Who: Lucien and Maggie What: Wedding night and morning after Where: The Lodge When: 29-30 July, 1888 Ratings: S for Suggestiveness, Shmoopiness, etc.
Given security concerns, the fact it was the lady’s second marriage, and a desire to not hold off longer than necessary for both parties involved, the wedding between Lucien and Maggie was a quiet and modest affair -- The Reverend Sayers performed the ceremony at the chapel, attended by the pack, and a few other guests -- Maggie’s parents, who’d managed to make the crossing for it, some close allies from associated packs, and a few of his fellow MPs, including Dex and Mac (which was a bit of a surprise -- he’d invited the Sidhe, but hadn’t been expecting him to attend). Matthew stood as his Best Man, and blew his nose rather loudly more than once during the ceremony, but didn’t lose the rings, and gave them both a rousing toast after at dinner.
Peter and Katherine were conspicuous by their absence, and the Night Watch had made all sorts of noise about the need for additional security despite the majority of the attendants being more than capable of putting up an adequate defense, but they managed to not be painfully overbearing in their presence, and Lucien felt sufficiently recovered from his injuries, both of which considerably helped his mood.
Maggie was an utter vision in her wedding gown, and he couldn’t help but look over at her every chance he got, each time a little disbelieving that they’d managed this despite everything that’d happened in the few years he’d known her.
His wife. Maggie Swinton. Lord in heaven, it was sweet to hear it.
This had to be the happiest night of her life so far and Maggie hadn’t been able to stop smiling all evening. Certainly the happiest night she’d had since arriving in England five years ago. Marrying Lucien was a dream come true, one a few short months ago she’d never dared hope would become reality.
Her parents had been mystified at why she’d been so reluctant to return home after Charles had died. She’d done her duty to the family by marrying into the British aristocracy when she hadn’t really wanted to, surely there was someone back in the States that might be more to her liking? But once they met Lucien they realized why she’d been so determined to stay. Her mother actually congratulated her on holding out as long as she had before agreeing to Luce’s proposal! As if she’d known all along that Luce had been the one for her. Maggie had to shake her head at the thought.
But now it was done. She was married to the man of her dreams and hopefully (god willing) they’d have centuries (centuries! It still astounded her sometimes how much longer her life might be now compared to two years prior) together.
Someone started playing the piano as dinner began winding down, and Ned pulled out his fiddle, and Mary her flute, and before they knew it, there was a rush to the dance floor, and Luce graciously allowed himself to be pulled out into the middle of it.
“Have I mentioned yet how marvelous you look?” He said, as they came together during the first part of the dance, after taking advantage of their closeness to lean over and kiss her. “You’re positively glowing,” he added with a grin, as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
“You have but repetition never hurts.” Maggie laughed as they twirled and returned the kiss. “You’re looking rather delicious yourself. I don’t think I’ve been this happy since I was a little girl, and it’s all because of you.”
Lucien laughed, and as they parted and came back together during the dance, he said, “I’d have to call that a first -- I don’t believe anyone has ever called me delicious before. I think your parents might be enjoying themselves,” he added, his head tipping their way, where they were gamely trying their best to learn the dance, her mother’s smiling face so like Maggie’s.
“They’re definitely enjoying themselves.” Maggie agreed. “Daddy doesn’t get a chance to get away from work often, so I’m sure he’s taking full advantage, and mother never misses a chance to drag him on the dance floor when the opportunity comes along.” It was good to see them again. She hoped there would be more opportunities in the next decade, maybe two, before she’d have to restrict it to letters only if she couldn’t reveal the truth to them at some point. With a bit of luck she would be able to get away with it and make them believe.
The next time they came together she tipped her own head toward Matthew over in the distance. “I was concerned Matthew might break down in tears a few times during the ceremony. The dear man is so happy for you sweetheart, I think he might burst.”
Lucien looked Matthew’s way as she did, catching the beaming expression on his beta’s face as he clapped along to Neddie’s fiddle, and he smiled, turning back to her. “You have no idea how very glad I am that you two get along as well as you do. He’s been an utter pillar these last few decades, and I don’t know what I would’ve done without him.”
He laughed again, his heart light, imagining a future full of dancing. “And for the record, I don’t mind being dragged a bit. Not if it’s by you. Drag away, as often as you please. Although I must admit…” he grinned and leaned a little closer, so he could murmur in her ear, “I am looking forward to being done with dancing and getting you to myself for a little while.” He kissed her on the cheek.
Maggie blushed at the comment but didn’t allow herself to look away. “I am too.” She’d dreamed about this night but never dared believe it would happen, and now it was reality. The thought kept repeating in her head. “It won’t be much longer dearest, you’ll just have to be stoic until the time is right.”
The following morning, it took Lucien a while to orient himself -- in preparation for the wedding, his staff (their staff) had redecorated his (their) quarters, updating the bedding, rugs, and wallpaper and adding a writing-desk and a reading chair, a new set of matching side-tables, and an additional dresser and wardrobe, and in the light of day, he very nearly didn’t recognize it.
That, and he wasn’t incredibly used to waking up with someone else next to him in the bed.
Not just anyone else.
His Mate.
Oh, he’d felt the pull towards her since he’d first met her, and over the years he’d known her it had only grown and strengthened -- but he hadn’t wanted to assume -- to jinx things, somehow. That, and he hadn’t fully understood what it meant to be Mated -- what it felt like to find one’s other half.
The previous evening had quickly served to dash any lingering doubts on that particular matter, and far surpassed his expectations in every regard.
The room smelled of Maggie, of home, with a solidity that surrounded and grounded him in a profound sense of belonging and completeness that was very nearly as disorienting as the new appearance of their quarters -- a peace that he hadn’t thought he’d ever find, or be worthy of, and seeing her begin to stir sleepily, he reached for her, marveling at the freedom he had to run his hand along the bare expanse of her back.
“Mmm...” Maggie smiled, her eyes still closed as she stretched. She rolled over and opened them, looking at her mate with a sleepy yet very satisfied smile. Last night had been unlike anything she'd experienced with Charles, and far more enjoyable. She was looking at the other part of her she hadn't even realized was missing until recently.
“If this is a dream then I don't want to wake up.”
He smiled at that, and leaned down to kiss her and nuzzle at her, and that ended up taking a good while, because she really did smell amazing. He found himself wrapping his arms around her partway through, and inhaled as they curled together.
“I had no idea,” he said, a little muffled, as his mouth was currently nestled against her neck, a hand still stroking her back. “No idea it could be like this. You…” he sighed, words a little inadequate at the moment. He laughed a little. “Mercy, they’ll have to pry us out of bed every morning, because I could stay right here for a century and just…” he nibbled a little at her neck, sighing happily.
Maggie laughed and swatted the back of his head lightly. “Yes, well, unless you want to have to change the bedding I’m afraid you’ll have to let me up darling. Nature calls.” She gave him a peck on the lips as an apology and pushed him away to get out of bed. “I won’t be long.”
He rolled his eyes and grinned, leaning back against the headboard as she slipped out of the bed. He couldn’t help but appreciate the view as she walked towards the bathroom. “I suppose I might make an exception for that,” he said. “Only just. And it helps that you look rather adorable, walking away just now,” he added. “Good Christ, Maggie,” he said, laughing, looking up at the drapes, fully aware of how utterly lovestruck he was, how ridiculous and wonderful it all felt. “Next thing you know, I’ll be writing epic poetry about the two glorious dimples at the small of your back. I can’t help it -- you’re a miracle.”
“And you’re being ridiculous,” she told him, coming back. “But I love you anyway.” She eyed his magnificent form stretched out in the bed, the sheets down at his abdomen. “I don’t know how I was lucky enough to have found you, but I count myself lucky.”