Sorry for the cliffhanger last week guys, but you'll see why i wrote it like that with this chapter. Also today is my birthday, and I have gotten so many lovely reviews from everybody, )plus you all keep asking me to update early) that I have decided to try and publish two chapters this week. But don't get used to it, I have tests starting next week (ick) so it will go back to once a week. I also included a special surprise for all the nice things you guys have said.

Chapter 5

Marco's POV

When Marco had woken that morning, he had quickly realized that Ace would more than likely be coming home sometime that day. Energized at the prospect of seeing his lover for the first time in months, he had quickly dressed and eaten breakfast, then gone to work, while waiting for the ship to appear on the horizon. When that very anticipated call had come not even an hour later he had nearly transformed trying to get to the deck as fast as possible. The others on board had laughed at him, however many were just as quick to rush in finishing their assignments to see the return of their brother.

Upon seeing Ace alive and well, despite the bandages that covered his torso, he had been overwhelmed enough to nearly tackle the younger male to deck in greeting. It had been everything he had hoped for to have him back in his arms. He had been planning to drag him straight back to their bedroom after he had finished giving his report, but then it had happened. Ace had looked at him and said the two words that he hadn't been expecting. Though what he had expected to hear was up for debate, it had not been the words ' I'm Pregnant.'

Regular POV

Marco's mouth hung open looking much like a fish as he stared at Ace. Whitebeards laughter was what first broke the silence permeating the room after Ace's confession. "So you two got lucky I see. That is if it's Marco's. You aren't showing very much." Ace looked horrified at the accusation, but Marco even more so at the thought that his lover would do such a thing. "Of course its Marco's damn it, what are you even thinks Pop's? You know I'd never do such a thing to Marco, I love him." Ace's raised voice and indignation were meet with just more laughs, "I was merely making an observation, however I do believe you have struck poor Marco speechless. Just how far along are you if you don't mind me asking? It must be more than a few months" Ace looked worriedly at Marco, but turned to answer his captain. It was Marco who spoke first though, "Almost four months." Both turned to look at Marco, Whitebeard then turning to Ace for confirmation. At which he just nodded his head. Then Marco turned to Ace and spoke very quietly, "Ace this isn't a joke, like the egg that one time is it, you're really… I mean we going to have a … what I meant is that…" Ace looked him in the eye then and said it out loud, "I'm dead serious, we're having a baby." Marco just smiled a little at that and nodded, then did what most around the world, who feared him as Whitebeard's second in command, would never believe. He fainted.

Ace was at his lover's side in minutes checking on him. Still sitting on his bed Whitebeard began to laugh anew. Apparently everything about this situation was funny to him.

A short while later, after the acquisition of some smelling salts from one of Whitebeards nurse's, Marco woke with a groan. Seeing the worried face of his love looking down at him he was struck with the memories of what Ace had told him. Fixing his gaze on his lover's midriff, he reached out his hand to place his palm against the smooth skin of his lovers' stomach; feeling the softening muscles and slight swell underneath of growing life he was instantly awed. "You're really…I mean we're really having a baby yoi?" Ace nodded and placed his hands atop Marco's. Smiling Marco lent up to share a kiss with Ace, then a thought stuck him, "You knew you were pregnant and went to fight Teach anyway! Are you crazy, you ended up caught by the Marine's, what if your brother hadn't freed you yoi? What if…" He couldn't even finish the sentence, Ace looked hurt, but it hurt Marco even more to imagine what could have happened.

"Marco!" Whitebeard interjected. Turning to the man as he continued, "I believe Ace has already realized his mistake. And there will be no need for anyone to go after Teach anyhow." He stopped to smile down at the two, " Now that is enough excitement for the moment I think. I'm sure Ace and you have much to catch up on, and it's still early. I will tell the others I gave you the day off. So you all go back to you cabin, I'm sure you have much to talk about, so go on now."

Marco stood at Whitebeards beckoning them out, and reached out a hand to Ace whom accepted the jester and within minutes they were in the hallway moving towards their room. Once inside its safe confines, the two sat down on the bed. It was then that Marco looked over at Ace and realized that he was crying. Taking him into his arms, he was about to ask what was wrong when Ace interjected, "I'm sorry Marco. I'm sorry; I didn't think Teach would be that strong and that my powers would fade so quickly, let alone that finding him would take so long. I really would have given up if it had taken any longer. I'm so sorry, just don't stay mad at me ok. Just don't." Marco just hugged the boy closer to his chest before he began speaking. "Ace I'm not angry at you, okay. I've just been worried yoi. I haven't heard a word from you for almost four months. Some of the crew thought you might be dead; we only heard rumors about where you were. And now I'm going to be worried for the next few months every time you so much as make a strange face, and about two of you instead of one. So stop crying all right."

With a grimace Ace answered, "I'm not crying damn it, stupid fucking hormones. First the morning sickness and now this, fuck I'm going to be fat and a mess when this is all over." He collapsed back on the bed. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, Marco inspecting his young lover and checking the bandages that crossed his chest until Ace spoke again.

"We're going to have to tell everyone else about this tonight aren't we?" Both imagined the chaos at the news they were about to break. "Aw hell, that's going to be fun. Especially once everyone starts trying to touch me after we tell them." Marco chuckled at the image his lover produced, "It won't be that bad yoi. We can tell them your too tired and leave after breaking the news…or you could pretend to have one of your narcoleptic fits." Both laughed at that. After a few minutes Ace finally spoke again, "Marco are you really happy about this. I mean it's a big change, and we haven't been together that long to think about a baby. Plus there's your pirate career to consider, let alone my parentage."

Marco waited for him to finish and then spoke, "Look Ace remember what I told you before you joined Pop's crew. Having a family and place to belong makes us happy yoi. There is nothing more important to us than the family we have made here, because most of us never had a real family. This is my chance to have a real family; even more important it's with someone I love, no matter who your father was. So even if it's at a slightly early point in our relationship, I know my feelings won't change, and it's not like having a baby will mean either of us have to stop being pirates yoi. No one on this ship is going to let anything happen to you while your pregnant or to the baby once it's here. So yes, I am very happy about this. Unexpected, strange, and sudden as it may be yoi."

Ace just smiled, god Marco always knew how to make him feel better, it was one of the reasons he loved him so much. "Well then I guess I should just hope the baby doesn't inherit your weird accent."

Marco just smiled. "I thought you liked my accent yoi?"

"I do sometimes." Ace grinned.

Marco grinned back, "Only sometimes."

Ace laughed, and as he did Marco drew him close for a kiss. Feeling the love in the kiss, Ace felt all his doubts from the last few weeks disappear. And with the doubt in Ace's mind gone, everything seemed so much brighter and happier. The two laid on the bed kissing and touching, reacquainting themselves to each other. Breaking from the last kiss to breath, Ace smiled slightly as Marco's hands began to wonder and his mouth moved to Ace's neck.

"I guess you did miss me."

"Four months yoi. And I might as well get my fill now, cause after we have a baby around this won't be something we can enjoy as much." Ace laughed at that, but his laughter was quickly cut off as he moaned. As he sat up to begin removing Marco's shirt he added, "Well as much as I missed this, we might want to make this quick or I may fall asleep."

"Quick I might be able to promise you after four months yoi." Ace laughed.

A few hours later they both lay exhausted, but happy to be together as they fell asleep.

Later that day the two woke and left the bedroom ready to face the rest of the crew and Ace's brother. Marco however claimed to have a surprise for him and lead him through the ship to the kitchen.

"Marco despite the circumstances I'm not sure I could eat a bite, I'm a bit nervous about telling everyone."

Marco smiled, "Well despite the scare your going to give the kitchen crew when we break the news, that's not what we're going to the kitchen for."

Reaching the doors to the kitchen Marco pushed them aside and motioned his love in.

"Well you don't want me to break the news to them in here do you? Funny as that may be to watch, the fact that we may ruin dinner would kill the fun."

Marco laughed, "Don't worry that's not it either." Turning he shouted into the kitchen, "Hey he's home yoi. Get out here."

Ace looked at his lover warily, "You didn't have them make a cake or something did you? I haven't been gone that long. I'll also remind you I can't drink anymore."

"Don't tell me you've gone Cold Turkey on us Ace, that'll cut half the fun at the parties from now on."

Ace stalled at the sound of the newcomers voice; shakily he turned around and felt tears begin to build in his eyes at the sight. Smiling at him and looking as well as ever stood Thatch.

So did anyone see that coming? I did, but I couldn't leave Thatch dead. Anyway let me know what you all thought, I'll try to post the next chapter either Thursday or Friday. So see you then.