Chapter 2: Instant love

'Within the huge sea that is the North Blue, there's a spring island called Silver Road.

This city of prosperous marketplace has a great amount of travelers who look for the great quality of products its sellers have, pirates and marines alike, with no discrimination. This is why it is known as the Paradise of Merchandising.

It normally is a beautiful place, with a warm weather for most of the year, little natural landscapes and often buzzy streets.

And in this island, the second of March of 1484, something was about to happen'

It's official. Franz Bell was the fastest man of all the Blues.

He running on total high speed, leaving a huge cloud of dust and startled pedestrians behind him is proof enough.

"IT'S FINALLY HERE!" - Sweat was covering his entire face. Since when, he's not really sure, maybe since he received the news his wife was on her way to the hospital a few hours ago.

After nine long months of waiting, it was happening at last. He was going to be a father.

Happiness is the only thing the young man feels now. Not even the angry people shouting at him to watch out where he's going can take the big goofy smile off his face.

"IT'S FINALLY HERE!"- this time, Franz closed his eyes and jumped while shouting, fist in the air. He couldn't help it, it was the euphoria.

It would be appreciated if the hospital wasn't so far from the docks though. Franz was making the race of his life, the ship he just got off from being the start line.

The crowded streets were not helping either. He forgot how the market looked in the afternoons - since it was about lunchtime, more people than normal were frequenting the zone, not to mention the many travelers buying supplies for their trips.

'Like I care, that's not important now! I have to-' "AAAHHH!"

Turning one of the many corners the neighborhood had, Franz was not able to stop himself on time to see he was about to strike directly a massive pile of boxes. And so he did.

The loud crashing sound could be heard from about a block. He ended up on the floor, facing the blue sky, eyes spinning, while wondering what kind of marine wasn't able to evade that.

"Franz-bo? Is that you?" - Coming out of his daze, the man in question blinked, then sat and looked around searching for the familiar voice.

Standing behind him was a bespectacled older man in his early forties. His slightly wrinkled face was one of surprise, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Franz seconded the action.

"Louie-san!?" - he couldn't hide the astonishment of seeing one of his neighbors. Nobody could blame him, he had been traveling the seas for months.

The oldest of the duo smiled cheerily - "I knew it could only be you, always making a fuss wherever you go" - this being said, and extended hand helped the young marine to get on his feet - "Long time no see…" – dark eyes trailed down to look at his uniform – "…Lieutenant, my congrats"

At this, Bell blinked twice, completely taken aback.

…

'That's right, I'm a Lieutenant now'

…

No matter how many times he was called like that, he still wasn't used to it. It has only been a week since his promotion after all.

A shy look and a hand at the back of his auburn hair was the only response he could think of - "Heh heh..Thanks. I'm doing my best. It's good to see you too Louie-san, I see things are still the same here in Silver Road, it's quite refreshing" - His expression was softer now.

"Well...not exactly the same" - a mischievous tone was added to that statement, making Franz frown in confusion.

"What do you mean? Did something happen?" – god he hoped not. It really wasn't a good time to think about pirates or bandits or…the World Government. Yet, the only answer he got was a sight of exasperation.

"For real Franz-bo? You forgot already?" - The old man had his left hand covering his eyes now. - "Poor little, innocent soul who's going to have this moron as a father"

There was a small pause after that, accompanied by a stare conquest.

Then suddenly, it struck him.

"AAAHHH! MY WIFE! THE BABY!" - If it weren't impossible for the laws of physics, his eyeballs would be out of their orbits at this rate.

"There we go, it wasn't that hard was it?" - Louie couldn't help but enjoy the whole situation. It was the first time he saw his old friend at the border of a heart attack.

…

'Some marine he is, scared of a baby'

…

Bell was back on square one - completely anxious. It was like he had just got off from the ship - "I-I'm sorry Louie-san. I have to-"

"I get it, just go before you faint" - He said while making a shooing motion.

The young man's eager smile was back on place, eyes practically sparkling - "Y-Yes, thanks! I'll see you later!" - Franz said goodbye and took off again.

After what felt like forever, he finally made it to the hospital.

A big ball of nerves with messy hair entering the building was not exactly the impression he wished to make, but he has lost time enough between reaching the island, talking to his friend and asking the scared receptionist where his beloved was.

'That's it! That's room 251!'

Almost stumbling and tackling nurses in the process, he rushed to the door and pushed it with all his might.

Someone yelped, but his sight was centered on something else.

There, sitting on a bed, was a brown-haired, young woman. She looked really tired, even more than him, but a beautiful smile was adorning her features.

"Monique!" - Franz couldn't be more relieved to see his wife was fine. He feels like it's been ages since the last time they were together, just when he was told she was expecting.

But this time, he will stay for some months before going back to work. He felt so bad for having Monique go through all the pregnancy process alone, that the new Lieutenant practically begged for a little vacation period.

"Shhh. Welcome home dear" - aquamarine eyes looked at him calmly, barely reacting to his disastrous entry. She was used to it after all - "Won't you come here and say hello to your daughter?"

At this, the marine's heart stopped, his eyes taking the little form Monique was holding between her arms.

He slowly reached the nearest chair and sat in a - as Monique often said- 'adorkable manner', with his legs spread at each side of it and his hands flat in the middle space. Eyes the color of fresh grapes were wide open, expectant. His mouth was suddenly dry and his hands all sweaty.

Then, all his worries were away at the sight he got just a few centimeters below him. Among the bundle of sheets, the most beautiful being in the world was sleeping peacefully.

A tiny little nose, small closed eyes, thin mouse and rosy pink skin. Hair a little lighter than her mother´s could be distinguished.

'She looks so...fragile' - a desire of protection was already rising in his chest, maybe it was a parent's thing.

There was a pause, a small one, and then his wife spoke.

"Her name is Christa…Christa Bell" - Monique said with warm sentiment.

And for the second time that day, Franz Bell fell in love with the same being. Her daughter, her angel…the one he knew, was born to do amazing things.

'Where am I? What happened? Everything is so bright. What the hell is going on!?'

Hey it's me again. This chapter was going to be a little longer with Kimberly/ Christa's point of view. But I realized it'd be better to leave it for chapter three, and just introduce Christa's dad in this one. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about her.

PS: For those who don´t know, the One Piece timeline has years, most of the current story happening between 1522 and 1524. Just so you get a reference of how far back in time we are.

Majopi out!