Purcell's Pairings | ✔

XXII

     "I CANNOT BELIEVE you are getting married," Maisie gushed, fluffing out the bottom of the long dress Annalise was wearing. "I'd known Marius had wished to see you but I hadn't expected that to be the outcome."

     "But we are supportive," Esther added quickly, shooting Maisie a look in case she held judgment behind what she said. "Marius is a kind man."

     Annalise peered at the two of them, their appearance slightly mistier due to the veil that fell over her face. "Do you believe I've made a bad mistake?"

     "Not at all!" came from Maisie's lips, just as Esther spoke, "No, dear." That was a bit more reassuring.

     Annalise had come to the promising conclusion that she did indeed love Marius. She'd never stopped, but the flickering candlelight of love and affection had grown to something far larger over the past bit. It was strange, really; she'd convinced herself time and time again that after their parting, love didn't exist. She supposed she had a good enough reasoning for this, given the outburst her father had when he caught them drowning in a pool of love and affection one night. Well, a servant did. But that was enough to fire him up. She, in all honesty, was not sure what had switched in his mind, when he'd decided Marius was worthy enough of Annalise's love and her father's support. Was it before Philip had realized that it was the Bellegarde family who'd looked after Annalise when they fled, or was it sometime before that? After that? She hadn't bothered asking. There was no point, really; the more questions spilled, the bigger the chance he would change his mind. And Annalise wasn't willing to let that happen.

     "What if John finds out?" she found herself murmuring, fingers twiddling anxiously. Though she hadn't had any contact with him in a few weeks now, it was still worrisome. He never seemed to leave her mind, though whenever she thought of him, the thought was associated with fear, anxiety. 

     "Then he finds out," Maisie retorted lightly, joining her side. "I am most certain he already knows; that man knows everything about everyone. But he will disappear shortly. Some nerve he would have to approach you at your wedding!"

     "Thank you, Maisie," Annalise drawled sarcastically. "That makes me feel very relieved."

     "Maisie is right," Esther chimed in quietly. "I, too, am sure he knows, but what is the worst he can do? You are surrounded, Annalise, and that man will not make a fool of himself, that is for certain."

     Annie took in a breath and let it out slowly, her head bobbing, though the action barely visible. She knew her sisters were most likely correct on that matter, but what was she to do about it now? She couldn't think too much about him; he was the past now, and Marius was her present, future, and forever. That was all that mattered now. 

     "White really does wash you out," Maisie sighed a moment later, breaking the comfortable silence. "Such a shame."

     Esther snorted a laugh at the random comment and Annie glanced sharply at her younger sister. Though she was not completely offended, the words did indeed take her by surprise. "Maisie," she whined. "Do I really look that awful?"

     "No, Annalise," Esther put in quickly, slashing a hand across her throat in a "stay silent" motion towards Maisie. "You look lovely."

     "Perfect," Maisie added, her tone more sincere. "Now come, we have a wedding to attend!"

—

     Annalise hadn't expected to be so nervous at an event that was supposed to be filled with so much joy and purity. Her legs felt weak, and she was genuinely worried that for a moment, they would give out on her as she walked down the aisle, if tripping over her thick, heavy wedding dress didn't beat her to it. Her mother stood beside her, stroking back small bits of hair (whether they were actually there or if her mother was simply touching her face for whatever reason was beyond her), her eyes visibly teary.