Chapter 118 [Luthor Mansion—Next Day]
Activity buzzed about the mansion and its grounds. Workmen put the finishing touches on the tents and tables in the backyard. A portable bar stood ready to be stocked and to serve guests. The culinary staff prepped the meal following the ceremony. Other hands strung garlands around the area.
The vans pulled into the driveway from the hotel in town. The guests awaited the festivities to come.
[Gwen's Room]
The bride regarded Reflection's visage in the mirror. She'd risen early for her shower. Evangeline Rounsell, the very stylist whose fashion magazines she'd read in high school, styled her hair in person. Her wedding dress seemed to flow from her shoulders. Even though she'd seen her mother in the wedding photos, the alterations and silken enhancements took her breath away. Gilt strips enhanced the cuffs and the skirt's hem. Her mother's necklace glittered about her neck.
To say Awe held Gwen in its thrall was an understatement.
"It's so beautiful!" Gwen shook her head. "Jasmine, you have things to think about. You shouldn't have!"
"It is my pleasure. It was very little trouble for me." Jasmine nodded. "I think it suits you very well. Your mother would be pleased as well."
"I'll definitely agree there. Petey won't be able to believe his eyes." Mary Jane stood next to Gwen. "You are definitely an angel."
"I can hope." Gwen smiled. "Aunt May's onboard with everything. I just want this to work so badly."
"It will, Ms. Gwendolyn. Believe in that man of yours and yourself." Mary Jane embraced her.
"And Harry? How's he doing?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"He's at the medical center." Disappointment sagged across Mary Jane's face. "I'd hoped that we could insulate him from that for a few more hours. I'll be heading over there right after the reception."
"Don't worry about it, MJ. You do what you have to. If anyone understands, it's Peter and me. Why did his father have to do that?" Gwen shook her head.
"Mr. Osborn prepared to strike at this wedding. We stopped him from leaving his office to get that troll costume and equipment." Jasmine frowned. "He is in jail. Alex purchased the stocks for his company."
"He owns Oscorp too? Wow." Mary Jane whistled.
Before the discussion could go any further, a knock came from the door.
Robbie stuck his head in. "Ladies, they're ready for us." He admired Gwen. "Gwen, you are beautiful. Your father would say the same if he was here."
"Thank you, Mr. Robertson. I know Mom and Dad are looking down with Peter's Uncle Ben today. I just want to make Peter happy." Gwen fixed her veil over her face.
"Your flowers." Mary Jane put the bouquet in Gwen's hands. "Knock 'em dead. Good luck." She stepped into the hallway.
"Thanks. See you both down there." Gwen sucked in a nervous breath. Here goes! She headed over to Robbie's side. "Are the others there?"
"Captain De Wolff and Betty are waiting for Mary Jane. Peter's there with Father Martin. Flash Thompson I guess is stepping in for Harry." Robbie shook his head. "Back when they were in high school, I never would have seen that coming."
"Everyone's grown up, Mr. R. Let's enjoy." Gwen took his hand.
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Robbie escorted her toward the stairs.
[Outside]
Peter bowed his head. Nerves played havoc with him. He fidgeted. He struggled to breathe. He was really about to do it. He was going to marry his dream girl….
…well that is if the Parker Luck and one of Spidey's rogues gallery didn't squash the deal first….
The Goblin's behind bars. Lex has security out in front. Besides who's going to try anything here? Peter considered the seated guests. Besides the Kents and his friends from the Bugle, Jasmine, Miranda, Clark, Lana, Dubois (and its seems his wife too) all were on high alert. And in a move he couldn't believe, the Fantastic Four along with Crystal and King T 'Challa sat along the back row.
"Never thought I'd see you this nervous, Peter." De Wolff looked him up and down. She'd seen him deal with mundane and supernatural threats with quips and not even batting an eye.
"I wasn't marrying the Best Girl in the Universe, Captain." Peter bit his lip. "I just feel like something's about to come in through the front door."
"With the guests in here? Don't hold your breath, Pete." Flash shook his head. "You sure make friends. An internship with Lex Luthor? Knowing the FF and Black Panther? Seriously?"
"Hey. I get around. The Panther's a friend of both Princess Jasmine's and Spider-Man's. I wasn't about to say no when the King of Wakanda wishes us well." Peter noticed Father Martin walking toward them with Mary Jane. "That's my cue."
"How are you feeling, Peter?" Father Martin smoothed out his clerical clothes. He held his Bible in his left hand.
"Nervous. Excited." Peter sucked in another breath. "I feel like the ground's going to open up and swallow me whole."
"Many grooms feel that way. It will be all right." Father Martin nodded to reassure him.
"Just relax. Gwen's fine. She's on her way here for you. Wait until you see her." Mary Jane grinned. "Deep breaths. It's going to be fine."
"Easy for you to say. Thanks, MJ." Peter managed to compose himself.
Sam stopped her rendition of Purcell's wedding march. She pointed with her bow to the organist across the aisle from herself.
The organist began into the next act. Traditional organ beats urged everyone to their feet.
Peter's heart beat faster and faster. And the next sight only made that more so.
Gwen stepped through the back door on Robbie's arm. Insecurity and Anxiety lurked behind the veil's obscuring blind. She managed to step onto the patio without tripping.
"You all right?" Robbie asked.
"Yes. Sorry. I'm so nervous." Gwen gazed over the guests. Some she knew from back east. The Smallville folks she was getting to know. And then there were the aforementioned heroes. "Wow."
"Remember you don't have to impress them, Gwen. We're here for Peter and you." Robbie advised. "See? He's waiting."
She sighed. Joy's tears welled up behind her eyes. He's here. He's really waiting. Of course he is! "Let's go." With that, she stepped in concert with his footfalls. One in front of the other and up the aisle toward her Prince.
Peter beheld her approach. Her visage stole the breath from his lungs. Awe and Amazement numbed him. He didn't know what to say. Words and his famous (or infamous) wit failed him.
I hope you can see this, Captain Stacy. Your daughter's outdone herself! De Wolff nodded toward the approaching bride. Then she did the same for the waiting hero.
"Told you, Tiger." MJ nodded to him.
"In a word, guy, wow!" Flash whispered to him.
Peter shook his head. The word is GULP! His eyes and Gwen's never left each other. He saw Robbie escort her to his side. "Thanks, Robbie."
"You're welcome, Peter." Robbie put her hands in his. "Take care of her, Son."
"Always." Peter smiled. "Hi."
"Hi, Mr. P." Gwen bit her lip under her veil.
They turned to face Father Martin. Each felt strengthened by the other's presence. They felt whole. His brown eyes…her green ones. Their hearts beat together as one.
Father Martin's smile spread wider in Welcome's service. Then he cleared his throat. "Very well. We are set to begin! "We are gathered here today in this place and in the Sight of God. We are here to join this man and this woman." He pointed to Peter and Gwen. "Would you kneel?"
The couples and their companions all did so.
"Shall we pray?" Father Martin folded his hands. "Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together on this day. Thank You for blessing these four very special people with love and bliss. May You bless them with strength and courage to follow Your Path." He crossed himself. "In Your Name! Amen!"
"AMEN!" the assembly responded.
Father Martin looked out over the assembly. "Does anyone have reason why these couples should not be wed? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
The group looked at each other. Silence hung like Humidity's mid-summer stagnant pall over the area. For several heartbeats, the air and Time itself held still. And then it passed.
Father Martin nodded. "Very well. Marriage is a sacred trust. It represents a bond once forged by God Himself cannot be broken by man's hand. Peter and Gwendolyn, are you ready?"
Peter and Gwen looked at each other. Then they affirmed together, "We are."
"Very well." Father Martin recited the vows to Peter first. Then he did the same for Gwen.
"I do," Peter vowed.
"I do." Gwen echoed his promise with her own.
"Can we see the rings please?" Father Martin requested.
Flash reached into his pocket. He brought out an exquisite golden ring with a single diamond in its center. He handed it to Peter and nodded. "There you go."
"Thanks, Flash." Gratitude guided Peter's head in a nod and a gentle smile. Then he turned back toward the priest.
"Very good. Mary Jane if you please?" Father Martin requested.
Mary Jane nodded. She took a golden wedding band from her pocket. "Here you go, Gwen." She handed it to the bride and nodded.
"Thank you, Mary Jane." Gwen managed to keep hold of the band in her anxious fingers. Then she turned back toward Peter and Father Martin. "I am ready."
"Then, Gwendolyn, repeat after me. With this ring, I, Gwendolyn, marry you, Peter," Father Martin started.
"With this ring, I, Gwendolyn, marry you, Peter," Gwen repeated.
"For richer and poorer. In sickness and health. As long as you both shall live," Father Martin continued.
"For richer and poorer. In sickness and health. As long as we both shall live," Gwen continued. She slid the band onto his hand.
"Now, Peter, are you ready?" Father Martin asked him.
"Yes I am," Peter agreed.
"Repeat after me. With this ring, I, Peter, marry you, Gwendolyn," Father Martin started.
"With this ring, I, Peter, marry you, Gwendolyn," Peter repeated.
"For richer and poorer. In sickness and health. As long as you both shall live," the priest continued.
"For richer and poorer. In sickness and health. As long as we both shall live." Peter pressed on. He gazed at her again. For several heartbeats, he soaked in Ambiance's glow and radiance.
Father Martin maintained Resolve's purpose. He allowed Peter and Gwen their moment. "Shall we pray once again?" When everyone had bowed their heads, he implored, "Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing our friends together. We pray that Peter and Gwendolyn will honor and cherish each other. Please foster the feelings in this place. Please protect them from life's storms. May they be loved and love in return. In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Amen," the group chorused.
Father Martin cleared his throat. "Can the couple please stand?"
Peter stood first. Then they helped his bride to her feet.
"Therefore by the Grace of God and the authority vested in me by the Church, I declare you husband and wife and husband and wife. Congratulations! You may kiss the bride!" Father Martin stepped back. Memoria ran through the steps in Gwen's life. He remembered her baptism. Then he saw her at First Communion. He recalled Passion and Problem each in their turn. And now, he watched as she was now with her beloved.
Peter lifted her veil. He beheld the sparkle in her eyes. The smile blinded him with his radiance. "Hi, Mrs. P."
"Hi yourself, Mr. P. I like that." Her lips found his .
His lips then found hers.
"May I present Mr. and Mrs. Peter Parker?" Father Martin called.
The audience stood and applauded in unison. Celebration and Approval warmed all hearts.
Gwen leaned her head against Peter's shoulder. "If this is a dream, don't wake me up."
"Never. It's our dream, Kid." Peter hugged her shoulders. He kissed the crown of her head.
Even in the case, Amor conquered all…