~ 10 Years Later ~
"Hey, Lu, are you nervous?" Levy asked as she came around the table that Lucy was seated at in the guild hall.
"A bit actually." Lucy admitted, chewing her lip in thought. "I don't really know what to expect, you know?"
"I know how you feel. It'll be fine, trust me." Levy patted Lucy's head and smiled down at Lucy.
"Thanks." Lucy smiled up appreciatively. Lucy had been nervous for months, and now that the time had finally come, well, her nerves had skyrocketed to an entirely new level.
Levy bid her farewell with one final comforting pat on Lucy's shoulder, and went off to scout for Gajeel. Lucy sighed, she was content and happy, but everything was about to change and she didn't know how it would go. Everything had been at peace for so long, it was nice to have the guild so happy, but she had been focusing on one thing for the past four and a half months. She was happy, of course, but continuously nervous.
Shortly after the war, almost eleven years prior, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Happy, and Carla all set off on a hundred year quest. Of course, it wasn't actually a hundred year quest, no, the mission itself had been posted on the guild's wall for a hundred years. Natsu had been dying to take the request and they were finally able to once all of the chaos was over.
The mission was difficult, after all, Gildarts was the only one to ever take on a hundred year quest and survive it, so they had taken things cautiously. It took Team Natsu just over seven years to complete the mission and they all had learned a lot and matured within that time. The mission certainly lived up to its name as a hundred year quest; only the most skilled mages took on those kinds of jobs, so it was one that Lucy would never forget. However, that's the topic of another story for a different time...
Lucy sat in an almost trancelike state at her table, reminiscing about the past, and watching her guild mates in the hall. Makarov had actually retired about four years after they left for their journey, and Laxus had become guild master. Lucy thought he did a wonderful and had really come around to be a great person; he had truly repented for his past. He and Mira had gotten close over the years and actually ended up getting married and were expecting their second child. Freed was to be the godfather and Lisanna was the godmother.
Within the year that Team Natsu had left, Levy and Gajeel announced that they would be getting married, which Lucy and the rest of the group had hurried back to the guild for their wedding. They had twins a few months later, Shutora and Yaje; they were nine now. They were the first to be parents and Lucy had never been more happy for her friends. Levy had asked her to be godmother to the twins and Lucy had been more than ecstatic to accept.
Others weren't far behind; though Gray and Juvia were apart while they were all on the hundred year quest, every time they would stop home at the guild, Gray would make sure he spent most of his time with her. They had already been dating before they left for their mission, so there was no hard feelings as far as 'love rivals' go. They ended up getting married after they finished the mission; Gray was sure to beat Juvia to it when it came to asking her to marry him- she was ready to propose to him herself. They had a daughter named Briny, she was going on two now.
Jellal and Erza kept in touch during the seven years and the group had often conveniently run into him throughout that time. They got together officially about two years after they left, and Lucy had made sure that Erza got the 'fairy tale' wedding that she had always wanted. Though Jellal did not accompany them on their journey, he often made appearances at Fairy Tail, and shortly after ending their mission, Erza announced that she was pregnant with a baby boy. The guild had scolded her on continuing with her journey even though she knew she was pregnant, but she had assured them that she put him in no danger, and she was absolutely fine. It almost gave Lucy a heart attack knowing the things that Erza did while pregnant. Their son, Tenchi, was just going on four now.
It warmed Lucy's heart to see her friends so happy. Pantherlily helped with Gajeel and Levy's twins all the time, he absolutely adored them. Cana and Gildarts had continued to remain close, and he even helped her out when she volunteered at the orphanage once in a while. Wendy and Chelia were closer than ever and she often visited Lamia Scale to see her.
Lucy watched, from across the hall, as Wendy and Carla happily chatted about something that she couldn't quite make out and Cana drinking a mug of beer. She let out another sigh and rested her head in her hands. Yeah, Fairy Tail was doing great. Fights still broke out daily, Gray and Natsu were still at each others throats, and Erza was there to put an end to it... Or to join in. Master Makarov still fretted about them destroying the guild hall, or anything for that matter, but Laxus wasn't afraid to bash some skulls together either. Fairy Tail was doing great, but so many things had changed.
"What's on your mind, Lucy?" Mira's sweet voice interrupted Lucy's thoughts and she glanced up at the older girl. "You look worried."
"Just feeling nostalgic, I guess." Lucy sighed. "And more than a little nervous."
"Is it about tonight?" Mira wondered and Lucy sighed again.
"Yeah, I just don't know what to expect. So much is about to change, but that's how life is I suppose." Mira smiled down at her and put on hand on Lucy's shoulder and another hand on her swollen belly.
"Everything will be fine, I promise."
Lucy gave the guild hall another glance over; Shutora and Yaje were entertaining Tenchi and Briny, both toddlers giggling at whatever silly antics the twins brought forth. Gajeel and Levy were chatting with Gray and Juvia as their children played together, Juvia always snuggled close to Gray's side. Erza and Laxus seemed to be having a deep conversation at the bar, and Elfman was giving his godson, Laxus and Mira's child, Rai, a piggy back ride while Evergreen watched on happily, holding their two year old daughter, Sylvie.
"Everyone seems so happy." Lucy pointed out and Mira nodded in agreement.
"Yes, well I hope they'd be!" Mira stated and then noticed Lucy's worried look that was still etched on her face. "Don't worry so much. You should know that, even though things will change for you, they will be great changes. You know that this would never cause a problem."
"Yeah." Lucy smiled gratefully up at Mira. "Thank you. It's just nerves I suppose!"
"Right! Speaking of, when is he getting back tonight?"" Mira started and Lucy rolled her eyes slightly.
"He's supposed to be back this evening, but I'm sure he'll probably be late..." Lucy shook her head and Mira giggled.
"My my... It's the same as it was all those years ago, isn't it?"
"It seems that way. Still a child, but... I wouldn't have it any other way." Lucy admitted, a slightly blush dusting her cheeks.
"I would hope not!" Mira laughed and Lucy brushed her hair behind her ear.
"I've missed him. Happy too, of course." Lucy sighed happily; things would be just fine.
Lucy was standing in the center of the guild hall unsure of what to do. Dusk was nearing and, though she thought she couldn't get anymore nervous than she had been earlier, her nerves were almost making her sick at this point. She was eager for the evening though and that had her watching the seconds on the clock tick by slower and slower each time she looked.
"Lucy, you look sick, are you alright? Do you need me to help you with anything?" Wendy fretted, her blue hair that was once long, now swung freely around her jawline as she stepped over to Lucy.
"You mustn't worry so much, child. You're going to make yourself sick!" Carla floated next to Wendy, a concerned look on the white exceed's face.
"Thanks guys, but I'm fine. I know I shouldn't be so nervous, but..." Lucy trailed off and Wendy smiled at her sympathetically.
"Don't worry, Lucy! Why don't you join us over here. All of us are about to have some dinner soon and you should eat something too." Wendy advised and gently guided her over to the bar where some of her guild mates were gathered. Mira greeted her warmly from behind the counter, Laxus with her to make sure she wasn't over doing it; he was almost too overprotective of Mira. It was sweet.
"Ah, Lucy! Join us." Erza smiled from her seat next to Jellal. Jellal smiled welcomingly at her, but stayed quiet at his wife's side. Erza had announced, a few weeks earlier, that she and Jellal were expecting a second child. Tenchi had been ecstatic about being an older brother and Lucy thought it was adorable.
"Lucy, do you want some of my strawberry cake?" Tenchi asked from Jellal's lap as she walked over to the bar, frosting smeared on his cheeks and mouth.
"For me?" Lucy smiled widely at the little boy and ran her fingers through his blue hair. "That's okay, sweetheart, you eat it. I'm going to have some dinner." Tenchi nodded in approval and continued to devour his cake.
"None for Mommy?" Erza questioned and Tenchi frowned slightly.
"You already had two whole pieces today, Mommy!" He protested and Erza grinned at her son, though a hint of disappointment shone in her eyes.
"Lu!" Levy waved her down and Lucy made her way to where she and Gajeel were sitting with the twins. "Hows your new novel coming along?"
"Oh... I've been having a bit of writer's block, actually. But I'll get back to it soon!" Lucy laughed and Levy smiled wistfully.
"Let me read it when you get a chance, okay Lu?"
"Of course!"
"Hey, where's your asshole of a husband?" Gajeel grunted out and Levy rolled her eyes.
"Why, you miss him?" Lucy teased and Gajeel pulled a look of horror.
"Daddy, that's another jewel for the swear jar!" Shutora piped up and Gajeel frowned.
"It ain't swearin' if it's true."
"Nuh-uh, you still sad a bad word!" Yaje agreed, his pierced ears catching the light of the lamps in the guild hall and shining. Yaje took on a lot of his father's features, though his eyes were a little bigger and his face a little more soft around the edges. Shutora was the spitting image of Levy and was a little bookworm just like her mother. The only difference between Gajeel and Levy and their little look alikes was their dark blue hair, save for a few varying traits.
"You're gonna have to buy Mommy a new book with all the jewels that are in there! You filled it up a lot this week." Shutora pointed out and Gajeel huffed.
"Well, I certainly like that idea." Levy nodded, smiling at her daughter.
"Geez, you're teaching your kids real great habits." Gray scoffed at Gajeel's swearing and Gajeel placed a steely glare on the dark haired man on the other side of Lucy.
"And you're teachin' yours to be a pervert." Gajeel pointed out and Gray looked at him confusedly.
"Gray, dear, your clothes." Juvia piped up, smiling at her husband.
"When the hell did that happen?!"
"Daddy, where'd your shirt go?" Briny asked in her little voice and Lucy giggled. The little girl was too adorable for words and Lucy just wanted to smush her cheeks together any chance she got. She had Juvia's big blue eyes and Gray's dark hair that fell in loose curls.
"Hi Briny, aren't you just the cutest little raindrop?" Lucy cooed at the little girl who just giggled in response.
"How are you doing, Lucy?" Juvia asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "It'll be good for you to not be living alone anymore. I don't want anything to happen to you, you can't push yourself!"
"Thank you Juvia," Lucy smiled brightly at her friend. "But I'm fine, really. I've been doing great, but yes, it will be nice to have another set of hands to help me around the house!"
"Yeah, well that bastard better treat you properly..." Gray growled and Lucy smiled, waving her hands in front of her slightly as she spoke.
"I-I don't think you need to worry about that, Gray! But thank you, I appreciate your concerns."
"You should have a swear jar too, Juvia because Gray swears an awful lot... But not as much as Dad!" Yaje informed Juvia who laughed lightly at the boy's concern.
"Hey!" Gray protested and Gajeel let out a rumbling laugh.
"I'll take that into consideration, Yaje. Perhaps I will do that."
"Yeah, well if we both have one then Lucy should have one as well for future purposes." Gray scowled. "That idiot swears just as much as us!"
"Noted." Lucy laughed happily, enjoying the time with her friends.
"Mommy says bad words sometimes too..." Tenchi's voice drifted from the other end of the bar and Erza froze in embarrassment.
"I do not!" Erza retorted and Jellal was stifling a smile.
"Tenchi..." Jellal sighed his son's name and the boy just turned around and gave them a frosting filled smirk.
"Lucy, do you want something to eat?" Mira questioned after a moment and Lucy turned her attention to the white haired woman behind the counter.
"Sure, but let me get it, Mira! You should be resting." Lucy advised and Mira giggled slightly.
"Well, so should you!"
"I'll get it." Laxus let out a rumble of a laugh and kissed the top of Mira's head. "What would you like, Lucy?"
"Um-" Lucy's answer was cut off by the sound of the guild's front doors slamming open.
"Yo!" Came a raspy yell and Lucy felt her heart flutter.
"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed happily over her shoulder and Natsu smiled brightly at her. His hair had grown over the years and he now sported a short ponytail. Lucy liked when he had long hair, she thought it suited him, and it was fun to play with in her opinion.
"Hey, Lucy!" Happy called excitedly, carrying a fish in his paws. He and Natsu had left for a big job that took them around three months to complete; it was the first time that Lucy had seen him in ages. Their relationship had deepened over time, especially after that one night way back when they were vacationing at the Akane Resort. That's when things had truly changed for their relationship. Throughout their journey, they became closer and closer, thought their relationship always progressed at it's own slow pace. Lucy didn't mind, she loved Natsu for who he was and she loved their relationship. They watched their friends get married and have children, and Lucy couldn't have been happier. When the time came, Natsu had eventually asked Lucy to marry him; he had not been sure how exactly he was supposed to, so he had one day just handed her a modest ring with a diamond that looked as though a flame was captured within it. He had said nothing and just had hugged her and kissed her forehead. They had their wedding a few months before he and Happy left for their mission. Natsu had said it was one of the last long mission, without her, that he would do, it was just one that he had promised to take on the mission a while ago.
"Hey... You really let yourself go, Lucy!" Happy eyed her slightly swollen belly and Lucy frowned at the cat.
"Happy!" Natsu scolded him through gritted teeth and Happy chomped on his fish.
"But she did!" Happy protested around his mouthful of fish.
"Shut it, cat!" Lucy hissed and Happy dodged her swatting hand.
"Ah, Carla, save me!"
"You're on your own." Carla snubbed her nose, but a smirk played on her mouth; she was glad Happy was back, Lucy could tell.
"Well, I'm betting he's gonna pass out..." Gray snickered and Gajeel joined in.
"And I think he's gonna have a heart attack, gihi..." Lucy glared at the boys and Levy smacked Gajeel on the side of the head in punishment. "Ow!"
"Natsu, um..." Lucy stammered and Levy gave her an encouraging smile while Mira squeezed her hand tightly.
"Alright, everyone eat their dinner. Yes, Natsu is home, big deal." Erza waved her hand in the air and winked at Lucy.
"Hey! I've been gone for months..." Natsu pouted and Lucy couldn't help but laugh at her husband's childishness.
"Natsu, I have to tell you something." Lucy said over her shoulder as Natsu smiled and quickly walked up to her. Before Lucy could continue, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, burying his face in her hair. For a moment he hugged her contently, and then froze, his hands stopping on her belly.
"Lucy?" Natsu squeaked out, his voice a few octaves higher than normal.
"U-um, d-don't freak out..." Lucy turned to face him, his eyes wide as he dropped his backpack onto the floor.
"Lucy..." He whispered out again and Lucy swallowed hard.
"Natsu, I-I'm pregnant." Silence. Natsu stood before her, eyes wide and mouth hanging slightly open. Lucy fought the tears that were threatening to spill; she was filled with conflicting emotions and she wasn't sure how Natsu was handling it. "I-I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?" Natsu practically gasped and knelt down in front of Lucy to meet her gaze. When Lucy saw the look of utter adoration and love that shone in Natsu's eyes, the tears started flowing. "D-don't cry!"
"A-are you happy?" Lucy breathed out and Natsu's face broke into one of his brilliantly ecstatic grins.
"Happy? I've never been more happy in my life!" Natsu yelled out and scooped Lucy up, twirling her in a circle. "Oh shit, I shouldn't do that!" Natsu quickly put her down and started showering her face with kisses.
"I," Kiss. "Am," Kiss. "So," Kiss. "Happy." Kiss. Through her tears, Lucy laughed and Natsu placed a sloppy kiss on Lucy's lips.
"Gross! Natsu's kissing Lucy!" Yaje complained, sticking his tongue out in apparent disgust.
"Yeah, that is pretty gross." Gajeel agreed with his son, though he was smiling happily at the pair.
"It's called being in love, read a book." Shutora shot back, frowning at her brother.
"Are you sure you're not just getting fat?" Happy questioned and Carla swatted at his head.
"Happy!"
"I'm just kidding, Lucy." Happy flew over to her excitedly and nuzzled into her chest. "That's so awesome!"
"When did you find out?" Natsu asked, not letting go of Lucy's waist.
"About a month after you left..." Lucy rested her head on Natsu's chest, the two of them in their own delighted world.
"She's about five months along." Wendy informed Natsu. "We just found out the gender, do you want to know?" The younger girl smiled and Natsu and Lucy looked at her with wide eyes.
"You didn't tell me that when I went with you to Porlyusica!" Lucy exclaimed and Wendy smiled wistfully.
"I figured you guys would want to find out together." She grinned and Lucy smiled up at Natsu.
"What do you think?" Lucy asked and Natsu nodded his head.
"Hell yeah I wanna know!" He affirmed excitedly and Lucy giggled.
"Okay, Wendy, lay it on us!" Lucy smiled at Wendy who nodded happily.
"It's a girl." She said quietly and Lucy's heart leapt up to her throat. We're having a daughter!
"I'm gonna be a dad? And I'm gonna have a daughter? A daughter!" Natsu cheered out and hugged Lucy tightly. Lucy caught the eyes of her friends; Gray looked undoubtably ecstatic for the pair, his eyes glittering in the lamplight. Levy jumped up excitedly for her friend, and Juvia snuggled closer to Briny. Erza and Jellal at each other, Jellal's hand over Erza's growing belly.
"We're gonna be one big family!" Happy cheered and Lucy grabbed him out of the air and pulled him to her chest. "Wah!"
"Yes... We're going to be one big family." Lucy promised, nuzzled his blue fur.
"It looks like you kids are going to have three new friends to play with soon." Mira giggled, her hand on her own swollen belly and Lucy and Erza smiling at each other. "Fine additions to Fairy Tail!"
Natsu and Lucy went home shortly after Natsu's homecoming. After all of the excitement, Natsu realized how exhausted he was, and Lucy agreed that they should get some rest. Happy had decided to stay behind at the guild to catch up with everyone, but Lucy suspected he was giving her and Natsu privacy and she appreciated it dearly.
They walked hand in hand back to the house that they knew so well; the sign that had 'Natsu and Happy' on it still stood proudly with another tacked on piece of wood reading, 'and Lucy'. They made their way inside to the dark house, shuffling around to get to their bedroom, Natsu dropping his belongings on the floor as he went. They both snuggled up in their bed, foreheads resting on each other's.
"I love you." Natsu whispered to her, his hand resting on Lucy's stomach. "And I love you too. Daddy is happy to be home for you." He directed his words to Lucy's abdomen making her smile brightly.
"We love you too, Natsu." Lucy placed a quick kiss on Natsu's lips and then nuzzled her face into his neck. "I'm so happy you're home."
"I'm glad to be home..." Natsu sighed contently. "But I wish you told me, I would have come home sooner."
"You were doing a job and, besides, I was fine. I'm okay, aren't I?" Lucy giggled and Natsu hugged her close to his chest.
"What if something happened?"
"Well, I'm not defenseless. But if I did need help, the guild was around." Lucy brought her hand up to run her fingers through Natsu's hair that was now loose and flopping over his face.
"I'm never leaving you again." He placed a wet kiss on her cheek making her giggle.
"Hey, don't threaten me!" Lucy teased and Natsu pouted.
"You're mean, Luce!" Natsu whined and Lucy rolled her eyes playfully. "But I love you anyways."
"I'm glad because I love you too." Lucy placed a kiss on Natsu's jaw, his little pricks of stubble scraping her lips. "I have a name picked out if you want to hear it. I-I mean, I've had names for if it was going to be a boy or a girl, but now that we know..."
"Yeah, I want to hear it!" Natsu exclaimed and Lucy smiled.
"Lena." Lucy revealed to him. "How does Lena Dragneel sound?"
"I love it." He stated sincerely. "It sounds perfect." Lucy smiled up at him happily.
"Really?"
"Really. It's great."
"It means light... I thought it was appropriate." Lucy chuckled lightly and Natsu kissed the top of her head.
"I can't wait to meet you, Lena." Natsu rubbed his hand over Lucy's stomach and Lucy threaded her fingers through his as he did so.
Natsu and Lucy's relationship had progressed slowly, but sweetly and Lucy had decided long ago that everything with Natsu was worth the wait. They loved in a way that was so unique to them that she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. They were best friends, and they would always be that first. They were best friends who had so much love and care for one another that they decided to be together forever, they would always be by each other's sides. It was a promise that Natsu had made long ago, and it was a promise that he kept everyday that he loved and cared for her.
From the moment that he brought her to Fairy Tail, to the very moment that they were sharing in their home, they had always loved each other. Sometimes words can't express enough about how you feel about someone, and Lucy knew that, over the years, Natsu had constantly shown her through his actions how much he cared for her.
They had grown to be more than friends and had grown to be a family. Lucy knew that Lena would be born into such love and such adoration, and she was so happy to finally share something that was a manifestation of her and Natsu's love for each other. Lucy knew that everything was worth the wait, and waiting for Natsu, and now waiting for Lena were some of the most precious times that she would ever have in her life.
"Thank you, Natsu..."