A lot of you are wondering what happened to Erza and Natsu. Well, let's see what their Happily Ever After entailed, shall we?

The sound of running water was the only noise in the otherwise silent house. The running water was coming from the kitchen faucet, where a young woman stood washing dishes from breakfast.

She had long red hair, actually scarlet, that reached her lower back. Her warm brown eyes were focused on her task as she put the last of the dishes on the drying rack and wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing.

Hearing a shout outside, the woman discarded her apron and walked to the patio doors that were still open and led to the backyard of her house. She leaned against the frame of the door and smiled at the scene she witnessed.

A ten-year-old boy was roughhousing with an older man, both with huge grins on their faces. The man had spikey pink hair with onyx eyes and tanned skin. A white scarf with a scale pattern was wrapped around his neck.

The child also had spikey hair, although his hair was mostly red with a few pink strands. He had brown eyes with tanned skin, and his canines were peaking out of the corner of his mouth as he grinned.

The two were Natsu and Henry Dragneel, the woman's husband and son.

It was Natsu who noticed her first. "Erza!" he called out, still grinning.

Henry turned at his father's call and noticed his mother standing there. "Mom!" he shouted. "C'mon, come play with us!"

Erza Dragneel chuckled. "You both know we have to head to the guild soon," she reminded her son, much to his displeasure.

"Aw, man!" Henry stamped his foot. "I almost had dad, too."

Natsu chuckled before reaching out to ruffle his son's hair. "Maybe in the next ten years," he teased, laughing even harder when Henry's pout exaggerated.

Erza shook her head in amusement as the two started to walk towards the door. Satisfied that they were on their way to getting ready to go, the redhead left her spot next to the patio doors and made her way deeper inside her house towards the front door so she could also get ready.

Who would've thought that this is where my path in life would take me?

As Erza began to put on her shoes, her mind wandered to the last twenty years of her life.

Even now, all these years later, she was humiliated and mortified at how she handled the news about her friends, Jellal and Lucy, being friends, let alone about them entering a romantic relationship.

She had been too focused on what she and Jellal could've been, too concentrated on the past, that she wasn't able to let go so they could both heal.

It hadn't truly hit her until Erza and Lucy had sparred (a fight, who was she kidding) all those years ago. Her rage had taken control, and she was about to hurt, arguably, her best friend—practically her sister. All over a guy.

Remembering how Jellal moved to protect Lucy from her still made her stomach churn unpleasantly, even after all these years.

As she finished lacing up her shoes and moved to grab her son's scarf for when he finally finished getting dressed, Erza's mind flashed back to that night.

~Flashback~

In one of the rooms of Fairy Hills sat a young woman with scarlet hair.

On top of her bed with her legs crossed, Erza stared straight ahead at the wall with unseeing eyes.

It was several hours after her fight with Lucy, and the rot had yet to leave her soul. She knew that Lucy, as well as the rest of their friends (were they her friends anymore?), were at the guild, but she couldn't face them.

Not after what she did.

Not after realizing just how low she had sunken.

I don't even recognize the person in the mirror anymore. Mira was right; acting like this is pushing my friends away from me.

Tears fell silently down her cheeks as Erza's arms, which were wrapped around herself, squeezed tighter as she thought back to how badly she had treated her friends the whole time Lucy, Wendy, and Carla were gone.

"I-I can't," she gasped. "I can't stay here."

She wiped at her face hurriedly before springing from her bed and began to rush around, mindlessly throwing some of her things on her vacated bed.

When her bed was covered with various clothing items, and she was hunting through her closet for suitcases, a knock sounded at her door.

"Erza?"

Said redhead froze at the muffled voice that called through her closed door.

"Erza?" the voice repeated. "May I please come in?"

Erza took a deep breath before she straightened up. "Come in, Lucy."

There was a slight lull before her door opened slowly, and the blonde stepped inside. She paused when she saw all things atop Erza's bed before she turned to look at the redhead herself. Lucy's eyes went wide when she saw her holding large bags in her hands.

"Are you..." she started saying before she faltered. "Are you leaving?"

Erza looked away. "Yes."

"Is it...because of me?" Lucy asked tentatively. "Me and Jellal?"

"No," Erza answered quickly, looking up at her. "I mean, I would be lying if I say no, but it's mainly because of me."

"Because of you?" Lucy asked as she stepped further into the room, closing the door behind her.

Erza bit her lip and nodded as she looked away, unable to look her friend(?) in the eyes. "This person that I've become," she said, her voice lowered in shame. "The things I've done and said, the way I've treated my friends...it is unacceptable."

"Erza," Lucy tried to interrupt, but the redhead soldiered on.

"I can barely look at myself in the mirror," Erza admitted. "I...I am not who I used to be. I need to...I need to work on finding her again, and I think going away for a while will help me focus on getting back to who I once was.

Erza still didn't look at Lucy; she kept her eyes trained on the stuff on her bed.

"I'm sorry," Lucy's tearful voice brought Erza's gaze back to the blonde, and she was shocked to see silent tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry, Erza. We never meant-"

"No," Erza cut in, her voice not unkind. "You and Jellal didn't do anything wrong; I was a bad friend. I should've been happy for you both, even if it had been a little awkward. Instead..."

Erza's voice tapered off, but by the look on Lucy's face, she knew what she meant.

Lucy nodded. "When will you be back?"

She shrugged. "I don't know," Erza admitted. "But this is something that I need to do."

"I understand," Lucy replied. Then, before Erza could blink, the blonde was wrapping her up in a hug.

"You are always going to be one of my best friends," Lucy whispered. "No matter what happens." And then she was gone before Erza had the chance to hug her back.

Erza glanced at the items on her bed, and she began to pack them away, a small smile on her face.

"You will always be one of my best friends too."

~Flashback Ends~

After their conversation, Erza was gone for almost two years. She kept in contact with her friends, sent congratulations and gifts when she missed birthdays and even a couple of weddings.

During that time, as she visited places she's always wanted to go, she was able to relax for the first time in years truly.

She didn't have to worry about her friends; she didn't have to think about what jobs she can do to pay her rent, she didn't have to break up any fights amongst her guildmates.

For the first time in a long while, she was able to focus on only herself, and that made all the difference.

"Erza? You alright?"

The sound of her husband's voice snapped Erza out of her reminiscing, and she glanced up to see his worried face staring down at her.

"I'm fine," she answered his question, a smile on her face. "I was just...thinking."

Natsu searched her face for a moment before he nodded. "If you're sure."

"I am," Erza reassured him, her smile growing. She looked around and noticed the distinct lack of her son. "Where is Henry?"

"Oh, he's grabbing that glass-thing he made with his fire," Natsu answered. "Since we left early yesterday and missed seeing Lucy and Jellal get back, he wants to be able to show them when we go this time."

"Oh, okay."

And wasn't that a shock? Marrying none other than Natsu Dragneel and having his child.

When Erza had finally returned to Fairy Tail, Jellal and Lucy had already married and were expecting their children (although nobody knew that they were going to have twins at the time). And while she was happy for her friends moving on in their lives, it was still slightly painful to see them as happy as they were.

And since Gray took to taking missions mostly with his new wife, Meredy, Erza mostly hung out with Natsu.

She didn't know when she started seeing the pink-haired Dragon Slayer as more than a friend. She didn't realize when the feelings she held for him become more than platonic.

But one day, about a month after Gajeel and Levy had their son Shiro, Erza went on a mission with him, and Natsu had gotten hurt protecting her. After Porlyusica had healed him and allowed Erza to finally visit, she had rushed in, ignored Natsu's tired yet cheerful greeting, collapsed next to the bandaged Dragon Slayer in relief, and kissed him square on the mouth.

It took Natsu freezing underneath her for Erza to realize what she was doing, and she had begun to move away. But Natsu had raised his hand to cup her head to draw her back in, and he kissed her back.

After that, they had begun dating - to the delight of the rest of the guild.

It was only a year after that when Natsu proposed to her.

Erza couldn't help the smile from appearing on her face as she recalled how he asked for her hand.

~Flashback~

Erza and Natsu walked hand in hand along the shores of Akane Beach. Natsu had surprised her with a weekend getaway here, and tonight was the last night of their stay.

Natsu had insisted on one last stroll along the water's edge before they went to sleep, and Erza agreed with him.

They were strolling in silence, but it was a comfortable one. After a moment of peaceful quiet, Erza looked around and noticed just where on the beach they were walking towards and halted.

Natsu looked at her. "Erza?" he asked in concern.

"I remember being right here," she said, almost absentmindedly as she gazed over the water. "We had all gathered here to say goodbye to Shou, Milliana, and Wally. We gave them a Fairy Tail sendoff."

"Yeah, we did," she heard Natsu say, a smile in his voice. "This is where the rest of their lives started. I thought it would be appropriate to ask here."

Erza frowned. "Ask what?" she questioned as she turned around to face him. Only to suddenly gasp and slap a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as she saw her boyfriend down on one knee, and a gentle smile on his face.

"Erza Scarlet," he said, his tone earnest and gentle as he gripped her remaining hand in both of his. "You have been my best friend since we were kids. We laughed together, cried together, and discovered new things with each other. We grew strong together so we could protect those that we love. And being with you this past year has made me realize just how much you've come to mean to me. It made me realize how much I want to protect your smile and your happiness. It made me realize just how much I love you."

Erza had silent tears streaming down her face during Natsu's little speech, and her heart was beating so loud she was sure he could hear it with his Slayer hearing. Her mouth was trembling beneath her hand as she fought to contain her elated sobs so he could finish speaking.

Natsu drew back one of his hands so he could reach into his pocket and drew out a small, black box without breaking eye-contact with the woman in front of him. He flipped open the lid, and Erza could only stare in awe at the ring settled inside. A silver band with diamonds on either side of a scarlet ruby that sat in the center.

"Erza," Natsu said. The forenamed redhead snapped her gaze back towards the pinkette. "Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"

Erza was rapidly nodding her head before Natsu could finish his first question. "Yes!" she sobbed as Natsu's smile became a broad grin. "Yes! Of course, yes!"

Natsu took the ring from the box and set it very delicately onto Erza's ring finger. And then he was on his feet, wrapping Erza up in a hug that took her off her feet and a kiss that stole away her breath.

"You said yes!" he exclaimed happily after they broke apart and begun to swing her around.

Erza couldn't keep in her exhilarated laughter as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I said yes!" she repeated with the biggest smile she ever wore on her face. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said as they stopped spinning and placed her back on her feet. He leaned in close, so their foreheads were touching. "I love you so damn much."

~Flashback Ends~

"Mom?"

Erza blinked at the sound of her son's voice and looked down to see him staring up at her in worry. Natsu was also looking at her with concern in his eyes. "Are you okay, mom?"

The Dragneel Matriarch smiled. "I'm fine, Henry, just thinking about something."

"Oh, okay," he replied cheerfully. "Let's go!"

Erza laughed as her son raced out of the house. "We'd better hurry if we want to keep an eye on him," she said in good humor.

"He gets that from me," Natsu commented as they left their house.

"Yes, yes, he does."

Natsu laughed as they hurried to catch up with their wayward son. After walking for a moment and making sure that Henry wasn't too far ahead, Natsu asked Erza a question. "What did you think about earlier?"

A natural smile came to Erza's face as she answered. "The night you proposed to me."

A slight blush lit up her husband's face as he grinned. "Oh, really?" he asked slyly.

Erza glared at him, but they both knew there was no real heat behind it. "No need to praise yourself."

"Oh, I won't," he replied promptly. "That's your job."

Natsu laughed as his wife punched him in the arm with only a little force.

"Are you guys done being disgusting?" Henry called out ahead of them. "C'mon, let's get to the guild!"

Erza cast one more (fake) glare towards her grinning husband before turning to their son. "We're coming."

It took a bit to walk from their home in the woods surrounding Magnolia to Fairy Tail. As soon as they got to town, they were assaulted with greeting from everyone as they made their way through the crowds of people.

Finally, they arrived at the guildhall, and Henry immediately rushed in, his parents right behind him.

When Erza stepped in and saw her son rushing towards the table that sat Jellal, Lucy, and their kids, she couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face.

As Natsu led her over there, Lucy caught her eye and waved in hello, causing the rest at the table to do so too.

Erza's smile grew.

I wouldn't have things any other way.

Well, there's Erza, Natsu and their son Henry!

Not to worry, there are more stories to come. Remember, if you want to see a specific scene, just leave a review or PM me, and I'll see if I can incorporate it.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this little snippet into the Dragneel family and fear not; they will crop up in other stories too.

Until next time!