A/N - I'm posting this a few hours too early...but who cares?! Enjoy! 

It was Saturday afternoon and you had been called into work to deal with an emergency with a huge client.

Zoro: Perona is sick.

You let out a defeated sigh. Today really wasn't turning out how you wanted.

Zoro: Before you ask Nami and Robin are both out of town.

Fuck.

Me: What about Mihawk? He loves taking them.

Zoro: Business trip.

You rolled your bottom lip between your teeth trying to think of a viable solution.

Zoro: There's always Luffy and Ace.

Me: Babe, Luffy and Ace barely equal one adult and even then... not a responsible one. You are not leaving our children alone with them.
Me: If Thatch and Marco weren't running the bar it'd be fine.

The one day you had made plans that were important shit hit the fan and of course no one was around to help you salvage it. First this crisis at work which you were still dealing with while getting disappointing updates via text from your husband. Now your sitter was sick and unless you were willing to compromise your toddler's safety, there was no replacement.

So much for your get away. The two of you hadn't been anywhere alone since before the twins were born almost two years ago and then you were super pregnant. He had a great time, but you were uncomfortable and sleep deprived. Even though this trip was supposed to be for him it was just as much for you. You needed the time together without tiny humans screaming, breaking things and crawling between you.

"What's with the look?" Your boss' voice chimed suddenly beside you.
"Our sitter is sick, so looks like our plans are shot." You sighed turning toward the redhead.
"That works out perfectly." He grinned.
Your brows knit, "I think you worded that wrong."
"Well," He back peddled, "I mean it is unfortunate. I know you were looking forward to it, but now I can have you take the rest of the shipment to Restin so the client will have it for their event tomorrow."
You deadpanned, "You're serious."
"Very." He poked your nose, "Usopp head down to the loading dock F/N will pull her car around so you can load it."
"Shanks it's a two-hour drive that's four hours round trip." You whined.
"Here take the company card for gas and whatever. You can even order something nice for dinner to make up for the canceled trip." He slipped his black card into your hand and winked.
"I'll meet you around back I guess." Usopp offered an apologetic smile.

Me: Shanks is making me take the missing part of the shipment to Restin.

Zoro: Tell me you're kidding

Me: I wish.

Zoro: Your kids are driving me crazy.

Me: You're just as responsible for their existence as I am... if not more. 😒

Zoro: I'll take care of things here. When will you be back?

Me: I'm about to leave so I should be back around 8:30?
Me: Tell me what you want for dinner and I'll pick it up on my way back. Shanks' treat.

Zoro: Booze.

You smirked, of course the idiot would say that.

"You're all set F/N." Usopp closed the tail gate of your SUV.
"Thanks." You smiled halfheartedly climbing back into the front seat.

After connecting your bluetooth and getting on the highway you decided to probably have someone check in on Zoro. He'd never had both kids this long alone. Especially now that they were moving around. He gets lost enough on his own.

"Hello lass, shouldn't you be out of town?"
"Hey Pops. Work stuff happened and Perona is sick so no trip." You frowned, "I'm on my way to Restin right now."
"I could have taken the girls." He rumbled, "They are my granddaughters."
"Pops I love you, but you do not need to be running after two one-year olds."
"Your brothers are here." He countered.
"Not the mature ones." You scoffed.
"Gurarara... You've got me there lass"
You chuckled at your father's ridiculous laugh, "Anyway... I did want to see if you'd do me a favor."
"Of course." He would never turn you down.
"Can you please just stop by our place and make sure your son-in-law is still alive in the next couple of hours."

Another deep laugh rumbled the speakers in your car.

"I'll head over right now." You could hear the smile in his voice.
"Thanks Pops, love you." You chimed.
"Love you too." He replied hanging up.

                                                                                   _____________

Zoro snatched Lily up by her overalls just as she cornered the poor dog behind the sofa swinging a plastic sword. She giggled, her green curls bouncing as her father yanked her up with a stern look in his eye.

"We don't slice up our friends. Be nice to Chopper." His expression softened when she cupped his cheeks between her chubby hands.

They may not even be two but both of them knew exactly how to crumble their fathers resolve.

Just then Sadie screeched through the room stark naked her dirty diaper bundled into her tiny fist.

No. Please.

Zoro's only weakness was poopy diapers. It made him gag every time. He happily pushed them off on you, and he was so involved otherwise with midnight feedings and what not that you honestly didn't mind. But now as he chased Sadie through the house with Lily on his hip, he had to choke back the urge to vomit.

"Having trouble lad?"

Thank god.

Never had the greenette been so happy that your father had a key.

"Ba!" Lily squealed upon hearing her grandfather's voice.

Sadie disappeared into the den. She wasn't as fond of Pops as her twin. Most men made her shy away, only going to Zoro and Luffy. It hurt Pops' feelings a little, but he understood and had hope that she'd grow out of this phase.

"Yes Lil, go to Ba." Zoro practically shoved the girl into her grandfather's chest.

She giggled happily reaching for his bandanna.

"There's my girl ~" The old man cooed turning for the sofa.

"Sadie?" The greenette called slipping into the den.

He cringed passing the dirty diaper she'd abandoned in the middle of the room.

"Don't you want to see Ba?" He asked softly.

It was a dumb question, he knew the second it left his mouth. He reached for the light switch to his right catching a glimpse of her fluffy magenta locks as she scurried under the roll top desk in the corner. Moving the chair and crouching down he held his breath slipping his hands under her arms and pulled her out.

"Dear god child." He huffed holding her out in front of him, "Pops!"

"Yes lad?" Newgate boomed from the living room.
"I'm going to have to bathe her. We'll be out in a bit!" He called crossing into the girl's room.
"Take your time we're fine."

Zoro placed Sadie on the changing table gathering baby wipes to clean his hands and then clean his daughter. After grabbing her hooded panda towel he set her back on his hip and strolled into the master bedroom crossing into the master bath. With one arm securely wrapped around the toddler he shrugged out of his own clothes, a skill he'd perfected for getting ready in a hurry.
Sadie giggled as they stepped into the shower splashing water against her father's cheeks.

Zoro walked into the living room feeling Sadie immediately stiffen at the sight of Pops on the sofa. She buried her chubby face into his shirt to hide while he continued to dry her hair with her panda towel.

"I wish you wouldn't treat your Ba like a scary monster." Zoro sighed plopping down into the arm chair across the room.
"F/N was the same way with men who weren't me." Pops rumbled, "Marco's feelings were hurt the most and now those two are inseparable."
"There's still hope, Sade." Zoro nuzzled her magenta fluff taking in the sweet scent that only babies harbor.

Lily wiggled around in her grandfather's arms playing with his fingers.

"Well, it seems you have things under control. I'll let F/N know you are alive." Pops stood placing Lily in Zoro's lap with her sister.
"Should have known." Zoro chuckled, "Thanks for stopping by. You had good timing."
"Anytime." Pops winked, "Try to enjoy the rest of the day."

Zoro looked down at the toddlers wrestling over a towel in his lap and sighed.

"I don't suppose the two of you will take a nap now?"

                                                                                   _______________

When you made it back into town you picked up a to-go order from Zoro's favorite restaurant and a couple of bottles of expensive sake. He wasn't much for sweets, but the alcohol would suit him fine.

You were greeted by Chopper when you unlocked the front door. It was just after 8PM and the house was silent. Afraid to call out if the girls were asleep, you placed your bags on the counter and walked into the living room. Zoro was sound asleep on the sofa with Sadie snuggled into his chest and Lily tucked comfortably into his left side. It must have been a busy day for both kids to be asleep so early.

Quietly you moved across the room and scooped Lily up smiling as she nuzzled into your bosom replacing Zoro's warmth with yours. Deciding to take them one by one you headed back to their room kissing her sweet face and placing her in her crib.
When you turned Zoro was entering the room with Sadie. You smiled at the groggy greenette while he snuggled her just a few seconds longer before lying her down. The moment you stepped into the hall his arms snaked around your waist.

"Welcome home." He husked resting his chin on your shoulder.
"Did you miss me?" You snickered tugging him into the kitchen with you.
"Immensely." He kissed your neck, "We're going to have to find a way to padlock Sadie's clothes on her."
"Streaking again? At least Lily doesn't seem to be interested in running around naked." You laughed turning to face him but not leaving his embrace.
"She streaked but covered in shit." He looked down unamused at the grin you couldn't hide.
"My poor mossball." You reached up to ruffle his hair, "I'm sorry the day was ruined."
He kissed your nose, "It was fine. I do hope your brought food though."
"I did." You stepped back to grab the bags.

After eating and having a few less drinks than Zoro you both finally went to your room. You snatched one of his old shirts out of the dresser and changed while he stripped down to his boxers and slid under the sheets. He pulled you into his chest softly kissing your lips.

"Happy birthday honey I love you." You hummed touching the scar over his left eye.
"Thanks." He smiled leaning into your palm, "I love you too."

                                                                           
~ Fin ~    

Happy Birthday to our Mossball!