The Wedding of the Century (Open to those invited) (Note: Due to the fact the Nigma Family cannot have a scene without being drama llamas, this opening is gigantic...enjoy!)
“People usually knock, Daddy,” Enigma said, watching her father’s entrance in her dressing table mirror before standing, her robe falling down onto the bench as she did. Where most people would feel uncomfortable being around a parent in their under clothes, the idea never bothered Enigma, having long lost any sense of shame beofre she met Edward again, and certainly lost it after sharing the back of a van as their living space for a month before they found a decent warehouse to crash in.
She pulled the comb from her hair, her long, brown curls cascading down her back as she looked at him fully. “Come to help me into my dress, or am I still waiting for Di and Elena?”
--
What was the point in knocking? It was his daughter after all, and it wasn't like he hadn't seen her in compromising ways before. No. Knocking wasn't something usually in Edward's list of ways to go about doing things. He would rather barge in like he owned the place than settle for knocking and waiting. Knocking was bad for the ego.
Edward entered the bridal suite, and took only a second to pause once Enigma had stood. Damn she was beautiful. He was proud. But wait. She was different somehow.
He took a step further into the room, after shutting the door behind himself for her sake of privacy. That was when he noticed her hair and instantly a deep frown settled onto his face. She was lucky they were about to have a wedding or she never would've made it out of that room alive for such an act of disgrace.
"Why else would I have come, sweetie?" Edward replied, offering Enigma the largest, most fake smile he had ever had the pleasure of giving. She knew how to get his blood boiling and not in the way he would like. He would take revenge on her at another time for her hair. Now, however, he would bide his time and wait for the right moment to strike.
She was becoming less and less like the daughter he had always wanted every time he saw her and that was very unacceptable in his opinion. He hated her anyway but that was no excuse for her to fuel that blaze. She was going to regret that color change.
He approached her slowly, frame stiff as he walked but it wasn't out of physical pain. They really hadn't had a solid moment together like this in a good while and though it was very tempting Edward refrained from just shooting her where she stood.
--
Enigma watched him, wary and careful, one hand drifting to the bow at her thigh where a knife was secreted, the other towards her breasts where her two shot derringer rested. But Edward didn’t pull his guns, and he didn’t act like he was going to hurt her in this second, so she relaxed just a hair, still waiting, but less like a rattlesnake about to strike.
One might wonder why she felt the need to be armed in her own bridal suite, while half naked, but Enigma wasn’t stupid, and even naked she would carry a weapon with her while the men in her life attempted to kill her.
“I doubt that,” she pointed out, referring to her father helping her dress, but shrugged, turning her back on him in either a sign of trust...or true stupidity, getting the overly large slip from the rack it was resting on, tossing it at him. “Help me with that, it usually takes two people,”
--
Edward wasn't stupid either, he knew she was armed. Clothes or no clothes, Edward wasn't going to underestimate his offspring. She had learned from the best, after all and there was no telling how she would react.
He didn't move to draw either of his weapons, the guns delicately tucked away beneath his green jacket. Nobody would be able to see the holsters, he had mastered the art of concealing his weapons far before Enigma was even a twinkle in his eye.
Perhaps helping her into that dress hadn't been his intention but now that he was there he figured it best to approach the situation with caution. Both of them were psychotic killers after all. Nobody needed any surprises.
He smirked just a little when she turned her back but held his ground. He caught the slip as she tossed it in his direction, approaching her with it. He parted the fabric to expose the top hem, opening it to her as he paused, "Dive in."
--
She had a mental image of actually diving into the slip, shaking her head for a moment before carefully stepping into the slip, resting her hands on his shoulders to balance herself.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” a voice asked from the doorway and Enigma spun around, the knife hidden in the bow of her corset flying through the air. Jonathan knocked it aside, having expected it, before slipping in and closing the door behind him.
“Knocking, people! I could be indecent!”
“Enigma, I’ve seen you parade around naked more times then probably your intended, I have no care or interest in your clothing,” Jonathan said dryly, reaching out to steady his step daughter before she fell, helping her into the slip along with Edward.
--
Edward held the slip part open so she could get into the thing as she pleased, finding the act itself to be quite interesting. He straightened his frame for support upon feeling her palms resting on his shoulders as she supported herself.
"You wish we could be this cozy, darling." Edward teased, able to pick the voice out without even looking. He wouldn't be a good partner of he wasn't capable of knowing Jonathan by the sound of his voice.
Edward pretended not to notice the knife that flew through the air in the direction of his partner. Jonathan could take care of himself and if he didn't know by now what to expect out of the pair of Nigma's then perhaps he didn't need to survive.
With Jonathan's help, the pair managed to get Enigma into her slip. Edward stepped backwards slightly to get a better look at her. Today, he figured, he could set his hatred for her aside and allow her to enjoy the ceremony. Afterward was a completely different story.
--
“You’re wearing the dress,” Jonathan told Edward, moving around Enigma to lace up the skirt, having experience with this type of outfit thanks to his grandmother who made him dress her as well. He brushed his hand over the bow when he was done, making sure it lay flat, before pulling something from his tuxedo jacket, dangling it in front of her.
Glinting in the light was a purple and blue rosary, victorian in design, but beautiful in-spite of it’s age. “My mother had one like it,” he said as he lifted her hair, gently wrapping the delicate necklace around her throat. “You were missing something blue.”
Enigma hugged him, knowing that it didn’t bury their hatred completely, but it was moments like this that reminded her why she didn’t kill him...that they were family, even if it was a very messed up version.
She gently touched the necklace, giving Jonathan a smile before moving towards the screens that were hiding her gown, pulling them back to reveal the overly lacey and satiny gown. “Any ideas how to get me into that without a shoe horn?” she asked.
Jonathan blinked at the gown before looking at Edward, slightly lost. It was just so poofy...
--
Edward only sighed at the mention of wearing the dress. It wasn't that he didn't fantasize sometimes about being a woman and wearing frilly things. He just wasn't in the mood to argue at that exact moment. "As long as we can be cozy together until something happens to end my miserable existence."
Edward knew that he was basically cheating death on some level. His time would come sooner, rather than later and he was more than aware. He definitely wouldn't be surprised if it was Enigma that ended him ultimately. He had given her plenty of motive and opportunity. It was almost comical, in a way.
Edward stepped away from the pair to allow Jonathan the room to finish helping Enigma into the slip, and to get everything just perfect. Edward noticed the necklace, finding that it added charm to that part of the ensemble.
When Enigma approached the screen that his her dress, Edward turned to glance at it. His eyes widened once he saw the gown itself. Emitting a giggle, Edward shrugged his shoulders as he approached the poofy mass of dress, running his hands over it. It was definitely fitting for his princess. As much as he hated her.
"Dunno. You're better at these things than I am. That is one of the reasons I have you, silly." He glanced over his shoulder at Jonathan as he pulled the dress from the hook it had been hanging on. Slowly, Edward pushed the fabric apart much like he had with the slip and offered part to Jonathan. "This time she really does have to dive in. Save the dress from getting all over the floor."
--
“I’ve seen her dive, she’ll end up bleeding everywhere, what if we lift it up over her...” Jonathan offered.
Enigma made a face at them talking around her, but stood still and raised her arms as the pair lifted the massive amounts of satin, lace and tulle over her head, feeling like she was drowning for a moment before she finally found the waist and pushed through. Jonathan dropped the fabric over the slip, moving around behind her to help her get the bodice on and buttoned before fixing her skirt.
He stepped back with Edward, raising an eyebrow again. “She looks like a girl,”
“I am a girl...” Enigma pointed out, sticking out her tongue.
“Yeah, that ruined it,”
--
Edward hadn't meant actually diving into the dress as one would into a pool, but the gesture itself. Lifting the arms straight up and tilting the body to mimic a dive without the feet leaving the floor. But Jonathan's way was definitely better.
Edward helped lift the dress up and slide it over Enigma's head, pulling the fabric gently downward once they had it on her.
He stepped back to give Jonathan room to work, watching as Jonathan smoothed out the fabric and buttoned it up for her. Edward noted the care in which Jonathan moved and he adored it.
Edward tilted his head to the side to look at his daughter once the dress was on and fixed. "Kind of. Doesn't she?"
He giggled at his daughter when she displayed her obvious distaste for the comment Jonathan made. "You look like a princess."
It was almost enough to make him not want to kill her. Almost.
--
She beamed at her father’s comment, throwing her arms around him in a hug, ignoring Jonathan’s growl as she squashed the rosettes on her gown, swatting at him when he moved to fix them after she pulled away. “Gay boy,” she said, giggling when he flipped her off.
She took a careful seat at her dressing mirror again, opening a wooden box resting on it and pulling out several daggers, secreting them in the sheaths built into her dress, humming.
“Should we be proud or worried she’s adding more weapons?” Jonathan murmured.
---
Edward curled his arms around his daughter long enough to give her a fatherly pat on the back. Once she had pulled away Edward smirked as Jonathan began to fix the squashed parts of her dress.
"Hey. Those comments can wait until after we're done enjoying this moment. Kay?"
"Both, more than likely. I would be doing the same thing. Granted her future husband can destroy an entire city so maybe it's a little overdone but still. She is a Nigma and it's only in our nature to be cautious and well-prepared. She is simply thinking ahead."
--
“Mm, you’re not going armed to our wedding...either of you,” Jonathan said, reaching around Enigma to pick up her tiara, turning it over in his hands. “Nice quality, stolen?”
“No, I actually bought that,” she said, not looking at her father’s reflection. Yes, he was behaving for the moment, but that could change in an instant. She instead focused on curling the hair that was a silent wall between them, enhancing her already natural curls to make them more spirally than just a mass of random ringlets, humming softly.
Jonathan looked at Edward, wondering how he was handling all of this. --
Edward begged to differ on that subject but it wasn't like he and Jonathan were getting hitched any time in the near future. Unless Edward has missed the memo. They could deal with that when the time came and honestly Edward wasn't so sure he wanted Enigma at his wedding. She wasn't on his favorites list at the current moment.
Edward only glared at his daughter when she mentioned buying her tiara. She was such a disappointment. He couldn't believe how far she had fallen from the tree. First this engagement, then the change in hair color, and now this honest purchasing of goods.
Without saying a word Edward turned and walked out of the room. He was trying to behave himself. For all of their sakes but there was only so much he could take and give. He was reaching his limits with her.
--
“Daddy...” Enigma whispered, tears spiking her lashes as she watched her father leave the room, falling rapidly down her cheek.
Jonathan sighed, setting the tiara back in it’s velvet box, going after Edward, pulling the man into a vacant room. He gently touched Edward’s cheeks, tilting his head up. “Breath and stop thinking about how much you want to shoot her in the face,” Jonathan said softly, knowing Edward.
--
Edward ignored the breath his daughter had taken, unable to be in the same room with her any longer. She was such a disappointment to his entire legacy. Why couldn't he just have simplicity? He knew teenagers could be defiant, but this was almost at the level of unruly. Did she not want her father to be happy?
Edward stopped only when he found himself in a vacant room, with his cheeks enveloped in the soft palms of the love of his life. He grunted in reply, pouting at the situation as a whole. "Why is everything in my life so complicated?" Edward said softly. "All I want is for us to be a happy family and it's like she wants the complete opposite. I try to be good and accept her but its hard. I just want her dead. Her and that fiancée of hers. I hate them both." Edward growled, before taking a breath. He was trying desperately to calm himself down knowing this could escalate quickly.
--
“She’s your daughter, Edward, and just as stubborn and annoying as you,” Jonathan pointed out, pressing his lips against Edward’s. “Breath, and stop thinking.” Impossible, especially for someone as Edward, but the reminder not to dwell might help.
His hands slid down, taking Edward’s in his own, something cold and metalic between their palms as he held his lover’s hands, a small ring resting there, absorbing their warmth.
--
Duh. Tell him something he didn't already know. He was aware how similar he and Enigma were (and could be) but that wasn't what Edward wanted to hear.
Of course the distraction of Jonathan's lips pressing against his own was welcomed. His mind drifted lazily back into the realm of pleasure and he sighed once the kiss was over. He could continue the charade through the ceremony and pretend to be the loving father but once this was over Edward and Enigma were going to have to have a heart-to-heart about the direction of her life.
Edward could feel the cold temperature of the small, metallic object that nestled between both of their palms. Curious, Edward slid his hand out of Jonathan's, taking the object with him, and held the small item up to where his eyes could see it.
A ring?
Now he was sure he had gotten the memo. It was definitely worth the distraction.
--
“I’m not saying the words,” Jonathan muttered, not looking at Edward, a faint pink tinge to his cheeks. He cleared his throat, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Just get through today, make her happy and you will have leverage to bend her to your will,” he stated, changing the subject rapidly.
Neither of them were good with emotions, they had what they had and that was all they needed. Why ruin it with talking?
--
Well fuck. This was a dilemma in itself, wasn't it?
Edward opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. "Uh....yes?"
That had to be a sufficient answer. His brain wasn't allowing him to process at any higher speed than that. Jonathan had just caused his brain to lock up and that was rare. It was almost as unheard of that Edward had so little to say. Usually he gave his opinion about everything. But at that moment he was at a true loss for words.
Edward nodded at Jonathan's point, taking it as it was. He slipped the ring on to a long finger, admires it for a moment before sighing softly. "Okay. Lets get through today." He was ready to put all of this behind him. As much as he hated the couple it was his baby girl getting married and she couldn't walk down the aisle without him.
"Lets go back, sexy. We have work to do."
--
Jonathan beamed at Edward’s rather broken reply, leaning in to kiss the other man deeply, pouring everything he could never say into the kiss before pulling back, pulling a second ring out of his pocket and sliding it onto his own finger, humming as he took Edward’s hand. “Remember, today is her day, tomorrow we can destroy them,” he said, stealing another kiss before opening the door and waiting for Edward to proceed him, hoping the man could get through this.
--
Enigma was still in her dressing room, crying softly into her gloved hands, feeling utterly broken now that her father had abandoned her...again.
--
Edward returned the deep kiss with one of his own, pouring his heart into it. He would never be able to freely express what Jonathan meant to him, or how much he really needed the other man, but the kiss would do. It would have to.
Once Jonathan had pulled back and taken his hand Edward moved forward, pulling Jonathan gently towards the bridal suite.
He smirked at the stolen kiss, before pushing open the door. He was confident that with Jonathan at his side to keep him in check he could make it through.
"Alright baby. You have to stop crying its terrible for your makeup. And we wouldn't want brucie to be disappointed by your appearance. Would we?"
--
“D-Daddy?” she leapt from her seat, knocking the bench over and throwing herself on him, sobbing harder. “You’re still here,” she whispered, clutching at him.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, which really should just been it’s default position with these two, looking at Edward. It was no secret that Enigma had abandonment and daddy issues, but she had never allowed them to be this visible.
--
Edward only laughed softly at Enigma as she threw her arms around him. He patted her back gently with his free hand, "I never wander too far, baby. I'm always lurking around somewhere."
Edward was quite aware of his daughters issues concerning her father. He was puzzled at the simple fact that though she experienced it, she continued to drive him away instead of pulling him closer. Perhaps she didn't realize the magnitude of her actions, even the small ones like dyeing her hair or changing her last name. Those things meant a lot to Edward. If you didn't have tradition and legacy you had nothing. She was his only daughter and his fatherly instinct wanted to protect her. But he could only do so much.
--
“I thought you left me again,” she whispered, pulling away and wiping her eyes, smearing her make-up.
Jonathan rolled his eyes where Enigma couldn’t see, before pulling out his handkerchief, offering it to her to clean her face with. “I wouldn’t have let him,” he said, giving Edward an annoyed look. Why couldn’t they just knock her out until her wedding?
--
"I'm right here, baby. Don't you fret. Daddy would never really leave you." Edward replied as if this fact were true and well known.
Honestly she looked less and less like him every time he saw her. He would never tell her how sad it made him, or that he found it to be very depressing. He felt like she hated him enough to get back at him in the ultimate fashion. By mauling his self-image.
Instead he continued to pat her on the back and finally released her so she could wipe her face and fix herself up.
--
She sniffed as she took a seat again, fixing her make up, studying him in the mirror. “You didn't go kill Bruce, did you?” she asked, trying to stare at him and line her eyes at the same time, her nose red.
--
He simply shook his head at her. Edward didn't think that Bruce could actually die and today wasn't the day Edward wanted to meet the monster.
Maybe tomorrow.
"Nope. He's alive and well." Edward replied, offering his daughter his most sincere smile.
--
She arched an eyebrow at that, but trusted him, as she usually did. He was her father and would always come first, even if she didn’t want to admit it. “Thank you for being here, daddy,” she said softly, standing and leaning in close to him.
She picked up one of the boutonniere that had been delivered, gently pinning the purple rose to his tux jacket. “I’m sorry,” she whispered for only him to hear.
--
Perhaps her naive trust would be her downfall. Edward wasn't sure exactly which part of her was going to be to blame but she would soon learn the hard lesson of who not to double cross.
"I couldn't miss the wedding of my little princess for anything in the world." Edward replied. It was true, he wasn't going to miss her wedding for anything he just wished the circumstances were different.
He leaned forward slightly as she pinned the rose onto his lapel, hearing her whisper of apology. He was sorry too. For what the future was going to bring her.
"Don't be. Just enjoy your day." He whispered in return, pressing a gentle, fatherly kiss to her cheek.
--
She smiled softly, tilting her head up and placing a soft, daugherty kiss against his lips, before moving away to finish getting ready, humming happily a she put on her jewels, these stolen. “Nice ring, daddy.”
Of course she would notice the change.
--
"Thank you. Spooky gave it to me." He replied instantly, proud of the small piece of jewelry. This ring was one that Edward would flaunt. Not that he didn't flaunt about everything he owned. But this was different.
Edward nudged Jonathan with his elbow, "How does she look? Like a princess hm?"
He was proud of her too. For the moment.
--
“She looks beautiful,” Jonathan said sincerely, causing Enigma’s mouth to drop open at the compliment. She blushed lightly, lifting the tiara, nestling it in her long curls, the final touch to the outfit.
Jonathan reached out, gently fluffing her curls for her, before pinning some of them back to hide the combs, attaching the long veil to the small bun he created, finishing the look.
She turned, studying them. “Are you two actually going to have a ceremony?” she asked, curious.
--
Edward beamed at the compliment finding it to be quite suitable for the occasion. He would admit that she was beautiful. She had the luck of good genes on her side if nothing else. But obviously her genetics were the main source of her problems.
"Depends on what we decide. Today is not the day to talk about my future. This is your day and we are going to revel in it appropriately." Edward said with the shrug of his shoulders. "It isn't every day your child gets married."
--
“I hope not,” enigma said, making a face at him before standing, nervously picking up her bouquet. “I think I’m ready,” she said softly, looking up at him, tears in her eyes again. She was so happy he was here, helping her to celebrate this most wonderful day.
--
"Then it's time to go." Edward said, offering Enigma his arm. "Jonathan if you would lead us out, please." Edward said softly, waiting patiently for the cue to lead Enigma out.
The anticipation was mounting. For the wedding, the reception and the foreboding aftermath.
--
Jonathan gave them a bow, preceding them out the door to where Elena and Dinah were waiting, giving the Black Canary a sneer before he moved past them and towards his seat in the front row, looking at Bruce and Tony at the alter.
It would be so easy to destroy the man now and save Edward the heartache.
Enigma swallowed thickly, her breathing becoming shallow. Yes, she was already married, but this was the big time, the show itself...
She was terrified.
--
Bruce shifted as he stood at the altar, brown eyes scanning the room. He took a moment to look at each face as the people in the pews stared anxiously back at him. He was nervous and he was sure every individual person in that room could tell. But, he kept his composure and made sure to breathe.
The day had finally come (again) and he was ready this time to make it publicly official. He loved Enigma dearly and to have her take on his surname for the guests to see was exciting and frightening at the same time.
Edward lead Effie to the front of the lobby of the chapel where the doors were, waiting for the music cue to begin. "Don't worry baby. You're beautiful and you're making Bruce very happy." Edward whispered, trying to settle his daughters nerves. Edward hadn't ever gone through the motions of marriage before, and Jonathan was really the only person Eddie ever considered engaging in such an act with.
When the music finally started, Edward hid the scowl with a wide grin (the scowl itself was for Bruce. How he hated that man!) and lead Enigma towards the start of the aisle. He walked down with her slowly so that everyone had the chance to see them, Edward with his chest puffed outward, silently preening.
--
Enigma clung to her father’s arm desperately, trembling as they walked, trying to ignore the stares and focus purely on Bruce, on this moment...of what was to come.
Instead of thinking about how much she wanted to run.
This should have been the happiest moment of her life, her husband was waiting for her, her father was at her side...everything was perfect, and instead she wanted to hide under the covers because the very idea of everything frightened her. Change frightened her. She wanted everything to go back to the way it was, if just for a moment, so she could breath again.
She looked at Bruce, wondering if she appeared as scared as she felt, tears of joy and sorry for the life that was dying...beginning falling down her cheeks.
“Promise not to abandon me,” Enigma whispered to her father, needing him, just as much as she needed the man before her. Her two halves...never a whole.
--
God she was beautiful. Bruce was almost breathless as she approached him on the arm of her father. He couldn’t help but smile at her as she came closer and closer. She was a vision in that dress and he couldn’t have imagined her looking any more beautiful.
She wasn’t the only one that was afraid, but they were already married so the fear wasn’t was great. The most frightening thing was that nobody knew they were betrothed already. If certain people found out that could be quite deadly.
“Never, baby.” Edward breathed out, without moving his lips. They would never be a whole as long as Bruce was in the picture. They would always be two halves. It was either him, or Bruce. Never both. He hated Bruce far too much to accept him into the inner circle of the Nigma clan. Perhaps if the man was just a slight bit more evil. Without that, Edward would never accept him. Could never accept him. No matter what that meant to his daughter. She betrayed Edward far too many times for forgiveness but Edward was the master at masking his feelings and getting revenge when the time was right. It would hurt to lose Enigma completely, but he had no choice. She had made her decision and she would take that to her grave if Edward had any say in it.
--
Enigma smiled at Bruce as she joined his side, biting her lip when the priest asked if Edward gave her away, nervous, for a moment that her father would try something stupid. When he didn’t, she kissed his cheek, watching him take his seat next to Jonathan before kneeling with Bruce as the prayers started, squeezing her husband’s hand, trembling.
This was really happening...they were really getting married....
She stood at the end of the prayers, and so began the hours of songs and prayers, her knees starting to ache as they rose and knelt, growing bored with the latin, her mind wandering, plotting all the ways she could steal the valuables in the church.
--
Bruce just followed Enigma’s lead. He wasn’t one for traditional ceremonies, not of any particular religion himself. Catholicism was better than nothing, he supposed, but he wasn’t exactly sure of all of the traditions involved so he mimicked what she was doing and tried his hardest not to screw it up.
He waited patiently through everything, rising only to have to kneel again and whatnot as was tradition. This was what she wanted, being raised predominantly catholic. He couldn’t deny her that. Catholic it was and they would just have to serve out their duty as patrons.
It took a few hours. Probably a couple at most though it felt shorter than that. Finally all of the ceremonial stuff was over and they were finally able to move on to the main part.
--
“Stand up, sit down, stand up, kneel, stand up, do the cancan,” she muttered, yelping as the priest called her name.
“Do you, Effie Nashton, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?
“No,”
--
No? Did she just say no?
“Excuse me?” Bruce inquired, looking over at Enigma with shock. Sure they were already married but nobody in the crowd of guests knew. “Enigma...” Bruce said, through closed teeth, glancing at her with a sigh.
Edward sat up straight in his seat, and tilted his head, almost proud of his daughter just then. She deserved better than Bruce Banner. He was glad she said no to him. “You tell him, baby!” Edward shouted, not caring how much of a spectacle he was making of himself. He had never approved of this wedding in the first place.
--
“I meant yes!” Enigma said, realizing after a moment she said the wrong word, turning to glare at her father. Yes, a part of her wanted to say no, to run back to her father and beg his forgiveness, and that was probably what had caused the word confusion in the first place while she was distracted...
But she couldn’t. As much as she wanted...needed her father, she had already pledged her life to Bruce.
“Are you sure?” the priest asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, geeze, I mixed up my words, so shoot me. Yes, I want to marry him, move on so people stop staring,”
The priest was highly tempted to roll his eyes, turning to Bruce. “Do you, Robert Bruce Banner, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?” The tone of the man’s voice indicated Bruce should really think about it after that display.
--
Bruce blinked and sighed, glad she had a change of mind and heart. He couldn’t bear to lose her to Edward and his schemes. She was better than that. Even she seemed to realize it. She may have had a daddy complex, but that didn’t keep her from at least trying to do the right thing.
“Thank God.” Bruce said with a sigh of relief.
The priest blinked at Bruce, though Bruce didn’t notice, then nodded at the man of God, “Yes. I do.” He didn’t hesitate despite the Priest’s suggestive tone. They were already married anyway.This was all just a show.
--
A tear slid down her cheek, not a tear of happiness or joy, but of loss, knowing she was losing her father as she spoke, everything she had lived for vanishing. She sniffed, raising her hand for Bruce to slide her ring back onto her finger, the digit feeling naked without it, before she raised a shaking hand, sliding Bruce’s own question mark band onto Bruce’s fingers, saying the blessing over the ring, her tear splashing onto the metal.
--
Bruce turned to her, sliding her ring onto her finger without a moment of hesitation. He frowned slightly, feeling for her at the fact that she was openly denying her father, but Bruce had done the same thing long ago and he knew what she was going through on some level.
He lifted a hand to her, allowing her to slide his own ring on, the digit feeling complete once the metal settled against the skin.
“It’s okay, Enigma.” Bruce whispered, squeezing her hand in a comforting manner.
--
“Never leave me,” she whispered back. “I can’t be alone again...without him...without you...I’ll break.”
“I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride,” the priest said, eager to get rid of the pair and skipping the final prayers.
--
“You know I’m not going anywhere.” Bruce replied, shaking his head at her. She hadn’t managed to drive him away yet and he didn’t see her doing so in the near future. “You’re stuck with me.”
When the pronunciation was made, Bruce leaned in to kiss Enigma’s lips tenderly, lifting a hand to curl gently around one of her arms to pull her close. “I love you, Effie Banner.” He mumbled against her lips. He was being sincere, he did love her. More than she knew.
--
“I love you too, eternally,” she said, kissing him back, tears flowing again, this time happy tears. She shifted so that Bruce’s back was to the priest, her hand moving towards one of the ruffles on her dress.
Jonathan was faster than even Di who was next to Enigma, gripping her wrist tightly, almost painfully. He gave Bruce a forced smile. “Get out of here,” he warned, keeping Enigma from shooting the priest who ‘ruined’ her wedding.
Enigma blinked, but released the gun handle, jerking her wrist from Jonathans’ grip. “We have a reception to get to,” she said, smiling at Bruce, plotting her revenge for Jonathan and the priest later.
--
Things had moved too fast for Bruce and he found himself staring at Jonathan, whom was telling him to get out. Bruce blinked, and stepped towards Tony, not wanting to create a scene at his own wedding.
He sighed, and looked up at Enigma, keeping an eye on Jonathan as well. “Yes, reception.” Bruce said, offering Enigma a hand. “Come on, darling. Let’s go.”
Bruce lead her down the aisle, towards the doors to the church which would lead them out to the narthex and then outside.
--
Enigma followed him silently, pausing outside the doors to pull the gun from her dress, showing it to him silently. Bruce knew her well enough to put two and two together and not get fifty. She slid the gun back into her dress, sighing. “I try,” she whispered. “I try so hard to be whom you need.”
--
He expected more of her, his wife. He frowned at the sight of the gun and shook his head at her. “I know you tried. I’m glad you didn’t use it but was that exactly necessary?”
--
“He ruined my wedding,” she pointed out, pouting. “He was judgemental and skipped the final blessing!” She snuggled against him, sighing. “I feel unfinished,” she muttered.
--
Perhaps that was the case, however it was already done. “This was all for show. Remember? Who cares if he skipped the final blessing. We did this for all of them. Not for us.” Bruce replied. He was sympathetic to her, but he was trying to justify it to spare the priest.
--
“I know...but it still annoyed me,” she pointed out, before tilting her head up for a kiss. “Fine, I won’t kill him...for you,” she said with a grin, trying to let go of some of her annoyance.
--
“Thank you.” Bruce said with relief. He didn’t want anyone dying on their behalf. Especially if it could be prevented.
--
“Kiss,” Enigma reminded him, pursing her lips like a fish as a hint.
-- Bruce complied, leaning in to press his lips against the fish-faced look his wife was giving him. He was so glad she had agreed to marry him. He couldn’t live without her.
--
Enigma giggled as she kissed him back, pulling away to look around, making a face and covering her eyes when she saw her father and Jonathan. “Do we have a hose to spray them with?” she asked, leaning back against Bruce. “I don't’ need to see that.”
--
Bruce laughed softly, shrugging his shoulders. “Maybe? I’m not sure that Jesus would like that, however. Maybe we should wait until we are out of the line of sight?” He could understand her turmoil. He didn’t want to see that either.
--
“Screw Jesus, I want to douse him in ice water,” she muttered, before leaning in to Bruce. “He’s not happy about the hair,” she whispered, giving fair warning. Her father was going to do something to get his revenge, she knew it.
--
Bruce laughed softly, at the idea of dousing Jesus in ice water, shaking his head at his wife. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” With a sigh, Bruce curled his arms around Enigma and pulled her close. “If he harms a single hair on you, I will rip him apart. You can count on that.”
--
“Good,” she said, beaming up at Bruce. Yes, she loved her father, yes, she wished they could share a life with him as his daughter...but she couldn’t stand to be hurt again.”
--
He wasn’t going to let Edward, father-in-law or not, hurt Enigma. She was his wife, he had a duty to look out for her. “I would never let him hurt you without repercussion.
--
Jonathan pulled Edward from his seat while everyone was talking, pulling the man out of the church, eager to get away from the memories of his own past. He leaned in, kissing him softly. “Are we going as well?”
--
Edward moved to his feet and moved with Jonathan as the man lead him from the church, a place he visited more often than anyone actually knew. He kissed him softly, savoring the connection before breathing into the kiss, “In a minute.”
--
Jonathan snorted, stealing another kiss, wrapping his arm around Edward’s waist, keeping the man close to him, savoring the comfort he go from Edward being next to him. No matter what, he had this man, and it calmed some of the rage that constantly lived in his head.
--
Edward giggled into their kiss, and returned Jonathan’s with one of his own, lapping softly at the man’s lips with his tongue. God he loved this man. He held Jonathan close, long arms snaking themselves around the slender frame of the man he loved.
--
“I’m not having sex with you here,” Jonathan warned, but opened his mouth to Edward’s tongue, pulling his lover closer, gently rubbing his hands over Edward's back as they kissed, savoring the feel of him in his arms. He had wasted so much time, searching for things he found right here, in this manic giggle.
--
Edward probed Jonathan’s mouth intently with his tongue, not caring that Jonathan was unwilling to have sex with him in the church. Damn. That was a slight bit disappointing. Oh well. Edward was so captivated by this man. He was more than aware, as well, that Jonathan knew what power he had over the tall genius, and Edward didn’t care.
--
“I love you,” Jonathan said, for the first time in their relationship as he slowly pulled away, looking down at Edward, reaching a hand up to gently stroke Edward’s cheek.
--
“I love you too, Spooky.’ Edward replied, honored that Jonathan had actually said it. He had said it too, for the first actual time, finally admitting it to the man. Edward tilted his head just slightly against the touch of Jonathan’s fingers, adoring the touch of the other man.
--
Jonathan nipped at Edward’s lips in reward, smiling at him. “Come on, we need to torture our daughter...and possibly the Black Canary,”
--
Edward groaned, and sighed as he pulled back from Jonathan. “Whatever you want, baby.” Edward was Jonathan’s to command, especially if there was sex, or even more kissing, in the future.
--
“You are so easy,” Jonathan teased as he pulled back, but kept an arm looped around Edward’s waist. “What are you going to do about her?”
--
“Shhhh...” Edward replied, grinning at his lover. “Don’t say it so loudly.” He shrugged his shoulders, “Probably shoot her until she stops breathing. Any ideas?”
--
“Nope, that’s about where my ideas were going,” Jonathan said cooly, watching the newly married couple.
--
He nodded at Jonathan, offering a grin, “Fill her with holes. No way she can survive that long enough to make it back to Bruce. He won’t be able to save her.” He hated Enigma and Bruce. The former almost as much as the latter. Enigma had made her choice and thus dug her own grave. It wasn’t Edwards fault. He had tried to talk her out of it but it had been to no avail.
--
“What if she wants to return to you?” Jonathan asked, looking at Edward, gently touching the side of his cheek. “She’s still a child, after all.”
He was curious as to whether Edward could go through with this, after all he and his daughter had gone through, after all they meant to each other. Yes, Edward claimed, often and loudly to hate Enigma...but he also loved her.
--
“If she has the balls to denounce her marriage to Bruce, to leave Stark tower and to reclaim her heritage then I might consider forgiving her. But I won’t continue to play this game with her. Far too boring.” Edward replied, tilting his head upwards so that his nose was high in the air.
“I doubt it, however. So she has chosen her fate. She dies.” Edward said. He didn't care what they had been through. All he needed was Jonathan. Spooky was Edward’s number one. Enigma could be long since in the grave and Edward wouldn’t care. “I can’t be her father if she chooses the life of a hero.”
--
“Why?’ Jonathan asked simply. It wasn’t that he disagreed with Edward, but it was the one thing he had never given him an answer to. Why he couldn’t let Enigma exist as she was. Sure, there was the pride factor and the control factor, but Jonathan, ever the psychologist, wanted to hear it from Edward’s own lips.
--
“Because I can’t live without her.” Edward admitted. He needed his daughter’s approval. Needed it more than anything. Perhaps more than Jonathan’s own approval but that was only a variable to the factor. Jonathan ruled Edward’s existence. If Jonathan felt that the obsession was trivial, Edward would abandon it without question. But that didn’t seem like something Jonathan would do. He hated Enigma as much as Edward did. At least, Eddie assumed that was the case.
--
“You might want to tell her that,” Jonathan said softly. He tilted Edward’s head up, placing a soft kiss against his lips. “She needs you just as much, and the more you push her away, you push her into his arms,” he pointed out before releasing Edward. “Or we can kill her, either way, I get to have fun.”
--
Edward knew Jonathan’s words to be true, though it was hard to hear from his lover. The man that was supposed to understand him. Edward simply frowned, “Why is that relevant? They’re already married now.” He whined, making a face. “Fine.”
With that, Edward left the cathedral, looking for Enigma. He found her outside the chapel with Bruce. “Enigma.....baby, a word?” Edward said, hoping she would give him the time of day.
--
“It’s relevant because I want you happy,” Jonathan said, but had waited until edward had left his side.
Enigma turned, looking at her father, before nodding, kissing Bruce’s cheek and stepping over to her father, hoping he wasn’t about to kill her on her wedding day. “Yes, daddy?”
--
Edward grasped his daughter’s arm gently, pulling her away from Bruce for privacy. Licking his lips, Edward finally admitted to Enigma how he felt. “I can’t live without you, baby. This kills me. I want you to be my daughter, my only, beautiful offspring but you keep doing things that make me want to push you away. I want you to take my legacy when I’m gone. Because....” Edward began, sighing. “because I love you.” He never told Enigma that he loved her. His ego had never allowed it. It was rare. And it was only for her.
--
She stared at him, her mouth falling open, her eyes wide. Did he...did this...
Tears spiked her lashes again and she threw her arms around him, clutching at him. “Daddy,” she whispered, clinging to him, trembling. “I love you too,” she whispered, never wanting to let him to, to let this moment pass.
Because it would pass.
“Why can’t I keep you both?” she asked, breaking apart to be given the one thing she wanted so desperately...and to know she couldn’t keep it.
--
He did it because it was necessary. His ego, and his future husband told him it was the right move. He curled his arms around her, despite his better judgement. “My baby.” Edward breathed, closing his eyes. He held his daughter close to him, revelling in her presence. “Because one can’t have both sides of the coin and you were born into darkness. I’m sorry that I can’t give you both lives, I wish i could but it just isn’t possible.”
Bruce frowned, waiting patiently as Edward dominated his new wife's presence. Obviously Edward was inflating her with his lies. He hated that man so much. “Enigma...” bruce said, after a moment, “We have to go to the reception. You’ll see your dad there, I'm sure.” Bruce said softly.
--
She stared at her father, before standing on her tip toe, tears wetting the kiss she placed on his cheek. “I will be of the darkness, father, I will be a Nigma...but I won't leave him,” she whispered, stepping back, tears falling heavily as she moved away from the most important person in her life and towards her husband, taking his hand, sadness written across her face on what was supposed to be the happiest day.
--
“I can take that, I suppose.” Edward replied, willing to compromise at least a little. As along as she was willing to live up to her birthright, he was willing to allow her to live. He would’ve preferred her to leave Bruce, but this was a compromise. “Fine, baby. As long as you’re happy.”
Edward let her pull away, standing there as she went with Bruce. His enemy.
Bruce smiled and took her hand, leading her towards the limo that would take them to the reception they’d planned to have, unaware of what she promised to her father.
--
Enigma climbed into the limo that would take them to Stark Tower for the reception, wiping at her eyes, hoping she wasn’t about to get herself killed for everything. But she needed her father. “I love you,” she said, looking up at Bruce.
Jonathan reached out, taking Edward’s hand. “We will win her back,” he promised, kissing Edward’s cheek. “Let’s go get cake.”