Here is the next chapter. I want to make this quick so that you all can enjoy it even quicker. However, I have a question. Has my writing gotten sloppy? I feel like its just a bit lazy. Idk. Let me know in the reviews please. Now without further ado.

I do not own Fairy Tail. Hiro Mashima does.

Enjoy!

After the purchase of her car. Lucy drove almost everywhere for no reason whatsoever. Making a point to always be on the road, she rarely found herself at home anymore. If she wasn't driving just for the sake of driving, she was over at Natsu's apartment. After helping her get her car, the two became inseparable.

However, that was not the only reason for her increased time with him. Her plans to make his surprise party a success were still underway. After letting everyone in on the plan, Lucy was tasked with keeping him away from the lounge until the party, which just so happened to be four days away. So the best way to facilitate her job, Lucy just stayed with him at his place pretty much constantly. It was during of her visit to his apartment that Natsu sprung a surprise on her.

"Luce. Let's go on a trip."

"A trip? Natsu, you that would require a lot of planning. Months in advance. We really don't have time for that." She couldn't help but think to herself 'and I'm already planning your surprise party stupid.'

"Yea, but the trip I'm talking about isn't one out of the country. It'll be a day trip."

"Even day trips require planning. Besides, where would we go anyways?"

"That'll be up to me"

"Right."

"Come on~ Pleaseeee~ We never go anywhere and this will be fun."

Thinking on it, Lucy conceded to his request. Judging that it wouldn't be too much of a hassle. Voicing her choice, the pinkette was elated that they could go on a trip together. After making sure Happy was safely tucked in bed (seriously who does that for their cat?) The pair set out.

Once making their way out of Magnolia, Lucy asked the question that had been bugging her since before they left.

"So you gonna tell me where we're going?"

Natsu turned on an off ramp and got back onto the highway. "Hargeon."

"Hargeon? Why Hargeon?"

"You'll see."

The sea town Hargeon was a quaint little place, a couple hours from Magnolia. Many people noted it for its pleasant weather, kind people, and large marina. In all of Fiore, Hargeon was ranked second in tourism (after Crocus).

Natsu and Lucy made their way to the sea town and parked at the nearest public parking garage. Their first stop was to the beach. Playing in the sand, and chasing each other around, they could only regret not bringing any bathing suits to this place.

Once they left the beach, the two spent a couple hours wandering the town and trying out different dessert vendors. All of them were delicious, but Lucy preferred the strawberry cheesecake ice-cream. Natsu, on the other hand, fell for the spicy mango sorbet.

Inhaling his fifth spicy sorbet caused the pinkette to make a run to the bathroom. Before he ran off, they agreed that Lucy would wait in the main park close by. While sitting there, a sailor, named Bora, came and tried to hit on her. Flattered, Lucy expressed her disinterest, much to his chagrin. Having the gall to try to get physical with the blonde, he was quickly warded off thanks to Natsu.

After making sure that she was alright, Natsu began to lead her towards the outer portions of the town. They passed through another natural park and began to hike up a mountain. Multiple times, Lucy thanked God that she decided to dress comfortably. Climbing higher and higher, they finally made it to the top of the cliff. From there, they had a gorgeous view of the ocean and the cityscape.

Although that wasn't what caught her eye. Right in the middle of the clearing were four headstones.

Taking her silence as a sign of confusion, Natsu walked forward and gently placed a hand on each and every one of the headstones. He looked up at his companion and smiled at her. "I thought I'd take the time to introduce you to my family."

Looking at each headstone Lucy recognized the names of the family members he told of from his story in Daybreak. Her astonishment must have been clear on her face due to Natsu's shy smile. He slowly walked away from the graves towards Lucy. With a guiding hand on the small of her back, he brought her back towards the graves that overlooked the ocean. Once she stood in front of them, Natsu regarded his deceased family members again.

"Hey everyone. I'm sorry it's been so long since I last came to visit. A lot has happened, and I decided to move to Igneel's favorite place, Magnolia. I miss you guys, but, I've made a ton of new friends and I'm really happy. I also have someone I wanted you to meet."

Looking down at the blonde, he brought his arm from her back to around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "This is Lucy Heartfilia. She was the first friend I made at Fairy Tail and is my best friend even now. No matter what I needed she always helped me out and I couldn't thank her enough. She knows all about you guys and I wanted her to meet you all."

Releasing his hold on her he kept his gaze steady on his family. "I also wanted you to meet the girl I'm head over heels in love with."

At this Lucy snapped her attention back towards Natsu. Shock and confusion evident on her face. She backed away from him, still watching him carefully. "Natsu. What are you saying?"

"I'm saying the truth. Lucy, I love you. I have for a while now."

"That…. Natsu you can't love me."

"I can and I do. Like I said, I have for a while now." He regarded her face full of confusion and doubt. "I know it may seem hard to believe. Hell, I was doubting it too. Until you got your car and started coming by my place more often. Lucy I don't think you realize how happy I am when I see you. I get to hear your voice, see your face, shit, even just touching your hand is enough to make my heart stop."

Lucy listened, but could only look down. She felt embarrassed and inadequate. "Stop it. There are plenty of other girls out there, so why me?"

"Why you?" He took a couple steps closer to her, "you, Lucy Heartfilia, are beautiful and incredible. No matter how or if I try, I can't get you out of my head. You're ridiculously funny and smart. Irresistible." With each word he would come closer and closer, until he was in front of her, "You're everything I could every want in someone."

She could only shed tears. In all the time she'd been alive, no one had said anything like that about her. Her heart felt full and empty at the same time.

"Natsu. I-I can't. I'm with… I've got…"

"You're with Sting, I know. You're a faithful girl and you wouldn't do anything to damage your relationships. That's another thing I love about you." He wiped a tear from her face while encouraging her to look at him. "Lucy, I'm not asking you to choose. All I want is for you to know how I feel about you and how that will never change. I'll always be here for you and I'm happy if I can be by your side. Even if I am just a friend."

Pulling her towards him, Natsu embraced her in a hug that would convey all the feelings he had for her. He rubbed her back and soothingly stroked her back, all the while whispering sweet promises in her ear. Yet no matter what he did, Lucy still cried. She cried because she knew his words were true, and even more so because she couldn't return his feelings. Even if she wanted to with all her heart.

You're welcome. Please leave me a wonderful review and tell me what you think. See you next chapter!

Heaven***