In which it is the happiest day of Tony's life
Tony shifted his feet nervously. Rhodey squeezed his shoulder.
Tony gulped.
"You ready for this?" His best friend asked looking Tony in the eye.
"You better believe it!" Tony squirmed a little his stomach was doing cart wheels. He couldn't breath, but in the best way.
Rhodey laughed a little. Tony knew that his best friend could sense the nervous energy vibrating off him.
"Gosh where is she?" Tony breathed. He felt like he was about to explode.
"She's woman, you might have to wait a while," Rhodey gave him a pat on the back.
"Is this really happening?" Tony squeaked. His mouth went dry.
Rhodey nodded over Tony's shoulder. Tony turned.
And there she was.
Tony thought he was going pass out.
Sun shined down from above and bathed Pepper in light. It shone off her white dress.
Her smile shone brighter than the sun. Her cristal blues twinkled in the sun.
The world went silent as she approached down the rows of chairs. Tony lost awareness of everything but her.
It was just her. Always her.
She stepped up onto the altar in front of him.
They faced each other. The world was gone. It was just them.
Pepper smiled wider than he had ever seen her smile. His own smile reflected back at him in her eyes.
He reached forward and grabbed her hands in his.
"Friends... Family," T'challa's voice brought Tony and Pepper back to reality, "We here today to witness Virginia Potts, and Anthony Stark agreeing join their lives forever through the good and the bad. The hard and the easy. We are here to witness as they officially devote their hearts to each other."
Tony could already see tears brimming in Pepper's eyes. He was extra sure there were tears in his eyes too.
"I believe you two have prepared vows?"
Tony and Pepper both nodded not breaking eye contact.
Harley rose from his seat and approached the couple standing with their hands joined. Harley could feel himself beaming ridiculously. He took his place next to Tony with the ring. Peter (also beaming ear to ear) took his place across from Harley next to Pepper with the other ring.
Harley couldn't believe it was finally happening.
Tony swallowed hard and took the ring from Harley. His eyes only leaving Peppers for a second.
Pepper smiled. Tony took her soft hand in hers. She stretched out her long slender fingers.
Tony took a deep breath.
"Ms. Potts," He began, "You have always went along with my various crazy adventures. You have stood by me, but you have also called me out when I needed it. You joined me on this great journey long before either of us knew where it would lead. You put up with me for ten years, and then I vanished. You could have left, but you stayed. You were there. Right there waiting for me when I stepped off the plane from Afghanistan. You were right there to help me fight my demons. You were the light that brought me back when I lay on the roof of Stark Industries. You were there when I woke up in the hospital. You were there for me through my nightmares, and again even after I let fall 300 ft" Pepper chuckled a little "You were there when I woke up from my surgery. You were there when I made it home from Titan. Ms. Potts, you have stood by my side for so long without me ever asking. Now I am promising to do the same. Ms. Potts you are my love, my life, my light that always shines even through the darkest night. Ms. Pepper Potts, I promise to love you and stand by you, like you have done for me for so long, forever and for always." He took a deep breath, "Forever and for always you are the love of my life and I promise to with you forever. You are my always."
Tony slipped the ring on to Pepper's fingers. Tears were running down her face.
She stared him in the eyes.
"Tony," She smiled ear to ear, "I didn't know what i was signing up for when you hired all of those many years ago. If someone had come to me and told me that i would end up on the alter with the billionaire that had just hired me, I probably would have run away in terror. If someone had told me that he would come to be the person I care about above all else I would have personally sent them to an asylum. Tony my love I am glad that you hired me. I am glad that you led me into your fantastic journey and that you convinced me to stay. Beyond all of the stress and long nights you imparted on me, you have proven a million times over that you, Tony Stark, do indeed have a heart. It was your heart that made me stay. Tony Stark," Tony took a deep breath, he could feel warm tears running down his face "I am ever so grateful that you offered me your heart. I am beyond grateful that I saw it, and was crazy enough to take it. Tony I promise to give you my heart in it's whole, and I promise to never let you go. I promise keep the gift that is your heart, and love and cherish it forever."
The cold ring slid over Tony's finger. It was done. They were one. Forever and for always.
"By the power invested in me by the kingdom of Wakanda I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!" T'challa proclaimed.
Pepper leapt into Tony's arms.
Her warm lips hit his. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed back.
Somehow it was more wonderful and beautiful than all of the times they had kissed.
It was pure.
It was beautiful.
It was wonderful.
Tony held his wife close.
Theys stayed that way, kissing, for so long.
Pepper and Tony were blind and deaf to the cheers echoing around them as they embraced.
They only needed each other.
His heart belonged to her, and she would keep it forever.
Her love was his, and he would never let it go.