The Colossal Titan, as he was more affectionately refer to, made a large swipe for Christine. They braced for the impact, but it never came. His hand passed right through, leaving the ship and its occupants unharmed.
Natsu and the other mages looked at the still glowing angel in front of them, wondering how she was able to keep them safe. Even the twins had been surprised by this new trick.
Hibiki and Ren didn't bother looking the gift horse in the mouth and moved Christine to full power and as fast as she could go before they could be attacked again.
They were back in the clouds and away from the wall before Lucy dropped the barrier she placed on the ship and stopped glowing.
She swayed slightly as Natsu steadied her.
"I'm alright," she tried to assure him. He wasn't convinced and sat with her against the wall of the cabin cradling her as he made her rest.
She smiled at him and fell asleep almost immediately feeling safe and cherished for the first time in too many years.
The twins and small children soon joined them using Natsu or Lucy as a pillow. The pile of them slept like that until morning.
It was too precious, so Erza and Levy had practically demanded that Hibiki use one of his cameras to get a picture of them. Not that he had resisted, he wanted one to remember this adventure by as well.
Once back in Fiore, Lucy and Queen Hisui met regarding the survivors.
The soldiers were to teach the country's newest civilians the language. Afterwards, they were welcomed to join Fiore's army, or they could move on and start a new life anywhere they wanted.
The civilians, once they learned the language, would be allowed to get jobs or go to school and would be treated as normal Fiorian citizens.
Lucy was taken to Porlyusica immediately after arriving in Magnolia rather than going to the guild who were still unaware that she was alive. Everyone was still very worried for her overall health.
She was greeted as warmly as the old woman could muster and was scolded for her overuse of magic.
When asked about her pregnancy and delivery, she told the old woman her appalling tale of the twins' birth.
Natsu and the others had waited outside and hadn't heard the story, but they heard Porlyusica's reaction.
She was more furious than they'd ever seen her, and they were terrified.
She had started to march out of her home with the intent to go to Crocus, while Lucy chased after her trying to calm her back down. She was going to teach those "complete morons" a lesson on how to treat pregnant women and those that had just given birth.
Lucy eventually gave up and used magic to stop her from continuing. Luckily, it hadn't exhausted her as the woman was much easier to subdue than a titan.
Once she was given a clean bill of health and strict instructions not to use magic for a month, Lucy was taken to the guild.
Wanting to surprise everyone, no one had said anything about Lucy, the twins, or the four other children; the guild only knew that the mission was successful and that there had been survivors.
Natsu kicked in the doors causing everyone to jump, "We made it back alive!"
Not use to him behaving this way, most members were concerned. Only a few recognized his younger behavior before he'd become so stoic. It was refreshing and made them smile.
The other mages walked through the doors only to stand next to him snickering at his renewed mischief. It had been too long, and they'd really missed him.
"Look who we found," he announced with his signature sunlit grin plastered across his face.
The guild members looked towards the doorway again as Lucy and the twins stepped through followed by the little ones.
Several large sobs rang out through the guild.
Mira, Lisanna, Cana, and Bisca all ran towards her. Each one taking their time hugging the blonde into oblivion before moving to fuss over their newest nieces and nephews as well.
Once the initial shock wore off, she was greeted by a flurry of mages and questions.
The twins and children were officially introduced to the guild and were, once again, fawned over by their many aunts and uncles. Used to being hated and avoided, they'd never been greeted so warmly. It was nice but a bit overwhelming.
There would be a true Fairy Tail party for their safe return but before it could start getting underway, another figure came bursting through the door.
Happy was flying around frantically, shouting that the newest kit was hatching. He suddenly stopped mid-flight when his eyes landed on Lucy.
She had tears in her eyes as she greeted the still adorable exceed, "I missed you, Happy."
The blue exceed started bawling as he rushed to her arms, knocking her off-balance. Natsu was quick to steady her, chuckling at them.
Seeing the twins as well, he couldn't resist. "I told you! You two love each other!" he cheered drawing out the word "love" making everyone laugh.
Too soon, Lucy and Happy parted so everyone could go greet the new kit.
The tiny white exceed popped out of her egg and floated down to Ignius' head, surprising the teen, though he smiled soon after.
This earned a laugh from most of Fairy Tail's members who'd been around when Happy had hatched, plus Lucy who knew the story well.
Things soon calmed down again at Fairy Tail.
The twins and the new kit, Starlight, got their guild marks. Starlight's was blue like her father and on her back. Sakura got a pink one on her right shoulder. And Ignius' was red and on his left shoulder, opposite his father's.
Even though the children Lucy had adopted didn't have any magic to speak of, they were welcomed to the guild with open arms. Honestly, they were just fun to play with and spoil.
Gale and Misty had been on a mission when the team had returned but quickly got acquainted with the new additions.
Gale immediately started flirting with Sakura to Natsu's and Ignius extreme irritation, though Lucy thought it was adorable. It only made Sakura blush like her mother use to.
However, the tables turned when Ignius met Misty who, like her mother had fallen for Gray, was instantly smitten with the boy.
Unlike his uncle, Ignius didn't mind the gorgeous bluenette's advances at all. On the contrary, he loved it!
The thing he didn't love was being forced to stop threatening Gale or Sakura would beat him senseless in front of Misty and he knew it.
Not that he couldn't take her if he wanted to, but he'd never had any interest in harming his sister, even accidentally. Their lives had been hostile enough, so they never fought with each other.
That didn't stop Natsu from threatening at Gajeel and Gale or Gray from threatening both Natsu and Ignius.
The girls, however, couldn't stop laughing at the boys' antics as the threats soon turned into an all-out guild brawl. The first in many years, and it wouldn't be the last.
Lucy rolled her eyes, smiling fondly. She hadn't stopped smiling since she'd been brought home.