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The faintest rays of sunlight peeking through the curtains of a quaint cottage woke Gilbert Bougainvillea from his peaceful sleep. His eye opened as he carefully stretched and turned over to face the woman in the bed next to him.
Miraculously she was still deep in slumber, her long velvety white blonde hair framing her face like a halo and her pale doll-like features were perfectly relaxed. There was even a smile just tugging at the edges of her lips. Gilbert's heart warmed to see it, glad to know she felt safe enough to truly be relaxed like this in his presence. To this day it still astounded him that even after everything he’d put her through, she still trusted him with her whole heart.
Being as careful as he could not disturb her he slowly reached out his flesh and blood hand intending to move a lock of hair from her cheek, where it was most likely scratching unpleasantly. But before he could get the chance a metal hand came up the fingers slowly wrapping around his.
“Mager?” Violet murmured her voice still heavy with sleep as her eyes opened, crystal blue meeting emerald green.
“Good morning Violet, did I wake you?” Gilbert asked, smiling softly as he fit his hand in hers where it fit perfectly.
“Yes, but it’s alright, it was probably time for me to get up,” she replied, hiding a yawn behind her hand, her face scrunching up cutely as she sat up a little. Turning her head away from the steadily brightening sunlight pouring in as it hit her eyes. She rubbed her face with one hand, her eyes still half-closed as she yawned again.
“Not yet, you can go back to sleep if you’d like, we don’t have to get up until later today.” He informed her as she rested her head back down, landing on his now outstretched mechanical arm this time. Seeming to not mind the feeling of cold metal against her skin.
“Alright,” she smiled faintly as her eyes closed once more as she shifted closer to him wrapping an arm around his waist. The duo stayed that way until the clock along the far wall struck three and there came a knock at the bedroom door.
“Who is it?” Gilbert called as Violet's head jerked up at the sudden noise.
“It's us, now hurry up and get out here Violet. We've got a lot of work to do.” the sharp yet cheerful voice of Iris came through the wood, making the shorter woman clamber out of bed. Throwing open the door she was met by the brightly smiling faces of her friends. Who wrapped her up in a big hug, and began to gently tug her forward.
“We’ll bring her back to you in a few hours,” Erica called reassuringly over her shoulder before pulling her out of sight, giggling all the while. Figuring it was time for him to go as well, Gilbert slowly made his way downstairs. Where he found Violet’s co-workers and highly close friends. Who were probably his now too if he thought about it. All waiting for him on the couch, steaming mugs or plates cradled in their hands.
“Well, would you look at that there's the man of the hour,” Cattleya grinned finishing up her meal before standing up to meet him.
“It's good to see you all, but what are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be helping the others get Violet ready? And where are Claudia and Benedict?” He asked frowning slightly in confusion as he glanced around for the two men who'd volunteered themselves to be his groomsmen.
“Claudia pulled him off to put the finishing touches on Violet's dress. So we were sent to help you get ready and put up the rest of the decorations.” Luculia informed him shyly as she got up to join them.
“I well I'm not sure-” Gilbert began to protest blushing faintly but the rest of his words died on his tongue at the look the youngest member of the group was giving him.
“Look Gilbert, would it be too awkward if we helped you get ready? Because if it is, it’ll be dark by the time we’re done. And do you want to keep your future wife weighting?” Lux spoke up her tone normally small and whispering but was now hard, as she rested her hands on her knees and leaned forward narrowing her multi-colored eyes in challenge.
That faintly veiled threat got Gilbert to firmly shake his head. He'd disappointed or hurt Violet more times than he could count on one hand and certainly wouldn't continue to do so now.
“Great, then let's get started.” Cattleya, exclaimed, clapping her hands sharply once as the other girls surrounded him.
Several hours later Gilbert felt his nerves rise as he was guided into a clearing in the woods behind their little home. Covered in many different types of wildflowers lit up by both the setting sun, and paper lanterns strung up in every tree around them. He tapped his foot against the wooden platform that settled for an altar. Mind beginning to race with thoughts of fear and slight panic. That he could end up letting Violet down like he had done so many times before and she might choose to never forgive him if he ended up doing it again.
But all those thoughts came to a screeching halt when he saw Violet's father and brother in everything but name struggling to hold back their tears as they began to lead her down the aisle. Lightly holding her metal hands that were now covered by white lace gloves.
His breath caught in his throat when he saw the love of his life since that morning. Wearing a white fancy-looking combination of a suit and dress. Complete with a gold-trimmed cape and high-heeled boots that nearly came up to her knees. A crown made of the flowers that were her namesake adorned her brow like a goddess descended from the heavens. And the brooch he'd gifted her all those years ago was pinned right over her heart.
Gilbert took an instinctive step forward as the three reached him. The two men helped her climb up the platform handing her a piece of paper before stepping away.
“Hi,” he breathed, his vision blurring, tears forming in his eyes as she came closer, a blinding smile on her face. The realization that this was happening hitting him like a blast of cannon fire that spread hot and burning its way through his heart and soul.
Violet reached out, grasping his hand in one of hers. Took a long deep steadying breath as her eyes locked with his before she began to speak. Occasionally glancing down at the paper in her other hand, voice full of barely suppressed emotion and nervousness.
“Before I lost you I didn’t have the words or even the meanings of everything I felt. Though that didn’t matter to you then. When we could’ve died you said that you loved me even if I couldn’t understand. But since then I’ve learned so many things, through every person I have written letters for. And I had found out what you meant thanks to everything I’ve done. It is warm and fills me up like a brightly burning flame but it doesn't hurt, it never has. It’s wonderful and I want to learn more about what it feels like. And I want to do that with you, the man who helped me find out how to be a person when everyone treated me like a tool including myself. But you never gave up on me, when you and I were staring death in the face you saved me. And ordered me to live. So I did, I lived, and lived, and lived some more. It was exciting and I learned so much, but I wish to know more, like this feeling of love that I feel, this affection. Does it ever diminish? If it does I don’t ever want it to.”
Tears filled her eyes and her bottom lip began to quiver. As Gilbert watched, wanting to dry them so badly, though he was very close to openly crying himself. So instead he gently squeezed her hands knowing it didn’t matter if she couldn’t feel it. He carefully took the paper from her and the tears finally came as he finished for her. “But that won't happen. I refuse to let it, the love I feel for you is overwhelming in its pure brightness. The only way it may dim is if I ever lost you again. But even if I did I’d swim across every ocean, climb to the top of every mountain I could find. And even fight the entirety of another war on my own if it meant being with you. The person I always wanted by my side. I have always adored you, from the bottom of my heart. And I thank you for being in my life. I am honored to be by your side as you learn each day. And I hope I can continue to be there as you learn more, every single second I spend with you.”
Gilbert let the paper fall from his shaking grasp as Violet threw herself into his waiting arms as the depths of their emotions finally Overwhelmed the two lovers. Who were now crying so much that neither of them could speak. Even when the ceremonial vows were read only nods of ascent could be managed.
“Now by the power vested in me by the CH Postal Company and the state of Leiden. I now pronounce you, Violet and Gilbert Evergarden!” Claudia Hodgins called wiping away tears of joy as he did so. Witch was met by cheering from the crowd, the newly wedded couple gazed into each other's eyes, smiles positively blinding even through their still flowing tears.
After everyone had calmed down and the crying had mostly stopped Gilbert and Violet were led back to their cottage. Where a bonfire was lit a meal was brought out, and stories were beginning to be shared.
With the fire's light illuminating his face and his wife's head on his shoulder, Gilbert looked down at the gold wedding band that Violet’s initials had been forged into the new prosthetic. It’s maker knowing he wouldn’t have wanted to take it off if he’d tried. He closed his eyes and pulled her closer in a hug. Allowing the cheerful chattering of voices and nightlife sounds to envelop him.
Content to just sit and listen with Violet at his side, wishing it would be like this for eternity.