The first month starts with a swing.

Lucy is pouting with slumped shoulders, twirling her thumbs in her lap. Her dinner is half-eaten, and it doesn't look like she'll resume eating anytime soon. Natsu watches her with a dumbfounded expression since she was smiling just moments ago.

"Did I do something wrong?" Natsu asks.

"No, you didn't." She lets out a heavy sigh. "Sorry, I can't help my mood."

"We'll get through this together."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

The second month starts with nausea.

Lucy is currently groaning and kneeling over the toilet, gripping onto the seat with pale knuckles. It's clear how much discomfort she is in, and it's not a sight that Natsu ever wants to see.

"Do you need me to hold your hair back?" Natsu asks.

"No, I got it," she assures weakly.

"Well, if you need anything I'm here."

"I'll tell you when."

"You know, this is sort of like me with my motion sickness."

"Not funny, Natsu."

The third month starts with an ultrasound.

Lucy is lying down with her belly slathered in gel, curiously peering at the screen beside her. She squeezes onto Natsu's hand with all her might to keep herself from screaming in excitement. Natsu can't hold back the smile on his lips.

"Is that how our baby looks like?" Natsu asks.

"Yep, that's her," she replies softly.

"How do you know it's a girl?"

"I can feel it. It's a motherly instinct."

"What if it's a boy?"

"Don't worry, it's not."

The fourth month starts with confidence.

Lucy isn't able to hold back the bounce in her step, happily humming to herself as she makes dinner that night. Natsu views her with amusement; it has been months since he has seen her like this. He wants to cherish this moment.

"Isn't this the month where you get bursts of energy?" Natsu asks.

"The second trimester has never felt so good." She grins in response.

"Your skin looks like you're glowing."

"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Natsu."

"I've said nicer things before!"

"Telling me that I'm getting bigger is not a compliment."

The fifth month starts with a mark.

Lucy is standing in front of a mirror, tears swelling up in her eyes. She isn't sure if it's because of what's printed on her skin or she's in the midst of another mood swing. But with how she is right now, that's the least of her worries.

"What's so bad about a little stretch mark?" Natsu asks.

"Because they're permanent unless I use all sorts of lotions to remove it," she protests.

"I don't think it looks bad, though."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"No, really! I think it looks pretty cool. It looks like a lightning bolt."

"… Maybe it isn't as bad, then."

The sixth month starts with two meals.

Lucy is cheerfully smiling at the waitress who places their orders at their table, mouthwatering at the several plates in front of her. If there aren't so many people in the restaurant right now, she would devour it all in one second.

"Are you sure you're going to be able to eat all of that?" Natsu asks.

"You're asking me that like you haven't eaten more," Lucy accuses.

"True… You know what, if you eat all of that without needing any help, I'll give you a foot massage every night until Nashi is born."

"Oh, you're on."

The seventh month starts with a bump.

Lucy has her shirt lifted up to expose her belly, not being able to see her feet anymore when she looks down. It's difficult to see her feet at all, but she can definitely feel that they're swollen.

"Do you think your belly is finished growing?" Natsu asks.

"No way, I still have a long way to go," she admits.

"Do you need help with anything?"

"Yeah, how about a foot massage?"

"You'll never let me forget I lost, will you?"

"Nope!"

The eighth month starts with a kick.

Lucy is rubbing her hands across her belly, a soothing habit she has created for herself. Natsu watches her in awe while secretly wishing he could feel her belly, too.

"Can I touch it?" Natsu asks.

"Go ahead," she replies.

"Is that Nashi kicking?!"

"Yep, that's her. Feels nice, doesn't it?"

"I don't think I'm ever washing my hand again."

"Go to the bathroom right now, Natsu."

The ninth month starts with a contraction.

Lucy is bent over her chair, releasing a pained cry. All of the color in her face has faded and her hands are beginning to tremble. Natsu frantically jumps out of his chair, asking the first thing that comes to his mind.

"Did your water just break?!" Natsu asks.

"Just take me to the hospital already," she commands with a grimace.

"Is it okay if I call everyone while we're on the way?"

"Who cares, just take me already!"

The ninth month ends with a swing.

Lucy is rocking her daughter to sleep in her arms, staring at Natsu with a frown. She shifts her gaze from him to the object he is holding several times before she lets out a heavy sigh.

"Why did you buy a piñata for Nashi?" Lucy asks.

"Babies like candy, don't they?"

"Not newborn babies!"

"Oh, we'll see about that."

"Natsu, don't you dare feed our daughter candy!"

I don't know what it is about this one-shot, but I love it so much. It's one of my favorite things I've written, I think. There's just something about it... agh, I don't know!

Fun fact: I spent like two hours on several websites for moms so I could research what happens in each month. If my mom were to see my internet history, I'd probably never see light again LMAO.

Ah, so sad that the next prompt will be the last. It's been a good week, guys. I'm happy to have spent it with you all! I do have some rather sad news to tell you all, but I'll leave that for tomorrow.

See you tomorrow with the final prompt: Family Life/Marriage!