Sanji parked the car. It was silent. Just Megumi and him today. When he parked the car, he turned off the ignition. He got out then went around to Megumi's door opening it for her. When she stood to the side and is safe he closes the door. He holds his hand out for her to take. With Megumi's hand in his they walks towards the restaurant. The buffet they are going to now to give the other place they usually go to a break.
Sanji looked down at Megumi. She didn't seem happy, she must be wondering where Zoro is. It was a late decision. He got a quick call from Zoro. He walks in with Megumi by his side. He walks over to others all sitting around. Sanji saw that Law there but none of his friends, or Luffy's brothers. It's just the Straw Hats and Law is taking Zoro's place for the night. Nami saw them coming. He saw her happy face then turned confused as she looked around. She has never seen Sanji and Megumi without Zoro.
"Where's your hubby?" Nami asks as the two get closer.
"He's busy tonight. Staying late for work then he has to go and talk to his old training officer." Sanji says. Megumi goes to sit down, not as energetic without Zoro there with her.
"What is going on with that? Zoro has been trying for a very long time now to re-start his training." Usopp asks.
"I don't know." Sanji shakes his head, he doesn't know how this works. "But I do think it's taking a really long time. Hopefully this is the last time he'll need to see them for it." Sanji adds. He knows this is what Zoro wants, it's his dream so he'll help the man no matter how long it takes.
They stay silent as they watch Luffy walk with Megumi to get some food. Upset that Zoro wasn't here. "Megumi doesn't seem happy." Usopp says as they watch her follow behind Luffy and Law but she didn't have as much energy as she usually does.
"That's because Zoro isn't here." Sanji says. "I don't think she likes Zoro being out by himself at night.
"You think it might have something to do with the pleasure club?" Nami asks. "Maybe she thinks he's going back."
"That could be it. I read that children born and raised by carriers are more protective of their mothers. Even at a young age they have the need to protect their mothers." Robin gets looks at her so she continues, "she might think Zoro is in danger by himself, knowing that he's not with someone she knows."
"That's interesting but it could also be because she loves Zoro and doesn't like him leaving her." Brook says.
"If that were the case she wouldn't like us babysitting her." Chopper makes a point.
"Robin does make sense. Megumi might not like not knowing where Zoro is going." Usopp thinks.
"What are you and Zoro going to do for Christmas? I heard that Zoro and Megumi joined you for Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, it was really fun. It was a really fun Thanksgiving party but the next day they had to help in the restaurant." Sanji says smiling.
"I bet it was." Robin says, that smile of his really meant it was fun. "So what about Christmas?"
"Zoro doesn't celebrate Christmas." Sanji says rubbing the back of his neck.
"He doesn't!" Chopper shouts shocked. Sanji nods before turning his head towards Megumi, Luffy and Law walking back from the buffet.
"Zoro doesn't have the best memories of Christmas and he doesn't want to bribe Megumi with Christmas presents."
"What do you mean 'bribe Megumi with Christmas presents?'" Nami asks.
"You know, he doesn't want to tell Megumi that if she wants presents then she should be good. He doesn't want that mentality with Megumi. If she's nice to someone or does something nice that's because it's nice to do and not because she might get Christmas presents." Sanji says. "Plus Zoro says it saves money, not having to buy wrapping paper and decoration."
"So you guys aren't doing anything?"
"Does that mean no presents for Megumi?" Nami asks
"We already decorated the apartment with Christmas stuff. I plan on getting some things for Megumi but I'm not going to tell her that Santa got it for her. Zoro said that was okay. I do agree with him though." Sanji says. He helps Megumi sit down in her seat. He looks at Law, "watch her. I'm going to get my food." He instructs. Sanji gets up and goes to the buffet setting up his plate. Focused on getting himself food he didn't pay attention to Robin and Nami coming after him.
"Hey Sanji," Nami calls getting the blondes attention. "We were talking and..."
"We were planning on all celebrating Christmas together." Robin finishes.
"What?" Sanji pauses to look at them.
"Yeah, the crew thought that it would be nice to all celebrate Christmas as a group, a family." Nami says.
"A little more specific please." Sanji asks going back to pilling his plate.
"Luffy, me, you and Zoro, Megumi of course, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Franky and Brook."
"All of them coming over to our house to spent Christmas eve and Christmas day with us." Robin says as they follow Sanji down the buffet line.
"We wanted to have some fun. Make some drinks, give each other presents, eat like a family."
"I'll talk to Zoro about it. I never celebrated Christmas either, not like most people, that day we always had customers at the Baratie." Sanji says.
"We'll set up a Christmas tree to put the presents under." Nami says.
"And no Santa talk." Robin adds.
"I think that could work." Sanji says.
"Then text me if he agrees." Nami says. Sanji nods. "And what's Zoro's bad history with Christmas?"
"It's not that surprising. What do you think happened to an orphaned kid on Christmas?" Sanji says.
"He didn't get what he wanted." Nami answers, how did she not see that coming.
"It's sad to think that Zoro actually believed in Santa." Nami and Robin cringed at that. That never ends well. "And Zoro use to be a good boy thinking that he'll get presents, but none of the kids did."
"What did he want?"
Sanji shakes his head, "I don't know. He wouldn't tell me. But I do know he use to starve himself so the other kids, the younger ones could eat."
"Make sure he agrees. I want to give him and Megumi the best Christmas ever." Robin says walking away.
Sanji turns when he senses Nami just standing there with her head down. He opened his mouth to ask what's wrong but she beat him to it. "I wish we knew this about Zoro. There's so much I would have done differently." Nami says, the blonde could see the hurt on her face.
"Me too. His birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, even Valentines. I would have done something." Sanji says.
That night they got home late. When they got home, Zoro was already asleep. Megumi slept in his bed while Sanji went to his. He made a mental note to tell Zoro about Nami and Robins plan.
