On the night of the party there were plenty of people attending and they were all dressed to fit the theme of the 1700's. The house was cleaned perfectly, the catering had great food, but best of all was the entertainment. Saber Tooth was Magnolia's most popular band, their music ranged from rock to heavy metal with a few sweet love songs. Sting was typically the lead singer but sometimes he would trade off with lead guitarist Rogue.

"I been in a cave
Forty days
Only a spark
To light my way

I wanna give out
I wanna give in
This is our crime
This is our sin."

Nearly every guest had their eyes on Sting and his band as they performed. Dancing, socializing, some even cheering but they didn't got too crazy due to them being inside a large house instead of outside.

"But I still believe

I still believe
Through the pain
And through the grief

Through the lies
Through the storms
Through the cries
And through the wars

Oh, I still believe

I still believe."

Gray stood at the front door of the house, dressed in one of his old suits and politely greeting the guests who arrived. He thanked them for their presence and directed them to where the party was. He hoped that everyone was having a good time and this party would not only boost up his business but allow the residents of his house hold to have a chance to enjoy themselves. As the party went on, Natsu approached him wearing the suit that belonged to Gray's brother Lyon.

"The party's a hit Gray." He said. "Why don't you join in?"

"I'd like to but someone has to welcome the guests."

"No they don't. The party room is just next door. They'll find their way there."

"You'll have to forgive me Natsu but some of my old customs are still with me. When we had parties years back there was always someone to greet guests when they came to the door."

"Still this party was your idea and you shouldn't miss out on it. Come on, at least have a drink and dance a little."

"Alright."

They went to where the party was and what he saw made Gray very happy. He saw Erza looking radiant in the blue gown and diamond necklace he gave her, smiling as she danced and talked with Professor Fernandes her date for the evening. She looked so happy and so ate ease with herself. Not a single trace of anxiety. To the left he could see Cana having a few drinks while wearing a green dress that had previously been owned by Ur, she had been considered a member of his family so she was often invited to attend their parties. His father even bought the dress for her. Lucy in her pretty peach colored dress with her hair up in a high bun, was chatting with her friend Mirajane from the diner while also doing a little playful and harmless flirting with the gentlemen of the evening. And Romeo was at the dessert table trying to eat as many cookies and cakes as he could before Erza noticed.

Laxus was the only one who didn't seem to be having a good time. True he helped himself to the booze and got a little handsy with the woman but after getting a few slaps of rejection he just went into a corner to drink and glare.

"Can't win em all over." Natsu told Gray after they saw Laxus.

"That's true." Gray agreed. "Shall we get that drink?"

Natsu opened his mouth to agree but became speechless when Lucy walked over toward them.

"How come you two are being such wall flowers?" She asked. "There are a lot of pretty ladies here. Why not ask one of them to dance?"

She was directing her question to Natsu and when he didn't respond Gray gave him a little nudge to get him to speak.

"Oh! Uh! I...I...I guess I'm a little shy on talking to women." Natsu said nervously. "After all I don't really know a lot of them here."

"In that case why don't you dance with someone you know? Like me?" She offered.

Natsu blushed a little when she said that, he then leaned over and whispered to Gray.

"Is she asking me to dance with her?"

"Yes! Don't just stand there moron! Give her an answer!" Gray whispered back.

"Okay. I...I'd love to dance with you Lucy."

"Great." She linked her arm with his and led him over to the dance floor. "I like that suit on you. You look wonderful."

"Really? I thought I looked kind of silly in this get up."

"No it's very charming on you."

"Thanks. I...I like your dress. The scarf gives it a really nice touch."

"Why are you so nervous? It's just me."

Truthful answer, it was because he was hopelessly in love with this attractive young woman and couldn't believe that she actually wanted to dance with him. But the answer he gave her was:

"I'm just not used to dancing in a crowd like this. Also I have two left feet."

"Well I don't think anyone is really paying attention to us and if you miss a few steps I don't care."

Unfortunately this didn't calm his nerves. Gray rolled his eyes and grinned a little when he saw how frazzled Natsu was with Lucy. The men of this century sure were different from the ones back from the century he had grown up in. The men and the women. He wished that he hadn't of missed out so much then maybe he would have a better understanding of some things.

Erza broke away from her date to speak with Gray for a moment.

"Are you having a good time?" Gray asked her.

"Honestly I am." She said with a smile. "I wasn't sure about this at first but I'm really having the best time."

"I'm glad to hear."

"I want to thank you for this. I never realized how gloomy things had been around here until tonight. Just seeing my family- I mean our family all together having fun is just so- Romeo! How much sugar have you had?!" She called when she saw the boy's cheeks stuff while frosting and cream was all over his lips. "Romeo Conbolt Scarlet don't you dare put another cookie in your mouth!"

Gray chuckled as he watched her rush over to the dessert table to stop her nephew from eating anymore sweets. Once again she reminded him so much of his governess Ur. In fact almost everything at this whole party had brought back so many memories. He remembered all the grand parties he used to have with his former family. How he would dance with his mother and later his sister, how when he and his brother would like to play tricks on the guests when they were younger, how his father always ended the party with a toast to his family. It broke his heart that he would never be able to have parties like this with them again.

Gray was about to go back to the front door to greet more oncoming guests but stopped in his tracks when he saw the most beautiful thing in the world descend down the stairs and into the room. It was Juvia wearing the white gown she had picked out and her hair was styled into a crown braid. He approached her at the end of stairs.

"So." She said feeling a bashful at his undistractable gaze on her. "What do you think? Do I look alright? Does it fit well? Maybe I should have worn something else."

"I think it looks perfect on you." He said with a smile. "You're the most beautiful woman here."

And just like that first time they met, he gently took hold of her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. She tried so hard not to blush but whenever he did those chivalrous acts of being a gentleman she couldn't help but melt on the inside. Men like him weren't common around here anymore.

"The party looks amazing." She said trying to calm down her fluttering heart. "You've done a wonderful job at making everything look old fashioned and modern."

"Well I had some help. Natsu helped me out with getting all the decor and food and Lucy helped with suggesting the entertainment."

"I'm surprised that you were able to get Saber Tooth to perform here. I was told they were nearly impossible to book with their busy schedule. How did you pull it off?"

"Let's just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

And by tricks he meant mind controlling the band's manager and doubling the price of what they would be paid at their last performance.

When the song playing ended and the band prepared to play a new one Gray offer his hand to Juvia.

"May I have this dance?" He asked.

She smiled and placed her own hand into his.

"It would be my pleasure."

Then together they went to join the other guests who were dancing.