Zoro looks away from Sanji. Is it really a good idea to go back with Sanji? Megumi wants to but that would ruin Sanji's life wouldn't it. He broke up with his girlfriend and now he wont be able to meet someone new with them around. "You won't be able to bring girls over or smoke anymore."
"I don't care." Zoro looks up at Sanji again. He seems upset. "I want to be with you and Megumi. I don't care about that. You stupid Marimo, I'm willing to put my life on hold just like you if it means raising Megumi." Zoro swallows the lump in his throat. He's never seen Sanji like this.
"But-"
"Enough!" Sanji grints out loudly, not yelling. He wants them back. "Megumi already asked me and I said yes. You are coming back no questions asked anymore. I'll kidnap both of you if that's what it takes." Sanji stares Zoro down. Zoro wanted to laugh but he could see in Sanji's eye how serious he is. Zoro looks away bashfully and nods. Sanji sighs in relief. He's coming back. Sanji could scream from the rooftop with how happy he is. Sanji could finally rest knowing they'll be back home. Wait, now that he thinks about it where have they been staying? "Hey Zoro where have you been staying?" He sees Zoro flinch. "Zoro, where have you been staying." Zoro couldn't believe Sanji used his parenting voice on him.
"You remember the guy I told you about, the one I stayed with for a while after Megumi was born?"
"Yes. The one you ran away from. Wait you were with him? How?"
"Ran into him."
"And you just went with him? He didn't... You didn't..?" Sanji felt something twist in his gut when Zoro turned away from him. "This is why I want to help you, I don't want you doing that anymore. I would rather you be a stay at home mom that sell your body." Sanji ruffles his bangs.
Zoro starts laughing. "You would rather have me do nothing at home than go out with a job?" Zoro laughs some more.
"Yes." Sanji says extremely serious. Zoro stops laughing.
"Really?"
"Yes really. It's not like you'll be doing nothing. Taking care of Megumi is doing something." Sanji says. "Just know that you and Megumi are on the top of my list in importance."
"Same for me too."
"Everyone's been worried. They know too."
"Know what?" Zoro asks looking confused.
"That I'm her father."
"Oh right they don't know."
"Now they do."
"Right." Zoro looks around the room and sees that it's pretty late and and he needs to talk to the teachers about Megumi. He also need to go back to get their stuff. "Megumi," Zoro calls but no answer. He looks down to see she's asleep. When did she fall asleep? She must have been tired, she must not have felt comfortable there then. Guess going back to Sanji is the best option. Zoro turns to Sanji. "I'll leave her here."
"Going somewhere?"
"Yeah I need to go to the school and then get our clothes." Zoro walks to the door to opening it.
"Then see you at home?" Sanji asks sounding unsure. He had to make sure. Zoro smiles at him.
"See you at home." Zoro continues to walk through the kitchen. He catches Zeffs' eye and waves before leaving. Sanji sees everyone trying to peek inside.
"What?" Sanji asks. All eyes go on Sanji.
"Wanted to see what your daughter looks like." One of the female chefs says.
"She's asleep right now though so I'll wait till after she wakes up." Sanji smiles.
"Really?" Her eyes start shine.
"Yes really." Sanji smiles
When Megumi does wake up she finds no one there. Zoro is gone and so is Sanji. She gets up and walks to the opened door. She sees all the chefs focused and working. Some cooking in front of big flames others are yelling orders. It's just like the movies. Megumi doesn't know what to do or where her parents are. She squats next to the door. She looks one way then the other. No sign of Sanji or Zeff.
"Oh looks like you're awake." Megumi turns to a strange lady dresses in white looking at her with smile. She covers her face with her hands and looks down at her knees. The chef couldn't help but think adorable. The chef then hears sniffles. Uh-oh, she's starting to cry. She rushes out the kitchen to Sanji who is taking orders from a table. "Sanji," she calls. Sanji turns around. She gets close a whispers, "shes awake and she's starting to cry."
"Then take their order." Sanji hands over the notepad and pen to her. He rushes into the kitchen and looks around for Megumi till he gets to Zeffs' office there she is squatted. Against the wall next to the door. "Megumi? What are you doing?" Sanji asks looking down at her. She looks up and Sanji sees tears rolling down her face.
"Daddy!" She jumps up at him. Sanji pick her up. "Where's mommy?" Megumi asks, one arm wrapped around Sanji's neck and her other hand wiping her cheek.
"Went to go get your stuff from school and where ever you were staying." Sanji says. Megumi frowns, and it didn't go unnoticed. "What's wrong?" Sanji asks worried.
"I don't like that man. He touched mommy a lot."
"Did he touch you?" Sanji asks. Hes relieved when she shakes her head.
"I don't think he likes me. Mommy doesn't like it when he touches him too."
"What do you mean?"
"When the man touched mommy's back mommy looked hurt. Mommy doesn't look like that when you touch him."
"How does mommy look when I touch him?" Sanji wonders a little worried. He's touched Zoro, not sexually but he's places his hands on Zoro's shoulders, his back and arms. He needs to know if he's making Zoro uncomfortable.
"Mommy looks happy." Megumi says. Sanji's' heart skips a beat. Zoro is happy when Sanji touches him? Hearing that makes him happy. "Are we staying?" She asks happily.
"Yes. Mommy said we're going to meet him at home."
"Yay!" Megumi smiles and hugs Sanji. He smiles at her. He rests his hand on the back of her head. She's there, in his arms. He's able to hug her again, and hopefully he'll have more opportunities to hug her, to hold her in his arms. He sighs with relief. Those two week felt like a million years. He never wants to let her or Zoro go again.
