My fingers are so cold, they don't want to type... ':D
If you haven't noticed yet, we have a new cover for the story and it's so far beyond gorgeous that I, a writer, is struggling for words. Thank you again so much Mitzy! I'm still blown away by it!
Mikasa-Chan, thank you so much for your review! Yes, she'll definitely be the babysitter, that is, if either of the baby's parents were to let it out of their sight for even a second xD We'll see, but I can already picture what you said. About your Ultear idea, it stuck me like lightning because it was the inspiration I needed to a similar idea to what you had in mind, thank you! And I'm glad you liked Natsu's line :D Have a good weekend!
Guest, thank you for your review! And also for mentioning Natsu's comment - it's always a big question mark for me whether I'm overdoing it, if the humour reaches you and is in character etc. Very glad to know what you liked!
Mitzy123, thank you so much for your review and again so many more times for your amazing art! Haha, it's good to know Meredy relieves the fangirl vibes by supporting them so openly :D I have found my motivation indeed and you've played such a huge part of it!
Wendy Marvel, your reviews get longer and longer and my eyes sparkle more and more, thank you so much! I love how you preach for the baby to be the 'most beautifullest' while never being able to actually 'see' it xD I'm so glad you mentioned Jellal's ridiculous comment; very glad to know you liked it! (He either had a lecture coming his way or some suggestive invitation ':D) I'll try my very best not to leave you hanging! Thank you again so much for all the motivation you give me!
(And I bet I'm making a ton of grammar mistakes, too ;))
Somnolent Sushi Roll, ha! It was you! (proceeds to be proud of self) This one's more fluffy and not so intense, don't worry :D Oh, and thank you so much for your review! Makes me really happy how many of you appreciate the Jello and Meredy friendship and her reaction - and now you with how she reassured him discussed clothing xD Always wondering whether it's too much in the spotlight but you reassure me there! 'a fellow fangirl spotted' and 'le representation' are definitely my favs in your review xD And yes, said leader is exasperated to the point of being called pregnant xD
foxydame, thank you so much for such a looong review! Makes me so happy! Thank you for commenting on my starting the chapter ( I have the feeling every chapter/time skip starts with conversation ':D)! Yeah, wedding attire, otherwise he could take Erza ;) 'damn right it is' xDxD Good point about Natsu and the egg perspective - I already have a comment of his ready for then... (sly smirk) I'm still laughing at you scolding Gajeel, no matter how many times I read it xD Thank you so much for the praise on Mira! It was a lot of fun to write her as the 'predator' and I'm more than happy to know it was in character!
Also, I received your previous review twice again and I'm not complaining :D
Frangellica, thank you so much for your review! I laughed in return about your snort there, thanks for letting me know! Made my day! Your comment was very valuable about him going deaf from the squeals; I have the perfect opportunity to use it in conversation, thanks for the inspiration! Best chapter? Thank you! I certainly wasn't expecting that! I have been asked about Grand Magic Games before but haven't yet had the courage to properly think about it with so many characters and (shudders) action scenes... then again, that would be in summer anyway and its winter in the story now so there's still time to consider! Wishing you a nice holiday!
Guest, lured in by Mitzy, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a long and kind review! I was and still am a little gobsmacked by how you say you came across the story due to the post of Mitzy and are now at 105 if I'm not wrong... I mean... do you know how many regular-length books that are? Like... (calculates, is really bad at it) the Order of the Phoenix and Philosopher's stone in one go! I'm so giddy with happiness by the way you wrote your review; I'm really grateful to know what you liked and that you're liking it! It's always so heart-warming to get reviews and then those of the usually quiet people often knock it out of the park - which you definitely did! I'm smiling from ear to ear! 'spoil Erza to death' yeah, he kiinda does xD Thank you for mentioning so many things! It really motivated me a lot and boosts my confidence, not only in writing! I'm more than happy that you're liking the story, Meredy's role, Crime Sorcière's appearances, Laxus' interactions and Jellal's as well as Jerza's character arc; it always makes me very proud to hear someone talk about character and story development, meaning I'm doing a good job here:)
Wishing you all the best and lots of inspiration for your writing! Thank you again for such a wonderful review!
Ah, this is without a doubt the best part of my day; (re)reading all of your reviews - it's really worth more than you can imagine to have this constant and detailed feedback and it really inspires me and gives me confidence! And happiness! Since I've been getting all of your reviews, I've truly realised how much they mean to an author, bringing me to almost always post a review to stories, too!
Without further swooning on my part... enjoy!
The office was warm, even warmer than the crowded guild hall. Appropriate for old bones. The noise was muffled by the thick door, a serene silence stretching across the room after the lock clicked shut behind them.
"Master," Erza raised her voice. They had knocked, several times, but with the commotion going on outside, he had not heard. His ears were not the best anymore – it were the ears of a ninety-year-old after all. His head rose from his desk, the quill in his hand stilling. Knobbly hands gripped the wheels of his chair, working to turn around. His lips were dry, easing into a gentle smile upon meeting her gaze. It stirred her insides and she felt herself smile back just as broadly.
"Erza," he greeted, then nodded to her beloved, "what can I do for you?" He asked. She could see the request on his desk – the mission on Mount Hakobe. She still had to cancel that. Or did she? She did, she decided, almost shaking her head at herself. No hazardous missions, no matter how much she wanted to keep her word or how seldom she got seriously injured. It would not be worth the risk.
Somehow, she did not feel as bad as she thought she would have with turning down the job. Mostly due to that calm, lenient look the Master gave her. He had not even mentioned it, apparently feeling that their visit was owed to something else. And his perception was spot-on as usual.
Erza opened her mouth, then closed it again, turning to her beloved. He had wanted to ask; he had told her so.
"And what if he says 'no'?"
"Then I'll have a new reason to feel guilty," he had grinned at her in that sheepish, socially awkward way of his. But she had smiled, understanding the implication of another opinion on their engagement not changing his mind.
"Uhm," Jellal now stuttered, his breath a little shaky. She was about to reach for his hand when she remembered the ring, rather keeping it behind her back. He stepped forward, eyes glued to the floor. "I was- we…" he inhaled deeply, raising his head to meet the Master's puzzled gaze. Another gulp, then his voice steadied to an extent where it almost sounded normal. "I know I've been asking a lot of favours, and I know I've already stretched my limit considerably – and your patience," he managed in one before the light quiver of his hands returned.
Shaking his head, the Master was about to negate when Jellal continued.
"I know what you want to say but that won't change my mind. I am indebted to you more than I could ever repay," he said, this time clearly. He was serious about it and her heart skipped a beat when that same decisive steadiness remained. "There's one more thing where my mind won't be changed but… I would very much like to ask you anyway," he glanced at the Master with his head respectfully bowed.
The latter nodded, watching how the Heavenly Body Mage then turned to his beloved, gathering her hand in his.
"Now this might come as a surprise to you but I love this woman," he declared and she almost snorted with laughter. Grinning delightedly, Erza threw him a look which he returned with a boyish spark in his eyes. Makarov raised a brow, amusement twinkling where confusion had been a moment ago.
Taking another inhale, Jellal held her eyes, deeply gazing into them as if there was not a soul on earth besides theirs.
"I have always loved her; ever since those miserable days of slavery where she made the world bright with hope. When she guided me through the darkness of a lost memory, bestowing upon me my will to live through the lonely years and into the light I have finally found my way to.
"I owe her everything and I'm more than ready to prove to her that I love her with all my heart, and that I will treasure her for the rest of my life," he tightened his grasp and she returned the squeeze. It felt so strange yet to right to have the thin metal pressed between them; to feel the material testimony of their love on her finger.
Lost in his gaze, it took her a moment to realise where she was, his words already having rung the mental bells of a wedding in her head.
"Nothing will keep me from her anymore, but I value your opinion and so I wanted to ask you, Master," Jellal smiled at her before he turned, "for your bless-… uh," he blinked to himself, making her attention shift as well.
Makarov was crying madly.
"Uhm, Master?" Jellal asked, slightly concerned. Another smile stretched across Erza's lips as she watched the unsteady chin of her father figure, her own not too far behind. With tears and snot thickly running down his face, he sniffled loudly, his lips wobbling into a smile. He nodded for them to go on, another snuffle disrupting before Jellal finally spoke again. He was wearing a smile again, too, relieved once understanding the sentiment.
He cleared his throat.
"For the fulfilment of my dreams,"
"Our dreams," she corrected, giving another tug on his hand his smile widened at.
"Our dreams," he agreed, "I would like to ask you for your blessing," he finalised. Still blubbering with tears and violent sniffles, Makarov somewhat wailed his approval, outstretching his arms. Exchanging a glance, Erza and Jellal stepped forward, kneeling on either side of the wheelchair to be received by happily trembling arms. Jellal chocked a little at the unexpected force the Master embraced them with, squishing them into him.
With her own tears standing on the brink of release, Erza closed her eyes, allowing the gladness to dampen her cheek below her left eye. Warmth spread through her anew, and she could hear the excited pumping of Makarov's strong heart with her ear pressed to him.
Opening the other eye, she caught the non-smothered one of her fiancé, his smile radiating at her, the hint of a tear brimming in his eye just the same.
"Please don't worry about it," Erza said as she regarded the self-made voucher for a spa day, "it's lovely," she smiled at Meredy who seemed not too confident with her gift. Especially in comparison to the one she had received, now the proud if not slightly guilty owner of a dresser, equipped with a handful of Heart Kreuz' most exclusive articles of clothing. Amongst them a custom-made design, one that Meredy had always been so taken with upon being lend said shirt, so Erza had decided to pass it on.
"But it's… nothing," Meredy shrugged. She wiggled with her hands beneath the kitchen table.
"It's not nothing; you know how much that trip with the girls was worth to me," Erza sternly reminded, then adapted her honest smile again. "And I know I can hardly ask you for more than you already do. You really do him good, sometimes more than I could," she sighed.
"I've babysitted him for quite a while already, this is nothing I can't handle," Meredy grinned, grateful for the opportunity of repaying the S-Class Mage in kind. "But is it really okay for me to take everything over like that? I mean, it's your wedding," she switched back to their previous topic.
Erza kept her smile, giving a nod.
"Of course. He has a point; we need to hurry as much as we can if we don't want to raise any suspicions," Erza reminded. "We'd be really thankful if you helped with the planning,"
"I'd love to, really," Meredy beamed. "I was going to ask Bisca for her wedding checklist so I won't forget anything- oh, and I already took care of the job – Gray said he'd do it next week,"
"Perfect," Erza's shoulders sank in relief. She harked when the front door opened, Jellal returning from his trip to town. To the library, she now saw, peering into the hall to find him carrying a stack of books so big, it towered over his head.
"Oh, I gotta get going," Meredy rose from her seat after a glance at her lacrima. Emptying her cup, she put it into the sink. "I'm off for today," she told Jellal through the ajar bedroom door, receiving a grunt of understanding. "See ya!" She waved at Erza, hustling out the door with her scarf still in her hands and her coat not yet closed. She really was saving them a lot of work, and although the rush was a little sad when wedding preparations were such a wonderful thing to be occupied with, Erza was glad not to be bothered with every detail of it. She already felt as if the tiny life inside her was benefitting from her decreased stress. And that was by far the most important thing right now. Strolling into the bedroom, she leaned against the doorframe. Jellal was collecting what he had dropped, piling up book after book in the corner, adding more stacks from the full bags he had apparently brought as well.
A smile spread across her lips as she watched him. Him. Hers. Her Jellal. Her fiancé. No lies, no made-up persona, no prison sentence and no pretence. They were tying the knot. He was staying with her and for good.
He winced when her hands came down on his shoulders. Then he relaxed, returning to the present, reaching up with his own hand to cover hers.
"So…" Erza trailed her palms down his chest, "now that Meredy's out of the house…"
"Oh, oh…" he shuddered and she opened her mouth in offended protest when he threw her a grin. She prodded his cheek, only making him grin wider. "But honestly, are you sure that's a good idea?" He rose to his feet, never letting go of her hand. "And shouldn't you be resting anyway?" His voice picked up concern so she shook her head.
"I'm fine," she assured. "Besides, Porlyusica said it's safe; remember I asked," Erza lowered her lids, using the hand he still held to his chest to gently but insistently shove him back towards the bed.
"Oh, I remember alright. Only the most embarrassing moment in my life," he grimaced in recollection. She tilted her head, feigning innocence.
"The most embarrassing?" She gave a push but he refused to falter and collapse so she advanced until their hands were squished between their chests.
"Second to none," he nodded matter-of-factly, a blush from being reminded lightly tinting his cheeks. Her eyebrow twitched, a smirk following right after.
"Not even losing due to excessive laughing during the Grand Magic Games?" She teased. He pursed his lips.
"Hey, I was systematically weeding out that memory," he complained. Using that opening of confusion, Erza gained control as she knocked off his ankle in a deadly-precise strike of her foot. Landing where she wanted to, her smirk faltered within the next split of a second. Because he still held her hand, both of his having grasped either of hers in their fall, pinning them down on the mattress, putting them both into check.
Erza stared at him with wide eyes, arms unsteady where he kept them far apart, making her hover closely above him – damn those arms for being longer than hers! At the same time, she could feel the muscles of his thighs testing the waters by tensing, prompting her to tighten her own where she straddled him.
"You're getting better," she praised in a carefully witty tone. Of course, it was more fun to have a worthy opponent but she still wanted to get her way and with him reading her so easily, she saw her chances dwindling.
With the same stubborn smirk of unadmitted defeat, he returned her fiery gaze.
"I've learned from the best," he smiled a played sweetness. "By now, I've come to gather that the rule of this house is 'survival of the fittest'," he said, making her laugh. She choked on it when he widened his arms, pulling her with them, causing her to shake slightly where she tried to stay balanced atop him. Their noses brushed, breaths colliding as much as their intensifying gazes did. "And you, my dear, have been eating too many treats to win this round,"
"Sugar gives you energy," she shot back, glaring back at his triumph with defiance.
Their lips clashed almost violently. Hands released, they flew to his face, cupping it, pulling on it, melting it with hers. His own were already on her waist, sliding southward, and she tightened her legs even more to entice that groan she had been waiting to hear. In a flash, he had reached the zipper of her skirt, the metal running down as the sun dipped the room into deep scarlet hues where it sunk into the horizon.
Sweat glistened on their skin. The approaching night veiled them into darkness, and the streets quieted more and more. She was still panting when he raised his voice again, his own breathing by far not as strained.
"I'm sorry," he muttered.
"It's okay," Erza smiled through her tone, eyes remaining closed.
"I just…" he sighed through his nose, "I just didn't feel it to be safe, I don't know, I really don't feel sure about not doing any harm…" he went on, fingers fidgeting with the crumpled sheets at his side.
"I told you it's fine," she repeated, turning onto her side. "You didn't leave me hanging after all," her gaze wandered along his body, "rather yourself," she noted. Answering with a vague hum, Jellal avoided meeting her eyes. He was not too bothered, it seemed, his worries overruling any frustration he might have felt. His brows furrowed at his own thoughts, about to drift into dangerous territory when there was a nudge to his shoulder.
"Psst," Erza hissed in the least unsuspicious way. Peeking at her, he found a huge grin spread across her face, the hand with the ring slowly shoving up into his field of view. Her grin only grew and it softened him, a smile of his own gracing his lips. Then his eyes widened slightly.
"We're going to need rings," he realised, blinking at the single engagement ring she was already back to doting about. Lifting her sparkling gaze, she tilted her head at him.
"Don't you already have them?" She asked, receiving a fit of dry laughter.
"Of course not, do you know what that thing cost?" He grinned sheepishly.
"Right…" she faded out, sinking a little into herself.
"Hey," it was his turn to poke her and she shrieked when his choice had been her conveniently exposed and very ticklish rib. "We'll carry it off," he smiled soothingly, "the Council pays well," he said and she eased back into the mattress. Once again, her eyes focused on the in the half dark mildly twinkling stone on her ring, the rest of her fingers constantly having to touch and feel it.
"Jellal?" Erza's voice was still small.
"Mhm," he watched her infatuation with a gentle smile.
"Can we pay off the house as soon as possible? I don't want to be indebted when… our family grows," big brown orbs stared back at him, pure and almost luminous with that somehow still unshattered love for the world, its wonders and its goodness, even with everything they had seen and witnessed. He supressed a gulp, melting his features into tenderness again.
"You're not," he lured out a frown, "I am," he clarified. She only huffed.
"You know we're one and the same now," she thrust the ringed finger back into his face and he raised a brow at the phrasing she must have noticed to be awkward. Not that it made her take it back. The perfect opportunity for another tease.
"So when I have to pee, you have to pee?" He killed all seriousness, watching her pout grow and then disappear as she adapted his lightened mood.
"I constantly have to these days," she shrugged and he chuckled. Silence engulfed them. The fresh snow had stopped falling a while ago but the cold still clasped any unheated centimetre of the house, the hall and the kitchen requiring slippers or at least a pair of fluffy socks.
Erza was busy with the treasure on her left hand again, and it was not long until she resumed nudging him again, excitedly grinning and even wiggling this time.
"Look," she drawled in what was meant as a whisper, displaying what he had already seen, not least since he had bought it himself. She did not seem to notice. Instead, she shuffled closer, taking his arm into custody with her own, making sure to stick her finger into both of their faces time and again. "I'm engaged," she cheered, "I'm engaged to you," she beamed up at him. "I'm engaged to Jellal," she repeated to herself, almost urgently, a tiny squeal escaping her. "Can you believe it?" She fluttered her lashes at him in rapid succession, her fifth finger perpetually bent to tap the titanium ring.
With a warm smile, he heaved himself onto his side, wrapping her into his embrace of all four limbs. Digging beneath his arms, she hugged him back with vigour, though it did not stop the overall wiggle of her body.
"We're engaged," she went on. "In a month or so, we'll be husband and wife. I'll be a wife," she squeaked again. "I'll be your wife," she squished him, momentarily robbing him of his breath and maybe on the verge of cracking a rib. "I'll get to wear a white dress and we'll stand in front of the altar," she raved on, stopping only when he stiffened slightly.
"About that…" Jellal uncomfortably interfered. Retreating without letting go, Erza scooted backwards to meet his apologetically shimmering eyes. "Do we have to follow the entire protocol? Like the," he averted his gaze, "the vows and all…?" He asked, feeling like a hypocrite would it not have been for her strong hold, not lessening for a second. "I…" he forced himself to go on, "don't want to say it in front of all those people," he finally confessed.
"That's okay, you don't have to," Erza calmly appeased. She leaned in to place a kiss on his lips, earning his gaze back on hers. "You kind of already said it in Master's office," she smiled at the memory and he blushed lightly, though her smile was contagious, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards.
"But that was spontaneous and private," he argued, being granted another peck.
"As I said, we don't have to do it during the ceremony – or at all. It's our wedding; we can do it however we want to," she kissed him again, this time being met with a response. It lured out a small moan and she gladly let out another when he deeply kissed her back, then again and again.
Feeling the metal of the ring in his back, her words ringing in his head, Jellal became as consumed as her by the overwhelming joy of their situation. They really were engaged. She really was his and he hers. They really were going to be husband and wife – something he had never, not even in his wildest and most unrealistic dream scenarios dared to think of. And now it was true. It was nearing by the day, closer and closer where, all of a sudden, it was already within reach.
Erza moaned wholeheartedly when his lips devoured hers, suckling and savouring with every kiss he showered her with. Her nails drilled into his back, one hand raking on his hair, unable but still trying to get him even closer. Rolling over, he towered her without breaking contact of their lips. His hand stroked down the supple skin of her leg, and she instantly followed the gesture, hooking it onto his hip of her own accord.
With bliss thickly clouding his mind, all he could think of was the word silk, the advertisement of 'velvet' on her body lotion finally making sense to him. Because she was the very embodiment of that, every millimetre of hot skin seemingly flowing beneath his reverent fingers like soft ripples on a sun-dappled pond. And she was his. And she would always be his, he realised while his tongue danced with hers, bodies merging in the fire of unquenchable love.