Zoro yawned as he woke, stretching his arm out only to realize the other side of the bed was empty. He sighed heavily, looking at the cracked bathroom door where the sound of the shower echoed out of. It took him a minute, but he managed to push himself up sleepily and get off the comfortable bed. "She gets up way too damn early." He muttered, scratching his head as the first rays of morning light snuck through the windows.

The steam enveloped her body in the shower and he leaned against the wall, watching her. She was washing her periwinkle hair, humming to herself as the water rained down on her. He slipped off his pants before stepping in behind her, patiently sitting against the back of the tub. "You're up early." She noted, rinsing the soap out of her hair. He watched the foam trace down her pale back and over her butt before racing down her legs. She'd gained weight in the past few months (which the doctor said saved her life) and the bruises on her body where now almost completely gone.

"I wanted to shower with you." He said smugly, wrapping his arms around his knees. She chuckled as the water splashed onto him, turning to face him. "You're a baka." She strode over to him, her stomach near his face. He grabbed her hips, pulling her closer as he kissed her stomach. "I have to get to work." She tried to push herself away, but he held onto her tightly, biting her hip bone. "No you don't." He replied childishly, running his hands down her thighs. His mouth inched dangerously close to her nether lips, but she placed her hand in front of his face. "I'm serious!" She squeaked as he pulled her down into his lap, his waist between her legs.

"Don't go." He mumbled, kissing down her neck lightly. "I have a job, Mr. Shichibukai." She giggled and placed her hands on his broad shoulders. "Tell them you're sick." He said simply, pressing his face deeper into her neck. "You smell like cherry blossoms." He noted, pulling her closer. Her fingers trailed lightly down his chest, touching the diagonal scar.

"I'm scared." She said suddenly, lowering her head. "About what?" Her fingers curled up into her palms against his chest. "I don't want you to leave. I don't want you to get hurt anymore. I just can't lose you." His arms tightened their grip around her waist as he sighed into the crook of her neck. "I'm not going to leave you. I'll only be gone for meetings. It won't be more than a few months, I promise."

"Do you really promise?"

"Of course Lily-chan."

She chuckled and placed her hands on either side of his face before pulling his face up to hers. "You better be safe. Or I'll hurt you." He snickered at her, inching towards her lips. "Don't go to work today." He whispered, moving his hands to her hips. "…okay." She kissed him hard and he began to rub circles on her hip bones with his thumbs.

"You're really quite the tease…" He mumbled against her lips, making her chuckle. "I'm sorry. It's just fun." She kissed his nose playfully. "Well it's not fun to me." He complained as she pushed herself off of him, making her way to the other side of the shower. "I said I was sorry." She turned her head, smirking at him, before turning the water off.

"You're lucky I love you." He mumbled tiredly, leaning back. She giggled and sauntered her way out of the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around herself. "I love you too." She sung, leaving him alone in the room. 'It should have been this way for a long time.' He sighed to himself as he followed her steps; grabbing a towel for himself and left the bathroom.

"What should we do today?" Lily asked him aimlessly, searching for some clothes in her draw. "I have an idea." Zoro replied, making his way over to her. He pulled her upright, turning her around and pushing her back against the dresser, causing the drawer to close. "And what is your idea?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Hmm, guess you'll have to find out." He said playfully before kissing her lightly.

The small kiss, however, turned into a passionate one. Her hands moved up and down his rough chest while his were placed firmly on her hips. She placed her hands on either side of his neck as he lifted her up onto the dresser. "I'm glad I decided to stay home today." She smiled softly as they pulled away. He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Me too."

It had been a few hours, and the two of them ended up in bed together. Lily was curled up into his side, taken over by sleep. Zoro brushed the side of her face with the back of his hand, looking at her softly. He honestly couldn't believe he was here, with her. It almost didn't feel real.

"Baka. Making me worry all this time." He said out loud. She stirred lightly, burying her face deeper into his side, but did not wake. He smiled lightly and looked up at the ceiling. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. "Dammit." He grumbled, carefully pushing the small girl to the side.

He staggered out of bed, pulling on some shorts before meandering his way down the hallway. "Who the hell is here?" He spoke lowly as he opened the door. There stood Sachiko, a weird look on the old woman's face. "Baka. You're keeping the poor girl from her job!" She shrieked, causing him to rub his ear. "Mah, mah. Calm down. She isn't feeling good." He explained.

"Bullshit."

"It's not. She's sleeping right now…."

She frowned deeply, huffing at the young man. "If you make her lose her job, I'll kill you." She threatened. He chuckled lightly. "I won't let that happen, have a good day Sachiko-san." He went to close the door, but she stopped it with her foot. "If you hurt her too, I'll kill you even harder." She glared at him. "I would never hurt her." He informed. She gave him a curt nod and once-over before leaving the porch. "What a crazy lady." He chuckled to himself.

When he arrived back in his room, Lily was gone from the bed and the bathroom door was closed. Gently he tried to open the door, when that didn't work he gave it a soft knock. "Lily-chan? Is everything okay?"

She opened the door; a towel wrapped around her gently and a hand over her mouth. He frowned down at her. "What's wrong?" He asked, leaning against the door frame. She chuckled lightly but sadly. "I guess I really am sick. I just threw my guts up." She admitted, looking down at the floor. He placed a hand on her forehead gently. "You don't have a fever…. Maybe we should go to the doctor just in case." He wasn't taking any chances with her.

"I'm fine, really!" She tried to tell him as they walked out the front door. "I don't care if you say that, we're getting you checked on." He told her sternly. She sighed and grabbed his hand. "Maybe, I was having a bad dream that I don't remember and I threw up." She suggested, but he scoffed. "That's a stupid excuse." He pulled her towards town.

"I know but, come on. Maybe my body is just acting weird." She really hated going to the doctor. "Can't you just do this for me?" He asked as they came to the old man's house. She frowned, looking at him childishly. "Fine." He gave her a smile small and knocked on the door. "Mikal-san!"

It didn't take the doctor long to answer the door, and he nearly fell onto the porch. "What?! What is it? Is someone dying?" He asked quickly, and Zoro pointed at Lily. "She's sick." He stated simply. The doctor cleared his throat and fixed his glasses. "Well, why don't you come inside Lily-chan? Zoro, you can wait out here." Mikal grabbed the girl, pulling her in quickly and shutting the door before any protests could be made.

Zoro sighed and sat down on the stoop, holding his head in his hand. He really was worried about her; but maybe it was just a bug or something. If it was, why hadn't he gotten it yet? He shook his head, clearing out the thoughts.

"Zoro-san!"

He smiled as Yuu ran over to him, a grin splashed on her young face. They had fixed their issues since Lily had gotten well, and were on good terms again. "Yuu, how's it going?" He asked lightly. She chuckled and sat down next to him. "Not much, just on a lunch break from the dojo. Why are you at Mikal-san's house?"

"Lily was sick."

"What?!"

He chuckled and placed a hand on her head. "It doesn't seem like anything serious, but I brought her here to make sure." He reassured her. She let out a heavy breath. "You scared me there for a moment!"

"I'm sure she'll be alright. Just a sickness is all."

"Zoro-san, may I ask you something?"

He nodded lightly, leaning on his knees. "If you always loved my sister, why'd you leave?" She asked in a serious tone. He frowned deeply, clasping his hands together. "I was a selfish man. I wanted to become the greatest; for both myself and Kuina. I ignored everyone else's feelings and went off on my own. I do slightly regret it; I could have saved a lot of pain and heartbreak. But I did what I did and, no matter how much anyone wishes, we cannot change the things that have happened."

"That was really deep." She giggled lightly. He shook his head. "Shut up, go play with your toys or something." He shoved her lightly, making her laugh. "I do not play with toys." She emphasized the word 'toys'. "Anyways, I'll see you later, okay?"

"Got ya."

He watched as she jogged off to the store, waving at the people she knew. Yuu really was like Kuina in a lot of ways. He remembered that one Marine woman, Tashigi, who looked like Kuina grown up, just more clumsy. "Though she did die falling down steps.." He grimaced, sighing lightly.

It didn't take much longer for Lily and Mikal to come back outside. "Thank you doctor, I'll see you soon." She smiled lightly at the old man. "No problem dear, I'll let you know when we can meet again. Have good day, Lily, Zoro." He nodded to them both before retreating back to his house.

"So, everything all good?" He asked, putting his hands on his pockets. She bit her lip and wrapped her arms around herself unsurely. "It's bad news, isn't it?" he concluded. She shook her head, but still remained quiet. "Then what's wrong?"

"…I'm pregnant, Zoro."

He chuckled and shook his head. "I think I heard you wrong. It sounded like you said you were pregnant." He said, walking closer to her. She looked down at her feet shyly. "That is what I said Zoro…We're going to have a child."

It took longer than he expected for this news to sink in. He stared at her blankly for a moment, before sighing. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this…." She looked up at him sadly. "You don't want to have a child?" She asked quietly. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, not so soon. But stuff happens, and-" He picked her up so they were face to face. "-I'll love you no matter what." She giggled and pressed her forehead against his. "I think you'll be a great father."

"And you'll be a better mother." He set her down and grabbed her hand. "So, now what do we do?" She asked unsurely. He laughed lightly. "Well now we have to tell everyone, I guess." He suggested. She shook her head, laughing quietly to herself. "Thank you, Zoro." She squeezed his hand. "Thank you for what?"

"Coming home."