Chapter 13
"Natsu?" he said worried as Jellal and Erza came walking up with Layla. "Daddy!" she said happily running up to him as he got down to his knees and pulled her into him wrapping his arms around her as much as he could. "Da..daddy?" she said in a small voice as she heard a sound come out of his mouth and saw tears coming down. "Daddy" she said sadly as he began to cry. He gripped her tighter as she felt her shoulder slowly getting wet. Gently Erza got down to the ground and carefully got him to let go of Layla as she ran to Jellal with a worried face as he put his arms around her shoulders as she grabbed his hand looking back at Natsu. Erza took his head and put it on her shoulder as she softly whispered "It's alright Natsu" he put his hands up her back and grabbed the backs of her shoulders as he started sobbing. He screamed into her shoulder as she soothingly rubbed his back letting him cry and release. They were heartbroken looking at him. He cried for an hour until his throat was dry and couldn't release anymore tears. Sniffling, he sat and put his head back.
"Do you feel any better?" asked Erza. "Some" he croaked. "I won't be good until Lucy is better" Looking at Layla, he said "come here baby girl" Jellal lifted his hands as she ran and quickly sat next to Natsu. "I didn't mean to worry you before. Daddy just doesn't know what to do and that was the only way to let it out." "Is it mommy?" Putting an arm around her, he said "yeah..mommy is sick and really sad right now" "Daddy, don't get sad again" she said worried hearing his voice crack. "Don't worry , even if I tried, I don't even have it in me. I'll be fine" he said with a smirk. Nobody believed that but stayed silent as Natsu sat with Layla. A little while later, they walked when they heard "Let me out!" "Sleeping beauty is up" said Gray miserably as they heard her grunting trying to get lose" "Somebody help me!" It killed Natsu inside but he knew it was the only way he could get through to her. "Daddy" Layla said scared. Kneeling down, he put his hands on her shoulders and calmly said "mommy is sick remember? She just needs to get better. She'll be better tomorrow baby girl" "Promise?" "Yes, I promise" he squeezed her shoulders reassuring her. Looking at Jellal and Erza, he said "can you guys please take her for the night. Use the spare key we gave you to her get a bag." "Of course" answered Erza. Layla looked at him with longing eyes. "Daddy, please…I want to stay" she begged grabbing his hand. He closed his eyes, clenching his teeth, as he let go and said heartbroken " you can't baby. Mommy is going to be here for a while, and I need to stay here for a while to make sure she's alright." "Let me stay and help" she cried as she started to get emotional . "Baby girl, there's nothing you can do sweetheart, Layla, baby, don't cry" he said in a caring and loving voice as he put a hand to his cheek wiping her tears with his thumb. "But, but I don't want to leave you alone" "I won't be alone baby girl. Uncle Gray is going to be here" "That's right, I'll be here for him munchkin. Don't you worry" said Gray with a soft smile.
Cupping her cheek in his hand , she rubbed her head against it as she cried. "See, I'll be alright Layla. Go home with your aunt and uncle. Be the best little girl I know you are" he said with a smile as she let out a cry and threw her arms around his neck. He closed his eyes as he put a hand to her to the back of her head and kissed the side of her head. "Shhhh, Layla. Your alright" he whispered softly . "Dad..ddy" "I love you" he said taking his face away and looking at her. She quieted her crying as she said "I love you too daddy" "Go sweetheart " she turned to see Erza with a open hand with a warm smile. Layla sniffled wiping her tears as she took Erza's hand and walked with her and Jellal. Layla waved to Natsu and Gray as they left. Walking inside, it was quiet as they stood outside of Lucy's room. "You going to be alright going in there?" asked Gray cautiously. "Don't have a choice" he replied as he opened the door letting them both in. She glared at them but didn't say a word. "Throat finally catch up" said Gray bitter. Natsu went and took a seat next to her. "Don't Gray" he ordered as Gray quickly shut up his mouth .
"Lucy" he said taking her hand. "I am so sorry if you have felt I haven't been there" she groaned and turned her head away. "Natsu, come on." Gray said as he got up. "Huh?, where are we going?" "Lucy needs time to get that alcohol out of her system and you haven't eaten for a while. Come on. It will just be for a few hours." He urged. Natsu looked back at Lucy who still was turned away from them. "Alright. We'll be back soon Luce" he said squeezing her hand as he got up. Gray patted Natsu's back as they left. "This is good for both of you man. She needs time." "Oh, are you done being angry with her?" Natsu sniped unexpectedly as Gray looked at him slightly shocked. "I'll admit I let my emotions get the better of me. .It's hard containing them anymore but that doesn't make it right for you to be bitter and angry towards her" Natsu said harshly. "I..I'm sorry , I didn't mean too. She just made me mad how she treated you." Said Gray as they walked out to the car. "I get that but as I said ,she's never acted like that before and also, it wasn't just me she wasn't lashing at." "Oh I know that loud and clear." "Don't hold any of that against her. She's not thinking right now" said Natsu caring as his cheeks blushed some thinking about her. "Alright Natsu., I'm sorry" he apologized. " Come on, let's get something eat" Natsu said lightly. "I'm the one that told you that" joked Gray as they got into the car and headed out to get something to eat.
After grabbing something to eat and being away for a few hours, they came back in happier spirits then when they left. Walking into the room, Natsu's eyes widened as he ran over to Lucy who was covered in puke. "Jesus! Lucy, why didn't you yell for someone baby!" he yelled as he undid her restraints as she quickly leaned over the side. He jumped out of the way barely in time as her puke hit the floor. "Gray, get me a towel or something" Natsu said quickly as Gray ran out to find one. "God Lucy" he said sadly as he held her hair back. Gray came rushing back as Natsu took it and gently wiped her mouth and attempted to clean the puke off her body. Lucy looked at him with apologetic eyes as Natsu wiped what was left. "Why didn't anyone come check on you?" he said in a low voice trying to contain his anger. "Natsu…easy" urged Gray waving his hands down at him. "Where's Wendy!" he yelled. "She must be busy on the floor. She has more patients then just Lucy Natsu. She's an actual doctor and we're in a hospital." "I DON'T CARE! LUCY HAD PUKE ON HER AND NOONE WAS THERE TO HELP HER!" he screamed angrily. " " Lucy said weakly grabbing his hand getting his attention. She shook her head as she said "no one'sss ffault..don't blame Wendy..ahhhhh" she grabbed at her throat in pain. "What's wrong!?" asked Natsu. She pointed to her throat.
" Hang on Luce!" he told her quickly as he ran over to the sink and opened the cupboard to look for anything resembling a cup. Finding something, he filled it up quick and brought it back to Lucy who started sipping as she quickly took it away. "ahhh. Iittt buurns" she cried as Natsu looked at her with sympathy. "This is why you shouldn't have drank baby" "I..Im " She gritted her teeth as she tried to drink more water. "Oh god" she thought as she handed Natsu the water and tossed her head to the side throwing up. "What can I do?" asked Gray. "Can you go by the house and grab her some clothes? These are covered in puke stains" "Sure" replied Gray. "Nnnna" "Shush Luce. Don't try talking right now" he said caringly. Grabbing his hand, she got his attention as she hoarsely said "I need..ttto.. this" "What Luce?" "I'm ss..sorry" He didn't say anything figuring he knew what she was apologizing for. " I have been treating you horribly lately" "Lucy, stop baby, I can see your throat is killing you. You don't need to go into this right now" said Natsu. Lucy shook her head "No..I have been q..ahem..quiet long enough" "Luce." but before he could say anything else, Erza walked through the door surprising all three of them. "Erza?, what are you doing here?" asked Natsu "I thought you were watching Layla" said Gray. "Jellal is at home watching her. I came by myself. I wanted to see for myself if she was alright." Erza explained. "Can we have a few minutes alone?" she asked looking at the guys who looked at each other. "You alright with this Lucy?" Natsu asked cautiously. "I'm fine . You can go" she answered as Natsu and Gray eyed Erza as they walked out of the room and shut the door.
"So how are you feeling? Erza asked. Lucy let her head fall on one side as she gave her a knowing playful look and raised her eyebrow. "Alright, I see your point" said Erza as she raised her hands. " What did you want to talk about?..it's got to be something or you wouldn't have asked them to leave" "You catch on quick" complimented Erza as Lucy gave her a face saying to the get to the point. "Alright, yes your right. I came for another reason besides just to check on you. Let me say first off that I cannot imagine the pain you're in right now. The amount of trauma that you have had to endure these last 8 months. It's enough to drive anyone mad and you are right to feel everything that your feeling and I cannot begin to say how sorry I am that you have had to go through all this and I mean that with all the love in my heart. " she said sincerely "But..I know there's a but" said Lucy. Erza looked at her conflicted as Lucy said gently "just go ahead and tell me." Clearing her throat in a straight but caring voice, Erza said " First let me tell you, I am always going to be here for you for anything. As a sister, a friend, whatever you need to be. I love you and you will always be my sister. However, I am concerned because recently you have been lashing out when you've gotten drunk. Jellal, Gray and I have noticed it when we've hung out with you. I am not saying any of this to hurt you or anything like that but I believe you are using the wrong outlet to let your anger out on." Erza pulled out her phone confusing Lucy but only for a moment as she clicked play on a video. Lucy watched in horror as the video showed her lashing out at Natsu screaming at him.
She put a hand to her mouth as tears came to her eyes. "Hhhow did you get this?" she stuttered. "I recorded it at one point when you weren't looking and wouldn't notice me." "Ohhh mmy goddd Natsu.. I'm horrible, I'm horrible to him" she cried as tears started streaming down her face. Turning the video off, she put her phone away and squeezed Lucy's hand. Gently she said "your not a horrible person Lucy. I promise. That's not why I showed you the video. I wanted you to see for yourself that you are just choosing the wrong outlet. Natsu loves you , always has ,always will. Five years apart has never changed that. You just need to find something else to channel what your feeling. I know your in pain Lucy and I swear from the bottom of my heart, I will do everything in my power to help you." "Wha..wha should I do Erza?" she asked tearfully. "First you need to heal, that's going to take time but afterwards.. talk to Natsu about rehab. This needs to be a discussion between the two of you" Said Erza honestly. Lucy sniffled and nodded her head as Erza put a hand to her shoulder and gave her a warm smile.
"Alright you two, I know your trying to listen. We're done now so quit hanging at the door and get in here" said Erza as the door opened immediately as Natsu and Gray walked through. "Lucy, your crying" said Natsu instantly as he walked over and wiped the tears away. Grabbing his hands, she looked at him with an honest look in her eyes. "Natsu." "What is it Luce?" "I want to go to rehab. I want to do that, A.A meetings, whatever. I want to get better" He squeezed her hands as he looked at her and then Erza. "What the heck did you two talk about?" he asked. "It's between two sisters and you don't need to know more then that" Erza said blunt giving him a look that she would say no more as he just blinked and turned back to Lucy .Taking his hands out of hers, he cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "We will talk about all that when we get home" he said quietly as he softly smiled at her. "In the meantime, if you want to get better sooner to at least get out of here, you're going to have to drink more water. I know your throat hurts baby and I'm sorry." Said Natsu. "Why..why can't we go home?" asked Lucy.
"Because unfortunately you still have a lot of alcohol in your system. It hasn't been long enough yet for all that to clear out of your system" he explained to her as guilt appeared on her face as the video of yelling and hitting Natsu in the video flashed back through her head. "Luce?" Shaking her head, she said " I understand" she said putting her head back on the pillow. "Besides that, just from looking over here Lucy, your still sweating like crazy, your not in a condition to go home yet" observed Gray. "Ha…fuck you've gotta be kidding me!"said Lucy annoyed as she put her head over the side as Natsu kicked the garbage can over as Lucy puked into it. "Fffff..uuck mme..ahhh" Lucy strained through puking as she put her fingers to her throat. Natsu comfortingly rubbed her back with one hand and grabbed her hair with the other. "Hey Gray, can you go by the house and grab her clothes" asked Natsu. "Right, yeah I'll go. be back in a few guys" replied Gray as he went out the door. "Get you out of those grubby clothes" "Ttthannk you" she said hoarse. She slowly rose back up and laid back on the bed. "You think your done?" Natsu asked nicely. Lucy nodded as Erza handed her some water who immediately began drinking it. "Drink up Lucy. I'm going to go get back to Jellal and Layla. If either of you need anything, give us a call" she said as she headed for the door. "Thanks, Erza" thanked Natsu. Lucy nodded in agreement. Erza smiled and said "your welcome guys" then shut the door behind her leaving Natsu and Lucy alone.