A WEEK LATER 

GRAY'S POV

"So did you both exchange numbers?" Natsu asked me while sipping the contents of his drinks.

"Didn't I say no! We just spoke casually before she went back to her place." I exclaimed and looked at Gajeel who was giving a knowing look.

"What?"

"Nothing much. I'm sure things are going to get serious from now on. Why don't you be true to yourself at least?" Gajeel inquired me while Natsu nodded in agreement.

It had been a week since I saw Juvia at Nashi's birthday party.

That night, I tried to be casual around her without probing much into her personal details like boyfriend matters, even though, I knew she was still single.

I expected her to bring up our break up matter but she didn't even speak a bit about it.

If she had questioned me anything regarding that, I would have at least told her my reasons.

But Juvia didn't. I was thankful in a way as I didn't want any kind of awkward situation on the very first day of our reunion.

When I thought everything was going on a perfect path towards the revival of my love life, her congratulatory wishes came as a halt.

I had planned to leave her at the footsteps of her apartment complex but her wedding wishes broke me apart.

It made me realise there was a pain in it, which she is carrying on herself for a long time and what made me even more guilty is that I'm the very reason behind her sorrow and pain.

Juvia must think how I never reconsidered in getting back with her even once, if only she knew, few things behind the screen.

When I thought, I can resolve the problem between us and resume our relationship after apologising sincerely. 

My dad's wish came as a halt and even at that Lyon was not clear about Juvia's feelings for me.

With deep pain and regret, I agreed to my dad's wishes, at least, he would be happy if it's not me.

Luckily, things took a turn and now I'm standing on my second valuable chance to get back with my one and only woman whom I had desired for a long time.

"Anyways, what about your wedding?" Natsu's question broke my thoughts.

"Oh about that, I have called off my wedding with Dianna," I said and drank my 5th glass of whiskey.

"WHAT??" Both Gajeel and Natsu asked in unison.

Then, I told them everything about Dianna's request and dad's decision in calling off the wedding.

Suddenly, both the idiots clicked their glass and shouted, "CHEERS" grabbing everyone's attention from the bar.

"Calm down, idiots" I shouted at them.

"Gray, this is the best decision you have ever taken. See make things clear with Juvia and both of you get back together." Natsu advised me.

I remained silent and kept on looking at my half-filled glass. "See Gray, we know how you wanted to get back with her. Then, why don't you get into the act?" Gajeel shared his piece of mind.

"Guilt is making me hesitate. See I have caused immense pain to her. Even if she decides to forgive me, I can't do that. I don't know what I really want to do now." Alcohol began to kick into my system and soon tears began to flow down my eyes.

"I really loved her. No wait, I really love her. All I wanted to do was to protect her, that's why I broke up our relationship. I'm sorry, Juvia. Please don't forgive me." My cries and alcohol took over me before I passed out.

NEXT MORNING 

SILVER'S POV

As I finished making breakfast, loud groaning was heard from Gray's room.

"Looks like he's awake."

I went to his room with a glass of water and an aspirin tablet which would ease out his headache.

I entered Gray's bedroom, where he sat rubbing his head trying to regain his composure.

"Good morning, my son"

"Ahh, Dad!!! Morning…. I shouldn't have drunk that much. Who dropped me here?"

I passed him water and tablet which he gladly took it. After a few minutes, Bobby entered Gray's bedroom and came near me.

"Hello there, Bobby. Hope you had nice sleep." I hoisted him up in my arms while Gray tried to ease his headache by rubbing his temples.

"It was Natsu who dropped you here. Man, Gray, you were awful yesterday night. What made you get that drank? I have never seen you act that depressed while drunk. Is something wrong?" I asked him and patted his head.

Gray looked at the wall clock and it was 7:30 AM, he still had an hour before he goes back to his work.

"Nothing dad, don't worry. Where's my mobile? Did I really look that awful?" He asked, clearly being embarrassed for his behaviour.

"Yep!! You were being very stubborn and kept on apologising to someone. One time profusely declaring your love for that girl and the other time, feeling dejected how you are unworthy to deserve her."

Gray's eyes grew wide as I told him his drunken antics. His face became red due to embarrassment which made my boy look cute.

"Stop it, enough. I get it. I lost my control and things happened. Let me get ready." Gray got up and patted Bobby's head before heading towards the bathroom.

I stopped him, "Look, Gray, I'm sure Juvia-chan would understand your reasons. Just go and pour out whatever you have bottled up in your heart."

"Dad, did I blurt out Juvia's name?"

I chuckled and patted his right cheek, "Yes, my son. I'm happy to know she's back. I think I should pay her a visit sometime soon."

Gray remained stubborn and denied he was drunk and didn't know what was happening around.

"Look, Gray, I knew how much that girl meant to you. If you still feel the same for her which I can see in your eyes. Go for it." I once again patted his back and left his room with Bobby.

Before I went, all I heard was, "Okay Dad" which brought a smile to my face.

JUVIA'S POV

"Girls, today we are going to try learning how to speed up breaststroke movements. Just look at Juvia how she does."

Today I'm teaching the first years batch-B girls while the boys were busy running laps around the ground as a cool down measure.

As I dived into the pool, I felt myself merge with the water. I have always felt as water maiden as it made me feel calm and relaxed.

As I displayed my technique, the students watched carefully and cheered when I reached the endpoint which made me giggle.

"Now you saw Juvia perform, what did you notice?"

"Ma'am, even though, you look slim and fit but your muscles have great strength. According to me, the technique lies in our muscle strength and breath-holding capacity underwater." One of the students explained her observations which impressed me and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, you are right, Ayase-San. Now girls, start with your warm-ups." I instructed and got out of the pool.

(TIME SKIP)

"Juvia, what do you after reaching home?" Erza-San asked as we were waiting for the bus to arrive.

"Juvia mostly takes a short nap then prepare dinner and call it a day. Sometimes she goes to the park and talks walk for an hour. Pretty much, she's bored at home." I huffed while she chuckled.

"Well I was thinking, why don't you continue doing your baking job after school?" Erza-San shared her thoughts.

"How?" I asked out of curiosity. 

Erza-San chuckled seeing my eagerness and said, "You can start by creating a blog on any social media platform." 

Then she explained how I can reach out to customers and deliver accordingly to their choice which I found interesting and wanted to try.

"Don't worry, it's easy to create a blog. Just post a few pictures of cakes, cookies and other sweet treats." She finished saying and soon her bus arrived and she bid me bye.

After a few minutes, my bus arrived. Throughout the ride, I thought about Erza-San's idea of thinking about the pros and cons.

It was around 6:30 PM, I reached the city hall bus station. From there, I went to the supermarket to buy a few ingredients so that I could get down to business.

After getting the necessary items, I exited the place. But suddenly my eyes caught the attention of one person to whom I was wanting to speak since last week.

"Juvia"

"Gray"

"Hello Juvia, what a surprise. I didn't expect to find you here."

"So do Juvia"

GRAY'S POV

On my way back home from work, I decided to buy some items which dad had texted me back.

When I went to the supermarket, at the entrance I saw Juvia exiting out for a moment I was stunned to see her.

Soon my heart was beating rapidly until I exclaimed her name.

Then, after getting the things, we were on our way back to our places. When she decided to make small talks, the first thing she asked was.

"So how was your day? Was it hard?" Concern was laced in her voice.

"Nah! Today was a bit boring. My work gets interesting only when I have to arrest the criminals and get them punished for their crime." I proudly told.

Juvia smiled, "That's what a good policeman say, isn't Juvia right?"

I chuckled and nodded in agreement. Then I realized, I need to make things clear with her.

"Gray, if you are free, can we have a cup of coffee at Juvia's place?" She asked hesitantly with a huge blush.

"Hmmm...Sure, I'm free." I said and tried to hide the blush forming across my cheeks.

Once we reached her home, she got me a cup of coffee and a few savoury treats as evening snacks.

"Feel yourself comfortable, Gray. Go on, taste those butter cookies." She extended the plate towards me and I took a few pieces.

"Wow!! Juvia, these taste delicious as always." 

"Thank you, Gray" She smiled genuinely.

After spending some times talking about some random kinds of stuff. Suddenly Juvia apologised.

"Gray, Juvia is sorry for making you feel uncomfortable last time. All she wanted was to extend her wishes for your wedding. But you clearly turned down her wishes and shushed her away." She said as she kept looking at my eyes.

"No Juvia, don't apologise. I didn't shush you away because of your congratulatory wish. Believe that was not the case. Okay, answer this question with honesty." I finally decided to make her talk about her inner pain.

"Honestly tell me, did you wish me wholeheartedly? Do you wish me to get married to any other girl apart from you?" I said in a serious tone.

Juvia stopped sipping her coffee and looked at him surprised. I know the way I'm sounding maybe bit harsh but I need to make things clear with her and this seems to be the chance.

"Gray, what are you saying? Do you think Juvia is….Juvia is…..?" She began to cry hardly covering her face with her palms.

"See Juvia, this is the thing. You don't want me to get married to another because you still love me, Juvia." I stood up and went near her to wrap my arms around her. I decided to be honest with myself.

"Gray?" She looked up to me clearly not understanding my behaviour.

"Juvia, let's start all over again. Because I still feel the same for you." I confessed sincerely without breaking the hug.