Just outside the front doors, they found Natsu lounging against the wall.
"Oi! Fire crotch!" Gajeel called to get his attention, jerking a thumb towards the training field.
Natsu shrugged in acknowledgement, sauntering over to the open patch of grass. Levy and Gajeel trailed behind, hands loosely joined.
When they reached the field, Natsu turned to face them, nose screwed up as the breeze carried their scent to him.
"Gross, bolt brain. Turn off the hormones"
"Natsu! Turn your nose off and listen!"
The pinkette stopped - Gajeel must be serious to call him by name. Sighing, he tried to do as asked. Exhaling, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on what his ears were telling him.
He could hear his own heartbeat, loud in his head. Gajeel's, loud and strong. Levy's, not quite as steady - it was beating a more excited rhythm. And...
His eyes flew open. In two strides, he'd closed the distance between them, and was sniffing the air around Levy.
Gajeel fought down the instinct to growl at the other man, to throw him far away from his mate, and instead took a deep breath to calm himself, watching as the younger slayer figured it out for himself.
"Levy, why do you have two heart beats?" Natsu looked so confused that Gajeel had to cough to cover his snort of laughter.
Taking pity on the poor boy, Levy grabbed his hand and held it over her stomach. "Because, Natsu, the second heart beat is my baby's".
Finally understanding what they were trying to tell him, Natsu grinned, before lightly punching Gajeel's arm. "Guess that's how you know about our magic!" He teased, waggling his eyebrows.
Gajeel sighed, not wanting to waste time explaining everything to him. "Just wanted to tell you before we announce it in there. You can ask bunny girl if you want to know anything". He went to turn away, but was stopped by Natsu's hand on his arm.
"Is this what you want?"
Both Levy and Gajeel answered him with huge smiles.
Natsu wrapped an arm around each of them. "Then I'm happy for you!" Letting them go, he smirked. "Can't wait to be the favourite uncle!" and with a whoop, he was off running towards the guild hall, to find a certain blonde and ask her for all the details.
Shaking their heads, Gajeel and Levy made their way back into the guild hall.
It was lunchtime, and the hall was packed, full of its usual chaos and laughter. Gajeel led Levy to the bar, settling her on a stool. "I'll be back in a second" he kissed the top of her head, and left to find Mira.
Levy jumped when someone dropped into the seat beside her, smiling when she saw it was Bisca.
The green haired mage took one look at her and smiled. Keeping her voice soft, she asked "how long?"
Levy startled, shocked that word had gotten around so quickly. "10 weeks. How did you?"
Chuckling softly, Bisca put her hand on her shoulder. "You look exactly like I did when I found out about Asuka. If you need anything, come find me" and with a small squeeze on her shoulder, Bisca left just as Gajeel returned.
"Ready, Shrimp?"
"Mmm. I'm hungry though"
"Soon. As soon as we're done. C'mon, up to the stage" He pulled the tiny bluenette behind him, up the stairs to stand beside the master on the stage.
"Alright, you brats. Quiet!" the master's booming voice rang out, making everyone stop and listen. "Tonight, we party. Because in 6 months time, fairy tail will have a brand new member!" he gestured to Levy and Gajeel, lit by a spotlight, who were grinning like mad as they rested their hands on her stomach.
"Three cheers for Levy and Gajeel! Drinks for everyone!" and he nimbly jumped off towards the bar, as everyone present started yelling their congratulations and cheering for the soon to be parents.
Guiding Levy off the stage, Gajeel steered course for an unoccupied table, sitting down with an arm protectively around Levy's shoulders, huge grin on his face.
Almost immediately, they were swarmed by members wishing to congratulate them.
Cana came with drinks for everyone - including, to everyone's surprise, iced tea for
Levy. "What? I'm not an idiot - even I know pregnant people can't drink" she said, before reaching over in true Cana fashion to squeeze Levy's beasts. "Wonder if these will finally grow?" She laughed, before kissing them both on the cheek, heading off to find a drinking partner that could keep up.
Mira came with a plate of sandwiches, staying to chat for a few minutes and offering her help, before she headed back behind the bar to keep an eye on things.
Erza stopped by to lecture them about being irresponsible, but changed her tune when Levy explained the situation. She was even sniffling as she congratulated them, before she went to break up yet another fight between Gray and Natsu.
Lucy found her way through the crowd, coming to sit with the couple and offer support, running to fetch them drinks or Levy snacks whenever required.
Surprising everyone, Laxus also joined the table, engaging in conversation with everyone, and even kissing Levy's cheek when he offered his well wishes.
By the time the sun had set, Levy and Gajeel were sure they'd spoken to every guild member at least twice, and they were exhausted. Mira brought them a basket of food - "for tonight", she'd explained - and then Lucy and Laxus had helped the tired couple sneak out a side door whilst everyone else was getting into the spirit of things.
"Gajeel?"
"Yes, Shrimp?"
"Today was good. But I'm tired. Can we go home?"
Chuckling softly, Gajeel bent to pull the bluenette into his arms, carrying her cradled against his chest. "You bet, Lev".
Lily joined them then, having snuck away from the two other exceeds, and changing into his battle form, took the basket from Gajeel. "How much food did Mira pack? This thing is heavy!"
Shrugging, Gajeel pulled Levy closer against him, his warmth driving away some of the evening chill. "At least we won't have to cook". Looking down at the sleepy woman in his arms, Gajeel smiled, and the three of them set of off on the short trip home.