I'm really pleased with this final chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.

Day 8: Grown-up

The construction on the new Fairy Tail guildhall was well underway. Financed by the guild members themselves, vendors were hauling in new lumber and stone by the truckload. People rushed around everywhere, consulted blueprints, or sat in the shade fanning themselves from the oppressive late July heat.

Lahar was somewhat concerned over the lack of hardhats, and he couldn't help but wonder if any of what he was seeing would be up to Magnolia's building code when it was finished. He decided after a minute that it was probably none of his business – he wasn't in charge of building ordinances after all and he was in Magnolia on a different errand, besides. And on his day off, in civilian clothing, at that.

The file in his hand felt a lot heavier than it rightly should, but Lahar was finding it difficult to interrupt the Fairy Tail mages as they worked. If he'd been there in his more professional capacity, it would be a simple matter. But he was there a few days early as a courtesy to Mest.

"Oh, hello!" a familiar voice greeted him.

Turning his head towards the woman approaching from his left, Lahar gave her a small smile. "Lucy Heartfilia, good afternoon," he returned easily. Her hair was much longer than when he'd last seen her, he noted internally.

She seemed to brighten at that. "Wow, I'm surprised you remember my name. We've only met a couple of times."

"You'd be surprised at how well I know the names of everyone in Fairy Tail," Lahar replied. "They've certainly crossed my desk often enough over the years."

Laughter bubbled up from Lucy's mouth at his frank admission. "Not mine too much, I hope?"

"Yours and your teammates' especially. I have a special file for your team, labeled 'Troublemakers.'" Although the words he spoke carried the tone of a joke, it really wasn't. The file existed exactly as Lahar stated.

Embarrassment colored her cheeks. "Well, I guess that's to be expected, given… given my team's antics. In our defense, not all of it is our fault." She shook her head a little, as if to clear it. "Anyway, what brings you to Magnolia today, Mister Head Captain?"

Seeing his opportunity, he raised the file in his hand and held it out to her. "Special delivery."

Taking it, Lucy gave him a confused smile before opening it to peer at the contents. Her eyes widened, and Lahar found it difficult to repress the urge to laugh at the comical expression on her face.

Lucy closed the file slowly, and her gaze returned to his, her eyes still wide as saucers. "But… but this is…"

"The Fairy Tail guild is officially reinstated," Lahar informed her. When she still looked bewildered, he explained, "When Gajeel and Levy turned in their resignations, I prepared most of the paperwork in anticipation of this." Lahar gestured broadly to the new construction. "All that's left is for your new Guild Master to sign them, and you can open for business."

The celestial mage's lower lip trembled, and she clutched the file a little tighter. "Tha-Thank you," she said, her throat clogged with emotion. "Really. This means the world."

His expression was kind. "Glad I could help." He paused, and then, as an afterthought, asked, "By the way… who is your new Guild Master? Out of curiosity."

"Erza," Lucy replied, a grin spreading across her lips as Lahar's expression fell. "I take it you don't approve!"

"No, I'm just…" Lahar gave up and heaved a sigh. "I should have expected this, but I was hoping for someone with a better track record with paperwork." He may no longer be handling most of the mundane paperwork involving the guilds and the complaints filed against them, but he felt bad for his replacement in that department. They were going to suffer greatly in the coming future.

Lucy nodded and let out a light laugh, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I hear you on that. I'll try to make sure she doesn't destroy all of it. As a special favor to you."

"The Rune Knights thank you for it," Lahar intoned in mock solemnity, garnering another laugh from the blonde. "Would it be too much to ask if Fairy Tail plans to grow up anytime soon?"

"Yes," Lucy told him, flat-out. She patted his arm consolingly. "There's an eternal adventure to be had, you know. We've got no time for growing up."

"Good." His response startled her visibly, and a satisfied smirk crawled across his face at the display. "It would be a bit boring, otherwise," he confided to her. "But that's just the opinion of a civilian. I doubt the Head Captain of the Rune Knights will share it." With a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes, he added, "I've heard that the man is a real stickler for the rules."

One of Lucy's hands flew to her mouth and she bent forward slightly, shaking from the force of stifling her laughter. "Yeah," she wheezed, tears forming in her eyes. "We better watch ourselves. I've heard that he doesn't like troublemakers like us very much!"

"Oh, I'd say he likes them well enough." Lahar placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take care, Miss Heartfilia. And tell Mest I said hello."

"Lucy," she told him as he withdrew his hand. "It's just Lucy, of Fairy Tail."

"I'll remember that," he promised.

The blonde gave him a short wave as he departed, which Lahar returned.

Lahar expected that her name would cross his desk again very soon.

He was looking forward to it.