Chapter Seven:

Lucy propped herself up on her bed's head board with the mass of pillows she'd acquired since she'd moved into the apartment. She's at what-like six. They worked well to take the brunt of the wood off of her spine. A sleeping Happy lay curled in her lap, and she stroked his soft blue fur as he purred away. Outside the rain came down hard, the late summer storm making the apartment groan from the wind's strength.

Usually that would bother her. Lucy hated stormed. They reminded her of long nights of thunder and lightning in a large empty estate with nothing but her dolls to comfort her. She hated turbulent weather. But she found that as long as Natsu was around, the storms didn't really bother her.

So as lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and rain raged just outside her cozy little apartment, Lucy let a soft smile curl her lips upwards, watching as Natsu played with one of Asuka's dolls. The doll's owner sat to the opposite of the handsome pink haired man, another doll in her hands.

"Uncle Natsu, can they go on an epic adventure together! Like mommy and daddy?" The little straight shooter cooed, taking the western dressed barbie doll and having her run over to some horses.

Natsu went with it, laughing as his doll-the male counterpart, took the other horse. "Of course! What did you have in mind?"

Asuka made horse noises, and moved the rider and horse around in a circle. "Well how about we go by you and Lucy's mission from a week ago? The one where that weird tickle mage captured Lucy and tried to kill her through tickling!"

Natsu's expression darkened liked the clouds brewing outside, and Lucy didn't need to ask to know what had caused his massive mood change. The mage that had tried to kill her was not a tickle mage. Lucy had only said that after Asuka made her prescence known while she told her fellow guild mates about her close encounter on her recent mission. The reality of the situation was not that kid friendly. If it wasn't for Natsu, then the dark mage that they had been hired to capture would have violated her in some awful ways.

The ever innocent Asuka paid no mind to Natsu's scowl. "Come on Natsu, let's go fight the bad guy! The tickle monster!" She grabbed at a beaten figure of a fire mage that Romeo had given her, "Oh look there he is!" She mock screamed.

Lucy caught Natsu's eyes, giving him a reassuring smile. The fire breather looked at her for a couple moments longer, a pensive expression passing over him.

"Uncle Natsu, help!" Asuka screeched, shrieking while giggling.

Natsu's smile returned like he'd had nothing dark on his mind. "Asuka, you better look out, the real tickle monster is about to show up!"

Asuka paused, confused as she cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean, the real tickle monster his right here." She picked the beaten fire mage figure up for emphasis.

Natsu put his figure down. "That's what he wanted you to think." He play growled, launching himself at the little girl his hands grasped her under her armpits, fingers wiggling as she burst into loud laughter. Asuka began to squirm, and Natsu grabbed her calf, holding it still as his fingers moved to the underside of her foot.

Lucy watched as warmth spread out throughout her chest. She loved seeing that smile of his. It meant sunshine, and love, and the promise of forever. On her lap, Happy stirred, stretching his front paws out as he continued to purr.

"Natsu sure is good with children." The blue cat mused, high pitched voice gruff with sleep.

Lucy didn't respond, but mentally nodded. For being such a man child, he sure knew how to take care of children. He didn't hesitant in taking on the responsibilities when Bisca and Alzack would ask them to babysit.

"P-Please stop!" Asuka stuttered out, tears threatening to pour over her eyes as her chest heaved.

Natsu, not completely stopping, but slowing right down, smiled down at the little girl. "Has the tickle monster won?"

"Never!" Asuka thrashed her way out of his hold, "…I just need to reload! I'm super hungry!"

Laughing Natsu stood up, helping Asuka to her feet. "Then let's get some lunch before round two! I'm sure Lucy has some yummy leftovers for us in the kitchen."

And just like that Lucy was left alone on the bed, the sound of mayhem unfolding from down the hall forcing a smile onto her lips. Natsu really did have a knack for children, maybe because he was such a child himself. The guy could make the grumpiest of children smile, and he knew just when to be serious with them, and when to let them win.

Happy yawned, seemingly more awake since the mention of food. Lucy paused in her petting. "Natsu's really good with Asuka." Lucy whispered more to herself than to Happy.

Happy nodded anyway. "Mmm, I think Natsu would make a good father."

Taken aback by the Exceed's words, Lucy couldn't help but stiffen. She never really thought about how Natsu would be as a father. Sure, she noticed he could watch after a kid for a couple days without incident, but to be a full time father… Lucy supposed she could picture it. She had taken the liberty of imagining what their children would look like, so she could take the time to envision how he would go about the whole fatherly role thing.

Like Happy could read her mind, he went into further detail. "He's always been good with kids, even when I just hatched, he always looked after Lisanna. Even if she was the same age, I think he always saw her as a little sister or something. The way he treats Asuka reminds me of the way he used to treat Lisanna back then."

Lucy hummed to herself. "Oh really."

"Aye!" Happy sprouted wings, turning to face her while he hovered mind air, "which is why I think you and Natsu should hurry up and have kids. Not only do I think Natsu would become a good father, but I think you would be a good mother. Plus, I want a sibling!"

Lucy blushed. Not just any type of blush either. But a deep, red, aggressive blush that reached all the way down her neck. She just sat there, looking shocked and embarrassed as Happy flew into the kitchen when Natsu called out that lunch was ready, the scent of chicken accompanying the 'ding' of the microwave.

She'd be lying if she said she'd never thought of having children. Especially with Natsu. In fact she wanted two. A boy and a girl. The brother would be older, so he could protect his sister. Only to herself would she admit fantasize about a fire wielding boy protecting a key baring girl from evil boys. She could picture the pink hair of her daughter, and the bright flames of her son.

She smiled a sunny smile, wishing she could have all of that and more by tomorrow.

Until then, she figured the smile of her boyfriend, and left over chicken breast would have to do. Luckily she didn't mind.

Sorry this is so late! I got really busy, and really tired, and I don't know about you guys but when I'm tired I have a really hard time writing! But anyway, the final installation of Nalu Week: Future!