Alright, the chapter you've all been waiting for is finally here. I know, I'm sorry I've left you guys hanging for so long without a conclusion to the story. But here it is. I hope you enjoy. A big thank you to all of you who stuck around for so long and read my story!

After the End- Part 4/END

It's chilly outside. There's about a foot of snow on the ground and winter has only just started. It's nice, seeing all the white. It tends to hide away all the ash and rubble still left behind from ten years ago. A decade may have past but the scars of battle still remain on the lands of Fiore, the memory forever imprinted into the earth, and on our hearts.

I have grown since those days of darkness and devastation. My wounds to the soul will never heal fully but they have subsided into just memories- memories I've chosen to never let go. The good and the bad. Everyday I wake up remembering their loss, and remembering their love. I find that those memories give me the strength to survive another day. Like Erza would always say, moving on doesn't mean forgetting about things. It just means you have to accept what's happened and continue living. So I have. And I will never forget my past, but I will also strive for the future.

My life is a happy, fulfilling one. So much has happened, things I never thought would. I'm not alone. Seven years today me and Gray have been…

Lucy's left hand, writing ceaselessly, is put to a halt when another wraps around hers. His nose and lips nuzzle into her neck as he lets out a cool breath, giving her a small rush of chills.

"What are you writing?" Gray asks in a hushed tone, looking over her shoulder with interest.

"Just my thoughts again. That's all." She says softly, putting down the quill and turning her face into his. His dark calm eyes look kindly into hers for a moment. Then his lips give her forehead a quick kiss.

"Well you should take a break, Natsu is…"

"Momma!" The little blonde boy shouts as he comes running into the room. "Momma, momma, it's snowing!" His dark blue eyes beam with excitement. "Can we go outside? Can we? Can we?"

"Haha, of course." Lucy laughs, always amused by the bright smile that fits between his cheeks when he's happy. "As long as you wear something warm."

"Aw, but Dad lets me go outside without any clothes on!" Natsu complains.

"Hey, hey buddy," Gray intrudes quickly as soon as the cat's out of the bag. "what did I tell you about keeping that a secret?" He whispers kneeling down to Natsu's level.

"Oh yeah…" The not so bright boy remembers.

"Now scoot along and get a jacket on!" Gray says this time much louder, making sure Lucy can hear. With an irritated grin she folds her arms and shakes her head. Those two are a whole new kind of trouble. Never the less she treasures them both.

"Oh, make sure your sister has got something warm to wear as well!" Lucy shouts down the hall as Natsu returns to his room.

"Aye!" He shouts back in the distance.

"So," Lucy sighs, "you teaching Natsu a few stripping tricks?" She questions, her eyes piercing through Gray's while her hand rests against her hip.

Gray lets out an airy laugh as he rubs the back of his head, knowing he isn't getting out of this endeavor. "No, I mean, he just wanted to be like his old man, that's all."

"He isn't an ice mage like you were." She says quickly.

"Yeah, yeah, but can you blame him?" Gray snickers. As a grin slips onto his lips, so does his hand around Lucy's waist. "I mean, I am a pretty cool guy." Swiftly he slides his other arm around her back, but as he pulls her close Lucy places her hand against his chest in resistance.

"Don't get to full of yourself." Lucy smirks. "You're not that great."

"Really?" He asks, as if he's being tempted to prove other wise. But then, unexpectedly, the smile on his face falls from between his cheeks and his eyes grow heavy. What was a warm presence turns into a chilling touch. For a few moments they both remain silent, causing Lucy to grow with concern.

"Gray…?" She whispers.

"I know I'm not him." He suddenly says under his breathe. Lucy's eyes widen the moment Gray's words escape from his lips. But before she can respond, Gray lifts his strong hand up to her missing limb and gently takes ahold of what remains.

"But I still think you're beautiful." He whispers. Lucy's body grows stiff. "I still think you're wonderful. I still want to spend the rest of my life with you." Gray's voice grows deeper with each word. "I still love you. But can I ever truly take his place?" He says with a pathetic smile latched onto his face.

Without hesitation Lucy clasps her hand around Gray's neck and draws his lips into hers. At first he stays still. But the longer her lips press against his, the faster his heart starts to race, and the more he embraces her touch.

When she finally releases him from her grasp, Lucy looks up at him with a shaky smile resting upon her face. "I love you Gray. I love our family. I love our home." He caresses her hand as she brushes it against his cheek. "I'm so thankful for all that we have. For everything. There's nothing in this world I would trade for what we have now." Closing her eyes, Lucy rests her head against his chest and listens to the beating of his heart. A sound she will always treasure. "So please, never forget that."

A comforting smile slips onto Gray's lips at the sound of her sweet words. Pulling Lucy into his arms, Gray barriers his head into her neck and lets out a soft whisper. "Happy anniversary, Lucy."

"Happy anniversary, Gray…"

"Ew, Mommy and Daddy are acting all lovey dovey!" Natsu shouts, grabbing both Gray and Lucy's attention.

"Lovey dovey…" Little Juvia mumbles, cheeks blushing bright red.

"Well of course!" Gray bellows, going into character and tightening his grasp around Lucy. "As the king of this house I must possess all the gorgeous women!" Turning towards Juvia, Gray smiles devilishly. "Including the little ones!"

"Wah!" She squeals, running out the door as her dad chases after her like a monster.

"Juvia! I'll protect you from the mean stripping king!" Natsu roars, following behind them.

Lucy bursts out laughing at their silliness. Nothing amuses her more than when they all act like the cute dorks that they are. Grabbing her coat, she too runs towards the door to join them, but as she lifts the jacket off the wrack, an old piece of clothing drops to the floor, causing her to come to a halt. Lucy's eyes widen slightly at the sight of it. Nostalgia suddenly wells up within her chest, causing her heart to grow warm and tender. Slowly, she walks towards the clothing and latches her fingers around the tough, yet soft material. A gentle smile forms between her cheeks as she rises to her feet and walks out the door.

"Natsu!" She shouts out to her son before he gets too far out of reach.

"Yeah mama?"

"Come here. I want you to wear this."

The boy rolls his eyes, eager to play in the snow. But doing as his mom says, Natsu comes by his mothers side and allows her to wrap the battered scarf around him.

"There. To keep you warm and safe." Lucy says, rubbing the boys head and messing up his hair.

"Haha, mama!" He giggles. "Stop it!"

"Alright, now go attack your Dad." She orders after giving him a quick kiss on the forehead.

With a nod and evil grin, Natsu takes off and trudges through the snow in attempt to catch up with his Father. As for Lucy, she stays behind on the deck and watches the three of them from afar. She watches as they laugh and play. She watches as they create memories, memories that will last forever, just as she had made with Fairy Tail. Memories that will never die. And this makes her smile.

This is what makes life worth living. It was hard for me to see that ten years ago when I was still trying to recover. I had lost everything. My friends. My home. Gray and I were both haunted by grief and devastation. But after time, after we helped each other put our lives back together, we let go of the pain of the past, and embraced all the good that came of it. We realized that even though we had lost all those we had loved, they could never truly be gone. For the memories of them could never die. The impact all of them had on my life could never diminish. And it was that fact that kept me going, and still keeps me going today. I was able to move on, open my heart up to others again, and find purpose in my life. I wanted to keep making those memories. And that'a what I've done.

Gray and I have been married for seven years as of today. We were there for each other during the most challenging time in our lives. He was my life line and I was his. But at some point during that time his presence became more than that. And as a result we became a family. Natsu is now seven and Juvia five. Both angels. Well, Natsu could be up for debate. But there's nothing in this world that I treasure more. The life I live is a blessing and a constant reminder that love is worth the pain it can cause. Because of the love I have for my family and Gray, my life has meaning again. Just like it did when I had Fairy Tail.

"Momma!" Juvia squeals as her dad finally catches her. Picking up the little girl and hanging her tiny body in the air, Gray laughs victoriously.

"Haha I have captured the princess! Muhahahaha…oof!" His evil laughter is silence by a snowball to the face.

"Release Juvia you exhibitionist!" Natsu demands, getting ready to toss another snowball.

"What? Where did you learn that word?!" Gray scoffs, placing Juvia on his shoulders.

"Momma!" With one swing Natsu sends snow flying right into his fathers face.

A sudden burst of laughter escapes from Lucy's lips.

"Really?" Gray growls with an evil smirk, shaking the snow off his face. Quickly she covers her mouth as he glances in her direction. "Well then I'm gonna have to teach your mom a lesson for calling me names." Taking off into a sprint with Juvia bouncing on his shoulders, Gray starts to run towards Lucy.

"Oh no!" She squeals, twirling her head about to look for an escape route. Running out into the snow, Gray follows closely behind, along with Juvia and Natsu. It doesn't take long for them to catch her.

Lying in the snow, with Gray resting on top of her from his tackle, Lucy glances up into the sky to see their beautiful faces looking down at her.

"We must save mommy!" Juvia cries, yanking on her daddy's arm.

"Let Mommy go!" Natsu demands as well, tugging on his clothes.

Lucy and Gray stare at each other and let out small chuckles, unable to contain their amusement. "Ahhh…" He sighs happily, looking at Lucy with a soft expression, one that shows content. "Never." He whispers. Leaning down he gives her a soft kiss. "Never will I let her go."

Lucy's lips curve into a sweet smile as an unexpected tear slips down her cheek. "Thank you."

All living things must eventually die. It's unavoidable. But as long as you remember those who pass, they will live on in your heart forever.

THE END

Once again thank you guys for reading! I really appreciate all of you for your support and reviews! This is indeed the end of the story, but I might, MIGHT, write a bonus chapter that goes into more detail about Lucy and Gray's relationship and how it developed. But that's a MAYBE. So for now, thanks for reading, have an amazing day, week, year, and life!

-TheReasonWhy13