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Genevieve's Wedding (finished 27th June p2)

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#1: Genevieve's Wedding (finished 27th June p2) Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 5:29 pm
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Genevieve felt deprived of her ultimate happiness, so here it is!

Genevieve stood in front of the mirror in her mother’s home, for she had followed the dictates of tradition and returned to her parents’ roof for the night before her wedding. She turned from side to side, trying to look at herself from all angles. She was pleased with her dress, and knew that it would inspire plenty of comment, for instead of the traditional flouncy fairytale outfit, she had chosen to get married in a beautiful ivory chiffon gown with a deep v-neck and spaghetti straps. She knew that there would be those on the Platz who would disapprove of such a dress, but as soon as she had seen it in the shop she knew that she just had to have it. She had told Antoine that she planned to wear a more daring dress than was usually seen for weddings on the Platz, and he had told her to go ahead, because whatever she wore would be all right by him. Deciding that she looked fine, Genevieve picked up the veil and carefully fixed it onto her beautifully styled hair. She took a final look at herself in the mirror and then went slowly and carefully downstairs.
Gill and Alex were waiting for her in the living room, along with Sabine and Lily, who were to be her bridesmaids. Both girls were dressed in simple silk dresses of a lovely lilac colour and had flowers in their hair. Genevieve beamed at them when she saw them, for they looked dainty and delightfully pretty. Sabine was very fair, with big blue eyes and pink and white complexion, while Lily looked like Arminel, with warm auburn hair and pale skin, and both girls were old enough to be well behaved and to take their important role in the ceremony seriously. Sabine was now thirteen and Lily twelve, and they were sensible girls; Grace and Erika, at nine, had been given similar dresses to wear, but had been banished to the church with their mothers, for Grace’s shyness and Erika’s stubbornness made them too unpredictable to have in such a prominent role. They had taken Genevieve’s four year old daughter Chiara with them, and had promised to make sure she behaved herself, once they had been assured that caring for Chiara was just as important as helping ‘Auntie Jen’ with her dress.
“You look wonderful,” said Gill, finally finding her voice. She could hardly believe that Genevieve’s wedding day had actually arrived. Genevieve and Antoine had been engaged for so many years that everyone had just about given up expecting them to get married altogether. And now here was her baby, looking elegant and sophisticated, about to get married. Gill’s eyes filled with tears, even though she had promised herself that she would enjoy every minute of the wedding and not spend the day weeping.
“Yes, you look lovely, Auntie Jen,” said Lily admiringly.
“When are we going?” inquired Sabine, who was eager to walk down the aisle with everyone watching her.
“In a few minutes,” said Genevieve, turning to Alex. “Well?” she asked him. “Will I do?”
“I think so,” he said, taking the hand that she held out to him. He had been her father for more than half of her life, and she had a very special place in his heart. He felt so proud of her, beautiful and poised, a grown woman now, and was thrilled that he would be the one to give her away. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so beautiful, Genevieve. Antoine is a very lucky man.”
“Oh, I think I’m the lucky one,” she told him with a smile. “Shall we go now? I don’t want to be too late, just in case he thinks I’m not coming.”
“He’s not going to think that,” Gill assured her at once, the threatened tears now under control. “Come on, girls, let’s go.”

And this is what her wedding dress looks like:
http://www.dessy.com/index.cfm?go=bridal&style=1003

Last edited by Fatima on Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:14 pm; edited 3 times in total

#2: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 5:31 pm
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Thanks, Becky. It's lovely to see Genevieve's wedding. Thanks you also for answering my question about the gender and the name of Genevieve and Antoine's child.

#3: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:28 pm
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Thanks for letting us see this bit Very Happy

#4: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:46 pm
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So lovely Very Happy

And what a beautiful dress, I'm sure it would have suited Jen perfectly *conveniently forgets that these people are not actually real*

#5: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:51 pm
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That was lovely Very Happy

(and so is the dress!)

Thanks, Becky

#6: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:19 pm
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I see what you mean about the dress being daring. It is lovely.

#7: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:17 pm
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Thank you for a new drabble so soon Becky! Gen will look lovely!

#8: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:05 am
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I'm hoping this will be a very short drabble! Thanks for your comments. Not sure what I'll do when it's all over, as I'm actually going to be missing Gill and her family a lot!

They went to the church in Alex’s car, Gill in the front beside him and the two bridesmaids in the back with Genevieve. When they arrived, there was nowhere to park, so Alex dropped off his passengers and then left the car across the road. Gill went on into the church, which was very full, and Genevieve waited out of sight with Sabine and Lily. Alex finally returned to join them and they made their way out of the brilliant sunshine into the cool darkness of the church. As the organist was informed of the arrival of the bride, he changed to the triumphant music that Genevieve had chosen to walk down the aisle to, and she set off, clinging to Alex’s arm and followed by the bridesmaids.
At the top of the church stood Antoine, eagerly watching as his bride walked up the aisle. He knew she was going to look amazing, but she had exceeded even his expectations. He did not think her dress was nearly as daring as she had warned him it would be, and besides, they had shocked the more conservative members of the Platz for years, firstly by living together while not married and latterly by having a daughter together. Antoine was not bothered by this, though. He loved Genevieve and Chiara and the happiest years of his life had been spent with them. It did not matter what anyone else thought about them, they were happy and that was what counted.
Genevieve looked around her as she walked up the aisle, amazed to discover how many people had turned out to see her get married. A lot of them were the guests invited to the wedding, friends from the school, from Milan, Antoine’s family and friends, Genevieve’s own relatives from France, but there were also plenty of people from the Platz who had come along to watch Antoine and Genevieve make their wedding vows, as if they could not really believe it unless they had seen it happen.
Finally she reached Antoine’s side and was taking his arm. He smiled down at her, and she gave him such a radiant smile in return that he almost drew back her veil and kissed her then and there. The service was short and lovely, and very soon Antoine and Genevieve were walking back down the aisle as husband and wife. As they reached the door of the church, Genevieve turned to Antoine and grinned irrepressibly at him.
“There,” she said happily. “We’ve done it now. We’ve finally become respectable.”
“We’ve always been respectable,” he told her, smiling back at her. “I’m glad we did decide to do this, though, Jen.”
“So’m I,” she assured him, serious now. “I love you, Antoine.”
“And I love you, Genevieve,” he answered, leaning down to kiss her.
The flashing of a camera brought them back to reality and they found that the photographer who had been commissioned to take the wedding photos had already begun snapping and was trying to organize people into groups.
“Mummy! Mummy!” A tiny tot in a pretty lavender dress came hurtling out of the church, the flowers that she had been wearing in her dark curls now crushed in one of her chubby hands and a scruffy teddy bear in the other. “You look so beautiful!” she cried, reaching Genevieve and throwing both arms around her legs. “Your dress is so pretty.”
“Chiara!” Erika was hot on the trail of her little cousin. “Come back! Auntie Jen said you had to stay with us!”
“No, I’m stayin’ with Mummy,” announced Chiara, clutching Genevieve so tightly she wondered if she would be knocked to the ground.
Fortunately, Antoine caught hold of his daughter and swung her into his arms before she could push Genevieve over. “Yes, you can stay with us now,” he assured her, “But do try to behave more like a lady than a hooligan, please.”
“I isn’t a hoogly,” she protested, setting her flowers on Antoine’s head and chuckling. “You look so beautiful, Papa,” she told him happily.
Arminel, gorgeous in a jade green suit and matching hat, came hurrying up. “She slipped out before we could stop her,” she said apologetically.
“That’s all right,” Genevieve said, smiling at her sister. “We don’t mind. She ought to be in the pictures, anyhow.”
Antoine managed to remove the flowers and settle them back on Chiara’s rather dishevelled curls and he passed the teddy bear to his sister-in-law. The photographer arranged the bridal party to his satisfaction and took some lovely photos of them in a variety of combinations, and then they decided that it was time to head off to the reception. It was being held in the garden at Freudesheim, where a huge marquee had been set up and the caterers and florists had been busy all morning under Arminel’s watchful eye.
Settled in the back of Alex’s car for the short ride to Freudesheim, Genevieve and Antoine held one another closely, feeling happier than they had expected now that they were celebrating their marriage.

#9: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:47 am
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Sounds like a lovely wedding Very Happy

#10: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:16 am
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What a wonderful wedding, thanks Becky. And Chiara is so sweet Very Happy

Kathryn

#11: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:19 am
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Awww. The cuteness of the small child. Thankyou Fatima!

#12: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:29 am
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Fatima wrote:

“I isn’t a hoogly,” she protested, setting her flowers on Antoine’s head and chuckling. “You look so beautiful, Papa,” she told him happily.

So cute!

Thanks, Becky

#13: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:31 pm
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This is gorgeous, thanks Becky! Ooh that dress was pretty too Very Happy

#14: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:08 pm
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Lovely dress, lovely wedding, thanks, Fatima.

#15: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:09 am
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At Freudesheim everything looked wonderful. The marquee was full of flowers and the tables and chairs were arranged in little groups, so that friends and family could sit happily together and enjoy the meal with those they loved. A small group of musicians was playing romantic tunes and later there was to be dancing. The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm, but not too hot, and the children were looking forward to playing in the extensive gardens of the Maynard home. When Genevieve and Antoine arrived, Chiara dancing around them, the band struck up the Bridal Chorus and serenaded them to their seats at the long table set aside for them.
Antoine pulled out Genevieve’s chair and she sat down and Chiara scrambled onto the seat beside her. Antoine sat at her other side and Gill and Alex came to join them, too. Giovanni, Antoine’s father, who had flown in from Italy just for the day, sat next to Chiara, whom he adored and would have spoiled rotten if Antoine had permitted him to. Next to him, her expression supercilious, sat Isabella, Antoine’s mother. She would have preferred to have the wedding in Milan’s splendid cathedral and the reception in some elegant venue, but Antoine and Genevieve had politely declined her offer to organize everything. They were happy with one of the little chapels on the Platz for the ceremony and the garden of Freudesheim for the reception. They had half expected Isabella to plead a more pressing engagement and not attend the wedding, but she had arrived with Giovanni, bearing piles of gifts for both the bride and groom and for Chiara.
The caterers arrived with the food, setting plates of either poached salmon or beef Wellington before the adults and chicken and chips before the children. Chiara, who had insisted that she needed chips for her dinner, tucked into her meal with good appetite, leaving Genevieve to enjoy her salmon and a quiet conversation with her new husband. Despite her intentions of looking down her nose at everything, Isabella found that the food met her exacting standards, and after being well supplied with champagne, began to relax and enjoy herself.
Once the desert – a deliciously light raspberry pavlova – had been cleared away, the speeches began. Gill had already warned Alex that he was to keep his speech frivolous and not get too sentimental, so he obliged by relating various incidents from Genevieve and Antoine’s younger days and making everyone laugh. Antoine’s best man, one of his colleagues from the school, made a short but sincere speech about what a wonderful couple Antoine and Genevieve were, and Antoine reduced both his new mother-in-law and his new wife to tears with the few words that he uttered, for they clearly came from his heart.
Toasts were proposed, more champagne was drunk and the cake was cut, then they began the dancing. Chiara had fallen asleep at the table, her head pillowed on her arms and a beatific expression on her pretty face, so Antoine was able to lead Genevieve out into the middle of the makeshift dance floor without fear of interruption. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling completely contented as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. They danced for ages, oblivious of all the others who joined them on the dance floor, just enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by their family and friends and the general atmosphere of happiness that was pervading the marquee. Finally, though, Alex tapped Antoine on the shoulder and asked if he could have a dance with Genevieve, so Antoine released her and went off to find another partner.
Alex took Genevieve in his arms and smiled down at her, for she was the daughter he would have loved to have had himself. “Happy?” he asked her, most unnecessarily, as the joy she felt was almost shining out of her eyes.
“Very,” she assured him. She could only just remember her father, and Alex had been a solid and comforting presence in her life for so long. “I only wish we’d done this years ago,” she admitted. “It feels so right, somehow.”
“Better late than never,” he consoled her. “I hope you will continue to be very happy with Antoine, Jen.”
“I know I will,” she said. “He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted to be with, you know. Even in Milan, when he was working all the time and I thought he didn’t love me any more, I only wanted him. I think he’s my soul mate.”
Alex hugged her. “I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “Now here’s Louis wanting to twirl you round the floor.” Alex leaned down and kissed Genevieve’s forehead. “Congratulations, darling,” he said, before releasing her and going off to find Gill.

#16: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:46 am
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I love the sound of the food Laughing

#17: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:57 am
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This is one of the nicest weddings I've ever been too Very Happy

Thanks Becky!

#18: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:10 am
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This is such a beautiful wedding Very Happy

#19: Author: pim, Location: Hemel Hempstead

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:13 am
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KathrynW wrote:

This is one of the nicest weddings I've ever been too Very Happy

*agrees*

#20: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:53 am
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It's gorgeous - where's my wedding notebook so I can write down a few ideas! *g*

Thanks Becky!

#21: Author: Rosy-Jess, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:11 am
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pim wrote:

KathrynW wrote:

This is one of the nicest weddings I've ever been too Very Happy

*agrees*

*agrees too*

#22: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:41 pm
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Thanks, Becky. The whole day is really lovely. Chiara is so sweet as well.

#23: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:13 pm
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Thanks for all your comments. Here's the last part of this.

Genevieve and Antoine danced with several other relatives and friends before managing to get back together again. As he held her close, Antoine reminded her that they would soon need to be setting off on their honeymoon. On account of not wishing to leave Chiara for too long, they had decided to spend the weekend in Wengen, and then come back home. The family was due to be removing to France in a few more weeks, when they would find the time for another weekend away, happy in the knowledge that Chiara was being well looked after by her grandmother and aunts.
“Just one more dance,” she said, wrapping her arms more tightly around his neck and looking beseechingly into his eyes. “Please?”
Antoine could never refuse Genevieve for long, especially when she looked like that. “One more dance,” he said with resignation, for his thoughts had already turned to the little pension in which they would be spending their honeymoon. Much as he adored Chiara, it would be lovely to have a couple of days without her jumping onto their bed at some unearthly hour of the morning and to be able to have Genevieve’s full attention all the time. Chiara would be staying with Arminel, where she would be spoilt rotten by Lily and Grace, and well cared for by her aunt, so he was not at all worried about leaving her for a couple of days. Genevieve would be another matter, though, for she was very possessive of her daughter, and Antoine knew that he would have his work cut out persuading her to leave Chiara.
As the music came to an end, Antoine led Genevieve off of the dance floor and towards Freudesheim. Their cases were already in the car and their travelling clothes laid out in one of the numerous bedrooms of the Maynards’ large house. They changed, and Genevieve began to feel excited to be leaving the reception and heading off with Antoine, the first holiday they had taken alone together since the birth of Chiara. Genevieve smoothed down the skirt of the lovely summer dress she had bought to go away in, and Antoine looked appreciatively at her.
“You look lovely,” he said, drawing her against him and briefly kissing her. “Come on, we must go or the pension will be closed before we get there.”
“I’ll just check on Chiara first,” said Genevieve, taking his hand and pulling him from the room. They found Gill, Arminel and Heloise waiting on the landing, and Gill assured Genevieve that Chiara was already fast asleep in bed. “I’ll just have a peep at her,” said Genevieve, and she ran lightly along the corridor to the little room that Chiara was to share with Grace for the duration of her visit. Opening the door quietly, Genevieve peered into the dimly lit room and saw that Chiara was sleeping peacefully, her old teddy still clutched tightly against her. Grace was also fast asleep, and Genevieve assured herself that the two girls would enjoy their weekend together.
“Come on, Jen,” said Antoine, eager now to be on his way.
“She’ll be fine, Jen,” said Arminel reassuringly. “We’ll take great care of her, I promise.”
“I know you will,” said Genevieve, close to tears. “But she’s my baby and I’ll miss her.”
“You won’t have time to miss her,” said Antoine with a grin. He put an arm around her shoulders and slid his other hand through Gill’s arm and they went downstairs together. “Thank you for everything, Gill,” he said. “We’ve had a lovely day.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Gill hugged Genevieve and Antoine and then Alex appeared to say goodbye.
Finally, after many hugs and kisses and a few tears, Antoine caught hold of Genevieve and positively dragged her out to the car. “It’s only for a couple of days,” he told her, amusement in his voice. “Bye everyone!”
Genevieve waved to her family and friends as Antoine drove up the drive of Freudesheim, and as he turned onto the road, she sat back in her seat and sighed. She glanced over at Antoine, who was grinning to himself, and said, “What’s so funny?”
“You are,” he said, laughing as she playfully smacked his leg. “We’re going on our honeymoon and I think you’d rather be staying at Freudesheim.”
“I wouldn’t!” she protested, resting her hand on his knee. “I’m looking forward to this as much as you are. It’s just difficult leaving Chiara. She’s so tiny.”
“She’ll have a lovely time with Lily and Grace,” Antoine reminded her.
“And I’ll have a lovely time with you,” said Genevieve, sounding content at last.

#24: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:36 pm
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Thanks Becky!

Is that the end of the Gill saga now Crying or Very sad

#25: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:43 pm
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Yes, I think it is! I'm so glad everyone's sorry for it to be ending, because I am, too. Even though it seemed endless in the middle of it all!

#26: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:03 pm
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Another one who's very sad that this is ending Crying or Very sad

I've really enjoyed all your Gill drabbles Becky, thank you for them!

#27: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:46 pm
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Thank you Becky!!!
Your Gill universe has been a great experience! Thank you for allowing us to share it!

#28: Author: Becky, Location: Newport, South Wales, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:00 pm
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Another one who's sad this is ending - have enjoyed your Gill universe so much, thank you Very Happy

#29: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:32 pm
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Thank's Becky, I've loved this drabble series.

Sends treats in the direction of the next generation bunnies, just in case!

#30: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:58 pm
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Thanks, Fatima. I am also sorry to see the Gill saga end. I feel like it is the end of an era. I'm glad they have all have a happy future to look forward to.

#31: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:26 am
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Thank you Becky

Your Gill universe has been absolutely wonderful, and that was a beautiful wedding to finish it all off.

#32: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:31 am
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Awwww, that was so lovely Very Happy

Thanks, Becky

#33: Author: La Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:41 pm
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What a wonderful wedding! I'm glad everyone in the universe has ended up with their deserved happy endings! Thank-you for all of the lovely drabbles!!! Very Happy

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