Hi! Hope you're all doing well! Life's been a too busy and crazy for a while ugh, but finally finishing up this chapter helped make it a bit better :)
Enjoy!
The next month passes by quickly. Lucy was finally able to get more settled at home with Kade the new job. Their daily routine with his daycare was also feeling better and she could see Kade was happier, so when Levy asked her if she wanted to join her and her friends for an early dinner out tonight she finally felt comfortable enough to say yes.
Though, now that she was on her way to drop off Kade at Noah's house, the jittering nerves in her chest were strong. But the excitement in Kade's voice as he rambled on about all the things he and Noah could play warmed her heart and tempered them a bit.
"Oh! And then, I'm gonna show Noah the new dragon book with all the colors I got," Kade grins.
Lucy smiles and catches his eye in the rear view mirror. "I'm sure he'll be excited too."
Soon enough, Lucy was turning onto the now familiar street. Lucy and Noah's mom, Claire had set up a couple play dates for the boys at their house since they became so-called "bestest friends" shortly after they met. It was comforting to have a friend who understood Lucy's struggle as a single parent. Especially managing a new life like this in a new town, so she was always grateful for all Claire's help. But this was the first time she was going to be leaving Kade like this and even though Claire had happily agreed when Lucy asked, she hoped it wouldn't be too much.
"Now, you're going to be good for Noah's mom right?" Lucy asks after parking in front of the cute, small house and turning back towards Kade.
"Yes, mooomm. I promise," Kade pleads, fidgeting in his car seat and looking over at the door.
Lucy smiles and holds back a laugh. "Okay, okay. Since you promised so nicely, let's go."
Kade cheers as Lucy gets off and he's unbuckling himself and squirming out of the car before Lucy could walk over and help him.
Lucy laughs softly that time as she opens the door and helps Kade out of his seat. "Here, don't forget your toys," she says, placing his small backpack with his things and toys on his shoulders.
Kade smiles brightly up at her and Lucy returns it, holding out her hand for him to grab as they make their way up to the door.
Claire answers the door when Lucy knocks. "Hi, Lucy!" she greets, "Hi, Kade!" She ruffles his hair, making Kade giggle.
"Kade!"
Noah runs up to them and tackles Kade in a hug.
"Noah!"
"Thanks again for doing this, Claire. I owe you one," Lucy says, giving her a grateful smile.
"Of course! It's no problem at all," Claire waves off. "These two keep each other plenty entertained," she laughs, "I'm happy they have a friend in each other. They needed it," she says warmly.
Lucy looks over to see the boys already digging into a box of toys on the living room rug, Kade dumping out his backpack.
"I'm happy they do too," she laughs softly, shaking her head. "Bye, Kade! I'll be back soon okay?"
Kade jumps up and runs back over to her. "Okay!"
Lucy kneels down and catches him in a tight hug. "You be good and have fun," she says, pressing a kiss to the side of his head. Lucy pulls back with an affectionate look, squishing his cheeks.
Kade giggles, squirming away from her. "I will!" he says, running back over to Noah and the big box of toys.
Lucy laughs, standing back by Claire. "Thanks again, and anytime you need a break, Noah is always welcome over our house too."
"Thank you. I appreciate it," Claire grins, "but for now, go on and enjoy yourself! I know it's hard when we start leaving them more often at first, but you more than deserve this, Lucy."
Lucy nods with a small smile, a bit of her nerves still fluttering in her chest, but the happy, bright smile and giggles from the boys across from her and Claire's reassuring smile eased them.
"I'll text you when I'm on my way back," Lucy says before they exchange a warm hug and Lucy heads back out and over to her car. She gives Claire one more wave before getting in.
Claire smiles, waving back from the porch.
Lucy sighs. She feels better than she did earlier, starting her car with a small smile.
Lucy soon pulls into a parking lot after her GPS announces she had arrived.
She shuts off her car and takes a steadying breath, checking her hair in the mirror and adjusting her clothes one more time.
Levy had told her it was just a casual, relaxed restaurant in town but she hoped she was dressed okay in her jeans and fluffy dark blue cardigan. She hadn't heard of it yet, but based on the photos she'd looked up last night it seemed really good.
Deep down, Lucy was just more nervous about meeting Levy's friends. She was just starting to slowly expand her own social circle, aside from Kade and work, after years of mostly keeping to herself and the thought of meeting several new people at once like this already felt a little overwhelming, but she couldn't deny she liked the possibility of making some new friends.
Lucy smiles softly at the thought, gathering her things and getting out of her car to make her way through the restaurant after telling Levy she was there.
She spots her blue haired friend easily enough when she reaches a large table towards the back.
"Hi, Lucy!" Levy greets happily.
"Hey, Levy!" Lucy steps into the warm hug Levy was offering.
"Hey, everyone, this is my good friend from work, Lucy," Levy grins brightly. "Lucy, this is everyone."
The group greets her back with smiles and waves.
"It's great to finally meet you, Lucy," a woman with striking red hair greets with a pretty smile, "Levy's told us all good things about you. I'm Erza, and this is my fiancé, Jellal."
"Nice to meet you both too," Lucy smiles and shakes both of their outstretched hands.
"Same to you, Lucy," Jellal says warmly, the group starting to take their seats again.
"Oh, Lucy, this is my boyfriend, Gajeel," Levy says, gesturing towards a tall man with long black hair, several piercings, and a number of tattoos over his arms, who came back towards the table with some drinks from what looked like the bar area.
He looked a little... intimidating if Lucy was being honest. She never would've pictured it was the same guy Levy would mention her boyfriend during their lunches at work. "This is my friend Lucy from work I was telling you about," Levy smiles and takes a drink from him.
"Yo," Gajeel murmurs, taking a sip from his own large beer glass and Lucy gives him a small smile and wave.
Levy rolls her eyes at him. "Don't let him fool you, Lucy. He wants to act all tough, but he's just a big softie deep down," she laughs, hugging his arm close to her.
Gajeel hums gruffly in false agreement, but Lucy could see the way his expression softens and leans into Levy's touch.
Lucy's smile grows at that, the fact seeming to be true.
The group eased into more comfortable conversation for a while. She talked with a boy with shorter black hair, Gray and their other friend Juvia for a bit, the waiter bringing them some drinks too before someone else approaches their table.
"Sorry I'm late, guys. Got stuck at work with these pushy parents. Ugh, it was a whole thing."
Lucy looks up and there's a sight of familiar pinkish hair.
"That's ok! Oh, Lucy this is-"
"Natsu?"
Green eyes catch hers, widening a bit. "Lucy?"
"Oh? You guys know each other already?" Levy asks, a bit surprised.
Before she has a chance to say anything, Natsu jumps in.
"Yeah!" he smiles brightly. "Her son's gonna start on my team for baseball season soon."
Natsu moves to sit down in an empty seat like he just didn't just drop a whole bomb on her heart with the way she felt it drop to her stomach.
There's a sharp jump in her chest as Lucy catches curious eyes all drawing towards her, the attention making her neck flush and she sinks a bit lower in her chair.
"You have a kid?" Gray asks.
Lucy's sighs, trying to push down the swell of unease in her chest. "It's not the way I was planning to bring it up yet," she starts, sending a pointed look at Natsu across the table from her.
Natsu looks confused for a moment before his eyes widen. He gives her a guilty sheepish smile, running a hand through his hair and rubbing the back of his neck.
"But yes, I do," Lucy admits quietly, gaze falling to the table as she curls some of her hair behind her ear, preparing herself for the slew of questions.
"I think that's wonderful."
Lucy looks up hesitantly. Only to find Erza giving her a warm smile. No trace of judgement in her eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course. It's a lot of work and I'm sure you do your best. It takes a lot of strength."
"I agree!" Juvia grins kindly as the others give their support too.
Lucy swallows past the thick lump of emotion in her throat. "Thank you."
"There's no judgement here. Don't worry about this guy. He doesn't know when to use his brain before he talks most times," Gray teases with a nudge to Natsu's arm beside him.
Natsu scoffs, giving a push back on Gray's arm before looking back over at her. "I'm sorry! Really, Lucy. I didn't mean to blurt it out like that before you were ready," he apologizes, seeming genuinely upset, green eyes pleading.
Lucy's chest warms a bit, the nerves and unease settling from the group's acceptance.
"It's okay, I know you didn't," Lucy reassures warmly before her smile turns a bit teasing. "I'll just have to plan something good as payback."
Natsu narrows his eyes playfully. "You wouldn't."
"That I'd like to see," Gray laughs, followed by the rest.
From the texts that she exchanged with Natsu about the upcoming season for Kade, she could tell he was a little dorky, but kind, so she could tell it wasn't harmful by intention. But it also was proving to be fun to joke with him a bit.
"See, I already knew Lucy was amazing and would fit right in with us from the moment we met," Levy says with a satisfied grin.
Lucy and the rest laugh and soon enough the waiter was taking their orders and the food got there a bit after that.
"So you know Natsu from the sports place, huh?" Gray asks as they all dug into their food.
"Yeah," Lucy smiles, "Kade, oh, that's my son's name, he really wanted to play baseball with his friend from his daycare and we went down there last month. We found out Levy was our mutual friend, but I just got so wrapped up in work and the new house and everything that I kept forgetting to tell her we met and I didn't even think to put it together that we'd see each other tonight when she mentioned meeting her friends and now here we are," she laughs.
"Uh, yeah ! You owe me for leaving out that very important piece of information, Lucy," Levy huffs, "but I'm just sad that Natsu got to meet Kade before I did," Levy pouts playfully, crossing her arms.
Lucy giggles. "Oh, come on. I promise it wasn't intentional, but yes, I'll be sure to make it up to you."
"I'm gonna hold you to that at work this week," Levy grins, before looking over at Natsu. "You too, Natsu! This whole month I've mentioned my new friend at work to you guys and you didn't think of bringing up the fact that you knew her already?"
Natsu pauses mid big bite to his burger with wide eyes over at them, making Lucy hold back a giggle.
"Like we said earlier, this guy just doesn't-"
"Shut up ," Natsu interrupts Gajeel with narrowed eyes across from him after setting down the food and swallowing his bite. "You didn't mention her name though," he adds, looking back towards Levy.
"Yes I did! Several times."
Natsu's expression shifts into a cute confused look. "You did?"
Levy rolls her eyes, smiling. "How you even manage to remember all those kids' names every year is beyond me, Natsu," she reprimands playfully.
Natsu laughs fully, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, it all worked out anyway. We're finally hanging out with our new awesome friend," he says, directing a widening smile towards Lucy.
"Oh wait, now I remember. Natsu did mention meeting a certain pretty blonde girl at work. Who knew it would be the same-"
"Shut. Up," Natsu tries to hiss quietly at Gray, shoving him as he smirks.
Lucy catches Natsu's ears turning red, the flush spreading over his cheeks as he turns and smiles sheepishly at her.
A different, warm flutter returns in her chest and she can't help but return a small smile back, curling her hair behind her ear.
The group carries on chatting throughout dinner with more laughs and as it surprised her at how good of a time she was having… but she couldn't help but think about how Kade was doing tonight. Her heart aches a little at the thought, with a bit of guilt trickling in.
She catches herself feeling that way at work sometimes, having to be away from him a lot more than she's used to, but she reminds herself that it's for the better and Kade's been happier than she's seen him and that's all that matters.
A vibrate from her phone distracts her. She pulls it from her pocket, sliding it open and as if reading her mind, it was a message from Claire with a picture of Kade and Noah smiling brightly as they seemed to be making cookies. Flour and sprinkles dusting their hair and cheeks.
Lucy laughs softly to herself, the backs of her eyes pricking with tears.
Look at me, getting so emotional over the simplest things , she thinks to herself, but her heart feels warm and reassured by the happy smile on Kade's face.
Thanks so much for sending this. I needed it. Lucy replies back.
"Everything ok, Lucy?"
Natsu's voice pulls her from her thoughts. She looks up and sees him already looking at her as the others are still wrapped in their own conversations.
"Oh, yeah," Lucy smiles softly, her chest warming at his concerned expression. "My friend who's watching Kade was just sending me a picture of how he's doing. Making a mess, having fun."
"Ah, of course," Natsu laughs, shoulders relaxing and they share a soft smile between them for a moment.
"So, you're new in town right, Lucy? And working with Levy here?" Erza asks, grinning.
Lucy nods, setting aside her phone. "Yeah, I got this new job and it felt right to make the move last month from Crocus. It's been pretty busy for a while, getting Kade and I settled and caught up with work, but Levy's been great and such a big help," she says warmly.
"Aw, of course!"
"Ooh, the big city, huh? How are you liking it here so far?" Juvia asks.
Lucy's smile grows. "It's been great honestly. The town is so much better than the crowded city and much more welcoming and friendly."
"I'm happy to hear that," Erza says. "We just moved into a bigger house the other year too and it's always stressful, but this town is great so I'm glad you both are finding yourselves at home here."
Lucy smiles gratefully. "Thank you. I am too."
"Oh, speaking of, tonight's Erza's turn to host game night after this, and of course you're more than welcome to join that too if you want, Lucy," Levy offers happily.
"Of course. We'd love to have you, Lucy," Erza smiles warmly.
Lucy partially wants to call it an early night and get back to Kade after dinner, but a bigger part of her wants to keep this light feeling of being around others her own age and having fun.
It really has been too long , she realizes.
"Sure, that sounds fun," Lucy grins brightly, letting herself indulge a little. She still had some time before she told Claire she'd be back after all.
The food was great and the group managed to finish up dinner and pay before making their way out to the parking lot.
Lucy is about to ask for the address, but Natsu steps over. "Hey! We can drive over together if you want?"
"Oh, are you sure? I would have to leave in a while to go pick up Kade. I wouldn't want to mess up your plans or anything?"
"Nah, I don't mind at all," Natsu waves off. "Game nights can get a little competitive thanks to certain people, not including me. So I'd be more than glad to head out early and bring you back," he grins brightly.
Lucy lets a laugh bubble out. "Well, since I'm not completely used to all the areas in town yet, I'll take you up on that. Thank you."
Natsu's expression brightens. "No problem."
"You want to follow us, Lucy?" Levy calls out from her car across from her.
"We got it!" Natsu answers.
"Oh?" Levy says, a knowing smile growing on her lips. "We'll meet you guys there then!"
Lucy shakes her head at her friend as they get into Natsu's truck. This means nothing… obviously.
"So, Levy says you guys make this a monthly thing?" Lucy asks as they start to make their way out of the lot and onto one of the main streets.
"Yeah! I mean, things get pretty busy sometimes for everyone but we try to."
"That's great," Lucy smiles softly, "Well, I'm glad I was finally able to join you guys after Levy kept bringing it up," she laughs.
"She can be persistent that's for sure," he chuckles, "but I'm glad you did too! Even if you decided to surprise me and not even tell me you were comin'." Natsu shakes his head with a teasing smile.
"Me? You could have told me too! And you're one to talk about surprises after spilling out the one thing I was waiting to tell them," Lucy rolls her eyes.
"I said I was sorry!" he defends through some laughter, glancing over at her. "How ever can I make it up to you, miss?"
Lucy hums in pretend thought. "I'll think of something good, don't worry," she grins.
They share a bright laugh and it surprises Lucy a little at how comfortable she feels with him and how easy it is to talk about anything and everything.
The warmth in her chest lingering the rest of the drive as Natsu eventually pulls up to a small, but cozy looking house.
"This neighborhood is so nice," Lucy admires, looking around at the large trees in some yards and colorful flowers.
"Yeah, they picked a good one that's for sure," Natsu says, shutting off his truck. "They're a bit older than us, have their lives figured out and all that good adult stuff," he laughs.
"Maybe Kade and I could upgrade to something like this in the future," Lucy says, smiling fondly.
"I'm sure it'll happen, Luce," Natsu grins warmly as she meets his gaze. "Now, let's head in before Erza says we're late to have fun."
Lucy laughs, following his lead out of the truck and up towards the house.
"There you guys are!" Levy greets them as they step into the house.
Natsu rolls his eyes. "Relax. We weren't too far behind. Not my fault metal-head over there speeds like a maniac."
Gajeel looks over at them from the couch and shrugs. "I don't like slow drivers."
Natsu laughs and Gray and Juvia walk in not too long after and the room is warm with voices and laughs.
"I love your home, Erza. I wish I would've thought to bring something with me," Lucy says as she walks over towards Erza at the kitchen island, looking over at the set up of drinks and snacks set up there and suddenly feels a little empty handed.
Erza turns towards her and waves her off. "That's kind of you, but don't you worry about it, Lucy. We would've told you all you needed was yourself anyway," she reassures, "and those bottomless pits of stomachs over there would hardly leave anything for us anyway.
They look over, seeing Natsu and Gajeel had already started digging into one of the bags of chips on the coffee table in the living room even though they just finished up with dinner.
Erza looks back at Lucy and gives her a look that says, I told you so, that makes Lucy giggle.
"She's not wrong," Jellal laughs, coming up beside them and handing Lucy a cold bottle of water. "We have something else if you'd like too?"
"Oh, this is perfect, thank you," Lucy smiles gratefully.
It feels warm and inviting in the room and Lucy allows herself to relax and enjoy herself more.
"So what game did y'all wanna play?" Natsu asks, brushing off the food evidence from his shirt.
Levy hums in thought as she looks through a box of board games. "Oh! What about Catchphrase?" she asks, holding up a palm-sized unit.
"Catchphrase? I don't think I've played that one," Lucy says, moving more into the living room with the others.
"Really? It's so fun! Whose ever turn it is gives everyone clues for a phrase or word on the screen here, and whoever guesses right first gets the point for their team."
"Oh, that does sound fun. I'd be up for that," Lucy smiles, finding herself looking forward to it.
"Yay! That good for everyone?" Levy asks.
The rest of the group agrees happily and put themselves into teams. One being Gray, Gajeel, Levy, and Juvia. The other, Natsu, Erza, and Jellal.
"Lucy's on my team!" Natsu declares, throwing an arm around Lucy's shoulders and pulling her towards their side with a wide smile that makes her cheeks warm.
"Alright, alright. Let's start," Gray says, setting up the game on the digital device in his hands as they all settle on the couches and chairs in the living room around the coffee table. "First one is… something people use to walk."
"Hmm… shoes?" Lucy guesses.
"Nope."
"Legs!" Juvia shouts.
"No," Gray chuckled.
"Oh! How 'bout a cane?" Natsu tries.
"Hm, hate to admit it, but yes."
Natsu cheers in victory, his smile wide.
"Cane? You could'a said old people in the clue," Gajeel grumbles.
"Didn't wanna make it too easy."
"Aw, too bad, so sad," Natsu teases, sticking out his tongue at them before turning towards Lucy. "We got this." He holds up his palm, Lucy recognizing the motion and giving him a high five with a laugh.
The game continues. Natsu's team took the lead with a few rounds, but the others caught up quick and now they were at a tie.
"Alright, for the game point… Oh, here's a good one," Gajeel smirks. "Something Natsu's never had."
"A life?"
Natsu rolls his eyes at Gray.
"A dog? Since he's always had a cat?" Levy offers.
"No, shrimp," Gajeel says, patting the top of her head and making her pout.
Lucy giggles softly to herself.
Erza hums. "How about good healthy eating habits?"
Gajeel laughs roughly. "True, but no."
"I got it. A girlfriend?" Gray suggests with his own smirk.
"There's no way tha-"
"Yup."
Gajeel's smirk widens as laughter from the group surrounds them, Gray's team cheering with their win.
"What?! Oh, come on. How does that count as a win?" Natsu tried to protest.
"Like this, that's how." Gajeel shoves the game device towards Natsu so he could read it.
It does in fact say the word 'girlfriend' and Natsu scoffs, pushing Gajeel's arm away.
"Better luck next time," Gray says with a shove on Natsu's shoulder.
"Whatever. Like that stuff even matters. You don't even have one either," he murmurs, crossing his arms across his chest with a huff and pout.
Gray shrugs. "Maybe. It's just more fun to mess with you," he smirks.
Natsu rolls his eyes deeply and Lucy can't help but laugh at his dramatics from her spot on the couch.
Natsu looks back over towards her, a smile twitching on his lips.
Lucy thinks back, and despite his friends' teasing, she finds it little surprising that Natsu has never been in a relationship. For someone as... handsome, kind, and funny as he was... with those eyes and smile... but she puts those thoughts aside for now.
It didn't seem to bother him though, as everyone carries on with warm conversation and laughs for a while until Erza announces she is going to start a movie.
Lucy glances at her phone, seeing it was already getting close to nine, when she told Claire she would be back.
I would love to but maybe I can catch it next time? I have to pick up Kade soon," Lucy says, standing from the couch with a sigh.
"Aw, that's ok!" Levy says, standing too and moving over to give her a warm hug. "Thanks so much for coming, hope you had fun," she grins brightly.
"I really did and thanks so much for being so welcoming and having me," Lucy replies, also looking towards Erza.
"Of course. You're welcome over anytime," Erza grins, giving her a hug as well.
"I'm gonna take off too. Takin' Lucy back to her car," Natsu announces as Lucy says goodbye to the rest.
"Good. See to it that she gets back safe," Erza says.
"Bye! Tell Kade we said hi!" Levy exclaims as they start to make their way out the door.
"I will!" Lucy laughs, giving the group a wave over her shoulder, turning back and missing the knowing, teasing smiles the group shared as the door closed.
"That was fun. Though, I thought you said to be prepared to win, what happened?" Lucy teases as they settle back in the truck.
Natsu breathes and exasperated groan. "Look, how was I supposed to know they would throw me under like that to win the game? But I'm gonna get them back for sure next time."
Lucy giggles at how he narrows his eyes.
"And you're not the competitive one, huh?"
"Nope. Never."
They laugh and relax in comfortable silence as Natsu starts to make his way back towards the restaurant.
"I really liked how close you all are," Lucy says softly, gazing at the view out of the window.
Natsu barked out a laugh. "Nah, they're a bunch 'a jerks most of the time," he teases before his voice softens. "But really, we've been close friends since grade school and high school. They're good people."
An ache swells in Lucy's chest at how much she wishes she had she had that growing up too.
"I can see that," she glances over and smiles. "I appreciate you all being so welcoming tonight.
"Of course," Natsu grins.
"And it wasn't awkward at all hanging out with my son's baseball coach," she couldn't help teasing.
Natsu laughs that full laugh that makes her stomach flutter, giving her a toothy grin. "I told ya. Speaking of the kiddo, how's he been lately?"
"Kade's been great. So excited to start playing, it's all he talks about some days after that first time at the field," Lucy laughs.
"I'm excited too," Natsu smiles. "I feel bad that I wasn't able to set up another small one this month since things have been busy at work and then with this job and getting things ready for the kids, but the season is gonna start soon enough."
"It's ok, the kids are going to have fun regardless," Lucy reassures. "I understand. Work has been busy for me too lately, so tonight was a much needed break… even if I still missed Kade at times," Lucy finds herself admitting.
Natsu pulls back into the lot near Lucy's car back at the restaurant, shutting it off before turning towards her. "I'm sure it's hard to leave your kids sometimes when they're young... and even more so as a single parent?"
Lucy nods lightly. "It's... just been a while since I've taken a night for myself like this and I- and I couldn't help but feel a little guilty." She wrings her fingers together in her lap, the words still tumbling out. "I know he's not a baby anymore, but part of me felt like I should still be there and be doing more?"
She looks up at Natsu's kind eyes, as if expecting the answers to all her mess of emotions.
Natsu reaches out and places a palm on her forearm, warmth seeping through her sweater. "I'm sorry I may not know everything you're feeling right now, but I can see how much you love Kade. And I saw how much he loves you just from that first day," he says, his voice grounding. "You give him everything you can and I'm sure he can feel that. It's more than enough of a reason why you deserve to enjoy your own time like this, Luce. Even for a little while."
Lucy takes a deep breath and swallows past the thick emotion in her throat. "Thank you," Lucy says softly, brushing away a stray tear that escaped down her cheek. "It's hard to remind myself of that, but I really appreciate it." She gives him a warm grateful smile.
"Yeah, of course," Natsu grins back, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze before pulling it back, making her already miss the warmth of it. "Don't gotta be so hard on yourself. You're doing an amazing job, and Kade's with someone you trust and is safe and happy with his friend right now and that's what's important right?"
Lucy nods, the knot of emotions in her heart easing. "It is. Thank you for listening." She didn't realize how much she'd been holding in tonight, and how much it helped just having someone to vent to.
Natsu smiles brighter. "I'm always here to listen if you wanna talk or anything." They share a meaningful look and a few quiet moments before Natsu continues. "Doesn't even gotta be about baseball."
Lucy huffs a laugh at his toothy, kind smile. "I'll remember that. Oh! Speaking of, I still haven't gotten around to getting the things you told me Kade needs to play," Lucy sighs, "hopefully I still have time?"
"Yeah, of course," Natsu reassures. "I take you guys to the store I usually go to and help pick out some stuff? Maybe next weekend?"
"Really? That sounds great. I wouldn't even know where to start with all the different types of things," Lucy laughs, running a hand through her hair.
"Anytime," Natsu grins brightly.
"Alright. Guess I should get going to pick up Kade," Lucy says, a little bit disappointed that the night was coming to an end. Just a little.
They step out of the truck and Natsu walks her over to hers. "Thanks again for the ride, Natsu. It was great seeing you and meeting the rest of your friends."
His smile grows. "It was fun hanging out with you too. Happy you had a good time. Next time, we'll be sure to win."
Lucy laughs and rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah."
"Tell Kade I said hi and see you guys next week!" Natsu grins as Lucy steps into her car. "And uh, you can text me when you guys make it home?" he says rubbing the back of his neck.
"Will do. Have a good night and get home safe too, Natsu," she smiles.
Lucy starts her car and starts to make her way out of the parking lot, seeing him waving through her rear view mirror until she gets back on the main road.
She makes it back to Claire's with a light, warmth in her chest, stepping into the house when Claire opens the door.
"Hi! How was he?" Lucy asks, looking over to see Kade trying to stay awake to watch one of their cartoons on the couch, but nodding off. Noah already fast asleep, making her laugh softly.
"He was great, don't worry," Claire smiles, gathering Kade's things, "they tuckered themselves out as you can see. How was it tonight?"
"It... it felt great honestly. I didn't realize how much I needed it," Lucy admits, that warmth still lingering in her chest.
"I'm so glad! I know it was a big step for you," Claire says warmly.
"Thank you," Lucy smiles, "and again for tonight too. I'd better get Kade to bed," she huffs a laugh.
She moves to kneel in front of Kade by the couch since he didn't seem to hear her walk in. "Hey, sweet boy, let's head home."
Kade blinks awake a bit, smiling sleepily and leaning forward to slump into her arms. Lucy shifts him in her arms, palm smoothing over his back. "Did you have fun?"
"Lots," he murmurs, making Lucy and Claire laugh softly.
"You know you both are always welcome here. Bye, Kade! Noah will see you at daycare soon."
He gives Claire a sleepy wave.
Lucy says their good nights and manages to maneuver Kade in his car seat and start their way home.
Lucy sighs in content as she settles into her sheets for the night after getting Kade cleaned up and changed and into bed with a kiss to his cheek.
It really had been a great night, more than she was expecting as she thinks of the kind people she met today. Ones that she could already feel could become better friendships.
Getting to see Natsu again and be around his comforting warmth and kind smile took up a bigger spot in her mind and she couldn't deny the happy swell in her chest at the thought of seeing him again soon; and she realized that the instinct of needing to keep up the walls she'd built around herself from others, that she was so used to for so long didn't feel so suffocating now.
Ooh, they're getting a bit closer! ;)
As always, thanks for reading and for all your amazing support from last time!