The morning of their wedding dawned, bright and clear. Bucky joined Steve, and they made their way to the venue. Rachael had found a little chapel for the wedding, placed in the grounds of a carefully manicured public garden near the heart of the city. Wakanda had never been reached by missionaries; the old guard of the ruling class had considered it part of the first wave of colonisation, and maybe it had been. But over the years, the Wakandans sent out into the world had caught the spark of Christianity and brought it home with them. And while Bast-worship remained the unofficial state religion, Wakandans valued freedom of religion, and Christianity had become an established minority. The local priest officiating the ceremony for them was a jovial and supportive man. He greeted Steve cheerfully as he and Bucky reached the top of the aisle.
They waited while the rest of their guests arrived. It didn't take long for them to gather. It was an extremely small party: Sam, Nat and Bucky on his side, Rachael's mother, sister and Wakandan best friend, Naldedi on hers. They'd invited a few more local friends for refreshments afterwards, and there was still the big reception back home to look forward to, but they'd kept the ceremony itself extremely small in keeping with the elopement feel.
Soon enough, Rachael's sister entered the chapel, signalling that Rachael was right behind her. With Bucky at his side, he waited nervously at the altar, fidgeting slightly as he waited for a glimpse of his bride. And then she was there: rounding the corner in a full, white gown, the diaphanous tulle of her skirt floating as she glided down the aisle towards him, sylph like. She looked bashful and demure, like he'd never seen her before: all soft curves in wisps of pure white, and beaming shyly but radiantly at him. He had become intimately acquainted with her body, but she had come into his bed a virgin, and he would honour her for that forever. She had shared her body with him the first day they met, and for his part, he had given her his word that very day, and his whole heart by the end of that week. He intended to spend his entire life living up to that promise.
Soon enough, she was sat his side, passing off her bouquet to her sister, and joining him in front of the altar. He clasped his hands in hers marvelling at how soft her skin was in his grip. As the priest have them a moment to grin foolishly at each other, he couldn't help but slide his thumbs across the backs of her wrists, gently caressing her soft, smooth skin. With a nod at them both, the priest started the ceremony.
They had decided on using the traditional wedding ceremony and vows, with some time set aside to say a few brief personal words and promises. Sometime between the 40's and his return to the world, the "promise to obey" part had been dropped. He didn't think it belonged in there anyway.
Steve hadn't prepared his speech ahead of time, preferring to speak off-the-cuff, as he always did. But, for all he was known for his eloquence, when his time came to speak, words failed him, and he didn't know what to say. Despite being a practised motivational speaker, baring his true emotions in public didn't come easily to him. Those speeches had just come to him. He knew what people needed to hear, and simply gave them the words they needed. With that realization, he went forward with the promises he knew Rachael needed to hear from him.
"I see life as a series of choices. The best we can hope for is that at the end we can look back on those pivotal moments, and know we made the right decisions. All my life I've been so sure of what to do; choosing the right thing has always come clearly to me.
"One of those moments was the day I met you. And yet, I had no idea the joy and happiness that decision would bring. You've brought so much joy into my life and each day I find myself more and more in love with you.
"I'm happier now that I ever thought I would be. I love the person who you are, and the person you enable me to be. I know we share an understanding, and hopes, and goals. It's like we're two halves of one whole, reunited.
"I love you, Rachael. And each day I'm learning what that means. Thank you for choosing to take on this old soldier. I'll never take for granted that you've given me your heart, and I swear I will gently carry it with me always. In return, I give you my own heart, to cherish and hold. I know it's in good hands.
"I can promise that I will forever need you. I promise to never leave you. I will love you today and every day going forward. And if the world ever tries to tear us apart, I will forever stay by your side. I will rejoice with you through the best times, and support you through the tough times. I promise to keep choosing you, no matter what comes.
"I can't wait to be your husband, and forever I will tell the world that I choose you."
He had Rachael's hands clasped in his, and had been looking into her eyes as he had made his declaration of love. As he finished, she looked faintly stunned, her eyes sparkling with as yet unshed tears.
"Oh, Steve," she said, and in that short phrase he understood all of what she was trying to convey, thank you, and I love you and wow. Her hands were trembling slightly as she reached to her pocket for her notes in preparation for her own words. From her scrunched up face, and broad smile, he knew she was holding back tears. He looked down at their hands as she fumbled with her page; he knew he could keep it together if he didn't look at her face for just a moment. When he looked back up, is was with a calm and steading gaze, and as Rachael picked up his energy, she let out a long breath and began.
"In the moment you first came into my life, it was as Captain America: the national symbol of freedom and fighting for what is right. You rescued me from the mess I had gotten myself into. It was Tony's fault, really." And here those present tittered a little at her wry tone, and she regained a little of her momentum.
"If I had really considered who you were and what you represented, I should have been overawed in your presence, but you were so genuinely kind and attentive, that it was Steve Rogers who shone through and in no time the man overshadowed the Captain in my eyes. It was you, Steve, who I fell in love with. We've only known each other a short time, but I know your gentleness, the care you show for the people around you, and your unthinking selflessness. Trust came first. As I got to know your nature, how could it not? And love followed soon after.
"I'm so proud that you want me as your wife. You've done so much for your country and for the world, and yet you're still human; a man with needs and emotions and personal battles. I hope to be what you need in a partner. I promise to stand by you in thick and thin, to comfort you when you need it, and call you out when that's what you need instead. I give myself to you, my love and my life, to share with you to the end of our days.
"I feel like I have been entrusted with a national treasure. And above all I will strive to be worthy of you."
Rachael_ crumpled up the notes she had been holding in her hand and looked up at him again, eyes shining with emotion. Steve felt his heart swell almost to bursting. He couldn't wait for a life with this woman's love. He broke out into a smile, which was answered instantly by a sunny one from his bride.
The priest continued with the ceremony. Steve listened half-stunned, letting the words wash over him, answering his responses on cue, meaning the vows with all his heart, but Rachael's person occupying the front of his mind, waiting until the final words=
"... you may now kiss the bride." He stepped closer, and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in for a crushing kiss: closed-lipped and demure for their company, but drawn out and emotional as he couldn't bear to bring his lips away from hers.
The officiant had gone one to make the final pronouncement, but caught up in his own inner thoughts, Steve didn't hear any of it. He grinned at the small crowd as Rachael pulled back and waved joyously. Then they lead the way out of the chapel, hand-in-hand, as husband and wife.