Priorities

I was already in Stella when I had my second appointment with the doctor. I still can't believe that there's a life forming inside my stomach. I don't feel nauseous unlike most pregnant women. I just became picky with food and sometimes dizzy.

Sting accompanied me to the doctor. The nurse even asked him if he's the father of my baby.

"I'm sorry for the hassle, Sting," I said while we're on our way to our house in Stella.

"It's really nothing, Lucy. You know you can always count on me," he grinned while looking at the road.

"Thank you so much."

Sting would be going home five days from now. He never forgot to ask if I'll be fine here alone.

"I'm not totally alone, Sting..." I joked.

"You're not always totally alone but most of the time, hmm..."

His eyes wandered around the house. I'm not the only one living here. My Uncle Deneb and his wife are both staying here but they're always travelling due to the nature of their work so they're rarely home.

"I'll be fine. Besides, Uncle Deneb always make sure to have someone watch over me while they're gone..."

I don't want them to worry. I'm really fine even if I'm alone. I also appreciate Uncle's efforts in making me comfortable around them and ensuring my safety even when they're away.

"Call me always, okay?" The sincerity of his voice is evident in his eyes.

I nodded despite knowing I won't do it. I don't want to bother anyone. Besides, not because he said he's willing, it would permit me to abuse his kindness. I will continue being independent. Even the money I'm spending on myself and my baby comes from my years of hardwork and painting.

"You should avoid social media, though..." he advised.

I know that already and that goes without saying. Natsu won't look for me anymore. He's done with me. For me, revenge is futile, but it sure hurt me as hell. He already got what he wanted with me but I'm trying my best to avoid the things that is connected to him just to make sure. As much as possible, I want to live peacefully.

Sting already left when I immersed myself in painting. That is my only outlet. Aside from chatting with Cana and Levy through video calls, I have nothing else to do except making art.

When I finished some of my paintings, most of it got unintentionally sold. Uncle Deneb's foreign visitors that he took home for a dinner liked my works and bought some of it after seeing those in the dining room where I displayed the frames. I honestly just wanted to give those but they kindly refused and insisted on paying so I took that opportunity to earn.

"You didn't tell me, Lucy! Why didn't you tell me about it? I just heard now from Sting!" Mommy said historically.

Her elegant features look stressed as she emphasised how she's clueless about my pregnancy. My stomach is already big and she just got informed about it today.

"I was shocked that Jude knew about this! I thought you and Sting made it a secret to surprise us-"

"Why would we hide this, mom?" I smiled.

"Because I didn't know so I thought of that! When I realised that Jude knows, I felt so stupid! My own daughter is pregnant and I was clueless about it! How many months have you been pregnant, darling?"

"I'm in my seventh month, mom," I said while caressing my stomach.

"And... is it a boy or a girl?"

I sighed, remembering the time where I first knew about my child's gender, "It's a boy, mom..."

"Oh! That's great, dear! When are you due?"

She asked many questions about my baby. I told her the details and that was it.

I was in eight month when Virgo went to Stella for a visit. She said it's for vacation and also to hang out with some of her friends here but I know that she has been planning for this trip ever since I flied here. She gave me hints when we chat online during my first two months here but I quickly discouraged her because I don't want to bother her. Unfortunately, Virgo's too creative so here she is...

"Is it heavy?" she asked and touched my stomach like she's helping me to carry it.

I laughed at her antics while shaking my head in disbelief. It is kind of heavy but I don't want her to worry about it.

I made walking a hobby to exercise myself. It helped me contain my excitement about giving birth and seeing my baby boy. I feel like every pain in my stomach, every movement, would make it pop.

"You know what? Erza gave birth, you remember her, right?" Cana informed when we were video calling.

"Really?" I don't even know Erza's pregnant!

"Yup! It's a girl! They named her Esmeralda. I pity the kid, that name sounds like it was one of Makarov's ex flings! It's as ancient as her mother," Cana's loud laugh echoed, "Your baby boy has someone his age in Fairy Tail, Lucy!"

I just smiled at her. I'm not sure how I should react. I have no plans in introducing my child to Natsu. I'm actually planning to make this a secret. I want a peaceful life so I will leave that part behind.

Daddy, Aunt Michelle, Loke, and Sting were all here when I have birth. Daddy And Auntie stayed here for only a week because they have work while my brother and Sting stayed longer with me. I'm glad they're here.

My knowledge about taking care of a child is very limited but I did my best. They helped me even if all three of us don't know a thing about babysitting.

"We should hire a nanny..." Sting said.

I scoffed, "I can do it. I don't have work anyway."

"What if you need to go somewhere? You can't just leave the baby... For emergency purposes, we should hire a nanny..."

"Sting's right, Lucy. I'm gonna find you a nanny as soon as possible..." Loke said with determination.

Seeing them both change my baby's diapers is really entertaining. It's amusing. Especially every time that Loke and Virgo fight over carrying my baby.

"I'll give him to Lucy, Loke..." Virgo said while carefully placing him on my arms.

I smiled after seeing him raise his small hands, "Hello, Beau..."

During Beau's first month, he's really tiny. All of us were scared of touching him. Even me. But now he's bigger and his eyes are wider too. I wasn't wrong in assuming about his orbs when I was still pregnant. His eyes resembled his father's. I love it... but then... it makes my chest hurt a little bit.

"I heard from Levy that you designed the interior for a hotel in Onibus, is that true?"

I was cradling Beau in my arms when Loke asked about it. Virgo and Sting listened to our conversation. I grabbed the bottle of milk and started shaking it while turning to Loke.

"Yup. It's not bad to do freelance work. The pay was good and it would help me and Beau," I said defensively.

"Why don't you work here in Stella instead? Your work would be more stable here. You don't need to go back to the Fiore. You can even forget," Loke said.

"Loke's right, Lucy... We can visit you anytime you want..."

I chuckled while shaking my head, "You two... The case was stopped and everything went back to normal but your mindset still hasn't changed. I am not going back to Fiore yet. I am enjoying Beau with me here. Don't think too much."

"The case was stopped because there isn't enough evidences for both sides but you know what happened..."

I helped Beau with his milk. I smiled to entertain him while he let out a cute squeal, "Yeah, chill, Loke. And so what if I come back to Fiore? I won't go close to Natsu anymore. I've learned my lesson. Especially now that I have a child. Beau's more important for me. I want to go back to Fiore because my life is there. My mom's there. She still hasn't visit me here. How about my abandoned condo? I haven't seen grandma's grave for a while now... and it would be better if Beau and I would go home so you can go to his birthday parties without excuses, right?"

"Oh! I like that..." Virgo chuckled, "Can I stay in your condo? I'll be his nanny!"

Virgo went to me and played with Beau's hands. We laughed. She's very fond of Beau. But Loke's worse than her.

"We'll be here on his birthdays, Lucy. You don't have to worry about that..." Sting assured.

I bit my lip. Sting always go here. He made it look like flying to Stella was just a trip from his room to his kitchen. He's just wasting his money. If he wanted to visit that much, it's better if Beau and I would stay in Fiore to make it easier and cheaper.

"We're worried about you, Lucy..." Loke tiredly said.

I smiled, "I know... Loke, my life changed when Beau came. I learned many important things because of him including the most important one. I learned how to live for a purpose. My life is going to be all about Beau from now on. Nothing more. I want Beau to know my family, my home, the culture I'm used to. I want Beau to experience. That's my only priority for now. So you don't have to worry about me. Nothing can affect me. I'm stronger now than before when —"

"What if Natsu will show up to you?" Loke crossed his arms.

"So? I'm gonna be civil. Besides, what we had wasn't that deep, Loke. We just dated for four months. Not deep at all."

"Not deep at all but Beau's here?"

Sting cleared his throat before stepping up between us, "Loke, I think Lucy's right. We should think about Beau. Natsu can't touch him. Besides, he doesn't know that he has a child. As long as it's a secret, there'll be no problem."

"You cannot hide my nephew. We won't keep him a secret, Sting."

"Well, Natsu can't just see Lucy and ask her they have a child, right? He doesn't know anything. He even probably resumed on dating anyone so he's pretty occupied..."

My eyes went down to Beau who's eyes are now closed.

"Do what you want! You and Lucy are the one who are close, anyway. But I have a bad feeling about this."

"I said chill, Loke. I am not leaving Stella yet. I'll leave when I feel like it. I'm still enjoying it here so don't fret..."

That's why Beau and I stayed there. They continued flying here whenever they feel like visiting Beau. They returned to Stella after spending two months in Fiore. Sting would visit with Loke. Sometimes, it's Virgo and daddy. I'm content with that.

I returned to painting. They hired me a nanny but I don't want to go back to regular work. I'm thinking of painting and making an online gallery for my works. It's where I'll post my works on sale. That way, I won't need to go to office and can still focus on my son.

Daddy was happy the whole time he's carrying Beau. Seeing them makes me wonder if he's like this when I was still a baby. My eyes watered while looking at him as he swayed Beau.

"My grandchild deserves a better birthday celebration, Lucy!"

I scoffed, "This is grand! You're all here!" Except for mom who's in Alakitasia right now.

I stared at the blue balloons in our garden. We invited some kids around the neighbourhood and children of Uncle Deneb's friends.

"And why the hell would you make him wear a superman costume? Lion King would be much better!" Loke glared.

"It's cute!" Sting laughed while guiding Beau's hand to make a flying stance.

"You boys are so kill joy!" Virgo irritatedly said, "By the way, Lucy, your phone is ringing. It's in the table..."

I almost jumped and quickly searched for my phone. I took one look at daddy who's still playing with Beau before looking at the device.

I thought it's a client but I'm glad Levy called!

"Hi!" I waved at the camera while turning around to show the party.

"Let us see Beau!" Cana's face squeezed Levy.

I went to Beau and showed him on the camera. They both squealed. I smirked while they're admiring the natural reddish lips of my son. His cheeks are red too. His semi mohawk strawberry blonde hair is now messy because of dad.

"Oh my gosh he's so cute! So handsome!"

I turned the camera to me and slowly put some distance to let dad play with Beau again, "Of course, who else would he take after except me?"

"Oh!" They laughed, "Of course, right? Who else would he take after, huh?"

I let their inside joke slide, "I wish you were here..." I said.

"We wish you are here, Lucy. Did you know? We received something!" Cana drum rolled before showing a black envelop.

"What's that?" I asked, confused.

"This is an invitation from one of your recent client. An invitation for you to display your three to five paintings in an Art Gallery with some of international artists. It's an event for artists like you and some interior designers!"

I was dumbfounded at what Cana said so she continued, "Why don't you post a portfolio of your interior designs? Who knows, maybe they'll permit to display it too!"

"Is that legit? I can't believe it..." I cannot imagine my reaction. What if this drunkard is just staging this for me to go home?

"This is! My father's associate, Reedus, is the one who's funding it. You know him, right? The famous painter! Check it on the internet if you're still doubtful. I was planning to give this to Virgo for you to see it personally but she already left. Reedus said that they sent you an email... Don't you check your inbox?"

I bit my lip. Damn! This is a good opportunity!