14: The question

The title says it all.

3rd person POV:

Both dressed, Shanks follows Cleo to Aqua's house. "What are we doing here?" "Oh my redhead, the answer is in the backyard," Cleo said all cocky, she opens the backyard gates, and they go in quietly. "Hija, hija, hija." "Junior concentrate, I know your father is . . . Here, Cleo why did you bring him." It was a garden, and a training room, even Melody was practicing with a staff, the children had gees that matched their hair color, and on the back was the red haired pirates jolly rodger. "Hey dad." "Junior punching bag," Aqua said. He went at it. Shanks didn't know what to say. "It's a lot to process, but when I heard he was getting bullied, I wouldn't have it," Cleo said. Now Shanks had something to say. "Have they shown any signs of haki?" "Not an inch, I'm hoping the girl shows first," Aqua said. "Mind if I stay and watch?" Shanks ask. "As long as you're quiet, then sit and watch them, will the mother stay as—""Mom has some work to do, make me proud kids," Cleo said walking out.

♥️after some karate kid training♥️

Those three headed to the bar. "Nice moves son, but I don't think you'll need them." "Oh no I'm learning, just in case," Junior said. "I'm learning just in case," Melody said. The kids headed upstairs to wash up. "Well hello handsome, care for a drink," Cleo said. "Of course." "Well you'll have to wait, gotta go bring the new bottles in." Once Cleo was gone, Ben got up to talk to his captain. "You gonna ask her?" "No not here." "It's now or never," Ben said. Shanks just sat there thinking till Cleo came back with some booze. "Here you go . . . Shanks you ok?" "What, oh it's nothing, thanks." "I'm gonna check on the kids, be right back." Cleo walks out the bar, Shanks eyes followed her every move. He took a drink, tonight he'd ask her tonight.

♥️time for a bonfire party, to honor our pirates♥️

Luckily the center of the town was big enough to start a bonfire, and there were stands with food. Shanks couldn't wait, he had a few drinks, till Ben tapped his shoulder. "You might wanna get up and turn around." He did, his son was in a nice shirt and pants, wearing sandals—he really was trying to be like his dad—his daughter in a pink and red dress, and the woman he loves in a dress that looks like the one she war on their first date, only this one is longer in the back.

Shanks POV:

"You all look amazing," I said. "Thanks dad," they both say. "And you haven't changed a bit," Cleo said. They started to play Binks Sake and the children went to the music. "What's this about?" Cleo just sits the way she did last time I was on a barrel. "Just enjoy the show red." Once it was over—and it was amazing—Junior brought some sake for his mother, and Melody brought sweets. "Here you go mom." "Thanks, there still some drink in that bottle?" "A little," I said. We cheered while the children nibbled on some sweets, hopefully not spoiling their apatite. "Not so many sweets ok kids." "We'll stop when dad stops drinking," Junior said.

♥️after a nice bonfire dinner♥️

"Shanks why are we headed back to the ship." "I just need to talk to you alone, Cleo, I'll make this quick." We were on deck, now or never, Ben said. I may have one hand, but I still held both her hands. "Cleo you're the first person I laid eyes on when my crew and I got here all those years ago, we both had our ups and downs but we've been there for each other, you'd wait years for me to come back, and when I do Cleo you're always smiling just as big as me, what I'm trying to say is . . ." Here goes.

3rd person POV:

"I can't think of a life without you, or our children," Shanks got down on one knee, now just holding her left hand. "Cleo, will you marry me?" Cleo was getting tearful, she has pictured this moment for years, but just a dream, she never thought it would be real. Through her tears she saw him over the years, from straw hat, to emperor, to now. "Yes." She had an answer. "Yes I'll marry you red haired Shanks!" He had the ring in his black cloak, carefully taking it out the box, and he placed it on her ring finger. A diamond with two small pearls on the side. "Is it too much." "No, Shanks it's perfect, it fits perfectly too, oh just get up and kiss me." The red haired pirate not only kissed her, but with one hand swept her off her feet. "I guess this isn't a welcome back party anymore," Cleo said. "Now it's an engagement party," Shanks said. "Before we get to it . . . I want you while you're still sober," Cleo whispers in his ear.

♥️a few minutes later♥️

"That-that wasn't half bad *sigh*," Cleo said. "I could have done more, but we've got a party to go to," Shanks said. Cleo giggles while her head is on his chest, she can hear his heartbeat, then she gets on top of him. "Forget that party, the engagement party can be tomorrow, let's just stay here, me and you, an emperor," she grabs his hand and puts it were her heart is, "and his empress." Shanks pretends to think it through, then he just grins happily. "One more round, then we go tell everyone, hopefully there's enough booze left for tomorrow's engagement party." "That's ma man talking," Cleo said.

They go back to the party hand in hand, then Shanks shouts to his crew. "She said yes!" Cleo holds her left hand up for everyone to see, the first to come running are of course the children and Ruby. "You didn't angel." "Girl look, I did." Cleo's sister hands the booze to Melody to look at the ring. "Mmm . . . Good luck with her red." Congratulations all around and everyone wants a peak at the ring. "We gonna be here a while?" Hongo ask Shanks. "Just a few more days, after all I am getting married . . . Never thought I'd say those words."