Chapter 6
Getting himself up into a seating position, he cradled Layla into his arms as she gripped Happy and Natsu's shirt hard as everyone looked in awe at the love between a father and his daughter. Sitting her up away from him, he placed a finger under Layla's chin as she looked at him as he said in a tender voice "hey, no crying. Today is a day to celebrate" he rubbed her cheeks wiping the tears away. "There happy tears daddy" she said lightly as she got up off Natsu and turned to everyone. "Thank you!" she yelled as they all smiled at her and welcomed her thanks. Few more hours went by as Layla with Happy right by her hip played with her new toys as everyone gathered around the couch talking. Finally they called it when they saw the sugar and excitement finally come down as Layla began blinking her eyes multiple times and yawned even when she tried covering it up. "Okay little one, time for bed " said Natsu as he hoisted her up into his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. "Awww" went everyone as Natsu whispered " wanna say goodnight baby girl?" she opened her eyes as she quietly said "goodnight everyone. Thank you." She didn't get to say anything else as her eyes became heavy again as she closed them as Natsu waved to everyone. Lucy walked them all out and shut the door behind them.
Leaning against the door for a minute, she let out a breath as Natsu said "you did amazing today Lucy" "You did too" Looking around at the mess, Natsu said "What do you want to do? "It'll be there tomorrow" she said relaxed as she walked quietly and saw Layla was sound asleep. "Damn, all that really wore her out" she whispered as she kissed Layla's nose as Layla twitched and rubbed her nose on Natsu's shoulder making them chuckle as she gripped Happy tighter. "Come on Luce" he said as they went up and towards Layla's room as Natsu gently put her into bed and covered her up with the blanket as she snuggled up to Happy. Rubbing her head, he bent down and kissed her on the side of her head. "Goodnight little dragon" he whispered as he walked to a waiting Lucy and grabbed her hand as they shut the light off and walked to their room. "You know that's going to be her favorite toy. Forget everything else.' "Haha, yeah I know. It wasn't my intention" said Natsu as he laughed quietly.
Lucy got into her night shirt and slipped into bed as Natsu removed his clothes and got in beside her as Lucy cuddled herself against his body as he wrapped his arms around her giving her a kiss on the back of her neck. "Today was wonderful Natsu" "Yes it was" "I don't want this night to end. It was such a good day today. Everyone was happy. Nothing bad,..noone tried to ruin anything" "That's what makes these days special baby and why we are fighting. We'll get days like this back, you'll see." Grabbing at his hand around her stomach, she smiled and said, "I believe you." "Well then believe me when I.." he stopped as he looked down and saw Lucy was out. He chuckled as he laid down on pillow. The next morning Lucy was up and dressed while Natsu and Layla slept. "Both of them were troopers yesterday, not to mention Layla had so much sugar in her, it will be a wonder she doesn't sleep till eleven. She came downstairs and and brewed a pot of coffee. "He's going to want some when he gets up. Now to get started" Happily, she turned on some music and started picking up the plates in the dining room. Before she knew it, she was singing as she cleaned up. While he didn't move, Natsu woke up hearing her voice and enjoyed listening to her. "I can't wait till she can get back on a stage again" he thought as he closed his eyes listening . "Surprisingly enough, this isn't as messy as I thought it would be, minus all the paper crap" she said out loud as she stuffed the paper plates and stuff into a trash bag.
As she began sweeping, the doorbell went off. "The doorbell? Nobody has ever used that" she thought as she went to set the broom down and grab her phone to check for a message. "It's not anyone we know. They know to send a message before they show up" she told herself as she warily looked towards the door as the doorbell went off again. Natsu was sitting up in his bed alert as he heard the doorbell go off. She opened it as she yelled "Natsu!" and stepped backwards as he came rushing down the stairs and by Lucy's side as he put an arm around her and pointed the gun he grabbed at the security guard. "What the hell do you want.? You've got three seconds before I shoot you in the head" he said hostile as Lucy shivered. "I was sent by master Zeref to give the lady this" he said as he held a rolled-up piece of paper which Natsu snatched out of his hand which Lucy immediately took and unwrapped. Glaring he said "get the fuck out of here, your package wa-" he was cut off by Lucy as she let out a horrified gasp dropping the paper. "Lucy!, what is it?" he asked alarmed as she shook her head.
Still aiming the gun at the guard, he tilted his head down to look at the paper and rage grew inside him as it was a vulgar drawing of Lucy bleeding where Zeref had raped her. Zeref had written at the bottom look forward to seeing you like this again. "AHHH" he screamed in fury as he clicked his gun at the guard and his hand shook with the outrage he was feeling. "Ggggget ooout of here NOW!" he shouted as the guard left as Natsu slammed the door and threw the gun to the floor as he ran to Lucy who in a fetal position. "Lucy" he said as calm as he could as she shook her head and began spazzing. "He's coming after me!, he's coming Natsu. I know it" she said so frantic he could barely understand her as she started hyperventilating. Grabbing her shoulders, he sat her up. "Lucy , no no no. Look at me" he told her as she looked everywhere but at him. Grabbing her cheeks with his hands he put his forehead against hers. "Baby" he whispered as her panicked eyes looked at him. " .he. he." "No Lucy, breathe baby" "I can't!" she cried as she started rocking back and fourth "That son of a bitch" he thought angrily. "Don't usually do this but this is my only shot" he thought quickly as he kissed her fully on her lips.
Feeling his touch, she stopped rocking as she sat there. "Come on baby, please calm down" he pleaded in his head as he desperately kept his lips on her as he finally felt her body relaxing. Releasing his mouth slowly from hers, he took his hands from her face and looked at her. Her eyes were filled with fear as she brought her hands to her head. Closing her eyes tight, "I'm seeing it all over again Natsuuuu" she wept as he sat right there heartbroken as she looked at him pleading "help me! Please" Silently he took her in his arms as she cried out. "Mommy?" said Layla worried as Natsu looked at the top of the stairs to see Layla standing there with a concerned look on her face as Natsu motioned for her to come down. She quickly came down the stairs and slipped between Natsu's arms to hug Lucy as she clung to Layla. "It'll be okay mommy" she said softly as Lucy cried. Noticing the paper on the floor , Layla asked "what's that daddy?" "Ash" he said coldly "That's not for you to see Layla understand?" he said sternly as she nodded. Lighting up his tone some he said "Layla, can you please go grab my phone off my stand upstairs?" "Yes daddy" she replied as she got out from in between Natsu's arms and ran on her little feet to Natsu's room and grabbed his phone and was back down to give to him. "Thanks baby girl" he said with a smile as she grabbed her Happy cat and got back to hugging Lucy. Taking his hand away from Lucy, he unlocked his phone and dialed a number and put it in speaker. "Hello?, Natsu?" "Jellal, Get everyone over here…now" he said bitterly. "Understood. Whats going on?" "Tell you when you get here. Just get your asses over here" he ordered as he hung up and put his hand back on Lucy who was still crying. "Lucy, baby I am so so sorry" " wont ..gggo awayyy" she stuttered making Natsu clench his teeth. " I'm going to rip this guy apart.. Death would be way too easy, no I'm going to make him feel every bit of pain he has put her through" he thought darkly "Him and Evelyn"
Jellal and the others came through the door fifteen minutes later as they saw Natsu and the other two on the floor. " Natsu? what the hell happened? And your still in your boxers' man" said Gray concerned and surprised. Natsu looked at him very annoyed. "I know that you damn stripper, that is not the issue here" he looked back towards Lucy who had stopped crying and was sniffling as she put a hand to her throat because it hurt. "Lucy, I gotta go get dressed" he said nicely as she sat up on her knees. "Come on kiddo" he called to Layla who grabbed his hand as they went upstairs to get dressed. The other three stood there silently looking at Lucy who hadn't turned around to face them yet. Jellal saw the paper on the floor and picked it up. "Jellal?" said Erza as she saw his face shift to anger when she and Gray saw the drawing. "That bastard" he growled as he instantly folded the paper. Natsu came back down a minute later and saw the paper. "I'll take that" he said taking it out of Jellal's hand and brought it to the sink where he pulled matches out of a drawer and lit one to the paper as it shriveled up into nothing. "Natsu, what the hell happened?" asked Erza as she saw his hands clenching the counter.
"One of Zeref's fucking bodyguards showed up with a package for Lucy, you saw it" said Natsu. "and you let him live?" said Jellal surprised. 'He wasn't my priority; I was focused on my fucking wife!" he yelled angrily. "Jeeze Natsu, calm down" urged Gray. Whipping his head towards Gray, he said "don't you fucking tell me to calm down!" "Natsu snapped as Lucy walked over and put her arms around him. "it's okay Natsu" she said croaky. He took a deep breath as he said "we need to go to the base now" "Alright, let's get going" said Erza as her and the other two headed for the door. "Grab your shoes baby girl" said Lucy as Layla said "I need to get Happy" "Don't bring him sweetheart. I don't want him getting lost or dirty" said Lucy. "Noooooo, mommy!" Layla yelled as she threw a tantrum. "I want Happy!" she cried. "Layla Dragneel!, stop it right now" she said strictly as she could with how emotionally exhausted she was. Layla however wouldn't listen as she started flailing and kicking her legs.
"LAYLA!" Natsu yelled sternly getting her attention as he stood there with an irritated face. "Get up off the floor and knock it off. Your mother said no and that is it. Do I make myself clear?" He looked at her expecting an answer as she crossed her arms and muttered "yes daddy" "Okay, get your shoes on" Layla got up and started stomping towards her shoes. "Layla Nashi Dragneel, quit it or so help me, I will spank your butt" he told her getting angry as she finally calmed down and put her shoes on. "Come on baby" said Lucy quietly as she took Layla's hand as they all headed out the door with Natsu right behind all of them. Getting into his car, Natsu drove the girls following behind Jellal as he rode with Erza and Jellal. Once they reached the mafia base, they headed upstairs to the second level. Layla sat in a corner as she read one of the new books Levy had gotten her. Natsu stood at the balcony as he looked over at the members below and ordered "contact whoever you need too but get your butts moving on finding Zeref and Evelyn now!" "Gray, can I talk to you?" Lucy said quietly pulling at his sleeve. "Sure, Lucy what is it?" he said as he sat down next to her while Erza and Jellal stood with Natsu. " You need to know about Natsu's past"