(no subject)
Title: Fall of the House of Richards (Conclusion)
Author: Diana
Rating: R
Summary: In the end, it wasn’t a supervillain that destroyed them.
Warnings: Slash, dark futurefic.
Disclaimer: Still not mine. :) The song in this chapter’s title is by Frank Sinatra.
Author’s Note: Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback! This has been a lot of fun. BTW, can anyone recommend a website that might agree to host this story? I’m looking to spread it around a bit…
Part 7: I Only Have Eyes For You
September 20, 2005
Looking into the face of his beautiful bride, Reed Richards had an epiphany: this was going to be the happiest day of his life.
Reverend Stanley smiled at the couple before him and cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved,” he began. “we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Ben, all decked out in a specially-tailored tuxedo, glared at the two hundred people in attendance, theatrically smacking his fist into his palm as if daring anyone to say a word. A few guests chuckled but most held their breath in anticipation.
“Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind.” the reverend continued. “Through marriage, Reed Richards and Susan Storm make a commitment together to face their disappointments, embrace their dreams, realize their hope and accept each other’s failures. Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?”
Johnny stepped forward, taking his place behind his sister. “I do.” Susan smiled at him, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.
“This relationship stands for love, loyalty, honesty and trust, but most of all for friendship. Before they knew love, they were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is their destiny.” Reverend Stanley turned to Reed. “Do you, Reed Richards, take Susan Storm to be your wife? To live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”
The answer came without hesitation: “I do.”
“Do you, Susan Storm, take Reed Richards to be your husband? To live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
Stanley gestured to Ben. “The rings, please.” Unfurling one massive hand, Ben revealed a velvet box containing two wedding rings.
Reed took the first and turned to Sue. “I give you this ring as the pledge of my love, and as a symbol of our unity.” He announced. “With this ring, I thee wed.” And he slid it onto her finger.
She repeated the motion with the second ring, her voice wavering slightly as she fought the urge to cry.
“In as much as Reed and Susan have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family, and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring, these two are now joined. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. By the power vested in me by the State of New York and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife.” Stanley nudged Reed in the ribs. “Excelsior, Mister F. That’s your cue.”
Reed kissed her then, pulling her to him like she was the last, the only woman on Earth. Lights flashed all around them as cameras immortalized the moment, and he was happy, so deliriously happy.
The reception was packed with friends and family, but it was all a blur to Reed. All he could think was that it was official. He was Susan’s husband. They were married. He’d never dreamed…
Johnny was toasting the happy couple, wishing for himself a fraction of what they shared. He talked about how this was meant to be, how much he loved them, how proud he was to be a part of their family. And now Ben was joining in, praising Reed for momentarily looking away from the horizon and seeing what was right in front of his face.
Later they danced to slow music, and out of the corner of his eye Reed saw Ben and Alicia with their arms around each other, and Johnny with a blonde boy from Xavier’s table. But his gaze never strayed from Susan. In a daze, Reed understood this much: everyone he loved was here with him, would be with him always. He had been given a second chance, and knew how lucky he was, how he would always strive to be worthy of her and the new life they’d embark upon together.
They would live happily ever after.
The End
Author: Diana
Rating: R
Summary: In the end, it wasn’t a supervillain that destroyed them.
Warnings: Slash, dark futurefic.
Disclaimer: Still not mine. :) The song in this chapter’s title is by Frank Sinatra.
Author’s Note: Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback! This has been a lot of fun. BTW, can anyone recommend a website that might agree to host this story? I’m looking to spread it around a bit…
Part 7: I Only Have Eyes For You
September 20, 2005
Looking into the face of his beautiful bride, Reed Richards had an epiphany: this was going to be the happiest day of his life.
Reverend Stanley smiled at the couple before him and cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved,” he began. “we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Ben, all decked out in a specially-tailored tuxedo, glared at the two hundred people in attendance, theatrically smacking his fist into his palm as if daring anyone to say a word. A few guests chuckled but most held their breath in anticipation.
“Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind.” the reverend continued. “Through marriage, Reed Richards and Susan Storm make a commitment together to face their disappointments, embrace their dreams, realize their hope and accept each other’s failures. Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?”
Johnny stepped forward, taking his place behind his sister. “I do.” Susan smiled at him, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.
“This relationship stands for love, loyalty, honesty and trust, but most of all for friendship. Before they knew love, they were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is their destiny.” Reverend Stanley turned to Reed. “Do you, Reed Richards, take Susan Storm to be your wife? To live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”
The answer came without hesitation: “I do.”
“Do you, Susan Storm, take Reed Richards to be your husband? To live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
Stanley gestured to Ben. “The rings, please.” Unfurling one massive hand, Ben revealed a velvet box containing two wedding rings.
Reed took the first and turned to Sue. “I give you this ring as the pledge of my love, and as a symbol of our unity.” He announced. “With this ring, I thee wed.” And he slid it onto her finger.
She repeated the motion with the second ring, her voice wavering slightly as she fought the urge to cry.
“In as much as Reed and Susan have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family, and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring, these two are now joined. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. By the power vested in me by the State of New York and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife.” Stanley nudged Reed in the ribs. “Excelsior, Mister F. That’s your cue.”
Reed kissed her then, pulling her to him like she was the last, the only woman on Earth. Lights flashed all around them as cameras immortalized the moment, and he was happy, so deliriously happy.
The reception was packed with friends and family, but it was all a blur to Reed. All he could think was that it was official. He was Susan’s husband. They were married. He’d never dreamed…
Johnny was toasting the happy couple, wishing for himself a fraction of what they shared. He talked about how this was meant to be, how much he loved them, how proud he was to be a part of their family. And now Ben was joining in, praising Reed for momentarily looking away from the horizon and seeing what was right in front of his face.
Later they danced to slow music, and out of the corner of his eye Reed saw Ben and Alicia with their arms around each other, and Johnny with a blonde boy from Xavier’s table. But his gaze never strayed from Susan. In a daze, Reed understood this much: everyone he loved was here with him, would be with him always. He had been given a second chance, and knew how lucky he was, how he would always strive to be worthy of her and the new life they’d embark upon together.
They would live happily ever after.
The End