A/N:

I looked back and saw that the last chapter was quite short- important- but short.

So here's Sanji's reaction and maybe a little light can be shed on exactly how the love cook has a new kind of bun in the oven. wink wink

And for those who think I've been a bit harsh on Zoro- yeah, he has kind of been the whipping boy in my fics. I love his 'screw you, it's all about me being the best' attitude he usually has- but deep down you know they guy wants a hug. - I didn't mean for him to come off as such an ass, but it's Zoro. Hopefully you will see him progressing out of the closed in state he loves so much. After all, I have to add plot twists and all. Keeps you on your toes, ne?

Sanji ran out of the door shortly after Nami. His heart was racing. 'Nami… she's… she's… I'm… Oh God!' He thought in a panic as he continued up the steps and turned so he was facing the tangerine grove.

Of all the places on the ship, if Nami was truly troubled this is where she would go. She had a small hiding space in the center of the two rows of trees, large enough for a slender frame to squeeze in and be concealed by the lush trees.

He knew she would be there.

"Nami."

"Go Away!"

"Nami, please… talk to me. Are you… are you really?" He tried to hold down the emotions that where hitting him at the moment.

Pushing himself inside the small hiding space he found her huddled up- hugging her knees to her chest. It looked somewhat uncomfortable, but Sanji decided to venture inside as well. Awkwardly maneuvering into the space Sanji found it hard to make his long legs fit in all the way.

Nami couldn't help but listen to his grunts and struggles to get inside her secret space. Looking up she saw an uncomfortable pout on his face. He had one leg up to his chest and the other sticking out of the grove. She couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Nami…" He smiled over at her hearing the laugh. At that moment she looked so beautiful. Moving into an even more uncomfortable position, Sanji reached over and cupped her face with his hand.

Their eyes seemed to say all that needed to be said for a moment.

"I love you Nami." Sanji whispered as he moved in to try and get a kiss. Instead he lost his balance and unceremoniously fell face first into her chest.

"Sure you just want to cop a feel." She smiled as she pulled him into a hug, his face still in her chest. Letting her knees down, Sanji found a more comfortable spot just lying with his ear to her heart.

Moving his hands down to her belly, Sanji never made eye contact, nor did he say a word. The feeling he got told him everything he wanted to know.

"I'm going to be a real father this time." He sighed as he hugged her waist.

"That tickles." Nami tried to keep from laughing. His warm breath against her skin felt good, but Nami needed to see his eyes. Taking his head in her hands, she tilted him so she could see his face.

"You're ok with this?" She asked trying to look strong, when in reality she was all nerves. If he didn't want this, Chopper had told her of ways to end… 'But I don't know if I want to do that…' She thought to herself.

'What would Bellemere think? She took us in and we weren't even hers… if she could make it as a mother… I should be able to as well, right?' She questioned inside.

"Nami, I think that should be my question. You will be the one carrying this." He said as he touched her belly. "I can't tell you what to do, and whatever option you choose, I'll stand behind you all the way." Adding a passionate kiss to the lips he let her decide what she wanted to do.

"You think I'll make a good mother?" She asked her tone sounded timid- definitely not the normal Nami.

"I know so."

"I think you'll make a good father. And yes, you'll be a real one this time."

"Good, now that we have all that straightened out…" He paused and kissed her, "How long have you known? How far along are you? What did Chopper say? Is he sure?" The barrage to questions came out like a flood causing Nami to laugh once again at her excited lover.

"Wait a minute." Sanji stopped the questions and kisses. "Exactly how did this happen?"

"Do you think that everything is ok?" Chopper asked as the group finished their eventful breakfast.

"They have been gone for some time… They must have been eaten by a whale!" Usopp lied.

"WHA? WHALE!" Luffy screamed in reply. "Wow!"

"They didn't get eaten by a whale you idiot." Zoro said standing up. "Although I wish they would. It would solve the majority of my problems." Zoro said as he stormed out of the kitchen and headed for the front of the ship.

"You're just worried about them. You can stop pretending to not care." Robin's calm voice nearly had the swordsman hitting the deck with surprise.

"Wha… damn it... What did you say?" Zoro looked at trying to hide the look that told everyone that Robin hit the nail on the head. 'God damn it! Now I'm going to look whipped like that dumb cook.'

"I said that you really do care. And not just because you'll have to deal with a pregnant woman and her devoted fiancée onboard. You're worried about what this means for the crew."

"I.. I don't know what you're talking about. They can do whatever they want." He stammered to cover for himself.

"It's normal to worry. As much as you hate it, we are like a family here. It's something I'm not use to myself, but it is a nice feeling. You don't have to admit it to me, but just be aware of that fact." Robin smiled and left a quietly as she had appeared.

"Family, huh?" Zoro scoffed. "I don't know the first thing about a family."

'And that's why you are worried this addition will mess things up? What we have is not a typical family, and that's why it works for you… things are changing… but is change always bad?' The little voice inside asked.

"Damn it all… I'm taking a nap." He growled as he found a comfortable spot and napped.

Later in the day, Sanji returned to the kitchen with a smile on his face. The proud father-to-be look evident on his face to all that sat ready for food.

"Tonight's meal will be extra special!" He announced. "Everyone's favorites!"

To this statement, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper cheered loudly. Robin merely smiled and returned to sipping her tea.

The cook turned towards the fridge and began prepping the nightly meal. He chopped, diced, grilled and stewed up a lavish meal individualized for each crewmember without much thought involved.

To tell the truth, his mind was occupied with larger concerns. Namely how, besides the obvious methods, Nami could have a baby. They were careful. But like Nami told him, Chopper had explained how careful doesn't always cut it.

'But still… I just don't understand.' Sighing, Sanji continued to fix the meal. 'No use worrying over spilt milk I guess. Nothing to do but look towards the future… ah, my Nami will have a beautiful baby…'

After the couple had left the close surroundings of the grove, they had returned to their bedroom. Discussing things, cuddling, just in awe of the situation caused the couple to think of a future that yesterday seemed so far away.

Nami had stayed below deck after Sanji returned to cook the next meal. She needed some time to herself knowing now how Sanji felt about things. It was a big relief in some way that the situation was out in the open for the whole crew.

Although, there was at least one person who would still be in the dark on things. How was she going to explain all this to Luffy? It felt as if she was going to have to explain the situation to a small child… it was decided then- small and simple words.

Groaning, Nami put her head in her hands thinking of the headache that trying to tell the captain was going to bring.

The rumbling in her stomach and the realization she had not eaten in a while took her mind off the captain. The smell of food cooking above seeping through the ship's lower deck also added to her hunger.

Getting up and climbing the stairs, Nami enjoyed the cool breeze that met her above deck. Taking in a deep breath, she felt refreshed and ready to deal with things as they came.

Not even two steps out of her room, and there was the first 'deal' staring at her with dark eyes. Nami didn't know what to say- for the first time in her life she was speechless as the green haired swordsman walked up to her.

The silence was annoying to say the least. He seemed to just look her over- trying to see if he could find out something by just looking.

"You're going to do this, right?" Came the first words. Nami looked at him and blinked waiting for her brain to connect.

"What?" She asked looking back at Zoro like he had spoken some foreign language.

"You're going through with it?"

"Through with it, meaning am I keeping the baby?"

"You know what I mean, answer my question." Zoro said not backing down. 'Why is she being so difficult? I only asked a simple question…'

"Um… yes. We are." Nami said all her anger dissolving as she put her hands around her stomach, almost protectively for the being inside.

A small snort from Zoro pushed her over the top.

"I don't really see why it's any of your business. You don't us together, hell, I don't doubt that you don't like either of us, but we're doing this. And don't worry, I'll be gone long before the baby comes, so don't get your bandana in a knot!" Nami exploded suddenly getting her usual self back on track. There was no way she was going to be talked down to by… by… HIM!

Nami waited for a retort. Something. Anything.

Looking utterly surprised she looked at Zoro, who now seemed… almost sad. She was about to ask him why in heavens name he was sad to hear about the departure in the future, but he beat her to it.

"Fine. Do what you want." He said as he quickly moved around her and into the kitchen. Nami was left once again in shock.

'What the hell just happened here?' She wondered. She was actually waiting for him to yell at her about being stupid, and then insulting Sanji… 'How could you possibly get pregnant, when your husband is also a pansy ass woman?' That's what the normal Zoro would have yelled. And she in turn would have socked him one in the face. Then quadrupled his interest on all his loans.

But it didn't happen…

'The world is going to end, isn't it?' She pondered. The most unlikely mother to be- quiet ship- and a swordsman who usually has PMS pulling a 180 on her.

"Lovely… well sorry kiddo, you don't even get to take a peek at this sorry world, 'cause it's ending." She smiled patting her tummy once again. The growl she got in response told her to get her butt up into that kitchen and eat. She was famished.

Sanji had everyone's plate full of food when she finally entered the kitchen.

"NAMI!" Luffy yelled a greeting in between mouthfuls.

"Nami, I've made your favorite tonight!" He smiled as he left the counter for a moment and guided her to the usual seat.

"It all looks so good." Nami smiled, a little worried about the food supplies and what a meal like this did to them… not to mention the wasted money. With a sigh she gave up the thought of telling him what she thought about wasting not only the food, but the money.

Looking across the table she quickly made eye contact with Zoro. The swordsman and navigator instantly huffed and looked away. Neither noticed the slight grin on Robin's face seeing the two acting like siblings after a fight.

"Nami, where have you been all day?" Luffy asked as he finished cleaning his plate. As if he had never asked a question to someone else, he held up his plate and cried for seconds.

"Well, I had some things to discuss and figure out."

"She wasn't feeling well either." Sanji piped in and gave Luffy a little more food.

"Can you make me a pinwheel?" Luffy asked quite seriously.

"A pinwheel? I guess…"

"After we are all finished! Otherwise no dessert!" Sanji stated firmly knowing that his captain would want to make one now. Nami needed to eat.

"NNNNOOOOOO!" Luffy screamed as if he was in pain.

"We get desert too?" Usopp and Chopper chimed in happily. "YATTA!"

"So, according to news from this morning, I would have to say congratulations are in order for both of you." Robin smiled as Sanji finally was able to sit down next to Nami and eat after all the deserts were served.

"Um, thanks." Nami said trying to keep from flushing a little. She still didn't know how she felt about talking about the situation as a whole group.

"The first is always the hardest. But you should be fine parents."

"Thanks…" Nami smiled again. "I hope so…"

"So are you going to raise the baby on the ship?" Usopp asked looking a little worried and concerned.

"We haven't made any final decisions yet. But it will get pretty dangerous later on for her to stay aboard." Sanji stated. "We have some time to figure things out."

"I want to stay as long as possible. We're so close." Nami turned to look at Sanji. The cook continued to nonchalantly eat his food as she scowled at him. She had told him that she didn't want him making decisions for her. They were a couple- partners in all this. They would decide together.

"We'll see." Sanji nodded.

The crew was quiet for a time. Some where lost in thought about the impacts on the boat, their lives, the mission and their 'family,' while one other was too occupied with other things to take in the seriousness that faced his crew.

"Nami! Nami! Now?" Luffy asked as he jumped up and down around her.

"Fine, fine. After living and dealing with you and the other two for years, I think dealing with a baby should be a snap."

"HEY!"

"Wha?"

Nami smiled at the annoyed looks from the crew's liar and swordsman.

"I'll be back as soon as I take care of Luffy's pinwheel." Nami said as she kissed Sanji lightly on the cheek and left him to clean up the kitchen.

Nami followed an excited Luffy back into her room. She wasn't sure why he insisted of going to her room. Seriously it was getting a little annoying to see him down there every moment he could.

Thinking he wanted to play with one of the pinwheels she got from Gen-san the last time she was home, she went to open a small chest. Taking out a colorful pinwheel, Nami turned around expecting to have Luffy waiting for the toy. Instead she felt faint at the sight before her. And then it clicked…

"L-U-F-F-Y!"

Sanji and the rest of the crew heard the scream as if Nami was standing in that very room. Something big had happened. The dishes were instantly dropped. The cook didn't even flinch as they crashed to the floor. Robin and the rest quickly followed not knowing what to expect.

His eyes went straight for Nami the moment he was down the stairs enough to see the room. She was visibly shaking. Sanji jumped over Luffy who sat on the floor looking up at Nami.

"Nami, are you alright? What happened?" Sanji asked taking her into his arms for comfort.

"No, I'm not alright! LOOK!" She said pointing to Luffy. Sanji, as well as the rest of the crew, who stood on the stairs looked over at the captain sitting on the floor.

The confused looking captain sat still. His creation nearly made in his hands as he was about to finish his 'pinwheel.' It took Sanji a few seconds to realize what all was going on. At their captain's feet was a roll of tape and a box- a familiar looking box that the couple had placed in the bedside drawer as well as others in different places just in case… in Luffy's hands were several taped square packets from said box and one needle ready to pierce the center packet…

"LUFFY!"

A/N: Well not going to finish before I leave for Japan, but the nice plane ride will make for some writing time. I promise to continue with the monthly updates at the very least. Pinky swear! Thanks for the reviews everyone!