A Life of Wonder Chapter 6, a justice league fanfic

*A/N: Hello, darlings! I'm back from my amazing vacations, and now I'm ready to write this amazing chapter for you! Thanks to everyone who read-favorited-followed-reviewed. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please tell me how you found it!

PS.: I'm not exactly a marriage official, so I don't know the exact texts and procedures, so I improvised a bit. Don't bother with that. :P*

CHAPTER SIX

Bruce shuffled his weight nervously from his heel to the ball of his foot. Luckily his shoes were quite comfortable and allowed him to move casually however he liked. He turned his gaze to the white rose bouquet in his hands and swallowed awkwardly. He wasn't supposed to feel so nervous, but he did. He felt as if his silver tie was a bit too tight and passed his finger behind the collar of his white shirt. He heard a muffled chuckle from his left and turned to glare at his best men. Naturally, Barry was laughing, holding his hand over his mouth, trying to silence it.

"What's so funny?" Bruce asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Nothing…" Barry said, between laughs. Bruce glared at him more. "It's just that… I think this might be the first time I've seen you sweating out of nerves, man!"

"Excuse you?!"

"Relax, Bruce." Clark said. "It's normal to be a bit anxious."

"Yeah!" John agreed. "I remember how I was at my wedding. Sweating like I had just run for miles." Bruce remained silent.

"Just think about what's following the ceremony…" Clark said, winking.

"The reception..." Bruce said dully.

"No, silly!" Barry said, nudging him strongly. "The honeymoon! And you're sure going to get some honey from our Princess…"

"Nothing I haven't seen before." Bruce simply retorted and Barry bit his lip. Clark and John smirked.

Bruce turned his gaze to the crowd. The white benches were filled with fancy-dressed leaguers, some family members, some Wayne Enterprise board members and a few others here and there. The seats of the front row, closer to the aisle, were empty. On the right, next to the empty spot, sat two Amazons, in a bit more modern that their usual attires, along with Cassie and Donna. Hippolyta would sit next to them, and on the left, was Alfred's seat, right next to Dick and Barbara.

Bruce was quite surprised when he heard that Hippolyta would actually attend the wedding. It wasn't like the Amazons to leave their island for occasions like a wedding, but he supposed the Queen must have been a bit more flexible now, considering it was her only daughter that was to be the bride. And it wasn't like they'd have to travel far. The island was very close to their homeland.

By the beginning of the aisle, Alfred was having a talk with Hippolyta. She was a good deal taller than him and the image, for Bruce at least, was a bit funny. He was certain that Alfred's polished manners would win the Queen of the Amazons, though, as Alfred seemed to be a favorite among ladies. They hadn't met before and Bruce clearly remembered that Alfred had been particularly interested in meeting his beloved Diana's mother in person. Royals were, after all, one of Alfred's favorite kinds of people.

Alfred was flabbergasted when he got to speak with Queen Hippolyta. She was a vibrant and dynamic lady, very much like Princess Diana and he wouldn't miss an opportunity to meet a true Queen. He was quick in inviting her over to the Manor-being fully aware that she would kindly refuse and not letting that stop him nonetheless.

Bruce checked his outfit for the last time. Diana was about to walk in any second now. His shoes were totally clean, with no scratches on the expensive leather; his platinum cufflinks were in their position, closed tightly over his sleeves; his grey suit was fitting him perfectly; his tie was straight and tied properly. Alfred was, of course, the one responsible of his dressing-up, and would accept nothing else but perfection. He looked at the bouquet again. The roses were pretty and fresh, not one of them being even slightly withered. He ran his finger over the petals of one, stroking its velvet surface. Everything was alright, even the weather was perfect. Even though those islands were famous for their winds, not a single leaf was moving. Suddenly, all of the crowd noises went silent and Clark coughed shortly by his side. Bruce lifted his head up and looked at the beginning of the aisle.

Bruce couldn't actually control his reactions. His eyes widened wildly upon seeing Diana emerge, holding her dress and looking down for a moment. He would have taken a step back in shock, if every muscle in his body hadn't been so tense. She…She was amazing. Was she even real?

Her dress, so well-tailored, flowed nicely around as she took a couple of strides, embracing the line of her body. Her dense, black hair was gathered back, with just two loose strands framing her face. She wore a small, golden tiara on top and she looked like a Princess more than ever. She approached Alfred and Hippolyta and took their elbows, as the wedding march played and they walked towards him, with Alfred on her left and Hippolyta on her right, from Bruce's point of view.

Diana lifted her eyes to him and smiled lightly. As their eyes met, he couldn't help but grin back. She looked unreal, Bruce thought. So elegant, so ethereal, so beautiful… And she was going to be his. When that little thought crossed his mind, Bruce felt a tingling sensation come from his toes to his top, tickling his neck hair and he shook it off, smiling widely to her.

She was everything he ever wanted. The years they had spent together had changed him, but they were the best years he ever had and with her, his life had a new meaning and so much potential. She had taught him not to be afraid to dream and to want things. Now, though, all he wanted was her; and he would have it. His chest felt warm and fuzzy, but his stomach was tight and he knew his cheeks would probably be flushed. He would have scolded himself for feeling like a schoolboy at a first date with his crush, if he wasn't too lost in feeling so peculiarly happy and excited. His four-years-ago self would have never thought it to possible to be able to love someone this much.

And if he hadn't been so involved in watching his bride, he would have noticed Dick ceaselessly taking photos of his goofy grimaces and his lit-up face.

Alfred and Hippolyta let go of Diana as they reached the wedding arch. She turned and nodded to both of them as they took their seats and Bruce stretched his hand out to her. She took it gently and he helped her up the few stairs, never breaking their eye contact. Diana's eyes had a playful and very promising look. Bruce thought he could stare at them for endless hours, but for now, he needed to focus on the ceremony. He handed her the bouquet and they turned towards the official who'd marry them.

"We have gathered here," he began, opening his small, burgundy book, "to join these two in holy marriage."

He went on with his text, but neither Diana, nor Bruce cared to pay much attention to what he was saying. Bruce kept rubbing Diana's delicate hand with his thumb and they exchanged short glances of adoration here and there, pretending to listen to the man. Their glances had gone unnoticed by everyone but Alfred, who had particularly instructed the photographer to capture them and the cameraman who filmed the ceremony not to miss a second of that part.

"It is time for the vows." The man said, when the fixed text part was over. "Bruce."

Bruce cleared his throat. He had rehearsed his vows in his head multiple times. They weren't that long, after all. Just something to get the message across. He had thought of delivering them in Greek, so that no one but her –and maybe the Amazons- would understand and save him the embarrassment, but everyone had insisted that it was just for a day, and a day when he and Diana would be the center of attention whether the guests understood the vows or not. And so, he began. "My very dear Diana,"-he took both of her hands in his-"never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that two people like you and me would end up taking the big step." Diana smiled at him and he lifted the corners of his mouth momentarily, trying to keep a straight face for the rest of his speech. "I hope the years to come will be as amazing as those that we've been together and know that I will always be there to hold you and give you everything. Yours truly, Bruce." Diana gave him the sweetest of looks when he finished and held his hands tightly.

"Laconic like a Spartan to the very end." Bruce heard Clark whisper and knew the three of them were probably rolling their eyes at him. He didn't care, though. That was all he wished to say now. Diana knew the rest very well.

"Diana?" The man said, turning to the stunning bride.

She had memorized her vows too. It wasn't that hard to do; it was, after all, her heart speaking honestly. And her heart had taken her over for the day, from the moment she laid eyes on the wonderful man waiting for her underneath the arch. She gave him another warm smile and spoke. "My beloved Bruce, words can only do so much when it comes to how I feel about you. From the moment we met, up to now, my feelings for you have only grown and though you were a bit…tough to crack,"-Bruce half-smiled and some guests chuckled-"it was all worth it in the end, because you make me happy, like no man could ever do. Every day, no matter how hard it is, is a good one if I get to wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night by your side. Since I've got you, I can ask of nothing else from my life; it's complete. We have had many happy moments and I know that, from now on, there will be many more to come. You mean everything to me. With all my love, Diana." Bruce held her hands even more tightly, sharing an intense look with her.

"She certainly has her way with words…" Lois mumbled to Dinah by Diana's side and she nodding smiling.

"Please repeat after me." The official said and they nodded. "I promise to be by your side…"

"I promise to be by your side…" Bruce and Diana repeated.

"In sickness and in health…"

"In rich and in poor…"

"Through good and bad times…"

"Till death do us part."

"Now the rings, please." The official said and Bruce turned to Clark. The Kryptonian handed him a red velvet box, taking it out of his pocket. Bruce took the smaller gold ring, putting it on Diana's finger, right after her proposal ring. Diana did so accordingly, pushing the wedding ring on his right index and cupping his hand.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Everyone burst into a loud round of applause, as Bruce took a small step towards Diana, running his right hand on her cheek and placing his fingers underneath her chin, drawing her closer. Her eyes ran from his eyes to his lips as they finally kissed tenderly and Bruce embraced her waist with his left hand. The guests clapped intensely again and Alfred almost slapped Dick's forearm in excitement, as the young man took dozens of photos for insurance, since Alfred could never trust the professional photographers completely.

When they stopped kissing, they held hands and started walking on the aisle, as the guests threw rice at them. It was a Greek tradition that they decided to include in their ceremony. Small bags of rice were given to the guests before the beginning and they were to throw it by the end of it. It was supposed to symbolize fertility in the couple's life.
When the rice-throwing came to an end and the guests were to be given their porcelain candy jars, Alfred and the best men started giving instructions on how to get to the wedding reception place.

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

The reception was held at an amazing castle-like building of the island. It had a big stone-paved yard, with marble fountains and a big restaurant hall inside. Their reception, though, was held outside, at the grass-surrounded yard. The tables were covered with lush, white, thick tablecloths that matched the chairs as well. The couple's and the bridesmaids'-best men's table wasn't round, like the guests', but horizontal and placed in front of the house, having perfect view of all the guests' tables. Just an hour after the ceremony, everyone had reached the place and taken a seat. Bruce and Diana were sitting in the middle of the table, with their friends by their sides. Alfred, Dick, Barbara, Cassie, Donna and Hippolyta had a seat at their table as well.

Just when the main course was being served, Barry hit his wine glass with his knife and everyone went quiet. "I think it is time to have a toast to the couple."

Bruce grabbed Clark's forearm on his left. "Don't tell me he's the one to give the best man's speech?!"

Clark shrugged. "He insisted."

"You should have insisted more!"

"Calm down, Bruce." Clark said, grinning. "It'll be okay."

Bruce sighed and turned to Barry, who had now cleared his throat.

"As you all know," the speedster said, "Barry Allen is a man of many talents. One of them is my natural affinity for rhymes and so, how could I leave my beloved friends, the bride and the groom, without a special poem for their wedding?" Diana and Bruce exchanged a look of curious horror as he went on.

"Oh, what a wonderful day this should be,

That my friends married I now see.

The bride looks like a pageant queen,

For the groom this is a goddamn win!

Here in this Greek island that they chose,

Their bachelor lives they get to close.

I wish Bruce won't be so gloomy,

Not when his wife has such a boot-" His lyric was cut short when he saw Bruce crack his wineglass in his hand and he moved on the next verse. Clark and John tried to give Bruce an apologetic look.

"They are both great and divine,

Their life, of course, shall be sublime.

For his wealth she doesn't give a dime,

For her, he always finds some time.

In that huge Manor they'll reside,

From me, though, they won't hide!

I know they're going to have some babies,

And fill the house with many Wayne-ies.

Alfred behind them will need to run,

Especially if they take after their mum.

I wish them many hours of family fun,

For each other I know they're 'the one'."

A second of awkward silence later, Billy Batson was the first one to start clapping ecstatically and the rest of the guests followed, as Barry bowed and sat down. He lifted his wine glass up, as everyone else did, and toasted to the newlyweds.

Bruce turned to Diana to apologize for his choice of best men, only to find her giggling. He sighed in relief and tried to smile. He needed to see the bright side in things.

Their orchestra resumed their music and Bruce saw Alfred make his way to them, knowing it was time. He got up and opened his palm to Diana. "Come." He said and she nodded, understanding. She gave him her hand and he led her to the space in front of their table, as the song that was being played stopped, and the first notes of 'Am I Blue' echoed around. They knew it wasn't a very fitting song for a wedding, but it was their song, nonetheless, and they wanted to dance to nothing else, as their first spousal dance.

Bruce placed one hand on her waist and she naturally placed hers on his shoulder, still holding his other hand. Casually, he started leading the dance, having her follow his moves as naturally as ever. They hadn't planned any choreography; they had decided to let themselves dance freely and as it came to them at the moment. Bruce made them twirl and turn around many times and Diana understood that he was in high spirits. They maintained a strong eye contact throughout the song, as there was no need to look at their feet or anyone else. They clicked together almost too well to need to keep focused on the dance more. Bruce half-smiled at her and lifted her up in the middle of a turn. Her dress flowed wildly around them.

For any watcher at the time, the dance was definitely choreographed. There was no way on Earth they could dance so well together without having something planned. Their various moves and lifts were swift and graceful, but they appeared as if they were stepping on clouds, hovering over ground. They seemed not to care about their surroundings at all, as they were completely focused on each other. His sturdy hands held her closely and strongly and she knew how to make the most of her body and her outfit for the dance. It was dreamy.

Hippolyta had her hands folded over her chest as she watched. She shouldn't have been so light-hearted about having her only daughter give herself to a man but something about this dance and this image moved her too deeply. Diana was radiating with happiness and the man she chose, that Bruce Wayne, was honest. He loved her daughter dearly and Hippolyta, after finally meeting Alfred, knew her daughter was in very good and capable hands.

Far from the general feeling of the dance, John Stewart, after having watched the dance for only about thirty seconds, was giving his wife on the other side of the table dirty looks that she felt no guilt at all in returning. Lois nudged Shayera to keep her in line.

Alfred hastily wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and turned to check if Dick was filming. Dick had the biggest of his grins on his face as he kept filming the dance alongside the professionals, knowing that this would be a footage that Alfred would like to see almost every day.

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

"Yes, everything's here." Bruce reassured Diana, taking a seat by her and fastening his seatbelt.

"Good." Diana said simply, drawing the jet's steering wheel to her and having it speed up and pass through a thick layer of puffy clouds. The jet soon was over the level of the clouds.

Bruce and Diana watched the skyline and the clouds underneath them fill with all kinds of colors from pink to yellow and from purple to light blue and red. Diana smiled ever-so-lightly.

Bruce passed his hands behind his head. "Honeymoon, then."

"Honeymoon!" Diana exclaimed after him, having her jet accelerate even more. Bruce smiled.

*And so they tied the knot! Sorry for any unnoticed typos-mistakes. Please, tell me how you found it! Thanks for reading this far!*