Resemblance
"How about the Crimson, Porsh? It's Madame Aguria's personal favorite. She said her friend also likes it," Levy commented while I'm showing her the gallery.
I didn't expect to paint this much. I'm just very inspired everyday. Sometimes I just wake up already filled with ideas.
"It's already sold. It's not with me before I came here. Uncle Deneb's business associate bought it"
"Hey... Why don't you just go home and paint so you won't need to ship it?" Cana's voice was heard in the background.
"Yeah. That's what I'm thinking too."
"So when are you going home? Don't tell me we still have to wait for Beau's next birthday? I want to kiss him already, Lucy!"
I scoffed, "No, Lev. The exhibit's near, right? I'm going to join so probably before the dates."
"Sure?" Levy's face brightened like I gave her a really expensive gift.
I rolled my eyes at her while Cana forced her face to the camera by shoving Levy away, "You better not think about ditching us."
"Fine! Besides, Mr. Jonah called me earlier to inform me about the exhibit. Architect also contacted me about my interior and told me that he might hire me for his new project but I'm still thinking about it."
"Why are you hesitant?" Levy pouted.
"I'm not sure if I can do regular work. I'm still worried about Beau."
I turned to my son who's playing with the paints. I went to him to check his hands. It's smudged with blue green paint. In front of us stood my new painting which is still in the making. It's an abstract painting comprised of dark brown, black, and green. It's the colour of his eyes — the rich hue of the forest.
"Hi Beau!" Levy, who's now sharing the phone with Cana, squealed when she spotted my son.
"I'm sorry, he's starting to get naughty," I smiled before turning to my phone again.
"That's just natural, Lu. I can't wait to see him, really. And about regular work, I think Architect would understand if you wanted to go freelance."
"He doesn't accept freelance, right?"
"He does! His project under Imperati was freelanced! Laxus didn't get angry because of that."
"Really?" It made me think twice about my decision.
Freelance work has gotten my interest these days. I can see myself working regularly because of Beau. I want to personally care for him. I went and carried Beau. He's heavy now and my arms hurt whenever I'm carrying him.
"I am truly amazed..." Levy commented.
I sighed deeply before sitting on the sofa. Beau's on my lap while craning his neck to look at my phone. "Your body stayed the same after everything..."
I chuckled, "I still work out, Lev. Hey... I'll think about what you said. I need to wash Beau first. I need to go..."
"Sure thing! I also need to go back inside the Club. Cana already left me to find a new boytoy. I'll call again next week."
I just smiled before dropping the call. I turned my attention to Beau who's now entertaining himself with the paint on his hands.
"Let's wash up now, Beau Beau..." I tickled him by kissing his neck.
He chuckled. I really like the sound of his laugh.
"Mmma..." he said.
I bit my lip and kissed the tip of his nose. He clapped his hands and squealed.
I stood up while carrying him when my eyes caught a glimpse of the painting I was making. There's something darkblue on the corner. His handprint is there!
"Oh, Beau!"
I didn't notice that he placed his handprint on that painting while I'm talking to Levy and Cana. I stared at it for a moment before coming to a decision that his handprint fits the painting.
"I think you're genius, though..." I said before kissing him again.
I pondered hard on what Levy told me. I wanted to go home to Fiore because my family is there. Dad even offered me to stay with them. I'm just hesitant with Aunt Michelle so I declined. I would rather stay in my condo with Beau. I'm thinking of turning the small room beside mine to his baby room.
"It's almost done. The wallpaper's fine and the flooring is in the process as well as the interior..." Virgo answered when I asked her about the ongoing renovation for Beau's room.
"Thank you so much, Virgo."
"There's a room in our house for Beau too. Loke made sure of it."
"Aunt Michelle let him?" the shock I'm feeling is evident in my voice.
"Well, it's an empty room so mom has no grounds to stop him."
"Wow! Thank you so much, Virgo!"
I can't believe everything that is happening. Ever since Beau came, I started to feel the love I was longing for my family. Beau is my biggest blessing.
"Darling, I can't wait. I can't wait to see my grandchild!" Mommy laughed in the monitor.
"That's going to happen soon, mommy,"
"Are you going to stay in your condo or your dad's house?"
"Of course, mom, my condo..."
Mommy stayed quiet for a while. She's in a resort in Midi. Uncle Apollo has a business trip so she joined, she told me earlier.
"How's your paintings? I heard from Ashley that your works are beautiful."
It shocked me so much. My sister and I haven't talked since I left for Stella. I didn't know that she gives attention to my paintings.
"She's going to be in this exhibit. She's going to present the Satellite in that event."
"What exhibit?" I suddenly got nervous without knowing the reason.
"The thing about Art Gallery. It's an exhibit with international artists. She was given one slot so she chose the Satellite. Is that okay with you?" I clearly saw the guilt in mommy's face.
I tilted my face to snap out of my thoughts, "That's okay, of course. Satellite hasn't been with me for a long time now, mom."
"Okay! I'm sure she'll be happy."
"I'm gonna be in that same event."
I saw how her elegant jaw dropped, "Oh? So you'll be home before that event?"
"Probably..." I answered.
I thought I'm already doing good with my family but it seems like my insides aren't still contented. I still feel bitter every time I think about Ashley painting Satellite which is originally mine. It means so much to me. I comforted myself by thinking that someone has probably made something like that before I made Satellite to banish unwanted thoughts for my sister
I packed my things. Our flight to Fiore is next week. Sting leaned his back on the doorframe of my room.
I saw his form on my peripheral vision so I stopped loading my suitcase with clothes.
"Are you sure you're going back?" he asked.
Beau is in the bed, messing with the clothes. I let him do that to at least see him while I'm packing.
Sting entered the room and walked to the bed. He carried Beau and lifted him in the air. The latter chuckled loudly. He really liked to be carried like that.
"Yup. Isn't it obvious?" I laughed.
"Lucy," he placed Beau on the bed, my son pouted.
"Your son is..." he seriously studied Beau.
"I know..." I took a deep breath. My son is a spitting image of his father. He's just turning two but I already know what he's going to look like after a few tears. He got nothing from me except my skin. His hair, even blonde, has a tint of pink! Everything from his eyes, nose, and lips resembled Natsu!
"One look and Natsu would quickly know it's his."
"I am not going to let Natsu touch Beau. And I am not going to let myself be involved with him again, Sting. Don't worry..."
"You can't keep this. What about pictures? What about friends? They'll see Beau, Lucy."
"I'm going to keep a low profile. And he's just a child, he can't be the centre of issues."
"Not for you. But what about for other people?" he asked.
I hate to admit it but he has a point. But I won't let it happen to Beau. He's just a child, for God's sake!
Sting stayed in Stella and promising he'll take us home. He gave me no chance to disagree as he reasoned that he would help with our baggages. We can't bring the nanny in Fiore so Virgo looked for a new one. Sting kept his promise as he was the one who managed our suitcases when we were in the airport while I'm carrying Beau. He's a big help.
"It's his first plane ride..." I said while we're boarding the plane.
I took tons of pictures of Beau. Sting handed him a toy airplane.
"Plane!" Beau exclaimed while looking around.
I sent the pictures to daddy with the caption "his first plane ride..."
I became more excited than Beau the whole trip. He fell asleep for a while but I stayed wide awake. Maybe because after almost three years, I am now going home.
After almost fourteen hours in the airplane, the wide City of Crocus can now be seen in aerial view. Beau's awake and is enjoying the view beside me.
"Crocus..." I whispered in his ear before kissing his cheek.
He stayed amazed while looking at the view. Loke would he the one to fetch us and we'll go to daddy's house. Mommy, Uncle Apollo, Ashley, Aunt Michelle, and Virgo are already there. It's an intimate brunch. Uncle Weis won't make it because of important matters but Sting's going to be there of course.
"Beau!" Loke exclaimed while taking him from me.
"My arms hurt," I said. "He's heavy.."
Loke intensely stared at Beau's face. He turned to me. I know what he's going to say. I have heard that repeatedly from Cana and Levy. Not again, please.
The bodyguards fetched our baggages while Sting opened the door for me.
"Thank you..." I said before getting inside the car. Sting followed me while Beau stayed with Loke in the backseat of the SUV.
"Is mom fine in your house?" I asked.
Loke nodded, "She said they'll leave after brunch. Mommy and her are still not in good terms but..." he shrugged.
"I'm sorry, Loke..."
"I already know that. No problem with that, Lu. Don't worry about it."
"Just... thank you..." I sound like a broken stereo as I repeatedly thank the people around me. "By the way, you have your new Chevy —"
"What? No! No way!" I shouted.
Loke's eyebrows furrowed, "You didn't let us help with the bills for Beau and now you don't want to accept the car?"
"Loke, I can buy some low cost car. That's too expensive."
"Come on, Lucy. Please? It's just a car..."
I rolled my eyes. I became careful with my own money ever since Beau came. I want to raise him with my own earnings. That's why I went home here. Daddy wouldn't let me live alone with Beau in Stella. At least here, I have my own condo.
Loke pointed the new black compact car which is parked in their wide garage. I shook my head but didn't protest because of nervous. I don't know why I'm becoming nervous right now when they're my family.
We went inside the house. Sting followed me while Loke is still carrying Beau. I saw all of them when we entered the dining room. I got shocked to see them despite being informed about it.
"Lucy, darling!" Mommy greeted before hugging me. Virgo squealed before excitedly running towards Beau while Loke squatted his hands away.
"Mom, I missed you," I said.
"Lucy..." Ashley, whose hair is curled, hugged me.
I smiled while caressing her back, "Ash..."
We let each other go and I looked at uncle. I nodded at him and he did the same.
"Is that my grandson?" Mommy said while grinning.
She went to Beau and kissed him multiple times. I slightly got embarrassed because I saw Beau grimaced at mommy's kisses. Maybe he saw that mom's unfamiliar to him.
"Oh he's so handsome, Lucy!" Mommy said.
I smiled, "Thank you..."
"Let me carry him, Virgo..." mom said, entertaining herself with my son.
I turned to Aunt Michele who's just sipping her wine while observing us. I walked towards her and daddy.
"Dad..." I greeted before kissing his cheeks. "Auntie. I'm sorry for all the trouble."
"No problem. Let's start the brunch. The sooner we start, the faster it will end..." she said.
I nodded before looking for my seat. Beau stayed seated on Virgo's lap while we're eating. The conversation went to business before coming back to me, "Are you going to stay here for good, darling?" Mom asked.
"I don't think so, mom. Maybe we'll go back to Stella," I said before drinking water.
"Oh! Will Sting be with you when you go back?"
Sting stopped eating to answer her question, "If Lucy wants to, Auntie, then why not..." he grinned.
"Oh well! But I do hope you'll stay here in Fiore longer because I still want to see my grandson..." mommy looked at Beau while smiling.
Virgo passed Beau to daddy. He's eating the baby food that the helps cooked for him. Daddy grabbed the spoon before feeding Beau with care.
"Brung him to our house, Lucy. Please..." mom held my hand.
I stared at her hand which is above mine. I nodded at her. I assured her I will.
The next topics were about what happened in Stella and why mom wasn't able to visit. I didn't ask her about that. I'm just glad that at least some of my loved ones are with me while I'm away.
"Do you want us to drop you off to your condo today, Lucy?" Mommy asked, hinting their leave.
"They won't be going home today, Layla. Lucy and Beau will stay in my house."
"Oh!" Mommy looked at Aunt Michele.
"Well..." she shrugged her shoulders while standing up.
