REVAMPED!

[SQUEEEEE IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!] [2019: was I on drugs or something when I typed that first part?]

Mark XIII: I Do

It's finally happening.

The wide sand cascades across the beach. A small breeze offers a slight chill, providing a warm feeling from the sun to toast everyone to a comfortable level. The water crashes against the rocks in the distance, adding a calming sound to the ambiance. Seagulls squawking overhead as they fly across, wishing the couple a happy marriage. Mother Nature is in tune with the event. Simplicity is the most relaxing which is what the couple (and their parties) love the most.

The officiant stands at the altar, just behind Tony. He calls and gestures for everyone in the congregation to rise for the bride's entrance. They all turn their eyes to the end of the sand pathway, looking at Pepper.

Her arm is linked with Rhodey's and they slowly stride across the sand to the soft beat of the strings accompaniment. When her eyes meet Tony's, tears of joy start forming in her eyes. The gentle wind blows her hair and veil back, creating the effect of a train behind her steps.

Tony watches his soon-to-be wife as she makes her way down, closer to him. Lucky for him, he's not the only one tearing up. Now, he understands why the groom isn't allowed to see the bride in her wedding dress before the actual wedding. It's because it gives the groom a sense of euphoria which he'd be getting for the rest of his life. Also, so he wouldn't be spoiled of this surprise.

This vision of loveliness is something he'd what to cherish for the rest of his life.

A small smile forms on Pepper's face because this is the wedding she's always dreamt of having. All her friends around with her groom who looks the most in love with her compared to any day they had in the past. Everything from their first meeting to her, despite all the trials and tribulations, has led them up to this point: the happiest day of her life.

Once Pepper reaches Tony, Rhodey gives her a final kiss on the cheek before taking a seat. Now, she's all Tony's.

The affair is serene since they both know that they want to spend the rest of their lives with each other. There's no more doubt. Tony watches Pepper's eyes shimmer as she turns to face him and the full-tooth grin that appears. One thing Pepper loves most is Tony's big dimples on his face.

"Dearly beloved," the officiant starts, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of this man and this woman. Now, we would start with the groom in the exchanging of the rings and the saying of the vows."

Tony pulls out the wedding ring and slides it on right before he puts on the engagement ring. He rubs it with his thumb before looking back up at Pepper and preparing to say his vows. In the short moment, he remembers that their whole relationship started with just the touch of her hand. First, they started out as business partners, and now, partners in life.

He thinks back to the vows he wrote just minutes ago and realizes that he doesn't remember them, but that doesn't matter because he knows the words he needs right now. Looking at his beautiful bride gazing up at him is all the inspiration he needed all along.

"I can't tell you exactly what I thought I knew at the time," he starts, "but whatever it was, I was hooked. Even if our relationship started out as a professional one, all I knew was that I wanted and needed you to stay by my side. I did things like scaring you to death or going with other girls, but that was only my juvenile self trying to get your attention. But now, Pepper Potts, I'm keeping a promise that I made with myself a long time ago, the promise to keep you happy. And it's making me happy too."

He sees the bright smile on her face that could light the night sky.

"I think it's working," Tony comments getting a small laugh out of the parties.

"Now," the officiant says, "for the bride."

Pepper takes out the wedding ring and places it on his finger. She looks at it and has a flashback of when their hands first touched. It was the handshake Tony gave her when she first became his partner in the business world. She compares how their hands touched before and how they touch now: from work to love.

"You know, Tony," Pepper starts, "I love you so much even though you are such an ass." She smiles along with everyone else. "I love you so much and even though I've asked myself why I stayed with you or where else could I go, I could never leave you. You're the only true love I'd ever known. But I still hate you. In fact, I hate you so much that it must be true love."

The parties snicker at Pepper's ultimately funny yet adorable vows. Even Tony can't help himself. Out of all the times that Pepper's called him an ass, this takes the cake.

"Now," the officiant says, "Tony Stark, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded. Before these witnesses, do you vow to love and care for her as long as you both shall live? Taking with you with all her faults strengths as you do the same?"

"I do," Tony says in a breath.

"And do you, Pepper Potts, take this man to be your lawfully wedded. Before these witnesses, do you vow to love and care for him as long as you both shall live? Taking with you with all her faults strengths as you do the same?"

"I do," Pepper replies.

"Then, by the power invested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share your first kiss as a married couple."

At that moment, Tony cups Pepper's head in his hands as Pepper places her hands in his hair. As their lips touch, it's a kiss that's different from any other kiss they've ever had. It's more passionate than any other kiss they've ever had in all the years they've been together. This one isn't a kiss and goodbye forever one, this is a kiss and 'I'll stay with you forever'.

Which they will.

As they finally part, congratulatory music plays and the parties cheer. Tony strokes Pepper's cheek and she keeps her arms around him and they look out at their friends. Some of them have red-rimmed eyes and sweet smiles on their faces. She places her head on his shoulder and he kisses her hair. Then, he picks her up bridal style by surprise and carries her off. He laughs at her shriek as they run off together.

[THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I HAVE EVER WRITTEN!] [2019: Calm down, 2014 me, calm down].

[Funny story, when I was typing Pepper saying "I do", it autocorrected to "I don't." Which I actually found funny. Thankfully it didn't get published]. [2019: lol].