Due to lack of votes, this new drabble series will not be on Tumblr. I have decided I was hasty in asking my reader's participation but I thank the one person who decided to vote. Thankies person! ;.; As for this one, I think Lisanna is a very underestimated character.

Crossroad

Lucy sipped her drink as she watches everyone around her go about their daily routines. Some were eating, others were toasting their mugs up high with froth and liquid spilling on their fingers but many coming and going on jobs to pay their dues. Honestly, life is good. She knows her house is clean, the food storage filled to the brim with food for her two boys and leftovers from Mira for dinner about to be served.

Turning to Lisanna who sits at her elbow, Lucy smiles happily as her nakama bounces her five year old on her knee while laughing at her elder brother's antics. Elfman is currently trying to impress Evergreen with his manliness when it has been an open secret for years that the two like each other.

"Ha ha," Lisanna laughs as she adjusts her grip on the boy in her arms, "Elf-nii has decided to try harder this time."

Gulping down another sip, Lucy rolls her eyes tiredly, "He's been trying for three years. I think she just likes to be chased after."

Looking over at Lisanna and Nashi, who is giggling happily in his 'Aunt Lisanna's' arms, Lucy thinks back with nostalgia at the sight of them together when they first met.

"Whoohooo! I've got a son, guys! I'M SO FRIGGIN' FIRED UP!"

Laughing hard while holding her newborn son to her chest, Lucy followed her husband's wake and watched as their guild erupted into an instant celebration for Nashi Dragneel. The day whirled past as member after member of the guild cooed and argued over holding the infant in her arms. Before things got too rowdy for her comfort zone, Lucy threatened to leave Natsu behind if he started a brawl with Nashi so young.

After three rounds around the guild, Lucy sat her butt down in front of Mira at the bar and wiped a few beads of sweat from Nashi's forehead. With so many people in a building, the body heat is higher than normal and Lucy herself is overheating after giving birth just three days ago.

Noticing the sweat, Lisanna leaned over the bar with concern. Like her sister, she has taken up bartending for Fairy Tail and her experience in Edolas is a plus as she remembers everyone's favorite drinks and dishes. "Do you wanna step outside for a bit, Lucy? It's much cooler out there and it could do Nashi some good."

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea," the Celestial Spirit mage nods and the two head for the front doors of guild. Instantly Nastu appears at their side, his black eyes narrowed on his wife and son.

"You leaving already, Lucy?" he asks, his gaze never leaving his son and notices the sweat. His brow furrows in concern but Lucy leans over to bump her head gently against his.

"You're worrying too much again. We're just stepping outside to cool off. I'll be right back, okay? We won't leave without you or Happy."

Nodding, Natsu kisses her fast on the cheek then Nashi on the forehead before running off to crow about his son some more.

As soon as the cool outside air hits her skin, Lucy lets out a sigh of relief. "It feels so good out here. Thanks Lisanna. Natsu would have freaked had I tried to go anywhere alone, much less out of his sight."

Pressing her shoulder against Lucy's, Lisanna leans close to smooth a finger against Nashi's cheek. The baby boy has since fallen asleep against his mother's large bosom but leans against any touch on his face.

"He's so precious Lucy, " Lisanna whispers as Nashi turns towards her finger, as if seeking the warmth from her skin in sleep. "And I understand about Natsu. When we were kids, he didn't really understand what a family or being a father meant, but now that he does he will put his all into it. No child of Natsu Dragneel will be left behind without a father or know what growing up without one feels like. He would never let that happen."

Lucy smiles gently as she leans her head against Lisanna's soft hair. "You're the only one I know who pays attention to him like that. I still remember what you told me that day on Tenrou Island. That the closer I am to him, the stronger he is. But not just in a physical sense, right? He gets stronger as a human being….with love."

Smirking mischievously, Lisanna pinches her friend's side lightly. "Now you sound like Sherry and her cousin!"

"I don't mean to! That's just how I can explain it. Do you wanna hold him?"

The youngest Strauss sibling's light blue eyes grow wide with excitement. "Oh please! Please please!"

Showing her how to support her son's head, the Celestial Mage watches with happiness as Lisanna stares down in awe at the baby boy in her arms. Already, as if unconsciously, Lisanna sways slowly from side to side while cooing softly. "There, there Nashi. I have you."

Lucy couldn't help it, it sounded too fitting. "You would make a magnificent mother someday, Lisanna. I mean it."

A sad light came to the other girl's light blue eyes as she leaned down to pressed her nose against the baby's light fuss of pink hair. "I'm fine with just my siblings. They still need me and I can't bear to part with them just yet. The pain from Edolas has yet to go away."

Nodding, Lucy walked closer to smooth her son's scalp. "Lisanna, I still want to apologize again. You just waved it off last time when I announced Natsu and I were getting married. I still feel-"

Lisanna's shoulders stiffened for a second and then she looked up to meet Lucy's eyes and there was a sad frustration there.

"I told you, it's fine Lucy. Natsu may have been my first love but even I am adult enough to admit when I know I'm not the one he needs. You could say watching your Edolas counterparts helped me come to terms with that. Despite how different your personalities are, there's a connection there I wasn't able to make with Natsu. Your are the woman who helps him get stronger more than any other. I can love him in my own way, even if it means he won't return those kinds of feelings. That is the kind of strength he gives me."

Tears spilling down her cheeks, Lucy envelopes both her son and her friend in her arms in a hug. "Just like your sister, there are some things I just can't measure up to."

They both start laughing through their tears just as Natsu is jogging towards them, demanding why he smells liquid salt...

Blinking away the memory, Lucy sips her drink as Lisanna leans down to tickle Nashi's sides, making him squeal with childish laughter.

"I got you Nashi! Take my Lisanna Tickle attack! Rawr!"

"Ahh ha ha! Aunty, gets mama!"

Pausing with her drink halfway up to her mouth again, Lucy realizes with impending doom at the mischievous glint in Lisanna's eyes.

"Oh no you don't! Lisanna, I swear if you-"

Holding Nashi out in front of her like an cute, pink haired attack puppy, Lisanna bears down on a hastily retreating but laughing Lucy.

"Super Tickle Nashi Attack!"

Faking a scream, Lucy gets tickled by her son as Lisanna holds him to her side.

A glint appears in the young boy's eyes as he pauses in his "attack". Clumsily snapping his chubby fingers, the boy points a finger at his mother.

"Papa! Attack!"

Brown eyes widen in shock seconds before a flash of pink tackles Lucy to the wood panel floors. Her squeals of laughter as her husband mercilessly ticklers her under him blend in with Lisanna and Nashi's cheers for Natsu to get Lucy 'good'.

Till the next one!