Fated (A Chris Evans Series)

He's the One

Denise stood at a distance watching Sebastian and Luca as they found comfort in each other's arms. It was because of such moments that Denise knew her best friend had chosen the right person to marry; the one capable of ridding her nerves. Sebastian knew he'd chosen correctly too. Seeing Luca waiting for him by the lighthouse, he felt like he could breathe properly again. He swept her into his arms and kissed her until they felt like the only ones standing there. It was slightly uncomfortable for Denise to watch but she was incredibly happy for them. Denise found herself smiling when she thought of the way Sebastian's eyes had lit up at the sight of his bride-to-be in her wedding dress. It was a reaction similar to Chris', a grin consumed his face as he failed to speak. Sebastian had been in awe, he had been too busy thanking the universe for Chris for finding Denise so he could find Luca. The first words he got out after a minute or two of gaping was "I love you," which left Luca weak at the knees.

"Hey," Chris slipped his hand into Denise's as he joined her side. She smiled at him before returning her gaze onto Sebastian and Luca. "I've never seen two people look as in-love as the two of them." He said and Denise teasingly scoffed, gesturing in-between themselves. "You didn't let me finish," he chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Other than when we're standing in front of a mirror, of course."

"Of course," she pulled her hand out of his and wrapped her arm around his waist instead, leaning into him as his arm draped over her shoulder. "Would it be weird if I said 'I'm proud of them'?" She asked him, smiling at Sebastian and Luca who had started their hand in hand stroll on the boardwalk. It was fairly obvious the couple was in their own little world, talking and laughing. They looked so comfortable with each other now that Denise could barely remember how awkward they'd been when they first met; it seemed like a lifetime ago now. She was so happy for them. Sebastian and Luca were two fabulous souls that deserved everything they were getting with each other. "'Cause I am really proud of them," Denise continued when Chris said nothing.

"Me too," he nodded with a smile. "But I'm slightly prouder of us," he added and she turned to him with a raised brow. "We were the ones who played matchmaker, if it weren't for us they would've never met. Well-" he scrunched his nose. "They probably would've met, but whether or not they would've ended up together- that would've been a completely different story. I honestly doubt that either of them would've made a move if we didn't push them too. They're capable of being flirty when they want to be, but they're both rather reserved and passive. It's probably why they work so well together."

"Are we reserved and passive?"

Chris snorted. "You're kidding, right?" He quizzed and she giggled. Denise knew perfectly well how far she and Chris were from the words 'reserved' and 'passive'. They had their moments of reservation and passiveness, but majority of the time they were incapable of keeping their personalities and opinions to themselves. "Have you seen us when we argue, darling? Have you seen my interviews and tweets about politics or sports? Or rather, have you seen yourself when you get vocal about something you believe in?" He pressed his lips on her cheek, nuzzling his beard into her skin which made her laugh harder as she squirmed. "We are as far away from reserved and passive as humanly possible."

"And that's why we work so well together," she grinned at him and he chuckled with a nod. "What do you think Jack will be like?" She diverted her gaze to her belly when she felt him kick; Chris did too, 'cause she'd flinched when it happened. That kick was his third kick of the hour, keeping up with the pattern of his fetal movement. He was always more active around that time of day, and in the evening just before bed. "He's going to be Pisces baby, so I Googled traits that a Pisces might have and-"

"Babe," he cut her off, chuckling. "As much as I enjoy astrology, you know it's-"

"A whole lot of bullshit?" She finished for him then laughed when he did. "Trust me, I know. But still, you have to admit there is some truth behind it. I mean- Look at me and tell me I'm not a hundred percent Virgo with my perfectionism and other annoying traits." He shook his head with a suppressed smile and she giggled. "Yeah, and you are very much so a Gemini. I'm not an idiot, I know it's not the planets or the moon and stars controlling us, but zodiac signs can be pretty accurate sometimes."

"Yeah, because we read those articles and morph our personalities into something similar. Or our parents read them and raised us a certain way," he countered and she rolled her eyes, though it was what she believed too. "It's almost like a placebo, personalities are only affected after exposure. We want to relate and we unconsciously adapt. Raise a child in an environment where astrology plays no part and you'll see, he or she will end up with a trait from every zodiac sign. Why? 'Cause they're generic traits."

"Okay, Sheldon Cooper." She quipped and he laughed. "I was just saying, God. I'm not going to raise him with an astrology reference book, he can relate and adapt when he's older. You know, if you don't turn him into a skeptic first." She bit playfully and he laughed harder. "I just want to raise him to be a good, decent human being. A gentleman and a scholar," she said and he chuckled. "Just like his daddy," she added then kissed him on the jawline, making him smile.

"You are too kind to me," he dipped his head and met her lips.

"The two of you realize we're the ones getting married today, right?" Sebastian's teasing voice forced Chris and Denise to break their kiss. They turned to the bride and groom, stifling their laughter. "God, will the two of you ever stop being disgustingly sweet?"

"Probably not, no," Chris shook his head then smiled at Denise when she laughed. "You two ready to get married and join the disgustingly sweet train?" Sebastian and Luca smiled at each other, then nodded in response. "Okay then," Chris glanced at his watch. "It looks like we've got five minutes to get the two of you where you need to be." He kissed Denise's cheek as Sebastian kissed Luca's. "I'm going to take the groom back, you handle the bride. Let's go," he pulled his arm off his wife and walked ahead, glancing back to make sure Sebastian was following.

"See you soon," Sebastian looked back to wave at Luca and earned himself an air kiss. "Chris, wait up!" He started to jog when Chris disappeared around the corner. "We've got five minutes, we'll make it. Just..." His voice trailed off with the distance.

"Feeling better?" Denise asked Luca, locking arms with her as they slowly strolled back. They had to be careful with their steps considering they were both carrying lives inside their bellies. Luca wasn't too worried, it wasn't a far walk and she was the bride; she could be fashionably late, she could do whatever she wanted because it was her day.

"Much," Luca nodded. "Now I understand why you had to sneak off with Chris on the day of your wedding." She commented and Denise shot her a smug look, making her laugh. "I can't believe I'm getting married today, and to Sebastian Stan of all people. I feel so incredibly fortunate."

"He feels the same way," Denise responded with a smile. "I saw the way he looked at you, Lu. I mean- there is no one in the world he is going to love more than you. No one," she reinforced when Luca lowered her gaze onto her small bump. "Your little one will be incredibly loved by him, but you are always going to be his number one. Believe me, I know that look. Nobody will compare."

"You are an expert when it comes to being a guy's number one," Luca chuckled and Denise smiled. "Do you remember that article we read about Chris? Um- the one where he talked about how family came from an extension of the love you have for your partner?" Denise nodded; she had the line in her mind even before Luca started reciting it. "Do you remember us thinking he got that from 'Perfect'?" Denise nodded again, chuckling. "Did he? Did you end up asking him? 'Cause I'm still curious about it, what he said was exactly what you've always believed."

"I didn't ask, but he did tell me." Denise answered with a nod. "He said that he had always carried that philosophy, but after reading my series- it sorta resonated with him a little more, he was more incline to wait for what he wanted. Which was a load off hearing that, y'know I knew I wanted to have kids with him but I didn't know when. And we've talked about this before," she continued and Luca nodded. "Way before I met him, that I was afraid if I ended up with him and didn't want kids just yet, he'd end the relationship."

"Once again, a ridiculous assumption. Even in the hypothetical scenario I knew he wouldn't, but you didn't believe me until you read that article." Luca reminded and Denise nodded, laughing. "It's insane to see where you are now, happily married to your celebrity crush and carrying his baby. And- I am too," she emitted a nervous, but excited laugh. "It's surreal, isn't it?"

"Very." Denise nodded in agreement, smiling. "But you know what, Lu?" She quizzed rhetorically. "It is real, it is happening, and we are about to be very late." She said and Luca chuckled. "So enough on me, and enough on the surreality of the situation. The love of your life is waiting at the alter for you, so why don't we go get you married?"

"Let's," she grinned.