Life on the Moby was wonderful. I spent my time between ports helping Marco in the infirmary, teaching Hadrian as he grew, and getting to know my new family and crew much better than before. After the first run in with the Navy, I got more proficient with my rapier thanks to both Marco and Vista, Thatch joining in on some of the training sessions as well. In the three years since joining Oyaji's crew, I had become a deadly force with a sword and could hold my own with the best of them. While not as skilled as Vista or Marco, I was a good match for Thatch most days. I had also received a bounty of 20 million berries with the name 'Midnight Liz' attached. I had laughed at the name, but it wasn't a bad one. The Navy didn't know my full name and gave me the moniker for my midnight black hair. It was fitting.

Now, standing with Marco as the ship we had taken docked at the island we would be meeting another Yanko at, I thought about the reason for said meeting. Red-Haired Shanks, while a rival pirate captain, was a friend to Marco and secretly to Oyaji. I had yet to meet the man, but he didn't sound like a bad person from what I had been told. He already reminded me of Sirius just from the little I knew. A man who loved life with child-like glee but fiercely protected those he cared for.

We had taken one of the smaller ships to the island, only myself, Marco, and a few men from his division needing to go. This was to be a friendly meeting to invite Shanks and his crew to our wedding.

After two and a half years together, the man had taken me back to the island we had met on, shared a picnic on the beach with me, and proposed with a simple yet elegant gold ring with a single sapphire just as the sun sunk below the horizon. It had been perfect. Six months later, we were now only a week away from our wedding, and Marco had finally decided to at least let the Yanko know since the man often hounded him about meeting me. What better way then to invite the man to our wedding that was to be held on the Moby?

Once we were docked, I followed Marco off of the ship to where a tall man with shoulder length, grey hair and a cross-shaped scar by his left eye stood smoking a cigarette. He seemed almost bored as he watched us walk up to him, but I could tell that he was curious about our visit by the look in his eyes.

"Benn, yoi. I'm surprised Red-Hair didn't meet us at the dock himself," Marco said, walking up and shaking the man's hand.

"I thought it might be best if the captain stayed at camp. Didn't want to overwhelm your girl with his idiocy."

I chuckled at the man's words and looked up at him with a slight smirk on my lips.

"Elizabeth D. Potter, Marco's soulmate," I said, holding out my hand.

He looked at me and I could tell that he could feel my magic, which I now almost constantly had pulsing around me. Not enough to cause an issue, but enough to make others think twice about messing with me. With that, I had also mastered all three kinds on Haki since it was very similar to my magic.

The only indication he gave to sensing it, however, was a simple raise of his eyebrow before he shook my hand.

"Benn Beckman, first mate of the Red Hair Pirates," he replied before giving Marco a smirk. "Strong woman you got there, Marco. Captain's gonna be mighty jealous that date picked you as her soulmate."

"Red-Hair can get over it, yoi. Let's go before I decide to head back and not see him at all."

I rolled my eyes at Marco's annoyance and smacked his arm, causing the crew members behind us to laugh at a very common occurrence.

"Be nice, Marco. We came here for a reason, and I would like to not have this end up being a waste of time." I then looked back at the other who had come with. "Stay with the ship. Marco will come and get you if we stay longer than an hour."

The men quieted down and didn't argue as I looked at Benn with a smile. Even though Marco was their commander, they knew better than to question me. I had earned my right as his second in their eyes and they listened to me. Sometimes more than they did him.

"Lead the way."

Benn laughed as he turned and started to walk, Marco and I following not far behind.

"Glad to see a lass like you can handle yourself," he said. He seemed amused. "I was a bit worried when we got the call for the meeting, but you'll do fine. Don't be afraid to put the captain in his place if he starts to be an idiot."

I scoffed and leaned into Marco's side, who had his arm around my waist. Like I would be scared to do so. I did that often enough with the men on the Moby.

We didn't have to walk far before we got into a clearing where a few men were laughing and drinking around a fire. They quieted down a bit as we arrived and turned to look at us.

A man a little shorter than Marco with crimson hair and three scars over his left eye stood up with a smile, walking over. There was a subtle power that radiated around him, almost like my magic. His Haki was very different than Marco's own. Wilder even.

"Marco! Come to finally join my crew?" the man asked jovially. He stopped a few feet away before his eyes fell on me, showing a spark of mischief. "And who is this beautiful lass?"

Before Marco could reply, I gave the man a smirk as I introduced myself. "Elizabeth D. Potter. Marco's soulmate and second in command of the first division."

His eyes widened before he laughed and walked over, grabbing my hand and giving it a kiss. "Captain Shanks at your service, ma'am. Marco is one lucky man."

I chuckled and nudged Marco with my hip when I felt the arm around my waist tighten. "A pleasure. Marco, quit scowling at the man and tell him why we're here."

Marco leaned over and kissed my cheek before he spoke to Shanks, who was trying not to laugh it seemed. I just rolled my eyes with a fond smile.

"Red-Hair, we came to invite you and your crew to our wedding, yoi. And stop asking me to join your crew! I'm not leaving Oyaji!"

I smacked his arm again as Shanks laughed, unable to hold it in. I reached over and smacked him too, scowling and planting my hands on my hips. I didn't really pay attention to how quiet it got as I looked between them.

"Quit that, both of you. Honestly, you're both acting like children." I huffed as Marco seemed to sigh and bury his nose in my hair. Shanks just looked at me with shock before the men in his crew started laughing loudly.

"Nice one, girly! Those two can go at it for a while if not stopped," someone yelled.

I raised my eyebrow as Shanks began to laugh as well, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sorry, lass. Congratulations, the both of you. We'd be honored to come to your wedding. Before that though, let's celebrate!"

I couldn't help but smile at the cheer that went up as Marco and I settled down by Shanks, who handed up both a tankard of rum.

"To the lovely couple! May they have many years of happiness, and may the lovely lass keep Marco in line!" Shanks yelled, causing me to laugh along with the others and Marco to mumble curses under his breath.

After a while, I sent Marco to go get the rest of the crew we had brought with, only four others since we knew it wouldn't be dangerous, and leaned back against the log I had decided to sit in front of. The atmosphere around the clearing was nice. Very enjoyable as I sipped on my tankard of run and listened to the men recount some stories of their travels.

"So Liz, how did you meet Marco?" Yassop asked from his spot not far away.

I hummed and took a sip of rum, looking up at the sky. "I had been on the island for two years with my nephew when the crew came to get supplies. I met Thatch first, and he got really excited when he saw my soulmark. Bursted out laughing, actually. He left to go get Marco while I had taken my nephew to sit at one of the tables at the inn that a friend owned." I paused to take another drink and looked at the men who seemed to be listening intently. "His first words to me were to comment on how strong my Haki was before even sitting down to talk. Then he took us to the Moby, and we've been there ever since."

"We?" The sniper asked.

I brought one of my knees up and smiled softly. "My nephew and I. I couldn't leave him there on his own. He was only three and all I had left of my blood family. I know a ship isn't the best place to raise a child, but he is now a thriving six year old who has many aunts and uncles that love him. And love to teach him things, whether I approve or not."

My last comment got a laugh from the men around me. I was glad that they didn't seem to judge me for deciding to raise a child on a pirate ship. It was a nice change from the villagers who voiced their opinions at every port we visited.

"We'll have to make sure Captain knows there'll be a kid there so he doesn't let his Haki loose like he usually does when we visit Whitebeard," Limejuice stated.

I frowned slightly as I finished off my rum. "Please do. I'd hate to have to knock him over the head if he were to cause Hadrian any injury. Even if it is unknowingly."

The men laughed and I felt someone sit down on the log next to me. Glancing up, I smiled at Shanks as he handed me another tankard.

"Who's Hadrian?" He asked, curious.

"My six year old nephew who I've been taking care of since my brother was killed." I took the fun and sipped on the drink, looking away from the men around me and out towards the forest.

"Pirates, Marines, or bandits?"

I blinked. How could I answer that?

"Hmm...none of the above. My home was at war, and the mad man leading the other side was set on killing so many people. My brother and his wife went into hiding. He was a prominent member of our side, and the damned old fool so many people put their faith and trust in convinced him to not use our family manor. The manor he knew was neigh impossible to get into. Where they would've been safe." I clenched the tankard so tight that my knuckles turned white, anger and sorry filling me as I tried to keep my magic contained. "But they were found. They were betrayed. And I was the one to find them. My baby brother, usually so full of life and mischief, was so still. I will never see his smile or hear his laugh ever again. My precious little kit is all that's left." I felt tears fall down my cheeks, but I could stop talking yet. It was like I had to get it all out. "I took him and left. To protect him. I have to protect him from those who want to use him. I will not let them get their damn hands on him."

Someone took the tankard from my hands gently before I was pulled into a familiar lap, Marco's scent like a balm to my anger. I felt him rub my back as he spoke.

"No more questions, yoi. Give us some space. She'll be okay in a bit."

I barely heard their replies as they left, leaning against Marco and letting the sound of his heartbeat calm me.

What felt like hours, but was likely only minutes, later, I finally calmed down enough to pull away from him. I wiped my eyes and sighed, upset with myself for breaking down like that. I hadn't done that in a while. The last time had been when I had told Marco about my worry that I would have to return to my old world because of that damned prophecy and the old fool. I had spent hours in his arms crying that night.

"Feel better, yoi?"

I nodded and took a deep breath. "Thank you, love. I feel terrible for ruining the celebration." I sighed. "You'd think that after five years I wouldn't have any tears left."

"You didn't ruin anything, yoi. It's okay to be upset. Had they known it was a sore topic for you, I doubt they would've asked." He paused before speaking again, this time a bit exasperated. "Red Hair feels terrible for upsetting you. I think he wants to apologize."

Even though he sounded annoyed, I could hear the amusement in his voice as someone came over. I looked up at Shanks as he sat down, a frown on his face and worry in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Liz. Everyone has a past, and I shouldn't have pried."

I gave the redhead a smile and pat his knee. "Don't apologize, Shanks. I'm not upset with you. It's been five years, and I guess I'm still not over it. One day, maybe, but not yet it seems."

I felt Marco pull me closer to him as the atmosphere of the clearing slowly became lively again. I was very thankful for everyone choosing to ignore my outburst from earlier and just enjoy the good company.

~MotP~

Laughter and cheers rang in my ears as Marco pulled me in for a gently, yet passionate, kiss, sealing our union. It felt wonderful, and my magic pulsed with my elation. I could feel the warm wind it created gently washing over the whole main beck of the Moby. Oyaji had just finished our short wedding ceremony, tears in his eyes as his booming voice pronounced us married. So much joy surrounded us that I couldn't help but laugh like a giddy school girl, my arms around Marco's neck as he spun me under the little arch that Izou and his division had put together and covered with flowers. The joy was overflowing.

Setting me back down, Marco kissed me again before food and drinks were brought out onto the beck. We made our way through the throngs of crew mates congratulating us, our brothers and sisters seeming very happy for us. And I knew that they were. I could just about taste the genuine joy that filled the air.

"Aunty Liz! You look so pretty!"

I smiled wider as I caught Hadrian and lifted the six year old onto my hip. He hugged me tight before looking at the dress I was wearing. It was a dark green, silk dress with a black corset belt that had silver showers embroidered onto the leather. The sleeves hung off my shoulder and down past my wrists in a bell-like style, and a slit ran up the right side clean up to my hip, showing off my pale legs and black heels. I had let Izou do my hair, resulting in half of it being pinned to the back of my head in intricate braids and the rest falling down my back to just above the swell of my ass. The barest amount of makeup was on my face, my lips painted a deep red and making them stand out the most. A simple, silver chain with a piece of obsidian carved to look like a phoenix with blue sapphires for eyes finished it off.

All in all, I looked very different from how I usually did. Even if I did used to dress in a similar fashion back in my old world.

"Aw, thank you my little kit. I feel very pretty today," I told him with a smile before kissing his cheek. I turned to look at Marco as I heard him chuckle and felt him wrap his arms around my waist. "And Uncle Marco looks very handsome, too, huh?"

"Uh-huh! Now you're married like mommy and daddy were!"

Marco and I both laughed at the boy's enthusiasm as we made our way to the food table. I soon set him down and watched as he ran over to Izou and Thatch, excitedly pulling the two to dance with him as music started to play.

As the night went on, we ate, drank, and danced with our family and friends, Shanks stealing me away from dance at some point. Even with one arm the man danced quite well.

"You know, while I am very jealous of Marco for being your soulmate, you both compliment each other quite well," the redhead said while pulling me along in a dance. "I may not know you as well as I know Marco, but he looks a lot more relaxed with you around. It's a good look on him. Makes him look younger."

"Marco takes his job as oldest brother and Oyaji's right hand very seriously. Before, he really had no one to lean on since his position put him highest on the ladder under Oyaji. Now, he has me to lean on and carry some of that responsibility. In that way, we are equals."

I glanced around and smiled at the sight of Marco dancing with Hadrian, the child laughing as he's swung around by the blonde man. The sight warmed my heart. I couldn't help but think about the conversation we had shared two nights ago. When Marco agreed to adopt Hadrian as our son, I had cried in both joy and relief. When he agreed to the idea of blood adopting the boy after I explained what it was, I couldn't be happier. Even if we had our own children, Hadrian would be seen as our first. And he would be even more protected should we have to return.