Momshamed:

Farrah Lee-Dreyar: 9

Nashi Dragneel: 6

Storm Fullbuster: 6

Cato Dreyar: 6

Roman Fernandez: 5

Persephone and Koree Redfox: 5

Bianca Fullbuster: 4

Lorelle Strauss: 3

Eva, Minette, and Von Fernandez: 2

Layla Dragneel: 2

Igneel Dragneel: 1

Meeko Fullbuster: 1

AN: I'm pretty sure exceeds age faster than humans, which is why the kittens are able to use full sentences now while Igneel and Meeko can only babble still.

"What's going on?" Persephone asked as she sat at her usual table with her friends. "Everyone's being louder than normal. It's hurting my ears."

"I dunno for sure, but I heard Daddy saying something about a test," Nashi answered.

"A test?" Cato squeaked. "But I didn't practice!"

"I don't think it's for us," Roman said. "It's for some of the grown-ups. Storm, got any 2's?"

"Go fish!" Storm shouted, smiling widely, before turning back to his friends. "What test could the grown ups be taking?"

"I dunno," Nashi shrugged.

"Everyone be quiet!" Someone shouted. "The Master's about to make the announcement."

All of the children, as well as the rest of the guild, hushed and turned to the stage at the back of the main room.

"Hi, Papa! Hi, Mama!" Cato smiled and waved.

"Hey, my Daddy's up there too!" Nashi cheered. "Hi, Daddy!"

Natsu, who was standing on stage with all of the other S class wizards, smiled brightly and waved back to his daughter.

"My Daddy's up there too," Storm pointed.

"And my Mommy," Roman said.

"And both of our parents," Koree added.

"Are they taking the test?" Persephone cocked her head to one side as Laxus opened his mouth to speak.

"Well, guys, it's that time again!" he announced. "The S Class trials are starting next week!"

Everyone cheered, raising glasses, fists, someone threw one of the exceed kittens.

"No, not me! Ro-Ro, help me!" Maisie screeched as she flew to Roman, clinging to his shirt, whimpering softly.

"Aw, it's okay, Maisie," Roman said, patting her back. Maisie climbed up to his shoulder, snuggling down there to hide.

"Don't hurt my sister, you crazies!" Charlie, who had been sleeping in Storm's lap, darted into the air, off to find whoever had scared Maisie, scattering Storm's cards in the process.

"Aw, man! Charlie!" Storm whined as he scampered to collect the cards. "No peaking, guys!"

The children all covered their eyes as they giggled at Storm's dilemna, but quickly opened them as Laxus continued making his speech.

"I know most of you know how this works, but I'll explain it for the newbies in the room. Towards the end of every year I, as Guild Master, pick out a few exceptional wizards that I think may be ready to join the rank of S Class," he gestured to the line of wizards standing next to me. "As of now Fairy Tail has eight wizards in S Class: Guildarts Klien, Cana Alberona, Erza Scarlet, Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Levy and Gajeel Redfox, and last but not least, Mirajane Dreyar."

Everyone cheered for the row of elite who waved out to them.

"At the most there can be 1 winner of these trials," Laxus continued. "Though normally we don't even have that. We're not guaranteeing that anyone can pass these trials, just to give you an idea how tough these things actually are. So, you ragamuffins think one of you has what it takes to pass this year?"

"YEAH!" everyone shouted.

"Would you like to hear the candidates for this year's S Class Trials?"

"YEAH!"

"That's what I like to hear," Laxus grinned. "This year we've got eight candidates: Azuka Connell-"

Everyone cheered as the young teenage girl gasped with shock.

"I can't believe my own daughter's getting to compete before I do," Alzack lamented.

"Aw, don't worry, honey. I'm sure you'll get your chance," Bisca tried to comfort him.

"-Romeo Conbolt-" Laxus continued.

Wendy squeed as she hugged her husband. "Oh, I'm so proud of you!"

"-Evergreen Strauss-"

"Well, it's about time I got some recognition," Evergreen exclaimed. "And of course, I'll be asking my hubby to hel-"

"-Elfman Strauss-"

"WHAT!?" Evergreen screeched at hearing her husband's name on the list of candidates.

Natsu, from the stage, busted out laughing. "Oh, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" he asked Laxus.

"Maybe," Laxus grinned, before continuing to list off the names. "-Freed Justine-"

"I won't fail this time!" Freed declared.

"-Lisanna Strauss-"

"YEAH!" Bixslow cheered. "That's my honey-boo!"

"Honey-boo!" all of his dolls cheered in unison.

"Oh, stop it, you're making me blush," Lisanna begged.

"-Jet-"

"Aw, man, not me?" Droy lamented before Laxus could even finish reading off Jet's name.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be on the list, there's still one more candidate left," Jet assured him.

"-and last but not least-"

Everyone leaned in, hanging on by a thread to hear the last name to be read.

"-Lucy Dragneel."

"Huh?" Lucy gasped, genuinely surprised. "Me?"

"WOO-HOO!" Natsu cheered, fist pumping from the stage. "Yeah! That's my wife! You go, Lucy!"

Lucy couldn't help but smile and blush at her husband's enthusiasm.

"Congratualtions to all those chosen. You have one week to prepare, but I'd first suggest picking out a partner. You get to take one person with you on the trials. They have to be from Fairy Tail, and they can't already be in S class. Choose wisely, your partner can make or break you. Good luck candidates. You're gonna need it!"

Everyone cheered as Laxus left the stage, heading to the bar where Makarov was seated, smiling in pride at his grandson.

"Nice choices," he smiled as he passed Laxus a mug.

"Thanks, Gramps," Laxus said, taking his seat. "Was not an easy choice, let me tell you."

"Oh, I know," Makarov nodded as he watched "his children" excitedly discussing the recent announcement. "But you picked some mighty fine candidates. Question now is, what are you going to make them do?"

Laxus grinned evilly. "Oh, just a little scavenger hunt."

"Scavenger hunt?" Makarov arched an eyebrow. "Where? What for? And what's going to be getting in their way?"

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise," Laxus said cooly before taking a sip.

"Aw, c'mon!" Makarov whine. "Surely you can make an exception for your dear, old grandfather! And former master of the guild!"

"Nope."

"Aw, c'mon!"

The two Dreyar men kept arguing as the rest of the S Class wizards descended the stairs. Natsu immediately bounded to Lucy, scooping her in his arms and spinning her around.

"I knew you'd get chosen!" he cheered.

"You did?" Lucy asked, genuinely surprised.

"Well, yeah!" he answered, kissing her enthusiastically on the lips. "You're gonna kill it! The rest of the candidates don't have a chance!"

"Well, I don't know if I'd say that," Lucy blushed.

"Congrats on the nom, Lucy," Gray said as he walked up to give his friend a high-five. Juvia already by his side.

"Thanks," she said. "I'm surprised you didn't get picked Juvia."

"Oh, it's fine," Juvia smiled. "I'm sure it's because I haven't been on as many jobs lately because I'm staying home with our little darlings."

"Oh, right," Lucy nodded. Juvia hardly went on any jobs anymore, content to simply be stay-at-home mommy. Lucy rang her hands together. She and Natsu usually took turns. She'd go on a job, then he'd go on one, and so on and so forth. Sometimes they'd have someone else watch the kids for a few days and go on a job together. Point was, a stay-at-home mommy Lucy was not. She bit the inside of her cheek. Had she really been on so many more jobs then Juvia. Was she gone from home that often? Maybe this wasn't a good sign. Still, she was already in the trials and she' couldn't say no. It was an honor to be chosen. Besides, she like the idea of being S class even if it was selfish.

"I...erm...I don't suppose you'd like to be my partner for the trials, would you?" Lucy asked shyly.

"Oh, of course I would!" Juvia smiled, shaking Lucy's hand. "This will be so much fun! We'll show all those others who their dealing with!"

Well, glad motherhood hasn't completely taken the edge out of her, Lucy thought.

"Sorry, Ever," Bixslow's voice came from behind them. Lucy turned to find Bixslow and Evergreen talking, Lisanna slung over Bixslow's shoulder.

"I know we're on the Thunder Legion together, but my Honey-Boo comes first so I'll have to partner up with her."

"'Honey-boo' would appreciate it if you put her down," Lisanna grumbled.

"Put her down," all the dolls floating about said.

"Hmph. Fine! Who wants to team up with you, anyways!"

Lucy couldn't help but chuckled at her slightly, though she did gaze a bit worriedly at Bixslow and Lisanna. They were quite a formative team. Beating them would not be a walk in the park.

"Aw, don't be upset, Dad," Azuka said from the table she sat at with her parents. "You can team up with me if you'd like."

Alzack's eyes brightened. "Really? You're not gonna be embarrassed by your old man tagging along?"

"Of course not!" Azuka smiled.

"Oh, that means Bisca's free!" Evergreen suddenly appeared next to the Connell family. "Bisca, can you team up with me? Please!?"

"Erm…" Bisca raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Go on, Mom, I won't hold it against you," Azuka smiled. "But I ain't gonna take it easy on you just because you're my mom, either!"

"I'd be ashamed if you did," Bisca smiled. "Alright, Evergreen, I'll take you up on your offer."

"Thank you!" Evergreen sighed.

Huh? Would not have put those two together, Lucy thought. This could either go really good or really bad…As for Alzack and Azuka, well good grief, between the two of them nobody will be safe if the trials involve precision. Heck, if they really wanted to they could just hide in the trees and snipe the rest of us out!

"Aw, c'mon, Wendy!" Eflman begged. "We've been on teams before. What's the problem now?"

"The problem is Romeo's in the trials, so I'll be teaming up with him," Wendy explained.

"C'mon! Just because he's your husband, you gotta-"

"Yup," Wendy nodded.

"But-"

"She's already taken, man, back off," Romeo shooed the larger man away and Elfman left in a huff.

Romeo and Wendy? Now there's a team to look out for!

"Hey, Warren, what about you?" Elfman asked, approaching the shorter man.

"Who, me?" Warren asked.

"You haven't been chosen by anyone for the trials, have you?"

"Oh...um...well, no…"

"Great!" Elfman slapped him on the back. "You're my partner now!"

"I...am…?" Warren asked, cringing.

"There are more appropriate ways to ask someone to be your team mate, you imbecile," Freed sighed as he walked over to where Laki was having a drink.

"For example," he gave a slight bow. "Miss Olietta, would you do me the honor of being my partner for the S class trials."

Laki turned, blinked, then shrugged. "Sure, I'll take the honor upon myself.

"Thank you, I greatly appreciate it," Freed turned and glared at Elfman. "See?"

SMACK! Evergreen appeared out of nowhere and punched Freed in the face. "Do not belittle my husband, you pompous freak!"

Elfman and Warren….I'm probably okay there. Lucy thought. Freed and Laki though, they're gonna be tough to beat.

"Well, guess it's me and you pal," Jet said, slapping Droy on the back.

"I'm still bummed I didn't get picked," Droy whined.

Yeah, I'm totally safe with those two, Lucy thought.

"Mommy?" Lucy turned to find Nashi walking towards them, Layla gripping one of her hands, and Igneel gripping the other. "What did you win? Did you take some kind of test?"

"Oh," Lucy bent down to her children's level, holing out one arm when Layla let go of Nashi's hand to toddle to her side. "Well, you see Nashi, Mommy's going to go to try and get into S class."

"What's S class?" Nashi asked.

"It's a certain level you have to be at to qualify for big jobs," Natsu explained. "See, you've got regular wizards, and then you've got S-class. We're the ones who do all the cool jobs that are too dangerous for regualr wizards to go on."

"Cool!" Nashi said, eyes widening. "And Mommy's going to be one?"

"Maybe," Lucy said as Layla began bouncing next to her:

"Up, up, up," she begged. Lucy stood, setting Layla on her hip. "First I've got to pass the trials."

"What are the trials?" Nashi asked.

"They're like a big test to see if you're good enough for S-Class."

"Oh," Nashi nodded. "Can I go on the trials?"

Natsu and Lucy laughed. "Not yet, you're too little," Lucy said, ruffling her daughter's hair. "Maybe when you're older."

"Okay," Nashi sighed. "Daddy, are you going on the trials?"

"I've already been," Natsu said. "I've been S-Class since before you were born, kiddo."

"You have?" Nashi's eyes grew wide. "You must be really strong, Daddy!"

"Sure am," Natsu smiled.

"Can you teach me to be that strong?" Nashi asked hopefully.

"Sure, but it will still take you a while to get strong enough for S-Class," Natsu said, ruffling her head.

"Aw," Nashi pouted.

"Da-da!" Igneel called, grabbing onto his arm. Natsu chuckled, lifted Igneel up and set him on his shoulders. "Now, come on. We gotta get home so you're Mommy can start training."

"Can we train with you?" Nashi asked.

"Not this time," Natsu said. "You're not quite old enough for the type of training I'm talking about."

"Aw," Nashi pouted, crossing her arms. "But I wanna be like you guys."

"You will be, Firecracker," Natsu chuckled, ruffling her hair. "But you're not quite old enough yet."

They walked out of the Guild Hall and began to head home. By now word of the trial candidates had spread through out the town.

"...green Strauss and Lucy Dragneel are on there too," Lucy overheard a group of women sipping gourmet lattes at a cafe saying.

"Hmph!" one of them sniffed. "I never agreed with mothers going off and doing these kinds of things. I mean, can you imagine the impact on the children?"

Impact on children? I'm not taking them with me!

"It must be sad," another one sighed. "To grow up with Mommy constantly gone."

I am not! I spend plenty of time with my children!

"It's not like either of them are poor or single mothers, either," yet another woman said. "They have hardworking husbands to provide for them."

Oh, sure. Shame mom all you want, but no problem if dad wants to go off for a few days!

"It's just selfish is what it is," the first woman said with a nod of her head. "Putting your own interests and desires over your children's well beings!"

I am not! Lucy gritted her teeth as she stormed ahead so she wouldn't have to listen.

"Luce?" Natsu asked, noticing her change in mood. She didn't reply, though.

She was not being selfish! This was just a test, that's all it was. Going off for one week to try and achieve an honor that most couldn't even dream of reaching was not selfish!

...Was it?

After all it was just a week, if that.

Then again, there had been a lot of "just a week" over the past six years. An out of town job here, an undercover mission there. It wasn't like she took job after job after job, though. She made sure to limit it to one long job every two months. That was the system she and Natsu had come up with. She'd take a longer mission one month, he'd take one the next. Sure, they took on shorter, one day jobs here and there as needed, maybe a weekend job when things were tight (or when they just wanted a weekend away, alone, without the kids).

Was she taking too much time away from home? She looked down at Layla sucking her thumb as Lucy carried her on her hip. She was only two. Igneel was only one. They were very young, maybe too young for her to be away so often…

...well, it wasn't like she did that when they were babies! She pretty much just stayed home the whole time she'd been nursing. Even then, though, she'd taken a day job here and there. She and Natsu even took a "weekend job" when Igneel was about six months.

That wasn't them being absentee parents, though! They'd been celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary! And after she'd been on bedrest for an entire pregnancy none-the-less. It was understandable that they'd want to get away for a few days, right?

Right?

Maybe she was being selfish with her time…

Speaking of which, where would they're children be with both her and Natsu away at the trials!?

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"They'll stay at the Guild Hall with a few of the adults like they always do. Not sure why you're so worried," Natsu said as he blocked a punch from Lucy with his palm, using the leverage to throw he to the ground. She quickly flipped back on her feet and took up a protective stance, ducking one of his kicks. He smirked in pride at her as he went for a punch. Her sparring had improved tremendously since she'd first started training with him all those years ago.

"Because I won't be one of those adults this time."

"So?"

"I just want to make sure our children will be taken care of while we're gone," Lucy said as she ducked down to dogde the blow then quickly stood up, knocking the top of her head into Natsu's chin. "Is that so wrong?"

"Ugh," Natsu rubbed his sore chin, barely managing to block Lucy's kick. He twisted his body around, grabbing her shin.

"No, that in itself isn't so bad," he answered as he pulled her off balance. She tumbled onto her back and he sat ontop of her, pinning her hands over her head as he straddled her. "Except I know there's something else going on."

"No there's not," Lucy insisted, bucking her hips and twisting them to knock him off balance. She then rolled so that she was now the one pinning him to the ground.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Natsu said.

"You realize you're in a bad position to be pissing me off, right?" Lucy asked.

"Sure about that?" Natsu asked, drawing his legs up as close as he could with Lucy sitting on top of them. She realized what he was doing too late, as he kicked off, somersaulting back wards, knocking her awkwardly to the ground. She landed on her stomach. He grabbed her wrists, pinning them behind her back with one hand, and using the other to pin her head to the ground.

"Ergh," she grumbled as he let her go, standing up with a proudful smirk. She glowered at him, swinging her body around to kick his legs out from under him. He fell flat on his back, and she srpung, pinning him on his back once again, but making sure to dig her knees into his thighs so he couldn't pull that somersault trick again.

"Hey-" Before he could protest about how she'd cheated, or how he'd already won, she leaned down and kissed him.

"YUCK!" a loud shout came from a window of the house.

Natsu and Lucy both chuckled as they turned to find three pairs of eyes watching them.

"I think we have an audience," Lucy giggled, releasing her grip slightly to look at their children.

An evil smiled spread over Natsu's face as he seized his opportunity to flip her over and pin her to the ground.

"Nats-umph!"

He leaned down and kissed her too, although he was much more passionate and sloppy then Lucy had been, releasing her wrists to run his fingers through her hair, and letting himself lower ontop of her so that their bodies were smashed together.

"EW! GROSS!"

"YUCKY!"

"BLEH!"

The curtains to the livingroom quickly zipped shut as more cries of disgust rang out. Natsu and Lucy both laughed at how appalled their children were at their parents PDA.

"You three realize this is how you got here, right?" Natsu whispered, causing Lucy to gasp and smack him in the chest.

"Don't you think they're a little young for that conversation?"

Natsu chuckled at her, stroking her cheek. "Eh, probably. So, what's bothering you?"

"I told you, nothing," Lucy said. "I just wasn't expecting to be chosen for the trials, that's all.

"Why's that?" Natsu asked, brow furrowed. "Do you not want to be S Class."

"Of course I do," Lucy answered. "It's just...we still have young children. I would have thought since I'm taking care of them I wouldn't get chosen."

"Well, their my kids too and I'm still S class. Plus, Gray, Mirajane, Gajeel, Levy, and Laxus all have young children and they're in S Class. I don't think that has anything to do with it."

"I know, but you guys were S class before the kids came along."

"I don't follow…" he confused frown deepened.

Lucy sat up, gently nudging him to get off her, which he did, leaning back on his heals in a squat.

"Juvia said the reason she wasn't chosen for the trials this year was because she's spent so much time at home with hers and Gray's children that she hadn't gone on enough jobs to qualifiy."

"Okay…?" Natsu arched an eyebrow, not seeing the connection.

"If just got me thinking," Lucy continued. "Maybe I haven't been spending enough time with the kids. I mean, Juvia's and Levy are both stay-at-home moms. They may go on one job every six months. Mirajane is practically a stay-at-home mom, even if she's technically working as Laxus'...assistant? Co-guild master? Whatever her position is called. Maybe I should cut back on the jobs a bit."

"Well, let me ask you something?" Natsu said, crossing his legs under him and taking her hands in his. "Would you be happy being cooped up at home everyday?"

"Um…"

"Let me answer that for you. No. You wouldn't. You remember how crazy you went while on bedrest with Igneel?"

Lucy shuddered at the memories. "Yeah, but that was bedrest. I'd at least be able to move."

"Or how about all the time you were cooped up at home as a kid and teenager until you joined Fairy Tail?"

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Well, yeah. But that's because everyone around me was always telling me what to do-"

"And you tried the stay-at-home mom thing when Nashi was little and you nearly went nuts," Natsu reminded her.

Lucy hung her head. "Yeah…I did…"

"Hey," Natsu set his hand under her chin and tilted her face towards him. "It's okay, you know? To not wanna spend all your time at home?"

"Shouldn't I, though?" Lucy asked. "I'm a mother, shouldn't I want to be with our children at all times? I mean, isn't that what moms do? Stay home, make cookies, fix boo-boos, that kind of thing? I mean, how many moms have you heard of going on adventures and crazy intense trials and leaving their kids for a week at a time?"

"I know of one who does that," Natsu smiled, stroking her cheek with a soft smile. "And she's the best mom I've ever known. Name's Lucy Dragneel."

"Natsu…" she sighed softly.

"Lucy, look at our kids," he gestured his head to the window where Nashi, Layla, and Igneel were peaking through the curtain. "They love you. They don't think any less of you because you go on a job here and there. I think we've done a pretty good job of taking care of them. They seem happy. You think they would be if Mommy was made and crazy all the time because she was cooped up at home all the time?"

The corner of Lucy's mouth curled up slightly. "I guess not."

"There, see?" he gently grabbed her by the waist and guided her into his lap. "It's all fine and dandy that Gray and Juvia, and Gajeel and Levy can make the whole stay-at-home mom thing work. And it's nice for Mirajane that her husband's Guild Master and got her a job as his second in command. I ain't guild master. Sorry, I can't do that."

Lucy chuckled

"I'm happy for them that they could make that work for them, but it doesn't work for us. And that's okay. Our kids are still happy and taken care of and, to be honest, I like it better this way."

"You do?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah," Natsu smiled. "Because the woman I married isn't someone who just sits at home on the couch all day. I know that's not what stay-at-home moms do, but let's pretend for a moment they do."

Lucy giggled and nodded.

"The woman I married is someone who loves adventure. She's someone who can't be tied down. She's strong, independent, smart, ambitious, and hardworking. She's not one to just take hand outs. She works hard for what she has and has fought and struggled to get where she is now. It's that unbeatable spirit that's gotten her where she is now. It's one of the many things that made me fall in love with her."

"Natsu…" she gasped, heart aching a bit.

"Don't get me wrong," Natsu continued. "She's got a soft side too. She's kind, and loving, and supportive. She's one of the sweetest people I know. And I love that side of her. But I'd sure miss the adventurous side if it ever went away," he lovingly stroked her cheek.

She smiled and leaned into his touch.

"You're an awesome mother, Lucy. And I'm glad you're still kicking butt and taking name even after having kids. Not just because you are incredibly sexy when you do that-"

"Natsu!"

"-but because I want our girls to grow up knowing that they can be strong, and brave, and tough just like any other wizard. What better way for them to learn then to watch their mom go and make S Class."

"If I make it," Lucy said. "I've just made it into the trials, I haven't won yet."

"You will," Natsu gave her a tight hug. "No doubt about it. No c'mon, one more round before we get dinner ready."

He stood up and helped Lucy to her feet before taking two steps back and assuming a battle stance. As per usual, he swung first, but Lucy dogded it. The two became so focused on the sparring match they didn't pay any mind to the three children watching intently from inside.

"Wow, look at 'em go!" Nashi gasped.

"Dey cool!" Layla cheered as Natsu dodged another of Lucy's spin kicks, though he was unable to grab onto her leg this time.

Igneel pressed both hands against the glass, watching intently, cocking his head from one side to the other. Natsu ducked a punch from Lucy then, still crouching down, leaped forward, grabbing her by the waist and taking her to the ground. Igneel jumped, blinking at the manuver. He then grinned, his eyes narrowing as he turned, grabbed Layla by the waist and they both tumbled off the coffee table they'd been standing on to stare out the window.

"Ouch! Igneel!" Layla whined as her continued to lock his arms around her waist.

"Igneel!" Nashi shouted as she hopped down after her siblings. "You're not supposed to be sparring. You're still and baby!"