against her hair. He inhaled her scent of sweet and exotic spices letting the odor cloud up his mind. "I love you so much." He sighed.

"I love you…so very much." She replied feeling his nose grazing around in her hair.

She then craned hr neck up so she could kiss him. The kiss she gave him was soft, sort of like the ending. The kiss was a way to say that they were done making love for the night.

This was the beginning of a very long and happy life together.

A/N: It finally happened! This was a fun chapter to write. Thanks to everyone who reads!