A/N The last chapter. I'm so so sad but happy that I was able to bring it to a satisfying close. This story would never have been written without the support of my sister and two friends, one of whom is She's a pistol.
Thank you to all of you wonderful readers for sticking with Lara and Kaiba.
Parts of this chapter may seem a little OOC but I urge you to read part 3 of this series called Missing Forces and it will make a whole lot more sense. It fits like a puzzle.
Without further ado, the last chapter of Indestructible Forces...
Lara picked up the glass frame off her dresser running her finger lightly over the beautiful red-haired woman with pale porcelain-like skin and sharp green eyes. Eyes just like hers.
"What you got there?" a male voice spoke over her shoulder making her jump.
"Mokuba!" she smiled. "Just a picture of my mom. Katarina Elise Roth," she said softly as she put it back down on the dresser. "Tea had it framed and gave it to me this morning. I'm guessing you gave it to her."
"Guilty as charged." He grinned. "Turn around, let me have a look at you." Holding Lara's shoulders, he slowly spun her around. Her makeup was elegant and her black hair fell around her shoulders in loose curls.
"You look beautiful." His eyes dancing with happiness.
"Mokuba, I haven't even dressed yet." She laughed looking down at her robe. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"Running an errand for Seto. He wanted a different tie." Mokuba rolled his eyes making Lara laugh.
"How's he doing? Are those feet toasty warm?" she joked.
"I think they have been for over a year now, Lara."
"A year. It's crazy to think of all that's happened in that time."
"Yeah, the humanitarians travelling to so many places."
"And destroying so many weapons in secret," she whispered with a crooked smile. After the events with Hobson, Lara and Kaiba made sure all the weapons caches they had discovered through the information Rebecca pulled from the base, had been destroyed. Additionally, all the generals and warmongers waiting for any hint from Hobson were dealt with quietly.
Kaiba made sure that the money that had been financing the plans for world domination was legally handled, and then donated it to various causes. He made sure that that well had dried up.
It was Lara's idea to make it look like they were in those parts of the world to do charity work for orphans. A story everyone easily believed, especially at the office where Lara got to open the company day care.
Now they finally arrived in spring. Their wedding. A new start.
The door opened and the two of them turned to see who had entered. It was Tea whose hair and makeup had been done and she now carried a long garment bag. She wore a grey satin robe with the words 'maid of honour' on the back.
"Hi Mokuba," she greeted. "Wait, Kaiba isn't here, is he?"
"No, he's still at Lara's apartment. I'm just running an errand.
"It was awesome of him to let us use the house," Tea said.
"How crazy was last night?" Lara asked.
"Well, your apartment is still standing, but the dead hooker we had to bury was kind of a bummer," Mokuba teased.
"Just as long as he gets to the venue on time." Lara smirked.
"Well, he won't if I don't get back right now. And by the way, Seto arranged for your ride. I think you'll like it." Mokuba pecked Lara on the cheek and left the room, closing the door with a wink.
"You ready Lara?" Tea asked. Her excitement was endearing.
"Yeah, let's do this." Lara beamed.
Tea unzipped the garment bag and pulled out a breathtaking beaded wedding dress. Carefully, she pulled it off the hanger and helped Lara into it, doing up the line of little clear buttons on the back.
Lara stood in front of the full length mirror scarcely able to believe that she looked at herself.
The white strapless dress curved over her breasts, fitting her waist and fell to the floor in a straight waterfall of fabric. She turned to the side to examine the back of the dress that started below her shoulder blades clinging to her small curves and draped into a train that thankfully, was not too long. The entire dress was covered in silver beads that were dense at the top but gradually spaced out as it reached the bottom. They formed an upside down chevron with intricate filigree patterns in between the lines.
Tea stepped up behind her and attached the long cathedral veil with its matching beadwork on the edges. She walked around Lara, taking in the full effect.
"Wow Lara," she breathed, getting choked up.
"No! No crying," she scolded playfully.
"You're right," Tea said fanning her eyes. "I'm okay but you're missing a couple things."
She handed Lara the earrings that Kaiba had left for her but neither of the two ladies had taken a look at them until now. Lara opened the red velvet box with a click.
"Those are beautiful," Tea gushed. They were simple, just three white diamonds with an emerald cut sapphire at the end. It matched her ring almost perfectly.
She put them on and could not stop smiling at her reflection. Surely this was a dream.
"One more thing," Tea said as she fidgeted in her bag. "You need a 'something borrowed'." Tea put the delicate silver necklace on Lara with the small white stone sitting perfectly in the hollow of her neck.
"Thank you Tea," Lara said gratefully as she lightly stroked the jewellery.
"It's a pleasure." She smiled.
Lara took Tea's hands in hers. "I don't just mean for this, I mean for everything. Since I came to Domino you and Yugi have been really good to me. It means a lot, I want you to know that."
"Oh, Lara," she hugged her. "We know. Now, do you need help with those shoes?" she asked when they broke apart.
"No, we've still got time."
"Okay, I'm going to get dressed."
"Can I help you?" Lara asked.
"Don't be silly." Tea laughed. "I'll be right back." She hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her and Lara went back to examining her reflection. For the life of her, she could not understand how her journey brought her to this point. She had never felt so happy.
There was a knock on the door and she told whomever it was to enter.
"Lara?" It was Leon. His breath was taken away when he saw his sister. "Da schauen wir aber mal wieder fesch aus."
"Thanks," she smiled. "Aren't you heading to the park?"
"I am but I wanted to give you something first."
"Oh?" she asked curiously.
"This." He pulled out an intricately jewelled, silver bracelet from his coat pocket and held her hand out, fixing it to her wrist. "When I was going through the estate I found out that father had a safety deposit box, it held the jewellery he bought your mother. I've left the other stuff in Mokuba's care," he said as he examined the pretty, twinkling gems.
She hugged him tightly. "Thank you Leon." The gesture meant so much.
"You're welcome. I just wanted to do something nice. Look Lara, I wanted to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding. I know things have been getting better between us so I don't want to bring up past issues. And I fully understand why I'm not walking you down the aisle today, I really don't deserve that honour, but I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy for you sis."
She pulled him to the bed so they could sit together.
"Thank you for understanding, Leon. I didn't do it to hurt you," she said softly.
"I know." He smiled. "I love you Lollipop."
"I love you too squirt." It was true, and she was finally in a good enough place to admit it. She finally understood that everything she did to protect Leon and every reaction she had to something he had said or done, was all because she loved him and she embraced it.
His eyes gleamed with utter joy. It had been the first time she allowed him to use her nickname, the first time she used his since she left Germany.
"Okay, I'm going to leave now because if I cry, you're going to cry and then you're going to be mad at me for ruining your makeup." He laughed. She nodded and watched him leave just as Tea returned.
"Looking good Tea." Her silver satin dress suited her perfectly and the little blue rhinestones were striking as it caught the light.
"Thanks. Was that just Leon?" she asked.
"Yeah, he gave me this." She twisted her wrist around so Tea could inspect the bracelet. "It was my mother's."
"That's so lovely. Now you have your old, new, borrowed and blue."
Lara chuckled. "That I do."
"Speaking of blue, time to get these shoes on. The car is downstairs."
Tea helped Lara into her shoes and carried her purse and bouquet out as they made their way to the portico where Roland stood. He held the door open to a shiny black vintage car. The sunlight reflected brightly off the Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood. Kaiba had got her a Rolls Royce.
"Damn, Kaiba pulled out all the stops." Tea chuckled.
"Roland, you clean up nicely," Lara complimented.
"Thank you. Can I help you in?"
"What a gentleman." She grinned.
The two ladies were nestled comfortably in the back and once they were ready, he eased the huge car down the driveway and onto the road.
Lara was not sure if it was because she was so eager to get to the park that the drive took so much longer than usual. Tea, reading her mood easily, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Lara returned her smile and finally, the car slowed to a stop.
Roland held the door open, helping both women out of the vehicle.
"Miss Gardner, I will have your belongings placed in Mr Mokuba's car," Roland said as he closed the door.
"Thank you, Roland." She handed Lara her bouquet of white calla lilies bound with silver ribbon then fixed her dress and train. Tea was practically bouncing with excitement. They both looked to the park where they could see the white wrought iron arch at the start of the aisle.
They could also see various guards dressed sharply in expensive suits standing at strategic points. It was Kaiba's non-negotiable condition. He would allow an outside wedding only if security was tight.
"It's time." Tea smiled. Lara nodded and walked with Tea until she was just out of view of everyone while the maid of honour gracefully walked up to the white aisle where she stood for a moment holding her small blue and silver bouquet as notes from the string quartet began wafting through the park.
She stepped slowly and gracefully between two squares of chairs, filled with the people that Lara and Kaiba wished to share their special day. Tea got to the front and moved to stand to the left of the altar. She smiled at Kaiba and Mokuba who winked at her then directed her gaze towards the back and everyone followed suit, rising off their chairs as they did so.
The beautiful sound of Pachelbel's canon began to play loudly. Lara took a deep breath and walked to the arch where she was in sight of everyone, and a very dashing Yugi stepped next to her. She linked her arm in his and the two of them began their slow march down the aisle.
Lara looked up meeting Kaiba's gaze and her heart nearly stopped. They were locked on each other, the music became faint, the people disappeared. She could barely see the canopy of pink cherry blossoms overhead or the white aisle down which she walked.
He wore the softest expression she had ever seen. His warm smile tugged at her and she felt her face split into a broad grin. She could only see him in his blue suit and silver tie. No one else existed.
It was Yugi's chuckle that finally broke the spell. They had reached the altar and he placed her hand in Kaiba's before taking his seat.
He helped her up to stand in front of him at the matching wrought iron arch.
"Beautiful," he whispered. She could not wipe the smile off her face. The music died down and the officiant commenced the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to share with Seto and Lara an important moment in their lives. The paths they have travelled has led them here, to this moment from which their roads will join and they will walk hand in hand henceforth, as husband and wife." His voice rang out clearly over the guests.
"Marriage is a solemn vow and not one to be entered into lightly. It is the unifying of souls and the creation of a new life, one led together. Now normally I would ask who gives this woman to this man but I have had the privilege of getting to know this couple a little over the past weeks and we have removed that from the ceremony."
Lara nodded. While it was a lovely notion, the idea that anyone would need to support their marriage was sure to make Kaiba scoff. After all, they were far from a traditional couple. The few chuckles they heard was proof that others thought the same.
"Instead we will progress to the vows. If we could have the rings, please."
Lara and Kaiba broke the link of their hands and turned around to Mokuba and Tea who handed them the symbolic jewellery with Lara also handing over her bouquet. Turning back around, Kaiba lightly grasped her left hand, holding the sparkling wedding band that matched her engagement ring, just over her manicured finger.
"The couple has chosen their own vows. Seto…"
"I, Seto, take you, Lara Katarina, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward and for all eternity." His voice was clear and strong, but there was no mistaking the emotion he tried to mask. He slipped the ring onto her delicate finger and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently before lowering her hand.
Lara took his much larger hand in hers and held the ring ready to slip it onto his finger. Kaiba could see the engraving inside the platinum ring as she twirled it around.
"Seto 20-04-2019 Lara"
On the opposite side was an engraved infinity symbol. Eternity.
"Lara," the officiant said kindly.
"I, Lara Katarina, take you, Seto, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward and for all eternity." Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she said her vows, her smile never once wavering. She pushed the ring over his knuckle, settling it at the base of his finger.
"By the power vested in me by the city of Domino, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
There was a round of applause and wolf whistles as Kaiba, holding her face, kissed her gently, lovingly. Their lips dancing together and the sounds around them died away as they lost themselves to each other.
When their lips parted, it was as if someone had turned the volume back up.
"I present to you, Mr and Mrs Kaiba," the officiant declared as the musicians began playing once more and the two of them began their walk up the aisle with Tea and Mokuba, walking arm in arm behind them. His grey suit and blue tie matching her dress perfectly.
Lara caught sight of her friends as well Natsumi and Ryoko, even Asami and at the back, the wedding planner, in between the sea of other faces. She was sure she saw Joey dabbing his eyes with his tie, a giggle burst out. Lara felt like she was floating but the peak of her blue shoes from under her dress showed her that she was not.
Roland had already made it back to the car and held the door open for his boss.
"Congratulations, sir."
"Thank you, Roland," Kaiba replied lowly with no trace of the impatience that usually coloured his tone.
He closed the door and climbed into the driver's seat, easing the car onto the road and driving to a far section of the large park where their pictures would be taken.
It was heading to sunset by the time Lara and Kaiba had arrived at the hotel where their reception was being held.
Tea helped Lara remove her veil which was stowed away before the four of them entered the beautifully decorated events room to an announcement from the MC.
"Presenting for the first time as husband and wife, Lara and Seto Kaiba."
Squeezing his arm, Lara smiled up at Kaiba as they entered. She could hear Duke wolf whistling over the polite applause.
Kaiba led her to the main table, pulling out the clear tiffany chair for her then took his seat beside her. Mokuba sat next to his brother with Tea sitting next to Lara.
She admired the space, it had been completely transformed. The long rectangular tables were arranged parallel to the walls with the band situated on the stage at the opposite end to the main table. It created a large space in the centre that made up the silver dancefloor. The floors and table cloths were all the same shade of dark blue and the ceiling was draped with flowing streams of white-grey fabric. There were crystal chandeliers hanging over the tables adorned with expensive crystal glasses and beautiful white flower arrangements.
Over the dancefloor hung streams of white-grey ribbons with little crystal tear drops at the end that caught the light and refracted it over all the surfaces.
It was a winter wonderland in the middle of spring.
After all the planning, it had all turned out so much better than she could have hoped.
She saw that in one corner under prominent lighting sat her wedding cake. A three tier white creation with dark blue icing around each layer that looked like the finest lace. She had a laugh as she pointed out the cake topper to Kaiba. They had not planned on having one, it was clearly Mokuba's doing.
A bride and groom stood back to back with their right leg raised and folded back so that their soles were touching and each held a gun with the barrel pointed upward; like married spies.
Lara leaned over catching Mokuba's eye with a chuckle and he just shrugged.
"Couldn't help myself," he mouthed.
Dinner was served to everyone while the band played softly in the background but soon after it was time for the speeches. First up was Kaiba who was handed a cordless microphone. He pushed his chair out and stood. Every eye was on him.
"On behalf of Lara and I, I want to thank all of you for sharing this special day with us. Some of you have had to travel great distances to be here and we both appreciate it greatly.
"I want to thank Mokuba who has done so much for Lara but more than that, for saving his big brother on more than one occasion.
"We would like to thank Tea for her assistance especially when neither Lara nor I wished to be bothered." Kaiba looked to Tea who blushed furiously. "And to Yugi, who has proved himself a good friend to us despite my reluctance to admit it." Everyone chuckled at that.
"And finally, to my wife, Lara, it feels like I've waited a long time to say those words. You're still the only person who would dare to keep me waiting." He smirked.
"You know it." She grinned but only the main table could hear her.
"You've been my partner since we first met and I will continue to be yours for the rest of our days. To Lara!" he said raising his glass. His words echoed around the room as everyone repeated them before taking a sip of champagne. They all took their seats and waited for Mokuba's speech.
Kaiba handed the microphone to his brother before taking his seat. He cupped Lara's chin and kissed her lightly. With great difficulty, he broke the connection of their lips. He draped his arm around her shoulders and they all looked to Mokuba.
"Hi everyone. Thank you all for joining us in celebrating Seto and Lara's wedding. Also, thanks Seto, for finally admitting that I'm the best man." Mokuba grinned cheekily to hoots of laughter. Kaiba just rolled his eyes. "Seto and I have been through a lot together so I can't say that I was surprised when he told me that I was going to be his best man. Yes, told me. If you know my brother at all, you know he rarely ever asks, but you know that, right Lara?
"Seto has always been amazing at whatever he's done, which sometimes means he does things on a whim without bothering to tell anyone, like the time he flew the jet to Egypt without so much as a note to say where he'd gone. But even though my brother can be challenging at times, I see you nodding over there Joey, he's still the best person I know and it makes me so happy to see you both together.
"Lara, today you're officially a Kaiba but you have been family to me since we met. You both have met your soulmate and I only wish that I am as happy with mine as you are with yours," he said as he looked out to Rebecca who sat between Yugi and Mai. "Please charge your glasses and let us be upstanding. They say your true love is not the person you see yourself with, but the person you can't see yourself without. To Seto and Lara!"
Once everyone settled down Mokuba held the microphone up once more.
"Now that the speeches are done, I'd like to invite Seto and Lara onto the dancefloor for their first dance," Mokuba announced.
Kaiba stood up and held his right hand out to her with his left behind his back. She took it with a smile and allowed him to lead her to the middle.
"Before we start though, Lara has a little surprise for Seto."
Kaiba looked down at her with a confused frown on his face but she said nothing as she went to Mokuba who handed the microphone to her.
"You sure about this?" he asked softly.
"Yeah, why not," she whispered back. He helped her on stage and she fixed the mic into place on the stand. With a nod, one of the band members pulled out a ukelele and began strumming a familiar tune. Lara took a deep breath and fixed her eyes on her husband as she began singing an altered version of the song.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Her surprisingly sweet voice filled the room and Kaiba placed his hand over his heart, a wordless gesture of how much she meant to him. He walked to the front of the stage, standing right in front of her.
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
The band began playing the song from the top. Kaiba held her hips and lifted her off the stage to join him on the floor. Holding her tightly, they swayed to the music, the beautiful male voice floating around them as they danced their first dance.
He twirled her around, her dress twinkling in the light as it flared out around her. As the notes died down there was polite applause before the next song started almost seamlessly. Mokuba led Rebecca to the floor followed by Yugi and Tea, and soon everyone joined in.
Kaiba held Lara's face and slowly lowered his lips to hers. Their tongues intertwined as they kissed in the middle of the dancefloor with couples swaying all around them.
Lara felt like her heart was so full, it could take no more.
"I love you, Seto Kaiba," she said when he pulled away. She looked at him like he was the centre of the universe, to her, he was.
"Forever," he replied.
A/N
"Da schauen wir aber mal wieder fesch aus" - looking fly, aren't we?
Here is a playlist of all the music that was listened to while this series was written. It inspired very many aspects of it so if you wish to, give it a listen
1 Showbiz - Muse
2 Escape - Muse
3 Hysteria - Muse
4 Space Dementia - Muse
5 Thunder (Lara) - Imagine Dragons
6 Believer (Kaiba) - Imagine Dragons
7 Somebody to You - The Vamps
8 This Love - Maroon 5
9 Brave - Sarah Bareilles
10 Insatiable - Darren Hayes
11 Invincible - Muse
12 Undisclosed Desires - Muse
13 Can't Help Falling in Love - Twenty One Pilots and Pentatonix versions
14 For you - For You Liam Payne & Rita Ora
15 Hoodoo - Muse
16 Heaven - Julia Michaels
17 Storm - Vanessa Mae (Vivaldi)
18 Pachelbel Canon in D
19 Pray (High Valerian) - Matt Bellamy (GoT soundtrack)
20 Per Te - Josh Groban
