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.

52. Part 2

"Captain-"

"If you tell me to calm down, one more time, I'm going to go on a rampage and burn this town down."

Erza flinches and takes a couple of steps back. Mest continues to tap his foot rapidly on the floor, back hunched over, resting his face in his hand as he glares at the front entrance of the inn. She isn't here, his wife isn't here, and this is where Lisanna said they would be. He should have gone with them, he knew it. She was so angry, he just wanted to give her space to cool off because she's always sorry hours later and blames the pregnancy, but he should have known that this argument would have been different. Still, to worry him like this?!

"Are the search parties back yet?!" Mest growls out.

"Mest, we're in a small town. We don't need search parties-"

"No, they're not." Erza says, slapping her hand over Gray's mouth.

"Where the hell are they?!" He yells knocking his chair over.

Wendy flinches as soon as she walks into the inn, frowning deeply. She sees some of her friends huddles around the entrance, Mest glaring all around until his eyes finally land on her. They widen and he's running towards her, anger still on his face.

"Wendy! What the hell?! Where were you?!" He yells.

"Exploring. Lisanna took me all around the town, it was very fun." She says calmly.

"You said you would be at the inn! You weren't here when I came and I thought the worse!"

"Why would you think that? Didn't we come here because you believed this place was safe enough for our child to be born?"

"Anything could have happened though!"

Wendy rolls her eyes and holds up the bouquet of flowers in her hands, "aren't these lovely? The shopkeeper told me they're locally grown, they smell amazing."

She buries her nose in the blue and white flowers, taking a deep breath. Mest's eye begins to throb and Lisanna shyly walks in behind Wendy, a couple of bags in her hands as she looks at Mest.

"Hey Captain... sorry about being late," she whispers, hearing him yell from the outside.

"Lisanna!" He calls out.

"Now, now, that's enough Mest. She's back home, safe and sound, it's time for you to calm down." Mirajane says coming to sister's rescue.

Mest takes a deep breath and sighs it out through his nose. Wendy keeps staring at the flowers, a smile on her face.

"Everything was so beautiful Mest, I can't believe you came from such a town. I would have loved to be born here and live here. I can't imagine why you ran away from it... oh wait, I could, if you only had told me about your past." Wendy says.

"I did tell you about my past," Mest grunts out.

"Only about your pirate past, not about your life before that. Lisanna, thanks for taking care of me. I'm going to go rest now."

"Ah, no, no problem Wendy," Lisanna says shaking, keeping a careful eye on Mest.

She holds the bags out for Wendy of her things, but before she can reach them, Mest is snatching it and following Wendy as she heads for their room. Lisanna lets out a sigh when they finally leave and hugs her sister.

"I'll be so much happier when the baby is out. Mest has really been so protective. I feel bad for Wendy." She sighs.

Mirajane giggles as she strokes her hair, "true, he's being horrible now, but we have to understand. He's lost her so many times before, every time it happened something inside of him broke. Plus he missed the beginning months of her pregnancy. This is just his weird way of making it all up."

"Driving her crazy?" Lisanna asks.

"Making sure nothing happens," Erza says walking forward, "protecting her with all his might. Don't worry about it Lisanna, we all know Mest is a soft teddy bear. Did you enjoy the town?"

Lisanna nods her head a bit, "yeah, you guys are really going to love it here."

LINE

"Wendy," Mest growls following after her, "do you even know where you're going?"

"Oh, wow. Another thing I don't know because you've failed to inform me." Wendy huffs.

He needs to calm down. He needs to calm down. Mest lets out another shaky breath and digs into his pockets, pulling out their room key. He walks ahead of Wendy to their room, unlocking it, and holding it open. Wendy doesn't glance at him when she enters, not even thanking him. She enters the room and smiles at the warm colors of red, orange, and brown greeting her. Even the inn rooms are pretty. She walks over towards the table and spots a vase with a couple of flowers in it. She adds her bouquet to the others and takes a seat, kicking off her boats as she admires it.

Mest places her bags in the corner of the room, where he's nearly unpacked everything else he brought over from the ship. He joins her on the table and stares at the flowers, knowing some of them.

"(), (), and ()."

Wendy looks at him and raises an eyebrow, "hmm?"

"The flowers, the star shaped one, and the white cotton looking ones, those are the names. They use to bloom around my farm, my mother loved (). I used to pick them for her a lot when I was a kid."

"Really? What else did you do when you were a kid here? You had a farm? What else?" Wendy asks, turning in her chair to face him.

Her feet are really aching now and she tries to lift one up on her lap to massage it a little, but doing such an easy task before has become harder and harder because of her ever growing belly. Mest doesn't miss the action and grabs her feet, scooting his chair back so she's stretching out her legs. He massages her feet without a word and stares down at the little plump toes.

"My family were farmers... our farm is about a twenty minutes walk from here. I was my parents only child and yeah, we were just farmers. Had horses, goats, cows... sheep... it was a boring life." He mumbles.

Wendy relaxes and stares at her husband, "is that why you left it? Because it was boring?"

Mest nods his head, "I didn't want to live the rest of my life as a farmer, marrying some girl from town, and raising kids to do the same thing. I wanted more, I just didn't know what that was. I planned on leaving when I saved enough money, but then Fairy Tail Pirates came to town and I just packed everything and left with them."

"So you left everything behind?"

"You say it like it was hard. I didn't have anything tying me here Wendy, just like you when you left with me."

"Mest I left with you because my parents were cruel and I wanted true love."

"Oh, right... I didn't have any lovers to keep me here, my friends were just... friends, nothing special, and my parents... God! I fought with my father so much about wanting to leave town, but I knew he loved me! I knew that if I told them about me running away with pirates it would have... it would have crushed them, and I knew they would have convinced me to stay... so I left. I left before they could keep me to stay here."

Wendy reaches out to touch him, but she can't quite reach. She grunts a little and Mest looks up from his dark thoughts, seeing her reach for him. He leans forward and lets her cuff his face, running her hands across his cheek.

"Mest, I understand. This wasn't the life you wanted, you felt like you wanted more and this is your life, not theirs, so you left. I can understand that... why wouldn't we see them though? I assume you feel bad because when you told me that your face looked so sad, so why don't we just go there and apologize?"

"Because what if they hate me Wendy? What if my leaving killed them? What if they never want to see me again? What if something bad happens?"

"Well what if something good happens? Mest, you never know. I'm sure they'll be mad, and hurt, but you're there only son. What if they've been waiting for you to come home all this time?"

Mest tightens his face.

"What? We're just going to pretend you're not Doranbolt Mest Gryder the fifth here? Am I going to have to go by a different last name? Are we going to pretend we're Marvell's?"

"No, Scarlet's actually." He mumbles.

Wendy giggles slightly and Mest cracks a smile at her.

"I don't know Wendy, I don't want to see them."

Wendy stares at her husband and nods her head, "okay. Okay Mest, we don't have to see them today. But maybe you will change your mind tomorrow, or the next day, or the next week, or month. We're going to be here for a while until our baby is born, so you'll have the time to think about it and realize that the risk is worth the reward."

Mest smiles and leans over, kissing her for short kiss.

"Mest? Can I be honest with you?" Wendy asks when they part.

"Of course, always," he tells her, going back to rubbing her feet.

"I really love this town. I know I've only been here for a few hours, but it's so cute and peaceful. I can really imagine raising our family here."

Mest smile freezes on his face.

"And I know that thought probably scares you because you didn't want to end up being here and ran off."

"We can settle down here if you want Wendy." He says automatically.

"No Mest, I know you mean that, but I would never do that to you. You don't want this normal lifestyle... which makes me wonder a bit how we're ever going to settle down someplace. You need the sea Mest."

"No Wendy, I need you." He says looking into her eyes with such passion, "you're what I need in my life. You and our child."

Wendy licks her lips and gulps, "I know we talked a little bit about our next steps. I'm happy everyone in Fairy Tail has decided to stay with us, at least until the baby is born. I kind of think it's just because they want to see how cute she is," she smiles lightly to herself, "but after that... I'll at least want to wait until she's a year old before we sail off again. I know that's too cautious, but the thought of sailing in a pirate ship with a newborn baby, in that harsh kind of environment, I don't think- I'm worried."

"Of course Wendy. That thought was completely out of question. I'd never allow such a thing, even if you were okay with it. I've accepted that we might be living here for a year or so. I've accepted that I might not go out to sea anymore, or at least, not far enough away where I can't be with you every night."

"But Mest I don't want you to just accept these things because of me. I want you to want them too. I don't want to take away your joys in life because I've trapped you with a child- no, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that. I'm just... scared, that you're making so many sacrifices because of us." Wendy frowns, tears coming to her eyes as she rubs her belly.

"No Wendy, no, no, no, no sacrifices, nothing of the sort." Mest says.

He places her feet down on the ground before standing up and hovering over her, cuffing her face as he leans down and kisses her tears away.

"I'm not giving up anything Wendy, nothing I absolutely need," he says kissing her lips, "I'm gaining so much more I never realized I wanted. Hey, look at me, please stop crying wife."

Wendy sniffs, "I can't, the baby is making me."

Mest chuckles and wipes away her tears, "I'm not giving up on my love Wendy, I'm just putting it away. You speak as if I'll never go out to sea again. Fairy Tail will come visit us, our child will grow and want to go on his own adventures. We can still be pirates again when we're old and grey, hell it'll be more fun. No one would suspect the elderly of being thieves."

Wendy laughs out loudly at the thought of her being a grandma out at sea; of Mest being a grandpa trying to dig for treasure and throwing out his back.

"There we go, you see? We're not losing anything Wendy; we're just putting things on hold for a while. Erza will take care of our friends and our ship, make sure everything is in tip top shape whenever we decide to return. They'll visit us every couples of months, you won't miss everyone too badly. We can even go on adventures when our baby is a couple years old, teach her the ropes of how to sail and junk. You think I'm losing so much Wendy and you think I feel sad about it, but I don't. I'm imagining a much better future. A future where I get to pass my knowledge off to my little girl, a future where I get to wake up to you every morning without fear of someone attacking us, or blowing holes in our home. A future where we can live at peace. If you want to stay here Wendy, we can. If you want to keep looking for our perfect home, we can do that as well. All I need is you Wendy and I can live anywhere and do anything. I left () because there was nothing here for me, but now I can stay because you're here. You're all I need in my life, all I've ever wanted out of it. Wendy... you're my true love, my love at first sight, my soul mate. We're going to be fine and we're going to be happy, immensely happy, you understand that?"

Wendy nods her head slowly and smiles, "thank you Mest. You know exactly what I need to hear every time."

"It's not a problem love, I'll reassure you everyday if you need me too. I'm so happy to be here with you Wendy. I'm so happy we can finally rest and just focus on us and our little girl... who still needs a name."

"She has a name, we just can't seem to agree upon it."

"Cherry is no name for a girl."

"But I like cherries!"

"Well then eat cherries! Don't curse our daughter with that name!"

"Like Elizabeth is any better."

"Better than Cherry."

"Let me ask you this Mest, how many women have you been with whose names have been Elizabeth?"

Mest sweats a little and looks away, "I've been with a girl name Cherry as well."

"Ugh, I can't believe you. No names of girls who you've slept with in the past."

"Well that means a lot of names are veto- ow! I was kidding Wendy! A joke! A joke!"

Wendy smacks him again and stands out of her chair, "I'm taking a nap! And I do not want you to join me!"

"Wendy, please, I'm sorry. We need to think of something together, the two of us. Come on," he begs.

She huffs and waddles her way to the bed, Mest thinking she's adorable. She lays down and rolls around in the covers, trying to find a comfortable position for herself. Mest watches her and then looks around for extra pillows or something. He spots the bags he brought in for her and thinks of an idea to change the subject.

"What did you get?"

"Ignoring you," Wendy huffs.

"Come on Wendy, what did you buy out while shopping with Lisanna? Can I look?"

She doesn't respond, so Mest takes that as a yes and grabs the bags. He walks over to the bed and sits on the corner, opening one up and seeing bright pastel colors inside of it.

"More clothes? Even though all the girls have been knitting like crazy on board?" He asks.

Wendy pouts, "they were too cute."

"I see," Mest hums, pulling out a onesie with little hearts on it.

He sets out the clothes, admiring the girlyness to everything, and then goes to the next bag. He spies a lot of dollies in this one and pulls them out.

"She's going to need friends." Wendy tells him.

"Real life friends won't do?" He asks.

"Friends to chew on. Apparently, according to my mother, I used to chew on my blanket when I was sleeping."

"You were probably hungry all the time; you eat like a monster," Mest chuckles.

He laughs harder when Wendy tries to kick him with her feet.

"I do not!" She blushes.

"I love that about you dear, don't be embarrassed. Let's see, ooh! I like this one." Mest says pulling out a large blanket.

It feels so soft, it must have been made of sheep wool, and it's been dyed a soft light green color. It really looks like his eyes... that must have been the reason why she bought it. Mest looks over at his wife and smiles lovingly at her. Wendy starts blushing for an entire new reason and pulls the blanket up to her nose.

"Where's all the treasure though? Baby girl is going to have to have her first treasures. You know Natsu's been working on a treasure chest for us to put all her things in; I might have to fill it with gold instead of toys so she'll always have it on a rainy day."

Wendy rolls her eyes, "our daughter is going to prefer playing with dollies than hunks of rock."

"You don't know that, she has pirates for parents. She might have our greed inside her already."

Wendy touches the necklace around her neck and feels out the heart shape, "we should get her a locket, with our faces in it."

Mest blinks and looks over at her, "yes, that is a great idea. Something shiny and expensive. When she's born we'll have to add her picture to our lockets as well. A family portrait of us three."

Wendy smiles and nods her head, "I love that."

Mest moves to lay down on the bed, and this time she makes space for him. He lays beside her head and sighs out, wrapping a protective arm around her belly. His hands strokes gently, wishing to feel their baby girl kicking.

"We should name her Morning Glory."

"That's a mouthful, don't you think?"

"Gloria for short then, you love flowers, she'll be as beautiful as one."

"I don't know what Morning Glories look like, how about Iris?"

"Dated a girl name Iris."

Wendy grumbles under her breath.

"Blue bell? Call her Belle?"

"How about Sapphire? Since you like jewels so much?"

"Oooh, I like this. We can also go with Ruby? Emerald? Garnet! Or Peridot? What's the most expensive jewel out there? Hmm, there is rose gold. We could call her Rose? Wait, knew a girl name Rose. Ugh, this is hard. We should just stick with Baby. I like baby a lot."

Wendy sighs, "we'll think up of something Mest. I'm sure once we meet her we'll have the perfect name in our mind."

"If you say so. Baby Elizabeth," Mest whispers kissing her stomach.

Wendy laughs and smacks him on the side of his head.

"What? I was having a private conversation with our child Wendy, eavesdropping is very rude and inconsiderate of you."

"I'm taking my nap now Mest, try to keep it down." She shakes her head and closes her eyes.

Mest chuckles and goes back to kissing her stomach.

"Baby, we're finally home, or at least our home for now. You're going to be born here and Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see you. We can't wait to hold you in our arms and spray you with kisses, so come soon, okay? And don't give Mommy any trouble coming out, she's already cranky enough with you inside her. Hehehehe, ah. I love you baby girl. As long as you come out healthy, that's all I care about. I can't wait to hold you in my arms."

Wendy smiles in her sleep.

LINE

"I never want to walk again." Wendy sighs out.

"I don't think you can roll around everywhere with a belly like that. Maybe I can make you a wagon? We can just wheel you everywhere." Natsu tells her.

Wendy snorts out and starts laughing, "thanks Natsu, I appreciate the offer. I'm sure the wheels would fall flat off as soon as I sat down."

"How dare you doubt my carpentering skills Wendy!" Natsu scoffs.

"She's right you know, she's needs a wagon made out of some real steel. I have you covered Wendy," Gajeel ruffles her hair.

"No she doesn't! Wood would do better!"

"Steel, duh. No question."

"Guys, please, as much as I appreciate this, I'm too uncomfortable to listen to this argument. Can't we all just, I don't know, dance around a fire praying for the wind gods to give us a breeze?" Wendy asks.

Natsu and Gajeel both look at each other before looking back at her.

"I heard there was a lake outside of town that the farmers take their animals to drink from." Natsu says.

"Quick trip? If you can handle the walk, I can rent a wagon if not. I don't think you're in any condition to ride horseback." Gajeel adds.

Wendy's eyes sparkle and she leans up from her chair, "really?! Yes please! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

Twenty minutes later Wendy is wearing a summer dress, waiting outside as Gajeel pulls up with a horse drawn wagon. Natsu raises an eyebrow and walks over to him.

"Couldn't have gotten something more comfortable?" He asks.

"Shut up, it's not like this place is anything fancy. This was the best I could do in such a short time." Gajeel glares at him.

"Boys, please, I don't mind. Come on, I'm sweating so much right now, I want the cool lake." Wendy says waddling to the wagon.

Natsu opens the back and helps her get in, jumping after her. He makes sure there's no possible way she can get hurt before he whistles at Gajeel to get going. Gajeel kicks the horse on the side and it takes off. Wendy rests her head against her arm and watches as the scenery changes. One second, she's surrounded by the town, and the next, it's only wide, open plains. The further they get out, the more Wendy can see there is nothing here. One small town, a vast land of plains... of course Mest wouldn't have been satisfied with this. Wendy was born in the busy city, she was always used to noise and people bustling around; this is what she always craved for. Peace. Quietness.

Small farms start popping up and Wendy smiles lightly, looking at the animals there. Would Mest be a farmer again? She tries to wonder what job he'll get while they stay here for the rest of the year. Wendy would be busy with taking care of their child (who still doesn't have a name). She doesn't know how much it'll be being a mother, but if it isn't that much she would like to try working as a doctor here like she did last time they stayed somewhere.

"We're almost there Wendy, I can see if from here." Gajeel says.

Wendy looks up and smiles brightly, "great!"

About five minutes later Gajeel stops the horse and Natsu is helping Wendy down. As soon as her feet hit the dirt she kicks her shoes off and takes off running, as fast as a pregnant lady can, towards the lake. There are a couple of horses and cows already there, but she pays them no mind as she dips her feet into the lake and squeals as her body is immediately cooled down. Natsu is chasing after her, sweat pouring down his face from fear of her falling. Gajeel is cursing as he tries to tie the horse up before following after.

"Natsu! Gajeel! It feels so great! Thanks for bring me here!" She yells out.

"No problem, just please, be careful," Natsu pants out.

"Wendy, I swear to God, Mest will have our heads, do you understand?" Gajeel glares at her.

"Sorry fellas, this just feels! Ah!" Wendy squeals kicking her feet up in the air.

Water dances all around her and she laughs, kicking her feet up again and again. She turns around and spots Gajeel resting on the ground while Natsu stands in the shallows, feet dipping in. She grins and leans down, splashing water towards the two of them using her hands.

"What the fuck?!" Gajeel exclaims.

"Wendy!" Natsu yells.

"Hahaha! It's no fun playing alone, come on guys!"

"Hell yeah!" Natsu rolls up his sleeves and runs into the water.

He starts splashing water against her, getting her completely soaked from head to toe. Wendy screams and splashes him right back. Gajeel sits there with a pout on his face before Wendy and Natsu both turn their attention on him. Soon he's treading through the water trying to reach them, dunking Natsu under while he splashes Wendy gently.

Their playing causes eyes to look, a little kid glancing over and laughing, while an older gentleman has a smile on his face. Wendy plays until she's freezing cold and takes a deep breath in, staring up at the sky. What a perfect day.

"I think I've had enough fun now guys... guys?"

Wendy looks over and stares at Natsu and Gajeel trying to drown each other. She sighs, shaking her head, and walks over back to the dirt. She really didn't think this out, not bringing anything to dry herself off. She twists the water out of her hair and braids it into a ponytail, it finally being long enough to braid. A small hand is offered towards her and Wendy blinks before she looks over.

There's a small boy standing next to her that she didn't notice before, and he's smiling gently as he offers her a handkerchief. Wendy smiles gently back and reaches for it.

"Thank you."

The boy blushes and nods his head, "you're welcome."

"Eve!"

The little boy looks back at his father and runs over. Wendy uses the handkerchief and wipes her face off. When she's done she sees the boy's father walking over along with him.

"Thank you sir, you have a sweet boy there. Hello there little one, thank you for letting me use it." Wendy says handing it back towards him.

"Yes, I'm glad to see my wife taught him right, although I remember her teaching you something about talking to strangers," His father warns him.

"Sorry," the boy says, taking the handkerchief and hiding behind his father.

Wendy giggles and squats as much as her body is able too, "my name is Wendy Gry- Mar-, Scarlet, Wendy Scarlet, nice to meet you. See? We're no longer strangers." She tells him.

The little boy smiles brightly and leans over, "my name is Eve! And this is my Papa!"

"Hi there, my name is Doranbolt. It's very nice to meet you Wendy."

Wendy leans up and stiffens. Doranbolt? She knew a Doranbolt, but he didn't look like- she lifts her hand up and gasps as she takes a good look at the older gentleman. His hair looks like pepper, all black with grey streaks here and there. His face is older, filled with wrinkles, but those eyes. She'll never mistake those eyes. They're bright and full of life and green and sparkling, just like her necklace, just like her husband's eyes. Wendy looks back down at Eve and sees those same eyes again, although his hair isn't black, but a bright brown, sun-kissed blonde.

"Doran...bolt?" She asks.

"Yes. You got it right on the first try, nice job. Usually people butcher my name. I have to say, I've never seen you around here before Wendy. Did you and your husband just move? Which one is he?" Doranbolt asks looking over at the two men still wrestling in the water.

Wendy looks over and rolls her eyes, "Natsu! Gajeel! Enough!"

Gajeel and Natsu both look up, seeing two complete strangers with Wendy. They immediately get their act together and shove each other to get to her side first.

"Neither, they're more like pesky brothers. My husband is back in town. We were all out for a stroll to help me cool off. We just moved here a month ago." Wendy says.

"Oh, well welcome. I've been living here all my life, it's a wonderful place to grow a family," Doranbolt chuckles patting Eve's head, "me and my family go into town a lot, I'm surprised we haven't seen you yet. Usually people talk when there's newbies in town, but all I heard about was a ship full of merchants docking for some trading."

"Well my husband is the captain of that merchant ship." Wendy says.

"Oh, I see. Then I did hear about you, hahaha."

"Is there anything the matter Wendy?" Natsu asks wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"Yeah, they aren't causing you any trouble, are they?" Gajeel asks, glaring down at the kid.

Eve squeaks and hides behind his father again.

"No Natsu and Gajeel, we're just talking. This is Doranbolt and his son Eve, they live here." Wendy explains.

She waits for them to recognize the name, but Natsu and Gajeel don't seem to get it. It's only then she realizes that Mest has probably never told anyone his real name. So of course they wouldn't recognize it, they didn't even know it! She was alone here.

"You know, my house isn't that far from here. Would you three like to come over and dry off? I'm sure I have a change of clothes for all of you; wouldn't want you catching colds, especially in your condition." Doranbolt offers.

"We're fi-ow!" Gajeel grunts when Wendy elbows his stomach.

"Yes! That would be wonderful! Gajeel, Natsu, why don't we get the wagon and follow Doranbolt to his home? Thank you very much for your kindness." Wendy bows lightly at him.

"It's no problem at all. Eve, help me gather the cattle. Just follow us and we'll be there in no time," Doranbolt says, patting his son ahead.

"Wendy, what the hell?" Natsu whispers.

"Shut up you two, they're nice, I need to change. If I catch a cold Mest will kill us." Wendy warns them.

She's lying, of course, there's no way she's going to catch a cold by the time they head back to the town, but these two don't know that. Gajeel and Natsu give each other a look before they're following after her, loading on the wagon and following after Doranbolt. Mest would not like this, he would not like this one bit. It has been a full month since they've came here though and he's never brought up his parents again! She's tried to be respectful, but this just fell into her lap! What's she supposed to do, not take advantage of this?!

True to his word, minutes later they pull up to a large home in what seems like nowhere, an even larger barn located behind it. Doranbolt tells Eve to put the animals back up as he holds the door open for his guests. Natsu and Gajeel are wary, but Wendy is relaxed as she walks in and makes herself at home.

"Here are some towels for you three, let me just go tell my wife we have company and she'll make you some tea. Mary? Mary where are you?!" Doranbolt asks, disappearing in the back of the house.

"This is actually pretty nice," Natsu mumbles, drying his hair off.

"Yeah... I guess he's okay," Gajeel agrees.

"Told you guys, people are nice in this town. Mest will be proud you two aren't allowing me to stay wet," Wendy grins, wrapping the towel around her shoulders.

"Oh! Look at that, we really do have guests! It's been so long, welcome, welcome. I'm Doranbolt's wife, Mary. Oh no, you three are soaking! Wait here, I'm sure I have some dry clothes all of you can fit in." Mary says appearing for a quick minute.

She has golden blonde hair and bluish green eyes. That's all Wendy can tell before she disappears. When she reappears she's able to get a better look at her. There's gray in her blonde, but she can hardly see it unless she squints. Her eyes are really bluish green, more on the blue side, and she looks beautiful.

"Here, there my husbands, hopefully they fit you two, you can change in the other room, and here you are sweetie. Lucky for you I still my old pregnancy clothes, these should fit you nicely," Mary smiles at her.

She has Mest's smile; tears appear in Wendy's eyes. She sniffs and quickly stands up, thanking the woman, trying really hard to resist throwing her arms around her and calling her mother, as she walks past her into the other room to change. The new dress drags a little on the floor, but otherwise fits nicely. Mary takes all their wet clothes and goes to hang them outside. Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy, all sit a little awkwardly at the table awaiting her return. Eve comes running in through the front door and freezes when he sees the two scary guys. He scampers over to Wendy and drags a chair near her, sitting down next to her.

"Hello there Eve, I'm surprised to see such a hard worker. You must be really strong," she tells him.

Eve blushes and rubs his nose, "well someone has to help Papa, he's getting old."

"I heard that young man," Doranbolt scolds.

"Ah!" Eve flinches and hides himself in Wendy's arm.

She laughs, thinking he's adorable. If only Mest acted this way around her sometimes, the thought made her heart explode! Was Mest like this when he was a child? All cute and shy? Doing everything he could to help his parents? She wanted to know, she wanted to know more about him.

"Sorry, your clothes are hanging up though and should be dry after a while. Tea anyone?"

"Yes, please," the three of them say.

Doranbolt goes to help his wife and pulls out their seats when she returns. Wendy thanks her as she takes her glass, the warmth spreading across her fingertips. She takes a sip and sighs out peacefully, staring at the beautiful arrange of flowers in the vase on the table.

"Those are pretty," Wendy comments.

"Thank you, they're magnolias and ()."

"You're favorite," Wendy notes.

Mary lifts up an eyebrow, "excuse me?"

Wendy blushes, realizing her mistake, "I mean, your favorites? Are they your favorites?"

Mary giggles and nods her head as she finishes passing out the tea, "yes, they are. Eve picked them out for me yesterday."

"Yup! I'm happy you love them Mama!" Eve cheers.

"Such a good boy you are," Mary pinches his cheek.

"Mama!"

Wendy giggles and covers her mouth, "you have a really adorable son."

"Thank you..."

"Wendy, Wendy Scarlet, and these are my brothers Natsu and Gajeel."

"Well Wendy, Natsu, Gajeel, welcome to our home. It's so nice to have visitors."

"They're from the merchant ship that everyone's been gossiping about; Wendy's husband is the captain apparently."

"Oh, well that's interesting. Is it fun? Sailing?"

Wendy nods her head, "oh yes, going to so many different places, adventuring across the ocean. It's a lot of fun, but I especially enjoy all the different towns we go to. I have to say this is the most peaceful and beautiful place I've been to so far."

"Of course, there's no place like (). I can't see why anyone would want to live it," Doranbolt says, a little graty at the end.

Mary gives him a look before she continues, "I'm glad you're enjoying your stay. Did your husband decide to move here? I see you're with child, it almost looks like you're about to pop. Is your due date soon?"

"Maybe, and yes. You see my husband is from these parts, so he couldn't imagine a safer place for me to give birth than his hometown. He's taking a break from his job and giving his crew a much needed vacation."

"You got that right," Natsu mumbles sipping his tea.

Gajeel grunts in agreement.

"We plan on staying here for a year or so, I don't know about forever. We're both love traveling around. I'm about eight months along right now, a couple of more weeks and I'll finally be able to meet my little one," Wendy says, stroking her stomach fondly.

"Well I'm glad I'll be able to enjoy your company for the next year or so, aren't we dear? I absolutely love babies!" Mary cheers.

"Your husband is from around these parts? Really? Must be from the another town on the other side of the island, our people usually don't leave here for long."

"I can't imagine why, this place is great! I've never drunk ale so fresh before!" Natsu announces.

Doranbolt's eyes sparkle, "I know, right? They're made fresh from the () here. It has something to due with the minerals in the ground that allows us to grow such strong ale."

"It's pretty good, not the worse I've had," Gajeel nods his head.

"Wendy, Wendy, do you want to go play?" Eve asks, eyes sparkling.

"Eve, don't bother our guests please. Sorry about that, Eve's excited to have made new friends. We don't live close to anyone, so Eve only gets to go into town on the weekends and meet his friends," Mary says.

"Oh, no brothers for him?" Wendy asks, "or sisters? Siblings?" She adds at second notice.

Mary sighs and places her hand against her cheek, "... no, he used too," she closes her eyes and shakes her head, "I'm afraid not. It's just Eve, Doranbolt, and I." She smiles sadly.

Wendy bites her bottom lip, regretting bringing it up. What is she, stupid? Of course they wouldn't openly talk about Mest. He did run away without telling anyone. It probably hurt every time they thought about it. She's all of a sudden mad at Mest. What is wrong with him? His parents were such nice people. He couldn't have at least send them a quick letter saying that he was alive and well?

"Well I understand, I was an only child as well. I would love to play with you Eve, it'll have to be something easy though. I'm afraid I can't move as quickly as you." Wendy tells him.

Eve stares at her belly before looking back up at her, "is it because you're fat?"

"Eve!" Mary yells catching the guy's attention.

Wendy just laughs out loudly though and gets up from her seat, "it's alright Mary, hahahaha, yes Eve, it's because I'm fat."

"I"m terribly sorry Wendy, I thought I taught my boy more manners. Wendy isn't fat Eve, she's just carrying a baby!"

"Oh, like Daisy."

"Yes, except Daisy is a cow and Wendy is a human."

"Oh, I get it, I'm sorry Wendy. We can play something easy! Like blocks! Or horse shoes!" Eve cheers grabbing her hand.

"Wendy, we should be getting back soon before we're missed," Natsu tells her.

"Oh, you two go on without me please. Send back my husband to pick me up." Wendy tells him.

Gajeel clears his throat, "um, I don't think that would be such a good idea."

Wendy stops Eve and leans down, squeezing his hand, "Eve? Could you give me a minute? I'll be right there."

"Aw, okay, but hurry up!"

"I promise. Natsu? Gajeel? A word please outside? We'll be right back Mary and Doranbolt," Wendy bows at them lightly.

Natsu and Gajeel follow Wendy outside the door. She looks at the two of them, closing the door behind her, before she leans and whispers.

"What?" Natsu says.

Wendy tells them again.

"WHAT?!" Gajeel yells out loudly.

"Shhh, be quiet. You know I'm safe, so please do me this favor and go tell Mest where I am."

"Um... on a scale from mad to pissed, he's going to be raging," Natsu tells her, a little fear in his eyes.

"Well you two are welcome to stay here with me and wait for him to come," Wendy threatens.

"Ah... ooh... I can't tell which is worst." Gajeel mumbles looking at Natsu.

"Obviously ditching her behind... but then again, the longer we keep Mest waiting, the more he'll be pissed. Arg, Wendy, do we have too?"

"Please, do this, for me? I'll be safe. I want him to meet them again." Wendy pouts, battering her eyelashes.

Natsu gulps and sighs out, "if he kills me, I'm coming back to curse you."

"Thanks Natsu! Gajeel! I owe you two a lot!"

"You sure do shorty; we won't be coming back, you're going to deal with his fury all on your own." Gajeel says patting her head.

"Don't worry, I can handle him. What can he do to his pregnant wife?"

"Dammit, you're right. I wish I was pregnant- er- I mean, let's go Gajeel!" Natsu yells when the two of them give him a weird look.

Wendy giggles into her hand and waves her friends goodbye before she goes back into the house. Mary and Doranbolt are still enjoying tea at the table while Eve is pouting, tapping his toe impatiently for her return.

"Is everything alright dear?" Mary asks.

"Oh yes, Natsu and Gajeel had to go back, but they're sending my husband to come pick me up."

"Oh wonderful, maybe you two will be able to stay for dinner? Wouldn't that be nice Doranbolt?" Mary asks her husband.

"Whatever you want honey," Doranbolt smiles at her.

"I should get started early then! Wendy, are you sure you don't mind playing with Eve?"

"Not at all, it'll give me practice for when this ball of sunshine comes out. Eve, I'm ready now. Let's go and play." Wendy smiles brightly at him.

"Hooray! Let's go Wendy!" Eve cheers grabbing her hand.

Doranbolt chuckles as he watches the two go, "she's such a sweet and beautiful girl."

"I know, I'm glad you invited them back."

LINE

"You're really bad at this Wendy." Eve laughs from the grass.

Wendy pouts, "I know," she says throwing her horseshoe again.

It doesn't hit her target though, but goes flying off. Eve rolls around in the grass as he laughs out loudly again. At least he's having fun. Wendy never thought this would be harder than it looks. She was able to sew up stiches, fight off pirates, sail the grandest vessel on the sea, yet she couldn't throw a horse shoe straight.

"I'll get this sooner or later." Wendy glares, concentrating as she tries again.

"Oooh! I wonder who that is coming up!"

Wendy flinches and turns around, seeing a lone horse closing in fast to the home. A small feeling of guilt boils in the pit of her stomach as she realizes just what she did. Betrayed his trust by leaving her guards, lied to him about where she was going (not really, but not returning straight home), probably worrying him to death when she didn't appear back with Natsu and Gajeel, oh how mad he must have been when they told him where she was... yeah, thinking about it all now, this probably wasn't the best way for Wendy to do this. Was it too late to fix this?

Mest gets even closer and she thinks yes, yes it is. He stops his horse right in front of her, but he doesn't look scared. No, instead he looks panicky, looking around him as he gets off and walks over to her.

"Are you hurt?!" He asks, checking her head to toe.

"No, I'm fine Mest. Perfectly fine." Wendy breathes out, a little shocked he's not yelling at her right now.

"Good," Mest sighs out, then looks over at the house. He's quiet for a second, before he's tugging her hand and pulling her over to the horse.

"Come on, we should go, now, before they realize I'm here-"

"Wendy?" Eve asks.

Mest freezes and stares at the little boy he's failed to notice until now. Eve stares right back up at the bigger man, his eyes narrowing as he seems very familiar to him.

"Who's the kid?" Mest asks.

"Your brother," Wendy whispers and walks to his side, "Eve, this is my husband Mest. Mest, meet Eve."

"Brother?" Mest asks and glares down at the kid.

Eve flinches and hides behind Wendy's legs. Wendy glares right back at him, hating him for scaring the kid, but Mest doesn't even notice. He's just mumbling to himself.

"Eve? What the heck? They curse me with being Doranbolt the fifth, and yet they give their second son a normal name? So unfair."

"Wendy! Eve! Dinner is almost ready! Come in and wash up- oh! Is that your husband Wendy?!" Mary calls out, standing outside of the door.

Mest stills when he hears a voice he hasn't heard in over ten years. He's scared to look behind his shoulder and see what his mother looks like now.

"Okay Mama! Let's go Wendy," Eve says, tugging her hand.

"You go ahead Eve, I'll be right there," Wendy says, ruffling his hair.

Eve nods and runs towards his mother. Wendy walks over to Mest and grabs his hand, squeezing it tightly.

"Mest?"

Mest blinks a couple of times before focusing on her, "what?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect to run into your father, but he called himself Doranbolt, and he looked just like you, and he invited me back... I couldn't refuse. I didn't want to. I'm sorry for calling you here, but they're so nice, and it's unfair that they think you're... I'm sorry."

Mest lets out a shaky breath.

"Please? Please come have dinner with us? I won't force you, you can leave and send someone else to pick me up after dinner, but it would mean the world to me if you at least try."

"Do they know? About me?"

Wendy shakes her head, "I told them I was married to a merchant."

"Have they mentioned me?"

"Almost, but your mother clammed up and looked sad."

Mest lowers his head and squeezes his hands into fists, "Wendy, I don't know."

"Just try, and if something bad happens we can go, but if something good happens... I know we'll be happy."

Mest gulps and doesn't say anything. Wendy grabs his hand again and takes a step forward; he follows. She leads him back to the house and tugs him inside of the door. Mest looks around the home he was born in, nothing looking different one bit. He recognizes everything and suddenly he's feeling all chocked up.

"I'm setting up the table right now. It's such a pleasure to meet you sir, your wife is really a sweet girl. I'm happy to have the pleasure to have- huh?!"

Mary gasps, the plate filled with vegetables falling from her hands and crashing onto the floor. Mest flinches and takes a step back, staring at anywhere but his mother as he scratches the back of his head. Wendy keeps her hold on him though so he can't run. Mary covers her mouth, tears appearing in her eyes.

"Doran-Doran-Dorabolt?" She cries out.

"I told you to call me Mest," Mest says, like an automatic reaction. He flinches, hearing how he sounds like, and glares at the floor, "... hi Mom."

"Doranbolt!" Mary cries running over.

Wendy takes a step back and watches as Mary throws her arms over her son. Mest's eyes widen in surprise, but his hands shaking as they wrap around her and hug her back.

"I knew it! I always knew you would come back! I knew you were alive! Your father said differently, but I knew in my heart you were still here! Doranbolt! Doranbolt!" Mary cries, rubbing her face in his chest.

Mest frowns, hating to see her cry. He wraps his arms tighter around her and lowers his head, "I'm sorry Mom."

Mary suddenly looks up and glares, slapping him across his head, "you're a bad son! How could you do such a thing as run away?! And not even tell me! Your own mother! I can see why not your father, but I would have understood Doranbolt! And you didn't even send me a single letter! I raised you better than that!" She growls, tugging at his ear.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, Mom! Stop! I'm a grown ass adult now!"

"Not in this house you're not! Grown ass adults don't leave for twelve years without telling their mothers! You're still a little brat in my eyes!" Mary yells.

Wendy has to cover her mouth to hide the giggles she's laughing up right now. Mest is being scolded right now! Mest is being punished! She's never seen a more hilarious thing in all her life, and she has front row seats to it!

"Mary?! What's happening?! Why are you screaming?!" Doranbolt yells out, running down the stairs.

He runs into the kitchen and sees his wife crying in the arms of... Doranbolt slowly blinks as he stares at his son...

"You," he whispers out.

Mest flinches, and does he actually move to hide behind his mother? Wendy has to bite her bottom lip really hard now to stop the giggles.

"Pops... hi."

"What are you doing here?" Doranbolt asks, his voice going cold.

Mest flinches, remembering all the times that voice expressed disappointment. He takes a step closer to his wife and wraps an arm around Wendy's waist, pulling her to his side.

"Picking up my wife. If you want us to leave, we'll excuse ourselves." Mest mumbles.

"Doranbolt! Don't you dare! Our son is finally home! Weren't you just wishing how badly he would come home?!" Mary yells at her husband.

Doranbolt flusters, "Mary! Don't just say that out loud!"

"Mest, you and Wendy aren't going anywhere. In fact, you two are staying right here and we're going to have a nice family dinner and talk." Mary says, smiling through her tears at her children.

"That sounds wonderful Mary," Wendy smiles back at her.

"I don't know about that Mom-"

"Doranbolt Mest Gryder-"

"Yes ma'am," Mest blurts out, stiffening his back.

"Mary, we're not-"

"Doranbolt William Gryder, I swear to-"

"Yes dear," Doranbolt says, straightening up his back.

Wendy watches in amazement and can't help but start clapping her hands, "wow."

"Thank you. Stick around dear and I'll teach you my secrets," Mary giggles and winks at her.

Eve comes walking downstairs then and looks around at everybody.

"What I miss?"

LINE

Dinner was... awkward to say the least. Mest kept to himself while Wendy answered most questions Mary had for them. Doranbolt didn't seem to eat, moving his food around in his plate, more than one occasion staring at his long lost son. Eve seemed oblivious to everything and ate happily, talking to Wendy about toys and games and funny stories in the past.

"So, Doranbolt-"

"It's Mest," Mest grumbles under his breath.

His father glares at him, but corrects himself, "still the same little... so, Mest... what are you doing back here?"

Mest stabs his fork his food and shoves it in his mouth, chewing loudly.

"Dear, didn't you hear what Wendy told us earlier? They're planning to raise the baby here." Mary reminds him.

"Right, so, Mest... you've been here for a month... not a single contact with us. What is up with that?"

Mest swallows, "been busy."

Doranbolt slams his utensil on the table, "oh really? Too busy to visit your family?"

Mest slams his fork down all the same, "yes, exactly, since I have a family of my own to provide for now."

"Interesting thing that is. I thought the reason you ran away is because you didn't want to settle down."

"Here. I didn't want to settle down here with some random farm girl."

"And yet here you are, after all these years, settling down, now with only a completely random girl, excuse me Wendy." Doranbolt tells her.

Wendy shakes her head, not minding at all. She was random, completely random, and the two of them were finally talking. This was good, she hopes.

"Not forever, so don't get used to this."

"Of course not, I know my SON better than that. Tell me, did you come back to abandon your pregnant wife on your old parents before you run off again? Disappearing for another ten odd years?"

"Doranbolt!" Mary yells.

"You take that back!" Mest yells, jumping to his feet.

"Why? I wouldn't be wrong, that's what you did before. Abandoning your parents without a single word. I wouldn't be surprised one bit." Doranbolt spits out.

"You stupid fucking old man!" Mest yells reaching for him.

Oh no! Think Wendy think!

"Ow! Ow! Pain!" She yells out, clutching her stomach.

Mest flinches and immediately leans down beside her, hands hovering all around her.

"Wendy! What's wrong? What is it?! What do you need?!" He asks.

"Wendy!" Mary gasps running to her side.

Doranbolt's eyes are wide slightly and he reaches out, "Wendy."

"I'm sorry, I'm fine, it's just all these loud noises and yelling is really making the baby move," Wendy lies, trying to give them the hint.

"We should head home then."

"No," Wendy shakes her head, not wanting that.

"No, we've overstayed our welcome. Come on wife, let me take you back." Mest says helping her up.

"Oh Doranbolt! It's pretty late outside though, it would make more sense for you and Wendy to stay the night. We still have your old room, just how you left it." Mary begs them.

"Think Mary, Mest's old bed won't be able to fit the two of them on it." Doranbolt grumbles.

Eve sighs out in relief, finally clearing off his plate. He looks around at all the people in his room, his parents, the nice lady, and the stranger with the mean face, as he pats his stomach.

"What is happening?" He asks.

All eyes turn towards Eve and his innocent expression. Mary sighs out and walks to his side, lifting up a napkin to wipe his face off.

"Eve, why don't you go in your room?"

"But why? I want to play with Wendy still," he pouts.

"I know, but Mama and Papa are having a conversation with- with your big brother."

"Big brother? Oh! That's why he looked so familiar! Big brother! Hi!" Eve smiles brightly, waving his hand, "I was wondering when I'd finally get to meet you! I've missed you brother!"

Mest feels his heart jerk a little bit, "you... you told him about me?"

"Of course Doranbolt, you're our son. We still think about you everyday." Mary tells him.

Mest gulps and stares down at Eve, "um... hi, Eve. I'm glad to meet you... you look a lot like Mom."

"And you look a lot like Papa!" Eve grins.

Mest chuckles as he stares at their father, "I do, don't I?"

Doranbolt laughs once and crosses his arms over his chest.

"Mest, we can leave if you want. I just wanted to let your parents know that you're okay. Mary, Doranbolt, I'm sorry for dropping in and surprising you like this. You see Mest here, he was scared to see you two again."

"Wendy-"

"Shut it husband. He was scared because of how he left things with you two. He thought you wouldn't want him anymore, or at least would hate him? I didn't understand that part all that well, but he was worried, so he's been trying to gain the courage to see you two again. When Mest left home all those years ago, the reason he didn't tell you guys was because he knew if he did he would have stayed. You two would have asked him to stay, and he would have, because of how much he loves you. Mest needed to live his own life though, and I'm glad he did, because he was able to save me and let me live my own life. You raised a wonderful son. He's caring, and courageous, and protective, maybe a little bit too protective, but he's so loving, and a wonderful husband. He's saved me more times than I can count and just... he's wonderful. Thank you for having him, thank you for raising him right. Mest? Don't you have something to say as well?" She asks, nudging him.

Mest sighs out loudly and stares at the table, glaring at the flowers, "I'm... sorry."

"I couldn't hear that," Wendy mumbles.

"I'm sorry! I should have wrote, I should have let you known that I was alive at least... I was a shitty son, and I'm sorry." Mest grumbles.

"Oh Mest," Mary cries out.

"You got that right... but um... geez, just leave." Doranbolt says, scratching the back of his neck.

Wendy frowns and looks down at her hands.

"If you ever want to come back, you're more than welcome to. Just try to make sure it's quicker than ten years though," he mumbles under his breath.

Mest looks over at his father and gasps slightly, "Pops-"

"Whatever, I'm going out." Doranbolt says, quickly trying to leave to hide his flustering face.

"Don't mind him, he's just embarrassed. Yes Mest, please come back and visit anytime. You're always welcomed here. I want to learn all about my son and what's he's been doing, and about my new daughter-in-law as well. Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?"

"I'm sorry Mom, but we really should leave... I promise we'll be back though, real soon." Mest tells her.

"Yup, and then you'll have two people to play with all day Eve." Wendy smirks holding out her hand.

"Hooray! I can't wait! Come back tomorrow, okay big sis! And big bro!"

"Ah- sure kid," Mest says, scratching the back of his head.

Mary walks them to the door and showers her son in kisses, making his entire face red. She surprises Wendy by reaching out and hugging her warmly, pressing a soft kiss against her cheek as well.

"Thank you Wendy. I can't wait to my grand baby is born, I'll have to get started on knitting some outfits for him- or her. Did you come up with a name yet?"

Wendy shakes her head, "not one we can agree on."

"Aw, well don't worry too much about that. As long as she's healthy, that's all you really have to worry about. Take care, get home safely. Mest... my little boy, I love you so much." Mary says hugging him again.

"Ah, thanks Mom, I love you too, please let my take my wife home now."

"Bye! Bye you two! Good bye!" Mary waves as they leave.

"That... wasn't terrible," Mest says walking Wendy to their horse.

"I'm glad you feel that way... again Mest, I'm sorry. I never meant to-"

"No Wendy, it's alright. I've been going back and forth in circles now trying to come out here. I just really needed an extra push... thank you."

He leans down and presses a kiss against her lips before helping her sit on the horse. Mest grabs the reigns and starts walking, right by her side ready to catch her if she were to fall off.

"They were really nice Mest, I loved them." Wendy says.

"I'm glad you think so."

"I could understand why you didn't tell them. If I saw Mary crying like that, and Doranbolt looking sad, asking me not to leave, I don't think I would have either."

Mest nods his head silently.

"Everything is okay now! We're back in town! We get to see them whenever we want, we're all happy." Wendy smiles at him.

"All happy," Mest agrees.

Wendy giggles and leans over to him a little, "and I even thought up of a name for our little girl."

"Oh really? Please tell me it isn't Mary?"

"Nope, but close. Magnolia. Mary had some flowers in a vase and they looked so beautiful, I fell in love with the name."

"Magnolia... we could call her Maggie for short... Magnolia," Mest says, trying the name of his lips again.

"I know you would love it," Wendy smirks.

"We'll see Wendy, we'll see."

"Yeah, right," she snorts.

"Cheeky little wife I have," Mest chuckles pulling at her cheek.

"Ow, ow, such a mean husband I have," Wendy pouts.

The happy couple laugh together, heading back to the inn they call home.

LINE

"Come on baby, come on. Everyone's waiting for you, it's time to come out," Wendy huffs, pacing around in circles holding her back.

"It'll happen when it'll happen Wendy, don't worry so much." Mest tells her.

"Easy for the MAN to say when they aren't carrying A BABY!"

"Mest, it would be smart to not say anything that would agitate your wife." Mirajane hums turning the pages in her book.

"I was just trying to help," Mest huffs crossing his arms.

"I hear spicy food might help, Natsu, why don't you whip something up for Wendy?" Azlack asks him.

"One spicy dish coming right up!" Natsu grins running towards the kitchen.

"The only thing that spicy food is going to have her doing is running to the refresher. Keep walking Wendy, you're doing great." Juvia tells her.

"I don't want to go another day carrying Magnolia! I want her out now! Can't I just, you know, try and push?" Wendy whines.

"The doctor said these things happen Wendy; she just isn't ready." Erza says.

"I read that sometimes if the baby stays in too long, it risks the childbirth rate." Levy says.

All eyes turn towards her.

"Why would you say that?!" Wendy gasps out loudly.

"Ah- sorry, I should have kept my mouth shut," Levy frowns, hiding behind Lucy's figure.

"Wendy, Mest is right. It'll happen when it'll happen. Let's just focus on keeping you comfortable." Lucy says.

Wendy whines and stops pacing, holding her back with one hand, carrying her belly in the other. She takes a deep breath and reaches out, her hand landing on Laxus's shoulder. He grunts when he feels her nails digging into his shoulder as she tries deep and calming breaths.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine," she whispers to herself.

"I'm not," Laxus grunts out.

"Oh, sorry Laxus. Let me just," she leans on him a bit, Laxus grunting out again in pain, as she positions herself and then plops right down on the bench next to him.

"Wendy! Here you are! They already had some chicken noodle soup made, so I just added some secret sauce and bam! If this isn't going to help you, then I don't know what is." Natsu says coming back with a bowl of steaming soup.

"Wendy, I don't know if that's good for the baby," Mest scolds.

"At this point Mest, I don't care. I can't do this anymore. Give me that," Wendy says grabbing the bowl.

"Wendy-"

"She'll be fine Mest, Azlack was right. See? Spicy food is supposed to help the pregnancy along," Mirajane says holding up her book to him.

Wendy blows on a spoonful before she takes a sip, her mouth lighting on fire. She flinches, sticking her tongue out from the burn, but takes another spoonful, and another. It would be so delicious if it wasn't making her cry and her tongue burn. After a couple of bites Wendy is shoving the bowl into Laxus's hands, shaking her head as she stands up and waddles her way to the kitchen.

"Wendy! I told you Natsu!"

"What!? Maybe she's running for seconds?!"

Wendy walks back into the dining room with a tall glass of water, taking small sips. She let's the ice and water cool down her burning mouth and fans the tears out of her eyes with her hand.

"That was... spicy," she mumbles.

"Well? Feel any better?" Natsu asks.

"No," Wendy says, "just this small pressure to go to the refresher." She frowns.

"Told you," Juvia says shaking her head, "should have listen to Juvia. She'll help you head towards there." She says getting up.

Wendy nods her head, but all of a sudden she doesn't feel like she can hold it anymore. She feels something warm and wet slide down her legs and she gasps in embarrassment, her face turning bright red. Everyone goes to their feet and stands up as they stare.

"I didn't wet myself!" Wendy cries out.

"No Wendy, I think your water just broke!" Erza gasps out loudly.

"Oh... really?! Cool! That means the baby- ow, ow, ow!" Wendy hunches over, her glass falling from her hands and crashing on the floor as she hugs her stomach.

"Dammit! Someone run ahead and warn the doctor! Come on Wendy, this is it. This is the final moment. We're finally about to meet Magnolia," Mest says calmly, wrapping his arms around her, "we just need to make it to the doctor's office and we'll be fine."

"Ow, it hurts though! Dammit this hurts! Why does this hurt so much?!" She screams in his ear.

"Because you're pushing a human being out of your body, duh?" Freed tells her.

"SHUT UP FREED!" Wendy screams.

"Oh boy," Mest sighs shaking his head as he walks.

"I have the bags Mest, and Erza's run off ahead. Come on Wendy, we can do this. Just remember to breathe. In, out, in, out, in, out." Mirajane tells her calmly.

Wendy takes short breaths in and out as everyone leads her over to the doctor's house. When she enters the door the doctor stares at the crowd of people outside of his house.

"Um... no," he tells them all, "Mirajane may stay, husband and everyone else, please wait outside."

"What? Why the husband?!" Mest yells in a panicky voice.

"Because in my experience the husbands stress the wives out more than they help them. Come on Wendy, let's get you taken care off."

"Mest," Wendy cries out looking at him.

"Wendy," Mest says reaching out for her.

He freezes when a hard glare appears on her face, "I'm going to kill you for doing this to me."

Mest flinches and drops his hand, "yeah, I think I'll stay outside."

"I'm serious Mest! This hurts! This hurts so much! I'm going to kill you!" Wendy screams out in pain.

Natsu comes over and pats Mest's back, shaking his head, "she's crazy."

LINE

"AHHHH!"

Mest flinches, tapping his foot up and down rapidly.

"AHHHGH!"

"Doranbolt, please, everything is going to be okay. My labor with you was for twelve hours, don't worry." Mary says brushing his hair back from his face.

"Why won't she stop screaming though Mom?" Mest sighs, covering his face with his hands.

"Because childbirth hurts, but it's all going to be worth it when you hold your daughter in your hands. Trust me, if I didn't think so then why would I have had another?" Mary asks him.

Mest takes a shaky breath and runs a hand down his face. She's been screaming for hours now, in pain, out loud. He's scared. What if something happens to her? What if something happens to the baby? Could they recover if they lost their Magnolia? Could Mest live if he lost Wendy? He shouldn't think about this, but he can't help himself! His mind is going towards the worse when it should be going to the best!

His daughter being born.

Wendy smiling as she holds their baby girl.

Walk along the beaches, showering them with gifts, lifting them high in the air, and playing around. Mest blinks and lifts up his head. It's silent... what happened to her screams? He jumps up from his seat and runs over to the door, pounding on it. The door opens and Mirajane is standing there looking completely exhausted, but she still finds the strength to smile at him. She's holding something in her arms, something small, wrapped around in a white blanket.

"Well hello there Daddy," she smiles.

Mest jumbles out a whole bunch of words before he's able to make one solid one, "Wendy!"

"She's fine, she did her absolutely best and it paid off. I just need to wash off little Magnolia here and then you'll be able to hold her. See? Isn't she beautiful?"

Mest gulps as Mirajane holds her out a little bit. She just looks like this little baby with blood covering her to him, maybe a bit oily as well. He can't see any hair, and her eyes are closed so he can't see that either. He takes a step back, allowing Mirajane to walk away, before heading in the room. The doctor is taking his gloves off and relaxing in his chest, Wendy lying peacefully on the bed.

"Wendy?"

Her eyes slowly flutter open and she turns her head to the side, "M-mest," her voice is hoarse.

He kneels down and grabs her hand; she's too weak to reach out and squeeze it back.

"How are you feeling?"

"Drained, but Dr. () said I only need rest. How's Magnolia? I didn't get to see her yet, Mirajane says she's healthy though."

"She's, well she's... she's a baby. To be honest I didn't get a real good look at her either, but she looked healthy. You did a great job wife, I'm so proud of you."

Wendy giggles and hums, "thank you husband. I'm going to rest now, hug Maggie for me okay? And kiss her too. I'll hold her," she yawns, "when I wake up."

"Wendy? Wendy?" Mest asks, watching her eyes close.

"Don't worry Mest, I'm keeping an eye on her. She did a great job, that I agree with you. She's been at it for 9 hours though, so she definitely needs some sleep."

Mest nods his head and looks over, "thanks Doctor."

He stays by her side, pulling up a chair, and holds Wendy's hand tightly as she sleeps. He watches her chest rising up and down, making sure she's still breathing. He doesn't even notice when the door opens again and someone walks in.

"Mest?"

Mest jumps in his seat and looks over, "sorry Mira, you scared me a little. Yes? What's up?"

Mirajane giggles and shakes her head, "you have no idea how much trouble I had coming back to this room. People were fighting outside to hold Magnolia, but I told them you and Wendy needed to be the firsts. Here you are, all fresh and clean, in her new outfit. Keep her warm and if you get tired of holding her, there are dozens of people outside who can help."

She walks over and starts leaning down towards him. Mest's back immediately straightens up as he's passed his little girl he's been waiting nine months to meet. She's lighter than he would have thought, but she fits in his arms perfectly. Mirajane takes a step back and smiles before she leaves the room. Mest is left alone now with no idea what to do. Magnolia is blinking, her eyes scanning all around the room before landing on his face.

Mest sucks in a breath when he sees his wife's eyes reflecting at him. They're very dark, but they're not black, but brown. A very dark brown that he hopes will lighten up when she grows older to match Wendy's. Magnolia stares and blinks at him, making little baby sounds.

"Hi there Maggie... do you remember my voice?" Mest asks her.

She squeals out and laughs.

"I'll take that as a yes. You're so beautiful Magnolia, so pretty, just like your Mommy. You're going to be a real looker when you grow up," Mest laughs, tears appearing in his face.

He never thought in his wildest dreams that he would get here. Loving wife, beautiful daughter, a father, back in his hometown. He chokes up on his tears and lays his head down.

"What did I do to deserve this?"

Magnolia just continues to giggle and make little noises.

LINE

"Maggie, Maggie," Wendy sings.

Magnolia is holding her pinky and waving it around, looking highly amused. Wendy giggles to herself and wiggles her finger around, watching her reaction.

"Mest! Mest! Look at her! Look at what's she's doing! So cute, I made her you know!" Wendy grins looking up at him.

Mest hums and nods his head, never taking his eyes off the two of them, "yeah, I know."

"So pretty, just like your Mommy. Maybe a bit too much like your Mommy, she'd like to see some of your Daddy in you too." Wendy frowns just slightly.

Magnolia's eyes grew brighter and brighter each day that passed. She seemed to have light brown eyes, with little specks of green in the mix like Mest. It could only be seen in the sunlight though. Her small patches of hair were dark blue, not being mistaken for Mest's black at all. She looked so much like Wendy already and she wasn't even a week old yet.

"Well I think she looks perfect," Mest chuckles.

"You would, wouldn't you?" Wendy looks up at him.

He flashes her a grin and walks over, pressing a short kiss against her lips.

"I'm so going to enjoy when I get to hold you in my arms again."

Wendy giggles and kisses him again, "you and me both husband. We have to be careful we don't make another one of these though for a while."

Mest blushes making her laugh. He slowly, and ever so carefully, joins his wife on the bed. He lays right behind her, wrapping his arm around her stomach and pulling her to his chest, leaning against his hand as he joins her in watching Magnolia.

"She doesn't do much, does she?" He asks.

Wendy elbows him in the stomach making him grunt.

"Shut up Mest, she does a lot! Look at her! Being all cute, making all those noises."

"At least she isn't crying," Mest says, reaching over.

He taps at Magnolia's forehead and his little girl looks up and starts reaching for his hand. He lowers it so she can grab, and then she brings it to her mouth and starts gnawing on it.

"Well look at that, she's a chewer just like you. Someone isn't feeding her enough."

"Shut up Mest," Wendy blushes in embarrassment, "I feed her plenty of times. If I overdue it though she spits back up, so I don't."

"Like mother like daughter." Mest mumbles.

"SHUT UP MEST! I HATE YOU!" She screams.

Magnolia starts crying her lungs out at the sudden loud voices. Wendy immediately starts apologizing and holds her baby in her arms, rocking her back and forth.

"Look what you did!" Wendy hisses.

"Look what I did? You were the one who screamed!"

"Because you made me angry!"

"Well it's true! All the times you threw up on my favorite boots! Both pairs!"

"Ugh! Mest!"

"WHAAAAAA!" Magnolia cries louder and louder.

Mest reaches out and snatches her out of Wendy's arms. He starts walking around the room, humming a small tune as he jumps his arms up and down. Magnolia slowly starts to calm down, her cries turning to sniffles, and then she's completely quiet as she listens to her father's voice.

"There, there Magnolia. Wow, you are exactly like your Daddy, huh? Daddy doesn't like to listen to himself fight with Mommy either. He wishes he could just scream out and cry so the arguing would stop," Mest tells her.

Wendy giggles a bit and shakes her head, "I would love to see that though; I'm sure that would stop our argument in our tracks."

Mest looks at her and shakes his head, "silly Mommy, huh?"

Magnolia goes back to being cute and adorable, babbling on now and making small spit bubbles. Mest smiles peaceful and holds her up, pressing a kiss against her forehead.

"The minute everyone sees you they're going to die Maggie," Mest tells her.

"Which should be soon Mest. It's unfair that we're keeping her from her aunts and uncles. I'm sure they're getting impatient now."

Mest snorts, "let them, Maggie is all mine. I won't let them steal her from me."

"Mest!"

"I'm only kidding Wendy, I know. I just... want her to know us first. I trust everyone else to behave around her, I just don't want to break this bubble we're in."

"Speak for yourself, I've been trapped in this room for a week. It would be nice to get out and not have to watch a screaming baby for five minutes," she mumbles under her breath.

Although she doesn't completely mean it. The thought of being away from Magnolia, even for five minutes, hurts her heart. She could never dream about doing that, but slowly as her baby drives her more and more insane, the thought does become enticing.

"Fine, tomorrow for sure."

"Mest-"

"I promise, tomorrow will be the day Fairy Tail Pirates get to meet their newest member. Until then Daddy just wants to spend time with his two favorite girls in the world."

Wendy's heart flutters and she blushes, "get over here you big sap."

Mest chuckles as he walks back over to the bed. He hands Magnolia to Wendy before he lays down in it, wrapping an arm around his wife as she lays her head down on his chest. Magnolia lays on the small crack between the two of them, kicking her feet and staring up at the ceiling as her parents stare lovingly down at her.

LINE

Mest sings lightly under his breath along with the song as he spins and dunks Wendy down. Her eyes never left his face as she watched the tender expression on his face. He brings her back up and starts swaying her side to side, hands lowering down to her waist.

"You've been holding out on me," Wendy whispers softly.

"Really? However do you mean?" Mest asks raising an eyebrow.

"You never told me you can sing this well."

He chuckles under his breath, "I distinctly remember learning that you could sing one night when you were drunk, dancing on table tops."

"Ugh, did you have to bring that up again? Yes I can sing, but I'm not that good. You, on the other hand, I could listen to your voice and never grow tired."

"Well I'm sure any voice would sound that great after hearing a baby cry for the past month. Thank you for that compliment though."

Wendy laughs and shakes her head lightly. The song comes to an end and Mest dips her one last time before picking her back up. The two pull apart as they join in applauding the musicians before a new song comes on.

"Did you want to dance again?" He asks.

"No, maybe a small rest first. I'm actually feeling a bit beat right now, which is really weird. I used to be filled with so much energy. Magnolia really must have been sucking it out of me." Wendy sighs out.

When she huffs her boobs bounces up and down; it doesn't go unnoticed by Mest as he stares.

"That may be so, but she is making something else larger in return so maybe it's a fair trade."

Wendy flusters lightly and shoves her husband, covering her hand over her chest as she walks back to their table. Mest laughs out loudly as he follows after her.

"Wendy, I'm sorry. I'm sorry Wendy, you know it's true though," he mumbles under his breath, "don't be mad."

"I'm not mad, I'm furious."

"You wont be when I get you in our bed tonight and put those things into good use," Mest smirks at her, grabbing her hand and pressing it against his lips.

Wendy's face turns an even brighter red, "MEST!"

He leans over and kisses the anger off of her lips, "yes love?"

"You're unbelievable," she sighs shaking her head, "you couldn't behave yourself for a couple of hours? This is our first night out since my disappearing it seems and you can't even act like a gentleman?"

"Can you blame me? I haven't been able to spend a single night with you ever since your pregnancy. Now you're here, completely better, dressed head to toe like a sea goddess, hair finally long enough again for me to play with, and you want me to restrain myself?"

Wendy's face scrunches up and she nods, "yes."

"I don't think I'm able to do that love," Mest tells her.

"You just want me now because my boobs are bigger, don't think I can't tell Mr. Gryder. I remember all the women you used to go for, big breasted, tall beauties." She huffs crossing her arms over her chest.

"Wendy, come on! Are you still bringing that up? It's been what? Three years now? Don't try to act and pretend that you don't want me back."

"Of course I do, but what I wanted was a little romance before we spend the rest of the night in bed. Could I have gotten at least that Mest?"

"Ugh, we're fighting just like an old marry couple, just like my parents," Mest groans covering his face.

"I can't believe you just said that! We're definitely not an old married couple, we've only been married for three years! The spark is still there!"

Look what fun date night is turning to be. It's been stressful since Magnolia's been born, and the one night they decided to trust their friends and go out and enjoy each other's company... all they can do is fight. Well, it was good for the first twenty minutes or so. Wendy finally sits down in her seat and leans her head against the table. She's exhausted now and wants nothing more than to go back to their room, take Magnolia, and sleep with her in her arms. She doesn't want this night to go on any longer. Mest frowns at his wife's position and walks over, scooting his chair so it's right beside her.

"I want to go home now." Wendy tells him.

"No, Wendy-"

"I mean it Mest."

Mest places a hand on her and rubs her back, "I'm sorry Wendy. We're not an old married couple, we're just not used to being us anymore because of the baby. We'll learn though, we'll adapt. You're right, we still have a spark. I'm feeling it right now."

"But what if you're right? What if we are just... an old married couple?" Wendy frowns leaning back up to stare at him.

"Let's not be then. Let's do something spontaneous, let's... go skinny dipping!" He cheers slamming his hands on the table.

Wendy furrows her eyebrows, "skinny dipping?"

"Yeah, it's when we get completely naked and jump into the sea."

A shiver runs down her spine, "wouldn't the water be absolutely freezing?"

"The point is for it to be fun Wendy, so what do you say? A boring old married couple wouldn't do that." Mest asks wiggling his eyebrows.

Wendy giggles lightly and shakes her head, "no Mest, we're not going to do that."

"Come on, why not? I'm trying to prove us wrong."

"I don't need you to risk both of us getting very sick to prove us wrong. I just want... all I want Mest is you, and me, and a moment to ourselves without you making me feel embarrassed," she narrows her eyes.

"Wow, well Wendy you know that's impossibly because I always embarrass you."

Wendy starts laughing again making Mest crack a smile and grab her hands.

"I'm sorry I ruined our night, I really am. You have no idea how much desire I hold for you right now."

Wendy blinks and smiles lightly, "I do Mest because I feel the same way."

"Then why are we fighting? Why are we not enjoying our first night out as free parents?"

"I don't know Mest."

Mest pulls her back up to her feet and stares deeply into her eyes before he leans down and steals a kiss. He steals another one, and another, leaving her breathless when he pulls away.

"Let's see if we can get dinner to go and have it on the beach under the moonlight."

Wendy's eyes sparkly with lust, "ooh, that sounds romantic. I like that a lot better than skinny dipping."

"Who knows, maybe if we get drunk enough it'll lead to that."

"MEST!"

LINE

Mest's arms feel stiff, but he doesn't move one bit. He'll never move again if that is what she wanted. He hasn't felt this relaxed in a long, long, long time. Lying on the sandy beaches, watching the waves crash on the sand, the stars sparkling up above him, the moon shining brightly, his lovely wife lying on his chest. This was a great idea (Mest has to pat himself on the back for it). It was so quiet and relaxing here; they seemed to have the beach all to themselves and laughed loudly and talked obnoxiously as they ate their dinner.

Wendy snuggles up against his chest and sighs out peacefully, loving the way his fingers were rubbing circles on her hips. She loves him so much. It was nice to have a night like this to themselves. She didn't want it to end, they still had a lot of catching up to do in the bedroom and... a sly smile spreads across Wendy's face. Even though she was against it, Mest did deserve a little treat after making their night out even more romantic. If they were quick about it she's sure they wouldn't catch too bad of a cold, or not at all hopefully. Wendy slowly leans up and Mest frowns, arms grabbing a hold of her as she tries to pull away.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

Wendy looks back at him and gives him a seductive smirk. Mest blinks, raising an eyebrow as she stands up and starts heading for the ocean. Her hips sway side to side with each step, Mest leaning up as he watches her ass jiggle. She reaches for the straps of her dress, slowly sliding them off her shoulders. Mest gulps thickly as it falls off her body leaving her only in her undergarments. She dares to peek at him over her shoulder, making sure she's got his complete attention (which she does), and throws a wink at him as she walks into the ocean. The water is freezing, but she doesn't stop as she pulls off her last bits of clothing, throwing them in the water and letting the ocean take them. When she tries to take her panties off, well that's a different story, because she trips and squeaks a little falling and splashing in the water.

She curses herself for ruining her sex appeal and kicks the stupid things off of her before she rises back up. Mest hops to his feet and is walking over until he sees her okay. His racing heart of something happening to her calms down and he's once again enticed by her as she smirks through her embarrassment and wiggles a finger in a come here motion.

Mest doesn't have to be told twice and he's stripping off his clothes as he runs to join in. He leaps into the ocean and comes out moaning, his teeth chattering as he's frozen solid.

"Oh my God! This wasn't a good idea at all!" He flinches.

"I know, you're an idiot Mest," Wendy chatters back, splashing water in his face.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who started stripping and went in first. You're the idiot Wendy," Mest chuckles, splashing water back on her.

Wendy giggles and swims towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his. He suddenly feels warm in certain areas and she looks up at him with an innocent expression, biting on her bottom lip as she stares.

"Warmer?"

Mest feels blood rush down to his lower regions and he's attacking her, pressing their lips together and using his teeth to chew on her bottom lip. Wendy moans and wraps her legs around his waist, pressing her breasts up against his chest as she kisses him back.

"This is so hot." Mest groans as he slowly pushes himself inside of her.

"Ah- I thought- oh- ah- I thought it was cold?" She still finds herself sane enough to make a small joke.

Mest should fix that. He bites down on her neck and thrusts himself inside of her, listening to her raw moan coming from her lips.

"Yeah Mest, again- ah- again, faster," she moans out.

"You'll have to excuse me, ghnn, this is – ooh- my first time fucking in water," Mest pants as he tries to get a rhythm.

Wendy doesn't know why, but she finds him saying that funny and she starts giggling along with her moans, running her fingers through his hair.

"Why don't we finish and go find a bed then? Ideally someplace with a fireplace," Wendy giggles.

Mest chuckles and kisses her lips, "you're in luck wife, I know of exactly a place like that."

"What are you waiting for then husband? Hurry up and fuck me till I scream."

"I don't need to be told that twice."

LINE

"AH!" Wendy moans loudly as Mest slams her against a wall, leaving sloppy kisses all over her neck.

"Shh, you're going to wake everyone up," he chuckles before nipping at her ear.

"Hurry up and get us to our room then," Wendy whispers back harshly, rubbing herself up and down against his waist to make her point.

Mest lets out a deep groan and moves them away, finishing walking down the hall to their room. He fishes for his key out of his pocket and unlocks the door, nearly falling in as he carries her. He drops Wendy down on the bed and sucks on her bottom lip before he's pulling away.

"What? No, come back and love me Mest." Wendy whines reaching out for him.

"Sorry love, I can't have you freezing though. Just give me a minute."

Wendy pouts and gnaws her bottom lip as Mest goes back to the door, closing and locking it shut, before heading over towards the fireplace. He throws woods in it and lights a fire, making sure that everything is burning before he turns back towards his wife. Wendy is reaching for a hair tie to tie up her soaking wet hair, not wanting it to get in the way of their love making at all. He reaches out a hand for her and Wendy gets up, knees weak as she walks over.

"We really should stay closer to the fire," he grins pulling her down on the floor.

"This is much better than doing it on the sand," Wendy giggles as he hovers over her.

Mest chuckles and reaches out, finally putting his hands on the pair that he's wanted to touch for a very long time now. Wendy flinches and moans as he grabs at her breasts, squeezing and feeling them up in his palms.

"They're really got bigger, they barely used to fit in my hands and now they look like they're overflowing."

"Mest!" Wendy moans, rubbing her knees together.

"And it seems they've gotten a lot more sensitive," Mest mumbles to himself, flicking one of the nipples that are standing out under her dress.

Wendy's chest heaves up and down, loud pants escaping from her mouth. Mest smirks and starts lifting up her dress, quickly pulling the thing off of her so he can see her bare breasts now. He licks down and gives one an experimental lick. Wendy goes crazy.

"Yup, definitely more sensitive," he nods to himself.

"You have a baby suck on yours three times a day and watch," Wendy tells him.

"No, I think I rather suck on your nipples Wendy," Mest says and plops one in his mouth.

Wendy is moaning out loudly and thrashing her feet around as he sucks, licks, and bites gently against her perky nipples. His pinches her other one with his free hand, showing it attention and not neglect, switching when he thinks it's been long enough.

"Mest, I can't- I can't-"

She's feeling too much. Sensitive was an understatement, her nipples were oversensitive right now. She comes in a matter of seconds and Mest pulls away, wide ass grin on his face as he feels her slick.

"I think I already ate too much food... hmm, but then again? We didn't have dessert," Mest teases himself, kissing down her stomach until he reaches her treasure trove. He licks at all the cum running down her legs before burying his head between thighs.

Wendy moans out loudly and runs her fingers through his hair, pushing him down lower and lower. At one point Mest jerks back and is spitting out to the side.

"What?" She asks.

"Ugh, sand," is all he makes out before wiping his tongue off on his arm.

Wendy snorts and starts laughing out loudly, rolling around on the floor as she clutches her stomach. Mest watches with a highly amused expression, one eyebrow raised up as he stares at her.

"Is that supposed to be funny?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just-hahahaha, let's never do that again. Ugh, or at least lets take a bath right after making love on the beach."

Mest rolls his eyes, smile on his face as he leans over and presses his lips against her laughing ones.

"It's a deal; while I love the taste of you, I'm afraid that the sand doesn't give it any extra flavor."

"Hehehe, Mest stop making me laugh, my ribs really hurt now," she giggles.

"Well your behind is about to hurt in a minute, so you won't be paying attention to your ribs soon."

Wendy raises out her hands and cuff Mest's face, fingers brushing against his cheek, staring at his bright emerald eyes with fire dancing in them.

"I love you Papa Mest," she tells his softly.

Mest feels his heart expand and he kisses her hand, "I love you too Mama Wendy."

She leans up and presses their lips together before holding onto him tightly, "ready whenever you are Captain."

It's Mest turn to laugh out loudly now, "aye, aye."

LINE *time skip, Dreyar is leaving now and behind them Mest is staying with Wendy along with a few other crew members.

Mest is squeezing onto her much too hard. She tries to endure it, because she knows what he must be going through now, but she can't help the flinch that she makes. Of course, because he watches her like a hawk, he notices and immediately releases his hold on her.

"I'm sorry wife, I didn't mean- are you okay?" He asks, fussing over her.

"I'm alright Mest, don't worry." She smiles up at him.

It doesn't match her eyes though and it doesn't quite reach him as she wished it would. Magnolia starts moving around in her arms, bored of being held still. She wants to see all the action again, be paid attention to, kissed and adored. Wendy looks down at her bundle of joy and starts bouncing her around.

"There, there Magnolia, don't you worry. We're almost done with our good-byes and then me and you will take a walk with Grandma and Uncle Eve. How does that sound?" Wendy says in a baby voice.

She raises Magnolia high in the air and she starts to squeal out loudly, clapping her hands over and over again. Erza smiles at the touching sight as she walks over. Mest smiles and nods at her; Erza returning it. He clears his throat and (with shaky hands) slowly takes the pirate hat off his head. The pirate hat the previous captain wore, the pirate hat his crew gave to him when they announced him the new captain. Erza's eyes go wide when she sees him extend that hat out to her.

"Here Captain Erza." Mest tells her.

"Mest... are you sure?"

"Of course, it was either you or Laxus, and you're the obvious choice. Between you and me though, I just wanted to piss Laxus off a little bit," Mest leans over and winks.

Erza chuckles and takes the hat from his hands, placing it on her head and patting it in place, "I'll wear it with honor sir."

"I know you will. Take care of everyone, alright? Watch each other's backs, be careful of your surroundings and waters, and make sure to have fun, alright? I don't want to read in the paper a week from now about how you've all been captured or some shit like that."

She snorts, "you're making your crew sound like we're incapable without you."

Mest shrugs, "It's the truth."

Erza laughs and punches his shoulder, "take care of this big idiot, will you for me Wendy? Magnolia, my sweet little fairy. I'll be sure to bring you plenty of presents when we stop by to visit again."

She smiles and leans forward, poking at Magnolia's chubby little cheeks. It makes the baby giggle and reach out to grab her finger.

"And you'll visit will be soon, right?" Wendy asks, eyes welling up with tears.

"Of course Wendy, you couldn't keep us away even if you tried. In six short months you'll be seeing us again, heck maybe even sooner. It was nice having a vacation like this; if we score big we'll deserve another one. Besides, I especially can't let this little girl not know who her Auntie Erza is."

Wendy sniffs and nods her head, "it's a promise then. I already explained to Mirajane and Eflman, but just in case I've left all my old medical books in the infirmary as well as labeled all the plants and everyone's medical charts. You shouldn't have a problem with any cold or illness."

"Thanks Wendy for worrying so much about us, but there really is no reason to. I'll be sure to keep everything in tip top shape for the two- oops, I mean three of you return."

Erza reaches out for Magnolia to kiss her goodbye and Wendy ends up crying, again, as she finishes saying good bye to her friends. Like she cried yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that as she realized the time for the Fairy Tail Pirates to leave (town name) came closer and closer until it was finally here. Gray, Juvia, Kinana, Olivia, Bisca, and Azlack all decided to stay in (town name) along with Mest and Wendy. Everyone else all wanted to leave, adventures to be had, treasures to be found, itching for something new and tired of the old retired life. Wendy was happy she was still able to have some of her friends, but still. It hurt to see the rest of them go.

She couldn't even begin to imagine how Mest felt right now. No matter how many times he reassured her, she knows he must be hurting real bad right now. This was his life. A pirate's life and he loved it so much. He left his hometown to have a life full of adventure and now he was stuck right back where he started because of her. He didn't see it that way, he didn't want her to believe that, but still... that is what happened.

"Mest... is this really alright?" Wendy asks as they load up.

Mest turns his eyes away from the Dreyar and towards his wife and daughter, "is what really alright?"

"Staying behind with me. I can't help but feel that this isn't meant for you. Mest... you don't deserve this. You don't want this. You should be going with them."

Mest gasps, eyebrows narrowing, "what are you trying to say Wendy?"

"That you should go with them."

"And leave you and our child behind?!"

"Please don't get angry, I'm not saying that at all. We'll still be here, waiting for you. I'll be with your parents, Magnolia and I will be alright. You never wanted this though Mest, you didn't want to return here and become a simple farmer. I'm making you stay-"

"You're speaking ridiculousness Wendy. I thought we've gone through this before. I didn't want this life because I didn't have you, but now I do. Wendy how could you even think of me leaving? Do you really want me to go?"

"No, of course not. But I want you to be happy, and I know the last time we stayed in a town because of the Vermillion you were restless, and I just... you've given me so much happiness in my life Mest. So much unbelievable happiness... I don't want to take away any of yours."

Mest shakes his head and leans down, "you're not Wendy. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay right here and help you raise Magnolia. I am never going to leave you two; you two are my happiness. How could I think about adventures and treasures without you by my side Wendy? We're a team. If I left with them right now I wouldn't have a single bit of fun. I would be missing you way too much."

Wendy sniffs and hugs Magnolia closer to her chest, "truly?"

"Of course. Now come on, smile. I want to send everyone off with smiles on our faces. Yes it hurts to see them leave, but I'll get over it. I have you and Maggie to cheer me up. Besides, it won't be forever. Maggie is going to grow up and then we'll be able to continue our adventures."

Wendy smirks at him, "what if we have another kid?"

"Like I said, they will grow up. I don't mind being pirates when we're old and gray; people will less likely expect the elderly to be robbing them."

Wendy laughs loudly and shakes her head, "you're too much Mest."

"I know, that's why you married me, now smile my love."

Dreyar begins to sail away, the Fairy Tail Pirates waving bon voyage at their friends. Everyone who stayed waves right back at them, Wendy holding up Magnolia's hand and waving it side to side. It isn't good bye, but a new beginning. She will see them all again, she knows she will. There will be more adventures for the Fairy Tail Pirates, but for right now the only adventure she will be enjoying is that of parenting.

LINE

"Geez, what is with this stench?" Lyon groans pinching his nose.

He waves a hand in front of his face as he walks off the port and onto land. Gray is laughing and shaking his head at his brother.

"It's called fresh air, you might need to get used to it since you're locked inside of your room all day brooding how you'll never compare to me," he smirks at him.

Lyon glares and tackles his brother, the two of them horsing around a bit before they end up in a hug. Lyon pats his back and squeezes him tightly.

"It's good to see you again Gray."

"Same Lyon, I'm glad you took my invitation to heart." Gray grins pulling back.

"Well of course, the crew were begging for a vacation, Sherria whining about seeing Wendy again-"

"And you're forgetting yourself Lyon, sulking when you'll see Gray so you can show him your new moves," Sherria calls out walking past him.

"Sherria! Shut it!" Lyon blushes.

Gray laughs out loud and ruffles her hair, "good one Sherria, nice to see you again as well. I haven't told Wendy about your visiting, so she's sure in for a surprise."

"Really?! Well this will be fun then! We have so much to catch up on! Lyon, you mind if I venture off now?" Sherria asks.

"Yeah, sure that's fine. Just remember to check in with me later. We'll be staying at the inn... hopefully, are there enough rooms available for my crew?" Lyon asks.

"There should be now that my crew left; only a couple of us stayed behind. Let's go talk to the innkeepers and get everything settled." Gray nods his head.

"I'll be going ahead then, see you later babe," Sherria calls out sweetly.

She leans up and Lyon bends down, giving her a gently kiss, before she's off running towards the town. When he looks back up he sees Gray staring with a highly amusing expression, both eyebrows raised, smirk on his face.

"Finally tied the knot I see," he grins.

Lyon punches his shoulder, "shut up and help me unpack with the crew."

"Hahaha, whatever you say Captain."

LINE

"Excuse me, excuse me, I'm looking for my friend. Her name is Wendy Gryder, she should be staying at this in. Could you tell me what room she's in?" Sherria asks, banging on the bell over and over again.

"Sherria?"

Sherria looks over at the woman who called her name and tilts her head, "hi? I recognize you... um... I know it, you're Gray's wife! Um..."

"Juvia," Juvia smiles at her.

"Right! Juvia! I'm sorry, I knew that, I just had a brain fart." Sherria giggles scratching the back of her head.

"Excuse me ma'am, what did you say the name of the guest was again?" The bellhop asks.

"Ah- don't worry about it, Juvia will help her. Come on Sherria, we have some catching up to do." Juvia says grabbing her arm.

"Thanks Juvia! To be honest I was a little bit lost, I wasn't even sure if this place was the only in or not." Sherria tells her.

"Oh it is. Wendy is out with Mest right now taking a walk with Maggie. If we start heading towards them we should run into them on their way back."

"Really? Well if she's with Mest, maybe I shouldn't interrupt," she mumbles rubbing her hands together behind her back.

"Don't worry too much about it; Juvia knows Wendy will be happy to see you. Besides, Juvia wants to see Mest's face when Wendy completely ditches him for you." Juvia giggles evily behind her hand.

Sherria giggles and shakes her head, shrugging her shoulders. Well, she can't really argue with that. She grabs Juvia's hand and allows her to show her around town as they walk down the dirt path. Apparently Wendy liked to walk around the outside of the town where the farmers tended their crops. Sherria could see the niceness of this town; how simple and quiet everything was. According to Gray's letter they had been vacationing here for a while already. There must have been some truly delicious sweets here if she's stopped her adventures to stay here longer. Then again, it was nice to take a break sometimes. Sherria really hopes that Lyon will let let the crew stay here for a month or two. What is she thinking about? Of course he will. She's his wife now and she has the power to make him do her bidding.

"Really? You married Lyon?! Juvia had no idea!" Juvia gasps.

"Honestly? Wendy said it was obvious when she first met me."

"No idea at all. How come Gray and Juvia weren't invited? Gray would have dropped everything and made sure we would have been there!"

"Thanks Juvia, the thoughts appreciated, but the wedding was just a quick fling and honestly I couldn't wait for it. When Lyon proposed I wanted it to happen that exact same day, I couldn't believe that he asked me. We wanted to, truly we did, but we couldn't wait."

Juvia narrows her eyes a little, "okay... Juvia will believe you. She's definitely getting you and Lyon a wedding present though! And she'll want to be there when you celebrate your first year anniversary!"

"It's a deal then," Sherria giggles brushing her shoulders against her.

Juvia smiles and laughs along with her loudly. Sherria grins from ear to ear and gets ready to start talking about married life... that is, until she hears a very loud scream.

"SHERRIA?!"

Sherria flinches and looks around, eyes wide when she sees Wendy up ahead beside Mest. Her eyes go wide and she waves widely at her, huge smile on her face.

"Hi Wendy!"

"Sherria!" Wendy calls out again, running towards her at top speed.

Juvia takes a step to the side (which is a very smart move when Wendy flings herself onto Sherria). Sherria laughs as she stumbles a bit, catching her footing as she wraps her arms around her best friend.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Juvia didn't tell you? Gray invited us to come visit, so that's what we're doing here. As soon as we got his letter we came straight here. I've had so much to talk to you about, dozens of journals filled with notes back at my ship. Did you miss me Wendy?"

"Of course Sherria! I have so much to tell you! I can't believe you're here! Juvia! How come you never told me?! I can't believe you, I could have something to look forward to! The suspense would have probably killed me though, so maybe that was a smart move. I'm happy you're here Sherria."

"Juvia's sorry, but it was worth it seeing the surprised look on your face," Juvia grins, and then looks over at Mest.

Just like she suspected earlier, he has a small look of irritation on his face as he walks along with Maggie in her arms towards their little group. Probably mad that he was left behind, most definitely a little hurt that he was abandoned so quickly.

"Hey Mest," Juvia grins at him.

"Juvia," Mest says back.

"Hi Mest- oh, what's that? A baby?" Sherria asks, her voice soft since it looked like the baby was sleeping.

Magnolia was not sleeping though and moved around in her father's arms, wanting to see all the action. Mest grunts as he turns her around, placing one hand on her bottom as his other arm held her close to his chest. Magnolia blinks her brown eyes with freckles of green in them at the new stranger and starts babbling, reaching out her chubby fingers for her. Sherria's eyes go wide as she takes a step forward, seeing her small patches of blue hair that looks so familiar. She looks over at Wendy who is smiling, then back at Magnolia, then up at Mest, then back towards her again.

"Yours?" Sherria asks with a look of disbelief as she stares.

Wendy nods her head up and down over and over again proudly, humming, "yup, yup, yup."

"Sherria, meet Magnolia Gryder," Mest says, holding onto her tiny arm to wave.

"We call her Maggie for short," Juvia adds.

"She's so precious Wendy," Sherria sighs out.

"I know, I made her you know." Wendy smiles proudly.

Mest chuckles and bumps into her gently, "sure you did. I'll finish taking Maggie home and get her down for her nap. Why don't you show Sherria around town? I'm sure you two are eager to start catching up."

"What? No, why? I want to catch up with Maggie. A baby, you have a baby Wendy. Congratulations."

"Thanks Sherria, I can hardly believe it myself sometimes. I quickly wake up from that dream though when she screams in the middle of the night and wakes me up."

Sherria giggles, "oh I bet."

"Why don't the two of you take Maggie down to the beach? It's a lovely day outside, just pack a blanket and some food and you guys can have a picnic there," Juvia suggests.

"Yes! That sounds wonderful! I love that idea!" Sherria jumps up.

Wendy cheers and claps her together, "good one Juvia! I'll go run ahead and ask Mirajane if she can pack us something. I don't think Maggie has been to the beach yet, I wonder how she'll react to sand, hahahaha."

"Wendy, I don't think that-" Mest holds his tongue when Wendy gives him a stare. He sighs out gently and shakes his head at her, "never mind."

"That's right, because Maggie isn't a prisoner of war here, she's allowed adventures. Come to Mama baby, would you like to try holding her Sherria while I get everything?" Wendy asks taking her from Mest's arms.

"Don't worry ex-captain, Juvia is sure Gray and Lyon are having a drinking welcoming party right now. You wouldn't want Maggie around that, right?" Juvia asks patting Mest's back.

"God I can't remember the last time I got stupid drunk; I really need it too. Wendy, be back by sunset please." Mest says heading in.

"Yeah, yeah, Mest," Wendy rolls her eyes.

Sherria's arms are shaking as she reaches out for Magnolia. Wendy carefully places her in her waiting arms and shows her how to carry a baby.

"There we go, now just wait here, I'll be back in a few minutes, twenty tops." Wendy says before chasing after Mest.

"Wow, wow, wow, wow, am I doing this right? This is too much responsibility." Sherria panics a little.

Juvia giggles and pats her shoulder, "you're doing just fine Sherria. Just remember not to drop her," she laughs before walking out.

"That doesn't help!" Sherria yells out.

Magnolia starts sniffling in her arms, scared of the loud noises, and begins to cry. Sherria screams out and looks around, not sure what to do.

"Ah- sorry! Don't cry Maggie! Magnolia! Um, happy face! Tickle, tickle? Oh I don't know, I'm not good with babies!" Sherria whines.

When Wendy finally returns she sees a crying Magnolia and a crying Sherria, both of their faces red and filled with tears. She takes a small breath and shakes her head.

LINE

"So is this your life now?" Sherria asks, pouring sand out of her hand back onto the beach as she stares out in the distance.

Wendy looks up from Magnolia and hums lightly, "what are you talking about?"

"Staying here, raising your child, no more piracy. It's your life now, right? Being like everyone else? Sorry, I don't mean for it to sound so crude. It's wonderful really, I'm sure Lyon and I are right behind your and Mest when we have a child. I was just wondering if this is it for you. Do you know what I mean?" She asks, scrunching her face together as she tries to come up with better words.

Wendy frowns and pulls Magnolia's fist from out of her mouth, wiping the sand off of her face. The picnic basket is long since devoured, the girls spending the entire time talking about their weddings, describing each and every little detail to each other. Of course baby talk was going to come next... it shouldn't have surprised her...

"I understand what you're saying, don't worry. I don't think there is a better way to ask it either. That's what our lives are now, normal. Like everyone else." Wendy mumbles to herself.

"Wendy, I'm sorry," Sherria says grabbing her hand, "I didn't mean to-"

"No, I know. Don't worry about it. It's just... I always wanted this. A home, a family, but Mest always wanted freedom and adventure. We're fine for right now. We'll return to being pirates again, when Magnolia is old enough. We're compromising for each other-"

"Wendy, you don't have to lie to me. I'm your friend, you can tell me the truth," Sherria says squeezing her hand, "I'll listen to whatever you have to say and won't judge you at all. Please, tell me. I could never tell, I mean I just assumed so because you were one, but did you truly want to be a pirate Wendy?"

Wendy blinks slowly and takes a deep breath, "being a pirate is so much fun."

Maggie squeals at this moment making her mother laugh, as if she was agreeing with her despite having no idea what they were talking about.

"Cute... you know that's not what I asked you though."

"No, I guess. But I never thought of being anything, I only ever thought I would be one thing, so I didn't mind. Being a pirate, a farmer, a merchant, a sailor, a baker, a doctor... I was willing to accept anything to escape from where I was. It just so happened that Mest was a pirate, so I became one to be with him."

"I know you don't regret it. Honestly though, what did you want to be? If you could have been anything? Be anywhere?"

Wendy giggles as she meets Sherria's eyes, "isn't it obvious? Don't we know each other so well now? I wanted to be a wife. I wanted to be married to a man I love and have children I adore. I never thought about anything else, what my husband did, what we would do to survive, honestly I just wanted love."

Sherria smiles at her lightly.

"But being a pirate is so much fun! And being a doctor! I never thought I would ever be useful in my life, but I can make a difference. I can save people Sherria and that's absolutely amazing! I love what we do! I love being a pirate, I love being a small time villager, I love being a wife and a mother, I love everything in my life right now."

"You just feel like this isn't what Mest wants though."

Wendy shakes her head, "no, I know it is. Just like how I changed what I yearned for when I met Mest, he changed for me as well. I became a pirate and he became a family man. I know he's happy, I just know this isn't all he wants though. I worry that one day the sea will call him again and he'll... I know he never would, but there is still that doubt he's going to abandon us. Silly, right? I feel bad for ever thinking such a thing. It's just so unfair. This is everything I've ever wanted, my dream come true, and it's at the expense of what Mest yearns for."

"But isn't that what love and marriage is about though?"

She blinks and tilts her head, "what?"

"Sacrifices. I sacrificed a lot for Lyon, and I'm sure he has done the same for me. It just shows how much we'd do to make each other happy. Of course we think about what we had to lose to get here, but isn't here wonderful? It isn't silly to fear the unknown Wendy, to fear all the what if's. It's natural. I'm sure if I was in your position I would fear the same things... but he could have left before. I'm sure you offered to let him go free, but he chose to stay here with you. That means something, right?"

Wendy nods her head over and over, pulling Magnolia in her arms tightly. She doesn't seem to mind, just continues to smack her feet against the sand, "more than anything. I told him we would wait for him, but he wanted to be with us."

"Then that fear you have shouldn't be a problem at all. I know you're worried Wendy, you care too much about others than yourselve. Have you ever wondered what you have done for yourself though Wendy? Honestly? You ran away to be with Mest, became a pirate for him, became a doctor for your crew, nearly sacrificed yourself so my crew would be safe, done so many other things I don't ever know about, but I'm sure exists. What have you done for yourself though?"

"Sherria, I have no idea what you're talking about. Everything I've done has been for myself. I wanted love, so I found Mest. I wanted to stay with him, so I became a pirate. I wanted to be useful, so I learned a trade, I wanted to be friends with you and save you, so I did what I had to do to make sure that happened. I'm the most selfish person I know." Wendy says matter of factly.

Sherria laughs and shakes her head, falling back onto the sand, "oh my goodness Wendy, of course you would think of it that way. Just try to understand me a little bit, and maybe this is where Mest is coming from as well, you give so much happiness and strength to those around you Wendy. You give and give and give, all your love, everything, so what are you left with if you keep giving? Maybe it's time you just sit back and receive for once?"

"You know, I didn't really have a big problem with trapping Mest here with me and Magnolia. You insisted on talking more about my feelings though and now I'm a bit confused all over." Wendy frowns.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted you to tell me all your worries and such and hoped it would make you feel better. Don't take my advice seriously on anything though, after all I've only been a married woman for a couple of months now." Sherria grins up at her.

"Alright... it did help a little bit Sherria. Confusing, yes, but helpful, just a smidge. I just want a life where Mest is free to be him and I am happy to be me."

"Isn't that right now though?"

Wendy hums, watching the sunset on the horizon, "yes... you know what I mean though. Our plan is perfect. Magnolia becomes one, Fairy Tail Pirates come back for us, we all leave and go on grand adventures again."

"What if you get pregnant again?" Sherria asks.

"Er-" Wendy blushes.

"You said you wanted a big family, right? Are you going to take another year off? What if you get pregnant back to back?"

"Then I guess, um I not sure-"

"Mest said he's willing to settle down for you. What if that's the right choice? What if all he needs to do is get used to being a civilian and then he won't miss being a pirate anymore?"

"That... is a interesting observation."

"Isn't it? But if I know you, you would never let Mest do that to himself. Isn't that right little Maggie? Your Mama loves your Papa more than she loves herself; she'd do anything to make him happy,huh?" Sherria asks rolling over to poke at her cheeks.

Magnolia huffs a couple of times, not liking her pokes, before she bursts out in laughter as Sherria starts to tickle her.

"All I know is that we can't settle down here. Mest hated this place when he grew up here, and I'm sure he still hates it now, maybe just a little less hatred. I'm sure there is a place out there that is our wonderful home. Where I can be a doctor and a house-wife, and where Mest finds something that he really loves."

"Ah- now that's interesting. Do you not want Mest to be a pirate without you?" Sherria asks.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You said finds something he loves, but he has already done that. Do you want him to find something else to do?"

"Of course not if he loves being a pirate, it's just... it's a dangerous life."

"Yes, it really is."

"And I've already lost him one, nearly lost him forever, but I was able to save him. What if I'm not able to save him next time because I'm not with him?"

Sherria stares at Wendy's tender affection, "you really do love him more than everything."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Didn't your husband say to be back before sunset? We better start heading back, we're already late as it is." Sherria says picking up Magnolia.

"Sherria?"

"Yes?"

Wendy stands up as well and stares at her best friend, "I'm glad you're here. Truthfully though, from me to you only, if you were in my situation?"

Sherria snorts and shakes her head, "if it were me? I'd return back home to live with my cousin and her children, and force Lyon to come home with me. We'd make a life there, a family, and for one month, maybe two, I would allow him to go on adventures. I'd have him for 11 months of the year and they would be filled with love and passion and laughter and children, but for 1 month I would let him be him. That is what I would do, but I am me, and you are you Wendy. Don't stress about it do hard. We're still young, we have all thte time in the world."

Wendy bites her bottom lip as she thinks it over, "what if I gave him one week to himself out of the year?"

"Hahahahahaha!" Sherria bursts out in laugter.

"No? Its a little generous, maybe only 3 days? Or 2? Hehehehe," Wendy begins to laugh with her.

"You are the love of his life and the mother to his daughter Wendy, you could make him do anything," Sherria says between giggles.

Wendy smiles as she laughs through her tears, Magnolia smiling and giggling along as if she understands a word these two people are saying.

LINE

"You seem in a better mood," Mest states.

He watches his wife dance around the room, humming as she rocks Magnolia to sleep. Wendy pauses to look up at her husband and smiles brightly.

"I'm sure you would to if your best friend surprised you for a visit," she whispers heading over towards the crib.

Magnolia is lightly snoring as Wendy puts her down and tucks her in. She brushes the strands of hair away from her face and kisses her forehead. Mest is pulling back the covers as Wendy walks over to join him in bed.

"So I take it you, Sherria, and Maggie had fun at the beach earlier?"

"Oh Mest, it was so nice. Magnolia was a little show off for Sherria, being all cute and smiling, and..." Wendy takes a deep breath and sighs out, "it was nice talking to her, getting a few things off my chest. I'm happy she's going to stay for a month."

Mest frowns as Wendy snuggles up under the covers and curls herself against her husband. He blinks a couple of times as he wraps the blanket around her form, wrapping his arms around her next and pulling her close. He waits for her to elaborate, but she says nothing.

"Is there something wrong?"

Wendy looks up to meet his eyes and tilts her head, "what do you mean?"

"You said you got things off of your chest, were they bad things? Because you can always talk to me about anything Wendy."

"Oh no Mest, it wasn't anything like that."

"If it wasn't, then why couldn't you talk to me? I'm not jealous or anything, I just- if I'm doing something wrong- of if there's something I'm not doing, you need to tell me Wendy. I don't want to-"

"Mest, please, calm down, before you get too worked up and wake the baby," Wendy hisses, pinching his lips together.

Mest mumbles and narrows his eyes at her.

"You're fine love, you're perfect. Sherria just asked me how I felt about taking a break on being a pirate and we talked about that. I told her my guilt, which you already knew about, don't look at me like that Mest Gryder, she completely agreed with you and basically told me it was silly kind of and to not worry about it."

"Because it is. Wendy, you gave up everything for me. I don't mind-"

"See, and it's exactly that. You saying I don't mind every time makes me think that you do mind, you just won't say it because you don't want me to know." Wendy huffs, puffing out her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, let me rephrase that, I don't care. Is that better? Because I don't, I really don't care."

"You don't care? You don't care that you gave up the life you love? You don't care that you ended up back where you started, except now you have a wife and a child you can't abandon so you can go off on your dream? You don't care about any of that?"

"God Wendy, how many times are we going to have this conversation? What can I tell you to make you forget about this? Why can't you be happy?!"

"Because I feel like you're not happy Mest!" Wendy screams backing up.

Magnolia screams even louder, being awoken by her parents. Wendy sighs in frustration as kicks her blankets off, rolling out of bed, and stalking towards her daughter. Mest groans and runs his hands down his face. He doesn't say anything as she picks up their daughter and leaves the room. He just continues to scratch at his head, smacking himself a few times.

What was wrong with him? Honestly? His wife is still all hormonal from having the baby, and they're both pretty emotional from having their friends and ship leave without them, he wanted to make this as relaxing as possible and he can't even do-

Mest's head snaps up when he hears the door open again. Wendy closes the door behind her and stares over at Mest.

"I asked Juvia and Gray to babysit tonight so we could talk. So can we have a real discussion? Please? And not one where we both compromise, and pretend we're okay with everything, and just ignore what we really want to say. I want to have a real conversation with you Mest and hear your honest opinions. Okay? I'll even start it. Yes it still bothers me that you had to give up everything for me, but that's not what scares me. I'm scared that one day you'll vanish. That you'll miss the sea too much and just leave, and that's crazy, I know, because you love me so much, and Magnolia so much, and you travelled so far and fought so hard to save us on more than one occasion, but that fear is still there. That's the second most frightening thing. My first is that if I let you go, if I encourage you to leave without you, or if you leave without telling me... that I'll lose you again... and that's not an option for me. I can't live without you Mest, I know I can't. I would try, I would fight so hard for Magnolia, but Mest if you died, or got captured again? I wouldn't be able to save you, I wouldn't be able to do anything and I wouldn't even know because I wouldn't be there for you! And that- I just- it's too hard to bear. So I'm sorry about everything, I really am about all our agruments and my snappy tones whenever we bring up this, but the truth is that I want you to be happy so you don't run away from me, from us. I know we make you happy, I'm just not sure it's as happy as you would be being the captain of Fairy Tail at sea."

She didn't mean to get emotional, but tears got in her eyes anyway. She sniffs and wipes them away, walking over to sit on the edge of the bed and be closer to him. Mest gulps and balls his hands into first, taking deep breathes trying to calm down his racing heart.

"I'm scared that you'll get tired of me."

Wendy blinks, "what?"

Mest shrugs, "it's always been a fear of mine, since the moment you walked onto my ship. You're a princess Wendy and I'm a pirate. I never thought we would work so well, and even after we did, I kept thinking wow, when is the moment going to arrive when it's too much for her? When you were nearly killed? When you were kidnapped? When I kept failing to protect you? Because of all the fights that we had?"

"You've been feeling this way all this time? Mest, why didn't you ever tell me?" Wendy asks.

"Because it sounds ridiculous! You love me, you've proven that again and again, I should know by now you would never leave, but that fear is still there, except worse, because now you can take Magnolia with you and vanish. Go someplace else, return back home to that Prince Acnologia, ugh. You can do anything you want Wendy. I'm not saying you would, like you said you know I would never leave you, but that fear is still there."

Wendy reaches out for his hand and Mest gladly grabs it and holds onto it tightly.

"You know, we always tell each other to talk about things because that always seems to be our problem, and despite knowing that, we never do." Wendy sighs out.

"We do, we do, it's just... not about everything," Mest mumbles, rubbing his thumb against the back of her hand.

It's quiet in the room, the only thing hearing is the flickering of the candle sticks lighting up the room.

"If I was going to leave you I wouldn't return back to Fiore. I could never hate you more than I hate that place," Wendy grumbles.

"Like I would ever leave you and Maggie without at least leaving behind a note, ha," Mest snorts.

The two of them look at each other and smile bitterly.

"Does it still bother you? My almost execution?" He asks.

"Yes. I don't dream about it as much as before, but I'm scared now. That it'll happen again if we aren't together."

"If you were with me back then Wendy you would have been executed alongside me."

"I'm not saying that I have to be by your side 24/7 Mest, but... if I was off on some island safely hidden away in some random village while that happened... if I wasn't with you, I would have never had known. You were set to be executed the very next morning, and there would have been no time to come and get me. I would have seen the fairy tail sails thinking you returned home safely only to find your cold body instead."

Mest shivers as the image comes across his mind.

"I don't want you fearing that, I don't want to ever leave you Wendy. We should really settle down, it's time to-"

"No Mest, I don't want to take your dream away from you."

"But you're scared-"

"The marines could easily come across this village one day and take you from me just as easilly as they could from us sailing together on the sea, or doing a heist at a different land."

"Yeah, but the chances are a lot lower here."

Wendy giggles and brushes her hair behind her ear, "so you're scared of me taking Magnolia and leaving? Where did you ever get that awful idea from?"

Mest chuckles and shrugs, "from my inner thoughts. At first it was just a small voice, she's too good for you, how can you care for a princess, she'll leave soon enough, but the longer you stayed, the more bad things happened to you, and the more I got scared. She's going to leave, she never wanted you, how could she love a life like this when she lived like a princess back home? Certainly her life isn't worse than nearly being killed and beaten by pirates... Magnolia doesn't deserve to have her father's sins over her head, she deserves a fresh start... You couldn't protect just your wife, how do you place on protecting your daughter as well now-"

"Mest!" Wendy gasps.

"I'm sorry, my inner thoughts get really dark."

"I can see that. No, never, never, ever. Magnolia deserves both of her parents in her life, not just one. I would never take you away from her."

"But I need you to if it's true. If I'm ruining her life, if I'm ruining yours Wendy! You two deserve nothing but the best, and if I'm holding you back-"

"Now you listen here Doranbolt Mest Gryder the Third, you are the best thing that has ever happened in my life, Magnolia included. If it wasn't for you we would have never had our beautiful daughter, I would have never known true love, or true friendship, never know the wonders of saving lives or going on adventures, and would be nothing but a spoiled rotten miserable princess. Don't you ever doubt that or think differently, okay? You are more than what I make of you, you are more than what your inner thoughts think of yourself. You Mest are amazing."

Mest lifts up her hand and kisses it gently, "thank you wife."

"You're welcome. Feel free to tell me if you need to hear that everday, because I will tell you. Every morning and every night, for the rest of our lives together."

Mest stares at her determined eyes and smiles, "what are you going to do Wendy?"

"What we originally had planned. Wait until Magnolia is one and then travel again as pirates."

"This conversation didn't solve anything if that's the case."

"Nope, you're wrong. It made me feel better getting things off my chest, and it certainly made me cherish you more being able to hear your feelings that you've been hiding deep inside as well. I actually feel pretty good right now."

Mest smiles lightly, "I don't want to quit being a pirate Wendy."

Wendy smiles back lightly and nods her head, "I know Mest."

"I really don't. I don't want to be a bad husband either, nor a bad father."

"You aren't either of those Mest."

"But I feel like it. Wanting to be away from you two, wanting to bring you guys along, I just- I can't-"

"I understand Mest."

"I hate it here. Sure it's nice seeing Mom and Dad again, I'm happy we're talking and worked this out, it feels great to be apart of their lives and gosh I feel so guilty about Eve. I had a little brother all this time and I never knew it, never stopped to think or write or ask. I want to be a good big brother to him, make up for not being there, and make up for being a lousy son to my parents. I want to be a lot of things Wendy, but I feel as if I can only do one of them."

Wendy giggles lightly, "now that's just stupid. I'm a wonderful wife, aren't I? And a wonderful mother, and an amazing doctor, and an even more amazing friend, and a slightly amazing sword fighter, hehehe, I'm all of these things at once Mest. You can be all of things as well. I'm not saying it's hard, I'm not saying you won't have to make sacrifices, but you can do it. Lyon and his crew are staying for a month, maybe go out on an adventure with them for a week or so and come back? I'm sure they would love to hang low here after a score. You're already a good husband and father, so that's taken care of. Don't lose contact with your mother or father or Eve when we finally decide to go. I already told you we don't have to settle down here, I know what it makes you feel like Mest. I felt the same way when I was stuck in Fiore. Write them letters this time around and let them know you're thinking about them, and when we're finally ready to settle down, together, invite them to come visit us."

"What did I do to deserve you Wendy?" Mest breaths out breathlessly, because he honestly can't think of a single thing.

"Nothing really Mest. You saw me and just took that opportunity to save me. I knew what my destiny was going to be and you gave me a brand new one. What on Earthland did I do to deserve you?"

"You don't deserve me Wendy, you deserve someone so much better."

"And what would make you better? If you weren't a pirate? If you were a prince? If you had all the money in the world?! I'm not looking for any of that Mest, you should know that about me by now. All I want is-"

"Love. Love. True love. Soul mate love. Love at first sight love. I'll give you all the love in the world Wendy."

"See? Who's to say that you don't deserve me when you give me everything I've ever wanted?"

Mest pulls her over and presses their lips together and a quick kiss. Wendy hums and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer.

"I'm sorry. I love you. We're going to do this, we're going to be just fine."

"Of course we are Mest, was there ever a doubt in your mind?" Wendy giggles kissing him again.

Mest smiles as he kisses her back. She's right, he's right, they're both right. They just need to stop worrying and trust that everything is going to be okay. As long as they love each other, as long as Magnolia is in their life, everything is going to work out just fine. No more will they stress about pointless things anylonger. FIX THIS PLEASE FUTURE ME! 121218

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"I'm having a bad feeling about this," Mest frows cuffing his wife's cheek.

"Well it's too late to back out now, everyone is waiting for you. Don't worry, Maggie and I will be just fine as we wait for you to come back." Wendy smiles, trying to reassure him.

His frown only deepens though, "it's too soon."

Wendy rolls her eyes, "it's three days."

"A lot could happen in three days."

"Mest will you please kiss me and Maggie good bye and take your cute butt up on that ship. It's going to be hard to miss you if you aren't gone."

He chuckles a bit and shakes his head. Wendy smiles, knowing she has him now. She closes her eyes and feels him press a soft kiss against her lips.

"I love you Mest. You're an amazing husband and father. It's only three days, Maggie and I will be waiting right here for your return. Isn't that right Magnolia?" Wendy asks looking down at their daughter.

She lifts up her hand and starts waving good bye at her father. Mest's heart lurches and he leans down, pressing a kiss against her forehead.

"Daddy will be back soon baby. He loves you very much and promises to bring back tons of treasures for you to play with."

"Oye Mest, you ready yet?" Gray calls out from the deck.

"Yeah, I'm coming! I love you Wendy, Magnolia. I love you both. I'll be back, I promise." Mest says.

Wendy nods her head and smiles brightly, "I know."

She watches as her husband boards the ship and keeps her smile strong as she waves him off.

"Take care of my husband Gray!" She calls out.

"You got it Mrs. Gryder!" Gray teases.

She can see a bit of fear in Mest's eyes, so she smiles. She smiles and smiles until he's gone so he doesn't see how much their hurts her inside. When she can no longer see his face she finally lets out a long sigh and drops her facade.

"Three whole days, what are we going to do with ourselves Maggie?" Wendy asks holding Magnolia up to her face.

"Have fun, because that's certainly what Mest is going to be doing. Come on bestie, we're free women now and our husbands are out of time. Let's have some fun!" Sherria cheers.

"Juvia seconds this; have Mest's parents watch Magnolia tonight Wendy. You deserve a break as well."

Wendy gasps and hugs her child to her chest, "and ditch Magnolia from having fun? Never."

"Alright, she can come too! Ain't a party without a baby!" Sherria cheers.

Wendy laughs and shakes her head. She has the silliest of friends... but also the best of them.

"Let's do it then! I'm not allowed to drink, but that doesn't mean I still won't have a good time."

"Now we're talking, the Sky Sisters are back in action!"

"Dah!" Magnolia cheers out loudly.

The three girls all start to coo and hover over their youngest and cutest member of their group.

"That's right baby, Momma is going to teach you how to have fun while Papa is away."

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