You're Happy Now

I made numerous calls to Virgo, Aries, and Sting. I was afraid for them. I know they're far from Balsam and it's not likely that they'll get involved but I'm still scared.

"Where are you?" Virgo asked in her plain voice.

"I'm in Balsam. I'm in the Headquarters of Drakes," I confessed.

"What? Why... Why the hell are you there? What's wrong? What happened?" Her plain voice was replaced by a panicked one.

"Where is she, Virgo?" Sting asked in the background.

Sting stopped with his questions when he answered his phone. The news probably reached my father.

"She's in Balsam... Why are you there?"

"Something happened. To mommy, Ashley, and Uncle Apollo. They were ambushed but Drakes rescued them."

"What? Who would do that? Wait! Why are you in the HQ of Drakes? Lucy!" Virgo shouted.

"According to Natsu, it's Senator Alabaster's men leaded by his daughter, Touka Alabaster, Virgo."

"Touka? Why would Touka do that?" her voice raised. "Oh God!" she cried, maybe she got an idea.

"I don't know. Something about Uncle Apollo running for the senate."

"Why are they in Balsam? Your mom and her family, I mean"

"Give me the phone, Virgo," Sting butted in.

Virgo hasn't even said goodbye when I heard Sting's voice on the other line. I flinched at his shouts.

"Why the hell are you in Balsam? Your father filled me in with the news and he said you still haven't called him, Lucy, what is this?" was Sting's irritated voice.

I palmed my forehead. I don't know how to explain everything to Sting. I just want them safe in Crocus.

"Your dad and Loke are going to Balsam to visit your mom-"

"Sting, please whatever happens, stay there. Stay with Beau. Tighten the security there. I know we're not their target, I just want my son safe!"

"You have to tell me why you're there, Lucy!" he demanded.

"Sting, stop it! This is not the right time for Lucy to —"

"You got shot three years ago by the same people. Why would you fucking risk it?" Sting shouted.

"Sting, please... I'm safe. I'm in Natsu's headquarters —"

"Headquarters? Goodness, Lucy! And why are you with Natsu?"

"Sting! Give me the damn phone!" Virgo shouted back.

I bit my lip. I don't know how to calm them down anymore. I just really hope this will all turn out just fine.

"Lucy, what hospital are they taken? And hell, are you really safe there?"

"Yes, I am safe. I don't know about the hospital yet. I'm still waiting for Natsu."

"What? Natsu's not there?"

"He's with my mom, sa ospital. Uncle Apollo and Ashley got shot!"

"What?"

I spent minutes explaining to Virgo what happened... and minutes assuring her that I'm fine here.

After the call, I sighed and sat down on Natsu's bed. I heard a knock on the door. My heart jumped. I'm paranoid maybe because of what happened.

"Who's that?" I asked.

"It's Larcade... I'll just bring you breakfast."

My anxiousness ceased. I just realised it now that it's already morning and I haven't eaten yet. Not that the situation needs it.

I stood up and opened the door. I saw their agent with a bandage on his right arm. His other arm is holding the tray which contains the breakfast, water, and milk. He couldn't look at me.

"Thank you," I said while accepting the tray with both hands.

"Natsu's on his way back. Eat so we won't get scolded," he said.

There's a paper bag on his other hand. He gave it to me.

"Brandish knows that you didn't have clothes so she told me to give you this."

If this is a normal day, I would refuse it. But then I need the clothes. I accepted the bag and thanked him again. He left after that.

I looked at the food on the bed. I'm not hungry because of everything that has happened. I decided to fix myself first. I need it to clear my mind but I failed. Even inside the bathroom, I still cannot forget what happened.

I wore Brandish's clothes after taking a bath. It's very unlike what I usually wear but this is not the time to be picky. I'm wearing a maroon racerback and white jogger pants. It makes me uneasy because it flaunts the size of my breast and how busty I am.

I went out of the bathroom to have my breakfast. I need to eat even if I have no appetite.

The door opened and I saw Natsu. I almost jumped and ran towards him. But stopped after seeing the bloodstains on his shirt that's probably my sister's.

"How was it?" I asked.

He took of his shirt. I saw him put his hands on both sides of his hips to remove the gun there and placed it on the coffee table. He wordlessly went to the bathroom.

Uneasiness crept into me again. He looked morbid. Did something bad happened to Ashley and Uncle Apollo?

I stood up and followed him but I remained on the doorstep. He washed his face before washing his hands thoroughly. The muscles in his back were strained and firm.

"Natsu," I said.

He grabbed a towel and dried himself before facing me. His huge steps ate the distance between us. My eyes widened when he opened his arms and engulfed me in a warm and tight hug.

His embrace was warm and heartfelt. I heard every beat of his heart.

"What happened?" I asked again.

I felt him lightly shaking his head before kissing my temple, "I'm just glad you're fine..."

We stayed that way for a moment. I closed my eyes and let him cage me in his arms.

He slowly freed me. His eyes met mine before looking at my clothes from head to toe. He bit his lip.

"Your Uncle Apollo is stable. He got shot in the arm. Ashley's in the operating room. They're still removing the bullet, Luce," he said.

My throat dried, "How about the criminals? Were they caught?"

"Some managed to run but we caught most of them. Senator Alabaster will testify so there's nothing to worry. We'll eventually find Touka, too. My agents are at it."

I nodded. I still cannot stop worrying.

"How about mommy? How is she dealing with this?" I asked.

"You're mom's waiting for the operation. Do you want to visit the hospital? I heard your dad's on his way."

"Yes. Please..."

"I need to wash up. Can you wait?"

"Yes..." I nodded

He kissed me in the forehead before returning to the bathroom. I threw myself in his bed. My untouched food is beside me.

It took us an hour to get ready. He's wearing a black jacket and sweatpants. He held my hand as we walked on the staircase. The agents that would accompany us to the hospital quickly stood up upon seeing us.

The ride to the hospital was quiet. I saw our car. There are also media and some police mobiles.

Natsu and I went out of the car. I quickly saw Loke at the hospital's entrance. He dropped his phone when he saw me.

"Where have you been?" He asked while his eyes remained to my back where Natsu is standing.

"I brought her to my headquarters, Loke. That's the safest place for her," he explained.

Loke looked at me. I can see his meaningful stare. I'm sure he's wondering if I'm with Beau. I slightly shook my head, enough to make him understand what I want to say.

"We should... transfer your sister and your Uncle, Luce. It's better if they're in Crocus..."

"Aunt Layla wants it here. And I agree. The security here is tighter. Our headquarters isn't far from here."

We started walking where mommy is. I was nervous while walking with Loke and Natsu.

We were still far but I caught a glance of daddy comforting mommy outside the room.

"Then, when are they going back to Crocus?" Loke asked.

"We'll wait for Senator Luna..."

"Dad!" I said while hugging daddy. His other hand is still on mommy's back, comforting her.

Mommy sobbed on his shoulder. I also stroked her back. I know we're not in good terms but now is not the time to bring that up.

"How's Uncle Apollo? Ashley?" I asked.

Daddy looked at me. He seems curious as to how I got here but he answered my questions nonetheless.

"Your sister's still in the operating room," daddy said. "The bullet is still not removed? How about uncle?"

"He's recovering, Lucy. Why are you here in Balsam?" Daddy asked.

He glanced at Natsu and didn't wait for my answer anymore. He just pursed his lips and turned to mommy.

"Aunt Layla, why did you travel to Balsam? And in midnight, really?" Loke asked.

"It's the only way we think we'll be safe..." mommy sobbed.

Natsu held my wrist. Were they headed to Drakes' Headquarters?

"We assured you we'll do something about this, Aunt Layla. We sent you agents... But then again, it's too late to think about that now..." Natsu said.

"You shouldn't have traveled that far during midnight!" Daddy said, irritated.

"We think we're safe in the Drakes Headquarters! We can't wait for the next day, Jude! Apollo received some news about the attack! We didn't know where that would happe—"

"You should've called the police if you're not content with your guards then!"

"Dad, calm down. It's too late to point fingers now..." Loke said.

We waited for hours until the operations were finaihed. We were also given permission to visit Uncle in his room. We saw him sleeping when we got inside. Natsu, Loke, and daddy went out to give us privacy. Mommy and I stayed with Uncle Apollo.

Mommy's sobs didn't stop while she's sitting beside Uncle Apollos. I took a deep breath. I don't know what to say to her. I thought of just going out to ask about Ashley's operation. I stood up and took some steps when I got stunned.

"You're probably happy now..." mommy started.

She cannot be talking to someone other than me inside this room. Uncle's asleep, after all. I turned to mommy in confusion.

"You're happy now... Now that your sister's condition is critical!" Mommy said.

My eyes widened. Her tone is reprimanding. I feel like I'm to blame for all of these.

"Why would I be happy? I care for you both. And for Uncle... Mom, please don't make this an issue. Many things already happened and you'll still think that I'll be happy with this situation?"

"She needs Natsu right now! Are you still going to be selfish, Lucy? You'll let your sister get hurt just for your own selfish reasons?"

My lips trembled. I faced her with my chin up. I saw the shock on her eyes. I'm shaking because of anger and frustration. I can't believe she thinks I am that kind of girl.

"I'm not competing. If she needs Natsu for her security, I won't stop him. I only care about your security, Mom and you can't see that? I am so tired of this... Aren't you? A tragedy already happened and all but you're still thinking about this?"

I stopped by a knock on the door. Loke's face showed when he opened it from outside. My eyes went down to the floor.

"The operation's successful. Ashley's fine. She's sleeping now but she's fine," Loke said.

"Oh God! Thank you!" Mommy shouted before standing up and running outside.

I stayed standing there. Tears filled my eyes. Even when I got shocked, I didn't see her when I was still in the operating room. She disliked me so much. She probably hated my existence... Then, why didn't she just killed me when I was still in her womb? If she's going to hate my existence, why didn't she let me live?

I forced my tears back. I deeply sighed and stayed there for a minute to calm myself.

The doors opened again. I looked at it's direction. It was Natsu.

"Are you okay?" He asked, "Your mom is inside Ashley's room."

I nodded, "I'm fine..." I straightened my posture, "I need to go back to Crocus."

"We'll go back there together-"

"No... I'll go with Loke Don't worry about me. I'll ask dad for bodyguards-"

"I can give you three agents. Just please go with me," Natsu said.

"No... They need you here. Mom needs you here. You should stay here. I'll be fine. Besides, I'm not the target. It's Uncle Apollo. And you told me you're agents and the authorities are pursuing Touka. She won't show herself again..."

"I'll send you three agents, then," he coldly said.

I averted my eyes. If that's what it takes for him to let me go home then...

"Okay..."

I walked to him to get out of the room. He stared at me, the reason why I cannot look at him.

When we got outside, he embraced me in a warm hug. He put my head in his shoulder.

"In two days, I'll be in Crocus. Wait for me, okay?"

"Okay..." I weakly said.

I felt him burying his nose in my golden locks.

"Please be safe."

I smiled and nodded.