This is it, folks! The penultimate chapter. Grab your tissues and bring on the Spitfire feels. Just a heads up, this chapter skips ahead a few months and then the epilogue goes back in time a bit. You'll see what I mean. Enjoy this short but sweet chapter.
Chapter 28: I Should Have Done This A Long Time Ago:
Avengers Tower
February 14th, 2013
5:00 P.M.
"I do," Wally said as he looked Artemis in the eyes. They'd been here over a month, and with no solution in sight, they'd realized that they might as well build a life here until either Tony figured out a way to get them home without harming their child, or their kid was old enough to make the journey, whichever came first. So once they realized that they'd be putting down roots, Wally did what he should have done before his "death." He proposed.
Wally was perfectly willing to go out and get a new engagement ring if he had to, but apparently Artemis had been carrying the one he'd left back home around since she found it in his dresser, and between all the chaos of the battle with A.I.M., it somehow managed to stay in her pocket without falling out. Although all the other Avengers (minus Thor) thought that getting married on Valentine's Day was a bit cheesy and/or cliché, both of them insisted on it anyway, since it was their own private in-joke.
"That way you'll have a reason to not forget Valentine's Day," Artemis had said teasingly, referencing the four consecutive years Wally had forgotten. As they stood at the altar and said their vows, Wally couldn't help but think about how lucky he was. He'd been terrified that it would take him years to get home, and that by the time he finally did, Artemis would have moved on and ended up with someone else. But while it still might take a while, he and Artemis were together, they were going to be parents, and they were finally getting married.
True, he wished that they could be doing this with everyone from the Team and a few members of the Justice League in attendance, there was no point putting it off till they got home when they had no idea how long that would take. To compensate, Dr. Banner was recording the entire thing for Stark and Thor to send over in a small capsule full of messages for their families. When the minister finished asking Artemis, she said the two words he'd been waiting to hear for months.
"I do," she said with a warm smile." Wally smiled back, then deliberately broke out into the goofiest grin he possibly could as the minister said the word they'd been waiting to hear all day.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minster finished. "You may now kiss the bride." With pleasure, Wally mouthed as he leaned in and kissed Artemis. The assembled guests (consisting of the Avengers, Director Fury, Commander Hill, Agent Hand, Dr. Selvig, and the rest of the scientists from the A.R.M.O.R. Program.) applauded as they walked down the aisle to start their honeymoon. Now that they were staying here long term, Wally was thinking of asking Fury for help setting up fake records for him and Artemis to get jobs outside of S.H.I.E.L.D. As fun as being a secret agent was, he didn't want that to be his only option for a career if they were going to be in this universe for a few more years.
As they climbed into the limousine that Stark had provided for them, Wally leaned over and gave his wife another kiss. Though their future was uncertain, he knew they would get through it. They were going to be amazing parents. They would figure out a way to get home, and they would do it together, as husband and wife.
"I should have done this a long time ago," he said with a chuckle as they rode off into the sunset, deliberately echoing the words he'd said just before their first kiss.
"No kidding," she replied knowingly as she pulled him in for another kiss.
I left a lot of the details about Wally and Artemis' wedding vague because everyone has their own expectations so I just decided to leave the details to your imaginations and let you all imagine what the decorations and attire look like in your own mind. I plan to have the epilogue up between tonight and tomorrow morning. Please hold all questions about the sequel until then.
