Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter!

I hope you enjoyed the first one, and this one got longer than I thought and therefore I didn't get to put all I wanted into this right now, and the next one will focus much more on how to get better, as I needed to make the plot go forward as well in this

Hope you will enjoy it

Read and relax

Ann sat in a doctor's office, having her first meeting with her doctor, who had been sick since she came and she hoped this would help. The doctor looked at her. "Anna, how are you today? You've been here 4 days now, and I sincerely apologize for not having this meeting earlier, but I got a bad case of the flu. But I am well now." Ann shrugged. "I don't know… I feel… I don't know." The doctor nodded. "I get that. You do look tired and exhausted, even though you're on some meds now. But, after this conversation, I can get more insight on what you feel, and we can change to some medicine that works better hopefully, as you still feel and look exhausted. I saw in your file that you feel depressed, can you tell me more about that?"

Ann nodded a bit. "I feel… empty, tired all the time, and I'm crying a lot… I don't feel… happy, even when I do things that used to make me happy. When I sleep, I sleep a lot, but I wake up tired." The doctor nodded. "How long have you felt this?" Ann shrugged a bit. "Maybe… a few months…" The doctor nodded. "What made you decide to seek help now?" Ann felt she needed to be honest about this thing. "5 days ago… I tried to drown myself in the ocean." The doctor nodded. "That is very serious, Anna. What made you not go through with it? When did you stop? How high was the water?" Ann shook her head a bit. "It was… deep, way over my head, I was swimming, before I got underwater and I wasn't going to get up again, when…" Ann had stopped since she saw her family. She saw Luffy and Sabo being sad, Pops, Marco, Thatch, Izou, Haruta, and everyone, and lastly, Smoker and Zianna. She couldn't leave them, she couldn't leave Zianna yet, she couldn't lose her mother so early, even though Ann was a horrible mother.

The doctor nodded. "I see. So you were that deep. What made you go back to the surface?" Ann shook her head, she couldn't say she was a mother, she was such a horrible mother and didn't want to be judged. The doctor nodded. "It's okay. Have you ever gone on some antidepressants or sleep medication before?" Ann shook her head. The doctor nodded. "Okay. I will prescribe a couple tablets, an antidepressant, and a sleep medication. The antidepressant is what we use for MDD, or Major Depressive Disorder. It means it works faster than a regular one and is stronger. When you sleep, do you dream? Compared to what you usually do." Ann shook her head. "No, I don't dream as much as I used to, but the times I do, it is very bad dreams." The doctor nodded. "I will give you one that is known to suppress dreams then. It is to be taken about 15 minutes before you go to bed, okay?"

Ann nodded. "Okay. When do I take the one for depression?" The doctor hummed. "Morning. Antidepressants in general are best to take in the morning as it can make you feel awake and more energetic. I will write the order now, and a nurse will come with the first dose as fast as they can. We will still have the calming ones to keep bad thoughts at bay, you will get two each morning, and one before bed. You can get up to 4 extra during the day, all you need to do is ask, and we will give. I know it can be hard at the start for many to ask, but it is best so we know if it works and if we should up the other dosage." Ann nodded. "Okay, I will try."

The doctor nodded and gave a smile. "That's good. Also, you need to do your best to fill your days with things, but not force it too much. Try to go on walks, speak with people, read if you like that, watch something you like, and things like that. Medication is to help make things easier to do until you find more happiness. My hope is this will help you get out of the depression, both with medical help and you trying to fill your days, and then lower the antidepressants, and maybe stop it. But many do need to go on medication for longer periods, but we'll see how you're faring." Ann nodded, that sounded like a good plan.

The doctor then spoke again. "Anna, I need to ask, is there any way you could give us your doctor's name? Your GP, as in General Physician? Your hospital records so we can look for something that may be the cause of this. This seems to be a very serious case of depression, and maybe more I feel like." Ann shook her head, making the doctor nod before she spoke again. "What about your social security number?" Ann shook her head, she couldn't have anyone do anything that could possibly raise a flag on where she was. She didn't want to be found. The doctor nodded. "It is okay. How about, I need to speak a bit with my colleagues, to see if they maybe have some more ideas as medicine goes. One of them is an expert and has a doctor's degree in medication used psychologically. And we meet again in 3 days? And hopefully you get 2 nights of good sleep by then and maybe feel a slight effect of the antidepressant. Does that sound okay, Anna?" Ann nodded. "Yes."

The doctor smiled. "Good. Now, if you need anything, or if you need to speak with me, just come to this door. If it is slightly ajar, I am available right then. If it is closed, ask a nurse, okay?" Ann nodded, making the doctor nod. "Okay. I really hope this will help, and we will speak more later." Ann nodded and stood up and headed out of the room to her room. After maybe half an hour, there was a knock and she gave a come in and the nurse stood there and held a small cup. "I have your first dose of a new antidepressant medication. May I come in?" Ann nodded and she did.

The nurse then looked at her. "You must be sick of this, but name please." Ann nodded. "Anna Morgan." The nurse nodded. "Perfect. Here. You got something to dr-" The nurse didn't get to finish as she just took it without any drink. "Or that works. Have you taken a lot of medication before? You seem very used to this." Ann half nodded. "A bit. I've taken a few here and there for headaches and such." She was on supplements through her pregnancy, just the normal prenatal, as Ann wanted to it right, and she often forgot to take it when she woke, and when she remembered it, she just took it without drinking as she didn't always have the time she felt to grab a glass and get something to drink. And those prenatal pills were larger than this.

The nurse nodded. "I see. You often read books we have and such, I rarely see you on your phone. You do at times use your laptop though. But never have I seen you on it when you're out with us, you are allowed to use it here whenever you want, no rules, beside to keep the noise to a low." Ann nodded. "I know. But I didn't bring it. Just a distraction." The nurse nodded. "I see. That is your choice. If you want to, we have a call room here, next to the visit room, with padded walls, so if you close the door, no one can hear you. Few use it, since they have cell phones, so it is almost always empty. If you want to use it, just slide the thing on the door to 'occupied', and no one will bother you, but also try and leave the door ajar when you leave as many forgets to slide it back. So, closed door, it is in use, if open, empty. And when you use it, it will come up as private to the one you call, as not everyone who uses it wants people to know they are here. It is anonymous." Ann nodded. "I will remember it." She didn't want to call anyone now, but it was good to know.

The day then went on, and while Ann did her best to try and do things, all from taking walks, watching Tv shows she used to like, and trying to read some magazines and books that were lying around. But, nothing seemed to help, she didn't feel better, and some days, she felt like a zombie as she didn't sleep well and felt so exhausted. But she found it odd as well. She had been able to function well with 5 hours of sleep, and now she slept easy 8 hours, sometimes up to 11, but she didn't feel rested. When she went to bed, it was like she closed her eyes to blink, and when she opened them, at least 8 hours had passed, like she hadn't slept at all. It was exhausting, and she didn't know what to do to fix it. The sleep medication didn't help at all, she just fell asleep faster, but didn't feel rested.

After two weeks, she didn't feel better. Now she felt like a zombie most days, and she did her best to tell everything she felt to the doctor and nurses, and they did their best to support her, but she still felt lost, and she missed her family so much, but she was still sick, she couldn't go back to them yet, when she was so sick like this.

-x-

Sabo felt worried and didn't know what to do as it had been 3 weeks since Ann had run away and they were no closer to finding her or had any clues. Smoker had sent the video that Ann said she needed to leave to him, and Sabo had watched it over and over to see if there was any clue in it, but he found nothing. And he was sure Smoker had watched it more than him and probably even had professionals look at it, but it all hinted to the fact Ann had left on her own, but that didn't make sense. Why would she leave? She loved them. Luffy was also worried, and had said he wanted to come back to help find her, but he was in college hours away and Luffy needed to get his education done. Sabo did keep Luffy updated but also tried to not worry Luffy too much.

As he was searching the net for anything, the clock a bit past 10am, Sabo took up his phone when it rang and answered it at once when he saw it was Smoker. "Hey, have you heard anything?" Smoker gave a sigh. "No, not yet. But I need a favor." Sabo nodded. "Yeah, sure. What?" Smoker gave a breath. "There is an emergency at work, since people are morons, which will take some time. I don't want to leave Zianna with the neighbor for too long." Sabo nodded. "I'll leave right now. Be there in 15, 20 if there is traffic." Smoker gave a thankful breath. "I would appreciate that. See you soon." Sabo nodded and gave a bye, before he left for his car, going at a fast pace, but not running.

When he got to Smoker and Ann's house, he rushed inside as he was a bit late because of an accident on the road and it had taken a bit over half an hour, and he had a key. When he got inside, he blinked at who he saw. Marco was there, and he was currently holding a fidgeting Zianna. Marco looked at him. "Emergency got worse, yoi. Needed someone here at once, and I work just down the road and could leave for the day." Sabo nodded. "Teaming up today, perfect. What do you want me to do?" Marco hummed. "I think she is hungry, so could you make some food, yoi? Smoker said she had formula for breakfast, so maybe some broth now." Sabo nodded and got to it to get it, while Marco went and sat down on the couch and put on something colorful and music on the TV for children while Sabo prepared food.

He spent the next hours watching Zianna with Marco, and as the clock was a bit past 4pm, Sabo stood in the kitchen washing some bottles and such, when he heard his phone ring, which was still in the living room, and it wasn't someone closest to him he heard. Sabo had a specific ringtone for all his closest people and family, and this was his normal ringtone, which was boss battle music from his favorite game. Sabo started to dry his hands. "Can you see who it is?!" He yelled to Marco, who gave a hum. "Private number, yoi. Most likely a scam." Yes, private numbers were usually a scam, but not for him, most were not as he started to haste to the living room. "Usually yes, but many hospitals, when using their phones, come up as private, especially when they do not use the main lines. It might be work." He knew this well and he liked it, as well as he felt it was fancy, even though it was not he had heard. If your Gps on your mobile was on, and you had written yourself on the list, using that phone would change to a private number when in a certain distance to the hospital.

Which was good if you needed to call someone urgently, which meant if it was work, it was urgent enough that they used a private phone, but not the boss as he was always in his office, where he had a main line. But it was most likely just a question, as he had been on yesterday evening and it might be someone needing something he knew about their current patients or where he put something that person needed now. Or how to operate something. They had gotten a few new ones and Sabo knew his job well and was good at explaining stuff. Or, it could be that they needed to send a patient to another department and Sabo knew what to say to get that going smoothly, as some of the departments were awful to work with and always found an excuse to say no.

He got to the living room and got the phone which Marco handed to him while Marco was rocking Zianna in her stroller. Sabo then answered the phone. "This is Sabo." He said, expecting to hear the usual 'hey, we need help,' as he had taken time off because of Ann without much planning and he got it if it was an emergency. Yesterday had been an emergency and he was needed for half a shift. But after a few seconds, no one had spoken. Sabo blinked, before he moved the phone away to look at the screen, in case he just missed it. But no, the call was ongoing. He moved the phone back to his ear and heard nothing. If it was work, there was usually a machine in the background, or someone speaking or yelling. "Hello, anyone there?" He asked. He was about to hang up, most likely being a prank or spam, when a small voice spoke up. "...Sabo…?" Sabo's eyes widened, before he felt so many emotions.

Sabo used a second to find his words. "Hey! Hey. Where are you? Are you okay? Are you safe?" Marco looked at him in confusion and worry, on his way to speak when Sabo held his hand up to silence him, before the line spoke again as Ann sounded so… exhausted and sad. "I'm safe, I promise. Is… is Zianna okay?" Sabo nodded, feeling emotional. "Yes, yes she is. But she misses you a lot. Are you coming back home? We miss you." He heard a small upset breath. "I… can't yet. I'm not well. I'm dangerous to Zianna." Sabo shook his head, feeling tears in his eyes as he heard how tired and sad Ann sounded.

Sabo took a breath. "No no, you're not dangerous. You're an amazing mother. Please come home. We all miss you. I know about the accident. It wasn't your fault. Zianna was wet and probably slippery and squirming. It wasn't your fault. And you did everything right. You took her to the hospital to be sure she was fine." He heard a small sound. "I… can't. Not yet. I just needed to know she was okay, that you were okay…" Sabo shook his head. "We're as fine as we can be. But we miss and need you. Please come home." It was silent for a couple seconds, before Ann spoke again. "I'm sorry for all this. But Zianna wasn't safe… Tell Smoker I am sorry, he didn't answer his phone, probably work, I know. I am coming back… I just don't know when. I love you, Sabo." Sabo blinked. "Hey, wait, I ne-" Then the line hung up and Sabo moved his hand to his face as he gave a breath.

Marco then spoke. "Was it her, yoi?" Sabo nodded, moving his hand away so he could look up to keep his tears at bay. "Yes. She feels she is dangerous and this is her fault. She did say she will come back, but she doesn't know when." Marco nodded and looked worried. "Did she sound okay, yoi?" Sabo shook his head. "No. She sounded so exhausted and sad. She said she wasn't well. I need to call Smoker." He said as she took his phone and called Smoker, who answered after a couple rings. "Sabo, is Zianna okay?" Sabo nodded. "Yes, she is fine. Did a private number call recently?" Smoker hummed. "Yes, probably spam. Why? How do you know?" Sabo took a breath. "It was Ann. She called, said she tried you first."

There was silence for a bit, before Smoker gave a swear. "You gotta be kidding! The one time I am busy! Did she say where she is?" Sabo shook his head. "No. She said she was safe. She said she wasn't well, and that she is coming back, but don't know when. It was a private number, but maybe there is a way to trace it somehow?" Smoker gave an upset breath. "No. If it was a traceable one, it would say the local code, it said just private. God damnit! Did she sound okay?" Sabo gave a breath. "No. She sounded… exhausted, tired, and sad." He heard a breath. "Any background sound? Her tone?" Sabo sighed. "No sound, total silence, so she must be inside somewhere where they have a phone you call and it shows up as private, which doesn't really narrow our search. She just sounded tired and sad, not in distress." Smoker gave a breath. "Okay. Tell me if she calls again." Sabo nodded. "I will." They then hug up.

Sabo then tried to figure out where Ann might be, but it was impossible. Any cell phone could call and show up as private. Sabo gave a breath, wanting to see his sister and know she was okay.

-x-

Ann sat in the doctor's office again, and Ann didn't know what to do as she still felt horrible and dead inside. She had been here for 5 weeks now, and she felt no better at all, and no one seemed to get how that was as she was on a high dose and she felt so bad still. The doctor looked at her. "You don't feel better at all?" Ann shook her head. She didn't. The doctor looked worried. "Do you feel worse?" Ann nodded. "I feel… dead, and exhausted." The doctor nodded. "What did you fill the days at home with? Before you came here to us. I feel you're getting worse as well, you look very exhausted and sad. What used to bring you happiness? We've done all the tests we can think of. The others and I are at a bit off a loss. We have done a lot of tests, even ones we don't normally do as we have no previous hospital records from you." Ann gave a small nod and she felt sad. Zianna was soon 7 months old… She was soon 7, and here she was, in a mental institution. She was such a bad mother. Everything had been perfect at the start, and she felt so happy to be a mother, but she was a terrible mother.

The doctor looked at her. "Anna, have you, in the last year, given birth?" Ann blinked. "Why… why do you think that?" The doctor hummed. "You said 'she's soon 7', and while it is possible you have a sibling that age, I feel that is not the case." Ann gave a small nod, before she spoke, needing to fight to get the words out of her mouth because of the lump in her throat. "I… have a daughter. She will soon be 7 months old…" The doctor nodded. "I see. Why didn't you say this before?" Ann shrugged. "Because I can't hurt her anymore. She is safe." The doctor shook her head. "No. I am sure you aren't a dangerous mother, but a pregnancy and giving birth is a huge strain on the body, both physically and mentally. Have you ever heard about postpartum depression?"

Ann blinked, before she frowned. "What is that?" The doctor nodded. "It is a depression that comes after giving birth. Although yours seems very serious." The doctor thought for a few seconds. "Your baby is 7 months old?" Ann nodded. "Yes." The doctor hummed. "And did you feel depressed right away? If you try and think. When did the fatigue start? Not feeling rested after sleep? Exhausted all day?" Ann tried to think. "Maybe… when she was 3 or 4 months old." The doctor nodded. "And you've been here a month, and on antidepressants all that time. Do you feel any better?" Ann shook her head. "No, I don't." The doctor nodded. "Okay. I want to run a test. Just wait here a minute while I get a nurse and what I need." Ann nodded, before the doctor left.

When the doctor came back a nurse was coming in soon after. The nurse smiled at her. "I will just take a blood test, okay?" Ann blinked. "But… I thought you said you've done all the tests?" The doctor nodded. "We have done all the tests we thought we needed to do. We had no idea you were a mother to a 7 month old. So, we need to take this test." Ann nodded. "What kind of test?" The doctor hummed. "I don't want you to get your hopes up, so let us just wait for the test answers, okay?" Ann nodded. "Okay."

They then spoke a bit more, before Ann went back to the room she had here. Then the day went on, and when 2 had passed, Ann looked at the door when there was a knock and gave a come in, where the doctor stood, and Ann blinked. "Did I have a meeting I forgot about?" The doctor shook her head. "No. But I bring this-" She said as she showed a small cup with a pill in it and Ann blinked. "I forgot my morning meds?" The doctor hummed. "Do you think you did?" Ann gave a small shrug. "If I am honest, the days kinda… blur. I forget if I did it today or yesterday, or the day before." The doctor nodded. "Which makes sense. Your blood results came back." Ann nodded. "Why do I feel you have bad news?" The doctor shook her head. "No no. I have good ones. May I sit?" She asked as she motioned to an empty chair. Ann nodded and the doctor sat down.

The doctor then looked at her. "So. You have what is called postpartum thyroiditis." Ann frowned a bit. "But… you said I had postpartum depression." The doctor nodded. "And you most likely do, yes. But this is a very serious case of it, and it happened so fast, so I felt there was something more. The reason I wanted this test. And it said you have postpartum thyroiditis." Ann nodded a bit. "What is that?" The doctor hummed. "Your thyroid gland got inflamed when you gave birth, which is actually very common and usually correct itself. But in your case, it didn't. So, it went from being over active to being under active. And that makes you feel bad. You feel tired, memory loss, fatigue, bad sleep, not feeling rested after sleep." Ann blinked. "So, I just need to take this pill and I will be okay?" The doctor hummed. "You still have postpartum depression. But this postpartum thyroiditis doesn't make it any easier. It amplifies the symptoms. This will help, but still, you do need to work with us and yourself." Ann felt shocked.

Ann nodded. "Okay. So I take that when?" The doctor hummed. "Every morning. If it works, you should feel some improvements within a week. But again, you need to work with yourself." Ann nodded. "Yes. Take walks, speak with others, and try to find small things that make me happy." The doctor nodded. "Yes. And you need to work with us. No more hiding things, small or large. And yes, hiding you gave birth 7 months ago is a huge thing. We're not here to judge you. We're here to help you, and we can't do that if you hide things from me." Ann nodded. "I will try." The doctor nodded. "That's good. And remember. Small steps." Ann nodded, and she hoped this would help.

Then the day went on, and she tried to take a walk, but it just made her feel more tired. When she got back to the unit, she tried to watch some Tv, and she felt it kind of blurred together and she didn't catch what was on. When 5 days had passed, she tried a walk again, and as she did, she heard some water rushing and walked towards it and found a small waterfall. It was pretty, as Ann had always liked water and such, and this looked peaceful. Ann then suddenly realized she felt a bit warm inside, for a small bit, she didn't feel dead like a zombie. She stood and watched it for a while, before she went back to the unit. For the first time in a long while, Ann felt better.

She then went to her room, and after a bit, a nurse came and checked on her, and she said what had happened and how she felt better and that felt so good. It felt like there was light at the end of the tunnel, and that had the nurse happy for her. The next day, Ann tried to watch some Tv, and it was a show she used to watch a lot, and she managed to watch the entire episode and it didn't blur together this time. The next episode that came right after, did blur as it usually did, and she took that as her sign to head to her room and relaxed the rest of the day.

When she had been on the new medication a week, she had the first morning she felt somewhat rested after waking up in months. She had a meeting with the doctor today as well, and things looked like it could get better and maybe back to normal. She got it would be a long road, but for once, she felt somewhat hopeful it could go okay. She didn't expect she could go back to normal, how she was before, but just back to not feeling dead and exhausted.

When she went to the doctor's office, the doctor looked at her. "Do you feel better?" Ann nodded. "Honestly, yes. I feel… I have a bit more energy than before, I feel somewhat rested, a bit more hopeful, but still…" The doctor nodded. "You still feel depressed. But this is a start." Ann nodded, and it felt good. The doctor then smiled. "You also look better. Not as dull as you have looked." That made her feel better about herself as she felt a bit the same. The doctor looked at her. "I got a question, and you don't need to answer. But you have a daughter, is the father in the picture?" Ann nodded slowly. "Yes… We are married…" The doctor nodded. "Is he nice to you? Is your daughter with him?" Ann nodded. "Yes. He is so… amazing. Zianna is safe with him, not with me." The doctor nodded. "Why do you think you are dangerous? Did you do anything?"

Ann nodded a bit and felt tears in her eyes as she spoke, her voice a bit raspy. "I was bathing her, and I don't know how, but I lost my grip. She fell under the water… I took her to the hospital, she was okay. But… she could have died." The doctor looked at her comfortingly. "If we start with the 'could' and 'what ifs', I can go on all day and night about my 3 children. You didn't mean to, and when it happened, you did the right thing and sought medical help. A bad mother wouldn't do that, they would hide it. You're not a danger. Do your family know where you are?" Ann shook her head. "No. I couldn't tell them… I am a bad mother, a bad wife, bad sister… bad daughter…" The doctor looked at her with a comforting look. "I am sure you're not." Ann didn't feel like that.

The doctor looked at her. "Can I call your husband?" Ann felt unsure about that, and the doctor gave a comforting look. "I want to call him and tell him you are better and where you are. I am sure he is worried." Ann felt emotional as she was sure Smoker was, and after thinking a bit, the doctor letting her think, she nodded a bit as a tear fell. "Okay. But… My name isn't Anna Morgan…" The doctor nodded. "What is it?" Ann took a breath. "I don't want him to know where I am, as I'm not ready to face him yet…" The doctor nodded. "It is okay. I won't tell where you are or your pseudonym, he can't find you. And I will tell no one here your real name." Ann nodded, that sounded good.

Ann took a breath. "Can you… tell me what he says?" The doctor nodded. "I will. I am sure he will be relieved to hear you are safe." Ann didn't know, she felt they were better off without her. She then gave the number to Smoker's cellphone, and to his work, as he did work a lot. She hoped Smoker wasn't furious with her, but she needed to find out if he hated her or not. If everyone hated her. She felt so bad.

-x-

Smoker stood and looked over his papers on his desk, not at all in a good mood. He shouldn't be here at work, he should be with Zianna, but Goddamn people had to be idiots and couldn't be alone. He wanted to be with his daughter and search for his wife. As he was looking over the papers, the receptionist spoke. "Smoker, personal call on line 2!" Smoker huffed. "If it's not Sabo or Izou, don't bother me!" The receptionist moved to look at him. "Smoker," Smoker looked at her, on his way to tell her to hang up as he knew it wasn't Sabo or Izou as he would be told that, when she spoke. "It's the hospital in the neighboring town. They say it is about Ann." Smoker felt all the air leave his lungs. Ann?

He grabbed the phone as fast as he could and opened line 2. "Hello?" The line spoke, a woman speaking. "Is this Smoker? Husband to Ann D Portgas?" Smoker nodded. "Yes. Is she okay? Was she in an accident? Was she kidnapped?" Maybe Ann hadn't left on her own free will after all. The woman spoke again. "Oh, no. I think you misunderstand who I am." Smoker blinked. "I was told you were from the hospital?" The woman hummed. "Yes. But not the ER or anything. I work at the psych unit." Smoker blinked. "Did she have a psychotic break?" The woman chuckled. "You really do think the worst, don't you? She came a bit over 6 weeks ago, admitted herself for severe depression." Smoker blinked. "What? Why wasn't I notified? I am her primary emergency contact. I have the right to know where she is when admitted."

The woman sighed. "Because she admitted herself without any information on herself, no social security number, no insurance card as she said she would pay it all in cash, money wasn't an issue. Would not give us her doctor's information. We couldn't contact anyone." Smoker blinked. "But she is the only one with that name! In the entire world! It would be a simple name search! Don't you do that?!" The doctor gave a breath. "We tried. But, she admitted herself under a false name, which was a very common name. Without any more information, we couldn't close down the search on who she was with what was a false name. And since this is a voluntary ward, we don't need all the information. We need either a referral from a doctor, insurance, or proof you can pay your stay if you give us nothing. She chose the last option. She seemed to know this was something you could do." Smoker sighed. Ann was smart.

Smoker nodded. "I see. Why are you calling now? Did you find out her real name?" The woman hummed. "No. She told me her real name and wanted me to reach out to you, as she doesn't know how to herself without feeling too awful. She isn't a hundred percent ready to go home yet, but she's getting better and wanted us to contact you to tell you she is okay and getting better." Smoker nodded and gave a relieved breath. "Thank God." He then thought for a couple seconds. "Wait, you said a bit over 6 weeks ago? She ran 7 weeks ago, it doesn't take more than max a day to get there, walking. And I doubt she walked."

The woman sighed. "She came on the 2nd last month. She said she needed help. When we asked more on why and why she felt she was depressed. She said she had been feeling sad, tired, exhausted, slept badly, lost weight, and the day prior to coming here, she tried to drown herself in the ocean." Smoker felt all blood drain his face as a breath left him. Ann had tried to kill herself? "Is- is she okay? Did anyone find her before she drowned?" The woman spoke again. "No, she got out by herself. She didn't say why she got out right away, before she revealed she had a daughter and she couldn't leave her or you yet or like this. She feels very bad for leaving, but saw no other way as she was in a very bad place mentally." Smoker nodded. "I see. But she is getting better?" "Yes," Started the doctor. "She is. She really wants to go home, but wants to get better first. She misses everyone."

Smoker felt emotional as he missed her a lot as well. "I miss her as well. Tell her that when she is ready, I will come pick her up." The doctor spoke. "Ann was very worried you were mad at her, she will be happy to hear you aren't." Smoker blinked. "I could never be mad at her. I get she was hurting, much more than what I thought, and I feel bad for that. When she is ready, we are all here for her." Smoker knew everyone missed her, and to just know she was safe and getting better, was what he wanted to hear. She wasn't in danger. The doctor spoke. "That is good. I will call when I have an update. For now, she needs a bit of space as she feels very bad for leaving like she did." Smoker shook his head. "No, she felt she had no other way out, I get it. I am just glad she is safe." He was. He shared a few more words, before they hung up.

Smoker then used a minute to gather himself, before he walked into the boss' office, as he had a few things he needed to put in order right now.

-x-

Sabo felt a lot of emotions right now. He was now just waiting for an update from Smoker. Smoker had called last week and said Ann was safe, she was at a psych unit as she had admitted herself under a false name. And Sabo felt guilty for that, as he had once ranted about a woman admiring herself to the ER under a false name and lied about what had happened. If she had used her real name, they would have seen her file from last visit and been able to connect it to the fact that she was abused, but she lied. And if you had proof you could pay for what you needed, they didn't need to check your identity or your social security, or even your doctor's name.

He felt bad he had thought Ann that. He felt he was to blame. He had mentioned this to Smoker, who said Sabo was not to blame, not at all. Sabo couldn't have known Ann was planning this. And to think the other way. This gave her the courage to get help, so he tried to think that. That was why that woman at the ER had done it, so the hospital wouldn't call her husband to say where she was, so she felt she could get medical help. But, Ann was safe, that was most important.

Sabo took up his phone as it rang and answered it when he saw it was Smoker. "Hey. Any news?" Smoker gave a breath. "Yeah. She's coming home in 2 days, Friday. I don't want to overwhelm her by having too many here, but I want to have a few. Do you have the time?" Sabo nodded. "Of course I do. When will she return?" Smoker hummed. "Noon. A few more are coming as well. Could you come at 11? I want to do a few things before she comes and prepare stuff. If you don't mind." Sabo shook his head. "I don't mind at all. Anything you need, I will do." Smoker gave a relieved breath. "Thanks. See you then." Sabo nodded and gave a goodbye, before he gave a relieved breath of his own. Ann was finally coming back.

Sabo then tried to make the hours pass, and when the day came, he was at Smoker and Ann's house at 10:30, and then started to prepare what Smoker wanted. Izou was already there. The next hour, Whitebeard, Marco, and Rakuyo came as well. Marco did say some of the rest almost begged to come, like Thatch, but he could be a bit too much at times, which was true. But he always meant well, but didn't always see it himself when he was too much. They then prepared everything, like being sure there were no household chores to do, Zianna was newly changed and fed, and food was made. Then, they just waited.

When it was 10 to noon, the door opened and Ann came through. They all smiled at her, and while Sabo wanted to run and hug her and say how happy he was she was back, he wanted to not overwhelm her. And even though they had been told she looked much better, she still looked tired. Her eyes were semi red and she had some visible bags under her eyes. When she saw them, she blinked. "...Hi." They all smiled and said hi, and Whitebeard moved first and was closest and gave her a hug. "Hi, daughter. I've missed you." Ann slowly hugged back. "I have as well, Pops."

Whitebeard then let go. "But someone has missed you more." Then Whitebeard moved a bit to the side and Smoker walked up with a sleeping Zianna in his arms. "Hi, Honey. We missed you." Ann nodded and gave a weak smile. "I have as well." Ann then looked down at Zianna. "She looks… amazing. So… big. She's grown so much." Smoker nodded. "Yes. But she has missed you a lot." Smoker then moved the hand which didn't hold her to stroke her cheek. "Zianna, wake up. Mommy is back." Ann blinked. "No, don't wake her. She will only cry when she sees me." Sabo blinked. Why did she think that? Smoker shook his head. "She won't." Then Zianna opened her eyes and looked a bit around, before her eyes landed on Ann, and Zianna gave a sound, a happy sound, as she smiled, before she held her hands out to her.

Ann blinked and moved a hand to her mouth as her eyes watered. "She's… smiling at me…" Smoker nodded. "Yes. She has always smiled at you. I don't think you've been able to truly see it. She loves you." Ann looked emotional and looked up at the ceiling to make her tears go away, which had Smoker move his hand to her shoulder. "Ann. I need you to speak with me. If you feel sad, tell me you're sad. If you feel happy, tell me you're happy. If you need to cry, even if you don't know why, come cry on my shoulder. I know I've been working a lot. But in a month, maybe 2 weeks, I will go on parental leave." Ann blinked. "But… you're not scheduled for another 4 months?" Smoker shook his head. "No. I was supposed to, yes. But I said if I don't get it within a month, as they need to find coverage, I would quit."

Ann blinked. "Why would you say that? You love your job." Smoker nodded. "I do. But, I love my girls more. You and Zianna are my world. I would do anything for you. I am so sorry I haven't been able to see how much you were hurting. Which is why, while I am still at work for the reminder time before my leave, Izou will be here with you. And I don't mean he will be here from morning until evening. The guest room is all set up and he brought a couple bags, and he is ready to help with whatever you need. Be it feeding her, cleaning the house, walking her, comforting you, whatever it might be. Izou will be here when I am not." Ann blinked, before she looked at Izou who nodded, and Ann blinked. "But you have work as well." Izou hummed. "Took my vacation early. I have 5 weeks off now." Ann nodded and looked to have tears in her eyes. "Thank you." Izou shook his head. "No. We are all sorry for not seeing how much you were hurting. But we're all here now, and will always be here." Ann nodded. "Yeah."

Smoker then looked at Ann. "Also, I spoke with the Mommy and me group." Ann shook her head. "I can't go back. Everyone is doing so much better than me." Smoker nodded. "I know you feel that, and that is since they are." Ann blinked. "What? Am I a bad mother?" Smoker quickly shook his head. "Oh God no. No no. But there was a mixup. You are in a group for non-first-time mothers, meaning they all have done this before. They know what to do since they have done this before. You haven't. They apologized profusely for it, and we will be reimbursed for the half year you were in the wrong group. The right group has a meeting on Monday, if you feel like it. And Izou will join you, since I can't." Ann nodded slowly. "I will… think about it." Smoker nodded. "And don't feel any pressure that you need to join. You don't need to."

Ann nodded, looking emotional. Smoker then held out Zianna, and Zianna really wanted to go to her mother. Ann did reach out slowly, before she hesitated and looked at Smoker, who gave a supporting look, which had Ann move and take Zianna into her arms and looked at her daughter, looking full of emotions and watery eyes. Ann then moved and kissed Zianna on her head, before she just looked at her. Ann sat down in a chair and looked at her child, and Smoker sat down next to her and they spoke a bit about how they had been, and Sabo went and did the last touches to the food, Marco and Rakuyo helping him. When it was done, they served the food and they all started to sit down to eat, besides Ann.

Sabo saw Ann holding Zianna and cooing to her, and he was about to go ask if he should take the small girl so Ann could eat, when Izou beat him to it and walked up to her and held his hands out. "Here. I'll take her so you can eat." Ann blinked. "But you need to eat as well, Izou." Izou hummed. "And I have eaten, I ate earlier so you can eat now. Give me Zianna, so you can eat in peace." Ann looked a bit unsure, but did move Zianna so Izou could take over, and when the small girl was in his arms, Izou used his head to motion to the couch where the others sat. "We will be right over there. Now, you go eat." Then Izou moved to the couch, before Ann gave a breath and moved to sit down by the table, and Sabo moved to sit down beside his sister.

Sabo smiled at his sister. "You okay?" Ann nodded. "Yeah, just… I don't know." Sabo moved his hand to Ann's hand and squeezed it. "What do you feel?" Ann let out a breath. "I feel like… I've been blind. Zianna is smiling at me. You're all here and wanting to help. Looking like you care about me. And I don't feel like just a huge burden, just a bit." Sabo felt worried. "You've never been a burden, Ann. We love and care about you so much. Zianna loves you." Ann nodded. "And that's why I feel like I've been blind. This doesn't fit with how I have felt for… I don't know how long." Sabo didn't like that his sister had felt like that and he hadn't known or seen it. He felt so bad.

He was about to speak when he heard Zianna fussing, and he saw Ann on her way to stand up, when he looked over at Izou and Zianna, and Izou pointed at Ann as she stood up. "Sit down. I have control. She just needs to be changed." Said Izou as he stood up, before he spoke again. "Don't you move as I change her." Ann blinked. "But changing her is a chore." Izou nodded. "And I am here to help you with chores. Sit." Ann nodded and sat down, and looked like she didn't know what to do, when Sabo moved his hand to hers again. "We are here for you, and we all feel so bad for not seeing how much you were hurting." Ann nodded and looked emotional. "I felt so bad… That if I told how I felt… you would laugh." Sabo shook his head and moved and hugged Ann. "Oh God no. I would never. If you're hurting or feeling bad, I want to know so I can help you feel better. I love you, Ann. Your my sister. I would do anything for you, all you have to do is ask." Ann nodded and looked emotional as he moved back and looked at her. "I feel so bad for not seeing how much you were hurting. And I will do my best to be more observant." Ann shook her head. "No, you didn't do anything wrong. I should have reached out." Sabo moved his hand to Ann's. "But you're back now. I've been so worried."

Ann nodded. "Yeah, I can imagine. I've missed you all so much." Sabo nodded. "How are you feeling now? I mean, did they figure out what it was?" Ann sighed. "Yeah. Or, most likely. They first thought it was Major Depressive Disorder, and I got something for that, but it didn't help at all. But then they found out I have Zianna and her age, so they said Postpartum Depression, but even then, this was… extreme. So the doctor took another test with the knowledge I have a baby, and I also have Postpartum Thyroiditis. And I got both of them. From overactive to underactive, the reason it hit so hard and fast, and made the depression so much worse. I've gotten something for it, and it is actually helping." Sabo nodded and felt worried for his sister. "That's not good, I've heard about it, and it can take a while to treat." Ann nodded. "I know, and I am feeling better. I've gotten tips on how to go forward now and to take it slow." Sabo nodded. "Small steps are important." Ann nodded. "Yeah, I've been told that." Sabo nodded. "And should you need anything, please tell me. If you feel like you can't call and ask, text me." Ann nodded. "I will." Sabo nodded, and hoped Ann would get back to herself. And he would do his best to help.

And that was the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

This got way longer than I expected and a lot happened and I didn't want it to get over 10k words, and not as much things will happen in the next one as fast, so I can concentrate more on tips to deal with Postpartum Depression. I made the decision to also put it Postpartum Thyroiditis as this was a very extreme case, so the next one will be more on how to deal, both as someone suffering from Postpartum Depression and as a friend or family member

If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to share them!

I hope you enjoyed, and if you want to, I do love feedback, so don't be afraid to leave a review, or send a PM!

If you also want to, I have a Twitter, my name is Azuruko, and I have a discord, my tag/username is just azuruko, as well as a server (Instant invite: discord . gg / 6hzMhbR) where everyone is welcomed! Updates is also posted there, both on discord and on twitter