Chapter 5
Brooklyn, January 2011
Lucy opened the door to her small Brooklyn apartment well after midnight. She dropped her backpack by the front door and slowly made her way to the small kitchen. She needed a drink after the day she'd had.
It had been another long day at the SHIELD offices. The amount of work in her department had nearly tripled since the Stark Expo attack. The terrorist networks were abuzz with messages flying faster than anyone could decode or track them. As head of the so called "Lost Letter Office", Lucy had been even busier. Her team did their best, but the workload and stress were starting to take their toll. She'd had to break up a fight between her best cryptographer and the team's lead analyst. Bryce and Carter had started screaming at each other over the importance of a message Bryce had been working for weeks to crack. He was convinced it was a call to arms for some shadowy organization that was planning an unspecified attack on an unspecified American target. Carter, on the other hand, was certain the message was just two hackers talking to each other about some obscure science fiction novel. Lucy had physically put herself between the two men to get them to calm down.
Lucy opened her fridge and sighed heavily. The fridge looked like Edward Norton's in fight club. It was full of condiments and not much else. Grocery shopping had been hard with the hours she'd been working at the office lately. Lucy closed the fridge and moved to a small cabinet to its right. She pulled out the bottle of Talisker and an old-fashioned glass.
A double scotch was just what Lucy needed to forget the day, the fight, and Maria Hill's increasingly insistent emails requesting updates. Lucy dropped a large ice sphere into her drink from the freezer and took a sip. The brown liquor warmed her stomach and calmed the hunger that gnawed at her stomach. As she drank, Lucy looked through the takeout menus on her fridge before selecting a local pizzeria that was open late. Lucy placed her order and sat down on her couch to wait for the pizza.
Another double scotch later, the pizza had arrived. Lucy took in the smell of her pepperoni and mushroom pie. The scent of red pepper flakes and cheese made her mouth water. Lucy pulled a slice out of the box and to her mouth. The first slice was gone in a flash and Lucy was soon devouring her second slice.
As she crunched on the crust of her third slice, Lucy walked to the murphy bed that took up one wall of her studio apartment and pulled it down. The back wall of the murphy bed was covered in scraps of paper. It honestly looked like one of those crazy conspiracy theory walls from TV. She had been working on deciphering the media file, and several other similar files for over a year. All the old ciphers were dead ends. She was trying to get into the mind of the new cipher developers. Over the last 70 years someone had figured out that the codes had been broken and made them more complex. Lucy pulled a CD from a thumbtack and inserted into the CD player she'd found at Goodwill.
Each recording she'd received had been burned to a CD so she could work on the codes without fear of being tracked online. Each track sounded like a bad remix of popular songs. Coupled with the music industry's penchant for sampling some other songs, the code became nearly impossible without the key.
"Maybe I need to run the files through a different decryption program," Lucy brainstormed. She'd tried one of SHIELD's programs on the first file without success. Hell, she'd tried hundreds of decryption programs, traditional cyphers, and even an enigma cipher. She was running out of options.
Sighing, Lucy passed the CD player on her way back to the kitchenette for more pizza and scotch. Without thinking she brushed up against one of the player's dials. The track slowed down to an incredibly slow speed. Lucy was picking up her fourth slice when she realized that she could make out a melody and a few foreign words. Could it really be that simple? Sure, in the complex world of the 21st century, the simplest answers could often be overlooked. Lucy dropped her slice back in the box and hurried back to the CD player. There was a small knob on the left side of the box labeled speed. It had been turned down to 0.5 speed. Lucy turned the knob back to the 1, and the familiar cacophony returned. She quickly returned the speed to 0.5 and restarted the track. The strains of an oboe filled the apartment.
She'd made a breakthrough. She'd really done it. Lucy danced around her apartment with joy as first the wind section then the full orchestra joined the oboe. She'd start working on identifying the composition and decrypting the first message in the morning. Now, it was time to celebrate.
Brooklyn – December 1942
Steve paced in front of the subway station. His hands were slick, and his heartbeat was erratic. She was late. Not grossly late, but late enough that Steve was starting to worry. What if she had missed her train? What if she'd decided to head back to Williamsburg and spend the holiday on her father's boat? Maybe she'd been held up at work and missed her train?
Bucky leaned against a nearby wall watching Steve pace. "If you keep this up, you'll end up in the hospital Steve. She'll get here when she gets here," he said, lighting a cigarette. Bucky refused to smoke in the apartment for fear of triggering Steve's asthma. He knew Steve hated his habit, but the waiting was starting to frazzle his nerves as well.
"I know that Buck, but what if she decided against coming," Steve asked. The screech train breaks reached their ears. The pair of young men stilled and quieted. The murmur of people beginning to bubble up from the platform followed the screech a few minutes later..
Bucky took one last long drag on his cigarette before tossing it to the concrete and putting out the stub with his shoe heel. Steve ran a hand through his hair and adjusted his coat.
People began to file out of the subway and disperse along the sidewalks and streets. Towards the end of the group was a slightly familiar woman in a forest green skirt and red sweater with a small suitcase in her hands. Her reddish brown hair was wrapped around her head in a braided halo style. She looked side to side as if looking for someone.
"Steve," she called waving her free hand at the pair.
"Lucy, you made it," Steve called back hurrying over.
"Sorry, I was later than expected. We had a huge breakthrough at the office earlier this week, and it's been all hands on deck. I might have missed the first train," Lucy said, engulfing Steve in a hug. Her suitcase dropped to the pavement beside her.
Bucky gave Steve an I-told-you-so look over Lucy's shoulder. Steve glared back.
As the pair stepped back, Bucky chuckled at the light blush on both his friends and the dame's faces.
"You must be Bucky," Lucy said turning to the tall dark and handsome man, "Steve's told me a lot about you and Dot may have said some things as well."
"It's a pleasure Ms. Bryne," Bucky said, taking her hand to place a light kiss on it. "The punk forgot to mention how beautiful you are."
"Lucy please," she said, "I also have a delivery for you Mr. Barnes." Lucy reached into her oversized purse and produced a package that was almost the same size as the bag. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. A letter was wedged under the twine knot, Bucky's real name emblazoned on it in a looping green script.
"Dot says Merry Christmas James," she said with a smile. Bucky blushed a deep shade of crimson that caused Steve to laugh. Bucky glared at Steve as he took the package from Lucy.
"Let's get back to the apartment. I'm sure you'll want to rest after that train journey," Steve said, moving to pick up Lucy's dropped suitcase.
"Thanks Steve," Lucy said as the trio headed home.
"Welcome to our humble abode," Steve said as the trio walked through the door.
"Yeah, it's not much, but its home," Bucky said from behind Lucy.
Lucy surveyed the apartment. It was for lack of a better word cramped. The kitchen consisted as a small refrigerator, a two burner stove, a sink and a square of butcher block counter. There were a few cane back chairs and a couch that had seen better days. A trio of doors stood against the far wall which likely led to the bedrooms and bathroom.
"It's cozy. Dot and my apartment back in DC isn't much bigger. Granted we have a larger kitchen, but it was part of the reason we chose the place we did," Lucy said.
Lucy made her way over to one of the chairs and sat down demurely. She tucked her skirt under herself and reached down to take off her shoes. Heels were wonderful things, but after walking what felt like half of Brooklyn they were torture devices.
Steve disappeared into one of the doors with her suitcase and Bucky collapsed on the couch, Dot's package still in his hands.
"Do you know what's in here," Bucky asked.
"No idea just that Dot wanted to make sure it got to you before Christmas," Lucy said lightly rubbing the ball of her right foot. "She said you could open it early if you wanted."
That was all the permission Bucky needed to begin unwrapping his package. He worked the letter out first. It was thicker than Lucy had normally seen Dot send. She'd probably taken advantage of not having to pay postage for her item and written to her heart's content.
The pair sat in silence as Bucky opened and read the letter. Steve joined the pair a few minutes later, taking the chair next to Lucy.
"What's going on," Steve asked in a whisper.
"Just a bit of quite so Bucky can enjoy his gift from Dot," Lucy whispered back. Steve nodded in understanding. Lucy leaned over to grab Steve's hand and entwining their fingers. Steve blushed a little at the unexpected contact but soon relaxed into the feeling.
Bucky's eyes were glistening as he carefully placed Dot's letter on the couch next to him and picked up the gift. He made quick, yet careful work of the twine and paper, placing the items on his other side for later use.
The cardboard box was also quickly opened to reveal the contents: a small teddy bear, a bottle of perfume, and a book.
Bucky extracted the items with great care and turned each over in his hands before returning them to the box.
Lucy smiled. Dot had told her the concept behind her present to Bucky, but not the exact contents.
"Is that a teddy bear Buck," Steve asked quietly. Bucky nodded water leaking from his eyes.
"I told Dot about the time I lost Bucky Bear at Coney Island when we were kids," Bucky said choking on his words slightly, "She wrote back that teddies are our first friends and no one should be without theirs."
Lucy looked over at Steve and tugged at his hand ever so slightly.
"How about you show me your room Steve," she whispered. Steve blushed a bright red color.
"Sure," he whispered back.
The pair left Bucky to sit quietly with the most thoughtful gifts a woman, not related to him, had ever given.
Lucy and Steve sat on the firescape outside his small bedroom window admiring the night sky over Brooklyn and the faint light of New York City in the distance. .
The pair sat shoulder to shoulder on the small metal grate, their legs hanging just over the end. Their backs were against the red brick of the building. Lucy's skirt was tucked around her legs to provide extra insulation in the rapidly chilling night air.
"You don't have as many stars as Williamsburg does," Lucy said softly to Steve.
"The only downside of living in the city," Steve said back.
Lucy shivered slightly and tried to move closer to Steve.
"Are you cold? We could move back inside if you'd be more comfortable," Steve said, adjusting his position slightly to better accommodate Lucy on the fire escape.
"I'm just a little chilled. Can we stay out here a few minutes more? Or do you need to get back inside," Lucy asked. She lay her head down on Steve's shoulder and just breathed him in. The unmistakable scent of male mixed with ink and paper. There was also a subtle undertone of smoke. But she assumed that was more Bucky than Steve.
The pair sat in silence for another few minutes until Steve began to shiver. Then they crawled back through Steve's window, him first then Lucy. In his room, the pair sat on the edge of Steve's narrow bed enjoying each other's company.
"Steve, I hate to ask, but where am I going to sleep," Lucy asked.
"Bucky and I agreed that you would sleep in here. I'm going to take the couch," Steve said looking up at her slightly.
"Steve, I can't put you out of your own bed. I never wanted to impose on you. You keep your bed. I'll sleep on the couch," Lucy said standing from the bed.
"Lu, please. The couch isn't big enough for you to sleep comfortably. I can fit, and it doesn't bother me," Steve said standing up as well.
Lucy shook her head. "I can't and won't do that to you Steve."
Steve sighed exasperatedly, "Lu there isn't another way for this to work."
Lucy stood still going over the options in her head. She looked between Steve, the door and the bed.
"What if we both slept in here," she asked, "I'm pretty sure we can both fit on that bed."
Steve turned beet red. "I'm not certain that's a good idea Lu."
"Why not? It solves the couch issue, and it'll be warmer if we share the bed," Lucy asked. Her eyes bore into his sky blue ones, challenging him.
"Because you are a woman and I am a man, and we are not married," Steve protested. Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Let's get married then," she deadpanned. Steve swayed slightly on the spot.
"Please tell me you're joking," Steve said his voice wavering slightly.
"People are getting married for less right now," Lucy said.
"That's a huge step and a massive commitment. You realize I'm catholic right. I don't believe in divorce. If we get married, that's it," Steve said.
"Your point? My parents got married after three months, yours less. We've been writing for six months. We've shared secrets, dreams, or I thought we had," Lucy said, turning away from Steve. Tears were starting to well in her eyes, and she couldn't bear to look at him.
"We have Lu. Trust me. I've written things to you that I've never even spoken aloud before," Steve said, moving to stand behind her, "Marriage. It's a step with tremendous implications, and I don't want you running into this blindly." Steve wrapped his arms around Lucy, pulling her into his slight frame.
"Steve," Lucy said turning around in his arm, "I wouldn't have come to spend Christmas with you if I didn't feel there was something here." She stared down at him. Her hazel eyes bore into his blue eyes, searching for feelings she hoped were there.
Steve stared back at Lucy for a second and time seemed to slow. In her eyes, Steve could see everything clearly. Everything he had ever dreamed of was in those greenish brown depths. It wasn't possible, Steve thought to himself. They had only known each other for six months, and while that was long for most people, it had been only by mail. How could he feel like this about a person after only being around them a few hours? Silently, he said a Hail Mary and asked for guidance. Then he did what he'd wanted to do all those months ago on the subway steps. .
He reached up for Lucy's head and stood on tiptoe. His hands connected with the sides of her face, pulling her down slightly to match his extended height. He watched as her eyes fluttered closed and closed his eyes as well. Their noses passed each other and their lips met. As if on cue a burst of joy and desire filled him. The feeling of her warm lips on his was more than he could describe. Steve could stay here forever and be happy.
Lucy pulled back and opened her eyes the tiniest bit. Steve was still there, as if turned to stone by a single kiss. His hands remained on the sides of her head and his long fingers desperately tried to tangle themselves in her braid. She wrapped her arms around his torso, pulled him against her, and kissed him again. This time she kissed him quickly laying on several pecks in quick succession.
"Wow," Steve breathed as Lucy pulled away.
"Uh huh," Lucy said quietly. Steve reached up and peck her lips again for good measure.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to do that," he asked, pulling back.
"About six month," Lucy said, "you gave it away with the picture you sent back in August." Steve smiled at her.
"So can I sleep here tonight," Lucy asked quietly, "while we debate how to tell Bucky and my dad that we're getting married?"
Steve nodded pulling Lucy to the small bed. The pair lay down wrapping their arms around each other's waists.
"I'm sorry about not having a ring for you or anything," Steve whispered. Lucy tightened her arm around Steve, pulling him closer to her.
"Dear future husband, I don't need anything but your love," she said. Steve flushed at her words. Finally someone thought he was enough. He really wanted to get her a ring, even if it was a simple band. Something to show the world that she was his and he was hers. How long would it take him to save up for a ring? Then it hit him. His mother's wedding ring was in his dresser. He'd saved it after her death because she had always wanted him to give it to his wife.
"I'll be back in one second," Steve said getting up from the bed. Lucy tried to stop him from leaving by increasing the weight of her arm, but he pulled free. He padded over to his dresser and opened the top drawer. Steve moved his socks aside to retrieve a small leather pouch from the back. Inside, the bag was a rose tinted gold band with a small bezel set diamond flanked by two smaller bezel set sapphires.
Returning to the bed, Steve got down on one knee withdrawing the ring from its bag.
"Lucy Bryne, will you marry me," he asked, the ring held out in front of him.
"Yes, Steve Rogers, I will marry you," Lucy said.
Steve, smiling from ear to ear, pulled Lucy's hand to him and slid the ring onto her finger.
"Now, get up here and kiss me some more," Lucy giggled, pulling Steve back into the bed.
Steve woke first the next morning. They'd fallen asleep in their clothes and each other's arms. Lucy was on her stomach, leg hanging off the bed, her arm still wrapped around his stomach. Her hair had begun escaping its braid during the night, little wisps standing up in defiance. Steve was on his side still, curled into Lucy. This woman had agreed to be his wife just a few hours prior. Steve whispered a prayer of thanks to the Virgin Mary and just lay there enjoying the warmth and joy the strange positions brought him.
"Steve, did you…" Bucky started as he entered the room. He stopped halfway in when he realized Steve and Lucy were in bed together. Bucky's eyes when wide, and his mouth formed an O as he tried to back track out of the room.
"I'll explain later," Steve mouthed. He could feel Lucy starting to stir next to him. Bucky closed the door softly.
"What was that," Lucy mumbled, her face half buried in a pillow.
"Bucky," Steve whispered back. Lucy's eyes opened wide and she tried to get up. Not realizing the position she'd woken up in, Lucy tumbled off the site of the bed with a thunk. She pulled Steve with her. He landed on top of her, forcing the air from Lucy's lung. His legs tangled with her, and his face was in the middle of her chest.
"Get off," Lucy wheezed. Steve, now a bright pink color rolled off Lucy and sat up against one wall of the room. Bucky burst back through the door a second later.
"Everyone okay here. I heard a…" he started as he surveyed the room. Bucky then dissolved into laughter. He doubled over holding his stomach laughing harder than he had in months.
"Did someone have issues this morning," he said between gasps for breath. Lucy glared at Bucky as she picked herself up. Steve stifled a giggled as he watched Lucy get up and Bucky's attempts to breath between guffaws.
Lucy dusted her skirt off and smoothed her sweater. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a bath and change," she said. She walked over to the dresser and grabbed her suitcase from its top. Lucy left the room with a huff. Bucky and Steve winced as they heard the bathroom door slam closed and the water begin to run.
The two looked at each other then in the direction of the bathroom before dissolving into a round of sniggers.
"Already sharing your bed punk," Bucky chidded. Steve could feel the heat in the tips of his ears. How was he going to tell his best friend that he was getting married to the girl in the next room? Bucky's eyes narrowed as Steve took longer than normal to come up with a response.
"Did something last night," Bucky probed. Steve gulped. Better to get this over with Steve thought.
"I asked Lucy to marry me," Steve said. Bucky froze. That was not what he'd been expecting Steve to say.
"And I'm hoping we can convince Father Seamus to do the service before Christmas," Steve continued. His face grew redder as he talked. Bucky's face fell with each word.
"Are you really ready for marriage punk? Please tell me you didn't lose your senses and do something stupid," Bucky said.
"I swear Buck. We talked about it last night. No losing of senses, nothing stupid. It just feels right with her," Steve said.
"Well, if you're sure punk, then you have my blessing. Never thought I'd see the day Steve Rogers settled down," Bucky said clapping his hand onto Steve's shoulder.
"Glad to have your approval Buck," Steve said looking up at his oldest friend, "Would you be my best man?" Bucky nodded, pulling Steve into a large hug.
"Of course man. I'd be hurt if you didn't ask," Bucky said, "Now let's see about breakfast." Steve nodded, but stayed behind as Bucky left the room so he could change his clothes.
The pair were standing at the cooktop, pans on the burners when Lucy exited the bathroom. She was dressed in a simple grey dress and hose. Her hair hung loose to her mid-back and was noticeably damp.
"What are you cooking," she asked, moving toward the stove. The pair looked up at her from the pans.
"Eggs and toast," Steve said cautiously poking the contents of a pan. Lucy glanced over Steve's shoulder at the pan contents. The bread was a deep brown bordering on black.
"Steve, you might want to pull the toast out. It's starting to burn," Lucy said. Steve looked over his shoulder at Lucy then back at the pan. Sighing he tipped the bread out on a towel. Lucy glanced at the other pan with the eggs. They were also a bit overdone, but still perfectly edible.
"Do we have plates," Lucy asked the pair. Bucky nodded, turning to one of the cabinets and extracting three cracked plates. Lucy took the plates from Bucky balancing them carefully on her arm. She placed a piece of toast on each plate then had Steve scoop an egg on to each piece of toast.
Bucky and Steve each carefully took a plate from Lucy and ate quickly, not even bothering to sit down. Lucy sat down on one of the chairs and carefully ate her breakfast. The yolk was still a little runny, and it took a great deal of concentration on her part to not get the liquid on her dress.
Once all had finished their breakfast, the trio made their way through the streets of Brooklyn to All Saints Catholic Church. Lucy braided her hair as the trio walked and made small talk. Bucky broke off from Steve and Lucy at the door to join his family at their usual pew. A girl a few years younger than Lucy looked back at her as if sizing her up.
Steve pulled Lucy into one of the back pews. They sat in peaceable silence throughout the service. While Lucy didn't quite understand all that was going on, the music was beautiful and the church's stained glass windows were stunning. The sermon focused on the importance of giving during the holiday season regardless of how much or little one had. Then finally, it was time for everyone to take communion. Lucy stayed behind in pew, not wanting to intrude on the rite.
After the service, Lucy and Steve stayed behind in hopes of talking to the priest about a wedding.
"Father Seamus," Steve called as they neared the altar. The priest still in his regalia turned around and smiled at Steve.
"Steven, what can I do for you today? And who is this lovely lady with you," Father Seamus exclaimed. He was a jovial older man, in his late 50s or early 60s. His hair was mostly grey, patches of red spotted his roots and beard.
"This is Lucy Bryne, Father, my fiancé. She and I were hoping you'd be willing to marry us," Steve said. He reached back and grabbed Lucy's hand in his entwining their fingers. Father Seamus' face suddenly became serious.
"Never thought I'd see the day that Steven Rogers settled down. She keep you out of fights," Father Seamus asked. Steve grinned, "Encourages me actually. That the most deserving can find happiness in the darkest of times." Father Seamus shook his head.
"When were you hoping to get married? The next pre-marital class starts just after the New Year," Father Seamus said.
"That's why we needed to talk with you, Father. We were hoping to be married before Christmas," Steve said, not breaking eye contact with Father Seamus, "We don't want to wait."
"Well that is quite a large request. Did the Army finally accept you," Father Seamus asked.
"Not I father," Steve said with a nod of his head, "Lucy is a WAVE." The look of surprise on Father Seamus' face was overshadowed by deep contemplation.
"Let me look at our schedule," Father Seamus acquiesced, "Christmas and Advent are a busy time."
Steve beamed and looked back at Lucy, "Thank you Father. I can come by tomorrow to see if there's time." Father Seamus nodded and bid the couple farewell.
Steve and Lucy left the church and headed to Steve's favorite diner for lunch.
Three Days Later
Steve and Lucy decided to walk to the church separately. Bucky had agreed to walk Lucy over to make sure she got there on time and safe. She emerged from Steve's bedroom once he'd started his walk. Bucky couldn't help but stared at her.
"Where did you find that at short notice," he asked. Lucy was dressed in a tea length white dress with long sleeves. She'd added a petticoat to give the skirt additional body and allowed her navy blue low pumps to show. A locket rested at the curve of her throat and pearl studs decorated her ears. Lucy had decided to leave her hair loose for the occasion. She didn't feel like any of her usual hairstyles were really appropriate today.
"Thank your sister. One of her friends just got married. Rebecca asked to borrow her dress for the day. The petticoat and locket are mine. The shoes and earrings were my wedding gifts to myself. You know the old saying: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Lucy said twirling once to make sure the skirt was settled. Bucky nodded, offering his arm to her.
"Let's go. Don't want to keep Steve waiting," Bucky said smiling. Lucy smiled back taking his arm.
The church was eerily empty when the pair arrived. Music wafted into the vestibule and seemed to reverberate all around them. Bucky left Lucy for a moment to let Steve and Father Seamus know the bride had arrived. As he returned to her, the first chords of the Wedding March began.
"Last chance to back out," Bucky whispered to her as they walked toward the entrance to the nave.
"Fat chance of that," Lucy said as they stepped through the doors and down the aisle. She kept her eyes forward locked on Steve. Steve was staring straight back at her, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open.
"Who gives this woman to this man," Father Seamus asked as she and Bucky reached the altar.
"I give myself to this man," Lucy said before Bucky could open his mouth. Steve chuckled. She stepped forward to be equal with Steve. Bucky moved to stand just behind Steve on the opposite side.
"So be it," Father Seamus said, a glint of approval in his eyes. And the service began. It was in Latin as the Sunday service had been. Steve had warned Lucy that he'd specifically requested a Latin service as it seemed more official.
Steve whispered translations of the big ideas to Lucy as the service progressed. It seemed to stretch for ages.
Finally Father Seamus returned to English for the vows. "Let us pray. Heavenly Father we are here on this day to give thanks for the love you have shared with these two individuals. We ask that you help Steven Grant Rogers and Lucy Maud Bryne to always remember when they first met and to remember the strong love that grew between them. To work that love into practical things so that nothing divides them. Please help them find words both kind and loving and hearts, always ready to ask for forgiveness as well as able to forgive. Father, we put this marriage in your hands. Amen.
Father Seamus paused for a second, silence met the pause. "Steven and Lucy, if it is your desire to take the vows which will legally unite you at this time, please respond 'it is'."
"It is," they said in unison.
"Alright then, Steven you first please repeat after me," Father Seamus said. Steve nodded and stood to face Lucy.
"I, Steven Grant Rogers, take you, Lucy Maud Bryne, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness, and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." Steve repeated the words, a smile on his face to Lucy.
"Lucy, repeat after me," Father Seamus said.
"I, Lucy Maud Bryne, take you, Steven Grant Rogers, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness, and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." Lucy smiled through her words, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
"Now it is my understanding that you will not be exchanging rings at this time,' Father Seamus said looking between the two. Lucy and Steve nodded in agreement. "Moving on then, "In so much as the two of you have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, by the authority vested in me by the Catholic Church and the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Steven, you may kiss your bride."
Steve closed the gap between him and Lucy and kissed her with every ounce of his being. Lucy bent backward slightly from the force. Bucky whistled at the pair. Father Seamus reached out and hit Bucky with the bible he held.
Steve and Lucy broke apart and faced Father Seamus again. Father Seamus made the sign of the cross and said " Ite Missa est." The recessional music played and Steve walked with Lucy back down the aisle. As the music ended Steve turned around and waved at Father Seamus who waved back.
"Good Luck, and Peace be with you," He yelled.
"And also with you Father," Steve called back and he and Lucy left the church ready to face the world as husband and wife.
Authors Note: Holy that is a monster of a chapter, and not where I was originally intending to go. But you go where the characters lead you right. Also, my apologies to my Catholic Readers. I've never been to a Catholic Wedding and pieced everything together best I could from available resources. Here's hoping the next Chapter comes a little faster.
