The lyrical twitter of the birds outside their window woke her up to a new day. Living on the outskirts of the woods near Magnolia had it's own charms as Lucy grew to realize the months since she had moved in. While she had adored her little apartment on Strawberry Street; it did almost sit too close to the hustle and bustle of the shopping center. Granted it was usually her boisterous pink haired partner that usually was her alarm clock.

Lucy glanced over at her husband as he slept. She was amazed at how much room she had to sleep when he slept as sprawled out as he did. She smiled gently at him before getting up from the bed, stretching, and getting ready for the day ahead.

Happy greeted her when she reached the main room. He was still groggy and half awake but he had grown used to the morning routine. "Lucy, what are we making for breakfast today?"

"I'm thinking something sweet. So maybe pancakes?" She turned an arched an eyebrow in question toward the small exceed.

While Happy generally preferred fish for any meal Lucy's pancakes were nothing to scoff at. He already had the necessary ingredients memorized by heart, and in order to answer her question he quickly gathered them together for her. Happy was one of few that actually new her secret ingredients she added to the mix. Lucy would add some fresh vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar to her mixture once she got the main ingredients mixed just right.

Once the first batch was made Natsu yawned and stretched at the doorway to the main room. "I smell pancakes..." Drool already began trickling from his mouth toward his chin.

"Yup, first batch is already done. Sit down and eat. But first...eww...wipe your face off."

"Yeah that's really gross, Natsu." Happy agreed with a disdainful look upon his face.

Natsu quickly obliged. He sat down, took a healthy bite of syrupy pancake goodness, and of course mid chew decided to start a conversation. "One of the best things about us being together now is getting to eat your cooking all the time."

Lucy arched an eyebrow at him.

"Hey, I said one of." He quickly recovered when he realized he was about to be in the dog house...again. "I can't think of a bad thing about us being together though." Surprisingly he sat his fork down and went to hug his wife from behind. "Perhaps I should say the truly best thing about us being together is simply that we are together." His hands leisurely strolled over her rounded belly. Per normal easily distracted his subject drifted off and changed. "I can't wait to meet them." As if in response to his voice a foot or an elbow reacted to his words. "Was that? Is that what I felt when I thought you were kicking me the other night?"

Lucy chuckled in memory of that moment. Natsu had of course felt the babies before. But not with that amount of oomph behind it.

"Wow! Someone in there sure is strong."

Lucy had often wondered about that. There definitely were some kicks that were stronger then others. But all of them were pretty forceful and powerful in their own right. "Yeah, seems that way."

Lucy became engrossed into making the rest of the pancakes. Especially after Happy frowned up at the two of them talking. "You two talking is not getting pancakes into my belly!"

Lucy and Natsu both laughed.

Natsu went back to his own plate to finish his first batch of pancakes. He knew Lucy would make more but not until after she had her own plate first.

After their breakfast, Happy headed out to Wendy's to see Carla. Natsu and Lucy took the opportunity to relax on one of the couches for a bit. "When is the next event supposed to start?"

"I think the real event was last night. I'm not sure there are any events planned today. Just enjoying the wares that a festival brings."

"Yeah, did you see Sting's play for Yukino?"

Lucy nodded. "Yeah, I almost felt bad for the guy. The frown he had after the kiss. It kind of made me a bit sad."

"But it worked out in the end. I mean he found that little petite girl. What was her name again?"

"Mikayla. I still can't believe she is Hemlock's daughter."

"Mmm, I'm still not happy with how he kidnapped you."

Lucy shrugged her shoulder. "It happened. But honestly I felt bad for him when we found out about Clarice. Now, I just hope the twins will be okay."

Natsu nodded. "Yeah but Jaspar will fix them up. Weren't they all heading out today? Gajeel, Levy, and Jaspar I mean."

"Yeah, sad that they will miss the festivities but getting on with that is probably in the best interest anyways."

"When were you wanting to go to the guild today?" Natsu stroked her hair gently.

"Mm, I was thinking I would like to relax a bit longer. Maybe take a bath?" She turned her head toward Natsu.

"Mm, is that an invitation?"

"Well, to join me and wash my back at least. I don't know..."

Natsu gently kissed her lips. "Shhh...I may not like it but I understand. I'll take what I can get."

Being so rounded with child Lucy wasn't always easily comfortable when they attempted to make love. She felt horrible about it but Natsu was surprisingly generous and understanding.

Natsu kissed her forehead. "I'll go start the water for you."

Lucy called out to him. "Remember not too hot!"

Sting meandered down the street back toward the guild. Mirajane had set up Mikayla with a bed in the infirmary for the time being, until they could find a better place for her to stay. It had annoyed him that he didn't think to invite her to stay with him in his motel room. But honestly maybe it was for the best. She may be his mate but they didn't really get a chance to talk alone the day before.

Now he was heading toward the guild to pick her up and take her around the park. He nearly forgot that Lector was beside him, lost in his own thoughts as he was. "Do you think Linnea liked me?'

A wry smile crossed Sting's lips. "How could she not?" It happily amused Sting that Lector was so infatuated with Mikayla's exceed. Perhaps in addition to dragon slayer babies in their household there would also be exceed kittens? But Sting was getting ahead of himself.

Sting grew surprised when he got to Fairy Tail to see Mikayla and Linnea outside. He woke up rather early and expected to wake her up, or at the very least greet her as she was just sitting down for breakfast.

"Oh, hi Sting."

Sting smiled broadly. "I didn't expect you up so soon."

"Er...honestly I'm kind of a wound up bundle of nerves. I didn't really get all that much sleep last night."

Linnea spoke up, "I tried everything to get the girl to calm down but nothing worked. I even made her a soothing cup of tea but somehow I think that backfired. I think it might have made her more on edge and maybe a tad hyper."

Mikayla bit her lip. It momentarily tempted Sting. But he mentally shook himself from the temptation. His concern for her well being more profound. "What's making you so nervous? Is it...is it me?"

Linnea shook her head. "What doesn't make the girl nervous? That would be an easier question to answer."

Mikayla sighed. "Linnea is right. I'm pretty much nervous about everything. I mean, but to alleviate some of your concern. You are low on that list. I am nervous about today and what we need to discuss of course. I mean who wouldn't be? But I'm more concerned about what everyone else in Fairy Tail may be thinking. I'm concerned for Jaspar, Gajeel, and Levy as they trek to see my family. I'm concerned for my family. The list goes on and on."

Sting touched her shoulder. "You need to calm yourself. Too much worry is not good for anyone." She gasped as he lifted her off her feet. "I'm going to kiss you now, partially because I want to help calm you down, partially just because I want to." Mikayla didn't have a chance to object as his lips came crashing down on hers.

The kiss started off a simple peck but something stirred inside Mikayla and she was the one who deepened it. Her arms wrapped around Sting's neck, and her legs somehow managed to wrap around his hips. Her teeth elongated and she nibbled them gently at his lower lip. Her tongue suddenly having a mind of its own sought for entrance. Sting moaned in compliance and Mikayla dove inside. She curled her tongue around his own and gasped when she felt herself pushed against the hard wall behind her.

"Guys, I uh, don't think this is the time or place for that." Lector spoke up when he grew uncomfortable at the scene they were making.

Sting broke the kiss and sighed. He leaned his forehead against Mikayla's for a moment. "He's right."

Mikayla nodded as Sting reluctantly sat her on her feet. Suddenly his stomach made itself known. Mikayla chuckled in response. "You haven't had breakfast yet?"

Lector grinned, "No he was too wound up to see you."

Sting wanted to be mad at him but he just couldn't. "I was hoping when I got here you would either be still asleep or just sitting down for breakfast. That way I could join you either way."

"Oh, Linnea and I already ate but..."

"But the girl is like a dragon slayer in the regard to food. She could eat pretty much anytime of the day," Linnea shared.

Mikayla's forehead frowned as she glared at Linnea. The exceed was sometimes queen of over sharing.

Sting just shrugged. "Well, let's find something to eat then. Is Mirajane already in there cooking?"

"No, but...what was her name? Kinana? She was in there puttering away. Other then myself and Linnea only one other person was seated to eat this early."

"Let me guess; dark complexion, scar across his right eye, hair kind messy and a color somewhere between purple and dark red?"

Mikayla nodded. "How did you know?"

"That's not a customer. That's her keeper." Lector growled lightly at Sting for the comment. "Okay, her mate I should say."

"Oh? Wow, how many dragon slayers around here are there?"

"So many that Jaspar is gonna be hella busy."

"Good thing we shouldn't have to worry in that regard."

Sting looked down at Mikayla. "What do you mean?"

"Because I'm part dragon slayer already, and I already age the same I don't foresee us having a problem with pregnancy nor anything else."

"But your brothers? The twins? They need the dragon slayer gems?"

"That's more about magic stabilization then anything else."

Sting let the idea roll around in his head for a minute. That meant the next time Mikayla ovulated she would become pregnant. It wouldn't matter if he had claimed her yet or not because her scent would be undeniable and would draw him to her. Was Sting ready to become a father so soon? The answer didn't come as easy as he had hoped but the point was more that it wouldn't matter. Once the time came he would be as ready as he could be.

The light shining through the window woke up Erza. She groaned and tried to cover her face with the blanket. The arm draped around her tightened. "Not ready to greet the day?" He asked.

"No, I want to stay here forever."

Jellal turned her over so she was on her back and leaned across her. His gaze trailing over her body. "We can't stay forever but we can definitely make the most of our time while we are here."

"Does that mean what I.."

Erza's words were cut off as Jellal stole a kiss. It was light and sweet and she was sure a prequel of more things to come. When Jellal broke the kiss he smiled down at her. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I want some more of those kisses." Erza responded.

Jella chuckled. "I can agree that I want the same. But I meant are you sore? We kinda," he blushed, "got a bit carried away last night."

Erza blushed in response. "I'm definitely glad there isn't anyone for miles."

"Mmm, I didn't expect you to be a screamer."

"Me?"

"Hey I was only responding to your sexy responses. I want to hear more." Jellal began exploring her body and Erza sighed contently. "Should we try slow and gentle this time?"

"Oh please," Erza responded as he stroked down her breastbone. She wasn't sure if she was responding to his question or merely wanting him to touch her more. In the end it wouldn't matter. The night was over but a new day was beginning and he wasn't turning her away. She must have done something right to deserve to be in the arms of the man she loved.