Whoops, sorry guys. I uploaded this and then forgot to post! There is only going to be two more chapters in this so were almost to the end! I'm so glad you guys liked it! Thanks for reading!

It had really turned into a terrible day. Natsu had spent all morning helping Gray install a new central heat in this little old lady's home. Unfortunately today was unseasonably hot, and the woman's attic was cramped and smelled of cat urine. So not only did he have to listen to Gray lording over him, he was sweating his balls off, and he was pretty sure the odor had soaked into his clothes. There was only one thing that could make his day better, and that would be rubbing his funk all over Lucy. She would hate that and it would be hilarious, plus he could grab lunch while he stopped by. Added bonus, she would probably try and get him back this evening when she got home and smelled like butter. He was really starting to look forward to those butter tackles.

He opened the door to the bakery, allowing himself a moment to enjoy the cool burst of air and the smell of chocolate and sugar. This was what his heaven would smell like. Natsu's moment of zen was quickly ripped away by the sight of an orange haired man in an expensive suit, leaning over the counter and watching Lucy's backside, as she laughed and made him coffee, Loke. Natsu knew they were friends now, he knew he had nothing to worry about, but whenever he saw him he couldn't help but gnash his teeth and turn green with jealousy.

Forgiveness was good, it was healthy, and Lucy seemed better for it; but that didn't mean Loke had to come in here all the time and lay on the charm. Worst of all he was a constant reminder of Natsu's biggest doubt, that he would never be able to give Lucy enough. That this was just some phase of hers, and one day she would wake up and want the expensive clothes, the five thousand square foot house, the nice car, and a man who always smelled of cologne and worked in an office. There were days where it seemed like this was too easy, they went together too well, and she was too good for him. That she would disappear just like his dad had, reopening a wound he had worked so hard to stitch closed.

Lucy turned and noticed him, her face turning up in a wide smile, "Hey Natsu! You must be so hot, it's awful out today! What me to make you a smoothie?"

Natsu rubbed the back of his head, "Sure Luce, that sounds great." She smiled and disappeared into the back, quickly followed by the sound of a blender.

Loke turned and gave him a grin, "Working outside today Natsu? Certainly smells like it."

Natsu leaned against one of the display cases and regarded Loke with raised brows, "Really? I couldn't smell anything over that ladies' perfume scent, did you take a bath in some?"

Natsu was a little confused when Loke just gave a good-natured laugh, "I know it's horrible, but Aries really likes it, so I wear it. The things you do for love right?" Loke picked up the coffee Lucy had set on the counter for him and took a sip. "Hey Lucy, I'm going to head out."

Lucy finally appeared from the back, pink drink in hand, "Are you leaving so soon?"

"Yes, sorry, I've got to get back to it. You know your father, he's such a taskmaster," he kissed Lucy on the cheek and gave Natsu a nod, "Natsu, always a pleasure."

Natsu narrowed his eyes and nodded back, "Have a good one." He kept his eyes on Loke until the man disappeared out the front door.

Lucy walked over and handed Natsu his smoothie. She grinned and raised her brow, "Wow Natsu, that was almost cordial."

Natsu pouted, "Does he really have to stop by all the time?" He wrapped Lucy in a hug, "I'm tired of seeing him check out your ass, that's my ass, only I'm supposed to check it out."

Lucy rolled her eyes, "He was not checking out my ass, he just really likes the coff . . ." She made a gagging noise and covered her mouth and nose, "Oh my god Natsu! Is that you?"

Natsu cackled with glee, "You would not believe the smell of this woman's attic, she has like ten cats and I think a few escaped up there." He rubbed his hair into her neck, "Isn't it great?"

Lucy attempted to push him away, but it was too late now, he had her in his clutches. "Natsu, that's awful! Let go of me!"

He looked up at her, feigning insult, "I can't believe you would say that Lucy! I come all this way to see you and I don't even get a kiss?"

Lucy scoffed, but kissed him while holding her nose, "There is that enough? Yuck Natsu! It's like hugging a dirty litter box. You're not staying long are you? No one is going to want to eat with that smell."

Natsu released her, "Aww, so Loke gets a 'you have to leave so soon' but I need to get out of here quick?"

Lucy cocked her head, "Is somebody being jealous today?"

Natsu crossed his arms and frowned, "No, just observant."

Lucy slumped, "Natsu . . .give me a break here. What do you want for lunch? I'll make it to go."

"Whatever's easiest works, just pack up one of those ham and cheese croissants. I can't stay long anyway, Gray wants to get this done fast, guess he's tired of smelling like cat pee also." Natsu grinned, "Not that it's all that different from how he usually smells."

Lucy chuckled as she used a piece of wax paper to snag the croissant and toss it in a white paper bag. "I'm sure he'd appreciate the sentiment."

"Ahh, I just hate when it's his gig, he's so bossy," Natsu wrinkled his nose. "Plus he's weirdly cheerful lately, I don't know what to do with that."

"Honestly, I don't know why Laxus has you two work together at all, you two fight like cats and dogs every time." She walked over to the cookie case and grabbed four chocolate chip cookies, throwing them in the bag on top of the croissant.

Natsu shrugged, "Even with fighting, we still get more done than most others would, and it's done right too. We're the best."

Lucy handed him his bag and gave him a peck on the cheek, without holding her nose this time. "And so modest!"

He grinned, placed a hand on her back to pull her close and kissed her firmly on the mouth, smiling at her look of surprise. "Thanks for lunch Luce, you're the best."

She grinned and crinkled her nose, "You're welcome. Really though, when you get home, shower right away. I don't want the couch smelling like this."

Natsu tilted his head, "So you don't want me to rub my butt on your pillow?"

Lucy sighed, "Natsu!"

Natsu reluctantly let her go and headed towards the door, "Okay, okay, just my face."

Lucy waved, headed back to the kitchen, "You're hopeless. Love you, see you tonight."

"Love you too," he called, shoving a cookie in his mouth as he pushed open the door. Natsu was right, Lucy was too good to him. He didn't know why she loved him, but he really loved that she did.

"Hello Levy, it's so good to see you again," the doctor said, holding out her hand in greeting.

Levy was too tired to be cordial, she shook the woman's hand but gave her a distrusting look. "I don't understand, where is Doctor Law? They told me she was back."

The doctor looked to Gajeel in confusion, then looked back at Levy, "Levy, I am Doctor Law."

Gajeel chuckled uncomfortably, "Yea, come on Shrimp, I only met her two times and I remember her."

Dr. Law frowned, "I did lose a little weight while on personal leave, that might be what's throwing you off." She held up the cards hanging around her neck with a smile, "I can assure you though I am in fact Dr. Law, see, even my badge says so."

Levy read the information on the badge, noting the picture looked more like the doctor she remembered, "Okay. . ."

The doctor turned look at the counter and frowned, "You know, the nurse forgot to bring in the fetal Doppler, I'll be right back"

As soon as she was gone, Levy hissed to Gajeel, "That is not my doctor."

Gajeel barked in laughter, "Are you sure you're feeling okay? 'Cause that is definitely Doctor Law."

"My doctor was cuddly and motherly, like someone you would want to take care of you when you're sick. This woman is like . . .is like an Amazon goddess!" Levy exclaimed.

Gajeel gave her a look of concern,"Levy, it's the same woman. Are you seriously not wanting her to do the delivery because she's lost a few pounds?"

Levy huffed in frustration, "A few pounds! She looks like two completely different people!"

Gajeel raised a brow, "You have low blood sugar or something? I could go find you a snack if you want, cause you're acting crazy shrimp."

"Stupid Gajeel, I am not crazy! This is just. . . weird. Why does everything keep being a surprise with this pregnancy? My nerves can't take it!"

The door swung open and Dr. Law walked in with a wide smile on her face, "Alright Levy, let's listen to those babies!" She squirted the gel and ran the Doppler wand around on Levy's large belly. Looking at the readout she smiled, "Good and strong!"

Dr. Law wiped Levy's belly clean with the towel she had nearby and proceeded to feel around, pressing firmly into Levy's abdomen. "Hmmm, I don't like this positioning, you know I'm going to go see if I can get us an ultrasound." She flashed a smile, "I'll be right back."

Levy bit her lip at looked at Gajeel. She didn't like to hear the words 'I don't like.' He grabbed her hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles. "Don't worry Shorty, you got this," he said with a smile.

She leaned into him with a sigh, "I sure hope so."

When Natsu got back to the house, Laxus was waiting outside. "You waiting on me?"

Laxus frowned, "Well I was gonna just tell Gray and go, but I went in the house and I'm pretty sure I heard that nutcase singing. You guys have enough water up there right?"

Natsu snorted, the stuffed his second cookie in his mouth, "What was he singing?"

Laxus scratched his head, "I might be wrong, I hope I'm wrong, but I think it was I'm walking on sunshine?" Natsu doubled over in laughter. Laxus furrowed his brow, "Seriously man, do you ever remember Gray singing? I know he came to the house a little later than you guys, but I don't even remember him whistling before, much less singing. It freaked me out man, I had to get out of there."

On cue, Gray came walking out of the house. He was wearing only a pair of shorts and his boots, with a small towel around his head. "You waiting on me Laxus? I just noticed you out the window."

"Well I went in, heard music and thought, there's no way that's Gray up there," Laxus smirked.

Gray rolled his eyes, "Whatever man, I've gotta distract myself from this job somehow. I think this lady's attic is where the neighborhood sends their cats to die."

Natsu nodded, "It is pretty rank up there."

"You guys think you are gonna be done today? Or do you need another day?" Laxus asked.

"Definitely today, it's supposed to be hot tomorrow as well. I worked late last night, and I'll work late tonight as well if I need to. I can't do another day in this house, three days is all I can stand." Gray used the towel to dry the sweat from his face, "I've had to spend most of today with a bandana around my face, the combination of the heat and that smell is going to make me pass out." He turned to Natsu and grinned, "Although it did improve when Natsu went to lunch."

Natsu's eyebrows went up, "Oh really? I'm pretty sure that house actually smells like daisies and the smell has been your BO the whole time!"

Gray shoved his face in Natsu's "Oh yea, well I'm pretty sure all your mouth breathing raised the temperature up there ten degrees."

"Yea! Well I brought you back a cookie! Do you want it princess?" Natsu shoved the bag in Gray's face.

"Yes! I do want that cookie fish breath!" Gray yelled, grabbing the bag from his hand. "Thank you."

"You're welcome numb nuts," Natsu said, pulling himself away and crossing his arms.

Laxus ran a hand down his face, "Hell, it never changes with you two. There was nothing remotely normal about that interaction."

"We learned from the best," Gray said with a grin, taking a bite of the cookie.

Natsu pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket, "Yea, this from a guy who threw a hissy fit because Mira wanted to kiss him in public. Normal interactions, what would you know of 'em." He chuckled as he shoved the green stick in his mouth.

"Low blow, Natsu," Laxus frowned. "Thanks for reminded me that I should have just called. I just wanted to tell Natsu, if you guys were done, I need him to go to check out a job for me tomorrow. They requested Natsu specifically."

"It's another floor isn't it," Gray said with a groan.

"Of course, plus I'm pretty sure it's Lucy's dad," Laxus handed over a paper with an address and a number to Natsu.

Natsu cocked his head as he glanced over it, "Yea . . .that is Lucy's dad. I wonder if Lucy even knows Jude asked, it seems weird that he would go through you instead of having Lucy ask me."

"Hell if I know, can you get over there tomorrow?" Laxus pulled himself into his truck.

"Yea, yea, I'll be there." Natsu tucked the paper into his back pocket.

"Good. I need to get over to finish pulling some outlets in that house on main." He chuckled, "I know it's hot but try not to kill each other. We're gonna lose Gajeel any day now, I can't afford to have to replace you guys too."

Natsu and Gray grumbled and waved as he pulled away. They headed back into the house and before they even reached the front step, Gray was humming to himself. Natsu wondered just what the hell did Juvia do?

After the ultrasound, Dr. Law brought Gajeel and Levy into her office. "Well I have good news and bad news. The good news is both babies are doing well, they are already around six pounds each which is fantastic! The bad news is we are starting to see some placental deterioration."

"What does that mean?" asked Levy quickly.

Dr. Law frowned, "For some reason it is no longer delivering the babies all the blood and nutrients they need."

Gajeel grabbed Levy's hand, "What can we do about this?"

Dr. Law smiled tightly, "We're going to have to get these babies out today."

"So we're going to try to induce?" asked Levy, squeezing Gajeel's hand tighter.

"That's the other bad news, it appears baby one is blocking the exit with their bum. We're going to have to do a c-section." She folded her hands in front of her on her desk, "Levy I know this is hard and it's not exactly what you wanted, but I'm afraid this is the only way to guarantee safety for both you and the babies."

Levy sighed deeply, leaning into Gajeel, trying to soak up his strength, "I. . .I understand."

"They are setting up the OR now, I'm going to have our nurse Arana take you over to your pre-op room so that can get you prepared. Do you have your things with you or do you have someone who can go pick them up?"

"Yes, I have someone that I can call." Levy answered quietly.

Dr. Law stood, "I'll get give guys a few minutes. This is scary, I know, but we are going to get those babies safe and in your arms before you know it." She smiled and placed a supportive hand on Levy's shoulder, "Arana will be here soon to help you guys prepare, I will see you all in a bit."

After she left, Levy turned to look at Gajeel. She gave him the toughest smile she could, "I guess we're gonna see the babies tonight!"

Gajeel brushed aside her hair and kissed her forehead, "Yea Shorty, it looks like it's time."

Lucy washed her hands then proceeded to throw blocks of butter in the giant mixer.

"Is everything okay? Natsu seemed a little off," Yukino said.

"You think so? It was hard to see past the stink that was wafting off of him," Lucy laughed. She opened the huge barrel of sugar and started dumping it in a container on the scale. "Hmmm, maybe Loke bothered him more than I realized." Once she was satisfied with the weight, Lucy began slowly pouring the sugar into the butter, watching in satisfaction as the blade began to beat them into a smooth yellow. "He's just always so confident you know, it's hard to see past the vibrato at times."

"He's a pretty tough guy, it's hard to believe that anything would bother him." Yukino squinted her eyes, concentrating as she finished pressing a pattern around the edges of her pie crust.

"He acts tough but he's a big softy, I'll have to talk to him tonight." Lucy smiled fondly, watching for the butter and sugar to mix to just the right consistency. She started to reach for her container of egg yolks when she heard her phone buzz in the other room, Lucy frowned. "I wonder if that's him."

She left the mixer running and wandered into the office. She picked up the phone and her eyes widened in shock. "Oh my god! Yuki, Levy is having the babies!"

Yuki jumped in place. "That's so exciting! Do you need to go?"

Lucy started to run back and forth between the mixer and her bag, "But the dough, should I finish the dough first?"

"You just have the butter and the sugar in there right?" Yukino asked.

"Yes," Lucy answered.

"Just turn the mixer off for now and as soon as I'm done with these crusts." Yukino scoop out another lump of crust dough, weighing it to make sure it was the right amount.

Lucy switched out off the mixer and grabbed her bag, "Thanks Yukino! I don't know what I would do without you!" She ran for the door.

Yukino laughed, "I could say the same for you! Give Levy my best!"

Levy felt like she was in a dream and the drugs hadn't even kicked in yet. The nice nurse held her hands as she sat on the table. "So Levy, how was your summer, did you do anything fun?"

Levy raised a brow, then looked around the room, "It was okay, will Gajeel be long? I really can't do this without him."

Her nurse smiled, "Don't worry Levy, he will be here. We won't get anything started without him. First we have to put in the spinal block, it's not going to be comfortable but you need to hold still okay. You are going to feel them put the numbing solution on and then a little prick as the needle goes in."

"Well okay . . ." Levy felt the anesthesiologist swab her back with something cold.

"So did I hear right that you own a book store?" The nurse asked.

Levy was about to answer when she felt a quick, sharp pain in her lower spine. She hissed and clenched her teeth, trying hard to keep herself still as she felt the warn liquid burn into her spine and down, then suddenly nothing.

"Just about done Levy, soon you won't be feeling anything." The nurse held firmly on her hands. "Okay if you are ready we are going to lay back. I'm going to help you okay?"

"If you say so . . ." Levy started to lower herself sideways on the table, it was confusing when her lower half didn't respond. "I can't get the rest of me where it's supposed to be."

"Just the spinal kicking in, don't worry I'm here to help." Levy watched as the nurse lifted her legs and shifted her hips. It was like a strange out of body experience watching the nurse position her feet with a smile. "See all set Levy. We're going to draw the curtain and get daddy in here. Then we'll be all ready to go."

Levy's arms started shaking, she held up her hands watching them convulse uncontrollably as she felt the shaking move to her upper body, "Umm Arana?"

The nurse look up to her and her eyes widened, "Oh, oh dear. Don't worry that's normal, we'll get something in your IV for that."

Levy felt a burning come in through her IV. "Just a moment Levy, the shaking will get better in a second. It might make you feel a little bit drowsy." The anesthesiologist smiled and took a seat near her head.

"This is okay for the babies right?" Levy asked, she felt the shaking begin to subside, along with her worries.

"Of course Levy, we aren't going to give you anything that will hurt the babies. Okay, now we're going to pull the curtain for you," A blue cloth was drawn in front of her face. It went up just high enough to block the sight of what they were doing, above that was mesh.

"Wait, I'm going to get to see the babies right? You aren't going to just take them away after?" Levy asked..

Dr. Law popped her head around the curtain so Levy could see her, "Of course Levy, we'll make sure you see them. If everything is good, we can even do some skin to skin after we get you closed back up."

Gajeel appeared next to her, sitting on the stool and taking her hand, "This is some weird stuff we're doing here, everything okay Shorty?" Levy started laughing, Gajeel raised a brow, "What's so funny?"

"You look weird in that paper dress," Levy snorted.

Gajeel looked to the nurse for help, she smiled "We had to put her on medication for the shaking, it might make her a little loopy."

Levy laughed, "Isn't this crazy Gajeel the babies are coming! And this curtain makes me feel like I'm flying. It's like the bright blue sky."

Gajeel sighed, "Well shit."

Levy raised a finger and furrowed her brow, "Gajeel language! The babies are going to be here soon."

He brushed the hair from her face, he chuckled, "Alright Shrimp, I'll try."

"Okay we're going to get started Levy, making the incision now!" came Dr. Law's voice from the other side of the curtain.

Gajeel made a nauseous face, "Are you feeling that at all?"

"No! Isn't that amazing?" Levy exclaimed. "We live in an age where someone can basically cut all the way into your internal organs and you are none the wiser! What a world we live in! Isn't it cool Gajeel?"

Gajeel made a sound of disgust and put his head in his hands,"If you say so, maybe let's not talk about it though."

The anesthesiologist laughed, "Don't pass out in here papa or we're leaving you on the floor until we're done. Babies and mama come first."

Gajeel held a thumbs up, "Got it."

She heard the nurse laugh, "Are we losing daddy back there?"

"No way," laughed Levy, "He's a Redfox, they're tough."

Gajeel sighed, "Great now everyone is gonna give me crap."

It felt like only a second later the nurse exclaimed, "We've got a baby girl!" She stood and showed them over the curtain then quickly moved to take her to one of the warming beds.

"Alright Levy, you are doing great!" came Dr. Law's voice, "Just one more to go!"

Levy was overjoyed, she turned to Gajeel with a huge smile, "Did you hear that? A baby girl!"

Gajeel was watching the nurses get the baby tended to in the warming bed to Levy's right, "That's amazing. . ."

Levy felt a slight tugging and pulling on her upper abdomen as the doctor worked to get baby number two. She giggled, "That's weird it almost tickles."

Gajeel looked back at her and shook his head in disbelief, "It tickles? Ugh, I really don't want to think about what's going on down there."

"You know, I love you," Levy said with a smile.

Gajeel chuckled, "I know Shorty, I love you too."

"Almost out," came Dr. Law's voice again. "And it looks like . . . it's a boy!"

Gajeel leapt to his feet, pumping a fist in the air, "Yes!" Unfortunately he got a good look at Levy's incision. He paled, breathed out "Shit," and promptly collapsed on the floor.

Levy tsked,"Oh Gajeel." She thought fuzzily that this should really bother her more than it does, but she laughed instead. Everything felt like a dream.

Her nurse laughed as she walked baby number two to the second warming bed, "We have at least one of these every week."

The anesthesiologist shook her head, "He shouldn't have stood. I did warn him."

"Alright Levy, we're going to get you closed up. The sooner we can get you out of here, the sooner we can get those babies with their mama!"

Levy awkwardly clapped her hands with glee and looked over at her new little ones, squirming and fussing in their warming beds. She was a mommy!

Yukino looked through the walk in fridge, combining trays of muffins to make room for the crusts she had just finished. She loved the song that had come on, it reminded her of her childhood, it was her dance teacher's favorite for warmups. She sang along loudly, no one was in the bakery at the moment anyway, giving a big kicked as she danced her way out of the fridge. With a quick spin she turned towards the front of the bakery . . .where Sting stood at the counter watching her with a smile.

Yukino made a squeak of surprise and fell to the ground, completely mortified. How had she not heard the bell? Maybe she could just hide back here and he would forget he saw her. Or maybe she didn't see him at all, maybe she had imagined him?

"I don't know how to break this to you Yuki, but I can definitely still see you back there," rang out Sting's voice from the front. Yukino covered her eyes in shame and slowly stood up. She heard him chuckle, "I can also still see you when you cover your eyes." Yukino's cheeks were on fire, she lowered her hands to stare at him wide-eyed. She had never seen Sting grin so big.

Ever since she had spent the night two weeks ago, Sting seemed to have relaxed and was acting more like the guy she had met while making a cake for his friend Rufus' wedding. She had to admit, sometimes she didn't quite know how to respond to his confident teasing, flirting wasn't something she had a whole lot of practice in. "I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you come in!"

Sting laughed, "You don't have to apologize to me, you have a lovely voice. And those dance moves . . ."he made a pained expression, "smoking. Where did you learn to move like that? I didn't know you could do that."

Yukino slowly made her way to the front, trying to calm her breathing, "Well I used to do a lot of dance actually, when I was younger. My mother was a classically trained actor and my father was a concert cellist. The arts were very important to them."

Sting tilted his head, "So you play instruments too?"

"I play quite a few actually, but I like the viola best. My father had really high hopes that I would make a living doing that." Yukino smiled sadly.

He furrowed his brow, "But you chose baking instead?"

"Yes, I just couldn't handle all the auditioning and I didn't love it enough. It really helped that Sorano was doing so well in her singing and acting, took the spotlight off me. I think that's what drew Lucy and I together at school, we were both doing this because we loved it even without the support of our parents. Two years ago though, dad retired and my parents moved to the beach, they've really . . . mellowed." Yukino laughed, "It helps that my cakes are so pretty, then they feel like they can pretend it's another art form, like I'm doing sculptures instead of dessert foods."

"They really are works of art though," Sting said.

Yukino smiled with a tilt of her head, "Thanks Sting, that's so nice of you to say!"

"Well, I was going to see if you could take off for lunch with me, but I'm guessing from that performance that Lucy's not here?" Sting gave a cockeyed grin.

Yukino felt her cheeks burn, "Yes, Levy's having the babies today so Lucy ran off to the hospital."

"Well that's a shame," he stood up straight a ran a hand through his hair. "I mean, not that the babies are coming, it's a shame that you won't be able to come out with me."

Yukino smiled, "You can come hang out with me in the back if you want, I'm sure Lucy won't mind."

His face lit up, "Awesome."

"Do you need lunch? I could get you something, my treat," she offered. She started to head towards the back.

"That would be great, but only on one condition," Sting said as he followed her.

She turned back to him, "A condition?"

"You'll let me take you to dinner this weekend, like a proper date." He gave a breathy laugh, "Really I still owe you from when you brought me take out."

She looked up at him and smiled sweetly, "I'd really like that."

Lucy pulled up to the house exhausted but cheerful. She had left a happy Levy and Gajeel, with their new healthy pink newborns to run back to the bakery and finish decorating all her orders. Thank goodness Yukino had managed to bake all the shortbreads for her, otherwise it would have taken her all night. Lucy still had a lot of cooking to do, she needed to make sure the Redfox's freezer was full of easy to make dinners.

When she cut off her engine, Natsu popped out of the garage, grinning and waving. Lucy narrowed her eyes, he was definitely doing something she wasn't supposed to see in there. He was completely terrible at being sneaky, she would have to be strong and not peak.

"I hope you showered," she said with a smirk as she pulled herself out of her car.

Natsu looked offended, "Why would I shower? I'm not done doing stuff yet!"

Lucy's mouth dropped open, "Please tell me you're kidding."

He grinned, "I am. Come on, I couldn't even stand the smell of me, that's when you know it's bad." He pulled her into his arms and kissed the tip of her nose.

Lucy smiled, "Yes, that's much better," kissing him full on the lips.

Natsu looked down at her, "I may have rubbed my head on your pillow first though."

Lucy pushed away with a sound of disgust, "Natsu!" She stormed towards the house.

Natsu giggled with glee and bounced after her, "I said may, I said may." He leaned on the door frame as she worked on opening the knob, "What would be my punishment if I did?"

Lucy raised a brow, "Seriously Natsu?" She rolled her eyes and walked into the house, dropping her bag on the table by the door.

"Come on Lucy, I want to play. I barely got to see you at lunch with ol' carrot head there," Natsu pouted.

Lucy leaned on the kitchen counter and raised a brow, "You barely got to see me because you smelled like cat pee and you were trying to mark your territory with it." She stood up straight and tilted her head, "Does Loke really bother you Natsu? Do you want me to tell him to stop coming by?"

Natsu crossed his arms, "Why would Mr. hair gel bother me? I don't care."

Lucy clasped her hands behind her back and took a few steps towards him, "It didn't look like you didn't care earlier today."

Natsu scoffed, "Well I can't make it too easy for him. He might start thinking he has a chance at stealing you away. That would be such a bother for ya."

Lucy frowned, dropping her hands to her sides, "You don't really think that right? You know nobody's going to be able to steal me away, I'm not going anywhere."

Natsu swallowed deeply and looked at his feet, his face suddenly serious, "No, of course not."

Lucy walked over so that she stood right in front of him and could look right up into his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Natsu, I'm not going anywhere."

He narrowed his eyes and breathed out deeply, "But what if. . ."

"No Natsu, there's no what if. I'm not going anywhere, this is where I belong. I don't want to be anywhere else." She smiled, "So I guess you're stuck with me."

He chuckled, "So you're all mine then?"

Lucy pulled him into a tight hug, "I'll always be yours."

He pulled back, placing a hand on either side of her face and looking down at her with hooded eyes. "Sometimes I feel like you're too good for me Luce."

She wrinkled her brow, "Well that's silly. Since obviously you're the best."

He chuckled softly and touched his forehead to hers, "Well of course, but I wasn't sure if you knew that."

Lucy closed her eyes and hummed happily, "I really love you Natsu."

"I love you too Lucy." He traced his fingers down under her chin, lifting her face to kiss her. She leaned into him, relishing in the way his arms fell to wrap around her waist and pull her close. Lucy knew for sure there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

Thanks to those who took the time to review! Nekokittygirl and writing pixie