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One more day, one more morning spent bent over the toilet, expelling any contents of my stomach. Tears pooled in my eyes as bile stung my throat. My body trembled from exhaustion and the coldness of the bathroom. My stomach churned and contracted, adding to the ache of my body. My arm shook as I reached up to flush the metal toilet, watching as the contents swirled down until they vanished within the pipes.
A groan fell from my lips as I struggled to stand, my legs wobbling and my arms shaking. “Fuck,” followed right after as I spotted myself in the mirror. Tired eyes and messy hair, cheeks stained with the red streaks left by salty tears. Cool water sucked through my dry lips, swishing around in my mouth before I spit it back into the sink. Another groan left my lips as my eyes went from the mirror in front of me to the twin bed beyond the bathroom doors. I knew that I was supposed to be in my lab today, testing out new plants, but I couldn’t.
Slowly, I made my way through the door, plopping onto my comfortable double bed. The clock on my nightstand blared 10:30 in fluorescent red lights. Beside it was a copy of Sora, Warrior of the Sea, and a book of my favorite poems. A dresser was beside the bathroom door, four drawers filled with my neatly folded clothes, and a closet was on the opposite side, my lab coats, dresses, and skirts hung up in an organized fashion. A small green plant was placed on my dresser along with a photo of the whole crew and another of my deceased family. If Law had done a room inspection, he would have seen everything neat and tidy and up to his clean standards. All, except one thing.
My eyes landed on a stack of papers on my desk, arched up to hide a small test with two pink lines. It had been only one night. One night of drunken passion that I replayed over and over in my head. But one night was all that was needed right? The whole crew had been gathered in the large bar lounge, laughing and drinking in celebration of Penguin’s birthday. Ikkaku had given me shot after shot, teasing me anytime she could. ‘ He keeps staring right at you ,’ she had giggled more than once, but each time I would look, his silver eyes would be on whoever he was talking to. Still, each time she would say it, it would get my heart beating faster and faster.
It was no secret between us girls that I harbored a major crush on our captain. How could you not? At first, when they had picked me up on a jungle island, it had been curiosity that had made me say yes to becoming one of them. But the more time I spent on the Polar Tang the more time I was able to spend with the captain as he checked on my research, and the more I felt myself falling for him. I loved our relaxing mornings in the library where he would sip on his favorite tea and I would have a cup of coffee in hand, an each time I was training with Shachi, Penguin of the others, he would insist on taking over most of the time scaring everyone else out of the gym. So the idea of him wanting me as much as I did him was both desired and near impossible.
Yet, it wasn’t as impossible as I thought. As I excused myself from the party- far from being the first, Law himself had insisted on walking me back to my room. Only, as soon as we were far enough away from the others, I blinked and found myself pressed against the wall of a familiar room. I had been in it plenty of times before to give him documents or books, but now, now it felt different. My body was tingling as his lips quickly claimed my own, one of his hands switching from caging me and pulling me closer and closer to him. It didn’t take much time before our clothes were shed and our bodies tangled in his sheets. My throat had been sore from how many times I had moaned and screamed his name. My neck was littered with bite marks and my body was sore from every position we had tried. My core was sore from the obvious loss of the night’s activities, but I had been on cloud nine the next morning. I thought that nothing would have ruined it, but I was wrong again.
When I woke up the next morning, Law was already gone. I had quickly washed up, and gotten dressed, a glowing smile on my lips as I grabbed my coffee and headed for the library. I expected to see him already sitting with a cup of tea in hand, but the room was absent of any life. At some point, I thought I had heard his voice in his office, along with Penguin’s, but when I entered, both were gone. When I had asked Penguin about it later, he had acted oddly but denied being in Law’s office nonetheless. Day after day continued with Law either avoiding me or giving me one word answered.
My heart had been shattered, but I continued and followed his lead. That one night had obviously been a mistake for him and I wouldn’t push him. I would forget it just as he did. Unfortunately, it was hard to forget it when two pink lines stared at you and your guts were being tossed inside out each day.
My stomach churned again and my cheeks began to tingle, causing me to run straight back to the bathroom. Again, I found myself kneeling on the cold floor, head over the toilet as bile struggled to escape. Tears streaked down my cheeks once more, my body shaking with realization. I hadn’t even heard my door open or my name called before I heard it shouted by a familiar feminine voice.
“What the hell?” her voice questioned as she quickly knelt beside me, rubbing circles on my back. “How long have you been sick?” A dark laugh crossed my lips and my head shook. I expected her to ask more questions, but she didn’t- not until I had flushed the contents back down the drain and rinsed my mouth again. “We need to get you to Law, he’ll want to know if you’re sick.” Again, my head shook. “No? What do you mean no?! What if you’re contagious?”
“I can promise that I will not pass on what I have to you or anyone else on the crew,” I chuckled again, but it came out dark and tired.
“And how the hell would you know that?” she argued, following me back into my room. “I know you haven’t gone to see Law because your name is still on the schedule for kitchen duty, and if you were checked out by anyone else, they would still have to report to Law, so how?” I sighed, pinching my nose as took in one breath after another. I really didn’t want to pull anyone else into this, knowing they would be an accomplice, but I really had no choice in this matter. As she continued to fire off accusations and questions, I quietly made my way to my desk, picking up the little pink and white test from under the papers. I could see the exact moment of recognition she had as I held it up. “Oh shit,” she breathed out, arms going slack as her eyes pinned on the test.
“Yeah,” I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself as she snatched the piece of plastic from my hands.
“This is serious? I mean, you’re actually- holy shit,” she trailed off, plopping down on my bed, eyes staring up at me after a moment. “Who’s-” ‘ Who’s the father ?’ she meant to ask, but she stopped as my eyes trailed down. “Was it- did you guys- or was it someone else- did someone else,” my head shook
“It’s Law’s,” I gulped, cringing as the test fell to the floor.
“Are you sure? I mean I thought you had an IUD, same as me. And I thought he would have been protective and-” she trailed off again.
“I’m on the pill, but I accidentally skipped that day because I had been too busy between my work and setting up the party, and I guess we were both too far gone to even consider any other type of safety,” I bit my lip, brows knit together in worry as I looked at her.
“Well, how are you so sure it’s his,” her question was more accusatory than curious.
“Because I hadn’t slept with anyone before and I haven’t slept with anyone since,” I snapped, my one hand falling to my chest as I slightly glared at her. It wasn’t as if I had slept with the whole crew.
“Okay, geez,” her eyes rolled as her head shook. I watched as she sighed heavily, one of her hands raising to the nape of her neck while the other rested on her hip. “Well, what are we going to do?”
“We?” her question puzzled me.
“Yeah, we.” Her eyes rolled. “You pulled me into this-”
“No, I didn’t, you were the one who decided to break into my room when I was puking my guts up,” I argued.
“Anyway,” A sigh left her lips as she stood, adjusting her stance to lean her full weight on one hip. “Now I know, and now you have to decide what to do.”
“What else is there to do?” My head shook as I leaned on my desk. “We'll be landing on an island with a small town in a few days. I'll just hop off there and-”
“You can't be serious,” her jaw went slack as her eyes bulged. “You just plan on leaving us? What about Law? He deserves to know. He may be a hard ass and emotionally disconnected sometimes, but we all know he's always wanted a family."
“I know that he deserves to know, l- but I can't put this on him now. He doesn't need the worry or distraction when we are literally on the Grand Line, surrounded by Marines and other pirates who want to kill us. He’s fought people like DoFlamingo, Big Mom, and Black Beard, and he doesn’t need something like this to stop or slow him down.” My eyes pricked with tears and my throat grew even more sore as I began to raise my voice.
“Okay, I get it,” Ikkaku sighed, “But don’t you think that this is a decision you both need to make- together?”
My head shook. “I have to make this decision- alone. If he knows that I'm carrying his unwanted child, then-”
“Unwanted?” her jaw dropped as she stared at me as if I had grown two heads.
“Ikkaku, he’s been avoiding me ever since we slept together. It’s clear that he wants to put it behind him, and going up to him saying that I’m pregnant with his child will kinda ruin that.”
“Oh god, you two are so oblivious,” she face-palmed. “Law is in love with you, he’s only been ignoring you because he’s too scared to admit that he let his emotions get the better of him.”
My head shook. “It’s been almost two months. Nothing has been the same between us,” my head shook ad tears began to pool in my eyes. “If he loved me before, then that night changed it all and he somehow realized that he doesn't actually want me. Or maybe he just wanted to butter me up to sleep with me, then toss me aside.”
“Do you really believe that?” her brow rose.
“No,” I sighed. “I know he wouldn’t play with anyone’s feelings, but- I just don’t know what else to think. He has literally been ignoring me and being cold and- and I don’t know what else to do. I’m going to have this baby, but I can’t force him to do the same. And I know that if he knows, he would have this obligation to keep me, to keep the child and I don’t want to be an obligation.”
“You’re dead set on this, aren’t you?” her eyes were filled with worry, but I nodded, so she promised to help me.
The plan had been simple. On the next island, I would leave the ship with only a bag on my arm and the clothes on my back. No transponder snail, no way to track me. Everything else would be left in my old room, along with a simple note stating that I had left the Hearts and to not follow me. Ikkaku would lie to the others before they left, assuring them that they would leave me. Law would be mad, of course, for losing a member of his crew, but it would be just as if he would lose Jean Bart or one of the others. They would be too far away before they would realize what had happened. And Ikkaku would be blameless since I would also put in my note that I snuck out. Still, as it all happened, I couldn’t help as the hole in my heart grew. I had ended up crying myself to sleep in the hotel room that night after their departure and had been numb for days after. I was heartbroken over my own decision, but I had made the right one- for both me and my child.
That was over a year ago, and since then, I made a life in the small town as a florist- my home residing at the top of a grassy hill. I had met a few people in town who had helped me with the birth, and seven months later, I had a beautiful daughter- Trafalgar Waterlily. While my heart broke each day, her standing as a reminder of what I had given up, she also warmed my heart- looking more and more like her father each day. If any of the Hearts came back, or if a Punk or Straw Hat had seen us, they would know right away who she was. It was hard not to with her growing raven hair and beautiful grey eyes. There was part of me that knew that Ikkaku would break at some point or another, that the truth would be revealed someday. I thought that Law would be too pissed to come back right away- if even at all. But I never expected it to be so soon. Lily wasn’t even eight months old.
It had been a regular day when it all came down. The breeze was light and the sun shone brightly on the little island town. I was able to pick a few flowers from my garden to put on my table, and Lily was as easy as ever, sleeping most of the day unless she needed food or to get changed. I hadn’t even seen it coming. There was usually a bell that would sound in town if Pirates were approaching, but there were none- only a knock at the door.
My heart stopped as my eyes spotted the giant cuddly polar bear in my doorway, Ikkaku, Shachi, and Penguin right behind him. “Shit,” was the only thing that slipped from my lips as my heart attempted to start again. Unfortunately, it was harder after a strong presence was felt behind me. ‘Fuck- fuck- fuck’, I inwardly cursed, slowly turning in my spot. ‘I’m dead,’ my mind swore as my blue eyes spotted the last person I wanted to. “Captain,” the word came out soft and defeated. He still looked devilishly intoxicating with his blue jeans and un-buttoned yellow shirt, paired with his fuzzy blue coat. His eyes were hidden under his signature hat as he sat back on my couch, his hand resting on his sword.
“Been a long time, Alice-ya,” his deep voice made my stomach turn and my lungs quickly deflate. My eyes flicked to the bedroom door, thanking the gods above that Lily was sleeping still, out of sight.
“What- what are you guys doing here?” I stuttered, my eyes going from the friends in the doorway to the man of my dreams. “I thought that my note-”
“I’m sorry, Alice,” Ikkaku cut me off. “I kinda got drunk one night and spilled some stuff. Law insisted on coming back here after that.”
After a moment, the tense feelings left with a sigh. “Okay, come on in you guys,” I moved to the side, gesturing for them to enter. When they were all in, I took a quick look outside, closing the door when there was no one else. Another deep sigh fell from my lips as I turned back to them all, my back leaning on the wall. “So, do any of you want a drink?” I tried to change any subject that was on their minds, my hands wiping on my dress. My eyes remained off of any of them as I made my way to the small kitchen- still in sight of them. No one responded, So I continued to grab a glass for each of them. “How has your sailing been? Go against any sea kings or any formidable foes?” My voice was shaking as much as my hand was as I poured water into each glass.
“Alice-” Penguin’s voice was soft, clearly showing his worry for me.
“Or did you guys see the Straw Hats or go against Kidd again?” My heart raced as I passed the cups out, each person with an apologetic or worried expression- all except for Law. He seemed pissed and annoyed- and it terrified me.
“Alice, please, tell us why you actually left,” Shachi spoke with a soft demand.
“What do you mean? I left a note. I- I just needed a change of pace, I-”
“Alice, they know that’s not why,” Ikkaku stopped me, her head shaking as her eyes begged me to come clean. I couldn’t.
“Ikkaku, I don’t know what you told them but I-”
“Alice,” the curly-haired woman reached out for me, her eyes connecting with mine as if to remind me that I wasn’t alone.
After a moment, I sighed, my eyes scanning over each of them. “What did she tell you?” I had to ask, wondering if they already knew or suspected the presence of Lily.
“That you didn't really need a change of pace,” Law’s deep voice made my stomach flip as his grey eyes stopped my heart, “and that she couldn’t say anything more,” he continued, standing from his seat with his eyes pinned on mine.
“It might not have been a change of pace, but I needed to-”
“To what, Alice?” he pressed, each step he took toward me caused my heart to beat faster and faster, my back pressing into the dining room table.
My eyes flicked to the others, but they couldn’t help. “I needed to do something here, something that- that I knew I couldn’t do on the Tang.”
“Alice,” Law’s voice warned, “What are you hiding.”
“I’m not- I just- I can’t-” I stumbled over my words, trying not to glance at the bedroom. “It wouldn’t have been safe-”
“Stop with the lies, Alice, why did you leave us?” Law glared, but I could see the pain in his eyes. “You left the Hearts without a word, left me-”
“Law, I’m sorry but-”
“No, tell us the truth now,” he ordered, his fist pounding on the table- caging me in. My body tensed again and my eyes tightly shut as a cry sounded through the house. Immediately, Law’s eyes widened and he stepped back. His eyes traveled from the bedroom door to me. My hand tightened on my shirt collar before I managed to look him in the eyes once more. This was the moment of truth and I was terrified. I watched as his lips parted, his eyes now pinned on the bedroom door as Lilly continued to cry.
“Come with me, Law,” My voice was soft as I forced my feet to move toward the door. Wordlessly, he followed, and luckily, Ikkaku forced the others to stay seated. My hand shook as I reached for the doorknob, my knuckles nearly turned white with my grip. I had opened it just enough for us to walk in but shut the door as soon as he was in. Minute by minute ticked by where neither Law nor I spoke. Instead, I moved to the cradle, reaching down to gently pick my angel up. She was crying, but as soon as she felt the warmth of my arm, she calmed, her grey eyes tiredly looking up at me. A weak smile graced my lips as I kissed the top of her head. “That’s my girl, everything is okay, I promise,” I cooed. Again, after a moment of silence, I had to force myself to look at Law- afraid of what he would say. “She was my reason,” I softly whispered, just enough for Law to hear.
He wouldn’t even look me in the eyes. Instead, silver met silver as Lily looked up at him. My heart began to warm as she softly smiled at him. “Is she-” his words cut off as he tried to reach a hand to her, only to draw it back.
“Captain, I would like you to meet Trafalgar Waterlily. She’s your daughter- our daughter,” I corrected, my eyes studying his face.
“I-” his back straightened and I could see the questions running through his mind. It hurt when he took a step back. “Why- how-” he paused, his eyes meeting mine, shut off. “How do I know she is?”
“Oh for-” I cursed softly, rocking Lily in my arms. “Law, you were my first and last, and she had the audacity to come out looking like your damn carbon copy,” my brows knit together as I gently snapped at him. Again, he was silent, making me sigh. “Law, I found out that I was pregnant a couple of days before we got to this island. I knew that you didn’t need me or a baby on board when we were literally sailing through the Grand Line, so I left. I thought that you would be too worried and distracted and-”
“And that wasn’t your decision to make,” he equally snapped, pain breaking behind his eyes. “Usually when someone leaves, they need a captain’s permission. You never got mine.” A growl ripped from his chest as he stepped forward again, his hand quickly coming to wind around my waist, pressing it into my back. He was careful not to hurt me or Lily, but the storm in his eyes showed a mixed story of sadness, anger, lust, and something I couldn’t pin down. They traveled down once again, focused on the bundle in my hands. “You could have stayed.”
His words broke my heart. “I could have, but I didn’t want to stop you from your goal.” My head began to shake softly as my eyes softly traveled between the two. “Did you want to hold her?” I questioned, making his eyes snap to mine, his soft lips parting before he slowly nodded. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as he began to fold his arms in a cradle. My heart warmed at the pure sight of Law and Lily. “I’m sorry,” I spoke again. “I know I shouldn’t have run, but I- I think I was more terrified of what you would think of me being pregnant than what you would have thought if I ran away. I was a coward who thought I was doing the best thing for the crew- for you- but I only did what was good for me.”
“Was I really that terrifying?” he questioned.
My head shook. “Not you, but what reality could have been.” I paused and he stayed silent, listening. With a sigh, I sat on the closest seat behind me, my hands going in front of me to rest on my knees. “I was- I was in love with you, Law. I know that it may have been stupid of me to fall for my captain, but I did. And I loved our drunken night together, but- but since you seemed distant after, I thought that it was just a mistake to you. So, when I found out that I was pregnant with Lily, I was terrified that you would kick me out anyway- that you wouldn’t want some desperate girl that you knocked up on your ship. I convinced Ikkaku to keep my secret, and I left my note, hoping that you would just let it be. You have no idea how many days I regretted that decision- how many times I wanted you to be beside me, for you to hold my hand as I gave birth. I wanted you to kiss my head and tell me that I was doing a good job. I wanted so badly for you to be able to be the first to hold her. I wanted to contact you each day, but each day I talked myself out of it because you were on your way to the One Piece- to fight Blackbeard again and become an Emperor. I couldn’t-” my voice shook as i chocked down the tears. My eyes shut tightly as my head shook with my chest. “I couldn’t stop you, I couldn’t-”
One moment, my heart was shattered, tears spilling from my eyes. The next, I was swept up by a strong arm and pulled into his warm chest. My throat shook and tears pooled in my eyes as I looked up into his eyes, my arms planted firmly on his chest. I could feel Lily at my side, still cradled in his free arm. “If I knew, I would have never let you leave my crew,” his voice came out in a husky growl, lighting my skin on fire.
“And now?” I dared to ask, barely a whisper as my eyes shut tightly. My heart beat rapidly as I waited for his answer in the silence.
“Now, you’re going to pack everything you and Lily need, and you’re going to come back to the Polar Tang.” Back to the Tang, back to being a Heart Pirate, back to my old room and my old office, back to the heartbreak of being close to Law but not being able to be with him. My hands clenched in his shirt, taking in his musky yet clean scent. As much as I wanted Lily to grow up with her father, as much as my heart craved just the presence of him, I couldn’t hurt myself like that day after day. I still loved him, but I would always be an obligation.
“I can’t,” My eyes screwed closed, keeping tears back as I stepped out of his embrace. “I can't do that, Law,” I repeated, slightly louder, making his eyes darken.
“That was an order, Alice,” my head shook again. “Alice,” he warned sternly, taking a step forward, but I took a step back.
“Law, I can’t put myself through that again. I gave myself to you body, heart, and soul, and you ignored me. I love you- all of you, but I know that you don’t feel the same.” His lips had parted to speak, but I didn’t allow him. “I want to come back, trust me, I do. I want to sip of coffee in the library again with you sitting near me and I want you to come into my lab and talk my ear off about my own research and what medical properties it has. I want to train with you again and hear the laughter of the Mess Hall, but I can’t put myself through that torture. I can’t-”
I had been so preoccupied with my rant that I hadn’t noticed that he had set Lily back in her crib, turning to me with a serious and almost heartbroken expression, not until he had pulled me back into him, one arm winding around my waist as the other cradled my cheek. A gasp sucked into my lungs and my eyes widened as he covered my lips with mine. Easily, he had swiftly picked me up, tossing me on the bed. Our lips parted for only a moment before he was on top of me, hands caging me in and running up my side. As my body began to heat with each touch of his long, skilled fingers, my thoughts flew from my mind. All I could focus on was the electrifying sensation of his lips as they traveled down my neck, causing my back to arch. A moan escaped my throat as his hard length ground into my heated core. My body begged for more and he gave it freely. I didn’t even care why. My brain was in a haze when his lips came back to mine, battling in a dance of pure passion.
“Oh come on,” Ikkaku’s voice snapped us apart, Law jolting up as I stayed on my back, breathing heavily. “You guys already made one, please don’t let us hear you make another.”
I had to bite my lip as my cheeks reddened, my eyes going from the still-closed door to the man who had just been on top of me. My heart began to crack again as he avoided my eyes. “You’re coming with us and that’s an order,” his voice held a low growl, glancing at me from over his shoulder. My eyes fell to the ground as I sat up, tears beginning to pool in my eyes before a single drop fell on my hand. “Alice-ya,” he sighed, softer and more caring as he knelt before me. I had to bite my lip in order to keep it from trembling as his finger lifted my chin, silver eyes meeting blue. “I know that I’m not good at all of this- at sharing emotions and everything- not after Cora and my family, but I don’t ever want to you think that I don’t love you. The truth is that I was terrified that morning when I found you curled in my arms. I didn’t- have never done relationships or anything like that. All I knew was that I felt so strongly about you that it scared me. I was so used to being careful and calculated in everything that I had done, but that night- I never planned on any of that. But I didn’t regret it one moment, and, I guess that I stayed away from you so I could calculate my next move. But each time I would see you or hear you I would forget everything. After a bit, I noticed you pulling away and decided that it might be for the best. But then after we left this island and I found your note, I knew that I messed up. I asked everyone, but no one had seen you. Or, at least, no one fessed up to it.” I almost laughed as he glared at the door, clearly toward Ikkaku. “Honestly, I read that letter over and over and it didn’t make sense to me. I thought- knew that I messed up, but I didn't think you would have left us like that, and I wanted to turn back. I should have turned back, but Ikkaku convinced me to respect your wishes. I wish I had ignored her, then I may not have spent weeks in my room buried in my work and drowning in wine. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that Ikkaku slipped up when drinking with Shachi and said that she knew why you left. When I heard that, I was angry, to say the least. I immediately made us turn around after she admitted that you would still be here.” He paused again, his eyes glancing at the crib before looking back to me. “I don’t know what I expected to be your real reason, but I never expected that it would be a child, never mind my- our child.” I could feel his heart racing and I could see the pain in his eyes, mixed with love and vulnerability. “I guess what I’m saying is that I can’t live another day without you, and I want to be there to watch Lily grow up, to raise and protect her. So I am giving you the order, as your Captain, that you will come back with us where you and Lily will be staying in my quarters. You will continue your research and I will continue to bug you over your notes and each plant's medical property.” My lips split into a small smile as a laugh escaped my lips. “You and I will continue our mornings in the library, drinking tea and coffee and reading, but you will sit beside your captain, not across from him. You will fall asleep beside me, wake up with me, and train with me. If you need anything, you will talk to me. You will not leave again without your captain’s permission. Am I clear?” His voice had grown so stern, but his seductive smirk lit my cheeks on fire. “Am I clear?” He had to repeat after a moment of silence.
“Yes Captain,” I giggled before moving forward to press my lips against his. My heart soared as he gently kissed me back, his hand gently cradling my cheek as he hummed in appreciation. “Now,” I sighed, my eyes looking over to the cradle. “Shall we introduce her to the others?”
“Ikkaku,” he called out as an answer, his eyes not leaving mine. In a moment, the scared woman carefully entered. I laughed, leaning into Law’s firm chest as we stood and he wrapped his arm around my waist. “Would you care to meet the person you protected from me?” If you didn't know him, Law’s voice would have seemed venomous, but Ikkaku and I knew better. Hence why her face immediately lit up and she carefully ran the few steps to the cradle.
“Oh, she is so adorable,” the curly-haired woman cooed.
A chuckle fell from my lips as I stepped away from Law, reaching down to pick my angel up. “Her name is Lily. Trafalgar Waterlily.”
“Suits her. God, she really is Law’s daughter, dark hair, silver eyes and all.”
“You have no idea,” I groaned. “She wouldn't let me eat bread all through my pregnancy. Do you know how much I just craved a nice peanut butter and jelly sandwich?” I heard Law chuckle behind me, causing me to shoot him a glare. “I better not hear anyone else question who her damn father is after this,” I grumbled but smiled lightly as Law wrapped his arm back around my waist.
Unfortunately for Shachi, he had jokingly questioned if Law was really her father ‘because she looks too cute to be his’ and easily earned a hard slap on his arm from me, and a sharp glare from his captain. The others learned from his mistake and only offered congratulations- or in Bepo’s case, happy tears as he held Lily in his arms for the first time. As promised, Lily and I were moved into Law’s large room. Surprisingly, Ikkaku had kept all of my clothes in boxes in her closet. ‘ I knew you’d come back ’ she had winked, handing the last box to Penguin to carry over. My lab was just as it had been, my plants shockingly still alive, Law’s doing from what I understood.
The townspeople had been understanding, sending us off with extra supplies after I gave my flower shop to a young couple. More food, booze, medical supplies and baby supplies to last us at least a few months. Law had allowed us to spend an extra few nights on the island, letting the Hearts relax and party before we had to leave and submerge. And each night, Law and I had spent in my house making up for lost time while Ikkaku took care of Lily. ‘Punishment’ Law had grinned, though I knew Bepo and the others would step up for their captain’s new beloved daughter. Law, on his part would barely let Lily out of his sight or arms unless she needed feeding or to sleep. My heart healed each time I would see him smiling at her and every time I would catch him watching me.
As I watched the island- my home for over a year- vanish into the distance, my daughter in my arms and my love beside me, I realized that I once more didn’t know what the future held, But I knew that I wouldn’t have to do it alone. I was never really alone.