Disclaimer: I don't own fairy tail or any of it's lovely characters
Mira smiled as big as she could at Wakaba's terrible joke, but her heart wasn't in it. It was Saturday night and the bar was packed with all her friends, even Lisanna had come in for the weekend. However, noticeably absent was a certain blond who usually stood a head above the rest of the patrons. It was her fault, she knew him well enough to know that he would act this way, but it hurt her none the less. Hadn't they been friends as well? Were they really at a point that without sex he saw no reason to continue a relationship with her?
She had known Laxus her entire life; he had been the boy two houses down. They were practically family, always in trouble together; as children it was pulling pigtails and kicks to the jewels, high school it was sneaking cigs behind the school and vodka from Makarovs basement. When her parents had their accident, he was the shoulder to cry on and he and Makarov helped her get back on her feet and take care of her scared siblings. There was that one year that he had left, drank away a year of college and came back angry, but now that seemed like a lifetime ago. He had turned his life around, gone to technical school and now owned a successful contracting company. She had gone from bartending to owning the bar and soon would be the proud owner of a family restaurant. Mira sighed, had they severed that bond by giving into their attraction for each other. What if he couldn't be the man she needed, would she lose his friendship forever?
She didn't know when her feelings towards him had changed. It wasn't that she didn't think he was an attractive guy; it was that he was her friend. When he had gotten his act together, he started spending his nights here, with her and his friends worth having. Mira still remembered the embarrassed look on his face when he had asked if his band could start playing there. Soon it had become a regular thing, every Friday, a set by the Thunder Legion. He always looked so sexy on stage, maybe that was what started her feelings? All she knew was about two years ago one moment he was helping her lift boxes and when he took his shirt off she was like a moth to a flame.
This week he didn't come by at all. Then yesterday the rest of the Thunder Legion had come in giving their apologies, they couldn't play because Laxus had hurt his hand at work. Mira knew better, it was absolute bullshit. If he had really injured himself, she would have heard about it from one of the guys, Natsu or Gray would have teased him mercilessly. Mira didn't know what he was trying to prove, but his immature behavior was just firming in her mind that she shouldn't see him anymore.
"Are you okay?" Lisanna asked, placing her hand on Mira's arm.
Mira smiled another fake smile, this time knowing the recipient would be on to her tricks. "Oh, don't worry about me, I'm fine! Just dazing off I guess," she said cheerfully.
Lisanna looked unconvinced, "Well if you say so . . ."
"I do," said Mira, giving her little sister a hug. "I appreciate your concern, but I am perfectly fine." She tried switching gears, "Isn't it great so many people were able to come out! It's amazing what letting people know that my little sister is in town does. See you need to come back more often."
Lisanna frowned and looked out over the crowd, "Yes . . . it's really great, but I can't help but feel like we're missing someone."
Argh! Why was her sister always so on point? Mira needed more distraction, "Have you met Natsu's girlfriend?"
Lisanna turned to her with a smile, "Lucy? Yes! She's so sweet! I'm so glad for him."
"Isn't she?" said Mira, trying to hide her relief that Lisanna took the bait. "I knew from the moment I met her that they would be perfect for each other!"
"Well bravo! She's adorable and he seems so happy now! I was wondering if he was ever going to grow up," said Lisanna with a grin. "Those last couple of girls were absolute nightmares."
"Yes! And who knew Natsu could be so attentive to something other than food," Mira smiled but felt a little sadness creep into her tone. Even little Natsu could be a considerate boyfriend and here Laxus was acting like she asked him to give up a leg. Trying to hide her bitterness from her little sister she hurried on, " and it's like they are all falling like dominos, Gajeel and Levy, Natsu and Lucy, then Jellal came back, and even Gray with Juvia! Gray had me a little bit worried there," Mira noticed Macao motioning for one more, so she grabbed a mug to fill it from the tap.
Lisanna gave her a sad smile and hugged her from the side, "I guess that just leaves us huh."
Mira frowned for a second, frustrated that her attempt at distracting gossip had somehow brought the focus back on her. She slid the beer over to Macao and had a brilliant idea, "Cana!"
Lisanna looked confused, "What about Cana?"
"Cana doesn't have anyone; we should find someone for her!" Mira exclaimed.
"I don't know, she doesn't look like she's really looking right now . . ." said Lisanna unconvinced. She watched Cana who was currently at the end of the bar showing a group of college boys how to take body shots with tequila, salt, and limes. It looked like she was selling quite a lot of booze to the enthusiastic crowd.
Lisanna's response brought Mira to a time when frustrated about her failed matchmaking, she complained to Laxus about Juvia and Gray. Laxus just grinned and told her, "Just leave those idiots be, they'll figure it out for themselves. Why don't you worry about what you've got here in front of you?" Thinking about that made her feel a little bit flushed . . . and angry. What did he know? Look how happy they were now! Everyone was happy, and in love, and at her bar, having drinks . . . except for Levy. Mira honed in like a missile on Levy's water and saltines.
"Did Levy order anything to drink tonight?" Mira asked Lisanna.
"What? Levy? I don't think so." Lisanna should have caught that, maybe she was losing her touch after all.
Mira knew Gajeel was nursing the same scotch he had gotten when he came in and he didn't really care for anyone else driving his truck, even Levy. So Mira knew Levy wasn't driving, and those saltines . . . She had to test something. "I'm going to go bring her a gin and tonic on the house."
"Um, okay." Lisanna still wasn't seeing it. Mira was just going to have to fill her in later; she couldn't let this moment pass. She quickly dumped a shot of gin and a splash of tonic and tossed a lime on top. It was a little sloppy, but if she was right no one would drink it anyway.
"Ah, Ladies, how are we doing this evening?" asked Freed as he sat on the stool in front of them.
"Great Freed!" Mira said with a huge smile. "I just have to bring this drink out, I'll be right back. Lisanna can grab you something though!" There was no stopping her now, Mira was on a mission.
It had only been a week of knowing she was pregnant and Levy hated it already. It was like an emotional roller coaster, just earlier that day she had cried about a home security commercial. And she was supposed to be the one glowing and smiling but it seemed like Gajeel got all the good sides of her condition. He couldn't wipe the grin off his stupid face; he was going to give them away. That wasn't fair, she should be happy he was happy, just the morning sickness had started, which they really should rename all day sickness. Levy never got a break from the nausea and it was making her cranky.
She was really glad she did come out, it was so nice to see Lisanna and all her friends, but it was only ten o'clock and she was exhausted. She wanted to go home. Gajeel's scotch made her want to vomit, but she knew if he didn't have something everyone would know something was up. Thank goodness she had snuck the saltines in her purse. She was slipping a few out at a time, trying not to be obvious. She was not ready to tell everyone about the baby. So far only Gajeel, Lucy and Cana knew, she wanted to keep it that way, at least until she and Gajeel had a real plan.
"Hey Levy!" Mira's beautiful face smiled down at her, "I brought you a drink! On the house!"
The bar owner plopped a strong smelling clear drink right in front of Levy. For a moment all she could do is stare at her, wide eyed, and try not to vomit. Gajeel sat back in his seat and blew out a sigh, practically admitting that they were caught. Levy wasn't going to give up so easily, "Thank you but I'm not feeling well tonight, so I'm not drinking," Levy tried.
"Oh no!" Mira said with a concerned face. "Is there anything I can get you? Something warm? Like some French onion soup maybe?"
Levy fought back a gag at the thought of onion. Mira could be so cruel. "Oh no, that would be way too heavy, but thank you," Levy attempted, wishing Mira would just go away. If she found out their secret, her joyous celebration would surely give them away.
Mira frowned, but there was a twinkle in her eye, "Of course, of course." Mira was silent for a moment and stared at Levy, her face then became thoughtful. "How about a ginger ale Levy, would you like one?" she asked gently.
"That would be lovely," responded Levy, suddenly horrified as tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. Who cries about ginger ale? Being pregnant was making her a crazy person!
Mira patted her arm and picked up the cocktail. "I'll be right back with it, I'll grab you some pretzels too," she said sweetly.
"Thank you," Levy said, in complete disbelief that Mira wasn't jumping around the bar singing.
When Mira left back towards the bar Gajeel said, "Well that was weird."
"Yea I know," said Levy. "This is probably just a temporary reprieve, but I'll take it. We're going to have to come up with a plan; we aren't going to be able to keep this to ourselves for very long."
Gajeel smiled and put his arm around the back of her chair, "Yea, I guess we can't hide it for long from these nutjobs."
"Sorry Freed, she's a little bit out of sorts today," explained Lisanna, "what can I get for you?"
Freed smiled up at the silver haired girl, thinking how good it was to see her again. He thought for a moment and then asked, "Can I get a scotch neat? Preferably Glenlivet if you have it."
"Ooo fancy man," Lisanna winked and went to get it from the top shelf.
"When you work as much as I do, you might as well drink what you want to drink," he winked.
"How has that been going? Working with Evergreen," Lisanna asked as she poured his drink into a glass and slid it over to him.
"Surprisingly well actually, I'm glad we decided to make this partnership. We've been able to afford a very good administrative assistant by both handling her salary. It really helps me be able to focus on the real work and not get bogged down with answering the phone. And I've found having Ever there as a consult has been invaluable, tax law and estate law overlap often," he looked up at her, "and I have probably already bored you to death here."
"No, of course not Freed," Lisanna smiled and leaned towards him. "Why would that be boring?"
Mira ran up behind her and quickly filled a glass with Ginger ale. "I hope you aren't boring her with your attorney jargon Freed." She teased. Then she winked and stuck her tongue out then was gone in a flash.
Freed gestured with his hands after her, Mira had just given his explanation.
"That's just Mira being silly, I'm sure she doesn't actually mind," laughed Lisanna. "And I'm happy to hear about what you have going on; it's been so long since we were able to catch up."
"Speaking of your sister, we have a problem," said Freed, cutting to the chase. As much as he would enjoy a conversation about his work that didn't involve 'I'm dying of boredom' gestures, he knew his time was limited before Mira returned. "A problem that involves a certain someone who is noticeably absent tonight."
"Yea, where is Laxus? He's always here and the one weekend I'm in town he's nowhere to be found." Lisanna pouted playfully, "Kinda hurts my feelings."
"Surely you know it has nothing to do with you right?" said Freed.
Lisanna tilted her head for a moment, a contemplative look in her eye. "So you do know?" she tested.
Freed laughed lightly, "Of course I know, I know Laxus like the back of my hand, he can't hide anything from me. Although how everyone else has missed it is beyond me, one wouldn't exactly call them discreet."
"I guess people are just used to Laxus not explaining himself and Mira just seems too innocent these days. Easy to forget the girl she once was. Cana knows as well but she's surprisingly good at keeping secrets." Lisanna smiled at the girl who was currently having a chugging contest with a few of the college boys.
"More like good at saving things for blackmail," Freed criticized but smiled fondly.
"What did happen with them anyway? Last time I was here it was like I couldn't get rid of him, he seemed pissed I spent the night. This time he even blew off playing yesterday, it's just weird," Lisanna scrunched up her face in concern.
"I'm not exactly sure but my hunch is that Mira finally put her foot down and stopped the late night rendezvous. Laxus has been in a terrible mood all week and he's suddenly having all the time in the world to hang out at my place," he took a sip of his drink, enjoying the way it burned down his throat and took a moment to make sure that Mira was still out of hearing range. She had delivered the ginger ale but she was currently deep in conversation with Natsu and Lucy. That should give them a little bit more time.
"Well what do you want to do?" asked Lisanna. "I like Laxus, really, he's already like a brother to me, but Mira deserves better than he's been giving. She wants a family, she wants kids, she can't wait forever you know?"
"I will be the first to agree with you that Mira deserves better, but I know that Laxus is capable of it. It's obvious to me that he cares a good deal about her, maybe even loves her, even if he doesn't realize it himself. He just needs some kind of push, some way to discover what he's losing," Freed mused.
Cana hopped on the bar between them, "You should make the bastard jealous. That always works for me." She stole a sip of Freed's drink.
"Cana!" Lisanna scolded.
"What? I needed something to chase down the piss water all those little boys were drinking. All they wanted was light beer the princesses," Cana sneered in their direction. When one of them looked back at her, she quickly changed face and blew them a kiss.
"I will get you a new one, just give me a second," Lisanna reached for his glass.
Freed put a hand on hers to stop her, "Don't worry, I've been drinking here long enough to be used to it by now," he gave her a wink. "So Cana, how exactly do you suggest we make Laxus jealous?"
"Duh, set Mira up on a date; make sure Laxus sees them together." She hopped back over the bar so that she was next to Lisanna, she pulled Lisanna close. "Mira, how did I ever let you go? Seeing you with him just made me so angry, I'll do whatever you want just give me one more chance," she said in her best Laxus impression. She gave Lisanna a firm kiss and pushed her away. Turning to Freed she said, "Kiss, make up, everyone is hunky dory."
Lisanna put her hand to her mouth shocked, "Cana!"
Freed looked pensive, completely unaffected by Cana's bizarre behavior, "Yes, but how do we know that will work? What if Laxus just withdraws more into himself? What if Mira falls for the guy we set her up with?"
"If Laxus can't man up then he doesn't get Mira, seems pretty straight forward to me. For the first one we could just set her up with a dud, that way no risk of starting a love triangle. It will be her first date in like two years so I doubt she's gonna fall head over heels for the first one anyway," Cana said.
"The first one?" asked Lisanna.
"Well if Laxus doesn't take the bait, Mira should be able to be with someone good. That's my girl over there, she deserves the best." Cana said.
"And where do we find a 'dud', as you put it," asked Freed, taking a sip of his drink.
"Oh, I've got the perfect guy; he's a real piece of work," she helped herself to a mug of a dark ale from the tap in front of her.
Mira finally made it back from her adventure throughout the bar, "So Freed, are you keeping my sister good company?" she asked with a smile.
Cana slung an arm over her shoulder, "Hey Mira, have I ever told you about my friend Azuma?"
Natsu was overwhelmed with excitement, he had worked really hard on his house the last month and Lucy was finally going to see it. He hoped she liked it, it was his house but he knew all the repairs were basically for her. If he had never started dating her, it would still be exactly the same. Futon, unfinished spare bedroom, doorless cabinets; none of that had bothered him in the past.
When they pulled into his drive, he heard her sigh happily, "It's so pretty here, you don't bring me enough." His heart practically burst at her comment, Mavis he loved her so much.
"Well then I guess we should start coming more often," he said, sneaking a glance at her smiling face.
"I need to get a car I think, then you wouldn't have to come pick me up to get me over here," said Lucy. Natsu frowned for a moment; he liked driving Lucy everywhere, it gave him excuses to spend more time with her. It did lead to them spending a lot of time at her apartment though, he also hated when he was stuck at work and couldn't help her get somewhere. Maybe a car wouldn't be so bad; he would have to look into it. He got an image in his head of coming home to Lucy in his house. Yea, a car might be a great thing.
He parked in front of the tiny cottage and practically ran towards the front door. Lucy followed after him grinning, "whats got you so bouncy?" She stood next to him her face tilted, smile bright.
He gave her a quick kiss and threw open the door, "I've made some changes since the last time you were here, but now I really need your help."
Lucy walked in, "You need my help?" Natsu had finished the cabinets in the kitchen and repaired all the walls. He was able to put in a whole new floor, thanks to leftovers from Jenny's indecision on that job in December, and the spare bedroom had all new drywall. The house had a bright, clean, unfinished look to it now.
"Wow Natsu! How did you get all this done?" Lucy wandered from room to room, mouth agape. This time he didn't mind when she went into his bedroom. He had a real bed, with a bedframe and end table that he had made a while ago. Finally the house didn't look like a college apartment.
"Well Gray helped me some," Natsu admitted.
"And you guys managed to not punch any holes in the wall?" Lucy teased.
"Hey, I'll have you know we're professionals, we know how to take it outside," Natsu defended himself, grinning at Lucy's laugh. "I need to repaint everything, but I can't decide on colors, I was hoping maybe you could help?"
Lucy looked at him, surprise evident on her face, "You're going to let me pick the colors?"
Natsu had considered painting it himself but for some reason there was a part of him that wanted to make this theirs and not just his. He scratched the back of his head, feeling a little bit nervous, "Well yea, I'm not really that much of a decorator. Your house looks so nice . . ."
Lucy smiled big and threw herself in his arms, "I'd love too! That will be so much fun!"
Natsu hugged her tightly and smelled her hair, giving himself a moment to just enjoy the feel of her in his arms. Then he pulled back and grinned down at her, "Great! Let's go buy some paint!"
Jellal took a deep breath and knocked on the familiar door, hoping his nerves weren't showing on his face. It had been such a long time since he had been back here, nearly four years, and his last visit had not been pleasant. He couldn't afford to be a coward though, this would be important to Erza, and if all went well, he would be coming here often. It was time to rip off the Band-Aid.
The door opened and Makarov stood there staring at him with a serious look on his face. Then his lips curled up into a smile that reached his eyes. He stuck out his hand, "It's been too long Jellal, so good to see you."
Jellal felt his entire body relax in relief at the small older man's greeting. He took his hand and smiled back, "It's good to see you too sir."
Makarov turned and beckoned Jellal to follow him, "Come on in, I was just about to have a pipe on the back porch. Can I getcha something to drink?"
"Uh, no, thank you," Jellal followed the man in and a wave of nostalgia hit. How many times had he picked Erza up here? How many nights of hanging out with her in the back or sneaking into her room? There were photos everywhere of Makarov's adopted children and all the kids in the neighborhood. He found pictures of a younger Erza in a Kendo tournament, holding Gray and Natsu in a chokehold, with Cana on a beach, at Laxus' graduation, in her prom dress standing next to him. Her young happy face made him smile.
When he was younger he never understood exactly how huge it had been for Erza to find a place here, to find family here. The old man was the only real parent she had ever known, her parents had died when she was so young and she had bounced from foster to foster, never finding permanence. Jellal couldn't appreciate that, with doting parents he left them easily, ready to be free of their interference. He wished he could have appreciated that back when Makarov had been sick, that he had found some way to compromise. So many years wasted without her.
"So how have you been doing these days?" he asked as they walked out the back door.
Makarov pulled himself into his favorite chair and began stuffing his pipe. "Oh, I can't complain. Times are good and the old ticker hasn't been giving me any trouble." The old man chuckled and lit the pipe with a match, sucking in to pull the flame into the tobacco. He blew out a puff of smoke and looked pensive. "How have you been doing? Heard you had that injury."
"Yes, I shattered my left leg. It's doing much better now, doesn't bother me all that often anymore. Unfortunately it will never work quite the same so I guess I won't be going after any track records any time soon," Jellal smiled.
Makarov laughed good-naturedly, "Yea, I don't think I'll be doing that any time soon either." He pulled in another puff of his pipe and let the smoke slowly drift out of his mouth. "And what are your plans now? Since I'm assuming the military career is over."
"I've been going back to school to become a PA, I hope to work with Orthopedic Surgery when I'm done." Jellal answered.
"Hmmm, that's good, stable. What made you choose that?" asked Makarov.
"I just found it interesting when they were putting my leg back together and the Ortho office has been a huge part of my recovery. Just seemed like a logical place to go," Jellal explained, trying to think of a way to bring up what he had come to say.
Then, not wasting any time, Makarov gave him his opening, "Look son, I don't want to rush you or anything, but is there a reason you wanted to meet me today. As much as I love catching up with you after all this time, I get the feeling you didn't come here to watch me smoke a pipe in the backyard," Makarov winked and sat back in his chair, taking another puff of the wooden pipe.
Jellal blew out a breath and sat up straighter, "Yes sir, I have a very important thing to ask of you."
"And what would that be?" asked Makarov crossing his arms over his chest.
"Sir, I'd like your permission to ask Erza to marry me," Jellal said, doing everything in his power to not show his nerves. If Makarov refused him, he had no back up plan and he knew this would be something that would be important to Erza. His future lay in the small old man's hands.
Makarov stared at him for a moment, but he couldn't hide the twinkle of amusement in his eye as he watched Jellal attempt to put on a brave front. A slow wide grin spread on his face, "Well it's about damn time!" he exclaimed.
Happy relief settled over Jellal as he grinned back, "So I'll take that as a yes?"
Makarov laughed and set his pipe down on the table and hopped to his feet, "Yes, yes! Of course! This is wonderful news! Come on, let's go back in. This occasion deserves a celebratory drink!" Jellal smiled and followed him into the house, enjoying the tiny man's excitement. Part one complete, now just to come up with a proposal worthy of Erza.