BlackLynx17: I had all of you worried didn't I? Every single one of you... except for the people who knew what I was doing... still! I got all of you, haha. Thanks for your previous reviews everyone but things don't just end there. Now that we know who the baby's father really is, what's going to happen now? How will life continue? What's going to happen next?

Let's find out shall we? Thanks for the reviews, enjoy this chapter.

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~ Say I Love You ~

~ Twelfth Love ~

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"How many people have seen her?" Natsu asked.

He was currently lying in bed with the love of his life, his arms wrapped securely around her waist. Little Natsume had fallen asleep in her Father's arms and was now resting peacefully back in her own little crib so her parents could cuddle and catch up on nine months of lost time. Funny thing was though that the two of them seemed to have forgotten all about it, that the nine months had never happened and that they were just picking up where they left off with a new edition to their love.

"Dr. Hiluluk who delivered the baby, Mirajane and Erza who helped him, Gray who went out to bring you here and yourself." Lucy answered.

Natsu hummed lightly, then sighed burrowing his face in the crook of Lucy's neck.

"What are we going to tell everyone?" He whispered in her ear.

"That she's Dan's."

Simple.

"No one's going to believe it."

"No one has to, the only person that matters is Dan and he'll believe."

Natsu growled lightly, "but I don't want Dan to claim my daughter, I don't want him to claim my lover either," he argued.

Too late for that, Lucy thought and sighed to herself.

"There's nothing else we can do though."

Natsu pouted and started running his fingers through Lucy's hair.

"We can try again, run away I mean. We can do it this time," he told her.

Lucy sighed, "she's just a baby Natsu. We can't take her out of this home for months, it's different. We have a family now, it's not the same as just the two of us running off."

Natsu's eyebrows scrunched together as he thought.

"What do we do then? I won't give you up a second time, I won't let Dan touch or harm you again or let him claim my baby. I can't do that Luce!"

"But there's nothing else you can do. I'm not saying we can't try and leave again but this time we have to cover our tracks. We really need to plan things out Natsu and wait until Natsume's old enough to be safe outside. There can't be the simplest mistake in our plan... we need help." Lucy explained.

Natsu nodded against her neck.

"Get some rest, we'll talk about it more later." Natsu told her.

Now that he mentioned it, Lucy remembered how exhausted she really was and yawned. Slowly she nodded at him as she closed her eyes, cuddling closer to her true love's chest and drifted off to sleep.


"Have you seen Lucy's new baby?"

"No, no one has seen her except her personal servants!"

"Aw, I want to see it! Gray says the baby's so cute! The spitting image of Lucy!"

"Really?! Why won't she let us see her?!"

"LADIES! GET BACK TO WORK!"

The gossiping maids all flinched before scurrying off to their duties. Lisanna stopped dusting off a vase and sighed out. Girls, she thought stepping down from her stool. All this fuss about Milady's new baby, it's not like they've never seen a baby before. Then again, Lisanna herself felt like she wanted to see Lucy's baby.

They were friends, weren't they? She was one of her personal servants, wasn't she? I mean Mira and Gray got to see it, even Natsu! Am I not in that group? Lisanna thought to herself.

"I heard she named her baby girl Natsume, fits doesn't it?"

Lisanna's eyes widened. Natsume Straight... Lisanna hugged herself tight as she spun around. SO CUTE! She thought rubbing her cheeks. Now if Lisanna could only see the face that belonged to baby Natsume.

"Lisanna, we have dusting duty in Heartfilia's study." Juvia said coming from down the halls.

"Right, I'm coming." Lisanna said picking up her feather duster again.


2 Week Later.

"Master Dan, welcome home." Warren said.

Dan took off his bowler hat and shook his crimson locks side to side to get his natural spikes back. He took of his coat next and tossed it towards the servant, dropping his luggage on the ground.

"Take these to my rooms." Dan said walking off.

"Wait Master Dan!" Warren called.

Dan paused and took back around, "what is it?"

"Your wife has had her baby sir, she's in her room right now I believe." Warren said.

Dan's eyes widened.

"But- but, it's only been 7 months!" He yelled.

Warren only shrugged, not knowing the answer himself.

"Is she alive? Is the baby?" Dan asked running up to Warren.

He clenched on his arms and started shaking him back and forth.

"No one has seen the two of them other than the doctor and only a few servants! From what I heard though they're both healthy and very much alive!" Warren yelled.

What was Dan doing here? His wife and baby were just in the next room! Dan took off running, dashing up the stairs and down the halls towards his wife's bedroom. Without a second thought he opened the door to her room and rushed inside looking for them.

"Lucy! I heard you had the baby!" Dan yelled looking around.

A loud cry broke the silence in the room. Lucy sighed and started rocking her baby back and forth again, just when Natsume was about to fall asleep too.

"Is that him?" Dan asked walking over to his wife.

Lucy looked up at her fake husband. She was prepared for this, she had two weeks to prepare for this. She wasn't about to screw things up, Lucy knew this. She had prepared herself and knew what to do at this moment.

"Her not him, it's a girl Dan and her name is Natsume." Lucy said looking down at the child.

"Natsume? Such a strange name." Dan said standing over them

Lucy hugged Natsume closer to herself as if to protect her from him, she glared at Dan for insulting her baby.

"Couldn't you have kept her nameless until I arr- what's this about a girl?" Dan asked.

"Just what I said, she's a girl. Little Natsume." Lucy sighed blissfully rocking her baby again.

"A girl! That's preposterous! Our child has to be a male, who else will become my heir?!" Dan yelled.

"Dan! Quiet! I'm trying to put Natsume to sleep."

Dan sighed and took a seat down on Lucy's bed.

"All these months and only to receive a girl... oh well. I guess we have to try again until we get it right!" Dan smiled jumping back up.

Lucy could not stop the horror from coming onto her face. Dan didn't see this expression on her since he started to make his way to the door, he just kept his bright smiling imagining the next time they'd be together.

"I'm going to freshen up a little, I'll see you later tonight my wife." Dan said making his exit.

Once the door closed Lucy walked over to her bed, step by step, and just let her butt fall lightly on it. Natsu came out from the bathroom then, a towel wrapped around his neck, and rushed towards her side.

"Don't worry Lucy, we have this. We'll think of something, he won't touch you again." Natsu tried to soothe her.

Lucy just took deep breathes, in and out, in and out, as she tried to calm down. Natsu didn't know if the words he was saying reached her or not, but he continued to say them as if they did.

"It's alright, I won't let him touch, I'll protect you, I'll protect you." Natsu repeated.

Lucy had a hard time believing though.


"Master Dan." Dr. Hiluluk said knocking on his door.

"Just a second," Dan called out before quickly putting on a shirt to cover himself. With his shirt on he walked over to the door and opened it wide.

"Good evening Dr. Hiluluk."

"Good evening. First off I'd like to say welcome home Master Dan, sorry to disturb you at such a late time. I just went to check in with your newborn baby and wife, congratulations by the way." Dr. Hiluluk said.

Dan chuckled lightly to himself as he leaned against his doorway.

"Thanks, I had my hearts set out on a boy though. Strange, in the Straight family the first born were always males." Dan said.

"She's mentioned that, nonetheless you should be happy they both survived."

"I am, thrilled in fact."

"She also mentioned something else and asked me if it would be safe for her for you two to try and have another baby."

This caught Dan's attention, his eyes widened as he stared at the family doctor.

"And? Spit it out!"

"I would highly advice from that Master Dan. This birth was a close call, an extremely close call. Mistress Lucy was lucky to even survive th-"

"So what you're saying is that another baby would be out of the question?" Dan asked, a little irritated.

"No Master Dan, but trying to have a baby so soon is. Give her a while to rest, she hasn't been able to leave her room for two week because of her exhaustion. If you tried again right this moment, I guarantee your wife and baby would die." Dr. Hiluluk said.

Dan sighed. It would be bad if his wife died, he was actually quite found of her and would hate to try and find another one and remarry. If only their first child could have been a boy.

"How long are you talking about here?" Dan asked.

"Three months, two at least. I mean th-"

"Enough. I hear you loud and clear doctor and I'm privilege to be in a family that has a good enough doctor to care about them like this." Dan said.

"The Heartfilia family has been very kindly to me, I was there when Mistress Lucy was first born. I feel a need to take care of her since her Mother is no longer here, thank you for the compliment though. I'll take me leave now, welcome home again Master Dan." Dr. Hiluluk said before taking his leave.

Dan closed the door and reached for the towel he left on his chair. He rubbed the towel over his hair and lied down on his bed.

"It's good to be back."


"Have you heard? Mistress Lucy hasn't left her room since her baby was born."

"Really? Why not?"

"I heard it's from exhaustion."

"I heard something went wrong with the delivery and she isn't able to walk."

"She isn't eating either, she doesn't leave her baby's side."

"What's wrong with her? Is she alright?"

"Dr. Hiluluk said she was, I'm not sure though."

"What is Master Dan doing about this?"

"Nothing. He's been resting in his own room, I heard he hasn't even held his baby once!"

"Same with our Master Heartfilia! He hasn't seen the baby even once!"

"We should try and cheer our Mistress up!"

"I agree!"

"Alright ladies, break time over. Let's get dinner started." Mirajane said clapping her hands.

As the crowd dispersed Mirajane noticed that only one maid had stayed where she was. This maid walked over to Mirajane and looked up at her.

"Um, Mirajane? Is it true about Milady?" Wendy asked innocently.

Mirajane smiled lightly at their newest employee and patted her head lightly. Such a young age she thought but remembered the times when Natsu and Gray and her little sister had arrived here. They were no older than the girl standing in front of here.

"She'll been fine, Milady is stronger than you think." Mirajane said.

"Do you think I could bring her something later today? To eat?" Wendy asked.

"Don't worry Wendy, I always bring Milady food but I'm sure she'll appreciate the thought. Now go on with work before you'll scolded." Mirajane lectured.

"Yes Mirajane."


"Mistress Lucy, dinner's here." Mirajane said coming into the room carrying a tray.

Lucy looked up from the crib and smiled gently at Mirajane. Natsume started fussing around mad that her Mother's attention was no longer on her.

"Already?" She asked.

"You've given your servants quite a fright Milady, some of them are worried since you haven't left your room once." Mirajane said setting the food down at the table.

"They wouldn't blame me if they saw Natsume, she's just perfect Mirajane."

"They also wonder why hasn't anyone else seen the baby."

Lucy pouted, "if they did, they'd kidnap her. I won't let anyone touch my precious Natsume, no one. Expect for the Father, and of course you, and Erza, maybe Cana if sober."

While Lucy continued to list all the servants that could 'touch' her precious Natsume, Mirajane continued to set the table. Once everything was all ready she shook a baby bottle and started walking towards Lucy.

"It's feeding time." Mirajane said reaching for little Natsume.

Lucy grabbed her hands though and stopped them. Mirajane started questionable at her and after a short pause Lucy said, "I'll do it."

"But your dinn-"

"Will still be there. Give me the bottle Mira."

Mirajane didn't push and obeyed her Mistress's command. Lucy smiled warmly at her baby and poked her cheek. Slowly Natsume's eyes opened and she started giggling at her Mother glad to have her attention again.

"She has Natsu's smile." Mirajane noted.

"She really does." Lucy sighed dreamily.

Reaching down to pick up her baby, she cradled her in one hand and walked over to sit in the velvet chair. Lucy leaned back and held the bottle to Natsume's lips, gazing down at her as she drank. Mirajane took up the seat next to her and watch how happy her Mistress seemed to be at the moment. A Mother feeding her child, Mirajane could hardly believe her young little Mistress was a Mother now. She was years older than her and hasn't had a child, hasn't even been in love yet, but here Lucy was. In love and with child. Mirajane didn't feel jealous or envy for the girl, she felt happy. Though this might have not been the life Lucy wanted, she still was able to make the best of it. What a strong Mistress I have, seems like only yesterday that you were crying in my arms asking me to reach the cookie jar in the kitchen for you Mirajane thought and giggled lightly to herself.

There was a knock at the door that interrupted the scene between them. Natsu opened it and poked his head in, entering before closing the door behind him.

"I'm on break, how is she?" Natsu asked walking up to his baby girl.

"Thank goodness you're here, maybe you can talk some since into Lucy and feed Natsume so she can eat." Mirajane scolded walking up to him.

Natsu stared at Lucy and pouted. He hummed in disapproval and shook his head.

"Lucy," he said in a warning tone.

"She's just so cute Natsu! If Mirajane fed her she'd fall in love and then steal our precious Natsume." Lucy explained.

"She's convinced everyone wants to steal her." Mirajane whispered to the Father.

"What about me? Can I feed our precious Natsume while you eat? You know I wouldn't steal her from us since she is ours." Natsu asked.

"Isn't it your break though? You should eat Natsu."

"I'll starve, give me our baby."

Lucy knew better than to argue with Natsu about such a small thing, she stood and moved away from the seat so Natsu could sit down. Slowly and gently, she placed Natsume into Natsu's waiting arms then walked to another seat to eat.

"Today's lunch was chicken salad with ranch dressing, changed yours to Caesars since I was thinking you might not be up for something spicy today. As for tea today's blend is-" Mirajane explained.

Lucy ignored her though and just shoved the food in her mouth as she watched Natsu gaze down at Natsume.

"Hello Natsume, did you miss Papa? Well Papa loves you very much, yes he does. Papa won't let anything happen to you or Momma ever, he'll love you both forever." Natsu said in a baby voice.

Natsume just stared up at her Papa with those eyes Natsu loved so much and smiled.

"Has she talked yet?" Natsu asked.

"Seeing as how she's only a few weeks old and not a super baby, no. No, she hasn't." Lucy said taking a sip of tea.

Natsu looked up at his lover and pouted, "you didn't need to say it like that."

Lucy giggled as she took another bite from her salad.

"So have you guys decided what your next step is? I mean on the slim chance that Dan actually believes Natsume's his, what about everyone else? They're not stupid, people are going to realize something strange is going on." Mirajane said sitting down next to her Mistress.

"I'm leaving that small detail to you, Erza, and Gray. Good luck." Lucy said.

Mirajane gasped, "what do you mean?"

"I mean it's your problem, you three are going to handle the servants, with Natsu's help of course, while I handle Dan. Finished! Give me back Natsume Natsu." Lucy said holding out her hands.

She most certainly was not finished with more than half her plate still full, but the unbearable need to hold her daughter in her arms became too much. While Mirajane sat there, shocked beyond words, Natsu held Natsume closer to him.

"You get see and hold her whenever you want, stop being so selfish with our daughter."

"Fine, give her to Mirajane then." Lucy whined.

"Why?"

"So I can hold you." Lucy said, with a tint of blush on her cheeks.

Natsu smiled and kissed both his daughter's cheeks before passing her along to Mirajane, who woke up from her shock and was rather eager to hold her baby. Natsu chuckled at the speed Lucy flew into his arms once their baby was safely secured in someone else's arms. He kissed the top of her head before she lifted up her face to kiss him directly. It was strange for the both of them, no many how many times they've done it the feelings they held for each other never diminished, not even a little. In fact, it became stronger, greater even. With one kiss they could feel the unspoken feelings between one another, the unspoken words, the undying love.

Lucy smiled into the kiss as she placed her hands on Natsu's cheeks, slowly rubbing them as their kissed deepened. Natsu chuckled and kissed her back just as passionately... until he realized that they were heatedly making out in front of their little daughter. He paused and changed the kiss to a children appropriate peck on the lips before pulling away. They needed to be aware from staring eyes if she wanted him to kiss her like that again.

"How does a picnic in the gardens sound Lucy?" Natsu asked nuzzling her cheek.

"Sounds... quiet, but nice. Mirajane, call Erza in and the two of you give Natsume a bath before putting her to bed." Lucy ordered picking herself up from Natsu's arm.

Natsu took an inhale of breathe, "bath?"

"Yes, Dr. Hiluluk said it was healthy to give her a bath every day."

"... so Lucy, about that picnic-" Natsu started.

"Would you like to give Natsume a bath Natsu?"

"Yes, I would like to give our angel a bath."

"Scratch that order Mirajane, could you help Natsu give Natsume a bath?" Lucy asked.

"I shall draw it right now, excuse me." Mirajane said giving Lucy baby Natsume.

"Hey! I was holding her!" Natsu complained.

"Your turn to eat, hello Natsume! Daddy's about to give you a bath, are you excited?" Lucy cooed her baby.

Natsume blinked towards the world then started giggling at the brown eyes that were staring at her.

"She has the voice of an angel." Lucy sighed falling in love with her baby.

"That she does, she gets it from me."

Lucy started giggling as she turned around, Natsu was stuffing his face full of lettuce and croutons.

"Excuse me?" Lucy asked.

"What? It's true, I mean have you heard yourself Lucy? When you scream, that's no angel." Natsu said licking his fingers.

"NATSU!"

"See, what I tell you?"

"That's it, come on Natsume. Mommy will give you a bath all by herself." Lucy said walking away.

"Lucy!? Aw come on Lucy, you know I was kidding! Lucy!" Natsu said trailing into the bathroom right after her.