Last chapter!
And as a reminder, there is some citrus in this chapter.
Sixième étage
Chapter 26
The partygoers somehow got through dinner without incident. Luffy continued to be surprisingly well behaved, mostly in that he didn't try to eat anyone else's food, nor did he start any fights. Well, except for when he almost jumped the sweetheart table in response to an insulting comment in Ace and Sabo's best men speech. Thankfully, Nami shoved a forkful of food in his face and he immediately sat back down. Though he didn't look particularly happy for a few minutes.
And then there was the bride, Nami. Monica couldn't say that she ever saw her friend that absolutely joyous and lovestruck for such a length of time as this. Actually, she may not have seen that many brides this way either. The way the mikan haired woman would gaze at her husband, whether they were talking to each other or even if she glanced at him when he was across the party, elicited strong feelings of hope in the resilience of love in Monica.
'Maybe all of those sappy romance books weren't wrong,' she sighed contentedly.
This is probably the underlying existential reason that led Monica to the event planning business. Maybe to try to atone for the lives she took, money she stole, and hearts she may have literally and figuratively devoured. After spending her life suffering and fighting and killing, her soul now needed her to invest time helping spread joy for others. And that atonement, or cleansing, took the form of assisting people celebrate the special occasions in life: weddings, birthdays, holiday parties, baby showers, and even funerals if they wanted. All were expertly curated by Monica and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.
As the night continued after dinner, and most the guests were noticeably more intoxicated, Monica found herself silently taking in the events again with her own drink in hand. Since she didn't know most of the guests, and couldn't deny the intense waves of power from everyone collected here, she settled for people watching in between dancing, eating, drinking, and ensuring that the logistics of the event were going smoothly.
At one point, she saw the groomsmen wandering around in different directions through the party. At first, she didn't think much of it until she watched as Ace attempted to drag Zoro from his spot at the bar.
'He should know better than to try that,' she mused and took a sip of her drink. Thanks to the burnt orange chiffon bridesmaids dress that she wore, the waitstaff ensured that the drinks kept coming her way.
'Speaking of which,' she moved her attention back to the bar to find that Ace and Zoro were no longer there. Monica knew she was probably drunk, but not so drunk that they could've disappeared into thin air. Then she remembered what Vivi and Carrot told her about the guest list yesterday: that more than a few of the people here were once enemies of the Strawhat Pirates before Luffy had his way with them.
This recollection helped some of her intoxication melt away in order for her to be on alert for any hints of altercations. She located Ace and Zoro standing with Luffy who seemed to be upset about something based on his body language during the discussion, and then Chopper, Franky, Sanji, and Sabo joined.
All Monica could think of when she watched the conversation become more animated was the impending property damage that could occur and she did not want this wedding to be ruined by those idiots doing something dumb or dangerous. She was about to stand and walk over to them to find out what was going on, but was stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
It was Carrot. "No worries, they aren't about to start fighting or anything."
"How can you be so sure? They're each others' powderkegs and lit matches."
Carrot laughed at the accuracy of her comment. "This time, I'm sure. They should be getting ready to do something."
"Do something like what?" Monica asked with confusion. "I don't remember anything extra being on the itinerary for today."
Carrot gave her a knowing smile and pulled her from her seat. "You don't have to know all of the things all of the time. Let's get Nami a good seat for it."
With that, the pair, along with Nojiko, Robin, and Vivi, got hold of Nami and had her sit on a chair at the edge of the dancefloor.
"Alright everyone! I hope you're all having a good time! Right now could you place your attention on the dancefloor because the groom has a special something he'd like to do for his bride. And he's recruiting the help of his friends," Brook announced from the DJ booth and turned the music he was originally playing down as the attendees all followed his instructions.
"Guys," Nami started with a confused giggle, "what are they about to do?"
"Something that you will likely find to be very entertaining," Vivi answered with a wink.
Nami, riding the euphoric high of her big day and alcohol, laughed again. "As long as it's not an eating contest or a sparring match, I don't even care!"
Monica couldn't figure out if she was excited or concerned for what was to happen next as she watched Sanji, Zoro, Ace, Sabo, Franky, and Chopper line up in two windowed rows in front of them on the dance floor, with Luffy standing front and center. But she couldn't deny that the miserable look on Zoro's face wasn't hilarious.
The music stopped and everyone's attention was focused on the groomsmen. And then the first few notes of the next song played. It was instantly recognized by a large number of the onlookers who then began to scream and sing along as the groomsmen began to move.
I'm curious about everything, how's your day
Oh tell me (oh yeah oh yeah, ah yeh ah yeh)
What makes you happy
Oh text me (oh yeah oh yeah, ah yeh ah yeh)
Your every picture
I want to put it by my bed, oh bae
Come be my teacher
Teach me all of you
Your one, your two
"Oh my God they're dancing!" Nami screamed with amusement and then began to excitedly sing along to the song she knew by heart.
Listen my my baby I'm
Flying high in the sky
(With the two wings you gave me back then)
Now it's so high up here
I want you tuned in my eyes
Yeah you makin' me a boy with love
Oh my my my, oh my my my
You got me high so fast
I want to be everything for you
Oh my my my, oh my my my
You got me high so fast
Now I kinda get it
(Ooh ah ooh ah ooh ah ooh ah ah) Love is nothing stronger
Than a boy with love
Love is nothing stronger
Than a boy with love
Monica couldn't believe her eyes as she watched her male friends continue with their choreographed dance to Nami's favorite song by her favorite group. They were a hell of a lot more coordinated than she could have ever imagined was possible.
From the moment I met you ya
My life was all you ya
You're the star that turns ordinaries into extraordinaries
One after another, everything is special
The things you're interested in, the way you walk or talk,
And every little trivial habits of yours
She glanced at Robin who must have known about this stunt and saw that she was also wrapped up in the performance, uncharacteristically singing along loudly and pointing at Ace who just finished gliding through what was his solo part.
Everyone says that I used to be so little and now I became a hero (Oh nah)
I say that something like destiny was never my thing (Oh nah)
World peace (No way)
A great order (No way)
I'm just gonna keep you safe
Boy with luv
Listen my my baby I'm
Flying high in the sky
(With the two wings you gave me back then)
Now, it's so high up here
I want you tuned in to my eyes
Yeah you makin' me a boy with luv
Oh my my my, oh my my my
You got me high so fast
I want to be with you for everything
Oh my my my, oh my my my
You got me fly so fast
Now, I kinda get it
Love is nothing stronger (I want it)
Than a boy with, than a boy with luv
Love is nothing stronger
Than a boy with, than a boy with luv
And that's when Monica realized it: the guys were also lip syncing while they danced! She could've died right then and there as she watched Zoro start his solo, his eyes glued to hers as he performed his part of the song. She'd be lying if she said that his "unenthusiastic-bad-boy-of-the-boy-band" act didn't make her fangirl just a little bit.
I'll speak very frankly
Sometimes I was a little stuck up
Elevated sky, Expanded hall
Sometimes I prayed let me run away
But your pain is my pain
When I realised that, I vowed to myself
With the wings of Icarus you gave me
Not toward the sun but toward you
Let me fly
The group resumed their high energy, synchronized dancing as they completed the last of the routine and the song.
Oh my my my, oh my my my
I've waited all my life
I want to be with you for everything
Oh my my my, oh my my my
Looking for something right
Now, I kinda get it
I want something stronger
Than a moment, than a moment love
Love is nothing stronger
Than a boy with, than a boy with luv
The rest of the wedding guests and party erupted into even louder cheers and praise when the song ended. The groomsmen then went over to the onlooking Mugiwara women and pulled them onto the dance floor as more dance music was played through the DJ booth and he invited the rest of the guests to join in the fun.
"Luffy! That was amazing!" Nami praised her now husband as she excitedly hugged him. They both laughed as he spun them around in their embrace.
"I knew you'd love it, Nami!" he grinned and kissed her while the guests who saw cheered them on over the loud music.
After watching the couple, Monica quickly turned her attention to Zoro as her lips had their wide cheshire grin. Zoro slightly flinched with nervousness about what was to come.
"ZORO!" she screeched as she grabbed his arm and shook in time with "What-the-hell-was-that?!"
Said man couldn't help but crack a smile at his girlfriend's excitement and surprise. "Damn Luffy and Franky came up with it," he tried to say begrudgingly, but he was enjoying the fact that he was able to completely dupe his partner so much that he ended up chuckling.
"You-can-dance-dance?!" she yelled trying to compete with the sound of the music as she shook him again between her words. "Those-hip-rocks! And-those-high-kicks!" Monica was gonna burst from all of the new information and euphoria.
"I told you earlier that I could dance," Zoro reminded her, letting himself smile fully at her.
"I didn't know that you even knew what a body roll was!" she added as she demonstrated in time to the music that was currently playing.
The green haired groomsman caught her form and they swayed off beat to the music together. "I'll show you how I body roll and what else I know later," he seductively proposed to her.
Monica fell into a fit of laughter in response as she turned around so her back was against his chest. Familiar with this position, he placed one of his hands on her waist as they moved together with the music and he reached for a bottle of whatever was being passed around by the waitstaff at that moment.
He contentedly sipped on his drink while Monica continued to dance on him. Zoro noted that she was keeping their physical contact light and her own dancing relatively tame compared to what he knew she was capable of. He would try his best to not give in to his baser instincts as well, even though he could feel his earlier buzz moving towards inebriation.
He really did not care for dancing. He only put up with it because Monica used to force him to do so during their outings from Kuraigana Island, and tonight because it was a celebration for the ages. But Zoro made sure that he paced his drinking in a way before their performance to help get him through it without walking off.
The swordsman watched his nakama thoroughly enjoying themselves: Sanji rocked with Vivi slowly to the beat as his hands rubbed her baby-occupied belly; Carrot was in a breakdancing battle with Chopper and Franky; and the bride and groom were speaking to some other guests as they danced. These were the peaceful, joyous moments that they all fought so hard to protect and make sure would happen in the future.
'Alright . . . enough of that,' Zoro mentally caught himself when his thoughts strayed to being way too sentimental for his liking. 'The alcohol must be working.'
That's when the rest of his senses decided to turn back on and he began to feel the music reverberate through his body. Zoro moved his hand from Monica's waist and caught her fingers, moving them in a way that gave her the hint to spin. She gathered her dress and did so, exaggeratedly sang whatever song was playing to him when she faced him again, and then proceeded to dance around him. Zoro's smile returned as he watched her bounce around him switching back and forth between her expert dancing skills to ridiculous moves in her elegant attire. He in turn remained more reserved with his movements as he continued to drink, choosing to mostly coolly shuffle his shoulders and taking the occasional steps in time with his partner.
Then Carrot literally hopped over to them and began to sing with Monica. Their combined exuberance and that of the rest of the guests led to the energy of the party suddenly spiking as electronic air horns blew and Zoro could swear that the ground beneath them shook as everyone jumped in time to the next song.
They seemed to be on their feet forever by the time Nami and Luffy went to cut the cake. It turned out to be the one from Postrisla Island, perfectly preserved for tonight's occasion.
"And it's still delicious!" Chopper sighed loudly as he ate his slice.
"Robin, when we get back, let's consider getting a contract with them," Monica said to her business partner as she savoured the taste of her slice.
"Maybe we should go in person to try some samples there," Robin proposed in a delighted hum over her treat. Monica could only nod in response while she continued to eat.
"Hey! Usopp!" Chopper suddenly shouted as he waved said man over to their table.
Usopp spotted his friends and came over.
"Why weren't you in the wedding?" Monica asked of him.
I was busy getting this ready," Usopp proudly said as he pulled a device from his suit jacket and pressed the large red button on it.
A distant rumbling sound could faintly be heard over the music and Brook quickly turned the volume down as he was aware of what was to come next.
Off in the distance in the water, the dark horizon was suddenly illuminated with an ornate fireworks display. All in attendance turned their attention to the elaborate light show that ended with "CONGRATULATIONS LUFFY & NAMI!"
- - - THE NEXT MORNING - - -
Somehow, the reception kept raging on for a few more hours. But by around 4am, the wait staff was able to get through clearing more than half of the guest tables as the party numbers dwindled.
And by 8am, Monica could hear her alarm clock going off.
"Ugghh!" she moaned through her haze as she attempted to engage the necessary muscles to sit up on her bed. When she placed one hand on the bed to support herself, she was surprised to feel the ribbed texture of a tank top and buttons of a dress shirt instead of the linens of the bed in her hotel room. She looked to her left and saw that she was using Zoro's torso to support her as he laid snoring and sprawled on his back. His tuxedo jacket was discarded somewhere, dress shirt mostly unbuttoned, and his boxers were exposed while his pants remained on his legs that hung off the side of the bed at his knees.
Monica released a short chuckle at the sight. 'He didn't even finish undressing before passing out,' she noted and moved to caress his cheek with the back of her hand. Then she saw a strap fall down her arm and then felt fabric fall from her chest and looked down. Turns out she also didn't finish undressing before falling asleep.
"Mido," she said with some strain. 'Did I lose my voice?' "Oye, Mido," she said again and lightly patted his tanned cheek. "We gotta get up."
Said man grunted once between his snores.
A small smirk appeared on Monica's lips as she was suddenly hit with an idea. She picked up Zoro's muscular arm that was closest to her and placed his palm on one of her exposed chocolate-colored breasts now that the unfastened top of her dress gave into gravity. She released a small sigh of pleasure: even asleep and guided by her own hands, Zoro's touch was still sensuous.
It took a few moments, but she undoubtedly felt his body awaken with their skin-to-skin contact as she felt his hand give her breast a slight, involuntary squeeze. And then another. And then he cracked open one of his eyes and sharply gazed at her.
"What are you doing?" his voice rumbled full of sleep.
That's when Monica realized that her actions may have been a mistake because her actions inadvertently lit both of their sexual fires. His sleep-ladened voice could always make her melt and her hungover brain forgot about that fact.
Zoro saw that she froze and took advantage of her hesitation by sitting up, shaking her hand off his, and using both of his hands to properly hold onto her breasts. Each of his calloused palms went to work fondling their individual, soft masses.
He kissed her shoulder lightly and then nuzzled his face against her cheek as he drawled, "I'm awake, now what?"
The purple-haired woman was exhausted, hungover, and at the mercy of her boyfriend's expert handling of her boobs. What was thought? What were they supposed to be doing? 'Now what?' she mentally asked as she felt herself relaxing even more into her man's touch.
The alarm sounded again after it's automatic snooze.
"Oh right, we gotta get ready to see Luffy and Nami off," Monica remembered as her brain returned to functioning properly.
Zoro released a loud groan of frustration and she could feel the muscles in his torso flexing to allow him to fall back onto the bed.
"No!" she countered and held his hands on her breasts as she moved to keep them both forward as though to get off the bed. Zoro, too lazy to be bothered, allowed this and let his full weight rest on her back. "Ugh!" she exhaled at the weight and carefully stood without toppling over. "You're a grown man, Mido. At least move your feet and I'll guide you! We've got less than an hour to get ready and be downstairs for breakfast. Don't you want to eat?"
At the question, Monica could hear and feel Zoro's stomach growl in hunger against her back. They were silent for a moment and then the green haired man sighed with exasperation and let her go.
"Fine," he grumbled and quickly removed the rest of his clothes. In a blink of an eye, his hands grasped Monica's gown as it still sat at her hips. "Can we have sex in the shower?"
Her eyes widened in surprise at his question and then she smacked her hand to her forehead with frustration. "You can't ask that when you're already naked!"
"So that's a yes," he widely smirked with satisfaction and whipped the remainder of her clothing off her body and onto the floor before picking her up by the waist to carry her to the bathroom.
"Mido!" Monica warned. Zoro placed her on her feet in the walk in shower and turned on the water, pouring directly on her. "Make it quick, please," she requested through gritted teeth.
WARNING:: LEMON ::WARNING:: LEMON ::WARNING:: LEMON
Zoro's smirk still hadn't left his lips as he stepped into the streaming water while Monica got the soap and began to lather some on herself and then on him. He relished watching her eyes fill with their predatory hunger as she worked to cleanse his arms and chest, and how she slightly licked her lips when her eyes landed on his hardened member. He almost took her then, dark brown skin glistening in the water and soap; sharp golden eyes with him in sight through the steam; full lips and pink tongue only craving him. But he let her wash his back next, her hands massaging a few notorious knots by his shoulder blades.
His body was an absolute work of art, especially with the soapy water running like rivers as it followed every line of his muscles. Monica even found his butt to be attractive. The results of his physical efforts with his glutes apparently accentuating a small distinct dimple near his right hip. She poked it and giggled.
"Weirdo," Zoro rolled his eyes at her action. It was common for her to poke him in that spot and call him "cute". At this point, he began to wonder if she caused the indent to be there in the first place. But that thought quickly stopped when he felt a new sensation: her hand sliding up and down his cock with the aid of the suds.
He released a low groan when she reached around and added her second hand. Both were very thorough with their cleaning of his member, repeatedly stroking it with frim grasps despite the slick soap. The pair of hands then ensured that his balls were also cleaned; holding each one with just enough pressure and then releasing before going down to massage his thighs, then back up to stroke his adonis belt, and moving forward to the head of his cock. Zoro only got through the last few rotations of her actions without exploding by trying to concentrate on the feel of the cool tile of the shower's wall against his palms. It never made any damned sense how good she was at handling him.
Monica gave him one final squeeze before instructing him to rinse off and helped him to do so. Then it was her turn.
At several inches taller than her, Zoro started with washing her hair, tossing in one of his famous head rubs because she always deserved it. He then used the bar of soap to aid him in giving her a back massage, following the contour of her muscles to help cleanse her. Zoro knew to work quickly and efficiently there though: the longer his hands ran along the back of her form, the more likely he was to become distracted by her backside and now apparently was not the time for Monica to have a 'petite mort'.
He moved her under the running water to rinse off the suds from her hair to her toes. As she finished combing her hair with her fingers, Zoro took hold of her face with his left hand to guide her lips towards his as his right arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her body to be pressed against his. Monica knowingly wrapped her legs around his waist and they tightened when she felt her back pressed against the cool tile of the shower.
Her partner was now using both of his hands to hold either side of her face as they fervently kissed each other. Monica's hands were lost in his soaking green hair as they were the only thing she could get a good grip on.
Zoro's hands made their way down her neck, where his lips and tongue replaced his fingers, over her breasts, along her torso, and under her thighs to hold her weight off his hips. While overwhelmed by the feel of their soaked bodies, his lips on her neck, and the juxtaposition of the cool smooth tile and the warm steam surrounding them, Monica almost didn't register that the hot rod that was squeezed between their bellies had moved and was about to be shoved inside of her.
"Oh~ hell!" The purple haired woman moaned when the tip of her boyfriend's cock tried to make its way through her folds.
"Oi, relax," Zoro commanded of her when he noticed that her core wasn't as welcoming as it usually was. "Let me in," he growled as he simultaneously lifted her form up and pulled himself out and then attempted to insert himself again.
"Ooh~" Monica's voice wavered as he continued to poke at her with his tip just enough to rub against her clitoris and stretch her outer lips. "Just put it in!" She begged as the anticipation was becoming a slow poison, "We don't … have time …"
Zoro grunted in understanding and slowly pushed himself into her. He tried to be as gentle as he could, but her inner walls were strong and felt too good against him.
Once his hips met hers, he waited, giving Monica a chance to catch up.
She was still panting when her amber eyes met his black ones and she tightened her hold around his neck in an attempt to prepare herself for what was next, "Go."
And Zoro more than happily obliged. For the next several minutes, all that could be heard was her cries of passion mixed with his deep moans against the sound of the shower running and wet skin smacking against wet skin. After keeping his thrusts deep and quick, and noting that Monica's body still wasn't much more relaxed, Zoro moved them to a small ledge that was built into the corner of the shower. It wasn't big enough to be a full seat, but it was enough for Monica to relax some of her weight onto and give Zoro clear access to her clitoris which was now being stroked by his thumb.
The view of Monica below him: body glistening like dark gold; eyes rolled back; her breath escaping as short gasps and moans from her full lips as he rocked her body was enough to almost undo Zoro.
But he slowed down and was still waiting for her body to relax and fully be present in their act. It happened after he moved one of her legs from around his waist to against his chest, eliciting a moan from her in a different tone and a slight slack in the resistance he had still been getting from her body's grip around his member.
"That's it," Zoro praised her in his deep voice. "That's my kitten." Zoro was easily able to contort their bodies so that he could bend forward with the knee of her raised leg now bent over his shoulder to kiss her while quickening his pace again, placing his hands on either wall of the corner by her head to brace himself. Monica's voice soon disappeared into his lips as she fell deeper into the sensory overload. She was drenched and warm and maybe upside down as her lover stuffed himself inside of her, repeatedly hitting her core to finally push her climax over the edge.
She couldn't breathe while her body convulsed from her orgasm and was still being rocked by Zoro's continued thrusts as he also kept trying to devour her with his mouth. But she couldn't care.
He somehow was able to keep moving through her even faster, leading Monica to cry out in rare high notes at the sensation when he released his lips from hers and very audibly groaned as his efforts brought on his own climax.
"Shit…" he breathed when he pressed his forehead to hers and slowed his thrusts as he emptied himself inside of her.
"Hooh~my~god. . ." Monica wavered as her body repeatedly involuntarily shivered from their efforts. "What did you do~?"
Zoro smirked at her through wet eyelashes and panted, "Made you feel good?"
Monica paused as she heavily breathed "Fuck…that was damn good." Zoro's smile became a combination of pride and lust. "Now was not the time for it," Monica quickly stopped him from restarting. "Mido... I can't move and we still have to get down to our friends," she groaned. The effects of the endorphins and oxytocin didn't last long as her task-oriented nature took over.
Zoro sighed with frustration and dropped his face onto her soaking wet breasts. Maybe if he just stayed like this, he'll pass out from suffocation or drowning from the water, and she'd eventually pass out from exertion, and they can be left alone.
"You're not fooling anyone, Mido. Get it together," Monica stated as though she heard his thoughts.
The green haired man groaned in annoyance as he stood fully upright but did relish the moan that slipped through his girlfriend's lips when he pulled out of her. Both had somehow managed to not slip in the shower this whole time, which was why Monica was typically against shower sex, and were also able to rewash without incident. Monica did require much of Zoro's assistance though since it took awhile for the feeling to return back to her legs and her back was sore from their earlier position.
"Next time, let me know if you plan on folding me like a pretzel," she mentioned as she fastened her wedged sandals.
"I'll try. You're right, you're not as flexible as you used to be," Zoro replied as he opened their hotel room door, now both fully dressed, and waited for her.
"That's not what I said," Monica corrected when she walked past him and into the hall.
Zoro didn't bother to respond. He was busy feeling a bit smug when he saw the sway in Monica's dress give hint that she was still feeling the aftereffects of their lovemaking.
:: END OF LEMON ::
"Well it all started with Luffy asking Robin-chan and I about how to plan a wedding for you," Sanji began. The Mugiwara crew, Nami's family, Perona and Kidd were all seated at a massive round table just before the beginning of the orchard for their breakfast. Nami demanded to know how her nakama planned a surprise wedding for her and managed to keep it a secret.
"Thankfully we had yours and Vivi-sama's wedding as an example for explanation purposes," Robin added.
"But it still took too long to keep explaining to our idiot that he couldn't just walk up to you and say that you two were married," Sanji continued with a groan at the memory.
"So we decided to make it extra memorable and weave it into the beta testing of the cruise line," Robin concluded.
"And Perona and Kidd- ?" Nami started to ask.
"We're fine," Perona answered as she patted Kidd's. "Robin and Sanji's plan needed a catalyst, so I offered us up. Plus it helped me plan it without Moni-chan."
"Why without me? I can keep a secret!" Monica questioned.
"Yeah, in hindsight I think we should've included you from the start," Perona said apologetically.
"Was the fight we got into with Kidd at Sabaody a hint?" Zoro dryly asked. That event still didn't sit right with him no matter what the reasoning for it was. Kidd had been very obviously avoiding Zoro and Monica since he arrived yesterday for the wedding and definitely didn't dare to even make eye contact with them now.
"Or was it the trauma response I had when we went to Gohar!?" Monica added with anger. The memory had her ready to exact revenge on her sister.
Robin put a hand up, "Ah, Moni-chan, I'm sorry but that one was mostly my doing. You really needed to process some of your past."
The purple-haired woman glared at her friend. "So it was you! I told you before to stop unwittingly treating and experimenting on people! Especially me!"
"I know, it wasn't particularly professional of me, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity," Robin replied. "Plus, Zoro's mentioned that you've been sleeping better."
"Don't drag me into this," The swordsman knew better than to have any responsibility in that situation.
"So we had the how almost figured out, we just needed the where and what," Sanji continued. "Robin-chawn made copies of some of your wedding dream board, Nami-san, so we had a good idea of the look and theme you were going for if Luffy ever actually got smart enough to propose."
"I also knew that you'd been indecisive about the venue, so we chose the nostalgic option for you," Robin added.
"And one dumb seamstress-jewlery maker and a set of crazy talented friends later, and you've got yourself a wedding," Monica finished.
Nami was silent for a few moments while she let the information sink in. "But the majority of you can barely hold water, let alone a secret that big! And Luffy, that means that you were playing dumb the entire time?!"
"Nami," Luffy said from next to her to get her attention. He took her hands in his and looked directly into her eyes. "We had to get this right and perfect for you."
"But it was your wedding day too, Luffy," Nami pointed out.
Hey husband shrugged, "We could've gotten married in your apartment. I wouldn't've cared. As long as you were officially my wife and you were happy, I would've done anything."
Tears began to well up in Nami's eyes and she kissed Luffy's cheek.
"Plus that party was awesome! We should plan another one!" He laughed. "Oye! Moni-chan! Hire me!"
"Don't do it," the others of the crew warned in unison. Aside from Robin who was chuckling.
Monica smiled at her friend's behavior. "I might think about it. That was a pretty great event."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"How are you guys feeling?" Carrot asked as the Mugiwara friends gathered at the port to say their farewells. They just finished their after-wedding breakfast and it was time for them to part ways.
"Exhausted, but so frickin' happy!" Nami answered as she squeezed Luffy's arm. Her joy sounded a lot like it does when she encounters a lot of cash and jewels, if not more so than that. She actually sounded . . . blissful? Actually, aside from the shock of learning about her nakama's efforts, her mood was exceptionally positive today.
"Luffy must've consummated the hell outta their marriage," Monica heard Franky snicker to Brook.
"Literally ~" the skeleton quietly sang and quickly tried to suppress his laugh while Luffy and Nami were engaged in a conversation with everyone else about their next plans.
Monica, a bit confused, nudged Zoro, who was also trying to hide his own chuckle from overhearing his friend's crude comments. "What are they talking about?"
"The first time we ever saw Nami this chill was when we got caught in an awful storm at sea while we still had Merry. We were so pissed about how she directed things because we all thought that she was drunk or high. Later on, Luffy let it slip that they had snuck off and had sex a couple of hours before we ended up in the storm. Ever since then, we'd know." Said man glanced over at his first mate and gave him a wink which was returned by Zoro with a thumbs up.
Monica shook her head at the information and exchange. "You guys are idiots."
"Hey! We were in pure survival mode back then. And one of the threats to our lives was Nami's rage. That extra information definitely saved our lives a few times," Zoro defended.
"Well I hope you have a wonderful time in Alabasta," Robin bid to the couple.
"We'll do our best to let you guys actually enjoy your honeymoon before putting you on aunt and uncle duties when the baby gets here," Vivi smiled as she rubbed her belly.
"We will definitely keep you guys away for as long as possible before putting you on aunt and uncle duties," Sanji corrected as the sudden thought of Luffy holding his newborn baby scared the hell out of him.
"Vivi! Thank you so so so much for taking care of MoRoNa while we were gone!" Monica cried with gratitude as she hugged her friend. "What do I owe you for it?"
"How about planning any and all of the baby's future birthday parties?" Vivi cautiously posited.
"Done!" Monica agreed and the pair hugged again.
"And Monica, thank you so much for helping out with this wedding!" Nami said as they hugged.
"I guess it's a good thing I showed up on this trip," Monica commented.
"I would've dragged you anyway," Nami said matter-of-factly. "Just prepare yourself for the next one."
"We're doing this again?" Monica asked with dread.
"Well yeah! You all hijacked my plans so we never properly tested it out," Nami explained.
Monica could feel her life force start to sink from her body as her friends all laughed.
The group finished their goodbyes with Nami and Luffy joining Sanji and Vivi on their way to Alabasta; Chopper, Franky, Carrot, and Brook on a separate hip back to The Continent; and Jinbe traveling with Perona and Kidd as they planned to stop at Sabaody Archipelago before going to wherever they were heading.
"Wait a minute…" Monica paused in her waving to her friends as she watched their ships leave port, ". . . what about us?" She looked over to her green haired companion.
Said man turned to her and embraced her. "I booked us the room for a few more days. From what I could tell, The Continent has you stressed and you need a real vacation."
Monica hesitated. She really just wanted to go back home! But she couldn't deny that Zoro's thoughtfulness was touching. Also, if he was able to notice that something was off about her, then she must have been really stressed. The purple haired woman wrapped her arms around her boyfriend and sighed contentedly, "Thanks, Mido. That was really nice of you to do."
They remained intertwined for a few moments longer before Zoro pulled away. "C'mon."
"Where are we going?"
Zoro took her hand and began to walk from the pier. "Remember that time we had sex in a tree on Kuraigana? Let's do that again."
Monica was dumbstruck; he wanted to do what?! After they just finished? "Zoro, what did you eat last night? Was there an aphrodisiac on the menu? Your stamina and libido are ridiculous, and the day only just started. . ."
He shrugged in response as he continued to walk towards a nearby forest at the edge of the village they were in. "I don't know anything about that, but I am glad I've got you all to myself now."
'I don't know if that's a good thing . . .' Monica thought with some worry. But it was endearing to be aware of just how much Zoro desired her. So she gave in to her boyfriend's wishes and allowed him to guide her to what was to come next.
THE END
Everyone, THANK YOU~!
Thank you so much from each of the chambers of my heart for taking the time to read any of this and providing feedback. I know it's been a long time coming (and so many things have happened in my real life and also the manga these past almost 8 years), so I also thank you for your patience with what turned out to be a slow process in writing.
I've literally thought about this story and characters almost every day since I started submitting it on here, and it's taken so much of my own courage to get it from my head and typed out so that it's actually tangible. This has also been an amazing lesson of me learning to be proud of what I do, especially if I enjoy it. That and writing wedding scenes is difficullt.
I hope you enjoyed this story and maybe I'll see you in another! Either one of mine or one of yours.
THANK YOU AGAIN!
P.S. The song was BTS: Boy with Luv* - I hope these are the correct English lyrics. I've listened to it so many times while writing this (and could've sworn that the chorus was something else) that I might be part of the Army now