Topic: To Have and To Hold

Steve Rogers

Date: 2012-12-16 19:14 EST
As much as Lucy would have loved to have been able to say otherwise, Director Fury had outdone himself. Somehow, in the space of the few days it had taken to finish their part of the clean up and visit Rhy'Din to fetch Liv and Johnny, Fury had arranged the church, the Catholic priest, guests, a venue for a small reception, a band, a hotel room for her sister and Johnny, and a short honeymoon. She was suitably impressed. Or at least, she would have been, had she not been pacing backwards and forwards in the small porch of the church itself, suffering from a wonderfully acute case of last minute nerves. Liv was there with her, torn between peering through a crack in the door to gawp at the guests and reassuring her nervous sister that getting married today was definitely the best thing she could possibly be doing with her life.

Their shopping spree in Rhy'Din had been a good day's work, Liv could see that now. Lucy's had been absolutely insistent on trying to look as 1940's as she possibly could, wanting Steve to see something he would recognise from his own original period rather than the rather bolder designs she could have chosen from. This determination had resulted in a modest white gown, simple and somewhat floaty; actual vintage shoes from the right decade; art deco sapphire earrings; and a pretty little bracelet borrowed from Liv for the day. Her hair was caught in a delicate chignon against the side of her neck, and from somewhere, Agent Croft had presented her with a bouquet of white roses before hurrying to take his place in the church. Likewise, Liv had been done up in vintage style, in a delicate shade of green to compliment her sister's gown, her own dress definitely of a style in keeping with Lucy's vision.

The younger Broderick sighed softly as she watched her sister pace back and forth. "Calm down, Luce," she said quietly, reaching to still the nervous movement. "Any minute now, the music'll start. He's not going anywhere, I promise you." She knew that for a fact; Johnny was standing up there by the altar with the groom, under orders to keep his nerves, if there were any, completely under control.

As for the groom and the best man, it was Johnny who seemed like the nervous one, his usual hyper self, chatting amicably with anyone who'd give him the opportunity. He was smartly dressed in a gray suit over a light blue shirt and tie that Liv had picked out for him and that complimented the blue of his eyes. Steve was decked out in a full dress military uniform circa WWII, complete with Captain's bars and the old S.S.R. insignia that eventually became S.H.I.E.L.D. He was looking surprisingly calm, considering he was about to be married to a woman he'd only known a few weeks, but he was as certain about marrying Lucy as he'd been when he agreed to being the test subject for the super soldier serum. Steve knew this was more than likely the second most important day of his life, and he was more than ready to take the plunge, anxious to finally officially make Lucy his wife and claim her for his own.

With no bride to harass him, Fury had apparently decided that traditional was the keyword for the day. Thus, when the music began, it was the traditional wedding march that vibrated through the organ loft above the porch, signalling that the time had come. Two agents pressed into service as ushers stepped up to open the big double doors that led into the church, revealing the bride and her sister. Arm in arm, and trying hard not to giggle, Liv led Lucy up the aisle. Perhaps it was strange, for those who had been invited, to see a bride escorted by her own Maid of Honor to the altar, but in those moments, neither of them cared. This was half of the promise they'd made to each other years before, as children, each as exhilarated as the other to be finally doing it.

As they reached the halfway point, Lucy's eyes rose to the altar and the men standing there, her gaze caught by her groom. The smile on her face softened, blossoming with adoring affection, as she took him in, in awe of the sight of him in his full dress uniform. There was a small glow of delight that the uniform was his, from his days as an army captain, that she had guessed right in demanding a little vintage perfection for her own attire. But most of all, she was radiant with the knowledge that in a matter of minutes, she would be Steve Rogers' wife, to have and to hold forever more.

Johnny nudged Steve with an elbow as the double doors opened wide and the organ music announced the arrival of the bride, a big smile on the Torch's face, beaming with pride and happiness, and it wasn't even his wedding day. The two women about to walk down the aisle meant as much to him as his own family, and the man at his side was like a brother. He couldn't be happier for Steve and Lucy than he felt at that moment and was bursting with pride to have been given such a place of honor at the most important day of their lives.

Johnny might have been all aflutter with excitement, but this was Steve and Lucy's day. The calm that had been feeling was shattered as the double doors opened, and he spied his bride for the first time since Liv had stolen her away to prepare for the wedding. His heart swelled with love and affection as the organ filled the room with music and his gaze expectantly turned to watch the twins make their way through the gathered throng toward the altar.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Johnny asked, leaning toward Steve, his eyes on Liv, while Steve only had eyes for Lucy.

"She's amazing," Steve agreed quietly, thinking he'd never seen a more lovely or perfect sight than the woman who was about to become his wife. The fact that she was dressed in a gown that was reminiscent of his past only made her that much more appealing, but it was the look on Lucy's face that really struck him, the same love and adoration shining in her eyes that he felt in his heart for this amazing and special woman.

Identical twins came to a halt beside two men who could have been twins themselves, the one handing the other to her groom. Liv stepped back with a smile, her eyes flickering to Johnny as she took the bouquet, shining with the promise that someday this would be them. But for now, all eyes were on the bride and groom as Lucy's hand slid into Steve's, linking her slender fingers between his, her face lit up with his smile. It took an immense effort not to lean up and kiss him. "You look very handsome," she murmured to him through her smile, squeezing his hand gently. No one saw the brief scuffle on the groom's side of the church, as Tony Stark opened his mouth and pointed at the wedding party, only to have Pepper Potts' hand land firmly over the open orifice.

Johnny met Olivia's gaze, hoping in his heart that he'd have the nerve to ask her one day soon to share his life, the same way Steve and Lucy were about to share theirs, but this wasn't their day. This day belonged to Steve and Lucy, and Johnny was going to do everything in his power to make it a special day, even if it meant setting fire to Tony Stark's pants. For now though, he merely smiled back at Liv, one hand in his pockets to finger the rings he had been entrusted to care for until the moment came when it was time for him to hand them over to the bride and groom.

Steve Rogers

Date: 2012-12-16 19:16 EST
Steve twined his fingers with Lucy's, beaming a smile back at her that lit up his whole face. "You're a vision of loveliness," he murmured back, returning the light squeeze to her hand in his. There were only so many ways to tell someone they were beautiful, but at that very moment, to Steve, Lucy was the loveliest woman he'd ever seen. His whole heart was aflame with adoration, nearly bursting with happiness. Thankfully, he hadn't noticed Pepper's need to stifle Tony, but even if he had, he wouldn't have cared. He was head over heels in love with Lucy, and he didn't care if the whole world knew it.

The priest, a rather wild-looking elderly gentleman who had been put under considerable pressure to waive the catechism classes just this once, took one look at the bride and groom and decided they weren't on this plane of existence for the time being, plunging straight into the service. If Liv and Johnny hadn't been there to prompt the happy couple, they probably would have remained standing throughout the liturgy, lost in each other and let the world go hang. The priest had rebelled against a suggestion to shorten the ceremony, and thus it was a full half hour before the marriage rite was announced, the bride and groom invited to stand before the altar with their witnesses. "Do you have the rings?"

Johnny seemed to be just as much in a trance as the bride and groom, his eyes practically glazing over as the priest droned on, feeling antsy, and despite the romance of the wedding, ready to get on with the party he knew was soon to follow. It wasn't until Liv gave him a very pointed look that he blinked out of his thoughts and withdrew his hand from his pocket, two rings nestled warmly in the palm of his hand. Thankfully, they had not melted, though they felt warm to the touch. Johnny handed the rings to the priest with a slightly chagrined smile on his face and a quietly muttered, "Sorry!"

The priest just about managed not to scowl - it was difficult to scowl at Johnny anyway, he rather put one in mind of a happy puppy who'd just messed on the carpet. Cute and impossible to discipline. As Lucy finally surfaced, realising she was probably going to be required to say something very soon, she heard the blessing as it was spoken. "....bless and consecrate Steven and Lucille in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in one another, and always remind them of their love."

There was a pause as the priest turned a page, looking at Steve expectantly. "Steven Grant Rogers, do you take Lucille to be your wife" Do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?"

Steve's gaze was still on Lucy, unable or unwilling to pry his eyes from her face. He felt a strange sense of calm at what he was about to do, no worries, no fears, no regrets, knowing in the deepest recesses of his heart and mind and soul that he and Lucy were meant to be and that no one was ever going to come between them, so long as they both lived. "I do," he replied, as was customary, blue eyes meeting those of golden brown, his hand giving hers a gentle squeeze.

"Lucille Agnes Broderick, do you take Steven to be your husband" Do you promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?"

For once, not even the full litany of her appalling given name was enough to shake Lucy out of her devoted contemplation of Steve's face. She was utterly captivated by the gentle warmth in his eyes, wrapped tight in a soft bubble of reality that contained him and only him. It took a nudge in the back from Liv for her to realise that she'd been asked a question. Blinking, she laughed softly, her cheeks lighting up in faint embarrassment as she glanced at the priest, gazing up into Steve's eyes as the words came to her lips. "I do."

As the priest declared the blessing over their consent and vows, she fought the urge to giggle, feeling as though everything around them had become ever so slightly unreal. The priest held out the rings, nodding to Steve. It was time to conclude the rite and marry them once and for all.

Steve's smile widened when Lucy echoed his vow, both spoken and unspoken. To love and to cherish for all the days of their lives. Beside him, Johnny had to clear his throat to stop himself from chuckling at Lucy's delayed response, knowing she was as wrapped up in the moment as was the man beside her, his idol and very likely his best friend. Steve felt as light as a feather, as though he could sprout wings and fly. He'd never felt so happy in his entire life as he did at that moment, and it showed in the light from within that lit up his whole face, blue eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness. Steve plucked the tiny band from the priest's hand, holding it in readiness to slide onto Lucy's finger, a symbol of their everlasting bond of love and devotion.

Well, at least one of them was paying attention, the old priest thought to himself, scanning his missal for the appropriate words. Finding Steve ready, he nodded and cleared his throat. "Repeat after me ....Lucille, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Tradition, always tradition. Whatever words they held in check, they could share as the sun went down.

Raised by devoutly Irish Catholic parents, Steve was unphased by the gravity of the words he was about to say, unafraid of making a vow before God and the Church and all the witnesses gathered around them. He took Lucy's hand in his, sliding the small ring onto a similarly slender finger, heart pounding in his chest as he repeated the priest's words.

"Lucille..." he started, as the ring touched the tip of her finger and was slowly slid onto her finger. "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Once the ring was settled in place, he lifted his eyes toward hers, knowing it was her turn to do the same.

Somehow, Lucy found herself suddenly very solemn as the words struck deep into her heart, feeling the warm metal slid snug over her knuckle to rest at the base of her finger in a perfect fit. She'd never considered herself very religious, but in that moment, she could have sworn that the God being called to witness their promises was looking right at her. She swallowed, taking the larger ring from the priest's hand, licking her lips before she ventured to repeat the words for herself.

"Steven ..." She almost fumbled the ring, catching it on her own thumb and hurriedly slipping it to the first knuckle on his ring finger before she could drop it properly. "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Her eyes rose to meet Steve's gaze as the ring slipped home, her fingers closing around his as her heart thumped in her chest.

Steve Rogers

Date: 2012-12-16 19:18 EST
There was a pause, and when the priest spoke again, it was in a tone that suggested he was thoroughly relieved that the rite was almost over. "What God has brought together let no man divide. I now pronounce you husband and wife." He eyed the newly married couple expectantly. Did they really need prompting to do what came next"

Steve's heart soared as Lucy's placed the ring on his finger, calling him by his full name and vowing her own love and devotion in front of a God that to Steve was very real and very much a part of his life. As soon as the ring came to rest on his finger, he slid his fingers through hers, smiling warmly back at her, blinking back tears of happiness that he didn't want anyone else but her to see shining in eyes of deep blue. Steve's smile widened as the priest made the accustomed pronouncement, and Steve wasted no time, taking Lucy into his arms and sealing their vows with a kiss, chaste but full of warmth and feeling.

Beside him, Johnny could hold back no longer and gave a loud, joyous whoop, like he might if the Yankees won the World Series.

The guests erupted into applause that was a little more enthusiastic than it might ordinarily have been. Johnny's joy was somewhat infectious, after all. And in the midst of the cheering, Tony Stark's voice was plain on the edge of hearing. "....How does he know he's married the right one?" Liv laughed happily, holding the bouquet under one arm as she clapped, her own soft eyes shining with happy tears for her sister's joy.

In Steve's arms, Lucy finally let her giggle free, wrapped close in the presence of family and friends and colleagues as she kissed him in return. Diamond sparkled on her finger as she drew back, laying her hand on his chest as she smiled delightedly up at him. And to her surprise, she heard the Agent Croft's voice from her side of the church bellowing above the noise.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Captain and Doctor Rogers!"

Steve beamed brightly, overflowing with pride and joy, as his lips parted from Lucy's and they turned to face and be officially presented to those gathered to witness the event - friends, family, and colleagues alike. He offered Lucy an arm, echoing Lucy's infectious laughter that bubbled up unexpectedly inside him. To anyone who knew Steve well, they were seeing a completely different side of the serious soldier as he looked back at his newlywed bride with adoring eyes.

Lucy's hands wrapped warmly about the crook of her husband's elbow as she gazed back at him, not quite able to tear her own adoring eyes from his even as they were presented for the first time as man and wife. Oh, there was the registry to sign, and a couple of very important contracts to put their names to, but now, in this moment, everything was right. Despite only having a few weeks knowledge of him, Lucy had married her mysterious bike-riding Nexus crasher without a second thought, finally understanding the meaning of the word joyful as she contemplated a lifetime of being Steve Rogers' wife. Captain America just didn't compare to the man standing at her side, as joyous and loving as she felt in that moment. Steve Rogers was all she would ever need, and she was determined to make certain he never wanted for anything from now on.

((Thank you to my AWESOME partner for this scene and for everything we do.))