A/N: Surpriseee! Daycare love is back! :)
Chapter three | Nightmares
It had only gone a few hours since Juvia started her new job but she had enjoyed every second of it. All the remaining children had arrived with their parents, to get dropped off. That's what she was still nervous about, to meet their families but the nervousness was soon replaced by relief, as everyone had been kind and welcoming towards her.
Juvia was very well aware that you shouldn't have a favorite family but that may or may not have happened already. Oops? But that was going to remain as her little secret.
However, Juvia will tell you but you must promise to not tell anyone! Capish?
She couldn't stop thinking about Gray and their small reunion from earlier. And his son, Aster, didn't make things any easier for her. The kid was a carbon copy of him, for crying out loud. Not only did Aster look exactly like his father, no. They also liked a lot of the same things and shared many interests.
When Juvia was assisting Aster with putting on his outdoor clothing, she was curious to know more about him so as the detective she thought she was, she asked him a few questions.
To start off the list, there was no doubt that Aster had picked up Gray's habit of randomly stripping out of his clothes, wherever it was indoors or outdoors. There was no question about it and didn't need more explanation.
When asked about his favorite food, Aster didn't hesitate to answer Caramade Franks and that made Juvia almost fall off her butt. Why, you say? Because that's her favorite food. And not to mention, Gray's as well. Or…at least it used to be.
It was Gray who introduced Caramade Franks to Juvia. The first time she had some…complications eating it and god, how Gray made fun of her.
"Geez, Juvs. How much messier can you get?" Gray commented seeing his best friend struggling to eat her first Caramade Frank, obviously teasing her.
"Shut the hell up and help me, Fullbastard"
"Okay. First, you open your mouth wide and then you take a bite. Like this" He demonstrated.
Did this idiot not think before he spoke? Juvia just ignored how non innocent he sounded and did as he had instructed her.
''Like this?''
"Look at you go! You're a natural, Juvs!'' Gray praised her. ''Who needs silverware when you've got hands, right?"
"Put on your goddamn clothes, Gray!''
Eventually the two of them started going to Caramade Franks every Friday, after school and it became a tradition. Their tradition.
The memory made her get the urge to go and grab a bite. She hadn't had it in years. There was a reason though.
Aster loved arts and crafts which, again, only made sense because that's what Gray loved too. Not only did he love it but that was his passion. He was amazing an it didn't matter what it was. He always delivered and got the best grades. Ever since a young age, Gray wanted to pursue a career in architecture, which Juvia knew, he later on studied at Magnolia University. Juvia guessed he had gotten his dream come true. At Least that's what she wished.
So yeah... You know the saying; Like father, like son.
This wasn't going to be easy, was it?
While the kids were playing on the playground, Juvia met Meredy. Meredy had long pink hair and was a few years younger than both Cana and Juvia.
Juvia was taken by surprise when Meredy jumped at her, giving her a big welcoming hug, almost making her new colleague fall to the ground. She didn't mind thought, as she hugged Meredy back. Juvia thought the pinkette was sweet like she was this little ball of sunshine, with all the kindness and positivity in the world in her. She couldn't wait for their partnership.
She also got to meet her other colleagues, Freed, Levy and Mira. They worked in another department, with the youngest children. The three of them all seemed like nice people and Juvia had a feeling she would be working with the best colleagues anything can have.
After the outdoor activities and lunch, it was time for the children's much needed daytime sleep.
Judging by all the times Juvia had been an intern at multiple daycares during her studies over the years, she didn't think enough parents actually understood how important daytime sleep is for the children. It helps them from becoming overtired, which can affect their moods and make it harder for them to fall asleep at night. Sadly, not all parents understood that.
Although it was only Juvia's first day, she had somehow convinced Cana to let her stay in the room to watch over the children.
She began with reading one chapter of a book and then put relaxing music on.
''Juvia?'' She heard Aster call her name from his bed, enough to not wake his friends up. When she looked in his direction, he was sitting up while cuddling his stuffed Olaf. He really liked Olaf, didn't he? So cute.
''Yes, Aster?'' Juvia answered him quietly and got up from the armchair to walk to his bed.
''I'm scared''
''What's scaring you?'' She asked him, in hopes that it would help him if he talked about it.
''The nightmares'' Aster had tears in his eyes. ''D-daddy will l-leave me too'' He managed to say between sobs.
That made Juvia's heart sink to the bottom.
Leave too? What did he mean by that'? Why would Aster think his own father would abandon him? Did he have dreams where other loved ones left? God, so many thoughts and questions went through her mind but she had to be calm.
"Oh, Aster. Daddy will never leave you. He will always be here for you" Juvia caressed his cheek, reassuring him that it would not happen.
This was Gray, her childhood friend and Juvia knew him. Even though she hadn't seen him for the longest time, she still liked to think that she still knew him better than anyone else did. Gray would never leave his son, no matter what.
"Really?"
"Yes, I promise you. You're the most precious thing daddy has and he loves you so much. He wouldn't give you up for the whole world'' It was true, she knew it. ''Not even if he would get all the Caramade Franks he wanted'' She then added, to lighten the mood.
"I love daddy too"
"I know. So everything will be fine. Okay?''
"Okay" Aster nodded and finally smiled.
''Good. Now try to get some rest. We wouldn't want daddy to be mad at me for keeping you up, do we?
''No. I don't like daddy when he's angry''
''That makes both of us'' Juvia had seen Gray angry plenty of times in the past. You did not want to piss off Gray Fullbuster and get on his bad side. That's the same thing as having a death wish.
''Can you stay by my side?''
''Of course, dear. Hopefully it will replace the nightmares with a good dreams instead''
He agreed and laid back down, closing his eyes and snuggled closer to his stuffed Olaf.
Not long after their conversation, Aster had peacefully fallen asleep, cuddling his Olaf, while Juvia was caressing his hair.
Meredy snuck into the bedroom to switch with her, so she could go on her well deserved and needed break.
In the breakroom Juvia was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee but it was getting cold due to the fact that she hadn't taken a sip of it. Something else seemed to be on her mind than coffee.
''Juvia, are you okay?'' Cana was sitting across from her at the table. ''You seem very… pensive''
''I guess you could say that''
''What's wrong?''
''I can't stop thinking about what Aster told me in the bedroom. He said he has been having nightmares'' She started. ''Something about Gray leaving him too''
''Oh… I guess he's aware of it by now''
Why did Cana sound worried while she said that? She knew something, didn't she? And that something didn't sound good at all.
''What's he aware of?''
Cana didn't answer her question and avoided eye contact. This only confirmed Juvia that it was, indeed, nothing good.
''Answer me, Cana'' Juvia demanded Cana to tell her. She didn't mean to sound so harsh but she was actually worried. She wanted to know. She needed to know.
Cana took a deep breath before finally looking Juvia straight in her big orbs, giving her the answer. ''Aster doesn't have a mother''
A/N: Ending on a cliffhanger again. I'm sorry? :)
Anyway, I'm sorry this is bad. I'm still rusty and wanted to finish it and publish it, finally.
Stay tuned!