The Red String of Fate [ NaLu ]

Chapter 22

I sat in the waiting room with Shiori. Natsu was contacting Doan on the public phone. I had been informed that my father had been diagnosed with cancer. Apparently that man who was at our house when Shiori's family were here was a doctor and the reason there was so much commotion is because he was telling my father this. All the times he had been our wasn't because of sleeping around or work, he was here, getting care. They thought it wasn't best to tell me as I was dealing with my own situation currently.

Shiori was still shaking. I took her hand and kissed it with my dampened lips from the mass amount of tears I had shed. "They're on their way" Natsu returned to my side. I didn't take my eyes off of Shiori and I could tell that he understood as he began to rub my back.

"I'm so in love with him" her voice cracked "I know I shouldn't but I am" she looked into my eyes "I'm a tainted women." I could see the tears forming again "I'm a mistress of a married man whose wife killed herself because of me. I treated her as a maid believing that's who she was. I never noticed you in that house. Why was I so stupid!" She hit her chest. I took her other hand and shook my head
"Do not blame her death on yourself" I kissed her other hand. "She didn't want anyone to be blamed, she just wanted out"
"But I'm in love with a man who destroyed his child, his family, his life, why?" Her head found its place on my shoulder as she cried out again. I joined her.

Mother, help.

I pleaded in silence. I wished she was by our side comforting Shiori as well. Natsu left us to get Doan, Yuu and Hanako. The three took Shiori out of my arms and comforted her. I turned to Natsu who looked pale.

"Natsu?" I questioned
"Is it my fault" he glanced at the door which my father was behind "I shouldn't of yelled at him then maybe he wouldn't of-"
"He's not gone yet" I had hope. "No matter what do not blame yourself. You were just protecting me and I couldn't be happier with you" I kissed his cheek.
"I'm sorry Luce" he slung his head. I ran my fingers through his hair as he thought things over.

Three hours later we were allowed in to see him. Shiori, Yuu, Hanako and Doan went first. I couldn't hear anything but the haunting sound of the hospital. The constant beeps, the coughing, the tears, the arguments, the emergencies. I could hear the death. The place screamed it. The last time I was at a hospital was when my mother had died. They believed they had gotten to her in time but obviously not. It hurts me just to remember seeing her covered corpse being rolled away. I remember screaming for her to get up and take me with her. she never.

Yuu returned to invite us in. Natsu followed closely behind me. Inside I saw him in a state I never wanted to. Even though I hated the man I was still in the same place as Shiori was. That was why I couldn't answer her question. Was it because I still had hope in him? Was it because my mother asked me not to hate him? I'd never know.

"Lucy Heartifillia" he called on me. I left Natsu and joined his side. I simply stated at the stranger wired up. "I am a terrible father" he sighed "I know I am" he took my hand looking at the busing he left on my wrist. "Why do I-" he shook his head clearing his tears.
"Why didn't you tell me"
"I don't want you to lose both your parents, even if you were stuck with the one you hated" I never responded. He looked over to Natsu "thank you" he mouthed to him. That was the only thing he said to him. "If you don't mind I think I'll rest now" I nodded backing away.

Back in the hospital corridor Yuu suggested that we stay with him and Doan. "You guys have a tiny apartment I'll take care of them, I live alone anyway" Hanako argued.
"My parents are away I can if you wan-" Natsu was interrupted by his phone. "Excuse me" he walked away.
"I'll stay at Hanako's, Lucy you. An stay with Natsu if you wish" I nodded.
"Call me when you guys get home" Yuu told me as they left.

Natsu returned. "It was my mum, they're coming home early, you can still stay though."
"I want to stay here" I told him "I can't leave his side" he nodded understanding.
"I'll go to your house and grab a bag of stuff for you and return to stay with you" I hugged him tightly
"I love you" I cried into his shirt. He embraced me letting me let my tears flow. I wish I had drowned in those years so I would t have to deal with the pain to come.