Chapter 8

When truths come out

We went back to Magnolia later that day. Walking seemed to calm my mother a bit.

Once in my hometown, I saw that nothing had changed; Magnolia was still the same good old town… The only difference was that I had my mother.

We started the training the day after we had arrived.

The first month, she mainly trained me physically; I ran and swam a lot to strengthen my body.

Then, she started to show me how to use a sword, but without fighting with me. She didn't want the others to see it, but I noticed that she was starting to feel tired more easily and I knew why: the baby growing inside of her, taking her energy… She also started to eat more and to gain weight; which resulted in stupid comments from Natsu and Gray, but, for them, my mother had enough energy to knock them down.

Mirajane agreed to help my mother for my training. One day, when she was about to show me an attack, my mother fainted. Quickly, Mirajane hurried to her and took her by one arm, I did too, but a bit more reluctantly, not because I didn't want to help her, but because I knew I would have to explain one thing; the baby…

Mirajane and I were followed by a bunch of people as we brought my mother to the hospital. At the minute we entered, Polyussica told us to follow her, but she told the others that they had to stay in the waiting room. So, Mirajane and I have brought Erza into the room. Polyussica asked us to lay my mother into the closest bed and we did promptly. Then, she left the room.

It didn't take much time for Makarov to arrive at my mother's bedside; Polyussica was with him. None of them seemed surprised. I knew that Makarov knew for the baby, he must have told the news to Polyussica…

Shortly after, the Master asked Mirajane to leave and she did, without asking why.

So, the doctor, the Master and I have watched over her until she started to move and slowly wake up. First, my mother looked at us, clearly taken aback to find herself in the hospital. Few seconds later, Natsu, Gray and Lucy barged into the room; they seemed extremely worried.

''We heard! What's wrong with Erza?'' asked Gray, worried.

As my mother was about to speak; Makarov did first.

''First, we need to talk with her, and then she will tell you when she'll want to.'' He said, firmly.

''You can tell me everything in front of them, I have got nothing to hide.'' She replied promptly.

Makarov looked at Erza and sighed.

''Erza, you're pregnant!'' said the Master, abruptly, as if he wanted to pull off a band aid.

After Makarov had spilled the beans, everybody was looking at my mother in shock. Only Makarov, Polyussica and I seemed to take the news lightly.

My mother had clearly noticed my calm because she focused her gaze on me. Then, her eyes widened. While everybody was staring at her, waiting for her reaction, she looked at me, with intensity. She was staring at me as if she was searching for something she hadn't seen before. Her eyes became even wider; I knew that she suspected the complete truth, exactly as Makarov told me she would.

''Are you my daughter, Emma?'' She asked me, perplexed.

After her question, everybody's eyes have converged on me, but soon, Master Makarov came to stand next to me.

''Emma, you can answer to Erza's question.'' He said, looking at me intensely.

For one minute, I wanted to tell her the truth, but I didn't. I stuck to Makarov's plan.

''You are not having a girl.'' I said, trying to sound convincing.

At that moment, her eyes left me and fixed themselves on her belly. Then, she laid her right hand on it and started smiling. When she touched her belly, goose-bumps flew upon my arms. Soon, Natsu, Gray and Lucy walked near her. Lucy slowly put a hand on my mother's belly.

''I can't believe we're going to have a mini-you in a couple of month'' said Grey, half chocked, half happy.

''I am sure he is going to kick our asses at four...'' Said Natsu, staring at Erza, smiling.

When she heard Natsu's comment, she smiled, and then her gaze became serious and came straight to me.

''I wish to speak with Emma alone." said my mother, really seriously, in a tone that left no ambiguity.

Quickly, everybody left, but not without glancing at us, suspiciously. Once alone, my mother attacked me with her question…

''Does he live?'' she asked me promptly. ''My son does he lives?'' she asked again because I hadn't answered right now.

''Yes, your child lives.'' I finally responded.

She sighed loudly, clearly relieved. She lowered her eyes to her belly.

''Never, in a million years, would I have imagined being in that position; if somebody had told me that I would get pregnant now, I wouldn't have believed it, as much as I did not believed I would be killed in a near future.'' She said, softly.

''You knew about the baby, did you?'' She asked my, lifting her eyes to meet mine.

''Yes, I did.'' I said to her, lowering my head; I hated lying to her, but I had no other choice.

''Do you know him?'' she asked me, rapidly.

This information, I could give to her...

So, I walked toward her and positioned myself near her bed.

''Yes, I do. He is good kid, he's been well raised.'' I answered her, looking at her belly. I must have said it a little sadder than I should, because she looked at me, worried.

''Will I get to know him?'' she asked, almost in a whisper.

Hearing her question, I had to fight back the tears. I swallowed hardly.

''That's why I am here for.'' I said, trying to sound as optimist as I could.

Suddenly, she took my hand and held it tight. Then, her face tensed up.

''Did Jellal know about the baby; he seemed to be. He made me promise not to accept a mission until he is back.'' she asked, a bit disturbed.

''No, he doesn't know about your son.'' I said, trying to sound authentic.

''I think that he only wanted to be sure you would be safe, as everybody does...'' I said, fighting back the tears again.

When I stopped talking, she squeezed my hand and I had to take a deep breath to stop the tears from falling.

''Jellal knows me and he said I was in good hands; I trust his judgement and yours. I'll listen to you; I want to know him and I know that you will help me achieving it.'' She said, looking straight at me.

''I promise you will get to know your child...'' I said those words emotionally, maybe more than I should have. I squeezed her hands too. Tears were still threatening to fall off.

''Now, you've got to rest, but I am not letting down. I'll come back soon.'' I said, trying to sound as normally as I could, letting her hand go reluctantly.

Then, I left as she closed her eyes and put her hands on her belly.

Walking away from her, I let a single tear fall from my eyes. No, I won't let her down; I'll save her at the cost of... my life.