Stepping down into the kitchen area, Lucy was again welcomed by the warmth and comfort of a happy home. The kitchen was lit brightly by the afternoon sun, shards of rainbow scattered along the wall, dancers in their own little world of colour and brightness. As she looked around the mismatched chairs and wobbly table in the middle of the room, all set with mismatched dishes and cutlery, a napkin holder she remembered making Carla for mother's day the first year her mother died...on the fridge, pictures all over the doors. Some so old and yellowed with age, the corners have already started to curl in on themselves. On the bottom of each picture, signed the child who drew it. Natsu, Gajeel...even to her great surprise, one from Lucy. It was tucked safely on the side of the fridge that no one really pays attention to, but Lucy felt tears come to her eyes that Carla had saved it from Natsu's anger.

As her eyes wondered further through out the room, she smiled and returned a small wave from Levy, ignoring Gajeel, both sitting at the table. Over to the sink, more mismatched dishes lay drying in the sun on a dish towel so faded, it's colour was impossible to tell. The wood of the cupboards looked to be freshly painted, no doubt Natsu or Gajeel's doing. Just looking around, she felt so safe, so at home. She'd grown up in this kitchen, often coming home with Natsu after kindergarten and the first few grades, visiting and playing until Greyson came home from work to drive her home. Often times, he or Carla insisted she stay for dinner, a few times either parent would call Jude and tell – not ask, but tell! - him that they were keeping Lucy overnight and would drive her to school the next day. On Friday's, the weekend. Times like that, she and Natsu would share his bed, to young to do anything. There was even a special drawer in Natsu's dresser for her extra clothes, Carla had asked her to bring.

So many times they had taken her on family camping trips and car rides. She and Natsu in their own little world in the back seat of the van. Gajeel and Levi had just started noticing each other at this time, so they were in the middle seat, off in their own world as well. Just thinking of all these memories had Lucy smiling, her hands lifting to stop a soft giggle that threatened to escape.

"Lucy! Natsu you idiot, why didn't you tell me Big Sister was here!?"

As Wendy ran and jumped into Lucy's arms, she couldn't believe how big she was getting! At twelve years old, she was already in school, grade five if Lucy's memory served her rightly. When Lucy scooped her in her arms and set her on her hip, Wendy nuzzled her neck, just like she used to when she was a little girl. Warmth spread through Lucy at the memories, and she lightly kissed Wendy on the forehead. Holding the little girl close, she stepped beside Natsu at the stove. It surprised Lucy to see that Natsu was cooking pancakes...and that he was actually doing a good job of it! Each fluffy disc was a warm brown that caused her mouth to water, stomach to growl. When Natsu shifted his weight closer to her, Lucy was about to step away when she felt his arm wrap around her waist, holding her to her spot. Electricity jolted through her where his arm touched her, her heart pounding. Natsu was mad at her, hurt and upset! Why was he holding her close to his side, a spot she'd spent for almost her entire childhood, only to break seven years ago. She no longer had that right! Especially after what Gajeel had told her...

As if reading her mind, Natsu kept his eyes on the food, but spoke so only Lucy could hear.

"I'm trying to teach Wendy to cook...and you're holding her so...just – stay."

"I-I...can put her down, if you're teaching her...?"

"Don't worry about it, Luce...I'll teach you to cook to, your food is terrible...!"

Anger spiked through Lucy at his comment about her cooking before a smile burst out. Natsu was right, her cooking was garbage! The one thing "nice" her father did for her was hire an army of servants to look after her. She always had some one cooking and cleaning for her, always her laundry was done for her. The Heartfillia's weren't extravagant in their living...no fancy cars and unlimited credit cards for Lucy, but that was how she liked it. Growing up, she thought she was a princess and the image stuck with her until the day a surly old nanny of hers slapped her for mouthing off and screamed that the only reason Jude hired his servants was to keep Lucy out of his hair.

It was that day she resolved to do things for herself. The first time she'd tried to cook, she'd almost set the kitchen on fire! The chef had kicked her out and forbade her to come back, but on his days off he would sit with her a few hours a day and they would prep ingredients for extremely simple microwave dishes for Lucy to make herself. During the times between meals, he would sit with Lucy at the overly large dining room table and they would pour over cook books, looking at the beautiful pictures, the chef answering any and all questions. During big banquets she wasn't allowed to attend, Chef – she never did get his real name, he'd always been Chef – would allow her to sit on a little wooden stool, always within sight. As they worked, sometimes calling her over to sample a dish, sneak her a piece of carrot, or celery. Always at the end of the night, there would be a little plate with samples of each extravagant dish tucked away for her and the staff. Other then the surly old maid who had quit soon after the incident, all the staff treated her just like a normal kid – one of their own.

Still...none of them, not once...spoke about the bruises. They would always tell her to come to them if she needed something, anything, but she was to young to understand what they were hinting at...and when she was old enough to understand, Lucy was so lost in her own painful world, she didn't have the energy or courage to reach out for help for fear of shattering what little safety and sanity the staff offered.

"Lucy, you're not even listening!"

Jerked out of her reverie, she looked up and gasped at Natsu being so very close! Almost nose to nose! When she set Wendy down, her hair brushed against Natsu's shirt and she could smell a fresh cleanliness about him. The scent was so familiar, so Natsu it took her breath away and she could feel her throat start to close. A hand gently lifted her chin so she was looking him in the eye.

"Lucy, I said your pancakes are ready...Wendy put the chocolate chips and cranberries in...here, go eat, okay?"

There was something about Natsu's voice and the way he spoke that had Lucy listening immediately. When she took the plate from Natsu, their hands brushed and again she could feel that jolt, her cheeks burning. Judging by the way he snatched his hands away, turning to put the pan in the sink, he'd felt it to. Walking over to the table, Lucy couldn't help but smile a little when Gajeel immediately stood and held out his chair. As he pushed the chair in for her, his arm came around her shoulders and pressed her against the chair and his chest a moment – it took Lucy a second to realize he was hugging her!

"You don't need to say anything back but...Natsu explained what he could...Lucy, I'm sorry. I didn't realize your father had threatened us to - well...what I said was harsh...true but...it wasn't my place. Be sure and come around lots, okay? Natsu and Wendy miss you...and...me to. But don't tell them that!"

Mutely nodding, Lucy found herself giggling softly, turning to smile at Gajeel as he lifted Levy out of her chair and set her on his lap. She was so lost in her book, she didn't even seem to notice...until she leaned back and nuzzled Gajeel's chest. Sharp pain shot through Lucy's heart at seeing that...that was the kind of love she wanted...and she knew who she wanted it with – but that was a lost cause...

"Hey! You two, get a room! There's one upstairs!"

Wendy, Levy and Lucy all burst out laughing as a pancake came flying, landing square in Gajeel's face, the chips and cranberries making a smiley face. Through tear glazed eyes, Lucy turned to Natsu and noticed him standing there, spatula raised as if to toss another pancake, the plate of ammunition in the other hand. He was smiling, laughter shaking his lean frame. The sun was shining just so, lighting and shadowing parts of him, allowing Lucy to see him in a certain light. Just looking at him, her heart felt lighter...she felt safer. As he came to sit down beside her and asked her to pass the syrup, he seemed happy and content! Just seeing him here, being with her second family in her second home, eating breakfast for dinner...she felt so safe, so full of love...so happy.

Deep down though, she knew it wouldn't last forever. Eventually she and Natsu would need to talk things over...