"So Miss Scarlet, if I may ask do you enjoy being a foster parent?" Siegrain asked her as they were finishing up their meal.

"I do." She said. "I will admit it's not easy and those two have done some things that have sent my heart into arrhythmia but I like caring for them. And I love doing little things for them that make them happy like making coco for Greige and a meat pie for Nasha."

"You must really love children."

"I do."

"Did you ever want to have one of your own?"

"Yes. I did. So very much but I don't have a husband and I can't afford artificial insemination."

"Did you try adoption?"

"I did, they rejected my application."

"Why? You seem like you would be a wonderful mother."

"Maybe but I'm single and I don't have a lot of money, they said that those are two things that make for a poor parent. So when all else failed I opted for foster care."

"At least you managed to get that job."

"Yeah but for how long? Foster parenting is a temporary job. Once someone decides to adopt Greige and Nasha they'll have to leave me." She sighed.

"I'm sorry." Siegrain said in an understanding tone of voice. "I know how you feel, I wanted to have a child as well but for obvious reasons I can't artificially inseminate myself."

"Did you ever try to adopt? You probably have enough money to be considered an acceptable parent."

"Yes but I'm also single and you may call me cliche for saying this but I would want to share any child I have with someone I loved. Being a single parent is fine but I believe nothing can compare to the miraculous and unbelievable discovery that you and the person you loved most created a life together. That your love made something."

"Yes but some couples can't always conceive."

"I'm not talking about just the pregnancy and the birth. Even if a couple adopts a child they're still creating something wonderful with their love. It's the great adult that child will grow into because of the love they were raised with."

"Huh...I never thought of it like that." She said.

"But the thing is I sincerely don't think that I'll ever be a father. It's just not cut out for me and I've accepted it. Even though I had names picked out."

"Really? Me too."

"Can I hear them?"

"Only if I can hear yours."

"Fair enough. For a boy I always liked the name-"

"If I ever had a son I wanted to call him-"

"Eli." They said at the same time. The two went silent for a moment and then started to laugh.

"A guess great minds think alike huh?" Siegrain chuckled.

"I suppose." Elkis added with a giggle. "But Eli is a common name. The name I had picked for if I had a daughter is much more rare."

"Really? What is it?"

"Jeanne."

Siegrain suddenly stopped chuckling and looking at her completely surprised by what she said. Surprised and suspicious.

"What?" She asked upon noticing his change in demeanor.

"Are you some kind of mind reader?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Because if I ever had a daughter I wanted to name her Jeanne too."

"You did?"

"Yes."

"Oh...Well that's a very big coincidence. I don't suppose you picked those names for the same reasons I did?"

"That depends what were your reasons for choosing them?"

"Well I liked the name Jeanne because it meant gracious and I always hoped that any daughter I had would have a gracious heart."

Siegrain was now stunned.

"And...And...You picked the name Eli because it means defender of man and you would want to have a son who is willing to protect and defend others?"

"Ye...Yes...How did you know?"

"Because that's why I liked the name Eli and my reason for choosing the name Jeanne is also the same as yours."

Now Elkis was stunned. Two people who seemed to hardly know each other, having the same names picked out for future children could be just a coincidence. But two people who seemed to hardly know each other having the same reasons for picking out those names? That couldn't be a coincidence. Then again what else could it be?

Elkis was just about to say something when suddenly she felt something overwhelm her mind. An images were suddenly flashing into her head. It was difficult for her to make them out but she could hear their voices very clearly.

"I don't want the nursery walls to be painted just one solid color."She heard herself say. "I want our child to see the beauty of the world at an early age so let's have a mural painted. A mural the shows the kingdom, the sea, the forests, the flowers, the birds, everything."

"Well hold your horses Honey." She heard a voice that sounded like Siegrain say. "We're not even expecting yet and you've already planned out the nursery."

"I'm sorry I'm just so excited. I never thought I would ever get married let alone have a child and now that we've decided to start family I can just barely contain my joy."

"I feel the same. You know this is the happiest I've seen you since our wedding which means I was right when I said that this is what we needed to take our mind off of Lucy's threat."

"And you're certain that's all it is? A threat?"

"Positive. Lucy is defeated, our kingdom is safe, we're finally together, we have accomplished every goal we had and now we shall celebrate by giving this land the most beautiful and loved child ever born."

What was she hearing? What was this? Was that really her voice she heard saying those things? Was that Siegrain's voice she was hearing?

"Elkis." When she felt Siegrain's hand gently touch hers she was brought back to reality. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine...I...I think." Her free hand went to her forehead. "My head hurts a little."

"Was it the wine?"

"No. It's nothing. Must be stress from work and taking care of the kids."

"In that case maybe we should go. We've finished our meal and the bill will soon arrive."

"Alright."

Siegrain paid for the meal and they left the restaurant to take her back to Nakku's apartment.

"I had really nice time." She told him when they reached the door.

"I'm glad." He said. "I don't suppose we could do this again some time?"

"I'll check my schedule."

Unsure of what else to do, they shook hands and for some reason neither one of them wanted to let of the other's hand. But reluctantly they did but is in slow motion and they each savored every touch of the the other person's skin.

"Goodnight." She smiled before entering the apartment.

"Goodnight." He smiled back before leaving.

...

The next day Jellal had a very special surprise for Erza, their conversation had inspired him greatly and he spent the entire night before getting it all ready. In the morning when he arrived he didn't even have to knock because Erza saw him coming from a distance and immediately went outside of the cottage to greet him.

"A little eager this morning aren't we?" He smiled in a teasing manner.

"Sorry I guess I just really love surprises." She said. "Good ones that is. This is a good surprise right?"

"I certainly hope so but it's up to you to decide if it's good or not."

He offered her his arm to usher her, she hesitated for a moment due to feeling a little shy but quickly became more confident and hooked her own harm with his. He led her over to a dirt road where two fine stallions stood.

"You reminded me so much of how I used to love horse back riding in the countryside and since it had been so long I thought maybe I could do it again. Also since it was you who helped me remember my long forgotten hobby, I thought it would be fair if I invited you to come along. If you like horse back riding that is?"

"I love horse back riding." She said feeling excited. "I would love to accompany you."

"Thank you my lady, please allow me to help you on to your steed."

He carefully lifted her on to one of the horses and he then climbed on to the other one. The ride started out very calm, just enough movement to allow the two of them to look out at the beautiful scenery around them. The sun was out today and the birds were singing, on the trail they took they passed a few pomegrante trees and Erza plucked one of their fruit from it's branches. She cut it open with her knife and proceeded to eat a few of it's seeds.

As she did this the juice made her lips very moist, soft-looking, and turn a very deep shade of red. Jellal could not help but stare and think to himself: "To kiss that month."

She could feel his gaze on her and when her brown eyes turned to meet his green ones he became flustered and looked away. She blushed but then smiled as a playful idea formed into her mind.

"Jellal." She said.

"Yes." He replied.

"If I am correct there is a lake just a half a mile from this road."

"Yes you are correct my lady."

"Do you know the way to this lake?"

"Yes. I've ridden passed it many times."

"In that case I'll race you there!"

And before Jellal could even blink her horse took off down the road at great speed.

"Hey!" He called before willing his own horse to catch up to her. "No fair! I wasn't ready! You had a head start!"

But she only laughed and did everything she could to make the stallion she was riding go faster. Jellal's horse managed to get closer to her rather quickly but in the end it was hers who made it to the lake first. He teasingly called her cheater and in turn teasingly called him a sore loser. They laughed and then he led her to the destination he had chosen for them to travel to. It was on top of a hill in the country side where a strong sycamore tree stood.

"This the special place where you and parents would go." She deduced.

"Yes it is."

"Oh Jellal it's beautiful." She said taking in the view from the hill which consisted of fields, farm houses, and a small town. But the crown jewel of it all was that magnificent sycamore tree and as she studied it's features she noticed that a basket had been placed at it's roots. "What's this?"

"Well I thought all that riding might make you a little famished so I had my servants prepare a small lunch for us."

"You mean this is a picnic?"

"Uh-huh."

"Oh...I have never been on a picnic before."

"Really? You haven't?"

"No but I've always dreamed of having one."

"Then this makes my surprise extra special then huh? I'm happy to be the one to give you your first picnic."

They opened up the basket, pulled out the cloth inside, and spread it out on to the ground. The two sat down on the cloth and began to dine on bread, cheese, fruit, and a little salted meat with honey lemon water to drink. It was one of the best meals Erza had ever eaten and her conversations with Jellal only made the it even more grand. In that moment she was completely relaxed and not stressed at all. She wasn't worrying about going up against Lucy or trying to live on her own, right now she was just enjoying her time with the prince.

"You did what?" She laughed during one of their talks.

"It's true. During my first fencing lesson I accidentally cut my instructor's belt and his pants fell down right in front of everyone." He said. "Father tried not to laugh but even he couldn't resist smirking a little."

"So I'm guessing fencing wasn't a skill that came natural to you?"

"No. It took years of training but eventually I got the hang of it. What about you? Do you have any other special skills? I mean besides hitting me in the face with a rock."

"Very funny." She said. "I know combat and archery but those are pretty much my only skills."

"What about dancing?"

"Dancing?"

"Yes. I saw you dancing in the forest that time we first met. You were very good. More than good actually."

"Oh that." She said blushing. "That's nothing. It's just something I do for fun."

"So you like dancing?"

"Yes. Sometimes."

He stood up from the cloth and then bowed to her respectfully before offering her his hand.

"May I have this dance?"

"Dance? Now?" She asked surprised by his offer.

"Sure. Why not?"

"But we're outside."

"So?"

"What if someone sees?"

"Who cares?"

"I don't know. I've never really danced with anyone before. I normally dance by myself and besides there's no music."

"We'll make some."

"I really don't think-"

"Trust me. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Erza started to feel very shy again but one look at those gentle green eyes and her anxiety was forgotten. She placed her hand in his and stood up from the cloth. Her free hand rest on his shoulder and while his moved to her back. The two proceeded to slowly dance on top of that hill with Jellal humming a little tune to serve as their music.

"No offense but you're a little off key." Erza grinned.

"I know but I wasn't blessed musical gifts." He said before twirling her.

"That's okay. Your dancing makes up for it." She assured him.

Being a royal prince, Jellal had attended many royal balls in his lifetime and danced with many elegant young ladies but during all those moments he had been completely bored out of his mind. However this dance he shared outside on a hill with this seemingly simple peasant girl was the best dance he ever had in his entire life and when he gently dipped her which led to her smiling up at him, he thought that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met.

Erza couldn't remember a time when she had been so happy. Part of her feared that this whole scene was just a dream and soon she would wake up back in the cottage with the heart breaking knowledge that she had never met this charming and thoughtful man. He was unlike anyone she had ever met. Smart, handsome, kind, considerate, sensitive, Juvia was right. She was falling for him and at the moment she couldn't see any problem with that fact.

Unknown to both of them a nearby raven was watching this romantic scene and it's vision was projected on to a crystal ball where it's mistress would see everything it saw. His mistress was not pleased with this sight at all because it made her quite envious yet at the same time it gave her an idea on how she could use this budding romance to her advantage.

In the next few chapters Juvia begins her new life as Gray's maid and he quickly learns that she's no ordinary maiden. Meanwhile something personal of Gren's gets stolen and his desperation to get it back will reveal a few secrets.