Many thanks to my reviewers!
Utsuri… Arizona is fabulous. I loved it out in the desert. No, the story isn't quite done yet – there are still a few chapters to come. The link didn't show? Hmm. Sometimes I have trouble with putting links on ff net… Well, here it is spelled out the "long" way: w w w DOT nanowrimo DOT org. Hopefully that will work for you.
Evenstar Elanor… You (and Angoliel) are absolutely right. In that paragraph it should have been Christine not revealing the secret, not Natalie. My bad! Thanks, too, for the comment on the rooms and where it confused you. I appreciate the feedback.
Angoliel… You'll have the wedding very soon, I promise! And yes, you're right; I had the name "Natalie" in a place where it should have been "Christine." Whoops.
Mercury Gray… Christine's admission just kind of happened. I hadn't planned for her to have that conversation but as I was writing, it just made sense to go down that path. Philippe appreciates the attention and the praise, by the way.
Chapter 29: Wedding Bells
The morning of Natalie's wedding was grey and overcast and the wind was chilly. Christine got out of bed and pulled a shawl over her shoulders. It was fall but winter was definitely not far away. Looking out the window she wondered how the sky's cast would affect Natalie's nerves, but she was surprised to find Natalie already up and humming as she ate a light breakfast.
"The sun will come out," said Natalie confidently. "The birds are singing. The birds never sing in the morning if rain is coming." And true to her prediction, by the time both Natalie and Christine's hair was styled and coiffed, the sun had broken through the clouds and blue was rapidly replacing the dreary gray.
"Mademoiselle Natalie? It is time to dress you in your gown," said the seamstress. "Mademoiselle Christine is waiting for you."
Christine, as the Maid of Honor, had the responsibility of dressing the bride, although the seamstress would help. Natalie stopped and put her hands to her lips when she came in and saw Christine. Her friend's gown was blue with a silver cast to it. The color reminded Natalie of an evening sky on a foggy day. Around Christine's throat was a necklace with a tear-shaped sapphire hanging from it. Her hair was pinned up with a fountain of curls cascading down around her shoulders.
"You look lovely," gasped Natalie.
"Not nearly as lovely as you shall look shortly," answered Christine.
It took a half-hour to get Natalie dressed in her silk and jacquard satin gown. Each bit of the dress had been painstakingly hand-stitched and around the modestly scooped neck and sleeve cuffs were three rows of exquisite pearls. Her veil was fastened with several pearl encrusted silver combs, and around her throat Natalie wore a pearl and ruby choker. Looking in the mirror, Natalie felt her eyes mist as she ran her fingers over the jewels. The choker had been her mother's…
"I have been saving this for you, Natalie. It is for you to keep, but perhaps you might wear it for your wedding." Athos handed his daughter a small silken bag. Shaking the contents into her hand, Natalie looked up, stunned.
"This was mother's," she said softly. "It is one of the few things I truly remember about her. I used to run my fingers along it when I was little."
"She would have wanted you to have it," said Athos. "I have kept it locked away for far too long."
"I wish she could be here to see my wedding."
"She will see it, butterfly." Athos closed Natalie's hand over the necklace. "Every time you wear it, a little piece of her will be right next to you."
Shaking herself out of the memory, Natalie couldn't help but smile. Christine was watching her indulgently, knowing Natalie was thinking about her mother.
"The carriage is here, Natalie," Christine finally said.
"Already? Oh, the day has flown. This morning I thought it would take forever for the afternoon to come, and now, in the blink of an eye its here already!"
Christine, who was now wearing a soft cloak of dove-grey wool, held out another cloak for Natalie. This one was pristine white with a fancy clasp at the throat. She put it around Natalie's shoulders and they walked out to the carriage. The seamstress and her assistants held up Natalie's train so it wouldn't drag upon the ground.
The carriage was large and was draped with ivy and garlands of flowers. A matched set of four grey horses were harnessed to the front. They stood quietly, waiting for the smartly accoutered driver to signal them on. Athos, who was waiting outside for his daughter, nearly had to lean on the carriage for support when he saw Natalie. He wasn't certain which caused more pain, the joy he felt when he saw his lovely daughter in her stunning gown, or the heartbreak of knowing she was no longer his petite butterfly. He kissed her on the cheek and then cupped her chin in his hand.
"I will always love you, Natalie, and no matter how old I am you will always be my little girl." He almost winced for the words sounded so cliché in his ears, but it was how he felt and there was no other way to say it.
In the distance, the silver bells of the chapel chimed clear and crystalline, summoning everyone to the wedding. Natalie smiled at her father. "I love you, too, Papa. Now, we must go, else you will make me cry and we will be late!"
I know… I'm dragging it out, aren't I? Not to worry, the wedding is upon us! Thanks for all the reviews… I appreciate you all taking the time to offer your thoughts… Looking forward to hearing what you think of this one.
Disclaimer: The only things I can truly claim as my own are Natalie, Jacques, and Luc (and a few minor supporting characters). Everything else is borrowed with much respect and admiration for Dumas and the people who created various movie versions of the Musketeers.