Chapter 25: Shotgun Wedding

Revy wrapped her arm around Rock and pulled him in close and smiled wide. "Rocky Baby and I decided to get hitched!" There was a long pause of silence as Rock and Revy continued to grin.

"Holy shit," Benny said quietly.

"Did I hear that correctly?" Dutch asked.

"What is hitched?" Michiko asked.

"Revy and I are getting married, Mother," Rock replied smiling. Michiko gasped, putting hands over her mouth in shock. But, happy tears soon flowed from her eyes and she embraced Rock. She said some things in Japanese that Revy couldn't understand, but the tone seemed to indicate they were positive. While Rock's father didn't say anything he was smiling approvingly.

"You two serious about this?" Dutch asked, mouth still gaped from the news.

"Damn skippy, Dutchy!" exclaimed Revy, still grinning wide. "We wanna let the world know that we only belong to each other!"

"Got a date figured out?" Benny asked, also in disbelief of this whole situation.

"We were thinking before my parents had to leave Roanapur," Rock answered, causing Dutch to spit up his coffee a little.

"That's fast!" Dutch exclaimed.

"Not like we need to do anything complicated," chuckled Revy. "Just need to get me a dress and a couple rings."

"You want to wear a dress?" Benny asked in shock.

"I'm a fuckin' lady still, Benny!" she barked at him.

"What about a venue?" Dutch asked?

"That's where you come in," Rock smiled. "We want to get married aboard the Black Lagoon."

"And we want you to marry us!" Revy exclaimed.

"For real?" Dutch asked.

"There's nobody else we think would be better for it," Rock answered. "Plus, as a ship captain you're qualified to perform it. Benny can be the best man/witness." This made Benny blush. "And…um…Father…would you mind…giving Revy away?" Revy did not know this detail yet! Akira was also surprised by his son's request.

"It would be my pleasure," Akira smiled and bowed towards Revy, which made her blush.

"Then I will take Revy-chan to buy a dress," Michiko said enthusiastically.

"I'll acquire some rings," said Rock, he then went over to Benny to whisper something to him, which caused the tech man to laugh.

"What did you say to him?" Revy asked suspiciously.

"It's a surprise," Rock winked.

Revy and Michiko went to the shopping district of Roanapur, there were a few clothing stores. Revy made it clear she didn't want a wedding dress but wouldn't object to a white dress.

"Do you know your measurements?" Michiko asked.

"Not really," Revy said. "I just try shi…stuff on and see what fits." She was doing her best to curve her language, which made Michiko laugh slightly. "Never really paid attention to what the tags said."

"I think it would be best to see a seamstress," commented Michiko. Michiko got the attention of a worker at the store. "Excuse me, ma'am? This young lady needs measurements for a dress. Can you assist."

"Certainly," the woman answered with a smile. She got a little nervous when she saw who it was Michiko asked to measure. "Oh…um…I see…" She clearly recognized Revy, it was doubtful there wasn't anyone on Roanapur who didn't by now. "Miss…would you please remove your holsters? It will make measuring much easier…" The seamstress was blushing.

"Oh, um, right," Revy fumbled to say, she too was blushing. She removed her holsters and let Michiko hold them. Revy guessed it was her first time ever holding a firearm, but she held them gently and didn't try touching any of the mechanisms. Revy had never had anyone measure her before. The seamstress started with her hips, which made her shiver a bit. Next came her waist, which felt less intrusive. But, when the seamstress got to her chest, Revy got way more anxious. "HEY! Watch the hands, lady!"

"This is standard procedure for measurements, Miss," the seamstress said calmly, though her face showed clear nervousness.

"She is correct, Revy-chan," Michiko chimed in, smiling warmly.

"Ok, fine," groaned Revy. "No funny business!"

When the seamstress was done getting Revy's measurements this made it easier for her and Michiko to find her something. "I think this dress is perfect!" Michiko exclaimed enthusiastically.

Rock, meanwhile, had gone with his father to Praiyachat's for something. Akira was found his son's idea a bit strange, though very unique. "What do you want?" the elderly gunsmith asked incredulously. "Two Hands with you?" Last thing he wanted was another threat from her. "Who this?"

"Mr. Praiyachat, this is my father, Akira Okajima," Rock introduced them. "Father, this is Mr. Praiyachat, he made mine and Revy's guns."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," Akira bowed. Praiyachat wasn't used to these kind of formalities.

"Sure, you too," Praiyachat casually replied. "What you want?"

"Do you have some kind of smelter?" Rock asked.

"Course I do," Praiyachat answered. "No self-respecting gunsmith would go without one."

"Very good!" exclaimed Rock, still smiling. "I would like you to make a couple wedding rings from bullet casings."

Praiayachat arched an eyebrow, his cigarette dangling from his mouth, he wasn't sure he heard that right. "Excuse me? Did you say wedding rings?"

"Yes, I did," Rock replied. "I have the ring sizes written down, along with what I want inscribed in on the inside, and I even brought some casings to save you on having to use your own supplies. Can you do it?"

"I mean, I never done something like that before," Praiyachat answered while rubbing his chin. "But should be no issue. Take about a day to complete though. Will that be problem?"

"Not at all," replied Rock. "Thank you very much."

"Who they for?" Praiyachat asked.

"Me and Revy are getting married," Rock smiled. This remark, like last time, caused the old gunsmith to inhale his whole cigarette and cough violently. He finally managed to cough it out of his mouth. Akira just stood there with a confused look on his face.

"You fucking serious!?" Praiyachat exclaimed. "First you fuckin Two Hands! Now you want to marry her!? You suffer brain damage!" Akira was now blushing.

"No, I haven't," sighed Rock. "You're lucky Revy isn't here, or she'd probably keep that promise to shoot you. How much will this cost?"

"If I have to guess," Praiyachat thought for a moment. "Three hundred dollar fine with you?"

"Sounds fair," replied Rock, handing him the money.

"That seems high for simple wedding bands," Akira chimed in. Praiyachat shot him an angry look.

"Don't mind him, Mr. Praiyachat," Rock interjected. "He's new to the area."

"I call you when they ready," Praiyachat said while counting the money and again making sure it was real. Rock gave a nod of approval and left the shop.

"Are you sure that price was reasonable, Rokuro?" Akira asked.

"In Roanapur you have to pick and choose when to bargain," Rock replied.

"I see," Akira said.

"Hey, hey, Rocky!" Rock was then greeted by his sparring trainer/buddy, Filo, giving him an enthusiastic slap on the back. "How ya doin'! Haven't seen ya in a while!"

"Hey, Filo," chuckled Rock. "Things have been a bit hectic lately. Nothing too unusual for the Lagoon Company."

"HA! I bet," exclaimed Filo, then noticing Akira. "Who's this guy?

"This is my father, Akira," he introduced them. "Father, this Filo, an…acquaintance of mine."

"Pleasure to meet ya!" exclaimed Filo, giving Akira a very enthusiastic handshake.

"Yes, likewise," Akira replied.

"How'd you end up here?" Filo asked him.

"Long story," Rock interjected. "I'll tell you later.

"So, Rocky," he drew his attention back to Rock. "You and Revy still an item?"

"Sure are," replied Rock, turning red. "In fact…we…um, decided…to get married…"

Filo's eyes went wide in disbelief. "Holy shit, Rocky!" he exclaimed while chuckling. "You gotta be the craziest sonuvabitch I've ever met!"

"Probably," agreed Rock. "But, I love Revy and she loves me. My mother is also here, so the timing seems right.

"Fair enough," commented Filo. "Ya doin' anything special?"

"Well, Dutch is gonna perform the ceremony," answered Rock. "And it's gonna be done on his boat."

"Sounds nice," commented Filo. "Guessin' Revy wouldn't want me, Jimmy, and Rodel joinin' ya at this wedding?"

"Yeah, probably not," chuckled Rock. "We were wanting to keep it small."

"I totally understand, Rocky," chuckled Filo. "Even so, congratulations to ya both!" He then embraced Rock in a big bear hug, Rock's pretty sure he heard some bones crack.

"Thanks a lot," Rock struggled to say.

"Catch ya later, Rocky," File exclaimed, waving goodbye. "Nice meetin' ya, Akira!"

"You have made some…interesting friends, Rokuro," Akira commented.

"Trust me, he's one of the saner ones," Rock chuckled.

Once everyone made their way back to the Lagoon office, they ordered some more pizza as a pre-wedding celebration.

"The dress we found is very lovely," Michiko commented. "But, nobody can see it till the day of the wedding."

"What about the rings?" Dutch asked Rock.

"They should hopefully be ready early tomorrow," Rock answered. "Then we can head out to the destination."

"Where are we going?" Revy asked.

"That's a surprise," Rock said, giving his fiancé a wink.

"Also, Revy-chan will be staying with me in my room tonight," Michiko told Rock. "Akira will stay in your room, Rokuro-kun."

"Huh? When did we agree to that?" Revy asked, cheese dangling a little from her mouth.

"It is the proper thing to do," said Michiko. "Plus, in the morning, I can help you apply makeup."

"Makeup?" Revy arched an eyebrow. "I don't really wear makeup."

"This is too special of an occasion to not put on a little," smiled Michiko. "Rokuro, what do you have to wear?"

"Well, I have my usual shirt and tie," Rock answered. "Plus, I have a suit jacket."

"That should work just fine," Michiko said warmly. "We should try not to stay up very late."

In the early evening, Revy, Rock and his parents made their way back to the apartment. They got the necessary things from each other's rooms before Akira settled in Rock's room and Revy in Michiko's room. Rock and his father sat on the couch, both smoking a cigarette.

"Not a very large bed," Akira noticed.

"Yeah, we've been meaning to get a bigger one," Rock answered. "I can take the couch though. I'm sure the bed will be better for your back."

"That seems alright with me," Akira agreed. There was a few minutes of silence. "Are you nervous about getting married?"

"I mean, aren't most the day before?" Rock asked. "Were you?"

"Hai," Akira answered. "Incredibly so. But, once I saw your mother in her dress, my worries melted away. I suppose that is a bit of a clichéd thing to say, but there appears to be truth to it."

"Clichés tend to exist for a reason," Rock commented. His father merely nodded in agreement.

In the upstairs apartment, Revy and Michiko were also sitting on the couch. Revy was smoking a bit more than usual.

"I take it you are nervous," Michiko giggled.

"That obvious, huh?" Revy said through the puffs of smoke. "I don't know why! This whole thing was my idea to begin with! I proposed first! Crazy, right?"

"I don't think so," commented Michiko. "Every couple is different. Being nervous the night before the wedding is very common. I certainly was, and Akira was too. Though, he wouldn't admit to it."

"How long have you too been married?" Revy asked.

"Around 38 years now," Michiko answered.

"Did you date long?" Revy asked.

"No," Michiko answered. "In the days we got married, courtships were brief, only lasting a few months."

"How did you know he was the right guy for you?" Revy asked.

"Admittedly, it was more about what was expected of us," answered Michiko. "But, as time went on, we grew to love each other. By the time Toshiro was born, our bond was much stronger. You and Rokuro have more years on us than that already. And I'm sure you've been through a lot of it."

"You have no idea, Michi," groaned Revy, then she realized how she addressed Rock's mother. "Um…sorry."

"No, it's alright," Michiko giggled. "I think it's a nice nickname. Much like what you call Rock."

"It was actually Dutch who started calling him that first," Revy admitted.

"Still, it's nice," Michiko smiled. Revy began to tremble a little. "What is wrong?"

"I'm just…I'm just not sure I'll be a good enough wife," Revy answered honestly. "Sure, Rock knows about my past, and he accepts me, but I'm still not what you'd call stable."

Michiko grabbed Revy's hand and began to rub it affectionately. "Rokuro would not be with you if he didn't want to. Life is too short for people not to find some form of happiness." Revy then began to cry, though they were mostly happy tears. She then embraced Michiko, who hugged her warmly, stroking her hair. Revy couldn't remember her own mother, and here was this woman she'd just met treating her as if she was her own daughter. Sometime later they went to sleep.

AN: Ok, we are approaching the wedding day! WOOT! I hope you all liked this chapter. Stay tuned to see what happens next!

Hai = Yes