SUNDAY

LATER AT THE EVENING

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Okay Luke dear, come let's go home. Juvia and Gray thank you for taking care of him throughout the day."

Lucy simply thanked her friends wholeheartedly.

Juvia who had the toddler in her arms as the little boy refused to let go of his new found lovely aunt.

"It's okay Lucy-san. We were really happy to take care of this sweetie. He's such a good and lovely boy. We hardly had any tough time with him."

Juvia praised the little boy while the toddler hugged her and kissed her cheeks.

"Aw looks like he's really got attached to you. Come dear, let's go home. Auntie and uncle must be tired."

Lucy tried her best to convince her son.

Meanwhile both the male sat on the couch and watched the scene in front of them.

"He's really your son. Don't need a DNA test to prove the fact. Geez, he made me his pet horse and rided my back for a long time."

Gray said as he rubbed his aching back.

"Hahaha....Ice-princess is getting old. That's why he's complaining of his back pain. Oh my gosh, you didn't even start enjoying your life and already complaining about back pain." Natsu mocked him.

Gray protested grasping the double meaning in his friend's statement,

"Shut up, that's just a muscle cramp because I hardly do any workout these day. This reminds me to start my workout. And whose old, you idiot? You are the one whose old. Shut up and mind your work." Gray glared at his friend.

Natsu laughed mockingly to irritate Gray which he succeeded.

Then he diverted his attention to something important,

"Hey Gray, did you tell Juvia about Stella?"

Gray covered his mouth with his palms and gestured him to low down his voice, "No, I didn't."

Natsu rolled his eyes, then Gray removes his hand, "Why?"

"I don't want her to think I'm just loving her because Stella is with someone now."

Gray sincerely stated his reason.

Natsu patted his shoulder, "Listen up Gray, from this thing itself it's evident you love her. You just say to her about this Stella.
Why I'm saying this because by this way, Juvia would be clear that the way your are behaving with her now is not due to friendship but more than that.
Believe if she does think herself as rebound, it's your duty to prove it to her that its otherwise."

Gray slowly took in his friend's advice and nodded his head, "I get it. Even dad told me the same. Now I have to earn her love. I will do that tonight itself. So how was your date?"

Gray smirked for which Natsu blushed slightly.

"I must say today was a much needed break from the work and my kid. We feel rejuvenated. Thanks for taking care of him. Fine, we will get going, love birds."

Natsu laughed as he wantedly shouted the last word which caught the girls attention while Gray blushed.

"Hey Natsu, come help me in convincing this little dragon. He's not letting go of Juvia."

Lucy called out for her husband.

As soon as Natsu came and showed his arms wide open, the little boys eyes sparkled and launched himself on his dad and hugged him.

"That's my dragon." Natsu ruffled his son's blonde hairs while the little boy grinned at his mother.

"Traitor, wait always you want your dad to carry you, huh!!. Fine, I will leave you to your daddy for whole night."

Lucy pouted but couldn't continue for long and laughed at her son who showed her teary puppy eyes.

"Okay we will get going. Bye guys and thank you for today."

Both Natsu and Lucy said in unison while Gray came and stood next to his wife to send his guest back home.

"It's okay. We really loved the time we spent with him. Bye Luke, take care."

Gray convinced them while Juvia smiled and waved her hands.

Luke waved his hands back and the Dragneel couple left them,

"Bye Gray...Bye Juvia."

As Gray closed the doors, he sighed in relief, "What a day".

Juvia giggled back and looked at her husband, "Why's Gray-sama so tired?"

"Don't tell me you forgot all the stuffs he made me do."

Gray rolled his eyes and he went to kitchen to drink some water followed by Juvia.

"Yeah I know. But it was really a good day. I love Luke. He's so adorable and naughty. Don't complain Gray-sama.
I know why don't you go and take a warm shower, it will ease out the pain."

She gave him her piece of mind.

Gray grinned, "Not a bad idea. Okay, listen up while I take the bath, can you prepare a bowl of popcorn?"

"Pop-corn? Why Gray-sama? It's almost dinner time." J

uvia tilted her head sideways as she was confused by his sudden urge to eat popcorn.

"Because we are gonna watch movie tonight. And dinner we can order it from online after sometime. So wanna watch a movie with me?"

Gray asked her in with a bit of hesitation.

Juvia smiled brightly, "Sure Gray-sama, I would love to".

After half an hour, Gray came out from his room wearing just a vest and shorts and a towel hang around his neck wiping the back of his head.

While Juvia stood near the kitchen counter placing the bowl of carmel popcorn along with two empty glasses and a bottle of juice on a tray.

"What are you doing?"

Gray asked her making her bit startled.

"Oh it's you. Gray-sama, you made me scared. Everything needed for enjoying the movie time is ready. Come let's go, Gray-sama."

She smiled and began to take the tray but was stopped by him.

"Wait let me help you out. Moreover, why are you always getting startled whenever I call you out? Don't you think you should have gotten used to my voice?"

Gray asked her as he holded the tray.

She laughed sheepishly, "You are right. It's just you always catch me off guard. That's all, I will try not to fret again."

Juvia said and began to move towards her room instead towards the couch.

"I will come in a jiffy." Juvia left.

Gray saw her until she went inside her room. He placed the tray on the coffee table and looked around.

"Looks like the couches needs to rearrange for a better viewing."

He thought it himself and began to do his.

JUVIA'S POV

After taking a quick shower, I wore a cream coloured netted top and a pink coloured shorts then brushed my hairs to make it look neat.

As I went to the living room, something looked different. That's when I realized the couches has been rearranged.

The larger couch was placed at 4 foot distance from the TV while the other was kept at the usual position which now adjacent to the former.

I went to kitchen to drink water before Gray-sama comes down from his room.

Last two days, he has been really nice to meet. I don't know what's happening to him but I really like it.

But I shouldn't get my hopes up as it might really leave me heart broken. I occasionally forget about that.

My thoughts were halted when Gray-sama called me, "Hey Juvia, you have come. Let's began our movie time."

He smiled and kept looking at me which made to blush hardly.

"Yes" I said and went to the couch in which Gray-sama was seated.

I raised my eyebrow at him as I looked at him, "What?" He asked me.

"Where's your vest? Oh nevermind, you always feel hot Gray-sama. And by the way, I think I got used to your bare well toned chest and abdomen."

I said nonchalantly but I'm sure I saw a light blush on his cheeks.

I think he must be fluttered by my words, "Yeah as you said. Now here take this remote and choose the movie of your choice."

He gave me the remote after opening the Netflix on the smart TV.

I looked at the list of free subscriptions and paid ones for a better choice and finally chose a movie from romantic genre.

"Gray-sama, hope you like this movie." I smiled sheepishly.

"I already made my mind that whatever movie you were gonna chose, I would watch that as you agreed to watch a movie with me on the first place. So play that one."

He smiled which gave me the assurance.

I'm really happy that Gray-sama was willing to watch my choice of movie.

He feels grateful that I agreed to watch a movie with but the inner fan girl mode of mine is still on the high end as I can't believe this development from his part.

Then slowly we got immersed into that lovely movie where both hero and heroine are head over heels for each other.

It has same plotline like any other romantic movie but it's a bit different as it's an unrequited love due to fate's play. At the end, the hero dies while saving his love and others from a fire accident.

During the course of watching the movie, I had moved myself towards Gray-sama's side unknowingly.

Now we sat so close to each other that my shoulder and thighs are touching his and he seems unbothered by it.

As I wiped my tears and looked at him to see his expression, Gray-sama looked like his usual self but I can say he had something in his mind.

He looked down at me and seriously asked, "Hey Juvia, do you think he truly loved her?"

I blinked my eyes, "Yeah Gray-sama. That's why he willing sacrificed his life to save her. Then why do you think he must have done something like that?"

He looked away and had his head bowed down,

"No I was wondering whether he truly loved her even if she was not his first love or girlfriend or lover-whatever it is.."

I don't know what made Gray-sama ask this question and I can't analyse from where he got this doubt.

I suddenly had the urge to cup his cheeks and make him looked at me which I did. He looked a bit startled by my sudden contact.

"Listen Gray-sama, if you truly love someone it doesn't really have to be your first love or crush. True love can happen at anytime, at anywhere and with anyone.

Just because you had a bad start or a really bad break in the name of first love, that doesn't mean the second time you love someone is not genuine. Love is love in any from.

If you love that person truly, then for you their happiness is everything. You would do anything to see that smile on their face.

In that movie, the heroine not even once felt she was a rebound because the hero made sure that she's the only one for him now and ever. That's why she truly believed and loved him till the very end of his life.

Even in his last second, all he did say to her was to smile on and not cry which shows she's that important person of his life. And he was extremely happy to save from the danger."

I explained my point of view while Gray-sama quietly listened to my words. Then he placed his palm on my hand and caught hold of it.

"Well do you think it's possible in real life also?"

I brushed his soft yet toned cheeks with my thumbs and smiled,

"Yes Gray-sama. As long as we have this heart which pumps blood in our body, then anything can happen in the name of love.
All we have to do is be patient enough to feel the love of the other person."

I said and I don't know why this question reminds me of my situation with Gray-sama.

Why can't he feel the love I hold for him? Is he blind that he can't see my love for him?

Oh God, why have you put me in this trap? Why does that Stella has to come when everything was going on a good track?

Without me I knowing, tears streamed down my eyes.

GRAY'S POV

As she gave her unique point of view, tears began to flowed down her blue orbs.

I know the reason behind those tears, Stella. But she's no more the hindrance in our life.

I slowly wiped her tears which made her look confused,
"It's okay, Juvia. Now don't cry, I got your point. Thank you for sharing those wonderful love-life points." I smiled which made her blush.

She removed her hands from my face and turned around and had her knees under her chin to hide her embarrassment. She looked so cute while doing these small funny stuffs.

So from her answer only thing I can make out is that she's doesn't see the 2nd chance as a rebound but equivalent to pure love.

"So when are you planning to turn around and face me?" I laughed at her action.

"No I'm not turning around. I'm really sorry for my action." She almost whispered the last words.

I caught her shoulder and turned her around so that she can face me,

"Why are you sorry for? All you did was to console me right. I liked it. Thank you for making me understand rather something very important."

Finally, she looked at me and asked something which I didn't expect from her,

"So Gray-sama, when are you planning to get back with Stella?"

"What?" I nearly shouted at her question.

She looked a bit scared due to my action,

"No Gray-sama, now that she's back and I heard from Lucy-San that you had asked Jellal-san you find her details and he got that for you.
So I was wondering when are you going to get back to together....."

"Stop Juvia..." I thought to myself.

I don't like the way this conversation is going on.

"If you let me know before hand....."

"Stop Juvia, please stop it.."

"I can make some arrangements for myself like finding a new place for me. And moreover, there's just 8 more months until our contract ends but before that if....."

"No I don't want to hear the end, Juvia." My mind voice spoke loud.

"company to come into your hands. Then I can finally leave you once and for all even before the contract ends..."

She looked at me with those tear glistened blue orbs.

I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled her into a tight hug making sure I didn't squeeze the life out of her.

"Gray.....Gray-sama" She asked in confusion.

"No Juvia, you are not going anywhere. I don't want you to go. Just stay with me and by my side."

I slowly began to say my heart felt words.

"But Gray-sama, why? You don't have to take any responsibility of me, just because we are married. Please I don't want to burden you anymore.
Now your love has come back, I'm really happy that you are gonna be happy and smiling.
Your happiness is my priority."

She added as she ran her hands up and down my bare back without grasping what I'm meaning by my words.

I squeezed her lightly, "No need for that any more. Because she......." I told her everything about Stella.

"So now I don't have anyone in my life for whom I have to live. That's why, I....I wa...want....."

Before I could finish, she broke from the hug and cupped my face again.

"Don't ever say you don't have anyone for whom you have to live. Gray-sama, don't forget you have your dad by your side standing tall and proud. You should lucky to have someone like him as your dad.
Always have the will to live this life to fullest because life on this earth for us humans is very short. So enjoy each and every moment."

She smiled and caressed me cheeks.

I cupped her face, "Now promise me, that you won't leave me until I say you to. I really want you to stay with me. Please I don't if it's really the right time to say this but I'm really and slowly falling for you.
I can't exactly as when and how but I know even before Stella came back that I began to love you and your presence around me. Juvia, please allow this Gray Fullbuster to love you."

She looked dumbfounded as she couldn't really my words which I spoke just now.

I know, I shouldn't expect an easy approval from her but somewhere in my heart it says she will agree to it.

As tears were streaming down her eyes, she removed my hands from her face and got up and began to move towards her room.

I caught hold of her wrist, "Wait what's your say on my question?"

She looked at me and slowly unwinded my fingers from her wrist,

"I..No....Give me sometime".

I stood up from the couch and caught her shoulder, "Why? Why do you need sometime? Don't you believe me." I said in low disappointed tone.

Just then, Juvia hugged me and cried on my bare chest, "Because I can't believe whether this is dream or reality. I want to believe what you said now is true.
That's why I was going back to my room to sleep and then the next day I wake up to find it for real.
I'm really happy after hearing your confession Gray-sama. But I want that to be real not something delusional."

I really don't know whether to feel sad at her doubts or laugh at her funny trick.

I held the back of her head and gently pat, "It's for real Juvia. And I mean every single words. I love you and want to start a fresh, fun-filled life with you." I said in a husky voice.

She looks up and smiles brightly even with those tears in her eyes.

"Sure Gray-sama, we can start a new life. But I have one small request, let's not begin this journey from you being my husband.
Even though we are married. I want to experience the relationship phase. So for sometime now, I want you to be my boyfriend then slowly we can level up. What do you say?"

She asked with profound happiness and how can I resist that,

"Sure anything for my girlfriend."