Chapter 16   The wedding

It was another glorious day in Texas.  There wasn't a cloud in the gorgeous blue sky.  Ranma and Akane were lazing around the apartment pool, soaking in the sun.  Ranma was lying on her stomach, reading a manga about a half-demon, half-human running around with some young girl chasing pieces of a jewel.  She had undone her bra strap so she wouldn't get a tan line.  Akane was sitting up, wearing an attractive one-piece suit, reading one of her textbooks.  She noticed that it had been some time since she had put any lotion on Ranma, so she rolled over on her side and pointed at the bottle.  Ranma looked at her watch, and nodded.  It didn't pay to take too many chances with the sun beating down the way it was.  Akane spread a generous amount of suntan lotion on Ranma's back, arms and legs.  Ranma fixed her top, and rolled over and returned the favor, making sure Akane was well covered also.  She burned a lot easier than Ranma did, after all.  They sat there in companionable silence, just enjoying the moment, watching the children play in the pool, listening to the birds singing in the background.  They had gotten their license; had their counseling sessions and all of the arrangements were made.  All they needed to do now was wait for the date and then they would be married.

"Ranma Saotome, prepare to die!!!'

"Hey, buddy, how ya been?" Ranma asked, "I was starting to get worried about you."  Ryoga sat down next to Akane; she reached over and hugged him.

"Welcome back, Ryoga.  You're just in time you know," she said, "Remember the wedding is in a couple of days."

"Hey, I wouldn't have missed it, you know me, I started here two weeks ago," Ryoga said with a laugh.

"Yeah, we do, that's why now that you're here, your staying with us.  It wouldn't do for the best man to be missing, after all," Ranma said with a smirk.  Ryoga elbowed her in the ribs, and then started laughing.  Ranma and Akane joined in.

Ryoga shrugged sheepishly.  The three friends sat there reminiscing about their past.  They had managed to forgive each other of the hurts that had pushed them apart.  Ranma no longer teased Ryoga about being P-chan, Ryoga no longer blamed Ranma for ruining his life, and Akane forgave them both about P-chan.

Two days later, the wedding took place at a local church.  The clergyman that was to perform the ceremony was standing there, looking at the nervous groom.  Ryoga just snickered, thinking that he had never seen Ranma looking so scared, not even when he was facing Saffron.

"Ryoga, man, thanks for standing by us.  It means a lot that you're here for us.  We both appreciate it," Ranma said.

Ryoga shrugged, and then said, "Hey that's what best friends are for.  You just take good care of her; she deserves the best.  As much as it hurts to admit it, you're the one she's always wanted.  You hurt her though, and I will beat you up".

Ranma reached out and clasped Ryoga's hand in thanks and in silent acknowledgement of what that admission had cost Ryoga.  He said, "Ryoga, if I do hurt her, I'll let you."

Finally, it was time.  They had decided on a Christian wedding.  The pastor, Ranma and Ryoga walked out and stood in front of the altar area.  Then an organ began to play, and Sarah, one of Akane's friends walked down the aisle to serve as the maid of honor.

Then the organ shifted into the Wedding March.  The witnesses and friends stood as Akane walked down the aisle, dressed in her wedding gown.  Ranma thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and then he wondered why his shirt collar had gotten so tight.

As she joined him, Ranma looked over and whispered "Kawaii."  Akane's eyes got even brighter, if that was possible, and then she blushed.  The pastor began the wedding ceremony, welcoming everyone to the service.

The pastor said to Ranma "Ranma Saotome, will you have Akane Tendo to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I   do," he managed to say, just barely loud enough to be heard.  Akane smiled.

Then the pastor asked Akane, "Akane Tendo, will you have Ranma Saotome to be your wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you submit to him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I most certainly do," she replied in a ringing voice.  Ranma looked stunned for a second at the assurance in her voice, 'It's really happening,' he thought.

Then the pastor asked him, "What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?"

"A ring."

The pastor asked Akane, "Do you accept this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of Ranma's vows?

She answered, "I do."

Ranma said with a little prompting, "With this ring I thee wed. And with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit, amen."

Then the pastor responded, "And may this circlet of pure gold which has no end, be henceforth the chaste and changeless symbol of your evermore pure and changeless affection."

Then he asked Akane, "What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?"

"A ring."

The pastor asked, "Ranma do you accept this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of Akane's vows?

Ranma replied, "I do."

Akane said in a vibrant voice, "This ring I give you in token and pledge of my constant faithfulness and abiding love."

The pastor said, "And may this ring given, be the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites your two hearts in love that has no end. Forasmuch as Ranma and Akane have consented in holy wedlock, and have thereto confirmed the same by giving and receiving each one a ring; by the authority committed unto me as a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ, I now declare you husband and wife according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the State of Texas, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."  The pastor paused, and then said, "You may kiss the bride."

Ranma blushed, and then proceeded to kiss his wife for the first time.  He looked at Akane, and lost himself in her glorious eyes.  He hesitated, and then bent down and kissed her.  She reached up and held him in place as he attempted to back away, embarrassed to be kissing in public.

Finally, Ryoga snickered and said just loud enough for them to hear, "Hey, you guys get a room already."  They broke apart, breathing just a little heavy, both of them blushing.

After the kiss, the pastor said, "I would like to present to you Ranma and Akane Saotome."  Their friends applauded.  "There will be a reception in the parlor, please feel free to head over there.  We will join you after a few pictures are taken."  The crowd left and headed toward the parlor.  After several minutes, Ranma and Akane joined them, holding hands.  They mingled with the crowd, visiting with them.  Most of them knew Ranma but they were mostly Akane's friends.  All of the girls told Akane how lucky she was to have found a guy like Ranma, and the guys told him how lucky he was.  They finally found Ryoga, looking a bit lost, over by the punch bowl.  Ryoga shook Ranma's hand again in congratulation, and then Akane kissed him.  After they cut the cake, and circulated for a while, it was time to leave.  They changed clothes, and left in Akane's car.

They arrived at the hotel that they were going to spend the weekend.  After checking in, they followed the bellboy up the elevator and then to the bridal suite.  After getting all of the luggage and the bellboy taken care of, Ranma picked Akane up and carried her into the room.  He set her down and then they just stood there looking at each other, still not believing that they had actually done it.

Ranma then reached for Akane, and held her in his arms, lost in her beauty.  They kissed passionately.  Parts of their bodies began to respond to the passion and power of that kiss.  Akane pulled away long enough to unbutton Ranma's shirt, exposing his chest.  Ranma returned the favor, removing Akane's blouse entirely.  They began to kiss again, and then Ranma began to nuzzle her neck, causing her to shiver.  He slowly reached up and began to caress her breast.  Akane let out a moan of pleasure.

{Scene fades to black, ok, you guys can imagine a better scene than I will write, so insert your favorite lemon scene here.  After all, this is supposed to be PG-13}

Ranma woke up, unsure of exactly where he was.  There was an unaccustomed weight pressing against him, and his arm was trapped under something.  He slowly opened his eyes and stared at the naked back of the woman next to him.  He carefully pulled his arm from under her head, and raised himself up.  It was Akane, sleeping peacefully.  His mind began to panic.  'She's going to kill me,' he thought frantically, 'she's going to   wait a minute, Baka; I'm married to her now.  I'm supposed to be here.'  He just gazed at her, lost in wonder, not believing how lucky he was.  'Why did I ever think she was uncute, or flat-chested,' he thought, berating himself.  He was lost in reverie, not noticing that her eyes had opened.  She stared at him, her eyes soft and filled with love.  "Good morning, love," she said fondly.  Ranma jumped a little, and then grinned sheepishly.  She rolled over enough to pull his head down to her so she could kiss him.

They spent the weekend at the hotel, losing themselves in each other, until it was time to return home.