The third and final chapter to this beautiful story :) thanks so much for all the support I have gotten for this. Please pay attention to the end! I have something very important to ask you.

This story now has a few pieces of fan art! go to ultimate-milk-sandwich and tooironictohandle on tumblr to find them! they can also be found on my page under the tag fic art

Fairy Tail and it's characters belong to Hiro Mashima

It is an absolutely beautiful day in Magnolia. The sun is shining brilliantly with not a cloud in the sky. It was late fall and the ground was covered in reds, brows, and yellows. It was perfect.

Natsu was in the room they told him to stay in to get dressed. It was a back room in Kardia Cathedral. And today was a very special day for the veteran.

It was his wedding day.

Standing in front of the mirror he tried to fix his tie. The darn thing was either too tight, too loose, or just looked sloppy. He couldn't have that today.

"Come on ya stupid- NNG!" he made it way too tight this time.

Undoing the whole thing he ripped it off his neck. He walked over to the couch and sat, he attempted to fix it without looking at it. And this time, he made it loose and sloppy.

"Ugh.." he slumped forward. He gave up.

Chuckling, he rubd his left knee. Maybe Lucy wouldn't care about the tie. She didn't care he was missing a leg, what was a tie compared to that?

It had been 3 years since he first met her. A little over 4 since he got her first letter. Since that time, his life became a never ending adventure. Everyday with Lucy was a day he wanted to cherish.

She gave his life meaning. She made him laugh, she made him cry. She argued with him, she took care of him. She loved him.

That's why 6 months ago he asked her to be his. Almost lost his life once, he wouldn't let that happen again. Losing her would be the equivalent to being dead, for him at least.

knock, knock, "Can I come in?"

Natsu's head shot up, it was hard to admit that little noises like that scared him. He was told it was normal for soldiers, "Yeah."

Zeref walked in, holding a few things, then stopped and stared, "What are you doing?"

"What?" he looked around the room, he hadn't done anything, had he?

"Your tie, Natsu," he dropped his things on the couch, "stand up. I'll fix it for you."

"Yosh!" he stood, a tad to quick, "Woah.."

"Easy," Zeref steadied him. Natsu could walk, run, and pretty much do anything thanks to his prosthetic leg. But sometimes standing up was a challenge.

"Thanks," Natsu grinned as Zeref fixed his blood red tie. Lucy had chosen different shades of red and pink for their colors. He didn't care, he just couldn't wait to see her.

Ever since he was a kid, Igneel taught him to be chivalrous. It shaped him to be who he was. When he met her friends, they had called him old fashioned. Told him to grow a pair.

Before he could even feel bad or embarrassed, Lucy told him she loved it. Told him he perfect.

"Nervous?"

"A little," he took a deep breath, "Still have a hard time believe she actually said yes.."

Zeref smoothed down he tie and finished buttoning his jacket, "That girl adores you. She hasn't stopped smiling all day."

"You've seen her?!" Natsu checked himself out in the mirror. A slick black suit, red tie, a pink rose pinned to his jacket. He had broke down and cut his hair a few weeks ago. It was spiked up the way he kept it when he was young. Looking at the whole picture, he looked good if he said so himself.

"I have. And she's stunning," he picked up his discarded items, "You made the right choice. I wish Mavis wanted to wait until the ceremony."

Lucy had been all for not seeing each other before the wedding. She wanted the photographer to capture the moment.

"I am too," he looked at what his brother was holding, "What's that?"

"A letter," he smiled, a twinkle in his eyes, "from your bride."

Lucy had kept her promise. He got a letter from her every other week.

"I'm going to go check on Mavis, I'll be back when it's time."

He left Natsu alone as he sat down and read the letter;

Dear Natsu,

I can't believe it's finally here! I'm so excited and so happy right now! I love you so much, Natsu.

I'm actually right down the hall from you. They just finished my hair. I'm read to see you. We've barely seen each other at all this week. I miss you.

I got the rest of those boxes unpacked last night. Everything is ready for you. :) Happy cried all night because he didn't know where you were. Plue cried too. I couldn't sleep at all. I was too excited to sleep anyway.

The church looks amazing! i don't know if you've seen it yet, but I'm so happy with everything. I think you'll be happy with the groom's cake. You said you didn't care what it looked like, but Erza made it and it looks incredible! I can't wait for you to see it. Please, don't get anything on your suit. Please, for me?

I can't wait to be your wife. I love you so much. The number of stars in the sky can't compare to how much I love you. I love the way you always make me smile, even when I'm made at you. I love the way you rock me to sleep when I don't feel well. I love that you worked so hard to get back on your feet. I love that whenever your down or scared you come to me. I love the way you are with Rory and Zera, you're going to be such a good dad one day. Natsu, I love everything about you. And I get to spend the rest of my life with you, thank you.

With all my love,
Lucy (your soon-to-be wife!)

When he finished reading, he had to wipe his eyes. If this is how he was beforehand he didn't want to imagine the water works during the ceremony.

"Natsu?" Zeref poked his head in the room, "You ready?"

Folding the letter and putting in safely next to his hand written vow, he stood up, "I'm all fired up!"

Natsu had been in situations that would make most men cry. His life was put on the line everyday for years. People called him brave. But standing at the front on the church in front over a hundred people, most people he didn't even know, made him more nervous than a child going to school for the first time.

Zeref stood behind him, followed by Sting and Gray. Over the years, the two had gotten pretty close. Across from him stood Levy, Juvia, and Cana. Only the final piece was missing now.

The room giggle as the flower girl and ring bearer came down the isle. Zeref and Mavis' daughter Zera was wearing an adorable pink tutu gown with little slippers and a flower crown in her dark tresses. Their son Rory was in a little suit, but it looked like his tie had been tying to come off.

Natsu smiled as Rory ran to his father once he reached the front. Zera dumped her basket at the end of the isle, then ran to Mavis sitting in the front row.

The 16-month-old twins put a smile on everyone's face. They were an adorable pair. When everyone calmed down, the bridal march began.

Natsu's hands began to sweat. He heard the back doors open, and he what he saw..

On her fathers arm, Lucy shined. Her golden hair flowed down her back in soft curls, a part was pulled back to hold up the flowers in a braid. A silk veil covered her gorgeous face.

Her dress was pure white. It hugged every curve until it got to her knees, the silk flowed behind her. Her chest was covered by lace, he could see her skin peeking out, from her shoulders down to her hands were covered in that see through lace. They had loops for her finger so the sleeve wouldn't slip. She wsa holding a bouquet of pink lilies. White ribbons hung from it and bounced as she walked.

But fro him.. he saw her smile. That breathtaking smile that lit up his world.

Natsu raised a fist to his mouth, hoping no one saw the tears in his eyes. But he knew she did when she stood directly in front of him.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" the priest began.

"I do," Jude Heartfilia's lip trembled, "as does her late mother."

The priest nodded and Jude turned to his daughter, "I love you Lucy," he raised her veil and kissed her forehead.

"I love you daddy," her eyes were full of happy tears. Jude took her hand and gave it to Natsu, "Take care of her."

Not trusting his voice, "he nodded. He laced his fingers with hers as she gave her bouquet to Levy. He saw that the dress didn't have a back, at all. It started right at her lower back, hugging her cheeks nicely.

"Hey," she whispered, facing him, "you look so handsome."

His lip trembled, "You're beautiful."

Lucy blushed prettily as the priest spoke, "The bride and groom have decided to write their own vows. Lucy."

Lucy closed her eyes and took both of his hands in hers. She looked at him with such fondness as she spoke, "Natsu. Growing up, I thought that I had to find a prince. That he would be the one I'd fall in love with, "she sniffed and laughed a bit, "but when I met you, that changed. Princes lost their wonder. I started to find that the dragons were much more approachable, more lovable."

Natsu couldn't help his smile.

"With a prince you don't have as much fun. You don't get to go on adventures, because for them the adventure is over once they have their princess. The dragon knows that the adventure is just beginning."

Kissing his scared fingers she went on, "I hope from the day on you'll be my dragon. Protect me and the family we hope to have. And in turn I'll be there to support you and stand firmly at your side whenever you need me. I hope that our adventure never ends."

She giggled, her face a pretty pink, "I promise to love you until my last breath."

He took in a shaky breath, he heard sniffles and a few claps.

"Natsu," the priest turned to him.

"I'm not good with words.. but.. Lucy," he blinked a few times, he was crying more than she was, "before I met you, my life was lonely. I spent the days I was home in training or relaxing at home. I couldn't wait to get back into the field. Being at him was just too depressing. If it hadn't been for you, losing my leg would have been it for me."

She tilted her head to the side, it was something she did when she thought he was being to hard on himself.

"You saved me Lucy. You were there in the hospital, you helped me learn to walk, you pulled me up when I just wanted to stay down. I'll always be your dragon if you promise to always be my angel. I'll love you until I die and even after that I'll love you.

Lucy's eyes were glassy with unshed tears, a smile graced her pretty face.

"I want you to be beside me everyday so I can annoy and scare you every chance I get," the audience laughed, Lucy shook her head, "I love you."

He raised her right hand where her engagement ring sat for the day, and kissed it. Branding her as his.

"The rings please?" the priest turned to Zered and Levy, who gave the rings to the couple, "Now Lucy repeat after me. I Lucy, take you Natsu."

"I Lucy," she held his left hand, tracing a larger scar with her thumb, "take you Natsu."

"To be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward."

"To be my lawfully wedded husband," she winked at him, "to have and to hold, from this day forward."

"For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health."

Lucy smiled brilliantly, Natsu's heart just kept expanding with his love for her, "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health."

"To love and to cherish until death do us part."

"To love and to cherish until death do us part," she slid the plain white-gold band on his finger.

The ring felt right, like it was supposed to be there. Like Lucy was meant to place it there.

"Now Natsu repeat after me," Natsu held Lucy's delicate hand in his, "I Natsu, take you Lucy."

"I Natsu," he could feel his voice crack, "take you Lucy."

"To be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward."

"To be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to gold, from this day on.. forward, I mean.."

The audience chuckled. He felt heat creep up his neck, how could he already screw this up?

Lucy squeezed his hand, she was smiling. She mouthed 'It's OK' and urged him on. The only opinion that mattered anymore was her's.

"For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health."

"For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.."

"To love and to cherish until death parts us."

"To love and to cherish until death parts us," he slid the ring slowly onto her slim finger, savoring the moment.

"Lucy," the priest asked her, "do you accept?"

"I do," the tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Natsu?"

"I do," he tugged her closer.

"I now pronounce you as husband, and wife. You may now kiss your bride."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Lucy laughed at him as he swooped in and kissed her.

Natsu couldn't hear the audience cheer or the music start. He wrapped his arms around Lucy's waist and lifted her in the air, she bent her knees, pointing her toes upwards. Total bliss was felt by the both of them.

He released her lips, grinning up at her. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

The priest chuckled, "Allow me to introduce you to the new Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel."

Everyone in the hall clapped, he heard some people crying. The most sniffling was right behind him. Zeref was hiding his tears behind Rory's head.

Natsu lowered his wife to her feet. His wife. That had a good ring to it.

"You ready?" She took his hand, lacing their fingers as she took back her bouquet.

"As long as it's with you," he raised her and kissed the band on her left hand. It matched his, just a little smaller.

Lucy went down the steps first, going slow so she could hold him as he walked down. Unfortunately, he had lost his knee when they amputated his leg. He had to be careful going up and down stairs because of it.

As they walked down the isle the song "I Do" by Mark Willis played. Lucy was such a romantic. Every song had a meaning behind it. Natsu smiled thinking of this one. It was playing the night he proposed.

The couple made it to the end of the isle, closed the doors, and went to their waiting room. Right after Natsu closed the door and turned around, Lucy peppered his face with kisses.

"Oh my gosh, Natsu!" she squealed, jumping up and down.

Natsu laughed, he had listened to wedding stories from his bunk mates, his brother, and all of Lucy's friends. How their wives just wanted everything to be perfect. Not Lucy she told, him they could get married in a cow pasture and she'd be just as exctied to get to marry him.

Of course, she said if he suggested they get married in a cow pasture then he might be in danger of losing his other leg.

"Come here, Mrs. Dragneel," he yanked her to him and kissed her. A kiss that told her everything she already knew.

"Mm," she wrapped her arms around his neck, scratching his scalp with her nails. Man he hated this, she knew jow much he loved that and of course, she had to do it here...

Natsu pulled back first, out of breath but his goofy grin never left his face.

"I love you," Lucy whispered against his lips. Her eyes closed as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Kissing her forehead, he rocked her back and forth, "I love you more, Lucy."

Their reception hall decorations blew Natsu away. Pink and red ribbons, flowers, and paper lanterns were everywhere. The cake was white and covered in roses. HIS cake on the other hand was a chocolate cake with a fondant dragon curled around the sides and ending on the top. Erza out did herself.

"Natsu!" Sting clapped him on the back, he and Lucy were going around talking to their guests separately.

"Yosh!" he saw a pretty woman behind his old bunk mate, "Hey, Yukino!"

"Hello Natsu," the shy girl hugged him, "Congratulations! The ceremony was so beautiful. Lucy is a lucky girl."

"If anyone's lucky, that'd be me," he flashed her a grin.

"Well we'll let ya be, come on Yukino!" Sting took his wife to the food table.

Natsu laughed, he turned around and spotted his other groomsmen and mini-me.

"Yo!" he poked the child's face, "How are ya buddy?"

"Natsyy!" Storm reached for him, which Natsu gladly accepted him. Throwing him in the air making the little boy squeal happily.

"Careful man," Gray looked around to make sure his wie didn't see.

"You're Ok ain't ya?" Natsu asked Storm, who nodded with his thumb in his mouth, "That's right."

"Don't do that," Gray chastised his son, "Congrats man. You deserve it."

"Thanks. I just hope I can make her happy."

"I've known Lucy since we were kids and I can promise you that she's never been happier," Gray nodded towards the blonde across the room. She was excitingly talking to Mira and Erza, but she kept looking at her hand and gushing over her ring, "she hasn't stopped smiling in weeks."

Natsu hefted Storm a little higher on his hip, he had noticed how happy she was. It was infectious. And watching her now, he couldn't believe she was his. That beautiful woman who was showing everyone in the room just how beautiful she was, just how happy she was to be married to him, and she was all his.

"Natsu!" Juvia popped up behind Gray, she smiled when Storm reached for her. She tickled his tummy, "Lucy is ready to cut the cake."

"Oh finally!" he was starving.

He made his way to her, occasionally shaking someones hand.

"Well hey there, handsome," Lucy hugged his arm to her chest.

"Hey beautiful," he rubbed her hand,"miss me, yet?"

"Not at all."

"You wound me," he placed a hand over his heart, "can we eat now?"

"We'll have to eat later. It's time for cake now."

"I guess that'll work.."

The crowd gathered as they cut their cake hand in hand. He smeared the cake over her lips and chin, she got it up his nose.

She laughed as she cleaned them both up, already being a great wife.

His night continued just as good. Lucy threw her bouquet, Juvia's friend Meldy caught it. Causing Lyon to almost spit out his cake.

When he removed her garter, he couldn't get in the floor and use his teeth like he wanted. So he surprised his new wife by picking her up and holding her up by her thighs in one hand. He slid the garter down her beautifully smooth legs and flicked it away with one hand. Lucy was an embarrassed mess when he put her down. She covered her face with her hands. He laughed at her pitifully as he brought her in his arms.

Everyone laughing got the couples attention. The bright red garter had landed like a halo on Freed's head.

"Alrighty folks!" DJ Bickslow called, "It's time for the Mr. and Mrs. to have a dance!"

"Wait, we didn't-"

"I did."

Lucy looked at him in shock, "Really?"

"You love dancing, Lucy," he took her hand and tugged her to the dance floor, "And i want today to b perfect."

He stopped and bowed to her, "May I please have this dance?"

She was close to crying, "Of course you can."

He placed one hand on her waist and one on her upper back as she laced her fingers behind his head.

Since Lucy didn't know about the first dance, Natsu had told Bickslow which song to play. He chose "I Swear" by John Michael Montgomery. It was his vow to Lucy.

Natsu held her close, singing quietly in her ear, "And I swear.. by the moon and the stars in the sky.. I'll be there.."

Lucy hummed along, the vibrations going through his chest, "Like the shadows that's by your side.. I'll be there.. For better or worse.. 'Til death do us part.. I'll love you with every beat of my heart.. I swear.."

"Careful!" Lucy giggled as he picked her up, bridal style.

"Hey now, it's tradition," he grinned, "gotta carry my wife over the threshold."

"I know but- eepp!" She held his head closer to her chest when he jumped up the step to the door, "NATSU!"

"Sohwy," he mumbled, face still pressed in her chest.

He got the door opened and shut it with his foot. Lucy kissed his head, "Welcome home."

"Yosh!"

"Do you want to eat or shower or.." he glared at her, fire burning in his eyes.

"None of the above," he kept her in his grip and he quickly walked to her.. no, their bedroom.

He threw her on the bed, she was still in her wedding gown. And the way her hair flowed above her.. she was truly an angel.

He began to loosen his tie, "I got something better in mind.."

She blushed but kept her eyes on him as he let the tie fall to his feet.

He threw his jacket down and started on the buttons on his shirt, still watching her watch him, "OK. Stay calm.. This ain't that big of a thing.. It's Lucy.. no reason to be nervous.."

When he and Lucy started dating, he was afraid she would be turned off by his desire to wait until marriage. Almost everyone he knew at his fancy private high school had sex and sometimes kids before they even graduated. He didn't want that, he wanted it to be special.

And just his luck, she felt the same. Her friends in Crocus all talked about how many men they had been with and she hated the idea of her husband just being a number on a list. So she was waiting too. But damn, it was hard for him to keep his hands off her. He'd seen her in tight outfits, a bikini, and on a total accident he saw her naked once, maybe twice.

His shirt fell to the to the floor behind him. He braced his arms beside her head and eased down onto her.

"I love you, Mrs. Dragneel," he kissed her nose.

"I love you, Mr. Dragneel," she giggled, leaving lipstick marks all over his cheeks. He rocked his hips against hers, enjoying the mewls he got out of her.

He slipped a hand under her to find the zipper on her waist, he took an unsteady breath as it went under her round buttocks. Lucy was raking her nails over his back. She slipped the sleeves off behind his back.

Once the dress was off, Lucy traced his newest tattoo. It was a cursive L right over his heart, the end of the letter curled into a heart. A rose was sitting next to the heart.

He grabbed her hand, that now had her engagement ring and wedding ring, and kissed it, "Thank you for sending me that letter."

"Before the wedding? You love letters, and I haven't seen you much so I thought it would calm you down."

"Well yeah that one, but I meant the first one."

"Huh?" Lucy ran her arms down his sides to his pants, "The first one? You mean while you were in Alvarez?"

"Yeah," he raised his hips so he could shimmy out of his pants.

"Why are you thanking me for that? It's been years," she traced the bulge in his boxers with her finger. His breath hitched as she pressed harder into it.

Natsu had one arm around her shoulders and the other cupped her heat, "I know. But if you never sent it, we wouldn't be here," he moved her silky panties aside to slip a finger inside her virgin lips, using his mouth to kiss her neck.

Lucy mewled as he removed both of their hands to rock against her again, she raised her legs and wrapped them around his waist. Natsu pushed her lacy bra aside and took one pink and perky nipple in his mouth.

"Then I- UH! Should-should thank you.. ohh, for answering meee!"

He smirked into her breast, letting it go with a pop, "You were my saving grace Lucy."

She reached behind her and unhooked her bra, throwing it to the floor. Natsu let his eyes roam over her free chest.

"You were mine too," Lucy was breathless and they hadn't even done anything yet. He picked her up and crawled to the pillows, and slowly pulled down the only clothing she had left.

He reached to take off his boxers, but saw the black metal attached to his leg.

"Natsu?" Lucy sat up and hugged him from behind, kissing his cheek.

Natsu turned his head to meet her lips. Lucy had never cared once about his leg. His brother hadn't been able to look at it, her friends and people on the street stared. But Lucy had never looked at him as anything but him.

She tugged on his boxers and he finally flicked them off. Lucy pulled him on top of her, kissing him with such passion. Natsu poured his love into the kiss.

"I love everything about you.."Lucy whispered against his lips.

"You're so perfect," he kissed her lips softly, wanting to drag this night out as long as possible. His life was here in his arms, she promised to stay with him. For better or worse, sickness and health. She was his, he was hers. And it all started with a letter. He couldn't help but think what happened right before he got her letter.

**FLASHBACK**

"You're serious?" Sting's jaw dropped.

"What?" Natsu sipped his soup, unsure what was wrong with what he said.

"You're 25 and you've never been with a girl?!" Sting hid behind his childhood friend, Rogue.

"So?"

"You think girls think that's cute? Where we went to high school you were a loser if you hadn't!"

"Sting, I think that's enough," Rogue pushed Sting off his shoulder.

"I don't care if I'm a loser, I ain't sleeping with every girl that comes along," his cheeks pinked a little.

"You want to get married one day dontcha?" Sting pushed his tray away and stared the pinkette down.

"..yeah."

"Then ya can't be inexperienced! Being a solider will only help so much! No girl wants to marry a guy who only knows how to kiss!" When Natsu looked away he said, "You've never kissed a girl?!"

"..no.."

"Natsu!"

"Sting, that's enough.."

"Whatever.." Natsu took his try to the garbage and left the cafeteria.

He dug through his stuff to find his brothers last letter.

"...I'm thinking about asking Mavis to marry me...I wish you were here to help me think about it better...when you come home she wants to introduce you to a friend of hers...you can't stay single forever just because you're a solider..."

Natsu crumpled the letter and threw it in his bag. His whole life he was pushed aside because of how he thought, how he did things, and who he was. No one took the chance to really care what he liked, not even his brother..

He looked out the window and wondered who would really miss him if he didn't come home. His brother would.. Mavis maybe.. his little buddy would, but a cat would move on.

"So.. no one.."

"DRAGNEEL!" Commander Dreyar yelled as he walked in, "Letter for you."

"Me? I just got a letter from Zeref.."

"It doesn't look like it's from your brother. But it's addressed to you," Makarov put the letter on the bed and left.

Natsu picked up the letter and examined it. It was a pink envelope. And it smelled girly. Opening it, the paper was pink, the handwriting was girly and there were lovey-dovey cats on it.

"Who sent this?"

"...Hmm. I guess that's all there is about me.

How about you? Staying safe I hope. I don't know anything about military life so I can't really ask any good questions. But if you'd like, please feel free to write back to me.

-Lucy

P.S. Thank you for serving our country."

"Someone... actually wants to talk to me..?"

It was the first time in his life since his father died that someone asked him about himself..

**END FLASHBACK**

Natsu kissed Lucy's back, she was on her knees in front of him, panting into the pillow.

His life was close to coming to an end when Lucy entered his life. A letter to war saved his life once, the promise of another letter saved his life again.

"I love you, Lucy. I love you so much," he rocked into her again and again.

He lost a leg, but he gained so much more. All thanks to a letter to war.

Thanks again for reading! Please let me know what you think ^^

OK! I want to do more for this AU. Little one shots about the years between them meeting and their wedding. My ideas consist of: First date, Natsu getting his prosthetic, meeting Lucy's friends, Lucy meeting Mavis, Zeref and Mavis' wedding, Rory and Zera being born, them being goofballs together. Stuff like that. I would love to see what you guys think of this. It's all up to you if I do it or not. So please let me know!

Thanks for reading! And keep on the lookout for more AU's! I have a new one planned that I'm thinking about starting!