A/N: And here's the last chapter of those eight! Before reading, I would like to thank everyone for being with me through those agonizing months! True, there were time that I'd rather give up than continue this thing. I'm not naive, I have noticed the decline in my readership and the reviews compared to the prequel but whenever I remember the reason for the story's titles, (Yes, there's a reason behind that and it's not only about Lucy) I get this feeling that the fight's not yet over. A Solemn Vow To Take and A Solemn Vow To Make both came from the promise I made to myself right from the very start. I have MADE (Make) a promise to finish this and I have TAKEN (Take) it.
Thank you for all of those who supported, read, favorited and followed but most of all, I would like to dedicate this chapter to two of my most precious readers, supercrazyperson and twilightamanda. I know that I've already thanked you but, hey, I can do it again. THANK YOU and Love ya'll people! *insert teary eyes here* Hahaha. :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. Mr. Hiro Mashima does.
And without further ado, I now present you CHAPTER FINALE! :D
Chapter 38
"Why was Lucy having another Origin Release?" Natsu asked when they were all safely in the make-shift infirmary in Honey Bone. He was both jealous and thankful at the same time. Jealous because Lucy got another power-up and thankful because she was alive like everyone caught in Sael's Abyss Break.
Just like Lucy concluded, no one has died. A sigh of relief escaped their lips.
"I sense no more Spirit Energy within her." Mavis spoke. All attention was traced to her. "The reason for the Origin Release must be because the Magic container I created was emptied the moment she used all of her Spirit Energy, thereby allowing Eternano to enter."
"What about us? You said that if our bodies used Spirit Energy we'll be in danger." Gray approached the First Master.
"You were all in danger!" Mavis snapped which made the others flinch. "It's a good thing that it was only temporary or all of you would have been dead by now." A sigh escaped the light blonde's lips, finally calming down
Everyone gathered in the room nodded in understanding. A groan escaped from Lucy's lips and her eyes darted open.
"Are you alright, Lucy?" In an instant, Laxus was kneeling beside her bed, supporting his wife-to-be sitting up.
"Yep. I guess." Lucy rubbed her temples. "God, I think my head's gonna break!"
"Lucy," Makarov started. "Are you sure you're not just pregnant?"
"Eh?" That was Lucy's smart reply.
"Yeah, Luce. Are you sure you're not pregnant?" Natsu followed. "I mean, you've been passing out lately."
"Not to mention, the mood swings." Gray interjected.
"Um, Laxus?" Lucy looked at the man beside her. Like him, she was blushing.
"Did you, two also did it?" Makarov fixed them a glare.
One month later…
'Dear, Mama and Papa in Heaven, today's the wedding day! Laxus and I decided to invite all of our staff members in Heartfilia Konzern. Oh, and by the way, Laxus bought our mansion back! Can you believe it?! From now on, we will be living and raising our family there! We also hired some of our past staff to help us maintain its beauty and I will have you both entombed in the angel's statue. I really wish you could be here and see me in this beautiful gown. It would complete my day but I know that you are watching me from up there, so I think I have no reason to be sad.
There's my guild mates who took it upon themselves to prepare for this wedding day! My team, Erza, Natsu, Gray, Happy and Jellal baked me my cake. Hahaha. I could still remember how much my stomach hurt in laughing when every try they do leads to an epic cake fail. There's also Sting, Yukino and Rogue from the Sabertooth. Thank God I was able to explain and apologize to them from what I have done. I treated them as an extended family members and invited them here to be with me...
I don't know what I'll be saying anymore. Maybe it's THANK YOU...TO THE BOTH OF YOU! From the bottom of my heart, I love you so much!'
"Are you ready, child?" Lucy looked down to see a familiar beaming old man beside her. He was dressed in a black tuxedo. Formal. Today was January 3, X795, the destined day for her, the day she will be officially known as Mrs. Lucy Dreyar. Tears welled up from the Guild Master's eyes…no, tears welled up from Gramps' eyes.
"Y-Yes." She too found herself having this sudden urge to cry…cry with tears of joy. At last, after everything, she will finally be married. The large, intricate ivory doors of Kardia Cathedral opened before her. People stared at her as she stood in the center.
"Come." Gramps sniffled as he started to take a step. Lucy followed. People were staring and smiling at her as she gently strode towards in the red carpet. Her gaze landed on the left. Men who have all been on part of her life were there. She caught sight of Gajeel who was squirming in his own tuxedo. Natsu, Gray and her new team mate, Jellal were all giving her proud looks. She graced them all with a sincere smile. On to the right, patiently waiting and smiling were the women she held dear as mothers and sisters. Erza was blushing and smiling. She might be planning on snagging the bouquet later. Mirajane has the brightest smile of them all, satisfied with all of her matchmaking glory. Levy was in awe. Wendy and Juvia were all giving her an approving smile. Another smile formed on Lucy's lips. All of the people she held dear were assembled in one big space in the most important day of her life. Contentment and gratitude welled up in her that made her giggly all of a sudden.
Then her eyes landed in front of her. Adorning the sides of aisles was silver and golden, translucent cloths weaved in elegant skirting pinned into ornate metal posts that retained the flowers Laxus picked. They were red, pink and yellow roses. She smiled at the memories of Laxus' poor color coordination. On her peripheral view, she caught glimpse of her father's old staff. Mrs. Spetto, their former maid; Bero, her teacher in Celestial Spirit Magic; Ribbon, their librarian; Aed, their cook.
'Mama, Papa, they came. They all came.' She felt another tear welling up in her eyes. She can't thank them enough for their time.
"Don't cry, my child…Don't you want to marry my foolish grandson?" A stuttering voice had her head whipping towards her future grandfather-in-law. Tears were streaming down from his eyes. Lucy just chuckled. Gramps Makarov was like a child in his sobs.
"I want to marry him. If I could, I will run towards the altar to start this thing." She chuckled lightly, causing the old man beside her to look at her.
"Then why don't you?" He questioned.
"Erza will kill me." She gave him a reassuring smile that finally stopped him from his sobs. The music caught her attention. She then turned her attention towards the musicians beside the altar. They were playing a song she was all too familiar with.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
Then her eyes finally landed on the man in the altar. The priest…No, the groom. He was standing beside an arc of roses, yeah, the same three-color-poor combination. Dressed in an Arc Apollo brand black tuxedo and crimson necktie, Laxus was squirming in place. He was clearly irritated in his attire and impatient for this whole ceremony to end and wear his prized furry coat. But despite his demeanor, he was smirking those perfectly-shaped lips of his. He was smiling. It was her smile. The sincere smile he reserved for her…only her and no other. His eyebrows furrowed in what has to be confusion.
Seeing him made her feel this crazy little warmth welling from her stomach, fluttering. Wait, are those butterflies? Did they eat live insects for breakfast? Oh, yes! They probably did.
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid
To fall
Their eyes locked in what seemed to be an infinitely long time. Lucy could feel herself being lured in by the storm within his blue eyes, so much that she can't even feel her legs moving anymore yet why was she nearing him? Was she floating high in the air? Was it Magic? Maybe. Being in a room with ninety-five percent of the people were mages, the chances were high.
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer…
She left those questions in the back of her mind. She couldn't care anymore because this was it. The finality of it all. The end of her walking down the aisle. She reached him and was already beside the man who has snagged her heart right from the moment she opened her eyes from her long and deep sleep.
"You were preoccupied and looking at everything. I thought you might bolt away and why were you crying? Don't you want to marry me?" Laxus caressed her cheeks, his fingers trailing on the soft skin and leaving warmth in its wake. She never realized that tears were actually streaming down her face. Erza will definitely kill her for ruining her masterpiece. The man cupped her cheeks gently and she nuzzled his palms reassuringly.
" I'm actually planning to." She held the hands cupping her cheek and smiled.
I have died every day…
"What?!" He exclaimed.
Waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid
"Just kidding." She chuckled as tears started to stream down her face.
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
"Well, you better be 'cause I'll follow wherever you go, Blondie." He smirked proudly.
I'll love you for a…
"You don't need to."
Thousand more…
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in God's presence to witness and to celebrate the marriage of Laxus Dreyar and Lucy Heartfilia, and to ask God to bless them so that they may be strengthened for their life together. We are called to rejoice in their happiness, and find in their love a reason to renew our own commitments to those whom are near and dear to each of us. God gave us marriage for the full expression of love between a man and a woman so that husband and wife may cherish and delight in one another; comfort and help each other in sickness, trouble and sorrow; provide for each other in temporal things; pray for and encourage each other in the things that pertain to God; and live together faithfully all the length of their days." The priest started. "If any of you has reasons why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."
The doors suddenly slammed open, leaving everyone staring at the disturbance. "ME!" Lucy stared in horror as Chico-The-Bitch-Hammitt pranced down the red-carpet aisle, waving what seemed to be a magazine. This can't be happening. This must be a nightmare. She looked at her groom for any answers but even he, was in a state of total confusion.
"Laxus, I know everything now. You don't have to marry her!" Chico shouted. Jason swiftly took pictures, taking full advantage of what probably the largest scandal in all of Fiore. Everybody gasped.
"What?!" Lucy snapped her head back towards the blond man in question. All stares were traced towards the groom.
"I…I-I don't know what she's talking about." The Lightning Dragon Slayer stated, fidgeting.
"Don't lie to me, Laxus. I know you love me. This bitch's just playing you by her hands. I'll free you from her grasp!" The dark-skinned blonde elaborated, waving her hands into the air with every word.
"Love? LOVE! Laxus, you better explain this to me or else!" Lucy stabbed him in the chest with her index finger. The man stumbled back.
"Wait! Wait! I don't know what she's talking about." Laxus raised his arms as if to defend himself and pacify his bride.
"Everything's stated in this magazine. I'll prove that to you." She waved the periodical in the air and Lucy caught sight of the title and instantly, she knew who the culprit of this whole stupidity was.
"Jason…" Lucy hissed.
"Is that a Sorcerer Weekly?" Mirajane quipped, walking out of her seat towards the wedding crasher. Chico handed the magazine which Take-Over Mage hesitantly took. She quickly scanned the page. There, printed, were two pictures. One was Laxus kissing Chico on the hands and the other was a photograph of Lucy and Sting in the middle of the night sitting on grassy fields. From the angle, the shot was clearly taken behind their backs. At the center was the written article. The white-haired girl started to read.
"Blonds and Blushes, The Flirty Color and Fickle Combination: Laxus Dreyar and Lucy Heartfilia!" Mirajane started.
"December 8, X794, third day of the Grand Magic Games; it seems that only five months was all this blond couple can hope to attain before they give in to the call of infidelity. Was it just all a show for all of their fans that they were a happy couple? To all those in Fairy Tail, was it all a publicity to gain popularity because clearly, when you look at the bottom part of this page, it certainly is?"
Mirajane paused and looked down to the bottom part of the article and sure enough, there's a third photo. The image depicts a candlelight dinner in an open area. There, the face of Laxus and Lucy was serious and solemn.
"By the next night, both blonds were having a dinner in the popular restaurant, Hestia's and by the looks of it, both of our idolized mages were having a serious conversation about Laxus Dreyar's supposed-to-be secret relationship with Chico=C=Hammitt, apologizing at what he has done by kissing the daughter of the owner of Fairy Hills in front of the public and exposing their cover."
"On the other hand, Lucy Heartfilia just laughed the whole situation off, apparently she's unaffected by the whole fiasco. Never knew our sweet, blonde Celestial Spirit Mage was this indifferent. She even discussed her feelings towards one of the two Twin Dragons and former Guild master of Sabertooth, Sting Eucliffe, meeting in a secluded place and talking about confessions!"
"Oh, wait, there's more! Dear reader, if you are a fan of The Celestial Maiden, I suggest that you do not read the following text lest you don't want your belief in her image waver, because, apart from having a secret relationship with Mr. Eucliffe, a stone heart, she's also a snake in the grass. According to one of the sources, last month, after the arrival and entering of Jellal Fernandes to the guild, he proclaimed that he, to quote, "I need you," to our blonde. And we all know that the former Council Member is currently dating Titania, Erza Scarlet."
"JASOONNN!" By now, Lucy was red in fury. This was supposed to be the most memorable day in her life, only to be disrupted by an article. An article, to boot! Yeah, it was memorable enough but not in the way that blonde was thinking.
"I…I-I ah…s-sorry…It w-was m-my f-fault…" Jason stuttered, flinching as he saw the bride giving off a menacing aura.
"First, you've harassed me right after I joined Fairy Tail! Second, the last time you wrote an article about me, you stated I'm pregnant and eloping with Laxus! Do you know how much humiliation those things caused me? Do you know how much explanation I have to give for all of those judgmental people? Huh!" Lucy stared daggers as she seethed in front of the man. "And to think I even forgave you for that! There's a limit to what I can take. Now, you've defamed me for being an insensitive and a user! And we even invited you to cover this event!"
Jason squirmed in place. He never thought that Lucy will explode like that. He gulped. If this got to the higher-ups, he will face colossal consequences. And being a writer, what he has done was one of the gravest sins in their industry. Character Assasination. And he will face tons of libel cases if word got out.
"Lucy…" Jason cooed. "I'm sorry for everything...I, ah…"
"Enough!" Mararov intervened. "You've done quite enough. We'll file a case."
"But!" The writer retaliated.
"Leave! Both of you!" Laxus growled, eyeing both the writer and Chico. Seeing as the powerful mage was furious, both went towards the door walking slowly as shoulders sagged in disappointment.
"Okay, Father, can we commence now?" Lucy practically barked at the priest, who was still frozen and gawking in place. Who wouldn't? Anyone will surely be shocked when someone barged in that door, claiming that she's a lover, only to find out that it's not. What a day. The priest just sighed.
"Almighty and ever-blessed God, whose pres…" The priest started again, trying to compose himself.
"LUCY! We've read it! You don't have to marry Laxus anymore!" For the second time that day, the doors of the cathedral burst open with swarms of men running towards the altar.
"For the love of..." Laxus exclaimed.
"I LOVE YOU LUCY!"
"WILL YOU MARRY ME, LUCY!"
"NO, ME!"
"NO, ME!"
"ME!"
"ME!"
"DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. MARRY ME!"
"LOVE ME!"
"I'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY!"
"I'M THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU!"
"NO, IT IS ME!"
"NOT THESE FOOLS! IT IS I, SON OF THE JUNELLES! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ENGAGED!"
"WHAT!" All people inside the building shouted. Even the Fairy Tail members. They've never known that Lucy was supposed to be married earlier. And to a businessman!
"Oi, Lucy! Are you cheating on my grandson?! He might be a fool but it's not right to cheat on him!" Makarov exclaimed, red in fuming.
"Hey! I'm no fool!" Laxus reacted.
"What! No!" Lucy cried, waving her arms in exasperation.
"Lucy, care to explain this to me?" Laxus shot her a questioning look.
"Um…I don't know…" She shouted in the noise.
"Then what about that Junelle kid?"
"Well, long story short, he's the one Dad picked seven years ago."
"O…kay…" The blond man said awkwardly but then turned towards the for-the-second-time shocked priest. These kinds of things were really bad for a man of faith's heart. "Um, Father, can't we just skip to the end?"
"WHAT?!" Lucy exclaimed. She cannot believe what she just heard.
"Do you, Laxus Dreyar, take…" The priest started again, skipping a whole lot of the ceremony.
"Wait, Father!" Lucy shot her hands into the priest's face as if to say 'stop'.
"Yes, Father, stop. I meant to the final part. Where we'll ki..." Laxus suggested.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Why skip?!" Lucy glared at her groom.
"Look, do you want to get married or not?
"Yes! But Laxus, I'm only getting married once!"
"Well, now, we can't!"
"But!" Lucy retaliated.
"We can get married whenever you want. Twice, thrice. Fuck it, we can get married everyday! We're rich!"
"B-But…okay, fine. Happy, the rings." Lucy finally relented. She could see the wisdom now in his words. They really were stinking, filthy rich, considering he bought Heartfilia estate in cash. The blue Exceed flew towards them carrying the rings in a pillow. They took the rings and slid the pair in the other.
"Okay, I pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The priest said fast in the growing commotion. Laxus hugged Lucy and kissed her squarely in the lips, activated his Lightning Body Spell and teleported out of Kardia Cathedral, leaving the destruction to the people left.
"HEY! FOLLOW THEM!" That was the last Lucy heard before they sped up into the air.
Night has fallen and all of the invited people were still in high partying from that morning. Since the incident involving Jason of Sorcerer Magazine, Fairy Tail pretty much barred all forms of media from entering the guild building. Guess they won't hear a thing from Jason for a while now. At long last, everyone finally enjoyed the satisfaction of privacy and the freedom to go all out or in Fairy Tail's case, full tank catastrophe.
Cana was drunk. No, that was an understatement because everyone pretty much had their own fill of liquor in their belly. Some were wasted and some were at least sober enough to hold a decent conversation. Thankfully.
"Cheers to Lucy and Laxus!" One shouted. A collective loud whistles and yells followed.
"Um, Lucy, can I talk to you for a second?" Erza approached her, still wearing her Maid of Honor, special delivery gown that Lucy could swear was ten times more fabulous than her own wedding dress. On the redhead's hand was the bouquet she caught. No, for Erza, it was pretty much a hard-won prize where the reception area was the battlefield and the other women as opponents. Lucy could still remember the murderous glint in her friend's eyes as she wrestled for Mirajane for the bunch of roses. They all thought that another rivalry may spark when both women let out a guttural growl.
"Uh, okay. Laxus, excuse us for a while." She stood up and gave the man a peck on the lips. In all fairness, both she and her handsome husband weren't enticed by the drinks. Sure, they drank but not too much. They just lounged in a corner, with his arms wrapped around her shoulders as she leaned on the man's chest, talking sweet nothings.
Laxus waved them off, knowing full well that girls will be girls. There's this weird universal force that binds them together when going to the comfort room. What are they doing there? He guessed that it must be a photo shoot, seeing as when they all exited, a full thirty minutes has passed and all of them have this shining, shimmering auras.
"Okay, what's wrong, Erza?" Lucy asked when both of them were inside the comfort room.
"Lucy, I'm pregnant." Titania blurted out.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
CLICK.
"YOU"RE WHAT?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Sshhh." The other shushed.
"When? Where? Why? How?" Lucy's voice raced.
"You really want to ask me 'how'?" Erza fidgeted in her place.
"No, no, no. Are you sure about that?"
"Yes. I've taken a dozen pregnancy tests and they're all positive." The redhead panicked.
'A dozen? Wasn't it a bit too much?' Lucy sweat-dropped.
"Lucy? Lucy?" Erza was shaking her. "What will I do now?"
"Well, for starters, we better tell this to Jellal." Lucy suggested, rubbing her temples. This was too stressful. "He's the father, right?"
"Of course, he's the father!" Erza retaliated, looking offended. "He's the only one."
"Uh, yeah. Sorry, sorry. Now come on, we'll tell him now."
"But it's your wedding day!" Now Erza looked like a lost puppy. Seriously, what's with all these mood swings. First she looked lost. Second, she looked pissed off. Now, this?
"So?" The blonde challenged.
"I don't want to impose…" The redhead looked meek.
"No big deal. Besides, he'll be happy." She patted her in the back as they exited the room to find the former Magic Council member. Lucky for them, he's talking beside Laxus.
'That was fast.' Lucy mused.
"Jellal, Erza has something to tell you." The blonde quickly beamed a smile when they reached both men. Laxus and Jellal stopped from their conversation and looked at them with expectant eyes.
"Jellal, come here." Erza beckoned for the man. Obliging, the blue-haired man stood up and took his place beside his girlfriend. The redhead whispered something in his ears.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
CLICK.
CLICK.
CLICK.
Lucy could hear the mental gears shifting.
"Lucy, just what are you planning?" Laxus gave his wife a reprimanding look. Lucy took the empty chair beside Laxus.
"Watch." Then the Celestial Spirit Mage beamed another one of her weird smiles.
"YOU'RE PREGNANT?!" Jellal shouted, his voice ringing throughout the whole building, bringing a stop to the partying group in the center of the room.
"Who's pregnant?!" Natsu stuck out his head from the crowd.
"Lucy-san?" Wendy quipped. All eyes trailed towards the blonde.
"I'M GONNA BE A FATHER!" Jellal recovered from his moment of shock and burst in joy, jumping up and down.
"Oh, it's Erza-san…" Wendy smiled. "WHAT?! Erza-san is pregnant?!"
"ERZA'S PREGNANT!"Cana shouted in her booze-induced self. "Let's have some party!" Then the whole guild erupted in another commotion that consisted of shouts, whistles and yells, accompanied by renewed smell of liquor, sounds of crashing of plates, wooden tables and chairs and breaking of glasses, and what seemed to be an agonized cry of a Guild Master who was computing all of the money needed for the repairs.
"Um, Lucy-san, we'll just be in the infirmary for Erza to rest." Jellal waved the goodbye, shielding Erza from any potential flying broken piece of the guild building.
"Take care!" Lucy replied in a singsong voice.
"Hey." Lucy looked to the man beside her. Laxus was wiggling his eyebrows and was that…a poor imitation of a seductive look?
"What?"
"I want a baby too." He leaned closer.
"Come on." Lucy suddenly stood up.
"To where?" He asked, confused.
"To mate. Where else?" Now, this got Laxus' ears perking up.
"Is that a solemn vow, Blondie?" He stood up.
"Why yes, Sparky Sparky Boom Man. A Solemn Vow to Mate." She giggled seductively.
