Chapter 65: Epilogue (not the last chapter)
Exactly a year later, Lucy is getting ready for one of the biggest days of her life. In just under an hour, she'll be marrying her best friend. In fact, it's almost time for the first look. Cana is putting on some finishing touches to Lucy's face with makeup.
"You're going to knock his socks off," Cana says.
Lucy doesn't say anything since lipstick is being applied. Instead, she makes a positive sound towards the back of her throat.
"And maybe the rest of his clothes," Cana chuckles.
"Cana!" Erza lightly scolds.
Cana cackles. "Just kidding!" Then she pauses for a moment. "That'll come later…"
"Cana!" Erza is only defense since a child, the flower girl, is present. She knows that childhood youth doesn't need to be corrupted at her age.
Cana just snickers to herself while she finishes touching up Lucy's lips. "Annnd… done!"
"Thanks, Cana," Lucy says.
"Oh, you look so beautiful, Lucy!" Juvia coos.
"That's our Lu for you." Levy adds. Luckily, she doesn't have to worry about her twins. Metalicana has them since Gajeel is also in the wedding party. Of course, he is with Natsu and the other guys somewhere else in the building.
Lucy stands up and walks over to the full length mirror so she can take a look for herself. Sure enough, she is more than pleased with her look. Her white gown is fit for a princess. It is strapless with a sweetheart neckline. A sparkly jeweled belt is around her waist. The full tulle skirt has horsehair flounces. Her makeup is done just right. Her blonde hair is done in a half-up, half-down style.
She turns to face her bridal party. They all start awing. "You all are going to make me cry," she says.
Erza approaches Lucy. "Only happy tears today." Then she holds out Lucy's bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you," Lucy says, taking them from her. The stems have already been paper towel dried so droplets don't end up on her dress.
There is a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Levy asks in a loud enough voice.
"Just me," Jude says from the other side of the door.
"You can come in," Cana says.
Jude opens the door and pokes his head inside. "It's time for Lucy–" His eyes land on her and he stops speaking.
"Hey, Dad," Lucy greets.
He smiles, eyes glistening. "My little girl… You look just like your mother."
It is one of the best compliments that she can receive.
Then Jude recalls why he stopped by the room. "The photographer told me to get you. It's time for the first look."
The butterflies in Lucy's stomach zoom around. She is more than eager to see how Natsu looks. She has seen him in a tuxedo before, but how he looks today can't compare. "I'm ready," she voices.
"Go get him, Lu," Levy says.
Juvia nods in agreement. "We'll find you after the first look."
So Lucy leaves with Jude, the two walking side by side. "Have you seen him?" she asks.
"You'll think that he's very handsome," he assures her.
"He's always handsome. Pink hair and all."
"Are you saying that because he's a model?" Jude lightly teases.
"Oh, most definitely," she jokes.
The duo makes it through the back hallways without being seen by any guests inside of the building. They come to the side of the building where a gazebo is out back. Looking out a window, Lucy can see Natsu standing under the gazebo with his back towards the building. He is waiting for her.
Her heart just about leaps up to her throat.
Before stepping away, Jude kisses his daughter's forehead. Then he gets the door and holds it open for her. "If he doesn't cry, make sure you walk back out there and try again."
"I'll be sure to do that," she chuckles, and steps outside.
The brunette photographer is standing by the gazebo. The blonde one is behind Lucy to make sure that she is all good to go.
"Keep walking and I'll fix your dress in the back," the woman says, going to fluff up the skirt so it falls right. She pays attention to details so everything is picture perfect.
Lucy keeps on going. She focuses on the back of Natsu. Even from the distance that she is at, she thinks that the back of his tuxedo look great. She can't wait to see the rest of him.
With hands clasped in front of him, Natsu is rocking back and forth on his heels. He can hear his best friend approaching. His heart rate picks up when he hears her shoes against the wooden floor.
The two photographers get into position so they can capture the moment from different angles. "On the count of three, Natsu, turn around," the brunette woman says.
He asks a question since he needs clarification. "Wait, on three or after three?"
That gets Lucy to laugh. "After three," she specifics.
Natsu freezes up at the sound of her laughter. He wants to turn around right now and look at her. But he'll wait for the countdown.
"One…" the brunette photographer begins to count down. "Two… Three!"
Without getting whiplash, Natsu's head turns first and the rest of his body follows. He looks at her, taking her all in. His eyes glass over. Seconds later, silent tears are rolling down his cheeks.
Lucy's heart squeezes and her grip around her bouquet tightens. "Aw, Natsu. You're going to make me cry."
He uses a hand to wipe away his tears. "You're-you're-you're–" But he can't get anything else out since he's so choked up about things.
She closes the distance between them until she is standing right in front of him. "Hey," she says, hoping to calm him down.
Natsu holds out his right hand.
She holds it with her left.
He takes her hand, fingers grazing over her engagement ring. Another ring will be joining it in all due time. And he'll have one on his own left hand as well. Their rings will be their sign to the world that they are husband and wife. Nothing can ever take that away from them.
"H-hi," Natsu manages to say.
Lucy admires him in his tuxedo. The jacket and pants are black. His rose pink tie matches the bridesmaids' dresses. "I like this look on you," she comments.
"And you…" he says breathlessly. "I've got no words for how you look."
She decides to help him out with a phrase all too familiar to them. "Cute as fuck?" she offers.
"You're cute as fuck on a daily basis," Natsu says whole heartedly. "This, how you look right now, is on a whole other level. Beautiful as fuck doesn't even cover it."
She giggles. "That doesn't have the same ring to it."
At the sound of her giggle, Natsu's heart just melts. "I love you so fucking much."
"I hope so since we're getting married soon."
"Hey, I wanted to get married even sooner, but a certain somebody wanted to get married on the same day we got engaged."
"I happen to like having our anniversary on June first," Lucy sasses.
"At least it's an easy date to remember."
"You won't mix up when we started dating and when we got married either."
"Good point…" Then Natsu starts leaning in for a kiss. Seconds later, he reels back. "Waaait!"
"What?" she pouts.
"We haven't kissed yet today."
"And?"
He smiles. "The first time I kiss you today, you're gonna be my wife."
Which means that they'll have their first kiss of the day at the end of the ceremony.
"Even though I'm so kissable right now?"
"Let's be honest, you're always kissable." Then he raises their joined hands to kiss the back of her left hand. "Always."
She can't stop the smile from forming on her face. "You're sweet."
"Look who's talking."
"Are you two ready for posed shots now?" the blonde photographer asks. Of course, she and her partner have been photographing their adorable interaction with one another. Candid moments are always great moments.
Lucy and Natsu both look at her. He smiles way too big. "Cheese!"
That gets her to laugh at him. "You're such a weirdo."
"No, you're the weirdo in this relationship. We've already established that."
"Am not."
"Are to. And I love you for it."
"I love you, too."
x-X-x
Almost. The big moment is almost about to happen. It is towards the end of the ceremony and the couple is more than eager to share their first kiss as husband and wife.
The setting is perfect. Outdoors with nice weather. There is a slight overcast and both photographers have assured the party that overcast is best for photographing outdoors. The guests are seated in chairs inside a large garden's walls.
Lucy and Natsu don't break eye contact from one another. They both have big smiles on their faces.
"And now," the officiant says as he begins to step away so he doesn't end up in the photos, "you may kiss the bride."
Natsu wastes no time. His arms go around Lucy and he dips her down before sinking his lips into hers.
Everyone present does their own thing of expressing how they feel. Most are clapping. Some are whistling.
When their lips break apart, Natsu still holds Lucy in the same position. "Je t'aime avec le pouvoir d'un millions de soleils qui explosent dans un supernova de chatons et d'arc-en-ciels."
"Tu es mon rayon de soleil," she says in a near perfect French accent. She has been learning a lot of the language. After all, they are honeymooning in Paris. "Je t'aime."
A/N: Not gonna lie, I'm a sucker for first look moments. The fiancé and I will do one come our wedding day :D AND SURPRISE. I've got one more chapter for y'all! If this is an epilogue, think of the next chapter as an epilogue bonus of sorts!
