A/N: ***IMPORTANT***

WE HAVE REACHED THE END *sobbing*

Guys, this has been such a fun journey. I can't thank you all enough for the support you've shown this story! Its bittersweet to concluding this story. I have enjoyed writing it more than I can express, and it's sad to see it coming to an end. Thank you all for sticking with me through the angst! I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Don't worry, though! The epilogue will be posted on Friday. And you won't want to miss it! Lots of fluffy happiness :)


Around Magnolia, Gajeel had become known as a miracle.

In the hospital, when he was recovering, doctors and nurses would randomly come in to marvel over him and congratulate him, showering him with well wishes. Miracle, medical mystery—he'd heard it all. Doctors couldn't explain how it happened, but the best explanation they could give him was that it was a miracle. When he was shot, the bullet pierced the tumor site in his stomach, and somehow dispelled the cancer. Even in his lungs, all the cancer was just gone. They did all the tests they could, but he was completely cancer free.

Gajeel tried to sit up, and Levy helped by placing her hands on his back to push him up. "So, what does this mean for me?"

The doctor sighed and pulled a stool over to his bedside. He sat down and took off his glasses, folding them and slipping them into the breast pocket of his lab coat. "Mr. Redfox, I'm going to be completely honest with you."

Gajeel nodded.

"You should be dead," he said. "We have no understanding of how this happened—all we can say is it's a miracle and a blessing that you're here today. Where you were shot happened to be right over the the tumor site. Somehow, the cancer is gone. Even the cancerous cell clusters in your lungs—gone. We've done test after test and we can't find a single thing."

If his eyes opened any wider, they'd pop out of his head. Levy was beaming beside him, happy tears rolling down her face. "He's going to make it?"

Then the doctor smiled. "He's going to make it." He took Gajeel's hand and shook it firmly. "Congratulations, Mr. Redfox. You're cancer free."

When he woke up for the first time, Levy fell apart. She collapsed at his bedside and cried until she couldn't cry anymore. Nurses gently pried her away and comforted her so the doctors could run tests and check up on Gajeel, but as soon as she was allowed to return, she was by his side. He'd been exhausted, in and out of sleep for three days before he was finally awake enough to talk to her. Even then all he could do was hold her and smile. Once he was strong enough, he'd kissed her senseless and laughed like an idiot—he was just so happy.

When visitors were allowed back, his room overflowed with people and flowers. And a lot of crying. Juvia was a mess, and even Erza cried—he'd never seen her cry over anything. Natsu came in and clapped a hand on Gajeel's shoulder. "Looks like I'm gonna get to kick your ass after all. Welcome back, man."

Gajeel had smirked at that. "Thanks. But sorry to tell you that I'll be the one kickin' your ass, Dragneel." Then he winced. "Just give me a bit to heal first… This hurts like hell."

Gajeel spent three weeks recovering in the hospital, and Levy was by his side for every second. For the first week, she even slept at the hospital, only going home to nap and take a shower briefly. Eventually he was able to convince her to go sleep at her own apartment, but she always returned at the crack of dawn the next morning. She was right beside him for his whole recovery. She took care of Lily and watched over his apartment each night, and then she'd return with that beautiful smile and he would just fall in love all over again.

She would bring him things to do or read, and she'd tell him stories of things that happened that he'd missed. His friends were constantly visiting, too, so he never got too bored. Sting and Rogue had come to visit a lot, bringing him good food when the doctors allowed it. Maybe it was the lack of cancer, maybe it was the shock of the whole incident in the park, but Gajeel was ravenous when he started to recover. Which was good. He'd start putting on weight again and getting healthy. He couldn't wait to go to the gym again. Then he really could kick Natsu's ass.

Every day new gifts came in. Flowers and cards from teachers and his friends, even a grumpy looking teddy bear from Mira, who thought it would bring him a laugh. Gajeel had never received so many gifts in his life. One day about a week after he woke up, he noticed a vase of flowers in the room that he hadn't seen before—a vase sitting in the window with brilliant white flowers.

"I have no idea who that one came from," Levy said when she noticed him looking at it. "I didn't even see that one delivered, so I couldn't say."

But Gajeel knew immediately who it was from—a certain guardian angel with, apparently, a knack for curing cancer. He smiled. Thanks, old man.

Every single day since the incident, Levy made sure to tell him how much she loved him, how happy she was that he was okay. In the moments when the nurses finished checking over him, when it was quiet and still in his room, she'd lay on the bed beside him and just talk to him. He'd kiss the top of her head and hold her close and just marvel over how he somehow managed to live. How lucky he was.

When he was allowed to go home, everyone threw a huge party, and while he was still a bit tired, it was the most fun he'd had in years. No looming cloud of death hanging over him, no tense conversations regarding his cancer, no secrets and no lies. He had a new family, one that he could honestly say he was thankful for. And with the worst behind him, Gajeel was ready to look forward and start new.

Hell, he could be an engineer now. He could workout every day. He could eat five pieces of pizza again and drink beer and spar with the guys. He could do whatever he wanted.

Gajeel Redfox was free. And he was going to be okay.

Now it was March, and his wound had healed. He was starting to go to the gym again, a few times a week, but he was taking it slow. Natsu and Gray were helping him get back on track, gain the weight back and then the muscle. He did pathetically light exercises, stopping the second he was feeling too fatigued (which happened embarrassingly quick) but in time, they would add more to his fitness regime. It was a slow process, and it would take a long time, but he was getting healthier again. If he kept at it, he'd have his muscles back in no time!

Today was his first post-cancer check up. Porlyusica had been contacted while he was at the hospital, and she was just as flabbergasted as the medical team in the hospital. Even though he was deemed cancer free, she wanted him to continue to meet with her for periodic checkups just to make sure nothing came back on the scans, but as far as she was concerned, everything looked good.

"Well, Gajeel, I don't know how this happened," Porlyusica said. "In all my years as an oncologist, I have never seen something so miraculous. There's not a cancerous spot in your entire body."

Gajeel just blinked, and she smiled.

"Congratulations are in order."

"Thanks." Beside him, Levy burst into tears, and he laughed.

"Now, now, we still have to check in periodically. And I want you to start a diet plan to help you get back to a healthy weight. You've lost a lot," Porlyusica said. "You need to be exercising several times a week and drinking lots of water."

He nodded, taking several papers from her outstretched hands. "I'm already going to the gym."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you pushing yourself too hard?"

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "Seriously? I'm fine."

Porlyusica studied him for a moment, then looked at Levy. "Is he pushing himself too much?"

"Sometimes." She laughed when his jaw dropped.

"Traitor. Damn women…"

Levy laughed again. "Not much, though. He's being good for the most part."

Porlyusica nodded and pushed her chair back to stand up. "Well I'm glad to hear it. You keep an eye on him, young lady. He's always been the rebel."

Levy giggled and nudged Gajeel's arm.

"But, we can go over more in your next appointment. For now, I believe there's a young nurse in training who wants to see you."

She held the door open and they followed her into the lobby. Wendy was waiting by the desk, fidgeting nervously. Her navy hair was pulled into a hastily-pulled ponytail, and her clothes were wrinkled. Porlyusica smiled. "It was her off day, but she rushed in when we called to tell her you were coming."

He laughed and crossed his arms. "Oi, Tiny."

Wendy jumped, whirling around to face him. Tears were streaming down her face and she ran across the room to pull him into the biggest hug. Her tears dampened his neck, and his expression softened as he hugged her back.

"Why are you cryin'? I'm alive!"

"I'm so happy," she whispered. "I'm so happy you're okay."

Once she calmed down enough, he set her back on her feet and motioned for Levy to come over. Levy smiled and stepped up beside him. "This is Levy, my girlfriend."

Wendy's eyes sparkled. "Oh, I've heard so much about you! It's so good to meet you!"

They hit it off instantly, and they even made plans to get together over the next weekend. Apparently Wendy was having trouble in one of her higher-level math courses, and Levy offered to tutor her. She was pretty much a genius—math didn't faze her. Gajeel ended up sitting down in a chair while he waited on them to stop talking, and when he finally suggested that they go get lunch, Wendy stopped him to gift him with a massive pan of homemade cookies before he left.

"I know you love them. I'm really glad you're okay. Don't be a stranger, though!"

Gajeel waved as he pushed Levy out the door, sagging with relief when they stepped onto the sidewalk. "Finally."

"Gajeel!"

"What?" He laced their fingers together. "It's not Wendy. I'm just really hungry."

Levy blinked when he started pulling her down the sidewalk. His body wasn't fully recovered from the wound. The stitches had sealed it, and surgery had corrected the organs within, but it was still a bit tender sometimes. And it would take quite some time to recover his strength. Cancer nearly killed him, and it would take months for him to get back to good health. But, he could breathe normally again and he had plenty of energy. So he opted to walk to his destination rather than take a bus. It was a nice day, anyway.

Lucy was walking to the bus stop when they passed by, and she waved to them. "Hey guys!"

"Lu! Going to class?"

She groaned. "Yes. I have an astronomy exam. Are you guys still coming to dinner tonight? Mira's making cupcakes and I heard Juvia's making her famous cheese dip."

"Won't miss it," Gajeel said. "Tell flame breath not to eat it all before we get there.

Lucy laughed and waved them off as they walked away.

"So what did you have in mind for lunch?" Levy asked.

Gajeel smirked, and she quirked a brow. "I had an idea. But it's a surprise." He leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear. "Can ya handle it, shrimp?"

Levy blushed. "O-Of course. Lead the way!"

She'd not been expecting him to take her to the same hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant that he took her to for their first date. She'd been ordered to wait outside while he went in to order the food, and when he returned with a large paper bag, he wordlessly took her hand and began to pull her back toward the campus. Levy giggled. "Any hints?"

He shook his head. "I'll have to arrest ya if you don't stop asking."

"What if I want to be arrested?"

Gajeel turned suddenly, tipped her head back, and kissed her. It was fiery and intense, and his lips moved away from hers to pepper her cheeks and jawline in smaller kisses. "Are you sure about that?"

"No," she squeaked.

He barked out a laugh. "That's what I thought."

Levy knew exactly where he was taking her when they reached the park. He bypassed all the walking paths until he reached one that led up the mountainside to the overlook above. Memories of their first date came rushing back, and she smiled when they reached the grassy spot on the hill. The campus below was beautiful in the midday sun, the trees shielding them from view covered in fresh spring flowers and bright, new green.

She smiled and twirled across the grass. "I love this place."

"We haven't been here since our first date," he said.

Levy sat down in the grass and sighed. "It's so nice up here. Thanks for bringing me." A shift in her expression made her look nostalgic, and he sat down beside her, food long forgotten, and watched her.

"What's on your mind, Lev?"

"It seems so long ago, doesn't it? Our first date," she said. "And we've been through so much since then. We've grown so much in such a short time. Gajeel, I just want you to know… I can't wait to see what the future has to offer."

His smile was dazzling as his lips brushed hers. "Neither can I, Lev." His fingers brushed her neck, gently tugging at her hair to tilt her head back. "Stay by my side?"

"Always," she breathed.

And he kissed her again, drowning in her. The feel of her lips, her skin, the smell of her perfume—it was overwhelming, consuming his every thought. His mouth moved down her neck in a line of open-mouthed kisses, teeth grazing soft skin. Her fingers wove through his hair, her nails scraping his scalp. It was his undoing, and it shattered the last remnants of coherent thought he had left. The way she said his name, the way she held him tight as he kissed her, or how she arched close to him when he nibbled that spot on her neck… She was divine. Pure and radiant and beautiful in every way. Gajeel lifted his head and gazed into her eyes to see so much love, so much happiness.

"Levy…"

He could tell her how much he loved her a thousand times a day and it would never be enough. She'd never know the depth of his feelings for her. No words could express his feelings properly; he could only show her. So he kissed her—deeply, fiercely, lovingly, until her mind was clouded.

When his stomach grumbled, protesting the lack of food, his lips stilled on hers and Levy snickered. "How about we continue this after we eat? You're hungry."

A tempting offer, and one he couldn't refuse: food and the promise of a continuation. He pulled the bag closer and handed her some chopsticks while he began sorting through the food.

Levy snapped her chopsticks apart. "Hey, at some point will you help me with my bookshelves? I'm trying to reorganize them so I can fit all my books on the shelf… They've been cluttering my floor."

"Ya know, there's a bookshelf at my place that needs filling up. Would that work?"

Levy looked up at him with wide eyes.

He shrugged nonchalantly, eyes dancing. "My closet has a lot of space, too. So does the bathroom cabinet. And the kitchen."

Her cheeks were pink, and she twisted a lock of her hair. "Are you… Are you asking me to move in with you?"

"Yeah." He pressed a kiss to her lips. "Ya pretty much live at my place, anyway, and most of your stuff is already there, but… Move the rest over. Live with me, Lev."

Her skin flushed, her eyes sparkled, and she smiled the most radiant smile, and Gajeel suddenly found it hard to breathe. "I'd love that!"

Gajeel grinned and tackled her to the ground. He kissed her again, pressing her body against the soft grass, and she hugged him close to deepen the kiss. Her lips traced his nose, the lines of his cheekbones. Tender kisses pressed to the studs on his chin, above his eyes, against his nose, and his heart swelled. This woman was perfect—he couldn't get enough of her. When she pulled back, smiling up at him, he lost himself entirely. How had he even lived without her? All those years alone before he met her…how did he live? She was the life in his veins, the fire in his soul. Nothing else mattered when she was by his side.

Gajeel intended to kiss her again, but she sat up suddenly and pointed up at the sky. "Gajeel, look!"

He chuckled and sat up beside her, following her extended hand. Flower petals, falling like snow in the sunlight, blew in the breeze and rained down over them from the heavens. Thousands of flower petals, white and ivory and pink, dusted the sidewalks and scattered the ground as they fell from the trees. The wind caught them, scattering them across the ground and lifting them high into the air.

Live peacefully, my boy.

Gajeel looked to the sky. "Thanks, old man."

Levy blinked. "What was that?"

"Nothing, shorty."

Levy shrugged and reached up to catch one of the petals as it fell, another falling in her hair. Gajeel's smile was soft when he brushed it away and kissed her forehead, then her cheek.

"Isn't this beautiful?" she breathed.

Gajeel shifted his attention from the sky to the stunning woman in his arms. Her eyes filled with innocence and wonder as she watched nature's display. Cerulean hair pulled back, her dress shifting in the breeze. She was the image of serenity and peace. Honey-brown irises twinkled when she looked up at him and flashed him the biggest, happiest smile, and he smiled back in return.

"Yeah," he said. "It really is."


A/N: I'm sure I'll be saying a thousand thank yous in the epilogue as well, but I just can't say it enough... Thank you all so much!

I'll see you all again Friday, one last time! Get ready for the epilogue!