Epilogue II

I have made her cry. I have kept her in the dark for too long but I don't want to make that same mistake anymore. I want to love her like she has never been loved. I want to cherish her memories, I want her to be happy for us and not regret marrying me.

I can't lose her now. I have lost her to too many obstacles, but I can't now. I can't afford to let her go.

She has persevered for so long for me. She almost gave up her family. Her friends. Her life. What's so great about me, though? Why couldn't she have just forgotten me at the second or third day? Or when she saw me with Meredy? Or when I didn't contact her for a while? What's so special about me that she decided not to give up on me? I probably can't answer those questions myself unless I ask her but I fathom that love is a strange thing. It can make anyone wait for a hundred days or more. It can change you. It can hurt you. It can make you happy.

It was silly of me to not express myself better... I suppose if I did, we would've gotten married sooner.

She could've married Gray and trust me, he was one hell of a stubborn guy but she didn't and Gray knew that. He threatened me many times and I have respected his attitude towards me. You could say I learned a two or thing from him about love...We have had our talks before.

But he also knew that once I confess my feelings to Erza, I wouldn't make her cry. That she would be the happiest person alive (per him, of course)

Though, I promised him one night, when we were coincidentally taking a walk outside, that I would keep her happy no matter what. That I won't hurt her anymore. That I won't let any other guy get close to her because I love her--

"Jellal-Kun, what are you writing?"

The door behind me opened and closed. I calmly closed my diary and twisted my chair around.

"Nothing," I said.

She walked towards me, her hair was messily tied up in a bun. Right the other day of our wedding, she started to add Kun again. I told her not to do it but does she ever listen?

She nodded and hugged me. Her gentle scent like the flowers made me feel warm. It always made me warm.

"Guess what, Jellal-Kun?" She asked softly and sat on my lap, wrapping her arms around me.

"What?" I asked.

"I don't think I have told you this but..."

"But?"

"Today is my birthday." She grinned broadly.

"Huh? Your birthday?"

"Yes!"

"Oh...well, happy birthday."

She pouted.

"What?" I asked.

"Just that? I know that you didn't know about it, but come on, you could do better, right?"

Ugh, girls...

"Hm, what do you want?"

"I don't really know..." She laughed hesitantly.

It began snowing. The flakes were falling and the coldness was proposing.

I rolled my eyes and looked at her. Her eyes shone as brightly as a firefly. I pushed back a strand from her face and picked her up. She let out a gasp. "J-Jellal-Kun...?"

Staring down at her eyes that were the perfect moon, I took her to the bed and laid her down. My heart was almost beating out my chest but I liked it. It was different. It was weird but wonderful.

I noticed her cheeks getting redder by the minute. Girls do look cute when the blush. I gently got on the bed and leaned in forward, placing my face just inches from hers.

"It's your fault that I couldn't get a gift for you," I whispered.

"I-I'm sorry...but as long as Jellal-Kun is with me...I don't need a gift. You're my gift, Jellal-Kun."

Her voice was so innocent. Though, of course, I can't let this day pass by without giving her a gift at the end of the day. I'm her gift, huh? Well, it should've been me to say that. She's the greatest gift I could ever get or have.

"Happy birthday, Scarlet."

I kissed her forehead, then her temples, then her eyes, her cheeks and then her lips. I want to give her warmth and love she needs. I want to be her infinite and her eternity.

And maybe I have only said it once, but I'm gonna say it again now and maybe I will try and say it often...

I love you, Erza Scarlet.

I will always love you.