The Return of Memory Days

A Promise Made...

"Whadd'ya know, our future actually depended on Loki's flirting" Scorpio joked as he mock-punched his leader.

Aries bent down shyly to reach for the little girl. "C-Can... I hold her..?" she stuttered. Loki carefully gave the child to the ram spirit. She smiled as thanks.

The other spirits all attacked Loki with questions, compliments and even a few threats for hitting on the ten year old me. But to sum it all up, they looked pretty happy. I just stood there behind them, unsure of what I was supposed to say. Loki finally noticed me just when Taurus was saying about to say something. He looked straight at me, smiled then called my name.

"Lucy..." the most amazing sound I've ever heard. Because this time, he wasn't referring to the younger me in this memory we were in. This time, he was talking to me. Even if it was just a couple of minutes ago, I still missed it. And I admit -though I know it's weird... I was kinda getting jealous of the ten year old Lucy.

"I heard that~" Loki whispered flirtatiously in my ear. I didn't even notice that he was standing beside me. I don't know what's going on with me. Because instead of arguing with Loki about him trespassing in my mind, or maybe even pinching his cheeks for being so ridiculously charming... I found myself blushing in front of him, not trying to hide anything. I just couldn't. He already found me. So what could I say..?

"Hey, Loki..." I tried my best not to stutter. He already read my thoughts -or at least fragments of it- and I knew he was just waiting for me to say it. He smiled as he stared at me, exactly the same way he did he saw me in this dress. I took a deep breath and began again, "Loki, I-".

"Someone's coming..!" Capricorn suddenly said, causing me to stop.

We all went back to hide behind the bushes again and waited for the person my goat spirit was talking about. Of course we haven't forgotten the little heiress, though it annoyed me that they just left her on the cold, hard ground. That was still me! Well at least Aries gave her a fluffy pink pillow. I just sighed and looked through the bushes for a few seconds, until a man walked into the scene and saw the blonde girl. He hurriedly went to her side to check if she was hurt or in any pain, then sighed when he noticed that she was just asleep. Eventhough the mansion was already lit up with so many lights, it was still so hard to see his face. Who is this man? I didn't have a clue... 'til I heard him say my name.

"Lucy..." I felt the darkness creeping back to me as I heard my father call my name.

It was my dad. I was already done crying. Why did he have to show up now?! It made me realize how wrong I was. I blinked away the tears so I could see him for one last time. I wanted to remember everything about him. He actually looked so different. I wouldn't have even recognized his voice if he didn't say my name. He sounded so... lonely. He looked younger and stronger. But at the same time, he looked exhausted, too tired to even try... But if he didn't, then he wouldn't be my dad anymore, would he? The thought made me smile through the pain that I felt. I could feel the others hold my hand or pat my head. Loki was the closest to me, which was good because I needed someone to hold onto. I was grabbing his shirt and tie as I continued to watch my dad.

"Oh, Lucy... I'm sorry" my dad spoke fervently eventhough he knows his listener was asleep. He continued, "Layla... Your mom... is gone. I know that you think you're all alone... but I'm still here".

His weary voice and words made me want to run into his arms, hug him and never let go. I looked at Loki and he read the longing in my eyes, he held me tight so I wouldn't do anything irrational. But it was hard. I already miss him.

My dad held the younger version of me close to his chest. Held her as if there was a danger lurking nearby. He held the little me the way I never thought he would. A father protectively holding his daughter. It made me happy. Eventhough he loved me from afar -not showing a tinge of evidence that he really did-, I was still glad that he did. And I knew that...

"Time's up..." Capricorn's voice made me blink. He saw the confusion in my eyes then continued, "The four-hour time limit is over, Lucy-sama..."

Huh? No..! I still wanted to stay. My dad... I... he...

No. He's right. It's time to leave. It's time to let go. I stared at my spirits. Each of their faces lighting up, encouraging me to strive forward. And I really should. I looked back sadly at the old forgotten memory of mine. My dad was already up, walking back towards the mansion and carrying little Lucy in his arms. I settled myself with a breath and smiled at the past.

"Bye, Dad..." I whispered as I stared at my father who continued his conversation with his daughter, who was fast asleep.

I felt a warm, familiar light touch me. I looked back and saw my spirits glowing as they stood close to their leader who held the book. Loki smiled at me and held out his hand. Looking at them as a whole made me realize that it's still not over, because this- they were my future. So I gratefully took Loki's hand and stood next to him. As I felt the warmth envelope us and slowly making me disappear, then I heard my dad's voice say that he loved me...

"I love you too, Dad..." I whispered as we all faded into the present...