Be my wife(7)

Chapter-7
Natsu Dragneel opened the albums containing many of their photos in the time they spent together- the first being of the reception party after their marriage. Lucy looked gorgeous.
That day she was looking the most beautiful person on the entire planet. That was the day too when he realised he was the cause for all her problems…

“The girl who loved him, he refused to marry and the girl who married him, refuses to love him”
His eyes darted from the face of the guest he was addressing to the stairs. It’s been half an hour since he called for Lucy, yet there was no sign of her. Is she okay? Did anything happen to her? Is she sick or something? Such thoughts crowded his busy mind. He assured himself that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about. How can he not, especially when the love of his life was there upstairs in who knows what condition and he was here, putting up a cheerful front and greeting all the guests while inwardly worrying for his dear wife?
Unable to help with his situation, he turned back to the guest; talking about random things and trying to divert his centre of attention, until he saw the person in front of his widen his eyes. Natsu turned around to look at what caused his guest to become wide eyed, only to catch a glimpse of the ever so beautiful blonde, walking down the stairs. To say she was beautiful was an understatement. In the soft pink dress she wore and with her hair tied in a braid, she looked like a walking deity. Natsu sighed not liking the eyes of everyone in the ballroom on his beloved and found the ground interesting for a few seconds- if he had to resist the urge of knocking people down.
It took a few seconds before worry crowded him for what seemed to be the n-th time. He raised his head to glance at the blonde’s face which was carrying a blank expression, making his own eyebrows come together. He took a step forward and made his way to the stair case to escort her but Fate seemed to have other plans for them for all he saw Lucy kick against her own feet and fall down but before she could even touch the ground, he was there holding her in bridal style.
Cheers were heard in the back ground. He could care less though. His priority for the moment was the blonde who was unfazed by any pain that the small accident caused. He cupped her cheeks, making her look at him. His eyes that were asking her what the matter was never got an answer.
“That was close,” he said, sighing in fake relief to tell her he wasn’t suspecting anything.
“Maybe, I just got nervous, that’s it!” she smiled weakly answering the unasked question and hoping in secret that her husband would buy it. For a moment, it did seem that way with a grin spreading across his face.
“This might help,” he whispered before claiming her lips in a peck.
Lucy was beyond shocked. She definitely wasn’t expecting that and that too, in front of so many people- it was just too embarrassing! Heat crept to her cheeks painting her fair cheeks pink, while he held onto her waist and greeted the others.
She struggled to get out of his hold but her efforts were in vain. If she did any more, her ankle would hurt. She knew it was a little sprained but she wouldn’t tell. She didn’t want the party to go bad just because of some pain. But it doesn’t look good being sticking too close this guy.
“Are you alright?” he asked, letting her a little loose but she was about to stumble. So he caught her again, pulling her close.
“Your leg?” he asked. He had a slight clue as to the consequence of the fall but her enduring it the whole time- the idea itself upset his stomach.
“Don’t make so much fuss. I’m fine. It doesn’t look good,” she replied in a haste.
“But Lucy, you’re hurt!” he said accusingly.
“I know but this is more important right? Now let me go,” she tried to set herself free but his hold only became tighter.
“Fine, I agree this is more important. But if you insist on staying, I’m not letting you go too,” Lucy was about to retort and make him let go of her when a sweet voice called out for their attention.
“My my, you’re not hurt, are you?” Lucy forced a smile at the voice owner’s way who happened to be a white haired beauty with cerulean blue eyes. Lucy could’ve sworn she had seen her before but where?
“Mira-nee, don’t just go-“ another girl with the same white hair cut to shoulder length appeared behind her but froze.
“Look here, Lisanna! They look so cute together,” the one who seemed older replied while the younger one stifled a growl. While the older one’s eyes were filled with kindness, the younger one’s were filled with betrayal and anger. Lucy recollected the younger woman- she was the girl whom she met before the party.
“The girl who loved him, he refuses to marry and the girl who married him refuses to love him” Lucy flinched at the recollection of the words the younger one said.
Natsu felt her stiffen at the sight of Lisanna. He could somehow connect the pieces but what exactly Lisanna had said to her, he had no clue. However, he could only introduce them believing they were total strangers.
“Luce, this is Mira, Mirajane Strauss and her younger sister, Lisanna Strauss,” he introduced them to her, “And Mira, this is-“
“I know! She is Lucy, right? She’s so kawaii, Natsu! I never thought you could choose such a pretty woman for your wife,” Both Lucy and Natsu blushed at the compliment. The younger Strauss could only smile while suppressing the glare intended in the couple’s direction.
“Mira-nee!” she warned but her sister shrugged it off- This seemed like heaven for a matchmaker.
“Where’s Erza?” Natsu asked, wondering how the redhead was going to miss such an event.
“She’s hooked up with some work. She said she’ll come as soon as she’s done with it. I better get going. You guys, enjoy,” Mira winked, leaving the couple blushing and dragged her sister with her.
This introductory session went on for quite some time. Lucy learned the names of so many people who Natsu was acquainted with. To her surprise most of them were his colleagues and people at his office. Of course, there were Gajeel, Wendy and Laxus. Then, they went to meet the business professionals Natsu was working with-the first happened to be-
“Ah, Natsu!” a man with long white hair and long white beard greeted the couple. Natsu stiffened at the sight.
“Could this be-?” Lucy thought recollecting the words Gray told her.
“This must be your lovely wife. The name’s Hades young lady,” the old man took her hand and kissed it in the most gentlemanly fashion, of course much to Natsu’s dislike. Natsu could only gulp down the growl and smile at the man in front.
“Glad you came, Uncle Hades. I’ll introduce her to the others and get back at you. You guys enjoy the party,” he said, before dragging her with him. Lucy’s eyes were stuck on the man from before. There was no doubt he was the one Gray was referring to.
~0~
It took ten minutes for Natsu to be normal again. The encounter with the white haired man was evident but wasn’t to his liking. He knew he was bound to meet him today and for a few days after too but wanted to avoid him at the most.
“Hey, are you alright?” Lucy asked, obviously worried. She has never seen Natsu like this.
“I’m fine, I’m sorry for dragging you like this,” he apologised, Lucy smiled at him.
“So here you are,” an authoritative voice spoke behind the two of them, sending shivers. Natsu turned around to greet the fuming redhead- his good old friend, Erza Scarlet.
“You must be Lucy?” she asked and was answered by the blonde’s nod.
“You chose yourself a pretty wife, Natsu,” she complimented. Natsu asked her where she was all this time to which she replied that she was busy in bringing someone to the party.
“I thought the pact could start from this party itself. So, I got Mr. Eucliffe to come here. Mr. Eucliffe?” she searched for the person she brought to the party.
“Ah, Erza-san, please call me Sting-“ Lucy’s eyes grew wider at the sight of the man- his spiky blonde hair and the scar on his face- he was all the same- the same guy whom she met the day before after so many years. He was the only one she didn’t want to face at the moment or in the long run.
“I’m sorry. Sting, meet Natsu Dragneel and his wife, Lucy Dragneel,” Erza introduced the couple who were frozen in their places.
“Lucy…?” he said in a low voice, his eyes equally as wide as hers.
Lucy’s throat dried up. Her sense of thinking gave up. Tell her it’s a nightmare… tell her it’s not true…
“Sting-kun?...” she muttered.
Unknown to both of them, Natsu watched their exchange, hurt deep in his heart. He is the one responsible for everything that’s happened to Lucy, isn’t he?