Warning: homophobic Micah Bell and a bit of underage drinking.

I figure in 1899 in an outlaw gang, there isn't exactly a "drinking age" like we have nowadays. Still, Arthur knows better than to let his kid do shots in the saloon.

This chapter is mostly fluff with a bit of drunk shenanigans, but I love it! And you get an early chapter, since I am going to be driving home for the holidays tomorrow and Friday! Finals are over for me! I hope everyone else in college is having a good end of semester!

Chapter 46: Wedding

The Braithwaite family asked Sean to burn the Gray tobacco fields. Sean invited John on the job, as thanks for involving him in the train job. They came back smelling of smoke and completely exhausted.

The next day, the Gray family asked John, Javier, and Bill to steal the Braithwaite's prized Thoroughbreds. They didn't get much money, and John was annoyed, but Dutch didn't think it was a problem.

Arthur disagreed, and after another run-in with the Lemoyne Raiders while hunting with Charles and Isaac, he was starting to doubt the wisdom in remaining in the south.

"Dutch, can we talk?" Arthur asked the next day, leaning into his tent after returning from an early morning hunt. Dutch was reading, again, and Annabelle was laying on their cot, eyes squeezed shut.

"Sure, son."

"You okay, Anna?" Arthur asked.

"I'll be fine, just not feeling well today," she said.

"What is it, son?" Dutch asked.

"I'm just wondering when we are going to head west," Arthur asked.

"When we get enough money here, of course," Dutch said. "We've been doing well, but we need a whole lot more for our ranch. Why?"

"It's just… it doesn't seem to be going well, Dutch," Arthur said.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, the Grays gave John bad information about those horses. And have the Braithwaites even talked to Hosea after Sean burned the tobacco fields for them?"

"It's only been a few days," Dutch said. "Give them time!"

"Wait, how much did John make on that horse job?" Annabelle asked, sitting up. Dutch pushed her back down.

"Not enough," Arthur replied. "Less than a thousand, and those horses were worth way more. They're using us, Dutch, and once they are done…"

"Oh, I'm sure they are trying to use us, but Hosea can manipulate these fools."

"Dutch," Arthur said. "I'm trying to tell you… I think we should start making plans to head west."

"We don't have the funds! I promise, as soon as we finish up here, we'll be on our way to our ranch!"

Arthur nodded, unconvinced.

"In the meantime," Dutch continued, "we have a wedding to plan for!"

"What?" Arthur asked.

"John and Abigail, remember? They want to do the ceremony!"

Arthur hadn't realized that. Then again, with the crates of beer bottles and whiskey coming into camp on Pearson's wagon and Susan's obsession with everyone having a wash, should he be surprised that something big was about to happen?

"Is that tonight?"

"Did you forget?" Dutch asked.

"I guess I was out of camp when it got announced," Arthur said, taking in the frenzy around camp as everyone tried to finish up chores and get organized. "I'm going to find John and see how he's doing."

"Well, considering he's the one who proposed, I feel like he's doing just fine," Dutch said. "You know, I'm glad we're having this wedding. We need to relax a little, after Valentine."

Maybe it wasn't the best timing, but Arthur had to agree. They needed a party, and he was excited to see John and Abigail finally tie the knot.

He passed Susan on the way over, who was rousing the reverend to perform the ceremony, and waved at her. "He going to be ready?" he asked.

"Mr. Morgan, I am fine!" Swanson said, with only a slight slur in his voice. "It's about time those two got married, after all these years."

"Certainly took them long enough," Arthur said.

"They'll be a proper family!"

"And the gang's not good enough?" Arthur said.

"Don't make fun, Mr. Morgan."

"Trying not to, reverend," Arthur drawled, and Susan had to smother her laughter.

John was next on his visiting list. His brother was putting on a suit while Hosea fussed over his tie. "Arthur, finally!" Hosea said. "How does he look?"

"I think he looks just fine. Is everyone getting dressed up for this?" Arthur asked.

"Abigail wanted to buy a dress, and it would be odd if she was the only one up there wearing something fancy," Hosea said.

"I'll go find a clean shirt," Arthur said, realizing his still had blood stains from hunting. "And let Charles know. When did you decide to get married?"

"This morning," John said. "There's no jobs happening, and we figured we waited long enough!"

"That's for sure," Arthur said, and he dodge John's hand when his brother tried to smack him. "At least we have enough meat for the stew tonight."

He let Charles know that he should also find a clean shirt for the wedding, then spent some time distracting Jack so his parents could get ready in peace. "So, why are they getting married anyway?" Jack asked him.

"Because they love each other," Arthur said.

"But why do they have to get married to love each other?"

"Uh… I mean… they don't have to get married. But they want to. It's a tradition, I guess. You get up in front of your friends and make it official."

"But everyone already knows they love each other!" Jack said.

"Hey, we get to have a party, okay? It will be fun!" Arthur said.

"Did you ever get married, Uncle Arthur?"

"No, I didn't."

"Are you going to get married?" Jack asked, just as Charles walked into the tent.

"I don't know," Arthur said as Charles smirked at him. "Maybe one day, we'll see."

"They're almost ready. Almost," Charles said. "They're going to do it down by the lake."

"Marston getting married next to water? Is he going to go for a swim after?" Arthur joked. "Well, we better get down there."

The crowd was starting to gather, but before he got there, he ran into Dutch and Hosea arguing.

"I should walk her down there! I'm the leader of this gang!"

"Come on, Dutch. We both know I'm more of the father figure."

"Gentlemen!" Arthur interrupted. "Maybe let Abigail decide?"

"Oh… right," Dutch said. "Where is she?"

"In John's tent with Annabelle, getting ready," Hosea said.

And Abigail came out, in a simple but beautiful white dress and a wide smile. "Well, look at you," Arthur said.

"Mama!" Jack said, trying to run up to her, but Arthur caught him in time.

"Hold on, buddy," he said. "Let's not get dirt all over your mama's fancy dress. At least not before the ceremony."

"It's alright, Arthur," she said, crouching down and reaching out towards Jack. "Are you excited, Jack?"

"Sure!"

"Abigail, do you want anyone to walk you down the aisle?" Dutch asked expectantly.

She turned to Hosea. "Hosea, I'd be honored if you would walk me to the ceremony."

Arthur managed not to snicker at Dutch's disappointment. Annabelle didn't.

"Alright, Jack, let's go see your father," Arthur said, ducking away.

They started soon after. Susan led Reverend Swanson to their spot along the shore. Uncle was already drinking. Kieran, as one of the newest members, volunteered for watch. Probably to impress Dutch and gain acceptance with the other gang members. Arthur figured he'd sneak him a little food later, as a thank you. Kieran was good with the horses, after all.

Dutch, Arthur, and Jack stood in the front with John, and Annabelle waited for Abigail on her side. Hosea walked with her, the gang members dividing to create an aisle down the beach. Javier played a soft tune on his guitar, and Abigail couldn't stop smiling.

"Hey," John said awkwardly when she got down to them.

"You ready, John?"

"Yeah, I am."

Swanson took his cue. "We are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony…"

They exchanged their vows. Abigail started to cry, and Arthur swore there was a slight quiver in John's voice, too. And then Swanson announced them as husband and wife, the cheer went up from the crowd, and the party got started.

"Well, you finally did it, son!" Dutch said, giving John and Abigail a hug.

"Yeah, it took them long enough," Hosea laughed as he joined in.

"Oh, shut up, old man!" John said.

"Hey, Javier, I think it's time for some music!" Hosea said.

"Of course!" Javier said. Everyone joined in singing along, opening beers and whiskey. Abigail and John got prime seats at the campfire, and John pulled Jack up onto his lap.

"Having fun, Isaac?" Arthur asked after the end of the first song.

"Yeah, I am."

Sean swooped in with a couple of beers. "Here you are, Isaac!"

"Uh, what?" Arthur said.

"Oh, you're here… these are all for me," Lenny quickly covered, grabbing the beers from Sean.

"Oh, come on, Arthur. It's a party! Let the boy celebrate a bit," Sean said.

"I won't drink much, I promise," Isaac said.

"Don't tell me you weren't drinking at fifteen, Morgan," Sean continued.

Arthur sighed. Yes, Dutch and Hosea let him drink at fifteen. And fourteen. And after one too many drunken fights with strangers, Arthur knew better than to let his son go to a saloon. But a party, surrounded by friends… "One. One drink, for the toasts."

"Gee, really letting him live, aren't you," Sean said.

"I just don't want him drinking like you do, that's all," Arthur said, but he laughed as he settled down on the log next to Isaac. Dutch got up to give a speech.

"Now, I never thought I'd see this day. No offense, John," Dutch said, getting everyone, including John, to laugh. "I've always called us a family, and I've never been more proud to see John and Abigail get married. It's a beautiful thing, family. You've been partners and parents to young Jack all these years, and now you're… husband and wife."

Dutch later denied choking on those last few words, his eyes watering a little. "You think he's about to propose?" Arthur whispered to Isaac, who snorted.

"Well, I don't know how to follow that up," Annabelle said, wrapping an arm around Dutch's shoulders. "Abigail, John, we love you both. And I am so happy to see you get married."

"Alright, my turn," Hosea said. "I've known John since he was a twelve. He wasn't always the most civilized of sons…"

"He was a raccoon!" Arthur shouted.

Hosea laughed. "Arthur, be nice to your brother! John, I'm proud of the man you've become. And Abigail, you are a wonderful woman. I'm so glad you joined our family."

Arthur stood up next. "Alright, he's not a raccoon anymore, even if there were some moments when he was a kid that I wondered."

"Shut up, Arthur!" John said.

"But I have to admit it, he grew up on us. You're a good father, John, and I know you'll be a good husband."

After the toasts, they moved on to the main party. Sean and Karen disappeared somewhere. Isaac grabbed a second drink with Lenny when he thought Arthur wasn't looking. Arthur considered saying something, but Charles stopped him.

"He's in camp and safe. Let him make mistakes."

"I'm hoping it won't be a mistake," Arthur said.

"First hangover has to happen sometime," Charles said.

"He better not drink that much!"

Tilly volunteered to watch Jack that night, when the young boy started to nod off. It gave John and Abigail some alone time later.

"Thank you, Tilly," Abigail said, giving a sleepy Jack a kiss on the forehead.

"No problem," Tilly said. "You two have a good night."

Arthur was starting to feel a little fuzzy from all the alcohol. Even Javier put his guitar away, since he had a little too much whiskey to properly play a chord. Dutch started his gramophone, inviting Annabelle up for a dance.

"Arthur? Want to dance?" Mary-Beth asked.

"I'm not the best dancer," Arthur said.

"Oh, I'm sure you're fine," Mary-Beth whispered in his ear, leading him towards the center.

They mostly swayed back and forth, with Arthur letting her twirl on his hand as a flourish. "You having a good night?" Arthur asked her.

"I am," she said. "It's all so romantic, after all this time. It's giving me story ideas."

"Really?"

"Oh yes. A love that goes on for years, but they can't get married right away."

"Well, they could have gotten married sooner," Arthur joked. "But I'm glad they are now."

They danced a little longer until Charles tapped on Mary-Beth's shoulder. "Mind if I borrow Arthur?" he asked.

"Go ahead," she said, giving Arthur a kiss on the cheek and winking at Arthur.

"You need something?" Arthur asked Charles.

He held out his arms. "I thought we could dance."

"Really?" Arthur said, looking around the camp. "In front of everyone?"

"If you don't want to, that's fine," Charles said, his smile falling a little.

"No, I do! I just… not everyone knows and I wasn't sure if you wanted them to know."

"I figured most of the camp knows by now anyway," Charles said. "Dutch, Annabelle, and Hosea know, at least."

"True, and I don't care about what the others think as much," Arthur said thoughtfully. "I'd be happy to dance with you, Mr. Smith."

Annabelle made eye contact with Arthur as soon as he took Charles' hands. She started whispering into Dutch's ear.

Arthur ignored them and leaned more onto Charles. Charles wrapped his arms around Arthur's back, holding him tighter as they swayed.

Then Micah came over.

"I fucking knew it. I knew there was something wrong with Morgan."

"Excuse me?" Arthur said.

"Though I shouldn't be surprised," Micah continued, pointing at him with his beer bottle. "You are basically a woman, doing all the sewing instead of robbing with the men. No wonder he can't tell the difference."

Charles tightened his hold on Arthur, glaring at Micah.

"You know, maybe if we take off-"

"Walk away, Mr. Bell," Annabelle said.

Micah turned on her. "You mean you don't have a problem with these immoral… I don't even know if I can call them men."

"No. I don't see a problem," Annabelle said firmly.

"It's unnatural! You clearly ain't thinking this through," Micah said.

"Excuse me?" Annabelle said. "I'm not the one being an idiot here."

"Well, the rest of the gang will agree with me!" Micah said, looking to Dutch.

Dutch put a hand on Micah's shoulder. "Now, son, I suppose two men together is rather unusual, if you've never encountered it before. But Arthur and Charles are two fine young men."

"Boss, don't you see how wrong this is?" Micah asked, a fake sweetness in his voice that made Arthur want to gag.

"Nothing wrong with it at all! We're after freedom, aren't we? What is freedom if not being free to love?"

Micah started looking around the others for an ally. "Reverend Swanson!" he said. "Surely you and the bible have something to say about this?"

Swanson stumbled over, looking wildly between Arthur and Charles. "I have never," he said, with a few hiccups. "Never in my life… seen a more beautiful union."

"What?" Micah said.

"I'd marry them right now," Swanson said.

"See, Mr. Bell?" Dutch continued, "if you just open your mind a little, you will realize-"

Micah was starting to get frantic for support. "Bill! Surely you think something about this!"

"We are gathered here today…"

"What's going on?" John said. "What are you saying about my brother, you snake?"

"Everyone, calm down!" Dutch tried.

"…to join these two men in holy matrimony…"

Bill shifted awkwardly after getting put on the spot. "I didn't know that about you, Morgan. Huh."

"But you see the problem, right?" Micah pressed.

"Uh, no?"

"Do you, Arthur Morgan, take Charles to be your husband?"

"I… what?" Arthur said.

"If you have a problem with Arthur, you can get out, Micah!" Annabelle shouted.

"And do you, Charles Smith, take Arthur to be your husband?"

"You want to fight, Micah? Be my guest," Charles said.

Dutch got between them. "No one is fighting tonight!"

"Then, by the power vested in me, by God, I pronounce you husband and… husband!"

"Wait, what?" Arthur said, turning to Swanson.

"You may now… kiss…"

Swanson passed out on the ground.

Arthur looked back at Charles and asked, "Did he just say we're married?"

Micah stormed off, and Dutch got the crowd to disperse. Arthur made sure that Isaac wasn't drunk and wasn't going to keep drinking before he and Charles disappeared into Arthur's tent.

"So, uh, fun night, huh?" Arthur said.

"Are you alright?" Charles asked.

"Me? I'm fine. Takes more than Micah to annoy me. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Charles said. "So, does a drunk Swanson wedding count?"

"In our case, I'd say no. We didn't say, 'I do,'" Arthur said with a chuckle.

"Still, he did pronounce it," Charles joked.

"Definitely not how I thought tonight would end."

Charles pushed Arthur down on the cot, removing his wooden leg and crawling on top of him to capture his lips in his own. "You know, it is our wedding night…"

"A drunk wedding."

"Still, we could celebrate, if you want."

Arthur paused and turned his head away slightly.

Charles pulled back and said, "We don't have to, of course. I just… never mind."

"No, wait, it's not… shit, I don't know how to say this," Arthur said. Charles sat back, letting Arthur sit up. "I ain't ever… been with a man before, and, well, there ain't been too many people at all. It just hasn't mattered too much to me."

"Arthur," Charles said, squeezing his shoulder. "We don't have to, it's okay."

"I'm not against sex," Arthur said. "I trust you and think… no, I know you'll make it good. And I want it to be good for you, too, but I ain't quite sure what I'm doing."

"It's been a while for me," Charles said. "We can go as slow as you want. And stop anytime if you aren't enjoying yourself."

"Same for you," Arthur said. "If I'm doing something you don't like, tell me."

"So, what do you want me to do?" Charles asked, his voice low and seductive.

"I think this shirt needs to go," Arthur said, fiddling with his buttons.

"I like that idea," Charles said, guiding Arthur back down on the cot.