Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. One Piece is the property of Eiichiro Oda, Shonen Jump, and FUNimation. Please support the official release

Author's note: Welcome! If ye chose Fate's Path then here be the place. If you're wondering why I'm doing this, it's because Mika actually is a shared character somewhat. An author by the name of Chamber D. Samuel, also a good friend, gave Mika a second path, one with a younger brother.

So, I thought to myself, "Since I'm doing Straw Hat Family to tell how Mika got to certain points in other stories, why not do one for Samuel's story." And thus, this divergent story was created. It'll be different from it's parent story, after this chapter, as one little boy is replaced with another. Also, another event it changed. And as a final note: no, I will not make another STRONG WORLD fic. for this one unless - for some reason - people ask for it.

But I'll stop spoiling and let you guys find out in...

One Piece: Straw Hat Family – Fate's Path

One Thing Leads to Another

Following Along Fate's Path

It is now evening and the birthday celebration was still going on. Mika had survived her ordeal of family members and come out triumphant. Nami and Robin sat off to the side with Mika on her mother's lap as she ate her food. Ace soon joined her having already exhausted himself. The others were still enjoying themselves.

"Excuse me." Robin soon excused herself as she went away to whatever she was doing. Nami and Ace remained seated as they watched the others. Neither one said a word to the other.

"You know, this is the most unusual crew I've either seen." Ace said out of nowhere.

Nami turned to Ace surprised, but then giggled. "Is it the talking reindeer, the cyborg, or the living skeleton that makes our crew unusual?"

Ace chuckled, "Well, those are unusual, but I was thinking more along the line of you have a baby on board and no one seems to mind."

Nami looked at Ace a little peeved. "And what's wrong with that?"

Ace raised his hands up defensively wearing a nervous smile. "Nothing, it's just that everyone is acting more like a family than pirates."

"We're free to do and act however we want." Nami said confidently. Ace was a little surprised to Nami's answer. The young navigator then turned to Ace. "And don't think your excluded either, brother-in-law. I'm expecting you to show your face around here every now and then. I want Mika to know all her family."

Ace chuckled, "I get it. I'll be sure to swing around once in a while."

Nami nodded, "Good, then you can start now." Nami then handed her daughter over to Ace. The man was surprised but took the little girl absently.

Mika immediately began cheering as she was held by her uncle. Ace was a little nervous holding his niece though put up a smile. He then looked over to Nami saying, "I'm not all that great with kids."

"That's okay, neither is Zoro." Nami said without a doubt.

Ace chuckled agreeing with Nami as he recalled the earlier day's event. As he watched his brother and crew have fun, his expression suddenly became serious. "Do you love him?"

Nami looked at Ace in surprise. "What?"

"Do you love Luffy?" Ace said again this time turning his head towards Nami. "He's not just 'the father of your child' or simply a means to an end."

The young woman was surprised by the sudden tone of seriousness. She would never have expected Ace to get so stern. It made her pretty angry. "I love Luffy. He may be a bit simple at times, incredibly reckless, and sometimes he puts food ahead of everything, but even then I still love him."

Ace raised his brow, "Really."

"Yes. He's done so much for me, things I probably couldn't ever repay, and our love – our daughter – I would never want to lose any of it." Nami said confidently and serious not once was she faltering in her speech.

Ace then smiled, "Good." Nami looked at Ace surprised again. Ace handed Mika back to her mother. "I'm glad my brother could find someone like you to love."

Nami smiled, "I'm glad I fell in love with Luffy."

"Thanks Nami!" Not being Ace's voice, Nami turned around to see Luffy. He was grinning, even bigger and happier than usual. While Nami was surprised that her fiancé was not playing, Ace let out a small chuckle. With a laugh of his own, Luffy then hugged his wife-to-be along with his daughter. He then spoke, "I'm happy that I 'fell' in love with you too!"

Nami giggled, "You knucklehead."

Then there came a shout, "Hey, if the lovebirds are done." Luffy, Nami, and Ace turned back to the crowd to see all of the crew, including Robin, done with their fun. Zoro then spoke again. "We got to eat the cake."

Luffy immediately got excited, "Is it ready?"

"You bet!" Sanji stepped out of the crowd carrying a fairly large cake with only one candle in the middle. As everyone gather around the table, Sanji placed the cake in front of Mika, who was eying the large confection curiously.

"Would you do the honor, Ace?" asked Nami gesturing to the cake. She then stopped Mika grabbing the cake. "You need to wait, little birthday girl."

Ace chuckled, "It would be my pleasure." Ace extended his hand touched the wick instantly setting it one fire.

On cue, Brook began playing his violin. Everyone then began to sing, "Happy birthday to you!"

"Cha-cha-cha!" shouted Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and Brook cheerfully.

They then continued with the others as they sang, "Happy birthday to you."

The same group then shouted, "Cha-cha-cha!"

"Happy birthday dear Mika."

"Cha-cha-cha!"

"Happy birthday to you, kanpei!" shouted the whole crew in one big cheer. Though the little baby wasn't sure what was going on, she too cheered.

"Now, blow out the candle Mika." Nami said as she brought the candle closer to Mika. The little baby only stared at the flame in interest. Usopp then sneakily tickled the little girl's nose with a feather causing her to sneeze thus blowing the candle.

"Yay!" shouted most of the crew even if she really didn't the candle on her own. Robin smiled and clapped.

Sanji then brought out a knife. "Okay, who gets the first piece?"

"I think-"

"Ace!" shouted an unfamiliar voice. The entire group went silent as they then looked at Mika. The little girl was looking at her uncle with a smile as she raised her hands towards him. She then shouted again, "Ace! Ace!"

The crew was speechless. Ace couldn't believe his ears. He then laughed, "I can't believe it!"

"Oh my Oda, Mika said her first word!" Nami gushed over her little daughter's accomplishment. She then turned to Luffy. "Don't you think that's amazing Lu-Luffy?"

When Nami turned to her fiancé, she found him and all the male members of the crew on their hands and knees with a dark cloud over their heads. All of them looked miserable.

"Little Mika's first word…" said Brook numbly.

"It was so precious, but…" muttered Sanji in tears.

"It wasn't the word I wanted…" The entire group said the same line, though each had something different in mind as to what Mika's first word would be. Luffy wanted her to say 'dada' or 'meat'. Zoro wanted 'swords', Usopp was hoping for 'uncle' or maybe 'Great Captain Uncle Usopp', Sanji had been planning for when she would say 'mikan', Chopper wished that she would say 'doctor', Franky wanted 'Super!', and Brook would've been thrilled if she said 'skull joke'.

Nami looked at all the men disappointingly. "Grow up, you guys. You don't see Robin all depressed about this." Nami then turned to Robin. The young woman was drinking tea calmly, but she had the same depressing, dark cloud that the guys had though with a straight face. Nami sighed in disappointment, "Good grief."

With the cake eaten and moods shifted back into cheerful, it was soon time to bid Ace farewell. As the sun began to set, Ace stood next to the railing as he waved to the crew, "Thanks for having me over, guys. It's been a blast."

"Aw~, do you have to go." Luffy whined not wanting his brother to leave just yet.

Ace was about to say something when he suddenly felt a tug on his pants. He looked down to see Mika looking up at him looking tired and a little sad. "Ace…?" Mika said in a sad and confused tone.

Ace smiled and picked up the little baby. "Don't make such a sad face, little monkey. We'll see each other again. Maybe even by your next birthday."

Mika sniffed, but still didn't look too happy. Ace was getting a little nervous and looked over to Luffy and Nami for help. Seeing his look, Nami quickly walked up and took Mika. "Don't worry, baby girl. You'll see Uncle Ace again. Now, say 'bye-bye'.

"Bye-bye Ace…" repeated Mika while also waving her hand. The crew and Ace were astounded how quickly Mika learned a new word.

"Come again soon." Luffy shouted with a grin. The rest of the crew also gave out encouraging words for Ace's next visitation.

Ace grinned, "You can count on it." Ace was then about to jump off into his boat. He landed on his boat, the Striker. As the crew looked over the railing, Ace gave a tip of his hat and then sped off into the horizon.

"Bye!" shouted most of the crew as they waved the pirate off.

The crew soon went to clean the ship up. The only ones left were Nami with Mika and Luffy. Mika was still staring out trying to reach out for her uncle. Her parents smiled in fondness. "She really took a shine to Ace." Nami said happily.

"Yeah! I'm glad Ace could drop in to meet her!" Luffy said with a grin.

Nami soon heard a soft whine. She looked to see that Mika was almost ready to cry. Nami then placed her over her shoulder and spoke softly, "Oh…poor princess."

"What a crybaby." Luffy said with a smile as he tried to cheer Mika up.

Nami wasn't amused, "She's only one. You can't expect her to be tough like everyone here."

Luffy laughed. Nami sighed realizing who she was talking to. As she checked Mika, the little girl didn't seem too happy, but she gave out a yawn. Nami smiled, "Looks like today really tired her out. I'll put her to bed."

"Hey Nami!" shouted Usopp as he helped clean. "Me and Franky put another crib in the crow's nest so someone can watch over Mika so you can sleep in peace."

"Thanks Usopp." Nami waved to Usopp happily. A thought then crossed Nami's mind. She turned to Luffy.

"What is it Nami?" asked Luffy.

Nami blush as she spoke bashfully, "Well, I was thinking. Since we're going to be married – eventually – maybe we could…sleep together…"

Luffy thought about it. "Like with the other guys? I don't know, the other guys might-"

"No!" shouted Nami her blush getting redder from embarrassment. Luffy tilted his head confused. Nami then tried to speak a little more thoroughly. "I mean, in my room."

"With Robin?" said Luffy still confused.

Nami groaned in frustration. "No, Robin wouldn't mind sleeping outside the room. And…" Nami shuffled around in her spot. The rocking caused Mika to yawn. Nami then said, "…Maybe if you want it can be permanent…"

"Oh! That would be cool!" Luffy said with a smile. Nami then blew a breath in relief. Though Luffy was happy, having moved up in their relationship, he suddenly thought of something that made him blush.

Nami immedaitely notice this. "Luffy?"

Luffy scratched his head feeling a bit nervous. "Um, will this be like that one night?"

Nami didn't understand what Luffy was mentioning. Seeing her confusion, Luffy then pointed to Mika. Nami then realized what Luffy meant and she looked at him surprised. But her surprised expression then shifted to a light smile. "That depends…"

"Depends?" repeated Luffy curiously. Nami giggled and then left carrying Mika, now falling asleep, to her new crib in the Crow's nest. Luffy shouted again still confused, "Depends on what Nami!"

Nami walked up the stairs to the Crow's Nest where she saw Robin already into one of her books. Hearing Nami enter, Robin looked up from her book and smiled. "Mika is already tuckered out."

Nami nodded, "Yes, she certainly had a big day." Nami then walked over to the crib and placed Mika in it. She covered the little baby up and then gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.

"You know, you didn't actually ask me if you wanted you and captain to move in together." Nami stiffened as she looked back at Robin hearing her words. She looked worriedly at the older woman wondering what she was about to say next. Robin only continued to wear a smile. "Do not worry. I've been expecting this for a while, and I will be glad that you and captain can share a room together."

"Really?" said Nami in surprise.

Robin nodded, "Yes, I can sleep in the library until Franky can do something about a more permanent sleeping area for me."

Nami smiled and walked to Robin giving her a hug, "Thank you." Nami then rushed off.

Robin watched her leave smiling and then walked over to Mika. As she watched Mika sleeping, she made a comment. "I wonder…are you going to have a sibling after this?"

Meanwhile out in the sea, Ace was streaming forward hastily continuing his search for Blackbeard. While he felt confident in where he would hopefully find Blackbeard, he soon realized her forgot something. "Shit! I forgot to tell Luffy about gramps looking for him!" Ace soon came to a slow stop as he worried over his dilemma.

"And when he finds out about Mika...he's gonna destroy him!" Ace racked his brain over problem pulling his long black hair in the process. However he soon got an idea. "Ah! Not if I slow him down."

Ace restarted his flame-powered engine and altered his direction. As he sped to his new destination, the young man smirked. "You better appreciate this Luffy."

TO BE CONTINUED…