Love At First Sight

by BlackLynx17

Wendy is a princess forced to be married at the age of 18. It wouldn't be a problem if she had fallen in love with her fiance, but fate is not so kind. Determined to run away to chose her own love, she runs into a nice man who rescues her from her guards. Thinking this man is her one true love, she decides to escape with him. She has no idea that her true love is a no good pirate.

51. Part 1

BlackLynx17: I still had so much planned for this story. Over 200 pages of more adventures for the Fairy Tail gang. It hurts that I'm not doing my story justice like this, especially when I first wrote this story. That was more than five years ago though and it pains me that I have made you wait this long to know the ending. For that I am truly sorry.

---

No one rushes her, not one bit. Wendy takes her time as she exits the ship and walks once more on Fiore ground. No one shoves her into the carriage, but instead offers their hands and waits until she reaches out to grab it. The windows are open and she stares at all the passing scenery. She lived most of her life here... and she doesn't remember one bit of it. She feels no comfort in this place, no euphoria, nothing. This is not home. This is not her home.

Wendy rubs her swollen belly gently, it finally showing after the month long trip crossing North Blue and heading into Eastern Seas before finally home. King Noland was surprised, and surely persisted with questions, but she remained silent. She remained healthy, did everything the ships doctor told her, read books daily about how to prepare for her child, and made sure nothing would happen to her.

Her little girl.

Or boy, but Wendy had a stronger feeling of a little girl gracing their presences because okay women usually bore women... which made her secretly happy because Wendy has always wanted a girl. No, that's a lie, well... maybe. She never wanted a girl because of what she was forced to do as princess, marry another man to gain the throne, but the thought of having a little girl to brush her hair and play dollies with... she wanted that. She so desperately wanted that, but was scared to hope. Mest didn't make her scared anymore. She would be happy and proud if she had a girl now, because she could grow up to be whatever she wanted to be, and marry whoever she loved. That was Wendy's promise to her child. A promise her parents should have made to her.

"We've arrived," the coach says, stopping the carriage.

Wendy is careful not to fall as she's helped down. She stares up at the castle walls and feels nothing. Good, it'll make it easier to leave a second time. She held no regrets, she did ponder a bit when she first left, but all those doubts quickly disappeared the longer she stayed with Mest. She remembered the good times she had with her parents, but walking through these halls, seeing the paintings on the walls, the sculptures everywhere she grew up seeing every single day, it reminds her how they betrayed her. Bitterness fills up inside her, but she remains calm and collected on the outside. She remains the vision of a princess... a pregnant princess.

Her parents don't seem to notice a thing as soon as she enters the room. They're too filled with happiness that their lost daughter is back. Her mother and father run to her side, throwing their arms around her, and Wendy has to admit she does cry a little as well. She doesn't know if it's because of the hormones, or because she really did miss her parents, but tears run down her face. Her entire body stiffens up when she sees an extra body in the throne room though, one that she did not expect to be here on upon her arrival, at least not so soon. Acnologia is standing in a corner staring at her. He doesn't look happy, or surprised, sad, mad, nothing. She can't read his expression, not that it matters anyway. She tears her eyes away and focus on her parents again.

Their happiness is fading and while they speak with King Noland, giving their thanks, her mother is the first to notice her plump little shape.

"Wendy... are you pregnant?" Queen Marvell asks, staring right at her little stomach.

King okay stares at his daughter before he glares over at Noland, "you've impregnated my daughter?!"

"No mother and father, King Noland has done no such thing. He has rescued me and has been nothing but respectful and fulfilled my every wish and want. He has brought me to you guys, he deserves a great many thanks for that. King Noland, you have my eternal gratitude. You have rescued Fiore, you are our hero." Wendy says, bowing down at Noland.

He has to admit, he's really grown a liking to this little princess. Fury at one moment, completely calm and collected the next. She's a spitfire, and he's glad she's a woman of her word. King and Queen Marvell quickly turn back to Noland, reminded of their gratitude. They offer him plenty, and rooms to stay in to rest from the long journey, and treaties, and trades, everything the king could have hoped for, Wendy didn't care. She just continued to rub her belly in soothing motions, staying calm. She doesn't know how long she listens to all this sucking up and bullshit, but soon King Noland leaves the rooms, and then the guards, but for some reason Acnologia stays. She still feels nothing for the man. Not from the first time she's met him, and definitely not from the second time either. He doesn't look any different from her memories, maybe a little taller, more scarier, but nothing like her Mest.

"Wendy... what happened?" Her father is the first one to break the silence in the room.

She shrugs, "does it matter? I'm home now."

King Marvell goes to shout, but her mother squeezes his shoulder and walks forward, "of course it matters! You've been gone for two years Wendy! Two years! And you come back pregnant?! From a kingdom across the world?! What are Earth happened? Were you kidnapped? Enslaved?! Because I know you wouldn't have done this to your parents, I know you wouldn't have ran away from us!"

"Then you don't know me Mother."

"You insolent little brat! We gave you everything! Everything we had Wendy! You were our only child! We put everything on you, everything was supposed to be yours! And you've ruined us! You've betrayed all of us!"

"I betrayed no one!" Wendy shouts, her eyes narrowing at her parents.

Queen and King Marvell flinch back from her outburst and Acnologia moves on his feet, getting interested now.

"I didn't betray my kingdom, it betrayed me. I was ready to be the perfect princess, the perfect queen. I was ready to give my kingdom everything I had in me, everything I owned, my entire being, and all I wanted in return was a chance. A chance at happiness like you Mother and Father. All I wanted was a chance on what you raised me to believe in. Love at first sight. True love. You told me from when I was young that I would fall in love with my betrothed, and when I first met him I didn't. I begged for you to give me a second chance, because if I was going to give my life to my kingdom, I needed someone to help take care of me when I had nothing left, but you ignored me and denied me that... so I left. I didn't betray anyone, no one at all. I was betrayed. You may have birthed me, but this was my life. I wasn't going to live it in regret."

Her mother and father stand in front of shocked. Queen Marvell is the first to recover, babbling on and on and on.

"But- but, that's not true, you knew, you knew of the betrothal, we picked him out because we knew you two would love each other. We knew Wendy, we knew! I raised you knowing that you would be married one day!"

"You raised me on stories of seeing father once, knowing he was the love of your life, and living happily ever after. That's all I wanted, and you denied me that." Wendy says calmly.

"You should have trusted in us! You should have believed that we knew best! Instead you ran off and nearly worked us to our deaths! And look at you now! Did you find what you were looking for Wendy? Did you find what we denied you?!" King Marvell yells.

Wendy smiles so happily it shocks her parents.

"Yes. I found love, true love."

"Then why are you back Wendy? If you found what you were looking for, how could you let yourself be captured when you've evaded us for two years?" Her mother cries out.

Wendy's smile falls and she wills herself to cry. She can't endanger them, she can't endanger her friends. King Noland has already agreed to keep their bargain a secret, and she's sure none of his guards would speak if they didn't want their kingdom to prosper or keep their lives. She thinks about Mest,thinks about the separation, of never seeing him again, and lets the grief consume her as tears fill her eyes.

"He died... then I was found by King Noland. He saved me, you could say, because I had given up on life... until I discovered a new one."

They can't punish a man for defiling their princess if he isn't alive. Mest has to be dead to them, in order to keep him safe, in order to keep everyone safe. Her parents aren't going to send their warriors out to find someone not of this earth anymore, or all the way to the North Blue to check for a grave. Her tears should be enough, and they are. Her mother walks up to her and with no compassion at all, stares her in the eyes and asks.

"And what do you have now that your lover is gone? Everything you've done Wendy has been a waste. A waste of our time, a waste of Prince Acnologia time, our kingdoms, even your own. You have nothing now Wendy and you've returned to the one place you tried to desperately to leave. You've proven nothing but how we were right and you should have trusted in your parents."

Wendy shakes her head at her, "you're wrong. Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. I don't have nothing Mother, I have his undying love always with me and our child born from that love."

She smiles strongly at her mother to show her that her words didn't hurt her, that she regretted nothing of her choices, and that she still was happy and loved. King okay doesn't know what made him snap, but he can't stand his child's disobedience any longer. He strides over to Wendy and grabs her arm roughly, lifting up his hand to slap her. Wendy sees it coming and raises her hand, catching his wrist before his hands hits her, and holding it tightly in her grip as she keeps it away.

"I'm not the same obedient little princess I was before father. I do not belong to you anymore, and you will not harm me or my child. I will fight to protect myself and I will certainly fight, and beat, you if that is what you wish," she growls, shoving him away.

And King okay is actually shoved away, trying to catch himself on his feet from her strength. Wendy didn't gain nothing from being a pirate. All that training, those odd jobs, helping with the ship, lifting and swimming, she's gained muscles and strength a princess has never had before. She knew how to fight, she knew how to use a sword, she knew how to fire guns, she knew how to protect herself, and she knows she would never hear the end of it from Mest if she let anything happened to her.

"Wendy! Look at you! Look at what you are?! We're your parents!" Queen okay screams.

"Well then act like them." Wendy replies.

"You are not keeping that abomination!"

"My daughter is not an abomination, and yes I am. If you have a problem feel free to disown me and kick me to the curve. I will survive with my child, I will not let anything happen to us. Like I said before, I am not the same obedient little princess who could not protect or speak up for herself. I'm a woman now, a wife, a widow, and I will protect those that I love."

She will fight. They will not take her little bundle of joy from her, they will not take anything away from her again. Queen okay looks disappointed at her daughter while King okay is angry, steam coming from him. Prince Acnologia walks forward at this moment, clapping his hands slowly.

"My King and Queen, I apologize, but I can not watch any longer. Emotions are too jumbled up right now, too high. Might I suggest we all just... cool down, and continue this another time? Your lost princess is back, let's focus on that first and tell the kingdom the joyous news." Acnologia says.

"Prince Acnologia," Queen okay says softly.

"We'll discuss matters later about the princess, let's just focus that she's home. Princess Wendy, it pleases me greatly to have you back home safe inside your castle." Prince Acnologia bows to her, "I'm happy the world was not cruel to you on your voyage to see it."

Wendy doesn't speak to this man. He's scaring her right now. He should be acting just like her parents, screaming and yelling, his fiancee has been defiled, his fiancee is pregnant with another man's child, he should be running for the hills and calling off this union. He isn't doing any of those things though... she retreats back a step and shakes her head.

"I'm retreating to my room now, excuse me," she bows down slightly before heading for the door.

"I'm not done with you yet-"

"My King, there will be a time and place, just relax." Prince Acnologia says.

"I don't know how you can stay calm in this situation Prince Acnologia."

"As I said before my King, one day at a time. I'm just happy the princess is back home, we can worry about everything else another day."

Wendy closes the door behind her and frowns deeply, no longer hearing their conversation. She lets out a deep breath she's been holding since the moment she's arrived here and relaxes a bit. She has survived the first day. Just a couple more months to go...

"We're going to be okay baby, we're going to be perfect," Wendy whispers, rubbing her stomach.

Her stomach growls in response, and Wendy giggles as she heads towards the kitchen. They didn't cook like Mirajane, but anything really would be better than that gruel they served on King Noland's ship. She couldn't wait to pig out and eat all of her feelings away.

LINE

"Prince Acnologia are you sure?"

"Perfectly. I wouldn't have suggested such an idea if I wasn't okay with it."

"You're a better man than I realized Prince Acnologia."

"Nonsense my King, I still see value in your little princess. She isn't any less pure than the first time I've met her, nothing has truly changed. My feelings are the same."

The conversation ends as the door opens, servants announcing Wendy's presence. She's been in the castle for a week and has been locked up in her room. Of her own choice of course, but it wasn't like her parents wanted to see her anyway nor her failure. It had been a weird experience, seeing her old room. She thought it looked so much different than before, but nothing had changed. Just Wendy's taste. She saw all the riches and flinched, tossing and turning the first night from the softness of her bed. It wasn't what she was used too anymore. All her old clothes didn't fit any longer, and when the seamstresses came to make her more, she put her foot down and argued that if they made her any dresses or gowns she would walk around naked (never would she really). Instead they made her pants, and shirts, simple peasant clothes her parents thought. She only wore a dress at night as a nightgown. She needed to be ready to run, be ready to fight if need be, and she could not do such things in a dress.

She still hides a knife on her figure; her gun had been taken away. She won't let anyone know of it unless they mess with her. Her parents faces pail as they stare at her state, reminded of her growing shame in her stomach. Any other parents would be happy of a grandchild, but not her parents. They loved her, but they didn't care. They were only obliged to feel that way towards her, towards their heir. She wonders if she ever mattered to them.

"Wendy... how are you feeling?" Queen okay asks.

She tries to reach out the first step. Wendy smiles kindly, appreciating it, and nods her head.

"Doing well Mother, my morning sickness has passed. I hope it stays that way."

"Oh, how far along are you?" Her mother asks.

Wendy's eyes light up, "two months and a half months, give or take a week."

Queen okay giggles, "I'm afraid you're going to have sickness for a little while longer dear. I was still throwing up well into my fourth month before I finally calmed down."

King okay clears his throat, making Queen okay catch herself and fall back to his side. Wendy frowns slightly. The first pleasant conversation she had with her parent and it was ruined.

"Be grateful daughter, you have not brought shame on our family it seems," King okay announces, his voice strong.

Wendy tilts her head, "I never thought I did."

"Why you-"

"My king," Prince Acnologia says.

King okay clears his throat again, but his eyes still glare, "Prince Acnologia, the selfless prince he is, has still agreed to your union. He has still agreed to marry you Wendy, even when you have betrayed him, and is willing to make you respectful again."

"I never betrayed him because I never belonged to him."

"You were promised to him!"

"A promise I did not make."

"Wendy! Stop fighting me! You're being unreasonable!"

"I'm being unreasonable? You're treating your daughter like cattle. She's just lost the love of her life, and instead of comforting her, and welcoming her into your warm breasts, you are pushing her off onto the very reason why she ran away in the first place."

"He is saving your name and our kingdom! Wendy, please, just listen," King okay says, his voice all of a sudden sounding tired, very tired, "he's going to save our good names. We'll be able to save this, rework this. If we join you two in marriage soon, we can get away with that bastard of a child being his. He's agreed to adopt your child Wendy, your daughter will have a last name. She will have a fortune, she will never be Queen and rule this country, but she will have a home. Show Prince Acnologia your gratitude for saving you."

Wendy's face turns a bright color red and she clenches her hands against her shirt, "what is wrong with you people?!" She screams out.

Queen and King okay both flinch at the shrill of her voice.

"There is nothing wrong with me! There is nothing wrong with my child! I am happy, we both are! When did I ever ask for such a thing?! Why can't you show your own daughter any chance to grieve?! Why aren't you treating me like a decent human being?! Instead you mock me, call me names, call my daughter names, spit over my husband's dead name! My daughter will have a last name! My daughter will have a home, and a fortune, and it won't be from you! Any of you!" She screams.

She stares down at Queen okay, "Mother, why are you letting this happen?! What happened to the mother who used to love me?! Tend to me?! Kiss my boo boos away?! Brush my hair and sing me to sleep?! Why are you being so cruel!? Why are you letting your husband treat me like a street rat?! You were happy a second ago, speaking to me about your granddaughter, and now you're letting him sell me off like a common whore! You were Queen long before he came, why do you cower before him?!"

She looks over at King okay next, "Father, you were the love of my life! I envied mother for having you, I wanted to marry you myself when I was younger! You always swore you would protect me! Always promised you would do me no harm and take care of me! That I would never have to worry about a thing! And look at you now?! Making your daughter cry, striking her, calling her a disappointment, making her feel like nothing?! Is this the father you wished to be growing up?! Did you always plan on being so cruel when you learned of my existence?! Because if so, why did you ever treat me so kindly when I was a child?!"

Wendy turns her head finally at her so called fiancee, "And you. Prince Acnologia. You don't deserve this, neither of us do. I do not know why you would put yourself through such a thing, but please listen to me and listen well. I do not love you. I will never love you. I will never marry you. I will never let you lay with me, I will never bare your children, I will never be anything to you other than an acquaintance, and that is really stretching it thin. I do not know what you hope to gain by remaining by my side, maybe you wish for the crown, maybe this kingdom, nor do I care. Stay away from me though."

"You have embarrassed me for the last time Wendy! Learn your place!" King okay yells, raising his hand again.

"William don't!" Queen okay screams, grabbing his arm this time.

She holds him back and Wendy glares at him, wrapping her arms protecting around her stomach.

"You will marry him or I will kill your child!"

"Your own grandchild?!" Wendy spits back.

"Yes! Without hesitation! That bastard is no grandchild of mine!" King okay yells.

"You kill her and I'll kill myself! Good luck keeping the throne in the bloodline when you have absolutely no heir! We'll be the laughingstock of the seven seas, Kingdom Fiore dragging their princess to kill herself so soon after returning! Our kingdom will fall!" Wendy screams.

Prince Acnologia takes a step towards her and Wendy glares at him, taking a step back.

"Don't," she growls.

He holds his hands up as he takes another step towards her, "please, I mean you no harm. Let me escort you out, we're done here. There's no need for you to work yourself up any longer, it'll be bad for the child."

He's right, and Wendy doesn't like it how he knows he is. She rather be anywhere else than trapped in a room with her parents though, so she leaves, following after him into the other room. As soon as they exit she turns down the hall, ignoring how he tries leading her someplace else. She wants to go for a walk, she wants to eat a snack, and she also wants to pee super badly.

"Princess Wendy-"

"Leave me, I was not kidding before. You mean nothing to me and you never shall. Please leave before you waste anymore of your time," Wendy calls behind her before disappearing behind a corner.

Acnologia stands alone in the hall and sighs out, running his hands through his hair.

"I think I'll decide on whether or not I'm wasting my time or not."

LINE

"I don't think we should show this to him," Natsu says, scratching the back of his head.

Lucy looks over at him and smacks him hard, "do you think? Really Natsu? Did it really have to process through your mind for you to come to that conclusion?"

"Stop it you two, don't worry. Wendy already saw this situation, it just means that things are going according to plan. She will be by our side soon. We just need to continue to lay in wait." Mirajane says.

"We're back in the Eastern Seas, correct Erza?" Freed asks.

"Yeah..." Erza takes a sharp breath, "yes, we are. () is just on the border between Eastern and North Blue. If we set sail now we should arrive in Fiore in a week." Erza says, fire burning in her eyes.

"We don't need to go to Fiore yet, Wendy hasn't given us the signal. We should stay here and wait, or maybe move a town closer so we'll be able to reach her quicker." Levy says.

"No, it's only been two months since she's been gone. She warned us the time line, we have to believe in what she's doing. She knows what she's doing... we just have to have fate." Mirajane says.

"But it's not fair!" Erza growls out, clenching her hand.

"Acting hasty won't help us in this situation. If we go to her now and get caught, she won't be able to save us. We'll just be signing our own deaths." Freed tells her.

Erza curses and stalks away, kicking the door open as she leaves. Mest watches her pass by with a frown on his face as he enters the room she left, seeing his crew gathered around. Soon all of them scatter and start doing random things, but he knows better.

"What happened?" He asks.

"Nothing Mest, nothing at all," Natsu laughs nervously.

"You're blowing it Natsu," Lucy whispers harshly.

Mest stares at all of them and sees a paper sticking out from behind Freed's back. He walks over and holds his hand out, making a "gimme" motion over and over again.

"Now Mest-"

"Now Freed."

"She warned us this might happened, doesn't mean it's real. Please... don't overreact." Freed sighs holding out the paper.

Mest snatches it from his grasps and holds it open wide. His eyes scan for his lost princess and he pauses when he sees the headlines. Fiore's lost princess returned, the royal wedding back on. His hands clench into fists and the paper starts shaking as he continues to read and lose control of his anger.

"SHE'S GETTING MARRIED?!" His voice echoes throughout the room.

"Actually, she's already married, according to the paper," Natsu mumbles.

Lucy smacks him on the head, "idiot!"

"Mest, you know it's not real. You know she would never do such a thing, she loves you-"

"Of course I know that! But she's being forced to Mira! She's being forced to marry him and now he's probably- he probably tried to take advantage over her!" Mest yells ripping the paper into shreds.

"I highly doubt that, Wendy's tough. She would never let anyone do that Mest, she would protect herself." Natsu says.

For once he says the right thing and Lucy drops her fist, already ready to smack him again. Mest turns to him sharply and glares.

"You don't know that, they could force her-"

"I do know that, for a fact Mest. Wendy hasn't betrayed you, she never will. She rather die." Lucy tells him.

Mest takes a sharp breath and turns to Freed, "we need to rescue her, now!"

"It isn't time Mest."

"You're right, it's already too late! They fucking married her off!"

"Then why wasn't there a royal wedding?! Or invitations?! Why wasn't there a warning? Or guests invited?! Why was it rushed Mest?!" Freed asks.

"I don't know! Why?!"

"I don't know either! And that's exactly the point! Because somethings off! Because Wendy is fighting! If they made the wedding a public affair then everyone across the seven seas would see just how Fiore kingdom is crumbling from the inside! They would see a unwilling bride killing her fiancee!"

Mest actually smirks when he says that, ever so slightly, and calms down.

"They kept the wedding a secret, which we can only assume is because she refused it and they didn't listen. Trust in your wife Captain, she's fine. At least we know she made it there safely, at least we know she's alive and well."

Mest reaches out and grips Freed's shoulder tightly, staring him directly in the eyes, "... please. Please Freed, I need her, I can't- it's been too long, I can't keep her there any longer. She needs me, I need her."

He begs. He hasn't had her in months. Months. The journey chasing after her was torture, pure torture. To only stay so far behind her ship, never being able to go faster, to pass it, to kidnap her, to kill everyone except her. To let her go back to the place she hated beyond anything. She's forgotten him. Forgotten his touch. His feel. His love. He promised to never let her go and she was away. He couldn't handle it, his heart couldn't go on anymore. He had nightmares every night of her, waking up without her, screaming out loudly, destroying their beautiful room yet again.

"Mest... be strong. One false move and it's over for us." Freed tells him.

"I understand that, but you can't understand what it feels like to have her so close to you, watching her suffer, and not be able to do anything."

"Of course I do. Maybe not as strongly, but she left all of us Mest to save our friends. I feel it too." Freed says, his eyes yearning.

Mest lets go of him and shakes his head, walking backwards. He walks out of the room and Lucy goes chasing after him.

"Go! Leave me! I don't want a baby sitter!" Mest growls, heading off the ship towards town.

"I'm not, I'm your friend and I just want to be with you," she says.

"I don't want you Lucy! I want Wendy!" He yells right in her face.

Lucy doesn't flinch one bit, "I know, but I want to be here for you Mest. So scream at me, cry at me, drink with me, fight with me. Just don't do it alone. She wouldn't want you to do it alone."

Mest growls out and runs his hands down his face, "I'm going crazy."

"Of course you are, the love of your life is gone. You will feel better though, we will get her back."

"When?" His voice cracks.

Lucy smiles at him, "soon. Soon she'll be back Mest, back in your arms. It won't take a year, hell it won't even take the rest of the year, but she'll send us a sign and we'll see it. And then we'll start running. We've already prepared everything we need, it'll be a quick operation in and out, and then we'll run like hell and never come back."

Mest stares at her, truly believing in her words. They've given him the most hope out of what anybody else has been telling him. He reaches out and pats Lucy's head, quickly pulling his hand away as he realizes that's what he would have done for Wendy. He turns away and starts stalking ahead again, ignoring her when she follows after him.

"Do what you want."

She doesn't tell Mest how guilty she feels, how much this secret is killing her inside. That's why she's always with him, always volunteering, always making sure he's alright. He needs to be ready for when Wendy comes back, because he's going to be in for a surprise and he needs to be prepared. He can't fall apart when he's about to be a father, and he can't find out either or else he won't listen to what anyone says and will run all the way to her if he has to.

"Just a little while longer Captain," Lucy whispers.

She watches his fleeting figure before biting her bottom lip, running after him.

LINE

"You know, I think this was where we first met."

Wendy turns around slowly, seeing Acnologia enter her heaven. He examines the rose bush next to him, fingers tapping against on of the many thorns, not paying attention to her.

"What made you immediately decide that you didn't want to marry me?"

Wendy changes her position, no longer keeping her back towards him. She places one of her hands against her leg, feeling her knife underneath her pants, and places her other on her stomach, big enough at three months to slow her down, but not enough to make her stop fighting.

"My first glance at you." She answers.

Acnologia looks at her out the corner of his eyes, wondering about her stance, "I won't hurt you."

"I don't believe that."

He sighs and shrugs, continuing on, "first glance. What? Was my face not desirable enough for you?"

"No, it had nothing to do with that. When I first looked at you I felt nothing. No love, no sparkles or fluff or blissful feelings. I felt absolutely nothing towards you. You were a stranger."

"We were strangers," Acnologia chuckles.

"My mother told me when she first saw my father her world changed. I was expecting that, but I didn't feel that with you."

"So you felt that with your deceased husband?"

Wendy flinches and looks down on the ground, "... yes, although I did not realize it at first. After spending time with each other, I learned what love truly was, and realized yes I did fall in love with him, or else why would I have left with him?"

"Left? Did you meet your husband here? In Fiore?"

Wendy bites her tongue. She shouldn't be talking to this man, she shouldn't have answered any of his questions. She picks up her things from the table and gets ready to leave. Acnologia calls out for her to wait though and holds his hands out.

"I'm sorry, it doesn't matter, not really... listen Wendy. The reason I'm here is because... well, you see... ah, how should I put this?"

"Speak now if you must, otherwise I'll be leaving."

"I do not love you, nor do I wish to marry you." Acnologia confesses.

All this time... Wendy could never understand. Why he stayed when she disappeared. Why he still wished to marry her when she so strongly refused. She never believed that he truly loved her, and she was right to believe so. He had confessed it himself, but still she was no closer to learning about his true intentions and that scared her. Mest warned her to never trust a pirate, and Acnologia could have been a pirate right now because he did not behave himself like a prince around her. He didn't act like one, nor speak like one, or give out the essence of a prince. No, he was something entirely different.

"Please don't take offense though, I don't wish to marry anyone. I think love is a foolish emotion and I don't need it. The thought that you ran off to chase after love has made me laugh immensely these past couple of weeks. It has been a great deal of entertainment for me; you don't know how hard it was for me to hold it in when you first told your parents your true reasoning of running."

Wendy feels a shiver course through her being as she hears Acnologia laugh to himself slowly.

"You were doing me a favor, running away. I hoped you would have never returned... and yet here we are. Such a stupid, foolish little girl to get captured again. Just to let you know, I didn't believe a single word of King Noland's story. I know he didn't find you, I know you turned yourself in, why I'm not quite sure. I believe because you couldn't handle taking care of your child alone with your husband dead, but then you were so determined to run away once more and asked your parents to disown you. I knew something was up. How could you hide for two years and then just slip up and land in someone's lap like that?"

He's not stupid. She should run, she should leave right now and avoid him like the plague.

"What do you want?"

"Ignoring my questions? No matter. What I want should be very obvious right now to you Wendy. It's power. I want to be ruler, of these lands, of all the lands, I want Fiore under my thumb. I come from a small royalty, my kingdom not much, just a speck on the map compared to Fiore. I fought my hardest to win your hand because I knew I would be able to rule and change the world for the better if I had Fiore on my side. I did not wish to marry though, I wished to rule on my own, but you were necessary. You did me a favor, but now my problem is back. You're here, and now my being ruler is resting on your shoulders. You ask my why I'm still here? Why I will still marry you? Because I wish to be king of something greater than myself. Doesn't matter how you returned, beaten up, bloody, lost of limps, I would have still accepted you. Not once did I think you would return stronger than before though. No longer are you a weak princess, what has happened to you on your journey I wonder."

Oh... so that was it. It shouldn't have surprised her, really, but it did. Because all this time she was thinking of something much more worse, but in the end he was just like every other man. Like every other King she's ever met. He just wanted to be stronger. He wanted to have the power to rule the world, just like her father, and King Noland, and every other royalty she's ever met in her life. It was a let down. She feared this man before, but now... she understands him better.

"Why, after all this time, are you explaining yourself to me now?"

Acnologia hums and goes back to examining roses, "because I have a proposition for you now. True, you ruined my plans of taking your kingdom silently by returning, but you've also helped me with something else, with something I despised doing... with producing an heir."

Wendy takes a step back and wraps her arms protectively around her stomach.

"Calm down, I wish you no harm. I'm just trying to make a deal with you. We're married, not really, but to the public's eyes we are, meaning that people everywhere now know I'm the next heir to Fiore. Stay with me. I know you haven't given up on escaping, I can see it in your eyes. You don't look like someone who has lost their heart. Stay here in Fiore and be my Queen. I shall never touch you, never use you, never treat you anything other than an... acquaintance, you called me. All I ask if for you to be my figure Queen... and to let me raise your child as my own. The thought of bringing my own flesh and blood into the world sickens me so, but with this child we're already lying to the public saying its mine. No one will question and I would have fulfilled my promise to your parents-"

"No." Wendy interrupts him.

Acnologia's eyebrow twitches, "excuse me?"

"No. I will never let you raise my child as your own."

He looks at her and sighs out loudly, "my next proposition, if you didn't accept that one, was to offer you passage out of the kingdom to go wherever you like, if only you left your child behind-"

"No, are you listening to me?! Does no not exist in your vocabulary?! My child will never be yours! I would never let you have her! Ever!" Wendy screams.

"Well then you are out of luck. I need an heir to proclaim my rightful place as Fiore's king, and it cannot be with anyone other than you. Since you do not accept any of my proposals, then I will just have to make your life more difficult. There will be no escapes for you Wendy, not while I'm around. You will stay here, forever. Your child will be born here and will bare the same fate as you. And if an accident befalls you along the way after she is born... well, it's not unheard of deaths from childbirths. The country will morn for your loss, and will feel sorrow for me, their kind, single father and all that crap. I didn't need to ask your permission, I didn't need to tell you any of this. I just thought I would do you a favor, but it seems like I've truly wasted my time. Your days of playing around are over now Princess Wendy okay. You're in my clutches now and it won't be so easy to escape. Take care of yourself."

Prince Acnologia chuckles as he leaves, his very presence making her heart race. She feels like fainting and leans forward, resting her palms on the table trying to catch her breath. He just- he just- he threatened her. He wants to use her, he's keeping her locked up, he threatened to kill her and take her child away from him. No! Never! She would never allow such a thing! He needs to die! She needs to kill him to protect herself and protect Mest's baby!

But killing a prince wouldn't help her at all! Her parents would think her crazy, that would be the last straw. They would lock her up and take away her baby. No, no, Wendy needs to remain calm, she needs to keep her cool and focus.

Prince Acnologia made a huge mistake by talking to her. He told her exactly what he wanted. To rule Fiore. To have a heir he didn't need to produce. Wendy is valuable to him as long as she is pregnant. He won't harm her as long as she's still carrying her child... but the minute after?...

He needs her right now in order to be king. Her parents sure picked a good guy, not. She can't even tell her parents about what Acnologia just discussed with her because they would never believe her. He played them, he played all of them. She is nothing to them now while he is their savior.

Jokes on him though. Wendy isn't planning on staying here very much longer. The time is almost upon them. Soon she will be free and back in Mest's arms, soon she will no longer be this scared or terrified again. It was going to be a little bit harder now that he was watching her more carefully, but not impossible. She wasn't going to give up. She wasn't going to give her child up. Her baby girl would only know one father, and that father was Doranbolt Mest Gryder the third.

"I won't lose, I'll fight to the very end," Wendy nods her head.

LINE

"Mest... Mest, please." Erza says very calmly.

Her arms are raised above her head, her eyes wide, pleading with him. Mest's hand is shaking as he points his gun at her, but it doesn't move.

"Please, put the gun down."

"If any of you try to stop me I will shoot you," Mest warns.

"Mest, no one is going to stop you, just please, please talk to us." Erza begs.

He sees someone creeping behind his shoulder and turns around, pointing his gun at Laxus now. Laxus stills and stares at him right in the eye.

"You're not going to shoot me Captain."

Mest fires a shot and it misses Laxus by a couple of centimeters, the man's eyes widening.

"Try me."

"Mest, we all read the news. It can't be real, you're overreacting-" Freed is interrupted by a harsh laugh.

"Overreacting?! I'm overreacting! Is that what you're telling yourself now so you don't feel bad about throwing my wife into the slaughter house?! I warned you, I warned all of you! We had to go save her! We had to go rescue her! My wife is fucking pregnant! She's pregnant with some other man's fucking baby! She was raped and now she's having a child she will never love! And you want me to calm down?! I was calm! I gave you time! I gave you all time you asked for! I played it your way and look what happened! Look at what fucking happened to Wendy!" Mest yells out so loudly his voice goes hoarse.

Lucy shoots a knowing glance at Elfman, and he shakes his head at her. She looks over to Levy, but she doesn't know and shrugs.

"We have to." She whispers.

"Don't Lucy, we made a promise. He's going crazy right now." Elfman whispers back.

"But he's going to leave-"

"We can still calm him down, if he learns the truth-"

"Still calm him down?! He's threatening us with a gun!"

She shakes her head and disappears into the halls, running towards the girl's dorm. She goes through Levy's things and finds the bag they've been hiding for a good three months now, before running back on deck. Mest is still waving his gun around hazardously, his eyes blood shot red, his face completely exhausted. He's losing his mind. Their captain is not going to be able to survive this. Reading the news about Princess okay's pregnancy with her husband was his last straw, it wasn't true though. It wasn't true and Mest had to know. They can't hide this anymore.

"Lucy don't!" Elfman yells, catching everyone's attention when he sees what's she's about to do.

Mest follows his eyes and points his weapon at Lucy, "what are you doing?"

Lucy moves slowly towards him.

"Stop it Lucy! I don't want to hurt you! I will though! I swear I will! Why can't you people just let me go?! Is it because I'm captain?! Because then I'll fucking quit! I'm done! Let me go! Let me leave now!" Mest yells.

"Mest, please," she says softly, offering out the bag as she takes another step forward.

"What's in the bag Lucy?"

"Something you need to see. It'll make everything all better. Please... we'll let you go. Once you look inside of the bag, once you realize it, we'll let you go without a problem. But please Mest, don't torture yourself like this. Please, we care. I know it seems like we don't, but we really do care."

Mest stares at Lucy in the eyes, seeing her honesty and truth, before looking down at the bag. He drops his gun on the ground and reaches out, taking it from his hands. The crew is silent and careful, ready to pounce at any moment if he loses his cool or tries reaching for the gun again.

"What is this?" Mest asks, his eyebrows narrowing.

He pulls out a small little sock, and then another, knitted together out of green yarn.

"They're Wendy's; she bought it before when she believed everything was fine and had me hide it until the right moment. Figured she would forgive me for spoiling the surprise with you acting this way," Lucy tells him.

That was impossible though. These socks were way too small for Wendy. She was a tiny princess, but she wasn't this tiny. Mest digs in the bag and pulls out another pair of socks, blue this time, and then a tiny hat. His heart sinks inside the pit of his stomach and he turns the bag upside down, letting everything fall out. Dozens of clothes fall onto the floor, shirts, pants, this cute little cat plush, a pair of block toys... everything a baby would have used...

"... was she pregnant?" Mest asks, staring down at everything.

"Yes. When we went to the doctor it wasn't the flu. He confirmed she was pregnant and she was so happy... she wanted to surprise you." Lucy confesses.

Mest is quiet for a moment, "... she knew... she knew, and yet she still? Turned herself in? Still?"

Levy walks over and grabs Lucy's hand tightly, "she told us she didn't want to raise her child in a world where you weren't there. She needed your help Mest, she wanted you to be there for her. She didn't mind sacrificing a couple of months as long as it meant you would be there to help raise the baby for the rest of your lives."

Mest kneels down on the floor, his hands shaking as he starts picking everything up. He folds all the clothes and packs all the toys away, putting them all back in the bag.

"We can't leave her there. Not now, not after knowing she's pregnant with my child, my baby. We have to rescue her."

"Mest, we can't risk-"

"You can still say the same thing Freed? After learning all this? After knowing you sent her there, pregnant, all alone, without anyone to be there for her?" Mest asks him.

"I didn't know Mest! Of course if I would have, I wouldn't have let her, but this still doesn't change the fact that if we all went there, guns blazing, trying to kidnap Wendy, your now I assume very pregnant wife, if we get caught she will not be able to fight! She will not be able to run! We will lose her even more now because she will be useless!"

"I can't keep doing nothing though Freed! I can't! Not after learning the truth about this! Not after knowing... I'm going to be a father!" Mest yells, crushing the bag to his chest.

"It's only a few more months Mest, September is only a month and a half away." Mirajane says softly.

Mest's head turns sharply, "what did you just say?"

Mirajane glances at Freed and he sighs out, nodding his head, giving her the okay. She walks over and kneels on the floor with him, grabbing his hands and taking them in her own.

"Wendy told us before she left that her birthday would be the perfect time to take her away. We've been waiting for that day all this time Mest, we've been waiting for that moment."

"Why? Why that day? And why didn't any of you tell me?!"

"What would you have done if we did? All those months ago? Realize September was six months away, complained about it being too long, and then tried to run off all the sooner." Freed rolls his eyes.

"We didn't think you would take it well Mest, so we just kept telling you sooner, and sooner, that we were waiting for a sign from Wendy. Her birthday, every year her parents throw a giant party for her. All of the subjects are invited, royalty from all across the lands, it's a public event where everyone gets to tell her their thanks for her hard work. Fiore expects it every year, for them to not do it, after their princess has been missing for two years, they wouldn't think of such a thing. We were waiting for the invitations to be send out in the newspaper; that was our sign." Mirajane explains to him.

The gears starts moving in Mest's head, "that's how we get in."

Mirajane nods her head and hums, "yes. No one will suspect us. We can play the villager part, pretending we're from a distant village apart of Fiore wanting to wish our princess a happy birthday. We'll be able to see her again Mest and take her."

"She explained to us how she always disappears during her parties; it's expected every year by her parents. We just have to wait for that moment where she takes her walk through the gardens and then snatch her right up. Sure they'll be guards, but we'll be able to handle them. This way they'll be no fighting, no lives lost, and we'll be able to get away before they even realize she's missing." Freed nods his head.

Mest remembers that. Hearing her tales about her horrible birthday parties, how it was never meant for her, but just an excuse to celebrate. How she would disappear and sometimes cry in the rose gardens before her mother came for her. It was to be expected, so it wouldn't be suspicious.

"We planned this well though. Wendy and I discussed it back and forth before she turned herself in. There is no room for error. She's going to be home with us very soon."

Mest takes a shaky breath, "I can't believe- I can't- she's pregnant- I don't-..."

"Mest, she's going to need you to be ready. She's going to need you to be strong, we're going to need our captain to lead us. Please, you got to get a hold of yourself. All of us need you Captain Gryder. Fairy Tail needs you." Lucy tells him.

He's been lost, so lost, floating through life with nothing to grab a hold of since she's left. Now he finally sees something. Now he can finally reach out and grab something, support himself, balance himself and learn to stand up back on his feet. He's done feeling sorry, he's done wallowing in pain and regretting. He's done with all of that. He's going to be a father soon, he needs to get his wife back, he needs to be ready to do all of this. He can't afford to make any more mistakes.

Mest gets to his feet and stands up tall, looking over his crew. The light in his eyes finally return and a few of them start smiling, recognizing their captain.

"Freed, Mirajane, I'm going to need you two to tell me everything about this plan. Everyone, we're going to need to work together and work perfectly if we're all going to come out of this alive. Lucy... thank you. Erza, I'm sorry. Feel free to beat the shit out of me later for holding a gun up to you, Laxus too, feel free to shoot me, but for right now... we need to do this."

"Aye Captain."

"Aye Captain!

"Aye, aye!"

"Aye!"

Cheers erupt from the Dreyar and Mest takes a deep breath, finally feeling free of this weight on his chest. Wendy is so strong. She's fighting so hard to make sure she's ready for him. He will not let her down. He will be there and he will never let her go again.

LINE

"I don't want a party," Wendy lies, playing the part of an ungrateful brat, throwing the same fit she always throws the year she realized her birthday parties were not fun, but extremely dull and boring.

"It doesn't matter what you want dear, we throw a ball for your birthday every year. Think of how crushed everyone would be after two years of missing you return home and they can't see you?" Queen okay asks.

"We're done hiding you. We've set up everything, your marriage with Acnologia, your pregnancy, no one will notice. We'll just say you're showing early is natural, every previous queen has done so. We'll set the people's mind at ease and have a bit of fun in the process," King okay chuckles, taking a sip from his drink.

"I'm in no condition to go to a party, may I remind you."

At five months her belly is really popping out now. What normally she could do without trouble, walking and exercising, she now breaks out in a sweat. She's been crazy tired all the time, emotional, snapping at her maids, a party is the last thing she truly wants (but needs if she wants to escape. Again, she's playing the part so they won't get suspicious, especially a certain someone). Wendy glances up and glares at Acnologia, who just smiles and doesn't suspect a thing.

"We'll have you retire early if that's what you desire my sweet," he tells her.

Wendy raises her hand to her throat, about to throw up from hearing that pet name. She has half a mind to do it, to show everyone at the table how much disgust she feels towards that man and how much her pregnancy is affecting her. She's able to swallow it down, but that fear is still there. Acnologia looks sickeningly, her mother concerned, her father gagging himself.

"Wendy, we do this every year. Maybe this will help us get back into the way things used to be. We'll start getting along again and have a good time at this party."

"I cry every year on my birthday, do you remember that?" Wendy asks her mother, "you should, because you're usually the one who finds me."

"You do what?" Her father asks.

"Trust us Wendy, it'll be fun. A grand ball. We'll even let you invite whoever you want, I'm sure it'll help make you more docile," Acnologia says, giving a knowing look to her parents, "you must have made some friends in the past two years, right? I would love to meet them and ask about your journeys, since you seem so tight lip about them."

Wendy flinches and stares down at her plate. Damn him, damn him to hell.

"Fine. I'll go, and I'll be good, can we please drop this subject though and never discuss it again in front of me?"

Acnologia smirks behind his wine glass, while Queen and King okay don't realize and just sigh out in relief. Finally, some good news. They would throw the party, their daughter would be there and on her best behavior, and everything else would surely fall in line behind them. Wendy bites her bottom lip, trying to stop the smile from appearing on her face.

Soon. Soon. She rubs her stomach, soon, so soon.

Her baby will meet her father soon.

LINE

"Thank you for attending," Wendy bows down.

"My princess, you're practically glowing! Congratulations!"

Wendy wonders how it will happen.

"Thank you for attending," she bows.

"Princess Marvell, thank you for inviting me."

She told Mirajane about her escapes to the garden. She assumes it will be there, but she can never expect what's expected with Fairy Tail.

"Thank you for attending."

She hopes Mest doesn't come. If he does she'll be a mess and she won't be able to move and he'll be force to carry her, which will be impossible because she can barely carry herself.

"Thank you for attending."

Mest can't come. She prepares herself for him to not be there. She can't think if he's there. They'll come for her, all her friends. Before the night is over, they will all find a way to take her and they will be on their merry way out of here. Wendy continues to greet her guest, vision of a perfect princess. Her parents are already out on the dance floor, twirling around, while her so called husband (she's never thinking that again) is around. He was greeting the guests with her, but then he got bored and excused himself. He wasn't far though, Wendy could feel his gaze on her.

She greets people for what feels like hours, not even staring or looking the people she meets in the face. They all have the same thing to say. They're happy she's returned, oh she's glowing, congratulations on the baby and marriage, blah, blah, blah. She can no longer stand it when she feels the urge to pee, and excuses herself finally to head for the refreshers. When she returns she ignores the entrance and heads over towards the buffet table, planning on stuffing her face.

She's here. She's being polite. She's greeted her guest and is talking to them, she didn't sign up for anything else though. Not entertaining guests. Not dancing around with people, or Acnologia ever. She plans on parking it right there at the buffet, playing the sad, broken little princess in front of her parents and Acnologia, before planning on disappearing into the gardens like she always does. She had to be careful that Acnologia was busy; he may think of her disappearance as running away, so she had to make sure he didn't notice her leave.

The hours ticked by so agonizingly slow Wendy can't stand it. She stares at the clock, watching time pass second my second, urging it to be darker.

"You know, if you want to leave, go ahead and retire. I always told your parents you would be going in early. I'm sure no one would mind, especially in your condition."

Wendy's used to his voice now; it no longer causes her to flinch whenever he sneaks up behind her. Wendy slowly turns around and faces him, tilting her head in the slightest.

"I'm so glad that you've finally given me permission, your majesty," she teases, bowing down lightly.

Acnologia snorts, "such a insolent and spoiled little thing, aren't we?"

"Aw, are you sure you should be speaking to me like that out in public? Someone might here and not care one bit because no one gives a fuck about me here. All of this, it's all bull shit. All of it. No one is here for me, no one is happy to see me! Everyone is just here for the free booze and food and to laugh around and joke and just-" Wendy begins to work herself up.

Acnologia eyes go wide as her voice grows louder, tears appearing in her eyes. He's seen this before in her; she's always breaking out and crying suddenly out of nowhere. Apparently it's a thing pregnant woman do often.

"I can't believe I even came here! I should have never, I need- I need, I'm all chocked up, give me that!" Wendy shouts, reaching for his drink.

"Don't it's alcohol!" Acnologia hisses, but it's too late.

She pulls towards her, he pulls back, she lets go, and his drink spills all over her dress. Real thick tears are falling out of her cheeks now as she stares at her ruined dressed. Acnologia's eyes go wide and he looks around, wondering if there are any pondering eyes. There are, and he quickly reaches for his handkerchief, acting like the perfect husband, grasping her arm lightly.

"Here, let's get you cleaned up."

Wendy flinches away from him and hisses, " I don't want your help, you just ruined everything. Just leave me alone," she cries, rushing for the nearest doors.

Acnologia doesn't chase after her; he doesn't want to deal with all that hormonal bullshit, and goes to comfort the guests who were nearby. Wendy sniffs, wiping her tears away, and looks behind her. Did it work?... No one seems to be coming after her, so it surely had to have work. She bought herself some time now. He was probably thinking she was going back to her room to change, and would probably check on her there first to see if she would come down again, before checking anywhere else. That just bought her some time. She's sad she had to act hysterical and get soaked in the process though.

Wendy kicks off her heels and picks up her dress, sprinting as fast as she can with a huge baby belly towards the gardens. She throws open the doors and lets the cold air consume her, keeping her eyes out for the guards as she walks. She sees couples in the dark, hiding behind bushes, making out, and no one notices as she slips behind them and heads towards the roses.

She stands by the bushes, out of breath, looking all around her. They should have been here by now, they should have already been here, waiting for her to show up. Why was she being forced to wait right now? Didn't they know how dangerous it was? How at any moment she could be captured and brought back? Wendy paces around in circles until she gets dizzy and leans down. She takes a deep and calming breath, and sighs back out.

She has to stay calm. She can't panic right now. Her friends will be here for her, her friends will come, and how will she help is she's acting like a complete mess? Wendy takes another calm breath and enjoys the view. Since she was six years old she's been running to these gardens, every year on her birthday. It was her sanctuary, her safe heaven. Here she didn't feel like a princess, but just a girl, a normal girl. She could pretend she was the daughter of a baker, or a fisherman, and think about how much her life would have changed if that were so. Now... she doesn't have to do that anymore. Because even though she is a princess, she married a pirate, and was free. Free to do whatever she wanted, free to live however she wanted, free to just be her and she had family who loved her for that. A family she always wanted, a family she would never trade, a family that could only be described as-

"Wendy?"

Perfect. Wendy opens her eyes and turns around, seeing Cana and Mirajane walking through some bushes. Her eyes start watering on her own and she runs over, throwing her arms around them.

"Wow, you really do have a bun in the oven," Cana laughs, "look at you girl."

"Wendy, sorry we're late. I'm afraid we got a bit lost, but everything is alright now." Mirajane says sweetly, stroking her hair.

"You guys," Wendy cries, hugging them close.

"There, there, we'll have time for this later. Aren't people going to be looking for you soon?" Mirajane asks.

"Yeah, we should definitely leave, quickly. Oye Mest, you going to come out here and help your pregnant wife, or am I going to be the man who does it?"

Wendy stills and looks up, her eyes scanning everywhere. Cana couldn't have said Mest, no way. He couldn't be here right now, because if he was then that meant she would break down even more and they would never leave. Her breath sucks in as a foot appears from behind a bush, and soon a whole body. Mest is standing there, no more than ten feet in front of her. He's dressed in a suit and tie, perfectly blending in with all the other gentlemen who attended, looking dashingly handsome. He looks better than she expected. Clean shave, her favorite goatee on him, no bags or blood shot eyes on his face. He's looking at her, but also not, his gaze a little lower. Wendy looks down and gasps, hugging her stomach. This was supposed to be a surprise, she didn't want him to find out like this. Now he was going to freak out and just-

Wendy blinks when Mest smiles and looks back up at her. He opens his arms, without question, and Wendy, without hesitation, runs over into them and throws herself into him. She clutches at his chest, ruining his nice clothes, crying heavily as she feels the warm embrace she's been yearning for these past five months.

"Welcome back princess," Mest teases, but his voice is filled with so much raw emotion, he closes his eyes tightly and buries his face into her hair.

"Mest, Mest, Mest," she cries out.

"I'm here, you're here, we're together, and we're never going to be apart again." Mest whispers in her ear.

"That's sweet and all, but if we want that to happen, we need to move, and fast." Cana burps.

"Mest, you promised to save the kissing for later. We're on a tight schedule here," Mirajane hums, tapping her right.

"Right, of course, you can't blame me. Soon Wendy, soon," Mest says, tears in his eyes as he takes her hand.

Wendy nods her head and follows after them, allowing them to lead the way out of the gardens. They walk through twists and turns, Cana explaining how they entered through the front gates and after spent the day strolling the gardens trying to find the best exit points. How Laxus and Bickslow were playing coachmen, Lucy hiding around the corner with a different disguise for her, and how everyone else was getting the ship ready to sail off. Wendy nods her head at each detail, a bright smile on her face. For a second, she believes herself home free. For a second, she relaxes. For a second, she truly believes she's going to be okay.

"Wendy?"

Everyone freezes at the sound of her name. So close, they were so close, they literally had to turn around one more hedge before they reached the exit. Wendy slowly turns around and sees her mother standing there, a hand over her lips, eyes wide as she stares right back at her.

"Mother," Wendy whispers.

"Where are you- who are these-... what's going on?" Queen okay asks.

Cana walks forward, pulling out a knife, and Mest quickly grabs her arm while Wendy stands in front of her, shaking her head.

"You can't, she's my Mother." Wendy cries out.

"She saw us, she's going to squeal. We at least need to knock her out." Cana hisses.

"Calm down and let us handle the situation, please," Mest grunts, holding onto her struggles.

"Wendy?"

"Mother, I'm sorry. I can't... I have to leave. I can't stay here. I wasn't born for this life Mother, I wasn't born to be a princess. I'm sorry I could never live up to your expectation." Wendy whispers, lowering her head.

Queen okay stares at her daughter then up at the man who's giving her a look full of love and compassion. She takes a step forward and suddenly that man's eyes are on her, filled with anger and warning.

"Wendy, don't go. Please? I love you. You're my only daughter. I'll start acting like a better mother, I promise. I'll stop taking your father's side on so many things, I understand how it feels to be young, to be in love. We can make things work Wendy."

"No Mother, we can't. I'm sorry, I wish things were different. I wish I didn't have to hurt you so, but I can't live my life like this anymore." Wendy shakes her head.

Queen okay sighs out lightly and grabs her own hand, "I know."

Wendy narrows her eyes, "you know?"

"Yeah, of course. Who do you think raised you? Wendy I've known you were different from the moment I held you in my arms. I thought you were going to do great things, I truly believed you were going to change the world. When you ran away the first time though, it scared me. I never ran away from my own parents, I thought I failed you, so I started relying on your father more, putting more pressure on him he didn't need, and the more I did that the more you hurt and the more we pushed you away. I raised you to believe in fairy tales, and then laughed and took away your dreams when you asked me help you... I knew that's the moment where I lost you. When you came to us after meeting Acnologia, begging for another chance to fall in love... I ignored you, and then you left, and you broke my heart, and you came back, and it remained broken because you were so happy, and that was because you were nowhere near us..."

Wendy has tears in her eyes and she takes a step forward, reaching out her hand, "Mommy."

"I'm sorry I wasn't a good mother Wendy," Queen okay cries, sniffling, "I'm sorry I didn't prepare you like my parents did for me. I'm sorry I didn't raise you right, I'm sorry you felt the need to run off to be happy and seek comfort in strangers rather than your own parents. I'm sorry for a lot of things Wendy. If I could go back I would, I would and I would do so many things differently. You would have been much happier Wendy, I know it."

"We're losing her Mest," Mirajane whispers softly in his ear.

Mest doesn't move though and watches the scene unfold.

"You did your best Mother, you did your best. At least you tried to understand, I'm sorry that I wasn't a good enough daughter. I'm sorry I didn't want the things you two were so proud and willingly to give me."

Queen okay shakes her head and walks over, cuffing her daughter's cheeks and wiping her tears away.

"Wendy, you've turned into a fine lady. You're breaking my heart, but every mother cries when their baby finally has to leave the nest."

Wendy's eyes widen when she leans down and presses a gently kiss against her forehead. Queen okay pulls away and smiles brightly at her only bundle of joy in the world.

"Happy Birthday Wendy. You're 21 (DOUBLE CHECK), a full grown woman now. I have nothing to offer you as a gift except for my ignorance. You three, especially you sir," Queen okay says staring directly at Mest, "take care of my daughter... and make sure she doesn't get caught again."

Cana and Mirajane nod their heads while Mest meets his eyes, "I swear it."

"Good," Queen okay relaxes as she takes a step back, "now I wonder where my daughter has gone. She always cries to herself on her birthday in these gardens, I hope I can find her soon," she mumbles, walking off.

Wendy sniffs, the tears falling non-stop, and turns away. She can't help remembering all the sleep overs, all the stories, all the kisses and hugs, all the good things her mother has ever done for her. She didn't cry this much the first time she left her, but now she knows because deep down she still felt like she would see her again. She still felt that one day her mother would find her, and they would be okay, and they would be a family again. That was never going to happen though. That was just a dream. She knows that now. Mest walks over and wraps his arms around her, helping her steady as he keeps moving.

"Come on, you can do it love."

Wendy sniffs as she cries, taking one step at a time. Cana and Mirajane keep walking, leading the way, meeting with Lucy at the meeting point. She takes one look at Wendy and explodes into tears, taking her into her arms. Cana is a little irritated at this point, tired of all the messy crying, and the girls are quick to change clothes before they're being shoved inside a carriage and taking off into the night. Wendy sticks her head out the window and reaches her hand out, watching the first home she's ever known fade away. This is it. She's never coming back after this. Never going to see her mother and father again.

"Good bye," she whispers, letting the wind take it forward.

She falls back into the carriage, Mest holding her tightly, Lucy resting her head on her shoulder, Mirajane leaning forward as she holds her knee, Cana staring out the window, but making sure she's touching their knees together. This is her family. This is her life. No more looking back.

"Wendy Gryder, I've missed you so much," Mest whispers in her ear, finally allowing himself to kiss her.

Wendy feels her heart soar as their lips meet, (check)five months of missing this. They had a lot to make up for. After they arrive on the ship, after she sees all her friends again and apologizes for worrying them, after she calms everyone down, including herself, and sees her two little cats again. After all of that happens she's going to drag Mest into their room and they are going to rediscover themselves all over again.

Until then though she enjoys this soft kiss, cupping his face as she pulls away and wipes his tears away.

"I'm sorry I was away for so long Mest, thank you for getting me though."

"Always," he sighs out, closing his eyes and pressing their foreheads together, "you're mine forever."

Wendy smiles and closes her eyes.

"Forever."

LINE

"Whoa," Wendy gasps, grabbing onto Mest's arm tightly as she feels herself knocked off balance.

Mest wraps his arm around her as their ship teeters side to side, helping her back to her feet. Wendy's legs are shaking as she stands back up, looking over at Mest and smiling.

"It seems I need to grow my sea legs again; it's been too long."

His arm tightens around her as his eyes harden, "much too long."

"Wendy?"

Wendy looks over and sees her friends slowly heading over. Once the carriage landed she was hurried onto the ship, and within minutes they were off. Everything happened so quickly, everyone worried about getting into the waters and watching their backs to make sure no one was sailing after them. Of course no one would be calm until they were out of Eastern Seas, but things had settled down now and her friends were all walking over, tears in their eyes.

"Hi guys!" Wendy smiles, tears of her own falling.

"Wendy!"

She releases Mest and walks forward, letting the hugs consume her. Everyone is crying, and laughing, being mindful of her little bundle, and talking to her every which way all at the same time.

"Wendy!"

"I'm so happy you're back Wendy!"

"You're safe again!"

"We missed you!"

"Thank you Wendy, everyone is safe because of you!"

"I'm sorry it took so long!"

"I love you Wendy!"

Wendy cries as she's with her family again, her real family, and they're all here. Erza, Jellal, Azlack, Laxus, and her Mest. She was able to save all of them. She was able to make sure everyone was safe. Her sacrifice was worth it; everyone was okay.

"Wendy, I'm sorry," Erza cries, rubbing her eyes furiously.

"Erza, please, don't be. I'm happy your okay, that's all that matters." Wendy smiles touching her cheeks.

"Wendy. I did not appreciate being lied to like that. I never should have- you should have told us." Freed glares at her.

"I'm sorry Freed, but I know you would have stopped me." Wendy lowers her head.

His face flares up and he looks away, "if anything would have happened to you, I never would have forgiven myself. Welcome back."

She looks up and smiles, being hugged and patted again. Mest restrains himself, gripping his arms tightly as his wife, his pregnant wife, is passed around and loved. He doesn't worry, he doesn't stress. Soon she'll be in his arms and she'll never leave them again. She needs this though; he's not the only one important to her.

"Alright everyone, that's enough. Remember we're still on the run, right? And Wendy has had a very big night, look at her. She's about to fall asleep on herself. Let our princess get some rest and then we can glorify her again tomorrow," Mirajane claps her hand, catching everyone's attention.

Some people moan out in grief, others agreeing looking at the state of their princess. Mest looks over at Mirajane and smiles when she winks at him. He walks over and wraps his arms around his not so tiny anymore wife again, Wendy looking up and smiling at him as he leads her to their quarters.

"Good night Wendy!"

"Night Wendy!

"Night guys!" Wendy calls out behind her before she disappears.

Mest leads her down the familiar hallways, opening up their door and helping her inside. Wendy looks at the inside of their room and narrows her eyes, not really remembering it looking like this. Maybe she was gone for longer than she thought though, and couldn't remember it well.

"Did... is there something different?" She asks looking up at him.

Mest blushes and scratches the back of his head, "I... lost control again."

Wendy giggles before shaking her head side to side, "Mest."

"I regained it though, and was able to put the room back together... and make room for a little extra someone."

Wendy's feet still shake a little, but she's really gotten the hang of things. She's able to make it to their bed without help and sits down on it. She examines the room to see what he's talking about. Most of their dressers, or at least the one she recognizes, are on one side of the room. On the other side... there's tinier versions of furniture, a crib... baby blankets, toys she remembers buying, the kitty plush she saw in the window and had to get for their daughter. She gasps, bringing a hand to her lips, before looking over at Mest.

"How?" She asks.

She thought he just learned about it when he saw her again, but that wasn't the case. Mest walks over and kneels in front of her, hands reached out, but not touching. Just hovering.

"Lucy-"

"Should have known, she really was against this," Wendy sighs out.

"For good reason too, I can't believe you did that while pregnant Wendy."

"I knew nothing was going to happen Mest-"

"But if something had! If you would have lost the baby-"

"If I didn't, I would have lost you. I can't replace you Mest. We can always... we can always try again to have another baby, although I shouldn't say that because I love this one so very much. I can never have another you though. If something had happened, it just wasn't meant to be. But nothing did, so it is." She tells him.

Mest glares at her logic and continues, "when I read the news of the kingdom announcing your pregnancy, I kind of lost it. I thought he forced himself on you, I cursed myself for waiting so long to save you... and then Lucy told me the truth... I still tried to get you, but I was talked out of it."

"Good thing too because look how well everything worked out. Everyone is safe, I'm back home safely, you're alive."

Mest drops his hands and glares, "don't go thinking that what you did was right Wendy."

"Why not? Look around you, everything is fine-"

"Everything wasn't fine though! You left me! You left all of us, pregnant no less!"

"I did what I had to do to save my family!"

"I don't ever want you doing something so stupid and foolish again! You never should have done it in the first place!"

"So I should have let you died?!" Wendy screams at him.

"Yes!" Mest yells, "compared to your life, yes! Compared to our child's life, a thousand times yes!"

"Well I'm sorry I'm not strong enough to live in a world without you!"

"And what?! Do you think that I am!?" Mest collapses onto her lap.

Wendy stills as she hears his crying.

"I didn't know anything! I came back and you were gone Wendy! Back to the place you hated the most! And I couldn't do anything! No one would let me try anything! I was so close to you, but could never reach out and grab you! I had no idea what you were going through! What was happening to you in that castle! You could have been attacked, screaming my name for help, and I never would have known! I had to sit and let you suffer! I couldn't save you at all!"

"Mest," she whispers, placing her hand on top of his head.

"I'm suppose to protect you, and I failed you. I'm supposed to protect my family, and I failed to do that to our unborn child. How am I a good husband and father? How can I do any of those things when I couldn't even save you?" He asks, lifting his head up to look at her.

"Mest, shhh, it's okay. It's okay. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I never meant- I didn't do it because I don't think your capable of taking care of us. I did it because I wanted a lifetime with you. I wouldn't have done it if there was any other way, you must known that." She tells him softly.

"I never should have put you in that situation at all."

"Shh, it's all over now. I'm here, you're here, we're together. Can't we just focus on that? I don't plan on leaving anytime soon, do you plan on getting captured anytime soon?" She teases.

Mest doesn't it find it funny though. He just stares into his eyes before looking lower, staring down at her belly. He reached his hands out earlier before because he wanted to touch it, but was too scared to. He was too scared to now as well. His child was in there, a child that doesn't know him. He should have been there for her at the doctors, he should have been there for her every step of the way. Every time she got bigger, every time she got sick, to help her go through everything. Instead she had to do it alone in a place that she hated.

Wendy follows his gaze and smiles softly. She reaches out for his hands, holding onto one tightly, slowly bringing it up and placing it on her belly. Mest chokes out a sob as she rubs, tears running down his face.

"She's being quiet right now, but earlier she was really kicking up a storm. I hope she'll do it again now that her Daddy is here." Wendy says sweetly.

"She?" Mest asks, looking up.

"Yup. I think she's a girl, a beautiful little girl, and I'm okay with that, because she'll be able to grow up and be whatever she wants, and marries whoever she loves."

"Well, I don't know about that last part. She isn't going to be marrying a pirate, that's for sure," Mest grumbles, already being protective of her.

Wendy giggles and reaches out for her face, turning it back up to her, "Mest."

Mest nods his head and leans forward, pressing their lips together. She sighs peacefully and brings her hands up to cuff his face, pulling him closer. She missed this and she wants this. Five months she's gone without him; she's going to be getting those five months worth of love from him now.

"Wendy," Mest moans out, kissing her again.

He leans over, running his hands through his hair, biting and nipping at her lips, making them both breathless as he kisses her. She falls back into bed and pulls him with her; Mest gasps and pulls away, careful of her baby bump.

"We shouldn't do this." He whispers.

Wendy whines, "but why? I need you, it's not like you're going to get me pregnant."

"But the baby-"

"Is fine. Your wife, on the other hand, is not." She growls.

Mest moves and lays down by her side, tilting her head to the side as he resumes kissing her again. That's all he does though. He doesn't feel her up, he doesn't rip off all her clothes, he doesn't rock her core and make her see stars. Wendy growls as she gets frustrated and glares at him.

"Mest!"

"Wendy, please. I just... not tonight." He sighs, closing his eyes shut.

Wendy pouts, biting her bottom lip. It's not fair when he begs and looks so sad like that. She sighs out and settles for just being held in his arms. That's what she really wanted, his warm embrace. She settles herself into bed, Mest pulling back the covers and tucking her in. He chuckles when he sees the blankets rise because of her bump, and places a hand on it.

"You know, if I wasn't pregnant, I don't think I could have done it." Wendy whispers, lifting her head up so he could put his arm underneath it.

"What do you mean?" Mest asks.

"I mean, I wasn't alone. Every time I was sad, or missed you guys, I had her to keep me company. Whenever I was hurt, no Mest not physically hurt, but just... feeling pain inside, I had her to keep me going strong. I wasn't living for myself anymore, I had to get us back to you. I needed for her to know who her father was. Every night I would tell her stories of your Mest, every single night. If I didn't have her... I don't know. Things might have been different. My parents might have actually forced me into marriage and well... I don't know. I don't want to think about what ifs. What I'm saying is that our little baby is already so strong."

"So if you weren't pregnant, you wouldn't have gone? Wendy, that makes no sense. It should be the other way around and- ha- haha-hahaha," Mest starts chuckling underneath his breath.

Because it doesn't make any sense at all, and yet somehow it does because it's her. Because it's Wendy. Of course she would be too scared to go back herself, but not fear anything at all when she had an unborn life to protect. Wendy smiles and snuggles closer to him, placing her hands on top of the his one on her stomach.

"I'm happy I can hear your voice again Mest. Be sure to talk lots to our baby girl; I'm sure she's tired of hearing my voice."

Mest calms down and strokes her stomach, "hello baby. I can't believe the thought of you terrified me when we first discussed having children. Now... I feel so unbelievably happy. It's crazy; maybe I didn't know how much I wanted to be a father until I became one."

"I feel the same. I wasn't scared that you would be mad, or surprised when I found out. I didn't think about how we would argue, or freak out, or try to figure things out. The moment I heard the news I broke out in tears because of how happy I was. I knew you would have felt the same way. I planned on surprising you too, like giving you the baby gifts and watching your expression change as you realized, or maybe slip it in gently during breakfast saying that I was eating for two. It was going to be funny, that much I know."

"Yes, I think I would have preferred that then reading about how you're pregnant with another man's child."

Wendy flinches and closes her eyes, "I'm sorry."

"It's alright, don't be. Just tell me everything Wendy, just talk to me. I want to hear what you went through. If your too tired we can wait, I just need to know." He whispers to her.

She's reminded of when she returned after Lyon's kidnapping her. He was saying the same thing, wanting to know what she went through, even though it wouldn't help him. Even if she got hurt, there would be nothing he could do about it. If this is what her husband wants, she'll give it to him.

"I apologize if I fall asleep during the story," Wendy yawns lightly.

"Don't worry about it, just talk to me princess. Just talk," Mest whispers, closing his eyes.

So she does.

LINE

She moves around in her sleep and Mest looks at her, prepared to let go of her if she needs to go to the refresher again. He's never seen someone go so many times into the night; it must be because of the baby. He's been trying to prepare for her after he found out she was pregnant, getting their room ready, buying little clothes and trinkets, reading some books, but he wasn't as prepared as he would have liked to be.

She doesn't get up. She just turns into a more comfortable position before settling down. Mest sighs out and puts his arm around her again. He places his hand on her belly and strokes it over and over again. His daughter is in there, resting peacefully. She looks pretty big, like she's about to pop. How pregnant is Wendy? He doesn't remember her telling him. Having a baby at sea wasn't healthy, or at least shouldn't be done. They needed to be somewhere safe when she gave birth. They needed the best doctors to make sure nothing happened to the... the two loves of his life.

"I'm glad your back Wendy. I know I keep promising you this, and my promises may mean nothing now, but they are all I have to offer. I promise to keep you safe, the two of you safe, from now on, and I'll be doing everything in my power to make sure that happens." He whispers.

Mest gasps when he feels a little bump. He pulls his hand away, frightened by it. What was that? Certainly not... Mest slowly brings his hand back to her stomach. He feels it again, a little bump, a small kick. He lets out a shaky chuckle as he feels his daughter move underneath his hand. Wendy moans softly and rolls around, shaking Mest's hand off as she replaces it with her own.

"Stop it little one, Mommy is still tired," she groans.

"Does it hurt?"

Wendy's eyes shoot open and she stares at Mest, a scream nearly on her lips. She dreamed she was back at the castle, she dreamed she was alone, and to hear a man's voice next to her only would have meant that Acnologia sneaked in and joined her. That wasn't the case though, it was her husband, and she lets out a small shaky breath as she relaxes.

"Are you in pain?" Mest asks again.

Wendy shakes her head, "no, no, it doesn't hurt. It's just... a weird feeling. Sometime it does, but that's only when she's really stretching. Right now I think she's just waking up."

Mest raises his hand again, silently asking. Wendy pulls her hand away and Mest touches her belly again, feeling the small kicks. He chuckles and strokes her belly.

"She's strong." He laughs.

"Of course, she's just like her Daddy."

Mest is filled with pride hearing her call him that, "and like her Mommy."

Wendy smiles and then groans as their baby really starts kicking now.

"Ah, now it's time to get up it seems and use the refresher," she groans leaning up.

Mest gets up with her and helps her stand, "how far along are you?"

"Around five months, give or take a week or two. Four more to go before this baby is going to pop," Wendy says, heading for the door.

Mest goes along with her this time, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and leading her to the refresher. He waits outside of the door while she's inside, scratching the back of his head, staring at nothing.

"Mest? What are you doing here?"

Mest flinches and looks over, "Mira, you scared me. I'm just... well Wendy's..." a blush appears on his face and Mirajane giggles to herself.

"I have a feeling of deja vu right now, don't you? How is Wendy?" She asks.

He smiles at her gently, "yeah, I got the same feeling. She's fine, we're okay. Has to use pee a lot, but other than that I think she's good, at least I hope she is."

"I'm sure, Wendy is our doctor you know. I'm sure the baby is healthy along with her."

"Yes, me too. How are things going?"

"Smoothly. We'll be out of Eastern Seas by the end of the week, heading over the the Southern Oceans just as we discussed."

"Good, I have some things to discuss with the crew. I don't want Wendy out at sea so far along; we might have to take a mini vacation or sail without the Captain-"

"Mest, let's not worry about those things now. For now we should be happy because we have our doctor back, and she's good, and we're all safe. We can discuss those topics once we completely escape, but until then, we should be happy."

Mest gulps and nods his head, "you're right. Thanks, for everything."

"Of course Captain, not a problem."

The door to the refresher opens and Wendy walks out, flinching lightly when she spies Mirajane standing there.

"Oh, good morning Mira," Wendy smiles gently at her.

"Morning Wendy. How is everything going?"

"Little girl is giving me a bit of trouble, but otherwise I'm good. I think she's just hungry."

Mirajane gasps and claps her hands together, "well we can't have that, can we? I'll get started on breakfast right away; stop by in about twenty minutes for something to snack on."

"You don't have too Mira, I can cook myself-"

"Nonsense, it's my job as chef to cook for my crew, epescially the youngest of ones who haven't been born yet. Do you have names? How do you know it's going to be a girl? I can't wait to start knitting clothes again, I'll make you whatever you want Wendy, hats, socks, blankets."

"Thank you Mira, didn't you have business first?" Mest asks, placing his hand on Wendy's shoulder and steering her away.

"You're right, I'll see you in a bit Wendy and then we can talk," Mirajane giggles walking into the refresher.

"I'm afraid you're going to be on everyone's constant attention now." Mest grumbles.

"Wasn't that always going to happen since I've been gone for so long? They'll get over it in a while," Wendy tells him.

"No, you don't understand, you're the first member of our crew to get pregnant. You're going to be on everyone's attention until the minute you birth our daughter, and then she'll be everyone's new toy," he growls.

"Oh," Wendy says softly and then giggles, "I'm glad everyone already loves her only knowing her for a day. She's going to be born into a big family that loves her."

Mest gives his wife a look and feels his heart melt, "you're adorable Wendy."

She blushes and grins up at him, "I love you Mest."

LINE

"It's my turn to feel!"

"No it's not, you cut the line! It's my turn!"

Mest flinches, "WILL ALL OF YOU STOP CROWDING AROUND MY WIFE?!" He explodes.

It's quiet for a second before he gets yelled at right back.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!"

"YEAH MEST! YOU CAN TO FEEL IT ALL THE TIME!"

"IT'S OUR TURN!"

"STOP BEING SELFISH!"

Wendy laughs brokenly, feeling sweat run down her face. All throughout breakfast her friends have been asking about her daughter, and when she started kicking they all wanted to feel the small life. Mest was jealous; he wanted to be the only one to feel his daughter kicking. He's only felt it once himself, yet now everyone else was touching and feeling her small kicks.

"I think you're all exciting her way too much; she's acting like she wants to meet all of you now," Wendy says.

"AWWWW!" Her crew coos around her.

Lucy breaks through the crowd and grins brightly at Wendy, placing her hand on her stomach and feeling the movement, "so a girl, huh?"

"Yup," she nods her head.

"How do you know for sure?" She asks.

"I just know. My family has a history of birthing girls. Boys are very rare, once every three or four generations."

Mest pales. He never really thought about having kids before, so he didn't care if he had a girl or a boy first... it's just the thought of having all girls. He'll have to protect them all with no help from a strong son. He's going to have to marry off all his daughters. No way in hell will he ever do that.

"Really? That's interesting, so you don't want a boy at all?" Gray asks.

Wendy shakes her head, "I never said that, I always hoped that I would have only boys when I was growing up so they wouldn't end up like me."

"What do you mean by that Wendy?" Lisanna asks.

"Well, every first born daughter in my kingdom has always been married off because a queen could not rule alone without a king. I never liked such a thing, and never would wish it on any of my children. I guess you could say I was scared to have a girl first, because I feared she would never be able to fall in love like me... but now that I don't live in Fiore anymore, I have nothing to fear. I can wish for a girl and not be scared at all because now she'll be able to grow up to be whoever she wants and marry whomever she wants. You all gave me that freedom and helped me feel like I have nothing to be scared of anymore, so thanks guys."

Mest feels his heart expand and lurch. He wraps his arm around Wendy's shoulder and pulls her into his chest, pressing a kiss against the side of her head. He never knew she held that fear; of course she would have though. All she wanted was the chance to marry someone she loved when her parents picked her match. A male heir wouldn't have had to do that; he could have picked whomever he wanted because he could still be King without a Queen. He was able to take that fear away from her though and allow her to feel happy to have a girl.

"Wendy," Lucy sighs, clutching her heart.

"I really hope she'll be a girl. I've always secretly wanted one and I'm sure she'll love all of you guys. We'll teach her how to be a princess and a pirate, elegant, yet deadly," Wendy smirks.

Her friends laugh and continue to ask questions after questions. Mest is sure to keep refilling her plate and hand her drinks, making sure she's eating and not just talking her mouth off. Hours pass though and he can't really stand it anymore as no one leaves.

"That's enough questioning! Wendy needs plenty of rest now, you can all see her later!" Mest growls jumping to his feet.

"Captain you suck!"

"Yeah, stop being so mean!"

"I'm fine Mest, really, I don't mind." Wendy tells him.

"Well I mind, so let's go. You need plenty of rest and room to breathe." He says taking her arm.

Wendy puffs out her cheeks at him, "it's only been one day and you're already so protective. How are you going to be acting when I'm a full nine months pregnant?"

"Like a dictator, so you better get used to it."

Wendy pouts even more as she's pulled to her feet. She looks at her friends and bows down, promising to escape from Mest's grasps and continue all their conversations another time. She didn't want rest, she didn't want privacy. For four months she was pulled away from all of them and was all alone with her own thoughts in a castle she hated. She wanted to be near these people, she desperately needed to be.

"I don't want to go back to our room, I want to stretch my legs." Wendy tells him.

"Stretch them in our room-"

"Mest."

"What? I'm just worried Wendy, I just got you back and you're pregnant no less. A pregnant woman at sea is just asking for a disaster."

Wendy's frown deepens, "so what? I'm just supposed to stay locked up in our room while everyone else goes on adventures? And get into fights? And party all day? I'm supposed to stay on board when we land on mysterious islands and find buried treasures?"

Mest gulps and looks at her, "we're not focusing on doing that anymore."

She flinches and stares, "what do you mean by that Mest?"

"I mean, we're heading towards the Southern Seas right now. Once we arrive our destination in a certain town where I plan on having us staying until the baby is born... and maybe permanently after that. I don't know for sure yet."

Wendy feels the breath get taken away from her lungs, "And when were you going to tell me about such a huge decision?!"

He's being careful, she understands that, but to take away her right to sail? To make her stay grounded without even asking for her opinion? This wasn't his life, it was hers! If she wanted to keep sailing with a baby in her arms, he should respect that! She would never do such a thing of course, but still! To not even have a choice in the matter!

"Whenever we had a moment to catch up and discuss our future. Why are you getting angry? I thought this is what you wanted? A family and a home."

"Yes, of course it is, but I always wanted a choice! We still wanted to sail the seas, remember? If I wasn't pregnant would you be ready to settle down? Or would we be heading off for our next grand adventure?!"

"Wendy, please calm down."

"No! Because I'm angry!"

"What do you want then? To stay on the sea while you give birth? To be in danger as you raise an infant?" Mest asks.

"No, and you would know that if you talked to me. I'm all for settling in a town until after my birth, but how could you decide to make it permanently? What about the crew? What about the Dreyar?"

"I was going to give it up and make someone else Captain."

Wendy's voice breaks, "what?"

"I can't force everyone to settle down with us. I wouldn't want them too; just because we're quitting, doesn't mean everyone else has to. I was going to let the Vermillion sail off as soon as we arrived if that's what the crew voted on."

"You're giving everything up... because of me." She whispers.

"But I'm gaining so much back in return. Wendy... I don't want our children to be raised without both their parents. Nothing is set in stone yet, we'll see how we feel after our first child is born, but... I almost died. You almost became a widow to raise our child alone and just... that's scary. That's a fear of mine. I don't want that to happen. Wendy, I want to spend the rest of my life with you and this life... it isn't the life for us to do that with."

Wendy takes a small breath and tries to calm herself. She has to stop freaking out, she has too. She needs to listen to him and they need to talk. This has always been their problem in the past, and they've worked through it. Now is no difference.

"I don't like this, I want to talk about this a lot more, but I agree on one thing. Our child shouldn't be born at sea. It's very unhealthy and dangerous to do that. We should be on land, in a town, early so the doctor can keep track of my records and get used to me as their patient. I'm also going to need to get used to the place so I can feel at home and have a smoother birth, or at least that's what the books I've read has told me."

Mest nods his head, "then let's do that, let's do all of that. We can talk about everything else more in the future, I promise you that."

"Mest... I don't want to give up what you love for me."

"Wendy, I can't give up you either. You mean more to me than all the treasure in the world. I wouldn't be able to leave you behind, I'm done being without you. We will talk more about this, let's just save it for another time though."

Wendy bites her bottom lip and nods her head. She gave up being a princess for Mest, but she never liked being a princess. Mest loves being a pirate and he might quit being what he loves for her... no, she won't let that happen. They'll find a way, somehow. They'll figure something out, but later though. She's been back for only one day and yet she feels like they've argued most of the time. She should just be enjoying this, enjoy being back.

"Now come on, let's head back to the room."

"Ah-" Wendy calls out, shaking her head, "no, no, no, I want to walk. To the deck."

Mest's eyes widen, "to the deck?! That's too dangerous! What if you fall over?!"

"I can't see that happening with you by my side unless I'm running like crazy right against the railings."

"No Wendy, let's stay safe here and-"

"I'm not a fragile being Mest, I just want to stretch my legs out in the open."

"Wendy stop fighting me! I'm just protecting you!"

"You're suffocating me!"

Too bad for not arguing. She can't help it, she blames the hormones. She'll get back into the groove of being with him again and he'll learn what not to say to not get his head chomped off, but until then...

"Take me up there or I will leave you!"

They will have to keep butting heads.

LINE

"You okay there Wendy?" Lisanna asks, rubbing her back in soothing motions.

"Yup, it's just a bit harder for me to move, that's all." Wendy hisses.

"Well take your time, we have all the time in the world now that we finally landed at ()." Lisanna smiles.

Wendy giggles, "why don't you try telling the baby that?"

At seven months pregnant she feels as big as a house. Her belly peeks out of her shirt as she waddles off of the ship onto dry, unmoving land. Lisanna is by her side, holding her, watching out for her as they cross the board. She always has someone with her whenever Mest wasn't there; he refused to have her alone in fear what could happen. Wendy snorts, what could happen if heaven forbid she has a moment to herself?

"Is something funny?" Lisanna asks.

"No, oh no. I'm just happy we're finally here. I missed the grass believe it or not. I can't wait to explore the town and see what it has to offer." She says.

"Oh, me too! To be honest I've never been to Mest's hometown before, so I really want to see where he came from."

Wendy blinks, stopping her walking. "What?"

"Excuse me?" Lisanna asks.

"Hold on, did you just say- Mest's home town? Mest was born here?!" Wendy exclaims.

"Yeah, didn't he tell you? It's part of the reason he wanted us to go to the Southern Seas. He couldn't think of a safer place for your baby to be born than here, and he knows the area well. He wanted to make sure nothing would happen to you two." Lisanna frowns, staring at Wendy's expression, "did he really not tell you? Well that was cruel of him."

She shakes her head side to side, now looking all around her with eyes filled with wonder. Hometown, Mest's hometown! This is where he was born! This is where he grew up until he joined Fairy Tail! She wanted to see it all now! View all his memories! Where he was born! Where he first walked! Where he first talked! Where he- Wendy's face pales all of a sudden... oh no... if this is where Mest was born then that means... his family was here.

But-but- Mest never talked about his family before! She just assumed... what, that he didn't have one?! Oh no, Wendy isn't ready for this. She isn't ready to meet his parents! What if they don't like her?! What if they don't approve of her?! Well that would be impossible because their son literally bagged a princess, but still! What if a princess isn't good enough for Mest?!

"I don't feel so well," Wendy groans, fanning her face with her hand.

"Wendy?! Wendy, come on, let's sit down! Guys! Can someone get Wendy something to drink?! And maybe some shade?! Please!" Lisanna calls out.

Azlack and Gajeel drop the crate they were carrying on land, Lisanna bringing Wendy over to sit down on it. Juvia's running over with a bowl full of water, Jet right after with an umbrella. He opens it up and stands behind her, shading her from the sun, while Juvia slowly holds the bowl to her lips. Wendy takes a sip and tries to calm down and stop worrying her friends.

"Wendy? Everything alright?" Juvia asks.

Wendy hums and nods her head, "yeah, sorry. I just- I'm feeling better now."

"Thanks guys, thanks Jet. I'll take it from here and bring her to the inn first to rest. Someone tell Mest where we'll be. Wendy? Think you can walk?" Lisanna asks tilting her head at her.

"Yes, I'm fine now. Just spooked myself a little bit." Wendy says getting back to her feet.

"Wendy?! Wendy! What's wrong?! Is the baby coming?!"

Mest is yelling out as he climbs off the ship and runs to her side, face red, chest panting. Wendy's amazed how fast he learned about her little attack and how quickly he came to her rescue.

"She's fine Mest, I was going to bring her to the inn to rest. Go ahead and finish our unloading." Lisanna waves him off.

"Are you sure? Maybe I should go with, the guys can handle it without me. I want to get you settled in Wendy, I can help."

"Mest, I'm fine. Really. I was just shocked because Lisanna told me this was your hometown and you neglected to inform me of that yourself," Wendy says, with a little bit more bite than she meant to.

Mest flinches and scratches the back of his head, "it never really came up."

"Didn't it?"

"It never really seemed important."

"Mest! This is serious! You were born here! Do you still have friends? Family? Is your parents still alive living here?!"

Mest closes his mouth and looks away. Wendy's cheeks puff out and she huffs, wrapping her arms around Lisanna's. She moves to walk away, but Mest reaches out and grabs her hand.

"I haven't been here since the moment I ran off to join this crew!" He tells her.

"So?" Wendy asks him, "what does that matter to any of my questions?!"

"I didn't tell my parents I was leaving... it's complicated." He mumbles.

Wendy stares at his sad self and sighs out to herself. She walks over and cuffs his face, stroking his cheeks as she looks at him.

"Really? No note? No letter? So we were just going to walk in on your parents home and surprise them with a grown up son, a wife, and a child?"

Mest frowns at her, "actually, I wasn't going to go see them."

Wendy's face scrunches up and she drops her hand, "you're horrible Mest."

"No Wendy, you don't understand!"

"Because you've never told me, let's go Lisanna. I want to go explore and have some fun right now. Mest can go back to working because I don't want to see him again until I've cooled off!" Wendy warns.

Mest flinches and Lisanna is quick to grab her arm and start leading her into town. She always thought Wendy was the sweetest of things, but ever since her pregnancy, she's been snapping more than ever lately. She holds the umbrella steady over her head as they walk off of the port and down the trail into town.

"Did you hear him? Could you believe that? First he doesn't tell me what this place means to him, then he never tells me about his family, and now he doesn't even want to see his family!" Wendy huffs.

"Well Wendy, how would things go if you introduced Mest to your parents?" Lisanna asks.

"They would kill him, of course, but that's not the point Lisanna."

"Isn't it? What if Mest parents were mean people? What if they were cruel? What if that's why he doesn't want to see them?"

"Exactly! I have no idea because he never told me anything about them! He's told me everything in his life! Well, I would like to think everything, but never about his origins! Never about where he was from, or his family! I never thought to ask, so maybe this is partly my fault, but still. He should have told his pregnant wife that we were returning back to... back to... wow."

"Wendy?" Lisanna asks looking at her.

"It's... it's beautiful."

The entrance of the town could only be described as... well, beautiful. It looked like such a homey place, so welcoming. There was a sign with the town's name engraved in wood with all types of swirls and designs on it. There were flowers beds leading up to the entrance, the buildings covered in them. They all looked ancient and rustic, like they were all antiques. It had a very floral smell as they walked in, actual flower petals mixed in with the wind.

Wendy looks around at the people, at the children running, at the small pets of cats and dogs, at the larger animals of sheep and cattle being herded. People smile and greet them kindly and Wendy can't believe that Mest would ever want to leave such a place.

"Everything is so... inviting. Look! Look! It's a bakery! Those breads look delicious! And look at that! There's the doctor's house, it looks so cute. Maybe we should introduce ourselves? Although I should probably be with Mest. Where's our inn at? I want to see how cute that looks!"

She loves this place. It has a calming and relaxing feeling to it that engulfs her and takes all her stress away. Lisanna looks down at Wendy and smiles softly, digging in her coat pocket for her wallet.

"You know, Mest gave me a lot of jewels just in case you got hungry before he came. If you aren't tired and don't want to rest at the inn, do you maybe want to go spend some of it?" She asks, shaking the bag.

Wendy's eyes sparkle as she looks at Lisanna, "yes! Please! Can we go explore?! Can we go see everything?!"

"Sure, () is a pretty big place. Outskirt of town there are rows and rows of hills, other buildings and farms further out. They're part of the land too, let's see if we can get a carriage and sight see all of that as well."

"Farms! I've never been to a farm before! I want to see farm animals!" Wendy claps her hands.

Lisanna giggles and nods her head, "let's see it all Wendy."

Yes! Let them see it all!

LINE