Revelation Sunshine, 9/9 (Courtney/Vixen) - Veronica
A/N: Hello loves! This is the last chapter for now. I have so many ideas for these characters, that I probably could go on forever, but it feels correct to end this part of their story in this way. If you want more, please let me know! Thank you so much to everyone who’s read it--this really is one of my most self-indulgent stories ever, and that’s saying a lot. Especially thank you to @theartificialdane for being an amazing beta and collab parter, and of course the founder of this entire universe.
Last chapter: Courtney and Vixen went public, attended the Met Gala, and had a bit of a wild night back in the hotel.
This chapter: A happy ending. Or a happy beginning, depending on your perspective.
***
The morning after the Met Gala, Vixen awoke to the scent of coffee and fresh, buttery croissants as the room service was being wheeled into their room. She stretched, only slightly embarrassed when she realized that she was naked under the thin sheet, especially when she looked over and saw Courtney sitting propped up on a mountain of pillows, tits out, scrolling through her phone.
“Good morning. Putting on a show for the hotel staff, I see,” Vixen commented, voice still groggy with sleep.
Courtney laughed and glanced up from her phone. “He doesn’t care.”
As if to prove her point, he promptly turned and headed out, leaving them to their breakfast.
“Mmhmm.” Vixen shook her head, pressing a kiss against Courtney’s shoulder. She then climbed over her body to pour herself a cup of coffee. After taking a long sip, she spotted a glass of green juice that had to be Courtney’s. She picked it up, giving it a sniff, wrinkling her nose at the cut grass scent. “Want your horrible green juice?”
“‘Kay,” Courtney said, still distracted by her phone.
“And what are you so engrossed in, hmm?”
“Sorry.” Courtney put the phone down and accepted the juice glass with a grateful smile. “Thank you. I know it’s really basic, but I was just checking out social media. You know, to see what people were saying about the clothes from last night.”
“Ahh. Anything interesting?” Vixen asked nonchalantly. She wasn’t used to having her appearance judged by strangers, and even though she wanted to say that she didn’t care about that, part of her was dying for approval.
“Yeah, actually.” A smile played on Courtney’s lips as she looked up at Vixen. “I guess...we hadn’t really realized how...bridal our outfits looked. Especially together.”
“Oh yeah,” Vixen said.
“But the thing is, people seem really into it.” Courtney took a delicate sip. “All the posts and comments are hashtagged with ‘marryher.’”
Vixen laughed, searching through the tray for a pastry. “So then, they liked it?”
“Yeah, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive,” Courtney said. After a few moments, she ventured, “Do you ever think about...getting married?”
Of all the ways Vixen imagined that conversation starting, sitting hunched over on her heels, fully naked, with a mouthful of croissant, was not one of them. She turned to Courtney slowly, eyes wide.
“Do...do you?”
A coy grin lit up Courtney’s face. “Sometimes. Sometimes I think about...you know, having a family with you.”
Vixen took a large sip of coffee to swallow down the bite still in her mouth. Her eyes locked with Courtney’s, a feeling of tingling joy spreading throughout her body.
She pictured it, just briefly: the two of them standing up in front of their friends and families, professing their love for everyone to hear. But then more than that...a marriage. An actual partnership where they supported each other, where they encouraged each other’s dreams and challenged each other to strive for more. A family. Maybe even kids, who would test their patience and mess up the house and demand that they open up their hearts even more. She found herself a bit choked up at the thought.
“What about you?” Courtney asked then, voice soft and almost timid, like she was afraid to scare Vixen off.
“I just did,” Vixen whispered back.
“...and?”
She smiled, heart feeling full to bursting, and the expression on Courtney’s face seemed to mirror her own. Dazzling, radiant happiness, giddy excitement about what their lives could be.
Vixen lunged forward, tangling her hands into Courtney’s hair, kissing her over and over until their lips were swollen, hearts hammering in sync. When they finally separated, the giddy expression was still there. Vixen pulled away the hair that had fallen into her face, tossing it over her shoulder.
“Wow, nice toss…” said Courtney.
“I know. This hair makes me feel like a porn star.”
“Oh yeah? Do you like that?” Courtney asked.
Vixen let out a scoff before lowering her eyes and admitting, “...Maybe a little.”
Courtney laughed, pushing her onto her back.
“Okay, porn star, show me what you’ve got...”
***
Later, on the plane back to LA, Vixen couldn’t help the smile that pulled at her lips when she looked over at Courtney, in a neon pink puffer jacket, glittery headphones, space buns, and pants covered in tiny little rainbows. She imagined taking her to a faculty dinner dressed like that, and the thought made her laugh out loud.
Courtney looked up. “What’s so funny?” she asked, reaching for Vixen’s hand.
“Nothing. You’re just...really cute.”
Courtney’s face lit up in a sunny smile, and she pressed Vixen’s palm to her lips.
“So are you.”
Vixen gazed at her pensively for a few more moments before saying, “I think we should do it. If...if you want.”
“Do what?” asked Courtney, head tilted.
Vixen cleared her throat, suddenly a little self-conscious. This certainly wasn’t the most romantic proposal. Maybe she should have thought it through more.
“...Vix? Do what?” Courtney played gently with her fingers.
“Um...get married?” Vixen bit her lip, a little embarrassed. “Do you want to get married?”
Courtney let out a happy squeal, throwing her arms around Vixen’s neck. “Yes!”
“I’m sorry,” Vixen said, muffled by her jacket. “I probably should have gotten on one knee or something.”
“I don’t care about that,” Courtney said. She cupped Vixen’s cheeks with her hands, pressing their foreheads together. “I just...can’t wait to be your wife.”
***
The wedding was in June, a little over a year later, just after Vixen finished teaching her Spring term. They chose a sprawling castle in the Czech Republic for the location, surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills covered in leafy green trees. It was lush and beautiful and remote enough to keep most of the paparazzi away (except for the photographers that Detox hired, per his exclusive deal with the brides, and the camera crew from The Tonight Show who were making little daily videos to send in while the guest hosts filled in for Courtney).
It was hilarious to Vixen to see Courtney living her full Princess Fantasy. Usually, she was so laid back and down-to-earth and insistent that she was just a regular girl. Not this time, though, as she agonized over every detail, sparing no expense--including first class airfare for all of their friends and family, multiple lavish brunches, dinners, excursions and afterparties, and more flowers than Vixen had ever seen in her life.
When she questioned, in the early planning stages after catching a horrified glimpse at the initial budget, if maybe they should cut back, Courtney’s answer was, “Listen, I don’t know about you, but I’m only planning to do this once.”
Vixen sighed, explaining, “It’s not about that, Court. I just worry that this whole thing...it’s so extravagant, it’ll look...the optics are bad. I’m trying to talk about basic income and economic justice and community building, and this kind of display is just-”
“Okay, okay,” Courtney relented. She sifted through the plans spread out on the table, brow furrowed. “I guess we could cut...um…”
Vixen waited for the suggestion, biting her tongue, running through all the potential cuts in her head. The private planes? The bachelorette weekend in Greece? About 75% of the absolutely ostentatious flower arrangements?
Courtney, on the other hand, looked like a child who’d just had a scoop of ice cream knocked clean off her cone.
“I’m really not trying to rain on your parade, babe,” Vixen told her.
“I know you’re not. And I get what you’re saying...I’ll figure it out.”
Vixen pressed a kiss firmly against her mouth. “I know you will.”
Later that evening, Vixen was greeted at the door by her very excited fiancée who sat her down on the couch to propose a new plan.
“What about this...for every dollar we spend on the wedding, we donate a dollar to the charity of your choosing?” Her bright eyes sparkled, clearly proud of herself.
“Uhh…”
“That way!” Courtney continued, clasping her hands together, “If I go overboard, it’s a win win!”
She fluttered her lashes, waiting to see what Vixen would think of her ingenious new plan.
“I mean, it’s definitely a nice idea, but is it enough incentive to keep costs reasonable?” She raised an eyebrow challengingly.
“Okay, for every dollar I spend, two can go to charity.”
“You’re a terrible negotiator.”
“Vix…”
Vixen took in her hopeful eyes for a few long moments before exhaling. “Okay, deal.”
Courtney bounced into her lap with a delighted laugh. “Lovely doing business with you, Professor Taylor.”
“You’re impossible, you know that?” Vixen said, smiling against her.
“But you love me?”
“Yes. Unfortunately.” Vixen nibbled along her collarbone and up her jaw, coaxing out contented little sighs, and finally capturing her lips in a tender kiss.
So, slightly begrudgingly, Vixen went along with all of Courtney’s grandest plans. After awhile, she even started to get into the planning spirit, especially once it was time to start sampling cakes and planning menus. She put her foot down about a vegan wedding cake, (“my family would disown me!”) which of course led to Courtney’s genius two cakes idea.
Ultimately, though, Vixen had fun. She was too swamped with her first full year at UCLA to stress over the details, happy to simply weigh in on the things that mattered to her, like the music and food and her dress, and check out when it came to the rest. A week before the ceremony, Courtney flew to the venue with Brie, her brother Ben, and the event planner to make sure everything was perfect.
It wasn’t until Vixen was on the plane to Paris 2 days later, grades submitted for all of her classes, Asia on one side and Monet across the aisle, that it really, finally hit her: she was getting married.
The thought was so sudden that it actually made her gasp, and Monet, always a nervous flyer, immediately turned to her with alarm.
“What? Did you feel something? What’s wrong?” she fretted, and Vixen shook her head.
“No, nothing like that, I just. You guys...by this time next week, I’m going to be married. I’m gonna be someone’s wife.”
“You’re just now realizing that?” Monet asked, one eyebrow raised.
“I think we better cut her off,” Asia said, gesturing to her glass of chardonnay.
“Ha ha,” Vixen replied, rolling her eyes. “But really. Come on. This is huge. Isn’t it?”
The absolute enormity of the situation was causing a lump to form in her throat, tears stinging her eyes.
“It sure is, kiddo.” Asia leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “You’ve come a long way from that skinny little kid crying on the floor of my dorm room.”
“I know!” Vixen exclaimed, tears beginning to trickle down her cheek. She sniffled.
“Yeah, now she’s a skinny professor who cries in first class. Here, girl…” Monet reached across the aisle to pass a couple of napkins to her. “Wipe those tears. You’re living the dream.”
“Oh shit, I am,” Vixen laughed.
***
Somehow, Courtney had charmed Violet into making not only her dress, but Vixen’s too. (“That way they’ll be sure to be cohesive!”)
And so, they took an almost 24-hour stopover in Paris as an excuse for a fitting. Vixen was thrilled with the final dress, thanking Violet profusely for all her work and telling her that she’d see her in a few days before hitting the town with her girls for a little last-minute bachelorette night.
They had an absolute blast. By then, Monique and Mayhem had arrived, along with a couple of her favorite cousins and a new UCLA colleague who knew how to party like a rock star. They took full advantage of the VIP access that Courtney had arranged, Veuve flowing all night like water.
They may have overdid it a little, because the next day, while Courtney dragged her all over the castle grounds to show her the various locations, Vixen had a pounding headache. They ended up in the garden where the reception would take place, lights already being strung up, seating chart up on a posterboard next to a collage of the flower arrangements.
“So...what do you think? Is it too much?” Courtney asked, hilariously, given the fucking castle towering over her shoulder.
“Should I even ask how much money you’re gonna be sending to the NAACP and Grassroots Law?” Vixen asked, tucking a lock of blonde hair behind her ear.
“You mean how much we’re sending,” Courtney said.
“Dodging the question.”
“A lot…”
“Mmm…” Vixen looked around once more before wrapping her arms around Courtney’s waist. “Well...it’s beautiful.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She pressed a kiss to the crown of Courtney’s head.
***
Vixen only had a few more things to do before she could really take the summer off, and she was determined to finish them so that she could be fully present for the wedding and, maybe more importantly, the honeymoon. So the morning before the rehearsal dinner, she opted to skip the brunch buffet and finish her notes on a grant proposal.
She was almost done when Courtney returned to the room, flinging herself down on the four-poster, canopied king bed with a dramatic sigh, arm covering her eyes. Vixen looked up, amused by her theatrics.
“Problems, dear?”
Courtney groaned.
“Don’t tell me that the caviar is sub-par. The duke and duchess will never let us hear the end of it!” Vixen teased, and Courtney sat up, a cross look on her face. “Sorry. What’s wrong?”
“My dad is upset. I mean he’s not saying he’s upset but he’s been bitching to Ben and I don’t know why he didn’t say anything about it months ago!”
“I assume this is about the whole ‘being walked down the aisle by our moms’ thing?” Vixen guessed.
“Yeah. And I thought he understood! I mean it’s a feminist statement! You’d think he’d appreciate that! He ferments his own soybeans to make homemade tofu, for christ’s sake.”
“You don’t think marrying a woman is enough of a feminist statement?”
“Well, you’re not being walked down the aisle by your dad!” Courtney reasoned.
“Yeah, but I’m not close to my dad. He’s lucky he’s even invited.”
“Well…that’s why I made him, you know-”
“A bridesmaid?”
“We’re not calling it that!” Courtney sighed. “Omigod, this is so stressful.”
Vixen rose from the desk and walked to her fiancée on the bed, kneeling beside her. She was so beautiful, and so smart, and so stubborn when it came to taking the easy way out of this type of thing.
“Why not just let him walk with you and your mum? It’ll make him happy,” Vixen reasoned gently.
“But then the bridal parties won’t be equal! Who’ll walk with Monet?”
“You can let Adore walk with two people from my side.”
Courtney paused before giggling, “That is slightly poetic.”
“Do you feel better?” Vixen pressed a kiss to her shoulder and settled against the velvet pillows.
“Yeah, I think that’s a reasonable solution. Thank you,” Courtney sighed. She curled up into Vixen’s arms, head resting comfortably on her shoulder, eyes falling closed. Vixen began to card fingers through her hair.
“No problem, baby.”
“Sorry I’m being such a pain. Are you sure you still want to marry me?”
“Ummm...” Vixen pretended to think, and Courtney scowled up at her, pretending to be angry. After a few moments, they both started laughing.
“You really are the best,” Courtney proclaimed, swinging a leg over Vixen to straddle her.
She was caught off guard at first, hands seeking out Courtney’s waist automatically, gazing up at her, heart beginning to pound in that all too familiar way as their lips met in a slow, leisurely kiss. It took a few moments for her brain to catch up with her body.
“Before this goes any farther…” Vixen cleared her throat.
“Yeah?” Courtney murmured against her neck.
“Don’t you want to tell your dad he’s being upgraded?”
“I’ll tell him later,” Courtney said, teeth sinking into Vixen’s pulse point until she produced a breathy whimper.
“Babe...I still have to finish that proposal…” But even as Vixen spoke, she could feel her resolve weakening, the pleasant weight of Courtney’s body pressing down on hers too enticing to resist.
“Right this second?” Courtney asked, big eyes blinking down at her.
“I guess it can wait a little,” Vixen finally said, flipping Courtney over onto her back.
***
“Hold still,” said Violet, scrutinizing Courtney from every possible angle. It was another masterpiece, the wedding dress of Courtney’s wildest dreams: a big ball gown with a structured, corseted bodice covered with intricate embroidery and silk flowers in bright, rainbow colors that spilled down the skirt. Like someone had thrown a bucket of Pride Parade on a princess gown, but in the classiest, most Violet way possible. All Courtney wanted was to spin and twirl like a little kid.
And of course, Violet’s face had that expression she always wore while working. The one where it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
“Violet, not to sound ungrateful-”
“What?” Violet’s head snapped up, but Courtney continued.
“But you can’t look at a bride like that. You’re making me fucking nervous,” Courtney said, foot stomping slightly on the floor.
“Violet, please just tell her she looks pretty so that we can get the show on the road,” said Ben, tossing back the rest of his champagne. “Some of us want to get to the party toute suite!”
“Sounds like that’s of the utmost importance.” Violet rolled her eyes. “Courtney, you look gorgeous—”
“Thank y-”
“—But I’m trying to check your seams and you’re as fidgety as a toddler. Stand still.”
“Exactly what you want to hear on your wedding day,” Courtney laughed, resuming the position Violet told her to hold.
“Hire someone else next time if you want sweet nothings,” Violet said, kneeling down to fix a hem that wasn’t falling properly. “You know who I am.”
“I do.”
“You do.” Violet smiled. “Melati’s very excited to be a part of the big day, by the way. She’s concerned about doing everything right like a big girl, though.”
Courtney looked over to the corner, where Melati sat on Adore’s lap, the two of them happily bonding over a tray of croissants that had been laid out for the bridal party. Melati was going to be a flower girl, along with Vixen’s cousin, something the 6-year-old would think of as one of her major claims to fame for years to come.
“Aww, I am too!” Courtney said. “Tell her that she can always follow Mandy if she forgets where to go.”
“Okay.” Violet stood up, brushing off her hands. “I think you’re ready.”
“Really?” Courtney’s stomach twisted with excitement.
“Yeah. I’m officially done. Promise to take care of my daughter while I find my seat?”
“Wait, Vi. Um...how’s Vix doing?” Courtney asked. She knew that Violet had done her last checks on Vixen first, and was dying to know how she was feeling. Was she nervous? They hadn’t spoken since dinner the night before, both of them spending the night with their respective bridal parties.
“The outfit is impeccable. She has a very nice frame for draped clothing, everything is-”
“I don’t mean her dress,” Courtney clarified. Leave it to Violet to think everything was about the clothes. “I mean...how is she doing?”
“Oh...well...she seemed happy. Maybe a little nervous, but...no more than you.” Violet smiled, placing a hand on Courtney’s wrist. “It’s gonna be a beautiful wedding.”
“I really want to hug you, but I know you’ll yell at me for messing up the dress,” Courtney said, tearing up.
“Please, that dress can withstand anything-” Violet smiled, pulling her in for a hug. “You’ll be fine-” Violet whispered. “From one married woman to a soon-to-be other. I promise-” Violet pulled away slightly, looking into Courtney’s eyes. “This is right for you.”
“Thanks. Merci.”
“Bien sur.” Violet gave her one last grin before she walked over to Melati, kissing both her cheeks and speaking quietly to her in French, the little girl laughing as her mom walked away.
***
When all was said and done, Courtney was happy with the decision to have both of her parents walk her down the aisle. As the string ensemble played “Revelation Sunshine,” she looked around at the faces of all the most important people in their lives, her own heart full of love for everyone who was there to support them, so many of them people who’d uplifted her countless times throughout the years.
There were her LA friends: Adore’s bandmates, Shea and her girlfriend Sasha, Gigi, and many of her current and former coworkers from both coasts, including Andy, Charlie, even Derrick, the director of her first ever music video.
Jujubee and Detox were there with their whole family, little Julia kneeling on a chair to get a better look at her dress. Beside them were Jinkx and Alaska and their two little ones, who waved to Courtney as she walked as if she was on a parade float. Violet and Sutan stood with Raja and Raven, the four of them people that Courtney would never have imagined being supportive wedding guests ten years ago, but of course, so much had happened in that ten years.
Latrice, who had been so much more than a manager: at times a life coach, a therapist, or a disapproving parent, stood with Jeremy Scott, Brie, and some of her Glimmer co-stars.
In the next row, Morgan, Tyra and Naomi looked on happily, beaming with pride for their friend, beside two of her oldest friends from Brisbane, all of them happily bonding over drunken shenanigans the previous night.
Fame looked gorgeous as always, in a pale beige dress that was suspiciously close to being white. When Bianca caught her eye to give her a wink of approval, Courtney nodded slightly at her, grateful that they could still be friends after all they’d been through.
As they approached the altar, Courtney grinned happily at their wedding party. Vixen’s friends and family looked amazing, especially little Mandy, holding Melati’s hand protectively, both of them adorable in matching blue dresses. She gave Tatianna and Honey a big smile as she finally reached the front. Then, she turned to kiss her mum, who was pretending not to cry, and her dad, who was openly weeping.
Adore couldn’t help reaching out and hugging her from behind as she stepped up to the altar, and Ben, always the boss, yanked her back. Courtney giggled and rolled her eyes, reaching back to squeeze Adore’s hand, making sure she knew that it was all okay.
And then, she turned around just in time to see Vixen appear at the top of the grand staircase, breath catching in her chest at how absolutely radiant she looked.
Her dark skin was glowing in the soft light, offset by a cream-colored, lace a-line gown. Her box braids had been swept into an elaborate updo, adorned with the same silk flowers that decorated Courtney’s own dress, and those same colors were embroidered into the bottom of the skirt.
The whole effect was stunning. Courtney watched her, absolutely entranced, as she and her mom made her way down the stairs and up the aisle. It wasn’t until she stepped up beside her on the altar, reaching out a hand to gently touch her cheek, that Courtney realized there were tears dripping down her face.
“Are you already crying?” Vixen asked as she dried Courtney’s cheek with her thumb. She said it in a low voice, one that only Courtney could hear.
“You’re just so beautiful,” Courtney whispered.
Vixen’s lips curled up into a soft smile. “Shit, now I’m crying.”
The officiant leaned forward and quietly asked, “May I begin?”
Vixen clasped her hands tightly. “You ready to go?”
Courtney sniffled, smiling through her tears, and proclaimed, “I’ve never been more ready for anything.”
***
Vixen wrapped her arms around Courtney’s waist on the dance floor as the band played “Revelation Sunshine.” The whole day had been like a dream, their friends and family showering them with love. After hours of partying, things were finally winding down. And as thankful as Vixen was for every single person who’d come to support them, suddenly all she wanted was to be alone with her wife. She pressed her lips to Courtney’s temple, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair.
A soft sigh left Courtney’s lips as she let Vixen pull her in closer, a sigh that told Vixen exactly the mixture of exhausted, content, and giddy she was.
“Hey...what do you say to an Irish exit?” Vixen asked.
Courtney tilted her face up, giggling. “In Australia we just call that leaving.”
“Perfect. We can honor your culture.”
“Will your family be mad?”
“I can apologize at brunch,” Vixen said. “Come on. Let’s enjoy our wedding night.”
“I might be a huge disappointment,” Courtney said, eyelids already heavy, admitting, “I’m so fucking tired.”
“Well,” Vixen began, arm around Courtney’s waist, guiding her to the exit. “ I read an article that said that most people don’t have sex on their wedding nights anyway.”
“Really?”
“It may not have been an article. It may have been a factoid on ‘Married at First Sight,’” Vixen admitted.
“Is that a reputable source? Will it survive a peer review?” Courtney giggled.
“Hmm, depends on the referencing system,” Vixen said, making her laugh more.
“I love it when you talk Academia.”
Vixen shook her head, unable to wipe the ear-splitting grin from her face as they climbed the steps up to their suite, fingers laced together.
Before she opened the door, Courtney stopped her, a hand on her forearm.
“Wait.”
“Everything okay?” Vixen asked, studying her face.
Courtney nodded, fingers sliding up Vixen’s bare arms, a smile tugging at her lips. She took a deep breath and said, “I just...I can’t believe you’re finally my wife.”
Vixen dipped her face down for a tender kiss, pressing her against the door before whispering, “Let’s go in and take off our stupid heels.”
“Ohhh, god, you know just what to say,” Courtney moaned playfully, moving aside so that Vixen could turn the antique key and unlock the door, pulling her inside.
Minutes later, both of their gowns were tossed over a chaise lounge, shoes and undergarments strawn about the floor in a haphazard trail leading to the bed, where they collapsed together in a tangled heap.
Vixen pulled the covers up over their bodies, kissing her wife on the cheek before murmuring, “Goodnight, baby. I love you.”
“Night,” Courtney whispered, eyes already closed. Vixen assumed she was halfway asleep until she added, “Thanks for marrying me.”
“Anytime,” Vixen laughed, resting her chin on top of Courtney’s head.