I do not own Fairy Tail.

Chapter 20

Natsu's sleep-overs had become a nightly thing, and Lucy welcomed them. She noticed that her night terrors had practically gone away ever since that first night he had come to stay the night with her.

One night while in bed, they were talking. Each on their own pillow facing one another. "What kind of nightmares were you having?" he asked with concern. He stroked her face lovingly.

"I don't really know…it was just pieces of things. They always felt so real. There was flames, and the smell of smoke, I could hear this scary laughter in the background and the only thing I could really make out in all the flames was this man…he looks so familiar like I had seen him before, but yet his appearance made me fearful."

"What's he look like?"

"Well, he had long grayish white hair. He's an elderly looking gentleman. He has a long pointed beard and an eyepatch. He would always say something right before I woke up though…" Lucy said quietly taking Natsu's hand.

"What did he say?"

"I'm coming for you."

Natsu's eyes darkened, "I'm coming for you?"

"Yes, he always said that at the end."

The two were quiet for a bit before Natsu asked another question that had been plaguing him. "Have you opened the letter yet?"

He was referring to the letter that Jude had written to Lucy. She shook her head, some sadness in her eyes. She felt her eyes go to where it sat on her desk. "Not yet, I can't bring myself to do it just yet…"

"That's okay, just do it when you're ready."

Natsu grabbed Lucy by the waist and pulled her into his arms. He felt her rest her head against his chest and then her happy sigh. Lucy was now a permanent resident of the Dragon Kingdom. After her father's passing, Lucy along with Makarov and King Igneel, decided for her safety and the good of her kingdom that she would reside there.

"The kingdoms were going to merge anyway!" King Igneel boasted, as he watched Natsu kiss Lucy's cheek.

This decision also worked out for her citizens, when the dust had settled, Loke told her everything that had happened in between the time of her leaving the Celestial Kingdom to her father's untimely death. Capricorn had at the wishes of her father evacuated the kingdom's citizens to the borders of the Celestial Kingdom that lined with the Dragon Kingdom as well as having some of the citizens take up residence in the Dragon Kingdom. The countries were going to become one in a few years or at the passing of King Jude.

Capricorn had still not made an appearance in the Dragon Kingdom, this saddened Lucy. Though her father's advisor was harsh with his words, she had a fondness of him. Capricorn was like an uncle to her and it saddened her to lose yet another male figure in her life. Makarov stepped into the roll of Queen's advisor well. He was very helpful and happy to give any advice the young woman asked for. He also insisted she call him "Gramps" like Natsu did and it warmed her heart to know he thought so highly of her to let her call him that.

So much had happened over the past month, she was still grieving the death of her father and her kingdom but so many happy things had happened in that time and it made it easier. Natsu was right, she may not have her blood family anymore but wasn't alone. She had family in her betrothed, the King, Gramps, her friends and their perspective husbands.

Yes, she said husbands! Gajeel was openly courting Levy and she was thrilled. The petite blunette was constantly blushing when the raven haired man was around. It was often that Levy would ask Natsu and her to chaperone them on their walks. Knowing that Natsu and Lucy would keep their distance and allow the couple to do as they pleased.

Gray would never admit it, but he was smitten for Juvia and she was for him. It became very apparent when Gray's cousin, Lyon, visited for a few days. Lyon was not shy in showing his affections for the young woman and it angered Gray to no end. He would constantly take Juvia's hand and walk her away from his cousin if he got too close. By the end of the visit, Gray was always near Juvia, not allowing her one second alone with Lyon. Natsu found this comical and would constantly tease Gray about it, "If you like her, you should put a ring on it!" He would say in the middle of sparring. It would then infuriate Gray and he would also yell at the pink-haired prince, "You're one to talk!" before he'd stalk off in anger with an adoring Juvia following right behind him.

Coming back to the moment, Lucy was still pulled tightly to Natsu's chest. The smell of cinnamon was filling her nostrils and it had become a comforting scent to her. She looked up at him to find him staring down at her. He tilted his head closer to her and pressed his lips to hers. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. She felt him smile against her lips and he pulled back.

"So I've been thinking…" He started, lifting a lock of her hair and twirling it around his finger.

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking…" He says again, a teasing smile gracing his lips.

"You've already said that, now out with it Dragneel!"

"I've been wondering…how you would feel…or I guess the better question is…would you be my wife?"

Lucy looked at him, a confused look crossed her face and then realization. "What?" she asked dumbfounded.

"Luce, marry me and make me the happiest man on Earthland?"

She couldn't stop the tear that trickled down her cheek and the smile that brightly appeared. "Yes! You weirdo! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

He pulled her face back to his and kissed her. "I love you." He whispered as he pressed his forehead to hers.

"And I love you." She whispered.

"Oh!" Natsu shot up quickly and started to stick his hands in his pockets. "I almost forgot!" Fishing it out, he quickily grabbed Lucy's left hand and slipped a ring on her finger. "It was my mother's and it was her wish that I give it to the woman I marry."

Lucy looked at her hand and admired the ring. It was gold with a large ruby in the middle surrounded by white diamonds. "It's beautiful, I'll always cherish it." She said softly. Pulling Natsu to her, she kissed his lips.

The two settled back into the bed. Excited to tell their friends the news and to announce the wedding to the whole kingdom. The couple stayed up into the wee hours of the morning making wedding plans excited for their future.

A/N: Looks like our favorite couple might have some wedding bells in their future! Hehehehehe...or not...thanks for reading!