A/N: Two chapters together! Enjoy.
Chapter 40
Celeste rushed to her room to see if she was looking decent still. She had rushed out of the library, because otherwise she might be tempted to stay there in Dedrick's arms. A blush was still apparent on her cheeks. Her smile, or rather grin, impossible to wipe from her lips. When she passed the mirror even she thought she looked incredible.
This is what he likes..., she thought. Me...
Were it her looks? Her character? What was it? She didn't really know, but it was wonderful. Then it dawned on her...She hadn't said 'yes'!
She left her room for the dining hall, feeling a bit nervous. She wanted to tell her friends. When she entered everyone was there already. Even Dedrick. She quickly took her seat.
At first everyone was rather quiet. She felt awkward and didn't miss the glances she got from her friends. Dedrick seemed to be trying to say something to her with his eyes, but it completely confused her...Was something wrong?
Well, she understood Aden's glances. He was definitely curious to the conversation between her and Dedrick. Mia acted completely normal, but Celeste knew that she was able to hide her curiosity pretty well. Catherine started conversation after a while and the way she avoid the topic even getting close to her or Dedrick, Celeste knew that she, also, was cautious because of ignorance of what had happened between Dedrick and her.
Celeste had hoped Dedrick would tell their friends, because she felt too shy to say anything...But he was giving her odd looks.
Dinner was an awkward experience, after which they all quickly excused themselves to retire to their own rooms. Everyone probably confused, one more than the other.
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In her room Celeste got ready for bed, but she wondered if she should go see Dedrick to ask why he was acting weird during dinner. He had been the first to excuse himself afterwards. She had already changed into her nightgown and her maid had left the room, when she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." she said, wondering who it was that came to disturb her plans to see Dedrick. When no one entered she decided to check. She opened the door and in the dim light of the hall stood a tall and broad figure she immediately recognized. Her heart jumped.
"Are you alone?" Dedrick whispered. She nodded. "May I come in?"
She bit her lower lip, before clearing the doorway to let him enter. He came in and pushed the door close slowly. He was moved away from it, looking around her room.
"I was considering to go and see you." she whispered. He turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" he asked in a normal voice, trying to hide a grin coming to his lips. Though, he wasn't able to keep it from his eyes.
"You were acting weird during dinner." she told him, not whispering anymore either.
"Oh, that." he said. "Well,...it was nothing."
She frowned. He immediately understood why.
"Actually,...they asked what we had discussed in the library."
"And?"
"And I didn't really tell them..."
"Why?"
"I didn't really want to say anything without your full consent."
"I forgot to say 'yes'." she whispered, more to herself than to him. He looked at her with anticipation. Coming closer, he took her hand and kissed it.
"Is that your answer then?" he asked.
She nodded, smiling.
"Yes."
He came even closer and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"We should tell the rest then." he grinned. She nodded again. "But it can wait until tomorrow."
"Alright." she said.
He stood there with her hand still in his and she got the feeling that that wasn't all he wanted to talk about.
"...Can I stay here?" he asked. "Here with you, I mean."
"In my room?" her eyes widened a bit. He slightly nodded, his eyes pleading. "...Alright." she whispered. Though, still she got the feeling that he had more to ask. "...We can get comfortable." she added, but immediately felt embarrassed about it.
"Thank you." he said and lead her to her bed. She sat down, wondering if he was planning to take a chair and set it beside her bed. But he proceeded to take off his shoes and sat beside her. She blushed, looking at him a bit anxiously.
"We'll just talk...but I want to stay with you." he said softly. His eyes looking at every detail of her face, as if he was imprinting the image of her in his mind. She hesitated and swallowed, but nodded. He stood up and blew out the candles in her room, after which he came to the bed again and lied down on the other side of where she sat. He removed the sheets from her side and she understood and lied beside him.
"I've missed you for so long...I want you near me." he told her and softly reduced the distance between their bodies, laying an arm across her waist. She snuggled up to him, while her heartbeat was running out of control and breathing got harder. His scent and warmth were intoxicating. Though, suddenly she pulled away, surprising him. She got off the bed and ran towards the door. Dedrick thought she would run away. He had gone too far and now she was scared. How could he be such an idiot! She surprised him again, when she put a lock on the door. Turning around, she saw him sitting up in the moonlight. He watched her with wide eyes.
"...If someone finds you here..." she explained. He grinned. She quickly walked up to the bed and took her place in his arms again. Dedrick did what he had been yearning to do for months. He dug his nose into her hair and took in her breath. He kissed and she closed her eyes to enjoy his love. She looked up. The moonlight touched his face. She brought up her hand to put it on his cheek. He smiled. His lips drew closer to hers and he kissed her softly.
"I love you." he said. "I don't want to leave...Going to the capital will be hard...I would wait for a better time, but I don't think I will be able to bear, Celeste...I want us to get married as soon as we can."
He paused for if she wanted to say something, but she stayed quiet, so he continued: "I would marry you tomorrow morning if I could, but...that is probably impossible. So I've thought about it and...I might give you a month for preparation."
"I can't leave Catherine." she said.
"You won't have to...We'll do it here...and I'll stay with you afterwards. After Catherine's baby is born, we will move to the capital..." he paused again. "...What do you think?"
"I like the capital." she told him. He smiled.
"So you agree?"
"...Yes." she smiled. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed his lips. As soon as she pulled away again, though, he leaned in for another one...and another one. After their lips touched for the fourth time, he stayed there, closing his eyes. Celeste did the same. Her hands lightly gripped onto his shirt. When he moved away after a few moments, he tried to control his thoughts...
She snuggled up to him and lay her head under his chin. Her nose touching his neck. They just lay there for a few moments and he noticed her breathing heavy like his.
"Celeste." he spoke in a soft voice.
She opened her eyes to look at him. He moved to place another kiss on her lips, before looking her in the eyes.
"I want you...I can't wait...I know we shouldn't do this before the wedding..."
He had strengthened his resolve when deciding to come to her, but now it was crumbling so easily.
She just looked up at him. He placed his lips on hers again. He felt relieved when she leaned in. Placing his hand on her bottom he pulled her closer. She could feel his body against hers. His kiss got deeper and he sucked her lips slightly, before the tip of his tongue pressed against her mouth. She parted her lips and he kissed her passionately. His hand took the end of her night dress and pulled it up until he was touching her bare bottom, stroking and squeezing it lightly. She let out a muffled moan, which turned him on even more. Her hands gripped his shirt tightly.
He pushed his hips against her and she could feel a bulge pressing against her body. She remembered how his body had looked the last time they were in such an intimate position. She felt a bit flustered but the feeling that was pulsing through her body was stronger. Her hands let go of his shirt and moved to his back to push herself against him. When he pulled away from the kiss, they were both out of breath. He got on all fours and she rolled to lay on her back. He moved down to trail her neck with his nose. Moving even lower he placed his lips on where her the light swell of her breasts started. She whimpered. He moved away to look her up and down, before he sat.
"Get up." he whispered softly.
She listened and sat up. Without another word he took off her clothing. She shut her eyes and knew what was coming now and had mixed feelings about it. He took his own shirt off, before he pulled her on top of him as he lay on his back. She opened her eyes to look at him. The feeling of her naked body on his was wonderful and made him groan. Unsure of what to do she sat up, straddling him. As his eyes wandered over her body she tried to cover, knowing she would never succeed completely. He took her hands and pulled them away.
"Let me look at you."
She felt embarrassed. She held back a whimper as the tension between her legs grew unbearable, causing her to just wriggle about on top him. He grabbed her hips to hold them steady.
"Move up a bit."
She obeyed and he pushed her up, so she was on her knees. He started undoing his pants. She felt awkward and got off him.
He sat up and to get rid off his pants. He then focused on her and caught her eyeing his body. He smirked.
"Do you like it?" he asked while placing his forehead on hers. She just looked into his eyes. "Tell me." he pushed. She bit her bottom lip and looked away. She looked so adorable when embarrassed. He trailed her neck with his lips and placed kisses and light licks on it. Moving his hands up to her breasts to tease her nipples, causing her to gasp lightly. She placed her hands on his shoulders and closed the distance between their bodies. One of his hands trailed down to between her legs. At that moment he felt her freeze up. He pulled away a bit to see her scared expression. She closed her legs. He took away his hand to stroke her cheek.
"It won't hurt like last time. Well, maybe it might hurt just a bit...I'm not sure." he didn't want to lie to her. "It won't be as bad as last time, I promise."
She seemed uncertain.
"Trust me." he whispered in her ear and heard her breath in deeply. She decided to believe him and relaxed her body. He pushed her on her back and took her legs to spread them. The wetness he felt on his finger, that touched between them, told him she was ready to receive him, but he still decided to hold back. His fingers tried to ease her body. Preparing her for his size. He could tell she was having trouble not to close her legs and push him away. He placed a kiss on her underbelly before moving up to look her in the eyes. She felt his manhood push against her as he used his fingers to stretch her opening. When he entered she felt her body stretch. He slowly pushed in. She found that he was right. It hurt just a little bit unlike the last time. When he was fully in her, he waited for her body to adjust to him. He slowly pulled out again as her body relaxed, only to thrust in again.
She felt like this was exactly what her body needed to get rid of the tension she felt. As he started turning up the pace she moaned lightly from a newfound pleasure. She trailed her hands over his body, making him groan. The tension of pleasure in her body grew even stronger when he placed a thumb a bit above her opening. She kissed his face and arched her back to feel his body. His pace of thrusting in and out felt wonderful. She gasped as she experienced a moment of utter delight. After a few moments she felt him tense up, before he let his body fall on top of her. His face buried in her hair. Though, he noticed quite quickly that she was being crushed under him, so he rolled over to lay beside her.
She looked at him to see him looking at the ceiling with a satisfied smile. She got up to take the sheets and cover him up as well as herself. He looked at her and pulled her closer. He stroked her hair and took in her scent. Placing small kisses on her face every once in a while.
He stopped for a moment to see her eyes closed as she enjoyed his endearments. Both felt at peace after a long time.
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He opened his eyes to realize he had fallen asleep. A smile came to his lips as he looked at the girl asleep in his arms.
When he tried to get up she opened her eyes and looked at him sleepily.
"I should go now...to my own room." he whispered. "So nobody notices."
He felt a bit guilty. He had tried so hard to resist, but he had failed. He tried to hush his conscience by telling it that they would be married soon anyway. And that she wasn't a virgin either, though, he was the culprit there too.
She put her lips on his shoulder and he wondered if he would be able to leave her even for a bit.
"Alright." she said in a sleepy voice after a few seconds. The sound of it made him want to take her again, but got up to gather his clothes. She followed his example and dressed herself again. After they were both done, he placed a quick kiss on her lips before pacing out.
Celeste stopped herself from following him. She didn't want to be apart from him. Not even for a moment...How would she survive the month before the wedding?
She tried to calm herself down by thinking that she knew she'd have him all to herself after that...Her heart and body didn't listen.
How was he able to make that decision so easily?!
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When Celeste descended the stairs for breakfast in the morning, Aden caught her on the way.
"Good morning." he said.
"Good morning." she replied with a smile on her lips. "Where's Dedrick?"
"...I think he's still asleep. Let's have breakfast."
They sat down at the breakfast table as a maid served them.
"You talked to him yesterday, didn't you?" Aden asked as Mia joined them.
"Yes...we talked."
"What have you decided? Did you get the answers to your questions?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"Well..." she tried to answer, but was interrupted.
"And we're engaged to be married."
They both jerked around to see Dedrick standing in the doorway, with a huge grin on his face. Celeste found that he looked even more attractive than before. Thoughts of last night entered her mind and she blushed.
"What?!" they heard a squeal behind him. As Dedrick cleared the doorway, Catherine came in, followed by Harris.
"Congratulations!" Harris said as first. Mia stood up from her chair and hugged Celeste.
"Are you sure?" she whispered. Celeste nodded. Her smile told Mia that she probably couldn't be more certain. Soon they felt another pair of arms embrace them as something shoved itself between them. It was Catherine's belly. Celeste chuckled as Catherine placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I'm so happy for you two!" she said...and Celeste could see the tears building up in her eyes.
Aden patted Dedrick on the back.
"When was this decided?" he asked.
"...Yesterday."
"Why didn't you tell us anything during dinner?!"
Dedrick just let out a nervous laugh.
"This calls for celebration!" Aden said. "Dedrick's getting married. Never thought that would happen."
"I knew it would happen someday." Catherine said.
"Oh come on." all three men said in unison, causing Mia and Celeste to laugh.
After breakfast they moved to the main room.
"You thought you'd never find her." Aden whispered to Dedrick.
"Thank you for everything, man." Dedrick said. "Yet again, you help me at getting something wonderful in life."
Aden patted his friend's back.
"Be sure to take care of her."
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After a few days Dedrick returned to the capital to ensure he would be able to spend a few weeks at Silverlake after the wedding. Catherine was very disappointed that she wouldn't be able to participate in the preparations as she wished. So for at least the wedding dress, they had one of their favorite taylors come from Averi to Silverlake.
Celeste had never felt so excited preparing for something and she was grateful that she had Catherine with her to give her advice. After a month Dedrick returned and they got married soon.
Aden and Mia returned to the capital soon after the wedding. A few weeks later Catherine gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
Another month passed and the newly wed couple travelled to the capital and Springs Hall, which would be their home. The servants at Springs Hall were happy to have a 'permanent' mistress now.
As Celeste walked through the house, she remembered how she had experienced everything the first time she had come. She went to the library and remembered her first kiss. She smiled at the thought and was grateful that it was from Dedrick.
She sat down in front of the beautiful few of the garden. Spring would soon come and the flowers would start blooming. For now the just few little green leaves were visible.
"Enjoying the view."
She turned around to look at Dedrick standing behind her. He came around to sit next to her and she leaned into him as he placed his arms around her.
"You're wearing the necklace." he felt at her neck.
"Yes." she said.
"I haven't told you the true meaning of it, have I."
"True meaning? Wasn't it my birthday gift?"
"Not the necklace...He gave the necklace to me."
"To you?"
"It was meant for my future wife."
She jumped up and jerked around. He smiled at her.
"But...it's a set." she said.
"I know."
"You knew?"
He nodded. She took it off and looked at it in her hands.
"He..."
"He had already chosen for us to be together." Dedrick told her.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"It would have been different if he was still alive...But now, I wanted you to decide on your own."
She admired the necklace in awe.
"We took the right decision." she whispered. He chuckled.
"We did."
He took the necklace from her hands and put it on her as she held up her hair. He moved in for a kiss and she threw her arms around his neck to meet his lips with hers.
"Thank you for giving me this necklace." she said.
"It was yours to begin with..." he told her. She lay her head on his shoulder as he kissed her head, enjoying the view of the gardens of Springs Hall together.
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A/N: First of all, thank you! Thank you for waiting so long for these chapters. For reading my story. For the reviews and the support. I want to thank every single one of you.
Though, I would like to especially thank (I first thought I wouldn't do a shout out, but I couldn't help myself. I truly hope I haven't missed anyone's name, because, really, every little review was such a big gift to me):
littlemiss76
TasteTheFreakingRainbow
The Phoenix Girl
Amy90
smrae
darkgurl92
noriepie
KungfuFighter
GraceSaader
Sucka4fiya
.Pt
RedXButterflyXBlooming
Gabriella Lancaster
Nabucco
Epic Ellipsis
Krullie
You do not know how much support your reviews were for me. I was so uncertain about my story and my writing skills when I started this, but you gave me courage.
I'm glad that I chose Cinderella Celeste to be my first story here. I loved it myself also.
Please don't forget to review. How was the story? How was the ending? How was the character development? I have so many questions! Though, you don't need to answer them all. Just tell me what you think. It's very important to me. I love you, guys. Really.
XxX
P.S.: Also, please, check out my other stories. Salvation and The White Rose...for now.
About The White Rose: it is my personal favorite, though Cinderella Celeste is very close to it. The heroin of TWR is a complete different character than Celeste, for those who didn't enjoy Celeste's character, I would recommend Anahita (TWR's main character)