Under pockets of warm snow, you'll find all of my hardships hidden away from the warring world outside, I snuggle a little deeper in my cold blanket.

The hospital room was dimly lit and quiet for the new addition opened her eyes and breathed in but didn't process the wonderful and exciting smells of a new and extraordinary world.

''Her name is Camellia Rose Fernandes, she was born April 24th at 2:05 AM, she weighs in at a healthy 8 pounds and ten ounces,'' Erza announced proudly watching Jellal holding their beautiful baby girl in his secure arms.

''That is a big baby..'' Levy mused slightly afraid from her seat beside the formerly pregnant woman. ''She's so beautiful and I love her hairstyle,'' Evergreen commented on Camellia's deep purple hair, the combination of the parents own personal colors. ''It reminds me of Natsu because his hair was a combination as well.'' Lucy added smiling like she was the mother herself.

''It's a beautiful occurrence,'' they sighed happily looking at the lovely baby who came with her very own Mohawk that garnered laughs that were quickly quieted by the new and understandably touchy mother.

''She is awfully calm and adventurous with her eyes.'' Jude chimed sitting beside sleeping Makarov. ''I mean when Lucy was born all she did was shout,'' Lucy blushed like it was an embarrassing thing placing her hand on her father's shoulder but he didn't get the message. ''We actually thought something was wrong with her.'' ''Papa please!'' Lucy said through her teeth setting Mira-Jane into a laughing fit.

''I don't know how to describe my happiness.'' Lucy threw in after a while. ''I can't wait till she can eat normal foods so I can cook delicious things for her.'' ''Your gonna make the actual mother jealous,'' Jude said handing Erza's baby back to her after everyone held her and looked into her deep brown, exploring eyes. ''No, like when she comes over.'' Lucy corrected herself. ''She has to sometime because I'm one of her many aunts.''

''Then am I her grandfather?'' Jude said jokingly but Jellal and Erza looked like they were considering that as a possibility between themselves. ''She would be bored to death with me,'' Jude said brushing that idea off.

''Besides how would I take care of a house full of kids.'' ''She would be one kid.'' Gajeel corrected. ''No by that time much more would be here and claiming me as their grandfather,'' he complained about all the newly bashful couples in the room. ''Rest up Mother, plenty of people are going to be visiting you.'' Lucy smiled softly caressing baby Camellia's purple hair one last time before leaving a basket of snacks and peppermint carnations as a sweet parting gift.

I fight many wars alone behind closed doors, I'm proud to be a winner though I could never boast about my medals to those around who haven't heard my cries.

''Excuse me!'' I yelled narrowly escaping the onslaught of a stranger in a hurry no where near as crucial as mine. ''You're going to be okay.'' I hushed the crying little girl in my arms continuing my trek to the hospital. ''We're almost there just stay awake.'' I ran down the winding streets and made my way to my destination. ''Laxus!'' I yelled running over and placing my newest kid on a gurney he was lazily wheeling.

''Natsu where'd you find her?'' he looked puzzled checking the girl's eyes for any abnormalities with his pen. ''She was in an alley just lying there, I found her near the food aid truck.'' I spoke fast wheeling the girl into the hospital and down the halls past the doctors who all knew me very well by now.''What could have caused the wound on her head?'' Laxus murmured aloud, walking briskly beside me with a worried look.

''I think she couldn't bare the the hunger anymore and tried to steal.'' I sighed filled with stress once again. ''Someone probably tried to punish her or she ran away and got hurt, we'll just find out when she is okay.''

''You think she has any family,'' he asked me looking into my eyes for reassurance of the child's future life. ''Wake up sweetie, I need you to stay awake,'' he said lightly touching her face. 'Must really have soft spot for children huh?' I had observed Laxus's gentle and endearing nature with children in the weeks I have been with him.

''We have to check for that later but right now we need to perform a surgery,'' I said transferring her to the nurses so I could get ready to perform the said surgery.

Dawn has found its way to me and lightly kissed me for as long as I desired, the rays of light can be seen through my eyes I suppose.

Lucy ran up the stairs and straight to her room as soon as Jude let her into the house. ''I'm late it's already 2:00 PM,'' she answered from her room her father who inquired on why she was practically morphing into a cheetah. ''I have to be at my appointment in an hour and 30 minutes.'' ''What appointment?'' Jude asked but he was only answered after Lucy showered, curled her hair, brushed her teeth, and got partially dressed in a sleek and red black dress.

''Can you close my cuff for me?'' she asked offering her hurt arm. ''What appointment?'' he asked again annoyed by her very late reply. ''My hypnotherapy with Mr. Seam.'' she smiled. ''I'm finally going to be cured!'' Jude hugged his daughter close and sighed for a minute with relief. ''I'm so happy for you precious, you deserve this.'' Lucy beamed feeling slightly surreal about the fact that she would be free from her mental chains in just a few 40-minute sessions. ''Also I can see Erza before she is scheduled to go home this afternoon.'' she cheerfully laughed holding a gift bag up for her father to see.

Lucy rushed into the kitchen and grabbed her purse and keys. ''Can you drive me there?'' she asked coming out of the kitchen but Jude didn't answer. ''Papa?'' she called to him again, he was reading a text on his phone. ''Sweetheart u-um.'' he began but stopped distracted by something on his screen. ''Papa,'' she said again in an attempt to snap him out of his trance.

''I have to be somewhere urgently!'' he said in a suddenly alarmed tone, he grabbed his coat and took the keys from his shocked daughter's hands. ''Don't go to the hospital until later sweetie, I'm sorry but just this once miss the appointment.'' he didn't have to explain as he ran out the door like he was being chased. ''Don't go to the hospital!'' and then he was gone.

You'll never really know the reason until you feel what I feel or until I'm gone away for a little while, then you'll finally see the reason why.

I slumped down on the couch feeling extremely annoyed. 'What was so unbelievably urgent?' I couldn't put my finger on what was bothering my dad, he looked at his phone very often these days and every time he did he looked like someone was threatening him. 'He was doing that yesterday.' At Levy's baby shower I saw him but then he looked more relaxed, he wasn't on the phone with just anybody last night as well, I'm not an idiot why is he hiding something from me?

I stood up and began walking up the stairs disheartened by the fact that I couldn't make it to my appointment. 'I should call and tell Mr. Seam.' I thought to take my phone out of my purse when he decided to contact me first.

''Hey Lucille where are you?!'' He texted my phone and I felt pretty guilty reading the text.

''I'm at home.''

I replied feeling even more dejected when letting him know.

''I was worried because you're usually here before you're scheduled to be so.''

I began to type my reason as to why I wasn't there when he said something to lighten my heart and make me rethink my previous conviction.

''Lucy since you're a special case, I only need one hypnotic session with you, you should hurry on over.

I erased my text and replied with a simple ''Okay.'' but I bet he could probably feel my excitement through his phone, soon I would be free.

I feel like no matter where I go in this wretched world someone is going to be there waiting to break me a little more until I finally shatter for good.

I raced through the airport the fastest I had ever run like the devils of my past were back again nipping at my heels threatening to swallow me whole.

My heart was racing loudly in my ears not because I couldn't handle running I could, it was just finally I was going to find out who took away my beloved and stole away half of my once whole heart.

For years I lived in agony regretting my every decision and being forever unsure of myself and wishing I was the one who lost his life instead, I ran away from my remaining family..my little girl, I'm so sorry to her.

All because I believed in a stupid text, I thought was sent from her saying that she didn't want me anymore because I took her mother away and that she would live with the Dragneels' from now on, I was alright with Igneel taking her in because what type of daughter could I raise. 'God I'm a disgrace, Layla I'm sorry.' I remembered all the nights I stayed up wallowing in self pity and hatred.

I was fine alone overseas helping whoever I could and again being reluctant in my own ability to serve, and that is when I was informed a year ago that my wife's death could only be connected to serial murders that started 15 years ago and happened randomly over three year spans meaning the killer will claim a new victim most likely every three years.

His or her name alias was simply Cocktail murderer and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the scumbag, but I had a place to be with my daughter to make sure she couldn't fall victim.

''The perpetrator is skilled medically and always kills with a medicinal cocktail that slowly shuts down the heart and puts the victim quickly to sleep,'' I recalled the entire meeting with my savior and friend Jean-Luc Neville who was investigating for me all this time.

I rounded the corner and saw him hurrying down the escalator when my phone chimed, I wanted so badly to ignore it but I was never the type to ignore someone who could possibly be in need.

''Papa, I went to the hospital anyway.'' Lucille texted me filling the screen with an apologetic looking emoji, that wasn't enough for me to accept the apology.

''Why? I told you not to go!'' This was the first time she would be there without me since the car accident.

I forgot to tell Mr. Seam that I was canceling and he told me some good news! the little girl could reply just as quickly as I could type.

''We're pulling into the hospital parking lot right now, Evergreen's dropping me off.'' Mr. Neville reached my side and starting ushering me to where the package would be.

''Did you see who it was on the CCTV?'' I asked frantically but he just dragged me along by my forearm. ''No it wasn't allowed to me at the time but now we can see it for the first time together.''

''I'm told there are multiple phones in the boxes.'' he continued talking while bringing us to a stop in front of a conveyor belt that not that many people stood near beside a few old ladies and a young man wearing a blue mask. ''You know my wife's phone was-'' I began inquiring about Layla's phone disappearing. ''Hey!'' Neville screamed cutting me off and lunging at the man wearing the blue mask who was currently trying to steal our precious, hard earned boxes.

Airport security quickly got involved in our fight and apprehended the sketchy man when Neville and I showed them our ID's and authorization, letting them know full on that the three packages originally were for us.

''I want to see who he is,'' I demanded the identity of our little thief and Neville leaned over and whispered to me. ''What if he's our guy?'' that possibility was not foreign to me and it made my blood boil to think that the serial killer could be right here in front of me frantically trying to prevent us both from discovering the truth.

The man in the blue mask tried to shake the two men holding him off of himself but it was a futile effort as they pulled the hat and mask binding his identity off. ''Ivan!'' Neville shouted he was familiar with Magnolia hospital's new director.

''What are you doing here!?'' I yelled blinded by rage and already grabbing at him furiously. ''It was you wasn't it?!'' The guards prevented me from hitting him in his face but I still managed to scratch him, that still wouldn't satisfy me even in my darkest of dreams.

''You hit my daughter with a car as well!'' my screaming was only calling more unwanted attention but right now I couldn't care less, I wanted revenge and I wanted it now. ''I didn't hit your daughter Porla did that.'' Ivan attempted to clear his name before me. ''That doesn't explain why you were trying to steal the boxes from us.'' Neville shot at him. ''I actually had a prior engagement and I thought they were mine.'' he was lying through his flipping teeth and even a small child could tell that.

''Don't even try to lie!'' I hissed at him before dropping to my knees and opening the box he tried so desperately to steal. ''Holy.'' Neville breathed from beside me there were pictures of different victims all lying down on their hospital beds before or after they had been poisoned. ''Get the other boxes,'' I told him quietly, he retrieved the boxes that held only dead cell phones, they could be revived but I felt like I didn't have the time. ''This person is organized,'' he said grabbing the third and final box and opening it. ''There they are!'' I said feeling my heart begin racing with anxiety.

I picked at different CCTV stills, they were all blurred and only the police could research and find out who the person in the photos was. ''It's not true..'' I grabbed at the photos that were separated by date and claimed the one from seven years ago on that wretched day.

'I'm going to murder him!' I remained quiet to my deadly intentions but anyone could see my blood boiling in my eyes and the fact that I was going to commit such a heinous crime very soon. ''Who is it?'' Neville chirped unfamiliar with the human scum in the picture. ''Crawford Seam,'' I said quietly grabbing my phone. ''My daughter is with him right now.''

Jude ran down the walkway towards the car filled with an unfathomable rage so much so that he couldn't hear the yells of people as Ivan escaped with the crucial evidence that was supposed to be saved by both sides for two different reasons.

I feel your hands clasping on to mine, your smile lingers all day while the snow messily falls a trifle to us, you let the gentle sea out when you giggle holding me a little more tightly.

Lucy kicked her feet nervously in the waiting room watching patients coming and going like the froth of the open sea. ''How can he just cure you in one session?'' Evergreen spoke suddenly from her thoughts sitting beside Lucy holding the frisky girl's hand and gifts tightly.

''I dunno that's why I feel a bit off.'' Lucy sat up straight correcting her posture and nibbling on the tangerine slices Evergreen offered. ''Don't you have somewhere to be?'' Lucy asked Evergreen who was still there beside her. ''What?! run around after Elfman and follow him on annoying errands?''

Evergreen scoffed offering Lucy some white chocolate. ''Nah it's my day off and I rather be here than running after him.'' she squeezed Lucy's hand unconsciously a little tighter. ''Are you sure about that?'' Lucy asked leaning in front of Evergreen's increasingly hot face.

''y-Yeah why wouldn't I be?'' she choked on her snacks, why was Lucy wearing the sneaky, sly eyes with her? ''Hmm.'' Lucy hummed squinting her eyes and making Evergreen shy. '''Lucy H. Dragneel!'' a nurse called interrupting Lucy's impending tease session moving her away from her flustered friend. ''We'll talk later Lucy!'' Evergreen hissed wordlessly telling her to keep her lips sealed. Lucy made a zipping motion on her lips and smiled cheekily going down stairs to meet Crawford for her treatment.

The wind coldly sneered and the grass laughed with joy, the water came to see the sight of the sun dropping gold carelessly and I beneath my snow burrow slept eagerly on.

''Lucille have a seat and we'll begin shortly.'' Crawford ushered me into the lonely blue chair accompanied by a small table in the familiar white and blue hued room. ''I brought tea and cookies, I hope you don't mind ginger and mint tea?'' He settled the beautiful gold and white silverware carefully onto the frail looking white table. ''I don't mind at all I am a true tea lover.''

''That's lovely dear, you know it's hard to find kind young people such as yourself these days.'' he smiled radiantly as if he was channeling the sun through his teeth. ''But when you do find such people they are really precious gems.'' and I could feel myself blush bright red. 'Darn why is that EVERYONE I know has a way with words?' except maybe me..

''I want you to feel calm so If you have a scent on you that you really like feel free to spray it.'' I immediately dug in my purse with my good hand and grabbed my ozone rain scent, after spraying it around me I felt a lot more relaxed and at peace feeling the familiar summer rain zing in my nostrils was always my go-to method for calming down.

I snagged a flat oatmeal tasting cookie and admired the three almonds that stood in a windmill like decoration. ''You baked these yourself?'' I asked accepting the steaming tea and enjoying the sight of mint leaves that stood among golden waves in the little porcelain teacup.

''No I actually grabbed these from the cook upstairs, I can't bake to save my life.'' he laughed his big and hearty laugh gesturing for me to taste the tea that he in fact made.

''You look nice today.'' he smiled and pointed at my sleek black dress. I felt happy and nice looking at my outfit, the long dress reached my ankles and met my black silk socks but not before covering my shoulders and collar bone and melting into a fiery orange-red at the hem and cuffs of the dress. ''I see you curled your hair any special occasion?''

I brushed my bangs to the side thinking about my curly ponytail and shook my head. ''No I just wanted to feel nice.'' it was a nice and modest dress with it, I kind of felt like Natsu should see me now looking absolutely stunning even to myself. 'He should I look mighty fine.' I chuckled at the thought and at his reaction to me calling myself fine as always but who am I kidding?

Crawford's black eyes flickered almost happily while he scribbled something down on his small notepad. ''Shall we begin?'' he asked and promptly I closed my eyes forgetting to curiously poke a question about his amazing hypnotic methods and how I was going to be cured so quickly.

Crawford stood up and dimmed the lights using the tiny knob by the door as I sleepily followed him with my eyes. 'Wow,' I thought amazed as I had never been hypnotized before. ''Oh wait,'' I said reaching into my purse and grabbing my phone. ''I wanted to record my session.'' I handed my phone to him feeling immensely tired for some reason.

''I've got you,'' he assured me in a peaceful voice pressing record for me. ''Now look at my hand and think of a happy time.'' instantly my mind sent me into the past. ''You will be falling now while holding your breath,'' he said it three times slow while the now prevalent clock ticked out a story that only I could perceive. ''Lean back into the chair and be at ease.''

Only then when he said that I realized I was sitting on the edge my seat feeling a bit tense so I relaxed myself and almost lost my sanity in the newfound bliss as jetting memories rushed through my mind and out of the depths of my quivering soul bringing stinging tears to my closing eyes.

''I will count from nineteen to zero and you will think about that happy time.'' his voice was almost a whisper and was soothing like the warm ginger milk and silky honey my mother used to make.

When he counted down. ''Twelve...eleven.'' I felt like I hadn't slept in years and I had finally been presented the chance at this moment. ''Now you are alone in your own mind,'' he said calmly wiping my little tears and I was suddenly fast asleep.

Chapter End-

I am sorry for not updating sooner, there have and still are MAJOR problems at home. :( Sorry to ramble on but..

I tried my best naming Camellia Rose and that is just the name that popped into my mind and stuck.

As you can see I switch back and forth from first person, this will be one of the few times I try my hand at the sort and I hope to be better in the future so then I can write better stories.

I pretty sure anyone could have predicted who the killer was but I still wanted suspense in this story.

This story will end pretty soon and I hope even then you will enjoy it like I have while writing it. :)

Special shout to FTAnt for making me a cameo in the story ''Silence of the dragon'' which you should check out and show some love. :)

-Peace