Ball & Goodbye

"I'm so nervous," Neo said as she fussed over the food sizzling on the stove. A couple birds sat in the open window, watching her. "What if I don't like her? What if she doesn't like me? I want Tao to be happy, but if she's not good for him I have to say something... don't I? I am his royal. But if I say something I might push him away or make him angry. I don't want to upset him."

Law chuckled from his spot at the table.

"It's not funny!" Neo turned to him with a stomp of her foot.

"Careful. Don't hurt your foot."

"Law!" Neo crossed her arms.

Cora, who was lying in his bassinet beside Law's feet, jumped and cried at the outburst his mother caused.

The two pirates turned their eyes to their baby. The birds flew over to the Cora and started chirping. Cora quieted and listened to their song.

"Sorry," Law said. "It's cute you're so worry. You don't have to say anything."

"But if she's not nice..." Neo turned back to the stove. "If she gives me a bad feeling..."

"Stop trying to figure that out. You'll learn about her when she and Tao arrive."

"I know. Maybe meeting her before the ball wasn't the best idea." Neo shoved the vegetables across the pan.

"You know it was. You have enough worries about the ball. This will ease some of that stress."

"Maybe." Neo tapped her toes on the floor. "At least I don't have to do much outside of presenting Cora."

"Besides, having them come over now will stop you from thinking about the ball tonight."

"Yeah." Neo nodded. "I haven't thought much about it." She drew in a breath. "Okay, anything else we need for our meal?"

"I think you've covered everything." Law eyed the food that occupied the counters and the table.

Neo followed his gaze. She had gone into a cooking frenzy since she got up that morning. Several types of desserts, pastas, and vegetable dishes filled the space. She had no idea what Tao's girlfriend would like so she made a variety. Of course she was also use to cooking for the whole crew and believes she was subconsciously cooking for them. "I went overboard, did I?"

Law chuckled. "For the four of us? Yes. But the crew can eat what's left. Or we can have it delivered to the ball and they can eat it there."

Neo huffed then smiled. "If Luffy were hear he'd eat it all in a second." Her smile faded. An ache settled in her chest as she wondered where the Straw Hats were at the moment. Had they reached the next island yet? What would that island be like? Were they in a fight? She hoped not. She didn't want them to fight anyone for awhile. Yes, she healed them all with her solar crystal, but she still didn't want them to fight so soon after defeating two emperors and their subordinates. "I miss them."

"I know you do."

Neo lifted the pan off the stove and scraped the vegetables into a bowl. "How much time do we have until they arrive?"

"About half an hour."

Neo glanced down at her body. She had put on one of Law's shirts when she got up. That and her undergarments was all she was wearing. "Guess I should get dressed."

"If you really want to." Law eyed her body with a suggestive grin. "But I wouldn't mind if you stayed like that."

Neo rolled her eyes as she headed towards the stairs. If it were left up to Law he'd have her naked twenty four hours a day, every day. Though there were times she wished they both could do that. But it was impossible.

Reaching her parents room, she shuffled through the clothes Law brought over for them. What should she wear? Something more formal, not that they had much of that in their wardrobe? Or something casual? Ultimately, she settled on a black sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans.

Heading back downstairs, Neo raked her fingers through her hair. As she reached the living room she felt the dual elemental and a fire elemental approaching. A knock came on the door. She opened it. Tao stood in a button up shirt and slacks. The woman beside him wore a loose fitting dress that fell to her knees. Her hair was a dark red cut at the shoulders. She had plump curves, but was in no way fat. Both were smiling but Tao's was relaxed while the woman was fiddling with her fingers. "Welcome."

"Afternoon, Neo," Tao said with a nod of his head. "This is my girlfriend Cala."

"I-it's nice to m-meet you, Your Highness." Cala gave an awkward curtsy. "Th-thank you for inviting us. Forgive the way I'm dressed. I have no idea what to wear. If it offends you I can go change. Would you like that?"

Neo blinked. Unable to stop herself, she laughed. Her bells filled the air.

Cala ducked her head and flushed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. I thought I was nervous, but you out did me. You don't have to be." Neo smiled. "I'm not going to bite you. Nor am I going to be offended by what you wear." She offered the woman her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Cala. Welcome to my parents house. I'm glad you could come."

Cala stared at Neo for a few seconds before taking her hand.

"Come in." Neo waved them inside. The two walked through the door. Law was patiently waiting for them in the kitchen. "This is my husband Law and our son Cora."

Cala glanced down at the baby. "Oh, he's as cute as everyone says he is. Congratulations, Princess."

"Thank you. And, please, call me Neo."

"I couldn't do that!" Cala stood straight as a pin, eyes widened. "And elemental royal should always be shown respect."

"I tried to tell her you don't like being called royal, but she won't listen." Tao sat down at the table.

"Well, in that case." Neo faced Cala with a smile. "As your royal, I order you to call me by my name."

"A-are you sure?" Cala fiddled with her dress.

"I insist. Please, sit." Neo took the chair beside Law, her eyes falling towards Cora. The boy was watching her intently.

"Th-thank you, um, N-Neo." Cala sat with her back straight as a rod and her hands clenched on her lap.

"Relax, Cala." Neo gave the elemental a warm smile. "I'm really not that different from anyone else." She glanced at Law. "I was raised by pirates."

"Do... do you really view them as having raised you?" Cala ducked her head. "I mean if you don't mind me asking that."

"I don't mind at all. Of course I view it that way. I didn't know anything before Law took me in. What about you? What do you do?"

"Uh, well, it's nothing special." Cala fiddled with her fingers.

"Cala is a fashion designer," Tao answered. "She owns her own shop."

"That's amazing. I'm no good at sewing. Do you specialize in a specific piece of clothing?"

"No." Cala shook her head. "I can make anything."

"I'll have to come visit your shop before we leave."

Cala flushed. "That's not necessary!"

"I want to. I'm not into fashion, but I still want to see your shop."

Tao elbowed Cala.

"Of course. I'd be honored if you wanted to come."

"Let's eat," Law suggested. "Neo cooked up a lot of food."

"Yeah." Neo rubbed her neck. "I was beyond nervous."

"You've done a wonderful job, Neo." Tao started loading his plate. "Thank you for cooking."

"Yes, it looks great." Cala picked through the food. "You cook for your crew, correct?"
"I do. I love cooking. Though I don't do it all the time. We have another chef who takes over when I'm needed elsewhere." Cora giggled at that point. Neo leaned over and tickled his stomach. Cora waved his hands and squealed in delight. "That's happened a lot since this little boy was born."

"So are you two interested in kids?" Law asked.

Cala and Tao exchanged looks.

"Law." Neo elbowed him. The pirate lifted an eyebrow.

"It's all right, Neo," Tao said. "We haven't discussed that yet. But I think I would like a kid or two at some point in the future."

"Well, I always thought I'd have kids," Cala said thoughtfully. "My parents really love being grandparents. My older brother is already married with kids. He has two boys."

"Grandkids?" Neo glanced back down at Cora. Uncertainty filled her. Would Cora find a wife at some point in the future? Would they have kids? Would she be a good grandparent? Would she be able to let Cora go to be with another woman? The jealousy and possessiveness that was starting to replace her uncertainty told her she wouldn't be able to do it.

'Relax, love. Cora is way too young. You're getting ahead of yourself.'

'Sorry. But we might start preparing me for that day now.'

Law chuckled despite Neo being serious. While she was okay with her other boys flirting with women and dancing with them and other stuff, she still didn't like the idea of women possibly taking them away one day.

Neo forced the thought away. It wasn't the time for that. She had guests to talk to. So she refocused on the two in front of her and started asking questions to distract herself and get to know Cala.

...

Neo ran a hand down the skirt of her gown before summoning her wings and glanced at herself in the mirror. She turned left, then right, then turned her back to the mirror to inspect the full skirt, off the shoulder dress. Her body kept twitching as she still wasn't used to wearing such fancy clothing. "I hate getting this dressed up. It feels so unnatural."

"You look amazing." Law, dressed in a black tuxedo, stepped behind her and kissed her bare shoulder.

Neo eyed the tux. "I'm surprised you're wearing that thing."

Law adjusted his collar. "I'm only wearing this for you."

"I wish we didn't have to do this at all." Neo's eyes drifted to Cora. Their baby was already dressed in a white long sleeve shirt and matching pants that stood out against the dark purple flower he was laying on. He was fast asleep since Neo had fed him a short while ago. "He's probably going to sleep through the whole thing. So lucky."

Law chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Poor baby. You'll survive. All you have to do is present Cora. The majority of the elementals won't even be near the castle thanks to Red Hair setting up a transponder system for them to watch instead."

"Too bad we didn't have that when we first were here. I would have been less nervous."

"No. You wouldn't have." Law smirked.

Neo giggled. He was correct. She wouldn't have been any less nervous. "Either way I'm not going to enjoy tonight. I have a feeling my feet are going to hate me before it's over."

"Don't worry. I'll be there to rescue you if you get too many dance invites." Law lifted his hand in imitation of warping them away.

"Might take you up on that."

A knock came on the door. It was followed by Topaz's voice. "Are you three ready?"

"Coming." Neo scoop Cora up out of the flower and headed for the door with Law.

"Oh!" Topaz pressed her hands together and grinned. "You three look absolutely adorable! Especially you, Captain! I've never see you look finer."

Law growled and past the elemental.

Neo snickered as Topaz gave her a wink.

"Everything's ready to start. We're waiting for you," Topaz said.

"Let's get this over with." The small group followed Topaz out of the bedroom and down to the ballroom. The whole way there Topaz was going over what Neo and Law had to do. Which wasn't much but helped ease Neo's nerves. They waited behind the curtain for their cue then stepped out to present Cora. Their baby would then be presented a vine and leaf circlet and Neo would tell them his full name. Then the dancing would begin. Neo would share the first dance, with whoever asked, before everyone else joined in. As they danced Cora would be placed in a bassinet until the end of the ball.

"Wait here," Topaz said before disappearing to the other side of the curtain.

Neo took in a deep breath. Music started playing. The curtains were pulled back. Neo and Law stepped forward.

A young woman with magic over earth stepped forward. She bowed to Neo and Law before summoning her crystals. Thin vines and colorful leaves wove together. She placed it on Cora's head and backed away.

"Ladies and gentlemen." Neo's royal tone took over as her back straightened and she addressed her people. "Elementals of Luminous, I present to you Trafalgar Rosinate Corazon. He is the future of our people. May all the babies of the elementals grow up to be happy and healthy."

The crowd erupted in applause. Before they could quiet down, the orchestra started playing.

Shanks walked up to them and held out his hand. "May I have the first dance, milady?"

Neo turned her eyes to Law. With a nod from him he took Cora from her. She placed her hand in her godfather's and allowed him to lead her out onto the dance floor. Once they reached their destination, Neo placed her free hand on Shanks chest, hoping it would do since she wasn't tall enough to place it on his shoulder. Without word, Shanks started moving. Neo glided along with him.

"You look lovely," Shanks said.

"Thank you." Neo smiled. "And thanks for sticking around for a while. I'm glad we can spend this time together, physically."

Shanks nodded. "I wish we had more time together like this."

"Maybe one day we can spent more time together instead of sailing around so much."

Shanks laughed. "Would be nice. But that might not be for a long while yet."

Neo nodded. No pirate likes to sit still for long. And there was also the possibility of death.

The two continued chatting through their dance. As the second song started more people began to sway together. Shanks was granted that dance with Neo before Penguin asked to cut in. As the ball advanced more of the pirates asked for a dance with Neo. Even Tao asked for a dance before he spent the rest of the time with his girlfriend.

Hours later, Neo's feet were screaming at her, even though she had never put on shoes in the first place. She summoned her solar crystal as she, Cora, and Law made their way up to their room.

"You shouldn't have danced so much," Law said.

Neo glared at him. "Oh hush. It wasn't my plan to. But I couldn't say no to them. I can't see Shanks' crew like I do him. Who knows when we'll meet again?"

"Well, don't forget we have to get up early tomorrow to see Rosin off."

"Don't remind me. It's already past midnight. She's leaving at seven."

Law opened the door to their room. As he went to the bathroom to rid himself of the suit, Neo placed Cora in his crib then joined her husband. With a yawn she said, "All I want to do right now is put on some comfy pajamas and sleep." She leaned against his arm. "Maybe I'll just sleep right here."

Law chuckled. "I don't think so. Get out of that dress."

"Law!" Neo wrapped her arms around his and glanced up at him. "Warp me into my jammies."

"Not happening."

"You're so mean." Sighing, Neo forced her heavy body away from his. She turned her back to him and lifted her hair. "At least unbutton me."

"Now that I'll do." Law reached for the top button. "I'll never understand fashion. Why so many buttons? There's twelve here."

"Beats me." Neo shrugged. The bodice loosened on her form. She shrugged the dress off and kicked it aside before removing her bra and pulling on one of Law's shirts. Both used the facilities before finally climbing into bed. Neo barely managed to mumble a goodnight to Law before she fell asleep.

Law shook his head with a chuckle. He pulled the covers over her and laid down beside her.

...

The sun was barely a warm yellow when some pirates and elementals gathered on the beach. Neo covered a yawn before attempting to rub the sleep out of her eyes. "I didn't get enough sleep. That ball went on way too long."

Rosen chuckled. "Sorry."

"Not your fault. I know it's time for you to leave." Neo frowned.

Rosen walked up to the elemental and hugged her. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too." Neo hugged her back. "Thanks for seeking us out. I'm glad I got to meet you. Law is too."

Law snorted.

"Law, be nice!" Neo tapped his leg with her foot.

"It's okay, Neo." Rosen stepped over to Law and ruffled his hair. "I know my son really does love me."

"I'm not your son!" Law snapped.

"Too cute." Rosen pinched Law's cheek. "Rosinate would be proud of the man you have become."

Law slapped the woman's hand away. "Don't do that!"

"We're ready when you are," a wind elemental said.

Neo glanced at the six elementals who were flying Rosen close to her home then looked back at her friend. "Have a safe journey. And remember you're always welcome to come back here if you need to."

"Of course." Rosen gave Neo another hug, stroked Cora on the head, the let an elemental fly her to her sub. She gave everyone one last look before disappearing inside.

Neo took a deep breath and released it. One goodbye was down. Another one was yet to come as the two pirate crews would soon be leaving Luminous themselves.