Chapter 17
He went and sat down next to her as she slurped her soup. "are you not hungry?" she asked. "Nahh, not right now besides I still have pizza when I do." He said relaxed. " Eat your soup Luce, I'm fine" he said with a chuckle as she got back to her soup. Soon after that, they heard the bus pull up as Layla went running off the bus and straight into Lucy's arms. "Mommy!, daddy!" she yelled happily with a giant grin on her face. "Hey baby girl" Lucy cooed. "Did you have a good day at school then?" she asked as Layla nodded. "That's great Layla" said Natsu. Layla jumped from Lucy's arms and ran up to her room. Throwing the backpack to the side, she grabbed Happy and dashed back down the stairs and straight into Natsu who looked down and laughed. "Well hello" she looked up and gave him a goofy toothy grin as he shook his head and picked her up. "Hi baby dragon" he greeted nicely as she hugged him tight. After a minute, he put her down but squatted down to face her.
"What is it daddy?" "Mommy and I have to go out later tonight, I'm not sure how long we will be gone but you need to behave for who we get to come watch you alright?" She nodded obediently as she said "who is coming over?" "Still trying to figure that out" he answered as he pulled out his phone and dialed Erza. "What's up sir?" "No need to sound so formal Erza, relax" Natsu said lightly. He heard her sigh as she said more relaxed "what's up Natsu? "Better, hey are you and Jellal doing anything tonight?" "Not as far as I know, why?" "Can you guys come over and watch Layla for a few hours? " Sure, is something going on?" Walking away so Layla wouldn't overhear. "I'm taking Lucy to her first A.A meeting" he said quietly. "Is she ready for that?" she asked slightly concerned. "She made it through her first therapy session , I think she will be fine. Plus she won't be in there alone, I'll be with her" he said reassuringly "Oh good, I'm glad" she replied " So are you guys to watch her?. I don't want to interrupt any plans you guys have" "No worries Natsu, what time do you want us there?" "Let's say five." "Sounds good, see you then" said Erza then hung up as Natsu walked back over to Lucy and Layla. "Erza and Jellal are coming over to watch you" Natsu informed them. "When?" they asked. "They wont be here till five so that gives us some time together" Layla smiled as he said that.
She motioned for him to come over as she patted the couch hard. Sitting down, he said "so what now?" he looked at Lucy and Layla for an answer amused as they gave him puzzled looks . "Welll" he said mischievously. Raising his hands up, he said "If no one has an answer, that means one thing" "What?" the girls said in unison as Natsu brought his hands down quickly on Layla as she busted out laughing as he tickled her everywhere. "Daa..daddyy..noooooooooo" she cried out through laughs as Lucy smiled and started tickling her with him. "Noooo..hahhahha..mmmmommy..Save me!" "Oh no baby girl. Sorry mommy isn't saving you this time" she confessed as Natsu lifted Layla's shirt and blew on her stomach making her scream in laughter . He stopped suddenly letting Layla catch her breath as he took off running grabbing Lucy's hand and pulling her with him. "Come and get us!" he teased as Lucy giggled. Layla let out a breath and jumped off the couch. "I'm coming for you mommy and daddy!" she yelled determined as she raced around to try to catch up to them. "Gotta be faster then that baby dragon" he said as Lucy grinned at him and kept running with him. Layla picked her speed some as she caught Lucy's shirt making them stop. "FOUND YOU!" she screamed with joy "Yes you did, great job Layla" said Lucy. "Now it's our turn to find you, go on, go hide" Natsu told her cheerfully as she listened and darted around the house. "Hide and seek?" said Lucy amused as Natsu shrugged his shoulders. "What happened to not knowing what to do" "Hehe, maybe this was my plan all along" he said cleverly. " You're a sneak you know that" "Yep and you love me for it" he said boldly as he had them close their eyes and began counting. They played together right up until they heard a knock on the door surprising them. "What time is it? " asked Lucy. Pulling out his phone, Natsu said " damn, it's five already. Come in you guys!" he yelled towards the door as Erza and Jellal came walking in.
"You two are panting, you guys alright? Jellal asked amused. "Yeah, we've been playing with Layla..and guess time got away from us" answered Lucy. "That's alright, nothing compares to spending time with your children" Erza said heartfelt. "Your going to be an amazing mother someday" complimented Natsu. Erza's cheeks blushed as Lucy nodded in agreement. "With how you guys are with Layla, your child is going to be so loved" said Lucy. "Thanks guys" said Jellal. "Come on Lucy, we need to get going" reminded Natsu.
She walked over to get her shoes on as Natsu slipped on his and grabbed his car keys. Layla walked over to them as they both kissed her on the cheek. "Be good for your aunt and uncle okay?" asked Lucy. "Yes mommy" she replied as she ran over to them as Jellal picked her up and held her with one arm. "Love you Layla" Natsu and Lucy said in unison. "Love you too!" she replied waving to them. Lucy waved as Natsu closed the door behind them. "How far is this place? "It's an hour away. It's why I called them over early so incase we get lost; we have time to get back on track" explained Natsu. "Good thinking" replied Lucy. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked serious once they had been on the road for a while. "I should be fine" Grabbing her hand, he squeezed it to assure her. "I'll be right there. And just because we are going, it doesn't mean that you have to say anything. This is the first one Luce. You don't have to say anything you don't want too" Squeezing his hand back, she said "thank you" as he smirked at her. "Look, we're here" he announced as they got out. "We came all the way to a church for this?" questioned Lucy. Natsu lightly rolled his eyes and said "come on" lightly pulling her as she walked with him. She noticed quite a few people walking in front of them as they got closer to the church. They just followed them to the back of the church to a large room.
Walking in, Natsu stopped dead center. "You have got to be freaking kidding me" Natsu said mildly annoyed. Lucy looked and saw what he was looking at. Leo was sitting in the center as everyone was sitting in chairs around the room. Putting a hand gently over his , she whispered "relax Natsu..please" she looked at him pleading with her eyes. "I'll be fine, I swear" he whispered giving her a small smile as he put a hand to her cheek. "anything for you" he said softly as they walked towards the center and found a couple chairs when they noticed people staring at them. "Everyone, I want to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel" Leo announced standing up motioning his hand towards them as everyone gave them a eyes widened look. Natsu couldn't help but get a cocky grin on his face as Lucy elbowed him in the ribs. "Sorry" he said quietly to her but then eyed some of the guys around the room looking at Lucy. The look he gave them told them she was his and nobody touch her. "Alright people, relax, yes you know the Dragneel name but that's not why we are here. We are here for an A.A meeting. Everyone recite the serenity prayer with me" said Leo as he started " God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."
They all said it with him as Natsu mumbled "she joined a cult..great" Lucy hearing him gave him a hard look as he crossed his arms like a little kid. "Just want to make sure this is a good place" he whispered. "I know and I appreciate but please try not to give anymore looks like that. Leo already made sure everyone knows who I am..and who you are I might add. Nobody is going to fuck with a mafia wife" "she whispered back to him. He got a cocky grin on his face as Lucy just shook her head and rolled her eyes as she put her attention back on Leo. "Alright, does anyone want to start?" he asked the room. They watched as someone answered and started talking. Natsu felt horrible for some of them as they listened to them losing their families due to their drinking, their relapses. "Jesus, this is freaking heartbreaking" he thought as he looked at Lucy whose face was saddened "and she's supposed to share what happened to her" he thought worried for her as he put a hand on her knee letting her know he was there. "Did you want to go?" Leo asked kindly after a while looking at Lucy who looked shocked for a moment as she struggled inside." Baby" she looked at Natsu who squeezed her leg in a caring and understanding voice said "you do not have to do this" she choked up as everyone looked at her with sympathetic eyes. "He's right Lucy, you don't have too" said Leo.
Shaking her head, in a cracked, teary voice she said " my..name is Lucy." Everyone said hi to her nicely as Lucy continued as she gripped Natsu's hand tight but he didn't mind. "I..I'm not a full alcoholic but there has become a problem when I drink." She closed her eyes hard as Natsu squeezed. "Take your time , there's no hurry" Leo said empathetically. Lucy opened her eyes back up and continued "I had something happen…ttt too mee and because of that…I my dream and " she stuttered pushing the tears she felt down that she felt welling up inside her. Natsu could see it all over face but didn't say anything. "She wants to do this, If I interfere, she'll break down completely" he told himself. "What dream if I may ask?" someone asked tenderly. "I..was..a singer..until my throat was cut..and now it's gone" she finished coldly. " I drank hard after that…and took it out on my husband. I used him as my outlet" Natsu saw a lot of people give her understanding looks that they knew what she felt. Her voice got very quiet as she said "I'm here..because I don't want to keep doing that to him. I don't want to drink anymore out of sadness and then take it out on him" "Well you've come to the right place, you are not alone Lucy. That I promise you" he said softly then in a more straight, clear voice said " I think that's all for the night. Anyone interested, there's a meeting Thursday and see you then" Everyone did a small clap as they all got up and walked towards the exit. Natsu got up and squatted down in front of Lucy who was looking straight down avoiding his face. "Hey" he said faintly grabbing both her hands, he pulled her up as she silently walked through the building. Getting to the car, he turned to her when she slammed herself into him surprisingly him for just a second as he wrapped his arms around. "Lucy" he said sad for her as she started crying into his chest. " Those memories…it…hhurtts" she cried. "I know.I'm sorry baby" he said caringly as he held her there. "Na..Natsuu. I'm …rrreeallly ssssorry" "Shhhh,baby look at me" he said as he cupped her face in his hands.
"I am not going anywhere..ever. You have apologized enough, don't let that keep putting guilt on you." He rubbed one of her cheeks with his thumb as she placed a hand over his. "I am so proud of you tonight Lucy" That brought a small smile to her face as she said "really?" "Yes baby, really. I saw how painful it was for you but you kept going and didn't let it stop you. Yes Lucy,I am absolutely proud of you." She sniffled as he pulled her face towards him into a loving deep kiss. Her grip tightened over his hand as she got lost in the moment. Nothing existed in the world for a moment but him. Her ever forgiving, wonderful husband who would move heaven and earth for her. The one she put through hell for five years then continued to give him a hard time but his love for her didn't lessen a single bit. She couldn't have found a more perfect man for her if she tried. He released from her and gave her a loving, passionate smile. "Wanna head home?" he asked. "Please" she replied. Opening the door for her, she slipped in as Natsu got in the drivers side and started the car up.
They got home and stepped quietly into the house. "Is she asleep?" asked Natsu. "Yep" answered Erza. "Poor little thing tired herself out completely" chuckled Jellal. "Thanks, you guys, really appreciate it" "No problem" answered Erza. "Lucy, you alright?" Jellal asked noticing how quiet she was. "Yeah..I'll be fine..just not happy memories to go down" she told them, they heard the exhaustion in her voice taking that as their que to leave. "Get some sleep you guys" said Jellal as they waved goodbye. Natsu locked the door behind them and then put an arm around Lucy's waist. "Come on, let's get you to bed" he insisted as he walked her up but Lucy walked over to Layla's room as she cracked open the door and smiled looking at Layla's sleeping form. "You'll see her in the morning baby. Come on you need some sleep" he said pulling the door shut as she sleepily said, "your right" and followed him to their room where she undressed and got into bed. Following suit, Natsu got in with her putting an arm around her stomach as he rested his head into her neck. "I love you Lucy" "I love you too Natsu" Over the next two months, it wasn't easy but Lucy and Natsu kept going to therapy and meetings twice a week until Leo seemed confident enough in Lucy to tell her that they only needed to come once a week to the therapy and they could continue the A.A meetings if they wanted but it was no longer necessary. Lucy had her neck bandages removed revealing where there had been a cut now there was long scar across her throat. At first, she didn't know how she felt about that as she knew people at the meeting would ask about it but to her and Natsu's relief, Leo had asked people not too. She had gotten comfortable with telling people about her drinking but her throat and everything before was still a subject Natsu noticed she wouldn't touch. "She'll say something when she is ready" he thought to himself.
It was one day when Erza, Jellal and Gray were all hanging at Natsu and Lucy's when his phone went off. He answered it as they noticed his face get serious. "This is not the…fine.. when the hell is this damn thing?" he said mad into the phone. "Got it" he said quickly pressing the hang up button hard. "Natsu?" said everyone in unison. "We have a meeting to go too Erza" stated Natsu. "Your my second so that means you too" "A meeting? they don't call those very often. Did they say what it was about?" "No" Natsu sniped. "But I didn't care to ask." Letting out a breath, he walked over to Lucy. "Are you going to be alright if I go?" he asked genuine. " You don't really have a choice Natsu" Shaking his head, he said "screw the mafia..you didn't answer my question Luce. Are you going to be alright?" "I'll be fine" she answered but Natsu wasn't fully convinced. "When do you have to leave?" "Hmph, tomorrow morning. I'll be back the day after" he answered annoyed. "Do mafia meetings usually take two days Erza?" Lucy asked looking over at her. "Not always but it depends on what they want to talk about. This will be Natsu's first meeting as official leader of the Magnolia mafia. The big bosses more then likely want to talk to him and see how he is doing and to see if he is fit…which means no blowing your temper" she said eyeing Natsu intensely. "Hmph" "Natsu, this is not something to scoff at or make fun of. Your father was one of the big bosses and no one has ever come close to filling his shoes. You taking the position of leader of Magnolia is a step closer to that" she said enlightening them all.
"Are you serious Erza?" Lucy questioned as Erza nodded firmly. "Yes, if Natsu keeps the order like he has been, there's a good chance he could move up to one of the big bosses .To remind you the big bosses are the ones higher then the mafia leaders. They are the ones in charge of everything, not just their area. They determine who lives and dies and Natsu I'm sure has drawn a lot of attention lately. He needs to watch himself" She looked straight at him with no question that he should listen to her. Slyly laughing between his teeth, he said "Erza..before you step out of line, let me remind you that you of all people know exactly why I acted the way I did…END only came out because Lucy was threatened" "I know, I meant no disrespect Natsu" she said as he looked at her sharply. "Sir" she corrected quickly.
"I get what your saying Erza, I'll keep my temper in check, long as the blowhards don't give me a reason not too" said Natsu. They all stood there for a moment as they all took a breath relaxing them when they heard the bus. "DADDY, MOMMY!" she screamed happily. "Back here baby girl!" Natsu yelled as Layla came zooming through the house outside into Natsu's arms. Holding her, she hugged his neck hard as Lucy came over smiling. Layla looked cheerfully at her as she held a arm out bringing her into a big group hug between the three of them. Lucy rubbed her nose against Layla's making her giggle warming Natsu's heart. "I love that sound" he said warmly. "Did you have a good day?" Lucy asked. "Yes!" she said excited. "We had an ice cream party!" "An ice cream party?" Gray, Jellal and Erza said in unison. "Oh no" said Lucy and Natsu dreadfully. Putting Layla down, they watched as she raced around the back yard. "Oh god" Lucy said lightly putting a hand to her head as she shook it. Putting hands on her shoulders, Natsu said "don't worry Luce. with everyone here, we're bound to tire her out quick…it's my hope anyway" Everyone got to playing with her as Natsu and Lucy cooked dinner then when they were done, they played with her until they saw her finally starting to crash as she started to fall but Gray grabbed her before she hit the ground. "You tired munchkin?" She shook her head in protest and made a sound. Everyone laughed quietly as Natsu and Lucy walked over.
"Oh yes you are, my little dragon" teased Natsu as he picked her up from Gray and laid her against his shoulder. "Let's call it a night guys, you and Erza have a long day tomorrow" said Jellal as he ushered everyone inside. "Gray, stay put for a second. Have a goodnight guys" Natsu said nicely to Erza and Jellal as they waved and said goodbye to them. Natsu headed upstairs with Lucy and Layla as he gently put her in her bed and tucked her in grabbing Happy and tucking him into her arms as she made a cute yawn and turned over on her side making Natsu and Lucy giddy inside. They tiptoed out of her room as Natsu said "go on to bed Luce. I'll be there in a second" "Okay" she answered giving him a kiss on his cheek making him blush . He touched where she kissed him for a minute before he went back downstairs. "What's up?" asked Gray. Natsu nodded towards the door as they both stepped out of it. "I need you to watch Lucy while I'm gone." "Watch for what?" "Anything, she's been doing really good, but this is the first I've been away since she started therapy. She hasn't been tempted to get any beer, but I don't want my being gone to be a reason for her to get some" "Do you not trust her?" "Of course I trust her, look can you just watch over her while I'm gone please?" "You got it man. Just wanted to make sure it was for the right reasons" said Gray. "I do trust her Gray, I just want her to know someone is there if I'm not" he said compassionately. "I understand. Don't worry, she will be fine. I've noticed she's doing good too. Two days won't mean a thing" Gray said confidently. "Thanks Gray, See you in the morning" "Will do" he nodded his head to Natsu and left.
Crawling up into the bed, Lucy laid her head on Natsu's chest. "What was that about?" she asked. "Natsu?" she asked after he didn't answer for a minute. " I just asked Gray if he could watch out for you . That's all. You've done wonderful these last two months Luce. Just didn't want my not being there to affect you" he told her honestly. "I promise I won't pick up a drink Natsu" she swore. "I believe you" he said with a smirk as he ran his hand through her hair as he looked down and saw Lucy asleep "Goodnight my warrior" he whispered happily to himself as he closed his eyes and waited for sleep to take him. Late next morning, Erza and Gray came over as Natsu got a small bag packed for himself. " You guys will only be gone a couple days right?" asked Lucy. "Not even that Lucy, we might be back as early as tomorrow morning instead of afternoon." Erza said optimistic. Looking up, they saw Natsu coming down the stairs. Layla walked over and stood in front of Lucy with Lucy's hands wrapped her neck. Natsu dropped his bag and crouched in front of Layla. "Can daddy get a hug?" he asked warmly as Layla threw her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly as he hugged her back. "I swear I'll be back in just a couple days baby girl" he said assuring her.
Reluctantly, he took her arms from his neck as her lip trembled "Layla, baby girl I promise…I know this is the first time I've left since everything happened, but I will be right back. I'm not going to go away. Do you believe me?" she emotionally nodded her head as he touched her trembling lip which stopped as he winked at her and gave her a heartfelt kiss on her forehead. "I love you daddy" "I love you too baby girl" Standing on his feet, he looked down at Lucy who put her hands on his chest. "Hurry back my dragon" she said with a small smile as he passionately kissed her but let go after a minute. Putting his hand to his chest, he said " I swear my warrior" She giggled some as he said "I love you baby" "I love you too. You guys better get going" said Lucy as Natsu leaned down and picked up his bag and trench coat. Erza and Natsu walked out as Gray and the girls followed behind them. "Make sure he behaves Erza" Lucy teased. "Oh you know it" Erza answered with a sly grin as they all laughed. Natsu blew Layla and Lucy both kisses as they did it back. Smiling, he gestured goodbye towards Gray as he got into the car with Erza and took off . "Well doesn't it figure the day they go is a Saturday and your off from school munchkin" said Gray cheerfully as Layla looked at him confused. "What does that mean?" she asked. "That means we can do whatever you want" said Gray as her eyes lit up in joy. "Really?" she said excited as she turned her head towards Lucy for an answer. She quietly nodded and said "yes baby. Whatever you want to do" "YIPPEEEE" she exclaimed. "The park!" she yelled. "Well go get your shoes then Layla" said Gray as she ran back inside. "Hey" he said quietly to Lucy who turned her head. "You alright? You were quiet back there" " Yeah, just haven't spent any time away from Natsu since everything happened. Almost feels like a piece of me is missing" "Hey" he said putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He'll back soon. I'm betting he's not liking being away from you either" Layla came back at door ready as she enthusiastically looked at them. "Ready!" she announced making Lucy and Gray chuckle as they grabbed her hands and swung her as they walked to the car and Lucy buckled Layla in as she happily hugged Happy tight.
Once they got to the park, Layla as soon as she got out of the car ran for the playground as she waved for them to join her on the swings. They willingly went with her as they each sat on a swing and began swinging back and forth. It soon turned into a competition to who could go the highest as the three tried to outdo the other. They went fast enough to the point where Lucy had to warn Layla to slow down. She was swinging really fast making her nervous. She dug her feet into the ground halting her swing immediately and Gray did the same. "Layla Dragneel! stop now" she said sternly as Layla swung off the swing and landed face first in the dirt. "Layla!" Gray and Lucy yelled as they went over. "Mommy!" she cried as Lucy looked at her face and saw a couple scrapes but nothing horrible. "This is why I wanted you to slow down baby" she said gently as she hugged Layla to her as Layla cried. "It hurts mommy" "I know sweetheart, it will go away in a little bit"
She wasn't wrong because a few minutes later once the pain was gone, Layla was back to running around the playground but didn't get back on the swing. Lucy and Gray went to take a seat on the bench and watched her. "So what else do you want to do Lucy?" he asked curious. "I'm not really sure to be honest" she answered. "I could take you guys out for lunch, is that alright?" "Oh Gray, you don't have to do that" "It's no biggie, I promise" he assured as she nodded her head "Thank you" she said graciously. He nodded in response as she played for another couple hours. " Hey Layla, time to go baby girl" Lucy called out as she came running to Lucy. "Your uncle is taking us out for lunch" she said cheerfully as Layla jumped in excitement. "Lunch, uncle Gray, really?" Layla asked. "Yeah munchkin. Come on" he said eagerly. She grabbed Lucy's hand as they both ran to the car with Gray walking slowly behind them. Buckling her into her seat, she got in as Gray got in the passenger side. "So where did you want to go?" he asked. "There's a café right in town that we can go too. They have good food" Lucy replied. "Sounds good" said Gray. Lucy started up the car and drove to the café which was only a few minutes away from the park. Getting out, they walked into the café as Lucy ordered for her and Layla then Gray ordered for himself then paid. Once they got their food, they went and sat at a table outside with an umbrella shading them. "Thanks a bunch Gray" said Lucy. "No worries, like I told you" he said lightly. "How is Juvia doing?, it's been a while since I've seen her" "She's doing good, she's working a lot at the aquarium. She's enjoying the hell out of it" "That's great" answered Lucy. "Is it good Layla?" she asked watching Layla chomp down on a sandwich. She nodded happily while she chewed.
Gray and Lucy were enjoying their food when they heard girls singing. He watched Lucy's eyes grow sad in recognition. "That's my song" she whispered. "I know" he said sadly as they heard the girls stop and start talking "Where did you hear that song?" " I went to Europe a few years ago and watched Lucy and the stars perform" "Isn't she from here?" "Yes, and I was so excited to hear when she came back but then nothing happened. makes me wonder what happened to her" Lucy squeezed the fork in her hand hard as Gray lightly put a hand over hers. "Come on Layla, we are leaving" he said seriously. "Really?" "Yep, come on munchkin" he said calmly as he leaned forward towards Lucy and whispered into her ear "come on Lucy, let's get you home" She silently got up and walked towards the car not saying a word. Gray got Layla into her car seat as Lucy sat herself down. She was completely silent as they drove back to the house. "This is why he wanted me to watch her" Gray thought to himself. Getting to the house, Layla ran to her room while Lucy went to the couch and sat down. He didn't say a word as he sat in the chair next to the couch. "Lu-" but before he could finish, she shook her head hard at him silencing him. She grabbed the remote and tossed it towards him. Not knowing what else to do, he turned on the tv as he started flipping through channels until he found something that looked like got Lucy's attention, but her expression dropped making it hard for Gray to read and figure out what she was thinking inside. They sat there a while Lucy looked blankly at the tv not really caring what was on as she laid down on the pillow . Getting up, Gray walked over to get some water and brought a glass back for Lucy as she looked up at him from the pillow. "This will go down easier then beer will" he said lightly trying to get a smile out of her but it had no effect as she lifted the glass and took a drink before putting it back down. " Damn" he thought disappointed. "Guess it's a good thing I did say I could or who knows where she would be right now"
Eventually the evening came when Gray called Layla downstairs. "What do you want for dinner munchkin?" he asked. "fish sticks" she answered "Fish sticks? well alright, fish sticks it is" he said as he looked in the freezer and pulled out a bag along with a small bag of broccoli. Turning the oven on, he pulled a pan out to put the fish on and a pan to put the broccoli on. Once the oven was up to temperature, he put in the fish sticks on then waited for when he could put the broccoli on. "Is mommy okay?" she asked him noticing she hadn't said a word since they had gotten home. Looking at the back of the couch, he answered "your mom is hurting right now. Some people at the café said some things , not hurtful but said some things that have made your mom sad" "Is she going to get mad at daddy again?" "No Layla, that wont happen," he assured as he saw he could turn the broccoli on. "We just need to leave her be for now" he told her as they both looked at the couch. Once everything was ready, he got a plate ready for Layla and Lucy. Layla smiled a big smile at him as she thanked him and started eating. Rubbing her head, he smiled as he grabbed Lucy's plate and walked over. Gently setting it in front of her, he nodded towards her letting her know it was alright for her to eat. Her eyes were empty as she nodded telling him she understood. Finally, after a while, she got up and walked towards the stairs as Gray silently watched her go upstairs and disappear. "Damn, this sucks..and Natsu won't be back till sometime tomorrow" he thought bitterly. "They just had to do it..those girls had to say something right in front of her." "Damn it!" he yelled surprising Layla.
"Sorry sweetie" he said quickly as she went back to her plate. "I'm done Gray" said Layla after fifteen minutes. "Okay munchkin, go ahead and put it in the sink" he said lightly. Doing what he said, she came and sat on the couch with him. Twenty more minutes went by before Layla worried said "uncle Gray.. Shouldn't mommy have come down by now? "Yeah…she should have.. stay here Layla" he said stern as he slowly walked towards the stairs and went up. He saw their door was open as he stepped in but saw she wasn't in bed as he saw a light under the bathroom door. "Lucy?" he said concerned. There wasn't a word until he put his ear to the door and heard muffled crying getting his attention. "Lucy!, Lucy! , open the door!" he yelled frantic as he pushed on the door knob but it wouldn't budge. "I'm going to owe them for this" he thought quickly as he kicked down the door as Lucy screamed at him but didn't turn towards him. "Lucy, what are you?" but he stopped as he saw red.( moment – acoustic by roses & revolutions) Immediately ,he went to Lucy's side and pulled her arms as she yelled in protest. Her arms were covered in scratches as he saw her fingers covered in blood. "She clawed at herself" he thought as she yelled at him to let go. "I can't Lucy. Look what you've done" Shaking her head, tears streamed down her face as she laid her head on the floor.
"I have to tell Natsu" "NO" she screamed as she had a look of guilt. "I have too Lucy" he said continuing to hold her arms as she cried. "He's going to be so hurt" she said. " I'm sorry Lucy but I can't keep this from him" he confessed as he lifted her from the floor and walked her over to her bed. Sitting her down, she wept as he went to grab the first aid kit and began cleaning her hands of the blood she had under her nails. Delicately once he was finished with her hands, he began cleaning the blood off her reopened scars. Her face grimaced a couple times at the stinging from the cleaning liquid. Wrapping her arms back up, he looked at her as she lowered her face in shame and disappointment in herself. Heartbroken for her, he couldn't find the words to say, pulling her into a deep hug as she cried on his shoulder. Eventually she cried herself to sleep as he carefully laid her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
"Gray, is mommy alright? . I heard her scream" Layla asked once he came back down. "Not right now she isn't munchkin. She's asleep" he told her. "Let's get you to bed munchkin" he said nicely as she went up brushed her teeth and got into bed as he tucked her in. "Goodnight munchkin" he said quietly as he smiled and kissed her lightly on the nose as she snuggled into her blankets and went to sleep. Sitting on the couch, Gray put his lips together and blew out air. "This is going to fucking suck" he said out loud as he pulled out his phone. "it's freaking 9pm and I'm going to call Natsu. Your trying to kill me Lucy. Okay enough stalling let's get this over with" he told himself as he pressed speed dial on his phone. It was only two seconds before Natsu answered "What's going on Gray?" he asked immediately. "It's Lucy" "What the fuck happened?" he yelled. "She had a relapse" "WHERE WERE YOU?, WHY WEREN'T YOU WATCHING HER?!" he shouted. "She went to the bathroom man, I went upstairs and found her. She had cut herself Natsu" "Fuck" he mumbled. "Where is she right now?" "Asleep" "I'm coming home" "What?!" he heard the phone click off.
"Erza!" yelled Natsu. "What is it?" she asked concerned seeing his face. "We're headed home now." Natsu told her as he packed his bags and slipped on his trench coat. "Natsu it's nine at night." "I don't care" he snapped as he walked out of the hotel and to the down to the lobby where some of the bosses were gathered. "Are we finished here?" Natsu said blunt. "Why do you ask?" "Because my family is in trouble and I need to go home" Erza looked at him cautiously warning him as Natsu stood firm. "We will be keeping an eye on you Dragneel, we're interested to see what your future holds" said one of them. "Fine" Natsu mumbled as he walked out with Erza on his heels. "Natsu, I'm not sure leaving is a good idea" "Frankly right now Erza, I don't give a damn about the mafia or anything else right now. I kept my mouth shut the whole day while they lectured me on shit. No right now all I care about is Lucy and getting home" he said in a finality tone. "Lucy?" Erza questioned immediately. "Yes, still have problems with going home now?" he said sharply. "No" she replied firm. "Good, get in, I'm driving" he told her as they got in her car and took for Magnolia.