Final

Chapter 20

By the next day Levy was ready to be discharged from the hospital. All of her prescriptions and paperwork had been taken over and all that was left to do was rest and recover. Levy was eager to leave the old building and was pulling her hair back into her usual headband when there was a knocking on the door. Levy's eyes brightened when she saw Makarov had returned as promised.

"Master," Gajeel started from beside her. He didn't think the Master would come to watch Levy leave, and out of habit he assumed the Master was bearing more bad news. "Is something wrong?"

"No, my boy, nothings the matter. I've just come to bring up a visitor who has been very eager to see Levy." Makarov nodded to the woman.

Levy's eyebrows furrowed, "who is it?" She asked curiously. She'd already been visited by Cana and Lucy, and she'd just ended a long emotional reunion with Jet and Droy who's surprise visit was something she definitely never would have expected after a year of losing contact with them. She couldn't think of anyone else, but when a fair skinned and slender woman came to the doorway, Levy hadn't even recognized her at first.

"Bisca..?" Levy asked. She recognized the mother's dark green hair and beautiful eyes, now with more light in them than compared to that horrible night.

"Levy, I'm really glad to see that you're healing." Bisca allowed herself in, holding the hand of her young daughter, Asuka. Levy looked over at the girl with a saddened look; she wished she could have been in better shape for the child to see. Her face was bruised up and she felt rather defeated, and she hoped her injuries didn't scare the little girl, but Asuka seemed unbothered.

"How have you been?" Levy asked carefully.

"We're fine now," Bisca answered with a short smile. She didn't hesitate and also made sure to not leave room for anyone to get the wrong idea. Of course they were managing; they went through the troubles of finding a new home and dealing with the trauma of their home invasion, but what mattered the most to Bisca was that her daughter was alive and breathing and thriving with each given day. "I've come to pay my respects to you, Levy. Words will never be able to express my gratitude to you for saving my daughter's life."

"It was the least I could do, Bisca," Levy smiled softly at her. "Thank you for visiting me."

"It would only make sense to visit the woman who helped save my family's life," Bisca countered, which made the two of them share a smile. "Besides, the little one wouldn't stop talking about seeing you, poor thing lost sleep just thinking about it." Bisca started and allowed Asuka to sit on her lap, and the you girl beamed brightly at Levy. "Asuka, don't you want to tell miss Levy what you want to be?"

Levy turned to Asuka with a puzzled expression, but when the small girl took the cowboy hat off her head and replaced it with Bisca'a old uniform cap, Levy's questions were answered.

"I want to be like you when I grow up, miss Levy! I'm going to be a police officer!" Asuka declared with bright eyes and a wide smile. Although Bisca thought it was simply adorable, Levy was deeply moved by the child's choice. Just when Levy thought she had failed, she found herself staring in the young eyes of someone who saw her as a hero, someone she saved, and in that moment she realized her accomplishments and that things weren't so bad after all.

Levy's eyes widened and a beautiful smile met her face, one that made Gajeel's heart tighten and his chest grow warm. He couldn't help but smile at Levy's happiness, especially when the small girl wrapped her arms around Levy's neck.

o

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One Year Later

The streets of Magnolia were always bustling with an upbeat energy around this time of year. Festivals were in season and the tourists were piling in from all around to see the trees in bloom and to enjoy the enriching culture that Magnolia was so well known for. Levy maneuvered as carefully as she could, squeezing past many who towered over her, and occasionally head-butting someone's shoulder that was in her path. The traffic was minimal; by now she knew the best times to go shopping, and beating rush hour was a survival skill she had to learn quickly given the area of town Gajeel's penthouse was located in. It was a breath of fresh air to make it out of her car and towards the valet, who smiled at her warmly.

"Ah, well if it isn't soon to be little Mrs. Redfox," the red headed man smiled charming at her. The comment was overused by now and yet it still seemed to make Levy a bashful mess.

"Loki, it's so good to see you!" Levy smiled, trying to take her new title a bit more casually, but she smiled brightly and blushed beautifully anyway.

"Would you like some help with that?" Loki asked her, referring to the large package Levy was balancing in her thin arms.

"Oh, no, that's fine." Levy let down his offer as she carefully exited her car, still struggling with the heavy box. Loki only sighed at the stubborn woman's determination. He looked passed her to see the rather luxurious car she was lifting out of, and took into consideration how her clothing was very tasteful. Despite the Redfox inheritances entering her life, Loki was please to see the humble woman had not fallen victim to what he'd seen most women undergo. There wasn't ever a nose in the air with Levy, and her responses remained genuine and never short answered. The barely-getting-by woman he'd met a little over a year ago had changed dramatically, but it made him happy to see she was still the same caring person.

A smile was on Loki's face once Levy looked up to him. Her eyebrows raised as she was surprised when he lifted the box with ease, and without breaking a sweat he rolled into a smooth explanation. "If Mr. Redfox found out I let his fiancé carry a package like this up the stairs he'd have my head. I'd rather not take my chances."

"Thank you, Loki." Levy smiled apologetically. Loki locked her car before leading the woman to the elevator. The two of them remained in a casual conversation as they shot up towards the pent house.

"It's almost your big day." Loki mentioned with a positive smile.

"Just thinking about it gets me sweating." Levy admitted, not too pleased with the way her stomach was flipping from both anticipation and the elevator.

"Don't be silly, there's nothing to be worried about," Loki grinned and changed the subject. "I see Gajeel bought you bricks again."

"They're books," Levy corrected with a roll of her eyes. "I told him he didn't have to..."

"But you couldn't resist," Loki answered, used to this story by now. It happened about every couple of weeks, and each time he helped her bring the box up despite her refusing his help. "Aren't you just the spoiled one? With the amount in here I'd say this would last you about—," Loki shook the package to rumble around the books inside, "— a week and a half, give or take. Maybe two weeks given the wedding."

Levy laughed brightly at that. "You've learned to know me well," Levy continued giggling, and when the elevator doors opened, she opened her hands to accept the package. "I think I can handle it from here, Loki."

"Good day, Ms. Levy." Loki nodded at her, and she waved as he disappeared behind the door.

Once inside, Levy was grateful to slam the large box onto the dining table. The home was quiet and still just as she liked, but now the dark color scheme had changed drastically. The home looked more lived in now, with half finished books on the coffee table, dishes left in the sink and unattended lounge blankets draped over the couches. There were also a splash of colors and mismatched furniture where Levy moved a few things in. It warmed Levy's heart to see that the house was becoming their own, and it made her considerably happy to see their two worlds coming together, and by the end of this week those worlds would morph into one.

Levy glanced down at the ring on her finger. A ruby red gem reminded her of his eyes, and she moved her hand back and forth to catch the light in the gem. It had a beautiful sparkle to it, and whenever Levy looked at the ring she was overwhelmed with all of her favorite memories, including the night Gajeel took her out, dropped to one knee and asked her to be his. She smiled happily before digging into the cardboard; her nails found the beginning of the tape and she tore the package open. She felt like some kind of addict, given the moment the smell of books hit her she deeply inhaled and experienced some kind of high. It had to be her favorite smell, and she relished in it before she unpacked her things. She couldn't wait to dive into a book she'd been waited months to come out, a story on the more adventurous side that began in a land of—

"Yer late," Gajeel's voice interrupted her rapid thinking.

Levy jumped at his voice. She turned around to see Gajeel leaning against the wall, smile on his face and arms crossed around his chest. He had hid behind the door when she walked in and she felt silly that she hadn't have noticed him in such an obvious spot. Levy glared at him when she found he was chuckling at her reaction.

"Stupid Gajeel, don't scare me like that!" Levy yelled at him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized to her. "Where were ya at, Shorty? Oh, did ya have fun again?" Gajeel asked with a smirk when he noticed the large package behind her.

Levy turned around shyly. "Sh-shut up," She grumbled as she crossed her arms.

"I left a bookstore gift card on the table and it didn't even last two minutes." Gajeel reminded her of her episode earlier that day, how she leaped at it like a lion on a gazelle, and how she rushed out the door and told him to be safe. Although Gajeel didn't think anything of it, he loved how shy and embarrassed his bookworm got whenever her little addiction was brought to the surface.

"They were having a sale, that's all." Levy said confidently, sugar coating that she had lost all self control.

Gajeel grinned, "I can see that." His smile turned to a straight line and he lowered himself to Levy's eyesight. "So where were ya?"

"What are you talking about? You know where I was." Levy started with a puzzled look. When Gajeel pulled away from her she felt a bit apprehensive. "Gajeel..?"

"I told you this during yer training, Lev. How to detect when people are lying to ya. Just wouldn't expect my fiancé to be hiding something from me." Gajeel backed away from her and stared her down head to toe.

Levy felt attacked. "I'm not hiding anything," She stammered, and it didn't help how she defensively stood in front of her package.

"Ya know, Lev, I consider lying a crime—,"

"You thinking everything's a crime!"

"— and don't take it lightly. Ima have to arrest ya for being unfaithful to yer future husband." Gajeel's eyes darkened and the features of his face turned to a shadow. Levy knew exactly what this look meant.

"I'll go ahead and give ya a head start," he informed her and crossed his arms over his chest. He had a determined look in his eyes that proved nothing would change his mind, and now Levy had to think fast.

"Wh-What are you, wait— Gajeel!" Levy panicked, and with a fight or flight instinct she tore out of their dining room. She ran as quickly as she could, and when his footsteps hammered against the hardwood floors her heart leapt out of her chest. She did reasonable under pressure like this, but when it came to Gajeel and his feral and barbaric instincts to hunt and kill, she couldn't help but squeal as she ran for dear life.

Her efforts were futile as she was practically rammed down, her back hit the comforts of their bed and Gajeel immediately climbed on top of her, pinning the poor girl down so there'd be no option of escape. Levy was lost in her laughter, unable to contain herself as a much wasted amount of adrenaline pumped through her. "Gajeel, you're being absurd."

"We can do this easy way or the hard way, it's all up to ya, Shorty." He threatened.

Levy giggled as he kissed against her neck. She had been very distant this morning and even she could admit she was acting especially suspicious. She should've known she wouldn't have been able to hide anything from him long and it wasn't like she was planning to keep this secret from him forever. She was thinking around tonight after dinner, when they were cuddling under the sheets and watching the stars. Gajeel, however, had other plans, and for now Levy was trapped beneath him, under his playful mercy.

"You'll never get it out of me, I'm not saying a word!" Levy promised, thrashing under him as she tried to break out of his hold.

Gajeel's red eyes were glowing. "Yer getting yerself into something dangerous, Levy. If you don't cooperate, I'll have no choice but to show no mercy."

"Oh, I'm shaking. What's my punishment this time, officer redfox?" Levy asked playfully, but a suggesting tone perked her lips and simmered her stare.

Gajeel's hand secured her in place while the other one slowly lifted up her shirt. Levy's eyes softened as she looked up at him, but like some twisted, cruel joke Gajeel's touch became more soft and considerably fast. He let out a laugh as Levy surprised him; she tore out of his hold so fast and twisted out from underneath him. She sped towards the door but was caught in her tracks.

"Gajeel, please, no!" She cried out but was slammed back down. Her eyes teared up as her laughter drowned any chuckle he could make, and she twisted and turned trying desperately to protect herself from the torment. Gajeel smiled at her, unable to keep his face straight while she was laughing like this, and his fingers sped up and down tickling her sides. He knew when enough was enough, he was about to stop but was taken by surprise when Levy had pulled a moved on him, grabbing him by his arm and knocking him off of his balance. She climbed on top of his torso and held down his hands by the wrist, breathing heavily as she was out of breath from all her laughing.

"To use a cheap trick like that while I was off guard," Gajeel shook his head at her. "At least I know you've been paying attention in yer defensive training." Gajeel's eyes narrowed as he watched the way Levy's reddened face was slowly going back to normal. However, he wanted to keep that cute blush on her.

"You know I hate being tickled," she gave him a mean pout, like he'd really done it this time.

"After being with ya this long I've learned many of yer weaknesses," Gajeel grinned at her, and Levy felt herself growing more timid as she was very familiar with his suggestive tone. He found it cute how the small girl was on top and pinning him down, but she looked as if she'd run out of ideas. "What now, Shorty? Are ya here to get yer revenge? Y'know I'm not ticklish, so we both know who would win that fight. Heh, it looks to me like ya ran out of options..." Gajeel sat up so he could be eye level with her. Levy lost control of holding him down and here his hands traveled up her thighs and reached for behind her.

"Gajeel..." Levy whispered and just as he was about to progress things into a more sinful play, Levy's words took him aback.

"I'm pregnant," she said softly.

Gajeel's eyes widened but he hadn't registered what she said. The two of them looked at one another for a short second, and when he didn't say anything Levy became immensely worried. "I found out this morning... I was going to tell you tonight. I'd been out all day shopping for baby books and motherhood guides, so that's what I was hiding."

Gajeel was speechless and looked towards her bare stomach. Her shirt was still ridden up from where he exposed her, and now he was staring at her milky skin, imagining the life that was slowly growing inside of her. He knew she was hiding something but never in a million years who he expect it to be a baby. He was just so absolutely amazed by the idea, he couldn't wrap his mind around it. They were going to have a family...

"Are you... are you mad?" Levy asked sadly, but was taken back when Gajeel looked up at her with glossy eyes. Tears brimmed his lashes and Levy took a breath in, given it was a rare occasion that the strong man showed so much emotion.

"Levy, oh my Gods," he said through his emotion and a smile met his lips. He wrapped his arms around her so tightly she thought he'd snap something, but she loved his strong hold and wrapped her arms around his back.

"Why would I ever be mad at something like that, Levy?" Gajeel asked her, and he wiped away her tears of joy.

"We're gonna to have a baby, Gajeel," Levy told him, saying it out loud so she would be able to believe it better. It was hard to wrap her mind around, they hadn't been trying for one, their wedding was this weekend, and still... she couldn't explain this overwhelming emotion. The two of them pulled away and shared a laugh, this was definitely a moment for celebration. Levy didn't protest when Gajeel lifted her in the air and she wrapped her legs around him.

ooo

The sun was setting and reflected off the glass of the many sky scrapers around them. The room was engulfed in gold, and the two of them lied peacefully together in one another's hold, staring up at the ceiling silently. It took a lot to get to where they were, from failures to plenty of near death experiences, pain and triumphs. To think that a year ago they were fighting to stay alive, and now here they were, expecting of all things...

"Ya know ya can still back out of this, Levy." Gajeel offered her, his fingers tangled with her's moving up and down as he gently massaged her hand. "Yer my woman, everything to me... but yer happiness is something I will always protect."

"I know," Levy replied breathlessly as the sunset painted their ceiling. She was feeling the warmth all around her, and her hand rubbed over her stomach as she couldn't help but feel anxious. However, this time she enjoyed the feeling of the unknown. At least this time she knew she'd be able to find out eventually.

"It's going to be a crazy life, Levy. It ain't gonna be easy. With everything we've been through already... are ya sure?" Gajeel turned to her with a softened stare. Levy felt her heart beat slow down as she found peace in his eyes. In that moment, lying there she couldn't think of any other place she'd rather be. She couldn't fathom spending her life with anyone else. She closed the gap between them, his bare skin warm against her chest, his face in the palm of her hands and she held him close to her. With their eyes interlocked, magnificent scarlet against golden brown, Levy knew she had found everything she ever needed.

"I think I can handle it."

End

ooo

A/N: [4/1/19] Oh my gosh, I can't believe this story is finally over. I feel like a piece of my heart is missing because for the past year (and some) my days have been consumed with planning and imagining this story. Cafe Rouge was my first fanfic and I never expected it to get a lot of reads or reviews, but I'm so grateful to have met you guys. Thank you for all the support and for those who have been here since the beginning, a community like this always makes writing an absolute pleasure. You guys give me a reason to love writing and for that I am eternally grateful!

Please leave a review if you enjoyed the story, I'd love to hear what you guys think! I'm also currently planning a new fanfic and I hope you guys will be there to read the first chapter! At first I wanted to do the Fairy Tail universe and play around with their magic, but I loved the modern AU of Cafe Rouge and decided to go for an AU that surrounds superpowers and such. I'm anxious to write it!

Title: Black Steel

RomanceAction

Summary: Former superhero and endeavoring Magnolian journalist, Levy Mcgarden, awaits for the story that will sky rocket her publishing career. However, when the notorious villain and her past rival, Kurogane, saves her one fateful evening, Levy might have just found the story that will set her on a path of fame— and perhaps even romance.

So Levy and Gajeel are rivals, with her being the hero and him the hot and evil villain. That's all I'll say for now

Anyways, thank you again for reading, and as always thank you for visiting Cafe Rouge.