Chapter 18.
"Natsu, slow down" urged Erza as Natsu was pressing his foot down hard on the gas as fast as he could. "No" snapped Natsu. "Natsu, getting a speeding ticket on your way home is not going to help Lucy. Slow your ass down" "I don't give a crap about a damn ticket. I want to get home to my wife" he said turning hard forcing Erza into the side of her seat. "What happened anyway?" she asked. "I have no damn idea, that's part of why I want to get home so freaking bad, all I heard was she cut herself, I have no idea how bad" Erza watched as his face turn from one of determination to one of guilt. "Natsu" she said quietly Hitting the steering wheel, he yelled "Damn it!, I left for one fucking day and this happens. Fuck!" "Natsu, you couldn't have predicted this would happen, she's been doing great so far" said Erza. Gripping the wheel hard, he said "It doesn't matter, I shouldn't have left her right now" "You are on your way now, that's what matters" "Doesn't do me much good now…Lucy, I'm coming baby" he thought as he pressed on the gas again.
Natsu shortened their trip of two hours to an hour and thirty minutes as he rapidly pulled in his driveway. "Go" Erza said quickly as he ran out of Erza's car and up to his front door. Unlocking it, he walked in to see Gray sitting on the stairs. Breathing fast, Natsu said "is she?" Gray nodded as he said "yeah, she's still asleep. But you should go take a look" Getting his breathing back under control, he took a deep breath and quietly started up the stairs as Erza walked through and waved to Gray. "You two made good time getting here. Didn't expect you guys here till one am" said Gray mildly impressed. "You know as well as I do, nothing stops him when it comes to Lucy" Erza replied serious. "True" answered Gray as they looked up the stairs. Natsu walked in and made his way over to the bed where he sat on the edge of the bed. Carefully without waking her up, he lowered the blanket and saw the bandages on her arms. "Oh Lucy" he whispered full of sadness and guilt.
Her eyes suddenly twitched as she partially opened them "Na..Natsu?" she said sleepily. Shaking his head softly he said "shhh, go back to sleep baby" Her eyes closed again as she fell back asleep. He closed his eyes as he sighed getting up and headed back down the stairs. Giving Gray a stern look ,he said "tell me right now what the hell happened" Leaning against the wall, Gray said "we went to lunch today, honestly the whole day was good until then" "Okay , then what?" asked Erza. " It could have happened anywhere, we were sitting eating when Lucy and I heard a couple girls start singing" "It would take more then just singing to make Lucy do that" Natsu interrupted as Gray gave him a knowing look. "Your right, it wasn't just that they were singing, they were singing one of her songs then one of em started talking about seeing her in Europe and how sad it was she hadn't heard anything from her since. I had us leave and that's when" Natsu cut him off with his hand. "that's what triggered her relapse..Hearing her music" Natsu balled his hands out of anger at those girls, and hurt for Lucy. "Natsu, none of us including Lucy could have known girls would start singing her songs" Erza said calmly trying to reason with Natsu.
"How did she cut herself Gray?" Natsu growled. "She was taking too long in the bathroom..when I found her, she …" "TELL ME" he shouted. "Natsu, you need to calm down" insisted Erza. Natsu waved his arm at her. " I don't need to do a damn thing!" he yelled. " You want to wake Lucy up?" "Gray, finish" he ordered. "She clawed at herself Natsu, with her bare fingers" Natsu's eyes widened as Erza yelled "What!" Gray looked down as he said " there was blood on the floor..if I hadn't found her when I did, who knows what more damage she could have done to herself. Natsu grabbed the railing to steady himself from shock. "She didn't drink, instead she took the damage out on herself" he thought miserably as he slammed his hand down on the bar. "Damn it" he cursed at himself quietly. "She begged me not to tell you" Gray said remorseful. "What, why?" asked Erza demanding. Natsu sat on the bottom stair, his face down and grimly said "because she knew I would do what I just did..and didn't want me to feel guilt about leaving her" He dryly chuckled saying " no matter what the situation, she always tries to put me first..even when she's suffering..one of her faults. Damn it Lucy ,why didn't you just put yourself first"
" I did manage to clean her up..once she was done screaming at me not to tell you" said Gray. "What about Layla, please tell me she did" "She didn't see a thing, she heard Lucy scream but she didn't see anything" Gray said positively as Natsu let out a sigh of relief. "Did she go to bed easily for you?" he asked. "Yes" Gray replied. Rubbing his eyes, Natsu laid his head down between his arms on his knees. "Natsu, you should get some sleep. It's late" suggested Gray. " I can't e" "No Natsu" Erza cut him off. "You've been moving since early this morning; you haven't gotten to rest at all today. Gray is right, you need to get some sleep. Go up there, comfort your wife, and just help her through the next day" Erza said in a kind but firm voice. Submitting, Natsu sleepily shook his head as he stood up. "We'll call you guys tomorrow" said Gray as Erza nodded in agreement. "Alright, goodnight guys" said Natsu as he walked behind them to lock the door and then dragged himself up the stairs. Getting to the bedroom, he tossed his jacket into a corner and kicked his boots off. Yanking off his pants and socks, he left his shirt on as he climbed into bed.
He wrapped his hands around Lucy's stomach bringing her into him as sleep came to him instantly. The next morning Lucy groggily rubbed her eyes and went to move when she felt weight. She looked down to see arms around her making her turn her head to see Natsu still fast asleep. "I'm so sorry Natsu" she thought shamefully as she laid her head back down and put her hands over his. She went back to sleep for a couple more hours waking up to fingers curled around hers. She felt his hand turn her on her back making her look at him. "Lucy" he said with compassion and understanding. "Natsu.." she said , her eyes instantly tearing up. "Luce" "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you come home, I told him" He silenced her as he pulled her into his chest and held her there as he wrapped an arm around her neck and other around her waist. "Lucy, there is no reason for you to be sorry. I will always come running if you need me. It doesn't matter what it is. I am sorry I wasn't here when It happened" He could hear her muffled crying as he rubbed the back of her head. "Aww baby, we will get through this. Just like we have been doing" "What if I cant" she said muffled as he released her some "What?" he said not really hearing " What if I can't Natsu?" "No, you are not giving up. This was a misstep that's all. You have done an amazing job Luce. Don't stop yourself now" "Natsu, look at me!" she yelled holding her arms out. "Luce, you have been through hell that I wish I could have stopped a million times over but you pushed yourself through it. Not for me, not for Layla but for yourself. You did that" he told her proudly as she looked at him with red, teary eyes.
Putting a hand to her cheek, he said "we will get through this just like we've been doing. No matter how long it takes, we will get through this until you can get a bright smile back on your face" " I do.." she stopped turning her face away off his hand. "What, what baby?" Choked up, she said " I don't deserve you. I never have" "Heyyy" he said softly sitting up he pulled her into his lap, he held her in his arms as he pulled the blanket back up around her legs. She laid her head against his arm as he put a finger under her chin forcing her to look into his eyes that had nothing but warmth and love in them. " I have never wanted anybody but you, not once. My heart has and always will belong to you Lucy. You are my soulmate Luce, and I don't know what I would do without you. You may think you don't deserve me but I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that you do. You deserve the world and I'm going to make sure you get it.. I love you, my heart" Tears overflowed down her cheeks as she made a happy cry. "Natsu..I ..Ill love you so much" "I know" he whispered as he brought his lips down for an unexpected kiss surprising Lucy but she melted into it. She wanted time to stop right there as she felt his longing and feelings for her through his lips. "Mommy?" they released hearing the cute squeaky voice of their child. They lifted their heads to see Layla standing there in her night gown holding Happy with one hand. " Daddy?" "Hey baby girl" he greeted as Layla's face lit up with joy as she ran and jumped onto the bed.
"Daddy!" she yelled happily as he grabbed her with one arm hoisting her onto the bed as she sat between Lucy's legs. He smiled ruffling her hair as she giggled. "You came home early" said Layla. "Yep, I did. I couldn't stay away any longer" Layla laughed until she saw Lucy's arms covered in bandages. "Mommy" Layla said worried. "She will be fine baby girl" assured Natsu. Looking into Lucy's eyes, Layla said "did you get sad again mommy?" Lucy couldn't help but feel guilt as she hung her head. Carefully, she lifted Lucy's arms up as she snuggled her way in wrapping her hands around Lucy. " You'll be happy again mommy. I'll help you" "Bbbbabby ggirl" she said through clenched teeth as tears started coming down as she wrapped her arms tightly around Layla as Natsu hugged them both to him kissing the top of Lucy's head. "We'll get through this Luce.. I promise. As a family, we will make it through together" She nodded her head smiling thankful for her loving husband and daughter. After a while, Natsu finally said " you want something to eat Layla?" She nodded. Natsu grinning said " pancakes sound good?" "Yes!" Layla yelled excited as she jumped off the bed. Lucy got up off Natsu's lap when he got out of bed. "Go ahead and get the stuff baby girl. We'll be down in a minute" said Natsu as Layla raced out of the room and down the stairs. "Crazy kid" he said amused shaking his head.
"That's our girl" Lucy said quietly. They silently got dressed. "Come on baby" Natsu said with an optimistic smile holding out his hand for Lucy. Taking it, they both walked down the stairs when Natsu cheerfully said "Whose ready to make pancakes" "Me, me, me!" Layla yelled from the kitchen. Natsu and Lucy walked over where he had her sit in one of the chairs next to the counter while him and Layla got stuff ready for pancakes. "Alright Layla, I need the eggs sweetheart" he told her as she went to the fridge and pulled them out for him. "Now how many do you think you will eat?" "A million!" "A million? that's an awful lot for that tiny body of yours" Natsu said in good humor going along with her. "I can do it daddy!, I take after you member? Least that what mommy says" attested Layla. "oh hooo. Touché, there little dragon. Alright a million pancakes it is" he said as he cracked a bunch of eggs together. "Okay Layla, next I need the milk, butter" she got those while Natsu grabbed the flour. Once he had everything, he mixed it all together. "Okay Layla, the rest is up to me. Thanks for the help sweetheart" She quickly nodded smiling as she went and took a seat next to Lucy. "You were a great helper baby girl" said Lucy. "Thank you mommy" said Layla. Soon the pancakes were done as Natsu pulled out three plates and put a stack on each. Handing a plate to Layla, he said "eat up little dragon. Here's your million pancakes" Her eyes brightened as she saw the stack. "YUMMY!" she screamed pouring syrup on them as Natsu and Lucy laughed. "Here you go Luce" he said in a kind voice putting a plate down in front of her. "Thanks Natsu." She said grateful and quiet "Woah, woah woah" Natsu said quickly making Lucy turn as Natsu grabbed the syrup bottle away from Layla who drowned her pancakes in it. "Your going to wind up in a sugar coma if you add much more" he teased. "Aww daddy, come on" she whined. " You have enough Layla" he said light but the serious tone was there. "Okay, fine" she surrendered digging right into her pancakes making Lucy and Natsu shake their heads at her. "Come sit Natsu, you've done enough" said Lucy. He went and took the seat next to her and started eating.
He was happily relieved when he saw Lucy eating. Small bites but she was eating which was enough for him. He felt his phone go off when he looked at and saw it was a text from Gray. "Gray's checking up on ya Luce" Lucy's cheeks blushed some as Natsu texted him back. "Oh another, Erza.. Jeeze, watch them be freaking together. I'm gonna find out" he said determined as he texted Erza asking if she was with Gray. His jaw dropped when he got a text saying yes. He snapped his jaw shut then said "why the heck did they text me separate then. Morons" Lucy giggled slightly getting Natsu's attention making him smile. "You done with those pancakes their you weirdo?" called Natsu as he turned himself towards Layla who hands were on her stomach as she burped then patted her stomach. "You are definitely my kid" declared Natsu amused taking his and her plate and rinsing them off. "I'm done" said Lucy in a hushed voice pushing her plate forward.
Taking the plate, he saw there was still a good amount left but kept it to himself. "At least she ate something, I won't say anything on that" he thought to himself scraping what was left into the trash. "You can go sit Luce, I'll clean up here" "No, I can help" she told him getting up and walking into the kitchen. Before he could argue, Lucy already unplugged the grill and took the washable insert out and began rinsing it. "Lucy, baby hey, I got this. I don't want your bandages getting wet" Natsu insisted grabbing for it. "Natsu, I got this" she said firmly. "Lucy" "No, it's just an insert" she said dropping it as water splashed onto her bandages. "Damn it" she mumbled under her breath. Natsu sighed and said "this is why I didn't want you to rinse Luce. I know you were trying to help but I could have gotten it. It was just a few dishes" She got a depressed look on her face as Natsu gave her a grin. "Hey, don't worry about it. Come on, let's get you dried off and those bandages changed." He put his hands on her shoulders walking her over to the couch as he ran for the first aid kit. Coming back, he sat on his knees in front of her as he softly grabbed at her arms and began unwrapping. Lucy was silent until he was on the last wrap. "NO" she yelled yanking her arms back.
"Lucy?, I need to change them baby" he stated as she shook her head. " please" "Daddy" "Stay there baby girl" he said to Layla who was still sitting at the counter. Looking into her eyes, he said strongly but caring "Lucy, you can't wrap them yourself..please Luce" Still shaking, reluctant, she let grab her arms and bring them back down as she took a deep breath and held it as he unwrapped the last bandage and paused looking at her wounds. His face unreadable as he looked at her arms. She let out the breath she had been holding and held back the cry she felt building inside as he looked at her tenderly and without saying a word began drying the scratches off. After a couple minutes, he wrapped them back up and had a loving smile on his face. "There, all set" She looked up at him with tearful ,thankful eyes throwing her hands around him shocking him, but it quickly went away as he closed his eyes and put his hands around her waist as she cried on his shoulder. " Luce" they sat there on their knees together for a few minutes until she released from him and put her hands to his cheeks. "I'm sorry Natsu" "No Lucy, you have no reason to apologize baby" he said soothingly "If anyone should be apologizing, it's me" he scolded in his head. "You were hurt and I wasn't there..to prevent this" he thought shamefully helping Lucy to her feet as he motioned for Layla that she could come over. She went immediately to Lucy and grabbed her hand leading her to the couch. Sitting down, Layla jumped up and sat on Lucy's lap as she rubbed Layla's back. Natsu stood there for a moment looking at the back of their head crossing his arms contemplating.
"There's no way in hell I can leave her be now but I need to do something to make her feel better." He leaned his head back against the wall. "That's what I can do" he realized thinking of something "but that has to wait till tonight..crap her bandages..I wonder if Wendy has any waterproof bandages" he thought pulling out his phone. He dialed Wendy who picked up after a few rings. "What's going on Natsu?. You don't call unless something is up" "Do you by chance have waterproof bandages?" he asked innocently. "Yes…why?" she asked suspiciously. He was quiet for a moment as he still had his focus on the girls. Layla was just talking with Lucy making him smirk. "Natsu!" Wendy yelled getting his attention back as he walked out of the room out of earshot. "Why do you need waterproof bandages? What the hell did you do to yourself now?" she snapped. "Hey!, for your information, I didn't do a damn thing and it's not even for me" he said highly irritated.
Taking a breath, he recomposed himself as he said "It's for Lucy. She had an incident and I need waterproof bandages" "Do I need to come over?" she asked immediately. "No. it's not that serious" he answered. "What happened" she asked sounding sad. " I wasn't here and Lucy got hurt..please Wendy, I don't want to go into it. Just please tell me you have bandages" he pleaded. "Yes" she replied. "Thank you" "When do you want me to bring them over?" "Whenever you get the chance. Just before nightfall if you can manage" he told her. "Nightfall? you got something going on?" Wendy said with slight enthusiasm. " Nothing that you need to know about Wendy. Just bring the bandages" he said in good humor hearing her eagerness. "You bet!" she announced happily. Natsu hung up satisfied walking back to the girls. "Everything alright?" Lucy asked "Yes, just asked Wendy to bring over some bandages, that's all" he replied simply as she eyed to see if he was hiding something, but his face showed nothing. He smirked at her knowing what she was trying to do. "Nice try Luce, I have a better poker face then you do" he thought cleverly to himself. "I'm not going to let you have my feelings on your shoulders as well baby" "Butthole, why won't he tell me what he's thinking or feeling" Lucy thought hard. "Layla, sweetheart, want to see if Happy is on tv?" he asked quickly as she looked joyful grabbing the remote and instantly flipping through channels. She flipped through until she caught a glimpse and screamed for delight as she landed back on it. She sat back in her seat happy as can be laying her head against Natsu as he rested his arms around her and Lucy who snuggled up to him.
He kissed the side of her head making her cheeks tint as she sat and watched with her family. Later on that day, Wendy came over with the bandages stepping inside their house. "Hey Wendy" Natsu greeted as Layla came over with him smiling. "Hi Layla" she said sweetly. "Hi Wendy" answered Layla. "Here Natsu, I brought the bandages over" said Wendy handing him them. "Thanks a bunch" he said taking them out of her hands. Wendy looked over at Lucy who had been quiet. "Lucy" Wendy said softly walking past Natsu. She walked as Lucy tried to hide her arms but Wendy shook her head very caringly as she held out her hand. "It's alright Lucy, let me see" Wendy said very lightly and understanding. Trembling, she held her arms out as Natsu got in front of her. "No Wendy" he said forceful shielding Lucy. Taken aback, Wendy took a step backwards. "She's been through enough" he said sullenly looking at her, as she looked back at him. Closing his eyes, his face turned hard as he looked back at Wendy. "No Wendy, I won't let you look at them. I told you over the phone they weren't bad enough that you needed to look" he said coldly. "Natsu, last I checked , you aren't a doctor. You have no idea if they are infected or not" she argued. "No but I am your boss" "Just in the mafia" she shot back at him. " That means you back off and know your place" he said with a low growl. "Natsu" Lucy begged in a small voice grabbing his hand making him look back at her. He knew what she was asking without her even saying it. Leaning down, he touched his forehead to hers. "Okay" he said in a hushed voice. Standing back up, he turned back partly to look at Wendy.
Calming his face, he said in a compassionate voice "please Wendy, don't make her show you. If they get infected, you will be the first to know" Wendy could see the compassion and the begging in his eyes as she said " alright, that's fine Natsu" He let out a breath of relief as Wendy smiled at him. " You promise to tell me if you need to look at them?" "Yes" answered Natsu without hesitation. "Okay, then I will take my leave.. take care of her Natsu" she said kindly as Natsu nodded. Layla waved at her. Closing the door behind her , with the bandages in his hand, he looked at Lucy. "Okay, Lucy, let's get you out of those bandages" "Why Natsu?,I already have these" "Please just trust me and take these off" said Natsu. Something in his voice got to her as she held her hands out. "There was a yearning and sadness in his voice" thought Lucy looking at him as he focused on changing her bandages which took a short amount of time then earlier. "Daddy, why are you changing mommy's bandages?" Forgetting she was still there, he tried to cover one as he took his free hand and covered her eyes. "Daddy!" she whined. "No baby girl, cant have you looking at this. Sorry" he apologized as Lucy gave him a thankful smile. " Just cover your eyes until I say you can look Layla" said Natsu strictly as he lifted his hand off his eyes.
He watched as she covered her eyes. She did it unhappily, but she did as she was told letting Natsu continue to wrap her arms. Quickly he wrapped them and then told Layla she could uncover her eyes. She crossed her arms and huffed at him upset she couldn't help. "Sorry baby girl, this was something you couldn't help with this time" he said honest and sincere. "Fine" she said irritated as Natsu chuckled. Later that night after dinner and they cleaned everything up. Natsu got Layla ready for bed and walked her up while Lucy having been asked by Natsu to sit on their bed and wait for him. Layla got changed and jumped into her bed as Natsu tucked the blankets around her. Leaning down, he kissed her head as he said "goodnight little dragon" "I love you daddy" she said happily making him smile. "I love you too baby girl, get some sleep" she nodded her head as she snuggled Happy and closed her eyes. Shutting off her light and closing the door, Natsu walked over to their room to a waiting Lucy. "Why did you have me wait on the bed Natsu?" she asked curious as he silently took her hands and gently had her stand up and follow him to the bathroom.
Shutting the door behind them, he walked over to the bathtub and turned it on letting the hot water run. It was a full-size bathroom with a jacuzzi tub and shower complete with two sinks for each of them. "Natsu? " she said feeling confused. He just smiled as he began to slowly strip away her clothes until she stood there naked. "Go ahead and get in Luce. I'll be in in just a second" he said as he went to the sink and pulled a bubble mixture out from under it and poured it. "Hmmm" Lucy said pleased "Smells like cherry blossoms" "I know, that is why we bought it" he said slightly amused as he undressed himself. She moved over in the tub letting him in. He sat right down in it when he looked at her. "Come here baby" he held his hand out as she didn't question anything but went to his arms as he wrapped his arms around her as she sat against him.
He tenderly laid little kisses on her neck as she titled her head back onto his shoulder closing her eyes. "Na" "Shhhhhhh" he insisted as she listened. "Just enjoy and lose yourself Lucy" he whispered as she fully let herself relax against him. "There you go" He slowly let her slip into the water fully as she came up a second later focusing everything on him as she wiped the water from her eyes. "Why are you so good to me?" she said passionately as she crawled to him then wrapping her legs around him. He put his hands around her so she couldn't fall then looking up at her, he said " because you are my star baby. You are the light shining in the darkness for me" She caressed his cheek as she loving said " I love you my dragon, my hero" then went for his lips as he melted into her kiss. He pressed her further into him deepening the kiss as he laid his head down against the tub. She released from him and had a look of complete adoration and love in her eyes making him pull her back into him. He bite her lip making her squeak as he slipped his tongue into her mouth letting it explore all over. Releasing from her for a second, due to the heat in the bathroom, he was sweating and panting he said seductively "come on Luce, this night isn't over yet" Intrigued , she let him up as he got up and wrapped a towel around his waist pulling a towel for her. He picked her up out of the tub and dried her off slowly landing kisses all over her body making her let out small moans of enjoyment. He smirked as he picked her up by her legs and held her up carrying her to the bed. Putting a hand behind her back , he gently laid her down on the bed then took off his towel.
He stood there in the dark leaning over her as she looked at him longingly. Answering her request, he slowly unwrapped the towel off her , never taking his eyes off her. "Why are you doing this Natsu?" "Because" he said quietly putting kisses down her legs as she succumbed to his touch and moaned a blissful sound. "I love you and I want you to know you are still beautiful no matter what" he told her then made her let out a surprise yelp when he started moving his tongue and eating her out. She grabbed at her pillows squeezing them as she closed her eyes tight completely in the movement. She felt nothing but bliss and heaven. "Naaatsuu" she moaned as he grinned for a second then continued. She twitched her body from side to side as he slowly made his way up her body landing kisses all over her stomach. Getting to her breasts, he caressed and sucked on them making her eyes roll back for tonight, nothing else in the world existed to her but him and his love she could feel.
She opened her eyes back up when she felt his hot breath on her mouth as he was inches away from her lips. He gazed her with passion, obsession as he pushed his lips against hers. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled at his hair as they kissed. They kissed until they felt themselves loosing energy. He carefully laid himself down and put his head on Lucy's chest as she ran her fingers softly through his hair. He sighed a deep, exhausted sigh closing his eyes enjoying her touch. "Thank you Natsu" she whispered listening to his little snore sounds indicating he had fallen asleep. Gently, she lifted him off her then laid herself against him putting his arms around her waist. She smiled when she felt his arms tighten. "My star, my warrior" he mumbled in his sleep. "Always" she thought as she succumbed to sleep.