Lucy examined the open space in front of her with a wide smile as she planned out the wedding in her head. The gazebo was a perfect place for the wedding party and courtyard was a beautiful place to set up folding chairs, with the flower beds that ran along the sides of the courtyard. She watched as Erza and Levy examined the gazebo thoroughly, making sure it was sound enough to hold everyone.

"Where did you find this place?" Lucy asked Levy as they headed back toward the house.

Levy blushed, looking at her feet, "Actually, it's home to a friend of mine from the Magic Council. He really enjoys your articles in Sorcerer Weekly and when I told him you were looking for a place to marry he volunteered his home."

Lucy hugged her, "It's amazing."

Levy smiled as she led the girls inside to a light blue room with two three-way mirrors, a clothing rack, and three large vanities.

"This is where the girls will be changing," Levy said.

Lucy gasped, "It's beautiful."

"The guys have a similar one, but without the vanities. Do you want to see the reception area?"

Lucy and Erza nodded eagerly as they followed Levy down a long corridor into a large yellow room. The room was empty at the moment, but as Levy pointed things out they could imagine what it would look like. Polished wood covered the entire floor as chandeliers hung from the ceiling, giving off just enough light to make the room look romantic. At one end they would set up the tables for the guests while at the other would sit the table for the wedding party, leaving a large dance floor in between.

Lucy hugged the small bluenette tightly, "Thank you so much, Levy. It's perfect."

Levy grinned, "Just one thing. You have to sign a copy of Sorcerer Weekly for him. It's the only thing he wants."

Lucy nodded eagerly, "Anything."

She hummed softly when she arrived home. A year ago she'd started dating Bickslow with no idea that she'd have his child, move in with him, and now here they were - getting married. She couldn't believe it She'd never thought she could be this happy, especially not marrying the man who attacked her when they first met. She smiled at the thought, remembering how Gajeel had attacked Levy on their first meeting and Jellal had hurt Erza when they first reunited and now both couples were actually couples.

"Maybe it's a thing for Fairy Tail women," She mused out loud.

"What's a thing for Fairy Tail women?" A voice asked.

Lucy whirled, screaming in surprise as a shock of pink hair crawled through her window. Natsu's face beamed up at her as he entered, before scratching his head.

"I forgot how loud you were, Lucy," He complained. "And why did you move? I liked your old place. It was hard to find you."

Lucy glared at him for a moment before hitting him, "A year of silence and you think you can just walk in here like it's no big deal?"

He shrugged, looking at her apologetically, "I just got home. I wanted to see my best friend. I've missed you, Lucy."

Lucy looked away, "Well, I didn't miss you."

"Aww, c'mon, Luce. You can't be like that," He whined.

Lucy narrowed his eyes, "I can be -"

"Honey we're home," Bickslow's voice sang out as he entered the apartment, Layla in his arms. "Guess who had a good nap earlier before Aunt Evergreen completely spoiled he-"

He stopped when he saw the two tense figures standing in the middle of his living room, glancing between his fiance and Natsu, still holding the quiet baby in his arms.

"Hello, Natsu," The Seith Mage said, coldly. "Lucy?"

She turned, smiling as she looked down at their daughter, "It's okay, Bicks. Why don't you get Layla settled down for the night?"

Bickslow nodded before looking down at the small child, "Come on, Layla. Let's give these two some space. We'll get you all bathed and settled in your bed. Then if you're good, maybe Daddy won't sing to you."

Once the door closed behind father and daughter, Lucy turned back to Natsu, her arms crossed.

"You live with Bickslow?" Natsu asked, bewildered.

"Yes," She answered, staring at him.

"But he has a child."

Lucy shrugged, "She's my child, too."

Natsu scratched his head again, "But who's the mom?"

"I'm the mom," Lucy said, exasperated. "I'm the one who carried her. I'm the one who gave birth to her. She's my child with Bickslow."

"Why do you have a child with Bickslow?"

Somehow, Natsu wasn't expecting the slap that accompanied that question.

"Because you left me," Lucy half-whispered, half-shouted. "You left me with a giant, gaping space in my heart and Bickslow was the one who was there to pick up the pieces. He's been great and sweet and he fixed my heart. We're engaged now and you're just going to have to deal with it."

Natsu nodded, stunned at Lucy's outburst.

"Alright," He replied, his shoulders sagging a bit as he turned. "I'll leave you be then."

Lucy watched as Natsu crawled back out the window, waiting for him to disappear before she felt herself crumbling inside. She knew that even though she loved Bickslow completely, there was still a part of her that would always cherish Natsu. He would always be her best friend and the one who rescued her. That was written in stone for her, but she knew now that Bickslow was the one she was meant to be with. Tears still managed to leak out, knowing that she'd hurt Natsu killed Lucy inside.

"Everything okay?" Bickslow asked, softly shutting the bedroom door before wrapping his arms around the celestial spirit mage.

Lucy managed a weak smile as she nodded her head, "Yeah, but I don't think Natsu will be at our wedding."

"Do you want him there?" Bickslow asked, pulling back so he could look directly into her eyes.

Lucy nodded once.

"Then he'll be there."

The day of the wedding was a sunny day with just a hint of autumn in the air. Lucy inhaled deeply as she stood outside, Levy and Evergreen standing on either side of her.

"Still worried about Natsu?"

Lucy nodded, since Natsu's return the two hadn't spoken much. Most of Natsu's time had been spent getting the guild back together, while Lucy had spent the time planning her upcoming wedding.

"You realize that if we stay out here much longer Mira and Erza are going to kill us, right?" Levy asked, looking over at the blonde.

Lucy smiled contently, "They'll just have to make do. The wedding can't start without me anyway."

Levy conceded the truth in that as the three turned and hurried inside. Erza and Mira were already dressed and their hair was perfect. Though Lucy was fairly certain that Erza re-quipped into her dress. The dresses were knee-length, sky blue garden dresses that fit snugly around the chest and hips before flaring at the waist. They were simple but pretty and Lucy was thankful that Levy and Evergreen had insisted on tagging along with Mira and herself when they'd went shopping. The three of them having to constantly remind the take-over mage that the wedding was going to be outdoors.

Lucy smiled in the mirror as she examined her own dress. It was a little longer than the others, reaching down to mid-calf in the front, stopping at her ankles in the back. The sleeves were pure lace, reaching down and covering her arms and chest with tiny flowers before spreading out and tapering off - ending at her waist. The bottom half was almost silk but stronger, flowing down and out around her. Mira finished putting in the final touches of her hair, taking the curls and pulling them around her head before fitting in a few small twines of baby's breath, as Levy handed out the bouquets of white roses.

"Ready?" She asked of her best friend.

Lucy forced a smiled as she inhaled deeply, "Ready."

"Don't worry. Lisanna has Layla and promised she would hold on to her until you were ready to take her back," Mira reassured.

"It's not Layla I'm worried about," Lucy replied, her eyes meeting the other's in the mirror.

"Bickslow's not going to run out on you now," Evergreen reassured, smiling at her.

"If he does, I'll kill him," Erza said, pulling out a sword.

The others looked at her in shock, wondering where she had hidden it before Lucy shook her head, smiling a real smile this time. She was used to Erza having weapons when it seemed like she wasn't carrying anything.

"No killings at my wedding," She announced as the others existed the room.

She looked around for Makarov as she walked out, surprised to see him standing at the front of the altar with her soon-to-be husband. He'd promised to walk with her down the aisle after all and she couldn't help but wonder what he was doing up there.

"You look beautiful, Luce."

Lucy whirled to glare at the dragon slayer that was standing behind her.

"What are you doing here?" She snapped as she examined the tux Natsu was wearing. She'd be lying if she said he didn't clean up nice.

He smiled as he offered her his arm, "Bickslow asked me to walk you down the aisle. Something about how I'm responsible for you."

Lucy sighed a little as she hesitantly took the arm he offered.

"You could have said no."

"I didn't want to."

Lucy smiled widely at up at the pinkette as they began to walk before turning her attention to the view in front of her. The guild had done a remarkable job at decorating - the white chairs were hung with tulle and white and blue calla lilies while a white runner had been settled onto the grass between the sets of chairs. The groomsmen stood in their black tuxes with dark blue vests and ties. Lucy grinned as she examined Bickslow, his vest and tie were white, standing out from the others. His dark hair had been slicked back and had even agreed to keep off his visor. Instead all the men wore black sunglasses. She smiled brightly as she watched each set of bridesmaids and groomsmen walk together. Mira and Freed went first, each one blushing brilliantly as they walked. Erza and Hibiki were next, neither spoke as they walked though they kept their composure. Lucy giggled when Elfman and Evergreen were up, both refusing to look at the other though everyone knew they were secretly enjoying it. Her giggle turned to a chuckle when it was time for the best man and maid of honor. Levy looked so tiny as she walked next to Laxus, the large man looking huge next to the petite bluenette.

Finally it was Lucy's turn. Her smile faltered as she began to walk with her best friend. Nerves gripped at her stomach. She knew it was ridiculous to be this worried, after everything they'd been through Bickslow wouldn't leave her now. That didn't stop fear from taking hold and shaking her with everything it had. At least, not until Bickslow removed his sunglasses to stare deeply into her eyes when Natsu released her to him.

"You look beautiful," He whispered, taking her hands in his own.

She beamed up at him, all fear forgotten as she gripped his hands.

"You look rather good yourself," She replied, winking.

He smiled, neither of them noticed when Makarov began to speak until it was time for their vows. They spoke them eloquently, if quickly then came the 'I do's.

"You may now kiss the bride," The tiny man announced.

And the couple did, happily, amidst a sea of friends and family.

AN: THE END! Sorry if this one's choppy. I really had no idea what to do with it. I just knew I wanted Natsu to return and I wanted Lucy and Bickslow to get married. I hope you enjoyed my little story :) I had fun writing it!