AFTER FEW DAYS 

AT THE CAFETERIA 

GRAY'S POV

After that awkward incident at my guest house, I and Juvia blushed quite often around each other's presence which was new to us.

Till that day, we were never conscious of other's presence when we are alone. 

Now, whatever she does, looks new and amazing to my eyes, which I'm not complaining about but it's like a new feeling building up within me causing my heart to flutter.

Natsu and Lucy never missed the chance to tease us by bringing up that embarrassing situation.

But that day, I couldn't confess my love to her which I don't regret as my dad advised me to propose the love to her with a thing which would bring happiness to her.

I kept on thinking what could be the thing that could make her happy. 

Then I remembered something which she regrets forgetting, “Hey Stripper, what's up with your thought process? Are you planning some new tricks to pounce on my sister?” Gajeel growled at me.

“Shut up metal-head, you don't miss a chance to be with Levy and do some things with her which even I can't imagine. Now, you are advising me. I will do whatever I want.” I comically yelled at him.

“Stupid, she is my sister. How can I let an ugly stripper like you to place your dirty paws on her?” Gajeel growled.

“Okay stop you two, geez. What are you two? Some kids huh, fighting for candy? Gray, Levy is his girlfriend soon going to be his fiancee.
    What is Juvia to you? Have you decided yet? Moreover, have you told her?” Jellal intervened and asked me this important question.

“I still need to tell her. If that day, you guys, didn't ruin my chance, I would have told her by now.” I hissed while Natsu laughed.

“Ice-princess, anyways, what were you thinking about?” Natsu asked me.

“Oh about that, Gajeel do you have any photos of your parents? Or at least, remember their faces.” I asked him.

“Sorry, I don't have any photos and of course, I remember their faces. Why do you…..” He stopped in mid sentence.

“Don't tell me Sprinkler, couldn't remember their face?” A wave of worry washed over his rough face. 

I nodded, “She regrets, she couldn't remember their faces, especially your mom's.” I felt sorry for Juvia. 

This was the first time I saw tears rolling down Gajeel's tough exterior, “I should have at least taken the photo from the house before leaving. I can imagine the sorrow she must have gone through not being able to remember their faces. Poor girl.” Jellal patted his shoulder.

“Gajeel, I'm sorry for making you worry.” I apologised mainly for making him cry.

“No stripper, it's okay. Anyways, why do you want to know? My mom looked just like how Juvia looks now but with a black straight hair which I inherited while my dad looked kinda like me with blue hair which Juvia inherited.” Gajeel gave the piece of his memory.

“Fine, in the evening, come with me, I will take you to a pencil sketch artist, give him a detailed description of your parents and he will make a sketch.” I told him.

“For what you need the sketch?” Natsu asked me while Jellal nodded.

“Because I will give her as a present after proposing my love to her.” I said with a blush. Gajeel smiled so did the others.

“Gray, I'm sure you will take care of my sister. She is in safe hands. Please take good care of her.
  If not, I will kill you.”
For a moment he was talking sentimental, now back to his usual self.

JUVIA'S POV

I, Lucy-san and Erza-San were coming back from the girls dormitory after meeting Cana-san and Lisanna-San.

Today Levy-San didn't come to the college as her birthday was going to come after two days.

So her parents called her back home so that they can spend some time with their daughter.

Gajeel-kun talked to her parents, they gave him approval for the proposal wholeheartedly. 

So after celebrating Levy-San's birthday, we all are planning to stay at the beach resort for another 2 days for fun and relaxation. 

He has booked 2 rooms, one for girls and other one for boys, of course, everyone gave their share of money for booking the room except me and Levy-San which Gajeel-kun and Jellal accepted to pay for us.

“So Juvia, how is life going on with Gray?” Lucy-San asked me in a teasing voice.

“It's normal as usual, Lucy-san. Yesterday, we gave the rent to aunt Layla, this marks that we have spent 3 months together.” I said with a smile.

After that day's party, aunt Layla told me how she remembered Gray, he already told her the reasons for our doing. 
  

She asked us to maintain this as a secret and continue the act of married couples in the locality.

My thoughts were halted by Erza-San, “Juvia, did Gray tell you the important stuff which he was going to say that day?”

“No Erza-San, he still hasn't. Let him take his own time, whatever he says I'm here to listen.” I smiled thinking about the info Gray's mom told me.

We reached the cafeteria to find the boys sitting and chatting. I sat next to Gajeel-kun which was diagonally across Gray's position.

Nowadays, my heart beats faster just seeing him. I constantly blush around him and what makes me happy is that even he blushes which makes him look super cute.

“So after Levy's birthday, I don't think we have any other occasion to celebrate or enjoy.” Lucy-san sighed.

“Yeah after that, we have only 3 more months left before our college life gets over. We need to do something thrilling and adventurous.” Erza-San exclaimed.

“Now this reminds me, Luce soon, we are going to get married.” Natsu-San grinned wholeheartedly at Lucy-san who began to blush.

“Natsu-San, when did you propose to her?” I asked in a shock.

“Juvia, we have been dating since  high school and by the end of it, he proposed to me in front of everyone during prom night.
  Moreover, our parents wished to get us married as soon as we finish the studies, so that Natsu can look after my dad's company which  uncle Igneel looking after now.” 

She showed me the engagement ring which she constantly wears but I never bothered to ask her before.

I hugged her, “I'm happy for you, Lucy-san. I can't wait for your wedding. I will be one of your bridesmaid.” I exclaimed.

“Sure Juvia…” She hugged me back.

I glanced at Gray, he was looking at me with a smile on his handsome face. I smiled back and gave him a flying kiss.

“Lucy, why don't you ask Juvia some advice before marriage? She is the experienced one amongst us.” Erza-San teased me.

“Stop teasing me.” I felt shy.

I'm feeling happy for Lucy-san, soon she is going to step into another phase of her life.

She is a lucky girl, everything in her life is planned and approved by her parents.

‘Who knows if my parents were alive, even my life would have been like hers?’

This thought made me sad thinking about my deceased parents. I wiped the tears from my eyes.

‘I miss you, mom and dad. Hope you look after me and Gajeel-kun all the time and shower us with your blessing.’

GRAY'S POV

I know how she felt when Lucy told Juvia how her mom and Natsu's parents planned out their wedding.

I saw the tears in her eyes which had gone unnoticed by others but not me.

‘Don't worry Juvia, even we will have an awesome wedding but before that let's go through the phase called love.’ I smiled wondering how she would behave once I proposed to her my love.

TIME SKIP

After the college got over, me and the boys went to the pencil sketch artist's shop to inquire whether he will draw the portrait of her parents.

“Well, I can draw the sketch according to the description but it will take a day to perfect the minor details. You can collect the portrait on Friday morning.” The artist informed us.

“Gajeel, at what time should we leave for the resort?”

“At 4 o'clock in the evening.”

“Fine, okay sir, I will collect that on Friday morning. May I know the price for that sketch?”

“It will cost around 6000J.” He told me the price. I agreed to his demand.

“I will pay you, but make sure it's perfect and realistic. Please…” I pleaded to the shopkeeper.

Then Gajeel began to describe the features of his parents' visage. The artist draws a rough sketch after what it seems like an hour or so.

He showed us the rough sketch, and Gajeel began spellbound seeing the portrait.

“It's perfect. You have drawn them exactly. Thank you for showing me my parents once again.” Gajeel began to tear up.

“Okay sir, proceed with this. And….” Gajeel interrupted the conversation.

“Sir, add this pic along with the main portrait.” Gajeel took his mobile and showed the childhood photo of him, Juvia and Jellal. I guess they might be around 11-12 years of age in that picture.

The artist agreed to the demand.
”Sure sir, I will add this also. May I know for whom you are doing this? If this man can remember their face.”

“This one is a surprise gift for his lady love who happens to be this man's sister. She couldn't remember her parents face as her parents passed away when she was young nor they have a photo to remember. So our hero is going to give this while proposing his love.” Natsu informed him.

“Flame-breath …. Be quiet. So sir, please make it most realistic and don't forget to frame it. And make two copies, the other one I will collect later.” I told him.

“Hey, why another one, Gray?” Jellal asked me.

I put my arms around Gajeel's shoulders, “This one is for my sweet yet rough future brother-in-law.” I smiled at him and Gajeel blushed.

“Sure!!! Your sister is lucky to have him as her lover or future husband. This shows he cares for her happiness and well being. He is ready to fulfill her wish” The artist told Gajeel. 

“Great job, kiddo making your lady love happy is the important essence for a beautiful life ahead. I will put an extra effort from my side in making this portrait realistic. All the best.” Then he wished me.