lucetilogs | The first step is the one you believe in

The first step is the one you believe in

Who: Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, and everyone who has gathered there today.
What: A wedding and reception
When: Sept 14, All Day
Where: Cherry Blossom Hill / The Battle Dome
Summary: Pepper and Tony are getting married ~~finally~~ ~~officially~~ finally.
Rating: PG/PG-13 max? There's at least one kid here.
The decorations on the hill are simple ones; they've chosen this spot because it's naturally beautiful without the need for embellishments. Chairs have been set up for the expected guests, with a clear path laid out for the wedding party. And of course up front there is a place for those people to stand, in sight of everyone gathered so Tony won't be able to tell Pepper "I told you so" as color commentary won't be necessary.

After the ceremony everyone will be invited to go to the Battle Dome for the reception. There Tony's programmed an expansive hall with tables and seating enough for everyone. There's also a dance floor, which everyone is encouraged to take advantage of. The atmosphere is warm and vibrant, clearly intended to help all in attendance have a good time. Dinner will be served, and there's an open bar, with rum by request of the officiant.

Just don't get too rowdy, okay kids?

{{ooc: Visual references and details can be found here. Link is very image heavy. There will be separate threads for before the ceremony, during, and the reception.

EDIT: Now with a sign up to catch the bouquet!}}

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He led her by the hand to the dance floor, feeling unusually light and breathless and he glanced back at her for the nth time that day. God, she was a vision, and no matter how many times he took in the sight of her, she still amazed him. Forget what he said about not understanding the process of dress-making - it was definitely worth the time it took.

The tune that the sound system started to whistle out was an old classic, and his free hand fell to that familiar place at her waist to lead her in the dance. It was hardly the first they had shared over the course of their relationship, and even before, but he was willing to bet that this would be one of the best.

She caught him looking, and Pepper tilted her head, lower lip caught between her teeth as she guessed the thoughts that might be going through his mind. She felt wonderful in the dress, and dancing with him; it wasn't at all like their first time, when they'd been the center of attention and Pepper thought of every little flaw, every criticism that could be said.

This time she was dancing with a very different Tony Stark--one who really did look fantastic in a tux.

Tony placed his hand on his waist just as the first notes of the saxophone came through the speakers, and in turn Pepper rested her hand on his shoulder. It was incredibly familiar but entirely new all at once. This was one of their first dances as husband and wife, even counting the time they'd been secretly married. So she fell into step with him, her eyes staring into his as they shared the moment.

He met her gaze, playful and sincere all at once as he led her in the dance. "I have to ask - are the shoes killing you yet? Or did you switch to slippers when I wasn't looking? I honestly wouldn't blame you. No one would even be able to tell."

Some things never changed, but then again, everything felt different now. More meaningful, more memorable, more right.

The question had her quirking an eyebrow, as Tony was more right than he even realized. "Apparently not, since we're dancing this closely and you can't tell I've shrunk four inches." But it was no surprise that he hadn't realized it, or at least pretended not to. In truth Pepper had changed her shoes before the reception even began, well aware that she'd be up and on her feet the vast majority of the time, and not wanting to stop the celebration because of any footwear-related aches.

Or to taint moments like these with them.

"They could be slippers with heels," he countered, knowing full well she was shorter than she normally was at her usual heel height. "I mean - fashion and comfort - you can have both, right? I'm pretty sure that's how the saying usually goes."

God, this was wonderful.

"I'm pretty sure not having heels is actually the point of slippers--or flats, as the case may be." But it's amusing to no end that Tony is still talking about shoes, when normally any conversation to that end has him bored in under a minute. "And both is usually asking for far too much. Especially on formal occasions. Then again, expecting everyone to wear pants who was supposed to was apparently asking too much today too."

He snorted laughter at that comment, glancing around to see if he could catch sight of the culprit to that particular crime.

"Hey, he managed to get us married, at least. One out of two is...a terrible average, but I'm not complaining."

Not at all. Right now, everything felt right.

At least one of them could laugh. Now that the ceremony was over, Pepper could smile about it--and it did help when Tony pointed out that pants or no, they were officially and publicly united as husband and wife.

"I suppose that's true." Her grin widened as she considered it, then leaned closer to whisper to her husband. "Which makes today my second favorite time getting married."

He quickly made up a scandalized expression, glancing around exaggeratedly to make sure no one had overheard before he whispered back.

"Mrs. Potts-Stark, are you telling me you've been married before?"

Pepper rolled her eyes at Tony's very overdone acting, although she also laughed. One benefit of the world they were in is that while they did have to whisper, neither of them were contending with paparazzi during this. The technology available to journalists at large would have made even this playful banter difficult back home.

A bittersweet thought, but not one that lingered.

"Did I forget to mention that?" She played innocent as she went along with it, feigning surprise that he somehow didn't know. "It must have slipped my mind."

"Don't tell me you've got any other skeletons in your closet," he went on, continuing to lead her with ease in the dance, eyes shining. "You're not actually a blonde, are you?"

Pepper pressed her lips together, though it did nothing to hide her smile. She didn't directly answer, instead purposely shifting her gaze off to the side.

"Even if I am, it's too late now." Far, far too late for either of them, and Pepper loved the way perfect happiness looked on Tony. "You're as stuck with me as I am with you."

"Then I guess it's pretty fortunate for the both of us that I'm not too unsatisfied with that result." He pulled her closer - well, as close as he could get given the dress she was wearing - and lowered his head until his forehead rested against hers. "Have I mentioned how lovely you look?"

"Not too unsatisfied?" Of course Tony would put it like that. He was only talking about their wedding and resultant marriage, after all. But Pepper knew what he meant, even as she teased him with the poorly chosen wording--although he might end up paying for it later.

Now, however, she shifted closer to him. It wasn't a perfect fit, thanks to her dress, but having him so near, their faces touching until all she could see was him, was perfect in its own way.

"Not recently, no." Her smile grew, her eyes half-closed as she still danced with him, and in the process shut out the rest of the world around them. "But I'm glad you like the dress."

He snuck a quick kiss to her cheek. "Do you think I'd tell you if I didn't like it? - Never mind, don't answer that."

"Smart move." Pepper had been about to point out that yes, she did in fact think he would. In turn, she might have actually hit him for it.

"You already have to pay for that not too unsatisfied remark later." Okay, so maybe he wouldn't, but Pepper couldn't just let it go without threatening him a little.

The threat hit it's mark, and Tony's eyebrows shot up in response. She wouldn't, would she? "Do I? On our wedding night? Amend that - second wedding night."

He wouldn't really mind if they just repeated how that went the first time around.

Pepper simply smirked, letting Tony ponder whether she really would make him suffer so. It would take a lot, considering the occasion--but considering who he was, Pepper suspected that somehow he could manage it.

Of course, she didn't actually want him to. She'd rather enjoyed their first wedding night too. A repeat would be far more welcome.

"You wouldn't." He tried to sound sure about that, and he mostly was, but considering who she was, he wouldn't put all his chips on it.

So instead, he leaned towards her ear and spoke tender words that were only for her to hear. "Then maybe I ought to go into how utterly, irrevocably in love with you I am, and how I am, in fact, the happiest man in the world right now."

"Wouldn't I?" Oh, but this was a dangerous game. Tony could very well take that as a challenge, to prove that he could be absolutely terrible and still have his celebration. Pepper was concerned enough about it to nearly amend her retort, when Tony took the first step.

And really, it was a damn good move.

"Well. I don't think it would hurt your chances if you did." Not at all, and though her words were casual Pepper was grinning from ear to ear.

"Then let the record show." He kissed the corner of her face before meeting her eyes again. "I love you, Pepper. And I'm the happiest man in the world - actually, I think I need to make a speech about this."

And it was a threat he was prepared to make good on, turning to eye the microphone.

"Oh no you don't." Not that he wouldn't end up using the microphone before the reception was over, she was sure. But Pepper wasn't letting him get away just yet. She tightened her fingers on his shoulder, keeping him there as she turned her head to catch his lips with hers. It killed any chance of her threat being taken seriously, yes, but the happiest woman in the world had the right to kiss the happiest man in the world for making her that way.

His lips curled around hers; he didn't really mind being silenced in that particular way. There would be time for his overly-sentimental and assuredly-embarrassing speech later on. But for now, he was perfectly content - more than content, really - to kiss his wife and hold her close during their first dance officially as man and wife.

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The first step is the one you believe in

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