Burning Hearts [SEQUEL INCLUDED]

Chapter 22

Hey guys. I hope you've enjoyed the book and I hope I didn't trigger you guys so much.

Ok, enjoy!

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Marco

I waited a long time for this moment. I made the preparations and was ready for the unexpected. I'm going to propose to Ace. It was a July night and lately, Ace had been taking care of our twins, Ember and Aiko. I sighed, nervous as the small box was in my pocket, waiting to be opened in the presence of my boyfriend.

"Baby." I hear a voice call.

I turned behind to see Ace, carrying Aiko.

"Hey, Ace. Where's Ember?" I asked.

"She's asleep. Your son here cannot sleep and I'm tryna put him to sleep. Anyway, what's up?" Ace asked.

I sighed, knelt down on one knee and took out a small box. I opened it and there was a ring inside. Ace gasped in surprise while holding Aiko.

"Portgas D. Ace, will you marry me?" I asked shyly.

"Marco..."

I was nervous and I thought his answer would be different but Ace smiled.

"Y'know my answer already. Get up and put that ring on my finger," Ace accepted, holding his left hand out with the palm faced down.

I stood up and inserted the ring through his right ring finger. We looked at each other for a while and then, we looked away, blushing. Suddenly, everyone burst out of their room and tackled me.

"Everyone! Marco's finally become a man! Give it up for him!" Izou shouted.

Everyone clapped and cheered for us. I blushed furiously and looked at Ace, who was giggling away with Aiko who couldn't understand the situation but laughed. I smiled looking at them happily. Looks like everything will go all right. 

The wedding was short and we couldn't invite guests because most of them are either busy or off radar. Luffy and his crew have not been active for quite some time and from the rumours I heard, they were on some island that couldn't be reached. At the wedding, everyone cried as the pastor, the same one who officiated the other weddings we had, officiated the wedding. After he finished, we saw Norman carrying the twins, one on his back and one in his arms. Everyone saw Norman and soon surrounded him, adoring the little ones. Ace barked at them and I just stood there, laughing at their reaction to his barks.

3 months after marriage

Both Ember and Aiko were able to walk now so most of the time, they would play as pirates on the ship or have a chat with Pops. Ace was asleep all day but I can't blame him as he was changing diapers, feeding them milk and doing his duties. I was on lookout today and not much activity has been going on around here so I took a break and talked with Norman, who's been smiling lately.

"I can't say for sure but I had a feeling something good would happen soon." He reasoned.

Then, we heard a chirp. It came from the north of our ship and it was big. Norman and I stood at the deck to get a closer look and it was a butterfly. A huge one. Its wings are really thin that you could almost see through them and the sea blue colour goes well with the swirly and wavy patterns. The creature came closer and I realised the wings were made of water! The butterfly then landed and transformed into a familiar person. Norman and I were shocked to see Shimizu on the deck.

"Shimizu? Wha- How did you get here?" I asked.

"I flew. You saw the wings and you're definitely not dreaming. They're wings of water. Anyway, I need your ship to sail to this course and tell your crew to meet me and the others at this location. But, Marco, you have to stay on the boat." They instructed, showing us the coordinates on their map and informing me of the location.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"It's personal and you're not supposed to know about it yet. I personally don't know the reason but Luffy said so. Alright, bye. I'm going to go and inform Law and Kid before they start whining about not being invited." Shimizu greeted us before flying off.

"I wonder why I can't know..." I wondered.

Norman realised something and smiled. I told the helmsman and he nodded before steering to the location. Upon arrival there, I told the crew about what's going on. Pops couldn't go because he's sick so I, having no choice since Shimizu told me to stay on the ship, stayed back with the nurses, who knew what's going to happen later.

An hour later

I sat in Pop's room, looking after him as he sleep peacefully. I then looked at the clock and it was 7 in the evening. Why aren't they coming back yet? I got worried and just left the ship. I didn't care whether I was supposed to stay on the ship. If I'm worried about my crew, I'll get off and find them. I arrived at the location Shimizu told me to tell the others but everything was dark and I couldn't see much.

"Hello?" I said.

Confetti was sprinkled in the air and everyone popped out of different places, grinning.

"Happy birthday, Marco-san!"

I was surprised and couldn't help but sigh as I had not realised sooner. The birthday man forgot his own birthday. I chuckled and thanked everyone.

"Alright, let's party!" Luffy exclaimed, hyping up the party.

I was amazed by their efforts. The party was lined with colourful banners, the cake was designed in the shape of a pineapple and the gifts were quite minimalistic and simple. Big gifts weren't my cup of tea. Then, Ace approached me.

"Yo." Ace greeted before pecking my cheek.

"Where's Ember and Aiko?" I asked.

"They're with Sanji's kid. They seem to get along well. Anyway, the Straw Hats planned to babysit them for 2 weeks so... we could have some fun~," He said, smirking.

"Oh, really? Well, let's sneak out of here, then." I said teasingly before I took his hand and dragged him out of the party.

I turned and saw the Straw Hats look at me. They smirked and went back to partying. Ace and I ran back to the ship and we had our fun time. With a condom this time because I don't want to get Ace pregnant again.

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[End]