Chapter 71

It was normal for Gajeel to be awake way before Levy. It was not normal for him to stay in bed with her until she woke up. But that's what happened the day after their first anniversary. Levy woke up peacefully when the sun began to shine in her face. She hummed happily at finding her husband was still in bed with her, spooning her and lightly kissing her shoulders. And then she felt his hand on her stomach, rubbing small circles into the skin with his thumb, and her heart swelled with love and joy.

Gajeel had been overjoyed about her pregnancy. She had been, too, of course. She'd been dying to see those little blue lines on her pregnancy tests for months now. When she'd seen them she'd thought they were a false positive, at first. But a second test and a trip to the hospital later confirmed it. She really was pregnant. Oh, she'd wanted to tell Gajeel right away! But then she remembered that their anniversary was right around the corner... and the idea came to her to reveal it to him then. She was glad she'd waited.

It had been trickier than she'd expected to keep it a secret at dinner that night. She knew, of course, what she could and could not ingest while pregnant. But keeping Gajeel from ordering something she couldn't eat, without revealing why she couldn't eat it... well that was challenging. It had actually taken her a while, far longer than she'd like to admit, to think to tell him she just wasn't in the mood for meat or fish. And she knew turning down wine would get her a brow raise. She was lucky he didn't push the subject. And then came the tiramisu, and she'd so wanted to accept a bite! It looked delicious and she knew it would be heavenly. But the caffeine soaked dessert was a no-no and, alas, she had to turn it down. Gajeel had looked at her strangely, knowing how much she loved coffee and anything that tasted like it. But if he suspected anything, he'd said nothing of it.

He hadn't suspected it, after all. The announcement caught him totally off-guard, and the look on his face was priceless. Levy swore she saw tears in his eyes when he put it all together.

It was the perfect end to their first anniversary.

"Good morning." Levy sighed happily, turning in her husband's arms to face him. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Mornin, shrimp." he pulled her closer, but paused when she flinched a bit.

"Tattoo, Gajeel." she complained. The tattoo was still sensitive, and he'd just pulled her by the ribs, practically.

"Shit, sorry." He sighed, sitting up a bit. He pulled her pajama shirt up to check out her tattoo. It was still wrapped in clear wrap, and Gajeel's was too. "It's about time ta take this off, shrimp. I got some stuff to put on it." Levy nodded and let Gajeel take care of it. He only had three tattoos, personally, but he knew more about caring for them than she did. Levy just admired the fresh tattoo while he took care of it for her. It really was perfect. She loved it, and she loved it even more that Gajeel had a matching one. She watched his as he moved. It looked so perfect on his ribs, as if he'd always had it.

"I really love it, Gajeel." Levy smiled happily when he finished. It felt so much better to have it exposed to the air, and that salve he'd put on it was soothing. Gajeel grinned at her and set about taking care of his own.

"I do, too, shrimp. I'm glad we did this." he suddenly paused and looked down at her with soft, concerned eyes. "Wait... shrimp, the tattoo won't... you know... hurt the baby? Right?" He questioned, looking pointedly to her still flat stomach. He'd heard somewhere that pregnant women shouldn't get tattoos. Levy gave him a gentle smile.

"It won't." she confirmed. "I usually tell my patients not to, because the needles could transfer HIV or other bad things that could hurt both the mother and baby. But I asked Bixlow about contamination. He said he buys sterile needles and uses a fresh one on every customer."

"That so?" Gajeel hummed in surprise. "Sounds more expensive that way."

"It is. That's why he charges so much." Levy giggled. She reached up and gently pulled him down to her for a quick kiss. "Don't worry, Gajeel. I'm fine. The baby is healthy, and I plan to keep it that way. Why do you think I said no to wine and seafood and other yummy things last night? This is my specialty. I know what I'm doing." she assured her worried husband, who smiled and let out a small relieved sigh.

"Alright, doc. I'll calm down." he teased lightly, pressing his forehead against hers. "Mavis, we're gonna be parents, shrimp. Anyone else know?"

"Well, Wendy knows. She's the one who did the ultrasound." Levy admitted with a small pout. "But I promise you were the first one to know after that."

"Good." he grinned... before frowning a bit. "Keep it that way for a bit, shrimp. Let's tell my old man, and Lily of course. But nobody else needs to know yet, okay?" He didn't have to tell her why. She knew now, after being with him for so long... too many people knowing sensitive information was dangerous. Lily and Metalicana, obviously, wouldn't tell a soul. But it was hard to guarantee that with anyone else. And this was very, very sensitive information, indeed.

The Don's wife was pregnant... and therefore extremely vulnerable.

Gajeel wanted to celebrate. He really did. He wanted to tell the whole world that he was having a child with the most amazing woman in the world. He was going to be a father!

But he had to remind himself of his role in the family... all the dangers that came with it. All the dangers his wife faced while at his side. They needed to keep this a secret for as long as they could. He needed to keep his wife and unborn child safe, no matter what.

If something happened to them... he didn't know what he'd do. But it wouldn't be pretty.

I'm back from vacation, y'all! Unfortunately, I'm also back to work. Hence the late update! So sorry, guys.

Anyways, this chapter is short and sweet, if you ask me. Trust me, there's more coming. I have lots planned muahaha

BTW anyone know how to get rid of a mouse? One's taken up residence in my apartment while I was out of the country and it's freaking me out. I'm naming it Sir Remington the Third. Remy for short. Hope it turns my bf into a gourmet chef.

But in all seriousness I'm scared guys! He's out of my room, thankfully, and a towel under the door should stop him from getting in tonight but guys I'm freaking out!

In other news I'm buying a cat tomorrow.

Anyways, if I don't update on Thursday it's cause the mouse got me.

Au revior,

-Nerdy12