Thorn in his Side

Chapter 46 - The Wedding

Lucy felt Erza's hand on her back as she rubbed small circles. She was desperately trying to catch her breath. So far, the morning had gone very well, everything in place despite her nightmares last night. She barely slept and must have woken up six times in a cold sweat worrying about something. Had it not been for Cana and Erza smooshing her, she probably wouldn't have held herself steady.

Now Lucy sat down in her wedding dress and took her deep breaths. In the next twenty minutes she'd be walking down the aisle and into the waiting arms of Mard. Her special day and sadly her parents wouldn't be here for her. She thought of her mom, how much she would have smiled and kissed her cheeks all the while reminding her how beautiful she is. Her dad would have been too busy trying to figure out how to leverage the fact that his daughter would be the Queen of the Underworld into new business ventures. Yet, she knew the man would cry as he walked her down the aisle.

That hurt, she didn't have anyone to walk her down an aisle and she dreaded that. Lucy didn't want to be alone but maybe she didn't have to be. In the second that it took for her to think of it, Loke appeared before her, looking wonderful in his silver and black tuxedo. It was then when she noticed something else, all her spirits were here.

She didn't feel the pull on her magic and didn't think Corvus was that powerful, so she sat back stunned. Tilting her head, she noticed that everyone wore a talisman around their neck, gold and in the symbol of their Zodiac.

"Not a well-known secret but the Spirit King can grant us time here without draining you. He thought it would be a good wedding gift..." Leo ran a hand through his hair, "after Merlin threated to shave off his moustache, and even if he hates your future husband." Leo said with a dazzling smile and Lucy couldn't help but laugh.

"I should get used to that rivalry." She chuckled as she hugged everyone. Her eyes lit up when she saw her oldest friend and randomly bane of her magic.

"Hey kid, you look good." Aquarius said, for once without her usual snark or screaming. "Layla would be proud." Lucy rushed into her arms and for a few moments they both hugged and shed tears. Luckily Aquarius didn't flood the place.

"How?" She asked, and Aquarius dangled the talisman before flicking her forehead. Lucy laughed softly as she managed to catch her breath.

"We made a decision that we all will walk you down the aisle." Capricorn said as he adjusted his tie. Lucy was stunned as she felt everyone's love for her. Aeries didn't say much as she cleaned up her face and beamed.

Lucy looked around at her spirits and wondered where Corvus was, he was such a wonderful addition to her family. "Corvus?"

"He's with Laxus and Bickslow, said he wanted to help keep you safe. Personally, I think he just wanted to play with Bix's totems." Meredy said, and Lucy shook her head.

"Lucy, here you go." Mira said as she handed Lucy a long box. She found the little card attached to it and read it.

My Rosebud,

Today we will marry each other and spend the rest of our lives dealing with your kick and my coffee addiction. I hope the flowers tell you our story, so far, as you hold them.

Love eternally,

Mard

A fresh tear fell down her face as she opened the box, her mouth fell open as she grabbed the simple bouquet. Two long stem roses, one dark almost black and the other pink and full. Between them was a few little sweet peas, which would be Scimi's birth flower. They were held together with a silver and gold ribbon and in the middle a coffee cup charm. Lucy couldn't help but giggle when she saw it and indeed it was the perfect mixture of their story so far.