since they left the last island due to the arrival of marines luffy had only one word spinning around in his mind, 'daughter'. honestly, he had never thought about the future so far, never thought about the possibility of having a family of his own. would he be able to? he was a lot more self-aware than people thought he was. he knew he was a careless person who did a lot of reckless things, often got into trouble, and was too childish for his age and due to all this he knew he wasn't the ideal person to have a family with.
even if he ever thought of having a family, who would have it with him anyway, Hancock wanted to marry him but he knew he couldn't give her what she wanted. he couldn't give any woman what she wanted. but that one word said by that man had started a spark in his heart. how would it feel to have a child of his own? not necessarily by blood but someone who called him dad. the word that defined that special bond. if he ever got a chance to be a dad would he be a good one? he personally didn't have a good experience with dads. shanks was the closest person to a father figure to him. what if in the future he had a family? would he be good enough?
luffy had never doubted himself but this particular topic made him think. there were so many what if's. luffy sat drowned in his thoughts on the figurehead of the sunny. everyone was busy doing their own thing and so was he. suddenly the peace on the ship was disrupted by a very very loud cry, catching everyone's attention as the whole crew gathered in front of the girl's quarters.
the sound of Rose crying had everyone worried. it was late afternoon and it was her nap time. but the crying obviously indicated she wasn't sleeping. nami opened the door and most of the crew barged into the room. Jules sat there on the bed holding a crying Rose close to herself. trying to calm the little girl down.
Rose was taking her nap as usual when she suddenly started mumbling and trashing in her sleep. Jules realized the little girl was having a nightmare. she tried to wake her up and Rose did too, but immediately started crying clinging to her mother for comfort. Rose refused to tell Jules what was the dream about, just kept on crying.
" she had a nightmare, and won't stop crying." Jules explained and everyone sighed, relieved that it was nothing serious. " what was the nightmare about?" Robin asked. " I don't know, she won't tell," Juels said a little concerned as Rose would harm her vocal cords if she kept on crying like this.
luffy walked forward and kneeled down in front of Rose to be her eye level. Rose had her face buried in Jules's stomach, holding tightly onto her top. " hey chubs, here look at me." luffy said, trying to gain her attention. " I tried she won't move, just keeps on crying.
" hey, chubs look at me its me fifi, your dear fifi." luffy said softly patting the little girl's head. this caught Rose's attention and she pulled a little away from Jules to glance at Luffy. as her blurry vision cleared and she realized it was really her dear fifi, she immediately let go of Juels and hugged luffy tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. luffy's hand wrapped around her securely, giving her warmth and comfort. he patted her back trying to calm her down.
" its okay, there's nothing to be scared about, your safe chubs." luffy said in a soft calm voice, patting her back gently. luffy was always gentle with Rose but right now he was being extra gentle, making sure she didn't get more scared. Rose held onto him tight, as if, if she let go he would disappear.
soon she calmed down enough that luffy thought she would answer him. " hey, chubs, what happened?" luffy asked again his voice soft and smooth. Rose pulled a little away from him and looked at him with eyes shining with tears. her cheeks and little nose were red because of all the crying and her lips in a small pout. luffy wanted to say how cute she looked but the fear in her eyes made him worried too. " f..f...fi...fifi?" Rose questioned rather than call out. " yes chubs, what happened tell me. who dared to scare my little chubs, hu? I'll kick their ass for you." luffy said trying to make the little girl laugh. but she didn't, just stared at him as if he wasn't real.
luffy's smile dropped at it. he didn't like this uncertain, scared and pained look in her eyes. her eyes were made to be only filled with happiness. " chubs, common tell me what happened?" luffy asked again shifting her a bit to hold her better. this startled the little girl and she finally realized what luffy had asked her.
" fifi?"rose said in a small voice. luffy hummed and nodded his head in response. " don't go, don't go like daddy." Rose said and the room froze. Jules's heart raced to listen to her daughter. the small 2 year old was so scared, so scared that she cried in her sleep, and what was she scared of? losing luffy, the thought that luffy might leave her, get out of her life like her father had, crossed the mind of such a young girl.
the fact that she was scared of such a thing happening told Jules how much Ace's absence had affected Rose. how she needed a father in her life, how she wished to have a father in her life, how much she missed Ace even though she never saw him. the only interaction Rose had had with Ace was when she was in her mother's womb.
at the war when Ace had seen Jules with her pregnant belly, he had been on cloud nine and kissed it. he had knelt down and said, " hey there princess, its me your daddy. i am sorry I never met you before, I wasn't there with your mom all this time, I am sorry, please forgive me. but you know what? even though I didn't know about you until now, and I thought I would never have children, I am glad that you are here, and I want you to know that I love you. i love you more than anything in the world. i love you and your mom."
though it was kinda impossible, but Jules believed that Rose had heard and understood each and every word Ace had said and had felt all the love he had for her. right now seeing Rose cry in the fear of losing someone dear to her broke Jules. she didn't want Rose to experience this fear so soon in life.
"hu, oi Rose, I am never leaving you. i'll always be here. and even though your daddy is not here, you know he loves you. even though you cannot see him , feel him, he is always there and will always be there for you, watching over you, caring for you. and about me leaving you, that would never happen, because I promised your daddy to always be by your side and never let that cute smile of yours go away. and I have to keep my promise." luffy explained calmly to Rose, with a big smile on his face. he meant each and every word he said. he would never break the promise, and even if he didn't promise, he would still care for Rose and always be there for her.
" you won't go?" Rose mumbled wanting another confirmation. " no I won't, I love you so so so so much. always remember chubs, I love you, I love you more than anything in this world." luffy said hugging her tight and close to his chest, Rose heard his heartbeat, the heartbeat making her feel calm, safe, and protected. luffy kept on mumbling soothing things to her and making a pattern on her back, it didn't even take her 1 minute to fall asleep soundly with a smile on her face. before she slept, luffy heard her mumble, " can fifi be my daddy?"