Lucy groaned as she felt like a ton of bricks had hit her. Opening her eyes, she saw Bisca and Alzack along with Jet and Droy. Sitting up Bisca hugged her. "Lucy!" Hugging her back she saw others were being treated the same way. Looking around she didn't see Laxus and fear gripped her. "Bisca did anyone happen to find Laxus?" she asked. "Yeah Jet and Droy screamed a little while ago about him." Grinning she stood up and walked over to him. Looking up from his spot where he was sitting, he smirked. Lucy fell on her knees right before him. Looking in his eyes she teared up before kissing him. Laxus wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
Once everyone was up and moving, they got on the ship. "I wonder what everyone will be like," said Lucy. Laxus just grunted in response. She looked at him and took his hand. Knowing he had motion sickness didn't help so she did what she could to help as they sailed towards the port of Hargeon. He had never told her, but she had a suspicion that he was just like every other slayer she knew.
Kaori stood before Rose and Romeo as they growled at each other. "I don't care who started it! I'm ending it. Honestly you two are family. Now Romeo you will clean the kitchen while Yumi-Rose I want you to sweep outside." They glared at her but nodded. Rose was leaning on the broom frustrated. Romeo and her only fought because they got mad that they weren't allowed to go on the quest to Tenrou. It had been seven years and they wanted to know if their family was okay. Sighing she started to sweep again when a shadow loomed over her. Looking up she saw Jet. "Jet!" Quickly looking around him she saw a scene that made her heart swell. "Lucy!" She dropped the broom and ran towards her. Launching into her arms Laxus steadied them as she cried. "I've missed you Lucy!" she shouted. Just then Kaori stepped outside the guild. "Rose I'm sorry, but I hope you know why I…" Her words died as she saw Rose wrapped around Lucy and looked at all the other guild members. When they landed on Makarov she smiled.
"Jet I think we should make dinner now," she said. Nodding he ran into the guild hall. Entering the kitchen, he saw Romeo was mopping. "Hey Romeo, we need to make dinner," he said. "Why?" "Well we have a few unexpected guests," he grinned. Romeo heard the commotion in the main hall and Rose poked her head inside. "Romeo get out here," she smiled. He followed her and saw the team from Tenrou Island. "Welcome home!" he shouted, and everyone was happy to be back. "Sometime later Laxus and Lucy were sitting at the table with the Thunder Legion when Kaori came up to them. "Laxus can I have a word?" she asked. Nodding he walked off. "Hey, Freed I have a question. You once told me about Kaori and the Roses she cares for. Do you think while were gone she took care of them?" asked Lucy. "I'm sure she did Miss Lucy. After all Kaori cared about everyone and no matter what she always tried to be kind to everyone," said Freed.
A little bit later Laxus came back and sat down looking a little grumpier than usual. Putting a hand on his arm he looked at Lucy. "Is everything alright?" she asked. He nodded and looked at the guild. "My mom was guild master for seven years but wants to turn it over to me if gramps lets her." "Isn't that what you have always wanted?" asked Lucy. Sighing he stood up and walked out. "Lucy…" She turned to look at Bickslow. "Don't think too hard on the matter. Laxus wanted to take over the guild for such a long time but being with you changed his outlook. To him he feels like he doesn't deserve it now," said Bickslow. Nodding she stood up. Laxus needed to know that it didn't matter to her, but that he was happy was all that mattered to her. Lucy found him near the forest. Running up to him she called his name. He looked at her as she caught up and wrapped her arms around him. "I…" she began. Laxus kissed her and ran his hands through her hair.
When they broke apart, he nodded at her. "I know. Believe me I do it's just a lot to take in," he said. "Then why do you hesitate if this is what you really want?" asked Lucy. "Seven years. How can I come back to a guild that doesn't really want me back!" He punched a tree and lightening crackled around him. "Laxus! That isn't true, and you know it!" He looked into her warm brown eyes. "I…" She glared at him. "Now you listen to me Laxus Dreyar. You may be an exiled guild mate, but that doesn't change the fact that you were offered the position as guild master by the fourth master Kaori. Even if it falls under third master Makarovs' digression. You have long proved your worth. Need I remind you of how you protected everyone on Tenrou even though you weren't supposed to be there!" she screamed. He wrapped his arms around her and she felt him shaking. "Lucy… Thank you…" "I'm always going to stand by you."
Walking back to the guild they saw Master Kaori and Master Makarov talking outside the guild. Hand in hand they approached the two. "Mom can I talk to you?" he asked. Smiling the two walked off together. "Lucy child. I know it is eight years since the Phantom Lord incident and I have to thank you." She looked at Makarov. "What do you mean Master?" she asked. "Without you I'm not sure Laxus would have learned to care as well as he has. So, thank you for making that deal with him all those years ago. I should have said it long ago, but it hurts to make your children leave. Even if its Fairy Law it still hurts" Leaning against the Guild hall she looked up at the Sky. "You know what Master I am too. Honestly, he has been there for me every time I needed him. I imagine if I had said no that we would have still come out on top, but he needed me just like I needed him."
Laxus looked at his mom and opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Laughing Kaori hugged her son. "Laxus take your time. Makarov said he would let you back in on one condition. As Guild Master you will not be allowed to go on any more missions and he wants Lucy to be your second in command." He looked at her surprised. "Don't worry Laxus. He said it's just for now. I think its until trust is rebuilt." "Mom I actually wanted to talk to you about Lucy as well." Kaori looked at her son. "What about her?" "I want to be with her forever, but I'm concerned. What if I do something to mess it up? I nearly followed my dads footsteps" Kaori looked at Laxus and smiled "Laxus you are nothing like your father. I have a saying and I believe in its meaning. No matter how far down the wrong path you travel you always have the choice to turn around. Believe in yourself Laxus like I believe in you. Now I'm sure everyone misses you so we should get back," smiled Kaori. As she pulled him back towards the guild, he realized how much the last seven years had affected everyone. They all missed those they thought were long gone.
As they approached the guild, he saw Lucy was crying and suddenly he ran up to her. "Lucy what is it?" he asked concerned. Laxus looked between her and his grandfather. "Gramps what happened?" "I told Lucy about her father. He passed away last month. It's never easy, but packages had been coming here for her every year. The last one came today. She turns 18 tomorrow." Pulling her into a hug he held his mate as she cried for her father. He could feel her distress rolling off in waves. "I'm taking her home now." Nodding the two watched him as he carried a crying Lucy home. "I wish we could have had better news for her Makarov." "As do I Kaori, but to delay it would only make it hurt more.