Author's note: Hello, peeps! Yep, another chapter. I do hope you guys didn't curse me too much for the late updates, but I do have trouble finding inspiration. Whatever your thoughts about me uploading so slow, I will always love you!
Guests, I'll be writing about Romeo's father and Wendy's mother in future chappie, so stay tuned!
JadeOccelot , things are turning, you'll see hehe
yamiyugi (Jon) , there's no readon to apologize, since I, too, work and know what's like to not have time for anything, really. And it's good you want to be a father so soon, this means you're mature enough to want such responsibility. but it's a wonderful responsibility which I never regret. what I do regret is the fact that I don't have more kids, even though my boy makes me crazy most of the times. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Cubbies , yeah, no biggie hehe. Gosh I loved beating up smart-asses and bullies. Really. It made my day each time.
Secret , well I meant it to be a little angsty. Thank you for R&R!
All in all, thank you for all the patience and love and reviews and reading my fics... And everything! By the way, I'd love to see a review/comment in your native language! (Of course, please consider the writer, as well, since I only know 4 languages: Romanian, English, Spanish and Japanese, so add a translation, as well, if you guys happen to not be a speaker of those 4 languages)
Thank you for the infinite patience, my Misty~es! Lots of love from yours truly, MistyQue!
The weeks flew by faster than Gajeel could realize, already feeling queasy as he stood in front of the café he was supposed to meet Wendy's biological mother. He admitted to himself. He was afraid what he'd find inside the small place. What if she was what he feared? And if she wasn't, was he ready to give Wendy up to reunite her with someone who might be able to provide and care for her better than himself? He recalled the call from a couple of weeks earlier.
Gajeel kept staring at the file in front of him. The curly brunette in the photo was holding a plate with numbers. Cana Alberona: Possession and use of narcotics. Sentenced to one and a half year imprisonment. Bail set for 50000$ - not paid. He felt sick. Gajeel ran a hand through his spikes, wondering what to do. He recalled all the stupid shit he did over the years and thanked whatever Divine power that sent Makarov to him before he dug his own grave. Still, he didn't have a child, only to abandon her and never look back.
"I see you tried a few times to get straight… Too bad you couldn't resist temptation." He skimmed through the papers, reading briefly from each page. "Aaaaand… there's nothing saying you actually had a baby. Great…" He closed the file and threw it disgusted on his desk, leaning back on his chair. "I could use some help, ya know!" He growled frustrated to the ceiling, throwing his hands in the air. He just had to read Wendy's birth certificate and other documents she had.
More weeks passed. Summer break was getting closer and things were getting complicated. Why the hell did he have to volunteer himself as a guardian for Romeo? He had enough work as it was, and trying to reach a certain Cana Alberona was proving more difficult than he previously thought. Oh, right… Darn feelings…
It was several weeks after he actually found a valid phone number and an address. Funny how karma works, the lady was staying at a motel near his father's office. He followed her for a few days, just to make sure it was the right person, then put the file in one of his drawers, still thinking about whether or not to call her.
Then, Natsu reminded him of his mission. And he slipped a few details. Great, him and his big mouth. So, Monday morning after their pool party he called her. She answered after the first two beeps.
"Hello?" A frightful voice could be heard.
"Yeah… Hello. Sorry to bother you… Is this Cana Alberona?" A long pause. "Hello?" Gajeel tried again.
"Who's callin'?"
"My name is Gajeel Redfox."
"And?"
"I… It's kinda hard to explain… I'm raising your kid…" He heard a gasp, then silence followed. "Are… you still there?"
"I have no child." She said in a trembling voice, Gajeel hearing the tears.
"I have her birth certificate that confirms what I'm saying, lady."
"What do you want from me?" She was openly crying now, her voice pleading.
"Hey, calm down, I didn't call to give you any trouble, I just wanna talk, if that's OK with you. I don't wanna dump her in your care, I like raising her, she's a great kid that changed me for the better. I just… I wanna be prepared once she's old enough to ask questions about her biological mother. That's all." Another long pause that ended in a few sniffles.
"What do you want to know?"
"Well, first of all, how did Wendy end up in the care of my father and why did he lie to my mom that she was his, when she obviously isn't."
"You're… Oh, my God…" She whispered. "I thought it was just a coincidence… But… You're Metalicanna's son?"
"Yes. Do you think we could meet? There are some things you just can't talk on the phone."
"Uhm… I'm not sure…"
"I can come by in the weekend and meet up in the neighborhood. Anywhere you want." The woman thought for a bit before answering.
"Okay… Café a la Lune, Saturday, 10 a.m. Be there."
"Thank…!" Click. "…you. It's not nice to hang up on people, ya lil' ungrateful…" Gajeel squeezed his phone for a second, then released it. He dialed his mother, making plans for the upcoming weekend.
So, after leaving Wendy in his mother's care on Saturday morning, he made his way to where he was supposed to meet Wendy's mother. He stopped dead in his track, staring at the Café sign, unsure of his next move.
With a deep breath, he moved his legs forward, the bell ringing as the door opened. He scanned the room briefly, noticing a few people enjoying their breakfast. He didn't see any curly hair, so he chose a table and decided to wait. He pulled his phone out, checking for any messages. Inbox empty. Gajeel decided to call the one he was meeting, just to let her know he was there. Brrrr, brrr a sound from behind him could be heard. Funny, he could swear he was calling the person behind him by the sync-ed sounds in his phone and behind him.
"Hello? Hello?" She answered.
"Yeah, I'm here. Yeah, I'm here." Gajeel 's phone was acting weird, making an echo. But then he snapped his head behind him at the same time with the person behind him. Wide eyes met his red ones, the lady gasping.
"Metallicana…" She whispered in shock.
"Cana Alberona?" She nodded vigorously, her mouth still opened in shock. "Gajeel Redfox." He got up and extended a hand to shake.
"Uh… Hi. Please, sit." The brunette offered, Gajeel sitting across her. A waitress came and took their orders, then left them in silence.
"So…"
"So, uh…" Gajeel started together with Cana.
"Go ahead." She offered.
"No, no, you first." Gajeel insisted.
"Well, uhm… I wanted to ask how… is Wendy…"
"She's good, she's 5 already. We had a birthday party with balloons and girly stuff. She's attending kindergarten."
"Oh." She nodded thoughtfully, then the waitress came to serve their orders. "Good, education is important." She said, looking down at her hands. Gajeel looked at her, noticing some bruises under the hem of her blouse. She had straight hair and fearful eyes. She looked nothing like the photo from her file or the way she looked a few weeks prior, when he tailed her. She looked exhausted and her skin had a pale tint.
"Can I get to the point? I told Wendy I won't be gone long." She nodded shyly, so Gajeel continued. "How did you end up meeting my father?"
"I was... in between jobs and he hired me, even though I was expecting. He was such a kind man. He taught me what a man should be like."
"Did you two... I mean... Sorry to ask such a personal question, but..."
"If you're asking about any affairs, no, we never did."
"Oh, OK. That's a relief." Gajeel exhaled contently. "He never said anything, either, but he claimed Wendy was his and mom..."
"He offered to take her in before I..." She looked away uncomfortable. "Cops got a tip and, when they searched my place... My ex was a dealer. When I found the courage to break up with him, he framed me. At the time, I was using, too... So they never believed me."
"How long were you in?"
"A year and a half. Wendy would've been institutionalized if Metalicanna wouldn't have taken her in... I'll always be grateful to him." She smiled bitterly.
"I gotta ask... I mean, please, don't misunderstand. I love Wendy as my own. But... Do you want her back?" Gajeel held his breath as he waited for Cana's answer.
"Right now... In my situation... No. I have too much on my mind and I can't afford to take care of a child. I suppose you're not here to listen to my sob story and I don't want your pity. I'm in some deep shit from which I can't get out right now, so she's better off with you." Gajeel exhaled relieved.
"How long did you care for her?" Gajeel asked after a long moment of silence, startling the brunette.
"Uhm... 2 or 3 years... I don't really remember... I was in a... difficult time."
"Did you abuse her?" Gajeel had to ask. Wendy had been such a fearful child at first, cringing at every sudden movement he made. Plus the nightmares that woke her up screaming.
"I..." Cana gulped and looked away. "Probably... I don't really remember much... The only times I was sober was when I worked for Metalicanna."
"She has some trouble sleeping alone at night, too." Cana looked at her hands.
"I didn't know... I mean, I had to work during the day and I was helping my ex sell his stuff at night. At the time, I thought she wouldn't even feel those 3-4 hours I was away..."
"She remembers them. And hated every moment you were away." Gajeel said with disgust. He, of all people, shouldn't judge others, but, man, it was hard. He squeezed his fists in anger under the table, realizing he wouldn't give Wendy back to this woman, even if she begged. She was more far-gone than he ever was, and that was saying something.
"Sorry wouldn't cut it, I know. I realize I was a bad mother. Maybe it would've been better for everyone if I just terminated the pregnancy when I had the chance, but Metalicanna... He spoke with such love of his children. He was so proud... and made me feel I could be a good mother. Didn't work out the way we planned it... but she's on good hands." Gajeel could hear the regret in her voice, not being able to comfort her.
"Listen, if you ever need help... I know a few people in the force, I could get you protected." She smiled bitterly at him when the man slipped a card under her fingers.
"Just like your father..." She said in a small voice. "You're just like your father..." Her eyes filled, making her look away from Gajeel. "I'll... I should go. Thank you for everything." She pocketed the small rectangle paper, then left the diner.
Gajeel sighed heavily as he walked back to his mother's place. He racked a hand through his spikes, thinking hard. He was like Cana Alberona at one point in his life. Abusing his body, abusing other people, just because he wanted to show his parents they didn't control him. He felt sick as he recalled all the stupid things he'd done. If it wasn't for captain Makarov, he would've slipped all the way to the bottom.
That night he nearly killed a man in cold blood. Man, he was ever grateful for the beating Laxus and his goons gave him. He woke up at the hospital, with cuffs on his hands and feet, hurting all over. And Makarov came to ask him if he wanted to press charged against the police officers that beat the snot out of him. At first, he got really angry and wanted to do just that, but he recalled the man's face. The man he was hired to kill. He still didn't know how old man Makarov did it, but he just looked at him with those wise, old eyes that seemed to search all the way through his soul. Then Gajeel burst into years like a pansy.
"I deserved it." He croaked, trying to look away from Makarov. The old man merely nodded, looking at his feet.
"We've been trying to catch Porla for a good decade. We have a few people on the inside, but so far, the evidence we have is not enough to put him away for life. We could always use a hand, especially from an inner circle guy like you. Of course, my plea of help comes with benefits on your record." Makarov took out a business card, wrote his number on it and placed it on the night stand next to Gajeel's bed. "Think about it an…"
"I'll do it." Gajeel said in a shaky voice.
"Don't rush on this. There are dangers you should first consider."
"My life doesn't mean shit right now, thanks to that bastard. I'm sick of this life. I want out. And the only way I can get out is if I put him behind bars. And even then I ain't sure he won't be coming for me. But I don't give a shit. I'm past that point. I just want this life to end." His red eyes were pleading. Makarov could see he was desperate. His conscience kicked in when he most needed it. Gajeel Redfox wasn't beyond redemption. Wasn't without a soul, as Laxus said after multiple stakeouts at Gajeel's place.
In many things, he resembled a lot with his blonde grandson. Tough-looking because he wanted to keep everyone away. Probably because he didn't want to let anyone get too attached to him. Because he was loyal to those close to his heart. And, after this night, he showed he was true to himself. He was just a lost child, trying to keep into the light, even though he walked in darkness. So Makarov got close to Gajeel's bed, the raven haired man still looking away to hide the tears streaming down his cheeks.
"I promise you this, Redfox. I will free you. I will put Porla and anyone else who could harm you out of comission for good." The old man placed a warm hand on Gajeel's shoulder, squeezing it lightly. The young man snorted, not believing any word. "You'll see. Just hang in there and get us evidence. Heal now, God knows you need it." Makarov gave his shoulder another squeeze, then took his leave.
That's how his life started. And how he became indebted to old man Makarov. Well, that's how he felt, anyway, cuz the old man always told him Gajeel didn't need to pay him back anything. But his soul felt the need to help his mentor, whatever the old loon asked him.
Gajeel smiled and shook his head as he remembered how he met Makarov, walking back to his mother's.
"Gajeel!" A shrilling laughter brought him back to reality, just in time to brace himself for the glomp attack from Wendy.
"Hey, squirt!" He bent over and scooped her up, propping the small girl on his right hip. "Told ya I won't be long. Missed me?" The girl nodded vigorously, hugging his neck. The next moment she started to shake her legs, wanting down. Gajeel placed her down, Wendy running back to Natsu.
"Everything good?" His brother asked, shooting the ball he was playing with.
"Yeah..." Gajeel answered half-heartedly. Natsu raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't want the kid back. She has... issues."
"Aaaand..."
"And what?" Natsu got closer to his brother and whispered.
"Did dad and her... you know...?"
"She said they never did anything." Gajeel lowered his voice, too.
"Should we tell mom? You know, for a peace of mind."
"I dunno yet." Gajeel exhaled heavily. "I have no idea. I know what my next move is. Adoption." Natsu gapped at his brother.
"You sure about this?"
"Yep. I want Wendy in my life. And now that I know for sure Alberona doesn't want her kid back..." He took a small recorder out of his pocket and showed it to his brother. "I'm gonna be a papa. Officially. I just wanted to know more about the lady, ya know? Wendy's gonna grow and she's gonna ask questions. I wanna answer them. And, if she wants to meet the woman who gave birth to her... Well, I'll deal with it when the time comes."
"You really have grown up." Natsu said with awe. "Dad would've been proud." Gajeel gulped the lump in his throat, slapping his brother on the back.
"Thanks, man. Means a lot." The two then went to grab a beer, continuing their Saturday.
TBC
How about it? Did you liked it? Loved it? Hated it? Please review, your opinion matters to me as a writer.
