It's been almost two years, but this story is no longer on Hiatus! I spent some time rereading all my stories, and I decided that I was ready to continue this one. I hope you all enjoy!

Before beginning, please consider rereading this story, as I did not take time to re-cap. Please also note that as of right now, I will not be editing past chapters, so any chapters posted before this one will be kept in it's unproofred state. If I decide to change any details or I am unsure of what I originally intended, I will inform you as the need arises.

Chapter 20: Mother

Lucy ran away from Gray and the school, trying to stop her bloody tears. She knew that she would soon be out of the woods, and she could not risk running into a concerned citizen.

The woods finally cleared, and Lucy found herself in a party of town that she hadn't seen in two years. She slowed her pace to a crawl, taking in everything around her. She passed a small park where she used to play with Loke before Kara was born. She saw a grown-over path leading into another set of woods where she used to escape to when her father was unbearable.

Her phone vibrated, and she saw a text from Natsu: Are you sick? Can we visit tonight? She quickly typed "sure" before walking down the street where her house was.

The neighborhood hadn't changed at all. All the lawns had perfectly cut grass, no paint was flaking on any houses, and there were flowers everywhere. Lucy always thought the neighborhood was too perfect to house a horrible man like her father.

Lucy saw her mother weeding her flower garden on the front lawn. She smiled, happy that her mother still kept her hobby. She flipped her hood up to conceal her identity a little, since she was a carbon-copy of her mother, and walked up to the older blonde women.

"They're beautiful," Lucy said.

"Oh, thank you," Layla, Lucy's mother, said, blushing. She was always modest. "Do you like flowers?"

"I love them." Lucy always loved flowers because they brought her mother joy, but she never took the time to appreciate them. Now she took time to inhale their scent and enjoy their bright colors. She even tried looking deeply to get a glimpse of their souls. She wasn't successful, but she knew that if she were, these souls would have extra love in them.

"Do you plant some with your mother?"

Lucy smiled sadly and said, "My mother loved to plant flowers, but I never took the time to plant them with her. I wish I had."

"What happened to her?" Layla asked. Lucy always loved that her mother cared about everyone, even total strangers.

"She died," Lucy lied, "She never got to see me grow up."

Layla stood up and hugged Lucy. "She would have been so proud of you; I just know it."

Lucy tried hard not to cry as she hugged Layla tightly. She committed her mother's scent to memory: lilacs and orange. She took note of how skinny her mother was and how she was only an inch taller than Lucy.

"I just wish I could talk to her, you know?" Lucy said. She knew that Layla wouldn't mind hearing a "strangers" woes. "I wish I could tell her that I had my first kiss, joined the track team and that I have friends now."

Layla pulled away but kept her hands on Lucy's shoulders. "I know I'm not your mother, but I am so happy for you. Having friends and being apart of a sports team is wonderful, as is your first kiss. I'm sure she would have loved to hear all about it."

Lucy smiled. She was glad to hear that her mother was happy for her, but she was sad that she wasn't getting praise as a daughter. Layla didn't realize that she was depriving Lucy, of course.

Just like Loke didn't know he was flirting with his sister.

"I did something bad today," Lucy confessed. "I punched a boy that flirted with me. We used to be close, and if remembered that we used to be like siblings, he never would have done it. It hurts that he can't remember me, and I guess I got carried away."

"If he used to be like a brother to you, then I'm sure he'll understand. Even if he doesn't remember you, his personality hasn't changed," Layla said. She looked down at her flowers and asked, "Would you like to join me?"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude. I'm sure your husband wouldn't like you sitting outside with a strange girl," Lucy said. She knew her father would never want her mother talking to anyone, especially a stranger.

Layla chuckled and said, "I'm not married, actually. Here, put these gloves on."

Lucy felt numb. She put the gloves on and let her mother show her which plants were weeds. After picking for a few minutes she said, "Not to be nosy, but I thought you were married? I swear I've passed you before and saw a man living here."

Layla didn't seem bothered at all by the personal question. "Well, I was married. I divorced my husband two years ago. One morning I woke up and things just felt...off."

Lucy knew the day Layla was talking about was the day Lucy and Kara went with Rogue. He had wiped her memory and doing so always left a mark on the person. They could go days or even weeks feeling like they were missing something important without ever realizing what it was, even if it was as important as two daughters.

"I just live with my son now," Layla continued. "It gets very lonely here. I would like it very much if you came to visit me. I've always wanted a daughter."

Lucy smiled. "I'd love to be your part-time daughter," she said with a laugh. "My name is Lucy. You're Layla, right?"

Layla beamed with joy as if Lucy was doing her a great favor. "It's wonderful to meet you, Lucy. Please, tell me about yourself."

Lucy thought for a moment, wondering what she could tell the mother that didn't remember her. She wanted to say something meaningful, to encompass all that it is to be Lucy Heartfilia.

"Well," she began, "I have a sister, Kara. She's in middle school, and we are really close. We read in the library for hours, go for long runs, and always have each other's back. I live with two of my best friends as well as a woman who is almost like a mom to me."

"Are one of these friends the boy you kissed?" Layla asked in a teasing tone.

Lucy blushed. "No! Sting and Rogue are just friends, but sometimes I think Rogue wants to be more."

"Do you like Rogue?" Layla asked. She was far more accepting that Lucy thought she would be, even though Layla was a caring person.

"Rogue and I have a...close relationship. He saved Kara and me when we were in a tough spot, and I can't forget that," Lucy explained.

"That doesn't mean you have to like him romantically," Layla said. "People can have many roles in your life. Rogue can be like an older brother or even father to you, and you can love him for that. You still have room in your heart for this other boy, whom I'm guessing you love, too."

Lucy flushed. "Yeah, I guess I do love him." She let out a long sigh. "He's mad at me now though. We had a fight today about me punching that other boy."

Layla looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "Do I know these boys? Maybe I'd have some insight. Do you got to school here?"

Lucy didn't know if she should say that Loke was the one she had punched, but she knew that if she lied now, the truth would eventually come out. If Lucy continued to be friends with Gray, eventually she would end up at Loke's house. Gray had said they were best friends, after all.

"I used to go to school here when I was younger," Lucy explained, "which is why most of my friends don't remember me. The one I punched was Loke."

Layla looked startled but not angry. "That's my son," she said. "I'm sorry that he was rude to you."

Lucy wanted to laugh because Layla was taking her side. "It's okay; I've already forgiven him. I just hope he and Gray forgive me."

"Oh!" Layla gasped. "You like Gray! Oh, my goodness isn't that cute! He's such a good boy! He is exactly the boy I would want to be dating my daughter. You must bring him over next time you visit. Oh, and Kara, too!"

Lucy wanted to cry again. She settled for hugging Layla a second time. She was so pleased to know that her mother not only approved of her but also Gray. Kara would be excited to see Layla again, but Lucy would have to make sure the young girl was ready to see their mother without telling the truth.

"I should be going," Lucy said, realizing the afternoon had flown by. She would hate to have Loke come home while Lucy was still there. "I promise to visit soon."

Layla hugged Lucy one last time, and Lucy left with a smile on her face.