When Erza, with Rose in tow, walked into the guild it was like a bomb went off as everybody yelled out a 'happy birthday' to her grinning little girl. Rose let go of her hand as the doors shut behind them and started to jump up and down excitedly, immediately running over to where the other kids were all waiting. Erza watched them play with a small smile as she noticed Mira slowly making her way over, her hand resting delicately on the large bulge of her stomach.

"You shouldn't be moving around so much Mira." Erza said, turning her head to look at the woman. She looked about ready to pop with her and Freed's child. "Where's that creepy husband of yours? Shouldn't he be doting on you and your baby right about now?" Then as if on cue the green haired man sidled up to his wife's side, his arms slipping around her waist from behind to gently rest his hands next to hers. Erza couldn't help but, not for the first time, thank the heavens for Freed's new haircut. The most recent…trim, had done his looks some good. She just wished she hadn't had to hear Mire complain about 'not having anything to hold onto anymore' for the following weeks.

"You called, Titania?" The man asked, his dark eyes glinting playfully. Erza just huffed and looked away, crossing her armor plated arms over her chest. "I heard something happened with Rose this morning, everything okay at Scarlet Manor?" His voice dipped low, only joking slightly as the Justine's leaned a little closer.

"Dragneel." Erza suddenly said, not being able to stop herself in time. As soon as it came out she slapped a hand over her mouth, wincing as the couple stared at her wordlessly. "I'm sorry. It's just…" She couldn't say how he was finally back. How he came back for his family. Where is that dragon slayer, now? He said it wouldn't take long, right?

"It's alright, Erza. We understand." Mira suddenly said, breaking out of her husband's grasp to wrap her childhood rival in a quick and slightly awkward hug. "We miss him too. It's been five years already- to do the day." The fair haired woman trailed off, a distant look in her eyes as she remembered the rambunctious dragon slayer that used to pester her every morning for fire and fish. Erza gave her a small smile, just letting her friend think what she wanted.

The fairy queen went to excuse herself, needing to speak with Master Makarov, when the guild doors were suddenly thrust open and a very much anticipated voice called out. "I guess I couldn't stay away for very long, now could I?" Just then, about every single person in the guild stopped talking at that exact moment. Erza heard a happy squeal and suddenly Rose was getting up off of the floor and running towards her dad. The knight smiled slightly as the man picked her up, his eyes never leaving the happy little girl.

"I hear we have another dragon slayer is our midst!" Everyone, even Natsu, turned to see the master standing on the stairs, his arms crossed and his lips twisted into something unfamiliar to Erza. "Welcome back, boy."

Natsu's grin was near feral; his lips pulled back to bare his longer than usual canines. "It's good to be back Gramps. We have some catching up to do, don't we? I have a few new things to show you."

Makarov only nodded. Erza could see something strange in his eye but she couldn't place what it was as he walked down the stairs and towards Natsu. Towards her mate. "I assume you've been here for a while?"

Rose grabbed and pulled some of her daddy's hair as Natsu replied. "A few hours, yeah. I needed to rest. I haven't stopped moving since I left Stella." Looking over at the little girl yanking on his hair he smiled. "Come on Rose, stop pulling on my hair: it hurts." That seemed to make her freeze, her wide eyes catching his and there was something about that that made Natsu stiffen as well.

"Natsu?" Erza said, trying to catch his attention. The pinkette's eyes snapped to hers and he seemed to relax, as if realizing where he was. "Perhaps you should go up and talk with The Master?" She suggested tentatively. She could see the way that Natsu looked ready to pounce on everything that moved. It was strange to see him look so flighty. But he shook his head, his hair flopping around and distracting her with its vibrant color.

"No, it can wait. It's our daughter's birthday, I can answer questions later." He said, staring pointedly at everyone else in the guild. There were a few quick intakes of breath as his gaze met theirs and a few confused head tilts but not long after he looked away everyone started doing what they were doing before he barged in, albeit a little cautiously now. Erza wondered why everyone suddenly seemed so, so afraid.

"It's because I'm a trapped animal, Erz." His smooth voice said, breaking her train of thought. The red head turned slightly to see him standing considerably closer to her now than he was before. "Even I can see it."

"'A trapped animal'." She repeated slowly. "But you're human, and you're with your guild again, your family! What makes you so 'caged'." She couldn't wrap her head around the sudden development. Natsu sighed and put their daughter down as she started squirming. After giving his leg a quick hug, she darted off to where the other kids had started beckoning her over so they could start sifting through the presents.

"The family part is true but that's only you and Rose, Erza. I'm not a Fairy Tail mage anymore- remember? The guild mark kept me sane. It kept my dragon…pacified, I guess you could say." Erza noticed Mira sneaking glances over at them as she inched herself closer. "The dragon slayer spell gives me the qualities of a dragon, which also includes my mind." He grinned at her. "It's why my endurance is so high."

Erza blushed furiously as Mira suddenly popped in between them, her eyes trailing up to Natsu's. "You went and got all big and buff again. You're so much like Elfman it is crazy." She sighed. Reaching up, her fingertips brushed his cheekbone. "I'm sure ladies were falling over you left and right, right Natsu?" She joked, her hand dropping. Erza's eyes darted over to meet his, suddenly fearful of his answer. She hadn't even thought of that, that there was a possibility that he had been with anyone else.

Natsu eyes seemed to flash though, if only for a moment, and he bared his teeth again. Although the gesture seemed even more feral than the last time. "Erza is my mate, and no other woman would ever have the same effect on me as she does. She is my one and only. Forever."

Mira's jaw dropped, rubbing her swollen stomach absentmindedly. "That was the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say, Natsu."

The fire dragon shrugged, an easy smile replacing the feral snarl he was brandishing earlier. "It's in a dragon's nature to protect and care for its loved ones, no matter how many. Erza and Rose just so happen to be at the very top of that list. We also only love like that once."

Mira cocked her head, asking the question Erza had been thinking. "But who's higher up on that list? Your daughter, or Erza?" Erza's eyes connected with Natsu's and he smiled gently at her.

"Rose." He answered, despite the growling and snarling of his dragon in protest. Erza and Mira both held about the same reaction- he only wished he could place what it was. "Because Erza would never forgive me if I let our daughter get hurt simply because I went to her first." His eyes closed for a moment before they opened again and he added. "I only hope that I never have to make that decision."

Erza felt her chest swell with love before she threw herself at him, her arms locking into place around his chest. Natsu hummed, the sounds vibrating through his coat and her armor as he returned the tight embrace. "Thank you." She whispered. "But I still have a lot of questions for you."

. "I want you to be there when I talk to Makarov. And Gray and Lucy." She distantly heard Mira walk away, yelling something about cake, when Natsu pressed his nose to her neck. "It's important and I want you all there. You can ask all of your questions then, yeah?"

"Yeah, of course." She agreed, her body relaxing in his hold. She smiled as she heard Rose squealing, the faint sent of candles reaching her nose. "I think it's time for Rose's cake, come on. It's the first birthday our daughter will have, with both of us- we can talk to Makarov later." Natsu grinned and Erza noted that his eyes seemed to have a happy, almost content, gleam as he allowed his mater to pull him over to where Rose was jumping excitedly in her chair.