Ever After

ten | eadlyn

The ceremony had been a blur.

The only thing I remembered was Miss Marlee, Miss Lucy, Aunt Brice, Aunt May, Grandma, and Mom crowding me as Eloise and Neena attempted to get me ready, Dad's grin as he met me at the doors, and the doors opening.

And oh, goodness, I remember Eikko, standing at the end of the isle, Ahren, Henri, and Kile standing next to him, grins on all their faces- his eyes shining with tears. Ahren whipped out a handkerchief and handed it to him, and they shared a brotherly glance, making everything about Eikko seem even more amazing in that moment. 

Once we were both facing the priest- Camille, Neena, and Josie at my side- I completely blacked out. I honestly don't remember anything until Eikko's lips were on mine, sealing our union. If his arms hadn't snaked around me, I'm sure I would have melted right there.

There had also been pictures taken- so many pictures. I posed with the boys, my boys, and my family, Eikko's family, but through it all, Eikko never moved from my side. His skin never left mine. Oh, goodness, he'd braved all that attention and all those people for me.

The reception had happened, too, I think. All I remembered of that was our first dance, dancing with my boys, dancing with Ahren, dancing with Dad. So many dances. My feet were aching.

I met my own eyes in the mirror. I couldn't believe this was me... a bride. Eikko's bride. 

I played with my fingers. Eloise had never been this late when I called, and I was beginning to get antsy. This night... this night meant everything to me. Surely she'd come...

A knock sounded, and I breathed a sound of relief. "Come in."

Instead of the servants door opening, though, the door that connected mine and Eikko's room did. I stared as he poked his head in, giving me a lovesick smile. 

"Oh! I- I thought you were Eloise."

His expression didn't dim as he took one step into the room. "Forgive me, but I asked Eloise if I could be the one to help my wife out of her gown tonight. If you want, I can ring for Eloise."

My breathing catches. His wife. My husband. That's what we were now. I managed a smile, though my insides were banging around like crazy.I turned back to the mirror, hoping he wouldn't see my bashfulness. "No. No, it's alight... you can stay."

He met my eyes through the mirror. "I'm nervous too, you know."

Somehow, that calmed me down. He made his way over to the chair I was sitting on, placing his hands on my shoulders. He leaned down and kissed my hairline. "I love you."

No matter how many times he's said that today, it still sent a shock into my core. "I love you too."

"I promise to take this slow and gentle, Eadlyn. We'll figure this out together, yeah?"

I spun the chair around, facing him, and brought him down in front of me. As soon as he was kneeling, I kissed him. There were no giggles, no smiles as he kissed me back, both hands coming up to caress my face. Everything in me longed to touch him, to feel him. His promise to be gentle with me hums in my ears, holding true.

He kissed my forehead, and his breath fanned my face. Then the bridge of my nose, then the tip, and I couldn't help but giggle at that. He smiled as he kissed both of my cheeks, then my jawline, then on my neck. His mouth trailed across my skin, his breath mingled with my own. 

"May I help you out of your outfit, rakas?"

When these words leave his mouth, it's all I can do to nod. He steps away from me, much to my dismay, but doesn't go far. His hands play with the pins in my hair, pulling each one out and setting it on the counter slowly. Once he got the last one out, he combed his hands through my hair slowly, detangling it as he kissed at my ears and running his free hand down my back.