~Lucy~

Days passed after Natsu and I married. When the ceremony was over the team wanted to celebrate our union by going to a bar and trashing the place. Regardless of Natsu being a married man now, Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Jellal thought it was best to start a brawl when a bunch of hoodlums catcalled us. One even attempted to slap Erza's butt until Jellal caught his hand and punched his face in. That's when the brawling started. Needless to say, after paying for the copious amount of property damage, Levy pointed out that we should just go back to our hotel rooms and celebrate there.

The night consisted of drinks and party games with most of us either topless or too drunk to even walk straight. Natsu was the one that helped me back to our room as he only had a single drink that entire night. "Come on Luce, let's get you to bed." He said carrying my deadweight body over his shoulder. "I don't wanna go to bed! I'm not even tired." My words were slurry as hiccups kept erupting now and again. Natsu rolled his eyes. "Let's see how you feel after you lie down." We reached our room when he helped me take off the ankle boots that I put back on after our ceremony. My wedding dress was safely tucked back into its gown bag as I resumed wearing my sweater dress. Natsu gently placed me on my side of the bed when the world kept growing dizzier by the second. Covers were placed over me when I felt a small kiss rest on my head. "Get some sleep." Before I could reply I had already dozed off.

Three days passed and the Council finally came back to me. Monica wanted me present when she announced to the capital the news of what was coming. Fiore needed to start preparing for the worst to come. "Thank you for joining me Miss Heartfilia," Monica said when I entered her office. "It's no problem at all. Have your diplomats already set sail?" Monica nodded. "Yes. Thirteen diplomats have started their voyage as of yesterday. We'll hear some news in a few weeks."

"Excellent. Now comes the hard part, telling the Day of Reckoning is coming to EarthLand. News will travel fast since we're in the capital, and there will be those who will revolt from hearing such devastating news of our limited time." The councilwoman sighed with exhaustion. Her eyes held dark bags underneath; a sign I knew all too well myself. She was scared of what was to come. I wonder how she felt about this, about what may happen to her son, Micah. "How's your son?" I asked to which her eyes brightened. "He's wonderful. Always excels in school, and never asks for much even though I shower him with gifts. He's amazing."

"Is it always like that with your child?" I asked nervously. Monica chuckled at my innocent question. "There's nothing stronger than a mother or father's love. The man...that you brought up, he would've loved Micah as much as I do. I never gave him a chance in being a part of Micah's life." Monica's eyes fell. Her solemn gaze made it clear that she missed him. "It doesn't help that Micah has questions. While everyone in his class has both parents, Micah only has me. He wants to know his father, but I lied to him. I told him that his father passed away before he was born."

"It's not too late to tell him the truth, Monica." The councilwoman shook her head. "It's for the best. Like I told my son his father was dead I broke things off with him before I started showing signs of pregnancy. I've dealt my hand, so now I have to continue playing it." I crossed my arms over my chest before shrugging. "It isn't fair for either of them Monica. Do what you will with your life, but the man you love should have the option of being a part of the child's life. You may find happiness in doing so." Monica didn't say anything back. Maybe she's thought of doing that long ago and even then she's decided safety over her happiness. In some twisted way, she reminded me of myself.

"Madam Reaver, we're ready." A reporter said breaking Monica out of her trance. "Thank you. Let's get started." Monica sat down at the Council's table whereas I stood to the side leaning on one of the columns. As they were getting her ready to be presentable I was fiddling with my wedding ring. My wedding ring. Sometimes I forget that I'm actually married to my soulmate; that it really happened and I didn't dream of it like all the others. Natsu was my husband. I broke into a smile reminiscing about my wedding day all over again until the reporter counted down for the lacrima. The blue lacrima glowed before shattering and opening what looked like a mirror as it signaled throughout the city showing Monica's face. "To the people of Crocus, and children of Fiore I, Monica Reaver, First Council member, have an emergency announcement. Listen to my words as I take a moment of your time."

Monica clenched her fists on top of the table. "We have been misled by the former First Council member Daniel StormCloud. In reality that I hadn't known until only days ago the man, Daniel was a fraud. His name goes by only one name; one you may question after I say, but please take this with full attention. Daniel StormCloud was God Ankhseram: God of Life and Death." Monica huffed, she appeared distressed. Was the actuality weighing upon her now? "We have been given a fighting chance, not from our Gods, but from who I once called my enemy and a demon, Lucy Heartfilia. She is the Balance of Magic, an entity that carries Light and Darkness with her very soul. Lucy Heartfilia has faced the God Ankhseram and walked away alive. I believe she is a God herself; a living, breathing God." I didn't expect Monica to announce me, but I understood why she did. When breaking the news that the world is ending it's best to show that she isn't crazy and that there is hope before weighing the burden of this knowledge. "Lucy Heartfilia has gained information from her godly siblings. This information that she almost died to get, and it includes all of us."

Showtime.

"The days of EarthLand are numbered. The Gods call it the Day of Reckoning, a day that we don't know yet, but when that day comes the Gods shall come with an army of their own and smite EarthLand from existence." Monica couldn't help the forlorn look from being seen on her face. "Citizens of Crocus, this is not fake, this is real. I can attest personally that this is real. The End of the World is coming." The council member was beginning to shake. Monica glanced at me with nails digging in her palm. I put my fist over my heart, determined to prove to her there's still hope. She had to show that there is hope. Monica set her eyes on the table, teeth clenched and knuckles turning white. Then, I watched Monica punch her knuckles into the marble table when the chair was kicked back. Monica, now standing, was seen as a fiery, determined leader. "But hope still lives! Though we are only mortals Lucy Heartfilia has vowed to protect every last life on EarthLand. We must carry hope in our hearts and show the Gods we aren't to be messed with! To protect all of those we cherish, we must FIGHT! Call it the Day of Reckoning or the End of the World, we as humans are too stubborn and hardheaded to allow something such as that!" Monica placed her hand over her chest. "And I promise you, citizens of Crocus, and children of Fiore, I'll fight beside Lucy Heartfilia to keep the ones I hold dear safe. I'll give my life to give this world another chance. We are not only mortals, but we are FIGHTERS! We'll keep our world from being taken! We'll show the Gods how strong we truly are! We will not fail!"

Chills ran down my spine. It was a sense that I knew she meant every word. Despite having a child, one that has no other family, she would fight. Monica sat back down and released a breath of air. "We will not fail Fiore. That is my promise to you all. If you have any questions there will be representatives through every district in the city. Spread the words I have told you. Let every last person know of what's to come. When the time comes, we will be ready." For the last few seconds, Monica stared into the mirror of the lacrima until it shattered to dust. The reporter, when finished writing on his notepad, coughed in uneasiness. "Is it happening? The End of the World is upon us?"

"Is that one of your questions dear reporter?" Monica retorted with a grim smirk. The young reporter coughed again. "N-No. Sorry, Madam, it's just unbelievable. If the Council says the End is coming then it has to be real." The unnamed reporter picked up his notepad again, this time finding it difficult to hold his pen steady. "Are you ready for your questions?"

"I am." The councilwoman said. "How did you come to find news the Day of Reckoning was coming?"

"Lucy Heartfilia was the one that came forward with the Day of Reckoning. At first, I didn't believe that she had come to warn us of what was to come but was planning something with ill intentions. I was proven wrong in the end." My stomach churned remembering what I had to do for her to even listen to me. I wonder how the soldiers I possessed were; it was an uncomfortable experience for all of them some I heard had to have a leave of absence after what occurred. What's worse was that I had to be careful, or else their bodies would have melted inside just like my sibling's hosts. It was a power I was too afraid to share. It was another trait I shared with my siblings.

More questions went on, some were dilute and others had no sense in being asked, but Monica answered them all sincerely. The reporter wiped his face when he nervously shook his writing hand. "If it's alright, may I ask a question to Lucy Heartfilia?" My eyebrows jumped. That was another thing I hadn't expected was being asked a question. Monica laughed forcefully. "You would have to ask Miss Heartfilia yourself. I'm not her guardian."

"A-Ah! Of course, I-I apologize." I couldn't help but snicker. "It's alright, but please, call me Mrs. Dragneel." I interrupted so he didn't find himself blabbering again. My body kicked away from the column when I walked to stand in front of him. "if you want to ask me some questions go on ahead." The young reporter smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Dragneel. Well, from what history can tell us the Council called you a demon. Is there by any chance you could fall back into the creature that attacked Fiore all those months ago?"

Man, I continue to be thrown about by the unexpected. I let out a burst of chopped laughter whilst rubbing the back of my neck. "Geez getting straight to the point huh?" The young man gulped. "Ah, I'm sorry again! Was that too personal of a question?" He looked entirely startled, or even a little frightened of my reaction. Perhaps my appearance will always be that of a demon, or some kind of evil monster. The Council did their damage by ruining my social outlook. "No, it's okay. I just wasn't expecting that is all. To answer you, no. There was more to the story that most people don't know about. I wasn't myself when I became that, but everything is under control and no one will be seeing that entity again." The reporter wrote with haste. "One more question?" He asked. I agreed this time ready for any more attacking questions. "It seems you somehow know the Gods. How can we as humans trust a God-like entity to protect us against what must be your creators? Why should we trust you?"

This question was a stab in my heart. I thought it was hard enough gaining Monica's trust, but after hearing that, gaining the people's trust seems impossible. I noticed his lanyard that sat over his disheveled shirt. On it was a picture of his face with the name Caleb: Junior reporter. So the young man does have a name. "Tell me something Caleb," The man Caleb appeared startled that I called him by his name. "Your lanyard," I said when he looked down at his shirt. "Oh. Sorry I didn't even mention my name."

"It's fine. But tell me something, have you ever lost anyone you loved?" Caleb stopped writing. "I-...I have. My brother passed away four years ago." I nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss. It must've been awful when he passed away." Caleb gulped again. "Yeah, he was a big part of my life. I always wanted to be like him."

"I suppose he was a big role model for you. I'm sure you were heartbroken over his passing, and I'm also sure you were so angry you couldn't keep it down when you silently cry yourself to sleep at night. That anger festered in your chest and grew worse as the weeks rolled by. There was a part of you that blamed yourself for his passing. You could see the faces of those around you look at you in utter disgust. I think you not only blamed yourself but other people blamed you for his accident. He was never a good swimmer was he?"

Caleb's face became pale. "How do you know-" I shushed him. "I know that anger, Caleb. I've lost too many loved ones in my life with that anger growing more and more each passing day. The sadness you first felt is nothing compared to the hatred you feel about yourself. I was a mistake when I was created. The Gods didn't create me, no. It was a Bringer, by the name of Hades that made me. I was meant to be erased before I ever opened my eyes. He sacrificed his loyalty to the Gods so I can live. I've lost my adoptive parents that I grew up with. I lost my sister Michelle, I lost a close friend that I had known a lifetime ago. I lost a mentor that helped me become the woman I am today. And the man that saved me from the Gods that hate me; the Gods that wanted to kill me all because I cried human tears...he's gone too. I know what it means to lose someone you love. I know what it means to be human. That's why I'm going to fight against your creators because I love mankind for not the worship you give the Gods, but for your flaws. Humans feel so passionately that it can cause me to lose myself in awe. I want to keep your passion alive. I just want to live and see you as a race continue growing that passion, because at the end that's all I have left." By the time I finished, I knew my crimson tears descended my face. Other than Natsu, the human race was truly it for me. Whatever may come I had to defend them; I had to fight for them. Caleb closed his notebook and then took a deep bow in front of me. "I'm sorry for asking such a cruel question Mrs. Dragneel. It was wrong of me to ask; I hope you can forgive me."

"Don't worry about it, however, I am done taking questions. I've had my fair share of being in the Weekly Sorcerers spotlight. If you'll both excuse me, I'd like to get back to my guild." With a curt nod, I left without another word. After my last answer, I highly guessed Caleb would never show my answers in any newspaper or magazine. My answer was too humanely compared to what they were looking for. Somehow this would all be pinned on me in the end; that's what made it feel futile when it came to me trying to win any human's trust. It was impossible.

You gave your answers honestly, Mutt. That's what makes a difference. Even though people may not be able to read it, you'll always know you meant it.

"I guess that's the only thing I can hold onto. Other than having Fairy Tail at my side I have to keep sight of my goal." That sounds easier than I think. Nevertheless, I have an eternity to make my goal come true. For the sake of my family and their future family, I won't rest until mankind is safe once and for all. That's my promise to them.

~~~~~~

We were on the train heading back home to Magnolia. After leaving the Council's Quarters I told my nakamas it was time to go home. We've done all we can to warn EarthLand, and hopefully, Monica's diplomats can convince the other countries to join and keep their world safe too. I had Natsu's head in my lap with his motion sickness worsening the faster the train moved. My fingers caressed through his hair so I can ease Natsu to sleep. "Get some rest Natsu. We'll be on this train for a while until we make it home." Natsu groaned but agreed by nodding his head. My head rested on the train window watching the scenery fly by us. I thought back to Monica talking about her child Micah. It must've been a surprise for Monica to find out she was pregnant all those years ago, and to sacrifice the man she wanted to be with to protect him has to be one of the hardest decisions she chose. It felt wrong though; for her to decide that the father can never see his child. Hell, the father doesn't even know that he is a father. What kind of cruel person can just decide for someone else like that?

Oh...I've done that. Not when it came to my child, but I've chosen everything for Natsu without even considering him choosing his own decision. I assumed since he knew we were both immortal we could never have kids, but we never talked about it. Natsu always wanted a family which is why I was looking for a way to break the Souls Connection. And now, we're married. When will the time come when he wants kids? How long until I have to hear him ask when we should start our own family? Worst of all, how can I tell him we can't? Even after telling him repeatedly that children are out of the question I know my husband. One way or another the question will come up, but when?

Maybe I have to bring it up? Just rip the bandaid and tell him right now; that would be for the best. We both have to agree this is what we both want. Otherwise, how is this marriage going to work? I can only hope Natsu's common sense will think logically or else this won't work. "Hey, Lucy?" My deep thoughts were on hold when Erza called for me. "Yes?" I asked shaking my head to clear my clouded mind. "Now that you and Natsu are married, what are you two going to do for a honeymoon!"

"I haven't thought about a honeymoon for us. I think Natsu is ready for us to get home and rest." Erza playfully scoffed and waved her hand away. "Are you actually married if you don't have a honeymoon afterward? Besides, if you haven't done it then the honeymoon is the way to seal the deal." I choked on air. My coughs were sharp and loud drawing more attention over to me and Erza while I punched my chest to clear my airway. "Please tell me you're not talking about...it Erza."

"Come on Lucy we're adults here. I'm pregnant and we're both married women. So, have you had sex with Natsu?" Oh, Gods, she said it. "NO!" I yelled now beet red. Now everyone was looking at us after I just screamed in embarrassment. I was breathing heavily as the room continued getting hot; it wasn't helping that Natsu's hot head was lying in my lap. "Really? Nothing sexual? So the only thing you've two 'done' is sleep in the same bed? Not even naked?"

"Erza, please shut up before my blood pressure somehow kills me," I growled through gritted teeth. "I don't feel comfortable talking about intimate stuff like that. You know what, I'm not sure Natsu even knows what the birds and the bees even mean. It's just something we've never discussed or even initiated between each other. Now can we please drop it!" Erza stared at me. While crossing her legs she placed her hands over her knee. With a single breath, her face lit up. "You're a virgin."

"ERZA!"

~~~~~~

The train ride was longer than it should've been. After that encounter with my conversation with Erza, I was more than ready to fly home with my wings. Still, I decided to stay for Natsu's sake and feigned sleeping myself so I could dodge another chat under that category. Before long we made it back to Magnolia, back to being home. We all said our byes and parted ways to go home. Natsu was leaning for support whilst Happy continued giggling at the scene before him. "He liiikes~ you!"

"I would hope so! He is my husband, after all." I sarcastically exclaimed dragging my husband's sorry ass home. Happy continued his playful mocking whereas I was considering locking these two bozos outside for the night. After entering the apartment not so quietly, hearing an earful from the landlady that rent was due, struggling to climb the stairs, and unlocking the door to the apartment I was finally inside our house. Without skipping a beat I dropped Natsu next to the sofa missing the landing by about an inch. "Oops! Sorry, Natsu I was trying to place you on the couch!"

"Oooow, that hurts~." Natsu moaned like a child. "Oh cut your yapping you're fine. Besides I should be the one complaining after having to carry you home most of the way." I kicked my shoes off and huffed before lying on the sofa to catch my breath. Natsu climbed next to me resting his head once more in my lap as we both sighed with exhaustion. "I can't believe all that's happened this week. Almost being arrested again, facing the Gods twice, treaties being sent out that can unite the world, and the cherry on top is marrying you."

"It's still surreal to me," Natsu whispered his face still resting in my lap. "that we're married. After my first failed attempt I was to the point I'd never try again." I caressed Natsu's salmon hair. "Then why did you? We both weren't on happy terms when we left Duskwallow; what possessed you to want to marry me?" Natsu rolled over to where his face was looking up at me. He rolled his eyes with a peal of smug laughter. "One way or another I would marry you, Luce. But, it was a dream that pushed me to try proposing one more time."

"A dream?" Natsu nodded. "Yes. You were in it. You introduced me...to our daughter." I stopped caressing Natsu's hair. "What did you say?" Natsu sat up holding my hands close to him. "Happy, can you give us a moment?" Happy, who was in the kitchen searching for food, hesitantly nodded. "A-Aye. Please don't fight you guys. We just got home."

"We're not going to fight; we just need to talk about something alone. It won't be long." Happy's ears drooped when he left through the window. I didn't know if we were about to fight, but if we did I didn't want anyone to hear it. I closed the window after Happy left before sighing. "You know how I feel about it Natsu," I said then turned around to face him. He was still sitting on the sofa both hands sitting on his knees when I noticed him tense up. "I know. Marriage was hard enough for you to consider, but you don't want children."

"Yet in your dream, we had a daughter. Was it a premonition? Do we have a child in the future?" Natsu grimaced from my panicked reaction. "It wasn't a premonition."

"How do you know that?"

"Because...we had a child, Lucy."

My stomach fell. Here I was, once more overreacting when all Natsu wanted to do was tell me about his dream. I made it about me again. Worrying over what I wanted and what I think is best for myself. Gods, I really am the worst. I rubbed my arms realizing my mistake. Without either of us saying anything, I went to sit next to Natsu again. "Can you tell me about her?" My question surprised Natsu. He looked at me with uncertainty shaking his head. "Why?" Natsu asked. His voice broke when he cleared his throat to avoid the fact he was hurt. This time I took Natsu's hand and held them. "Because I have to know. Does she have your looks? Is she as hotheaded as you are? I always imagined our kids would always have your hair. Maybe one of them would get my blonde trait, but I could never see it. It was always with your hair."

"You said you never wanted kids. Why would you think of what they would look like if you never considered having any?" Natsu asked accusingly. The feeling in my stomach grew worse. He's right to be upset with me. Every time we've talked about it my statement has been the same. "There was a point I wanted to start a family Natsu. I wanted kids more than ever; a chance to make a family with you was one of my dreams. But, because of what I am, and now that I made us immortal...how could I live knowing my children will grow old while we're stuck. How could I look into my firstborn eyes when they're on their deathbed from old age? How could I let them go when their time comes, whereas ours never will." Hiccups came out of me as the tears began. What felt like a lifetime ago was only five months when I became immortal. I gave up the idea of normality, the hopes of being a mother, and the dream of having a family to call my own. But what about my husband? Why didn't I give him a choice?

"Her name was Nashi." My attention cut to Natsu. "I named her from what you told me in the dream. I persisted in naming her that, so we agreed to name her Nashi." Natsu shrugged whilst I had already fallen in love with the beautiful name. "Nashi..." I whispered. "She must've been seven years old when I met her. She had the same sun-kissed skin I have, and her hair reminded me of a peach. Streaks of soft pink and when hitting the light I could see yellow. Nashi had your eyes. The same eyes when I first met you in Hargeon." I haven't met this child and I already love her. Natsu continued. "She wasn't so hotheaded like me, but very energetic. She always wanted to be held or wanted to play. And she had your brains; she's so smart that it was scary from how serious she became when my time was coming close to an end. I promised her I would always be there for her." Natsu chuckled. "Can you honestly believe I promised someone that wasn't real I would stay with them?"

"I can. You cared for our daughter even if she wasn't real. She was real to you when you were there." Natsu and I leaned our heads together. "You know what you told me in the dream? After I said the same thing you told me, the Lucy in my dream opened my eyes. I want a family, Lucy. I want to bring children into this world if we are mortal or immortal."

"I know you do," I answered. "Lucy, the fact we could have children and be with them for their entire lives is something not all parents have. And the ones that have lived through that is when their children were taken away too early. We can give our kids the gift we can't have. We can give life to them, and they can pass that gift to their kids. We can be with them through all the thick and thin. No matter what, our family will have us. That's something no mortal humans can ever have."

I sat in silence. Natsu's words made sense, and that's what scared me. I hated to admit it...but I want a family too. "What if I can't have kids in the end? What happens if we try and it never works?" Natsu pulled my face until our lips met. His lips were soft, gentle to the point I didn't believe we were kissing. Natsu pulled away and smiled. "Then at least we tried." My body was shaking, a desire suddenly forming in my chest. Tingles shimmied every last nerve that I huffed from how hot I suddenly felt. I glanced at Natsu watching how he felt the same due to our Souls Connection. "Sorry, I don't know what overcame me."

"It wasn't you Luce," Natsu admitted with sweat beading down his face. "I've been trying to maintain my emotions since our wedding day. That's why...why I had to stop kissing you when we wed." So it wasn't my imagination. Natsu pulled away because of his emotions. It wasn't me that was affecting us, it was Natsu. "I didn't know you were struggling with this Natsu. Why didn't you tell me?" Natsu laughed. "Lucy, I may have been raised by a dragon, but I'm still a man. After all that's happened my desires are the least of my concerns. I've wanted you from the moment I kissed you in the infirmary, but I was never going to force myself on you."

"Idiot, you hid it so well I thought you didn't know how to do it." Natsu's eyebrow perked. "How to have sex?"

"DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" I screeched hiding my face in a sofa pillow. Hearing that word come out of Natsu's mouth sounds like a baby saying a curse word. It's foreign and just plain awful to hear. Natsu laughed whilst rubbing my back. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I couldn't help it! I heard your discussion on the train with Erza and I just had to see your expression myself. Come on Lucy, I'm surrounded by people that have done it at the Guild. I'm going to hear a few things about it, and Igneel did his best to teach me the birds and bees. Well, he did his best for a human's point of view." Oh, Gods, I was going to regret asking this question. "What did Igneel teach you about that topic?"

"When two people love each other the woman will lay an egg and she has to protect it for nine months until the baby is ready to hatch." Natsu did his childish grin. "I believed him and was utterly confused when I saw a pregnant lady for the first time. Erza and the girls told me how it goes when I joined the guild that year. I learned slowly over time, but I knew that I should never force my signature other unless she is ready. I knew you weren't ready, so I waited."

"Natsu..." I felt the unusual desire grow stronger. A tingle sensation washed over me that I bit my lip to control myself. Natsu held his fists tightly but still looked composed. "I want..." My heart was beating uncontrollably. I was close to the brink of not coming back, and I welcomed it. I have already gone the past of never returning to normal so why stop now? "I want to have a family with you. I want you."

Natsu didn't say anything. He looked at me with eyes that couldn't believe what I said. Not even a moment later he crashed his lips to mine allowing his buried desires to overflow in both of us. There were many things I'd come to regret, but the night we shared would never be one of those.

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It got a little spicy at the end.😳
But hey, it was about time they had some action! *wink wink* Thank you for reading and staying on this journey with me!

As always...love you all!❤️