We Were... (Nalu) ✔

Chapter 4: Mother

As Lucy walked to school holding her mother's hand, her mother's hand started to shake. Lucy turned to her side and asked,"Mommy, are you okay?"

Layla shook her head with a smile, "Of course I am. If you see me walking and talking, then, I'm as good as a newborn baby!"

Lucy did a weak smile. "If you say so, I'll believe it..."

When Lucy got to school, she did not run to her best friend Levy. She turned to face her mom and asked, "Mommy, are you really okay?"

Layla showed Lucy a thumbs up. Lucy nodded and Layla began to walk away. Lucy stared at her mother to make sure it was true.

As her mother walked away she saw her walking fine. There really wasn't anything wrong with her. Lucy felt so happy to get that off her chest. Then she did her every day routine in school.

***

Layla's P.O.V

I couldn't tell her the truth. A mother does not want to see her child cry. We do all we can to avoid that and make them happy. But the truth is, I'm not okay.

About a year ago, my magic started to weaken because of my fading health. The doctor told me, it was a cancerous disease which spreads and it doesn't stop until the host is dead. At that moment, the first thing I thought was to never let Lucy know. I did not want to see my daughter shed tears for me. So, after hearing this information, I summoned all of golden keys, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Capricorn.

"I'm retiring so, you are now free to go." I took my keys away but, I let Capricorn stay before I retired him.

"Capricorn, Please, promise to serve the Heartfilia estate." With a bow of his head, Capricorn left.

***

After dropping Lucy off, I called the hospital. I couldn't take the pain any more; it had gotten so bad I could feel it in my bones. I couldn't stop coughing until I coughed up blood. I quickly called the hospital and Jude, my husband, so he could know where I was.

When the ambulance came, I held my hand over my mouth to catch the blood. I also grabbed my chest in pain. They quickly got me onto the stretch bed and took me away.

***

Narrators P.O.V

When Lucy got out of school, she found it strange that her mother wasn't there yet. Lucy walked around the school to see if her mom was somewhere different. She looked behind every bush, wall, tree, and any place she could think of, calling out mommy.

When she couldn't find her mother, Lucy squatted under a tree and started to cry. Then she heard a rustle in the tree branch.

"So, you're here crying now, huh? Just when I thought I found a quiet place to be by myself," said a familiar voice. Lucy looked up to see Natsu.

Natsu grabbed a hold of the tree branch, and swung himself off, landing on the floor perfectly. Then he put his hands in his pockets and tilted his head a little to face Lucy. Lucy blushed a little and quickly rubbed her tears away.

"What are you doing here Natsu?!"

"I should be asking you that!" Natsu yelled back. "I was here first," he continued.

"Shut up," Lucy mumbled to herself.

Natsu sat next to her and asked,"Why are you here? Aren't you home by now?"

Lucy blinked a little and said,"My mom's not here. How did you know I would be home by now?"

Natsu's face turned a little red, and he quickly said,"Just forget it!" Lucy laughed a little and realized how cute Natsu could be at times.

Lucy hugged her legs tighter and asked,"Do you think she's sick or something?"

Natsu shrugged and replied,"I doubt it, she's probably just late."

"How do you know?! She could be hurt or something for all I know!" Natsu shook his head.

"You're just over thinking it." Then Lucy stood up. She flattened her school uniform's skirt.

She looked down at Natsu and said,"I'm going to go find her."

Natsu looked at Lucy as he stood up, "I'll walk you home."

Lucy fluttered her eyes in surprised.

Natsu's face turned bright pink once he realized what he said. "I-I mean--It-It's not like I have a lot to do or anything! I mean, I could care less..."

Lucy smiled and thought to herself, is this the friend I've been waiting for. No way, he's just an acquaintance to me. But then again, he is the only one looking out for me. Maybe, he is a better friend then Levy.

She smiled and grabbed Natsu's hand. Natsu's face turned the shade of his hair.

As they walked to find Lucy's mother, one of her neighbors saw Lucy and yelled,"Lucy-chan, aren't you going to visit your mother?"

Lucy looked in shock. "What do you mean?" she asked  while squeezing Natsu's hand a little tighter.

"Your mother's in the hospital."

Natsu looked at Lucy trying to hold in her tears. "Don't worry Lucy, I can take you there."

Lucy put her hand under her eye and tried to remove the tears before they fell.

Natsu quickly turned around and grabbed her hand. "Come one Lucy, let's find your mom," and they started to run together.

***

A few minutes later, they reached the hospital. At the counter, Lucy spoke to the lady: "Excuse me, I'm here to see my mother, Layla Heartfilia."

The lady looked down to Lucy and said, "Take the elevator to the 5th floor. Then look for room 502. She will be there." Lucy quickly said thank you, and while still holding Natsu's hand, she ran to the elevator, then to the room door.

As Lucy held his hand, she opened the door very slowly. She saw her mother laying on the bed. She walked up to her mother and stood next to her.

Layla opened her eyes and said with a smile,"Oh Lucy, it's nice to see you."

Lucy's tears fell down to the ground as she yelled: "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?!"

Layla smiled, " Lucy, I didn't want you to worry about me. I know how over protective you can get."

Lucy pouted with tears still dripping,"I'm not over protective..."

Layla then noticed the boy with pink hair. "Well hello there. Are you Lucy's friend?"

Natsu shook his head.

"Well you have to be. You took my little girl all the way here, didn't you?"

Natsu blushed a little, making Layla giggle.

"What's your name?"

"Natsu."

"Well Natsu, can you come over here. Oh Lucy, stand by the door for me, please?."

Lucy saw her mother whisper something to Natsu which made him turn into a bright red tomato. As her mother laughed, she called her back.

Layla grabbed Lucy's hand and said very sweetly, "Lucy, I don't have much time to live. So please, cherish this boy and forget about me. I'm just a simple memory now. Live your life to the fullest. No regrets! Have a first love, a family, kids, and never regret. Lucy, always remember that I love you."

Layla's hand began to fall. Lucy quickly grabbed her hand but it slipped and dropped onto the bed. She began to cry waterfalls of tears. Her mother, which raised her and loved her, was now gone.

Layla's P.O.V

I knew she would find out I was sick sooner or later. I truly wish I would have lived longer to see her grow and see her go through the process of her giving me my own grandchildren. But, I'm truly happy. I had a wonderful little girl and a great husband. I truly have no regrets.