YO, EVERYONE!
*kneels*
I'm so sorry for the super duper late update of the 4th chapter. I'm so sorry. *bow*
hontoni gomen ne~

Summer is near and I'm free. kinda though since I'll be busy in applying for my college in the university.
and in 3 weeks time, I will graduate from high school.
enough private bubble conversation.

START STORY!

The following month~

Natsu and Lucy were walking down the street towards Lucy's house. Natsu was sweating since he came from his soccer practice and Lucy was walking quite…strangely. Silence greeted them all the way to gate. Is it because of my smell? Oh god, why didn't I took a shower before heading home? She won't give me a smile or have a little chat. He thought. He took the opportunity to say something but he was distracted by Lucy's dark and empty eyes.

"Luce, are you okay? Do you have a fever?" Natsu was worried.
"Huh? Ah, yes. I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you." Lucy replied.
Natsu kissed her forehead. "Bye. Tomorrow, 'kay? Sleep well, princess."
"Sure. Bye." She smiled and went up to the small monitor. "Lucy Heartfilia, I'm going in."
I really do hope that she's okay. I'll call her first thing tomorrow morning. Maybe that can lighten up her mood. Then Natsu skidded off.

Lucy went to the kitchen. She was greeted by a tall man standing near the kitchen counter with arms folded.

"Hey, dad." Lucy greeted him with her head lowered down.
"Lucy. My lucky Lucy." Jude Heartfilia hugged his only daughter and backed away despite of her condition.
"How's school?"
"Fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yes."
"Have you told them about your condition?"
"Except for Natsu."
"What?"
Lucy didn't take a glance at her father who is standing in front of her. Jude Heartfilia cupped Lucy's chin which caused the gloomy brown eyes meet serious yet worried brown eyes.
"He has the right, you know that. I'd feel bad if I wasn't informed about it."
Lucy sighed.
"Go to your room and rest. You had a long day." He hugged her and led the way to her room. Before going inside, Lucy shot a glance at her father.
"Papa, when are you coming back?"
"Back here?"
Lucy nodded in reply.
"Next month, I guess."
"Will you be here for my birthday?"
"Yes. How can I miss it." He smiled.
"But you missed some of my birthdays."
"I'll be here. I promise."
Lucy flashed a smile on her face and went inside her room.

The next day, Lucy woke up and spotted a bouquet of red roses and lilacs on the edge of her bed. She grabbed it and read the message.

To my sweet Lucy,

I have a surprise for you today. Come down quickly.

From Natsu

What is he thinking this time? Oh well. That's his specialty, surprises. She thought and went to her bathroom to take a shower. She wore a bubblegum pink shirt, skinny jeans and three inch brown sandals. She set her hair in a side ponytail with a flower brooch then she set foot towards the dining hall for breakfast.

Natsu and Jude Heartfilia are having a chat in the dinner table. Natsu was almost done with his bacon and eggs while Jude was halfway through his tuna sandwich.

"Have you heard of the new soccer team in Magnolia?" Natsu asked
"Yeah and they're pretty tough." Jude replied.
"I can't believe that they won 3 championships of the local soccer competitions."
"Me neither. They are up against the Phantom team in five days time."
"Waaaah. Really? That's cool! It'll be an epic match."
"Wanna bet?"
"How much?"
"1,000 jewels."
"500 jewels."
"600"
"500"
"Deal."
"Which team are you gonna support?"

Jude Heartfilia was about to give his reply when Lucy yelled, "what are you betting? Dad! You know that Natsu doesn't have that much money in his pocket. Natsu! How many times do I have to tell you not to bet anything with my dad! What the hell is wrong with you two?" She grabbed the ears of both men.

"Ow!" Jude yelped.
"Ouch! I'm sorry, Luce. Sorry." Said Natsu.
"Sure?"
"Yes!" Both men said in unison.

Lucy let them go. Both men rubbed their pained ear and sat down. Lucy sat down beside Natsu's seat and starts eating her cereal.

"Thanks for the flowers, Natsu." Lucy smiled sweetly at her boyfriend.
"No problem." Natsu replied.

As soon as Lucy finished eating her cereal, she realized what day it is. "NATSU! It's our monthsary today."

"Happy monthsary to the both of you." Jude greeted them cheerfully.
Lucy and Natsu thanked him.
"You just noticed that just now?" Natsu face was close to Lucy's.
"Uh…yeah. Sorry." She inched back. Too close.
Natsu backed away.
"Hey, what's is this surprise anyway?" Lucy asked.
"It's a secret. Since when are surprises told?" Natsu was down to his last bacon.
"Have you asked permission from dad?"
"Yup. When I arrived here."
"Dad?"
"Of course. You can go with him. In fact, you can go now." He smiled, "Wait, I've been wondering. Natsu-kun got here on a motorcycle. Doesn't that mean motion sickness?"

Natsu beat his left chest and was in his confident self. "No need to worry, Mr. Heartfilia. My mom knew a medicine that can prevent my motion sickness for one day. No need to worry."

Jude Heartfilia clapped his hands in amazement.

"If you'll excuse us, we must get going. Thank you for the meal." Natsu carried Lucy in bridal style and went for the main door of the mansion. Mr. Heartfilia waved and stared at the ceiling. Please take good care of her, Natsu-kun.

The couple arrived at some mall in Magnolia. They went in with their hands cling to each other. Natsu took Lucy to a gelato parlor.

"Hello. How may I help you?" the clerk greeted them.
"Uh. What flavor do you want, Luce?" Natsu asked his girlfriend.
Lucy titlted her head and saw a mint green ice cream with chocolate chips topping. "I want that mint choco chip flavor."
"Two of what she just said."
"Two mint choco chip for the couple." The clerk scooped up some gelato and placed it in two different cups. "And that would be 100 jewels."

Natsu handed the money to the clerk and grabbed the two gelatos. They sat down on the balcony side of the parlor. Lucy took a spponful of the gelato and her eyes widened upon tasting it. "It's so delicious! I have never tasted a gelato like this. The choco chips give sweetness to the gelato if you tasted too many mint. It's quite soothing for your mouth. I could eat this forever."

Natsu was curious since he hasn't eaten any of it. He took a bite and smiled. "It really is. You got a nice palate there."

Lucy stared at Natsu as if she's boring hole on him and laughed.

"What?" Natsu asked.
"Nothing." Lucy replied. Natsu pouted.
"Hey! Having a date?" a voice suddenly questioned the couple. Lucy turned her head and saw Erza with Levy, Mirajane, Juvia and Gray.
"E-erza! What a surprise!" Erza giggled.
"Hey there, flamebrain!" Gray smirked at the sight of Natsu.
"What you say, ice prick?" Natsu stood up.
"Oh. So you're eating ice creams now, fiery bitch? I thought you eat flames."
"I'm human, ice prick! HUMAN! Get it?"
"No, you're not."
"Whatcha say, king of strippers?"

"BOYS!" Erza quickly butted in and shot a deathly glare at both men. They shrugged and sat down. Erza went back to Lucy. "Happy monthsary. How many months again?"
"23 months, right? Natsu?" she tugged Natsu's arm.
"Yea." He started eating the gelato just to distract him and avoid Erza's glare of death.
"Wow. You two are a great couple. I mean, 23 months? Who can't even get sick of that?" Levi squealed. Mirajane giggled.
"Congratulations on your 23rd month, Lucy-san. I hope Juvia will get into a relationship with someone soon." She glanced at Gray and a shade of pink tinted her cheeks.
"What?" Gray exclaimed.
"N-nothing!" Juvia placed her hands on her cheeks and looked away.
Lucy giggled softly. Juvia's so cute when she blushes. I hope she's gonna have a great relationship with Gray.

"So, Erza. What brings your ass here?" Natsu asked the scarlet. Lucy pinched his arm. "Ouch! What was that for, Luce?" he whined like a little kid.
"How dare you say such thing to a girl? Especially THE Erza."
"What about it? What's with the THE?"
"It's rude."
"But I always use it on you and you don't even care."
"That's a different story."
"Eh?"
"Whatever!"
"You're weird."
"I'm glad that you noticed it."
"You're welcome. I love your weirdness."
"I love your childish actions."
"I love you."
"I love you too."

The girls awed while Gray did a sly smile. They were listening to what the couple was saying and thought that it was sweet. No wonder they lasted this long.
"You two are a perfect couple. You appreciate each other's actions. I envy you quite a lot." Mirajane smiled sweetly. Lucy thanked her.
"Hey, what about coming with us? You don't, Natsu?" she did a puppy face to her boyfriend.
So cute! Why, Lucy? Why this crappy face? I can't even say no to that face and for the record, I haven't said no to that face of hers. I hate you, Luce! "Uh, yeah." He took the last bite of the gelato. I can't believe that I just said that.
"Oh really? You're the best!" she did a rib cage hug to him.
"To where?" Levi asked.
"To a cherry blossom tree. We agreed to meet there during our monthsary and write letters."
"I didn't know that you could write, flamehead." Gray smirked.
"What the fuck did you just say, popsicle prick?" Natsu balled his fists.
"Lucy, you better watch out or else this bitch will burn your letters to pieces."
"How dare you say that, stripper prince!"
"Flamethrower!"
"Squinty!"
"Salmon haired guy!"
"Ice asshole!"
"BOYS! STOP IT!" Erza stood up and the boys were quiet. "Stop fighting in public! And Gray!" she glared at Gray. "Stop stripping in public! This isn't a strip club!" Gray looked down and his shirt was gone. He stood up and searched his missing shirt. The gang burst out in laughter.
"If Gray-sama is stripping, I shall strip too!" Juvia shouted happily.
"JUVIA!" Erza glared at her.
"S-sorry."

Erza shifted her attention to Lucy. "We're glad to come with you. We don't mind." She said happily.
She shifts her expression too quickly, just like a professional actress. Lucy thought. "That's great! Well? We should go now! Come on!" they all stood up just as Gray came back with his shirt on and they went to the parking lot. Lucy hopped on to Natsu's motorcycle while Erza, Levi, Mirajane and Juvia hopped in Gray's car.

At the Cherry Blossom Tree~

"I didn't know that you can drive, flameboy." Gray placed his arm on the roof of his car.
Natsu took off his helmet. "Jealous?"
"How can I be jealous wherein I already own a car?"
"Yeah?"
"What happened to your motion sickness? I'm just curious, squinty."
"I took an anti-motion sickness medicine. I can't feel any sickness until the end of the day. Really helpful. Wanna try, pointy?"
"What the hell? I don't have motion sickness, flamethrower."
"The hell? That's it!" Natsu marched off towards Gray but was stopped by Lucy.
"No picking up some shit with Gray or anyone else on our special day, Natsu!" she grabbed Natsu's left ear and dragged him out. Gray laughed his whole heart out.

"Ooowww~ Lucy! Stop it! My ear hurts!" Natsu whined.
"Shut up!" Lucy yelled.
They arrived uner the tree and saw Erza sitting down on a blue blanket. "Hurry up! The strawberry cake is calling me already."
Natsu, Lucy and Gray sat down as Mirajane along with Levi and Juvia appeared carrying some glasses and a picnic basket. They placed the glasses and plates and sat down.
"Oh my! Looks like everyone is hungry. Well, ta-da!" Mirajane served pork chops, steak, chef salad and lasagna.
"Where's the strawberry cake?" Erza pouted.
"Don't worry, that's reserved for dessert later."
"But I want the cake now."
"What do you want me to do, Erza?" she was like faking a smile now.
"Nevermind. Let's eat." She quickly grabs a pork chop and some lasagna.
Erza and Mira never change. Lucy thought.

Natsu laid down on the blanket. "Thanks for the meal. It was delicious."
Mira smiled. "Thanks."
"Yeah! Shanksh!" Erza blurted out as she was eating the lasagna. Mira giggled.
"Hey! What about the letters? When are you gonna write them?" Levi asked.
"Well, a few seconds from now." Lucy replied to the bookworm.
"Juvia thinks that it's romantic." Said Juvia.
"Thank you."
"Lucy~ We should write them now." Natsu flashed his fangy grin.
"Eh?"
"We should write now!"
"B-but…we just finished eating our snacks. Why can't you wait?"
"I hate waiting."
"You're acting like a kid again."
"But I am a kid." He pouted.
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"Come on, Lu-chan!" Levi said happily.
"Do it for him." Said Gray.
"Gray-sama! Your shirt!" Juvia exclaimed.
"Fine!" Lucy got up and grabbed a pen and paper from her bag. She went to the other side of the tree. Levi followed her.

(Lucy's POV)

I can't believe that guy. He beat the hell out of me just by his pout. I mean…ah! I saw down and started writing my letter then Levi sat down beside me.
"When are you planning to tell him?" she asked.
"About what?"
"You know. The sickness."
"I dunno."
"What the..Lu-chan!"
"Chill! I still have like 4 months."
"Pfft. Come on. I know that by not telling him is such a burden to you. Time is ticking, 'kay?"
I took a deep breath and nodded. She sighed.
"Well, I better go back. I want to eat the strawberry cake that Mira-chan made. See you." With that, she ran off. I was still writing the letter.

Levi's right. It really is a burden. It's almost like a huge sword being stabbed onto me. I hate this feeling. I love Natsu. I really do and he deserves the truth. I finished my letter and placed it in an envelope.

(Normal POV)

Lucy came back and sat down.
"Gimme yours, Luce." Natsu stretched his hand to Lucy's. Lucy gave him the letter then he started putting it in the capsule and buried it.
"When are you gonna read it?" Mira asked.
"Every anniversary we ought to celebrate." Natsu replied with a fangy grin.
"Too long."
"We decided it. We even made a promised." He stood up and went up front of Lucy. "Come here. Grab my hand." He offered her a hand.
"Where are we going?" Lucy was still eating halfway of her strawberry cake.
"Somewhere. Trust me."
"Okay." She took his hand and they went off, hand laced to each other. The girls smiled on the walking couple while Gray was having a feast on his strawberry cake.

"Close your eyes." Natsu whispered.
"Eh?"
"Just close your eyes." Lucy obeyed him.

(Natsu's POV)

I wonder what her face will look like when she sees my surprise. I held her hand and led the way. Great timing.

I stopped and said "on three, open your eyes." Lucy nodded. "1…2…3…" Lucy slowly opened her eyes and smiled. I like it when she smiles. It makes her look more beautiful than ever. A double rainbow was in front of our eyes. Nice one, Natsu.

"I love it. Thank you! It's my first time to see a double rainbow and what makes it special is that I'm with you, Natsu." She hugged me. I felt my cheeks burning. I cupped her chin and kissed her tender lips.
"I'm glad you liked it. I love you."
"I love you too." She kissed me back. I placed my hand on her blonde crown and she closed in at my chest. Just then she started coughing real hard and I didn't know what to do. I patted her back but the coughing won't stop until she fell. I caught her just in time.

"Lucy?"
No reply.
"Lucy?"
Still no reply.
"Lucy?"
No reply.
"Damn it! Gray! Erza! Levi! Mira! Juvia! Come here quick!" I yelled to the gang. "Hang in there, Luce. " I placed my hand on her chest and her heart is still beating "Thank goodness, you're alive." I felt a tear streaming down my cheek.
"What happened?" Gray kneeled down.

Juvia covered her mouth. Levy stayed still and placed a hand on Juvia. Mira came next to me and asked numerous questions. Erza stood in front of us and stared at Lucy with a concerned face then to me. "You really deserve the truth."

well?
I added some POVs for some reason I forgot and there was cursing in this chapter. somehow, I got the hunch that I need to let them curse. I owe you THIS much.

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