Hi! Hope you're all having a great start to the year! Another year came and went so quickly! Thank you ALL for all of your support and encouragement for this story for another year. I truly appreciate every bit of it and here's to hoping this new year is a better one for all of us!
Hope you enjoy this chapter and look forward to more new content in the new year!
Natsu sighed deeply, stretching slowly to get comfortable. He'd already got woken up by the bright light through the curtains they forgot to close last night, but he was content to just enjoy the comfortable warmth for a couple minutes more.
It was quiet in the room, save for Lucy's deep breathing beside him. So he took a moment to admire her content, sleepy form.
She'd dealt with a lot yesterday. He knew how draining it could be to have to deal with people from your past, so he just wanted to do everything he could to be there for her.
Natsu had felt some of the tension between her and Jude at the hospital initially, which was understandable considering everything they'd been through, but he was glad when it seemed like they had resolved some things between them when she had shared what they had talked about with Natsu last night.
Like some of that weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and she deserved to have some of that closure.
He leaned over to press a soft, affectionate kiss over her brow before slowly getting up, letting Lucy sleep for a while longer. He winced as he stretched some of the deep ache from his shoulder. It had still been hurting him a bit more than he liked to admit lately, but he didn't want to trouble Lucy with more right now, and it wasn't anything he wasn't used to dealing with already.
Even though he knew she was just concerned and would give him worried looks sometimes, he did his best to ease her mind.
He grabbed some fresh clothes from his bag and stepped into the bathroom.
The strong pressure is soothing along his shoulders as he worked his shampoo in his hair.
He finished up his teeth and skin routine when he was done in the shower and slipped on some fresh boxer briefs and his comfortable jeans, but he realized he forgot a shirt.
He hooked the towel around his shoulders, drying off his hair as he stepped back out into the room, catching Lucy pushing herself to sit up in bed with a deep yawn.
"Well, good mornin', beautiful," Natsu grinned, more so at her cute sleepy smile.
"Hey, you're already awake," Lucy laughed softly, running a hand through her messy hair.
"I woke up a bit early so thought I'd let you sleep in a bit more," he said, tossing the towel by the foot of the bed.
Lucy hummed, reaching out to pull him closer until he sat beside her and wrapped her arms around him, cuddling tiredly into his side. "Mm, what a good view to wake up to." He felt her smirk into his skin, making him chuckle. "You're warm and smell good. I didn't even feel you get up. Must've been more tired than I realized," Lucy murmured with another yawn.
"It's okay. Yesterday was a lot," he said softly, hugging her against him, fingers trailing down her arm. "How're you feeling today? We don't have to go back to the hospital right away. We can go grab some breakfast and stay in for a while if you want?"
Lucy slowly sat up to face him more. "I feel better," she sighed with a small smile. "It did take a lot out of me mentally, but I feel up to going back today..." She paused to think something over. "But some breakfast does sound good... I think I have the perfect place," she said, smiling softly.
"Yeah? You know I'm up for anything with food."
Natsu's grin grew wider at the sound of Lucy's happy, soft laugh.
"Yes, I know." She shoved his shoulder playfully before she stood from the bed and stretching with a soft groan. Natsu took the moment to admire the way the sun filtered through behind her, making her hair glow and softening her curves even in the large shirt she wore.
Another reminder of how lucky he was to share moments like this with her.
"I'll get washed up and then we can head out."
Lucy grabbed some of her own clothes, sending him a smile over her shoulder as she stepped into the bathroom.
Natsu grinned back wider.
Definitely lucky.
Lucy gave him a few directions, pointing out some of her own familiar sights along the way before they eventually reached a small, cozy looking coffee shop.
They stepped inside and head up to the counter, Natsu ordering some of the breakfast items and a couple extra treats for them and stepping in to pay before Lucy could take out her wallet.
She tried to give him a stern look, but her smile took over and they moved to sit at a corner table.
She sighed. "It's been so long. My mom and I would come here a lot," Lucy said softly, looking around and out the window beside them. "Less when she wasn't feeling well, but I'm glad it's still here."
There was a soft distant look in her eyes, more fond than anything.
Natsu hummed in understanding, giving her a soft smile. "What was her favorite drink here?"
A smile curled on Lucy's lips. "She always liked her vanilla lattes. Simple, but theirs is one of the best."
"Don't let Rogue hear you say that."
Lucy's expression brightened with a light laugh.
"His place is still my favorite spot, don't worry."
One of the baristas soon brought over their drinks and food, Natsu eagerly digging into one of the large cookies, making Lucy shake her head fondly as she takes a sip of her own favorite chai latte.
She shared more stories with him over their breakfast and he enjoyed seeing her light up during some of them.
"Do you mind if we make a couple more stops?" Lucy asked once Natsu started up the truck after they finished up at the cafe.
"Yeah, of course," Natsu said warmly.
After a few more turns and Lucy put a hand on his forearm, telling him he could pull over. Natsu followed her gaze once they were at a stop, Lucy looking out the window beside her.
"This was our apartment," Lucy said quietly. It was an older looking apartment building, paint faded on the outside. "It's why we were regulars at the cafe because it was so close to us," she laughed softly before her expression became distant again. "We tried to make it a home after having to move from the one I grew up in... Where we both did everything we could to make ends meet all those years…"
Natsu reached over and gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
Lucy smiled softly, taking a steadying breath before continuing. "I'd felt so stuck and suffocated there for so long, but looking back, I'm more grateful my mom and I had each other through everything back then. But, now being back here after so long and seeing so many things that remind me of her, I just-" She paused to squeeze his hand back tighter, swallowing roughly with a whisper. "I just miss her so much."
Natsu could see the lingering grief in her now glossy honeyed eyes when she turned back towards him and it made his heart ache sharply. For her and for how well he knew the feeling. He breathed a soft sound, reaching across the middle console to pull Lucy in for a hug.
She gripped his jacket tightly as some sobs flowed through her.
"I know," he consoled warmly, smoothing a hand along her back.
She took a few minutes to compose herself again, pulling back a bit and drying her eyes with a slow breath.
"I think it's another reason why I hadn't wanted to come back for so long too. I wasn't ready to face all these memories yet," she admitted roughly.
Natsu hummed in understanding, reaching to curl some of her hair behind her ear. "It's never easy to be ready for something like that. It took me a long time too, but we just gotta go at our own pace."
Lucy reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together again and resting their hands on her lap.
"You always know just what to say to make me feel better," Lucy says softly, bit of brightness back in her eyes as she gave him a small smile.
Natsu breathed a raspy laugh. "I don't always, but anything for you."
Lucy gave him a fond look, thumb brushing across his knuckles.
"Do… do you want to meet her? It's been a while since I've visited her."
"Are you sure? It's okay if you're not ready?"
Lucy met his eyes again. "I'm sure. As long as I have you there."
Warmth swelled in his chest. "Then I'd be honored to." Natsu lifted their hands, pressing a kiss to the back of hers. "I'll always be by your side."
Natsu pulled up and parked along a long curb once they got to their next stop. He grabbed the flowers they picked up at the flower shop across the street as they stepped out of the truck, Natsu following Lucy's lead a few rows until she slowly came to a stop.
She took a deep sigh, turning to grab the flowers from him and thanking him softly before she pulled up the flower holder from the ground.
Natsu noticed the headstone was dirty and he remembered he had some cleaning things in the truck. "Be right back, Luce. Gonna grab something from the truck."
Lucy nodded and he jogged back over to make it quick, grabbing some spare rags and cleaning sprays he kept in the box in his trunk bed.
"I had some stuff we can clean her stone with," Natsu said, kneeling on the grass and starting to brush off some of the dirt.
"Thank you," Lucy said softly with a squeeze to his shoulder.
They worked quietly, the sun warm above them, sound of the wind and birds through the leaves of the trees that surrounded them.
Natsu stood, brushing off his pants and cleaning his hands with one of the rags then offering his hand to Lucy so she could stand too after setting the flowers in the holder with some water.
Tulips. Layla's favorite, Lucy had told him, and they stood out bright and colorful in the middle of the faded grass.
Lucy stepped closer, fingers trailing over the top of the now clean standing stone with a deep sigh.
"Hi, Mom," she started quietly, voice a little shaky with emotion. "I'm sorry it's been so long since I've visited… A lot has happened, but it-it was hard staying here after you were gone. I moved back to Magnolia where the college was." Lucy paused to tuck some of her hair behind her ear with a rough swallow. "It's been really good. Quiet and beautiful, you would've loved living there too. I also met some amazing people there… and I brought someone with me." She looked over, reaching out for Natsu's hand with a soft smile. He returned her smile, stepping closer and allowing her to wrap an arm around his waist. He settled his along her shoulders, hugging her close to his side and pressing a kiss to her temple. "This is Natsu. I love him a lot and I know you would've too. He makes me really happy," she smiled softly, "and he's really pretty and handsome." Natsu breathed an airy laugh, feeling his ears warm a little as Lucy squeezed his waist and kissed his jaw.
"Both? I dunno about that, Ms. Heartfilia. Lucy here has to see me a little rough for wear most days," he grinned.
"He likes to be dramatic, Mom," Lucy laughed softly before she looked back up at him. "And she would've insisted you call her Layla." She squeezed around his side.
"Right. Sorry, Layla," Natsu's grin brightened before his expression softened. "I wish we could've gotten the chance to meet in person. You're an amazing person from everything I've heard and photos. It's easy to see where Lucy gets her beauty and heart, and I'm happy to be here now… I really love your daughter too. Very much." He held Lucy a little tighter as he felt that familiar warmth of affection swell in his chest. "I know you're so proud of how far she's come and everything she's accomplished, because I always am."
He felt Lucy's sniffle where her head rested on his shoulder and he pressed a kiss to the top of it, whispering that she loved him too with another squeeze to his waist.
"We drove over here because the hospital had called me last week and said Dad is in the hospital and isn't doing that well," Lucy continued quietly after a few, long silent moments. "I know it's probably a surprise that I came to visit him considering how much you know I didn't even want to think or talk about him before, but I'm just tired of carrying around all this negativity," she sighed. "He seems genuinely upset and sorry about everything when we talked yesterday. We patched some things up, but we'll see how he is when we go back today-" Lucy paused to swallow roughly, "but just being back here and reliving everything with him and with you, thinking about everything we still had to share I just- I miss you so much, Mom," she whispered, voice shaking with thick emotion that radiated through to Natsu's heart.
Lucy turned to hug him fully, burying her face in the crook of his neck with quivering sobs.
Natsu wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she let everything out that had probably been building up for a long time and he knew that feeling well.
"You're okay, Luce. I'm here," Natsu said softly against her hair, smoothing a hand along her back.
He held her close for a few more minutes with soft words until her sobs eased and she pulled back with a few shuddering breaths.
"I'm sorry. I feel like all I've been doing the past few days is crying," Lucy said with a rough airy laugh, drying her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. "It's going to be three years in August and still feels like just yesterday."
Natsu breathed another soft sound. "Hey, you never have to apologize. Dealing with all this family stuff is always hard." He cupped her cheek, brushing under her reddened eyes. "Time goes by so quick, and it always hurts all over again when we miss them and remember when they were here, but they'll always be with us."
"See, you always know what to say," she grinned softly.
"Not always," Natsu chuckled, curling some of her hair before settling his palms at the small of her back as he kept her close. "You more than help me through my own grief too that still comes up after this long, but like I said, I'll always do anything for you to see you smile."
Lucy breathed an airy laugh, her eyes a little brighter as she looked up at him with such warm affection and love it made his chest so full. With that smile he loved.
She tipped her head up and Natsu closed the distance and caught her lips in a soft tender kiss. They sighed into it, Lucy pulling him closer and smoothing her hands along his back, his spine tingling at the touch.
Lucy pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth before tucking her head back into the crook of his neck with a soft sigh.
"Just a few more minutes," she whispered."
Natsu secured his hold around her in the warm hug, resting his head against hers. "Whatever you need."
They talked with Layla a bit more and eventually got to the hospital a while later after Lucy showed him a few more places she liked growing up along the way. Natsu smiled to himself at the brighter look in those honeyed eyes. Some sadness still lingered, but she seemed better.
Jude was already sitting up in the bed when they walked in, giving them a tired smile and soft wave.
"Hi," Lucy said with a small smile, walking further to sit on one of the chairs beside the bed. Natsu followed her lead and sat beside her after he greeted Jude. "How are you feeling today?"
"A little better I think," Jude sighed, resting his head back on the pillows behind him, the tired lines on his face seemingly deeper. "Body still aches. They say my lungs are still weak so I can't leave yet," he huffed.
"Stubborn as ever," Lucy chuckled and shook her head. "If they say you need to stay, then that's what you have to do. Just use the time to rest and heal."
Jude hummed in acceptance and sighed again, looking over at them. "I'm happy to see you both again," he smiled.
"You too," Lucy said quietly. "We, um, we just came from visiting Mom."
Jude's expression softened. "I'm glad. How was it?"
"It was good," Lucy said warmly, voice fond. "Filled her in on everything I could. Introduced Natsu to her too."
"That's good," Jude grinned.
"I... I felt bad that I let so much time go by since I last went to see her."
"She understands. I'm sure she watches over you anyway."
Lucy smiled softly. "I'd like to think so too."
They share comfortable silence for a couple minutes before Jude asked, "So, you're still working? Or were in college? Though, last I know you had stopped?"
"Oh, yeah I had stopped when I came back for Mom," Lucy started quietly. "I worked a lot of odd jobs for a couple years during that time. Now, I'm just working with an editing company back in magnolia when I moved. It's been good there, but I learned it's not really what I want to do in the long run…" Lucy paused to tuck some of her hair back into her bun with a small smile. "Now, it's mainly been helping me pay for school since I recently went back last year. I've been trying to finish up my degree... to get into astronomy research."
"Really?" Jude's expression brightened. "That's amazing, Lucy. You and your mom did always love space and the stars. She'd be happy you're following your dream."
Lucy's smile grew a little wider. "I filled her in on that too
Jude's expression softened, reaching to grasp her hand that was resting on the bed. "She really would've been so proud of you," he rasped. "I'm sorry I never told you enough, but I'm so proud of you too, Lucy. And everything you've accomplished."
Lucy laughed roughly through a soft sob. "I was just telling Natsu I've been doing too much crying this week. But thank you." She gave Jude's hand a squeeze back.
"I did mention there are so many who are proud of her back home too," Natsu added happily.
"Okay, I'm going to freshen up in the bathroom before I become an emotional mess again," Lucy chuckled, standing and giving them a fond look. Natsu laughed softly as she squeezed his shoulder on her way out.
He grinned at the closed door, his chest light.
There were a few long quiet moments in the room before Natsu heard Jude's voice.
"So, how long have you been in the Marines, Natsu?"
"Oh, um, a little over ten years. Since I was eighteen out of high school."
"Wow, that's a long time. I'm sure having to be away from home a lot has been a challenge for you?" Jude asked, concern in his eyes.
Natsu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mind all the traveling and relocating when I was younger. It was easier and I just wanted to get away so I just kept enlisting, but now, but I've started to feel the strain of everything the past few years and then… then I met Lucy and once we became closer and got together, it's just made it that much harder to have to leave home. Especially when it's for months at a time."
His chest ached at the thought of one last possible deployment he may have to do before the end of this current contract. He really hoped he wouldn't have to.
"But she's kept me strong when I've been gone and the thought of coming home to her kept me going. Especially during this last time when I got a bit hurt and all I could think about was Lucy."
"I'm glad you both have each other," Jude smiled softly. "Do you both have a good home or apartment or anything?"
"Oh, yeah, we actually live together at my house," Natsu admitted, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "I got it after- um, my parents, they passed when I was young but they apparently already had my name on it too so it became mine after they were gone. Didn't really appreciate what it meant until I was older," Natsu sighed. "But Lucy had her apartment, then she moved in with me last year. I've been thinking about fixing it up to add some things Lucy's mentioned she likes, but I love building our lives together there so far. It feels like home when she's there."
"I'm sorry to hear about your parents," Jude consoled. "I know how hard that must've been."
"Thank you," Natsu grinned, soft and grateful.
Jude hummed, a warm smile slowly spreading. "It's also clear how much you love Lucy."
"I really do. She's my everything," Natsu's own smile grew, that familiar warmth swelling in his chest.
Jude nodded and took a long breath. "Then I can go in peace knowing Lucy is happy, safe, and loved."
Natsu's expression shifted. "Jude…"
"It's okay, Natsu. I haven't wanted to mention it to her yet, but I can feel it. I know I don't have much time left," Jude rasped, eyes fluttering shut for a long moment as he leaned back into the pillows. "After all the ways I've failed as a parent, as a husband, all the hurt I caused her and Layla, all the days and nights she spent feeling alone in our house, especially since she was our only child. She deserves to have all the happiness in the world and the best life, and it pains me that I chose not to have a part in that, but I'm glad she has you and her friends there for her." He looked back over towards Natsu, eyes a little glossy. "I'm sure she's still fiercely independent, but please take care of her."
Natsu swallowed thickly at the emotion in Jude's expression, but nodded, the conviction settling in his chest.
"Of course. I promise."
Jude relaxed and smiled tiredly. "Thank you. It's clear how much she loves you too."
"I'll forever be grateful that she chose me too."
The door opened a moment later, Lucy walking back in.
"Is my dad being nice to you?" Lucy smiled, sitting beside Natsu again.
"Of course. He was just sharing some embarrassing stories of you when you were little," Natsu teased.
Lucy groaned, making Natsu laugh and he shared a meaningful look with Jude.
"I'm kidding. We were talking about the house," Natsu grinned, sliding their hands together.
"Oh," she smiled softly. "Natsu's house is so cozy."
"Well, it's our house now."
Lucy gave his hand a warm squeeze, looking over at Jude. "We… we moved in together last year."
Jude's smile crinkled his eyes. "Natsu did mention that. I'm happy for you. For both of you, and everything in your lives."
"Thank you, Dad."
They talked and laughed for a while later until the day started shifting to evening again and Jude started to settle further down onto the bed.
They started saying their goodbyes, giving Jude their phone numbers in case he wanted to call since they told him they were set to leave tomorrow. Natsu noticed it seemed like Jude wanted to say something more so he figured it was a good moment to give them some space.
"I'll give you guys a minute. Be right outside, okay?" Natsu said with a reassuring squeeze to Lucy's hand. "Take care, Jude."
"You too, Natsu. You're a good man. Glad we were able to spend time together," Jude said softly, familiar brown eyes reflecting warm kindness.
Natsu's chest swelled, nodding and giving them a grateful smile before he stepped out.
He sighed deeply as he took a seat in one of the chairs beside the door of the room, resting his head back against the wall. Moments like this were always hard, but he was happy that Lucy was getting this chance to have some closure and get to say goodbye.
Something he always wished he had a chance to say to his parents. His chest ached at the thought, but it was tempered by the love he knew they had for him and all the good he was still fortunate to have in his life.
Natsu heard the door click open a few minutes later, looking up to see Lucy smiling softly down at him.
"Hey, you. Ready to head out?"
He leaned into her touch when she ran her fingers through his probably messy hair. "Ready when you are," he grinned.
He laced their fingers together when he stood, pulling up their hands to press a kiss to the back of hers as they made their way out.
Natsu stopped by a drive through for some food for them and parked in a spot that overlooked a large park with a small lake nestled in the middle of a crop of trees where they ate in comfortable silence and soft words before heading back to the hotel.
Lucy took a seat on the edge of the large bed in the middle of the room once she set her things down and freshened up, looking out the large window in front of her as she ran her hands through her hair. The curtains were still drawn back, allowing the view of the last of the late setting sun in the colorful sky to shine through.
She'd been a little quiet since they'd left the hospital, which worried Natsu a little but he knew she was probably just thinking things over.
He finished up too and moved to sit beside her, reaching over to place a reassuring palm on her thigh, silently letting her know he was there with her.
Lucy seemed to blink out of her thoughts, turning to give him a warm smile and grasping his hand.
"You okay?" he asked softly, thumb brushing over the material of her soft pants that she changed into.
"Yeah, sorry. Just thinking about everything…" she sighed deeply. "My father apologized again before we left. That he was glad we were able to resolve some things between us before he…" Lucy paused to swallow thickly, grip tight on his hand. ""I know he wasn't around for a long time growing up and we just started to reconnect, but it's just setting in that he really might be gone soon. Both of my parents will be gone… But I'm also glad I was able to let go to a lot of the hurt I've been holding onto for so long."
"You deserve that. I know it was really hard and I really am so proud of you, Luce. You've been so strong."
Lucy turned to look at him with glossy honeyed eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to get through all this without your support so thank you. For everything," she said softly, reaching up to run a hand through his hair.
Natsu leaned into the touch, pressing a kiss to her inner wrist. "I'll always be here for you."
Lucy closed the distance and pulled him closer and captured his lips. She sighed against him and the pressure quickly deepened as her tongue trailed the seam of his bottom lip. Her fingered tightened in his hair, sending a spark of pleasure through him.
Natsu moaned softly, one arm winding around her waist and pulling her flush against him. He reached up with the other and caressed her cheek before cupping the back of her neck, angling his head and kissing her deeper, warm tongue brushing against hers and inside that sweet mouth.
He drank in the pleased sound Lucy made as her kisses started to become sharper, more needy.
"You're okay. I'm right here," he murmured against her lips.
Lucy breathed through a shuddering breath, giving him a slower, deep kiss that made heat start to simmer in his belly. One of her palms drifted over his chest and down his torso, where it slipped under his shirt and teased the sensitive skin at his hip.
Natsu's breath hitched, his brain catching up to what her exploring touch meant and breaking their heated kisses with heavy breaths.
"Are you sure?" he rasped between them, thumb brushing along her jaw and kiss plumped pink lips. "I know it's been a long day."
Lucy's eyes fluttered shut for a long moment, resting her forehead on his as she caught her breath too.
"I'm sure. I just want to be with you tonight, and not think about anything else," she whispered. He caught the vulnerability in her eyes when she opened them again. Swirled with desire that melted into the honeyed brown that he loved.
A look that had become more familiar since that first night they shared and still made him a little weak in the knees.
Heat instantly swelled through him again, nodding against her. "Anything for you, love."
He gave her a rough kiss before he stood to quickly shut the curtains, and dig through his bag until he found one of the packets he was looking for. Glad they had already changed into some comfier clothes.
He turned back to catch Lucy's playful smile when she glanced and saw what he was holding.
"Came prepared, I see."
Natsu's neck flushed. "No, I- well, of course I want us to be safe. Not that we aren't already or not that I wasn't expecting us to- it's just for-"
"Natsu, come here," Lucy laughed softly, interrupting his rambling by circling her arms around his neck when he walked back over with a pout. "You're so sweet for always thinking ahead."
"I do carry them just in case, for the times we don't want to be as messy and figured I'd use one since we're here and I don't want the hotel charging us for messin' up the room… as hot as that sounds actually," he smirked, setting the condom on the nightstand for now before settling his palms back at her waist.
"Hm, that does sound tempting," Lucy laughed a little brighter, stepping closer and tracing along his shoulders and collarbone. "Maybe next time," she said a little lower, "for now we can just…" her voice trailed off as she cupped his cheek, thumb brushing along his bottom lip, sparking that familiar heat to come back and settle low in his belly.
"Whatever you need," Natsu hummed, pulling her closer until they were flush again. "We can get a little dirty when we get back home," he murmured lowly by her ear.
He liked the shiver that traveled down her spine. Then the air shifted as they shared a meaningful look. Natsu took the moment to dip in and capture Lucy's lips again. The heat between them quickly simmered again and Natsu happily followed Lucy's lead when he felt her push on his shoulders back towards the bed and she fell along with him.
They reached their pinnacles of pleasure together after many heated kisses, feverish touches, soft loving words, and pleasured moans of their names.
Back in the bed after cleaning up with a warm shower together, Natsu reached down and pulled up the comforter they had discarded back over them. He sighed in content as Lucy curled up against him. Her head on his chest, arm secured around his waist, their legs tangled together.
Natsu flicked off the lamp, settled further on the bed and held her closer.
"Love you so much, Luce," he murmured against her temple, already feeling his eyes heavier.
"Love you more," Lucy whispered, feeling the faint kiss she pressed to his jaw before they both let sleep take them.
They take their time getting up the next morning, with slow, sleepy kisses as they got their things packed again before checking out. The cafe was nice and quiet when they stopped there again for some breakfast and snacks for the road.
Lucy seemed a little better than when they got here. A brighter look in those honey eyes, and a lighter weight on her shoulders, telling him that it was the most at ease she'd felt about her family in a long time. Which made Natsu happy, giving her hand a warm squeeze as they started the drive back towards Magnolia. Back home...
Sadly, Lucy got the call that Jude passed a little after over a month later in May.
Natsu went back with her and helped her make sure everything was settled and anything else she needed.
Jude was placed in the plot next to Layla, like they had already planned when they were still married. Natsu was right there beside her when she needed a shoulder to lean on at the funeral as she looked at her parents' names etched into the stone, together again.
Lucy had been quiet those days, but seemed to be at peace with it after everything her and Jude had been through.
He had surprisingly kept in touch with both her and Natsu after they'd gone back to Magnolia. She would smile a little brighter each time they talked and Natsu could tell the effort meant a lot to Lucy, and he was glad her and Jude were able to have a bit of a relationship again before he passed.
After one of the last calls, Lucy had told Natsu that she forgave Jude. Natsu had given her a tight, long hug and all his support as always. It was something she said she felt ready to do for herself and Natsu knew it was a big moment for her. How healing forgiveness could be for some.
Jude had left her the little he had left, but all that didn't matter much to Lucy in the end. She was just glad most of her family's hurt was acknowledged and resolved, and mostly that both of her parents weren't suffering anymore.
"Y'know, with all of the family stuff that I've been dealing with lately, I'm happy that you're a part of mine now," Lucy said quietly as they ate dinner one night when they'd gotten back.
Natsu's expression softened, reaching over to grasp her hand over the table, getting a little lost in those pools of endless warm honey brown that held such love.
"I'm happy I am too, and more grateful that you're a part of mine," he grinned warmly.
Through all of life's pain and challenges, it always reminded him of how fleeting it can be and it was a comfort to know that he and Lucy would always have a meaningful part in each other's lives. Something worth protecting. Always.
Thanks for reading! I wanted to give Lucy some good closure with Jude passing and resolve some of that lingering negativity she had and finally feel like she could move forward in her life without all that holding her down mentally. I know healing is never easy or a straight line but it's what our girl Lucy deserves!
It always makes me melt when they introduce the significant other to a loved one who passed at their grave and loved including it here. Natsu was so sweet and loving and I made myself melt writing this chapter despite the sadness in it T_T
Also had to include a touch of comfort spice for you guys ;) and myself really heh. There may be some full spice next time so be ready!
Till next time! And thank you for all the amazing support from last time! : rao hyuga 18, valerioux, , MillennialStargazer, Guest, Copperreign12, sevenlaila, MaraDragneel3113!