Author's note: In this chapter a series of days pass in a delirious way dragging forward Summer.
When the new spring grass begins to bud and the air is no longer dry and heavy, many people will lift off their feet and go back toward home.
'Ring!' Lucy left her first court session feeling enraged and nauseous with all that Crawford had to say, her phone was ringing but she just recalled all that she heard. ''It is true that I killed Layla Heartfilia and Kyoka messed with her face.''
Lucy did not know that her mother's face had been touched and she realized that this is exactly what her father didn't want her to know. ''I was fascinated with the way that skin-'' Kyoka began but Lucy stood up and walked out of the room excusing herself silently. ''Just let her go.'' Aquarius said to a young bailiff who tried to follow her out.
The truth was Aquarius herself wanted to get up and leave as well but she had to remain and listen to the confessions of the two criminals. ''Let her breathe.'' she said turning her attention back to the criminals before her. ''You may continue.''
'Ring!'
''Hello, this is Lucy Heartfilia.'' Lucy finally picked up the phone with a cheerful tone, she felt she had absolutely no right to bring whoever was calling down with her surging mood.
''Well, hello this is Grandine Dragneel.'' Lucy's mood actually picked up and she ran to find a seat in the hallway. ''Oh, hello mother-'' Lucy had made a habit of calling Grandine 'mother' and she was overjoyed that the older-woman didn't it mind at all. ''Lucy! how come you didn't tell us first?!'' Grandine practically yelled cutting Lucy's greeting off.
''T-tell you what?!'' Lucy asked partially alarmed at Grandine's immense energy. ''Igneel and I read the morning paper.'' she said laughing realizing she scared the poor girl. ''Oh, you did?'' Lucy didn't find anything wrong with that until she remembered what Aries heard from her that night in the hospital. ''You did?!'' 'Aries really wrote everything didn't she!?' Lucy's heart began to beat like she was awaiting her own sentence.
''Yeah! how come you didn't tell us about you and our son?!'' Grandine sounded quite furious so Lucy did what she felt was right. ''I'm so sorry,'' she apologized. ''Sorry? what are you apologizing for?'' ''Huh?'' Grandine laughed ''We've dreamed of this day for years.'' Lucy placed her head over her beating heart.
''Mother I am so grateful.'' Lucy caught her off guard. ''For what?'' ''Firstly, you brought some perfect children into this world.'' She got out over Grandine's excited squealing ''So it is true!''. ''And secondly, you have just elevated my mood.'' Grandine stopped kneading the dough she was currently making.''Eh, why were you feeling down?'' Lucy crossed her legs on the bench and looked up at the roof before starting. ''I'm outside a court session with Crawford.''
Lucy knew that Grandine was about to assault Crawford with some real mean words contrary to her normal gentle speech and she was here for it. ''Let me tell you what I think of Crawford and Kyoka, I heard about her.'' Lucy laughed because some explicit speech was about to flood her ears from usually delicate lips.
Like that Lucy's first court session ended but she wasn't yet done because she had a lot left to do till the day the criminals would receive their sentencing.
Thank you for delighting me with your blissful voice, I swear if I could be like any three people I would be Papa, Mama, and you mother dearest.
The rough wind picks up and rattles the giant trees which all stand in understanding and solitary harmony despite their expanding differences.
Jude placed his saucy wooden spoon on a plate and stood still for a long minute, he heard a knock on the front door. ''Lucy?'' he whispered because he felt like the knock didn't belong to his daughter but to someone else.
Jude got down on the purple carpeted living room floor and crawled between the coffee table and the couch. 'Knock!' the rapping on the door got louder and the doorbell was rang a couple of times. He stood up and looked through the peephole but the visitor was a little on the short side. 'Purple?'
Romeo was holding onto an old box of paint and brushes, they were a birthday present from Lucy and he treasured them dearly. ''The door is unlocked.'' Jude said. ''My hands are full.'' the small boy replied.
''What brings you here?'' Jude asked opening the door and leaning against the frame. ''I came to paint.'' Romeo pushed past Jude who lazily stood there soaking in the afternoon light. ''What did you come to paint?'' he asked closing the door before Plue could make a break for freedom. ''Concept photos.''
Romeo replied putting his tools down and taking the biting puppy from Jude. ''Concept photos?'' ''Yeah, ow!.'' Jude took the puppy back from Romeo and ushered him to continue. ''For Lucy's book.'' Jude was speechless until Romeo walked off further into the house. ''She's already done with the story?''
''Yeah it's a different book not the one she was writing with Natsu.'' ''What's it about?'' Jude filled a bowl with water and helped romeo place his canvas and brushes. ''She told me a little so I could get a picture in my mind.'' he said picking up a wide brush.
''It's about how life as been since she 'married' Natsu.'' Jude chuckled. ''So since I arrived?'' ''Yeah pretty much but it gets darker.'' Jude sat on the couch in a thoughtful silence. ''So a narrative basically.'' ''Precisely.'' Romeo affirmed putting the first black dollops of paint on his canvas.
''Romeo are you going to stay for dinner?'' Jude asked going back to the kitchen. ''Can I?'' he asked semi-focused on slathering paint. ''Sure if you like spicy food.''
''You have to call my dad and let him know.'' he said dipping his paint brush. ''Why can't you do that? wait don't answer.'' Jude laughed watching Romeo zone out. 'Well he's not even listening so..' Jude plopped back onto the couch and began recording the process.
I hear the whistle of my own heart pounding in my ears and reminding me that I too am still alive and that is what matters most to me.
''It's absolutely beautiful!'' Lucy gasped holding Romeo's masterpiece in her hands a day later. ''I love it, thank you so much.'' she said embracing him tightly.
Lucy was sitting on her front porch listening to the swaying trees and rousing birds, when Romeo came over to show her his finished piece at the crack of dawn.
''What?!'' Jude inquired from the window. ''Are both of you doing outside at this hour?'' he gestured to the sky and the two youths looked up like they were not previously aware. ''Look at this painting!'' Lucy jumped up and handed it to her father when he stepped outside. ''It's so cold out here.'' he said pulling Romeo's hoodie over his raven hair. ''It is breathtaking.'' Jude agreed looking at it for a while before going back inside to boil some eggs.
A blue and black night sky was swirled in with gray for a hazy feeling and a little bit of white for shine, golden stars were dripping down the sky but still held up by a sort of almost invisible but shining silk-like string.
All of the various healthy dark trees of fairy hills were swinging rightward while the seemingly quiet rain in the painting pelted the ground and revived the flourishing grasses, there was a silver spring running nearby three old buildings stood in the center of all that.
Then at the very bottom there nestling on the ground among wild white flowers and a stock of orange alstroemeria flowers was a silver star that had fallen from the weeping heavens to rest for awhile.
''What is your story's title?'' Romeo asked worried about his choice. ''Light goes and returns.'' Lucy answered shyly. ''It is perfect.'' they both sighed in unison looking over the beautiful painting again and again. ''That little star will make it back to the heavens then.'' Romeo added. ''Just as she had fallen.''
Rain trickles from the leaves and bark of trees healing and replenishing the earth's surface, landing upon my dry heart but soothing it not.
Lucy sat on her bedroom floor going through a giant box the one had Natsu sent her. It was an enormous gift box, she had a feeling that never betrayed her.
There were many notes and cards attached to each gift which she gathered up to read after carefully looking at each present. ''This one is for Jude.'' she read aloud and sorted another little box into a stack on her bed, the stack that belonged to Jude. ''And another one for me.'' he had sent gifts for all of his friends and family...even for Cana, Happy, and Plue.
''You've really outdone yourself Dragneel.'' she laughed picking up a new necklace to replace her old one, the one that was ruined by the rain. Natsu wasn't aware of the things that happened after he left but his timing kind of spooked her.
'This one is for Wendy.' Lucy placed a little pink box by her thigh and finished rummaging through the box.
''Wait don't throw that away!'' Jude yelled throwing his book and jumping off of the couch when he saw Lucy bouncing down the stairs. ''Why?''
''I can make a cardboard dog house for Plue.'' Jude was adorable sometimes. ''Okay here.'' Lucy handed the box over to her father and went out for some fresh air.
Lucy picked up her phone eyeing it carefully. 'Later, I can call you right?' she didn't call Natsu recently because she wanted him to focus on his work and not her problems. 'Besides everything is almost over right?'
1,2,3,4,5 times I've looked back to you just to make sure you were following me, I'm never disappointed or disheartened by what you say.
Lucy sat against a strong oak tree listening to the afternoon birds chirp, soon the cicadas were joining the chorus of the earthly choir awakening the tired sun.
''...Life is a flame that everyone knows will someday go out, but that doesn't mean anyone has the right to pour sand over those weak little flames, especially when that flame surely will one-day re-light.'' she was writing her court statement ahead of time so that she wouldn't cry in court before her enemies when she had to recite her careful words.
''She was soft in everything she did and beautiful to simply gaze upon and even if you took something that was rightfully hers..she wouldn't prick your fingers.'' Lucy wrote about her sweet mother. ''...She was a thornless rose bush.'' then she addressed Crawford and Kyoka. ''You know exactly what you have taken away from me, my family, and the rest of the world so I won't tell you what you already know-''
Lucy saved her document and closed her laptop because she heard Jude coming home from work. ''Lucy!?'' he called walking a little ways from their porch. ''Where are you sweetheart?!'' ''I'm here!'' Lucy called back standing up to dust her rather sandy bottom.
''What were you doing over there?'' Jude chuckled walking over to greet his daughter. Lucy returned his tight hug. ''I was just writing, you know? and what have you been up to Papa?'' Lucy followed him back home holding her laptop. ''Well, I had a great day at work.''
''Really? what happened?'' Jude opened up the porch door, ushered her in and caught Plue the escapee. ''A young patient of mine finally opened his eyes.'' ''That's awesome! after how long?'' Lucy put down her laptop and attempted to sit down on the couch.
''Hey, hey!'' Jude grabbed her by her arm and hoisted her back up. ''I saw it when you came inside, your bottom is dirty.'' Lucy laughed. ''You got me!''
''He had been asleep for three years actually.'' Jude carried on with his story. ''He overdosed on pain relievers and found himself that way.'' ''Pain relievers, why?'' ''A stomach ache.''
Lucy sighed audibly and started up the stairs. ''I'm glad he is awake now.'' she always held onto the goodness of a situation. ''Go clean up quickly and I'll tell you more good news!'' Jude called going into the kitchen to fix an early dinner.
The tide threatens to drown your poor soul, what will you do?! But she promises it will be just for a little while till you can drag yourself to shore.
The tired sun began to sink beyond the horizon leaving behind red, blue, and pink streaks of light for the lost as he took his rest before rising for people just as precious to him somewhere else.
Lucy hissed and breathed heavily caught off guard by cold water, she did a little shower dance clinging to the safety bar. ''Great things are done when Men & Mountains meet, this is not done by jostling in the street.'' Lucy recited an old poem by Francis Quarles when she got used to the raining water.
'Why am I so unusual?' his poems were probably not meant to be recited in the bath and so she stepped out smelling like apples courtesy of her shampoo.
Lucy climbed into a full sports attire from her underwear to her shoes and purple track suit. ''I'm ready!'' she said grabbing a matching purple scrunchie and her brush. ''For what?! we're eating dinner.'' replied Jude sitting shrimp paella on the table when Lucy came running.
''No, I'm ready to hear the good news.'' she said brushing out any tangles in her wavy hair. ''Oh that!'' he remembered. ''Get a plate and take a seat.'' he ordered opening the refrigerator for a water pitcher.
''I acquired Magnolia General hospital from Ivan.'' Jude said slowly eyeing the ice in his glass. Lucy didn't react immediately, he was expecting shrill screams but there was nothing so he looked up into her chocolate brown eyes.
''Well kiddo, You can re-name the building for me.'' Lucy stood up yelling bloody murder. ''For real! Oh tell me you're not joking!'' her footwork was quite impressive. ''No I was actually joking.'' Jude said suddenly. ''I would like to acquire it and then I can hand it over to Laxus to manage.''
Lucy stopped jumping around abruptly, she was so disappointed by Jude's joke that she could cry but she wasn't a baby anymore. ''WHy would You joke like that?!''
''That was a joke I did acquire it.'' Jude laughed at her flipping mood. ''Are you pulling my leg?'' Lucy sat back down suspiciously. ''No I really did get my hands on it.''
Then she was back to shrieking and rain dancing. ''So thought of a new name?'' he asked standing up to turn off useless lights before eating.
The tide wants that you become strong enough to face her and her waves whenever she sends them your way cause the tide loves you, do you know?
The cold night stars took their designated places strewn across the clear sky meeting with the silver crescent moon. May was upon the earth and the bugs of the night started their fanfare welcoming the dearly missed dusk.
Jude and Lucy went for a stroll in the woods and back home like they did on happy nights such as these. ''I sued Ivan for the hospital on account of his assisting Crawford in cover-up.''
Jude stepped over a log and lifted Plue up over it, so he could continue his walk. ''Laxus is going to be so sad.'' Lucy replied. ''I know kid, but he couldn't have someone like that around him as well.'' they both felt bad when good was born to evil.
''On a lighter note you should have seen Ivan's face.'' Jude chuckled. ''He really only cared about money and was wondering why no one was coming to bail him out.'' Lucy choked on laughter.
She had wanted to see him go down for a long time now, he finally did but she wasn't there to witness it. ''Some people in the stands were recording his melt down and it will probably be online.'' Jude added seriously. ''It's very shameful for Laxus but I hope he won't be bound by his father's doings.''
''Even if he is bound, we'll all have his back.'' Lucy said stepping on crunchy leaves. ''We'll unbind him and lift him to the clouds beyond.''
An angry heart that shelters malice can never beat with ease, An angry mind breaks dreams like broken glass for the owner who wrongs himself.
Lucy picked up a tiny white notebook and began to write all the things she was going to do besides go to court in the next month. 'Gajeel's birthday is soon.' she said looking at her small calendar. 'He always says he wants a cat.' Levy had told her years ago. Lucy sat up remembering quickly that his birthday wasn't the only one coming. 'I can go out with the girls to maybe a cafe?'
'I can only celebrate Natsu's birthday over the phone.' she thought sadly. 'But I should still get him something, he's my sweetheart.' she flushed and looked around excitedly like someone could possibly hear her thoughts. She made eye contact with Plue and dived for cover under her blanket.
''Plue don't sneak up on me!'' she sat up again and looked at her closet good and long before getting up to pick out pajamas. ''I have to take another shower so you wait here.'' she said to the puppy who contentedly laid down at the foot of her bed. ''I'll wait for you.'' he seemed to say with his eyes and so she went to meet with cold water once again.
When Lucy returned in her fiery red pants and white t-shirt Plue couldn't have cared less because he was in his thirteenth dream. He dreamt that all three of his owners were back together eating watermelon in the park, he was happy and jumping around. Lucy smiled at Plue who shivered even when he slept and who always wagged his tail dreaming only good things.
There was a glass of water and two vitamin C tablets on her nightstand when she sat down telling her Jude had been there just a moment ago.
She looked at the red heart stark in the middle of her white T-shirt, cursive lettering under the heart read if not reversed in the mirror. ''Always by you.''
Lucy let down her long, 2C hair and picked up her laptop to continue writing the happenings of her day. Her book would be complete only when the trial was over and Aquarius reached her final verdict. ''I received a phone-call from Grandine..'' she began with an interesting part of her day.
''Don't stay up too late.'' Jude whispered going past her room. ''I won't.'' she said distractedly. 'I have a huge last month ahead of me.'
-Chapter end
My cat is judging the life out of me from behind me, every time I look at her she blinks slowly. :)
Anyways, I hope you of course enjoyed this chapter as always. (:}
-Peace