Lost in the pages

Here's to the future

***Final chapter of this for now. I have loved every minute of this one so I may pay another visit to France in the future*****

I sighed and rolled over and reached my hand out for Athos to find and empty space next to me on the bed. I eased up and ache in my limbs was the kind of ache that meant it had been a very intense night. I moved to get out of bed as the door opened and with a cold breeze Athos walked in.

"Good morning" he said putting a large box down on the table and pulled off his gloves and put his hat on top of the box "I thought you would still be sleeping?" he smiled walking over to me and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I woke up and found you missing" I said moving to my knees letting the covers fall from me, I watch the dilation of Athos's pupils 

"I did not wish to leave you, but there was something that I had to do" he murmured moving closer and kissing me.  I gasped as his cold fingers gripped my sides and he pulled me on to his lap "Now I'm wishing that I hadn't gone" he nuzzled the side of my neck

"Then take me back to bed Musketeer" I chuckled. Athos really didn't need to be asked twice. His body responded to each and every touch like it was the first time we'd been together. 

I pushed him off me and quickly moved on top of him; straddling him, moving my hips making his back arch from the bed as his release was a hard one, sending me in to my own.

 I collapsed forward on to him both of us panting for breath. Athos wrapped his arms around me and rolled to the side taking me with him, keeping himself still inside of me.

"I do not want to leave this moment" he said touching the side of my face, he rocked his hips slightly making me moan still feeling him inside of me

"I know but I think the others will wonder where you are" I trailed my fingers down his chest between us

"True" he chuckled "Are you hungry?"

"I think so" I nodded "Do you have to be at the Palace today?"

"That is where I just came from" he tucked a piece of hair back behind my ear, he bent his head and kissed my shoulder

"Was the King hunting again?" I sighed as his mouth moved up my shoulder to my neck nipping and kissing as he went

"No; The Queen sent for me" he ran the tip of his nose along my jaw I gripped his shoulder as I felt him harden inside of me.

One thing about Athos he needed little downtime before he was ready to go again. He rolled me on to my back and this time it was a languid love making; the kind that made your toes curl and every ounce of you ache in a good way.

The door knocked and Athos smiled at me and kissed my forehead. I pulled the covers over me and he got out of bed and pulled on pants and walked to the door and opened it.

"Am I interrupting?" Constance asked with a smirk

"Yes" I called out with a laugh as I got out of bed and pulled the covers around me and walked over to the door.

"Well we have to get you ready; and you" She looked Athos up and down "Well you need to get ready yourself but not in here" I looked from one to another of them and frowned

"I shall see you in the church" Athos said turning to face me 

"Church, what church?" I was more than a little confused 

"Seriously" Constance punch Athos on the arm "You were supposed to give her the box and explain what is happening"

"Then Constance can you make sure there is a bath ready for me whilst I explain what I need to" he rubbed the back of his neck

"Oh not a chance at all, you will get side tracked" She put her hands on her hips

"Will someone tell me what's happening?" I threw up my hands quickly catching the sheet as it began to fall

"Do you love me?" Athos faced me and put his hands on my hips

"You know I do?" I felt my stomach knot

"Could you be happy with being the wife of a musketeer as well as become the new Countess de la Fere?" I swallowed the lump in my throat and all I could do was nodded "Then the Queen is allowing us to use the Chapel in the Louvre Palace, we are going to be married; today; that is if you wish it" he chewed his lip nervously

"I do" I smiled fighting back to wave of emotion as I threw my arms around him and kissed him like Constance wasn't standing in the doorway.

"Alright, as I said I need to help Estelle to get ready and you Musketeer need to clean yourself up" she scooted Athos from the room and closed the door and looked at me and smiled 

"This is crazy" I giggled as Constance crossed the room and opened the box that Athos had brought in and pulled out a dress in a heavy silvery satin with tiny blue flowers embroidered all over it "Where did that come from?" I asked walking over to Constance and touching the fabric

"The Queen" she smiled "This is her gift to you, she thinks a lot of you" she put the dress down over the table "Now lets see about getting you married"

I sat as Constance brushed my hair and proceeded to pin it up and she pushed in small white flowers. I was about to marry a man that was from a story, I thought back to being in the small shop and reading my grandmother's diary. knowing she had had something equally as thrilling and as exciting with one of King Arthurs Knights but gave up on that love because of me. I closed my eyes and wiped away a tear that rolled down my cheek.

"Estelle?" I opened my eyes to see a concerned looking Constance looking at me

"Happy tears" I said squeezing her hands. She let out a sigh of relief "It will be your turn next" I said getting to my feet and letting Constance tighten the corset "You and D'artagnan there is nothing stopping the two of you anymore"

"I know" She giggled as she tucked the string of the corset away and I turned to face her "We will both be the wives of Musketeers" I hugged her as the door knocked

"Come in" I called out as Aramis came in and smiled

"Oh Estelle you look beautiful" he bowed his head to me "Constance, D'artagnan  is waiting for you" Constance kissed my cheek and walked by Aramis and squeezed his arm

"I hope you do not mind but as you have no family other than all of us; I would like to take you to your future husband" he walked over to me and took my hands 

"I'm glad to have you with me" I smiled at him 

"Then let's go" he picked up the cloak that came with the dress and put it around my shoulders. we walked out and down to where there were two horses Aramis lifted me up before getting on to his own horse and we rode through the now familiar streets of Paris, to the palace

Two grooms came from the stables and held the horses as Aramis dismounted and came over and lifted me down. We walked into the palace, I took off my cloak and took a deep breath Aramis took off his hat and smiled at me before he offered me his arm

"You're shaking" He held my hand that was wound through his arm 

"I know, and I shouldn't be because it's Athos"

"Well, I think it is more excitement but I hope you realize that you have all of us as brother to you now more than ever" I nodded and kissed his cheek 

"Thank you" I smoothed my hand over the skirt of the dress "I think we should go and not leave them waiting"

Aramis and I walked through the doors of the church most of the garrison were inside Athos was facing toward the large stained-glass window with D'artaganan, Porthos and Captain Treville next to him, Constance was stood waiting opposite them.

D'artagnan said something to Athos as Aramis and I walked down the center aisle. Athos turned and I felt my heart skip a beat seeing him in new Black leather jacket with his shoulder guard polished making the Fleur d'lis  stand out and the bright blue of his cloak setting it all off matching his eyes.

His smile lit his face and he bit down on his lip as he took in the sight of me walking toward him, this was a meant to be.

I had found my place in this world, I had fallen in love when I least expected it, all I could do now was live my best life and see what path our story would take from here.