Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

I hope you're finding this story interesting

This chapter got a bit long, but hope you will enjoy it!

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Marco looked as Ace moved to the monkey bars in the gym Trevor had rented for today, he was here with Ace today as Ace had asked, and Marco wanted to join. Marco saw Ace jump up and do some pull ups and Marco looked at Trevor. "Ace seems to be very good and like he feels comfortable here, yoi." Trevor nodded. "Been here a lot. Perfect place to get energy and anger, out and get better at things." Marco nodded. "I wish you had shown Ace maybe some self defense so he could have gotten away from Akainu, yoi. But it's too late for that now." Trevor blinked, looking shocked, before he looked over at Mika. "Mika!" He said and motioned for her to come to them, which she did.

When she was with them, Trevor spoke. "Show Marco how amazing Ace is in a 'serious' situation. Know it has been a while and we haven't started that up yet, but still do." Mika nodded and went over to Ace and said something, which had Ace let go and Marco blinked. "Ace knows self defense? How much, yoi?" Trevor hummed. "You'll see." Then Mika and Ace moved so there was some small distance between them, before Mika tried to attack Ace, but Ace reacted so fast and countered it, before he also started to attack and it was amazing to see.

As they were at it, Trevor spoke. "We taught him it, both for the reason you just said, and if he ever needed it. But Akainu taught him he could never hurt anyone, no matter what. I had a hope that one day, he would use what we have taught him, but he never did." Marco was surprised by that and on his way to speak when Ace grabbed onto Mika and did an amazing takedown, but Mika was prepared and switched places, before Mika won, Ace on the floor on his stomach. Mika quickly got off and helped Ace up with a smile. "You're still amazing, Ace. A bit slower than before, but amazing." That was slower than normal? Ace was really good. Ace then went to do some training exercises with Mika, and Marco was still amazed at how amazing Ace was at this. When they were done, they said goodbye to Mika and Trevor, and went home, Ace needing a shower and seeming content.

Then the day went on normally, and the next day, as they got home from school, the children went to do their own things while Marco was going to soon start dinner. Today was a short day for them. As he was just relaxing and reading the news on his phone, Ace came into the living room. "...Marco… I have something from school…" Marco nodded and put his phone away. "Okay. Can I see it, yoi?" Ace looked like he wanted to cry and hide, and Marco got why so he would take this calm. Ace then took out a note that was folded and Marco unfolded it to see it was a note that said Ace had been late to class and not done his homework. It had him blink, before he looked at Ace, and motioned to a chair. "Sit down, Ace, so we can talk about it." Ace blinked and looked at him. "Sit… down? Here?" Marco nodded. "Yes. I would like to hear your side of what happened."

Ace blinked and looked confused and scared, but did sit down, looking on the verge of breaking down, almost shaking. Marco remained calm. "Were you late, yoi?" Ace swallowed, before he nodded. "I didn't know this teacher used another classroom as it was a substitute, so I went to the wrong one and was a couple minutes late." Marco nodded, that made sense and wasn't Ace's fault. It could happen. Marco was more on how that warranted a note home. "Which homework was it, yoi?" Ace looked like he was barely able to hold off the tears. "History…" Marco blinked, now feeling more confused. "But I checked that homework yesterday, yoi. You did it." Ace gave a small sniffle, although he wasn't crying, his eyes were full of tears. "I… there was one more question I forgot…" Marco blinked, he was sure there wasn't. "Which was that?" Ace gave a small sound. "The substitute wants us to do the extra one they mention in the pages…" Not even Marco knew this.

Marco looked at the note. "And they gave you a note for that?" Ace nodded, and Ace looked to try and keep composed, but wasn't able to anymore as the tears fell and Ace started to shake more as he spoke. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to. I didn't know they changed classrooms and he wanted the extra question, but the others did and-" Marco quickly shook his head and moved a hand to Ace's back. "Ace, relax. I am not mad. Not even I knew you needed to do that question, yoi." Ace flinched a bit as Marco's hand touched his back, but Marco kept it there as he continued. "I don't think any of this warrants a note home, it was all something you didn't know, yoi. I am not mad at you at all." Ace still cried and looked to doubt it. Marco decided to try one thing. "None of this was your fault, Ace, so I am not mad. I promise, yoi." He knew Ace trusted his promises, at least most times.

Ace gave a small nod, but still cried, although not as bad. Marco felt there was something here that didn't make sense. "Did the teacher say anything to you about this, yoi?" Ace looked down and it was like Ace tried to hide, which he felt meant there was, but Ace didn't want to tell. Marco repeated he wasn't mad, and Ace took a shaky breath as he was still crying. "The teacher said… it was my fault that Arlong got suspended… And that he would…" Marco felt this was heading a bad place. Marco stroked Ace's back a bit. "He would what, yoi?" Ace sniffled. "Make my life Hell…" Marco blinked and felt shocked. Before he remembered something. Arong taught history. It was a class Ace had once a week, so this would be the first time he had history since Arlong got suspended.

Ace started to cry more. "Please don't be mad at me. I don't want Hell again." Marco felt so bad for Ace, and moved to just hug Ace, and Ace did flinch, but Marco felt he needed to hug Ace. "I am not mad, yoi. I promise. This teacher was wrong, so wrong." Marco leaned back and looked at the crying and scared face of Ace. "You did nothing wrong, Ace. The teacher did wrong, and I will fix it, okay? You are in no trouble." Ace sniffled and looked at him wary. "I'm not?" Marco shook his head. "No, you're not. You are in absolutely no trouble, yoi. And I am not mad." Marco moved a hand to Ace's cheek. "I promise, yoi." Ace looked to believe him more this time, which was good.

Marco gave a smile and a comforting look to Ace. "I will handle this, and you don't need to worry at all, yoi. Dinner is in an hour, and you're free to do what you want until then." Ace nodded and dried his tears, before he went towards his room most likely. As he was gone, Marco looked at the note. A note for this was very wrong, and the words the teacher had said to Ace was certainly not okay. He felt this was Thatch all over again from years ago. When they got Thatch and he was 7 years old, he acted out a lot in school, sure this wouldn't last, and got in a lot of troubler for a while, until he had been framed for something and Marco and Whitebeard had stood up for him and Thatch realized they were on his side and started to act better and now was a good student. But one teacher had heard about his reputation from the year before and really targeted Thatch, to the point they had to switch Thatch's class with that teacher as she refused to see wrong, even when Marco and Whitebeard had proof. And Marco would not have a repeat.

So Marco went and found Whitebeard and told about this, and he seemed equally as mad as him, so they decided that tomorrow, Marco would go speak with the principal after dropping the kids off. Marco did call the secretary to make sure the principal was available, which he was, so Marco made an official meeting with him. Marco then went and started dinner, Thatch coming to help him. Thatch really liked to help make dinner. As Thatch helped, Marco thought of something. "Thatch, how would you feel if Ace joined your class, yoi?" They were in the same grade, but each garde was divided into 4 classes, which were class A, B, C, and D. Thatch was in B, and Ace was in C. Thatch looked excited. "I would like that! Ace is really cool!" Marco nodded. "We might have him moved, and I will hear about having you in the same class, yoi." Thatch looked excited, and this would also help as they would head to the same classes so they could go together.

Thatch then blinked. "Why would Ace change classes? Did something happen?" Marco thought for a second, before he spoke. "What do you know of the history substitute, yoi?" Thatch blinked. "You mean the one Ace had today?" Marco nodded, and Thatch had a small look on his face. "I don't like him. Mr Hatchan is really old school at times and finds reason to be mean to some students. One time we had him, we had a test and he kept saying he saw when we used our phones to listen to music, before he went and took a pair of scissors and cut Liam's insulin pump, thinking it was a headset. He didn't even ask and tried to defend himself. Liam had to go home for the day as he didn't have a reserve one in school. Mr Hatchan is mean." Marco didn't know that, but this meant this teacher had done more things before. Marco didn't want Ace in his class, especially if that teacher knew Arlong well and felt Arong didn't do anything wrong.

Thatch looked at him. "Did Mr Hatchan do something to Ace?" Marco looked at Thatch. "You don't need to think of that, yoi. I will handle it." Thatch smiled. "I would love to have Ace in my class!" That was very good. They then finished up dinner, before they ate and Ace looked like himself again. When the next day came and he had dropped the children off, Marco went to the principal's office, Jimbei waiting for him and letting him into his office and offering a seat as Jimbei sat down. "To what do I owe this meeting, Mr Fishback?" Marco gave a breath, before he showed the note, and explained what Ace had said. How he had forgotten a question not mentioned in the homework, and why Ace had been late. When he had said this, Jimbei seemed to take it seriously. "It is not normal to send a note home for this, especially for one question like that and just a couple minutes."

Marco nodded, before he sighed. "I know. The teacher also said to Ace that it was Ace's fault that Mr Arong got suspended, and this teacher, Mr Hatchan, would make Ace's life a living Hell, yoi. Which made him very upset." Jimbei blinked. "He said that?" Marco nodded. "My son did say that, and I believe him, yoi." Jimbei nodded. "This is a very serious allegation, and we have had issues with Mr Hatchan before. All of our classrooms and hallways have cameras, so I will be sure to check them." Marco nodded. "If you could. But I was also wondering about having Ace moved to Thatch's class, yoi. This school is new for Ace, and he could need a familiar face as they have bonded a lot at home." Jimbei nodded. "I will look into it. If you want to, you can sit out in the waiting area while I look over the cameras from yesterday. And I will make a decision based on them." Marco nodded and did.

He sat on his phone, looking at some news and facebook, before Jimbei let him back into the office. When Marco sat down, Jimbei spoke. "Having Ace moved will be no issue, and Mr Hatchan will no longer be teaching here." Marco nodded. "Ace's story checked out, yoi?" Jimbei gave a breath. "About that. We have gotten new and more cameras, and Mr Hatchan turned off the one camera he knew off, before he had the conversation with Ace. But we have one more in that classroom because of some equipment, and I would like to show you what happened, as this happened after class." Marco nodded, feeling worried. Jimbei then turned around his Pc screen and pressed play, and he saw Ace alone in the classroom with the teacher. The teacher spoke. "So you're Ace. You know, you got Arong suspended for something not his fault." Ace spoke next. "I didn't, I didn't me-" The teacher cut Ace off. "No! You did! And he is a good man who deserves this job! Not ungrateful little brats like you will ruin that! Now! Give this note to your guardians! You were late and didn't do your homework."

Ace swallowed. "I didn't mean to-" The teacher then leaned over his desk and slapped Ace, and Marco couldn't believe his eyes. The teacher then spoke. "You are nothing but a little brat, and I will make your life a living Hell! Now get out!" Ace didn't need to be told twice and ran out the door. The teacher then muttered some not tasteful words of Ace, and Marco felt furious. The video then stopped and Jimbei spoke. "The fact that Hatchan turned off the camera, means he knew he would do something wrong, and we will have an investigation into him as we feel this isn't the only time he has turned off the camera. He will be removed and we will move Ace to Thatch's class, that is no issue. If you want to, I can excuse Ace for today while we get the paperwork done." Marco nodded. "I would like that, yoi. Thank you for taking this seriously." Jimbei nodded. "I take the fact he said that to a student seriously, and the fact he even laid hands on a student makes it so we will even make a police report. He hurt a child." Marco nodded, glad he took this so seriously.

They then left the room and the principal told the secretary to make an announcement for Ace to come here, which she did as Jimbei said goodbye, and Marco did as well, but adding a thank you for handling this so fast. It took some minutes, but Ace soon came into the secretary's office and was shocked to see Marco there. "Marco?" Marco smiled at Ace. "Hey, you're excused for today, yoi. Would you like to join me and do some shopping?" Ace blinked. "Why am I excused for today? Is this… is this about yesterday?" Marco nodded. "Yes, but not since you did anything wrong. Because the teacher did." Marco then crouched down in front of Ace. "Why didn't you say he hit you, yoi?" Ace blinked, before he fidgeted a bit. "I didn't know if you would believe me…" Marco shook his head and hugged Ace. "No. I will always believe you, yoi." Ace nodded and Marco let go and Ace looked unsure. "How did you find out?" Marco gave a breath. "There was a camera in the room. Also, you will change class. You will be in Thatch's class from now on, yoi." Ace blinked. "I will?" Marco nodded. "Yes. Tomorrow you will have your first day in his class." Ace blinked, before he smiled. "I would like that." Marco smiled as well. "Let us go and shop then. You can get an ice cream if you want, yoi." Ace smiled and nodded and they left.

They then enjoyed the day together and did some shopping. When they got home, Marco did sit down with Ace and told him that if anyone ever laid a hand on him again, or made him feel uncomfortable, or just anything in general, to tell him. Marco would always believe Ace, no matter what. Ace did seem to take the words to heart as he nodded and said he would. Then Ace got to do what he wanted until the others came back, and Ace was mostly in his room, but also was a bit with him out in the living room, watching Tv.

As they were watching Tv, Marco saw the clock was only 1pm. and school was out at 4:15pm, and Marco got an idea and looked at Ace. "Ace, I noticed something, and that is maybe you need another bed, yoi? A new one as your current one might be a bit low." Ace blinked. "But it works." Marco nodded. "Yes. How about we just go and look, yoi?" Ace didn't look sure, but with one more push, Ace said yes, so they left to the furniture store and to the bed department.

They looked around in the bed department in the store, and Ace walked with him. Marco did look at some beds, and Ace did as well, but Ace didn't seem to really like one yet. Even though Ace said his current was okay, Marco wanted a new one for Ace. After a bit, Ace looked at a bed that had a design, and Marco saw a store worker and walked over, being sure to keep Ace in his view, before the worker looked a thim. "Hi, can I help you?" Marco hummed. "Maybe. Do you have a bed that is able to store things underneath it, but not with drawers, but also not open, yoi. Does that exist?" The worker looked to be thinking, before he snapped his fingers. "I think I have one in mind. Please follow me." Marco nodded and told Ace to follow, which he did.

They walked past some beds, before he stopped by a normal size bed, that was a bit high from the floor. The salesman looked at him. "This is one of our newest pieces." And the man moved the bed linen await from the side, to show it had a robust side, which had him blink as this wasn't what he was after. The man then spoke. "I know it looks like it has robust sides connected to the legs, but it does not. There is a small space between it and the floor, so just move your hand underneath, and pull out and up, and voila." The salesman did as he spoke, and the entire side had a sliding mechanism that made the entire side go up to show the entire underneath of the bed. "It is 20 inches between the bed and the floor, leaving a lot of space for storage. And, should someone try and hide under, when maybe playing hide and seek, and close it, it can also be opened from the underside as easily." Marco blinked, this was perfect.

Marco looked at Ace. "What do you think, Ace?" Ace looked at it and seemed amazed as well. "I… I think I like it." Marco nodded and looked at the salesman. "What kind of colors and materials is it made with, yoi?" The man hummed. "Come with me and I will pull up every version we have on the computer." Marco nodded and they followed the man, who then showed they had 7 colors, and Marco asked Ace which he liked the best. Ace seemed unsure, which had Marco move a hand to Ace's shoulder. "This is your bed, Ace. I want you to like it, yoi." Ace nodded and looked at the images, before Ace gave a small sound. "Maybe the… light blue?" The salesman smiled. "Excellent choice. Would you like to see a bed with that color? Not just a picture?" Ace looked at him, and Marco nodded. "We would, yoi." They then walked and they found a bed with the color and Ace seemed to like it.

Marco smiled and looked at the salesman. "We will take that bed, yoi. I think it would be perfect." The salesman nodded and smiled. "Good. Let us go and get it all down, and when and where to deliver." Marco nodded and they went and did it. When it was all done, the bed would come tomorrow, which was good. Ace also looked excited.

As it was all done, they went back home, and the other kids would soon be home. And when they came home, Marco told Thatch that from tomorrow, Ace would be in his class and Thatch looked and said he was excited for that, which was good. When the next day came, Marco was home to get the bed and put it together, and it all went fine, and it worked perfectly. He wouldn't tell the others it had a secret hiding space underneath it. Then the day went on normally, and Ace and Thatch seemed very glad to be in the same class now, and he had a feeling this would make thighs easier. When the weekend came, on Saturday, Ace was off with Trevor for the day, but would come before dinner. When Ace and Trevor came in Trevor's car, Marco was outside as he was doing some light gardening, and Marco blinked as the car came to a stop and he heard some words from the song the car stereo was playing which had him blink. They didn't sound child friendly.

When Ace and Trevor got out, Marco looked at Trevor. "I don't think that song is child appropriate, yoi." Trevor blinked, before he looked at Ace. "Hey, amazing day! We need to do it again! Now, I need a minute with Marco." Ace looked unsure, so Trevor spoke again. "No one is in trouble, just need to clear something up." Ace nodded and went inside.

When he was, Trevor looked at him. "I think you're forgetting something here." Marco blinked. "What? He is 11, yoi." Trevor shook his head. "No. Or yes, he is. But not only that. He is an 11 year old child who has literally lived in a place worse than hell. He isn't a normal child like other children. He hasn't just been abused, he has been groomed by his guardian for years, used by him, by his friends, and handed around like a joint. But some swear words or a song is too bad for him? So no, Ace isn't an 11 year old child, he is an 11 year old child who has survived hell. If he can feel comfort from an adult song, get emotions out from a song that swears or take up hard topics, I will play it for him." Marco blinked, before he realized Trevor was right. "You're right, I haven't thought of it like that, yoi." He really hadn't.

Trevor nodded. "Good. Also, since we're on this topic. One song Ace really feels like he can connect to, which is sad, is a song called 'sarcasm' by Get Scared. You should listen to it, and when you have, call me. Don't have the kids close, the young ones." Marco nodded, he would. Trevor then left, and Marco went inside and prepared dinner, before they ate and the day went on normally. As everyone was doing their own things, Marco went to his office and listened to the song Trevor had mentioned.

As Marco had listened to the song, he just sat a bit and felt so bad for Ace, that he felt he could relate to this song. After he had been sitting for maybe 5 minutes, he called Trevor, who picked up quickly. "You listened to the song?" Marco nodded. "I did. I feel bad Ace can relate to it, yoi." He heard a breath from Trevor. "And I get that. And I need to say something. In the song, they sing 'If I had common sense, I would cut myself or curl up and die.' It is not unheard of for abuse victims, especially sexual abuse victims to do self harm. Please keep an eye out. I don't want Ace to start with that. Or that he feels so bad he thinks about suicide."

Marco nodded, he got where Trevor was coming from. "We have Ace in therapy. His psychiatrist is amazing, yoi. Also, you can't tell anyone this, even Ace, but he draws a lot, a lot of… bad stuff. He tries to hide it, but I found it once. Ace doesn't know I know, as per what his psychiatrist suggested, but he gets a lot out that way, yoi." He heard a weak chuckle. "Yeah, kid can certainly draw. I can imagine what he can get down on paper, especially if he hides it. Keep up the amazing work Marco." Marco nodded. "I will, and you should too, yoi. Ace really likes you. We do too." Trevor chuckled. "Good to know. Hey! You should come over to dinner at our place once! You can bring all the kids! Mika loves kids, but she can't have them. The accident that took her leg also made her have a very low chance of getting pregnant. But we're okay with it. One of the reasons we love Ace." Marco nodded. "We can try and arrange that, yoi. We will keep it as an idea for now." Trevor said that was fine and they hung up.

Marco then went to Ace's room and Ace wasn't there, so Marco went to his laptop, as Ace had his own in his room, and as for everyone of his children that were young, it had a parental lock on, but Marco made a quick decision to remove it, but made it so Marco could see everything Ace searched on his own computer, even if Ace went into incognito mode, just to make sure Marco had some control. He didn't know how this would go, but he would see.

-x-

Marco sat in the group as Ace was in his group in the other room, and this was the group for the adults, and when the group holder asked if anyone had anything to share, Marco looked at the others in the group before he gave a breath. "My son has this amazing guy in his life, a friend who is an adult, yoi. He is very good for my son. And he told me something I've now taken to heart. My son isn't just a child, he is a child who has been through hell and survived, he has lived in a place worse than hell for years, so in some things, I shouldn't treat him like a child in some aspects, and I've never thought of it like that, yoi." The group holder nodded. "Those are good words. A child who has been in a hard environment shouldn't always be treated like a normal child, as they aren't a normal child. They've seen and experienced things no one, not even adults, should go through. So yes, in some aspects, you shouldn't treat your child like, well, a child." Everyone nodded, taking that in.

A woman two seats to his left spoke. "How do you know which aspects to not treat your child like a child?" Marco hummed. "If it can help him relate or feel better, I will not shield my child from it, yoi. Like songs that are about adult topics or have swear words, which I would normally shield my other children from." The woman nodded. "That sounds smart. I will remember that." Marco nodded. "I also, not sure if I will regret it, took off the parental lock on his personal laptop, yoi. But I have made it so I can see what he searches for." A man some seats to his right spoke. "I took it off my son's computer and phone as well, and I can see what he does. If I see anything concerning, I ask about it, but it has helped him a lot. He also knows he has no parental lock." That was good to know and Marco nodded. "That sounds smart, I will tell my son that as well." The man smiled at him. "We could have a chat after the group if you want. So we don't take up group time on one topic." Marco nodded. "I would like that, yoi." The man nodded and the group went on, taking some topics Marco did have use for. This group was good for both him and Ace.

When it was done, now it was about 15 minutes before the group Ace was in was over, as theirs was shorter, and the man came up to him and held his hand out. "I'm Corazon." Marco shook his hand. "I'm Marco. How old is your son, yoi?" Corazon hummed. "Mine is 12, I've had him for 6 years. My brother was his original father, but yeah, he is now in jail for life. How old is your son?" Marco hummed. "He is 11, I've had him for some months now. His birth parents are not in the picture and his previous guardian is in jail, yoi." Corazon nodded. "Are you Ace's guardian?" Marco blinked, not sure how he knew, before he nodded. "I am, how did you know, yoi?" Corazon gave a chuckle. "The 'yoi', I'm Law's guardian. He seems to have gotten to be friends with Ace. Ace mentioned to Law his guardian has this yoi he says a lot." Marco chuckled. "I can't help it. It is something I've always done, yoi." Corazon waved a hand. "I don't mind. Would you like to arrange a meetup?"

Marco nodded, that sounded nice. "That would be nice. How about we meet on natural ground for the first time, yoi? Or at your place? I have other kids as well with my fiance." Corazon nodded. "I just have Law. How many do you have?" Marco hummed. "7 in all. From ages 7 to 19, yoi." Corazon nodded. "That is a lot. I will stick with one, Law is my world." Marco chuckled. "It is not for everyone. But we wanted many, yoi. It started as one when the CPS had us as a foster home, but stopped when we ended up just adopting them all, and now we have 7." Corazon nodded. "Good there are people like you around. I've heard most foster homes are bad." Marco sighed. "Yeah, a couple of my children were in previous bad homes, yoi. But they are good now and the light of my day." Corazon smiled. "Sounds nice. I love Law with all my heart. And he has some huge issues now and then from my brother. I hope that bastard will suffer. I don't usually wish ill upon anyone, but on him, I do." Marco moved a hand up. "No, I get it. I do, yoi." Corazon smiled. "Good. Why don't we exchange numbers and we can arrange a meet up somewhere?" Marco nodded and they did.

Then the group for the kids were over and Ace came out and Corazon went inside the room and Marco and Ace left. As they were in the car, Marco spoke. "How would you feel like meeting Law outside of group, yoi?" Ace blinked, before he nodded. "I would like that. He is very nice." Marco nodded. "Good, we will arrange it. I met his guardian, and we exchanged numbers to arrange a meeting." Ace smiled. "I would really like that." That was good. They then stopped for some ice cream, before they drove home to have dinner and Ace seemed in a good mood, which was good. The group really seemed to be good for Ace. And he had gotten a friend from it.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed it!

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