Happy 50th chapter. It feels so weird to be saying this because I did not think it would last this long. It's hard to think it's been a year since this story was first published and since Avengers: Infinity War was released. I would say we're in the endgame now... but you have ten weeks of fluff before I inflict you again with whatever the Russos decide to inflict on us.

Also that Star Wars Episode IX teaser... my brain went boom.

Anyway, do I hear the sound of wedding bells?


Part Eight: Dreams

Oh, my life is changing every day,
In every possible way.


Chapter One

Wanda did wonder whether separating her and Steve the night before their wedding was entirely essential given that they were getting married in a courthouse, but Pepper and Natasha insisted that they were going to treat this as an actual wedding. The plan was simple: Wanda was to stay at Pepper's apartment while Steve was to spend the night in a hotel. Wanda had brought the dress with her so that they could spend the morning preparing for her to get to the courthouse by twelve. The reception was to be held at the house. Pepper had arranged for a wedding planner to decorate the house the next morning with Wanda and Steve's consent. Wanda had never been more grateful to have a hyper-organized person like Pepper to help arrange everything in just under a fortnight.

Pepper had decided that Wanda's bachelorette party was going to be a girls' night with facemasks, a few movies, and nail-painting so that Wanda felt completely relaxed. There was no need for alcohol either so Wanda was thankful for that.

"And some lemon, cucumber and orange detox water so that you will be slender tomorrow," Pepper commented as she handed Wanda a glass.

"Are you trying to say I am fat?" Wanda asked with a raised eyebrow.

"To be honest, this just tastes better than regular water. So tonight, I thought we would start off with Pitch Perfect, The Greatest Showman, and Mamma Mia."

"There is going to be so much singing tonight then," Natasha responded as she put out the nibbles. The doorbell rang and she went to see who it was: Sharon.

Wanda smiled and went over to hug the blonde woman. She had been happy to hear that Sharon had survived and given all the help that Sharon had given her and Steve while they were on the run, Wanda could not think of anyone better to be at their wedding.

"Well, I am glad that you have dyed your hair back to brunette," Sharon commented.

"I didn't mind the red hair but it was a pain to maintain," Wanda replied.

"You nervous about tomorrow?"

"I won't lie and say I am not but it's more excitement than anything."

"Well, I can tell that Steve will not know what hit him."

Meanwhile, across Manhattan, Steve, Bruce, Thor, and Rhodes were gathered in an Irish bar near Times Square. There seemed to be a basketball playoff game on the televisions so no one noticed that they were there as they were preoccupied with who was going to win between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. Rhodes and Bruce seemed keen to know, which gave Steve the impression they had a bet going.

"How are you feeling Steve?" Bruce asked as he sipped a beer.

"Good. A little bit nervous but I guess that is normal," Steve replied.

"I uh… Thanks for allowing me to be your best man. I know I wasn't your first choice. Or your second choice. Or even your third." Bucky would have been his first choice for best man; Sam was a very close second. His third option was not here either. He really had to choose between Bruce and Thor but a lot of it had to do with Bruce's help over the last few months. "But I am going to be the best, best man for you."

"Have you done a speech?"

"Well… It's not funny."

"It's not a problem. I think just a few meaningful words will do."

"So, I take it that we are not going to any strip clubs then?" Rhodes asked.

"Why would you want to go to one of those places?" Bruce responded.

"I'm just imagining what Tony would say if he was here right now."

"Oh, yeah, he would say that."

"Do you reckon the women will be getting a stripper?" Thor asked. Steve wanted to give him a look but he was not self-conscious enough to feel threatened. "I never really got this Earth custom of stripping clothes for entertainment."

"Me neither, to be honest," Steve replied. "Anyway, I think we could move onto a club - a normal club - in a moment."

"Shots on the best man," Rhodes said patting Bruce's shoulder.

Just as Steve grabbed his coat, he looked at his phone and smiled at the text sent by Wanda. She said that she loved him and was aching to be with him again.

-o-

The sunlight broke through the window and hit Wanda square in the face. She scrunched her eyes and as she blinked her lids open she smiled brightly.

Today was going to be the day where she would marry Steve.

She stared at the dress hanging on the wardrobe and counted all her blessings that she had reached this point. Nearly three months ago, she was in such a dark place that she thought she would never escape. She could put all that behind her now. She could now make plans for the future. She had managed to get a decent amount of eggs harvested in case she needed to have IVF in the future, but they agreed that they would use the frozen embryos if they did not manage to conceive on their own in the next year or so. It was nice to have that option though.

Wanda sat up and before she could dare get out of bed, the door opened and Natasha barged in holding a bowl of porridge. "Okay, first things first: breakfast." Wanda smiled and took the bowl. It seemed whoever made it had created a heart out of the strawberries and blueberries. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot of things," Wanda answered. "Excited mostly."

"Any nerves?"

"A little. Stomach feels like it's in knots."

"Well, the second you see Steve, it'll go away. Right, eat up. Get in the shower and then we will sort out your face and hair. We are going to make you the most gorgeous bride in the world."

Wanda nodded and dug into breakfast without question. As soon as she was done eating and had showered, Pepper and Sharon came in armed with a hairdryer, a curler, and a makeup bag. Wanda wondered what they had planned, but turned out to be something rather simple. A few loose curls at the front but Wanda's hair was to be pinned since it had grown so much since she went on the run.

"How is Steve?" Wanda asked as Natasha dabbled foundation onto Wanda's face.

"He's okay. The boys seem to be keeping him occupied," Pepper answered.

"Don't worry. He's not going to jilt you," Natasha said.

"I wasn't doubting him," Wanda responded.

"So have you got your vows prepared?" Sharon asked.

"Yeah, all done. All two pages back to front. We've been through a lot together so I couldn't just leave it brief."

The knot in her stomach felt even tighter, and then there was a hole in her heart. Her mother should be there doing her hair and calming her nerves. She had been doing well trying not to harp on the past but she felt unable to not think of her family. She leaned over to a leather-bound photo album and opened it. One of the only surviving items from when the shell hit her home was a photo album that had been returned to her and Pietro a couple of weeks after they were placed in their first foster home. They had carried it around with them until HYDRA had duped them into the experiment, at which point they had lost it. It turned out that Steve and Tony had retrieved it and Steve had returned it when Wanda arrived in the Avengers Tower. The first picture when she opened it was of her parents' wedding. They both looked so happy.

"You don't half look like your mother," Pepper commented. "I can see where you got the inspiration for the dress."

Wanda looked at the dress. It was reminiscent of the dress in the photo. Her mother's wedding dress was long-sleeved and lace covered, but it was full length and there was a lace veil. Wanda had elected not to wear a veil since she wanted to keep the wedding simple.

"You miss her," Natasha said.

"I could just imagine her now fussing over every last detail, and I want that. When I was little, I had an image in my head that on my wedding day my mother would help me get ready and my father would walk me down the aisle. Pietro would be there to give the 'big brother talk' even though he was only twelve minutes older-" There was a catch in her throat on the last word. She had to bite back the tears because she did not want to ruin her makeup. Just then, she felt something heavy behind the picture of her and Pietro when they were home from the hospital. Her hand slipped inside the sleeve and she pulled out two letters. One for Pietro and one for her. She put Pietro's letter aside and she opened hers. The handwriting was familiar but she had not seen it for nearly twenty years. "It's from my father."

"Do you want us to leave you alone?" Pepper asked.

"No. I think I am going to need you all." Wanda sniffed and handed it to Natasha. "I can't read it."

"It okay," Natasha soothed. Natasha looked at the letter and read out, "Dear Wanda. If you are reading this then it must be your wedding day. However, if it isn't and your brother has left this lying around, tell him he is a bupkes and he can't be trusted to do anything properly." Wanda managed to let out a snort. "The day you and your brother were born was one of the best but also the most difficult days of my life. I cried loads. I was the happiest man in the world. I was scared too because the second you came out you were taken away in an incubator. It was not easy because your mum became unwell and I had to look after your brother. Luckily your grandmother was there to help. We managed to take care of all three of you until you were all well enough to come home. I never thought I would not be there on your wedding day. I knew the second I saw your face that I would be the proudest man in the world to walk you down the aisle and give you away to the luckiest man in the world." Wanda's eyes welled with tears and she had to grab a tissue to stop it ruining her foundation. Natasha was finding it tricky to hold it together herself. "I'm sorry I'm not with you today, but I will be there in spirit. I love you baby girl. Yours always, Dad."

Wanda's breath hitched as Natasha put down the letter. Natasha wrapped around Wanda in a bid to comfort the bride. Pepper rubbed Wanda's shoulders until Wanda composed herself. "Come on, we still have a lot of work before I am completely ready."

-o-

Steve fiddled with his tie for what felt like the tenth time as he observed himself in the mirror. He was wearing a black suit but nothing too fancy since it was a courthouse wedding.

He felt a slight emptiness from the absence of Bucky and Sam. He felt as though they should be standing there telling him to calm down. He had no doubts over his love for Wanda but given how quickly everything had been thrown together, the nerves were bound to come. It had all been leading up to this moment but he had never been happier than he was at that moment.

Bruce was due to collect him around 11:30 to walk the two blocks to the courthouse. It felt such a long way away, almost as though it was Christmas. Rather like a child though, he could not wait to see Wanda.

The door knocked. It was Mrs Wilson, Gideon, Lisa, and little Jimmy. Steve had invited them because they had been good to him when he first met them and at Sam's memorial. Steve smiled brightly as he went to hug the family.

"Hey man, how are you doing?" Steve asked.

"A lot better now. The memorial did us some good," Gideon answered. "It was good of you to invite us."

"Well, you would have been invited even if Sam was here. I can just imagine him now wandering around trying to get everything in place."

"He would have given a killer best man speech."

Steve laughed, "God, the character assassination would have been brutal.

"Ah, you look so handsome Steve. It's like looking at Marlon Brando," Mrs Wilson commented.

"Mum," Gideon grimaced. "Oh. I did find something among Sam's things when I got them home," Gideon pulled out a yellow sheet of paper. "It seemed to be some good ideas for a best man speech."

"Ah, I will give that to Bruce."

"Well, I can tell that this will be the wedding of the year," Lisa commented.

"She also said that about Harry and Meghan," Jimmy pointed out. Lisa laughed as he rubbed her son's head.

"Well, I mean it this time."

Bruce knocked on the door, and asked, "You ready Steve?"

"As I'll ever be."

-o-

"Wanda, come on, we need to get moving," Natasha yelled through the door. She, Pepper and Sharon had changed into their pink-hued dresses to keep with the theme but since their Uber was waiting outside, they needed Wanda to make a move.

Just then the bathroom door opened and Wanda emerged. The lace dress fitted with each curve, the top layer of her curled hair was pinned back so her face was visible and she had put on a pair of nude heels that Pepper had lent her. The necklace Steve had bought her for her birthday was around her neck and gold studs adorned her ears.

"How do I look?" Wanda asked.

"Perfect," Natasha replied. "Steve is not going to know what has hit him."

"So you have something old and borrowed," Pepper began, "what about new and blue?"

"Well, I worked out the blue bit," Natasha said presenting a box to Wanda. "I mean it could count as new as well." Wanda took the box and opened it to reveal a blue garter. She managed to burst out laughing imagining Steve having to take it off her leg in front of everyone. She tugged it onto her leg far enough that it would not be exposed to everyone before the toss. "We all good?"

"Yeah, we're all good," Wanda replied.

"Okay, well the Uber is waiting and we need to get moving," Sharon ordered. She and Pepper left, leaving just Wanda and Natasha alone.

"You feeling okay?" Natasha asked.

"Well, I tried not to think about everyone who could not be here but they are still there, in my heart."

"I think Pietro would be proud of you today."

"I can't believe it's been only three years. It feels like a million years."

"A lot has happened, but you've come out stronger than ever."

"Thanks, Nat." She took a deep breath and said, "This is it."

-o-

Steve paced up and down as he waited for his and Wanda's name to be called. Pepper had the idea to allow Wanda to wait out the way so that Steve would not see her before the actual ceremony. It looked a little ridiculous the way they were keeping themselves separate, Steve did not mind the suspense.

"Steven Rogers and Wanda Maximoff?" a woman announced.

Steve raised his hand as he and the rest of the wedding party entered a room to the left. Wanda and Natasha were left outside to wait for Thor's cue to enter. Wanda took a deep breath. Her hand was gripped around the bouquet of pink roses.

Natasha took Wanda's hand and squeezed it. Just then the door opened and Thor gave a thumbs up. Wanda smiled at the sight of him in a suit.

"You ready?" Natasha asked hooking his arm through Wanda's.

"Yeah," Wanda answered.

Natasha gave a thumbs up to Thor to start playing the music, which was 'Cherie, I Love You' by Annette Hanshaw.

'The language of love is the same, In any clime, at any time.'

Steve turned around when he heard the first lyrics play out. Natasha gave a small smile to Steve as she and Wanda emerged from the door. Everyone stood and turned towards the bride.

However, Wanda's focus was solely on Steve and she could not have smiled brighter if she tried. She was holding onto Natasha for dear life but as they passed the guests, Wanda's feet felt so light it was like she was walking on a cloud.

Steve's breath was taken away the second Wanda appeared. She had always been beautiful to him, but her pure joy made her heart-stoppingly divine. All he wanted was for Natasha to walk faster so he could have Wanda in his arms.

When Wanda arrived at the front, Steve nodded to Natasha as he took Wanda's hand and whispered, "Hey Doll."

"Hi," Wanda whispered back.

The music drowned out and everyone sat down. The officiator began, "We are gathered here today to witness the marriage between Steven Grant Rogers and Wanda Tzipporah Maximoff. Before we begin, if there are any objections as to why this union should not take place, speak now or forever hold your peace." There was a five-second silence before the officiator continued, "The union of two people is something to be celebrated, especially when people have had little to celebrate in the past. To all the guests here, Steve and Wanda extend their thanks to you for supporting them and caring for them for the last few years. The late Maya Angelou said, 'Love recognises no barriers, it jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope'. And now, for another notable poet. Colonel Rhodes, if you may."

Rhodes stood at the front, holding onto the poem that Wanda had chosen for the readings. "My love, we will go, we will go, I and you, And away in the woods we will scatter the dew; And the salmon behold, and the ousel too, My love, we will hear, I and you, we will hear, The calling afar of the doe and the deer. And the bird in the branches will cry for us clear, And the cuckoo unseen in his festival mood; And death, oh my fair one, will never come near In the bosom afar of the fragrant wood."

When Rhodes sat down, the officiator started again, "Okay, now for the vows. Wanda, if you could declare your vows."

Natasha handed Wanda the two sheets of paper and Wanda began to recite, "When we first encountered each other, I threw you down the stairs - and I don't think I ever apologised for that Steve so sorry." There was an audible laugh and Steve could not help but smile. "I threw you down the stairs because I perceived you to be my enemy. However, you were the first one to really reach out and listen to Pietro and me, and it did mean a lot to me. No one had really listened to us before.

"When I first arrived in the United States after Pietro died, I was so angry that I shut out the world. However, you were always there trying to ensure that I knew that I was not alone in the world. You were there for me when I had a severe panic attack in response to Mufasa's death in The Lion King. You told me that you understood where my head was at because you had been there yourself. You said that being an Avenger had given you some purpose and for a year or so, I thought it had.

"With the benefit of hindsight, I think I first fell in love with you when it was at the Avenger's Christmas party and we spoke on the balcony. I thought I was going to be okay that Christmas but there was still that pang in my chest that missed Pietro. You said that it never really goes away and I think that was when it dawned on me how much-shared life experience we had, and I sat on it for months without realising.

"There were moments where I could have acted on my feelings. Most notably, when you comforted me after what happened in Lagos. I was just about to kiss you when Vision came bursting through, and we never got the opportunity. We had to go on the run and I became unwell. However, once I was better, I managed to realise that I was in love with you. And when you felt the same it was the happiest moment of my life.

"The last few months or so has not been easy for the both of us, but I honestly don't know if I would have gotten through it without you. You have given me so much to live for that even at my lowest moment, I knew you were my guiding light.

"So, Captain Rogers, I promise that I will never doubt your love and affection. I promise that I will be forever indebted for all the warmth and kindness you have shown me. I promise that I will sing again and fill the house with music. And finally, I promise my joy, for you have brought me so much."

Steve smiled as Wanda brushed away a tear and he wanted so much to kiss her right there and then. She had put all her heart into those vows and he felt every word. Then he was instructed to deliver his vows and he chuckled, "I don't think I will be able to top that." Wanda smiled in response. "It's funny that you mentioned our shared life experience. About four years ago, Natasha kept trying to set me up on dates with women we worked with and I told her that it was hard to find a person with shared life experience. When Maria showed me yours and Pietro's file, I instantly got where you had come from, and I empathised with your fight. And after Pietro died, I empathised with you even more.

"Even though there were moments over the year we worked together where I felt an incredible closeness to you, I didn't really piece together my feelings until Japan. Everything about you had a joyous air about it. I just wanted to a part of that joy and I think I was. Seeing your smile was more than I could ever ask for.

"And while we have had some really hard times that I was not sure I could get past, you have grown so much as a person, especially in your courage, kindness and heart. I told Peggy a very long time ago that I was looking for the right partner, and after I woke up I wondered whether I would find that right partner. Maybe there was a higher power drawing us together, and it only took me until now to realise that you and I are bound not only in our hearts but in our souls.

"I value your friendship and love more than anything in the world. You have been a guiding light for me in a time when I did not know if there was a way out of a hole. You are kind, loving, clever, inspiring and beautiful. We know each other like the back of our hands and it's more than I have ever had with another person.

"Wanda, I promise to love you and take care of you. I promise to wake you up every morning with a kiss. I promise to listen to you in times of need. I promise that I will always be strong for you. I promise to fill a wall in our house of all the drawings. I promise that we will have pizza night every Saturday and I will submit to whatever movie you choose."

He gave Wanda's hand a tight squeeze and she mimed, "I love you."

The officiator began, "Wanda, do you take Steven to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?"

Wanda smiled and replied, "I do."

"Steven, do you take Wanda to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse until death do you part?

Steve cupped Wanda's face and answered, "I do."

"And now for the rings," the officiator said turning to Natasha and Bruce. Natasha handed Steve's wedding band to Wanda and Bruce handed Wanda's wedding ring to Steve. The wedding band was a simple white gold, but Wanda's was a twisted rose and white gold ring to match the engagement ring but give a more modern twist. "Okay, Wanda, repeat after me: with this ring, I will be wed."

Wanda took Steve's left hand and slid the band along his ring finger, "With this ring, I will be wed."

"Steven, repeat after me: with this ring, I will be wed."

Steve took Wanda's left hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger, "With this ring, I will be wed."

"By the state of New York, I am able to pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

The guests made a round of applause but Steve and Wanda could not hear them as they took their first kiss as husband and wife. Wanda had her arms wrapped his neck while Steve had pulled her close at the waist. They drank each other in and when they broke apart, they felt like they were floating on a cloud.

-o-

Wanda was getting a little antsy as the photographer kept choosing different people to take photos with herself and Steve. She and Steve had enough wedding photographs to fill a wall in their house. There were loads of just her and Steve. There were some with Natasha and Bruce in addition to the bride and groom. There were a couple that included Rhodes and Thor. Some with just Wanda and Natasha. Some with just Steve, Bruce, Thor and Rhodes. Once the photographs were finished, Steve and Wanda walked to their cab to go back to their house.

"You know what Wanda, you are the most beautiful bride in the world," he said. "You look like a real princess."

"Does that mean I look better than Meghan?" she commented.

Wanda and Pepper had gotten up early to watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle nearly two weeks previously, mostly so she could get some ideas for the wedding. She thought Meghan looked beautiful but Steve had said that Wanda would knock her out of the water.

"You are simply angelic Wanda."

"Well, you won't be saying that later," she whispered in his ear.

Steve snorted and placed a kiss on her lips. They arrived back at their house and they saw the streams of lace adorning the fence. They wondered for a moment what the wedding planner had done but they were in absolute shock when they saw the white and pink balloons, roses, and a table set out with buffet nibbles, alcohol-free sparkling rosé and a pink ombré wedding cake.

"Pepper, this looks amazing," Wanda commented as everyone came through the door. Someone grabbed a needle and tossed it at a giant white balloon. A flutter of pink and white confetti filled the air. Wanda smiled brightly as Steve twirled her around.

"It's nothing, honestly," Pepper insisted as she laughed at the glee on Wanda's face. Bruce went over to pop open a bottle of the sparkling alcohol-free wine and he handed the glasses to everyone. Steve pulled Wanda close and kissed her on the lips.

Someone announced the buffet was open, and Wanda and Steve went first to take what they wanted. Wanda's plate was filled to the brim. She had gained more weight since leaving the hospital and was now steady at fifty-three kilograms. While it was ten kilograms below her heaviest and healthiest weight before she went on the run, she was making good progress. She had another period the week before. It seemed her body was now working like clockwork.

"These duck straws are delicious," Wanda commented.

"I personally cannot wait to get into the cake," Steve replied as he dug into his chicken tenders.

"How are you feeling?"

"Well, I still feel as though Bucky and Sam should be here. I appreciate Bruce being there today but there is that weird ghost beside me."

"I found a letter from my father earlier, so that brought those feelings of my family not being here."

Steve put his plate down and cupped her face and said, "They are all looking down on us and smiling I can tell. My parents, your parents, your grandmother, Pietro, Bucky, Sam and Peggy. They'd all be proud of the both of us." Wanda pressed a tiny kiss to his lips and took his hand.

Once outside, they seated themselves on a long table that had been decorated with a white tablecloth and pink roses. They sat in the middle while everyone gathered around them with their selections from the buffet. When everyone was seated, chatting and eating, Bruce tapped his glass and stood up.

"Hi everyone," he said. "So, as you know I was chosen by Steve to be his best man. When Steve asked me to do it, I was honoured. Steve and I met when were assigned a mission, which then led to the Battle of New York so clearly we were successful on that first mission." There were a few chuckles. Bruce, Natasha, Thor and Steve exchanged a look. It had been the event that had led to their lasting friendship. "I thought that Steve would only really care about the Hulk but he didn't care about that, and he saw my own value. It meant a lot for someone who was used to people expecting me to lash out." There was a slight raise of the eyebrow towards Natasha, who shrugged in response. "As for Wanda... I can see that the woman I encountered in South Africa is not the same person sitting at this table. Steve seems to have been a good influence on you and you appear to have made him happier than I thought possible. So I must thank you for that. Anyway, enough of the mushy talk, I know you want me to talk shit about Steve."

"Language," Wanda warned nodding to Jimmy.

"Actually, that is a good one to start with. When we were in the process of getting Loki's sceptre from HYDRA, Tony hit a forcefield and exclaimed some mild profanity, as I had just done. Steve, for some reason, decided to reprimand him by saying, 'Language'."

"It just slipped out," Steve whispered. Wanda snorted and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"And this is amusing to me considering that Natasha has informed me about Steve's repertoire of 'bad words' she had heard through the bedroom wall." Steve tried his hardest not to turn a deep shade of purple. "And speaking through bedroom walls, Steve and Wanda's dear friend Sam Wilson, who is represented today by his family, wrote down some interesting memories. Firstly, when they met, Steve decided to constantly tease Sam by outrunning him and saying 'On your left'. This proves that Steve is a giant troll." Steve could not help but smile at the memory. "Another memory Sam noted was when he discovered Steve and Wanda were together. Needless to say, he had to bleach his eyes." This earned a laugh from Wanda. It seemed so much funnier with hindsight. "There others I could mention, but these memories would be better coming from Sam's mouth. I know he's not here, among so many others that should be here. So as we raise a toast, we should toast to all those we loved and cherished. To Wanda and Steve, and absent friends."

Everyone raised their glasses and said, "To Wanda and Steve and absent friends."

Wanda and Steve pressed their foreheads together and the rest of the meal went on with chatter, smiles and laughs. Once the buffet was clear, Wanda found Mrs Wilson stacking plates.

"Mrs Wilson, you don't have to do that. Let me," she said walking over.

"Don't be silly dear. You are the bride and you should not have to lift a finger," Mrs Wilson responded. "I will just stack them and return to the party. How have you been since the memorial?"

"I had a severe mental breakdown. I had forgotten to take my lithium for weeks and it delved into a sea of alcohol and hallucinations. I spent two months in a psychiatric hospital. I'm a lot better now as you can see."

"When Sam came back from Afghanistan, we wondered whether we should have put him in a unit. He would jump at everything and lash out. He wouldn't get out of bed. We got the diagnosis of PTSD quickly and he recovered very well."

"I spoke to Sam when I was deep in my psychosis. He said that he loved you all. I know it is only a figment of my own head…"

"Figment of your own head or not, it's nice to know he is still about. You have to remember, death is not always the end." Wanda smiled. Just then, the rest of the wedding party came in. Steve instantly found his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Okay, ladies and gentleman," Rhodes announced as he and Thor finished setting up the speaker and computer. "I think it may be time for Wanda and Steve to take their first dance."

Steve took Wanda's hand and led her to the middle of the room. Rhodes pressed play and the strums of the guitar filled the room. 'Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you.' Wanda grinned brightly. It was hardly something they could ballroom dance to, but they did manage a sway and a few turns. 'Wonderwall' was their song. It was there on their first date. It was there when Wanda was incredibly ill. It was their song. 'I said maybe (I said maybe), you're gonna be the one that saves me. And after all, you're my wonderwall.'

The song ended and the two shared a small kiss as everyone clapped. The song changed to 'God Only Knows' by the Beach Boys. At that point, it was more about mingling than dancing since no one was really up for dancing.

"Okay, everyone, it's time for the bouquet toss," Rhodes announced. "Ladies prepare yourself."

Natasha forced herself beside Pepper and Sharon. Lisa excused herself on the basis of she was already being married. Wanda took a stand in front of them, turned around and threw the flowers. She turned, Natasha had clearly made no effort to catch them but they landed in her arms despite Sharon and Pepper's struggle to catch them.

"Okay, gentlemen, you know it is time for the garter toss," Rhodes added. Steve's eyebrows furrowed. "And I have had confirmation that Wanda is wearing a garter."

Wanda lifted the hem of her dress up and Steve saw the bright blue garter. Since the dress was short, the idea of removing the garter with his teeth seemed quite inappropriate with a young child around. Wanda could sense this so she peeled the garter off herself and handed it to Steve. She pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth and he smirked.

Rhodes, Thor, and Bruce (not of his own volition) gathered in a huddle. Steve threw the material, landing just on Bruce's shoulder. He seemed bemused at the appearance of the garter and Wanda gave a raised eyebrow Natasha. Natasha shook her head to suggest that she had no intention of getting married to Bruce. Though when Wanda looked back, she saw Natasha smile softly at the bouquet.

-o-

With all the bottles of alcohol-free wine devoured, Wanda and Steve were standing in the middle of the room with Wanda's arms wrapped around Steve's neck while his hands were on her waist. Natasha and Pepper had disappeared for a bit but had returned with a wink towards Steve. He wondered what they had been up to, but he did not care.

'So give me a run for my money. Sipping bubbly, feeling lovely, living lovely. Just love me.'

"You know, I have pictured this day for ages, and it was more perfect than I could ever imagine," Wanda said.

Steve pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, "Should we head up?"

Wanda giggled and kissed Steve on the lips. She took his hand, but before they could reach the stairs, Pepper stopped them. There was an envelope in her hand and a small smile on her face. "So, I know you hadn't thought of anything for your honeymoon, so I arranged for you to go to a villa near Saint-Tropez. Everything is paid for and you fly out tomorrow."

Wanda took the envelope and opened it to reveal two first class tickets. There were a few planes to catch, but Wanda seemed calm about it. She smiled and said, "Thanks, Pepper. For everything." The two women hugged and Wanda led Steve up the stairs. Rhodes proceeded to put on Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get it On'. Wanda rolled her eyes and commented, "He thinks they're so clever."

Steve chuckled. He stopped however when he saw pink rose petals across the floor. Steve opened the door and Wanda could not help but burst out laughing. On the bed were an array of massage oils, a blindfold, a riding crop, and a sheer piece of lingerie.

"I think this is what Natasha and Pepper were up to," Steve commented.

"Well, we could put them in the bag and save them for Saint-Tropez," Wanda suggested putting the items on a chair in the corner. Wanda sat on the bed and bit her lip. She and Steve had not had sex since their encounter in the bathroom upon arriving back from Wakanda.

"You okay?" Steve asked pulling off his jacket.

"A little nervous."

Steve smiled and sat next to her. He cupped her face and kissed her ever so softly. Wanda shifted closer and rested her hand on Steve's chest. Steve pulled away and said, "We don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"I'm ready. And what better night than our wedding night."

Wanda undid his tie and pushed his waistcoat off. It felt like it was her first time but this time she was completely sober and with a man who valued her worth. Steve kissed her again and his hand went to the zipper at the back of her dress. Steve pulled the dress off her shoulders, exposing her white lace bra. Wanda worked the buttons of his white shirt and she pushed it off as Steve helped her step out of her dress. Steve looked at the pallor of Wanda's skin. Her body seemed so much fuller than it had been, and the pink on her cheeks made her look so much brighter than she had been.

Wanda ran her hand up Steve's bicep and Steve leaned down to kiss her again. Wanda moaned softly into his mouth as Steve worked the button of his trousers. His shoes kicked to the floor and the trousers followed not long after. Steve rolled over so Wanda was straddling his hips and Wanda glanced down with a bright smile. She started to grind herself on Steve's growing member as she kissed him again and she unhooked her bra. Steve moaned and flipped her over again. His lips captured one of her nipples in her mouth and he rolled the rosy peak with his tongue. She could feel how aroused she was as the lace grew damper by the second.

Steve detached his lips and his face hovered Wanda's. Their eyes met. It had felt so long since they had been this intimate with one another, and Wanda had not felt this nervous since their first time together back in Yekaterinburg. Steve's hand found Wanda's and he laced his fingers with hers.

"You okay?" he asked. Wanda nodded and leaned up to kiss him.

Steve removed her white panties and his boxers. Wanda parted her thighs and Steve aligned himself with Wanda's entrance. With a kiss, Steve slid inside her and Wanda gasped. It felt so familiar and so right, and she was reminded of why she loved sex with Steve. He was safe. He was strong. He was secure.

Her arms and legs wrapped around him as Steve began to thrust slowly. He took like their first night together. Gentle. Loving. Heavenly. This was not about achieving orgasm; this was reconnecting, and proving a rightness they could only create. They had built a bridge over the river of life. It was the strongest bridge they had built, and with each other side-by-side, there was no point where they could not cross it.