Blossoms – Straight From the Heart
Robin could tell that there was some secret being kept from her aboard the Thousand Sunny. It wasn't too hard to deduce despite her nakama's best efforts to remain nonchalant. Some would have even pulled it off if it weren't for everything together. Sanji had spent the majority of the day before in the kitchen, not letting anyone enter, not even his "precious angels". Zoro was slightly more tense than usual and kept her in his sights at all times. Then there were the random noises coming from somewhere on the ship and the fact that Nami was exceptionally chipper.
She knew that if she wished she could discover their secret in less than an hour, but she also knew that they were aware of that and were counting on her cooperation. So instead she lounged on the deck feigning ignorance to all that was going on around her.
It had been a week since they had departed the last port. They had only had to stay in town one night before being able to set off again but the swordsman and her had still found the time to sneak away for a dance or two. She smiled as she remembered being held in his strong arms, their bodies not quite as flush as always due to her new growth.
"Robin?" the doctor's timid voice pulled her out of her memories.
He wore his stethoscope around his neck, in full doctor mode.
"Could you come to my office. I'd like to do an examination."
"Didn't you just do one a couple weeks ago Doctor-san?"
Robin knew the reindeer meant well but she didn't enjoy being poked and prodded no matter how professional or adorable Chopper was.
"True, but I haven't used the new equipment yet and your condition is fragile. I want to keep an eye on everything."
The reindeer couldn't keep his eyes from sparkling at the mention of his new equipment. The last town had had an abundance of medical supplies and Chopper had purchased anything he would need throughout her pregnancy. In his office sat a new ultrasound machine that she knew he was dying to use. So the archaeologist found herself outing her book down and following the doctor into his office.
She laid down on the bed beside a table with a bottle of electrolyte gel. When she was ready Chopper smeared the gel over her abdomen, shivering slightly against the sudden cold. Chopper took his time doing the examination, not wanting to miss anything. After awhile he concluded that everything seemed normal and that he was finished.
The reindeer handed her a cloth and towel and left the room to give her some privacy to clean up. Robin wiped the sticky gel off and re-dressed hoping that this would be the last exam for awhile. She was around 21 weeks along and everything seemed to be going relatively smoothly. She had made it out of the first trimester so the risk of miscarriage had decreased along with the morning sickness. Once she was dressed and proper Robin left Chopper's office intent on getting back to her book, or perhaps having a nap.
Despite all of her suspicions she was not prepared for the sight that greeted her. A banner had been made, by Luffy judging by the blob of paint she assumed was a baby. The word CONGRATULATIONS was printed largely across it and it had been strung up across the deck. There were several small tables surrounded by chairs with a small wooden toy in the center of each. A long table spanning the width of the deck was set up absolutely filled with an assortment of treats. In the center was a tiered cake, the icing a soft butter yellow with light green icing piped around the edges. On the top there was the design of a baby rattle while rocking horses outlined the sides.
The archaeologist's mouth dropped open, happy tears coming to her eyes as she took in everything.
"Surprise!" Luffy shouted eagerly and the others echoed the sentiments.
Zoro was by her side instantly, a comforting arm slipping around her waist and guiding her forward. She couldn't believe they had managed to set it all up while she had been in Chopper's office.
"Do you like it Robin-chwan!?" Sanji exclaimed, his arms spread wide to encompass everything.
"It's magnificent Cook-san. Thank you everybody." Robin said, her voice thick with emotion.
"Is it time for presents?" the captain asked eagerly, his eyes wide.
Nami responded by hitting the boy on his head.
"No baka, let Robin relax some. We can start with the snacks Sanji made and DON'T eat it all."
Luffy however was no longer there for the second Nami had said 'snacks' he had been at the table. He had already swallowed one fifth of the food prepared and was eyeing the cake when Sanji kicked him across the deck. The rest of the crew approached the table in a more civilized manner. Zoro guided her to a table and pulled out a chair for her. She raised an eyebrow at his gallantry and he ruined the image by sticking out his tongue. She was still laughing when Sanji approached her with a covered platter.
"A special treat for the lady of honour." He cooed as he removed the lid.
On the platter there were a handful of pickles cut into hearts and placed upon a cheese cracker with a dollop of peanut butter. She heard Zoro making exaggerated gagging noises beside her but she too focused to care. Her mouth salivated at the sight of the peculiar craving she'd been having lately. Robin smiled widely at the cook, thanking him before popping one into her mouth. Thus unusual flavours blended together and satisfied the hunger in her stomach.
"I can't believe you like that." Zoro said, mild disgust on his face.
"They're quite delicious, feel free to help yourself."
Robin laughed at the look of derision that crossed his face. She helped herself to another cracker and soaked up the joyous atmosphere. She didn't know how long they were sitting, the whole crew laughing and talking, the food slowly disappearing. When the last of the food had been eaten (Robin's crackers by Luffy) the navigator exclaimed that it was time for presents. Nami's present were the clothes they had purchased, the party and her services as a babysitter. Luffy was next because he couldn't his excitement in any longer.
He presented her with a badly wrapped box. It looked more like he had taped bunches of different wrapping paper to a cardboards box than actually wrapped it and Robin smiled at the sight. Carefully removing the paper she lifted the lid peered inside. She gasped as she lifted the object out of the box.
It was a leather bound book with 'My Family' written on it in silver script. She opened the first page and there was a spot for a baby picture as well as the details of her child's birth. The second page had a small family tree; a blank spot for the baby's picture with pictures of Robin and Zoro above it. She flipped through a few more pages displaying pictures of her nakama and even one of her mother. The majority of the album was blank, ready to be filled with memories and Robin's fingers gently caressed the pages.
"Thank you Captain-san it's amazing."
Luffy just smiled his trademark grin, his expressive eyes letting her know he understood how much it meant to her. The archaeologist traced the image of her mother once more before putting the album aside.
Chopper gave her a variety of toys and accessories for the baby while Sanji had created his own line of baby food in honour of her unborn child. Brook handed her a small bag and from it she withdrew a small coral tone dial.
"Press it, yohoho" the skeleton urged excitedly.
The poignant sounds of Brook's violin drifted out in a sweet lullaby. The soft crescendo drawing them all in as the lullaby continued, wrapping around them a sense of calm and protection. The one dial clicked off as the song ended leaving the crew in a mute fascination. Nami was the first to break the silence.
"Brook..." she said in awe.
"This is incredible Skeleton-san, so poignant" Robin agreed.
"Yohohohoho! You make me blush... even though I have no blood! Yohoho!"
The rest of the crew groaned at the tactless joke.
"Oi, follow me Miss Nico, the rest is this way." Franky cried jumping to his feet.
The cyborg and Usopp led the others down the hall to a small room near Robin's.
"Close your eyes." Usopp urged outside the foor and Robin complied.
She was led into the room, the others following.
"Presenting... the SUPA NURSERY!" Usopp and Franky shouted, both in Franky's star pose.
Robin opened her eyes to see the boys in Franky's star pose in an elaborate nursery. The walls were painted a pale indigo with various sea life depicted across them including a whale she assumed to be Laboon. Judging by the quality it had been the sharpshooter who had done the painting. Along the top of the walls there were musical notes and as she ran them in her head they sounded familiar.
"The notes?"
"Aah yes, it's the score to the lullaby." Brook confirmed.
As beautiful as the walls were the piece de resistance was sitting in the middle of the room. A crib, made of golden brown wood and carves intricately. At the foot of the crib an elegant flowed was carved into the wood with petals falling down around it. On the other end there were three katana carved crossing each other. The sides were an intricate design of ocean and island with swirls and loops stretching out. As she took in the crib and the room all of her emotions spilled over and silent tears slipped down her cheeks.
Her long fingers trailed the wood reverently as she admired the handiwork. She gave it a small nudge and watched as it rocked ever so slightly. She could picture her baby cocooned in blankets while she rocked her to sleep. They still didn't know the gender of the child yet but deep down Robin knew it was a girl; a daughter.
Her tearful thanks were interrupted by the sound of a cannon hitting the water nearby, the force causing the Thousand Sunny to rock. A shouted cry a few seconds later confirmed it; they were under attack.