Ranma looked at the scene displayed before him. The dance floor seemed inviting, various couples moving rhythmically to the music. And in the center of it all was Akane—dancing with Ryoga.

She was absolutely radiant, she had the biggest of smiles, and nothing could take away her happiness. The big white dress she wore hardly called for any activity that required movement, but nothing on her face showed worry for her dress. Squealing in laughter, she twirled and spun with Ryoga. For a moment, Ranma felt a twang of jealousy, but he mentally told himself to stop it. It was Akane's wedding day. He would do nothing to ruin her special day.

As the song was dying down, Ranma strode to the center of the dance floor where Ryoga and Akane danced. "May I cut in?" he asked, suddenly uncomfortable in his tuxedo.

The dancing couple halted. Ryoga merely raised an eyebrow and smirked, before letting go of his dancing partner. He boldly kissed Akane on the cheek and walked away. If they had still been teenagers, Akane would have turned beet red and Ryoga would have been punted through the roof. But that was so long ago, and today Akane simply giggled before turning to Ranma.

The next song had a slower tempo, causing the two to dance with their bodies closer together. "I already danced with you, you know," she said, amused.

Ranma smiled back. "I know." The next few measures of the song called for a twirl, and took a step back as Akane's layered skirt fanned out. "Akane," he choked.

She looked up at him earnestly.

"Your husband's an idiot."

Akane took in a sharp take of breath. "Oh, Ranma."

"No, really! If it took him this long to tell you he loved you and make an honest woman out of you"—she scoffed, but both were smiling—"then he's the stupidest jerk that ever existed."

Akane's brows knitted together. It was the first time she looked cross today, Ranma noted. The two of them had stopped dancing. Akane looked up with a determined glare. "Ranma, look at me. No, look at me. I wouldn't have married my husband today if I didn't love him and if I didn't know he loved me. I know it took him a long time—"

"Boy, did it ever," he interrupted.

"—for him to tell me he loved me," she gave him a pointed look, "but the truth is I've known for a while. And he may be the stupidest jerk, but he's my stupid jerk, got that? Oh," Akane added, a big grin on her face, "no one calls him a stupid jerk but me."

Ranma cupped her cheek with a hand. No doubt about it, Akane had to be the most gorgeous woman in Japan. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her silly right here on the dance floor. "God, you're so beautiful, Akane," he breathed. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"

Akane sighed. "Oh, Ranma," she exclaimed, before she practically flung herself on him. This was nothing like the sweet, innocent kiss they had shared earlier that day. Their bodies were pressed against each other, and Akane's hands traveled upwards until her palms were flat against his chest. Ranma's own arms wrapped around her, hands placed at the small of her back. They kissed each other passionately, hungrily. Neither of them was willing to be the first to stop.

The sound of a gong hit, and they broke apart, confused. "And we have a winner!" Nabiki's voice was heard through a microphone. Ranma looked at the stage where the DJ had set up his equipment. Naturally, Nabiki stood onstage next to a gong, holding a microphone. She looked at the watch on her wrist. "Who had the dance floor—6:45?" She squinted her eyes, scanning the reception hall.

"Ooh, that's me!" Yuka exclaimed, flailing a piece of paper in the air. She ran up onstage to collect her prize: a big screen TV. Applause rang throughout the hall. And as quickly as it happened, the music started up again, couples starting to dance to the next song. It was as if the little interruption had never happened.

"Wh—" Ranma began.

"What's going on?" Akane asked, looking around.

Shampoo and Ryoga sashayed by. "Is wedding reception betting pool," Shampoo explained over her shoulder. "Person who guesses time and place where you try to have sex win TV. Too bad." She shrugged. "I bet after ceremony at altar."

Ryoga shook his head in dismay. "Honestly, Ranma, I thought you would've waited until you two got to the hotel at least." The two whisked away, leaving the newlyweds to process this information.

"What great friends we have," Akane muttered sarcastically. The two still clung to one another.

"What do you say to ditching these gamblers and having a little fun on our own?" He brushed her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb.

Akane grinned and grabbed his hand. "Let's." She squealed as Ranma tipped her over and carried her bridal style. A little bit too eagerly, Ranma ran to the exit and kicked the door open. Akane laughed as she held on, wrapping her arms around his neck for support.

"And there goes the happy couple, leaving for the honeymoon suite!" Ranma heard Nabiki's cheery, over amplified voice. "So who bet they would last until 6:50?"

AN: Thanks to N for betaing and surviving this sappy piece!