Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast. I sure wish I did though. It would make my life a lot more interesting.
Chapter 2: Song of Wedding Bells
Far off in the distance the sound of laughter, joy and a lot of activity could be heard. Earlier in the day many had journeyed from near and afar, to come to the royal wedding. Anticipation and emotions were running high in both France's subjects and the monarchs of France themselves. There was an endless parade of carriages and noise and people ranging from the highest bred royals to the poorest and most humble of beggars. All of them had one thing in common despite their vast and obvious differences: Joy. Pure, unspoiled joy. And maybe a little relief on the side. Relief that they finally had a sovereign to guide them as a shepherd guides his flock, after so many years of confusion and anxiety. Joy that this certain sovereign would be the leader that they needed, one who would be compassionate and merciful one who would connect with his people and understand their needs. At the same time, justice would be swift and sure as well as new improvements would be made to the legal, economical and education facets of the French government. For the French people, it was a win/win situation. And on this most glorious of days as they made their way to the famed Cathedral where the prince and their new princess would join each other in holy matrimony. While the procession to the famed cathedral continued, the ones inside the impressive architecture had thoughts and emotions running through their minds and bodies as well…
"Ouch! The pins are digging into my head! Please, no more! I beg of you please!"
"Forgive me Princess. I'm only trying to style your hair as I have seen on the highest bred of noble women. Besides, It hurts to be beautiful. But its worth it."
"I forgave you before you even started, Madame de la Grande Bouche. I have never really believed in that saying myself but it will do for this one glorious day. I hope that he likes what he sees."
"Darling that will be the understatement of the year! When he sees you, all coherent thought will vacate his mind. I only hope he remembers his vows!" she finished laughing heartily. "All right we are completely finished. Let's have a glance into the looking glass shall we?"
When Belle chanced to look she gasped; she truly did not recognize herself. She had always been told she was beautiful. That had been the sole reason that Gaston had relentlessly pursued her and made her life hell in the last hours as Vincent's time as the beast. Not that he hadn't created conflict in her life as an annoying arrogant pest before. But I digress. She stared in wonder at the almost unrecognizable woman before her. Her hair had been plaited up into an intricate style with tiny crystals and diamonds embedded into her hair, thus the cause for pain. Base, kohl, blush, rouge, and other cosmetics Belle did not know the name of, had all been applied, some conservatively others quite liberally to her already beautiful face. Her gown was something she had never thought she could touch let alone own. It was design was similar to that of her favorite yellow ball gown; with a few small changes it was made of Dupioni silk with crepe silk under garments with the addition of a twill corset underneath it all. The corset, she absolutely hated; she could feel her lungs protesting for a little more oxygen than what she was allowed to get. White lace was draped across her bravura dress from her waist down creating an upside down V design that showed the lace on the exterior and the Dupioni inside the interior. Taking a closer look at the gown, she noticed that the tiny beads she had dismissed before were really minuscule diamonds and sapphires as well as microscopic pearl teardrops all sewn on and placed strategically in a tasteful pattern truly befitting a joyful bride. At her neck a string of pearls accompanied a large heart shaped sapphire. She still remembered her reaction to that, she recalled blushing.Attached to her newly pierced ears, were golden hoops with miniature sapphires embedded into the hoops. Her veil was made of material called silk tulle. It was a sheer light material that seems to float. Stepping back, her attention was drawn to the floor where she noticed the delicate white slippers that each had a gold-laced oval pearl brooch attached to the front. With the picture complete, Belle was found standing there, jaw open, by none other than Cogsworth.
"Hello ladies. Might I come in?"
"Take a look at the bride. Isn't she just stunning?"
"Oh my! Your Highness you are a vision!" He crossed the room to stand behind her. " My Lady, you look so fine. The Master will be so pleased. Just think Highness. In a few hours you will be happily married and ready to spend the rest of your life as a royal. And then one day you will be Queen. There are many responsibilities that come with this so you must be prepared. You will have tutors in Latin, Greek, English, dancing, proper etiquette-"
"Oh Cogsworth I think I saw Lumiere and Babette run toward the room 2 floors down."
"WHAT! That good-for-nothing, irresponsible, lazy, kerosene-minded dingbat! And he knows how important this day is too! When I get my hands on him…" he muttered as he stormed of. Belle sighed in relief.
"Wow. That was quick thinking Madame. But why Lumiere? He wasn't downstairs making trouble with Babette."
"He was a little while ago. Besides he never returned the songbook and dress I lent him for his outing with Babette. And I know you weren't comfortable with the way he was talking. What is troubling you my dear? You're not having second thoughts about marrying the prince, are you?"
"Oh no not that at all. No, it's not whom I'll marry but who I'll become. You see I've been discovering more and more that real princesses don't live like princesses in my books. I always believed that they would live out their lives blissfully happy with their true loves with no more of the worlds problems to hurt them and plague them. But now I've discovered a whole new set of problems. All those things that Cogsworth mentioned, I have a feeling other people in the court who know him are going to try and change me. Oh I already love dancing, and I know I will enjoy learning Latin and Greek but I will have to learn a lot more if I am to impress at court and the truth is…" she sighed. I don't want to learn the things they want to teach me."
"Dear child. Come here. Now there are a lot of things you must know before you leave this room. First off no one can really change anybody completely and most especially you. You have a fire in you Belle that no one can match. No one I've met anyway. But you must understand ma petite that there will always be problems no matter where you live, whether in a small house with barely enough food to get by or in a gargantous gorgeous castle with all the finer things in life at the touch of your fingers. What defines us is the way we handle those challenges and determines how much respect we will earn from or peers and even our enemies. Do you love the prince?"
"Oh yes Madame! More than my life it seems at times."
"Then you have nothing to worry about. Your love is so strong it cannot be broken or divided. Well now it appears that all we have to do is wait for the organ to start and my goodness but there will be so much to celebrate!"
"Well that is definitely something I cannot wait for!"
Meanwhile in the Prince's chamber…
"Jean-Claude change the style back. You know it looks ridiculous."
The manservant sheepishly put his masters hair back into the simple ponytail with the white bow. There had been a great debate with the nobles, The Prince and Princess and Cogsworth over whether they would wear wigs in their wedding day. Cogsworth as his advisor had begged Vincent to comply with the courtier's wishes considering that they would need their alliance if the need ever arouse. After hearing what Belle had to say, which was that the white powder wigs were impractical and looked ridiculous and created stress in the neck from having to work to keep it on your head, his mind had been made up. No wigs. This of course enraged the nobles which led to them saying how despicably impolite and vulgar that was coming from the future princess and how that alone was proof that she wasn't a true princess, but the common tasteless peasant he had found in that ordinary little village. This of course made him absolutely furious making him defend her honor saying she was anything but common and that she was deserved the title of Princess a whole lot more than they deserved any of the title's bestowed upon them and who gave out false information, it was she who found him and anyone who said otherwise was a cowardly liar. The little meeting was concluded when the Prince quite clearly shouted for them to get out of his castle and as far as he was concerned, to STAY out. For a split second he had wished to be a beast again so that his voice would be restored to that booming roar that had made everyone who heard it cower and tremble in fear. Everyone except Belle that is, he recalled fondly. All the while, he remembered with amusement, Cogsworth had tried with all his might to put his skills as a diplomat and a lofty speaker to good use but to no avail. All the highest bred courtiers that had been present stormed out in silent fury. So it had been settled. No wigs for the prince and his fiancée. He was grateful he wouldn't have to worry about those preposterous props while he said his vows to the woman of his dreams. He smirked in satisfaction as Jean-Claude meekly made the necessary changes to his hair. Suddenly Cogsworth bustled in all business as usual.
"All right Master, everything seems to be in order. The caterers were on time and have prepared more than enough of appetizers, beverages, dinner and dessert, the florists have the Princess's bouquet and made certain that all of the other flowers were in the right place, the musicians are playing the prelude as we speak, the administrative staff decorated the sanctuary a few hours ago, the other servants have made sure everything is clean and going accordingly, our coordinator Monsieur Affolement has everything under control so far and I still can't find LUMIERE!"
Suddenly, the door cracked open and a thin but charmingly roguish face peeked in
"Bonjour everyone, did I hear my name being blasted all the way to Les Etats Unis? Master you look very dashing and handsome. Would you like to see?"
"I already have Lumiere. I believe I look presentable."
"Ah, but master you have not seen yourself in your entirety. Here come to this latest looking glass. They call it floor length."
When he was placed in front of the mirror, he had to admit he was not displeased by what he saw. He was dressed in a white silk and velvet jacket with gold embroidery etched in an intricate pattern. His breeches were off-white with stockings to match and he had white high-heeled shoes that had gold buckles on them. Oh his head he wore the crown with an emerald and ruby on his right and left that his father had passed to him when he became orphaned at twelve. His uncle might have acted as his regent, but he was by right the King of France. I'll deal with my uncle later he thought to himself Right now its Belle who takes precedence in my mind as well as my heart.
His servants matched in the colors with a small difference. Lumiere was wearing a traditional skirt with gold tassels.
"It's certainly not unlikable is it now Master?"
"It is certainly is not that. I have to tell you three something."
"We have 5 minutes Master," Cogsworth muttered nervously.
Vincent quickly enfolded Lumiere and thus began five minutes of appreciation.
"Lumierethank you for your advice and your support. I have needed that especially at my most stressful moments." Cogsworth's mouth was about to drop open when Vincent turned to him and embraced him in a way that he immediately lost his breath.
"Cogsworth, thank you for always handling my most important affairs with precision and perfect timing. Most of my stress was relieved because of you."
While Cogsworth turned to smirk at Lumiere, who wasn't paying attention, Vincent turned lastly to Jean-Claude and hugged him too.
"Thank you most of all Jean-Claude; you probably have the hardest job, always looking after my every little need sacrificing your time and energy for my welfare. I know it hasn't been easy to be my servant. For any of you," he said looking at all of them, which is why Belle and I have given each of you something…to your tastes. You'll find out after the wedding what they are."
"Master we have 2 minutes before the processional starts!"
Quickly they raced towards the sanctuary and were ready about 1 ½ minutes before the Processional began. Lumiere and Cogsworth waited at the less obvious entrances where they would meet their escorts. The pre-processional started and 2 rows with 2 girls each ranging in age started across the isle in tasteful modest purple dresses and Mary-Janes led by a tiny slip of a girl no older than four throwing rose petals to the floor dressed the same except in pink. They were followed by 2 rows of boys immaculately dressed in blues suits and polished shoes preceded by Chip dressed the same. Then Cogsworth was joined by Mrs. Potts, and Lumiere walked Babette to the front. They all situated themselves in their proper places awaiting the entrance of the bride. A soft melody began to play, quite unlike the unusual over-used resonance of "Here comes the Bride." Slowly, Belle appeared and floated down the isle towards the man she would spend the rest of her life with. As she looked toward the stained glass windows and up at the impressive ceiling, she found herself overwhelmed by both her love for Vincent and how it was much more immense, and much more vast that even this majestic house of worship as she took her place next to him. After the choir of girls had finished the song, the Reverend Father began the vows.
"Dearly beloved, you have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in this baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions."
"Do you Vincent Montague, take thee Belle to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to be faithful and true, to cherish and treasure, to love and be loved until death do you part?
"I do." He replied
"And do you Belle LeRoeux take thee Vincent to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to be faithful and true, to cherish and treasure, to love and be loved until death do you part?
"I do." She said
The rings were given to the Reverend who turned back to the couple and said:
"May the Lord bless these rings which you give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity. Amen."
Turning to the groom, he instructed him to repeat the following vows.
"With this ring, I thee wed, In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
The same instructions were given to Belle.
"With this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
"You have now declared your consent before the church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined together, men will not put asunder. Amen. You may kiss the bride."
The cathedral doors burst open as the ecstatic couple quickly climbed into the opulent wedding carriage to go to the reception at the castle.
"Well that was fun," Vincent interjected.
"It really was. It felt like I was living out one of my fairy tales. I never thought I would be so happy." She sighed dreamily. "And now we can celebrate it for the rest of our lives."
"The rest of our lives? I'm not sure I follow dearest," he said with a slight frown.
"What I meant love, is that we will be together forever. That in itself is a celebration. We are together forever and always. Nothing but death can part us now and only for a while. We are truly meant for each other."
"Have I told you how much I love you my darling?" he whispered softly, leaning over to place a small kiss on her cheek.
They spent the rest of the ride in blissful silence.
The festivities were just beginning. When they arrived, everything was already louder than normal decibel level and the ballroom was nearing full capacity. Every body was milling about as the bride and groom entered. As they did, a thunderous applause greeted them, welcoming them into married life. That night was not one the kingdom would forget soon. There were many forms of entertainment such as actors from around the country, magicians, and a special dance from the bride and groom. Tables of recipes from all over France lined the opposite sides of the ballroom as well as a few foreign specialties. Later in the evening, Vincent surprised everyone by suddenly sweeping the bride off her feet and carrying her up the staircase to bed.
Once upstairs Vincent paused at the threshold and looked to his wife in his arms.
"Belle, are you happy with me?"
"Very much so my love. I can't imagine being happy anywhere else now. And especially not by your side. I love you so much and I want to be with you for the rest of my life."
"Oh Belle…" he whispered hoarsely.
They crossed over and began the rest of their life growing old together.
A/N: Ha ha! That's right people, your going to have to wait til I'm good and ready to reveal Vincent's reaction and the arrival of what sparked it. By the way I have a feeling I messed up in a few aspects of the story so if you spot them tell me and I will most certainly do better in the future. Thank you to all that reviewed!
TrudiRose: Thank you very much! I'm very glad that I used the imagery correctly and didn't overdo it after all. I had been worried about that at first but it was cleared up a little while ago. Thank you for the paragraph tip, I definitely need my little bro Tonyboy for that one. He's better at separating paragraphs and finding small errors than I am. And thank you about the hair. I wanted to describe him the best I could without getting overly bold and blatant since I believe he's the handsomest prince Disney created. His hair always looked light brown to me and later I started thinking of it as chestnut-colored so there you are. As for the relatives, maybe you'll see them in the next chapter. Or maybe not.
It all depends on me. Ha, I'm very evil.
Chef13: I enjoy your enthusiasm. It's contagious! I my self can't wait until she's pregnant too. It's a shame they didn't show much of him or make a sequel like they did with the others. We actually got to see one of the Disney Princes in action as a father. I think Vincent might like a boy for an heir, but once he see's his little girl's face for the first time he'll be hooked, believe me. And I knew I couldn't leave Chip out of it. (I think secretly he has a crush on her but don't tell;) As for the in-laws wait and see. Wait and see.
Sparky1: Wow. This is so very cool. Not to be pretentious either but I absolutely LOVE your stories. In fact when I was completely new to fanfiction I some of your stories were the first ones I read. I've read most of them too and I checked out your Thumbelina fic as well although I went under a different name. But I couldn't believe that I was reading the work of a professional when my first impression of fan work was weak and very incompetent and amateurish. And thank you for paying attention to Jean-Claude! I thought no one cared about who he might have been or who he was, but you figured it out on the first try. Yes he is the coat rack and if you are serious about writing a fic about him, please do! I know that piece would be absolutely PRICELESS. I hope you review again.
Moonjava: Thank you so much! Your review was so kind and thoughtful I truly appreciated your comment. I also read your story and I must say you are very talented. I loved your Spiderman stories and I hope it's not too long until you continue with it again I didn't know I was very good since this is my first try. Thanks for making my day.
Lacy Pierce a.k.a. Ginny McLeod: I'm very bad at paragraphs. That's where Tonyboy comes in. Writer's workshop is now my favorite class. Everything I'm learning there, I'm applying here which s resulting in wondrous results. And you bet I'll kick butt! If anyone takes a stab of unconstructive criticism at me, well it won't be a pretty picture when I'm through. But I was very glad to hear from you and hope you come back in the future. Hasta Luego!
Disclaimer: I don't own Beauty and the Beast. If I did, I probably wouldn't be doing this. I'd be a billionaire doing what I wished when I wished. All right enough of that enjoy!