AFTER FEW HOURS

SILVER'S POV

"Hey Lyon, do you know where did Gray go? He's not picking up my call." I asked as Lyon sat in front of me doing some work in his laptop.

"He has gone in search of Stella but lied to Juvia-chan that he has gone out for business meeting." Lyon told me everything about how Gray suddenly saw her and Jellal's help in searching details on her.

Now I'm really worried. What if he wants to start over again with Stella? What will happen to Juvia? How will she handle if he says that he wants to live with Stella? She will be heart broken.

"Uncle"

"Uncle"

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Lyon calling, "What?" I asked him.

"Your mobile is ringing for sometime now." He pointed out the mobile on the table.

It's call from my only son.

"Hello Gray, where the hell did you go?" I asked him in raised tone.

"Dad, I'm on my way to our home. Can you come now I need to speak to you about something?" I could sense his voice was breaking.

I wondered what could have happened for him to feel this broken.

"Okay I will come now. You just wait outside." I kept the call and told Lyon to handle the rest of the day.

Soon I reached my house, as I entered the corridor I saw Gray standing near the door way.

I could see from the look on his face that he's bothered by something apparently something related to Stella must have happened.

"Yo dad" He greeted me gently.

"Hi son" I opened the door and led him in.

He sat on the couch with his head bowed down. I removed my coat and sat next to him and patted his shoulders.

Even if he's grown up adult who can take care of himself but as a parent, it's my duty to help in solving his problem and make him happy.

"Hey Gray, what's with the long face?"

"Dad, yesterday I went with Natsu to Hargeon to meet Stella and…." Slowly he disclosed what happened in morning.

In one way, I was really happy that Stella is still alive and leading a happy life.

But I do feel bad, that she had lost her memories about her previous life.

Suddenly Gray hugged me and began to cry on my shoulder. Seeing my son this broken, my heart ached. 

"Hey dear, don't cry. I can understand your pain but what's done can't be undone. All we can say is that was fate's play to separate you and her.
    See you are a grown up man, you shouldn't lose your grip. You should be happy for her now." I tried to console him.

"Dad, I know just my heart ached after finding out the truth. That's why, I felt like to cry nothing much. Dad, why's life always unfair with me?" Gray added as he wiped his tears.

To confirm my doubts I asked him a question, "Gray, do you still love her? Do you want me to talk to her husband about this?"

I know the thing I'm talking now is illegal and unethical but to test my son's love for her, I needed to ask that question along with stupid talks.

"NO DAD….. I don't love her now." Gray proclaimed.

I was happy to hear this. Finally, he has moved on.

"See Gray God gives only the best things for us. Don't go losing your hope.
Well if you don't love her then what are you planning to do with your life now?  I advised and slowly opened the question.

"I don't know dad. I'm lost now." Gray sighed.

"Gray, do you remember you are married right? Then why don't you try starting over again with Juvia?" I reminded him again.

"Dad…"

"See don't just dad me!!! Can't you see that girl is waiting for you to accept her?
     My son, I know everything about your contract and stuff. And seriously, I was disappointed of you but not anymore.
     The way you treat her nowadays says something different and it's just more than friendship.
     Now you don't have any hindrance in your married life path. Then why can't you just accept her and love her in return?"

I tried to sound less harsh and more meaningful so that he can understand.

All I want is for him to happy and peaceful and enjoy his life along with Juvia. Both of them deserve happiness.

"Dad, what if she doesn't accept me now?" Gray hesitated a bit.

I blinked my eyes at his silly question, "What?" I laughed at him.

He pouted his lips, "Hey don't laugh at me." Then he blushed.

"Sometimes you are really dumb, my son. There's no way she will not accept you now as she already sees you as her husband.
    Even if she doesn't it's your duty to make her accept you by making her fall in love with you. Got it!" I grinned.

"Dad, how will she accept me? I had treated her bitterly for 3 months. Moreover, I told her that I see her only as a friend.
    Now if I say I love her, she will think I'm using her as rebound. "

He asked his doubts. Poor boy is paranoid for some reason.

"Just show her she means your world. But it should be sincere and genuine.
  Don't worry, I'm sure everything from today will be a good start for you. Enjoy your life my son." I hugged him and patted his back.

"Gray, I and your mom just want you to be happy and successful in your life. You are our pride. Seeing you in happiness makes our life complete. 
  But sadly, your mom is not here with us to see all these beautiful moments. But she will be happy and is watching upon you giving you her blessing.
  Please son, always be happy, optimistic and hopeful." I said my heart felt words to him.

"Yes dad. I will keep up your and mom's words and dreams." He smiled genuinely.

To lighten up the mood, I teased him, " 'kay son, when will you make me grandfather?" I smirked.

Gray grew red due to embarrassment, "Shut up...let me fix my life then I will think about that."

"Hey Gray, I want a bunch of grandkids and all should resemble Juvia." I teased him.

"Noted" He replied with a huge blush on his face as he gave in for my teasing. I chuckled at his reaction to irritate him further.

GRAY'S POV

After spending some bonding time with my dad, I went back to my abode with a clear mind to start a fresh life with my lovely wife.

Along the way I thought of buying something for my Juvia so I stopped at the gift shop and searched for a thing which could actually surprise her.

Now that all my confusion and Stella's matter is cleared. I could freely focus on Juvia.

I can still remember the words she said that day 'I will wait if you try to move on'.

During the course of these 4 months, only a month I have spent truly with her by interacting. From that I can say she's a wonderful wife material.
I must be lucky in a sense.

Slowly even my feelings towards started to change in middle like I was possessive and protective of her. 

Even though, I did say we will have friendship relationship but I couldn't maintain the same thing with her just like how I maintain the friendship with other girls.

'Dad, you are right. She did change me. Hope I can be someone who deserves her.' My mind voice spoke out loud.

As I was searching nothing in there caught my attention, then I saw a medium sized panda stuffed toy.

It looked really cute and even once she mentioned that her favorite animal is panda.

So without having a second thought, I bought that panda and asked the shopkeeper to gift wrap it.

"This will be a good thank you gift. Hope she reaches home soon as today she doesn't have her part-time job." I thought to myself and soon went to my home.

Once I reached the place and saw the door to be unlocked. My heart began to beat faster.

"Man, why's my heart running a marathon?" I breathed out to relieve the uneasiness.

"Am I having a heart attack?" I wondered.

As I opened the door, "Juvia, I'm back." I looked for her but nowhere to be found.

Then I heard a noise like someone calling as I went near the kitchen. The sound came from Juvia's room which was slightly ajar.

I went inside, "Hey Juvia, it's me I'm coming in." But she's not inside the room also.

Just then, the bathroom door opened to reveal my wife who had a large towel wrapped around her curvaceous body and a small towel wrapped on her head.

"Oh welcome back, Gray-sama. I thought it was Meredy-chan. She said she will be coming tonight along with her boyfriend." Juvia said with a smile.

All I could do was gaze at her like a predator. Slowly the temperature around us began to rise and even my body and cheeks were getting warmer.

"Like what you see Gray-sama?" She smiled seductively.

"What?" I stuttered.

As she came near me due to our height difference I could see the starting point of her cleavage.

Again she smirked and placed her hands on the ends of the towel which was tugged inward.

"Gray-sama, do you want to see them." As she opened I shouted "NO STOP AT ONCE" with a huge crimson blush adorning my cheeks.

I felt like my body was shaking and my head was spinning around.

"Gray-sama…"

"Gray-sama…"

"GRAY-SAMA…. " Juvia shouted my name which made me regain my composure. 

She had her hands on my shoulders which was shaking me. That's when I realized I was fantasizing her like a pervert which made me feel embarrassed.

"Oh sorry about that.." I said scratching my right cheek.

"Oh what a relief. For a second I thought Gray-sama has gone crazy. Anyways welcome back, Gray-sama." She smiled innocently as her blue orbs sparkled making her look so adorable at the same time her outfit made her look so hot and sexy.

"If you are taking bath, why can't you just lock the door? What if something worse happens? Just be precautious before hand." I said as I crossed my arms against my chest.

"Okay Gray-sama I understood. Now if you excuse me so that I can change into much more presentable clothing?" She smirked which I saw for first time.

"Well aren't you feeling a bit too bold? Usually you cover yourself fully but now you are showing me so much of your creamy skin." I smirked which made her blush.

"No nothing like that Gray-sama. Usually you tease me by being half-naked so I thought I will take revenge on you.
  So that you can understand how awkward it is to see someone half-naked." She puffed her cheeks.

I leaned forward and whispered in a husky voice, " I really love the sight before me." Then left the burning blunette inside while I chuckled.

Juvia came out wearing a usual t-shirt and shorts. I laid on the couch as usual after removing my shirt as I couldn't take much of the heat.

"Gray-sama, how was your trip? Was the meeting successful?" She asked me curiously.

I decided to hide Stella's matter for now as I don't want her to think that I'm treating her as rebound.

"Yeah it was. Hey come here.." I called her as I sat up on the couch and made some space for her to sit.

Then took the gift which I hid behind the pillow and extended my hands upto her.

Her eyes widened and she began to stutter, "wh..what's that Gray-sama?"

I blushed, "It's something for you. Hope you like it." I said trying my best to control the warmth which is growing on my cheeks.

She smiled and took the gift to carefully open the wrapper. She squealed in happiness and hugged the panda.

"Thank you Gray-sama. It's so cute and lovely."

"It's okay Juvia nothing much." I'm really happy to see her smile this brightly.

She bought the panda upto her cheeks and began rubbing against it. "It's so soft and chubby. How did you know like panda?"

"I remembered when we were once talking about animals you said you love pandas. So I saw this toy in the store, so I bought it for you as it reminded me of you." I said which made her grew red.

"Oh...I...see.. Anyways Gray-sama, thank you for this lovely gift." She got up and went to her room.

I felt a bit disappointed as I was expecting a small hug from her part but I still have many more days to make her open towards me.

Then I remembered she said something about Meredy and boyfriend, "Hey Juvia, what was that about Meredy? Is she coming over?"

"I guess, today or someday in the coming week I have invited her and her beloved boyfriend for dinner.
  Sorry I didn't ask for your permission before deciding this. If you don't want we can cancel the dinner party.." Juvia looked at me for my opinion.

I caught hold of her hand and squeezed to assure her, "It's okay go along with your plan. It won't hurt to have guest in our home for once in a while.
    And mostly probably coming Sunday, we have to babysit Luke, you know Natsu and Lucy's son... those two are going out for date. And I owed them one so it's our duty to take care of that kid for a whole day." I informed her. I knew Natsu doesn't just offer help for free, he had this plan from the beginning itself.

Juvia looked so happy at the name of babysitting. Her blue orbs sparkled with happiness and shook her head in agreement,

"Yea Gray-sama, we will take care of him. Don't worry about that.. I'm excited."

I smiled and nodded my head. Hope in coming days she sees my interaction mean more than just a friend and accept me.