I wake up in Natsu's arms. The paint on our skin was smudged and dull. A smile planted widely on my face as I felt my stomach stir. Everything was perfect. Absolutely perfect. I look up slightly at Natsu as he nuzzles his face on the top of my head.

"Natsu," I coo lightly, "Wake up, love."

"Tomorrow," He moans.

"No, get up!" I try to keep in my laughter, "You can't sleep for an entire day!"

"Tired."

"What if I make breakfast?" I ask.

"Mm," He moans again, "No. You are not allowed to get up."

"Natsu! I have to meet Grandeeney back at the shop in a hour. Let me go!"

"No."

"Natsu."

"Hi."

"Let me up!"

Gray bursts through King Jude's door and the soldiers follow after.

"I need a army," Gray demands.

"What for?" Jude asks, a bit surprised.

"We have found the princess, your majesty," Erza explains.

"You have? Well, where is she?!"

"She's being held captive deep within a cave in the woods," Gray twists the truth.

King Jude's eyes grow wide with fury. "My...Daughter...Held CAPTIVE?!"

"There are at least over a thousand people within the cave," Loke adds, "That's why we need a army."

"And in the hands of another," Gray clutches his fist, as if he was about to punch something.

"Outrageous!" Jude stands up in anger, then pointing to Jellal, "YOU. Gather my army and prepare for battle."

"Yes, your majesty," Jellal bows, exiting the room.

"I will be accompanying you, your majesty," Gray says, "My only objective is to slay the one who held my bride and bring back what's rightfully mine."

"My daughter, in the hands of another?" Jude asks in a disgusted tone.

Gray sends a single nod to the king, that makes him click his tongue.

"Mutiny. She shall be punished."

"I have no intention of harming a hair of my beloved's head," Gray says, "She must know that I am here to protect her. Not harm her."

"She must be punished in some way," Jude insists.

Gray shakes his head, "My bride is nothing but a victim."

Instantly, the image of the pink-haired man pressing his lips against Lucy's delicate ones made Gray very angry. Gray was going to win her back. She was going to make her fall in love with him. He would make her see that he loves her and is more than suitable husband, even if it was to his dying breath.

"Where are they?!" Grandeeney asks, circling me.

"Where's who?" I ask.

"My babies," She replies, looking up at me.

I let out a small chuckle. She just has her heart set on seeing mine and Natsu's children.

"I can assure you, Grandeeney-" I start.

"AH!" She cuts in then sending her arms around me, catching me off guard, "Call me Mama."

I stay stiff for about a second when my heart swells and I feel tears pool up in my eyes. I slowly wrap my arms around her and hug her back.

I haven't called anyone 'Mama' since mine died when I was younger. I know by blood we are not family, but by heart, she's not only my hus-mate's mother, but she's also mine. And I know she always will be.

She leans back, but still has her arms around me, "Lucy, darling, why are you crying?"

"Nothing!" I wipe my tears away, "I was just gong to tell you that you don't need to wait long for our first child to come along."

A soft smile spreads across her face, "Good. I expect them to be coming real soon!"

We both begin to chuckle and Grand-Mama and I walk hand and hand to the shop.

Today, we were working on baby clothes for Lissana since she was expecting. I was so happy when she told me, I nearly flung my arms over her. Then remembering she's fragile, I immediately apologized.

Mama and I sit on our chairs she knits the gowns and I knit the boots and socks.

"I'm so excited for Lissana," I say as I weave the thread together.

"I'm excited for my babies," Mama smirks, then sticking her tongue out at me.

I roll my eyes, "Soon! I promise!"

"Promise what?" Wendy smiles innocently, walking inside, "Hi, Mommy! Hi, Lucy!"

"Hi, Wendy!" We both say in unison as Wendy takes a seat on Mama's lap.

"What did you learn today?" Mama asks as she continues to knit away.

Wendy's currently an apprentice for the healer, Porlyusica. Right after she comes to the shop and usually tells us about the new abilities she's learned. It's actually kind of neat. I didn't know that Sky Dragons can use their abilities to heal people.

"Today I learned how to heal motion sickness," Wendy smiles playfully.

"Did you now?" I say, stopping my hands to listen to what Wendy has to say. I am genuinely fascinated by them and I love to learn new things about dragons.

"Yep! I don't know what good that'll do, though. I mean, I've never met a dragon with motion sickness."

"Your brother has motion sickness," Mama snickers.

"Really?!" Wendy and I ask in perfect sync.

"That Natsu," Mama chuckles, "As a baby it was so hard to rock him to sleep. He would just end up puking on me."

"Now I have something to hold against him!" Wendy laughs menacingly.

"Don't you dare be mean to your brother Missy," Mama scolds.

"Yeah," I smirk, "That's my job."

"Ew," Wendy winces her nose, "I don't want a mate."

"Aw, you say that now, but just WAIT until you grow up. Then you see that handsome beast walk in...OOH you'll be drooling all over him popping out kids left and right!" Mama teases Wendy making her face turn red.

"MOM!"

Mama and I just start to laugh

"What's so funny?" Natsu walks in, a bouquet of flowers in hand.

"Natsu! Mom's being gross again!" Wendy whines.

I walk up to Natsu and wrap my arms around him, pressing my lips against his. Mama sighs from the love in the room and Wendy points at her open mouth making gagging noises.

"Great! Now Natsu's being gross!" Wendy mutters.

Natsu hears this and smirks in our kiss. He wraps his arms around my waist and then dips me, holding me in his arms, and making our kiss deeper.

"Get a room!" Wendy squeals.

Natsu and I just chuckle as hold brings me back to my feet and then holds the flowers to me.

Aw, Natsu!" I smile, "Their beautiful."

"I saw them and thought of you," He says sheepishly, trying to act like a little boy confessing to his first crush.

"Why thank you, it's very thoughtful,"I give him a peck on the cheek.

"You know what else would be thoughtful?" Grandeeney adds, "Grandkids. And LOTS of them."

Natsu and I just roll our eyes.

I was about to get back to my knitting when we start to hear screams outside.

"What is that?" Natsu asks, heading to the hut curtains. We all follow after him and it was complete chaos. People wee running around frantically screaming while people in heavy armor tear through the village. Destroying everything in their path.

"What's going on?" a frightened Wendy asks, clinging on to Mama's dress.

"WHERE IS SHE!?"

That voice...It can't be...

I see him afar. The man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He held a sword to a woman and screamed, "LUCY HEARTFILIA, TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!"

"I don't know!" The woman cries.

"Natsu!" Igneel comes up behind us, he clutches on to Natsu's collar, "Get Lucy out of here!"

"Dad?"

"There's not much time, they are trying to take her! Flee from here this instant!" Igneel orders.

"B-but, the village-"

"Forget the tribe! That is my job to worry about them, YOU need to worry about your mate's fate!" Igneel interrupts, shoving Natsu and I away. "Now leave!"

"Come on, Luce!" Natsu grabs hold of my hand as we run past the people and dodge the soldiers who search for me.

How?

HOW did they find me?! This wasn't supposed to happen! I wasn't supposed to be found!

Natsu and I run to the cavers, not knowing, Gray had spotted us and followed after. When we get to the caverns we pant heavily and I begin to cry.

"Lucy, don't worry," Natsu tries to comfort me, "I'll protect you. You're safe with me."

"Do not give in to his lies."

No.

Natsu pulls me behind him and He and Gray stare each other down.

"Who the hell are you?" Natsu growls.

"Her fiance," Gray replies.

"Yeah? Well, I'M her mate."

Gray grips his sword then poises it to Natsu, "Get back from my love! She belongs to me! I will not have anyone stand in the way of our life together ruling our kingdoms!"

"Hey," Natsu puts the pieces together, "You're that prince that forced her into marriage!"

"We are simply betrothed. Her father arranged the marriage. She is my bride And I do not intend on leave empty handed."

Natsu steps forward, snarling, "You're not taking her anywhere."

Instantly, I felt a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I remember what Mama was telling me:

"Whenever a dragon goes into their dragon form, it means they feel threatened or territorial..."

Natsu felt both at the same time...Oh no! Natsu's going to-!

"YAAH!" Gray pounces towards Natsu. Natsu quickly dodges the blow, but get's his neck sliced a bit.

"AH!" He cries, holding onto his neck. It bled and that's when Natsu's eyes start to glow. They were no longer onyx, but instead, a burning ember.

"SHE'S MY BRIDE!" Gray yells, charging for Natsu again, but stops when Natsu becomes larger and his skin becomes rough and scaly and a brilliant crimson color.

He was turning. Gray and I stand in awe, watching Natsu become a fifty story beast right before our eyes.

Natsu was now in his 'Dragon Form'. His scales where a dark crimson color with golden patterns and glowing ember eyes. He spreads his wings and let's out a dominant roar that made the entire cavern shake.

"A-A Dragon...?" Gray mumbles to himself.

"Natsu!" I call out to him.

"As sworn duty to protect my bride, I SHALL KILL THE DRAGON!" He declares, running for Natsu.

"NO!" I cry.

Gray swings his sword a Natsu who tries to snatch him up with his mighty jaws. Gray runs around to try and net Natsu off course, but Natsu was too smart. He blocks Gray with his tail and blows a scorching wave of fire towards the prince.

Gray uses his shield to ward off the flames

"Natsu, STOP!"

I can't get them to stop fighting! Natsu wasn't out to protect me anymore, he was out for blood.

Natsu blows more flames and Gray got in a good few hits here and there.

Natsu follows after Gray and then grabs hold of Gray with his tail and Natsu flings him in the air, opening his mouth wide so Gray could easily fall in. Gray lets out a cry and I finally decided enough was enough.

I gathered all of my courage and shouted to the top of my lungs, "NATSU, DON'T!"

Natsu closes his mouth and turns his attention towards me. Gray takes this advantage and drives his sword right into Natsu's shoulder, making him let out a feral roar/cry.

I cover my gasp in my hands at the sight of Gray driving his sword deeper into Natsu's shoulder. Gray pulls out his sword and Natsu begins to shrink.

"Princess Lucy! Lord Gray!" Jellal and Erza come running in.

But I didn't care. I run to Gray who stands over a now human Natsu and aims his sword towards Natsu's chest.

"I don't think you understand," Gray pants, "That dragons were always meant to be destroyed by royal blood."

Natsu spits blood and saliva at Gray that lands on his shoe. "Royal blood my ass."

Gray lets out a snarl and was about to impale Natsu when I jump in the way.

Ooh, cliff hangers ;3