The Rise of Darkness

Chapter 39

*13th of June*

Steve woke up with a big smile on his face: today was the day he was getting married. He slept in a guest room, because it was tradition for the couple to sleep separately the night before the wedding. Suddenly he heard Grace scream: "No, no, no, no that can't be." He immediately jumped up and ran into her room. "What's wrong?" "Oh my god Steve you scared the shit out of me!" "Sorry honey." He walked over to her and took her hands. She dug her face into his chest and breathed in deeply. "God I missed that aftershave." They both laughed. "Why did you freak out tho?" "It's just... I had a necklace from my mom stehst I wanted to wear, but I can't find it anywhere and we are getting married in a few hours and...", she started talking faster "I want everything to be perfect, I'm scared that my dress won't fit anymore, because so ate too much a-" "I'm going to stop you right there. Everything is going to be fine. You know how I know that?" Grace shook her head. "Because all I care about is you and Brooke and our family. I would even marry you right here, right now. You are my always and I don't care how you look, I just want you to show up there at that altar and say yes." She chuckled. "Thats something I can do." "That's my girl." He went in for a long kiss. Suddenly the door opened and Natasha and Wanda came in. "Steve?! Out! You can't see the bride before the wedding!", Natasha said. "But-" before he could finish his sentence Wanda used her powers, lifted Steve up and carried him outside the room and shut the door. "Now that's settled.", she said smiling. Outside the door you could hear Steve say: "You know I could've just walked out... See you later."
A few hours later they all drove in separate cars to Tony's house in the woods. Everything was already set up. While Grace was getting ready inside, Steve was already waiting outside by the altar, talking to Brooke. "You look amazing princess." "Thank you Dad." She smiled at him. "Go inside and ask your Mom if she is ready and oh, give her this." He gave her en envelope. Brooke ran inside. "Mommy, mommy, daddy told me to give you this." She handed her the envelope. "Thank you Munchkin." She gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. "Are you Ready soon?" "Mommy just needs to take on her dress and then she is ready. Go back to your dad sweetie and give him a kiss from me." Brooke nodded and ran outside again. Grace opened the envelope. In it was the necklace she was looking for and a note saying: 'You left it in my room. Can't wait to marry you soon to me Mrs. Rogers.' Grace smiled and put on the necklace. Natasha and Wanda came in. "Are you ready to put on the dress?" Grace nodded.

Thor was standing in the kitchen waiting for Grace to come down. He suddenly felt a tip on his shoulder. As he turned around, his sister was standing in front of him. First he was speechless, but then he said:"You look stunning, sister." Grace smiled at him. "Thank you. Are you ready?" "Ready as I'll ever be.", he replied. They walked outside the house over to the tree, where Brooke was waiting with the flowers. "Go, sweetie and remember throwing the flowers." Brooke nodded aggressively and walked towards Steve throwing petals through the air. Thor and Grace where right behind her. She was wearing a long white dress, which was fanned out from the waist a little bit and with pearls on it. Her hair was curled and she had a small crown with the vail on. Her bouquet was white roses and in the middle one red rose. Steve was wearing a blue suit and had a red rose clipped to it. The moment he saw her, his eyes started watering and tears rolled down his cheek.
As Thor and Grace reached the Altar he gives Steve her hand and smiled at him. "Take good care of my sister." He then took his seat next to Brooke. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Bride and Groom. Since you don't want me to do a whole speech out of it we are just going to get to the point. We are gathered here to celebrate the union of two people, who love each other." Tony made a short break. "So who wants to start with their vows?" Steve and Grace looked at each other. "I can start.", Grace replied. She wiped away her tears and cleared her throat, then she looked at Steve.
"Steve, from the moment I first saw you, you've embraced such kindness and I immediately felt safe around you. In good times you cheered with me, in bad times you where my light and rock, guiding me, saving me. Since you came into my life you've been a constant, my calm place, my best friend, my home. I didn't believe in true love, but loving you has proven me the exact opposite. You are my definition of true love and I promise to be there for you in good and in bad times, to fight every battle by your side and to love you more every day. You are my now, you are my always and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
Steve whipped away Graces tears and they smiled at each other. "Steve.", Tony said, signalising him that it's his time now. He took a deep breath and took Graces hand again.
"Grace, if all this time with you has thought me one thing, than it is that loving you is the best thing that ever happened to me.  You are my Partner in crime, the mother of our child and most importantly my soulmate. Everything seems so easy with you by my side. Whenever I'm having a bad day, your smile makes me forget all my sorrows, your eyes make me lose track of everything around me. You are a symbol for love, but not only that: for light, hope, kindness and happiness. I can't wait to live my life with you by my side, because I know that no matter what is coming next, we're going to be okay. Your love is worth fighting every battle, swimming through every ocean. You are my always and forever and I am looking forward to a bright future for our little family."
They both looked at Brooke, who was playing with Thor's hair. "Now that you've exchanged your vows I want to ask you, Steven Grant Rogers: Will you take thee Grace Lewis to be your be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts you?" Steve smiled at her. "I do." Tony turned to Grace. "And do you Grace Lewis take thee Steven Grant Rogers to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts you?" Grace squeezed Steve's hand. "I do." Tony turned to the others now. "Then I pronounce you, by the power invested in me from the internet 20 minutes ago, as husband and wife." He looked at Steve. "You may kiss the bride." Steve kissed her gently and everyone applauded. Steve and Grace looked at the others then walked down the isle again back to the house the others threw flowers at them.
The rest of the evening everyone had a blast. Everyone was already asleep, but Steve and Grace where still up talking outside. "I can't believe I'm finally the Mrs. Rogers." Steve laughed. "I can't believe it too, but I'm going to remind you of that every day of our lives, Mrs. Rogers." They laughed. Suddenly he stood up and went to the music bar. "What Are you doing?", Grace asked. "One final dance with my bride." The music started playing 'Can't help falling in love' by Elvis Presley. Grace laughed. "You really love songs like that, do you." "I like the meaning of the Song.", he replied and stretched out his hand. Grace fell into his arms and leaned her head on his chest, while his head rested on hers. "I wish we could stay like this forever.", she said. "Oh, we can." They looked at each other, he spun her around and catched her. "I love you, Grace Rogers." "And I love you, Steve Rogers." They kissed each other and danced the whole night long.

*2 years later*

Kids where running through the cemetery. "Morgan Stark, stop hunting Brooke with that stick or you won't get your ice cream today!" Tony yelled through the cemetery. "You are unbelievable.", Pepper said and laughed. "Come on, let's give her some space." Pepper said and walked away with Tony. Grace was sitting on a bench with Steve. "Are you okay?", he asked. "Yeah, I just need to finally say goodbye to him.", she replied. Steve stood up kissed her and then her big belly. "I'll be over there with Buck. Take care of your mom there soldier.", he said to the belly and walked away. Grace laughed, then took a photo out of her pocket. "Hey Loki... I know it's been a while, since we last talked to each other. I miss you... We all miss you. Thor and I did that project, we build that house together and he's living with us now. Oh and also Im expecting another baby, so Brooke is going to get a new sibling. I just wanted to thank you... for doing this for me... giving me the life I never thought I would have." She stood up and kissed his gravestone. "See you soon again, brother." She left the photo under a candle. On it you could see Steve, Thor, Brooke and her.
Meanwhile Steve went over to Bucky. "So you really are leaving, huh?", Steve asked. "I told you the time would come." He hugged Steve tightly. "Hey, call sometimes will you. Brooke would really be excited if you would come and visit us." Bucky nodded. "Noted." Steve looked at him. "Just remember: I'm with you..." "till the end of the line.", Bucky finished. Steve went to the truck. "By the way I've got something for you." He took his shield out of the car and gave it to Bucky. "Steve, I can't-" "Yes you can take it." He looked at Grace. "Since we are expecting I thought it is best to retire, give the new generation their time to shine and let the old ones rest. You deserve it Buck. You deserve the world." Bucky and Steve hugged again. Grace came along. "Can I get a hug too?", she asked. "Of course.", he said smiling and hugged her. "Keep him out of trouble will you?" "I'm trying. And you watch out for yourself.", she replied. Bucky walked over to Brooke kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. "See you soon Little one." "Bye, uncle Bucky. I'm going to miss you." "I'll miss you too." He got into the car, gave the Rogers one last look and drove of.