When they were dry, Gajeel dressed in clean clothes and Levy wrapped in the towel, he walked with his arm around her into the bedroom where the feared Porlyusica was waiting.
"On the bed with her" she snapped at the man. "And go make some tea!" She shooed him out of the room, closing the door behind him. Face softening, she turned back to the tired bluenette on the bed.
"Levy, I'm sorry, but I need to check you. This will be uncomfortable for you. I'll be as quick as I can" she nodded at Wendy, who moved to hold Levy's hand.
Porlyusica bent between Levy's legs, unwrapping the towel. She rubbed her hands, trying to warm them up. At Levy's nod, she quickly leant in to check Levy's cervix.
She pulled back just as quickly, before Levy had time to register the discomfort.
"Wendy, fill the bath. Not too warm" she wrapped the towel back around Levy, offering a hand to pull her into a sitting position. "Keep moving. You're almost there".
Levy dropped the towel to pull her dress on, not worrying about her underwear.
Together they walked into the lounge room, where Gajeel waited with a worried look on his face.
Taking her tea, Porlyusica shushed him before he could ask any questions. "They're both fine. Just keep her moving". She sat in front of the fire, sipping her steaming tea.
Gajeel gathered Levy in his arms as she groaned in pain.
"I can give you something for the pain, but it'll make this take longer".
Levy drew a shaky breath, holding tightly to Gajeel. "I'll be okay". Looking up at the slayer, she smiled weakly. "Kitchen?"
Gajeel nodded, walking slowly beside her. When they reached the kitchen, she grabbed onto the edge of the bench, bending over and swaying gently as another contraction stole her breath.
Gajeel stood silently beside her, rubbing her back. "You're incredible" he whispered in her ear, gently kissing her hair. When she smiled at him from behind her hair, he moved to get her a drink and some ice, knowing that the cold ice would feel good against her increasing body temperature.
Levy moaned again, louder than before, gripping the bench so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Levy flushed as she felt a wave of moisture between her thighs.
"Uhh, Jeel? I think my waters finally broke"
Porlyusica was at her side in a second, silently appraising her. "Levy, bedroom. Now" turning to Gajeel, she fixed him with a look that made his knees quiver. "Hot tea, a glass of ice, and some lemonade. And put your trunks on!" Spinning on her heel, she helped Levy into the bedroom, closing the door behind them.
"Levy, I'm going to check you again, and then you're going to get into that bath and have a baby".
Levy laid back against the pillows as Porlyusica against knelt between her legs. She was done before Levy had realised what she was doing.
"Just about there, and your waters are clear. Hurry, into the bath" she pulled the tired bluenette into a sitting position just as Gajeel knocked on the door.
"Come on, hurry up" the older woman brusked, taking the cups from him and walking into the room where Wendy was double checking the temperature.
Gajeel helped his mate to stand, feeling her shaking against him. He helped her into the bathroom, and lifted her into the tub, pulling her dress off.
Wendy bent to gently tie the long blue locks up, out of Levy's face, smiling at them both. "The shaking is normal, its just her body preparing itself. Gajeel, grab that basin for me" she deftly held it in front of Levy, just in time for the tired woman to heave, emptying her stomachs contents. Wendy passed the basin back to Gajeel, who set it on the counter, before stripping down to his swim trunks to sit behind Levy in the warm bath.
Wendy silently offered the ice chips, which Levy gladly accepted.
Porlyusica sat on the edge of the tub, watching them closely. "Try to relax, Levy. Your body knows what it's doing. Tell me when you feel ready"
Levy laid back, relaxing against Gajeel's chest, breathing deeply through her contractions that seemed to be almost rolling into one, never letting her catch her breath.
Gajeel gently rubbed her arms, kneading her shoulders, and reminding her breathe. Wendy stayed close, offering ice or sips of the lemonade when Levy had a brief rest.
This felt, to both of them, like it was lasting all night. The only sounds in the cottage came from Levy, despite her best efforts to be silent, and from Gajeel quietly soothing and reassuring her. Outside, the rain fell steadily as Levy laboured into the early hours of the morning.
Wendy kept an eye on the temperature, topping the bath up with hot water when it got too chilled.
Porlyusica sat silently next to the tub, her red eyes watching everything with a laser-like focus.
Finally, around an hour after they'd gotten into the bath, the old woman came over, gently shaking Gajeel's shoulder.
"We're going to move, see if we can't speed things up slightly. This is already taking too long" she looked down at Levy, taking in her pale skin, flushed cheeks and sweaty brow. "She's not going to like it" she warned the slayer, directing him into position. "Levy. I want you to turn around and kneel. Use Gajeel's legs to support you".
Levy grumbled tiredly, but she was too exhausted to argue. Gajeel and Wendy each grabbed an arm, helping her to move about until she was in position.
Tears sprang into her eyes, the new position was pushing the baby down, the pressure unbearable.
Quickly rubbing his hands across her cheeks, Gajeel tried to soothe his mate. "Shh, baby. I know it hurts. You're doing so well. I'm so proud of you. You just have to be strong for a bit longer, just a little bit more"
Porlyusica leant in close then, face level with Levy's. "You are going to push like hell with your next contraction. Or I will reach in there and pull that baby out myself" her tone was steely, leaving no room for argument, and Levy shuddered at the thought.
Collecting herself, she held Gajeel's hands tightly, and took a deep breath as she felt the contraction building. As it hit, she bore down with all her might. She was so focused on pushing that she couldn't even hear herself screaming.
Panting, she took a few deep breaths and, at the nod from her older midwife, pushed again. She felt a burning sensation like she'd never known, and couldn't stop the tears from falling if she'd tried.
Porlyusica stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulders. "Look".
As she looked down, she was amazed to see the top part of her baby's head just between her legs.
"Again, Levy. Just one more"
Gajeel was stunned, mouth hanging open at the sight before him. He knew how babies were made, even how they were born. But watching his Levy birth his child, in front of his own eyes, was something he knew he'd never forget. He'd even forgotten about the pain in his hands, where her tight grip was cutting off his circulation. Nothing mattered to him except the woman in front of him, literally performing a miracle.
Levy reached down, instinctively resting one hand on her baby head as she pushed again, feeling the baby slip free, she brought her up her front, cradling her to her chest.
The entire cottage held its breath.
A quiet cry sounded, and everyone sighed.
Levy's fingers were shaking as she traced the delicate features of her new baby, gently washing her clean. Gajeel was openly weeping, smile stretched across his face as Porlyusica efficiently tied off the cord, offering him the scissors. He took them, large hands shaking, and severed the cord that tied Levy and their baby together.
Wendy took her, bundling her into a warm towel. Smiling, she offered the gently squirming bundle to the large man, placing her delicately into his arms.
"Definitely a girl. Congratulations!" She kissed his cheek, her own eyes bright with unshed tears, before turning back to Levy.
Porlyusica smiled softly at the new father, clasping his arm warmly. "Take her by the fire. Keep her warm, but rest her against your skin" she pushed him gently out the door, closing it softly behind him.
As the two women worked on getting Levy cleaned up and into bed, Gajeel carefully sat in the arm chair by the fire, tears finally drying. He adjusted the new baby against his chest, humming softly when she cried at the movement.
Lily floated over, his dark further damp from tears, to perch on the arm of the chair, looking at the new bundle of pink held carefully in Gajeel's scarred arms.
"She's beautiful" he reached out to gently stroke an arm that had come free. "Congratulations".
The pair sat in silence, the only noises coming from the still falling rain, and the occasional gurgle from the new baby girl. As they sat, they looked closely. She had a light smattering of dark hair, and the bright pink skin of a newborn. Her nose was tiny, slightly upturned, and with full pouting lips, Lily was certain she was going to look like Levy. The only thing they couldn't tell was her eye colour, as she left them screwed closed.
"How's Levy?" the exceed asked his friend, eyes still stuck to the new baby in front of him.
Before Gajeel could answer, the bedroom door swung open to reveal a tired looking Wendy, smiling gently at them.
"You can ask her yourself, if you like" her voice was small, betraying how exhausted she truly was.
Lily floated into the room, carefully landing on the bed next to a worn out looking Levy. "Well done, Levy. She's truly perfect" his deep voice was thick with emotion. She reached out to gently scratch behind his ears.
"Thanks Lil. For everything. Couldn't have done it without your help"
Gajeel walked over to his mate, talking softly to his new daughter. "Hey princess. Ready to see mumma?"
Levy smiled at the picture before her, reaching up to take her daughter. Gajeel carefully manoeuvred her into Levy's waiting arms, sitting softly as she brought her against her chest. Levy smiled as the baby nuzzled in against the familiar smell, whining softly at the smell of milk.
Levy quickly dropped one side of her tank, using her spare hand to stroke her daughter's cheek so she opened her mouth, immediately latching onto Levy's nipple and suckling greedily.
Levy gasped at the sensation. "That's definitely new" she laughed softly, wincing slightly at the movement.
The baby girl brought a hand up to rest against Levy's breast, and opened her eyes. The couple smiled at each other, seeing the honey colour eyes for the first time.
"I'm glad she looks like you" Gajeel muttered, hand gently rubbing Levy's leg through the blankets.
"She needs a name, Jeel. None of ours are right" Levy frowned slightly, trying to think.
Gajeel leant in closely. He could smell Levy, with a slight edge of blood. There was milk, and the sweet smell all new babies possess. Underneath though, just faintly, was her unique scent - lavender, and the smell of spring rain. He smiled, sitting back slightly.
"Amaya"
Their baby curled her fingers, kicking her legs slightly.
"Amaya" Levy breathed. "It's perfect"
Outside, the rain stopped.
Off to the side, Porlyusica quietly filled out some paperwork, ready to lodge the birth officially. "Will she be a McGarden, or a Redfox?"
Levy looked over at the woman, smile growing. "Amaya Sayuri Redfox"
Nodding, Porlyusica made her notes as baby Amaya finished feeding with a sigh. Levy gestured Wendy over, holding out the still naked baby to her.
Wendy's eyes went wide, and she eagerly took the fussing baby into her arms. Resting her on her shoulder, she started to gently rub her back though the towel. "Come on, Gajeel. Time to get your daughter dressed"
She led him down to the nursery, flicking on the light. Settling baby Amaya on the change table, she deftly showed Gajeel how to put on and change a nappy. As he stared down at his daughter, Wendy grabbed a growsuit, passing it to him.
"Uhh, Wendy?" he looked so lost, she almost laughed at him.
"Here, I'll show you" and she did, teaching him how to support his daughters neck, laughing as his large fingers struggled with the tiny press studs.
He picked up his daughter, walking slowly around room. He was already swaying slightly, without realising, and Wendy had to stifle a giggle.
"How bad was it?" Gajeel's deep voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"Honestly? Not as bad as we feared. The placenta didn't come out in one piece. Porlyusica had to actually pull it away, or Levy would have bled to death. But we got it, and stopped the bleeding. She'll hurt for a while, and you have to make sure she rests - in bed - for a few days. Plenty of fluids too"
Gajeel placed a warm hand on her shoulder then, and squeezed affectionately. "Thank you"
Wendy smiled at him. "I promised I'd keep them safe for you"
They re-entered the bedroom as Porlyusica finished scolding Levy. "You!" She turned on Gajeel as he entered the room "She's to stay in bed until I come back tomorrow."
Gajeel nodded his agreement, before walking over the cranky woman, offering her the bundle in his arms.
Her face softened dramatically as she held the baby girl with the ease of practice, smiling as the bright eyes blinked up at her. "Welcome to the world, little one. You picked good parents" she kissed the hand that was waving near her face, before turning and placing the squirming baby into her mother's arms.
"I'll be back tomorrow. Try to get some rest" she turned, leaving the small family and Wendy in the dimly lit bedroom.
Lily and Wendy excused themselves to get some sleep, the past 24 hours having been tiring for them both - Wendy especially, after using her magic to heal Levy.