Chapter 5 Birthday Surprises Part 2

So far things have gone swimmingly. The party was in full swing, everyone was currently either drinking, eating, a few were even singing along to the music. Rose was currently sitting on Shanks's lap listening to him tell her the adventures of the mighty Red-haired pirate. Marco sat not too far watching the crews mingle making sure no one had got too rough with anyone. Benn Shanks's first mate was helping Marco keep on eye on everyone. Whitebeard somehow was able to convince the nurses that he should be allowed to drink since it was a party for their youngest.

Rose suddenly stood up from Shanks's lap and waddled over to Marco before pulling on his sleeve pointing to a Whitebeard nurse who was currently dancing with a red-haired pirate member.

"What's up chickling, yoi?" Marco asked as he picked up Rose.

"What are they doing?" Her eyes never once leaving the dancing couple.

"They are dancing, yoi," Marco said, also watching them.

"I want to dance with Mama!" Rose suddenly shouted as she jumped from Marco's grip and pulled him towards where others were dancing.

When they reached the dance floor Marco had Rose stand on the top of his feet and they held hands. Marco swayed a bit to the music and every now and then took small steps to move them back and forward. Rose happily danced along with him. From the sidelines, he could hear a few giggles mainly from Thatch and Shanks. He would have usually gotten angry at them but right now he is too happy enjoying the moment.

"Rose, how about I teach you something, yoi?" Marco asked leaning down a bit to be heard better.

"I don't want to learn now! I want to dance!" Rose pouted.

Marco let out a chuckle, " Don't worry it isn't boring. I am going to teach you how to call me if you are ever in danger, yoi."

She looked up at him curiously forgetting entirely about her earlier anger. Marco smiled down at her before he let out a low whistle similar to a bird call, though not one Rose had ever heard in her life.

"How do I do that Mama?!" Rose said excitedly sparkles in her eyes.

"Push your tongue to the roof like this and blow, yoi," Marco said showing her how to.

She did what she was told to do and let out a breath with a kind of similar noise. It was clear she was close; she just needed some more practice. After a few more attempts she was able to make the same sound Marco was able too.

"You can call me whenever you need me. Only you know this call so I know that you need me and I will come running. No matter what is happening or whenever, yoi," Marco told Rose seriously looking into her eyes.

Rose just hugged him but was only able to hug his legs thanks to her short height.

"Everyone, it's present and cake time!" Thatch yelled to the crowd.

Marco picked up Rose and brought her to her seat next to Oyaji. Stacked next to here was a huge pile of presents from the crew. Rose stared at the presents excitedly. She waited until Marco signaled for her to start opening presents. She went to reach for one when Thatch handed her a small square-ish package for her to open first.

"It's from me," Thatch told her, jabbing his thumb into his chest.

Rose quickly tore it open to find a cute apron in her size. She glanced at Marco who mouthed to her to say thank you. She nodded and stood up in her chair and leaned over to give Thatch a kiss on the cheek before smiling at him.

"Thank you big brother Thatch!"

"You're welcome chickling," Thatch said as he ruffled her hair smiling.

For the next hour, Rose opened everyone else's presents and thanked them the same way she had thanked Thatch. From Marco, she got some simple art materials for her to draw with. Dai had given her tons of candy and a necklace with a pink and blue gem on it. Jozu gave her some hair clips. Vista, Blamenco, Rakuyo, and Blenheim had gotten her dolls to play with. Curiel, Kingdew, Atmos, Jiru, and Fossa had given her different toys to play with. Haruta had made her a specially made bed in the shape of the Moby Dick made for her. Well, Izo had given her tons of dress and different clothes for her. Whitebeard had given her almost a bookshelf worth of new books for her to read. From the crew, they had also given her more books, clothes, toys, accessories, and art supplies for her. Shanks gave her an old treasure chest to use as a toy chest. After Rose had opened everyone's presents and thanked them a bunch of the Fourth Division broke off from the group of pirates.

They came back after a few moments carrying a massive cake. The cake was in the shape of the Moby Dick and on the deck of the "ship" there were little dolls made in the likeness of the entire crew. Marco patted Thatch on the back.

"You have really outdone yourselves this year, yoi."

"Well, this is the first birthday she will probably actually remember so why not make it special?"

"You do realize next year will be a disappointment compared to this one, yoi."

"Guess I'll just have to do better next year than," Thatch said, turning to give Marco a smile.

They looked back to see Rose was helping the chiefs pass out slices of cake to everyone. Of course, no one dared to refuse the cake out of fear that Rose would start to tear up. Not too long Rose came waddling up to Marco and Thatch holding two plates in each hand. She handed one to Thatch and then gave Marco a hug.

"Here is your cake Mama," Rose said as she let go and handed him the other plate before sitting on his lap to eat her own slice of cake.

Everyone followed Rose's lead and ate their slices of cake. Before too long the entire cake was gone besides the toys which had been washed of frosting and left with Rose to play with. Well everyone besides a few went back to drinking themselves drunk.