Forever & Always

Sisters

"Hi Riley," Violet takes up the microphone from Clint who is eager for dessert.

Riley tucks her hand under her chin as she pretends to look in her best friend's direction with her fingers intertwined with Garrett's.

"Who gave you the mic?"

Violet shrugs, throwing the wire from the path she knows she'll pace, "I don't think you know how much I love you so I need to speak to that some more."

Riley lifts her chin politely, "Geez Vi. You act like I'm leaving the country!"

"I just need to make it very clear that if you ever do, you're taking me, YOUR SESTRA with you!"

A chuckle breaks out among the crowd.

"Ugh! Dad!" Antonia groans, pointing to Lucy as she reenters, "She changed! Can I?"

Tony shushes her, entertained by Riley and Violet destroying the speech of the Maid of Honor with their sarcasm.

"Do you know anything about the after party?"

Lucy pushes her way back at the table, jostling Izabella.

Izzy brushes her hair from her face, "After party?"

"Amelia said something about an after party- where's my mom? She's with the blind guy isn't she?"

"Yep," Bruce answers as he crunches an ice cube, "Are you okay with that? I'm sorry. I tried to plan her escape better."

"You could've just let her go. Whatever makes her happy,' Lucy sits back with a laugh, 'at least he lives on Earth."

"What does that mean?"

"You don't want to know."

"Is anyone sitting here?" Linda invades the table.

Bruce lifts an eyebrow, studying her line of vision before glaring, "Why do you ask..."

"I just. I was hoping to talk to Lucy."

Lucy pokes at her own chest, "Me?"

"Yeah."

Izabella crosses her arms and narrows her focus, "We're full."

Linda laughs, "Five minutes. My gloves are on."

"Mine are off."

Tony lifts his champagne glass, sipping suspiciously and refocusing on the girls now that Violet's speech is over. He looks at Bruce who returns the glance.

"Oh my god,' Lucy rolls her eyes, 'yes! Ignore them."

Izabella scoots her chair over a foot, "You can't ignore me."

"Got it,' Linda wedges herself in between them, 'how long are you here?"

Lucy shrugs, nervously playing with her short hair, "It depends. On mom. On a lot of things. You look great by the way."

"I like your jacket."

"It's mom's."

Linda nods, "You're getting along with your mom lately."

Lucy shrugs, "Yeah. We worked it out. You?"

She looks over her shoulder toward Natasha, "We did. So, I heard you mention the after party? It's happening at the old center site."

"Oh...really? And Riley wants me there?"

"She does actually. Surprised?"

"Very!" She laughs nervously.

"Was that your call?" Izabella judgmentally widens her eyes.

"Brody's,' Linda looks over her shoulder, 'I thought he told you?"

"I mean! He did. I just- I just forgot."

Linda nudges Lucy's shoulder, "We should drive over there together."

"That's a great idea! I can! I've got a car," Lucy waves her uncle's keys.

"No!" Bruce leans forward.

"Come on Uncle B!" She talks through her teeth.

"How about this,' he rolls his eyes and reaches for his phone, 'I'll call you an Uber."

"Perfect because I'm out warping her,' Izabella clears her throat and stands with a pleasant smile, 'Linda? Can we chat?"

"Of course," the blonde meets her, tugged by the Russian.

"Oh my god," Lucy shrinks herself, hiding under the collar of her jacket.

"I'll be brief," Izabella stays kind despite her aggressive pull, "That is my sestra and if you ever EVER, hurt her, I will be very VERY angry. I will send you on a very long trip to another mir where no one will find you. EVER."

"What Izzy said," Tony chimes in from the sidelines.

Lucy shakes her head, muttering under her breath, "...that's...so unnecessary. Izzy! Come here!"

"Let it go," Bruce reaches, pitty patting her shoulder.

"The same goes for you, Lucy. Don't even think about hurting Linda," Natasha shouts, catching the end of the conversation.

"Got it, Aunt Nat," Lucy lifts her head immediately.

Romanoff leans forward to address Bruce, "Where's your cousin?' Her focus shifts to the girl, 'where's your mother?!"

Riley accepts Maria guiding her hand to the fancy three tiered cake. She takes a clump into her fist and hurls it straight at Garrett's face.

He spits the sugar in shock and reaches for his own fistful of cake.

Riley dodges, snickering when he cringes over the migraine, "You cheated! You can't mindread like that!"

"Oh yes I can!"

"What am I going to do with you?"

"Love her!" Maria claps back with her own glare for him.

"One more picture, just one more," Laura holds the camera over her eye.

Riley takes the mic after tussling with her now husband, addressing the guests, "Thank you so much for coming out tonight to celebrate with us. Garrett and I appreciate your presence and all of your kind gifts. For all of your nosy 'where's the honeymoon' questions, I'm about to answer that."

Antonia scoffs, "She's about to swear."

"Of course she is," Tony laughs next.

Riley yells louder into the mic, "Up your ass and to the left!"

"Anyways!" Garrett takes the mic from her, "We appreciate all of you and can't wait to see you all again really soon."

Brody stands on a chair once Garrett hands him the device, "After partiers! Meet me outside in the lot!"

"Pepper,' Laura chimes in, 'is there now! she'll be chaperoning!"

Amelia whines, "Aww! Booo!"

Clint stands with urgency, "It's over! Thank you, Jesus! Close all tabs! IMMEDIATELY."

"Nooo!" Jennifer whines, vodka glass in her hand as she sits on the lap of Matt Murdock.