CHAPTER 7: ANNIVERSARY
A/N: Last day... Thank you to everyone who stayed until the end!
BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
It was that time of the year again. Gray and Juvia are in their room, packing their bags. The train would leave in a few hours and they didn't want to be late.
It has become their tradition to go out of town when it's their anniversary. The first time they did was a few years ago, a month after Gray gave Juvia his answer. The ice mage asked the water mage to go on a "mission" with him, where they went to Crocus and spent the whole day there, sightseeing.
Ever since that day, they took turns in planning for their "anniversary trip". And when they got married, the places they went to became more special—Tenroujima, Akane Resort and even Rainfall Village—where they just spend a day or two walking around or simply lazing around in their room, talking about anything and everything: from the food Gray wants to eat to the names of their future children.
This year, it was Gray's turn again. Usually, he tells Juvia the place they would be going to the day before so she could prepare beforehand. But this time, he insisted that it was a surprise and just told Juvia to bring the usual stuff she packs whenever they travel. Juvia looks unconvinced, but still packed. There is one thing that she's unsettled about, though.
"Gray-sama, are you sure you wanted Eira to come along?" Juvia asked as she took out another bag—dark blue with pink butterflies—and started folding neatly their daughter's clothes, "You said last time that she's too young to travel, even when Juvia said that it's fine."
Gray stopped packing for a moment and approached Juvia. He sat on the bed and took her hands in his.
"Juvia, it's fine. Besides, I'll worry if we leave her here. And she will cry once we were gone. And you know I can't stand seeing her cry," he pointed out. Juvia nodded. Last time they both left for a mission and entrusted their daughter to Lucy, their baby wailed and kept fussing in Lucy's arms. Gray swore his heart broke as he took Eira from Lucy and rocked her to sleep. They nearly missed their train because of that.
"To be honest, I really wanted Eira to come along. The place where we are going to is probably the most special place we'll ever go," Gray said.
Juvia's eyebrows shot up, "Really?" she asked, surprised. Gray nodded and resumed packing, "And you're not telling Juvia, are you?"
Gray chuckled, "You'll find out soon. Now, let's finish up. We'll miss the train."
An hour later, they were walking towards the train station, with Gray holding their bags while Juvia had Eira in her arms, still asleep. It was just 6AM, as it was still a little dark out.
When they arrived at the station, Gray bought their tickets at the booth while Juvia waited. She felt her little girl stir in her arms and when she looked at her, Eira was blinking her blue eyes sleepily. Smiling, Juvia adjusted her hold to her as she kissed her forehead.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." She whispered. Her daughter grinned and made sounds as she wriggled in her mother's arms.
"She's awake?" Gray asked as he approached them. He smiled softly when he saw his daughter, "Hello, baby. Did you sleep well?" he kissed Eira's cheek and she giggled. Gray laughed at the action. "Now, let's go."
The trip was very long and Juvia and Eira slept most of the time. Gray had their daughter in his arms while Juvia leaned to him, using his shoulder as a pillow. When he saw that they arrived at their destination, he kissed Juvia's forehead and whispered for her to wake up.
When they got off the train and Juvia saw where Gray had taken them, she was speechless.
It was the town of Moonriver—the only town near White Plains, Gray's hometown.
Stunned, she turned to Gray, who was looking at her nervously. He cleared his throat and started to explain, "Uh, I thought of my hometown as the place we'll go to for our anniversary this year because, well, we haven't been here for a while and I figured that you might want to visit our parents. And I thought it's time for Eira to meet her grandparents. She won't be seeing them, but I really want her to meet—"
He was cut short when Juvia moved to hug him, careful not to squash their daughter between them, who was staring at her parents solemnly.
"Thank you for bringing us here, Gray-sama. You're right. It's the most special place to celebrate our anniversary. Our whole family is here with us to celebrate this day. What more could Juvia ask for?"
She smiled at him as she released him and tiptoed to give him a kiss, "Happy anniversary, Gray-sama. I love you." She said.
Gray smiled back at her and their daughter. "Happy anniversary, Juvia. I love you too." He replied.
He turned to their daughter, "And you, baby girl," he said as he tickled their daughter, who laughed, "Thank you for being born. Now let's go and see your grandparents. I'm sure they're excited to meet you. But first," he took Juvia's hand in his and started to lead the way, "Let's drop off our stuff at the inn and change into something warm. It's colder up there this time and I don't want you two getting sick. Otherwise, mom and dad will haunt me in my sleep," he joked.
Juvia laughed and tightened her hold on Gray's hand, "You're scared," she teased.
Gray snorted, "It's our anniversary. I don't want to see apparitions, especially our angry and doting parents, on this day, for making you and their granddaughter sick."
Both laughed as they continued walking. So far, it's their best anniversary ever.
-owari
-gltnfls
