This and Burning are my two top priorities at the moment.

I am very determined to finish this story, btw.

I'm kind of the 'go-with-the-flow' type of author, meaning that I get a basic idea of where the story is heading, and just... write. No overthinking, no planning.

I just think that stuff is useless.

Writing is an art, and I prefer to do it as completely free handed as possible :D

Although, planning does come in handy sometimes, usually for fight scenes.

Also, special thanks to Tanzaniteblue for being my 100th reviewer!

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The wedding was set.

July first was the date, and Lucy felt a little satisfied that it was her birthday as well.

Lucy sat in her favorite red chair once more, looking outside into the sunny day. She absent-mindedly fingered her ring, the smooth gold cold against her skin.

Lucy closed her eyes and leaned back.

So many things had happened.

She and the castle were frantic as they planned the wedding, and after some whining and begging from Natsu, she let him take charge of the food selection.

Her dress was being planned out and getting ready to be sewn by Evergreen, but the most scariest being was perhaps Levy. The petite girl was definitely at the top of the food chain, being a professional wedding planner and barking orders out every two seconds.

Lucy smiled softly to herself. She had no regrets doing this. Wendy's bills were fully paid, her farm was checked up on every day by two nice men named Jet and Droy to see how it was doing. Lucy often went with them, remembering the many memories she had.

Slowly but surely, Wendy was also recovering, although it would be a few months before she could even go outside.

And Lucy had no complaints. Natsu was her best friend, and although he irritated her at times, she could never forget how many times he's comforted her.

"Lucy-san?"

Lucy jolted in her seat, her eyes widening slightly in shock as Igneel came in, softly closing the door behind him.

"I-Igneel-sama," she stuttered nervously.

He laughed and pulled up another cushioned seat about two feet away from her. "Please, you're going to be my daughter soon, Lucy-san. Just Igneel is fine."

She hesitantly smiled. "Then... Lucy. Just Lucy, please."

"Alright," he chuckled, and Lucy felt herself start to relax.

"You must be wondering why I came so suddenly," he started. "Well, I was going to save this until your birthday, but I am an impatient man, so here you go."

Lucy gasped softly as his hand reached out, holding something in his hand. It was a sleek, soft pink phone, and Lucy's hand was trembling slightly as she took it.

"I... I can't express my thanks in words," she whispered. The metal was cool and smooth under her skin, and how good it felt. Never in her life had she had a phone, and to finally get one was a blessing.

"Now, Natsu was going to surprise with his own gift, but after I gave him a lesson," Igneel paused to chuckle darkly, causing Lucy to sweatdrop. "He agreed to let me reveal it."

Lucy's hand gripped on her new phone. What now? This family was too much! How would she ever repay them?

"Lucy-san, how would you and your sister like to attend school?"

Lucy was frozen.

School?

As in, education? Wendy could finally get proper teachings, and have a secured future?

"I..." She whispered, and tears started to drip down. But this time, it was of happiness. She laughed shakily and pressed the palms of her hands to her eyes. It seemed like she was crying a lot recently. "I can never repay you, can I?"

Igneel's soft laughter made her own watery chuckle escape her lips. "My dear child, this is all for you and your sister. There is nothing to be repaid." He stood and smiled at her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Lucy-san, I have to pay some bills from when my idiot son destroyed some things at school last year."

And with that, he was gone.

Luvy breathed out slowly and laughed to herself. She raised her hand and stared at the glittering ring once more.

Why was he so stupid yet endearing at the same time?

"Idiot..." She whispered.

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Lucy was more than excited when Evergreen invited her to her office, the final plans for her dress finished.

"Oh, it's going to be gorgeous," Lucy gasped in delight, her eyes hungrily feeding on the design on Evergreen's pink-papered sketchbook.

It was a strapless dress that had a flowing, layered skirt that brushed the floor. Small frills of lace kissed the top, and a golden ribbon was tied just below the bustline. Pearls dotted the skirt, and soft, pink roses made from silk would be attached to the left side of her hip.

"Levy mentioned the theme would be yellow and pink." Evergreen said, satisfied with Lucy's reaction. "I thought the ribbon and roses could represent that."

"It's absolutely beautiful," Lucy said enthusiastically.

The blond couldn't believe it.

Only five more weeks until the wedding.

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"Oi, Lucy."

Lucy looked up from the book she was reading to see Gray. She smiled and set down the hard covered book.

"Yes?"

"Can you come with me? Juvia and I've been planning the cake and stuff, so we need you to check it out."

"Oh, right." Lucy said, standing and starting to follow him to the kitchen. "But I though Natsu was in charge of food."

Gray snorted and Lucy wasn't surprised as there was a rustle of clothes and suddenly he had no shirt on. "You kiddin'? The fucktard can choose the food, but he can cook as much as I like to shove carrots up my ass. Almost burned down the kitchen once when he tried."

Juvia was waiting for them in the kitchen, swooning and nearly fainting after she caught sight of Gray and his abs.

Oblivious to her actions, Gray pulled put a large pad of yellow paper and presented Lucy the whole thing.

It was amazing.

Multiple sketches were drawn of towering cakes, some x'ed out while others were circled.

Arrows and scribbles of notes were at the side, some of them saying things like 'italian merengue buttercream' or 'simple syrup x52'.

Lucy smiled gently and brushed her hand across the smooth paper, taking care not to wrinkle it.

She was excited.

Yes, she was excited to get married.

Lucy hummed and closed her eyes.

Two more weeks until the wedding.

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Ermagurd I'm sorry this was late

But Rose had school, which was biting her in the ass

:O

Also, I apologize since there was absolutely no Natsu interaction in this chapter, but trust me, there'll be lots of my close NaLu moments in future chapters.

Please review!