Chapter 01:
❝ One Month Vacation ❞

11:25 AM, Wednesday
April 13, 2016
Paris, France
Narrator's POV

"Lu-chan!" Came in a familiar voice that echoed around the restaurant. The blue haired girl didn't seem to mind the attention she received from the customers as she is so excited to have lunch with her best friend who she haven't seen for a week now. "I missed you so much!"

Lucy let out a giggle, "I know you do and I missed you too Levy-chan." Levy took a seat in front of her as did a two year old girl with black hair next to Levy. "And I missed you as well Gail," she said and hugged the little girl.

"I missed you too Aunt Lucy!" Gail said as she hugged her back then turned to Levy and started whine. "Mommy, why didn't daddy came with us? I thought he'll accompany us today, too? He promised!"

Levy looked at Lucy who tried not to giggle at how troubled her best friend is, indeed she missed the craziness of her friends as well as her child. "Gail's right though, I thought he's coming?"

"Well yeah, he should be here in-"

"Sorry I'm late." Lucy almost did not recognize him as his usually long black hair is now short, the normal hair styles of boys if she dare say. But she can't help but noticed the flushed cheeks of her friend.

"Daddy!" Gail immediately jumped to hug her father who gladly hugged her back. "I thought you won't show up, but I held onto your promise like what mom said earlier before we got here."

"That's great darling," he said with a smile then planted a soft kiss on the cheek of her wife. "Again, I'm really sorry I got here late. The parlor I went to were so slow on cutting my bristly hair."

Lucy shook her head and smiled, "you don't have to apologize Gajeel. It's totally understandable. But I must say, someone is like a love-struck teenage girl right now." She eyed Levy and Gajeel could not help but to smirk at his wife.

Levy shook her head and pouted. "I almost did not recognize you though. Honey, I also should say that you're one hot guy. I seriously mean it this time."

Gajeel let out a chuckle, "I know you always think of how hot I am even with that long hair of mine. Anyway, should we order something before Lucy melted from our sweetness?"

"We should," Levy giggled and Gajeel called for a waiter who immediately came to their aid as he gave the three of them the menus.

Lucy didn't bother to look at it at all because she practically always go to this restaurant so without hesitation. She said, "buckwheat crêpes and for dessert I guess I'll take crêpes suzette."

The waiter wrote her orders down and asked, "what about your drink ma'am?"

Lucy thought for a drink that will suit her orders when an idea of a drink appeared on her mind. "I'll take apple cider, please." She turned to her friends and asked, "what about you three? Order up, I can guarantee you one hundred percent that every food in this café is delicious!"

Levy chuckled at her best friend before ordering, "mine will be Soupe à L'oignon, Beaujolais and chocolate éclairs. What about you sweetheart?"

"Sole Meunière-"

"I'm not asking you, I'm asking our daughter," she snapped at her husband who gave her a half-hearted glare. She laughed at his reaction, "just kidding honey. Now go on and continue ordering."

"Just as I thought," Gajeel grinned and Lucy did nothing but shake her head as she played with Gail. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by my bookworm, I'll order Sole Meunière, sancerre and... yeah that's all." He turned to Gail and asked, "what about you darling? Anything you want in particular?"

"He's such a good father Levy-chan," Lucy muttered to Levy who nodded her head in approval. Of course Lucy didn't fail to notice her best friend's faint blush.

Gail grinned and answered, "may I please have Cheese Souffle? Please~"

"Of course," Levy said and eyed the waiter who, of course, wrote every order they had.

"Anything else?" He politely asked, waiting for any more orders. When they shook their head, he said: "Please wait for a minute, I'll immediately get them to ready the meals."

"So, how's your week? You know we hadn't seen each other," Levy pried at Lucy. Well, most likely to her love life because her boyfriend had proposed to her almost a year now and still no wedding plans. "Any progress with Sting, hm?"

Gajeel rolled his eyes, "and here comes the girl talk." As much as he hated girl talks, he also cares for Lucy so of course he's willing to listen even though it annoys him especially the constant rants of her wife about one of her best friends who's still not married. Well Levy has two best friends who's still not married. "So, what are you two up to now? You and Sting, I mean."

Lucy left out a light giggle, "we're doing fine guys. In fact, we just had a date yesterday and we will go to another one later." Levy furrowed her eyebrows and Lucy knew what exactly she meant by that. "Okay fine, still no wedding plans. Yes, we've been engaged for awhile now but he said we should take it slowly because you know... both of us are busy with our jobs and yeah, I understand that and I'm willing to wait."

Levy did not know whether to start investigating on Sting or not. She heaved a sigh and stated, "aren't you taking things way too slowly? How many years have you two been together again? Oh right, 2 years. And when did he propose? Exactly a year ago. That, my friend, is why it's too slow and not to mention, suspicious."

Lucy rolled her eyes and glared at her friend who started her act like a detective again. "I know you're just worried and I really appreciate it you know? But Levy-chan, I know the right time will come for the two of us so don't worry, okay?"

"Is it just me or you're actually saying that to yourself?" Gajeel pointed out.

Lucy's heart skipped a beat. Am I really saying this to Levy-chan or... to myself? She thought, quite unsure now unlike earlier. "No, of course not," she told Gajeel. "Anyway! Our food is almost here so let's get ready for our stomachs will be full after we eat!" Despite this, she thought, I'm sure Sting has his reasons, I'm sure he won't leave me so... I should just believe, right?

"Here are your orders," two waiters came to their table as they prepared the quad's orders placing them to every person who ordered it. Soon they left to give them privacy.

"Tastes good as usual," Lucy said in a dreamy voice. She looked at Gail and asked, "sweetie, did you like your order?"

"Like it?" Gail frowned then turned it upside down who beamed in delight. "I love it, Aunt Lucy! It's the best, well the best after your homemade desserts, of course!"

"Aww why do you have to be so sweet?" Lucy asked and pinched her cheeks. "Gajeel, how many sugar did you made Levy eat that your child is as sweet as every dessert?"

Gajeel laughed at her comment, "countless if I dare say, Lucy. She literally almost killed me when I said she had enough cakes for one day. Believe me or not, she ate a bunch in just an hour and when I came back, she asked for more."

Lucy laughed as well, "my God Levy! I can't believe you still have that kind of body even after you gave birth, well anyway that's how your baby girl got this sweet?!"

Levy shot Gajeel a glare, "it was suppose to be a secret you know! Uhh, that was so embarrassing. I never wanted anyone to know how large my appetite is when it comes to sweets."

Gajeel shrugged as he shook his head, "I can't believe how large her appetite is despite her small figure." He turned to his daughter and asked, "do you love sweets like mommy?"

"Gail loves sweets too!" Gail said in a third person making them remember of a certain blue haired girl who they have not seen for almost a week now, as well. "Can I have a bite mommy?"

"Of course munchkin," Levy sliced a piece and happily fed her daughter who, judging by how she looks right now, enjoys the food she's eating.

"I think she got your appetite," Gajeel grinned at his wife who nudged him at his stomach. "I'm serious though."

"Shut your mouth Gajeel," Levy rolled her eyes. "Do you want some more?" She asked Gail who furiously nodded.

They delightfully continued to talk and eat at the same time since it's the first after a week. Lucy enjoyed the company of her friends and was quite sad when they had to say their goodbyes. "Juvia and Erza should really come with us next time!"

"Oh I'll give them a call later, I'm sure they won't be able to resist anyway!" Levy said with a smile before entering their family car. "Oh Lu-chan, about the date you and Sting will have, be sure to tell me all about it later okay?"

"Yes mother," Lucy jokingly said and waved the Redfox family goodbye. "Must be nice having your own family," she muttered to herself before walking to the company she's currently working on. Though her family has their own companies, after she took down the offer her father gave to her as being the president, they went bankrupt but instead of being sad, this made Lucy happy because this is the reason why her happy is lively unlike when they were rich.

People who recognize her greeted her, after all she's pretty popular and made into the newspapers and magazines because of her friends. Well, the main reason is because of her winning different awards when in high school and college and also, her fiancé is one of the most popular and well known actors in France.

When she felt a buzz on her pocket, she quickly took her phone out and was about to read the message when she accidentally bumped into someone. "Can't you walk properly and not bump into a person? Especially me?"

She recognized that voice and quickly look up, she instantly glared at the pink-haired man in front of her and huffed. "Stop being an ignorant prick, you knew you're going to bump into me then why didn't you avoid me then?"

"Why don't you stop being a bitch and just apologize? You're seriously the one at fault here and not me," he said as his voice lingered bitterness upon meeting an old enemy. Well, Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia are known for their history as nemesis. Seriously, ever since they were kids they've been at each other's throats. And even now that they're adults... they still act like a children fighting for a toy. Nothing much had changed between them, still no friendly atmosphere.

Lucy rolled her eyes in annoyance, "as if I'd actually say sorry to an ass like you." She started to walk away and never dared to look back, but since she did not get another insult from her enemy, she take it that he does not have a time for another argument just like her.

From: Juvia

Good afternoon, Lucy! Just want you to know that we'll having a meet-up tomorrow, okay? ;)

Lucy giggled and instantly knew that Levy is the one behind all of this. Although two of her best friends are already married, that being said is Juvia and Levy. Anyway, they still find time with each others. They've been friends for so long so why waste it by cutting communications, right?

To: Juvia

Bring them along, okay?

After sending her reply, she didn't have to wait for another minute because she received Juvia's reply immediately.

From: Juvia

Okay! Well, Juvia needs to resume her work now, ciao!

Lucy didn't fail to notice that she still talked or texted in third person. Not like she can blame her, if Juvia didn't talk in third person then it's as if she's not Juvia. Lucy shrugged and dismissed the subject as she went inside the company. A co-worker immediately went to her and said, "Miss Lucy, great! Our boss wanted to see you right now."

Lucy nodded, "I see, I'll go right there immediately." After saying that, she quickly paced to the elevator and clicked the 10th floor. "Why would my boss call me?" She asked herself, completely confused. It must be for important matters, she thought to herself. He doesn't call me unless it's important anyway.

After getting out of the elevator, she walked to the direction of her boss' office and knocked three times. "It's Lucy Heartfilia, Mister Makarov." After telling him her name, the door opened and revealed a smiling, small, old man sitting on the boss' chair. "Good morning Mister Makarov," she said and bowed a little as respect for the company owner.

"Sit down Miss Heartfilia," Makarov said as kind as usual. Lucy didn't need to be told twice so she took the seat in front of Makarov. "You've been working 10 hours straight when it should be just 7 hours, am I right? You also work 7 days when it should only be 6."

Lucy shifted her gaze and nervously smiled. "Uhm yes, I just love my work Sir. I don't stress myself that much so it's fine, I think." That's half of the truth of course, it's been months since she started working herself over time and she, herself, doesn't know what's the cause but she's sure as hell is stressed. Well, she truthfully loved her job so she didn't really mind but still.

"You know that's worth a month leave," Makarov pointed out and let out a chuckle as he noticed how nervous his one of the best employees, is right now. "I just thought you needed a vacation, Lucy. I've known you since you were born and your parents will seriously flood me with notices once they knew about you always over-exerting yourself."

Lucy bit her lip and immediately thought that he has a point. She did not say a word though, seeming as if Makarov will talk once again. "If you want to have a time off, you can have a month-long leave."

Her chocolate brown eyes widened as her mouth hanged open before composing herself once again. "M-Month? I can have a vacation for a month?" She let out a light laugh and shook her head, "I don't think I can take that offer, Sir Makarov. But let me think about it because you really are right about me always in an overtime."

Makarov grinned and nodded. "I always am. Anyway, my other point is that this company has many employees and workers. But you are one of my best employees here, Lucy. So if you ever get sick, it might be the downfall."

Lucy giggled at her boss' sense of humor. "I should take my leave now Sir, I have papers to read and take presentation in. But for the offer, thanks again. I'm going to think about it." I think it's a no though, she thought.

"Just tell me when you want to take it," Makarov said and Lucy bowed once again as she went out of the office with a relieved sigh. Well, she thought she made a mistake or whatsoever so of course she's hella nervous.

Once she went inside the elevator, she heard her ringtone that made her to quickly take it outside and answered it happily when she saw that the caller is none other than her fiancé, Sting. "Hey," she greeted as a smile plastered on her lips though she knows he can't see it.

"Dinner later?" He asked from the other end of the line. "We have to talk some important matters, dear."

Lucy couldn't help but to giggle. "Yes Hun, so what time will you fetch me and where are we going to have dinner anyway?"

"It won't be a surprise if I told you, aye?" He asked and a chuckle followed. "Be ready before 7. Well, that's all. See you later, I'm really busy right now and I just want to remind you so... yeah."

Lucy let out a playful huff, "yes okay I understand. Well, bye. See ya." After that, Sting cut the call as Lucy couldn't help but to feel disappointed. Not even an 'I love you' huh? She asked herself and when she realized what she thought, she immediately shook her head to dismiss the subject from her mind. "Hm, I'm going to surprise him later then," she smiled as she thought of a plan.

🌴 Vacation 🌴

"I'm going to take my leave now," she stood up with a smile plastered on her pretty, little face. Her co-workers couldn't help but wonder because in the first time in forever, Lucy took her leave earlier than all of them. Though they didn't complain because they knew how much leave Lucy has.

After going out of the company, she immediately met up with Erza who had been waiting for her for almost an hour now. "Here's the cake," she beamed and the look in her eyes says she wants a cake too. Typical Erza, of course.

"Thanks Erza!" Lucy hugged her who didn't hesitate to hug her best friend back. "So it's been awhile, eh? Oh, tomorrow we'll have a meet up. You're coming right?"

Erza smiled at the delighted Lucy, "of course. I would never miss it for the world you know."

Lucy let out a laugh, "more like you would never miss the dessert for the world."

They continued to walk and Lucy couldn't help but notice how light-headed she is. Ugh wrong timing! Tension headache sucks, she thought and acted like nothing hurts as she continued to walk besides Erza. She's skilled when pretending to not be hurt, physically she can but mentally? Nope.

They were exactly in front of the hospital when Lucy stopped walking. In front of her is something she hated to see, well not exactly in front of her because what she saw is exactly meters away from where they're standing. She dropped the cake and Erza looked worried, not for the cake but for Lucy, of course. "Are you okay, Lucy?"

"Sting..." she breathed out and Erza didn't exactly heard the other words that came out. Without another word, Lucy felt her world collapsed as so is her body only making up with the terrified scream of Erza.

❀ Sneak Peak for Vacation's Chapter 02 ❀

"He deserves to die, love. He deserves to die."

"I solemnly agree to her," Gajeel glared at the nothingness.

Jellal smirked, "should we kill him secretly then?"

Final Word Count: 3424