Odette
And just like that the wedding was in an hour. Odette and Louis had both decided that having one sooner rather than later was a good idea. All though they were still in their thirties it was still way older than any of the other people they knew. Odette stood in front of the mirror, her whole body shaking with anticipation. This was really happening. The dress was white and stopped just above her ankles so that she didn't have to worry about tripping. The sleeves were lace and ended right before her wrist. The bodice fitted and so soft that it felt like real silk. Odette hadn't worn something this nice since the fire. She pulled half of her hair back into an intricate braid that fell on either side of her head, and left the rest loose and free. Odette felt beautiful.
Océana and Felicie popped their heads in through the door. Felicies mouth dropped open and Océana smirked when she saw Odette.
"Oh. My. GOD!" Felicie squealed. "Odette you look absolutely amazing!"
Océana came up to her, the dark blue skirts of her dress swishing from side to side. "You really do. Oncle is going to fall at your feet and beg for you to become his wife all over again."
Felicie giggled, smoothing her own sky blue skirts. "I would pay money to see that!"
Odette ran her hands over her hair, only then feeling her hands beginning to shake. This really was happening, she had to keep reminding herself. Tomorrow she would wake up for the first time as Louis' wife. Odette sank down onto the nearest chair and brought a hand to press against her stomach, feeling it roiling with anxiety. Why was Louis choosing to spend the rest of his life with her? Felicie frowned, taking Odette's hands.
"Odette? Are you ok?"
Odette shook her head, not knowing what to say.
Océana sighed. "I'm going to go get Oncle."
"Wait, Océana isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?" Felicie asked.
Océana scowled. "If I have to blindfold him so that he can calm Odette down, I will. If nothing else it will give me a good laugh."
And with that she stormed out of the room. Felicie blinked.
"Well she sure has initiative I will give her that."
Felicie turned her attention back to Odette, her smile unaturraly calm. She squeezed Odette's hands.
"Odette? You aren't having doubts are you?" She asked teasingly. "I'm sure he'll show up."
Odette felt her breathing increase and Felicie sighed. "Odette, I was serious on the last one. He loves you. He was so excited this morning. In fact giddy is not I would often use to describe Louis Merante but that was exactly what he was."
The words calmed Odette's nerves somewhat but it really wasn't enough. Just then the door opened and Louis walked in. Océana had indeed put a blindfold on him and one look at her confirmed that she was about to laugh her head off. Felicie winked at Odette and left the room. Louis had his hands out and he did look slightly comical.
"Darling? Océana had me come, are you alright?"
Odette felt a tear slip through her lashes and she rushed to Louis, hugging him tightly and pressing her head into his chest. He almost fell over but instantly steadied himself, wrapping his arms around her.
"Darling?"
"I just needed to see you." Odette whispered, not realizing that it was true until she said the words.
Louis chuckled. "You aren't having second thoughts are you?"
Odette shook her head. "No. I was worried you were."
Louis did his best to bring his hand up to her cheek and just managed. "Why would I have second thoughts about marrying a beautiful, smart, kind, and compassionate woman. I would have to be crazy." He stroked her cheek. "I love you Odette, and I can't wait to tell you that for the first time as your husband."
"Are you sure?"
Louis nodded. "You have no idea how sure I am, like I just said I love you."
Odette kissed him gently. "I love you too."
…
Odette walked down the aisle with Auguste. Him being her and Louis' closest friend he was the one who had gotten the honor. He had been ecstatic to say the least. The wedding was just in the yard outside his house. There was no one who Odette and Louis had really wanted to invite. Auguste, Felicie, Océana, and Rosita made up the guest list. Yet Odette couldn't seem to bring herself to look at Louis. What would he think of her? She was certainly not a traditional bride, limping down the path. He was probably wondering what he was thinking, marrying a broken teacher. Finally just as she was about to reach him she looked him in the eye. They shone with nothing other than adoration. He took her hand and they turned to the altar where the priest was waiting. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"You look absolutely gorgeous."
Odette blushed and squeezed his hand, letting him know she was ready.
The priest started the sermon. Odette couldn't stop looking at Louis. This handsome man. Her best friend was about to be her husband. From now till forever more. After almost 30 minutes of the priest talking, Odettes ankle started to hurt. The pain slowly increased until Odette couldn't help but let out a small whimper. Louis glanced over at her in concern and when he saw her face, his eyes dawned with understanding. Gently, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled some of her weight onto him. The priest looked scandalized but Louis nodded his head towards Odette cane, that was resting on a chair, and he continued on. The pain lessened considerably, but Odette still found herself wincing from time to time. Finally it was the moment Odette had held out for, the exchanging of rings and vows. Felicie handed each of them the simple silver bands they had chosen and winked at Odette. Louis took the smaller of the two bands and took Odette's hand.
"Odette when I first saw you dancing on stage as if no one was watching, I fell in love. Well I tried not too, you were wild and reclusive always finding ways to evade me, but I still went after you. Then your fire left you and I thought I had lost you. I spent almost 10 years waiting for a small notion that you still loved me, but nothing happened until Felicie came. Slowly you came back to me. You opened yourself back up, and yes I owe it all to a 13 year old girl." Behind him Felicie smirked, seemingly pleased with his statement. "I love you Odette and I can not wait to spend the rest of my life. Through sickness and health."
He slipped the band onto Odette's finger to rest right in front of the engagement ring and smiled at her. The priest nodded in consent and Odette began her own speech.
"Louis Merante, you are by far the most stubborn, intense, and patient person I have ever met." Auguste snorted behind them and Louis glared at him. "You're also kind and compassionate. You were my best friend and now you're much much more than that. Someone once told me that if I couldn't dance than what was my answer to 'Why do you dance?'" She gave Felicie a pointed look who blushed. "I have my answer now, because life is a dance. You managed to dance around me until I let you come beside me. 'Why do you dance?' Is my reason for living and the way I opened back up. I danced because I loved the passion and love that could be accompanied with it. I dance now because I feel the passion and love that is it."
She looked at Louis and saw his eyes were filled with admiration. "I love you Louis, and yes I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
Odette slid the larger band onto Louis' hand and held it, returning his smile.
"Do you Louis Alexendré Merante, take Odette Bella Milliner to be your lawful wedded wife?" The priest asked.
Louis looked her straight in the eye, wanting her to know that he had no doubts at all and said.
"I do."
"And do you Odette Bella Milliner, take Louis Alexendré Merante to be your lawful wedded husband?"
Odette gulped the question so simple but filled with so much meaning. Two words would determine the rest of her life. She looked up at Louis, his face filled with more love than Odette could have ever understood. He wanted to be with her. And she wanted to be with him for the rest of her life. SHe knew it to be true.
"I do."
"You may kiss the bride." The priest said.
Louis leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. Odette looped her arms around his neck and kissed him once more before turning to their small crowd of friends and smiling shyly.
"There are no objections right?"
Rosita giggled. "Odette we have been waiting for this to happen for the past 6 years. I'm pretty sure that I one the bet right?" She looked at Auguste who rolled his eyes and in his usual cheery manner, handed Rosita a sizable amount of money.
Louis' jaw dropped open and Auguste shrugged. "You won fairly my dear."
"Wait, you had bets on when we would get married?" Louis asked indignity.
Rosita nodded coming up and giving Louis a friendly peck on his cheek. "Oh but of course, after all if neither of us got the correct year then we would be locking you in a classroom so that you can tell Odette how you really felt about her. And I must say, it took you long enough. Odette, congratulations."
Louis' face looked completely gobsmacked and Odette tried, and failed, to cover her laughter with a cough. Océana came up to Odette and wrapped an arm around her.
"I agree wholeheartedly with Rosita and ah… I may have gotten in on this bet." She gave Rosita a silver necklace that Rosita instantly put on. This time Odette raised an eyebrow.
"When you were nine?"
Océana laughed. "Oh yes. And honestly! It took Oncle long enough. He was soooo obvious."
Felicie smirked and nodded. "You were pretty bad, remember when I caught you backstage watching her?"
Louis rubbed a hand over his face. "This conversation isn't happening. Yes Océana you were right. Congratulations, now go revel in your success elsewhere. And Rosita? You surprised me today, and not in a way I wanted to know about."
Rosita chuckled. "Ah well I would say I am sorry my dear Louis, but I really am not so I would not want to be untruthful to you."
Felicie slapped a hand over her mouth and made large eyes at Océana who smirked smugly. "Ok Rosita is my new favorite person." Felicie said and Rosita smiled kindly at her. Felicie walked over to Odette and hugged her.
"Congratulations." She whispered. Océana hugged them both and Louis, wrapped an arm around all three of them.
"My darling wife, and girls. How could I get so lucky?" Louis muttered in Odette's ear.
Odette smiled at him. "How could I?"
A/N I decided short and sweet was better for this fan fiction! I am thinking of doing a story of their relationship after the performance, but let me know if any of you readers have anything you would like me to write!