Astrild; Goddess of Love

Chapter 42 - New Beginnings

It took me a while to shake off the feelings from Nora's dream, so I decided to go and make myself a hot chocolate. When I reached the kitchen I found there were already some of the lights on.

''Can't sleep?'' Tony asked with a glass of whiskey in hand.

''Not me, Nora. All part of the fun of being a telepath.'' I explained boiling the kettle. ''What about you? Getting cold feet?'' I joked.

''No, I just don't know if I deserve her.'' He sighed. I looked at him, trying to hold his gaze,

''Tony, you saved the world from an alien invasion. I think you of all people deserve to be happy.'' He swirled his drink purposely not looking me in the eye.

''But what about Pepper? I don't want to her to get hurt.'' He took a sip of his drink. ''Is this really what she wants?''

''Pepper's a big girl she can look after herself.'' I put a comforting hand on his shoulder. ''She's known you longer than anyone else, I'm pretty sure she knows what she's getting herself into.'' Tony downed what was left of his drink and took my hand,

''Thanks Liz, I should probably get some sleep.'' With that he left leaving me to my hot chocolate. Once I'd finished in the kitchen I headed back to my room, to get some shut eye myself.

* * * * * *

When I woke up the next morning it was only around ten and I knew Steve would be arriving soon with the ceremony starting at one this afternoon. I dressed and sorted my hair into a Spanish bun and added the red flower, as instructed. I hadn't long finished my make-up when there was a knock at the door.

''Miss. Stark, Captain Rogers is waiting outside.'' Jarvis informed me.

''Let him in.'' The door slid open to reveal Steve in his suit with its red waistcoat with gold swirls to tie in with our dresses, luckily my brother had opted for black jackets and trousers. He was also holding two bouquets of flowers.

''Good morning, these are for you.'' He held out a bouquet of white and red Carnations.

''Thank you,'' I took them from him and smelt them, ''They're lovely, let me just put them in some water.''

''These others are... also, for you... from Pepper... I mean, and she said for you to sort out mine.'' He said to me as I emerged from the bathroom. He laid the small bouquet on the bed, the red roses wrapped in a gold satin band. He sat down beside them, ''I must say, you look wonderful, even in that dress.''

''Thank you, because I feel ridiculous.'' I replied sitting next to him, I kissed him. My hand wrapped around the back of his neck.

''Miss. Stark, Captain Rogers your presence is require in the main hall by Miss. Potts.'' Jarvis said interrupting us before anything else could happen. I pulled back from Steve resting my hand on his chest.

He cupped my cheek in his hand and I leant into it, he went to tuck stray hair behind my ear but there wasn't any.

''I don't like this hairstyle,'' He complained, ''It means I can't play with your hair.'' I smiled sweetly, looking down to sort out his jacket's collar which had tucked over itself somehow.

''Did you fight someone on the way over here or something?'' I laughed, gazing up at him.

''No, but I was in a hurry to see you.'' He admitted, ''so much so I forgot my buttonhole flower. Pepper said you'd be able to fix that.''

''Of course, anything for my soon-to-be sister-in-law.'' I created a red rose in the palm of my hand with ease before sliding it into the buttonhole on Steve's jacket, ''There. Now we should probably head upstairs.''