"Thank you, Mira!" Lucy happily thanked the barmaid as she set down plate after plate in front of her. A lot of the food was covered in hot sauce, hot peppers, and many other substance that could make the normal food burn with a fiery taste. The rest was left untouched because thankfully she still had a taste for normal food that she used to eat before getting pregnant. She was already six months pregnant and it showed more with every passing day. Her stomach had grown and she could feel the baby kick every now and then and his magic power was growing as well. She was wearing a green maternity dress that looked very similar to the dress Virgo had given her when they were at the Tower of Heaven. Her hair was even tied back up with a green bandana so she couldn't help but wonder how the design had gotten out. She wondered slightly if the maid spirit was a clothes designer when she wasn't fighting for her.
Her clothes weren't the only weird thing that was happening to her now that she was pregnant. Having a powerful mage baby meant powerful magic was inside of her and she wasn't always able to control it. On some occasions she had burped fire after she was done with her meal and one morning when she yawned she had accidentally set Natsu's hair on fire. Of course he only laughed it off and gave her giant grin, telling her that he didn't really care about that. Actually he found it rather amusing. Lucy however was very upset because she could have hurt him and cried her eyes out, causing her husband to panic and hold her in his arms for most of the morning to help calm her down.
"You're welcome." Mirajane smiled down at the expecting mother and couldn't help but giggle when she saw the content look on the blonde's face as she ate plate after plate. "It looks like you're doing well. I've heard most woman are usually very moody or sick by this point." she said as she cleaned a few dishes.
Lucy shook her head. "Wendy said that I'm perfectly healthy and the mood swings come now and then, and Gajeel told me most of my energy is going towards the baby so I'm guessing that's why I'm somewhat normal." she will be the first to admit that she did have her points where she would just freak out. It had worried Natsu because it was usually her crying or scream her head off at him. Thankfully they didn't happen often because all of her energy went to keeping the baby safe and healthy. She was a little upset that she couldn't summon any of her spirits. By the third months she felt almost all of her magic gone and went, as Gajeel explained, to the baby. Her magic would act a shield to the infant inside her, helping nurture and help her son grow into his powers so that when he was born he wouldn't come out as a giant fire ball. That piece of information made both her and Porlyusica, who after a lot of convincing from Makarov agreed to help deliver Ryu, feel much better about the birthing process. Lucy knew that both of them would not have fun when a burning ball of fire would come out of her body, she was sure it would sting like hell, so after learning that her magic would help control her son's magic was a great relief.
"I see," Mirajane nodded, saying she understood what she had been told. "Well I'm just glad that everything is going well for you." she put away some of the dirty dishes and handed Lucy a tall glass of milk. She and the rest of the Guild did what they could to help keep Lucy and the baby safe and healthy.
Lucy happily accepted the drink. "Thanks but I have to say that I can't wait to start going on missions again." ever since she got pregnant she hasn't been on a single mission. Natsu forbid her from using her keys and if she said she was going into town to buy supplies he would either go with her himself or he would send someone with her. He was extremely protective of her.
"You know, Lucy if you get bored you can always come to the Guild. I'm positive we could find for you to do." Mirajane told her, mind already thinking of activities that Lucy could do while pregnant.
"Well it's not just that," Lucy looked over her shoulder to where Natsu was, having an arm wrestling contest with Gray. He looked pretty into it but with his super sensitive hearing she wouldn't put it past him to have heard everything she had already just said. Carefully she leaned in closer to Mira, putting one hand up to her mouth so to block out as much of Natsu's hearing as she could. "Actually I want to go on missions to make money again."
"What?" Mirajane blinked in confusion, one hand over her own mouth as she leaned in closer to Lucy as well. "But I thought you didn't have to pay rent anymore?" it was true. During her third month of pregnancy their house had been finished and Lucy had officially moved in. The land wasn't owned by anyone so they didn't have to pay rent to anybody but that didn't mean that they didn't need money.
"Well it's not about the rent but we still need to buy food and we'll need to buy a lot of supplies after the baby is born," she wasn't a fool to think that once the baby was born that they would live happily ever after with their child. She knew there would be dirty diapers, baby toys and clothes that he would outgrow within only a short time span, food that would probably get thrown when the baby was fussy and a lot more. "Natsu does bring home money when he goes out on missions but like always most of it goes back to the town and I'm worried about our budget after Ryu is born." she rubbed her enlarged tummy with one hand and looked behind her to see Natsu and Gray still fighting over their little match.
Mirajane nodded, "I see what you mean," she had to agree that the girl had a good point. Babies were expensive and they would need a lot of money to support not only themselves but their son as well. "What about your book? I thought it was selling well?"
After not being allowed to go on missions and finally convincing Natsu to go on them without her meant that she had a lot of free time to finish her novel. She actually had it published a few months ago and so far it was selling very well in stores. She was currently working on a sequel for it but that wouldn't be done for another few months. "Well yeah but after the baby is born I won't be able to write for a while so it's not like we'll be able to rely on that alone." she spoke her worries, finishing off her milk and turned back around to watch the table that was supporting Natsu and Gray's match broke under the pressure and they were now having their fight on the ground.
"The baby isn't even born and already you're worrying." Lucy nearly jumped out of her skin when Makarov suddenly appeared next to her. He was sitting with his legs crossed on the bar next to her. "Well I guess it just means you'll be a good mother." he gave her a bright grin.
Lucy could only smile weakly back. She was still trying to calm down her beating heart from the sudden scare. "Thanks." she let out a soft sigh and went back to rubbing her stomach. She hadn't felt a kick all day from her son which was strange, usually the baby was very active. She knew what he had already inherited from his father and she could already imagine herself chasing after a hyper mini version of Natsu.
Makarov only nodded. "I can understand your reasoning for worrying but you don't need to fear, Lucy," he sent her a proud grin and gestured over towards Natsu who was starting to turn purple from all the pressure he was putting into his arm to try and beat Gray. The ice mage was turning the very same color as his rival. "I don't believe I need to tell you how hard Natsu is working for you and your child, he is taking on many dangerous missions and from what I've heard is being careful not to cause to much damage."
Lucy looked surprised, "Really?" she hadn't heard about that from him. Natsu had told her almost every detail about the missions he took but she hadn't heard he was trying not to destroy things.
"It's true," Mirajane offered her a gentle smile. "Erza told us how hard he is trying to keep from causing damage so their pay doesn't get cut like it always" she gave a soft giggle at her next train of thought."She says that every other word out of his mouth is about you and your baby. He is constantly thinking about you both." she reached over to touch her friend's enlarged stomach and giggled when she felt a kick as her response.
"Is that so?" Lucy turned her gaze back to Natsu, who was still fighting with Gray, and noticed how his eyes would quickly travel in her direction before going back to his rival and then turn back onto her. Even now he was constantly worrying about them. "I'll have to thank him properly then." she smiled happily and blew a kiss in his direction when she saw his gaze had returned to her. She received a happy grin in return and with that he finally beat Gray in their arm wrestling competition.
"But still..." Makarov let out a long sigh. "Although he is trying that boy's nature is to destroy things," he rested his cheek in one hand and looked upward towards his office. "Right now I have a giant pile of property damage with Natsu's name written all over it." Lucy gave a weak laugh, she wasn't too surprised to hear that. "The council even stopped sending me reports to fill out. They know who caused the damage and instead they just send me bills." he gave a weak sigh, thinking of all the bills that were on his desk that needed to be paid.
"Master?" Mirajane called his attention away from the damages before they lost him. "Isn't there something you want to talk to Lucy about." she reminded him, hoping to get his mind off the bills and onto something that doesn't make him so depressed.
"Yes, you're right," he couched, gathering himself back together. He took out a folded slip of paper and handed it to the expecting mother. "This is an S-Class quest. Erza has already accepted the job and she suggested in bringing Natsu along with her. The job will take at most three months to complete and Erza has agreed to give all the reward to you and Natsu. I believe the money should last you for a while, in fact you'll probably still have a good amount of it when you start doing requests again yourself."
Lucy looked over the paper that had a giant red "S" marked on it. It was just like the request that Happy stole for them when they went to the cursed island. The mission was about a monster that seemed to appear only on the night of the new moon, waiting in the shadows and seemed to be sucking the very life out of its victims. Reports claimed the victim's bodies were discovered to be very old and frail, almost like lifeless shells of who they once were. The towns people were ready to abandon the town if something isn't down soon. "So they'll only have three chances to catch this thing?" she read the time limit, three months. The time limit was very close to her due date and that made her worry some, not just because there was an evil monster running around sucking the very life out of people but because she wanted Natsu to be there for her when their son was born.
"Don't worry so much," Master Makarov gave her a soft pat on the head. "Natsu will make it in time. He wants to see his son be born just as much as you do. He'll be there." he gave her an encouraging smile, one that Lucy couldn't help but return.
"Yeah, you're right." she never doubted Natsu on anything so there was no reason to start now. "I understand what the mission offers and I accept the dangers and time limit. If Natsu wants to accept this request then I'll give him my blessings."
Makarov nodded, "I am glad to hear it."
"As am I," Erza suddenly appeared behind Lucy, her hand slamming down on her friend's shoulder with a loud slap. "I was worried about you and the baby so I asked the Master to allow me to bring Natsu on a request with me, with your permission of course. Now that I have it I no longer have to wait to start the mission." with that said she walked over to the giant group, dragging the pink-haired boy away and back to the bar.
"Hey, what the hell!" Natsu cried, not happy that he just dragged by the back of his shirt and slammed into the bar. "I-" his words died on his lips when he saw the expression on the scarlet-haired woman's face.
"You and Gray will accompany me on an S-Class quest. The mission will last about three months and during these three months we will only have three chances to succeed. Failure it not an option. Is that clear?"
Natsu was shaking like a leaf. "Aye sir!" he saluted her, too scared to do anything else.
Erza gave a nod of approval. "Glad to hear it. Now be sure you get a lot of rest tonight, we will leave by noon tomorrow." with that said she walked away to explain things to Gray.
Once she was gone Natsu gave a sigh of relief and looked down at his wife, a solemn expression was on his face. "Natsu?" Lucy reached over, placing her hand over his still one. "Are you ok?" she never received a reply. Instead Natsu picked her up, carrying her in his arms and out of the Guild. "Hey! Put me down? What are you doing?" she clung to his neck, yelling at him to put her down before they fell or more weird rumors started up about them. She just finished convincing people that he was only overly protective of her and their baby and not some creepy stalker.
They walked around for a short while, Lucy hiding her face in his chest to hide away some of the embarrassment she was feeling. Already she could tell that people were staring at them. "Natsu, what are you doing?" she mumbled into his chest, wanting some kind of answer from him.
"I want to talk," he finally came to a stop, setting her down on the ground and placing her in between his legs as he leaned against a tree. Carefully he pulled her into a tight hug, his face buried in her hair and hands holding her close to him. "Are you positive you're fine with me going on this request?"
She smiled, returning his hold. "If I wasn't then I wouldn't have told the master and Erza that I was." she rested her head on his shoulder, leaning in closer to his warm body that made her feel so safe.
"I'll be gone for a while." He placed a hand on her stomach, rubbing it gently.
"I know," she placed her hand over his and intertwined their fingers. "I understand what the mission requires but I have faith in you Natsu. I know you'll succeed and I know you'll be back in time to see our son be born." she gave him her brightest smile. She wanted him to know that she had no doubt in her mind about him. He was accomplish this mission and make it back in time to see their son be born. She believed in him.
Lucy let out a soft sigh as she stared up at the clear sky above her. She was in her home, Natsu resting beside her with one hand resting over her belly and the other holding her hand that held her Fairy Tail mark. Her eyes looked over the stars that were shinning in from the window above them. Natsu had surprised her by installing a clear glass window above their bed so she could look out at the stars. It had been a wonderful surprise and she loved that he had done that for her. Even though he didn't always seem like it he was a really sweet guy that just wanted the people he loved to be happy.
With a small smile on her face she moved her gaze to her left and couldn't help but giggle at how Natsu slept. He snored just as loud as ever but she had gotten so used to it that it didn't even reach her ears anymore. There was a trace of drool running out of his grinning mouth and she would have been annoyed that he was drooling on her but she found him looking to cute to care. His head rested in the crook of her neck and his body kept her warm and close to his, he was always holding her in his sleep. She noticed, even back when they weren't together, that he always slept with his arms around her body. He had always known, even when she didn't, that they were meant for each other.
With her free hand she ran her fingers through his pink locks that were always sticking up and looking spiky and messy but also perfectly in place. "Lucy..." he whispered out softly, his grin growing in size as he inched himself even closer to her. His hand unconsciously started to rub her stomach that held their child. "...love you." he mumbled in his sleep, nuzzling his face more into her neck and gave a sigh of content. He was truly in a deep sleep, dreaming about who knows what but she knew that it involved her and that made her smile.
She felt the mark on her chest begin to burn, making her body heat up. This mark was proof that she was his and only his. She liked knowing that and she knew that he liked it even more. She giggled softly when their baby started to kick and when she saw the proud grin form on his face at the feeling. She watched him silently for a few more moments, her mind took her back to this morning. While she was still nervous about the S-Class request she knew why he was doing it.
One reason being the obvious. He loved fighting and if given the chance he would take up any fight without so much as blinking an eye.
He had told her later on when they returned home and were eating dinner that his real reason for accepting the request and leaving her for three long months was because he wanted to support his family.
"Igneel gave it his all to raise me and now I want to do the same with my son."
She felt such pride and love burn in her chest when she remembered those words. She wasn't the only one worrying about their future with their child, Natsu was constantly thinking it over. He was going to take this dangerous mission because he wanted them to have a secure future for their son and make sure that they were all happy. "I love you too." she kissed his drooling cheek before closing her eyes and allowed herself to finally asleep.
The morning came fast and already the Dragneel family was in the Guild, waiting for Erza to arrive so they could head out and start the mission. "Just how long has he been this way?" Gray asked in a bored tone, arms crossed over his chest.
Lucy gave a soft sigh. "All morning." she answered him and looked over at her husband that had his arms wrapped tightly around her body. No matter what she said or did he hadn't released his hold on her at all. From the moment they left their house his arms were wrapped securely around her and it didn't seem like he was going to be letting go any time soon.
Gray just rolled his eyes. "Erza is going to be here any minute, you need to let Lucy go." he informed the fire mage.
Natsu however wasn't listening, he shook his head frantically and tightened his grip on his mate. "I don't wanna leave Lucy until I absolutely have too!" he cried, nuzzling his face in her hair and causing a big scene inside the Guild that had caught everyone's attention. "I won't be able to see her or hold her or kiss her or anything that I like doing with her for a whole three months! So I'm gonna savor every last moment with her."
Gray and Lucy each looked at him like he was crazy.
"He makes it sound like he's dying." Gray thought, hoping that he wouldn't act this weird on the mission.
"I'm almost scared to see what he'll be like when he comes back." Lucy thought, already thinking of how he'll act when he returns. If he was this upset in the beginning she didn't want to know how he would be like at the end.
"Good you're all here," Erza arrived with her giant cart of luggage, this one even bigger than the usual load. "I'll assume this means you are all ready to go." she held a determined smile on her face.
Gray ran one hand through his hair. "We are but Natsu is having separation anxiety." he gestured over to the fire mage that had tightened his hold on his wife even more when Erza appeared.
"I can't help it," Natsu cried, pressing his body fully up against his wife. "The longest I've ever been gone from Luce and the baby has only been three days. I'm not used to this long time separation."
"It's only three months, Natsu." Lucy patted his arm in hopes to calm him down before he started crying fire. "That time will go by really fast." she assured him.
Natsu continued to pout despite his wife's words. "Even so..." he looked down at her with a sadden expression on his face.
She knew better than anyone how much leaving them bothered him. He finally had a family of his own, something he wanted ever since Igneel left. She knew that he was scared that he would return and they would be gone but that would never happen. "Everything will be fine. Ryu and I will be right here waiting for you to return home," she placed his two hands on her stomach and soon enough the little baby boy inside her started kicking. "See, he agrees with me so you have nothing to worry about." she laughed lightly when she saw the ecstatic look on his face when he felt his son kicking. He always had the same proud look on his face whenever Ryu was active.
"Alright, I'm all fired up!" He jumped to his feet, a new determined look on his face. If his son and wife held so much confidence in him then he needed to hold the same type of confidence in himself. "Happy, I'm leaving you in charge of looking after Lucy and our baby." he saluted his best friend. It was decided late last night that Happy would remain behind to watch over Lucy and Ryu in Natsu's place.
"Aye sir!" Happy saluted him right back, his face holding its own form of determination. He wouldn't let his friends down.
Erza and Gray gave each other the same amused but proud looks. It was always fun watching the new family interact with each other. "Come on, it's time to go." Erza called to her two teammates and headed out the door. Gray followed her with a quick wave to his friends at the Guild but Natsu stayed behind for a few moments.
"You sure you're ok with me going?" he asked her once again. He wanted to be absolutely sure that she would be safe and happy while he couldn't be there to take care of her.
Lucy nodded, "I'll be fine. Nothing is going to happen to us, the worst thing will be is that we'll both miss you very much." she told him.
Natsu gave her a gentle smile and leaned down to kiss her lips with his. "I'll miss you too." with one last kiss to her and a soft pat to her stomach he ran out of the Guild doors to join his team on their mission. Quickly he turned back around to give her a giant wave goodbye with both his arms and she waved him goodbye as well. The next time they would see each other again would be in three months.
"Ah," she winced, rubbing her stomach when a swift kick hit her. "I know, I miss him already too." Natsu wasn't gone more than a minute and already she was missing him like crazy. "Come back soon." she whispered softly, eyes misty, and her son kicking her more. They both missed him dearly.
Over at Magnolia train station Lucy wasn't the only one having problems with missing their other half.
"Let me go! I gotta go make sure that Lucy is safe!" Natsu cried, fighting against Gray's icy hold.
"She's fine, we only left ten minutes ago!" the ice mage groaned, trying to get the frantic fire wizard onto the train.
"No, she needs me. I can tell!" he started to breath fire to try and get away from the man that was keeping him and his wife from reuniting.
"I told you Lucy is fine!" Gray cried, using all his strength to hold back his teammate. "Hey Erza, how about a little help." he called to his captain for some help. He needed all he could get if he was going to keep Natsu from running back to the Guild.
Erza didn't say anything, she merely sent her fist flying into Natsu's stomach, making him black out instantly. "There, now we won't have to worry about him running away." she sent the ice mage a proud grin, obviously happy with her accomplishment.
"Erza's just as brutal as ever." Gray gave a weak laugh at his thought before dragging the unconscious body of his teammate onto the train and dumping him on one of the seats. "You do realize that once he wakes up he's going to be just as crazy to get back." he added.
"I know," Erza nodded, agreeing with what her friend told her. "But I'm sure once he realize that we are too far away for him to run back on foot and sees how much the town we are in is suffering he will calm down." she said it completely sure of her words.
Gray however wasn't as convinced. "If you say so." honestly he thought that the fire mage would be as crazy even after the entered the town. The guy would probably just go on a rampage, searching for whatever evil they were facing, so he could get back to Lucy faster.
"Lucy...!" Natsu mumbled weakly, still unconscious but dreaming about the wife and child he just left behind.
"That's the spirit, Natsu. Dream of your goal and we'll be able to accomplish this request with ease." Erza gave a nod of approval and was already making up battle strategies.
"This is gonna be a long mission." Gray could only sigh and look out the window, watching the passing scenery go by. He already knew how this mission would give him a huge headache.