Studying is soon to begin again, motivation to write Jerza is abating - updates will most likely take longer...
Hope you'll enjoy!
Two figures appeared at the gates of the Fairy Tail Guild Hall. The general turmoil died down, shouts fading and fists slowing until hovering in the air, forgotten. The girls exchanged fleet glances, grimacing. Meredy braced herself. She could see blood.
"Welcome back," Mira greeted in her usual upbeat manner. "How was the—oh," she blinked in surprise when the contract landed on her tray. Her eyes lit up, betraying success.
"Is anyone in the showers?" Erza asked almost casually. She was holding Jellal's hand as if they had only just returned from a romantic picnic instead of a fierce battle against a pack of demons.
"I don't think so," Mira smiled.
"Would you mind if we occupied the men's?" Erza still showed not a hint of irritation. If anything, she seemed relaxed, relieved and fulfilled.
"Of course not," Mira nodded, taking the contract with her to the Master's office.
Erza released her husband's hand when he aimed for the girls' table. None of them mentioned the claw mark doing down the side of his jaw when they returned his greeting, neither the traces of blood drying up on Erza's thigh.
"She didn't want it," Meredy said when placing the bottle she had been keeping warm between her legs on the table. Rosemary, having spotted her parents, became excited, raising her arms and making noise as not to be overlooked. "You're hurt," Meredy addressed the elephant in the room, lifting her protégée off her lap.
"Yeah," Erza and Jellal replied in unison, unbothered. They exchanged a glance, sharing a smile at having spoken at the same time. Like a bunch of teenagers, Meredy wanted to roll her eyes, keeping it to herself. Jellal picked Rosemary up, and she cooed with content, groping for his face and clothes.
"Thank you for watching her—"
"Thank you for taking care of—" they started simultaneously again, both giggling. This time, Meredy did roll her eyes, though she had to smile as well. Juvia was swooning in her seat, while Lucy raised an amused brow.
Jellal made his way upstairs, but Erza turned on the heel, remembering to take her daughter's basket.
"In case she doesn't appreciate the shower," she excused, still with a merry smile. She had to hurry when Rosemary gave a small sound of complaint, as if notifying her father that they were not yet complete. He stopped at the top of the stairs, having his shirt clutched and a tiny chin hooked to his shoulder. Intent green eyes focused on Erza. She halted behind them, rubbing over her daughter's head, then kissing the tip of her nose. Jellal's cheek was next, and with that, they disappeared in the showers.
They reappeared after some time, only to vanish in the infirmary.
Not ten minutes later, the next completed request flew Mira's way, unheeded by the owner. He scurried into a halt, nearly knocking the bench of the girls' table over.
"Where is she? Didn't you have her today? Wasn't she gonna come?" Natsu burst, staring at Meredy. His eyes were sparkling, disappointment streaking them.
"I did; they only just returned," she excused, and he cursed, accidentally punching Lucy's arm instead of the air. His eyes lit up immediately when her finger pointed up the stairs. "She hasn't eaten, but she didn't look too tired to—" she began, but where he had stood there was only a cloud of dust left, "play…" Meredy mumbled. They all pulled a face when he barged into the showers, luckily finding them abandoned.
Then he went on with the girls' shower, prompting Lucy to rise from her seat.
"I better make sure he doesn't do anything inappropriate," she announced, hasting up the stairs. Meredy followed, the baby bottle in hand. Perhaps if he was allowed to feed Rosemary, he would not run them over entirely.
Reaching the infirmary before Natsu did, they opened the door more carefully than he would have. Meredy' shoulders sank, all uneasiness of the morning forgotten. Lucy melted a little next to her.
On the side of a bed, the two were facing each other. Jellal had only just finished bandaging his wife's thigh, tucking the end of the gauze away. She watched him lovingly, and when his head came up, met his lips in a tender kiss. His hand remained on her thigh, her own coming to rest on his. With the other hand, she kept Rosemary sitting somewhat upright with her back to her mother's stomach. Calm, interested green eyes watched her parents patch each other up most affectionately.
"Babyyy," Natsu hissed, having snuck his head between Lucy's knees since the girls blocked his view. She kicked him, accusing him of harassment. He did not seem to notice, crawling across the floor at an alarmingly quick pace with more inviting calls to Rosemary. As if to lure her over without the couple noticing.
Smiling into the kiss, Erza pulled away first. She raised a brow at the Dragon Slayer lying beneath the neighbouring bed. Meredy questioningly held up the bottle, and Erza nodded.
"Would you like to feed her?" She asked Natsu. He winced as if not having expected to be caught. Jellal frowned, though parted with his daughter without the usual fuss. Not that it kept him from hovering close, eyes alert when Erza handed Rosemary over. In the end, it was the hovering that made Rosemary eat from the carefully reheated bottle, the face of her father allaying her.
"Erza," Mira knocked on the doorframe. A quiet squeal at the scene escaped her before she continued, "You have guests; they say they're childhood friends." Erza nodded while Jellal gulped. She put a hand on his knee, meeting his eyes reassuringly. It all passed Natsu by, just until Rosemary was done eating, nagging to be back in the arms of her parents. Jellal picked her up, seemingly for his own comfort too.
Not yet having arrived downstairs, Erza caught sight of four silhouettes in the entrance. One of them had cat ears, another looking angular from head to toe. She went to greet them, when just then, more people came – two people whose arrival was long overdue.
"Levy," Erza greeted her friend with a smile. She was carrying one of the twins, the other tied safely to Gajeel's chest.
"Erza," Levy beamed.
"Levy!" Lucy hasted down the stairs, excitedly welcoming her friend who smiled just as much. "Oh, there they are," she held out her finger to the twin in Levy's arms – Erza could not keep them apart yet – but he refused. Tetsu, judging by the grumpy look on his face.
"Aren't you going to go there?" Meredy nudged Natsu as they arrived on ground level. "You love babies."
"Nah, they're Gajeel's; they must be weird," Natsu shrugged.
"They're also Levy's."
"N'aaaw, Levy's babiiies!" He was won over immediately, keenly wiggling towards the Solid Script mage.
"You jerk!" Gajeel fumed, making everyone laugh.
More and more came to swarm the couple, welcoming the newest family additions, congratulating them. Gajeel snarled at whomever came too close and at basically any noise louder than a soft tone of voice.
Erza had almost forgotten about the guests especially for her, until a hand landed on her shoulder.
"Shô," Erza felt a warm smile set into place. She hugged both him and Wally tightly, then Millianna who all but stormed her. They told her of their travels, but before Erza could say hello to the fourth guest, someone else appeared – this time neither a member nor a visitor.
"Delivery for Erza Scarlet and," the man squinted at his sheet, "Jellal – is that a name…? – Fernonder or something," he read. Erza frowned, receiving the sheet.
"A delivery?"
"From their Excellencies, the Magic Council of Caelum," the short man saluted. "They wish to send you their well-wishes and most sincere congratulations," he reported, fumbling in his bag. Revealing a party popper, he tore off the string for a bang Erza was glad her daughter had not heard. "Happy birthday," the man nodded, interrupting himself again. "Oh, hold on, you had a kid?" He stared at the first giant package's label. "Woah, woah, aren't you Erza Scarlet from the Grand Magic Games? And you had a kid?!"
"Should I get rid of him?" Kagura appeared next to Erza, looking fairly unamused by the slightly obtrusive delivery boy. Erza twinkled at her, but shook her head.
"It's alright."
"You brought down the Neo-Balam Alliance in Caelum, you— you slew a dragon!" He boy gasped, choking on it.
"You did?" Kagura raised a brow.
"My mother," Erza confirmed, reaping more bewilderment than understanding from all sides.
"Oh my god, this is so amazing! Please, can I take a picture? They'll never believe me at home," he muttered the rest to himself, eyes gleaming gleefully. "I— I mean, the Magic Council would surely appreciate to know that you are well and content with the gifts," he pointed to the left.
Behind the gate, there were more and more boxes stacked up high, the last ones only just being set down from one of the numerous carts blocking the entire street.
"And will it reach them if you take it?" Erza asked wittily. The boy blushed, then nodded avidly. "Just a moment," she excused, heading back inside.
She found her husband to the side of the ever-expanding circle of baby-admirers. Holding her in a relaxed manner, Jellal rocked Rosemary lightly while chatting with Gajeel. The latter had not yet reached the point where he could comfortably give his son into the arms of someone else, eyes sharp as they watched his wife with the other.
"Jellal," Erza notified him. He exchanged another word with Gajeel, then followed her request.
"Yes, my love?"
"We were sent gifts from Caelum."
"From Caelum?" He tilted his head. She took his hand, explaining most convincingly why he had to pose for that picture. Kagura zoomed away when the portable communication lacrima appeared, as did Wally and Shô. All of them faltered a little upon laying eyes on Rosemary for the first time, standing in line to meet her up close. Millianna did not mind the camera, but soon found herself squished between brawny, foreign men where the entirety of the post staff wanted to be on the photo with Erza and her family.
The huge crate turned out to be an ornate, silk-upholstered crib with a pointed roof as if imitating a castle. Both Jellal and Erza marvelled at the way it rocked gently, showing it to Rosemary. She was by far more interested in the year ration of tropical fruit, suspiciously feeling the hairy peel of a kiwi.
The entirety of kiwis went to Lily, who was more than overjoyed, spending the rest of the day atop the man-high pile of his favourite food.
Once the Caelum delivery men had left, Team Natsu came to inspect the boxes and parcels. Erza insisted that Levy choose something for her boys.
"Make sure to pick a few things for Wendy," Erza ordered Lucy, then told her and Meredy to go ahead and see if they wanted something for themselves. There was by far more than for their own household after all, and many things unrelated to babies. "We're just going to file this in," she waved the sheet of the foodstuff that would go to the guild – eating it all alone would have been impossible anyway.
On their way to the archive to find the latest stocktaking list, Erza and Jellal were nearly overrun, a flash as if soaring past them. Natsu extended his arms, eagerly biting his lip. Erza had to smile, about to give in and allow him to watch her daughter when someone apparently had other plans.
Another pair of arms appeared, much lower than those of Natsu.
"Hey, I was here first, old man," Natsu nagged. Makarov only cleared his throat.
"As Guild Master, I preserve the right to hold this little cutie before any of you brats," he lifted his chin, then focused back on his target. Jellal exchanged a glance with his wife, amusement shining in both.
"No fair, gramps! That's abuse of power!"
"All is fair in love and war," Makarov shrugged. Complacently, he received his granddaughter, telling her just how much he loved her. Natsu stuck to the wheelchair like glue, both of the men consisting of nothing but smiles when re-joining the newly subbed 'baby-table' where Levy had trouble keeping Gale from crying. The Master's cooing, voice going haywire to entertain his beloved grandchildren, aided in keeping them quiet – confused but quiet nonetheless.
The archive was well isolated, the ruckus from upstairs hardly reaching them. Jellal took Erza on his shoulders for her to reach the upper shelves, and when eventually having to use the ladder, she made as many suggestive comments about his behind as he did about hers.
Chuckling, they returned to the table that had now extended by Mirajane, Lisanna and Mermaid Heel plus friends. Erza crouched next to the Master, waiting to be given back her baby since she was becoming uneasy. She had to wait until Rosemary screamed, Makarov too enthralled to let her go otherwise.
Levy sighed wistfully when the face and smell of her mother was enough to turn off the redhaired siren. She was patting Tetsu's back, holding him with one arm, rocking a more and more discontent-growing Gale's basket. Jellal noticed her struggle, bending over the bench.
"May I?" He politely asked. With a tired smile, she nodded for him to go ahead.
Moving the basket over to himself intensified the cries. Jellal gasped loudly, making Gale stop and hold his breath, big eyes staring back in shock.
"Little feetsies!" Jellal tickled the underside of Gale's feet, earning himself a most endearing laughter. The others melted around them, Levy letting out a sigh of relief. Waking more and more by the tickling, Gale wiggled and kicked his legs, so Jellal freed them from having been swaddled. "Oh, I see where this is going," he told him, picking him up. "And if you're anything like my daughter, then this ought to tire you out," he grinned.
Stepping away from the clustered table, Jellal swayed and rocked, switching side steps with careful bounces, letting Gale's legs fly until the latter almost wheezed from laughing delightedly.
Erza watched him fondly. Her gaze fell to Levy, who observed gratefully, yet could not stop rubbing her other son's back for him not to wail. Levy spooked momentarily when Rosemary was gently dropped into her lap and Tetsu lifted out of her arms.
"Baby exchange," Erza winked. Adjusting the by far heavier baby in her arms, she went towards her husband. He understood as once, turning Gale to face his brother, back to Jellal's chest. The twins stared at one another, trading highly informative coos. Both laughed and giggled perpetually when Erza and Jellal started to waltz, holding the boys instead of each other while tracing the familiar pattern with their feet. Struggling but cackling dirtily upon succeeding, the twins had grabbed hold of each other's hands, effectively tiring themselves out.
Thankful, Levy had her sons returned to her, giving Erza a squirming Rosemary. There was no need to rock Tetsu anymore, only Gale adapted Rosemary's noises of discomfort.
"He could use a nappy change," Jellal noted, rucking Gale up for emphasis. "Would you like me to do it? I was going to change her anyway," he offered. Levy nearly slumped with relief, gladly accepting. Securing Gale – who was now complaining about being tired and wet – against his neck, Jellal stretched out his other arm, taking Rosemary from his wife. He gasped again, softer this time.
"If it isn't a dyed in the wool angel!" He marvelled. She responded with a hum, then a stronger coo, broadening his smile up to his ears. "How did you know?" He asked her, teasingly flashing his tongue at her. It made her clumsily prod his face with her hand, looking for the insolent tongue she had just seen.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Gale sputtered with laughter. Jellal encouraged it, chatting with both of them all the way up the stairs. Erza smiled to herself. She slung their changing bag over her shoulder, opening Levy's next to search for a new nappy.
"He's such a natural," Levy complimented, helping Erza look.
"I'm beginning to think he's the one with the mother instincts," Erza shook her head with a smile. They paused for a moment, unable not to listen to the three blabbing senseless nothings until the door to the bathroom closed.
"Gajeel is such a chatterbox around them too," Levy said. She glanced around to see if her husband had returned from home yet where he had rushed a few minutes ago. The couple had been too busy to remember bringing the birth certificates, now needing them for the reservation of membership at Fairy Tail.
"Jellal can hardly be stopped," Erza affirmed. "He talks more than she cries. Sometimes I think he actually knows what she's saying."
"At least he acknowledges that. Gajeel is all bam and pow and how he punched someone. He takes their little hands to copy his punches," Levy retold with a fond roll of her eyes.
"Jellal explained the periodic table of elements to her in the bathtub," Erza shrugged. Both of them laughed, the team still crowding them set off as well.
The twins slept soundly for the coming hours, and when Meredy went to check on her family that had vanished in the infirmary a while ago, she found them all slumbering just as peacefully.