Author's Note: Well guys this is it; the last chapter. I can only say that it is bitter sweet. I won't be coming on Sundays to upload and looking forward to your reviews for the week. You guy are the best fans out there, by the way. Every week you guys reviewed and gave me the courage to continue to write and post chapters. I am so glad you all enjoyed my work just as much as I enjoyed writing it. But fret not everyone, I am not leaving the writing world quite yet...well ever I think?
There is going to be a sequel to this but it will not be until later this year and if you are a fan of my work then don't worry, I promise we will continue Loke and Lucy's story later this year. I have some ideas that I plan to have happen for this couple so keep an eye out for that.
In the meantime there is my newest fanfic that I hope to post sometime either before May or after May. It is going to be a Lucy and Natsu book. I had promised to tell you what I name it and it is called: Heir of Fire and Stars. I recently hit chapter ten with it, but like all my work I like to be able to write most, if not all the whole story out, before I start to type and post chapters. If you guys have any suggestions for me or have any hints feel free to PM.
So the final announcement before it is goodbye for now is that the song title for this chapter is entitled "Beautiful Memories" by the talented Adrian von Zeigler. Please pull it up to give a listen and enjoy the very last chapter of "You Are In Love".
Epilogue
~Chapter Twenty-Five~
~ 3 Months Later ~
Levy sat with Layla on her lap as Asuka sat close as she was talking to her new best friend. The blue haired mage had taken her role seriously with being a godmother as she took any chance she could with cuddling with the precious girl. Asuka, on the other hand, was constantly hanging around with Layla as she had deemed they were best friends after all. It has been three months since the birth and Fairy Tail was so smitten by the arrival of the two newest members. Lucy sat nearby as she was asking Bisca about advice on getting rid of diaper rashes while Layla was being the center of attention of most of the females of Fairy Tail. She wore a cute little yellow dress with her hair, which was getting a decent length, in pig tails. True, since the birth, Layla grew everyday into the splitting image of Lucy. It seems that Layla and Luke were growing into their own; much to do with the celestial magic running through their veins, after all, they were the children of Leo the Lion and one of the most powerful celestial mages Lucy.
On the opposite side of the guild, there could be heard squeals of delight as Natsu was playing with Luke. Luke was wearing a something similar to his father's suit as he was being tossed around by Natsu. Luke had taken quite a liking to the fire dragon slayer as he tried so hard to mimic him in every way; much to the displeasure of Lucy as she feared that he would take on some of Natsu's more unruly habits. And much like his sister, Luke was the splitting image of their father. As Natsu was playing and tossing Luke away, Loke was talking with Gray about possibly Gray and Juvia babysitting on an upcoming weekend. Much to Juvia's delight she had more than eagerly agreed; probably due to hopefully getting Gray the idea of settling down and possibly getting him jump started on the addition of new members that Lucy and Loke have started. Another squeal of delight echoed in the hall as Natsu tossed the baby up and caught him. Luke was slapping onto Natsu's arm for him to do the trick again. He truly did idolize Natsu and Natsu loved having a mini-Loke to terrorize and run around with.
"Careful with the kid Natsu! Don't rub your stupid on him!" snapped Gray as he was interrupted again in his conversation with Loke who let out a chuckle.
"Ah, let them be. Luke likes it and Natsu isn't hurting anyone." Loke folded his arms and leaned against the bar.
"Come on Luke! Time to go fly again!" Natsu chose to ignore the two as he was playing with the baby and Happy helping to catch him.
Lucy glanced over at the guys smiling to herself. Oh the trouble that boy was going to get into if he was teaming up with Natsu and Happy. She then directed her eyes onto the clock and took a look at the time as she realized how late it was getting. "Sorry to cut this short Bisca, but thanks for the advice." she smiled.
"Anytime and you are more than welcome to come over and ask anything at all. I know Asuka loves it when you do with Layla." Bisca smiled. Lucy exchanged kind smiles with the fellow mother. It was kinda nice to talk to someone who understood the trials and daily life of mother hood and being a mage. Lucy went over to where the gaggle of girls were and went to take Layla from Levy's outstretched arms once she saw her friend coming to claim her baby. Bisca wasn't far behind her as Lucy gently cuddled her daughter to her.
"Alright Layla, say 'see you later' to Asuka." Lucy made Layla make a waving motion with her tiny hand as the young girl and baby looked sadly at one another as their playtime had been cut short.
"Can I come play with Layla after you guys get back?" the little cow girl asked.
"I don't see why not, but if not today, definitely tomorrow as long as your Momma says it is alright." Lucy smiled at the youngster.
"I think we can manage that." Bisca laughed.
"Thank you Miss. Lucy and Momma!" Asuka exclaimed happily She had come up and kissed Layla's cheek. "See you later Layla! Have fun on your trip!" she beamed. Lucy smiled over at Bisca.
"Thanks again Bisca, see you when we get back." Lucy cradled her daughter closer to her as she thanked the other mother of the guild.
"Where are you going anyway Lu-chan?" Levy asked.
"I'll talk about it when we get back. Something Loke and I had planned to do a while ago and we now have time to do now."
"Well hurry back, you know we miss seeing you guys when you are away too long." Levy smiled.
"We will try." Lucy giggled. Lucy turned to go, but Layla held out her tiny hands for Asuka. A shake of the head from her mother told her not today, which made the little princess pout. Lucy was dressed in a white summer dress with her hair in a side braid and loose strands to frame her face. Her hair was long and she looked really good for someone who just had twins as she found she was back to her almost normal size. She didn't think it would be possible but her bust had once again increased much to Loke's pleasure. As she held her daughter close she made her way through the guild to try and find her mate whom was still talking to Gray and Juvia while her son was still being terrorized playfully by Natsu.
"Leo, it is time. We are going to miss the train if we don't leave now." Lucy spoke as she approached his side.
"That time already?" he asked surprised. He wore his sharp business suit, but today he was dressed even more sharper than usual. Lucy leaned up on her toes to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Honestly, what would you do without me?" she teased.
"You know I would be lost without you." he spoke affectingly, until he turned his attention to the little girl hiding in her Mother's arms. His affection only deepened as he saw his little girl; the one whom he was completely smitten by.
"There is Papa's little princess!" he scooped her up as she curled to her father and his warmth he gave. "Did you miss Papa?" he spoke in baby talk voice that earned a snort from Gray and an 'awe' from Juvia beside him. Lucy folded her own arms as she watched father and daughter cuddle with each other. It warmed her so much to see such a beautiful relationship. Despite how her relationship with her own father turned out; she was grateful that this one was so positive and affectionate. Loke did make one hell of a father. The way he cared for his children knew no limits as he was so eager to help her with them; especially that of Layla. She had made a good choice in the end of picking him to be hers and she never regretted one single moment. She loved to watch the pair when no one was around. He would sing to her, love her, and cherish her. He was just a good a father to Luke as he was to Layla, but there was a special spot for his daughter that she never thought he had. Fatherhood looked really good on Loke she had to admit.
Lucy's gaze turned towards Gray and Juvia. Every since the children were born, Juvia had calmed down quite a bit on the whole 'love rival' bit. They actually had a shot now of being really good friends. Ever since Lucy was no longer 'love rival' the pair actual got along and she was a dependable babysitter; thought secretly, Lucy had both her and Gray watch the twins so that it gave Juvia a chance to not only get closer to Gray, but help a girl out with showing Gray she was more than just the water woman. She could be a wonderful, kind and caring person; as well put her in the light that she had maternal instincts as well.
"So next week to baby sit?" Juvia clarified. Since Loke was so wrapped up in Layla's world, Lucy gave a nod to acknowledge the answer to the question the woman asked.
"Would you mind? Layla and Luke just adore it when you both babysit them. I know it is such short notice, but Levy had to cancel. Apparently Gajeel needed her to help on his mission."
"Yeah, in his pants." Gray snorted. That earned him half a heated glare from those around him.
"Be that as it may, you guys willing to help?" Lucy tried to refocus on her request instead of the gossip the whole guild knew to be true.
"Sure, anything efor my godson."
"HALF GODSON!" bellowed out the voice of Natsu suddenly as he came up with a laughing Luke cradled in his strong, protective arms. Luke, seeing his mother, reached his arms out for his Momma. Lucy gladly took him as she cradled him against her shoulder as he suckled his thumb.
"Now, now Natsu, no fighting in front of Luke until Loke gives the okay. You know he is going to want to learn how to fight soon enough. He has that fighting spirit inside him. I can see it each day." Lucy laughed.
"That is because he gets it from being around me." Natsu grinned.
"You mean me!" Gray rebutted. Already the verbal fighting started and Lucy took a nervous step back with Luke securely in her embrace. She knew how these two fought; hell she was part of that fight for years, so she didn't want her babies getting in their cross hairs as they bickered. Luke just smiled and enjoyed it despite his nervous Mother's anxiety.
"Come on Luce! Why do you let Gray babysit him more than me! Let me baby sit him sometime! I am better at it than Gray and Luke loves having me around!" the dragon slayer whined.
"Sure, when Lisanna is there. We heard from Happy the last time you were in charge. If Lisanna didn't show up I heard it was going to be a disaster. You and Lisanna make a good team, so if you want to babysit, you have to do it when she is with you and around." Loke chuckled.. A pink tint crossed the man's cheek as Loke hit the nail on the head. It was no secret as well that Natsu had rekindled whatever relationship with the once lost take over mage as she was around more. Loke had heard the last bit of the conversation as he took his spot by his mate while rocking their daughter in his arms. He grinned at the blush on Natsu's face but didn't say anything more on it. He will let the dense man be for now.
"The time Leo. We have to go." Lucy reminded him. Quickly, they said their goodbyes as they headed out towards the train station. Loke stayed close to his mate as the beautiful family began their travel.
~ Graveyard ~
Loke held onto both children as Lucy carried the flowers they had purchased at the flower shop on their way to visit her parents grave. In silence, they stood before the marked graves of Jude and Layla Heartfilia. Lucy was the first to finally step forward.
"Momma, Papa, I know it has been a rather long time since I last came to see you both, but a lot has happened since we last visited. I am with my mate Leo. He is a good man. Leo is a strong, honest, caring man. I love him so much Momma. He makes me smile and loves me as much as I love him. We have been on so many adventures together and I could not be any happier. He has protected me and he has given me so many precious, wonderful gifts. I wanted you both to finally, not only meet him, but your grandchildren as well." Lucy introduced them as Loke took a step to be by her side. Both babies clung to their father as they curiously looked at the weird concrete squares and not really understanding why their mother was talking to the air.
In the afternoon sun, glittering of the necks of both Lucy and Loke were the keys of their children. Held together by a chain made in the celestial realm, Loke had Layla's key while Lucy had Luke's. "Momma, Papa this is Luke and Layla. Momma, she looks just like you. And Papa, Luke has your competitive nature. I'm sure where ever you are that you are proud of them as much as I am." Lucy smiled softly as she kneeled down and placed the flowers on their graves. As she stood back up to admire the scene, Loke cleared his throat to speak. Lucy turned her attention to Loke only to find a serious expression as he held an intent gaze at the grave.
"Mr. and Mrs. Heartfilia, it is an honor to finally get the chance to meet you. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about you both from your daughter, and known you Mr. Heartfilia for just a brief amount of time. Your daughter has given me and my life the greatest of joys I have never thought possible. She gave me a family as much as I gave her one. Our children will continue your legacy. Lucy is a wonderful mother and mate. Now, this doesn't sit right, but however, I hope you will give us your blessing as I want to make an honest woman out of her." Loke turned his gaze to the shocked look on his Mate's face.
"Leo...what are..." Lucy was cut off as Layla was placed in her arms. With Loke's free hand, he pulled out one of the most beautiful rings Lucy has ever imagined. He couldn't get on bended knee but he stepped closer to her as his gaze bore into her own.
"Lucy Heartfilia, it is just as you said. I have loved, protected, and cherish you. I will continue to do that all of our days to come. You have given me a family, given me hope, and giving me the right to want to live. I love you more than anything in this world save our children and even then, it is a damn tie. I can't imagine a day without you now as you have completed me in ways that I never thought possible. I can't tell you enough how much I love you and how much I want you to say yes to this question. Would you do me the greatest honor of officially being my wife so that I can show not only my world, but this one as well that you are mine and that I am yours?" he spoke with such warmth and hope in his voice. His eyes searched her own as his proposal resonated within her. Lucy's breath was caught in her throat as his words were so sincere and struck every passionate cord within her.
"Oh Leo...yes! Yes!" Lucy wrapped her free hand around his neck and kissed him deeply. She hummed in pure bliss as small happy tears fell from the corners of her eyes. She was beyond happy; words couldn't express just how much this moment and this man meant to her. She felt she was going to burst from just all the emotions welling up inside her. Somehow, after they parted from their heated kiss that sealed their fate, Loke managed to get the ring onto her hand. Lucy was beaming at how it sparked and glistened in the afternoon sun. She kept admiring it.
"Momma! I am getting married!" she squealed happily as she showed the graves; laughing through her own tears, her favorite emotion. She kept admiring the ring as she couldn't believe that this moment was really happening. She and Leo were going to get married. True they did this out of order but the fact was they were a family and they were going to officially make it so. She then turned her gaze back to the man she loved more than anything in this world. She quickly dried her tears and smiled up at him radiantly. "Thank you Leo...this is...this means so much to me and to us..." she sniffled.
"It means everything to me to." He gave her another chaste kiss as he wrapped his free arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side. He looked back at the grave with the biggest smile on his face. "Mr. and Mrs. Heartfilia, I promise your daughter and your grandchildren will want for nothing. I will continue to love and provide for them as we grow in your family. Please keep watching over us." Loke spoke with such conviction.
"And I promise that we will visit soon and that we miss you both." Lucy leaned into her fiancé's side. Her head was on his shoulder as both twins cooed and cuddled to their parents in the afternoon sun. It was a perfect ending to another perfect day. After several more moments of paying their respects, Loke began to lead his little family out of the cemetery; however, as they headed towards a bright future, there were dark cloud on the horizon that threatened to overshadow the happy future and would test just how deep their connection was to one another.