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It seemed like the perfect day. Esmeralda was walking through the meadow just on the outskirts of Paris with her beloved Soldier boy. Picnic basket swinging below her waist as The Gypsy beamed with excitement to show Phoebus the surprise picnic she prepared for them. It took five months worth of dancing for coins. But wasn't their joy worth it?
It seemed like the perfect day
And yet it just all had to be on the one year anniversary of Frollo's death. The Gypsy could not stop her endless thoughts of his creepy desires for her. Pain consumed her very core throughout the year, the girl pondered what her life would have been like with the Archdeacon had she relented. Could she have changed him? She frantically shook her head only wishing to think of the happy date she was on. Little did she know how close it was to falling apart at that seams.
Phoebus raised a concerned eyebrow. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course everything is perfect” she said far too quickly to be convincing.
“ I have been wanting to ask you something.”
A teasing smirk formed on the girl's face, hiding her inner battle. “Well Captain who's stopping you.”
Esmeralda gasped as her beloved got down on one knee and pulled out a box that held a ring with a silver band and a purple gem in its center. But it was not a gasp of joy. Horror overtook the girl quickly. though Esmeralda loved her Soldier boy….the thought of being tied down to a commitment made her uncomfortable. It felt like she just finished fighting for her freedom against another man after all. The Gypsy did not hear one word Phoebus spoke after her name. The rapid pace of heartbeat and the millions of fears racing in her head made that impossible. Nothing would slow down as much as she willed it too. The girl couldn't even take him the warm smile of the Captain as her beloved no doubt poured his heart out to her. Esmeralra could only focus on one thing: fear. Her heart was just as mute as her beloved was. So The Gypsy did the safest thing she knew of.
She ran
The girl ran like there was no tomorrow upon field after field in a meadow she was unfamiliar with. It was his special place to visit frequently, not hers. But not once did she look back not caring or knowing where she was going. What else was there to do? The legendary Esmeralda can fight any guard that comes her way for sure. But facing Phoebus and the fight that was waging inside her about the future ? Impossible. Or at least it seemed impossible. So she threw herself down on a nearby grassy hill trying to hide from the beautiful world she was afraid of seeing destroyed again.
After a while of confusion the Soldier found his Gypsy beside a hill of beautiful flowers. Tulips, daisies, and roses , surrounded her with all the vibrant colors of earth. He took in the sight seeing how the flowers were enhancing the beauty of her wild raven hair and large emerald eyes . Even in such a state of panic and who knows what else she looked more beautiful than ever to him. Phoebus respectfully gave her some space very taken back by the reaction to his proposal. Perhaps it was just too soon. Or did he misread things entirely all along? Regardless, the ex Captain needed to know to make sure she was okay and got home safely . And of course he was aching to know where it all went wrong. The last thing Phoebus ever wanted to do was upset Esmeralda.
“A simple no would have been sufficient” he attempted an ease with a forced grin, carefully approaching the hill.
“Phoebus I'm sorry…..I'm sorry”
The young mAn stammered as all his confidence drained out of him. Yesterday he had his pick of any women in town now the only one he deeply loved rejected him without so much as a word. “You have nothing to apologize for……i never should have…..that was a stupid….
” A tear fell from the girl's cheek. “Phoebus please ... .it's not that at all……..its not that i don't want you. Of course I do…..I don't know why I did that. I love you. I really do. My answer is just complicated .”
Phoebus laid down beside his beloved gently wiping her tear with his thumb and lingering to tenderly stroke her cheek soothingly. “Darling. I love you too. You must know that. But what is stopping you? Please tell me what the problem is then..what is stopping you? “
Esmeralda shut her eyes as tight as she could as more tears came. Her Soldier boy held her tightly in his arms and rubbed her back pouring nothing but comfort and love to wash out the pain.. For a while they both listened to each other's heart beats as the girl relaxed enough to speak and found the words she so desperately needed to share.
“Paris has been a time. But I'm forever grateful for it and wouldn't have life any other way. But everything that happened…. Just has me very unsure. And if there's one thing I'm unsure of it's marriage ………especially after what I told you happened with that monster . Esmerada broke off then. The Archdeacon's assault at the Bastille changed her and that was one freedom she was still fighting for. Her voice returned with rage for Even in death Frollo was still Controlling her life. If only he could see her now unintentionally hurting Phoebus. Would he forgive her ? Could he forgive her? She shrugged all these thoughts And tried further to open up just like The Soldier always encouraged her to do. “And what about after marriage……? I'm not ready to do those things that come after. And you deserve pleasure. I'm just not ready. Nothing scares me more than Phoebus. All I see is him when I even think about being in a room alone with anyone. I'm so sorry”
“Sweetheart I understand that and I'm ok with that. “ he rubbed her back once more drawing tiny shapes to reassure her was not upset or leaving her . Though he certainly was upset at the Archdeacon. Seeing what he had done mentally to such a young soul and how far his torment can impact his victims. It made the young man sick. His beloved did not deserve the burden of those lunatics' horrific actions. But now he would be there to tend to all those emotional wounds and give nothing but love and most of all patience to the incredible women he so admired.
The Gypsy sighed. Nearly wanted to kick herself for how unfairly patient and understanding her beloved was. She ran off and yet Phoebus still didn't give up on her. This only made her love him more, adding to the frustration. How could anyone be this caring? Phoebus felt like a dream and Esmeralda didn't want to wake up. “No you don't understand. What if I am never ready? ……. I don't know if i ever will be…..i feel like i barely managed this year as it was. You deserve better.
“Esme Bumble Bee looked at me this instant. The blonde pulled them both up to a sitting position. Phoebus gently tilted her chin lovingly so his blue eyes would meet those fierce emerald ones of hers. While his other hand gently stroked her raven waves just the way she loved. Her favorite act of comfort. Only love was in his eyes and through his hands. So much it overwhelmed the Gypsy who never thought she could be loved. “I don't care if we ever marry. I am just so grateful for what we have now. Most of all I am grateful to know you as the truly amazing person you are. You make me happy now as you are ..as we are and I want nothing more than to make you happy .We will do what you're ready for and when you're ready together. It is I who doesn't deserve the miracle that you are to this whole entire city. No matter what happens or where we go from here I love you. All and every part of you. That's not going to change. This will always be more than enough for me my Darling” “
If I ever am ready I want it to be you……i know that. I knew that when you let me stay with you after the pyre while the court was being rebuilt. I knew that when you held me through every nightmare the days following the war at Notre Dame. I knew that when you saved us all time and time again. I love you. I love all of you too. But can we just keep things as they are for now?”
“I would love nothing more darling. The Soldier kissed his beloved on top of the head. “I just want to share this life with you. I want to be happy with you. Please promise me you'll come to me when you are thinking about that horrible Bastard.
Esmeralda nodded with great spirit . “Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if……” she stopped as a tremble went through her. and looked at him. “Is that wrong?”
“Of course not. No one could blame you. But you never have to find out. I will never ever treat you the way that bastard did. I promise you Esmeralda your happiness is the most important thing to me. His signature soft golden smile shined in the afternoon sun.
Esmerald threw her arms around him. “I love you.” She yelled with joy in between relieved sobs. Both their bodies entangled trembled with each other with adoration. “One thing I am ready for is to finally trust you. “
The Soldier held her even tighter, pleasantly surprised to see his Gypsy's walls finally coming down to let him in .. This entire conversation was the biggest breakthrough he had ever imagined. Trust was established and it would not be betrayed. “And I love you my strong beautiful Esmeralda for you. You're the bravest person I know. “
“My Esmeralda” he whispered again for extra measure. They sat there for a while until a mischievous crossed the ex captain once,or “Now I don't know about you but I am starving” Phoebus teased once more with a longing smirk.
The gypsy's signature laugh rang out through the air. The entire city probably heard it. “If just so happens I have an amazing picnic lunch if I do say so myself.” Esmeralda pulled out her basket smiling at the gentle caring man before.
No, the monster did not still control her. Not anymore. Not ever again.
The Soldier and the Gypsy would keep their budding romance slow. Grateful to finally have it after the last years events, Grateful to just be happy together. And that was all either of them would ever need. The rest of the sunny afternoon was filled with laughter and many many strawberries. Phoebus stroked his darling's hair as she lay upon his chest well past dusk. The way his beloved purred of pleasure made him grin. There may not be a wedding yet but this day was a victory for both of them. It is needless to say and Esmeralda was not back at the court of Miracles until well past curfew that night. A much better day than the year before.