Author: Yay new chapter for Beneath the Moon! Hope everyone enjoys it! Enjoy your weekend! Sorry it's been a while since I updated. Went on vacation for 2 weeks with my boyfriend to visit family. Also, I'm going to be in a demanding school for 6 months, not sure how often I will get to update but will try to post often. :D

" So Ai, how have things been going with you and Ace lately?" Koala asked cheesily.

" Good? Why do you ask?" Ai asked in confusion.

" Ace seemed more on edge then normal." Robin stated calmly. " The recent attacks on the nearby villages have seem to heighten his sense of protection over you." Ai saw a smile flash across the Queen's face.

" What is it?"

" Oh nothing, I'm just reminded of how much Ace is like his father."

" How so?"

" Roger was this protective of me when I was pregnant with Ace." Ai thought that her heart had stopped completely at the Queen's comment.

" W-What?"

" I'm not trying to insinuate anything, dear." Rouge said before scooping Mira up into her arms. " What do you think, Mira? Would Ai make a good mama?"

" Nee-chan is gonna be a mommy?" Mira asked eagerly. Robin leaned forward and sniffed Ai curiously. A very large smirk appeared on her beautiful face.

" Well, it does appear that Ace's inability to keep his hands to himself has become fruitful." The group went silent at the black haired female's statement.

Ai felt her heart rate begin to drastically race. She couldn't be pregnant, she just couldn't be. Yet the more she thought about is the more the events of the recent two weeks made sense. How she had been hungrier than she should be. The more she adjusted to being a full vampire she less Hungry for blood she should be. However, she became Hungry for both food and blood several times throughout the day. Her clothes were becoming tighter wth each passing day. Most days she felt either nauseas or dizzy.

The idea of her being a mother paralyzed her with fear. She hadn't had a mother figure while she was growing up. She had her sisters but they were more over protective warriors than mother figures.

How could she be a mother…

Ace…

Her Groom's face flashed suddenly into her mind.

Ace was going to freak.

He didn't want children.

He had voice his opinion on the matter on several occasions.

" Ai…?"

Koala's voice snapped the blunette from her thoughts. She looked around to see everyone watching her, eyes filled with concern. " Do you need to sit down?" Robin asked worriedly.

" I…I don't-"

" Here Aiko," Rouge said linking her arm with Ai's, leading her to a nearby bench. " Sit." As she did what the Queen requested Ai heard her speak again. " Tell me what you're thinking, love."

" I-I can't be pregnant…I just can't be!"

" Ai…it's going to be alright." Koala said, sensing her friend's fear. " You're going to be a wonderful mother."

" I just can't be pregnant."

" I'm sorry to tell you this, love…but you very well may be." Rouge said comfortingly. " However, you have many people to help you through this."

" Ace…" Ai whispered.

" He'll be fine." Koala said quickly. " Once he gets over the initial shock of becoming a father. He'll be excited about the baby."

" He doesn't want children." Ai whispered more to herself then anyone else. " He's said it repeatedly…"

" Well then he should have kept his hands and-" Koala broke off as she saw Mira looking curiously at her. " and other things to himself if he didn't want children!"

" Nee-chan is gonna be a mommy?" Mira asked curiously.

" It would seem so, sweet one." Robin said gently kissing the child's brow.

" Why is Nee-chan sad?"

" She's scared, little one." Robin said. " Becoming a mommy is a very hard job. You little one's are quite mischievous, darting around here and there, running around chaotically. You all are very hard to keep track off."

" Nee-chan will be a good mommy!" Mira said quickly. " Nee-chan is nice and gives good snuggles!"

" Ai will be a wonderful mommy!" Rouge said sitting beside the blunette and took her hands into her own. " With such an amazing supporter on your side how can you still be afraid?"

Ai whimpered worriedly, resting her head against the Queen's shoulder. " I-"

" Everyone is nervous about becoming a parent, Ai. It's a normal part of life." Rouge said comfortingly. " I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant with Ace. It was the middle of a war after all. Edward wasn't happy that his enemy became his Ward's Groom, let alone becoming the father of my child."

" Ace-"

" May react the same way Roger did." Rouge smiled. " That man would charge head long into battle, not once thinking about his own safety. Yet when I told him he was going to be a father…that was the only time I saw true fear in his eyes."

" The King was afraid?" Koala said in disbelief. She had been with sabotage for almost two years and she had become close with his adopted family, the King included. She had never once seen him show an ounce of fear.

" Becoming a parent is a terrifying idea." Rouge said softly. " I remember when Crocus handed Ace to me. My hands were trembling so much I was afraid I would drop him. Roger was so pale I thought he was going to pass out."

" I don't think this is helping her, Your Grace." Robin said lifting Mira gently from the Queen. " Come little one, let us find something to help Ai smile."

" Nee-chan no sad!" Mira said sternly. " Me make Nee-chan happy again!"

" That's the spirit! Off we go!" Koala laughed as she, Robin and Mira went further into the gardens in search of their prize.

" I don't know how to be a mother." Ai whispered, her hand protectively placed over her belly. " I didn't have one growing up…I can't do this!"

" I didn't finish telling you about when Ace was born." Rouge said, running her fingers lovingly through Ai's soft blue locks. " When Crocus handed him to me, I thought my heart was going to stop."

" You aren't helping me feel better."

" I found myself thinking: How am I going to keep this tiny, fragile thing alive?" Rouge said ignoring the brunette's comment. " Poor little Ace wouldn't stop crying the entire time Crocus was holding him. Yet when he handed him to me, when I looked down at his scared little face I found myself saying: Hello Ace…I'm your mommy. That was when Ace stopped crying and looked at me hesitantly, blinking those beautiful black eyes of his. Finally, he relaxed and smiled at me.

" I'm not going to lie to you, Aiko. Being a mother is hard and even frightening. Being responsible for a little life is hard but in the end…it's extremely rewarding."

" I'm afraid." Ai whispered. " The Order is going to come after my baby like they did me. What if I can't protect him?"

" You will protect your baby because he is YOUR BABY." Rouge said. " Your motherly instinct will kick in and you will do anything to keep him safe."

" What if I don't have motherly instincts?" Ai asked fearfully.

" You do…you are your mother's daughter after all." Rouge said. " Elia was petrified of being a mother…and you were a month early and so very small. She told me that she felt this overwhelming urge to protect you. She was your mother Ai, her blood as well as Alduin's runs in your veins. You will be a wonderful mother." Ai smiled nervously, rubbing her tummy gently.

" I wonder who the baby will look like." The blunette said.

" Not sure. You both were pretty adorable babies." Rouge said. " Ace's freckles were there when he was born, which was pretty freaking cute. You had these big green eyes and chubby cheeks! You both had such unruly baby hair, you mother and I could never get it tamed."

Ai smiled, rubbing her belly again. " Let's hope the baby will be like you were. Ace was such a little hell raiser. He was a handful! When he started walked it got worse. Oh and it tripled when Sabo and Luffy came to live here."

" Ace told me Luffy was a handful when they were little." Ai said smiling.

" All three of them were, actually. Before Luffy came Ace and Sabo were always getting into trouble. They thought they were older then they were. Always playing war and trying to go out on patrol with the Shanks or Buggy. Then Luffy came along and they became big brothers to him. They finally learned what responsibility was." Rouge said smiling. " Then when we found you Ace became even more responsible. He was very protective of you and would try to cheer you up if you were sad. If you were scared, he was right there to let you know that he'd keep you safe no matter what."

" He's very sweet." Ai said lovingly.

" He's grown a lot since you came back into his life. He'll grow even more with the baby on the way."

" What if he doesn't?"

" What if he doesn't want the baby, you mean." Rouge said. " Roger had the reaction you're worried about. Neither of us had parents when we were young. My parents died when I was very young and Roger never once knew his growing up. We were both terrified but we were terrified together and we made it through together. It's going to be hard but you both can do it."

" I'm still scared."

" Of course you are. You'd be crazy not to be. Becoming a parent is scary but you aren't going to go through this alone. We are all here for the two of you."

" Thank you." Ai said, her smile growing.

" Oh Roger is going to be so excited to hear he's going to be a grandpa!" Rouge laughed. " I can hear him now: What will the baby call me? Grandpa? No! To oldmanish! What about Grandfather? NO! To formal!"

Ai couldn't stop herself from laughing at the Queen's spot on impersonation of the King. She knew that his reaction would almost be that exactly that. Talking to Rouge eased her anxiety greatly. Her mother's best friend was the motherly figure she needed right now. She smiled at the fact that Rouge had been there for her more times then she could count.

She was there to help her when she escaped from Teach, when the nightmares started. When Ace first Marked her as his Bride she had been terrified but Rouge had been there to help her feel at home. When she began to remember her repressed memories, Rouge was there to tell her about her mother. To give her some kind of attachment to the mother she never got to know.

She was even able to convince Thatch to tell Ai about Alduin. About how a human came to be the Second Division Commander of a Vampire Army. How he had met her mother and fallen head over heels for her instantly. How he had proposed to her mere moments after learning her name.

Ai laughed at the fact that her mother had turned him down just as fast. She had wanted him to prove to her that he loved her for her, not because she was a Born Female Vampire. Thatch had told her that he father was relentless when it came to trying to win her mother's affections, almost to the point of embarrassment.

She had asked Rouge about her father's pursuit of her mother and she confirmed everything Thatch had told her and more. She had shared with her her mother's first thoughts on her father. How those thoughts changed over time and how she had found herself picturing a beautiful life with him.

" NEE-CHAN!"

Ai looked up to see Mira hurrying towards her, a large bouquet of flowers hidden awkwardly behind her back. " It would seem that Mira has a present for you." Rouge laughed. " That was very thoughtful of her."

" It was." Ai said, her smile now reaching her eyes as the little girl came towards her.

" Nee-chan! I got you a present to make you not sad no more!" Mira said excitedly. She pulled the bouquet out from behind her back, her little face bright with excitement. The four year old hand managed to find every single type of white and blue flowers that was in the garden. Mira had managed to find the perfect Winter Bouquet to give her.

" Thank you, Mira! This is absolutely beautiful!" Ai said taking the flowers from her.

" Nee-chan is happy now?" Mira asked worriedly. Ai smiled lovingly down at her before pulling her into a tight hug.

" Of course I am! Thank you very much!" Ai said kissing her cheek gently.

" YAY!" Mira giggled happily.

" You seem distracted, Ace." Roger said, glancing up from his strategy board. They had been carefully tracking the Order's movements throughout the surrounding area in attempts to predict their next movement. " What is it? What has you so distracted?"

" It's nothing." Ace groaned running a hand through his hair.

" Really? Because we've proposed several well thought out and viable strategies. You've ignored each and every single one of them." The King said in annoyance. " Now what is on your mind?"

Ace looked around to see several eyes looking at him. From Rayleigh to Zoro. From Buggy and Shanks to Sanji. He saw Sabo shift awkwardly from the corner of his eye.

" Sanji, I'm hungry!" Luffy whined suddenly, diverting the room's attention from the Prince. A loud growl from the wolf's stomach caused the room to bust into laughter.

" I believe it may be time for a break, Your Grace." Shanks laughed, ruffling Luffy's hair lightly. " I believe we are all a little hungry."

" Very well, we'll break for now." Roger sighed, dismissing his War Counsel. When everyone had departed The King had noticed his son was still seated, not having moved a single inch. " Are you planning on telling me what has you so distracted?"

" What was your reaction when Mother told you she was pregnant with me?"

" Truth?" Roger said stroking his mustache thoughtfully. " I almost wet myself. I've fought countless enemies more times then I could count, but when she told me that I was going to be a father, I thought my heart had stopped. I was a warrior, I was good at ending lives, not raising them. I had never even held a baby before."

" When did you get over it?" Ace asked worriedly.

" When I held you in my arms for the very first time." Roger sighed. " You were so little I was afraid I'd break you. Yet when your mother handed you to me, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Every single one of my accomplishments meant nothing to me at that moment. You were my greatest accomplishment ever and every important life accomplishment of yours only added to that belief. From your first laugh to your first words. From your first steps to the kill you made on your first hunting trip."

Ace felt himself begin to relax as his father spoke. " You never regretted becoming a father?"

" Well, I may have had second thoughts when diaper detail came up." Roger laughed. " The first time I changed your diaper you peed right in my face. Direct hit between the eyes. Your mother thought it was hilarious." Ace felt a smirk appear on his face.

" So…" Roger said. " Is there a reason you are asking me this?"

Ace stood outside his bed chamber door trying to will himself to open the door. He knew Ai was in there. Her scent was wafting to him. It was stronger then ever now that she was with child. He knew the upcoming conversation was going to be awkward and uncomfortable.

" Now or never." Ace mumbled, a bead of sweat roll down his neck. He reached a shaky hand to open the door. Upon entering he saw Ai beside the table near the windows arranging a large bouquet of Winter Flowers in a ornate vase. A soft glow shone from the window, casting a beautiful image in-front of him. " Shit." He mumbled louder than he had meant.

Ai looked up quickly to see her Groom entering their room. A nervous smile appeared on her face as she saw him approach. She needed to tell him. He needed to know that in a few short weeks he would be a father. He needed to know before she looked like she swallowed a pumpkin or when there was a newborn crying at all hours of the day.

" Those are beautiful flowers." His deep voice pulled her from her thoughts. She smiled when she felt his warm calloused hand cup her cheek.

" Mira picked them out for me."

" So I take it you both enjoyed yourselves in the gardens?"

" It started out rough but ended very nicely." Ai said, her smile growing as he pulled her closer to him.

" Why was it rough?" Ace asked running his fingers through her soft hair.

" I wasn't feeling well this morning." Ai said, nuzzling her face into his chest.

" But you are feeling better now, right?" Ace asked his voice filled with worry.

" For now."

" What do you mean for now?" Ace asked, his voice now filled with even more worry. " Are you sick?"

" Well, yes and no…"

" It's either one or the other, love." Ace said pulling her to sit on the bed.

" Well right now I am but your mother told me that Morning Sickness is only for a few weeks."

" Morning Sickness…" Ace said, his face paling suddenly as his Bride placed his hand over the small bump of her belly. His mother knew…and so did Ai.

" Yeah…you know that thing that happens to women when they're with child." Ai said hesitantly. She saw how pale he was and began to panic. " A-Ace, do you need to sit?"

" With child…as in…you're pregnant."

" Y-Yes." Ai said pulling him to sit beside her. " It's alright thought." She saw panic run through his black eyes. " Ace?"

" I don't want children…" Ace said before he could stop himself.

" W-Well…" Ai said after several moments of awkward silence. " If you didn't want children then you should have kept your small dagger in its sheath!"

" W-WHAT!" Ace gaped at her sudden change in mood. His father had warned him that women in the family way often fell victim to sudden and unexplained fits of mood swings. " AI!"

" DON'T YOU 'AI' ME, JACKASS!" Ai snapped quickly. " YOU KNOW HOW CHILDREN ARE MADE! WELL GUESS WHAT! YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT TAKING CARE OF THIS BABY! HE DOESN'T NEED YOU AND NEITHER DO I!"

" Ai, calm down!" Ace froze, a sudden sense of terror surged through him as he felt the wind in the room kick up suddenly.

" Get out!" Ai growled low in her throat. " Why don't you spend the night with Luffy!"

" You realize you're being completely unreasonable!" Ace said quickly. " And this is my room!"

'You should probably stop talking.' Aviur said inside Ace's mind. 'Or she will permanently damage my body.'

'SHUT UP AND THIS IS MY BODY!'

'For now.'

" FINE!" Ai snapped angrily before whirling on her heels and storming out of the room. Ace ran after her as she made her way down the hall.

" AI! COME BACK HERE!" Ace yelled following her swiftly, ignoring the confused and amused faces of both the human and vampire servants they passed in the hallway.

" GO AWAY!" Ai snapped as she knocked on a nearby door.

" AI-"

" Princess?" Zoro's tired and annoyed face appeared in the doorway. " What brings you here?"

" Ai?" Robin's cheerful voice called from inside the room. " Come in!" Ai stormed inside, ignoring the confused green haired vampire as she went.

" AI!"

" GO AWAY, JACKASS!" Ai snapped as Robin offered her a seat.

" What's going on?" Zoro asked angrily. " You both woke me up!"

" Could you please remove him, Zoro?" Ai asked turning her back to the two males.

" I'm not leaving, woman! We're talking this out! You're acting like a child!"

" ZORO!"

" Touch me Zoro, and Robin will be a Widow!"

" Threaten me again Ace, and Ai will be the Widow!"

" Why don't you both leave while Ai and I talk?" Robin offered, pulling Ai comfortingly to her.

" This is my room, you know."

" Yes Anata, I will make it up to you later." Robin said winking over her shoulder at her Groom.

" Fine," Zoro grumbled. " Let's go, Ace."

" Alright Ai, fine! Act childish!" Ace snapped angrily. " When you are done acting immature you know where to find me!" He glanced over his shoulder to the blue eyed woman. " Watch her, Robin. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid!"

" TO LATE!" Ai yelled. " SHE LET ME FALL FOR A FRECKLED FACED JACKASS!"