Chapter 3 (last chapter)
The preparation to his wedding? Some people might say it was a disaster seeing all your groomsmen are either half-awake or still dealing with a huge hangover or some cases, both. But for us? Well it was the most memorable thing we could think of. It's not the first time it happened though. During Luffy's bachelor party was way worse. At least Sanji made it to the Chapel on time. During Luffy's wedding day? You can say it was a catastrophic. We were late for almost two hours. Luckily the one marrying him off was his uncle, Gol D Roger and not some unknown priest. Since Hancock loves him too much, she only let out her frustration towards everyone else except him. Poor bridesmaids.
Everything was almost perfect until, the bridesmaid shows up. I thought I was dreaming but no, there she was, wearing a knee length purple flowy dress. I know today was supposed to be Sanji's big day but seeing her here, right in front of me just makes it harder for me to breathe. She looks so beautiful; a perfectly sculpted angel from the heavens. I can feel my breathe hitch in a couple of intake. It's like I am the one getting married and not my best friend.
"Oi Marimo, close your mouth a bit will ya? You don't wanna go and ruin my big day now, do ya?" Sanji whisper with a mischievous smile on his face. I stared blankly at him, not understanding the words he's saying. "Surprise." He continued before snickering to himself.
Surprise? What does he mean by surprise? Did he plan on inviting Robin to his wedding? When the hell did he even get to know her? What is she doing here? Why the hell is she the maid-of-honor for Nami? Do they know each other? Too many unanswered questions are giving my already throbbing head a massive whack making me flinch a bit at the pain. "Oi, oi. Calm your ass man. I'll explain to you later." Sanji whispered again. "What the fuck are you pulling now, dart brow? This is some kind of sick joke isn't it?" I grunt out.
Whatever it is he tried to say was cut short because suddenly, Brook began to play the song Beautiful in White; a cue to say the bride is entering. Now, it's Sanji's turn to have his jaw dropped. He was stunt by the sight of the most beautiful angel he ever laid eyes upon. That angel is soon to be his forever wedded wife. How grateful he really felt for being alive. I squeeze his shoulder a bit, "Hey Ero-cook, make us proud." The guys and I all gave him an identical wink and a thumbs up in Franky's case before Whitebeard began the ceremony.
During the reception that night, I was taking some fresh air a bit further out from the crowded guests. Even though Sanji only invited his closest relatives, family friends and business partners, I still feel like the private ceremony a tad bit crowded. Or maybe I was just being cranky; whatever sounds better. I enjoyed my time inhaling the fresh air while enjoying the fine wine they serve at the party. Seriously though, entertaining the guests can be really tiring, especially if those guests are wild and boisterous. I was about to make my way to the lake side park bench before, "Ronoa!" a rather high pitched voice called my name. "Hey, princess. Miss me?" I said as I hugged the pink headed girl. She huff in annoyance. "You're going to spoil my beautiful dress stupid!" I just laughed at her sulking features before giving a loving pinch on her pale cheeks.
"Ne, Ronoa. Can we go to Sabaody Archipelago soon? I want to go to their amusement park. Please please, pretty please?" she begged me with the baby doll eye face.
"How can I say no to those eyes? Hmm?"
"Yeay! You're such an angel Ronoa. I love you. I better tell Baby 5 and Lamie about it. Don't go wandering around on your own, okay? You'll only get lost." She said giggling before planting a kiss on my cheeks and went away, in search for her friends. I smiled at her antics. Finally accepting other people in her life. Good thing they're Traffy's sisters. At least I don't have to get so worked up about who she hang out with.
As I turn around to head to the park bench again, I heard a soft giggle sound behind me. "You really are an amusing man, Mr. Zoro." I know that voice. I spun around to make sure I wasn't imagining things. And that, I didn't. She really is there. She's only a few feet away from me; I can even smell her unique flowery scent from where I was standing. I felt my jaw dropped; rather comically I assume because suddenly, she starts laughing louder at me.
She walks closer to me, that teasing smile never leaving her beautiful face. "It's been far too long. Hasn't it, Mr. Zoro?" Hearing her melodic voice saying my name gives me a chill of happiness and nervousness at the same time. Closing my one functional eye, I tried calming my breathing. A few seconds after that, I open my eye again, a small smile tug on my face.
"Yeah, it's been awhile." I replied.
"I noticed you were about to go somewhere? May I accompany you?" she asked, her voice as soft as I remembered hearing them the last two years.
"Sure, why not." We start walking in comfortable silence to the front of the lake. Seeing everyone else was currently occupied at the party, we figured the serenity of the park will be enjoyed by only the two of us. A few minutes of silence, I finally speak up. "How have you been doing, Ms. Robin?"
She glance at me for a while before returning to face the calmness of the lake. "Should you really be asking me that? I am sure you update yourself about me more than my fanatic fans does." She lets out a teasing chuckle after saying that.
"Eh? What do you mean by that?" I asked, quizzically.
She giggles behind her hands again before answering. "Didn't you occupy your limited free time with reading my books or watching any conference that relates to my project?" she asked, a glint of amusement in her enchanting azure eyes.
I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. How the heck did she found out about that? She continues to laugh at me for a few more seconds before reaching for my face. Her soft hand caress gently on my dysfunction eye. "May I asked as to what had happened to your eye?" I put my larger hand on her smaller one, inhale her flowery scent deeply before opening my eye again. I pull her hand away from my face and give a gentle peck on it before resting them on my thigh.
I started explaining to her on how I got the scar on my eye. It was technically caused by a business deal went wrong. Me, being the stubborn man am so proud of, seek revenge and asked for a duel with the stupid client. Even though I won my family's pride back but whatever that's lost, will remain lost forever. She just hums in understanding.
Being in the corporate world, where your clients are either a group of well-known Mafias or the underground black marketers, you have to always honor your deals. Especially since my family, The Dracule Family is well known for our honorability, we never let those dishonor bastards go uninjured.
"Well, it is something to be anticipated since you're the only male heir for the Dracule Family. Aren't you Dracule Roronoa Zoro?" she asked, a sly smile on her face.
I looked at her in surprise. I didn't recall ever telling her my full name. I don't even think I ever mentioned about my job to her either. So how? "Don't look so surprised now, Mr. Zoro. I was shocked by the news too, actually. I didn't realize I was bumped into a multimillionaire tycoon. You did quite a pleasant job in hiding your identity from the public, didn't you Mr. Zoro?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, "It wasn't something to be brag about anyway. The fortune is not mine alone and I don't see any valid reasons as to why I should disclose it to everyone. So how did you…"
"The Times magazine. A few months after our little encounter, my best friend, Nami whom is now married to your best friend, Sanji, excitedly showed me the magazine. Saying that they're featuring the most wanted multimillionaire bachelor at the time. Most of your friends were on the cover page. I almost missed you; seeing you did a great job in positioning yourself in between the guys, making it a slight harder for people to notice." She glance at me for a bit before continuing.
"When I got the time to really indulge myself with the magazine, I finally noticed your unique hair and your golden earrings. I wasn't sure about it until I flip through the pages where they put up their interviews with all of you. Such a disappointment on my part seeing they didn't even interview you. They only mentioned your name as the Unfathomable Bachelor of the group." I cringe at the statement. I never agreed on being part of the stupid interview. It was a waste of time and my time is too precious to be wasted on foolish stuff like that. Seeing the guys are so eager to do it – they even accuse me for chickening out – in the end, I had to agree to it on a condition that they won't force me to answer any questions directed at me. It was such a tiring day, that time. We had the best after party though, that's the only good thing about it.
Robin observe me for a bit before continuing, "I didn't give up though. I continued looking you up on the internet. I must admit that it's really hard to find any gossip lingers around you since you never showed interest in short flings. Seeing Nami finally agrees on going out with Sanji, I managed to ask a thing or two about you to him in person. At first he was rather shock to hear me say your name. He said something about how a beautiful angel knows a shrub of dirt like yourself." She chuckles a bit at remembering that.
I huff out in annoyance, "Ah, stupid curly brow tarnishing my reputation like that."
"Don't worry, Mr. Zoro. Your reputation is still well maintained in my eyes." She flash me a seductive smile. I look away in embarrassment as she giggles a bit at me.
"Well, I have to say it was such a small world, for our best friends to be married with each other. I was glad it went smoothly as well. If it weren't for them, I don't think I'd ever see you again." A satisfied smile cross her face as she finish her short story.
A few moments of silence dawn upon us before she starts speaking up again. "I am not fond in the life of luxury or fortune if that's what you're thinking. Materials can never satisfied an empty heart like how having the presence of someone you're enthralled to by your side. I really did meant what I said back then. I wanted; prayed that our path will be crossed again someday. I really did find you as an…" she didn't manage to finish her sentence as she was stopped by a passionate kiss by the green-headed man.
The kiss lasted for a few minutes longer before they both finally let each other go; catching their much needed breath. After catching his breath, he bring his calloused hand to her cheek, lightly stroke away her faint blush. She held a face of a small shock as to what just happened. He smiled at the triumph of catching her off guard.
Finally deciding this is the right decision he should make, he finally rose from his seat and walk over to her front before getting down on one knee. She closed her mouth with a gasp, not expecting something like this to occur. I reach for her hands, the smile on my face never fade. I caress her soft hands absentmindedly, my golden eye never leaving her azure pair.
"Robin, I know this is unexpected but will you hear me out for a sec?" I asked for her permission before continuing after she gives a slight nod. Releasing the breath I didn't realize I've been holding, I started to speak again.
"I am a person who lives his life without regrets. Whatever decision I decided to make, I'd make sure I'd do it wholeheartedly. The day when I let you board the ship without asking for your contact number, I regretted it every day ever since. I can always get your number from my friends but then again, I don't think that's the right thing to do. I don't want to be a coward, not to something as important as this at least. I'd be lying to myself if I say I am not afraid to commit myself with you, but seeing you on TV or magazines – even from afar - just makes me realize how much deeper that little incident actually impacted my life. There's not a day goes by where I didn't think about you. How are you doing, where are you, what are you up to and the list of unanswered questions goes on. I even went nuts just thinking if one day, a news pops out somewhere and the headline of it is a breaking news of you settling down with some jerks other than me. I am terrified of the idea of you being with someone else. Tonight, when I look into your eyes. Your beautiful, dazzling eyes. I can see the reflection of us being together, forever. I know there's a lot to take in, Robin. But I want you to give me a chance, give us a chance." By now, Robin's azure eyes are filled with tears of happiness. She didn't even realize when she started crying, but she is.
"So, Nico Robin, will you have a journey of your lifetime, with me? Screw being in a relationship. I want to get to know you, and love and cherish you as my beloved wife. Will you accept me, as part of your life forever?" I finally said.
Suddenly, a loud round of applause, loud whistles and screams of excitement can be heard throughout the quiet part of the park.
"Yahooo! Zoro finally decides to settle down!" Luffy jumps in excitement, a loaf of meat in his mouth.
"Ow! *tears in his eyes* Zoro-bro is just so romantic. That's so masculine! That is SUPER sweet!" Franky tried wiping his never-ending teary eyes under his shades.
"Hehehe. It's a good thing I brought along my video camera. Everything is recorded Zoro!" Usopp shouted.
"Yeay! I never knew Zoro have a soft side in him." Chopper also jumps in excitement.
"Zoro-san must've loved the lady so much. Ah, I should play a soft tune to make the atmosphere more romantic." Brook said as he starts tuning his violin and starts playing a romantic song.
"That green head bastard. Never knew he'd be the type to settle down this easily. Hahaha. Good for you bro. Worth all the embarrassment you endured in subscribing those chics magazine." Kid said before laughing, happy for one of his best friend.
"We were rooting for you Ms. Nico. Great way in making the chic cry, Zoro. Don't let her tears go to waste." Killer added along with a small chuckle.
Law didn't say anything. He didn't have to, since he knew his best friend would get what he wants once he is determined. He is just relieved that Zoro decided to act sooner. He knew how Zoro have been hiding his feelings from the people around him. He said it's a weak trait he needs to distinguish. What he didn't know is that love is just part of life. Love is what makes life complete. Law wouldn't know about it if it weren't for a certain light green headed girl that came into his life a few months ago. He continued clapping his hand with the genuine smile plastered on his usually expressionless face.
Suddenly, someone cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention. "Now that I have everyone's attention. You! *a finger points accusingly at me* Shitty mosshead, why must you ruin my reception? In all of every other days, why must you propose to that beautiful lady during my big day? I thought I made it clear earlier not to ruin my big day, didn't I?" Sanji said that as he saunter towards Zoro, a cigarette on his lips. Zoro finally stood up, ready for the kicks he knew Sanji would give him. I can't blame him though, he DID propose during HIS reception.
As he close the gap between them, Sanji raise his legs – Zoro shuts his eye as he willingly accepts the kicks – but nothing came. He decided to open his eye again and saw Sanji handing him a small love shaped duvet box. Eh? What the heck? I gaze at him questioningly before he toss the box to me. "You can't propose without a proper ring now, can you?" he smirks as he blew the smoke. "Take good care of Robin-san. She's a one in a million lady in this corrupt world. Doesn't count my beloved wife though. She's an angel made from heaven specifically sent to shine my dark world." As he said that, he gives a brotherly hug to Zoro. Luffy noticing Sanji's act, quickly joins in the hug. Soon, all the guys joins in the brotherly group hug; Brook and Franky was crying tears of joy. The crowd went awed at their affection towards each other. People who see them growing up together understands how their bond is unbreakable.
"Mosshead, make us proud." Sanji said before all the guys gave him an identical wink; and a thumbs up from Franky – it is a gesture the guys do out of habit whenever one of them is about to do something major in their life. After letting the green-headed man go, the guys quickly disperse in order to give the new couple some space.
Zoro looks over the tiny box before a thought came through. "Oi dart brow, where did you get this?" Sanji just smirk at him before pointing to someone else in the large group of people. Zoro glance at the person who Sanji pointed at; to say he was shock would be an understatement. The very person who brought this ring is non-other than his own father, Dracule Mihawk. Zoro gape in surprise.
"Father?" Mihawk, along with Perona make their way to the confused green-headed man. "How did you? Why did you…" he stutters.
"Oh shut it, Ronoa. You think I didn't notice you've been mopping around ever since you came back from Punk Hazard? I even asked you what's wrong but you just ignored me. No one, ignores me, Ronoa." Perona said with a displeasure huff.
Mihawk just laughs at his daughter's antics before petting her head. "My son, I know you've been trying to keep yourself busy and distracted for the past two years because you wanted to suppress that warm feeling you get whenever you think of her. I was in that phase before, when I first saw your late mother. I even get myself drunk every night – with the help of your stupid red-headed uncle of course – just so I can discard that feeling. After being in that condition for a year or two, I finally decided to play along with that feeling. Let me tell you something son, there's never a day I regretted into following what my heart desires at that time. It taught me something important in life that work or money can never give."
He stops talking and looks at his two beloved children. Wrapping his arm around Perona's skinny shoulder, he continues. "Being in love doesn't make us weak, my son. It'll make us grow into a more mature and stronger man in life. Trust me, I know. *he winks at his son* That is your great-grandmama's ring. She passed it down to your grandmother; who passed it to your late mother. Now, it's your turn. *looking up on the dark starry night sky* She may not be here but I am sure your mother would be so proud of you, my son." As Mihawk ended his little speech, he went over to his now teary eye son and gave him a hug. Perona joins in as well, crying her heart out for missing her deceased mother. "I missed her, father. I wish…" Zoro choked out his words.
"We all miss her. She is still here with us, in our hearts *points at his chest*. Now, go get your woman and appreciate her like an honorable man you are." Mihawk said as he finally let's his son go.
Wiping away his manly tears, he breathe in deeply to calm his senses. As he exhale the oxygen, a small smirk tug on his lips. He bowed deeply to his father – a gesture of appreciation for what the older man said. He turns towards the awaiting woman, closing the gap between them before going down on one knee again. He opens the small box to reveal a beautiful sapphire stone ring to the still shocked lady.
"Nico Robin, will you be my beloved wife?"
The tears running down her face starts flowing more and more than before. In between sobs,she nods her agreements and said, "You..have...no...idea…how…long…I…waited..for…you…to…say…that"
Zoro got up from his position and gives a passionate hug to Robin. He kissed her forehead in order to calm her down. "Hey, shush now. You should be happy right?" I asked, in a low tone.
"Thank you, Zoro. For choosing me." She said, her voice muffle from the way she buries herself in his broad chest.
Luffy raised his wine glass before saying loudly, "Cheers! To the newlywed couple, Sanji and Nami. We all pray that you are both blessed with happiness and fortune."
"Cheers!" everyone says aloud.
"And cheers! For the new couple." Luffy added.
"Cheers!" everyone says aloud again.
"SUPER! Now, let's get the real party started!" Franky shouted aloud from his signature pose.
"PARTY!" everyone cheered before rushing back to the main park.
That night, everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Life is always a mystery. Being in a love doesn't need the pair to be in an intensive relationship. One will fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. Appreciate them while you can because you may never know when your last is.
~THE END~
I seriously hope you guys enjoy this short story of ZoRo pairing. There's an idea that's been bugging me for a while now. It's a KidxBonney pairing. I hope I'd be able to release it soon. Thank you in advance to those who kindly review my story. Do share your ideas or request if you guys have any. Might help boost my inspiration. Take care everyone. Much love.
S.A
