Flashlight
Chapter five
"God, I can't sit still" Natasha exclaimed, waving her hands wildly, as she got up from her seat for the umpteenth time and began pacing the room. Her make-up and hair were done, her dress ready to be put on. She however, was not ready quite yet. You chuckled as you sat in a chair while Wanda repaired the damaged nail polish on your left big toe. She was waving her hand as if it would help the polish to dry quicker. Wanda smiled as she rolled her eyes at Natasha's antics, the bride had been dramatic all morning.
"Just keep breathing," Maria said from her spot in the bathroom. She was the first to get into her dress.
"Why am I nervous?" Natasha wondered out loud and you laughed. The always confident Natasha was suddenly out of her element. You were certain that it was the situation, rather than the man she was marrying. And you told her as much. She nodded, agreeing with you.
Wanda stood up and stepped in front of Natasha, placing her hands on her arms, keeping her still. She ordered the bride to take a few deep breaths with her, until her heartbeat slowed down. Eventually it did and you handed her a glass of water, before grabbing the wedding dress and placing it low, so Natasha could easily step into it. You and Maria made quick work of the laced back, pulling it tight, while Wanda kept up the breathing routine.
When the dress was firm in place, Natasha appeared to be a lot calmer, as she stepped in front of the large mirror to stare at her own reflection. She displayed a soft smile as she gently wiped her hands over the soft fabric of the dress.
You took her hand, giving it a quick squeeze, before checking the time and realising you would need to get dressed soon. Dropping your robe, you made quick work of it, Wanda pulling up your zipper and you doing the same for her.
Maria had stepped out a few moments ago to check on the schedule, returning quickly to say it was all still going smoothly. It was time for everyone to take their places.
Natasha's father had followed Maria, and he gushed over the pretty picture that his beautiful daughter was. Natasha smiled as he did so and happily took his arm, before leaving the room.
The Father-Daughter duo waited at the end of the hallway, just out of sight of the groomsmen, while Maria, Wanda and you quickly joined the men. Steve quickly took your hand, placing it in the crown of his arm. With a smile he pulled you closer. Smiling back you tried to relax your shoulders, before glancing behind you. Bucky stood awkwardly next to Wanda, tugging at his tie, While Sam made a point of kissing Maria's hand before he offered his arm for her to take.
Bucky stared at the ground and you looked over at Wanda, who just nodded reassuringly at you, before muttering soft words to the man beside her. He nodded as she gently rubbed his arm. Finally he cracked his neck, trying to relax the muscles, though his shoulders were still raised high. Music began to play and you turned back around, unable to do anything other than place a smile on your face, as the doors opened and Steve began to guide you towards the aisle.
All seats were filled, smiling faces everywhere as you walked into the beautifully decorated room. The oak chairs were adorned by white flowers, the carpet underneath your feet a beautifully silky white, complementing those flowers. You imagined it would also highlight the beautiful dress that Natasha was wearing.
A few steps ahead of you walked the flower girl, Cassy, spreading white and red rose petals around. Though it should be pointed out that Cassy's idea of spreading the petals mainly consisted of the little toddler dropping handfuls every few steps, keeping the petals in little heaps. Not that it mattered, she was absolutely adorable.
You could not bite down the chuckle that she pulled out of you. Next to you, Steve had the same issue, a soft smile on his face as he looked at you. He always was a softie with children. Who were you kidding, he was a full on softie overall.
Cassie reached the end of the silky carpet, dropped her basket and ran over to Clint, asking him loudly if she did good. Squatting in front of her, he told her just how proud he was of her and she turned around beaming as she walked over to her parents.
Finishing the walk to the aisle yourself, Steve guided you up the platform before releasing your hand and stepping up behind Clint. You smiled brightly at Clint as he shifted on the balls of his feet, glancing back to the door at the end of the room every few seconds. He obviously couldn't wait for his bride to walk through it.
When the rest of the bridal party had joined the three of you on the platform the music changed and the doors opened once more to reveal Natasha on the arm of her beaming father.
Clint's mouth gaped open, seeing her for the first time in her dress and Natasha blushed a little as she and her father began to move closer. You could see that she was grasping her father tightly, and you smiled. Nerves were clearly still racing through her body. You were certain they would be gone as soon as the ceremony was done.
When they reached the platform, her father hugged both her and Clint before sitting down next to her mother on the first row. Her mother was already shedding tears and from behind her Carol offered a tissue. You smiled at Carol who shook her head, while laughing silently, before turning your attention back to the couple before you. Natasha's mother was known to cry quick, though you were hard pressed to imagine a better reason for these happy tears.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Clint and Natasha. Through their years together, they have come to realise that their personal hopes, dreams and goals are far more attainable and much more meaningful through the combined efforts and mutual support provided in their love and commitment for one another." The minister began, a microphone helping his voice boom through the room.
The minister began to speak of their first meeting, their first date and the love they shared and you were surprised by the lump in your throat. It was a beautiful speech, only enriched by the loving looks that the couple shared. The twinkle in Clint's eyes showed so much love for the woman before him and you were certain that her eyes portrayed the same.
Your eyes shifted over to Steve who was beaming at the couple, standing proud behind them. He was so happy for them, his smile so big, it almost made you wonder if he'd have to unscrew his jaw by the end of the night.
"They wish to share this day with you, as the ideals, understanding and mutual respect that they bring to their life together had roots in the love, friendship and guidance you all have given them throughout their lives." The minister's words barely reached you as you looked at the faces of those around you.
Moving from Steve, you looked at Bucky. He too was smiling, focussing all his attention on the couple as he was wringing his hands. It was the only tell informing you that he was still incredibly nervous. Still, there he was, standing in front of all these people. Of which he didn't know half. He really was a good friend.
Sam was glancing from the couple to his girlfriend with a smile and you suppressed a chuckle. That boy was so in love, it was just too cute. There was a softness to his smile and love in his eyes that he didn't show everyone. Usually he was too busy making sure that everyone was having a good time.
Turning your attention back to the couple, you tried to focus on what the minister was saying, though it felt that he was just droning on now. The couple still hadn't said a word. The ceremony having not reached their vows yet. Your gaze shifted back to Bucky again and looked him right in the eye. Apparently he had been looking at you as well.
You blushed and smiled at him, before berating yourself and staring at the happy couple instead.
The minister asked the couple to hold hands and placed his own around theirs before speaking once more.
"The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth. Do you seek to enter this ceremony?"
"Yes we do." The couple replied quickly with bright smiles across their faces. They were ready.
"Now it is my understanding that you have both prepared your own vows" the minister mentioned and they both nodded eagerly. The minister smiled at their keen responses before telling Clint to speak. Clint nodded again, glancing at their entwined hands and shifted nervously on the balls of his feet again, taking a deep breath in before looking back up at Natasha with a smile.
"Natasha, my love, my everything. I am here today to promise you that I will love you until the end of time. To be your strength when you feel weak, your eyes when you can't see, your voice when you cannot speak. You'll never want for anything." He paused a moment, clearing his throat as the glistening of his eyes signals just how strong the emotions coursing through him were. He took in another deep breath before he continued.
"You are my light in the darkness, and I wish to be the same for you. I love you so much," his words were soft spoken, determination shining in his eyes as he stared into hers.
Hearing Natasha sniffle, told you how his words had touched her. The minister gave her the floor and she began to speak, her words a little strained with the emotions flowing through her. Your hands ached to touch her, comfort her, but this was not the time. Besides the emotions were not sad anyway. So you stood your ground, proudly witnessing the unification of this couple that you loved so much.
"Clint, from this day forward, I will be your wife. A title I do not and will not take lightly. I promise to cherish you, love you and honour you. To stand by you in your successes and your failures. To make you laugh as often as I can, and to offer a shoulder when you cry. I promise to be your friend, your partner in this journey we call life. And I will never waver in my devotion to you. You have made me feel more loved than I ever thought possible and I will forever love you just as fiercely."
You didn't need to see Natasha's face to know that tears would be flowing. Who could blame her, you thought as you wiped your own away. Clint beamed as her as he squeezed her hands.
Unable to help yourself, you glanced over to Bucky, understanding that these vows had left him untouched as his eyes shined with unshed tears that he tried hard to blink away.
There was a pain visible in his eyes that took your breath away and when he caught you staring, it only intensified. You didn't blush this time as you stared into his eyes, swallowing the lump in your throat, you offered him a small smile instead.
The minister didn't pause long after their vows, asking for the rings. Sam stepped forward, handing the couple their wedding bands, so they could exchange them. They smiled as they accepted them.
As they placed the ring on their lover's fingers, they recited the same sentence, unifying the ceremony in a way that you had not expected and agreeing that it only elevated the words that had been spoken before.
"This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am"
Still beaming with joy, they looked up at the minister, ready for him to finish this up. Ready to kiss and start their married life together.
"By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss"
Clint closed the distance between them swiftly, dipping Natasha low as he placed a passionate kiss on her lips. The guests cheered loudly and you could not hold back the happy laughter bubbling in your throat.
When Clint helped Natasha stand up straight once again, pecking her smiling lips, the minister introduced them for the very first time as Mr. And Mrs. Barton. Again loud cheering filled the room and the couple looked at the crowd, broad smiles on their faces, taking it all in for a small moment, before the minister asked them to sign the certificates that lay on a table left of the platform they were on.
Clint took Natasha's hand and entwined his fingers with hers as he guided her off the platform and towards the table, taking the pen a clerk offered and signing quickly, before letting Natasha do the same. You and Steve followed suit, signing with a giddy feeling buzzing through your entire body.
The couple stepped back to the middle of the room, walking back over the white carpet and out the door, while loud applause guiding their way. Next, you stepped up the first step leading to the platform, facing the guests and explained that there would be busses outside to take everyone to the photo location. The couple would already be there to take some pictures together. The busses would leave in a little more than 15 minutes, to follow them for the group shots.
Slowly the guests got up from their seats and made their way out of the room, collecting their coats, purses and whatever else they needed for the photoshoot. After the pictures were taken, you would come right back here for the reception, dinner and following party.
