Chapter 10
Getting the smell of the last few days off him and Zeref's stench, he changed into fresh jeans and a t- shirt as he grabbed his shoes and got back into the car. "I'm coming Lucy" he thought as he drove to the hospital. Once he got there, he saw Gray standing outside the room. "Everything finished?" Gray asked. "He won't hurt her ever again" he answered seriously. " Good" "Is she awake yet?" he asked worried as Gray opened the door to see Erza and Jellal. "DADDY!" Layla screamed happily as Natsu dropped to his knees and smiled as Layla ran over and jumped throwing her arms around his neck as he buried his face into hair. "Hi baby girl" he said lovingly. "Where did you go?, you said you be right back" she asked wanting to know. "Sorry, my business took a little longer then I thought but I promise I'm not going anywhere now." "You promise?" she asked hopeful as he smiled and said softly "yes Layla, I promise" she got a big smile on her face as she hugged him more. After a minute more, Layla let him up as he stood back up on his feet as she held his hand. "How is she?" Natsu asked them looking at Lucy. "She's seemed fine" answered Erza as if on que, Lucy coughed. Getting Natsu's attention, he walked over and grabbed her hand as she rubbed her eyes with her other hand and slowly opened her eyes seeing nothing but fuzziness.
"Lucy" she heard a tender voice as Natsu's face came into focus. She happily opened her mouth to say his name when he stopped her quickly. "Easy Luce, you've been on meds for the last couple days." He said caringly as she held her arms out as he wrapped his arms around her. "He's gone" he whispered as she suddenly unhooked her arms from him and looked him straight in the face as he had a warm smile. "He's gone baby. He will never hurt you again" She felt tears coming on fast as she silently cried as Natsu put his forehead against hers as she put her hands to his cheeks. "I love you too Luce" "Mommy" Layla said happily as Natsu put her up on the bed as Layla hugged Lucy's stomach as Lucy lovingly smiled at her. "Has there been any word on your throat?" he asked as she shook her head. "I'll go find Wendy" said Gray as he left as Natsu jumped onto the bed as Lucy laid her head against him as he put an arm around her. "Are you in any pain Lucy?" Erza asked sensitively as Lucy shook her head. "I'm glad" she answered with a small smile. Grabbing Natsu's phone, they were confused as they saw her typing then they all laughed as she held the phone out showing them the message she wrote. When do we get to go home? Natsu chuckled as he looked at Lucy and said "we gotta make sure your good first you weirdo." He said rubbing his fist lightly on her head as she quietly laughed and blushed. Taking the phone back, she erased the message and wrote another as Natsu just shook his head. "You wake up from sleeping for two days and the first thing you ask is if I've eaten alright..that is so you" he said amused. She shrugged her shoulders as the others nodded in agreement with Natsu. "Hey,hey " greeted Wendy sweetly as she came in with Gray.
"Hey Wendy!" greeted Natsu nicely. "Glad to see your finally back. The others said you had business to take care of." She replied. "Yup but I'm here and ready to take the girls home." "I can see that" she said with a smile as it quickly turned into a face of confliction shocking everyone. "Wendy?" questioned Erza. "What's wrong?" asked Natsu immediately. "Lucy, as best as you can, try to say something" she said soft with kindness. "What's going on?" asked Natsu more insistent. "I took some x-rays…the results. She stared then stopped as Natsu looked at his team as they got the message. "we'll go" said Jellal as he walked out with Erza and Gray and shut the door. "Wendy, what is the problem?" he said serious. "First , I need to see if she can say anything…Lucy, try honey" Clearing her throat as softly as she could without hurting her throat, It came out croaky at first as she said "Nn.. .Natsu" she finished a little more strong as Wendy sighed with some relief but not much as she had a look of guilt on her face. "Wendy , your starting to really worry me. What is wrong?" said Natsu as he with Lucy and Layla all looked at her with scared faces. "I am very sorry to say this guys…but with how deep the cut was, Lucy will eventually be able to talk ..but she will never be able to sing again. If she even tries to go into a high note, she will cause irreparable damage to her throat" she said emotional as she looked at their blank faces. "Guys…I am sorry" she apologized as Natsu sternly but not meanly said "leave Wendy. Please" she looked at Lucy's broken expression as Layla looked into Lucy's eyes with sadness holding her hand.
She quickly nodded her head as she got out and shut the door. Natsu's hands balled into fists as he paced quickly. "It wasn't enough..It wasn't enough he took everything from her…" he said in a low growl as he walked over to a wall and pounded his fist into it. "NOOOOOOO. DAMN IT!" he screamed angrily as Lucy sobbed as the others came running. "What happened!" Gray asked seeing Lucy. "That bastard…he took Lucy's singing from her!" Natsu yelled as they looked at her heartbroken. "Lucy.." said Gray and Jellal. They had met her through her singing, sang and played music with her. They had gotten to join the most famous record label in Magnolia ,Fairy Tail. Now that was all gone in the blink of an eye for her and there was nothing they could do. Natsu leaned his head down as he breathed very slowly trying to rein his anger he felt. He knew this was not the place nor was it anyone's fault this happened so he breathed until he felt control as he silently stood straight up and walked over to Lucy picking her up off the bed and holding her In his arms as they slowly sank to the floor as she clawed at his shirt in crying sadness and anger. He closed his eyes letting her cry as she laid her head on his knee as she gripped his pants hard.
"I'm sorry baby" he said quietly as Layla tiptoed over and laid herself next to Lucy to comfort her. Erza, Jellal ,Gray not touching her all got around her and Natsu in a circle as they all closed their eyes for a moment then reopened them but said nothing. After hours, Natsu reluctantly knowing she didn't want to hear it but said it anyway very caringly " Lucy..we need to get you out of here baby. It's time to take you home" He could see in her eyes she didn't care about going anywhere as he took her into his arms and lifted her bridal style as she rested her head against him as they all quietly walked out with him. "I'll drive you guys home" said Gray before Natsu had a chance to argue and protest. Instead he just nodded his head and said "thanks Gray". He smirked as he got into the front seat as Natsu with Lucy in his arms got into the back and Layla got into her car seat and buckled herself as Natsu winked at her for not making a fuss at all. "See you guys later" he muttered to Jellal and Erza understanding the mumble as they sympathetically waved goodbye. He cradled Lucy as they drove home. Layla reached over as far as she could and touched Lucy's stomach as Natsu smiled an understanding smile at her knowing what she was trying to do but Lucy didn't react except to bury her face further into Natsu as Natsu opened and closed his mouth at her not even reacting to Layla when surprising him, Lucy reached her hand and closed it around Layla's fingers. He let out a small thankful breath as he watched a very small smile on Lucy's face form. "You'll get through this Lucy; I'll be right here" thought Natsu. Getting them home, Natsu carried Lucy in before she pulled at him to stop as he let her down. She grabbed the stair railing and walked depressingly up as Natsu and Gray watched her. "Is she going to be alright?" asked Gray very worried. He looked over at Natsu who was still looking up the stairs. "I honestly don't know Gray..and that's what scares me" he confessed as Layla grabbed at his sleeve. "What is it Layla?" he said softly.
"I'm sleepy daddy." Picking her up, he said "alright let's get you into bed. Gray, do you want me to give you a lift home?" "Nahh, I can walk , it's not too far." He answered as Natsu just shook his head and motioned upstairs. "Come on, there's a room upstairs. Your not gonna walk home at night." "I appreciate it" thanked Gray as Natsu gave him a thumbs up and walked up to Layla's room. Tucking her in, he sat on the side of the bed as Layla looked at him. "Daddy?" "What is it baby girl?" " Is mommy going to be sad forever?" " No sweetheart, mommy is..she's just hurting right now" he said trying to be as honest as he could without diving too much into it. "I'll help" He smiled a soft smile as he said " that's not for you to worry about. Just leave it to me okay?" she nodded as she turned on her side as Natsu kissed her head. "Goodnight baby dragon" he said as she gripped her happy cat tightly. He turned off her light and went to their room as Lucy didn't move an inch or made any notion, she heard him come in. "Lucy" he thought sadly as he took off his clothes and got in with her.
The next day was a gravely silent one as Lucy didn't say anything at all or even get out of the bed. That afternoon, he was sitting on the couch watching Layla play and talking with Gray. "She hasn't come down at all has she?" Gray surmised. "No, not at all." "I think she just needs time. She'll bounce back Natsu" said Gray optimistically. Sighing , he looked at Gray with a disappointed look in his eyes. "Woah Natsu, what's with that look?" "Because this isn't something, she will be able to just get over. I promised her she could sing once all this shit was done. Now it's gone." He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Natsu, you just need to be there for her." "I'll always be here; the point is I can't help! This time" he said frustrated as Layla looked up at him. Realizing he was letting his emotions get the better of him, he said, "it's alright Layla, go back to playing" She smiled an innocent smile and went back to her toys as he let out a breath. "I'm your friend Natsu. I'll be here for you if you need be" "Thanks man" he said grateful. "I'm gonna get going. I'm sure Juvia is wondering where I am right now" said Gray.
"Alright, take it easy man." Said Natsu as Gray fist bumped Natsu and waved goodbye to Layla as she happily waved back. The house was quiet again as Natsu looked at the stairs. " I should go check on her" he thought as he got up. "Stay here Layla" he said as he walked up the stairs quietly as he could. "Lucy?" he whispered walking in. He walked over to her side as he saw her awake. Kneeling down he put a hand on her shoulder. "Lucy...I think you should get up baby" he suggested lightly as her eyes looked up at him. "Say something Luce..please" Her eyes looked down as he nudged her. "Luce..you gotta start trying to talk again" "W.. ?" she said croaky stumbling over her letters. "Because you need to try to start healing Luce. The only way to do that is by starting to talk." She sat up which surprised him. He didn't think she would listen that easily to him. Putting his hands on her knees, he said "come on, let's go downstairs. I'll make you some tea and you can sit on the couch. I know Layla will be happy to see you" She nodded but gave no emotion as she stood up as Natsu put an arm around her shoulder walking out with her until they got to the stairs and he let her go first.