'Can you do nalu having their first baby?'

"Natsuuuuuuu!"

A high pitched scream echoed through the house, calling out his name, and his heart immediately skipped a beat. The chair he had been sitting on fell to the ground with a loud bump as he jumped up and dashed across the room frantically. He almost knocked down the door to the living room as he barged in, out of breath already, and eyes darting to the source of all his fears and hopes.

"What is it? Is it the baby? Is it time? I'm all fired up!"

Lucy Heartfilia was lying on her usual spot on the couch, the one she had barely left for the last two weeks. She looked up at him with an innocent expression.

"Nah, false alarm. Just the usual premonitory pains. Could you get me some cake from Erza's Shop?"

He groaned. She had done it again. Taking advantage of his fragile state of mind to scare him to death – that seemed to be one of her favourite activities lately. Not that she had much more to do, bound to rest her body and move as little as possible. Her hand rested loosely on her giant belly, drawing soothing circles. She had experienced those kinds of pre-labor contractions for the last few days, on and off. She seemed rather relaxed about it – in contrast to him, who was nothing but a nervous wreck at this point. It could be time any day now, and he was completely anxious. Their baby was almost a week late already.

Rolling his eyes, he stepped closer to press a quick kiss to his wife's cheek.

"Seriously, you're driving me crazy."

"Love you, too." She winked back at him.

"You sure you'll be alright? I'll only be gone for about 20 minutes."

"Just get me my damn cake."

Laughing, he left the room to grab some money, and soon the click of the front door could be heard.

Lucy let her head fall back into her pillow, a smile spreading across her lips.

"He's right though, Luna. You could really hurry up a bit."

"Hey Lucy, I'm back! Sorry it took a bit longer, it's just-"

"Natsu. We might have a problem."

Something was not right, he realized. Her voice was far too calm.

Hurriedly, he threw the shopping bag full of cake onto the table and quickly made his way to the living room, sudden adrenaline rushing through his body, making him feel strangely calm and panic-stricken at the same time.

Lucy lay where he had left her, only now one hand was clutching the back of the couch for support, while the other was pressing down on her stomach. Her legs were wide apart and the sounds of her panting filled the room and rang in his ears. His eyes traveled upwards and he could see beads of sweat rolling down her face, over her closed eyes and along her parted lips. She must have sensed his presence, because finally, she turned her head to him, and it seemed that only when she saw his face did she finally allow herself to slightly panic.

"I don't think those were premonitory pains at all."

He snapped out of his shocked state and in a matter of seconds he was kneeling beside her, one hand on her forehead, pushing away stray strands of hair that were clinging to her sweaty skin; the other joining hers on her belly.

"It's okay Lucy." He was surprised by the calmness of his own voice. His mind was screaming at him, because how could he leave his pregnant wife alone? Why was he such an idiot? Because of strawberry cheesecake? Damn, he felt like such a failure. But he could not concentrate on his stupid problems right now. Lucy was having their baby. They would be parents. Now he only had to handle this like the grown up he was. He had read about a gazillion books on the subject, after all. He could do this. Determined, he smiled at his wife, who was screaming by now.

"We can do this Lucy!"

"Y-you mean – AHH – you want – ahhhhhnn – here? The baby?"

Her hand reached out to grab his am, and she squeezed it with a power he didn't know was humanly possible. "Ouch!"

She glared at him, disbelief in her eyes. "OUCH? Did – you – just – say – OUCH?!"

"Hehe..sorry." Mentally smacking himself again, he got up and moved to the end of the couch, where she had already discarded her panties. One semi-professional look was enough. He didn't need to be a doctor to realize that they would have neither the physical capability nor the time to get up, pack their things and leisurely travel to the next hospital. If only Happy were here, so he could send him to get someone. Why, today of all days, was he on a date with Charle? Porliusca had said they'd probably have a few more days time, after all. He'd have to talk to her about this later. And by talk, he mentally noted, he meant burning down her house.

Why did it have to happen not at all, and then all at once? He shook his head, a slight smile ghosting across his lips. He was Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander, and she was Lucy Heartfilia, the Celestial Spirit Mage. Fairy Tail Mages. Nothing could ever go according to plan with them, it seemed. But who needed a plan, anyway?

"You know we can't get you anywhere like this. We have to do this here. Luna can't wait to meet her parents, it seems." He grinned. "Together, ok? I'm all fired up!"

She lifted her head slightly, searching for his eyes. When she found them, looking back at her full of love and determination and utter conviction, she smiled weakly and let her head fall back to rest on the pillow.

"I'm all fired up."

Three hours later, the sound of a baby crying resounded through the air - the sound of a little girl testing her lungs for the first time.

Lucy broke down on the couch, tears of pain and incredulous, overwhelming joy running down her cheeks. Slowly, she held up her arms, waiting for Natsu to hand their daughter to her, so she could hold her closely to her chest, and feel her breathing and crying and being so alive. Natsu was still in awe though, looking at the little bundle in his arms. She was the most beautiful thing in the world. Covered in blood and vernix, with a small tuft of soft, pink hair on her head and bright eyes which were blinking at him in confusion, curious and sleepy.

He knew in this moment he would never love anyone more than this little wonder in his arms and the beautiful woman who had given her to him. His eyes were watery with joy, but he didn't care in the slightest. He beamed at his daughter, then at Lucy. "Hi Luna. You wanna meet your mom?"

He easily severed the umbilical cord with a kitchen knife and then, carefully, gently placed the child in Lucy's arms, squeezing himself beside her on the couch. The sound that escaped her lips made his heart jump. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks, and she laughed out loud. "Hello Luna." She pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead and gently held her against her chest. "I love you." She whispered. Then she looked up at her husband, all tired and exhausted and glowing. "And I love you too. Oh gods, I love you both so much." The smile plastered on her features seemed to be permanent, the joy in her eyes radiating all around. Never had she felt this much love in her life. Never this much bliss. And never had she been more tired.

Natsu just sat there, staring at his little family. He leaned down to press a kiss on Lucy's forehead, where he lingered for a moment longer. "I will love both of you forever." He grinned, then added: "And all the children we'll have in the future."

She mumbled something in response that sounded like "all the children?..how many?..you gotta be kidding..so tired.." He chuckled.

"She was looking upwards, you know? They don't normally do that, right? What was that called again?"

She reopened her eyes for a moment, surprise in her eyes. She blinked at him fondly.

"..stargazing.."

If it was possible for her smile to widen any more, it did so now. They started to outright giggle, hands on each other's cheeks and foreheads touching, happy tears filling both of their eyes. Their little baby girl was making funny gurgling noises on Lucy's belly as she fell couldn't resist kissing Lucy again – a gentle kiss, tender on the lips - and when they parted once more, she finally let herself drift off into sleep.

It was then that he wondered what the hell they were supposed to do now. If it were for him, he would have stayed in this moment for all eternity, but his newly awakened fatherly responsibilities told him that both his child and his wife could probably use some professional care.

As if on command, a small blue cat came flying in through the window – only a few hours too late.

"Natsu! Lucy! I'm back! Did you – WHAAA"

"Hey Happy!" Natsu couldn't seem to wipe the grin out of his face anymore, and he felt no desire to do so anyway.

"Could you maybe get Wendy and the others? We just had our baby."