Epilogue
Makarov leaned back against his seat and took a satisfied sip from his tankard. He studied the room around him, fondly watching each of his children as they played on Christmas Day. Food and drink overflowed on every surface and protective runes were activated around the tree, making it so even his most destructive children couldn't ruin the favored holiday. Makarov nodded with satisfaction and crossed one ankle over the other.
He had been worried over the past few months, but the bonds of magic and family remained strong and thick between his children. Smiles were abundant and laughter aplenty, even if some of the smiles seemed to waver whenever one of his children caught a glance of their newest Dragon Slayer. Makarov shook his head with a soft chuckle.
It was comical, really, seeing the other children's reactions towards the two sudden lovebirds. Poor Jet and Droy resigned themselves to the nearest corner and burst into tears anytime they glanced across the room. Others tried to protest the newest relationship, but a quick rap on the head from Erza or a glare from Levy herself quickly shut down any arguments they had. The Solid Script mage glued herself to Gajeel's side and hadn't budged an inch throughout the entire day.
"Not that he seems to mind," Makarov smiled into his tankard.
From his vantage point, the boy had yet to move his arms from Levy's waist and seemed to have no inclination of letting her out of his hold any time soon. Between the boy's content smile and the way Levy protectively brushed her fingers through his hair, Makarov was confident he no longer had to worry about their newest member.
"What are you thinking about?" a soft voice called over his shoulder.
Makarov took a swig from his tankard. "Only that it's my duty to guide lost young men back onto the right path."
The pale image of a young girl shifted and sat on the countertop behind him. She giggled into her hand, her long hair flowing softly over her shoulder.
"It seems you have succeeded, then. Your tactic worked exactly as you had planned."
Makarov's booming laughter filled the guild hall. He raised his tankard in a toast, his children all following suit. The hall filled with light and laughter, warming his heart clear down to his toes.
"Of course it worked! All these brats needed this Christmas was some sugar, spice, and a few sugarplum fairies!"
Thank you for reading my story! Fun fact: a few years ago, my husband gifted me an 1876 version of The Nutcracker and the Rat King. It was the inspiration for this story and I had so much fun writing it :D
If you're looking for more stories to read, please check out my story Through Deep Waters...after almost a full year hiatus, I finally finished it!
Well, gotta go! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmastime with your families and have a Happy New Year!