Raven's POV:
Well, the day's finally here. The day I officially give my heart to the changeling named Changeling. Clearly I didn't fall in love with him for his originality. If you ask me how I fell in love with him, well, it's simple – he was the one who would always try. He would always try to get me to open up and come out of my shell. Eventually I came to love him for his kindness and loyalty. The other boys had these qualities, of course, but he was the only one I had the right chemistry with. Robin and I were far too similar, and Cyborg had this presence that almost made him seem like everyone's older brother. Because Cyborg had that kind of effect (and my father wasn't exactly the type of person you want to have at a wedding), I asked him to give me away. Adding that to his Best Man duties made him feel quite important.
Before the ceremony began, I was busy having the final touches done by my closest female friends: Starfire and Bumble Bee (don't ask me how we managed to get a dress fitted for her). Because Starfire was easily the one I had come to know best over the years, she was the logical choice for my Maid of Honor. Bumble Bee was both happy and honored to be my bridesmaid.
Feeling the weight of today's significance on my shoulders, I thought back to how this all started. It all began on Changeling's eighteenth birthday. Although it was his birthday, he was the one with the surprise. He showed us all that he had matured and worked through his old heartache of losing Terra. It was clear that he had been harboring a crush on me for some time, but I sometimes wondered if that was the one thing keeping him from asking me out. Although I never told anyone this, it was rather frustrating.
So we went out, having an even better time than I anticipated. The first couple of dates left me feeling a tinge of guilt. Changeling deserved to have the best a girlfriend could offer, but I was afraid. I feared that if we kissed, it would be the end of him. About a week after our first date, I had been watching closely as Robin and Starfire got along as a dating couple should. Grouping that fact with the longing look in Changeling's eyes finally gave me the reassurance to give him what he wanted. We stood on the roof of the Tower, having just come home from our third date; I grabbed him by the hand, pulled him closer, and kissed him, long and hard. We pulled away after a few minutes, and to my pleasant surprise, nothing around us was disturbed. I could tell from that point onward, our relationship would only be moving forward.
I was busy retelling my experience with the engagement ring to Bumble Bee (Starfire already knew about that well enough) when I got a good look into the full-length mirror. My white wedding dress fit like a glove. Seeing me in white was hardly a rare sight by then. Changeling gave me such a happy-hearted sensation, I had given up my dark colors in order to wear my white cloak and leotard once again.
About a half-hour after my two friends were finished with me, I was given the signal to come to the church auditorium, where Cyborg would be waiting at the entrance. More importantly, Changeling would be waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I slipped my arm around that of my brother-like figure and gave him a very thankful smile. After we took that ceremonious walk and he placed my hands into that of my betrothed, he took his place right between the groom and now-famous Nightwing.
As the next important events unfold, I now find myself having trouble breathing. Reverend Bates eventually makes it to the point where the two of us to recite our vows. Changeling was the first to go, and my anxieties melt away as he recites his marital promises, word per heart-felt word. After he finishes, I look deep into his forest-green eyes and gave him the most heartfelt vows I had ever given in my life. The reverend then announces the words I had secretly been waiting years to here: "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The moment our lips meet, there is a near-deafening sound of applause coming from the congregation. A moment later we break away and walk hand in hand down the aisle. While we are overjoyed at our union, we are now prepare ourselves for the daunting task of shaking hundreds of hands from the people who wish to congratulate us. Oh well – the limo ride afterward would make up for it!
Changeling lovingly holds me by the hand as he guides me inside the limousine. As I sit there, I look at him as he peeks above the roof of the car to get a good look at the beautiful sunset sky. For the briefest second there, I feel the strangest emotions emanating from him. It feels like a combination of an ancient sorrow and near-nostalgia. He quickly shakes off whatever weirdness he's feeling, jumps in the car, closes the door, and we share yet another memorable deep kiss.