I have been here before, But when or how I cannot tell: I know the grass beyond the door, The sweet keen smell, The sighing sound, the lights around the shore.
You have been mine before, How long ago I may not know: But just when at that swallow's soar Your neck turned so, Some veil did fall-I knew it all of yore.
Has this been thus before? And shall not thus time's eddying flight Still with our lives our love restore In death's despite, And day and night yield one delight once more? -Sudden Light by Dante Rosetti
The happy couple turn to face their friends. On the groom's side Ted appears to be wiping something foreign from his eye. Alfred has his hand placed over his heart as he recalls how Bruce's lonliness is now over. Lucius gives Bruce a quick wink in approval. To the bride's side Harley is giggling clapping her hands as Ivy arches her brow in approval of the heated embrace. In the middle stands Maggie grinning ear to ear. She is wearing another sunhat. Not the one she wore in the flower garden on their arrival but one filled with tiny peonies and purple Calla's. The girls had kept their word that she would be a surprise for Selina as the third bride's maid. It was the only time Harley can recall not spilling the beans and she was giddy at the result.
In the background Oracle stands in a green sundress sniffling holding hands with Ronald. To their right stands Holly holding their new kitten holding its paw up in a waving motion. Behind her is Frank the fireman eyeing only Ivy and Guiseppe waving to Harley on the stage. On the opposite side of the pews is James Gordon in his best suit and tie stands proudly beside the dark haired beauty known as Renee Montoya who is holding hands with a sheepish young boy. He is Bruce's latest family addition named Dick Grayson. Bruce just happened to be at their headquarters the day the boy had been brought in to be transferred to the orphanage. He recalled the familiar look on the boy's face that only the loss of a loved one can consume. He inquired of him and asked if he could foster they boy. Montoya was thrilled at the option and quickly responded by asking the young boy. The youth was not as eager to be placed in the hands of a stranger but in time his curiousity revealed to him that this stranger was not just a great man but one of the greatest he may ever come to know. He cut lose from Montoya's grip and ran to hug the legs of his mentor and wife.
~Reception~
The visitors are ushered to the exit portal adorned with tradional ribbons for luck and head outside grabbing baskets of rice. The sounds of Storia d' Amore blares from the band assembled in the garden under a crisp white tent.
Bruce holds Selina's hand softly caressing the ring as Holly snaps some photos. The group laughs and shout as the bands sweet melody drifts in the air encircling the joyous group as they toss rice into the air around the lovestuck couple for luck. The duo pose for one more photo then head toward the garden. He guides her toward the sea view timed impeccably just as the sun is beginning to set. He takes her in his arms onto the Wisteria lined Pergola and whispers staring deep into her soul "May I have this dance?"
She nods a yes and softly places her hands around his neck staring back into his eyes as they glide slowly, rhythmically to the sounds of these sweet words:
Parla pi piano e nessuno sentir , Speak lower and no one will hear
il nostro amore lo viviamo io e te, we live our love, just you and me
nessuno sa la verit nobody knows the truth
neppure il cielo che ci guarda da lass not even the sky that looks down on us (lit. that is looking to us from above)
Insieme a te io rester , I will stay with you
amore mio, sempre cos my love, always/forever like this
Parla pi piano e vieni pi vicino a me Speak lower and come closer to me
Voglio sentire gli occhi miei dentro di te, I want to feel my eyes inside you
nessuno sa la verit nobody knows the truth
un grande amore e mai pi grande esister it's a great love and there will never be one greater
Insieme a te io rester , I will stay with you
amore mio, sempre cos my love, always like this
Parla pi piano e vieni pi vicino a me Speak lower and come closer to me
Voglio sentire gli occhi miei dentro di te, I want to feel my eyes inside you
nessuno sa la verit nobody knows the truth
un grande amore e mai pi grande esister it's a great love and there will never be one greater
He leans closer staring deep into the confines of her soul as he gently cradles her head tenderly forward and kisses her slowly, deeply with passion and longing. She claws at his hair pulling him tighter in response. No one but the two of them exist at this very moment. Now is the only time their minds are filled with thoughts of only the most simple and yet most enigmatic of feeling...
He struggles for air as his forehead begins to perspire. He grins his playboy dimples then coughs at his dry throat struggles to form words. He stares down into her sparkling jade eyes and in his strong, deeply bass voice whispers " Selina you have shown me things. I'm a natural thinker, a deducer, philanthropist and a man who wears a strange costume at night ...(They chuckle) but being in love with you has shown me that love cannot be defined...it is an emotion that no one knows the realms of, and no one can define in it's laws ...nor conquer its strength. In an instant in can bring me to my to knees or to the pinnacle of my most daring feats. You have that power."
She smiles and purrs in a whisper into his ear causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand in end. "You have that power over me also. I gave in finally to you and to Love. It is as you say mighty, It is a fearless conquerer, or a meek and humble nurturer. It can be a best friend in comfort . I learned this from my friends. I also learned when you broke my heart that love can be changed to a mortal enemy that will cut you to until every drop has been drained.. Oh. Yes.. I was hurt and wanted to hurt you just as much. (she bit his lobe) causing him to laugh. She leans back her head as he sways her and says " Selina this is more than a feeling, it is a combination of emotions, all learned and unlearned."
She tosses her hair forward and smiles and licks her shiny pink pearled lips looking seductive." It's only tragic flaw is that love like a frail kitten will die if you do not feed it and keep it safe. So I advise you Mr. Wayne to feed this kitty well." She says with a devilish smirk then adds pressing her bosom and moving her hips closer "As for protecting me...I assure you though this kitty can take care of herself!" She grips his neck hard leaving tiny claw marks. He smiles sensing her game of dare. "Oh. I agree. Selina you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but as for the feeding part I assure you that I shall give you all that you desire, I will not stop until you say that you are fully sated." He smiles now assured in that he knows how to satisfy every appetite she could possibly concoct. Oh yes . He was the master of deducing, a step ahead of her game now. She smiled again rubbing closer to his toned but tuxedo suited body and fumbled with a button until Bruce slowly touched her hand and placed in to his lips and kissed it staring at her flush face.
This thought, this emotion, this entity took possession like an incubus to these two who opened their souls for its refuge. Some say it arrives from luck, others that it is from the stars and pre-ordained by destiny but all know that of the greatest gift one can be given is that of...
love.
They turn back as the crowd began to clap and join them on the dance floor as the sky drifts suddenly changing into pastel pinks with wispy golden clouds. The tiny lights Bruce had inspected earlier on cue began to twinkle on the tents and on vines morphing it into their own private Italian paradise.
The soft glow off the tables candles radiate a soft glow unto each visitor warming it in with its rich glow as other bodies sway pulling their own radiating light and motion from the momentous sunset. They move in synch with the pulse of this connecting verve. The scene seems as if a painting by Fitzgerald of a fairy land filled with magical beings that glitter and fly. The shadows move and change in hue to fuschia, rose and rust as their bodies slowly sway as the sun now slowly melts into the sea.