Waking up next to the man she loves the most, Lucy felt all warm and bubbly inside. The precious innocent sleeping face that belonged to her lover was so adorable, she could just stare at him all day long and that's what she planned on doing the entire day. Snuggling right besides her lover all day and getting up if needed.

It sounded like a perfect and planned out day for her but looks like her boyfriend had other plans.

"Natsu, can you please tell me where we're going? We've been walking in the cold for a while and I'm growing numb. Also, I can't walk right because my legs are hurting," the blonde whined for the millionth time that day as Natsu sighed in frustration, his large hand gripping the small of her hands. "can we just go back now? Please? Natsu!"

"Lucy, please, I told you that it's a surprise." He said without looking back at the blonde. "Besides, you'll hate me if you know where we're going." He muttered the last part under his breath.

He glanced over at the blonde to see if she heard and by the look of dread on her face and the constant whines flying out of her mouth, she didn't.

He just wanted to throw himself out of the bridge and seventy percent of his body was screaming at him to turn back around and go back to the dorms but he knew he couldn't. This was an important mission and if he failed to do this, he was going to regret it the rest of his life.

Finally reaching the train station, he was greeted with complete utter silence behind him making him look back in surprise.

He noticed how spaced-out Lucy look and how she was staring at a family by the bench waiting for their ride.

It was a little blonde girl about the age seven running around and her mother and father shouting at her to be careful. Then it would result the father chasing after her, scooping her up high to make her squeal, and the family all grinning like fools.

It made his heart warm to the idea and he realized how pained Lucy must feel just watching them like that.

Stepping in her line of vision, the male leaned down and cupped the face of the blonde making her look up at him with her doe brown eyes. She was surprised when her boyfriend leaned down and kissed her right on the lips, her eyes wide and her body numb as if it already was. But soon warmth spread and the two were passionately kissing as if it was their last time seeing one another.

"Luce, don't look so down when you're with me. You're kinda making me feel like shit, too." He said breathlessly as he pulled away making her giggle slightly. "C'mon, let's catch the train and get this over with."

"What is this thing we need to get over with, anyways?"

"You'll see, soon enough." He muttered before dragging her over to a booth to go purchase a ticket.

He sure hoped it went well.

—X—

"Geez, how could you fall asleep like that on the train, dummy?" Natsu muttered under his breath as he walked up the pathway carrying his beloved in his arms, huffing slightly. "And how come you feel heavier than last night?" He whimpered slightly as he tried his best not to drop the blonde in his arms.

She was carelessly snoozing in his arms while he did his best to climb the stupid hill which was way too steep for his liking. He didn't understand how Lucy lived in such a place and he could sort of see why she wanted to be free.

But this estate was huge! It sure did look nice but living in it must feel so large and empty for a seven year old.

He glanced back down at the woman in his arms and he wondered how she would react if she knew that they were slowly approaching her home.

And he somehow prayed she would stay asleep until tomorrow.

But it looked like his prayer didn't make it up in time as the woman in his arms started to stir making him slow down and his heart race in his chest. He felt his hands starts to become wet with sweat and his legs felt like jello as he couldn't move any further up the hill.

Staring down at the lovely face of his lover, he couldn't help but grin at her sleepy face. "Hello there, sleepy head. Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm... where are we? Why is it so cold up here?" She mumbled, shivering slightly to snuggle closer in her lover's chest.

"Maybe because... we're high up." He said, trying to make it sound as if they were hiking as Lucy started to stretch and rub her eyes. She let out a yawn and whimper before looking around, trying to see if she recognized the place. She indeed recognized the place and she was surprised when she saw the same garden and same old statue that was always there in the same spot. Her head whipped around all over the place to take a look, her eyes wide.

"N—Natsu!"

"Lucy, calm down, you're going to make me drop you!"

"Drop me! T—this place! I—I—drop me now! Let me go, right now!" She shouted, panic overwhelming her body making Natsu quickly place her on her two feet before he actually dropped her. "I—I have to get out of here!"

"No, Lucy!" He cried out, grabbing her wrist just in time as she was about the run, the look of pure terror mirroring her face. "Don't go!"

"I—I have to! This place—the memories..! How did we even end up here?!" She cried out, looking panicked as ever.

Natsu felt utterly shocked as he felt how badly the girl was trembling before him, the look of horror and fear flashing across her eyes as if she saw something she wasn't supposed to. This strong female who took things head-on was looking like she was going to cry and it made his insides turn painfully.

"Answer me! Why are we here?! How did we even get here?!"

"I... I brought you... I..."

"Why?!"

She was full on sobbing now and Natsu felt his breath hitch. "L—Loke thought... Loke thought it would be a good idea—"He tried to say but the blonde wrenched herself free from his grasp and ran. She only took a total of four full steps until she froze in her spot, the voice she hasn't heard since she was eighteen entering her eardrums.

"Lucy? Is that you?"

Everything went in slow-motion as Lucy and Natsu turned around to face the man who still wore that same suit and same tie, his dirty blonde hair pushed back with gel. He had the look of surprise on his face and he looked like he just came back from somewhere, the male looking from the pink-haired male to his crying daughter who looked equally surprised as he does.

But before he could utter any other words out, the blonde fell and Natsu was quick to shout and catch her.

"L—Lucy?! Is she... is she okay?!" Jude cried out in surprise, not hesitating to crouch down right next to the making Natsu eye him.

Lucy told him before that her father was heartless and doesn't care about anything but money but this guy... it looked like his number one priority was to see if his daughter was okay. Was what Lucy told him actually true or was she over exaggerating? He looked like a decent fellow.

"She's... she's going to be alright. She'll wake up, soon." He spoke slowly and gently as he cradled the woman in his arms. "But... uh, could we possibly... uh, I don't know, come inside? It's kind of cold to keep her out here."

Jude stared at the pink-haired male for a while before nodding. "Yes... yes of course you can but... but who are you?"

"Me? I'm Natsu Dragneel."

—X—

"Please, Lucy, just stay for dinner. Your father offered and he seems like a nice guy! C'mon, Lucy!"

"No, Natsu, I hate you right now and I can't believe this. Take me home right now or I swear I'll go home by myself."

"Lucy—"

"I told you, Natsu, no! You're on thin air right now, thin air!" The blonde shouted as Natsu held her in place, his grip firm and his expression hard. He looked pleading and he looked like he was about to cry making Lucy almost give in but he crossed a boundary he shouldn't have crossed. She was furious but the first thing that came into her mind was to get the hell out before she actually was forced to speak to her father, again. "Please, can you just let me go?"

"Lucy..." he let out in a soft sigh. "I just... I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy! I was Happy! Until you brought me here!" She snapped making him frown even more. "So can you let go of me now? You're hurting my arm!"

"Lucy... I brought you here because of two soul purposes. One was because Loke made me promise to bring you here and two is because I want you to be happy. With your father. I wouldn't know how it would feel but I'm pretty damn positive I would be depressed if my father cut all connections with me or if my son or daughter suddenly cut connections with me. Lucy, even if you think your father is an asshole who doesn't like anything but money, at least listen to what he has to say because I spoke with him earlier and he really wants to speak with you, again... please?"

Lucy pressed her lips into a tight line and stared at the male in front of her, pleading her with his words and pleading her with his eyes.

She hated to do this but he had some kind of rational reason. She hasn't seen her father in years and he could have changed, why was she so afraid? She was a woman now, she can handle herself and she wasn't afraid of her father...

But then why was she so scared?

Suddenly, a knock on the door made the couple stop bicker and look at the wooden door. The door swung open to reveal a maid dressed in some old-fashion pink, purple, maid outfit. There were frills everywhere and it reminded Natsu of the late eighteen hundreds while it brought back a lot of memories for Lucy.

"Miss Lucy, Natsu-Sama, time for dinner."

"Thanks, we'll be right now." Natsu spoke for Lucy as the blonde was at loss for words.

"You're most welcome; Judo-Sama is waiting downstairs. Take your time," And with that she left, leaving the couple alone once again. Natsu started to talk and wonder about all the delicious foods while Lucy started to wonder about her father.

What if he's the same as he was years ago? What if he just wants to tell her that he arranged another marriage with some prick and is forcing her to stay while he kicks Natsu out? What if he doesn't like Natsu and tries poisoning them both? All these bad possibilities swirled in her head and it didn't leave a good feeling inside her.

Natsu noticed the look of worry on the blonde's face and he grabbed her face in his hands, looking at her straight in the eyes making her feel a bit shy. "Luce, don't worry. I'm here and I promise I won't let anything happen to you. Will you come downstairs with me, now?" He promised making Lucy stared at him for a good minute before sighing and grasping his hand. "Fine... but just for dinner, okay?"

"That's my girl." Natsu leaned in to capture her lips with his. She made a sound of surprise from the back of her throat but soon sunk in to the kiss, kissing him back. They pulled back seconds later due to Natsu's rumbling stomach, the look of embarrassment crossing his features.

Lucy looked up at him in surprise before her palm covered her slightly swollen lips before she snorted. "Hungry much?"

"Well. . ."

Lucy laughed and the male in front of her grinned sheepishly, leaning down to kiss her lips again. "Stop laughing and let's go eat."

"Before you grow hungry at eat me."

"I'll survive from your body, its okay."

Lucy laughed again but this time blushed, grabbing his hand to pull him towards the door. "Let's go."

"Don't let go of my hand, I'm afraid I might get lost." He squeezed her small hand in his and Lucy giggled, going down a hallway. "No, I'm serious."

"Don't worry, I got you."

The pair went down the stairs, down the corridor, and finally into a room where a huge dining room where food was scattered all across the table. Maids, cooks, and butlers all stood on the sides as Judo was nowhere to be found. Natsu looked like he was in awe while Lucy shook her head in disappointment.

She never thought she'll be here once again.

"Welcome Miss Lucy, Natsu-Sama." The staff said in unison, Natsu gasping at this. Lucy glanced at him and giggled once more, pulling him forward. "Let's eat."

"Yes please!" Natsu yanked her forward finding a seat to sit. He put Lucy in the seat next to him and pushed her in, the hungry man sitting right next to him. He reached to the food but Lucy snapped causing him to look at her. "Don't eat just yet."

He whined. "Why?"

"Because father isn't here yet." As if it was on cue he came into the room, the staff greeting him. Lucy gulped and took in a deep breath, Natsu's eyes finding its way to her face. He grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, Lucy turning o look down at their hand to his face. He smiled sweetly and Lucy smiled back, squeezing back.

"Good to see you again, Lucy."

"Good to see you too. . . Father." Lucy said, standing up to bow at him. Natsu stood up along with her, standing close to her. Judo glanced at Lucy and back at Natsu, clearing his throat as he sat down. The couple sat back down and the staff started to move around, placing plates in front of them and food on the plates to make Natsu's mouth water.

After everything was set, they dug in. "Thank you for the food!"

Silence lingered in the air, the sounds of metal clanking with glass and chewing being the only thing heard. It was awkward and uncomfortable but not for Natsu who was stuffing his face next to Lucy. Lucy was already used to this since he tends to eat like a pig when he was alone in her dorm with her or really hungry but Judo seemed shocked.

"Hey Natsu, stop being such a pig." Lucy whispered, noticing her father's expression and Natsu immediately sat up straight, wiping his mouth. He gave Judo a glance and started to eat like Lucy and he was, the blonde giggling at his movements. Judo eyed the couple as he slowly ate, noticing his daughter was laughing and radiating happiness from her whole body. He had never seen her like that before and it somehow made him feel good inside.

Jude suddenly cleared her throat causing them to look at him, Lucy's expression dropping to a poker face. A face she always used with him to mask her feelings. "Lucy . . ."

"Yes, father?"

"Won't you introduce your friend besides you?"

Lucy glanced at Natsu who looked back at her, the blonde smiling a bit. She cleared her throat and nodded, looking back at her father. "Father, this is Natsu Dragneel. He's my . . . boyfriend." She said while squeezing his hand under the table to show Natsu she was getting scared. Natsu squeezed back in reassurance and the two looked at the man's face, noticing it was shifting into discomfort.

"Do you . . . like types like him?"

"Types like him?" Natsu echoed, a bit offended at his choice of words making Lucy nudge him with her knee.

"He might not be the best on the outside but it's the inside for what I've fallen for."

"Wasn't Dan like your type?"

Lucy's face now shifted into discomfort and she lowered her head. "Dan and I are long gone and he was never my type. I was young and foolish." She shook her head in disgust, Natsu watching her every movement to make sure some line wasn't crossed. He sort of felt bad and he was high on guard, wanting to jump in and help her if her father did something bad. The two have talked when Lucy was knocked out but it was only a short conversation, the two of them awkward.

"Father, I like Natsu. I might even love him—he's far different from Dan."

"I've noticed."

"Father—please. You're too uptight. . ." Lucy looked away from him, biting her bottom lip. Natsu looked at her in worry, scooting closer to her but she stopped him, sniffling a bit. She smiled at him and he frowned, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand, whispering sweet words to her. Judo watched the whole thing and saw that without a second thought his daughter smiles widely at her boyfriend, the two of them looking oh so happy.

He hasn't seen love like that since Layla was alive.

Lucy looked back at Judo and cleared her throat, smiling uncomfortably. "Father, Natsu means a lot to me so please, don't criticize him."

"I can see he does . . ." Judo murmured, lifting the tea-cup to his lips to take a sip of his tea. He set the cup back down and sighed, leaning back against his chair. Natsu and Lucy stared at him, wondering what he was going to do or say next. Lucy was hoping for him to be calm and happy about this—maybe even allow her to be with him and forget everything and go back to their loving relationship before Layla had died but Natsu wanted some rampage going on. In the inside he sort of wanted Judo flipping the tables, shouting curse words, and throwing stuff around so he could fight him and protect Lucy.

It sounded a bit bizarre but his mind was only stocked with fighting so it was logical to him.

"Lucy,"

"Yes?"

"I've talked to Natsu earlier while you were asleep."

Lucy glanced at Natsu to see he was staring right at Judo, the blonde shifting her eyes back at her father. "And . . . I don't think he's right material to me. I prefer Dan and I talked to him earlier today—he's coming over today."

Lucy's eyes widen and she looked at Natsu whose eyes also widen in surprise, the two of them going into complete shock.

Jude watched them both, noticing that no words came out of their mouths.

"Fath—"

"Just wait the fuck up!" Natsu suddenly shouted, shooting up in his seat to startle Lucy and her father. She stared at him with wide brown eyes, her expression shifting into horror while Jude looked a bit taken back over the sudden outburst.

The pink-haired man slammed his palm on the table, the plates and utensils jumping to slam back on the table to make sounds. He shot Jude a glare as he pointed at the blonde who sat next to him, anger bubbling up inside him. "If you possibly think I will allow you to get that piece of shit to be with Lucy then you got another thing coming, old man!"

"Natsu—!"

"And I don't care about a single thing you say because once I see that idiot I will rip him to pieces." Natsu threaten his eyes telling him that he wasn't joking. Lucy stood up and put her hand on his shoulder, concern crossing her features. Natsu looked at her and calmed down, taking a deep breath in and exhaling. "Sorry, I got out of control."

"I know . . . I've never seen this side of you."

"It's called my protective-side." Natsu murmured, his scowl still on his face.

A ghost of a smile lingered on her lips and she reached up, cupping his face with her hands. Natsu looked at her with soft eyes, a small smile on his lips.

"Hey . . . don't be so angry."

"But Lucy—"

"Hey, this is the moment where you say, 'Yes ma'am.'." Lucy scolded playfully, Natsu's smile widening just a bit. He nodded and sighed, "Yes ma'am."

"Good. Now father," Lucy turned to look at her father who was looking at them with soft caring eyes. They immediately shifted back to the cold blank ones when he noticed she was looking at him and he cleared his throat, his eyebrows rising. "I do not want to be with Dan . . . he hurt me and I never want to see him again. I want to be with Natsu. I—I love him."

"Does he have money? Does he have a famous and rich background? Can he afford to save our railroad that'll soon be shutting down? No—he doesn't. But Dan does. Dan decided he'll help and marry you so we could continue and keep the Heartfillia Railroad going on."

Lucy wanted to grab something and just chuck it at her father, wanting to run away with Natsu to some wonderland but she knew she couldn't do that. She took in a deep breath and opened her mouth to say something but it wasn't her voice that was saying something.

"Don't you understand what we're saying?"

"I do but I don't approve of it. I don't approve of you."

"Well I certainly don't approve of you, asshole! All you think of is money, money, money! Ever think of your daughter before? What if your wife was still alive—would you treat her like this?"

Judo's eyes widen at Natsu's words, his wife's image flashing inside his mind for a split second.

"That Dan guy isn't going to marry Lucy—I am!"

.

.

.

.

"You're scary."

Lucy snapped her head towards the direction of the voice as she threw him a murderous glare, the pink-haired man squeaking to hide under the covers of the bed as the blonde paced in her former room.

After Natsu's outburst he took her hand and stomped all the way upstairs but not after Lucy got the chance to blow up. He hid under the covers as Lucy screamed at things, everything about how her father was a complete asshole to a devil sent from hell. She even threw things, shouted every foul word she knew, and she broke a few things making Natsu a bit afraid.

He didn't want to mess with Lucy when she's angry.

"I can't believe he would just do that. I mean—he knows what happened with Dan and me years ago! But he still decides to brush it off and be all business like. Let's see if I arrange a marriage with him and see if he likes it!"

"Y—yeah!" Natsu agreed, lifting his fist up in the air but by the look Lucy gave him, he just hid under the covers again. "And you, just what the fuck is wrong with you?"

"What did I do?"

"That Dan guy isn't going to marry Lucy—I am! Why the hell would you even say that?" Lucy shouted, throwing her hands up in the air angrily as Natsu now sat up, looking at Lucy with his mouth open wide. "What am I supposed to do? Willingly give you to that asshole that broke your heart years ago? If you haven't noticed I love you."

"I know you do but why, why would you do that?"

"Because I had something to argue about and I was going to fight for something I have fought a long time for!" Natsu snapped, causing Lucy to cross her arms and look at him in complete anger and disgust.

"I never asked you to do that for me. I can fight my own fights, Natsu."

"Yeah like what happened at the club weeks ago with that blonde prick."

Lucy laughed like a mad-woman, Natsu's face shifted into anger now. "You're bringing that up again? I could have handled it on my own!"

"Yeah-fucking-right! He was going to pounce on you and if it wasn't for me you wouldn't have been raped right there."

"No I wasn't! I'm not a child, I can take care of myself!" Lucy shouted while patting her chest, her voice rising up high as Natsu now stood up beside the bed.

"I know you can but sometimes you can't. That's why I'm here—to protect you!"

"I don't need your protection!" Hot angry tears burned in her eyes and they fell from her brown orbs.

Natsu looked at her with wide eyes, realizing that he made her cry again and he walked towards her, the blonde stepping back as he stepped forward.

"Lucy—Luce, I—"

"No, I don't need your pity. If you're just going to shout things out you don't mean or just yell at me for the smallest things—I don't need you." Lucy spat, tears falling from her eyes as she shook her head.

"No Lucy I didn't—"

"No, you're just like the rest. I knew being with you was a bad thing, I shouldn't have trust you." Lucy started to walk backwards, Natsu stepping closer to her as his face shifted into sadness. His heart broke for the second time that day and he wanted to cry too but he knew he couldn't. The only thing he wanted to right now was to take Lucy into his arms and hug her tight—comfort her but she was walking away from him.

Soon, she'll slip out of his hands and she'll be gone forever. He didn't want that.

"Lucy, no—!" Natsu started to say but it was already too late as she turned around, running towards the door. He was quick to chase after her, slamming the door shut as Lucy opened it to run out. He pinned her to the door and tried calming her down as she cried and struggled.

"Get off me!"

"Listen to me!"

"No, I won't listen to liars and heartbreakers like you! Get out of my sight, let me go!"

"I wasn't lying!" Natsu raised his voice up high, making Lucy stop struggling but look away with tears streaming down her face. "I wasn't lying." He repeated, his voice fierce and his grip on her tight. He leaned in and pressed his forehead against her, his eyes closing as he wanted to cry along with her.

"Lucy, marry me." Natsu opened his eyes as he looked into her brown teary orbs, hearing a gasp escaping her lips. He maintained eye-contact with her for a long time, wanting to show her he was serious.

"W—What?"

"Marry me," Lucy's throat suddenly felt dry and Natsu looked too serious for her comfort. She's only known him for about 4 months and he was already asking her to marry him. She knew it wasn't a good idea to say yes to somebody who she hasn't known for a while but when she thinks about it—he was the only one who made her feel special, protected, loved, safe, comfortable, and many things she never knew she would ever feel.

A tear escaped from her right eye and trailed down her face, her response coming out of her lips without a second thought, "Yes."

Natsu stared at the blonde that sat across from him in the train, his motion sickness long forgotten as he stared at his sleeping fiancée. After he asked her to marry him the pair quickly disappeared before Judo or anyone else saw them, the college students going to the train station once again. Now, they were seated in the train, on their way back to Magnolia—Natsu fully awake and Lucy completely knocked out. He didn't know what had happened moments ago when he just blurted out, marry me to the blonde in front of him but he knew he was screwed. He loves Lucy but he wasn't sure if he wanted to marry the woman so soon. They've known each other for almost four months now, dating for two days but was he really prepared to become a husband and maybe future father? In the outside he was calm but in the inside he was freaking out.

The old playboy flirt never thought he'll see the day where he'll be chasing after some girl for a long period of time neither the less proposing to somebody. Was he really ready for this? One part of his body was screaming at him to run for the hills—to forget everything and live his old playboy life again but the other part was screaming at him to marry her and start his life with her. He loved Lucy, he was certain he did, but he wasn't certain if this was the right choice he was making.

He was still debating on if he should marry her or not. He certainly didn't want that Dan bastard being with her again and he certainly didn't want Lucy shedding anymore tears again but he was just so confused and nervous.

He knew once they made it back to Magnolia he'll have to talk to some girl that knew him and Lucy well. And his options were Levy and or Lisanna.

He decided he'll call both of them later.

notes: How would you guys react if somebody did that to you? Pin you against the door after a big fight and tell you that he wants to marry you. What would you say? Yes? No? Shove him and run away? Geez, if it was Natsu or some hot guy or maybe my boyfriend I would definitively say yes like Lucy did. x'D
Sorry for not updating in a while, I've been busy and lazy.
Thank you so much for the support and over 600 reviews! O:
I love you all, keep reading and supporting. Review for me and I shall have the next chapter up as soon as possible! Lots of Loooove!