Chapter 4
Gambit wished that his heart would stop pounding so loudly. He was quite certain that everyone in the church could hear how nervous he was. He kept his hands tightly clasped behind his back, where his palms were busy getting sweaty.
The church was slowly but surely filling up with people. Most of them were fellow members of the New Orleans Thieves Guild. Their guests from the other Guilds sat in the second row, with Bella Donna and her daughter Avril on the far side. Storm and Logan sat with Pete, John, Dominic and Pietro in the front row on 'the brides side' while Jean-Luc, Tante Mattie, Mercy, Claude and Lucian sat on the front row on 'the grooms side'.
Storm gave Gambit a small wave and he smiled back at her. His eyed then fell on Logan and he knew the moment their eyes met that Logan – if no one else – definitely knew how nervous he was. Logan seemed to enjoy smirking at him. Gambit just cocked an eyebrow in reply.
At last all the guests had arrived and were settled, and the wait for the bride began. The longer the time dragged out, the edgier Gambit got. Rogue was going to show up... right? His eyes kept glancing at the clock, watching as the minute hand continued on its march further and further away from the time the ceremony was supposed to start. She was just being fashionably late... right?
At ten minutes past four, Tante Mattie got up and made her way to the back room of the church where Rogue and her bridesmaids were supposed to be. They were there all right, with Rogue sitting on the bathroom floor looking miserable. The smell of vomit was in the air.
"I see," Tante Mattie said.
"We're debating whether it's morning sickness or nerves," said Zoe. "Or both."
"I didn't know you could get morning sickness in the afternoon," Jubilee said. "I learned something."
Wanda stifled the urge to laugh.
Tante Mattie nodded and knelt down beside Rogue, putting her hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Rogue said, sounding as miserable as she looked, with tears staining her face.
"It's quite all right, childe," she said. "Feeling better at all?"
Rogue was about to reply that she felt like crap, but strangely enough, she did feel better.
"Y-yes, I do, actually," Rogue said.
"Bon," Tante Mattie replied. "Take a few more minutes to get cleaned up, and I'll just let Remy know you won't be long."
Rogue nodded. Tante Mattie helped her to stand.
"I've got this," said Wanda, creating a pair of hex bolts. "Clean gown and fresh make up coming right up."
"Oh, and I've got breath mints," said Zoe.
Tante Mattie chuckled to herself as she made her way back out. She hid her smile as she approached Gambit, who was doing rather well at hiding just how anxious he was.
"She's on her way," she assured him.
Gambit nodded. "Merci."
Henri leaned over to Gambit as Tante Mattie took her seat, and held his finger and thumb an inch apart.
"You were this close," Henri teased Gambit.
"Shut up," Gambit said.
Henri chuckled and Gambit cracked a grin despite himself.
Soon enough the music began to play. Zoe was the first down the aisle, followed by Jubilee and then Wanda. Finally, Rogue stepped through the doorway and Gambit caught his breath at the sight of his beautiful bride. Rogue smiled at him as she caught his eyes and before he knew it, she was standing beside him and holding his hand.
"We are gathered here today..." began the priest, and continued until: "If anyone can show just cause why they should not be married, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
"Me! I object!" John said.
"Uh, what?" Rogue stammered as she and everyone turned to look at him.
"Actually, I don't really," said John. "I just always wanted to do that."
"You are so in for it later, Pyro," Wanda said darkly.
"Oh goody."
"Ahem, if there are no real objections," the priest said and after a momentary pause, went on: "Remy Etienne LeBeau, do you take Anna for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
Gambit took a deep breath.
"I do," he said, hoping he sounded calmer than he felt.
"And do you Anna Marie Raven, take Remy for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Rogue replied.
Was it Gambit's imagination, or did Rogue's voice sound a little ragged? Somehow the idea that she might be just as nervous as he was made him feel a lot better.
The ceremony continued. They exchanged their vows and Henri produced the rings.
"... I pronounce that they are now husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Gambit wrapped Rogue up in his arms and as her own arms went about his neck, he kissed her passionately, surprised with a fresh minty taste. The room applauded.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr and Mrs Remy and Anna LeBeau."
The music began to play once more and the newlywed couple walked to the table at the side to sign the register, and get their photos taken signing the register.
Many photos later, Rogue, Gambit and their numerous guests finally made it to the reception hall. Everyone took their seats and the entrees were served. The room was alive with chatter.
"Avril," Bella Donna said patiently from where she sat next to Tante Mattie. "Stop texting and put the phone away."
"But Maman," Avril complained. "This is so booorrring."
"That's no excuse for bad manners."
"Yeah," Lucian agreed from across the table.
"Shut your face, LeBeau," Avril snapped at him. "No one asked you."
Bella Donna sighed and caught Mercy's eyes as their respective teenagers fell to meaningless arguing.
"So, Belle," said Mercy. "It's been awhile since anyone tried to arrange any Boudreaux/LeBeau marriages..."
Avril and Lucian promptly shut up.
Viviana sauntered over to the bridal table.
["Congratulations,"] she said to Gambit and her eyes met Rogue's. ["Ahh, now I don't believe we've been officially introduced yet."]
["There's a reason for that, Vivi,"] Gambit replied and turned to Rogue. "Rogue, this is Viviana Moretti of the Italy Thieves Guild. It's the only Thieves Guild that isn't stationed in one place. The Cosa Nostra gives them too much trouble to risk settling."
"Who's the Cosa Nostra?" Rogue asked.
"That would be the name the Mafia gives themselves."
"Should I be hearing this?" asked Wanda, who was sitting right next to Rogue.
"That's all I was going to say about the matter, but you can always swap places with Zoe," Gambit replied with a grin at Wanda. "Vivi doesn't speak English, which is why she's currently giving me a dirty look."
"Oh, I see," Rogue replied. "Well, I could speak French if I pulled out your psyche..."
"Nah, it's more fun this way," Gambit replied. ["Vivi, this is Rogue. She doesn't know French, or Spanish, or even Italian, so I get to play translator, isn't that fun?"]
["Oh really?"] Viviana asked with a sly smile, and then said pleasantly to Rogue: ["I don't like you, and in fact, I think you're rather hideous."]
"On the other hand," Gambit muttered. ["That was completely uncalled for, and I'd prefer it if you didn't insult my wife - in any language."]
["I'd prefer it if you didn't have a wife."]
"Rogue?" Henri said, looking past Gambit to catch her eyes. "We're going to have to teach you French."
Rogue laughed.
"I've been under that impression myself," she said. "I've learned a few words since I met Remy though. Remy? You might want to tell our guest - and we'll just pretend I don't know she's said something insulting to me - that the mains are about to be served and she might want to go sit down and annoy someone else."
Gambit chuckled. ["They're about to serve the main course, darling. Maybe if you run back to your chair you can work off those calories before you put them on."]
Viviana slapped him but couldn't wipe the grin from his face. As she stalked off, Henri whacked Gambit upside the head.
"What part of 'polite' and 'civilised' don't you understand?" Henri demanded.
"I was being polite and civilised," Gambit replied mischievously. "I was translating it into a language she could understand."
Henri looked at Gambit for a long moment and then banged his head on the table. "The Guild is doomed."
"Hey Roguey," Gambit said, giving her a nudge with his elbow. "Maybe they'll change their minds about this whole Patriarchy business."
"I wouldn't count on it," she replied.
After the main course, it was time for the speeches. Wanda was up first. She was a little nervous about this as she didn't really feel that she'd known Rogue long enough, but on the bright side, she didn't know most of the people here.
"Well," Wanda said. "When I first met Anna, I wasn't entirely certain I was going to like her, mostly because she interrupted Remy during a raid by doing an undisclosed activity that made him breathe heavily over the mic. It was disgusting and creepy, and I may never forgive you for it, dear. Quite frankly I think you're both a little foul over Vent sometimes. When you're not busy being sappy, you're busy with the innuendo, and it does get rather much at time. But, there are two things I'm sure of about you two: One, that you definitely deserve each other; and two, that you're very much in love. To Remy and Anna."
"I can't believe you said that," Rogue whispered to Wanda as she sat down.
"What, about the heavy breathing?" Wanda asked with a grin. "John wanted me to tell everyone our theory on what exactly you were doing to get him so worked up."
While Rogue was dealing with the extra dose of embarrassment that comment caused her, Henri stood up to give his speech. Rogue had regained herself by the time Henri was done for her speech and finally Gambit gave his.
Rogue was quite blown away by the croquembouche wedding cake. She'd never had the dessert before and Gambit informed her that she'd been missing out. After tasting it, she agreed.
The night ended not long after the bridal waltz, and the newlywed couple said good bye to all their guests.
"Never thought I'd see the day where you finally tied the knot," Storm teased Gambit as she gave him a hug. "I'm very happy for you, Remy."
"Merci," Gambit replied.
"And you as well Rogue," Storm said, smiling at the younger woman. "Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you," Rogue said. "Have a good trip home."
"We shall."
"You take good care of her, Gumbo," Logan said.
"Sir, yes sir," Gambit replied with a mock salute.
"Good attitude. Keep it up."
Gambit laughed.
"If he gives you any trouble, kid," Logan said to Rogue as he gave her a hug.
"He'll have to answer to me first," Rogue cut in with a grin.
"That's a lot more frightening," Gambit said.
Rogue gave Jubilee and Pete hugs and thanked them for coming, likewise with Wanda, John, Pietro and Dominic. The X-men would be departing right after the wedding, whereas their west coast friends would be leaving in the morning.
Later that night in the opulent hotel room they'd decided to rent for the purpose of having some privacy on their wedding night, Rogue was fast asleep in Gambit's arms with her head resting on his chest. Gambit had her left hand in his, looking at the wedding rings on their fingers. He'd worn a wedding ring before – they'd both had – but it was always only for show. He'd never worn one for real before.
Now that the moment of truth had passed and the nervousness had died down, Gambit was feeling somewhat ambivalent about being married. On the one hand, he was rather happy and excited about Rogue being his wife. On the other hand, he was apprehensive and even a little scared he had a wife at all.
He had similar feelings about Rogue's pregnancy. On the one hand, he was looking forward to being a father; on the other, dreading it. Still, aside from seeing Rogue deal with morning sickness these past three weeks, the pregnancy didn't feel entirely real to him just yet.
Gambit let go of her hand and snuggled in closer to Rogue. Perk number one of being married: Never having to troll bars to find a woman to warm his bed ever again. Granted, since he and Rogue started dating he hadn't been doing that anyway, but now it was official that he wouldn't have to any more because Rogue would always be there with him.
Well… after this last job he had. It was going to take awhile and he was going to have to leave in the next couple of days if he wanted to make sure he got it down before the cut off date for the years points. He was definitely going to miss Rogue in the coming weeks.
No doubt Rogue would take that teddy bear to bed with her while he was gone. He didn't know if he was amused or irritated about that.
After a lazy morning the next day, Rogue and Gambit saw Wanda and the boys off. After lunch, the couple returned to the LeBeau wing of the Guild Hall and headed up to the third floor. Rogue hadn't yet seen the floor.
"All right," Gambit said, opening up one door. "Now I know there's a lot of junk – oh sorry 'valuable antiques' – in here right now, but the plan is to move all that out, and make this into the baby's room. Obviously, the furniture isn't the only thing that needs to go."
"Yeah, the walls could do with a fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper, couldn't they?" Rogue replied, amused. "Who last slept in here? The Bride of Dracula?"
"Actually, I think this was Tante Jolie's room growing up."
"Who?"
"Père's sister."
"Jean-Luc has a sister? She wasn't at the wedding and I didn't notice, was she?"
"Trust me, if she had been at the wedding, everyone would have noticed," Gambit replied with a grin. "She died before I was even adopted."
"Oh, right," Rogue said, considered, and then asked: "She didn't die in here, did she? Or don't you know?"
Gambit laughed.
"I believe she had well and truly moved out of home by then," he said.
"Okay. Cool... No one died in our room, did they?"
"I wouldn't know, but Jacques LeBeau - mon grandpère - was the last one in that room and I know for certain he didn't die in there."
"Oh good," Rogue said and then looked a little shame-faced. "You probably think I'm weird, huh?"
"Nah," Gambit dismissed as he closed the door. "I know there are people out there who get uncomfortable about that kind of thing."
"You don't?"
"I spent the first ten years of my life living on the street. I know I've slept places people have died," he said with a shrug. "It's never really bothered me."
"I take your point."
Gambit opened up the door across the hallway. "And this is our living room, or will be once we finish decking it out."
Rogue peered inside. There were a couple of desks set up for their computers, their display cabinet and Gambit's pinball machine. Otherwise the room was looking rather empty.
"Feel free to furnish and decorate to your heart's content, chére," he said. "Only fair after I furnished and decorated the bedroom."
"How long do you think you'll be gone?" she asked.
Gambit shrugged. "I'll be back before December first."
"Right," Rogue said with a sly smile. "Because that's the cut off date for the year's count."
"Exactly. Can't miss that."
"No, of course not."
"Glad you agree," Gambit said, and shut that door too. "And finally, our room."
He opened up the double doors at the end of the hallway and the smart remark Rogue had come up with about that died on her lips as her eyes laid upon the room. Aside from the fact that it was a huge bedroom in itself, the main feature of the room was an ornate four poster bed, complete with canopy and deep red curtains and matching side tables and mirrors on either side. There was a table in one corner with a couple of chairs and a tall bookshelf. On the opposite wall, between two doors there was a dressing table with another mirror. The wall opposite the bed had all the windows in the room, as well as a door leading out onto a balcony. The door and windows were also framed with red curtains.
"That is the single most gorgeous bed I have ever seen," she said, sounding awed.
"Tante Mattie thought you'd like it," Gambit said with a grin. "Which is great news, because I was dreading the idea of pulling it apart and moving it out."
"How can you not be completely in love with this bed?" Rogue demanded as she hugged one of the posts.
"Umm, because I'm in love with you?" he replied, looked at her with raised eyebrows, and added: "Great, I just got rid of the bear -"
"Not for another six months, Swamp Rat."
"- now I have to compete with the bed."
"Nah," Rogue said with a wink as she broke away. "I have a feeling the bed's into threesomes."
Gambit laughed.