Following these events Nevaeh and the other dragon slayers split into two teams to complete missions. They were constantly completing S-Class missions as fast as they could in order to pay the bills for Kedelia. The huge mansion was a demanding drain on their finances, but well worth it. Back at their home, Nevaeh was planning a surprise for Macbeth.
"Natsu?" She called him over discretely.
"Hey, what's up?" He asked with his usual big grin.
"It's my son's birthday today and we're holding a party. I need you to get everyone ready here tonight."
"Yeah, course." They both went to the guild hall to start inviting people, Macbeth noticed and followed them. Natsu made his way over to Lucy, Gray and Erza, who were enjoying a bit of relaxation. Nevaeh went over to Bisca and Alzack. She saw Macbeth had followed them and so needed a distraction.
"Guys can you do me a huge favour?"
"Sure, what do you need?" Bisca was always happy to help Nevaeh, their children were close.
"I need you two and Asuka to take Macbeth out for a couple of hours while we get the party ready." There was a twinkle of excitement in her eyes.
"No problem. Macbeth!" Alzack called the boy over. "Your mother just thought it would be a great idea if you came for a walk round town with me, Bisca and Asuka. How does that sound?"
"Asuka..." He began to blush slightly, much to Nevaeh's amusement. "Yeah okay, let's go!" With that they left and Nevaeh began to dish out jobs to everyone.
"Freed, Ever, Bickslow; I need you guys to prepare some snacks. Erza, Mira, Lisanna and Elfman and Wendy and Charla; can you guys make the cake?
"Why Elfman? Erza asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Elfman said proudly. "Making a kid's birthday cake is a manly job!"
"Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Happy, Lily, Gajeel and Levy; can you guys help the girls with decorating? It's going to be a big task. Dad, I need you to come with me. Everyone else; there isn't really anything to do other than be ready at my house in exactly two hours." Nevaeh and Laxus disappeared for most of the time and no one knew where they'd gone. Meanwhile Natsu and the others made it to Kedelia. It was the first time anyone other than the dragon girls had been there.
"W-whoa! You guys live here!?" They were stunned; mouths open at the size of the dragon slayer's home. It was a mansion, as big as the Heartfilia home.
"Yeah, can you believe Nevaeh and Eureka used to have this place all to themselves before they took us in?" Tsuki's smile was childlike.
"I see why she asked all of us to help out." Gajeel stepped forward.
"Do you think we can get it done in two hours?" Levy was doubtful, looking at the size of the place.
"Don't worry, Shrimp. I can hold you up so you can reach everything." He let out a chuckle but Levy wasn't amused too much. He patted her on the head and she pouted. They began putting banners all around the place, setting up tables, balloons and games. After an hour Erza arrived with the cake and now that everything was in place they played the waiting game. Nearly another hour went by and the doors of Kedelia opened. Nevaeh and Laxus walked in followed by the members of the Oracion Seis...
"What the heck are they doing here?!" Natsu took a fighting stance.
"Calm down Natsu, I managed to get them a day's release so they could come. Midnight has a right you know; after all he is Macbeth's father. Then I thought it wouldn't have been fair on the others so I managed to get them out too, but it's only for the day. Brain is Macbeth's grandfather too so..." Natsu and the others weren't comfortable with this but out of respect for Nevaeh they held back their grudges. "Okay everyone get ready, they'll be here soon." Everyone got into their hiding places, except Midnight and the other members of the Oracion Seis.
"You guys! Hurry, don't just stand there, you're part of the surprise!" Nevaeh had to drag them into a hiding place, and just in time.
"Nevaeh, we're back." Alzack called from the entrance. They were silent until the second Macbeth came into the room.
"Surprise!" Everyone jumped out, Macbeth jumped.
"Mum?" He looked around and was delighted to see everyone from the guild show up for his birthday. "Dad!" He ran straight to Midnight and latched onto him like he was never going to let go. Tears were pouring from his eyes. "I'm so happy you're here! Mum, this is the best present in the world! Thank you so much!" Midnight picked him up, smiling. He looked over to Nevaeh, who was also smiling. She was so happy to see the two of them like that at last. She was content. They all joined in playing games and eating. The food the Thunder Legion had prepared was amazing and was presented like something you would get in a restaurant. Balloons with sevens on them were floating all over the place, apparently Juvia was distracted by Gray too much and hadn't tied them all on properly, not that it mattered. Macbeth proceeded to open all of his presents, the Oracion Seis had managed to get him some too, courtesy of Nevaeh paying that is. He personally hugged and thanked everyone for the gifts and for coming. Midnight had got him some plum lipstick and eyeliner, to match his. Nevaeh told him Macbeth was running low on makeup, strange for a seven year old but he was just like his dad in almost every way.
"Don't you think that's a bit gay?" Natsu said judgingly to Nevaeh.
"Says the guy with pink hair." Her tone was flat and her eyes were narrowed. A wave of laughter mixed with 'oooo's' filled the room. Even Nevaeh and Natsu began to laugh, and Midnight chuckled. They would probably end up having a brawl later about it, Nevaeh was usually calm and collected but for some reason whenever Natsu was around she would become as hot headed as him. That side of her also appears when challenging Erza or Mirajane in combat.
Nevaeh and Midnight went to one side so they could talk, likewise Eureka and Racer went off to talk privately too.
"I'm so glad we managed to make this work." She had a weak smile because she knew they would have to go back soon.
"Yes, Macbeth seems so happy; you've really done a good job raising him. He's mature for his age too." Midnight looked over to his son while still speaking. "He's taking the situation well."
"That's the only way in which he's like me; he doesn't show his true emotions." She looked down. Midnight took her hands in his.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he has bad dreams, he cries in his sleep sometimes. I have to stay with him most nights otherwise it's really bad. There's something bothering him and I think it's because he wants to be able to see you and spend time with you. Ever since he could talk he'd ask about you. I told him everything I could, except when he could see you."
"It can't be easy on him, but it also can't be helped." He took a deep sigh. He pulled her in for a hug. "You deserve better than this."
"Don't even think it! You're the only person I want to be with, even if you are incarcerated. You'll get out for good some day, and I'll be waiting for you. I love you."
"I love you too..." He was in a state of semi-disbelief. "How is it that someone like you could feel this way about someone like me?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You're a good person. You help people whereas I caused people pain, I hurt people you hold dear to you, yet you still don't bare any ill will towards me for it, instead it's the opposite. How?"
"Because... I understand why you did what you did." She looked up into his eyes. "Enough of this talk; let's get back to the party." They smiled to each other.
As they wrapped up the night there was a knock on the door.
"We're here for the Oracion Seis members, time's up." Doranbolt was stood with an impatient expression on his face. They co-operated.
"Wait." Midnight asked Doranbolt for a few minutes. Doranbolt couldn't say no once he explained the reason for the request. "Nevaeh..." Midnight walked over to her.
"Yes?" She wondered what he wanted. Then he got on one knee and excited gasps escaped everyone's moths.
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" She knelt down too and kissed him passionately. It was time for them to go.
Nevaeh's heart sank as she had to see them being taken off once more, she didn't want to think about how it affected Macbeth. The night ended on that sad note. Nevaeh cuddled her son and comforted him, all he wanted was for his dad to be able to stick around, so they could be a real family.