Complications

"Daddy."

No response.

"Daddy…"

Silence.

"Daddy, wake up!" Nashi whispered harshly, giving her father a rough shake of the shoulder. Natsu groaned sleepily, wriggling uncomfortably on the mattress. His eyes peeled open into thin slits. The room was dark, and he could see the moon as he glanced out the window. He angled his head to look at the clock on the nightstand beside the bed. It was 3:02 in the morning. He closed his eyes and let his head fall into the pillow, a weak sigh passing through his lips.

"What is it, Nashi?" he asked quietly, his voice lightly slurred. "What're you doing up so late?"

"I got up to go to the bathroom," she explained softly, brushing her untidy hair behind her ear. "But I heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen." Natsu peeked at her with one eye.

"Strange how?" he grumbled. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I dunno. Kinda like someone was going through the cabinets." Letting his eyelid slip shut, he blindly reached his hand to the other side of the bed, feeling around. Feeling no other presence, he shook his head.

"It was probably Mama just getting a glass of water," he decided. He jumped up to a sitting position when he heard glass shattering in the other room. Nashi had whirled around at the sound as well, the noise catching her off guard completely. Natsu leapt from the bed and ran toward the kitchen, suddenly wide awake and alert. He flipped the switch, turning on the light. Lucy, on the other side of the room, squinted her eyes at the sudden brightness. She was completely fine, void of any pain at all, and she was standing beside a pile of broken glass.

"Luce?" Natsu asked frantically, stepping up to her. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, Natsu, I'm fine," she snapped, rubbing her eyes.

He relaxed slightly. "What happened?"

"I was getting a glass of water and I tripped over my own feet. The glass slipped from my hand."

"You tripped? Did you fall?" He was growing a little anxious, his eyes darting down to her bloated belly. She was nearing her due date. She laughed lightly and shook her head.

"Relax, Natsu. I managed to catch myself before falling." The Dragon Slayer sighed in relief and leaned against the wall, his eyes falling to the glass on the floor. He started slightly when Happy landed on his shoulder.

"What happened?" he inquired groggily.

"Uh, nothing serious, Happy," Natsu said quickly. "Could you get me the broom and dustpan, little buddy?" The feline nodded sleepily and floated out of the room and over Nashi's head, who was standing in the door frame. Natsu reached out a hand and ruffled her hair. "Go back to bed, amai." Nashi yawned and nodded, turning to leave.

"Okay… Goodnight, Mama."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Happy," Natsu said, taking the broom and dustpan. "You go back to bed, too." He moved over to start cleaning up the glass, while Lucy waddled over to the refrigerator, one hand resting on her tummy.

"Ugh, I am so hungry," she mumbled, rummaging through the fridge.

"Cravings again?" her husband asked from across the room.

"Yeah."

"What are they this time?"

"Chili peppers and spray cheese."

"Gross."

"I know."

"Why would you want to eat something like that so badly? And in the middle of the night, for that matter."

"I don't know, Natsu. Maybe because I'm pregnant?"

Natsu chuckled as he emptied the dustpan into the trash. "Geez, you're so snappy and touchy when you're pregnant," he stated teasingly. Lucy sighed as she closed the fridge – they didn't have chili peppers or spray cheese – and she turned to her husband.

"I'm sorry, Natsu," she said. "I'm just really tired. Ryū's been such a pain lately. He really likes to toss and turn when I try to go to sleep." She clicked her tongue in annoyance. Although, her hand began to trace loving circles on her stomach. Natsu leaned against the counter, a pang of sympathy swelling in his chest. And a little bit of guilt. He slept like a baby most nights, while she, on the other hand, has to deal with a thrashing kid inside of her. Something told him that she was ready to get that child out. He made a mental note to take care of all the late-night feeding and changing once Ryū was born, for her sake. It was only fair.

"Come on, babe," he said softly, nodding his head toward their bedroom. "Let's go back to bed." She nodded her head and left the kitchen, Natsu following close behind and turning the light off on his way out. Lucy stopped in front of the bed and turned to look at Natsu. He lifted an eyebrow. "What?"

"Natsu… do I look fat to you?" she asked abruptly, looking down at her body.

"Er… is that a rhetorical question?" Lucy sighed and folded her arms, sending a glare his way. Natsu snorted. "You're pregnant, Luce. It's only natural for you to get bigger. Don't you remember being pregnant with Nashi?"

"You're such a smartass."

"Erza?"

"Yes?"

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"That."

"Oh. It's a ring, of course."

"An engagement ring?"

"…Perhaps."

Lucy squealed in delight as she reached for Erza's hand to get a better look at the silver band on her finger. It was simple, but still beautiful. It kind of resembled the one on Lucy's finger. "It's gorgeous, Erza," she praised, giggling like a schoolgirl. "When's the wedding?" She looked back up at the swordswoman, who had a pretty pink blush on her cheeks.

"Um… we don't know yet," she answered slowly, taking a bite of her strawberry cake.

"Oh, I knew Jellal was going to propose soon!" Lucy squealed. "Whenever he came to visit the guild, you just see he was nervous. Natsu acted that way for a week before asking me out, and Gray was the same before asking Juvia to marry h—oh." She cut off, a hand falling down to cradle her stomach. Erza looked up at her, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"Lucy?" she said. "What's wrong?"

"I think my water broke…"

Natsu sighed as he continued his trek toward the train station. All he had to do was go to Hosenka, catch that thief, claim his reward, and then head back. Lucy was close to her due date. He didn't want to miss his son being born. They were running low on rent money, so might as well do an easy job that should only take thirty minutes. He folded his arms. He really wasn't looking forward to that train ride…

"Natsu!" The Dragon Slayer lifted a brow. That sounded like Happy… "Natsuuuuuu!" He looked over his shoulder to see his Exceed flying toward him at top speed.

"Happy?" he said, turning to face the feline. "What's up?"

"Natsu, come quick!" Happy exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Lucy's in labor!" Without saying anything else, Natsu broke into a sprint.

"Mira!" Natsu cried as he slid to a stop in the medical corridor. His face was flushed lightly from his mad dash, and his chest was heaving. The barmaid spun around to face him, and Nashi leapt up from one of the seats.

"Daddy!" she called as she wrapped her arms around his leg. He ruffled her hair and looked up at Mirajane.

"Where is she?" he asked breathlessly. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine, Natsu," Mira reassured. "She's in there. Wendy and Porlyusica just started helping with the delivery." The Salamander exhaled with relief, shooting a glance to the door Mirajane indicated. She sent him an exasperated look. "What're you waiting for, Natsu? She needs you! Get in there!"

"Ah!" Without hesitation, he moved for the door. "Nashi, stay with Aunt Mira and Happy." Before his daughter could protest, he opened the door and disappeared behind it. Across the room was Lucy, panting and gripping the sheets at her sides, her eyes screwed shut. "Lucy!" The blonde looked up and smiled weakly.

"Natsu…" she breathed, holding out her hand. He took it and kissed her temple.

"I'm here…"

"Happy caught you…"

"Just outside of the train station." The two of them laughed, but Lucy's laugh was cut short as another contraction began. Her grip on his hand tightened considerably, almost enough to make him wince. Wendy looked up at him.

"Hi, Natsu-san," she said hurriedly, and Natsu nodded in response. She turned to Lucy. "Are you ready, Lucy-san?" The celestial wizard whimpered and nodded, her knuckles going white. The smaller Dragon Slayer nodded curtly before glancing at the old woman, who nodded as well and told Lucy to push. She did so, her torso lurching forward and off of the reclined pillows. Her hold on Natsu's hand tightened even more. He bit his tongue to hold back a groan. He'd always known Lucy was strong, but damn. It felt as if she was going to break his hand. However, he was in absolutely no position to talk about pain at the moment.

After what seemed like an hour for Lucy, Wendy said for her to stop. She leaned back, her hand loosening around Natsu's – however minutely – and her chest heaving as she took in gasps through gritted teeth, tears pouring down her cheeks. Her bangs were plastered to her forehead with sweat. "Push, Lucy-san." Again, she did as told. She had to admit, it was so much better doing this with Natsu there with her. She was scared when she was giving birth to Nashi. But having him beside her, holding her hand, kissing her cheek, and whispering encouraging words into her ear – it made it much easier.

"You're doing good, Luce," he murmured, placing a chaste kiss to her forehead. Wendy told her to relax again, and she peeled her brown eyes open to look at him. He smiled gently.

"I love you, Natsu," she said quickly. His smile broadened.

"I love you too." He leaned down and pecked her lips.

"You're almost done, Lucy-san," Wendy said, glancing up at her with a grin.

"You hear that, Luce?" Natsu asked softly. "Just a little bit more. Keep it up." It took a few more minutes, but Porlyusica finally held up the baby. Natsu felt his heart swell. He was beautiful… Granted, he was bloody and crying, but still beautiful. It was his son. He felt his chest swell even more. He had a son… He nudged his wife. "Lucy… look." He glanced down at her, and he felt his blood run cold. Her head was leaning back and her eyes were closed, and he realized at that moment that her hand had slackened to the point of being limp. "Luce...?"

She was unconscious.

"She's losing too much blood," said Porlyusica. She turned to Wendy. "Get him out of here." The sky sorceress nodded and approached Natsu, gently but firmly grabbing his arm.

"Natsu-san, you have to leave," she stated, pulling him toward the door.

"No…" he protested weakly, his eyes locked on his wife.

"Natsu-san, please." She opened the door and pulled him out. Nashi stood up.

"Daddy?"

"Mira-san," said Wendy urgently, waving her inside. The she-demon ran inside.

"Wendy… what…" Natsu said slowly, taking a step toward the door. The younger Dragon Slayer stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest.

"Stay here."

"But Lucy—"

"I'm sorry, Natsu-san."

Author's Note: Ne, mina! So… I am officially finished with my freshman year of high school. It feels so good, you don't even know. I am going back to my hometown in Utah next month, and sometime in August. I am really excited about that. It's been too long, and, honestly, I've been a little homesick as of late.

…I lied. I've been extremely homesick as of late. I miss the mountains, my friends, my dad, the crappy weather. It's too nice in California. I miss the bipolar weather where it's one hundred degrees one day and then snowing the next. What are your plans for the summer?

How'd you guys like that cliffhanger, eh? Leave a review, please!