A Love Like Theirs (December 1995)

The day of the wedding had finally arrived. Family and their closest friends had been flown to Massachusetts for the ceremony. Thankfully, the media was still unaware of the wedding. The small chapel was decorated in dark plum and blush pink flowers, the colors of Isabella's bouquet and candles had been lit inside. A small orchestra was set up to play music. There were a couple of small anterooms where Tony and Isabella were finishing getting ready. Elena helped her daughter put on her veil and pull it down over her face. Isabella's makeup was not overdone. She had done it herself because she didn't want to look like anyone but herself. She was nervous, but also extremely happy and excited about what the future held for Tony and herself.

She smiled at her mother and then at her father who had come in to get ready to escort her down the aisle. "What do you think?"

Tony wasn't nervous. He was only giving up every woman on the planet except one. A small smile crept onto his face when he thought about that. Oddly, that didn't really bother him at all. Isabella was everything he wanted in a woman though he did like larger boobs...sometimes. A small thing to consider when he had everything else. And certainly nothing he would ever tell her either. he couldn't wait to see her in her dress. He knew she had good taste so there was an urgency that held inside of him for that. For that and their nights after this one. He hoped she was going to love her wedding present. The 400 foot Yacht was huge but he had a vision of her laid out on the small pool that this one had on its bow. It also had a hot tub and luxury everywhere.

Happy was standing up for him as his best man and besides him and Isabella, that was all the family he really had. He hoped he could make Isabella happy. He would do whatever it took to keep her happy he knew. Well, just about anything, he amended. He decided it was time for him to step out.

Once he did the few people in the room clapped for him and he waved at them as he moved up the path to stand beside Happy. He wore black with a small set of roses on his lapel that matched her colors. Happy had the rings he saw and he handed Tony a white handkerchief to wipe his brow with. Tony did not need it.

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'Well, don't you look beautiful Isabella," Lorenzo said. It seemed as if it was forever that they had been waiting for this day to come. Their daughter was getting married...finally. And she had set her heart on one of the most powerful men in the world. He was very proud of her.

Isabella knew she was making the right decision. She had loved Tony since she had first met him. This wedding was a long time coming, but Isabella wondered if their time apart had actually been what they both needed. Would they have been this happy if they had married right after they graduated? Their time apart had let them both grow and realize just how much they loved and needed one another. Isabella was extremely proud of Tony and the man he had become in these last few months. He was the man she had always thought he truly was and together they could face anything. She hoped she could make Tony as happy as he had made her.

She smiled at her father and hugged him and then took his arm as her mother walked out to take her seat. The priest motioned for everyone to stand and as they did the orchestra started to play. Isabella walked out with her father and her eyes immediately locked onto Tony's. She couldn't help but smile at his reaction to seeing her in her dress. It was precisely the reaction she had been after.

His breath caught and he could have sworn his heart had stopped altogether as the vision in white appeared from the doors at the end of the small hall. The music began to play and even with her veil drawn up he could still see her face underneath. Was she smiling? Was she crying? Was she going to throw her bouquet at him and tell him off then storm out? No...she didn't do that and it did appear, as she got closer, to be smiling. Tony knew he was and his vision appeared to close in and tunnel onto just her face as she came to stand near him.

"And who has come to give away this bride?" The priest asked. "I have, Lorenzo Corsetti," Her father said. "Tony Stark, take what is given into your hands," The priest asked but Tony did not seem to hear. Happy had nudged him and it seemed to bring Tony out of just looking at Isabella's face. As he took her hands in his Renee came over and shifted her veil back just as Isabella had wanted.

They still looked at the priest as he began and Tony caressed Isabella's knuckles and he used his finger to feel her heartbeat in her wrist. It was going quickly like he knew his was. Then they were asked to look at one another and present their rings. Isabella presented hers to give to Tony as the priest asked her to repeat after him. Then Tony repeated the process and slid the gold band onto Isabella's finger.

"With all the powers invested in me, I pronounce you, Tony Stark and you, Isabella Stark, to be husband and wife...you may, kiss the bridge," the priest said and Tony did.

Isabella only saw Tony. Everything else around her seemed to fade away. She was totally and completely in love with him. She knew that life with him wasn't always going to be easy, but it would never be boring, that was for certain. In a way, Tony and Isabella were perfect for each other. They balanced each other out and brought out the good in one another.

As Tony's lips touched her own she heard everyone around them begin to clap and cheer. She had a few tears in her eyes as she looked into his own. "I love you so much Tony," she whispered for only him to hear.

"There's no getting away from me now Mrs. Stark," Tony whispered back as he gave her one, final kiss. Then it was a mad dash out to the Limo! Inside the Limo Tony fixed them both a drink then leaned back into the seat as Happy got in and they started away toward the reception hall. Tony took a sip of his drink as he looked at her. She sat across from him. "Well, you are very fortunate that there is about 10 pounds of satin and lace between us Mrs. Stark. because I am really, really, really wanting you right now," Tony said and she could see that he did.

"Its going to be several hours yet before I can get you alone again...But I do have you for 2 weeks...to myself," he said as if thinking outloud. "Then there is your wedding present. I have it here in my pocket," He said as he put his hand into his left pocket then pulled it out again. There was a bulge there but she would not be able to see what it was. Tony's teasing smile told her that it was something crazy good.

The reception was taking place also at Philips Academy in a beautiful hall that they had. The caterer was already there and set up and the cake decorator had brought the cake in and set it up on it's own table. Isabella smiled warmly at Tony as she sat in the limo with him. She accepted the drink he handed her and took a sip. She smiled and blushed at what he said, but her eyes twinkled with happiness. However, when he mentioned her wedding present she couldn't help but notice the bulge in his left pocket. She grinned a little at him as she wondered what it was.

They made it to the reception hall and everyone was already gathered inside. They all applauded when Tony and Isabella walked in. Isabella's veil had been removed and everyone started to come up to congratulate them. Luca smiled and shook hands with Tony, as did her father. They had their first dance as husband and wife and then everyone else joined them before dinner was served. The food was delicious and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. Several toasts were made, including one by James Rhodey that made Isabella cry. After the cake was cut and more dances were shared together, Tony and Isabella decided it was time to leave. Isabella saw Tony slip a piece of paper to Happy that Isabella knew was the official press release about their marriage. She heard Tony instruct him not to send it out until the morning.

Tony had the Bentley driven to the hall so he and Isabella could head out in style. He drove and there was no security with them this time. The main reason for all the secrecy. They remained in their wedding garb as he drove and they talked about how their future would be together. He knew it would still take time for her to get used to being one of the most powerful and wealthiest women in the world. But he figured she'd eventually come around to it. She'd notice they were headed toward the coast.

"I thought we'd take a little cruise for our honeymoon," Tony said as he pulled up at the docks. This one only had one ship. It was large about 400 feet in length with several decks. It was mostly white with some tinted black glass. There were men and women standing on the side of the ship and they all waved to them as they got out of the Bentley. Tony had two young man on the dock waiting for them. One took his keys then nodded and headed toward the car. The other, they were both dressed in white and black, handed him a bottle of Dom Perignon. The gangway for them to get onto the ship was already there and extended but Tony directed her to the rear of the ship. It was then that he pulled out what looked to be a key. Though this one didn't look exactly like a car key. And it had a small, white boat shaped keychain attached to it. He set it into her hand just as they stepped up far enough for her to see the boat's name. U.S.S. Isabella.

Isabella had no idea where they were going for their Honeymoon. All Tony had told her was to pack a bikini. She noticed that they were headed towards the coast. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw the massive yacht. It was incredible and so beautiful. Isabella was almost giddy with excitement at the thought of their own private cruise.

However, Tony’s surprise wasn’t over yet. As he led her towards the back of the ship he pulled what appeared to be a key out of his pocket but Isabella could see it wasn’t a car key. She then looked up and saw the name of the ship. She gasped and looked at Tony. “What did you do?” she asked with a little smile.

Tony smiled and gave her a little wink. "Well, you've already seen the jet, and I did want to get you something special," he said as if a 400 foot super yacht was no different than a new car or a puppy. If she knew it costed him almost half a billion dollars...well, 'them' half a billion, would she refuse to accept it? He didn't want to think about that now. He was anxious to get that dress off of her right then. It amazed him that even though they've had sex several times that he wanted that from her urgently. He wanted 'her' urgently. He handed her the bottle.

"It still needs to be christened," he told her. After she smashed the bottle those on the ship cheered for her. Tony gestured and together they moved up the gangway and onto the ship. the captain and his grew saluted them and then they moved past them so Tony could give her the tour.

The bow was really what he wanted her to see. it was spacious with a full patio, a bar, a grill and cooking area and ofcourse an oval pool and hot tub of the side of the pool. The pool and hot tub were wired for fiber optic lighting and there were speakers for music, a large screen TV for them to watch movies or television while soaking or swimming or just sunning themselves.

Inside there was a full living area and gameroom. A lounge, a library and office and several other rooms. there was a galley, a huge dining room, a gym and sauna, everything they'd need for an extended stay and everything was more luxurious than any hotel could be. Their bedroom was huge with its own master bath and sitting area. Even as she looked around she felt Tony's hands on the buttons and then the zipper of her dress as he pulled it down. he then stepped away from her toward the mini bar to make them drinks.

"So, is it a keeper?" he asked as he plunked an ice cube into each glass then poured the scotch. He smiled at that thought then turned around to face her.

Isabella was overwhelmed by the yacht. It was incredible and had everything they could need for extended stays. She was still coming to grips with the fact that she was now wealthy enough to own a yacht. Their bedroom on the yacht was nicer than most five star hotels. She smiled as she looked around. She felt Tony’s hand on the back of her dress and she smiled over her shoulder at him. “Yes, it’s a keeper. After this my gift for you won’t come anywhere close, but let me see what you think. I’ll be right back.”

She stepped away from him and into the bathroom. She was in there for a little while before the door open. “So, what do you think of your wedding present?” She was wearing a white, lacy lingerie one piece that was sexy without being too revealing. It hugged her curves and she had let down her hair. It cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves.

Tony stepped around the room as Isabella excused herself. The wedding, and thinking back, her near abduction. Frank Castle, the corrupt CIA agents and then their capture in Kazakhstan. So many chances to lose her. Had he might the right decision to marry her? They had come so far together. Together and separately. He felt he could recover from that loss, if they were just friends. But now the stakes were higher. Tony Stark had become Iron man. And that meant that the stakes were no less higher for her. For Tony, his wealth was important but it was a result of the man he was. His intellect and creativity. His drive and passion. To add to that, Isabella brought her will, her confidence and her attention to detail. She brought her love into this equation and as he took another sip of scotch, Tony felt that that made all the difference.

Just as he began to swallow Isabella came out of the bathroom. Tony began to choke as the scotch went down his windpipe. "Holy hell," Tony coughed as he fought to get control of his breathing. He saw Isabella's dark eyes fastened to him and when she put her hands on her hips and stood confidently he no longer really saw her. He saw a silver and sapphire suit. The image disappeared almost as soon as it came and he cleared his throat one last time as he stepped toward her to take his 'gift' in hand and lead her to the massive bed. He had her lay back onto her back and he just looked at her for a moment. His eyes took her all in and he smiled down at her as he began to unbutton his shirt.

"Why Mrs. Stark, I think you have your husband's full attention," he said as he removed his cuff links and let them fall to the floor. As he shifted onto his knees before her and put his hands onto her thighs he leaned down and kissed her there. "I do love unwrapping my gifts," he murmured as he started in on her center.