"No."
"But Mom-"
"I said no and that's my answer."
When Wendy told her mother about Romeo's offer to take her to the marine park and asked her if she could attend, Irene didn't even think about her answer. It was an automatic N-O.
"But it's the marine park Mom!" Wendy said. "I've been wanting to go there forever."
"You're too young to date Wendy."
"It's not even a real date. We're just going to have fun."
"That's what they all say. I'm sorry Wendy, I know how much you want to go to that marine park but you're still not old enough to go there by yourself with a boy. What if he tries something?"
"Mom I know Romeo." Erza said. "The kid's harmless. He's much too squeamish to try to make a move. He'll probably pee himself if they hold hands."
"Still I don't like the idea of your sister being at an amusement park without supervision."
"They won't be unsupervised Mom. His foster brother explained it to me, he'll be with them the whole time."
"Wait you knew about this?"
"Yes and I was just as skeptical as you were but from I was told, everything is perfectly innocent. They're going to the park and Gray will watch them."
"I don't know this Gray person and if I don't know them then I can't trust them with my children. You go with them."
"I can't. I have that seminar on Saturday, remember?"
"Oh that's right. Well then I'm afraid you can't go Wendy."
"That's not fair!" Wendy complained.
"What if Juvia goes with them?" Erza suggested. "You know her and you told me that you liked her."
It was true. Irene did like Juvia. When Erza first introduced her to Irene, Juvia was very polite and friendly. She didn't look down on Irene for her job or living conditions. She would always offer to help with the yard work and keeping the trailer clean. She even baby sat Wendy a few times when Irene had to work late and Erza would stay after school for extra credit.
"Well...I suppose if she's there it would make me feel more comfortable about this." Irene said. "Can I talk to her before she and the kids leave?"
"Sure." Erza said. "She wouldn't have a single problem with that."
"Alright." She sighed. "Wendy I'll allow you to go to the marine park with this boy. But only if Juvia goes with you."
"Thanks Mom." Wendy said excitedly. "I'll go call Romeo and tell him right now."
When Romeo heard the news he was just as excited as she was. More so even. He did a little dance in his room. But then he remembered the catch and worried that might not be so easy to concede to.
"So good news." Romeo said entering Gray's room. "Wendy called and she's agreed to go with me to the marine park this Saturday."
"Great." Gray said.
"There's just one condition. Her mom will only let her go if Juvia comes along to supervise."
"Okay. So She'll take you instead of me. She'd be happy too."
"That's not exactly what I had in mind big bro."
"What do you mean?"
"Well I was thinking that maybe both of you could come along and make it a double date?"
"What?! No way!"
"But you can't leave us alone with her! When she sees us together she'll think we're so cute and she'll get all mushy and it'll embarrass me."
"Not my problem."
"Come on! I'd do it for you!"
"I wouldn't need you to do it for me. Juvia wouldn't go all mushy if she saw me on a date."
"You're right. She'd go all psycho. I've seen the death glares she gives to girls that gawk at you whenever you take your shirt off."
"That's not- Wait girls gawk at me?"
"Don't change the subject. Now don't get me wrong Gray, I love Juvia. She's a great sister to me. In fact she's my favorite foster sibling. But she can be very embarrassing when she thinks I'm doing something cute. I really need your help on this, I can't afford this date to be ruined."
"Fine. I'll come with you to keep her under control but it won't be a double date. We're just supervising your date. That is all."
"Thanks. I owe ya."
"Yeah you do. And by the way, what do you mean she's your favorite foster sibling?"
"Well she doesn't make fun of my clown phobia, she's the only one besides Ur who remembers my birthday and gets me a present, she always helps me write my letters to Dad, and she's never once given me noogie or a wet willy or a wedgie."
"In my defense you mostly deserved those." Gray said. "But you made some fair points. I can understand why Juvia is your favorite."
"Yeah but you're a close second. At least you're straight with me and you don't play mind games or blackmail me like Chelia does. And you are helping me with Wendy. That means a lot to me."
"Well believe it or not I actually like you. Don't tell anyone." He teased.
"Don't worry I won't." Romeo smiled. "Now will you go ask Juvia to come with us on Saturday?"
"Yes."
"Now?"
"Now?"
"The sooner the better I always say. Unless you're too chicken."
"I am not."
"Prove it then. Go ask her."
"I will."
Gray left his bedroom and went down the hall to Juvia's. When he approached her door, he took a deep breath and gave himself a reminder that this was not a date, they were just going to supervise together. That's all.
Knock-knock!
"Coming." Juvia got up from her desk and opened the door. "Hey Gray, what's up?"
"I want..." He sweated a little. "I mean I was...Um...Are you free this Saturday?"
"Yeah why?"
"Because Romeo and Wendy are going to the marine park this Saturday and-"
"Oh his first date." She awed. "That is so adorable."
"Uh-huh and I was thinking that maybe we could go with them."
"You mean like a double date?"
"No! No, no, no! Absolutely not! The thing is Wendy's mother would prefer that the date be supervised. But if you don't think that's a good idea I completely understand-"
"No I think that's a wonderful idea." She said, her blue eyes lighting up. "You and I haven't done anything together in so long."
"Actually it won't be just us. It'll be Romeo and Wendy are coming too."
"I know and it'll make it all the more fun. It'll be just like when we were kids and we would go to the marine park."
"Well not exactly. We were never on a date."
"I'm so excited already. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. Oh! I better remember to bring the camera! Ur is definitely going to want pictures!"
"Uh Juvia."
"Yes."
"It's fine if you take pictures but tone it down on the cute thing. It can be a little embarrassing."
"Oh...Oh right. Sure. I'll behave. What time are we leaving?"
"We're supposed to pick up Wendy at nine."
"Okay I'll be ready."
"Good. Good to hear."
She went back into her room, positively over flowing with joy while Gray was over flowing with anxiety.