A New Kind of Fairy Tale
Chapter 11: Happy Valentines Day!
A Valentine's Day Special
February 12, x792
It was a week until Valentine's Day and Natsu still had no clue what he would do for Lucy.
It was their sixth Valentine's Day as a married couple and for some reason, everyone was telling him that that occasion marked something particularly important. Something about "it's basically the same as a six-month anniversary," but Natsu didn't think there was anything all that important about that occasion either. Still, he knew he had to do something extra special, he just didn't know what!
He tapped a finger on his chin in thought as he tried to come up with some ideas. What would be special enough for their six-year Valentine's Day anniversary? And what the hell did that even mean? Did they sell greeting cards for that?
"Ah, shit, I forgot to buy a card!"
"Hi, Daddy!" Luna came running into the room and threw her arms around Natsu's neck when he bent down to kiss her.
"How's my girl?" he asked, booping her nose. Then, "You wanna help Daddy with something super extra special and secret?" he asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
The little girl's face lit up. "Yeah!" she squeaked excitedly. "I can!"
Natsu grinned. If he had a girl's opinion, surely nothing could go wrong.
"Hey, Luce!" Natsu called into their half-open bedroom. "I'm taking Luna shopping with me!"
"You're doing what?!" she called back.
"See ya later!" he shouted, dragging the little girl out the door with him before his wife could ask what they were doing.
"What is the super special secret, Daddy?" Luna asked as they walked through the streets. She sat on Natsu's shoulders, because she was too slow of a walker and he was in a hurry.
"Something for Mommy," he told her. "But you can't say a word! It's a super-secret!"
She giggled atop his head. "I'm a good secret keeper, Daddy!"
Natsu chuckled. "Yes, you're the best girl."
"Are we gonna get her a present for Valeeday?" she asked curiously.
"Valentine's Day," he corrected. "And yes. We need to do something extra special for Mommy. Think you can help Daddy?" He looked up at her.
She shot him a thumbs-up. "Aye, sir!"
Natsu laughed. "That's my girl. Let's see what we can find."
…
Meanwhile…
Lucy paced the floor of her bedroom, one hand on her stomach as she frowned at the floor.
What are you up to, Natsu Dragneel? she wondered, not for the first time. He had just left so abruptly, and he had taken her daughter with him! What was he doing?
Grrggg.
Lucy glanced down at her stomach, which was making audible hunger sounds. She sighed and decided to get something to eat while she waited for her husband to return.
She quickly made herself a sandwich, with some turkey, a slice of cheddar cheese, lettuce, and avocado. Sometimes she added pickles, but she wasn't feeling that particular condiment today.
After she cut her sandwich into triangles, she took it and a glass of cold orange juice over to the table. She ate and drank, all the while wondering why her husband was acting so secretive. A quick glance at the calendar, and the bright red heart drawn over the number 14, had Lucy spluttering in surprise, nearly choking on her orange juice.
"Crap! It's almost Valentine's Day! How the heck did I forget that?!"
In a flash, she threw on some clothes and was out the door, food forgotten. She had to get Natsu a gift—right now.
…
Natsu and Luna were perusing the different stores of Magnolia Mall, both equally determined and excited as they searched for a gift for Lucy. They had been to two other stores thus far and hadn't found the perfect gift yet, but they remained steadfast, continuing on through the various stores.
Luna skipped along at Natsu's side as he walked with purposeful strides toward his next destination, a store by the name "Lovelace" that sold scanty outfits, expensive perfumes, and some jewelery.
Natsu held Luna's hand as they entered the store, not even noticing the arched brow from the brunette behind the counter as he led them through the store, all the way to the back where they kept panties and other girly items he didn't have names for.
"What do you think of this one?" He asked his daughter, holding up a scrap of fabric he thought was supposed to be some kind of underwear.
Luna scrunched her face up with intense concentration as she scrutinized the item in Natsu's hand.
"Hm. Mommy doesn't really like to wear that stuff."
Natsu's eyes widened slightly. "Really? She has a whole drawer full of them…" he trailed off, trying to recall if this was true or not.
Luna sighed as if in exasperation to her father's statement. "Daddy, that's Mommy's junk drawer!"
"Her what?!"
"The drawer she keeps stuff she doesn't like, of course!" She rolled her brown eyes, reminding him of her mother, whose eyes Luna had inherited.
"Excuse me, Sir," someone asked from their right.
They both turned toward the new voice with similar expressions of annoyance at the interruption.
The brunette from the front looked uncomfortable, shifting on her feet and avoiding eye contact with either pinkette. "Um, Sir, this isn't really the place to bring children…" she trailed off, then cast a pointed look at Luna, who looked perplexed.
Natsu shared this feeling. He frowned at the woman. "Why not? She's helping me find something for my wife for Valentine's Day! Girls are allowed in here, right?"
"Well, yes, but—"
"Oh, I get it!" Natsu suddenly exclaimed. "Men aren't allowed in here! Why didn't you just say so?! Come on, Luna!" He tugged his daughter back out of the store, completely missing the man who had just walked in.
"Now, what?" Natsu asked. He was starting to lose incentive. Three stores and nothing seemed like 'Lucy' yet.
"Let's get her a pretty necklace!" Luna suggested, pulling at the moon-shaped pendant that rested on her neck.
"Nah. She already has a bunch of those and she doesn't even wear them." Natsu muttered in reply.
"How about a new dress? It could be pink and white and have lots of flowers on it because flowers are super pretty and Mommy likes flowers so I bet she'd like a dress with flowers! But what kind of flowers would they be? Oh, I bet they'd be pink too! Or blue! No, that wouldn't match. Maybe yellow? Or green? Pink and green go together, right, Daddy? Or the dress could be yellow and the flowers could be pink and blue and purple and the dress would look like the sun shining on the flowers, right, Daddy? And…"
And so she continued as they walked through the mall, passing store after store until Natsu finally found one he thought might suffice.
He grinned hugely and pointed toward the store. "Let's look in here, Loony Bird."
Luna followed his gaze, then shrugged in reply. "I can't read, silly Daddy! She giggled.
Natsu chuckled and scooped her up into his arms so he could move faster.
"Let's check it out."
…
Lucy stepped through the doors to Magnolia Mall, no real destination in mind, just determined to find her husband a gift for the special day. Valentine's Day never really meant anything to her before she married Natsu, but now it felt like a special day just for them. She wondered if all couples felt like that, or if it was just her and Natsu.
What should I even get for him? She wondered as she passed a few stores. Maybe I should have brought Gray or Jellal with me…
One store in particular caught her attention. She paused in front of it, looking up at the glittering red sign that read "Lovelace" in swirling black script.
Maybe I could wear something special for him?
"Whatcha doin' there, Mrs. Dragneel?"
Lucy spun around, both shocked and embarrassed at the person standing behind her. Why did he of all people have to find her standing in front of a lingerie store?!
"Uh, hi, Gildarts!" she greeted, feeling her cheeks heat at the amused smirk the man wore.
He stood across from her a few feet away, one eyebrow lifted, arms folded cross his thick chest, expression knowing.
"I'm just… going shopping!" she finished lamely.
Gildarts barked a laugh. "In that piece of shit store?" He gestured with his head at the store behind her. Her cheeks burned even hotter.
"I-I wasn't going to go in!" she lied. "I was just looking!"
"Sure," he agreed, in a tone that said he didn't believe her in the slightest. "And I'm not guild master." He chuckled.
"You're not," Lucy reminded him.
That brought him up short.
He blinked. "Well, not now," he agreed. "But I was."
His pouting lip reminded her of Natsu, which made her roll her eyes and shake her head.
"Right. Well, anyway I have to go find something…" she let the words trail off as a sudden thought came to mind. "Hey! Can you help me with something?"
His eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Me?" He pointed to himself.
She nodded. "Yeah, I need to find a Valentine's Day present for Natsu but I can't seem to come up with anything decent! I think it's this damn pregnancy brain," she rolled her eyes dramatically then rubbed her stomach for emphasis.
Gildarts chuckled. "Alright, kid. I guess I could lend you my expertise. I know a lot about the boy, after all! Besides, I'm a damn good gift giver!"
Lucy laughed. "Thanks! Where should we start…?" She looked around the immediate area.
"Right where you're at, Lucy," he pointed to Lovelace, the place Lucy had been about to go into when she ran into Gildarts.
Again, she blushed crimson.
"Wh-What? No way! That's so embarrassing!" She exclaimed, flustered at the thought of perusing a lingerie store with Gildarts of all people. What if Cana saw them in there together…
"Oh, come on now," he began ushering her inside, ignoring her protests. "You wanted my help, here's me helping you! I know what men like to see."
"Oh, Mavis…" she moaned, already regretting asking for the auburn-haired man's help. It couldn't possibly get any more embarrassing that this.
…
Natsu walked up to a house he had never once in his entire life willingly gone to—until that moment. He held Luna over his shoulder—she was fast asleep—and a small bundle under his other arm. Since both of his arms were occupied with fragile objects, he used his foot to bang on the door a few times, careful not to lose his balance and fall over.
He listened, and a moment later he heard footsteps padding down the stairs. He waited expectantly for the door to open, both eager and anxious.
When the door opened, the woman standing there looked understandably surprised to see him. "Natsu," Erza said carefully, almost suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"
"I…" Now he felt like an idiot. Could he really ask her of all people to help him with this? After all, this was an important task! He couldn't just ask anyone. "I need… your help." He choked the words out, and by the end they were barely audible.
She arched an eyebrow at him. "You need my help? With what?"
"Can I come in?" he asked, hating the way his voice squeaked at the end. He cleared his throat. "I mean, please?"
She didn't respond. Instead, she held the door open wider, then gave him an expectant look.
He hurried inside. "I need you to hide this for me until Valentine's Day." He explained once the door was safely closed behind them. "I can't risk Lucy seeing it before the day. Can you do that?"
Erza's eyes flicked to the bundle in Natsu's arms, then to Luna who was still sleeping, and back to Natsu. "I suppose I could help you out," she said at last.
Natsu breathed a sigh of relief, his lips pulling upward.
"On one condition."
His smile fell.
"You babysit Title for us on a date of my choosing, no matter what else is going on." She declared. She gave him a look that said he didn't have a choice in the matter.
He gulped and nodded. "Deal!" He passed her the bundle.
"Very well," she grinned an evil smile. "Do you want to stay awhile?"
He paled at the thought and shifted uncomfortably on his feet.
"Uh, Luce is expecting me back, and I need to get Luna home…" He trailed off, already backing toward the door. "But, thanks for your help!"
He pushed out the door and half ran down the sidewalk before Erza could stop him. He didn't stop until he reached their little home and burst through the front door.
"We're home!" He announced.
…
Lucy couldn't tell which was redder, her face or the piece of lace Gildarts dangled in front of her. It was almost a thong, she thought, but surely there was more to it… somewhere.
"Uh, I don't think I could wear that…" she muttered, then turned away from Gildarts to hide her blush.
"I bet Natsu would like it," he pushed, waggling his eyebrows, though she didn't see with her back turned.
"No." She said with finality.
Gildarts shrugged and tossed the fabric back into a pile, then grew thoughtful as he looked through a rack of lingerie sets.
"Hello!" Chirped a peppy-looking brunette. "Can I help you two with anything? I bet you're shopping for Valentine's Day! Oh, how romantic to come out here to shop together!" The woman was practically gushing, and all Lucy could do was stand there and gape in total embarrassment.
Oh, Mavis, she thinks Gildarts and I are a couple!
"Sure are!" Gildarts replied jovially. "I'm just helping my girl here find something extra spicy to wear for V-Day." He sent Lucy a wink.
She blushed even redder.
That idiot! She silently seethed. It wasn't even like he was trying to be suggestive, he was just so much like Natsu that sometimes his brain was as dense as a pile of sticks. She hoped that was the case that day, because the alternative was too disturbing to consider.
"That's so sweet of you!" Hearts danced in her eyes.
"We're not a couple!" Lucy exclaimed. She had heard enough of that. She stomped out of the store, not caring if Gildarts followed after her or not.
"Wait up, kid, what's the matter?"
Stupid Natsu Senior!
"Lucy, come on. You know I'm much faster than you," he warned as she sped up to get away from him. His footsteps fell evenly behind her, somehow managing to keep pace with her without skipping a step.
She kept up a steady pace until she reached the food court, and then plopped into a chair to rest her aching feet. They were starting to swell from so much walking.
"That was so embarrassing!" she whined, dropping her head into a hand. "I can't do things like that, Gildarts!"
He sat down across from her, expression perplexed. "Do what, wear lingerie for your man? Why the hell not? You're not seriously telling me you've never—"
Lucy cut him off before he could say something even more embarrassing.
"Shut up!" She hissed, then sighed. "Gildarts, I can't do that now."
He blinked over at her in confusion.
She sighed again. "I'm, you know, pregnant." She whispered the last word.
Understanding shone in his eyes.
"Oh. Right." He scratched the scruff on his chin uncomfortably. "Um, well I don't think Natsu is the kind of man who would care about that kinda thing."
"...you don't?" she murmured.
"Nah!" He waved a hand of dismissal. "He may be a little stubborn and more than a little stupid, but he's a good man. He's done well by you, and you and I both know how much he loves you. He would never think badly of you, no matter if you're knocked up or not."
Lucy sputtered a laugh and wiped tears from her eyes. "Thanks, Gildarts. But I don't think that's the right gift for Natsu."
"Maybe not," Gildarts agreed with a shrug. "But it could still be fun." He winked.
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Come on, I have one last idea."
…
"We're home!" Natsu announced, then frowned at the darkened room before him. "Huh, guess she went out."
He shrugged and flicked on the light in the living room. He then carried his daughter into her room and lay her down, pulling the covers up to her chin and kissed her forehead.
Natsu paced the length of the living room. It wasn't late, but it wasn't exactly early. Luna would probably wake them up at the crack of dawn tomorrow because he put her to bed so early, but that wasn't what had him so anxious.
Where was his wife? It was nearing eight in the evening, and Lucy never stayed out that late without him. What was she doing out so late?
Maybe he should go find her…
No, he had Luna to take care of.
Maybe he could have Happy go look for her!
No, he was on a trip with Carla and Wendy.
Gray?
He laughed out loud at the thought.
Never.
Just as he was actually considering calling Mira to come watch Luna while he went to search for his wife, Lucy finally walked through the door, looking exhausted and flushed.
He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms, kissing her lips, her cheeks, her eyes, her neck, anything his lips could touch.
"Natsu," Lucy giggled, struggling to get out of his embrace. "What's with you?"
"You weren't here—" kiss, "—when we got back!" kiss, "I was worried—" kiss, "—you'd been hurt." kiss.
"Sorry, Natsu, I wasn't trying to worry you." She tried to pull away, but he held her close to his chest, face now buried in her hair.
"I love you…" he breathed.
She smiled. "I know, but why are you acting like I've been gone for months?"
"It felt like months,"
"You left first!" she reminded him.
"Oh, yeah," he pulled back and grinned sheepishly at her.
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Come on, Mr. Dragneel, let's go to bed."
"Already?!" he asked in surprise. "It's only," a quick glance at the clock, "just after eight."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, then lifted onto her toes and purred in his ear. "I didn't say we were going to sleep."
…
February 13, x792
Lucy was back at Magnolia Mall, this time with Luna and Levy in tow. She needed the extra help to find herself the perfect outfit for Valentine's Day. She didn't know what they had planned for tomorrow, other than dinner at an Italian bistro in Hargeon, because that was where they first met and that was where they had spent every Valentine's Day for the last six years.
She also needed to help Levy find something because she and Gajeel were going to dinner as well, and Lucy knew that this was going to be a particularly special night for the two of them, if Gajeel went through with his plan as he'd told Lucy he would. She had high hopes, though, and expected to find Levy at her door the following day to tell her the big news.
Luna needed a new dress as well, because Wendy was picking her up to take her to a Valentine's Day party at Alzack and Bisca's house. So her daughter needed to look absolutely adorable!
Not that that was a hard feat to accomplish.
"Where should we start?" Levy asked as they walked inside.
"Well, we could start with Luna, since she's always pretty easy to shop for." Lucy suggested.
"That's because she's the cutest little girl in town!" Levy gushed, tickling the toddler that walked between them.
"No, you are!" she told Levy with a giggle.
Lucy laughed at the two of them. "Come on, let's find you a special dress."
"Aye!" Luna cheered.
Lucy rolled her eyes. Her daughter spent too much time with Natsu and Happy…
They reached a store called Baby Boutique, which had baby and toddler clothes. It was similar to a Baby Gap, but Lucy preferred this store for her daughter. She thought the clothes were way cuter, and a lot cheaper.
The three girls were perusing the aisles when a familiar voice spoke up from behind them.
"Well, hello there, ladies."
They all turned to see Jellal standing behind them, carrying Title on his shoulders and wearing an amused smirk.
"Jellal, what are you doing here?" Lucy asked.
"Shopping, of course," he replied. "Title and I need something to wear for tomorrow."
"Wait, seriously?" Lucy asked in disbelief. "You're here shopping for a Valentine's Day outfit?"
He shrugged. "Yes. I wish to look my best for tomorrow night. I'm taking my wife on a romantic date to the Swordsman."
Lucy and Levy blinked in confusion.
"Ooh!" Luna exclaimed. "That sounds super cool!"
"What's the Swordsman?" Lucy asked.
"It's a new museum just outside of town," he explained. "It has an attached restaurant. It is supposed to be very romantic."
"A… sword museum?" Levy shuddered a little.
"What kind of food do they serve at a sword museum?" Lucy wondered.
"Swordfish," Jellal smirked again.
Lucy and Levy laughed.
"What's a swordfish, Uncle Jellal?" Luna asked.
"It's a large, highly migratory, predatory fish with a long, flat bill." He explained.
Luna blinked up at him.
"Uh, right…" Lucy cleared her throat. "Anyway, we should get back to our shopping."
"I'll join you," Jellal decided.
Lucy and Levy shared a look, then shrugged and continued on their way.
It took some time, but finally they found outfits for both Luna and Title.
Luna would wear a red dress with pink polka dots and pink sleeves. There was a white bow over the right shoulder and a white zig-zagging line along the bottom. Lucy had found some red ballerina flats to match with little pink bows on top. Her daughter already had a collection of hair bows at home, so she didn't bother looking for any of those.
Title would wear a simple pair of dark jeans with a maroon colored dress shirt and a little black bow tie. Shiny black dress shoes would complete the outfit.
Jellal found almost the exact same outfit, but he'd found a tie for himself, and planned to wear the whole ensemble tomorrow on his date.
Lucy and Levy had also managed to find dresses, and had actually received some good advice from Jellal, who had remained ever patient while the two girls tried on dress after dress, never once complaining about the wait.
Once they had all found something to wear, they headed in separate directions, each going back to their respective homes to be with the ones they loved. Tomorrow would be a good day for all of them, they could feel it.
…
February 14, x792—7:00 P.M.
Lucy and Natsu sat at their reserved table in Hargeon's Italian Bistro. Rose petals littered the table, and two small red candles sat on either side, casting them in an intimate glow.
It felt like their first date all over again: the flowers, the candles, the feels. Lucy didn't know if it was the hormones from her pregnancy that was making her so emotional, but in that moment she felt like she couldn't possibly love this man anymore than she did right then.
"I love you, Natsu," she murmured, smiling over at him.
He grinned in return, big and toothy. "I love you too, Luce!" He picked up his glass of red wine and held it between them. "Here's to another year together."
She mimicked his action. "And to many more to come."
They clinked glasses, then each took a sip.
Natsu grimaced. "Does this stuff get worse every time we come here, or is it just me?"
Lucy laughed. "I don't think it's the wine, I think it's just us." She slid her own glass away from her. Neither of them had ever been particularly fond of wine, but they always got a glass to toast with on Valentine's Day. It was tradition.
"Next time we're getting Shirley Temple's," Natsu said, sliding his glass away too.
"Last year you said we were going to get sparkling cider," Lucy reminded him.
"That stuff is nasty!" He wrinkled his nose in distaste.
She giggled. "I guess we'll just have to stick with our wine tradition then."
He grinned. "Well, as long as it's with you, anything is bearable."
Tears sparkled in her eyes. She carefully dabbed them away with a napkin, then placed it over her half-eaten pasta dish and pushed it to the edge of the table.
"Natsu," she began, "I have a gift for you… but it's at the house."
She felt her cheeks heat as she thought of what she'd gotten him, and really hoped he would like it. She was nervous, yet excited at the same time. She loved these special evenings she got to share alone with her husband; her best friend. These times would be even less in between once their baby was born in just a few short months, so this was particularly important to Lucy.
"A present, huh?" Natsu's eyes lit up at the thought—it made her smile. "I got somethin' for you too, but I hid it at Erza's place."
Lucy choked on the sip of water she had just taken. "You—" cough, "—went to—" cough, "—Erza's house? Like, voluntarily?"
She didn't know whether this was a joke or if he had seriously gone all the way to Erza's house to hide a present from her. If he had, she was actually going to be impressed. Not many people visited Titania Erza of their own free will.
He beamed at her. "I did! And she didn't murder me! Well," he paused. "I did promise to babysit Title on any day she chooses, no matter what I'm doing…"
Lucy snorted. "Wow, brave man. Well, at least it wasn't one of those 'I'll let you know what I want when I want it' kind of favors."
Natsu paled. "Gah, you're right! That would have been horrible!"
He could only imagine the sort of favor that monster would ask of him.
She smiled. "Good thing she didn't ask for that then. Can we get out of here, now? I really want to take you home and…" She let the words trail off, using her expression to convey exactly what she meant.
Natsu actually blushed.
He jumped from his chair, nearly toppling it over in the process, then threw some cash on the table. "Let's go, Luce!"
…
8:30 P.M.
"Close your eyes," Natsu instructed her with a grin.
They were back at their house, with Lucy sitting cross-legged on the bed while Natsu stood in front of her. He had gone back to Erza's on his own, after first dropping Lucy off at home, and had somehow managed to sneak his gift back into the house without his wife seeing.
Now, after making sure her eyes were closed, Natsu hurried into the living room where he'd stashed his gift, scooped it up, and carried it back into the bedroom.
"Open your eyes," he whispered, placing the gift in front of her.
Lucy opened her eyes a crack, then widened them in surprise. A little calico kitten sat in front of her with a shiny golden bow around its neck. Attached to the bow was a note that read: Will you marry me again?
Lucy looked from the kitten up to Natsu, whose face had turned serious. "What do you mean by this, Natsu?"
"We never had a real wedding," he said, coming to kneel by her side, "and I've been wanting to do this for you since we made our first vows together. You deserve nothing less than everything this world can offer, and I intend to make it my life's goal to make sure you do.
"Lucy," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. "Will you be my wife… again?" He grinned and lifted the lid. A dark red ruby sat in a platinum band, with two smaller diamonds on either side. It was elegant but not flashy.
"Natsu," Lucy gasped at the ring. "This must have cost a fortune!"
He shrugged. "I went on a few extra jobs. I've been saving for this for some time. And now," he took her hand in his and slipped the ring onto her ring finger, right next to her wedding band, "I am going to give you the best wedding anyone in Fiore has ever seen."
Tears leaked from her eyes. "I don't know what to say," she swiped at her eyes.
"Say 'yes'," he whispered.
A smile lifted her lips. "You're such a weirdo," she laughed. "Yes, of course I'll marry you—again."
He beamed widely. "I knew you couldn't resist platinum."
She rolled her eyes. "It wasn't the platinum that did it… it was the fluffy kitten!" She scooped the little kitten into her arms and rubbed her face against the soft fur. "Luna is going to love you!"
"What are you gonna name her?" Natsu asked, rubbing the kitten's head with a finger.
"Oh, gosh… I don't know."
"I have an idea," he grinned. She lifted an eyebrow. "Sky!"
Lucy laughed. "Why 'Sky'?"
"Because, Luce, we already have Luna and Stella, so why not?"
She couldn't fault that logic.
"I guess that makes sense, Mr. Expert," she said with a laugh. "Now," she slid from the bed, still holding the kitten in her hand. "Get on the bed and close your eyes."
Natsu's eyes went wide, his grin stretching even more up his face.
"A-Aye, sir!"
He crawled into Lucy's vacated spot and closed his eyes, mouth set in a wide grin.
Lucy waited a moment to make sure he wasn't peeking, then carried the cat into the closet with her. She closed the door, just in case, then set the cat in an empty shoe box.
"Stay here, kitty," she ordered.
The cat just blinked up at her.
Satisfied that she wouldn't try to get out, Lucy quickly retrieved her gift for Natsu.
"I'm coming out now!" she called through the closed door.
"I'm not peeking!" he called back.
"Better not be," she muttered, then stepped out of the closet.
"Hold out your hands," she whispered. When he complied, she placed something into his open palms. "Open your eyes."
He did.
His eyes went wide at what he saw there and almost instantly began to shimmer.
"Are you crying?" she teased with a small smile.
"No." he lied.
"What do you think?" She asked, ignoring the false note she heard in his tone. "Do you like it?"
"I… Luce, how did you…?" His voice trailed off as his finger slid over the ruby dragon Lucy had put into his black bracelet—he hadn't even noticed it was gone.
"I found a jeweler at the mall who was able to add the rubies into your bracelet to look like whatever I wanted."
"It looks just like Igneel…" he whispered, eyes still locked on the ruby dragon. "It even has a green eye."
"I know," she crawled onto the bed next to him and hugged his arm. "Do you like it?" She asked again, voice barely more than a whisper.
He glanced up at her just as the first tear fell. "I love it," he said. "I love you." then he brought his lips down on hers, pushing her down against the mattress. "Best. Valentine's. Ever." He breathed against her lips.
She grinned. "How will we top this next year?"
"Next year I'm buying you that house you've been wanting." He said.
She blinked in surprise. "N-Natsu,"
He silenced her with a kiss. "I told you, I will give you everything you want and need. You've had your eye on that house since before we even started dating. I know how much you want that house. And this time next year, mark my words, Lucy Dragneel, you will be living in that house. I swear it."
Now it was Lucy's turn to cry. Tears slipped from her eyes and into her hair but she didn't care. She smiled. "Okay, Natsu. I believe you."
"You're my Queen," he told her. He hugged her against his chest, face buried in her hair. "And I am your humble servant."
"You're my King," she corrected, wrapping her arms around his back to hold him close.
"We should get a castle, then." He said seriously.
She laughed. "I don't need a castle. I just need you and our daughters. Nothing else matters as long as we're together. I love you, Natsu."
"I love you, Luce. Forever,"
"And always," she finished.
A/N: So, I decided to start doing dates instead of ages with these chapters to make it easier to distinguish when each one takes place on this weird timeline I've got going. Hopefully this will make it better for everyone! This chapter is around the current timeline that I've been working with (x792), but the next chapter will fall back again, then we'll jump back to this timeline. They're all kinda random, but I try to keep them to where they all fall together in the end.
A/N 2: Also, the basic idea for this chapter came from my good friend Grizzly98, who also helped me to go through all 16 pages last minute. Thank you, Grizz! I owe you one.