"Family" dinner and warm rain. (Part Two)

(A/n: sorry for splitting the chapter into two parts! I just felt that the chapter was getting a bit too long, and if I'd done the whole thing in one chapter it'd be over 3,000 words. Would you prefer it if there were longer chapters? Be sure to tell me in the comment section!)

Levy looked down at her feet as they walked in. She already knew that everyone's eyes were on her, and would probably just die if she saw all the stares.

I mean, that's Gajeel Redfox walking in a restaurant full of people, plus his rumored girlfriend AND his mother. Oh boy, this is gonna be some good tea.

Everyone was silent, soft orchestral music playing in the background. They were seated.

"U-um hello," The waitress smiled sheepishly. Her dark skin was freckled, blemishes and acne here and there. Her Afro was puffy as ever. "Can I start you with something to drink?"

"Water, please." Erza stated.

"Choc— WATER." Jellal squeaked as Erza pinched him. Right! He couldn't have chocolate milk here. They had some at home anyway.

"Can I have a sweet tea please? Thank you," Levy smiled.

"I want a Château Margaux." Dolores squinted.

"Um, I'll have to check in the back, but—"

"This is a 4.9 star rated restaurant and you're telling me you don't carry wine!" Dolores' voice started to raise.

"I'm sorry, but it's really expensive wine, we have others—!"

"I want to talk to your manager! I'll have you fired on the spot, some nerve to tell me what I can and can't have!" Dolores yelled, people watching.

"Mom. Stop." Gajeel said lowly. "She'll have a... sangria. And can I have a Merlot?"

"Y-yes sir," The waitress frowned. Would she really be fired? She scurried away quickly.

There was now an awkward silence.

"So, shorty. How does it feel to be sitting in luxury? Considering a peasant like you hasn't ever experienced something like this," Dolores snickered.

"Excuse me?" Levy snarled.

"Oh come on. You know I'm right," Dolores laughed. "I did a bit of research on you, you know. You haven't paid the phone bills. You lived in your friends old house. Your friends helped you pay bills and eat. You're such a leech! How could you even pay them back if you didn't have any money?"

"I was trying to get a job!" Levy yelled. "I'm trying to pay them back for all of this now!"

"You really think I'm going to believe that? You don't even know what to do with all of your riches!" Dolores smirked. "You're blowing it on a whole bunch of new things, huh? Go big or go home, am I right? Since you came from nothing, now you're a hotshot, it sure feels great, ah?"

"What are you talking about—"

"I know you're not that stupid!" Dolores grinned darkly. "You're some girl who grew up with a broken family,"

"Mom stop." Gajeel's hands balled into fists.

"Then decides to run away to god knows where! Starts over, or so you think, and starts to try and find a job! But nobody wants you, 'cause you're absolutely worthless." Dolores mocked. "Oh, look at me! I'm a helpless midget! Oh Gajeel, save me from my suffering! It's honestly sad."

Levy was shaking because of all of the anger, sadness, and pure hatred she felt right now. Her nails were digging into her hands as she tried to hold back the tears that were forming in her eyes. She had an angry glare on her face, yet tears were threatening to fall?

Her bottom lip trembled.

"That's enough." Gajeel's voice got higher.

"Suck it up, darling. Reality is a bitch, right?" Dolores rolled her eyes. "And you're too weak to realize it. You keep hoping for the best, which is never going to come."

Levy got up, running into the bathroom. The tears started to fall, mascara dripping. She paced around, breathing heavily. All that pent up frustration and anger turned right into tears.

Erza excused herself from the table, walking into the bathroom. "Levy, are you okay?"

Levy jumped. "I-I..."

"You're really strong, did you know that? I've never met someone as stubborn as you," Erza chuckled. "Apart from myself, of course."

"It's just that... what if she's right?" Levy looked at the floor.

"She's not." Erza ruffles her hair. "Now come on. I think the waiter is gonna come. Wipe those tears up, and give me a big smile!" With that, she left.

Levy did as she was told, though her smile was crooked. She blew her nose and did her best to make it look like she wasn't crying. She walked out of the bathroom, taking her seat.

"You okay, Shrimp?" Gajeel whispered.

"Yes," Levy nodded.

"Okay. Do you wanna talk about it later?" He asked. "I just wanna make sure you're okay."

"No, it's fine." Levy hummed. "I really don't want to bring it up anymore."

"Sorry it took so long for the drinks," That waitress said awkwardly. She placed down everything. "Can I take your orders?"

"I'll have the prime rib." Erza handed her the menu.

Jellal hadn't looked over the menu, he was too busy looking at the big tanks full of lobsters and fish. "U-uh... I'll have the same!"

"Can I please have the filet mignon? Medium rare please," Levy smiled.

"I want a cordon bleu," Dolores smirked. "Oh, also some zucchini on the side."

"Can I Please have your..." Gajeel so badly wanted a big, juicy seafood platter. "But no, Dolores would have a fit. "... baked chicken with a side of mashed potatoes."

"Okay, I'll go put the orders in. Is there anything else you'd like?" The waitress asked softly.

Gajeel shook his head. She muttered "ok" and walked away quickly.

"You think because you started crying I'm supposed to care?" Dolores snickered.

"Mom. Stop it!" Gajeel barked at his mom. "I'm sick of it, leave her alone! This isn't going to make her leave me, you're just going to make her hate you more and more!"

"I don't care! You and I are alike, don't you see? The more she hates me, the sooner she'll start to turn on you!"

Soon, Dolores and Gajeel started to argue yet again. Jellal sighed, this was making his head hurt. He didn't like the bitter sounds of arguing. He took a sip of his water.

Erza didn't like it either. She wondered when Mrs. Redfox would be going home.

"Here you go," The waitress place down all of the food. "Please enjoy."

Levy drooled, she hadn't realized how hungry she was until now. Gajeel started to eat silently, ignoring his mother's nags.

Erza ate her food, humming in delight. It was really good! Jellal grinned, talking to her.

"It's really good!" He beamed. "Perfect temperature and texture!"

"Mhmm!" Levy grinned. "The flavors are heavenly!"

"Yeah, they cooked it perfectly! Not too long or too short!" Erza nodded.

Gajeel shook his head, chuckling. They were all dorks. Dolores was silent as she ate, watching the three of them out of the corner of her eye. She totally wouldn't admit it, but she sort of liked the vibes those three gave off. And they made her son happy... it didn't matter! Happiness doesn't matter in life, love and happiness are abstract, money is not!... right?

She pushed her food aside, these thoughts were taking up her mind and she wasn't hungry anymore.

"Done?" Gajeel asked.

"Yes." Dolores muttered.

"Are you okay? You're oddly quiet, and you didn't eat all your food." Gajeel asked his mother, a bit worried. That's his mother, so he had to care about her.

"I'm fine, stupid boy! Worry about yourself!" Dolores snapped. "How are you to run a business if you're busy worrying for others!?"

Gajeel's eyes widened and he looked away, shifting around in his seat for a minute. "Jeez, crazy woman."

Dolores smirked, chuckling under her breath. Though she usually didn't show it, she loved her son more than anything in the world. That's why she pushes him so hard, so that he is never helpless and is always the best. If it takes destroying her sons happiness, then so be it. She wanted him to always be able to depend on himself, so that whenever she died he wouldn't have time to mourn and be alright. She cared for him way more than he knew...

Once everyone finished eating, Gajeel started going through his wallet. "Are we done?"

"SIR!" Erza exclaimed as she read over the desert menu. "Please let me get a strawberry shortcake! Please, sir! If I don't eat one, I'll die!"

"Haha, sure thing Erza." Gajeel laughed. "Anything else?"

Levy shook her head, she was way too full. Jellal has a mischievous smile on his face, he's gonna take the big strawberry on the top.

"Desserts are fattening," Dolores sneered. "Why waste your time eating them?"

Erza ordered one with stars in her eyes, and squeaked happily when it arrived. "Uwa! It's here!"

She grabbed her fork, ready to go for the big strawberry, until Jellal took it and ate it. Erza grabbed his collar.

"THROW IT BACK UP!" She held the fork in front of his neck. "I'll shank you!"

"Aah! Sir, help me!" Jellal cried. Levy laughed.

"Erza," Gajeel grinned. "Put him down. There's more strawberries on it,"

"That was the best part," Erza scowled. "I'm very angry now. Watch out, Jellal."

"You're never mad at me!" Jellal grinned. The two continued to bicker about it, playfully arguing. When it was done, everyone walked outside and went for the car to come. It was raining, but the droplets were warm. The sun was shining through the clouds, it was truly a beautiful scene.

Levy held her hand out, grinning as the rain hit her palm. "It's warm today, Gajeel!"

Gajeel held his hand out, expecting a hard, cold raindrop to slam into his hand. Instead, a warm and soft raindrop gracefully hit him. "I wasn't expecting that."

Soon, Erza and Jellal put their hands out. Dolores rolled her eyes.

"How childish," But she secretly poked her finger out, feeling the warm droplet as it fell from her finger. The edges of her lips curled into a small smile, and that's when the car pulled up.

Levy noticed this and smiled. Maybe Dolores wasn't all that bad, just rough around the edges.

Maybe...