Lucy's Promise

Chapter 2 - Found

Lucy's P.O.V.

I tucked the baby into the makeshift crib that Willow made out of leaves and soft vines.

"So... Now what?" Willow asked.

I laughed nervously. "I'm...not quite... sure..."

The storm rolled outside and the baby began to cry. I panicked and picked him up. "Lucy! Make it stop!" Willow wailed, nearly harmonizing with the baby. I bounced him in my arms, shushing softly. He continued to whine and flail his chubby little arms. I mentally smiled at the thought.

Something snapped into place in my head. I turned to Willow. "I casted some spell on Natsu when were on that job that made him fall asleep. If I can remember it, I could calm him down."

"For nature's sake, just do it!"

I gulped and whispered in his ear. "Celestial Dragon's Lullaby."

The cries died and the only sound was our breathing and rain hitting the roof. "You did it...!" Willow nudged my shoulder as I set the baby back in the crib.

I sighed and wrapped my fingers around the candles Loke provided. I placed one in the kitchen and another in the bathroom. I blew out the rest and crawled into bed. Willow fell into her hammock hanging above the coffee table. When I offered the couch, she declined. I felt bad so I asked her if she wanted to get her own bed. Instead of buying an actual bed, she bought a hammock. She said she's slept in one since day one.

There was silence for what seemed like eternity as I stared at the ceiling.

Willow finally broke the barrier. "Sooo...Why'd you want Natsu asleep?"

"Go to sleep."

<>

I woke up to the sound of crying. I groaned and rubbed my temples.

"Lucy, what did you do? He won't stop crying!"

I smacked Willow on the back of her head. "I didn't do anything."

A small tapping sound came from the window. I waved a hand at Willow and she swept her hand over the cradle, a thick leaf following and covering the top, silencing the wails.

I tip-toed to the window, rested a knee on the bed and pushed the glass panes aside to reveal a soppy, blue mop with wings. A pale green one behind it.

"Happy, what are you doing here?"

"I came by to check on you! Natsu was really worried, but he couldn't come. Fire and water don't mix too well, so he sent me!" He piped, peeling away floppy wet fur away from his eyes.

The green rag floating behind sneezed. "Willoow... let us in!"

I ushered the two cats inside and into the bathroom. I gave them both a towel. "You shouldn't have flown through this storm! You could've caught pneumonia!" I scolded them.

"Well I had another objective! To find Miyuki!" Happy defended, pointing at the cat standing on the sink.

"I'm a free spirit. What can I say?" she said in a British accent. How I envied it.

"That's no excuse," I argued as I put my hands on my hips. "You might as well stay the night. There's no way I'm letting you go back out there."

Happy jumped forward, wrapping his blue paws around my neck. "Oh, thank you, Lucy!"

"Get off me, cat."

As he flew off and hovered over the bed, a single, high-pitched cry came from the cradle. I shot Willow a glare that could burn down the crib. Willow clamped her eyes shut. "What was that?" Happy flew to the leaves. Lifting the thick one, the cries were silenced. Happy peered in and grinned. "I didn't know you had a baby, Lucy!"

I sighed in defeat and shuffled over. The little boy was fixated on Happy's face. His cheeks were red and puffy from crying. "He stopped crying." I looked up at Willow. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Probably not," she sighed.

I grabbed the blue exceed and turned him to face me. "Happy, do you mind staying here for a little bit?"

"Didn't you already offer?" He cocked his head.

I shook my head vigorously. "No. Not like that! I mean...I need you to live here for a while," I admitted.

"Why?"

I sighed. "This one won't stop crying and then you came along and it just... stopped."

"I guess I have that effect on people," Happy boasted.

The green cat stood at the foot of the crib. "Is it really a good idea to have this baby here?" she asked with her British accent.

"I don't really have a choice, Miyuki. He just showed up on my porch. Not much I could do." I reached in to the crib and picked up the little one. "He didn't even have a name." I cradled him in my arms and bounced.

"What do you plan on naming him?" Miyuki asked.

"I don't know. The letter called him their little flower. Maybe his name is Hana."

"Maybe his name is The Mighty Fisher!" Happy beamed.

"I doubt it," I said flatly. "If it's 'Little Flower,' maybe it's Sukoshi Hana. Hana being his middle name."

Willow punched my arm. "As if someone would name their kid 'Little.'"

I glared at her. "Shut up. I'm just throwing ideas out."

"What about Tea?" Miyuki chimed.

"No." I completely shot it down. "It's not important right now."

Happy called me out with irritation. "What're you gonna call it if you don't have a name?"

"I don't have anything that could be used to take care of him except my Lullaby!" I fired back.

"Isn't that enough?" Miyuki inquired.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "He's a living human. He needs formula and clothes and toys. Babies aren't as easy to take care of as they seem!"

Silence fell and I shifted my glare to Miyuki to Happy then back again. I swatted them away from the crib and set the baby down. He was asleep now and a relieved sigh escaped my lips. Willow swiped her hand over him, drawing the leaf back into place. Happy floated over to my bed and popped down. "I'm tired, Lucy."

"Then go to sleep," I retorted hotly.

Miyuki fluttered over to Willow and snuggled into her side as she slid into her hammock. I hopped in my bed and drew the covers over my body. "Good night. And go to sleep."