Hey everyone! Thanks so much for reading! Just one more after this, I hope these last two will be up to standard haha.


Natsu took a deep breath before pulling himself out of his truck. Lucy's old house looked huge as usual, and he wasn't particularly excited about spending the next few hours alone with Jude. He slumped up the steps and rang the doorbell.

Spetto opened the door, a large grin on her face, "Oh Mr. Natsu! Mr. Heartfilia is waiting! I will let him know you are here!"

Natsu grinned uncomfortably, "Thanks Spetto, and really, it's just Natsu, you don't have to add on the mister."

"Such a joker Mr. Natsu," she patted his cheeks, "so handsome. Just a moment okay? I will go get the master." Natsu sighed, he was starting to think Spetto didn't listen to him at all.

Jude came down the hall with a big smile, "Natsu, thank you so much for coming by!" He shook Natsu's hand and then beckoned him to follow, "The room I want you to look at is just down here."

He opened the door to a room towards the back of the house that Natsu had never been in before. It was larger than even Natsu's garage and mostly empty, just a few pieces of furniture covered in cloth and pushed to the side. Jude motioned for Natsu to come in. "We're going to use this room for the Christmas party this year, and the floor has some water damage from over the summer. So I want to tear it out and get something new. I never liked the old floor any way, it was too light."

Natsu walked around the space, listening to the echo of his footsteps, still in disbelief that this was a room in a home. He turned to Jude, "This is a pretty big job Jude."

Lucy's father rubbed the back of his neck, "Yea, I should have called you in sooner. It just kept getting pushed back. Do you think you can do it? I'm not expecting a discount or anything of the sort. I want you to just price it like you always have, spare no expense. I'm not hiring you because you're Lucy's boyfriend, I want to hire you because you do good work."

Natsu stopped where the large water stain was in the middle of the space and looked at the ceiling, "Did you get the leak fixed?" He pulled a measuring tape and put a pencil behind his ear.

Jude nodded, "I had it fixed immediately, we haven't had any water since."

"So what exactly are you thinking you want in here?" Natsu asked as he began measuring the width of the room.

"I don't care, just darker, you can do whatever you like," Jude said with a shrug. Natsu had to restrain a laugh. It seemed like much too casual a motion for the man.

Natsu grinned, "There's a walnut that would be perfect in here. I can get you a sample if you like." He moved to start measuring the length of the room.

"No, that won't be necessary, I trust your judgment. Do you think this is something you could get done before the end of November?"

Natsu noted the other measurement into his notebook and tucked it all away in his pocket. "I'm not going to lie, it's going to be close. Our guy who is best at demo just had a twins and I'm not sure what kind of schedule he's going to have yet. Plus I have a few jobs before this so I won't be able to get started until after the middle of the month. Still. . . I'm sure we can get it done."

Jude smiled,"Wonderful! I'll let Spetto know that you guys might be in and out."

"I'll order the wood 'cause it will take at least a week to get here. It will need to sit and get used to the temperature and humidity for a couple days before I put it in. Will it be alright to have them deliver it in here?"

Lucy's father nodded, "Of course, we aren't using this room for anything, it won't be in the way."

They started towards the hall and Natsu couldn't help but ask,"Is there any reason you didn't tell Lucy about this? Is it some kind of secret?"

"Oh? No, not really. I just wanted to keep it professional, go through the correct channel." Jude opened the door to leave the room.

Natsu stood straight, recognizing it was now or never. He cleared his throat, "Jude, I'm going to ask Lucy to marry me."

Jude turned to look at him, "Is that right? So you're telling me then, not asking?"

Natsu swallowed and nodded, "Yes, since it won't be your decision, but Lucy's. I just thought I should let you know. . .out of respect."

Jude didn't say a word, he just turned around and headed out of the room.

Natsu wrinkled his nose in confusion, what the hell? Why were Lucy and her dad such weirdos? He hurried to catch up to the man. "You have nothing to say about that?"

Jude furrowed his brow and held up a finger, as if motioning Natsu to give him a minute. He continued down the hall, opening the door to his office.

Natsu was starting to get frustrated. He hadn't expected Lucy's father to jump for joy, but outright disapproval was the last thing he expected. "Jude, I know I'm probably not what you had in mind for a son-in-law, but I love Lucy and I know she loves me. She's the most important thing in my life and I will always put her first because that's what she deserves. And I'm sorry for not asking but that's bullshit, she's not a prize or something to be traded, Lucy's just Lucy. So if you don't approve, I don't care, I'm going to protect our future together no matter what."

"That was a very nice speech Natsu, but completely unnecessary," Jude smiled. He opened the top drawer and tossed a small box on top of the desk. "I'm not sure if you have already purchased a ring. If you haven't, Lucy would really like this one."

Still reeling from Jude's strange behavior, Natsu slowly stepped towards the desk and picked up the box. Inside he found a platinum ring with a large diamond abutted by small teardrop shaped sapphires. It was something he could never have afforded on his own. He looked up at Jude in confusion.

Lucy's father gave him a sad smile. "That's Layla's ring. I know you don't like me meddling in your affairs and you don't like taking my help, but could you do an old man a favor and take this one thing. I think it would mean a lot to Lucy."

"Yea, Lucy will like this a lot," Natsu grinned as he closed the box slowly and placed it in his pocket. "Thank you Jude."

Jude's smile widened, "It might be a little premature but, welcome to the family Natsu."


Yukino opened the door to Sting standing there with a nervous grin. He rocked on his heels with his hands in his pockets, "All set to go?"

"Is he out there? Yukino are you going to. . ." Yukino slipped out and shut the door, cutting off her sister's comments.

She grinned up at Sting, taking his hand and pulling him towards the car. They needed to hurry or Sorano might get the idea that she needed to step out and meet him. "Sorry that's just my sister, she's nosey."

"Are you keeping me a secret Yukino?" Sting asked with a teasing lilt to his tone.

Yukino held up her hands in defense, "No, no, I swear she already knows about you. It's just my sister can be a little . . .abrasive when you first meet her. I'd rather start the evening on a good note. We can save the awkward introduction for next time."

Sting laughed as he opened the door for her, "Sounds like a plan."


"I cannot believe that you didn't call me the second you found out you were having a c-section! I should have been there for support Levy! I could have held your hand!" Erza set the edible arrangement on the table next to her exhausted looking friend.

Levy gave a tired laugh, "Well Gajeel was there Erza. There wasn't really enough room in that operating room for anyone else and I didn't really want other people to watch me be cut open."

Erza tsked, "Gajeel, he couldn't even make it through the whole procedure!" She got a far off look in her eye, "I would have even been able to help pull the babies out, if the doctor had any trouble I could have saved the day. . . and the baby would look up at me . . ."

Jellal placed a hand on her shoulder, "Sorry Erza, I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure they don't let friends of the mother deliver the babies."

"Erza, really, I'm sorry. I am glad you are here now! I didn't mean for it to be this long before I got the word out but I spent all last night alternating between sleeping and being a human cow. We didn't know how things would go. The last thing we wanted if something went wrong was to have to face the entire neighborhood in the waiting room." She grabbed Erza's hand, "I was being a little bit selfish Erza, really I'm sorry."

"Well, I suppose you were entitled." Erza turned to look at the babies fondly, "Now which one is Scarlet."

Levy tilted her head and raised a brow, "Really Erza? I hope you don't actually think we named one of them that."

"What? It's a good name, it's even the name of well loved fictional character! It would be perfect for the little girl!"

Jellal smiled down at the sleeping little boy, "They are beautiful Levy, congratulations. Both with blue-hair as well!" He gave Levy a wink, "Means they will be extremely intelligent."

Levy chuckled, "Of course." She winced in pain.

It killed Erza to see her friend make that face, "What's wrong? Do you need pain meds? Should we get the nurse in here." She turned to Jellal, "Go track down the nurse immediately."

Levy held up a hand, "No, no really, don't bother. It's gas pain in my shoulders from the surgery, pain meds won't make it go away, I'll just have to wait it out."

"Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" Erza asked.

Levy pointed to the gift Erza brought, "One of those pieces of melon would be amazing right now. The food here seems to get worse every meal. That's why I let Gajeel go, he needs to get some real food in him or he's going to waste away. I don't think he slept at all last night."

"Good, must be vigilant. Wouldn't want someone to walk off with one of the babies," Erza nodded. She handed Levy two slices of melon on a napkin.

"Yea . . .I don't really think that's an issue in hospitals anymore," Jellal grinned.

Gajeel came walking in the door. He looked terrible, with dark circles under his eyes, and hair slightly more out-of-control then usual. He flopped on the couch and managed a head nod, "Hey."

Erza crossed her arms, "I hear you fainted in the operating room."

He looked to Levy, throwing his hands up in disbelief, "You told them I passed out!"

Levy gave him an apologetic smile, trying to finish her bite of melon so she could speak. "I didn't . . .but the nurse did."

Gajeel threw his head back and groaned, "Damnit, now the whole world is going to know."

"It's alright man, I would probably pass out too if I saw Erza cut open." He shook his head and mouthed 'never' when Erza gave him an angry stare.

One of the babies began to cry and the other soon followed after, Gajeel looked over at Levy. "Let me guess, they've been sleeping peacefully the whole time I've been gone."

Levy chuckled, "Of course." Gajeel picked up one tiny baby gently and handed it over to Levy. Then he picked up the other and proceeded to bounce in place.

"You know, I wouldn't have believed it before, but this really suits you," Erza said with a smile.

Gajeel looked at her in surprise, "Ya think so?" He looked down at the tiny human in his arms, a smile growing on his face, "Well they are cute for such ugly little things."

"Gajeel!" Levy exclaimed.

"What? They'll get cuter, but right now he looks like my old man but tiny, it's weird." Gajeel laughed, then quickly switched to a shushing noise when his laughter startled the baby and made it cry.

"Well I suppose we should get going so Makarov and Cana can come in," Erza smiled at Levy. "Congratulations, you guys will be wonderful parents." She smiled even wider, "Even if you aren't naming one of them Scarlet."


They were halfway to the restaurant when Sting heard the awful boom and flap, flap, flap of a tire going flat. He pulled to the side of the road and banged his head on his steering wheel. "Of all the times. . ."

"Is everything okay? Was that your tire?" Yukino bent forward to try and see the rear of the car out her window.

Sting slumped back and gave a forced grin. "Sure sounded like it. Looks like we're going to have a delay."

He hopped out of the car to examine the rear tire on the passenger side, it was definitely popped. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration, then went to open the trunk. He could do this, Sting had never changed a tire before, but it had looked simple enough when Orga did it. He pulled the spare out of the trunk and grabbed the wrench that was stored beneath it.

Yukino climbed out of the car and stood next to him. "Oh dear Sting, what bad luck! I hope they can fix it! Tires are so expensive."

"Yea, well we can just use the spare for now, we aren't going far," he started turning the nuts. He had them all loose and was about to remove the top nut when Yukino tapped his shoulder.

She restrained a giggle, "Ummm Sting?"

He looked up at her, enjoying the pretty smile on her face, "Yea?"

Yukino went to the trunk and pulled out a small crank looking device, "Shouldn't you lift the car with the jack first?"

Sting pressed his lips and blew out his cheeks, of course he would already forget a step. Yukino was going to think he was a moron. "Oh! I guess I was so frustrated I forgot. Silly me."

Yukino handed him the jack. "Do you need help? I've had to change a couple myself, I could do it for you even if you like."

Sting couldn't help but feel slightly insulted, even if he had missed a completely obvious step in replacing the tire. "No way! I couldn't have you change my tire! You're in a dress for Pete's sake!" He sputtered. He bent back under the car trying to figure out where to put the jack. He sighed and slumped in defeat, he had no clue what he was doing. He peeked up at Yukino timidly "sooo . . ."

She smiled "Just put in under the metal part of the underside of the car and pump it up. Make sure it's not under any of the molded plastic. There's probably a spot right in front of the wheel well."

Sting sighed and followed her direction. "I'll admit it. I've never had to do this before. Absolutely embarrassing to have you watch me mess up my first attempt." He laughed and with the car properly lifted, looked up at her with a grin, "How about you walk me through it? You can be my coach."

Yukino giggled, "Of course, I'm happy to help. You've probably already figured it out, but now that you have it jacked up you can start removing the nuts. . ."


The bar was still empty, the restaurant just starting fill up. Cana was making a few mojitos for a table of women on a ladies night out. Mira took her by surprise by hopping on the bar stool in front of her. "How's it going Cana? Ready for a Saturday night?"

"You know it," Cana said, shaking the cocktail shaker next to her head.

"Bacchus should be in soon right? It's a good thing we are having a slow start night tonight." Mira turned and looked over the crowd in the dining area. "Next week lets place an ad. We can get another bartender in here so you guys could have a break every once and a while."

"Only if you're ready, don't do more than you can handle on my account. I'm doing just fine." Cana poured the mix into four glasses, then splashed club soda over top.

"Well, don't you and Bacchus want time off together every once and a while," Mira looked up at Cana with a smile.

Cana's face dropped, of course Mira would be on to them. She concentrated hard on putting the decorative mint at the top of each glass. She then took her time setting them on a tray for Kinana before answering quietly, "No, we don't do that kind of thing."

Mira frowned, "Oh, I'm sorry, is Bacchus not really a dating kind of guy?"

Cana sighed, she lifted a hand to get Kinana's attention to let her know the drinks were ready. "No Mira . . .I'm not a dating kind of girl."

"Oh . . ." This seemed to make Mira sad, she furrowed her brow and tilted her head. "Are you sure Cana?"

Cana glared at Mira. This was not the way she wanted to start the evening. She didn't have a mom, but she certainly didn't need Mira to try and be one for her. The poor woman was probably already daydreaming about Bacchus and Cana babies. Cana nodded her head firmly, "Yes Mira, I am definitely sure."

"Okay, if you say so," Mira turned back to look out at the crowd.

Cana frowned, she wondered if Bacchus had spoken to Mira about them, but it wouldn't be like him to. Just a strange coincidence. He had just tried to convince her that they should go get lunch sometime and she had turned him down. All she could really handle right now was working together and spending the night together. Spending the day together as well would make this a real relationship and that was something she wasn't sure she could handle. At the moment she could just pretend this was some extended booty call. Cana had to admit, by the end of the work night her body practically hummed with anticipation of what they were going to do when they got off work, but that was just sex. It wasn't like she was excited to be alone with him or anything. Cana sighed, she didn't understand why he put up with her issues.

"Mira, how do you do it?" Cana asked.

Mira turned back to her with a confused expression, "Do what Cana?"

"Put up with Laxus' shit. I mean you want a family and babies, and all the stuff that comes with it. He's just barely handling a date at the movies. He's so screwed up." Cana took a piece of paper with a new drink order on it from Kinana and smiled when the waitress took the mojitos.

When she turned back to Mira, Mira was tapping her lips thoughtfully. She breathed out loudly, blowing out her cheeks, then tilted her head. "You know Cana, it's probably because I'm just as messed up as he is."

Cana laughed as she began throwing ice in glasses for the new order. "You are not messed up Mira."

"But I am. I want to take care of everyone. Luckily that crazy side works out for us, because no one needs it more than Laxus. I think it started when mom and dad died, and I realized I would have to work hard to make sure my siblings could still be kids. It made me so happy to help them, but I kinda gave up the end of my youth in the process. When Laxus and I first started sneaking around, it was just so fun. I had spent so much time being an adult and responsible, that I forgot that I was still young too, you know. So in his own way he gave me something I needed." Mira sighed and began pushing back her cuticles. "I really love him, I don't want anyone else. Even if a relationship with him is slow going."

Cana poured scotch in one glass, vodka in another, adding tonic to the top of the vodka, and set them on another tray. "Caring for others is not messed up, it's being a good person."

Mira laughed, "I suppose you could say that. Really it's more like I rarely take care of myself and I can't stop from meddling in the lives of my friends. Seriously though, Laxus can have all the time he needs. I know he loves me and he's trying. If I tried to rush him into things he wasn't ready for, it could damage our relationship, ruin the trust he has for me. And as you know, I tried to be with someone else, I tried to settle for something different. It doesn't work, 'cause I just want Laxus."

Cana was about to ask something else but Bacchus walked in the door, his whistling capturing her attention. He gave her a big grin and wink, then headed to the back to put away his coat. She couldn't help but grin, he was such an idiot.

When Cana turned back to her friend, Mira had a secret smile. "Don't worry Cana, I don't think he feels like he's putting up with you. I think he's quite happy with what you're able to give."

Cana rolled her eyes, "Don't you have customers to go check on?"

Mira stood and wiggled her eyebrows, "Want a little alone time before it gets busy huh?"

Cana sighed, "You're incorrigible."

Mira giggled, "So you can dish it out, but you can't take it huh?"

Bacchus came up behind her. It felt like all the hair on Cana's body stood on end when he said, "Can't take what?"

"Hey Bacchus, is your friend all settled in his new place?" Mira asked, deftly changing the subject. Though Cana could tell from her friend's mischievous smile, she was enjoying Cana's discomfort a little too much.

"Yea, all set. Thanks for letting me come in late."

"No problem," Mira smiled, and with a wink at Cana, she disappeared into the dining area.

"Has it been really busy?" Bacchus asked, leaning against the back of the bar.

"No, lucky for you it's been a rare late start here," Cana turned to him with a smile.

"You look hot tonight," his eyes swept up her body and he bit his lip with a grin. "You know, after work, I can make up for being late."

Cana laughed, "I'm sure you can tiger."


By the time they limped the car to the restaurant, they were half an hour late for Sting's reservations. Yukino could tell he was agitated because he was having trouble standing still while they waited for their turn to speak with the hostess. She reached out and grabbed his hand, hoping it would help calm him. He looked down at her with a small smile, his body noticeably relaxing, and gave her hand a little squeeze.

The hostess seemed bored when they reached her. "Uh, we had a reservation, under Eucliffe?" Sting said as more of a question than a statement.

She looked at her list and frowned, "You are too late, sorry we can't seat you."

Sting looked completely shocked, "What?"

The hostess gave him a fake smile, "You are half an hour late, there are no tables available. Try to be on time next time."

Sting slowly breathed out his nose and licked his lips before attempting a smile, "Look, we had some car trouble, it couldn't be helped. Can we just wait for a table to open up?"

The woman shook her head, "No, sorry sir, we are completely booked tonight."

"You've got to be kidding me! Your restaurant isn't even full right now!" Sting exclaimed.

"Sorry sir, we have to be fair to the people who are on time for their reservations," the hostess said with a smirk.

Sting turned bright red, pursed his lips, and curled his hands into tight fists. Worried about what he might say next, Yukino grabbed his arm with a small smile, and pulled him down to her. She whispered in his ear "It's okay, forget that mean girl. Let's find somewhere else."

Sting blushed and nodded. He turned to walk out with Yukino, but not without giving the hostess the stink eye first.


How was everywhere packed! Sting was starting to feel like the whole world was against him tonight. The shortest wait they found was an hour long. Finally they gave up and went to a food truck. They sat on a nearby park bench to eat the massive slices of pizza and drink their cans of soda. Sting had to restrain a groan, they would have been better off doing this at his apartment.

He laughed nervously, "When I said I was gonna take you to dinner, this is not what I had in mind."

Yukino just grinned, bouncing in her seat happily, "I don't mind this is fun!" She took a big bite of her pizza, struggling to keep the grease from dripping down her hands. She was so adorable.

Sting folded his slice in half, "Well, we could at least go get some ice cream. There's a good place down the street."

"Oh Sting, I'm sorry, I hate ice cream. That sounds terrible," Yukino said before taking another bite.

Sting looked at her eyes wide in shock, who doesn't like ice cream? "Umm what? I mean really? I. . .I guess we could find something else . . ."

She placed a hand on his thigh, "Sting, I'm kidding! Who doesn't like ice cream?" She giggled, "I'm sorry I was trying to make a joke to lighten the mood. I guess I'm not very good at that."

"How was I supposed to know? Everything else seems to have gone wrong." Sting laughed, "You certainly got me there Yukino, but I should warn you, I will get my revenge."

She pretended to be afraid, "Revenge?"

He gave her a cockeyed grin, "Yep, you should watch your back, it will come when you least expect it." He took a large bite.

Yukino looked at her back with a frown, "Well this will never do, if I'm watching this all night I'll be tripping over everything." She looked at him with a grin. He wished he had the courage to kiss her right then, but of course, he had a mouthful of pizza.


When Natsu got home, the house smelled amazing. Lucy was humming in the kitchen, casserole pan after casserole pan lining the counter, all full of different kinds of dinners. He could just feel his saliva glands begin to work in overdrive.

She turned and smiled, "Hey Natsu did you have a good day?" When she noticed his wide-eyed stare at the food on the table she shook a finger, "No way mister. This food is food Gajeel and Levy, no touching!"

Natsu slumped, mouth open in dismay, "Not one bite! That's not fair. Having all this food out and telling me I can't have any is like torture!"

She picked up a spoon and began stirring some sauce. "I'm dead serious Natsu, our dinner is in the oven. Don't touch any of Levy's food."

Natsu frowned, stupid lucky Gajeel got to have all that good stuff. He walked into the kitchen and came over to wrap his arms around Lucy from behind, kissing her on the cheek when she turned her head to smile his way. "Shouldn't I at least make sure they aren't poisoned?" he murmured into her ear.

"Natsu! No!" Lucy commanded. She playfully pushed him off.

"Well they might be terrible, did you think of that?" Natsu bent over to sniff the lasagna, then stood straight and looked longingly at the chicken pot pie.

"That's just a risk I'm going to have to take Natsu," Lucy chuckled. "No tasting. Don't be greedy, your dinner is almost done."

Natsu pouted, "What do I get?"

"I had leftover noodles so I made you a lasagna too," Lucy pointed to the oven. "Just ten more minutes see?"

Natsu pumped a fist in the air, "Yes!" He ran over to turn the light on so he could see his dinner cooking in the oven. "Lucy! That lasagna is tiny! Why does Gajeel get the big one?"

Lucy turned and put her hands on her hips,"Because Levy and Gajeel aren't going to have the energy for cooking for a long time!"

"But Levy and Gajeel never have the energy for cooking, the craziest thing they ever cook comes from the frozen section," Natsu whined.

Lucy snorted, "Says the man who thought English muffin pizzas were a complicated homemade dinner."

"Hey, those are delicious!" He pulled her into a big hug and then looked down at her with a grin. "Your stuff is better though. Did you have a good day?"

She rested her head on his chest with a happy hum. "It wasn't too bad, I let Yukino go early so she could go on her date but the afternoon was pretty quiet."

"You know we haven't been out on a real date in a long time," Natsu said.

Lucy looked up and grinned, "Is it bad that I'm okay with that?"

"Nah, it's part of what makes me love you so much. Why go out all the time when you cook better than most the restaurants we could go to?" Natsu pushed a stray hair from her face and gave her a big smile. "Just remember to let me know if I ever seem to take too much advantage of that. Deal?"

She raised up on tiptoe to rub her nose against his, "Deal." Then she kissed him to seal it.


The ice cream shop was closed for the season. Sting banged his head on the door. "You've got to be kidding me! It's still warm out, how are they closed! How can I be so unlucky?"

Yukino touched his arm, "It's probably me, I do tend to be a bad luck charm."

Still turned and gave her a tired smile, "There's no way I could possibly believe that Yukino."

Yukino turned to look down the street, trying to figure out exactly where they were, "Your place is near here isn't it?"

He propped himself up, "Yea?"

She turned back to him, "Is there a grocery store nearby that is open still?"

"Of course."

Yukino grinned real big, "Take me there. Then we can go to your place and make dessert."

Sting looked excited, "Really? You'll bake something with me?"

"Of course, it's what I do after all."

Buying groceries had also turned into buying bake-ware, since Sting realized he pretty much had none. They settled on making brownies with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge, since it would be simple, fast, and hard to mess up. Sting was still convinced that something else would go horribly wrong, Yukino assured him that it wouldn't.

They opened the bottle of wine and Sting remembered he didn't own a single wine glass. Yukino laughed and pulled out two mismatched mugs. Then, of course, the second Sting opened the cocoa it exploded in his face. After that he dropped half the eggs on the floor. Yukino made him sit on a stool and watch her at that point. He couldn't say he minded, she was so focused on mixing up the batter that she didn't notice him staring. Really, he had the best seat in the house, he could drink his wine, steal chocolate chips, and watch her graceful curves as she moved about his kitchen. Maybe he wasn't so unlucky after all.

Brownie batter finished and in the oven, Yukino turned to him with a triumphant smile on her face. "Just twenty minutes and we'll be in chocolate heaven." She ran the spatula around in the mixing bowl and licked it happily, "This is the best part, I can't do this at work."

Sting frowned, "You're going to share right?"

Yukino got a mischievous look in her eye, "I don't know, you might spill it all over the floor if I let you have some, and I did do all the work . . ." She licked the spatula again, this time making exaggerated noises about it's deliciousness.

Sting set down his mug and stood, "Hey, that's not fair."

Yukino giggled and turned away from him, "Actually, it's pretty terrible, you probably don't want any. Really I'm doing you a favor."

Sting came up behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other grabbing the hand with the spatula to guide it to his mouth for a bite. "You are such a liar, that tastes amazing!"

She turned in his arms with a blush, "But it has raw eggs, you could get sick or something terrible!" She stole the spatula back, "You shouldn't have any until it's been properly tested."

Sting chuckled and shook his head. She was so cute he couldn't help himself. He quickly closed the distance and kissed her. Yukino dropped the mixing bowl and the spatula to the floor. He pulled away with a grin, looking at the chocolate spatter all across the floor. "I just can't stop making messes today." Sting looked up at her to see Yukino staring at him, wide-eyed with surprise, a hand to her lips.

After a pregnant pause, Sting started to think that maybe he had overstepped his bounds. "Did I read that wrong? Sorry, Yukino I didn't mean to just attack you, especially if you didn't want me to."

Yukino looked at him as if she had just realized he was there. "No . . . no, please don't apologize, it was very nice. I've just never been kissed before, I didn't expect it." She looked down at the floor, "Oh dear, that did make a very big mess."

"What? How can that be possible?" Sting sputtered.

"I dropped it on the floor?" Yukino bent to pick up the bowl and spatula.

Sting chuckled, "No Yukino, obviously I know how the mess got there." He gently took the items out of her hands and tossed them in the sink. "I just find it amazing that no one has ever kissed you before."

Yukino turned bright red, "Well I guess just no one's ever wanted to."

"That I have even more trouble believing."

"Well, my parents didn't let me date and I was busy with school. I always had lots of extracurriculars to balance with my homework. Then at the job before this one, I worked such crazy hours I didn't have time to date, not that I would have even known where to start." Yukino frowned, "Honestly this last year has been the first time in my life that I've ever had any free time before."

Sting furrowed his brow, "Somehow that just seems sad."

Yukino laughed self-consciously, "Well that's why I've been such a dork about all the places you've taken me. Everything has been so new for me." She licked her lips and smiled nervously, "I don't suppose . . .that maybe." She frowned and looked at her feet, "I guess I ruined it with that weird reaction, you won't want to do that again."

Sting gave her a slanted grin and stepped close, using one hand on the small of her back to pull her close, the other to gently lift her chin, and he gave her a lingering kiss. He hated to end it but knew he'd have to go slow. So instead of running his hands all over her feverishly and deepening the kiss like he wanted to, he pulled back and looked her in the eye. He was dead serious when he said, "I'm always going to want to do that again."


The following afternoon, Levy was struggling her way back to her bed, when a nurse threw open the door to their room with a big smile, "You guys get to go home today!"

Levy gave the woman a look of panic, "What? Today? Are you sure we are ready?"

Gajeel stood from his place on the couch, "You guys are really going to let us take these babies home? Levy can still barely walk."

The nurse waved them off, "You guys will be fine, that's just jitters. Those babies are healthy and strong, and mama here will be able to run around in no time." She turned to Levy with a serious face, finger up in warning, "But no running yet, no heavy lifting, no pushing it too hard. I mean it. You don't want to get any hernias."

Levy laughed humorlessly and leaned on the bed, "No pushing it too hard? You say that like it's an easy thing."

"You got this mama, don't you worry," the nurse gave Levy another big smile. She turned to Gajeel, "Now Mr. Redfox, you go downstairs and get the carseats so we can help you get these babies situated. I'll have Levy sign the paperwork and we can get you all packed up and on your way home!"

Just as Gajeel went to leave, Lucy and Natsu came walking in. "I brought you some mini muffins," Lucy lifted a basket with a grin.

The nurse patted Levy on the shoulder and set the paperwork down on the table, "You read through this, I'll be back in fifteen in case you have any questions okay?"

Levy grimaced, "Okay." The nurse disappeared into the hall.

"What's going on?" Lucy asked, her eyebrows wrinkled with concern.

Levy sat on her bed with a sigh. "It's time to go home."

"Well that's great!" Natsu exclaimed, strolling over to get a good look at the sleeping infants.

"I guess, it just feels fast. Doesn't it seem fast?" Levy started chewing on her thumbnail.

"Levy, you guys have been here for two days! I'm sure if the doctors think you are ready, you are ready," Lucy gave Levy a hug. "Natsu and I can help you guys get the babies home, I was going to head to your place after to deliver the food anyway."

"You made me food Lu?" Levy smiled.

"Of course silly, what are friends for? We can make sure everything at the house is all ready for you guys. Natsu can help hold babies, he's weirdly good with babies."

Natsu grinned, "They just like me."

Levy laughed, "Probably because you're just a big kid yourself."

"Did you guys finally settle on a name?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, they came by to do the birth certificates this morning. It was hard to pick, but their names are Shutora and Yajeh."

"Those are great names!" Lucy said, turning to look at the sleeping babies with a smile.

Natsu was right up in the little boys face, "Wow, they are so small!"

"Natsu, don't wake them!" Lucy hissed. She turned to Levy, "Okay Levy, what do we need to get pulled together for you?"

Levy directed them in how they could help her and gave a sigh of relief when she picked up the paperwork to look it over. She was so lucky to have such thoughtful friends, thank goodness for well timed visits.


For Levy and Gajeel's kids names, they are the names given for the Trouble Twins who are supposedly Gajeel and Levy's kids in the Fairy Tail Light Novel that just came out. It's only in Japanese right now (which I unfortunately cannot understand/read) so those names come from a few people who translated them on tumblr. Hopefully it's the right spelling, sorry if it is off. I was very close to calling them Bram and Lotti (after Bram Stoker since Gajeel probably wouldn't mind a son named after the man who wrote Dracula and Charlotte Bronte, mostly because I like Lotti) but I prefer to use the names that are as close to cannon as possible. Thanks for bearing with me!

Lots of love to those of you who took the time to review: animequeen100(way to totally call my ring plan), noirship(I think after a birth its different for everyone and Gajeel and Levy seemed like private people to me who are a little freaked about the surprise so I pictured them letting everyone else know after it was done and over with, also I imagine since most of their friends worked it would be hard to get over there right away. I kept going back and forth on how far I want to time skip for part 2, I might just go to christmas or new years), incognitobatman(you flatter me sir ;) ), Eamon (sorry I didn't go with your name choice, I'm afraid it wasn't the one in the novel haha), writing pixie, tjgangg, celestialite(honestly I don't know, it was how it popped in my head, I think if I revised I would just let her go to planned c-section date but I decided that after I posted it. I can't figure out why I'm always so mean to Levy), danceswithseatbelts, celestialmagelucy, dark shining light(I had a lot of trouble coming up with a summary for this, so glad you were able to overlook the baking and give it a read!), mogar(no more surgery I promise), LadyRitsu, Toastedweirdbrain(haha I can assure you there is nothing easy about it), Irrelevantgirlie(I'm so sorry to disappoint, I hope they are able to be read as separate stories), nana, mehkitty, twiztidprincess, crazi4muzik, scarfgang1000, and guest! Really thank you guys so much for dropping a line!