Chapter 28: Family Meeting
"Okay…tell me we are not in trouble." Lucy said as she stared at the retreating figure of the blue haired woman.
"I wish I could say the same…" Natsu then looked at the nervous blonde, "What do you think this is about?"
Lucy then stared at the pinkette too and gave a curious look, "Seriously you're asking me this? Do I look like I know what is happening here?!"
"I was just asking since you're the smart one here…" Natsu defended before looking back at the open door to their mansion, "Should we get in now?"
"I don't feel like doing that…"
With all the nervousness that the two was feeling at the moment, they unconsciously held each others hand and kept their gaze to the open Burma teak wood doors.
"Let's just do it..." Natsu said as he glanced at the blonde who looked at him as well, "Right…as long as we're together." The two nodded to one another then they started heading inside the mansion.
As Lucy and Natsu sat next to their parents in the table, the two just kept eyeing their parents who were just laughing with each other's company.
"Oh I remember that time Jude! We were really wasted on our first dates!" Igneel exclaimed as they laughed at the memory
"If I'm not mistaken it was Shuka Tomina whom you dated back then Iggy…She was a very beautiful girl" Grandine commented as she looked at Layla.
"Very intimidating, I believe" Layla added before drinking her water
As the older people kept on conversing, Natsu and Lucy started texting one another secretly in the table.
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
Is this what your mom meant? Talk about something?
To: Luce_weirdo
From: Natsu
I have no idea…
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
What does their dating experience have to do anything with us?
To: Luce_weirdo
From: Natsu
I think Dad is just bragging about his first girlfriend
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
Now I know where you got your playboy attitude!
To: Luce_weirdo
From: Natsu
Excuse me! I'm not a playboy
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
Right…so that's why your fan girls always glare at me
To: Luce_weirdo
From: Natsu
Yeah because I liked you back then! And now I love you…
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
Shut up! You're making me blush!
To: Luce_weirdo
From: Natsu
Haha…I love that kind of face… I love you!
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
Baka! Your so mean!
To: Luce_weirdo
From: Natsu
Since when saying I love you a mean act?
To: Natsu_baka
From: Lucy
Baka
"Lucy are you alright? You're face is red…" Grandine suddenly noticed as she looked at the blonde who was now flustered because of the exchanged conversation with Natsu
"Huh?! Yes…I'm fine" Lucy replied quickly as she tried to calm herself but then she started feeling irritated when she saw the pinkette trying to hold his laughs
"Why are you laughing Natsu? You look ridiculous…" this time Igneel commented making all people look at the pink haired teen this time
"He's laughing because Natsu-nii is texting under the table…" Wendy innocently answered as she continued to eat her dinner
"Wha-?!"
"Natsu! I told you to keep your phone away when you're at the table!" Grandine scolded as she looked at the shocked teen
"Not only me! Even Lucy!" Natsu then pointed at the young blonde who suddenly gasped in surprise
"No I do not!" Lucy retorted as she looked at her parents then back to Natsu
"OY! I'm texting with you!" Natsu shouted back
"Wha-?!"
"Oh enough you two…Why are you even texting one another when basically you are facing each other in the table" Layla asked as eyed the two teens who suddenly blushed in their seats
"I think their exchanging sweet words-" Wendy shared as she looked at the beautiful older blonde woman
"WENDY!" Natsu and Lucy shouted in unison making their parents look at them with a curious look.
"What? I'm just stating a fact…" Wendy said before shoving her spoon to her mouth while focusing her gaze to the two teens
"Natsu is this true?" Igneel asked to break the growing tension between the siblings
"About that…" Natsu trailed but then was cut off when Grandine stood up making her seat move backwards.
The attention was now to the middle aged blue haired woman, "Grandine?" Layla asked as she eyed the called lady
"Its time…lets all be mature here and discuss what needs to be discussed." Grandine then looked at her husband who was still in mid eating his food. When the stare interpreted, it came out like telling him to stop eating and start acting like a strict dad.
Igneel then cleared his throat and dropped his spoon. Soon enough he stood up along with his wife and looked at the two teens, "Your mother is right Natsu… we have to talk about something…along with the Heartfilias."
With the mention of the last name Jude and Layla stood up and looked at their daughter, "Dear, you must come as well. This talk concerns the two of you."
Lucy and Natsu just stared at their parents with pure anxiety with what will happen next. Before the two stood up, they swallowed hard and took a deep breath. In minutes, the two families are walking towards the living room to start the meeting.
"I'll be here! Eating!" Wendy called as she watched them walk away from the dinning room
As they all took their seats, Lucy and Natsu sat in the couch together facing their parents who wore poker faces. Lucy couldn't help but fidget her hands as she waited silently for the adults to speak up. But before the parents could even start the meeting, Natsu already broke the silence by accidentally hitting too hard the coffee table as he tried to stretch his legs.
"Sorry" Natsu apologized as he tried to keep himself small
"Okay…So Natsu and Lucy…" Grandine started
"Yes?" the two teens answered in unison with a low intonation of voice
"You two are together already… am I right?" Grandine asked to confirm the news she heard
"Y-yes…" The two answered nervously
"Since when?" Jude suddenly asked making the teens quiver in their seat
"S-since last t-two weeks…S-sir." Natsu answered stumbling with words before looking at Lucy who gave a nod in confirmation
"Two weeks?" Jude suddenly gave a curious look as he leaned forward towards Natsu who in response leaned back in fear of being eaten alive
"Dad…" Lucy softly called as she tried to curb the attention of her father to herself, "I have mentioned this as soon as possible to mom…didn't she mention it?"
"She did." Jude then relaxed and crossed his arms over his chest, "Layla, your turn"
"Me?" Layla pointed to herself as she looked at her husband, "Oh…Okay"
The two started to relax somehow knowing that the older blonde is the most kind and understanding in the room.
"I just want a straight answer…did the two of you did it already?" Layla asked as she eyed the two skeptically
"Of course not!"
"No!"
Lucy and Natsu shouted as they were taken by surprised by the question thrown to them. But the embarrassing questions didn't stop yet when Layla started to ask another question.
"But did you make out to one another in just your swim wear attire? Because if you did I'm pretty sure Natsu would be aroused in some way-"
"Oh my goodness mama! Of course we only kiss in full clothing! No make outs…" Lucy raised her right hand as a sign of promise but then Natsu added softly, "yet…"
Hearing the male teen, Lucy nudged him making him shut up which the pink haired teen obliged.
"Soo…Nothing happened yet to the two of you?" Grandine clarified as the two teens nodded their heads furiously, "Iggy…your turn" Grandine then elbowed the silently observing red haired man
"Oh me…okay…Ummm" Igneel contemplated as he looked at the nervous teens
"Igneel be serious…I'm telling you" Grandine irritably whispered to the man who swallowed hard in fear
"of course…umm…" Igneel fell silent as he tried to think of a question to the two, but he was having a hard time making up one because he could find the reason for having a family meeting. As another minute past, Grandine nudged him harder making him stumble a little in his seat.
"Ask something already!" Grandine whispered angrily as she gave a death glare
"Alright! alright! Geez…" Igneel then sat up straight and looked at the teens who were trying to stop their laughter, "How do you find yourselves in arranged marriage?"
The joyous faces of Natsu and Lucy suddenly fell as they heard the question of the red haired man, "What?"
"Yes…I think this is the reason why your mom," Igneel pointed at Natsu then to Lucy as he continued, "and your parents wanted to have this family meeting"
"Correct" Grandine commented as she kept her head held high as if she was so proud of her decision
"What?" Lucy repeated as she found the situation ridiculous
"Hold on…" Natsu raised his hands trying to capture the adults' attention, "I knew from the start that you guys," Natsu emphasized everyone by extending his arms, "are having these thoughts about arranging us…But seriously, were in the modern time. I don't think these traditions even work anymore…"
"Why would you do that?" Lucy injected the question as she still found the situation weird
"Lucy dear…Its not about traditions-"Grandine tried to answer but was cut off quickly by the teen blonde, "Then what is it for?"
"Lucy, honey, its just…" Layla tried to save her friend but then she was suddenly out of words but then Igneel finished it for her, "that your moms, ship you two together and want you two to get married someday. Like husband and wife…well for me and Jude we're go for it because as they say a happy wife is a happy life"
The two just gave a curious look at the two adult male as if they were growing horns in their heads as the adults just shrugged their shoulders.
"Oh-kay…So you're all serious about it?" Natsu asked before glancing at Lucy who shook her head in disappointment and embarrassment
"Yes." Grandine answer gleefully as she looked at the two
"But don't worry wedding bells won't happen in the next few years. We want to see you two first graduate in college, have a job and settle yourselves in your own homes." Layla added as she kept her angelic smile
"Okay… enough of this weird family meeting. If that is what you wish for us, alright. Marriage it is in 8 years."
"What?!" Everyone shouted as they bulged their eyes to the young blonde who just nodded her head
"How about 3 years?" Grandine bargained
"Fine 7 years"
"4 years?" Layla tried as well
"6 years"
"Last one, how about 5 years?" Grandine asked pleading
"I'll bring it back to eight if you don't want six years" Lucy said threatening the lovely mothers who just nodded and repeated, "Okay six….That is not quite long…right Layla?" Grandine asked at the same time wanted to cry
"Six it is" Layla and Grandine then nodded to one another as they looked at the blonde who just gave a satisfied look
"Well it's settled. I guess papa, mama, we can go home." Lucy then stood up and bowed in front of Grandine and Igneel who just waved off and instead hugged the younger blonde
"Alright. Take care" Grandine said to Lucy before walking towards Layla
As the parents walked along with each other towards the gate, Natsu and Lucy walked behind holding hands.
"So in six years I'll be looking forward to marrying you" Natsu stated as if making sure Lucy was serious about what she said moments ago
Lucy smiled and slightly laughed, "I was actually tempted to agree with five" Lucy shared before leaning her head to her boyfriend's shoulder
"I was tempted in three." Natsu answered but then he received a slap instant, "What was that for?"
"In three years, we are still junior students in college"
"I know and I want to make sure that you will be my fiancée" Natsu said before stopping and faced the blonde fully, "I love you Lucy Heartfilia and I'm serious about this relationship"
"I love you too…" Lucy then tiptoed to reach Natsu's lips and as soon as their lips touched, Jude cleared his throat and stared at the surprised couple
"Lucy, come on now. Natsu, see you soon" Jude said as he extended his arms for his daughter who just smiled and ran up to her dad
And with that the Heartfilia's rode their vehicle and left for their own home.
-End of Chapter 28-