A/N: Sad to say, but this is where our story ends. Thank you all for reading my story and I love you all for the support and help on fixing issues etc. This will be a longer chapter and I'm sorry about the last few chapters being sad and small, sooo... I tried to make this one longer and more happy! I hope you guys enjoy this last chapter of The Truth Behind These Bruises. Once again, I'm thinking about making a sequel. If you think that could be something you're interested in, leave a review or something and tell me what you think. Thank you!
A bright light sent pain into my skull. I groaned shutting my eyes once again. I peeked out to avoid more pain. I look down my body to find Natsu bent over crying with my hand still in his. When Natsu looked up at me, he immediately fell to his knees. I smiled at his tears and pulled him into a hug. Natsu trembled in my arms and I too did in his.
"I love you, too." I whispered into his ear. Natsu pulled back just far enough to kiss my chapped lips. I melted into his arms and wanted to stay like that forever.
We finally broke away for breath. Our chests lightly heaved.
"I missed you so much." Natsu whispered. "I know you did." I smirked causing me to get another kiss. This time it was more lighthearted and didn't last long.
Suddenly, the door opened. We heard a few gasps and shrieks. I looked to the door to see Levy, Erza, Juvia, Gray, and Jellal.
"Lucy! You're awake!" Levy screamed, pouncing on top of me. I winced but muffled it just glad to be loved. Erza called down the hallway for Andy and he came running into the room.
"Lucy! I missed you so much!" Andy cried. He began jumping up and down in joy. I laughed at his response and pulled him onto the bed next to me and held him close.
"I missed you too, Andy." I whispered. Tears of joy stung the edges of my eyes. They soon all swarmed around me for their own hugs. I was ecstatic to see them again. After everything I had been through, they all stood by my side.
Everyone began sharing how much they missed me and how glad they were that I was still okay. But we were interrupted.
"Bunny Girl is alive!" Gajeel yelled. Levy rolled her eyes in response.
"Ya! We know you doofus!" Levy yelled as Gajeel placed his elbow on her head. I giggled at the two and their adorable acts.
"Why hello Lucy! It looks like you are doing well." Another voice claimed. A older woman walked in with a big smile. She wore a white coat signifying her to be a doctor.
"Yeah! I guess so!" I smiled. She smiled back and brought her focus to her small clipboard in her hand.
"Well it looks like we won't be able to release you from the hospital quite yet. We still need to run tests to make sure you won't have any future problems. So maybe three days at the most, okay?" The doctor informed. Three more days of being in a hospital? I can do that.
"Great." I smiled. The doctor smiled one last time before walking out of the room. Everyone immediately went back to our previous conversation.
"Alright, Lucy. We better be heading out. We wish we could stay for the night, but we have plans." Erza stated while pulling Jellal's arm into her grasp.
"Same here." Levy said apologetically as Gajeel placed his chin on her head and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"Juvia wants to know if Gray-sama wants to go out too!" Juvia asked gripping onto Gray. Gray did not look amused.
"Fine! But only because this is the thousandth time you've asked and it's getting annoying!" Gray complained but I could see the slight blush on his cheeks.
I can't believe they all somehow hooked up while I was sleeping. Was I really out that long?
"Oh, it's fine, really guys. You guys are going on dates," I grinned, "finally…" I muttered.
"What was that last part?" Erza asked.
"Nothing!" I blurted out.
I looked down at Andy. He was out. I smiled and looked up at the group.
The pairs filed out the room, leaving Natsu and I alone with the exception of a sleeping Andy. I sighed in response to their departure. Natsu smiled.
"What's the matter?" He grinned. I smeared my hands across my eyes in attempt to wipe away the stress.
"Nothing really. But did you know that just talking to people can be so exhausting? I've never felt more tired in my life!" I complained sarcastically. Natsu gently picked up Andy and set him on the small couch that held him perfectly. Natsu then draped his jacket over the little boy.
"So you feel like doing the typical hospital fun." Natsu mumbled with a smirk. I frowned at the question. What does he mean by 'typical hospital fun'?
We flew down the hallway, making papers on the walls fly up and nurses to jump out of the way. My sides ached from laughing so hard. My hair fluttered behind me as I was pushed through the halls. Natsu was laughing and hollering to nurses and patients to get out of the way. He pushed me faster and faster on the wheel chair. I cheered and closed my eyes feeling the soft wind brush past my cheeks.
The ride came to a stop and Natsu rushed me into my hospital room where we sprawled across the bed and gripped our sides to keep them from exploding. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes.
Natsu then sat up and pushed me back on the bed and laid down next to me. He then reached to the side of the bed and flipped on a switch. The bed began jittering as the massager kicked in.
"I didn't know these had one of these!" I laughed. My voice was shaking from the jostling.
Natsu then attempted to nod his head. Then he began humming. The bed shook his voice and made him sound like a kid in a massage chair. I mimicked him as we then began singing songs that we knew.
Natsu reached for the remote that laid on the bedside table. He pressed down a button which brought the TV to life. We found a movie and began watching it. The massage bed still hummed as we yelled at the TV in complaints. The bed eventually came to a halt and the movie ended.
I slowly sat up and grinned at Natsu. "I love you." I whispered randomly. He smirked and pulled me close to him.
"I know you do."
"Hey! What about you?"
"Okay, okay. I love you, too."
"I know you do."
Natsu kissed my forehead and replied, "You little…"
I kissed the tip of his nose, "I know, I'm amazing."
Natsu kissed my nose back, "You know it's rude to interrupt."
I then connected our lips in an affectionate manner, "Yeah, I'm just evil like that."
Natsu repeated back, "God, I love you."
Natsu held me in his arms, sending a wave of security over me. I felt at peace… finally. I felt Natsu's soft, warm breaths rolling over my hair. His warmth surrounded me like a giant blanket. My heart skipped as I smiled and nuzzled into his smooth shirt. I found… love.
In the days following, I was checked out of the hospital. They found I had no permanent damage to my head, which is a miracle. I attested to the crimes of my father even though, deep down, I felt sad that he went off to jail. Yes, he did hurt me and abuse me, but he's still my father.
With no one back at home and no other family, Andy and I moved in with Natsu. We've never been happier. Andy and Natsu get along great. Natsu knows just what to say to Andy, and they could play for hours if I let them. Natsu helped me through any post stress I went through. Every nightmare, thought, or memory, Natsu was there to talk me through it. Each time, my feelings for him only grew. There's no way I could repay him for what he has done for me, and I don't think I will ever be able to.
The End