"You're healing faster than I expected" the old woman straightened, tucking the covers back around Levy. "You can get out of bed, but take it easy. No heavy lifting, and plenty of rest"
Porlyusica opened the door to let in a worried looking Gajeel, holding a squirming baby.
He smiled sheepishly, walking to Levy. Carefully placing their daughter into Levy's waiting arms, he stepped back and shrugged. "She's definitely my daughter. Sorry!"
Levy just laughed, already helping their baby to latch onto her nipple, smiling as Amaya began suckling hungrily.
"While you're all here" Porlyusica cleared her throat. "I cannot tell what magic she will possess, not yet. But already, her energy is incredibly strong. You would be wise to start teaching her to control it as soon as possible." She turned to leave, watching the new family over her shoulder. "No sex until I say so. I'll be back in a few days to check on you all. Oh, and one more thing" her face softened as she smiled knowingly at them. "Congratulations"
The newly engaged couple watched, stunned, as the normally terse Porlyusica laughed, waving a hand over her shoulder as she left the cottage.
Later in the morning, Amaya slept quietly in the bassinet that had been moved by the warm embers of the fire as Wendy kept watch over her so that Gajeel could help Levy shower and dress.
As the couple entered the lounge, Gajeel sniffed the air. Kissing Levy's hair as she settled on the armchair, he moved through the kitchen, setting the kettle to boil as he passed, opening the door at the sound of a quiet knock.
"Lucy"
The blonde wizard stood in front of him, offering up a basket of goodies. "Mira's cooking. She thought you'd probably wouldn't want to cook, with the baby so close to coming"
Gajeel stood back, ushering her inside as he laughed at her.
"Uhh, something funny?"
He just waved his arm in the direction of the lounge, still chuckling as he set the basket on the bench, busying himself making tea for everyone.
Lucy spied Levy sitting in the chair, arms holding a tiny bundle.
"Levy!" the blonde nearly squealed "You didn't. Already?! Can I see?" Lucy, normally eloquent, was tripping over words as her brain tried to reconcile the sight before her with the dates they'd worked out.
Levy smiled, gesturing her over and carefully arranging her daughter into Lucy's arms when she bent down.
Standing, Lucy cradled the baby close to her chest, gently rocking. "I thought you still had another 3 weeks?!"
Levy shrugged. "She's her father's daughter, alright. And when has Gajeel ever done anything according to someone else's time frame?"
The pair of friends laughed, Lucy cooing over the baby in her arms. "Levy, she's just perfect. Did you pick a name yet?"
Gajeel brought their tea in, setting it down on the coffee table. "Amaya. She's Amaya Sayuri Redfox" he sounded almost proud.
Watching him watch his daughter, Lucy took in his tired eyes, and the soft happy expression he wore. He's never looked this happy, she thought to herself. "It's a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl" she gasped as Amaya opened her eyes, staring directly up at Lucy. "Well, hi Ami" she cooed at the baby. "I see you got your mum's pretty eyes".
Levy groaned at the nickname. "Not you, too!"
Gajeel and Lucy just laughed, as he moved to take his daughter from the celestial wizard and took her to the nursery as she began fussing.
Lucy passed Levy her mug, sitting near her on the couch and examining her friends face closely, noting the small smile, and tired eyes.
"Honestly, how was it?"
Levy sipped at her tea, unsure of how much to tell her friend. Settling on complete honestly, she sighed. "Lu, it's the single most painful thing I've ever done. I couldn't have done it without Gajeel. But, I would do it again in a heartbeat, a million times over, for her" she reached up to brush an azure lock away from her face, ring sparkling in the afternoon sun.
"I see Amaya isn't the only new thing around here" Lucy smiled knowingly, grabbing Levy's hand to examine the new piece of jewellery.
"Oh, yeah" Levy giggled, pulling her hand back to take her daughter into her arms, settling her against her chest to feed.
Lucy watched, intrigued, as her best friend swiftly exposed herself, guiding the hungry baby to suckle happily. "Wow. That's something else"
Levy smiled wistfully, checking that Gajeel had left the room again. "Yeah. Hurts like hell though!"
Gajeel rejoined the women then, flopping into the armchair opposite Levy. He watched his mate closely, but her face revealed nothing of the pain her was certain she was feeling.
The three sat in companionable silence, the only noises coming from the gently crackling fire and the happy sighs of baby Amaya as she drank her fill.
As she gradually filled up, her suckling became less intense, until she completely released Levy's nipple.
Levy waved Lucy over, smiling as the blonde happily accepted the chance to cuddle and burp the baby.
Gajeel watched, smiling, as Lucy gently bounced Amaya, rubbing and patting her back until a quiet burp was heard.
"There! Isn't that better?" Lucy kept up a steady stream of chatter to the baby as she repositioned her down against her chest, rocking her when she began to fuss.
Wendy joined them, arms resting on the back of the chair, behind Gajeel's head. "Looks like you've got the touch, Luce" her voice was brighter, the extended rest having restored her energy.
Levy and Gajeel exchanged a look, smiling as Levy turned to her friend. "I'd expect nothing less from her god mother!"
Lucy stopped, face frozen in shock. "Really? You mean it?"
Gajeel rumbled his agreement, and Lucy's face split with a happy grin
"Thank you so much, you guys! I'm going to spoil this princess rotten - just so you know!" She bent, placing the now sleeping Amaya into her bassinet, carefully tucking the blanket around her. She moved to hug each of her friends - Gajeel returning the gesture stiffly, Levy warmly wrapping her arms around Lucy.
"You guys make pretty cute kids! Don't stop at one" she winked at Gajeel, clearing the table and rinsing the mugs. Leaning back into the lounge, she watched the large man standing over the bassinet protectively, smiling down at its sleeping occupant. "So, can I tell everyone?!"
The couple smiled at each other, before turning and nodding at Lucy.
The blonde squealed, excited to go share the news with all their friends. "I'll tell them to leave you in peace, too!" and with a wave, she was off, running back into town to share the news.
Lucy burst through the guild hall door, causing everyone to stop and look at her.
She smiled, took a deep breath, and yelled - "IT'S A GIRL!"
The entire hall erupted into cheers, and Mira started dishing out drinks for the impromptu celebration as Cana began checking the ledger to see who'd won in the pools.
Lucy found herself surrounded by a crowd of people, asking her question after question.
After answering the same question six times in a row, she looked across at Happy, silently begging for some help. The blue exceed picked her up from the throng of people, placing her down on the bar.
She cleared her throat, demanding everyone's attention. Nearly yelling to be heard over the chatter, she relayed all the information she had. "Amaya Sayuri Redfox. About 3 this morning. Everyone is well - tired but ecstatic. Please no visitors yet, they'll let us know when they're ready to see everyone" she nimbly leapt down, weaving through people to find Juvia.
"Juvia!" She hugged the water woman, who was on the verge of tears. "You should go see them now. There's someone Gajeel is very excited to introduce you to" She pushed the stunned woman towards the door, waving her off. "Go!" and then Lucy was gone, disappeared back into the crowd.
Juvia squared her shoulders, knocking lightly on the door and walking into the cottage. She'd never waited for permission before, both Gajeel and Levy having told her repeatedly that she was always welcome in their home. Walking to the lounge, she spied the family sitting together on the couch, an impossibly small bundle held carefully in Gajeel's massive arms.
"Juvia!" Levy smiled brilliantly at the mage in front of them, waving her over to sit next to Gajeel as she moved to stand by the fire.
Juvia sat quietly next to Gajeel, eyes focusing on the new baby he was holding.
He smiled at her, a smile Juvia had never seen before - it lit up his whole face, eyes crinkling around the edges. And then he put the swarm of blankets into her arms.
"Oh!" Juvia felt the warm weight against her chest, looking into the bright honey eyes of her friends child. "Gajeel, she's beautiful!" She fixed her friend with a joyous look, before turning her full attention on the child in her arms. "Hello baby. Juvia is so happy to meet you!" She gently caressed the pink cheeks.
A/N: I think there used to be more to this story, but for the life of me I can't find it anywhere. Also, having just had a baby of my own, I know just how wrong most of this stuff is. But we're going to ignore it and just enjoy the fluff
I'll try to be back with updates for my other stories shortly, but there won't be a continuation of this one - sorry!