Gajeel woke with a start.
Sitting up, he quickly realised that it was still dark, and that Levy's spot was cold. Groaning, he swung his legs out into the surprisingly warm air, reaching for the pair of pajama pants on the chair. Sniffing the air, he smiled, walking into the lounge.
Levy was sat on the chair, steaming mug of tea in front of her, and the fire crackling warmly behind her. She was wearing another one of his shirts - Gajeel suddenly realised that none of hers probably fitted now - one pale leg curled up underneath her, as her fingers quietly plucked at the small guitar sitting on her knees.
Leaning against the door frame, Gajeel smiled to himself as he heard her clear voice, softly singing the last strains of the song. He remembered the day he'd learnt she possessed this particular skill.
It was the day after they'd moved all her things in. As Levy had been unpacking, Gajeel had sat in the chair, picking up his guitar and starting to play one of the old country songs he knew she was fond of, his eyes clothing in concentration.He'd been shocked to hear a second guitar start. When he opened his eyes, he saw Levy sitting next to him, resting her own 3/4 size on he knee as she strummed the melody. They'd played in silence for a few minutes, Gajeel singing through the verse. When he got to chorus, he nearly choked as he heard her harmonising. A quick glance over at her showed her looking down at her guitar, oblivious to his staring. As the song wound up, she set her guitar down, moving to continue unpacking."Levy?" he'd called to her. "Where'd you learn to play?"Looking up from her spot on the floor, she'd smiled at him. "Daddy was a muso. He taught me before he died"."I had no idea you could sing like that"She'd laughed at him then. "No one knows. I usually only sing when I'm alone".He'd gone to sit with her then, helping her to unpack. "Well, you're incredible".
Coughing slightly so as not to frighten her, he walked over and picked up his guitar from where he'd left it the night before. He smiled at her as he sat down.
"Sorry if I woke you. Someone" she poked her growing belly for emphasis "wouldn't let me sleep any longer. Figured this might soothe her a bit".
Gajeel nodded his assent, launching into a new song.
It took her a few chords, but her smile lit up her face when she realised what song he'd started, her fingers catching the strings as he started to sing
"I run from hate. I run from prejudice, I run from pessimists, but I run too late".
His voice was deep, rough from sleep. Levy still thought it was amazing. She took over, her own voice high and clear in comparison.
"I run my life, or is it running me? Run from my past, I run too fast, or too slow it seems"
Gajeel's voice joined hers then, giving her something to harmonise to.
"When lies become the truth, that's when I run to you"
Their strumming got louder, Gajeel speeding up as they started the chorus.
"This world keeps spinning faster, to a new disaster, so I run to you. I run to you, baby. When it all starts coming undone, baby you're the only one I run to. I run to you"
They went on, back and forth between them, the song trailing off with the last few chords.
A gentle clapping made them both jump as Lily floated into the room.
"Early mornings aren't so bad when they sound like that" he landed gently on the arm of Gajeel's chair.
Laughing, Levy carefully set her guitar down, picking up her tea and walking to the kitchen, scratching Lily's ear on the way past.
"Who wants breakfast?"
Smiling, Gajeel and Lily followed her into the kitchen.
Gajeel gently grasped her shoulders, steering her into a chair at the table, ignoring her pout as he set about assembling their morning meal and Lily replaced her tea with a fresh mug.
Sniffling the air, Gajeel growled softly and pulled extra ingredients from the fridge as a knock sounded at the door.
Shooting them both a look as she stood up, Levy called a quick "coming!" and carefully went to answer the door. Standing on her front porch, looking slightly sheepish, we're Jet and Droy.
"Jet! Droy!" She grinned, pulling them both in for a hug. "What are you guys doing here?" She released them, pulling them into the house by their hands.
"Uhh, hey Levy. Morning, Gajeel" Jet called a greeting to the larger man at the stove, moving over to help him.
Droy stood, looking awkward, until Lily pushed him gently into a chair at the table, his eyes going wide at Levy's new shape.
"Uhh, Levy?" he asked questioningly. "What's going on with that?" he waved a hand towards her newly expanded belly.
"Oh! Yeah, I haven't seen you in a while" She giggled, moving to sit next to him as Gajeel and Jet brought steaming plates of food over.
Gajeel piled up a plate, setting it in front of the bluenette, fixing her a look that clearly said eat, as he turned to his girlfriends former team mates. "You two want to tell me why you're at my breakfast table?" waving a fork in their direction, indicating that they should dig in and start talking.
Around a mouthful of coffee, Jet started to talk. "We took a job. Across the country. And we have no idea how long we'll be gone"
Droy put his cutlery on his plate, and looked between the couple. "We wanted to come tell you, before we left this afternoon, that we probably won't be here when the baby comes" He looked slightly crestfallen as he delivered the news.
Gajeel saw Levy's face fall slightly, and decided to step in. "No problem. You'll just babysit when you get back. What's the job?"
Jet launched into a brief description of the job, but was stopped when Levy gasped loudly.
Gajeel was at her side in an instant, concern etched on his face. "Levy? What is it? What's wrong?"
Shaking her head, she took a deep breath. "I'm okay. We're okay. Just moving around"
Gajeel looked unsure, but moved back to his seat.
Jet and Droy watched the whole interaction silently, reassured that their Levy was with the right person. Looking at each other, nodded, Droy reaching for the small box at his feet.
"Levy?" Jet started quietly. "We wanted to give you something before we left"
Droy carefully placed the box in front of her, nodding at Gajeel as he moved to stand behind her.
"This is from your mum. She sent it to Master, before..." He trailed off softly, looking up at her sparkling eyes. "She said we'd know when to give it to you. Seems like you might need it soon".
"You guys" small tears were rolling down her cheeks, but there was a soft smile upon her lips. "Thank you" She reached out to squeeze their hands. Gajeel actually smiled down at them, face softening at the gesture.
He squeezed Levy's shoulders gently. "Levy? Honey? You okay?"
She turned around, eyes still glistening with tears, but her smile was bright, spreading wider by the second. "Yeah, I'm okay" she turned back to look at the men in front of her.
They were her friends, her best friends - more family now than anything else, always there for her since she came to Magnolia. Taking a deep breath, she blinked the tears away, and positively grinned at them.
"Well, seeing as you won't get to ruin the surprise" she trailed off teasingly, pulling them both to stand beside her "you better say hello to your niece before you leave". She placed their hands on the side of her belly, and watched their faces light up as her baby - her daughter - nudged gently against their fingers.
"Levy! That's amazing!" Droy was enraptured, feeling a flurry of kicks under his hand.
Jet stood back, bending to hug Levy's shoulders. "Wait. Did you say niece?!"
She giggled at the confusion on his face. "Well, a girl needs uncles!"
Droy straightened, face glowing. "I knew it! Oh, Gray is out so many jewels!" With that, they all burst into laughter.
"Who else bet for a boy?" Gajeel smirked at them all, moving to sit back down next to his mate.
"Well, Grey, Juvia, Reedus, Fried, Elfman and Macao bet on a boy. Cana and Mira wanted twins. Lucy, Natsu, Wendy and Laxus are banking on a girl. Mira's even taking bets on what she'll look like!" Jet counted off their guild mates on his fingers.
"Cana even got her to start a sheet for what sort of magic she'll use!" Droy smiled brightly, cheeks flushed from laughter.
"And did you two lay any jewels on any of these bets?" Lily's deep voice called from the bench where he was staking dishes.
Jet looked indignant. "Us? No!"
"Yeah, we just want Levy and the baby to be healthy and happy. Although, I'd say she'll be a dragon slayer, with all the iron Levy's been craving" Droy shot the couple a wink, as both he and Jet stood.
Gajeel helped Levy to stand, ignoring her looks of protest.
She hugged each mage in turn. "Be safe, guys. I'll miss you!"
They hugged her firmly, each saying a few words to the baby, before Gajeel clapping them both on the shoulder, wishing them a safe job.
And just like that, the couple were alone, Lily having already flown off to the guild hall to meet Happy and Carla.
Levy laid her head against Gajeel's chest, and yawned.
Chuckling softly, he wrapped his arm around her. "C'mon Shrimp, back to bed with you"
Levy let herself be led into the bedroom. Slipping under the covers, she held out a hand. "Come cuddle me?"
Leaning down, Gajeel kissed her forehead softly. "One second. Let me run a load of washing first". Turning, he picked up the laundry hamper and left the room.
When he came back, just a few minutes later, he chuckled quietly at the nest Levy had made in their bed. Quietly, so as not to disturb her, he shucked off his pajama pants and climbed in next to her, pulling her against his body, one hand coming to rest on her bump, gently stroking the soft skin.
"Jeel?" she murmured sleepily against his skin. "You might have to sing. She won't sit still"
He pressed his hand firmly against her skin, feeling the gentle but continuous movements under his fingers. "You're meant to let mumma rest, princess". He kissed Levy's azure locks, already tangled, and started to softly hum.
Levy sighed, relaxing against his warmth, his voice soothing both her and their baby to sleep.