A/N: I have a question but it's at the end of this chapter! Enjoy chapter 4 though!

When I enter my house it's eerily quiet. It's been like this since mom passed, my mood instantly changes from being happy and excited to remorse and resentment. I feel like I could've done something to save her… Everyone kept telling me it wasn't my fault but I think otherwise.

I shake the dark thoughts plaguing my mind and head up to my father's room. I knock and then enter as usual.

"Hello father" I nod curtly

He brightens up when he sees me and I can see the life slowly seeping away from his grips. He's gotten a lot thinner and when he reaches his hand to hold mine all I feel is cold hard bone covered with the thinnest sheet of skin. Tears start forming in my eyes when he meekly starts to talk

"Lucy, my daughter how I've missed you"

I nod my head and stand straighter with a determined look on my face. If I couldn't save my mother but I could at least grant my father his final wish, even if it means I will be miserable for the rest of my life.

"Father I accept"

He tilts his head to the side confused and then I can see understanding light his features and he flashes me a huge grin that melts my heart and almost makes me forget that he is ill.

"I knew you'd come to your senses. I'll set up a date when you and Natsu can have some dinner and go through the details" He looks so excited that I force myself to think of the positive things that will come out of this arrangement, like the look on my father's face right now. Money can never buy the joy that his smile brings to me especially after him being distant when mother passed.

"Father if you'll excuse me the girls are coming for a sleep over. I'll be back soon, you just get some sleep" I hug him and when I finally stand he has already fallen asleep. It kills me when I walk out of that room and as soon as the doors close behind me I rush to my room and head into the shower not even bothering to take my clothes off as I open the cold water and sink to the floor.

I don't notice the tears that drip down my face mixing with the pouring ice, cold water falling over me. I sit there and sob when I hear a few mumbled voices and then a knock on the door while it creaks slowly open.

"Lu-Chan?"

When the petite girl sees me sitting on the floor of the shower she rushes over to me and hugs me while closing the water and I just sob into her arms.

"Lu-Chan what's wrong? Why are you crying? We've been waiting for you for almost 30 minutes now so I decided I should check to see if there's anything wrong. Are you hurt?"

I shake my head my voice trembling as I speak "I-its n-nothing Levy"

She frowns at that "We'll talk about it when you get all nice and dry before you catch a cold. How long have you been sitting in there for?"

I shake my head and then shrug my shoulders unaware of the passing time. If Levy said that they had arrived about 30 minutes ago I must've been there for at least an hour.

Levy leaves me in the bathroom as she runs into my bedroom and gets out some pyjamas that I can wear. I hear some mumbling before she comes back in and hands me the fresh pair of clothes and a towel.

"We'll be outside if you need us" She says giving me one last hug before exiting the bathroom.

I don't realize how cold I really am and quickly shed the wet clothes sticking to my body. I put on the white oversized t-shirt and some black pyjama shorts that Levy brought to me. I quickly take out the soggy bow from my hair and put the wet clothes on my counter besides the sink. I get a spare black hair tie from one of my drawers and tie my hair up in a high ponytail. I take a deep breath in and then exit the bathroom knowing that the girls will probably bombard me with questions.

Levy hops up from the pile of blankets that they have arranged on the floor and goes over to my side.

"Lu-Chan are you feeling better?" I hear the concern laced in her voice and nod gratefully at my best friend.

"I have a lot to talk about so why don't we sit down" I say while heading over to the big pile of blankets and see that Juvia, Wendy and Charle have already tucked themselves in with a huge soft blanket covering the three of them.

I plonk down into the bed of blankets and Levy joins me.

"Go on Lucy-San we want to know what's been happening to you lately. I mean it kinda started after you and Natsu kissed" Wendy giggles and I can't help but smile at her contagious happiness.

"Juvia would like to hear more about what happened with Juvia's love rival and Natsu"

I sigh "Girls there's nothing going on between me and Natsu… But I finally agreed to what my father has in mind. I decided that I will marry Natsu." I say with finality looking at their reaction.

"Lu-Chan you're not forced into this you know, we'll always be here for you"

I look at Levy "I know. But my father is ill and I want to fulfil one of his wishes because… Well because I let him down once and I won't do it again"

"Lucy-San It wasn't your fault that your mother died" Wendy says quietly drawing the blanket up further to her face.

"I know that now but after years of blaming myself I want to do something to my father before he-"My voice cracks and I swallow the sob that is trying to come out. "Before he passes too. The only living family member I have left is him." I finally finish looking down.

"Lu-Chan I know this isn't ideal but Natsu isn't a bad guy"

I blink back the fresh set of tears that are trying to come back out and say in a shaky voice "I-I know and I-I'm terrified that I won't be the person he sees. That I won't look up to his expectations because I'm broken and I can never be mended. My heart has already been broken too many times and I can't lose someone else. Especially Natsu. I know that for the past year I pushed him away after the Grand magic games but it's not because we beat them. It's because he was getting too close and I was afraid to let him in." I finally finish.

Levy holds my hand "I know. We knew since a long time that you liked Natsu. Lu-Chan Natsu isn't just a quick fuck and go, he's in it for the long haul"

Hearing Levy talk like that instantly makes an unexpected laugh burst out from me and Juvia and Wendy soon join in but poor Levy looks confused.

"Lu-Chan was it something I said?" She says frowning and I can't help but laugh harder.

"I-It's N-nothing Levy! I just, you hardly e-ever swear!" I say laughing again and then she starts to join in. Throughout the rest of the night we start talking about more light hearted conversations until they bring up the topic of boys again.

"Gray-Sama told Juvia that he loves Juvia's dress!" Juvia gushes

"I told you that Gray likes you Juvia" Wendy squeals back delighted

"Yukino and I planned a date slash not date for me and Sting so that Natsu could be jealous" I blurt out and then cover my mouth. Why do I always say things like this?

The girls gape at me and then Levy squeals

"Lu-Chan! Why didn't you say anything sooner! Oh my Mavis I am going to have to bring a camera with me because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!"

I blush "I shouldn't have told you at all" I grumble out and fold my arms over my chest. I then smirk "Speaking of boys, Levy darling how was Gajeel today?"

Levy blushes a bright pink staining her cheeks "He was nice… He asked me to go on a date with him"

"Levy-san why didn't you say anything!" Wendy says repeating Levy's earlier words which only makes the petite girl blush harder.

"It's nothing to be all excited about" Levy huffs out but I can see the excitement in her eyes.

"Don't worry Levy we won't say anything" I smirk and she only glares at me. I then yawn and check the time seeing that it's already past mid-night. "Okay lights out we've got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. I mean with the guilds annual party and everything."

"Good night Juvia's love rival" Juvia says and then gets up to close the lights. We all snuggle up in our blanket bed and then fall asleep.

The next time I wake up the sun is filtering through the window, I stretch and realize that I'm the last one still asleep and that the girls are no longer here. I groan and then go to my bathroom, brush my teeth, wash my face and then head down to the dining table which is where the girls probably went to.

When I walk down the steps I hear a deep voice but choose to ignore it. I keep walking down and head to the dining room first noticing the girls sitting on one side of the table but then I notice that two spaces at the end of the table are also all set up with a plate and utensils. I look at the table and notice two more plates on the opposite side of Wendy and Juvia. I look at the girls questioningly and they only awkwardly fumble except for Wendy who seems all happy.

"Good morning beautiful" A husky voice says from behind me the hot breath fanning at the back of my exposed neck.

"Kyaaa!" I squeal turning around sharply and come face to face with Natsu. I quickly walk away from him and hear the deep voice again coming closer. I look past Natsu and then see Igneel and my father walking slowly towards the table. I look at him surprised. It's been a while since I last saw my father standing on his own, but he still looks very ill. I push past Natsu and then go over to his side and help him get to his side of the table which is at the end.

"Good morning father" I say kissing his forehead while helping him sit down

"Good morning my daughter. As you can see I invited Igneel and Natsu over for breakfast, so that we could discuss some things before you head out to your party"

I nod and then sit at the chair directly from Juvia. Natsu sits next to me and Igneel sits on the other end of the table.

"So I heard that you accepted the offer. Natsu is a fine young lad" Igneel says laughing in a booming voice and Natsu awkwardly laughs with him. I stare at the two men and feel heat slowly creeping into my cheeks. I just want to get this breakfast over and done with.

"Lucy my dear, me and Igneel think that it's a fine idea to start planning the wedding-"My father is interrupted when Levy spits out some of her orange juice on herself.

"I'm so sorry, I'll get that cleaned up right now" Levy says rushing to wipe the few drops of juice that landed on the table.

"Its fine dear, did you choke on anything?"

"Huh? Um yea I did…" Levy says distractedly as she finishes and sits back down in her seat while stuffing a forkful of omelette in her mouth.

"Yes so as Jude was saying we thought since we don't know if this curse is going to stay or not we were thinking of planning the wedding tomorrow. Of course you and Natsu will be involved with what you want for your wedding" Igneel goes on blabbering and I wish I could tune everything out but it's hard when the subject of the talk is your own wedding!

"Yes, so that we can commence the wedding before the end of this month" My father finishes and gets a small piece of pancake to eat.

I stop the forkful of pancake going into my mouth and put it down as gently as I can without making a scene "This month?"

My father looks up at me "We are all well aware that my time is nearly up Lucy, if you want me to attend I suggest in two weeks' time"

"Two weeks?!" I barely conceal the shock that hits me in the face. I quickly collect myself and let out a quiet sigh

"Yes father" I push my plate further across the table while dabbing my mouth with a napkin. "I'm full so if you'll excuse me" I say and get up and walk outside. I hear someone following me and I'm guessing that it's probably Levy so I just let her.

I walk into the maze and sit in a little corner where my mom had arranged a little round table and two chairs. It's the only place I know in the maze, well not really if I go further in I will get lost. I sit in one of the chairs and look up only when Levy stands right in front of me, only it isn't Levy and its Natsu.

He tilts my chin up with his index finger "Lucy you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to"

I shake my head "No. I want to." For my father, I say in my head. When I look into his eyes I see them sad with unspoken emotions, sadness, hope, resentment and… love. I smile up at him although it doesn't reach my eyes "I'm fine Natsu, you can go back and eat. I'm surprised you left the table considering how much you don't like getting interrupted when eating" I half-heartedly joke.

It just makes him frown and I wonder why "Lucy, you know I'd give up eating altogether for you right?" Somehow the way he says it makes me not doubt any word that he said.

"I know" I whisper and then stand up. We are face to face and mere inches away from each other. I reach my hand out and cup his cheek. I feel the heat radiating off his body but don't move. I then do the unthinkable when I lean forward and capture his lips with mine. Our mouths meld together and after a minute of slowly kissing we begin to get bolder as the kiss gets more heated. I then feel Natsu put his arms on my hips as I reach out and link my arms behind his neck.

It feels like forever when we finally break apart panting. I lean my head on his, our forehead's touching. Finally Natsu speaks up "Lucy what are we doing?"

I smirk "The question is what are YOU doing?" I then walk away from him, leaving him once again standing in shock but then he quickly jogs up and joins me with a grin on his face. He puts an arm around my shoulder and I relax under the weight.

"Oh Luce, what am I going to do with you?"

I pout innocently at him "Shouldn't I be the one asking you?" He only laughs in return and I end up laughing with him.

When we get back to the table the air feels much lighter and I stuff myself with a much needed hearty breakfast.

When Natsu and Igneel leave, and I get my father back in his room and all comfortable we head up to my room. Erza joins us a while later with a one piece cat costume. We are currently getting ready for the party and I really don't know how well it's going considering the fighting that Erza and Levy are having… Over a stupid bandana!

"Levy the bandana goes to the side" Erza says calmly

"Okay, okay but I like it tied at the back! Plus it's the proper way" Levy mumbles the last part

"Fine do it your way but I'm telling you everyone will look at you funny"

"I get the vibe… Lu-Chan can we see your costume already you've been in the wardrobe for ages now!" Levy whines

"Yes Lucy-San! I bet you'll look like an actual princess" Wendy says sighing dreamily. If she really liked being a princess why didn't she get a costume for it? Oh well you can never tell with Wendy though.

I exit the my wardrobe and twirl in front of the girls

"Awww, Lu-Chan it looks gorgeous on you!"

"Yes, I agree Lucy you are a sight to behold" Erza nods. Wow that's a lot coming from her since the red head rarely gives out complements.

"Lucy-San, you look gorgeous!"

"Juvia agrees, although Juvia's ice Queen Costume will impress Gray-Sama more!" Juvia says while clasping her hands in front of her.

I look at the girls who are equally as gorgeous as me, well as gorgeous as a cat, biker chick and pirate can be although the ice queen looks pretty impressive.

"Charle also has a pirate costume!" Wendy squeals and picks up the uninterested cat

"Arrr…" Charle says sarcastically and we all laugh as Wendy puts her down.

I look in the mirror and adjust my crown. I look at the outfit and examine it carefully. It's all pink with some white and purple tulle. It has a lot of sparkles all over it and fits very close to my body accentuating my curves and breasts. I pull the bottom of the skirt down a bit, because it's probably shorter than anything I've ever worn before but luckily it has some cute shorts that match, at least it can cover my ass…

"Juvia thinks we should head out now because the party has already started and Juvia wants to show Gray-Sama Juvia's outfit"

We all nod and then head out for reasons other than the impress Gray that is. In the end I just opt to wear my pink converse shoes, I mean who knows how long the party will be and I can never stand longer than an hour in heels.

When we arrive the guild is bustling with noise. We enter and see that they have blocked all windows or any access of light and have opened some purple, blue and green lights that keep moving in time with the loud music booming over the noise. When the guild members notice our arrival they all gape at us many cat calling and hollering.

I look at the girls and nod my head signalling that it's time to get the show on the road and our plan into action. I mean although I'm on good terms with Natsu I can't help but have a little fun. I head over to the bar and order a Tequila. Mira looks at me confused

"Lucy, it's only 11:00 shouldn't you wait a little before we start handing out the tequila"

I shake my head at the white haired mage "Nope, I'm feeling extra energetic today but thank you for your concern Mira"

"Whatever you say Lucy" She smiles and hands me a small glass full of the liquid. I down it quickly the alcohol leaving a burning sensation in my throat. I cough a bit and then spot Gray two seats beside me, I look around for Juvia but there's no sign of her so I invite him next to me.

"Gray, I dare you to have a drinking contest with me. 4 shots in a row" I say the confidence from the tequila already starting to take effect because I'm actually a really light drinker. One drink can make me drunk, five drinks is probably a disaster waiting to happen but it's not like I always get drunk.

"You're on" Gray says while calling Mira over for a round of shots. She just shakes her head but obeys.

I feel so much lighter at the party already and I could definitely use all this alcohol in my system after the stress of the past few days. Mira comes back with eight tiny glasses and hands four to me and four for Gray.

I can feel a crowd gathering around us as we count down.

"5…4…3…2…1!" And then we start downing them. The burning sensation getting stronger with each one I drink. I finally finish and put my hands in the air but when I turn around to see Gray we end up in a tie.

"Oh well. Better luck next time pal" I get up and stumble to the dance floor, the alcohol taking full effect now. Sometimes I question why I drink at all, I mean sure with all the wedding talk I could use the numbness of the alcohol but I will probably regret this in the morning.

I shrug my shoulders and then head to the make shift dance floor. I start swaying my hips when I feel someone behind me. I don't care and end up grinding into them, but the person doesn't seem to mind as they only make a humming noise.

A/N: And there is chapter four! You know what i kind of don't have a posting schedule so i can't really say when the next chapter is going to be but maximum is 5-8 days. Thank you to everyone who reviewed it definitely helps me! Oh and to the guest who said that chapter 2 was 'royal' I didn't really understand what you mean't by that, like did you mean as how Lucy addressed her father? If so well i guess because she is rich and has gone to behavioral schools to teach her to always respect the elders and all that.

Anyways hope you enjoyed as per usual and i have a QUESTION for you guys, Do you want Lucy to have the fake 'date' with Sting or not? Like i'm not too sure if i should add that in yet. I'll make a vote if i get 4 or more people saying yes then i will add that in. Thank you once again to the people who reviewed, followed and Favorited because in the end that motivates me to write more.