Pairings: Eventual Natsu Dragneel x Lucy Heartfilia (Eucliffe) and numerous clichéd other pairings which I'm positive you already know.

Timeline: AU

Warnings: Uhh, extremely slow progressing romance and some mature situations

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail

Authors Note: When I set out to write this, I had no idea how far or long the plot would be. At first, it started out with the hopes of at least ten chapters. After beginning to write out the plot to this I've come to the realization that this story will in fact exceed my wildest expectations. Be prepared for a long journey of how two individuals – wounded and untrusting – learn to love. A love story spanning years while they come to terms with their own feelings. Enjoy.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal."

~A headstone in Ireland

~x~

Beneath the tires of their beat up old pickup rocks crunched and bumped them along the road. Lucy's grip tightened on her steering wheel to steady the truck when it hit a pothole. She peered into the rear-view mirror which cast a miserable reflection of her son. Kiryuu chewed on the horn to his ivory stuffed dragon; his arms were locked around the toy like a plush.

"We're almost at the pier," Lucy told him as cheerfully as she could muster. In vain, her voice croaked and fell through the meticulous façade she invested months in. If Kiryuu noticed, he didn't show it.

Thirteen months have come and gone since Sting's accident. Thirteen months since the future they might have had together crumbled in one accident. To this day she still cried herself to sleep at night when she knew their son was asleep.

She flicked the blinkers on, momentarily moving her hand from the wheel to scrub stray tears from her face. Turning into the parking lot she found a spot immediately in the near empty lot and twisted the ignition off.

She secured her keys into her purse and faced Kiryuu. "Today doesn't look like a very nice day for a swim, does it? I don't know what I was thinking. Should we just go for a walk?"

"Okay," Kiryuu agreed. His bright blue eyes were shadowed and stole what was left of his childlike innocence. He was far too young to experience the loss of his father. No child should ever have to loose either of their parents. Unfortunately, Kiryuu did.

Lucy vaguely wonders if he resented her for letting Sting die – regardless of his death being at the fault of a drunk driver. She shook away that idea and exited the truck. Flipping back the front seat, Lucy leaned in and fiddled with the plastic clip. She struggled for a moment before finally prying apart his seatbelt. Kiryuu, still gripping his dragon in one hand, wrapped a chubby arm around Lucy's neck.

A sturdy breeze whipped through the parking lot. Lucy snatched Kiryuu's jacket and manually locked her truck's doors. She set him down on his feet and knelt, zipping him up in his coat. Lucy seized his hand and directed him to sand.

She hasn't been to a beach since before her mother passed away. When she did go, Layla played with her in the sand while her father built her an elaborate sandcastle. This time, however, she came here hoping fresh air would heal still bleeding wounds.

The vast expanse of Hargeon stretched out before them; a town which held promises of a fresh start where no one had to know of her past and numerous deaths that accompanied it. Lucy prayed at least that a city on a beach would lessen her memories of her deceased husband.

"What do think?" she inquired. For a moment, she figured her question flew away with wind as Kiryuu continued to blankly stare ahead. His blonde hair – akin to her hair colour – drifted in the wind as he contemplated nothing.

When he did speak, his voice was timid, almost as if he hadn't intended on answering her in the first place. "I wish Lector was here…"

Her heart twisted. Lector was Sting's reddish brown cat they brought with them to Hargeon. Somewhere deep down she knew she should have left Lector with Rogue – Sting's best friend – but separating Kiryuu from Lector was too cruel. Lector cried every night with Lucy, wondering where his master was, and only stopped when he slept with Kiryuu.

Lucy forced herself to laugh, "He's back at home, sweetheart."

Kiryuu slipped back into silence. Sand hugged their shoed feet as they journeyed along the strip of beach. Anxiously, Lucy peeked down at Kiryuu. His face, so scrunched up, bore his agony like an open book. She screamed at the gods to give her answers to help him. No mother ever wanted to see their child grieve like this.

She squatted down, gently coercing him to face her. "Are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

"Mommy… will you forget daddy not that we don't live near him?" His question felt like knives slicing up her insides. His eyes watered. Lucy swallowed a lump in her throat the size of her fist and ran her thumb over his flushed cheek.

"I will never forget your daddy, Kiryuu. I promise you," Lucy vowed. For the first time since Lucy announced their move, he smiled dimples and all.

She knew one day she'll have to move on and find someone else, but that day wouldn't come for a long time. The day she'll know she can love again will be the day she doesn't stain her pillows with salty tears.

~x~

This was just the prologue to White Flowers. Everything intensifies in the next chapter and so on. So what you all know is Sting is Lucy's dead husband and their son is named Kiryuu. It's pretty obvious who Natsu married, however, but their daughter's name is a secret until the next chapter. Like I said, if you're looking for a fast paced romance, stolen kisses and sexual encounters in the laundry room, this isn't the story for you. Both Natsu and Lucy have a lot to resolve before it's smooth sailing. I hope you liked the prologue to my newest story so review, favourite, follow, whatever floats your boat and I look forward to seeing you next time.

~Emerald~