Daddy's Little Lucy

Chapter 5 - Big Brother

"Daddy, can I play with Big Brother?" Lucy said as she looked up at me while still hugging Gray's leg. "No way" I said grumpily crossing my arms. "Why not?" Lucy whined, tears threatening to fall. "Yeah why not Flame Brain?" Gray asked with a smirk. I tried to think of something quickly. Something clicked in my head, "because you might get his stripper habit" I said, proud of my quick thinking.

"Stripper habit? What's a stripper Daddy?" Lucy asked curiously. "Good going Natsu" Gray sighed, then I felt a deadly aura behind me. I gulped as I slowly turned around to face my doom. "Natsu..." Erza and Mira said threatening with a murderous look in their eyes. "A-A-Ah, I-I'll t-t-tell y-you w-when y-your o-older" I stuttered as I tried to right my mistake. I sighed with relief as Erza's and Mira's deadly aura disappeared.

"Ok Daddy, come on Big Brother lets play!" Lucy said as she grabbed Gray's hand. "Hey!" I exclaimed as I watch her drag him to another part of the guild. I pouted as I sat down on one of the bar stools. "Don't be upset Natsu, Lucy will be fine with Gray" Erza said as she sat next to me. "She should be playing with me" I pouted, "seems like we have two kids" Erza chuckled.

"Oh Erza" I gained her attention as I remembered what we discussed with Gramps. "Gramps suggested that you should stay with us to help protect Lucy" I explained. "Very well" she said seriously, "now I can dress her up in all the little girl outfits I have collected over the years" she added with happily. I wanted to know why she was collecting those but if it's anything like Mira's closet then it's better not to ask.

"Make sure to take photos so I can see little Lucy in cute outfits" Mira said. "Of course, you can count on me" Erza replied and I felt like they made a pact of some sort. I turned my attention to Lucy and Ice Princess, I watched them play till it was time to go. I saw Lucy running up to me and tug on my pants lightly. "Daddy, I'm sleepy" she said with a yawn and rubbing her eye.

I smiled lightly as I picked her up in my arms. 'At least she didn't go to Popsicle this time' I thought, as I watched her fall asleep peacefully with her head resting on my shoulder. Gray, Erza, Happy and I said bye to everyone as we went to Lucy's apartment. It was dark by the time we left the guild.

"She looks peaceful" Gray said as we walked down the dark streets of Magnolia. "Aye she must be tired from playing all day" Happy said. "Hmph, too bad she was playing with Ice Stripper" I muttered, "still upset about that?" Gray asked with a snicker. "Keep in mind not to use that nickname around Lucy" Erza stated and we replied "aye."

When we arrived at Lucy's apartment, Erza took out the spare key and unlocked the door. We filed into Lucy's living room and I carried Lucy to her bed. I laid her down under the covers before laying down beside her, being closest to the window. I rested my head on my hand as I moved a strand of hair from Lucy's face. She rolled her body closer to my chest and gripped my vest. I instantly smiled at how cute and attached she's being.

"So, what are we going to do about Lucy's rent?" Happy asked. I totally forgot about that. "How about we go on a job?" I suggested, "but we can't take Lucy with us. She might get hurt and who's going to take care of her while we're gone?" Gray said. "Lucy's staying with me!" I said as I wrapped my arm around her. I won't let anyone else take care of her except me.

"With the Thunder Legion out on a quest and with us, the strongest team in Fairy Tail gone, she could be in danger if she was left with anyone else. The best course of action would be to bring her with us" Erza said in thought. "See we're bringing her" I said as I glared at Gray. He just sighed and said "whatever but we should at least work out a plan on how to protect her if enemies show up, especially the shady twins." "Fine but she's still staying with me" I replied.

We talked about different ideas but only one was the best solution. Erza mentioned that Alzack and Bisca had a back carrier for carrying a small child. We decided to ask them tomorrow if we could borrow it for the mission with Lucy. I was sure they would say yes. After our discussion was over, we went to sleep. I slept on Lucy's bed with her while I cuddled her. Happy slept on the other side of Lucy, Gray slept on the couch and Erza slept on bedding she brought with her.

The next morning, I carried Lucy on my shoulders as we walked to the guild. She giggled every time I bounced her on my shoulders. I lowered her down to the floor as soon as we entered the guild. "Lucy, how about you play with Levy?" Erza suggested as she pointed to where Levy was sitting. "Ok Aunty Erza" Lucy said happily as she ran to Levy.

Erza, Gray and I walked over to Alzack's table while Happy instantly flew to where Lily and Carla were sitting. "Hey Alzack, where's Bisca and Asuka?" I asked as we joined him at his table. "Asuka has caught a cold and Bisca is taking care of her today" Alzack explained. "We came to ask if it was ok that we borrow your child back carrier for a job?" Erza asked, "sure no problem, I'll bring it tomorrow morning" he replied. We thanked Alzack and separated to do our own activities.

Erza went to the bar to talk to Mira and enjoy a piece of strawberry cake. Gray was chatting with Elfman while Juvia was hugging his arm. I sat with Happy and Lily, Happy looked disappointed since Carla left. After a while, Lucy ran over to me with tears in her eyes and climbed onto the chair to hug me. I wondered why she was so upset and where was Levy. I saw Gajeel walking out of the guild with Levy over his shoulder. She was shouting "put me down and don't call me Shrimp!"