Erza walked out of her room to see Natsu and Jellal smiling and Lucy with a peaceful and happy smile on her face with Layla on the couch all snuggled up. "Everything okay out here?" she asked not out of concern but because she wondered what was said to those bright smiles on Lucy's and Natsu's faces. For days, she had slight grins and light smiles but nothing like the ones they had on now. They were real, happy smiles. "Were you able to reach them?" asked Jellal. "Yup, they should be here soon." "Who?" asked Natsu. "You'll see, why don't you go over to your family." "Aye" he said happily as he walked over to his girls who cheered as he sat next to them. "Hey Luce" "Yeah?" "Wanna get married next week?" "Are you serious?. I mean with everything goingonwithyourmother. I'm still looking for a place and the people and" Natsu stopped her talking as he kissed her. She melted into it as she put her hand on his arm while he held her cheek. After a minute, they pulled away. Her face was all red but Natsu was looking at her with one of the warmest smiles Lucy had ever seen on him. "Baby, we deserve to be happy. We need to stop putting it off. We will find everything we need. Don't worry." "You really mean it? can I finally be your wife"
"Oh yeah" he said with a grin as Lucy jumped off the couch sending Layla to the floor but she landed on her butt. As Natsu picked Layla up, he saw one of the giddiest faces Lucy had ever had on her. "I'm going to be Mrs. Dragneel in a week!" she yelled excited. "I can't wait!" "I can tell" Natsu said laughing. "What does this mean daddy?" Layla asked him confused. Looking down at her "well baby girl, after this, when your mommy takes my name. We will be a family." "Really?" she said excited. "Yes, my baby dragon, after this, no one will touch your mom anymore or you." "YAY" she screamed as he laughed and she threw her arms around him. He put an around her hugging her as he used his other to pull Lucy so he had them both in his arms. "I love you both..and I am so happy I have you." he said lovingly. "We love you too Natsu..and you'll never lose us again." she said happily as they sat back.
They heard a knock on the door when Erza with a grin said "Lucy why don't you get that" Getting out from under Natsu's arm, she got up and walked towards the door very confused. "I wonder why she wanted me to get it" she said as she opened the door. "AHHH" she screamed making Natsu jump to his feet. "Lucy!" "GRAY, GAJEEL!" she screamed happily throwing her hands around Gray's neck who had a big grin on his face. He picked her up some and swung her side to side as he put her back down. "Aww, no hug for me" said Gajeel in humor. "Oh shut up. You know Gray is a brother for me" she said happily as Gajeel gave her a one-armed hug. "Come in, come in" she said waving them in. They stepped in when Gray who had finally noticed put a hand to Lucy's cheek. "Who did that to you?" he asked serious as he ran a hand over her bruise and saw the mark on Lucy's throat. "Natsu took care of it" she answered immediately. She looked over as she saw he was already up next to her. "Hmm, I figured that. I also know he wouldn't do that to you." "Are you implying something?" Natsu asked getting his fists up. "Relax firehead, I knew it wasn't you" Grabbing a hold of his hand, Lucy gently rubbed it. "Relax Natsu" He took a breath and calmed down. "Hey guys" greeted Erza and Jellal. "Is this why you called over here?" asked Gajeel who titled his head towards Lucy.
"Among other things, yes this attempt was the reason I called you two. It can't wait anymore" said Erza very seriously. "Huh?" said Natsu and Lucy. "Take a seat on the couch you two" Erza directed them as they did what they were told and took a seat. "What's going on?. Something with the band?" asked Lucy looking at Gray and Gajeel. "No Lucy, this isn't band related" answered Gajeel. "I'm very confused" she said. "Lucy" she got quiet hearing Erza's tone. "Guys, the reason I'm having all of you brought here is because I want to invoke a new member today." " Wait, Gray, Gajeel, your part of the mafia too?!" Lucy said feeling confused and surprised. "Yes" Gray answered with a smirk. "Have you been a part of it the whole time I've known you guys" They nodded their heads as Lucy put a hand to her mouth. Natsu was just as shocked. "We are musicians so don't worry about that but that's not the only reason we are there. We also were sent to keep an eye on you." "An eye?..on me?" said Lucy. "Yes..when the girlfriend of Natsu Dragneel goes missing, there's something to be said" "We knew it was a Lucy but we didn't know it was you until you said his name." "Oh wow..." "Did you think you were alone Lucy?" Gray asked. " I didn't know I had protection. I thought every connection to Natsu was gone" she said trembling in joy as she looked at Natsu who couldn't believe any of this.
"BBut I still don't understand. Lucy and I didn't know any of you. How did you do this for me?" asked Natsu. "That would be me" they all turned their heads towards Erza. " I told you, my mafia has connections. I'd seen you in passerby Natsu..I saw how the two of you loved each other. When I found out that Evelyn had separated the two of you, I got Gray and the other two to go." "This wasn't just a job..was it?" "No Lucy" answered Jellal nicely. "What may have been assigned as a protective order, it was way more then that. We have all grown to care about you. We weren't going to let anything happen to you." Lucy got up that moment and walked over to Jellal giving him a heartfelt hug. He was shocked but only for a second as he returned the hug. "Ttthaaank you" she stuttered as tears started to brim her eyes. She released from the hug as he put a hand to her face to wipe the tears away. "No need to cry Lucy." "Sorry, just so happy" she wiped her tears as she went back to sit with Natsu who put his arm around her comfortingly as she leaned into him. "Back to why we are here, I am here to invoke a new member" stated Erza. "Oh yeah, who is it?" asked Lucy. They all got quiet as they all stared at Natsu.
"Why is everyone looking at me?" he asked turning his head to see if there was someone behind him. They all remained staring at him. It took a minute but then he said "noo...way..." he slowly raised his head to look at Erza who had a serious smile on her face as she nodded her head towards him. "Me? . Erza I'm flattered but I..woah, really?" he was completely baffled. "Yes, after some discussion and reviewing. Natsu you are perfect for our group." "Hhhow though?" "Ever since you came here Natsu, I've been watching you. The protection that you show over Lucy and Layla. The desire to do anything for them. It's what we look for in our mafia. You are strong willed, physically strong, a bit short tempered but we can work on that. Natsu I told you before, if you let me work with you..we can make you unstoppable. Another thing..you will have protection for them." she eyed Lucy and Layla grabbing his attention. " I figured that would get your attention. Yes along with other things, the one thing guaranteed is protection for your wife and child. You can call any of us or other's to watch over them if there is ever any danger..and you have family. Natsu I promise you guys will never be alone again." Natsu was quiet trying to absorb everything.
"So..what do you say?" Erza asked as she held her arm out. "You can guarantee protection for them" he asked glancing at the girls. "Yes" He stood up and grabbed her arm as they pulled each other close. "Then sign me up" he told her with a grin. "Welcome to the mafia Natsu" said Gray as him and Gajeel held out their hands. He took them and said "thanks" "Well now that's over, we have a wedding to plan" announced Jellal making everyone turn their heads. "Right Lucy?" "YES!" she said feeing ecstatic. Natsu felt so happy he had protection for his family and that he could focus on being happy with Lucy. "Gray, Gajeel, Jellal come with me for just a few minutes" said Lucy. The guys all had wondering faces as they followed her into her room to which she shut the door. "Umm, do you know what she's planning?" asked Natsu. Erza shook her head. "Your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea" "Daddy!" he turned and picked Layla up and held her in the air spinning her. "Daddy" she cried happily. He spun enough he crashed to the couch causing both of them to bust out laughing. "You dizzy daddy?" "Uhhh" he answered due to his head spinning and all he could see were stars.
Shaking his head, he grinned and said "yeah you could say that Layla. Haha" It warmed Erza's heart hearing them be that happy. "Stay happy Natsu. You've had to be sad long enough" Back in Lucy's room, she handed the guys a set of music sheets. "Okay..what's this for?" asked Gajeel. Looking at the lyrics, Jellal said "wait, is this?" Lucy nodded her head happily as she said "I want you guys to learn this piece" ""This is a surprise for Natsu. I'm going to sing it at the reception. "Oh Lucy, he's going to love this. Just looking at your lyrics here. Your going to make the man cry" said Gray.
"So will you guys do it?" she asked them. All taking one look at each other, they all answered in unison "yes Lucy" "Yay!, thank you guys so much. Alright, take those home with you ,you two and practice when you leave. Let's get back out there, I want all of us to have some fun. They all chuckled as they walked out behind her. Looking at her family on the couch, she thought "this is going to be the happiest day of our lives."