Gray was exhausted from constantly working but had decided to spend some time in Hargeon, he left Lucy with Ruby with the promise he would be back to celebrate her birthday.
He felt so overwhelmed with Ruby's illness, so helpless that there was nothing he could do to help her. As much as he wanted the twins he couldn't stand the pain she was putting herself through.
What if? He thought over and over again.
What if after all of this punishment she...
He was sitting at a small table at an outside cafe in warm sunshine, a now cold cup of coffee sat in front of him being so lost in thought he had forgotten all about it.
Resting his dark weary in his hand, he sighed.
He needed to talk to Laxus or Gramps, they would know what to do about the letter from Gray Surge. He must have read and reread the letter a thousand and he still couldn't process its contents. If Gramps could find a way to keep the portal between worlds open, he could finally get to the truth and maybe find some closure to his son's death.
The heat of the afternoon sun was making him feel sleepy.
I'll close my eyes for a few minutes. He thought to himself as he started to doze off at the table.
When he opened his eyes he was sitting by the lake in Magnolia. Snow was falling in a soft flurry. Gray had been lying under a large tree, its branches heavy under the weight of the snow.
"What the hell?" He said out loud, his voice echoing in the silent cold.
"I thought that would be obvious, ice brain." Came a musical voice, filled with amusement.
"Ruby?!" He said jumping to his feet.
She stood in front of him, she wore a ice blue dress that floated down to her bate feet. White snowdrops where woven into her wild curls. When she smiled it seemed to radiate so much warmth it chased away the cold.
"Is this real?"
She laughed. "Just a dream."
It may have been a dream but Gray felt angry that she was here.
"Why now? It's been two years Ruby, two long and painful and you show up now! Now that I've finally pulled myself together, your here!"
She sighed and sat down on the snow covered grass and gestured for him to sit with her.
He was reluctant to do so but eventually gave in and sat crossed legged beside her.
"I'm the one who's dead and your pissed at me?"
Gray rolled his dark midnight blue eyes, he refused to look at her, but instead at the frozen lake.
Everything looked exactly like it did the year he froze it for her, the whole Guild went ice skating before having one of the most legendary parties Fairy Tail had ever seen.
"Not funny Red."
"It was a little funny." She said, suppressing a small smile.
"Why are you here?" He asked again.
Ruby watched as the small glittering flakes swirled in the gentle wind. Gray's face was full of pain, the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him.
"To give you this." She said softly.
Gray looks confused as she called out.
"You can come out now."
He heard a little giggle.
"Daddy!" Called an excited Silver as he ran into his fathers arms.
Hot tears spilled from Gray's dark eyes as he picked up his son and spun him around, making the little boy squeal with delight.
"Baby, why..." He couldn't contain both his joy and sorrow at seeing his son again. He held him tight to his chest, never wanting to let him go.
Ruby watched as father and son embraces each other. Tears poured from the man she once loved eyes.
"You have to be strong, Daddy. Everything is going to be ok now. Mummy needs you and so do my little sisters."
Gray had noticed that Ruby had left them, she walked away staring vacantly across the lake, the snow had stopped and the bright sunlight had started to thaw the frozen lake.
"You don't have long before you wake up, be quick." She called to them.
Gray broke his embrace and stared at his little boy.
"I love your Mummy, Silver and even though your gone we both love you so much. Your going to be a big brother..."
The little boy hugged his father tightly.
"I know Daddy. I asked Ruby to bring me here to see you, to tell you that it's not your fault I'm gone. Don't blame yourself or Mummy for what happened to me. I love you both very very much. Grandpa Laxus is going to make everything all right."
The thick layer of ice that covered the lake had started to melt at an alarming rate. Gray knew he only had a few more minutes with his son. Ruby had tears running down her pale face as she lifted Sliver from Gray's arms.
"Laxus will make it right? What does that mean?" He asked frantically as he felt himself begin to wake.
"The portal." Came Ruby's voice, it sounded a million miles away.
The last thing Gray heard before waking up at the little cafe was his son calling out.
"I love you Daddy."
Gray sat up, the sun stung his eyes. He checked the time on the clock tower, he had only been asleep for a few minutes.
It took him some time process what had happened.
Just a dream he told himself as he fought back the tears that were threatening to spill from his tired eyes.
He smiled suddenly, got to his feet and made his way across Hargeon towards a small store, its window decorated in all shades of blues and pinks, stopping only long enough to buy the biggest bouquet of flowers he could find.
The little bell rang as he entered, there perched behind the counter was the little plump blonde woman, upturned nose buried in yet another romance novel.
Gray ran his had through his hair like he did whenever he was nervous.
"Ummm... Hi Violet, I need your help. What things will I need for... ummm... twin girls?"