*stares at you guys* Fine...*bows down* I'm sincerly sorry it took long. Yes, yes. It's school again and my cram school. Yes, yes. I'm very very sorry.

I'll make a long author's for my excuse together with my ending speech, ne? An update also for my other stories.

Disclaimer: Do not own FT. Mashima Hiro-sama does.

Surprisingly, Natsu and Sting was calmly sitting on a bench. Loke was looking worried and Jude was walking back and forth. The red sign was gleaming brightly above the two lock doors.

Behind those lock doors, lies Lucy Heartfilia undergoing a surgery for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM is a disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophied). The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood.

Loke explained that to Natsu and Sting. Of course, the boys were devastated. Then, Natsu manning up ask something dreaded.

"When did this disease eat her life up?"

Loke and Jude frown deeper. Jude sighed and patted the boys' heads. "Since she was 7." and that answer struck them. They couldn't believe their ears. Of course who wouldn't? Sting and Natsu know Lucy since she was 7 and that was when she moved to Magnolia and...her mother died when she was still 7.

"Why..." Sting said with his eyes darken by his bangs. Natsu did the same thing. "Why didn't you tell us?!" Sting yelled. He made a tight ball with his hands and Natsu did too. Loke and Jude just looked away.

Eventually, Sting and Natsu calm down. Jude in the other hand, couldn't. It had has already been roughly 5 hours since the surgery started and the professional doctors, surgeons and nurses were working together.

Sting sighed. "I'm going out for fresh air." He stated but no one respond to him. Sting saw this coming and started walking away.

"Lady Lucy is not allowed not allowed in smokey places. She is also not allowed strong emotions like excitement or love." Lucy's doctor, Dr. Alma, patted Lucy's head.

"But...love is..." Jude tried reasoning but Dr. Alma raised her index finger to silence him.

"I know. Other that, prevent activities that will make her short on breath, chest pains, palpitations, dizziness or fainting."

Jude's eyes widen. "I know that you didn't know Lady's Layla condition until the last minute and you didn't do anything about it but here's your another chance. It's unfortunate that Lady Lucy inherited Layla's disease but you could make your daughter live longer than your wife." Dr. Alma took a long inhale.

Alma was a childhood friend of Layla and Alma knew Layla's conditions since forever. Alma tried to help her but Layla was stubborn. She wants a normal life and said, "I want to make out my life in world rather than staying in my room." Alma gave up then.

Alma glanced at Lucy and Lucy stared back with her dull eyes. 'She must be still sad about Layla's death...' Alma frown.

Jude pinched his nose bridge. "I hope Lucy is not stubborn as Layla..." Alma smiled sadly.

But alas, even Lucy didn't understand what was the adults were saying, she went out if the house and met her boys.

...And their story started.

...But history seems to be repeating itself.

"I'm sorry, Jude but Lady Lucy has at least a year to live." Mr. Alma cried. Jude gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. 'Just like Layla...' He thought.

Loke couldn't stop his tears. He let them out. "I...We all thought she could at least live a bit longer than that." Loke referred to the others who knew about Lucy's disease. Natsu stared dully at Alma.

'History is repeating itself..' Dr. Alma looked around and cried more.

Laying in a hospital bed in a luxurious room, lays our Lucy who was attached to a breathing mask and a UV needle on her hand.

On the long couch, Natsu and Loke was sitting and looking at Lucy. Jude was beside Lucy holding her hand and made circles. Jude looked worriedly at his daughter. He sighed and close his eyes. "You fought hard, Lucy. But I want you to fight harder. Please..." He glanced at Lucy's heart monitor and saw it was normal. He shut his eyes hard.

"...Papa...?"

All quickly gave their attention to Lucy. "Lucy...my daughter...Lucy...You're alright...You will be alright...I'm here...Papa's here..." Jude hug his daughter but gentle hands and kept on kissing her forehead.

"I'm going to call Dr. Alma!" Loke yelled as he run outside. Natsu quickly went to her side and a tear drop. "Luce...Lucy...Geez! Don't scare us like that..." Natsu's lips twitch into a relive smile.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Natsu..." Lucy took a huge inhale. "Papa, I'm sorry too." Jude shook his head. "No, no, no. I should be sorry. I should take care of you more." Lucy smiled and Jude smiled back. Lucy then took another huge inhale. "Where's Sting?" Lucy took a look around but did not see the boy she was looking.

"Sting is taking a breather. He'll be here." Natsu answered as he gave Lucy a half grin.

There was a knock on the door. Dr. Alma and Loke entered with relieved faces. "Looking healthy, Princess..." Loke joked. Lucy gave a soft and short giggle.

"Okay, boys away from Lady Lucy. Sit on the couch like good dogs." Natsu and Jude gave her skeptical look. "Come on. Shoo shoo! I will not hurt Lady Lucy, you guys know that." Dr. Alma giggled.

Jude and Natsu did follow her orders. They sat on the couches but before did Jude walk, he gave Dr. Alma the look which translates: "Do not tell her the bad news or I'll sue you." Dr. Alma just smiled.

NIGHT TIME, 10: 34 PM

Natsu and Loke had already went back to their houses. Well, for Loke's case. To his Princess' mansion. Jude fell asleep on the couch but on the table in front of him was books and foods. He had been taking care of his daughter like she was an infant. He help her sat up, he fed her (which was Lucy happily obliged with a smile), he read her Fairy Tale books that Lucy loves so much and of course, aiding Lucy. Jude gave Lucy all the love because for all he know, his daughter might slip out of his grasp like his wife.

After all of those, Lucy fell asleep and Jude followed suit.

Their hospital door slowly crept open as a familiar blonde hair peek out. (No. Not Layla XD) Sting step inside with his hair all over the place and more untamed. He slowly closed the door with a soft click. "Lucy..." He whispered. He softly and slowly went into Lucy with a sorrowful expression.

He took Lucy's hand and then he lose his strength. He drop down to the ground with his knees supporting him. "Lucy..." His voice crack once again as tears overflow. He holds Lucy's hand with both of his hand as he shook his head. "No...Don't leave us...Don't leave me..."

He look up and saw the moon shining down to Lucy's pale complexion. Sting the felt a pat on his shoulder and turn his head to Jude. "I'll be outside. Take your time, Sting." Jude gave another pat. "Thank you, Jude-sama." Jude nodded his head and walk out of the room.

After Sting heard the soft click of the door, he found his strength back and stood up. He look down into Lucy's face and his tears drop into Lucy's face. "Ah. I'm sorry." He brought his hands into Lucy's face and gently wipe the tears away. Almost like Lucy was an easy glass to broke.

Sting stared more and slowly, he lowered his head. When the gap was small enough he paused. "I love you, Lucy. Don't leave me please." And he gave Lucy a sweet kiss on the lips.

He pulled away quickly and covered his lips. He quickly turns around and run to the door. He runs outside and into the dark halls of the hospitals.

He didn't even realize or even saw Lucy opening her eyes when he run outside. "Sting..." She whispered. A blush appeared on her face. "That was brave of you..." Lucy giggled.

Inside one month, her friends kept on visiting. Lucy finally met Yukino and other friends too. Like Rufus, Ogre and Minerva. (Minerva is already a good girl in the manga, right?) Minerva and I are in good terms now. Our family rivalry had ended the moment I step in the CEO world.

Everyday, they brought presents. Among all of them Natsu and Sting were always the first to ariive at the hospital. Speaking of Sting, he acted nothing had happened. Lucy did the same thing too.

Lucy too, in other hand, with her smarts figured that she has a year left. Her theory was confirmed when she heard Dr. Alma speaking. Lucy was pretending to be asleep again and heard everything. She just smiles at her fate and accepted it.

Her job as a CEO got half with her father. Both of them worked together to finished her works but it gave Lucy more time to relax.

Now she is now allowed to go home. Her UV and wires are removed and Lucy couldn't even more happy. Natsu and Sting help pack her things to the limo. Everyone knows her disease and each of them are treating her like an easy broken glass. Erza was the funniest of all. Lucy smiled at that memory.

Erza wouldn't even touch her and when she attempt to, she would be shivering like hell.

"Lucy, time to go." Jude said as he extend his hand. Lucy nodded. 'I haven't walked since I got admitted to the hospital.' Lucy realized that fact. Lucy accepted and grip on Jude's hand. She slowly slid down on her bed and shakily stood up.

"Careful, Lucy. Take your time." Jude holds both of her hands as Lucy was shaking like hell; trying to regain her balance and strength. She seriously need the strength part because of her racks. Lucy sweat drop when that thought cross her mind.

Finally she stood up without shaking. She took small steps forward and Jude followed backwards. They heard chuckles. "You look like an infant learning how to walk." Sting commented.

"Yeah. And her dad is teaching her." Natsu added. Lucy pouted and Jude chuckled. "Yeah. This sure bring back memories, Lucy. When you took your first step." Jude had a distant look as he recall those memories. Lucy smiled.

"Well then. It's time for your little baby to let go. I can walk fine now, Papa." Jude look at his daughter. "Are you sure, Lucy?" Jude ask worriedly. Lucy nodded her head. Sting and Natsu quickly went to Lucy's side.

"Okay. We're here to catch you." Natsu said. Sting nodded his head in agreement. Lucy rolled her eyes. "Okay. Sheesh." Jude slowly let go of Lucy's hand and she stands up straight.

"See? I'm o-!" Lucy was about to walk but lost her balance. Sting and Natsu quickly acted up and catches her before she meets up with the ground. They hold her by her stomach as they slowly lift her up. "Okay! To speed things up!" Lucy and Sting look at Natsu who just grin.

Natsu then scoop Lucy on his hands. Lucy face glow in bright red. "W-wah..." She has nothing to say. She was being carried bridal style so of course, can't speak. Sting stared dully at them with a frown.

"Let's go!" Natsu then ran outside and the other followed suit. Not even minding one bit if Lucy's yelling of putting down.

While on their way back, Natsu and Luc kept on talking and talking. They laughed and smiled together. Jude and Sting on the other hand was having a quiet and serious talk. Lucy noticed but didn't bother. She let them be.

When they finally reached back at the mansion, Natsu unexpectedly covered her eyes. "Okay...What's this?"

"Nothing!" Natsu pipe while Sting was smirking. "It's something for you." He commented. With Lucy seeing darkness, Natsu assist her to the Heartfilia mansion. They entered with the maids carrying the things.

When Lucy eyesight came back, a surprise party was held. "WELCOME BACK LUCY!" All of their friends; including the servants of the mansion yelled.

Lucy had a big grin on her face while laughing in joy. "Thank you!"

And so they all partied. Lucy received gifts too and Dr. Alma was there. She sighed and shook her head. "Even I had told her not to be happy that much..." She then shrugs her shoulder and smiled. "But she is making her short life longer..." she twirled her glass in her hand and gulp it one go. Did I mentioned it was a strong beer?

"YOLO! YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!" Drunk Dr. Alma yelled with the top of her lungs. She ran to the girls and grope Erza's breast. Erza blushed hardcore and the others look at them dumbfounded.

At the stroke of 10 in the evening, everyone was drunk. Jude was in the couch snoring but the youngsters were still having their truth and dare. Well, of course except for Lucy. Everybody forbade her and Lucy didn't protest for she doesn't even drink alcohols.

Lucy walked to the hallways of her mansion; turning her head left to right as portraits were passing by. She smiled at each portraits she saw.

Lucy stop and stared at a particular portrait. She smiled sadly. It was the family portrait with her mother in it. Her doll that was lying in her room and her dead dog, Shine. (Invented! But there was a dog, right)

"Mama!"

"Lucy, my dear..."

A tear rolled down her face but then she heard heavy and fast footsteps coming her way. She look back but then her wrist was grab and she was pulled to the nearest room which was right beside her.

Her eyes widen in fear but then she calms down when she saw the familiar pink. "Natsu..." Natsu smiled childishly as he sway side to side. "Lucy..." Her name came out a slurp.

"Haha. Great acting, Natsu. Stop already." Lucy cross her arms below her chest. Natsu blinked and chuckled. "Oops? I thought that was convincing enough." Natsu scratched his cheek.

"Okay...what do you want, Natsu?" Lucy past him and sat on the guest room's bed. "Nothing..." He looked away. "Come on, big idiot. I could tell." Lucy giggled.

"Ne, Lucy..." Lucy hummed in respond. "What if I told I had love you since the beginning?" Natsu confessed. His face was full of seriousness but with love and adore too. He walks to Lucy with a small smile. "I love you." and like a spell had cast upon him, his eyes turn dull and had only one name in mind.

'Lucy...'

Lucy had a blank look before a blush rising. "N-Natsu...quit this j-joke."

'He confessed! Oh my gosh!' Lucy gushed out like middle school girl.

Natsu grab both of her arms and pushed her down to the bed. "Ya know, Luce. You should already know why woman and man shouldn't be alone in a room." Natsu had a smirk on his face and Lucy couldn't believe her eyes. This was not a Natsu she knew and grew up too.

"Others are already drunk downstairs..." His hot breath hits Lucy's face and he was coming closer to her face. "They will not hear a single thing..." Natsu slides to her ear and blow at it a little. Lucy made a small squeak. "And so I could-!"

"Natsu. Stop." Lucy pushed him away. Natsu had a dumbfounded look as he looked at Lucy's angry face. "Thanks for waking up. I was really surprise. You finally found your courage to confess, stuuupiiid!" Lucy stuck out her tongue; still laying down on the bed.

Natsu had his eyes widen and had broken out from the spell, had realize that he was still on top of his best friend. "Sorry!" He jump away and Lucy giggled. Lucy pushed herself up and fix he hair.

Natsu rub her arm while looking away guilty. Lucy smiled at him. She stood up and walk to Natsu with her hands lifted. Without Natsu noticing, Lucy had cup his cheeks and made him face her.

"Luce...?"

Lucy smiled at him and then she lowered her head she tip toed. She gave him a chaste kiss on the forehead and Natsu couldn't be red than he was.

"I love you too Natsu but not like how you felt about me." Natsu frown. Lucy released his face and took a step back.

Lucy felt guilty as she gaze at Natsu's sad look. "I'm so sorry, Natsu..."

"I thought you love me..."

"I do. I do love you."

"In what terms...?"

"As...friends..."

He gave me a blank look as I felt guiltier.

"You're my very precious friend...but he's the one for me."

"'He' as in my brother, right?" Natsu looked down and this was the first ever emotion I saw from him; defeat.

I gave him a hug and he reluctantly hug back.

"He, Lu!" Sting greeted her in the mroning. Lucy was once again sitting in the grass; leaning on the tree. Lucy smiled at him. "Where's Natsu?" Lucy asked.

"A huge fire broke it out. See, you can see the smoke here." Sting pointed to their left and saw the smoke. It was far from them but they can still see it.

"Hope he will return home unscratched." Lucy said in distress and fear.

"Don't worry! Natsu is a fire man! Literally!" Sting joke and they laughed at his corny joke.

Lucy stop and sighed. Sting looked at her worriedly. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Should I call the ambulance?" Lucy giggled and shook her head. "I just sighed, Sting."

"Then what is it?"

"Natsu confessed last night."

And Sting's world froze.

"I...I rejected him and he was really down. He drank beer after beer and I couldn't stop him. You were already passed out and the others were goofing around." Lucy stroke her arm but in a fast pace.

Sting had two things in his mind.

One:

'What? We've promised that we wouldn't confess! He broke it! Not just that, he might broke up his relationship with Lucy! They will not be best of friends anymore and...mine too. I thought that he cared for our brothership. He knows that we will only get hurt. Fighting over Lucy will lead us into a big hole to our life. We hid our feelings for so many reasons and yet...'

Two:

'He might die in the fire! His head must be full of the event last night! Not just that, he got a huge hangover! Oh hell! My older brother is gonna die! Almost losing Lucy took a huge impact on me what would happen if Natsu will really be gone out of my...OUR life?'

"Sting?"

"Sting..."

"Sting..."

"STING!" Lucy's voice turn into Natsu's. Wait what...

He looked back at Lucy and saw her holding up a cellphone. "Oi, Sting. Calm down. I'm alright! The fire is out. Now do yours now. I'm done. Bye!" And the call was dead.

'Now do yours...I'm done... huh?'

"Do what yours?" Lucy asked while closing her phone. Lucy stared at Sting's blue eyes and that made Sting realized what Natsu said.

'He...He is...'

"Uhm...Well you see, Lu..."

'Thank you, Natsu.' Sting smiled; a very gentle one.

Hai hai hai...I know I was rushing but I don't know how to end this or to make a confession. Yes, I did make one before but...IT WAS SO DAMN CLICHE! I can't believe I made that. Okay so yeah. I have another plan in stored for it.

Next chapter might be probably the last one! Look up for it!

Did you guys enjoyed this chapter? Too much OOC-ness? Yeah, sorry for that...*bows*

-Angel