-Athena's POV-

I smiled, glancing at Dick from across the isle. He patted Wally on the shoulder. It warmed me deep down to see them together. Dick and Wally had been best friends for what seemed like forever. The true Dynamic Duo was definitely the shaggy haired trapeze kid and the annoyingly funny ginger.

Sighing, Wally's shoulders shook. His hands were blurs as he repeatedly twiddled his fingers at light speed. I giggled silently to myself. Who knew Wally West would be this nervous on his wedding day?

After an eternity of secret glances at Dick, the music started. I snapped my head forward. Stepping down the isle, a real life angel emerged. Artemis had styled her blond hair into an intricate up-do where her veil rested gently. Her skin, which was a gorgeous golden tan, contrasted with the innocent white of her dress. Green emeralds lined the top, waist, and creeped up the bottom of the gown. White lace cinched her waist and covered the top, cascading down until eventually fading out to a brilliant white fabric. Her dress trailed behind her for about a foot, following behind her like a delicate tail. 

I, along with everyone else, gasped upon seeing her. As she walked, she kept her head angled down. She walked alone. I was proud of her. Sportsmaster had reached out and threatened Artemis, but she had ultimately decided to walk herself down the isle. 

My eyes darted to the grinning groom. Wally's face seemed like it was about one more muscle away from splitting in half. Although his eyes were squinty from his 1000 watt smile, I could see little tears gathering in his eyes. Finally, his hands had stilled. 

Artemis stood beside Wally. She glanced to the side at Wally, who was still grinning like an idiot. She rolled her eyes, but I could see the unsurpassed joy in her face. Looking over at me, I gave her a little thumbs up. In return, she nodded solemnly.

The ceremony was relatively short. Neither Wally nor Artemis wanted a ceremony in the first place, but both sides of the family insisted. I tried to keep my focus on the unification in front of me, but I was finding it hard to pay attention.

As soon as Wally had calmed down, a pair of piercing blue eyes locked onto me. Dick was staring at me through the whole wedding. I glanced at him and glared, trying to get him to watch the ceremony. He would just smile wider and wink at me. No matter where I looked, I could feel his eyes still watching me. Eventually, I just gave up and met his loving eyes.

I felt really guilty when I completely tuned out the vows. With the rings on and the ceremony complete, the newly weds walked down the isle. I approached Dick, grabbing his bicep. As we followed behind Wally and Artemis, Dick leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"Your dress will look better," he said, gently kissing my ear as he talked.

I rolled my eyes. "I will never be caught dead in a wedding dress." 

He looked at me, grinning. "Athena Thomas, I would give my life to make you my wife."

"Calm down, poet. Let's talk about this later," I replied, stopping once we got to the hotel. Dick grabbed my hand and pulled me against his body. He stared down at me. Moving my hair behind my ear, Dick leaned down and pressed his lips gently to mine. I melted into him.

Once they had changed, the newly weds came back out just as the sun had gone down. Wally had changed into a pair of nice pants and an orange dress shirt. Artemis wore a short green cocktail dress with her hair cascading down her back in a ponytail. They walked out, hand in hand, grinning like mad. 

When she approached me, I did the unexpected. I smashed her body against mine in a bone-breaking hug. "Congratulations!" I said, spinning her around. She smiled.

"Thank you, Theeny," she shyly rubbed her neck, "who could've predicted this, huh?"

I chuckled. "You? Getting married? Not even Zatanna could've seen this one coming."

From across the beach, Zatanna nodded. "Definitely not!"

Turning back to Artemis, I let my eyes wander to the 'men' beside her. Dick had caught Wally in a head lock and was rubbing his perfectly groomed red hair. Wally struggled, hitting Dick too fast to even see. The two laughed heartily like lumberjacks. Artemis and I sighed in unison before sharing a chuckle. 

"Alright, big man," Artemis said, grabbing Wally by his ear, "stop dicking around. I am not talking to all those redheaded Wests on my own." With a stern voice, Wally scrambled out Dick's grasp and into his wife's arms. Pressing a long and sloppy kiss to her lips, he held her up into the air. 

"Wallace West, let me down!" She shouted. He quickly dropped her before recovering her to her balance almost instantly. Hand in hand, the two walked to the group of gingers gathered near the alter. 

Dick was still laughing, bent over at his waist, and heaving. I took a sidelong glance at him with a pout on my lips. "Ya done?" I sassed. Dick stood up and flashed me a boyish smile. "Oh, come here you child."

I grabbed Dick by his tie and pulled him close to me. Chest to chest, I could smell his favorite cologne -- the one I had bought him for his birthday. I put my hands around his neck, running my fingers through his dark hair. He stared at me the whole time, but I drank in the sight of his face and body instead of making eye contact. Dick's navy blue suit fit him perfectly. His biceps strained against the fabric and I could see the wideness of his chest. He looked handsome yet all too delicious at the same time. 

"If you keep looking at me like that," Dick teased, raising my chin with his thumb and index finger, "I'm afraid I'll have to ruin that dress of yours." Still clad in my bridesmaids dress, I fingered the lightweight fabric of it and met Dick's suggestive expression.

Running my hands down his chest, I smirked, "that won't be necessary."

"No?" He lifted an eyebrow and pouted his lips.

I rose to meet his height and pressed a kiss under his jaw. "I'll take it off, all you have to do is ask. Politely."

His strong hands encircled my waist, pulling me tightly against him. A heat wave rolled through my body. I didn't dare break eye contact. I was sure Dick could see the embers in my irises. Without hesitation, he shoved his lips against mine roughly. His tongue danced with mine before he took my lip in his teeth and tugged gently. 

When his hands began to roam further downward, I glanced around. Right. We were at a wedding reception. I gripped his wrists tightly and placed them on my shoulders. Pulling away, I stepped back. Dick's eyes were hazy and heavy with something...animal. With a shake of his hair, he had returned back to the gentleman Bruce had taught him to be. He held my hand delicately in his and pressed a kiss to the top of it.

The rest of the night passed quickly. Now that the dreaded ceremony was over, Wally and Artemis were able to relax. Dinner on the beach was great, dancing on the boat was better. When Wally and Barry had a dance battle, everyone let loose. I swear I even saw Bruce secretly slurp down a couple of jello shots. 

Around three in the morning, people began migrating to their beds. Wally and Artemis were first to go, which aroused a roar of "oooohs" from the crowd. The Justice League members and the more responsible Young Justice members followed shortly after. Once the younger members -- who were enjoy the lower drinking age of Bora Bora -- ditched, Dick grabbed me by the arm. We were the last two on the beach.

"Come on, my beautiful future wife. The bed awaits," he said, his voice heavy with fatigue. He had danced his heart out and played far too many drinking games. I smiled, genuinely smiled. A rush of warmth coursed through me. I loved Dick Grayson. 

"Go to sleep, Grayson," I cupped his cheek, "I want to watch the sunrise."

He leaned into my hand. "I don't want to go without you."

"Shhh, it'll be alright." I kissed his forehead and lightly shoved him in the direction of our cabin on the ocean. He sighed, but eventually went stumbling off. 

As I sat alone on the beach, I began to let my mind wander. After all the suffering and torture and pain I had gone through my entire life...how did I end up here? How did I survive? And how did I find the perfect friends, the perfect family, and someone who loved me with all their heart? How did Athena Thomas -- a broken and scarred girl -- end up falling head over heels in love? 

I pandered over what I had done to deserve such a fantastic life when it hit me...I didn't need to deserve it. Happiness had found me against my will. My entire life, I had convinced myself that happiness just wasn't going to work out for me; that I was going to live a life of pain and misery until the sweet release of death. 

But, it wasn't true.

My past was something that I would always carry with me. I couldn't forget where my scars came from and I couldn't forget the problems I have. But I could move past them. I could bask in the happiness I had found and I could enjoy it. 

I watched as the sun peaked over the ocean. It casted a faint pink over the water, littering it in brilliant sparkles. The sky resembled fluffy cotton candy. A feeling of nostalgia filled me from head to toe. 

In that moment, I thought of Jason. It had been awhile since we talked. With a heavy heart, I scrambled for his phone. The line rung and rung and rung...and then went dead. I held the phone to my face like it might float away at any moment. 

"Hey Jace...its me, Athena," I breathed softly, "I know its been hard after...everything. But I'm here at Arty and Wally's wedding and the sun just rose over the water and I just-- I don't know, it made me think of you..." My voice trailed off as I gathered my thoughts.

"I just wanted to say, I miss you. So much. We all do. And I love you. So fucking much, Jason. I know you don't want to talk about what happened, but I will always, always be here for you. No matter what. Just call me or text me or send me a letter even...I will be there. 

"Everything will be okay, Jay. I know it will be. And maybe the sunrise reminded me of new beginnings and all that..." I sighed, feeling my eyes to start to sting, "I just want you to be okay. You don't have to talk to me, or Dick, or anybody but please...just be okay. Bye." I hung up and held the phone in my hand like it was Jason himself. 

With one last parting glance, I stood up and marched back to the cabin.

~~~~~...oops. Sorry guys I know what I said about updating but I've been working so much ugh. I got a new computer so I should be able to update more frequently now! Yay! I hope you are all having AMAZING summers!!!~~~~~~