Come As You Are (An Anne With An E/Sebastian 'Bash' Lacroix Fanfic)

31. Gilbert and Anne's Wedding

I sat at my vanity, getting ready for the wedding. Gilbert and Anne were finally getting married and I was so happy it was set on a perfect day like that day. I was dressed in one of my fancier dressed. Bash was changing behind and by all the noises, he was still getting dressed but was close to finishing.

I finished my hair and got up, spinning a little to make my skirt spin around my legs. Bash chuckled at me and kissed me quickly. I went to check on Eleanora, who was being dressed by Gilbert. He had gotten up way earlier than everyone else and had volunteered to get his dear niece ready so that her parents could get dressed without disturbance.

When I entered her room, Eleanora was giggling and I could hear Gilbert chuckling softly. I leaned against the doorframe, listening to them. They sounded happy.

"Hey, Aria," Gilbert greeted. "She's all dressed, so you don't have to worry."

I smiled. "Thanks. I know you have a lot on your mind."

"It's a welcome distraction," Gilbert replied. "Do you want to take her?"

I nodded and Eleanora came to me a few seconds later. I picked her up and carried her to my room. Bash greeted me and kissed the two of us, taking Eleanora into his arms.

"Delphine is beautiful today," Bash said. "I got her a new dress for the wedding."

"Really?" I asked. "What color is it?"

"A dark blue with some white," Bash replied. "You'd like it. Delphine sure does."

"Did she say something?" I asked.

"Not now but when I first got it," Bash answered. "She was so excited, bouncing all over the place and she was smiling the entire day. She says that you look beautiful today too. She likes your dress a lot."

I placed a hand on her cheek momentarily before tapping a response on her arm. She reached for me once I finished my sentence. I carried her downstairs for some breakfast, Bash following. Gilbert was already making some food and he greeted us when we came in.

I sat at the table with Eleanora. It wasn't too long before the plates were set in front of us and we started eating. There was no talking, everyone too busy eating to pay attention to the others. Eleanora scampered off somewhere after she finished her meal, not a word coming out of her mouth. Though when everyone was done, Eleanora returned to us and was carried out to the carriage by Gilbert. He loved his niece so much and treated her just like a princess.

I climbed into the back with Eleanora and held her in my lap. She played with my hands, mumbling to herself as she played with my hands. I smiled as I held her, a gentle breeze blowing by. I leaned my head back, feeling it blow by. It was a beautiful day. I felt it in my bones and on my skin. A perfect day for a wedding.

It was going to be at the church and the party was going to be at the Cuthbert's house. I hoped that Eleanora was calm throughout the ride, though began to squirm the closer we got to the church. When Bash stopped the cart, I climbed out, stumbling a little bit. Taking Eleanora out, I set her on the ground. She took off, disappearing from my reach.

I went to call out for her but Bash took my arm in his before I could say anything. "She'll be fine, darling. She knows not to stray too far from us. No need to worry."

I sighed. "I know. It's just that I can't see where she is and I want to protect her."

"I know," Bash soothed. "I assure you she'll be fine though. In fact, she's going into the church with Aunt Diana. She's in good hands."

I nodded as Bash led me inside. We sat near the front, Eleanora sitting between us. She squirmed a few times but settled down after Bash talked to her. Bash whispered softly in my ear what was happening. The ceremony was shorter than I expected and we were on our way to the Cuthbert's house in no time. But we didn't have Gilbert with us at that time. He was going to the reception with Anne.