I feel so exhilarated writing this…. I hope you'll feel the same! Thank you for your comments... I so love you guys and I love this chapter hahahaha I had fun writing this… Let me know your thoughts!

"Thanks Mira. I owe you and Erza big time." Natsu said to the white-haired woman in front of his laptop screen. "I want to let you know that I appreciate everything…"

Mira gave him a small laugh. "No Natsu, thank you for trusting us with this important project. Especially me, even after what my sister did…"

"You're not your sister, Mira, and besides, I know that if you knew what she was up to, you wouldn't tolerate it."

"That means a lot to me, Natsu… by the way" she frowned, " you look awful. Do you even get enough sleep?!"

"I haven't had enough sleep since 2 weeks ago but I'm fine. Coffee helped. " He grinned.

"We are representing you here, but you're still working your ass off even though you're there..." She looked at her watch and continued, "It's 3 in the morning there and we've just finished our meeting today. I heard from Gray that you were picking up Lucy every morning since the other day and you've been bringing her lunch? When do you sleep?!"

"Gossip travels fast, huh." He joked "I get to sleep for a few hours a day. Don't worry, I know how to take care of myself."

Mira smiled at him, but her eyes showed that she was worried. "I think we have the right to know the "gossips". Okay, if you say that you can take care of yourself, we'll trust you on that. Let's end this meeting now so you can go to sleep."

"Okay, thank you again Mira. Please also tell Erza, thank you."

"I will. Good night, Natsu."

Then he ended the meeting. He stretched his arms in front of him and realized that he didn't really have any quality sleep since his birthday. It's been 2 weeks. He'd been so busy with his project and his wife. He left his laptop on the dining table and went upstairs to take a nap, but before that, he grabbed his phone and dialed Lucy's number. Leaving a voicemail for his wife to listen to when she wakes up has already become a habit.

He lay down on his bed, after leaving the voicemail, with one arm under his head. It's been 2 days since he had his first meal with Lucy after a long time. He was surprised when she asked him to stay, but he didn't dare ask if she was sure or what not. He just gladly stayed and even though there was just silence all throughout their meal, he didn't mind. During that time, he was content to see her eat, though it was clearly painted on her face that she was worried about something. Since that day, he'd been picking her up every morning and preparing lunch for her. Thinking about the slow but steady progress between him and his wife calms him down, and before he knew it, he had already drifted into slumber.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Natsu reached for his phone on the bedside table. He didn't bother looking at the screen to see who was calling. It was probably Gray, Mira, Erza or Mavis. They were the only one's brave enough to call him at this hour.

He answered the phone with "Hm?"

"Natsu." It was Lucy. Upon hearing her voice, Natsu's senses went from zero to almost 100% active. He looked at the digital clock on the bedside table. It said 6:00 AM. He's only been asleep for 3 hours. He sat and leaned on the headboard.

Lucy woke up at 5:45 AM. She knew that she didn't have to wake up early today, but she was looking forward to her husband's voicemail. She was really fond of it, and listening to his voice before starting her day boosts her morning mood.

She checked the phone where Natsu leaves his voicemail and when she saw "1 voicemail", she pulled up her blanket so her lips would be covered. Behind that blanket, she's smiling. No one else will see her smile even without the blanket since she's alone in her room, but every time she receives a voicemail from him she feels like a kid who's been greeted by her crush for the first time.

She played the voicemail:

"Good morning, Luce. How was your sleep? I just finished my meeting with Mira and I'll take a nap before picking you up. I miss you… This house… no… our house feels empty without you here…" Then there was a short pause and said in a playful voice "By the way, what do you want for lunch? You can choose between food or me, or if you're feeling greedy you can have both… Let me know your answer later, 'kay? I'll see you soon…"

Lucy can't restrain her smile despite the fact that she hasn't forgiven him yet. She still doubts every word that he is saying, but somewhere inside her is saying that he's not the type of person who'll just say something for the sake of just saying it. She wanted to believe in everything, but she was too scared to trust him again. What if she believes him, will he go back to his old self? His old self who isn't interested with her at all?

She played the voicemail again but this time she responded to his words in a soft voice but of course, she's not recording it all.

"Good morning, Luce. How was your sleep?" – You wouldn't have to ask if you're with me now.

"I just finished my meeting with Mira and I'll take a nap before picking you up." – Still a workaholic huh? You're supposed to sleep at night not just take a nap, idiot.

"I miss you… This house… no… our house feels empty without you here…" – Our house… are you not mistaken? It's yours not ours… I miss you too but I won't admit it.

"By the way, what do you want for lunch? You can choose between food or me, or if you're feeling greedy you can have both…"– Can I really be greedy Natsu?

"Let me know your answer later, 'kay? I'll see you soon…" -wait, what? Later? See you soon? I don't have to work today!

She sat up and just realized that Natsu didn't know that she's off duty today so he doesn't need to pick her up or prepare her lunch. She needs to tell him that but she didn't want to call him so she started typing a text message. After typing a few lines, she will delete it and reconstruct another message, then she deleted it again. She lay down on her bed again then stared at the ceiling for a few seconds then decided to just call him.

It just kept ringing and when she was about to end the call, he answered.

"Hm?" It was obvious that his well-being is still asleep. She felt kinda guilty for waking him up so early but this is better than him showing up later and there's no "Lucy" that he needs to pick up. He can just go back to his sleep after this quick call. She thought.

"Natsu." It was almost a whisper. Then after a few seconds, the person on the other line recognized her voice.

"Luce, is everything okay? Am I late in picking you up?" He asked worriedly.

"No, no." She said in a soft voice. "I just want to let you know that I'm off duty today, so there's no need to pick me up or prepare for lunch..."

"Oh… So, I won't see you this morning?" he sounded disappointed.

"Right."

"Do you have any plans today?"

"Yes." She was keeping her responses short; she was able to accomplish her goal which is to tell him that he didn't have to pick her up or cook for her today and that's enough.

"Can I go with you? I can be your driver for the whole day…" he offered while keeping his fingers crossed.

"I'm good. Thanks for the offer." She responded coldly.

"Okay, can I come with you then as your husband?" He was being persistent. He hated the idea of not seeing his wife and being able to spend time with her. There wasn't any solid conversation when they were together these past few days, but it gave him a different kind of satisfaction just being around her. For now, it was enough for him to be around her. He wanted her to get used to his presence and to know that she's important to him through his actions. He had said it once in one of his voicemails, how he felt for her, but he knew that in their current situation, "I love you" wouldn't suffice. He needs to show it to her and make her feel that this time he no longer has "what ifs" and "commitment" no longer scares him. It was clear that losing her was scarier than his fear of "commitment".

Lucy, on the other hand, is slightly swayed by his persistence, but this time she's the one who's not ready to commit herself again to him. "I don't really need a chaperon, especially you who would attract the attention of many." She heard him laugh on the other line and it confused her.

"I promise not to attract the "attention" of others and I think I won't even notice anyone else when you're with me. I'll be busy staring at you." There was a playful tone in his voice, but it also sounded serious and sincere. But still, her wall is so high up that it won't break that easily. She chewed on her bottom lip mercilessly, yep the wall wouldn't easily break, but she couldn't stop her pounding heart. She breathed slowly to calm herself before responding.

"Natsu…" she started slowly but before she can say anything else he already responded.

"Yes, Luce?"

"I'll be going out with Juvia and Levi so there's no way that you can come with us…"

"Girl's date huh?"

"Uhuh."

"Then I can ask Gray to come…" he's still not backing down but this time it was Lucy who interrupted him.

"No, Natsu. Go back to sleep. There's no boys allowed."

He already accepted his fate today that he won't be seeing her because he already learned what she'll be doing and Juvia and Levi is not a threat or anything of that sort. He'll just have someone follow them to be sure but it doesn't mean he'll let go of her that easily. "But Luce, I'm no longer a boy you know. I'm your man." He was smiling at himself while taunting his wife.

"Then act like a man. I already said no so stop pestering me." But of course, she still has a smart mouth.

Natsu just sighed and he's enjoying this conversation, it was the longest normal conversation that they have since he went back from his trip and after the incident. "And I told you to go back to sleep Natsu. Don't make me repeat myself." Then he heard that authoritative tone again that he can't disobey.

"Yes ma'am" was the only right thing to respond to that and that's what he said.

"Good." Lucy ended the call.

That phone call both made and break her day. She's not used to her husband flirting with her and being that persistent, but it's not so bad. It kinda makes her happy, but at the same time, it confuses her more. She was supposed to have a nice and thought-free day with her friends. After all, they'll be celebrating Juvias' birthday, but Natsu just gave her another riddle to solve.

Gray yanked the blanket from Natsu's sleeping body.

"Get up bro. Until what time do you plan to sleep? " Gray asked while standing beside Natsu's bed. "It's already 3 in the afternoon. Come on, I need your help today."

Natsu opened an eye then rolled over to the other side of the bed and went back to sleep.

"Really? I said I need your help today, and you'll just ignore me. " Gray smirked. "Fine, it's not like I'll ask for your help without giving back the favor. I was planning to bring you along for tonight's birthday dinner with Juvia, Levi, and… hmm…" He started walking away from the bed, "What's the name again of the blonde girl? Princess?Oh... yeah, I remember, it's Lucy."

Before he could even take his third step away from the bed, Natsu tugged at his shirt like a kid. Gray looked at his friend, Natsu, whose eyes were still closed. "What do you need from me?" Natsu asked without letting go of Gray's shirt.

Gray looked smug. "That was fast… How about giving me your favorite car? "he joked.

Natsu pointed at the stairs, "Get the keys downstairs." He said it without any hesitation, then stood up and went to the bathroom, not waiting for Gray to respond.

Gray was left shocked, then he shouted. "Really, you'll give up your untouchable McLaren 720S just like that? "

Natsu opened the bathroom door to peak at Gray, "I'd prefer my wife than my car, Gray. Don't be stupid. Give me 10 minutes to prepare." Then the bathroom door closed again.

Gray just shook his head. Natsu doesn't say or show it, but he's fond of cars. It was his true first love. Gray is allowed to drive all of his cars except for his favorite one. The onxy black Mclaren 720s – it's not the most expensive one in his collection, but it's his baby. So, even though it was just a joke, giving up one of his collections and specifically his favorite one is a big deal.

After an hour, both men are standing in front of Natsu's favorite car. Gray is grinning and he's holding the key while Natsu is just scratching his head. "Are you sure that I can drive?"

"Tsk. Yeah. Let's get this over with." Natsu said while walking to the passenger's seat. "But I'll be driving later."

Gray just shrugged but he's still grinning. He didn't expect that this day would ever come. It's not like he really wanted to drive the car, it's just that this event has given him a better idea of how much more serious his friend is with the girl he's pursuing now, and that makes him want to help him more and root for their marriage.

While they're on the road, Natsu speaks while looking outside the window, "You haven't told me yet what you really need from me."

"I told you it was the car." Gray joked.

"This car isn't your type, Gray, so what is it?" He sounded so bored.

"Not my type, huh? Well… yeah, this car is not me." Gray agreed. "It's Juvia's birthday and I'm not sure what to buy for her…"

Natsu looked at his friend and laughed at him. "Normally, you would just wear a ribbon and you'd be the present…"

Gray shot him a deadly glare. Natsu stopped his teasing. "Tsk. Don't look at me like that, bro. I'm kidding." He still can't contain his smile because of Gray's reaction. "So, are we going to the mall?"

"Are you dumb?" Gray asked without looking at him.

"Woah. I'm asking you seriously..."

"Like I will bring you to the mall with just the 2 of us. It's not safe."

"I figured. So, where will we buy her gift?"

"Well… You, Natsu Dragneel, requested a famous boutique to close for today because you'll go shopping…" Gray blurted with a coy smile.

Natsu just looked at him speechless.

"Your name is so handy, you know?" Gray teased.

"Heh, so that's why you need me to go with you. Why don't you use your own name? It's not like you can't afford it."

"Well, they won't ask any question if it's your name and what's the point of having you as my friend if I can't use you?!" He's not done teasing Natsu yet.

"Huh, you user friendly bastard…" Natsu retorted, but Gray just laughed at him.

"You should be thanking me, bro, not calling me names. Did I mention that you'll be with princess because of me, and did I mention that it's not just dinner? "

That piqued Natsu's interest… "You have plans after dinner?" he asked with pleading eyes.

"You're creeping me out, bro." Gray laughed. "But yeah… Juvia wants to go karaoke and do a lot of other things."

It didn't take long before they arrived at the shop. A few attendants were waiting for them. Today, they have the shop all for themselves. Luxury items, bags, shoes, clothes, fine jewelry, they have it all. Gray already had something in mind, so they proceeded to the jewelry section.

"Juvia likes these kinds of things…" he said to Natsu who's standing beside him with his hands in his pocket.

"Hmm… You should get her a set then." Natsu said while his eyes are roaming around all the jewelry in front of him.

"That's what I'm planning…" then Gray started talking to the attendant.

Gray couldn't decide what to get and he's taking his sweet time choosing the best one for his girlfriend, so, Natsu started to roam around the store. One attendant is following him as well as the manager of the store. Then he heard one of the ladies say, "Mr. Dragneel, we have a new arrival of limited items of bags and shoes. Would you like to check it for your wife?"

Normally, he'd decline because he's not into shopping, but because his wife was mentioned, he said yes.

He started checking items presented to him, from bags, shoes and even clothes… At first, it was the attendant who's guiding him and presenting him with the items, but after a few moments, it was already him who started to point out things.

Gray made up his mind and chose a white gold chain with a navy-blue teardrop pendant, earrings, and bracelet. He asked for the attendant to wrap it, and while waiting he looked for Natsu. He shook his head when he saw what his friend was up to. It looked like he was enjoying himself, he approached him and spoke.

"Are you planning to buy the whole store?"

"Oh… Gray, have you decided on your gift yet?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah, I'm just waiting for it to be wrapped. How about you? Do you plan to buy everything here?" He pointed out the pile of items behind them. Natsu turned around to look, and even he himself was amazed at everything that he wanted to buy for his wife. He bit his lip and looked at Gray with a frown. "Uh.. should I not get all of this?" he asked in all seriousness.

Gray scratched and shook his head with a smile. What happened to you, Natsu? He thought to himself.

"It won't hurt your bank account, bro." Gray shrugged. "So, yeah, get all of it if you want. What's the point of having all your money if you won't get to splurge some on your wife." He winked at Natsu then walked to the attendant who wrapped his present for Juvia.

Natsu then handed his black card to the manager and asked to pack everything that he chose.