Chapter Text
His heartbeat under her ear usually lulls her to sleep, but tonight she just can’t seem to surrender her thoughts. Their reunion was hot and heavy, just the way she likes it. Often, it’s the dose of melatonin she needs to send her into a deep sleep, but even that didn’t do the trick tonight. Closing her eyes, she lets out a small huff. Her mind is racing, and has been racing for some time now. She has something she wants to ask him, but she’s not sure how. It’s so unlike her. Yet, all during her last deployment, it’s the only thing she could think about during her downtime.
“Want to tell me what’s on your mind,” she hears rumbled under her.
Popping her head up and looking into the sleepy eyes of her fiancé, she can’t help but smile at his sex rumpled hair and still flushed face.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“Me too, but damn woman. Your thoughts are louder than the waves outside. What’s up?”
Bradley. Always so in-tune to others. It used to drive her up a wall how easily he could read her. But now, it’s a pretty freaking great perk to their relationship. She’s not always the most overt or demonstrative with her intentions, especially in public, so it works for them that he’s so observant.
“Come on, Babe. You know you’ll feel better if you let it out,” he gently coaxes while tickling her side and nuzzling his mustached mouth into her neck. Ung. She melts all over again at the feel of his lips and teasing touch. Must not get distracted.
“Ok. Ok.” Here goes. “I don’t want to get married.” She lets out in a rush.
Bradley sits straight up, almost knocking her off the bed, and scrubs his face.
“Wait! Let me finish.” She scrambles to her knees. He looks over at her with alarm. Her heart melts and quickly takes his face in both her hands. “I mean, I don’t want to get married in the fall like we planned. I don’t want a big wedding. I want a small thing, just you and me.”
Smiling, she says, “I want to do it now.”
“Jesus Christ, Nat. Don’t you think you could’ve led with that! You scared the shit out of me.” He flops back on the bed with his hands covering his eyes, and the rumpled top sheet drooping even dangerously lower.
Drinking in her fill of her sexy naked man, she shakes her head and reluctantly pulls her gaze up to meet his amused hazel ones that caught her distracted detour.
He pulls her back down, and she settles into his warmth once again. Drawing patterns on his chest, she unloads the rest.
“I want to elope. Tomorrow or today, whatever the hell time it is. Let’s just get in the car and drive. Vegas! It’s only, what, 6 hours away?”
“Babe, you know I’d marry you in a heartbeat. You don’t have to convince me. But are you sure? I thought you’d want your family there. I mean, you know for me my list is pretty much blank aside from friends and distant relatives, but for you, you have all your family. I want this to be special.”
“Special is with you,” she says simply. “Listen, my parents, especially my mom,” she says with an eye roll, “might have something to say. But it’s not about them, and she’ll get over it. They all adore you. This is about us. And us alone. At the end of the day, I’m committing to you, and audience he damned.”
“You know better than anyone that life works the way it wants, Bradley. Especially with what we do,” she finishes quietly with an edge of doubt, and not like her at all.
She sees him wince. “Okay, Dr. Doom,” he jokes. She narrows her eyes, a little annoyed at him making light of this newfound fear of hers. She’s not an idiot. Him too. Every pilot knowingly knows the risks every time they go up. It’s always there. And now that they both have someone waiting at home for them, it makes the scary a little more, well, scary.
“Ok, hear me out,” he says with his eyes shifting to loving concern. She knows this has been a long-time worry of his, and he’s just now playing catch-up that it’s become one for her too. “I just don’t want you to jump into this because you’re scared or thinking end of days shit, Nat. I don’t want you to regret a knee-jerk reaction. Not when it comes to something this important.”
“I’m not. I promise. It’s all I’ve thought about during my last deployment. Believe me, I’ve given it a lot of thought. I just don’t see the point in waiting for a big event I don’t want. One I know you definitely don’t. We have our time that is lining up right now. So let’s use it. Let’s just do it like Nike, baby,” she says, dropping her chin into her chest to lower her voice in a silly way to bring back some levity to the conversation. She doesn’t want to guilt or scare him into her idea. Her wanting to elope, isn’t about the ugly and scary what ifs, truly. It’s about the beautiful what ifs that lay ahead for them. It’s also a chance at a celebration that showcases the fun spontaneous side of their relationship, and getting married in a style that suits them. No one else.
Bradley takes her in for a moment. His watchful gaze absorbing her every detail, from her messy hair to her red painted toenails. Surprised? No one likes Frodo feet she defends.
“Ok. Fuck it. Let’s go.” He jumps out of bed and starts to rummage through their strewn clothes to dress.
Stunned by his 180, she stares at his gorgeous nakedness in the soft moonlight. How someone so big can be so graceful is a mystery to her. And. Damn. He’s got an outstanding ass.
Bradley turns looking over his shoulder, shooting her smirk. “Get moving, Trace,” he says.
“Eh. Just stand there a little longer, will ya?”
He throws a pillow at her head. She ducks and laughs, “What. Leave now? Like now, now?”
“Yup. We can drive through the night and be there by morning. We’ll have the day to research and prepare. Or gamble and see a nudie show,” he says while wiggling his brows. “Who cares. Let's adventure baby. Let’s just do it like you said.”
A gigantic smile overtakes her face.
Leaping off the bed and into his arms, she kisses him. “Thank you,” she whispers with her forehead resting on his. “We’re getting married.”
“In Vegas, baby,” he whispers back.
They are doing this. They are really, really doing this, Nat chants in her head as she waits outside the chapel entrance for her cue.
By Vegas standards, this place is pretty freaking cute. It’s a lot less Elvis and a lot more cute Italian country villa. They thought of maybe going the funny and clichéd route, but ultimately didn’t want to start their marriage off as a joke. Yes, they are eloping. Yes, they are in Vegas. But it doesn’t have to be as tawdry as it sounds. Plus, her mother would pass out and then rip her a new asshole upon waking if she found out some Elvis impersonator married them. She cringes. Not good. She likes her one asshole just fine, thank you.
This place totally caught her off guard as they drove by. She immediately asked Bradley to pull over. The minute they walked inside, it just felt right. Even her mom would approve. Gold star. They were able to pick a time for later that day and get ready back at the hotel.
She smoothes her hands down her white satin dress nervously. Admittedly, she’s not a girly girl. But she does like to feel pretty and sexy, especially for Bradley. If there ever was a time to splurge on this sheath dress, it was today.
She hasn’t seen Bradley yet, as they agreed to arrive separately. She was somewhat surprised at his request, but deep down found the traditionalist in him hot as hell. She really shouldn’t have been surprised, though, he does after all have a kink for the oldies. She laughs thinking of his mustache, “Grandpa wardrobe” as Seresin calls it, and his love of vintage cars and music. And that ladies and gentlemen will be her husband. She shakes her head, but can’t deny the little thrill that shoots down her spine. She wouldn’t have him any other way.
Just then, she sees the officiator’s assistant stick her head out to give her the get ready signal. Taking a deep breath, she pulls open the doors and starts her short walk towards her future husband.
Eyes landing on Bradley, she almost trips. It’s the heels, dammit. Yet, she can’t fool herself or anyone with two working eyes. At the end of the short aisle stands her husband to be, clad in the sexiest black tuxedo she’s ever seen. His tanned skin and golden hair, the perfect contrast to the stark colors. Wow. It’s a sight to behold, a first-ever seeing him sport one. They agreed no dress whites for their event. They wanted the day to be about Bradley and Natasha, not Rooster and Phoenix. Those two get plenty of pomp and circumstance. It’s not a regular occurrence for them to have the opportunity to dress-up as themselves, and seeing him now in his tux makes her want to high-five herself for an excellent decision.
Looking down the aisle into his eyes, she sees love and tenderness reflected. He’s also sporting her favorite soft smile reserved just for her as he takes her in. No man has ever made her feel as beautiful or wanted as he does. Never.
Once she arrives at his side, she hears him whisper, “You’re incredible,” before taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. Squeezing his hand in silent thanks, they both turn to the officiant.
“Wow. I don’t think we’ve seen the sparks from the likes of you two grace our little chapel in quite some time. Thank you.” Shaking his head in delighted wonderment, the Officiant begins.
“Today we are gathered here to witness the union of Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw and Natasha Marie Trace. Two people I could tell from the moment we met were made for each other. Now, I bet you think I say that to everyone, and you’re right, I do,” he says with a chuckle. “Hazard of the job. But today, I honestly mean it. Your love, respect, and joy is evident from each look, touch, and word I’ve witnessed.” Rubbing his hands together he says, “Now, let’s get you two married. It’s what you’re here for after all,” he finishes with a wink.
“A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense excluding all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life. Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.”
“Bradley, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Natasha in marriage? If so, answer “I do.””
Turning to Nat and locking eyes with her, he says in his deep, scratchy voice, “I do.” His lips tip up in a small smile after his declaration.
“Natasha, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Bradley in marriage? If so, answer “I do.””
Looking back at him, she says with just as much conviction, “I do.” She feels the sting of tears and wills them back.
“Bradley and Natasha, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows.”
“I understand you wrote your own?”
They join hands, interlacing fingers.
“Nat,” he starts releasing one hand to gently stroke her cheek with his thumb to catch a traitorous tear, “I feel overwhelmingly lucky and proud to be standing beside you today. Thank you for always supporting and loving me, unconditionally. I know I haven't always made that easy. I vow to always do my best to give more than I take, and not keep score. When I am with you, I am the best version of myself because I am utterly and unapologetically myself. Not many truly know me the way you do. I vow to continuously work on myself, and to be the husband you want and deserve. Give me your bad hair days, your long deployments, your burnt coffee, and lost phone chargers.” Nat lets out a watery laugh at that. “Give me your every day, and I will give you my love to make it all alright. Your love gives me hope. Your smile gives me joy. You make me a better man. You make me a complete man, filling in all the gaps years of circumstances left bare. I love you with my whole heart, and can’t wait for all the years of adventure by your side. But most of all, you are home, and it’s my favorite place to be.”
Slayed. She’s utterly slayed. Just when she thinks she couldn’t love him more, he goes and speaks from his heart leaving her speechless. Although, now’s not the best time to lose her words, she panics. Looking down to collect her thoughts, she takes a deep breath.
“Bradley. I was drawn to you from the day we met at the academy. Your warm and inviting eyes and your magnetic smile softened my tough girl façade immediately. I remember wanting to have, and sometimes make, reasons to talk to you. Hello, bad jokes? To see you beam that amazing smile back at me, immediately putting me at ease and brightening my day. I love that we started out as friends. That is my favorite part of our story. You truly saw me. See me. You understand me, accept me, in a way no one else has, in a way that I believe no one else can. You taught me I can be tough and love at the same time. It doesn’t make me weak, only stronger. You are my best friend…I'm so grateful for our special brand of weird,” she says with a soft, rueful smile. “To me, it means more than just being silly at the piano and loving 80’s movies. It signifies a special, profound, unfettered love for each other. It's loving each other at our most intimate, vulnerable times. I promise to challenge you and to accept challenges from you. I promise to treasure you. I promise to love you when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. With these vows, I promise you that you'll never have to face the world alone.”
Bradley sucks in a breath at her last line. Something that, before meeting her and falling in love, was one of his biggest wounds. Feeling alone. Living alone. Walking the rest of his life alone due to fear of being hurt again. She can feel this vow, above all others, cracks his heart wide open. He bows his head and squeezes her hands. Looking back up and blinking his tears away, he mouths, thank you, with the most tender and gracious look he’s ever given her.
“Your wedding rings are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites your two hearts in love.”
The Officiant hands Bradley one of the rings they picked out earlier. Bradley holds it up with an endearing smile aimed her way.
“Bradley, place the ring on Natasha’s finger and repeat after me….
I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
My love is also forever.”
Taking her hand, he gently places the simple gold band on her ring finger, right next to her engagement ring. Her heart stops and starts at this poignant moment. She looks down at the ring in disbelief. Just when she was getting used to her engagement ring, she has a new reminder staring back at her. Unreal.
“Natasha, place the ring on Bradley’s finger and repeat after me….
I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
My love is also forever.”
She pushes the matching simple gold band onto his bigger ring finger. He flexes his hand to test out his new favorite accessory with a shy smile. She’s honestly never seen anything sexier, her Bradley in a tux wearing her ring. A core memory she’ll have forever as she smiles up into his loving and playful gaze.
“May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.”
Oh, they will. Especially when he’s wearing it and nothing else she fantasizes. Can we skip to the after party now, she secretly hopes?
“Everyone has advice for newlyweds. Bradley and Natasha, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day. May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health. May you always share open and honest communication between each other. May you respect each other’s individual talents and gifts and give full support to each other’s professional and personal pursuits. May your love be a life-long source of excitement, contentment, affection, respect, and devotion for one another.”
“And so now, by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife.”
“You may seal this declaration with a kiss.”
Leaning down, Bradley takes her lips with his own while sweeping her in his arms to dip her back and down low.
Nat’s arms immediately encircle his neck as she bends backwards and her feet shoot up off that ground. He’s literally swept her off her feet. What a guy, she celebrates. My guy. No, my freaking husband she inwardly screams.
Returning to their upright positions and giving her one final peck, she adores the bright smile Bradley beams down at her with as the officiant announces, “I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Bradshaw.”
Their only witness, the officiants assistant, excitedly claps. Her one-man band of excitement is contagious. Nat makes a mental note to send her a fruit basket or something.
Clasping their hands, Bradley tenderly kisses her newly adorned left ring finger, as they make their way out of the chapel. Once outside in the setting sun, he turns to her and picks her up to kiss her again.
“Holy shit. We did it,” he says into her lips with a smile.
“We did,” Nat beams back.
“Let’s go celebrate, Hubster,” she says with a wink as they make their way to the car.
“Show me the way home, honey,” he says.
“Show me the way home.”