"Your arms were always open when I needed a hug. Your heart understood when I needed a friend. Your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson. Your strength and love has guided me and gave me wings to fly."–Sarah Malin

Marco was wandering the ship realizing how silent it actually was now. Sabo had gone his own way to follow his dreams and goodness he hoped they came true. Luffy was out on his own now causing trouble- or at least Thatch hopped so. Though knowing the kid he was getting into as much of that as possible. Marco could only hope he at least waited until he had his Nakama gathered.

Ace had accepted the position of Second division commander and it really fit him almost as if he was born for the title and you never know, maybe he was born for it. Marco had been walking the ship for a while and found himself standing in front of the old room Luffy had been living in since he was able to be on his own. Marco had been avoiding this part of the ship for a week not able to take the actual pain knowing that this room would from now on be empty without his sunshine.

Taking the door handle he opened the cabin up realizing it was dark and cold almost as if the presence of Luffy had faded completely.

"Has it really been a week-yoi?" Marco asked out loud knowing he wasn't going to be getting an answer.

Marco walked around the room and check out the dresser and knowing it was partially empty. Luffy always did struggle to change his clothing on a daily basis so he only brought with him the bare minimum. Marco hoped that one of his Nakama would teach him some good habits over time.

Marco sat on the bed and looked at where Luffy use to sleep. He remembered the days he would read the boy bed time stories here and the laughter Luffy would give after a funny tale. He saw the old bear on the desk and remembered how Luffy would refuse to even live without that bear. They never did find the original toy he lost and guessed it had fallen into the sea.

Looking at the bear closely Marco realized something was underneath of it. Marco was interested he gives that, especially since Luffy wasn't the best writer.

"Hey Ma! You finally decided to come visit my room did ya? I know this must be hard on you…"The letter started and Marco sat down on the bed to fully take it in, Luffy had written him a letter!

"I don't really like saying goodbye to people because I swear we'll meet again. I especially hated saying goodbye to you and pops and everyone else. I'm not going to be back for a long time Ma, and we probably won't talk as much either so I left you something." Marco read that last part in confusion before looking around the room since the letter just finished right there.

Standing up and touching things in the room Marco opened one of the drawers in the dresser to find a large bound book. Picking it up Marco went and sat back down on the bed curious as to what this was. Unclipping it he opened the cover to find another folded piece of paper so he opened it up and continued to read.

"Yay, you found the present! It didn't take you too long did it? I knew I was leaving soon so for the past month I was gathering stuff for this. This book has all the pictures that were ever taken of me and of us together. I had Thatch help me find everything and then Izou made the book! Haruta helped me out all the pictures in and even made sure to leave extra room in the back for more. Someday I'll have a bounty that will rival Ace's and then yours maybe even pops! I won't always be near but I'll never ever be too far either. Ah and Ma! Happy Mother's day-Er, I hope you found it that day. Luffy."

Marco carefully put the letters aside and skimmed through all of the pictures of a baby smiling, crying and laughing. They had pictures of Luffy getting a bath and some when they tried to teach him to swim before he had his devil fruit. There were pictures of him and Shanks, and some of when he first met Ace and Sabo. Marco was fighting back tears at this wonderful gift he didn't hear Thatch enter the room.

"So you finally made it here." He said crossing his arms and leaning on the door frame a smile on his face.

"So this is the real reason you wanted to celebrate today-yoi." Marco stated but a smile was replacing his sadness.

"I couldn't think of any other way to get you down here in time. You really worried us you know, we thought we'd have to drag you here ourselves." Thatch said laughing at the idea of dragging Marco across the ship and locking him in Luffy's old room.

"This is a wonderful gift-yoi." Marco said closing the book that was filled with many good memories.

"I think Sabo gave him the idea honestly but I have to agree. It's time we watch them from afar." Thatch said sitting down beside Marco on the bed.

"He'll be back in the New World soon-yoi." Marco said with confidence.

"I know and when he is we'll greet him home along with the people he is gathering." Tahtch said to Marco who nodded.

"Friends of Luffy is family to us-yoi." Marco said holding the closed book close to his heart.

"But what if he finds a love interest out of the seas and brings her home to us?" Thatch asked teasingly knowing he could ruffle up those phoenix feathers.

"Then I'll show her why I'm known as his mother-yoi." Thatch laughed, nothing had changed. Luffy could go to the ends of the sea, thousands of miles away with many new people but he's always have those sharp, lazy eyes watching over his back.

"Let's go show pops." Thatch said standing up and letting Marco follow him as he looked back at the room and smiled. This had been an amazing gift from an amazing son and now it was time for the Journey of the King to begin.

"I can't wait-yoi." Marco said smiling and closing the door and he really couldn't.

Go To New Story( Er, at least later today anyways :P)

I was asked to do an epilogue :) The new story will be up tomorrow ^^ It is going to be called Journey of a king so look forward to it as I look forward to all of you again! Keep well! DR

(And I know mother's day is over I just felt like giving something to Marco even if it was late :P )