Angel Rose

Chapter 19

Morning came quickly and found me up and at the guild just after Mira. "You're not rushing off already, are you? I thought you were staying in Magnolia for a few days." Mira asked.

"No, I'm not leaving. I was just up early today. I loved the house, by the way. But none of you are to ever snoop through my things again.

"Sorry, Angel."

"Yeah,  I know. Just don't do it again. Do you want some help setting up the guild? I'd feel bad if you did it on your own." I offered.

"That would be great."

By the time Mira and I had the guild hall ready, members were streaming in for breakfast and jobs. "Angel, there you are. Where were you yesterday?" Gajeel called, walking up with Levy, Lily, and Tiger.

"I went house hunting, Gajeel. We walked about it before my last job. Remember?"

"She did say she was house hunting when she came back. You probably forget again, Gajeel." Lily spoke up.

"Oh , and by the way," I punched Gajeel in the stomach, "That's for not telling me about the time Laxus stopped by to apologize. Don't do something like that again."

"But you said you never wanted to see him again." Gajeel complained.

"I also said I wanted an apology from him. You can't just keep things from me Gajeel. That's not fair to me."

"Wait. How'd you even know he stopped by?" I felt an arm drape over my shoulder and pull me in close to Laxus' side before I heard him speak.

"Because I told her, metal head." I leaned into Laxus contentedly, watching Levy's eyes clear with understanding.

"Get your arm off my sister, bolt face."

"You wanna go?" Groaning, I rolled my eyes and stepped between the two alpha males.

"Stop it. Gajeel, quit trying to pick a fight. Laxus, quit egging him on." I demanded.

"Whatever. Levy and I are going on a job. You coming?"

"It'll be fun. We're going to Akane Library to reorganize." Levy enthused.

"I can't today. I've got a date." I declined.

"A date with who?" Gajeel demanded.

"Me." The guild hall went silent when Laxus spoke, all eyes turning to us.

"Well, it's about time!" Freed shouted. Silence reigned for a second as everyone realized the normally proper Freed had raise his voice; and then the guild erupted in cheers and laughter.

"When is the wedding? Can I plan it?" Mira gushed, popping up behind me.

"God damn it, Mira!" I screeched knocking into Laxus as I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"We haven't even had a date, yet. It's a little early to be talking weddings." Laxus brushed her questions aside, chuckling good naturedly.

"Laxus!" Gramps shouted from the railing of the second floor.

"What, old man?" Gramps face was stone still, freaking me out enough that sweat beaded on my neck.

"I want at least four great-grandchildren out of you." While Gramps expression morphed into smiles, I felt my face go white as I slumped against Laxus' side.

"You're gonna have to wait, Gramps! It's way too soon for that!" How can he be so calm about this? We haven't even had our date, yet.

"Angel, are you okay?" Lucy asked, kneeling at my side. Her voice snapped me back to reality and I stood up straight.

"I need a drink. A really strong drink." I decided.

"It's too early to drink." Mira protested.

"Cana's already on her third barrel, Mira. Besides, one drink won't turn me into an alcoholic." I argued.

"How about a round on me? To celebrate Angel agreeing to be my girl." Laxus suggested.

"Okay!" Mira's eyes glazed over as she agreed and went to the bar.

"This guild is gonna be the death of me."

"I promise it won't. You should know better than more that they're just joking because they love us."

"It's... different when you're actually involved in the joke. Never thought I'd get the chance. Six months later and I'm part of the guild, have a family, and I've got a date with my favorite Dragon Slayer. Talk about a dream come true."

"Your favorite, huh?" I felt the natural color return to my skin as Laxus puffed up in pride.

"Don't go getting a big head over it. Your ego can barely fit in the guild as it is sometimes."

"I'm not that bad." He argued.

"You've gotten better about it, but you do have a big ego. It could be worse, though. So, where are we going for this date?"

"Nope. It's a surprise. Just wear something casual."

"But I want to know."

"Boss man likes surprises, Angel. Might as well get used to it." Bickslow said as he joined us.

"A control freak that likes surprises. That seems like a paradox."

"I'm not a control freak." Laxus pouted.

"Oh boo-hoo. Yes, you are. Embrace it. You're my control freak now." I hopped up and pecked his cheek before walking off to the request board. Got to have a job lined up for when I'm ready for a new one.

"Angel." Evergreen greeted me, standing beside me.

"Ever." I perused the available jobs while I made her sweat. "That was a cheap move last night, tricking Laxus and I into meeting. But I have to admit that it worked.'

"Well something had to be done. You weren't going to talk to him on your own and Laxus wasn't getting to you through Gajeel. It was the only thing I could think of to get you two to talk. I'm just glad it worked. I was worried you two would end up fighting."

"No worries there. I managed to not stick my foot in my mouth for once." Laxus commented, walking up and pulling a monster hunting job from the board. "Go on this one with me."

"Are you sure? We haven't been on a job together in months."

"I'm sure. You and me hunting monsters. It'll be fun." I couldn't resist his self-assured smile.

"Alright. You take that to Mira. I've got to go get moved into my new place. I'll see you later." I jumped up and pecked his cheek one last time before sauntering out of the guild hall.