Itchy that is what he felt. One moment he was laying on the guild floor, writhing in agony. The next he felt the tale tell scratch of unkempt grass against his skin. Groaning slightly Natsu opened his eyes. Trees were all he saw the bright lights of the stars above casting their light upon the earth he laid on. Slowing getting up he felt a pull, one he hadn't felt in so long, taking a big breath the scent hit him hard.

"Lucy," the pink haired man gasped in shock and wonder as he stood on shaky legs and began racing towards the smell. The low hanging branches scratched his face and body as he continued forward at the blistering pace, but the pain never registered in his mind as he ran closer and closer to the scent he had longed to be near. Then he saw it the flash of gold that was his mate's hair. "Lucy!" Natsu cried out in joy as he collided with his mate knocking her down to the ground as he wrapped his arms around her. Sticking his nose in to the crook of her neck he inhaled deeply as he cried tears of joy at finally having her in his arms again.

Unclearly he heard a vaguely familiar voice speak, "See I told you she shouldn't be holding either one," but the dragon slayer was too absorbed in his mate to neither care nor notice.

"Mavis I missed you," the blonde whispered as Natsu chuckled lightly. The moment was perfect until he heard it the soft coo of a baby.

"Luce..." Natsu asked nervously as the blonde untangled herself from her mate, standing up, and walked up to a man with red hair she plucked the bundle of cloth from him as the fire dragon slayer sat up.

"Natsu meet our son," Lucy said smiling as she carefully handed Natsu the little blonde baby.

Staring down at the little person in his arms Natsu chocked out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. The baby sneezed slightly as little flicks if embers flew from his mouth. The sweet smell of cinnamon with a slight undertone of Lucy's lilacs and stardust drifted up too his nose.

"Hey there little dragon," Natsu said quietly as the baby looked up at him with Lucy's eyes.

The world was perfect, but soon the cry of a baby broke his trance. One that did not come from the child in his arms, looking up he saw his mate take another bundle from a man with long black hair that was tied up in a low hanging tail, his silver eyes looking familiar to the slayer as he turned back to look at his mate as she motioned for him to hold out his other arm.

"And this is our daughter," the blonde said smiling as she placed the other bundle in his left arm.

There wrapped in a mess of blankets was another little person this one had his pink hair the little baby moved slightly as she opened her eyes revealing green orbs with gold flakes within but her Irises were a mesmerizing silver. The light smell of honeysuckle and stardust filled his nose as he gapped down at her little scrunched up face. Laughing again the dragon slayer looked between his son and daughter as he memorized every single detail.

"Luce... They... Mavis, thank you just isn't enough," Natsu spoke as he watched Lucy sit down next to her husband as she tried to take their son from him.

"Give him to me," Lucy said quietly as Natsu shook his head.

"No, you got them for a year all to yourself it's my turn," Natsu said as he heard a familiar chuckle.

"See I told you once he got here we wouldn't be able to hold them anymore," the voice said as the pink haired man looked up to find the owner of the voice looking down at him. The man was sitting on a rock as his short red hair stood up in spikes, matching the goatee that adorned his scarred face.

"Dad!?" Natsu asked as he gasped in shock not noticing the Lucy had taken their son before he could stand up.

"Hi," Igneel said smiling as Natsu walked right in front of the dragon turned human. He pulled his son closer to him hugging him tightly being mindful of the little bundle that was still in the pink haired man's arms.

"How… what?" Natsu fumbled with his words as he looked at his father with tears in his eyes.

"I am afraid we don't have much more time we need to return," the second man spoke, the authority that rang in his voice made Natsu want to cower a feeling he had only had once before.

"But, I... You..." the pink haired man began to stutter as he felt more tears fill his eyes, Lucy was back he had two beautiful hatchlings, and his father is here but once again they never got a change to talk. And I have so many more questions now.

"I am very proud of you my boy, always have been, I know you have questions, but I can't answer them," Igneel said as the two figures began to disappear in a cloud of smoke.

"No dad, please," Natsu begged as he felt his daughter begin to fuss from feeling the tension in her father.

"I am sorry Natsu but you all will understand soon," Igneel said as he between the little bundles in the arms of their parents.

"Dad!" Natsu called out in pain as he once again watched his father disappear from his life.

"Good-bye my little hatchlings," the fire dragon king said as the last of his body disappeared in to smoke that slowly cleared.

"Dad" Natsu cried out as his daughter began screaming with him. Rocking the bundle gently his watched as his own tears fell on to the blankets that held his daughter, soon he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Luce," the pink haired man whispered out as he pulled his mate to him as they both clutched their children.

They stayed there for some time, both holding each other and their children close as Natsu mourned once again the loss of his father. Peppering the crown of Lucy's head with as many kissed as he could he held his mate close praying that she would never be taken from him again. As the hours drug on he watched as Lucy nursed and cared for their children. Wincing only at the smell of changing their diapers for the first time, he would asked where she was later. The information he had learned about himself would keep for now. Now he just wanted to bask in her presence and never let her go.

As the sun began to rise over the tree line, the fire dragon slayer felt both is mate and hatchlings wake. They had fallen asleep not long ago and the slayer was content to simply watch them as they as they slumbered. Though all too soon several voices broke through the silence and the little bubble they had created.

"Lucy!" the two bluenettes called out as they both raced towards the newly reunited family.

"Levy, Wendy!" Lucy cried out in joy as she stood still cradling their son as Natsu stood holding their daughter. "Hisui what are you doing here?" the blonde asked as she saw the green haired royal walk up with the rest of the slayers.

"I … well…" the princess stammered off a Rogue chuckled behind her.

"Lucy I would like you to meet my wife," the shadow dragon said as he pulled the embarrassed girl closer to him causing her shawl to fall to the ground reviling her marked shoulder. The golden crown that seemed to fade into the shadows fit the two a Lucy giggled.

"Congratulations," the blonde laughed as she watched the two interact.

"Mavis, you had twins!" the sky dragon slayer gasped as she looked at the two bundles in the arms of their parents, as Natsu saw all of the slayers, their mates, and hatchlings make their way through the trees. Even Laxus was there Lexie on his hip.

"Levy you had a baby?" the blonde cried out in alarm as she looked down at the bundle in Levy's own arms.

"Yeah his name is Ren, what about yours?" the solid script mage said excitedly as Gajeel placed a hand on her shoulder and looked down at the two infant's.

"Well this is Igneel," Lucy said as she moved slightly so that the entire group could see the little boy.

"And this is Layla," Natsu said quietly as he stared down at his daughter.

"Natsu," Lucy gasped in shock as she turned towards her husband. They hadn't discussed names yet and though Lucy had been contemplating using her mother's name as her daughter's middle name she figure Natsu would want to name her some weird mix of both of their names. Knowing Mira she would convince him to name our daughter Nalu or Nashi.

Natsu chuckled as he looked down at the little girl as he spoke, "yeah she's Layla I just know it,"


"Master why do you have the guild register?" Mira asked as she sat next to Freed as Lisanna and Laki cleaned up after the party.

Not too long after the slayers and mates as well as the dragons had all disappeared in various hues of smoke, Even Laxus and Lexie had disappeared, in a puff of yellow smoke. Makarov had told everyone to go home that the cleanup could wait until tomorrow. Mira instantly recognized it as them traveling to the isles which set the guild at ease. Most of the guild had not come in this early but Team Natsu, the thunder tribe, team shadowgear and a few had arrived to aide in the cleanup.

"I wanted to see the names of our newest members as they were added," Makarov said as he looked own at Levy and Gajeel's page as a name was inscribed under theirs. "Ren Redfox," the old guild master said with a nod as Mira clapped her hands in excitement.

"What about Natsu and Lucy?" Erza asked as she finished off the last slice of cake that had been left over as Makarov turned to the page.

"Hmmm, well Igneel Dragneel," the white haired man said as Cana laughed.

"Pay up," she called out to the few remaining members most of which dug into their wallets groaning at the lost bet.

"What?!" Makarov called out in astonishment as he watch a second name begin inscribed just under Igneel's.

"Master what is it?" Lisanna asked as she walked up behind the guild master as she watched the second name finish.

"And Layla Dragneel," Makarov said quietly as the guild stood silent for a moment.

"What?!" Canna cried out as Mira squealed in excitement.

"Twins!" The takeover mage cried happily as master banged his head on the table.

"Master what's wrong?" Laki asked as she repaired a stood that had been broken during the party.

"There are two more little Natsu's running around," Makarov groaned in pain as he slammed the book closed.

"And?" Erza asked as she placed the empty dish on the bar.

"Think of the paperwork!" the old guild master groaned in agony as his children all laughed in agreement. With two more Dragneels around things were definably going to be more interesting.


The sound of two needy and unhappy cries echoed throughout the cave waking the two sleeping wizards. Groaning lightly the male waited momentarily hoping that the noise would stop, after a minute it wouldn't and in fact it got louder. Sighing in defeat he let go of the death grip he had on the body next to him.

"Luce, the hatchlings are up," Nastu grunted as he lightly shook his mate as he rolled off the pile of furs.

The cave that held his father's hoard had been rearranged again late last night. After spending most of the day in the central isle with the other slayers all cooing over and hogging his children the fire dragon had quickly moved his mate to their isle as fast as possible. Once they arrived they were awake long enough to fashion a make shift crib out of the pile of random cloth and a few furs just before passing out themselves. Walking over to the second smaller pile he picked up his daughter smelling the tell of needing a diaper change.

"Come on my sweet little dragon let's get you all cleaned up," the pink haired man said softly his voice still rough from waking as he stomped, bending down so that he was sitting on the cave floor reaching in to the diaper bag that Virgo had brought them yesterday.

"How do you know how to change a diaper?" Lucy asked groggy as she rubbed sleep out of her eyes unsure if she was still asleep or not.

"Gramps and Mira decided they were going to teach me how to care for a baby a few months ago," Natsu said quietly as he stood up holding the pink haired child as she continued to fuss carrying her over to her mother and placing her in the blonde's arms.

"Here she's probably hungry, I'll change her brother," the fire dragon slayer said as he repeated the pervious actions as Lucy nursed her daughter looking down at the little girl as she suckled at her mother's breast filled the celestial mage with a sense of peace.

"If only this would last," she mumbled quietly as she looked out the mouth of the cave.

"What?" Natsu asked as he rocked the still crying Igneel as he waited for his turn.

"The quite, I know once we go back home things will never be peaceful again," Lucy sighed as she rocked back and forth gently.

"Don't worry we can come back the Ilse if things get too crazy," the pink haired man reassured as he lit his fingers in fire and wiggled them in front of Igneel who became memorized by the sight.

"I don't know there is no bathroom here and I am done with going in that pit," the blonde groaned as she felt her daughter pause momentarily.

"I can build us a house here but I need to get supplies," Natsu said quietly as he cut the magic running through his fingers as he watched Lucy stand up not even bothering to cover her exposed breasts as she changed the way she held Layla

"hmmm, I can't wait to get home and take a proper bath," Lucy sighed as she placed their now full daughter down taking their son in her arms. "I missed my tub," the blonde sighed dreamily as she envisioned sinking down into a warm bath, the hot spring on their island maybe a close alternative but Lucy was ready to bath herself in something other than salt water.

"Ummm, about that..." Natsu mumbled nervously as he picked up his daughter smiling down as she blinked up at him.

"What," Lucy asked as she turned to face her husband, after making sure Igneel was latched on.

"Well I gave away your apartment," the fire dragon slayer said quietly as he held his daughter hoping that as long as she was in his arms Lucy wouldn't hurt him too much.

"What?! Natsu, your house is so much smaller than my place and it leaks how are we..." The blonde screeched as Igneel continued to feed greedily.

"I tore down my house," the fire dragon interrupted as Lucy gapped at him blanking for several minutes. The look of utter and complete shock and horror filled her face as tried to calm down her anger not wishing to upset the currently happy babies.

"Natsu Dragneel are you telling me that we are homeless," the blonde growled out lowly through her teeth as the pink haired man simply shook his head quietly. Growling lightly Lucy readjusted Igneel and her top before she took Layla in to her other arm and marched out of the cave.

"Wait Luce," Natsu stumbled after her as she continued forward and began wading through the sea to the central isle. Earlier that day before the group had decided to stay on the Ilse for a little bit Lucy promising Levy to meet up with the script mage for a few hours at midday.

"No no no no, I will go back to the house I was staying at least there was a roof," the blonde screamed as she reached the other beach heading towards the small group.

"Lu!" Levy called out happily as she began racing forward.

"You idiot!" The blonde cried out in rage as she neared the group.

"Gihi what did salamander do now?" The iron dragon slayer asked as he cradled the tiny blue haired baby in his arms.

"He made me homeless," the blonde nearly sobbed as she collapsed on the sand as she realized she forgot to grab a blanket for the twins to sleep on.

"Homeless?" Wendy asked as Virgo pop in with both a blanket and an umbrella, setting both up as Lucy placed her children down.

"Is there anything else the little prince and princess needs?" the maid asked.

"No, thank-you Virgo," Lucy said as she patted both of her children on their tiny tummies as Igneel smiled widely.

"I just hope that my landlady hasn't rent out my apartment yet," Lucy growled out as Natsu neared.

"Why would that matter Lu?" The solid script mage asked as she picked up her son placing him on the blanket next to the twins and sitting in her own mate's lap.

"I need some where for me and MY children to live," Lucy hissed as Natsu flinched.

"But I thought Natsu built you a house?" Wendy asked as she looked down at the three newborns, running her magic through her hands as she made sure all three babies were healthy.

"What?" Lucy croaked in shock as she looked over at her mate.

"Ya wouldn't let me tell you," Natsu said breathlessly as he collapsed near the blanket.

"He built you a gorgeous house, Erza is even jealous," the solid script mage smiled brightly as she used her magic to make a mobile for the children to look at.

"But, is it safe?" The celestial mage asked, after all Natsu had built the shack he was living in before, and Lucy was sure that a stiff wind could blow it over.

"Yeah the entire guild helped," Wendy said as she lifted up Igneel as he sniffed in her face, just before sneezing lightly. The little boy smiled as the sky dragon blew the embers that had exited his mouth away from her face.

"A house?" Lucy asked as she looked over at her mate, a soft smile on her lips.

"Yeah," the fire dragon slayer said softly as he took his son into his arms. Lucy picked up their daughter as she demanded, "Natsu take me home I want to see it,"

A/N; So Natsu and Lucy are finally back together, and after a lot of hard work this fic has reached its first year anniversary. This is the longest fic I have ever attempted and it's not over yet. Thank you to all the readers who have favorited, followed, and reviewed you are all awesome people and I am so glad you are with me on this journey, so until next week….