So this is the last chapter.
As they came back, they saw their friends and family. Some was wounded and the doctors were tending their wounds, while others only had bruises and torn up clothes. Shanks and Whitebeard was talking, Ace had an attack of narcolepsy and the other commanders were either spacing out or watching the prisoners. Marco spotted Thatch and nodded towards him. Lucinda smiled and they went over to him with the animals.
"Marco, Lu. Good to see you," said Thatch.
"Doubted I would make it?" asked Lucinda as she handed him the animals.
"At first. You looked horrible, but as I saw Marco hurried after you, I knew you would be just fine. By the way nice killing," he said, taking the animals.
"It had to be done," she said.
"Now it's all over. The bodies are on the ship of Akagami. He and Oyaji agreed it would be better if one of the Red Hair pirates gave the marines the head of Blackbeard and his corpse, along with the survivors," grinned Thatch.
"Great idea. I guess you will make a great feast now," smiled Lucinda.
"You bet. Not only to celebrate victory. I do have a wedding feast to make too," he blinked.
"I'll make Lucky Roo help you. I bet he is eager to do so," she said.
Thatch nodded in agreement and Lucinda went over to Roo, who smiled. After she talked to him, he hurried over to Thatch and talked about the menu and who did what. Lucinda then headed to Whitebeard and Shanks, Marco already there. She smiled to them, as they saw her coming.
"I'm glad to see you're alright Lu. Scared me there for a moment," said Shanks.
"I think we all got scared. Luckily Marco knows exactly what to do," said Whitebeard.
Marco just shrugged.
"Of course he knows. I told him what to do and I trust him the most. No offense, but it's just who I am," she said.
"None taken, Lu. We know you," smiled Shanks.
"Well tonight we are going to have two kind of feast. So join us Shanks. We are celebrating our victory and the marriage of Marco and Lu," said Whitebeard.
"I'll tell my men," smiled Shanks and took off.
Lucinda smiled and leaned against Marco, who put his arm around her.
"Still thirsty Lu?" asked Whitebeard concerned.
"Not really, but I guess it will take some time to regain my control," she said.
"You're eyes are still red Lu," said Whitebeard.
"And they'll be for a while," she said, knowing exactly what her body went through.
"We got it covered -yoi," said Marco.
"Fine. Now let's have some fun and drink on our happiness," smiled Whitebeard.
Lucinda and Marco nodded, before the three of them went to the party that had already started on the beach. There was a big fire, music, dancing, singing and laughter. Both pirates group forgot their rivalry for time being and was talking and having fun with each other. They drank and ate for their victory and the marriage between Marco and Lucinda.
"So can I tell Taka no Me?" asked Shanks with a smug grin.
"No. Don't go tell all about my life, Shanks. Geez," sighed Lucinda.
"Pretty please?" pleaded Shanks.
"No!" said Lucinda and Marco in one voice.
Shanks pouted and Benn shook his head with a sigh. Lucinda rolled her eyes slightly, while Yasopp laughed and Marco just leaned back. Why was it that Shanks wanted to taunt Hawkeye so badly? Wanted Shanks to die early? Or was it out of boredom, though Marco didn't get the impression Shanks was bored with all the partying his crew did.
"You truly are happy, Lu. I see it in your eyes. It makes me happy," said Shanks in a soft tone.
Lucinda smiled at him, before giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Shanks. I am happy. It took a while, but I'm happy," she smiled and looked at Marco.
"You're a lucky guy Marco. Lu is a wonderful woman, but you know that. I think you know more about her than anyone else in this world," said Shanks.
"I do –yoi," Marco smiled and looked at Lucinda, before kissing her deeply.
Shanks smiled at the happy married couple and in silence he made a toast to his former captain. Rayleigh had told him that Roger once said that Lucinda was going to live once more and she would help changing the world. Killing Blackbeard and help Dragon sure did the trick. Roger was right. Lucinda was now living once more and she was happy. A happy vampire was way better than an unhappy vampire. He looked at Lucinda, who now talked to Ace and Thatch, while Marco talked to Benn and Yasopp. Today they were one bunch of crazy pirates and tomorrow their ways would depart.
"Lost in thoughts I see," said Whitebeard and sat next to Shanks.
"Just thinking about the Lu I met so many years ago and the Lu right in front of me. She has changed so much, yet she's still the same," he said.
"That is true. The same goes for Marco," smiled Whitebeard.
"The two are really a great couple. I saw it back then when their eyes met. Something happened there, but both properly denied it. I know Lu did. It was Yasopp that pushed her far enough. He's way too much of a romantic and can see things like this clearly," said Shanks.
Whitebeard smiled. As he saw Lucinda and Marco, holding hands and understood it was a match made in heaven. It didn't matter that she was stronger or older. It didn't matter that she had some lovers. All that mattered to those two was that they were together. Their love was deeper than any kind of love he ever had seen. Pure and strong. They trusted each other with their life and knowing Lu, it was out of ordinary.
"Well I'm getting too old for this world. I'm just happy to have experience this. I'll let Marco get more responsibilities from now on. And Lu. I guess my children wouldn't mind that those two become their captains, when I'm gone," said Whitebeard.
"You should let them know what you are planning. Or else it will be a shock. I know it from experience," said Shanks.
Whitebeard nodded. Then he called out a toast for the future and for love, which all agreed on. They all partied until they felt asleep or passed out. Only few didn't drink too much. Some had watch duty and some just didn't want to deal with the hangover the next day. Lucinda and Marco didn't drink too much, so when people started to had enough to drink, they left the party and to their room. This had been a wonderful party and they felt relief that they were now safe for Blackbeard.
They are celebrating and peace is restored. Or somewhat.
And yes Whitebeard will let Marco and Lucinda take more responsibilities and take over the crew. If you remember, Lucinda told Whibeard he would die within a year, before she gave him 3 more years to live in. So of course would he slowly let Marco become captain.
I hope you had fun reading my story of Lucinda, though some might think she's too soft and some thinks her character is undeveloped. The meaning with not telling much about her from the start, was because this was how she was like. A very private person, who only few knew and they wouldn't talk about her. We followed her, but mostly saw her journey through the eyes of others, which was why there were confusion about her. Who she was, what she had experience. And yes, I know she told people around who she truly was, before I let you know, but I didn't want you to know before at the end. So sorry for keeping you in the dark.
By the way, I have written 6 bonus chapters. And I'll upload these, when I want.