Chapter 7
First day of a new life.
I woke up under a bright sunlight that was entering through the large window of my mother's room. Even if I had just woken up, I felt alive; my blood was racing through my veins. Eyes wide open, I looked around to see that Natsu, Gray and Lucy were still asleep. So, I sat quietly and reached for my boots. I took them and left the room, as silently as I could, and went downstairs.
As I arrived downstairs, I saw two people sitting together, a red haired woman and a blue haired man; my parents. They were eating together, looking at each other tenderly. On the table, the hands that they weren't using were touching each other willingly. A few times, I saw them exchanged yearning looks; pretty intimately. Then, I instantly knew why I felt different; last night, I had been conceived. Suddenly, I felt my face redden. Passed that discomfort, I felt teary. I'd reached one of my goals; I had seen them together and happy and this short moment had confirmed me that I was right to do what I was doing. In spite of me, a tear fell of my left eye. Wiping my eye, I continued to spy on them a little longer, hoping that my actions would lead to many of those peaceful moments. Then, I heard footsteps behind me; Natsu and Gray were going down the stairs. They stopped when they saw the two lovers who were looking at each other with big doe eyes.
''Seems like you've made up!'' Said Natsu, in a tone full of innuendos.
His comment had drawn their attention toward us. My mother didn't seem to be embarrassed, but my father's face had reddened when he saw me. Obviously, he knew that I knew.
Soon after, Natsu and Gray went to sit with them. Silently, my father invited to sit with them, what I did. I sat next to him. The moment I sat down, Master Makarov came in and brought to us pancakes, milk and fruits. Giving me my plate, he gave me a wink. Quickly, I lifted my eyes to see if anyone had noticed it, but no one seemed to have. My parents were too busy looking at each other like two love birds and the two boys were having what it seemed to me as an eating contest; they were spreading food everywhere like kids...
After eating, Makarov came near us and laid a hand my father's shoulder. Softly, he asked if he could speak to him. Promptly, my father stood up and went with the Master; leaving me with my mother who seemed really happy at the moment. However, I knew that her smile would fade when Jellal would return with his sad new.
Glancing numerous times toward Makarov and Jellal, she finally spoke to me.
''I am sorry about yesterday, I acted like a jealous girlfriend, but I should have known that I was mistaken.'' She said, smiling widely to me.
I could only smile back at her.
''You really are welcome here and in Magnolia when we'll go back home.'' She added, looking at me kindly.
She marked a break and cleared her throat.
''I am truly grateful for what you are doing for me. Jellal told me that I can trust you. Usually, I am my own saviour or I trust my friends with my life. Even if we don't know each other very much, there's something strange about you. I see determination and kindness in your eyes; something, almost, familiar. I've decided to trust you, Emma.'' She said almost motherly.
Those words made me lowering my head. Tears were threatening to fall, but I fought them. I didn't want to have to explain them; it would be difficult without saying too much.
Fortunately for me, my father came back at that moment. He looked extremely serious.
''I have to go!'' He said, promptly.
My mother stared at my father intensely and I tried to feint my surprise.
''Zeref has been spotted! So, we have to find him and destroy him. Makarov has sent Romeo get Ultear and Merudy. We'll leave as soon as possible.'' He said, looking at my mother, forcing a smile.
My mother kept quiet, she seemed to be paralysed. I thought it was time for me to let them share a moment together. So, I stood up to give them space, but I kept looking at them.
They held each other tight as if they never wanted to let go, but, reluctantly, my father stepped back, tearing himself from my mother's arms.
''I'll be back, as soon as I can.'' He said, smiling to my mother.
''I am coming with you!'' She said, eagerly.
''No, you can't!'' Said my father rapidly and firmly. He thought for few seconds and spoke again.
''I won't be able to focused on the task at hand if you come with me.'' He said, caressing my mother's cheek.
''And, Here, Emma will watch over you while I am gone, nothing will happen to you, I couldn't be more certain about that. But, I want you to promise me one thing; you will not go on a mission until I am back.'' He said those words loud enough for me to hear them. After he stopped speaking, my mother looked at him, clearly disagreeing. However, my father's gaze did not lessen and, after few minutes, my mother finally nodded.
As they were walking toward me, Romeo came back with Ultear and Merudy who immediately came to talk to Jellal.
''Is it true? Is Zeref really been spotted?'' Asked Ultear to her Crime sorcerer's companion.
''Yes'' said Master Makarov as he came to join them. ''Him and few followers.''
After he spoke, he asked Crime Sorcerer to follow him and they did. Makarov brought them aside and they talked for minutes.
During this time, I looked at my mother who looked worried. I wanted to soothe her uneasiness and I tried.
''Nothing will happen to him; I know it.'' I said to my mother kindly. As a response, she took my hand and squeezed it.
''Jellal is one of the strongest magus I know, he will be fine, but we had just found each other.'' She said, in a lower voice.
''I understand, but you'll have a life full of those moments. I'll do anything for it to happen.'' I said, firmly.
When I stopped speaking, she looked at me curiously. I tried to regain my composure.
''I have a proposition for you; since you promised to Jellal that you'll watch over me, I am offering to teach you the art of combat; what do you think about that?'' She said with enthusiasm.
I haven't answered to her immediately. I was a bit taken aback by her proposition; but really happy about it. Not only would I be able to spend time with my mother, but I would be her apprentice, for few month...
''I' d be honoured''. I said, smiling to her.
Then she put an hand on my shoulder.
''We'll start training once we'll be back to Magnolia'' she said, still smiling at me.
My chat with my mother was stopped my father.
''I came to say goodbye'' he said advancing toward us.
Promptly, he took my mother into his arms. He held her for few minutes and stepped back reluctantly. Then, he surprised me by taking me into his arms too. After a shorter moment, he stepped back, but, before he left, he spoke to us.
''Be there for one another.'' He said before walking toward Ultear and Merudy and walking away from us.
Tears came to my eyes. If things go as I planned them to, the next time I saw my father would be the day I save my mother ...