Moving Forward
Chapter 14
Rani was surrounded by darkness. But she knew that was only what she could see. She felt the slight aching of her body, the smooth blanket draped across her. She twitched a finger, dragging her nail on the light fabric. A hand momentarily clasped hers, giving her a light squeeze. The skin placed against hers was warm and lightly calloused.
A variety of sounds came to her, muffled but becoming clearer. Machinery and their whirring and beeping. Water being poured into a glass, ice clinking. A chair sliding against the floor, coming closer to her.
"She's waking up."
She did not know that voice. Her brows furrowed of their own accord, and she felt the nerves in her face awaken.
She could smell cologne, mingling with the chemical staleness of their surroundings. But she could also smell something sweet and fresh. She took a deeper breath. Oh, yes. Flowers. Roses and lilies to be specific.
"I know."
Rani's heart gave a strong thump when she heard the second voice. She knew that voice, knew it as her lungs knew air.
Pietro.
She longed to see his face, to peer into his electrifying, blue eyes. She wanted, no, needed to see him, for it meant that she would be home.
"Wake up, my love." His sweet whisper blew across her cheeks, followed by a butterfly kiss upon her forehead.
Rani opened her eyes, her blurred vision quickly focusing on Pietro's smiling face. She felt tears form a thin layer on her eyes and, as she smiled up at him, a single drop trailed out of the corner of her eye.
"Pietro…"
His smile faltered and he grimaced as tears spilt from his own eyes. He burrowed into her chest, wrapping his arms around her torso. Rani smiled as she placed a weak hand on his head, feeling his quaking body.
"I thought I was…going to lose you," he wept.
"Shh," she murmured. "It's going to be alright. I'm okay, I'm home."
Pietro held onto her for a few moments more before he pulled back and wiped his face. He helped her to sit up and handed her the glass of water. She accepted the glass, smiling softly as he blinked away his remaining tears.
"Where are we?" She sipped timidly on the chilled water. She shivered as it reminded her of the glass chamber Klaue had built.
"After we rescued you, we returned to Avengers facility to stabilize you. As soon as it was safe to move, we returned to Stark Towers." Pietro understandingly took the water from her and placed it on the bedside table. "I knew you would want to be home when you woke up."
"How long have I been asleep? And where is Purnima? And the others? How is Wanda doing?"
"Whoa there, slow down. You've only been asleep for a week," Pietro smirked, though it dropped into a frown. "You sustained many injuries during your capture. Your body needed a lot of healing."
"And Purnima? How is she?" Rani's heart yearned for her daughter.
"She misses her mother. Evelyn has been watching her for all this time. Of course, as soon as we returned, Natasha and Wanda took over." Pietro glanced at the clock on the wall. "Everyone else should be here in a little bit."
Pietro unconsciously grasped her hand, rubbing his thumb against it. She gazed at their hands with a smile. How was it possible for someone to affect her in such a way? She felt so very safe in his presence, she felt it to the very core of her being. Her body had never been so relaxed. She felt as if she were floating.
Rani's eyes followed his hand, up his arm, to his face. They locked eyes and, in that moment, Rani knew that she would not be able to survive without him. She could not bear to be with anyone else other than Pietro.
"Pietro," she spoke, her voice thick with emotion.
Pietro was alarmed at the tears that glazed her eyes once more and the lowness of her tone. "What, my love? What is the matter?"
She shook her head, smiling at him through her tears. "I love you. I love you so, so much."
His surprised expression melted into an expression of endearment. He cupped her cheek with his other hand, wiping away her tears.
"I love you too, Rani."
Though she smiled at him, her flow of tears did not halt. "I love you like I have loved no other person. And I won't ever be able to love someone the way I love you."
Pietro blushed and raised his brows. He gaped, speechless at her passion.
"I want to be with you forever, to never have to part from you again." Rani swallowed the knot in her throat. "Will…will you marry me?"
It took half a second for Pietro to break into a wide grin and laugh as he wrapped his arms completely around her. He showered her with kisses, grinning all the while.
"Of course! Of course, I will!" He kissed her lips, pouring into her all of the emotions that he could not articulate. He wanted to convey his joy and bliss to her, but he lacked the words. When he pulled away from her and saw the smile on her face and the light in her eyes, he knew that she had understood.
"Usually the man asks, no?" He smirked, kissing her jawline as she giggled. His slightly overgrown beard tickled her sensitive skin.
"We're not exactly the most conventional couple," Rani laughed. Her laughter muted into a soft smile. "I know you'll be a wonderful father to Purnima. She already sees you as one, just as I do."
"I hope so." Pietro kissed her knuckles. "I will do whatever it takes to make you both happy. And I'll start by giving Purnima some siblings." He winked at her suggestively while she blushed, playfully swatting at his chest.
They nestled into one another's embrace, relishing in the warmth they created.
The door swung open and the rest of the Avengers—with Natasha carrying Purnima—entered the hospital room.
"Well, you two look happy." Tony pursed his lips, looking between them from behind his sunglasses.
"We're getting married!" Pietro shouted, running over to Wanda who immediately embraced him.
"What?! No way, this is amazing! You finally got the balls to ask her!" Wanda gasped before her lips spread into a wide grin.
Pietro chuckled sheepishly. "Actually, Rani asked me."
"So he doesn't have the balls," Tony concluded with a smirk. Pietro, however, did not see, or more likely, he didn't care. He turned to his sister and continued their conversation in Sokovian, the siblings chattering animatedly to one another.
"Congrats to you both." Natasha walked over to Rani and handed her Purnima before giving her a hug.
Rani cradled Purnima in her arms, repeatedly kissing the baby's cheeks.
"Thank you, Natasha."
"Congratulations," Steve smiled, placing a firm hand on Pietro's shoulder. "I know you two will be very happy together." Pietro and Rani beamed at one another.
"Yeah, they'll be even more sickeningly in love." Clint rolled his eyes.
"Like you and Laura weren't when you two got married," Natasha scoffed, shoving Clint's shoulder.
"They're worse! Ugh, they can't even survive being two feet away from each other!"
Pietro glared. "Whatever, old man. Go wave your cane at somebody else."
Clint fumed at the silver haired man. "CANE?!"
"Calm down before you pop an artery," Bruce chuckled.
"Oh, shove off you green—"
"You know what this calls for?" Tony cut off the archer, holding his arms out emphatically.
"If we know you, Stark—and we do—" Thor chuckled, shaking his head. "You're going to organize a great feast."
"Oh, a feast to rival the gods, my dear colleague," Tony grinned.
"A difficult feat but I'm sure you could accomplish it." Thor nodded. "Perhaps I'll have some Asgardian wine brought to the celebration."
"Uh, actually," Rani spoke up bashfully. "I was kind of hoping for a more private ceremony."
"I would prefer the same, as well," Pietro nodded. He smirked at Tony's crestfallen expression.
Rani, on the other hand, felt sympathy for their friend. "But we can have a large reception!"
Pietro pouted at her while Tony gleamed. "And that's why you're my favorite."
"Why don't we let the soon-to-be-wed couple have some alone time?" Natasha suggested. "Besides, Rani needs some more rest."
"Good idea," Steve chimed. "We'll come back again in a little while."
The Avengers left Rani, Pietro, and Purnima in the room basking in the honey glow of their happiness.
…
Natasha and Wanda flitted about Rani, placing the finishing touches upon the bride.
Rani sat still, watching her friends with a smile. Natasha pinned a fresh garland of jasmine flowers into Rani's bun, her fingers gentle and nimble. She stepped back, smoothing her hands against her charcoal satin gown. Rani thought her friend looked beautiful in the strapless dress which showcased the smooth skin of her shoulders and sported an ambitious slit on the side.
Wanda looked equally beautiful in a wine colored, lace gown with an open back and short train. Rani's soon-to-be sister-in-law had swept her hair into an artful mess of curls at the base of her neck.
Wanda wiped a stray smudge of red lipstick from Rani's smile and moved back.
"There, all done. You look beautiful, as always." Wanda gestured towards the full length mirror. Rani cautiously stood from her seat and approached her reflection.
Rani donned a white sari with a gold border, pairing it with a gold blouse and white satin heels. Complete with gold jewelry and henna designs adorning her hands and feet, Rani looked and felt like a traditional Indian bride.
Pietro and Rani had discussed having the wedding incorporate important points from both of their cultures while maintaining an overall casualness. Rani had allowed her bridesmaids—Wanda and Natasha—to wear whatever they wished.
Natasha scooped up Purnima from where she was sitting on the bed. The one-year-old looked adorable in a champagne dress with a sequined bodice and plain skirt. A simple gold headband held back the toddler's short, dark brown hair. Purnima smiled up at Natasha, displaying her four teeth.
"My, you're getting big." Natasha tickled the young girl.
"Is she getting too heavy for you, Natasha?" Wanda smirked playfully.
Natasha raised a brow. "For me? Never."
The three of them shared a laugh. As their laughter faded and they gazed at one another, each of their eyes glazed over with tears.
"I don't understand why I'm crying," Rani rapidly blinked her eyes, not wanting to cry and ruin her makeup. "I've never been so happy in my entire life."
"Perhaps you're crying because you know a chapter of your life is ending," Wanda offered. "And a new one is beginning."
Rani gave her a watery smile and they hugged, with Natasha and Purnima joining the embrace.
A knock sounded at the door. "Is the bride ready?" Bruce's muffled voice called.
"Coming!" Natasha answered.
With that, Rani's heart starting beating erratically and her stomach fluttered. Wanda passed her a flower bouquet of white roses and baby's breath tied together with a golden ribbon. They processed from Rani's room to the living room, where the rest of the Avengers were waiting on the balcony.
Natasha, while carrying Purnima, walked down the short aisle first, smiling at the small party of guests standing around them. Bruce gaped at her from beside Thor and Steve, at which she giggled. Clint sent her a wink from where he stood beside Mariah Hill and Fury.
Wanda followed after her, holding her own bouquet. She gleamed at the expression on Vision's face. He towered over Sam Wilson and James Rhodes, providing her an ample view of his form in a black suit. Her gaze slid to Pietro at the end of the aisle, dressed in a gray suit and an anticipating countenance.
The Maximoff twins shared a brief, yet significant look. Pietro could see the pride and joy within his sister's eyes. He nervously grinned at her and looked away, moving to run his hand through his hair.
"Don't!" Tony exclaimed, causing Pietro to flinch. "You'll mess up all of my hard work!"
Pietro glared at him but moved his hand to his beard, only to remember that he had completely shaven it off that morning.
Something white came into his peripherals.
Rani stood in all of her golden glory at the beginning of the aisle. Steve stepped forward to walk her down the aisle as a substitute for her father. She smiled at him and turned to look at Pietro. He looked handsome in his navy tuxedo and his bare face seemed to glow. All else disappeared as they made their way down the aisle. Only the two of them remained.
Pietro was speechless as he drank in Rani's beauty. She was a manifestation of sunlight and Pietro was content to lie in her wake, worshipping her. She beamed at him, blissfully gazing at him. He had never seen a more beautiful sight.
They were so wrapped up in one another that they had both almost ignored the fact that Rani and Steve had reached the end of the aisle.
Steve smiled to himself at their obliviousness to their surroundings and gently passed Rani's hand into Pietro's, breaking their trance. Rani hugged him briefly in thanks before turning to stand beside Pietro.
Tony stepped forward, the most extravagantly dressed out of all of them, and took his place at the head of the aisle. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness a union of love between this young woman and this young man."
When he had declared himself the director of their wedding, they had been more than a little worried that he wouldn't take it seriously. However, Rani and Pietro were pleasantly surprised by Tony's eloquence and sincerity. Well, sort of.
"Do you, Pietro Maximoff, take this lovely, beautiful, kind-hearted, gorgeous—"
Pietro cleared his throat with a glare, earning a few chuckles from the guests.
"—woman to be your wife?"
Pietro softly grinned at Rani and squeezed her hands. "I do."
"And do you, Rani Kapoor, take this…person…to be your husband?"
Rani opened her mouth to respond.
"Think carefully," Tony warned. "Don't want to make any regrettable mistakes. Any second thoughts?"
Pietro's glare intensified while Rani giggled, shaking her head before turning back to Pietro. She bit her lip, her smile growing.
"I do."
Pietro beamed at her, already wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You may now k—"
Pietro and Rani pulled each other into a kiss, their first kiss as a newlywed couple.
"Well, damn, they couldn't even wait for a few more seconds," Tony muttered, miffed that he hadn't been able to complete his duties.
Pietro and Rani kissed as if there was no tomorrow as Tony's robots showered them with a wide-ranging variety of flower petals. The guests applauded-meaning Thor was cheering as though he were feasting in the halls of Valhalla. The newlyweds only pulled apart after Clint began to whistle.
Natasha handed Purnima to her official father, and the family of three posed for a photo. Of course, that was the only photo Tony was not present in. Rani didn't mind (Pietro did but he couldn't say anything to her). In fact, Rani insisted they all take a group picture.
"We're all family, now more than ever," she grinned at the Avengers.
As they prepared for the picture, Rani glanced around at all of them, immersing in the love. She looked at Pietro last, who was waiting for her gaze.
"I love you," Pietro whispered, smirking at his wife.
Rani looked up at him, up at her husband and smiled. "I love you, too."
"Now and forever."
She nodded. "Yes, now and forever."
WOW, I am so sorry this took forever but I really didn't want the story to end! I hope everyone is satisfied and pleased! Look forward to my future writings and take a glance at my previous writings to see how far I've come. Thank you to all of you who have followed this story from the beginning! I LOVE YOU ALL!
Love,
Pegasus'Horn