A/N: ONLY TWO MORE CHAPTERS UNTIL HOPE FOR TOMORROW IS FINISHED!
Also, I'm sorry for not posting sooner - I was sick for two weeks with bronchitus (can't spell it, so sue me) and couldn't really focus. I spent most of my time watching movies and trying to get better.
I've made a full recovery and hope to post the next chapter soon!
~ Lucky
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
(chapter title – Making Dreams A Reality)
A year later
Ella looked at herself in the full-length mirror. It was the day of her and Tomas' wedding and she couldn't be happier.
"Ella! You look beautiful!" Cassidy told Ella, looking at the two of them in the full-length mirror.
"Thanks. You look pretty, too." Ella told Cassidy, admiring her deep purple dress. Cassidy smiled and went to see if any of the bridesmaids needed help.
Ella had asked Sara, Eponine, Bridget, Evanna, Cassidy, Felicity and Cosette to be bridesmaids. Helena was the flower girl.
Tomas had asked Kevin, Enjolras, Grantaire, Thomas, Marius, Jace and Ryan to be groomsmen. His cousin, Grant, was the ring bearer.
Marius and Ella were the last ones in line. He couldn't keep his eyes off his eldest – she looked absolutely beautiful.
"Too bad I'm not Tomas – I would marry you in a heartbeat." Marius whispered, his tone joking. Ella laughed and hit him in the stomach.
"Dad! Shh! This is serious!" Ella whispered back, trying to keep a straight face. Here Comes the Bride played as Marius and Ella made their way down the aisle. Ella smiled as she saw Tomas, the groomsmen and bridesmaids were waiting for Ella at the end of the aisle, along with the priest.
In no time, Ella was at Tomas' side. He kissed her temple and looked sideways at her.
"You look beautiful!" Tomas whispered. Ella smiled and turned so she was facing him.
"You look handsome!" Ella whispered back, taking Tomas' hands in hers.
The priest started with a traditional Hebrew prayer. Ella smiled and looked at Tomas. He smiled and looked at his beautiful bride.
What seemed like a lifetime, the two of them were man and wife. Tomas kissed Ella with all the passion he could muster. Applause rang out throughout the church as the newlyweds made their way up the aisle.
A short while later, Ella Fantine and Tomas Alexander Horowitz made their way to the dance floor at the reception hall. Applause rang throughout the hall as the DJ played the couple's first dance.
"I can't believe we're married." Tomas whispered in Ella's ear as they circled the dance floor.
"Me, either. All my dreams are becoming real." Ella whispered in Tomas' ear. He dipped her as the song ended and kissed her.
They exited the dance floor and went to sit at the Head Table with the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. As soon as they sat down, everyone clinked their forks against their glasses. Tomas and Ella kissed as applause surrounded them like a blanket.
Ella rested her head on Tomas' shoulder and closed her eyes. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arm around her.
"You ready to go home?" Tomas inquired. Ella nodded and stood up.
"What time is it?" Ella asked, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
"It's a little after midnight." Tomas answered, looking lovingly at her.
"No wonder why I'm so exhausted." Ella told him, feeling him drape his coat over her shoulders.
"Helena is going to stay with your parents while we're on our honeymoon. I don't think she would have any fun on an adults-only cruise." Tomas said, helping Ella into the car.
"We're not adults, so I don't understand why we're going on this cruise in the first place." Ella noted, not bothering to stifle a yawn.
"It'll be fun. In my eyes, we are adults – we have steady jobs and a year-old daughter to raise together." Tomas told Ella as he drove to the airport.
The flight was an hour long to the port where the cruise ship – the SS GODDESS would be leaving.
They checked in with the porters before going to their room. It was on the fifth level and was a lovely room. Tomas and Ella quickly unpacked before going to their balcony, waving goodbye to the people on the dock.
"Do you know any of these people?" Ella asked.
"Nope, just keep waving." Tomas answered, waving goodbye as the ship headed out to sea.
They could hardly feel the waves as the young couple explored the ship. They met a couple in their early thirties named David and Alexis. The four of them became fast friends.
While they were on the ship, Ella got a call from the Olympic Committee – she had been hand-selected for the 2019 Summer Olympics in France.
She and Tomas toasted each other with red wine and dancing with their new friends.
"I am so tired, yet I'm wide awake." Ella noted as she danced with Tomas.
"So am I." Tomas whispered in Ella's ear, making her smile.
The two of them danced for another hour before finding themselves grow tired. They said goodnight to David and Alexis before heading to their room.
The cruise ended three months later, but both David and Alexis promised to keep in touch. Tomas and Ella hugged their new friends before stepping onto the dock.
The plane ride back to the airport was silent, which was okay with Ella – she, along with Tomas, were exhausted.
"I don't feel like driving, so do we want to stay in the motel that's near the airport?" Tomas questioned. Ella nodded sleepily.
The two of them fell asleep in each other's arms, dreaming of their future.