"Babe~ya?"
I tense slightly at the familiar voice that half mumbled from across the room, snuggled under the large comforter that covered the queen mattress; pushed up against the wall. "Is something wrong?" It sounded like he was beginning to wake up from his slumber and I turn, whispering "I didn't mean to wake you." I slowly pad over to the bed, the carpet rubbing against my bare feet. "It's nothing, you can go back to sleep." I lean over to gently caress his warm cheek. His half lidded eyes closed as he leaned into my touch, "Are you sure?" A yawn escaped him and I gave him a gentle smile, "Of course Love." What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. He slowly patted the spot next to him as he moved the comforter out of my way, "You still need sleep." "Okay." I shifted down into the spot, slowly relaxing into his warm embrace as he pulled me against his toned chest, "Sweet dreams..." He muttered out, managing a small kiss onto the side of my temple, before he began to drift back to sleep. I stared at the wall behind him, unable to fall asleep. I didn't dare get out of bed again. I hadn't meant to wake him so late in the night. He had a hard enough time being a doctor for the clinic in town. I didn't need to stress him out anymore by keeping him from what little beauty sleep he was able to retain. My problems were mine and mine alone.

"Good morning." I chirped as I watched my handsome man stumble down the hallway to lean against the corner of the wall, watching my movements as I was currently making us breakfast. He just gave a soft hum in reply, not one for early conversation. I set the spatula down and turn to the coffee mug, "I hope you slept well." I grabbed the coffee pot and poured it into two mugs. I could hear his feet shuffle against the tile floor and then a chair at the table being pulled out. I placed the coffee pot back and grabbed his mug, setting the steaming liquid in front of him, "Oh, your friend called." I turn back to the stove to turn off the eggs, "Um? The blonde reminding you that there is a party for your group next Sunday at the Newgate's." "Ah, Sabo~ya." He grumbled his annoyance about being invited to such things as he opened the morning newspaper. "Don't be such a sourpuss Honey." I giggle, grabbing some plates from the cabinet, setting the scrambled eggs down, and then bringing them over to the table with salt and pepper, "They just want to spend time with their friend." "I would rather spend my free time doing literally anything else." He took a sip of his coffee and I couldn't help but smile. After dating him for 3 years, I knew that he was merely joking. He had always worn this front of disliking anything and everything but really he was just a big sweet heart under all that grouch. "Don't forget to feed Bepo~ya." He looked up at me. His sharp golden eyes always took my breath away. "I didn't forget." I gestured to the full dog food bowl, "I just let him outside first." Bepo was Law's super big, fluffy, and very  beautiful Pyrenees mountain dog. He was a hardworking dog that had been abandoned by his previous owners and was found wandering the streets. Law took in the dog without a second thought and they had been inseparable ever since. I stood up and moved over to the kitchen door, opening it, "Come on Bepo, time for breakfast." I scooted out of the doorway as the oversized fluff ball came bounding through the door. I had learned over my years living here that Bepo will knock you over with no remorse. He gave a happy bark and padded his way over to his food bowl as I move to shut the door, glancing at the treeline with uncertainty. The house was built with a family of four in mind. The large backyard was lined up against the forest that sat directly behind our house. The kitchen was made in the back so the parents could stare out the window to keep an eye on their children as they made dinner. The dining room and the living room all connect with the kitchen so technically it was a very open house except for the hallway that exited the living room and led down to the bathroom, the spare room, and the master bedroom. It was a simple house for a simple life. One I could enjoy with slight anxiety. I was torn out of my thoughts as the wooden chair scraped against the tile and I turn to see Law taking his plate and mug to the sink, "Time for work already?" I asked him with a soft sigh and he nodded, a tiredness sinking into his body. As long as I had known Law, he had always been a hard worker. Many nights when we first got together, he would stay up late doing paperwork or anything really to keep his mind busy. He avoided talking to me about it for a long time until one afternoon he had come home exhausted; the clinic forcing his hand to return home until he was able to stand without falling asleep. And then the truth came out. He was constantly working to keep his mind off the murder of his foster father, who had been murdered in cold blood by his own biological brother. Law had been only ten years old and seeing something happen like that left invisible scars. Slowly we worked through his pain until he could sleep at night, his nights terrors slowly drifting into once every few months unless he was stressed. "You be careful on your way to work." I called back to him as he walked down the hallway, buttoning his shirt. "I will." I heard his reply before turning back to the sink to wash the dishes. "Babe~ya, have you seen my-?" Law started before I interrupted him, "Your hat is on the hat rack and the keys are in the bowl by the front door." "Right." He hummed out, pulling me into a tight hug. "Ah, babe, careful! My hands are all wet!" I tried my best not to get his work clothes dirty as I needed to start the washing machine. "I'm going to miss you." He buried his face into my neck and I couldn't stop the blush that crept onto my face, "Ah, I'm going to miss you too." He shifted around until he was able to plant a sweet kiss on my lips "I love you." and then strutted off towards the front door to make it to work on time. "I love you too." I replied with a affectionate smile, giving a small wave as the front door close behind him. I shake my head, "What a man, huh Bepo?" I glance down at the dog, who wagged his tail in return. I giggle and pat his head before making my way to the spare room to start the laundry. I glanced at the clock on the wall, it was almost 9 o'clock. Just enough time to give Bepo his morning walk before heading off to work myself.

The little silver bell above the door chimed as I walked inside the bakery and smiled warmly as my boss, Thatch Newgate, came around the corner to see who walked in, "Good morning Fae, you ready to get to work?" He grinned as I nodded, "Yes sir, I am." Thatch was a tall man with a light brown pompadour hairstyle, which went to a point at the back of his head, and a goatee around his chin. He also had a stitched scar running down his face, around his left eye. Thatch often dressed in a posh uniform, with calf-long pants and a black belt around his waist, and brown shoes.
I headed into the back room to change into a similar outfit. I pushed my sleeves up out of my way as I made my way over to the back counter, glancing at the orders that had come in the hour before work and began to prep the dough.

"So are we going to see you drag Law to the party next Sunday?" Thatch asked as he wandered over, somehow covered in flour. I gave him a small smile as I began to roll out the dough for the cookie order, "You know it!" Thatch chuckled as he made his way to the front when the little bell rang out letting us know a customer had walked in. "Ah, good afternoon Miss Hancock." I heard from the front and set down my rolling pin to peek around the wall that separated the back and front of the bakery. "Hi Boa." I waved at the luscious empress, whose eyes seemed to sparkle as they made contact with mine, "Ah, Fae, just the woman I was looking for." I gave her a puzzled stare, "Looking for me?" She nods and I quickly dust off my apron before making my way to the front, "How can I assist you?" She blushes lightly and gives a small, almost unnoticeable glance in Thatch's direction. I smile and turn to Thatch, "Oh, Boss, could you check on the brownies? I believe it is about time to take them out of the oven." "Oh right." He gives a silly grin as if he had forgotten the brownies. He caught on quick that Miss Hancock wanted to speak with me in private and excuses himself to the back. I walk around the counter to step closer to Boa, who clears her throat, speaking softly, "I just wanted to ask you for some advice..." "What kind of advice?" I asked her, doing my best to keep the shock out of my voice. It was strange that the perfect empress had come to me specifically for advice. "Well you have been dating Law for three years now and I figure you're the best to ask for relationship advice." She admits in a quiet voice, an odd contrast from her usual very confident voice. I rub the back of my neck, "I don't know if I'm the best to ask..." I felt flattered. "...but I can try my best." "It's just that it seems that no matter what I do, I can't seem to catch his attention." She explained and I nod a bit. I knew exactly who she was speaking of. Monkey D. Luffy. Thatch's youngest brother and the one who seems to be the absolute most rambunctious. Boa was most likely asking about advice because of the party that everyone was going to attend on Sunday, at the Newgate household. "Well have you tried feeding him...?" The words sounded dumber coming out of my mouth. "He eats a lot." I was kind of at a loss. You couldn't just make someone love you. She looked at me, I could tell she was thinking hard about my suggestion before her eyes gleamed, "You're a genius!" She pulled me into a half hug before she rushed out the door. "Uh? You're welcome??" I honestly wasn't sure if I actually helped her at all. "Was she asking about Luffy again?" Thatch leaned around the wall. "She really is head over heels for him." I reply and start my way over to the counter, "What is the party about anyway? I understand you Newgates love any reason to break out a feast and liquor." "Ah, Pops is celebrating his retirement from the law firm." Thatch spoke up as he began to pack up the desserts for the evening. "Pops is retiring?? Huh." I frown slightly. "Probably so he can keep a better eye on his boys." I smile brightly as I nudge Thatch with my elbow. "Hey, hey, I don't run around like a child anymore. You can blame the near heart attacks on Ace, Sabo, and Luffy. They don't know how to not act on absolute impulse." Thatch replied in a snooty tone, trying to separate himself from the childish acts that surprisingly haven't drive their father into an early grave. Honestly, he'd out live all of us. "Is it a fancy party or are we allowed to wear whatever?" I question as we begin to shut down the bakery. The day seemed to just zoom by when you love your work. "You'd have to ask Nami, you know she enjoys being the party planner." Thatch give a half shrug before going to answer his phone. I rolled my eyes before pulling out my cell phone and shooting a text to my best friend Nami.

What are we wearing next Sunday? Sent at 5:06 pm.

"Hey, Fae, can you be a bit earlier tomorrow? We just got a large order that needs to be started by nine sharp." Thatch asks and I my jaw hits the floor, "Nine in the morning??" "Yeah, some wedding wants us to make the giant cake." He walked over to show the picture that was sent in. It was a ten layer white cake with pinkish red Hawaiian looking flowers growing up the left side of the cake. It was enormous! "They also want to know if we can cater." He added. "When is the wedding?" I asked him and he gave me a displeased look, and let out an exasperated sigh, "It's Wednesday." "So tomorrow we have to shut down the whole bakery just to make a cake. Why can't people ever order on time?" I shook my head, before continuing, "As long as they pay good." That got a chuckle from Thatch before he patted my shoulder, "See you tomorrow extra early." "Of course." I roll my eyes playfully before we changed into our regular clothes and went separate ways after exiting the front of the bakery.

"Hiya Bepo~" I exclaim as the bounding fluff ball rushes out of the house's doggy door and into the backyard to greet me at the gate. He barked loudly and just about danced all around me, sniffing at my jacket, searching for a treat. I stop and hold out my hand, "Can you sit for me?" Bepo immediately parks his butt on the little concrete path that leads from the gate to the front door of the house, whining excitedly. "Good boy!" I praise him and pat his head as I hand him his treat. "Wow, is that a Pyrenees?" A voice came from behind me and I turn to see some lady I had never seen before. She was dressed in a jogging outfit and had an earbud pulled out of one ear. Her blondish brown hair was pulled up into a high ponytail and she had a few fly away strands sticking to the side of her face from the sweat. She had on a little bit of red lipstick. "Yeah, he is." I answer her hesitatingly. "I'm sorry, I don't think I have seen you before." "Oh, where are my manners!" She giggles before extending her hand over the short chain link fence. "I'm Trudy, I just moved in down the street." She pointed to a house down a little ways away from ours. "Nice to meet you, I'm Fae." I shook her hand and did my best to keep up the smile. Bepo shifts and lets out a low growl as he senses my uneasiness and I pat his head, "It must be time to feed the big guy." "We should totally hang out! You can show me all the hot spots around town." Trudy smiles at me and then gives a little wave to Bepo before she starts her jog again. "I don't like her." I mumble as I lead Bepo into the house to feed him and start folding the laundry, checking my phone as it lights up.

Yeah! Let's go shopping Thursday! Received at 6:37 pm.

I shake my head as she probably only glanced at my message.

Sounds good. Sent at 6:37 pm.