After dinner where Nami and Nojiko ate with them again, Law headed outside for a cigarette. She debated getting rid of the apparent addiction, but figured it couldn't hurt.
"You've started smoking?"
Law jumped slightly at her father's voice and swore to every god out there that the man subconsciously used his calm fields at times. She let out a trail of smoke, directing it with her Haki until it formed into Bepo. "Yeah."
She was startled when arms grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug. She fought for just a moment before melting into it.
"I'm so sorry, Law-chan…if I'd paid more attention, that guy never would've gotten me…" He said in a pained voice.
"Eh, devil fruit in the four blues are rare enough I think you can be excused." She hummed as she snuggled into the heart spangled shirt he wore in his downtime. He began to rub her face and the purr practically punched out of her as she leaned into it a bit too desperate for her tastes, but like hell she'd pull back.
Then he pulled her head up gently so he could kiss her forehead and said softly, "I love you, baby. And don't tell your Oji-san, but I'd never put my job before you or the others. Never."
She hugged him, eyes shut tightly as she took a moment to just feel the man's warmth, take in the scent of smoke and gunpowder…and tried very hard not to cry because she'd missed him so much. "Psychology isn't a branch of healing that I'm familiar with…but I think…" She couldn't admit it though. Damn pride. So, nuzzling his neck, she said instead, "I'm sorry…I love you too, Tou-san."
He tightened his hold briefly before stroking her back and lifting her up as easily as ever and, feeling completely spent, she drifted off under his ministrations. Smiling, he put out the fallen cigarette and carried her inside where Bellemere was watching the kids' card game.
"Time for bed?" She asked with a smile.
"It's only 8:30!" Kid protested where he was falling asleep against Killer's side.
Laughing, Corazon said, "You don't have to go to sleep yet. I'll just take her up to bed."
"Take me too." Penguin yawned where he was splayed out on the floor so on his way by, Corazon picked him up by his shirt, the boy quick to right himself and latch his arms around his neck. "Thanks Oji-san." He murmured before he was also out cold.
Smiling to himself, he carried both upstairs and was confused to see four doors in the slightly cramped hall. He hadn't noticed before but the house was really small. Knowing his room and the bathroom, he checked the door closest and felt his heart catch in his throat because compared to their home on Zou, it was a closet. Two bunk beds and a dresser were the only furniture that could fit in the room. Plain wooden walls, wood floor…This wasn't a kids room, it was a military barrack. The boys had even created nameplates to put on the bars at the end and while it made finding the right beds easier, he couldn't believe they were living like this. He could barely walk in here!
He put Penguin down first since he could manage the young boy with one hand, then carefully placed Law onto hers, finding it was way too small for her. He took off her hat and found the Den Den Mushi inside so he moved it to his shoulder and took her sunglasses next, placing them on the dresser next to Cotton's little room. At least someone had felt at home in this dollhouse…
"Puri puri puri. Puri puri puri."
Putting up a quick calm field, he scooched onto the bed where he could keep petting her shaggy hair as he answered it. "Hello?"
"Hello, Roci. How are the boys?" Sengoku asked.
"Fine so far. I had a bit of a chat with Law-chan, but she'll need some time to come to terms with everything that happened." He said wistfully. When would these kids get a break?
"Understandable."
Staring up at the wooden frame holding up Penguin's bed, he asked, "What'd you call for, Tou-san?"
"I take it she forgot to tell you I'd be checking in after dinner."
He chuckled. "For someone that can't forget anything, she can be pretty forgetful." Then he sobered with a silent sigh. "She came back with Kiddo, so they probably had their own chat."
"That'd do it." He hummed. "Well the boys will be happy to hear I have successfully put Garp off your tail with a possible confrontation with the revolutionary Dragon. They'll be safe for at least another month."
He smiled. "That's good. Law-chan's in no condition to fight Garp."
"How bad?"
He stroked her stomach and felt lead settling into his own as he said, "I can see her ribs but she said she hasn't been skipping meals."
"Portion, type, and stress levels can all affect weight loss or gain. She'll need at least double portions—Tristan-san said to expect at least three more inches."
"When did you talk to her?"
"I called Momo-chan and Baki-kun to update them on the situation. They're upset she lied to them, but given the circumstances they'll let it slide. They called in Tristan-san when I related to them her poor health and got a list of recommended foods. Do you have a pen and paper?"
Corazon wrote down what Sengoku told him and wondered how he'd be able to keep his eldest from knowing most of his paycheck would be going to feeding her.
Bellemere walked in with Kid and Killer in her arms and she tucked them in before putting Cotton in her own tiny bed. She entered the field. "What are you doing?"
"My Tou-san called to update." He replied and an idea sparked as he looked at the woman. "Hey, Belle, how'd you like to make a bit of extra cash?"
She gave him a suspicious look. "Doin' what?"
He explained how much extra Law would need to eat and how he didn't want her to know how much more it cost. "She's already been forced to carry so much weight on her shoulders…I don't want to add guilt to it."
"Right in the heart." She huffed and tapped her chin. "The way I see it, you give me the money for groceries and we shop together. Then lunch and dinner, I'll bring the girls over. Your girl can't protest—I've got her by the short and curlies."
"How?" He demanded warily.
"Ah, nothin dangerous, humiliatin' or demeaning." She assured him. "But if I tell you, it won't be blackmail, will it?"
He sighed but let it go. "That'd be great. So you'll do it?"
"Don't worry about paying me. Just feed my girls and consider us even."
He smiled brightly. "Thanks, Belle. Want me to show you out?"
"Nah I got it. See you tomorrow at lunch." She said before heading out.
"Law-chan won't argue much. She likes the woman."
Corazon looked at the snail in surprise. "She told you that?"
"She told me a lot more than she meant to, I think. Abandonment issues definitely. Insecurity—I suggest you tell her you love her whenever you can. Physical contact too. It seems while under his spell you told her she needed to grow up and now she's afraid of being too 'clingy'."
He made a pained sound. "Oh, Law-chan…"
"On a less serious note, she thinks the house was—and this is a quote—total crap. She wants to start a garden and the kids love the bunk beds."
"There's no way they'll be able to sleep comfortably much longer." He sighed. "They'll all be very tall. Killer's feet are already dangling and Kiddo's are too close to the end. Law-chan's is a lost cause and I'm pretty sure this mark in the frame is from her hitting her head."
"So make the beds bigger."
"The room really won't allow for that. It's not even half the size of ours on Zou." He ran his hand through his hair in agitation as he looked around. "I don't know how they're comfortable with this."
"Because they've all had worse."
He grimaced at that very true statement. "We can knock out the wall to the office. I won't need it anyway. It won't be much, but they'll have a bit of breathing room."
"If nothing else, you could add onto the house."
"That'd be out of our budget right now." He denied. "We'll just make do."
"I can send you some money."
Smiling, he denied, "That won't be necessary. Not yet. I'll tell you if it ever gets that bad."
Sengoku sighed. "Alright, but you boys take care. I'll call tomorrow around lunch to speak to the kids."
"Thank you, Tou-san. I'll talk to you then." He hung up, but just as he was about to get up, Law turned onto her side and curled up against him. Smiling fondly, he wrapped his arms around her and set his own hat and glasses aside. The bed was a matchbox for him, but if she could sleep in it, he could too.
He was quickly swept away by sleep.
-rp—rp—
Well…only two billion years later, here's chapter sixty one. I'd say sorry, but let's be real here. It's gonna happen again so…welp. It's so frustrating because I love this story and it's got some great stuff coming up, but I just. Cant. Type.
But on the other hand, If I got this one out, I'll be able to do others so. Here's to hoping! Thank you to everyone who has favorited, liked, reviewed, given kudos—you are all the real mvp for real. Especially the reviewers who remind me just how much I love and miss these stories of mine :)
I hope everyone is safe and being smart out there! I'll try to update when I can.