I was distracted and in traffic

Levy could not wait to be NOT pregnant. She tapped her fingers along her steering wheel while waiting for the car in front of her to move. It was the typical lunch rush traffic jam as she made her way to her final doctor's appointment. Her orange buggy feeling cramped while she drove with her overly large 42-week belly. There have been a few close calls that ended up only being Braxton-Hick's contractions but it resulted in there being a 'baby buddy' list and a phone tree was done in case Levy went into labor. It had brought tears to Levy's eyes when she saw how many people wanted to make sure she and her nakama were safe.

BUMP.

"Yes my love? I can't wait to see you."

BUMP.

Levy winced as her daughter kicked an especially sensitive spot. "Calm down young lady. We will get there when we get there." The buggy inched forward in the gridlock and Levy let her mind wander.

She thought back to her dorm five weeks ago. How, at the moment, she was so mad at herself for giving into Gajeel. How pathetic am I? I can't even trust myself to not go running back to him. She was so ready to raise her daughter on her own but she could not look into the open, pleading eyes of Gajeel and not fall in love with him again. Her stupid heart couldn't help it and it beat down every wall and defense she had, giving him one more chance.

Levy glanced at the clock in her dashboard beginning to feel anxious. 12:30. I wish this traffic would go faster. This appointment was special in more than one way. Not only was she finally going to get induced to give birth, but she was going to see Gajeel in person for the first time since he went to rehab. It was hard to not have him there in person but he had gotten special permission to FaceTime Levy during the appointment so he could be up to date on everything. Of course, she had her baby buddy there too for moral support.

She smiled as she thought back to Jet's baby buddy appointment. He asked so many questions, "So I can be prepared. Just in case." The look on Jet's face when the doctor explained what had been previously explained to Gajeel and Levy was priceless. It was so similar to Gajeel's. Boys. She thought as she laughed hard at the memory.

Suddenly, there was some unexpected moisture in her lap and she frowned. Aw man, I didn't even feel it coming this time. Levy put her blinker on to exit the highway so she can change out her pants. The first time she had peed herself, Levy was so embarrassed but lately, she has been too tired and too pregnant to care about what people think. I am 42 frickin' weeks pregnant! Piss happens.

I didn't feel it when the earthquake happened

Pulling into the parking lot of a corner store, Levy felt an uncomfortable amount of pressure. She rushed to park so she could make it to the restroom. Grabbing her bag of extra clothes, she stepped out of the car and felt a sudden release. WHOOSH. "Crap." Levy grabbed her phone and opened up her calendar app, "Who was it today? Who was it today?" She felt a sharp pain as she found her 'baby buddy' and by the time she could dial the number, Levy could see her actual stomach moving as the first of many contractions started.

Holding her breath through the contraction, the other line rang. RING… RING… RING…

"Hey Levy! What's up?"

"Natsu! Thank goodness! My water broke!"

"Huh?"

"My water broke! I need to get to the hospital but I can no longer drive."

"Levy, how did you break water? What does that even mean? Like I know you're clumsy and all bu-"

"NATSUUUUUUU!" Levy couldn't deal with this right now as she felt another pang of contractions. Then she remembered. "Natsu! There's a fire in my belly!"

"Fire…In your belly?" She could practically hear the words go through his mind as realization hit. "Ooooh." Thank Mavis. "OH!" Levy had to smile when she heard multiple crashes and poor Happy screeching on the other line. "There's a fire in her belly! Luce! There's a fire in her belly!" Levy could hear her friend's voice in the back ground chastising Natsu for the mess before realizing what he was saying. "Where are you Levy?" She gave him directions to the gas station. "We're on our way!"

Levy hung up the phone and went to go change her clothes while Natsu made his way over. I can't wait to see you, little one!

But if the world was ending you'd come over, right?

Gajeel POV

Gajeel could not wait to get out of this Mavis forsaken building. He couldn't stop his leg from bouncing as he fiddled with the 30-day coin in his hand while his exit counselor droned on about weekly Narcotic Anonymous meetings and how "This is only the beginning of his sober journey, etcetera etcetera…" Come on, I need to meet Levy for the doctor's appointment. His bags were packed and he was waiting on Laxus to save him from this self-imposed prison. A quick look at the clock determined that it was already one in the afternoon and his anxiety was through the roof with impatience.

On one hand, Gajeel could not believe that he made it to the end of the program. On the other hand, the weekly FaceTime helped. Every time he thought of quitting and leaving early, he would just picture his daughter and what she would look like. Her features would change every so often but for the most part she was just like his fever dream version when he tried detoxing for the first time.

You'd come over and you'd stay the night

Gajeel played with the coin in his hand while his counselor finished up. 30 days sober. He gripped his sobriety chip and promised himself that it was just the beginning. He would stay sober for his daughter and for Levy, if not for himself. The whole time he was there, Gajeel was afraid that Levy would have the baby and he would miss the birth, but his little squirt stayed in and now he was going to be headed to the hospital to meet Levy there to have the baby.

The counselor handed Gajeel his exit papers and he signed himself out. Grabbing his bags, he walked out the front doors in time to see Laxus' Jeep swerve into the parking lot. "Hey! Watch where you park that thing Lax!" Gajeel yelled at his friend as he covered multiple parking spots.

Laxus did not bother getting down to help Gajeel but instead stuck his head out the top of the open jeep. "Hurry up and get in!" Gajeel made a face and started walking towards his friend who had a shit eating grin on his face. "You better hurry, Kurogane! Levy's water broke thirty minutes ago and her labor is accelerating fast!"

"Mother fucker! Lead with that next time shit head!" Gajeel sprinted the rest of the way to the jeep and threw his bags in the back while simultaneously occupying the front passenger seat. He could not stop the goofy grin that spread across his face as Laxus sped off and headed towards the hospital. I can't wait to see you, little one.

Would you love me for the hell of it?
All our fears would be irrelevant

Levy POV

If someone told her to breathe slowly one more time, Levy was going to kick them. "1… 2… 3…" She was trying to focus on anything but the pain and Jet's counting was not helping. Natsu, on the other hand, was in the corner doing Lamaze breathing exercises and using his arms to help demonstrate. "HEE-HEE-HOOOO. HEE-HEE-HOOO" I can always count on you Natsu. Focusing on her friends' crazy antics helped with dealing with the pain of her contractions.

Looking around the room, she couldn't believe how many people showed up when Lucy and Natsu stated making the calls to tell everyone that she was in labor. Jet was the first to arrive at the hospital, along with Droy. Then Wendy, her Romeo, and Erza. Juvia arrived with her boyfriend Grey. Cana and Bacchus made an appearance, cracked a joke about going to practice for one of their own and left to go prepare the bar for opening. Freid, Elfman, and Mira had just entered the door when Levy felt another contraction.

They feel like they are coming so much closer together, it's impossible to recover from one before the other starts. Mira rushed to the side of Levy that was not occupied by Jet as Levy's face crumpled up in pain. Levy leaned forward as the contraction intensified and Mira rubbed her back to try and soothe the pain. "I just got a call from Laxus, Gajeel is on his way right now." Mira whispered into Levy's ear. "He also said to make sure that you're okay and that he can't wait to see his god daughter." Levy let a tear stream down her face, Dear Mavis, let me last until he gets here.

If the world was ending you'd come over, right?

She was so tired from labor and the contractions became more painful that she lost track of time. Suddenly, she felt an enormous pressure in between her legs as she said, "I need to push!"

There was a flurry of movement as a nurse was called to assist Levy and the baby. After a quick check up, the nurse confidently said with a smile, "Well Ms. McGarden, it looks like you're ready to have a baby."

The anxious room erupts with whoops and hollers from her friends as a rush of excitement and apprehension came over her. Gajeel, where are you?

The nurse took in the crowded room and said, "You all can't stay in here while she is pushing. Only the father-to-be can stay. The rest of you can go to the waiting area." The seasoned nurse put her hand up to delay the obvious protests in the room. "It is for sanitary as well as safety reasons! Now all of you, out!"

Levy panicked as everyone grumpily filed out, "But Gajee-."

"Don't worry Levs. I'll stay until he gets here." Levy looked up at her best friend as he grabbed her hand.

"Thank you, Jet." She gripped his hands as the hospital staff moved synchronously around the room. Setting up anything and everything they needed for delivery. Levy felt her heart in her throat as the main nurse transformed her bed into birthing position by popping out the stirrups for Levy's legs. She watched her friend go pale as the nurses moved her legs into position. "Are you okay Jet?"

"Y-yeah. I'm groovy," Jet attempted a weak smile but focused on Levy's face and felt better. "Let's have this baby!"

He did not last thirty minutes. He tried. Really, he did. Levy could not be more grateful for that, but Jet's mistake was sneaking a peek at the baby to see her progress. She did not know what he saw but Jet was on the floor about two seconds later, having fainted from the sight. She was being ushered to push again as Jet was being ushered out.

The sky'd be falling and I'd hold you tight

She cried out in pain as the contraction wrecked through her body. Gajeel! Where are you? Levy pushed as much as she could until she needed to rest. I need you here Gajeel! It wasn't even a thirty second rest before the doctor was urging her to push once more. I can't do this by myself. Sweat and tears were running down her face as she kept going for the sake of her daughter. Gajeel!

"GA-JEEEEEEL!"

Suddenly, Levy felt someone grab her hand and felt lips on her forehead. "I'm here Levy. I'm here."

And there wouldn't be a reason why
We would even have to say goodbye

She looked up, exhausted, into his crimson and smiled herself at his goofy grin. "Oh thank Mavis." She relaxed for a moment and leaned into Gajeel for support. "You made it." Levy's world stopped for just a moment, and it was just him and her. No pain. No contractions. Just the two of them. Levy's heart felt filled. It felt right. "I'm never letting you go again, Gajeel."

"Gihi. Well shit Shorty," Gajeel visibly blushed and Levy's heart did somersaults at the sight, "I missed you too."

"This is great and all," The doctor interrupted their conversation, "But I think there are more pressing matters to attend to at the moment." Levy took a deep breath and found a renewed sense of energy as she nodded in agreement. The whole team waited in anticipation for another contraction and as soon as it came, the doctor urged Levy, "Push!"

If the world was ending you'd come over, right? Right?


~~Author's Note~~

Thanks for reading! This chapter was so easy to write. The song, the words, everything kinda just fell into place. I'm happy with it, I hope you are too!

Song Credit: JP Saxe and Julia Michaels : If the World Was Ending

~SPECIAL SHOUTOUT~

RAOHYUGA18 : Thank you! I'm glad you really like the songs! Let me know what you think of this chapter! 3