Parenthood:
A nervous energy emitted throughout the entire guild hall. Evergreen was pacing back and forth across the floor, though she was not nervous for the same reason everyone else was...exactly. Oh, it still involved babies, but not the baby everyone else was focused on. Of course the day she found out she was pregnant Juvia would go into labor! As she paced back and forth she would occasionally make her way to the top of the hall, catching echoes of Juvia's screams. She winced and shuddered as she raced back towards the mess hall.
She was not ready to be a mother! She never even wanted children! Ever! Well...that wasn't entirely true. She'd entertained the idea a few times ever since she and Elfman got together, but always decided firmly against it. No way was she going to ruin her body and uproot her entire life for a little, ungrateful brat!
So imagine her horror when the test this morning came back positive…
Now what was she going to do? She knew nothing about children! Nothing about motherhood! Nothing! Zilch! Nada! What was she going to do? What was she going to do? Wha-
"Here you go, my little warrior."
Evergreen turned to find several of the parents in the guilds seated at a table. Erza was scooping a small spoonful of the bowl of peas that she had ordered as a side for her steak dish onto the tray of Roman's highchair. He smiled and babbled as he picked one up with clumsy fingers and placed it into his mouth, smacking and chewing it with the few teeth he had. Seated next to Erza were Lucy and Natsu, Nashi and Storm seated in between them. Storm looked confused and worried, probably wondering where his parents were. Seated across from them with the was an exasperate Levy who was trying desperately to convince Persephone to at least try a pea, as she too had chosen peas as a side for her meal. The little girl kept grunting and turning her head away, though. Levy was so focused on Persephone, she didn't notice Koree reaching over her highchair towards the bowl of peas. She grabbed it and tried to bring it to her tray, but accidently dumped the whole bowl onto herself, the table, and the ground.
"Oh, no, Koree," Levy groaned as the little girl began crying. Persephone just stared at her sister with a smile, as if to say "thanks for getting rid of that yucky stuff, sissy." Koree, however, was not comforted by her sister's enthusiasm and kept crying.
"Aw," Natsu said as he stood up and walked to the crying one-year-old. "Did you have a spill.
Koree just cried all the louder as he began lifting her out of the chair. "I'll clean her up for you, Levy."
"Thank you," Levy sighed as she bent down and began picking up the peas.
"Oh, dear," Mirajane, who was passing by with several trays in her hands, and Cato strapped to her back, sympathized with Levy. "Give me one second."
Mirajane set the trays down. On them were two small plates of chicken nuggets that she placed in front of Storm and Nashi, a hamburger plate she left at Natsu's seat, and a gigantic salad with all kinds of toppings that she placed in front of Lucy. As Lucy supervised the two toddler eating Mirajane bent down and helped Levy pick up the peas.
"You doing alright, Levy?" Mirajane asked.
"Yeah, just tired," Levy nodded. "Ready for Gajeel to get home. I swear this job is taking forever."
Evergreen sighed at the sight. Was this to be her future? To pick peas off the floor? She turned and looked at the two toddlers seated next to Lucy. Nashi's face was already covered in ketchup. Storm, however, was staring hard at his plate, a deep frown on his face.
"Storm, are you not hungry?" Lucy asked.
"Aunt Lucy?" Storm looked up at her. "Where Mommy and Daddy?"
The little boy was worried about his parents? Aw, that was kind of sweet. Evergreen felt herself smiling as Natsu returned with a freshly cleaned Koree.
"Thank you," Levy said again as she stood and took her daughter into her arms.
"I zorry, Ma-ma," Koree whimpered.
"It's okay," Levy sighed as she hugged her and kissed her cheek. "You give Mama a kiss back?" she pointed to her own cheek and Koree placed a very sloppy and wet kiss to it.
"Aw, thank you," Levy said as she gave her another hug and set her back in her high chair.
Well, that was rather sweet as well. Evergreen thought as she began making her way to the table.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked.
"Nah, go ahead," Natsu said as he gestured to a seat.
Evergreen sat down and began fidgeting nervously. "So...um...how are you all today?"
"Fine…" Lucy arched an eyebrow, obviously picking up on the fact that something was wrong.
"We're all very excited to meet the newest little one," Erza said as she leaned her chin on her hand. "I just hope Jellal makes it in time. I sent him a message an hour ago. I just hope he'd hurry up."
"Wish granted!" Jellal appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around her neck.
"Ah!" she jumped in surprise as she turned towards him. "Well, it appears so," she chuckled as he leaned down and kissed her.
"Da-da!" Roman smiled as he reached out with pea covered hands towards his father.
"Ah, there's my boy!" Jellal smiled as he picked his son up out of the high chair and swung him through the air, causing the little boy to squeal and giggle. Despite herself, Evergreen smiled as she thought of Elfman playing with a tiny child of their own.
"So...how are you?" Lucy asked, eyebrow still arched.
"Oh, um, I'm fine," Evergreen answered. Mirajane brought Evergreen her usual cocktail. She, out of habit, began bringing it to her lips, but stopped herself right before she took a sip. No! I can't do that, I'm pregnant! She set the glass down, trying to make it look as if nothing was wrong as she cleared her voice.
"Well-ahem-you've all been pretty busy. You know, being parents and all. So, how's that been."
"Wonderful!" Erza sighed as Jellal sat next to her, Roman in his lap. She reached into the bag under her feet and pulled out a rattle, waving it in front of Roman's face. "Every minute with our little angel has been like a dream."
Roman laughed, clapped his hands, and then reached for the rattle. Erza set it in his hands and he began shaking it.
"'Angel' is right, for sure," Lucy murmured, a playful smile on her face. "I still don't see how it's possible for a one-year-old to be so well-behaved."
Erza shrugged. "We're just blessed, I suppose."
"Aren't we all?" Mirajane said as she finally took a moment to set down, untying the scarf that held Cato against her back, guiding him to her lap. "I think I can speak for all of us when I say that our children have given new purpose to our lives."
"Mama, Mama, Mama!" came Farrah's excited voice, as if to prove her mother's point. Mirajane turned, a smile on her face as the little girl raced up to her, Laxus following along behind her.
"What is it, honey?" Mirajane asked.
"Look what I learned today!"
"Wait, wait, wait," Laxus raced ahead and began guiding Farrah away from the table. "Make sure you've got enough room, squirt."
Laxus waved for a few bystanders to step aside. Once a small clearing in the crowd had been made around Farrah, he turned back to her and ruffled her hair. "Alright, let 'er rip, kiddo."
Farrah squared her shoulders and bent her knees. "Lightning Dragon Roar!" she shouted as she brought both hands to her mouth. A tiny burst of lightning burst out in front of her.
"Oh, good job!" Mirajane cheered as she clapped her hands.
Cato, still seated in his mother's lap, also clapped. "Fawwah make a zap!"
"Did you see me?" Farrah asked as she skipped back to the table. "Did you all see me?"
"Alright, you've got your roar!" Natsu cheered. "Up top!" he held up with hand for Farrah to hi-five.
"Uncle Natsu, can I see your roar?"
"Sure!"
"Um, maybe not inside a very crowded guild hall with a lot of flammable objects lying around," Lucy narrowed her eyes at her husband, who smiled sheepishly.
"Erm...but later, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded as she ran back towards Laxus.
"Papa, was that a good one?"
"Of course it was, squirt," he answered scooping her up into his arms. "You'll be blowing whole towns away before you know it!"
Evergreen smiled at them. It would be nice to have a little child to teach her fairy magic to. She turned and grinned evilly at Erza. Hm...maybe a baby girl? Erza might still be Titania, Queen of the Fairies, but did she have a Fairy Princess to take the title up after her?
"So, how have you been, Evergreen?" Lucy asked as she began wrestling Nashi into her lap so she could clean her face off.
Evergreen startled back to reality. "Oh, well, you know, the usual," she shrugged nonchalantly, reaching for her cocktail, before remembering she couldn't drink it, so she instead began stirring it with the straw.
"But enough about me, how about you?" she gestured to Lucy. "I didn't hear how you've been handling parenthood. Or you Levy."
Lucy glanced down at the untouched cocktail, arching an eyebrow is suspicion.
Uh-oh, she's onto me! Evergreen thought, hoping her face didn't betray her worry.
Lucy smiled knowingly at Evergreen as she began undoing the crumpled and messy pigtail at the top of Nashi head so she could redo it.
"Oh, fine," she answered as Nashi began squirming. "Been getting harder and harder to keep Nashi out of trouble, though. She's getting more curious and energetic by the day."
"Ah, she's just adventurous, is all," Natsu said as he bent down to Nashi's level and poked her in the belly. "Aren't ya, Firecracker?"
Nashi giggled as she recoiled from her father's tickling fingers.
"She certainly keeps things interesting," Lucy nodded as she somehow managed to tie up Nashi's hair with all her squirming, planting a kiss on her cheek once she was finished. "But that's how we like it."
Storm was still staring at his plate, a worried scowl still carved into his face.
"Better eat your food, kiddo," Natsu said, pointing to the untouched chicken nuggets.
Storm shook his head.
"You don't eat 'em I will," Natsu threatened. Storm finally smiled, crinkling his nose as he looked up.
"No you won't!" he said.
"Ah!" Natsu said, leaning down, acting like he was going to take a bite out of the plate. Storm squealed, grabbed a nugget, and stuffed it in his face.
"Aw, man, you got it first!" Natsu fake whined, making Storm giggled.
Evergreen smiled at the sight before turning to an exhausted looking Levy. Her worries began to come back. This is what she was afraid of. Black circles under the eyes, hair and clothing that looked suspiciously similar to what she had on the day before.
"And you, Levy?"
"Oh, well," Levy sighed. "Considering that I'm doing it solo this week, I'm pooped!"
"You look it," Erza commented, brow furrowing in concern.
"I'm sure I do," Levy grumbled.
Erza turned to Jellal, who nodded, and then looked back to Levy. "Neither Jellal nor I have a job for the next few days if you need us to watch the girls for a little while so you can take a break."
"I would love you forever and until the end of time if you would do that, please!" Levy begged.
Erza chuckled. "Our pleasure."
"That bad, huh?" Evergreen asked, trying her best to mask any worry in her voice.
"Oh, we all get overwhelmed from time to time," Lucy said. "Except for Erza."
"Is that jealousy I detect, Dragneel?" Erza scowled. Anyone else may have cowered in fear at the glare, but Lucy had known Erza long enough to know she was kidding.
"Maybe a pinch, Fernandez," she playfully glared back before turning back to Evergreen. "But that's one of the perks of being in a guild. We've all taken turns keeping an eye on each other's kids so the parents can take a quick break."
"I see," Evergreen smiled. Babysitters. Breaks. She'd never thought of that. As many scrapes as she'd gotten the Thunder Legion out of Freed, Laxus, and Bickslow owed her!
"Yeah, getting tired and overwhelmed is just a part of parenthood," Mirajane said as she let Cato down to race over to where Nashi and Storm were seated between Natsu and Lucy. Storm had just finished eating his nuggets, and was getting his face cleaned off by Lucy. Nashi, however, was ready and excited to play.
"The best things in life come with challenges though," Mirajane continued. "And I can honestly say that parenthood has been the best and most rewarding adventure I've ever embarked on."
"I think we can all agree there," Natsu smiled just as Nashi raced up to him.
"Daddy!"
"'S'up, sweetie?"
"Me, S'orm, Cado are knights. So youse gotta be a monsta we fight!"
"That so?" Natsu asked, a playful gleam in his eyes before he let out a roar and began chasing the squealing toddlers around the hall.
"Don't worry, I'll save you!" Farrah shouted as she chased after them. She climbed on top of a table and dove onto Natsu's back. He toppled over, and the three toddlers raced to him, tackling him as best as three two year olds could.
"Oh, no! They got me! Monster down! Monster down!" he shouted.
The entire table of parents laughed, including Evergreen. Maybe this whole parenthood things wasn't going to be so bad afterall…
Silence fell over the guild hall, except for the four actual children and the one big kids still rolling around in the floor. Natsu actually caught on for once, though, and shushed the children to be quiet. They all turned to see Porlyusica whispering to Makarov, who had raced to meet her at the front of the hall. He smiled and nodded, bidding the old healer farewell as he turned to the guild.
"A new member has been born to our family today, my children. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to our newest little one, Bianca Ur Fullbuster!"
Cheers erupted throughout the hall.
"Hear that, Storm," Natsu said as he ruffled the boy's hair. "You got a little sister!"
"I do?" Storm asked, confused, but smiling.
"Sure do! Wanna go meet her?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, so let's go!" Natsu scooped the boy up into his arms. Lucy stood and walked after them, scooping Nashi up into her arms as she went along. Erza and Jellal, with Roman in their arms also followed.
Farrah and Cato began going after them, but Mirajane called them back.
"No, no, not yet. We'll get to see the baby in a minute." She knew that Gray and Juvia wanted their teammates to be the first to see their new daughter. Somewhere along the way the group picked up Wendy, who had been sitting (and cuddling) with Romeo (much to Carla's disapproval...until Romeo mentioned catching her and Happy in a cupboard one time, which shut her up).
Natsu knocked lightly on the door and poked his head in. "Announcing brand new big brother's big entrance…" he said as he pushed the door the rest of the way open and lead the group in.
Gray and Juvia were seated on the bed, a tiny white bundle in Juvia's arms.
"Hey, buddy! C'mere!" Gray said as he held his arms out for Storm. Natsu passed Gray his son, who set the boy in his lap. Storm leaned over to look at the tiny bundle in Juvia's arms.
"Who 'dat?" he asked.
"This is your little sister, darling," Juvia answered.
"It is!" Storm exclaimed.
"Uh-huh. That's Bianca," Gray said.
"Bi-aka?" Storm asked.
Both parents chuckled.
"Close enough," Gray ruffled Storm's hair.
"She tiny!" Storm said, pointing at Bianca.
"Oh, all babies are small at first, darling," Juvia said. "You used to be this small when you were first born."
"I was?" Storm's eyes widened.
"You were actually smaller than Bianca when you were first born," Gray grinned.
"I was?"
"Sure were."
Storm just stared at his parents, his new sister, and back again as if his whole world had been rocked to the core. Everyone giggled at the sight.
"Baby?" Nashi asked, pointing to the newborn child.
"Yup, that's a baby," Lucy said as she drew closer so she and Nashi could see. "Can you see the baby?"
"Uh-huh!" Nashi nodded with a smile.
Lucy also smiled. "She's beautiful, guys."
"We know," Gray replied with a proud smile.
"Looks kinda like Gray," Natsu said, before muttering "Poor kid," under his breath.
"What's that supposed to mean, flame brain?" Gray asked.
"Not now," Erza snapped before drawing closer to see. "She is beautiful. You must be very proud."
"We are," Juvia beamed as she traced Bianca's face with her finger before planting a kiss onto her cheek. "Storm, do you want to hold your sister?"
"I can?" Storm asked.
"Sure, c'mere," Gray set his son back into his lap, positioning the boy's arms to hold his sister. Storm stared wide-eyed at the baby, then began giggling and smiling as she squirmed, opened her eyes, and looked at him. She really did favor her father. She had black hair and dark blue eyes. There were hints of Juvia there too, though, such as the wide-eyed, curious, slightly confused expression she was currently wearing.
Everyone was so busy greeting the newborn babe into the world, they didn't notice Evergreen eavesdropping, a smile on her face and a hand on her stomach.
"Almost makes you wanna have one of your own, huh?"
She jumped as Elfman's voice came from behind her. He set a hand on her shoulder and she took a big gulp.
"Yeah...about that…"
No one knew for certain why Elfman ran out of the Guild Hall with Evergreen thrown over his shoulder. A goofy grin on his face as he covered his eyes with a hand, insisting that: "Men don't cry!" (Though no one asked him why he was crying.)
No one knew for sure, but Lucy had a fairly good idea what it was.