"Today I was more afraid than I have ever been in my life," I said quietly. "I was afraid Luffy wouldn't survive. I was afraid I would lose him."
My voice was cold.
"Because of your irresponsibility. Because of your greed. A small child was beaten nearly to death."
I let the words settle.
"If it weren't for the Devil Fruit, he would not have survived."
Neither of them moved.
"In life," I continued, "you must take responsibility for what you do. Luffy—seven years old—carried the weight of your actions."
I looked from one to the other.
"What do you intend to do about that?"
"Pebble…" Sabo whispered.
Then he broke down completely.
My heart felt like it was tearing itself apart, but I clenched my teeth and held the line.
"There's nothing we can do," Ace said quietly.
He still couldn't bring himself to look at me.
"Take the money we stole. We'll never steal again. Not until we become pirates, anyway."
His voice hardened.
"From now on we'll take care of Luffy properly. We won't disappoint you again."
"And we'll teach him everything," Sabo added through tears. "So he can defend himself if something happens."
He wiped his nose with his sleeve.
"And we won't ask you to take us with you anymore. We have to… we really have to grow up."
"Yes," I said softly. "You do."
My hands were itching, so to keep from ruining the seriousness of the moment I took out my cigarette case and calmly filled my pipe.
"While I'm away on my next voyages," I continued, "you will live in High Town under the supervision of a governess."
Ace inhaled sharply.
He did not dare protest.
Sabo nodded obediently, though the look on his face suggested he had several objections ready.
I decided to steer the conversation toward something slightly lighter.
I had quite enough of reprimanding them. They already felt guilty enough.
"You should also start learning something useful," I added. "It seems I have neglected that part of your upbringing."
"Are we going to school?" Sabo asked.
"I haven't decided yet," I replied. "But something must be done about your education. Naturally, we will not neglect training."
I stood up.
"Now I'm going to see Luffy. Perhaps I'll bring him home tomorrow."
I crushed out the cigarette.
"Go to sleep."
My little duo shuffled toward the hammocks hanging beneath the windows, heads bowed.
I sighed heavily.
I didn't want them going to bed like that.
"Ace. Sabo."
They turned around.
"You are the greatest gift life has given me."
My voice softened.
"And I cannot lose you."
"Pebble… I'm sorry! I'm sorrysorrysorry!" Sabo burst out, completely falling apart. "You told me to watch them and I… I wanted…"
Oh, to hell with pretending to be a strict mother.
I pulled the child into my arms and hugged him tightly.
Ace stepped closer from the side, quietly sniffling.
I wrapped my arm around him as well.
For a moment none of us said anything.
"I'll never leave him again," Ace said at last, losing his battle with tears.
It was something I should have said too.
But I had given my word to Jones. Every year I had to cross the Red Line again.
I clenched my jaw, unsure what kind of fire was burning in my chest this time.
All I wanted in that moment was for my children to be safe.
All three of them.
"Listen to me," I said, pushing them gently back to arm's length.
Tears were running down my face.
"Anyone who tries to hurt you will regret it very deeply. You are my children. For every wound you suffer, I will take sevenfold payment. I will do everything in my power to make sure what happened to Luffy never happens again."
I looked from one to the other.
"But you must promise me something. If one of you is in trouble, the others will come to help. And I will come too."
There was a moment of silence.
Then Sabo asked quietly:
"Pebble… is this what it's like to have a mother?"
The question caught in my throat for a moment when Ace, wiping his eyes, asked it.
I decided not to give a direct answer.
What could I possibly say?
I had no idea.
Instead, I smiled, kissed them both goodnight, and waited until they climbed into their hammocks.
My heart had melted completely inside my chest.