Reunion
Neo sighed contently while she watched Corazon sleep. Her elbows were on the baby crib and she had her chin resting in the palm of her hands. Law spoke as he walked over to her. "You know, he won't disappear if you don't watch him sleep."
"I can't help it," Neo replied, not taking her eyes from their baby. She had fallen into a habit of watching him sleep every time he did. Law would often have to pull her away from Corazon at night so she would sleep too. "He's six months old today and I still can't believe this actually happened."
"Well, it is real," Law mumbled while he nibbled on her neck. "You can stop watching him now. How about I distract you and prove that he's not going anywhere?"
"Oh? Is my pirate boy feeling a bit left out?"
"Hm, maybe," Law lightly bit down on her neck before taking her hips and spinning her around to face him.
"Well, maybe there's something I can do to fix that," Neo said before pulling him into a deep passionate kiss. She banished her wings from her back as his hands trailed over her body. She placed her hands over his and guided him down to her legs. She smiled into their kiss when he hooked his hands around her thighs and pulled her up. Her arms wrapped around his neck, legs around his waist to stabilize herself in his hold.
"What's so funny?" He questioned while trailing kissed down to her neck.
"For a man who hates being told what to do, you take directions very well," She replied while he walked her over to their bed.
"Only because you are the one telling me what to do," He laid her down. With his lips crushing back onto hers, he kept his weight off her with his left arm while his right hand skillfully unbuttoned her shirt. He got all but two of the buttons undone when Corazon started fussing.
Neo placed a finger on Law's lips, signaling him to be quiet. When Corazon settled back down, Neo pulled Law back into their heated kiss as he snapped open the last two buttons. He placed his hand on her stomach before dragging it along her skin to her back, fingers fiddling with her lacy fabric of her bra. Before he could snap the hook loose, Corazon started crying full force. The two sighed. Law dropped to his side, keeping some of his weight on Neo. "Tell me, love, how is it possible that our child has Straw Hat's lousy timing?"
Neo giggled and pecked his pouty lips. She got up and buttoned her shirt back up while walking over to the crying baby. She picked him up. "What the matter, my heart?"
"He hungry?" Law asked.
"Nope, not wet either," She replied, walking back over to him. When she climbed back onto the bed, Law placed his hand on her hip, giving her support so she didn't fall. She leaned against Law's chest as Corazon became interested in her buttons. "I guess he was just missing us."
"Or just wanted to interrupt us," Law grumbled.
"Babies don't plan that," Neo whacked Law on his chest with a grin. Corazon yawned and laid his head on Neo's chest. Neo turned her eyes to their baby and lightly rubbed his back. "Enjoy this time. Soon we'll have our room back to ourselves when Cora is old enough to have his own. But, you know, he'll probably spend most nights sleeping in the crews quarters. I bet he'll be with Bepo the most. He is so fluffy. Then soon after that he'll want to leave and make his own pirate crew or do whatever he decides to..."
Her voice trailed off as she talked, tears came to her eyes. "Oh, Law! Our baby's growing up far too fast! I don't want him to leave!"
"Neo," Law couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her. He put his arms around her, pressing his lips to her hair. "Calm down and slow down. He's only six months old. We have plenty of years to spend with him before he leaves."
"I know," Neo rubbed the tears out of her eyes. "I can't believe I'm still so emotional."
"There's nothing for you to apologize for. I've told you that already," Law kissed her temple. "This is just part of having a baby. Madam Healer told you that you would be more emotional than a human would be. You're still adjusting to everything. It's to be expected."
"You and the crew as so wonderful and patient dealing with me, my raging hormones and silliness through all of this," Neo tilted her eyes to him. "I love you all so much."
"And we love you too," Law leaned down to kiss her passionately.
"I think Cora's finally asleep again," Neo said between kisses.
"Good," Law broke the kiss. He took their baby and carefully put him back into the crib before trying to pick up from where they were interrupted. He kissed her while his hand reached for her buttons again.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Captain! Neo! Elian has just arrived!" Shachi's cheer full voice followed his interrupting pounding of their door.
"I'm going to kill them," Law growled as Neo laughed.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Captain? Neo? You are awake, right?" Shachi's voice remained cheerfully unaware of the impending storm that was on the verge of blowing his way if it wasn't for Neo.
"I'm killing him," Law growled again.
"Yes, Shachi, we're awake. We'll be there in a minute," Neo called back while holding Law in place with her vines.
"Okay!"
"I will kill him," Law growled once more.
"Now, now, settle down. It's not Shachi's fault. We did plan this months ago," Neo cupped Law's face and pecked his lips multiple times while talking to him. "How about this…I'll ask Penguin to watch Cora tonight. That way mommy and daddy can have some time alone before meeting up with the Straw Hats. I promise I'll make up for this interruption. How does that sound, my love? And here's a little preview…"
She gave him an intense kiss, one that she knew he liked. He groaned into her kiss and slid his hand up and down her side while she dragged her hands through his hair.
"Fine. Shachi and Elian's lives had been spared," Law grumbled. Neo giggled again as they got up. She plucked Corazon, who woke up due to Shachi's knocking, out of his crib before leaving with Law. They made their way to the rec. room where everyone was waiting.
"Princess! Trafalgar Law!" Elian greeted them with a warm smile. "It is good to see you."
"It is good to see you as well, Elian," Neo smiled.
"Look at you," Elian said while scanning his eyes over Neo. "Just as beautiful as ever."
Law gave him a disapproving grunt, causing Elian to flinch. Neo elbowed Law with a light chuckle. "Thank you, Elian. Is Velocity with the Straw Hats?"
"She is. And she can't wait to see you and the baby," Elian's eyes landed on Corazon's just as the baby raised his eyes to the stranger. Cora was startled at the stranger in their home. Grabbing onto Neo's shirt, he fussed. Neo rocked him. She placed a kiss on his head when he calmed down. "Congratulations on the baby! We knew you'd both make great parents."
"They have done well," Penguin said with a proud smile. He stepped closer to Neo and ruffled her hair with much affection. Corazon waved his tiny hands at his uncle. Penguin gladly took the baby and started to baby talk him. "How's my favorite nephew doing? How you doing? We're gonna go see your Uncle Luffy, aren't we?"
Law growled again at that point. Neo giggled and wrapped her arms around his. She pulled him farther into the room to sit on the couch. He easily sensed her wanting affection from him. He put his arms around her, holding her firmly into his side and kissed her temple.
"So where are we going?" Bepo asked, gesturing to the empty seats around the table.
"To an island about four days from here," Elian replied, taking a seat in an empty chair.
"The Straw Hats are that close?" Neo asked, snuggling into Law's side.
"They are," Elian nodded. "But Velocity has been with them for three days. So they haven't always been that close. We made sure to pick a time where your two ships were the closest to begin with. This was that time."
…
"They're here!" Luffy cheered and waved his hands as the yellow sub jumped rose out of the water. The rest of the Straw Hats pulled their attention from their individual tasks. "Hey!"
"Neo!" Chopper ran along side Luffy towards the sub.
"I can't wait to see the baby!" Nami giggled as she and Robin walked towards the edge of the island to greet their friends. "Do you think they had a boy or girl? And who do you think the baby looks more like?"
"We'll know soon," Robin calmly smiled.
"Glad they're finally here," Velocity exclaimed. "Holding the secrets of the baby have been killing me!"
"Sister!" Elian waved. Velocity waved back.
"Neo!" Sanji cried with Celeste sitting on his shoulder.
"Hi!" Neo waved to them from the deck as the sub slowed to a stop.
Soon the Heart Pirates were all gathered on the island through Law's warping them all down. Nami and Velocity squealed at the cuteness of Corazon. The baby turned away from them at first, but within an hour he turned back and was laughing at them. They all settled in to share their stories of what they had been up to since the last time they saw each other.
"Yeah, I kinda freaked out at first," Neo admitted as they sat around with their friends. The other three women had Corazon and was playing with him. Neo was, like always, sitting beside Law with his arm firmly tucking her into his side. "But it defiantly got better. It feels so natural now. I never thought I'd enjoy it so much."
"I knew you'd make a great mother," Nami nodded.
"You've come a long way since the first time we met you," Robin said. "You're so mature and confident now."
"You think so?" Neo wondered out loud.
"You defiantly have," Sanji chuckled while handing her a cup of tea. He motioned to the distance he was purposefully holding himself at. He was mimicking the first time they met. "Remember the first time? You were so timid you actually hid in Law's shirt. Now you're talking like you've always known us."
"I guess you're right," Neo smiled and took the tea from his hands. "Thank you, Sanji."
"Sanji cutie! Sweet cutie!" Celeste giggled. Sanji smiled and tickled his little bug.
"Come to your Uncle Luffy!" Luffy grinned, taking the baby from Nami's arms.
"Careful, Luffy! Babies are fragile! And you don't want to freak Neo out!" Nami shouted.
"It's all right, Nami," Neo smiled at the orange haired lady. "I trust you all. Luffy won't hurt him."
"That's right!" Luffy nodded while dancing around with Corazon. "I'm his uncle after all! Isn't that right, baby?"
"Take it easy, Straw Hat!" Penguin ordered as he frantically followed the Straw Hat captain around.
"Seems like Penguin's the over protective one here. Kind of a shock," Usopp said. "By the way, what kind of element does Corazon have? Does he have all of them?"
"No," Neo drawled the word out. She casted a glance at Law, who's devilish grin reappeared on his lips like it did the first time. "He's not a royal."
"So what element does he have?" Franky asked.
Before Neo, or Law, could answer, Luffy walked back over to them. The Straw Hats gasped as the Heart Pirates laughed. Luffy pointed at the three red crystals hovering near Corazon. "Hey, what's with these crystals?"
"Those are Cora's fire crystals," Neo bit back a grin as Law's grew wider.
"He's a fire element?" Robin asked. Neo nodded.
All of the Straw Hats, minus Luffy, jaws dropped open. The same 'We are so doomed' expressions and auras fell upon the crews. The Straw Hats screeched. "YOU'RE TELLING US THE SON OF TRAFALGAR LAW, SURGEON OF DEATH, FORMER WARLORD OF THE SEA'S SON IS A FIRE ELEMENT?!"
Neo giggled before speaking. "Yes, our son is a fire element."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Brook asked. "You all travel on a sub."
"At least we don't travel on a wood ship," Law's devilish grin started to morph into a sadistic one.
"Don't you dare!" Neo warned, but was grinning, as she whacked Law on his chest. He took her hand and kissed it. "You don't have anything to worry about. Babies can only create their crystals at this age. Elemental babies have milestones just like human babies. Usually an Elemental doesn't start using their element until they're about four years old. There have been a few who have started younger, like I did, but four is generally the age they start forming their element."
"That's awesome!" Luffy laughed while holding Cora in the air above him. "Such a good fire baby! You're gonna have so much fun with that!"
A few hours later, the majority of the crews were finally asleep. Neo was tucking the cover in around Corazon. She watched him sleeping for a while. Just as she was about to stand up and join Law, a strange feeling washed over her. She placed her hand on Corazon's head and the feel faded away.
"You gonna watch Cora all night?" She jumped when Law spoke to her. "I didn't mean to scare you. Why are you so jumpy?"
"Sorry," Neo stood up, but didn't look at him.
"Neo," Law walked over to her. He placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head. "What is it?"
"I just had this really weird feeling. It's gone now, but…"
"What did it feel like?"
"I'm not really sure," She turned her eyes to their sleeping baby.
"It had something to do with Cora, didn't?" Tears gathered in Neo's eyes. Law pulled her into his arms. "Don't cry, love. He's safe. I'm right here. Nothing's going to happen to him. Would it make you feel better if I stayed up and kept watch?"
"Don't do that," Neo shook her head. "You should sleep."
"Neo," Law said with his captain tone. "I will stay up if it will ease your mind."
Neo thought about it for a while before answering him. "No, I don't want you to. The crews are already keeping watch as it is. If trouble comes, they'll inform us."
"If that's what you really want, love."
"It is," Neo nodded. The two then laid down. Law pulled her into his arms. He kissed her before they settled down. Neo took one last look around before closing her eyes.
Will be continued as soon as I get my chapter outlines finished. Meanwhile, enjoy my one shots and rewrite of A Frozen Soul & A Doctor's Orders, first two chapters are up.
This was going to be the end-minus Neo's bad feeling-but I've decided to continue. I think I'll continue posting it under this title, if that's what people would like. I keep bouncing back and forth between posting the new chapters under a new title or not.
Mei: Ah, I made you cry? Here's a hug! *HUG* And ya know, I kinda forgot that Cora constantly set himself on fire. ^_^ Funny coincident and a happy one. I love it! :D
chasesgirl11: Yup, though I think his whole name is Trafalgar D. Rosinante Corazon. And here's a hug for you too *HUG*
Puddykats: Glad everyone likes it. Hug for you too *HUG* I feel like giving hugs.
Apple Bloom: Yeah it would have been cute. You get a hug too! *HUG*
Hug for everyone else who's reading this but not posting a comment! *HUG*