I was sitting on my porch, soaking in the rays of heat, thankful for the little cool breeze that flew by now and then. Sitting up straighter in my white wicker chair, I smiled at the little boy that was playing knights with his younger sister.
"They're getting bigger every time I see them," Levy spoke beside me with the same peaceful smile on her face.
"Sometimes I forget that they're soon going to be teenagers,"
"Not for a few more years, Lu-chan." she giggled shaking her blue locks.
Looking at my best friend, I noticed that something was off, she's not her usually happy self. She looks kind of sad, likes she's missing-oh, I get it now.
"You miss him don't know?" I said causing her to jump slightly at my words. She looked over at me with light pink cheeks.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know WHO I'm talking about. Rogue, the kid you've been looking after."
"I-I don't miss him."
"You know it's mean to lie to your friends." I said. She looked at me with big eyes, before lowering her head.
"….yea, you're right. He's been spending so much time with me, that when his dad comes to pick him up, I get sad." She said playing with the hem of her jean shorts.
"Or is more that you miss seeing his dad."
"WHAT? NO! It's not like that we're friends, I guess you can say." she said waving her hands in front of her now red face.
I couldn't help but laugh, as she tried to explain the relationship between her and Gajeel. She's been babysitting Rogue for a few weeks now and this is one of those weeks were she doesn't have him. I always wondered how he found out about levy, but she is well known in the city because of her bookstore. Maybe someone referred her to him. Either way, I think she is starting to catch feelings for this mysterious man, I've never seen.
"I have question, what does this Gajeel look like anyway? You've brought Rogue over here once before but I barely got a chance to talk to him before Sting realized there was a boy in the house his age to play with."
"Weeellll, Rogue looks just like him, except Gajeel has a lot of piercings on his face and body and he is also really tall, over 6 feet (182 cm), and has really long black hair." she explained her eyes brightening at the thought of him.
I could see it in her eyes, the hope for him to have a crush on her too, but I'm not going to mention it. That will probably make her melt in to her seat from embarrassment. I rather not lose my friend, that way.
"He sounds scary, but if you trust him, I guess he doesn't sound as scary as I think he is." I said pushing a loose strand of blonde hair behind me ear.
Levy was about to say something, but a rambunctious boy came running towards us with a girl on his back.
"Mama! Mama! Can me and Nashi have a snack?" Sting asked his blonde hair sticking to his sweaty face.
"Ok, but no sweets."
"Thanks mama!" He said giving me the same fanged smile his father has.
Nashi was clinging to her big brother like a monkey on its mother's back as Sting ran into the house, her pink pigtails bouncing with every step.
"Make sure you wash your hands before you eat!" I yelled after them. I got an "aye", saying that my request was heard.
"Even though Sting has your hair, he looks just like Natsu. It's the same with Nashi, she has his hair but looks like you." Levy smiled.
She's absolutely right, both of our kids are a mixer of both of us. Sting acts just like his father and Nashi is more like me in every way. Even though she's three, she scolds Sting whenever he's being too reckless. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen.
"I guess that's why no matter what, they will always love each other because they have both Natsu's and my love in them."
"Do you remember when you told him you were pregnant with Sting?" she said giggling at the memory.
"Oh my goodness! Please don't remind me! He nearly set the whole house on fire, then ran around the police station screaming he's gonna be a father."
"Didn't he do that when you told him you were pregnant with Nashi?"
"Yep. The idiot did it twice!" I laughed.
I can remember how Gray called me telling me to please, don't get pregnant again, because he can't handle an even more fired up than usual Natsu a third time.
Levy and I talked for few more hours on my porch as we continued to watch the kids play to their hearts content in the lawn. I invited her to stay for dinner but she declined, saying she had to catch up on some paperwork, with her bookstore. I gave her a hug goodbye and the kids and I watched her leave, waving and saying to come back soon.
With the sun finally making its descent into the cool darkness, I went inside to get dinner ready.
"Mama." a little voice called out from behind me as I started to make dinner.
"Yes?"
"Can I have a snack?"
"You'll spoil, your dinner."
"Pleeeaaasee! When daddy cooks, he lets me get a snack," Sting pouted. That's because daddy knows, he's going to burn the food anyway.
"You have the same appetite as him, always hungry. Alright but, I expect you to eat all of your dinner."
"No problem!" He cheered running to the refrigerator.
I continued on with my chopping and slicing, humming a tune softly to myself. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts about Levy, that I didn't hear someone walking into the kitchen.
Feeling strong arms wrap around my waist startled me, making me jump.
"Did I scare you?" Natsu mocked in my ear as he held me from behind.
"You know you did, now let me go."
"But what about my welcome home kiss?" He asked turning me around to face him. He was so close, I didn't even realize it. His spiky pink hair was ruffled from him running his fingers through it all day and he had a cocky fanged grin on his face that begged me to be stubborn.
"What if I don't think you deserve one?"
"Then, I'll take one."
"You can't do-" I started to say but was interrupted by his warm lips softly pressed against mine, making me melt in his arms. We've been together for so long and he can still make me feel this way.
I was trapped in the kiss until I heard someone clear their throat making me separate from Natsu.
"Gray!"
"Sorry to interrupt, but flame brain here, took home some important documents."
"Oi! Don't go blaming me. How was I supposed to know they were important?"
"I don't know, maybe because, they had IMPORTANT, written on the folder!" Gray said raising his voice a little.
I shook my head, giggling at the bickering guys. If I was a stranger, I wouldn't guess that they were best friends, detectives and partners. They're always fussing with each other, but I that's their way of saying they care and that they love each other without actually saying it. Men are weird.
"Alright! Stop your fighting you two. Natsu, you keep all of your documents in my writing desk."
"Thanks," he said before running off to the spare bedroom that I transformed into my office.
"YOU FORGOT WHERE YOU PUT IT?!" Gray screamed.
"It's ok, calm down. At least I knew where it was."
"I swear, I need a new partner and how did you know he forgot it?" he asked as he rubbed his temples.
"If he knew where it was and really needed it, he would've snuck off to the room before coming to me."
"Damn, that flaming idiot." Gray cursed.
"Got it!" Natsu said running back into the kitchen with a thick folder in his hand.
"What is it, exactly?"
"Sorry, Mrs. Dragneel, but that's confidential."
"Oh, come on Natsu!"
"Don't take it the wrong way Lucy, but you are a journalist and the last thing we need is an accidental leak." Gray said with a serious look on his face.
I looked at the two guys standing in front of me with their face in a stern expression. What the heck is in that file? Must be something big, for them both to not tell me not even a hint and for Gray to freak out over not having it.
"I understand. Did you want to stay for dinner Gray?"
"No thanks, but we really need to drop this off with the captain and Juvia would cry if she found out I ate without her."
"Understandable. Are you leaving too, Natsu?"
"No, he's not leaving. I can report this by myself."
"You sure? Captain is going to hand it to us when-"
"Eh, don't worry, I can handle it. I better get going anyway. Seeya guys later."
"Bye Gray, and tell Juvia I said hi!" I called out as he walked towards the front door.
He gave me a wave, before leaving.