"Wake up, sleepy-head…" feather-light kisses pressed against his cheeks, his forehead. He let out a soft groan, rolling over to wrap his arms around her waist. "The sun's already up," Hisui said, reaching out to brush her fingers through his hair. He could hear the static electricity crackle as she gently massaged his scalp. "Are you awake, bear?"

He let out a huff, "Yeah."

"It's late."

"I don't have to work today, remember?" he mumbled.

"Hmm… but… how exactly are you going to sneak out with all the maids and staff running about?" Hisui giggled.

Laxus glanced up, meeting his fiancée's eyes. "We're in your room?" He whispered. "We're not at my place?" He blinked sleepily around the large room, and up at the four poster bed and let out a hiss. "Damn."

"Sleepy, much?" Hisui laughed.

"What can I say?" He said, scrambling out of bed and grabbing his shirt and belt. "You put me at ease."

It had been four months since Ivan had been handcuffed and put back in jail. Three months since he had been returned to prison. Immediately following Ivan's imprisonment, Hisui and Laxus's engagement was announced to the public with an engagement ball. He stayed the night together more often than not. No official announcement had been made about Hisui's pregnancy, but almost everyone knew by now. When they had told Makarov, he had wept. "A great-grandchild!"

Hisui could still hear Laxus's voice, "Gramps, come on," He had patted the old man's back, "I need you to promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"You'll be a grandfather to this kid, okay old man? He or she's not going to have a grandfather or grandmother Dreyar. Can you do it?"

"Laxus!"

"What are you thinking about?" Laxus smirked, buttoning the last two buttons of his shirt. Hisui smiled, gently resting her hands on her little baby bump. She had started showing a month and a half before, and it made her feel warm and excited. Almost like it was finally real. The changes in Laxus too… she laughed thinking about them. He was more handsy, and definitely more protective. Offering glares at guests at dinner parties, stealing her away to a quiet place, engulfing her in his arms as if he were trying to hoard her away from the world. Yeah, hoarding. She giggled at the thought. Kind of like nesting. But just for Laxus. "What?" He grinned, "What are you laughing about?"

"You." She giggled, rubbing a circle across her swollen belly. She was only five months in and she already felt enormous.

"What's so funny about me, shortcake?" he said, brow furrowed, but a smile pulling at his lips as he sat down next to her.

"You're a hoarder."

He blinked, not expecting that. She giggled at the cute flush that rose in his cheeks.

"Um… I'm not sure I follow?"

"You hoard me and keep me and the baby safe." She took his hand in hers and pressed it to her belly. "You're a good father already, Laxus. She can't wait to meet you."

"Oh we're playing that game, huh?" Laxus grinned. "A girl? Didn't I ever tell you that Dreyar firstborns are always boys."

She laughed, and then rubbed her belly, "We'll have to prove daddy wrong."

"I don't know about that," He smirked.

Hisui let out a sigh, "You should go, before it's impossible to sneak out." He nodded, but hesitated, and she knew he didn't want to leave her. "We'll be fine," she assured him.

"It's not that," he groaned, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I miss you. All the time."

"We'll be married in two weeks," Hisui said, reaching out to touch his shoulder. "And then this will be every morning."

He smiled, reaching out to cup her cheeks with both his hands. "I love you."

She was quiet, raising an eyebrow as if she were skeptical, "Prove it."

"Don't tempt me, woman," he growled, drawing her in for a hungry kiss. She blinked in surprise, letting out a soft sigh and after only half a moment his touch grew gentle, slow… he pulled away to kiss her once more, quickly, before standing.

"I'll see you later this morning. As soon as visitors are allowed at the hospital, yeah?"

"Yes!" She nodded enthusiastically. He opened the door just a crack, peering through before turning back to smirk at her and slip out before she had the change to say anything else.

She shook her head with another laugh, dropping back onto the pillows of her bed, resting her hand on her little baby bump. "He doesn't show it to anyone else, baby, but your daddy can really be a dork."

Last night was such a blur, Ever could hardly remember it when she opened her eyes and was met with the late morning sun. The nurses had come by with breakfast, it was sitting on the table by her bed. She was still groggy, her brain foggy with sleep when she remembered. The baby! She turned to glance at the little hospital bassinet, wondering why her newborn daughter hadn't woken her screaming, to see her boyfriend standing in the way of her line of sight. He was rocking back and forth, almost humming softly. Ever was quiet, stunned to silence. She had never seen him like this… so gentle and caring.

"Elfman…" she finally whispered. The police officer turned, and smiled. Their beautiful, tiny daughter was in his enormous arms, tucked safe and sound, little pink mittens and socks snug on her hands and feet. She already had tufts of faded blonde hair on her head, hidden safely by a pink cap to keep her warm.

"You're awake," Elfman paused, a flush rising in his cheeks. "She was fussing so… Ever!" He gasped, "Don't cry! What's wrong?!"

"Nothing's wrong!" Ever snapped, trying to hide her eyes, "Everything's perfect… beautiful… Oh, just give me the baby!"

Elfman sat on the edge of the hospital bed and gently passed Ever their baby girl. She was so small. Ever was still in awe of how small she was. She had been born just a couple weeks early, though the doctors wondered if Ever had gotten her due date wrong. She was only six pounds and five ounces. Her hands and feet were so small, her little button nose so tiny… She was the most beautiful thing Ever had ever seen. And she still couldn't believe she was theirs.

"She still needs a name," Ever said. Was there ever really going to be a name perfect enough for her?

"I have an idea," Elfman replied hesitantly wrapping an arm around Ever's shoulders. Ever smiled, realizing how much she appreciated his touch.

"What is it?"

"How about Juniper?"

"Juniper?" Evergreen frowned, "What gave you that idea?"

"It's an evergreen tree," Elfman replied, "Like you."

Ever's heart skipped a beat and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "Elfman!" She whispered, tears involuntarily filling her eyes again. Why am I so emotional?!

"It's okay if you don't like it—"

"No!" She whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I love it! Juniper Strauss! It suits her."

When they came into the little hospital room, Freed, Mira, Bickslow and Lisanna were all already there.

"Look!" Lisanna beamed, holding out the baby to Bickslow. "I'm an Aunt!"

"Ever! Elfman!" Hisui sighed, "Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Ever said, in a tone that implied she knew she deserved all the congratulations.

Bickslow was trying to hide a blush on his cheeks as Lisanna cooed over her niece when Hisui came to rescue him. "May I?" She asked.

Lisanna pouted, "Aw!" But handed the little Strauss baby to Hisui all the same. She was beautiful, and so small. Will our baby be this small?

"What'd you call her?" Laxus asked, his hands in his pockets. He stood by Freed and Mira, who were arm-in-arm. The two had gotten engaged only two weeks before.

"Her name's Juniper," Elfman said proudly, "A manly name."

"Tsk," Evergreen rolled her eyes, but Hisui saw that the new mother couldn't get rid of her smile. "Elfman said it's a fitting name because Junipers are evergreen trees." She flushed a little at the thought. How adorable! Hisui glanced down at the small baby in her arms.

"Juniper suits her," she agreed.

"We can call her June for short!" Mirajane said, squeezing Freed's arm.

"She's so adorable!" Lisanna beamed.

"Laxus!" Hisui said, crossing the room back over to her fiancé. "Do you want to hold her?" Laxus glanced down at the baby with wide steel eyes.

"Uh… I don't know if that's a good idea."

"Aw, Laxus come on!" Evergreen said. "You're her Uncle Laxus! You should at least hold her to say hello!"

He gritted his teeth, irritation glinting in those gray eyes Hisui knew so well. And she knew him well enough that the irritation was a mask for anxiety. "Honestly, let someone else hold her—"

"Laxus," she whispered, "It's okay. You're going to have to get used to it anyways, right?" She used her free hand to gesture towards her own baby bump. And Laxus glanced between it and the tiny baby she held in her arms, realization dawning on his face. We're going to have a baby like this too.

He held out one of his big hands, calloused from his magic. "She's so small…" he whispered, brows furrowed.

"What?" Bickslow teased, "Are you afraid you'll break her?"

"So what if I am?!" Laxus snapped.

"Aw Laxus!" Evergreen laughed, tilting her head, "It's okay! Babies are sturdier than they look. You're not going to break her!"

"Tsk," Laxus gritted his teeth, "You lot are unbelievable…"

"Here," Hisui gently took his hand, "I'll help you, okay?" She positioned his arm so that his elbow was held out, and then gently lifted Juniper into his hands. For a moment, Laxus looked like he was about to panic, and then, upon realizing that June was safe, he visibly relaxed. His gray eyes never leaving her face.

"She's… tiny…" he said.

"Juni!" Ever said, from where she sat, "That's your Uncle Laxus!"

Laxus may have been scared to take her into his arms, but now he seemed so peaceful. Juniper seemed so small in Laxus's arms, and Laxus stared down at her a smile touching his lips. "She really is something."

Juniper stirred and blinked awake, big blue eyes staring up at her Uncle. "Laxus!" Hisui gasped, "Awww! She's smiling at you!"

"Babies that age can't really smile," Freed said, matter-of-factly, "But she does look like she likes you, Laxus!"

"The best uncle already," Evergreen giggled, seeing Laxus's bewildered expression.

"Hey!" Bickslow huffed.

"Awww," Hisui leaned over, looking Juniper in the eyes, "Good morning, sweetheart! Welcome to the world!" For a moment the baby looked bewildered and then burst into tears. "Aww, she misses Mama!"

Laxus carefully passed June back to Evergreen. "It's okay, Juni," Ever beamed, "It's okay, baby, don't cry."

"Evergreen is a really gentle mother," Hisui said, leaning back against the pillows on her bed. Her crazy doctors had already prescribed a couple hours bedrest every day. It was a silly precaution, probably only because she was royalty. She was only five months pregnant after all. And it was so boring to be laying in bed like that when there was so much to do to prepare for the wedding! Laxus was sitting on the edge of the bed. He nodded.

"I always knew Ever had a soft side," he said, "She really is going to be an amazing mother." Hisui smiled, remembering the way Laxus had held June in his arms.

"You're going to be an amazing father," she said, tapping his side with her bare foot.

He glanced over at her from where he sat, shoulders slumped, gray eyes wide with hope. "You… I mean… Will I?" And she saw the brokenness there she hadn't seen in so long.

"Laxus," she let out a breath, and sat up, scrambling to kneel beside him on the bed. She took him into her arms, and held him close. "Yes. You will. I know you. You're going to be amazing."

He clutched her shirt, pulling her close like she was everything. "As long as you love this baby, you'll be doing wonderfully."

"I love him," he whispered, "More and more each day."

She laughed a little, "Him? Really?"

"What can I say?" He glanced up, offering her a smirk, "Didn't I tell you…"

"…that Dreyar firstborns are always boys? Yeah. We'll just have to see about that."