They'd been back from Edolas for about two months when it happened.
To be truthful, though, everyone had kind of forgotten. With everything that had happened in the past seven months or so, one thing after another, they thought they had more time. Not to mention, Levy going into a coma for two weeks after using her Dragon Magic, and Juvia being confined to the house for a month after her near-fatal magical exhaustion stunt.
So, when Mira dropped the tray she was carrying and stood in the guild with wide eyes, for a split second everyone was confused. (Because of course, Mirajane refused to stop working during her pregnancy, but was eternally grateful for Kinana's help around the guild hall.)
Except Wendy.
"Mira-nee, are you okay?" Lisanna asked her older sister, just before the Sky Dragon Slayer squealed.
"OH! Oh, okay, okay, Levy, Juvia, Kinana, set up a bed for Mira in the infirmary! She's having the baby!" Wendy exclaimed, immediately latching onto her sister-in-law's arm and guiding her.
That's when the guild descended into chaos.
"What?!"
"Right now?!"
"But she wasn't due until April!"
"It is April you idiot!"
"Wendy, you are sure you know what you're doing?" Master Makarov asked, concerned.
Wendy smiled, "I'd helped many women give birth in Cait Shelter— which makes little sense now that I think about it— But I wouldn't mind the extra help from such an experienced healer like Porlyusica. However, Master, Laxus's presence alone would be extremely helpful,"
"Erik has already gone after him," Makarov informed her, "And Laxus will be allowed to enter the guild hall for this occasion,"
"He should be allowed back in the guild," Rogue murmured.
"Rogue," Mira said sharply, glancing over her shoulder as she and Wendy slowly entered the infirmary. "And Master, your grandson had better be quick. This baby will not be born without him,"
"Mirajane, you have to realise it may take time for Erik to find Laxus. We don't know where he's been," Makarov said.
All the dragon slayers were pointedly silent.
Laxus, on the other hand, had been expecting this. He spoke with his wife near every day through communication lacrima since the day he'd been excommunicated.
Also, you know.
His siblings and wife may have been harboring him in their house for the last three months or so.
So, as he paced back and forth in the living room because Mira could give birth any second, his head immediately snapped to the door when it opened.
When Erik nodded, the two men took off without looking back, practically running through town.
"How is she?" Laxus asked, a pit of nervousness settling into his stomach.
"Refusing to give birth unless you're there, which isn't a surprise. You two are disgustingly cute together," Erik smirked. "And calm down, nothing's going to go wrong. Wendy's there, and so is Porlyusica, Jet just got back to the guild with her, and Elfman and Lisanna are pacing outside her room,"
"Shit's about to hit the fan," Laxus growled as the two stopped and Laxus rolled his shoulders back and entered the guild, chin up.
Most of the guild was still shouting over Mirajane, but some went quiet as Laxus entered. Makarov's eyes rose in slight surprise.
"I'm surprised he tracked you down so fast," Makarov said to his grandson. Laxus snorted.
"Honestly, Jii-chan, what kind of husband do you take me for? I've been in Magnolia for three months," Laxus grumbled.
"DREYAR GET YOUR ASS IN HERE NOW!" A female roar came from the infirmary and Laxus practically teleported with the speed he used to get to his wife.
"I'm right here, love," Laxus said, taking Mirajane's hand as he sat beside her. The only ones in the room besides the expecting parents were Wendy and Porlyusica.
Mira smiled slightly, and even with a few beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, Laxus thought she looked beautiful. "I was scared you'd miss it,"
"Really?" Laxus raised an eyebrow.
"Don't give me that," Mira panted a bit, "I could sense your nervousness from here, and I was worried you wouldn't get into the guild. Our nakama can be so troublesome sometimes,"
"Mirajane, prepare to push," Porlyusica ordered.
"Your minutes are getting closer and closer together, Mira," Wendy beamed, the thirteen year old happy to be helping.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o
The guild had been tensely silent since Mirajane had started yelling expletives, her siblings and her husband's all crowded around the door. When she stopped, the guild waited with bated breath.
On April 27th, at 11:45 AM, Lilith Dreyar began wailing loudly.
"With a set of lungs like that she's bound to fit right in!" Wakaba joked.
"She's got a lot of hair," Laxus laughed, watching with slightly wide eyes as Wendy passed the swaddled newborn to Mirajane. She cradled the baby gently in her arms, looking down at her as she stopped crying and blinked up at her.
"And my eyes," Mirajane smiled down at her daughter, who had a huge tuft of blonde hair and blue eyes.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o
"It's time, isn't it?" Mirajane asked softly, baby Lilith bundled in her arms.
The girl had been born nearly a month ago, and already spewed small sparks of lightning when excited. Lilith was also easily amused by her father's magic, which Mirajane found adorable.
However, Laxus's wife was no fool. She knew he felt that he still had a penance to pay, that he had no right to be so near the guild, the family, that he had hurt.
"Yes," Laxus replied, resting his forehead against Mira's. The couple was stood on the front porch of the house, all the other slayers asleep inside.
Mirajane put a hand against his chest, over his heart, as she opened her eyes to look into his. "You will come back. You know that nearly everyone has forgiven you. I know you will never forgive yourself,"
"I'm sorry you have such a mess for a husband," Laxus smiled slightly and Mirajane poked him harshly.
"Like I'd exchange you for anyone," Mirajane snorted. It was then that Lilith woke up, bright blue eyes looking up at her parents. With a whine, the infant wriggled in her mother's hold, looking at her father.
Grinning, Laxus took the baby girl into his arms, producing a small bolt of lightning to flicker around his pointer finger, making her squeal and watch with wide eyes.
"Don't be too much trouble. I doubt your mother has much patience left," Laxus teased and Mirajane smiled sadly before sighing and stepping closer, forehead pressed into the side of his neck.
"Go. Or I might just rip our nakama a new one," Mirajane nipped at his jaw before pressing a soft kiss to her husband's lips.
"I don't think you'll have to wait much longer," Laxus told her after pulling back. "Something's coming,"
"Whatever it is, Fairy Tail can handle it," Mirajane grinned, taking Lilith back into her arms. "I love you,"
Laxus shouldered his bag and pressed his forehead to hers again. It was something the dragons often did with he and his siblings, a sign of unconditional love, whether platonically or romantically.
"I'll be back soon," Laxus promised before walking off. Mirajane glanced down at her daughter when she could no longer see him in the distance, stroking a finger down her cheek.
"You're going to grow up to be such a daddy's girl," Mirajane smiled softly. "I can already see how much he'll spoil you,"