A/N: Hi miinnaa! So A LOT of my readers have been asking when I usually update. Since I have school now, I really can't update on time so please bear with me, I am terribly sorry for this but rest assured that I will not leave this story unfinished! Thank you all for understanding! Now on to the new chapter! Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I am not Hiro Mashima.

Chapter 30

It's been two weeks and we're running out of time. My boss has been so busy acting and preparing for Wendy's birthday at the same time. I, on the other hand, am also busy but it's not the lack of energy or time that I am scared of: it is hiding our biggest surprise from Gray.

Lately he's been seeing Natsu and I talk a lot (and whisper a lot) which I think makes him curious. But what can we do? We can't help it. He's always there and he demands that he should always see me so that, according to him, he can order me around easily. If he's being that strict (I'd like to say possessive but this is no time to be joking, self), Natsu and I really have no other choice to whisper to each other.

Luckily, this whispering has paid off really well! We finally have a lead and luckily, we might finally find where she is.

Yesterday, Gray said that he's going out with some friends so he's giving us a day off today. So Natsu and I planned to finally try and meet her today. We have talked to 2 leads so far and I sure hope we're getting closer to her.

"Don't worry, we are." He smiled at me.

"What?"

"You're probably thinking too much, judging by that look on your face." He laughed.

I pouted, "Hey, what do you mean?"

He then squeezed my left cheek and said, "These cheeks look soggy because you don't smile that much anymore."

I held my cheek. Is it true? Maybe that's the reason why sometimes I see Gray look at my face for a longer time compared to before?!

He giggled, "I was just kidding about the first part. But hey, don't worry, Luce. Your effort is way too much for that guy, I think kami-sama will grant your wish."

"My wish?"

"To make him happy."

I will never forget how he looked when he uttered those words. His expression looked like a mix of happiness, sadness, and dismay. And I would rather not ask why such is that.

"We're here, Ma'am, Sir." The cab driver said.

Natsu paid for it while I headed to the door of a simple bungalow, hoping that the one who opens it is the same woman whom I have a picture of in my hand.

Alas, it was someone else – an older woman who has gray hair. I felt disappointed. We were tired, we have been searching for someone who doesn't like to be found, and here we are looking like we got the wrong person again.

"May I ask if Ur lives here? Someone told us that she does." Natsu asked.

"Why? Who are you guys?"

"We just want to ask her some things, does she live here?"

After I said those words, another woman appeared behind us. "I am she. What do you guys need? I don't think I have ever seen you both before."

Finally. I looked at her. She was so beautiful; now I understand why Wendy and Gray look like that. She looks quite thin though. Her glow from the pictures she once had with her family isn't coming out also. I wonder how she has always felt now that she is in the same country as her children yet not be able to see them.

"If you may, can we talk to you about something private?"

She then first looked around, maybe trying to see if there's someone we're hiding, and then eventually let us in.

"What do you guys need?"

"I am Lucy and this is Natsu. We know Gray, we know your children. We heard that-"

She immediately stood up and cut me off. "Please leave."

"B-but, Ma'am…"

"I am sorry but I would not like to hear what you have heard."

"Wait, Ma'am, please listen first."

"Who are you agan?"

"M-me?" I said.

"Yes. Who are you?"

"I am Lucy, Gray's personal assistant…"

"I am surprised."

"Pardon?"

"I am surprised that he has opened up to someone whom he just met. I mean, I don't think you guys have been together for a long time, right? You look young. Are you perhaps… do you like my son?"

I was shocked. Wow. This woman is something.

"I-I don't know how to respond to that exactly…" I forcibly chuckled.

"You're a cute one. I think I know now why you know."

"I haven't exactly told you what I know though…"

"You don't have too…" she went to the chair again and then heaved a big sigh, "I know how much he hates me. So I am sorry for being rude earlier, it is just that, telling me what I already know is like rubbing salt to the wound…"

"I understand." I walked to her, "But Ma'am, I am not here to tell you what you're thinking. Honestly, I believe that Gray also wants to see you, I think he misses you. And Wendy does too. No matter how much he shows his hatred, no matter how much he tries to mask his longing, he is still your son and you are still his mom – he will want to see you, regardless whether he shows it or not…"

Natsu then butted in, "Plus, I think what your son needs is mom who can put him to shape, I mean you know his attitude to people isn't really the best and—"

"Natsu." I shushed him. "So like I said, Ma'am. We've had a long day, we came from afar, and it took us a lot of effort just to come here. We are lucky enough that we were able to find you. But none of those matters now. We are here to tell you that they miss you. And we are sure that you badly do too. If I may ask, you've been back in the country for quite a while now, what has been stopping you from seeing them?"

"Well… if you know that someone is mad at you, if you know that the only way to ease that person's pain is to not stay in contact with him, what will you do?"

"B-but they are—"

"I know they are my children… but I have been a bad mother. I have caused them pain and I do not want to do it any further."

"But honestly, I am sorry to say this but I think what you're doing now is only hurting them even more…" I held her hand, "I know there are things you want to clear up with them, so please do. No matter what their reactions will be, at least you cleared everything up. We do not need to know what truly happened, but I believe that your children do. I know you know that it's almost Wendy's birthday, and as far as I know, she has been longing to see you – that's her only wish."

The sun had almost set so I knew it was time for us to leave. We still have to rest for tomorrow will be another busy day for Natsu and I.

We stood up and led ourselves to the door. The mom who had become silent followed us. "I appreciate you guys coming here, but I cannot promise anything…"

"We understand, Ma'am. It's all up to you anyway. But coming from a personal experience, it is really hard and it really hurts to have no parent with you. And I swear, nobody knows what I could give to have another chance to see and be with my parents again. Hatred is temporary and so is pain. But love is forever." I gave her a hug before we left. I also gave her a piece of paper where she can go to find her children.

As Natsu and I were on our way home, he patted me on the back, "I think she'll come."

"Really?"

"Yup! I honestly loved that line you said at the end! That was so beautiful…" he started imitating my voice, "Hatred is temporary and so is pain. But love is forever."

I rolled my eyes, "Stop it."

"But seriously though… you did well, Luce."

"Thank you, Natsu. You too. You're such a nice friend. I don't know what I would do without you."

"This isn't for free though."

"Eh?"

"I'm hungry."

"Fine, I'll treat you to dinner tonight!"

"You don't need to pay for it." He smiled, "It's good enough that we're having dinner together."

I looked at him. We were both silent for a while.

"What?" He looked away. "I just missed my best friend. And I hell am sure that you miss me more!"

Natsu really is charming in his own little ways.

So I replied as I wrapped my hand around his arm, "Yes, I do, Natsu."

To be continued…

A/N: Feel free to review! Hope you liked it! Next chapter's going to be about the big day! Wonder how Gray will react when he finds out what Lucy has been doing for him? Stay tuned! Thank you!