Author's note:

My dear beloved readers, it has come to my attention that my profile pic seems to be offensive. To the sweet guest, who isn't just lacking a profile pic of their own, but is missing a profile to start with. My new profile pic is dedicated to you ;) And when you get around to making a profile may I suggest username Snowflake666 or SnowflakeKaren? If you don't know how to make one, just leave another message and I'll happily set one up for you.

To ImagineATale, thank you for your constructive review. I'm glad you liked it and don't worry we'll see if they'll get along better soon.

Now we have gotten the pleasantries out of the way, on to...

Chapter 44

The next day Gaston was accompanying Eliana and her sisters as they were doing laundry. Then he heard the voice of nightmares in the distance.

"Eliana, sweetheart," Gaston said. "I apologize for disturbing you, but I am in need of your help. I was thinking on spreading the happy word of our upcoming marriage."

"I'd love to do that," Eliana said. "Who would you like to tell first?"

"How about Clothilde over there?" Gaston said. "I hear her voice and then we'd have the worst over with."

"She is pretty awful," Eliana said chuckling.

"Dreadful," Elise said.

"I think uncle Pierre likes her," Eloise said.

"That thought simply horrifies me," Gaston said with a shudder.

"She's not so bad," Eloise said. "She just knows what being proper is about, one would do well to listen."

"You talk to uncle too much," Elise said. "She's horrible."

"I would not want her to be part of the family," Eliana said. "Just imagine what it would be like to have her as a dinner guest. Last time she went on and on about every imperfection."

"Alright," Eloise said. "You may have a point there, that was awful."

"Shall we start with the worst then," Gaston asked.

"Yes," Eliana said and turned to her sisters. "You don't mind doing my laundry too?"

"Of course not," Elise said smiling. "You go spread the good news, though do stay close where we can see you. We need to return after we finish and I don't feel like running through Villeneuve just to find you."

The pair walked off after Clothilde, but Eliana was wondering about something.

"Does you wanting to talk to her have to do with a certain...thing?" She asked. "She has a sister or brother or something waiting?"

"Sadly yes," Gaston said. "Otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time on her. She's impossible and miraculously managed to accomplish to most impossible feat."

"Such as what?" Eliana asked confused.

"Finding a man crazy enough to marry her."

"She what?!" Eliana nearly shouted. "What crazy..."

"The majordomo," Gaston said. "He isn't overly fond of her either but I will try."

"She...married..." Eliana started muttering. "Must have been some dowry to get anyone to marry her..."

"That I do not know," Gaston said chuckling. "I believe it was arranged though, but quiet about that now."

They had now reached Clothilde and Gaston took a deep breath to sooth his nerves before calling out.

"Clothilde!" he called with a big smile. "Have you heard the wonderful news?"

"Are you finally leaving?" Clothilde asked before she continued walking.

Eliana and Gaston followed after her.

"No the wedding of course," Gaston said. "The lovely Eliana has agreed to marry me."

"Leading a good woman into sin," Clothilde said as she stopped. "Such a shame, I had thought that family would know better than to agree to such a dishonorable match...especially the headmaster."

"He doesn't agree," Gaston said. "Thinks I'm a waste of space."

"I always knew he was the smart one in that family," Clothilde said. "First a father that leaves his wife and family destitute by dying without any money to his name. Then the wife who refuses to remarry and leaches of her brother and now one of the children throwing her life away."

"My father is not..." Eliana started to say angrily.

"Is no longer living to speak against the harsh words spoken against his family," Gaston quickly finished. "A sad thing. But I thought we better share the news with you."

"I suppose I should do the right thing then," Clothilde said with a sigh. She turned to Eliana. "My deepest sympathy for your mistake. I hope the Lord will be forgiving and correcting it for your sake."

Eliana just stood there dumbfounded, unsure what to say.

"Thank you Clothilde," Gaston said pleasantly. "It seems your honest concerns left my love speechless."

Clothilde not wanting one more second wasted left them without another word.

"That...that..." Eliana said shaking with anger. "How could you just let her talk about you like that?"

"Simple," Gaston said. "I just ignored it and focused on something else. I just thought about you."

"I like it when you say things like that," Eliana said blushing.

"I wish I could see you blush," Gaston said smiling.

"How do you know I am doing that?"

"I just know," Gaston said smiling. "How about we continue spreading the good news before joining your sisters again?"

"I'd love to," Eliana said happily.

"But one thing," Gaston said. "No mentions of your father, they don't remember him."

"I know," Eliana said. "But she made me so angry and I..."

"Wanted to defend him."

"Exactly."

"I understand," Gaston said. "But you must be more careful."

"I will," Eliana said and they headed off to spread the word.

Back at the washing fountain Elise and Eloise continued talking.

"Do you still think Eliana is throwing her life away with him or have you changed your mind?"

"I don't know," Eloise said. "He's been nice, but he can't see, how could he provide?"

"Let's not forget where he's going to live," Elise said. "At Adam's estate. From what I heard from Eliana Adam owes Gaston something, I don't know what Gaston did for one as rich as Adam to owe him."

"Maybe it has to do with how Gaston lost his sight?" Eloise asked. "Like he protected Adam and was hurt instead?"

"Maybe..." Elise said.

"It would explain a lot," Eloise said thinking about it.

"Look," Elise said. "They are coming back."

Gaston and Eliana sat back down and Eliana continued doing the laundry with her sisters.

"So why does Adam owe you?" Eloise asked.

"Eloise!" Elise said. "You can't just ask him that."

"I just want to know if I was right," Eloise said.

"Right about what?" Gaston asked. "What did you come up with?"

"That you were hurt while saving Adam," Eloise said. "And that that's how you lost your sight."

"Well..." Gaston said thinking it was close enough to the truth. "Sort of yes, I lost my sight while helping him. And he feels responsible in a way, obligated to see to my needs."

"You don't blame him?" Eloise asked. "I mean, if he didn't need protecting you'd still have your sight after all."

"I don't," Gaston said. "Perhaps I was angry at first, however...I came to enjoy being blind. I prefer it actually."

"You prefer it?" Elise asked surprised and confused. "But why?"

"No expectations," Gaston said. "I can do what I want without judgement since people don't expect much in the first place. I do regret not being to able to see Eliana, however I am lucky enough to know what she looks like."

"He only had to ask which one of us I was," Eliana said chuckling. "Too scared to think of the wrong sister."

"That is sweet," Elise said.

"I think I owe you an apology," Eloise said. "You deserve better than how I treated you at first."

"Thank you," Gaston said smiling. "I'm glad to hear it. And rest assured I hold no hard feelings towards you. It was only natural you thought little of me and you only wished to protect your sister. Friends?"

Gaston held out his hand and after a moment Eloise shook it.

"Friends."

"I'm so happy," Eliana said hugging her sister. "It means so much to me that you finally approve."

"Laundry is as good as done,' Elise said. "While you were talking I finished the last."

"Sorry for leaving you to do the most," Eliana said.

"It's alright, but let's take this back home," Elise said. "Mother said she had a surprise for us."

"No for Eliana," Eloise corrected.

"No bickering," Eliana said laughing. "Because I want my surprise."

They all headed to Eliana's home where her mother stood waiting.

"Are you ready?" Amelia said.

"Are we going somewhere?" Eliana asked confused.

"Yes to the tavern," Amelia said. "I'm afraid our home wasn't adequate enough for your surprise."

"We'll be right back after putting the laundry away," Eliana said enthusiastically before heading in with her sisters. Minutes later they returned. "Ready!"

Amelia lead the way to the tavern and opened the door.

Eliana gasped as she saw the surprise. The entire tavern was decorated fir a celebration and nearly all friends and family had gathered.

"I thought we should celebrate your engagement and I have another surprise," Amelia said smiling.

"What?" Eliana asked excited.

"That she managed to drag me here for this," Pierre said. "I must ask again, are you sure about this?"

"Very," Eliana said and hugged her uncle. "I know you don't approve of him and that is fine, but it means a lot to have you here for this."

"You are welcome," Pierre said. "Do know should you ever regret it you'll be welcome to come to me."

"I won't make her regret it," Gaston said smiling. "And thank you for showing enough support to be here despite our differences."

"Ah yes," Pierre said. "I believe you hoped to call it a mere dislike?"

"I most certainly did," Gaston said smirking.

"Gaston!" LeFou said coming over with Adam, Belle and her father. "Enjoying the celebration?"

"I most certainly am," Gaston said.

LeFou looked at the headmaster and swallowed. "Are you sir?"

"Certainly not the best, but could be worse," Pierre said. "Now if you'll excuse me. I've been here as my sister asked and will now take my leave before I get dragged into the conversation."

He didn't bother for a reply and quickly left.

"He's still the same unpleasant man," Adam said.

"I don't know," Gaston said. "I think he's warming up to me. He didn't say anything rude after all."

"That is certainly true," Belle said chuckling.

"I must say," Maurice started, "you and Eliana are a perfect match. Congratulations to you both."

"Thank you Maurice," Gaston said. "I couldn't imagine anyone else beside me. Eliana makes me complete, I should have given her a chance years ago."

"As do I," Maurice said. "However you were too blind to see beyond my daughter."

"And now I really am blind," Gaston said laughing. "I've never seen things clearer."

"Gaston," Eliana said. "It is a celebration for us, how about we dance?"

"Only if you lead," Gaston said. "I would hate to cause you to bump into things."

"Neither would I," Eliana said chuckling.

As the pair headed onto dance floor people started clapping and congratulating then.

"Thank you everyone," Gaston said. "Thank you for being here and your support. It has been a hard year for me, but Eliana makes me forget about all of it. Getting to know her, really getting to know her, it is worth being blind for. I doubt I would've had it not been for that. So I would like to thank her especially for being who she is."

Everyone clapped and Eliana started leading Gaston into dance and the pair didn't stop dancing until the evening was over.