At five 'til seven, Gohan made his way to the front of the great room to stand near the pastor. Trunks, Piccolo, and Seventeen followed him and stood in a line to Gohan's side. He looked out over the ridiculously large crowd that was seated in the many chairs facing him. He swallowed nervously. He hadn't expected this many people to attend. Much of the chairs were filled with Lindsey's extended family. But there were plenty of people there he knew, too, besides the Z Fighters and Anarchy 99. Bulma's parents, Master Roshi and Oolong, his grandpa the Ox King, even Videl and Erasa had shown up.

Soft violin music was playing. It had all led up to this. This day, this moment. It was as if a video screen were playing before him, for his eyes only. He remembered the very first moment he'd set eyes on her in class. How she had drug him to that club for the very first time. The first time they'd danced, the first time they'd kissed. How she'd talked him into going riding with her. The passion and fire she had for protecting creatures that didn't have a voice of their own. Of the fights they'd been in, the enemies they'd conquered. So much had happened in just a little over a year. They'd been through so many obstacles, yet they'd overcome each and every one of them simply by being together and relying on their love to pull them through. He was now certain there was nothing they couldn't accomplish, nothing they couldn't overcome.


Lindsey was standing outside the great room with her bridesmaids, gripping her bouquet tightly. Her stomach was in knots.

Catie turned and smiled at her. "You're going to be fine," she said softly. She tucked a curl of blue hair behind the bright orange tiger lily that had been entwined in her hair.

"Where's Memphis?" Lindsey said, her voice cracking with nervousness.

"Right here," came a smooth voice.

Lindsey spun on the spot. "Memphis!"

He grinned widely. "Wow. You are stunning."

She blushed. "Thanks."

"You thought I forgot you, didn't ya?"

"Maybe," she answered softly.

"Well, I'm here," he said and offered her his arm.

She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow as the violin music started up louder than it had before.

"You ready?" Memphis asked.

Taking a deep breath, Lindsey nodded as Jenny pushed the door to the great room open.


Gohan gave a slight jump as the piano and violin rendition of "A Thousand Years" started to play and the door at the back of the room opened. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes scanned the room and landed on his parents sitting in the front row. Chichi was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue and Goku smiled widely and flashed Gohan a thumbs up. Gohan smiled back.

Jenny was the first, her long brown hair pulled back in a high bun with the tiger lily to one side, her dark orange dress flowing in the low light of the room. She walked slowly up the aisle, both hands holding the small bouquet of tiger lilies and white roses. She smiled at Gohan as she neared the podium and moved to stand to one side.

Sabriena followed, wearing a dress of the same color, but hers was cut lower in the back than Jenny's and had a tighter-fitting long skirt on it. Leelee was next, her A-line skirt rustling along as she walked up the aisle a little quicker than she should have out of pure nerves. Catie brought up the rear in a halter-topped dress that flared out and was cut just above her knees. She was positively beaming, so proud to be the maid of honor and honored to be part of her best friend's wedding. She smiled at Trunks as she reached the front of the room.

Little Marron followed Catie down the aisle, gaily tossing rose petals into the air. She reached the end of the aisle and then scurried over to Eighteen and Krillin, who scooped his daughter into his arms.

Gohan's heart was pounding in his chest. This was it. And then, there she was. Gohan felt his knees going weak. Lindsey caught his eye and held it as she walked side-by-side with Memphis towards the podium. She seemed to emit a soft light all her own as she walked slowly towards him. Never had she ever looked as beautiful as she did in that moment.

They reached the end of the aisle and the pastor, despite the fact that they had planned to omit this part, asked, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Memphis smiled at Lindsey for a fraction of a second before answering, "Her family and I do."

Gohan reached a hand out and Lindsey accepted it as Memphis took a seat. Both of them stood and stared at each other for a moment, holding hands, feeling the other trembling slightly, both feeling a bit out of breath at the thought of them finally being here. Lindsey handed her bouquet to Catie and took both of Gohan's hands as they faced each other fully.

The preacher began, "Lindsey Blackwell and Son Gohan, today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom have gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great; and now it falls upon you to make your dreams a reality. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy and a passion for living that provides you with energy as you embark upon the grandest adventure of human interaction. The story of your life together is still yours to write. All those present have come to witness and celebrate your love and commitment this day – each eager to a part of the story not yet told."

Tears were freely falling from Chichi's eyes as she watched her first son standing there, joining his life with the young woman he loved so much. It made her think of her marriage to Goku and, as if reading her mind, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Bulma sat next to Chichi, cuddling baby Paige as Vegeta sat on the other side of her with his arms crossed. In spite of himself, a small smile pulled at his lips.

"True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two persons," the pastor continued, "It is the union of two hearts. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but thrives on the joy of each new day. Marriage is love. May you always be able to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together, and to share quiet moments of peace when the day is done. Gohan and Lindsey, remember to treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Take responsibility for making the other feel safe, and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. Love should have no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if your love must have desires, let these be your desires: To be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night, to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; to rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; to return home at eventide with gratitude; then to sleep with a vision of the beloved in your heart and a song of love on your lips. May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding."

The preacher paused and Leelee, recognizing her cue, handed her bouquet to Sabriena and picked up the microphone that had been lying nearby for her. The piano began, once again joined by the violin, and Leelee's sultry voice sang out:

"Right from the start, you were a thief,
You stole my heart and
I your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me
That weren't all that pretty.
And with every touch
You fixed them.
Now, you've been talking in your sleep
Oh oh, things you never say to me,
Oh oh, tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love.
Just give me a reason,
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second, we're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again.
It's in the stars,
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again."

Gohan felt a burning in his eyes as he stared at Lindsey, his heart swelling with happiness. There was a haziness to the room, like everything but her had gone foggy. The glow from the dozens of candles surrounding them cast a beautiful glow across her features, her big green eyes staring up at him. He swallowed again, smiling at her. He mouthed the words, "I love you."

"I'm sorry I don't understand where
All of this is coming from.
I thought that we were fine,
Oh, we had everything
Your head is running wild again
My dear, we still have everything
And it's all in your mind.
Yeah, but this is happenin'
You've been having real bad dreams
Oh oh, you use to lie so close to me
Oh oh, there's nothing more than empty sheets
Between our love, our love
Ooooh, our love, our love.
Just give me a reason,
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second, we're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again.
I never stopped
You're still written in the scars on my heart
You're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again."

Lindsey stared up at Gohan, a wonder in her eyes at the man before her. How? How was it that after everything that had happened, everything they'd gone through, after all the pain she'd caused, that he was here, binding his heart and his life with hers? She didn't understand the depth of his love or his patience. But she didn't question it, either. She'd finally found her safe place, the love that she had craved for so long. As long as Gohan was with her, she would never have to be afraid of anything ever again. Never in her life had she ever met someone so loyal, so understanding, so forgiving. He was her everything, her whole world.

"Oh, tear ducts and rust
I'll fix it for us
We're collecting dust,
But our love's enough.
You're holding it in,
You're pouring a drink
No, nothing is as bad as it seems.
We'll come clean!
Just give me a reason,
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second, we're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again.
It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
That We're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again.
Just give me a reason,
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second, we're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again.
It's in the stars
It's still written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again.
Ooh, we can learn to love again
Ooh, we can learn to love again
Oh, we're not broken
Just bent and we can learn to love again."

The music ended and Gohan swallowed again, his mouth suddenly feeling very dry. This was the part he was most nervous about: his vows.

"Lindsey," he began, "I am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with you. I knew it from the moment I met you. My decision to share my life with you is one I make willingly and with complete faith in the love that brought us together. It has always been our destiny to be one in heart, mind, body and soul. You are my best friend, my lover, and my soul mate. My love for you has no boundaries. I promise that I will always remain faithful and loyal to you, and be there when you need me the most. I will be your confidante, your lover and your friend; I will carry you through the hard times and guide you to happiness. I will always be understanding and considerate, patient and optimistic. I promise to be that driving force that keeps you going when you feel that life has failed you. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, to never take one second for granted and to cherish you, now and forever."

Lindsey was fighting tears of happiness at that point. She took a shaky breath and answered, "Gohan, since I have found you, I have found a new meaning to my life. Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you and the family that we share together. You have shown me what love, true love, really is. You are everything I have ever needed in my life. We have already been through a lot together; I promise to keep the good memories alive and to let the bad ones die. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. Take my hand, my heart, and walk through this world with me. Together, we will share our love with the world. Through the good and bad, I want you to always know that I will be by your side, forever."

Trunks gave a start as Lindsey stopped speaking. He'd been so intent on listening to her words that for a moment, he forgot it was his cue to hand Gohan the wedding ring. He dug in the pocket of his jacket and produced the diamond encrusted band. He handed it to Gohan, who nodded his appreciation. Gohan took Lindsey's hand and slid the band on her finger, next to the engagement ring. "With this ring, I thee wed."

Lindsey accepted the wide-banded ring Catie held and slid it onto Gohan's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"Do you, Gohan, take Lindsey to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?" the pastor asked.

Gohan nodded. "I do."

"Do you, Lindsey, take Gohan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"

Lindsey smiled widely. "I do."

"Then, by the power vested in me by the State of Missouri, I pronounce you husband and wife!" the pastor said. He nodded to Gohan. "You may kiss your bride."

Gohan seemed to swell with happiness as he pulled Lindsey quickly to him, covering her mouth with his. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him as tight as she could, feeling as though her heart could burst.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, some of them rising to their feet as Gohan continued to kiss her passionately. When they finally broke apart and the cheering subsided, the preacher said loudly, "I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Son Gohan!"

"Ready to take the first step as husband and wife?" Gohan asked, smiling.

Lindsey nodded enthusiastically and accepted her bouquet back from Catie.

They held hands and walked down the aisle as everyone stood and clapped again, music breaking out once more.


Lyrics to "Give Me Just a Reason" belong to P!nk.