When Law woke up, she was surprised to find Corazon sleeping next to her on the bed. It turned to amusement when she saw far his legs stuck out from the end of the bed and she used her room to get out without waking him up. She took a shower before going downstairs where she started on breakfast.

The boys drifted in and slumped over at the table while Corazon got the paper from the news coo at the window. Cotton leapt onto the counter, asking hopefully, "Can I help, Lawland-sama?"

"Sure, you can scramble these eggs while I work on the onigiri." A bit weird for morning, but Killer had won the choice of breakfast during the card game the night before.

"Oh, did I tell you boys that Tou-san delayed Garp about a month?" Corazon asked as he opened the paper, Garp on the front page with a bound crew at his feet.

Law hummed. "That's a relief. We can get back into a proper training schedule before he gets here."

"That reminds me," Kid began with a frown at Penguin. "Why don't you break the ground and stuff when we fight?"

"It's an 'emergency only' thing." He replied with a yawn. "If we all went around breaking islands, our conservation status will be moved from endangered to kill on sight. It's better people don't know, y'know?"

Law and Cotton began distributing the food. "Yeah, better to keep that in the family."

Kid's head thunked back onto the table as he muttered, "Whatever."

When Law got to him, she crouched and began bumping the plate against his arm, watching. He didn't react, but she was patient and after about a minute he let out an exasperated sigh and sat up so she could slide it in front of him. Smiling, she rubbed his damp hair and got her own plate, sitting down and tucking in.

Confused but amused, Corazon continued, "He'll be calling after lunch to catch up. He was contacted by Tristan-san some time ago and she warned us you're all about due for some growth spurts. That means double portions each—at least."

"I'll have to work out a budget—" Law began, already thinking about how much extra food they'd be needing, but Corazon cut in gently,

"Actually, I've asked Belle to help out, so that's all going to be taken care of by her. She'll be helping with meals too. Maybe in return you can all help keep her girls entertained?" He suggested.

"Cool! I'm gonna teach Nami how to punch! She hits like a girl!" Kid said excitedly.

"Don't be sexist!" Penguin exclaimed in affront.

"Like a—like a pansy?" He tried instead and Penguin considered it before giving a thumbs up.

Penguin's weird thing about equality aside, their conversation about things to do with the girls was uneventful and Law stared at her food thoughtfully. Not having to deal with the money was a huge relief. She hated doing budgeting—that was Shachi's job.

-rp-rp-

A sharp whistle got all of their attentions and the girls jumped to their feet. "Lunch is ready!"

Law was shocked. "What? But she didn't tell me! I would've helped!"

"You're stupid." Nami scoffed. "Bellemere never lets anyone help cook. She only did it last time cuz she was scopin' out your situation."

Outraged, Law headed back to the house at a run, bursting in and seeing the places already set. "Why didn't you call me to help?!" She demanded.

Bellemere raised a brow at her, ashing her cigarette in an old food container. "The oldest makes the food."

"No! I make the food!" She exclaimed hotly.

"You wanna help me, you gotta earn it, kid." She brushed off as the others entered. "Show me a ring."

"But that's my job! What am I supposed to do?" She asked, anger giving way for helpless confusion. A ring? She had rings.

"Same thing you did today. Be a kid. Till you get married or have kids of your own, you leave cooking to the adults." She hmphed. "Now sit down and eat."

"I've been cooking for the last month!" She protested, not moving. "No one's complained or gotten sick! I've kept it as balanced as I can—"

"I'm not saying you're no good at cooking." Bellemere cut in patiently. "I'm saying that you aren't allowed to cook unless I'm unable to. You should be outside bein' a kid! No more arguing! Sit and eat!"

Law puffed up indignantly but before she could press her case, the door opened admitting Corazon.

"What's with the loud voices?" He asked as he tossed his coat on the rack, but it completely missed, landing on an empty pot Law was planning to put some flowers in.

"Tou-san/Oji-san/Cora-sama!" The kids yelled excitedly, tackling the man happily.

Law bit her tongue and abandoned the argument. "Nothing. Welcome back, Tou-san."

"Coward." Nojiko muttered as Law sat beside her and Law stuck her tongue out at her.

"Everything's ready! Find a seat and sit!" Bellemere ordered the group as she took her own.

Lunch was pleasant. Corazon updated them about his reacquaintance with the Marines and the repairs to the damaged rooms. They told him about their training sessions. Then repeated it all for Sengoku when he called with his own stories.

Then it was back to training.

-rp-rp-

Along with cooking, the woman took over shopping and laundry, basically leaving Law nothing to do at the house. But she got used to the free time again and with the kids' help, relearned how to be one herself and just plain interact. With steady calls from Sengoku and her parents on Zou, she began feeling a bit more stable, helped undeniably by the constant hugs, hair ruffles, and nuzzles from Corazon. Though she still couldn't bring herself to be completely comfortable with the affection.

That was okay though. She took Cotton's advice and pretended. Maybe one day it would be true.

Bam, surprise chapter take that XD