Better Father

Levy and I talked to the organisers. They permitted us to take down our paintings. It's embarrassing since being here is a big opportunity but it looks like I didn't appreciate it.

"It's such a loss, Lu..." Levy said.

"That's okay. I'm fine with what I have now. I have an offer on those three towers and Stella got sold anyway," I continued walking.

Even if we're headed to where I saw Natsu was earlier, I became calm now. I'm leaving. I'm going home and I'll rest. I would be more comfortable with Beau.

We're near where mommy, Ashley, Natsu, and other businessmen are standing. I got slightly nervous.

Mommy's eyes caught me. She looked at me twice before confirming that it's indeed her eldest daughter.

"Lucy!"

Their mini reunion got startled because of mommy's call. All of them looked at me but my eyes stayed on my mom. She opened her arms to greet me.

"Lu..." Levy warned.

I didn't turn to her. I accepted mom's arms and kissed her cheek. Mommy caressed my back before turning to Natsu.

"Have you seen Lucy works now?"

"We saw earlier when we passed by their isle, Aunt Layla," Natsu said.

I know until now, mommy still doesn't know a thing about Natsu and I. She doesn't have a clue about Beau's father. I don't know if daddy really intended to keep it a secret or mommy didn't really care to know.

She also knows about the shoot out. Yes, I introduced Natsu to her. I told her Natsu's my friend and she also knows that the primary suspects in Magnolia shoot out are the people under Natsu's company. I expect her to at least be cold or just casual at him but I was wrong. I guess time heals... Everyone does move on. Maybe I'm the only one stuck.

"You didn't like it?" Mommy's smiling face turned to me.

It's like she's expecting us to still communicate like how we were before. I cleared my throat before smiling back.

"All of it got sold, mom, so it doesn't matter."

"Oh! Lucy..." was her shocked voice, "I thought..."

"I thought you still can't sell anything?" Ashley said.

"It got sold," I said, "Thanks Ash..."

"Good for you, Lucy..." My sister's tone is soft.

I smiled at her before looking at mommy, "I have to go."

"What? Why? The exhibit just got started. Excuse us... You two chat..." mommy said to Natsu and Ashley.

I looked at them both. Natsu is staring at me, eyes unreadable. It's almost pitch black. Those are his eyes whenever he's angry...

Mommy pulled me away from them. I followed her. My eyes caught Levy and Cana's from who are chatting while waiting for me.

"Lucy, you know that your friend Natsu isn't the mastermind of the Magnolia shoot out case, right?" mommy slowly said.

I don't know why mommy's telling me this. I stayed quiet for a while. I don't know what to say since I don't understand her purpose for this topic.

"You act like you two were not good friends years ago... You introduced us to him," I sensed the disappointment in her voice. Like what I did is a huge mistake.

"We were good friends, mom. Years ago, like what you said-"

"So you still believe that he's the mastermind of the incident? Lucy, your dad knows that Senator Alabaster was the mastermind. The case was just stopped because there's no enough evidence. The Dragneels are out of it..." mommy frowned.

"I know, mom-"

"If you know that then why do you treat your friend that way? Oh well, I can't judge you then. Are you sure you're going? This is a good exhibit since it's been so long since you've got included in an exhibit, right?"

I tiredly sighed. I just opted to fix my hair to distract myself and control my emotions. I regained my posture.

"Yes and I'm happy. I got many offers. I have other things to do, mom."

"Well then, I won't stop you."

I nodded and tiredly kissed her cheek.

"Ashley, Lucy's going!" Mommy called even if I have no plans to tell goodbye to my sister.

"Lucy, are you really going?"

Ashley walked towards me to kiss my cheek. I was shocked at the gesture. Her smile looked genuine and warm. I smiled at her.

"Yeah, I have to go now..."

She nodded and waved at me.

I didn't think twice about turning around. I didn't even take a look at Natsu. I quickly walked out with Cana and Levy. There are some reporters who are waiting at the exit. They're waiting for someone to interview and I wasn't surprised that they asked about Natsu and I's reunion there.

After formally answering their questions, I quickly headed to the parking lot. The three of us argued about staying while accepting the car from the valet.

"You two should stay. Architect is still there. Not because I'm going home would mean that you two should go home too..." I told Levy who's urging to go home now too.

I know Cana wants to stay since there's an after party. Which would, by experience, lead to an after after party, until she cannot drink anymore. Levy, meanwhile, called Gajeel already to fetch her and go home with me.

"It's still early, my God! It's not even dark yet!" I exclaimed.

"That's right, Lev! If I know, you're just excited to be with that antisocial oaf even if you're together almost everyday," Cana clapped loudly to prove her point.

I smiled. I'm happy that my friends enjoyed this opportunity. I'm happy with what I got anyway. This will be a huge help to me and Beau.

"Cana... Just until eight, okay?" Levy irritatedly said.

I went inside the car and m opened my window to hear their conversation.

"I can't believe I'll be part of that team, Cana!" Levy said.

"Oh! You should treat us then! You're the one who got the greatest offer among us three."

Levy will be doing an international project with Architect. It's freelance and not under Dreyar so she's excited to experience new things.

"Sure! Tomorrow? Drinks on..." Levy paused while looking at Cana who just smirked, "Fine, drinks on me."

I shook my head while laughing, "I can't go out and party. Beau..." I said like the name of my son is enough reason.

"Oh, come on! It's just a few drinks, Lu. We'll go out after Beau's asleep," Cana said without room for argument.

I was about to protest but she continued, "You stayed in Stella for years, Lu, and I know you have no life there. No night life, no anything... so this is just one night. One night to make up for all those years..." Levy nodded like she liked Cana's idea.

"I am not going to do that," I said, "Cana, I always bump into Natsu when we're in a club at Sativus. I wonder why..." I glared at her.

Cana laughed before shaking her head, "That was before, Lu. And I don't tell him about our club plans... well, just once on your birthday. And you bump on him on the dancefloor. We won't dance. Pure catch up and that's all..."

What she said woke me up. Right! That was before. Why would I think that Natsu would talk to me on a bar like before? That's stupid! He didn't even directly talk to me in this event!

"Dinner and drinks on me. Make wure Beau's asleep before we'll leave," Levy said.

"I don't drink anymore. I'm not even sure if I can handle hard drinks..."

"Then we'll drink wine, Missus. Just... loosen up! You're in Crocus! You have friends here. You're in the top of the social pinnacle here. Live it!"

I rolled my eyes and gave up, "Okay. Tomorrow, then. I need to go now..."

"Thank you!" Cana said with wide smile.

I left them both there. I drove straight to my condo and erased everything that has been bothering me.

"Virgo, has Beau eaten?" I asked my sister who's reading a magazine.

"Oh? You're home early, Princess. Yup, the young Prince has eaten. Quite many, if I might add," she laughed at her joke.

I smiled at her and nodded before carrying my son who's playing with leggo beside Virgo. I let myself get lost to his onyx eyes. His eyes are dark, it's really like this when it's nighttime.

"Mamm..." he smiled. His red lips became more defined.

"Beau..." I cooed.

I sat on the sofa and caught Virgo's suspicious eyes.

"Why are you home? I thought you're going to be late tonight?"

I took a deep breath, "I already got an offer and I changed my mind. I don't want to sell one of my paintings."

"Natsu's there?" she asked without hesitation.

One look and my sister quickly got her answer.

"Oh my God! What happened? I bet it's bad? How about the media?" Virgo asked.

"I know how to answer the media. I just didn't know that daddy and General Dragneel are now friends. We talked earlier," I said.

"Of course, Lu... They were serious with their transactions with us. It's really true that they needed firearms and didn't do it to gather evidence."

Beau wiggled out of my arms and grabbed the leggo. I caressed her hair while he's playing. I was shocked when he jumped off the sofa and ran towards the kitchen.

"So... Drakes is still alive?"

I stood up to look for my son. A shy squeal from Aries got me my answer. She's probably sorting the kitchenware. I carried Beau who's currently tugging Aries' apron.

"Sorry, Aries..." I said to the blushing pinkette before returning to the living room to talk to Virgo.

"Yes, Drakes' still alive. I think General Dragneel is starting to get the hang of it."

I nodded, "Dad filed a case against Natsu three years ago?"

"Dad was frustrated. He doesn't know who to blame. I bet he's also guilty. That bullet was for him."

"But why Natsu? What made him think that Natsu shot me?"

"Natsu Dragneel fired a gun. And yes, most of the men were from Drakes. Natsu is a part of Drakes... He's there when it happened. Who else is there to blame? And he's not only a part of Drakes, he's the head of Drakes, Lucy... Even I thought that it's his fault. Even Loke, Lu, and I know you also believed that..."

Beau wiggled form me again. He's getting restless and really energetic.

"We also knew that same week that he wasn't the one who shot you. But dad wants justice to he serves. We thought that he's one of the masterminds..." Virgo shrugged.

"And how did everything get settled?"

"When daddy and General Dragneel talked, dad asked for forgiveness for what happened. General Dragneel also asked for one. He's really a good man. Even I cannot believe that he can forgive daddy for what he did. I mean... it costed him his father, you know. They're civil with each other... dad and him."

I took a deep breath. At least I got a glimpse of what happened. I looked at Beau who's now on the carpet and staring at the magazine about cars.

"Good for dad. I didn't know all these. Actually, I don't want to know more," I said.

Virgo nodded. Maybe she understood what I meant by that. There's no point in anything if you already made a decision about something.

"Virgo, are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Hmm... yup. Morning 'till noon, I think. Why? You have something to do?"

"Yup... Cana demands a night out. I'll just give her than since I'll start working this Monday."

"It's fine. I'll go home before night so I'll look after Beau while you're out."

I don't know how to thank Virgo without giving her the sadistic treatment she's addicted to. Sting's reliable but I don't want to ruin his schedule. I know he's busy with their business and other things.

When Beau got finally tired with running around, he got sleepy. It's almost ten when I saw his sleepy eyes. I carried him carefully to tuck him to his bed.

Virgo's watching TV and looks like marathoning a series. She let me with Beau since she knows she'll have him for herself the tomorrow.

I placed Beau on his bed before fixing the comforter. I gently held his small hands, cannot believe that my son would be the one who'll change my insights in life. He's the one who melted my anger and frustrations before. I laid beside him, the corner of my eyes heated up.

We can do this. I'll be okay as long as he's there with me. Everything is fine with me as long as we're together.

The door slowly opened. Virgo has a small smile as she toon a peek. I smiled back.

"Lucy..." in her hushed voice, "What happened in Art Gallery?"

"Why?" I sat on the bed, combing my hair with my fingers.

"Did you go home early because of Ashley and Natsu?" her voice was hoarse while saying that.

She showed me her phone. The screen displayed a picture of Ashley and Natsu. My sister's watching Natsu's expression while Natsu's laughing at someone who's not included in the frame. The caption says: Real Estate Tycoon and bachelor Natsu Dragneel is dating an artist?

I quickly returned her phone.

"She's your sister. He's dating her?" She gently asked. "She's dating him?"

"Ashley doesn't know about me and Natsu," I simply said.

I stood up to leave the sleeping Beau. I thought about staying the night in his room but I need to go out to continue the talk with Virgo.

"But he... he knows you two are sisters... Really? What an ass!" Her voice raised. It's a good thing we're already in the living room.

"I'm aware that this news might be fake but... for Pete's sake! I can't believe it... I can't believe he's the father of my nephew! He's an asshole, Lucy!"

My chest constricted. I don't know what to say to her.

"I know he's an asshole. Even before," it's the only thing I could say.

Virgo shook her head in disbelief, "My nephew deserves a better father..."