Lucy and Loke's mouths dropped open at that phrase, but then they looked at each other and turned redder than a cardinal's feathers. "D-daughter, from the future?" She then turned to Loke, "Loke, I didn't know that something like this would happen so quickly in our lives." "I am aware Lucy, but we need to know something more important." He turned to Layla and asked. "I really want to know, how did you get here?"
As Layla was asked that question her story came flowing out of her mouth. "Well, it all happened like this."
"Loke, I thought I told you it doesn't matter right now." Said a sobbing voice. "Why would you care right now about how I feel after what you did?"
"Lucy, I'm telling you it was an accident but it was because your instructions were too vague." Shouted another voice.
"Too vague! This is the third time something like this has happened! It should've been obvious I said get those bad guys and you blew up half the town while they got away." As a piece of paper ascended to his face. "See this reward number right here? One hundred thousand jewels! One hundred thousand jewels It could've paid for my rent this month but thanks to your overkill I need to keep on working to support my rent and our daughter!" She shouted angrily.
"Don't bring Layla into this Lucy!." "How can I not? she needs food, she needs clothes, she needs us, she needs a place to live." She answered back. "I can get her food and clothing from the spirit world. You don't need to worry about money all the time when it comes to that." Stated Loke. "That's not the point Loke, do you want us to live in the streets?" "I'm just saying, that you don't need to worry about stuff I can get in the spirit world." "But I can't live in the spirit world. It's not a good home." "There's no rent, there's no shortages, it's a perfect home." "But not for me, you can come out whenever you want to and you'll be able to stay for a while. I'd suffocate the moment I'd want to take a bath in the spirit world. Also, your one day is three months for me. Come and stay here for one day"
As they continued to argue Layla came out of her room and asked meekly, "Mommy, daddy why are you so mad at each other? I'm sure I can help you." Lucy crouched down to her daughter's level and said in a firm voice, "Layla I'm sorry but it's best that you leave us alone right now. Go to your room for now and come back later, we can talk about this some other time." "But I." "Layla, just go!" When she heard her mother's command Layla ran into her room in tears.
Minutes later she packed up her little backpack, and ran to the guild hall with tears dripping down her face. As she entered the hall she immediately dashed towards three more children. Amongst them was a slightly boy with muscles like small rocks, a light salmon mane, blue eyes, a small white scarf, and horking down meat on a bone. Another was a boy built like a brick house with lengthy hair as dark as a panther, brownish hazel eyes, and little metal bolts by his eyebrows. While the last one was a stickly girl with hair that looked like jeans, deep blue eyes, and held a little ghost toy.
"Oh hwy Waywub." Said the boy as he was eating. "Igneel Atlas Dragneel, we've been over this many times, don't talk with your mouth full. It's rude, people can't understand you, and you could choke. If you do it again, you can forget about dessert tonight." Said a white haired woman. As soon as the pink haired boy swallowed he said, "Sorry mom." After he put the meat down he faced the cub child and said, "Hey Layla, so what are you doing here today? I thought you were resting in the spirit world with your dad." Layla sighed and said, "That's kind of why I'm here Igneel. Mommy and daddy were fighting today and I don't know why." The black haired boy got up and said, "Maybe it's just this one fight Layla. You shouldn't be too afraid, parents fight a lot." "Ultear thinks Tetsuhon is making a good point. Ultear has seen her mother and father fight before." Said the navy haired girl. "Yeah, but I asked what was going on and they sent me here. Did I do something wrong?" Said Layla "Nah I don't think ya did anything wrong." Remarked Tetsuhon. "Yeah, I guess they might just get divorced if they're still fighting." Stated Igneel before he kept on eating. Layla was then as stiff as steel and turned her head like a gear, "D-divorce? But why would that happen?" After Igneel put down his food he stated, "Well, Uncle Romeo's dad broke up with his mom after a ton of fights so it could happen." Tetsuhon aimed a white fan SMACK. "Igneel, don't scare her like that. Besides, Uncle Romeo's parents split up because his dad worked too hard and started to talk with some other lady." "Ultear agrees. However, Ultear knows that Layla's daddy was a playboy." Followed Ultear. "You are right Ultear, what if he goes back to make him feel better?" Layla started to sulk. Instantly Tetsuhon patted her on the back and said, "How about we go into the guild's library to cheer you up? My mom and I always like to read when dad's out on solo missions."She then walked with him into the library and started climbing ladders and scanning the titles.
When Layla was scanning the ladder started to waddle. "Tetsuhon!" She screamed. As the ladder fell it was caught but a glut of books fell to the floor. As Layla climbed down they started stacking the books and looked at a rather old one. "Hey Tetsuhon I wonder what this one says." "You read it Layla, I need to pick these up." He continued to pick up the books and heard "Tetsuhon honey, daddy and I bought back some big game from our mission." "Oh boy, mom and dad are back with dinner. Hey Layla, aren't you going to come out?" Layla's nose was stuck inside the book. "Okay, I'll see you when you're done." After skimming over the book some letter caught her eyes. "Huh? Timiui bicknum foreia mirianituits. Now what the heck is that supposed to mean?" Then there was a large flash over Layla and she instantly disappeared.
"And that's how I wound up here." She finished. When Loke turned to Lucy his eyes widened and a hand glided over his mouth. 'I can't believe it. After I got married to the love of my life I managed to screw everything up?' He thought. "Well, now that we know you're here Layla, maybe we should do something." Said Lucy. As Layla's eyes slid to the right the clock's minute hand perfectly aligned on the six, while the hour hand was slowly ticking between the eight and nine. "I'll just get ready for bed mommy."
As Layla did as she said Loke faced his partner and asked, "Lucy, j-just how? H-how could something like this happen to us in the future?" "Oh, you mean Layla? Well I didn't think it was possible but..." His pointer silenced her lips, "No, not that, the divorce bit." He whispered with his inner eyebrows forming a triangle tip. As Lucy gently pushed away the pointer a grin was painted on her face before she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't fret about it, I'm sure that Layla was just jumping to conclusions about a divorce. But I'll be sure that something like that won't happen. Now, it's best that we do make some plans for Layla while she's here." "And what do you propose we do tomorrow?" Asking his girlfriend. "Maybe we should just let her do what she wants. I'm sure that a 7 year old doesn't ask for that much. Anyway, I'll see you in the morning sweetie." Lucy said as her lips landed on Loke's cheek.
THE NEXT DAY
As Lucy slowly ascended out of slumber, BANG! RATTLE! BONG! She instantly hopped on her feet and quickly dashed to find the source of the sounds. As her ear followed the noise she was dragged towards the kitchen only to find her future daughter half way in a cupboard. "Layla, what are you doing in there?" Lucy pulled the child out of the area. "Mommy, I was just looking for a bowl." Layla answered. "Well, the bowls are not in there." Lucy then picked up a circular piece of metal. "Those are the pots and pans." She sighed, "I guess you must have been hungry, what would you like for breakfast then?" She asked as the pice was put away. "Actually mommy, I wanted to give you some yogurt." Lucy paused then she smiled, then she her arms wrapped around Layla. "Oh, that's so sweet of you. But just remember, if you want something, you need to ask. Please sit down now dear. I'll make us both breakfast." When Lucy pulled the bowls out and placed them on the counter all Layla could do was swing a leg as she was sitting. Minutes later Lucy bought over the bowls now full with Yogurt. Before anyone could eat the aroma of eggs, and pancakes lingered in the air. As soon as the source of the scent was laid next to the yogurt bowl, both Layla and Lucy began to plunge their utensils into their food.
When there are only crumbs, a napkin patted Lucy's lips and she asked. "So Layla, what do you think we should do today?" As Layla heard the question she answered, "Can we go to the guild please? I want to know what Fairy tail was like before I was born." Lucy lowered herself down to Layla's level. "Maybe honey, but just to be safe you're going as my little cousin. Agreed?" The cub's head nodded in response. "Also, you've got to promise your father and I one thing. No telling people about their futures. Understand?" "Yes mommy." As they slid into clothing, the cub and the celestial mage wandered towards the hall. As she got to a giant building with a symbol on it Lucy's hand made the door slide open to reveal overlapping voices, the light scent of booze, and the portraits of familiar faces. Upon entering Layla's eyes popped. It all seemed as if nothing has changed before the day she was born. At one point a pink haired Dragon slayer's eyes caught the mage and sprinted over to her. "Hey Lucy, who's the kid?" The dragon slayer asked. "Natsu, I would like to introduce you to my little cousin." As he was introduced, Natsu went down to her level. "Heh, she's kind cute. So what's your name?" Layla's lips puckered slightly as if she just licked a sour ball. Soon a word did escape her lips, "Laureen." Natsu flashed a big smile and patted her back. "Cute name, welcome to Fairy Tail Laureen." As Natsu took her by the hand Lucy wiped the dew on her forehead off. "That was a close one. We just need to keep this up long enough." She thought.
As Lucy followed her future daughter everyone's eyes turned to the child. Everywhere there were voices stating, "Aw what a cutie." "Cute kid." "Welcome kid." When she finally got the chance to sit down, she was still not immune to more attention. "Good morning Lucy, hey Natsu. Aw is this little girl yours?" "In a way s-she is Mira, but she's just my cousin, Laureen. Say "hi" Laureen." Layla followed the command. "Hello, Mira." "So what are you here for Laureen?" Asked the white haired takeover mage. "I'm just visiting for a while." "Well, you should be happy to know that there's someone just your age around here. Her name is Asuka. She's right next to Bisca and Alzak over there." Mira then pointed to the couple with the child. Immediately Layla walked over to the couple and child.
As Lucy found her seat at the bar her mouth was an outline of a semi circle as she saw her little girl with the tiny gunner. "So Lucy, I have this crazy thought right now but. When I look at her, I feel that maybe Laureen is like your real daughter." A peach flush crept upon Lucy's cheeks. "R-really? But she's not." "I'm aware of that, but you just need to picture it in a way. A future with your little one, all curled up on the couch with your child on a cold winter's night right by the fire place. And when she falls asleep in your arms you get to kiss her goodnight and tuck her in bed all before your husband gets home." The flush landed under Lucy's eyes. "I guess you could be right Mira, but that's not for a long time." As Layla's tiny body decelerated as she was playing Lucy got down to the cub's level. "Tired huh?" The cub nodded. "Come, I think I know where you can nap a little." As they both trotted up the stairs, Lucy guided her future daughter into a pale room with beds aligned like soldiers. "It's not much but it'll do." "I see mommy." Whispered the cub as she crawled into the bed. Lucy's hand glided over Layla's hair as the cub's eyes turned into lines. "Sweet dreams." Seconds later a bright light illuminated the room and Loke stepped out.
"Down for a nap huh?" Lucy nodded in response. "She really is our child isn't she Loke?" "Until she goes back it's best that we can be the best parents we can be for her." Lucy simply glided her lips onto her boyfriends in response.
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