Author's Note: 54 followers and 13 reviews! You guys are amazing, not to mention the 32 favs! Thank you guys so much! I'm so happy that the first chapter got such an amazing response. I hope everyone keeps giving me feedback. I am so happy everytime my email alert goes off on my phone telling me I have another review and follower and fav. Please keep them coming! I have another one shot called Lost, Then Found and a drabble series called Scattered Hearts. I hope you guys check that out as well. I'd love prompt ideas for Scattered Hearts. Sorry for any mistakes that may be present in this. I didn't read it through since I wanted to post it today. I hope you can forgive me. And sorry for leaving it off again...you'll see why at the end and for any ooc'ness that may happen. Well enough of this note, please read and enjoy! Until next week hopefully!

Disclaimer: Same old same old, I don't own Fairy Tail, now onto the story!

x-x-x- Chapter 2 Unexpected News -x-x-x

Natsu hummed as his hands molded the sand as he constructed another cannon that would be added to the adjacent wall from the first. It had been about ten minutes since Lucy left and he was already getting sick of being alone. If Lucy wasn't around then Happy was so most times Natsu had someone with him. Being on the beach alone felt awkward.

Glancing over his shoulder his hazel eyes went to the hotel. "Wonder what she's doing now? Probably changing her clothes since that dress has some kind of special thread or what not."

A small girl ran up to him, her green eyes wide in awe as she stared at the castle. "That's so big!" her tiny voice exclaimed with amazement.

Natsu pivoted around so he was facing the girl. Her brown hair was in pigtails and the look on her face was adorable. "Did you want to play with me? My girlfriend ran away and left me alone."

It seemed to take the girl a lot of concentration to take her eyes off the majestic sand castle. Tilting her head to the side her green eyes locked with his, "How come? Did you push her and make her cry?"

"Ah ha ha," Natsu was rubbing the back of his neck, a very sheepish look on his face.

"You did?" The girl gasped in shock, "Why would you do that to her?"

"Well, I didn't push her but I did throw her..."

"What?!" Now the girl's hands were on her hips, a very upset look on her face, "That's worse! Like," her eyes narrowed, "its not nice to treat a lady like that."

Natsu lowered his hand and leaned towards the child, eagerness reflected in his hazel orbs, "So what do you suggest I do to make it up to her? I really don't want her mad at me... she's scary when she's that way."

"First," the girl held out her hand, "we should introduce ourselves. My name is Cindy, what's yours?"

"Hi Cindy, my name is Natsu." The dragonslayer gripped Cindy's small hand and shook it a few times. "It's nice to meet you."

The girl, Cindy, held her head high and grinned at him, "Nice to meet you too. Now," her green eyes turned business like, reminding him of Erza to the 't'. "there are several things you need to do to make it up to her. These are things my daddy does when he has been a bad boy and mommy has sent him to the chair."

'To the what? What kind of parents does this kid have?' Natsu questioned in his mind, his face reflecting his puzzlement. Cindy didn't seem to notice, or care, as she began to pace in front of the castle, her tiny eyes scrunched into deepful thought.

"The first thing you have to do is imagine what life would be like without her, because if you don't fix things you could lose her."

"Lose her..." his voice was far away, eyes dulling with the thought. If there was anything Natsu had ever dreaded it was this very thing. He had lost her on several occasions, and each time he had lost control over his power and destroyed a bunch of buildings and stuff. With each time however, he had managed to get her back.

Cindy began to speak again, "Now that you have that clear in your mind, I'll give you the next thing."

Placing his hands on his knees the dragonslayer leaned forward, "What?"

"Flowers."

"Flowers?"

"Every girl likes to get flowers." Cindy chatted, "So the very first thing you should do is bring her flowers."

Natsu pressed his lips together deep in thought, "Flowers...how am I supposed to find flowers here? And what kind would I get, there's like a bajillion flowers in the world."

Cindy seemed perplexed by that thought as well. Her pacing suddenly stopped and her face lit up. "I know!" she began to untie one of the flowers that were tied in with her pigtails.

"Wait I don't wanna make you give me one of those. They seem important to you." Natsu stammered, reaching out to the small child.

She swatted his hand away, an annoyed facial expression flaring up, "Shh, I can do it. Mommy gave these to me but this is important. I want to see you and your girlfriend happy before I go home. I can give you one." Finally Cindy was able to get the plastic flower free from her pigtail without pulling it completely out. The flower was a flaming red color and it was no bigger than the inside of Natsu's palm. It looked a lot like a flower one found in the outer islands of Magnolia.

Natsu held his hand out and Cindy placed it carefully on it, "There you go. She's sure to love it!"

The magic user grinned at the girl, "And it has an elastic so she can tie it in her hair. Thanks!"

Cindy blushed, her hands clasping behind her back in a cute manner, "And there's something else you have to do when you give it to her."

"Oh?"

"You need to give her a hug and give her a kiss, telling her how much you love her."

An easy smile came to Natsu's face, "That'll be one of the easiest things to do. Thanks Cindy, your advice has been really helpful. Now want to play with me?"

The girl nodded her head excitedly, "Yes!"

"Sweet! Let's do this!" Natsu reached behind him on the towel to get his scarf. Wrapping it expertly in place he began to play with his new friend. They laughed together and just as Natsu was gently gripping Cindy's right hand with his left to put a small flame in her palm Virgo appeared from the ground, spilling sand in every direction.

Cindy covered her face with one arm to keep the sand out of her eyes. Natsu closed his eyes and when the sand stopped moving opened them. Upon seeing Virgo he sat up straight, his eyes instantly narrowing in concern.

"What is it?"

"The princess is in need of your assistance." The pink haired girl spoke, her voice monotone.

Cindy gripped onto Natsu's arm, her eyes wide and fearful, "She...she came out of the sand...like poof."

Natsu patted the girl's head, his eyes locked on Virgo. If she was here...something must have happened to Lucy. "Is Lucy all right?"

Virgo hesitated, "She...she is in need of you. I did not ask what was wrong." The girl crossed one arm over her chest and bowed, "Will you allow me to take you to her?"

"Hang on a sec." Placing his hands on Cindy's shoulders, Natsu looked into her fearful eyes. "Don't worry, this is one of my girlfriend's friends. Her name is Virgo and she won't hurt you."

Cindy didn't seem to believe a word he said but she didn't say anything. Instead she kept giving Virgo uncertain looks.

He continued, "I need to go check on my girlfriend. I'll make sure to give her this flower you gave me though."

That seemed to be enough to make the child turn her attention back to the older boy, "You promise I can meet her?"

"Hey, you bet! I know Lucy will love you."

"Lucy?"

Natsu's head bobbed, "That's my girlfriend's name."

"Master..."

A finger went up and the celestial spirit fell quiet at Natsu's silent command. Bowing her head she waited for him to acknowledge her when it was time.

"I really want to thank you. You've made the loneliness bearable." The dragonslayer got to his feet, ruffling the girl's hair as he did, "So let's plan to meet up here after dinner, okay?"

"Yeah!" Cindy beamed up at him, her eyes shaking with her excitement, "I know mommy and daddy will say yes! They like to have time alone and if someone older is here..."

Natsu laughed, "It's a deal then, I'll bring my girlfriend along and you can meet her. I know she'll want to see you." With a final ruffle of hair he turned towards Virgo. "I'm ready now."

Virgo lifted her head, "Very well, let's be on our way."

Stepping away from Cindy, Natsu gave her a final wave as Virgo touched his shoulder the two vanished in a gold light. Leaving a stunned little girl on the beach, blinking rapidly from the blinding light.

Natsu felt like he was going to heave as soon they materialized back in the hotel room he shared with Lucy. "Virgo..." he took a deep breath to try to hold back the urge to lose all his breakfast, "... next time let's walk like normal human beings."

"But I am not human."

"You know what I mean." he groaned, not in the mood for her crazy antics.

The pink haired celestial spirit pointed towards the bedroom, "Princess is in the water closet. Please take care of her, and if you are in need of our assistance please don't hesitate to ask." Her hands pointed over to Lucy's keys that were in the same place she had left them that morning.

Natsu spun around when he heard muffled crying coming from the back room. "Hey Virgo...why is Lucy crying?"

Virgo faced flashed with concern, "I am not sure, all we know is she became very distraught after returning to the room. Big Brother sent me here to aid her, he was worried that he would make the situation worse. But if you need him, he'll be here."

"Big Brother?"

"Yes, Big Brother. Now I will return to the celestial world, please take care of the Princess." Without further ado the spirit faded.

Pushing his hand through his hair the fire user headed towards the bedroom. Lucy's crying got louder and louder to his heightened hearing the closer he got to where she was. Stopping at the bathroom door that was slightly ajar he traced the ridges of it. "Luce? What's wrong?"

The girl in the room shuffled, combing her fingers through her hair. "N-Natsu?"

"I'm here." For some reason he couldn't move into the bathroom, it was as if a heavy feeling had sunk deep into his chest and he couldn't squash it. By the tone of her voice when she had said his name... something was really wrong.

Scent of lavender and vanille filled his nose and he took a step back, knowing she'd open the door all the way. The door moved and the girl of his dreams stood in front of him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Reaching out he gently ran the tips of his fingers down the side of her face. "Luce... tell me what's wrong. Why are you in here crying? Your spirits are worried about you so I know something is seriously wrong."

Sensing Lucy was going to lower her eyes to the ground, Natsu reached out and captured her chin, forcing her to keep her head up so they could look into each others eyes. Despite not being able to look away he watched as she bit her lower lip. How he hated it when she did that...

"Natsu..." suddenly her eyes were brimming with tears, "... there's something you need to see."

Exceptionally confused, the wizard let himself be pulled into the bathroom, the door gliding semi closed behind them. There seemed to be nothing amiss in the grand tiled room, but his eyes zeroed in on Lucy bending down and retrieving something that must have fallen. Thinking it was probably just one of her make-up things Natsu didn't pay it much attention until she placed it right in front of his face.

The pregnancy test was directly in his line of sight, making it nearly impossible for him not to see what it said. The word read silently in his mind. 'Pregnant. Pregnant...wait!' His mouth fell open as a large hand seized the object, extracting it from the owners smaller hands.

Natsu held it for several long, agonizing moments. Lucy shifted her weight from her right leg to her left nervously. Why hadn't he said anything? Surely, there was a million things he could say right now, someone didn't just find out news like this and remain silent.

Stumbling backwards until his back collided with the wall, Natsu continued to stare at the test as if it'd suddenly change if he blinked enough. "When..."

"This morning just after you headed down for breakfast."

Natsu ran his free hand down his face and kept it on his chin and mouth, eyes glued to the pregnancy test, "How long?"

Lucy shook as she reached behind her and pulled her hair over her right shoulder where she began to braid it, "How long for what?" She gulped when his eyes left the pregnancy test to stare at her. His stare made her feel like he could see right through her and right now that unnerved her.

"How long have you been thinking you might be pregnant?"

That was a question she was hoping he wouldn't have asked, Lucy knew it was wrong not to tell him about her missed periods but she really thought it was just a crazy thing her body was going through. Girls were known to have irregular periods from time to time. Besides, this was an area that was always awkward to talk to him about.

"Lucy?" his voice was tight and controlled despite the blaze in his eyes.

The spoken of celestial mage shuddered, "I... I haven't had my period for a couple of months."

"What?" Natsu dropped his hand from his face, completely baffled by her announcement. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because the last time I mentioned needing tampons you got this weird look on your face and ran away!" Lucy shouted, her arms flying in the air to accent her words. "Do you think I would want to get that reaction from you again?"

The test clattered to the floor for the second time. Natsu's eyes were closed and his head was leaning against the wall. "You're only 19-years-old and I got you knocked up."

"Knocked up..." Lucy laughed, trying to ease the tension but failing, "... I'm surprised you know that term."

Opening a single eye, the dragonslayer, and captor of her heart, raised a quizzical eyebrow. "I may not know a lot of things but I do know that. Guy's talk Lucy, and this happens to be one of the things they talk the most about. Hell, Gildarts warned me about this when I was younger and when I started dating you. Damn... he's going to kick my butt for this."

"You talked to Gildarts about this?"

Natsu pinched the bridge of his nose, "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because we were getting closer and I..." the father to be trailed off, his eyes slowly opening to look at her. When they made eye contact he looked away, his hands going in the pockets of his swimming trunks. "... I was nervous about taking the next step with you. I needed advice so," shoulders shrugged, "I asked the only person I could."

Lucy stared blankly at him before her face turned completely red, "I can't believe you talked to him about us and...sex."

Natsu laughed bitterly, "Obviously I didn't listen to his advice." His hand came out of his trunks and he motioned towards her, "You're pregnant... and there's no changing that."

"Yes there is..."

"What?" the word came out clipped, making Lucy jump, eyes falling instantly to the ground. Natsu stared at her, trying to get her to look at him and say that to his face. What she was suggesting was ludacris, completely horrific and not needed.

The light flickered for a moment and then went bright. Lucy tapped the tile with her big toe, "You even said it. I'm too young to be a mother...we're both not ready for this."

Together they stood in the bathroom, one staring at the other while the opposite kept her gaze on the tile, as if memorizing it. Finally the fire mage ran his hand through his hair, "I need air."

Lucy's head snapped up just in time to see Natsu stalk out of the bathroom. The heart inside of her chest beated loudly in her ears as she slowly went to the door and peered out into the room to see if he was near. The room was empty but the sliding door to the balcony was open, the drapes billowing slightly from the draft that entered the room.

Lucy leaned against the entryway to the bathroom, head pressed against the dark wood. It had been a long time since that look had been in Natsu's eyes. Thinking about it she realized the last time had been when they had been in a hard fight and she had been captured by one of the thugs. That deadly look had reflected in Natsu's eyes just before he had taken them out.

"I'm so sorry."

Natsu leaned his elbows against the stone railing, eyes trained on the sun that shined against the ocean. Leaning over he rested his forehead on the cool stones. Everything had changed in a blink of an eye. Just minutes ago he was down on the beach with a cute girl named Cindy, and now he was going to be a father. Not only that, but he was a dragonslayer as well. Countless people were out to get their hands on the power he wielded and now he had to worry about protecting a family. Or possibly he wouldn't have to worry about it. According to Lucy she was already thinking of...

He shivered and shook his head, the stones biting against his skin. Natsu fell into a crouch, the balcony eye level now. Could he live with the thought of letting her end the life he had recklessly given her? How had they managed to be so stupid? When had things gone wrong?

Natsu's eyes widened when a memory surfaced, blushing madly he groaned. "Shit...that was when it probably happened. I was such an idiot. Stupid lace."

"Where are you two!" A feminine, and very upset, voice shouted. It came from the door to their hotel room but somehow him and Lucy were both able to hear it.

"No." he moaned, his spine tingling with warning. There was only one person who was able to yell that loudly and still manage to be heard through several layers of insulation.

"Let us in flame-brain!" another voice, much deeper than the first, yelled. The sound of someone pounding on the door followed directly after.

Natsu stayed in place, but his ultra hearing picked up on Lucy shuffling out of the bedroom and down the hallway that would lead to the kitchen and front room, and ultimately the door. Straightening his eyes went back to the beach, somewhere down there was the sandcastle he had made with Lucy a couple of hours ago. They were both laughing then, unlike now.

He turned around so his back was facing the ocean, casually leaning against the stone rail with his elbows. He fought back a laugh when he heard Erza's voice draft through the hotel room.

"I cannot believe you two would run off on a vacation without the rest of us!"

"Uh," Lucy sounded concerned Natsu noted by her voice, "where is Wendy?"

Gray answered before Erza could, "She went on a job with the Laxus."

"R-really? And she wasn't nervous about that?" Lucy asked.

"Oh she was nervous." Erza cut in, "But that didn't stop her from going on a job with a fellow dragonslayer. Now, why did only the two of you come here?"

"W-well, you see... wait Gray! Where are you going?" Lucy asked perplexed.

Natsu's eyes shot to the bedroom door just as Gray Fullbuster stopped in its arch. The ice-make-wizard stared coolly at Natsu before taking a calculated look around the room. His eyes landed on the two suitcases that had clothes sprung out of them.

"So, you guys came together."

"Bold statement." Natsu muttered, not moving an inch from his relaxed position. One day this was going to happen, just sucked that it had to be this day.

"Not hard to make seeing the state of the room and yours and Lucy's suitcases beside each other. How long have you two exactly been a thing?" Gray questioned nonchalantly, even though Natsu could tell he was itching to give him a rash.

Natsu smirked and snickered at the shirtless man, "You mean you can't deduce the moment we started getting together? And I thought you were supposed to be Mr. Know-It-All. But it seems you are only an Ice Princess."

"Watch it flame-breath, there's a lot I could say to you right now that I'm not." Gray warned, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I really doubt anything you have to throw my way will matter." Natsu grumbled, folding his arms over his bare chest.

Gray stiffened, not at all liking the look on his friend's face. "What's wrong?"

Natsu's eyes flashed to Gray and then away again. May as well tell him what was going on, he was going to find out at one point. Lifting a hand off his arm he motioned for Gray to join him on the balcony. Gray pushed away from the entryway and joined Natsu. With both of them leaning in a similar fashion the ice user urged Natsu to tell him.

Taking a deep breath and releasing it, the fire user bluntly told him. "Lucy is pregnant."

Awkward silence ensued and neither of the two men spoke for what felt like hours, however it was only minutes. Gray cleared his throat, sweat rolling down the back of his neck, "Are you serious?"

"Why would I kid about something like this?" Natsu scoffed, not at all pleased that Gray would think he was joking.

"And you're the father?"

"Yeah, Lucy wouldn't sleep with anyone else. It's mine."

"Damn. How far along is she?"

Natsu shrugged his shoulders, "Not sure, she just took one of those home pregnancy tests this morning. All we know is she's pregnant. When we get back to Magnolia we'll have to get her an appointment and get that all figured out."

"Hell, you guys are still both so young. To be parents already..."

"I don't know what to do. She," Natsu covered his eyes with his hand, "said we don't have to keep it. That she isn't ready for this, that we aren't ready."

Gray was frazzled, "Abortion? You'd really let her do that?"

The pinkette ran his hand down his face, "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Gray exclaimed, completely shocked Natsu would even be considering this. "Are you insane? What if your parents had decided to end your life? You wouldn't be here! Same with Erza's parents, and mine. If you do that to this kid..."

"19...that's how old Lucy is. She's supposed to be able to go on jobs and learn new magic, not be stuck at home."

"She can still do those things." Gray argued, "Becoming a mother doesn't mean those things have to stop. And you'll be there to help her, you both can share the responsibility."

Natsu crossed his right ankle over his left, "Dragonslayer, remember? People want my power, I have to worry about Lucy constantly now I'm adding another person into the mix."

A nudge to his shoulder caused Natsu to glance over at his friend, "That's what friends are for man, we're here to help you with things like this. Really think about what an abortion will do to you...and to Lucy. Procedures like that are no walk in the park. Emotionally and mentally you are going to hurt, and Lucy will have all the pain wrapped together."

"Yeah...thanks."

"You're what?!" Erza's voice bellowed from inside.

Gray laughed nervously and Natsu joined in. "Looks like Lucy told Erza the news."

"Should I run before she finds me?" Natsu asked nervously, images of all the ways Erza could hurt him coming to mind.

"I'd run, take the time to figure out how you feel about everything to." Gray added, "I'll hold Erza off while you get away."

"Natsu!"

The yelled for mage jumped onto the balcony railing, "Thanks a lot. I'll meet you guys for dinner in the main hall."

Gray nodded once, his black hair falling into his eyes, "I'll keep the girls occupied while you're gone. Take my advice dude."

Natsu flashed a small smile, "I will." Then with easy he fell from the balcony and just in time. Erza Scarlet burst into the bedroom, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Where is he?" she demanded, death lining her voice.

Gray shoved off the balcony and stepped into the room, closing the glass sliding door after he was fully inside. "Leave him be for a bit. He has a lot to think about."

"I'm going to castrate him!"

Gray cringed, "Easy Erza."

"What was that?" her pointed stare flashed to him and he gulped, stepping further away from the sword master.

"I'm just sayin' he needs some time. I know it's shocking what happened and all..."

"Gray's right." Lucy's calming voice interrupted the angry shouts. "He needs time to figure out how he feels about everything."

"But Lucy."

"No Erza, it isn't his fault. It does take two to make something like this happen. You told me that, remember?"

Erza's eyes softened dramatically; her arms enveloping Lucy, "You aren't alone in this. All your friends in Fairy Tail will help you."

Lucy gripped onto Erza as if she were falling, "And if they don't?" her voice was laced with pain, "What if they judge me harshly? I mean who gets pregnant when they aren't married? I was taught better!"

Gray stepped forward, his hand resting on Lucy's shoulder, "If anyone dares to say anything negative about this I'll freeze their blasted mouth shut."

"And I'll put a blade to their throat." Erza vowed.

Tears sprung from Lucy's eyes as she held Erza and reached out with another arm to take Gray's hand. "I really needed you guys here too. Thank you for coming, and for not hating me."

The two members of Team Natsu exchanged looks and then Gray spoke.

"We're a team, we get through everything together-the good and the bad."

"Yeah." Lucy smiled through her tears. Pulling back she sniffed and exchanged looks with her friends. "As long as we're together."