FIRST SNOW

"I don't see what the big deal is." Gajeel grumbled as he plopped his large body down on his in-law's leather couch.

Levy who was busy fluttering around the room with various Christmas decorations rolled her eyes as she picked up the pile of stockings from the storage tub, "That's because you've never had the opportunity to experience it! It's wonderful!"

"It's cold." He replied matter-of-factly, watching as she waddled her way to the fireplace to begin hanging the stockings.

Pausing before she hung the next stocking she turned around with a smirk, "You're a big baby. And need I remind you, you're better built than I am for the cold and I do just fine!"

Another grumble was heard from behind her followed by a single arm wrapping around her waist while her husband's chin came to rest on her shoulder as he hunched over behind her, reaching up with his free hand to aid her in hanging the last of the stockings. "You grew up here. I, however, did not."

With the last of the Christmas decorations complete this allowed Gajeel to wrap both of his strong arms around her waist and with a hot breath whisper against her neck, "You'll just have to keep me warm when the temperature drops and that snow you love so much begins to fall."

Gajeel wouldn't have minded staying like this forever but the moment was short lived as his father-in-law strolled into the living room asking for assistance with carrying in some firewood. Levy turned in his arms, placed a kiss to his lips and shooed him away to help as her mother returned from the kitchen and handed her a mug of hot chocolate.

"He looks happy." She stated, watching as her husband and son-in-law disappeared out the door.

Levy smiled, "Doesn't he? He won't admit it, but I know he's excited to see the snow."

Her mother gasped, "Has he ever seen snow?"

Levy shook her head as she sipped at the steaming contents in her mug, "Never. He grew up on the west coast and spent all his time there. I'm rather thankful Jellal went to school out there,

otherwise I'd have never had the opportunity to meet him."

"Speaking of your brother, him and Erza should be arriving soon."

Turning to head back towards the kitchen Levy's mother walked away mumbling about making sure she had prepared enough food. Levy took another another sip from her mug as she shuffled to the window to watch her father and her husband loading up the firewood to bring inside while absent mindedly rubbing her swollen belly.

When the couple had found out about their upcoming addition to the Redfox family, Gajeel had insisted they move back to Levy's hometown on the east coast. Levy had enjoyed her time living in the sunshine with her husband but underneath it all she had dreamed of returning to New England and when he had suggested their move, her heart had swelled. This was their first time being together where they would not be spending Christmas Day in shorts with the AC running.

The sound of the sleigh bells hanging on the front door signaled that her brother and his wife had arrived and the sound of small feet scampering across the wood floor meant her energetic nieces were also here.

Christmas Eve dinner had been loud, energetic, and everything a family get together should be; playful bantering, slightly annoyed spouses, children laughing and warm conversation. After saying goodnight and agreeing to return tomorrow for brunch they headed for home.

Gajeel escaped in the direction of their bedroom where Levy knew he would be taking his nightly shower and soon she found herself outside enjoying the crisp winter air and the serene silence the night brought with it.

"Shorty, what are you doing out here?" Gajeel asked walking up behind her to wrap his arms around her in a warm embrace, hands settling over her protruding stomach.

"It smells like snow." She said simply.

Gajeel inhaled, "Pretty sure that's the leftover turkey from dinner we brought home."

Levy laughed and swatted at his oversized bicep, "No, silly. I can smell it, snow, its coming."

Gajeel rested his cheek against the top of her head, "What's the big deal about snow?"

"It's wonderful. Beautiful. I can't wait for you to see it."

Turning in his arms and leaning up on her tiptoes, she kissed him, slowly and tenderly. When their lips separated at last, she smiled up at him, taking his hand in hers and lead him back inside the house to their bedroom.

Gajeel awoke later that a vacant spot where his pregnant wife should have been, rolling over to look towards the bathroom, quickly noting the absence of light he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sluggishly walked to where a pair of his lounge pants were draped over a laundry basket, after slipping them on he strolled out into the house in search of his wife.

Approaching the dining room he was greeted by a cold draft and noticed the back door ajar. Going back to the living room to grab the large fleece blanket they kept on the couch he then made his way back to the open door and the site before him was one he had not been expecting.

White. A gleaming blanket of white covered everything his eyes could see and was only getting heavier as the snow kept falling. The night was silent, calm, and the full moon was high as he stepped out onto the porch to admire his first vision of snowfall.

Levy had been right, it was beautiful. The tree branches were full and heavy, perfectly aligned with a layer of snow over each individual one, the roof of the shed that housed all his tools, also blanketed in a smooth sheet of snow. And then his eyes landed on the most alluring sight of all.

Levy, arms outstretched and twirling as snowflakes danced around her, the moon hitting her just right and giving the illusion she was dancing on diamonds as it bounced off the snow beneath her feet. He'd never seen a more exquisite sight. It was then he noticed she had come outside clad only in her nightgown and approached her quietly so as not to disrupt her dance before slowly taking her into his arms and wrapping the blanket around the both of them.

"Gajeel! I told you it smelled like snow," she said smiling up at him as she turned in his arms and wrapped herself around him as a single snowflake landed on the tip of her nose, "Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?"

Gajeel looked around, he had to admit that the winter wonderland was indeed a sight to behold but when he looked back down into the warm hazel eyes staring back up at him, he wasn't answering on behalf of the snow.

"No, I've never seen anything more beautiful."