The Fire in My Soul

The Party

NATSU

I'd been searching for three months for this and I'd finally found it, the perfect ring and the perfect present. I sat on the train with Erza and Wendy. Both Wendy and I were trying not to spill our guts and ruin our clothes "It's beautiful, Natsu," Erza said looking at the ring I'd gotten Lucy. It was an oval shaped fire opal stone set in a silver band with diamond leaves holding it in place, "But I don't know if I'm more excited for the proposal or her birthday gift." I just nodded and threw up out the window.

When we got to the Heartfilia estate I cleaned myself up in one of the bathrooms and looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. I couldn't wait to ask the love of my life to marry me. Sure, in a dragon's eyes we were already married but this was special. I fixed the cuff of my sleeve and straightened my scarf. I held the end in my hand, "I wish you could have met her, Dad. You would have loved her," I wiped my eyes as I'd started crying. I missed Igneel like crazy but just knowing that the world was now safe from Zeref and Acnologia made it a little easier to bear. I took a deep breath and went out to help finish setting up.

LUCY

Levy showed up at my door with Laurie, her son, in tow, "You ready, Lu?" she called from the front door, "Yeah, let me just grab my purse," I headed out towards the train station with them and Levy was grinning like crazy. "What is it that has you so happy today, Levy?" I asked and she jumped before smiling, "Oh nothing, I'm just excited for your birthday party. Which you look amazing for by the way. Natsu is one lucky man," I smiled but inside my heart ached, "Yeah." Although I did look amazing, I was wearing a short, black party dress that had sheer sleeves. The bodice and sleeves were decorated in golden stars. I had on some knee high black boots and I wore my hair half pulled back with a black star hair clip and red lipstick.

The estate looked beautiful. It was late afternoon now and the sun was setting behind the mansion. There were tables and chairs and lights hung everywhere. There were tables and tables of food and a whole table full of gifts and of course a large hut exclusively for alcohol. Mira would be serving drinks and watching the children when the other adults got too wasted to stand. There was music and Gajeel and Loke were the DJ's. I walked up and everyone cheered, Natsu at the front, "Happy birthday, Lucy!" I smiled and laughed at them, "Thank you guys! It looks amazing!"

Natsu walked up as everyone dispersed and hugged me, "Happy birthday, Luce," I just hugged him back, "Thank you, Natsu." tears threatened to spill from my eyes as he squeezed me. When he let go he looked at me confused, "What's wrong?" he asked and I just filled my hand at him, "Nothing, I'm just happy," I lied but he must have bought it. He gave me a weird look but ultimately gave it up and pulled me by my hand to the dance floor. We danced for a while before eating. Then a slow song came on and I saw Natsu take a shot of sake at the bar before Mira winked at him and he gave her a thumbs up and walked over to me.

He held a hand out to me, "Come on, let's dance, Luce," he said and I let him pull me from my seat. He was wearing a suit and his white scarf Igneel gave him. "You look nice in a suit," I told him, straightening his jacket and he smiled, "You look nice in anything you put on," he said, blushing slightly. He held me closer and I put my head on his shoulder as we swayed back and forth, "I'm sorry I've been away a lot lately," oh so he was going to bring it up, "It's fine," he pulled back and I looked up at him. His face was red and his breathing was uneven, was he nervous? Don't tell me he's going to break up with me on my birthday. "I promise to make it up to you, Lu," he said and I just stared into his big, black eyes, "I hope you know I love you more than anything. I told you I'd spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you make me," I started tearing up.

That's when he did something I didn't see coming. He released me, everyone else had stopped to stare. He reached into his pocket and got down on one knee, "I plan to make that happen," he opened a small black box. My mouth fell open and I covered it with my hands. The tears in my eyes had started to fall, "Lucy Heartfilia, will you marry me and let me make you happy for the rest of my days?" A sob escaped my lips but I gained my composure and nodded, "Of course, Natsu," his face lit up, "Of course, I'll marry you," cheers erupted from our guild mates as he picked me up and spun me around.

It was the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. Natsu slid it on my finger and I looked up at him. He was smiling but there were small tears in his eyes. I talked low enough only he could hear me, "Is something wrong?" I asked and he kissed me before pulling me into a hug. He whispered in my ear, "Igneel would have loved you," I just hugged him tighter, "He'd be so proud of you, Natsu. He is so proud of you," I pulled back and put my hand on his heart, "Because he lives here. He's protected in your heart forever. He's always with you," I wiped his eyes, "Thank you, Lucy." I kissed him softly before I was pulled away for everyone to see my ring.