The next morning, the Avengers compound was a madhouse like you had never seen before. Anthony and Esihle had planned and wanted a small, intimate family event, and even though the guest list guaranteed that, the way people were running around it seemed more like one of Tony's famous team parties than anything else.

"How do they look?" Peter asked Rhodey, pointing to a long string of lights that he had hung with well-aimed webs across the length of the rooftop terrace that Thor had just finished building. "They look straight...right? Or maybe that side over there is lower than the other? They look crooked."

"I think you've been staring at them too long and your brain is what's crooked."

On the other side of the area, Nat and Clint were setting up the bar, while next to them Bruce and Helen were finishing the last touches of decorations on the tables. Everyone had been given a job to do, not by the bride and groom, but by Tony; this was his grandson's wedding, after all, and there was no way that a single detail was going to be missed no matter how rushed it had all been to do.

"Has anyone talked to Steve or (Y/N) yet this morning?" Bruce asked Helen quietly. He looked around as if the conversation might be forbidden, finding that Nat and Clint were too far into a heated discussion about alcohol choices to hear them. "It sounds like they're going forward with Tony's plan tomorrow. I don't know...I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I don't think any of us would be able to change their minds anyway."

"I understand," she answered carefully, "it's the only option they've had that seems viable, and they're running out of time."

"But they barely know what they're even doing. (Y/N) has no idea if she has the ability that Tony is asking of her. That puts her in a really unfair position."

"I don't think that matters, Bruce. That's her husband. Of course she's going to try anything that has a glimmer of hope behind it. She's at the point of having no other choice."

~~~

"Don't be nervous," Shuri smiled, carefully sliding a pin into Esihle's hair, "you look beautiful. You could be wearing a garbage bag and be beautiful, and Anthony would still be enamored."

"Listen to my sister," T'Challa joined in, "we may not agree on many things, but on this I know we do." He moved to stand behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders as the two of them stood before the mirror together and taking in the sight. "Your parents would be very proud of you on this day. I know they are watching over you with great love and joy in the partner you have chosen to share your life with. I am proud of you as well, Esihle."

"Thank you, Your Highness," she nodded, her voice soft. "I only wish this were under circumstances of better joy for Anthony."

"Has he said something?"

"No, but I can feel how worried he is. He resists speaking of it, but I can sense the tension every time his father's name is spoken, or even when the mere thought of him crosses his mind. I can only pray that tomorrow goes to plan. We both want nothing more than to have Steve accompany us to our ceremony in Wakanda."

Shuri set down the remaining pins in her hand and joined with T'Challa in resting her hands on Esihle, as if to send any bit of strength she had to her. The three of them had been a family together for many years and had found themselves leaning on each other more times than they could count, but in this moment, it was silently agreed that this was the most important of them all. "Then he will be there. I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens."

~~~

"Bro, stop fidgeting."

"Can you blame me, Grant?" Anthony snickered. "I'm about to have the biggest moment of my life, and I'm nervous as hell."

"Hey, language," Brooke laughed, finishing the final adjustment of her brother's tie, "Dad's super ears still might be working so be careful."

At the mention of Steve, Anthony's posture straightened uncomfortably, and Brooke's hands dropped quickly away. The trio stood silently, their gazes all at their feet, each of them spending a moment in their own pool of memories.

"I'm just happy that he's here to see this," Grant offered in a whisper.

"Yeah," Ant agreed just as sheepishly. "I'm just trying to focus on each minute with him today, knowing that tomorrow is gonna be hard for everyone. I can't even imagine what Mom is feeling right now."

"Aren't you connected?"

"No," he frowned, "she asked me not to be while all of this is going on. I think she wants to keep this private between her and Dad, but I know that if she needs me to help then she'll tell me."

Brooke sighed and left their side, walking to one of the large windows that looked over the compound lawn and main drive, seeing that a few more guests were arriving. Stephen and Wong had chosen the conventional route and drove in rather than using their standard method of portal, and when they stepped from the car in new suits and not their traditional robes, Brooke sucked in a harsh breath of surprise at the sight, catching her brothers off guard.

"Sis, you okay?" Grant asked first, moving closer with Anthony right behind. "Something wrong?"

"This is all really happening, isn't it?"

"Um...yeah, it is," Ant chuckled dryly, "I think the tuxes and fancy dress you've got on should've given that away a while ago." Taking her arm in his hand, ever so gently, he turned her to face him. When he connected to her by touch, he stopped abruptly and released her, his eyes wide and the dare of a smile beginning before he could stop it. "Brooke."

"Don't say anything, Ant, please," she begged, "not today. Not to anyone."

"Don't say what?" Grant said, moving closer.

"I promise, I won't."

"Won't say what?"

"Thank you. It's not the right time. Not with everything happening."

"Someone tell me what the hell you're talking about!" Grant snapped with a hard stomp of his foot. His hands began to heat up and glow with a bright flame beneath his skin, his frustration ready to boil over. "I don't even care if Dad hears me swear, I want to know now, dammit!"

Brooke sighed heavily, closing her eyes to try to push the tears back, but failing miserably. Anthony quickly pulled the carefully folded cloth from his suit pocket and gently wiped her cheek as they began to fall. "Grant," he began for her when she just couldn't say the words out loud yet herself, "Brooke's pregnant."

~~~

Upstairs in your room, with no idea of the conversation that was happening only a few doors away, you were waiting for Steve to give in and let you help him. He was being completely stubborn, per his usual self, insisting that putting his pants on by himself shouldn't be such a difficult process. With his still injured hip leaving him angry and in pain, his mood certainly wasn't what he wanted it to be for his son's big day, but he was having trouble finding a way to shut it down.

"Steve, why are you afraid to let me help? What are you trying to prove?"

"That I can still do it."

"Is your ego that important that you'll let it make you late for Ant's wedding?"

"Of course not," he grumbled, "but it's just...it's embarrassing."

"Of all of the things we've been through, and all of the stupid shit I've seen you do, this is what embarrasses you? Something that you have absolutely no control over? Honey, come on. It's me. You know that I'm not seeing you that way."

Your husband shook his head in disgust with himself, groaning under his breath as he stood despite your insistence that he wait for you. "Yeah...but you're not the one...who has to...ow..." he stopped, dropping back down onto the bed, "you're not the one who has to walk down the aisle with a goddamn cane."

"Excuse me, but have you forgotten who you're talking to? Dad had to hold me up to get me to the altar at our wedding when my leg almost buckled. If anyone gets this, Steve, it's gonna be me."

"You're right, I'm sorry," he relented, "I haven't forgotten. You know that I'm just frustrated, and I don't mean to take it out on you." He sat quietly for a moment, looking down at the pants in his hand and silently cursing his own deteriorating body for the position it was putting him in. He knew that he couldn't stop what was happening, but if things could slow down for just one day, he sure would appreciate nature letting him catch a break. "Doll?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you help me put on my pants?"

"Aw, sweetie," you smiled, "I thought you'd never ask."

~~~

You could see him, and he looked as perfect as you had imagined he would. You hadn't seen Steve since the party the night before, and you had never been more thankful that he wouldn't get drunk and show up to his own wedding hung over. Bucky was to his right, followed by Sam, Clint and a spot reserved for Tony. Once the processional music began, your nerves took hold and you felt your body tense; your grip on Tony's arm became almost desperate.

"We still have time to run."

"Says the man pushing for this wedding harder than even Steve was," you whispered back, your eyes still locked on your soon-to-be-husband. "I was starting to wonder if maybe you wanted to switch places with me."

"Well I'm sorry that I want you to be happy," he huffed and stuck out his tongue, trying to get your attention with no success. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yep, time to go." He led you through the doors and into the expansive chapel, pausing for the guests to stand. Steve turned to finally look back at you and you could see him suck in a deep breath and hold it at the sight. "He needs to breathe," you mumbled with a smile for him. The next few steps went well until you felt a slight roll in your ankle atop your high heels that offered little support. A momentary slip in your step could have turned embarrassing had it not been for Tony's quick reflexes and strong grip. You saw Steve take a step forward when he saw you wavering, but Bucky grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Hey, what was that?"

"A poor choice in footwear," you groaned quietly, still clutching his arm as you continued on, his face in a slight wince of pain under your grasp. "Thanks for the quick catch."

"I'm never gonna let you fall, honey, you know that." He held his gaze forward as he held your arm and brought you to the front, almost reluctant to release you now that the moment to do so was upon him. He leaned over and kissed your cheek through your veil and gently placed your hand into Steve's. "You got her?"

"Always."

"Thanks, dad," you smiled, knowing that he wanted to hear that title at least once today.

"Oh, kid, come on," he shuddered with a faltering voice, "not fair. You can't hit me with that now." He shuffled to his spot amongst the other groomsmen, but you could still hear him fighting back his tears.

"That was sweet," Steve chuckled and led you up the few steps to the pulpit. "Sweet, but kinda mean."

"You say that like it's new information, Rogers. You wanna make a break for it? I'll even look away."

"Not a chance, doll. I've waited too long for this, so you just keep your eyes right here. I look too good in this tux for you to be looking anywhere else."