I hope you had a great Easter. I just relaxed and slept long.

Lu was watching while Ace, Sabo, Luffy and Zoro were showing off. Nami, Vivi and Perona were cheering on them. She chuckled, seeing how they were fooling around. It made her happy to have friends like them. The others had gone on their own. Kaya and Usopp together, while Haruta was with a friend. Sanji and Bonney were nowhere to be seen, while Kid and Law were sitting on a bench.

"Can we talk?"

She turned around and saw Thatch behind her. "Right now?" she asked.

"Your fathers won't let me come to you and you don't answer my calls or texts. I really want to talk with you. Preferably alone," he said.

She gazed at her friends and saw that Ace was ready to come to her. She shook her head and gestured Thatch to follow her. She had to talk to him sooner or later and it didn't hurt that much to see him. They sat on a bench, close enough so the others could see her, but so they could talk alone.

"You look happy and great," he said.

"I have my dads and friends," she said.

"I'm a fool. You are such a wonderful young woman and I screwed up, letting my hormones control me," he said.

She didn't say anything, but stared up at the sky. What could she say? He was right, but that wouldn't help them.

"My dads wanted to beat you up and Zoro too," she said.

"Understandable. I really blew it, didn't I? Did you tell them?"

"My dads, yes. Zoro and the others, no. Only Izo," she said.

"Yeah he gave me a blue eye. Said I was a jerk and should start thinking of the feelings of the women I'm with," he said.

"You should listen to him," she said.

Thatch nodded. "Look, Lu. I'm sorry. What I did was wrong and there is no excuse for it. I shouldn't have hurt you like this. I hope you and I one day can be friends again."

"Maybe. I don't know. You hurt me pretty bad, Thatch. Just … Don't think it will happen soon. I don't mind us being in the same room or so, but … Give me some time," she said.

Thatch sighed. "I guess that was all I could expect now. I'll try to change, okey? Now go back, or I'm pretty sure Ace is going to kick my ass," he said the last part with a smile.

Lu nodded and left him behind, smiling to her friends, saying she was just fine. Thatch sighed again and left the bench. He really had hoped she wasn't angry and sad, but then he reminded himself that he had been her first love, which always was strong and it took longer to get over it. He could still remember his first love.

"Are you alright, Lu?" asked Vivi and came over to her along with the others.

"Not really. I … It did hurt, but I think I can be around him now. I can't ignore him forever, not after he said he was sorry. Though I still can't be his friend. That takes more time," she said.

"We're here for you, Lu," said Nami.

Luffy hugged her. "Thatch is an idiot for what he did to you, but he is also a great man. One day you'll be over him and can be his friend. Because, he's not all bad," he said.

Lu chuckled. "You're amazing Luffy. Sometimes I think you're oblivious, but then you prove me wrong by saying something that makes sense and is right. You're a great friend."

Luffy tilted his head and looked at her with confusion written all over his face, making all laugh. Though she had seen and talked with Thatch, Lu didn't feel that down as she had feared she would. She had her friends and they would help her and make her feel better. She felt blessed to have them and she gave her mother a thought, knowing she would be happy to see Lu like this.

-x-

"So what can I do?" asked Zoro and gazed at Lu.

"What about finding the tray and decorate it, while I'm working on the food?" she said.

Zoro nodded and did as she asked. He was no good in a kitchen, but today was a special day. Their father's birthday. Funny that they both was born on the same date. This year their birthday was on a Saturday, so Zoro and Lu had decided to make them breakfast. Both were up early, since they knew Mihawk never slept in like Shanks did. Though Lu and Zoro were pretty sure that he today of all days would stay a little longer in bed.

"I love the smell of bacon," Zoro drooled.

"I'll make us some afterwards. Do you have the gifts?" she asked.

"Yes and the flowers. Is it ready?"

"Soon. Text your dad and see if they are ready to be 'waken'," she said.

He laughed. Neither wanted to walk in on their fathers, while they were doing it. There was just something you didn't want to see or think about. Your parent's sex-life for an example. Zoro gave Lu thumbs up, as Mihawk answered. She put the eggs, toast and bacon on the plates and then on the tray. Zoro had already put on two cups of coffee and two glass of orange juice. Then he took the tray and Lu the gifts, before walking to their fathers' bedroom.

The men loved the idea of getting breakfast in bed and after opening the presents, the kids wished them a happy birthday and that they could stay in bed for as long as they wanted. Then they left the room to get their own breakfast. Shanks smiled happily, before Mihawk gently kissed him. It was a good birthday.

-x-

Lu sat on the couch reading and listening to music. It was the weekend after her dads' birthday and Zoro was training with Mihawk and her dad was on a conference. She had the house all to herself, so she didn't have to use her earplugs, as she heard music from the tablet. Suddenly the doorbell sound and she wondered who that could be. So far she knew all her friends had something to do.

She went to the door and opened. Ace's warm and friendly smile was the first she saw. Smiling back, she let him in with a Hi. She didn't know what he wanted, but he knew that Zoro and Mihawk usual trained and that Shanks was out this weekend. So he was there for her, of that she was sure.

"Hey pretty," he said.

"What's up, Ace?" she asked.

"I was wondering if you would give me a chance and go out on a date with me," he said, his smile never fading.

She knew that he had an eye for her and lately he had turned down invitations from other girls, so she was pretty sure he was serious, though he had the same womanizer attitude as Thatch had. Then again he was different in some way, not pressing or looking at other girls, as Thatch had done; now she thought about it. She had to admit she wanted to go out with Ace, just to see if she felt something more for him than friendship.

"Is that so? And what do you have in mind?" she asked.

"First lunch and then a movie?" he asked.

She gazed at the clock, seeing it was 11.30 a.m. "When?"

"I have time now and tomorrow. Whenever you want, pretty," he said.

"Well, today I'm all by myself and I did actually look forward to enjoy myself, but I was getting bored, so I'll say now. Though you have to give me 20 minutes to get ready for a date," she said.

"I can wait," he said and leaned back.

She chuckled and went to her room. First she freshen herself up a little, before redressing. It had been a welcomed request and she look forward to it now. She texted Mihawk saying she was out and didn't know when she would be back, but if she wouldn't make it to dinner, she would text him again. She knew he wouldn't see the text before he and Zoro was done with the training, but that was okey.

So Lu had a talk with Thatch. Maybe they'll be friends again, but if yo want to know, you have to read on ;)

I also wanted to mention how Zoro and Lu spoiled their fathers on their birthday (I know it was last month, but this story has it's own storyline).

And now she's going out with Ace. How do you think that will go?