Every sharp protruding edge of every itty bitty stone seemed to come into contact with the dainty soles of her shoes. His large hand clasped her shoulder while they trudged the rocky path together. "Gajeel, he was just so tiny. So small...why does...why does he have to suffer like that?" Levy tried her best to cover up her sniffles as she held back the tears that welled up in her eyes.

Gajeel of course had no clue how to answer her. It was the same question she asked every night since the first night they saw the two tiny twins. Balor and Branwynne, while similar in looks, were different as night and day. Balor was the picture of perfect health. His cheeks were apple red. His skin had that sweet baby smell and glow. There was no doubt with his trilling giggles how happy he was. But poor Branwynne was sick and weak. Every time the sweet baby cried his magic was called. Every time his magic was called his energy was drained. Every time his energy was drained his natural immunities dropped. The pendant the baby now wore around his neck wasn't guaranteed to help. But the three figures that were currently meandering down the street couldn't help but hope it would work.

"Miss Levy, I know how you grieve for that little one's health. But we have done everything in our own power. Now we can only hope and wait." Jaspar tried once again to alleviate Levy's concern for the little one.

Levy's eyes grew hot with tears and emotions. "We waited three days before we realized we could do no more to help him! I realize there is no guarantees but there has to be some book out there to answer these questions for us."

Gajeel stroked her cheek. "Levy, love, you know if that were the case you would have found it by now. You have been researching dragon slayers and dragons for the past month until you have passed out from exhaustion. I understand your concern. I understand your worry but you can't make yourself sick."

Gajeel of course was only half right with how long she had been researching. Since she realized her feelings for him she had been researching dragon, dragon slayers, and their magic. But she knew pointing this out was pointless at this juncture.

"But, Gajeel, what if this is something we have to deal with when we have our own children?!?! It was hard enough seeing poor Brannwynne like that. I will hurt so badly if that happens with one of our own."

"But, Levy, their mother isn't even a mage. You are, and a powerful one at that. I don't believe..."

"You don't believe sure. But you don't know for certain either!" Now that the tears had past for the moment Levy was filled with anger. This isn't fair!

Gajeel heard her but was sure she didn't mean to share her outburst so he simply remained silent. There wasn't much he could say to be encouraging in this situation anyway.

The old mage walking with the two attempted to diffuse the tension a bit. "Miss Levy, by the way, things have been so hectic. I have not been able to alert you but about your ring. The magic is cast and the ring is complete." In Jaspar's weathered hand he held her engagement ring. Levy could practically see the magical energy sparking from inside the gem.

Levy's emotions were still writhing inside of her. But she couldn't help but to feel relieved and happy to hear the news that Jaspar shared. She would still wish for a miracle for Branwynne every night before she slept.

Levy took a deep breath and reached out her hand to retrieve her ring but before she could grasp it Gajeel's large hand enveloped the ring in his own. Before she could blink he was on his knee in front of her. "Levy, I have been blessed twice already. First when you agreed to be my wife, second when you became my mate, and now I want to reach for an even bigger future." He held the ring out to her again. "This time I want to ask you accept this ring along with the promise that sometime in the near future you will bless me with the laughter and love of our future children."

Levy looked at the ring. She looked at her husband. She watched as the metal faced giant tried to quell his own tears that were trying to form in his eyes. She worried her lip while she thought of that poor baby that may be sickly for the rest of his life. She worried that she might see something similar in a bassinet of her own. "I accept the future good or bad. But I will be praying, wishing, and hoping for the good. But I want a promise in return..."

"Anything."

She smiled softly. "I want you to promise me that we keep in contact with the twins. That we try to stay enveloped in their lives as much as possible. If we hear that Branwynne has somehow gotten worse we try to provide as much care as we can possibly give."

"I am completely in favor of this idea. Plus, I think Mikayla would be extremely grateful."

"I realize it's been a month already but I do wonder how the festivities went."

Sting scowled at the Strauss sisters as they punished Mikayla's magics more and more. They had already went through three magical exercises that had left her drained. But now they were about to go through a fourth and it wasn't even lunch time yet.

Mikayla was drained, but she also felt invigorated. It helped that it was evident in how her abilities were growing. She now not only saw the animal she was changing into but she also saw it's soul. Therefore she could actually differentiate between the two souls, hers and the animal, and she could peel her conscious away far enough that she didn't get lost inside of the animal. But it was still quite a taxing feat, and some animals were harder to work with then others. Mikayla still shied away from cold blooded creatures and insects. But warm blooded mammals and birds were starting to become easier.

"Sting, you really should stop worrying so much. She has come a long way since a few weeks ago," Lector toddled over and sat beside him.

Linnea was only a few steps behind. The two exceeds had become nearly inseparable in the short span of time. "I'm personally quite happy with her progress. You should have seen how hectic her magic was before."

Sting still grumbled. The dragon slayer was actually starting to become quite moody. He was still living in the motel room while Mikayla had temporarily moved into Fairy Hills. He wasn't happy with the distance. He wasn't happy with the lack of progress in their relationship. Sure they kissed and had some alone moments. But it was like the girl was avoiding him. The waiting was turning him into a grumpy dragon slayer. He was surprised when the object of his affections dropped down beside him.

Sting turned to look at her. Every inch of exposed skin was dotted with sweat. He kissed her freckled shoulder.

"What was that for?" She grabbed the towel that was behind him.

Sting shrugged. "Do I need a reason?"

"You are starting to act all dewy eyed liked Gray."

"Ooh be careful you don't want to let him hear you say that," Linnea stated.

"What? It's true. Every since the dance he does nothing but wait around the common room of Fairy Hills for Juvia to come down from her room."

Lector arched an eyebrow at Sting. "Isn't that a role reversal?"

"Sounds like it. I mean Juvia was the one that was always following him around..."

"Gray, you can't just wait here day in and day out."

"You think I don't know that? I'm trying to get a direct answer from you already."

"I did give you a direct answer," Juvia frowned at him.

"It was the wrong one, though."

"I told you, Gray, I'm not moving in with you."

"I still don't understand why not."

Erza was hauling her trunk down the stairs when she caught that last statement. "Because, Gray, she wants to have more time to get to know you on this new level. You have barely been dating a month. Don't be so impatient."

"What you and Jellal have barely been dating a month and you are moving in with him!"

"You know that's not exactly the case. We still have to convince the team from Era that is coming out in a week that a rehabilitation program with Fairy Tail is the right way to go."

"Yes, but until then you are moving in with him in that cabin you spent that weekend in," Gray felt like he was about to throw a mini temper tantrum but he wasn't sure he really cared.

"Yes, but I have known Jellal a lot longer then you have known Juvia. Plus," Erza sighed, "I hate to admit it to you but we have honestly been in love with each other since we were kids. Our lives just got in the way."

"But..."

"Gray, my darling," Juvia turned back to him again. She held his chin in her hands. "We haven't had much alone time. We have really only had the festival dates as any sort of alone time together. We need more time to get to know each other on a one on one basis."

"What if I get a job for just the two of us to do together?"

It wasn't exactly what Juvia had in mind. But she supposed it would have to do. She wanted another date truth be told but she wished he would figure out that much on his own.

"I'm not going to promise to move in with you right after this job. But I would like to do a job with you yes."

Gray remembered eyeballing a job that would be suitable for their next date. He just had to keep the details under wraps for now.

The knock on the door surprised Lucy. She was laying on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a book propped on her belly. She tried to angle her body the proper way to get up when Natsu suddenly bounced out of the bathroom. "No, Luce, you stay there."

Lucy arched an eyebrow at him. But was rather pleased she didn't have to move locations. Then she heard the happy voices from the entryway.

A large body was suddenly enveloping her in a hug. "Oh dear, you sweet girl you look so lovely." Beatrice squeezed Lucy's cheeks together unintentionally inflicting affectionate harm.

"Beatrice," she noted the big guy behind the couch, "Berengar, I thought you two weren't going to be here for another three weeks."

"Well, Natsu said he needed some help with the nursery."

"Nursery?"

"Oh dear, did I spoil the surprise?"

"No, not really. I mean we have been buying bits and pieces. But we plan on the babies being in the room with us for the first two or three months. We just need a bit of organization up there." Natsu explained.

Beatrice nodded her agreement. "You still have another month and a half but you honestly look a bit miserable."

Lucy nodded. "Yes, well, at least one of these babies must take after their father. I am starting to feel like an incubating punching bag."

Beatrice tutted and rubbed Lucy's shoulders. "Not much longer and you will smiling down at their beautiful faces. It will all make it worth it in the long run."

Lucy smiled. "Yes, I honestly can't wait."