Racking my fingers through my long black hair, I felt the heat of the sun warm me body as I drove to the designated place. The loud and busy streets of Magnolia was far behind me now, as I drove to the outskirts of town. Instead of lots of houses and shops, now stood trees and wide open ranges of green pastures.
"Ya sure, she'll be able to watch him?" I asked into the phone, gripping my steering wheel a little tighter.
"Yea! She's really sweet and I've heard that she babysits sometimes for her friends, so they can relax."
"But I'm a complete stranger, we're not friends and you haven't even seen her in years, so how could you know if she still as innocent as you make her out to be?"
"You're right, but I know Levy and I know she's still that little girl I knew and watch grow up, so just trust me Gajeel."
"Tch'. Fine. But why and the hell does she live all the way out here? I've been driving for about 30 minutes now." I huffed, my agitation and worry growing.
"She was always the solitude type, but you should be coming up to her house soon. Be nice to her, and for goodness sake, don't scare her half to the death with that damn face of yours."
"Oi! It's not my fault, I was born with such good looks." I smiled, hearing the man laugh on the other end of the phone.
"Ok, Gajeel. Good Luck and don't get in to much trouble while you're down there, ok?"
"Got it! I'll call you with an update soon." I said before ending the call.
As if on cue, a little house came into few, looking like how the old man described it. I grinned, thinking to myself, that the tiny house looked like it was made for midgets. The one story brick exterior, wide porch and flower beads over flowing with flowers I can't even name.
Pulling my old pickup truck into the cobblestone driveway, I took a deep breath, looking down at the little person beside me. A smile curled my lips as he looked up to me with excitement.
"Are we here? Is this it?"
"Yep, this is the place, little man." I said as I got out of the truck. Rounding the hood, I opened his door, then plucked him from his seat.
"Remember what I told ya?" I asked holding his little hand as we walked along the cobblestone path towards her porch.
"Yep! I have ta be nice, polite and treat her wit respect!"
"Good job, buddy. Now here goes the hard part." I sighed, standing in front of her door ringing the doorbell. This place really was for short people, I'm pretty sure if I was asked to come in, I would have to duck a little in order to get inside.
"Coming!" a light female voice called as I heard light footsteps run towards the door. When she opened the door, I saw a surprised and curious look spread across her face, as she stood in the doorway. The old man, showed me a face shot of her, but her picture didn't do her justice. Her blue locks was held back in bun with stray waves of hair framing her face. She was wearing an apron covered in specs of chocolate, over her t-shirt and jeans.
"May I help you?" She asked looking up at me and then, down to my son.
Clearing my throat, I held out my hand introducing myself. "Hi, I'm Gajeel Redfox and this here is my son Rogue."
"Hi!" Rogue said with a big smile, making the little woman smirk as she clasp her tiny hand into my big one, giving me a firm shake.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Levy McGarden."
"I was told that you sometimes babysit. I know we're not friends or anythin', but I assure you that I'll pay you and Rogue here won't be any problem. We just moved here, and they upped my hours at my new job, making me not able to watch after Rogue. I tried other babysitters but they just flat out refused me." I said staring down at her. She blinked at me a few times, as if thinking it over. I was about respond with another speech, but she interrupted me.
"Crap! They're burning! Come in! Come in! Have a seat!" she said as she ran back into her house leaving her door open as invitation. I watched as she ran towards the kitchen, cursing under her breath.
"Whooaa!" Rogue said in amazement at her living room that was basically a library. She had floor to ceiling bookshelves, a dark brown coach with a T.V. in front of one of the book cases that claimed the wall. I was relieved that the house had a higher ceiling, so I could walk around comfortably. Her living room connected to a small dining room that connected to the kitchen. There was a hallway leading to what I'm guessing are her room and a bathroom. What a small house, for a small person.
"Dad! Come sit down." Rogue said catching my attention. Nodding my head, I sunk into the cool fabric, ruffling his dark hair making him laugh.
"I'm so sorry about that, I almost burnt the cupcakes I was baking. You could have one if you like." She said shuffling over with a tray, siting it down on the coffee table, I noticed three cups of milk and a few cupcakes.
"Really? Can I have one dad?" he asked, and as soon as he gave him a nod he snatched a cupcake from the tray, smiling with glee as chocolate icing stuck to his mouth. I was about to scold him for being rude, but stopped when I heard a faint giggle coming from the blue haired woman who sat across from us in a recliner.
"So, tell me Mr. Redfox-"
"Gajeel is fine."
"Ok, Gajeel. If I were to watch your son, how long will I be babysitting?"
"That's one of the reasons why, all of the babysitters back out on me."
"And what is that?"
"My job is….how can I say it…..very strenuous. I work for the one of the fishing crew down at the docks in Magnolia and sometimes will be gone for days. So basically, would you be able to watch Rogue until I'll be able to get back?" I tried my best to hide the look of worry and sadness of leaving rogue, on my face. But I'm pretty sure that just made the scowl on my face look even more intimidating.
Her brown eyes looked at me with sympathy and sadness, as she spoke, "Look Gajeel, I'm not-"
"It's ok. I understand, I'll find somebody else." I said standing up, grabbing Rogue's hand, pulling him off the couch. He protested the entire way to the front door, but I just ignored him, dragging him with me.
"Wait!" she yelled and I felt a tug on the back of my shirt. What is it now? Is she trying to properly reject me? If so, I don't have time for it! The more I stay here, the more I'm most likely to get angry.
Spinning around to face her, she jumped back slightly, lowering her gaze. I'm pretty sure I have the meanest scowl possible on my face right now. Serve's her right for stopping me.
"You didn't let me finish."
"What?" I asked confused.
"I'm not sure I can do this, but you seem like a good father, so I'll try my best."
"Thank you so much shrimp!" I said picking her up in an excited hug. The old man was right, she is reliable. Now I won't be worried to bits about Rogue.
"Sh-shrimp?!" She asked as I placed her back down on her hard wood floor.
We stared at each other for a few seconds, before Rogue tugged on my arm.
"Can I have another cupcake?"
"Of course, you can. Come back to the living room please." She smiled, leading us back to our seats.
I, along with Rogue took a bite of the desert, and was taken aback by the delicious taste. I'm not really one for sweets but these are pretty good. No wonder, Rogue wants another one, I do too. I scarfed down another cupcake, just as Rogue took another bite of his.
"So, do you have any emergency contacts just in case something goes wrong?" She asked grabbing a notepad and pencil off the coffee table.
"Just me."
"I would really suggest, you have another one. Just in case."
"Well, there's one but you can only call him, if I don't pick up and it's a serious emergency." I said with a serious look on my face. I really hope it doesn't come to that. The only reason she'll be calling him, is if I'm dead, and I really don't want that. At least, he'll know what to do with Rogue if I am dead.
"Ok. Does he have an allergies, take any medicines?"
"Nope, he's as healthy as an ox."
"Any routines he's used to? Bed time? That kind of stuff?"
"Not really. He wakes up at the crack of dawn every morning for some reason, and he goes to sleep with a night light, because he's afraid of the dark."
"Does he like or dislike any food?"
"He'll eat anything to be honest, besides vegetables. I haven't got him to eat that yet. He likes anything dealing with dragons and dinosaurs and hates, I mean hates being alone. Oh! He also always sleep with his Frosche."
"Frosche?" She asked raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"His teddy bear. I won it for him at a fair a long time ago, now he never goes to bed without it."
She nodded her head, scribbling down what I said in the notepad. She stopped for a second as if to think, then continued writing.
"Ok! I think we're good. When do you want me to start?"
"Is right now ok?"
"Right now?!" She asked her eyes nearly bugging out.
"Yea, I know it's really short notice, but you were my last resort. And I have work in about hour."
"uumm….ok. Do you have his stuff?"
"Yep! I'll go get it, now." I said standing up. Grabbing the cup of milk off the tray, I downed it, before dashing to my truck to retrieve Rogue's belongings. Grabbing his little suitcase and Frosche, I dashed back into the living room.
"Is that it?"
"Just about." I said leaning his suitcase on the wall, before handing him his Frosche.
"Are you leaving now, daddy?" He asked frowning at me. Dammit, not the face, he's giving me the face. Be strong Gajeel.
"Yea, I'm sorry buddy, but you know I'll be back soon. Ms. Levy here, is gonna to look after ya while I'm gone, so be good ok?"
"Ok…"
"I'll walk you out," She said getting up and walking towards me. Nodding my head I followed her to her door, not sure if I want to leave or not, but knowing I have to. Damn, why is this so hard, I was not trained for this shit!
I stood on her porch looking down at the fairy like woman, "Thanks, for….you know."
"No problem. Just come back as soon as you can."
"I'll try." I nodded before leaving her in the doorway. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed a number.
"Are we good to go?" the man's voice said.
"Yep, now all we have to do, is try not to screw this plan up."
"This all rides on you Gajeel."
"Doesn't it always." I said before hanging up.