Baby

"Neo?" Law placed his hand on her arm. She stirred before opening her eyes. "We're here."

"Okay," Neo sat up and stretched. She moved over to the edge of the bed. Still not wanting her to put stress on herself, Law lifted her into his arms. She put her arms around his neck and nuzzled her nose behind his ear then trailed kisses wherever her lips could reach. "Kinda a shame we're already here. I really don't wanna share you with anyone."

Law chuckled as he carried her out of their room. The crew was already outside, some on the beach, when the two emerged from the ship. Law warped himself and Neo down to the ground as some of the Elementals rushed over to greet them. Kiba came running up to them. "Neo!"

"Kiba!" Neo waved. When her brother got close enough, Law finally placed her on her feet.

"This is such a…" Kiba's voice trailed off when he noticed her rounded stomach. He blinked multiple times before finding his voice again. "Surprise…Wow! You're having a baby?!"

"Uh huh," Neo nodded with a light smile.

"Well, I'm stunned. Congratulations!" Kiba hugged her before shaking Law's hand. "But I'm a little confused, and concerned, at why you're here."

"Oh, well, I had a little bit of a scare a few weeks ago," Neo replied. Kiba shot her a concerned look. "I'm okay. Law put me on bed rest. Nothing's happened since then. Law just thought it would be best if we came back here."

"I see, I see," Kiba nodded. "First time and all. The healer will want to see you immediately. Come along then."

Law swept Neo back into his arms. Neo waved and greeted her people as they made their way through the village. The crew followed, but stayed outside as Law, Neo and Kiba entered into the healer's hut. "Madam Healer, come see who's back!"

"Kiba?" Madam Healer's voice came from the back room before she appeared. "Goodness! Princess! Your back! Are you injured?!"

The healer rushed over. She paused when she noticed Neo's stomach. She then glared at Law. "I hope you waited until after you were wed."

Law glared and growled back at the woman. Neo bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing. It appeared these two were never going to get along completely when it came to her. She answered for him. "Yes, Madam Healer, we did."

Still trading glares, Madam Healer pointed to an exam table. "Lay her down."

"I'll give you space then," Kiba stated while exiting the building.

"Be sure to inform everyone that our princess has returned. And have the cooks prepare a meal for her and her family," Madam Healer said while rolling up her sleeves.

"I will," Kiba waved to her. "See you two later."

Neo waved back to Kiba as Madam Healer began to roll up Neo's shirt. While she check Neo and the baby, Law talked with her about what happened on the sub. The older woman clapped her hands, satisfied with her results. "Mama and baby are both as healthy as can be. You've done well, young man. My diagnosis is that she most likely was about to go into premature labor, but you did what needed to be done. There is nothing to worry about. The only thing to do now is wait until the little boy is ready to greet his parents and this world."

"So we really are having a boy," Law scratched his head.

"Did you seriously doubt me?" Neo giggled and stuck her tongue out at Law.

"Ugh, men," Madam Healer huffed as she placed green crystals on Neo's stomach and chest. Law glared and growled once again at the woman. This time Neo didn't hold back her laughter, causing Law to frown at her. Neo squeezed his hand and turned back to the healer.

"What are those?" Neo asked.

"These are some of my crystals. Since you're so close to your due date, and with what happened, I'm going to take the precaution of keeping a close eye on you. Continue to rest as you have been. And no getting excited," Madam healer said while pointedly eyeballing Law on that last order. "Other than that, you are free to go. Unless you have any questions."

"When will we know what element our baby has control over?" Neo questioned as the healer rolled her shirt back down over her stomach.

"There really is no set time. A rare few reveal that shortly after they're born while others reveal that a few months after," Madam Healer explained. "With the exception that you are, I'd guess that you'll know shortly after your baby is born."

"Thank you," Neo said. Law once again pulled Neo into his arms and they left the healer's hut.

They sat around talking to the Elementals until they were called in for supper. With Neo sitting at the head of the table, Law sat on her right as Kiba sat on her left. The crew spread out in the rest of the seats. Shachi suddenly spoke up through the chatter. "So what about Tao and Atlas? Are they still locked up?"

Neo flinched at the sound of their names as everyone else got quiet. Law placed his hand on Neo's knee. She placed her hand over his as Kiba cleared his throat. "Oh, well…"

"They didn't escape, did they?!" Penguin demanded, jumping up out of his seat.

"No, no, they didn't," Kiba shook his head.

"Kiba, what is it?" Neo asked softly.

"Well, I'm not sure I should say, but Atlas…is dead," Kiba replied.

"What happened?" Neo asked.

"Apparently he lost his mind after being disconnected from the darkness crystal. He went mad, talking to himself and all. He eventually killed himself," Kiba explained. "Tao hasn't said much since then. We don't believe that he was actually in on his father's plan. We have been talking about releasing him on probation since he's shown no signs of actually betraying us."

Neo flinched and tightened her hold on Law. Law narrowed his eyebrows and frown. The crews mood turned sour as well. Kiba noticed instantly. He waved his hands at them. "Don't worry. We haven't actually made the decision to release him yet. And we defiantly won't let him loose with Neo here. We can wait until you all leave before that decision is made. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset any of you. Please, continue eating."

They didn't. All their eyes turned to Neo and Law. She smiled at them. "It's okay, guys. I'm fine."

…

"Hn," Neo groaned again at the growing pain in her stomach.

"Neo?" Law asked. He propped up on his elbow and looked at her through their moonlit room.

"I'm fi…Law?"

"What?"

"I-I think my water just…B-But it can't," While Neo stuttered with her words, Law threw off their blanket then swept her into his arms and warped them into the healer's hut. Just as they appeared in the room, the lights came on and a disheveled healing woman stumbled into the room.

"Goodness, three a.m. in the morning," Madam Healer exclaimed. "Never will I understand why these things always happen in the wee hours of the morning."

"B-But I can't b-Ah!" Neo clenched ahold of Law's hand when he laid her down as another contraction wracked her body. "I'm not due until next week!"

"Oh, honey, ready or not, you're due right now," Madam Healer said while preparing for the delivery.

"I can't. I can't do this," Neo shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Law, I'm not ready for this. I can't."

"It's okay, love. I'm right here," Law spoke soothingly. He held her hand and stroked her hair with his other hand. He kissed her forehead. "You can do this. Everything's going to be fine."

…

"How long has it been?" Shachi asked as he paced around agitated. He and the rest of the crew were waiting outside the healer's hut. They all gathered out there shortly after they found out that their girl was in labor. Some of the Elementals had gathered as well. But mostly it was just the crew who stayed around.

"Almost nine hours," Kiba replied. "Relax. Child birth isn't easy."

"I know that!" Shachi snapped. "I'm concerned!"

"Neo will be fine," Kiba assured them. "Madam Healer has deliver many babies. She won't let anything happen to the princess. I think you should be more concerned about him."

The crew looked in the direction Kiba jerked his thumb in. Sitting against the healer's hut, hugging his knees and extremely worried was Penguin. He hasn't said a word or moved from that spot since they all gathered out here. Bepo walked over to him. "She's going to be all right."

Penguin didn't acknowledge that the bear spoke to him. He continued to hug his knees and worry. Bepo looked over to the rest of the crew. Shachi motioned for Bepo to come closer. "Just give him space. You know he worries about her about as much as the captain does. He'll be fine once he sees her."

…...

"I can't do this! I don't want to do this anymore! Law, make it stop!" Neo cried.

"Hold on, love. It's almost over," Law said, even though he really hated seeing her like this and wished he could do something to take her pain away.

"Come on, mama! One more push!" Madam Healer cheered with far too much enthusiasm for Neo's liking in her current state of pain. Neo, despite not wanting to, did as she was ordered to do. And with one more push the baby was out. "Hello, baby."

Neo dropped back onto her pillows. She panted and cried. Law pressed his lips to her forehead. "You did it, love. It's over."

"Law," Neo opened her eyes and looked at him. "I did it?"

"You did," Law brushed his nose against hers. "But you are never doing that again. And I will make that an order if I have too. I don't ever want to see you in this much pain again."

Neo couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. That was Law. While snuggling with her, Law would take occasional glances over at their baby to make sure he was crying because he was supposed to and not because he was being hurt. Neo watched him intently every time he turned his attention from her to their baby. He was already so protective of their baby. He was ready for this.

Once mama and baby was all clean, Madam Healer walked back over to the new parents with the crying baby in her arms. "Here he is, Princess."

"Neo?" Law asked softly. Neo lightly shook her head, her eyes locked on the tiny, crying, breakable person in the healer's arms. She wasn't ready for this.

"I can't. I can't," Neo whispered, head lightly shaking, eyes not moving from their baby.

"Mmm, maybe it would be best if you handed her the baby," Madam Healer suggested.

Law stroked Neo's hair soothingly before taking their baby into his arms. Instantly the baby's cries slowed down to just fussy. He turned back to Neo. Her eyes still mixed with fear and uncertainty and still locked on their baby. He patiently waited to let Neo calm down. When he knew the time was right, Law carefully placed their baby in her arms. Her arms instinctively wrapping around the infant. He then immediately sat down beside her and put one arm around her shoulders and the other under her arms, for the support he knew she needed and wanted.

He quietly watched as her confused, scared eyes began to soften. Her eyes remained on the baby as he stopped fussing and became comfortable in her arms. When the baby was completely calm, she brought her right hand up and lightly touched her finger tip to the baby's tiny nose. She brushed her finger over his cheek before dropped her finger down to his little hand, his tiny fingers lightly curling into her touch. Tears dripped down her cheeks as she finally pulled her eyes from the baby to look at Law. "He…He looks like you."

Law smiled and kissed her softly. Madam Healer watched with her own happy tears in her eyes. She brushed them away. "Goodness me! Blubbering like a baby when there's a baby's birth to be announced. I'm sure everyone is waiting for the good news!"

"Can the crew come in now?" Neo asked.

"Well, it's our custom to let the mother rest before…" Madam's Healer's voice trailed off when she noticed Neo becoming sad. "Oh, all right. But only because you are a special case. However, they can only stay for a few minutes. You've had a long, hard day and need your rest."

"I second that," Law nodded.

"I'll let them know," Madam Healer said, heading for the door. When she stepped outside everyone was waiting. They turned their attention to the woman.

"How is she, Madam Healer?" Kiba asked. Penguin finally drew his attention from his worrying and looked over at the woman.

"Mother and baby are both fine and healthy. And it's a boy," Madam Healer smiled. The crews cheers were so loud that Neo and Law heard them from inside. "Okay, okay, calm down now. It's against our customs, but the princess has given permission for her family to enter. But you are only allowed to stay for a few minutes. She's too worn out to handle much more."

The crew started to discuss whether or not they should go inside. They made the decision to let Neo rest before they invaded her space. Shachi turned to Penguin. "You should go in and see her. She'll want to see you most of all."

"Huh?" Penguin looked at Shachi then at Kiba.

"I agree," Kiba nodded. "You're her brother."

"But you're her brother as well," Penguin protested.

"I know that. But she's known you all longer than she's known me. I really don't mind. Besides," Kiba's knees wobbled. He plopped down on the ground. "I'm really going to need a few minutes."

"Go on, Penguin," Shachi gave his friend a shove towards the door. "Give her our love and tell her we'll see her when she's had some rest."

"If you all are sure," Penguin looked at them. They all reassured him that they were fine with it. He then entered into the hut with Madam Healer. She opened the door for him, but didn't follow him in. Once inside, Penguin hesitated. Neo sent him a warm smile. He finally walked over to them. He kissed her temple. "Hey, princess, the others want to come see you, but they want you to rest before they do. They send their love for now. How you doing?"

"I'm doing great," Neo replied smiling.

"Congratulation, you two!" Penguin shook his captain's hand before turning his eyes to the baby. "Wow. He looks just like the captain."

"You wanna hold him?" When Neo asked that question Penguin's eyes shot up to hers. He then looked to his captain, who nodded.

"Are you sure?" Penguin asked.

"Of course I am. You are his uncle after all," Neo nodded, carefully handed the baby over to Penguin. The man stood statue still as the baby fussed and shifted in his arms, but quickly settled down. Eventually, Penguin settled down too and started softly talking to the baby while lightly rocking his body. Neo's eyes teared up again as she watched the scene before her. She exchanged a look with Law then leaned into his embrace.

…

Law was sitting on the bedside, watching Neo sleep. They were still in the healer's hut. The woman wanted to monitor Neo for a few days before releasing her. While he watched her, he couldn't help but feel so proud of how she was with their baby. All it took was holding their baby for the first time for her maternal instincts to overshadow her fears. She gladly absorbed all the help that Madam Healer and Law gave her on how to hold and handle their baby.

His eyes were pulled from her sleeping form when their baby started crying. He slid off the bed and stepped over to the crystal crib. The crib was against the wall by the head of the bed. It was designed so new mothers could easily see their child. He reached in and lifted the baby out. He then walked over to a rocking chair and sat down. He spoke softly as he rocked him. "Hush now. Your mommy's had a very long, hard day."

Unknown to Law, Neo was awake. She was watching the whole scene before her. Seeing Law being so caring and gentle with their baby warmed her heart. She wished she could keep this moment forever. She watched them for a little while longer. Their baby soon settled down so she knew he didn't need to be fed again. She closed her eyes, knowing Law would want her to be sleeping, knowing both her and their baby was safe with him near.

…

"Neo!" Law exclaimed when Neo ambushed him the second he stepped out of the castle. She had thrown her arms around his neck, the momentum causing him to spin in place. He put his arms around her and regained his balance.

"Come on!" She laughed as she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the forest.

"Hey! Where are we going? What about the baby?" Law asked while being dragged along.

"Corazon's been fed, changed, now sleeping and is with the safety of the crew," Neo giggled.

"Are you sure about leaving him?" When Law said that, Neo stopped running, her shoulders slumped and a grey aura surrounded her. They have been on Luminous for a month. Law wanted to make sure she was secure and comfortable in her new mother role before they left. This was the first time, since their baby was born, that Neo was separating from him. It was a bit of a shock to Law. "Neo?"

"I'm trying not to think about it," Neo sighed. She looked up at him. "I know we're leaving soon. And there's something I really want to do before we go. It won't be the same if we brought him with us."

"And what would that be?" Law asked. She only smiled and started pulling him through the forest again. A little while later they emerged and strolled out onto the beach. Law looked around. He was confused. His attention turned back to Neo when she pulled away from him.

He watched her closely as she walked to the water. She giggled when the cool water rolled over her bare feet. "It's so cold. But it feels great."

She stood there for a while before turning to face him. She bit back a smile at the confusion in his eyes. He became even more confused when she summoned her wind crystals and caused her hair to flow in the breeze she created. She tucked a stain of hair behind her ear before returning her hand to her back. "L-Law…Would it be all right if I asked you something?"

"Of course," Law nodded, his confusing increasing.

"The, uh, last night…on the beach…"

Law blinked a couple times. A smile twitched onto his face. He finally understood what she was doing. "Yes?"

"W-What were you doing to me? I felt so…weird. It wasn't a bad weird. I wasn't scared of you. I was just scared. I felt bad, but I felt great."

"It might be hard for you to understand if I tried to explain it," He paused then added. "Would you still like me to tell you?"

She slowly nodded. He nodded back at her then tapped his chin. A smile spread across his face. "Room!"

"Huh?" Neo blinked. Suddenly Law was in front of her. He leaned in close to her. "Hey! That's not how this went!"

"I know. I just can't wait that long to kiss you," Law chuckled.

"Oh! You!" She whacked him on the arm.

"Close your eyes," Law chuckled. She huffed at him. "Just close your eyes for me. There's something I want to give you."

"Okay," Neo said with sass in her tone. She closed her eyes and waited. Like the first time, Law placed his hands on her hips. The same warmth touched her lips and spread over her whole body. He broke the kiss and smiled at her. She smiled back before he leaned in and placed multiple kisses on her lips, each one lasting longer than the last. She let her eyes slide closed and kissed him back.

He removed his hands from her hips and guided her arms up to his shoulders. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He placed his hands back on her hips then slid them around her, pulling her as close to him as he could. This time she was the one who slipped her tongue into his mouth. Eventually, they had to break the kiss for air. "You know, I think I did a great job teaching you how to kiss."

Neo chuckled. "Yes, yes you did, along with so many other things."

"I'll take you back now," Law said while giving her multiple pecks. "I know your missing Cora."

"I really love that you know me so well," Neo sighed. Law chuckled at how easy it was for him to read her. He warped them back to the village and right over to their baby. Bepo was laying on his stomach. He had his chin in his hands as he kicked his feet in the air while watching the baby sleep. The rest of the crew was either standing or sitting near the baby. Penguin was right by the little baby bassinet too, being the protective uncle they knew he would be. Neo rushed over to them and dropped to her knees. She finally relaxed when she touched Corazon's cheek.

"See? He's fine," Penguin said.

"Yeah," Neo nodded. "Thanks for watching him for us."

"You know it's not a problem," Penguin chuckled, ruffling his little sister's hair. Law then sat down and leaned against the tree. Neo scooted over to him. He took her into his arms and kissed her hair.

Several minutes later, Bepo broke their peacefully silence. "Um, Neo? What's this glowing red thing floating over Corazon?"

"Hm?" Neo leaned closer to inspect the object. She suddenly laughed out loud.

"What is it, love?" Law asked.

"Law, my love, we have a fire baby," Neo smiled brightly at Law. Law blinked several times before turning his eyes to their son. The little glowing red object became more and more clear with each passing second. It was a fire crystal.

"The son of the infamous Captain of the Heart Pirates, the Surgeon of Death, former Warlord of the Sea, has control over the deadliest and hardest element ever," Shachi shivered as he and the rest of the crew became shrouded in a 'We are so doomed' depressing aura.

"What if he takes more after the captain than Neo?" Penguin asked, sending them into a deeper 'We are so doomed' aura. Neo laughed again at the state of her beloved crew was putting themselves in while Law leaned back against the tree with a proud, devilish, grin on his face.

…

Author's Notes: Ya know, I almost did go the twin route. But the more I thought about it the more I noticed that it would have been a but too much for Neo. I wanted to stay true to her character. :) So we have a baby now! And a fire one no less! Dang, Law's gonna have fun with that, isn't he? ;P Hee hee.