CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ENDING

Steven Stronghold struggled to hold back tears as he escorted his 26-year-old niece down the aisle. However, when he saw the pure happiness in her eyes – her father's eyes – he couldn't help the few that escaped down his cheek. Knowing that this was a job that should've been reserved for her father, Steven was overjoyed when she had approached him with the privilege. Beaming proudly at the beautiful woman on his arm, he couldn't think of a time when he had been prouder.

Allison Stronghold had passed two years back when the alcohol had finally shut down her organs and she was no longer strong enough to fight against the illness that took over her body. It had taken Astrid an entire week to accept her mother's passing but they had been estranged for years prior. Eventually anger had replaced sadness as she recounted the numerous times during her teenage years she had begged her mother to give up the drink. Whilst she told herself that she didn't care, the lack of parents in the front row was upsetting.

Telling herself it didn't matter, Astrid smiled at her Aunt, who was dabbing at her teary eyes. Making their slow descent down the aisle, Astrid took that moment to thank her Uncle.

"For what?" Steven whispered back.

"For being there for me all these years, no matter what."

"Anything for you, my dear." Steven patted Astrid's hand gently. "Oh look, your aunt and cousin are off."

Turning to look at Josie and Will again, the pair giggled at the sight of them sobbing into handkerchiefs. Much to their amusement, Will was the one crying the hardest. Facing the front, Astrid smiled at her Maid of Honour and Natalia winked back, pride shining on her face. On the right hand side stood the groomsmen and Astrid was shocked to see the smile on Warren's face. Over the years, the man had loosened up but was still stoic in regards to his emotions. Now he was smiling widely for everyone to see.

As she stared at the man who was soon to be her husband, tears pooled in her own eyes as she took in the dashing man who was wiping at his own eyes. Even after all these years, she couldn't believe he was hers.

Handing his niece away, Steven warned the groom that if he ever did anything to upset her, he would have no qualms about castrating the young man. Grabbing her husband, Josie pulled him to sit down and they both watched as their niece took the first step towards her happy future. Clasping hands, the bride and groom turned to face the priest.


"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Placing his hand on her cheek, his thumb traced her jawline softly before he tilted her head backwards and closed the distance between their lips. Remembering that family surrounded them, he kept the kiss tame.

"I present to you, Mr and Mrs Jason Livingston."

"I still find it weird hearing people call you Jason." Astrid chuckled, resting her head on her husband's shoulder as they sat in the back of the car that was taking them to their reception.

"I'm a grown up now, sweetheart. You, Speed and Nat are the only ones who still call me Lash."

"Old habits die hard, baby." Astrid smiled, placing a kiss on his lips. "And you'll never be a grown up."

"You're getting far too cheeky, Mrs Livingston." Lash teased before getting lost in her eyes. "You look truly beautiful."

Blushing at the loving gaze in her husband's eyes, she patted him affectionately on the cheek as she tried to keep distance between them. As much as she wanted nothing more than to climb into his lap and kiss him, they had guests to attend to and couldn't get lost in each other. Knowing if she kissed him now, she would want nothing more than to drag him back to their home instead of going to their reception.

"You clean up nicely, Mr Livingston."

"Well, I had to make some sort of effort today," he joked.

As the car came to a stop, the Bride and Groom shared one more chaste kiss before they had to step out of the car. Groaning when she pulled away from him, Lash pulled her body flush against him, unable to keep his hands of the woman who was now his wife.

"Are you ready for this? All you have to do is say the words and I will take you right home and out of this dress."

"Don't tempt me," she chuckled. "Come on, we're Supers. We don't run away from terrifying situations like our family."


Halfway through his Best Man speech, Speed was choking on his own tears when Lash's pager beeped obnoxiously from the pocket of his jacket. Everyone on the high table turned to look at him and saw that the bride and groom were already dressed in their Supersuits.

"Duty calls. We won't be long but feel free to carry on without us." Lash smiled at his guests before Speed shot off with Astrid and Lash in tow.

As usual, the Super team was off to save the day. They didn't even get a day off on their wedding day. Grumbling about being left behind again, Natalia waddled over to the remaining Stronghold's and Livingston's as they waited for the return of the Bride, Groom and Best Man. Remarking on how big she had gotten, Josie and Elizabeth dived into a conversation about babies whilst the men began making sure the guests were entertained.

An hour or so later, the three Heroes zoomed back into the room, dressed once more in their wedding attire and not a hair out of place.

"Who wants some cake?"


Three weeks later, the newlyweds were driving home from the airport when Astrid's phone began ringing. Untangling her hand from her husband's, Astrid answered the call with a goofy grin. The past two weeks had been heaven. No phones, no Hero business and no people. It had been the two of them alone with sunny weather, a pool and a king sized bed.

"Hello? Whoa, Speed, calm down. What?! We're on our way?!"

Demanding that Lash immediately drive to the hospital, she frantically explained the situation before reminding Lash that he was going over the speed limit. Whilst she was eager to get to the hospital, the last thing they needed right now was to get pulled over.

Rushing down the hospital hallways like a mad woman, she knocked quietly on the door in front of her and barrelled into the room when the door was opened. Lying in bed, Natalia looked exhausted.

"Hey, you. How are you feeling?" Astrid smiled at her long-time best friend.

"Sore but good. Would you two like to meet your goddaughter?"

She had gone into labour twelve hours ago but Astrid's phone had been unavailable at first. Since then, Natalia had been demanding that Speed continue trying to call her every twenty minutes.

A beaming smile spread on the Livingston's faces as they stared down at the tiny baby girl that was snuggled into Astrid's chest. A small yawn escaped her mouth but the peaceful tiny face remained fast asleep.

"She's gorgeous. Well done, Nat." Lash praised, as he smiled at the tiny human.

Passing Nat the bag of goodies they had brought her, Lash gave Speed a tight hug and congratulated him on the birth of his daughter. When the tiny baby began fussing, Astrid passed her back to her father, pressing a kiss to Speed's cheek in congratulations.

Wrapping an arm around his wife, Lash whispered in her ear. "Babe, we should have one."

"I couldn't agree more." Astrid responded, eyes trained on the tiny human but she felt Lash's grip tighten.


Ten years had passed since the birth of the first Super child and the two women were seated in deck chairs, smiling as their husbands entertained the giggling children with their powers.

"Everything worked out in the end, didn't it?" Natalia mused, taking a sip of her cocktail.

"That it did. We got our happily ever afters," responded Astrid, hand rubbing her belly that was swollen with her third child.

Locking eyes with Lash, Astrid knew that life had panned out exactly as it was meant to. This man was her Hero, just as he had always wanted to be. Locking eyes with Astrid, Lash knew that he could never imagine his life any other way. He had the perfect wife and the cutest children. After everything he had done, the universe had decided to grant him with a woman that he knew he didn't deserve. Since the day they had shared their second kiss, he had paid the universe back by ensuring she knew she was loved every single day.

In the end, it didn't matter who had been labelled a Hero and who had been labelled a Sidekick, they always saved each other.