Gastien: From Dream to Destiny: A Caddy Rowland Historical Family Saga/Drama (The Gastien Series Book 2)

by Caddy Rowland

  “Gastien, I promise with my whole heart and soul to always love you; to treat you with respect and kindness. I will always listen to you. I will try to support your ideas and decisions. In you I have found the greatest happiness I have ever known. I will be your lover, your amie, your nurse; your place to come when you are tired or scared, frustrated or fed up. I will comfort you, laugh with you, and play with you. I will always admire you and think you are wonderful. I would give my life for you if I had to, just to make sure you were happy. I am honored to be your wife.”

  She reached up and kissed him gently.

  Father turned to Gastien. “Gastien? Will you please give Sophie your vows?”

  Gastien looked at her and smiled softly.

  “Sophie” he whispered. Then he said it louder. “My Sophie, my Petite Oiseau. The first time I looked at you, I was captured. I tried to fight it, because we both know life with me will be a challenge. I found I could not fight. You were meant to be mine. Je t’aime, Sophi-belle! Forever, je t’aime. To you I promise this: I will always protect you. I will respect you and see you as my equal. I will give you as much love as I possibly can; all that is in my heart. I will be your best ami, your silly clown, your place to come when you need to cry or scream. I will be your lover and your partner in life decisions. Most of all, I will always look forward to seeing you. I will never tire of you. For me, you are my only love. I don’t have much, but what I have to give is my heart. I give that to you now.”

  He took out the heart locket and put it around her neck, fingers shaking. Cassie stepped forward to fasten it. Gastien then kissed his bride sweetly.

  Father Fournier said, “Sophie, Gastien also has a ring for you to wear. The circle stands for eternity, no beginning and no end.” Surprised, Sophie lit up even more. Gastien got out the ring, while Sophie held out her hand.

  As Gastien slipped it on her finger, he said “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  Father announced, “Gastien and Sophie, I now pronounce you man and wife.” Smiling, he said to Gastien, “You may kiss the bride.”

  Gastien bent and Sophie tilted her head up, so that they could kiss deeply. They parted, and Father motioned for them to face their guests. They turned, laughing, as they looked at their guests.

  Father added, “The bride and groom don’t know this, but everyone is invited to Moulin de la Galette this Saturday night at eight o’clock for a buffet, courtesy of Gastien and Sophie’s amis. There will, of course, be dancing. Please try to attend, to help them celebrate their new life together. Tonight, there will be a dinner at Odette’s. All are welcome.”

  Gastien and Sophie looked at Odette in surprise. She simply nodded, smiling at Sophie. Gastien was pleased that Sophie’s Aunt had done this. It was obvious she wanted to help make Sophie’s wedding day perfect.

  The last surprise was a huge one. Sophie’s brother had hired a photographer to take a wedding photo of her and Gastien! They posed for the photo and then thanked Henri for his thoughtfulness.

  Gastien said, “That is something we will both always treasure. Merci, Henri.”

  “Oui. Every bride wants a photo of their wedding now. I wanted to surprise my little sister.”

  IV

  Father joined them at Odette’s. The buffet was tasty, with plenty of food for everyone. Sophie’s siblings treated Gastien decently, if coolly, and they could not have asked for things to go more smoothly. Gastien hoped they would warm up to him more as time went by, but knew that chances were they would never be real pleased with him. He was prepared to live with that, as long as they did not upset Sophie.

  By ten o’clock, Sophie and Gastien were very anxious to get home to the studio. They could hardly wait to be in each other’s arms. Noticing, Mic stood up to make an announcement.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention please? Knowing Gastien like I do, and also now knowing Sophie, I can bet these two are dying to be alone together.” Then he stopped, noticing how uncomfortable Sophie’s siblings looked. “Oh, come on. I realize Sophie is your baby sister, but can’t you all remember your wedding night? Take a moment and think back!” He paused. “Do you remember? I think it is time to say goodbye to Gastien and Sophie for the evening. You will get to see them again Saturday night at Moulin de la Galette. That is, if they can tear themselves away from each other!”

  Gastien’s amis all clapped. Soon the others joined.

  Sophie stood and said, “Merci Auntie for this wonderful dinner. Both Gastien and I appreciate it very much. Merci Cassie, Vic, Alice for the music, the singing, the decorations. And merci, Mic, for making sure Gastien did not get caught up in one of his painting frenzies and forget to show up!” They all laughed. “Merci beaucoup all of you, for celebrating with us on our happy day. And now, regardless of if a lady should say this, I want my husband to take me home to his bed!”

  Gastien stood up, smiling. “I am just going to say merci beaucoup everyone. When a man receives a request like that, he does not waste time talking!”

  Everyone was laughing as Gastien once again scooped Sophie up into his arms, leaving the house.

  V

  When they got home, Gastien carried Sophie through the door. He lit the large coal heating stove. Then, he went out back and pumped water for her bouquet, while Sophie lit candles.

  Finally, leaning back against his painting table, Gastien gazed at his wife. The candlelight reflected off the angles of his face and his eyes.

  Smiling tenderly, he said softly, “Je t’aime, Sophie Beauchamp.”

  Sophie moved into his arms. “Sophie Beauchamp! That sounds so wonderful.” She kissed him tenderly and deeply, taking her time. “I should not have lit candles, we need the lanterns. Something tells me that this night has just begun.”

  They blew out the candles after lighting the lanterns.

  Then, Sophie slowly undressed Gastien.

  As he sat on the bed, she knelt to remove his boots and socks. She kissed each toe, sucking them. Gently, she bit his feet. Then she undid each button of his shirt, one button at a time, kissing his chest at each new area through his underwear as she did so. Removing his shirt, she then pulled off his undershirt. Holding first one arm out and then another, she planted kisses along each palm, wrist, arm, up to this neck, doing one arm at a time. While nibbling his neck, she pushed him down onto the bed.

  “Turn over onto your stomach,” she whispered.

  She then continued along his spine with her tongue, kissing his back until there wasn’t a spot left that had not had the attention of either her tongue or lips. Gastien was amazed at how such a simple thing could make him feel so much desire. He ached to possess her! He forced himself to allow her to set the speed. She was driving him crazy already with those slow kisses, and she had not even reached his male parts yet!

  Slowly, she turned him over and licked his chest, softly biting each nipple. Sliding up to him, Sophie began kissing his hair and his ears, nipping those; then she kissed his eyes, forehead, nose, and cheeks. Finally she placed her mouth on his, drinking his tongue and lips. Gastien felt like he was falling…falling…into some velvet place where only desire was present. He reached to hold her face closer. She broke away, pulling him to standing position.

  Slowly, painfully slowly, she unbuttoned his trousers. As Sophie lowered the trousers, she left his underwear on. Finally, the trousers came off. Her tongue caressed his calves, his knees, and moved up. She ran her hands along his leg muscles, allowing them to travel past his underwear to the innermost top of his legs. He was hot there, and Sophie wanted to taste him. She took his underwear off and proceeded to pay homage to his thighs.

  Gastien’s bride bit his butt cheeks, kissing those, too. Then she gently pushed him back onto the bed. Spreading his legs a bit, Sophie began to kiss and lick his inner thighs and scrotum. Gastien gasped. Her tongue! It was so loving, yet so wicked! The intense pleasure he felt where she licked him made him moan and squirm in pleasure.

  Smiling, she lifted her head a
nd sucked at his navel. Her tongue then traveled down; down along the line of hair below his erection, as she held his hardness away from him so that she could lick his lower stomach area. She paid attention to every part of him except for his bite. Gastien arched his back so that she would finally take him in her mouth. She ignored his cue and came back up, kissing him once again. His eyes desperately pleaded with her.

  She broke away long enough to whisper, “Be patient, dear husband. Let me enjoy every part of you.”

  “God, Sophie…I am being driven insane! What are you trying to do to me?” he croaked.

  “I am trying to make love to you, darling. Nice, slow, and easy. I AM trying to drive you insane. How nice to hear it is working!”

  She kissed his mouth again. She trailed her tongue down along his chest, his naval…and right there it was, she couldn’t miss now, he thought…but she started to come back up!

  Gastien cried out in frustration. Having pity on him, she lowered her mouth and just barely touched her tongue to the tip.

  “Ohahhh” Gastien cried in frustration. “Oh, pleassssssseeeee…”

  “Do you want something darling? What is wrong?” Sophie teased.

  “Mon Dieu,” he said hoarsely. “Oh, mon Dieu, oui…oh, please! Please Sophie, you have to take it in your mouth now. Don’t tease me anymore! Pleassssssse.”

  “Well, since you asked so nicely…“

  She took him in her mouth then, just to the rim and teased him with her tongue that way, too. He tried his best to get her to take more, but Sophie was determined to control it. She could hear his heavy breathing and his gasps of frustration. Finally, having pity on him, she slid more of the shaft in her mouth.

  “Ohhhhhhhhh,” he groaned shakily. “Ohhhhh, oui, ohhh, God, oui! Oui! OUI!” As the desire mounted in him he tried to pull away. “Sophie. Ahhhh, Sophie – I need to stop! I am going to – “

  She kept a firm hold him, moving her hand up and down; using her mouth harder and faster. “Sophie! I need to stop, I – OHHHHHHHHHH!”

  He shuddered as the breath came out of him in quick gasps. As he filled her mouth with his gift he arched his hips high, grabbing her hair with both hands. He made a sobbing sound as he hit the top and started down.

  As he lay there spent, Sophie slid up next to him, kissing him tenderly. Finally, she lay with her head on his shoulders. As he regrouped, he thought that he had never known how deep and wonderful sex with the person you loved could be.

  Now it was his turn to minister to Sophie. As he slowly undressed her, he offered every part of her body the same attention to detail. Soon she was the one writhing on the sheets, hoping for release. As he teased her nipples with his tongue, she arched her hips.

  “Patience, Sophi-belle. Patience. I seem to remember that you made me wait quite a while!”

  She cried out in frustration. Gastien just smiled at her, the golden flecks in his eyes seeming to mock her need. Finally, after about thirty minutes, he spread her apart and used his mouth and tongue on her most intimate parts.

  When she was almost frantic with desire, he brought her up to sitting, facing him while he sat with her on his lap. He lifted her up and arched himself back, placing her upon his long shaft.

  Now he came back to sitting and held her in his arms, while he rocked his hips back and forth, finally inside of her. Sophie and he enjoyed the sensations that position gave, but soon she was in need of more direct thrusting.

  He pulled out and turned her over to her hands and knees. Getting behind her, he entered her chatte from behind. He thrust slowly and deeply, keeping a steady rhythm, while his hand found her bud.

  “Gastien,” she panted. “Oh, oui…oh, Gastiennnnnnnn” she cried.

  He increased his tempo, sending her over the edge. She screamed as she hit her peak and matched his thrusts with her own. Soon, he joined her. They were entwined on the damp sheets, both covered in sweat.

  Not many words were spoken that night. They spoke with their bodies. Never before had orgasm been so intense for either of them. Only brief rests were needed before beginning once more, over and over again. By the time dawn came, they were both sore and exhausted. They fell asleep sprawled out next to each other, covers twisted in knots.

  During the morning, Gastien woke to see Sophie shivering in her sleep. He sorted out the covers and pulled them up to her chin, spooning her. Soon the shivering stopped, and they were both dreaming the dreams only lovers know.

  Upstairs, Mic and Alice looked at each in relief when the bed finally went silent. It was five o’clock in the morning! Without a doubt, Sophie and Gastien had celebrated their wedding vows thoroughly.

  It had even inspired more than one round between Mic and Alice, but they had to get up the next day! Shrugging, they had tried to sleep, but found it hard not to listen to the obvious sounds of pleasure below.

  Hours ago, Alice had asked incredulously, “How much longer can they go on?”

  “Well, let’s just say neither of them seems to get enough of the other,” replied Mic judiciously. “We will have a few nights without much sleep, but they are celebrating. They will calm down soon enough.”

  They both smiled, glad to know their amis were happy.

  At least I hope they calm down soon, thought Mic. Going without sleep for months would not be very pleasant. Then he remembered that Sophie was pregnant. That will slow them down at some point, he thought. And, I am sure once they both go back to work next week they will realize the value of using that bed for something besides lovemaking.

  At seven in the morning, the bed downstairs was making noises again.

  Mic turned and reached for Alice. “Might as well celebrate with them, chèri,” he whispered.

  Alice responded by sliding down to give Mic a celebration of his own.

  VI

  Finally exhausted, both Sophie and Gastien slept for hours. They woke up mid-afternoon. This time there was plenty of food in the house, because Cassie and Vic had reminded Gastien to get some. Sophie had also given him a list of items she wanted on hand.

  Gastien woke up to the smell of freshly baking bread and something sweet. His mouth watered. They had not eaten since eight the night before, and he was starving!

  He also noticed that Sophie was wearing one of his shirts again.

  “Hey, woman, what are you doing in my shirt?” he questioned in a teasing voice. “Don’t you have any clothes of your own?”

  She looked over at him, eyes huge, and her hair in tangles.

  “Do you mind, Gastien? I love wearing your shirts. I like your smell near me.”

  “My smell? That is a clean shirt! Are you telling me I stink so badly that even a clean shirt of mine smells?” he joked.

  “Non! You never stink! Still, all of your things smell of maleness. I happen to like having your smell near me.”

  Gastien pretended to consider. “Well, all right then. I guess I can’t force you to give up my shirt after all.”

  He rose and pulled on his discarded trousers. Finding an old shirt ready for laundry, he put it on after hanging up the cream satin. “I will be right back.”

  On his way back inside he stopped to pump water for coffee.

  As he ground the beans, Sophie said, “I would have made coffee, but I wanted you to wake to the smell the baking.”

  “That is fine. Mon Dieu, it smells good! What sweet did you make?”

  “Tarte tatin. I hope you like that.”

  “Oh, Sophie, I must be dreaming! Do you know how long it has been since I have had home baked tarte tatin? Mother used to make them, knowing they were a favorite of mine.” His eyes danced, anticipating the gooey, rich, caramelized apple tart. “I will have one with coffee! Possibly two!”

  “Non! They are for tomorrow!” she admonished, deciding it was her turn to tease him.

  He looked like his best ami had forsaken him.

  “Tomorrow? But, Sophie! When it has been so long?”

  She laughed; then kissed him. “I am
teasing you! You can certainly have one today, but I doubt you will have room for two. I am making brouillade de truffes with a side of little sausages, along with warm, home baked bread.”

  “Sophi-belle you are a true gem. I adore white truffles. Black, too. Will you make me black truffle dishes in February?”

  “Of course I will. I will make you anything you want.”

  Gastien put his arms around her from behind. “You have already made me a son. Now you are going to fatten me up with sweets and butter! I will die a happy man.”

  “Your daughter does not want you to die until you are very old,” Sophie teased back.

  “Daughter? I guess we are having twins, Petite Oiseau, because there is definitely a boy in there. I have talked to him.”

  “Well, that would be lovely. I would love a little boy just as much as a little girl. I just don’t want you disappointed if your son turns out to be female.”

  “Non. I would not be. Nevertheless, I know it is a boy.” Gastien poured them coffee. “When are you going to feed me that breakfast? When I am forty?”

  “If you keep your hands off of me for two minutes I will get it ready now!” she shot back.

  Gastien sighed. “As soon as women are married, they don’t want sex anymore. I was warned, but failed to heed it.”

  “Poor man. You must be starving for it!”

  “Non! I am actually a bit sore.”

  “That makes two of us. Will that stop us?”

  “Non. Not a bit,” he concluded. “Still, I need fuel to keep going.”

  Soon they were eating. Gastien sighed happily. “You are every bit as good of a cook as you are a lover, Sophie. I had no idea!”

  “Well, oui, I can cook. Keep in mind, though, that we won’t be eating like this every day. If we do, we will both end up ten sizes bigger. I will cook, but I will not always be cooking such rich items.”

  “Name a couple French items that are not rich!” laughed Gastien. There was silence. “You see? You can’t. But what we will do is eat much less because we won’t always go nineteen hours between meals.”