Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Wayne Legacy: Knightmare

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 40: You are cordially invited to the wedding of Diana Wayne and Steven Trevor

Wayne Manor

Kara stepped in front of the massive vault door in the manor basement, placing her eye in front of the retinal scanner and her finger on the fingerprint scanner. She entered a numerical code and then moved close to a speaker and whispered a secret phrase into the voice recognition system that was designed to pick up voices even at the level of a whisper.

Tatsu had been standing a good distance behind her, making sure not to listen or see the codes Kara had put in.

Rather than the door swinging open, Kara stepped back, and the large steel door seemed to follow her. It was then Tatsu noticed the tracks in front of the vault. Once the twelve-inch-thick steel door cleared the walls, it slid on the rail to the right. Kara was scanned from above and a laser grid of some sort flashed, and she walked through the opening, beckoning Tatsu to follow.

When she entered, Tatsu realized the vault was much larger than it appeared from the outside, obviously built into the cavern walls, but it went much deeper inside the earth than she had expected.

To say her mind was blown by the expanse before her would have been a massive understatement.

There were rows upon rows of shelves, all containing vases, busts, literal treasure chests, small statues of deities, fossilized rocks, large old fangs from ancient creatures and jewelry, large rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds, no doubt costing millions of dollars each.

Along all the walls were paintings hung with care. The entire vault was dry, and temperature controlled, obviously to protect these precious items.

Under glass containers, books were laid out, first editions of classics like Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, along with more rare books, such as The First Atlas, and a first edition of The Canterbury Tales . There were others in different languages Tatsu did not know but they were obviously very old, perhaps ancient.

As they continued to the back, Tatsu saw stranger items, of less value but just as protected. One case held what appeared to be normal shiny quarters sitting on top of folded pieces of paper. A half bust, headless mannequin was dressed in only a string of pearls around its neck. While the pearls were of fine quality, they didn’t appear close to the value as other items she had seen in the vault.

“Those are my mom’s pearls. Dad gave them to her the night he asked her to marry him. They were her favorite piece of jewelry.” Kara said, noting Tatsu had stopped to inspect them. “She was wearing them the night she died.”

Sadness was evident in Kara’s tone. Sighing, she said, “They are coming with us.”

Kara continued into the vault, leaving the pearls for now.

When they reached the end, there was a large locker.

“Diana wanted Soultaker to be placed with her personal items.” Kara told her. “She said you know she has power and would never talk. She places a lot of trust in your hands, Tatsu. You are the first person outside the family who has seen the inside of the vault. Not even Dig or Steve have been in here.

“The items behind this door belong to Diana and are the most protected of all.”

“I shall take its secrets to my grave.” Tatsu swore.

“You may have to take it farther.” Kara said, cryptically. “Things can get strange around our family.”

Kara opened the locker and Tatsu was immediately taken back. Soultaker was humming in its sheath, and she felt the raw power from the items almost glistening before her. Tatsu was certain, because of her previous encounters with magic, that she was more sensitive than most. Kara did not seem affected but perhaps she had become desensitized to these powerful artifacts.

A mannequin held an armored sleeveless top and short skirt that protected vital areas but in no way impeded movement. The armored boots, the bracers, the tiara of a warrior, sent chills down her spine. Next to the mannequin hung an ancient shield and beside it, a sword that radiated immense power, indestructible, no doubt a match for Soultaker.

On the other side of the mannequin hung a coil of rope, gold in color and seemingly normal. Tatsu knew better though. That rope was perhaps the most magical item in the locker. It wasn’t just some gold‑colored lasso.

“Where did she acquire these items?” Tatsu asked quietly, body vibrating in the midst of such mystical power.

“They are her birthright.” Kara said.

“What do… no, I do not want to know. It is not my business.”

Kara was relieved that Tatsu had fallen back on her policy of not asking questions as Diana suspected she would. Diana badly wanted Tatsu to be her bridesmaid but knew Tatsu would be reluctant to leave Soultaker anywhere outside of her sight. The only option was to show her a place that was absolutely safe, a place Diana felt comfortable leaving her own personal heirlooms.

Tatsu swallowed and took the sheathed Soultaker from her side.

“Wait.” Kara told her.

The blonde rushed over to a spot where a katana sat on a shelf, with a wooden holder. She removed the katana and brought the holder to the locker, placing it on the floor.

Tatsu smiled at the thoughtfulness and bent down, reverently placing Soultaker in the holder, whispered a goodbye to her husband, then stepped back. Kara closed the locker, and the two walked out of the vault, sealed it up and returned to the manor above.

The bridesmaids stayed the night in the manor. Tatsu had been the final piece of the puzzle. Kara was the maid of honor, of course, with Silver, Cathy, Alex, Barbara, and Sam Arias completing the party.

As far as Kara handling a bachelorette party, she had no reason to bother. She could imagine the disaster of a male dancer approaching Diana. Her older sister would likely throw him a mile into the air. Diana was all about class, even in her private life. Instead, the girls relaxed and drank champagne, watched movies in the theater room and turned in early.

Steve and his groomsmen had stayed at the Hotel Belle Monico, the site of Sam Arias’s welcoming party and where the reception would be held after the wedding. His groomsmen consisted of his best man, Dig, along with Bruce, John Blake, Terry Berg, Hal Jordan, and two cousins his mother told him about he wasn’t aware he had.

Steve’s night consisted of playing poker until ten with his groomsmen and then to bed so he could be refreshed in the morning. A traditional bachelor party was out, and Dig hadn’t bothered either. What sort of dancers would impress a man who was the love of Diana Wayne, a woman who put Aphrodite to shame?

Unlike traditional bridesmaids’ dresses, Kara believed hers and the others were beautiful. They were a light blue, a color Diana had always enjoyed seeing on Kara. They fit the women well, each one tailored to their specific bodies.

The morning of the wedding, Kara and Silver cried, helping Diana into her dress. It didn’t take long because Diana’s dress was simple. She had opted not to have a train of any length. The dress was lacy and hung to her feet, and though sleeveless, the fabric continued up her entire throat. A small crown sat atop her head that had been braided and placed in a high bun. The crown had a veil attached to it that was see through. She completed the ensemble with two inch, plain white heels.

The dress was similar to many wedding dresses in the world, and this was by design. The dress fit her body well, clung to her every curve and was beautiful but the focus was on her gorgeous face.

It was a simple dress for some but perfect for Diana.

As she stood in front of the mirror, Kara moved behind her, reaching around her throat with a string of pearls.

“Kara…” Diana began to object, reaching towards her neck.

“No. Dad gave these to Mom, and she wore them when she married him. They are yours now, Diana.” Kara stated, stopping Diana from any movement as tears filled her eyes. Kara settled the necklace around Diana’s neck, looking into the mirror and catching her big sister’s gaze. “They have been kept locked away too long. They belong to the Lady of Wayne Manor and that is you. Mom would want you to wear them today and you know it.”

At her sister’s nod, Kara clasped the pearl necklace, securing it in place and Diana touched them gently, the tears now falling down her cheeks. Kara hugged her from behind.

“Let it out. The mascara is waterproof.” Her little sister told her, squeezing as hard as she could.

Diana stood wrapped in Kara’s arms, taking deep breaths. She wished so badly that her mom and dad could see her today. She wished for so many things to be different.

If her parents were alive, so much would be different. Dr. Bruce Wayne would be standing as one of the groomsmen, not Batman. Her father would be walking her down the aisle. Rachel would be one of her bridesmaids.

Diana closed her eyes and took a deep breath focusing on what she did have.

She had Kara. Despite the horrible and frightening times growing up, when she was nearly certain her little sister would die, Kara fought and lived to make it to this day.

She had her best friend Silver and her new friends Sam and Tatsu. She had Cathy… loyal, loving Cathy who was always by her side, the sweet girl, the survivor, who made so much of herself, who could do whatever she wanted yet insisted on being her assistant. She still had Eliza who believed in her and she had Alfred.

She also had the woman who gave birth to her… a queen over three thousand years old who had never aged. She had lived on an island that could probably be described as paradise now that the monsters were gone.

That woman, that queen, had walked away from it all, not afraid of aging and dying, moving to the modern world and all its ugliness, giving up her crown… all to be with Diana. It was hard to believe at times. Hippolyta had become such a familiar person in her life, it would crush her if she were to leave.

Diana’s love for the woman grew as each day passed, as they learned more about each other and shared more together.

Speaking of the former queen, Hippolyta walked up to her, smiling, as Kara stepped away to give them space.

“I’ve never seen a more beautiful work of art in all my existence. You are perfect.” She told her daughter, emotion heavy in her voice.

“Who was she? The woman you loved who died for you?” Diana asked, feeling a sudden need to know. “I’m wishing Mom and Dad were here, but I am eternally grateful to your lost love because her sacrifice allowed you to be here today… with me. It is not something I take for granted.”

Hippolyta was touched by her daughter’s words as she looked around, satisfied they were alone or at least no one was in listening distance.

“Her name was Menalippe. She was not only a priestess of the Amazons, but also a fierce warrior and my closest confidante. She was the only love I’ve ever had. We have not spoken much about the world I came from but there is a race of… people… called the Atlanteans, Poseidon’s children as we are Zeus and Hera’s children. They are required to stay near the water and live under the ocean’s surface.”

Diana raised an eyebrow. “There are people who live under the sea? Like mermaids and mermen?”

Hippolyta nodded. “Yes, but most appear human. They are connected to and can never stray too far from the oceans, at least not for long. A lack of water can kill them. There was one magical place they could roam freely across the land without adverse effects.”

“Themyscira.” Diana realized.

“They attacked us, wishing to conquer our land… another race, believing they could enslave us. We fought fiercely and drove them back, killed thousands. Their king, the coward, threw a trident at me as my back was turned, locked in battle with another. Menalippe saw and jumped in front. It buried itself in her chest. She died before she hit the ground.”

Hippolyta was quiet for a moment. “I went mad… killed their king myself, then I ordered all of them, even those who had surrendered, put to the sword. Themyscira was drenched in Atlantean blood. The only survivors were those few cowards who ran back into the sea. This happened over a thousand years ago. To this day, if I were to see an Atlantean, I would kill him or her immediately.”

Diana gently wiped a tear from Hippolyta’s cheek. “Thank you for telling me. I wish I could have known her.”

The woman smiled. “I’m not sure it was the beautiful story you wanted to hear.”

“It was true love, the kind you would live for, die for and kill for. What could be more beautiful?”

Hippolyta chuckled.

“She would love you, Diana, my greatest love.” Hippolyta took a deep breath, shaking off her melancholy, not wanting to dampen the mood of this momentous day. “Let us go. You should not be late for your own wedding. It will only happen once. I promise you… it will be perfect.”

Diana took the woman gently in her arms, hugging her close, and kissing her softly on the cheek. “I love you…. mother.”

Diana smiled and walked away, leaving a stunned Hippolyta behind.

Diana had called her mother, a title she never thought she would hear. She placed a hand over her chest and began crying.

Then a hand was on her shoulder, a familiar hand.

“We should be going, Hippolyta.” Alfred told her softly. “Your chariot awaits. We shall be seated next to each other at the church.”

Hippolyta tried to catch her breath and nodded. “She told me she loved me… she called me mother . She has never called me that before.”

“You have no idea how good you are for her.” Alfred said, a gentle, knowing smile on his face. “Since Martha and Thomas died, Diana has been a sister, a mother, a friend, a mentor, a leader, and a warrior in every aspect of her life. One thing she has never gotten to be is a daughter. When she is with you, I don’t believe either of you notice it, but she acts like a daughter.”

“Truly?” Hippolyta asked, her breath hitching in wonder.

“You have an effect on her that I have never seen anyone have. You give her that safe space, the freedom to truly allow herself to just… be. She is relaxed and allows you to take care of her in a way that only a parent provides. You may not be Martha, but you have come to help fill that role in her life.

“She isn’t the only one in this manor who loves you either. We all do. We are a family, and you are a part of that family.

“Now, let us go. As I said, your chariot awaits, my queen.” Alfred said, holding out his arm for her to take.

---

All Saints Cathedral

When they arrived at the church, Diana and her bridesmaids were led in through the back, an area that had been blocked off by Wayne Security from the press.

It was an hour before she was scheduled to walk down the aisle and the guests, family friends and dignitaries were entering the large church from the front while an army of reporters and photographers clicked away, begging for the slightest comment.

Diana was taken to a large room outfitted with mirrors, water bottles, hair stylists and make-up artists, ready should any last-minute touches be needed.

She stood, not sure what to do but wait. Silver was talking to her, but she only half heard what was said. She looked over at Kara who looked beautiful… absolutely radiant in fact, her blue eyes as bright as her blonde hair. She had the ring clutched tightly in her hand.

Dig and Bruce walked in, looking dashing in their tuxedos.

Dig was understandably nervous. “I’ve triple checked security and we are doing constant sweeps. Kara knows to come to me directly as soon as the ceremony is over. She can meet her date at the reception. I want her out of here as soon as possible.

“By the way, you look beautiful, Diana.”

Diana laughed at the nervousness and rushed voice. “Dig, relax. Nothing is going to happen to her. If I have to catch a bullet myself, I swear, she will be safe.”

Dig shook his head and frowned. “Please don’t say things like ‘catching bullets’.”

While their back and forth had been going on, Bruce had waved a photographer over.

“Could you take a photo of me with my lovely sisters?” he asked.

Diana smiled and stepped back against a wall and Kara joined them. Bruce stood in the middle, and they all smiled. The photographer took the first photo in over six years of all three Wayne children together in one place.

Diana called Alfred over, then looked at Hippolyta and motioned for her to join them.

Kara called Dig over and he stood behind her, his large form dwarfing hers. The group smiled brightly, genuinely happy. They did not look like a typical family, but no one had ever accused the Waynes of being normal.

“Dig, is the other thing we talked about in motion?” Diana asked.

“You told me not to worry. You sure as hell aren’t worrying on a day like this. It’s taken care of.” Dig promised.

Diana was speaking of the change in honeymoon destination. They had planned to go to Hawaii. Kara and Dig would have stayed at a separate location but nearby, and the duos would have their own tours, take their own hikes and trips.

Then Kara remembered she had told Emily she would be going with Diana to Hawaii and how outraged Emily had seemed. Considering Emily had a penchant for following Kara on vacations and taking pictures, Diana and Dig thought it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Dig had arranged for his and Kara’s doubles and doubles for Steve and Diana to be seen at the airport and enter one of the jets and travel to Hawaii. The plane would be full of Dig’s best and brightest. They would be secretly working with FBI agents on the island and were hoping to catch Emily Parlow lurking around. Nothing else had worked so they felt this approach was worth a shot.

It had been decided that instead of Hawaii, Diana and Steve would be going to Bali, Indonesia. Dig and Kara would travel with them, then split up, with Dig and Kara and their huge security staff staying at an easily controlled and protected resort hotel.

The more Steve and Diana had thought of it, the more exciting that destination seemed rather than a typical honeymoon in Hawaii. Diana would not admit it but the idea of it being more culturally significant meant Kara would enjoy it more. She had been to tropical destinations and Diana believed they would both enjoy the more exotic feel. It helped that Steve had been there once for a brief time and knew a little bit about Bali, including many romantic spots he wanted to show Diana.

As the time grew closer, Bruce kissed Diana on the cheek and walked off with Dig.

She talked with Silver for a few minutes, then met with Myndi who was probably experiencing the longest, busiest Saturday of her life. Tatsu stood by her side as always, nearby and silent, while Kara was talking to Barbara and Alex.

Diana had paid more attention to Alex lately and the girl still seemed a bit sullen. She knew Eliza had told her daughter nothing of Diana’s secrets and how Kara was healed despite her permission to do so and she was beginning to wonder if Eliza ever would before deciding it wasn’t her business.

She wasn’t sure if the hour was long or short, but it was time. The men had been lined up at the altar and the girls were ready to march down the aisle with Diana and Alfred bringing up the rear.

The march started, hundreds were watching her slowly move but Diana only had eyes for the dashing man in a tuxedo, waiting for her next to the alter.

Memories of him flooded her mind as she walked closer and closer to her destiny.

Diana sat next to Kara’s bed, holding her hand while her sister lay in a coma. Kara was only eighteen, a few months from being nineteen when she had picked up a virus at a nightclub she had attended with her friends. Her fever had risen so high she was in danger of brain damage, ice bags were pressed against her body to keep her temperature down and Eliza was fighting the virus with a host of drugs, hoping to weaken it enough to transplant Eliza’s cloned stem cells. It would be a dangerous procedure, untested, but that was how desperate they were.

While Eliza worked outside the isolation room, Diana had not left, sitting by Kara’s side the entire time… for days, not sleeping, barely eating, just willing her sister to live.

The outer layer was opened behind her, and she heard the sanitizing mist release. Then she heard the distinct rustle of a clean suit walking through the interior entryway.

“I don’t want anything, Alfred.” Diana said, her eyes never leaving Kara.

“Not Alfred.” Steve’s voice came from behind her.

Diana’s eyes widened and she looked up quickly to see the man she had been seeing for a few months, a man she had professed love for and been told she was loved in return. A man who challenged her preconceived notions about the world, debated her and challenged her, opened her eyes to possibilities, and most importantly, taught her to have fun.

Yesterday, she had called him where he had been stationed in South America and told him Kara was not getting better but instead had been placed in a coma.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, making herself believe this was real and not an illusion brought on by her exhaustion.

“You needed me. I came. Did you think I would stay away?” He asked.

“You were in Brazil.”

“And now I am here.” Steve said, his tone reassuring. “Stand up for a minute.”

Diana did as he said, and he took her spot in the chair then pulled her onto his lap.

“I’m not dressed in the most romantic outfit but lay your head on my shoulder and rest. I’m here. I won’t take my eyes off of her.” He promised, holding her close.

A torrent of emotions released themselves and she cried so hard she thought she may never stop. In an uncharacteristic move, though perhaps not where he was involved, she let herself be held and feel safe in another’s arms.

“She is going to make it, Diana. I have faith in both of you.”

Steve stayed with her for another two weeks, only leaving the room to go to the bathroom and wash up and relieving Diana when she did the same. Kara did wake up, she did recover, and he returned to his base after telling Kara not to go to any more nightclubs.

As if in a dream, Diana was at the altar. Alfred took her arms and handed her to Steve, then kissed her cheek. She could feel his tears.

Steve smiled at her, that happy, confident, fearless smile she loved, conjuring another memory.

“Are you sure this is legal?” Diana had asked. The two had taken one of Kara’s twin engine planes with her permission and were flying over Gotham’s Founder’s Day celebration. More specifically, they were flying in the dark over the fireworks display. Below them, fireworks burst, and Diana was worried about one of them climbing high enough to hit them.

“Probably not but we are low enough to avoid radar and the fireworks are helping to hide us from visuals. Just relax, look out the window and enjoy the view.”

She admitted the fireworks were beautiful. She had seen many shows in her life but never seen one less than a hundred feet below her.

“Want to go through them?”

“No!” Diana immediately told him.

“Fine. A side view it is.”

He tilted the plane into a turn and circled the display with her having a clearer view.

“What do you think?”

Diana smiled and looked back at him. “I think it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous from this height. It’s so surreal.

“Good. That’s the reaction I’m going for. Stick with me, kid, and life will never be boring. We are getting low on fuel. Let’s head back to the manor and make out in the backseat of Kara’s plane.”

“I’m not sure that would be comfortable.” Diana told him.

“We will never know until we try.”

It wasn’t comfortable, but it was perfect because he was there, the man that took her as high as fireworks in the sky.

He squeezed her hand while she held tightly to her bouquet with the other. The priest was speaking, and she listened intently but her eyes kept going back to him.

“Are you sure this is a good idea? Am I even allowed on a base?”

Steve snorted. “Who is going to tell you ‘no’? You sold them most of the jets on this base. Just tell them you have a self-destruct code if you don’t get your way. Wait, you don’t have a self-destruct code, do you?”

Diana raised an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t know until it was too late. Speaking of jets, I’m not sure I should spend the night. Kara…”

“Is perfectly safe at home with Alfred. This is our night. We are just going to sneak in and play poker with the guys. You are the big bad businesswoman. Let’s see how good of a poker face you have.”

In minutes, Diana found herself in the Officer’s Club, a rowdy group of pilots, cheering them as they walked inside. She wasn’t the only girlfriend present. The mostly male pilots also had girlfriends present. That night she drank beer, ate hot wings, and smoked a cigar, while cleaning out the good-natured officers of their hard-earned money. She listened to stories about Steve and combat missions, training stunts, and for once, Diana didn’t feel like the strange Wayne scion, the richest woman in the world, a target for paparazzi, or the worried mother.

For that night, she was just the girlfriend of a great guy she was in love with, having fun with his friends.

Diana repeated the words after the priest. She and Steve had opted to say traditional vows, both being traditionalists and believing those vows summed up what they wanted for their marriage. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do them part. Though with Diana’s knowledge of various aspects of the afterlife, she doubted they would end with death.

“I do.” Diana heard him say.

She made a slight mistake when she said ‘I do’ before the priest had finished asking the question, bringing a bit of chuckling from the audience. She didn’t care, she wanted this done.

“The rings.”

Steve took her shaking hand and slid her beautiful ring on, the one that bound her to him forever.

Steve had finally slowed the motorcycle down and Diana already missed the feeling of the wind in her hair as she held onto him tightly. They had arrived at a small house by the sea. It wasn’t a beautiful house on a gorgeous beach. Instead, it was weather-beaten, near a large dock full of fishing boats that belonged to Steve’s father.

She had already met his mother and loved the woman dearly. She lived in Iowa on a small farm with her second husband. Diana had wanted to meet Steve’s father, so he brought her here without much complaint. She knew he had issues with his dad but pushed them down so she could meet the man.

Tom Trevor was currently on his third wife after cheating on his first two. Steve’s mother had called Diana when she found out about this trip and emphatically assured her Steve was nothing like his father. Diana didn’t need anyone to tell her that.

“Son, you out punted your coverage, didn’t you?” Tom said when he shook Diana’s hand.

Diana smiled charmingly at the man. He was ruggedly handsome, and she could easily see him as a military pilot.

That was where the similarities with his son ended. Where Steve could be cocky, it was always good-natured, almost as if he were poking fun at himself for her amusement. This man’s cockiness took it to another level, and she didn’t miss how his eyes roamed over her body before he winked at her while shaking her hand.

Steve’s third stepmother was a pleasant woman and invited Diana outside for cocktails on the back patio. While listening to the woman, Diana kept her ear on the discussion in the house.

“Steven, my boy, I know that woman. I’ve seen her picture all over the news. She is having some fun, slumming it with pilots. Take advantage of it now. Guys like you don’t get rich, classy, hot women like that for long.”

“Go to hell, Tom. You think you know her because you saw pictures of her? You don’t know the first thing about her. She is funny, smart, loyal, loving… she has a lot of the same qualities as Mom. You remember the woman who gave birth to me? Stuck by your side while you deployed over the years and cheated on her constantly, then left her? I only brought Diana here because, for some reason, she wanted to meet you. I didn’t come for your opinion or judgement.”

“Steven, I don’t want to fight. Just be ready. Don’t let her break your heart. Guys like you and me, we are meant for the sky, not tied to Earth. She isn’t going to put up with your lifestyle long. Won’t be long before she has a big shot doctor or lawyer on the hook. Have fun while you can.”

“Not her. We love each other. I don’t need your opinion. I’m not tied to the sky. I… I don’t even know why I am trying to convince you. Just try to be polite and stop checking her body out. You are acting like the guy you’ve always been so how about trying to be someone else for an hour.”

When they returned to the airport, Diana kissed him.

“You really do take after your mother, don’t you?” she asked.

Steve dropped his head. “He is a piece of work. I…”

Diana kissed him again. “You are a good man, Steve Trevor. One of the best I have ever known. I love you.”

“Even after that?”

“Especially after that.” She assured him. “I’m not ready to go back. Show me how fast this bike can really go. You know I love speed.”

“One of the many things that make you the perfect woman.” Steve replied with a relieved chuckle.

Kara handed her the ring and she gave her bouquet to her little sister. She took Steve’s hand and slid his ring on his finger. She was glad to see his hand was shaking as well.

“Steve!” Diana shouted, running onto the runway.

He had been walking to his jet, already in his flight suit and preparing to make a standard training flight.

“Diana? What are you doing here?”

“I needed to talk to you.” She told him, finally reaching him on the runway.

“Why didn’t you call?”

“I needed to talk to you in person.” She told him.

“So, you flew to San Antonio?”

“Yes.” Diana told him as if it were a common occurrence.

“How did you get on the base? How did you get past security? How did you get on the runway?”

“I’m Diana Wayne.” She told him, as if that explained everything and, in a way, it did.

“Huh. So, what’s up?”

“I love you!”

Steve smiled widely. “You came all this way to tell me you love me?”

“I realized I did last night. Not just an attraction, or fun or companionship. I’ve never felt this way before, and I had to tell you so I flew here because I’ve never told a guy I was dating that I loved him because I didn’t… not until I met you. So, I had to tell you to your face. I know how short life can be and I didn’t want to wait and…”

Diana stopped rambling when he took her in his arms and kissed her.

“I love you too, Diana Wayne. Just so you know, I’ve never told another woman that either.”

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife.” The priest spoke the words that sealed their union forever.

She could scarcely breathe, as Steve placed his palms on her cheeks and leaned in. It was a simple kiss but the most important in Diana’s life. A slow, touching of the lips, placing a small ring on a finger, a promise to love and cherish. So simple, yet it changed everything for her.

“We did it.” He told her with a big smile.

Diana nodded. “Yes, we did.”

He took her hand and they turned to the cheering church crowd. They left the alter, followed by their bridal party, hand in hand. When they walked outside, hundreds in the streets were cheering. Over a hundred doves were released from cages, confetti rained down on them and the people of Gotham who had gathered in front of the church cheered loudly. The Queen of Gotham had married her King and the city was celebrating.

Diana stopped for a moment and waved, acknowledging the crowd. Steve took it in, not surprised.

Diana had no idea how truly loved she was in this city. Everyone knew how different Gotham was from before she ascended her throne at Wayne Enterprises. Everyone knew she was responsible for ending corruption, cleaning up the streets and improving the environment which turned Gotham City into a place they could be proud of and wanted to live. She and Kara were the symbols of pride and belief the people of this city held up on a very high pedestal.

“They love you.” He told her.

Diana waved once more and slipped into the white limo with her husband for the trip to the reception.

---

Hotel Belle Monico

When they arrived, they were taken to a roped off area in the back of the huge ballroom where photos were taken with the family and bridal party for almost an hour. Afterward, they joined the party that had started without them.

Everything was going perfectly. The venue was decorated beautifully. Kara and John had taken center stage, dancing so beautifully that others stepped off the dance floor to watch them. Despite knowing how hard Blake had worked learning to be Kara’s perfect dance partner, Diana was impressed by how they moved as a team.

Diggle was intently watching the dance floor as Kara twirled around with Blake. Next to him stood his brother Andy.

“You know, when she started dating Tommy Merlyn, that made a certain amount of sense. I didn’t believe the stuff about the cop. I guess it’s true though. It’s kind of a surprise.” Andy observed.

Dig raised an eyebrow toward his brother. “You keep up with society gossip pages?”

“Carly does.” Andy amended quickly, a little too quickly for Dig to believe him. “I guess it’s true that the Wayne girls aren’t into rich guys, huh? I… I mean Carly, said Merlyn had to cut himself off from his father and actually start working to be near Kara.”

Dig shook his head. “Tommy made that choice on his own. He changed when he came here. As far as wealth, neither sister gives a damn. Blake’s a good guy, just like Tommy was. Where the Wayne sisters are concerned, it all comes down to the character of the guy.

“So… are you enjoying your vacation?”

Andy nodded. “Hell, yes, I am. You got a great family here, little brother. That’s what it is, right? It’s easy to see… they treat you like family. Your room is like its own house.”

Dig nodded, his eyes continuing to sweep the crowd as he sipped water out of a champagne glass.

Andy was intently observing Dig’s actions, amused, but pleased his brother took the trust Diana had placed in him so seriously. It was obvious that Dig didn’t look at it as a job, and that he loved his found family a great deal.

“Carly was intimidated as hell when we first arrived but they made her feel comfortable.” Andy admitted. “Once she stopped getting lost, she enjoyed herself and now A.J. wants to live in a castle. Thanks for setting the bar so high.”

Dig snorted. “I can’t promise you a castle, but you can make a hell of a lot more money and have a bigger house if you move to Gotham and work for Wayne Security. We aren’t some typical bodyguard and security guard organization. Everybody is a professional, they all work with military precision, and they love their jobs and are very good at what they do, even if it’s standing next to a metal detector to enter Wayne Tower.”

Andy laughed lightly. “Yeah, I saw the results of your team’s work. Shot a CIA gunman in seconds, had Kara secured, then disarmed every federal agent on the ground and put them in cuffs. Took control of the whole area in less than a minute and a half. I bet once you reviewed the op, you were proud. Your guys showed up when it counted. Pinpoint precision, no hesitation, no confusion. That’s my little brother. I know I was proud of you.”

Dig smiled at the compliment. He was pretty damn proud. After the terror of Kara being that close to a crazy man with a gun had worn off, a federal agent at that, he reviewed everything and found no flaws.

“So, move to Gotham, jump on the winning team and all that.” Dig offered. “You wouldn’t be starting at the bottom. I know your skill set. There are a dozen teams you could join, better equipped than the Army, safer, and the pay is a whole lot more. This city is amazing. Good people, great schools. I could get A.J. in the best prep school in the nation.”

Andy shook his head, disappointed. “You know Carly’s dad isn’t doing well since her mom died. The man is lonely. She asked him to move in with us and he refused. You think we are going to get him to move out of Star City if he won’t even leave his house?”

Dig admitted to himself that was a problem. As much as he wanted to be irritated at the old man for holding his daughter’s family back from better opportunities, Dig had never been married to someone for over thirty years like Carly’s dad had been.

“The offer remains open, you never know what can happen.” Dig told him, clapping him on the shoulder fondly. “You are at least coming for Christmas, right? Kara said if you don’t bring A.J. to us, we are coming to him and that is going to be a security headache I don’t need. You got any idea how much effort it takes to make her feel like she is living a half normal life? Bring Carly’s dad too, let him see a little of what Gotham’s like.”

Andy smiled at the thought. He really liked the bubbly blonde. He hadn’t gotten to spend much time with her because she was so busy organizing Thanksgiving and this wedding, handling last minute details with Silver St. Cloud, but it was easy to see why people loved her.

“We will bring him. This is his first Christmas without his wife and the distraction will do him good. He wanted to be alone for Thanksgiving. Carly’s sister asked him over and he refused. We may have to tranquilize him and wake him up when we get here but we are coming.” Andy assured his brother.

Carly and A.J. walked up to Dig and Carly grabbed her husband’s hand, pulling him to the dance floor, leaving the little boy with Dig.

“Uncle John?”

“Yeah, buddy?”

“Are you ever going to get a wife?”

John smirked, not bothering to tell him he had one and it didn’t work out so great.

“Maybe one day.” He told the youngster.

“A girlfriend?”

Dig shrugged his shoulders.

“Mommy said you spend so much time protecting Kara, you don’t have a life of your own. What does she mean?”

Dig closed his eyes then opened them when he heard a choking sound. He turned and saw Diana had swallowed her drink then laughed, practically forcing champagne up her nose. She looked his way and smiled brightly. She had been bugging him these last few months to spend the evenings Kara was at home to date. He had refused, saying keeping up with Kara was a full-time job and he needed those evenings to relax.

Diana waved at him, wiggling her fingers and winking. He had no doubt it was her way of saying she told him so.

Dig ignored her and continued watching Kara and Blake on the dancefloor. Dig was impressed with their dancing as they moved through several styles and were constantly applauded.

So far, the reception was a success but Dig found that he could not enjoy it.

There were over five hundred people in this large ballroom. Many tables were around the dancefloor where people sat, eating buffet food, sipping champagne and drinking wine. The guest list was vast and from all walks of life. There were Wayne Enterprise employees, of course, but also heads of state from overseas, a prince, a sheik, a couple prime ministers, several Congressmen, directors and agents of Intelligence Services, civil servants, including every police officer that took part in stopping Crane and saving many lives at the train station.

There were also a few select photographers Myndi Meyers had approved for the wedding from reputable agencies.

The bride and groom sat in the middle of a long table, on a slightly elevated platform with the rest of the bridal party before they had broken up as the revelry had begun, leaving Diana and Steve happily watching the crowd. All Dig could think of was the elevation made them an easier target, Kara’s excellent dancing left her practically alone on the dancefloor with Blake, making her an easier target and Emily Parlow was still out in the world.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Diana’s silent sentinel was suddenly by his side.

“Diana is in an excellent position for a sniper and there should be more people on the dancefloor. Kara is too open.” Tatsu told him.

“Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying yourself?” Dig asked.

“I am.” She told him tonelessly, her eyes sweeping the room as his were constantly doing. “Kara is an easy target but you are fast and have good instincts. If someone were to take a shot, you would protect her and possibly die in the attempt which would put me in control of Wayne Security. I must be ready at all times in the event you die.”

Dig rolled his eyes.

“You don’t have to sound so excited about the possibility.” He joked, though her voice was not excited, just stating facts like she were a Vulcan.

“I would grieve for you… however I would take your desk. I would need it to run and reorganize operations worldwide and correct the flaws in your security plans.”

Tatsu walked off leaving Dig shaking his head and smiling. Tatsu was definitely a charmer.

Bruce, on the other hand, was always alert no matter the situation. He was also enjoying the wedding. Diana looked so happy, Kara was radiant, and he had walked the crowd and saw no one who looked suspicious.

He realized he hadn’t look close enough when he heard a familiar voice and felt a familiar hand on his back.

“I still remember some of those dance moves you showed me when we were teenagers. I’ve also picked up a few at art openings over the years. No better cover for a burglar than an art appraiser. Dancing is a necessary part of my cover.” The familiar voice said to him. “So, shall we?”

Bruce turned and made himself believe Selina Kyle was in front of him. She was gorgeous, wearing a strapless, black dress with black sequins and a slit up the side of her left leg.

“You look… wow… did you sneak in? Do…”

“Relax, Bruce.” Selina said, rubbing his back. “I was at the wedding as well. You just didn’t notice. You were focused on the vows which you were right to be and I did not sneak in.”

Bruce raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t?”

Selina shook her head. “A messenger hand delivered a note to my apartment in Metropolis. There was an invitation and a letter from your lovely sister. It said she appreciated my interest and the work I was doing in Metropolis and reminded me that ‘Bruce did not have an escort to her wedding’ .”

Bruce looked across the room toward Diana who was looking at him with a knowing smirk on her face. He shook his head and smiled back at her.

He held out his arm for Selina to take and the two joined Kara and Blake on the dancefloor, easily falling into step.

“I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the girls we have been rescuing, what they do when they are free.” Selina told him quietly. “The world of art appraising has been good to me. I believe I have enough of a nest egg to step away for a while.”

“Step away?” Bruce asked suspiciously. “And what would you do with this time away?”

“Maybe get some girls off the street. Maybe your ideas for the Narrows aren’t so bad. I know those streets and you could certainly use some help with your nighttime activities. The job offer still open?”

Bruce was momentarily in shock to the point he nearly stopped dancing.

“You are serious?” he asked, not quite believing it but wanting it to be true.

“I don’t say things unless I am serious.” Selina reminded him.

Bruce did stop dancing, leaned forward, and kissed her.

When it was over, Selina wrapped both arms around his neck and lay her head on his chest.

“You just made it hard for me to be an art appraiser for much longer.” She admitted, but obviously not concerned. “I believe a hundred photos were just snapped of the two of us.”

“I don’t really care.” Bruce confessed.

“Yeah? Right now, neither do I.”

Across the dancefloor, Blake had twirled Kara around in a lift and landed her smoothly on her feet. During the move, she saw Bruce kissing Selina. She knew Diana had sent the invitation and was glad Selina had shown up.

Kara still kept up with Bruce’s cameras on his suit, unknown to him or Alfred. She knew what Selina had been doing and invited Diana into her room to watch the duo’s heroic activities several times. Selina had grown into much more than just an art thief.

She and Blake finally took a break and walked to the bar.

“So, am I doing alright?” He asked.

“You know you are. But if you need constant reassurance like the rest of high society, you are amazing.” She told him.

Kara took her glass of bubbly and refrained from rolling her eyes when Blake asked for a bottle of beer. Champagne and wine were not his thing.

“We have so much to do when I get back from this trip.” Kara said. “We need more dates… more time to spend together… outside my room.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“First of all, we are going to have a Doctor Who marathon.”

Blake frowned. “Yeah, one of my foster moms was addicted to that damn show. It’s that British snob, who thinks he is funnier than he actually is, flying around in some blue payphone booth, right? You actually like that show?”

Kara was silent for a moment, staring at him in utter shock, then drained her champagne glass and asked for another one.

“That show literally saved my life.” She finally said.

“A British sci-fi show with poor special effects saved your life? That’s a story I need to hear.”

Kara drained her second glass of champagne signaling for yet another one.

“You might want to slow down.” Blake said eyes widening, noting her downing the two glasses. “I know you want to dance more.”

“Do you like Star Wars ?” Kara asked suddenly.

Blake shrugged his shoulders. “Sure, why not? That’s the one with the laser sword fights and that short guy got his hand cut off by that big guy in black armor who wore a cape but couldn’t fly… kinda like someone else I know. I think there was some sort of ball in space those spaceships had to blow up, right? Oh yeah! The guy who played Indiana Jones was in it!”

Kara was about to down her third before Blake placed a hand on her wrist. “You still want to dance, don’t you?”

“My favorite Christmas movie is It’s a Wonderful Life . What’s yours?”

“Die Hard .” He answered immediately.

“Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.”

Blake looked offended. “Just so you know, Die Hard is the greatest Christmas movie in history, and I will die on that hill defending it.”

Kara shook her head. “Do we have anything in common besides a love of sex, guns and fast cars?”

“Great relationships have been built on a lot less.” He pointed out.

Kara smiled. “You have a point.”

“Besides, if we were alike, you wouldn’t want me. Admit it.” He told her, a sly grin on his face.

“Sex, guns and fast cars are an important foundation to build from. Even if you have horrible opinions on entertainment.”

“How can you not like Die Hard ?” he asked, genuinely confused.

“I love Die Hard . I just don’t believe it falls under the category of Christmas movies.”

“We can argue about it later. You are going to be gone for two weeks starting tomorrow. Tonight, we dance.”

Despite their differences, it didn’t matter. Kara wanted him and on this perfect night, she had him. She smiled and followed him to the dancefloor to join her siblings, Steve having finally escorted his bride out for their first dance as a married couple.

The three Wayne siblings danced with their partners to a joyous song and the crowd stood back and watched.

To the side of the dancefloor, a beaming Alfred stood with a smiling Hippolyta and Lucius, the pride in his three charges threatening to overwhelm him.

Cathy and Aaron Cash were on the far end, standing with Terrance and Eliza.

Silver, Barbara, and Alex were at the raised table, relaxing, drinking and watching the floor.

Dig was standing on the other side of the dance floor from Kara with Sam, Tatsu, Ruby and Violet next to him.

As Diana moved across the floor, she saw all her loved ones watching them. She even imagined she saw her parents standing right behind them, their faces alight with joy, watching over them with a love that transcended death. Given what had happened on Themyscira, perhaps it wasn’t her imagination but an earned glimpse behind the veil.

Tonight, the mysterious Wayne children weren’t orphans. Tonight, they were a large family, built not from blood but from loyalty and love.

Despite the trials Diana knew awaited them, she knew with her family by her side, nothing could stand against them.

Glancing at her brother and sister, feeling their happiness mingling with her own, she felt at peace.

The Wayne siblings had come full circle, and despite everything that had come against them, there was one thing that stood out to all three… they were truly stronger together .

A/N: Don’t forget to check out the Outtakes for this series

The Wayne Legacy: Outtakes