Forever Yours

Laki sat at the counter, feeling alone in the apartment without her roommates. Some part of her argued that she should have gone to be with Lucy these past few days, but the rest rejected the idea of it all.

She glanced at the newspaper on the counter, eyeing it with disdain as she read the title.

'Heartfilia Heir to be Wed this Saturday'

She fingered the corner of the page, debating on reading the article, but she knew what was in the trash without even reading it. Some bullshit about Lucy and her father making amends and her dropping the charges against him, becoming the proper heir as she planned her wedding to Bora Stevens.

In a fit of anger, she crumpled the page, throwing it across the room at the trash can. She felt so helpless, unable to help Lucy escape that horrible man, and unable to stop the torture she must feel. Laki laid her head down, closing her eyes against the cool marble counter.

She was so tired of it all, and the world seemed like such a cold, unforgiving place now to the purple-haired girl as she fought back unshed tears for her friend.

The sound of footsteps outside her door made her sit up, and Laki heard a pair of unfamiliar voices. She frowned, thinking about the movers who had come in and acted like the place was theirs, removing all of Lucy's belongings quickly and efficiently. Her frown deepened as she wondered what they could have possibly forgotten that required them to come back, and she seriously debated on not opening the door as they knocked.

She turned back to the counter, reading the rest of the paper that wasn't thrown angrily at the trash. Her eyes scanned the page, the left one twitching slightly when the movers banged on the door again.

She tried to tune them out, but to no avail since both were insanely loud.

"I don't think anyone's in."

"Then I guess we'll come back later."

There was a pause as a set of footsteps began to walk away, and Laki let out a sigh of relief just as the other voice called after his friend. "Mother of god, you're going to walk away like that? Scaredy-cat."

There was an oath, and Laki groaned as the 'scaredy-cat' and his friend started fighting outside the door. "Shut the fuck up stripper!"

"Make me fire-breath!"

Laki stood up as more oaths were called out, and she walked to the front door. She peered through the peep-hole, eyeing the pair of boys rolling on the landing, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing. They didn't look like movers…

She opened the door, slamming it into their heads the second they got too close, and both boys howled in pain as they rolled apart, holding their heads. Laki glared at them. "What the hell are you two doing out here on the landing?"

The black-haired man shook his head, standing up and holding out a hand to Laki. "Hi. Gray Fullbuster. I'm this lunatic's friend."

Laki smiled, shaking his hand. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Laki. I'm sorry, but you must have the wrong apartment. I don't know this lunatic."

The pink-haired man stood up, grinning cheekily as he shook Laki's hand. "We never met, but we helped move in my girlfriend a couple years back. I'm Natsu."

Laki blinked in surprise. "Why are you two here then?"

Natsu flushed, looking downwards. "I came to visit Lucy, if she's around."

Laki's eyes widened, and she stared at Natsu and Gray. "You mean… you didn't know?"

Natsu and Gray exchanged a look, then turned back to Laki. "What do you mean, we don't know?" Gray asked, an eyebrow raised. "Did Lucy run off with a bigger idiot than this one?" He asked, and Natsu looked affronted as he was gestured to.

Laki shook her head, looking away. "Lucy doesn't live here anymore. Her… father came and collected her."

The look on Gray's face was one of disbelief, and he shook his head. "No way. That bastard was put away for good, and he had no rights to see Lucy or talk to her anymore."

Laki shook her head. "He got them revoked, on grounds of a mistrial. Something about the judge being biased against one party versus another."

Gray shot a glance at his friend, feeling a chill go down his spine as he did. Natsu's face was like something out of a horror movie, the dark look fixed on his face as he pushed past Laki, rushing into the house. "Lucy!"

Gray winced as he heard the pained tone in Natsu's voice, but he turned his attention back to Laki. "So… Care to explain?"

Laki nodded, gesturing inside. "You may as well come in, it's long."

Gray walked to the kitchenette, sitting down at the island as Laki began to explain. "Lucy's father appeared a few weeks ago, with the court on his side. He made Lucy sign a paper that made him her legal guardian, claiming she was mentally unstable after her mother's death." Laki sighed as she made a pot of hot water. "I read it. It completely binds her, and the only way she can actually escape being under her father's thumb is by getting married off. But her father thought through that, and is making her get married to some heir of a rival company, Bora something."

Gray grimaced. "And she can't get out of it?"

Laki shook her head. "No. It's completely binding, and even if she hadn't signed, he had a judge who would declare her incompetent and make her sign it. But I think even that didn't scare Lucy as much as her father's threats."

At the confused look on Gray's face, Laki explained. "I think her father had some leverage on her, something that he could demolish readily and easily if it came down to it. And Lucy had to go with her father's wishes because of it."

Both fell silent for a long minute, each to their own thoughts, and a voice spoke up. "Laki… Where is Lucy?"

Both heads snapped around to catch the angry gaze that Natsu had on his face, but Laki looked away sadly. "Magnolia. For her wedding."

Natsu ran to the door, but his hand stopped on the doorknob as Laki spoke. "You won't make it."

Gray shot her a look, standing up. "We'll make it!" He said crossly, eyeing her. "Natsu's been in tougher spots, and if he's saved Lucy once, he can save her again!"

Laki shook her head. "She's getting married tomorrow at 10 in the morning. You'll never make the trip in time."

Natsu paused, then gave Laki a grin that strangely filled her with hope. "Laki, when it comes to Lucy, I won't let anything stop me."

Gray grinned. "And when it comes to following after that thick-head, nothing stops me from antagonizing him."

Laki's eyes shone brightly. "Do… Do you both mean it? You'll save Lucy?"

Gray chuckled. "But of course." He said, ruffling her hair.

Laki grabbed her bag, eyes glinting mischeviously. "If you're both serious, then I have a plan. But it'll take a lot of courage on your part Natsu."

Natsu nodded from where he stood, cracking his knuckles. "I'm not one to back down when Lucy's in trouble Laki. I've saved her once, and I can do it a million more times."

Laki grinned. "That's exactly what I needed to hear."

Lucy stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at the snow white dress that hugged her body in all the favorable places, drawing attention to her chest, rather than her thighs, which Lucy thought were toned and long, but nearly everyone had agreed on a long skirt, despite Lucy's protests.

Lucy sighed, frowning into the mirror. For her wedding, she wasn't making any decisions. It was all either being taken care of by Bora or their fathers, or by the annoying wedding planner who had an odd obsession with green and yellow décor and was currently running around Lucy, blabbering on about something or another about the wedding.

Lucy practiced her fake smile again, which hadn't reared its ugly head since she had left Magnolia years ago. It still failed to reach her eyes, despite her best efforts, and her chocolate eyes still showed the haunted memories that were resurrecting themselves after being kept in such a small box in the back of Lucy's mind for so long.

The wedding planner leaned over Lucy's face, frowning. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. You've managed to wipe away some of that eyeliner again!" She huffed angrily, throwing her hands up. "I swear, I've dealt with hundreds of brides, and been able to make them all look like angels on their special day, but you…" She stood up, shaking her head. "With you, it's like trying to pass off a mule as a thoroughbred! Impossible!"

With an angry huff, she threw some moist towlettes she kept her purse onto the vanity, storming from the room.

Lucy fell back in the lone chair in the small room, blissfully at peace with the room as the wedding planner left the room. She grabbed the towlettes, hastily scrubbing her cake face away. "I swear… Of all the wedding planners to pick, they had to find the bitchiest one in the whole damn continent." She muttered to herself angrily.

"I didn't think brides were supposed to be this hostile to their future sister-in-laws." A voice said, causing Lucy to jump.

Lucy's gaze found a tall woman with long white hair in the doorway, and for a minute, Lucy was taken aback at the appearance of such a woman. She was beautiful, that much was certain instantly. She had deep blue eyes that were so dark they could only be described as indigo, with a pair of white angel wings that rested on her collarbone. She was dressed in a fitted white gown that melted into a deep blue near the bottom, and Lucy suddenly felt like she was undressed for her own wedding, despite the beautiful dress that was wrapped around her. She coughed, regaining her composure. "Can I help you?"

The woman remained silent for a long moment, eyes scanning Lucy thoughtfully for a minute before she spoke. "I'm Angel. I figured we should become… acquainted." She said, moving slowly across the room.

Lucy watched her move closer, feeling instantly like a rabbit being stalked by a lion. She remained still as Angel played with a curled strand of Lucy's hair. "And, I also wanted to see the skank that Bora had been telling me he was getting married to."

Lucy fought to keep the surprise off her face as Angel leaned in, frowning slightly. "Pity. I thought you'd be a little prettier. But, I guess the whole world can't be filled with fatal beauties like myself. After all, I need normal people to be compared to."

Lucy blinked, but her face hardened as she met Angel's eyes evenly. "Can I help you?"

Angel chuckled softly. "Figures you would get to the point rather quickly." She straightened up, looking into the mirror. "This should be my wedding, not yours." When Lucy opened her mouth to protest, Angel waved her off. "Oh, I know all about your little situation from Bora. You're in as deep in him, with this arranged marriage nonsense. The only thing is, you've been told some sort of fairy tale story about how this marriage is going to go." She turned around, and her eyes flashed dangerously. "I'm here to set the record straight."

She lifted her hand, and for a minute, Lucy thought she was about to be hit again, but Angel looked fondly at a small golden band on her left hand, a smile on her face. "Bora and I have been together for nearly 5 years, and not even being married to another woman will stop me from loving him, and him me." She spared a glance at Lucy, then huffed. "You may share his name, but that's all you'll ever share with him. You'll produce him a heir, but that will be the extent I'll allow him to have with you. You'll be the puppet, the perfectly devoted wife for parties and other social functions, but when he needs someone there for him who loves him, he'll have me. Not some slut who her father is using to expand his own company."

Lucy remained silent as Angel continued on, the hurt and anger evident in her eyes. "You won't like me, and I sure as hell don't like you. But stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours, got it?"

Lucy nodded, but her eyes were hard as she glared at Angel. "Look, I don't plan on putting anything into a relationship with Bora. Hell, I have yet to even meet the bastard. But I'm not going to be pushed around by some whore who needs to go suck a dick."

Angel flushed, but Lucy continued on. "If I could, I would trade places you in heartbeat, but I need this more than you can imagine. And I'm not about to sit here and be told off by a little bitch who can't even see past the bridge of her nose."

Angel looked taken aback, but she shook her head, turning away. "At least I'm not a little girl too wary of the world to notice she's sinking faster than she can swim." She paused at the door, turning back, and Lucy caught a hint of what appeared to be- Sympathy? Pity? Lucy couldn't place it. "I wish…" She said after a moment, "That we could have met on better terms. You seem like a nice girl in a bad situation." Her face frosted over the instant the words had left her lips. "But Bora is mine, and a wedding band on your finger won't stop that from happening."

Lucy watched her go, a frown fixed on her face. She felt for Angel, but part of her felt no pity for the woman. Even though it wasn't to a man she even liked, it was her fucking wedding day.

Lucy glowered at the door, picking up an eyeliner pencil as she did. She turned her gaze back to the mirror, but the instant she saw her face, Lucy felt ashamed. Her expression reminded her of one she had seen too many times on her father's face, and she turned back to the pile of make-up on the counter. She didn't want to think about her father, who had shut her up in her room the second she had arrived home and signed that paper, kept her from communicating with the outside world. She'd been completely unable to do anything but sit around all day, even the information about the wedding was kept from her. Lucy hadn't even been able to meet her 'fiancé', or any of his family either.

Lucy sighed as she began to reapply the make-up she'd scrubbed off. It was slightly ridiculous in her eyes that even her wedding dress and make-up had been chosen for her, and the real icing had been Bora's sister. She had come swooping in and taken care of everything, which had been nice, but when she had failed to even care what Lucy wanted, that was the last straw, especially since she had assumed that because she wore it, everyone should have a cake-face.

The thought made Lucy snort. It was so strange to see the full grown woman running around, face tan, but neck and shoulders an alabaster white, the make-up not even rubbed in properly. Lucy would have died a painful death rather than appear in public with a cake-face, never mind her own wedding. Her mother would have risen from the dead, only to die instantly from the shock.

Layla Heartfilia. Lucy paused from the application of blush on her cheeks to think about her mother. She couldn't recall a single moment where her mother wore anything thicker than a bit of blush on her cheeks, and a little bit of eyeliner. Lucy sighed, setting down the brush as she picked up a locket that hung around her neck. During her days locked in the house, Lucy had been able to find a round gold locket that had belonged to her mother. It had a small rose in the center, but in a circle around it was the zodiac calendar, a thorny vine leaving around them all. Lucy didn't bother with the back, she knew what the inscription on the back said, and she silently doubted her father had ever been that caring as she opened the locket.

On the left was an old picture, and it had been in the locket when Lucy had first opened it. Layla stood there, a happy smile on her face as she rubbed noses with a four-year-old Lucy. Lucy couldn't help but smile as she looked at the picture, and her eyes drifted to the photo on the right.

This was one Lucy had put in, to replace the picture her mother had in the locket, one with both her parents in it. Jude's arms wrapped around his wife's shoulders lovingly as Layla's hands rested on her bulging stomach, and while Lucy had kept the picture for memory's sake, she'd replaced it with a happier picture.

Natsu was holding her tightly as he and Lucy stood on the cliff where'd she had once tried to end her life. Lucy couldn't help but blush softly at the memory of the picture, and she smiled slightly to herself.

"Hold still!"

Natsu pouted, glaring at the camera. "I don't see why you need another picture of me. Don't you have a million already?"

Lucy grinned, snapping another shot. "Yeah, but I want one that actually looks like you having fun, not like the senior pictures where your face screams 'Oh God I'm in a suit and they're taking MORE pictures.'"

Natsu pulled a face. "You could tell?"

Lucy nodded as she snapped another picture. "You're too painfully obvious Natsu."

Natsu grimaced as he snatched the camera away. "Fine! I'll let you take a couple more pictures, but only if I get one with you, alright?"

Lucy laughed as she watched him go to the car and set the camera up. "You actually have pictures of me though idiot! Ones where I'm actually smiling?"

Natsu snorted as he glanced up. "Nu-uh. They're all of that fake smile I hate. I want a real one." He said, pressing a button before rushing across the clearing.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Oh god. Not this again. For the last time Natsu, I don't want to-"

Natsu pulled her in for a hug, a grin on his face. "It's not that Luce." He kissed her forehead gently. "I told you before that I don't ever want to see it again. But I'm gonna be there to make sure it never shows its ugly face again."

Lucy flushed slightly as she turned back to the camera. "Let's just take the picture." She muttered, looking up at the camera.

Natsu smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Lucy rolled her eyes as she smiled at the camera, unenthusiastic at the idea of her picture being taken. Her smile changed from a wide-eyed look of shock as Natsu licked the side of her face.

The camera snapped, and Lucy howled as Natsu dashed for the camera. "Natsu! What was that for?" She yelled, chasing after him. "Delete that picture now!"

Natsu grinned. "No way! I'm keeping this one!"

Lucy reached for the camera, rubbing the spit from her face. "You asshole!"

Natsu shoved the camera into his jacket, a sly grin on his face. "Oh, really?"

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise again as Natsu's hands found his way to Lucy's sides, and she thrashed in his grip. "No!"

Natsu chuckled as he pushed her on the ground, pinning her easily with one hand. "You can't fight it Luce~." He said in a sing-song voice. "You know how to stop it~."

Lucy writhed in his grip, biting her lip. She shook her head, glaring at him fiercely, but Natsu's hands found the one spot that always made her melt.

The second Lucy's mouth opened, she found herself unable to control the laughter that erupted from her lips as Natsu continued his merciless tickling. "Say it! Say the magic words!"

Lucy thrashed, unable to escape, and finally she managed to gasp out, "I give! I give! You can keep the damn picture!"

Natsu laughed, flopping down beside her. "I knew you'd say it!" He pulled out the camera, kissing her cheek as he snapped another shot while Lucy lay, breathless and giggly, a bright smile on her face. "Anyway, I got the shot I wanted."

Lucy turned her head, smiling at him. "Clever bastard."

Natsu chuckled as he leaned in. "I know." He said softly as he pulled her in for a kiss.

Lucy brushed her thumb over the picture of the two of them laying in the grass, not a care in the world. It had seemed like such a simple time for both of them. She shut the locket closed gently, slipping it under the front of her dress where no one would see it.

She sighed, looking up at the mirror of the vanity. She caught her breath as she looked in the mirror, eyes fixed on her appearance.

There was something about the way Lucy looked in her wedding dress that made her think of her mother in that smiling picture of her, and Lucy reached out to the mirror to touch the face staring back at her.

Lucy felt ridiculous, but despite that she began to talk, imagining that her mother was in the room with her, smiling at her from the mirror. "Hey Mom. It's been a while, hasn't it?" She said softly. "I've been really busy lately, I'm sorry I haven't written."

Lucy shook her head. "I wish you were here to tell me what to do. You always said I should follow my heart, and marry the man I love, but I don't think that's possible." She sighed, looking away. "Father has this whole plan how everything in my life is going to go. He didn't even let me have any say in anything, let alone see this guy I'm marrying." Lucy rolled her eyes. "Not even a single picture. But I know as much as I've heard, and he's a hottie. I mean, if a girl like Angel is prepared to follow him to hell and back…" Lucy sighed, meeting her mother's eyes in the mirror. "Really, I didn't think I was going to get married for a long time Mom. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind."

Lucy paused, but there was something in her mother's eyes that told her to save the bullshit. Lucy flushed bright red, looking down at her hands. "Alright, maybe I did dream up a wedding with Natsu, but this is different." She mumbled, playing with a decoration on the front of her dress. "I really care about that pink-haired goon, but sometimes I don't even think he can see past the bridge of his nose Mom. He's probably still off gallivanting with Gray and Happy, not a care in the world. He probably doesn't even know I'm here."

Lucy sighed, staring off into the distance. "I wish I was with them right now. Dad wouldn't have been able to track me down this easily if I was… Wouldn't be able to threaten me and everyone around me. I'm not sure why you ever loved him in the first place… He's cruel and conniving, and he never thinks about anyone but himself. He told me if I don't behave like a perfect princess for him and for Bora, then it's not only myself I have to worry about."

Lucy balled her fists at the memory of their 'talk'. "He threatened everyone Mom. The Dragneels, not only would Igneel never be able to work as a judge again, but Grandine's vet practice would be… terminated however he saw fit, and let's just say it didn't fill me with any sort of hope that it would recover. Then, to top it off, he said he could get Judge Everlue to find them in the court of law unfit parents, so Wendy would be taken away faster than I could blink. I wish you could've met them Mom, they're two of the most kind and generous people you'll ever meet… Even if Grandine can be hard to get along with." Lucy rubbed her temple. "I know he said it to get under my skin, but lately I've been doubting everything I've ever known. All I know is I want out Mom. I don't want to take part in the shady dealings he makes with companies, or any sort of alliances he makes with me as the centerpiece."

The Layla in the mirror frowned, motioning to her heart, and Lucy sighed. "I know Mom. You always told me to follow my heart, but I can't let everyone down…"

Layla shook her head, giving Lucy a reproachful look, and Lucy winced. "I know Mom. I come first. But-"

Layla held out a hand, motioning for a minute. Lucy fell silent as she watched her mom place a hand on her chest, the other reaching for the locket. She opened it up, pointing to the picture right and smiling.

Lucy felt a lump rise in her throat. "Mom… That path is about to get blocked off. In a few minutes, Dad's gonna come knocking, and I'm going to walk down the aisle and marry a stranger. Even if I carried on with Natsu afterwards, Dad would probably expect something like that and crush it in an instant."

Layla shook her head, making a heart with her hands before bring two fingers. Lucy smiled, fighting back the tears that wormed into her eyes. "Love will find a way." She whispered softly, remembering the words her Mom had told her, the words that had become the title of the book she had published in honor of her mother.

Layla nodded, and Lucy wiped at the tears starting to drip down her face. "Mom… I miss you so much. I want you here, to sit here and do my make-up and tell me everything's going to be fine. But it's like wishing for Natsu to storm the wedding and whisk me away; hopeless and never going to happen."

Layla's brown eyes filled with sadness, but she smiled at her daughter, placing her hands over her heart, then pointing to Lucy. Lucy's hand found its way to the necklace around her neck, fingers brushing against the locket and making it clink gently against the class ring on the chain. The second she did, Lucy felt what could only be described as a pair of warm arms encircling her in a hug. She felt the corners of her mouth move upwards slightly, and Lucy held the locket with both hands. "You're always with me Mom, but I wish I had more time to get to know you. I love you so much Mom, and I miss you every day of my life."

Layla smiled at her daughter, mouthing the words back. Lucy opened her mouth, another question waiting on her lips, but a loud knock interrupted her. "Lucy! It's time!"

Lucy stood up, turning to the door. "Coming!" She turned back to the mirror, but the image was shattered. Only the mirror image of herself stared back, and Lucy tucked the locket back into her dress gently. It was warm where it sat against her skin, and Lucy took a deep breath as she walked to the door, steeling herself for the ordeal ahead.

The bridesmaids were filing in slowly, and Lucy glanced at them, searching for a familiar face in the group of girls, but she didn't see a familiar head of blue hair as the girls walked down the aisle, arm in arm with Bora's friends.

Jude smiled at his daughter as she walked towards him. "You look beautiful Lucy. Your mother would be proud."

Lucy looked away from her father towards the pulpit at the far end of the church, her eyes finding the tall man waiting for her. "Mom would have been proud, no matter what happens."

Jude was silent for a long moment, but Lucy refused to meet his gaze, even though she felt it on the back of her head. When the silence became too much to bear, Lucy glanced back, holding out her arm. "Shall we go?"

Jude nodded, but something in his eyes made Lucy think that maybe, somewhere deep down, maybe her father was regretful about the way he had treated Lucy. But the blonde brushed the thought away as she began to walk down the aisle; her father was too dark and twisted to have any sort of regrets.

Lucy didn't dare look around the church in the pews, she could see the look on Levy and Cana's faces as she passed by, and she had to fight back her own tears. Levy and Cana had tried their best to help her, but it had been to no avail in the end, something neither of them would be able to forgive themselves for.

Her eyes scanned the room briefly, hoping deep down that Natsu was in the room, waiting for his moment, and her eyes widened briefly as she caught a flash of pink hair in the crowd. Her eyes fixed on the person, but her heart fell as she noticed the hair wasn't in Natsu's messy do, and silently she passed by the woman sitting next to Judge Everlue, not even sparing her a glance.

The music that had been flowing through the room as Lucy approached the pulpit stopped, and Lucy swallowed nervously as she took her place. "Who gives this woman?" The priest said solemnly, eyes looking at Jude.

"I do." Lucy's father said, his words ringing with such finality that Lucy almost felt like she was going to shrivel up and die right where she stood.

The priest nodded. "We are gathered here today to join these two in matrimony, to bind two families together in the everlasting bond that is marriage…"

Lucy felt her consciousness slipping away, she could see the priest's mouth moving, but his words failed to register in her brain. She knew instantly her face must be portraying the panic she felt standing there as he droned on, and suddenly she was glad for the veil covering her face as she chanced a glance to her right.

Her fiancé stood by next to her, but all she could really see of his face was an ear and some blue hair, and even that put a small kink in her neck from her straining to see his face. Silently, Lucy went back to staring at the preacher, mind elsewhere as he got closer to the dreaded words.

Something brushed against her dress, and Lucy started in a panic, but after a quick glance to her side, she saw Bora's hand open, palm up. He was silently asking to hold hands, and for a second, Lucy thought about ignoring the gesture all together. A glance at her father had Lucy change her mind, and she slowly interlocked her fingers with Bora's.

There was something about having her hand in his that made Lucy think about Natsu, and she bit her lip to keep from crying again. It felt like all she did now a days was cry about never seeing Natsu again, and she silently wondered what he was doing at that moment. Was he running to the church, like in those romance novels she read, so he could call out against the marriage just in time? Or was he preparing to snatch her away before she said those two disgusting words, 'I do'?

She snapped to attention just in time to hear the priest say, "The bride and groom have written their own vows, and would like to read them now." He said loudly, and nodded to Lucy.

Lucy smiled as she turned to look at Bora, and she spoke the words in her heart, even if they weren't meant for the man next to her. "I've been dreaming having a man like you since I was a little girl. You came into my life, and made all my dreams come true. I love you more than words can possibly say, and vow to cherish every moment we share for the rest of our lives. You are my lover, my best friend, and now...my husband. I am so lucky to have you in my life, and I will love you forever. You made my life like a fairy tale… and I can't wait for the next chapter."

The priest smiled, then nodded to Bora. The man coughed to clear his throat, and he turned his head to look at Lucy. "From the first time we met, I knew you were someone special. The time we've spent together, has been the best time of my life, and I'm excited to see what the future hold for us. You are the woman I want to have a family with, grow old with, and spend the rest of my life loving. I vow to take care of you, in good times and bad, and always love you. To laugh with you, take care of you, and be someone that you can depend on. I vow to love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Lucy couldn't meet Bora's eyes, she knew that somewhere behind her was Angel, the woman Bora had loved for a while, and she didn't want to see the look on his face that meant by just being married to Lucy wouldn't ever end his relationship with Angel.

The priest nodded, then looked to the church. "If there is anyone here who believes these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

There was a pause, and Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, listening for anything. A sneeze, a whisper, a sound. She didn't even care if it came from Angel, all she needed was one rejection to the marriage, and she was off the hook.

The only thing she heard was silence. Complete and utter silence.

Lucy felt like all the wind had been knocked out of her as they turned back to the priest, who was waving over a small boy holding a velvet pillow. "You may now exchange the rings."

Bora picked up two rings, reaching out for Lucy's left hand, and she responded mechanically, biting back the tears as he slipped on the gold engagement ring, pinning it in place with the gold band Lucy knew had the inscription, 'Forever Yours' inside. Bora spoke, his voice ringing through the quiet church as Lucy's eyes stayed fixed on the rings. "With this ring, I take you as my wife, to cherish and hold until death do us part."

Lucy slowly picked up the gold band for Bora, barely glancing at the same inscription inside it. She couldn't help but wonder how many times the ring would be taken off in the next few years, instinctively she knew Angel wouldn't like to see it on his hand, the physical signifier of their immortal bond. But her mind was drawn back to her own ring, the engagement ring that now sat on her finger. The band was two dragons intertwining, their eyes a pair of small rubies with a small diamond perched between the two. Lucy loved it instantly, the delicate artwork on it, her mind wandered to why Bora would want such a ring. In their politics of business, the larger and more ostentatious the ring; the better off you were. This wasn't really a ring the son of a successful business man to the daughter of a wealthy businessman…

She spoke, her voice much quieter as she shook the thoughts away. "With this ring, I take you as my husband, to cherish and hold until death do us part." She said, and, with an incredible amount of courage, she looked up into Bora's face.

To say that Bora looked like Natsu was an understatement, Lucy nearly broke down into hysterics as she met his gaze. Onyx eyes that were exactly the same color and shape, they could almost pass for twins, if not for the blue hair on Bora's head. Lucy stood still as Bora lifted the veil from around her face, and she barely heard the cameras snapping wildly as the priest spoke.

"Lucy Heartfilia, do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Bora smiled, and there was something in the grin that made Lucy glance at Bora's neck. Her eyes widened, and she nodded. "I do."

The priest nodded, turning to Bora. "And do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?"

Bora's face split further into a Natsu-like crooked grin. "I do."

The priest chuckled. "Then I declare you husband and wife. Natsu, you may kiss your bride."

Lucy barely had any time to react as the man before her pulled her in for a kiss, sweeping her feet out from under her as he twirled her around. When he pulled away, Lucy was flushed and confused, her eyes fixed on 'Bora'. As he set her down, arms still wrapped firmly around her, Lucy's hand found its way to his hair, and she pulled gently, surprise evident in her face as the blue wig came off in her hand, revealing a head of pink hair.

Natsu laughed at the look of surprise and shock on Lucy's face. He turned back to the priest, who was smiling broadly. "Thanks old man!"

The priest chuckled, waving him off. "Anything for a friend of the family."

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"

Lucy instantly stiffened as she heard her father's shout, and she turned to look at him, his face flushed in anger as he tried to connect the dots. Instantly, Natsu was between them, eyes burning with hate at the man before him. "I swore to Lucy you'd never touch her again, and to hell if I'd ever break a promise."

Lucy looked at the back of Natsu's head, then to the priest. "How? What-?"

Natsu grinned as he turned back to Lucy. "We knocked Bora out 5 minutes before the wedding and I took his place. He's in one of the broom closets down the hall." His expression changed as he looked back at Jude. "Under the contract signed by you and Lucy, you have complete control over her life until she's married and then it goes to her husband. And with 150 witnesses including yourself, I just married her."

Lucy's eyes reached the size of dinner plates. "How do you-"

"That's my doing Lucy!" A voice spoke up, and Lucy's eyes sought out Laki, who was in the far back. "You let me read the contract, and as a lawyer-to-be, I'm an expert in loopholes." She chirped, a grin on her face.

Lucy was at a complete loss for words as Natsu scooped her up, kissing her again. "Let's go Luce!"

She laughed, and the tears started streaming down her face as the church stood up as one, cheering as Natsu bolted for the door, Lucy's arms wrapped around his neck. As they passed by Laki, Natsu winked at her. "Thanks for everything Laki!"

Laki nodded, tears streaming down her own face as she waved them off, Gray waving them into the red Mustang waiting outside, but she found herself brushed aside as Jude, snapping out of his initial shock, charged outside. "Lucy!" He roared, the anger flashing in his eyes. "You won't be able to hide, wherever you are, I'll find you!"

Laki suppressed a shiver as she looked at Jude's angry face, but she stepped in front of him, her own eyes flashing as she met his gaze. "Not if I have anything to say about it. You can look until your dying day Mr. Heartfilia, but you'll never find her. Natsu will see to that."

"Hear, hear." Levy said with a grin, her arm looped with her boyfriend, who glared at Jude with such a look of hatred the older man took a step backwards.

Cana wiped a tear away from her eye, stepping beside Laki. "And I'll help him out any way I can, starting with talking to my Dad when he gets back from overseas, I bet you ten-to-one he has something to say about all of this.," She said, leading the march off to her car.

How true the girls had spoken was made clear almost immediately. Jude searched until his dying day for his daughter, but he found neither hide nor hair of his only child. He destroyed what little was left of his company, eventually causing his death when his debtors came calling. He was buried next to his wife, never knowing what became of his daughter.

Even after her father's death, Lucy never saw Magnolia again, nor did any of her old friends see her again. Levy, Laki, and Cana never found out where their best friend was, all they knew was she was happy with Natsu, wherever they were.

And they stayed that way for the rest of their lives.