Normal POV

Lucy was tightly wrapped in Laxus' arms the whole ride back to Magnolia. Hibiki was sitting with Gray who was staring at the reunited couple.

"She waited seven years for him to come back. That's devotion for you." Hibiki mused. "She took care of those two dragon slayers the whole time, on top of that she was voted to be Guild Master. She is strong in her own way, isn't she? She is magically weak, sure, but she has the heart of Gold."

"I didn't think she fell for him like this. She waited for him. She never moved on. She stayed loyal to him while we were stuck on the island. Just wow. She's a loyal companion to have."

"Oi Gray!" Natsu shouted from across the ship. "Laxus was just telling Lucy how much he loves her!"

Laxus cackled. "I'm not going to hide it so might as well shout it, ne?"

Lucy giggled. "Of course. Why wouldn't we? I can't wait to see the faces on Sting and Rogue when they see that their father has come home. I imagine they'll be so happy…"

Lucy's smile faltered slightly, gaining Laxus' full attention. "What?"

"My scar just burns, that's all. Wendy-san? Could you come here and look at me?" Lucy shouted.

"Yes!" The little bluenette jogged over to Lucy and began to look her over. Wendy's eyes widened. "Where did you get this?"

"Ivan Dreyar… He's been terrorizing Fairy Tail since he believes Laxus to be dead. He knows I'm close to Laxus so he thinks I'm to blame… So he took his anger out on me. It's fine really. We're actually on good terms now, he's helping-"

"That man, help? I refuse to believe it!" Master Makarov yelled.

"Quiet Third. What the Fourth says is true. Ivan Dreyar has been a tremendous asset to Fairy Tail. They have come to an understanding." Mavis smiled at Makarov.

"Did you bring him back to Fairy Tail, Fourth?" Makarov asked in an all-serious tone.

"Of course not. He does not wish to be a part of Fairy Tail. Nor do I want him there. He's the reason Laxus is suffering…"Lucy mumbled her last sentence.

"I'm not suffering, baby-chan…" Laxus whispered in her ear. "I'm happier than ever to be with the girl of my dreams. Especially when I find out she's been waiting for me the last seven years."

"We're here!" Hibiki shouted, ending all conversation between the ghost, the masters, and the lightning dragon slayer.

"Stay up here. I want it to be a surprise." Lucy told them.

"Welcome home!" Guild members shouted to Lucy. "Was it successful?"

A dark look crossed Lucy's face. "Would I have returned if it wasn't?"

"What are you saying, Okāsan?! Is Otōsan alive?" Sting shouted.

"Hey, kiddo." Laxus said, leaning over the edge of the Christina. "I wish I could say I missed you guys, but… it's all really a blank for me…"He jumped down and landed next to Lucy.

"Otōsan…" Sting breathed. "You ass! You said you'd be gone for only a week! Not seven-"

Rogue shout of the crowd and launched himself at Laxus, shadows covering his fists. He swung at Laxus, who caught the punch in his hand. "You promised… You lied to me… To Sting… To Mother. To all of us. You're dead to me." Rogue stated before shoving passed Laxus and walking towards town. "Okāsan, I'm going back to Sabertooth. Our Lady is not pleased to hear where our money has been going. I'll tell Yukino you said hello. She misses you, wishes you'd stop by more often."

With that Rogue turned into his shadow form and left Laxus seething in anger aimed towards himself.

"This is my fault, all my fault… If I could have taken Acnologia down, I could have been with you guys these last seven years."

"Laxus don't blame yourself on this. Be happy you're alive and well. Be happy your family is still here."

"Master Lucy." Laxus, Lucy, and Sting, since the others already went inside to celebrate, turned around to see a thought projection of Master Jiemma, the current guild master of Sabertooth.

"Master Jiemma, what brings you to Fairy Tail?" Lucy said politely, even thought it was forced.

"I only wanted to see the beautiful guild master of Fairy Tail. Is that wrong, Master Lucy?"

"I have refused your advances these past seven years and I will refuse them now. Though, I appreciate you treating my sons with great respect, I am simply not interested."

"Now, now. You're going to tell the person who just paid off Fairy Tail's debt, no? How rude of you, Master Lucy Heartfilia."

"Master Jiemma, do understand that the father to my sons is standing right here, I've waited a long time for him to return. Thank-you for buying our debt, Master Jiemma. I will pay you as soon as we can. Shall we work out a payment plan? We owed Twilight Ogre 10 million jewels. Does 500,000 J sound good to you? Keep in mind that my members must also take care of their own necessities as well."

Laxus was staring at his girlfriend with awe. She was always extremely professional when it came down to business and money, except rent when she was tearing her hair out. Feeling a rush of pride, he draped his arm over Lucy's shoulders and smirked at the Master of Sabertooth. "Sounds like a good deal to me, don't you agree, Jiemma-sama." The false sign of respect always worked when dealing with a flirty costumer. Laxus learned this from Ivan as a kid when his mom was still around. His heart ached at the memory of his mother and father walking with him through Magnolia Park.

"Very well. 500,000 J a month." Master Jiemma turned to Sting. "Hurry back. I need you to quell Minerva. She's not happy that I paid Fairy Tail's debt."

"Aye, Master!"

Lucy smiled. "That's just like her. I'll stop by soon to visit Yukino, so I'll have a little chat with her too. She's like a rebellious little sister, I swear…"

As Master Jiemma sent a menacing glare at Laxus as the thought projection faded, Sting turned to Lucy. 'I better get going, you know how he gets. I loved seeing you, Okāsan. I'll visit again soon." He hugged Lucy before turning to Laxus. "Listen up, Old Man, you're back sure, what are you gonna do about it?" He pushed passed Laxus and headed towards Magnolia to hop onto a train bound for Sabertooth's guild hall.

Laxus turned to Lucy and frowned slightly. It's my fault they turned out like this, huh? Is it too late to still be a father to them?"

"I think that they're hurt and refusing to understand that you didn't have much of a choice of how long you were gone. They were twelve and missing their father, Laxus, they didn't understand. And you know how Rogue is with trusting people. He hardly shows an interest in anything now-a-days. The only thing that makes him smile now is when only I call him Ryos… Sting on the other hand manned up like you told him, too. He was very protective of Fairy Tail and myself. They love you very much, Laxus, it'll all be fine if you give it some time, okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right. You tend to be right when it comes to those two anyway. I really am a dead beat of a father, aren't I? I don't even know their favorite colors or flavors of cake… I don't know anything…"

"Sting's favorite color is blue, that hasn't changed. Rogue's favorite color is a dark red. They both like vanilla cake with chocolate icing."

"See you know all the little things."

"All the little things a mother should know. A father teaches his children the lessons they need to know for life outside the nest. They haven't left the nest Laxus. There is still time."

Awwwee... Laxus feels like a dead beat father... I believe I no longer have control of this story...

R&R please!

Love

-SFL