LaLu ~ Unexpected Love

Epilogue

Sorry for not posting any new stories yet, I've just finished my mock exams so bear with me, please. Enjoy this final chapter.

Third Person Pov

It had been 5 years since the tragic death of the loved Laxus. Of course it affected Red and Layla but it affected Lucy most of all. It took 3 years for her to stop crying herself to sleep every night, but she distanced herself from all her friends and even her two darling children. Instead of being a parent she was being cared for by the two people who reminded her of her dead husband. 

Red had to take 2 jobs so they could still have a roof above their heads and food to keep them alive, while Layla did the cooking, cleaning and washing despite her grades falling drastically she didn't mind it; she wouldn't lose her mother as well as her father. 

Lucy worsened every day. The bags under her eyes darkened till it looked like her eyes were dying out slowly, no sign of life shining. Her hair was never washed unless Layla put her mother in the bath and washed it for her, when she had the time. She hadn't gained weight but she wore Laxus' shirts and jumpers, which were never washed in fear of her losing his musky scent. Everything that Lucy once was, had vanished into the cracks of the walls, making the three of them upset. On some days Lucy drank away her pain and lashed out at her charming daughter, leaving nasty scars and bruises up and down the teens soft, pink arms and legs: sometimes her face if a bottle was thrown from some distance and hit the wall, shards of glass cutting her face, but that only happened once. 

"Mum drink this." Layla held out a steaming cup of tea in front of her dying mother. Lucy was sprawled across the sofa, wearing nothing but Laxus' coat. 

"Go away." She grunted into a pillow.

"I'm sorry what did you say?" Layla stepped an inch closer trying to hear her mother.

"I SAID GO AWAY!" The woman yelled pushing her daughter. Unluckily, the young blonde tripped over the coffee table, the tea falling onto her face and chest, soaking her top. The cup smashed against the wooden floors just as Red came through the door to change for his second job.

"Oh my god Layla." He dropped all his stuff and rushed to his sisters side. "Go clean yourself up and I'll pick up the mug."

"But you have your job." Layla sniffled as she attempted to clean up the mess. Red shook his head and did the job himself.

"I have 20 minutes, I'll be fine."

And with that Layla went to her room and put on a cream sweater, telling herself she'd do the washing later. By the time she had returned downstairs, the broken shards had gone and all that remained was the stench of tea. 

"See you sis." Red chirped shutting the door from behind him. 

"Mum, tomorrow me and Red were planning on visiting dad." Layla almost cried. "It has been a while since the last time we saw him. I even bought flowers on the way home as well, his favorites were peonies weren't they?"

"AND YOU'RE ONLY TELLING ME THIS NOW! WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THIS?" Lucy shot up flailing her arms around.

"Last week, but Red was busy and everyone wants to go as well." Layla stuttered.

"EVERYONE HUH? SO NONE OF THEM WERE GOING TO ASK ME ABOUT THIS THEN? WHAT KIND OF DAUGHTER ARE YOU WHO MAKES PLANS BEHIND HER MOTHER'S BACK!" The blonde slapped the teen harshly leaving a bright red imprint on her cheek. 

"SNAP OUT OF IT!" All of her trapped feelings flooded out of her mouth. "HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP WALLOWING IN BEING A WIDOW! HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GOING TO SIT ON YOUR ASS AND DO JACK SHIT BECAUSE YOUR HUSBAND DIED? HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GOING TO ACT LIKE THE UNGRATEFUL BITCH AND NOT NOTICE YOUR OWN SON HAVING TWO JOBS AND BARELY GETTING A WINK OF SLEEP? HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GOING TO NOTICE THE WORK I DO TO KEEP THIS HOUSE THE WAY IT USED TO BE? HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GOING TO IGNORE YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FEELINGS BECAUSE YOU DON'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT THEM ANYMORE! WE'RE WASTING OUR LIVES, WASTING OUR EDUCATION, WASTING BEING YOUTHS TO KEEP YOU ALIVE AND A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD! ACT LIKE THE MOTHER YOU USED TO BE!" 

"LAYLA DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT AGAIN!" Lucy punched her to the ground. 

"FUCKING SNAP OUT OF IT! ME AND RED ARE LEAVING TONIGHT AND ARE GOING TO STAY AT LEVY'S OR WHOEVER HAS THE ROOM UNTIL YOU COME TO YOUR SENSES! SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR YOU TO REALIZE ME AND RED ARE ALL YOU HAVE LEFT!" The teen spat and rushed upstairs to pack to bags to get out as soon as possible. It didn't take long and she was out the house like a lightning bolt, catching Red on the way home

                                                                                                 ~

It had been a week and everyone was crowded around Laxus' grave, all apart from Lucy. No one had heard anything and they grew worried every passing second. They had to wait an extra week so they could see their dead friend together again. Truth be told they hadn't met up as a whole group since the funeral 5 years ago, which made it even more painful. It was just silence, pure cold silence filled with unspoken emotions. The Dragons were reliving their time as a band. Makarov was reminiscing on the times he raised Laxus, telling him right from wrong. Red and Layla were crying into their coats, hugging each other until no more tears could fall. The girls bowed their heads in respect recalling their short lived moments with the man, including the night they met them. The children of the friends comforted Red and Layla, with a hint of sadness themselves because despite not knowing the loved blond they had heard the outrageous, crazy stories that painted an unforgettable picture. They grieved in each others company. 

"I'm sorry everyone." A voice spoke up from behind the depressed group. "I'm utterly, deeply sorry." The woman walked up to the gravestone and traced her fingers along his name. "And I'm sorry Laxus. I abandoned my own children drowning in such a deep lake but I promise with the years I have left to cherish them like I should. I miss you a lot. I always thought I'd grow old with you my love. You lit up my life and I no longer have you beside me anymore."

"He's with us mum." Red put a hand on the sobbing woman. "He's been watching over us from the very beginning."

"Red, Layla please forgive me. I abused you emotionally and physically and I should be punished but please come home. Hate me all you want just come home."

"Mum we don't hate you." The two of them hugged their mother tightly. "We love you so much."