I'm so glad I suffered through the week due to depriving myself of the last reviews... made my day just now and motivates me!

Mikasa-Chan, thank you so much for your review! Loved how you suddenly switched to capitals xD really makes me proud to be stirring such strong emotions with my writing! I'm very happy to have 'met' you this way, too! I'm blessed with the inspiration you grant me!

Cheesy Delphox, don't worry and thank you for your review! Thanks for also mentioning the fluff etc.; I'm always glad you guys feel the same as me when it comes to needing some fluff in between story xD

Mitzy123, fingers are still cold but heart is melted now, thank you so much! Is it mean of me to say that I'm happy I made you cry... ':D ?

pilikali, please don't worry about it and thank you so much for reviewing! Wedding you shall have and as for whether you'll be right or wrong about the baby's gender... we'll have to see... :D

Wendy Marvel, don't worry and thanks for reviewing despite the browser issue. I use Chrome, too, so I know that it's quite exhausting for Windows to handle as it uses a lot of RAM (short-term memory), so if the problem keeps reoccurring, it might be an idea to switch browsers or clear the search history (otherwise you can check the task manager should you be using a Windows pc by pressing contrl-shift-esc to see what is using a lot of RAM but I'm digressing).

foxydame, thank you soo so much for such a long and lovely review! 'It was so "Jellal"' really makes me smile; I know exactly what you mean and I take pride in that statement because it's proof you find him to be in character, thank you so much! And strawberry cake; thanks for the reminder :D About the books, you're really close xD and I'm so happy you mentioned the clearing out of memories, I was rather content with that :p You're very welcome and I'm more than happy to write for you!

I feel like I should be saying something intelligent here...

"That reminds me, have you thought about inviting them?"

"The Council?" Jellal pulled a face. "I did think about inviting Jura at least but I don't think that would be very… polite, and I really doubt the others to be suited for a room of mostly members of Fairy Tail," he scratched his nape.

"True," Erza nodded, "we wouldn't want to render all of your hard work void," she stretched her neck to peck his cheek. "Or risk losing home office," she pointed out and he nodded briskly. "What about your co-worker?"

"Ambrose?" Jellal pondered on the idea. He felt his fiancée's smile in the crook of his neck where she would not let go of him, knowing her to be enjoying the random patterns he drew on the exposed small of her back. "I don't really know him well enough; I've only met him once and I haven't yet assessed his capacity of handling Fairy Tail," he explained, making her giggle. "I wonder what happened to the pigeon…" he mumbled aloud when the lock of the front door clicked.

"I'm back!" Meredy yelled, the door falling shut. "And hoping I didn't just wake you…" she added more quietly with a hint of guilt.

"We're in bed, come in," Erza called and he flinched.

"No don't!" He hectically corrected. "Don't just invite her in like that,"

"Why not?" Erza blinked at him in puzzlement. "She's seen me naked, we've been at the spa together, remember?"

"I wasn't referring to you," Jellal said between gritted teeth, the hand over her flank drawing back to ensure the blanket he knew to be covered with to be sufficient, bundling up a few more below his waist.

"I'm not entering unless I hear it from you, Jellal," Meredy's voice came from behind the unfortunately ajar door. Not that she peeked – it was as awkward to her as it was to him. Shaking her head with amusement, Erza requipped into a set of sleeping clothes since she was not about to give up her spot on his shoulder.

"Yeah, alright," he then called. Sneaking at first, Meredy crept inside, then, having to turn on the lights, stalked over to the window to open it all the way. Icy wind hit his bare skin and both he and Erza shivered, cuddling a little closer, however without complaining. The air inside was still thick, the window now starting to defog.

With a bright blush on her face, Meredy turned, whipping out a piece of paper from the pocket of her hoodie.

"Here's the plan for tomorrow," she announced, pointing a finger at Jellal. "You have an appointment at the tailor shop at nine fifteen. I have both of your measurements from the gala but you'll have to try on the suit anyway," she said, eyes hardly scanning her notes even once, probably already knowing them by heart. "Then you have fifteen to thirty minutes should adjustments be necessary. In that time, you have an appointment at the hairdresser until you can try on the suit again. Erza," she shifted her glance, "your schedule is mirrored; you'll start with the hair to see what you'd like," she proceeded to produce even more sheets from her pocket.

Frowning at them, Jellal took the first, holding it up to see. Erza sat up a little more, both leaning against the headboard where they regarded what appeared to be a scribbled stack of rounded rectangles with pillars and ornaments.

"At twelve, we're going to the confectioner for tasting – I've made a few sketches but feel free to alter them," Meredy handed over another two of what Jellal realised were cake models.

"Wow, these are really good," Erza complimented, conjuring a shy smile onto the Maguilty Sense Mage's lips. "You're an artist,"

"Nah, I only copy what I see and make a few changes," she grinned. "Then," she drawled, eyes running down her list, "you can choose the decoration colour scheme – though there's only a few to choose from on such short notice," she remarked, muttering something about two o'clock under her breath and they nodded, a little overwhelmed. "Here's the guest list so far, please confirm and add or reduce and let me know," she gave him yet another sheet, this time a scroll, the end dropping into his lap where he held it up to their eyelevel. He had to squint, the headline the only thing he was able to make out without plastering the paper into his face.

"Asuka the flower girl," Erza smiled, apparently having less trouble with the writing.

"Yes, I couldn't refuse and I mean it's gonna be so cute, that point is not negotiable," Meredy raved on about the pink dress the girl had already shown her to possess.

Exchanging a glance, Erza and Jellal had to smile, hiding a grin at how enthusiastic their appointed wedding planner was.

"You've already made this entire list?" Jellal asked, eyes skimming over the many names of mostly guild members, having a hard time deciphering them all.

"Yes, and I've almost finished with the invitations," Meredy swiftly confirmed. "The only complication so far has been Erik with his 'Imma move outta town without an address'," she rolled her eyes, "so I've sent Laxus to sniff him out and deliver the invitation,"

"Laxus?" Jellal frowned in bewilderment.

"And he agreed?" Erza shared his sentiment, though she seemed rather amused than taken aback. He had to agree, the thought of the two most cool and badass-feeling Dragon Slayers meeting for such an occasion bringing a lopsided grin to his face. "Wait, he's going there already?" Erza noted. "Does that mean you already have a date set for the wedding?" She stared blankly at the fleet nod.

"Uhuh," Meredy hummed, merely turning her list over to continue. "Then there's the music we still have to agree on; I've asked a few musicians to play us their repertoire tomorrow afternoon and then we'll be tasting buffet options – I made an extra-large order of desserts," she enumerated. "Oh," she looked up, "horse carriage or Magical Vehicle?"

"Vehicle," Erza shrugged at the same time he voted 'carriage'. "But carriage is fine, too," she backtracked, a palm coming to rest on his chest.

"I like horses…" Jellal mumbled and her smile widened, another kiss promptly landing on his cheek.

"Carriage," she then said to Meredy who nodded eagerly before inhaling to go on.

"Jason agreed to be the photographer – he wants to write an article about it, too, but he's gonna take pictures whether you allow him the article or not, don't worry," she grinned, probably in remembrance of the negotiations. "Ah, and he'll bring his best make-up artist from the Sorcerer Weekly shootings. So now, the only things missing are a florist and the seating arrangement, but the latter's almost done, depending on your opinions on the guest list," she finalised, taking a deep breath. Only now did Jellal take notice of the hardly visible bags beneath her eyes, blinded out by the bright smile that stretched from cheek to cheek.

"And the rings," he reluctantly added. Meredy only nodded, sliding out a pen from her sleeve to squish the word somewhere onto her piece of paper.

"That reminds me, you'll have to decide on a best man or maid of honour – I already drew tiny flowers next to names of the bridesmaids," she informed, motioning at the scroll in his hand. He smiled affectionately, waiting for her to meet his gaze.

"As if there's ever been a choice," Jellal said, watching his best friend's lips curl inwards in a sly yet moved smile. "You're the best man I know," he grinned and she stuck out her tongue.

"I'd hug you if you weren't so gross and naked," she lifted her chin and he grimaced, though with amusement sparking in his eyes. "Oh, and there's one more thing," she pointed at them again, almost accusingly. "You're gonna have to stay separated for the entire day before the wedding,"

"What?" They almost burst in unison.

"It's da rules."

"No, it's not- I mean, who says so?" Jellal shook his head, wanting to glare had he not been so shocked. Erza's hand over his chest pressed a little harder and he tightened his arm where it had gone back to encircling her waist beneath the blanket.

"It's tradition," Meredy crossed her arms.

"Why?"

"Because…" she frowned while searching for reasons, "cause… cause that's the way it is, I dunno. Maybe it's supposed to raise excitement?"

"And since we're clearly not excited, that'll be very necessary," Jellal gave her a look and she tutted at his sarcasm.

"Either way, Erza, you're spending the night at Fairy Hills with the girls, and Jellal, you can choose to either stay here or sleep over at someone else's – I get the feeling Laxus would offer that; where does he live, anyway…?" She put two fingers to her chin, narrowing her eyes in thought.

"'The girls?'" Erza repeated instead of protesting, prompting him to tug her a tad closer even. Giving a pat to his chest, she flashed him an allaying smile. They tore their gazes away from the other when Meredy sat down at the end of the bed, legs crossed, brows furrowed seriously.

"That's the question," she said, alternately looking from brown to green eyes. "I was thinking to stay here with you," she addressed him, "but I'm not sure anymore. If you don't feel up to keeping the secret," she turned to Erza, "then I could stay with you and the girls, just in case," she seriously advised. If they had not yet been impressed by her planning skills, this was the time for jaws to drop ever so slightly. She really had worked it all out already. And on such short notice.

Erza was the first to regain her voice.

"That's okay, I'd rather you stay with Jellal," she decided and he felt bad about her saying it that way. He knew he was a nervous wreck and it would only become worse but hearing her being so aware stung with guilt. "Mira might think she can detect my every lie but I know she doesn't. And I've already decided not to get drunk before knowing," she placed a hand over her stomach, "I'd only go berserk and ruin everything," she grinned and Meredy returned the gesture.

"So when did you plan the wedding to be?" Jellal asked, finding his heart to have sped up. From what she was telling them, it sounded more as if it was only a matter of days or very few weeks. Perhaps not even more than one or two, meaning he would be a husband within less than fourteen days. And have a wife. Erza as his wife.

His wife.

"New Years," Meredy beamed, eyes closed while she tilted her head, pink curls bouncing over her shoulder. Jellal blankly stared back, his mind's gears turning rapidly, a mental calendar leafed through before his inner eye.

"But that's…" Erza frowned in realisation, meeting his eyes.

"In three days!"

The wind was bitingly cold with the front door still open. Unchanged, of course. As expected.

Meredy shivered, even with the blanket she had just gotten from upstairs, returning to her previous position of leaning against the wall next to a very irritated Lightning Dragon Slayer, seeing that nothing new had happened while she had been gone.

"And don't let them talk you into anything stupid,"

"I won't," Erza soothed, planting another kiss to her fiancé's lips.

"Don't forget the snacks I packed you,"

"It's just for a day, I won't starve," she answered when he released her for long enough for her to speak. Closing the gap right away. Meredy heard the groan build up in Laxus' throat where he had his arms crossed. At the same time, she could peek past the entwined couple to see Lucy's frown crease in a mixture of embarrassment, annoyance and swooning. Juvia only seemed to feel the last of those emotions, her eyes drilling into the scene in front of her, her mind undoubtedly replacing the couple's heads with those of Gray and her own.

"Don't get drunk,"

"I won't," Erza murmured between kisses, "I promise," she said, having the favour returned, responding like she had for the past minutes as she brushed her lips to his. "You be on time,"

"I'm more punctual than you," Jellal argued into her mouth, the light smacking of lips nearly uninterrupted, even when they spoke.

"No, you're not," she corrected, meeting his lips again, "because I keep you," she smiled into their kiss and though he mirrored it, it fell, not keeping him from connecting his lips to hers again before any words were formed.

"But you won't be there," he lamented, tugging her a little closer than she already was. Laxus occiput hit the wall in exasperation.

"I'll be there," Erza briefly tasted his lips again before pulling away slightly, "I'll be there tomorrow and every day beyond," she smiled affectionately but he only leaned in to capture her again for another few kisses. Just when Laxus had had about enough.

"It's been seven damn minutes," he practically hollered, pushing off the wall. "Either get it on with or get a move on, will ya?" Bolting into action at his movement, Lucy went to join him in an effort to finally get them apart for the next not even twenty-four hours. They had already barricaded themselves up all morning, then taken forever to get up and ready upon being kicked out of bed. Now having held on to the other as if it was the definite goodbye until the end of time.

Meredy grimaced, though not without amusement when Lucy and Juvia pulled on Erza, having to drag her down the street while Laxus shortly tugged Jellal away by his collar like a dog. The door closed, luring out a sigh of relief from a very much frozen Maguilty Sense Mage. It was impressive indeed how their love was strong enough to not even bother with the cold – at least Jellal who had not been wearing any coat or scarf whatsoever. Juvia became more and more relatable, her jealousy not too unfounded with a display of such selfless devotion.

"Jeez, get a hold of yourself, man." Laxus now regarded Jellal where he stood, facing the door. Looking more helpless than selfless, he stared at the wood for another moment to pass, then sighed deeply. His shoulders dropped.

"Jellal?" Meredy tilted her head at him. Allowing another sigh under his breath, he then turned, looking at them quite emptily. "Don't make such a sulky face," she went to pat his cheek and he pulled a face, backing off with a bit of regained normality. "There," she smiled and he gave her a look, "now let's go pick up those rings and then we can see how the guild's looking," she proposed, already taking his coat, shoving his boots at him.

Laxus watched with interest at what she guessed to be his analysis of how to get to Jellal. He really was intrigued by the Heavenly Body Mage for some reason – either his past or his magic or perhaps merely the comfort of having someone more mature and prudent around. Or maybe Dragon Slayers were closer to animals than she had previously assumed, Jellal's unexplained connection to wildlife striking anew. She felt stalked in any case but it did not keep her from seeing to her best friend's wellbeing.

Gradually, he became more relaxed, at some point almost soaring ahead of them to reach the guild hall.

It looked stunning. The balconies were hung with white cloths – tablecloths, but they did not need to know that – ornamented with warmly shining Christmas garlands. More garlands of hearts encircled the pillars in purple and silver, the tables and benches arranged and covered in similar hues. Purple and red fuchsias hung from every railing up and downstairs and Meredy knew the tables to be adorned with amaryllises, white and purple hyacinths as well as blue hydrangeas by tomorrow. She was more than proud of her theme, noticing too late that it was not what had caught his attention.

"No, Jellal, bad," she raked on his arm to stop him. She could see the urge in Laxus fist, a twitch of holding back the all to usual punch to a fellow guildmate. They watched as the group of girls chattered and laughed, Erza in their midst, an excitedly blabbing Asuka in her arm. Of course, she was his reason.

Laxus strolled over to a noisy table on the right and Meredy shortly stole herself to the side, returning with a water sprayer they had used for ironing the table cloths.

"Hey," Jellal snapped out of his trance, slapping her away when being sprayed. "I'm not a dog,"

"Then stop puppy-eyeing your owner and have a look around," she lectured and he grumbled in return.

"Fernandes," Laxus deep voice interrupted them. Glancing his way – though Meredy noticed the flashing exchange of glances when Erza looked up at the sound of his name – Jellal crossed the hall with Meredy on his heels. She smiled when his eyes wandered around more and more, a hand reaching out to appreciate the occasional dangling flower on his way to the table. "You're on my team," Laxus declared, pointing at the opposite bench. Jellal blinked at him, then the rest of the guys.

With grinning faces, Max, Droy, Jet and Warren sat around the table where a stack of cards marked the middle. Picking it up, Jet shuffled it with flowing ease, then delt out six hands respectively. Jellal raised his brows at Laxus but the latter merely shoved his way between the others, facing the empty space.

"Bridge?" Jellal asked in defeat as he climbed over the bench to sit. Meredy had to smile, squishing herself next to him.

"Canasta," Max supplied, sorting his hand. They all waited for Jellal to do so but he would play with his usual enthusiasm, Meredy guessed, scanning his unsorted mess. "Okay, we start," Max grinned at Warren who had already picked up a card.

"Hold up," Laxus said. "You're not the oldest anymore," he smirked slyly.

"What?" Warren frowned, a jerking of the Dragon Slayer's head making him look at Jellal.

"I see," Jellal pursed his lips, "that's why you wanted me on the team," he illuminated, being met with a complacent grin. At least Freed was somewhat soothed by that, Meredy noticed where she could watch his with jealously tight jaw ease behind the leader of the Thunder God Tribe.

She pointed at the card she found most fitting and Jellal played it after having picked one from the stack. She operated most of his moves, especially when his gaze drifted away from the table and up the stairs of the balcony, following Erza on her tour. Droy cleared his throat when nothing happened so Jellal chose a random card, oblivious to the unsuspicious signs Laxus hinted at with his hand beneath his cards. Reading it correctly, Meredy recalibrated her friend's wrist.

"Hey, no fair," Max complained when Meredy's strategies were by far more thought-out than those of Jellal.

"Deal with it," Laxus shrugged, "he is and will always be kept in leading strings of a woman," he taunted, a scowl blazing his way when it was interrupted. A single bud of a fuchsia had spiralled down, right onto the upper edge of his last few cards. Following its invisible path, Jellal's expression melted into a smile and the others craned their necks to spot Erza atop the balcony, just a second before being shooed away by the girls that were supposed to keep her busy. "See?" Laxus groaned, shaking his head.

"I don't think I've ever seen her this… besotted," Warren noted and the others nodded, obviously not even a fresh piece of strawberry cake holding a candle to her beloved.

"Well, I'd like to see you one day before your wedding with your mind set on winning a round of Canasta," Jellal dryly said, making the men laugh.

"Speaking of which," Meredy interrupted after having sent a scolding look up the balcony. "Laxus, I hope that's a queen you've got there 'cause we are," she fleetly spread the last of Jellal's cards over the team's winnings, "done," she triumphantly slapped down the last seven onto the stack, creating an uproar of protests.

"Not too shabby," Laxus perked a brow, revealing his queen to join their winnings.

"And that surprises you because…?" Meredy propped up her chin on her hand, teasingly fluttering her lids. A murmur went through the group and Laxus shot them a deadly glare when they started to snicker. All but one.

"Hey, I want a rematch," Jet nagged, unsatisfied with the defeat at the hands of someone so utterly uninterested in winning. That fact was almost more bothersome than the loss itself. "This time, how about a race?" He leaned onto the table with his elbow. "Your Meteor versus my High Speed?" He proposed, the murmur picking back up. Meredy found herself to be nodding eagerly, not least because she knew it would at least take her best friend's mind off his fiancée, if only for a short while.

Faces fell when Jellal declined, not considering it for even a second. The boys were doing such a good job of distracting him, she knew, trying their best, and he still kept on refusing, no matter how often Jet asked and bargained and tempted. So she liberated both parties of their struggle, leading the way down the darkening streets of Magnolia.

"So humble," Laxus sneered as they trudged through the newly fallen snow, hardly able to make out their own boots in the thick fog that canvased the town. It was a well-aimed mock, Meredy started to realise. No matter how cool or haughty the Lightning Dragon Slayer pretended to be, his hands buried in his pockets and his eyes carrying a spark, there was a tinge of wishing in his behaviour; a hint of wanting to lure out what was so carefully hidden behind that longstanding façade.

Jellal only shook his head, having an even harder time with opening up to someone as usual.

"I don't know who would have won. And no matter who would, he could have been hurt both ways – either by being beaten or thinking I'd lost on purpose," he explained matter-of-factly.

"Pretty sure his ego can survive a defeat against a former Wizard Saint," Laxus retorted, again being met with negation.

"It's not that, just think: Jet's magic is speed. My magic is elements, spells, darkness, telekinesis, thought projection and Heavenly Body Magic."

"And telepathy," Meredy added, receiving an absent nod.

"Even though I specialise in the latter – Heavenly Body Magic that is," he interjected with a now appreciative side glance to her, "I might have been able to beat him in just one of those while his would be his major strength and only magic."

"Don't be so lame," Laxus retorted, waving one hand, "you could've beaten him,"

"I don't know," Jellal honestly said, though Meredy was more than confident in his abilities to reign superior.

"I'm pretty sure," Laxus spoke her thoughts. Jellal did not comment on it any further so the Dragon Slayer continued. "But I see your point," he declared to their surprise. It was not much of a surprise that he turned away while confessing. "You have a good heart for someone so stupid,"

"Stupid?" Jellal frowned. They halted in front of a bar and Meredy scanned the dimly illuminated tables for familiar faces.

"Mushy in the head," she heard Laxus say, clarifying with Erza being the reason when Jellal was about to defend himself but had to agree upon that last argument. "Ah, right," Laxus ducked beneath the door frame, spotting the group just before Meredy caught sight of them. "Cobra won't be coming," he informed as they had to tow Jellal into the establishment.

"What? Why?" Meredy spun around, overhearing Crime Sorcière and Richard's greetings.

"Has a cold,"

"A cold?" Her frown intensified, hands coming to rest on her hips.

"Dude, those aren't to be messed with," Sawyer cut in, the others nodding sternly.

"Yeah, it's like death's grip," Macbeth supplied.

"It's almost unbearable with that runny nose and all," Sawyer shuddered, an angular hand of sympathy landing on his shoulder.

"You can't be serious," Meredy rolled her eyes.

"Or maybe it was some kinda flu, whatever," Laxus threw his hands up but she would not stop glaring at them. A bunch of weaklings, men were, she thought to herself. Sniffing out every fight they could break an arm in but reduced to pathetically squirming whiners when bed-ridden with a cold. Or perhaps not even as severely infected.

"You can drop the act now, Meredy," Jellal brought her back to the present. Five pairs of puzzled eyes blinked at him. "I know he's hiding here somewhere," he speculated and she tilted her head in utter confusion. "Come on," he gave a look when she would not budge. "Luring me away from the house, separating us to let Erza in on it, gathering everyone here," he went on while her brow furrowed more and more, not latching on to his chain of thought. He let out a sigh. "The lengths you go to for a prank," he concluded, her mouth shaping a perfect 'o' once her mind clicked.

"A prank?" She asked nonetheless, not entirely sure what he was expecting to happen. Somewhat assuming him not to know either.

"No one can plan an entire wedding within two days. Not even you can pull that off."