Hating a star

Chapter 39: The Recovery Period

Lucy's PoV

Its been 6 months since Natsu and the others found me. I moved back in with my mom and Guildarts and I couldn't be happier. It was a rough road to recover, I had to go to rehab for 2 months, along with Natsu because what had happened to me affected him so much. Levy, Juvia and Erza practically spend every moment they can at my house. When they weren't at college, which I missed out on, we went out every day. I still keep in contact with one or two people from the all-girls-school I went to, but we're not that close. 

When the world found out about what Zeref really was and what he did in the shadows, it was like everything had been turned upside down. After I returned to my family, we would have the press outside. I letters, of all things, wondering about anything else that had happened. And after the information about my band, which hasn't been a thing in a long time, was released, everyone was even angrier. They were mad that Zeref could mess up my life so much and what he did to Lizanna. My mom also got her family's company back, so now we don't have to worry about money and she's always kept busy.

But, I haven't seen Natsu since the rehabilitation centre, and the others even longer than that. They had to do a tour, apparently. I've missed him so much but we've talked every single day. Finally, today is the day they get back. I was too scared to see him when he first got back to Magnolia, so I'm waiting in their apartment with Levy, Juvia and Erza. "How do you think they're going to react? Do you think we went a bit overboard?" Erz panicked as she and Juv stepped back from hanging up the last 'welcome home' banner. We decorated for a small party, but Lev and I had made enough money to feed all the fans that had gone to their concerts. "Nah, I think it's fine." I waved it off, sneaking a cupcake from the stand. I was still trying to get back to my usual eating habits. There are still things I forget, like if I remembered to have my medicine for my amnesia that I finally got checked out for or if I had actually eaten that day, but I'm getting there. "When do you think they're getting here?" Juvia asked and Levy got her phone out. "I haven't gotten any texts yet and there's nothing in the group chat. I hope everything's alright." Being the perfect, worrying girlfriend, Levy bit her lip. "Don't worry onee-sans. I'm sure they're fine." Having to babysit her, Wendy sat comfortably by Erza's side. I was overjoyed when I found out she got adopted by Natsu's parents, and Wendy seemed equally happy and comfortable. "I don't know, their flight should have landed 10 minutes ago." Nervously looking down at my phone, I heard a knock at the door. "I'll go get it!" Jumping up, Wendy ran to the door, which was out of my line of sight. 

Suddenly, we all heard a delighted scream and ran to the entrance. Standing there, taking off their shoes, was Dragon Slayer, Wendy giggling in Natsu's arms. Juvia instantly burst into tears and ran to Gray, while Erza had to catch Jellal in her arms, and Levy was hoisted up into the air. I was too stunned to move. Natsu looked so much better than I had last seen him. He had regained his strong, muscular arms and lob-sided grin. He had a new tattoo that I needed to talk to him about and he looked much less tired than he used to be. Not being able to hold back, I burst into tears as Natsu approached me, throwing one arm around my shoulders as he put Wendy down. "It's alright, Luce. I'm here now." Calmly, he stroked my hair as he buried his face in it. I worked my hands up his broad back and held onto his clothes for dear life. "I see you've gotten your strength back." He chuckled in my ear, a wet patch forming on my neck from his tears. I giggled back and wiped mine away, looking up at the ceiling. "Now that you're here. I missed you so much." Sniffing, Natsu pulled back, his arms still around me, and looked lovingly into my eyes. "God, I missed you too." He sighed, looking me up and down. Without warning, he pulled me into a deep kiss, stronger than I've ever had. Never have I ever felt safer than in Natsu's arms. I knew I never wanted to leave him, and, hopefully, I won't have to ever again. 

"Come on, let's go eat! Lainey has been teaching us some recipes." Levy cheered, once Gajeel finally put her down, and Natsu and I let go of each other. "Come on guys, now's not the time to cry." Juvia giggled at our red eyes as Gray laughed at my boyfriend. "Leave 'em alone, Gray. Unless you want me to tell everyone else what you said on the jet." Jellal smirked with his arm around Erza, Gray throwing a threatening glare Jellal's way. "Hold on, what did you tell him?" Juvia asked as Gray quickly followed Levy and Gajeel into the kitchen. "Nothing," Gray replied. The question went back and forth a few times, but Gray never let anything slip. Erza and Jellal laughed at them and followed, leaving Natsu and me in the entrance. "Its been so quiet. Not having you here." I admitted and Natsu whipped his head around to look at me. "Same on my end. I feel like I finally got some peace." He teased and I turned to flick him in the forehead. Although, I was stopped, and instead of attacking me back like he usually would, Natsu kissed my hand. Specifically my ring finger. "Hopefully, one day, we can put something on this finger. It looks a little bare, huh?" Obviously a rhetorical question, Natsu held my hand in both of his. I blushed furiously, gulping in anticipation. "But, not today. Today, we'll celebrate being able to see each other again." Natsu smiled toothily at me and I smiled, happy enough just to stare into his deep, onyx eyes. "Okay," I whispered, Natsu leading me back into the living room to join the others. 

We danced around and sang all night. Telling stories about what had happened while the others were away and discussing our future plans. In the next school year, I would be joining the girls at Princeton college, finishing our last school year. Maybe the future will be brighter, maybe it will be darker. But, what we all knew, is that we would stay together. Because that's what family is. It stays together no matter what, and I think we've all proved that we're family to one another. 

So, that was my story. It was the story of how I lost and found the love of my life. The story of how I conquered my demons, no matter how many there was. I guess what you could learn from this is that, as long as you are strong, as long as you stay with the people who force you to be the best you can be, you can do anything. Hopefully, you won't make the mistakes I did, but my story isn't exactly a normal occurrence, I hope. Thank you for reading and understanding. Maybe, in the future, I'll go through something that will be worth writing down. But, for now, I think I'm just going to take it easy. We're all going to be taking it easy. So, from our family to yours. 

From Fairy Heart...

From Dragon Slayers...

From Fairy Tail...