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Second Wedding
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The wedding preparations started right away. Gold embossed invitations were sent to a few close friends, the wedding hall was picked out, and the Titans went dress shopping. Or, to be exact, Rachel, Karen and Kori went dress shopping, while the boys managed the menu and their own tuxedos they'd need for themselves; something about bad luck if the groom saw the bride before the marriage.
"How about this one?" Karen asked, holding up a pink dress that ended at the ankles. "It's spring – I think it'll be okay."
Rachel critically examined the embroidery. "I hate pink," she muttered under her breath.
"Truthfully, I would like a more formal-looking gown," Kori confessed. "White and very long, with a very long veil."
Flipping through some more magazines, Rachel said, "Kori, you don't have to find something that suits you entirely. Jessica Flightly is going to tailor the dress quite a bit."
"Speak of the devil," Karen murmured as Jessica entered the room.
"Find anything to your liking, Miss Anders?"
Kori turned to the designer. "I would like a white dress that is quite long," she replied with a smile.
Jessica briskly picked out a few magazines from the pile that Rachel was practically drowning in.
"Trailing?"
"Yes."
"Sleeves or no sleeves?"
Kori hesitated for a moment. "No sleeves, please."
Jessica pointed out a few designs to Kori. "Now, this one has some splendid embroidery around the chest area and the edge of the train, but if you want something more formal, this one is the one you're looking for…"
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"Dude! The menu doesn't have any tofu!" Garfield cried in dismay as he read through the list.
"Of course!" Victor said. "Who else is vegetarian besides yourself?"
Garfield stood there, his face screwed up in thought. "Uh… Garth is!" he finally said.
"Garth eats meat, it's only seafood he doesn't." Dick reminded him. "Anyway, don't worry – it's buffet-style. You don't have to eat anything if you don't want to."
"Then," Garfield said, "I'll add some tofu sausages and grilled tofu slices to this list."
Victor wanted to, but couldn't disagree with that. He merely frowned for a moment before adding some more meat-related things to the list.
"It's lucky I've already planned this wedding while I was planning the wedding at Tamaran," Dick said.
"Dude, you knew this would happen?" Garfield said in amazement.
Dick nodded. "It was obvious, really."
Garfield cocked his head to one side. "Wait, does that mean everyone has to be married twice?"
"No," Dick explained, "It's just because the media's going to have a ball if the ward of billionaire Bruce Wayne has a illegimate child with someone." He sighed. "I hate the press. They're going to have a ball with my wedding too. At least it'll be Clark that's going to be reporting this."
"Who's Clark?" Victor asked offhandedly.
Dick looked furtively around. When he spoke, his voice was so quiet that Victor and Garfield had to strain their ears to catch what he next said. "This car isn't bugged, right?"
Victor shook his head. "I checked – it's not."
"Well…don't tell this to anyone outside the Titans, okay?" He leaned in towards them, so that his whisper could be heard. "Clark Kent is Superman."
Garfield, who had been drinking a can of coffee, started coughing as he had inhaled some of the coffee in shock. "You mean, Clark Kent of the Daily Planet is Superman?" he wheezed when he had enough breath to speak.
"Yeah."
There was an awed silence for a few moments as Garfield and Victor processed this new piece of information in their brains. Then, Garfield spoke up.
"When are the girls going to be done?" he asked impatiently, for they were sitting in the car, waiting for the girls to finish picking out the wedding dress, and their own dresses they would be wearing as bridesmaids. "Dick, you told me you guys already agreed on what kind of dress you're gonna buy."
Dick nodded. "Yeah, but Jessica Flightly, the designer, she's pretty picky on what someone wears, especially if it's one of her designs. Especially if it's Kori."
"What about Kori?"
Victor chipped in, twisting around in the driver's seat so he could participate in their conversation. "Kori used to be a model, didn't you know?"
Garfield shook his head, leaning back into the seats. "No one ever tells me anything," he said dejectedly. "What else don't I know?"
"A whole lot, I'd bet," Victor said, and both he and Dick laughed while Garfield looked rankled.
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"You look beautiful."
Rachel smiled up at Kori, as Kori herself looked rather self-consciously down at her dress.
"Truly? I am still not certain…"
Rachel touched Kori's hand slightly with her own. "I am. Dick will faint after one look at you."
"Rachel's right. I'd be surprised if he doesn't," Karen said, offering Kori a wide smile.
Kori finally cracked a smile that widened as the joy welled up in her heart.
The dress was white and strapless, the front a heart cut, her smooth back exposed by a large v-cut. Small, shimmering beads were sewn in swirling patterns, catching the light with every turn she made. Golden embroidery followed the curving pattern of the beads and crept down the length of the dress to decorate the train. Her floor-length veil, with a delicate floral pattern woven intricately into it, fell softly around her shoulders, trailing behind her above the almost equally long train of her dress. A silver set, crystal tiara in a vine and flower design rested on her fiery hair that was smoothly pulled back and twisted up on her head.
Jessica Flightly stood in front of her, scrutinizing the dress and murmuring to herself as she slightly adjusted the dress, smoothing the train and making sure it sat correctly.
"There," she finally said, "You look absolutely brilliant."
The door opened a crack, and Bruce's head poked inside.
"Kori," he said, entering when he had seen that they were all dressed and ready.
Kori's head swiveled round to the door. "K'norfka Bruce," she smiled, unable to walk towards him in her long dress lest she disturb it. Instead, Bruce walked to her, a square lacquer box in his hands.
"Here," he said, and without another word, he opened the unadorned box.
Rachel, Karen and Kori gave a collective gasp. Jessica only smiled and quietly slipped out to the back room.
On the white silky cushion inside the case sat a gold necklace, with a single sparkling diamond pendant hanging in the middle. Two matching earrings were nestled in the circle the necklace chain made, twinkling merrily in the light. Bruce lifted the necklace out and carefully fastened it around Kori's neck. Then he handed her the earrings, which she quickly clipped on under the shadow of her veil. The jewelry matched her dress perfectly.
"Thank you," she breathed, glancing down at the gleaming jewel at her neck. "It is beautiful."
Bruce just smiled. "It's an old family heirloom," he said. "My mother wore it on her wedding, and I thought you'd like to have it."
Forgetting her dress, Kori flung her arms around his neck in a thank-filled hug. Just then, the door creaked open again, and golden hair swung inside. It was Melvin, now a young girl of fourteen. She looked pretty in a dark blue dress that complemented her blue eyes and her blonde hair that swung freely around her shoulders. Her curious eyes gazed inside the room.
"Hi, Rachel," she said, and her face held the light of excitement. "The bridegroom wants to know when the bride's going to be ready."
"Where are Tommy and Timmy?" Rachel asked worriedly. "I hope you haven't left them unsupervised. They'll make a total mess."
Melvin placed her hands on her hips in mock anger. "You know me better than that! Mr. Logan's looking after them."
"Garfield?" Rachel asked, not reassured at all. "I don't think that was a good idea, Melvin."
Melvin just shrugged. "He was the only one not running around frantically, trying to make last-minute arrangements. Anyway, everyone's waiting." She slipped out after tipping a wink at Kori, closing the door behind her.
"I guess this is it," Karen said quietly. She adjusted her floaty, sky-blue dress and walked to the door, her hand on the handle. Bruce offered Kori his arm, which she took, picking up her bouquet of colorful spring flowers on the way. Rachel gave a last, swift glance at the full-length mirror before walking out with Karen, Bruce and Kori right behind her.
Halfway to the main hall, Bruce stopped and smiled at Kori, then gently lifted her hand off his arm. Kori looked up at Bruce, quite surprised. Her mouth parted, a question on her lips, but she never said a word. Instead, her eyes widened in surprise and delight as she saw a bulky someone emerge from the shadows.
It was Galfore, looking odd and uncomfortable in a black suit and white shirt, a hologram ring visible on his left hand. He smiled at her. "Koriand'r," he said in his rumbling voice.
She made to embrace Galfore, but stopped short as a much slimmer form stepped out from behind him. The figure bowed, flashing a white grin as he did so. A gasp issued from Kori's mouth, and tears shone in her eyes.
Standing in front of her was Ryand'r, her beloved younger brother, the brother she had lost and thought she'd never see again, his bright red hair glinting in the sunlight that poured in from the stained glass windows. He was still smiling, standing there beside Galfore who was also beaming down at her.
"You had better go, sister," Ryan said, and his deep voice held none of the boy she once knew. "Your betrothed is waiting."
Galfore took Kori's hand and they started to walk away. But just before the door opened, she gave a fleeting glance behind her. Ryan gave a nod, and she was swept inside.
Sunlight filtered in from the stained glass windows of the small cathedral. The plush red carpet stretched out before her, and she saw Dick standing at the end, the light from the window behind him creating a halo around his mass of dark hair.
Dick's heart seemed to stop as a white vision entered the room. An angel seemed to have descended from heaven and was walking towards him, face shrouded in a white, semi-transparent veil. With every step she took, his heart thudded in step.
As she walked down the aisle, she saw familiar faces all around her – Wally, Jenny, Garth, Roy, Joseph, and Kole… Barbara gave a small nod at her as she passed… Tim, looking dashing in a tuxedo, Melvin standing next to him, both grinning… Alfred, Bruce, Karen, Victor, and Rachel, all standing in the front row; Timmy and Tommy, Rachel's hands grasping them tightly… Garfield standing next to Dick, his smile bright, and she missed his funny tooth…
The claret carpet had finally ended, and Galfore had kissed her hand lightly, leaving her to walk the rest on her own, to where Dick stood waiting. His hand quickly encased hers, and she glanced into his joyful face. They both turned to the celebrant, though their hands remained clasped together.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls…"
But Kori wasn't listening. The image of their friends and family, all with smiling faces swam before her, and she saw Ryand'r's silvery smile and the halo framing Dick's head. Dick's hand squeezed hers gently and she returned the pressure.
"Do you, Richard John Grayson, take Kori Luna Anders as your lawful wedded wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"
"I do," he replied, biting down on the happy whoop that urged to fly out of his throat.
"Do you, Kori Luna Anders, take Richard John Grayson as your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"
"I do," Kori said, and she made no move to conceal the bright smile upon her face.
Garfield stepped up, a pair of rings as golden as his hair glinting on his hand. Richard took one, the same ring he had given her two years ago (was it only two years?) when he had asked for her hand. The ruby glinted as brightly as it had done on that autumn evening sunset.
"I give you this ring," Dick began, "as a symbol of my never ending love. Your light shines in my darkness, your touch heals my scars. Your soul is all I need by my side in the bumpy road of life ahead me. May this ring be an everlasting promise of my devotion." He slipped the ring on her finger.
"I give you this ring," Kori said, her voice clear and sure, "as a symbol of my never ending love. You are all that I have ever needed. You understand me, as no else ever can. You fill me, as the wine fills the goblet. With you I am assured that I will never be destitute of love. Your fountain overflows with love, never to run dry. May this ring be an everlasting promise of my heart."
She gently slid the remaining gold ring onto Dick's ring finger, briefly glancing down at her own hand to make sure she had chosen the right one.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Kori looked up as Dick slowly lifted the veil off her face.
"You take my breath away," he murmured quietly.
"So do you," was the reply. And in a heartbeat, their lips met.
A cheer rose from the assembled friends.
"Way to go, Dick!" whooped a voice that sounded suspiciously like Garfield's as the couple lingeringly drew apart.
The hall exploded with sound. Congratulations poured in from all sides, many hugs were received and given, many hands shaken.
"C'mon y'all, group photos before we dig in!" came the loud voice of Victor over the heads of all. There was a smattering of appreciative laughter before everyone gathered round the new couple for a group picture.
"On the count of three!" shouted the photographer. "One, two…"
There was a bright flash as the moment was captured forever on film.
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The moment everyone had arrived at the manor and most people were in the ballroom/reception area, enjoying the dinner that included a few articles of tofu on the menu, Kori tugged on Dick's hand.
"Robin," she whispered, forgetting herself in her excitement, "I must introduce you to my brother!"
Dick's eyes widened. "Ryand'r? But I thought you said –" His words were cut short as Kori began to run, dragging Dick along behind her.
"Kori, wait! Your dress," Dick said, pulling her to a stop. "I think it'll be better if you get into something simpler first."
Kori looked impatient, and for a moment, Dick thought she would refuse.
"Let us make with the haste then," she sighed, changing her course to the changing room. Once there, she quickly lifted out the simple but elegant white dress they had prepared beforehand.
"It's a shame to change into that other dress," Dick said. "You looked like an angel in your white wedding dress. And the way your tiara shone in the sunlight…absolutely mind-blowing. Too bad we had to hologram you…"
Kori winked roguishly, and slipped the hidden hologram ring off her finger. Her hair returned to her original magenta hue, her irises were rimmed green once more and small tufts of red replaced her eyebrows.
"I've missed my Star," Dick murmured, staring unabashedly at his bride.
"So have I," Kori said softly, grinning up at Dick. She placed a hand on his cheek. "You have not seen the last of this dress, my husband. Remember, more photographing still remains."
"Ah, I'd forgotten."
"But now," Kori said, quickly lifting her veil and tiara away from her head, "My brother awaits."
Dick helped take her clothes off, unzipping her wedding dress so she could step out and slip into the other dress. She dressed hastily, checking herself in the mirror for a brief moment, placing the hologram ring back onto her finger as she did.
"Let us go," she said, her voice excited. Dick opened the door, and Kori had to force herself not to soar into the air along with her spirits and walk on the solid ground. Her eyes searched the room for Ryan. There was Galfore, sitting with Bruce and Barbara; Rachel, Garfield, Victor and Karen sat chatting at another table, two empty seats next to them, no doubt saved for them. But where was Ryan?
"I give you my well-wishes, husband of my sister."
Kori's head swiveled round. There stood Ryan, smiling pleasantly.
This time Kori did not hold back. She launched herself at him and Ryan returned her embrace, chuckling.
"Oh, Ryand'r, mithbra sithv'k t'kna val," murmured Kori, tears of joy welling up once more. "I never thought I would see you again."
"No tears, dear sister, it is your wedding day." He gently brushed them away with a strong hand. "How could I miss my sister's own wedding? I would have flown through fifty Gordanian troops to reach you.
"Ah, I have been discourteous," he added to Dick, who was standing behind Kori with an understanding smile on his face. "I am Ryand'r, or Ryan Anders, as I am to be called here, I believe. I am the youngest of the three remaining And'rs."
"I am Dick Grayson, the husband of Kori, but you already know that," grinned Dick. "I'm most glad to meet you. I've heard much from Kori."
Kori disentangled herself from Ryan. "You will stay afterwards?"
Ryan inclined his head. "Yes. Bruce Wayne has offered us accommodation at his home. It was very kind of him to do so." Kori's eyes shone with delight, and she clasped her hands together.
"We can talk more freely after everyone has gone," Dick said. "For now, let's enjoy the masterpiece of a dinner Alfred's put together."
"A wonderful idea," Ryan agreed, and all three walked into the room, Kori's heart nearly bursting in joy as she held onto the hand of her husband and the hand of her brother.
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"Ah, here they come."
Bruce stood up and approached Dick, Kori and Ryan as they entered. Before he could say any more, however, Kori hugged him and said, "Thank you, Bruce, for inviting my k'norfka and brother."
"It's nothing, Kori," Bruce said, smiling. "I'd like to introduce you to some people before you sit down to eat."
Ryan said he would go and keep Galfore company, so Bruce introduced Kori to Clark, Lois, and Diana. Kori, who already knew Clark and Diana's secret identities, smiled knowingly and shook their hands politely.
"So, Ms. Anders, no, it's Mrs. Grayson now. How does it feel to be married?" Lois asked in a rather businesslike tone.
Clark laid a hand on Lois's shoulder. "Now, Lois, you can have the interviews later."
"It is all right, I do not mind," Kori said. "It is most wonderful," she informed Lois, "I have loved Richard for many years, and am glad that I am finally formally joined as one."
"It's time you got married, I think," Bruce said teasingly.
"I'm sure the right person will come in time," Lois replied breezily. "And that same question goes for you too, Bruce."
Diana shot him a rather hopeful glance, but Bruce's eyes did not stray towards her. "Ah, well, I enjoy being a bachelor," he replied. He turned instead to Kori and Dick. "Go and have a bite, you two."
"So, has Bruce introduced you to his guests?" Garfield asked as both Kori and Dick slid into their seats with laden plates. They both nodded.
Kori was again looking around for her brother. When she caught sight of him, she called, "Ryan!" and waved him over.
"Who's Ryan?" Victor asked curiously. Rachel and Garfield looked equally interested.
Though Kori didn't reply, the answer came almost at once.
"Friends," Kori said, her face radiant, "This is my brother Ryand'r."
Everyone minus Dick looked up with surprised faces. A tall, red haired young man stood next to Kori, and though his hologram hid his Tamaranian appearance, they could all see the resemblance between the two siblings. Rachel reacted first.
"It's nice to meet you," she said, standing up and extending her hand to shake his, while simultaneously kicking Garfield's leg under the table. Not getting the message, all Garfield did was hiss "Ow!" under his breath.
"Please, sit down," Victor said, pulling a chair out for Ryan. He thanked Victor and sat down, Kori following suit. Garfield still looked slightly confused as he gazed at Ryand'r.
"I don't think I've seen you in all the times we went to Tamaran," he said when everyone seemed comfortable in each other's company.
"Ah," said Ryan, putting down his fork. "I was away."
Garfield looked on the verge of asking where, but Dick shot him a look before intervening. "So, how do you find Gotham?"
"Truthfully, it is very confusing, with all these…cars? Yes, cars everywhere I go. It is much simpler in my hometown…"
When they had all finished eating, the DJ announced the couple and they opened the floor, Dick opting to lift Kori up and spin her around more often than letting her feet touch the ground in dance steps. Rachel and Garfield, Victor and Karen joined them for the latter half of the song, Rachel looking rather tight lipped until Garfield lifted her up in sync with Dick and lightly brushed his lips against hers. She couldn't help but grin a little after that. Anyway, Kori's happy mood was infectious.
Wally swirled around the room with Jennifer on his arm, Bruce waltzed with Diana, Victor invited Karen on to the dance floor making her grin, Joseph's hand held Kole's and even Tim had Melvin with him, but Lois and Clark were still seated with all the other partner-less people.
Clark finally stood up, looking determined. "May I have this dance?" he asked Lois, bowing slightly. Lois finally looked up from her notepad. "Are you serious, Kent?"
"Dead serious."
Lois smiled and stood up. "Lead on, farm boy."
The rest of the night would be remembered in snapshots of memory. Dick and Kori cutting the cake, both feeding their half of the cake so expertly that Victor loudly whispered that they practiced very often at mealtimes, though cheering with the rest when they kissed in the middle of the ceremony.
Galfore dancing in a very odd style with Kori, with much twirling of the hands and circling each other, before Kori grabbed his hands and lead him in a more typical dance; Dick cockily announcing that he would dance with Diana in the Mother/Groom dance since she had come as Bruce's date, even though Bruce wasn't going to ask her to marry him anytime soon, earning many glares from Bruce.
Rachel dancing with Dick while Kori danced with Garfield – Dick kissing Rachel on the forehead as Garfield looked on rather warily, though loosening up when Kori hugged him.
Barbara dancing with Ryan, Kori dancing with Bruce – Ryan switching partners with Bruce mid-dance, Kori's laughter clear as dew as Ryan caught her up in his arms.
Kori throwing her bouquet over her shoulder, everyone gaping in surprise at Melvin, the youngest girl present, who stared in astonishment at the flowers in her hand.
"I'm sorry, milady," Wally said, "But I'm afraid I'll be married first." He grasped Jennifer's hand. "Jen and I are engaged to be married this September," he announced, grinning.
As Dick came to congratulate them, Wally leaned over and whispered, "I waited till you and Kori were back. It almost killed me to wait so long."
Then, finally, one last song of multicolored dresses swishing around black tuxedos and the night was over. Voices of friends saying goodbye, congratulations, good luck; and their voices responding, goodbye, thank you, thank you…
The house seemed strangely empty with all the guests gone; but for the moment, Dick and Kori did not care as Dick carried Kori up to their room.
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About Kori's full name, Kori Luna Anders: the Luna is from her mother's name, Luand'r, which means Moonfire. By the way, her real father's name is Myand'r.
The appearance of Ryand'r…I was waiting ages for this. There's a lengthy story behind him, too. His name means Wildfire, by the way.
Also, the starting speech for the wedding is from Harry Potter Book 7, when Fleur and Bill are getting married. I'm not that eloquent on wedding things, and I really didn't want to write all that on here – not many people listen to that part in real weddings anyway.
Reference: The House of the Scorpion, Silas Marner, Jane Eyre, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and many internet sites.
Mithbra sithv'k t'kna val: A phrase meaning "I have missed you".
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C'mon everyone...three reviews? Thank you to Fireflyoflight457 and BAColeNC, kataragirl11 for reviewing anyway...