I am so terribly sorry for this ridiculous long wait. I hope you guys forgive me, and I hope the chapter is good enough. This, my dears, is the last one, but there's still going to be an Epilogue, okay?

Thank you all for the lovely reviews, you made this story what it is, and for that, I'm truly thankful!

Disclaimer: FT belongs to Hiro Mashima-sensei.

Beneath The Southern Cross

Chapter XIII – Wedding

Lucy smiled as she let her enthusiastic bride's maids help her with make-up and the dress (the hair, of course, was already beautifully put up by Cancer).

"You look amazing, Lucy." Lisanna said, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement and admiration.

"Thank you, Lisanna." Lucy smiled back, looking at herself on the mirror.

She was wearing the same dress her mother used on her own wedding. The long sleeves were pure intricate white lace, that also covered part of her neck and bosom; the dress, underneath, was strapless, in shining white silk; behind, every button was a small creamy pearl. Her mother, however, used a veil, which she decided to decline, preferring the simplicity of a silver tiara, with details in pearls.

Since she was a little girl, Lucy had adored that dress, insisting she would wear it on her wedding. She could still remember the smile her mother would give every time she said so.

"I'm sure your mother is very happy now, Lucy, watching over you from the star's realm." It was Erza who whispered, seeing her brown eyes start to waver in a watery way.

"Thank you, Erza." She hugged her friend. "I'm happy to have found such an amazing family."

Erza smiled.

"I can certainly share such a feeling."

"Don't get so serious, you two!" Levy exclaimed. "Today is a day to celebrate!"

"Levy-san is very right!" Yukino agreed.

Lucy opened a smile for the girls.

"Thank you all for being with me today. I'm very fortunate to have such awesome friends."

"And a hot husband to be." Lisanna winked, making everyone laugh.

Lucy couldn't have pictured it more perfectly. It was her wedding day! And she was surrounded by the most amazing friends in the whole world. Picking her bouquet of jasmine and cherry blossoms on the centre table, she looked at the four girls, all dressed in beautiful silk dresses, with large straps, ending just below their knees. Each of them had one colour: Lisanna's was sapphire blue, Yukino's was icy grey, Levy's was lilac and Erza's was baby pink.

Lucy was ready to go, but they heard a soft knock on the door. Levy got it, and excused herself, after seeing who it was. Lucy only nodded to her, since her friend seemed really surprised. She still had a bit more time.

"Is everything alright, Rogue-san?" Levy asked after closing the door.

Rogue more serious than ever. He sighed.

"I know I shouldn't say it, but I feel like I must, even though it'll be pointless."

Levy only got more clueless, and he could see it in her eyes.

"Meeting you was very nice, Levy-san. I was never so impressed with a girl before. I think I grow into liking you a bit."

That said, he planted a chaste kiss on her lips, lingering there longer than he should. He smiled at her, and Levy couldn't help but to smile back.

"I was really impressed with you too, Rogue. I'm really cheering for you to find the right girl."

"Thank you, Levy."

Getting on the tip of her toes, she let her lips touch his once again, this time letting him give her a proper kiss. Gajeel would kill her if he ever found out, but she couldn't bring herself to care at the moment. If she wasn't so in love with him, she would have given Rogue a chance, and she knew they would have been happy enough. She owed that kiss to him – the first and last kiss.

"Now, we have a wedding to attend." Levy said, to what Rogue only nodded.

When the organs of Cardia Cathedral began to be played, Sting was the first to walk down the aisle. After them came the bride's maids and their escorts – only Dragon Slayers, to fit the occasion well: Lisanna with Natsu, Yukino and Rogue, Levy and Gajeel and, in the end, Erza and Laxus. Choosing the bride's maids were very easy to Lucy, since she knew exactly who she wanted beside her at the altar, however, the numbers proves tricky when they realized Erza wouldn't have a Dragon Slayer to escort her.

The Scarlet herself suggested Laxus, but both Lucy and Sting doubted the choice. Laxus was part of the family, but everyone knew he wasn't that kind of man. To their utter shocks, however, the Dreyar was almost happy to accept their invitation.

"Of course." He had said. "When a Dragon Slayer marries, is only right for all the others to testify."

When they were all set around the altar, a different song began to be played. Sting had never heard it before, but Levy had told him Lucy had chosen the traditional Magnolia's wedding song to enter the cathedral.

The seven year old Asuka was the first to appear, dressed in a cute coral dress, holding a small cushion on her hands, where two shiny rings laid. And just after her, came Lucy. Sting was mesmerized by her sight. He had always thought she was incredibly beautiful, but now… it was beyond any possible explanation he could try to elaborate.

It wasn't just the perfect dress, hair and make-up. It was the way her eyes sparkled and her smile shone. She was really happy, he could see it so clearly! And he was also. That one was definitely the happiest day of his life.

"You look incredible." He told when she finally reached him on the altar.

Her smile got even brighter, as if it was possible.

"So do you."

Holding hands, they turned to face the priest of Cardia Cathedral.

"We're gathered here today to give our blessings to the union of these two Fairy Tail's mages: the Light Dragon Slayer, Sting Eucliff and the Celestial Mage, Lucy Heartfilia."

Levy stepped forward, as the priest handed her the microphone.

"I decided Lucy was going to be my best friend ever since I heard she was writer. She looked after me when I was injured, she always gave her works for me to look first. She is the closest thing to a sister I will ever have. So, I can't say it was a surprise to me, like it was for many of our nakama, when she told us she was dating Sting. We find love in the most unexpected places, don't we? Sometimes it's a best friend, but sometimes it can be someone you once considered your enemy. I watched those two fall in love and fight for that love like I've never seen anyone fight before. And, hey, we are Fairy Tail, we see people fighting every day."

A general laughter filled the cathedral.

"But not like those two. Summing up, they were meant to be together, and all I can hope is that the bad times are over, and that they can finally be happy together."

With that said, Levy got back to her former position, smiling to Lucy as the blonde girl wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"With these lovely words from miss McGarden, I now, in the presence of the gods and man, will unite this man and this woman in the sacred bounds of marriage."

Asuka stepped forward, raising her arms so that Lucy and Sting could reach the rings.

Sting took hers.

"Lucy, is a great honour to me to be your husband. I just hope I can be everything you need and deserve."

Delicately, he slipped the ring through her finger.

Lucy took his ring from Asuka.

"Sting, you were the second best thing that could have happened to me, and I promise I'll take good care of you for the rest of our lives together."

Sting raised an eyebrow.

"Second?"

The smile she gave him was just too delicious for him to resist.

"First was joining Fairy Tail."

He just couldn't disagree now, could him?

Taking his left hand, Lucy placed the golden ring on the right finger.

The priest smile to them, glad to see such a happy couple binding their lives together.

"I now declare you husband and wife."

With those final words, the whole cathedral seemed to scream and whistle, as the newlyweds kissed passionately.

"I love you, Sting." She whispered into his lips.

"I love you two, Lucy."

The party, naturally, was held on the guild's building, and it lasted the whole night, until the sun rose again.

Lucy had always known her wedding day would be especial, but it was so much more than that! Seemed like love had spread around, and she couldn't be more happy.

Lisanna and Natau were finally together, fulfilling the Strauss' dream. Levy and Gajeel were as strong as ever – one could see the devotion sparkling through his red eyes –, Jellal managed to come, keeping Erza company, making her smile in a way Lucy couldn't recall ever seeing. Charle accepted Happy's fish. Wendy was giving warm smiles to Romeo, as he talked enthusiastically with her. Laxus and Cana were flirting – again. Even Yukino tried to make a move on Rogue, even though the Dragon Slayer was a little sceptical about it.

"Having fun?" Sting asked her, handing her the glass of champagne she had asked him to fetch.

"Don't you this is beautiful? The way love spread through the guild's walls."

He chuckled.

"No. I think they are just jealous of our happiness."

"Don't be silly!" she laughed, lightly slapping his forearm.

Approaching her, he kissed her neck, slowly making his way up.

"Let's get out of here."

"I didn't throw the bouquet yet."

"Than do it."

"You're so impatient, we have the rest of our lives ahead of us."

"Yeah, and I want to start enjoying that now."

Rolling her eyes, she got up.

"Hey, ladies! I'm throwing my bouquet!"

It seemed like magical words. In a second, all girls except Bisca, who was already married, and Cana, who didn't want to marry at all, were gathered in front of Lucy.

Smiling, the Eucliff turned her back to them and counted:

"One! Two! Three!"

And go. The combination of jasmines and cherry blossoms went on the air for a while before gently falling into a pair of hands. Lucy turned around again, curious to see who got it. And to her joy, the bouquet had landed in the hands of a very blushed Erza Scarlet!

"I'm so happy!" she said, hugging her friend. "I hope it brings you a lot of luck!"

Blushing even more, Erza nodded.

"Thank you, Lucy. I'll cherish it."

Smiling, Lucy gave her a kiss on the cheek before getting back to Sting.

"Now we can go, Mr. impatience!

"Finally!"