In the soft light of the room, Levy looked radiant.
Gajeel watched as she softly stroked their daughter's fuzzy hair, smiling brightly every time Amaya looked up at her.
"Thank you" his voice was thick with emotion, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks.
"Gajeel? What's wrong?" Levy carefully placed Amaya on her legs, hand reaching out to touch his rough jaw.
Shaking his head, he smiled at her. "You're incredible. You carried her, protected her all those months. And you tore yourself apart to bring her into this world. She's here - beautiful and perfect and ours. So thank you" he moved off the bed, grabbing a small box from his desk as he walked around to kneel beside Levy. "You've never been more beautiful, and I don't think I could love you more than I do right now. I know you don't care, but this is important to me. So, Levy. My Lev, my Shrimp. The mother of my child. Please? Marry me?" he opened the box, revealing a simple silver band, with a large ruby centre, surrounded by tiny aquamarines. "Please say yes"
Levy grinned, reaching to pull him into a kiss. "Yes, you idiot! A million times yes!" he sighed in relief as she held her hand out for him to slide the ring on.
"Did you make this? Gajeel, it's beautiful" she held her hand up, examining her new piece of jewellery.
He shrugged, happy that she was pleased. "Tried to make it perfect for you".
Little Amaya chose that moment to squawk, hands balling up tightly, face becoming red.
Gajeel quickly gathered her into his arms, gently rocking her. "Hey, little one. You're alright. Shh, now. It's okay, I've got you" he smiled as she started to relax in his warm embrace. "I think she needs changing. We'll be right back" he kissed Levy, standing carefully and leaving the room.
Levy watched them go, amazed at how much their lives had changed in the space of a day. Sighing, she snuggled down into the bed, pulling the covers around her. The warmth helped with the ache she was feeling - it really did feel like she'd turned herself inside out, and Porlyusica hadn't helped with that, regardless of how necessary her rough actions had been. She was relieved that Wendy at least had thought to cast a silence spell on the room - Gajeel would have murdered someone if he'd been able to hear her pained screaming. She shook the thought from her mind, absent mindedly playing with her new piece of jewellery, when a familiar shadow filled the doorway.
She couldn't help but smile at the site of her fiance, broad shoulders and large arms curled protectively around the tiny bundle he was holding.
He crossed to the bed in two strides, carefully transferring the new baby into Levy's arms. Amaya stirred slightly at the disturbance, quickly settling back down as she realised whose arms she was in.
Gajeel quickly stripped off, climbing into bed next to his girls. "How you doing?"
Levy kept her eyes on the peaceful face of her daughter as she sighed in her sleep. "Tired. And sore. I didn't think it was possible to ache this much" she laughed quietly.
Gajeel kissed her hair, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry it hurts. You were amazing though" Levy snorted next to him, clearing disbelieving. "I'm serious. You never gave up, even when you were exhausted. You looked after our daughter all those months, and you still had the strength to bring her into the world. I'm so damn proud of you" he squeezed his arm tightly around her, burying his nose in her hair. "But you should get some sleep"
Levy shook her head. "I know. But I'm scared that when I wake up, this will all just have been a dream"
Gajeel chuckled quietly to himself, gently pulling the tired bluenette to learn against his chest. "At least rest. Amaya needs you functional"
The new parents settled in, enjoying the warmth radiating between them, and the small snuffles of their daughter.
Gajeel watched as Levy gently stroked the soft skin of the baby in her arms, lulling her back to sleep every time she stirred. He watched her own eyes start to close, little by little, and her head began to hang lower. Carefully, he took Amaya out of her arms, holding the baby close to his chest when she stirred. When he was certain she was asleep, he gently swaddled her in the blanket that had been a gift from Laxus, of all people, and placed her into the bassinet, pulling it up next to the bed. Kissing her dark hair, he turned and gathered Levy into his arms.
She opened her eyes at the movement. "Jeel?" her voice was thick with sleep, and Gajeel was certain she wasn't actually awake.
"Shh, Lev. Sleep. Amaya's right here" the silence was punctuated by a loud sigh, almost as if the baby wanted to reassure her mother.
Levy smiled, snuggling down closer into Gajeel's warmth as he pulled the covers tightly up around her. Finally, as the sky began to lighten, the cottage was silent, all occupants fast asleep.
The blissful quiet was interrupted just a couple of hours later by a quiet wailing.
Gajeel snapped awake, the previous days events flooding back to him. Carefully, he extradited himself from Levy's arms, moving to stand and pick up his daughter in one smooth movement.
"Good morning, little one" he whispered to her, smiling when her cries stopped almost instantly. "What are you fussing about so early?" he quietly padded down the hallway into the nursery, quickly changing her wet nappy and redressing her before she could catch cold. He watched her chin start to quiver again, hands fisting at her sides. Picking her up, he cradled her next to his heart. "Come on Ami, let's go wake mumma" he smirked to himself - Levy was not going to enjoy the nickname in the slightest.
He re-entered the dark room, moving to sit gently on Levy's side of the bed. She stirred at the movement, rolling towards him.
"Gajeel? That you?" she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Morning Lev" his voice was near booming in the early morning silence. "Sorry to wake you, but apparently it's time for breakfast"
She smiled brightly, completely awake as she held out her arms to take their daughter from him.
"Hi, princess" she cooed quietly at their baby, positioning her against her chest as she dropped one side of her top. Guiding Amaya, Levy winced as she latched on, suckling firmly.
Gajeel noticed, shooting her a concerned look.
Levy shook her head slightly, indicating that she was fine. "Just a bit swollen. I guess I'm going to have to feed her more often for the moment".
Gajeel nodded, kissing her cheek. "I'm going to have a quick shower. Just yell if you need me". He crossed quickly to the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
As he looked around the room, he could see no reminders of last night, save for the fresh towels on the stand. He shrugged, guessing Wendy or Lily had cleaned up after everything.
Levy sighed as she heard the shower start, finally feeling the pressure in her breasts subsiding. She turned her focus to the tiny person in her arms, currently suckling happily. She brought a hand up, fingers tracing the chubby cheek, marvelling at the soft pink skin. Levy looked up, hearing a soft knock on the door. She smiled as a head of long blue hair appeared around the door.
"Oh, you're awake!" Wendy whispered as she entered the room.
"Apparently it was time for breakfast"
Wendy moved to sit on the bed, crossing her legs next to Levy. She reached out, gently brushing her hand against her fellow bluenettes forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I could sleep for a week" she laughed softly. "But not as sore as I was."
"That's good. You can probably get out of bed after Porlyusica checks you." Her large eyes examined Levy's face carefully, noticing an odd expression in her eyes. "Levy? What else?"
Levy sighed, eyes still focused on the happy baby pressed to her breast. "It sounds silly".
Wendy gently squeezed her knee through the blanket, trying to reassure her. "I won't laugh"
Levy turned to look at her, smiling softly. "I just got used to feeling her inside my body. And now that she's in my arms, I feel kinda empty. And I look like a deflated balloon!"
Wendy couldn't stop the giggle from bursting out. "I'm sorry Levy!" She quickly schooled her features into a sympathetic mask. "But you actually look really good, considering you just had a baby. Your belly will shrink in a few days. And if you still feel empty, just have another one!"
Levy looked stunned for a moment, before bursting out in laughter. She lifted her now sleepy daughter, holding her against her shoulder as she quickly covered herself up.
"You're right - I'm being a bit ridiculous!" the two bluenettes laughed together, as the shower turned off in the bathroom. "Here - do you want to hold her?" Levy held the sleeping baby out, gently transferring her into Wendy's waiting arms. As Levy pulled her hands back, the light caught one of the small stones on her ring, causing it to glitter brightly.
"Levy! What is that?" Wendy's voice was high with excitement, eyes growing large as Levy held out her hand for closer inspection.
"It's an engagement ring, kid" Gajeel's deep voice called from behind Wendy's back, where he stood leaning against the door frame, drying his long hair.
Wendy turned slightly, eyeing off the older slayer. "When?"
He shrugged, dropping his towel on the rack just inside the door, and moving to sit next to Levy. "Few hours ago"
Wendy smiled brightly, squeezing each of their hands in turn. "Took you long enough!" She moved to the edge, carefully wrapping Amaya in her blanket, placing her into the bassinet. She stood, fixing Levy with her best scary face. "Get some sleep" Face softening, she turned to Gajeel. "I'll get you guys something to eat" she turned then, leaving them in the dimly lit room.
Gajeel stood, adjusting the dark curtains to keep out as much light as possible. He watched Levy fiddle with her ring slightly, not used to feeling it on her finger, before she yawned widely.
"Sleep, love." He kissed her hair, helping her to nestle down into the covers. "I'll be here"
She hummed happily, the warmth surrounding her quickly lulled her back to sleep.
Gajeel silently moved to the other side of the room, dropping into the chair and pulling the bassinet close. He'd just picked up his book, settling down to read, when Lily appeared at the door.
Gajeel held a finger to his lips, indicating the need for quite. Lily nodded, floating noiselessly into the room and handed over a plate of sandwiches as he landed on the large mans legs.
"How is she?" his deep voice hushed, Lily tilted his head to indicate he was asking after Levy.
"Fine, just tired"
"And you?"
"Also tired." He shook his head to silence the exceeds protests that he, too, should be sleeping. "Too wired. She said yes"
Lily smiled, shaking his small head at the large man. "Your timing could use some work. Congratulations." He unfurled his wings, hovering silently above the bassinet, marvelling at the tiny person beneath him, almost lost in the mess of blanket. "She's even more beautiful than yesterday. Or was it this morning? My sense of time is out of sorts after yesterday"
Gajeel shook his head warmly, appreciating his friends attempts at humour after the stressful day.
"I didn't hear her cry at all?" Lily asked, unsure of what would be considered normal.
"Only once this morning, and it was pretty quiet. Hopefully she won't start screaming all the time"
Almost on cue, the bundle of blanket began squirming, and Gajeel could hear the small whimpering noises start. Quickly standing, he gathered her into his arms, quietening his daughter before she could wake Levy.
Quickly changing her, Gajeel moved to stand by the fire, gently rocking Amaya. As her fussing settled, she looked up at him with those huge honey eyes.
"Well hi sleepy head. What are we going to do this morning?" he smiled as she worked an arm free, tiny hand waving around for something to grab. Spying the exceed watching them from his perch on the back of the couch, Gajeel raised an eyebrow at him. Lily watched nervously as the dark haired slayer moved to stand in front of him.
"I know, princess. How about a cuddle with uncle Lily?"
Lily imstantly transformed into his larger battle form, very nervously watching the pair in front of him. "Uhh, Gajeel? I've never actually held a baby before..."
Gajeel chuckled, motioning for his friend to sit and hold his arms out. As he carefully transferred his daughter into Lily's waiting arms, he smiled as his friend shifted awkwardly. "You ain't gonna drop her, silly. Just hold her in close, like that"
Lily finally relaxed, feeling more secure holding the tiny bundle against his chest.
Gajeel left them sitting like that, enjoying the few minutes of normality as he brewed himself a strong coffee, pouring juice for Lily.
As he walked back to them, he couldn't help but smile. Amaya had caught one of Lily's huge fingers in her tiny fist, eyes screwed up in concentration as Lily gently bounced her. Gajeel saw how tiny she looked, cradled against Lily's huge frame. I wonder if that's how I look holding her, he thought to himself.
Lily noticed the man watching them, and offered him a bright smile. "She's got quite the grip already. Definitely your child".
Gajeel smiled, dropping into the chair beside the fire. He was enjoying the warmth on his back, thankful that someone - probably Lily - had kept it going for them. He'd just finished his coffee, placing the mug on the table, when there came a sharp rap on the door.
He groaned, standing up. Stretching, he walked over and opened the door to reveal Porlyusica, her face as stern as ever. As he moved aside to let her enter, she gave him a quick once over.
"You look better than I expected".
He grunted in response, waving his hand to indicate where Amaya was.
She crossed to them, gently taking the baby into her own arms. "I need Levy awake, please" she muttered bruskly, turning her focus back to the bundle in her arms as Gajeel left the room.