Hello all! I've had this one done for a while, but life happened and my husband insisted on reading it first as well. With that in mind, I wrote this way before the 100 Year's Quest came out and I've only watched the anime never read manga or anything. I've got lots of ideas after the 100 Year's Quest and even have a sequel for this one in the works already so stay tuned! Thanks for joining me!

Chapter One

The spring air in Magnolia was perfect that day. The kind of day that makes going on a job not worth it in favor of spending time outside. It was finally peaceful again now that Zeref and Acnologia were gone and it seemed like everyone was taking advantage. Lucy Heartfilia of the Fairy Tail guild was in the park, enjoying the day with her best friend, Natsu Dragneel, despite the fact that her rent was due soon and she was a bit short. Natsu was leaning against a big tree, his eyes closed to enjoy the weather though most would assume him to be asleep. Lucy knew better as no rumbling snores fell from his mouth. She was laying on her back, her head resting on his thigh as the fingers of his right hand drew little patterns on her arm.

A few years ago this position would've freaked them both out, but the war with Alvarez had changed a lot for them along with the rest of their guild. Levy McGarden and Gajeel Redfox had recently married and were expecting their first baby, something most of their guild mates would've said was far-fetched a few years ago. Their master had never recovered the use of his legs and had begun training his grandson Laxus Dryer to take over the guild all while the Lightning Dragon Slayer was not so subtly wooing a certain takeover mage. Their other best friend Gray Fullbuster had finally admitted to Juvia Lockser that he did in fact love her and they were in the midst of house hunting so she could move out of the guild dorms. And then there was Lucy and Natsu. No words had been exchanged; no kisses given; but things between them had changed after the war. He rarely spent a night away from her; even going so far as to offer to split rent with her since he spent so much time at her apartment. She'd declined only to counter with him paying for food and groceries since he cleaned the kitchen out faster than they could keep up.

Lucy glanced up at the Fire Dragon Slayer with a smile. They'd never said so, but she knew he cared about her. Whether it was love of simply a friend and guild mate or something stronger she still wasn't sure. All she knew was they were joined at the hip since the war ended and she liked it.

"What's got you so happy, Luce?" Natsu's baritone brought her out of her reverie.

"Oh nothing," She replied, her smile growing bigger. "Just thinking about everything that's changed in the last year. I can't believe Levy and Gajeel will be parents soon."

Natsu grunted as the little patterns he was drawing on her arm turned to his full hand running down her arm and back up, leaving a warm and gentle heat in its wake from his magic. "I know. It doesn't seem like any of us are old enough for that yet."

Lucy chuckled. "They'll be amazing parents. Plus, it'll be interesting to see if the little one inherits Gajeel's Dragon Slaying magic."

Natsu nodded, not knowing the answer himself. He'd never gotten to have that type of conversation with Igneel before he'd disappeared, though now he wished he had. The war had made him realize many things, most of which were about the blonde celestial mage resting in his lap. Having at least some knowledge about how dating worked with him being a Dragon Slayer would've been helpful.

"Do you know if Gray and Juvia have found a place yet?" She asked, glancing up at him.

"Not yet last I talked to him. I guess there's not a lot of places available in Magnolia at the moment. Lots of people wanting to move here to gawk at us all," Natsu said. That was an unwanted consequence of the war with Alvarez and defeat of Acnologia. Word had spread quickly throughout the kingdom of Fiore what the guild, and the Dragon Slayers especially, had done. It was frequent that they were all stared at and stopped for their autograph which made them all uncomfortable.

Lucy was saved from a reply by a loud grumble coming from the stomach next to where her head laid. Natsu chuckled when she smiled up at him. "Sorry, guess it's getting close to dinner time. Want to head back to the guild?"

Lucy nodded her agreement and let Natsu pull her up to her feet. They made their way slowly down the streets of Magnolia back to the guild hall. Despite his growling tummy they wanted to still enjoy the beautiful day as much as they could so they kept their pace slower than usual. Lucy closed her eyes as a gentle breeze blew her long hair off her shoulders. She'd kept it down today since they weren't planning on doing anything. As they walked, she felt Natsu's pinky wrap around hers, another action that was new but not unwanted. She loved this new closeness, but still was unsure of where they were headed since they'd never actually talked about it. They just did this stuff like it was the most natural thing in the world. It was also clear to everyone who knew them that neither one of them wanted to let the other out of their sight for fear of losing the other. They'd almost lost each other multiple times and she had to admit that both of them still woke occasionally from a nightmare stemming from those horrible few days.

When they arrived at the guild hall Natsu opened the door for her. She had to immediately duck clear as a blue cat with white wings dove directly at him. Happy, the blue Exceed and Natsu's other best friend, had spent the day with their teammate Wendy and her Exceed friend Carla.

"Natsu! You're back!" The Exceed declared.

"Hey buddy," Natsu smiled. Lucy rolled her eyes affectionately.

Lucy saw Levy sitting at a nearby table, her baby bump forcing her to sit sideways in the booth as she read a large tomb. A plate with just one bite of a sandwich and a cup of what appeared to be hot tea was sitting at her elbow. She smiled and made her way to the Script Mage, sitting in the seat across from her friend.

"Hey Lu," Levy smiled putting her book down. She glanced over at Natsu then back to her friend suspiciously. "What were you two up to? On a date?"

"No, it's not like that Levy," Lucy gave her standard line and tried her best not to sound disappointed. "We were just enjoying a beautiful day. What are you up to? Where's Gajeel?"

"He's out on a job with Lily. Said it should just be today, but he wanted some extra jewel before the baby arrives," Levy ran her hand down her belly affectionately. "We've still got plenty of time, but he's been so sweet lately I hate to deter him."

"Hey Levy," Natsu smiled as he came up to the table and placed a hand on Lucy's back. "Luce, I'm going to ask Mira for something to eat. Want me to grab you anything?"

"Just a sandwich or something. Thanks Natsu," She smiled up at him. Levy shook her head when he glanced her way with a raised eyebrow, silently asking if she needed anything too.

He winked at Lucy as he headed toward the slightly crowded bar to grab their food. Lucy looked back to her friend to see a smug smirk on her face. "What?"

"It's not like that? Really?" Levy asked.

Lucy sighed as she realized she couldn't keep this in anymore. "I don't know Levy. Ever since the war ended I just want to be with him all the time. He's my best friend, but I'd hate to lose him too if I'm reading this all wrong. I don't know. It's confusing."

Levy smiled at her friend and reached out to give her hand a soft pat. "I don't think you have much to worry about. We all see it Lu. I know it's scary, but you could end up with everything you've ever wanted."

Lucy was saved from a reply when Happy landed on the table carefully placing a cup filled with tea in front of her followed closely by Natsu with two plates. His was piled with two sandwiches while hers had just one.

"How's it goin' Levy? What'cha working on?" Natsu asked gesturing to the large book.

"Oh just a research request to translate a scroll. It's really all I can do right now in my condition. At least all that Gajeel will let me do," She rolled her eyes, but smiled all the while.

Lucy and Natsu ate their dinner while talking with Levy as the noise in the guild grew as the dinner crowd kept rolling in. Gray and Juvia joined them an hour or so later excited to share they'd finally found a home and were in the purchasing process.

"That's great guys!" Lucy exclaimed, feeling Natsu's hand drift to her knee naturally as he gave Gray a fist pump with his other. "If you need help moving in we'll all help."

"Thanks guys," Gray smiled settling his arm around Juvia who blushed. Despite how long she had loved him, the reciprocation of her feelings was still something new that she was trying to get used to. "It's actually not far from your place Natsu."
"I should've just let you guys have my place. I'm never there much anymore," Natsu said nonchalantly while Lucy's face turned beet red. She glanced up and caught Levy's knowing smile and knew her friend was probably right. Levy's smile softened as the guild door opened letting the setting sun in along with her husband Gajeel and his Exceed friend Pantherlily. He stopped by the bar to let Mira know the job he'd taken was completed then joined their table and pressed a kiss to Levy's temple.

"How're you doin' shrimp?" Gajeel's hand drifted to her stomach, gently rubbing where his child was growing. "Ready to head home soon?"

"Yep I'm getting tired," Levy replied as she laid her head on his shoulder. Lucy had to admit the longer they all sat and talked the more tired she did seem.

Gajeel helped her out of the booth and they waved before heading out. Levy gave Lucy's shoulder a squeeze on her way out in silent support. Gray and Juvia left shortly after saying they needed to sign some paperwork on their new house leaving Natsu and Lucy alone with Happy.

"Well, shall we head home too?" Natsu's hand had stayed on her knee the whole time they'd been sitting at the table and it squeezed her leg now.

Lucy nodded and gathered all the plates and cups to take them to Mira at the bar. She thanked her and waved as she rushed to catch up to Natsu and Happy who were waiting by the door for her. He threw his arm around her shoulders as he pushed the door open and headed through Magnolia toward her apartment.