I frowned down at the unmarked envelope in my hands. I had gotten it in the mail earlier that day, but I had no idea who it was from. Actually, I knew it hadn't come with my other mail, because it didn't even have my address on it. The only thing written on the front of it, in neat writing, was my name. Erza Scarlet.

            Deciding the only way to find anything out about who had sent it was to look at what was inside, I ripped it open. When it didn't appear that anything was inside, I turned the envelope over and shook it a little. A small piece of paper fell out onto my lap.

            I picked it up, frowning more as I read it. “Meet me at the bakery tonight just after closing time.”

            I looked up at the clock on my wall. The only bakery in Magnolia—the one where I always bought my strawberry cakes—closed at nine. It was already nearly eight-thirty.

            “Who could have sent this?” I frowned. I stared at the words on the paper for several minutes before getting an idea.

            Wendy's keen sense of smell might be able to pick up the sender's scent. They chose the bakery as a meeting place, which means they know I visit there quite frequently. More than likely, I know the sender.

            I walked to the small dragon slayer's apartment located on the floor above mine, and knocked gently on the door.

            “Oh, Erza,” Wendy said as she answered the door, “what a surprise. Come on in!”

            “Thank you,” I nodded, following her into the living room.

            “Carla and I were just about to watch a movie, would you like to join us?” She asked.

            “No, thank you. I actually came to ask for your help with something.”

            “Sure,” she smiled, “what can I help you with?”

            “I received this in the mail today,” I began, holding up the envelope and paper, “but it has no name or return address on it. I was wondering if you were able to pick up a familiar scent on it that might tell me who sent it.”

            Wendy took the paper, bringing it up to her nose before taking a deep breath. Her eyes shot open after she had, indicating she knew the sender.

            “Who's scent is on it?” I asked.

            “I think it would be better if I left it as a surprise,” she smiled.

            “So, I do know who it is,” I pondered, wondering who it could be, and why Wendy wanted me to wait until I got to bakery to find out who it was.

            “You do,” she nodded, still smiling.

            “Alright,” I said. “If you don't believe there is any threat, then I will take your word and wait until I get there. Thank you for your help.”

            “No problem, Erza,” Wendy giggled. “Have fun!”

            “Thank you,” I answered, curious as to why she would say that. I changed into my normal attire of a blue skirt, white blouse, and my Heart Kreuz armor before heading to the bakery.

            It was nine when I got there, so I was right on time. I was surprised to find that the lights inside were still on. When I tried the door, it was still unlocked.

            “Hello?” I asked, hesitantly, as I went inside.

            “Miss Erza, how wonderful to see you.” The store owner smiled when I entered the store.

            “You wouldn't have sent a letter by any chance, would you?” I asked.

            “It wasn't me,” he said. “I was just asked to prepare you something by the person who did.”

            “Prepare me something?”

            He nodded. “Follow me, please.”

            He led me further into the bakery, to a small table with two plates. Both of them had a large piece of strawberry cake.

            “Who was it that sent me the letter?” I asked, frowning.

            “That was me.”

            I turned, knowing who it was before I even met his eyes. I would know that voice anywhere. “Jellal,” I breathed.

            “It has been a long time, Erza,” he smiled.

            “What are you doing here?” I asked.

            He chuckled, holding out one of the chairs and motioning for me to take a seat. “I came to eat cake with you.”

            “That's not what I meant,” I said, though I couldn't help but smile as I sat down.

            “I was in the neighborhood, so I wanted to see you.”

            “You know how dangerous that is,” I told him, frowning.

            “That's why I arranged this.” He motioned to the cake. “It's after dark, and no one will be coming in here since the store is closed. Besides, the risk was well worth it.”

            I blushed at his comment, then hurriedly took a bite of cake in the hopes that he wouldn't notice my pink cheeks.

            “Enjoying your cake?” He asked, the smile still on his face. I liked seeing him happy like that. It reminded me of all the times I had seen him smile when he were children—before the bad memories had replaced the good ones all those years.

            I no longer blamed him for what had happened. He had been manipulated. Back then, we had all been so desperate for someone to save us that I couldn't really blame him for holding onto the one thing that he thought could save him.

            Now, as he smiled at me, I brought about all the feelings I used to have for him as well. That only made me blush more. After the incident where we almost kissed, I could barely look at him without feeling slightly embarrassed. Oh yeah, he told me he was engaged that time, didn't he?

            “How's your fiance?” I asked, ignoring his question. I noticed he hadn't touched his cake yet.

            His face turned pink, and it was his turn to look away. He cleared his throat, awkwardly. “There—there never was one.” I was a bit startled by his confession. I had been expecting him to have some sort of explanation planned.

            “Really?” I asked, taking another bite of cake.

            “I just needed a quick excuse at the moment, and that was the first thing that came to mind,” he admitted.

            “Why did you need an excuse?” Thinking about it, I felt a little hurt. Had he really needed an excuse not to kiss me? Why wouldn't he want to kiss me?

            I shook myself. It didn't matter why. I didn't like Jellal in that way, and he didn't like me, either. Besides, he was still technically a fugitive, so we could never have a relationship like that. He was smart, so he knew that, too.

            “It wasn't the right time for that,” Jellal sighed. “We both had a lot going on, and needed to focus on other things. We couldn't have something like that getting in the way at the time, and I knew that, so I made up an excuse.”

            “I understand completely,” I told him, nodding. I was secretly thankful that he hadn't said it was because he hadn't wanted to kiss me. Actually, it really sounded like he had wanted to kiss me. The thought made me blush harder.

            “I don't think you do,” he frowned. He pushed his untouched piece of cake away, sighing again. “I came here tonight for a reason.”

            “I assumed that,” I smiled.

            “I—well, we have—“ He cut off, sighing again as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

            “Jellal?” I asked, moving away my empty plate and frowning. Jellal was never at a loss for words. This must be pretty bad news if he can't even tell me.

            “Erza,” he said, suddenly grabbing my hands in his. He met my eyes with a determined look, then took a deep breath, “Erza, I love you.”

            I sat there, shocked, for a long time. That had been the last thing I was expecting him to say. Jellal...loves...me? When it finally sank it, I let go of his hands and jumped to my feet. He followed me when I headed for the door. I was too embarrassed to face him, and I was sure my face matched my hair by now.

            He caught my hand as we made it to the sidewalk, forcing me to stop. “Erza, wait. Please don't leave. I'm sorry if saying that so suddenly caught you off guard, but I needed to tell you. I understand if you don't feel the same, but—“

            “I do,” I said, interrupting him.

            “Do what?” He asked.

            “I—I love you, too.” I turned to face him, and smiled a little. “I love you, too, Jellal.”

            Then he was kissing me. I put my arms around his neck as he pulled me closer, and sank into him. Kissing Jellal was as easy as breathing. He held me so tenderly, and I could feel how much he loved me as our lips touched. It was a relief, knowing that after all these years, and all of things we had been through, two people like us could still find love in each other. That was the greatest feeling in the world.

            It was even better than a piece of cake.