Daddy

I spent the whole day watching Natsu and Beau play. Beau kept on looking at me, hoping that I'll join them but I didn't. Natsu's approach on me was cold like I owe him a huge thing. I let him play with our son.

"Mommy! Look!" Beau exclaimed, pointing the properly lined up toy cars on his mat. I just smiled and continued watching them.

They got tired when nighttime came. Natsu yawned but he kept on playing with Beau. Beau also yawned and grimaced at me.

"Mommy!" he shouted while letting go of his toys.

It's just eight in the evening. He's usually still energetic during this time but it seems like today's different.

Natsu turned to me, he didn't know what to do. I went to Beau and carried him. He's pouting while staring at me. He's rubbing his teary eyes.

"Are you sleepy?" I asked.

He didn't answer. He just hugged me and rested his chin on my shoulder. I couldn't stop my smile. Natsu's just looking at us. He stood up when I walked towards Beau's room.

I opened the door. The light from the lamp is the only thing that's illuminating the whole room. I placed Beau on his bed. My son's eyes were already closed. Looks like he won't need a story book tonight.

"Can I sleep here?" Natsu asked, finally talking to me.

He sat on the end of the bed. Beau's bed is enough for two but if we'll all squish ourselves here, I think we'll still fit. Beau's still small, anyway. Not that I think Natsu wants me to stay in Beau's room though.

"Yup..." I said.

He said nothing after that. I stood up to let him get closer to our son. He caressed Beau's cheek before combing his strawberry blonde hair.

Both of them are wearing white undershirt. I don't know if that's intentional or what but I couldn't hide my smile. It's looks like a uniform.

"Can I sleep here too, then?" I asked when I got ahold of my emotions.

Natsu turned to me. His expression's still guarded. I still don't know what he's thinking of me. I avoided his eyes. I don't want to think about that in the mean time. If he hates me so much because of what happened, I understand. I would never get tired of apologizing.

"Where do you usually sleep?" He asked.

"I trained him to sleep alone in his room ever since we got back here in Fiore."

"Sleep beside him..." he ordered.

I stayed quiet as I walked to the other side of the bed, the opposite of where I was sitting earlier, and settled myself there. Natsu took my previous position and now Beau's sandwiched between us. He's still staring at our sleeping son. Beau's slumber seems deep, maybe because he's really tired of playing the whole day.

He kissed Beau's forehead once. Tears lined my eyes as I watched the two of them. Even in my wildest dreams, I didn't think I'll be this happy seeing them together.

I shifted a bit to get comfortable. Natsu closed his eyes, his hand is gently holding Beau's little fingers.

That night, both their sleeps were peaceful while mine is shallow. I woke up every now and then satisfied myself by looking at them.

Their pointed noses looked like replicas of each other. The colour and shape of their lips, their eyes, shape of face... Beau's features resembled Natsu's. My son looked like a fairer and a bit blonde version of his father. I could only imagine Natsu's reaction the first time he saw Beau in my condo unit.

There were many things I wholeheartedly gave away in this world. I let go of my passion, my self worth, my love, for the people who mattered to me. I left my passion which is painting just to not make myself a threat to my sister. I gave up my self worth just to forgive the man I thought I loved before. And I gave all my love to all the people I deemed important. I would never ask for it again. I would gladly give up all those things but I've already decided on this one. I would never give Natsu up... not to my sister and especially not to anyone else. I would never let go of him. And I don't care what's going to happen after.

Even if Natsu would make me feel how angry he is because of everything I did to him, I would never let him go. I'll gladly pay for all my wrongdoings. I'll do this for Beau. I'll do this for myself.

I woke up early the next day. It was just five thirty when I got up.

It's still quiet. The only noise inside the room is the sounds from the air conditioner. I looked at the two who are covered in comforter while sleeping. Even the way Beau closed his eyes resembles Natsu.

I grabbed my phone and took a picture of them. My heart warmed while looking at the three shots of them while sleeping. My little family...

I satisfied myself with watching them sleep for a while before deciding to cook breakfast. I'm not going to jog today.

I slowly went out of the room, careful not to disturb them. Small from the kitchen greeted me when I closed the door of Beau's room. Maybe Aries is already awake.

I walked to the kitchen and saw her in front of her wide iPad. In the screen is my brother who's currently drinking his, the background is still dark so I'm pretty sure it's either he's just about to sleep or he just woke up, based on how heavy his eyes are.

"Aries..."

"M-Miss!" she turned the gadget off and hid it behind her.

"Did you cook already?" I asked. I don't plan on talking about what happened yesterday anymore.

"U-Umm. N-Not yet, Miss! But I already prepared the ingredients. I-I'll cook now!" she said with flaming face.

"No. I'll cook today. Just continue video calling my brother. You can go to the living room if you're still shy..." I teased while her face became redder than before.

"N-No, I-I..." she stuttered.

"It's fine, Ries. Don't get shy on me now. You know I like you for my brother. Now, go to the living room. Loke's coolheaded but he's really impatient."

She squeaked in embarrassment but her eyes displayed confusion when she recovered. I know she wants to ask many questions but she stopped herself.

I gasped upon realising that it's not just Aries who I need to inform of what happened. Let's see... Aries got Loke covered but we have Dad, Virgo, Sting, Aunt Michelle and... I wonder if mom's okay? How about Ashley and Uncle Apollo?

"Oh, Miss Lucy. Virgo and Sir Sting came home around midnight..."

I almost froze. I looked at her as she shyly scooted to the living room. I know she still hasn't told them. What would she tell, though? She doesn't know anything.

I cooked breakfast enough for all of us including Virgo and Sting. I know the both of them won't put up with the pasta so I cooked the traditional breakfast for them too. Bacon, eggs, fried rice, and many more.

I placed the cooked batches on the table. The sound of the door opening caught my attention. I didn't look at it but I quickly got informed as Virgo showed herself at the kitchen.

"Good morning," she greeted.

I knew it. Aries hasn't told them yet.

"Good morning!" while placing the plate full of bacon on the table.

I glanced at Virgo once before turning to the fried rice.

"You're up early. Why didn't you ask Aries to cook instead?" she said.

"Loke..." was the only thing I said. She just grinned, quickly understanding it.

A door opened again. I don't know whose room is it but Sting's head popped on the doorframe. He quickly took a seat in front of the food. His eyes still closed and he looked so tired.

"I'm hungry..." he muttered.

I arranged the plates properly on the dining table. The fried rice is still on the pan. I looked at it once and decided that it's already cooked before placing it on a large bowl and moving it to the table.

The door made a sound again. This time, I know who is it.

Natsu walked straight to the kitchen. Virgo and Sting quickly looked at the unexpected person. I took a deep breath to talk but Sting did it first.

"What is he doing here?" The tone of his voice raised.

"Oh my God, Lucy!" Virgo exclaimed.

Natsu lazily looked at me. His eyes shifted from being dazed to being sharp.

"What is Sting doing in your unit?" Natsu asked with firmness.

"I should be the one asking you that, Dragneel!" Sting took a step towards Natsu so I quickly walked between them.

"Stop it... Sting, calm down. He's been here since yesterday."

Sting backed off but I can still feel his frustration like he couldn't believe what I did.

"I don't understand why you have to let him in your condo, Luce!" Natsu irritatedly huffed.

Virgo only stared at us. An amazed smirk was plastered on her face with no intention of helping me at all.

"Stop it, Natsu! He's Beau's god father!"

"Oh my God!" Virgo repeated before smiling again like she finds the whole thing entertaining.

"He's always here with Virgo and Loke to visit Beau or help me out!"

Natsu's gaze went to me, "Well, Luce, you don't need their help. I am here now..."

"Lucy! You told this fucker everything?" Sting asked, sleepiness gone in his system.

"Stop it you two! Natsu? Can't we just be thankful that they helped me before? And Sting, please stop it... I don't want another fight from you two..."

Silence engulfed us. Natsu took a deep breath and stopped arguing.

"I'm gonna go back to check on our son, Luce..." Natsu said, eyes still glaring at Sting.

I rolled my eyes and started to walk towards our son's room, "I'll do it!"

"Then let's check him together. After all, he's our son..."

I shook my head and walked faster. I can't believe Natsu's pissing Sting off. Can't I have some peace and quiet anymore?

"Is that why he's always spotted in your unit? He's helping you raise our son, Lucy?" I heard the hurt in his question.

I faced him before entering Beau's room.

"Can't we be just happy because he's with us when there's only me and Beau? He's helping me out..."

"Is that all then? That's all between you two? He's just... helping you out then?"

"Yes..."

Natsu stopped arguing with me. I was about to get Beau when I saw him rubbing his eyes but Natsu did it first.

"Good morning, big boy! Are you ready for today?" he cheerfully said.

Beau grimaced. I bit my lip. I saw how his onyx eyes searched for me. I quickly went beside Natsu to tell him I'm just here.

"Mommy!" he said while raising both of his arms.

I glanced at Natsu who's now looking at Beau seriously. I felt hurt at what's happening. I accepted Beau and raised him. My feeling just got colder upon remembering how Beau addresses Sting.

"By the way..." I started.

Natsu's standing in front of me. He wants to carry Beau but our son won't trust him yet.

"Beau's kind of calling Sting "dada". I don't know where he got that."

Natsu's jaw clenched. I can clearly see the hurt in his eyes. He tried his best to calm himself down. He shut his eyes tightly before opening to look at me.

"He calls Loke that too, but Sting's just here more frequent than him."

"Why is he always here? Is he asking you back? Why are you letting him-"
"He's helping me out. I told you..." I repeated.

"And why did you let Beau call him that?" he asked with hardness while following me out.

"Well I just cannot tell Beau not to call him that, right?"

I heard his soft curse. I looked at him and glared before walking to the table where Aries, Virgo and Sting are.

Aries and Virgo quickly straightened when they saw us. It looks like they're talking about something while we went to get Beau. I made sure that Natsu's far from Sting. He also needs to be closer to Beau...

"Good morning, baby!" Virgo greeted, "Are you hungry now?"

Beau just stared at her. He just woke up so he's still not in the mood.

Natsu grabbed Beau's plate and put pasta in it. He put too many so I scolded him. Beau can't eat that many!

"That's enough... Just put a bit... He can't eat that much."

"Okay..."

When Virgo was successful on making Beau smile, my son started to talk gibberish.

"How was your sleep, Beau?" Sting asked.

"Dada!" Beau said when he looked at Sting.

Virgo and Sting looked at Natsu. I don't even want to look at him beside me because I know he's irritated now.

"Dada Sting right?" Virgo laughed.

Sting's smile got wider and even stood up to kiss Beau. I bit my lip. Natsu wasn't moving beside me so I turned to look at him. He's just blankly staring at Beau who's now raising his arms to be carried by Sting. I feel like my heart is bleeding in pain. Especially when I saw how Beau smiled when Sting carried him.

"Sting, let's eat..." I scolded.

"Okay..." Sting laughed before returning Beau to his high chair.

I looked at Natsu again who's now staring at Beau's food. Something got stuck in my throat. I cannot swallow so I drank water before standing up and walking to Beau.

"Hey... baby... Listen to mommy, okay?" my voice trembled, "Daddy will help you eat this time."

Beau looked at me. I almost cried while telling him that. He pouted. His lips that are very red is a sight to behold. I can feel their gaze on me but I kept talking to my son.

"Dad..." Beau muttered, trying his best to say it.

"Daddy, baby... Daddy will help you eat pasta, o- okay?" my voice cracked.

I looked at Natsu. He couldn't tear his eyes away from me.

"Help me eat!" Beau shouted.

"Daddy will help," I repeated before turning to Natsu.

Beau looked at Natsu who grabbed the fork and moved it in a swirling motion. He smiled at Beau. I also smiled.

Natsu moved the fork closer to Beau. Our son touched his hand before accepting fhe food. He smiled at his father sweetly. My smile widened.

I stared at the two for a while. I didn't even remember that Sting and Virgo are here with us. I just got reminded about that when my phone rang for a call from mommy.