Author's note: We are nearing the end, my darlings! This been a pleasant if short ride, and I have enjoyed every minute with you guys. You all, my avid readers, keep me going. I shit you not, you guys are the reason I'm still kicking. For those of you who do write and post your work, you know how good it feels when you get nothing but positive feedback from your audience. I squeal with glee every time someone is particularly vocal about how much they loved a chapter. If it weren't for the amazing people here that read my crap and love every word, I'm sure I would have fallen into the choking abyss of depression. It may take awhile for me to finish a story, but I guarantee you that my work will be completed. And you all will love it! I shall shut up now and let you continue on to what you guys have been waiting for. Sorry for the delay.

Chapter 9

Confessions

(Laxus pov)

I could smell her. My mate. She's here.

And bleeding.

I've never actually seen a woman give birth, but I was told that there was a lot of blood involved. And lots of screaming and swearing. Alzack said Bisca had threatened to rip off his dick and ram it up his ass if he ever got her pregnant again. He then said that she asked for another baby the second Asuka was placed in her arms.

It makes me wonder what will spill out of Lucy's mouth when she's pushing out my kids. My kids. My chest swelled with pride. That's right, fuckers. Lucy is mine and she has the bite, and children, to prove it!

Now I just need to reunite with Lucy, apologize profusely, and everything will be okay. If I have to knock down the Metal Mouth blocking my path, so be it. The first generation Dragon Slayer guarded the tent containing my mate.

The wary look in his eye pleased me. He should be scared.

A thunderous growl shook the air and a flame coated fist flew towards my head. I ducked away from Natsu's Iron Fist and kicked him back, all without uncrossing my arms. The pink haired boy landed on his feet and came at me again. "FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!"

I used my Lightning Body to escape his flames and hit his side with a solid punch. My Lightning had little effect on him and he sped towards me once more. I didn't want to waste my time with Flame Breath. I took a deep breath and drew my Magic into my mouth. "LIGHTNING DRAGON'S ROAR!"

The attack hit Natsu square in the chest. I dashed forward and punched his head. The Dragon Slayer went down. I clapped my hands together, getting rid of the imaginary dirt the kid left on me. I turned on my heel and approached the tent. Gajeel and Wendy cleared a path. I barked a low growl when I felt one of them try to follow me. I didn't want an audience for what I was going to say to Lucy. For her, I would swallow my pride and bury my dignity. But not in front of anyone else.

(Lucy pov)

I held my breath as another contraction hit. Virgo opened her own Gate and took poor Wendy's place as my stress ball. I squeezed her offered hand as I rode through the pain, all while listening to Wendy's soothing words.

"Princess, it seems that your children are eager to see the world."

I barked out a laugh. "Good! I'm eager to get them out of me."

I relaxed as the pain faded and slumped into my bed. "You'll be fine, Princess."

Wendy inspected my opening, blushing all the while, and returned her gaze to me. "You should feel lucky, Luce. You're the first woman I'm going to be delivering children for."

I opened my mouth to respond.

"FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!"

All three of us sat up. Happy and Charla flew into the room. "Natsu?"

Virgo moved to Wendy's side. "Go outside and see what's going on. I'll stay here with Lucy. I know a little about midwifery."

"Are you sure?"

Virgo wave all three off. "Make sure Natsu doesn't go overboard."

Blinding pain racked through my body. The urgent need to push came over me. "Virgo! Virgo I'm scared!"

A flash to my right and Aries was there. "Don't worry, Princess. We are here."

"I'm scared… I don't know what to do…."

Virgo positioned herself on the chair. "Trust your instincts, Princess! Your mother did this for you just as her mother did for her. You can do this!"

Aries took my hand. "When your body says push, then push."

I nodded and breathed through the pain. Fifteen seconds passed and my uterus contracted. "Push, Lucy, push!"

I held my breath and pushed with all I had. The pain tripled as I felt a small body being moved through my channel.

I collapsed onto the bed as my muscles relaxed. "You're doing great, Princess."

Wendy appeared in the doorway. "Laxus is here and Natsu is attacking him!"

I sat up as best as I could could. "WHAT?! NO!"

'How? How did he find out? Why is he here? He made his feelings more than clear! Unless… Did Juvia tell him? Is he here out of pity? Is he here to shoot me down in person? Can't he see he's done eno…' I screamed as my muscles contracted again. I pushed as hard as I could until the urge faded away. 'Please! Please, whoever is listening! Please don't let him take my babies! Please don't let him hurt them!'

"Lucy!" I froze in fear as a large body settled next to mine. A large hand wrapped itself around my free one. "Lucy, are you okay?"

I stared up at the man I gave myself to, only to be coldly rejected the next morning. "Do I look okay?"

He laid a hand on my face. "Honestly, I think you've never looked more beautiful than you do now."

I sat up and shrieked in agony as I attempted to push a new life out of a hole the size of a coin. Laxus maneuvered his body so that I rested against his chest. I panted from exhaustion "Don't say stuff like that. My heart can't take much more."

He paused in his smooth strokes of my hair. "Why not? It's the truth."

"You can't say things like that and…" My muscles shuddered and I prepared for another excruciating push.

"I see the head, Princess. Just a few more pushes and the first baby will be out."

I rested against his chest, my heart stuttering in excitement and pain. "Laxus… What are you doing here?"

He leaned forward so that I could see his face. "I'm here to be with you as you give birth to our children. Why wouldn't I want to be here?"

"Laxus… You left me. You made it very clear how you feel about me."

I shot forward and pushed. My scream could have shattered glass. Another voice joined me as Virgo pulled a shivering bundle from between my legs. She handed the infant to Wendy for cleaning. I fell against his chest and cried in happiness. I felt his hand squeeze mine. His free fingers rubbed little circles into my hip.

One down, one to go.

"I know. That was the point of the letter. I know I'm not the best writer, but I think I made my feelings known."

I twisted my head to see his face. "What are you talking about?"

"I left you a note on the pillow I slept on. I said that my idiot Team volunteered me for a mission and that I'd see you as soon as I got back. I also said that I enjoyed our night together and couldn't wait to spend many more with you and… Do I really have to say it? Damn it, this was a lot easier on paper."

He held me close as another urge to push hit me. I could feel more tears streaming down my face. My legs and arms shook in exhaustion. Virgo and Aries encouraged me as my body worked to expel the second baby. My hands clenched tightly around his fingers. I'm pretty sure he winced. "What were going to say?"

He sighed, "I wrote it down. Didn't you read it?"

"No, I didn't see a note. What did you wri…?" I screamed until the contractions passed. I am so tired. I don't know if I could last much longer. "What were you going to say, Laxus?"

"I really don't think I ca…"

I pushed again, using the pain to amplify my voice. "DAMMIT, YOU SON OF A FUCKING BITCH! TELL ME WHAT YOU WROTE ON THAT FUCKMOTHERING NOTE OR I SWEAR TO THE GODS, I'LL RIP OFF YOUR FUCKING DICK AND SEAR IT TO YOUR FUCKING FOREHEAD! WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO SAY?!"

The hand not currently being crushed in mine was rubbing large circles into my belly. "I wrote that…. I…."

I sobbed against his chest. "Say it… Please, just say it."

I felt his breath against my skin. Unfortunately, his voice was drowned out by my high-pitched shriek of agony. He held me as I panted heavily.

"Repeat that?"

"I said that I love you, damn it! I wrote down that I had loved you for a long ass time and that I was fucking excited to have finally gotten a chance to be with you." His head fell on my shoulder. "I said that my idiot Teammate, Freed, volunteered me for an S-class mission. I wrote that damn note so you wouldn't think that our night together meant nothing to me. It meant everything to me, Lucy, and I hope that what you've been forced to endure by yourself hasn't ruined my one chance to have you as my own."

I jerked forward to push once more. Tears of torture and love stained my cheeks. Virgo pulled another small body from my center. This one was eerily quiet. Virgo handed it to Aries. Laxus and I watched as my Spirit left the room, patting its back. I turned to stare at Laxus. This S-class Mage and Lightning Dragon Slayer, a man feared and respected throughout all of Fiore, was blushing. Though he leaked his nervousness into the air, he looked straight into my eyes. "Do you mean it? You want to be with me?"

His blush darkened. "I'm not repeating myself…"

"No! Say it again! One more time!"

He sighed and looked away from me, but not before I caught the flash of fear in his eyes. "... Yeah, I want to be with you. For however long you allow me there… I know that I've done some bad things and I hurt people. I know I don't deserve to have you, but I'm a selfish bastard and I can't help it. I love you, I want you, and I would savor everyday that you gave me as if it were my last."

Tears were falling down my cheeks, both from the residual ache of the labor and from the joy at having my love returned. I opened my mouth to respond when Aries came in carrying two wrapped up bundles.

"Princess, meet your little boy."

When my first born was place in my arms, I cried even harder. "Hi, baby... Fuck, I can't stop crying."

Virgo had finished cleaning the afterbirth. "You did just give birth to two babies."

Two babies. I looked up, excited to meet the other. The blank look on Aries' face unnerved me in ways I didn't want to contemplate. "Can I see her?"

Her mask stayed in place as she gently set the bundle down on my lap. "I'm so sorry, Princess. This happens sometimes…"

I handed my little boy to his father and reached for the still body of my second born. She didn't move when I picked her up. No whimpers, no grunts, no wailing. Nothing. I peeled back the blanket to see the face of my little angel.

Pain. Like nothing I have ever felt. It was worse than my father's disapproval. Harder than Minerva's power. Deeper than Gajeel's blades. The physical agony of giving birth was nothing compared to this torment. I begged for her to open her eyes, move, shriek in hunger. Anything. Anything but this silence. "Wake up, baby girl. It's mommy. Please wake up. Mommy and Daddy want to meet you..."

Nothing.

"Please…"

The day my mother died, I thought that no force on earth could hurt me worse than her death did. My father's cold indifference? Whatever. Watching my family ignore me for the revived Lisanna? Painful, but manageable. Kain? Ha! Minerva? So what?

But this… this all encompassing agony of holding my dead baby in my arms. I could feel the darkness closing in on me. The oh-so familiar depression that choked me for years after my mother's death. It was coming back with a vengeance. I could feel it eating away at my very soul. I knew that there would be no bouncing back this time. No more shaking it off and getting back on my feet. No more grinning and bearing it for the ones who loved me. Even the support of all my friends and family wouldn't get me through this. This death, the end of this innocent and new life, will kill me.

I was vaguely aware of a commotion around me. Laxus shifted and a child squealed in displeasure at being moved. A hand appeared before me and snapped it's fingers. I didn't want to look up. I wanted to curl up with my baby and die with her.

"...cess…. Princess. We can save her, but we must act quickly."

My head snapped up. Laxus held out a Silver Key. The head was encased in wings and trailed off to a feathered tail at the bottom of the Key. I saw the symbol. A memory cut through the fog of depression.

*flashback*

I sat in mommy's lap as she flipped through the pages of a very big book. The cover was made of black leather and gold lettering was embossed on the front and spine. She was showing me pictures of other Celestial Spirits like Cancer and Aquarius.

"Mommy! Look at the pretty bird!"

I felt more than heard her chuckle as she stroked the page. "This is the Phoenix, Lucy. He is a healing Spirit. He can heal any wound, no matter how fatal. He can cure any disease and even bring back the dead if he's fast enough."

*flashback*

My hand shook as I took the Key from Laxus. "Where did you…?"

"I got it on a mission. Freed saw the reward and I knew you're always looking for new Keys. I was going to give it to you as an apology for being stupid."

I didn't waste anytime. I nearly shouted the summoning incantation. A drain of my Magic and a red bird appeared at the foot of my bed. He had orange and yellow feathers decorating his head. Flames licked the edges of his wings and tail. "How may I serve you, my Master…." He grew silent when he saw the bundle I held out for him.

"Please… Save my daughter…."

He nodded and fluttered over to my baby. He spread his majestic wings and hid her from view. He erupted into flames, scaring me half to death. I was glued to the bed, praying to Mavis, the Gods, to anyone that was listening that my little girl would be okay. The Phoenix's fire slowly died and sputtered out, yet he stood frozen over my baby. Time slowed as I strained my ears for the tell-tale cry of an infant. The world was silent, waiting in bated breath with me. A minute passed and the hope that had taken root in my heart dissolved into ashes. My heart shattered once more.

A warm hand on mine drew my attention to the large man lying beside me. "Wait."

A few more seconds ticked by. My heart cracked with every beat.

The silence was shattered by a loud wail. The Phoenix moved and the cry grew louder. I sobbed in relief and clawed my way to my daughter. Her shrieks quieted and she opened her eyes. Her beautiful, storm blue eyes. An arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me into a large chest. I cried over my babies, both safe and healthy. All thanks to my Spirits. I turned my wet eyes to my newest friend. "Thank you, Phoenix. I am forever in your debt. You too, Virgo and Aries."

The bird bowed his head. "It is an honor to serve you, Princess. I'll leave you to bond with your family. We can discuss my contract at a later time. Until then, Princess." He caught fire again. The flames ate him until there was nothing left, and then the fire vanished with him. Aries blushed and poofed away from the steady glare of Porlyusica, Fairy Tail's anti-social healer.

'When in the hell did she get here?'

"I see my trip was a waste of time."

The arm around my middle tightened as Laxus did his best to shield me from her gaze. "It might not be. Can you check on Lucy?"

Porlyusica grumbled and moved the stool. She sat and began probing my torso. She asked me questions, pinching me when I didn't answer fast enough, and gave me a clean bill of health. Wendy, hovering at her side, even cast a few healing spells to speed my recovery. I noticed her eying my babies and patted the bed. When she was nice and cozy, I placed my baby girl in her waiting arms. Wendy melted under her big, blue eyes. "Hi there! I'm your auntie Wendy!"

"AUNTIE MIRA WANTS TO SEE THE BABIES!"

Laxus and I tensed at the Demonic squeal coming from outside. I closed my eyes and hissed one word. "Juvia…."

Of course she told the Guild. It was bound to happen sometime. Juvia couldn't hide a needled in a haystack. She wore her heart on her sleeve and it was very easy to tell when she had a secret. Mira being Mira would have noticed my absence.

It was only a matter of time.

Laxus sighed and pulled me closer. "We could pretend to sleep."

"No, Mira has no problem waking us if it meant getting the details of our torrid romance. Let's just get it done and over with."

He nodded and released his hold on me. He gently cradled our son in one arm and helped me stand with the other. I scooped up my daughter and slowly made my way to the door. Laxus, seeing my trembling legs, wrapped an arm around my waist. He supported me as the door flap opened and revealed our family. The second they laid eyes on us, they shouted their joy. My babies didn't like the noise and shrieked in anger.

If our family hadn't noticed us, they sure as hell did now. Their eyes landed in the little baby burritos in our arms. They stood frozen in awe as little hands peeked over the blankets. Makarov was the first to break free of his stupor. The old Guild Master approached his grandchild. "Laxus."

His face remained stoic, but the slight tug of his arm gave him away. "Gramps."

"Hm." Makarov looked into his descendant's eyes. They stared at each other, neither willing to give and show weakness. Whatever Master was looking for, he seemed to have found it. He smiled brightly. "What are their names, boy?"

I giggled at the look on Laxus' face. I bumped him with my hip and kneeled down to Makarov's level. "This is Layla Scarlet Dreyar and Laxus is holding…"

"Marcus." Laxus kneeled beside me. "I'm hoping that by not naming him Makarov he won't become a perverted geezer like you."

I swallowed back my tears. Makarov was crying enough for both of us. "This is Marcus Gray Dreyar."

Laxus shot me a glare. "We never agreed on Gray! You really want to name our kid after two perverts?"

"Oh, come now. Just because his namesakes are perverts, that doesn't mean he will grow up to be a lecherous stripper."

"Yes it does!"

An iron-clad boot stepped into my line of vision. "Lucy…"

I looked up and saw a crying Erza. I flinched at each tear that fell from her eyes. I hated to see any of my friends in such a vulnerable state. I don't believe I've ever seen Erza cry. Not once.

"You named your daughter… after me?"

I blushed deeply and pressed myself against Laxus. "Well, originally her name was meant to be Virgo or Aries, but this little girl is a fighter. Just like my big sister."

Erza laughed and fell to her knees. I spotted Gray crying his heart out by a blushing Juvia. Mira was practically bouncing in place.

"Laxus! Why didn't you name your children after us?"

I giggled at Team Thunder God, each member crying in devastation.

Laxus growled and rubbed my waist. "Your time will come. Stop whining!"

I gaped at Laxus while Team Thunder God cried their hearts out. "Their time will come? How many children do you think I'm going to have, Laxus?"

Laxus smiled. Not a lecherous smirk, but a real smile. My heart stuttered at his radiance. He looked so… happy. "I don't know about you, but I want thirty of these." He lifted his son a little higher. Marcus cooed at his father and Layla echoed her big brother. The onlookers awed at the sight.

I stared blankly at the man I had loved since his appearance on Tenrou. "No."

Laxus pouted. "Twenty nine?"

"I'm not a baby-making machine!"

"Technically, you are."

"Not if I rip off your dick."

The Guild laughed at the sheer horror on his face.

Laxus took me by the hand and dragged us away from the camp. The sounds of the celebrating crowd grew fainter as he led me through the forest. We finally came to stop at a small waterfall cascading into a rather large pool. Laxus sat down on a fallen log and pulled me into his lap. We cuddled, simply enjoying the feel of each other.

Finally, he spoke. "I truly am sorry for hurting you. I should have told Freed to stick the request up his ass."

I giggled. "No. From what I heard, you did great on the mission. I'm just upset that you had to stay there for so long."

"All the fault of one Captain Lahar."

I hummed and nuzzled his chest. I missed his scent of rain and ozone. Not that I'll ever admit it to his face. He responded in kind by tightening his hold on me. One of his hands pulled the high collar away from the bite mark he'd left that had yet to go fade. He pressed a gentle kiss to the skin and my body hummed in pleasure. Laxus pressed more open-mouthed kisses on the scar before releasing my collar and resting head on top of mine. For the first time since I fell asleep in his arms, I felt content.

The snap of a twig alerted us to the another presence. Laxus growled a few seconds before Natsu stepped out from the treeline. The Fire Dragon Slayer shot his elder a glare. "Hey Luce."

"Natsu…" Laxus was vibrating with the soft growls coming from his throat.

The boy kept looking between me and Laxus, his eyes sparking with an anger I've only ever seen when he faces a particularly nasty opponent. "Why are you letting him hold you, Luce?"

I snuggled into Laxus' chest. "Because I love him, Natsu. We had a small misunderstanding, but everything is okay now."

Natsu huffed, "But he left you, Lucy! He got you pregnant then he just left you to handle it yourself!"

I tried to get comfortable in Laxus' tense arms. "He was called on a mission. He can't help that Wyverns decided to attack some town nor did he ask Freed volunteer him for the mission. Honestly, Natsu, I…"

"Why do you love him, Lucy?! How can love a man that didn't even leave a note after taking your virginity?"

"Like I said, he…"

"Damn it, Lucy! I burned the note so this wouldn't happen!"

I tensed in shock and the growls rumbling in my lover's throat increased in volume. I could see the Natsu's thoughts written on his face: "Oh shit."

Laxus set me on the log and stood. I shot to my feet and stopped him before he could attack Natsu. I took two steps forward, stopping when Laxus hissed. "Is that true, Natsu? Did you burn the note Laxus left for me?" He didn't need to answer. It was obvious from the stubborn set of his jaw. "... Why? Why would you do that, Natsu? Do you know what I felt that morning? Did you think I wouldn't care? My heart shattered when I saw you in the room instead of Laxus! It felt like my heart had been ripped out! I took a chance only to have it thrown back in my face! Do you know how much I've cried since then?! ANSWER ME, NATSU!"

Natsu flinched as my voice got higher and higher. He stared into the water, avoiding my burning gaze. He mumbled something under his breath. I didn't catch it, but Laxus did if his dark chuckle had anything to do with it. Laxus pulled me back and behind him. I placed my hands on his back and enjoyed the way his muscles moved under his skin, hating his favorite shirt for getting in my way.

"Now you listen and you listen good, Salamander. I have loved Lucy for a very long time. For her happiness, I was willing to stand aside and let you have her. But now that I've had a taste of her, I will never let her go. I will not apologize for taking her. If you wanted her you should have acted."

Natsu… wanted me? He wanted what me and Laxus have now? I shuddered at the thought of it. There may have been a time when I would have gladly said yes if he'd asked, but Natsu had never shown any interest. Ever. After some self-reflection, I realized I never loved him at all. I let the desires of my family reflect on me and I grew to love the idea of us. My love for Natsu was not that of a lover, but of a friend. But Laxus… I thought him a cocky, albeit sexy, power-obsessed jerk upon our first meeting. Then he came to our aid during the S-Class trials. He didn't have to. He could have ignored the call, but he didn't. I think it was around then that I began to fall in love with him.

I walked around Laxus and approached my partner and best friend I kept my face free of the rage burning my insides. I lifted an arm and smacked Natsu as hard as I could. The only sound came from the waterfall and his ragged breathing.

"How dare you."

Natsu didn't turn head.

"You had no right to burn his letter to me."

Natsu stood frozen.

"I spent that morning crying, Natsu. It cut my heart open every time someone said his name. I thought myself to be a stupid naive girl that gave her virginity to a player."

I felt Laxus shift closer.

"You are my best friend, Natsu. You were the one that brought me to Fairy Tail. You're the one that became my partner when everyone else thought I was weak. I forgiven you for many things, Natsu. But I don't think I can ever look past this."

Laxus wrapped his arms around my side, stroking my empty belly.

"I love you, Natsu. There was a point in time where I would have happily been yours, but things change. I love Laxus with all of my heart and you need to accept that. I know there is someone out there for you, Natsu. It's just not me."

Natsu remained silent.

"Come one, Laxus. I need to feed Marcus and Layla."

Laxus nuzzled my hair and we began walking towards camp.

"Laxus!"

We both stopped. Them man behind me shifted, indicating he was listening.

"The second you fuck up, the very moment you hurt Lucy, I won't hesitate to take back what's mine."

His arms tightened around me. "She's mine now, Salamander. I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure she's happy to stay that way."

Laxus picked me up and carried me away from the clearing. I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing in his glorious scent.

"The second Porlyusica clears you for sex, we are starting on those other kids."

I smiled into his skin. "We'll see."

"We are bound to have a big family, my little Vixen."

"What makes you think that, my Dragon God?"

"Because the baby making process is the best part."

I blushed, "Well, I've always wanted a big family."

That's it! It's done! Hoorah! Again, sorry for the delay. It's been a cray week I went Black Friday shopping for the first time. NOT and fun experience. I never want to do it again.

Up next is a sneak peek at one of my works in progress. At the moment, The Perfect Bride and Gift of the Dragon God are tied. It's kind of shocking because I was damn sure Key to War would have been very popular. Break the tie by Saturday and I'll post the winner! If they are still tied, I'll pick a random story off my Works in Progress list. I think I have around eleven going right now.

Thank you to those who have stood by me throughout this story and have stuck to it until the end. You are the people that keep me kicking.

-SPN :3