*A/N: So, here we go, lovely people! This CyRae journey has come to its end. :') I'm kind of sad it's ending, since I had a great time writing, and I really hope it was worth your time! As warned before, this might be just a little fluffy. Again, review to tell me your opinion! Thanks to all who have read!*
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Tell me, Starfire." Raven said, looking at her reflection in the wide mirror. "What have I ever done to deserve something like this?"
Raven couldn't wait to get herself out of that hideous white dress. It was full of tulle and lace and puffs and flowers and things Raven would only be seen wearing dead. It reached to her knee, had a heart-shaped neckline and many, many, many pearl decorations. Why did weddings require such things?
"You look exquisite, dear friend!" Starfire said from her mirror. "White is a really flattering color for you."
"Relax, Rae." Bumblebee said. "It's only for a night."
"A night when I'll be seen by everyone I know in this thing. Perfect."
"Don't sweat it; everyone's gonna be lookin' at the bride, so..."
"Uh, friends!" Starfire exclaimed. "I'm so very happy!" She flew from her spot, inside her enormous wedding dress, and landed next to them. Starfire really didn't know the meaning of the word 'subtle'; if she needed to do anything, so would do it the exuberant way. Raven could swear that Starfire's dress had approximately the same diameter as her already big round bed, since she had been sharing it with Cyborg for the past five years and they had to fit comfortably.
"Of course you should be happy, hun." Bumblebee said. "It's your weddin' day!"
"I will be Mrs Grayson!" Starfire almost cried out and Raven rolled her eyes. "And I am extremely grateful that you will be the maids of my bride!"
"You should be," Raven said, "since you got us wearing this."
"I believe it looks cute on you and on Bumblebee, friend Raven. I thought you should match the wedding dress a little."
"We'll match the cupcakes, that's the only thing for sure..."
"So, soon-to-be-Nighty's-wife," Bumblebee said, wiggling her eyebrows, "what have you planned for your weddin' night?"
"I believe the usual arrangements involve intercourse and champagne." Starfire said boldly, making her bridesmaids chuckle. "Am I not correct?"
"Oh, you're very correct, girl..."
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
"Please tell me this is a nightmare and I'm about to wake up." Raven said, holding on tightly to Cyborg's arm.
"I'm sorry, baby, this is all very true." He replied, fixing his bowtie.
Raven sighed deeply. "I wish I could find a corner and hide... I can't be seen in this!"
"Oh, you look dashin' in anythin', calm down."
"You're not very objective, you know."
"I can't be, not when I know what's underneath all these layers of tulle..."
"You have my full consent to rip them off once we're done with them tying the knot." Raven replied in a suggestive voice.
"I'll be more than glad to do it!"
Raven half-smiled, looking at the room, slowly starting to fill with people. Every titan, honorary or not, was there, along with some of their friends, many people from Starfire's planet and several others from the 'Wayne' enterprises.
"Can I guess that you're also wearin' your usual leotard underneath the dress?" Cyborg said.
Raven nodded. "Who knows? Maybe a psycho villain will attempt to sabotage their union 'before God'... And I couldn't possibly fight in this moving pudding."
"D'you think they'd attempt an attack here? With every titan present?"
Raven shrugged. "The list of psycho villains has seriously expanded, you know, since our little Robin evolved and got into more Bat business..."
"Heeeeeeeeey, my fellow best man!" Beast Boy called from behind them. He was ecstatic to be in a proper tuxedo.
"Hey, B." Cyborg said.
"Raven! You look-"
"Don't. Say. A. Word." Raven said, eyeing him angrily. Beast Boy snorted.
Although Beast Boy had grown significantly taller during the years, he still remained as playful and as immature as his teenage self. He hadn't even changed his superhero name to something a bit more...grown-up.
"I think it's time to go take our positions." He said. "The bride will be coming any minute now!"
"I bet the groom's nervous, eh?" Cyborg asked.
"He can' stay still!" Beast Boy said, giggling. "I bet he'll break into a triple back-flip when his time to say the 'I do' comes!"
With Raven hanging her head down in embarrassment, they went over to Nightwing and the official who was going to marry them. Cyborg and Beast Boy stood by him, while Raven went to join Bumblebee at the other side of the altar.
"Cheer up, girl." Bumblebee said. "It's a weddin', not a funeral."
"It's the funeral of my dignity."
Bumblebee laughed. "I can't wait to see what you'll be doin' in your weddin'..."
"Definitely not make my bridesmaids wear something like this."
"So, is it goin' to be soon?"
"No."
"Oh, okay. I just, y'know, thought you two'd be on your way or somethin'..."
"A wedding is just a funfair for relatives and friends to dress up and pretend to be happy for you, while you dump money into rose bouquets and vanilla-scented candles."
"Now, aren't cha a sunshine..."
Raven shrugged.
"Are you happy with Cy?"
"Yes."
"Then that's all that matters."
The wedding march echoed around, as the doors opened up and Starfire and her 'Gnorfka' entered. If Raven wanted to be honest with herself, she had to admit that Starfire was...radiant. Okay, her dress was a 'little' too much, but she appeared to be so happy. She was very pretty and smiled so very widely. While she tried to make eye contact with her guests, her eyes would always return to the man waiting for her by the end of the red carpet. As for the groom, he was in an intermediate state of awed shock and blissful happiness. If one would also look at the front row of guests, they would also see an austere black-haired muscular man in a very expensive tuxedo looking at the groom and trying to conceal how proud and happy he felt as well.
Cyborg took a look, as he should, at the bride. Starfire was looking very pretty and gleeful and he was very happy for his friends. Not being too interested in the rest of her march, though, he turned his look to the woman of his heart, standing right across the altar. Although he hadn't told her, since she hated it, she looked very nice in the dress. He saw several expressions cross her face as she watched Starfire approach; awe, happiness, understanding and acceptance. She was stunning and he wouldn't change a single thing about her.
Being in such an occasion, Cyborg couldn't help but imagine Raven as the bride and himself as the groom. If they were to get married, they would have their ceremony somewhere else; maybe a dimly lit park with pavilions, or the top of a hill with a splendid view of the sea. Raven would wear a very simple yet elegant dress, faithful to her sense of style and he would wear a nice tuxedo, very much like the one he was wearing right now. Their guests would be very few; the titans, some other friends and maybe a couple of others as well. And that would be it. They would be 'husband and wife'; Victor Stone and Rachel Stone on the papers. Oh, no. Wait. She would never take his surname. She would still be Rachel Roth, wife of Victor Stone. Yes, that looked more like it. Well, they'd still be Raven and Cyborg to the world.
Although he knew she was the one for him, he could never bring himself to propose. Not because he didn't want to; he already felt tied to her emotionally, and that was the biggest part, but because she would hate to have a marriage ceremony. She would say 'yes' of course, because he was the one for her as well, Cyborg was sure of that, but when it would come to it, she would hate to be the center of attention, even of the very few and selected guests and to have to dress up and do all these things. If she ever wanted to do it, she would tell him herself, she had told him so.
When Cyborg's thoughts returned to the present wedding, they had already passed the 'through illness and health' parts and they were just about to say their vows. Nightwing cleared his throat. Predictably enough, he had memorized the few words he wanted to say.
"Starfire, when all those years ago you crashed on our planet and kissed me to learn my language, I could have never thought we would end up getting married, and yet, here we are! Through all this time, you've been a beacon of light for all of us, especially for me, supporting me through every turmoil and problem, and being an amazing girlfriend and I'm sure you'll be a perfect wife, although I still don't know how you decided to accept my proposal! So, I swear to protect you and be there for you no matter what. With all my love, your 'Robin'."
Starfire squealed, wiping some tears of happiness from her face. She turned to Bumblebee, who handed her a piece of paper. She started reading.
"My dear Richard 'Dick' John Grayson, I am thrilled to become your wife. I was very frightened when I first came to this planet, but you and our formidable friends took me in and I became a titan and I got a proper family. My attraction to you was very profound and although you troubled me at first, we were soon a 'couple' and I was very, very happy. Now, like a mother Fretpodrek protects her little fretpodrats, I vow to love and take care of you till you become an old man. I will cook you many hreteers that you like, and celebrate all of Earth's holidays with you while we fight off evil. My love for you knows no limits. I shall be forever yours. With my honest wishes for a long and full of joy life with me, Starfire."
Nightwing nodded at her, trying to suppress his wide grin.
"Richard, do you take this woman as your wife?"
Nightwing swallowed but smiled again. "I do."
"Starfire, do you take this man as your husband?"
"I do!" She almost shouted.
Soon, the ceremony ended, with no one objecting, the exchange of the rings and them being pronounced, henceforth, husband and wife.
As if Starfire was doing it on purpose, she had organized a big feast after the wedding, where Raven had to wear the dress throughout. Luckily, she soon had Cyborg by her side and that made her feel slightly better.
The reception was held in a fancy restaurant with nice gardens and fountains. The tables were covered with soft, white sheets and decorated with big vases of lilies and daisies. They sat at the couple's table and the waiters began bringing their meals.
"I chose some meals from Earth." Starfire told Raven. "I am unaware if all the guests can appreciate my home planet's cuisine."
"No one really can..." Raven mumbled and Starfire giggled.
Many toasts later, it was time for the dancing part, as Starfire was excited to announce. After dancing to a very nice, slow and romantic song with Nightwing, she invited all of them to do so as well. Her planet's folks were very eager to comply to her wish, and before long, almost all of the guests were dancing and drinking wine at the end of every song.
"Someone kill me." Raven said, sipping some of her wine.
"C'mon, Raven. You like this deep down." Cyborg said, sitting by her side.
She turned to him with a frustrated look. "Excuse me, do we know each other?"
"More than well." He replied, half-smiling.
"Put me out of my misery, please." Raven said, sighing. "Let's go for a walk or something."
"Of course, my lady." Cyborg said, getting up and giving her his hand. She took it, getting up as well. Cyborg grabbed a bottle of wine and Raven took their glasses. Unnoticed, they slipped outside and sat by a fountain. Cyborg filled their glasses with the exquisite red wine Nightwing had chosen for tonight.
"Much better." Raven said, relishing the relaxing sound of the water inside the fountain and the nice lighting.
"Rae, I'll tell ya somethin' but don't think it's an innuendo or anythin', okay?"
"Okay..."
"You won't believe how many people asked me when your turn to be the bride'll be."
"Oh, boy..."
"No, no, I think it's funny! Why do they even bother?"
"People like these kinds of things...Don't ask me why."
Cyborg passed his arm over her shoulders. "But we're not 'people', so we'll do it our way, right?"
"Like always."
"You know, it's been almost six years that we've been together, right?"
"Right."
"It's been six perfect years. Thank you for them."
Raven squinted her eyes. "What are you thanking me for?"
"For stayin' with me."
"You're very insecure, you know that? I should be the one thanking you for putting up with all my tantrums."
Cyborg laughed loudly. "You're funny, babe."
"I've been called many things before, but not funny..."
Cyborg took her hand in his after putting his glass down. "Are you content with you life?" He asked.
"Of course, but why are you suddenly asking?"
He shrugged. "I just wanted to know. And if there's anythin' I can do to make you happier, just say so, 'kay?"
"Yes, because if I ever wanted anything, I'd hesitate..."
He half-smiled. "I'm just sayin'."
"Alright."
"And one final thing; I want you to know that no matter what I say or do, you'll always be the reason I wake up and want to live my life to the fullest, just 'cause it's with you."
"This...is probably the nicest thing I've ever heard..."Raven said, looking into his eyes. She was blessed to have him, she knew that, and they had one of the healthiest relationships –if fighting evil and saving the world were aspects of the daily life of an average couple. Cyborg was always sweet with her but tonight it felt...different. He was being a little too sweet. Raven couldn't complain; she loved him too much not to like it. "Is there somewhere you wish to take this little talk?"
"Not somewhere specific, but since you mentioned it..."
Raven arched an eyebrow.
"Look," he withdrew his hand fiddled his fingers nervously, "I...Hm. Do you...Do-"
"You're not proposing, are you?"
"No! I think we were clear on that one."
Raven sighed in relief. "Go on, then. Do I what?"
"Since I'm not proposin', and I'm not intendin' to do so too, I thought maybe we could promise each other somethin'."
"I hear you." Raven said, frowning.
"Promise that you won't leave me, and that you'll stay with me for years to come. Many years."
"I promised you that the first day I ate your pancakes." Raven stated. "I may not have said it out loud, but I never took us lightly. And since you decided to mess with me, you should know that it is for good."
"That's all I wanted to hear." He said and hugged her tightly.
Raven hugged him back. She guessed that he acted like that because of the wedding atmosphere. If two of their closest people are getting bonded forever, maybe he wanted to know that he was tied to her as well. And he was. Although she had never shared these thoughts with him, she had planned her life with Cyborg. The traveling they would do, the house they would have, their daily moments...She never expected herself to be the 'dreamer' type, but he had taught her that it was alright to hope and see life positively. She was progressing on that one.
"So, do you still want to make me happier?" Raven asked, pushing herself a bit upwards.
"Always. What can I do now?"
Raven smirked slightly. "Kiss me."
"Your wish is my command." He answered, pulling her closer until she was sitting on his legs, and kissed her tenderly. He put his hands on the small of her back over the lacey dress and she ran her fingers over his torso.
"Y'know," he said, breaking the kiss and whispering by her ear, "if we keep doin' this, we might need to leave the weddin'..."
"Can we?" Raven said, shooting her eyebrows up.
"Not just yet, baby."
Raven sighed and got up. "Let's go inside, then. The sooner we see the feast fade, the sooner we'll be on our way."
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Raven asked.
"Of course! Are you kiddin'? This is the happiest moment of my life! They need to know!"
"Please allow me to beat Beast Boy with every joke he makes."
"You're allowed to do anythin' for the next ten or so months, baby."
"You'll regret this statement of yours."
"Will not!" He said, marching through the tower's walls proudly, dragging her as well.
Eventually, Raven had a great time shooting objects at Beast Boy after his extremely irritating jokes, like 'Cyborg's stick did the trick', 'You knocked her off her feet by knocking her up' and 'Roses are red, violets are blue. Raven was hard, but so was Cyborg too.'
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
"Hey, buddy!" Cyborg said, entering his kitchen.
"Morning." The boy said, biting his waffle.
"Where's your mother?"
"Here." Raven said, gliding inside as well, through a wall. She gave Cyborg a small peck and stood by his side. "Finish your waffle, young man. We've got many things to do today."
"Yes, mom..."He mumbled, munching on.
"What do you have for today?" Cyborg asked her.
"Aeron needs to buy some shoes. In case you haven't noticed, he's grown two sizes bigger since Christmas."
"I'll take him. And then we can go fix the car! What d'ya say, Aeron?"
"He says no." Raven said bossily. "He has to learn to meditate properly."
"Yes, mom..."The boy said again, turning his eyes to them. His skin was a bit lighter than his father's and he seemed to have his build as well. He had short, black and curly hair, and a pair of stunning amethyst eyes. Although he was just a quarter demon, he had inherited all of his mother's magical ability. He didn't seem to have her anger issues, but it was still hard to teach him how to control his emotions and therefore his powers as well. Aeron had also shown a talent in machinery as well, and Cyborg felt extremely proud about it.
"Cut the kid some slack, Rae." Cyborg said, receiving his coffee from her.
"All I can cut him is some cake for now." Raven said, frowning. "He's too skinny."
"I'm not!" Aeron complained loudly.
"Don't raise your voice to me, kiddo."
"Pff..."
"After we're done with your meditating, you may go help your father with the car."
"Yay!" He exclaimed happily. Raven shook her head.
"Now finish that waffle!"
Aeron nodded and bit some more.
"When is he going to visit his friends Florianne and John?" Cyborg asked mentally, knowing Raven probably had linked their minds the moment she stepped into the kitchen. After having Aeron, her telepath abilities had escalated and they could now communicate like that, a feature Cyborg found extremely useful.
"He is invited tonight. Star insisted he went." Raven replied, brewing some tea for herself.
"Finally some time to ourselves again..."
"Brace yourself, it's going to be a long one, mister."
"I'm always braced for you, baby."
"And be patient. School starts in just a week."
"I know, I know. Raven?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
*So, here it is... I hope you liked it! I wanted to give them a happy ending, like the one they deserve. They never got married since it was unnecessary. They have a perfect family in the face of Aeron Stone. Now, I'd love if any of you wrote a small review for me, to know how you found it! Tell me, was it okay? Was it crap? Should it have ended differently? Thanks to everyone who read so far! Take care!*
