AN: chapter 40

So some exciting news for you all…. I've decided to do a few bonus chapters after I finish this story (2 chapters left) and write a long AN about all the songs I have used for all three stories, info about some characters annnd I think that's it. so after all of that, I will post up probably short bonus chapters, but who knows, they might end up being longer but we shall see. And as a little tease, I am going to name said bonus chapters and list them in here for you all to think about :) maybe try to guess what they will be about. (I think I'm going to keep these as the names of the bonus chapters, buuut if I think of something better, I'll make mention of it)

-Love Strikes

-Nervous Proposal

-Shatter Me

-Angel (Not sure if I'm going to do this one just yet, need to think it over a bit more)

-Double trouble

The three mages turned their heads to the pavilion as cheers and excited shouting could be heard. Gajeel's eyes narrowed as he looked to the group. "What the hell is going on up there? It sounds like everyone is getting worked up over something." The large dragon slayer left the two and started for the pavilion.

Gray turned his head to Loke as they started heading towards the rest of the large group, slowly trailing behind Gajeel. "I didn't mention this to anyone else yet, so I wonder what all of the excitement is about." Loke simply shrugged his shoulders as he smiled, walking side by side with Gray. The three mages entered the illuminated shelter of the pavilion and looked around. Everyone was surrounding Rain and Leo, hugging them and patting them on the back or shoulder as they stood together. Gray raised a brow as he made his way over to Juvia. "So what's going on? What did we miss?"

The water mage turned to face Gray. "Oh the most wonderful news!"

"Oh yeah?" Gray asked coolly. "What is that?"

Lucy wrapped her arms around Rain tightly, pulling her in close to her chest as she nuzzled her reddened cheek on the girls blue hair. "My son is going out with this gorgeous girl! And we couldn't be happier! Oh my gosh! I can already see wedding bells!"

Leo sighed as he looked at his mother. "Geez mom, we only just started going out… why do you have to jump that far ahead into the future?"

Loke came up to Rain, standing in between her and Leo. He patted her shoulder and shook his head. "You know Rain, you are way too good for my son. You should honestly just run for the hills before he asks you to marry him."

Leo clenched his fists tightly as he turned fully to face his father. "Hey! Will you two quit it already?!"

Rain burst out into laughter as Leo bickered with his parents. Her smile shining brightly. Gray didn't say another word. He simply watched his daughter. He watched her enjoying everything around her, at that moment. She was overjoyed. Gray stepped forward, heading straight towards Leo. The blonde haired boy turned and saw Gray just inches away from him now. His eyes grew wide as he swallowed the newly formed lump in his throat.

"Uh—W-we wanted to tell everyone… and Rain thought it was a good idea to do it here—and I… um—" The boy was having trouble getting the words out of his mouth, his nerves were going crazy. There's no way Gray would ever accept this! No way in hell! He thought to himself. He watched as Gray raised a hand to him. Olive-green eyes shut quickly, ready for the punishment he was about to receive.

Gray smiled as he brought his hand down on Leos shoulder, gripping it tightly. "Hey kid. Just promise me one thing." Leo slowly opened his eyes to Gray's dark ones staring right into him. He was completely taken back by Gray's composure after finding out he was now dating his daughter. "Just promise me that you will keep that smile on her face. Never let it fade or become saddened. I'm trusting you to treat her well and to never break her heart."

Leo shook his head quickly, his eyes looking determined as he brought up his fists clenched tightly. "Of course! I swear I'll never make her sad! And I'll always keep that smile going! And… I promise… I won't ever break her heart. I want to make her the happiest girl in Magnolia."

Gray smiled as he patted Leo's shoulder before taking back his own hand. "Then you have my blessing. But if I end up finding out that you made her upset, I won't hesitate to use this on ya." The ice mage said as he brought up his arm, his new mark glowing red as an icy mist formed from his finger down to his elbow. Leo looked as if he was about ready to faint as everyone else around him laughed.

Lily sighed as she rested her head in the palm of her hand with her elbow propped up on the table. "Would you look at that Gaje? They're so lucky…"

Gaje turned the page in the book he was reading, his eyes not once leaving its inked pages as he spoke. "What makes you say that?"

Lily stared at Leo and Rain longingly. "They just came out and told everyone they are a couple now… they get to be together without any worries… I mean… they actually love each other. Don't you want that too?"

"I already have that." Gaje said calmly.

Lily eyes widened as her jaw dropped. She turned her head quickly to her younger brother. "You WHAT?! You are dating someone?! Since when?!"

Gaje grinned as he looked up, closing his book as he did. "Just kidding."

Lily brought up her fist and shook it at Gaje. "I swear to god, you are the worst Gaje!"

The younger script mage stood from his seat, his crimson orbs staring at his older sister. "Why don't you quit being so envious of others and just go for Finn? There's no point in moping about him here."

Lily blushed as her eyes went wide. "How… did you…"

"It's pretty obvious Lil. Anyone can see nowadays that you want to be with him. So what's holding you back?"

Lily looked away. "He is with someone else. He's made his choice."

"If that's the case, then how come they haven't been seen together for long at this party? Come to think of it, I think I remember seeing Serena head back to the cars a while ago." Gaje said just before he started walking away. "Maybe everything isn't going well for them after all?"

Lily watched her brother walk away, her eyes wide as his words left his mouth. "He's right… if I think about it… they really haven't been see together since they first got here… and I don't know what happened to Serena after we had our talk…" Hazel eyes shifted back to the group surrounding Leo and Rain. Gajeel had a beer in one hand and his arm wrapped around Leo's shoulders. Even her own father was excited for the two. Everyone had accepted the news. Well… mostly everyone. Lily sighed as she thought about Finn and the talk she attempted to have with him. Her tanned cheeks reddened as she remembered the talk. She was slightly drunk and felt like a complete idiot for blabbering out certain things she didn't want Finn to know about just yet. The dark haired girl groaned as she placed her face on the table, her eyelids lowering some. "I need to say it properly. Finn deserves to know."

Pantherlily flew over to Lily's table and hovered just beside her. "Are you not feeling well?"

Lily sighed as she kept her head on the table. "Yeah… I'm fine… just letting this buzz die down some… I think I'm gonna head home soon though. There's something I want to start working on."

The exceed came down to sit beside Lily, his wings disappearing the moment his feet touched the wood. "Well then I shall accompany you home. I feel myself getting a bit tired."

Lily grinned as she sat up. She reached out and picked the exceed up, setting him down in her lap as she began petting his head. "Getting a bit too old to stay up late, are we?"

Pantherlily smirked as he felt the warm and gentle touch of Lily's hand stroking his fur. "You will understand one day when you have your own kids. I practically helped your mother and father raise you and your siblings."

"I know." Lily said with a smile. "I don't think I would have turned out the way I am now without your help."

Pantherlily opened his eyes and tilted his head back as he smiled. "You would have turned out just fine without me."

Lily half smiled as she stayed silent. She waited for Pantherlily to turn his head back around before frowning slightly, her hand returning to his fur to stroke it gently. Her eyes wandered elsewhere as she thought to herself. 'Would I have turned out just fine? Or would I have I just stayed the same brat as before? Either way… I owe a lot to Pantherlily… and a few other people as well. Without them… I don't think I would have changed my ways.' Lily closed her eyes as she began to smile. 'I guess it's time for me to quit being so stubborn as well. I need to be more like Rain. I know what I want. I just have to go for it now.'

Finn walked to his car slowly, his mind had calmed down some as he left the group, Serena, and Lily. Guilt was coming over him as he thought to himself. 'I'm such a jerk… I completely and basically ignored Serena the whole time we were here. Not to mention that argument between me and Rain… and Lily… god damn it…' Finn thought as he brought a hand to the front of his face, running it up through his blue hair. 'I really need to get back there and apologize to Serena. This was supposed to be a fun party… and I have just been a downer about everything.' As his hand fell behind his head to his neck, solid blue eyes looked up to the car, eyeing someone already inside of it. 'Is that…'

Finn opened the car door and peered in, his voice low and calm. "Serena?" The girl sat in silence, her head hanging down shading her eyes as her hands stayed perfectly still in her lap. The ice mage let out a sigh as he got into the car, closing the door and waiting a minute to speak. "I'm sorry. For… everything today. I guess I just… I wasn't ready to hear that Rain and Leo were going out. I think I'm still not completely ok with it…."

Finn brought up an elbow to the window, resting his head against it lightly as he waited for Serena's response. He honestly didn't want to talk about his sister and Leo further, but was fully ready to apologize more if this was the reason Serena had decided to exclude herself from the group. The car was silent still. Finn stared straight ahead through the window, a frown forming over his lips. 'Damn… she must be super pissed at me right now… I should probably say something else to try to make up for it.'

Finn opened his mouth to speak but hesitated immediately. His solid blue eyes began to widen slowly as the sound of Serena crying entered his ears. He snapped his head towards her quickly, his hands coming out in front of him, reaching out towards the girl. "Serena?! What's wrong?! Is it me? I'm sorry! I know I was being a complete jerk and all. I never should have acted that harshly to any of you, I know that…." Finns hands slowly began to fall back to his sides as he looked away from the girl, guilt washing over him further. "I shouldn't have taken my anger and frustration about Leo and Rain on you. I'm—"

"It's not that." Serena said softly between her sobs.

The ice mage looked back to Serena, confusion coming over him now. "What's the matter then? If it wasn't because of me and what I did… why are you crying?"

Serena wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her head coming up some as she spoke. "I've just been thinking about my mom a lot but… something else has been bugging me as well…" Tearful blue eyes came up to look into solid blue. Finn's expression softened slightly. He could tell she had been crying for a while now. Even though she had wiped away the tears from her tired eyes, her cheeks were reddened and stained. Those beautiful blue eyes were already beginning to swell with tears once more. "I think we need to talk."

"Ok." Finn said calmly.

The girl looked away from Finn once more, her voice a bit shaky as the words left her lips. "I think… we should break up."

The ice mage leaned forward quickly in disbelief. "WHAT?! Why?! Are you not happy anymore?!"

Serena turned her head to face Finn. "No, you're the one who's not happy." The girl reached out to Finns hand, her fingers resting on his lightly as she continued. "Finn… I know you love Lily."

Finn pulled back his hand, his expression over his face turning to anger. "Who told you that?! Was it her?! Because—"

"No, Finn. She didn't have to. I've noticed. I've been noticing for a while now, since I've been here. And now I think I'm starting to see how she feels about you too." Blue eyes cast down as a tear rolled down the girls reddened cheeks. "At this point… I'm the one standing in the way of you two."

Finn sighed as he too looked down, his mind going back through the years. "No… it isn't you. First it was me in the way, because I wouldn't tell her how I felt. Then it was Chrono. Then it was distance, and now… Lily is in the way." Finn chuckled slightly as he thought. A small smile curled his lips as he spoke. "She doesn't want to be with me anyways."

Serena reached out and touched Finns arm lightly, causing him to glance her way. She was smiling softly. "She'll come around… I'm sure of it. But… I can't sit here and wait for that to happen. I don't want to be with someone who doesn't feel the way they should about me."

A cool hand came over Serena's. His eyes looked into hers, shifting back and forth. "I am… truly sorry for everything. For being so unfair to you. But now…" Solid blue eyes shifted downward, sadness filling them quickly. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

The ice mages eyes widened as he felt the warmth of Serena's hand grace his cheek, pulling his head up so he could face her. He watched as tears rolled down her cheeks with a smile still on her face. "You have everything now Finn. You don't need me anymore."

Finn looked at the girl for a long minute before reaching up to her face as well. His thumb gently brushed over her cheek and under her eye, wiping away the tears that couldn't stop from falling. "Please don't cry. If anything, you should be yelling and shouting at me for being such a jerk and complete idiot. If you want, you can punch me until you feel content." He said with a smile.

Serena laughed lightly as she brought her hand back, wiping the other side of her face, clearing it of the tears she shed. "Thanks Finn."

The ice mage quickly wrapped his arm around the girls' neck, pulling her in close. His other arm made its way around to her back as he felt her clench his shirt lightly. "No… thank you, Serena."

The girl didn't seem to mind his embrace as she closed her eyes, taking in all that she could. She knew this was going to be the last time they were going to be together, holding each other like this. As much as she didn't want it to end, deep down she knew his heart belonged to someone else. It was taken many, many years ago. "I'm going to miss this."

Finn's grip tightened slightly at her words. "Me too." Silence once again filled the car for a long while before the platinum blonde haired girl pushed on Finn slightly. The ice mage kept his hold on her. "No… let's just stay like this… for a bit longer."

"I should really go home… I don't think me staying here would be a good idea." Serena said softly into Finn's shoulder.

"Just stay one more night. It's too long of a drive for you to leave at this hour. I can see you off in the morning before my parents are up." The ice mage said quietly.

Serena smiled softly as she buried her face into Finn's shoulder. "Ok. Just one more night."

Lily moaned as she leaned back in her chair at her desk. She crossed her arms over her chest as she peered out her window to the darkened sky. "Why is this taking so long for me to do?"

Pantherlily lifted his head from the bed, looking towards Lily. "What is it that you are trying to do at this hour? Shouldn't you be asleep?"

Lily sighed as she leaned forward at her desk, her hand coming up into her black hair, gripping it lightly as she stared at the blank paper in front of her. "I'm trying to write a song… to let Finn know how… how I feel about him…" A soft blush came over tanned cheeks.

Pantherlily sat up and rubbed his chin lightly. "You are having trouble coming up with a song? You usually don't have this much trouble coming up with something."

The script mage closed her eyes lightly. "I know… but this time, it's different. I'm trying to write a song about how I feel, to someone who means a lot to me."

The exceed smiled as he walked to the edge of the bed. "Why don't you start there?"

Lily turned her head to look back at the black cat. "Where?"

"Why don't you tell me how you feel about Finn."

Lily turned her head back around, her mind pulling the reasons why she had grown so fond of Finn to the surface. "Well… he's always been there for me. For as long as I can remember. He's funny, intelligent, and talented. He brings a presence every time he's around me… and it drives me to do my best at anything I do." She smiled warmly as she brought a hand up to her chest. Everything she was saying was making her heart flutter. "I think I'd have to say that I look up to him, always have. He makes me want to be a better person. Every time he would talk to me, encouraging me to do my best… I could feel something inside of me. It almost felt like someone was telling me how beautiful I was." Hazel eyes glanced back to the window her eyes slowly beginning to widen as the words to the song she wanted to write started to form in her head. "That's it…"

Pantherlily grinned as he curled back up into a ball on the edge of the bed. "Looks like you just needed a little push in the right direction."

Lily began to write furiously, not wanting to lose her train of thought. 'This is perfect. I know what I want to say now. This song has to be everything about how he makes me feel. This is how I'm going to tell him.' Lily smiled and thought back to the convention when Finn played his song for her. 'Just like that time you tried to tell me how you felt, I need to do the same now.'

AN: short chapter, I know and I am sorry, but the next two should be pretty good :) at least I hope lol please don't forget to review!

Depressica: yes! I thought it would be a good thing for them to do at this point and I have a very cute idea for that scene as well. and thank you so much!

Wilathewitch: I definitely wanted to make that scene hit home so I'm glad you thought that way about her. Leo and Rain, I can honestly say that I love them so much! They both have had their issues throughout the whole story and now that they are together, they can finally be happy. And as for Finn and Leo, we shall find out the end result in the next chapter if Finn will accept it or still hate the idea and yes! Vow renewals! Excitements!

MiraJanetheDemon: I sent you a PM and I hope that you got it. thank you so much for enjoying the stories! I really would like to go back and make some edits, but that'll be in the future sometime lol I definitely want to get some more stories busted out and I hope that you get to read and enjoy those ones as well!

Nyma: I'm so excited you got to read it too! And thank you so much! ^^ It means so much to me to hear that! and we shall find out in the next chapter if Leo lives or dies! Mwahahahaha! And yes. Finn was being shitty, but hopefully this chapter makes up for it.