Ch. 06 - Newly-weds at the reception

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I gripped on to the stem of my bouquet of roses with the other arm hanging on Dad's arm. Mom on my other side. The piano and the choir started singing when the three of us walked down the aisle.

I could feel my heart pounding. My grip tightened on Dad's sleeve. Dad must've realized because he patted his hand over mine and held it.

I looked up to him as we walked. He was smiling as if we were talking telepathically, I heard him speak, 'Everything is gonna be alright, Lucy'.

I just nodded and hoped nobody sees my face under the veil. I don't want anyone looking at my face. I don't want anyone to remember this day.

The music lay low when we arrived at the altar. Mom kisses my cheek and whispered, "Good luck." I turned to Dad and he was looking both at Natsu and I. "I wish you both best of luck."

I looked away. Natsu smiled honestly and nodded. "I will, sir. Don't you worry."

Natsu handed his arm out. Automatically, I hang my arm on his. He smirked when Dad went to his seat. "Ready, sweetheart?"

I blushed, looking away. "As if I wanted to do this." I heard him sigh as he escorted the boh of us towards the altar. The priest came and started making his speech from the bible.

I wasn't really paying attention. I was looking away from everyone so, basically I was either looking sideways or down at my feet. Oh, how I wanted to complain how painful my feet are because of the recent sprained ankle and the heels.

I felt Natsu lean in, "Y'know, everyone can see you so, it's best not to move too much."

I blushed and decided to just look straight at the altar. Natsu and I looked at each other, mouthing our vows as we each slipped our rings on each other.

I feel heavy carrying such responsibility.

"Do you, Lucy Heartfilia, take this young man Natsu Dragneel to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I gripped on Natsu's arm sleeve, biting my lip. "I-I do..." Although, I wanted to say I DON'T. If I said that instead, I'd run as quickly as I can to get out of the Church and get hit by a meteorite and wake up, thinking this was all a dream.

"And do you, Natsu Dragneel, take this lovely young woman Lucy Heartfilia as your lawfully wedded wife?" The priest smiled at both of us and nodded.

"I do." Natsu grinned.

The priest closed his bible and nodded, "Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you--husband and wife." The priest looked at Natsu and gestured him to face me. "You may now kiss the bride."

Natsu and I faced each other. Natsu removed my veil, placing it on top of me. He held both of my hands. As he slowly leaned in, I managed to whisper.

"Natsu, are we really doing this...?"

"Of course we are. We need to." He was about to kiss my lips but, I managed to make him kiss the side of my lips, instead. Well, nobody saw that since I pulled Natsu to my left side.

Everyone just stood up and applauded for the two of us.

Natsu wiped the lipstick from his mouth and looked unsatisfied, "Wha-? Hey, no fair. Do over." He demanded, holding both of my shoulders.

"No way, Natsu!" I stepped on his toe by the heel of my heels, making him jump like an idiot as he held his hurt toe. I giggled at the sight.

"You look stupid, idiot!" I laughed as I pointed at him. I was about to ran out of the Church but because of the red carpet, I managed to trip on myself.

I closed my eyes, waiting for me to feel the pain but instead, I opened my right eye and saw Natsu holding my hand with a grouched face.

"Jeez, that's what you get for ignoring the Dragneel lips." He pressed his lips to emphasize the word lips then pulled me over.

"Thanks. Whatever." I folded my arms and looked away from him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel, everyone is waiting for you two to come outside." One of the director of this wedding lined Natsu and I at the entrance where they forced us out of the Church.

When Natsu and I got out, we were surprised by tons of people taking our pictures with their flashes on. People applauding and throwig flower petals at us.

Natsu and I looked at each other and glared. But, the director made us hang on each other's arm and smile forcefully.

Too much flashes were recieved by my eyes, making it harder for me to see and focus my eyes on something. "Ugh... I can't see..."

I felt Natsu place his hands on my shoulders and made me face him. "Look straight and focus on my face."

I started blinking my eyes a couple of times. And slowly, I saw Natsu's face with my sight again. I blushed and looked away when I slapped him.

"Ow! That hurt!" He exclaimed in pain then, winced.

"S-Sorry! I-I-" I ended up getting flustered by myself.

"No time to lose, you two. In the car. In. In. In!" The director pushed Natsu and I inside the car forcefully, making my forehead hit Natsu's teeth when the car moved.

"Ow! That's two strikes, you!" Natsu stated, rubbing his teeth.

"Ow..." I mumbled, caressing my forehead.

"Yo, driver. Where is this car going?" Natsu asked.

The driver turned out to be Natsu's parents, Igneel and Grandine. "Oh, my. We are so happy to escort you two." Aunt Gra-uh, Mom? Spoke.

"Natsu! You better take care of Lucy and make us Grandparents, okay?" Mr. Ig-Dad uttered out, gesturing a thumbs up and a wink.

"AS IF! WE'RE ONLY 18, OLD MAN!" Natsu screamed at the top of his lungs.

I sighed and slouched on the car seat at the back. Why did this have to happen?

"WHERE ARE YOU GUYS EVEN TAKING US?!" Natsu asked impatiently, pulling his Dad's skin.

"Th-The reshempshion. The reshepshion..." his Dad uttered out.

"NO WAY IN HELL ARE WE GOING!"

Ms. Grandine giggled, "You two are growing up too fast. Let me see you guys kiss again!" She squealed.

I blushed, "Uh... that was..."

"Call me 'Mom' from now on, okay, Lucy?" Ms. Grandine smiled, holsing my hand.

I smiled, "O-Okay, Mom."

"THE HELL ARE YOU SAYIN', MOM?!"

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"Welcome to the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel!" One of the waitresses' greeted, bowed at our presence.

I hang my arm on Natsu's arm since his parents told us to when we walk to the reception. Natsu assisted me on carrying the long tail from the gown when we went up the board of the place where we eat.

Beside our table was a ten-foot white wedding cake with the statue of both of us were implanted on top of it.

"I-It looks too detailed, wouldn't you think?" Natsu must've read my mind since that was exactly what I was thinking.

"Y-Yeah. I guess our parents overdid things." I sighed frustratedly and looked at the visitors as they applaud for the two of us.

"It is time for the newly-weds to cut the cake! Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel, if you may." The director announced and gestured us both to the front of the cake.

"It's awfully big, too." I commented.

The director gave Natsu the knife. "Huh? Am I supposed to slash this like a ninja?" Natsu was slightly flicked on the ear by the director. "Just cut the cake. Enough for both of you to finish so the visitors can eat."
Natsu started mumbling under his breath while he cuts the cake. He puts it on the plate and faces me, "Ah." He gestured, trying to feed me with the slight part from the cake.

I just ate it without blinking and munched. "Oh! It isn't half bad."

Natsu handed me the fork, "Your turn. Ahh...." he paused to his position, waiting for me to feed him.

I thought of this part to make fun of him so I sticked the whole thing and shoved it into his mouth. "Hai, honey." I giggled in a teasing voice when Natsu muffled, trying to gobble the whole thing up.

The crowd applauded and fall in line to the buffet table. Everyone must've been hungry...

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! ARE YOU A SADIST?! ARE YOU TRYIN' TO KILL ME?! HOW COULD I POSSIBLY SWALLOW A THING THAT BIG?!" Natsu exclaimed, pointing at his mouth.

I pretended to act innocent, "Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetie. I forgot. I must've mistaken your mouth for a trash bag."

"You...." he shuddered in anger.

"Smile, you two!" Natsu and I turned and got our picture taken by the flash of mom's camera, making me feel dazed. "Ohh, you two just look too cute!"

"Aaahh...." I felt Natsu's arms around my arms, supporting me by his chest.

"By the way, here are your car keys and the key to your very own house." Mom giggled, clapping her hands together in delight. Dad handed us the pictures.

My eyes widened along with Natsu's when we saw the house and the car. And, wait...

"WE'RE LIVING TOGETHER?!!"