96 Extra 4

Elenor was sleeping peacefully after countless days of insomnia when the door to her room was burst open by Paige along with Alice and Denice.

"Madam you must wake up now!!" Denice said, her voice immediately waking Elenor up from her peaceful sleep.

"What? Why? The sun isn't out yet..." she mumbled, still half asleep.

"Why!? Your wedding is today!!!"

"Oh..wait today!?" Elenor's eyes shot wide open, her sleepiness instantly disappearing by one simple word.

"Yes now hurry to the bathroom!" Alice dragged her away.

Almost if not all of the maids in the household was with her, getting her ready for the day she had been waiting for.

"Thank goodness your eyebags isn't as bad as expected." one of the maids muttered as she gave her a face massage.

"Right, the wedding was the reason for all my sleepless nights." Elenor laughed.

Elenor was pampered by all the maids from the massages to therapeutic oil treatments for her skin but as always she wasn't allowed to eat anything.

'The only thing I hate'

Elenor was then whisked away by all the maids. They got her dressed into her wedding gown; it was a white wedding gown with a U-shaped neckline, laced sleeves and laced embroidery up till her waist. The skirt length was all the way to her feet and slightly trailed behind her.

Though it wasn't so extravagant till it hurt people's eyes, Elenor was happy with the dress she chose. For accessories she wore a pair of white gemstone earrings, a silver pearl necklace, matching lace gloves that stopped just below her elbows and a tiara she had received as a gift from Lloyd and Rosina.

Her hair was left as her natural state as Alec had told her he liked it when her hair was let down and left straight. As for her shoes, since nobody would see them, they decided to go for simple white high heels which were comfortable to walk in.

While Elenor was getting dressed, Isabella, Rosina and her mother had come in.

"I have been waiting for this day to come!! I'm so happy for you Elenor!" Rosina squealed, unable to contain her excitement.

Her mother looked like she was about to cry as she gazed at her lovingly, "..Seeing you all grown up...I never thought this day would come." she softly muttered with a smile.

Elenor shot her mother a warm smile in return.

Isabella nodded to herself, "The dress we agreed on is still the best choice, the accessories too."

Elenor chuckled before hearing the maid lightly scold her for moving while they did her makeup.

"I'm glad you all could make it today."

"Of course! We would never miss this!!" Rosina exclaimed, her mother and Isabella nodding at the back.

When she was finally finished getting dressed, it was almost time for the wedding to start so her mother, Rosina and Isabella left earlier. Elenor stared at herself through the reflection. She couldn't help but remember about everything before this.

How she first met Alec, trying her best in this world before falling in love with the person she didn't think she would be with and along the way was able to meet the people who she now wouldn't be able to live without.

Elenor visibly shuddered as she remembered her time in Vaidia and how she had a near-death experience. Nonetheless, she was grateful for everything that has happened to her. She smiled at herself through the mirror, putting on the veil before a knock on the door echoed through the room before her father opened the door.

He stared at her with a loving yet sad smile as he had to send his daughter through the aisle. Holding back his tears, he chuckled, extending his hand towards Elenor,

"Shall we? My little princess."

Elenor lightly laughed as she placed her hand in her father's warm hand.

The venue was large though it was mostly their family and friends along with the workers from both households. It was hectic but it soon quieted down as they announced the bride will be entering.

Everyone was eagerly looking at the doors before it finally opened, revealing Elenor and her father. She held a bouquet of flowers in one hand while the other held her father's. Slowly she walked the aisle, her heart beating loudly with every step she took.

She could feel her feet and hands becoming cold and sweaty, nervousness filling her stomach as she prayed to herself to not mess up. Luckily, luck was on her side and she was able to make it safely to the end of the aisle where the priest and Alec were waiting at.

She turned to her father and released his hand before taking Alec's extended hand out. She passed the bouquet of flowers to Isabella who was standing close to her. She heard Alec taking in a sharp intake of breath.

She felt Alec rubbing her hand softly, helping her ease her nerves. A smile plastered on her lips as she noticed his action. Even now, he still tried his best to be there for her.

The priest in front of them cleared his throat before speaking, "We have now gathered here to witness and unite these two people. Do you, Alec Cullingford and Elenor Berry Hester, both pledge to share your lives openly with one another and speak the truth in love?"

Just as the two had practised many times before this, they answered, "I do."

"Do you promise to honour and tenderly care for one another, cherish and encourage each other, stand together through joys, sorrows and hardships for all the days of your lives?"

"I do."

"Alec, please repeat after me. I Alec, promise to love, cherish and support Elenor and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour and passion. With this ring, I thee wed."

Alec caressed the back of Elenor's hands with his thumb before taking the ring, placing it on her ring finger as he recited what the priest had said,

"I Alec, promise to love, cherish and support Elenor and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour and passion. With this ring, I thee wed."

The priest nodded before turning to Elenor who was trying her best to be calm and not cry throughout the whole procedure.

"Elenor, please repeat after me. I Elenor, promise to love, cherish and support Alec and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour and passion. With this ring, I thee wed."

Elenor took in a deep breath before repeating it, cautiously, "I Elenor, promise to love, cherish and support Alec and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour and passion. With this ring, I thee wed."

As she repeated those words, she placed the ring on Alec's ring finger as well. Alec squeezed her hand gently afterwards.

"May you two live a long life happily together. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." the priest declared.

Alec slowly reached out and removed the veil off Elenor's face, revealing her face. Her eyes gazed up at Alec who quietly admired her. Her cheeks grew warmer as he kept staring at her.

"You look so beautiful.." he muttered, a warm smile spread across his face as he caressed her cheek with his thumb.

Elenor couldn't help but laugh lightly before responding back, "You look handsome as well, husband."

Alec shook his head before leaning in, locking their lips together. The crowd clapped and cheered before they pulled away.

-

"...and that is how your father and I got together." Elenor concluded, clapping her hands together.

In front of her were two young children around the age of four and eight. They were sitting in the living room in front of the fireplace as the snow outside fell.

"Who knew dad was such a romantic person!" her eight-year-old son spoke up.

He had crimson red hair and black eyes. Though his features were more towards Alec's, he often acted like her. Elenor smiled at him before pinching his cheek lightly,

"Don't underestimate him. Even I was surprised at how romantic he was!"

"Daddy..cool!" her four-year-old daughter muttered.

She was the opposite of her son. Black hair and honey-coloured eyes.

Elenor carried her daughter in her arms, pressing a kiss on her cheek. "Yes, he is very cool. Later let's go see him and tell him that!"

Her daughter nodded, snuggling in her arms.

"Hey I want that too!" she heard her son whine.

She laughed before patting her lap. "Come here you little rascal."

Her son giggled before sitting on her lap, snuggling close to her as well.

"No!" her daughter shouted, pressing her cheek onto Elenor's, protectively.

"Mum! Look at Beatrice! She's so stingy!!"

"Now now Julius, she's just playing around."

"Mummy mine! Go away brotha!"

"Mum see!" her son, Julius glared at his sister, Beatrice who stuck her tongue out at him.

"What is all the commotion about?"

"Dad!"

"Daddy!"

Julius and Beatrice beamed brightly, running over to their father.

"Back so early?" Elenor asked, surprised, laced in her voice.

Alec nodded, leaning down, placing a kiss on her lips. "I finished everything quickly so I could spend time with you."

"..Even after all these years, I can't get used to it."

"That's good."

He placed another kiss on her lips before Julius and Beatrice tugged on his pants.

"What about us!"

Alec chuckled, kneeling down, patting both their heads, "Of course."

"But your mother is the main reason."

"Dad!" the two whined out loud making Alec and Elenor laugh.

"Alright that's enough, let's go have some desserts before we have dinner." Elenor spoke, bringing everyone's attention to her.

"Dessert!!!" the kids yelled happily.

Julius turned to Beatrice and carried her, "Let's hurry and get desserts!!"

"Go brother go!!"

The two kids hurried out of the room. Elenor heaved a sigh, shaking her head, "One way to get those two to be civil with each other."

Alec wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him and buried his face into her neck.

"Those two love each other even though they fight often."

"That's true." she hummed, running her fingers through his hair.

"We should hurry to the dining room or else they might eat more than they can take."

Alec shook his head, hugging her tighter, "Later. The servants know what to do. I barely get to spend time with you because of those kids."

Elenor laughed at Alec, "That's what happens when you get children, idiot."

Alec lifts his head up before kissing Elenor. "I want my time with you."

"You are worse than Julius and Beatrice." she teased but decided to comply with him.

"Didn't you want to take care of the kids while they eat?" Alec asked, placing kisses everywhere on her.

She hummed in reply before grinning, "Didn't you say later? After all the servants can take care of them for now."

Alec chuckled at her answer before pulling her in for another kiss, "Do you want another one?"

Elenor hit him on the head and glared, "No. Unless you want to be the one pushing a baby out for the third time."

"Alright alright." Alec smiled, "I prefer this anyway."

She nodded, smiling warmly as she thought of her children and Alec, "Me too."

"Mum! Dad! Where are you! Beatrice stole my chocolate scone again!!"