A/N: Hey everyone. Glad to see that ppl are enjoying this story! Keep the reviews coming! I'm thinking of changing the rating to M, because of things yet to come.
CHAPTER NINE
Over the following days, the Pontmercy family was making arrangements for Belle's baptism. Fantine had gone with her mother to the church to attend a service. Afterwards, she stayed and talked with the priest, a kindly older man named Father Alliaceous. He told Fantine he would be glad to baptize Belle. Fantine smiled at the older gentleman as Cosette and Father Alliaceous made arrangements. The first day of spring was the planned date for the baptism.
The joyous day arrived. Fantine, Belle and Cosette rode together in a carriage, while Marius and Raphael rode in another one. Fantine did not want to see Raphael, but she had no choice. She still hated him for what he did to her. Marius had told Fantine that she could invite Raoul and his family, if she so chose. Fantine felt she would feel comfortable with her new love there to support her.
After the lovely service, the Pontmercy family went back home, along with Raoul and his family. Raphael went to his own home, not wanting to be with Fantine.
"She was never mine to lose
Why regret what could not be
These are words she'll never say
Not to me, not to me, not for me
Her heart full of love
She will never feel this way." Raphael sang sadly to himself.
A week later, Raphael spotted Fantine and Raoul sitting underneath a shady tree, kissing each other. The sight made Raphael sick to his stomach. As he watched the two of them, he felt that this man was more suited for Fantine than he was.
I must leave her be Raphael thought to himself. He felt conflicted. He wanted her to be happy, but he wanted her to be happy with him. He knew that could never be. He knew that Raoul would treat her with all the respect she deserved.
Raoul sat nervously in Marius' study. He wanted to ask Fantine to marry him, but he wanted Marius' approval first. Raoul rose from his chair and looked around the study. Marius had two leather-bound chairs, an oak desk, two bookshelves filled with books on law, philosophy and other things stacked the shelves. On the wall opposite the desk, was a painting of Jesus, a halo glowing around his head. Next to the painting, was a small table that held a statue of a horse and rider. Raoul noted that the statue was bronze and heavy.
"Raoul, what are you doing here?" Fantine inquired. Raoul looked away from the statue and to his future wife. She was in a beautiful pale pink gown with a black trim. She hand her hair in a single braid that ended at the middle of her shoulder blades. She held a book in her hand, but closed it when she saw Raoul.
"I am here to speak to your father." Raoul answered. Fantine shot him a suspicious expression as Belle toddled by, wearing only a cloth diaper. Fantine spoke to her daughter in perfect French. Belle let out a squeal as her mother chased her down the hall.
"I am sorry, Raoul – I must get the imp before she gets into something. Father will be with you shortly." Fantine told him. Raoul nodded and walked over to Marius' collection of books. "If you need me, I will be in the garden. Mother is going to give Belle a bath."
"All right, my love – I mean Fantine." Raoul caught himself. Fantine smiled and ignored the comment.
A short while later, Marius entered the study, humming a happy tune. He stopped when he saw Raoul reading his Bible.
"Find anything interesting?" Marius asked. Raoul jumped a foot in the air, dropping the leather-bound book on the floor. He picked it up, apologizing all the while. Marius chuckled and sat on one of the chairs, motioning to Raoul to sit upon the other.
"Why have you come here?" Marius inquired.
"Ihavecometoask-" Raoul started. Marius laughed and motioned for the nervous boy to start over. Raoul nodded and took in a fresh breath of air.
"Monsieur Pontmercy, I have come to ask your daughter's hand in marriage." Raoul told Marius.
"You traveled all this way to ask my daughter's hand in marriage? My boy, I give you my blessing. First, I must ask you three things." Marius said, his tone firm. Raoul gulped and didn't take his eyes off Marius'.
"Firstly – will you love my daughter till the end of her days?" Marius questioned.
"I will." Raoul answered.
"Second, will you care for her when she is ill?" Marius inquired.
"Of course." Raoul told him.
"Third, will you supply her with children and love them all the same?" Marius wanted to know.
"Yes, sir." Raoul said. Marius smiled and placed a hand on Raoul's shoulder. "My boy, be warned – you dare hurt Fantine or leave her and I will hunt you down like a dog. Do you understand?"
Raoul nodded, not wanting to cross his future father-in-law. Marius rose from his chair and exited the study. He re-entered a few minutes later, grinning.
"Fantine is out in the yard, tending to the garden. Cosette is minding Belle. I told Fantine that you had a surprise for her. Do you have a ring?" Marius inquired.
"I have. It was my grandmother's. I went to the shop a week ago to have it fitted so that Fantine could wear it." Raoul said, showing Marius the ring. It was perfect for Fantine. It was a gold band with two diamonds etched in the band.
"She will love it, knowing it comes from you." Marius told his future son-in-law. Raoul felt himself blush and wished that he was more brave like his father.
He exited the house and found Fantine in the garden, a large sunhat adorning her head. She wore an apron over her dress so that she would not soil it. Raoul came over to Fantine and sat next to her. He took her weed basket from her hand and looked into her beautiful eyes.
"Fantine, I have loved you for some time now and I need to ask you something." Raoul started, getting on one knee and pulled the ring out of his pocket. He then placed the ring on Fantine's finger – it fit perfectly. "Fantine Bridgit Pontmercy – will you take my hand in marriage?"
Fantine nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Raoul kissed Fantine passionately on her lips, helping her to her feet. The two of them headed back inside the house, holding one another's hands, as if they were afraid to let go.
The two of them went to plan their wedding. It would consist of a small ceremony with a larger reception to follow at the house. Throughout the planning, they didn't leave each other's side for a moment.
"I love you more and more each day." Raoul told Fantine as they lay in bed the eve of their wedding. Raoul was shirtless and Fantine was nude. It was a hot summer's night and both were extremely warm.
"I love you more and more each day." Fantine repeated, turning on her side, so she could face her future husband. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her face. They had pledged not to make love until the wedding night, when they were on their honeymoon in Paris. Fantine peered at the crib which held her daughter. Belle was fast asleep, her thumb in her mouth. Fantine gently pried Belle's thumb from her daughter's mouth and kissed her hand.
The following morning, the future couple parted ways – Fantine went with her mother and Belle into town while Marius and Raoul dressed for the wedding. Raoul couldn't wait until that afternoon when the priest would declare them 'man and wife'.
The carriage arrived to take the men to the church. Raoul's father would be meeting them, along with Raoul's mother and older sister Janette.
"You look handsome!" Lynette told her son, kissing each of his cheeks.
"Thank you, mother. Has my beloved arrived yet?" Raoul inquired.
"Not yet my son." André Monparrse told his son.
Towards noon, the carriage carrying Cosette and Fantine arrived at the church. Cosette helped Fantine with her long train as they exited the carriage. Fantine smiled at her mother and reached for Belle, who was dressed in a pink dress. She would be serving as the flower girl, while Jeanette's son, Jean-Luc, would be the ring bearer.
The wedding was over two hours long, but Raoul and Fantine couldn't care less – they were with each other and that was all that mattered.
That night, at the reception, Raoul and Fantine didn't leave each other's sides all night. They shared wedding cake and danced well into the night. Belle had fallen asleep around nine, after her last feeding of the night. Raoul stayed by Fantine's side as she bottle fed her daughter.
After everyone left, minus Marius, Cosette, Fantine, Belle and Raoul, Fantine and Raoul headed to Fantine's room, kissing all the while.
Raoul quickly and carefully unlaced Fantine's wedding dress as Fantine untied Raoul's tie and unbuttoned his shirt. Fantine's dress was off her, as was her slip and shift. Raoul quickly stripped the rest of his clothing and led Fantine to the bed. He kissed her on the lips as his hands felt their way over her body. Fantine kissed her new husband fully on the lips, her hands on his waist, drawing him closer to her.
"Are you ready?" Raoul asked, lowering himself on top of her. Fantine nodded and spread her legs so that Raoul could enter her. He pushed himself deeper inside her, head resting on her stomach, gently kissing it. Fantine lay in bed, watching him. Raoul's hands went to Fantine's breasts and gently squeezed them. He brought his lips to one nipple, then to the other. Fantine tried to be quiet so not to wake her daughter. She felt him pull out and he looked down at her.
"More. I want more." Fantine told him, turning on her side. Raoul moved closer, his lips groping for hers. He kissed her again on the lips, his hands cupping her buttocks. Fantine held his shaft in her hands, gently squeezing it. Raoul moaned quietly with pleasure. Fantine winced as she felt Raoul sit behind her and enter her. Raoul massaged her shoulders as he held her, kissing her everywhere.
They made love another two hours before feeling themselves grow tired. They laid on top of the sheets, seeing as it was too warm to lay under them. Fantine got up and went to the dresser. Raoul, curious, followed her. He saw that Fantine was unpinning her hair from the French knot she had it in.
"Love, let me help." Raoul offered. Fantine dropped her hands, wincing when Raoul unpinned her hair.
"Tomorrow, we leave for two months in Paris!" Fantine sighed. Raoul kissed her shoulders, wrapping his arms around her middle. They would be leaving Belle in Raoul's parents care. Marius and Cosette would be leaving for out of town as well – they were going to a tiny city outside Paris for their wedding anniversary.
Fantine shook her hair from atop her head. Raoul smiled as her curly blond hair fell to her shoulders, stopping at her shoulder blades.
"You should wear your hair down, dearest." Raoul told his wife as they climbed back in bed. Fantine smiled and kissed Raoul's cheek and he kissed her once more on the lips. He loved her now more than ever before.
