Hello! Here is a story on Ultear being everyone's granny!
They sat on the train together, fingers laced. Juvia rested her head on Gray's shoulder.
"Where are we going Gray-sama?" Juvia asked as she glanced out the window. She knew they were going to the capital, but she didn't know the purpose of their visit there.
"I wanted to pay my thanks to someone, you should too," Gray answered and rested his cheek against hers.
She pouted at the lack of a real answer.
Two hours later they were in a little village outside of the capital, the stop before the capital. Gray held her hands still and she smiled that he was more willing to show his affection for her in such a small way. They separated to go relieve their bladders in the bathrooms before setting out again from the train station. Juvia thought the village was cute and looked back to Gray who was staring at an old woman sitting on a patio of a restaurant and drinking tea.
"There she is," Gray said with a nod and tugged Juvia along.
She stared at the woman as they approached the patio. Gray leaned over the railing and smiled at the woman. "Hey," Gray called to the old woman.
The old man set her tea cup down and turned her head to them. She smiled softly at Gray and Juvia. "I thought I told you with that look to not worry about me, keep moving on, Gray," the old woman said softly.
Juvia blinked and squinted her eyes before gasping. "Ultear-san!" Juvia gasped out, hand over her mouth.
"Aren't you perceptive," the old woman teased as she lifted her hand shakily to sip her tea.
"But Juvia doesn't understand, Ultear-san is Jellal-san's age…" Juvia glanced from the old woman to Gray.
"Remember the night of the games when you all felt déjà vu?" Ultear asked. "I gave up my time to save everyone, I had hoped to turn back time to the point before the gate opened. Oh no…why are you crying?"
Juvia wiped her eyes and cried freely. "Thank you, thank you for saving Gray-sama, for everyone! Thank you," Juvia cried and turned into Gray's chest.
Gray rubbed Juvia's head. "Sorry, she's been a bit more emotional lately. We wanted to invite you to the wedding," Gray said as he managed to bring out an invitation from his pocket.
"Juvin! That was your one request for a special guest!" Juvia gasped out.
"Yeah, now let me hand over the invitation," Gray huffed gently with a blush as everyone stared at them.
Juvia let go and ran to the gate, she ran over to the table and knelt by Ultear's side. "Please come to the wedding! Meredy-san will be there, she'll be so happy to see you. Juvia won't take no for an answer!" Juvia sniffled out and grasped Ultear's skirt. "Please," she begged.
"Gray, my mother would be so happy for you. I am afraid I don't have much money, not enough to travel to your wedding and back," Ultear said sadly.
"Juvia will pay!" Juvia piped up. "You saved Gray-sama, you saved everyone. Juvia has Gray-sama because of your…your sacrifice!" Juvia buried her face into Ultear's skirts.
Ultear looked to Gray and frowned. "You two are expecting a baby aren't you?" She chided him.
Gray grinned, "It was planned for the future, but things happened."
"I can't deny the bride and groom can I? Nor an expectant mother. Dry your eyes Juvia, I'll attend your wedding," Ultear said as she ran her fingers through blue hair.
"Thank you!" Juvia said with a smile.
As Ultear slept on the train, Juvia watched her, chewing on her thumbnail. "Juvia thinks she should live with us. No one should be alone," Juvia said quietly.
"We just got the house," Gray sighed softly. "Nothing is ready for us, let alone her to move in," Gray told her gently.
"Juvia will call in a few favours then," Juvia said with a nod. She pulled out her lacrima phone and began an email. Gray read it as she typed. He smiled and kissed her temple as she focused on her request to finish the house quickly. She sent the email off and a moment later she started getting replies.
Gray stared at the incoming emails that Juvia shot off quick replies of 'thank you' and 'perfect'.
"See, everyone knows Ultear-san is important to them all," Juvia said with a smile.
"You'll have to learn to be quiet then," Gray whispered in her ear.
Juvia blushed but nodded and got up as Ultear's lap blanket dropped to the floor. She adjusted it and the pillow against the window. Juvia took her seat beside Gray and held his hand in both of hers.
Ultear was placed into one of the spare rooms at Fairy Tail as Gray and Juvia's apartment was on the fourth floor of a walk-up. Ultear walked into the main guild hall and saw that there was a lot going on. She smiled as she realized the wedding was going to take place in the guild itself. She sat down at a table against the wall and watched as Gray stood on a ladder and looked down to Juvia who used her water to lift up the decorative piece.
"Hey, Granny, want something to eat?" A man asked her. She stared at the shocking blonde hair, the scar on his face and his height.
"Me? I don't want to be a bother," Ultear said with a wave of her hand.
The man gave a hum and then turned his head away. "Mira, get Granny some breakfast!" He shouted across the room.
"Okay Laxus, I'll be there in a moment! Get back to helping with the balloons!" A petite white haired woman replied.
"My girl will bring you something right away, just stay there Granny," Laxus told her with a smirk as he walked off.
"Oi Laxus where did you go? We have a hundred balloons to blow up!" Natsu shouted.
Ultear watched as the hall was decorated in whites and blues. A moment later Mira was at her table with a tray of food and some tea. "Juvia suggested tea, I hope that is alright?" Mira asked as she set the sausage, eggs, and toast down with the tea.
"That's perfect. Thank you. Is the wedding being held here?" Ultear asked.
"Just the reception. The cathedral is where the ceremony is taking place. Lyon told Gray that Ur would beat him senseless for having a baby out of wedlock and a non-church wedding," Mira laughed softly. "They loved your mother very much, two orphaned boys. I understand that must be painful though," Mira said gently.
"My mother's memories…I saw them once. She thought I died. She mourned me, she didn't replace me, but she had a lot of love to give and it is good that she had two sons in the end," Ultear said softly. "I haven't actually met Lyon yet, only saw him briefly when we were children. I will be glad to meet him."
"He's at the church right now with Meredy, Jellal, and Erza. They'll be back soon," Mira promised.
"Mest bring me to that woman there!" A male voice gruffly ordered.
"That's Master Makarov, he probably wants to thank you," Mira said as she flitted off.
The younger man pushed the wheelchair up to Ultear's table as she cut up her sausage.
"I wanted to thank you for saving all of my children back then. Gray and Juvia are having this happy day because of you. My children are alive because of you, thank you!" Makarov said with his head bowed.
"Everyone keeps thanking me…the truth is I had thought of killing Rogue that night to prevent the future. I was still a sinner. I had to do something," Ultear sighed heavily before taking a bite of sausage.
"Regardless, so many are thankful for your sacrifice," Mest said quietly.
Ultear sighed again. "I really didn't want praise," she mumbled out.
"So, you're not staying at Fairy Tail tonight. We have a house and some of the people we know actually finished while most of us were doing other preparations. Would you like to come see it?" Gray asked Ultear.
"Oh alright," Ultear said as she stood up from her chair. Juvia linked her arm with hers quickly and they walked out together.
"Wait for me!" Meredy shouted as she grabbed Lyon's hand and dragged him along.
Ultear saw Jellal get up from his chair as he set down a table piece onto the table. He followed too, with Erza joining along.
Ultear was tired by the time they all reached Gray and Juvia's house.
Wendy came out of the house with Charle and Cherie. "Everything is all done! Freed-san made sure it was perfect!" Wendy said with a smile and ran up to Ultear. She threw her arms around Ultear's middle. "You saved me twice, thank you," she said softly.
"Alright, let her go. I think Ultear's tired from the walk," Gray said as he pulled Wendy back. "And what do you mean twice?"
"I'll explain another time!" Wendy huffed.
"Ultear-san let's show you inside," Juvia said with a smile and led the way. "Gray-sama and Juvia wanted this place to be perfect. But Juvia thought it would be more perfect if you were here. A lot of people wanted to help too as thanks. Freed-san managed them for us all day," Juvia explained.
Ultear smiled at the home and all it's finishings. It was a lovely home for a family, which she knew Gray and Juvia were already expecting a child.
"But there is an additional surprise," Freed said as he walked down the hall toward them. Ultear looked away from the living room and to the green haired man. "Follow me," Freed said with a smile.
Gray followed him with Juvia and Ultear right behind him. Freed entered a room on the main floor at the end of the hallway. He walked to the other end of the medium sized room, Gray moved to stand near the window and Juvia smiled at the room. Meredy followed Ultear in and gasped at the lovely room.
Ultear stared at the bed, dresser, chair, and desk. There were even nightstands on either side of the bed. She looked to the window and saw that there was a view of a little garden that had yet to see any flowers or vegetables grow. "What is this?" Ultear asked quietly.
Gray pulled Juvia beside him. "Juvia and I want you to live with us," Gray said with a smile.
"Juvia and Gray-sama don't think someone should live alone," Juvia added.
"Lyon and I can easily come visit you anytime then," Meredy said with tears in her eyes and then hugged the old woman. "Please accept their offer."
"That is very generous, but you'll be expecting a baby soon. You don't need an old woman like me around," Ultear argued.
"I don't think you should say no," Jellal piped up from the hallway.
"I think this is something Ur would have been happy to see," Lyon said as he placed his hand on Ultear's shoulder. "You'll have all us but especially Gray and Juvia will be close by. Your mother wanted to lead a life of solitude after you were presumed dead. But I harassed her into becoming my teacher. It seems she didn't want to be alone as she took in Gray too," Lyon told her gently.
"Life is better with friends and family," Erza said with a smile.
"Please stay," Juvia and Meredy spoke in unison.
"I'll be insulted if you reject this room, I worked hard on it!" Freed huffed out with a smirk.
"Exactly!" Wendy piped up and pressed through the people in the hallway. She grabbed Ultear's hand. "I want to tell you of how much I've grown in strength."
"I'm even able to use a little magic!" Cherie piped up.
"Alright, I'll stay," Ultear conceded with a smile. "Young people have so much energy to pester an old woman!"
Everyone laughed at her remarks and Meredy hugged Ultear tightly.
Ultear had many moments of joy while living with Gray and Juvia. She had been in the front row of their wedding. Lyon was the best man with Natsu and Gajeel as groomsmen. Meredy was the maid of honour with Lucy and Levy as bridesmaids. Erza somehow got herself ordained in time to perform the ceremony.
The wedding had been lovely, and the reception a great party. Ultear admired the beautiful white dress that Juvia wore that tied around the back of her neck. Gray danced with her, a blush on his cheeks and a smile on Juvia's face.
Ultear saw so much love and happiness as she sat at a table. Gray then asked her to dance as Juvia danced with Gajeel, who Ultear learned was Juvia's best friend.
She yawned halfway through the night and Laxus told Gray and Juvia that he and Mira would bring her to their place. She felt ridiculous being carried home on Laxus' back, but Mira chatted away with her, a bright smile on the young woman's face.
Lyon and Meredy stayed with her while Gray and Juvia left for their honeymoon. Apparently they were returning to a small cottage where they had lived and trained together for six months. She wasn't going to question the couple too much, but she was glad for the company of Meredy and Lyon. She learned about Lyon's own troubled past and he grieved before her as he told her how he and Gray reunited as he wanted to melt the very ice shell that her mother, their mother, created.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Lyon apologized again as he rubbed his eyes. Meredy gave him a sympathetic look as she stirred the stew on the stove.
Ultear reached out and held his hand, crying herself. "I had been there in disguise, I wanted it too. But because you melted her ice shell, you freed her…and she saved me. Lyon I saw all of her memories when Gray sent me into the sea," Ultear told him gently.
Meredy sniffled and smiled at Ultear and Lyon.
Lyon held Ultear's hand tightly and pressed his forehead to their hands. "I'm glad…she loved you so much," he told her, and she could hear the lump in his throat.
She patted his white head of hair. "She loved all three of us," she said softly.
At night, Meredy helped her into bed and she brought Meredy down and kissed her forehead.
"I love you Ultear," Meredy sighed softly.
"Goodnight Meredy," Ultear said softly.
Meredy smiled and retreated from the room with Ultear's day clothes. She smiled to herself as she was content knowing that Meredy and Lyon were developing a relationship themselves. She could have died happily then knowing that her dear Meredy was happy, possibly in love and on her way to a beautiful wedding like Gray and Juvia's. Lyon was a gentleman at least.
Ultear sighed and rolled to her side. "Now Jellal just needs to marry Erza the stubborn goat," she mumbled to herself and fell asleep.
Erza and Jellal stayed with her when Juvia's water broke and Gray fainted. Thankfully, it had been a day when Meredy and Lyon were visiting. Lyon helped Juvia while Meredy shouted and slapped Gray's unconscious face.
Gray came to and grabbed luggage that was at the door and rushed after Lyon and Juvia.
"Oi Lyon, hands off my wife! You have Meredy!" Gray shouted.
"I'm going to support Juvia and make sure the boys don't kill each other. I'll call Jellal and Erza," Meredy said with a smile as she stepped into her flip flops.
"Keep me posted on the baby," Ultear said as she lifted Lucy's book onto her lap.
"Okay! Bye Mom…Ultear!" Meredy laughed as she ran out of the house.
Ultear shook her head. "To be young," she laughed softly.
Thirty minutes later, Erza and Jellal showed up with a knock on the door. She walked over and opened it slowly.
"Sorry, we don't have a key," Erza apologized as she stepped inside.
"We brought lunch!" Jellal said as he followed Erza inside with a basket. "We were thinking of a picnic, if you were up to it."
"That is a lovely idea," she nodded in agreement. The couple grinned at each other before stepping back outside with Ultear slipping on her shoes and following them to the backyard of the house.
"Juvia and Gray have such a lovely garden," Erza commented with a smile.
"Yes, I think they do it more for me than themselves though," Ultear laughed softly as she sat at the small table outside. Jellal set the basket down and started to unpack the items and Erza passed Ultear a sandwich.
"Mira made these this morning, so we were lucky to buy them so quickly," Erza said as she bit into her egg salad sandwich.
"Mira is a very sweet girl. How are her and Laxus doing?" Ultear asked with a smile.
Jellal flushed red and Erza choked on her sandwich. Jellal smacked her back gently.
"I see young love was caught then?" Ultear asked.
"You could say that…no one saw…but definitely, definitely heard," Jellal muttered with a shake of his head.
"No class whatsoever," Erza managed to speak as she took a sip of water. "They're having a baby out of wedlock and claimed that marriage couldn't define their relationship!"
"My mother never married, but she had me because she wanted a child but not tied down by a man," Ultear hummed out.
Erza blushed but nodded in understanding.
Lyon and Meredy called a couple hours later. "It's a boy!" They shouted on the other end.
"Of course, it is, Edolas Gray and Juvia had a son," Erza said with a nod as she held up the phone on speaker.
"How wonderful," Ultear said with a nod.
Jellal grinned at her and leaned toward the phone. "What's the baby's name?" He asked.
"Greige, he was born seven pounds, three ounces," Lyon answered.
"We're going to take some pictures and head back. Greige is settling in with Juvia, he was screaming and wailing for her. Gray was threatening the nurses and doctors to give his son back to Juvia. Lyon ended up trying to fight him. I settled the matter and apologized to the hospital staff," Meredy sounded smug on the phone as if glancing at Lyon with a pointed look of 'I saved your ass, you owe me.'
Two days later, Gray came back home with Juvia and little Greige in his baby carrier. Ultear welcomed Juvia home with a hug. "You look wonderful despite being a new mom," she laughed softly.
"Gray-sama has been wonderful. Are Lyon-san and Meredy-san still here?" Juvia asked.
"Kitchen!" Lyon called out.
"Let me see my nephew!" Meredy squealed as she came running into the living room where Gray set the carrier down.
"Hold on, let me get him out. You held him at the hospital, let Ultear hold him," Gray chided Meredy who retreated and plopped down into one of the chairs.
"Ultear-san would you like to hold Greige?" Juvia asked gently as they walked over to the couch. Juvia sat down with her and smiled gently.
"I've never held a baby before," Ultear hummed out.
"It's not that hard," Gray said with a smile as he walked over and Ultear accepted the small baby into her arms.
She felt her heart melt as the baby snuffled and waved his small hand before taking Juvia's finger as she was adjusting Greige's baby blanket. Ultear heard the soft baby sigh slip from Greige's small perfect little lips. Ultear felt a tear slip and then another.
"He's so beautiful," Ultear said softly as she remembered the memory that the sea showed her of her mother's memories holding her for the first time and unable to hold back her tears.
Now she understood how precious a baby was.
She did not regret her choice to save everyone, giving up her time, but she wondered if she could have been a mother herself.
She glanced at Meredy and knew she was a mother just like her mother had been to Gray and Lyon.
"He's smiling at you," Gray said with a smile.
Ultear looked down and saw that Greige was smiling, his eyes closed, but laughing and smiling anyways.
"What a darling boy you are," Ultear said with a smile of her own.
She helped watch Greige over the next few years. She felt new energy and life in her as she followed after the small boy nearing his fifth birthday. His dark blue hair, a mix of his parents. He flashed a grin at her and took off in the living room, darting around the furniture, chasing the cat that Juvia and Gray rescued on their last mission.
Now it was their anniversary, and she was watching Greige.
"Greige come, sit with Granny by the fireplace. Leave Coco alone, what has she done to you to deserve you chasing after her?" She teased him.
"But Granny! We were playing!" Greige whined as he lifted Coco up under her front paws and carried her over to Ultear.
"Let her down, shall I tell you a story?" Ultear asked with a smile.
Greige set the cat down who curled up by the fireplace. Greige clambered up onto Ultear's lap and snuggled into her side. "Granny I let Coco go, you owe me a story," Greige said with a deep frown that belonged to his father, but the colour and shape of his eyes belonged to his mother.
She bopped his nose and nodded. "Shall I tell you the story of when time stopped and went back one minute? It's the reason you are here today," Ultear said with a smile.
"Huh? That doesn't make sense!" Greige huffed as he crossed his arms. "Mama said it takes nine months for the baby to arrive! I don't get it!"
"Shh…Greige. I'm talking about the redemption of a woman who had only known bitterness and sorrow for most of her life. She wanted redemption, wanted to change time…just enough time to save the world," she said gently.
Greige blinked at her in confusion.
Ultear told her story without naming herself. She didn't need to upset the boy further. But he gasped when she told him that all of Fairy Tail had fallen in the battle, including his parents.
"But why?" Greige gasped out.
"You're here, your parents are here, all of Fairy Tail is here because a single woman decided, even though she knew the consequences of her actions, that she was going to turn back time. It is a forbidden spell. She was beautiful and young, but to unwind time she had to give up her youth, her beauty, the power that she had known. "
"She wanted to do something right. She needed to do something right by those she hurt, those that she loved and trusted. She performed that forbidden spell and wound the clock back by one minute," Ultear explained slowly to Greige.
"What can one minute do?" Greige asked.
"Everyone had a weird sense of knowledge of what would happen in the next minute that would lead to their death. Your father protected your mother by falling with her and holding her closely. Romeo survived with his father and Wakaba. Aunty Meredy and Uncle Lyon survived too. Lucy did not take the wrong turn. Everyone survived," she paused for a moment before continuing, "For so long the woman thought her sacrifice had been for naught, but when she realized it saved everyone in that one minute it was absolutely worth it," Ultear said softly and brushed back unruly navy locks.
Greige stared at her, eyes widening as he shifted onto his knees on her lap. He held her face in both of his small hands, his eyes searching hers. She saw him frown and then his eyes filled with tears.
"Granny…you're the woman in the story," he stated softly.
He was his mother's son as he cried for her.
Ultear held him close and rubbed his back. "I have no regrets, my sweet little Greige. If I had not changed time, everyone would be gone. Evil dragons would rule the land again and most importantly you would not be here," Ultear said softly.
"But…but you're old now…didn't you want to become a mom?" Greige asked.
"I raised Aunty Meredy, she's my little girl," Ultear answered. "Now dry those eyes before you flood the place. It seems that you have more of your mother's abilities than your father's."
"Do you think I can have a water body like Mama?" Greige asked.
"I know so. You'll have to train lots," Ultear said with a firm nod.
Greige nodded and hugged Ultear tightly. "I love you Granny. Thank you for being with me always," he said quietly.
She held him close and stared at the fireplace. She glanced at Coco curled at her feet.
Time.
She wished she just had a little bit more with Greige.
A couple nights later, Juvia found Ultear on the floor. "Ultear-san!" Juvia gasped out as she ran over to try and help her up.
"You're pregnant, don't hurt the baby," Ultear hissed at her gently.
Juvia bit her lip and nodded. "Juvia will be right back with Gray-sama," Juvia told her firmly and ran down the hall and up the stairs.
Ultear felt tired and weak, ready to fall asleep on the floor.
Hurried footsteps came running down the stairs.
"Shit, Ultear you alright?" Gray cursed and then lifted her up gently. "Juvia, check her hip," Gray called to Juvia.
Ultear closed her eyes, she was so tired.
"Juvia thinks we need to call Wendy-san over, Porlyuscia-sama in the morning," Juvia said quietly.
"Put me to bed, I'm tired," Ultear complained softly.
"Juvia," Gray said and Ultear felt Gray carry her to her room. Juvia tucked her into bed. "We're going to call Wendy," Gray said as he tucked her in from the other side.
"It's alright you two. It's time. I was given more time than I ever felt I deserved," she said softly.
"No…no, Greige needs you, Juvia needs you," Juvia cried softly.
"Wendy can fix you up," Gray choked out.
"She can't fix a dying heart…don't let Porlyuscia do it either. I used a forbidden spell, it was kind to give me these last few years with all of you, with Greige. What a sweet boy he is. He's a perfect combination of you two," she sighed softly and reached for Juvia first. "That boy has your talents, he's going to be very gifted like you. You have been so good to me. Tell Meredy I love her dearly."
"Yes, Juvia will tell Meredy. Juvia loves you too, you saved Gray-sama, everyone," Juvia cried softly.
"You once said that during your battle with the necromancer that even though you were going to kill him, thus killing Silver, that Silver and Gray's love as parent and child would never vanquish. Love is so powerful. Will death separate us?" Ultear asked Juvia.
"N-no!" Juvia cried out and bowed her head to the bed.
Ultear looked to Gray who was rubbing his eyes. "Mother would be proud of the man you've become. The father that you are. Greige only knows love. I am sure your parents would also be so proud as am I," Ultear said softly. "Now, both of you go to bed. I want to leave this world in peace. I won't be able to go if you two are wallowing in sorrow," she huffed at them.
"We want to stay," Gray gritted out.
"Juvia is eight months pregnant, she can't get worked up. Take care of your wife Gray," Ultear huffed out with a small smile.
Gray walked around the bed and pulled Juvia up who buried her face into his chest. He lifted Juvia up and carried her out of the room. Ultear opened her eyes to see Gray give her one last look before walking away.
Ultear sighed softly and glanced to the window across her bed. It was a beautiful night, but she could see the rain starting to fall. "Ame Onna…that's what Gajeel calls her. I've been very grateful to have such a beautiful family in the last years of my life. I have no regrets…I wonder if they'll have a girl this time," Ultear smiled to herself and closed her eyes. Her breath became more shallow with each inhale until her chest slowly stopped moving.
A smile on her face as she heard her mother call to her.
Ultear welcomed death.
In the morning Gray and Juvia stood at the door, their eyes dark underneath. Gray held Juvia, holding her head tightly to his chest. "It's okay, she's smiling," Gray told Juvia, his voice cracking.
"Wendy-san is coming over quickly with Erza-san and Jella-san…" Juvia said quietly.
"How do we tell Greige?" Gray asked Juvia.
"Let Greige say goodbye," Juvia suggested. "Juvia will explain it first."
"I'll come with you," Gray said as he held her hand and the tired parents walked down to the hall toward the stairs.
The door opened quickly as they reached the top of the stairs. Jellal's chest rising and falling quickly. He glanced at them and then took off his boots and rushed down the hallway to Ultear's room. Erza followed inside with Wendy. Both women in their pyjamas still.
"Gray…Juvia…" Erza said and bit her lip as Wendy followed after Jellal's path.
"We're going to tell Greige and let him say goodbye," Gray said before pulling Juvia up to their son's room.
They opened it slowly and saw Greige sleeping with a smile on his face, Coco curled up beside him.
"Juvia hates waking him up when he's smiling in his sleep," Juvia sighed softly as she sat on the bed. Gray lifted Coco onto the floor and pulled Greige up onto his lap as he sat on the bed. Coco stretched out her limbs.
"I know," Gray said softly as Greige stirred. "Greige, bud, you got to wake up," Gray said as he rubbed Greige's back.
"Mhm…ten more minutes," Greige complained and burrowed into his father's chest.
"Greige, love, wake up for Mommy and Daddy," Juvia said as she rubbed the back of his legs. Greige kicked out and huffed a bit.
"It's about Granny, you need to wake up," Gray said softly.
Greige rubbed his eyes. "What about Granny?" He asked with sleep thick in his voice, hair mussed.
"She's passed in her sleep," Gray said gently. "Remember like Grandpa Makarov last spring?"
Greige sat up straight. "No…Granny can't leave too!" He cried out. "Granny was fine yesterday!" He rubbed his eyes and felt his parents hug him from either side, crying with him.
"We know," Gray said softly.
"Granny was old. It was just her time," Juvia explained.
Coco hopped onto the bed and pawed at Greige's knee, meowing softly. Greige wrapped his arms around the large cat and buried his face into her fur. "Coco Granny's gone!" He cried out.
"Greige, love, do you want to come with Mommy to say goodbye?" Juvia asked softly.
"I-I can do that this time?" Greige asked with wide eyes.
His father pushed back his dark navy hair. "Yeah, she would love that because even though she's gone physically. She's always going to be a part of you," Gray said and pressed his hand to Greige's chest.
Greige nodded and let go of Coco. His father lifted him up and they followed Juvia out of the room and down the stairs.
Greige sniffed. "It smells like pancakes and bacon," he said quietly.
"Must be Aunty Erza," Gray said and Juvia nodded as she passed by the kitchen.
"Thank you Erza-san," Juvia called into the kitchen.
Erza turned to her, eyes red, but she nodded. "I need to keep you three taken care of, especially you Juvia," Erza said.
Juvia smiled and nodded. They continued down the hallway and reached the bedroom where Wendy was adjusting the blanket and smoothing it out. Jellal sat in the chair, chin on his clasped fingers.
"Greige it's okay, Mommy is here, so is Daddy and Wendy-san and Jella-san," Juvia said as Gray set Greige down on the floor.
Greige had not been allowed to see Grandpa Makarov's body last time. He stared at Granny and then Wendy lifted him up onto her hip, she had grown taller than Juvia over the past several years. "She fell asleep. That smile was one she always had for you, see," Wendy said gently.
Greige nodded. "Thank you Granny for being my Granny!" He cried out.
"She loved you so much," Jellal said as he stood up and grabbed Ultear's foot. "She gave us all this life to live, she wouldn't want so many tears, would she?"
Gray shook his head. "No. She was the bravest person that day. To give up all your time, knowing that it would be gone. That's bravery, courage, and strength. Greige, let's have Ultear's strength to take our steps forward to tomorrow," Gray said gently.
Greige rubbed his eyes and nodded.
Days later, on a beautiful sunny day by the sea. Everyone gathered as Meredy held the ashes of Ultear.
"We're honouring Ultear…my mother…today. She saved us all. Proving that so much can happen in one minute. Without her none of us would be here today. Gray and Juvia wouldn't have Greige and another on the way. I wouldn't have Lyon and our own little girl, Ur. Erza and Jellal wouldn't have finally gotten married…honestly you two! Have a baby!" Meredy said with a smile at them.
"We're pregnant," Erza mumbled out.
Meredy smiled. "Finally! Life and death are old companions. With death there is new life. It's a cycle. It's beautiful, it's painful, but it's a journey of love, sorrow, and loss," Meredy said softly.
Ur cried out and Lyon tried to soothe the pink haired baby. She settled down as Gray leaned over and adjusted her hat.
"Thanks," Lyon said to Gray.
"She's pale, keep her covered up or cool her down a bit," Gray huffed out.
Wendy took a step forward with Cherie and Charle flying beside them. "When we were fighting against Zeref's army…and Mary used her time-world. Ultear came to us…not as an old woman, but in her younger form," Wendy said gently.
"What?" Jellal asked.
"She was able to help us that day. I lost my magic powers because I used Third Origin, Wendy wanted to use it, but I was the god slayer. Ultear helped us then too," Cherie said with a smile.
"It's all true, Ultear's body may have been an apparition that day, but her power was real," Charle said and turned to Meredy and stared at the box of ashes. "Thank you Ultear."
A chorus of 'thank yous' resounded at the beach.
Juvia stepped forward with Greige holding her hand. Meredy handed Juvia the box with a smile. "Take her home to her mother," Meredy said softly to Juvia and kissed her cheek.
"Juvia will," Juvia said with a smile and held onto the box with one hand and Greige in the other. "Greige will you help Mommy with this?" She asked him.
He gave her a nod and they walked into the sea, just until the water hit his waist. Juvia knelt down slowly and set the box down between them, Gray's hands gripping the box. "Give Mommy your hands Greige. Granny is going to rest with her mother in the sea," Juvia explained.
Gray opened the top of the box.
Greige held his mother's hands as they, mostly his mother, formed a ball of water that collected the ashes. Greige watched in awe as the ball lifted into the air with all of the ashes flying far off into the distance before splitting and shooting off into different directions.
His mother let out a huff.
"Too much?" Gray asked Juvia softly.
"Juvia's fine, baby's fine too," she said quietly.
"Thank you Juvia, Ultear will be with her mother," Meredy said with a smile as she adjusted her hold on Ur.
Gray helped Juvia up. Greige clung to his mother's wet skirts.
"Mommy do you think Granny knew I helped?" Greige asked.
"Of course, Granny is probably very happy that you helped her and…oh…" Juvia gasped out and grabbed her belly.
"Knew it," Gray hissed quietly. "Can you and Lyon watch Greige?" He asked Meredy.
Meredy nodded and turned back to Lyon. "Lyon, we have to watch Greige. Juvia's gone into labour!"
"Juvia-chan pushed herself too hard!" Lyon shouted as he ran over to them.
Griege watched as his parents rushed off as quickly as possible.
"Greige, let's go to the fair and your Dad will call us once your baby sibling is here," Lyon said as he held out his hand to Greige.
Greige looked back to the sea one more time and smiled.
A day that had been so full of sorrow was now one of great happiness. He silently thanked his Granny Ultear as he took Lyon's hand. He would remember this day as being one of sorrow and happiness.
I hope you enjoyed it! You can find me on Tumblr and Twitter myravenspirit.