Well that was an embarrassingly long break between chapters, I hope this is worth the wait! Schedules just haven't been working for me lately.

I did go back and clean up some of the old chapters especially the ones before kccb16 started proof reading for me (thank you kccb16 for doing this one as well!) The only real changes I made were to the engagement party chapter. Parts of that didn't come across as I originally intended I think. I now have the rest of this planned for the most part. It looks like we'll have 6 or 7 more chaps.

Meredy flopped on the couch and turned on the TV. She cataloged all of her regrets. Listening to Erza and Juvia had been a mistake. Going to Juvia's house had been a mistake. Drinking over two bottles of wine had been a mistake. Attempting to seduce Lyon in such a state had been a mistake. Then worst of all, the novel length texts she sent to Rusty after being rejected had been the mistake to end all mistakes. She didn't know how she would ever recover.

Meredy had already read through her embarrassment three times and it hadn't become any less painful. They started out normal, a request to come over, saying she missed him. He asked her to come to his place instead. The trouble started when she told him she was too drunk and he had replied with 'oh well, maybe next time'. Even now her face turned red when she thought of her angry tirade on how he doesn't know how good he has it and what an asshole he was. Even worse was when it devolved into this pathetic 'why don't you love me' rambling. He never said anything else. Knowing him he probably hadn't read a word of it, as soon as he said 'maybe next time' he probably put away the phone and returned to his Saturday night. If he had read it, she wouldn't be surprised if he never spoke to her again.

The morning news droned on but Meredy didn't hear a word, she could only think about how royally she had fucked up last night. When she finally stopped thinking of her messages, she started picturing Lyon's disappointed face. She was really starting to enjoy her time with Mr. Fancypants and now he would probably want nothing to do with her. How could she have judged that moment so wrong? Maybe he didn't like her in the way Ultear had said. Maybe this was just some sort of big joke they were playing on her. Maybe this was Lyon's way of getting back at her for being so cold to him in the beginning. She was an idiot, he was an idiot, everyone was an idiot! Meredy screamed in rage then flipped over on her stomach and kicked at the couch.

The doorbell rang. Meredy jerked her head up and stared at the front door. Someone was here and she wasn't dressed for the day, she hadn't showered, hell she hadn't even brushed her teeth. The doorbell rang again. Meredy stood and looked down at her tattered police academy t-shirt and sweatpants. At least she was wearing a bra. She pushed her hair from her face and padded over to the door. If it was someone here to save her immortal soul, she would just tell them to fuck off. Don't those people get that noon on a Sunday is no time to bother hungover idiots like herself?

She looked through the peephole and saw Lyon's face. Immediately the strength went out of her legs. Crouched by the door, she hurriedly combed through her cavegirl mane and rambled, "Why is he here, I can't see him now. I can't do this, I can't do this."

There was a knock and Lyon called out "Meredy?" Meredy considered running and hiding in her room. She stood slowly and looked out the peephole again, just to make sure she wasn't imagining things. This time she noticed Lyon had two coffees in one hand and a bakery bag in the other. Meredy started rethinking her desire to run and hide, her stomach really wanted to know what was in the bag and that coffee looked like salvation.

She put her hand on the doorknob and slowly turned. She opened the door just wide enough to look at him with one eye. "Yeah?"

He looked absurdly relieved to see her. "Good morning Meredy! Did you forget? We planned on my coming here to help you get your car."

Meredy opened the door just a little bit farther. Of course Lyon would be able to come over here as if nothing had happened. He seemed to sense her hesitation so he held up the bag and said, "I brought breakfast."

Meredy lifted her nose, "What is it?"

"Oh for heaven's sake Meredy," Lyon scoffed. He pushed past her into the house.

Meredy chased after him. "You can't just come in!"

Lyon sighed. "If you want me to leave, fine, but let me put down this food. I can't even enjoy my coffee because my hands are full and I don't have the patience for you to discern with your nose whether or not I can come in."

"But what is it?" Meredy asked again. It smelled awfully sweet for a bagel.

Lyon took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. "Just a few doughnuts, I hope you don't mind. It was the only place along the way."

Meredy opened the bag. One of the doughnuts was covered in chocolate and sprinkles. She wanted it. "I guess I do need to go get my car. . ."

Lyon pushed the extra cup in her direction. "Just have some coffee, you'll feel better."

Meredy was already digging into the bag. In her haste she pulled out the treat along with all the napkins in the bag. They fluttered down onto the counter and the floor but Meredy ignored them and shoved nearly half of the chocolate covered doughnut in her mouth with a small sigh. It was delicious. Without realizing it, she began happily wiggling in place as she chewed.

When she looked at Lyon again he was watching her with that amused expression he always had when she made a fool of herself. Meredy raised a brow, "What?"

"That's just an interesting choice for someone who doesn't like sweets. There was a plain one in there too."

Meredy froze. "Oh I didn't notice that one."

Lyon smiled like the cat that caught the canary. "You can still have the plain one, I don't need a whole doughnut."

Meredy pulled the doughnut protectively towards her chest. There was no way she was giving up the one thing making her happy this morning. "But I've already taken a bite."

"I don't mind." Lyon took a step closer and held out a hand. Something about the way he was smiling irritated her. It was too early for teasing.

Meredy shoved the other half in her mouth. "Too late now!" She said with her mouth full.

Lyon leaned against the counter. He picked up one of the napkins and reached out to wipe some chocolate from the side of her mouth. "Why don't you just admit you like sweets? You're so stubborn. I've seen the way you eye the dessert case every time we go out to lunch."

Instead of responding, Meredy stuck her tongue out and then scowled at him over her cup of coffee.

Lyon laughed and ruffled her messy hair. "Alright, I'll give you some privacy. I'll be in the car when you're ready to go."

"You aren't going to eat the other one?" Meredy asked.

Lyon smiled. "Nope, they were all for you from the start. I already ate." Then he walked out the door.

Meredy looked at the door, then to the bag, then back at the door again. She debated throwing the other doughnut in the trash but her demanding stomach won the battle. Meredy ate it with a ferocious growl. How dare he escape when she was finally caffeinated enough to fully process his presence! She still couldn't believe he would show up at her door as if she hadn't completely embarrassed herself last night and then tease her like this. She would show him. Let him wait in the car, she needed a shower.

Lyon knew leaving the house then had been a bit cowardly but being so close to her was hard. He still didn't know how to take last night. Was Meredy just that kind of drinker or did she really have feelings for him? How cruel fate was to drop her in his lap in such a state. It was the hardest no he'd ever said.

He came with the intentions of being civil and helping her feel comfortable with him again, but even her current disheveled state couldn't take away the image of her lifting her flushed face towards his, begging for a kiss. Normally someone eating like an animal would have disgusted him, but with her cheeks full she looked like some adorable chipmunk he wanted to pinch. Then her angry pout only strengthened his desire to tease her. So much for playing it cool, he had it bad for this one. He was pretty sure this was the woman he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with but he didn't know how to take the next step.

After over half an hour of agonizing over this, Meredy finally appeared at her door. Lyon had to smile, she clearly had showered and blow dried her hair. She probably made him wait on purpose but the joke was on her because she looked lovely. It was worth the wait.

Lyon got out of the car and hurried over to open the passenger door for her. She lowered herself in with a grumble of "ever the gentleman." Lyon smiled. It wasn't meant to be a compliment but it made him believe that she might actually be disappointed that he had been a gentleman the night before.

When he returned to his seat and looked at her, her face was twisted with some kind of anxiety. "Is everything okay?" He asked with a light touch to her arm.

Meredy turned to him, "You don't have to be so nice today you know. I remember, I know I made a fool of myself. Juvia would have come pick me up if I asked."

She was so amazingly blunt. Lyon laughed slightly and looked out the front window. "Meredy it's not as if being nice to you is difficult for me. I wanted to see you today. Besides, putting off seeing you would only make the situation more awkward. Better to care for the wound before it festers." He turned to her with a smile. "If I waited too long, you might not want to see me anymore."

"This isn't weird to you?"

"No, of course not. I know you couldn't help yourself-" he took her hand and lifted it to his mouth "-I am extremely irresistible." Then with a charming smile, he kissed the back of her hand.

At first Meredy turned bright red but then her lips turned up into a disbelieving smile. "More like extremely ridiculous!" She snatched her hand away and smoothed her hair.

"Spend the day with me," slipped out of Lyon's mouth before he could stop it. He wished he could catch the words before they reached her ears but instead he stared at her with a forced smile trying to play it off as if he had planned it.

Meredy's mouth dropped and her cheeks turned pink. "Doing what?" she half whispered.

Lyon's smile widened. She was going to accept his sudden offer! Could it be that he was starting to get under Meredy's skin as much as she was under his? "I'm going to a concert over at the amphitheater."

Meredy wrinkled her nose, "I think I'm a little hungover for live music."

"It's a string quartet, should be pretty soothing actually. I usually just spread out a blanket and have a picnic. It's one of my favorite ways to end a weekend."

Meredy raised a brow and leaned slightly towards him. "You go to concerts by yourself?"

Lyon shrugged. "I enjoy the music. Why should I have to have a companion to do the things I want to do?" Or so he kept telling himself when he went through the motions of being happily single. He had started going when Sue dropped him and he found himself struggling to fill a weekend. The mantra worked sometimes, other times it just fell flat.

She laughed and looked forward, "You're such a nerd."

Lyon rolled his eyes and put the car in drive, pretending that her laughter and teasing hadn't made him extremely pleased. "Well if you aren't into that kind of music, I understand. Classical music isn't for everyone."

"I like classical music! Why does everyone assume I don't?" Meredy huffed.

Lyon pulled into the street and started driving in the direction of Juvia's house. "I guess you just give off a teen bop kind of vibe."

Meredy's mouth dropped and she made a guttural sound of disgust. "I do not!"

Lyon laughed. "Don't worry Meredy, you don't have to come with me. I'll take you to your car and be on my way."

Meredy turned her head and peered into his backseat where the picnic basket was waiting. "Well. . . do you have enough food for me?"

Lyon looked at her then turned left towards the amphitheater instead of turning right towards Juvia's. He felt giddy at the prospect of spending the day with her. It was amazing how quickly the awkwardness from last night was dissipating. She was definitely the one. "I'm starting to think you're just using me for free food," Lyon teased with a smile.

Meredy snorted, "It took you this long to figure that out?"

"Gray-sama, Gray-sama!" Juvia hissed.

Gray opened one eye and found Juvia crouched by the window using two fingers to look through the blinds. Gray closed his eye and then squeezed both shut tight. "If someone's breaking in let them take whatever they want. I'm too tired to deal with people raiding my refrigerator right now."

Juvia snorted. "Oh Gray-sama, you're so silly."

He cringed as he heard her fiddle with the blinds even more, at this rate she was going to break them. If he woke with a beam of light in his eyes because she bent them too far, he was going to be especially cranky. Gray rubbed his face and grumbled, "Would ya quit messing with the blinds? Just pull them up if you want to look out."

"No Gray-sama! I can't do that, they might see Juvia!" Juvia practically had her nose between the blinds now.

Gray would have smiled if she hadn't woke him up from a deep sleep. Instead he was having trouble blinking through the blurriness in his eyes to get a clear picture of her. He stretched his arms above his head and groaned, "Why are you whispering anyway? Who are you worried about seeing you?"

"Will you just get over here Gray-sama?!" Juvia snapped, beckoning him to the window.

Gray rolled his eyes but also rolled his legs over the side of the bed and swung himself up to his feet. He had been with Juvia long enough to know that he was better off just doing what she asked, otherwise he'd never get back to sleep.

On his journey over to the window Juvia asked, "Do you remember how Juvia was so concerned that Meredy hadn't come for her car yet?"

Gray almost stopped and turned back to his bed. He could see where this was going and he really wasn't interested. Juvia was giddy, she hiccuped out a strange laugh and then turned to him with her knuckle between her teeth. "Juvia may have caused something beautiful," she half said, half giggled while motioning out to the front.

Gray cut his eyes over to the opening in the blinds and found Meredy leaned up against the driver's side door of her car wearing a surprisingly wide smile as she looked up at Lyon. Gray cut his eyes back to Juvia, "Don't go taking credit for that."

Juvia ignored him and leaned closer to the window. "What if they kiss Gray-sama? What if we might be about to witness their first kiss!"

Gray made a sound of disgust and turned to leave. "I don't want to see that!"

Juvia grabbed his arm and turned him back to the window. "No Gray-sama don't run! You must stay and witness the power of Juvia's matchmaking." She looked up at him and said, "Juvia has a very good eye for these kind of things," as she tapped her right eye.

Gray managed a sleepy, lopsided grin. "Since when?"

"Why do you think Juvia didn't give up on Gray-sama?" Juvia asked without looking away from the window.

"Cause you're more stubborn than a bulldog," Gray muttered with a smirk as he wandered back towards the bed.

Juvia pretended not to hear him. Suddenly she shot up on her tippy toes and shouted, "No! No! Don't let her just wave Lyon! Kiss her you fool!"

Gray was already under the covers. He smiled at the sound of cars pulling away. "Ya can't hurry love Juvia," he teased as he snuggled back into a comfortable position.

Juvia climbed into bed next to him and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe Juvia should have another dinner party."

"No," Gray snapped before Juvia had a chance to think about it further.

Juvia sighed,"Okay." She scouted under the covers and wiggled over so that she was pressed up against his back. He felt her lips press lightly on the back of his neck. "Goodnight Gray-sama."

Gray closed his eyes. He loved the feeling of her warmth seeping into his skin, it wouldn't be hard to return to sleep. "Goodnight Juvia."

Lisanna patted Bixlow's knee and winked before leaving the couch to find her sister. Bixlow looked at her just long enough to wink back then quickly returned his attention to the game on the television. She didn't mind a little bit of baseball every now and then but without Mira to keep her company, she was growing tired of only having Bixlow's attention when the commercials were on.

When Lisanna entered the kitchen, she was surprised to find the place already spotless. Lisanna pouted, Mira had promised to let Lisanna help, but everything was clearly finished. Mira didn't notice Lisanna's entrance. She paced back and forth in front of the sink muttering to herself. Lisanna put on her best I'm-disappointed-in-you face and waited for Mira to notice. Suddenly the men in the other room shouted loudly, causing both her and her sister to jump in place. On landing, Mira finally noticed Lisanna. She froze in place with a wide-eyed expression.

"Are you okay?" Lisanna asked.

Mira made a false smile. "Of course! That was just so loud!" she said with a nervous giggle.

"Yeah . . .but twenty minutes ago you came in here to get a drink and now I find you here, still with no drink, in a spotless kitchen when you promised to let me help you with after the next inning!" In the other room the guys shouted again. Lisanna grabbed her chest, "Geez they keep scaring me yelling like that."

"Must be an exciting game!" Mira giggled. "Laxus was cranky that I didn't let him eat in front of the TV."

"Bixlow and I wouldn't have minded you know. Hell, Bixlow probably would have preferred it. The dining room table in his apartment is a place that collects junk mail so you definitely don't have to worry about us."

Mira pouted, "I wanted to have a nice dinner, it's a special day."

"Pretty sure they were both listening to the game on a shared pair of earbuds."

Mira crossed her arms and looked extremely put out. "I knew they weren't that excited about the chicken."

"Wait," Lisanna stepped closer and asked, "Why is it a special day?"

"Because . . ." Mira opened her mouth wide and then closed it and bit her lip.

Lisanna took another step forward and placed a hand on Mira's shoulder. "Sister you're being kinda weird tonight," she teased.

Mira lifted her eyes. "Oh?" Then she smiled and tilted her head in a way that Lisanna knew was to hide the worry inside. She patted Lisanna's hand and said, "Sorry! I just can't figure out the best way to say this and I only get one shot."

Lisanna frowned. Mira wasn't making any sense. "What . . ."

"Oh!" Mira interrupted with an excited expression. "Wait here, I'll be just a second," she commanded with a finger in the air. Then she ran away up the stairs.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Bixlow shouted at the screen. Lisanna felt like she understood the sentiment.

Mira came sprinting down the stairs with a small chalkboard in hand. Then she searched the hall walls as if looking for a specific spot. She smiled and hopped into place and Lisanna couldn't discern why she picked the spot she was in. Mira twisted her face towards Lisanna and asked, "Can you take my picture Lisanna?" When Lisanna nodded, Mira pulled at the stretchy fabric of her tank top and muttered, "I guess this shirt will stretch enough to work."

Lisanna pulled out her phone with a furrowed brow and she started up her camera. "Are you going to tell me what's going on soon?"

"Is my stomach clearly defined here?" Mira asked.

Lisanna raised a brow, "Yes? I think? It is a white wall with a dark colored shirt. I don't understand though, did you lose weight or something?"

Mira held up the chalkboard. It now read '9 weeks.' "Okay I'm ready," she said with her award winning smile.

Lisanna took the picture. She looked down at the still image of her older sister and her mouth dropped, "Oh my god!" Mira smiled wider and Lisanna repeated, "Oh my god!"

"You're going to be an aunt!" Mira exclaimed with her fists shaking at her sides. Then Lisanna screamed and Mira screamed, and they ran together and hugged each other tightly. Their hug turned into a bouncing, spinning dance with Mira proclaiming "I'm going to be a mommy!" and Lisanna saying "You're going to be a mommy!" It wasn't long before Bixlow was hugging them too and jumping in circles singing. "Mommy, mommy, mommy . . . ."

Laxus jutted his head into the hallway and snapped, "Will you guys cut that out! I can't hear a damn thing!"

They all paused and looked at him. "How can you not want to join in?" Bixlow asked. Laxus growled and turned back to the living room while muttering curses under his breath. Bixlow grinned after him,"He's going to be such a fun dad."

"Oh! Let's call Elfman now!" Mira cried. She pulled out her phone and Lisanna and Bixlow huddled around her.

Lisanna was so excited she couldn't stop bouncing. She shook her hand at the phone before Mira could put it to her ear. "No don't call, facetime him! I want to see his face!"

"Yes!" Mira pushed the button and they all watched the screen in an impatient cluster.

Just when they thought it would go to voicemail, Elfman picked up with a scowl on his face. "Hey sis, everything okay?" he panted.

Mira giggled, "Yes, except you look so grumpy. What's wrong with you?"

Elfman rolled his eyes. "Oh sorry, just a little thing with Evergreen . . ."

Off screen Evergreen growled, "You idiot! It's because you picked up in the middle of . . ."

"Hey! They can hear you you know," Elfman hissed away from the camera. There was the sound of a harumph and the slamming of a door, Elfman cringed. He looked at the phone and grimaced. "Whoops, probably should have just called you back later."

Lisanna could feel Bixlow's body begin to shake with laughter as Mira stuttered,"Oh, well, we'll be quick I promise . . ."

Elfman put his face a little too close to the phone so that they could see straight up his nose."Is everything okay?"

Mira covered her face and whispered to Lisanna, "You tell him. I don't think I can say it without giggling!"

"I'm going to be an aunt!" Lisanna exclaimed.

Elfman's eyebrows slowly pulled together and then moved north. His mouth dropped, "What?" Then before Mira could explain, he was running and completely forgetting that he had both sisters video conferencing on his phone. Mira, Lisanna, and Bixlow died laughing as they watched Elfman frantically leave the bedroom shouting for Evergreen, the speaker blaring with the sound of the phone whipping back and forth in his hand.

He finally caught her, phone still at his side, and shouted, "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"

Evergreen responded with an indignant, "Excuse me? Why the hell would you think I was pregnant?"

Lisanna fell to the floor. Thankfully Mira had the presence of mind to giggle into the phone, "Oh dear, brother that's not what we meant!"

"This is the best," Bixlow snickered from his spot behind her. He wiped the dampness from his eyes.

Elfman didn't seem to hear her the first time so Mira shouted, "Elfman!" into the phone.

There was the sound of static and air as Elfman returned to looking into the phone. His bright red face looked extremely pained. "Sorry, forgot about you guys."

"I'm pregnant Elfman," Mira pointed to herself, "I'm having the baby."

Elfman sighed but didn't look particularly relieved. "Oh, well, I guess that makes a lot more sense."

Evergreen smacked him on the head. "Of course it does you idiot! Why would your sisters tell you before I did?" Evergreen pulled the phone in her direction. "Wait, you and Laxus are pregnant!" She squealed, "That's wonderful! Way to go Laxus! How far along are you?"

"Only 9 weeks so it's still really early . . ."

"What did Freed say? I bet he was so excited he couldn't stand it!" Evergreen exclaimed.

"Ah shit," Laxus sighed from the other room.

"What! You didn't tell Freed first! Laxus!" Evergreen shouted.

"Alright, alright. Jesus, your harping is annoying even from this far away," Laxus grumbled.

"Congratulations! Love you!" Evergreen blew a kiss and shut off Elfman's phone.

Mira opened the drawer of the sideboard and pulled out the ultrasound image. "Here's our baby's first picture, isn't it cute!" she said as she handed it over. "I'll be right back. I have to make sure Laxus is actually calling Freed." Then she disappeared into the living room.

Bixlow wrapped an arm around Lisanna's neck and leaned down to look at the picture in her hand more closely. "What exactly are we looking at here?"

"A baby I think," Lisanna giggled. She traced her finger along the outline of the little peanut that would be her niece or nephew. This was so out of the blue! Was her sister ready? Was Laxus ready? She had no doubt that they would be wonderful parents but she was sure they were about to be in for a crazy ride.

When Mira announced her pregnancy at dinner, the entire table seemed to explode with excited energy. Everyone's attention was on her but Natsu couldn't help but turn his gaze to Erza. She smiled and clapped her hands but her smile looked more manic than pleased. Natsu frowned, it was impossible to not know how hard Erza was trying to have a kid. She might as well be wearing a sign. Natsu prayed she didn't cry, man did he hate seeing Erza cry.

"How far along are you?" Lucy asked from the chair next to him.

"Ten weeks now" Mira answered and Natsu could just see Erza's jaw clench.

"I didn't even know you guys were trying for a little runt," Cana teased.

Mira turned bright red. "We weren't really . . ." she said shakily.

"Hey! Don't stress her out!" Laxus shouted at Cana as he shot out of his chair.

Cana wrinkled her nose and leaned back in her chair. "Don't tell me what to do." She looked over at Mira with a teasing smirk. "Besides, my teasing doesn't stress Mira out, it's like therapy for her. Laughter therapy cause I'm hilarious."

Laxus narrowed his eyes, "You got an ego as big as your mouth, I swear."

"Both of you cut it out! Don't ruin this for me!" Makarov ordered sharply. He glared at the two until Laxus slowly took his seat and Cana sat up and looked a little less cocky. Then he settled back into his own seat with a tiny chuckle. "Well I'll be, I'm gonna be a great-grandfather. I never thought I'd see the day," his eyes began to glisten. Natsu looked at Erza, she hadn't moved a muscle, she was still smiling.

Laxus shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. "Ah, come on old man. Don't start that crap."

"I just can't believe you found such a beautiful woman to put up with your bad attitude. I was so worried you were ruined!" Makarov full on bawled. Mira smiled wide and hugged him tightly.

"I know right? Laxus must shit gold or something," Cana laughed. Natsu heard Laxus grumbled something discolored about Cana and shit but he couldn't stop watching Erza's plastered on smile.

"Can you believe it?" Lucy whispered, drawing Natsu's attention in her direction.

Natsu grinned. "I know! We're going to have to have twins to catch up at the rate they're going," Natsu teased in her ear. He loved the way Lucy's cheeks burned up.

She playfully slapped his thigh. "No multiples, one at a time!" she growled back.

"You're no fun," Natsu playfully grumbled. He found his eyes cutting back in Erza's direction. She was still smiling that strange smile. It was starting to freak him out. Jellal finally noticed as well, he leaned over and whispered something in Erza's ear that made her expression soften. She smiled weakly at Jellal and nodded. Then he leaned forward and sneakily served another slice of cake on her plate.

Though Natsu was relieved that Jellal diffused the situation, he still sought out Erza as everyone migrated their way to the living room. When he gently tapped her arm, she turned to him with a look of concern and asked, "Do you need something Natsu?"

Lost on what else he should do, he asked, "How are you doing Erza?"

"Me? Fine . . .I . . ." she paused.

If it were anyone else Natsu would have laughed at the cycle of expressions that played on her face, brows furrowing, raising, and then furrowing again. Since it was Erza who was working her way to angry, he instead swallowed deep and tried to ignore the way his balls felt like they were trying to take a vacation in his stomach. He started thinking that maybe this was something Erza wasn't ready to talk about.

"Why is everyone trying to treat me with kid gloves?" Erza fumed.

"Kid gloves? What kid gloves? I'm just asking how you're doing?" Natsu laughed nervously.

She shoved a finger in his face. "First, Mira had to pull me aside and tell me that she planned to announce the pregnancy as if I need some kind of special warning to soften the blow. Then Laxus tells me I can punch him if I want to. Now you're checking on me as if I look like I'm about to burst into tears!" As if she had commanded them, droplets started making their way down her cheeks.

Natsu grimaced, "Like you're doing now?"

Erza wiped her cheeks roughly. "I am happy Natsu, a baby is a happy occasion and I am happy. I am thrilled actually," she laughed strangely and wiped her eyes again. "One of my best friends and my brother are having a baby, how can this be anything other than a joyous occasion!" She was basically shouting when she asked, "Don't you think this is a joyous occasion?"

Natsu looked around and realized he had somehow backed into the corner of the room. "Yeah, yeah, it's a joyous occasion," he agreed meekly.

Her cheek was nearly against his when she admitted in a whisper, "then why can't I feel joyous?"

Natsu blew a deep breath out, his heart broke for her. He pulled her into a tight hug. "You will, I'm sure you will."

"I just want to be happy for them right now and all I can feel is jealousy, it's disgusting," she sniffled into his shoulder.

Natsu laughed humorlessly, "Nah don't say that. You're just still shocked. That news was random as hell, almost as bad as the wedding. You will be happy for them soon, I promise. And I'm sure your day to shine will be any day now."

Erza pulled out of his hug and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. "You're always surprisingly insightful Natsu. Thank you, don't worry, I'll be fine."

Jellal came back in the dining room and crossed over to them quickly. He rubbed Erza's back, "Are you ready to go? I have your bag."

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I think we should call it a night, I have an early morning after all." She turned to Natsu with an awkward bow. "Goodnight Natsu."

Natsu grinned and bowed back, "Goodnight Erza."

He watched Jellal effortlessly guide Erza to the door and felt pleased that Erza had someone to lean on. He sure as hell knew that comforting Erza was something he had never felt fully equipped for.

"Natsu?" Natsu snapped his head to where Lucy waited for him in the doorway to the living room with a soft smile. "Makarov has some baby videos of Laxus that he was about to put on, are you coming?" she asked.

Seeing her standing there after comforting Erza brought all different things to mind. What would they do if they had a baby as suddenly as Laxus and Mira? What would they do if they had trouble having a kid? What would they do if Lucy couldn't have kids at all? What if he lost Lucy in some freak accident and had to raise the kids all by himself, but it was hard so Gajeel and Gray moved in with him to help? Natsu's brows raised, that would be a great idea for a movie! He wondered if it had been done before.

Lucy rolled her eyes and made an irritated huff. "Are you staring at me just to creep me out or . . ."

Natsu grinned wide. "Sorry, you just looked so pretty," he said and her cheeks turned pink. Now Lucy, that was a girl he got. He looped an arm around her waist when he got close and raved, "I remember those videos! Wait til you see how big his head was, you're gonna love it!" Then he dragged her along with him into the living room where his family awaited.

Natsu stretched his arms over his head and yawned as he headed in the direction of the house. He finally had all the wood cut for the wedding centerpieces. Unfortunately, he had only managed to put the first coat of finish on half of them but the rest would have to wait, but he was beat.

As he came close the house, the sound of bass greeted him. He wondered what Lucy might be doing that she would have the music up so loud. It was a poor choice on her part, it left her vulnerable to ambush. Natsu giggled slightly and bypassed the back door. He crept along the side of the house into the bushes by the window to the living room then peaked in so that he could come up with a good plan.

Lucy was in the middle of the living room with her eyes closed, her hips waggling wildly, and a soft smile on her face. This close to the window he could just barely make out the vocals and the rest of the instruments. Natsu grinned; Lucy had the music up because she was dancing like an idiot. She wiggled her way over to the couch and bumped it with her hip, disturbing Happy who had been sleeping peacefully on the headrest. Happy appeared to meow in protest but Lucy just smiled and danced away with her fingers in his face.

Natsu found himself entranced by her. He leaned on the windowsill with a fond smile, all thoughts of frightening her fading away with each ridiculous shake of her rear. Man his girl was beautiful. She looked so happy as she threw her hands in the air and did a little twirl. Then, at the end of her twirl, she froze and slowly turned back towards the window. Her sudden decision to move in slow motion gave Natsu time to catch up, he smushed his face against the window and bared his teeth.

When Lucy finally saw him she turned white as a sheet and jerked her hands to her chest. There was a moment where she looked like she would become irate but then her face tipped up in his favorite bright, warm smile and she collapsed in half. Her golden hair fell forward, covering most of her face, but he could tell from the way that it bounced that she was laughing. Natsu grinned, he loved when he made Lucy laugh so hard she couldn't hold herself up.

He left his spot and headed to the front door. When he opened it laughter was still bubbling out of her, overpowering the music forgotten in the background. It made his heart warm to hear it, it had to be the best sound in the world. She looked up at him and wiped her eyes. "You scared the shit out of me!" she exclaimed.

Natsu feigned disgust, "Gross Lucy, maybe you should go hop in the shower then."

Lucy just laughed. She turned her butt towards him and started shaking it in his direction. "Nothing gross about this," she said.

Natsu chuckled. Now that he could hear the music clearly, it was obvious that Lucy didn't have the best rhythm. "I wouldn't quit your day job."

"Oh yeah?" Lucy asked. She pulled her hair to the side and gave him a sultry look while continuing her goofy dance. "What about now?"

Natsu gave her a lopsided grin and came closer. "Cute." She was awful, adorably awful.

Then the song changed to something more fast paced and her face lit up. "I love this song!" All pretense of looking sexy forgotten, Lucy threw her hands up and began bouncing and kicking around the room. "Dance with me Natsu!" she cried and even though he was pretty sure she wouldn't notice if he joined or not, he threw himself into it and danced along too. Lucy was so much fun.

"Risley something is wrong with me," Erza said the moment Dr. Law walked in the room.

Dr. Law took her time shutting the door and slowly took a seat on the stool next to her. "Why would you say that Erza?"

Erza took a fortifying breath. She had researched this, she knew it was early, but she needed to know now or she was going to lose her mind. "I have been trying to have a baby for months and nothing, Mira didn't even try and she got pregnant in a day. Something is clearly wrong with me."

Dr. Law's concerned expression melted into an almost patronizing grin. "Erza that's perfectly normal, some of us just take a little bit. . ."

"No!" Erza grabbed Dr. Law by the shoulders. "We need to test, something is wrong! I have done everything right so something has to be wrong!"

Dr law sighed. "Erza, you know that we typically wait a year before we go this route, you are probably perfectly. . . ."

Erza cut her off. "Well that's perfect because I've been trying for a year," she lied.

Dr. Law raised a brow and smiled. "Erza you haven't even been married for a year."

Erza crossed her arms, "That doesn't mean I haven't been trying." When Dr. Law raised a brow, Erza narrowed her eyes and commanded. "We need to do the tests now."

Dr. Law sighed again. She stood and started shuffling through the papers in the bottom drawer of the cabinet against the wall. Then she turned and handed one to Erza. "Here is a list of fertility specialists that you can go see." She paused and then pointed to the name at the bottom, "Probably this one would be able to handle you best."

Erza nodded. Before Dr. Law could say another word, Erza was in the hall pulling out her phone. She hoped they could see her today.

Thanks so much for stopping by and giving this a read

A little disclaimer, for Erza I'm going to rush a few things for the sake of what I wanted with the story. I'm not an expert on any of what she's about to do so I will have to rely on internet research and what friends who have gone through these kinds of processes tell me. Just thought I would say that in advance, I hope I do all of it justice. :)

Also thanks to those who took the time to review!

Leahcar-Soutaichou, quite-a-riot, sarara1.8, Crimsonlink310, FairyTailxNalu, katiekat2001, naluislife1001(that's probably what the group of oneshots would be like), Mogar(lol I think most people would have trouble turning that offer down), LaraJayCroft, and lovely guests (for first guest, I might be able to do something with the jealousy thing later in the story) (other guest if you had read the summary you wouldn't have been surprised.)