As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.
A/N - After making you all wait for so long for the last chapter, I couldn't make you wait for another one. Not sure if I will get another one done before the holidays hit. So Happy Holidays and I hope you enjoy the story. Please read and review!
"So, when do you think they will be done?"
"I have no idea but hopefully Natsu will have it all out of his system when they finally do. So how is everyone back home?" Lucy noted it was getting later in the afternoon and she quietly summoned Virgo to help start getting a meal ready. "We are going to need extra food tonight Virgo," she spoke to the spirit that appeared to her side, "Natsu and Vander will be back and probably very hungry."
"Yes Princess." she bowed her head and nodded towards her companion as well. "Master Gray."
Gray smiled at her, "It's good to see you again Virgo. Tell Loke I said hello." The spirit agreed and vanished to gather supplies for the meal.
Gray looked back at the Celestial mage beside him. "You know I felt very guilty about Juvia when I mated. It was a welcome surprise to see her with Jellal when we returned from our mission. They look very happy together. Was that your idea?"
Lucy grinned. "That's how I ended up on the mission where I found Lucas. I had to spend time with Jellal."
Gray shook his head, "I don't suppose Jellal being suddenly unattached from a newly mated Erza was you as well?"
The blonde nodded, "I had a hunch and talked Bickslow into getting his brother to Fairy Tail to train Wendy."
"You realize it is a little terrifying how you can do that right?"
Lucy huffed. "Why does everyone but Mira keep telling me that? I just want my nakama to be happy!" The two continued to chatter on about their guildmates as she and Virgo started cooking a grand feast. "You seriously want me to find Laxus a mate? He's already been with half of the female population in Fiore, I'd have to go out of the country!"
"You did just that for Erza," Gray responded smugly.
"Yes, well. That was a lucky guess. Laxus? Psssht. You might as well ask me to find soul mates for Bickslow and Vander too." She scoffed as she stirred the giant pot of beef stew.
"I have a feeling you can manage at least one out of those three."
"What on Earthland are you talking about? Those three are the most notorious bachelors I know. At least with Laxus I know it would probably be female, but there's no telling with the other two. I suppose-" her rant was interrupted by the return of Natsu and Vander. Both smiling and looking like old friends, even if slightly bruised and disheveled.
"Although that smells delicious, I have a few things to attend to. I will return tomorrow." Lucy didn't have a chance to ask anything before the Shadowquip vanished once again.
Natsu plopped down next to Gray and slung an arm around him, nuzzling his neck and breathing in his scent. "That was awesome! Your food smells great Luce! When can we eat?"
Distracted from the sudden disappearance of her usual companion, she smiled at her best friend. "Soon Natsu. Very soon."
"Did you ask her yet?" he asked his mate quietly.
"Not yet Natsu, tomorrow I will. I promise."
Loke joined the group after they ate and was catching up with Gray while Lucy was managing a pouting Dragon Slayer, exceed and Lucas because it was time for Plue to go back to the Celestial realm. "So, how are things with her and Vander really? She called him a gentleman." Gray asked the lion spirit.
Loke scoffed. "I wouldn't ever use that word to describe that man, but he seems to be behaving mostly. You know I am keeping an eye on him. From what I've heard he's worse than me and Bix combined."
"I figured, that's why I asked you. She likes him doesn't she?"
The spirit sighed. "Yeah, but she knows he isn't the relationship type so she's keeping him friend-zoned."
Gray nodded and smiled as he watched the person in question consoling his mate and Happy because now Lucas had to go to bed. He tossed a lacrima communicator to the spirit. "Per Laxus, you call us anytime if needed. He isn't happy she's out here with him for so long but doesn't want to deal with her wrath if he interferes. She doesn't know I'm giving this to you." The lion spirit nodded and pocketed the comm. Many of her spirits felt much the same about the situation.
Lucy woke up in a great mood, she didn't realize how much she had missed her friends and having them there with her made a world of difference. She got up early to prepare an extra large breakfast. Lucas having escaped physical training due to Vander's absence was asking Natsu about his magic and the slayer was more than happy to demonstrate. Gray had already lectured him about not setting anything on fire and was heading back to help Lucy.
"Hey Lucy, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Sure thing Gray! What's up?"
"Well, Natsu and I… well we want to start a family. Eventually, not right now but not too far off either." He stumbled trying to figure out a way to ask. This had seemed easier in his head earlier. "Well you know he and I well, we can't…"
"Have babies? Yes, I might be a virgin but I know that it usually takes a female for that." She winked at the now flushed and embarrassed looking mage as he absently played with the cross that rested against his bare chest. "Although I'm not sure Mira understands how that works…"
"Um well. Yeah. That is the problem, but for dragons and their slayers there is a solution. Gajeel explained a lot to me and I guess there are typically more male dragons than female so our mating isn't considered unusual." He paused, trying to decide how to proceed and then decided to just lay it out there. "We can have a surrogate and if we both, well have sex with her the dragon magic will essentially make the child just ours. We want you to be that surrogate." Bomb officially dropped he thought to himself as he watched her freeze in place.
"We just want you to think about it, we couldn't think of anyone else we would trust to carry our child. I don't need an answer right now, but if you can just consider it. It would mean the world to us."
Lucy's mind was whirling too fast to keep track of. Have a baby that wasn't hers? Have sex with two of her best friends? Not to mention that she had never had sex at all. In the end all she could think was how happy it would make them. She flashed a small smile at Gray. "I will think about it, but I can't agree just yet."
A huge breath of relief escaped the Ice Make mage as he smiled back. "Thanks Lucy. That's all we could ever ask."
"Um Gray? Can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything Lucy. Anything at all!" he replied instantly.
"Can you at least leave your underwear on? I don't need Lucas to get an adult male anatomy lesson this morning."
Gray flushed and muttered apologies as he looked down to see he was only in his boxers and his hand was starting to pull the waistband down. He quickly located his clothing.