Ok all I'm sorry I was gone so long. I feel I should explain. So my mom did go to rehab and that took a month and kept me busy, since I had to deal with most of the house stuff she normally does. Then school got busy and I had to concentrate on learning this one concept in spanish that just would not click. Then spring break happened and my dad and I went to Japan for his 60th birthday, which was nice and I actually got most of this done while I was over there and on the plane. However school started again and then this last friday I woke up and my mom was moving out. I had a terrible last week of school because of it, and my life has been getting the locks on the house changed (dad's idea), and talking to people (their more freaked out than I am), and dealing with my sister and dad deal with the entire issue (why do I feel like I'm taking this better than everyone else?). Anyway…. school is done for the summer, and I finally decided to just sit down and finish this really long chapter. I'm about as happy with it as I'll ever be and it almost became two, but I couldn't find a good place to split it, so here it is.

Chapter 21

Where Marco went exactly no one was really sure, but he was gone for hours. The only one who seemed to have any idea was Whitebeard, and he wasn't handing out clues. In fact when asked all he seemed to do was start laughing and talking about when he was younger.

Ace spent most of the day sleeping or chatting with his brothers, so it wasn't until later in the evening when his brothers excused themselves to go back to their ships that he started missing his lover.

So one could only imagine his disappointment when Thatch limped in, balancing two plates of food in one hand.

"Oh it's just you."

Thatch looked affronted, "Just me, well 'scuse me your highness, me and my food were just leaving."

"No Thatch don't leave. I just thought you might be Marco. I haven't seen him since this morning."

Turning around Thatch quickly went about laying out Ace's and his dinner. "Well where do you think he went?"

"Away from me." Ace said pouting (which he would later deny ever happened), "I sort of yelled at him, and it wasn't his fault. I just haven't been able to get comfortable, and I keep going from hungry to not hungry. Then sometimes I'm mad and I can't remember why, and then I'm sad cause I've yelled at someone for no reason. I just…" He stopped thinking about what he wanted, before he continued, "I just want this to be done with, and I want Marco back so I can apologize."

"Yeah kid we all know. And this has hardly been easy for you and him. How about after we're done eating I go find Marco. Then you can have him get the doctor to get the kid out. You know they've just been waiting for you to say it's time."

"I know. I just… I don't know why, but I want to wait. I tried explaining it to Marco, but I don't know why. It just doesn't feel like its time yet."

"Well then we can only make you comfortable in the mean time yoi."

Ace turned to see his lover standing in the doorway.

"Marco…" Ace started, when Thatch interrupted him, "You done already buddy?"

"Yeah thanks for bringing him dinner yoi." Then Marco turned to look at Ace, "You done?" He said looking at Aces barely touched plate with minor concern.

Ace nodded.

"Good then we can move you to our new room."

"Move me to what?"

"You'll see." Was all Ace got before he was lifted up by his lover blankets and all and carried into the hall. It wasn't until they got onto the deck though that Ace realized what had happened. He had been on one of the paddle ships, not the true Moby Dick.

"Marco what's happening?"

"We put you on one of the newer ships when you got back, because it has a more updated infirmary that's closer to the Commanders rooms. So just in case of an emergency the doctors could treat you faster and slightly better."

"So this entire time…" Ace said looking at his lover as they left the deck of the Moby Dick towards their real room.

"Well we couldn't ruin the surprise, now could we you?" Thatch laughed watching his two best friends. Then he limped around Marco to the door.

"What surprise?"

"Ta-da." Thatch said with a flourish.

Ace looked around at what had once been Marco's room. In place of the old built-in bed was something similar to what he had been sleeping on when on the island he'd been hiding on. The closet was now bigger and as he looked closer he noticed that many of his things were now spread throughout the room. Ace could here Thatch laughing as he closed the door behind them, leaving them to themselves. Then he noted that there was now a door to the side that wasn't there before.

Noting that Ace had seen the door Marco moved them both towards it, then opened it to reveal the true surprise.

"Marco it's beautiful. Did you do all of this?"

Inside was what was apparently the baby's room. The walls had been painted to reflect the images of the ocean with the sky above it. All of the furniture that the others had bought for them was neatly arranged so that the new parent's would be easily able to clean and care for their new little one with ease.

"Not really, I just got the bed made the way you had on the island and had it added. Your brothers and their Nakama did all the rest. Franky and Usopp added the door and did the painting to Luffy's idea, and then the girls and Sabo set up and organized the furniture under Law's directions. They said to consider it their gift to us yoi."

"It's perfect."

"Now I'm under strict orders to make you rest now that you've seen the rooms. Doc said not to let you get too excited."

Marco moved them both back into their room, before setting Ace on the bed.

"Marco."

"Hmm?" He said pulling off his clothes so they could sleep.

"I love you."

Marco chuckled. "Yeah I know." Then he climbed in next to Ace. "Me too."

Five more days passed uneventfully. The Whitebeard Allies left the island in order to protect the islands that flew Whitebeards flag in his place. The Whitebeards had become used to the sight of both the Strawhat and Heart Pirates.

Neither of the Supernova's crews were obviously too used to being associated with the worlds most powerful crew, however none of the young pirates were truly upset about it.

Powerful allies were just that, Powerful.

All in all no one was complaining. Well no one, but one Portgas D. Ace, but given his current situation no one was blaming him.

Well except maybe Luffy, but by the sixth day even Sabo was restless and after talking to Ace that morning, instead of sitting with the second commander as they normally did all morning, they ran off to explore the island they were docked at.

Ace, thankful for the chance to have some alone time. He had been even more irate then the last few days as his comfort level plummeted by the day, and with his back constantly pinching and his belly cramping on and off throughout the day, when he was finally able to find a semi comfortable position he decided to settle for a nap before the baby could move and make him uncomfortable again.

However it wasn't the baby moving that woke him only a few hours later, it was someone shaking him awake.

When he opened his eyes he found Law, and despite the fact that the man would deny it venomously if he ever mentioned it, the pirate doctor looked worried.

"Portgas-ya, you were having a nightmare."

Ace remembered it, a terrible nightmare full of pain and an eerily familiar laugh. He shuddered thinking about it, but then another pain struck him.

"Oh shit."

"Portgas-ya. How long have you been having cramps?"

Ace stopped to think, but he didn't really know. Days maybe. He'd been so uncomfortable that any pain in his gut he had simply wrote off as another pain.

"Ace." His name brought him back to Law's question.

"I..I don't really know. I've been so uncomfortable. It's been at least a day."

Law's jaw tightened and Ace could tell the doctor wasn't happy with his answer.

"Portgas-ya. I hate to be the one to inform you of this, but you may be in labor."

Ace just blinked. Labor? Well that would explain the cramps. "Isn't this supposed to hurt more? I mean, if I am in labor."

Law blinked back at him. "You aren't surprised that you could be in labor. No offense Portgas-ya, but men aren't exactly built to have a baby naturally."

"Naw. Jared checked a while ago. Apparently, sometimes the devil fruit compensates and grows the necessary parts for a male fruit user to have a child naturally. Not always, but I've know for months that I could pop the kid out on my own."

Law seemed to mull over the information, looking both disgusted and intrigued at the same time. Then he got up and with only a quick, "I'll be back," he was gone.

"Well shit. He was helpful. Some doctor he is."

Figuring that there was very little he could do till Law came back, Ace settled back down. He'd read in one of his books that labor could take anywhere from a few hours to days. "Might as well get a bit more sleep while I wait."

And like that he was out.

When Ace woke again, it was to the feeling of someone stroking his hair. Opening his eyes he was pleased to see Marco.

"Hey sleepy head, I heard we may be parents soon."

Ace just grinned up at his lover, "Law said he thinks I may be in labor. Frankly I'm fine with that. It feels like a good day for him or her to be born."

Marco laughed lightly, "Only you could be so calm about this. You even made Law freak out, he came running to get Jared. And they interrupted my meeting with Pops. Hell I think even Pop's is freaking out."

Ace laughed at the prospect. "And how about you daddy?"

Marco's laugh became very nervous sounding after Ace mentioned the 'D' word and the hand hold his that he hadn't noticed before visibly tightened.

"Holding up. Law and Jared are trying to decide whether it would be best to let you go into labor or to prep you for surgery." Marco said nodding towards a corner of the room where he had failed to note Law and Jared in discussion.

"I don't think I care either way. I'll be able to finally get out of this bed no matter which way they decide." He yawned. "Either way, I think I'm going to go back to sleep for a bit."

Marco smiled. "You do that. They said its best to let you sleep while you can. You need to conserved what strength you can."

Ace simply smiled. Then he slipped off again.

When Ace woke again, it was to a large cramp tearing its way through his middle. Marco was still there, and it seemed that both his brothers must have been made aware of what was happing, cause Sabo and Luffy were both behind him.

"How long was I out?"

Marco grinned, "A couple hours. Jared thinks its best for you to have the baby naturally since your fruit went to all the trouble to rearrange your reproductive organs. He also said something about it being healthier for both of you."

Luffy started laughing, "Ace is a girl now."

Ace felt himself start to panic a bit at his youngest brothers words, but Sabo was quick to correct Luffy. "He's not a girl, his fruit just made it so he can have the baby. You saw everything when Marco and I got him out of his clothes, he's still fully male."

Ace looked down at his brother's words, and quickly lifted the sheet and blanket he had covering his lower half and found that he was indeed naked.

"Really you all couldn't wait till I was awake?" His question earned him a few grins.

"Doctors orders yoi."

Ace turned a sour look from his lover to the older of his two brothers. "And what's your excuse?"

Sabo's grin widened impossibly, "I'm your brother. Not like I haven't seen you naked before, and Marco asked for my help. Plus I don't need an excuse to annoy and embarrass you."

Rolling his eyes he turned away from the two to stare at the ceiling, just as another pain rippled through his middle. They were definitely getting worse, but they were still far from being as excruciating as he had always assumed they would be. He felt Marco squeeze his hand in support and he gratefully returned it.

Well hopefully only a little longer till this was all over.

The pains in his abdomen had been slowly worsening for an hour before both Jared and Law made another appearance.

"Hello Ace. How are you feeling?"

Ace gave the older doctor a look trying to express how he was feeling, but after only receiving a small smile for his effort, he huffed before replying. "I'm in pain. It's been slowly getting worse for a while now. How soon can I start pushing and getting this kid out."

Law gave a small laugh from behind the older man, and Ace sent him the deadliest glare he could muster. "As soon as your water breaks the real hard labor will start and then hopefully a little later we'll have our newest crew member."

Ace eyes had gone wide, "Wait hard labor, you mean this isn't the real labor?"

"No you're in labor, but I'm afraid this is just the beginning."

"Sorry Portgas-ya, but it gets much worse than this." Law was grinning like a maniac as he spoke.

Ace layed back with a huff, "Why didn't I let you all convince me to have surgery yesterday?"

All those present laughed knowing that no one could talk Ace into anything he didn't want.

"Don't worry Ace, it'll be over before you know it. And you'll have a beautiful baby to keep you busy."

Everyone present could tell Ace wasn't convinced, but Jared and Law left stating that they would be back to check on him in a bit. And a little later Sabo excused himself to give the two lovers some privacy. Luffy had disappeared sometime in the interim, too impatient to sit still in the room for long.

"You hurting yoi?"

Ace contemplated the question, staring at the ceiling, before replying, "A bit. Nothing I can't handle yet." Then he turned to Marco. "You scared?"

"A bit. Though I'm also excited. You?"

"Maybe a little, but I think that I've had enough time to really work out my feelings. I think I'm more apprehensive then anything else. I just hope everything is alright after this."

"We'll be fine yoi. We have plenty of doctors to make sure nothing goes wrong, and a huge family ready to help. This baby will want for nothing."

Both shared a smile.

The next few hours were rather uneventful. Franky and Jozu had brought in Marco's old bed and while Marco lifted him, they had switched out his lovely boat bed. When he had complained they had simply explained that it was doctors orders, and then helped Marco set him up on top of mounds of pillows. The contractions continued to grow closer and stronger. Most of his family had heard the news and had come in to see him at one point or another. Whitebeard had come in and sat with them for some time, before leaving to let Jared and Law check him over again. And Ace had continued to nap in between contractions; saving his strength for what Law and Jared said was going to be extremely painful and tiring event.

All in all it was nearly 8 hours before the growing pressure and the growing tightness released when his water broke. Ace let out a sigh when it did, slightly more comfortable now that that was over, before he had to clench his teeth as a very sudden contraction hit.

"Shit."

"Ace I'm going to go get Jared or Law."

"Not yet." He said continuing to grit his teeth through the pain, refusing to release the hand in his grip just yet.

"Ok. I'm here. Just breath."

When the pain receded, Ace finally felt himself relax. Falling back heavily onto the pillows supporting his body. "Ok. You can go get them now."

"Don't worry. You were in too much pain to notice, but Sabo popped in and I sent him to get them. They should be here soon yoi."

"Dear god. Remind me to send a prayer of thanks to my mother when this is done. Gods I can't believe this is supposed to get worse."

Marco squeezed his hand again and made to reply when the door opened to let Jared, Law, and Brandon inside.

"Well Ace I hear that your finally a little closer to having the little one. Have you been timing the contractions Marco?"

"He just had a big one after his water broke. I timed it at 12 minutes yoi."

"Hmm, that's good. We'd best have a look then. Ace with your permission I'm having both Law and Brandon help me. Brandon has no experience in delivery, but Law has delivered a baby, but never one in your situation. They would like to use this as a learning experience. However if it makes you uncomfortable they can leave."

"They're fine, just get this kid out."

Jared and the other two doctors laughed, but then quickly set about getting ready. A nurse arrived a few minutes later with some equipment and Law set about clearing Marco's desk to place some of the items on it, while Brandon brought in and set up some larger equipment.

With that done, Jared quickly leant down to check between Ace's legs as another contraction hit him. He motioned Law over and with a quick conversation they brought over Brandon. When they were done, the two younger doctors stepped back. Then Jared stood up. "Well I'd say Marco and I can help you get into a position you're comfortable with and then we can start."

Ace let his head fall back and hit the pillow with a quick, "Thank god."

It took only a few minutes for Marco and Jared to set up Ace in a position that he found comfortable. He was almost sitting up in bed with many pillow behind his back, and many more pillows and towels supporting his hips. Then with his legs canted so he was as open for the doctors to help as possible, Jared was happy with the position he had chosen. And when Marco sat down next to Ace on the bed and slipped slightly behind him for support, even Ace was content.

"Alright Ace your ready. With the next contraction you can push, we will tell you if you should stop. But you get to do pretty much the rest from here."

God that was what he wanted to hear, he felt Marco kiss him on the forehead, but he was concentrating on what his body was doing. And when he felt the building of pain he was ready.

What Marco and Ace didn't know was what happening right outside their room. All twelve of the other commanders, Whitebeard, Sabo, Luffy and his crew and many of the other Whitebeard crewmembers were crowding the hallway waiting for something to happen.

However when the first of Ace's screams reached their ears a number of things happened in an instant. Both Sabo and Luffy rocketed to the door in order to get to their brother, while Zoro and Jozu both grabbed for and restrained the two brothers. Whitebeard sat up perfectly straight in his seat, and Nami and Usopp both screeched when they noticed cracks forming in the walls behind the worlds most powerful man, and the commanders, all except Jozu who was wrestling with Sabo, leapt to their feet and started trying to distract their captain and save the ship. However only Robin seemed to notice the youngest member of the Strawhat crew run to the door and slip inside.

Ace's POV

Inside the room, Ace was in agony. Dear god how did women do this. He'd been shot, stabbed, and broken bones numerous times and none of them lived up to the pain he was in now.

Next to him Marco was an absolute mess. None of the pain medications that they could give him had dulled the pain, and his poor lover was practically driving himself up the wall in worry.

Then he noticed a small form slip in through the door and for a small moment wondered why there was a child on board the ship. Then he realized that it was Chopper, his brothers doctor.

Chopper was quick in assessing the situation as he had been taught to do by Doctorine. Noting that the others in the room seemed to be trying to help with Ace's pain and having no luck he quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a few herbs and started mixing them.

Done in minutes with the mixture, he moved over to where Law was before tugging on the other pirate's pants.

"Tanuki-ya you can't be in here."

"But I have something that may work to help Ace with his pain."

Brandon stepped over to where the two were, "It's alright Law, he's a doctor too. Let us see what he has."

Law didn't look convinced. "Just bring it over here yoi. It can't hurt to try it."

And that was all it took for Law to move aside. Chopper quickly moved to where Ace and Marco sat, before handing the paste to Marco. "Just give him a bit. It'll taste bad, but it should help with the pain, but still allow him to push."

Marco nodded, and then following Choppers instructions offered a bit of the paste to Ace.

A while later Chopper slipped back outside, content to know that he had helped. Law had also promised to tell him anything he learned from the experience, when he was done observing.

However what he wasn't expecting was for his captain to grab him and start begging him for information. Shaking him as if to make him talk faster.

"Chopper how's Ace? Does he want food? Is the baby here yet? Can we go see him?"

"Luffy stop shaking him." Sabo said grabbing a hold of Chopper, and turned his gaze to Chopper, "Answer the questions kid."

Chopper gasped a bit, a bit scared of his Captains older brother, "Eh, um. He's fine. No, you need to stay out here. They'll let us know when the baby is here and when we can see Ace. Uh, what else did you ask?"

"Quit scaring him you two." Nami grabbed him.

From the sidelines the 12 commanders all watched as the absurd scene unfolded. And the two brothers protected themselves from the redheaded navigator. Seeing his chance Chopped walked over to the 4th division commander and whispered something in his ear.

Then with a simple nod to the young reindeer Thatch hobbled down the corridor to his own room.

All three doctors in the mean time were happy to note that Ace's pain level had dropped significantly. However it didn't seem to make the labor any easier.

Nonetheless, Jared did not seem nearly as worried as the two younger doctors. He had expected the labor to be difficult and painful, simply for the fact that even with the proper organs to give birth. Ace was male. Which seemed to scare Law more than anything.

Despite that Ace didn't seem to let any of that deter him, and Marco was staying relatively calm through the whole process. And compared to the last male he had seen go though this, Ace was doing well.

A few minutes later Chopper popped back into Ace's room carrying a book. Walking quickly to Marco side he handed the book to the older Zoan. Who simply nodded his thanks before turning back to his lover.

Ace's POV

To be honest Ace was in hell. He was exhausted and hurting all over. Jared and Marco were both coaching him to push. Finally after another contraction subsided, he felt himself go limp.

"God damn Marco. I should have know the kid would have your patients, and just take his damn time to do anything."

Ace felt his lover chuckle lightly behind him, "Not my fault he agrees with my approach to life. At least that'll be one less person I have to worry about constantly jumping head first into danger."

Ace was about to reply, but another contraction hit and he had to clench his teeth through the pain. When it subsided what felt like an eternity later, he heard the three at the end of the bed chattering excitedly.

"Ace. Ace, are you listening yoi?"

Ace turned tiredly to his lover, "What?"

"One more Ace." That was Jared. "Then the head will be out, just a little more."

Ok he could do a few more, but gods he was tired.

When the next contraction hit, he barely heard the others urge him to push. So used to simply doing as his body and instinct instructed him to. Shit that one really hurt.

Ace felt the three near his feet moving around, but he was too tired to actually look and see what they were doing. Marco was also petting his hair and saying things to him that went unheard.

However his rest was short by another contraction and he heard Jared tell him to push slowly, and while he wasn't quiet sure what the doctor meant, he tried to not push to hard in an attempt to listen. It felt like another small eternity before he felt something move, and it wasn't till he heard the first cry that he realized what had just happened.

It took only a second for Jared to cut the babies umbilical cord and wrap the child. Then he was passing the baby to it's parents.

Both parents looked a little frightened at first, but quickly seemed to get over their shock and go about counting finger and toes. Talking softly to the infant and to each other.

"It's a boy. Marco it's a boy."

"I can see that yoi."

Both quieted as they inspected their newborn son, who seemed to want nothing more than to inspect them as well. Neither wanted to look away for fear that it was all a dream.

"What should we name him yoi?"

Law stepping next to them to take the child to be measured and weighted, was only a momentary distraction. But soon he was quickly passed back to them and then looking down at their son again, the two talked softly as the baby settled down for a nap.

The people gathered in the hallway had gone eerily quiet upon hearing the first cries of a baby. None wanted to be the first to break the silence, and all eyes went to the door when it finally opened.

Marco couldn't have looked more tired, but he also had a happy glow about him and the reason was obvious once everyone noted what he was holding.

The girls and Izo were the quickest to recover and make it over to look at the newborn. Soon they were cooing over the tiny child. Thatch and the other commanders were almost just as quick to push them aside to get a look, most of them able to look over Marco's shoulders to get a good look.

However they were all just as quickly nearly bowled over when Luffy and Sabo pushed them out of the way to look and inquire about Ace.

However everyone quieted as Whitebeard walked over. Marco didn't even think twice before offering the newborn to the man he considered a father. "Pop's I'd like you to meet Porgas D. Aiden."

Whitebeard look at Marco, "Portgas?"

"Well Ace took his mothers last name for bringing him into the world, it only seems fair to do the same for him. Honestly Ace did all the work. Plus he let me pick his first name. And the D should speak for itself."

Whitebeard only laughed lightly at his sons reasoning. Then looking down to his new grandson, he came to only one conclusion.

Life was good.

So how was it? I honestly had to do a lot of studying for this chapter and a lot of debate with myself on whether to have Ace go into labor or have the baby by cesarean. I suppose I could write a different version late. Also having never gone through labor, I ended up watching a lot of lovely and very disgusting videos, and reading a lot of material. My parents are worried, cause I keep asking questions, but they're the medical professionals. There will be at least one more chapter after this, maybe an epilogue a few years in the future. Not sure on that yet. How to work on the other story a bit.