February 4/Thursday/3:00 am

I wake up and blink in the darkness of my room. Brr! It's incredibly cold! I drape the sheets around me, slip my feet into the fluffy bunny slippers next to the bed to avoid the freezing floor, and shamble over to my closet. I open it to reveal a solid wall of grey. Ace ruined my favorite cardigan, the sonnuva—nope, I'm over it, I'm over it, but fortunately, I have twenty others just like it.

I pull out my second favorite cardigan and pull it on, letting the blankets over it heat it up before I toss them back on the bed.

I leave my DOSKO1 PANDA pajama pants on because they're warmer than pulling on new pants and trot downstairs. The bunny slippers stay on my feet as well.

Seriously, why is it so cold in here? I flip on the lights in the front of house and take moment to register what I'm looking at.

A large white truck is crashed through one of the windows and walls by the door, a skull with wings and crossed swords painted on the hood.

A layer of snow up to my waist is piled outside on the streets, and some of it is spilling into the café from the gaping hole. Oh. That's why it's so cold.

Well, son of a bitch.

This is a terrible way to wake up.

I haven't even had tea yet.

Sighing, I go to the kitchen to start my baking for the day (and drink many, many cups of tea); I'll have to wait to call Franky or someone to come help me extract the truck from my café's window.

7:00 am

Sweet Christmas on crème brulee, it is colder than the time Luffy, Ace, and I got stuck in a lake close to Grand Line when it unexpectedly froze over while we were swimming. The snow has not melted yet and there was even a freak blizzard a little after six in the morning. I currently have all of the winter jackets I own over my cardigan, a scarf wrapped around my neck and lower face, gloves, and a beanie on. And I'm still cold.

At least Franky should be on his way soon. I called him as early as could be considered decent and asked him to come over pronto, please, thank you, and good bye.

The door opens, making the bell chime merrily, and I pop out, expecting to see Luffy, but it's just Paula, the lady who's opening her café next door. Oh! I have to make her a welcome cake soon! I've been so busy lately I almost forgot, and I also didn't get to introduce myself properly last time, since I was so flustered from escaping G-1.

I smile at her in welcome.

"Good morning! Sorry it's a bit cold, I should have that fixed soon."

She gives me a funny look. Huh, that's weird, why is my voice muffled? I feel my mouth and remember that a scarf is covering it. I laugh and pull it down.

"Oh, how silly of me. Anyway, good morning!"

"My, my, it's seems like you've had an unfortunate accident," Paula puts a hand on her cheek as she observes the truck protruding out the window.

"Yeah, it happened sometime after midnight and before three this morning," I say sadly, looking over the damage as well.

"How in the world do you know that?" she looks surprised.

"Well, because I went to bed at midnight. I'm pretty sure I would've heard it if I was awake, and then when I woke up this morning, it was already like this, so…," I trail off, letting her figure out the rest.

"Well, isn't it so unfortunate that it happened," she puts a hand on her hip and leans her weight to one leg, "Now you'll have to pay thousands of Beri to cover the damage and customers won't want to come in until then."

"Could I have some coffee, May-ya?"

We both jump at the sudden presence of Law next to Paula. He's wearing a long, heavy black coat with yellow spots scattered around the bottom, to fight the cold.

"Of course!" I say cheerfully and make my way over to the coffee pot; the snow now covers the entire floor, "Hope you can wait a moment, I haven't made any yet today."

"That's fine."

"Brr, it's freezing out there!"

"Although, it's not much better in here, hahaha!"

I look over to see Marigold and her sister come in, shaking off snow from their coats.

"Hello, ladies! Coffee?"

"Yes, Lily-san. And hurry, we're about to die from the cold."

The bell rings again and a tall man with broad shoulders comes in.

"Morning, sir, be with you right in a moment!" I call as I hand off cups to Law, Marigold, and Sandersonia, and they each pay and take their leave; Paula has been swept off to the side and forgotten, "What can I get you?"

"Coffee, please, and extra hot."

"You've got it. May I get you name?"

"Dalton."

"How nice! I'm Lily. Lily E. May."

Oh, that reminds me! I still haven't properly introduced myself to Paula yet, I should do that. It's only polite.

I pass Mr. Dalton his coffee and turn to my fellow café owner.

"Sorry, about that! Anyway, I'm afraid we haven't really met, I was in a bit of a hurry last time. Welcome to Red Line, Paula-san," I hold out my hand for her to shake, but instead, she huffs and crosses her arms.

"So, what if you get customers despite that ugly hole? You can freeze to death for all I care, you probably will by the time that gets patched up."

"Huh?" I blink at her; is she mad at me? What did I do?

She shrieks as the truck in the window is suddenly wrenched out of the hole and thrown carelessly away by Franky.

"Morning, May, sorry I'm a bit late! All this snow makes driving super hard."

Huh, maybe it's just my imagination that Paula's mad at me; she seems like such a nice lady. She was kind enough to worry about the accident and how my business would be effected after all.

"No problem, Franky, thanks for coming so early in the morning!"

"Aow! Let's do this!"

I watch Franky whip out his tools and start to work in a frenzy. It's like he's flashing in and out of existence. So cool! Within moments, he has the wall and glass repaired and is wiping the window clean until it sparkles.

"Finished!" he beams and gives me a thumbs up; I applaud, though it's muffled by my gloves.

Paula has an angry red blush on her cheeks and she stamps her foot.

"Alright, so you manage to fix it, big deal! You're still going to fall!"

With that, she storms out of the café, right next door.

"What did she mean by that?" Franky asks, perplexed, "And anyway, who was that strange lady?"

"She works next door. And maybe she meant…oh, I see! There's ice on the café's floor, so she was warning me to be careful or I'd slip and fall!"

What a thoughtful lady! I'm sure we'll be good friends.

12:00 pm

Luffy and Nami have come in for lunch today. My bambino is telling me all about his time during Whitebeard's latest challenge, recounting every moment for me in detail, while Nami listens from the counter.

"Shishishi, you should've seen their faces, May, when I sent their buddies flying with a punch! It was a lot of fun. I wish Ace's otou-san would include me in more challenges."

"At least you had a good time."

"Yeah, and so after those guys, Marco attacked me from nowhere. It's like he swooped down from the sky! It was awesome."

I bring out lunch (and Luffy) to Nami and we dig in.

"Hey, did Arlong ever get out of the hospital?" I ask her.

"Heehee, oh yes. He was discharged a couple days ago—Luffy really did a number on him—but he was fired. I won't ever have to deal with his stupid face ever again," she giggles.

"How did he get fired?"

"I took a page out of your book," she points her fork at me, grinning, "These past few months, I've been sneaking photos of all the improper and sketchy things he was doing, and finally, I caught him on hidden camera when he deleted my work the day he was hospitalized. Figured I had enough dirt against him to get him booted, so I handed it over to our bosses. Most. Satisfactory. Feeling. Ever."

I glance around when I notice the absence of Luffy eating.

"Hm? Where did Luffy go?"

"What? Oh, I don't know. When did he disappear?"

The boy in question suddenly pops up and is heading for the door.

"Thanks for the food, May, it was yummy, I have to go now, bye!"

We blink as the door slams shut.

"What was that about?"

"Who knows."

"Right. Refill on tea?"

"Love some."

4:00 pm

Jozu arrived here half an hour ago to help me finish putting the last touches on cupcakes. He'll be helping me transport everything for the party, since he's the only one with a car that can fit everything. He silently frosts the last of the cupcakes besides me and puts the finished ones on the fridge.

"Jozu, I might have to hire you when I have occasions like this, you have a wonderful touch," I marvel at his piping skills.

"Thanks," he says calmly.

"Ever thought of becoming a patissier?"

"Can't say I have."

"Well, if it ever tickles your fancy, give me a call."

He simply nods and continues piping. We still have about two and a half hours until the party starts, so we'll give them time to sit. Oh, who's party you ask? Haruta's and Vista's. Today is Haruta's birthday, and tomorrow is Vista's, and since they're so close together, we celebrate it in one party. But, since Pops insists that everyone have their own birthday celebrated on the actual day, damnit and no exceptions, he holds a party for the both of them that lasts from the fourth of February to the fifth.

And, that party would be today.

We put the rest of the cupcakes in the fridge and I hang up my apron.

"I need to shower before we go, but help yourself to anything in the fridge that's not a cake or cupcake. Also, feel free to play some Sudoku, it's on the shelf below the cash register."

Jozu nods.

6:00 pm

Jozu gets us to Whitebeard's home just on time and then helps me set up the dessert table. I get interrupted several times by people apologizing for taking part in the paint challenge, but I brush them off, telling them not to worry. It's not them I'm mad at for the latest challenge, I'm not even mad at Oyaji.

No, I'm mad at Marco and Ace and them alone this time.

Marco for shooting me in the face, Ace for ruining my favorite cardigan. I rubbed my face red getting that paint off, and don't you dare tell me that I have other cardigans exactly like that one. It was my favorite.

Someone taps my shoulder. I turn and see Marco and have half a mind to give him a piece of my mind. So, a quarter of my mind.

"Sorry, yoi," he cuts me off before I can chew him out, "Pops didn't let us use real paint guns, but that still must've hurt. I hope I can make it up. Or at least try to apologize with this."

He presents a small can to me and I take it, reading the fine letters. I blink.

"This is Du Hong Pao," I say blankly.

"Yes," Marco has a small smile on his lips as he leans casually on one leg, hands in pockets.

"This is premium Du Hong Pao," I try again.

"Yes."

"This is the most expensive tea in the world," I state, trying to believe what I have in my hand.

"Yes," Marco says yet again, his smile getting bigger.

I look back down at the little tin.

"Wow," it's all I can say, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it, yoi."

"Where did you get it?"

He shrugs.

"I have a guy. Don't worry about it."

I laugh and give him a hug.

"Apology accepted. Geez, I should be mad at you guys more often if you give me stuff like this."

At this moment, Haruta and Vista walk through the doors.

"Hope you didn't start without us!" Haruta calls out to all of the people gathered.

"But now that the stars of the party have arrived, let's begin!" laughs Vista.

A cheer goes up from the crowd and the merriment starts. I grab a cupcake, thank Marco one more time, and gravitate over to the nurses, who are situated near Pops. Like usual, they're trying to limit his alcohol intake. And like usual, they're failing miserably.

"Oh! I've about had it with that man!" Cherie huffs in exasperation, "I swear I'm going to have a hernia dealing with him."

"How many drinks has he had already?" I ask her as she drops onto a seat.

"I lost count after thirty," she sighs.

"That's impressive."

"That's dangerous," she corrects me, "Not helping here, May. Not helping."

"Sorry," I grin at her.

"Oi, May!" someone comes up behind me and gives me a quick squeeze; I catch a glimpse of orange and know it's Ace. He lets me go and turns me to face him, "Okay, okay, before you get mad at me, here."

I take the package Ace hands me with a suspicious glare and open it. Then gasp.

It's my cardigan! My favorite cardigan, all clean and no trace of paint whatsoever. I look up at Ace, smiling.

"How did you get that out? I spent hours trying to clean it! "

"I have a guy. He can get any kind of stain out. Don't worry about it," Ace waves me off.

"Wait, when did you even get it in the first place?"

"I had Luffy steal it when he went over for lunch, since I knew you'd probably be mad at me. So, are you mad anymore?"

"Thank you!" I crush him in a hug, "Wow, it's a good thing you found me so soon and gave this to me, I was planning on doing something really mean with Oyaji's widescreen later tonight. I forgive you."

"…Wait, what were you planning, May?"

I let go and beam at him, taking off my second favorite cardigan and slipping on the freshly cleaned one.

"Don't worry about it."

Author's Corner; Hey-a! Woo, an early update today! Superrrr! So, I have a question for you guys that I've been thinking about for a while: I sorta want to set aside a special chapter each month to do short little AU's with all the same characters. They would just be fun little oneshots, but I'd like to know what you guys think. Yay or nay?

Jisca- Of course! You think an old man with that much energy is just gonna sit around and play Bingo? No, man, he's gotta keep things interesting.

Awesome Guest- Yeah, yeah, just messing with ya :P Thanks!

starrat- All in good time, my dear ; )

littlecatbug22- Oo, I'll have to keep that in mind! I would need to find a way to make it humorous though, rather than serious...hm, I'll sleep on it! Thanks for that suggestion!

SupremeGeneralJoker- You know what else hurts? A PHONEBOOK TO THE FACE, MAY CAN GET REKT (Haha, they didn't use real paint guns, I looked up some of the impact injuries, and ouch man those suckers look like they hurt!)

FSG Guest- *snap...snap...snap* (that's snapping like a 50's greaser towards you) It all worked out in the end, so you don't have to worry about Ace. Woo boy, May had some nasty revenge planned though, woo!

YHR-Yunalesca (hope I spelled that right)- Yup, but it was only Marco and Ace this time that bore the brunt of May's wrath. Fortunately, they managed to make it up to her before she could get revenge :3c

ADDBaby- Tide challenge? Haha, what's that? Am I missing something?

Mkay, thanks for reading, stick around for more! (I'll proof read later, I have stuff to do, but I wanted to get this posted before I left) ((Edit: Did the proofreading and made some corrections. Thanks FSG Guest for pointing out my date mistakes I found out I did it for the last chapter too, like the complete dum-dum I am)

-jj