Hiya!
SOOOOooooooooo I half considered faking my own death and never posting this because it took so damn long to get that epilogue out of my head that it is down right embarrassing to post it now, four weeks late (I actually wrote that note last week and my brain forgot I had to post the chapter still). Life got in the way and I haven't seriously written in what feels like ages cause my posting was essentially "read through, edit as you go and post". Plus I actually finished 49 a very long time ago and had to get the epilogue from scratch. I toyed with a few ideas through the weeks but had virtually no time to write because of house work, and then I put my computer away and my ADHD forgot the thing even existed cause I have no notion of object of permanence.
But I'm here, alive and well in spite of my shame. I will be a while to update a new fic because I finally found the line I wanna go for in my original novel and have SO much world building to do for it. But I have at least 4 fic ideas on the go, so I will be back with those next time I'm stuck in my original work and need a procrastination writing project.
Now, without further ado! The Epilogue! At long last!
Happy reading!
Natsu stirred at the feeling of light kisses being placed against his spine, slowly forcing himself awake.
"Hey," he whispered. The kisses stopped for a moment.
"Hi," Lucy whispered back. He shuffled to roll over, draping his arm around Lucy's waist, looking at her in the dim light coming from a streetlamp across the street.
"Can't sleep?" he questioned softly.
"I'm anxious about tomorrow," she admitted, moving closer to his warmth.
"You've got nothing to be worried about," he assured her, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "You've been planning this for five years, Luce. You got this. Plus, everyone is gonna be there to support you. You've got nothing to worry about." Lucy's dark eyes looked back at him and her mouth twisted lightly, like it did with she chewed on her lip. He leaned closer to plant a kiss on her forehead. "What else is on your mind?" he asked.
"Next week," she sighed. "Why does everything have to happen next week?"
"If you keep worrying like this, you'll get even more white hair," Natsu teased her, chuckling when she playfully smacked his chest.
"I do not have white hair!" she pouted, making him chuckle, but he chose to drop it.
"What's next week, again?" he asked instead.
Lucy heaved a sigh. "Sometimes, I wonder how you remember your students' names," she admitted, shaking her head slightly. She shifted on her back, staring at the ceiling.
"That's different," he argued, nuzzling his face in the crook of her shoulder. "So, what's next week?"
Lucy took a deep breath to organize her thoughts. "Well, Juvia is due, and Cana is getting promoted, and it's Levy's birthday, not to mention Erza will kill you when I tell her you forgot Misty's birthday." Lucy couldn't help laughing when she felt Natsu tense against her. "Just kidding, that's next week."
"Are you so mad you got white hair before me that you're trying to give me some?" he pouted.
"For the last time, Natsu, I do not... you know what, never mind." She made to sit up, but Natsu wrapped his arms around her, pinning her to his chest before she could try leaving the bed, and she couldn't pretend to be mad when she laughed.
"Don't crush me!" she giggled, half struggling against his hold.
"Then stay in bed, it's nice and warm." He waited until she stopped fighting him to release his hold. "I love you, Luce. White hair and all." He felt for her hand and kissed the ring that never left her finger since they got married three years ago. His was inked on since his work didn't allow for jewelry, but he still had the ring tucked away safely for special occasions. "Forever and ever," he added, locking eyes with her.
"I love you too," Lucy whispered, leaning her forehead against his. "Even if you lie about my hair." He chuckled, placing a kiss on her lips.
"You know I'm a lousy liar," he chuckled even as she smacked him. "But regardless, you gotta sleep if you wanna be ready for tomorrow."
Lucy groaned at the prospect. "Why did I have to call a press conference?" she whined.
"So that everyone who needs it knows it's there," Natsu reminded her. "Come here." He rolled onto his back and let her tuck herself against his side, her head resting on his chest. "You've been getting ready for years. You got this."
"I know, but my mind is spinning."
"Do you want me to tell you a story?" he offered, and she nodded eagerly.
"If you don't mind, I'd love you to."
"Maybe I should be a writer," he teased, knowing full well he would never be able to do what his wife did. But he started talking, telling her about some of his fondest childhood memories, and some of the shenanigans he dragged Lisanna and Gray into.
It had taken years, and mandatory therapy he didn't know he needed, for him to make his peace with what had happened to his childhood friend, and even more to get him to open up about the traumas he had kept buried inside him - including his kidnapping, orchestrated by Lucy's father all those years ago. Lucy had followed his lead soon after, making peace with what she had learned of her mother's past, and eventually forgiving herself for being raped, which Natsu thought was absurd because it wasn't her fault, but he could see that it was as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Throughout the years, she even started visiting her father in jail. When Natsu argued Jude didn't deserve her forgiveness, Lucy explained it wasn't about him. She was doing for herself, and Natsu loved her all the more for it. Jude had only gone through half his sentence by now, but there were talk of letting him out for good behavior already, even though he was nowhere near his first chance for a parole.
Natsu had been there when he mentioned it and felt Lucy tense under the hand he had on her shoulder. Jude had promised he would move to the town of Clover if and when he was released and would not walk out early without Lucy's blessing. There was still a year before he could go on parole, and Lucy was working on wrapping her mind around it before then – which was hard when everything just kept happening all the time.
Natsu slowly trailed off as he was talking, letting Lucy sleep against him. She had come so far since that fateful day on the bridge. She had published a few books under the name of Lucy Ashley, before making her peace with the name Heartfilia. As such, she had decided against taking Natsu's name when they married. Heartfilia was the name her mother had loved and cherished, and Lucy kept it for her mother's legacy. Natsu admired it about her.
He kissed the top over her head and let himself fall asleep again.
...
"Are you ready, Princess?" Virgo asked, glancing at the crowd outside the gate. Lucy still didn't know how she felt about the pet name one of her now closest friend had come up with, but she let it slide as she always did. Arguing with Virgo was like arguing with a wall. A very calm and stoic wall, which was all the more frustrating.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she sighed. She could see Mira's silvery blond hair outside, amongst the crowd, and felt more at ease. Her friends were there. Natsu was there too, with Gray and Erza, keeping the journalists from forcing their way through the gate. The three of them worked for a private security firm that Jellal owned, and took turns running the club. It had started when Erza was pregnant with Misty and could no longer teach, letting Natsu and Gray, who were both purple belts back then, take over. It was meant to be temporary, but they still taught most of the time, allowing her more time with her child.
Levy had taken to forensic sciences, though she still did translation work on the side, and often worked behind the scene with Cana and Gajeel. He had walked away from his job as a PI soon after Jude had been sent to jail and joined Cana when she enrolled to become a cop, which had been a shock to most of his friends. Juvia had worked at the local aquarium for a few years before embracing life as a housewife when her daughter was born, and always volunteered to babysit for her friends, as long as they returned the favor every once in a while, so she could have some private time with her darling.
'Guess what?' A text from Natsu made Lucy's phone ping.
'What?' She typed back, surveying her reflection one last time before standing up. It was time.
'Cana brought Bickslow for "extra" security,' Natsu sent with a suggestive face emoji. Lucy smiled. Cana had never mentioned her co-worker until after Gajeel "outed" the secret to Levy, who hadn't realized it was a secret and shared it with the group. Their relation had started as a full-on rivalry, then evolved into a friendly rivalry. It was a relief to see her taking interest in someone, after the fiasco with Bacchus. He had at first refused Cana's ultimatum, thus ending their casual relationship, then decided he actually wanted to be with her. They had almost two years of on again, off again relationship, until he ultimately cheated on her. Cana had then closed herself off to relationships. She was happy, if not a little envious, for her friends, who stuck with their first love, got married and had children, until Bickslow got transferred to her unit. Though Cana still wouldn't admit it, her friends knew there was a blooming romance between the two most dirty minded people they knew.
"Princess?" Virgo called her. Lucy eyes shot up, and she quickly typed a reply to Natsu.
"I'm ready," she assured. "Let's do it."
...
Lucy finally let herself breathe as Virgo hung up the new sign at the door of the mansion. She then joined her friend for a few photos in front of it, suffered through more questioning, until the crowd finally cleared out, leaving her with the people she loved the most in the world.
"Everyone together for a picture!" Anna ushered them. She startled when Bickslow took the camera from her hands.
"You go, lady. I'm not part of the group. I just work with Cana." To which a collective 'uh-uh' responded.
"Uh… Okay," she agreed. Natsu pulled her between Lucy and himself and everyone cheered as the picture was taken. All their friends slowly withdrew back to their vehicle, until Virgo, Lucy and Natsu were the last ones left.
"My offer for living quarters still stands," Virgo informed them for the umpteenth time.
"I like our house," Lucy deferred.
"I like our privacy," Natsu whispered in her ear, making her giggle.
"Plus, we wouldn't want to take away from the people who need it," Lucy added. "You, Aries and Loke will be doing a stellar job running this place."
"Thank you, Princess, we'll do our best," Virgo promised with a curt bow. "I shall go and get ready to accept newcomers."
Lucy and Natsu waved their goodbyes until they were standing alone in front of the now open gate.
"Are you gonna miss this place?" Natsu asked, noting how her eyes were slightly wet.
"Parts of it. But this is more important." She traced the new plate with reverence.
Layla Heartfilia Shelter
For domestic violence survivors
and those who need a safe place to sleep
"It's perfect," she said, wiping her tears. "After all this hard work, it's perfect."
"Geez, you're so emotional lately," Natsu scoffed, bringing her into a side hug. "Of course, it's perfect. You made it happen."
"Virgo gave me the idea," Lucy argued.
Indeed, the dream of turning the gargantuan mansion that had seen her grow into a shelter had come from one of her most trusted friend. Lucy had only been visiting for tea when she met Aries, and though Virgo had denied it, it quickly became obvious that Aries had made her home at the mansion. Lucy didn't mind it in the slightest, but Virgo's constant lies about it had gotten her wary of the latest resident of her childhood home, and after useless back and forth with Virgo, she had cornered Aries to question her about it. It didn't go as expected, when Aries started crying, apologizing relentlessly as she curled into a shivering mess.
Lucy had backed off immediately, but Aries hadn't calmed down until Virgo came around, helped her up and brought her to a different room so she could calm down. Lucy had thought her friend would yell at her when she finally came out, but Virgo had done nothing of the sort. She had explained that Aries came to stay with her because she had no where else to go. Only a couple years older than Lucy herself, she had been verbally and physically abused by her mother, then her roommate, leaving her with no safe place to go. Virgo had warned Lucy that she didn't care if helping a friend got her fired.
Instead, Lucy had told her to do whatever it took, and to not hesitate to ask for money, to help her friend back up like Natsu had helped her. That was the first time she thought of the mansion as more than a house. They had money. They had room. They had furniture. And throughout the years, they had recruited Loke for management and Laki for carpentry, and renovated the mansion to convert it into a shelter. Since Lucy couldn't access the Heartfilia funds and wouldn't own the place until she was twenty-five – which she now was – she had gotten help from Michael Lobster, who had been a friend of the family forever and had managed everything until Lucy could take over.
They had to run the plan by Jude, who agreed to cede everything as long as he could keep the vacation house in Clover for when he came out. And so, the Layla Heartfilia Shelter was a go, with small units for long term resident and shared room for short stay. Zera moved in as an on-site therapist and crisis assistant.
Then there was Mira, who had moved to Magnolia shortly after Juvia had gotten pregnant so she could be around her friends as they all moved on to the next chapter of their lives. She had been a perfect fit among the group and had opened her own restaurant, where Aries now worked, as would any resident of the shelter who wished to make money. Mira also offered work for food and money to many homeless people in the area, and was pleased she could direct them to Lucy's shelter for a place to sleep.
"I couldn't have done it alone," Lucy argued. "Everyone helped so much."
"You don't have to do anything alone, Luce. I'm here for you. We all are."
Lucy placed her hand on Natsu's scarred cheek – a wound received a few years ago while breaking a bar fight.
"I love you so much," she whispered, tears in her eyes.
"Geez, you're crying again," he teased, softly wiping her tears. "What's got into you?"
"It's all of that stress just leaving," she brushed it off with a chuckle.
"You're so weird sometimes." She smacked his arm with a giggle, used to his teasing. "Alright, let's get you home. We still gotta get ready for next week."
Lucy nodded an followed him to the car. It had been a pleasant surprise to learn that he didn't get motion sick when he drove and made their lives much easier. It was Gray who had taught him in an empty parking lot at night. He would tell anyone who would hear it that it had been the scariest moment of is life.
They were halfway through their home when Lucy groaned.
"I forgot, I told Mavis we would pick up August after the ceremony," she told Natsu, who quickly adjusted his itinerary toward his brother's house.
"That's not a problem!" he grinned. Lucy smiled softly. She had always known Natsu's nurturing side, since he helped her back to her feet, and had witnessed it more than once over the years when he had gone out of his way to retrieve a toy for a kid, or done something silly to cheer a sad child up. Yet, all of their friends had been positively shocked to see how talented Natsu was when it came to taking care of his nephew, and they became Mavis's go to babysitter when Zeref couldn't work from home or was away on business trips. Gray had made the comment that Natsu got along with kids cause he was no more mature than they were, but his own children had proven it to be true about him as well.
Mavis opened the door as they pulled in the entrance, holding her five-year-old's hand. He was as blond as Mavis but had Zeref's almost black eyes. He was calm and reserved like his dad most of the time, but sometime would be as bubbly as Mavis was
"Uncle Natsu!" August's face lit up and he ran off to Natsu, who picked him up and spun him as if he weighed nothing.
"Again, again!" August cheered, and Natsu spun him until he was too dizzy to keep it up.
Lucy laughed as she watched him stumble and sit on the ground until the world stopped spinning.
"He's gonna make a great dad," Mavis commented, moving next to Lucy.
"I hope he doesn't freak out like Zeref did," Lucy chuckled. Mavis laughed.
"I'm not worried," she assured Lucy. "Zeref had the same reaction the first time I told him I loved him."
"Natsu said he loved me first," Lucy recalled.
"See, nothing to worry about!"
Despite having been together over a decade and married for two years, Zeref had not been ready to hear he would be a dad and had ghosted Mavis. Though she knew she caught him unprepared and he would need space to process and prepare himself, she had still been worried he may not come back. Of course, Natsu wasn't having it and had ranted to Zeref about abandoning his wife and child for a solid five minutes before Zeref had a chance to explain he just needed some time to collect himself. In less than 24 hours, he had come up with a list of books, furnitures, toys and accessories they would need, as well as a list of names.
"I guess you're right," Lucy chuckled.
"About what?" Natsu asked, August thrown over his shoulder like a potato sack. Before Lucy could think of an excuse, Mavis laughed.
"That you're the only one who can still toss August around like that."
"I'll toss him even more when he's old enough to join the club," Natsu boasted.
"When are you guys planning to have kids?" Mavis asked, making Lucy blush deeply while Natsu only shrugged, jolting August who had barely managed to hoist himself back up.
"It happens when it happens," Natsu replied. Sure, they had talked plenty about having children. But Lucy was in school, and then Natsu was training for his job in security, then the Heartfilia shelter project was happening. It seemed like they could finally catch their breath and actually consider having kids.
"What do you say, August?" Natsu asked, jolting him again before finally setting him down. "Would you like a cousin?"
"Only if I can play!" he stated so seriously everyone laughed.
"I'm sure that won't be an issue," Mavis teased.
Natsu grinned wide. "If that kid is anything like me, it won't be!"
Lucy laughed weakly, imagine the terror of having a mini-Natsu running wildly around. She had been a quiet child. Maybe there was hope for her sleep.
"Alright, I have to go," Mavis said. She was so short she only had to lean a little to kiss August on the forehead. "Be nice, okay?"
"Yes mommy!" he replied brightly.
"I'll come pick him up after my shift," she added, pulling Natsu in a quick hug, then Lucy in a slightly longer one, gave them the key then hopped in their cars, leaving them to drive her SUV home, since it had the child seat in it already. Lucy smiled as she watched Natsu fastening the belt and making sure it was nice and secure before sliding in the driver seat.
"What's with the look?" He asked, catching her staring.
"I love you," was all she said, and he grinned.
"I love you too," he assured, leaning over for a kiss.
"Eww!" August called from the back seat. Natsu stuck his tongue out and Lucy swatted his arm, then they made their way home.
...
Lucy sighed as she finally laid down in bed. The last week had been a lot of work, and the only thing to worry about now was not to be late to Misty's birthday party in three days. She heard the shower stop as Natsu finished cleaning up and shifted, propping her head into her palm, making sure her night gown showed as much cleavage as it could without being obvious and shifting her hips, hoping to get her dearest husband in the mood even though he had had a long day of work. She pulled out her phone and started a puzzle game while waiting for him, getting annoyed that it was taking him so long.
When he finally walked through the door, it was in his naked glory. Years had been kind to his body. He kept his slim muscular frame, but had managed to pack on some more bulk, without getting as beefy as Elfman was. His hair was a bit overdue for a cut, but since he had started tying it most of the time, Lucy didn't mind in the slightest, except for the fact that his hair was so much thicker and lusher than hers, especially after he had showered.
The scar to his abdomen was fainter now, but still very obvious. A few more nicks and scratches had been added, the most noticeable one on his cheek. He also sported a few tattoos now, including a red dragon that covered his entire back – a piece that Igneel had drawn in Highschool that Anna had found in an old box. Gajeel liked to tease Natsu by asking why he had a salamander tattooed on his back and had made it his new nickname.
"Like what you see?" he teased when she just observed him.
"Very much so," she admitted, motioning him forward with a finger. Natsu obliged, crawling on top of her to plant a kiss on her lips. She shivered as he traced the side of her breast with a light touch.
"I was thinking," he started.
"That doesn't happen often," she cut him off teasingly, giggling at his fake pout.
"Anyway…" he huffed, his hand trailing down. She thought he would slip under her gown, but his hand instead rested on her belly. "I think I'd like to have a kid. When you're ready." Lucy bit her lips and Natsu pulled back, obviously concerned he did something wrong. A pout pulled at his wife's lips and she sighed.
"You're no fun," she whined before he could ask what got into her.
"What? Why?"
"Because I had everything planned already and you just had to go and ruin it!" Natsu pushed himself up on his knees, staring at her with confusion.
"What are you going on about?"
"The restaurant! The cake! I've been planning this for two weeks!"
"Luce?" She reached for his hand and pressed it against her stomach, watching as his expression shifted from confusion to awe. "Don't tell me," he whispered. She saw his eyes shine, the same way they had when she had walked up to the altar, like everything was just right and words couldn't convey the emotion. Natsu didn't tear up often, and Lucy cupped his face softly and nodded, watching his tears of joy spill. Natsu's lips crashed on hers so abruptly that she gasped for breath. "You're pregnant," he whispered against her lips, pecking at them. "We're gonna be parents!"
As reality settled in, Natsu had to refrain from picking her up and spinning her around like he did when she agreed to marry him. He sat up again, caressing her stomach, trying to imagine how she would look like in a few months.
"Two weeks?" he suddenly realized. "When did you find out?"
"Just then. I'm at five weeks now."
"When were you going to tell me?"
"Literally tomorrow. But you had to go and ruin it," she scoffed. "I wanted to surprise you."
"I love you so much, Luce." He leaned over and flipped her nightgown to kiss her belly. "But I love you even more," he whispered against her skin. "No hard feeling, Luce," he added, kissing her belly again.
"As long as you don't stop loving me, we should be golden," she laughed.
"I need to call Anna," Natsu realized, shifting to stand up. Lucy's legs wrapped around his, stopping his movements so abruptly he half fell off the bed. "What was that for?" he whined, struggling to straighten up and face his wife.
"It's midnight. Let her sleep. We can tell people tomorrow." She would rather wait a little longer, but there would be no keeping secrets with Natsu around. "Plus, I had some other plans for tonight," she added, tracing a line down his chest. "You wouldn't want to ruin my plans twice, would you?" Natsu considered breaking the hold she still had on him and yell 'sorry-not-sorry' as he ran off, but the needy tone she used just had a way of breaking his resolve.
"Is that gonna be okay for the baby?" he asked, crawling closer again.
"Oh yeah, we don't have to worry about that," she assured him.
"Good, cause I'm all fired up now!"
Alright people, that's the end of that. I think it was a nice wrap up, though it is over loaded with information. There was a lot to cram in there.
I had fun writing this story. I couldn't put it down. I wrote it all in like four or five months, and it is twice as long as my original novel.
I hope the epilogue was worth the wait. Thank you so much for reading this story. It blows my mind that people what to read my stuff. I write for the love of it, but knowing people read and enjoy it is a whole different kind of love.
I admire you for reading a fic that had so much to unpack, and broaches so many difficult topics. Thank you for giving me a chance. Healing takes on many forms. Things may seem hopeless at times, but if you keep working at it, if you find people to support you, or if you even just hang in there, you have a chance to heal. It's ridiculous to imagine anyone returning to their former selves after trauma. Healing isn't about reverting to who you were. Healing is accepting who you are now. Healing is learning to accept that we will never be the same, but that's okay. Healing is growing. It's accepting that we may not be better than we were, but at least we're still here, and that's enough. Healing is hoping. Hoping is healing.
On that note, I'm just rambling because I'm tired. That chapter took long enough to get out, I won't make you wait any longer for it to edit my writer's note. I said what I said.
Thank you to all my readers and reviewers. I've put my story in the world, but you carried it on your mind, and I am forever grateful.
I'll be back tomorrow to reply to the reviews
Platonically love you all. Hope so see you again on my new stories, when they do come out.
M'n'T
