Title: Life Is Good: XIX Part 2
Author: D C Luder
Summary: The second addition in the Series of Three storyline. Se three months after his full recovery, the Dark Knight is back with a vengeance.
Rating: T
Infringements: All recognizable characters belong to DC Comics, not DC Luder.
Author's Note: You are all cordially invited to the wedding reception for Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wayne, which is to be held shortly at the Main Hall at Wayne Manor. Feel free to RSVP through your reviews. Please be sure to confirm your dish preference (beef, chicken, fish, pasta) before Cassie eats everything.
A/N 2: Bruce's poem to Selina was "Green Eyes" by Dragon at Selina's "gift" to Bruce was "Elephant Love Melody" from Moulin Rouge. The wedding ceremony is loosely based on my friends' Dayna and Paul's special day.
V Wedding Bells V
It was ten-thirty.
One hour and thirty minutes left.
Oh, boy.
The men of the wedding party had holed up in the second floor suite that Bruce had slept in the night before. I had dressed in my good slacks and shoes and an undershirt, but the rest of my tux was still hanging in the closet, wrapped in plastic. Jim was in a similar state of dress, and sat tying his shoes in a leather chair. I looked across the room to see Tim juggling his own shoes and one of Bruce's.
If he was caught, Bruce would kill him.
I stood at the door peering into the hall, waiting for Alfred to arrive. He had been running back and forth between the men and the women in addition to checking on the caterers. Leslie had called up to our suite and said to catch him and keep him in the room. When I asked her how, she delivered a tactical plan to grab his attention and to keep it for some time.
After hanging up the phone and explaining matters to the rest of the group, I had frowned. I never had been able to lie to Alfred and to succeed in convincing him. It was quite the task to fool the man who raised you, and a man who had mastered the form of acting on stage.
When Alfred stepped through the door, Bruce took his cue and headed for the bathroom, cursing under his breath. Just before Alfred had entered, he had reached a hand to his nose, hesitated and then tweeked it just slightly, instigating a light nosebleed.
Although my acting abilities could be summed up on a single sheet of notebook paper, I spoke with soft concern, "Bruce, you all right?"
Alfred picked up on the tilt in my voice and followed Bruce into the bathroom, questioning as to what happened. I winked at Jim and Tim bit his lip to hide his smile. We all approached the bathroom, and watched with false intrigue as Alfred placed a washcloth to Bruce's nose. He brushed the older man's hands away and walked towards the rim of the tub, "I'm fine."
"Sir, please," he replied, "Let me see..."
Before he finished, he faced the three of us in disgust and promptly shut the door.
"Ah, man," Tim griped before finding a seat on the edge of the bed. I followed and sat beside him while Jim returned to the chair. "How long do you think we can keep him?"
"At least fifteen minutes. Leslie said to try our best, so when he comes out, we need another excuse to keep him here," I replied.
"I could lose Bruce's shoe. Or my cufflinks," Tim offered as he picked at a scratch on his palm.
"Both," Jim smiled.
While I placed Tim's cufflinks in my pants pocket, he hid the shoe he had been juggling in his duffle bag that he had brought with him that morning. In case of an emergency, both were easily accessible but still essentially lost.
I was back on the bed seconds before Alfred opened the door and Tim was touring the room, "looking" for something. He looked upset, but oddly relieved at the same time. I stood and asked, "Alfred what happened?"
He drew a breath while he composed himself, "Nothing, sir. Master Bruce is just fine. If you'll excuse me---."
Tim blurted out, "Where did they go?"
Alfred's brow rose slightly, "Where did 'who" go, Master Timothy?"
We managed to hold Alfred captive for another thirty minutes while we searched feverishly for the cufflinks and when Bruce came out of the bathroom, his other shoe. At that point, Alfred had grown wary of our intentions and promptly excused himself to check on the progress of the women.
After telling each and every one of us to be dressed within ten minutes or else.
We were dressed in eight and a half and waited half- expectantly to see him pop his head in to be sure the order had been carried out.
One hour.
As I checked myself in the mirror hanging above the dresser, straightening my tie and slicking back my hair, Bruce spoke softly, "I'm going to step out for a bit. Get something to eat."
I dashed across the room, leapt over Tim's out stretched legs and slid to a stop beside him as he opened the door. "Bad idea," I said while I exhaled, "One hour to go, not the best time to be taking a stroll around the Manor. What if you fall or something?"
"I won't, Dick. Now move," he spoke with the tenacity and force I had witnessed far too many times while he wore the mask. Move or be moved.
I sighed, stepped out of his way and sighed, "Fine, but be back here in like ten minutes, when Alfred comes to check on us, I don't want to be the one who has to explain to him why you are suddenly invisible."
He nodded, looked down then stepped out into the hall.
V Best of the Bridesmaids V
"Barbara, can you hand me that comb," Lois said through sixteen bobby pins held between her lips.
I reached over to the dresser and retrieved it for her. The hairdresser had called at nine to say she was unable to make it because her eight-year- old daughter had come down with the flu and her husband was out of town. Selina had taken it well, sent warm wishes for the child's recovery, then hung up and promptly screamed.
Therefore, Lois, who had done her fair share of hair styling, volunteered her services. Selina's hair was pulled up in to a wrapped bun, with small white flowers woven into her strands of raven hair. Each of the bridesmaids had a similar style, for Lois had literally practiced the do on us before moving onto Selina.
We all had been dressed since a quarter of ten and required only a touch of makeup before being completely ready. Mattie was precious in her tiny silk slip as she toddled about saying "prit-ty" to everyone in the room. She would be dressed moments before leaving for the ceremony as to prevent any catastrophes. She had sat on her mother's lap for most of the morning, smiling and touching Selina's face.
More so for the child, she had grinned as much as possible, despite the fact that gray clouds were beginning to roll over the property. And that the hairdresser couldn't come. And that she had tripped over a black cat. And ripped her nail...
We had been alone for a few spare moments earlier and she had confided that it was all going to Hell in a bat-shaped hand basket.
Once her hair was secured with the remaining pins, Lois announced, "Done."
Selina rose, looked at herself in the mirror and smiled warmly. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"Anytime. All I ask is for a dance with your hubby at the reception."
"Done," she answered. When she turned away form the wall she said, "I'm going to go walk around, stretch my legs a bit."
Lois' eyes rolled and Lelsie, who had been in the back of the room playing with Mattie, rose, "Dear, I don't think this is the optimal time to be stretching your legs."
"Ten minutes, I swear I'll be right back."
Leslie looked over at me and I shrugged, "Wouldn't hurt, just don't let anyone step on you train. And don't drink any fruit punch."
"I'll try," she replied before looking at Mattie, "Want to go for a walk, sweetie?"
The child walked over and held her hands up towards her mother. Selina carefully picked the child up and they then walked through the door. Once it had shut behind them, Lois sat beside me, "Cold feet."
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"You, know, cold feet. She's nervous."
"She'll be fine. They've been through too much already, it would have to be rather disastrous to get her rattled."
She smiled as a knock at the door came and a male voice asked, "Are we decent?"
Lois walked over and let him in, "Yes, Clark."
I stepped in the room and I looked him over. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, white collared shirt with a red and gold tie. And of course his glasses. I rarely saw him as Clark Kent, but at that moment, I could hardly see the real him. He looked at Lois briefly before looking about the room. Leslie had taken Cassandra into the bathroom to get started on some make up and aside from Lois and me, all that occupied the large room was baskets of hair supplies, snacks, discarded morning clothes and empty hangers.
He grinned, "Looks like a tornado passed through."
Lois smacked his arm, "Smallville, everything 'looks like a tornado passed through' to you. How are the boys in black coming along?"
He shrugged, "Haven't been up there yet."
She pointed to his eyes, "Well then take a peep."
I laughed as he shrugged, then lowered his glasses before scanning the ceiling. "Jim, Dick and Tim are pretty much dressed, just need straighten some ties and their hair."
"And Bruce?" I asked.
His face waned with concern, "Isn't there."
"What?" Lois asked, "Where is he?"
As Clark scanned the entire house, I felt a sudden worry that all of the countermeasures taken to prevent the doomsday of having the bride and groom meet were not going to be successful. Despite the worry, I let a smile grow on my lips. Just like everything in his life, Bruce had the day planned out to perfection. There was not going to be any random path- crossing that day. It was no coincidence that when Selina went out to walk around the time that Bruce so happened to be missing as well.
Oh, Alfred was going to kill him for this.
V Ultimate Ushers V
"Dick, stop looking at your watch, he'll be right back," I sighed as I watched him pace the room, alternating his eyes from his wrist to the door. Waiting was always the worst, no matter what the situation. Waiting for Bruce to get back so Dick would clam the hell down without any form of entertainment was even scarier.
Bruce's quick trip to get something to eat had waned into twenty minutes. Dick was sure he had been shot, kidnapped, or had at least tripped over a roller skate or something. Jim had offered words of comfort, but they were useless. He had been nervous all morning. Whenever he was asked about it, he would try to brush it aside.
And I couldn't have been more bored to death.
The ceremony was to begin in forty minutes and gray clouds still threatened the mid-day sky. The chairs and alter were set and decorated in the side yard and guests were being seated. According to the rehearsal dinner from last night, the ceremony itself was going to be small, all press excluded, and only close friends were invited.
I counted only thirty chairs set out.
I recognized almost everyone as they sat. My father and step-mother were chatting with Lucius Fox as his family looked around in wonderment. Despite Bruce's goofy image to the outside, the Foxs adored Bruce, for he was always there for them, most notably when Lucius had suffered a stroke not too long ago. I recalled over three years ago checking into the Manor and to hear from Alfred that Bruce would be dining with the Foxs and would be home eventually. And several computer home made get well cards for just three weeks ago after the car accident.
A regular old hero.
Surprisingly, the only JLA members who had agreed to attend the ceremony were Clark, J'onn and Diana. So far, the only one I had seen was Clark. Everyone else had signed on for the reception, in order to show their gratitude and offer a wedding gift.
Aside from that, close friends of Bruce's were far and few.
Dick was suddenly at my side, "I'll be damned." When I looked at him he pointed towards the rear of the arrangement to two forms. One was a petit woman, dressed in a dark pantsuit with dark hair and a nervous smile. She stood next to a monster of a man, who barely fit into a two-piece charcoal suit. I squinted to see that instead of his usual cigar, he had a toothpick jammed into the corner of his mouth.
Jim had joined us and smiled, "Bruce said to invite two officers to represent the department. Figured Bullock and Montoya represented the best of the best. Surprised to even see them here."
I laughed, "Oh, boy."
We all turned suddenly to the sound of the door opening. Bruce, looking just as he had when he left, nodded. Dick walked over and stammered out a demand as to where he had been. He shrugged and replied, "Ran into an old friend."
After additional badgering, Bruce shook his head and told Dick, in not so many words, to knock it off. Realizing that he wasn't going to get anywhere and it wasn't wise to upset Bruce, especially on such a wondrous day, Dick sighed and returned to my side to window watch.
"Old friend..." he grumbled.
I looked back at Bruce and he winked at me. I grinned and then looked out the window, "You do realize what old friend he's talking about?"
He stared at me, "What old friend?"
"Never mind, pal, hey look, it's Huntress," I pointed down below.
"What!" he cried out and searched feverishly. By the time he realized I was joking, I was laughing aloud and doubling over. He kicked me lightly in the shin and mumbled to himself.
"That will be enough, children," Alfred's stern voice sounded.
We ceased immediately and stood straight, already murmuring apologies. Jim and Bruce watched on, far too happy to not be in the hot seat with Mr. Pennyworth. He lectured us on how it was not the time nor the place for rough housing and we nodded in unison and further apologized for our actions. Once he felt that we were adequately scorned he announced, "Very well, if I may gentleman, it is time to make our way to the ceremony."
Everyone did a once over in the bathroom except Bruce, who stood overlooking the guests as they seated themselves. It was amazing, I thought to myself as I watched him. There was not a hair out of place nor any sign of distress. He looked completely at peace with himself, and for Bruce, that was a major achievement. A smirk developed on my face as I mentally drew a cowl on his head and it grew when I realized his looked exactly as he did when on patrols, overlooking the city from twenty stories above.
Absolutely amazing.
He caught me looking and nodded before turning away from me.
Dick slapped me on the shoulder and called out boldly as we walked towards the door, "Holy Matrimony Batman!" Bruce offered an icy glare and we stared back at him, sporting matching Robin-esque smiles.
This was going to be great.
V Dum dum de dum... V
I hated the dress.
So bright and clean and long. Could hardly walk in the shoes either. But when Selina looked at me, a soft smile on her face, I knew it was worth my agony.
The party stood just out of sight from where all of the guests were. The Commissioner and he were already there, waiting at the alter. Dick, with Barbara on his left, stood in front of Tim and I. And just behind me, Mattie stood, dressed in a miniature version of my own dress, carrying a small basket of rose petals. Leslie stood next to her and then finally, Selina and Alfred were in the back.
The dark clouds had drifted away and actual sunshine poured down upon us. I was glad the dress was sleeveless because it was pretty warm out. A little muggy too.
Last night had been the rehearsal dinner, where we had all practiced our part in the wedding before eating. I didn't really see the big deal. How hard could it be to walk down the aisle. Then again, we had to wear dresses, so I guess it added to the challenge.
Soft music and voices drifted from where everyone was sitting. I looked over at Tim as his straightened his bow tie. He was very handsome, looked like a movie star. When we had first met up going down the stairs, he stared at me in shock before mumbling, "Look great, Cass."
He glanced over a t me, "Ready to rock and roll?"
I nodded eagerly and then heard a cell phone ring. Dick patted at his pockets and then retrieved it from his jacket, "Grayson."
Before he could venture further into the call, Barbara grabbed at it, took hold and then threw it against the stonework of the house. He was about to complain when that song we had drilled into our heads the night before sounded. The Wedding March.
We moved together, allowing Dick and Barbara to gain some space ahead of us. Everyone that was seated looked back at us and I only recognized a handful of them, mostly from pictures in the paper or from what I had been told. I felt an odd wave of nervousness wash over me and then Tim touched my elbow, "No sweat, Cass. We'll knock them dead."
As Dick and Barbara made their way through the row between the chairs, I saw his face. He stood beside the clergy, Father Dave as he introduced himself last night. The Commissioner was staring intently at the couple moving down the aisle, smiling proudly.
But his attention was behind me, eyes intent on Selina's face, obscured by our forms.
"Batter up," Tim smiled as he hooked his arm around mine. The walking was still difficult, but I kept straight and didn't stumble once as I walked past smiling faces and glassy eyed stares. We parted before him and I went to stand beside Barbara while he walked towards Dick.
All eyes locked onto Leslie as she guided Mattie down towards us. She picked up petals and dropped them for the first ten feet, then offered the basket to Leslie who took it with a smile. When she saw her father as they neared the path, she called out "Da-hie" and let go of her guide's hand to walk over to him.
Lois scooted out of her seat and took Mattie to sit with them just as he bent over and kissed Mattie's head, "Stay with Lois, kitten."
By the time he stood fully, Mattie was safely tucked in between Lois and Clark. His focus returned down the aisle as Selina, with Alfred at her side, walked carefully towards the alter. Everyone had risen from their seats to look at her as she approached.
I wanted to know why they were standing but knew better than to ask. I had never been to a wedding, but had seen ones on movies and TV. Large ones in churches, mostly. This one was small, close and almost perfect. If we hadn't had to wear dresses, it would have been great. Just before they paused before us, I looked over at Father Dave.
He had been friends with his parents when he was a child. He hardly looked older than fifty, with dark brown hair and soft hazel eyes.
Although he was generally soft spoken, he had been very nice to me during the rehearsal, especially after he found out that I had never been involved with any form of religion. He had told me that faith was always a good quality, no matter what it was in.
I really liked him.
Selina stopped with Alfred and turned to kiss him on the cheek. She then stepped forward and took his proffered hand. They looked happy. They were happy.
He had covered up the scar on his brow with some sort of concealer. I knew he used it to cover up other old wounds whenever he had a big public appearance. I stared at the spot on his forehead and at his dark gray hair. So much had changed about him.
Before I could continue my thoughts, Father Dave spoke aloud, "Our Father in heaven, we turn to you asking that this ceremony would honor you, and reflect the seriousness of the vows to be spoken. Might this service be a reminder to us who have spoken similar vows to our spouses in the past and instructive to those considering such a commitment in the future. Might it also be a fitting beginning for Bruce and Selina as they commit themselves before you to pursue a loving and lasting life together. We ask it in Jesus' name, Amen. You may be seated."
As everyone sat, I suddenly wondered why we didn't get chairs.
V With This Ring... V
As I stood behind Ms. Kyle, I looked over at Master Bruce. I had never seen him happier, nor more proud. He caught my gaze and nodded slightly before looking back at Selina.
I had caught the both of them with their child in the refreshment room on the first floor not even an hour before they were to be wed. They had been joking about how nervous everyone had been and had traded horror stories of the preparation process. Instead of interrupting them, I had allowed their quiet time to continue and vowed to only interfere if they had not returned to their respective rooms within fifteen minutes.
Unfortunately, as I had made my way to the stairs, Master Bruce had left his family and had caught up with me, a smile of victory on his face.
Similar to the one he wore now.
Father Miller looked out at the guests and spoke in a amiable tone, "You have all been invited to hear Bruce and Selina promise to face the future together as husband and wife," he then gazed at them, "You are about to assume mutual relationships and responsibilities and to promise undying devotions. Nothing is easier than saying words, nothing harder than living them day by day."
My knees shook slightly as I awaited his next words.
He continued, "Who gives this woman to be married to Bruce?"
Master Bruce and Ms. Kyle both shot quick glances at me as I spoke confidently, "I do."
I then seated myself next to Mr. Kent and felt his wife's hand touch my shoulder as she reached behind his back. Our attention returned forward as Father Miller spoke once more, "It is on this day that Bruce and Selina should start a family of their own, combining their two families together as one. And that is how it was meant to be, for as God created man, he also created woman to be his friend and companion. Woman was not created from the man's head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled upon, but rather from his side to be equal to so that they may be partners in every way."
His arms spread and directed attention towards the soon to be married couple. I felt a tightness in my chest that I had felt very few times in my life. When a six-year-old Master Bruce had donned a skeleton costume for Halloween and tried very hard to pronounce the bones that could be seen. When that same boy, older and wiser, had returned after years away from home and offered a half smile and a wink. When that young boy, much older and much wiser, witnessed the birth of his child and looked at me with a wondrous sense of joy.
I looked up to see Father Miller speaking, "Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as you do about yourself. Burdens will be lighter because you divide them. Joys will be more intense because you share them.
"No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred then these you are about to assume. You are entering into a holy estate and the very sacrament of divine love. Now as you stand in the presence of God, you must remember the responsibilities of a husband and a wife."
I looked over at Leslie and saw her eyes moist. Master Timothy and Master Dick stood proudly, carefully observing the ceremony as if it were a new adventure to partake on. And when I looked over at Ms. Barbara's glowing face, I hoped that at least one of the ushers would "get the hint".
"Let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be found in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, trust, and affection. It is the duty of each to find the greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that in interest as in affection you are to be henceforth one and undivided.
"And now, in token that your hearts are joined together, will you please join your right hands," he said as his arms slowly moved to his sides.
They slowly joined hands and Father Miller faced Master Bruce before continuing, "Bruce Wayne, this woman whom you hold by the hand is to be your wife. She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven: a woman's life and love. It is your duty to be a considerate, tender, faithful and loving husband. You may bring her great joy or cause her deep sorrow. Instead, support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble. It is not what you bring her in a material way that will make true happiness – riches without love are nothing. The gift without the giver is bare. Everyday, thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your heart. The practices of those virtues as a husband will keep your two hearts close forever.
"Do you vow here, as you have promised Selina, that you will be true and loyal, patient in sickness, comforting in sorrow, and understanding in times of trouble? Will you stand by her no matter what comes to pass and make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with her? Do you promise to always keep yourself completely open to her, being her best friend as well as her lover and forsaking all others, keep yourself for her alone so long as you both shall live?"
Master Bruce paused, stared at his betrothed and replied softly, "Yes, I do."
He then faced Ms. Kyle, who drew a long breath as Master Bruce squeezed her hand, "Selina, this man whom you hold by the right hand is to be your husband. It is your duty to be a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife. On your life, your love and devotion he will lean for strength and inspiration. He is going to look to you for encouragement, for cheerfulness and confidence. You must be his council, his comfort and his best friend. No matter what the world may say or think, people may forget him, lose confidence in him, and turn their backs upon him, but you must not. You must show him the unfailing evidences of your affection and make the place he holds in your heart broader and deeper as time passes. May your life and your love be the inspiration that will constantly lead and guide him.
"Do you vow here, as you have promised Bruce that you will be loyal in adversity, taking care of him in sickness, comforting him in sorrow, and understanding in times of trouble? Will you stand by his side no matter what comes to pass and make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with him? Do you promise to always keep yourself open to him, being his best friend as well as his lover and forsaking all others, keeping yourself for him alone so long as you both shall live?"
She nodded slowly then looked over at Master Bruce before announcing in an emotional voice, "I do."
After a quiet pause, Father Miller spoke in a louder tone, "Well, now that that is settled, let us move on. May we have the rings please?"
The entire group watched as Commissioner Gordon and Dr. Thompkins fetched the rings and proceeded to relinquish them to Master Bruce and Ms. Kyle. "Bruce, if you would, repeat after me: I, Bruce Wayne, give to you this ring as a symbol."
He looked down as he gently placed the wedding band on her ring finger, and spoke, "I, Bruce Wayne, give to you this ring as a symbol."
"Of my commitment, love, honor and respect for you. With this ring, I thee wed."
He caressed her hand softly as she looked up to him, "Of my commitment, love, honor and respect for you. With this ring, I thee wed."
Father Miller then looked towards the bride, waited for eye contact and then smiled warmly, "Selina, your turn. If you would, repeat after me: I, Selina Kyle, give to you this ring as a symbol."
She returned the words back to him, "I, Selina Kyle, give to you this ring as a symbol," all the while her eyes transfixed on Master Bruce's.
"Of my commitment to love, honor, and respect for you. With this ring, I thee wed."
She took a long pause, composing herself before slipping the ring onto Master Bruce's hand, "Of my commitment, to love, honor and respect for you. With this ring... I thee wed."
With a pleased look on his face, Father Miller proceeded, "We ask for thy gentlest blessings, O God, may the love of Bruce and Selina be strong, that no misunderstanding will loosen the bond and no passing of the years will have the power to dim the light that now glows in them. May they gain the wisdom to realize the true values of life early, and may no circumstances take from them the wholesome peace and inward satisfactions which only love can give.
"Bruce and Selina, may your days and years to come be filled with the kind of integrity and joy, that will enable you to live through those times ahead which may be tough. May the blessing that rests upon all who love, rest also upon you, and fill you with spiritual grace. May the bond that unites you ever be strengthened. May you so love and work together in the days that are to come, that your lives will be enriched and ennobled by a true and deepening union of mind and heart and may your affection for each other grow, thus enriching and strengthening all of us."
He nodded softly, "This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, both now and forever."
I heard someone sniffling behind me. I would have offered my handkerchief but Mr. Kent had beat me to it. Faster than a speeding...
"In as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, by the authority committed to me as a man of God and through the power of the state, I now declare you, to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." He paused, winked at Master Bruce and then announced, "You may now kiss the bride."
We watched on as he carefully pushed back the veil and looked at his wife's face. They spoke to each other quietly before embracing and sharing their first wedded kiss. As soon as they moved apart, Father Miller lifted his arms, "I finally present to you Mr. and Mrs. Wayne."
Thomas and Martha, if you could only see him now...
V