Beau's Father

He stayed silent as he stayed beside me. He just talks to some people he knows when asked. I didn't try dancing again. I stayed in the sofa and just talked to our friends about work

Natsu stayed beside me for an hour. I wonder if he's bored. He doesn't really know the people here. I just waited for another thirty minutes, I'm going home.

"So you two..." a friend gestured Natsu.

I know what she meant. She didn't have to finish her sentence as I quickly refuted her statement.

"No... No..." I said while grabbing my wineglass.

"Oh! I'm just confused..."

I turned to Natsu who stood up and greeted someone. He's not listening to us because he was busy talking to Bixslow and Rogue, Gajeel's brother, who just arrived.

"I thought he's with your sister, Ashley Luna?"

I just shrugged. I don't know what's the real score between Natsu and Ashley. Ashley likes Natsu, it's the only thing I know.

Rouge's eyes met mine. I turned to the three of them instead of continuing to talk about that.

"It's good to see you, Lucy!" Rouge greeted. We weren't that close but he's Sting's buddy since we were in high school. I don't know about now, though.

"Hello, Rouge!" He smiled back before turning to Natsu again.

I roamed my eyes around the bar, looking for Levy and Cana.

"Lucy, want some beer?" Bixslow asked as he refilled the glasses of some friends around me.

"No thank you, Bix. I'll drive and... I'm actually about to go home, it's late."

"Oh! You're out early..."

I was about to say it's because of my son but I stopped myself. Natsu's around. I am not sure if I am ready to tell him or if he is ready to hear it yet.

"I'm tired. I came straight here after work," I explained.

Moments passed when I saw Cana on the dance floor. She's dancing wildly with some guys. I couldn't stop myself and went to Levy. I know I shouldn't ruin this day but I can't help it.

"Lev, look at Cana... I think she's drunk," I said.

Cana turned to our friend. She shook her head before standing up to go to the dance floor but saw Cana dragging Bacchus, the owner of the bar, somewhere.

Levy and I looked at each other. I have a feeling what's between them, I just can't put a right word to it. Levy smirked before turning to me again, "Isn't she always?"

I just shook my head and chuckled, "Anyway, Lev, I need to go. You know..." I trust that I don't need to explain that one too much.

"Oh, yeah..." she looked behind me. I followed her eyes and saw Natsu who's looking at me. Our eyes met. I think he's been looking at me for a while know and he knows I'm about to go leave. He stood up.

"Take... uhm... care then. Is he taking you home? How about your car?" Levy asked as I shook my head, "I can drive. He doesn't need to take me home."

"Okay then..." Levy glanced behind me again. I felt Natsu's presence there. I don't really know what to say to him. I have yet to find out. This is not an easy decision to make.

"Take care, Lev..."

I nodded and kissed her cheek, "Happy birthday and congratulations again."

Natsu stood beside me as he also greeted Levy and gave a smirk at the grinning Gajeel before muttering something about Erza killing him for not inviting them. We left the pale engaged man and my chuckling petite friend there after that.

I didn't think twice before walking straight to my car after we exited the bar. I remember it clearly years ago. That every time I have my car with me, he would always insist on leaving where it was just for him to take me home.

I opened the door but didn't come in yet. I turned to Natsu who's still standing beside me with his hands in his pocket.

"I'm going home now. If you want to enjoy the party, you may. You don't have to go too," I said.

"I'll go home. I'll watch you go and make sure you're home safely..." he seriously said.

I nodded and turned to my car. I wanted to ask if he's still living on the same condo but I stopped myself.

I went inside my car and turned the engine on. I bet he'll drive all the way to my building just to see me home. And that's what he did.

My condominium is not that far from the bar and he really tailed me. I don't want to smile at that but the corner of my lips involuntarily went up. His stalking skills are still his strength, huh?

It was Sunday went mommy invited me, Beau, and Sting to their house again. I said yes since I also wanted to take Beau out. Outdoor playing is good for him. He also likes pools.

We were swimming. I swam with Beau since he needs supervision while playing in the water. Mommy and Sting are on the table on the poolside.

I hugged Beau before putting on his inflatable vest. He chuckled at that and entertained himself with the water while Sting is watching us. "By the way, Auntie, where's Uncle Apollo?" I heard Sting asked.

"Oh! Apollo is busy with the business, dear. By the way, thanks for my favorite wine!"

"Lucy was the one who bought that, auntie," Sting said.

I looked at mommy and saw her small smile towards Sting. "He's really workaholic. How about Ashley? Is she around?"

"Oh, she is in her room, dear. She's not feeling well so she doesn't want to come out," Mommy turned to me.

My eyebrows furrowed, "What happened to her, mom? Is she sick?"

Mommy sighed deeply. She didn't answer me. I turned my attention to Beau and even got to play with him for a moment before she spoke, "She's just probably depressed."

"Why is she depressed?" I asked. "You know, Lucy... Didn't I tell you that Ashley likes Natsu Dragneel?"

Sting and I looked at each other. I saw how he got stunned at what mommy said.

"She heard a rumor that Natsu's dating another girl. I just don't know who that is. I wonder who? Do you have any idea?" Mommy couldn't look at me. She glued her eyes on the wine.

"I don't have any idea." I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. "You know, they were seen in a bar, according to Ashley's friends. They were not exactly romantic, they said, but you know your sister. This is the first time she's interested with someone. So this emotion isn't familiar to her."

I couldn't speak. Is it possible that Ashley's friends saw me? And does mommy know but she doesn't want to tell me straightly?

"Auntie, Ashley deserve guys who-"

"Ashley likes Natsu Dragneel," mommy cut him off, "Darling, Lucy, I know you and Natsu are friends. Maybe you know something about Natsu's rumoured girlfriend?"

I slightly froze. I didn't answer her immediately. I turned my attention to Beau before replying, "Isn't Ashley closer to Natsu, mom? Maybe she knows who the girl is. We were friends years ago. We're not that close anymore right now..."

"Hmmm. Really? Aren't you working under his company?"

"Well, that doesn't mean I know a lot about his personal life."

Mommy laughed. I looked at her and saw her sipping on her wine. Sting just stared at her, confused.

"Poor Ashley. She's devastated. Your sister is very depressed about this. She really liked and adored Natsu Dragneel. She did everything for him. Did you know that even her paintings were centred around him?"

I didn't talk. If not for Sting's laugh, the tension I'm feeling would probably eat me alive.

"Oh, auntie! You should tell Ashley to stop liking that man."

"And why, Sting? Do you have something against Natsu? He's a good man. I'm sure, Lucy can attest to that! Right, Lucy?"

I looked at mommy while holding Beau's vest. She slightly widened her eyes at me, waiting for my answer.

"He's a well known playboy and heart breaker. No wonder Ashley's broken hearted right now," Sting said.

"Well, I'm sure Lucy can do something about it. You can convince Natsu to ask Ashley on a date, so the wound that Ashley has right now can heal."

I took Beau out of the swimming pool. Aries quickly went to get him and covered him in his towel.

"Beau, we'll swim again later. Let's eat first, okay?"

"Eat... Wanna swim!" Beau exclaimed.

I also went out. I grabbed the robe and tied its ribbon. I followed Aries towards the table. None of them spoke after that. Maybe Sting's just waiting for my answer too since that's for me.

"Lucy, you can help right?" Mommy asked before sipping on her wine.

"What kind of help do you want me to do?" I asked with hardness. I wasn't able to hide the bitterness in my voice.

All my life, all I want to do is become an obedient daughter to my parents. Everything there is to do, I've done it all just to not hurt and disappoint them. I'm trying to understand what my mom wants me to do right now. And I know this is not her fault. She knows nothing about what really happened so I cannot blame her.

Because of my desire to become a good daughter, I forgot about myself. My feelings. I'm always left crying... always the one sacrificing. But that's okay, in the end I'll be happy. Happy, because I made my family happy.

But right now... something happened inside me...

"Tell Natsu to ask Ashley out! You can do it... Besides, you two were close years ago..." mommy said.

"Lucy can't do it, Auntie. Her work's done under the —"

"Sting, she can do it... After all, I heard you two still communicate. Is that true?" Mommy raised an eyebrow at me.

My jaw dropped. I don't understand what I'm feeling anymore.

"We communicate for business. What about it?"

"Aside from business, Lucy..." mommy laughed and shook her head, "Come on... Why are you denying this one?"

"I can't understand you, mom. We're communicating purely for business. We... I am designing his house in Caspius Park."

I couldn't contain myself as the formality in my voice slowly disappeared.

Mommy's eyes widened, "Well then, why don't you drop that project and recommend Ashley instead? You have many other projects, I'm sure."

I gulped the wine before slightly slamming the glass on the table. I couldn't hide my frustration over this.

"I can't. I already signed the contract," I calmed myself.

"You signed a contract?" Mom's voice is hysterical, "You can breach that contract and we can pay for the damages, just give that project to Ashley!"

I clenched my jaw. Those years of submission is over. Those years of silently crying is over. I need to stop whining. For something to change, I myself need to change too. I need to stop whining and move. Nothing can be achieved just by whining and pointing out flaws. I need to move.

"I don't want to depend on anyone for money. I need the project for Beau and breaching the contract means I'm unprofessional, mom. Surely, Ashley has many idea to get Natsu's attention."

"So you mean you're not going to help your sister?" Mommy's voice raised.

My cheeks burned. My chest tightened at mommy's question and her tone. "Yes," I simply said.

Mommy spatted at me. She couldn't believe what I said. She laughed like she heard nothing.

"What did you say, Lucy?"

"I said... I'm not going to help Ashley," I bravely said.

"Lucy..." Sting stood up and readied himself to walk towards me.

"That's a very simple thing, Lucy, and you can't even do that for your sister? What is wrong with you?" She said, disappointed.

"Why do I have to do it? If Ashley likes Natsu Dragneel, then she should just go to him herself. Besides, we can't keep on shoving this thing to Natsu's mouth! If he doesn't like Ashley, quit it!"

My breath became fast after I finished. "How dare you say that, Lucy!" Mommy shouted.

My son looked at her because of that, shock at her loud voice. Sting was now beside me, hand on my arm to calm me down and stop me from arguing with my mom.

No.

"He is Beau's father, mom..." I calmly said.

Mom's face became void of emotion. She just stared at me, frozen. She wasn't shock and I saw nothing in her eyes. Her expression was blank.