During shopping in this first scene, Iris and Pamela find wedding dish sets and champagne flute sets that are also lavish real ones as well as the names and description terms.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Tale as Old as Time

"Seriously, Iris, how could you possibly consider proceeding with wasting your precious money on a marriage ceremony to a disgusting old beast like Dr. Warner?" Pamela asked as she took Iris out to a wedding store one day after she left Arkham, donning sunglasses and putting her hair behind her head, then finishing it off with a wrap. It had been five days since Warner was shocked into a coma, and so far life had been good with him out of the picture even if it was only temporary. "I understand why, but why didn't you at least keep your mother's old wedding set?"

"Because at that time, I never once thought of getting married - or ending up in a 'pretend to marry' situation," Iris answered. "I can always give them to the Goodwill or return them with the receipt."

They had come to the dishware section of the store. Early on after Iris inherited everything, she'd pawned away much of Maria's old possessions for money for herself and for charity - the wedding dish set had been one of them. No regrets there, as she'd said once a long time ago because none of those wedding possessions mattered to her because Iris wanted her own wedding to be in accordance with whatever suited her. But no, they were already here and picking out new things…except they could always be returned or given to the Goodwill, as stated.

"How about this, Dr. DeLaine?" the male worker assisting them, named Tim, suggested as he showed them a beautiful white set that could be dressed up with colorful placemats. "This is the Isles collection. The beautiful white sand that forms ripples when the wind blows is incorporated around the rims of the plates and surrounding the mugs. The designer was inspired to design a white plate to remind him of the pure white sands that fill every beach in the Bahamas."

Iris regarded it with a small smile, thinking of how something this plain compared to Egypt would pop out amid the splendor of what the final ceremony and reception look would be like, but Pamela brushed it off. "Nah, she's getting married in a lavish Egyptian-themed wedding. She needs something that's just as grand and luxurious." She pointed to a few tables which displayed six different other sets. One was the Monaco set, white dishes rimmed thickly with gold. Monaco was one of the largest yachting capitals in the world, and the designer had to give the feel of wealth like you'd feel when arriving at said capital when creating this set. Iris gave it a little scowl and shook her head. Too wealthy for her taste.

Onward to the next set. The Orchid Pearl was a stunning statement that was sure to stir up conversations at the table on any occasion with its bold plum color and platinum accents. But while this had a color close enough to the royal purple, Iris wasn't too fond of anything purple. Scratch off this one.

The texture that appeared on the Constellation collection was as distinct as the star pattern of its name. "Your dinnerware is sure to stand apart from others when you choose this design in either the chrome or clear pattern," Tim explained, and for a moment, Iris was reminded of the Egyptian "morning and the evening star", but Pamela gave it a little sour face and shook her head.

The Murano collection varied in colors from vibrant hues of aqua blue and fading to subtle amber, sure to attract the envy of friends, presented in hand-blown glass. But this was too colorful for her taste, so she waved this set off.

Next to last was the Golden Luxor, in which a luxurious scroll design had been painted on dishes ranging from black to white and being the "focal point for any tablescape," as Tim said. "It's also perfect for any home and any meal to serve," he added.

"Oh, my God, what's this one? Iris, honey, this is perfect!" Pamela was gushing at a dish set that caught Iris' attention if it weren't for the upcoming occasion. Tim smiled.

"This, ladies, is the Athena collection. A sophisticated, classic white china set accented with an artistic band of gold that is sure to make a bold statement at your dinner table," he explained. "Comes with these flutes of your choice." He presented them with five options of champagne flutes with gold accents, a couple with crystal additions. The first set was made from museum gold plating beneath a pearl overlay set with Swarovski crystals. The second was more luxurious with different colored stems from red wine to silvery white to aqua blue, including more exquisite patterns of Swarovski crystals.

The third set, even though they were far from finished, was more majestic than all the rest, and to Iris, it seemed more fitting than all the rest. They featured a sweeping lace pattern outlined in gold, each convergent point highlighted with small amounts of Swarovski crystals. She knew this was the right choice, and in her philanthropist's point of view, hardly anyone could afford something like this for their wedding - at least, for those who longed for a grand wedding but didn't have the money.

"Oh, I used to imagine getting married and having something like this on my wedding day," Pamela said, holding up a flute from the next collection. It was elegant and antique chic, fitting for a vintage-inspired wedding, masterfully crafted with hand-painted roses of gold and crystal accents. "But now it seems near impossible given the circumstances."

"And these…" Tim gestured to flutes similar to the multicolored set, except these were ivory and gold, and much more impressive on their own. "…are also made from gold plating and pearl overlay, much like the first choice, except these are more sophisticated and elegant, and bring out the rich design of Aurora Borealis Swarovski crystals."

"I like the third set best," Iris said. Pamela looked at her with surprise on her face, clearly saying she'd been thinking the same thing.

"Excellent choice," Tim said, clapping his hands together. "Given the option of personalizing them with you and your groom's names and the wedding date…"

"Oh, no need for that," Iris said hastily, not wanting to pawn these guys off afterward if the ceremony was only meant to be a setup and no real marriage for her to that monster. "He and I will remember our day like it was yesterday. I'm sure of it." She gave Pamela a little nervous wink.

~o~

The Renoma Café was Edward's favorite place to take Joan out to dinner ever since high school. For those who enjoyed liveliness, Renoma Café Gallery was a great place for couples to enjoy a fun yet sophisticated dinner. With the first café opened in Paris, the French brand Renoma brought its second café and cuisine into the heart of Gotham. The place also lived up to its concept as a chic dining restaurant with heavy influence from fashion, art, and design from France. Edward had chosen tonight as the night to finally ask her the question. Fingering the object in his black suit pocket, he nervously guided her over to the table reserved for them.

She sat down across the table from him, smiling at him. Her hair ran loosely and lightly curled over both shoulders, her dress black with short sleeves and a softly draped neckline and gathered at the front, shaping and flattering curves in versatile style. Absolutely breathtaking, and she was everything he ever wanted.

"I can't believe you decided tonight and not on a weekend," she noted as she looked around her.

"Well, I just decided tonight was the night," Edward said, deciding now was the time to get this over with. He spotted the waiter approaching him with the tray of Chardonnay - rich citrus, vanilla, coconut, toast, and melon - in slender, ultra-modern flutes with plays of random bubbles in the shams.

Joan laughed and shook her head. "Eddie, I can't drink, remember? The doctor said so."

Something in him went down. This half-ruined the beginning of their celebration, but this was for the sake of their child, and he wasn't going to jeopardize that. "Okay, I won't make you drink it if you don't want to. Make that a strawberry smoothie for the lady?" he asked the waiter, who nodded and left him his champagne flute as he was desperate for a drink. Besides, due to pregnancy hormones and insatiable cravings, Joan had been longing for anything with strawberries as of late, and Iris had been lending her mints of those flavors at the asylum whenever she'd ask for something to munch on during work hours other than breaks.

"Eddie, really, you've been spoiling me too much," she told him.

He smirked at her. "You're my baby, and I'm supposed to do that. In fact…" He reached into his pocket for the little black box, pulling it out and holding it out in front of her. Her little chocolate eyes widened, and she gasped. "…I want to spend the rest of my life doing that for you. And I want to do the same for our son, or daughter. So, Joan…" He pulled the lid up to show her the little crystal ring. "…will you marry me?"

"Yes," she whispered, accepting the ring on her finger with all the excitement of a little girl receiving her birthday or Christmas present. The moment he saw it brilliantly adorn her finger quite well than he originally thought, his heart thundered loudly in his chest with anxiety and joy at the future for them lying ahead.

~o~

"She actually said yes! Eddie, I am so happy for the two of you," Jonathan said into his office phone on speakerphone as he cleaned his desk for the evening. He planned on heading home with Iris in great spirits - he had plans for the both of them this evening, and it was far better than the way Belle and the Beast spent their evening in the dining hall and then the ballroom. No, this was all about him and her.

And he had just the perfect time to present to her what Sylvia had left for him…when the time was right. Well, the time is now.

"I knew you would say that," Eddie answered, and Jonathan could just picture him smiling. "I've never been so happier. Can you believe I used to be a famous ladies' man, and now I'm finally settling down?"

"You had her before you PARTED and became a ladies' man. And I used to be on my own until Iris came along," Jonathan replied, grabbing his black messenger bag and his keys. The ring had a large number of keys of different shapes, sizes, and designs. His old employer had been big on security, and so was he. You could never be too careful these days.

"Yeah, and speaking of Iris, when do you plan to…you know…?" He could just hear the smirk in Eddie's voice.

"Tonight," Jonathan answered. "I plan on making dinner myself, and then taking her out of there for the rest of the night for the two of us…far better than Beauty and the Beast…"

~o~

Iris could not believe that Jonathan decided to make dinner for the two of them tonight, as well as a dance for them afterward. Here she was at the top of the stairs, on the left from the foyer entrance, wearing a long, elegant couture dark blue evening dress made from a silk-like material with knitted lining and beaded embroidery. Her hairstyle was extremely gorgeous with romantic soft waves and minor bejeweled accents, ears set with earrings that were delicately scrolled around moonstones, and Jonathan's pendant bumping lightly over her heart as she'd always felt. Her Athena armband on her left forearm created a "unique design for that special someone", as the jewelers quoted. She felt like a princess - the more subdued but still elegant version of Belle - as she descended the stairs to where her man waited for her.

Jonathan wore a black suit and a tie striped with different shades of blue, his shirt vivid cobalt to bring out his icy blue eyes, his luxuriant raven hair parted down the middle and shining naturally, his beautiful face lit with a smile that had warmed her heart right from the very beginning. Iris reached the bottom to accept his outstretched hand, and he guided her into the dining room that was eighteenth-century France. Much like the time period and origin of the original fairytale of Beauty and the Beast.

She gasped at the way the dinner table had been set up, with all the ivory-and-gold dishes laid out the way they ought to be. Her mouth watered as her eyes beheld the sight of the big-on-taste but delightful dinner for two; he'd made them boneless pork chops with mushrooms and thyme. Vivid but deep red, herb-smelling merlot filled the goblets…he's done all of this for me, she thought with another little gasp tearing from her lips as he led her into the room for the two of them. Déjà vu arose as she remembered that one night when he took her away from the bar and into the depths of the park where it was just the two of them, two dark souls of the night, and far away from the critical eyes of society. Tonight was far grander than that.

Tale as old as time

Truth as it can be

Barely even friends

Than somebody bends

Unexpectedly

After their sumptuous evening meal, Jonathan arose from his chair and walked over to her, once more holding his hand out for her, and he brought her out of the dining room and through another doorway, much like in the beloved animated romance they cherished, until they were under a familiar golden ivory ceiling lit with an Italian gold-and-Swarovski chandelier. The eastern arched windows displayed the beauty of the impending darkness, the carpeting silk in a vase and mihrab design - the whole room was lit up brightly, too brightly in Jonathan's eyes - with a chandelier that had been constructed from Italian gold and Swarovski crystals and suspended from a deeply carved mosque-like ceiling of glowing ivory and gold work.

Just a little change

Small, to say the least

Both a little scared

Neither one prepared

Beauty and the Beast

Hearing that song reminded her of them back when they first met - then she'd never even before considered the possibility that their bond would strengthen from then on…and now they were here. No regrets, no second thoughts…and no turning back. She felt his hand around her waist, smiling as she took his hand, looking up into his eyes, and following him in sync to the song that he'd set up for them, gliding across the opulent carpet, surrounded by the lotus pillars and open windows, the chandelier shining down on them like the sun in the heavens.

Ever just the same

Ever a surprise

Ever as before

Ever just as sure

As the sun will arise

She thought she heard herself squealing to the high heavens when he picked her up and swirled her around before settling back into position.

Tale as old as time

Tune as old as song

Bittersweet and strange

Finding you can change

Learning you were wrong

At first, Iris had been afraid that her feet would stumble from her dress skirt getting in the way, but the steps were executed so perfectly that her worries vanished altogether. Jonathan hadn't been much of a dancer, but he followed her lead just as fast as he'd learned in his field in his younger years.

Certain as the sun

Rising in the east

Tale as old as time

Song as old as rhyme

Beauty and the Beast

"Come with me," he whispered once the music was ending, then took her by one hand and led her out through one of the doors that brought them out to the gardens. The sun was just vanishing below the horizon, and the night would have its turn. The flowers perfumed the air with their assorted aromas, and she could smell her own drifting into the air with it. Jonathan led her onto the back balcony, where she leaned back and placed her hands on the wrought iron railing overlooking the fountain and rose-lined terrace. This was exactly how she preferred her life with him, and he was the man she loved and wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

If only he would ask me, she thought with a twinge of sadness in her heart and gut. She looked down onto the floor, her mind blank of any more thoughts.

And then his voice broke her out of her daze. "Iris?"

"Yes?"

"I love you. Ever since you were thirteen, I've been insanely in love it hurt so much when I held myself back just for you at the time." He was leaning forward so his forehead pressed against hers as his sparkling orbs bore deep into hers. His breath was warm against her glossed lips as he pressed his own tenderly against them.

"Tell me how much," she whispered back.

"More than we both know it," he answered softly, his breath a coolant in the night air. "I'm sorry you don't hear it all the time, nor do I hear it from you often, but we both know each other better than that." His arm had come around to hold her near enough to feel his body heat but not make direct contact. She felt something inside her tremble at his words, at the way he held her in this simple one-arm gesture.

"I love you, too, Jonathan."

His laugh was soft and almost matched the wind. "Say it again."

"I said I love you, Jonathan. You're my Scarecrow, my Master of Fear."

She felt his arm around her waist remove itself and go straight to his jacket pocket. Looking down, she saw him pull out a little twinkling object that could only resemble a star that came from a supernova. A black star surrounded by smaller ones in a dainty flower setting…an engagement ring. Her heart rate picked up as she recognized her grandmother's old ring. It's…it's happening…it's happening…!

"Iris, you are my Empress, my student…my one and only…and you always will be no matter what. I always knew how much you admired me, respected me, and treated me like I was a human being more than anyone else ever did." He then dropped to his knee, still holding the ring out. "But there is still a certain monster out there trying to take you away from me…a monster who wrecked my life once, and now is back to do it again…but I won't let him triumph this time." She looked down and saw him slip off her mother's ring and slip the black diamond in its place. It glittered more beautifully than the lavish bling of Maria. "And I promise I will worship you and treat you like the queen that you are for the rest of our days…and I won't let the forceful hands of the world ensnare you from me again. So, Iris DeLaine…my beautiful, insane, fiery vixen…will you marry me and be my wife?"

The Renoma Gallery is a real French restaurant with the mentioned ambiance and cuisine that had to also come to Gotham. :) Gotham might be dreary, but it needs more lightening up; it's the little things that count the most.

"Beauty and the Beast" is too wonderful a story to simply resist. :) The love confession stemmed from the grand finale of Descent into Darkness after a bloody love reunion between the Scarecrow and his Mistress of fear, his "insane, fiery vixen" the society tried to tear him from, did not say the three simple words that everyone else does - but we all know he does in his own way. :)