𝐂𝐎𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐍𝐓 |𝟏𝟖+

𝘰𝘯𝘦 |

CHAPTER 01
GABRIEL ANTOINE LEMAIRE
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She looked beautiful.

Beauty in white.

A silky white dress stopped at her ankles and graced her body. It had a sweetheart neckline and corset binding that lifted and accentuated the shape and heaviness of her breasts. My hands itch at the feeling of pulling her close and pressing a kiss into the expanse of her neck crowned by the simple diamond necklace I gifted her for Christmas two years ago. On her manicured feet were a simple pair of white heels.

My pretty girl.

Black curls create unruly spirals that frame her face in layers. Her beautiful face was something out of a prayer to Aphrodite - heart-shaped, radiant dark skin, bright eyes, and plump lips. She shares a hug with her grandfather while I stand back and observe, giving her a moment to bask in the love of family. Her eyes meet mine for a moment and I note the hitch of breath she takes before a small grin graces my lips. Margot stands beside me, her eyes staring into the side of my face, "You're gonna burn a hole into my face kid." I mumble out at her before I break my eyes away to look at her using my hand free of gifts to pull her into my side, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I missed you. Shockingly," she grumbles into my chest causing me to chuckle. Margot was my pride and joy, a dream come true. She was always a handful when younger but now seeing how I've shaped much of her life and seeing her step into her future, I could feel slight cracks in my chest at the thought of her being an adult. Her mother was here for her graduation earlier today, but at the moment she was somewhere off working while Margot and I attended Zahra's graduation.

A light floral scent with a hint of caramel hits my nose as Zahra takes her place in front of me. In her hand was already a bouquet of sunflowers, spray roses, and chamomile from her grandfather who was now having a conversation with Margot about her plans. "Hi," she whispers between us a look in her eyes I just can't pinpoint.

My left hand free of her gifts and accompanying bouquet quickly pulls her into me, her hands cocooning my neck into her warmth. Her hair smells of coconut and mint which just adds more to the maddening thoughts in my mind. Images of her walking around the house in just my shirt after a night of my head between her thighs crowd my mind. "Hi," I mumble into her shoulder. "Congrats papillon." She fits into the shape of my body like a glove, full of dips and curves that make me want to take a bite.

Her heartbeat is in sync with my own at a fast pace of nervousness that slows with every passing second. I was a man that wasn't ashamed to say I was attracted to Zahra - I mean who in their right mind wouldn't be? She had a heart of gold and was beautiful, smart, loyal, and honest. She'd say she isn't that funny but many of the things she says puts more than a smile on my face. Against my better judgment, I watched her often - she loved spending quality time with the people she loved, craved physical touch, and loved performing acts of service. It's why this hug wasn't one I wanted to let go of. I know that amid all the happiness she feels the niggling feeling of grief eats at her.

"First, mon amour and now papillon. Gabriel aren't we getting comfortable." She teases to which I hum into her skin.

"Why do you call me butterfly?" she softly asks.

So many fucking reasons honestly.

I couldn't exactly tell her that it's because that's what I feel every time she looks at me. I couldn't tell her the ton of other reasons that include her being in my bed naked and spread wide, laying with me. So I tell her part of the truth.

"Transformation. Femininity. Grace. You embody the meaning of a butterfly." I tell her slowly pulling away to see the shy look in her eyes accompanied by the shy smile on her lips. Almost as if to soil my mood, Margot's mother walks up a look of curiosity on her face at the woman whose waist my hands still encircled. Julien's eyes fall to my hands, squinting a bit to watch as I pull them away like I've been torched.