A Million Reasons to Smile

Day 14

Jenna woke up to the calming rush of the waves and the cacaphonous talk of her crew mates. The Moby Dick was currently docked at an unpopulated island.

She yawned and stretched as she sat up on the bed, the clock on the bedside table reading 4:57 pm. She was not surprised that she woke up this late since the entire night had been spent on celebrating her sister's birthday.

Hearing the bedroom door open, she turned to see Ace peeking in with a broom in his hand. She tilted her head curiously and stared at the object, making him glance over and stare at it as well.

"Oh, um, I was cleaning from last night."

He admitted, walking in and setting the broom aside. She smiled. Last night's party was a huge success, despite the fact that her older sister, the debutant, bursted into tears and hyperventilated while thanking everyone.

But Jenna took it as a good sign. Sort of.

"So!" Ace said suddenly, gaining the girl's attention. He reached a hand down and rested it on her slightly swollen belly. "How is he?"

Jenna let out a laugh and lightly slapped the back of his head. "We don't even know if the baby's a boy or girl yet!"

"It's a boy! I can feel it!" He argued, crouching down a bit to stare at his wife's stomach, eyes narrowing. "And he's gonna have your cute ears and tail, and my freckles."

"How do you know?"

"I don't."

He laughed and she slapped his head again.

"Come on, get up,"

Jenna blinked confused. He took her hand and tugged her out of the bed, grinning wide.

"I've got plans for us tonight! So you better get dressed!"

~~*~~

"Wow,"

Jenna could not believe what she was seeing.

Under the cloudless night sky in a small clearing overlooking the entire island, laid a large picnic set under a willow tree. She felt herself smile, and she took a small glance at Ace, before looking back at the view.

"How did you find this place?"

She asked, looking over her shoulder at the mouth of the exit of a cove that they had just passed through.

"Let's just say that getting lost has its perks." He chuckled and guided her to the picnic cloth that was laid out on the grass.

Jenna's ears twitched rapidly from excitement, and her tail began to sway like a happy puppy getting a treat.

Well, in a way, this was a treat.

She sat down as Ace took a seat next to her. He pulled out various dishes from the basket. Namely sandwiches, pasta, and fruit.

"Law told me pregnant women don't like certain foods, so I thought I'd play it safe."

She nodded in understanding, before looking around again. "Why are you doing this? You're not exactly the 'romantic-dinner-under-the-stars' kind of guy, Ace." She looked at him and giggled.

However, before he could contradict with her statement, Jared came running in through the cove with wide and frightened eyes. His red fox ears flattened against his head like he had done something wrong.

"ACE, I'VE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR YOU!!!"

Jenna looked at him, then back at Ace. Without giving him a chance to speak, Jared stomped forward and grabbed him by the shoulders.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as he panted heavily for air. "It's... It's about Jewel! She was bringing some stuff over for the party and-"

Ace frowned at him. "Jared, I thought I told you to not mention this in front of you-know-who!" He scolded, nodding pointedly towards his wife. "Now you spoiled the surprise!"

Jenna's eyes lit up. Her tail began to wag again at hearing the news. "Party?! And sis is gonna come?!" She squealed in bliss.

Ace smirked. "Of course she'll be there!"

Jared frowned. "Not really..."

The couple immediately looked at Jared. Jenna's ears flattened against her head in disappointment.

"Why? Is she too busy with the twins or something?" She pouted. "She could bring them along, you know. I'm sure Pops won't mind having cute pirate babies on board."

But Jared remained silent.

Ace began to grow slightly anxious as he watched the remorse in his dull orange eyes. Jared wasn't usually like this, something must be up.

"Jared," Ace said, gaining his attention. "What's wrong?"

The male fox whimpered and shook his head, eyes refusing to look at Jenna's curious yet obviously paranoid orbs. He let out a soft sniffle, before rubbing the tears away from his eyes.

"Jewel's dead..."

~~*~~

A/N

Oh look! I killed myself off the story hahaha!

And, that's my sis in the drawing above.

Haha, love you, sis! XD