Chapter One: Only So Close, Only So Far

Author's Note: Hi! So this is a sequel to AcidRain1698's To Be Lucky story. Please leave a review and make sure to thank AcidRain1698 for giving me permission to continue her story and make it my own. :)

Lucy Dragneel sat at her desk in the bedroom Natsu and her shared. Their seven year old daughter, Nashi, sat on the bed attempting to read a children's picture book she'd gotten from Auntie Erza. Nashi's two year old brother, Ryu, sat on the floor playing with his dragon plushy and listening to his mother's sweet voice as she hummed.

"Mama?" Nashi asked, taking Lucy's attention away from the novel she was writing.

"Yes, sweetie," Lucy turned around in her desk chair to face the young dragon slayer. "What's up?"

"This book. They did it wrong." Nashi pointed to the cover that read: Key of the Starry Heavens by Will Neville.

"What did they do wrong?" The novelist stood up and jumped onto the bed beside her daughter, picking up Ryu and settling him on her lap.

"Fairy Tales are supposed to have a good ending. The prince and the princess are supposed to live happily ever after, right?"

Nashi's mother nodded her head. "Normally, yes..."

"Well then how come the girl brought the six keys together and then she killed everybody? It said she was supposed to have eternal happiness. But nobody was alive to live happily with her."

Ryu began to squirm in Lucy's arms, so she set him down on the elegant carpet that Lucy's father had owned at their mansion. She sighed and looked at her daughter's questionable expression. "You know what, sweetie. Why don't we go find a different book at the bookstore today. We'll call it an early Christmas present. Since we're going, I'll call Levy and ask if she wants to come along. How does that sound?"

Nashi looked up at her mother and smiled, showing off her canine teeth that matched Natsu's. "Can Levy bring me another book?"

Lucy giggled as she began to dial the numbers. "Sure, go put your jacket on, it's cold outside." She brought the telephone up to her ear as it began to ring. "If you want go play outside that'll be fine, but make sure that Ryu doesn't unlock the door."

"Okay!" Her daughter was already out the door.

"Hey Levy, it's Lucy. The kids and I are going to the bookstore and wanted to know if you'd like to join us?" Ryu began to whimper as he dragged his fall coat over to his mother.

"Oh, yeah! I definitely need a break from the family. I just have to make sure that Gajeel is okay watching Kairi. I'll be right back." Levy set the phone down on her kitchen counter and walked over to her husband who was lying on the couch, her five year old daughter Kairi following close behind.

Lucy finally got annoyed with her son pulling on her jeans and looked down at him. "Mama," He said. "Outside."

His mother sighed, "Ryu, please wait until I'm done on the phone. Just let Nashi play alone."

"But, Mama." He whined.

"God, you're just like Natsu." She mumbled as she slid his arms into the thick coat. Immediately her son ran over to the door and fiddled with the round golden knob. "Silly, go get your boots and your hat. Then I'll help you put your mittens on and open the door." Ryu did as he was told and attempted to pull his boots over his feet.

He got frustrated and threw them onto the floor. "Mama! Help!" He cried.

The celestial wizard giggled. "Bring them here and I'll help you." She balanced the phone between her shoulder and her cheek as she waited for Levy to come back.

"Hey, Lu-chan. Gajeel said it'd be okay to leave for a few hours. Should I meet you at the bookstore or at your house?"

"Sorry, I know I said we'd meet there but I really need help. Ryu has been a handful lately. I'm pretty sure it's because Natsu hasn't been home for two weeks and he isn't coming home until next week. It's gotta be hard on the kids. He's never been gone this long..."

"Oh, c'mon. We all know you miss him too." Levy teased.

"Well, I do. But Ryu doesn't like it when he can't feel Natsu's presence. But now that Nashi is old enough, she doesn't mind it when he leaves." Lucy finished dressing her son and opened the door to let him outside, causing the toddler to squeal with excitement. She watched from the window as Nashi played in the leaves and Ryu tried to find her.

"Luce, you still there?" Levy asked.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Let me grab my jacket and I'll meet you at the library. We'll go to the bookstore afterwords."

"Alright, see you then. Bye, Lu-chan."

"Bye," Lucy hung up the phone at set it back onto the charger. She slid her knee-high black leather boots on and zipped up her pink coat, the one she'd worn when Natsu, Happy, and her went to Mount Hakobe to retrieve Hakobe Ice for an ice carver. She opened the door and went outside to where her children played in the leaves. "Come on, guys. We're going to meet Levy at the library."

Nashi ran up to her mother as Lucy picked up Ryu and brushed the leaves out of his spiky pink hair. "Mama, when will I get to play with Amaya and Avalon?"

"I don't know, sweetie. Whenever Juvia and Gray get the chance."

"What about Levy?"

"Kairi is turning six soon, so Levy's too busy with the party."

"And Auntie Erza?"

"She's on her honeymoon with Jellal. And they don't have any kids..." Lucy placed Ryu higher on her hip. "Oh! That reminds me, I'll have to ask if Asuka can babysit you two."

"Why? Where are you going?"

"I'm having a girl's night out with Levy, Juvia, and Erza when she gets back. And Daddy won't be back by then."

"Why can't Wendy babysit us, or Mira?" Nashi complained.

"Because, Asuka needs the money, plus it'd be good for you to get to know the members." Ryu moved his mother's blonde bangs to the side of her forehead, just so he could see her chocolate eyes staring back at him.

"Fine," Nashi sighed.

"Lu-chan! Over here!" A feminine voice shouted.

"Hi, Levy. It's been super long, huh?" The celestial mage asked. "When was the last time I saw you?"

"I'm not actually sure myself. I've been really busy with my family, too." The bluenette giggled.

"Auntie Levy!" Nashi shouted happily as she climbed into a chair. Lucy took a seat beside her daughter and bounced Ryu in her lap.

"Hello, Nashi. What book are you reading today?" The solid script wizard asked curiously.

"Key of the Starry Heavens." The little dragon slayer smiled proudly. "I was kinda hoping you'd bring me a new one to read because they did the book wrong."

Levy smiled, "Well you're in luck. I remembered to grab a new one before I left." Nashi's brown eyes lit up as her mother's friend reached into her blue bag and pulled out another story.

The young wizard gasped. "My favorite one! You brought Heaven's Dream!" Her mother giggled as Nashi turned the pages in the book to make sure it wasn't a scam. She jumped from her seat as the back cover closed with a smack and hugged Levy.

Nashi finally decided to let go and read her storybook. "When's your due date?" Lucy asked, tickling Ryu's stomach and making him groan.

"Hm? Oh. On Christmas." The pregnant Levy replied.

"Really, I thought it'd be farther." Lucy sighed. "Time sure does fly." Ryu pulled on the blonde's hair, causing her to glare at him. "Did Wendy tell you the gender yet?"

"No. The baby is sitting in such an odd position it's difficult to tell. Plus, I told her we don't need to know. I'm perfectly fine finding out when it's born. Although I'm definitely sure Kairi wants to know... and Gajeel."

The novelist smiled, "When are you having Kairi's sixth birthday party anyway?"

"Probably on her birthday next week Tuesday. Does that work for you?"

"Oh, yeah. Definitely..." Lucy trailed off.

"Oh, wait a minute," Levy slapped her forehead with her palm, grabbing Nashi and Ryu's attention. "That's the day Natsu's coming home. I'll reschedule to an earlier date so you don't miss any time with him."

"No, Levy. It's fine. I can miss one day with my husband." Lucy reassured.

"Sure you can." The solid script wizard sarcastically said. "Anyway, thanks for inviting me... but I've really got to get back home to Gajeel." Levy stood from her chair and pushed it in. "I guess I'll see you on our girl's night out, huh?"

Lucy nodded. "Bye, Levy."

That night...

"Mama? When will Daddy be home?" Nashi asked as she climbed up the ladder to her bunk. Lucy pulled up the comforter and tucked Ryu in tight on the bottom bunk.

"Next week Tuesday." The celestial wizard didn't take her eyes off of her sleeping son. Nashi shuffled under the sheets and tried to warm the bed with her body heat. "Good night Nashi." Her mother sternly said before she shut the door.

Nashi knew something was wrong, but didn't say a word.

Good night, Daddy. Be safe, wherever you are. Come back home to Mama, Ryu, and me. Got that? Nashi thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Lucy sat at her wooden desk. She picked up her quail pen and began to write.

"Dear mom,

Natsu still isn't back yet, and I'm beginning to worry. He was supposed to be back eight days ago. I feel horrible for lying to the kids. Erza and Jellal went on their honeymoon a month ago, but now they're looking for Natsu. I wish I could help them, but he told me before he left that if anything happens to just stay here with the kids.

Natsu, wherever you are... you'd better not be dead. These are your kids too, and you should be the one helping to raise them.

Love, your daughter, Lucy."

The blonde placed the pen in the clay ink pot and climbed into the bed. She flicked the light switch off on the lamp and closed her eyes.

"Don't worry, Luce. I'll be back." She could just hear Natsu saying it. She weakly smiled and fell into a deep sleep.

Author's Note: Hey, guys! I hope you liked the first chapter. Sorry it isn't as good as AcidRain1698's but I'm still a beginner. Anyway, please leave me a review!