Chapter 9
"Juliette, if you don't sit still, we'll never get this done."
"But you're pulling my hair too tightly!"
Saturday had come more quickly than anticipated, and now all three Pontmercy children were readying themselves for the day's big event. Charlotte stood in front of the mirror for minutes upon end, while Nicolas fidgeted in his new suit. Juliette let out yelps of pain as Claire attempted to pin her hair up.
"I don't see why we all have to wear pale blue dresses," Charlotte complained.
"Because Brigitte's favorite color is pale blue, and she asked that all the ladies wear it, since she's going to be in white."
Charlotte spun around and eyed Claire suspiciously. "How do you know that?"
"Your brother told me," she said without a second thought.
"Why did Gustave make the men wear these suits?" Nicolas asked, trying to loosen his collar.
"Would you rather wear my blue dress?" joked Claire, finally finishing Juliette's hair. Juliette let out a sigh of relief, and stood from her chair. "Here's your hat," Claire said to Juliette. " Now, both of you go wait downstairs for Charlotte and me." The twins ran from the room and could be heard descending the stairs. Claire moved over to the mirror to put her hat on, but noticed the Charlotte was staring at her with her arms folded across her chest. "What?"
"Gustave was telling you about the wedding?"
"Didn't he tell the whole family?"
"Apparently you know more about his wedding then his own sister does."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I knew it."
"Knew what? Charlotte, what are you talking about?" Claire never received an answer, since Charlotte ran from the room. Claire turned to the door to see Eponine and Marius. "I..."
"It's a very stressful day for everyone," said Eponine. "I wouldn't take it to heart."
"Are we all ready?" Marius asked.
"I just need to find my purse," lied Claire. "I'll be down in a moment." Marius and Eponine walked down the stairs while Claire opened and closed drawers, even though her purse was set right upon her nightstand. She heard the door close, and she turned to see Gustave behind her. He was dressed in his best black suit and wore a red flower on it. Claire exhaled deeply and walked over to him.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked her.
"Gustave, you absolutely cannot back out of it now."
"Yes I can."
"But you won't. We've had our moment, now move on and spend the rest of your time with the woman who loves you."
"We've had more than a moment, Claire. We've shared much more than time."
"Please forget all that," she began to cry. "It won't do any good."
"I just wish I could kiss you once more." He lowered his head to hers, but she put her finger to his lips.
"Don't."
"Claire, I..."
"I know you love me. Please don't make this harder than it already is." Claire grabbed her purse, opened the door, and made her way downstairs while wiping away a tear.
************************************************************************
Brigitte sat in the back room of the church with her parents. Her mother hovered above her chair, readjusting her daughter's veil every few minutes. Her father kept opening the curtains and peering out the window.
"They've arrived," he announced. "I suppose I should go and greet them. Catherine, stay here with your daughter." Leon exited the room.
"Darling," Catherine said, kneeling down next to Brigitte's chair. "I know I've seemed distant and uncaring for most of your life, but understand that my life has been focused on you. No one's ever told you this, and it may be hard to hear, but your father married me for financial reasons. At the time, I believed he loved me, but I was extremely foolish not to see past his act. I was never a beautiful girl, but my dowry was more than desirable. After you were born, your father had an heir and the business he had started with my money, so he didn't need a wife anymore."
"Mother..."
"I'm just so happy that you will get everything I didn't."
"Mother, I'm so sorry we were never as close as you wanted to be. I just couldn't bear being around you or Father, knowing that I reminded you of the other. I thought it was better that way."
"Darling, I can't believe you ever felt that way. I am so sorry." Then Catherine did something that neither one of the two could ever recall doing before. Brigitte's mother wrapped her arms around her daughter, and they both cried together. "Now, what's with all these tears?" she finally asked after a silence. She took out a handkerchief and wiped her daughter's face. "You have much too much to be happy about to be crying."
"Thank you, Mother."
"I love you so much, darling. I really do."
"I know you do, Mother."
Just then, Leon came back into the room, followed by Marius, Eponine, Nicolas, and Juliette.
"Everybody's ready," said Leon.
"Where's my maid of honor?"
"Charlotte and Enjolras are waiting in the front of the church, but, I brought the flower girl and the ring bearer," Eponine said.
"Everybody's eagerly awaiting us, especially Gustave," Marius smiled.
"Let's not keep him waiting, then," Catherine said, gathering Brigitte's dress so she could walk.
The procession lined up and the music started. Marius and Eponine went down first, followed by Catherine. Nicolas then walked to Gustave and Enjolras as Juliette filled the aisle with rose petals. Finally, the 'Wedding March' began to play, and everyone stood. Leon took his daughter's arm and led her down to the altar. Brigitte exhaled softly as she neared Gustave, and turned so her father could lift the veil. He did so and kissed her cheek.
"You'll be fine," he whispered as he put her hand in Gustave's. It was only then that she finally saw Gustave. He glowed as he looked at her and helped her up the steps. Brigitte gave her bouquet to Charlotte, and turned to the priest as he began to speak.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the eyes of God to witness the marriage of these two people, Gustave Marcelin Pontmercy and Brigitte Ann Laroche." Brigitte turned to Gustave and mouthed 'Marcelin?' He jerked his head back towards Enjolras, and Brigitte smiled. "Marriage is a sacred bond, a commitment between a man and a woman. Marriage is not one sided, for if it is, the husband and wife cannot fully be happy. However, now that Gustave and Brigitte have found one another, and are certain that marriage is the right path that both of them are willing to take together, they can begin to be happy as not two people, but one family.
"Gustave, do you have something to offer Brigitte?" Gustave looked back towards his brother, who came forward with the ring. "Gustave, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed."
"And I pledge thee my fidelity."
"And I pledge thee...my fidelity." He slipped the ring over Brigitte's finger.
"Brigitte, do you have something to offer Gustave?" Charlotte handed Brigitte the ring. "Brigitte, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed."
"And I pledge thee my fidelity."
"And I pledge thee my fidelity." She placed the ring over his finger, and he took both of her hands in his own.
"Gustave, do you promise to take this woman, Brigitte Ann Laroche, and make her your wife, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health until death do you part?"
"I..." As he was about to say the second word, the slamming of the church door interrupted his thoughts. He knew who had left, and he knew why they had. He resumed speaking. "I do."
"Brigitte, do you promise to take this man, Gustave Marcelin Pontmercy, and make him your husband, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health until death do you part?"
"I do."
"If there is anyone here who knows why these two should not be joined in Holy Matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace." Silence followed, and Gustave felt the pit of his stomach fill with guilt. "Then I am pleased to pronounce you two both man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." In the moment, the one of sadness and joy, Gustave found it within himself to smile and kiss the woman that he had promised to marry. He walked her back down the aisle and outside to a waiting carriage, where they would immediately leave for Lille.
He helped her inside, while the church emptied to wish them goodbye. They waved as the carriage pulled away from the church, and then sighed when they were far enough out of sight. They laughed about it, shared a kiss, and found themselves drifting off to sleep in one another's arms.
"Juliette, if you don't sit still, we'll never get this done."
"But you're pulling my hair too tightly!"
Saturday had come more quickly than anticipated, and now all three Pontmercy children were readying themselves for the day's big event. Charlotte stood in front of the mirror for minutes upon end, while Nicolas fidgeted in his new suit. Juliette let out yelps of pain as Claire attempted to pin her hair up.
"I don't see why we all have to wear pale blue dresses," Charlotte complained.
"Because Brigitte's favorite color is pale blue, and she asked that all the ladies wear it, since she's going to be in white."
Charlotte spun around and eyed Claire suspiciously. "How do you know that?"
"Your brother told me," she said without a second thought.
"Why did Gustave make the men wear these suits?" Nicolas asked, trying to loosen his collar.
"Would you rather wear my blue dress?" joked Claire, finally finishing Juliette's hair. Juliette let out a sigh of relief, and stood from her chair. "Here's your hat," Claire said to Juliette. " Now, both of you go wait downstairs for Charlotte and me." The twins ran from the room and could be heard descending the stairs. Claire moved over to the mirror to put her hat on, but noticed the Charlotte was staring at her with her arms folded across her chest. "What?"
"Gustave was telling you about the wedding?"
"Didn't he tell the whole family?"
"Apparently you know more about his wedding then his own sister does."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I knew it."
"Knew what? Charlotte, what are you talking about?" Claire never received an answer, since Charlotte ran from the room. Claire turned to the door to see Eponine and Marius. "I..."
"It's a very stressful day for everyone," said Eponine. "I wouldn't take it to heart."
"Are we all ready?" Marius asked.
"I just need to find my purse," lied Claire. "I'll be down in a moment." Marius and Eponine walked down the stairs while Claire opened and closed drawers, even though her purse was set right upon her nightstand. She heard the door close, and she turned to see Gustave behind her. He was dressed in his best black suit and wore a red flower on it. Claire exhaled deeply and walked over to him.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked her.
"Gustave, you absolutely cannot back out of it now."
"Yes I can."
"But you won't. We've had our moment, now move on and spend the rest of your time with the woman who loves you."
"We've had more than a moment, Claire. We've shared much more than time."
"Please forget all that," she began to cry. "It won't do any good."
"I just wish I could kiss you once more." He lowered his head to hers, but she put her finger to his lips.
"Don't."
"Claire, I..."
"I know you love me. Please don't make this harder than it already is." Claire grabbed her purse, opened the door, and made her way downstairs while wiping away a tear.
************************************************************************
Brigitte sat in the back room of the church with her parents. Her mother hovered above her chair, readjusting her daughter's veil every few minutes. Her father kept opening the curtains and peering out the window.
"They've arrived," he announced. "I suppose I should go and greet them. Catherine, stay here with your daughter." Leon exited the room.
"Darling," Catherine said, kneeling down next to Brigitte's chair. "I know I've seemed distant and uncaring for most of your life, but understand that my life has been focused on you. No one's ever told you this, and it may be hard to hear, but your father married me for financial reasons. At the time, I believed he loved me, but I was extremely foolish not to see past his act. I was never a beautiful girl, but my dowry was more than desirable. After you were born, your father had an heir and the business he had started with my money, so he didn't need a wife anymore."
"Mother..."
"I'm just so happy that you will get everything I didn't."
"Mother, I'm so sorry we were never as close as you wanted to be. I just couldn't bear being around you or Father, knowing that I reminded you of the other. I thought it was better that way."
"Darling, I can't believe you ever felt that way. I am so sorry." Then Catherine did something that neither one of the two could ever recall doing before. Brigitte's mother wrapped her arms around her daughter, and they both cried together. "Now, what's with all these tears?" she finally asked after a silence. She took out a handkerchief and wiped her daughter's face. "You have much too much to be happy about to be crying."
"Thank you, Mother."
"I love you so much, darling. I really do."
"I know you do, Mother."
Just then, Leon came back into the room, followed by Marius, Eponine, Nicolas, and Juliette.
"Everybody's ready," said Leon.
"Where's my maid of honor?"
"Charlotte and Enjolras are waiting in the front of the church, but, I brought the flower girl and the ring bearer," Eponine said.
"Everybody's eagerly awaiting us, especially Gustave," Marius smiled.
"Let's not keep him waiting, then," Catherine said, gathering Brigitte's dress so she could walk.
The procession lined up and the music started. Marius and Eponine went down first, followed by Catherine. Nicolas then walked to Gustave and Enjolras as Juliette filled the aisle with rose petals. Finally, the 'Wedding March' began to play, and everyone stood. Leon took his daughter's arm and led her down to the altar. Brigitte exhaled softly as she neared Gustave, and turned so her father could lift the veil. He did so and kissed her cheek.
"You'll be fine," he whispered as he put her hand in Gustave's. It was only then that she finally saw Gustave. He glowed as he looked at her and helped her up the steps. Brigitte gave her bouquet to Charlotte, and turned to the priest as he began to speak.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the eyes of God to witness the marriage of these two people, Gustave Marcelin Pontmercy and Brigitte Ann Laroche." Brigitte turned to Gustave and mouthed 'Marcelin?' He jerked his head back towards Enjolras, and Brigitte smiled. "Marriage is a sacred bond, a commitment between a man and a woman. Marriage is not one sided, for if it is, the husband and wife cannot fully be happy. However, now that Gustave and Brigitte have found one another, and are certain that marriage is the right path that both of them are willing to take together, they can begin to be happy as not two people, but one family.
"Gustave, do you have something to offer Brigitte?" Gustave looked back towards his brother, who came forward with the ring. "Gustave, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed."
"And I pledge thee my fidelity."
"And I pledge thee...my fidelity." He slipped the ring over Brigitte's finger.
"Brigitte, do you have something to offer Gustave?" Charlotte handed Brigitte the ring. "Brigitte, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed."
"And I pledge thee my fidelity."
"And I pledge thee my fidelity." She placed the ring over his finger, and he took both of her hands in his own.
"Gustave, do you promise to take this woman, Brigitte Ann Laroche, and make her your wife, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health until death do you part?"
"I..." As he was about to say the second word, the slamming of the church door interrupted his thoughts. He knew who had left, and he knew why they had. He resumed speaking. "I do."
"Brigitte, do you promise to take this man, Gustave Marcelin Pontmercy, and make him your husband, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health until death do you part?"
"I do."
"If there is anyone here who knows why these two should not be joined in Holy Matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace." Silence followed, and Gustave felt the pit of his stomach fill with guilt. "Then I am pleased to pronounce you two both man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." In the moment, the one of sadness and joy, Gustave found it within himself to smile and kiss the woman that he had promised to marry. He walked her back down the aisle and outside to a waiting carriage, where they would immediately leave for Lille.
He helped her inside, while the church emptied to wish them goodbye. They waved as the carriage pulled away from the church, and then sighed when they were far enough out of sight. They laughed about it, shared a kiss, and found themselves drifting off to sleep in one another's arms.