Hello! I hope this chapter brightens your morning. I am loving this story and I appreciate all the reviews.

We will introduce some new characters into this story and some, honestly, will be a bit OC (namely Yukino). But it all plays a part in what I plan on doing.

Please review, I respond to them all. Thank you for your patience. Enjoy!


Day 2

Bzzz… Bzzz…. Bzzz… A constant buzzing slowly began to creep into Lucy's subconscious waking her from her slumber. Groggy, Lucy raised her head and looked at the table where she left her phone the night before. The screen was lit up signaling Lucy had received a message.

With a large sigh, Lucy reached her arm out of the blankets and grabbed her phone. Even though the room was fully lit, she still winced at the brightness of her screen. 'Grandy made some muffins for breakfast but if that's not enough be sure to grab something before you come over.- Dad' Here we go… day 2.

Lucy typed a quick response to her father before placing the phone back on the table. She fell back onto the futon with a thud and took a chance to catch her breath. "Natsu," she called once she regained her small bit of confidence, but she received no response. "Natsu!" she called again but when she didn't hear a response, she sat up and looked between the cracks of the box wall.

She saw the pinkette was still asleep. With another sigh, Lucy stood up and walked over to the bed where the pinkette laid. His tan leg hung off the bed and the blanket rested just below his belly button, perfectly showing off his defined stomach. Lucy was always amazed at how fit Natsu was; he was the physically strongest person she knew. She noticed he wasn't as defined as he was in high school but then again, she wasn't as curvy as she was back then either.

Lucy reached out and hit the exposed leg, "Natsu!" He stirred a little but stayed in his sleep state. Natsu had always been a heavy sleeper… how did she wake him up in the past. Once she remembered, a sly smile grew in her face. Lucy walked up to the head of the bed to get closer to Natsu's face. She looked down at his sleeping face, one not so appealing as his mouth was wide open and his hair was everywhere.

She bent down, got close to his ear and screamed as loud as she possibly could, "NATSU!" His eyes shot open, his whole body twitched so much he fell out of the bed. "What the hell, Lucy?!" he said as he crawled his way to a seated position, still on the floor.

"I've been trying to get you up for the past five minutes," she responded. Natsu stood up and stared at her as he still tried to wake up. "Well you didn't have to yell," he stated as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Apparently I did because you barely moved. They are expecting us at the house so get dressed." Lucy uncrossed her arms and strode over to her side of the apartment. Natsu couldn't help but notice her tight camisole which clung to her figure and the short shorts which showed off her legs. After all these years and she looked just as beautiful as he always remembered. He continued to watch through the cracks as she grabbed her things and walked into the bathroom.

He changed his clothes, somewhat keeping in mind he would have to make an impression tonight and his usual attire would put forward a negative one. He decided on a pair of khaki shorts and a light button-down shirt; acceptable barbecue attire, at least according to the internet. As he put on his wristwatch, he walked near the bathroom door to see where she was in her morning routine. It sounded like she was brushing her teeth so she should be done soon.

"So what are we doing about breakfast?" he asked.

"Your mom made muffins but if you want anything else, we can stop by the café." She opened the door and met his eyes, "Knowing you, muffins won't be enough, but I need caffeine anyway." She was a little shocked to be so close to him, but she also wondered why he was standing so close to the bathroom door.

She broke eye contact for a moment to look at his appearance. Lucy couldn't help but notice the color of his shirt matched the color of her sundress almost perfectly. "Ugh, you need to change."

Natsu pointed at himself, "Me?! Why me?"

"We can't go to the house like this," Lucy motioned between the two of them. Natsu looked at her outfit, then down at his then back to her. "What's wrong with it? We look nice."

"We match, that's the problem." Lucy trudged over to her suitcase and began riffling through her clothes. "Why is matching a problem?" He questioned as she threw her clothes about.

"That's too coupley. I don't want to make us stand out anymore than necessary." She did have a point there, he reasoned. "And I'm assuming you don't have any other nice clothes but that."

Insulted, he asked, "Why would you assume that?"

She stopped and turned around towards him, "Please, I know you, Natsu. You probably had to go out and buy this." She chuckled at herself before turning back to her suitcase. Damn, how did she know? She settled on another sundress and walked into the bathroom to change.

The two walked down Main Street together on their way to the Dragneel house. It was lovely outside; the perfect temperature to enjoy an afternoon outside surrounded by friends and family… and the entire town that was buying into your lie.

"If we are going to face everyone, we need to get things straight." Lucy started.

"Okay, like what?" he inquired.

"Like how long have we been together, how you proposed… things like that."

He shrugged, "Why does that matter?"

She mentally face palmed, "Because, unfortunately, women are interested in that kind of thing."

"Well then you can answer those questions. I will just agree with whatever you say." At least he's got that part of marriage down already, she thought.

"How do you want me to act?" Natsu asked, to which Lucy answered with a questioning look. "Like do you want me to act over the top, head over heels in love with you or do you want something milder?"

Lucy chuckled, "Are you asking me what flavor of Natsu I want?"

"That sounds weird if you put it that way… but sure." She thought for a second… the over the top thing would probably sell for some people but she knew it would be uncomfortable for both of them. They couldn't exactly ignore one another on the other hand either. "I guess just be yourself; act how you would with a girlfriend."

"So… normal then?"

"Yep!" she smiled, "Just the way you are is best." He paused and looked at her smile; something about it warmed him which was odd since he was normally an above average temperature. Lucy's phone rang inside her pocket; she retrieved it and saw Levy's name and face on the screen.

"Hey, Natsu, I need to take this. Can you order me a Venti Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel and nonfat milk?" With a nod, Natsu entered the shop and waited in line.

Lucy let a breath out before answering the phone. "Levy-chan! How are you?"

"Forget the small chat, Lu, why did you not tell me you were engaged?! And to Natsu?!" How did she hear?! "It's… a long story."

"Well I expect to hear all about it at the barbecue today!"

"Oh, we will be there. We are on our way, but we stopped so Natsu can get some food."

"I get it. Grandine's muffins are amazing but probably doesn't have nearly enough for him and everyone else."

"I'm at the shop now, I gotta order. I will see you in about 15 minutes."

"Okay, see you, Lu-chan!" Lucy clicked the end call button on her phone. To lie to her best friend or to tell the truth… that is truly the question.

Natsu always hated waiting in line; the people, the noise, the added annoyance… it wasn't his thing. Unfortunately, the café was a bit busy this morning but then again it was early on a special festival week; translated in the food service world as busy and profitable.

He decided to pass the time by scrolling through his feed on his phone. He saw a photo of his cousin, Gajeel with his girlfriend. That's right, Igneel said they were staying there… so they've probably heard everything. He scrolled past more pictures of people he knew celebrating milestones in their lives; not me, not me, not me.

"Next." Natsu stepped forward and without looking up from his phone he stated his order. "I'd like a Venti nonfat Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel and for me a venti black coffee, a Bacon breakfast sandwich, two croissants and a bagel with cream cheese."

"Natsu?" the familiarity of the voice stunned him. He slowly lifted his head and met eyes with the barista. "Lisanna?" Lisanna, the girl he thought was the love of his life; Lisanna, the girl who also broke his heart.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I'm in town for the festival visiting family… what about you? You're still in Magnolia?"

She nodded but there seemed to be a twinge of pain behind it. "Yeah, I went to the local community college and now I am in vet school. I work here part time to help pay for my student loans."

"So, you've pursued veterinary work? That's awesome."

Lisanna's eyes travelled the full length of Natsu's body before returning to his face, "Well… when I see something I want, I go after it."

"You're determination was always something I loved about you," he remarked; too bad she wasn't determined their relationship would last.

"Lisanna, you've got a line!" the manager called from the back room.

"Sorry," she stated as she turned back to Natsu and handed him his items. "Catch up sometime this week?"

He nodded, "Sure. See ya!" He walked out of the café and noticed a rather troubled looking Lucy. "You okay?" Lucy whipped her head around to see Natsu looking at her oddly. She nodded wildly, "Oh… yeah, just talked to Levy."

He handed over her coffee before the two began walking towards their destination once more. "She ask about us?" he asked with a mouth full of food.

"Yep," she snapped the 'p' on the end.

"What did you tell her?" he was kind enough to wait until he swallowed to speak.

"I told her I would tell her when we got there. She's staying at your parents' house, I can't very well tell her the truth… our families might find out."

"Even if she is your best friend?"

"Are you gonna tell Gray the truth?" she questioned.

"Why would I tell him?" he asked defensively.

"Cuz he is your best friend?"

Natsu sighed disgustedly, " Why would I be friends with a stripper like him?!" Lucy smiled and sipped her coffee; there was nothing better then the taste of warm coffee in the morning.

As Lucy pulled the coffee away from her lips, she noticed some writing on her cup. She turned the cup to see the writing more clearly and was stunned by what she read… Lisanna's name with a phone number next to a heart. The blonde glanced over at the man next to her and noticed how he ate all his food perfectly content. So Lisanna was back… but Natsu didn't look influenced by bumping into her. What did that mean?

Without knocking, Natsu and Lucy strode into the Dragneel house and announced they were there. The two strode through the house towards the back where the kitchen was located. Grandine was working in the kitchen, cleaning up her mess from making breakfast.

The woman glanced up and smiled, "Good morning!" The woman stopped and her mouth dropped open. She wiped her hands off on her apron as she walked around the counter towards them. "Don't you two look so precious!" Confused, Lucy glanced down at her outfit. She was in such a frazzled state to change because they matched, she didn't realize she wore a long white sundress as a 'newly engaged' woman to her fake fiance's family's barbecue. Crap! She thought. All she wanted to do was blend into the background today and instead she becomes a statement.

"Let me get a picture!" Natsu and Lucy groaned and complained as Grandine pulled out her cell phone from her pocket. The two didn't stand a chance at arguing with her so they eventually gave in. "Alright, scoot together." She wiggled her hand to motion the two to move closer to one another. Lucy had taken many pictures with Natsu in the past, even some in this same pose, but this time it felt awkward.

Lucy turned towards Natsu so she faced Natsu's side. Natsu responded by wrapping his arm around Lucy's waist. "Aww! Okay, smile!" Grandine called as she stared at her phone. Natsu and Lucy smiled, each trying to suppress the myriad of emotions they were experiencing.

"That looks beautiful," Grandine commented as she put her phone down. "I will have to send that to Jude." Grandine placed her phone back in her pocket and walked back into the kitchen to continue cleaning up. "Did you two sleep well?" Lucy chose to ignore the suggestive inflection in that question.

Lucy and Natsu each took a seat in one of the barstools around the kitchen counter. "Surprisingly, yeah. That apartment is pretty cool," Natsu commented. Lucy grumbled to herself as she sipped her coffee; the futon wasn't uncomfortable, but she didn't have much room to roll over when she needed to.

"I'm assuming you both haven't had breakfast?" Grandine implored to which both shook their heads.

"Well, I needed coffee, so we stopped at the local café so Natsu grabbed a morning snack." Lucy answered.

"Good thing I made these," Grandine pulled a plate from the counter revealing a large pile of freshly made blueberry muffins. Lucy quickly grabbed one and took a huge bite; a sense of satisfaction overwhelmed Lucy's senses. "Don't worry, Natsu, I made your favorite." She raised a second smaller plate of quiche and placed it next to the plate of muffins. "Yosh!" Natsu cheered as he stuffed two into his mouth simultaneously.

"Natsu, we need your help out here!" Igneel called from the rear deck. With a sigh, Natsu shoved the remaining quiche in his mouth and trudged out the door. "So what can I help with?" Lucy asked, as she took another bite of her muffin.

"You just keep eating, Lucy. When I'm done cleaning up, you can help me prepare the food for the barbecue." Grandine commented as she wiped down the counter.

"Are you cooking it all?" Lucy asked as she took another bite.

"No, Igneel is cooking the main meal and I am making a couple sides. Other people from the town are bringing drinks, desserts and other sides."

Lucy swallowed the last bit of her muffin, "I'm going to have to get this recipe from you, Grandine. Your muffins are the best!"

"Of course, Lucy, and I will give you the recipe for the Bacon Siracha Quiche as well."

"That's okay, Grandine. Those are too spicy for me anyway."

"No, silly. They are for Natsu." Lucy looked at Grandine with a blank stare. "You know what they say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Grandine winked.

"It's true," Lucy turned to see Igneel walk through the back door into the kitchen. "It was Grandine's cooking which first drew her to me." Igneel stood next to his wife and gazed lovingly into her eyes.

"It was a bake sale for the senior class and he just happened to buy my chocolate chip cookies," Grandine replied, not breaking their gaze.

"It was love at first bite." He smiled before giving his wife a chaste kiss. Lucy couldn't help but glance away. "Seriously guys?" she stated.

Igneel and Grandine broke away but still stood in each other's arms. "We're going to be your parents soon too, Lucy, so we might as well start embarrassing you now." Igneel stated before he grabbed a water bottle and returned outside. Grandine couldn't help but chuckle at her absurd husband and Lucy's reaction.

"In all honesty, Lucy, we are glad to have you here," Grandine smiled widely at the blonde. Lucy's chest tightened as she looked back at the blue haired woman. Lucy loved spending time with the Dragneels' but she hated leading them along. "Happy to be here," she muttered.

Lucy slowly stood, walked around the counter and placed her dishes in the sink. She grabbed an apron from the pantry before strolling over to Grandine. "So what do you want me to do first?" she asked, as she tied the straps around her waist.

"You can start by cleaning and cutting the potatoes for the salad." Grandine pointed at the unopened bag of potatoes. Lucy opened the bag and began scrubbing each of the potatoes before placing them in a large bowl.

The two casually talked about life and embarrassing memories of Natsu while they prepared the food for later that day. Lucy finished cutting her last potato and glanced up at the clock in the kitchen which read '2:30.' Confused, she glanced over her shoulder at Grandine, "I thought Levy and Gajeel were staying here, where are they?"

"They won't be here until later. Apparently Gajeel got lost and the two used the time to sight see." Knowing Levy she is probably buying more books, Lucy thought. "They should be here in time for the start of the party though." Lucy nodded her head... at least she had some time before they arrived.

"We're here!" the familiar voice of her brother called from near the front door.

"Back here!" Grandine responded from the kitchen. A moment later, Sting came walking around the corner with his wife, Yukino, and their children in tow. "Auntie Lucy!" Lucy glanced over to see her blonde nephew running towards her. She rounded the corner and knelt on the ground so she could hug her nephew. "Lector!"

Lucy debated as to whether or not she wanted children, but she only came to a conclusion when Yukino had Lector. She absolutely loved being an aunt; she would babysit for Sting and Yukino whenever she was in town, and her and Lector would make pillow forts in the living room and watch cartoons.

"You've gotten so big!" she called at the child. Yukino silently pointed at the sleeping infant in her arms before pointing down the hall. Grandine seemed to understand and followed her out of the room. Lucy looked back at her nephew, "So how old are you now? 18? 20?"

The child giggled, "I'm 5, silly." Lucy chuckled and placed a hand on her forehead. "My bad, you're just so big!"

"Sis, where is everybody at?" Sting asked.

Lucy looked up from her place on the floor, "The guys are all outside setting stuff up." Sting sighed in response knowing he would be needed there. "Is Igneel out there?!" Lector asked excitedly.

"He sure is!" Lucy chuckled.

"Igneel!" the boy yelled as he ran out the back door; Sting followed shortly after his son. Lucy followed them as they walked outside but shut the glass door behind them. Lucy watched as the small blonde boy ran over to Igneel and the older man pick him up joyously and spin him in the air. She chuckled as Igneel, Sting and Lector began playing tag outside.

She didn't notice Yukino walk up beside her until she spoke. "Our babysitter cancelled last minute, one night, and Igneel offered to babysit. Ever since then, the two are almost inseparable."

"Well at least they have one another," she responded.

"But you know what that means…" Lucy looked at her sister in law with a confused look. "It means Igneel is ready to be a grandparent and I wouldn't doubt Grandine is too far off." Lucy sighed in annoyance and hung her head. "No pressure or anything," Yukino chuckled in response as she glanced over at the blonde.

Yukino leaned in close before whispering, "But good thing that isn't an option seeing as you two aren't even engaged."