Ahhh! Chapter four! We're here! Oh my god, I honestly did not think I would actually get this far! I am so freaking glad I got this far with this story! Especially considering the other two crossovers I am working on, I sort of lost the storyline around chapter 3. When I pick up on them again, I might post them.
Anyway, thank you guys so much for sticking with this story this long! It means so much to me!
By the way, someone reviewed about Baby 5 possibly being an important side character and another believes that Baby 5 is Robin. If you guys are curious about her, she is an actual character in One Piece who is a member of the Donquixote Family. And she really was abandoned by her mother, I'm just assuming she was five when it happened. Basically every character mentioned or brought in is an actual character. Except for one and he's coming into the picture this chapter.
And sorry, guys, no wedding scene. I have no clue how to even do that, so I'm not. If anyone wants to try and write it, go right on ahead guys. I give permission. If I need to, I give it. Have fun!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter? Do I look like J. K. Rowling?! What?! One Piece? I'm not Oda Eiichiro either! I do own someone in this chapter, though. ^^
Here the Chapter Starts
The only difference to their relationship is that they are now husband and wife. Other than the titles, things were very much the same. He still did things that annoyed her, whether it was comments or acts, and she still treated him the same way she always did.
They were just a bit more affectionate at times. Doflamingo would randomly grab Evelyn when he saw her, whether to hold her or to kiss her depended on how mischievous he was feeling. Her reaction depended on her patience level, mood, and how often he did it that day.
Other than that, they were still the same. Evelyn still the Emerald Rose and Doflamingo still their captain, and Joker. His business did not falter one inch, flowing as it usually would. Profits, if anything, increased due to new ideas he had, locations to use, and associates he 'persuaded' to follow him. And just to be sure none would dare to cross him, Evelyn went on some of the vessels that transported the 'goods'.
It was when she finally made it back home after a trip that she surprised everyone yet again. The first clue should have been the glass of water instead of wine she drank during supper that night. The second should have been her playful expression.
Doflamingo was the first to notice sign number one. "No wine tonight, my rose?" he asked lowly, his lips pulled up into a smirk. She was only gone for a couple of weeks, but it felt much longer to him. He was glad to finally have her back home within arms reach and, of course, to see that she's safe and sound.
"Let's just say that I think it's a better idea for me to not have wine for a while," she sighed dramatically with a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. Briefly, she noticed Senor Pink pause. The man, having previous experience, must have already figured it out.
"And why is that?" her husband asked, grasping his own glass, but not taking a sip just yet.
"Well for one thing, water keeps you hydrated better than wine," she pointed out, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Aster flicked his tongue at her, amused by her current conversation. "It was hot out today, asshole."
"True enough, I suppose," Doflamingo agreed as the wineglass met his lips. Slowly, he sipped at the red liquid.
Senor Pink, upon seeing Evelyn's expression, wanted to stop him from drinking, but the raven-haired woman beat him. "And you're going to be a daddy," she added quickly.
The blonde coughed into his wine, nearly choking on the drink as the others at the table paused in surprise, looking at her with wide eyes. Evelyn was only surprised no one dropped the silverware. Finally able to breathe properly, Doflamingo cleared his throat then looked to his wife. "What was that?" he asked lowly, almost sure he misheard.
Now smiling, she looked up at the tall blonde. "You are…going to…be a…daddy!" she repeated slowly, as though making sure the message was sent as clearly as it possibly could be.
The silence stretched far and wide across the room, stealing the voices of the people in the room. Doflamingo was staring at the woman he married and she returned his gaze with a bright smile present on her lips. Within a moment, she was on his lap with his arms holding her in place, his wide grin returning to its proper location.
"That did not take you two long," Diamante commented with a snicker. "Do we blame Doffy or Evelyn?"
"Let's say that, if I understand correctly, everything is this asshole's fault," she giggled, jabbing her thumb to the blonde holding her. "Doffy, I would like to return to my seat so that I can eat. I am eating for two now, you know!"
Here is a line!
"How far are you?" he asked as they laid in bed that night, her laying on his chest while his fingers played with her dark locks.
"Roughly five weeks," she replied, tracing random patterns on his skin. "Diamante's right. We worked fast on this. We just got married a couple months ago, after all."
"Fufufu, I seem to recall our honeymoon being very busy," the blonde joked, earning a swat to his shoulder.
"Your libido and stamina is ridiculous," Evelyn accused, rolling on him until she was on her stomach. His hand trailed up her legs, over the curve of her rear, then lightly tracing her spine. She shivered in response. "My point is proven. You know, I'm sure men would kill to have your energy."
"I'm sure they would try to kill me simply to have my lovely wife," he chuckled as his hand trailed back down the path it left. "Too bad they would never be able to touch you."
"Oh? You mean you want other men to try and have me?" she playfully asked, her fingertips grazing his jawline.
"If only so that I can see how quickly you kill them," Doflamingo replied, his long tongue darting out to lick at the fingertips that inched closer to his lips. "By the way, I don't want you on any missions until after the pregnancy."
Her hand withdrew. "I can still work," she informed him firmly.
"I'm sure you can, but I would rather you stayed closer to home than out at sea," he explained, his hands now caressing her arms. "I don't want to risk anything happening to you out there when I am not with you. A shipment was caught by marines not too long ago. I would rather not chance you being on the next ship that gets captured."
"You make it sound like they'll defeat me. I always have Aster with me, you know." The only time the serpent wasn't near her was when the newly married couple was in their room or was investigating suspicious individuals, sometimes combining the two.
"And he does a good job of protecting you, but stress won't be good for you or the baby," the blonde argued. "Evelyn, I know you hate to be confined. I'm not telling you to stay in the room for the next eight months, just not to leave the island unless you're with us."
She huffed in irritation, but did understand why he was asking this of her. He wasn't outright saying it, but he is worried about her health. There are plenty of couples in the world that have different heights or one (maybe both) have the abilities of a devil fruit. And while he is ten feet tall, she's only under six feet by two inches, which was a rather large height difference. She also came from a different world. What was concerning to them were her powers. How would those powers react to her body carrying a child fathered by a devil fruit user?
"I'll be careful and we will be fine," she reassured him, placing a quick kiss to his chin. "Everything will be fine."
Here is a line!
Baby 5 pressed her ears to Evelyn's barely protruding stomach, her lips forming a thoughtful pout as her eyebrows furrowed.
"What are you doing, dasuyan?" Buffalo asked the small girl, his head tilting to the left a bit.
"Jora told me that you can hear a baby's heartbeat," the girl replied.
The three-month pregnant Evelyn giggled, brushing the child's growing hair. "I don't think I'm far along enough for anyone to hear the heartbeat yet, sweetheart," she pointed out. "Now you two have chores. Get to them."
"Okay!" Baby 5 chirped, pushing herself away from the woman before running off.
"See you later, Mama Rose, dasuyan!" Buffalo called over his shoulder as he ran after the girl.
Aster slithered onto her lap once the children were away, his tongue flicking out briefly. "Mama Rose?" he repeated, having heard it for the first time since he spent most of his time at home digging for rats. Unless Evelyn went for one of her long walks, she was always with someone in the Family, so she was safe. Which left plenty of time for him to dig.
"Doffy calls me his 'rose', so the kids call me 'Mama Rose'," she explained. "It keeps them happy. Besides, they need a decent mother figure around here since guys take up most of the place."
The basilisk nodded slightly as he wrapped himself around her arm to travel up to her neck. "I suppose it fits," he commented as she stretched behind her neck only to drape over her other shoulder. "Seeing as you will be a mother soon enough."
"Funny, I thought I became one when I joined a crew full of boys," she giggled, scratching under her companion's chin as she stood. Leaning her head back, she looked up to the clear blue sky with a peaceful smile. "Can you believe it's been as long as it has?"
"Almost a full six years," Aster noted, looking back to his mistress. "You have grown much during your time here, stronger and wiser. Now you are mated and will be having a nest of your own blood. I am surprised that you have not been summoned back there."
"Would it be possible?" she asked in alarm, her gaze snapping to the serpent draped over her shoulders.
"When it comes to those as ambitious as them, many things are possible. Whether they are able to do it, if they have the power and the knowledge to summon you from across dimensions, is what remains to be seen. But it has been almost six years. Perhaps they finally cleaned up after themselves."
She sighed lowly as she turned to head inside. "I seriously doubt that," she commented. "But let us hope."
"I am sorry, I did not mean to upset you, mistress," Aster apologized, butting his head against her cheek comfortingly. "The knowledge I possess that brought you here was hardly known even in my youth. I doubt the idea of you being in another world is even considered."
A soft hum slipped out before she suddenly brought her fist close to her mouth, giggling into the closed hand. "I wonder how Doffy and the others would react if I was summoned."
"Better yet, if they met that old human and the others who hurt you."
Her laughter decorated the air, attracting the attention of some near her. "I would pay to see that!" Aster's hissing laugh joined hers, already imagining the scenario. He had seen how bad Doflamingo got when defending anyone in his Family. Even if it was from another member.
Buffalo laughed at Pica's voice and was severely punished for it. Evelyn, very disappointed in the boy, did not even try to stop the blonde's punishment. Instead, she went to Pica and chatted with him to help him get over his insecurity concerning his voice, and by extension, his odd laugh. She never asked for details when it came to Buffalo's punishment, only cared that it got results. The boy is still as loyal as he was before, he's just more careful about his reactions.
"Come on," she said when she calmed. "We still have our rat to take care of."
"World Government rat," Aster pointed out. "Tread carefully. They're specially trained."
"If he tries anything, go ahead and bite him. Doffy won't care much."
Here is a line!
She woke slowly, her vision blurry as she tried to take in her surroundings. The surface she was laying on was all too familiar, the same with the feather coat covering her. A soft groan slipped out as she pressed a hand against her head. The bed dipped, signaling another taking residence on it. "Doffy?" she softly called.
"My rose," he replied, fingers lacing through her bangs to brush them from her eyes. "You had me worried."
"What happened?" Evelyn asked, noticing the movement against her leg. Aster must be with her in the bed as well to keep an eye on her.
"You passed out," her husband informed her.
"The baby?" Unconsciously, her hand slipped down to the bump on her abdomen. She's in the middle of her fifth month, supposedly past the point that was known as the risk of miscarriage. That did not eliminate all risks to the growing life, though.
"It's fine," Doflamingo reassured her. "How do you feel?"
"My head really hurts," the raven answered, closing her eyes again. "Vision is kind of blurry. It'll pass. Did I hit my head?"
She felt him laid down behind her, his hand joining hers over her stomach. "On the edge of a table," he murmured. "I had a doctor look at you."
"And? I'm not dying or something, am I?" she joked, eyes cracking open as she turned her head to look at her husband. His face was void of his grin, telling her just how much the incident affected him. "Doffy?"
He sighed heavily. "The baby is getting to be too much for your body to properly handle," he relayed what the doctor told him. "The doctor is sure you won't lose it, but premature labor is likely to happen. From now on, though, you're on bed rest."
"What?!" she snapped, trying to sit up but was held down by his arm.
"You passed out in the middle of the kitchen, Evelyn!" he nearly shouted. "You hit your head! If you don't stay in bed for the rest of the pregnancy, it will hurt you both! You'll be putting strain on your body and on the baby! So you are staying in here, in this bed, even if I have to use my strings to tie you to it!"
"You can't keep me in here!" she shouted back.
"For the sake of you and our child, I will!" Veins started revealing themselves on his forehead, his teeth grinding together. "If that table hit you a little lower, it would have caused a hell of a lot more damage than some blurry vision. It could have killed you! I'm not risking you having another episode like that! You're staying in bed and that is the end of it!"
Evelyn flinched back in shock. She had seen this side of Doflamingo before, but he rarely ever directed it to her. It was a stark reminder of their difference in power, strength, and stubbornness. Mentally, she knows that he's only trying to look out for her and the child depending on her to support it. He's worried. He's scared. She knows this!
But something inside of her was telling her that he was trying to gain control over her, to force her to submit to him. That he was just like others before, seeing her as nothing more than a tool and that he didn't really care about her. He was only using her to get a strong heir for his 'empire'.
His head suddenly dropped to her shoulder, his breath dancing across the skin of her collar. "I know you aren't happy with it," he admitted. "But I can't lose you. I can't stand the thought of something happening to either of you. Please, if not for me, or for you, then at least for the baby. Stay in here and don't push yourself."
Dare she think otherwise. He almost sounded heartbroken. He knows that forcing her to stay in one place, to try and control her, was something she hated. It was something that mentally and emotionally hurt her. And it hurt him to hurt her like this.
Swallowing thickly, she turned her head and buried her nose into his hair then nodded. "Okay," she relented. "But you better give me something to keep myself entertained, at the least. And let me have visitors. Having only you around will drive me too crazy."
"Fufufu, I think we can manage that." His laugh sounded weak. Slowly, he kissed his way down her neck, chest, then to her stomach. His hands caressed her skin softly as he kissed the bulge. "Be good for your Mommy now, little one. Donquixote are not this difficult until after we're born."
Here is a line!
Doflamingo walked into the bedroom to see Evelyn sitting up on the bed, laughing as Pica told her about the new recruit that tried to join up. Granted the entire experience was amusing, the way Pica was telling it only made it funnier. He probably noticed that she was bored or upset about something and was exaggerating to help her feel better. The blonde did have to admit, Pica talked more around Evelyn than anyone else.
"Oh, Doffy!" Pica greeted when he noticed Doflamingo standing in the doorway.
"Telling her about the new brat?" he asked, his grin in place as she casually strolled into his bedroom. Upon reaching the desk, he sat on it in his usual strange manner.
"The one who thought throwing paint in Gladius's face was a good idea?" Evelyn giggled, her features brightening in humor despite their sunken appearance due to some weight loss and immobility. The baby was taking more from her than they originally expected. "Oh, he's telling me all about it."
"I wonder where he was keeping it on him," Pica mused, rubbing his chin in thought. He didn't see anything on the child.
"He was probably carrying little compact balls of paint that would explode when they hit something," she explained with a wave of her hand.
"That would make sense!" the larger man agreed with a nod of his head. "By the way, don't mention it to Gladius. He's still cleaning paint off his clothes."
She giggled again, pinching a corner of her lips before dragging the fingers across her mouth. "My lips are sealed," she assured with a smile before looking over to her husband and noticing that he was cradling a moving bundle of blankets with one arm. "Okay, asshole. What did you bring in this time?"
"Fufufu, you act like I bring in strays all the time," he commented.
A blank stare was all he received from her before she looked to Pica. "You have got to back me up on this one, Pica," she informed him. "I mean, look at everyone who has joined us!"
The dark-skinned man only shrugged his shoulders. "Most of the time, the strays find us," he pointed out. "You brought in one, too."
"I had a reason for bringing in Baby 5! She wouldn't have lasted much longer, otherwise!" the seven-month pregnant woman defended. "Now you!" She pointed to the grinning blonde. "What did you bring in?"
"A unique little one," he answered, sliding off the desk and approaching the bed. Pica move to the side to give the blonde more room. "One of my associates found him abandoned then had a fishman tell him what he is."
"A baby fishman?" she asked as he held the bundle out for her to take. She gently took the gurgling little one, holding him gently to her chest as she took in his appearance. He looked mostly human, to her amazement.
"Half human, half fishman from the Fighter Fish bloodline," Doflamingo stated, watching the woman look over the child, her fingers easily finding the horns on the babe's head. "Watch it, my rose. He managed to do some damage to Diamante's fingers when he got a hold of him."
"How's Diamante?" she asked as the baby wrapped his little hand around her index finger.
"Nothing broken, but keep in mind, the kid bites," he pointed out as the baby drew Evelyn's finger closer to his open mouth full of sharp teeth.
Evelyn pulled her hand back, surprised by the strength the baby was already showing. "Excuse you, young man," she scolded, earning a blink from the baby. "You do not bite people."
Pica watched in shock as the baby released its hold on her, not expecting for it to listen to her, especially as young as it looks. Doflamingo only chuckled. "Fufufu, already using your mother voice?" he teased.
"He listened, didn't he?" she challenged, the now free hand exploring the tiny body she was holding. Evelyn blinked in surprise when she felt a protrusion on the baby's back. "He has a fin, too?"
"Fin, horns, and very sharp teeth to add onto that strength of his," the blonde listed. "From what I was told, the fishman that identified the bloodline was disgusted by him, calling him an abomination that should not have been born."
Evelyn flinched, those words striking her harshly. How many times had she heard those words directed towards her? "That's unfair, he didn't ask to be created," she said softly.
"True. Now if that is how a fishman reacts, how would humans react to him?" Doflamingo continued. "Another stray that needs a home and a family. So I figured that I may as well bring him into ours."
She hummed, letting the baby play with her fingers. "Did you already name him?" she asked.
"One of the others did," the blonde replied with a shrug. "His name is Dellinger."
"Dell for short, then," she cooed at the baby. "You like that, don't you, little Dell?"
Pica looked over to Doflamingo. "I'm not babysitting," he declared.
"Fufufu, let's face it, Pica," Doflamingo agreed with a nod. "You would do more harm than good to him if you got angry enough."
"Asshole, don't pick on Pica!"
Here is a line!
How did things come to this? He didn't know.
Evelyn managed to carry the baby to full term, to the surprise of the doctor that watched over her. Even with Dellinger keeping her occupied, she still carried the baby to the end of the last month. Was it too much to ask for an easy birth? She had gone through enough as it is!
The first few months were fine with some excessive morning sickness (that really should have been their first red flag) and hormone induced mood swings that calmed down as time passed. Then the fainting that restricted her to the bed, which soon resulted in her losing weight and some muscle mass because she was not allowed to do anything outside of using the bathroom and the occasional bath. The meals given to her were larger than usual so that she would get proper nutrients, but the baby seemed to take most of it from her. It eventually got too big for her to handle and threatened her spine if she laid wrong, also rendering her unable to sit up without proper support.
He had sat on the floor, right hand in his hair and one leg bent so that he could lay his other arm on his knee. His sunglasses remained despite the frowning lips, the shades hiding the turmoil he felt as he stared at his wedding ring.
The baby is in distress. Evelyn is bleeding more than she should be. She's screaming at them not to medicate her and not to cut her open. But she's has to be in so much pain! Why won't she let them?! These last couple minutes of silence, however, are what was disturbing him the most.
"Doffy," someone called him lowly.
He hummed in acknowledgement, looking over to the taller man sitting on the floor next to him. Diamante's knees, as usual, reached as high as his head. "What is it?" the blonde asked.
"You shouldn't be sitting on the floor," Diamante commented. "It's filthy."
"Right now, I could care less," he stated, turning his gaze away from one of the men who had been with him since he started his reign. "My wife could be dying. My child may not make it." His teeth grounded in frustration as he punched the floor. "I can't do a damn thing for either of them!"
The man's thick lips curled into a smile. "She's a tough woman," he reassured. "If that baby is half as strong as either of you, it'll live, too."
A sarcastic huff escaped him. "Right now, I'm not so sure." He tilted his head back, bumping the wall he was leaning against. "I think she doubts it, too. She made me promise."
"Promise what?"
The blonde shook his head, trying to will the stubborn words from his mind. They stayed put, screaming at him repeatedly so that he would not forget. "That if I am told they can only save one of them, to let her go. If I have to choose which life to save, save the baby." 'And don't you dare hate it,' his mind forced him to remember her words. 'This baby is a precious gift and if I have to die for it, I will!'
Diamante didn't say anything. He knows how much the family's Emerald Rose means to Doffy. To lose her would cut him deeply, and he felt like it would be a wound that will always bleed and never heal. Even with the little one, he knows that the blonde would no longer be grounded. That he would instead be on very thin thread holding him above an abyss.
"How long has it been quiet?" he opted to ask, his gaze going to the door. Behind it lies the future for Doffy, whether it be joy or pain.
"About ten minutes," the blonde answered, turning to face the still closed door. He was tempted to rip it off its hinges to see if his wife and child were still alive, to finally know what is happening.
"They're fine, Doffy," he tried to reassure one more time. He could only hope that he was not feeding the younger man false hope. Receiving no response, Diamante rose back to his feet. "I'll let the others know how things are so far."
Doflamingo nodded before the taller man left his side, leaving him in the anxious silence of the unknown. Not long after Diamante left, the handle to the door twisted. He jumped to his feet, bracing himself for whatever news that would emerge from the room.
The doctor stood in the doorway, holding a small squirming body wrapped in a single thick blue blanket.
Half an hour later, Doflamingo entered the room where the rest of the family was gathered. None of them said a word as he stepped into the threshold, one arm holding the blue bundle to his chest. Those on the couch left it, allowing their leader to sit comfortably.
"Is that the baby?" Baby 5 asked, looking over the back of the couch and his shoulder to peer down at the tiny being her young master was holding. The baby's eyes were closed, its little mouth slightly parted as it lightly snoozed. A fine layer of yellow dusted over the pink scalp.
"Where's Mama Rose, dasuyan?" Buffalo spoke up.
Trebol hit the back of the boy's head for his lack of tact. Jora held little Dellinger tighter to her bosom when he started fussing, trying to get to Doflamingo. Aster managed to get on the couch, slithering over Doflamingo's arm to see the newborn. Due to the doctor's reaction upon seeing a venomous serpent in the room, Aster was kicked out and he decided to wait with everyone else.
"Sleeping," Doflamingo answered with a relieved smile, the events fully washing over him now. "She's tired." His child is alive. His wife survived the tough labor. His family lives.
Here is a line!
Evelyn was finally allowed to leave the room after a week, her body still recovering from its long and painful ordeal of bringing her child into the world. As she held the little one to suckle from her breast, she couldn't help but feel that it was worth every second.
"No more," her husband told her while she was breast-feeding their newborn son.
She looked up at him curiously. "What are you talking about?" she asked, thinking he was talking business since he had all the paperwork in front of him. Maybe he was considering to let someone go.
"Children," he answered. "He's our only one."
Blinking in surprise, she scoffed lightly. "Doffy, I had one hard pregnancy," she pointed out. "It's our first. My body just had a hard time adjusting, but I doubt we'll have a scare like that again. I'm sure plenty of women had at least one hard pregnancy among their children."
"I won't risk it," Doflamingo stated firmly. "I almost lost you. If we have another child, what if that is it? I will not risk you like that again."
"We'll be more prepared, more careful," Evelyn pointed out. "We know the risks now, so we can counter them later. Atticus does not have to be our only one!"
"He is," the blonde said as he rose to his feet, calmly walking over to the bed where his wife nurses their child. "I've thought about it for a while. No more after him. I won't risk losing you again."
Sighing heavily, she looked down at the baby feasting on her milk. She may argue, but she knows that it is for the best. She felt the brush of death for her and feared it would grasp her baby. The pain was unimaginable and she did lose a lot of blood. Her strength was sapped almost too quickly for her to give those final few pushes. And not that she told her husband, he did lose her for a moment. Her heart did stop beating. If only for that moment.
"Alright," she accepted with a low nod. He's right and she knows it. If they try for another, she may have the same struggles. Only she may not be able to come back.
His large hand gently cupped her cheek, lifting her face before he kissed her. It wasn't like his usual kisses, possessive or playful. It was as though he was reassuring himself that she's still here.
Here the Chapter Ends
Okay, so who thought I was gonna get rid of Evelyn? Raise your hand!
Ah, I'm kidding. I kind of hated making the pregnancy hard on her, but whenever people throw it in there, it's like… no problems beyond the normal. I just had to torture them a little bit. Keeps things interesting and help make their bond grow even deeper.
But I am ending it here. Let me know what you guys think! Ja ne, minna-san!