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Today was December 20th, which meant it was little Zoro's first birthday.
Mihawk had taken the day off and let Perona skip school to prepare for the birthday party.
Now the baby was happily taking a bath, or rather... he was giggling while he splashed water for the bath.
"You're making a mess, Roronoa" he scolded, but didn't wear the same stern look he wore every time he scolded him.
He chuckled in response, continuing to beat his arms in the water.
"Okay, time to go out" he said, picking him up and wrapping him in his little blue bathrobe.
"No" he protested, pouting a little "Daddy..."
"Don't look at me with that pout, Roronoa" he said, walking out of the bathroom with him in his arms.
He was about to enter his bedroom to dress the baby when he heard the door suddenly swing open.
"Mihawk!"
It was Red's voice, and he hadn't called him that ridiculous name.
Something had happened.
He ran towards the living room, hugging Zoro to his chest so he wouldn't fall.
Zoro's little hands clutched at his shirt and he looked at him curiously.
"What happens?" he asked.
“I think we have a problem” the man said, taking off his straw hat and scratching his head.
"What kind of probl...who are those brats?" he asked.
At Shanks' feet there were two children, they must have been around four or five years old, one had black hair and freckles and the other had blond hair and blue eyes.
“Do you know that friend of mine Dadan who I am indebted to?” he asked embarrassed.
"Yes?" he replied uncertainly.
"Well... she owe a debt to the grandfather of these two brats, and today I met her randomly on the street and..." he tried to explain himself by gesticulating.
"She gave you the brats, didn't she?" he asked raising his eyebrow.
He sighed.
"Yes"
"Can't you let Makino take care of them?" he asked.
"She already has a child to look after" he said.
Mihawk shrugged.
"So I guess you've become a father, congratulations" he said indifferently.
"I don't know how to take care of the brats" he said in a panic.
"Look, we're here!" exclaimed the freckled child.
"Why don't you start by introducing them? Then I'll explain how to take care of the children" he said looking at them.
"Oh yeah, this is Ace" he said pointing to the blonde child "And this is Sabo" he said pointing to the one with the freckles.
"Look, it's the other way around" said the child with black hair "I'm Ace and this is Sabo"
"Oh..."
Mihawk sighed.
"You've got a long way to do" he said, shaking his head.
They were interrupted by a small sneeze from Zoro, who was still in his bathrobe.
Shanks brightened, suddenly realizing the baby's presence.
"Hello, Zoro-kun!" he exclaimed making funny faces to make him laugh "Happy birthday!"
Zoro chuckled, holding out his little hands towards him.
Shanks picked up the baby and continued to make faces to amuse Zoro.
Mihawk looked at the two children.
"Are you hungry? How about having a snack?" he asked them.
Both of their stomachs rumbled and they blushed.
"I would like that, Sir" Sabo said.
"Me too" Ace admitted.
"Come with me"
***
By the afternoon, most of the birthday preparations were ready.
The cake was in the oven, Ace, Sabo and Perona were drawing at the table and Zoro was in his crib taking his afternoon nap.
Peace reigned.
Finally.
Then...the doorbell rang, Zoro woke up from his nap and started crying.
"Damn" he sighed, passing a hand over his face and going to open the door.
He didn't even have time to open the door before the person in question ran into his apartment.
"What timing" he said sarcastically, looking at his parents.
Rayleigh eagerly grabbed baby Zoro from his crib, causing him to stop crying.
"Hello Zoro-kun ~" he cooed to his son "Your grandpa Rayleigh came to visit you, happy birthday"
Shakky giggled as she entered the house too.
"You woke up Zoro during his afternoon nap" he scolded, closing the door.
"Grandpa brought you lots of presents" Rayleigh said to Zoro, ignoring him.
Shakky giggled.
"We're full, since we woke him up, we might as well get the cake" she said, heading towards the kitchen.
"Go help Perona and mom with the cake and candles" he said as he took Zoro into his arms.
When only he and the baby remained in the room, he looked at him and spoke.
"I'm sorry Roronoa, it was supposed to be a perfect birthday" he sighed.
The baby tilted his head, but smiled.
Mihawk smiled.
"But I guess you don't care, do you?" he asked rhetorically "Happy birthday, Roronoa"