Chapter 16
The amount of snow falling down is... crazy Lucy thought, looking at the clear, glass window pane
Soo much snow... she wrapped the blanket even tighter across her body.
It was snowing hard that morning. That night when she had slept was a night full of whistling and howling of the horrid wind
Its voice disturbed her fretful sleep and she now had dark eyebags underneath
*Tap* *Tap* came a knock on the door "Come in!" she said spreading the sheet over her lap
The hinges squeaked as her mother came in "Lucy? How are those legs of yours doing?"
"Good, sore... but still pretty good" she replied scooting over to give her mom some room to sit down
Lucy's mother peered down at her face "Lucy, Is there something troubling you?"
"Huh? Oh, That's...That's nothing" she said free from her awkward trance
Layla wouldn't give in "Lucy if there's something wrong you can-"
"Tell me, I know mom," she said her voice barely a whisper
"You are not the only person who said this to me, you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"Not that it matters anyways"
"It does matter!"
"Mom! I'm really not in the mood to bicker with you!"
Her mother stopped and so did she
"Lucy..."
"Mom, I'm fine... I'm perfectly fine" Lucy said her head buried under the covers Perfectly fine.. eh? YOU sure about that?
Sometimes when you say your fine, It's really hard to say the true feelings you've hidden no matter how many times they ask you.
After that, Lucy flew down the stairs to have a hearty breakfast Mmm... Some of those waffles will do nicely, Oh! Maybe some bacon and eggs! She thought, fantasizing about those delicious foods Yes! I'll make some for mom too!
She rolled up her sleeves and she began to bring out the equipment Hmm... Big Bowl, Whisk, Waffle Iron, Pan, Teaspoon, Measuring cup...
She brought the ingredients out of the pantry and began to make a great amount delicacies
Meanwhile
Lucy's mother, Layla was in her bedroom looking at some pictures and documents How much she's grown... she grabbed a picture when Lucy was 12 years old exactly at that time
I remember those times when she was just a little girl...
Those times when we had to salvage the minimal amount of money that was in our banks
Those times when Lucy... wasn't the Lucy she is right now
.
.
.
Mommy! I'm Hooommmee! rang little Lucy's voice
Lucy! Your wet! What happened?! Layla had said kneeling towards her daughter
Oh! That happened because daddy's vroom-vroom stopped working so we had to wait for these people to pick them up and then we had to-
Okay! Okay! I get it Layla laughed wiping Lucy's wet arms Where's daddy?
I'm right here Layla... Lucy's mother turned around and saw her husband soaked to the bone
His hair a mangy mess and was holding multiple newspaper sheets in his hands
Jude...
Don't worry Lucy's okay just a little wet but her clothes are fine
Wait! Layla tried to interrupt but he just continued
I covered her with my jacket that was in the trunk but-
You had nothing to cover yourself...
I-
Lucy interrupted their conversation by saying
Daddy said I should switch with daddy's big sweater with my little sweater and I thought it was fair
Lucy began to cry
But.. *hic* It was too *hic* smaalll *hic* for him
Oh, Lucy... Her mother began her heart breaking for the little child
Don't worry Jude said Daddy's big and strong but your not so its okay luce-juice
But still! It's not fair daddyy!
Shhh... Her mother said You are going straight to bed
But- But what about daddy? Lucy asked her little hands reaching towards her mother
I'll get him nice dry but it's time for your nap Layla said carrying her towards the small room
Kay...
After that, it was only Layla and Jude sitting on the small couch together
She remembered that small conversation they had while Lucy was sound asleep
Jude... Did you cover yourself with those flimsy pieces paper?
I-I did
She sighed You didn't bring the umbrella either?
No, I didn't
But why didn't you cover yourself with anything
I did Layla!
With paper! Do you think that's going to help in a pouring rain?!
I couldn't...
What do you mean?
When the car had stopped working my mind started to panic 'Lucy! What am I going to do! I have to get Lucy home safe and sound!'
'What am I going to do' I thought he sighed covering his face
So I couldn't even start to think about myself, I could only think about Lucy and Lucy alone...
That was the moment she knew that he was the most caring and loving father she could have ever wished for her child
"Mooooom!" Lucy's voice rang from the hall "Breakfast is ready!"
That was when she realized the delicious smells that wafted towards the room
"Coming!" she yelled back making her way back to the kitchen
When she had come to the kitchen she saw a delicious arrangement of pancakes and waffles
With fillings of whip cream, chocolate syrup, maple syrup and honey
Bacon and eggs were cooking on the stove
The ones her grandmother used to make
"Oh my Lucy, This is quite a feast," she said leaning over her shoulder
"I really wanted to make how you made my bacon and eggs mom," she said flipping the juicy piece of meat to the other side
"You know, I had to learn this recipe from my grandmother long ago when she was able to move her body"
"Wait, Does it mean..."
"Yes your great-grandmother Reina is still alive"
"Woah.."
"You should take them off the pan now," Layla said turning towards the table grabbing her plate
After she had brought the small tray of bacon and eggs
Layla began to pile her plate with many items
While Lucy took a few
Layla saw this and said, "Lucy, Please for your mother's sake eat more would you!"
"No way ma," she said shaking her head
"When I eat little, you tell me to eat more but then when I eat more, you tell me to eat little!"
"Then eat right in the middle"
"That makes no sense!"
Lucy huffed, her mother chuckled and grabbed Lucy's plate soon she laughed with her
"Oh mom... your impossible" she smiled
"That's what mothers are for, to be impossible," Layla said piling Lucy's plate with bacon and more whip cream.
After that heavy breakfast, Lucy was groaning and moaning about the fact that she has a small hump like a lady who has a three-month-old baby in her stomach.
"Oh come on Lucy stop your whining" Layla sighed
"It was your fault! I don't even know how many pancakes I've eaten!" Lucy complained
"That's a good thing"
"No! It's a bad thing mom! BAD THING!"
"It's not going to stay there forever, Lucy"
"Mom you would've never said this when I didn't start to manage how much I eat"
Silence
"If it makes you feel better, go to the nearby mall and take some money with you"
"But-"
"Listen. Go to the park, Maybe exercise, get a little air would you?"
"...Alright"
Heeding to her mother, she changed her warm, cozy PJ's to a Weebook hoodie, black jogging pants and threw in a jacket, scarf and matching mittens into the bunch
She walked out the door with a five dollar bill in her spare wallet and began to walk towards the neighborhood's 'TMB Centre Park'
It was actually called 'The MorningBird Centre Park' but if people ever spoke about it or mentioned anything about it
It would be called the 'TMB' or 'TMB park' for short
As she walked she took a deep breath, smelling nature's natural scents and acknowledging all the different smells
At the corner of eye, she saw the same store she had eaten before when she was a complete mess
Jedro's Grotto! Yes! I got to check it out!
She crossed the intersection and jogged over to the door, turning the handle she went in
This time when she went to the restaurant she noticed things she never noticed before
A restaurant build in an antique fashion, with dim candles, lit on each table she thought her eyes wandering the place
Oh my! Wooden chairs! and... Chandeliers?! Wow!
And on the left wall was large station with modern cashiers lined up and a door right next to it saying 'Employees Only'
She looked into the menu and saw many different foods on it
Burgers (Pub-style), Fries with gravy or ketchup, Poutine, Milkshakes, and much more!
She looked into the more healthier options and saw a low-fat hot chocolate option
"Um excuse me," she asked a man who was plump rather than the skinny and fit cashier she has spoken to before
"Yup, What do you need?" he asked smiling
"May I have the low-fat hot chocolate please?" she asked slightly intimidated by his... aggressive appearance
His smile turned into a frown "Are you mocking me?"
"Um... No?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"No.." she squeaked
"It seems that you are" his face began to soften with sadness
And then... he ran away
Literally.
After a few minutes of awkward standing, a much more fit man came towards her
"Sorry about that, My friend gets very emotional with-"
He leaned into her ear and whispered "dietary options"
Lucy finally realized what was going on "Ohhhh, That's alright but I do feel bad," she said in a very apologetic tone
"Please say that I am very sorry"
The man's eyebrows raised for a moment and then he said "Well, usually when people see his tantrum over 'dietary options' they usually scream for the manager"
"Usually?"
"Yes other than you and some of my friends"
"Woah"
"Well, what is your order?"
"Low-fat hot chocolate, please"
"Coming right up! Here or takeout?"
"Hmmm... here"
A few minutes later her mug full of hot chocolate arrived
"Cash or credit?"
"Cash please"
She gave her five dollar bill and got back her change but as soon as her hands took the mug the door was slammed open
"AYE JET!" a manly voice screamed
"NATSU!" the man yelled running out the station
They both a gave a high five and started to make their way towards Lucy Oh god no... please no
Please, let it not be him
As they came into the light she saw it was him
Natsu was just smiling and said, "Heh it's Lucy!"
"You guys know each other?" Jet asked
"Yes we do" Lucy spoke out in an irritated tone
"Well, then that's easy! Why don't you guys sit together and have a one-on-one talk? Huh?" Jet asked cheerfully
But before Lucy could say anything Natsu jumped in and said "Of course"
Damn you Natsu!
Natsu just grinned "That would be great!"
"Oh and Jet? Today I want the usual"
"Comin' right up," he said walking towards his walk station
And Lucy was stuck with the very annoying Natsu
"So, Table?" he asked in a mocking fashion
Lucy groaned Ughhhhh
A/N Thank you for reading very much and like always please read and review! I wonder what else I have in store for Lucy and Natsu
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Ciao!
-Love Bookwormandcupcakes365