Irreplaceable

Part 21: Spring

- "Happy birthday Zoro."

Mihawk hummed happily as he was returned the bottle. Zoro looked at him weirdly. What did Pappa mean?

- "Did you know you're two already?" Mihawk lifted two of his fingers up.
Zoro did the same gesture with his own hand though he was still clumsy.
- "That's how old you are." Mihawk smiled. "Mommy is 24-years-old and Pappa is 43-years-old."

Zoro raised a brow. He really didn't get any of it. Mihawk chuckled and ruffled his hair. He took him up from his chair and set down on the floor. They played whatever Zoro whished to play. He rushed to his animal box and grabbed onto a cow toy and gave it to Mihawk. With each toy Mihawk confirmed which animal it was and asked if Zoro wanted to give it to him. Plastic animal after the other ended onto Mihawks lap. There was a couple of tigers Zoro kept to himself. On a striped zebra toy Zoro stopped. He looked at the toy for a moment.

- "That is a zebra, not a tiger." Mihawk smiled and adjusted his hands holding onto the toys. "Do you want to give zebra to Pappa?"

Zoro looked at him then at the zebra and handed it to him.

- "Zebla." He huffed and Mihawk nodded back at him.

In the end Mihawk had a pile of animals on his lap and Zoro had three tiger toys, each varying size and accuracy. Zoro reached for Mihawks animals and took the zebra toy back.

- "Zebla." He huffed again and placed it beside his tigers.
- "Does Pappa get all these other animals?"

Zoro nodded and looked at his tigers and a zebra. He took one in hand inspected it closer and set it down to take another animal. Mihawk did the same with his animals. Some of the animals were new and some were old ones from his son. He had liked the horse toys the best and the zebra had confused him just like it had confused Zoro.
Playing with Zoro was relaxing and Mihawk loved it. Those were some of the best moments in his live. Playing with his son and now with his grandson.

- "Happy birthday, Zoro."

Perona peaked from the door. Her eyes were half-lidded and she yawned. Her hair was a mess. She had passed her usual grooming and had gone straight to the two. She sat down next to them. Zoro showed her the toys he had.

- "Tigel, tigel, tigel, zebla."
- "That's right." She smiled.

Zoro looked at the toy animals in Mihawks hands and reached for them. He started to give some to his mother. He took special care which one to give her, unlike with Mihawk. Only the prettiest toy animals would do. She soon had a horse, a deer and a couple of cows. Zoro reached for a bear toy, but was going to drop it back, when Perona reached out.

- "No, no. Mommy likes bears."

Zoro looked at her surprised and lifted the bear toy.

- "Beal?"
- "Yes, bear is Mommys favourite."

She reached out and Zoro dropped the bear in her hand. She thanked him for it and Zoro grinned happily. This game went on for awhile until Mihawk excused himself. He had to start on Zoros cake if they were going to eat it today. In the kitchen he realized that Perona had not have eaten anything yet. Of course she was an adult and could take care of herself, but still Mihawk found himself worrying for her well being constantly. His mind kept on making small parallels between her and his father, but he was quick to shake those thoughts away. Perona was strong. But a little bit of care wouldn't hurt.
- "Perona, have you eaten any breakfast?"
- "No, I haven't, but I'm not that hungry yet."

Good. Now he could start making the cake. He took three eggs and cracked them in a glass. Next he took flour and sugar and measured the same amount as there was egg into their own similar glasses. Sponge cake was so easy, delicious, quick and fun. Mihawk did love doing the most delicate and skill demanding dishes, but the most simplest recipes he found charming. They made him think of his childhood and how happy his father was receiving a warm meal after work. Loved the look on his face as he tasted and retched, but kept on eating.