Chapter 10

Diana stood staring at her appearance in the full length mirror before her, her heart and mind racing with so many thoughts and emotions. It all felt so surreal to her as she studied her image, hoping that Bruce would find her beautiful when he finally saw her.

She could hardly believe this day was finally here, the one that she had dared to hope for soon becoming a reality. She lightly ran her fingers over her dress, nervous flutters filling her stomach as she pictured his reaction.

She didn't know why she would be so nervous. She was marrying the man she loved, the one that she had pursued and fought so hard for, battling his demons and countless issues to get inside to the man hidden beneath layers and layers of deprecation and cold detachment.

But she had persevered and won, finding a love of a lifetime in Bruce.

"Diana, you look gorgeous."

Diana turned to find Shayera standing behind her, dressed in a champagne colored gown that accentuated her feminine curves. With her wings, she truly looked like an angel fallen from the skies.

"I hope Bruce thinks so," she replied, looking back at her image in the mirror once more, wanting everything to be perfect.

"That man is so head-over-heels in love with you, Di," Shayera told her. "You could wear a paper sack and he'd still be drooling all over himself to marry you."

Diana smiled with her words. She had always loved the way that Bruce looked at her, the fire that seemed to ignite there when their eyes met – the lust, the passion, the love and respect. Many men had looked at her since arriving in Man's World, but never quite the same way that Bruce always did.

"Have you seen my mother?" Diana suddenly asked.

"No, I haven't seen her," Shayera shook her head with a frown. "Do you really think she'll come? She was pretty upset about it when she found out you were pregnant with his baby and marrying him."

"I still hoped that she would come," she softly said. "She had accepted it before she left even going so far as to give her blessing in her own way."

Shayera came up behind her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "She still might come, Di."

Diana nodded her head, drawing a deep breath. "Have you seen Bruce?"

"Yes," she said with a sudden roll of her eyes. "He's as surly as ever."

"What?" Diana turned, stunned by her response. "But this is our wedding day. He's supposed to be happy…or at least as close as he comes to showing happiness. Hasn't he even cracked the slightest smile?"

"I'm afraid not," Hawkgirl shook her head. "Alfred said that he's a nervous wreck and this is just how he shows it. Evidently, it's he shows all of his emotions with a snarl. I'd hate to see him happy."

"What does he have to be nervous about?" the Amazon frowned. "This is his wedding day, not his funeral…although it could be if he does anything to mess this up."

"What could he possibly do to ruin it?" she asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Diana threw up her hands in exasperation. "Maybe lock himself down in his Batcave… fake some dire emergency in Gotham…feign a heart attack. You never know with that man and his paranoid tendencies."

"Diana, he loves you and he wants to marry you," Shayera reminded her. "I doubt he's going to try to escape now. Besides, you're carrying his baby. He obviously wants to build a life with you."

"I know," she said with a frustrated sigh as she moved to stand before the window. "I guess I'm just nervous myself. I just want everything to be perfect."

She parted the curtains to look down on the beautiful garden in full bloom outside of the manor. Guests were gathering to mingle and chat as they waited for the ceremony to begin, but Bruce was nowhere in sight.

Most of their friends were down there, probably all betting on whether or not the recluse Dark Knight would really go through with it or not. Her stomach lurched with the thought. He wouldn't do that to her for fear of penalty of death.

He might be evasive and try to push her away at times, but she knew that he truly loved her and would never try to hurt her. It was just her nerves getting the best of her, her emotions running rampant. She hadn't seen Bruce since last evening and it had left her somewhat on edge, wondering if he'd somehow performed one of his infamous disappearing acts.

Alfred had reassured her that it was considered bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding and had exiled Bruce to the opposite side of the manor for safe keeping. She thought it sounded completely ludicrous, but decided to go along with it since she was in Man's World. After all, they were having a Man's wedding ceremony as was the custom here.

Besides, there was no sense pressing her luck now that she was so close to marrying the man who had initially fought this relationship at every turn. She was just relieved that he had finally come to his senses before she'd had to beat it into him. Why had it been so hard for him in the beginning to admit what had been developing between them?

A sudden knock at the door pulled the Amazon Princess from her thoughts. "Miss Diana?" Alfred called. "It's time."

"I'm ready," she called. "Is Bruce?"

"Yes, Miss," Alfred replied through the door. "A bundle of nerves I must say, but more than anxious to marry you."

Diana smiled softly. "I'm afraid he's not alone," she told him.

Alfred smiled to himself with her response. He'd never met two people more meant for each other than these two. "It will be fine, Miss Diana. I promise," he reassured her. "I'll see you downstairs."

"Ready?" Shayera asked her.

"I've been ready for this for months now," Diana told her as she picked up her bouquet.

XXX

Bruce paced impatiently in the guest room that Alfred had set up for him to get ready for the wedding. He hadn't seen Diana since before going out on patrol last night much to her dismay. She hadn't wanted him look as though he'd fought Hades himself when he showed up for their wedding day.

He had promised her he'd be careful, but had wanted to follow up on a few things before leaving for their honeymoon. Being gone for any length of time was more than difficult for him, but he found himself more than anxious to leave this time.

Dick and Tim had promised along with Huntress and Black Canary that they would watch over Gotham while he was gone as long as he promised not to contact them at all during his honeymoon. That had actually been an easy promise to make seeing how he would have a gorgeous naked Amazon all to himself for a whole week.

Bruce paused to peer out a nearby window, releasing a ragged breath as he took count of who had arrived so far. Thankfully, Diana had agreed on a rather small ceremony shared with their closest friends.

Of course, the world would receive a completely different story in a couple of weeks, written by him and reported by Clark. It would be released to the press that Bruce Wayne had finally wed the former Princess of Themyscira in a secret private ceremony in Fiji.

Bruce suddenly turned at the sound of the door opening, Tim and Dick both entering dressed in their formal tuxes. They were both wearing grins that spoke of their happiness for their adopted father, but also taking great pleasure in his obvious discomfort.

It wasn't every day they got to see the formidable, unflappable man being kept off balance especially by a woman. Of course, Diana wasn't just any woman. She was the only one who could match the Dark Knight step for step and go toe-to-toe with him without incurring any serious damage.

"What are you two grinning about?" Bruce coolly asked as he resumed his pacing, his hands shoved into his pants pockets.

"Just you," Tim chuckled as he watched his surrogate father.

"What about me?" he frowned, pausing in his step to stare at them.

"You just look like…nervous," Dick ventured, his grin broadening. "It's not something we're used to seeing in you. It's a little unnerving."

"Yah, you're always so calm and composed," Tim agreed. "You look like you're going to your own hanging."

"I'm fine," he curtly replied. "I'm just ready to get this done."

"It's not a business deal, Bruce," Dick shook his head in amazement. "You're supposed to be marrying the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with."

"I know that," he snapped. "I just don't want anything to go wrong."

"What could possibly happen?" Tim asked, surprised. "You have a garden full of superheroes waiting out there. I highly doubt anything is going to go wrong today."

"Besides, the only people who know the wedding is happening this afternoon are all here," Dick chimed in. "I doubt Two-Face is suddenly going to realize that you're the Batman and show up at your front door."

"I just don't want anything to ruin this day for Diana," he admitted in a rare glimpse into his inner thoughts and worries. "She deserves nothing but the very best and I want to make sure she gets that."

Dick and Tim looked at each, sharing a knowing glance. Their father was truly devoted to the Amazon Princess, desperately in love with her. They had never seen him quite like this before. It was still somewhat astonishing to witness.

"Well, you won't have to wait any longer," Dick told him. "Alfred sent us up here to get you. It's time."

Bruce curtly nodded his head, drawing a deep breath. He was about to make an exiled Amazon Princess his forever and he couldn't be happier despite the nervous flutter in the pit of his stomach. Only she had ever been able to have such an effect on him like this, keeping him on his toes and off balance at every turn.

Why did he feel more comfortable facing off against Bane than he did allowing those around him to see that he was hopelessly in love with such an amazing woman?

XXX

Standing in the sunroom of the manor, Diana heard the soft strains of violins begin to play a classical piece that she and Alfred had decided on, signaling it was time for her to finally make her appearance.

Clutching her bouquet of red roses that Alfred had arranged with flowers taken from Martha's rose garden, Diana began to make her way outside, the bright afternoon sunlight enveloping her as she emerged from the shadows. She held her head high, her every movement exuding regality and supreme grace.

She watched as their guests stood to their feet as she drew near, her eyes falling on the site of her mother standing at the front and to the left with Shayera. It brought tears to her eyes to see that her mother had come to her wedding, accepting her decision to marry a man.

Diana quickly forced those tears away as she began to make her up the center aisle. Everyone turned to stare at her as she walked by, their attention focused on her while her gaze was locked on Bruce waiting for her under the archway.

She felt her heart leap into her throat at the site of him standing there waiting for her as everyone else seemed to just fall away. He looked so handsome in his black tux, his hands clasped in front of him as he waited patiently for her, his piercing blue eyes completely on her and her alone.

Despite the tight set of his chiseled jaw, the stoic expression on his face, there was a hint of smile on his lips. To his left, Dick and Tim stood looking as dashing as ever, showing their support for their surrogate father and the woman that he had chosen to bring into their family.

She'd never had a family quite like this, one that included men, but she was deeply honored that they had been so very accepting of her, welcoming her as if she had always belonged there.

Diana missed all the murmured gasps as all eyes fell on her, the smiles that adorned their friends' faces. She missed Clark and Lois, John, Wally, and J'onn sitting in the front row. She missed noticing Alfred and Dr. Leslie sitting in the front row on the groom's side. She never saw Ollie and Dinah or Helena, Zantanna and Barbara or any of the other guests who had come to wish them well.

She was far too consumed with the man she was about to marry, the look of love and admiration that permeated his blue depths. She smiled softly at him as she came to a stop before him, pleased that he seemed to like what he saw.

Staring into her eyes, Bruce reached down and took her free hand in his. "You look…so beautiful," he whispered, completely enraptured by her and seemingly forgetting about all the eyes that were intently watching them.

"You look very handsome," she softly replied.

Time seemed to come to standstill as they just stared at one another. Bruce had completely forgotten how to breathe when he had first seen her coming towards him. Dressed in a white Grecian style one-shoulder gown, she had looked the epitome of a true Greek goddess.

Her hair was pulled up on the sides; raven curls framed her face and flowed down her back in a dark waterfall. She carried a small bouquet of red roses that had no doubt come from his mother's rose garden.

He could scarcely remember any of the idiotic reasons that he had come up with to keep himself from ever pursuing a life with her. None of that mattered any more, the so-called rationale paling mightily in the light of Diana's beauty and love that belonged to him now.

Nothing mattered to him but her.

They barely heard the words being spoken over them as they lost themselves in one another. Diana had barely managed to catch the justice of the peace saying something about anyone having any objections to this union, causing her to cast a very heated glare at their guests as if challenging them to even open their mouths.

No one dared to even breathe in that long tense moment of silence for fear the deadly Amazon warrior would tear them apart for interfering in their happiness. They knew how hard fought this relationship had been for them.

Bruce bit back a smile with her threatening glare, hoping that no one uttered a single word. Not only would they have an enraged Amazon to deal with, but an irate Bat as well. And if a certain feline guest decided to say something, Bruce was more than prepared to personally throw her out.

While something that he had never dreamed would ever be meant for him, Bruce found himself wanting this more than he had wanted anything in his entire life.

They released a collective sigh of relief as the minister continued with the ceremony, Bruce gently squeezing Diana's hand in reassurance. Reciting their vows, they both promised to love and respect each other above all else as they slipped wedding bands on each other's fingers.

As the minister began to pronounce them husband and wife, Bruce's lips were already capturing hers in a slow passionate kiss, his hand cupping her cheek as he lost himself in that kiss that sealed their vows to one another.

Everyone cheered as they kissed; a loud howling cat-call coming from the Flash that was easily heard above all the others. Diana blushed, pulling back from the kiss when she wanted so much more. Finally turning to face their friends, she suddenly caught site of Selina Kyle sitting towards the back, causing her to squeeze Bruce's hand tightly in instant jealous anger.

Frowning from the sudden pain in his hand, Bruce gave her a confused glance as they began to walk down the aisle. "You invited her?" she hissed low enough for him to hear, her smile now being forced through clenched teeth as she nodded to their friends.

"I had no choice," he murmured. "I wanted her to know in no uncertain terms that I was in love with you so she wouldn't try anything. She said she wanted to come to the wedding to wish us well."

"You could have told her no," Diana angrily spat out.

Bruce quickly pulled his new bride aside into a private alcove away from prying eyes so he could explain. "Diana, we're just friends…nothing more," he firmly said. "Whatever happened between Selina and me in the past is just that – the past. You are my present and my future. You're the only one that I want, only one that I love."

He pulled her into a heated kiss, letting her know exactly what he thought about her in that dress and hinting at things to come. She finally melted into his arms, returning his kiss with equal passion. She wasn't about to let Selina Kyle ruin her wedding day no matter how much she hated the woman.

Retreating for air, Diana closed her eyes as she rested her forehead against his. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I just…when I saw her here I…"

"It's alright," he told her, silencing her with a kiss. "You have no idea how many times I've been jealous over men who have leered at you or the way Wally always flirted with you. He's just lucky his legs are still attached."

Diana chuckled softly with his confession. "I love you, Bruce Wayne," she whispered, kissing him again.

"And I love you, Mrs. Wayne," he replied, taking her hand in his.

"Well, we survived our first argument as a married couple," she sighed. "Should be downhill from here."

"I thought we handled that very well," he agreed with a broad smile that Diana loved and hoped to see more often in the future. "Now, let's go greet our guests so I can whisk you away from here and have my way with you."

"I still have no idea where we're going," she reminded him as he led her back out to their guests.

"That's the idea, Princess," he replied with a self-satisfied smirk. "You'll find out soon enough."

Bruce felt Diana instantly tense beside them as Selina made her way to them. He tightened his hold on his wife's hand, silently reassuring her. "Thank you for coming Selina," he politely greeted her.

"I'm truly happy for the both of you," she smiled, her attention lingering on Bruce far too long for Diana's liking.

"Yes, thank you for coming," Diana graciously said. "You look lovely, Selina."

"Thank you," she beamed, her attention returning to the Batman, slowly dragging a finger down the front of his tux. "Bruce always loved seeing me in this dress."

Bruce internally shuddered, realizing just how huge of a mistake this truly had been. "Selina, if you'll excuse us, we have more guests to greet," Bruce curtly replied, leading Diana away before she could physically harm the Catwoman.

"You owe me big for that, Mr. Wayne," Diana whispered low in his ear.

Bruce smirked with her words. "I plan on making it up to you tonight," he softly replied, turning to kiss her deeply. "Again…and again…and again."

"That's a definite start," she smiled in return. "I will tell you this, though. If Selina ever touches you again, I will not hesitate to break her arm. No one touches my husband."

Diana released her hold on his hand to great Barbara Gordon, leaving Bruce to ponder her words. He felt a hot flush suddenly roil through him. An angry jealous Amazon was a definite turn on. He readily decided that the honeymoon could not come soon enough.