Entering the cottage, Gajeel shivered as he realised that, without the fire going to warm the house, it was getting very cold at night.

Lily placed the basket of food on the table, and moved to start the fire going.

This would be the only good time to have Natsu around, Gajeel thought wistfully, arms tensing at Levy stirred from her nap.

"Hey Shrimp. Sorry, we'll have the heater going soon".

She yawned, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "That's okay. I want to take a bath, anyway".

Gajeel looked over at Lily, who waved a hand in dismissal, not even turning around from his spot. Smiling, Gajeel strode to the bedroom, dropping Levy into the pile of covers. "Stay there, in the warm. I'll get the bath running" he smiled at her small nod, flicking on the bathroom light and, moved to get the bath filling. He grabbed candles from the cupboard - unscented, because he wasn't sure if any of them would cause Levy's nausea to return - lighting them along the counter. He grabbed the large towels off the rack and placed them within easy reach of the tub.

Checking the temperature - just too hot for him, perfect for Levy - he turned the taps off, and went to collect his girlfriend.

He laughed when he saw just her face sticking out from the covers. "C'mon Shrimp, all ready for you". Gently, he untangled the covers from around her, offering his hands to help her stand.

Entering the bathroom, she sighed appreciatively at the effort he'd gone to.

The overhead light was off, the candles now the only light soure, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. The towels were folded neatly within easy reach, and Gajeel was currently helping her out of her dress.

When her clothes were in a puddle on the floor, she swept her hair up, allowing Gajeel to secure it with a clip. Without warning, he bent, sweeping her legs into his arm, his other hand catching her back, and gently placed her into the bath.

Levy sighed as the water warmed her muscles, tension falling away. She looked up at a still clothed Gajeel, and crooked her index finger, beckoning him to join her. "Please? I'll get lonely without you".

Groaning, he quickly stripped bare, twisting his hair on top of his head as he climbed in beside her, hissing as the slightly too hot water hit his skin.

As soon as he was settled in the tub, Levy moved to straddle his legs, bringing her lips up to meet his. He sighed, and she took the opportunity to slide her tongue into his mouth, moving it against his. When the need for air became unavoidable, she reluctantly wrenched her lips away from his, kissing along his jaw, and down his neck.

His hands, previously resting on her hips, came up to toy with the loose tendrils of hair on her neck. "Levy" he groaned as she rocked her core against him, his member twitching in response. "We shouldn't".

Levy pulled back to stare at him, a confused look on her face. When his hand gently brushed the imperceptible swell of her stomach, she giggled.

"Gajeel, you can't hurt the baby! Unless you just don't want me?" She trailed off, biting her bottom lip shyly.

Groaning, he reached up around her shoulders, crushing her against his chest and claiming her lips hungrily. When they broke apart for air, his voice was deep, thick with lust. "I will always want you".

Happily, Levy raised up on her knees, reaching down to position him at her entrance. Looking him in the eyes, she lowered herself onto him, not stopping until he was fully sheathed inside of her. The moan she made then was sexy enough that Gajeel swore his knees would have buckled had he been standing. His hands found their way to her hips, gripping them tightly as he helped her maintain a rhythm atop him.

When Levy's rhythm faltered for a moment, he took the opportunity to bring his legs up underneath her, angling her chest against his, and sliding in deeper. Groaning, he felt her walls begin to flutter around him, before gripping him so tightly it was near impossible to move.

Levy threw her head back, and damn near screamed. "Gajeel!"

The sound of his name on her lips was the last straw, and he thrust shallowly twice more, before arching deep inside of her as he found his own release.

Panting, he carefully lifted Levy off his lap, wincing as his softening member slipped out of her, and gently settled her against his side.

"Mmm. You should bathe with me more often" she giggled softly against his side.

"Come on Shrimp. Fire'll be warm now, and Mira packed us food". He pulled the plug, then helped Levy to stand on shaking legs. Grabbing the towels, he quickly wrapped one around his waist, before swaddling her in the other, lifting her to stand on the mat in front of the counter. "Dry off, I'll get you something to wear". Shaking his head at her relaxed face, he pulled the clip from her hair, and strode into the bedroom, returning a few minutes later to find her wrapped in the towel, idly drying the ends of her hair. Passing her the clothes, he unwound his own hair, stopping to watch as she dressed.

"What?" Levy crossed her arms over her naked chest, trying to look cross at his staring.

"Nothing" he wrapped his strong arms around her. "Just thinking. You're so tiny, can't imagine how you'll look all big and pregnant". He laughed at her indignant expression, leaning down to kiss the worry lines off her face. "Bet you'll be even sexier than you are now". She seemed to relax in his arms at that, and after a small squeeze, he let her go so they could continue to dress.

Later, they sat by the fire, Lily curled against Levy's legs, as Gajeel stared at the books in front of him.

"Why do I gotta read them?"

"Because I already did. And you should know all this stuff too!" Levy just smiled at him, turning back to flick through the text she was finishing the translation on.

Huffing to show his displeasure, Gajeel picked up the first book on the pile and started to read.

About a month later, Levy was curled up in the arm chair after dinner, enjoying the newest chapter of Lucy's novel. She had practically purred as Gajeel stoked the fire, waves of heat chasing away the winter chill. She gasped suddenly, hands flying to her stomach, as both Lily and Gajeel rushed over.

"Levy? What's wrong?" Lily's deep voice was tinged with barely concealed worry.

Levy just shook her head, smiling brightly at her two boys. "I can feel the baby moving!"

Gajeel sunk to his knees beside her chair, placing his hand on top of Levy's. "Hey little one, what are you doing in there?" he cooed quietly, eyes focused on their hands.

"Oh! I think it likes your voice" she looked at him, removing her hand and beckoning Lily to join them. Softly, he placed his small paw next to Gajeel's hand.

"Hello, baby". He leant in to nuzzle against Levy's shirt, purring slightly.

"Lily! I think you're the favourite. So much wriggling!"

Gajeel pouted at that, poking Levy's waist softly. "Hey! I'm your father! You're s'posed to like me better!" The trio just laughed then, Levy's hand going back to caress her stomach.

After that, Gajeel spent a lot of time talking directly to Levy's stomach. He felt odd at first, until Lily pointed out that you were meant to do it, and any child of his probably had inherited his hearing.

Soon enough, Levy figured out that Gajeel's singing seemed to soothe their child, the fluttering feelings gradually stopped as he sang.

As they lay in bed one night, tired and finally sated after three rounds of gentle, affectionate sex, Levy reclined against Gajeel's chest as he sang them to sleep. Suddenly, she sat upright.

"Lev? What's up?"

Grabbing his hand, she pressed it tightly against her gently curved stomach. "Keep talking" she urged him.

So he did, he talked about their day, and as he talked about the job he was doing, he felt something bump underneath his hand.

"Levy?"

Giggling, she looked at him. "Little monsters been doing that for a week! They're finally strong enough for you to feel"

He gazed down at her, eyes glistening, his mouth ajar in shock, stretching into a grin as he felt it again, stronger than before. Pulling away from her slightly, he leant Levy back against the pillows, sliding down to kiss her belly. "Hello to you too, kid". Levy giggled again as their baby kicked towards the sound. Replacing his lips with his fingers, he gently brushed against the soft skin. "You behave, don't keep your mumma awake tonight". Sitting back up, he gently grabbing Levy's face, crushing his lips against hers, pouring all his love and joy into the kiss. "I love you, Lev."

"I love you back, you big idiot. Now, keep singing so this thing goes back to sleep!"

Her belly was finally starting to take on a more rounded shape. The first few months she had barely looked pregnant, only herself Gajeel noticing the tiny swell of her lower abdomen. Then one day, in the middle of winter, Gajeel left home in the still dark of early morning for a few hours work.

Walking briskly into town, the cold air causing his eyes to water, he couldn't help but smile to himself. Levy was finally on the home stretch of her pregnancy, only a few months to go, and the whole process seemed to be agreeing with her. He spent most of his time worrying about her, and their baby, but Levy was glowing, her hair thick and glossy. He was especially enjoying the way her changing hormones had her wanting him. Their love life had always been incredibly active, but now she was pulling him to bed at every opportunity.

Stopping at the bank, Gajeel sniffed the air, locating the hideout. He silently entered the empty house next door, and made his way to the second floor.

Laxus nodded as Gajeel entered the room, before turning back to the window. "All quiet so far".

Grunting his thanks for the update, Gajeel dropped his bag, pulling out his supplies for the day, so they would be in easy reach from his position at the window. "Cheers. You can head out now".

Standing and stretching his back, Laxus nodded as they switched positions. "Thanks. Freed will be here at 1" He sighed as he felt his back pop back into place. "How's Levy?"

"Good. Not too long left now"

Laxus just nodded as he collected his things, pulling his coat tight around him. Looking at the iron dragon slayers tense face, he waved over his shoulder as he left the room. "For what it's worth, I think you'll be just fine".

Gajeel stared at the empty doorway, shocked that Laxus had been able to read his face so well. He muttered a quick "thanks, man" before turning back to the window to start his watch.

It was a simple mission, made even easier by the master's insistence that they split it into 8 hour shifts. All they had to do was keep an eye on the bank until the cash transport showed up to take a clients jewel collection to another branch. Gajeel's biggest problem was keeping himself away until Fried showed up later. Sighing, he turned the heater down slightly - why did everyone need it so hot - and reached for the book he'd thrown in with his gear last night.

He'd managed to finish all their baby books, and was on the last one now. While he'd found the other ones interesting, even a bit scary with all the information, this one was proving to be his favourite.

Opening it up at his bookmarked place, he continued flicking through the lists of names, occasionally making a note in his journal to share with Levy later that day.

The day passed uneventfully, his heightened senses letting him know when Freed arrived.

He stood, stretching his stiff limbs, as the green haired wizard glided into the room. "Freed" he nodded at the smaller man.

"Gajeel. How was it?"

Shrugging, Gajeel began to gather his things. "Quiet. Transport will be here in the next couple of hours, so I think you'll be right"

Freed nodded, passing Gajeel the names book. "I imagine so". Inclining his head to indicate the book Gajeel held, he asked "How goes it?"

"Slowly. So far, we can't agree on anything. And not knowing what we're having doesn't help"

Freed looked sympathetic to his plight. "I'm sure you will agree on one soon. You can't argue forever. The little one will be here with the spring".

Gajeel smirked at the man's odd way of speaking, pulling his coat on. "Transport just crossed into Magnolia. You should be done by 3". Waving his farewell, Gajeel left the house.

He stopped briefly on the way out of town, at Levy's favoured bakery for her favourite custard tarts, before rushing home.

Entering the warm cottage, he shook the light dusting of snow from his hair, hanging his jacket on one of the hooks next to the door, taking his boots off to sit neatly underneath. Looking around the kitchen, he spied Levy with her back to him, making tea.

She was wearing one of his old shirts, the soft cotton hanging low around her creamy thighs, concealing the shorts he knew were underneath.

Quietly, he snuck up behind her, holding out the bag of tarts to dangle in front of her face. "I'm back" he called, his voice husky from the cold air and lack of use.

She smiled, turning to wrap her arms around him. Before she could embrace him hower,he stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Uhh, Lev?" his eyes were focused on her now swollen belly, the fabric of his shirt pulled tight across the newly visible bump.

Giggling, she grabbed his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. "I woke up after you left, because someone wouldn't sit still" she brushed her hand against her belly for emphasis "and apparently it just popped out over night! Wendy stopped by this morning - she said it happens sometimes if baby hasn't changed position until now" she brought his hand down to rest on the front of the bump, and Gajeel felt a strong kick against his fingers, as if the baby was trying to demonstrate it's new position for itself.

Where before it had been lying across Levy's stomach, kicking at her side, it was now curled around towards the front, kicking straight out underneath her slightly protruding navel.

Dropping the tarts carefully onto the bench behind her, Gajeel knelt in front of Levy, lifting his shirt to expose her pale skin. He pressed a kiss against her swollen stomach, chuckling quietly as he felt a kick against his cheek. "I hope you've been behaving for your mumma this morning, little one." He stood, handing Levy her mug of steaming tea, one large hand taking the bag of pastries as he wound his other arm around her shoulders and guided her to the couch.

Sitting down, he pulled her to curl against him as Lily entered the room in his larger form, dropping a bundle of logs into the basket next to the hearth. When he saw Gajeel, he returned to his small form with a small pop, jumping up nimbly to sit on the mans lap.

"How was the job?"

"Boring. Freed should be just about wrapping it up now"

"I'm glad it was uneventful, for once". Lily moved to curl up on Levy's outstretched legs, head rubbing gently against her bump as he purred, settling down to sleep.

Gajeel and Levy spoke quietly, sharing tea and the pastries, talking about his job, and the interactions he'd had with both Laxus and Freed. He enquired about her translations, and they made plans to head to the guild to turn them in when the snow stopped.

Gajeel was about to bring up topic of names, when he heard Levy yawn loudly beside him. Standing, he grabbed a pillow from the arm chair, settling her against it, before taking the blanket from the back of the couch, draping it carefully over her and Lily. "You, nap. I'll be in the nursery, yell if you need something".

She smiled sleepily as she nuzzled down into the warmth, reaching out to squeeze his hand before she dozed off.

Gajeel knew it was normal for her to be getting tired easily, but he couldn't help but worry after his conversation with Wendy the other week. He'd been worried - Levy was sleeping more, her back and hips already beginning to ache, and she'd taken to eating five or six times a day.

Wendy had reassured him that all of that was normal, and to relax. But her face was too open, unable to hide her concern.

"What is it, short stuff? You keep chewing that lip, you'll make it bleed"

"Um, well, it's just... How's Levy's magic?"

"Dunno, she isn't using it at all. Said something about it making her tired"

"Oh. Well, that's probably okay then"

"Probably? What do you mean by probably?"

"Well, its just that this has never happened before - a dragon slayer fathering a child. No one really knows what to expect. Porlyusica is worried about what it'll do to Levy's body" Noticing the sheer panic on his face, she put her hands up to try to soothe him. "But she'll be fine! Levy's really strong! Just make sure she doesn't use her magic and I'm sure everything will be okay!"

Gajeel had forced a smile onto his face, not wanting the young girl to see just how worried he was, but Wendy saw straight through it, grabbing his large hands in her tiny ones.

"Don't worry - I'll make sure everything works out! I've been studying lots with Porlyusica, so that I can help Levy when the time comes." her voice grew determined. "I won't let anything happen to either of them!"

Shaking off the memory, he smiled at the young girls determination, and walked into the room that was soon to be full of baby. His baby.

His smile broadening, he set about assembling the remaining furniture, putting together the dresser and change table that matched the cot that Lily had so carefully chosen.

With the furniture assembled, he moved to put the books that Levy had picked out onto the bookcase. I wonder what Natsu would say if he could see me now? Chuckling at himself, he set about organising the books in some sort of order, knowing that Levy would want to redo it at least three times. That done, he picked up the bags of already washed baby clothes - they'd been gifted so much from their friends that Gajeel was certain they wouldn't have to buy clothes for nearly a year - and quietly set about folding them.

Taking a deep breath, he held up the first piece of clothing. It was a short sleeved onesie, and it made his breath catch.