Disclaimer: I do no own Fairy Tail

Enjoy:))

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Chapter 11 – Birthday

It had been two days. Two days since this man from Germany came and 'attacked' Lucy, two days since another dark part of her father's doings reached her, two days since she saw Natsu.

He told her that he would stay with her, that he wouldn't leave her again after this, even that he would take her with him to the office but she told him she would be fine.

Kate had moved in, or at least kinda, and she never really was alone. Not only because there were guards positioned at their house.

The broken window had been repaired by now.

Lucy would have liked it more if there were no guards but Kate insisted on it.

But now since they still had the Portaloona case on and they still didn't make any progress with this Steiner... They both barely where here.

They had a lot to do, Lucy knew that but still... Today was her birthday. She didn't expect anything from Kate, and also nothing from Natsu.

She was impressed enough that he remembered. This morning when she was still half asleep, he had to go to the office with Kate but before he left the bed he hugged her tightly and breathed a kiss on her forehead.

'Happy Birthday, sweetheart', he had said and Lucy only smiled since it was enough for her.

And yet she kinda wished for something. Not something material. She rather wanted... Well maybe a simple dinner with her boyfriend at her 18th birthday.

Levy had called already, just like Erza and Gray. Even Gajeel wrote her a message.

She even received a call from an old friend of her mother and two old friends from Oakland from her High School.

She was happy... But also sad.

She would never blame Natsu or Kate for not spending the day with her. No, Lucy wouldn't do something as selfish as that... But she still felt a numbness in her heart. Something that told her that all of this just didn't sit right.

With a sigh she left the bed and walked over to the bathroom, taking a long, hot shower.

-o.O.o-

''Hey, guys! Glad you could make it!''

Natsu's smile was brighter than usual, Erza recognized immediately. It was warmer, more honest in a way. After he called her two days ago to tell her what happened she had completely freaked out and wanted to come over with the next flight so they wouldn't be alone but he refused and said that it was better for them all to say in Oakland.

But then when she called yesterday evening because of Lucy's birthday she was surprised to hear that he had planned something and wanted them all to come and spend the day with them together.

''Sure thing. Like we'd miss Lucy's birthday.''

Levy was giggling at Gajeel's side when he only grunted. All these friendly meetings just weren't his thing and yet he always pulled along, most of the times for Levy.

''Where is she?''

''Home. I told her that I had to work the whole day at the office.''

Erza shot him a glare which made his grin only brighter. Reckless as ever.

''How could you? She must be sad.''

''But that's the point. She isn't expecting anything so when she sees all you guys she will be even more happy!''

Made sense, to all of them.

Gray laughed at that.

''I bet you only invited us so you don't have to buy a present since we are your present.''

He hit his back, hard but laughed when he saw Natsu's dumbfounded expression.

He then crossed his arms and looked away.

''Pah! Like I'd do something like that. Of course I have something for her.''

''Aww, Natsu thought about something, how cute~''
''Levy!''

All laughed when they walked down the stairs from the office where the group came to pick Natsu up and left for the new house.

-o.O.o-

The door bell rang and Lucy was faster down the stairs than anyone could blink. She opened the door but she was only greeted with one of the guards who smiled at her in his hands a big present.

So she was even receiving gifts from the police officers but not from her boyfriend.

How great her future life would be.

''Thank you.''

Lucy smiled kindly and took the present out of the guard's hands.

''This came with the post. We checked it and it does not seem to be dangerous.''

With the post...

Lucy's smile brightened when she thought that it might be from Levy.

''Thanks again.''

The girl was eagerly carrying the parcel upstairs and placed it on the bed.

She practically ripped it open. On top of the in silk wrapped present was a little note.

'I hope this will sweeten your birthday a bit'

Lucy was so excited. It was a printed note but she did not give it a second thought.

Levy must have had her reasons.

When she unwrapped the present though the air left her lungs. She could not believe what she was holding in her hands.

This was definitely not a present from Levy.

''Natsu... You naughty idiot.''

With a total red face Lucy put the present back into the carton and hid it in the shelf in the bathroom.

If he was making such a surprise she would also surprise him in the evening.

-o.O.o-

''Okay, are you all ready?''

The whole group sat in Natu's car and looked at him all with big smiles on their faces. They all held birthday candles which they handed over to Levy so she could put them on their self made cake for Lucy.

Levy concentrated hard, nibbling at her lip like she always did when she was thinking about something. Gajeel looked at her lovingly.

''Almost.''

Natsu nodded and left the car.

''Wait here until I give you the sign.''

Erza laughed and rolled her eyes.

''Natsu we talked this through a thousand times. Go see her now, she must be waiting.''

–o.O.o-

Natsu slowly entered the house. He told the guards that it would be fine to go home now since it was already evening and they were enough if something were to happen but he highly doubted that. Steiner was at the office and another threat was not known to them.

He hoped that it would stay that way.

What he recognized when he entered the house was that no light was on.

Maybe Lucy was already sleeping but that was unlikely. It was merely 7 o'clock in the evening.

''Lucy?''

''Hm.''

Natsu chuckled when he heard her sleepy voice from the living room. He walked over and leaned against the door frame.

Lucy was lying on the couch, tightly wrapped in one blanket, a bottle of wine stood on the table. It was empty.

''So now you are drinking when I'm not home?''

His voice sounded a bit cheesybut he was also a bit worried. Why would she drink?

''Well, it's my birthday...''

Now the blonde sat up. Her hair was a mess and it seemed that she had been sleeping a bit since her eyes were merely open.

''And I was all alone, so I thought I could toast to myself, you know.''

When Natsu came over to her and set down on the arm rest she stupidly smiled up at him.

''If you get drunk from one bottle of wine I can never go on a party with you.''

''Pfff, Natsu. I am not drunk.''

They both laughed since they knew that she was at least a bit tipsy. She lulled and her voice was a bit squeaky.

The boy leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

''Happy birthday.''

''You already said that.''

Again, Natsu chuckled a bit.

''Yeah... But now I have the real present for you.''

Lucy's eyes opened a bit more confusion written over her face.

''Another present.''

''Aw, come on Lucy. That this morning was not my birthday present for you. I thought a bit about something to show you how much I love you.''

He took her hand and pulled her up against him, pulling her into a deep kiss.

Lucy smiled.
''You show me every day how much you love me.''

Natsu only grinned at her and made her follow him. In front of the door he stopped and turned around looking at her.

''Ready?''

Lucy only nodded.

-o.O.o-

''Levy are you ready?''

''Yup.''

She was the last one to get out of the car. The boys had already pushed the two wooden boards for the little banner on which was written 'Happy birthday to our dear Lucy' in the ground in front of the main door. Erza was busy attaching the birthday lights to it.

Now only Levy was missing with the cake.

They heard Natsu and Lucy come over to the door.

Gray was fast lightening all the candles on the cake and Erza just switched on the birthday lights when the door opened and Natsu came out with Lucy close behind him.

He fast stepped aside and let Lucy see their friends and the little surprise they had for her.

Lucy did not really comprehend what was happening when they all started to sing for her but she was already crying.

She was so happy to see all her friends after that long time. It was not really long but it felt like an eternity. And now they were here and she expected everything from Natsu but not this. That he thought about this and made it happen that she was able to spend her birthday with all of her friends and him was one of the biggest presents she could receive today.

''Guys...''

Levy was first to hug her friend tightly. She gave the cake Gajeel who was only grinning at the two girls.
''You shouldn't cry on your birthday.''

Levy pulled away and wiped her tears with her pullover what only made Lucy cry more. Her mother used to do the same when she was crying. But that thought right now did not make her sad it made her happy.

They all came up to hug her and congratulate her. When she was picked up by Gajeel and swirled around in the air slightly her head rested on his shoulder and she made eye contact with Natsu.

She breathed a little 'Thank you' over to him and he only nodded with a smile.

A sudden loud exploding noise ripped them all out of their happy mood, Natsu and Lucy both startled more then the others.

To their surprise Kate came from the back side of the house with an open champagne bottle the froth running out of it.

''Sorry. It was a bit bumpy to get here.''

They were all laughing. Kate took Lucy into a tight hug in which she stayed longer than she needed. Kate gave her a lovingly and warm feeling whenever she was around her. It always felt like she had been there all the time taking care of them.

''Let's go inside.''

All of them followed and seated in the living room.

-o.O.o-

''Ahh, this reminds me of our sleepover.''

Erza lulled a bit too loud.
''Erza keep it down a bit.''

Gray snorted back what only made all of them laugh. They had already eaten the whole cake and were drinking non stop. Kate tried at first to hold back since she had to work tomorrow – she gave Natsu the day off so he could enjoy Lucy's birthday without any worry – but after these kids were going on her nerves too much she decided that it had been way to long since she really enjoyed an evening under the week. And all her collegues often came to work with a hangover.

''You had a sleepover without me, Lucy?''

Lucy and Levy were cuddling on the couch like sisters and now Levy looked totally dumbfounded over to Lucy who only giggled like an idiot.

''Yeah. But that was before we really became friends. I already told Natsu that we had to do one again this time with you and Gajeel.''

''I'm too old for that!'' Snorted Gajeel with a little smirk seeing his girlfriend so utterly drunk.
''Lucy, I love you!'' The little girl cried out and hugged her friends tightly completely ignoring the remark of Gajeel.

''Hey. That's my line.''

All of them bursted into laughter. The evening was perfect. It was so much fun and they all came along just well with Kate and she also seemed to like these teens.

It was a very beautiful present Natsu made there. Lucy looked over to him lovingly and closed her eyes when Levy hugged her so tightly. This was what she needed right now. This and nothing else.

-o.O.o-

The evening slowly turned to it's ending. They were all tired and drunk.

Gajeel, Levy, Erza and Gray were staying at a hotel not far away from Kate's house so she took them with her. Lucy and Natsu told them that they could sleep here without any problems but they all said that the two of them were allowed to have some 'alone time' now what made both of them blush.

They were still againts Kate driving while being under the control of alcohol but she admitted that she often did that and knew what she was doing.

And if Kate wanted something it often was the bigger mistake trying to stop her.

Natsu and Lucy waved a goodbye at the door and waited until they were gone.

Lucy sighed contently.

''Thank you Natsu. This was the best present you could have given me.''

She breathed a little kiss on his cheek and slowly went upstairs what made Natsu look at her a bit confused.

''Now I have something to thank you.''

''But it's your birthday not mine.''

He evilly smirked when he caught up to what she meant.

''So what?''

She was already upstairs. Natsu followed fast and waited in their bed room for her to come back.

She entered the room a bit shyly, covered in a bathrobe. The pink haired teen sat patiently on the bed smiling at her and giving her all the time she needed.

He knew that she was always a bit shy when it came to those things but in the end she turned out to be a little naughty girl.

Lucy walked over to the bed, being nervous since Natsu followed her every move. She had told him that she had this little surprise but did he already know what she was wearing for him...

Of course he would know so there was no reason to hide that anymore.

Slowly Lucy let the bathrobe fall to the ground where it gathered around her feet.

''Wow.''

Natsu was only able to breathe that out since he had expected everything but not that.

She was wearing underwear he had never seen before a beautiful purple bra with laces and matching panties which were connected with little clasps to her white knee length socks which had laces at the end and which you could see through.

''Eh. Lucy... That's really hot.''

Lucy immediately turned completely red and covered herself in shame.
Why did she think that she was ready for something like this on the second time. More important why did he even bought something like this for her?

He stood in front of her and slowly guided her arms away from her body pulling her closer.

''Really. You look amazing.''

The way he was looking down to her with his dark, inviting eyes made her melt in no time.

She pushed herself up and kissed him passionately to which he only responded by pulling her even closer making her move with him back to the bed where he sat down again and made her sit on his lap.

The position was knew to her but at the same time very comfortable. She actually always felt comfortable with him another reason why she could always fall in love with him all over. No matter what he always knew what she needed.

Lucy deepened the kiss when she leaned more over him and pulled his face even closer to his, her hair was falling around their heads. His hands were around her waist to keep her in place, her legs on either side of his body.

She retreated slightly when his one hand moved up and ran tenderly over her exposed skin of her back. Lucy closed her eyes in delight and enjoyed the little kisses he was placing over her neck and shoulders.

''But Lucy...''

''Hmm.''

He kissed her again and nibbled slightly at her flesh making her suck in a breath.

''Why did you buy something like this?''

Not sure if it was his remark or the way his one hand had travel further down her sides, Lcuy froze and looked at him shocked.

''Wait... What do you mean?''

Now Natsu was the one to be confused.

''Ehm. I mean I know your underwear and I know that you do not possess anything like this.''
Now Lucy stood up and looked around in the room nervously.

''So that means you did not buy this for my birthday?''

Her boyfriend stood up and walked over to her seeing how completely messed up she suddenly was.

''No I did not. Lucy what's wrong with you?''

Now she looked at him, nibbling on one of her fingers. How was she supposed to explain this? How in god's name could something like this destroy this beautiful day – again she was not allowed to have just one normal day. They were never allowed to have one – so it seemed.

''This parcel came this morning with the post... I, I thought that maybe you send it as a present since no sender was on it... It could not have been from Levy or Erza since they would have mentioned it and Kate would never dare to give me something like this. So I thought that it was your present but it's obviously not.''

This was impossible. Sting was still at the police station and this Steiner was also send to prison who would pull such a prank like this.

Lucy's phone rang what pulled both of them out of their thoughts. The blonde hesitantly picked up, the number on her display was unknown to her.

''Hello?''

A dark and elder voice answered.

''You look great. I was hoping for you to like my present.''

Lucy started to shake a bit and looked around in the room angered but also scared.

''Who are you?!''

She demanded with the strongest voice she could bring up. If this man knew how she looked like he was probably watching them right now. Fast, she went over to the window and closed the curtains.

Natsu picked up to that and ran down looking around the house if he could find someone but no one was there.

It did not make Lucy as nervous as she thought when he left the room. He came back after a good minute.

''You will not find me. I am too far away.''

''Who are you!''

Lucy said again this time through gritted teeth a lot louder than before. Natsu stood beside her and grabbed her hand since she it was almost bleeding that hard was he foisting it.

''Give me your boyfriend.''

''No.''

''Lucy. You should do what I say.''

Lucy sarcastically laughed.

''I could just hang up you know.''

''But don't you want to know who I am and what I want?''

With a frustrated groan she gave her phone Natsu.

''He wants to talk to you.''

With a serious expression Natsu took the phone from her hand.

''What do you want.''
The man laughed.

''I want my brother out of prison. You see he had done nothing wrong. He just wanted to get what belonged to him.''

Natsu cursed and mumbled something that sounded like an insult.

''Ah, so you already know who I am. Tell your little girlfriend that I won't leave her alone until my brother gets free.''

''I swear if you as much as look at her-''

But the man already hung up.

''Natsu?''

Natsu sighed and kissed the top of her head.

''Sorry your birthday had to turn out like this.''

''Who was that man?''

Natsu looked away a bit guilty. But she was not mad. Deep down she had actually expected something to go wrong, especially today.

''He is Steiner's brother and wants him out of prison.''

''But... That's impossible Natsu he had done a lot of criminal things... Not to forget that he wanted to kidnap me.''

He was already holding her shoulders knowing that she probably would break something if she thrilled out now.

''Hey, I know, okay. I know. And I will not let this man out of prison nor will I let his sick brother get close to you.''

Natsu went over to his side of the bed and dialed a number on his phone.

''What are you doing?''

''Calling Kate. She will get you to a safe place for now.''