A/N: Nyaha! Hello, I'm back after four years! I'm really sorry for making you wait this long. I don't know if you guys are still there but you see, I'm alive *ducks* don't kill me! Adult life is hard. And I started to hate Mashima =_= anyway you guuuuys! *blush* I am so touched that lots of you are still trying to contact me about this. I don't use twitter anymore though. Now I can't do review responses because I wouldn't know where to begin and there's a lot. Lol. I'm sorry. Ah, and WDSM will take time to be updated if some are interested. Alright, English is still my second language. I didn't proof read this so constructive criticisms are still very much appreciated. And I feel that I have to warn you that my writing style had changed drastically too, will not be very obvious in this chapter because this one was already prepared beforehand. Okay, enough! Love ya guys!

Chapter 29: Their Precious Girl

The mere thing more awkward than the moment after sharing a moving, soul-shaking, passion-fueled kiss in between two people who used to hate each other deep to the bones was trying to assemble their thoughts while conversing with the sternest man on Earthland.

And most probably, that is exactly how they are feeling at the moment.

Lucy sat uncomfortably in front of Gray and her father, her eyes focusing on her trembling hands placed over her lap. There, she said it.

"What are you saying?" Jude's voice thundered, the young woman literally felt chills run up and down her spine.

She could never get used to him getting angry in this lifetime.

But she had to do this.

She had prepared herself for any consequences this would entail. Surely, she will be disowned. Strangely though, glancing at her husband had provided her strength to pursue this path she was so willing to take.

He has to be happy.

She can't be selfish.

So she won't be backing down anytime soon – even though she totally lost her self-control this morning. She had to blame it to something. It must be her hormones. She almost screwed up everything.

"I'm asking for a divorce," Lucy spat, determined.

An air of reticence enveloped the whole room. Her brown orbs meeting the old man's sets in an intense gaze, she almost faltered and her heart pounded hard against her chest.

They heard Gray heave a defeated sigh and Jude let out a cough as he shifted over his seat. With an eyebrow raised, he turned to look at her oddly stoic husband.

"What about you, Gray?" Jude asked discreetly, his voice hinting disappointment. "I want to hear your thoughts."

The raven haired boy pouted, she almost thought the gesture was too damn cute. Lucy shook her head, he had to help her.

Gray however was against it. Even after the intimacy they shared a while ago, she still could not bring herself to tell him her honest feelings. If it meant his happiness, she would be very willing to grant him whatever. Call her stupid, please. She would never deny it.

"I'm against it," her husband responded firmly, it scared her.

Her eyes momentarily widened before she threw Gray the sharpest glare she could pull off. And the raven-haired boy knew, if looks could kill, he was probably dead this instant. The young man only gave her a shrug, staring back with a resolve that could rival hers.

"But dad–" Lucy piped in only to stop herself again as her father raised a finger up, gesturing that it wasn't her turn to speak yet.

"I heard you lost my daughter days ago, why didn't you tell us anything?" The old man catechized, sparks flying at how he directed his eyes on her husband. "Do you really consider us your family?"

Lucy stiffened.

He knew.

Yes, her father was not as stupid as she thought. Of course, he would know. Lucy would not be even surprised if her father knew why she ran away. The man was too smart for his own good.

Gray glanced at her for a split second, his expression soft and guilty. Looking back at her father, he spoke. "I truly apologize about that. For her to run away and leave me, I must have done something she genuinely despised. I talked to her this morning but I still failed to squeeze the reason out from her." He ran a hand through his messy hair. "I figured, before I tell you anything, I wanted us to fix the problem first. My pride as a man and as his husband is at stake. Maybe it was for the reason that I didn't want our families to interfere with our affairs because when you do, she will probably hate me more."

If this was before that event, surely Lucy would have swooned hearing Gray say those. He had grown mature in such a short span of time, she could not believe it right away.

Once again, silence ensued. Not one of them said a word. Jude and Gray had their eyes locked on each other, the old man measuring the sincerity of her husband's words. Lucy awkwardly stared at the two men, heart fluttering stupidly and feeling so mortified. Didn't she tell him clearly that she would be taking responsibility? Why the hell was he sprouting nonsense now? He was not only going against her plan, he was also challenging her father. This might not end well, she was certain.

"D-dad, it's not Gray's fault, I just needed some space away from him and–" She tried to kind of defend her husband, but was interrupted even before she could explain her side.

An unexpected snort escaped the old man's lips and redirected his gaze to his daughter in astonishment. "And you're taking his side now?" Jude inquired, "Are you sure you really want this divorce, daughter?"

The blond young woman felt her blood rush up to her head. Is her father taking this seriously? "O-of course not, I do dad! I'm just uh– I'm not worried you would misunderstand him at all! Uh, no, I mean–" Lucy babbled as she struggle to find the right words to clear up the accusation. Giving up, she heaved a deep sigh, "I'm telling you, it's not that dad! I still want divorce. Don't stray away from my concern."

To her surprise, Jude cackled and in no time, was already laughing heartily. Both the clueless husband and wife tilted their heads to the side, confused. "You sounded like you mother, how nostalgic." He tapped his desk as his laughter (which Lucy found annoying) resounded throughout the room.

She could only blink in utter disbelief.

"Dad, please take me seriously." She muttered, fingers curling on her lap, tears threatening to fall at the corner of her eyes but she resisted the urge to cry. She should be strong. She was asking for this.

The old man came to a halt, straightening his back and beheld his sharp brown orbs over his sole daughter. "I'm giving Gray a chance, Lucy."

She gasped, she didn't know what to feel about that. "But it's my decision, dad and I have already prepared myself to face the conseque–"

"However," Jude interjected, "Your eldest brother wishes for you to be freed from this marriage as well."

It was Gray's turn to gasp. He should have expected that.

"And he was as willing to be disowned by this family as you are." The old man revealed darkly, his tone insinuating extreme melancholy.

Lucy dropped her jaw in shock, Gray clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. He knew it. Laxus would surely go against all odds to take Lucy back. He could not blame the man, he had seriously destroyed his trust once he found out that he lost Lucy and did not even bother to tell them. His friend must have felt so betrayed.

"Father," He dared to start, "I will do everything I can to change his mind, and Lucy's too." He uttered sincerely, Jude's lips curled into a smirk. "You will not lose any of your children."

The young lady of Heartfilia household immediately swung her head around and gaped at Gray in utter horror. What the hell was her husband saying? She could not believe what he was hearing. This whole conversation was turning into a complete absurdity. The indomitable look Gray had centered on her father made her cringe and dizzy.

Jude glowered at the young man and she was certain that was delight reflecting in his features. "I expect you to do your best," the old man croaked, "Son, I don't want to lose you too."

Please, Kamisama! Kill me, now.

How much horror should she endure for this conversation to just end like this. It didn't even feel like her father had listened or understand a single word she uttered. Looking at the two men in her life making a deal in front of her eyes was alarming. No, that was an understatement. It was more like bloodcurdling, chilling, frightening and terrifying.

"Dad," she shouted, patience running thin. "About the divorce–"

"You heard your husband, dear." It was supposed to annoy her, but her father's sad smile intrigued her. It was a smile she had seen for the first time in her entire existence. Not even when their mother died. The sadness was evident. "I don't want to lose you."

"Me neither." Gray was quick to follow. "Allow me to treasure you like I should, Lucy."

His face couldn't get any redder. She knew the momentum had only forced the words out of him and she hated herself for feeling happy to hear it.

Flustered, she allowed herself to cry again. She could not exactly point out why she was crying but she figured she didn't need to know right away. With her emotions in turmoil, she could only wait until her head clears up and is able to think straight.

One thing is for sure though.

She was precious to these boys.

.

.

.

"Damn it, I feel sorry for Lucy." Cana hiccupped, batting her long lashes harshly as she threw him a menacing glare. "Having you as her brother and interfering so much with her life was pathetic. You see, Laxus. Your sister is old enough to make her own decision. She's a married woman now and you still stick your prying nose onto her business! Not that I'm not worried about her, but knowing your sister, she's definitely somewhere safe – thinking thoroughly what step to take next."

Laxus groaned as he recalled the eye-opening commentary the drunkard lady angrily spat before she walked out. If she was not a girl, he would break her face, beat her into a pulp and bury her alive.

"That fucking bitch." He hissed as he kicked the rubble and realized he was, at the moment, already standing in front of Lucy and Gray's bungalow apartment. He wondered if Gray had already found his sister. He might have over reacted. He hated to admit it but Cana had a point.

He stared agonizingly at the seemingly empty house.

My poor little sister had run away.

It was still a mystery as to why she had resolved to such risk. In which she knew very well that such act might result to their father's resentment towards her yet she still did it.

That Lucy.

The daughter, who kept all her desires to herself in order to not cause shame to their family, had taken the big risk of being disowned. What did Gray do? Surely, it can't be that intolerable (for him, at least). But being a man, he could only think of Gray committing infidelity for Lucy to give up on him.

His phone rang, he did not bother to check and ignored the call.

But the caller was determined to make him answer the call. Giving up, he took his phone out of his pocket, clicked the green button and pressed it against his ears. "Mira."

He should have answered it sooner.

"Hey, Laxus-kun."

Her soft voice soothed his chaotic mental state. He forced himself to sound cheerful. "Hey,"

She let out a low chortle. "Have you been to her workplace? Did you find her yet?"

The blond man spun around, leaning his back against the gate. "Yeah, she's not there. I heard Gray had been there too and had a fight with Lucy's boss days ago."

"So, he's been looking for her. Isn't that good news–"

Laxus gritted his teeth in frustration as he bleakly cut her in. "Mira," he was sure the lady on the other end of the line shivered at how serious he sounded. "Looking for my sister is his responsibility. She is his wife."

Mira answered with a hum, trying her best to comprehend her fiancée's touchiness at the moment.

"And," Laxus added and hesitated for a while. "I met Alberona in Lucy's workplace."

There was an awkward silence at the other end of the line. The blond man felt uneasy. Was it a good idea to tell her? But she should know. She definitely needs to be informed. They'll be married in no time, after all.

"Oh, do you mean Cana Alberona?" Mira probed, her tone strangely sunny. "How is she doing now? It's been so long. Is she healthy?"

Laxus frowned. Of course, this was Mira he was talking with – the girl who stood stronger than any woman he knew, even stronger than his sister or mother. Mira is a girl who endures and always manages to plaster a smile on her face even though she is facing the most difficult times. He liked her for it, don't get him wrong. But most times, she got him worried. "You don't have to force yourself, Mira."

He heard her giggle over the receiver, "Hey, I'm sincere about my question." She paused, "I still feel bad about what happened between the two of you ten years ago. But don't worry," Mira puffed her cheeks, "I'm not jealous or anything. I just hope you two patch things up for old times' sake. Hihi, that must be destiny at work there."

Cana was his ex-girlfriend. His first love. The one that got away. A great love. And he knew he needed closure.

But it was times like these, when he hears Mira's honest feelings that he so badly wanted to embrace the lady tight. Too bad though, she was miles away.

"Hey," He croaked, blush creeping over his cheeks. "I love you,"

Another pause and came the apparent giggles from the other side of the line. "That's very bold of you, Laxus-kun~ it's unusual for you to initiate. It makes my heart go doki doki~" Her voice was alive, he was grateful she could not see his face right now or she would probably tease him forever. Those simple words he so loathed to say to anyone – even her own sister – had provided an instant relief to the unsettling air in the conversation. "I'll see you when you get back. Take care of yourself. I love you all the more~"

Even before he could offer a retort, Mira dropped the line. And as if on cue, his phone rang again. The name flashing on the screen, however, was not someone he expected.

"Gray," he answered forebodingly.

"Laxus," Gray responded, not in the least intimidated. "I am back in Magnolia. She's here."

Relief washed over the blonde's body. "She's safe, isn't she?"

"Yes," was his sister's husband's curt reply, "Can we talk, first?"

"I'll be on my way." And Laxus dropped the call. He turned on his heels and ran towards the direction of the highway.

He still haven't forgiven Gray, he will certainly pay a price for not taking good care of his sister. It will all depend on how this talk will end up. His next actions, however, will depend to Lucy.

He will not interfere if Lucy says so.

.

to be continued…