Babette sighed as Brielle sat to the side, giggling under her breath at her friend's expressions. Mrs. Potts had fixed the dress, but Madame de la Grande Bouche had insisted that she offer some "final touches" to make it "stunning." While Babette thought that her dress looked wonderful, there was a dear friend who she had not seen in years waiting to spend time together, and the last thing she wanted was to be poked and prodded.
Madame, meanwhile, inspected Babette with a perfectly trained critical eye. "Well, it should only take a few more adjustments, but…"
"But it really should wait!" Brielle interjected, purposely overdramatic. "Just for a little while. The poor thing looks exhausted!"
Playing along, Babette nodded slowly, lowering her eyes and placing her hand over her middle. "Oui, Madame, please!" she said. "The baby is making it very difficult for me to stand up, with all of its kicking and moving, and I am so tired. I appreciate the help, but this is perfect, really."
Madame smiled gently. "Oh very well, you do have quite a knack for being beautiful after all," she said with a wink. "Perhaps tomorrow, I can help you get ready for the ceremony?"
Babette nodded. "That would be perfect, merci."
"All right then, pleasant dreams!" Madame replied, gathering her things and heading for the door. "Sleep well!"
"Bonne nuit!" the ladies called. But once the door was closed, Babette flopped onto the bed heaving a sigh of relief.
"The woman is a dear friend, but mon Dieu, I thought she would never leave!" she said, laughing.
Brielle joined in, climbing in next to her and getting comfortable. "She only wanted to help."
"I know, that is why I will not complain too much," Babette said, taking her friend's hand happily. "I am so happy you are here though! The night before my wedding, and I can think of no better friend to share it with. I missed you so much, ma petite soeur!"
Brielle smiled, hugging her gently around the shoulders. "I missed you too! You have no idea!" she said. "While the girls are fun, it's nice to have some time that's just us. At least they're both pleasantly occupied."
"How so?" Babette asked.
"Last I heard Aubrey was downstairs trying her hand at fencing, and Odette was having a nice chat with that English gentleman in charge."
"We have plenty of time then!" Babette said excitedly. "Fencing is perfect for Aubrey, civilized fighting, and Cogsworth can talk until he is blue in the face when he wants to show off!"
Brielle laughed. "Exactly, so tell me," she said, "Aside from some mishaps that I heard from the girls, life is good?"
Babette nodded, grinning. "Now it is, oui. I have been waiting years for this, and now it is actually happening! And with the baby on the way…oh, I could not be happier."
"As well you should!" Brielle agreed. Remembering Babette's earlier comment, she asked, "And the baby is really kicking now?"
Babette beamed. "Oui," she said. Taking Brielle's hand, she added, "In fact, here." She placed it at her middle, and Brielle smiled as she felt the tiny movement.
"Isn't it amazing?" she asked, her memory wandering to when she had carried her own children.
Babette nodded. "Absolument," she said softly. "It finally feels like this is happening."
"I remember before Jean-Luc was born," Brielle said, reminiscing. "The first time it happened, I was so surprised, and Claude and I couldn't stop marveling over it." She looked up at Babette. "Does Lumière know?"
Babette shook her head. "Non, not yet," she said. "Call it my wedding present to him."
"I'm sure he will love that!"
"I can hardly wait to tell him!" Babette laughed. "He has been so attentive and sweet since I came home." She smiled lovingly. "He is going to be the best father this child can have. I just hope that I can say the same about myself as a mother."
Brielle grinned. "You will also be the best. I know you will."
"And how so?" Babette asked with a smirk.
"Because if you are as caring and maternal with this child as you were to me, then I just know," Brielle countered, genuinely sincere, hugging her close. "You are going to be an incredible mother and from what I've seen between you two throughout the day, Lumière will be lucky to have you as his wife."
Babette smiled, embracing her tightly. "Merci, mon amie, for everything."
"I can't say enough that I'm more than happy to be here for it all!" Brielle replied before she pulled back, playfully conspiratorial. "Now, tell me about the plans for tomorrow…"
ooo
The next day, for once in his life, Lumière prided himself on being precisely on time. With minutes to spare, he stood outside in the hallway waiting for Babette as, according to French tradition, the groom walked his bride to the ceremony. Checking his appearance for the hundredth time, he nodded with satisfaction at what he saw in the mirror. The elegant blue coat that his father had given him years ago had not worn with age. He ran his hand through his reddish brown hair a few times, neatly smoothing his tied back coiffure.
Only the door opening nearby turned his attention away from the mirror. When Madame exited from the room, she smiled, waving him over.
"Suave and debonair as ever!" she complimented him, earning his gratitude in the form of a "Merci" and a gentlemanly kiss on the hand.
"And in your care, I trust ma fiancée looks just as lovely?" Lumière asked.
Madame laughed as he tried to sneak a look behind her. "Well perhaps I should put you out of your misery and let you decide," she said, stepping away to give them some privacy.
As Babette came forward, Lumière's jaw dropped at the vision. Her best dress, a formal one of white and black, still looked stunning on her. A simple veil of lace adorned her head, covering an intricate weave of her dark brown curls. When he smelled that all-too-familiar scent of lavender, Lumière could not resist drawing her close, kissing each spot it radiated from – her wrists, her throat, below her ear…
"Ma chérie, I am truly speechless," he whispered.
Babette giggled. "Such a rare instance," she purred, kissing him softly. "You yourself are quite a wonder to behold, so handsome and dashing. I feel as though I will swoon from the sight."
Lumière smirked, challenging. "Is that enough to make you my bride? Or does the lady require…more?"
"'More,' as you say, must wait until later," Babette countered. Her smile, however, grew sincere. "But 'more' in the sense of how wonderful you are, how much I adore you, now that is what won you my heart."
Lumière kissed her sweetly in response. "I was hoping that those were the clinchers." He took her hand, placing a kiss into her palm, and wrapped his arm around her, to which she gently leaned into his hold. "Shall we?"
Babette nodded eagerly. "Lead on."
With a loving smile, he led her down the stairs carefully to the ballroom where the entire household, their family and friends, had gathered for the celebration. A lovely tune began to play as they entered, and all eyes turned on them. At first, Babette could hardly believe that she was not dreaming. She even pinched herself lightly to be absolutely certain. But it was real! After years of waiting and hardships, the dream was coming true. Tears immediately began to fall from her eyes and her heart swelled with joy.
As they reached the front of the room, the music faded to a close, and the priest cleared his throat to begin.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this man and woman in matrimony. Into this holy estate, these two persons present now come to be joined. If there is anyone who does not wish them to be…"
Lumière coughed in a manner of polite interruption. Knowing some of their fellow servants – many being past liaisons for the both of them – he would not risk an objection from anyone. "Father, with all due respect," he whispered, "it is best to skip that part."
The priest looked at him, utterly confused, but nodded slowly. "Uh…very well," he complied quietly. He continued, "We are here today before God because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes. This occasion marks the celebration of love and commitment with which this man and woman begin their life together.
"Marriage is an act of faith and personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between two people. It has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between them. It is the construction of their love and trust into a single life. It should be a life long consecration of the ideal loving kindness backed with the will to make it last.
"It is with this in mind that I ask you to state your vows before God and this gathering." He turned to Lumière. "Do you take this woman to be your wife? Will you love and comfort her, honor and keep her, for better or for worse, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's devotion as long as you both shall live?"
Lumière gazed down at his beloved, murmuring the expected, "I do." But as the priest was about to go on, Lumière stroked her cheek, adding from the bottom of his heart, "Two flames…one light. Babette, I offer myself to you." He smiled, lowering his hand to her middle with reverence. "Both of you, as your husband and our child's father. Let us walk together always, and let us always walk towards the light. Je t'aime, ma chérie."
Babette reached to return the affection, not even waiting for the priest to give the same speech to her. "When there has been cold, you have brought me warmth," she said, her voice choking slightly passed her tears. "When life was dark, you brought me light. Lumière, I promise, before everyone here, to be your wife from this day forward. Let us make two lives into one life, and always love, honor and respect each other."
The priest frowned between the both of them, but neither noticed. Clearing his throat again before they could interrupt any more years of tradition, he proceeded, "Do you have the ring?"
Babette nodded, reaching to unclasp the chain around her neck, placing the ring in Lumière's hand and the chain into a pocket in her skirts.
The priest once again turned to Lumière. "Take this ring and repeat after me."
Lumière did as he was told. "With this ring, I thee wed…this gold and silver, I thee give…with my body, I thee worship…and with all that I have, I thee endow." He lifted her hand, touching the ring to the first three fingers as he finished, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." He slipped the ring onto the appropriate finger, and looked back to her eyes with promise. "Amen."
The priest addressed the crowd. "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder. And so, by the power vested in me by the Almighty Lord in Heaven, I now pronounce you man and wife." He nodded to Lumière. "You may now kiss the bride."
Lumière did not need to be told twice, and without question or doubt, he followed the order. Babette responded fervently as the assembly erupted into cheers.
Soon after, the crowd dispersed throughout the room, and the musicians began to play once again. The newlyweds took to the floor in the first dance, hardly aware of anyone else in the room.
Lumière held his bride tightly against him, leaning in to whisper, "Ma plumette, are you as happy as I am?"
Babette smirked, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. "That depends, mon cher."
"Oh really?" Lumière replied, immediately taking up the challenge. "On what exactly?"
"Well," Babette said, drawing back to look at him. "How happy are you?"
"Oh, let me see," Lumière countered, mock thoughtful. "I am in love with the most extraordinary, attractive, passionate woman of all time. That same woman has just vowed to stay with me forever and be my wife, my friend and lover. On top of all this, she is also carrying our child, a being that we created out of love, the grandest gift anyone could ask for." He nodded decisively. "I do believe that makes me quite happy, so much that I am practically floating on air with her at my side and no intention of coming down. What do you say to that?"
Babette glowed with love and adoration. Kissing him deeply, she replied, "Then to answer your question, I could not be any more happier."
ooo
The party continued on late into the night. When the wine had been drunk and the croquembouche demolished, Babette excused herself from the millionth group of friends offering well wishes to find Lumière. Not too far away, he was doing the exact same thing, smiling at her as they met halfway. Feigning fatigue, she relaxed against him when he reached to hold her.
Leaning her lips up to his ear, however, she murmured softly, "I am going upstairs. Tell everyone that I am tired…and then join me in ten minutes."
She drew herself away, stroking his cheek gently as she saw him swallow subtly. "Just a bit longer, mon pauvre," she said, playfully sweet and comforting. "And then, we fulfill our final…matrimonial duty."
"You little tease," he whispered trying to bring her back to him, but she evaded being captured.
"Ah, ah, ah! I am 'tired,' remember?" she scolded, though she could not resist a kiss. With a coy grin, she added, "I will be waiting."
Turning for the door, Babette headed for their room. She quickly lit a candle and changed, putting everything away before pulling on the nightgown and robe that the girls had brought from Paris for her…or trying to. Looking down at her middle, she frowned. The gown felt a bit tight, thankfully not to the point of physical discomfort, but certainly enough to notice. But not wanting to dampen the mood, she pushed the thought aside, smirking as she remembered that it truly would not be on much longer.
Sitting down in front of a small mirror, Babette removed the pins holding her hair in place, shaking her head gently to release her long, dark tresses around her shoulders. She gave them a thorough brushing and had almost finished when she felt a familiar hand grasp her wrist to stop her from perfecting her hairstyle. Without a second thought, she looked at the nearest clock.
"You are early, oh impatient one," she giggled, allowing Lumière's hands to find their way to her shoulders. "I was not done."
"Forgive me," he said, no regret in his tone. "As a penance, I think I should help you finish what you were doing."
Lumière slowly ran his fingers through her hair. After a few innocent strokes, he smiled at her reflection in the mirror, and began to caress her, affectionately at first and then more sensuously. Babette gasped in approval, closing her eyes and turning in her chair. She gripped his forearms to stand up, pressed heavily against him, and covered his lips with hers. His touch excited her, and while she normally would not give in so easily, her patience from the past few months, let alone weeks, was well worn through.
"Oh, Lumière," she purred, her breathing getting deeper.
Lumière slid his hands beneath her robe, pushing it gently down her arms. He swallowed hard at the sight of a sleeveless nightgown. Her smooth, bare arms set his heart racing, knowing what was to come.
He stepped back, admiring her at arm's length. "Ma chérie…look at you," he whispered, desire in his eyes. "You are absolutely beautiful."
Babette suddenly grew self-conscious, watching his stare move to her belly. Relying on a bit of humor to feel better, she offered, "Are you talking to me…or someone else in there?"
Lumière looked back up to her eyes, grinning. "A little of both, I suppose." Sensing her insecurity, his grin broadened, and he leaned in to kiss her before walking her to the bed. "But this time is just for us, ma femme."
Babette smiled happily. "What did you call me?"
Lumière reached for her cheek, rubbing down the length of her neck. Listening to her sigh softly, he murmured, "Ma femme…at last."
Babette held his hand tightly, bringing it up to nuzzle intimately. "I love the sound of that." She smirked teasingly, fingering the buttons first on his coat then at his vest and shirt, removing them in a fluid motion. "Now, make it…official."
Easing her backwards onto the pillows, he loomed above her, a solitary finger tracing the pattern at various places on her nightgown. "I thought we did that part already, many times in fact?" he teased, nuzzling her neck.
"Not as a married couple," she pointed out, loving the attention.
"Ah, very true," he agreed, gripping the hem. He pulled the gown up carefully over her head, gazing at a body that was both familiar, yet different to him. Her bosom had swelled, her shape was even more curvaceous and womanly than usual, with more of her to lavish attention upon, and he took full advantage of it. Listening to her sounds of satisfaction, he knew he was doing things right.
But after a while, he could not take it much longer. Lumière let out a shuddery groan, immediately claiming her lips with his. "Babette…I need you, ma plumette, want you, ache for you." He looked at her, straight in the eye, genuinely sincere and adoring. "Je t'aime, mon amour. But I do not want to hurt you."
Babette smiled, touched deeply by the sentiment. "I will be fine, mon cher. We may have to be a little…creative, but it will be all right." She rested against the pillows comfortably, looking up at him pleadingly. "Mon mari," she whispered, "make me your wife."
Lumière held her in his arms, heightening his exploration gradually. He paused now and then to be sure Babette was all right, but every time he did, she would moan softly, not in pain, merely protesting his stalling. One encouragement was all it would take, and he willingly continued kissing her, caressing, tasting and fulfilling their desires. He loved her, vowed to do so forever. With his every movement, every word, he proved those vows, determined to give her the special night that only his wife deserved.
The flame atop the nearby candle flickered weakly by the time the couple lay in each other's arms spent, satisfied, and happy. As Lumière tried to catch his breath from their last venture, Babette stroked his hair, barely able to ignore the sensations where he rested at her breast.
"You are so incredible," she said, her voice trembling from the intensity of excitement. Kissing his forehead, she added with a smirk, "Quite the talent, indeed."
Lumière could not hold back a laugh, crawling up to her eye level. "Merci beaucoup, I aim to please," he replied, euphorically blissful and content. "You are pretty remarkable yourself."
Babette snuggled close into his embrace, taking his hand and putting it at her swelling belly. Lumière could hardly focus on anything except the stunning woman in his arms…
That is why it startled him when he felt something nudge against his hand. When he looked at Babette, bewildered, she smiled at him.
"I was going to tell you soon," she said, "but apparently the baby is not one for surprises."
Lumière's eyes lit up in realization. "That was…?" She nodded, and he looked back at her middle in awe. The baby kicked again, and he laughed heartily, amazed. "Dieu…our baby…"
"Our baby," she repeated. "Mine." She kissed lightly behind his ear. "Yours." Her warm breath tickled the spot as she added huskily, "You did that."
"The woman is insatiable!" he growled, returning the favor before gazing at her sleepily. "But if madame agrees, I need a reprieve, and would very much enjoy simply lying here with my family."
Babette pouted teasingly for a moment, but then smiled lovingly, closing her eyes. "That actually sounds like wonderful idea."
Lumière grinned, offering one final kiss. "Get some rest, ma femme," he said soothingly. "We could always continue in the morning. I do not think even Cogsworth will be foolish enough to end our lune de miel too soon."
She giggled, and he reveled in the delightful sound. Sleep beckoned for now, and they welcomed it with open arms. Besides, they had their entire lives ahead of them…their entire wedded lives. It felt even better than Lumière could have imagined, finally married to an amazing woman that he adored, anticipating their baby's arrival day by day. It was no wonder that he followed his beloved wife into slumber with a smile on his face, eager to wake up beside her the next morning.
A/N: This chapter could not have been possible without the help from the following!
1) The outfits that Lumi and Babs wear are those of the Broadway musical, long may it reign. Visuals can be seen here: Babette (http colon // i2 . photobucket . com / albums / y28 / LumBabsFan / Fave percent 20 Fave percent 20 Site percent 20 Pics / beast4 . jpg ) and Lumi (http colon // i2 . photobucket . com / albums / y28 / LumBabsFan / Fave percent 20 Fave percent 20 Site percent 20 Pics / johnnylumi . jpg ) (Take AWAY the spaces and replace "colon" and "percent" with the appropriate symbols)
2) The vows are from my wedding vows . com ("Two Flames" and "Cold & Warmth" under Personalized).
3) The rings dialogue is from one of my favorite films, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (1982 version).
And finally, the priest's ceremony itself was done on the B&S Role Play, in which I play Lumiere. The greatest group of people online, and I seriously thank them for giving me the beautiful inspiration of a Lumi Babs wedding there, especially Dave who "performed" it for us. Yay Dave! I bow down at their feet; love to them all!
One more chapter to go, stay tuned!