49 : WEDDING OF THE YEAR
The big day finally arrived. Highly anticipated by all, but slightly dreaded by the bride and groom.
"You looked if you're gonna vomit" Tony teased as Steve stood in the mirror, adjusting his tie.
"No, I don't need to vomit. Just really, really, really nervous about today"
"Understandable. I mean, this is your first wedding"
"And the last" Steve added.
"That much confidence, huh?"
"Oh yeah. There's no one else like my Natty. She's all I want"
"That's nice. Speaking of Natashalie, think she's freaking out?"
"Tony, this is the Black Widow we're talking about. She's not the type to freak out"
"CLINT FRANCIS BARTON! IT'S MY WEDDING DAY!"
The bridesmaids and her best friend were having a hard time trying to calm the bride down as she paced back and forth in her bedroom.
"Tasha, clam down!" Clint yelled at the freak out bride.
"I know it's your wedding and everything is perfectly in place" Jane said.
"I'M ABOUT TO MARRY CAPTAIN AMERICA IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE WORLD!"
"Isn't that what you want?" Darcy asked.
Natasha sat down on the bed "It's what I want…but" She replied "But what if there is someone who says that I shouldn't be marrying him and I'm not worthy enough for him? What if sometime down the road, he decides he doesn't love me anymore?"
"That's nonsense, Natasha" Pepper said.
"Steve loves you and he will marry you without listening to any of that" Clint told.
"I just wish I didn't have to stand there in front of their judging eyes. I want a simple wedding, somewhere quiet with only my closet friends."
"Sweetheart, when you walk down that aisle, you will completely forget everything because there is only thing waiting for you at the end of aisle, the love of your life. So take a deep breath, alright?"
Natasha complied and breathed out heavily. "Alright. I'm good"
"Stop moving" Tony hissed at the groom who shifting his feet all the time.
"I'm nervous" Steve replied, his best man rolling his eyes.
Steve wasn't big on being the centre of attention. And having the president of the United States in attendance, as well as the Attorney General, numerous politicians and even some celebrities, didn't help his nerves.
The piano player started playing, and Steve swallowed a little. Little Anthony appeared first as ring bearer, with Happy guiding him down the aisle. Pepper came next, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Darcy and Bruce, Jane and Thor.
Finally, the big moment happened. Clint came into view first, and finally Natasha, and Steve's heart skipped a beat.
She was dressed in a dazzling white wedding dress. Her hair was straight and shoulder length, a white woven halo on her head, holding the veil over her face in place.
Steve's nerves disappeared instantaneously and a broad smile grew in his face as Clint walked her down the aisle. They stopped in front of the altar.
"Who gives away the bride today?"
"Her friend, Clint Barton" he unhooked his arm from around hers and shuffled off to the side as Natasha took her place in front of Steve.
"Hey you" he said. She was smiling brightly.
"Hey you" she replied.
As the priest was about to begin, a hand tapped his shoulder. Nick Fury was there. The priest stepped away and Fury took over.
"Welcome, everyone. Today we are gathered here to join in holy matrimony Steven Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. The moment to object would be now"
Natasha felt slightly nervous as they waited for anyone to object. Fortunately, no one spoke up.
"Alright then. I think I speak for all of us, that when I first heard these two were dating, I always knew that they would eventually unite as one. Now, I believe both bride and groom have written vows"
Steve turned to Tony, who handed him a folded piece of paper. He cleared his throat and began reading.
"Natasha, in order to spare our guests the hours it would take to say why I love you, I've managed to condense it into one piece of paper. I could easily say your beauty is what drew me to you, but it was really your brain. Your willpower. Your strength. A beautiful, intelligent, strong, and quite frankly deadly mix in the form of Natasha Romanoff. And I am more than happy to know that you'd be willing to be my wife. I love you, Natasha. I'll love you forever"
Natasha blinked away tears and resisted the urge to kiss him right then. Pepper handed her her vows.
"Steve. There was a time in my life where I couldn't even say I ever loved anyone the way I love you. Love was for children, I'd tell myself. Then I met you. And all that changed. There were moments where my heart ached for you. And then we finally started dating. And I finally felt that feeling all women in relationships feel. I felt loved. And I felt myself loving for the first time. You're the bravest and kindest man I've ever met, and if you never came into my life, I'm certain no one else would ever make me feel that way. So I thank you. Thank you for loving me"
Steve smiled at her as Natasha's bridesmaids, as well as the other females (and Tony) wiped away tears.
Fury spoke. "Steve Rogers. Repeat after me"
"After me"
Laughter erupted. Fury chuckled lightly.
"I, Steve Rogers" "I, Steve Rogers"
"Vow to take care of you" "Vow to take care of you"
"For as long as I live" "For as long as I live"
"In sickness and health" "In sickness and health".
Fury nodded and turned to Natasha, where they repeated the same speech.
"And now, it is time for the rings to be placed on each others fingers"
Steve knelt down to little Anthony and plucked the ring up off the pillow. He took Natasha's hand and slid it onto her finger. Natasha copied.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride"
Cheers erupted as Steve planted a loving kiss onto his wife's lips.
The reception was just as emotional and beautiful as the wedding as the bride and groom took to the dance floor for their first dance. Tears were shed as they swayed to the song "A Thousand Years".
"I would wait a thousand years if it meant I get to be with you" he said to her. She looked into his eyes, tears slightly glazing over and she kissed him.
"I love you, Steve"
The dinner was served, and speeches were made. Steve and Natasha were speaking to each other when Thor tapped Steve on the shoulder.
"Friends. Kindly come with me" he asked. The bride and groom complied, following him outside of the building and across the street to Central Park. There, they found their friends waiting for them.
"Hey guys. Any reason as to why we're here?" Steve asked, as Natasha looked around.
"This here is the portal area between Earth and Asgard. In a few moments, we'll be travelling through it" Bruce said.
"That's why this place looked familiar. Wait, did you say we're travelling through it?"
"Yes, my friends. We are going to Asgard for another ceremony. A gift from the Realm Eternal"
"And that's not all" Clint said, nodding to Tony. Tony nodded as well and whistled. Steve was confused until he heard footsteps from behind him. It was Bucky.
"Buck?"
Bucky smiled as Steve hugged him. He tensed a little, but hugged back.
"You came"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world"
"Friends, we must go"
"Alright, Thor" Steve said, taking Natasha's hand and smiling at her.
The god raised his hammer, allowing a blue beam of light to strike it. The area lit up and the group disappeared.
The looks of awe and amazement blossomed on the faces of the mortals when they arrived in Asgard. It was an epic sight to see another world.
Thor led them to the throne room where they found Odin, King of Asgard. The great king stood up to meet the finest warriors of Midgard.
"Welcome to Asgard, Avengers and companions." Odin spoke and walked down to meet them.
The men bowed while the women curtsied at the king.
"The all father is more than welcome here, my friends. After what Loki had done to you, we Asgardians should compensate you in every way we can." Thor told.
"That is why I extend my invitation to all of you to stay at Realm Eternal as long as you want."
"Thank you for you generosity, King Odin. On behave of all of us." Steve replied.
"Thor, show your friends their rooms, and then show the bride and groom to the weaver and present them a gift from us."
"Yes, father."
Thor led them to their quarters. Everyone was standing in awe of how grand their rooms were. They was decorated with gold and gems. Four large pole beds covered with finest silk.
"You're richer than Stark, Thor." Clint said.
"He's a god and he's living in a palace, Birdbrain." Tony retorted, slight jealousy in his voice.
Thor chuckled and let his friends settle in before taking them to the weaver not far from the palace.
"Welcome, my prince and his friends." The old lady said.
"Anya, please show us the gift of the bride and groom." The Thunderer told.
Anya led them to the room before presenting Steve and Natasha with Asgardian attires. Both were in white and gold. Natasha's dress had a very beautiful and delicate pattern in gold while Steve's resembled light Asgardian armor similar to Frandal or Loki.
"The pattern was stitched with real gold, my lady."
"What is it for?"
"I forget to mention that we will hold you another ceremony here in Asgard as you wish for a small and private wedding."
"Thor, we couldn't thank you enough for all of this."
"You don't have to thank me, my friends" The god told "You should have the wedding you dream of."
Odin held a grand feast that night at the royal hall in honor of the bride and groom. Thor introduced the Avengers to his friends, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. Natasha quickly got along with Sif while Steve was getting along with the rest.
They admired the Avengers very much because, even though they were just mortals, they had a very impressive set of fighting skill and knowledge. Clint and Hogan promised that they will have a little competition after the ceremony. Volstagg really wanted to test his strength with the Hulk but Bruce insisted that it will be a very bad idea.
Frandal, Clint and Tony were talking about their tactics to win a girl. Lady Sif and the Avengers' ladies were talking about the men. Sif deeply admired the women from Midgard after she heard their story and what they have been through.
Thor was now telling everyone the great tale of the Avengers to everyone which, in the end, Odin deemed that the story was worthy to be told in Valhalla.
The bride and the groom were accepting gifts from everyone.
"We should have a wedding in Asgard." Tony whispered to his wife.
"It's too late, Tony." Pepper said. "But I love the idea of the repeating our vows again."
"Whatever you say, Mrs. Stark." Tony smiled and kissed Pepper.
Clint and Bobbi were dancing together. They were also discussing their future together. They had been dating for quite some time now and Clint couldn't picture his life without her.
"Barbara Morse, I really love you." He said and looked into her beautiful eyes. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Are you asking me to marry you, Barton?"
"Aww, babe, you're ruining the moment and my speech too!" Clint exclaimed. "But will you marry me?"
"Of course, baby." She replied and kissed him before letting him slip the ring on her finger.
"The archer and Lady Morse are engaged!" Volstagg boomed and it got everyone to turn to them.
The Avengers were all over Clint and Bobbi to congratulate them. Nat hugged her best friend tightly. The good news kept coming all night, making it a truly wonderful time.
Asgardian tradition was different from Midgardian tradition. Thor told them that the bride and groom were allowed to stay together the night before their wedding. It was a good sign of their strong bond if they couldn't wait to spend all their time together.
The morning came and their friends barged into their bedroom. Everyone was wearing Asgardian attire.
"Wake up! It's your Asgardian wedding day" Tony boomed.
"The ceremony will begin in four hours and we need to get both of you ready within three hours." Pepper said.
"The ceremony will be held outside the city." Thor informed.
Steve slowly pulled himself away from Natasha but she didn't let go of her hold and snuggled closer to him.
"Come on, sweetheart. You don't want to keep the King of Asgard waiting for us."
"Huh?"
"Odin will officiate the ceremony for us."
That made Natasha get up. She kissed Steve before the boys took him to a separate room to prepare for his wedding.
It didn't take long to dress Steve in the gold and light armour made specially for the wedding, and soon they were on their way to a marble temple on a cliff overlooking a breathtaking waterfall. Though it was day, if you looked upward you could see stars and planets decorate the blue sky. Odin, Heimdal, Sif and the Warrior Three were already there, The bridesmaids shortly arrived.
Finally, the bride arrived in a white horse carriage with Clint who would give her away. Everyone stood up as the bride walked down along the line of attendees. Steve forgot how to breathe as he saw his wife in the beautiful wedding dress.
She always took his breathe away.
Clint gave her hand to Steve and stepped down off the pedestal to stand with the others Avengers.
"We are here to celebrate the love of two people. Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers. I believed that everyone in this place had witnessed their love. The bond between them was strong as they proved their love from time through time, through every challenge that came their ways. Please raised your hand…"
The All father joined their hands and the golden line light appeared and tied their hands together.
"By the power bestowed upon me, by all the witness in this place, by all the nine realms, I, Odin, all father, King of Asgard and Protector of Nine Realms, hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one, for eternity."
The golden light disappeared into their skin.
"Now say your vows"
They held each other's hand and looked into each others eyes.
"Everything I am, and everything I will be, is yours. Forever I bestow my trust and my love onto you" Natasha said.
"You are my life. You are my joy. My pride. My reason to live. You are my friend. My confidant. My wife. You mean everything to me and for as long as I live I promise to remind you of that every day"
Her eyes danced with unshod tears.
"You may kiss the bride."
As the applause boomed, Steve and Natasha smiled brightly before kissing each other lovingly, a promise of happily ever after sealed. An eternity of love awaited them. After all the chaos that erupted along the way, they could now be together forever.
AN:
- Thank you to my proofreader and co writer of this chapter, Muldoon22.
- Please kindly leave a review!
- Stay tune for the final chapter.