One More Surprise

Gajeel watched Levy as she hummed to herself as she dusted the small bookcase for the sixth time that day. The Iron dragon slayer knew he was hovering, but with Levy expected to give birth to the couple's first child any day now it was not a surprise that Gajeel had took to hovering over Levy again. Levy had snapped at Gajeel a few times over the course of her pregnancy about his overprotectiveness. Gajeel could not help it; Levy was just so small. Gajeel knew that his Shrimp was no weakling; but she was carrying their first child and this pregnancy had been on the rough side for both of the soon to be parents. Gajeel noticed that Levy had stopped dusting and was now looking at him. "What is it, Shrimp? Is everything okay?" he asked with concern. Levy gave a small smile before replying "Everything is fine, Gajeel. I just really want to go and visit the guild one last time before the baby gets here." Levy looked up into Gajeel's face with her best doe eyed look. Gajeel froze as he made the mistake of meeting Levy's gaze. The dragon slayer had not Levy near the guild for the past two months after she had almost been hit by a chair during a guild brawl.

Gajeel desperately did not want to let Levy anywhere the crazy guildhall, but that damn look of hers had him bending to her will; and she knew it. Gajeel let out a sigh "You know I don't want to you go…" Gajeel lifted his hand to stop her protest that was on her lips. "But I know you really want to go. We will go, but if a brawl starts we are leaving via backdoor; without complaint." Levy's face split into a huge grin as she wrapped her arms around her husband as much has her belly would allow. "Thank you, Gajeel I have been going crazy just sitting around the house and the short trips to the market." Gajeel wrapped his arms around his mate. "Gihi Let's go find Lily and we head to the guild."

Pantherlily floated over Levy's left shoulder as Gajeel walked on her right side. Both the dragon slayer and his exceed partner had become very protective of Levy since they had found out about her pregnancy. While at times Levy had found it sweet other times it had driven the little solid script mage insane. Levy was glad to be out of the house even though her back was sore and her feet were swollen. Levy smiled in the sunlight as she walked (waddled) to the guild hall. As the trio reached the guild hall they could hear people talking, but the sounds of a brawl were not to be heard. Lily opened the door for Levy and Gajeel. Once the couple stepped into the hall Mira let out a shriek of happiness that had Gajeel cringing as his ears began to ring. Mira was quickly at Levy's side giving the bluenette a gentle hug "Oh Levy! No one has been able to see you in months! It is so good to see you." Mira said while giving a beaming smile to Levy. Levy gave an embarrassed laugh as she rub the back of her head "Yeah after I was almost hit by that chair Gajeel and Lily both went to crazy protective mode." Levy and Mira began to walk towards the bar where Lucy, Erza, and Cana sat. Gajeel started to follow before he was grabbed by Laxus. Gajeel turned to face the lighting mage with a growl in his throat. Laxus only grunted before saying "Don't worry Natsu and Gray are out on an errand Gramps gave them. No one else is going to start a fight today. Blondie is busy writing so she stayed here." Gajeel paused before scanning the guild hall to see that both the flame idiot and the stripped were absent. Giving a grunt and a nod of agreement the iron dragon slayer sat down next to the lighting dragon slayer. Mira walked over setting down a mug in front of both men. Gajeel nodded his thanks before taking a small sip of the chilled cider Mira had given him. Laxus was drinking ale, but Gajeel refused just so he would be able to jump to Levy's side; should she need him. Looking over to the bar to see Lucy and Levy chatting away. Lily was also sitting at the bar eating small kiwis. Gajeel relaxed into his set as he began to watch the guild hall; while Shrimp enjoyed her time with her friends.

Levy smiled as she neared Lucy. She had not seen much of her blonde friend in the past two months. Lucy had been drug on many missions with Team Natsu and Levy had not been at the guild hall. The two friends had spent a few lunches together, but that was about it. "Hey Lu-Chan!" Levy said as she gave her friend are hug. "Levy! How are you feeling? You are due any day now right?" the celestial mage asked. Levy gave a small smile as she rubbed her swollen belly. "Yeah, I am due any day now. I have been feeling pretty good other than some back pains and swollen feet. So far this has been the easiest part of my pregnancy. The past few days though I have been really antsy." Lucy gave a chuckle "Yeah, at least you finally got to visit the guildhall. Plus, Nastu and Gary are not here to start a fight." Levy nodded "Where are Gray and Nastu if you and Erza are still here?" Lucy gave a laugh "They annoyed Master, until he gave them errand just to give everyone a break." Levy nodded in understanding she absently rubbed her back as another twinge of pain made itself known. Erza noticed that Levy was rubbing her back and decided to watch the smaller mage closely. Wendy was with Porlyusica for the day learned more about healing. Both the healing mages had already agreed to help Levy when she went into labor, and Levy was due any day now. Erza watched as Levy and Lucy chatted about books, missions Lucy had been on, and the guild's general activities. Erza remember when she had first learned that Levy was pregnant.

~Flashback~

Erza was sitting in the guild hall eating strawberry cheesecake when Gajeel and Levy announced the fact that they soon would have a child. After her initial shock had worn off Erza had stood and walked over to Gajeel. The dragon slayer was surrounded by the other men of the guild receiving pats of congratulations on the back. Without a word Erza walked up to Gajeel before punching him in the face. "Oi, what in the hell is your problem, Titania!" Gajeel yelled with a sneer. Erza glared at Gajeel before saying in her threatening tone "Anything happens to her and you will die" with that the red haired mage turned on her heel walking back over to where the girls were gathered around Levy. Erza smirked to herself once her back was towards Gajeel. While she loved that Gajeel and Levy were together she had felt the need to remind the dragon slayer what would happen if anything were to be fall little Levy.

~End Flashback~

It was late at night when Gray and Nastu returned to the guild hall. Master had sent the two into the mountains for a plant to help the master with his back pain. As the duo stepped into the guild they noticed Gajeel sitting at a table next to Laxus talking quietly. The two looked over at the bar where the women were gathered they could see Levy. Both mages looked at each other and gulped. They nodded to each other before Nastu said "Truce until they leave?" Gray nodded "Truce." Last time Gajeel and Levy had been at the guild hall Nastu and Gray had started the brawl where Levy had been almost hit by are chair. Remember the rage Gajeel and Patherlily had both entered they both deiced to behave until the trio left for the night.

Gajeel watched Gray and Nastu as they entered the guild hall. He saw the nod the two shared as they made their way to the master's office to deliver the plants they had collected. Gajeel stood and walked over to Levy. He had noticed that she had started to yawn and rub her back more. "Come on Shrimp, we need to head home." He rumbled into her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Gajeel smirked to himself at that. Levy nodded and slid off her chair before giving each of the girls a hug good night. Lily had floated over to her shoulder once Levy stood.

As the trio began to walk home Levy's pace was slow. Her back pain had been coming in waves throughout the day. Now it was almost constant Levy knew she should have to Gajeel, but she had missed talking with her friends. She had been a little sad that Jet and Droy had been out on a mission, but she was glad that her teammates had accepted Gajeel finally. Levy stopped as a strong wave of pain hit her. Gajeel and Lily stopped. Gajeel knelt beside Levy "Are you okay, Shrimp? What is wrong?" he asked his wife as she gasped at the pain. Gajeel set his hand on her back rubbing small circles on her back. Levy sighed as her back relaxed at Gajeel's touch. "I'm fine. My back just hurts; let's get home." Levy replied as the pain faded. Gajeel nodded before he picked Levy up. "Don't complain. You are tired and hurting. We are almost home." Gajeel told Levy. Levy gave a yawn and nodded.

Later that night Levy woke up to her entire abdomen seizing with pain. She gave a grunt of pain that had Gajeel awake in a heartbeat. He looked at Levy "Is the baby coming?" Levy gasped again before nodding and replying "I think so. We have to get to the guild hall and send for Porlyusica." Gajeel nodded remaining surprisingly calm. He stood grabbing the bag Levy had packed two weeks ago to have ready for when she went into labor. Gajeel then woke Pantherlily as Levy was getting changed into a lose dress. Gajeel handed Lily the bag while he moved to pick up Levy. The Exceed and dragon slayer were surprisingly calm the entire way to the guild. Levy was glad that her husband and friend were calm on the way to the guild hall. On the way to the guild several more waves of pain crashed over Levy. None of them were enough to make her cry out but she did groan. Once the trio reached the guild hall Gajeel took Levy to the infirmary while Lily set the bag down in the corner before flying out to find the Master and inform him what was going on.

Gajeel got Levy settled on an infirmary bed. Levy groaned as a fresh wave of pain hit her. Gajeel had been mentally timing the contractions. He had them at about four minutes apart, from what Alzack had told him Levy still had ways to go yet and he knew that freaking out would not help her. On the inside Gajeel was going nuts, but he refused to make it worse for Levy than what it was going to be. Lily came back into the room "I am on my way to fetch Wendy and Porlyusica. Master is up and on his way down. Warren is contacting the rest of the guild now." Gajeel just nodded to his partner as he flew back out of the room. Levy groaned once more Gajeel winced hearing that sound come from his mate knowing he could not help. "Do you want me to rub circles on you back until they get here?" he asked. Levy nodded before croaking out a "Yes, please." Gajeel helped Levy lay on her side before he began to rub her back. Master walked into the room at that time. He just nodded to Levy and Gajeel before quietly taking a seat.

Several hours later Gajeel had been kicked out of the infirmary when he had finally started to freak out. Master had dragged him out of the room and now Erza was sitting next to Gajeel watching him. Laxus was sitting on the other side of Gajeel. Erza and Laxus had been asked by Makarov to watch Gajeel. Porlyusica, Wendy, and Mirajane were the only ones in the delivery room with Levy. Mira had taken Gajeel's place as Levy's support since Lucy had been late to arrive at the guild hall. Other than Gajeel, Laxus, and Erza whom were seated on the second floor of the guild hall everyone else was seated on the first floor.

Levy was in labor for three more hours after Gajeel had been removed from the room. Gajeel was on edge and was about to try once more to charge back into the room as Levy cried out in pain. Both Laxus and Erza grabbed him by his arms. Gajeel growled at both of them before he sat back down. Suddenly the guild was eerily quiet until a newborn's cry could be heard. Everyone in the guild hall froze staring at the door. Wendy slipped out and walked over to Gajeel. A smile spread across her face "Are you ready to come and meet your daughter, Gajeel?" Gajeel was shocked "My daughter?" he asked in a daze. Wendy nodded "Yes you are the father of a gorgeous baby girl. Levy-chan is doing just fine as well." Gajeel stood and followed Wendy back into the room. Erza called out over the guild hall "It is a girl!" Everyone cheered and began to celebrate.

Gajeel was in awe as he looked at Levy; she looked tired and her hair was plastered to her face. In her arms sat a small bundle. Gajeel smiled at his wife. "Hey Shrimp, how are you feeling?" "I am fine, just tired. Come meet you daughter." Gajeel gulped as he stepped up next to Levy's side. Levy gently placed the newborn into Gajeel's arms. Gajeel felt his heart melt as he looked at his daughter's face for the first time. "Hi munchkin I'm your Daddy." He cooed to the small babe. Gajeel looked at Levy "She is perfect." He whispered, grin on his face. "What are we gonna call her?" he asked. Levy smiled "I was thinking of naming her Melody Alya Redfox." Gajeel smiled a wide grin. "That is perfect." Gajeel placed Melody into Levy's arms and sat next to her on the bed wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you for blessing my life, Shrimp. I love you." "I love you too, Gajeel." The new parents shared a kiss before the members of the guild started to filter into the room one at a time. Everyone was really happy, but it was clear who had lost money in the bets abut which gender the baby would be.