Chapter 19


Lucy heaved a long and heavy sigh. The sound of chatter hummed in the background, in contrast to the loud, obnoxious yells of her newly wed husband, along with his childhood rival, taking precedence above all else.

Here we go again…

"I told you, Flame Brain," Gray growled, his teeth gritted in annoyance, "that was mine!"

"Oh yeah? Then why weren't you eating it? It's not Haru's fault he got to it first!" Natsu's fists were clenched tight, knuckles turning white and ready to throw the first punch.

"No, it's yours for letting him!" Both were standing off against the other, much like they'd done all morning, and it was slowly grinding away at the young blonde who'd been silently stewing from her perch at the bar. "Look, if you buy me a replacement meal, I might be generous enough to let you off this time."

"Ha! In your dreams, Snowflake!"

Much to Lucy's dismay, she could feel a dull throb begin to creep across her cranium, her fingers rubbing small circles over her temples in an attempt at easing the tension building. It was a wonder either of those two idiots had become responsible for other, smaller human beings, because they sure as hell weren't acting like it.

"Are you two done squabbling? You're making my head hurt!" The urge to take her bulbous self over there and whack them both over the head was becoming more appealing with every insult thrown.

"But, Luce, Haru didn't do anything wrong!" Natsu pointed an accusatory finger towards the pissed ice mage, his other hand holding the thief in question up on his shoulders, "he's the one that started it!"

"What?! You're the one that started it, knucklehead. Haru's your son!" Fists clenched in his fury, Gray could barely keep from punching the damned moron in the face. "I bet you were both in on it!"

"Why, you-!"

"SHUT UP!" Lucy hollered, much louder than intended but it seemed to do the trick at silencing them, finally. "You two are driving me insane with your constant bickering; is it so much to ask that you go an hour without fighting?!" For something that wouldn't usually bother her, she was at her wits end. Where was Erza at a time like this? "Why do I even bother?" She huffed before returning to her drink, not in the mood, nor had the patience, to deal with either of those clowns today.

"Someone's not very happy this morning," Mira said, popping up from the other side of the bar. "Aren't you supposed to feel relaxed after coming home from your honeymoon?"

The she-demon made a good point, and Lucy had been perfectly relaxed, until fire met ice for the first time in weeks and all hell had broke loose.

"It's not that, Mira, our time together was wonderful, more than wonderful…" her mind drifting back, wishing to be bathing by the beach again. "I guess it's not really their fault—though they are idiots… I'm just super tired right now. Everything hurts and I'm finding it so hard to get comfortable at night... I just want to sleep!"

"I know it's tough, but your time will come, Lucy. I'm sure it won't be long before your little one gets here." Mira-Jane smiled, polishing the glass in her hand, "then you'll have two babies and Natsu to deal with."

Was that supposed to make her feel better? "Please don't remind me!" With an exaggerated huff, her head slumped into her arms atop the bar, wishing her body would just give her a break from its constant nagging—her back the worst offender.

Not minutes had gone by before two very warm, and very welcome, hands applied the subtlest of pressure onto her aching hips. A relieved sigh escaped her as expert fingers kneaded and warmed the tense muscles through, easing the strain within them.

"Hey, Mira, can I get a juice for the little guy, please?" Voice as cheery as ever, Natsu leaned forward to peck Lucy on the cheek before setting Haru down from his shoulders, handing him his drink. "S'up, Luce? Ya still not feeling too good?"

She glanced up, her cheek never leaving the comfort of her arm and shook her head into them, "how'd you guess?"

"Easy! You scared Happy off pretty early this morning, then you yelled at us back there. It's like you're channelling your inner Erza or something… and now you're looking like ya wanna kill someone-"

"Yeah, I wonder who, Natsu… the question was rhetorical," she mumbled, hiding her face once more.

"Rhetori- what?"

"Forget it."

Despite his teasing, seeing her so sullen over ailments that couldn't be controlled was difficult for the young man. As someone who always strived to make his best friend smile, he really didn't know how to help the situation.

Trying again, he took the simpler approach this time, "d'ya wanna go get an ice cream or something? There's that place in town that does the frozen yogurt stuff you eat all the time." Surely the prospect of food might offer some salvation. She was eating for two after all!

Overhearing those magical words fly out of his father's mouth, the little one looked up from his now empty cup and grinned, "ice cream!"

"Of course you want ice cream," Lucy chuckled, using her finger to poke the little one's belly, making him giggle.

"I'm just surprised you don't," Natsu sniggered, earning him daggers from the blonde he loved to tease so much.

"And what's that supposed to mean!?" He'd done it now!

Waving his hands in submission, he back tracked; when would he learn? "Nothing, nothing! I was only kidding..." Dammit! He was supposed to be making her feel better not worse. Usually, he'd just drag her out on another mission to make her forget her sorrows, but that wasn't a viable option either.

"I know what Lucy would like." Appearing from nowhere, Erza strutted over to gloomy stellar mage, perching herself on a stool next to her. "Here. Have some strawberry cake. It's delicious!"

Easing herself back up, the blonde grimaced at the sight of the half eaten slice and was about to politely decline the offer, when a small chubby hand got to it first, smooshing it across the plate.

"Haru!" She gasped, removing the daredevil baby from the crime scene, and handed him to a horrified looking Natsu to clean up. With a sheepish grin, she reluctantly turned back to the red head, hoping she wasn't about to flip a lid—that was the last thing she needed, "I-I'm so sorry… he just... does that sometimes..."

With a distraught expression, Erza simply stared at her now destroyed dessert, a murky aura descending around her, "n-no… i-it's okay… he can have it…" she stuttered, hesitantly handing it over.

Hesitant, she took the mushed cake from the disgruntled red head, moving as if she were a ticking time bomb, and gave it to the boy who was quick to dive in and wolf it down. "Geez! Anyone would think we didn't feed you."

"He likes his food is all. Nothing wrong with that," Mira said, refilling his sippy cup, "he's just like his Daddy!"

"You got that right!" Natsu chirped, a lopsided grin to match.

Chuckling at the fire mages expression, Lucy hardly noticed the take over mage slide a rather beaten looking envelope across the bar, clearing her throat as she did so, "I almost forgot, this came for you both while you were away. It arrived a few days ago."

Odd, Lucy thought, picking it up. It wasn't very often they received random letters from people, especially not addressed to the guild. The paper felt rough under her fingertips, the ink smudged and messy. It looked weathered, like it'd been sat on or crumpled before being sent to them.

"Is this how it arrived? Smells kinda weird…" Natsu couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he was sure he recognised that scent.

"Could it be from the council, maybe?" Lucy couldn't be sure, although the envelope itself had no official stamps on it. If anything, it looked more like a child had scribbled it, someone that didn't know too much about letter etiquette, or spelling, for that matter.

Snapping the wax sealed opening, Lucy pulled the similarly creased letter out and flattened it out, feeling the intense gazes of not only Natsu watching her every move, but of her guild mates, too.

"Maybe we should read this in private?" She murmured, trying to keep her voice low and out of ear shot of everyone but Natsu.

"You know they'll only ask about it after, right? Besides, if it's not official then it can't be that bad," he hoped.

Anxiety flushed through her as she remembered the last letter they'd received out of the blue, and how anxious it'd made her feel, however, that one had been official, finalising Haru's future with them. A happy ending.

Taking a deep breath, her eyes took to paper, scanning no more than the first line before she gasped and dropped it onto the counter—it couldn't be!

Eyes widening, Natsu felt his own heart skip a beat, knowing that kind of reaction could only spell trouble. "What? What is it, Luce?"

Feeling his hand on her shoulder, she gripped it tightly with her own, unable to control the shaking within it, "it's… i-it's him!"

The muscles in his jaws tightened, and his hands turned to fists like he was readying for a fight. "Lemme see that!" Snatching it off of the bar top, he eyed the squiggly signature carefully, confirming his suspicions of who this 'him' might be.

Haru's birth father.

Instinctively, Lucy found herself reaching for the little boy, wanting to hold him close to her body, as if he were about to disappear before her very eyes. "W-What does it say, exactly?"

"Wait!" Gray exclaimed, snatching the letter from the fire mages hold before he'd time to read it, "you really think it's wise to read anything that guy's sent you?"

"Give it back, Stripper, before I torch your hand off!" Natsu's warning tone did nothing to deter the ice mage, more than use to the types of threats slung between them.

"Not a chance, Hothead! What if it's a letter trying to taunt you or something? You just gonna rise to it?"

"Hey! I'm not playing around, dammit!" But before he could do anything, the paper was whipped from his rivals grip, scarlet hair freezing them both in place, lips sealed shut.

Choosing to ignore their little spat, her brown eyes moved quickly between the lines on the paper, determining the messy handwriting, "so this is the one that's caused so much trouble."

"I-Is it bad, Erza?" Lucy asked, eyes filled with worry, wishing someone would just tell her already.

"It seems he wishes to meet with you both by the train station. Tonight."

"Tonight!?" Natsu exclaimed, claiming the letter that merely disintegrated in his hands. "The hell does that guy think he is!? He can't just show up after all this time and demand to meet us like that. He's got some nerve!"

He was livid, and Lucy could understand why, although she wished she'd been able to read the letter first before it'd been so kindly destroyed in temper, "that probably wasn't a very good idea, Natsu. Now we have no reference to go by."

"Stupid flame-o never thinks with his head first. Sometimes I wonder if there's just hot air between those ears of yours."

"Shut it, Popsicle! I'm not in the mood for your stupid comments!" Natsu scowled, crossing his arms over his chest, "I say we go there just to teach him a lesson, one he'll never forget!"

"We can't do that! What if he were to tell on us? We could get into serious trouble… or worse!" Honestly, Lucy didn't know what to think. The only thing she wanted right now was Haru safe and sound in her arms where no one else could get to him.

"Lucy's right, Natsu. If word were to get out that you'd done something, you could risk losing Haru altogether. We have to be smart about this," Erza said, hand to her chin in deep thought.

"Over my dead body! Ain't no way that bastard's getting his hands on my son. He had his chance!" Just the thought of it was enough to make him sick to his stomach, bile already churning.

"Then we must think rationally about this and not run head first into enemy territory." She spoke as if they were about to go into battle, when the reality was only one man; one man that posed a serious threat to the small boy cuddled into his mothers bosom. "It's decided. Gray and I shall accompany you on this quest and be your back up should you need it. We will remain in the background, but our presence will act as a deterrent should he be planning to do anything."

"Don't I get a choice in the matter?" Gray grumbled, earning him a swift, metal thwack to the back of the head, and a glare that promised certain death should he continue to speak.

As a quick, on the spot plan, Lucy kind of liked it. At least it wouldn't be just her and Natsu this time, especially now that she was out of commission. However, none of that took away from the fact that this guy, the one they'd had the misfortune of meeting on more than one occasion, had actively sought them out and been so bold as to want to meet with them in person. What was he after? It was troubling, especially where Haru was concerned.

"But I still don't understand why he would want to meet with us? And at night too…"

"It all seems fishy to me," Natsu interrupted the blonde, smoke erupting from his mouth, "if he even puts a foot outta line, I'mma do more than just punch him in the face this time."

"Settle down, man, you don't even know the reason yet. Save your energy for when we get there." The ice mage also understood, a father now himself, he could only imagine the anger they must've felt towards someone like that.

Erza nodded in agreement, "then it's settled. We shall leave at nightfall."

With another deep and mournful sigh, Lucy looked down to the little boy, worry creasing her brows. His bright blue eyes joined with hers in a tender moment between mother and son, a smile gracing his lips as he stared in wonder at the woman he loved so very much.

"So…about that ice cream," Natsu beamed, shocking Lucy out of her stupor as a grin spread his cheeks once more.

"...want ice cream!" Haru cheered, raising his arms up above his head in celebration.

"I thought you'd say that," he chuckled, taking the boy from his mothers hold and chucking him up in the air, the sounds of his cute giggle dissipating the tense atmosphere.

Lucy, however, didn't look so convinced, her eyes filled with uncertainty, "are you sure that's a good idea? What about—mmph!" Silenced by a pair of warm lips, she could hardly find it within herself to fight back no matter how much she wanted to. The gentle caress was enough to draw her in, even if it was one of his oldest tricks at keeping her quiet.

Pulling back, Natsu smiled at his beautiful wife, her potent blush never failing to amuse him, "I think Haru wants his ice cream."

Nodding against him, she took the opportunity for one more sweet kiss before finally standing from her seat, the biggest grin she could muster plastered across her face, "well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"


Standing there, with little more than a few street lamps to light their path, had the expectant mother recoiling with every new train that approached the station. She wasn't often afraid of the dark, or what lurked within its depths, but for tonight, she'd make an exception. She cradled Haru close to her body, chin tucked into his mop of black hair as she swayed from side to side— a small distraction from her troubled thoughts.

"It's gonna be alright, Luce," she heard Natsu whisper into her ear as he came up from behind, comforted by the warmth of his hand on the small of her back, his breath fanning against her neck, "nothing bad is going to happen. I won't let it."

"I know. I-It's just… I never thought I'd have to see him again, that's all. We'd left it behind us, or at least, so I thought." So much had happened since then that she'd happily put it all to the back of her mind.

"And we still can! Haru's ours now, and there's nothing this guy, or anyone else, can do about it." He smiled, stroking the soft cheek of the little boy snuggled deeply into his blanket, snoring quietly. "He's a part of us, Lucy, and always will be, I promise."

With foreheads touching, and the wind whistling through their hair, they shared a slow, spine tingling kiss, only separating to glance down at the child wedged between them, stirring slightly in his sleep.

However, as another train rumbled away from the platform, the dragon slayer suddenly perked up, pulling his attention away. With senses on high alert, he began to sniff at the air, his ears locking on to the faint tapping of footsteps slowly approaching in the distance, "he's here."

The moment had come, and Lucy'd dreaded every agonising second she'd had to wait, but knew, without a doubt, Natsu would keep his promise—he always did.

"You came," a rather quiet voice shocked the team from behind, all of them turning together to glance in the direction it'd come from. A cloaked figure stood before them, his face shaded by the long hood that sat atop his head, making it hard to see any of his features, "with others, I see."

With that same ominous presence he felt the last time they'd met, Natsu ushered Lucy and Haru behind him to keep them from view, using his body as a barrier. "And you finally decided to show."

"Well, for Fiore's top guild, Magnolia's quite the distance from the other main cities," he explained, his tone tepid and monotonous, making it hard for the group to read him or his intentions. "And it's not everyday you get to meet three of the most destructive mages in the country… I was a little nervous, I guess."

His eyes shifted from the dragon slayer to the two stood behind and recognised them immediately, "you must be the infamous, Erza Scarlet, yes? I've read a lot about your magic type, it's rather unique but most impressive." Smirking, his head moved quickly, setting sights on the raven haired man to the left, "and you must be… Gray Fullbuster? Ice mage; demon slayer; newly made father to a son… what was his name again?"

The young man flinched at his child being spoke about so casually, as if tainted by mere voice alone, "like I'd tell the likes of you—"

"I see you've done your research," Erza intervened, stopping the ice mage before he could take it any further, "however, knowing who we are isn't going to help should you decide to act foolishly tonight."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he snorted, the small gesture enough to make Lucy's skin crawl as she observed from behind her husbands frame. "Unlike you, where magic courses through your very veins, I have no such power. Ethernano appears to have forsaken me, also."

"Forsaken? What kinda crap are you spouting now?" Natsu's jaw tensed with gritted teeth, the hum of his magic sizzling below the surface as he fought the urge to unleash it.

A low chuckle escaped the man's mouth, yet it sounded void of all humour as he looked down at the floor. Without saying a word, he slowly lifted the elongated hood from his head, revealing what lay beneath.

Hearing a small gasp from the stellar mage behind him, Natsu could only stare in horror. Now exposed and vulnerable, they could clearly see the deep scars and burns that littered the right side of the guy's face, travelling up beyond his hair line, forming small bald spots that stretched passed his ear and down his neck.

"Fuck! I thought you said you only punched him in the face, Natsu? Not gone full beast mode on him!" Sure the hot head had a temper, but Gray could scarcely believe he'd go that far.

"Seriously, Brain freeze, you think I'd do that!?" Contemplating it for a moment, the slayer didn't remember setting him on fire... "at least, I don't think I did."

"I very much doubt it, Natsu. He wouldn't be so forthcoming in showing us if you had," Erza said, her eyes never leaving the terrible marks upon the man's skin as she considered the reasons behind him wanting to show them.

"You're almost right. On our last encounter, you did, indeed, set me on fire, but luckily this was not the result of that," he explained, amused by the sheepish, but ultimately relieved look on the dragon slayers face. "This was the result of my own actions... I have only myself to blame, really."

"Quit your gloating and tell us, then. That's why you're here, isn't it?" Lucy finally spoke, startling the others as she made her presence known.

"Ah, so you are here? I'd say I'm far from gloating, Lucy Heartfilia… Or is it Dragneel, now?" He mused, his eyes flitting from side to side, searching for the blonde hair he remembered so vividly. "Why don't you show yourself? I won't bite."

"But I will, so I suggest you start talking!" She spat, her tongue quicker than her brain could stop her.

Smirking, Natsu could almost laugh as he discretely reached behind to clutch at her trembling hand, caressing it softly against her belly. He knew how much she dreaded running into this man, and what it meant to be in his presence again. He remembered how low she'd been in herself after the incident that first brought Haru and them together, and those long nights she'd struggled to sleep following the mission at the mansion.

It had taken her a long time to learn how to cope with the worries she'd faced, of not only becoming a mother to an abandoned newborn, but the trauma of knowing what'd happened to the little boy she now called her son in the first few days of his life.

Natsu, above all, was the only other person who truly shared in her pain, her anguish, and her fear of loving a child that wasn't theirs, and what it would do to them should they lose him altogether.

The man, ignorant of all this, chuckled at her impatience, and replaced the hood to cover his scarred face. "Let's just say being incarcerated isn't all what it's cracked up to be."

"You mean other prisoners did this to you? But why!?"

"Why, indeed," he murmured, finally catching a glimpse of someone peeking out from behind the dragon slayer and pointed in their direction, "found you!"

But before any of the other three mages could react, blonde hair whizzed passed them all at an alarming rate, none quick enough to track her movements until a resounding smack echoed across the station.

Shock evident on the man's face, the sheer force of the blow was enough to make him lose his footing. He felt nothing but the total agony ripple through his cheek as a blaring red hand print carved itself into his skin, a few choice curses slipping from his mouth on impact.

Their eyes connected for the first time that night, and Lucy, although shivering with adrenaline, could barely contain herself, "don't you dare play games with me!" Her hand throbbed from the clout she'd dealt him, but refused to show any signs of weakness in his presence. He'd caused too much suffering to be allowed to toy around with them so casually. "You have no idea of the hurt you've caused me and my family."

The others stood confounded, not expecting Lucy, out of all of them, to have acted so impulsively. The fire mage, suddenly noticing Haru was no longer with her, whipped his head back to where she'd been standing, only to find him cradled into Gray's shirtless body and breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he'd been too busy dreaming to wake from all of the commotion.

"Fuck me! That's one hell of a slap you've got on you!" The man lamented, moving his jaw about to make sure it hadn't dislocated, "and I thought he was strong…" gesturing to the dragon slayer behind her.

"Lucy is, by far, the most powerful celestial mage in all of Ishgar. You'd be wise to remember that." Erza, although surprised by the blonde's actions, fully commended her bravery.

"Well? Start talking, or I won't hesitate to do worse next time." Seething, the stellar mage had to try and compose herself.

Grumbling inwardly, he finally let go of his throbbing cheek, head drooping forward as doleful sigh escaped his lips, "it's ironic, really, that I should be stood here in front of you all after everything that's happened between us…after everything I've done."

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked, trying to piece it all together.

"I'm sure you're aware of the magazine's that follow all of the top guild's throughout Fiore. Fairy Tail features quite regularly, in fact."

"Tch… sure we do, the bunch of liars!" Unimpressed by the mere mention of them, Natsu made no attempt at hiding his destain, "they're the one's that always lie and say we destroy everything!"

"We? You mean, you. And they're not wrong, idiot! You're always the one causing chaos!" Gray huffed, like he had no part to play in it.

"Enough! Now is not the time!" Erza was quick to diffuse the riled up pair before any brawl broke out (again), and turned back to the man in question, "what does that have to do with you, though? Elaborate."

"A lot, actually. Fairy Tail has quite the fan base…you two in particular, in light of recent events," he said, glancing between the dragon slayer and the blonde. "Let's just say, I quickly became a target of those wishing to seek revenge for the child I'd so badly wronged. The adopted child of Fairy Tails Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Hearfilia."

"You mean it's been… but that's not possible, we never told anyone about Haru. How could they—"

"It matters not," his eyes bore deeply and sorrowfully into large brown ones that seemed to shine so brightly, even if they were a little shaken. "The story is out and spreading like a wildfire. I've been brandished a monster, scars and all. It's something I'll have to live with, not that I see much point in it any more."

"So, you're just gonna give up and let them do this to you!?" Natsu could feel his anger rising once again, he couldn't believe his ears. This guy was seriously just going to accept that?

Shocked and confused, he simply stared, brows knitted in the middle as if the dragon slayer were speaking a foreign tongue.

"Look, I don't give a crap what you do, but your not allowed to stand there moping like some ass, acting like your doing us a favour." Pointing his finger at the man, the fire mage refused to let it go.

Not knowing what to say, the guy's eyes darted from one mage to the next, all of them seeming to be in similar agreement, yet he could make no sense of it. "But I-I'm..."

"You're what? Righting your wrongs; accepting fate; or some shit like that?" So that's why he'd asked to meet them? It was always the same old thing Natsu had heard a million times before, and so had the rest of the team for that matter. "As far as I'm concerned, you did your time."

Snapping his head to attention, the guy was stunned; they were just going to let him off like that? To be free of the burdens he carried? Of the sins he'd committed? Who were these people? This didn't sound like the chaotic Team Natsu they'd portrayed in those magazine articles he'd read. "You've surprised me… I'd have thought you two above everyone would see me in such a way."

"We've all seen monsters; fought them even; defeated most. For the longest time, I wanted to believe you were one, too. It made your motives easier to understand, that you were just a bad person, and should be regarded as such." Breathing slowly and steadily, Lucy realised this was the closure she'd sought after all this time. "Labelling you, however, never took away from what you'd done. It was never as simple as that."

"Then, what? What am I? Please, just tell me!"

"You were desperate… and in grief, wanting so badly to hold on to any slither of normality, you couldn't stop your life from falling apart. You were alone," her voice stayed quiet as she felt the dragon slayer come up from behind.

His presence warmed the air around them, a lopsided smile adorning his face as he spoke, "it doesn't always have to be that way, though. Maybe one day, you'll find happiness again, just like Haru did."

Unable to hold back any longer, teardrops filled the man's eyes as he gazed over the small family, his gaze drawn to the baby resting so contently in his father's arms. It frightened him to think how he'd once resented him so coldly, and sharply inhaled at the sight of him stirring in his sleep. His face looked peaceful and ever so delicate, the curly black locks and milky white skin a harsh reminder of what he'd lost; the very image of his dear late wife.

"If things had gone differently, this could've been me."

"It still could be. Only you are in charge of that," Lucy said, her voice now calm and controlled, finally at peace.

"And something must've changed your mind. Whatever it was, I'd say live for that reason," Erza said, her and Gray coming to stand with the others.

Rubbing his eyes with his sleeve, he nodded, and reached into his trouser pocket, "actually, there was one thing." Pulling the object out, he glanced at it and smiled, his mind filling with distant but fond memories, "this was returned to me after reconstruction started on my old village. I was going to keep it, but figured he should have it instead."

"A necklace?" Lucy wondered, taking the object into her hands.

"Of sorts. It's meant to bring protection and good will," he explained. "My wife; Haru's birth mother; she had a protection spell cast on it, believing it would help bring him safely into the world... I imagine that's what saved him in the end, keeping him from burning in that fire."

"Huh… So that's how it happened," Natsu shrugged, not giving it any further thought, "what do you want us to do with it?"

"It's a keepsake, a reminder of where he came from… As someone who failed him so terribly, I understand if you decline, but it's more for her sake, not mine." His voice became desperate almost, like he couldn't quite stress enough how important it was. "Unlike me, she was never selfish or cruel, her heart was big and so full of love. A baby of her own was all she'd ever wanted, and she loved him more than anything else." The collected tears began to stream down his face, a pained expression as those dreaded memories flooded back to him. "All I ask is that he carries just a small piece of her with him, to keep her alive in his heart."

Lucy could hear her own heart thump loudly in her ears, the sting of tears beginning to water, as she, too, glanced between the necklace and the baby. Natsu, though struggling himself to hold it together, could clearly see how important this was, clutching at his own keepsake that took pride of place around his neck.

"Of course, we understand," Lucy murmured, her heart aching for a man so broken, and for a family that was never meant to be. "Thank you."

"No... thank you...for everything. Haru couldn't have found a better family to be a part of, and for that, I will always be grateful," the man said, his eyes firmly fixed on the infant, his thoughts never clearer than in that moment. "Just promise me one thing," his chest tightened; his breathing shaky, "promise me, that when the time comes you'll tell him about her and what she did to protect him. Tell him that he did come from a place of love and happiness, and that she wanted him more than anything else in the world." He paused for a moment, a genuine heartbroken smile spreading his lips, "no matter where life takes him, she'll always be there, because she always has been."

Tears began to fall thick and fast down the young mother's face, her eyes were red with grief and her heart bled as though it'd been sliced right open. Never had she felt such heartbreak, and yet, the air seemed so tranquil, like a leaded weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Unable to find the right words to say, Lucy nodded, Natsu following, and watched as the man took one last look at the boy still snoring away, oblivious to the world around him, "I hope that one day you'll find it within your heart to forgive me, but for now, it seems this is good bye, Haru. Until our paths meet again." Bidding his farewell, he turned to walk away, silhouette slowly fading as he murmured his final parting words to the wind, "have a good life…son."

It'd been faint, not meant for human ears, but Natsu had caught it, every single word, and it made him smile, a genuine, happy smile, releasing the tension that'd been building within his body. A calmness flooded his system, the faint, soft breaths of the baby in his arms seeped into his ears, along with the gentle thrumming of his heart against his chest.

It took a few moments before Lucy finally let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding, her hand coming up to rest on her bump, before slowly exhaling, "it's over."

Hearing a chuckle erupt from her husbands chest, she glanced up, unable to stop her cheeks from mirroring his, "told ya nothing was gonna happen."

"I'm glad. Everything is finally as it should be."

"I dunno, still think he coulda done with a fist full of fire…"

"Natsu!"

"What? I ain't lyin'!"

"Honestly, you were just as choked up as I was."

"And you say you're not the idiot that blows stuff up?" Gray rolled his eyes, hip cocked to the side with his hand resting on top.

"Hey! No one asked for your opinion, Frosty!"

"I think we should all be proud of Natsu's level of decorum, I can't imagine it was easy. Lucy, however..." Erza's voice rang through her ears, dread filling her as all three of her teammates glanced in her direction.

"Me? But I didn't do—!" Suddenly moving on its own, the blonde's body was pulled into cold, hard metal, red hair tickling her face, "E-Erza?!"

"I think you handled that splendidly, Lucy," she said, holding the poor girl in a tight hug—a little too tight perhaps. "Although, as your loyal friend and teammate, I must advice against such physicality in the future. It isn't good for the baby, and their safety is your top priority."

"Yeah, you kinda had me worried back there. I thought the baby was just gonna pop right out, you moved so fast." Gray said, relieved.

Chuckling, Lucy wiped a stray tear from her eye, "thanks, guys."

"I honestly thought you were gonna pound him into the ground, Luce. I've never seen you look that angry before," Natsu drooled, having always had a bit of a kink for Lucy being a total badass. "Have you been holding out on me this entire time!?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Natsu, it was the adrenaline, nothing more."

"Seriously, man, do you ever think before you speak?"

"Well, duh! How else would I be able to make words?" The slayer rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disappointment.

Dead panning, the ice mage glared at his rival, feeling the annoyance from before dwelling in the pit of his stomach, "goddammit! Why're you such an idiot!?"

"What did you say!?"

Here we go again...again...

The girls stood there gawping and for once, neither moved to intervene, in favour of watching the moronic pair throw insults at each other whilst making every effort not to wake the sleeping baby.

"Do you think they'll ever grow up?" Lucy asked, tilting her head in consideration.

"It's unlikely. After all these years, I believe it's now just second nature for them." Erza said, deliberating her next course of action—To stop them; or not to stop them? "I suppose I better put an end to this before it gets out of hand."

Then it was just Lucy, watching the idiotic duo beg for mercy as their sister figure, sword in hand, made her way over to them. Maybe sending her wasn't the best idea? Although Haru had yet to wake, the mother still didn't want to risk it.

Taking one step forward, her body seemed to seize up on its own, eyes drawn to the strange warm sensation trickling down her leg. "What in the-" she gasped, the wet patch on her skirt, although small, was clearly visible.

Had she actually just wet herself? No, surely not.

And then it swept over her, like a fire setting her ablaze from the inside, and damn did it hurt! A strangled groan escaped her lips as she tried to call out to someone, anyone to come and help. With sweat beading on her forehead, she felt dizzy, the shock and intensity quickly spreading across her body, enough for her legs to turn to jelly.

She reached out blindly, to grab hold of anything strong enough to steady her until the pain passed, clutching hold of it until her hands hurt as she tried to calm her sporadic breathing. Could it be? Was this really going to happen now?

"N-Natsu..."

That familiar warmth came over her in an instant, the smoky scent filling her nostrils and lulling her into a sense of calm. He was there, holding her to him, she was safe.

"I'm here, Luce. I've got you."


Hi! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

I really wanted to get some closure on Haru's birth parents, especially as the mother isn't mentioned very much throughout. I also wanted closure for Natsu and Lucy, and little Haru, too, so that they can move on and be happy.

On another note, as much as I'd love to continue this story forever, it does have to come to an end eventually. I have two more definite chapters lined up, and then we'll go from there. I was also reading through the earlier chapters from like 2 years ago and god, do they need updating. I feel like my writing has progressed since then and would like this entire story to be the best that I can make it. But that's something for future me to worry about.

Have a wonderful day!