arrays | tell the world that we finally got it all right

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tell the world that we finally got it all right

Natalie had really gone all out for this thing, hadn't she? Leo, for his part, had only been involved enough to put together the mechanical birds she'd asked for. How the wedding and reception looked didn't matter to him a bit - all he wanted was her, and he had her.

Though that wasn't to say he didn't appreciate all the work she'd done. Everything looked amazing, and it all had the steampunk vibe Leo and his siblings were known for, but with just enough touches of magic to suit herself, too. All in all, it was the best wedding he could have hoped for, and the only thing that could make it better would be if he could convince Natalie to have a dance with him, after all. She'd resisted so far, given him crap when he's tried to teach her, but maybe now that the day is here...

But even that, he could do without if he had to. They're here, surrounded by friends and family (and that was still a strange thought to Leo, especially now that Dan was legally his father-in-law), and they're together and this time, it's permanent. Even their daughter, Josephine, was here, being watched by Piper or Dany or Enjolras or Dan in turns. It was all he needed, he thought, pulling his new bride close to nab another kiss. A perfect day for a perfect woman, and Leo was beyond elated to show how much he loved her for all the world to see.

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"Totally."

With one more kiss, Natalie finally pulls herself from Leo's warm embrace. Slipping her hand into his instead, she leads him back to their guests, encouraging them to take more cake and have one more dance and thanking them for their unwavering support. Time with mom takes a moment, time with dad takes much longer, especially when Josephine pulls at her mommy's curls in some attempt to get them both to stay.

"Gramps'll show you a good time. He'll show you cool buildings." She laughs as Dan nods vigorously. "Say bye-bye to your daddy, Jo."

Jo frowns up at him, knowing full well what that word means. It’s normal for one of her parents to vanish on her for a while, with their work, but both at the same time? It’s a relatively new thing, and she’s never liked it. Leo can’t help but laugh at her expression, taking her little hand gently and wiggling her fingers.

“We’ll be back before you know it, kid,” he tells her affectionately. “You’ll have fun with your grandpa, get to see where Mom gets all that nerdiness from.” Lowering his voice to a stage whisper, he adds, “Who knows? Maybe you’ve got it in you, too.”

Her face is mildly horrified as he straightens to ruffle her hair, and he laughs again. “Take good care of her, Dan.” Not that Leo has any doubts. The guy may have failed in some ways when it came to raising Natalie, but he’s been nothing short of doting when his granddaughter is in the picture. It’s adorable, in a weird sort of way.

The thought never occurred to her to block her father out of her life once they both started seeking help, separately, without the pressure from other family members. Natalie had kept her own therapy under wraps for a while. It's been good for them both and seeing him now, especially with mom, though distant, in the same room, it makes her love him more. He is more than capable of caring for her little girl.

Natalie steals away to say farewell to Diana, keeping it quick and unsentimental. They seal it with a short hug. It's still complicated in this realm but they have time.

Natalie meets Leo by the entrance of the ballroom where everyone has gathered to see them off, some actually shedding tears. Instead of rice, guests throw purple confetti, as per her request. She takes a deep breath. Perfect.

It’s natural by now to lace his fingers in hers, giving her hand a light squeeze as they walk through the confetti she’d asked for. It’s been an amazing day for him - hopefully even better for Natalie, hopefully everything she’d ever dreamed it could be. To Leo, at least, not a single thing seems out of place; everything is as perfect as Natalie herself, and he has no doubts that it will continue on until tonight.

The honeymoon was his to plan, they’d decided, but the wedding and night thereafter - those were Natalie’s. It’s her day, he’d insisted, technically his too, but the whole thing is about her, and all he’d wanted was to be sure that it was perfect for her. So now, as they walk out, he’ll let her take the lead. And tomorrow morning, she’ll see the surprise that’s kept Leo busy for a good, long while. It will be worth it, of that he is certain.

They don't have to go far to get to their suite - Natalie chose it for its convenience (pragmatic as ever) and the fact that it was beautiful, prepared and stocked with champagne, chocolates, and soap for bubble baths. She makes sure the candles are lit before they enter the room, soft piano music playing in the background.

It's very romantic, but not completely out of character for Natalie. It's still quiet and subtle, but perfect for their first night as husband and wife.

She doesn't speak once they stand in the elevator heading to their floor, a distant smile on her face, dizzy with love and affection.

Leo is content to watch and admire her as they up, still amazed that anything on this day has actually happened, that it's all real and Natalie is officially his wife. The sheer happiness leaves him in a kind of daze, but really, all he wants is to be with her tonight.

The room, once they get there, and all of the effects that Natalie's set up for the both of them, are only mildly surprising, and for once, Leo refrains from cracking a joke as he takes it all in. It's... romantic, something he never would have considered either of them being, at least not in the conventional sense, but it's appropriate for the day. It will be something else they'll want to remember for years to come.

Turning back to her - his wife - he smiles and takes her hand, gently pulling her to him the same way he had earlier, for their dance. Only this time, he doesn't move with the music, merely letting out a soft sigh as he presses his lips to hers, full of love and passion now that they're alone with no one else to impress.

Her life has never been normal, and at some point, she had begun to appreciate the absurdities for what they were. She's a half-blood with a complicated family, a girl who fell through a crack in the earth, who can sometimes be remarkable, in love with someone just as weird as she is. Some tradition couldn't hurt on a night like this.

She threads her fingers through his hair, looping her other arm around his shoulders, meeting his kiss fully, It feels good to taste him, to be in his his arms the same way she's been held since she was sixteen.

Leo, of course, would be glad to tell her that normal is overrated, with all the ridiculous things that have happened in his life. It makes them special, though in their own ways, they're still perfectly normal - even him, with the rare blessing of his father on his shoulders. None of it makes them any less perfect, Natalie especially, and tonight is more perfect than any they've shared before, because tonight, they're married.

With a happy hum, his arms slip around her waist to hold her close while her fingers card through his hair. He smiles against her lips, pressing close for another moment before he pulls back, lips parted.

"I love you, Mrs. Goodman-Valdez," he breathes, a sparkle in his eye at finally being able to say it.

"I love you, Leo." Her husband.

Her hands drop to the lapels of his jacket, curling her fingers around the fabric and pulling him for a few short kisses, unable to stop herself. She lifts her gaze and smiles up at him, nudging her nose against his affectionately. It's okay to go slow for now, to build up a little more tension before they settle into their first night together. It's how she wants it to be.

"Our first time here will be more comfortable than our very first time," Natalie finally cracks a joke, fondly remembering the way the table initially dug into her thighs before they moved.

Short and sweet is the best way to describe those kisses, and he loves every one of the, responding with some of his own. It's just the beginning, he thinks, and the smile comes naturally, never fading in the slightest.

"We know what we're doing now, too," he tells her with an amused sparkle in his eyes. The first time was great, at least in his memory - but it will be nothing compared to tonight, their first time as husband and wife, married and parents of a beautiful daughter. He couldn't ask for more. "And we have an actual bed, and music, and... more champagne and chocolate over there." Pressing another soft kiss to her lips, he says, "It'll be perfect."

Natalie leans into him, her cheek against his when she looks over their spread.

"Don't melt the chocolates," she teases.

The first time was wonderful, she agrees, and she considers that the first time she truly felt she might love him too. Now, they are stronger than ever, the feelings she has for him. Her heart never feels empty.

"Only if it's on you," he responds with a wicked glint in his eyes, snatching one of them as if considering doing just that. A little playfulness goes a long way, and the two of them have learned that in the best possible way. "Me, though - I'll melt in your mouth and your hands."

"I'd be into that," Natalie chuckles, eyeing the chocolate in his hands.

"You'll have to get the dress off first. though." Her eyebrows waggle. Yeah, she might just like a little more sweetness in their evening.

"Duh," he says, wiggling the piece of chocolate before her in case she wants it now. "I'd kind of like to stay alive to see our first anniversary, you know. We'll get there." Leo allows for just enough space between them to slowly and deliberately let his eyes roam over her, tracing the way the dress falls on her curves. "I want to take my time with that part."

"Taking time is one thing, but maybe you should get started," Natalie suggests. Though, since he is offering the chocolate, she will nod silently in response to that sort of question, licking her lips enticingly. Or, well, what she hopes is enticingly.

Natalie has never been the best at pulling out the sexy side of herself, but it's never mattered much to Leo when he thinks she's beautiful and attractive even under the worst conditions. His eyes follow her tongue, already feeling excited for what's to come, and sneaks a quick kiss before giving up the chocolate, hands ghosting down her sides.

"Guess I can't leave the lady waiting."

"Thanks."

Natalie unwraps the candy slowly, eyes momentarily flicking up to Leo's face before she tosses the wrapper aside. Okay, normally, she would merely pop it into her mouth and chew away, but she can't possibly do that now. So, she slowly opens her mouth, placing it on her tongue resting lightly on the edge of her bottom lip.

It's a small thing, but it's something.

Tempting, as always. She's far too good at that, and somedays and it makes him wonder exactly how he got to be so weak to her, though he knows the answer quite well.

His hands continue down her sides, tracing her curves before making their way around to her backside. He makes sure to take in every detail of how she looks and feels, committing it to memory, before he allows his hands to wander up again to the zipper of her dress as he leaves a trail of slow, feather-light kisses over Natalie's jaw. Once he reaches her ear, he asks softly, "Good chocolate?"

She swallows, licking her lips and her body tenses when he inches closer towards the zipper of her dress. It would be so simple to make their clothes go away, but that's never been their style. It's all part of the fun for them, drawing out the foreplay and teasing a great deal.

"Mhm. You know, I could always put this dress back on later so you can enjoy me in it again."

And take it off her all over again. Though, to be honest, nothing beats the very first dress he saw her wear when they were teenagers.

"You might have to," he replies, voice low and a little playful as his fingers toy with the zipper. Slowly, he starts working it down, taking his time and sucking lightly on Natalie's earlobe before brushing his tongue over the shell of her ear. "You should get good use out of it."

The zipper's reached her shoulder blades by now, and behind it, Leo trails a finger or two with a little extra heat for her enjoyment. No sparks, not with such delicate fabric in the way, but he wants her to enjoy this as much as he does.

Her back curves under his undertips and she laughs quietly in response, turning her head to kiss his cheek.

"I really should. It's too gorgeous to wear only once."

Look, she's learned how to better dress herself over the years. No godly help was needed in picking out her wedding gown. Her back is bare, but she's certain that he's going to enjoy the matching, barely there lace underwear hiding underneath the layers. But, first, they should be on more even ground. She'll wait a moment before she makes her move.

"Well, we'll have plenty of time to make sure you get enough use out of it this week," Leo says, pulling back to meet her eyes. His fingers linger on her shoulders where the dress still sits, waiting to be removed.

"Take off your shirt," Natalie murmurs, brushing her nose against his. "Then we can get somewhere with this dress."

"Yes, ma'am," he replies with a grin. His hands leave her to deftly undo the buttons and work off the shirt, and then they go straight back to her arms. Now that they're alone, Leo wants to touch her with every chance he gets. "Good?"

Her eyes sparkle when she watches him do as she asks; look, she's been attracted to Leo since he was super skinny but time has matured him and work has made him more toned and she doesn't care if he's not that tall because she think that they're just right for each other. Better than that - perfect.

Slowly, she turns around to show her bare back so he can get to pushing the dress off her.

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