Lucy groaned when she felt that she could finally move away from the toilet. It's been a little over three weeks since she and Natsu got together and so far she wasn't enjoying much. She's been running to the bathroom every time after she eats a meal to throw it back up. It didn't help that all she had a taste for was hot and spicy foods so that just made her heart burn and gave her horrible indigestion. Currently she was puking the dinner she made last night into the toilet at seven in the morning and it annoyed her beyond belief. "Urgh, I can't believe I have to suffer through this for the next nine months." she wasn't even a whole month pregnant yet and already she was hating the evil symptoms that come with having a baby. She didn't regret getting pregnant, she could never regret having a child. She just wished that having one didn't have to come with so many after effects. She would like to at least keep one meal down without throwing it back up an hour later.

"You feeling better?" Natsu suddenly appeared behind her, rubbing her back with one hand and giving her a cool glass of water with his other hand. Ever since she got pregnant he has never left her side. The only time she has ever has any alone time was when she was using the bathroom to relieve herself. He wouldn't even let her take a bath by herself anymore because he was worried she would slip on soap and crack her head open or some other weird theory he had come up with. He had been making up a lot of weird ways for her to get hurt or die ever since she got pregnant. It was pretty strange for a guy who takes such dangerous risks when he goes on missions to be so overly protective and careful with her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." she gulped down the water and smiled as the cool liquid eased her burning throat. "Sorry, did I wake you?" she felt so bad that she kept waking him up early in the morning with the disturbing sounds of her throwing up. She was sure he must have dreamt up better things to wake up too.

Natsu only shook his head and wrapped his arms around her body. "I don't mind," he ran his fingers through her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. "How can I? We're having a baby, there's no way I could be mad about that." his smile made her feel a hundred times better. One of the best things about getting pregnant was getting to see a whole new side of Natsu. She saw the mature grownup loving side of him that no one else has ever seen before. It was a nice sight to take in and she felt so special that he only showed her this side of him.

"Come on," Suddenly Natsu picked her up and carried her back into the bedroom. They were currently staying in her apartment until the guys finished the expansion on his house. They decided her apartment was too small to raise a child and his house barely fit him and her in it together, so he got the guys to help remodel his house and make it bigger. They would add on an extra floor and add new rooms for them to put the baby, themselves, and any other future children that they might have. "Let's get dressed and head to the Guild. I wanna see what ideas everyone has come up with for our house." he set her down on the bed and went to grab them both clothes to wear.

Lucy had to admit that she was surprised that he wore different clothes when he slept. She just assumed her wore the same thing all the time. That or slept naked.

"Natsu sure is being careful with you." Happy flew next to her and sat down. He had joined them in sleeping in her apartment and usually made a little bed for himself in her laundry basket. This made doing her laundry a lot more complicated because she had cat fur over most of her clothes but she didn't let it bother her.

"Yeah, he really is." Lucy agreed with the blue cat and let out a long sigh, watching the pink-haired man grabbing clothes for them both out of her closet. When she said he moved in she really meant it. He brought over almost everything that was in his house and what he couldn't fit in her apartment he kept it at the Guild. "Has he ever acted like this before?" she asked Happy in a low whisper.

The blue Exceed shook his head. "Not that I've ever seen. I know Lisanna said he took good care of me when I was in my egg but I don't think it was to this extent." he explained as they watched him looked through all her outfits, trying to decide what was a good choice to wear. He had burnt all things he deemed too tight for her to wear, for fear it would hurt the baby and that left her with limited clothing.

"Is that so?" she placed her chin in her hands and watched as he continued to look through her closet. She really needed to go shopping for new clothes soon. Not only was she limited on outfits to wear but she needed to pick up some new clothes for when her stomach would expand and grow in size. She had no maturity clothes and they hadn't picked out anything for the baby either so they really needed to get her some maternity dresses, along with clothes, toys, and other supplies for the baby.

"Lucy," he called to her, handing her the outfit he had picked for her. It was the outfit she had worn when she first met the fire mage and it was one of few outfits that he hadn't burned on her. "Hurry and get dressed. Once you're done we can head to the Guild." He was dressed now himself, wearing his new style of clothing that Mira had gotten for him. A black and gold jacket that covered only his left arm. His right arm left exposed so that his mark could be seen. White pants as usual covered his lower half, black scandals still were worn on his feet. As always he had the scarf that Igneel had given to him wrapped securely around his neck.

Hesitantly she took the clothes he gave her. It wasn't that she wasn't unhappy about going to see her friends but ever since she got pregnant Natsu has been so protective of her that he ended up carrying her to the Guild more than once.

"Alright but this time you're not carrying me all the way to the Guild. People kept staring last time." she mumbled, taking the clothes and moved away from the window to change.

Natsu only nodded. "Ok, I promise." he gave her a toothy grin.

She returned this with a bright smile and began to change. "Maybe I don't have to worry so much about him overreacting."

"I was wrong!" Lucy hung her head in embarrassment as she was flown through the streets of Magnolia. Happy carrying her the whole way and Natsu walking right next to them. She was floating barely two feet off the ground and everyone kept staring. "This is so embarrassing." she really wished for something to swallow her up and get her out of this situation.

"We're here!" Natsu kicked open the doors and jumped inside, a wide grin on his face. Lucy was just glad to be inside and away from the stares of onlookers.

"Natsu," Lisanna was the first to greet them. "Why is Happy carrying Lucy?" she asked, pointing to the blue cat and the blonde.

Natsu only smiled back. "That's cause Lucy is pregnant and she shouldn't be walking around. She needs to rest." his explanation made everyone look at him weird.

"Say what?" Gray raised an eyebrow and watched as the fire mage guided the Exceed over to an empty table before telling him to place Lucy down on the wooden bench. "I'll be right back with some food." he informed her and ran to the bar, Happy following closely behind as both started asking Mira to prepare some food for them.

Lucy just waved him off. She was to embarrassed to do anything more. "Um...Lu-Chan?" Levy sat down across from her and gave her a confused look. "Natsu does know that the baby is only a few weeks old? You still have time to move around freely before you really need help."

Lucy nodded. "I know, but try explaining that to him." she frowned and gestured over to the pink-haired mage that was chatting happily with Mira. "He doesn't even let me take a bath by myself anymore because he's scared I'll drown and die." she rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh, resting her cheek in her hand.

"Is that so?" Soon they were joined by Lisanna, Cana, Erza, and Juvia. "It would appear that Natsu is very protective of you." Erza commented with a small smile.

"Yeah, but there is a limit you know." Cana replied, taking a sip of her drink.

"Perhaps if we talk with him then he'll calm down." Juvia suggested.

Lisanna only laughed and waved off that idea. "Obviously you don't know how Natsu thinks." she knew that once he makes up his mind it's almost impossible to change it.

Lucy just groaned and laid her head down on the table. "I don't even want to know what he'll be like when I'm huge." she could already imagine how he would act like when her stomach was as big as a blimp and she couldn't do the most basic chore.

"Well at least you have a lot of time to think about the baby." Levy reminded her of the little infant inside of her.

Lucy scoffed. "All I can think about is how I have nothing ready. Natsu won't let me go out shopping. I have no maternity clothes and I have nothing for the baby." she groaned, her mind already spinning with thoughts of the things they didn't have.

The girls stared in shock. "You haven't gotten a single thing?" Lisanna couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Lucy shook her head. "Natsu says he doesn't want me to tire myself out and he's too busy focusing on the guys building the house that he never goes shopping. I've told him that I'll go but he refuses to let me go alone."

"Lucy!" they all jumped in their seats at his voice. "I got the food!" he grinned brightly, setting the food down in front of her and suddenly Lucy lost all focus on what they were talking about before. Her attention was only on the spice hot food that was sitting directly before her. Her hand gripped the fork and started digging in, ignoring everything around her.

Natsu couldn't help but grin as he watched his wife eat some of his favorite foods. "So what are you guys talking about?" he asked the girls because he knew that Lucy wouldn't answer him. Once she had food in front of her that was all she focused on until there was nothing left on the plate. Happy flew over to the table with a fish in his mouth and started eating as well, ignoring everything just like Lucy and only focusing on his delicious fish.

The girls looked away from the fire mage's gaze when he questioned them. "Nothing." they quickly scattered from the table before he could question them more. They all had a plan in their head and if they stayed by Natsu for too long then it would be ruined before it even started.

Natsu watched them go and wondered why they were acting so weird. "Whatever." he didn't let it bother him. Instead he laid his head down on Lucy's lap, face pressed into her stomach so he could get a better smell of his child. He loved smelling their mixed scents together. Usually there would have only a small portion of his scent on her that would last for a few days before disappearing. That was why he would always be going over and sleeping in her bed, he wanted his scent to stay on her just like he wanted her scent to stay with him. Now his scent was permanently mixed in with hers and there was an extra bonus now. He could smell not only their scents together but now there was more. He couldn't get enough of it. The scent of ash mixed in with spring and a new scent that smelled of fire and a spring field. The addicting aromas made his heart burn with passion, making him want to do every magical spell known to man but they also calmed him, making him want to do nothing more than just stay there forever. Soon enough the scents of his child and wife made his body go numb and his mind relax. He was asleep within seconds.

While the newly formed Dragon family was relaxing happily in their own little world the group of girls all gathered around the bar to discuss a few important matters. "What? Lucy and Natsu don't have anything for the baby?" Mira gasped in shock. Her sister and friends had told her what they had just learned and she was truly shocked by it.

Levy nodded to the white-haired woman. "It seems that Natsu is too busy focusing on the house that he never goes shopping,"

Cana scoffed, "Not that the guy would even know what to get." she said, gulping down her mug of alcohol.

"Lucy has said she'll go shopping but Natsu refuses to let her go alone." Lisanna continued, explaining to her sister what the issue was.

Mira took in everything she had been told and thought carefully about what they could do about it. "If Natsu won't let her go alone then we'll just have to make sure that she isn't alone." she had a gleam in her eyes that told everyone that she had a plan.

"What are you thinking of doing, Mira-nee?" Lisanna asked, eager to learn this plan.

Mira only shook her head and walked out from behind the bar. "Just be ready by the door," she informed the group. "Erza, come with me. I'll need your help." she called to the red-haired woman that followed without question.

"What do you suppose they're doing?" Juvia asked, watching the two mages head towards the table of Lucy and Natsu.

Cana only shook her head. "It's better to not ask any questions when it comes to stuff like this." she informed the water mage as the four girls headed for the door to wait and see what Mira had planned.

When she did see the girls ready Mira put her plan into action. "Lucy?" she called sweetly to the blonde who had just finished eating the meal Natsu had brought her. "How are you feeling?" she kept a sweet smile on her face, making sure to keep things as peaceful and calm as possible before the real fight started. "Is everything to your liking?"

Lucy nodded happily. "The food was delicious, Mira." she licked her lips, still tasting the wonderful food she had just finished.

Mira sent Erza a silent look, telling her to get ready. "Thank you. I'm glad you liked it but I'm betting you're still hungry?" she moved closer to the spot where her friend sat, hands getting ready to do what they needed to do.

Lucy thought this over and nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am." she could go for another plate or four of some of Mira's cooking.

"Perhaps some ice cream would help?" Mira suggested. "Or even some cake and pastry. I'm sure you must want other things beside spicy foods." she turned to Erza, telling her to help her out.

"It would probably be better for the baby if your tried different foods," Erza crossed her arms and suddenly her eyes started to shine. "Besides if you eat to many spicy food it can give you horrible heart burn so I suggest we go to the pastry shop and get some strawberry cake for you and the child." she coughed, trying not to make it obvious that it was she who really wanted the cake.

The spirit mage looked at both her friends and gave another nod. "Actually that does sound really good." Lucy could already picture the yummy cakes and ice creams that she would love to eat. It had been a while since she had any of those types of food and at the mention of them had her craving them like mad.

"Great," Mira pulled her by the arms and started to drag her out of the bench. "Then let's get going."

"What?" Lucy was beyond confused. One moment her friend was talking about food and now she was being pulled by her arms to go with them. What the hell was happening?

Natsu feeling Lucy suddenly move woke up and noticed what Mira was trying to do. "Mira, what the hell?" he wrapped his arms around Lucy's upper half and pulled her back. "What are you doing to Lucy?" he all but growled at the older woman. He was not pleased to what he woke up too.

Mira merely smiled at the pink-haired mage. "The girls and I are just going to take Lucy to get some ice cream and maybe get some shopping done for her and the baby," she grabbed the blonde's hand to pull her back but Natsu kept a firm hold on her. "I'm sure you can't argue with the fact that we just want to get Lucy some food and supplies for her and the baby." she pulled harder, making Natsu dig his feet into the ground so they wouldn't be moved.

Natsu shook his head and pulled back. "I don't want Lucy tiring herself out. Besides I'm the man and it's my duty to take care of her and the baby!" he cried out, trying his hardest to keep from being moved but Mira was somehow pulling them both out of the bench.

"But Lucy will be with us so she won't be in any danger and if it makes you feel any better we'll bring Wendy along to heal her just in case." Mira motioned over to her sister to grab the young wind mage. Lisanna nodded and went to gather the young girl and her cat companion.

Natsu groaned as he tried to pull Lucy back but Mira had them up on their feet and was slowly pulling them towards the door. "I said no! Lucy is staying with me." he cried, digging his feet back into the ground to stop her but it wasn't working as well as he hoped.

"I told you she'll be just fine so let go!" Mira yelled at him. She had used up a lot of her power to just get Lucy away from the table but now she was starting to have a hard time keeping up.

Natsu shook his head. "No, you let go! She's my wife!" he cried back, keeping his arms wrapped tightly around Lucy's upper half. He wouldn't let her go until Mira finally gave up.

Lucy could only cry quietly as she was pulled back and forth between her husband and good friend. "They do realize that I'm not some stuffed toy?" she mumbled to herself, wishing one of them would give up already.

Mira knew with her strength now failing she had only one option left. "Erza!" she called to the scarlet woman who nodded and acted quickly.

Before anyone could even blink Erza had punch Natsu in the face and sent him flying back into the table. His grip on Lucy was finally released and Mira took this opportunity to bring her over to the doors and kept her among the group of girls.

Natsu groaned, holding one hand to his swollen face and glared. "Erza, what the hell?" he growled, jumping to his feet and was ready to fight.

"Natsu," Erza stood before him, hands on her hips and a deadly serious look on her face that had the whole Guild shaking in fear. "You will remain here while we take Lucy out around town. We will take her to get food and supplies for her and the baby and you will not follow us nor try to interrupt us. Is that clear?" her eyes glowed a bright red, telling him there was no other option for him.

Natsu gulped and shook in fear. Erza still scared the hell out of him but he couldn't just let Lucy go without a fight. "B-B-But...!"

"Is that clear!" this time Erza growled and it made everyone in the Guild back up against the walls in fear.

Natsu shook his head franticly. "A-A-A-Aye." he was too scared to say anything else.

Erza smiled and suddenly everyone could breathe again. "Very good," she turned her back to him and headed for her group of friends by the door. "We will see you in a few hours." she waved him off and lead Lucy and the girls out of the Guild and into town to do some shopping.

Natsu watched as the group walked away with Lucy and let out an annoyed groan. "Stupid Erza," he sat crossed leg on the floor and glared at the empty doors. "Who the hell does she think she is?" he grumbled, legs starting to twitch.

Happy flew over to his best friend and gave him a questioning look. "Natsu, are you ok?" he asked in concern.

Natsu gave a slow nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. I mean Lucy is with Erza and Mira and the rest of the girls. They're just going shopping. Nothing bad can happen." he said with a smile on his face, having complete faith in his friends.

5 Seconds Later

"Let me go! I gotta go rescue Lucy!" Natsu cried as he was held back by Gray, Gajeel, Elfman, Macao, Wakaba, and Happy.

"Would you just knock it off!" Gray cried, hitting the frantic mage in the head in hopes of knocking him out and restoring peace back to their Guild.

Natsu however only fought back even harder. "I need to get Lucy back! She needs me there to protect her!" he screamed, fighting against all his so-called friends. He entire body was moving like mad as he tried to break free but whenever he seemed like he could slip away their grips would increase.

"Stupid, she isn't in danger." Gajeel groaned, annoyed that he had to waste his time on this.

"Natsu just calm down. The girls won't let anything happen to Lucy." Wakaba said in hopes that it would calm him down.

"They wouldn't let anything happen to her and Wendy is there to heal her. She's perfectly safe." Macao said, trying his hardest to pull the fire mage back. He hoped the girls returned soon before their Guild got destroyed again.

"I don't care! I gotta got to Lucy!" Natsu only yelled back. His mind was made up. Lucy would only be safe if she was by his side and if she wasn't then that meant she was in danger.

"He's really fighting against us," Elfman commented, both his arms transformed to help keep Natsu from running after the girls. "This is truly a man's fight!" he started to cry.

"Would you knock that off!" Gray yelled, kicking the crying man in the face.

"Well this turned sour fast." Makarov commented from his spot at the bar. He was watching as the others all head back a frantic Natsu who looked ready to explode at any moment. "All of you, move away from Natsu for a moment." he called to the group of guys that were holding back the screaming mage. At their master's orders they let go of Natsu would tried to make a break for it out the doors and track down Lucy but before he could even move forward he was smashed into the ground by Makarov's giant arm, knocking him out cold. "There, that should keep him calm until the girls return." he said with a pleased grin.

"Don't you think that was a little too harsh?" Macao asked.

"Yeah, it looks like you killed him." Wakaba added.

Makarov shook his head. "Nonsense, he's only sleeping."

"If you say so." the two grown man weren't going to argue with their master.

"Man, that was a total pain," Gray let out a sigh as he took a seat at the bar. "Why'd he act so crazy, anyways? Lucy has gone off on her own before." he didn't understand why the fire mage had freaked out so badly.

"Do you think it's because she's pregnant and he's concerned for the safety of their child?" Elfman suggested, his arms changing back to their normal form.

"Doubt it," Gajeel snorted, arms crossed as he looked down at the unconscious mage. "I'll admit that Dragon Slayers are very protective of their mates, and when the mate is pregnant that protective instinct doubles but I've never heard of anyone acting this bad." he frowned. He understood why Natsu acted so protective of Lucy but he didn't get why he freaked out so much. She just went shopping and in a group filled with some of their strongest fighters, it's not like she was alone walking in a dangerous area where something could happen to her.

"It's not really that shocking when you think about it," Makarov said, taking a sip of his drink and let out a content sigh. His eyes went to the fallen form of Natsu and he gave a small smile. "Family has been very important to Natsu, before and after Igneel left. Now that he has Lucy and a child on the way his fears of losing that family and being left alone again haunts him. He is only acting this way because he doesn't want to lose another loved one. Something I'm sure all of you can understand." he crossed his arms and looked up at his children, daring any of them to try and say that he was wrong.

They didn't. Everyone in the Guild agreed with what Master Makarov had said. They all at some point lost a loved one and the fear of being alone still haunted them in the deepest parts of their hearts. Natsu was no different from them and he was only doing everything he could to keep from losing anyone else.

"He's still an idiot." Gray commented form his seat and rolled his eyes. He may understand why the pink-haired mage acted in such a way but it still bothered him.

Happy flew over to his best friend and landed on his back. "I bet once Lucy hears about this she'll give Natsu a big hug." he patted his friend's back and smiled happily.

At the mention of his mate's name Natsu's eyes shot open and he jumped to his feet, sprinting out of the Guild before anyone could do a thing to stop him. "Lucy!" he cried out into the open streets, calling for his wife and making everyone move out of his way.

"Well then..." Natsu left behind a stunned looking Guild. "Someone should probably follow after him." Makarov motioned for Gray and Gajeel to follow him.

"We know." Gray nodded and hopped off the barstool.

Gajeel scoffed. "Let's get this over with." he and his Exceed partner walked out of the Guild with the ice mage and they took off running after the crazed fire mage before he could so any damage.

Lucy let a happy grin spread onto her face as she walked through the streets of Magnolia. One hand held bags of items that they bought for her and her baby and in her other hand was an ice cream cone of Chocolate Chip Mint. She had to say that while she had craved mostly hot foods during her pregnancy she was loving the cool ice cream that just melted in her mouth and made her taste buds soar. "This is great." she happily said, content with her ice cream and how well her day was going so far. She had gotten a lot of stuff for her and the baby.

The first shop they went too was a store that sold items for magic babies so they picked out a lot of baby clothes that were fireproof. From what they saw with Ryu they knew he would inherit his father's magic power so they bought clothes and toys that wouldn't burn easily if the little baby suddenly lost control of his powers. The store even had maternity dresses for her and Lucy had to admit that she had fun trying them on. She had some of her mother's old clothes that she had worn when she was pregnant with her but Lucy had liked having a bigger set. She even bought a few fire proof dresses for herself, just in case.

"We're glad you're enjoying yourself." Mirajane smiled back at her, one hand holding another bag of items that they had bought for Lucy and the baby. Each girl held one bag for her, they didn't want to tire her out so they offered to carry her bags.

"Yeah, we're happy to help," Levy came forward and wrapped one arm around Lucy's arm that was holding the bags. "I never knew shopping for a baby could be so much fun."

"I know," Lisanna came next and walked on Lucy's other side. "I can't wait for you and Natsu to have another kid. If I remember correctly Ryu said it would be a girl. I can't wait to help pick out cute little dresses for her!" she all but squealed.

Lucy felt her face burn. She had almost forgotten that after Ryu she would be having another child and the next one would be a girl. "R-Right." she chewed the last of her cone, wishing for another just to have something to distract her with.

"I wonder what she would look like?" Cana wondered out loud, thinking about the future girl that Lucy would have.

"Well Ryu looked a lot like Natsu so I'm sure that Lucy's daughter will look like her." Wendy added in, a bright smile on her face. She also had fun picking out baby toys and clothes for the future child and she was looking forward to playing with the child.

"Juvia is also wondering about Lucy's future children." Juvia spoke her thoughts and it had everyone thinking.

"I do wonder what this little girl would look like," Erza crossed her arms and held a serious look. "We can't just assume that their daughter will look like Lucy. If we do it could lead to problems such as rivalry between the two siblings." she seemed dead set on a goal that none of them were quite sure of.

"Charle do you know?" Wendy asked her female Exceed who was flying next to her.

"Sorry, I don't." Charle only stared straight ahead, looking not the least bit interested in this conversation. "I can't see that far into the future yet. Perhaps when it is getting closer to the time of birth I will be able to but until then I'm as clueless as the rest of you." she informed the group.

"Then we must wait until she is able to predict what the child will look like." Erza commented.

Lucy could only give a weak laugh. "You don't need to focus all your time and energy on this, Erza." she said before putting her free hand over her stomach. "Honestly I don't care if my kids look like Natsu or myself. I just want them to be happy and healthy and to know that they will always be loved." she said softly, rubbing her palm over her flat stomach that held her growing child inside.

"That is a wonderful thought, Lucy." Mirajane gave her a big smile and so did the other girls. They all agreed with what Lucy had said.

~X~

Not too far away from the group of smiling girls were Natsu, Happy, Gray, Gajeel, and Pantherlily following close behind. They all hide behind buildings, poles, trees, and bushes as they trailed behind the girls. They made sure they were at a safe enough distance not to be discovered but close enough that if something happened they could jump in and help. Of course Gray and Gajeel were mostly focused on keeping Natsu from jumping out at every guy or supposed dangerous object that got near Lucy. The two were really starting to get annoyed and they were going to demand to get paid for this annoying mission.

"You see, they're having fun shopping. There's no danger anywhere." Gray all but growled out.

"I don't care," Natsu glared right back but quickly turned his gaze back onto Lucy. "It's my duty to keep my family safe and that's what I'm going to do." he kept his focus on his wife, eyes staring a hole into her back and his arms itched to hold her close just like how Levy was doing. He understood that they needed to buy baby items but he was going to do all that when their home was finished. He wanted to be the one to help her buy things for their child.

"Stalk them is more like it." Gray scoffed, rolling his eyes and was already bored by this situation.

Natsu growled. "Oh that's real rich coming from a pervert like you!"

"What did you call me?" Gray yelled.

Soon enough the two boys started fighting, leaving Gajeel, Pantherlily, and Happy to watch them. "Dumbasses." Gajeel only shook his head and watched the girls. He saw how they all turned back to look in their direction and he didn't even bother hiding. He just crossed his arms and stared back, waiting for something interesting to happen.

"Do you think we should stop them?" Lucy asked, not too sure about what to do with this situation. They all had known that they had been followed by the boys but they didn't feel like saying anything because they were having fun. They actually had hoped that the boys would get bored and leave them alone but that hadn't been the case.

"Just ignore them." Lisanna said, not really caring about the boys that were following them.

"Yes, we will deal with them later but for now we should continue on enjoying ourselves." Erza commented, cracking her knuckles and held a devilish smile on her face.

Gajeel saw this look and grinned. This was finally starting to get interesting. He wanted to see who would be first to suffer the woman's wrath. He wasn't scared of the woman, actually he wanted to test his abilities against her and he was up for the challenge if she decided to fight them out in the middle of the street.

Lucy shuddered. She felt fear for the boys and gave a weak laugh. "Well...we should probably get going." she made a quick turn to keep going forward but she collided into someone, making her fall to the ground. She cried out in pain when she felt the hard ground cut her leg, blood dripping out of the cut. "Ow, that hurt." she frowned, holding her injured leg in on hand.

"Stupid girl," a scoff was heard from the one Lucy bumped into. A man with shaggy brown hair, green eyes and pale white skin was standing in front of her. He had on a purple silk shirt, gray dress pants and expensive looking black shoes. "That's what you get for not looking where you were going." he scoffed again at her.

Lucy glared up at this man. She knew his type and what he was like. He thought that just because he had nice things and money meant he was better than everyone else. "Listen here you-" whatever she was about to say died on her lips when a giant ball of fire came flying past her. "Natsu!" she gasped when she saw the enraged look on his face as he held the man that made her fall by the collar of his shirt, hands ablaze as it burned his clothes and made him cry out in fear.

"Bastard," Natsu growled, flames growing with every breath that he took. "You're going to pay for making her bleed." he bare his teeth and felt a satisfied grin appear on his face when he heard the man scream like a little girl. "Now apologize to her and I may just let you get away with only a few burns." he threw the man on the ground away from them and glared, waiting for an apology to come.

Said man went down on his hands and knees and cried. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" he cried giant tears, bowing before Lucy.

"I-It's fine." she said, a little embarrassed but mostly shocked by this whole thing.

Natsu let his fire go out but continued to glare. "Don't you dare let me catch you anywhere near us ever again!" he barked out and watched in pleasure as the man squeaked in fear and all but crawled away from the group. Once he was gone Natsu put on a worried look and went down to Lucy's side, hands on both of her shoulders. "Lucy, are you ok? He didn't do anything else to you did he? I swear if he did I'll kill him!" he could feel his anger rising at the possible thought of that man doing anything more to her.

Lucy gave a soft smile and took both of his hand off her shoulders and held them in her lap. "Natsu, I'm fine. It's just a small cut." she gestured to her knee that held only a little blood from it. It would be healed by the next morning.

Natsu looked at the small wound but continued to frown. "But still..." he put his head on her shoulder and held her close. "I don't want you getting hurt. It's my job to protect you." he whispered into her skin, causing her cheeks to turn a light shade of pink and her smile to increase in size.

"I know," she returned his hold, bringing him even closer to her. "I know that. I always have and I'm sorry if I worried you but I promise nothing will ever happen that could make us leave you." she knew all along about his fears of being left all alone again and she was reassuring him that it would never happen. Both her and their child would always be with him.

"Promise?" he asked, pulling his head back to look at her in the eyes.

Lucy nodded, "I promise."

Natsu grinned. "Ok," he helped her stand and took hold of her bag, along with the rest of the bags that the girls held. "Then let's get going!" he cheered, ready to do some shopping for his future son. He saw some of the toys and clothes that Lucy and the girls had bought for the baby and now he wanted to give his opinion about them. First off he was going to buy his son a lot of Dragon products. After all he was a future Dragon Slayer and his grandfather was a real life Dragon so he needed to learn and love the great creatures early on in life.

Lucy couldn't help but giggle at his antics. "I have a better idea," she wrapped her arms around his left arm, head resting on his shoulder. "How about we put these at the apartment before going out and buying a few more items like a crib and playpen?" she suggested.

"Ok," he liked that idea. They would put away the things that the girls bought and start off fresh as a real family buying items for their baby.

"We'll see you guys back at the Guild." Lucy waved them goodbye, walking away with a grinning Natsu and a flying Happy right by their side. They really were a family.

As they walked away the group could only stand there and watch. They each held a content smile on their face as they watched the family watch away from them.

"Looks like that's one problem solved." Gray said out loud.

"Yeah, but knowing them there will probably be more on the way." Levy commented.

"But of course," Mirajane smiled. "They wouldn't be where they are now if they didn't have a little fight every now and then. It's what keeps their love alive!" her eyes started to shine and everyone sweat dropped at her. You think they would be used to her weird behavior by now.