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selina refused to worry about anything having to do with wedding planning. alfred worried enough for the both of them.
she would not be some bridezilla horror story. she didn’t have a fit while dress shopping, she had no opinion on the venue, she trusted the professional chefs and bakers and decorators and planners to do their jobs. that was the point of hiring professionals. that’s how the job got done well.
she had a small wedding party and a bottomless budget. there was nothing to stress over.
bruce was, all in all, thoroughly impressed by her composure through the process. he didn’t expect reality tv level theatrics, but he was somewhat surprised by the lack of anxiety she had over anything to do with their ceremony.
he wasn’t shocked when her meltdown finally happened, but he couldn’t have guessed the thing to trigger it would be alfred reiterating that they would be getting ready separately.
“baby, you know i can’t see you in your dress until you’re walking down the isle,” he murmured gently, “that’s how weddings work. it’ll only be a few hours.”
selina groaned, “i don’t get to see you on my own wedding day.”
“just while you’re getting ready,” he reassured her, “once we get to the actual ceremony you’re stuck with me all day,” he paused, kissing her forehead, “and night, and for the rest of our lives.”
she huffed, curling into him and wiping her eyes. she felt childish for getting all worked up. bruce had tried to absolve her of this, claiming weddings were stressful and that she’d held it together much better than most brides, but it did little help in the end.
“this is stupid,” she whispered into his shoulder, “why are we even doing this?”
he stared down at her with a sharp, hurt expression, as though he’d be struck, “what are you talking about?”
“we should’ve just eloped and taken a trip or something. what’s the point of all the glitz and glamor? i don’t care about that stuff. i just wanna be with you,” she continued, oblivious to his previous misunderstanding.
“oh,” he sighed, relief washing over him, “i thought you meant… i thought you were trying to back out.“
she shook her head, meeting his eyes, “it’s too late for that. we already signed the papers. i’m basically yours forever.”
bruce beamed down at her, overwhelmed with love. “come here,” he whispered, tilting her chin up and pressing their lips together.
she grinned against his mouth, dragging her hand across and up his shoulders until it tangled in his hair. she pulled away slightly, just barely disconnecting their lips, and breathed a soft, “let’s go to bed?”
he nodded, moving his arms to carry her to their room.
“i have legs, you know,” she grumbled, though there was no venom in her voice.
he shrugged, “just practicing.”
“gonna be carrying me a lot in our married lives?” she questioned.
his chest flooded with warmth at the mention of their lives being connected irreversibly. “no, just over the threshold.”
“such a traditionalist,” she tutted, sliding out of his arms and sprawling out on the mattress.
bruce followed her, wrapping his arms around her waist and tugging her to him. “are you happy?”
she interlaced her fingers with his, bringing his knuckles to her lips before settling into him and
allowing him to tuck her under the blankets. “of course i am. never been better.”
”good,” he nodded, kissing the nape of her neck, “me too.”
and with that, the couple slowly slipped into sleep.
-
the next morning selina’s outrage at the idea of separation seemed far less laughable.
bruce clung to her as tight as he could when alfred beat on their door to coax them from their room.
he woke her with soft kisses pressed to her stomach, sternum, chest, neck, jaw, and cheeks.
“good morning, baby,” he whispered as she arched into him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
she scratched at the bass of his neck slightly, grinning, and murmured her own greeting.
by the time alfred knocked on the door the second time, the pair were thoroughly absorbed with one another. she carded her hands through his hair as he slanted his lips against hers, almost desperately, and gripped her hips like a lifeline.
eventually they separated, stumbling to the bathroom hand-in-hand to brush their teeth. after tending to their basic morning hygiene, they found their way back to the bed. this time, laying face to face, selina traced his features lazily with her index finger, crooning sweet nothings and love confessions.
after another twenty minutes, and alfred threatening them with bodily harm, they made their way to the kitchen.
they ate together, thanking alfred for the meal and coffee, before kissing one (two, three, four) last time(s) and going their separate ways.
-
by the time lee and selina entered the bridal suite barbara had already planned a full scale schedule of when everyone needs to be completely ready in time for pictures and, of course, the actual event.
“god, selina, did you sleep at all last night?” she gasped, mid-sentence, at selina’s under-eye bags.
lee rolled her eyes, “honestly, barbara, you sure know how to make a girl feel special.”
“i slept,” she murmured, sinking into the chair next to her.
“it’s fine,” babs continued, “i have eye masks in my purse and there’s always concealer. speaking of which, we need to start on your makeup within the next, like, ten minutes.”
selina nodded, already exhausted by the day, “whatever you want.”
lee laid a hand on her shoulder, “it’s supposed to be whatever you want today, dear.”
she groaned. “i want to be with bruce.”
the women shared a glance before looking back down at her.
“come on, kitty cat,” barbara teased, leaning to level her face with selina’s, “wedding’s in four hours.”
selina sat in her seat, allowing lee and barbara to do her makeup with little complaint. she’d refused to hire a makeup artist or hairstylist, preferring to spend the time with people she cared about instead. she didn’t have much of a preference on makeup, never caring that much about it in the first place, and trusted babs decision of cool toned eyes and smoked out liner.
lee, realizing barbara didn’t need her help or appreciate her hovering, got started on her own face. then they traded, and lee worked on selina’s hair.
it was considerably longer than it had ever been, though her curls were still unruly and hard to manage, and lee had suggested an elaborate half-up-half-down situation.
selina agreed, not really sure what she was talking about, and ignored the twisting and pulling that irritated her scalp.
an hour later, selina was cleared to look in the mirror, and she was half-shocked at the sight in front of her. she looked like her still, which is something she’d worried about, but she looked different. it was evident they’d taken care to highlight her own beauty, whereas she usually appeared to disguise herself when playing dress up for galas and functions.
“holy shit,” she whispered, reality sinking in, “i look like i’m getting married.”
“not yet you don’t,” barbara challenged, “let’s get you dressed and you will.”
lee protested from the room over, “she needs to eat first! we don’t want anything getting on her dress.”
she grimaced, “maybe should’ve eaten before we did my lipstick.“
babs narrowed her eyes at her, jokingly, and ushered her to the kitchen of the bridal suite.
lee had already prepared lunch and snacks for the three of them, and was now laying everything out on the counter.
barbara gasped, suddenly, causing selina to whip her head around at her.
“what happened,” she asked, suddenly anxious.
“i brought champagne! for mimosas!“
sel and lee stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“go get it, babs, you’ve been holding out on me!”
lee frowned, “don’t drink too much, you don’t wanna fall on the way up.”
she whined, “wouldn’t the tabloids love that. gotham’s new gold digger princess whore falls on her face during wedding, rumors say drug and alcohol abuse?”
“don’t let them get to you,” she sighed, tweaking the arrangement of her hair momentarily before passing her a plate, “bruce doesn’t care what they say.”
“i don’t care what they say,” she lied, “i just don’t wanna give them ammo.”
babs entered the room again and began pouring glasses as selina’s phone rang.
she gasped, face lighting up, as bruce’s name flashed on her screen.
“hey, b,” she greeted, every ounce of tension draining from her body.
he smiled, “hey, selly, everything ok over there?”
“yeah, of course,” she continued, “why?”
“we just saw barbara rushing to her car,” he explained, “figured i’d make sure nothing happened.”
“she was just getting stuff for mimosas to go with lunch,” selina realized barbara was mouthing that she’s not supposed to talk to him and she mouthed ‘that’s not a rule’ before turning away from her.
“you guys got lunch?” bruce asked, “i didn’t know we could get lunch.”
she chuckled, “lee made stuff. you don’t have food?”
“i guess not,” he finished, “why didn’t we make food?”
“you’re helpless. come get sandwiches.”
“he can’t come over, you're halfway ready,” lee interrupted.
she rolled her eyes, “i’ll hide in the bathroom.”
“i’ll just send jim and lucius,” he argued, “i still need to steam our suits.”
“you’re steaming the suits?” selina asked, incredulously, “you’re like a little housewife.“
“if i’m the housewife and the breadwinner, what are you?”
“a gold digger leach,” she quoted, “duh.”
“duh,” he sighed, “i’ve gotta go now, baby.”
she huffed, “fine. see you later.”
“bye, i love you.”
“i love you too. send your friends, you need to eat.” she finished.
“i will,” he promised, “see you soon.”
“see you,” she echoed, hanging up somewhat reluctantly.
babs and lee looked back at her, twin expressions of raised eyebrows and smug smiles.
“shut up.”
-
a few minutes later jim and lucius came to collect sandwiches, discuss when each group is meeting with the photographer, and compliment selina. once she finished her food, she had barbara help her into her dress.
in front of the floor length mirrors in the oversized bathroom, she pulled the bodice of the dress up and stood still as babs buttoned the back.
her gown was, admittedly, more extravagant than she’d been looking for. it was trumpet style, with the flare leading into a tasteful train. the entire satin dress was covered by a layer of lace. it was gorgeous, but the bodice was truly the reason she’d fallen in love with it. it was partially see through, with an off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline and ornate lace detailing.
when babs finished, selina stared back at her reflection.
“you look beautiful, sel,” babs whispered, wrapping her arms around her waist to hug her.
she gripped barbara’s arms, leaning into her, and murmured a soft, “thank you.”
“of course-”
“no,” she interrupted, “i mean, thanks for everything. for taking me in as a kid, for taking me in as a teenager. everything you’ve done for me, all these years, thank you.”
she smiled, kissing her temple, “of course, kitty cat. you know i love you like my own.”
“i love you too, babs,” she replied, biting back tears.
she turned around, enveloping the older woman in a real hug.
“you did good, kid,” she whispered into her hair, “i’m lucky to have gotten to see it.”
-
a while later, after she’d shown off her dress to lee, alfred came up to the suite to give her martha’s wedding set. it was a single strand of pearls, matching earrings, and a small tiara, as she had been adamant on not wearing a veil.
“thank god martha wayne liked simple jewelry,” selina muttered when alfred was out of earshot, “i would’ve killed bruce if he made me wear his dead mom’s gaudy jewels.”
lee slapped her arm lightly and she laughed.
“i mean it!”
“i know,” she hissed, voice much more playful than she intended, “that’s the problem.”
she allowed alfred to put her necklace on, reminiscing their conversation from the day bruce brought up set.
-
“alfred,” she called, “while he’s looking for that, i was wondering if i could talk to you about something?”
he nodded curtly, sitting in the chair across from her.
“i know it’s not traditional, and maybe not even appropriate, but,” she paused, collecting her thoughts, “at the wedding i’m supposed to have someone walk me down the isle. i think it’s for something weird, like giving me away?”
“i’m familiar with the sentiment, yes,” he replied.
she smiled, somewhat nervously, before continuing, “well, it’s supposed to be your dad, but… y’know.”
he simply nodded her on, listening intently.
“i talked to bruce about it and… we thought maybe,” she sighed, fighting tears, “well i wondered if you’d wanna do it.”
she, finally, made eye contact and met his teary-eyed gaze.
“but, that’s a father’s job, isn’t it?”
she shrugged. “you’re the closest i’ve got.”
-
she smiled fondly, remembering his watery smile as he accepted her invitation. he’d hugged her that day. she’d never seen him hug anyone over something good.
“right, there you are, miss,” alfred murmured, stepping away from her.
“thanks,” she replied, “hey, alf, what are you gonna call me now? i mean, after today i won’t be a miss or a kyle.”
“you’re ditching kyle completely?” babs asked from the bathroom, where she was getting dressed.
“kyle-wayne,” she yelled back, reaching across the table to grab her drink
lee smiled, “good. selina wayne doesn’t sound nearly as good.”
“i suppose,” alfred cut in, “the proper title would be mistress wayne.”
selina nearly spit out her drink. “absolutely not.”
alfred opened his mouth to argue, but she didn’t give him a chance.
“no way, there’s no way i’m letting you call me mistress,” she snapped, “i’m being labeled a whore for hire in every magazine known to man, you would be encouraging them.”
“i suppose madam wayne could work?”
lee furrowed her eyebrows, “isn’t that for someone that speaks french?”
“i’ll learn french if it means you’re not calling me mistress.”
“who’s calling who mistress?” barbara asked, stepping back into the main room in his bridesmaid dress.
“nobody,” selina hissed.
-
“that jewelry is just gorgeous, selina,” lee crooned, touching an earring, “you said it was bruce’s mom’s?”
“yeah, she had good taste.“
“he gave you her ring too?” barbara asked.
she nodded. “he’s a mama’s boy. i keep catching myself staring at old pictures to make sure he’s not got some kind of oedipus complex.”
“that’s disgusting,” chastised lee.
she grinned, staring down at her necklace
-
“here,” bruce shouted, rushing back into the study, “look.”
he presented her with a black velvet box containing a pearl set.
“what’s this?” she asked.
he grinned, “it’s my mom’s jewelry from her wedding day.”
selina stared back up at him, features full of adoration, “you want me to wear your mom’s pearls?”
“of course,” he answered immediately.
she fought the urge to cry for the millionth time since he’d proposed. “isn’t your mother’s jewelry really sentimental though?”
“so?” he shrugged.
“so,” she argued, “i don’t wanna… i don’t know, taint it?”
bruce shook his head, swooping down to kiss her gently, “you could never.”
-
pictures were, admittedly, the most stressful part of the day. keeping rotations in order without bruce and selina crossing paths became a full time job for the wedding party.
in the end, they got perfect shots of each group, and everyone lined up to walk down the isle.
bruce was the first to walk, as selina didn’t exactly have relatives to begin the processional. he took his place at the front of the arch, watching as jim and barbara (the best man and maid of honor, respectively) followed behind him. lee and lucius finished the wedding party and heads turned to the back of the isle as alfred and selina approached.
selina was clutching alfred’s arm so tight she was worried her nails may draw blood.
“madam,” he repeated, his fourth attempt to get her attention, “selina?”
she looked up at him, eyes shining with tears. “i’m scared.”
“that’s a bit silly, isn’t it? this is a good experience, yeah? nothing to be afraid of. just think about being you and master b up there.” he reassured her.
“yeah,” she repeated, breathing deep and trying to relax, “ok. is it my turn?”
he nodded, leading her forward.
the isle, suddenly, seemed a million miles long.
the moment bruce saw her turn the corner he felt his eyes well with tears. she was just so beautiful.
selina walked as quickly as she could while looking reasonable, and smiled widely at bruce’s awestruck expression.
when they, finally, reached the arch the bruce held selina’s hand as she stood in front of him and alfred rounded to his seat at the front.
bruce, unable to hold back tears, stepped a hair closer to her.
‘you’re perfect,’ he mouthed at her.
she sniffled quietly, ‘i love you’
the officiant began the words of welcome as bruce leaned his forehead to hers, just barely, and held her hands tightly in his own.
the minister continued talking about the meaning and importance of marriage, what it means to them and what their responsibilities are as a married couple. his likely beautiful sermon fell on deaf ears, as the two were thoroughly absorbed in one another.
bruce ran his thumb in circles on her hand, staring into her eyes intently. in that moment he knew he'd never love anyone more.
they were now signaled it was time to recite their vows. to his surprise, selina had, reluctantly, agreed to writing their own in addition to traditional ones.
the groom was to read his first, and so he began;
selina, shortly before i met you a great man told me that though things may seem dark right now there will be light.
you entered my life at a time of great personal tragedy, and the moment i saw you i knew you would be my salvation. it may have been naive to believe a girl i just met could save me from my grief, but i was only twelve.
i’ve loved you every day for almost fifteen years. i won’t say our has been easy, as no love worthwhile ever is, but it’s been the greatest journey of my life. i wouldn’t trade my time with you for anything, and i’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to spend the rest of my life by your side.
this isn’t to say loving you has been difficult. in fact, falling in love with you was natural. it was effortless. every part of me was made to love every part of you.
you’re my true north, the one to guide me through the world. i live to honor and protect you. i live to share my life with yours. i want for nothing while i have you.
i know your story, your pain, and your successes. i’ve witnessed you fall apart and come together again more times than i can count. i know i’ve left before. we’ve spent time apart, aching for one another. i’ve missed you to my very core. this being said, i promise to you, selina, that i will not leave you alone for as long as i live. i’m yours, wholly, for our eternity.
i, bruce wayne, take you, selina kyle, to be my lawfully wedded wife. to have and to hold from this day forward. for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
selina wiped her eyes, desperately fighting the tears slipping down her cheeks. the minister stated it was her turn and she grumbled something about making her cry in from of strangers before continuing with her own vows;
bruce, that i wrote these at all is a testament to how far we’ve come. i’ve matured a lot from the sixteen year old girl that was too afraid to admit to being your girlfriend. i’ve spent years learning how to love, and accept love, through you.
most of my life i felt like loving people made them hate me. i was afraid to care about others because i thought it would make them leave. i’d never known a love without bounds until you fell for me.
i won’t say you taught me love without pain. sometimes you have to fight to keep someone, and no one leaves a fight without some bruising. the difference is you taught me there were people willing to fight for me.
i was used to being alone. but, at twelve years old you proved you would follow me to the ends of the earth, and your devotion grew as we did.
falling in love with you didn’t come as easily to me. i knew i wanted to love you, but i was afraid. i spent too many years keeping you at arms length, too much time pushing you away.
when you returned to gotham two years ago with my name on your lips, with your heart beating only for me, i knew i’d never let our chance at happiness slip away again.
promising forever, however romantic, feels unrealistic and disingenuous. but, i have never, and will never, love another. you have always been it for me.
i, selina kyle, take you, bruce wayne, to be my lawfully wedded husband. to have and to hold from this day forward. for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.
bruce, now crying harder than selina, mouthed that he loves her again, standing as close to her as appropriate and cupped her jaw gently, stroking her cheek.
“bruce, do you take selina to be your wife? do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forever?” asked the officiate.
“i do,” he answered confidently.
“and selina, do you take bruce to be your husband? do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forever?”
she nodded, smiling brightly, “i do.”
he continued, preaching about the symbolism behind the rings, and barbara and jim handed each of them the other’s ring.
“bruce, please place the ring on selina’s left hand and repeat after me.”
“as a sign of my love, that i have chosen you, above all else, with this ring, i thee wed,” he echoed.
“and selina, please place the ring on bruce’s left hand and repeat after me.”
she repeated the same promises, placing his ring on his hand.
“by the power vested in me by the the state of new jersey, i now declare you husband and wife. groom, you may now kiss the bride.”
bruce smile widened impossibly as he wrapped his arms around selina’s waist and lifted her in the air, kissing her with everything in him.
she brought her hands to the sides of his face, stroking his cheekbones while she kissing him back equally as lovingly.
the cheers of their family, friends, coworkers, and other various citizens echoed through the venue as they parted, but all he could hear was his wife repeating that she loves him as he held her close.