It felt like ages before Wendy came in the room.

She looked at me with a face that was grief and confusion.

"Natsu, I'm so sorry. We couldn't do anything... She was already gone..."

I looked at the stone of the floor and sniffled to keep myself from crying again. I could hear her fighting back sobs too. I just kept quiet.

"Natsu, the strangest things occurred though that I think you should hear." I looked up then. "Natsu, her heart just stopped. For no recognizable reason. After we had pronounced her dead, her body dissolved into this golden dust..."

"What?"

"Natsu, her body just... disappeared."

I didn't know what to say. Neither did she.

I didn't notice how long we just stood there or when she left.

All I knew was I sat in the room for so long pondering every last moment that had happened. Lucy had the baby. She looked at me and told me to take care of her. She knew she was going to die. She died... Lucy... My Lucy... was dead.

Then, like the little girl knew exactly what was on my mind, a high cry could be heard through the closed wooden door. Nashi. My God, I'd forgotten the baby. But I didn't know if I could handle seeing her now. But she didn't stop crying. Minutes past. 1, 2, 5, 15... She cried through twenty minutes with no stop.

What am I doing? I'm letting her cry already? Lucy would be so pissed.

I couldn't do this anymore. There was someone else who still needed me.

I walked out of the room, my step slow and deliberate. From where I stood in the doorway, I could see Levy holding the little pink blanket in her arms, gently bouncing. The little lungs, however, wouldn't give up. Levy looked so tired and her eyes were red. She'd been crying too.

I walked towards where she sat next to Gajeel and he obviously heard me first. He looked up and slowly stood in front of Levy.

"Natsu," Gajeel said gently. "You... calmed down a bit...?"

Levy looked up and I nodded to Gajeel.

"Levy, can I see my daughter please? I haven't gotten to hold her," I asked, giving her a smile that didn't even feel sincere.

She gave me the same broken smile and nodded, standing to hand the little pink bundle to me.

I'd only held a couple of babies and never one this young. I was panicking the whole time I put my arms carefully under the baby, but she fit in my arms perfectly and I started to bounce lightly on my feet. She didn't stop crying and I frowned a bit.

"Hey, hey. Nashi," I said gently. "Don't cry. Daddy's here..."

She grew slowly silent, her little lip quivering.

"It's okay..." I said, pushing a little kiss to her forehead. "I know, baby. I know..."

She got so quiet, her little breaths just quivering gently from all the crying she'd done. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked straight at mine. Gold. She had golden brown eyes just like Lucy's, and suddenly, I realized she looked just like her Mom.

Her skin was that light tan and her cheeks were pink, but only a little round. Her lips were tight together, but they were just like the ones I knew so well. Her hair may have been the pink mine was, but it fell in straight little wisps behind her ears just like Lucy's. Just then, when her little eyes met mine, I decided it was my job to take care of her. The reality of my responsibility and the promise I made hit me and I gave her a legitimate smile.

"That's my girl." I said, putting one of my fingers up to her little hand that closed around it. "Daddy won't let you cry like that ever again."

Levy got up and looked at us with a faint smile. "She knows you already, Natsu."

I nodded, brushing my thumb over the little girls tiny fingers. "Looks like it."

She smiled. "I wasn't worried that she'd be just fine with you."

"But she'd be better off with her," I said solemnly.

Levy ran a hand gently on my arm. "I'm so sorry, Natsu..."

I just nodded. "So am I. Levy, she was your best friend too."

She took a shaky breath. "She is."

I looked at Levy and asked as seriously as I could, "Levy, if anything ever happens to me, will you take care of Nashi?"

She gave me a genuine smile and nodded. "Of course, but don't you leave her, Natsu. You seem to be growing on her."

"Oh, don't worry. No one's getting me away from this little girl without a fight."

Hey, hey ^^ See? Little Nashi is gonna be okay. Thanks so much, guys, for reading. I really appreciate it all. The next few chapters might take a bit longer to get together because of me having to do every day junk like eating and living. Anyway, it will be coming soon :3

Keep up the support ^^ Love you all.

- J