Chapter 63

Come October, everything is in full swing at the reception. Levy and Gajeel are married. It's time to celebrate!

The dance floor is filled with guests. A romantic love song is playing. People are swaying to the music, going around in a slow circle.

Lucy and Natsu are in each others' arms together. He is dressed in his best man glory. The tuxedo is a great look for him. On the other hand, the color of Lucy's golden yellow dress matches the rest of the bridal party. Levy decided that she wants her girls all wearing the same color. Dress style doesn't matter.

Speaking of the bridal party, since Lucy is a part of it, she has noticed that Levy hasn't had a single sip of alcohol. It started with her kindly turning down a glass of mimosa while all the girls were getting ready together. She claimed that she is a bundle of nerves and alcohol doesn't calm her down. Even with the reception underway and being as happy as can be, she is still turning down drinks.

When the song starts ending, the DJ talks into the microphone that he has. "Alright, everybody. There are two very important people who have something to say." Then he hands a microphone to Gajeel and Levy who are standing nearby.

"Oi, settle down now, everybody," Gajeel says since people have yet to settle.

"There's something that we would like to announce!" Levy says.

Gajeel seems as though he is bursting at the seams. He's more than excited to share the news with everyone.

Only when the room is silent does Levy speak again. "I'm pregnant!"

Lucy is absolutely thrilled. She isn't shocked in the slightest though. It only makes sense that she hasn't consumed a drop of alcohol.

Every single guest gives off a reaction to the news. They're clapping and whistling. Some are shouting forms of congratulations.

"Atta boy, Lug Nuts!" Natsu cheers. His arms stay around Lucy. He doesn't let her go. He doesn't want to.

Lucy turns her attention to her boyfriend, a big smile on her face. "They're having a baby!"

He returns her smile when one of his own. "Eh, I figured they'd beat us to it."

She just stares at him.

Then Natsu stumbles over words. "I, uh, mean that, you know, with our groups of friends. Not just, er, us two in particular. We'll catch up to 'em when we're married."

"Surrre," Lucy says in a teasing manner. She knows that he didn't mean what he said moments ago. But that doesn't mean that she can't have some fun with the slight misunderstanding.

He simply kisses the top of her head and tucks her face against the crook of his neck. He doesn't want her seeing his reddening face. "You're lucky I love you."

She grins a little bit. "I love you, too."

By the time close family and new in-laws talk with Levy and Gajeel, their wedding party is the next group to go over. The new husband and wife are surrounded by their friends.

Gray claps Gajeel on the back. "Congratulations, man."

Juvia clasps her hands together in front of her chest. "Juvia is so happy for the both of you!"

Lucy looks at Levy. "Now it makes sense that you didn't want any mimosa earlier."

"Nothing gets past you, Lu," she giggles.

"When did you find out?" Erza inquires with interest.

"This morning," Gajeel replies.

Levy begins to tell the little story. "I felt a little off when I woke up. Not wrong, but different. And it wasn't because I was getting married. So Gajeel bought a pregnancy test for me. I took both just to make sure. Both were clearly positive."

"Heh, watch you guys have twins now," Natsu chortles.

"The number of pregnancy tests you take doesn't determine how many kids you'll have," Erza says.

Gajeel rolls his eyes at the absurdity of his cousin.

Gray does the same thing because of his best friend. "Let's just hope that their kids all take after Lucy and not Ash Brains."

"Oi, what was that?" Natsu demands, shooting a glare his way.

"No fighting," Lucy says.

Like the flip of a switch, Natsu is all smiles and looking at Lucy. "Who said anything about fighting?"

Sting shakes his head. "Typical Natsu…"

"So I guess we'll be having a baby shower for you two next, huh?" Rogue asks.

"After the honey moon," Gajeel responds just as Levy replies with, "When I'm further along."

Lucy is all smiles. She's so happy for her friends. One day, she'll have what they have. A married life. A wonderful husband by her side. A child or children of her own. She is looking forward to that. At least she is already on the path towards it.

As if thinking the same thoughts as her, Natsu grabs her hands and laces their fingers together. He gives her a gentle squeeze.

She squeezes back.

x-X-x

Towards the back of the room, away from the loud music, Lucy is gently swaying from side to side. Annabelle is flush against in her arms. She doesn't mind watching the baby while Laxus and Mirajane dance. Lisanna and Elfman are hanging around a group of friends. Makarov is with his own group of friends.

Lucy loves children, especially babies. She loves the wonder in their eyes, the pure joy in their expression, and their sleeping faces. One day, she'll at least have one of her own. She can only imagine what they will look like. Will they mostly take after her in looks? Will she be able to see Natsu in them?

As if thinking about him is the key to summoning him, Natsu strolls over to Lucy. His jacket and tie are gone. The vest is still on and the top button from his button-up is undone. "Having fun over here?"

Still swaying, she nods her head at Natsu. Then she looks down at the little sleeping Annabelle. "She's great."

So he can get a good look and still be close to Lucy, Natsu slides in behind her. He is peering around her head on the right side, hands around her waist. He sways in place with her. "You're great."

That gets her to giggle.

The moment is picture perfect.

Someone thinks that. So the male photographer lines up the shot and takes a photo.

Both Lucy and Natsu look up at him.

"Lovely couple," he comments. "And beautiful baby."

Lucy is too tongue tied to correct him. She is a little embarrassed yet secretly happy with the slight misunderstanding.

On the other hand, Natsu is too caught up in the moment. Someone thinks that he, Lucy, and the baby are family. That's something he wants with Lucy. To be married to her and have a family of their own. Even if it means sleepless nights because of a baby, he is ready to embrace that lifestyle.

Then the photographer nods his head and goes off to look for the next candid moment.

"D-did that really just happen?" Lucy asks.

The smile on Natsu's face is almost blinding. "It did. Definitely did."

x-X-x

It's the early hours of morning now. The after party at a bar is over. Lucy and Natsu are walking into their shared apartment. Happy is asleep on the bed and isn't disturbed by them. The light by the door is turned on so there is visibility.

With heels in hand, Lucy twirls through the living room. She is still slightly buzzed since she didn't want to go overboard with drinking. "That was a lot of fun."

Natsu is totally fine since he wanted a sober driver between him and Lucy. He locks the door behind him. "It sure was."

She stops twirling to face him. "Do you think our wedding day will be like theirs?"

He only smiles as he walks over to her. "It'll be better."

"Why's that?" she giggles.

"Because I'll be marrying the most amazing person in the world. I can't imagine life without her. She's my best friend."

Her heart swells. Then her arms are around his neck as she kisses his mouth. "You're my best friend, too."

He grins. "Don't I know it?" Without warning, Natsu scoops his girlfriend into his arms. He heads for the bedroom so they can go to sleep.

She keeps a hold of her heels, making sure that she doesn't drop one. "Should I shower tonight before bed or when I wake up?" Lucy isn't entirely sure and is having a mini eternal struggle.

"I guess whichever helps you sleep better? But maybe you wanna have a fresh start to the day?"

Down the hall, Natsu expertly turns off the light with his shoulder so the living room goes dark. He can navigate down the hallway just fine before making it into the bedroom where the light can be turned on.

"What are you going to do?" Lucy asks.

"Whichever one you don't do. If you shower tonight, I'll shower in the morning. Or vice versa."

"But what if I want to shower tonight after you get out?"

"Then you can do that, too. Whatever you want Luce."

"I want you."

He smiles at her, pecking her nose. "You already have me. You always have. Since day one. Jammies and all."


A/N Part 1: Finally got around to the Gajevy wedding. And y'all know they're gonna have twins, even though I want touch on it. So Natsu kinda foreshadows it? Mostly a filler chapter, leading up to the end.

A/N Part 2: I'm doing it. I'm being stubborn about it. I'm gonna make it to Chapter 65 for CAF. So there will be one more chapter before the ending! And I've been eager for this chapter because of what'll happen :D