It took the group only two years to find Aquarius' key, including frequent stops back to the guild to see Levy and Gajeel's twins, and their friends. After a year Juvia had joined them as well, not wanting to be away from Gray for long periods of time. Lucy sat in the park playing with Happy and the twins, letting Levy and Gajeel finally have time to themselves. "Just get it over with." Gray told Natsu as they stopped to watch as she laughed at the two children running around giggling with Gemini and Happy. Natsu glanced at him before returning his attention to Lucy. "I'm really not one for this stuff but, once you tell her… It'll be easier."

Natsu was quiet a minute. "What do you mean easier?" He asked. In the two years of traveling together the two had come to grow up and mature a little more and became even closer friends. Gray gave a small smile.

"You won't have to fight yourself." Gray told him as Natsu looked at Lucy as she played like she was chasing the four children, just as she would get up on them Happy would fly them away, making them all laugh. "I stayed out of it for the last several years, but you can't just keep acting like there's nothing. You guys were inseparable for the entire quest. Besides, sooner or later another guy's gonna come along."

"Don't you and Juvia have some big announcement?" Natsu scoffed. He heard his friend loud and clear but didn't want to talk about it anymore.

Gray smirked. "Yeah, but I bet she's already screamed it at everyone at the guild already." He said as Natsu smiled.

"Congratulations, Gray." Natsu smiled at him making him smirk and nod.

"Now it's your turn." Gray nodded towards Lucy and the children. "Trust me it's definitely not one sided."

Natsu gave a small nod and looked at his best friend. "Thanks, Gray." Gray nodded before he walked away, heading towards the guild hall. Natsu looked back to Lucy as she wrapped her arms around the twins making them laugh as Happy and Gemini tried to free them from the 'monster'. Gray was right there was something there. He had felt it for a while and he had been putting off saying anything by making stupid comments like when they first started the quest. He smirked, he told her they would be together forever, and she agreed. They had become closer, but he still back away and she did the same when it comes to making things official. It was time, he knew it and he wasn't going to lose her to another guy.

Natsu paused as a young man walked over to Lucy. He focused on them, listening to the conversation. "Hey, cute kids. They yours?" The man asked.

"I'm babysitting for a friend." Lucy smiled as the twins gathered on one side while Gemini and Happy went to the other side.

"Well you're great at it." The man smiled making Lucy smile back. "I was wondering… I know it's kind of creepy and all but, would you like to go out sometime?"

Natsu completely froze, was this it? Did he miss his chance? He watched as Lucy smiled but she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I would but… someone already has my heart."

"Oh, okay then." He looked a little hurt but took it well saying his goodbyes and walking away.

"I bet it's Natsu." Happy laughed as Lucy turned to him, her face red.

"Shut up cat!" She scolded.

"It is, isn't it!" He teased. "Lucy, you're turning red!" Lucy lunged at him but he took to the air out of reach still laughing and teasing her. Maybe he didn't miss his chance. Slowly he walked over and grabbed Lucy around her waist making her squeal in surprise as he spun her around and setting her back on her feet.

"Natsu…" Lucy said as she realized he had been close enough to have heard Happy teasing her. A new flush grew across her face.

"Natsu!" Happy yelled happily as he flew to him. "Guess what, Lucy likes someone!" He laughed as Lucy turned completely red as Natsu smirked. He almost missed his chance, he wasn't going to come that close again, and he wasn't going to miss time that could be together because he was afraid. Lucy turned away telling Happy to shut up, threatening to hurt him if he kept going.

"Happy, can you and Gemini watch those two for a minute? I need to talk to Lucy about something." Natsu said as Happy looked confused and Lucy looked worried.

"Yeah, okay." He finally said before he flew over to get the kids involved in a game of catch the flying cat.

"Is everything okay?" Lucy asked worried as he took a step closer.

Natsu looked at her another minute, he took down every enemy put in front of him, he faced off with Zeref without batting an eye, why was he so afraid of this girl, no woman, in front of him. "Listen, Lucy there's something I wanted to talk to you about for a while now…" He paused a minute. "Lucy, I know I said we would be together forever, but I never..." He shook his head as she looked at him fear creeping into her eyes. "Lucy, do you want to be with me forever?" He asked quickly.

Lucy looked at him confused before she took in how worried he looked, and she couldn't help the little smile. "Of course I do, Natsu."

"Will you make it official?" He asked as if he was ready for her to yell at him.

Lucy smiled at him as her red tint slid back across her face. "Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

Natsu looked worried before he gave a little nod. "Maybe."

She giggled. "You're such an idiot, Natsu." She smiled. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend." He looked at her as a smile spread seconds before he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. She was surprised but a moment after she rested her hands on his chest as his went to her waist. As they broke the kiss they rested their heads together. "Natsu?" He looked at her. "Forever means forever, okay?"

"Right." He smirked before Happy and the children all started to giggle at them

"See, I knew it was Natsu." Happy laughed.

"Shut it, cat!" She yelled at him as he took off to the sky's again as Natsu chuckled and grinned at her making her smile and blush.

"We should get ice cream for everyone!" Happy smiled as he landed with the twins who started nodding and cheering for ice-cream.

"Your mom's so going to hate me if you go home all hyped up." Lucy sighed looking at the twins.

"Then we'll just have to wear them out before you take them back to Levy and Gajeel." Natsu grinned as he grabbed a twin in each arm, pushing them to sit on his shoulders as he started towards the ice cream with Happy flying overhead

Lucy looked at Gemini. "I'll get you some later okay?" They nodded before they went back to the celestial world before she followed Natsu and Happy. Lucy watched as he got them ice cream then took them to run around the city. She laughed and remembered when she had helped him watch Asuka while Bisca and Alzack went on a job. He really was better at taking care of kids than he usually acted. She watched as the twins started another game of catch the flying cat while Natsu laughed watching Happy dodge their little hands.

"You okay Luce?" He asked looking over at her as she stared off into space.

She nodded. "Yeah." She smiled softly at him. "Just remembering that time Bisca and Alzack asked you to watch Asuka." She smiled as he grinned. "She was a handful, but she was doing it for her mom and dad." Her smile got a little bigger. "You were her hero, especially after she shot down those thieves." She smiled as he chuckled.

"She's a little sharpshooter." He grinned as she shook her head but never lost her smile.

"You're really something, Natsu." She smiled as she walked closer to him watching as Shutora and Yaje ran after Happy. "Did you hear about Gray and Juvia?" She looked up at him.

"Yeah." He grinned. "Isn't it great? They're getting married." Lucy smiled and nodded. "I'm glad he's happy."

"I'm glad we're all finding happiness." Lucy smiled as Natsu nodded and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Me too." He said as he looked down at her. Lucy smiled as she pulled him into a kiss that was broken by Happy leading the kids straight into the couple before Natsu and Lucy started chasing them back on the way to the guild with Happy leading the way.