So, remember way back like four chapters of Scars ago when I said I'd done some one-shots to try and get through the block? Yeah, this is one of them. It follows on from Night Rain, set probably a good five or so years later. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little piece of fluff!

Levy was tired. The kind of exhausted that made you dizzy, made your legs feel like they were weighed down by lead, made you cold even though the last rays of the evening sun were warm on your face. Sighing heavily, she couldn't help but smile as the little cottage came into view, the slightly wonky fence and blooming garden were all part of home and the sight had her walking just a little faster, suddenly anxious to be inside the warm little house with her family.
Quietly, she latched the gate behind her and tip toed on the pavers to the front door where she paused, hand resting against the smooth wood as she listened to the sounds floating from within the kitchen just beyond the entrance. She did it every time she came home, the moment of peace before she turned the handle and the occupants of the house swarmed her, and Levy loved these last moments of solitude basking in the love she could hear, and practically feel radiating, from beyond the door.
There was bustling in the kitchen, she could hear the banging of a spoon against a pot which meant someone was cooking. The quiet giggling of children who were quite possibly getting into mischief, and the quiet gravelly singing of the man she loved.
Steeling herself for the hugs she was about to get attacked with, Levy turned the handle and swung open the door, the warm air from inside the cottage bringing colour to her cheeks. The soft click of the lock sliding into place as she shut the door was enough to grab everyone's attention and almost instantly Levy found herself with arms full of more children than she could carry.

"Mama! Mama home!" Came the chorus from a pair of blue haired toddlers, their chubby arms wrapped firmly around her neck and squeezing with all their might, which wouldn't be a problem with any standard child, but of course Levy and Gajeel were raising an entire brood of baby dragon slayers, so their hugs were bizarrely forceful for children of their size.
"Mama! I missed you! Daddy doesn't read the good stories like you do." The tiny girl clinging to her knees was staring up at her with a pout so like her fathers, Levy couldn't help but smile.
"I missed you too, my babies! Yajeh, Shutora, please stop squeezing so hard. Ami, we can read any story you like tonight, alright?" She smiled warmly, the love she could feel radiating from these small humans warmed her very soul, and the way her husband was looking at her had her blushing in a completely different way.
"Oi, quit stranglin' yer mama, pair o' trouble makers" Gajeel scoffed, swooping in to peel the twins off her and steal a short kiss all in one easy movement. "Glad yer home, Levs. Go drop yer bags. Amaya, ya wanna help yer mama put her things away?"
"Can I find the presents in your pack Mama?" The little raven haired girl asked, crimson eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I don't know, Ami, can you?" She teased, laughing as she let her daughter pull her down the hall, lined with pictures of their wedding and their babies, and into her and Gajeel's room to start unpacking.

With her bags empty, travelling clothes in the hamper and replaced with soft yoga pants and a stretched neck tee, and Amaya's arms full of little gifts, Levy ushered the little girl out of the room and down the hall, laughing as she practically bounced into the kitchen to take her seat at the dining table, packages spilling onto the table top.
"Mama, Uncle Lily went to see his friends, can I open his present?"
"No, Ami, yer can't open yer Uncle's gift." Gajeel ruffled her already unruly hair, "Lil's gonna be back tomorrow. Be good, or I'll make yer wait 'til then ta open whatever yer Ma brought home." He chuckled at her pout, so like his own, kissing the top of her head affectionately. "Sides, baby dragon, 'salmost dinner time".
That brought cheers from all three siblings, as Levy set the twins into their chairs, and helped their eldest set the table.
"Who's been gnawing on the cutlery again?" She exclaimed, seeing the baby sized teeth marks in the silverware and turned to face the twins, Yajeh having the good sense to look sheepish under his mothers stern gaze.
"Sorry, Mama"
"It's alright, Yajeh. Just remember next time that forks are for eating with, not for eating. You can just ask one of us if you need a snack baby."
"Yes, Mama. I still sorry".
Levy just smiled at her little boy, already a sensitive soul much like herself, whereas his sister's had inherited their fathers more brusque nature. Bending, she kissed his head and cupped his cheek, so his crimson eyes met her honeyed ones. "It's okay baby, I'm not mad. I love you very much, and I will always love you. Alright?" She waited for his nod before kissing his forehead again and smiling, moving to stand behind her husband and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Git yer hands off me, woman. Can't ya see I'm busy?" Gajeel teased good naturedly, swatting her hands away when they strayed downwards over his hips. "Later, Shrimp. Pretty sure ya don' want tha kids ta see me bend ya over righ' here" he whispered.
Levy laughed at his empty threat, moving to sit at the table regardless, content to watch her children tear into the little gifts she always brought home when she had to travel for jobs, smiling at the sound of giggling and Gajeel's soft humming as he cooked.

Softly closing the door behind her, Levy smiled at the sounds coming from the next room. She loved their routine on nights they were all home, loved that it meant each of their children got one-on-one time with each of them. She'd just finished putting the twins to bed, following the bath that Gajeel managed to splash all over the bathroom every single time while her and Amaya read as many stories as they could squeeze in, and followed the sound of her ears to Amaya's room, finding their little girl nearly asleep in her fathers scarred arms as he swayed and rocked her in time to his soft singing, so she leant on the doorframe to watch, a soft smile on her face

Don't know how I lived without you,
'Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

"Sweet dreams, my baby dragon." Gajeel kissed her forehead tenderly, pulling the covers up around the sleeping girl before turning and cocking his head at the expression on his wife's face. Of course he'd known she was there, enhanced senses meant he rarely missed anything and Levy had long since given up trying to sneak up on him, knowing that she was never going to manage it. "What ya lookin' at, Levs?"
"Just you" she whispered back, snaking her arm around his middle to walk side by side down the hallway, tucked under his arm. "You're a wonderful father, you know? I love watching you with our babies."
"Hardly babies anymore, Shrimp. Ami's gonna start school soon, feels like just yest'day she was born in tha' bathroom right there"
"You asked me to marry you in that bed. We conceived the twins in front of that fireplace. And I fall in love with you all over again every second I watch you with our hatchlings, or see you with any of our friends children." Levy stopped, turning into his chest and sighing happily when she felt strong arms encircle her.
"I fall in love with ya e'ry time I lay eyes on ya, Levs. If I knew a bunch o' babies was all it took, I'd jus' keep ya pregnant all tha time." Gajeel joked, breathed laugh blowing through her hair.
"I'm glad you feel like that, Gajeel. Because as much as I love our little house and all the memories we've made here, we're going to need more room in a few months time."
Gajeel pulled back to look at her, hands resting on her shoulders. "Levs, are ya tellin' me wha' I think yer sayin'? We really gon' add another one to the brood?" At her smile and nod, Gajeel let the grin break across his face, swinging his wife up into his arms and kissing her until they forgot how to breathe.
"Are you happy, Gaj? I know we haven't really spoken about it, the twins were a handful after all, and I really didn't plan for this to happen..." Levy started to ramble, until she was shushed with a rough finger against her lips.
"Shrimp, yer ramblin'. O' course I'm happy. How could I be anythin' other than happy? Yer pregnant wit' another one o' my hellspawn. I ain't ever loved ya more than I do right now Levy".
"I love you too, my silly dragon. Can you hear it yet?" It was one of Levy's favourite things about pregnancy, the moment Gajeel could first hear their babies heartbeat and his face would just light up with unbridled joy. She found herself internally crossing her fingers as he sank to his knees in front of her, gently lifting the hem of her shirt and pressing his ear against the skin just above the scar she would always carry from the twins birth.
"Right here" he whispered, pressing a kiss to her belly, which was rounder than he'd noticed before, just below and to the right of her navel. "How far along are ya, Lev's?"
"I actually don't know. I only realised two days ago, but nothing's been regular since the twins were born. Why?"
"Hmmm... Le's jus' go see the doc tomorrow, alright?"
"You know you can just call her Wendy, right? She's practically family. Hang on, you knew before I did with the twins. How'd you miss this one?"
"Dunno. Ya don' even smell tha' different. Just like ya always do, only more irresistible. Fuck, Lev's, le's go ta bed. No wonder I can't keep my hands off ya lately"
"Silly Gajeel, you can't keep your hands to yourself at the best of times. Take me to bed, my dragon. It's been too long."

So, there is possibly more of this floating around in my brain, if anyone's keen for a continuation? I guess, let me know? And stay safe everyone xxx