It had been 4 months since Marco and the Whitebeard Pirates left the island and 1 Month since they lost Whiteneard and Ace. Mae wasn't sure if they would come back but she had just heard that they were pulling into the harbor. Mae just sat at the edge of the lake that ran through town.

"What will I say? She thought. She didn't know Ace and she only met Whitebeard once, but she cried so hard when she heard they died. It was like she could feel the pain Marco and the others were feeling. She put her knees up to her chest and put her head on them as she stared at the clear blue water.

"Hey" A voice callded making her jump. She turned to see Marco standing there smiling lightly. She got up and ran into Marco's arm almost knocking him over.

"You weren't at the harbor. You can't say you didn't know we showed up, the whole towns yakkin abotu it." He said laughing a little.

"Im sorry." That was all she could say before breaking down in his arms

"For what?" He asked a little confused

"You lost your friend Ace then Whitebeard. I didn't go to the docks cause I didn't know what to say." She replied, backing up and whiping her tears away.

"Simple. You should've said Hello welcome back.?" He said grabbing her hand and taking her to the harbor.

"How come your so happy after all that's happened?" she wondered

"Well we mourned for our Captain and fallen comrad, but if we mourned forever both would kick our asses. So we came back here like I said we would and tonight were going to celebrate." He said with a big smile.

"Celebrate? Celebrate What?

"Were going to celbrate our survival with the family we have left. Its the way Pops would have wanted it. He made us do the same thing when we lost Thatch." He told her and soon they reached the docks.

"I want you to celebrate with us Mae so stay here while I go and grab a couple things in town" He said and left Mae there wondering what to do.

"You must be Mae" Someone said and Mae turned to see a tall man with a top hat and long mustache.

"Y-yes" She stuttered and backed up, a little nervous at not knowing who this man was.

"Please don't be frightened. I am "Flower Sword" Vista, 5th commander of The Whitebeard Pirates." He said with a polite bow.

"I'm Mae Akashiya, pleased to meet you." The nervous girl replied bowing back.

"It's good to finally meet the girl Marco's been raving about" He smiled as he motioned for her to follow him onto the ship.

"Raving. What do you mean" She followed.

"Oh he's been talking about you ever since we left the island, By the way he mentioned you live alone." He stated as he sat at a table.

"Yes I've lived alone since my brother died 8 years ago." She said as she sat as well.

"If I may ask, How did he die?"

"He had cancer. He was sick for a while and one morning he just didn't wake up. Boy everyone sure is busy." She said calmly as she watched people run around the ship.

"Yes we are to celebrate tonight. I hope you will stay for the banquet."

"I'm not sure. Marco said that you are going to celebrate with the family you have left, I'm not family so I don't think I should." She said and turned as she heard footsteps behind her.

Marco smiled at Mae and sat down a coulpe barrels of sake as Jozu did the same behind him. Mae smiled in return and turned back to Vista.

"Hey Marco she said she doesn't think she'll stay for the celebration." Vista said causing Marco to look at you a little upset.

"Why not oi?" He asked confused.

"She said It's because she's not part of the family, but with the way you alwayes talked about her I feel she's part of the family already." Vista said laughing a little.

A light pink dusted Marco's cheeks as he gave a look to Vista that said shut up! Luckily Mae didn't notice, and Marco was thankful for that.

"You should stay for the celebration Mae, We would all like it if you did." Vista said as Marco went below deck. " I also think you should join the family." He added.

"W-What?" Mae said a little shocked.

"Just talk to Marco." He said as he left for town.

Mae stood there a little puzzled but decided to take Vista's advice and talk to Marco. It took her a few minutes but she finally found him when the man known as Jozu directed her Marco's cabin. She knocked a few times and waited for an answer.

"What oi." He said and opened the door. "Oh, It's you Mae. Is something wrong?" He asked with a smile.

"Nothing really except Vista confused me before he left." She replied smiling back again.

"He does that to everyone oi, but what did he say to confuse you?" He questioned as he closed the door to his cabin and walked top-side with her.

"Well he said everyone would like it if I stayed for the Banquet, but I dont see how since they don't know me." She said looking down. "Then he said I should join the family."

"Well he is right. You should join us." He said turning to her with a big grin on his face.

"And I repeat what I said to Vista. What?" She said as she looked at him just as confused as before.

"Well you live alone and after what happened when I first met you, I've been worried about you since we left. At least this way your not alone and I don't have to worry. Plus it'll give us another reason to celebrate." He said putting an arm around her shoulder making her blush badly.

"I-I don't know Marco. What if the rest of the crew doesn't like me?" she stopped in her tracks staring at the floor.

"Don't worry I've told them about you and they said they've been wanting to meet you." He reassured her.

"Then I guess I'll give it a shot." She said grinning causing Marco to grin as well.

Nighttime came around and they were a few hours into the celebration. Marco introduced Mae to the rest of the crew and she got along with them suprisingly well. After a while Marco stood up.

"Good news everyone! Mae's joining our family!" He shouted happily and the rest of the crew raised their glasses and cheered.

At that moment Mae felt something she hadn't felt in years. That she wasn't alone.