AN: Chapter 26

I just would like to say that this story is going to get even better within these next few chapters. I cant wait to write them and see your reactions to everything. This story has been so much fun to write and it definitely is longer than the other two… or at least will be lol hope you enjoy this chapter! I should have another one up either later today or up tomorrow morning! So keep an eye out! :)

Depressica: thank you, thank you. lol I kinda wish I had gone further into Finn and serena, but it just wasn't flowing quite right with me. And yes, grays situation with his daughter and bora is just awesome and will be interesting to see where it goes from here :)

Nyma: haha, thank you so much! I love to hear that ^_^ and as for everything with everyone… I think you will enjoy the next few chapters. I myself am super excited to write them and get them posted asap! I want to know what you guys think of them since I've been planning on these chapters for over a year now! lol it was just a matter of writing up to these points without rushing through the story so it'll stay awesome!

Finn set down a large box next to Serena's' bed, his frame standing up straight as he brought a hand to his forehead. He let out a sigh as he wiped off the sweat that had formed just under his blue hair. He smiled as hands reached around from behind him, pulling him in close to the girl behind him. "Hey, I'm just about finished unloading my car." The ice mage said with a smile.

Serena grinned as Finn turned around to hug her, planting a soft kiss on her platinum blonde hair. "Good, because I was hoping to get some time with you before I had to go to work."

Finn smirked as he spun the girl around quickly, forcing her back onto the bed. The girl giggled as she wrapped her hands around his neck. "Oh yeah? How much time do we have?" The ice mage asked as he pushed his body into the girl, his cool lips brushing against hers.

The girl beneath him smiled as she felt his lips move to her sensitive neck. "I didn't mean this Finn. We don't have enough time for this. I meant time to talk."

Finn kissed lightly at the soft, light skin, his hands moving down her sides slowly. "We are talking."

Serena left out a soft sigh as she felt Finns' cool hands moving up her shirt slowly, taunting her body with his touch. "Finn… you're going to make me late for work…"

The ice mage slid his fingers under the girls' bra, feeling her soft breast. He could feel her beginning to arch her back to his touch as he ran his fingers over her sensitive bud. "So call off."

Serena smiled as her face turned red. Her hands moved to Finn's shoulders as she pushed him away slightly, freeing her breast from his cool touch. Blue eyes stared up into the ice mage. "You know I have to go to work. Come on, I'll help you finish unloading your car and then we can chat for a few minutes."

Finn sighed as he hung his head. He smiled as he looked back up to the girl. "Fine…"

The blonde haired girl reached up to Finns' cheeks and pulled him in close. Her lips pressed against his softly. "We'll have time for this later… I promise."

The two stood up and made their way outside to Finn's car, his trunk opened still. Serena grabbed a box and headed back inside, leaving Finn by himself. The ice mage grabbed a box and lifted his arm to close his trunk. Solid blue eyes caught a glimpse of something he forgot he had packed into his car. He stood there staring at it for a long minute before grabbing the handle and pulling it out. He set the large case down on the ground so he could close his trunk before heading inside. Serena met him at the door and took the box out of his arms.

"Here, let me take this." Her eyes glanced down as she walked away, catching a glimpse of something else in his hands. "What do you have there?"

Finn walked over to the couch in the living area and sat down, bringing the guitar case into his lap. The blonde girl walked over to the couch as well, sitting down beside him with an arm raised up onto the back of the couch. "Is this that guitar your friend got for you long ago?

Finn couldn't stop the smile forming over his lips as he opened the case up. "Yeah…" The ice mage turned to face the girl, a slight smirk on his face as he pulled the guitar out from its case. "I don't think I've ever played this for you."

Serena smiled as she tilted her head slightly. "No, I've only just heard about this lovely gift. I do have a few minutes before I have to go. Why don't you play something for me?"

Finn set the guitar in his lap, his hands already going to work on the strings, a smile over his face as he listened to the sound it was producing. "Already a step ahead of you there." Solid blue eyes closed lightly as his fingers moved fluidly over the cords, his mind playing a song over in his head. The girl beside him closed her eyes as well, letting her ears listen to the sound Finn was producing. She tapped her hand on her leg to the beat he played, nodding her head slightly.

Minutes of playing for the girl went by before either one said anything. "You know, you and I should play something together some time. I think violin and acoustic would sound… interesting. Especially if we both came up with a song to play." Serena said as she opened her eyes. Finn stopped playing and turned his attention to her.

"Play songs with a well-known violinist? I don't think I'm worthy enough." Finn said with a grin.

The blonde haired girl scoffed as she moved closer to Finn, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "I think you sound amazing. And I still think it would be a good idea to do." The girl stood and made her way over to the front door, grabbing a light jacket and throwing it over her shoulders. "I have to stop by and see my dad after work, so I'll be home late."

Finn set his guitar aside on the couch and stood, making his way over to the girl. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close. Serena giggled as she reached up behind her to run a hand through the ice mages' blue hair. "Come on, I told you we'll have time later. It won't be that late."

"No, it's not that… I just… I wanted to talk to you too before you left."

Serena turned around in Finn's arms, a concerned look over her face. "What's wrong?"

Finn let out a sigh before he spoke. "I… I was thinking about going home in about a month and a half… summer break will be starting up soon and I figured it would be a good time to go see my dad… I just… was a little unsure if I really should. I mean, I just moved in with you and I want to spend more time with you here…"

Serena wrapped her arms around Finn's neck, pulling him in for a kiss. Finn blushed slightly as she held him there in place for a long minute. Her blue eyes stared up into his as she broke their kiss. "I think you should do it. It will be good for you to see your dad and all your friends back home. And maybe I can come visit towards the end of summer to meet them all too, that is if I can manage to get time off work." The girl leaned back and winked, raising a finger to Finn. "Just don't forget about me when you go back home."

Finn grinned as he kissed the girl lightly. "That's too hard to do. You're too amazing to forget."

"And I think you're trying to butter me up to stay here and not go to work."

Finn grinned as he pressed his forehead against the girls. "Is it working?"

Serena smiled back up at the ice mage. "Nope. I'm still going to work." Serena leaned down and grabbed her violin as Finn released her from his grip. As she stood, she looked back to blue eyes. "You have work to do too Mr. Start unpacking your boxes! And make yourself at home while I'm at work."

Finn sighed as he turned around, walking over to the last of the boxes he brought in from his car. "Fiiiinne… I'll just be here… alone… unpacking…by myself." The ice mage walked away from the girl slowly, a box in his arms. He turned his head to see her reaction with each slow step he took. Serena shook her head as she rolled her eyes.

"Still not working Finn." She said as she put her hand on the front door handle. Finn laughed lightly to himself as he turned his head back forward.

"It was worth a try!" He yelled back as he heard the door close behind the girl.

Levy stood on her tippy toes, trying to see over the large crowd of people standing in front of her. The script mage let out a sigh as she was starting to lose hope in seeing anything. "Gajeel, do you see her anywhere?! I can't see over everyone."

Gajeel had his arms crossed over his chest as he scanned the room. "Levy I don't think she came out yet. I mean, this is a large graduating class…."

Levy made fists with her hands as she spoke to her husband. "But Gajeel! I want to see this! This is our first child! Graduating from college! I don't want to miss one second of this!"

Gajeel stared down at the tiny blue haired woman beside him. "What do you want me to do? Use my dragon roar to move these taller people out of the way?"

Levy thought for a second, shrugging her shoulders lightly. "It wouldn't hurt."

"No." the dragon slayer said quickly.

"Gaaajeeeeel! Come on! We have to do something. Today isn't just important to us you know. Lily needs to see that we are here too. You can't tell me you aren't proud of her."

Gajeel let out a huff as he looked away from Levy. It was true for a long time, the dragon slayer was in disbelief that he would ever be standing here, waiting for his eldest daughter to come into the room to receive her college diploma. The past few years were questionable with all of her actions and lack of school work. But this past year, something made the girl change her whole outlook and attitude. She was telling the truth about her returning to her school work, her tutoring sessions with Leo, and the fact that she was working two jobs. The iron dragon slayer never could figure out what made Lily change, but for a long time, he didn't want to believe any of it.

Crimson eyes turned back to hazel. "Tell ya what. I'll pick you up so you can see. That way the kid will be able to see us through the crowd."

"Wait, what?!"

Before Levy could protest, the dragon slayer picked up the script mage and threw her up onto his large shoulder, holding her up with his arm. Levy blushed brightly in embarrassment. "Gajeel! This isn't what I had in mind!"

"Oh and the dragon roar would have been a better choice?"

"I'm taller than everyone else now! I feel bad!"

"Don't. These people gave us a horrible spot for you to see, so now we're doing something about it. Plus I told ya, it'll be easier for Lil to see us in this stinking crowd."

Before the script mage could protest further, the people in front of them began to shout and cheer for the next set of graduates entering the room. Both crimson and hazel eyes shot straight for the students entering the room. Levy brought her hands up to her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. She watched her eldest daughter enter the room, a wide smile over her face as she was dressed in her black cap and gown with her honor cords around her neck. "Gajeel… there she is… our baby girl…"

Lily turned her attention to the large crowd on the floor, her hazel eyes scanning for her parents. She smiled as she waved her hand as her eyes landed on them both. Levy waved back wildly as she called out her daughter's name, ignoring the many looks she received from the people around her. Gajeel watched intently as Lily made her way to the stage as her name was called first. The dark haired girl smiled as she shook the instructors' hand, making her way past him to the dean, shaking his hand and turning to take a picture as she held her diploma in her hands.

The dragon slayer smirked to himself as he watched his daughter make her way down to her seat, waiting for the rest of the ceremony to end. 'I guess I do feel proud of my kid. Never really thought she would get this far. She sure has changed quite a bit to get here…'

The rest of the ceremony seemed to move along quickly. The dean said a few words before letting one of the graduating students finish up with a hearty speech. At the end, all of the students sitting down stood up, clapping in excitement. They all took their caps off and threw them into the air. The room filled with cheers from the students and families that surrounded them. Gajeel set Levy back own onto solid ground and grabbed her hand, pulling them through the crowd to the outside of the building to wait for Lily.

They made their way to their two other children and Pantherlily, looking around for Lily to exit the building. Minutes went by before the dark haired girl emerged to the outside. Her smile was still wide as she made her way to her family. Levy was first to greet her with a tight hug, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Sweetie I'm so proud of you! You did it!"

Lily hugged her mother back tightly. "Thanks mom. I honestly wouldn't have been able to do it without some help. Well, I guess a lot of help." Lily let her mother go and looked to Pantherlily. The exceed was in his larger form, his hands behind his back as he smiled at the girl. Lily walked over to the exceed and stopped just before him as he brought his hands in the front of his body, holding out a bouquet of flowers. Lily blushed as she looked over the beautiful flowers. She took them in hand and wrapped her other free hand around the exceed.

"Pantherlily… you shouldn't have. I owe you so much already."

"Think nothing of it. You should be proud of yourself for getting here. All I did was help you keep to your studies."

Leviana jumped up and down in place in excitement. "Yay! Yay! Yay! Lily graduated! Now we can go have some cake and celebrate! Right Gaje?!"

Gaje nodded. "If that's what Lily wants."

Leviana looked to her brother. "Why is it up to her if we get cake or not?!"

"Because she is the one who graduated."

"But… cake!"

Gaje sighed as he pulled the book out from under his arm and opened it up, bringing it up to his face to ignore his younger sister as she continued to argue with him over cake.

Lily wiped a tear from her eye as she turned away from Pantherlily. She thanked him once more for the flowers as she brought them up to her nose, taking in their heavenly scent. Levy nudged Gajeel in the side. Crimson eyes looked over at Levy who nodded her head to their daughter, her eyes widening, telling the man to go congratulate their child. Gajeel mumbled under his breath as he put his hands into his pockets.

As he stepped up to Lily, he coughed slightly to get her attention. Lily looked up into crimson as Gajeel spoke. "Hey… I uh…" the dragon slayer brought a hand up to his wild dark mane, rubbing the back of his head slightly. "I wanted to say… congrats… on all of this. I… I honestly didn't think you could have achieved this a while back. But I guess you proved me wrong. Much like your mother."

Lily half smiled at her father. She knew he truly meant it when he congratulated her, even though he wasn't sounding too convincing. "Thanks dad."

"And… hey… I uh... I wanted to tell ya… since you finished up with this college and all… as a graduation gift… I told your mother that if you wanted, I could either give you money or put you through grad school. It's up to you if you still wanted to go through with grad school and all."

Lily stared at her father for a long minute, unsure of what to say at first. Gajeel put his hands back into his pockets as he spoke. "I told your mother that you'll probably want me to put you through grad school, but I understand if you don't want to do that now. I won't force you to do something you don't—"

Gajeel's' sentence was cut off as Lily wrapped her arms around his body. Gajeel blushed slightly as he looked down at his daughter as she hugged him tightly. He couldn't remember the last time she had hugged him like this. His chest tightened up a bit, his arms hesitating wrapping themselves around her in return. The dragon slayer mentally kicked himself in the ass for not hugging her back. After a minute, the dark haired girl let him go and stepped back slightly, a smile over her face. "I would love to be able to go to grad school still. And… I was thinking, maybe I can help pay for it too?"

"No, this is a graduation gift from your mother and me, to you. Let us take care of it. Save your money for whatever else you may need." Gajeel said as he looked away slightly. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's go get some dinner to celebrate."

Lily grinned. "That sounds like a plan! I'm starving!"

Leviana jumped up in front of her sister and father. "I'm starving more!"

"Yeah right! You didn't have to get here super early in the morning to go through the whole ceremony then have to wait in line for hours! You at least had a chance to eat something before you got here!"

Leviana shook her head and walked alongside her bigger sister, arguing with her the whole time. Levy and Gajeel stood back and watched their children and exceed walk away from them. The script mage moved in close to her husband, resting her head against his side.

"Oh Gajeel… it's like all those years of Lily being in the band and misbehaving never happened…"

"Yeah… it's kinda weird…"

Levy smiled as she took the dragon slayers hand into her own. "I think it's nice. We can actually be a family again. No fighting, just the six of us enjoying each other's company."

Gajeel walked in silence, his eyes still on his daughter up ahead. "Let's just hope she doesn't get distracted by something else and mess up her chances while she's going through grad school."

Levy scoffed as she nudged Gajeel's' side once more. "Why do you have to think like that?! Have some faith in your daughter. She's changed for the better and I don't foresee her going back to her old ways anytime soon."

Gray tapped his pen on the pad of paper as he waited for Rain to pick up the phone. He had written down a date and time for Loke and Lucy's party they were going to start planning for the future. He had some other thing written down he had been looking up for months now. Ever since Rain had told him about Juvia and Bora, Gray had gotten a gut suspicion it had to do with the rings Rain had described to him. Gray's dark eyes widened slightly as he heard his daughter pick up on the other end.

"Dad?"

"Hey Rain… how are you doing?"

"… I'm… I'm ok…"

"That's good. I just wanted to let you know that Finn is coming home in about a month and a half."

"Yeah… he mentioned that last time he called me."

"I want you and your mother to come home around that time too."

"It's not that simple dad… I can't just tell mom to up and leave to come back home. I've tried that and she just… she doesn't think she has another home elsewhere."

"Look, Loke and Lucy are going to host a party around that time. Use that as an excuse to get yourselves back here. I want you both to just leave. Tell that scum bag that those two invited you both. He shouldn't expect anything from that."

"Dad… he's smarter than you think… I don't know if—"

"Rain, listen to me. If I can get you here, I can take care of the rest. I'm trying to figure out this whole thing with his rings. It seems to be some sort of ring magic he's using on your mother, like some sort of hypnosis. Now I'm basing this off of what you've told me about what's been going on, and that's what it seems like is happening. Once we get you both here, we can come up with another plan to snap her out of this hypnosis state and get her out of that jerks life."

"Do you think this plan will work?"

"It has to work. Just tell them that Lucy called you because she couldn't reach Juvia and she invited you both to come back home for the weekend to see everyone since it's been so long."

"…Are you going to tell Finn about this?"

Gray quickly answered his daughter. "No. He has the most to lose if he finds out what's going on. Bora is putting him through college right now and I don't need Finn to get involved with this. He's been through too much and it's my turn to be the father I was meant to be. I'm going to make things right. If I need to put Finn through college myself, I'll figure a way to do that. But right now, he doesn't need to know. You just focus on getting your mother and yourself here. I'll text you the date and time so you can talk to your mother about it."

"Ok… dad… I really hope this works… I… I don't think I can take it here much longer…"

"I know… but Rain… you're being so brave and strong for me right now. Just keep it up a bit longer. Look, I've gotta go, but try to talk to your mother about this and when you see that creep, let him know about it too."

"Ok. I will."

Rain hung up the phone as she said her goodbye to her father. She took in a deep breath as she stood from her bed. She walked out of her room and went straight for her mothers. She knocked on the door lightly, getting her mother's attention quickly. Juvia turned and smiled at her daughter. "Rain, honey. What are you doing in here?" The water mage asked as she pulled her hair back, preparing herself for her work.

Rain stepped inside the room, walking to the bed and standing beside it. "Um, mom? Do you think it would be ok if we go to a party that Lucy and Loke are throwing? It's not for another month or so…"

Juvia tilted her head to the side as she put in an earring. "Honey, I don't know… work has been picking up lately. Not to mention I'd have to run it by Bora."

"Uh, it was just us who were invited. You see, Aunt Lucy just called me and… well, she said she really misses us and would love to see us again since… it's been so long… I just thought that we could go for the weekend? And since it was early enough, you could get someone to cover for you at work."

"Hmm… I guess I could ask around now…"

"Mom… it… it would really mean a lot to me. And Finn is going to be there. I know you've been wanting to see him too."

"Finn? Finn is going to be there?" Juvia asked as she turned around, a smile over her face. "I haven't seen him in so long…"

"Yes… I know… all the more reason to go that weekend."

"Perhaps we could go…" Juvia said as she put a finger to her chin.

"I could write it on the calendar downstairs so you don't forget." Rain suggested.

Juvia smiled as she walked over to her daughter. "I'll still have to double check with Bora to make sure we aren't doing something that weekend."

Rain let out a sigh as she hung her head down. "I don't see why he can't just let us go for a couple of days… he's always so controlling…"

"What do you mean by that, sweetie?"

"Forget it… I'll just remind you later about it." The blue haired girl moved past her mother to return to her room. She closed the door behind her, making her way to the bed. Worry was washing over the young girl as her mind raced. 'I don't think this plan is going to work… Bora is smart and might see right through this plan… or he'll just come up with some excuse for us not to go… he won't let us go that easily. But this plan has to work… it's the only way to get out of here… and back to dad.' Rain brought her knees up other chest, hanging her head down to fight back the tears she felt forming in her eyes. 'I need this plan to work….'

AN: Please don't forget to review! Next chapter should be up soon! :)