A/N: I apologize. It's been way too long since I updated, but I'll write more now and hope to update sooner. Meanwhile, enjoy this chapter! I've planned for another chapter which will hopefully please you all, so stay tuned!

(By the way, I suck so I have completely lost track of the reviews I need to respond to. But I just want you all to know that I truly appreciate the time you put on writing them and reading my story. Thank you so much, I would be nowhere without you amazing readers! I'll respond from this chapter onward. Oh and, 'Melody Of Us' is now no. 1 in the most reviewed GrayZa stories! I cannot thank you enough, really.)

Chapter Thirty Seven: The End of a Beautiful Journey

"Well," the brunette started, "when is your girlfriend coming? I can't see her anywhere, and I'm sure you sent an invitation."

Gray Fullbuster, standing beside her in his three-piece suit which was a gift from his future father-in-law, decided not to answer. He simply stood still, as his beloved fiancé asked again.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that. You and Erza should really be official," Cana told him again, to which she got no reply. But the girl didn't stop. "It's quite cute how you care about her."

Pause. Wait. Nothing. Repeat. "Did you give her a dress to wear? You know, as a Christmas present? I didn't get one."

"I did give you a Christmas present," he reminded her.

"Last year doesn't count," she told him.

"I gave you one this year as well."

"If you truly believe that lame four point five centimeter hairclip which you got for free from what's-her-face is supposed to be your future wife's Christmas present then I really have nothing to say."

The boy waited for a while, thought about it, and then spoke, "What's wrong with the hairclip?"

Cana Alberona could only groan.

xxx

"Why did Juvia ditch us all and go?" Lucy asked aloud, enough for both of her friends to hear.

"Because she and Lyon are dating now," Erza answered, who was walking on Lucy's left with Levy on Lucy's right. Mirajane, sadly, could not attend even though free train tickets were sent. She apparently had other plans.

"I don't think this is right," Levy voiced her opinion, "I mean, Lyon is Juvia's second choice, which he doesn't deserve."

"Yeah, but me and Juvia… we went through too much drama, so I don't think I have the right to advise her anymore," Lucy said.

"That's not true," Erza commented, "You guys are friends, and friends can always give advices to one another. She won't mind if you try to fix her relationship, I'm sure of it. Oh and by the way, Levy, when is Gajeel coming?"

"He's on his way," the short blunette told her friend, "but it might take some time. We spoke just some while ago." Since Mirajane couldn't come, she offered Levy's tall and bulk boyfriend, Gajeel Redfox, to go with them instead using the extra ticket. Gajeel accepted the offer as to spend more time with Levy, and also roam around Crocus a bit.

"Well, that's good to hear. Oh, look, isn't that the place?" when the redhead pointed at a tall building with Christmas decorations put up, the two friends looked up and smiled.

xxx

"Loke told me you guys went to a party again," Cana stated.

"Why is it Loke always telling you everything?" the raven haired boy sneered, with bits of jealousy.

"Because you never bother to. And you don't call either."

"Excuse me?! I call you plenty! You just never pick up!"

"That's a lie Gray Fullbuster and you know it!"

"Gray?" a soft female voice called, breaking out a small fight between the couple. When they both turned to the voice, it just happened to be Lucy Heartfilia standing not too far from them with her friends. When Cana's eyes went across the redhead, Erza Scarlet, she simply smirked.

"Oh, look who we have here! Erza Scarlet, what a pleasure," the brunette smiled, while Erza just nodded.

"Lucy? Levy? Erza?" another voice called out who, at looking the way, turned out to be Juvia Lockser approaching them with her boyfriend, Lyon Vastia. "Oh, thank God! For a second I thought you all wouldn't bother to come!"

"We couldn't possibly do that when Gray invited us personally," Levy smiled.

"Um, yes. We couldn't," Lucy agreed, sounding a bit a shaky. "Is… uh, is Natsu… here?"

Lyon caught on the discomfort faster than anyone else, while he understandingly nodded. "Natsu? Yes, yes he is present. I think I saw him with Loke in the bar not too long ago."

"Oh, I see," Lucy said, debating on whether to go meet him or not. After going through it, she decided not to, since he very clearly asked for his space. "Um, well, we can meet him later on I guess."

"That is true," Cana told her. "And besides, I was really hoping to talk to you all. Gray just told me you are going to have your SATs and A-Levels. How are you preparing for that?"

"The preparation is well," Erza answered, growing some interest. "We are going through revision on all of our chosen subjects, and we have received our schedule as well. I believe most students are hiring tutors to help them with it. But that is to be expected since these aren't any normal tests."

"Of course," the brunette nodded. "I, however, never had to give these tests."

"Cana was homeschooled, and we all were too until Hilda decided to send us here. It's because going to an actual school interrupted our work schedule so we had to drop out early and compromise," Gray said, while Lyon let out a breath of relief.

"Thank God we came here though," the white haired boy spoke up. "It took a while to adjust, of course, but this system is much better. The homeschooling and working and all was just too tough. We had a very tight schedule and taking care of both the education and work was too much too handle."

"It sounds dreadful," Juvia commented.

"It was," Gray agreed.

"Oh!" Cana exclaimed suddenly out of realization, causing everyone to turn heads at her. She turned to Gray and said, "I almost forgot! Dad called you, had something to discuss apparently."

"Oh, like, now?"

"Yes, now. Now go on," she told him, and immediately the young man excused himself before setting off to find his future father-in-law.

"I'll get us some drinks, okay?" Lyon asked Juvia, to which she nodded and he left off before dropping a small kiss on her cheeks.

"So," Cana started, "are you all enjoying so far?"

"I very much am," Juvia smiled. "Though I can't wait to get back. I mean, Crocus is a fantastic place, but I feel more at ease when I'm back in Magnolia."

"I agree, it is an amazing place. Very… calm, and soothing," Cana commented.

"You should visit more, you know," Levy told her.

"Yeah, maybe you can drop by sometimes to meet Gray," Lucy suggested.

Cana, however, seemed quite confused. "Uh… meet Gray… why?"

"… Because he's your fiancé?" Erza kind of answered, a bit confused herself.

"But, why will Gray stay there?"

"Isn't he? Staying there now?" Lucy was kind of getting confused herself at the brunette's words now. "With the rest?"

"Oh, wait, you don't know?" Cana finally realized what was going on, and decided to tell them the news. "The boys are returning. You know, they are coming back now. Won't be in the school, back to work and concerts and signings and recordings; all that stuff. Also, they have their first World Tour coming up soon enough. It's time for them to leave. All of them."