Chapter 12: Mothers Know Best

Summary: Cana reveals some surprising news to the guild.

Side note: I am so freaking sorry for the late update! This weekend was a…experience, but nothing that I can't handle. I've tried to write but couldn't find the time to. Thanks for hanging in there guys. But, it's almost 2 AM so this isn't going to be very long. I'll give you a much longer one tomorrow (or today). I promise!

Also, Cana is my favorite. I don't know why I haven't really written her into my other stories. Oh well.

Fairy Tail is not mine!

It was the usual Friday night at the guild and everyone was at their most energetic point of the day. Meaning, it was as loud as ever. Gray and Natsu were fighting as usual, knocking into others and causing them to join into the tussle without a second thought. The others who decided to steer clear of the ruffians were gathered at the other side of the guild. The only thing that seemed to be missing was the usual drunkard in her barstool. Mirajane looked towards the spot that the brunette usually occupied and began to worry. Cana never came in late to the guild. She was usually one of the first people here, ordering a couple barrels to chug down or challenging Macao to a drinking contest. But, lately, Mira has noticed, Cana has been acting different.

Mirajane glanced up when the front doors of the guild began to open and smiled in relief once she saw Cana walk through them. Her smiled faded, looking Cana up and down. She wasn't in her usual bikini top and capris. Instead, she was dressed in a modest, green shirt and black skirt with leopard print tights hiding her legs. Her flowing, waving hair was pulled up into a messy ponytail. Her eyes remained on the ground as she walked up to the bar and Mira noticed dark circles underneath them.

Cana sat in her usual spot and leaned her head against her hand as she stared out into space thoughtfully.

Mirajane approached her warily, trying to keep the friendly smile on her face.

"Good evening, Cana. How has your day been? We were starting to get worried when you didn't show up earlier."

Cana didn't even glance up. "Sorry. I've been busy."

Mira wanted to, but she didn't pry. Instead she set up a couple of shot glasses and began pouring whiskey into them, simply out of habit.

Cana saw what she was doing and rushed to stop her. "T-that won't be necessary, Mira."

Mirajane stopped what she was doing and looked at Cana curiously. "No? Would you like vodka shots instead?"

Cana's eyes flashed with desire then filled with regret. "No, Mira. I don't need any alcohol."

In the blink of an eye, Mira had her hands pressed against Cana's cheek, causing her face to smoosh up awkwardly.

"What's wrong, Cana?!" Mira asked worriedly. "Are you sick?! ARE YOU DYING?! CANA, YOU CAN'T DIE!"

At this point, a few guild members were beginning to take notice, also concerned that Cana didn't have a barrel of beer resting in her lap like always.

Cana pushed Mira off. "No, I'm not dying! Quit freaking out!"

Mira blinked. "Oh. Then, what's wrong? You never turn down a drink."

"Maybe I should've, then I wouldn't be in this mess." Cana mumbled. She groaned and let her head fall onto the counter with a thud.

Mira might act a little ignorant at times, but she was no dummy. She knew the signs since she had been through them times two. Even Natsu could probably figure it out just by watching Cana's actions.

"Cana," Mira said gently to the troubled girl. "I think I know what's wrong."

Cana picked her head up. "You do? How did you-"

"Cana, you would never refuse a beer unless you absolutely had to. Plus, I can see the worry and fear in your eyes. I know that look because I had the same one when I first learned that I was pregnant."

Cana winced at the word. "Don't say that! I'm not completely sure yet, but it seems like a strong possibility."

Mira felt sympathetic toward her friend. "May I ask who the father is?"

Cana sighed. "That damn man from the Wild Four gang. We drank too much and one thing led to another. Four weeks later, there was a little pink plus on a stick that I pissed on. Damn that Bacchus and his drinking contests."

"Have you told him yet?"

Cana shook her head.

"Cana, you have to tell him even if you're not sure yet. He deserves the right to know."

Cana growled and crossed her arms across her chest. "I know, Mira! But, how do you think he'd react? He's a damn drunk just like me. He'd probably tell me to screw off before I permanently ruin his life."

Mira frowned. "You don't know that. Sure, after we first met Bacchus he wasn't very…gentlemanly."

Cana scoffed. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one. That perv stole my bra!"

"But, he gave it back." Mira reassured her. "Besides, he seemed more likeable after the games. I thought you liked him."

"Yeah, he was fun to drink with." Cana rolled her eyes. "Have you forgotten how he tried to make a deal with Elfman and get him to hand you and Lisanna over to him for a night?"

Mira sweatdropped. "I…I'm sure he was just joking around."

Cana raised an incredulous eyebrow. "Face it, Mira. He's not exactly parent material. I'm better off just keeping this to myself for now."

Mira sighed, knowing that there was no reasoning with Cana once she has made up her mind.

"Are you thinking about keeping it?"

Cana paused, her eyes darkening. "I don't know.

Unfortunately for her, their conversation was not without and audience and within a few seconds, the entire guild was talking about it.

Cana decided that it was time to go home and be alone with her thoughts.

Lucy stopped her before she could reach the door. "Cana, I heard the news. Congratulations!"

Cana reeled back in surprise. "H-how did you know?"

"What do you mean? The whole guild knows. I thought that you wanted us to know."

"Not yet!" Cana exclaimed. "Oh no, this is all wrong."

Cana looked from side to side, noticing the stares and whispers concerning her. Cana was never one to care what people thought of her, but she had never been in this sort of situation. Lucy watched as Cana wrung her hands with uncharacteristic timidity. Obviously, Cana was not involved with the revealing of her pregnancy to the while guild.

"Cana-"

Cana pushed past Lucy and was out the door in a flash.

The whispers became full on conversations once Cana was out of sight.

"Cana is knocked up?"

"Who would've thought?"

"I can't say I'm surprised."

"Maybe she'll be a good mother."

"That drunk? Yeah, right."

"Just wait until Gildarts finds out."

Lucy shook her head, upset to find out that some of the guild members weren't as supportive as others. She exited the building and began heading to Cana's apartment.

"THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF ALL OF YOU!" Master Makarov yelled from where he was standing on the banister upstairs, effectively silencing all chatter in the building. "I'm disappointed in you all. One of your nakama needs support and instead you babble and gossip like old women! This is not what Fairy Tail is about."

Those who were involved in the whispering hung their heads in shame.

"I know what we can do to make it up to her!" Mira cheered from behind the bar.

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After finding that Cana had not fled to her own apartment, Lucy covered the streets of Magnolia in search for her, but came up with nothing. As a last resort, she went to her own apartment where Cana had broken in a couple times. The building has been vacant for a few years since the landlady died, but Lucy passed by it sometimes just for nostalgia.

Sure enough, Cana was there, backed up in the corner of Lucy's old bedroom. Lucy had never seen her so downcast. Not even when Cana was telling the tale about Gildarts being her father in the same room what seemed like so many years ago.

"Cana." Lucy approached her hesitantly. "Please, talk to me."

Cana looked up, tears streaming down her face. "What am I going to do, Lucy? I'm so lost. Help me."

Lucy sat down next to her friend and brought her into a comforting hug. "I know how you feel, Cana. It's one of the most terrifying things you could ever go through. I could tell you that it's going to get better, but I've never been a good liar."

Cana glared. "I thought you were supposed to be making me feel better."

"Why do you want me to tell you, Cana? Being responsible for another person's life is scary. Especially if that person is so tiny and fragile. And, as they grow up, the fear just grows. There's so many things that can hurt them and they look up to you to protect them from those things. But, the moment you look into their eyes and hold onto their little hands, all of that seems so worthwhile. Just imagine seeing their first smile, hearing them giggle, hearing them call you 'mama' for the first time, running your fingers through their hair and holding their warm bodies in your arms. It's one of the most magical feelings in the world."

Lucy stared dreamily out of the window, thinking back to when Ash and Luna were first born.

Cana shifted to face Lucy. "Do you mean all of those things?"

Lucy smiled and nodded.

Cana rubbed her arms. "Do…do you think I could be a good mother?"

"A good mother? Cana, you'll be an awesome mother! Who could ever ask for a cooler parent?"

Cana laughed. "I am pretty cool, huh? What was I so worried about? If I can hold my alcohol, I can hold a kid."

Lucy sweatdropped. "Uh, sure. I guess."

Cana pulled Lucy into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Lucy."

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The next day, Cana was no longer fearful over what the others would say. She simply didn't care anymore. Yeah, she was knocked up by a guy who drank more than all of the citizens on Magnolia combined. So what? It was no ones business but her own.

She opened the entrance door and confidently strolled in.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone in the guild called out, glitter, streamers and ribbons falling from the air along with a banner that read, 'Congratulations, Cana!'

Mirajane walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. "Everyone was so sorry about how unsupportive they were towards you yesterday. We all threw you a big party to make you feel better. What do you think?"

Cana looked around the guild, taking in the sincere smiles and happy vibes everyone was sending her. She chuckled. "You didn't have to do that, you bunch of saps. Besides, how are you going to throw me a party and expect me not to drink?"

"Cana, no."