182Chapter Twenty-Five
Final Chapter
Piccolo and Kami searched the Lookout and did not find Rhyne. "She's gone." Piccolo said loudly.
Kaizer and Rideria came out front as well as Rikola and Gowan.
"Rhyne is gone." Piccolo repeated. "Did anyone see her leave?"
"No." Rideria said. "We were in the back."
"I'm sure everything is alright." Sabrina said, hoping to reassure him. "She probably went to find Gohan herself."
"I don't like her being out alone." Piccolo said snarling.
"But you can't shelter her…" Sabrina reminded him. "Let her live her life…she has a second chance…give it to her." As she lovingly touched his arm, he smiled.
"You're right." Piccolo said, his temperament calming. "I just worry."
"I know….So do I." Sabrina told him. "But, after all that she's been through, she deserves to make the most of this life."
Their casual contact did not escape Piccolo's daughters, who picked up on their gestures immediately. Rideria looked at Rikola and Rikola looked at Rideria. Neither said a word, but a smile passed their lips.
"What?" Kaizer asked.
"I'll explain later." Rideria whispered.
It was then that they felt Gohan's approach. "Gohan's coming….and Rhyne is with him." Piccolo sighed.
"See…I knew she'd be with him." Sabrina said.
As they landed, both were surprised to find everyone there. "Well, this makes it a little easier." Gohan said. "Safety in numbers and all that." He grinned.
"We were concerned about you." Sabrina told Rhyne.
"Don't worry." Rhyne said, hugging Gohan. "Everything is perfect." Rhyne held out her hand and showed the ring to Sabrina.
"OH!" Sabrina shouted. "You're….you're engaged!" She grabbed Rhyne and hugged her.
"What?" Piccolo asked Sabrina. "It's only a ring!"
"It's a symbol of our love." Gohan said. "I had it made for her last year. I proposed earlier tonight and Rhyne has accepted."
"The ring is a tradition of Earthlings." Kami explained. "When a man asks the woman he loves to become his bride, he gives her a ring as proof of his love."
"Sounds kind of nuts to me." Kaizer said, but Rideria smacked him in the gut.
"Just cause I didn't get a ring doesn't mean its nuts!" Rideria said loudly.
"Anyway, this is a wonderful occasion!" Kami said. "When is the date set for?"
Gohan and Rhyne looked at each other and smiled. "Today." They said in unison.
"Today?" Piccolo said. "Now? But there is no time to prepare!"
Rhyne walked up to her father and took his hand. "Father, everything I need to be happy is right here on this tower. I don't need the dress or flowers or a bunch of people looking on….all I need is my family."
Piccolo reached up and stroked her face. "That, you have. Your family is here. And if you want a wedding today, you shall have it." He smiled.
Two hours later, Rhyne and Gohan were married by Kami. Only Rhyne's family and Gohan's mother and father were there, because they wanted it kept simple and quiet. ChiChi cried about her little boy having grown up. Then she cried more about Rhyne falling in love with her son yet a second time.
Goku wondered where the big spread of food was. "Don't worry." Sabrina said. "Next week, we'll have a huge celebration at my house and there will be tons of food….I promise."
"You'll have a party? For us?" Rhyne asked.
"Of course. A wedding shower! Only everyone will be invited! And must bring a gift!" Sabrina said, bursting with happiness. "After all, you'll need things for your home….dishes…pots….pans…linens….all kinds of things. Of course, I'll get most of it for you! I can't wait to flip through the catalogues and start ordering!"
"Where are you guys gonna live? On the Lookout? Or home with us?" Goku asked.
"For now, at the Lookout." Rhyne said. "When Gohan is finished with his next semester, he wants to build a house close to Sabrina's."
"That would be great! Just let me know when and I'll come help!" Goku said.
After everyone had left, Gohan and Rhyne retreated to the bedroom.
Surrounded by candlelight, they danced to music only they could hear and made love as if they had all the time in the world.
"I love you." Gohan whispered in his wife's ear.
"I love you, too." Rhyne said to her new husband. "No matter what ever happens, no one will take this memory from me."
"Let' see if we can make a few more…." He smiled. "Just to be sure." He drew the covers up over them and pulled her close, taking in every moment.
Outside, Piccolo stood with his arms around Sabrina as they stared off the side of the Lookout. "How about you and I go back to my house." She suggested. "I think one pair of newlyweds up here is enough. This place might not be able to handle us too."
He held onto her waist as he hovered over the tower. "I say you've got a good plan." He replied, kissing her neck. "Three hours was not nearly enough time for me to do all that was needed."
Sabrina felt goose bumps cover her flesh as he spoke. "How much time do you think we'll need?"
Piccolo smirked. " Twelve should be enough."
"TWELVE!" She yelled. "TWELVE HOURS OF MAKING LOVE!"
"For starters." Piccolo said, and flew away with Sabrina in his arms.
Off in the distance, a single figure stood silently watching. He had been there for hours, and watched the ceremony that had taken place. Now, he spit on the ground as he watched Piccolo and that Earth woman flying away.
"Your time is coming." Tekoa said angrily. "And when I make my wish on the Dragonballs, even Hell will bow before me."
THE ENDI had originally planned (and started) a sequel to this fic...but family issues just never let me complete it. So, for now, this is it...Thanks to everyone who read it, this time and the original time 4 years ago! Times flies when you're having fun, huh!
Sherri