Eleven months later…
A lot had happened over the course of almost a year. Natsu had proposed to Lucy and they had gotten married within a month of the big question. Almost two months later, Lucy was revealed pregnant, and was expecting her second child. A baby boy, who she and Natsu had decided to name Igor.
Levy and Gajeel gave birth to two beautiful girls a few months prior to current day. The twins were fraternal; one looked exactly like Levy, and one looked exactly like Gajeel. The parents had decided to name the Levy-lookalike Gale, and the Gajeel-lookalike Jevy.
Gale and Jevy, though only two-months-old, were complete opposites. While Gale was sweet and did what she was told, Jevy had turned out to be a troublemaker. Gale was already reaching for picture books, while Jevy showed no interest towards anything. Even so, both Levy and Gajeel were very proud of their daughters.
And now, it was Lucy Dragneel's due date.
"You idiotic, stupid, moron Natsu Dragneel!" Lucy screamed, attempting to throw a glass vase at her husband from across the room. Natsu winced, dodging the incoming object and giving his wife a pleading look.
"Luce, please, at least let me live!" he whined, holding up his hands in defense. "What did I ever do to you?!"
"Everything!" Lucy screeched, reaching for a giant dictionary on the couch. "You did everything, you stupid baka!"
"Mom, please stop," Nashi Dragneel said, waltzing into the room and grabbing a cookie. "You'll hurt Igor if you move around too much."
"Oh shut up and act your age, Nashi!" Lucy said, crossing her arms and pouting stubbornly. "It's all your father's fault for putting this baby inside me! I don't deserve to be scolded!"
"Actually, baby-making is a two people-"
"Natsu, I highly advise you to shut the hell up right now," Lucy said in a murderous tone, cutting off whatever Natsu was about to say. "You're in the presence of a ten-year-old. Be more careful."
"I'll be eleven next month!" Nashi exclaimed, picking up another cookie and popping it into her mouth. "I'm still more mature than Dad is."
"Honey, go upstairs," Natsu said, rubbing his forehead as he tried to reason with himself. It would be fine. Lucy would go into labor today, and this nightmare would be over. "Jeez, if this is how you are with your second child, I have no idea how it was when you were having Nashi."
"Nashi was different," Lucy said. "She didn't kick me every five seconds like this little boy does. He's going to be exactly like you, Natsu."
"Aww yes!" Natsu cheered, pumping his fist into the air. "I'm so hyped!"
Nashi quickly backed away out of the door, not wanting to hear her mother's next scream of annoyance directed at her father.
"How's it going in there?" Tagg questioned as she entered her bedroom on the second floor of their house. Nashi sighed, sitting on her bed and turning to face everyone in the room. Storm was busy looking through a book on water molecules Nashi was using for a science project, and Sylvia was typing something on her computer. Jay and Lester were also sitting on chairs, talking to each other about something.
"Mom's gone completely insane," was Nashi's only reply. Sylvia looked up from the screen, puckering her lips and then directing her gaze towards her older brother.
"Nii-chan, what was Mother like when Sylvia was born?" she asked. Storm snorted, flipping his book closed and rolling his eyes with disinterest. He stared at his little sister and tried to hold back his laughs.
"She wouldn't stop crying," he said. "Literally! All she did was cry."
"Everyone's pregnancy is different," Lester shrugged. "I wouldn't know, since I'm an only child."
"Do you ever wish you had a sibling?" Nashi questioned with interest.
Lester shrugged. "I guess, sometimes. The house gets a little lonely whenever Mom and Dad are both at work."
"I can imagine," Jay said. "Meanwhile, my house is always crowded with four boys. I don't know how my mom lives."
"She is Erza Scarlet for a reason," Nashi laughed.
"Did you find anything out?" Tagg asked, looking at the pink-haired girl. Nashi sighed, shaking her head.
"Nothing so far," she said. "Mom and Dad refuse to tell me anything, but I know it's bad."
"What's going on?" Lester asked. "I don't know what you guys are talking about."
"You know how Fairy Tail's renovations finished a few weeks ago?" Nashi asked. The others nodded. "Yeah, well Dad already had the application sent out for opening more restaurants across the world, but I don't think it went very well."
Tagg nodded. "Apparently, Natsu-san's restaurant had an inspection and a financial run-through, but Fairy Tail got a low score."
"Dad thinks it's because the renovations got cut off too early," Nashi said. "I'm not sure what's really going on, though."
"I wish I could help," Lester said, biting his inner lower lip. "But unfortunately, my family doesn't have many sturdy ties with the restaurant industry."
"It's fine," Nashi reassured.
"It'll be okay," Storm piped up, making Nashi look at him with wide eyes. "Seriously, when has Natsu not gotten his way?"
"He's Natsu Dragneel!" Sylvia joined in. "He will be fine, Nashi-chan. Don't worry."
"I sure hope so," Nashi said.
"Relax," Jay said. "I'm sure if anything wrong is happening, you'll be the first to know, right?"
"I guess, but Mom's been so caught up with the baby and everything, I don't really know if what she knows the absolute truth," Nashi explained. "I mean, I don't think Dad would put more stress on her shoulders because of the restaurant."
"Fairy Tail is amazing," Tagg said, patting Nashi's shoulders. "If any restaurant can beat it, I haven't ever come across it."
"Thanks, Tagg," Nashi said gratefully.
Storm scoffed. "Well, duh, of course your dad's place is the best," he said as if it were obvious as day. "Everyone knows that, you dummy. We've been hanging around there since we were really little!"
Nashi secretly hid a smile, but on the outside, her gaze narrowed. "I am not a dummy!"
Storm sarcastically laughed at that.
"Anyway," Jay cut in. "I think we should keep an eye on them."
"Yes, Sylvia agrees with Jay-kun," Sylvia instantly replied, a tint of red coating her cheeks.
"I'm so excited for the baby!" Tagg suddenly said, clapping his hands together. "Igor's gonna be so awesome!"
"I am too!" Nashi said, turning to Tagg with a delighted grin. "I've always wanted a little brother, so this is so cool!"
"What do you think he'll look like?" Tagg asked.
"He should have pink hair, like me!"
"No way! We already have enough pink-heads in the crew," Storm piped up, inviting himself into the conversation. "We don't need another one! Especially a boy!"
"Don't be sexist!" Tagg and Nashi said at the same time, glaring at Storm together.
"Yeah! My dad has pink hair, and I happen to think he looks really cool!" Nashi said, crossing her arms and popping out her lower lip. She closed her eyes, thinking about how life would be from now on. Now that she would be getting a little brother, her entire lifestyle would change drastically. "I don't even know what I'm going to do now."
Everyone looked up.
"What does Nashi-chan mean?" Sylvia asked, concern dripping in her voice. Nashi sighed, changing her position so that she was lying on her stomach with her head in her hands.
"I've heard terrible stories from the girls at school about how after they got their little sibling, their parents completely ignored them! It was like they were replaced."
"Oh…" Tagg said, fumbling around with his fingers.
"That's horrible," Jay whispered. "It happened a little bit… but I got used to it after Eugene was born."
"Stop that. It isn't gonna happen."
Nashi turned her head around to see the owner of the last voice. Her eyes met squarely with Storm's.
"What?" she asked softly.
"When Sylvia was born, nothing like that happened," Storm started again, putting on an apathetic smile. "It isn't like I cared or anything if it did happen, Mom was getting really annoying with all the crying."
"Nii-chan, don't be rude," Sylvia whispered.
"It's true though," Storm said with a shrug. "Sylv, you don't even know how bad it got."
"That's true, but at least I don't make fun of my own mother about it!" Sylvia said, crossing her arms.
Even though she usually spoke in third-person, she sometimes switched over to prove her point. She mostly used her first-person speech to talk to her brother, though. Nashi could never understand how Storm could be so rude to his own sister.
"If something like that happens, then my visit here would be a complete waste!" Tagg said strongly. He and his father, Lyon, had come over for a few weeks for Lucy's due date. Lyon wanted to be there for when his friend gave birth to her son, and decided to bring Tagg along to pay Nashi a visit. The train ride from Acalypha to Magnolia was a long one, but Lyon himself stated that it was definitely worth the wait.
"Nah, it's cool having you around," Jay said, giving Tagg a light fist bump and directing his gaze back towards Nashi. "Relax, it'll be fine. I've been through it three times. It's really nothing major."
"You're going to be fine Nashi," Lester said with an encouraging smile. "Igor is going to be an amazing younger brother!"
"Thanks, guys," Nashi said, her spirits officially lifted. "Though I do wanna-"
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from downstairs. Everyone in the room froze, their ears attentive for any further noises.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU STUPID LITTLE… JUST GET ME TO THE DAMN HOSPITAL, NATSU!"
A light dawned on Nashi. Her eyes widened and her facial features turned into one of shock.
"I think that means Igor's coming!"
…
Nashi quietly observed her father's weird behavior. Natsu was currently pacing around the hospital corridor, his hands in his pockets and his face molded into a permanent frown. His legs were walking fast, up and down the hallway as he kept mumbling something to himself.
"Dad, are you okay?" Nashi asked, obviously concerned. "What's going on in there? Why was Mom taken into that room?"
Natsu didn't answer. He looked towards the other men in the room with a desperate expression.
"Does it usually take this long?! Why can't I be in there with her?!" he whined, proceeding to rap his hands on the door to Lucy's ward. "How much more time till they allow me inside?!"
"Shouldn't be too long now," Erza observed. "They should be almost finished with her check-up."
"The most painful part is coming," Evergreen snickered. "But don't you worry, Natsu. Lucy's going to do great."
"Urghhh," Natsu groaned, trying to calm himself down but failing greatly. "I wanna go in there."
"Be patient, Natsu," Romeo said. The younger man was currently rubbing his fiancé's shoulders, trying to comfort the poor girl who was looking scared out of her life. "It's okay, Wen… she's gonna be okay."
"You're damn right she's gonna be okay," Gajeel muttered, lightly bouncing Gale in his arms. "Bunny Girl's a strong one. If Shrimp could make it through twice in the span of ten minutes, she can definitely do it."
"Gajeel!" Levy scolded, lightly pushing her husband away. "Don't say something like that! Look at Natsu! He's suffering!"
Gajeel snorted. "Not my problem."
"Oh please, we all know how you were when Levy went into labor," Jellal said, rolling his eyes as the others started to laugh.
"Shut up!" Gajeel retorted.
Natsu was shaking by now. He had never been more scared in his life. Not when Igneel disappeared, not when he was interviewed for the opening of his restaurant, not when he reunited with Lucy, not even when he proposed to her.
"Are you alright, Natsu?" Juvia asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Lucy'll get through this. You'll be allowed in any minute now," Gray said, putting his hands in his pocket.
Just then, the doors to the operation room opened. The nurse stepped out, directing her gaze at Natsu.
"We will begin the procedure now. Would you like to be there with your wife?"
Natsu quickly shot out of his seat, not bothering to answer her as he quickly ran into the room.
The others smirked.
"Well, he's definitely found himself," Laxus grinned.
"I'm so happy for the two of them!" Mira gushed. "I can't wait to meet Igor!"
"You seem more excited than Lucy and Natsu," Gray chuckled. "Though, I'm looking forward to it too."
"Aaaand their rivalry had officially come to an end!" Loke said, cupping his hands over his mouth to make his voice louder.
Lyon then walked into view, looking between everyone and holding out the food he had gotten from the hospital's cafeteria.
"Cinnamon roll, anyone?" he offered.
…
Natsu cradled the baby in his arms, making silly faces and coping at his brand new son's adorable features. He looked back towards the sleeping figure of his wife, smiling as he observed the way she peacefully laid on the bed.
He turned back to the boy in his hold. He looked exactly like him, it was almost too perfect. The only thing he had gotten from his mother was his hair color, and his eyes. He had the most beautiful brown orbs that glistened in the light of the hospital room.
Lucy stirred, making Natsu look back at her. She opened her eyes, grinning tiredly once she saw her son in the hands of her husband. Natsu leaned down, prompting her to see the face of her son for the very first time.
"You did awesome, Luce!" he said in a voice just above a whisper. Lucy held out her arms, wanting to hold the blonde boy. Natsu complied, gently releasing the baby into her hold.
Lucy smiled softly, rocking her baby in her arms. Tears began forming around the crusts of her eyes. She sniffled a bit, before looking up at Natsu.
"He looks just like you," she said quietly, moving a strand of his blonde hair out of his face. "My eyes, though…"
"It's just like how Nashi looks like you, but has my hair color. Now Igor looks like me, but has your hair."
"Remember what I told you," Lucy warned. "If you ever even think of dropping my baby, you won't see tomorrow, Mister Dragneel."
"Alright, Misses Dragneel," Natsu said with a teasing smirk, leaning over the bed to see his son in his wife's arms.
"I want Nashi to be in here," Lucy murmured. "Can you bring her? Please?"
Natsu nodded once, going over to the doorway and opening it, meeting the gaze of all of his friends. His eyes sought his daughter, watching as she looked at him curiously.
"Is Igor here?" she questioned. Natsu walked up to her, taking her hand in his and walking back inside the ward room. Nashi followed her father, not saying a word as her mother came into view.
Nashi slowly approached her, her eyes widening as she saw the small baby in her mom's arms.
"Nashi, meet your new little brother," Lucy introduced, holding out Igor. "Do you want to hold him?"
"Yes," Nashi breathed out, gently taking the baby into her arms and being supported by her father. "He's so cute!"
Natsu and Lucy both laughed.
"He is, isn't he," Lucy grinned. "He's gonna be a good little boy when he's older." She glanced at Natsu. "Then again, probably not."
"Oi!"
Nashi stared back down at the little boy. Natsu came up behind her, placing his hands on hers and looking down at her.
"Dad?" she asked, looking up.
"Yeah?"
"Igor's gonna grow up with his mommy and daddy, right?"
Natsu's eyes widened. He looked over at Lucy, whose mouth was open in surprise.
"What do you mean, Nashi?" Lucy asked.
"I mean, I didn't grow up with both my mommy and daddy, I was just wondering if it would be the same for Igor," Nashi said innocently.
Natsu gulped, stepping forwards so he was directly behind the young girl. He then reached out and clasped her so they were in a back-hug.
"I'm sorry…" he mumbled into her neck, hearing Nashi's audible gasp. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you were a baby too."
Lucy bit her lip. "Nashi, Daddy is going to be there for Igor, but that does not mean that he does not love you any less," she said, smiling down at her daughter. "Your father already feels really bad that he wasn't there when you were born, but he doesn't want you to feel any kind of jealousy towards your younger brother, okay?"
"Jealousy?" Nashi asked.
"Yeah, don't be jealous of your brother just because he grew up with a father and you didn't," Lucy clarified, balling her hands into fists. "You should never feel bad for something you can't help."
"You should never feel bad for something you can't help," Nashi repeated under her breath, making a mental note to never forget those words. "I won't, Mom."
"Good girl," Lucy said with a smile, nodding towards Natsu. Natsu let go of his hold on Nashi, and went over to Lucy. The two held out their hands towards Nashi, inviting her in for a warm family hug. Nashi smiled, happily carrying Igor into the embrace and letting herself sink into her parent's warmth.
"I love you, Mommy. I love you, Daddy," Nashi whispered, momentarily letting herself call them by her childhood nickname for them.
"We love you too, Nash," Natsu whispered. "We always will."
Aaand that's a wrap!
Now, before I get into this author's note, I'd first like to thank each and every one of you for sticking with me for so long! Honestly, I never expected so many people to like my story, and now that it's come to an end, I'm both sad and excited for my upcoming projects!
Speaking of which… I'll now proceed to reveal the highly anticipated plotline for the sequel!
It will be called 'World Class'.
It's eight years later, and Fairy Tail is in trouble. Natsu has gone into bankruptcy from his numerous attempts at establishing his restaurant as a worldwide business, which makes life hard on him and his family. While Natsu starts breaking down, Lucy continuously works overtime to try and keep up the income.
One night, when Natsu and Lucy are discussing their troubles, eighteen-year-old Nashi overhears them, and tells her friends about her troubles. Nashi, Tagg, Storm, Sylvia, Jay, and Lester set out to America to make sure Fairy Tail doesn't close down.
I'm really really really excited to start writing the story! I think the plotline is interesting enough, and the fact that it will mostly follow the second generation is going to be challenging, but I'm definitely going to do my best!
In this chapter, I started to foreshadow events of the sequel, which I'm sure you already noticed. I also officially introduced the main crew for the sequel- Nashi, Tagg, Storm, Sylvia, Jay, and Lester.
Remember, it is still a NaLu story! Don't worry, because the main Fairy Tail cast are still going to be main characters, but there will also be a good chunk of the main plotline, which follows the children's troubles.
There's going to be a fair amount of romantic drama, of course. The Tagg x Nashi x Storm love triangle will still live on for a while, but it will come to definite conclusion soon. I've also been foreshadowing a bit of the other children's future pairings. Internet cookies for anyone who can figure them out!
I'm. So. Hyped!
THE SEQUEL WILL BE POSTED ON TUESDAY, MARCH 7TH (Tomorrow). So definitely stay on the lookout!
Thank you so much again, everyone! I love you all, and your amazing reviews that help me motivate myself to write! I'm really looking forward to seeing you guys in the sequel! Y'all are the best!
-FlaminkoMage :)