Kidd looked at the time and figured he had nothing to do this weekend. It's 7 AM and he doesn't have any plans for the weekend. Bothering Killer is out of the question because knowing him, he must be busy with his date or whatever.
The past few days are mellow for him, save for a few encounters with Sab. They're okay now. They can talk with each other, but he thinks that it's still a bit awkward. Every time they meet, Killer won't stop pestering him about the idea of asking her out.
It's not like he is denying his attraction to her, it's just it will be a big step for him. He had never dated anyone before and being in a relationship is quite scary. What if it won't work out? Will they go back to being strangers again? What if she betrays him like what his family did?
Those questions kept inside him. One part of his brain wants to throw away all those doubts and just ask her out, but the other part is hesitant.
For the rest of the week, he's been bothered by those thoughts that he can't even function properly. Thank goodness it's Saturday, maybe he can use this time to unwind and get his mind off the gutter.
There's one place that calms him whenever he's in a bind. With the place decided, he got up and took a shower, got dressed, and let his house.
The place is not that far from the city. It's about 3 hours away. Maybe the long ride will keep him busy.
Whenever he's confused, he treats this place as a sanctuary. It's away from the city and he has a lot of good memories of this place. It was the orphanage he grew up with.
Last time he visited the place, there were about 40 children. A few of them are in their teenage years.
Because this place holds significant importance in Kidd's heart, he became one of the sponsors of this place. It was able to accommodate more children because Kidd usually sends a portion of his income to this place.
The old woman who took care of him when he was brought to this place is still around, caring for other children. Kidd sees her as a mother figure and she knew Kidd better than anyone else.
Three hours passed and as he arrived in the place, he is surprised to see a lot of medical vehicles around the neighborhood. Are they conducting a medical program today? Probably.
He parked at the back of the orphanage. It seems that the medical program includes orphanage as he saw a lot of tents in the playground.
Looks like he picked the wrong time to visit this place. He was hoping he could have a quiet time while watching the brats play, but it seems not. Standing near the wall of the orphanage building, Kidd's eyes wander to the logo of the tent.
Revolutionary Grandline Hospital
Huh. What a coincidence.
Looking around, his eyes are searching for a particular woman because if there's a medical program here, she may be also here. And he was right.
The moment his eyes landed on her, his heart skipped a beat. Sab's assisting the doctors and making sure that the children will be looked at. Surprisingly, Luffia and Zoro are there as well, entertaining a couple of children lined up to be checked upon.
A moment later, the caretakers of the children stepped outside of the orphanage building, carrying a toddler. It must be the youngest child in this orphanage as Kidd had never seen the toddler when he visited three months ago.
The toddler is about a year old, has a surprisingly rare red hair, dressed in a white and blue dress.
Sab walked towards the caretakers. They talked for a bit before she shifted her attention towards a scared toddler. She must have said something because the toddler immediately took Sab's extended hands.
Right now, the red-haired toddler is being carried by Sab on her left side. Seeing her like this made Kidd feel something strange. He's feeling strange that he can't help but smile lightly while looking at them.
"It's a surprise that you are here." A voice from behind him startled Kidd. When he looked back, it was the old woman, the oldest caretaker of the house, and head of this orphanage.
"I didn't think there would be a medical program today." He answered.
"It was surprising, indeed, but we are thankful they decided to choose this place. We can't sustain the medical checkup of all the children including the vaccines they needed." The old woman answered. "The children wondered when you will visit. Why not show yourself?"
"Err, no. Maybe later." Kidd answered. Wouldn't it be odd if he suddenly announces his presence and to think that she's here?
The old caretaker looked at Kidd, amusement evident on her smile. She feels like he's hiding something and when she followed his line of sight, she had the hunch of why he doesn't want to announce his presence to the children.
Smiling wryly, she decided to take the matters to her hands. "Anna, Melia, could you please prepare refreshments? We have our favorite visitor!" Even though she is old, her voice is as loud as it can be.
"What the - "
Her loud voice grabbed the attention of the other caretakers as well as Sab. As soon as she saw Kidd, she can't help but feel surprised.
"Why did you do that for?!" Kidd angrily asked but in a hushed tone.
"Why are you afraid of showing yourself? The children missed you." True to her words, some children who are done with their check-ups ran towards him.
"Kidd! Kidd! Kidd!" They all shouted excitedly.
"What, brats?" He grumbled.
"You finally visited! I am going to beat you in Mario Kart!" One boy shouted.
"You're twenty years early to beat me, brat!"
A few of them shouted a challenge at him which he teasingly answered them back.
"Oh, ~~ Jaggy is here! Jaggy!" Here comes another annoying brat. "Sab! Jaggy is here!"
It looks like there's no use in hiding anymore. Sighing, he told the brats to finish what they're required to do. Some of them went back to line up and some of them went to play not too far.
"What are you doing here, Jaggy? Come! Help us with the program!" Luffia shouted before dragging Kidd towards Sab.
"I did not come here to help you guys out." He answered.
"Hmph! Meanie!" Luffia muttered. She was about to say something but Zoro called her out which left Kidd with Sab and the toddler she's carrying. For some reason, all of them just disappeared, leaving the two of them alone.
"Hey." He greeted. Deep inside his mind, he berated himself for sounding a bit awkward.
"Hey. I was about to ask you if Luffia asked you to be here, but looks like she didn't."
"Nah, she didn't. I visit this place often." This surprised Sab a little. She did not peg him to be the type to visit a place full of children. "This is where I grew up." Kidd suddenly revealed. Not many knew the fact that he grew up in an orphanage. It was only Killer who knew about his past.
"Really? That must be why kids love you." She smiled and he's kind of irritated that his heart is beating faster again.
"Maybe." He answered, then his eyes landed on the red-haired toddler in Sab's arms. "She's a new face. I didn't see her last time I was here." Instinctively, he reached out to touch the toddler's hand, which she immediately took before babbling and giggling.
"The caretakers told me that they found her almost two months ago. And they said that a family is willing to adopt her."
"That's good." Maybe this toddler will have a better childhood than Kidd, at least that's what he was hoping for.
"Baba nyababa." The toddler babbled while reaching for Kidd to carry her.
"Looks like she wants you to carry her."
"Uh, no." He declined. He might be used to handling children, but those are children that can talk and can walk properly. Not a toddler who is barely two years old.
After seeing his refusal, the toddler cried while shouting DABA.
"Look at what you did." Sab glared at him while cooing the toddler to stop crying, but she didn't. She just cried while looking at Kidd, reaching for him.
"Ugh, fine, fine. If I ever drop her, it's your fault." That's all he said before reaching for the toddler. She immediately stopped crying as soon as she was in Kidd's arms. Her hand touched Kidd's red hair while giggling to herself.
"You guys look alike. Maybe - "
"Whatever you are planning to say is wrong. I did not get anyone pregnant." Kidd snapped at Sab who was chuckling in amusement.
"I am just kidding. Anyway, take care of her for a moment. She's going to be the next after the Pedritrician is finished with his patient."
"Don't tell me you pushed the responsibility to me just like that?"
"Hey, I have other things to do. Anyway, it won't take long. Just take a sit there and wait until she's next." Sab said before walking away. Left with no choice, Kidd can only mutter under his breath while taking a seat in the available chair before placing the toddler on top of the table.
"Daba, daba nya arananba." She was babbling nonsense and Kidd does not even know what she's saying.
"You're happy now, brat? You got me to babysit you."
The toddler giggled in amusement as if she understood Kidd.
"You're going to get an injection from those doctors." He told her, but all he got as an answer is another laughter. "I am not kidding. It's going to sting." Then, another laughter. "Do you realize I am not trying to make you laugh?" Kidd's tone is very serious, but the toddler finds it funny.
While the two are engrossed in an amusing conversation, Sab can't help but stare and smile at the sight. It's an odd sight, but it makes her smile while watching him take care of the toddler. It's as if she discovered a new side of him. She never expected him to be this good with children.
"Hmmmm..." A humming sound came behind Sab. When she looked at who it is, she saw Luffia, her hand on her jaw, her eyes are fixated on Kidd and the toddler. She looks like she is in deep thought. "Hmmm..." She hummed again before nodding as if she just answered a difficult equation.
"What is it? What are you humming about?"
"That child..." She said, pausing her words while her eyes are still fixated on Kidd and the toddler. Sab expected that she will say something very serious, but it turns out it's another nonsense. "That child could be yours and Jaggy's."
"Luffia, that's impossible."
"I know it is, but look at her! She looks like you and Jaggy combined!" Sab immediately covered Luffia's mouth because her voice is too loud. Thank goodness that Kidd did not hear it. "Ummp, hmmmp - "
"You're too loud!" She reprimanded while blushing at Luffia's idea.
"But think about it! What if she's your child sent here from a different dimension?"
"Ugh, for god's sake." Sab can only roll her eyes at the ridiculous idea.
"Okay, maybe not, but it wouldn't be too bad. That's why I told you to date Jaggy. If you end up together, you'll have a cute child, like her!" Sab's eyes landed on Kidd and the toddler. The two are still emersed in an odd conversation. Kidd is speaking seriously while the toddler is laughing loudly.
It's a sight to see, indeed. A sight that made Sab's heart flutter. Yeah, he's good-looking, his personality may not be the best out there, but he's not a bad guy as what Sab can tell. It's just that she thinks it will be awkward if she asks him out all of a sudden. Wouldn't that look like a bit awkward?
They fought last week then she suddenly asks him out? What's with that?
Also, she thinks that he may not like her in that way. This is not surprising since they started as a nemesis.
"Don't worry Sab. I can definitely tell you that he likes you!" Luffia suddenly said while giving Sab a thumbs-up. This made her unsure if Luffia just has a godly instinct or if this is just a mere coincidence.
Shaking her head, she decided to attend to other things. This is not the time for her to be thinking of dating him. She'll think of it later, probably when he's not around and distracting the hell out of her. Why does it have to be a turn on that a guy is good with children? Damn it!
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Roger can't calm down at all. Ever since Garp's sudden appearance last night, his mind can't be in peace. Even when he should be focusing on the meetings, he can't because he's busy thinking what Garp mentioned.
He still can't believe that Garp, of all people, will suggest to marry his daughters off. Blasphemous! And that contract! It is nothing but a drunken signed deal! Nothing more! Nothing less!
"You've been terribly distracted since morning. What's wrong with you?" Rayleigh asks Roger. They're at the President's office after the last meeting of the day. It's almost time to clock off and enjoy their weekend.
"It's Garp." He said.
"Yes, I heard he's back in town."
"He suggested a blasphemous idea! Unforgivable!"
Rayleigh can vaguely tell what the idea could be about, but he kept his silence while looking at his best friend as he rants about Garp's absurd idea.
"Marriage! He was suggesting to find suitable husbands for my precious daughters! Can you believe that?! This is the most absurd idea ever!" Rayleigh thinks that it's not absurd that the girls will marry because, to be honest, they will, at some point. What he finds to be a little absurd is that the idea came from Garp. What had he eaten to get that idea?
"And to think he wants Luffia to marry Zoro!"
"I have to agree on that matter with Garp. He's the only one who can make her listen."
"Luffia listens to me!"
"No, she doesn't. YOU listen to HER. There's a big difference there." Since when did Luffia ever listen to Roger? Probably just a few times which can be counted on both hands.
"Regardless! Also, he found a suitable man for Sab! Over my dead body!" Rayleigh just rolled his eyes at Roger's rants. "And for Ann, he's bringing up the old signed deal I had with Whitebeard. As if I will marry my firstborn to his firstborn. No way! My daughters are not going to marry any Neanderthals!"
"Wait a second. What's with the signed deal you are talking about?" Rayleigh is a bit suspicious of what it was. It couldn't be what he was thinking, could it?
"It's an old deal! It shouldn't be honored!" Roger looked away from Rayleigh's sharp eyes.
"Did you sign a deal to marry your firstborn while you were drunk?" Bingo!
"B-But... It was decades ago! Before I met Rouge! We were drunk and it should not be honored! It's invalid!"
Rayleigh sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. Only Roger and Whitebeard will ever sign a drunken deal like that.
Ring... Ring... Ring...
Roger glared at his ringing cellphone but as soon as he looked at who the caller is, he immediately answered it.
"Garp!"
"Roger! You're rather restless."
"It's your damn fault!" Roger shouted.
"BWAHAHAHA! Chill, they won't get married right away."
"Garp, I swear - "
"Oh, by the way, I am going to drop by in Whitebeard's mansion to discuss that deal. He's already aware of it because I called him about it weeks ago."
Loading... 5%.
Loading... 15%.
Loading... 30%.
Loading... 50%.
Loading... 80%.
Loading... 100%.
"WHAT?!"
"Hahahaha. We will be discussing it. Who knows, maybe they will agree. I heard that they know each other, it will make things easier. So yeah, I got to go. Ciao!" Toot... Toot... Toot...
Crack... It was the cellphone cracking in Roger's hand. His mind is still thinking about what Garp said. He will be discussing with Whitebeard about the idea of marrying Ann and Marco. His daughter knows Marco. Things will be easier.
"I'll kill them all!"
"W-Wait! Calm down!" Rayleigh was quick to prevent Roger from stepping out of the office.
"Calm down? HOW?! Garp is already on his way to strike the deal with Whitebeard and marry off my Big Baby! How can I calm down?!"
"First of all, it couldn't be that easy to marry the two of them. There's no way that the two of them will get married just because of that deal." That calmed down Roger a little.
"You think so?"
"Yes, I think so. Besides, these days, you have to date first before marrying someone." Rayleigh pointed out. This triggered something in Roger's mind.
Ann knows Marco. What if... What if... What if they are already dating?!
"No. No. I have to stop Garp from striking that deal!" Roger was so fast in stepping out of the office only to see Rouge just got off the elevator.
"Honey, what's wrong. You looked like you are in a hurry."
"Let's go and stop Garp from negotiating with Whitebeard." He said in a serious tone before dragging Rouge and Rayleigh with him. Their destination is Whitebeard's mansion where Ann and Marco are having dinner with the whole Whitebeard family.
Whitebeard's Mansion:
Ann arrived in the mansion alone. She and Marco decided that they will make the announcement while everyone is having dinner, which is why they decided not to arrive in the mansion at the same time so it won't be too obvious.
It's almost 6:30 PM. Dinner will be at 7:30 pm. As soon as she arrived, she was eagerly welcomed by everyone. Of course, some of them have been with her due to her work in the WGC office building as well as other projects which were handed over to her company to look over.
Even though she has not known them that long, they welcomed her and some of them became her friends that she can hang out with.
After greeting everyone, she decided to bother Thatch in the kitchen. He was busy cooking for everyone while Izou's been ranting non-stop.
"Can't believe that Marco did not bring his girlfriend with him!" Izou said.
"You're still ranting about that?" Ann casually asked.
"Hello, Ann! Good to have you here!" Thatch greeted. "Izou's been ranting non-stop because Marco did not bring his girlfriend with him today. He said that she will be here at a later time."
"It's not an act suited for a gentleman like him to not bring his girlfriend with him! He should have at least fetched her from her house and brought her here! This instant!"
Ann can't help but smile. She can't wait till they announce it later during dinner. She is sure that Izou will be so mad at them, but the surprised reactions will be a sight to see, no doubt.
While waiting for dinner, Ann busied herself by trying to calm Izou down. For sure, Marco is staying away from his sister because she's won't stop glaring at him, which is why he is with the other members of the family, while Ann is with Izou, Thatch, and Haruta in the kitchen.
Unbeknownst to her, there is a rather familiar car that just arrived in the mansion...
"Sir Marco, there's a guest outside." One of their house helpers said.
"Oh, is it Marco's girlfriend?" Blamenco asked.
"Who is it, yoi?" Marco's pretty sure it's not his girlfriend because she's in their kitchen right now.
"It's Sir Roger and Madam Rouge."
That was surprising. None of them knew that Rouge and Roger are invited. Marco looked at his father who also looks surprised.
"Let them in." Whitebeard said.
"Did you invite them, Pops?" Vista asked.
"No, but I am expecting them to visit me sometime soon." There was a mysterious smile on Whitebeard's face.
It didn't take a few minutes before Rouge, Roger and Rayleigh arrived in the dining area. Roger was in a hurry, his eyes landed on Marco, glaring at him which surprised Marco. He was blinking his eyes as if he had seen it wrong, but it is clear, Roger is glaring at him.
" I didn't think you three would visit me. Gurarara."
"Apologies for the sudden appearance without a prior advisory. My husband won't calm down." Rouge sighed while looking at
"I'll cut to the chase, Whitebeard!" He said while sounding mad. "I know Garp called you! I won't allow it to happen! I'll kill him!" He said while pointing at Marco.
Everyone is shocked, especially Marco. Did he just hear it right? Did Roger announce his desire to kill him? But why?
There were whispers from the people in the dining area, but none asked out loud.
"Stupid! Stop threatening him!" Rouge slapped the back of Roger's head but it did not calm the man down. He's still glaring at Marco.
"Just looking at him makes me want to kill him." Roger said. It sent shivers down Marco's spine. He's damn serious about killing Marco. "You hear me, Whitebeard! I won't allow it!"
"Alright, I hear you. Can you calm down and stop glaring at my son."
"Just thinking about it makes me want to kill him!" Roger answered rather childishly.
What was he talking about anyway? Why is he acting like this? What did Marco do to make Roger hate him this much?
"Pardon my husband, Marco. He's not in his right mind." Rouge apologized.
"What do you mean I am not in my right mind?! Just thinking about it! Just thinking about it!" Then Roger started to mumble words under his mouth that no one can understand. "No, I'll just kill him, that would be safer!" Roger said before trying to walk towards Marco but Rayleigh and Rouge were there to stop him. "No, let me go! I'll just kill him!"
Everyone was in a panic. Some are amused at the situation but are also wondering why Roger is hell-bent in wanting to kill Marco.
"I am not sure what I did for you to desire to kill me, Sir." Marco is calm while trying to talk to Roger. Really, he does not know what he did to make Roger hate him. Last time they met, the two of them are talking casually, but now? Roger looks like a demon who wants to devour Marco.
"Let me go so I'll kill him!" Roger is shouting.
All the noise took the attention of the people from the kitchen. Thatch, Haruta, Izou, and Ann decided to check what was the shouting all about. And as soon as they stepped in the dining area, they saw Roger trying to attack Marco while Rouge and Rayleigh are trying to stop them.
Ann just so happens to stop at Marco's back when she saw the scene. Her mouth gaped in shock and her eyes widened upon seeing three familiar faces.
"Oh shit." She muttered to herself. She was about to escape so her parents won't see her, but it's too late. Roger's eyes landed on her, then to Marco, then back at her before returning to Marco.
Rouge and Rayleigh saw Ann as well and they all shook their heads. What bad timing.
"I see now. I see it now. My instincts are correct. I am correct." He murmured to himself before he fell silent. Everyone thought he calmed down now, but they're dead wrong.
Ann's having a mental panic right now. This is not the way she wants her father to find out. She was hoping that she could talk to him tomorrow about her relationship with Marco, but sadly it's not the case.
"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Roger lunged himself towards Marco's direction, Rouge's hand slipping and setting Roger free. It was like a beast was set free.
Ann acted on instincts. She stepped forward, making so she will prevent Roger from getting to Marco - as if he is a shield. It worked though. Roger stopped right in front of Ann.
Shit. Shit. Shit. This is what Ann has in her mind right now. Her dad's serious in killing Marco. Should she be thankful that he did not bring his shotgun with him?
"Step away, this instant!" Roger shouted at Ann.
Marco frowned when he heard how Roger was shouting at Ann. He did not like it.
"No." Ann was brave to answer him.
"Step away, young lady!" Roger shouted again.
"No way! You'll kill him!" Ann was so brave in facing Roger that it shocked the people around. Even Marco was shocked. There are only a few people who can stand up to an angry Roger.
"You're protecting him because you're dating him, aren't you?!"
Everyone gasped, saved for a few people. Whitebeard and Rouge are not shocked since they are aware and it looks like Rayleigh isn't fazed by Roger's question as well.
"Get out of my way now so I can kill him!" Roger lunged again, but this time, Rouge and Rayleigh, along with Ann stopped him.
"You're not killing my boyfriend, Dad!"
Marco can only stare at Ann's back, wide-eyed at what he heard before looking at Roger, then his eyes landed on Rouge. The last word - 'Dad' - was uttered and this brought shocking news to everyone in the room.
Everyone is silent, shocked. They did not expect this dinner to turn out this way. And it looks like it will be more chaotic since another chaotic character just dropped by in front of Whitebeard's huge mansion gate.
"Ringing the doorbell is boring. I'll just climb these walls." The man said before climbing the huge gates with ease.
It was none other than Monkey D. Garp.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
AN: I hope none of you died laughing. :D i know the Orphanage program is a bit short, but I need to get the dinner going then I'll just add a bits of the orphanage scenes next time.