This chapter was long overdue. Sorry. But to make it up, I made it super long. Over 10k words. xD
First up is Cana and Cornelia. Hope you enjoy.
I'll quickly apologize in advance for my grammar and such, haven't had time to read it through thoroughly because I just wanted to post it. I'll edit it soon.
Disclaimer. I don't own anything. All credits to the rightful owner(s). Mashima-sensei is a genius. Nuff said.
-Oby Abel-
Three days passed after Layla had contacted her old team mates and she finally got a call back from Gildarts yesterday. He of course asked what was going on and as the others he thought she was in some kind of trouble. She yelled and cursed him for 20 minutes before telling him just to be there and bring his guild master along. Without saying anything further, he nodded and ended the call. There wasn't really much else to say really. He knew of he importance since it was her requesting his assistance.
The two youngest boys, Sting and Rogue, were slowly opening up to her while Natsu was still rebelling and Gajeel was just being passive. The latter would still blush whenever Layla or Lucy was near. He was just a little fan boy.
But they had improved their attitude just a tiny bit. Of course Lucy and Natsu would still bicker because the latter always found a new way to rile Lucy up but it didn't end in much disaster. Layla's spirits would always interfere before a fight could take place.
And Layla was also pleased with the fact that Natsu, along with the others, tried to befriend Lucy. She didn't care if they still had attitude problems with her – Rome wasn't built in one day – but she was happy that Lucy didn't feel left out whenever they all gathered. She was included in the small group. And that was all that mattered.
When Capricorn and Virgo had told her about Natsu being the one to initiate a do over, she was surprised. She had believed it would take a while for the young boy to crack – a really, really long while. So pleased, Layla was. She even postponed her plans of the children meeting their new teachers and instructors. Deciding that maybe she was rushing it a bit and needed them all to settle down before doing anything.
Plus her friends children would also be coming, and knowing that it would be a bit chaotic, her Slayers meeting new people, she knew with a fact it was a good decision to make. And she constantly told her self not to rush. There really wasn't a reason. It was just her stressing around.
Today was the day Cornelia and her daughter were arriving. Layla told her that Gildarts was coming and the woman immediately hung up but not before telling her that she would be arriving the day after; today.
"Mama when will they come? It's already two o'clock." Lucy asked impatiently. She had been excited ever since Layla told her that Cornelia along with her daughter would come and stay with them for a while as well. The young blonde was ecstatic since then. A bouncing ball. Guests meant more friends and more friends meant happiness for little Lucy. She just really loved the concept of friendship and family, it meant a lot for the only child of the Heartfilias.
"Soon sweetie. Be patient. Why don't you and Wendy go check in on the boys? I believe they could use your company." She knew the two girls were getting bored sitting in the grand living room in their frilly dresses while the boys were outside playing whatever games they could come up with.
"Can we?" It was almost a bit too eager of the younger blonde. But Layla smiled and nodded. She knew her daughter thrived to be the best daughter but she didn't want Lucy to push herself too much. She may be an heiress but she was still a little girl. And she was already the best daughter she could ask for.
"But you need to take care of Wendy. You are her big sister now and she is your responsibility whenever I'm not with you, okay?" She knew Wendy may have powerful magic but she was still a small five year old girl, and she needed protection and guidance which she didn't doubt her daughter would provide. Lucy was already smitten with the youngest Dragon Slayer and saw her as a sibling.
"Hai mama. I know. Wendy-chan and me will go now." She grabbed the younger girl's hand and bowed her head. Wendy following Lucy's movement and bowed as well.
"Be safe. If the boys try to fight, you know would to do." Lucy stood up and grinned with a twinkle of mischief in her brown eyes.
"I know. Bye." Layla shook her head playfully when the two girls retreated. Her daughter was looking like her more and more. Personality wise and appearance wise. Shocking really, but it must've been the strong Heartfilia genes. But she wasn't really complaining. Especially knowing her heritage.
"Layla-sama," Capricorn appeared bowed down and grounded her from her inner musings. "Cornelia-sama and her daughter are at the entrance. They will arrive shortly." He announced and made Layla bolt up from the chair.
"Really?" Sometimes, mostly when she didn't have to put on an act, she forget that she was a lady. She like her daughter, though more discreet, was excited of the arrival of her friend. It had been so long and she felt stupid for even allowing it to be so long.
"Yes. They have boarded he carriage." Capricorn, one of the 12 Zodiacs and Layla's trusted spirit, always felt a rush of joy pass through him whenever his master acted more like her true self than the one she was expected to be.
Layla grabbed his arms and squeezed tightly as she let out a loud squeal. Too much excitement. She just couldn't wait. She hadn't met Cana, only touched Cornelia's stomach when she was pregnant. They separated when she was four month along. Stupid Gildarts had been the first to go without even knowing his wife was pregnant. She hadn't had to chance to tell.
"Layla-sama, calm down." Capricorn couldn't help his chuckling. He knew and felt her excitement through their bond as master and spirit but their connection were deeper. He had been by Layla's side since forever. Seen her grown into the woman should had become. So he understood her excitement. It was her old friends, her trusted nakama that she was to meet again. Even he felt a bolt of excitement pass through him. He knew their power as much as he knew their weakness. They too were his nakama.
"Sorry." She said sheepishly and pulled her hand away smiling. "I just can't help it. It's been so long. What do I say, or do? How do I act?" Sensing her panic Capricorn put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, comforting her.
"Layla-sama, you act like you always have. You may have not seen each other physically for years but spiritually you'll always be with one another. Is that not what you had taught us?" He questioned with a smile. She smiled back and nodded.
"Yes, you're right." Her smile more radiant. "It doesn't matter if we aren't together physically, but what matters are we're together in spirit. Thanks, Capricorn." She held his hands and squeezed it. It felt blessed to have friends like her spirits. They always knew how to comfort her whenever she felt troubled.
"You are very welcomed, Layla-sama. If you please, we can head to the front yard to greet them?" Layla was more than willing and hooked their arms, walking towards the front door with a pleasant smile gracing her face.
Meanwhile Lucy and Wendy arrived outside only to gasp in shock. The garden. Layla's beautiful garden was destroyed. Flowers lay everywhere, either crushed or dug under pile of dirt. Bushes with their leaves burning. Even two trees, Lucy's favorite cherry trees, had been destroyed.
Lucy shook with fury. Her eyes zooming in on the four boys who was still rough housing each other not noticing the two girls. They were using their magic thus the state of the beautiful garden. The most damage was done due to fire and that made Lucy narrow her eyes angrily to Natsu.
"NATSU!" She screeched so loudly that Wendy had to cover her sensitive ears and the four boys stopped their movement. A shiver running down their spine. At that moment they knew they were fucked.
The little blonde girl stomped closer to the now sweating boys as they began to cower from he menacing glare Lucy possessed. "What have you all done!" The bomb, also known as Lucy Heartfilia, had already been ticked and exploded right in their faces. "My trees! Mama's flowers! Ahh!" She slapped each and everyone, hard while crying from anger.
Those trees had been ones that she had helped grow throughout her life. She had worked in the garden with her mother to help plant those flowers and bushes, watch them come to life. So seeing them destroyed made her angry and sad. They were part of her in some way.
She crouched down and began crying. Lucy was an emotional girl in spite not showing it. She was very fragile and girly and small things always had an effect on her. Growing these plants and trees, took away the loneliness she had always felt in the mansion. They were like her friends, she had helped giving them life but now they were destroyed. Dead.
"Uhm.." The four boys were speechless and felt rather guilty for making her cry. It wasn't on purpose that they had destroyed most of the garden. It just happened. They were careless.
"Lucy-nee." Little Wendy sent the four boys a disapproving look before walking up to the blonde. She pushed her arms through Lucy's and rested her head on her shoulder. "It's okay." She soothed. "We'll grow new ones together. In a secret place. We'll make an even beautiful garden. So please don't cry."
The blonde looked up and blinked away tears. "Really?" She sniffed. Wendy nodded with a loving smile. The blonde smiled back and shifted her position pulling the blunette into a tight hug. "Thank you." She felt a lot better now to know that she had a real friend. One that could talk and walk. A living person.
"We're sorry, Lucy." The four boys said making the blonde pull away to glare at them. They immediately lowered their gazes and slightly bowed. "We'll help you. We can make a bigger garden, all of us." Rogue added glanced up.
Lucy sniffed once again, wiping her tears away before standing up pulling Wendy up with her. She eyed each boy and saw their sincerity. It did make her happy but she was still hung over that they destroyed her mother's and hers beloved garden. So she scowled at them.
"You need to clean this up first. I won't tell mama, you will." That was punishment enough. Layla would not take it lightly because she too loved her flowers. "And then you will have to help plant new flowers and trees. Lots of them." She added. She would use them as her little slaves and let them deal with the hard work of digging and planting. Of course she and Wendy would do some work too but just the minor things.
"Deal." Natsu said with a grin. He was glad that the punishment wasn't too severe. He could deal with Layla's scolding, Lucy's slave work and cleaning up after themselves. Piece of cake. Just as long as the little blonde didn't lash out on him and the others. He didn't deal well with crying girls.
Lucy smirked, all sadness gone and replaced with humor and mirth. She could see how easy Natsu believed their tasks to be and it amused her. She kept quiet and inwardly laughed. They all shook on it before she commanded them to clean up. Lucy was a little sadist, not that she had any idea of what that meant herself. She was too young to know that word. But a sadist she was.
"Why did we even fight here of all places?" Gajeel questioned out loud as he began picking up the branches that laid torn everywhere.
"Natsu-nii started it. Said we should train." Sting answered following his lead, throwing things in one pile to make it easier for them to pick up later.
Gajeel wasn't surprised. It was always Natsu that got them into trouble. Why did he follow him, he had no idea. He glanced to where Lucy and Wendy sat on the porch and saw them talking animated to each other. His cheeks felt hot when he saw her smile. He got it bad.
"Children," a maid said rushing out to the garden. She gasped when she saw the state of that garden. "Oh my." Lucy jumped in really quickly, afraid she would tell on them to Layla. She wanted the pleasure of the boys telling her themselves so she could watch them being punished. They deserved that much.
Alright she did bear a grudge. A big one.
"Caryn-san, don't tell mama. I promise you that they will tell themselves."
"But-but Lucy-sama, what happened?" The maid asked, her eyes wandering around the place. "Poor flowers." She added shaking her head, seeing the roses slain to pieces on the ground. Lucy nodded agreeing with her. Poor flowers.
"Nothing much. Why did you come for?" Her eyes began sparkling as her previous excitement coursed through her body. "Are they here? They are, aren't they?" Her hands clasped together as she turned left smiling brightly at Wendy.
"Yes. Layla-sama asked me to bring you all to the living room. The guests has arrived."
"Like this?" Gajeel questioned as he gestured to his dirty clothes and hands. He had a few bruises too but nothing that hurt too much. The other three wasn't in much better shape.
"No. Go change. You know where the living room is. Let's go." Lucy said grabbing Wendy's hands almost forcibly and they followed Caryn inside the mansion.
"Why do we need to come as well? It's not like they matter to us." Natsu grumbled, not pleased to meet new people. He hasn't been liking the idea of other children coming to the mansion because he still wasn't comfortable there. He and Lucy may had started over, but that didn't mean he trusted her like he trusted the Slayers. He was still in the process of getting to know her.
"Pretty Lady said they will be our family and friends too. Like Lucy-nee." Little Sting said as an answer. He wasn't as opposed to their arrangements like Natsu was. He actually liked Layla, she was sweet and funny and so motherly. He felt a ease.
"Yeah." Rogue agreed. "Pretty Lady and Lucy-nee were really happy to have guests. And I'm curious too." As Sting felt, Rogue was the same. The few days they had spent with Layla alone, had been fun. He felt safe and she was so kind. Just like a mother he had never had. And in all actuality both boys loved being there despite still missing their fathers, which they knew they would see soon. Layla promised.
"For the last time. They aren't our family" Natsu groaned, feeling annoyed that they had already been swooned enough to believe the idea of family with the blondes. "Pretty Lady is just looking after us till Igneel and the others are better. When they are healed we will leave this place." Natsu strongly believed this all was just temporarily. How wrong he was.
Gajeel who had kept quiet, listing to the three talk didn't exactly known what to really say. He was more comfortable being with Metalicana. He was his father and he felt safe. But just a few days at the Heartfilia Mansion, he felt the same kind of safety there that he did with his father. Layla made him feel part of her family. But he was still conflicted. He missed his father, a lot. And he was sure the others did the same. Natsu perhaps the most. Wendy and the other two was already swooned that much he could tell. And it made him somehow happy.
He and Natsu were a lot older than them. They probably had no memories of their pasts as they did or he did. He didn't know if Natsu remembered much before Igneel took him in his care. But Gajeel knew. He had known from day one that Metalicana wasn't his true father. They were too different. He was human and his father a dragon. It didn't make since him to be of his kin. And thankfully the gruff dragon had told him the truth.
Did that mean he was loved less? No. Metalicana despite his tough training regime, cared for Gajeel as his own and vice versa. Gajeel remembered his own parents, how they abandoned him because of war. He was called extra weight. But never did he feel like that with the Iron Dragon. Yes, they did bicker but it was never violent or hurtful. Just how a parent bicker with their child. Nothing out of the norm.
So when Layla told them that they were going to be family from then on, he felt conflicted. He was happy yet skeptical. Being told he was extra weight by his parents and left to death had been imprinted in his mind and heart. But whenever Layla and Lucy for that matter made an effort he felt his heart beat fast. A sense of happiness wash over him. He feel included. A part of their family.
But he didn't want to betray Metalicana with these feelings. Metalicana was his father and his savior, and nothing could change that. He was the one that gave him purpose. Thus he felt conflicted of accepting the Heartfilias wholeheartedly. He wanted too but yet he didn't. It was just too much for his young body.
"You, Metal Scraps. Ya with us?" Natsu called him back from his musing, waving a hand in front of his face.
He blinked a few times and looked at the two younger ones and Natsu look at him oddly. "Huh? What?"
"You were silent for the last ten minutes. Anything ya want to share?" The Fire Dragon Slayer asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What? No. Let's get changed and meet the guests." Gajeel dismissed and took a step forward but an arms stopped him from taking another one. He shot Natsu a glare.
"What's wrong with you?" If he hadn't known better he would think Natsu was worried about him but nah. Natsu wouldn't concern himself with others, only himself, fire, Igneel and food.
"Nothing. Just had a little bit thinking to do." He pushed the arm away and eyed the two young Slayers to follow him.
"Nervous?"
"Nope. Let's just end this and get changed. Lucy will be bad if we come too late."
"Yeah yeah, whatever."
They made it to their quarters of the mansion. Virgo was already awaiting them and had set four pairs of outfits out for them. She made Sting and Rogue take a quick bath, they were the ones most dirty and then sent Gajeel and Natsu to the bathrooms down the hallways, so they too could clean up.
Begrudgingly they left and in a matter of seconds the Maiden Spirit dressed them, dried their hair and made them look presentable. They were allowed to leave minutes later.
"My, my." A woman next to Layla spoke with mirth. She was smiling brightly as she noticed all four boys enter the large living room area. "These are your "situation"? She asked as she air quoted the reason why she were there in the first place.
"Yep. Boys." She gestured them to come closer and began introducing them. "This here is one of my oldest friends, Cornelia Alberona. Conny these handsome young fellas are, Gajeel Redfox, Natsu Dragneel, Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney." Each boy bowed when their names were called and muttered a silent nice to meet you.
"Nice to meet you all." She said and turned her head to her right. "Cana!" She called, and seconds later a brunette matching Cornelia's hair came with Lucy and Wendy behind her.
"Yes mom?" She asked shyly and then took notice of the four boys.
"Honey, come meet these boys. Boys, this here is my daughter, Cana. Cana these boys are Gajeel, Natsu, Sting and Rogue." The young brunette bowed her head in greeting.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Well why don't we let the children get acquainted with each other while we catch up." Layla suggested after noticing the awkward tension building. "Lucy, honey, do you mind taking Cana on a tour and showing her her room?"
The bubbly young girl nodded eagerly. "Of course mama. Cana-chan, would you like to come?" Cana looked timid and then looked at her mother, silently asking for permission.
"Honey, we will stay here for a while so it's alright to follow Lucy. Lucy-chan, please take care of my Cana." Again the young blonde nodded and grinned brightly.
"Of course Aunty Cornelia. Come Cana-chan, Wendy and I will give you a tour." She grabbed both girls hands and started for the hallway, only to stop abruptly as she remembered something.
Turning around she glanced at the boys with a dark smirk. "You are going to tell mama what you did right?" They gulped and looked a the older blonde who looked at him curiously. Suddenly feeling nervous.
"Tell me what dear?"
"Natsu will tell. Go on, tell her what you all did." Her smirk only grew bigger.
Layla turned to the pinkette, waiting for him to tell her whatever had transpired without her knowing of it. "Yes?"
"Uhm… It's was an accident!" He finally cried. "We didn't mean to destroy anything. It just happened!" He was quick to defend their actions but that didn't do much when he noticed the dark look Layla gave him.
"What. Did. You. Do?"
Lucy was having the time of her life. Seeing the four boys sweating bullets were fun. It was payback for destroying her garden and for always leaving her and Wendy out of whatever they were doing. Serves them right. She thought.
"Uhm… we-" he shot Gajeel a look of help. He didn't want to be the only who was going to have his head chewed off.
Gajeel feeling bad that Natsu was the one to tell decided to help him. He looked at Layla remorseful, for he did feel bad for destroying the garden and Lucy's earlier tears made him realize his wrongdoings. "We… we got carried away and might have destroyed a part of the your garden." He saw her looked an squeaked, "Sorry!" hanging his head low. They were fucked.
It took Layla a full second to register what the Iron Dragon Slayer told her. And it took her five full seconds to reacts. "WHAT?!" Hell was loose once more. "You might have destroyed the garden?! There is no might have! Lucy!" The blonde glared towards her daughter making a shiver run through the three girls.
"Y-yes?" She croaked, feeling a bit fearful of the look her mother sent her.
"Explain. How bad is it?" Layla's tone softened a bit as did her gaze. But she was sill furious.
"B-bad. But I've already punished them, so don't punish them." She felt bad after seeing her mother getting so angry. She may be a sadist but she was sure Layla's punishments would be bad. Like really, really bad. Aqurius bad.
"That bad, huh." Layla turned her gazes to the four boys who was all finding their shoes very interested. They didn't dare raise their gazes. Even the rebellious Natsu. He knew they fucked up. Would he learn from this? Probably not. But he would be learning at that very moment till he felt rebellious once again and didn't have a care of where he was. That's how he was.
"Go to your rooms. You are all grounded. Stay there till I call you for dinner." She commanded. "I'm really disappointed in you all. Thought we were past destroying things. You make me want to speak with Draco and postpone you seeing your parents." She didn't want to be cruel but they were testing her limits.
"But we are!" Surprisingly it was Natsu who cried. He felt like he had to take the load of their punishment because technically it was his fault it happened. Plus the fear of not seeing Igneel the day after tomorrow made him panic. But if someone had to be punished with not meeting his parent it should be him. "We are done. It was my fault. I told them we had to train or we would disappoint Igneel and the others. They agreed and then we got carried away. Punish me, they just got caught up in everything. Everything is my fault so punish only me."
Everyone was surprised to hear Natsu say those things. The boys were looking at him wide eyed, shocking. Cornelia surprised that he wanted to take all the blame for himself. It was admirable in her eyes. Lucy gaped at him, shocked, yet a feeling of admiration that he would throw himself in front of the bus to safe his friends from their punishment. She knew how strongly he awaited the day he was going to meet his father once again and that just made her feel proud of him. He for once thought about the others than himself.
Layla on the other hand was the most shocked by his sudden cry out. Her chest swelled with pride automatically. Natsu, the most bratty and destructive of the boys, wanted to protect his friends. It was so admirable and she felt joyous that she got to see him act like that. He was the hardest nut to crack but slowly she got to see him crack and it felt great.
But that didn't mean she was happy about her garden destroyed. They were all at fault and that made them deserve some kind of punishment.
"I'm giving you all one last chance. There are still two nights before I'm going to open the gate, but," She narrowed her eyes on Natsu and then other three before she continued. "if I find either one of you boys causing problems, we'll have to postpone your meetings. Is that clear?"
They all nodded. "Good. Now go to your rooms. You are still grounded for the day." She dismissed them and watched them walk quietly past Lucy and the girls. She didn't want to be mean but children needed discipline. She also had a feeling their parents punished them worse than just grounding them.
"Mama, perhaps they can hang out with us instead of staying in their rooms. That way Cana-chan can get to know them better." Lucy felt guilty. A lot. First she told on them and to make it worse, she did it in front of guests. And then when Layla threatened not to let them meet their parents, she felt worse. So she wanted to redeem herself.
Layla wanted to say yes but then again, she didn't want to be too soft. So she shook her head. "No. They will stay grounded." Then she added. "But after touring Cana-chan around, you can pay them a visit."
Lucy nodded and bid the two ladies farewell and left with the two girls.
Cornelia looked at her friend with a soft smile. "You sure have grown." Layla turned around and returned her smile.
"You do mature when you have children, Conny. I wasn't too harsh, right?"
"No. Or I don't know. I haven't seen the outcome of your garden." Cornelia said with a shrug and sat down on the couch.
Layla frowned. She turned to Caryn who stood by the corner, head down. "Was it bad? The garden I mean." The servant looked up and sighed.
"Very bad, Layla-sama. But Lucy-sama had cleaning up when I arrived."
The older blonde sighed and let her fall to her seat next to her friend. "What am I going to do with those boys."
"You have nothing to worry about. I'm here." Her friend patted her head. "Plus when Ur arrive I'm sure she'll be hard on them. We have nothing to worry about. So now, tell me the exact reason to why you called us all."
Another deep sigh escaped the blonde as she looked at her friend with a forlorn expression. "You met the boys. Natsu, the pink haired one is Zeref's brother. And a Demon."
Cornelia gasped and her body tensed. Had she heard her friend clearly? Or was her mind just playing tricks on her? "What?"
"It's the truth. I took it upon myself to train them all. Zeref wanted to die and his greatest creation, Natsu, will be the one…" She then began telling everything else. About Acnologia, how the children's fates were in their hands.
After a couple of minutes if silence Cornelia muttered, "Wow. That's… wow." She was loss for words. And now she understood completely why Layla had summoned them all. They had all met with Demons of Zeref's in their younger years. But what she just learned was mind blowing. And she slowly began to feel pity for those children. Yet determination began to set in her core. She would help.
"I understand everything much better now. You told us, just before we left, about Anna's journal but it made no sense at the time but now it does. Wow, Layla. Just wow."
Layla bit her lips nervously. Now that she let the cat out of the bag, she was a little reluctant to ask if Cornelia still wanted to help her out. She didn't doubt her friend's loyalty but it still made her wonder if she was up for the task. She could understand if she wasn't. This wasn't a matter to be taken likely.
"Do you… still want to stay? After learning everything?"
Cornelia gaped at her which made her more nervous. But before she could let hurt and sadness wander to mind and heart, a finger pressed between her eyebrows and a very displeased Cornelia.
"What do you take me for Layla Heartfilia!" Cornelia said harsh as she scowled. "As if I would run away just because of those brats. I'm not leaving you or those brats, it's sad and I understand why you accepted. Idiot."
The blonde pulled her into a hug, relieved. "Sorry. And thank you."
The brunette chuckled and returned the hug. "No need to thank me idiot. Just don't start crying on me." Both giggled at down and hugged each other more tightly. It felt good to be in an old friends embrace. 12 years. It had taken them that long since meeting up since most of them lived in the same country.
"I've missed you."
"And I missed you, silly. It's good to be back."
"Welcome back, Conny."
As the two adults embraced and fell into talk about not do depressing things and about the past, Lucy was enthusiastically showing off everything in the mansion to Cana. Wendy had already been through this tour. Twice.
They three girls ended in front of a room across from Lucy and Wendy's – Lucy managed to convince her mother to put another bed in there just so she could share a room with her self-proclaimed little sister, Layla didn't mind one bit.
"This is your room. Ours is just across of yours but you are welcomed to stay at my room too." The blonde explained with a large smile as she pointed from door to door. "And that room is our playroom. And now yours too. There's lot of dolls, toys, an indoor swing, and my favorite; a huge slide. Papa made it for me, and it's that high." She gestured to the large distance between the floor and ceiling. "It's so fun to use!" She added grinning.
Cana, throughout the whole tour, had been overwhelmed. By the mansion and the blonde bubbly and cheery girl. She was a shy I front of strangers but Lucy's personality had already opened her up, but that didn't mean she still wasn't overwhelmed. She lived in an apartment with her mother. They lived a mediocre life. Where she was belonged in a fairy tale. It was a castle. Too big and scary, just luscious and warm by the people she met so far living there.
Hearing there was a slide inside the playroom just made her feel more light headed from the overwhelming day she had. They're so rich. Too rich. She told herself mentally, and followed the blonde's lead when she opened the room to her new room. She was still coming to terms with what her mother had told her a few days ago. They were going to live here for a while. A long while.
Entering the room Cana went still. First the room was too big to be hers. It was just too big. Secondly it was too pink. Too girly. Sure she was a girly girl but she was also somewhat of a tomboy. She had more male friends back home than she had female.
And then she noticed a pink princess bed with a frilly pink canopy. She groaned. This was too much. Like seriously too much. She was 12 years old. Not five.
"What, don't you like it?" Lucy questioned when she noticed Cana groan and look at the bed with displeasure.
"Uhm, it's not that I don't like it. It's just that it's too pink? It's just too much. And it's lokale ridiculous and frilly." Cana didn't want to be rude to her host but she could not not say her opinion of the room. It was just too ridiculous looking and made her want to run away. Hideous.
"Is… is that so..." She saw Lucy's trembling lips and knew she screwed up. Maybe being honest wasn't a good thing? The blonde began sniffing, and looked at Cana with her big brown eyes that were at the brink of tears. What threw the brunette off was how hurtful and apologetic Lucy looked. "I'm s-sorry. I… I chose the things."
And that was when Cana knew she royally screwed up. "Don't cry!" She seriously hated herself for being honest enough to say her mind out her room. Especially knowing it was the blonde who had helped picking up the things. "Don't cry. I'm sure I'll love the room, eventually." Idiot, don't make it worse. She scolded herself as the words slipped out.
"No!" Lucy cried. "I'll change it! Wait here!"
"You don't-" But the blonde didn't let her finished and had already dashed out of the room. Cana turned to look the young blunette. "Is she always like that?" Wendy just shrugged her shoulders. She didn't exactly known the blonde much other than she easy bubbly and very kind and that she liked her and her mother a lot. Like a family.
"Great. Mom's not gonna be happy with this."
As few minutes of silencing in the cringe worthy room, Cana noticed the blunette's head turning towards the open door and she sniffed the room. That baffled Cana. Is she a dog or something. She didn't get to ask because shuffling and heavy footsteps were coming from the hallway.
"I'm back! Cana-chan meet Spetto-san. Spetto-san," the blonde announced when she came panting into the room with an elderly woman. She looked at the maid as she continued to speak, "Cana-chan doesn't like her room. Can we do something about this?"
Cana was about to jump in and tell her it wasn't much of a deal – it was, the pink made her dizzy, but she didn't want to sound bratty or ungrateful – but then maid took a look around the room and then turned to the blonde with a big smile. "But of course Lucy-sama. What color would you like instead, Cana-sama?"
Cana felt trapped. Should she just be modest and dismiss Lucy's claim or should she just accept and have her way? Hmm.
"White would be alright." Her way it was. She reasoned that she had to stay there in a long time and probably use this more than she could think of so having a room to her own liking and one resembling her old one would be best. "The bed too. I like simple and earthy colors. White, crème, brown and black."
"We'll have it done before dinner. Anything else?" The old maid asked with a polite smile. Cana was surprised by her reply. They would have it done before dinner? That was like two hours away?! Or what she guessed it was.
Blinking away her surprise she shook her head and bowed her head as showing her respect and thanks. "Thank you Spetto-san."
"It's quite alright Cana-sama." The maid turned to her young little mistress still with a pleasant smile. "Anything else I can do for you Lucy-sama, Wendy-sama?" Both girls shook their heads.
"Well actually there is. Uhm could you bring cakes and sodas to the boys room. I'm sure they're a bit hungry and thirsty." Lucy said after a few seconds passed. She still felt bad about the boys being grounded for the day despite knowing that was a soft punishment from her mother.
"Certainly. Should I expect to bring some to you as well?"
"Yes. We'll be headed over there after showing Cana-chan our room and the playroom."
The maid bowed her farewell and walked out of the room leaving the three girls silent for a little bit.
"Uhm," Cana began the ice breaker, feeling weird and uncomfortable by the silence, "I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. I didn't mean to-"
"You don't have to be." Lucy cut her off with a bright smile. "It is I who's sorry. I just have listened to mama and let your room stay natural. I'm happy that you told me your opinion."
Feeling a bit a better by the situation Cana returned her smile. "I'm glad that you are."
"So should we continue the tour? You're going to love the playroom."
With a nod they walked out to the hallway and walked straight inside Lucy's room. Cana wasn't surprised by the girly girl room of pink when they entered. She didn't have a reason to be when she had seen the state of her own. So without saying much the passed the large room and came to a stop by a white door, which Cana assumed to either be a bathroom door or a closet door or just the door connecting to the room next to them.
And the latter it was.
The playroom was huge. Like huge huge that you think you're are one of those indoor playgrounds your parents sent you to play while some random licensed teachers take care of you as your parents are busy with something else. That huge.
One corner of the room had a bouncing castle. Of course with design of a castle. It was large and could probably fit a dusin adults in it. Next to that was what took most the space of the room. It was a indoor climbing, sliding, hiding, and whatnot maze. You could either use the stairs to get inside one part of the maze or just use one of the other openings.
Cana was gaping widely. It was seriously mind-blowing. She seriously must have the wildest birthday parties. Wow. She thought as the eyed the maze/slide/climbing mounting. The thing had everything and it was tall! Lucy was right when she said it was high up there.
"Isn't it cool. Daddy even added a climbing wall. I haven't used it yet but we can all try it on day and then slide down the slide. It's going to be so fun!" The blonde blabbering on about the different things in the room while Cana roamed the other things in the room.
It was first when she began walked a bit closer into the room she noticed the floor to be made of soft foam mats. In fact the whole floor was covered with those. I'm getting a sense of that her parents are very, very over protected. 'specially her daddy. Cana mused.
Wendy had already disappeared inside the maze and her giggles were heard throughout the huge room. And some ruffling. Cana turned towards the sounds direction but the blunette was deep inside that she couldn't be seen. She turned to see where the blonde was and found her on a swing, smiling.
She approached her and sat on the twin swing. Thinking that then was probably a good time to strike a conversation. Getting to know each other, other than what they already knew of each other. "So?"
"Yes?" Lucy turned to face her still with a small smile.
"Are ya a mage?" Cana went straight to the most interesting question she could think of and what interested her of course. She had a feeling the blonde wasn't. Why should she be? She was rich and had lots of money. She didn't need to be a mage.
But she had guessed wrong when Lucy's whole demeanor brightened tenfold, her eyes twinkling as the stars did at night. Just that hers were a lot brighter.
"Yes!" Her head bounced up and down. "And you?" She dimmed her excitement just a little notch to ask her question. It would be awesome if sh-
"Yep. A Card Mage like mom." And then Lucy squealed so loudly it hurt the brunette's ears. But before she could react the blonde pounced on her, which weirded her out and she was dumbfounded. What just happened?!
"That's so awesome! Maybe we can be like mama and Aunty, a team. Wendy with us of course." Lucy announced as she pulled away with a grin that almost blinded the twelve year old.
"Sure. Wait, what? Wendy is a Mage too?" Cana's eyes immediately wandered to the where the little Sky Dragon Slayer still was playing.
"Yes. And she'll be super strong when she grows up. She is already really strong, knocked the wind out of the boys yesterday. Both Natsu and Gajeel weren't pleased but it was funny." The blonde giggled, most likely replaying yesterday's events in her mind.
At her reply the brunette raised a skeptical brow. The little girl, not older than five in Cana's opinion, had knocked down two boys much older than herself along with two kids at her own age. Nah, not possible. The kid can't probably hurt a fly. And she's too cute to even practice magic. But the brunette had an inkling feeling that the blonde wasn't lying.
"What kind of magic does she use then? And how old is she?" Her curiosity was slowly eating her from her inside. Cana was known to be a nosy little brat, always listening on on adult conversations and her mother's. It was a lot entertaining really. So she turned to the blonde with still a face that screamed skepticism.
"Oh, you don't know? Well Wendy and the boys have been raised by Dragons since they were young. Wendy is the Sky Dragon Slayer." Lucy definitely saw Cana being more than surprised. She saw her body tense at the mention of Dragons and her turning pale. She was shocked still. But she couldn't blame her. Lucy was also surprised when her mother told her that dragons were real and alive and about the five kids situation and their magic along with who their parents were. It was was shocking.
"D-Dragons?"
"Yep!" Lucy answered a bit enthusiastic. "They were raised by five different dragons. Wendy's mother is the Sky Dragon Grandeeney. Wendy knowns mostly healing spells but the boys began teaching her their dragons roars and she perfected it in two days!" Lucy boasted proudly. "And that's how she knocked the wind out of the boys yesterday. Get it?" She added with a giggle thinking about her cleverly made joke.
But Cana was not listening to the blonde. No. She was far too gone to even listen to her. Her brain was running every direction. What?! Dragons?! Slayers?! Wendy?! Oh my God, oh my God! Oh my gooooooooooood! Are they here? Will they eat me? Will Wendy eat me? Is she even human? What does this mean?! Oh my God!
"Cana-chan? Cana? Cana!" Lucy shook the brunette after calling her name for several minutes. She noticed something was amiss the minute she didn't react to her joke. Was it that bad? No. Lucy, I think I broke her. Maybe telling her on the first day was bad? But mama told me the day before I met them..
Snapping out of her rambling mind, Cana looked at the frowning blonde blinking her eyes rapidly. She pushed her swing a bit away from the blonde, slightly afraid. Then it dawned her. She didn't know what magic the blonde used. Was she also one of them? But she noticed that she didn't mention anything about her being a Dragon Slayer, or whatever, but did that mean Cana was safe? She had no idea and kept a distance.
Lucy took immediate notice of the distance and accepted it. Cana was still a bit shaken up by the information. It did a hurt a bit but she accepted it nonetheless. It was a normal reaction.
"They aren't dangerous Cana-chan. Sure the boys likes to show of their magic," mostly Natsu, she mentally added, "but they are like us. Well except for manners. Then they're beast. Not Wendy-chan though, she's the sweetest." Lucy assured with a smile and took a seat on her swing once more but never breaking eye contact.
"Are they… are they humans?" She finally got the courage to asked. Lucy looked at her wide eyed before smiling and nodding her head.
"Of course. They are just raised by Dragons. They don't have human mothers or fathers like we do but they do have their parents. Dragons. I know it's scary but Wendy-chan nor the boys will ever hurt us. And from what mama told me their dragons are kind too." She tried her best to assure her of no danger but she didn't know if she succeeded.
Cana went silence for a while. She had to process everything and keep being rational. Wendy hadn't attacked her nor had the boys, so she wasn't in actual danger. The boys seemed a little rough and from what she witnessed earlier, Layla punishing them, they seemed normal too. Actually they looked pathetic that even she felt sorry for them.
So she guessed they weren't dangerous and she had been overreacting and blowing the information way out of proportion. So what if they were raised by Dragons, they were still alive and that meant the Dragons weren't human eating beasts. They were left alive and even raised by them, and that made her wonder why she had freaked out the first way.
In all actuality it was extremely cool that they were raised by Dragons and have some kind of Dragons magic she had no idea how worked. It intrigued her. She wanted to see it for herself. She only knew simple magic, hers and her mother's and some elemental and other kinds. Dragon slaying magic was something she had never heard about and it sounded so exotic that she began to feel a rush of excitement pass through her. She wanted to see them use their magic firsthand. And she wanted to see it right that moment.
"Take me there." She held a demanding tone in her voice as she turned to the blonde with a serious yet excitement lit her eyes.
"Where?" Lucy looked at her oddly not understand what she was talking about and was quiet startled. She had given the brunette a few moments to process every information and watched Wendy play when she sudden spoke. It was confused.
"To the boys!" Cana's excitement was getting the better of her. But she couldn't help herself. She loved magic and everything that came with it. Her mother told her so much about all the different types of mages she had met through her adventures in her younger years and Cana wanted the same life. Met so many different kind and types of mages on adventures like her mother's. And now with some cool kids that were raised by Dragons were under the same roof as her just made want to see their magic. "Take me please!"
"Okay?" Lucy didn't know what else to say since the brunette was acting too weird so she turned her head towards Wendy's and called for the blunette. "Wendy-chan, we're going to visit the boys now. Wanna come or do you wanna still play?"
"You should probably yell for her to hear ya, ya know. It's quite a distance." Cana chipped in as she noticed how the blonde did know even mother to yell. So she was about to but a call from Wendy stopped her.
"Coming!"
That made Cana's eyes bulge. What the? How could she hear that from such a distance? What is goi-
"They have sensitive hearing so they can hear a lot better than us. She can her our hears beating from that way too." Lucy explained but that just surprised the brunette even more. "Oh, they also had a greater smell. Now that's kind of annoying since they can smell emotions and the weirdness thing. Like when was the last time you pooped…" She added with a blush and pout.
"Wow. So they are like superhumans." Cana spoke out loud as she was in a daze, staring at the maze playground without a blink.
"I haven't thought about that. But yeah. Wendy-chan, you are like a superhuman. So cool." The blonde told the young running girl with a grin.
The young Slayer just smiled with pink cheeks adorning her face. She was still a lot shy when told things about her and getting compliments.
Cana who had snapped out of her daze when the youngest of the Dragon Slayers joined the by the swings and she could help but look at the girl in a new light. But she wasn't exactly afraid. Wendy was by no means terrifying. Other than being terrifyingly adorable that is.
"I heard your talk but Grandeeney is not scary. She's really kind and she loves humans." Wendy decided to tell the brunette because she had indeed heard them and felt the fear overtaking her aura and scent. She had to clarify about the nature's claim of Dragons being dangerous and scary creation. She had been really mad when Lucy had read her a fairy tale whereas the Dragon was the bad guy. No wonder why humans were afraid of them.
"And I can't wait to meet her. And I'm sure Cana-chan wants to meet her too. Then maybe Grandeeney-san can show us some cool spells." Ever the optimist Lucy added to the brunette's statement, trying not to have neither build up any tension despite knowing that that wouldn't happen. They were all good girls.
"Oh. Uhm, sorry for getting all jumpy. And like Lucy said, I'm now looking forward to meet her. She sounds lovely." And by that comment Wendy was all smiles. Another friend that accepted her mother.
"She is! She is the best. I love you her do much."
Both the older girls smiled fondly at the blunette. Cana then noticed that she seriously had been ridiculous by freaking out like that. When a child can be so happy about their parents then that meant there wasn't even one thing to doubt. Dragon or not.
So she blushed as she apologized once more and let her excitement ignite once again. Soon they walked out the room and into the hallway. By the end the turned right and just walked straight. Till they heard voice bickering.
"And they are at it again." Lucy sighed and began rubbing her temples while Wendy shook her head disapproving of whatever she had heard. Cana just stared at the down the hallway excitedly. Soon she could see unique magic.
"They are all in the Natsu and Gajeel-kun's room?" Lucy asked Wendy and received a nod. Taking a deep breath she stalked down the hall a stopped at a door matching the other doors they had passed all day. She knocked a few times even though that they most likely knew it was her.
The door swung open by a scowling Natsu. "What!" He barked.
"Don't yell at me!" Lucy scowled taking a step closer to him, eyes gone from soft to hard in seconds.
Grinding his teeth he bit back his original retort. He didn't want to fight the blonde and get into any more trouble. He had to endure two days. Two whole days without causing trouble. And he vowed to succeed and not have the blonde ruin it for him.
"What do you want?" He said a bit nicer this time.
Lucy rolled her eyes and let herself in, Wendy and Cana in tow. She smiled at the other boys who was seated in front of the couch and in front of the lacrimatron with lacrimas in their hands. So they were playing, huh. Bet Natsu lost again. She giggled inwardly as she looked at the Fire Dragon Slayer back to his original scowl.
Pushing her amusement away she gazes between the three boys perched on the couch, the standing Natsu who definitely radiated annoyance from his and a clueless and slightly blushing Cana. "Guys, Cana wanna see your magic. She is really excited and she is a mage too." It was funny to see how each had their own reactions.
Rogue was being indifferent, Sting had a look much like Natsu: one that said let's either fight or let me show your my awesome magic. They sure were the ones that was least discreet about their magic and its power. Gajeel however just scent s smile the card mages way and gave her a nod. Who was he to deny of showing his magic that he loved so much. No one.
"Awesome! What kind of mage? Are ya strong, wanna fight?"
"No Natsu-nii, I'll fight her first!"
"No brat, I asked first!"
"So what! I wanna fight her first!"
Soon a minor brawl between the young blond Slayer and Natsu began while they rest ignored them.
"Gajeel-kun, would you show her what a Dragon Slayer can do?" Lucy asked politely and got the raven haired older boy blush, while the younger one just looked at Cana and Lucy with a blank expression.
"Of course Lucy." He got up from the couch and tossed his lacrima controller to Wendy who grabbed it and immediately took his place on the couch. Rogue taking the opportunity started the game while everyone else were busy.
"I'm Gajeel Redfox, son of Metalicana the Iron Dragon. I'm of course a Iron Dragon Slayer." He reintroduced himself with a handshake that the brunette accepted.
"Cana Alberona, Card Mage."
"And I'm Lucy Heartfilia, Celestial Spirit Mage!" Lucy tossed in giggled.
Gajeel chuckled as he shook his head playfully and shook her hand as well. Cana was surprised that it was first then she knew what kind of a mage Lucy was. And that she too was one of those rare mages. She had of course heard of Celestial magic but never had she really met one because they were usually rare. So today was really her lucky day. Meeting cool mages.
"Alright, let's show ya what I can do." Gajeel said bringing both girls attention to him. With a spell he turned his whole body and face to iron scales and let them both touch the cool and sturdiness of his skin. "This is the Iron Dragon's Scales. A good way of defending but also as a offense. It is almost impenetrable, pops says I still have a lot of years to perfect it."
"Wow." Cana awed. It was so cool and so different. "What else can you do?"
Gajeel returned back to himself. He knew that his magic was beginning to deplete after his Iron Scales, it was a still a tough spell for him and he had yet to perfect it yet but it wasn't like he was going to pass out of exhaustion any time soon. And his other spells are more likely easier ones.
"This is the Iron Dragon's Club." He explained as he changed his right hand into iron and extended it, knowing right into still fighting Natsu in the back. He turned it back to normal and looked at both girls, ignoring the shouts and angry cries from Natsu. "Basically I can turn my whole body or parts of my body into iron. I can even produce iron. I still have a long way to master every spell and learn knew ones. But hopefully I'll master them all and get stronger." He said being modest which made the girls smile at him and him blush.
"You will get there soon, and then I'll get strong too and we'll spar with magic this time." Lucy grinned with an underlying promise. They were only practicing their combat moves together since magically they were in different lengths and Lucy's magic wasn't exactly battle type while his was. So it was a promise.
"Then count me in. I'd like to join in. Maybe we'll spar too. I need a sparing partner with casting stronger spells and I could definitely " Cana said looking at the two almost pleading. She only had her mother to spar with but Cornelia was mostly busy so they just practiced one every week and those times wasn't exactly helpful. So a training partner with one of the two sounded fabulous. Or both. Just so she could train her magic and skills.
"Of course. Nubu-sensei can teach you as well. He'll come by next week. But I can teach you what I know if you like. Magically though, you need Gajeel-kun's help. Bero-san only has me meditation for know and reading books on Celestial magic. But I can summon spirits, it's keeping them out that's hard." Lucy kindly explained and Cana understood. Lucy's magic was by no means easy to learn. She had to actually summon a whole spirit from another real and that took look of effort and magic to do. Those spirits fed of from Lucy's magic to keep them sustained in their realm.
"I do meditation too! Mom says it good to build up your magic container." The brunette replied with a smile. "So we can easily partner up. But I'll like to fight and spar with Iron Boy too." Cana added offering a wide grin to Gajeel.
His right eyebrow shot up, amused as he let out a playful scoff. "Iron boy, huh. Well you got ya self a deal." He grinned showing his sharp canines.
"Well yeah, can't call ya a man yet. To ya stuck with boy."
Lucy let the two begin a conversation while she eyed a silent Natsu, Sting, Wendy and Rogue. Their eyes glued to the lacrimatron as Wendy vs Sting played some kind of game. She was actually surprised when Natsu hadn't attacked Gajeel for hitting him but now she understand, he was distracted.
Her interest piqued she strolled over to the couch to have a closer look on whatever they were playing. A sense of annoyance washed when she saw they had again been to her room without her knowing. How did she know, well they were playing her favorite video game, Tekken. She had every single game from the franchise. It truly were her favorite games. And the reason she was sure her parents hadn't bought them a game was because the one they played were not sold anymore so that meant they had indeed been into her room.
"What's this?" She asked controlling her annoyance. "Is that Tekken 3? My Tekken 3 game? Which was inside my room?"
That made the two young Slayers pause the game and look at the blonde. She did not look friendly. Not one bit and annoyance was the clear scent drifting off from her as her eyes sharpened at each of them, Wendy excluded as always.
"You went inside the room without permission again and took something!" She exploded when no one said something. "That's not okay guys! You have to ask like I told the last million times! Ugh!" getting frustrated she stomped her feet. She seriously had a weird mood pattern. From excited, happy, annoyed, sad, hurt, excited, guilty and so much more in one day.
"But you didn't want to let us borrow it yesterday." Natsu defended. They only "borrowed" it because they were stuck in the room for the day and didn't want to die of boredom plus it was a great game. Just the perfect one for them. All about fighting. "And you weren't in ya room, so we couldn't really ask." He added when he noticed her posture change. For worse.
"And does that rectify your action? No!" She spat. She had it with them not understand things like personal space and privacy. "You can't just barge into another person's room!"
There was two main reason why Lucy was reacting this way. Firstly it was just the principle, how she was raised. It was not okay to go into another person's room without permission. Secondly, her diary. The journal where she writes everything down that transpired everyday ever since she was little and could read and write. The first part of the diary was of pictures from the days she couldn't express herself well with worth so drawing was much better.
Yes. She had kept her diary that long and written/drawn in it for the past 6-7 years of her life. So that was why she didn't want anybody really to trespass her room without her knowledge. Her diary kept her darkest secret that she didn't even tell her mother. And she tells her mother almost everything except those secrets.
It would just be too embarrassing if it fell into the hands of these boys, 'specially Natsu and Gajeel. They were the oldest and could mostly read. Or that was what she thought at least.
"But we were grounded! It was a spur of the moment!" Natsu raised his voice as he began feeling annoyed to. Natsu and Lucy were really good at riling each other up. Just one wrong sentence and they begin to bicker.
Lucy was about to retort but her words died in her throat because she realized that she didn't have anything against that. He was right. They were grounded thanks to her. But she didn't want relent that was how much stubborn she was. Damn it! Why does he have to be right! Think of something fast brain, something to let them apologize and show that Fire Freak it is not alright to trespass my room! What can I – yes! Good thinking brain, brain five!
"And what was your excuse yesterday and the day before, huh?" She was so smirking internally. She had them. She wasn't going to Lucy this argument and make herself look like a fool.
"Uhm.."
"I thought so. Apologize and remember to ask my permission to go inside my room. If I'm not inside then find me. You can and will not trespass without permission!"
"Fine." Natsu grumbled since he was their groups advocate for this situation. "We're sorry that we went into your room, again, without your permission. Won't do it again."
"Swear it. Swear that neither of you will wander into the room without my knowledge or permission and promise me that if you so happen to do it, I'll get to punish you. Do it." She pressed with her arms folded and a hard stern look as she looked at them all. A victorious smirk was slowly finding its ways to her lips. Oh she was happy. Thrilled.
"We swear that it won't happen again and if it does you get to punish us. Happy?" Natsu was not happy by the situation and that he once again lost an argument with the blonde. I promise that I will one of these days wipe that smirk of your face and I swear that it will all be my pleasure when I do so. Just wait Heartfilia. Just you wait. He countered in his head as he slowly began to find a way to get back at the blonde.
"Much. And yes, you can burrow the game." She added only to annoy him further. With his teeth clenched and hands formed to fist, Lucy was satisfied.
Cana had watched their exchange and was amused. The blonde was sure a mysterious little girl. Changing her attitude every chance she got. She was sure her stay at the mansion would bring lots of drama and excitement.
This is going to be fun. Can't wait!
On a side note and to answer or just inform you Johnny Spectre and others, Erza will not be rescued from the Tower. I believe that whatever happened to her there is what gives her her strength; be it mentally or physically. But she will of course arrive to the mansion along Laxus as you guessed. And I'm still debating with myself if I should have them bring the Strauss siblings along. Mira and Erza are still rivals and it seems only fair that she comes along but then again she wouldn't leave her siblings behind. So yeah, still debating on that. You are very welcomed to advice me of what to do. Could use some.
And once again, everyone is mainly occ. I don't know much of their childhood so I'm just letting my mind do its thing and create them how I like it. This is a fanfiction and as it will have element from both manga and anime it will also deter from that. Just a warning.
A review is very much appreciated. It makes me known that you seriously enjoy this story and I can actually focus more on it than having to also write my others. I really like this story and have a plot figured out. I've actually written a few future chapters when the kids are older. So it's not like I'll abandon the story but a review makes us, authors, know that our story is either good or bad or just in between and it gives us fuel to thrive for better. So yeah, leave a review and keep fave and following xD
Sorry for ranting like that. And a special thanks to TheBayMan and Johnny Spectre for leaving a review for chapter three. It means the world guys! Thank you for loving the story!
And also for everyone else. I thank for the faves and follows!
Much love,
-Oby Abel-