Wedding Bells || Selfie
The past week had been nothing less than a whirlwind of insanity. To say otherwise would be a lie and then some. Fiona wasn’t getting any sleep, the most she’d gotten was four hours from a potion she’d taken the night before, and even that had been restless. Not to mention, her husband to be was getting more and more impatient and testy with every passing minute, and Fiona was throwing herself at every problem before it got a chance to really become a thing. That meant spending more time in Ethelbert’s bed in the last week than she’d spent in the whole rest of the time they’d known each other combined. It was a dirty job, but if it meant keeping his temper at bay while she stressed about the final details, she’d do it.
Fiona rolled out of Ethelbert’s bed the morning of her wedding bright and early, though she felt anything but bright. He was already gone for the day, presumably day drinking with his groomsmen, and honestly, Fiona didn’t care. Normally, she had a beef with how much he drank, but today, it meant he was out of her hair, and she could get ready in peace. She made her way down the hall to her rooms, the place she’d moved into when Ethelbert had all but forced her to move out of her apartment earlier in the summer. She stared into the full length mirror beside where her wedding dress was propped on the mannequin, looking more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. She had to admit, as much as she didn’t want to do this wedding, she definitely loved her wedding dress, and Ken had done an amazing job working on it with her. She really wouldn’t have been able to do it if not for him. Sighing softly, she pulled her gaze from the dress’ reflection and back to her face. Her skin was dull and lifeless, like she hadn’t seen the sun or happiness in a year, and she poked at her cheeks and prodded at the skin at her temples, hoping to bring some life back to her face. She’d frowned so much in the last few months that she was pretty sure she needed a facelift to bring her features back to where they were meant to be.
Fiona took her seat at her vanity and gave all of the products she’d pulled for her big day one more once over before starting in on her routine, wanting to get a good portion of it done before her bridal party showed up to get ready as well. Only relying on the early morning light streaming through the windows, she started with the moisturizer, hoping that it would help brighten up her pallid complexion. As she worked, her mind drifted to what else needed to be done that day and the last minute details that she needed to assure got completed before she walked down the aisle. She was prepared for a beautiful ceremony, but she knew that unless everything else went perfectly at the reception, her non-pureblood guests would send Ethelbert into such a tizzy that he would probably ruin the night for everyone. As much as she wanted to set him on edge, she didn’t want everyone else’s night to be ruined.
It wasn’t much longer before there was a knock on her door, followed by some talking and then rambunctious laughter, and Fiona had to resist rolling her eyes. On the other side was her bridal party, the people that were going to stand beside her while she married one of the worst men she’d ever known. Of course, they didn’t know he was awful, they’d only met the guy once and he’d been on his best behaviour, but still. It hurt to know that they were so excited and she couldn’t find in herself to be.
Plastering a smile on her face, she opened up the door wide and greeted the glowing girls who pushed their way into her room and pulled open more curtains and opened a few of the windows to let in the crisp morning breeze. Fiona couldn’t help but shiver as the cooler air hit her skin, pulling her robe tighter around her.
“Oh, Fiona, you shouldn’t be getting ready in the dark like this, why aren’t any of your lights on?” one girl asked in a rather motherly tone, flitting about and turning on every light she came across. “Fifi, this dress is beautiful!” another spouted, fawning over the creation in the corner. “Thank you,” she said quickly before returning to her vanity. “Shouldn’t you all be getting ready too?” she asked with a teasing smile before gesturing to the room across the hall. “Your dresses are in there, and if you need anything at all, just holler. We’ll have one of the house elves get it for you,” she continued as she looked back into the mirror. After a chorus of excited squeals and a flurry of hugs, the girls were gone, the door across the hall shutting behind them.
Fiona let out a huge sigh of relief, physically deflating. It was easy to pretend with other people around. Much easier, really, but it always left her exhausted. Still, she figured she had a solid hour before they started making their way back to her, and she was going to use it not pretending.
After a few minutes of sitting in the silence, Fiona reached over and put some music on, wanting to try and bring her mood up. This was her dream wedding, after all, and girls were supposed to be excited for their big day. Three songs in, and she was already feeling better, like maybe today wouldn’t be the worst day ever after all, and then she heard the light knock on her door, spotting a familiar face in the mirror, one she sure wasn’t going to show.
“Gracie?” she breathed out, her face lighting up with a genuine smile for the first time in what felt like years. Fiona turned in her chair to see her best friend standing there with a smile on her face, and it didn’t take long for her to stand up and bolt to the other girl, nearly crying at the sight of her. “I can’t believe you made it! I thought you were going to be too busy,” she said curiously, the smile never leaving her face. “Did you really think I was going to miss this day of all days? C’mon Fi, you know I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Fiona hugged Grace again and pulled her into the room, “Come in, come in, I’m in the middle of getting ready, sit with me while I do?” it was really less of a question and more of a command. “How are things going? Are you happy? I have missed you so much, you have no idea. It’s just not the same without you.” It felt like they had eons to catch up on, but really, Grace looked happy and healthy, and suddenly, she didn’t have to pretend that everything was going to be fine.
“Yes, we’re really busy, but things are going well. I’m so happy, Fiona. We have a big house and we’re planning on lots of babies, and it’s going to be wonderful. You should come visit us someday.” The idea was nice, and Fiona would love to spend time with them when she needed to just get away. “I might just take you up on that,” she agreed, looking at Grace through the mirror with a smile. “You’ll stay for the ceremony, right? Please...I don’t want to do this without you.”
“Of course. We can’t stay for much longer after that, but we’ll be here as long as we can. Shang has a game in the morning, and he needs to get sleep, and I don’t want to be cranky in the morning.” Grace explained with a laugh, and Fiona nodded in understanding. “I’m just glad you’ll stay. Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” she repeated, still feeling the excitement from first seeing her in the doorway.
They continued talking for the next hour, catching up on everything that had happened in the last few months and beyond, and Fi regaled how she met Ethelbert, which earned a laugh from Grace, calling his name completely ridiculous. Fiona couldn’t argue it, either. She could try to defend it, but his name always kind of made her laugh. As time passed, her bridesmaids started trickling into the room, looking bright and ready for the day’s events. They milled about and joined in on the conversation between Grace and Fiona, and it wasn’t until all the girls were back in the room that Fiona was finished with her makeup. With a wave of her wand, her hair smoothed out and laid in perfect loose curls down her back. And then it was time to get into the dress. It was beautiful, and it fit Fiona like a glove. It took two people to help her into it because it was so tight, but once it was buttoned and zipped up, there wasn’t a single spot that didn’t fit her perfectly. She’d definitely have to give Ken major props for making it so perfect. She’d thought it many times leading up to the big day, but seeing it on right before her ceremony, it brought tears to her eyes.
Her bridesmaids gathered around her, and Grace stood beside her, and she felt complete. Like today was going to be one of the best days of her life after all. “Okay, girls. Let’s do this. Would one of you go and check to see if my future husband and his band of goons is ready? We have to leave soon if we’re going to get there on time.” The girls all rushed off to gather their things and check on the boys, and Fiona was left standing there with Grace. “I’ll see you there, okay?” she said thickly, the lump of emotion still in her throat as she leaned in and placed a kiss on either side of her friend’s face. “You and Shang are front row beside my dad. Thank you so much again. This means the world to me.” Grace squeezed Fiona’s hands and bid her goodbye before hustling off to get her husband and heading to the church.
Rather than apparate or try to take portkeys and risk ruining her dress, the entire wedding party took flying cars to the cathedral. It took longer, but they’d timed everything out perfectly that they weren’t late, and people were still showing up for the ceremony. Fiona could see from the other side of the door down the aisle, and she spotted Grace and Shang sitting just down the pew from her father, and a shared smile helped calm her nerves. One of her bridesmaids fussed over her dress, making sure all the feathers laid straight. Ethelbert came down from a side door to stand at the end of the aisle, looking annoyingly perfect in his gold-toned tuxedo that matched the gold lace in her dress. He was handsome, but that arrogant smile on his face that was meant just for her made her heart skip a beat, but not in a good way. He was getting everything he wanted, and she was getting nothing in return, really.
As each bridesmaid walked down the aisle, arm in arm with a groomsman, they dropped a kiss on her cheek before walking through the doors. The undying support from her friends made her nerves slowly dissipate, and when her musical cue came, she was ready. Everyone stood as she stood in the entryway of the door, and her gaze flicked from face to face, realising she really only knew less than half of the guests in attendance. At least the reception had more people she’d know there. Hopefully. Fiona held her bouquet in front of her and began her walk down the aisle, the music feeling painfully slow. She wasn’t in a rush to get to the end of the aisle, but the longer it took, the more she wanted to turn and run.
As she walked past people, pictures were snapped, and Fiona’s smile never once wavered. The metaphorical crown she wore on her head felt heavier on her head with every step, but she showed no outer signs of her inner turmoil. Her real, actual tiara, however, made her feel more powerful and like an actual crown, like she could make any other royal wedding jealous of her own. As Fiona approached the end of the aisle, her father stood from his seat and met her at the end, smiling wide at her. She could see the pride in his eyes, and it further solidified the fact in her mind that she was definitely doing the right thing here. He passed her hands to Ethelbert’s, and passed the bouquet to her maid of honor. Again, Fiona glanced at Grace, and she gave her a subtle thumbs up and a big smile as she took Shang’s hand in her own. She glanced at Shang who gave her a small wave, and she smiled in return before turning her attention back to Ethelbert. Purposely, she avoided looking at Denahi who was just on the other side of her father, knowing that he didn’t approve of the wedding, and not wanting to have anything sway her from this.
“You look beautiful,” Ethelbert said quietly, and Fiona gave him a small smile and a quiet thanks as they both looked at the minister.
“Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the joining of Viscount Ethelbert Cavendish and Miss Fiona Babette in marriage. With love and commitment, they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.” The minister’s voice boomed through the cathedral, and while he couldn’t me more wrong in his statement, the reality of the day finally hit her. She was getting married right now, and this was her day. The part of her that always wanted to get married and be happily in love hoped that this would be good for her and for them and that things would be okay after this, and that when they said their vows, it wouldn’t be lies.
“True marriage is more than simply joining two persons together through the bonds of matrimony. It is also the union of two hearts and the blending of two families. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but also thrives on the joy of each new day. Marriage is, and should be, an expression of love. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together, and to also share those moments of quiet and peace, when the day is done. May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding.”
Here, Fiona and Ethelbert shared a look, knowing full and well that this was nothing more than a business transaction. It broke her heart to hear those words when she knew that he had no love for her. He’d never once humored her and tried to make her feel love. He’d never so much as told her that he cared for her, and while she didn’t feel love for him, she wanted to think that she was more than just a warm body to him.
“Ethelbert, if you would repeat after me?” His gaze never moved from hers as he nodded once in understanding.
“I, Ethelbert Cavendish, take you, Fiona Babette, as my lawfully wedded wife,” “I, Ethelbert Cavendish, take you, Fiona Babette, as my lawfully wedded wife,” “To have and to hold from this day forward,” “To have and to hold from this day forward,” “For better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,” “For better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,” “Til death do us part.” “Til death do us part.”
Ethelbert turned to his best man who approached with a box which housed her wedding ring and pulled it out, his attention moving back to her. “With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, my heart, and my hands.” The words almost sounded sincere as he slipped the ring onto her finger. His hands were gentler than usual, and as she looked up at his face, she could have sworn she saw real emotion on it. Before she could really dwell on it, however, the minister was calling for her attention. “Fiona, if you would repeat after me?” She nodded slightly, the smile coming to her lips again subconsciously. She wanted to believe he did care. She wanted it so desperately, and she thought maybe giving her vows would bring the emotion back to his face.
“I, Fiona Babette, take you, Ethelbert Cavendish, as my lawfully wedded husband,” “I, Fiona Babette, take you, Ethelbert Cavendish, as my lawfully wedded husband,” “To have and to hold from this day forward,” “To have and to hold from this day forward,” “For better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,” “For better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,” “Til death do us part.” “Til death do us part.”
Here, her maid of honor stepped up, offering the wedding band they’d gotten to match her ring. Fiona’s hand was trembling a bit as she picked it up, clearing her throat a bit as she turned back to Ethelbert. "Through this ring, I accept you as my husband, now and for all time,” she said with a returning smile and slipped the ring onto his finger with minimal trembling. He noticed it, though, and laced their fingers together with a reassuring squeeze. This time, her heart skipped a beat in a good way. Maybe he did care after all.
“With the exchange of vows and the physical promise of these rings, I declare you Mr. and Mrs. Cavendish. Ethelbert, you may kiss the bride.”
With those words, he all but swept her off her feet, pressing his lips to hers in a gentle but passionate kiss. It took her by surprise, he’d never been this gentle with her before. He’d never shown any sort of emotion toward her besides anger or annoyance or carnal hunger. This was entirely new, and it blinded her. When he finally let her go, she held onto him until she was steady on her heels again and looked out towards the cheering crowd. She could see a few familiar faces that weren’t nearly as pleased as the rest of them, but she could hardly blame them. One of those faces was Denahi. She knew how he felt about her new husband, and she’d have to spend some time assuring that everything was fine. She’d hoped that he’d be too distracted with his rooming situation to be bothered by this, but that had been too much to ask for. If anything, she had a feeling it would amplify his disapproval with the whole thing. As they exited the church, Fiona reached out and squeezed his shoulder, her face showing no hint of her previous hesitation.
This was a new chapter. Maybe it would be better now. If she could convince herself, she could convince anyone.
