(Authors note: Guys this may be the only update today. I had a procedure done on my stomach today and I'm in quite a bit of pain. It took all I could just to write this chapter. Thanks again to XxShyxX for the awesome advice and help!)
Chapter 9: A New Beginning
-Laxus POV-
"It's okay Laxus. We all make mistakes and stray from the path. It's just a matter of weither or not we get back on the right path that counts."
Those words stuck in my mind. Then she kissed me. I could see she really meant it by the way her lips met mine. This moment felt so important to me. Everything I had done…couldn't be changed. I felt so guilty inside. All I could do was cry. It was then that I realized I was wrong for everything. I had hurt innocent people. I had hurt Lucy. And on top of all of that she still has the will to forgive me. I had raped her, took something precious away that she would never have again. Yet she still forgave me. I didn't understand it, but in this one moment with her in my arms I felt like everything had just disappeared. I didn't deserve her forgiveness. She broke the kiss and looked into my eyes. I could feel myself start to cry again. I gently wrapped my arms around her one more time. She didn't know it yet but I knew what was going to happen. This was the end for me. Gramps was going to put me in exile. Lucy would have to make it without me. But never would I forget her. She still has Natsu and the others. I broke away from the embrace and took a step back to look at her. Little did I know a wounded Erza had entered the Cathedral and overheard everything. I turned my head away from Lucy and regretted it. I looked up as I got kicked in the face by Erza. I went flying across the room. I couldn't help but laugh under my breath. I knew I deserved it. Everyone looked around in surprise.
"I totally deserved that one didn't I Erza?"
"Yes, yes you did Laxus. The sins you committed against this town were unbearable…and…and…YOU DEFLOWERED OUR LUCY!"
Everybody started breaking out into laughter including myself. I looked at Lucy and seen her laugh. Her laugh was so light and joyful. I could never forget that.
-Lucy's POV-
This was the first time I had seen everybody laugh together in a really long time. It felt good to see all of those cheerful faces laughing together.
"Wait the master! Levy didn't you say he was sick?!"
Everybody looked at me then shock came across their faces.
"We need to go back. Laxus come with us maybe you can talk to the master."
I seen a look of pain sprawl across his face.
"I had better not. I need to get some things situated first before I even dare talk to gramps. Lucy go on back to the guild with the others. I'll come by as soon as I'm ready."
I seen tears well up in his eyes and gave him one last hug before walking away. The walk back to the guild was a sad one for all of us until Erza broke the silence.
"So Lucy…that day we found you at that old abandoned building. You were with Laxus that night?"
"Yes."
"Why did you lie to us Lucy?"
I lowered my head and started to cry.
"Because I knew about the Battle of Fairy Tail. He told me everything that night. I didn't tell you all because I thought that if he got pissed off he would speed up the process. I just didn't want you all to get hurt."
Erza, Natsu, Levy, and Gajeel quickly embraced me in a hug as I continued to cry. I loved my family and the way they treated me. I felt like that with them anything was possible. They made me forget all of my problems and treated me like I was their own sister. As they pulled away Erza gently placed her hand on my stomach.
"You're scared aren't you Lucy."
"Yes Erza I am. Is there any way I could talk to the master and see if Laxus could stay. Or something?"
"I don't know. The master has his judgment about things but I'm sure that if you explained the situation to him he might consider. I mean that baby will need his father in his/her life."
We all agreed and continued to walk back towards the guild. All thoughts were in order and I knew what I had to do. I needed to talk to the master. Maybe I could change his mind somehow or at least lessen the punishment on Laxus. Our arrival at back at the guild was amazing. Everybody was dishing out hugs and telling everyone they were sorry.
"Mira. How is the master feeling?"
"He's better thanks to Porlyusica. He still wants us to do the Fantasia Parade tonight."
"I need to talk to him."
Mira nodded her head and took me to the infirmary. Everyone else looked at me with a confused look on their faces. Erza quickly distracted them as they continued to work on decoration for the parade. I walked into the infirmary and closed the door. The master raised up enough to look at me and gave me a smile.
"What's on your mind Lucy? Is everything okay?"
"Are you okay is the question?"
"Yes I am fine. So what's on your mind?"
"It's about Laxus."
He met my gaze with a certain intensity. I could tell he was pained just thinking about his grandson.
"What about him?"
"I would like to request that you let him stay in the guild and figure out a different way for him to redeem his actions."
"Lucy! What would make you say such a thing? You know just as good as me what he did is wrong. Why?"
I gently placed a hand on my stomach.
"Because your gonna be a great grandpa. I'm having a baby and Laxus is the father! This baby will need him. Please I'm begging you."
He just stared at me in utter silence. I heard the door open. I looked behind me and there was Laxus.
"Laxus. Is what Lucy says true?"
"Yes gramps. Lucy is pregnant. But If you wont change your mind then I completely understand. I do wish you would though. Helping Lucy through her pregnancy would be a good way to redeem myself. Plus if it would help I would be more than happy to stay put in the guild for a while and not go on any missions."
"Well this changes things. Your actions are worthy of exile Laxus. But it seems the circumstances say otherwise. You will stay, but I have conditions"
"Yes?"
"One. You will loose your S-Class rank here at the guild which means you will have to earn it again. Two. You must stay with Lucy at all times. And Lucy. You will continually visit Porlyusica until your child is born. Is that easy enough for the two of you?"
I screamed with happiness and ran over and gave the master a big hug.
"Thank you so much master."
"Oh, and I want you two to do me a favor."
We looked at him in confusion.
"What?"
"Take this time to watch the parade from the sidelines. Lucy doesn't need any strain on her."
With that we both walked out of the infirmary and confronted everybody. They were all happy that Laxus wasn't exiled but shocked when they found out about my pregnancy. I looked over to see Natsu and Gajeel all bandaged up and couldn't help but laugh at them. They got the crap beat out of them. Me and Laxus decided that we were gonna go look around town a little before the parade and get to know each other just a little better. Since he was gonna be the father of my baby. We spent three hours doing absolutely nothing till the parade started.
"Wow. Everything is so pretty! Isn't it Laxus?"
"Yes Lucy. Yes it is."
I stood there in amazement as I watched the parade from the side lines.
-Laxus POV-
The expressions on Lucy's face were priceless. I loved watching them as she seen the different parts of the parade. I gently wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into my chest. I overheard people talking about how goofy the master was being then I looked up to see him myself. He had on some weird cat costume. We both laughed as we watched him. When I was little I told my grandpa I would raise my hand in a certain manner to let him know that even if I couldn't see him I would always be watching. It was to my surprise to see everybody doing it during the parade. Tears started to gather in my eyes at the sight. Lucy then raised up her hand in the same matter as did I. This was a new beginning for me and for Lucy. I refused to ruin this. She put her neck on the line just to tell gramps to keep me here. I was never going to give up the opportunity she so graciously gave me.
"Lucy?"
She turned around then looked into my eyes. I cupped her face in my hands and leaned in for a kiss. The kiss had such passion to it. I still felt so sorry that I hurt her. Never would I hurt her again. I broke the kiss and pulled her into an embrace.
"Lucy. I swear it on my life. I will never hurt you again…never."
( Laxus is staying yay! Me and XxShyxX have already figured out ideas to incorperate him into the other arcs. So excited. See ya next chapter.)
