DISCLAMER!

The following is a non-profit, purely fan based FanFiction story. Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima, A-1 Pictures, TV Tokyo, Funimation, and other companies that no-one bothers to Google. All rights reserved to the Author.

Chapter 1

Jude Heartfilia, now master of his household, waited rather impatiently for his archenemies Igneel Dragneel to arrive before the Council. He tapped his foot and glanced at the closed door.

Where the fuck is he? Jude thought, annoyance darkening his features, I swear if that bastard thinks he can skip out on this THAT easy, he has another thing coming! If he doesn't show, I'll rip his-

The large jarah door blasted open, revealing a rather cocky red head who was well into his thirties. Jude's eyes narrowed at the all too familiar face.

"Pardon my tardiness; I had a little problem at home, with the youngsters. They wouldn't let me go." Igneel grinned sheepishly, hand behind his head in a goofy way.

Jude glared, "Can't handle the children?"

The grin faded to a scowl, "As a matter of fact, I can. I was talking about the orphanage. By the way, Jude, I hear you have got yourself a little bundle of joy. Luigi, was it?"

"Lucy," Jude replied gruffly, "I hear Natsu is sporting pink hair. A little gay, don't you think?"

Igneel growled, "It's not gay! It's perfectly normal!"

Thus another argument had begun over Igneel's son's strange hair colour. Gran Doma sighed; a few other council members snickered, before both men were interrupted.

"ENOUGH! Will you both stop bickering like children!?"

Startled, both men froze in the middle of a sentence, and turned to the irritated Grand Council Members.

"We are here to put an end to this childish nonsense. We, the Council, demand to make peace with both houses, for the good of our country."

"Is this really necessary? I have-"Igneel was cut off.

Gran Doma rose swiftly and nosily with a might BANG!

"Of course it's necessary! Every time one of your family members meet; it ends in catastrophe! You're putting innocents at risk! I'm up to my elbows in paperwork!" Glaring profoundly, Gran sat back down.

"How can we agree, when we always disagree?" Demanded a furious Jude.

"Yeah!" Igneel objected.

Gran Doma leaned back with a smirk, "You are agreeing right now, are you not?"

Flabbergasted, both men spurted, "That's beside the point! Stop copying me! I AM NOT! DAMN IT, JUST SHUP UP!"

Jude let out a calming sigh, "What do you propose we do?"

All of the members within the Council glanced at each other, knowing full well of the Grand Mages decision.

"Marriage."

Igneel, who was no paying much attention, nodded swiftly, before catching himself and exclaiming, "WHAT?!"

Jude was equally shocked. Marriage?

"I am not marring this guy," Igneel proclaimed, "I mean, firstly, he's a guy… Plus I'm already married."

"Not you, you dunce!" Jude snarled at his stupidity, "Just listen for once in your life!"

The Council glanced at each other, before the Grand Mage spoke up, "Join both families together. Jude, you have a beautiful little daughter, correct?"

Jude nodded, not like where the conversation was heading.

"And Igneel, you have a bouncing baby boy, Natsu was it?"

He nodded also.

"Then this is perfect. Natsu will marry Lucy when she reaches adulthood, tying the two families together. Do we have an agreement?"

Both Nobel's glanced around, searching for every excuse in the book, for their children to NOT get married. However, no matter how hard they racked their brains, no excuse fit for the Councils ears would reach them. They gave up with a sigh of defeat.

Reluctantly, both men gripped each other's hands, grimacing with disgust, and shook, their treaty complete.

Little did they know, two pairs of eyes watched and waited. They waited, ever so patiently for the day everything came into place, and when that happened, even the Council members could not stop his wrath.

Jude's POV

X777

The door creaked open, light spilling slowly into the dark, musky room that held my wife Layla. Quietly, afraid to wake her, I tip toed into our room and stood by her sleeping figure, holding our little Lucy close to her. I leaned over her, moving a stray hair for her face gently and lightly kissed her forehead, afraid to wake her from her slumber.

I left the room, swiftly after entering it, and headed to my private study, to oversee the financial welfare of the Heartfilia's and other complicated paperwork. My mind on the recent letter from the Council, to see how Lucky Lucy was faring.

A soft knocking came from the door, snapping me out of my concentration.

"Enter."

The door creaked open and a frail old Mrs. Sepeto entered, a look of worry and concern grooved into her wrinkled old prune face.

"Mrs. Sepeto. How may I help you?" I asked kindly.

"Master Heartfilia, its Layla. It's urgent!"

I rose swiftly and rushed, knocking over Layla's favorite flowers out of their vase. It fell, soaking the carpet. I took no notice as a made a beeline to our master bedroom, where Layla lay sick.

She was surrounded by nurses and medics, the doctor had not arrived yet. I stared at Layla's pale being, a sick, putrid smell formatting around the room. The Nurses moved out of my way, as I sat down next to my wife and held her frail hand. She looked up at me, her eyes pale and deprived of warmth. She suddenly conversed into a fit of coughing, spitting into her handkerchief, hiding it from me. But I saw. Blood.

I held her hand tighter, "Layla… I-"

She cut me off with a hand to my lips, "Jude… I love you…" She whispered weakly, "Look… after… Lucy."

Tears began to well up in my eyes, I cupped her hand to my cheek, chocking out my next words, "Don't leave me Layla… Please…"

Her hand became limp, a smile edged into her pale, yet beautiful face, tears spilling over her cheeks.

"Bye Jude…"

She fell limp, her eyes closed, her last breath leaving her lungs.

"Layla… Layla? Layla! Layla, wake up! Please Layla! Don't go! LAYLA! DON'T LEAVE ME LAYLA!" I yelled, despair and pain piercing my heart like a thousand thorns.

Tears began falling, pitter pattering against the soft woolen blanket. I whispered Layla's name over and over again, willing her to wake up and say, "I'm right here Jude", like she always did. I willed her to look at me and smile her warmest smiles.

But she didn't, no matter how loud I was, no matter how much I wanted it, she would not wake form her eternal slumber.

"Daddy." a little Lucy placed her hand on my arm as she attempted to sooth me, smiling her mother's warm smile. The reminded hurt me.

I looked at the child and saw a pair of Golden Gate keys. Layla…

I stood, brushing Lucy away, not wanting anyone, especially her, near me.

"Daddy, wait," called Lucy. I turned to walk, "Daddy! You have to wake Mommy up with a kiss. Just like the fairy tale Mommy told me about."

I froze, the pain in my heart making me bitter and angry at the child. I spun around and roared, "SHUT UP LUCY! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAIRY TALES! Its time you grew up Lucy. Your mother is dead, not sleeping! GROW UP!"

With a final look to both Layla and Lucy, I left the room, without even a single glance.

Oh, Layla…

Oh man, that was so sad… I nearly cried! I wanted to show why Jude began ignoring Lucy, but I think it's all obvious to you… ;)

Well. Tune in Next time! See you then!

Oh, yeah, please review. (It's the button below *wink*wink*nudge*nudge*)

BitterMondays