Chapter 4
Reed despite what he told the General in front of everyone, decided to build the sensor. Ben and Johnny, of course found out about it, but decided not to tell Susan or Helena.
The big day was finally here, Reed and Sue's rooftop wedding; The Baxter was swarmed with fans of the Fantastic Five as well as the entire paparazzi. The whole building itself, however, was buzzing with people and anticipation. Alicia and Helena were busy getting ready and gushing about everything from the men in their lives, Johnny and Ben, to their dresses, Sue's dress, and every wedding detail in between. Alicia and Helena were fast friends as soon as they met, and only continued to get closer. Helena was so happy that Alicia and Ben had found each other, and really wished for that kind of happiness with Johnny, even though deep down, she knew she had it already. Alicia had the distinct feeling that Helena (or Lena, as Alicia had taken to calling her, like the others) and Johnny were a little more serious than the others believed them to be. Ben, Reed and Sue had known Johnny his whole life and have never once seen him settle down, so they were skeptical about the match. Not that they doubted the two had feelings for each other, they displayed it enough, but they had no idea how deep those feelings ran.
The guests were beginning to arrive, as Alicia, already dressed made her way to the bride's bedroom to help her get ready. Sue looked out at the rooftop, and said, "This isn't how I imagined it." Alicia sitting on her bed, wearing a beautiful deep purple dress, replied, "It never is." Anyone could see the nerves shown on Sue's face as she said, "No Alicia, it just doesn't feel right." Alicia turned and said, "Sweetie, I think even superheroes are allowed to have wedding day jitters." Just then Helena came through the door, holding her dress in the back, "Hey Susie! Oh you look so beautiful! Would you do me a quick favor, just zip me up?" Sue smiled at Helena, and said, "Sure, turn around." Sue zipped up Helena's dress with ease, and as Helena turned around Sue had a worried look on her face. "Susie, what's wrong?" Sue continued to both Alicia and Helena, who were sitting next to each other on the end of the couch. "Is my life always going to be a circus? Do we really want to raise kids in all of this? Face it, we're not exactly normal." Alicia scoffed, "Ben and I aren't normal." Helena added, "Neither are me and Johnny," Alicia nodded and pointed her finger to Helena's voice, as she continued, "But we don't let it get in the way of us being happy." Helena nodded in agreement with Alicia. Helena took Sue's hand and asked, "Do you love Reed?" Sue looked her deep into her green eyes, "More than I've ever loved anyone," she replied. Alicia smiled and said, "Then you have nothing to worry about." Sue tilted her head, and sighed, then hugged Alicia and Helena, saying, "Thank You."
Ben went looking for Reed; it was two hours until the ceremony was to begin but when he saw Helena sitting in her bedroom holding a picture. The picture was a playful one of her and Johnny, she was in one of her dance dress's wearing her ballet slippers and Johnny was giving her a piggy-back ride in the studio. The two looked so genuinely happy that when Sue saw the Kodak moment, she couldn't resist. Helena smiled and touched the photo lightly as Ben cleared his throat in her doorway. She stood up, placing the picture on her nightstand, and walked over to greet Ben. Ben walked in and had to take a breath as Helena stood up in her dress. Ben held out both his hands and Helena took them, "You look beautiful Lena! Johnny's a lucky guy!" Helena smiled a sincere smile thanking her pseudo big brother for his kind words, "Thank you Benji, but I'm really the lucky one. Johnny's wonderful!" Unknown to both of them Johnny was listening in on their conversation from the hallway. "I just don't know what you see in the guy." Helena smiled and laughed, "Yes you do!" Helena takes a deep breath before she begins, "He's funny, and he's kind, and he doesn't judge people," she reaches out and lightly holds Ben's arm as she says, "And he makes me feel good about myself. He just gets me, you know and I feel like I can be myself around him." Helena then walks over to her bureau, grabs the two sapphire studs on the top and puts them in her ears.
Ben smiles and sits on her bed, not believing that Helena sees all that in Johnny Storm. "So why don't you tell me how you really feel." Both laughed and Helena pulled Ben up from the bed, "Come on Benji! We're gonna be late!" Ben gets up and Johnny leaves the hallway, ducking into his room as Ben and Helena walk down the hall. Helena kisses Ben on the cheek and says, "I'll meet you later. I've gotta go help Sue with her dress." Ben smiled and nodded as Helena ran up the stairs.
It was an hour before the ceremony when Ben finally found Reed in the lab. He was underneath the machine, putting the finishing touches on it. "Reed come on, you're gonna miss your own wedding." Reed stretched to see Ben from underneath the machine, "Just a minute, almost done." Reed ran over to the computer, "General, I'm putting the sensor online, now. There. If there's a surge in cosmic radiation anywhere on the planet, you'll know about it." General Hagger was on full view in the screen above Reed and said, "Let's hope so Richards. We've already got reports of two more craters." Ben started singing "Here comes the bride," when Reed holds up his hand, "Alright, alright, alright; Just linking it to my PDA, and ah, that's it." Ben trying to make Reed on time for his wedding, "Good. That's Great. Now would shave and put on your tux? You're getting married in an hour and you look like a bum." Reed turns around as he says, "Absolutely," Reed stops as if just realizing something, Ben looked confused and asked, "What?" Reed replied dumbfounded but happy, "I'm getting married!" then reality sunk in for Reed and he became terrified, "I'm. Getting. Married." His legs sank to the ground and looked like they were melting, Ben picked him up and carried him saying, "I've heard of getting cold feet, but…"
Alicia was just finishing up Ben's tie in the kitchen, when Johnny walked in. "Hey Johnny." Johnny slapped the table in disbelief, "Wow! Does that amaze anyone else how did she know it was me I didn't say anything!" To that Alicia responded, "Well to be honest you kind of smell like ash!" Ben laughed and said "You're late," To which Johnny replied, "Oh let's not make this about me. It's Reed and Sue's big day. Let's give them the attention for a change." Just then Helena walked in from the same place Johnny did holding a cuff link. "Anyone lose one of these," Helena said holding up the tiny cuff link. Johnny turned around and couldn't believe his eyes. There in front of him was Helena, looking more beautiful than he had ever seen her. Helena's dress was exactly the same as Alicia's; only Helena's was a deep blue. She had her beautiful strawberry hair down in soft curls that cascaded down past her shoulders, two sapphire studs in her ears, and a simple but elegant light blue raindrop necklace on. She looked absolutely stunning as she walked over and gave a quick kiss to Johnny. She handed Johnny the cuff link and he tried to put it on himself. Alicia could sense the love in the room and gave an ominous smile, so she wasn't paying attention when Ben shouted an "Ow" as she pinned a flower to his lapel. Alicia jumped in reaction, tapped Ben, and said, "Don't do that!" Helena saw the trouble Johnny was having with the cuff link and said, "Here, let me help." As Helena was fastening Johnny's cuff link he could see Ben and Alicia having a little moment. "OK, you're perfect," Alicia said when she finished the lapel, Ben sweetly replied, "You're perfect." Johnny looked at Helena as she finished the cuff, and knew. He was surprised but more terrified because in that moment he realized that he loved her. He knew he couldn't tell her; he was terrified because he had never felt that strongly about any other girl before. She quickly kissed his cheek and said, "Bye sweetie, I've gotta go find my shoes. I'll see you upstairs." After Alicia said goodbye to Ben and Johnny, Helena walked over, taking Alicia's hand and guiding her out of the room. Helena turned around just before she and Alicia left and said, " Bye boys, play nice." Alicia and her laughed as they exited the kitchen.
Ben stared after where two of the most important women in his life had departed; he looked content, at peace and very, very happy. Johnny could normally stand that kind of happiness with Ben; ever since Alicia, he was used to it. However, with Johnny's own feelings of love and content swirling around his head for Helena, he knew he needed a diversion, anything to take his mind off his own feelings. Teasing Ben had always been an easy tactic for Johnny, so he stuck with what he knew, "So, it seems like you and Alicia are doing well, annoyingly so in fact." Ben smiled at the comment, "Yeah, I'm a lucky guy." Johnny knew he had to do this as he said, "Yeah, you are. Question for you though, how do you guys ummm…" Johnny waved around his hands and made a clicking sound as he elbowed the air. Ben became flustered and angry when Johnny asked about his love life with Alicia and quickly responded, "That's none of your business!" Johnny backed up and got ready to run, "Alright, alright, I'm just concerned. I'd hate to wake up one morning and find out she was killed in a rock slide." With that Johnny was running out the door, with Ben close behind him screaming, "I'll show you a rock slide!"
Alicia was upstairs, and being handed her bouquet of red roses, "Thank you," when she suddenly said, "Johnny." Johnny looked over to Alicia, from pouring himself a glass of champagne, and quickly thought 'that girl is way to perceptive.' Alicia continued, "You shouldn't tease him so much!" Johnny reluctantly replied, "It was a joke." Alicia smiled, knowing she could get the infamous playboy Johnny Storm, to admit he's in love, she added, "I don't know." Johnny walked up beside the beautiful black woman as she continued, "I think it bothers you to see him really happy and in love. I think you're scared." Johnny laughed, "You think I'm scared? I'm the Human Torch, what would I have to be scared of?" Alicia laughed; she knew then and there that she caught him, "Love," Alicia replied, and quietly laughed, before tilting her head but keeping head faced forward as she whispered to him, "You can only fool yourself but for so long Torch. You should tell her, before it's too late."
Johnny's eyes went wide but before he could respond, Ben and Helena were leading Sue through the doorway. "Ta Da!" Ben sang. Helena still looked beautiful, and Johnny couldn't believe that she could take his breath away with just a single glance in his direction. He felt a new sense of nervous energy wash over him as she made her way over to him, "Hi-ya handsome," Helena breathed. "Hey beautiful," he replied before he felt like he had been knocked out when this stunning woman sweetly kissed his lips. Alicia gave a knowing smile that seemed to say 'Yeah, he's got it bad.' Helena and Johnny both broke away and opened their eyes, each met with a pleasant and un-bounding smile.
She linked his arm through his and smiled at a very beautiful Sue. Johnny, just eager to make a joke and lighten the mood a little, teased, "Hey, it's the bride of Stretchy Man!" Helena smiled and rolled her eyes; as Sue smiled and blushed saying, "Don't start." Ben turned to Sue and replied, "Nah, don't listen to him. You look gorgeous! See you out there sweetie." Ben said, when he walked towards Helena, "You look beautiful too kid!" Helena smiled as Ben kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks Benji," Helena replied as she took her bouquet of red roses. Ben then walked over to Alicia and took her arm, saying "Come on, we're on." Helena stood behind Ben and Alicia as they walked out, and waited for her turn. Right before she walked out, she gave a little flirtatious wink in Johnny's direction and began her slow march to the alter; Johnny's stomach flipped inside him at the notice of Helena's wink.
Johnny walked over and placed his champagne glass on the table, staring out at Helena's lovely form as she marched down the aisle. He turned to his sister quickly and said, "You know you don't look completely ridiculous in that dress." Sue scoffed and shook her head replying, "Is that obnoxious brother talk for: you look kinda nice?" Johnny raised his head and looked at her with brotherly warmth, "You look beautiful." Sue smiled kindly at her brother's nice words and sighed a "Thank you." Johnny walked over to his sister, shaking his head and laughed a little when he approached her. He took her hands, looked her in the eyes and confessed, "Dad would be proud." Sue nodded and smiled, "Yeah."
From a helicopter's view, the pilot could see Ben and Alicia walking down the aisle, with Helena traveling close behind. Reed smiled at the three as they made their way down the aisle, and just second or two after Ben assumed his position next to the groom's side, Reed's PDA sounded off. Reed reached for it, and pulling it out Ben scolded him, "Reed will you shut your cell phone off!" Reed tried to reply, but the sound of the wedding march cut him off, and he quickly put it back into his pocket.
Sue, on Johnny's arm, made her way down the aisle. Sue looked elegant and regal, but most importantly, held an inner happiness that seemed to project from her, making her that much more radiant. The smile on Reed's face held the love and contentment that he felt for Sue, and after blushing a little under his stare, Sue instantly reacted with the same smile. Johnny's eyes however rested on his love, Helena, who stood on the bride's side right behind Alicia. She looked so graceful and confident as she stood there smiling at the sight of her love walking down the aisle with one of her best friends. She looked to Ben, who looked as though he were about to cry, which only increased the love that she felt for her newfound family, as she thought 'It's always the tough ones who cry at weddings.'
Johnny stood on the groom's side, and was right across from Helena. In the rehearsal, leaving first of course was Sue and Reed, then Ben and Alicia, followed by Johnny and Helena. This memory did not escape Johnny as he glanced next to him, just in time to catch Helena glancing back. Their eyes met and they shared a smile; both blushed at the attention and returned their gaze to the ceremony. The priest began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to…" Just then the helicopter from before flew close to the ceremony and a voice shouted out, "Sue and Reed, congratulations on your wedding!"
Sue smiled, kind of figuring that would happen as the priest began again, "Where was I… oh yes… Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join this couple Reed Richards and Susan Storm in the bond of holy... matri...mony…" During the words 'holy matrimony' Reed's PDA sounded off again, and he quickly pulled it out. Reed looked at it and his jaw dropped, as Sue replied, "I can't believe you actually brought that thing to our wedding!" Reed not taking his eyes off the screen replied, "I know," he looked up at Sue, "But there's a good reason," He then looked to the priest, "we have to get through this quickly." Sue was quickly becoming irritated and sarcastically spat out, "Now that's romantic!" The priest just looked utterly confused and asked "Should I continue?" Reed's eyes seemed filled with worry as he replied, "Yes please." The priest resumed his speech, "There are many kinds of love…" Reed becoming more impatient as he became more worried, quickly cut of the priest again, "Could you skip to the end, please?" "Reed!" Sue couldn't help but reply. The priest looked even more confused now than before, "Excuse me?"
Just then, Reed's PDA went off again this time it read, 'New York Landfall Imminent: 3 seconds.' After this, all of the electronics began malfunctioning and a brisk gust of wind made everyone look to the sky. Reed along with the rest of the Fantastic Five were seen on the roof, as Reed made the comment that it was too late. Then the unthinkable happened, and the helicopter flying above the ceremony, lost power and started to crash into the wedding. There were people running everywhere from the slice of the helicopter blades. Reed grabbed some people out of the way, while Sue created a force field protecting herself, the rest of the five, and the priest. "Johnny," Helena screamed, as she ran her way over to her boyfriend, and almost jumping into his embrace. Unfortunately, Alicia wasn't protected by the force field, and screamed for Ben. Just as she was about to get hit with the tail of the helicopter, Ben jumped in front of her and tore off the tail throwing it to the ground.