𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄!

EPILOGUE, how he got the girl!

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"𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 to feel this nervous?" Johnny hopped on top of the kitchen counter and fiddled with the edge of the cereal box he was holding. Ben sighed from his position stirring the stew, Johnny's rambling going in one ear and straight out the other.

"Usually. It's a big thing, Johnny." Ben commented as he and H.E.R.B.I.E worked on their dinner for the evening. Johnny grumbled, "Right, but I'm sweating through my clothes!" He fanned his body with his shirt.

"I've had to change shirts twice!" Johnny exclaimed and watched Ben scrunch his face up, "That's disgusting."

Johnny sighed and slid off the counter, turning to face the mirror in the corner of the room to fix his hair. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned to face Ben, "But what if she says--"

"She's not gonna say it!" Ben placed the spoon down and leaned his back on the counter to watch Johnny. His figure now pacing up and down the length of the kitchen, "Am I overthinking it?""Overthinking what?" Lacie's voice made the pair jump, head snapping round to see the woman leaning against the doorway.

Johnny flinched at her sudden appearance and accidentally knocked over a couple utensils perched on the side, "Jesus!" He placed his hands on his hips, "You've been around Sue too much, you've picked up on her little--"

"Making us jump out of our skin because she appears in our rooms." Ben finished and Johnny pointed at the Thing, "Exactly that!"

Lacie shrugged innocently, "No, I think you couldn't hear me over your own talking." She laughed and started walking into the room.

Johnny's face paled slightly and he whipped his head around to see Ben widening his eyes and shaking his head, 'If she knew, she would have said something!' He mouthed to the blonde who cleared his throat and regained his sensibility.

Johnny's words died on his tongue as he took in Lacie's appearance, the soft pink dress hugging her form with the skirt flowing just past her knees, a bow resting on the small of her back. Lacie's hair was out of her face, tied together in a bun with curled strands falling from it.

Johnny swore he could have dropped to his knees right there, "You look beautiful." He smiled, taking slow steps towards her as she tilted her head at him, eyes scanning over his figure.

"Look at you all handsome." She teased as his hands found their place on her waist, pressing her body against his own. Lacie grinned and ran her hands up and down Johnny's biceps.

She was about to lean into a kiss but felt eyes staring into the side of her face. Lacie turned slowly to see Ben resting against the counter with his arms crossed and sporting a smirk, "What?" Lacie furrowed her brows.

Ben shrugged, "He's a face you can't say no to, right?" He gestured towards Johnny who quickly placed his hand on Lacie's back, "Alright! We've gotta get a move on, love!" He kissed her cheek and guided her towards the elevator doors before Ben could say any more.

Lacie laughed as Johnny's hurried footsteps led the way. She licked her lips and admired Johnny's look for the day; the dark suit jacket was tight against his arms, unbuttoned and showing off the white shirt that allowed his chest to peek out slightly. His pants matched the jacket, and Lacie couldn't help but feel giddy as she saw her hairband poke out of his sleeve, the band wrapped around his wrist as it normally did.

Lacie reached her hand out and tugged on his wrist, stopping his movements and colliding against her chest, "Happy anniversary." She whispered and her hands travelled up to mess with the hair at the nape of his neck.

Johnny smiled and squeezed her hips, "Happy anniversary, love." He leaned down and kissed her, the moment prolonged as Lacie pulled his body closer.

The pair separated and Johnny took her hands in his, "Ready to go?" He raised his brows at her and felt his heart warm as Lacie pressed her lips together to suppress a wide smile, her nodding head giving him the answer he needed.

He connected their lips once more with a quick peck and gently tugged her into the elevator, "Come on, beautiful." He threw his arm over her shoulder and kissed Lacie's temple.

Lacie leaned into his side and sighed at the feeling. She had been counting down the days until their anniversary and they had never felt longer; the waiting, the long hours picking out the perfect dress, knowing that Johnny would find her beautiful in anything but this year felt different.

Since they had officially become a couple, Lacie's time was spent in his arms 90% of the time, acting as if they'd been together for years. Johnny had spoiled her with endless dates, showering in kisses and lingering promises.

Johnny had requested their date to be late in the evening, claiming that it was more romantic and secluded in the city at that time.

The pair slowly approached the doors of the Baxter Building, the autumn air chill against their skin. Lacie shivered lightly as she exited the building, not thinking through her strappy dress as in any other environment, it would have been perfect for the occasion.

Without thinking or asking, Johnny immediately stripped himself of his suit jacket and draped it over Lacie's shoulders. The woman sighed at the warmth and familiar scent of her boyfriend engulfing her shivering form, her hands reaching up to tug the material closer against her.

Lacie smiled and looked up at Johnny, his cheeks coated with a light pink, one similar to her dress. Her hands fiddled with the collar of his shirt, "Where are you taking me, handsome?" She asked.

Johnny licked his lips, "A little restaurant I thought you'd like." Lacie smiled at his words and thread her arms through the sleeves of his jacket. Johnny intertwined his hand with hers and walked the pair across the sidewalk, hoping the time between arriving would calm his nerves and pounding heart.

Lacie leaned into his side as they walked, ignoring the feeling of his hands beginning to get clammy on her own. She assumed it was his body temperature, being the Human Torch and all; his body could literally catch on fire, of course he'd sweat every now and then.

The pair laughed and reminisced on their way there, non-stop talking and bumping shoulders with each other. Johnny was sure he's falling more in love with Lacie everyday, learning new things and remembering the ones he loved.

Johnny took a deep breath and turned the corner, Lacie still attached to his side. He stopped in his tracks and stared up at the building in front of them, "Wow..." Lacie breathed out, her eyes flickering over its exterior.

Lacie tilted her head and looked between Johnny and the restaurant, "I haven't been here since... God, what was it?" She chuckled and watched Johnny stuff his hands in his pant pockets, finding something to do to suppress his bubbling nerves.

"We came here straight after our first fight as the Fantastic Five." Johnny nodded and grinned as Lacie's face caught on to the memory, "Everyone else went home to sleep but you said you wouldn't rest until you tried the pasta they served exclusively here."

Lacie's jaw fell slack slightly, wondering how he could remember something so special that had gotten lost in the chaos of what came to be a superhero. She laughed and leaned forward to peek through the windows of the restaurant, "I was covered in head to toe with dirt. The waiters thought I was crazy."

The restaurant was empty minus a single candle lit table, flowers sitting pretty in the centre and waiting for the lovers arrival. Lacie's heart warmed at the sight, silently acknowledging that Johnny had clearly booked the place out for them tonight, allowing them the privacy they longed for.

Her smile grew impossibly bigger, "Back then," She turned back to Johnny who was wiping his sweaty hands down his shirt, "Why did you follow me?"

Johnny walked towards Lacie and placed his hand on the small of her back, "Because I liked you and wanted to spend more time with you."

Lacie turned in Johnny's hold, "And I was embarrassed that the guy I liked watched me inhale my food and accidentally spill water on the waiter when my body finally realised that it was tired." She laughed at the memory and watched Johnny's face soften at her joy.

"The same waiter that was totally hitting on you." Johnny raised his brows and teased her. Lacie scoffed, "He was not hitting on me!"

Johnny breathed out a laugh and cupped Lacie's face, "Love, you didn't notice that I was flirting with you for four years! Trust me, he wanted to be a part of the Fantastic Six."

Lacie playfully rolled her eyes, "You're so annoying." She mumbled and stood on her tiptoes to connect their lips, her hands lifted to hold his own as they caressed her cheeks.

"But Johnny got the girl, right?" He whispered against her lips and Lacie pulled back, "Are we back to you talking about yourself in third person?" She teased.

Johnny silenced her soft chuckles by rounding his hand to the back of her head, pressing her face closer to his as he performed open mouth kisses against her plump lips. Lacie's knees could have buckled right there and she thanked every star that Johnny was holding her body upright; enjoying an anniversary with a concussion wasn't her idea of romance.

Johnny pulled away after a moment and stared at Lacie, his eyes soaking in every indent on her lovestruck face. Every part of her was perfect in his eyes, if someone told him that was made by Gods then he would agree immediately, wouldn't question any laws or physics.

Lacie let her boyfriend guide them into the restaurant, her heels clacking loudly inside the empty interior. Her breath got caught in her throat as quiet music filled the silence, her watery eyes glowing from the light of the candles.

"Oh, Johnny..." Lacie's breath hitched, her feet taking her towards the table and brushing her fingertips on the rim of the chairs.

Johnny stayed rooted to the spot, his body lingering at the doorway. He had spent months planning this, many phone calls and meet ups to organise the place and rent it out for the night, decorating it until the staff raised concerns about his lack of sleep schedule.

They were meant to eat, share promises and relive the times in which they spent together, and long for many more that Johnny would provide her. They would converse for hours, Johnny would use his usual charm and Lacie would laugh and try to hide her blush even after all these years, then Johnny would invite her onto the roof.

But as he stared at the woman of his dreams, he decided that to prolong the question would seem to be painful for his longing heart. Johnny was adamant that Lacie March was meant for him, nothing nor no one was built to his exact personality; she was his soulmate.

Johnny took slow steps towards his girlfriend, his heart in his throat as he swallowed back the urge to sprint out and hurl every nerve that ran through his body.

Lacie felt his presence behind her and turned to him, his blonde hair perfectly styled in the light and his blue eyes softening at her, "Come with me." He whispered and offered his hand to her.

The woman blinked, "I thought..." Lacie's words trailed off as her hand cupped his, "That can wait." Johnny nodded and looked over at the stairs towards the back of the building, ones that lead to the top of the building.

Lacie furrowed her brows as he guided her to the stairs, his hands shaking in her own and her thumb brushing against his fingers to sooth him. Johnny smiled at her and pushed the door open, the jackets wrapped tightly around her body preserving her body heat.

Lacie's jaw fell slack as she glanced over the rooftop. Petals were scattered across the flooring as the roof looked out to the city line, New York had never looked so beautiful. The music had followed them outside where a record player was propped beside the door, the familiar sight of the record Lacie had bought Johnny spinning around.

Candles varied from being situated on the floor and on the building's edge, all flames swaying with the wind provided by the autumn weather. The colours complimented Lacie's look and she wondered if Johnny knew if she was wearing this today, or that he knew her too well; sometimes more than she knew herself.

Johnny had remembered where they had shared their first date. Well, it wasn't really a date. After the fight, Lacie and Johnny spoke for hours in this restaurant, their bodies fighting for sleep while their consciousness willed them to revel in as much time as they had together, alone.

Lacie used to pretend that it was their first date. She was young and had a crush on the boy who could turn his entire body into flames. And Johnny was sitting across from her with a blush coating his face as he tried to control his breathing that Lacie was intently listening to his absurd stories.

Now that date seemed pitiful compared to what Johnny had done to the place, it was almost unrecognisable; yet held the same sentiment and built bridges for new journeys to begin in the same exact spot.

"Johnny--" "Do you remember the list I made you?" Johnny cut off Lacie's starstruck mumble, her eyes snapping up to his face as he slowly disconnected their bodies.

Lacie fumbled over her words slightly before she collected her thoughts, "Of course." She smiled, "It's my favourite thing I own."

Johnny nodded and patted his pocket, "What did you think of number twenty-one?"

Lacie furrowed her brows, she had memorised that list from the moment she was handed it and had never come across an additional note, "There was only twenty?" Her voice wavered.

Johnny scrunched his face up, "I think you should check again." He pulled the list from out of his pant pocket, the crumbled piece of paper flimsy in his shaking hand.

The paper stared at Lacie, her fingers plucking it out of his, "Did you take this out of our room?" Her voice was barely above a whisper as her heart pounded in her ears.

"Just take it." Johnny offered her the kindness and most encouraging smile she had ever seen from him before, the nerves that previously consumed him wholly left behind; Johnny had never been so sure of something in his life.

Lacie took a deep breath as the paper felt heavy in her hands, her fingers toying to unfold the material that she knew too well. She had cradled this paper when Johnny spent nights away, reminding herself that she was loved completely.

The crinkle of the paper rang out in her ears as she scanned over the list, reciting the words she had read over and over.

Except there was a note at the bottom, the ink darker showing that it was recently added. It read:

'Will you marry me?'

Lacie's eyes immediately filled with tears, staring at the words until they made sense in her mind. Was the writing that bold? Or was it Lacie's blurred vision making the words scream out to her?

"Johnny..." Lacie sniffled, a sob emerging from the back of her throat. She lowered the paper to see Johnny wasn't standing in the same position she had seen him in last.

Johnny was knelt down on one knee in front of the love of his life, a small box cradled in his hand; the fear and weight of it no longer a presence in Johnny's mind anymore. He was exactly where he wanted to be.

Lacie's hand flew to her mouth as her tears stained the makeup on her face, "Lacie..." Johnny started and the woman knew she was in for a long and emotional ride as his beautiful face stared up at her.

"I knew from the second I met you that you were it for me," Johnny cleared his throat, "I never knew I could love so deeply until you allowed me to."

Lacie leaned down to cup Johnny's face, feeling his own tears slide in her palms, "To know and love someone who is incredibly beautiful on the inside and out is a privilege, and to be honoured to cherish you so deeply and personally, you make it impossible to not fall in love with you more with every day that passes."

"People used to tell me that love was scary, that to love someone finally makes your life worth living. But you were already my entire life and I was already completely in love with you." Johnny smiled and shuffled closer so Lacie was wedged into his knee, "And to love you, Lacie March, is the easiest thing I've ever done."

Lacie could taste her salty tears as they cascaded down her face, "Hey," Johnny whispered and brushed his knuckles against her calf, "Breathe, Lace."

Lacie nodded and Johnny grabbed her hand, pressing her palm against his chest so she could feel his heartbeat, "I'm right here." He whispered and smiled at her chest regulated and she breathed out a laugh.

"Lacie, will you marry me?" Johnny asked and opened the box.

If you had told Lacie that the ring was carved and built specifically for her, she would have believed you in a heartbeat. It was quintessentially her; down to the shine and the curve of the diamond, how pretty it sat on the band that Johnny cradled. 

Lacie couldn't wipe the smile that graced her face, her dimples prominent as she stared at the man she loved. The one she could call her fiancé in any second.

As if it was the easiest answer of her life, Lacie nodded, "Yes."

Johnny instantly stood and engulfed her sobbing body, their tears mixing as their lips pressed together in a passionate kiss, "I love you." was lost between their connection. There wasn't a part of the other that wasn't touched by the other, their wandering hands tugging the other closer.

Lacie pulled back as Johnny snapped the box back shut, the ring balancing between his fingers as they itched their way towards Lacie's hand. He gently slipped the jewellery on her finger, finding home on her body as if it was meant for her and her only.

The woman bit her lip and stared at her hand, still comprehending that this was actually happening. She was going to get married to Johnny Storm.

Johnny brushed her loose hair behind her ear and Lacie looked up at her fiancé, "I love you, Johnny Storm." She chuckled and wiped away the tears that wobbled on her waterline.

"I love you, Lacie 'Soon-To-Be' Storm." Johnny laughed and fiddled with the ring that adorned her finger, his hand intertwined with her own.

Their bodies held each other, slow-dancing on the rooftop as the petals shifted underneath their feet. Some candles had blown out by now, even Johnny and Lacie hadn't known how long they'd been swaying up there by now, too engulfed in their obsession and love for the other to care.

Perfection was a word Lacie hardly used in the life that they led; forever haunted with the knowledge that they were the world's protectors.

But their future reeked of perfection. And it was only just beginning.

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COMPLETE!