Chapter 28

Levy peeked nervously into the room, paling at the large amount of people inside... most of whom she knew or knew of. She never would have imagined she knew so many people with connections to the mafia... connections to Fairy Tail. Shop owners, coworkers, patients... she saw someone she knew everywhere she looked. There, across the room, was Mrs. Potter. She owned the book store Levy frequented. Such a tiny old woman had connections to such a dangerous life... And there! The man standing in the center of the room! That was the CEO of the hospital she worked at! And... oh my Mavis, was that the MAYOR?!

"Surprised?" a familiar baritone filled her ears suddenly, making her jump in shock. She spun around to face Gajeel, who was chuckling at her with a knowing smirk. He looked rather dashing in his white and gray suit, his hair pulled back neatly for a change. "I told you there'd be people you knew here."

"I didn't know there would be so many." Levy admitted with a small blush as she peeked into the room again. She saw Don Metallicana sitting at the largest table in the ballroom, at the head of course, with his council members around him. There were two spots open to his right, presumably for Gajeel and herself. It would make the most sense, seeing as this was the celebration of their engagement.

"Let's not keep them waiting, shrimp. They're here to see us, after all." Gajeel chuckled in her ear, pulling her away from the side door and leading her down a nearby hall. He led her to a set of double doors near the back of the ballroom, close to where the Don was seated. There were numerous guards around every door, but this one especially. The Don, Gajeel, and Levy were the only ones allowed through these doors. Levy gave a small smile to Lily, who was officially part of the guard now. Her personal body guard, to be exact, but for events like this he was drawn into the common ranks in order to secure the area. Still, as her body guard, he was stationed at the door closest to where she would be sitting, in case of an emergency.

"I'm nervous." Levy paused as Gajeel led her closer to the double doors. As soon as she crossed the threshold she would be the main focus of attention from everyone in the room... and there were at least a hundred people there! That was disturbing enough, but taking into account that everyone in that room had ties to the mafia; ties strong enough to get invited to an event like this (because she knew that the average civilian in the know would not be invited to something like this); and then the fact that she knew several of these people... she was understandably nervous.

"Don't worry, shrimp. Just let my old man do all the talking. Smile. That's all you gotta do." He kissed her temple soothingly. "C'mon. Sooner this is done, sooner we can leave." He took her hand and led her into the large ballroom. The instant they were visible, all the talking stopped and all eyes turned to the newly engaged couple and the Don. Levy swallowed thickly as Gajeel led her to the table where Metallicana sat, waiting with a grin. Gajeel pulled her seat out for her, and pushed her in when she sat down. Then he took his seat next to his father, who waited a moment before standing up.

"I'd like to welcome you all to my home, my dear family." Metallicana declared with a smile. "This is a joyous occasion, which I've gathered you all together for. Tonight, we celebrate my son's engagement to the beautiful Levy McGarden." he motioned to Levy, who blushed as all eyes turned to her and applause broke out over the crowd. "My family, please, enjoy yourselves tonight. Eat, drink, be merry!" The don concluded, and most people in the room cheered at this. The avid talking and partying returned, and Metallicana took his seat again, looking over at Levy. "You, too, my dear. Enjoy yourself tonight. We all need a break from the tension of the past few months." he grinned at her.

"Thank you." Levy gave a small smile. She was glad that the attention was off of her now. She relaxed a bit and watched the party, smiling happily when Natsu and Lucy came over to talk to her for a while. Gajeel wandered off for a bit, returning with plates of food for them to share. When they'd had their fill, Gajeel dragged a blushing Levy out to the dance floor, grinning at her like some crazed maniac. She was pleasantly surprised to find that he was a good dancer, as he led her in a slow waltz before the music turned back to more modern stuff. They were heading back to their table when someone stepped in front of them.

"Ah, so glad I found you two in this crowd." A tall, slender woman in police uniform smiled as she extended her hand to Gajeel, who shook it with a smirk.

"If it isn't Erza Scarlet." he chuckled. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Yes, you've been doing a remarkable job of staying out of police custody." The woman chuckled right back, before turning to Levy and offering her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss McGarden. I am Erza Scarlet, the chief of police's second in command. I help the family avoid going to jail, or at least lessen the charges."

"It's a pleasure." Levy greeted back.

"Shrimp, you ever get in trouble with the police, or need help with anything involving them, this is who you call first." Gajeel told her with a smirk.

"Indeed. I will do my best to assist you." Erza smiled kindly at her. "Any-who, I just came by to wish you congratulations on your engagement. I must get back to the office, the chief will be wondering where I am." She smiled as she shook her head. "Have fun, you two. Congratulations, again." She waved as she walked away, giving Levy one more friendly smile. Levy smiled back. She seemed like a nice lady.

And then her eyes widened as she saw Erza's mood shift. She looked in the direction Erza was glaring in and saw that Natsu and Gray were having an argument of some sort. Normal occurrence, to Levy. Erza stormed over to the two, who were oblivious to her, and she smacked their heads together with enough force that Levy could hear the sound even across the room. She shouted at the boys, who both looked like a couple of punished puppies, whimpering and hiding their tails between their legs. Erza scolded them for a few minutes before pointing at Levy and Gajeel. When the boys nodded, she crossed her arms and watched them approach Gajeel and Levy.

"Gihi, that's Erza for ya." Gajeel chuckled, having watched the scene with her. "She grew up in the family, with Natsu and Gray. Mother-hened us all to death with her violent 'lessons,' gihihi." He laughed as Natsu and Gray approached them now, both stopping to bow a few feet away from them.

"We're sorry for disrupting your celebration." they said in unison, their heads still down. Levy was trying hard not to laugh. She'd never seen the guys so defeated. She glanced at Erza, who seemed satisfied with Natsu and Gray's behavior now. She smiled happily at Levy, who smiled back.

"Don't do it again, or it'll be my old man you apologize to instead." Gajeel warned sternly, though Levy could hear the amusement in his voice. He waved at Erza across the room, who waved back before finally leaving. "Alright, she's gone. Scram."

"Thanks, boss!" they said in unison again, before scurrying away. Levy couldn't help but giggle at their antics. Gajeel chuckled with her and led her back to their table, their original destination.

The rest of the night went without issue. Strangers kept coming up to Levy to congratulate her and Gajeel on their engagement, and to welcome her to the family. There was food, alcohol, and music aplenty. Levy eventually began to relax and enjoy the company of the entire family, as they all welcomed her with open arms and swore their undying devotion to her, Gajeel, the Don, and the family. She felt accepted and protected and, as she looked at Gajeel and Metallicana, she realized that this was what it meant to be 'family.'

Towards the end of the night, Gajeel leaned over to her and whispered in her ear. "Welcome to the family, my shrimp."

My lovely readers I am soooo sorry! Omg I've been super busy lately and I haven't had much time to update. Plus throw in some writer's block, and all I could put out was a filler chapter that pretty much just introduced Erza. I'm sorry!

But now I have some ideas for the next chapter, at least. Anyways, let me know what you think of this chapter. Thank you all for being so patient!

With love!

-Everythingnerd12