Not all was convinced that it was for the best that Mei married Mihawk. They feared that he would use her for his own good, but Shanks ensured he would never do so. Never again. Mihawk truly loved Mei and you could see it. Right now he stood in front of Shanks, Benn by his side as his 'best' man. On his side were all the Red-Hair pirates and on the other side the Whitebeard Phoenix pirates. All waited for Mei and Marco to come.
Soon Izo nodded to Haruta, who started to play and then he walked towards Shanks. He was the 'bridesmaid'. As he came up, he stood opposite Benn. Then they came. Marco in long black trousers, a dark purple blazer, who was half closed. Mei had the off-white kimono and the white shoes on. Ace had got her some flowers. Red, blue, purple and white. Her hair was up in a knot, with some of it falling down her head. She smiled and looked into the eyes of Mihawk. Held his gaze as she walked towards him.
"You've surpassed yourself, Thatch. This is the best meal ever," Mei smiled.
"Only the best for you, sis. All we want is your happiness," he smiled back.
"And seeing your eyes, you are truly happy. But if he ever hurts you, just call and I will roast him," Ace said.
"I know. Don't worry. I am happy. It was always him, but we had troubles. Hell, which couple doesn't?" she laughed.
"True, but your troubles were the worst, but it did lead you to this happy day. Who knows when he would have confessed his love," Shanks said.
"You were a part of it. Don't forget," Mei said.
"True. But it's in the past. Should we close that door?" Shanks said and raised his mug.
"Kanpai on that," Mei smiled and raised her mug with water.
They cheered together. Mei gazed at Mihawk, who leaned against a tree, watching her with a fond smile in his eyes. She knew he loved her and that they could do it. Together. With a smile, she excused herself and walked to him.
"You should enjoy your party," he said and kissed her.
"Our party, love. And I am enjoying myself. But I want to be with you," she smiled.
He pulled her close her kissed her passionately. The world around them became nothing but a blur. Right now it was only the two of them. She leaned her head onto his chest. She couldn't be happier right now. The man she loved, and had loved for so long, was now her husband. She looked at him and he held her gaze for a moment.
"Mei… You make me complete. I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too, Mihawk. I've always have," she said.
He smiled and kissed her again. "Let's retreat for the night," he suggested.
Mei nodded. It was late and she had barely slept the night before. She felt tired, but knew it was going to be some time before she could sleep next to him. First he would complete their wedding, by making love to her. And she was getting excited just by thinking about his touch and kisses on her body.
They stayed for a week. Mei was with her brother most of the time. After the wedding, Mihawk gave them some space, though he wanted to be with her all the time. But he knew she needed the time with Marco and the others. And she would come to him again. So he spent his time reading. In the town he had bought a book about becoming parents for the first time. Not that he had looked for a book like this, but he had seen it in the store where they sold clothes for infants and children.
"What are you reading, Mihawk?" Shanks asked and sat next to him.
Mihawk only showed him the cover.
"Oh, I see. Preparing yourself, eh? Does it scare you?"
"No, but I have no idea what is waiting us," he said calmly.
"You might fool all others, but not me. Strangely to think of you as a father. Mei as a mother, that I can see, but you as a father? Not really," Shanks said.
"Likewise," Mihawk said.
Shanks laughed. "I would be a terrible father. A great uncle, but a terrible father. And I would not know what to do with an infant. Nah, better children who can put on its own clothes and use the bathroom on its own. Can I be an uncle to your child?" Shanks asked.
Mihawk didn't respond at first, which led Shanks to nag him about it. "Fine, but only if you shut up," he sighed.
"Yes," Shanks said and then leaned against the chair, closing his eyes.
Mei smiled to Marco. He was still worried, but he had told Mihawk that they would come in half a year. Mihawk had just stated he thought they would. Though Marco was not pleased with everything, he did trust Mei and he had seen the regret in Mihawk's eyes. Something he never thought he would see. In fact he had never thought he would see Mihawk show any emotions, but that he had done over the past days. And one emotion did he show more than others. Love. Every time he looked at Mei there was love in his eyes.
"She'll be fine. Mihawk really seems to love her and is prepared to do anything to make it work. I wonder what will happen, when the government finds out about them," Thatch said.
"One thing will be sure. They won't accept it. He took a great risk, but he will protect her and their child," Izo said.
"And we will be at his side," Ace said.
"Sure. After all, she is one of us," Haruta said.
"I'm glad you think that. Mei might be not raised to be a pirate or sailor, but she did choose it. We should show her just how much freedom is worth. Let's live without any regrets -yoi," Marco said.
His crew smiled and cheered on that. For freedom they would die. For their own or for others. It didn't matter. Freedom was what all they lived for and for their nakama/family. They might be looked at as criminals, but that was a small prize for freedom.
Mei put her clothes in the drawer. It was weird to be here again. She felt slight freaked out. It had all happened so fast, but her heart told her it would be fine. She had nothing to fear. She looked at her ring, the symbol of Mihawk's love, of their marriage. It was a simply gold ring with a small diamante. Nothing big and fancy. It was just as she liked it. She smiled at that. Mihawk knew her better than she thought.
"Feeling like home?" Mihawk asked and hugged her from behind.
"Sort of. I'm still a little … Why did you change your room?"
He turned her around. "Because I couldn't stand being in that room. It was filled with my coldness and ignorance. I haven't been in that room since you left."
She leaned her head against his chest.
"And we need a fresh start, love. Do you want everything to be as before?"
"No. I'm happy you chose this. We do need a fresh start," she said and kissed him.
Marco and Shanks stood outside the master bedroom. Both was looking nervous and started to walk forth and back in front of the door. They could hear Mei screams inside and felt the urge to rush in, but knew they couldn't do so. On the couch sat Benn, Ace and Thatch, while Yasopp, Izo and Haruta leaned against the wall opposite the door.
"Why does it take so long?" Shanks looked like a mess.
"Some would think you were the father, captain, seeing how nervous you are. Don't worry. Everything is just fine. She has only been in labor for four hours. It can take many hours," Yasopp said.
Shanks looked annoyed at his sniper, who just smirked. Only Benn and Yasopp seemed relaxed. Another scream from Mei made him turn his head towards the door.
"I guess it's about time," Yasopp commented.
"It sounds like it hurts a lot," Ace commented sweat dropping.
"They say a birth is one of the most painful things in the world," Izo said.
"Then why would women do it and even more than once?" Thatch asked.
"My wife said that she forgot the pain, as soon as she saw our son. The happiness washed all the pain away. It's one of the world's true miracles," Yasopp said and you could hear he relived the birth of Usopp.
A high pitched scream came from the room. Shortly followed by another scream. That of a child. Marco and Shanks stopped walking and stared at the door, waiting for someone to come out. Benn, Ace and Thatch stood up, while the others also looked eager at the door.
The doctor from Shanks' crew came out. He had blood on his apron, but he smiled to them.
"Mei and the child are fine. Mei is exhausted, but that's normal," he said.
All exhaled and smiled in relief.
"And? What is it?" Shanks asked eager.
"A boy," Mihawk said as he came out.
"Congrats," they said.
Mihawk smiled. "Marco, Shanks. Mei wants to see you. Sorry the rest have to wait until she has gathered more strength."
Marco and Shanks followed him in. On the bed sat Mei with a small child in her arms, breastfeeding him. Shanks and Marco walked up to her left, while Mihawk walked up to her right, smiling at her. She looked tired, but also happy. Shanks and Marco looked at the boy.
"He's so small," Shanks said.
"He's beautiful. What is his name?" Marco asked and looked at Mei.
"Dracule Hawk," she smiled.
At that moment the boy opened his eyes and stopped eating. He looked at Marco and Shanks with wide yellow eyes. He had black hair and was slight chubby. Marco smiled at him and looked at Mihawk. He couldn't deny being the father, but Marco saw Mihawk would never do so. Next to Mei stood a proud father.
"Welcome to the world, Hawk," Shanks said with a fond smile.
Mei looked at Hawk with a smile. Marco bent over and kissed her forehead.
"I'm so happy for you, sis. Congratulation," he said.
"Thank you Marco," she said.
Hawk had finished and was gazing at them. Mei handed Hawk to Mihawk and pulled her shirt down. Shanks looked away, but Marco didn't bother. It was only naturally. She suppressed a yawn, but kept smiling.
"Can I hold him -yoi?" Marco asked.
Mihawk nodded and handed Hawk to him. Marco smiled fondly and felt pride. Hawk stared at him with interest.
"Talk to him," Mei encouraged.
"Hey there, little one. I'm your uncle Marco -yoi."
Mei chuckled and leaned back. Mihawk sat next to her, watching Shanks and Marco talking to Hawk. He smiled and kissed Mei gently. Never had he felt more happiness and pride in his life. He was a father and a married man. Something the world would be stunned to hear.
After a while, Hawk started to cry and Marco handed him over to Mihawk, who placed him in his bed. The child was tired and felt asleep as soon as Mihawk had put the blanket over him.
"We'll let you rest too, Mei. And he's really cute," Shanks said.
Mei smiled and lied down. Giving birth to a child was exhausting and painful, but as soon as the doctor had giving her Hawk, she had forgotten about it. The happiness floated over her and she had shed a tear. Mihawk had also been happy and by her side all the time, holding her hand, encouraged her and helped the doctor out.
Mihawk left with Shanks and Marco, leaving Mei and Hawk to get some rest. The doctor would check on them later. Thatch and Ace was still outside, waiting. They were a little disappointed that they couldn't go inside and see the child and Mei, but they understood. So they went to the living room, where all commanders, Benn, Yasopp and Lucky Roo were waiting of news about the child and mother.
They cheered and congratulated Mihawk, as they heard that the child and mother were healthy and that it was a boy. Soon they started a quiet party, knowing too well what Mei would do, if they disturbed her peace. Mihawk just sat with them for some time, before he went back to the bedroom, watching over Mei as she slept. Hawk was lying in his crib, staring at the ceiling.
"I will make you a strong man, my son. So one day you would be able to live freely, just as we," he said.
~The End~