Chapter 5: You Are Not Alone

The next morning Freed and Lucy woke well before their house guests. While waiting for them to awaken, Freed got in touch with his father and Princess Hisui E. Fiore and was able to get the paperwork need to transfer custody of Mika to Lucy and himself. Around ten in the morning the two came down, tears in Mika's eyes. Veseria spoke in a soft voice.

"We've discussed it like you said, and she'll be staying here while I go back to the Orientals and get things ready for us."

Freed smiled softly and spoke in a calm voice, doing his best not to farther disturb Mika.

"It's a very brave thing you both are doing. Ms. Veseria, you and I will handle the paperwork after breakfast if that is acceptable."

"Okay."

The four then sat down and ate a delicious meal of eggs, bacon, hash browns, grits, and orange juice. Mika's tears dried, and she began to smile. After a while Freed and Veseria left to go fill out the paperwork. While they were doing that Lucy and Mika went outside and played withal of Lucy's spirits, many of the Zodiac using their own power to be there. After a few hours they went inside, and Lucy made lunch. By the time lunch was done Freed and Veseria had finished all the paperwork. Once again, the four sat at the table and ate a meal. This time it was PB&J's with apple slices, carrots, and milk. After lunch Freed showed Mika where her room was and promised to take her shopping after her mother left. Once everyone was back in the living room conversations sprouted. After a while Freed went to go work on his inheritance paperwork and Mika went to her room to play with Plue and Loke, leaving only Lucy and Veseria.

"So Ves, is there anything I should know about Miki?"

"Other than what I've already told you, no. She's a normal child. Although I don't know if she can use magic or not."

"Everyone CAN use magic, to what degree however."

"True."

"I'm just happy that she doesn't have to deal with anything else on top of what's already going."

"Me too, I feel so horrible for putting her through so much. And now, here I am leaving her."

"I know it's hard, but the only thing you can do is go and make a life for you and your daughter, so she can return to you."

"Your right. I should probably go before it gets too dark."

"At least stay for dinner. I'm sure Miki would like to have one more meal with you before you go."

Veseria smiled at Lucy and the two women went to make dinner. An hour later everyone was sitting at the table eating and conversing, Mika leading the conversation.

"You missed it mommy! Plue and Loke put on a play for me, and then we had a tea party, after that we played with dolls, and then Virgo gave me this dress from the Spirit world! Isn't it pretty?"

"It is sweetie."

"It was so cool mommy. All of Lucy's spirits are so cool and fun. Lyra even showed up and played a few songs while Loke, Virgo, Plue, and I danced. It was so fun. Maybe staying here for a little bit won't be too bad."

"I'm glad you like Lucy's spirits. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun until I come back and get you sweetheart."

"I'm super excited to go life with you in your home town mommy. So, come and get me real soon. Okay!"

"I promise sweetie, it should only take a month or two tops. While I'm gone I need you to behave though!"

"I'll be good, I promise!"

"That's my girl."

The rest of dinner was eaten in silence. After dinner Freed served dessert while Lucy cleared the table. Loke, Virgo, Capricorn, Plue, and Aries opened their own gates and the small group all enjoyed double German Chocolate cake with coffee, or milk in Mika's case. After dessert Loke and Virgo helped Lucy clean while Freed was helping get Mika ready to go shopping for clothes and a few small objects of her choice. Lucy and her spirits were almost done cleaning when Veseria walked in.

"I'm going to head out now. Your husband is apparently taking Mika shopping, I hope he knows what he's getting into."

"Don't worry Ves. One of his team members is more of a shopaholic then I am, and he goes with both of us! He'll be fine."

"I just wanted to thank you again for taking care of her. I mean we are complete strangers and you helped us, both of you. I really don't know what we would have done if you hadn't."

Lucy stopped washing the dishes and turned around to look at Veseria. Her face smiling, but her eyes stern.

"Freed and I are Fairytail mages. We can't ignore someone in need of help, it would go against everything we believe in. Stranger or not, we will always help those in need. Everyone in Fairytail has been through our own trials and tribulations, and we all know what it's like to be in need. Because of that we help others. That is why Fairytail exists. Even when we don't get recognition, fame, or fortune we still do it. Because that's what it means to be a Fairytail mage, and I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Even so, I still thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your helping me provide a future for my daughter, and that is the greatest gift you could give to a stranger. Anyway, I just wanted to say that before I left."

"You will always be welcome here Ves, your daughter too."

Veseria smiled at Lucy and was about to leave when Lucy caught her arm and brought her in for a hug, whispering in her ear the words she needed to hear the most.

"I know that this is hard for you Ves, but you're doing the right thing as a mother and one day she'll understand that if she doesn't already."

The two women embraced, Veseria shedding a couple silent tears before thinking a silent "thank you" to the strangers who opened their doors to her and her daughter. She then broke away from Lucy and wiped away the stray tear that had managed to escape down her cheek. She then walked out to the entranceway and hugged her daughter goodbye, doing her best to stay strong. Mika had a gut feeling she wasn't going to see her mother again, but she ignored it trying her best to mimic her mother's strength. When Veseria let go everyone waved.

As the door closed behind her Veseria thought of all the things she would show her daughter in the Orientals, and too soon walked down the walkway and out of the rune barrier.

~ Back Inside ~

Lucy was half way up the stairs to get ready to go to the twenty-four-hour market with Freed and Mika when she heard the blood curdling scream. Rushing back down the stairs and out the door she was scared to know what happened, although in her heart she already knew. On that cold winter evening she had gained a daughter and lost a friend. Right outside the rune barrier laid Veseria, blood staining the snow. Over her Mika stood, silent as death itself. The only thing showing her being more than a statue was fog of her breath. Loke and Virgo standing to either side of the girl while Freed had runoff to find who had done the horrible deed.

Lucy knew she couldn't let Mika stay there so she gently approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Mika looked up at Lucy, her eyes were dry but showed so much pain. Lucy wrapped an arm around the girl and began to lead her back to the house, softly telling her spirits what needed to be done.

"Please, Loke, go tell master. Virgo take care of everything else okay?"

Both spirits silently nodded, too grief-stricken for their new friend to say anything. Once inside Mika and Lucy sat on the couch and waited. For three hours they sat and waited for Freed to return, and when he did his silence spoke volumes. He didn't catch who did it, and he didn't have a clue as to who they were. They were pro's.