I think there'll only be a few more chapters after this one, I'm not too sure, but it's most likely there'll be about 5 or 6 more.
Atlas thought she hadn't had enough time to plan a wedding. They wanted to marry quickly and decided to wait only a month, giving them time to plan and time for Atlas's wounds to heal and bruises to disappear. No girl wants to be black and blue on her wedding day. So she had spent the month planning the wedding between attending school by day and being a Watchman by night. She hadn't thought there was so much to planning a wedding and quickly secured Laurie's help, having decided Orion had enough to do making dresses for the three of them.
She hadn't considered any of this when she'd agreed to marry him and during many of her grumpier moments often began to regret the decision. Of course that all went out of the window as soon as he came home to find her on the sofa, crawling on top of her and working his charms, knowing fully well how to get rid of her terrible mood. Laurie came over when she had time; helping her pick out flowers and shoes to go with the dresses Orion was working on. Atlas to be in white, Laurie and Orion in pale blue. She had no idea what Adrian was wearing, but he always looked smart anyway, and that was one less thing to worry about.
There were a million and one things to worry about. She had to find a venue and a minister to marry them, as neither were religious. She had to book a stylist for the day to go the girls make up and a hairdresser too. She had to organise where she would spend the night before and where they would get ready on the day, no to mention how they would get to the actual ceremony.
Living Adrian was every bit as incredible as she'd expected it to be. She could be herself around him, and didn't feel the need to 'grow up' in order to compensate for their age difference. He didn't mind when she bounced on the bed in excitement, or when she turned the music up and danced around their apartment in a world of her own. They had fun together, often holding mock wrestling matches in the living room and Adrian found her insuppressible good mood infectious. He liked his home so much more now that it was her home too.
Like he had promised her, Orion had been fine. She had argued with her parents who had demanded to know where Atlas was, but that was all. Atlas hadn't been back there to see them since she had left, he knew she was still scared of her father, and would never pressure her to see them. She already had contact with Orion, who was a frequent visitor.
It was the night before the wedding when the nerves started to set in, during her final dress fitting with her sister, who was spending the night at Laurie's with her. She was wearing the dress her sister had made, whilst she checked it for any imperfections and made any adjustments that were needed. It was a beautiful dress, strapless and knee length, puffing out a little in the skirt, with just a tiny amount of details in the rhinestones along the bust line in an exquisite delicate pattern.
She felt incredible in the dress, like a real elegant woman. But inside she was a wreck. She was nervous, worried and missing Adrian. She thought she'd be fine spending a night away from him, but she wanted nothing more than to be in their huge bed, wrapped around Adrian and talking about nothing, as they usually did in the night. She felt sick with her nerves and wondered if he felt the same back home. She felt bad for leaving him there alone. He didn't want a best man and was happy enough for just Orion and Laurie to attend. Being alone didn't bother him, but she still felt guilty.
'You look beautiful honey' Sally Jupiter said, breaking her train of thought. She was stood in front of her, watching as Orion tightened the back of the dress, looking at her with something in her eyes that she had never seen in her mothers, pride.
'Thank you' she whispered, feeling overwhelmed. Sally took a step towards her and stroked her cheek lovingly with her hand, smiling, her head tilted slightly to the side.
'Your parents don't appreciate you sweetie' she said quietly 'Any mother would be proud to claim you as her own' her words touched Atlas's eyes and brought tears to her eyes. She didn't know how to react to the kind of love a mother gave, and could do nothing but look at her, breathing shallowly until Sally whispered 'I'm proud of you'
'Thank you so much' she whispered. Sally smiled and went to sit down, watching the girls. Laurie also trying her dress on.
It wasn't an easy night for Atlas, she cried several times, overwhelmed with the emotions of the last couple of months catching up with her. She wanted this, she was sure of it, but she still needed to cry. Part of her couldn't believe she had finally got away from her parents and was marrying Adrian, the most beautiful, kind and intelligent person she'd ever met, the following afternoon. It was a lot to deal with all at once. Joining the Watchmen, meeting Adrian and falling in love, the stress of being a masked hero, moving in with him and now marriage, she was surprised she hadn't imploded from strain.
She lay awake for most of the night, thinking it all over and listening to her best friend and sister both snore lightly across the room. She lay for hours until she couldn't take it anymore and climbed out of the bed, slowly padding out of the room and down the stairs, to the living room. She picked up the phone and sat down the sofa, dialling the familiar numbers automatically. She chewed on her lip and twitched her foot nervously, listening to it ring.
'Hello?' A rather sleepy, but familiar voice said. She sighed in relief and smiled.
'Hey' she said quietly.
'Atlas?' he asked curiously 'Is everything okay?'
She laughed quietly 'Everything's fine, I just wanted to hear your voice'
She heard him sigh deeply 'Thank goodness for that, I was worried you were going to call it off for a moment' he said with a nervous giggle.
'You have nothing to worry about' she assured him, playing with a long length of her hair, twisting it around her fingers absentmindedly 'I just miss you, wanted to hear your voice'
'I miss you too, it's quiet without you' he said, wishing she were there with him.
She laughed again, a warm noise that made him smile 'That's because I make all the noise in that apartment' she came back with 'The neighbours must hate me'
'Ah well, who cares what they think' he said casually, earning him another sweet laugh.
She sighed again 'I should go; I need to get some sleep. I love you'
'I love you too, I'll see you tomorrow'
Atlas sat in the back of Sally Jupiter's car holding her stomach in one hand and her small red bouquet in the other, feeling as though she was ready to vomit into Orion's lap. They were parked outside of the private garden then had hired for the ceremony. It was a beautiful place, full of exotic trees and a stunning water feature. Laurie and her mother had been there all morning setting up, putting up the arch and hanging fairy lights from the trees. She knew Adrian was already inside; the hired limousine was waiting outside.
'Are you okay?' Orion asked, watching her sister breath in and out slowly, controlling her breathing.
She nodded, mumbling 'Nervous' She sat for a minute longer, staring out into nothingness before shaking her head and looking to Orion 'Come on, before I get too scared. She stepped out of the car and waited for Laurie and Orion to join her, Sally getting out and standing behind the girls. Orion took her arm, Laurie and Sally behind them and started to lead her in.
Soft classical music started to play as she entered; she smiled, knowing that had been Adrian's choice. The garden looked beautiful; the sun had started to set only a little, casting a divine blue glow over everything, the fairy lights sparkling and setting off the trees perfectly. The white arch was perfect, the minister stood below it, smiling as Orion brought her closer. And Adrian. Adrian in his black suit, silver waistcoat, white shirt and pale purple tie. He'd looked more incredible than ever. Orion passed him her hand as they got to the arch and took her seat with Sally and Laurie.
'You look breathtaking' he whispered to her as he took her hand.
She smiled to him 'So do you' he smiled, blushing slightly.
The ceremony was short but beautiful, the minister giving a short speech about love and marriage, before reading a poem Atlas had chosen. The couple carefully exchanged vows and rings, looking deep into each others eyes as they did. All the nerves were gone now, and neither of them were able to stop smiling. Adrian was unable to process just how beautiful she looked with her usually perfectly straight her cascading down her shoulders in loose but immaculate curls.
Then in what felt like seconds, it was over, and they were married.