Finding time to write is getting a little harder since I'm running around after a crawling baby (how can someone so small have so much energy) and working. But I'm still going with this story so thank you for being patient and sticking with me.

Lucy felt... conflicted.

Natsu had gone on a small mission with Happy, leaving her in the early morning, causing her stir from sleep for only moment as he kissed her goodbye. But now she was wide awake and staring at the ceiling as she contemplated the random thought that had woke her up.

A stray thought about how it almost seemed like they were a married couple when they had mornings like this one now whirred through her mind like a buzzing fly that wouldn't go away, no matter how hard she swatted at it.

Marriage to Natsu wouldn't be awful, in fact she'd love to marry him someday, it just wasn't something she'd imagined happening anytime soon since their relationship was so new. But the thought had been implanted into her mind and now it refused to leave.

Being pregnant didn't mean she had to get married, though her father might have objected to that if he were still alive, it especially wasn't something she should jump into. Like any normal girl she had dreamed and envisioned her wedding day and she had never imagined she be walking down the aisle looking like a beached whale.

That was not her idea of an ideal wedding.

But to think she was rushing into a commitment of marriage kind of lost it validity when she was already carrying Natsu's child, she grimaced but stroked a gentle hand tenderly over her belly as if to say it's ok baby, I'm happy now.

Would Natsu even want to get married? She suspected he wouldn't not want to get married but only if she really wanted to otherwise he'd probably be happy living the rest of their lives living together as couple, married or not.

If she proposed the idea to him she could just imagine the look he'd give her, the look he always gave her when he thought she was being weird. Eyebrow arched, his nose scrunched up and head tilted to the side in innocent confusion. He'd wonder why it mattered if they were married as long as they loved and cared for each other.

And it didn't matter. The child would still be theirs, they'd still love each other and nothing would change except she'd be Lucy Dragneel and... although that had a nice ring to it... Mrs Lucy Dragneel. Lucy flipped over to her side and buried her face into the pillow to disguise the blush that was climbing up to cover it, pleasure of hearing her name joined with his and the embarrassment it brought to think about it, she just had to hope no one nearby could hear her thoughts.

Lucy flipped again onto her back and sighed, she should probably consider getting out of bed since the clock across the room was ticking closer and closer towards midday and she still needed to go to the store to get a few books that Levy had recommended for new mothers and then to Yolande's house after that.

But first, lunch.

She rolled out and buried her feet in the waiting warmth of her fluffy slippers, and shrugged on her dressing gown. It had only taken four weeks for her to be able to move around the house in a sleepy daze without walking into walls or tripping over unpacked boxes but now she felt comfortably at home.

Mostly her clothes filled the wardrobe whilst Natsu's occupied the dresser – he needed far less room since he didn't own that many clothes and what he did own he only had because she'd bought them for him. How he had any clothes before she came along, she didn't know; sometimes it was as if he was always wearing the same outfit...

One side of the room had some training equipment, dumbbells and weights, she had been oddly touched that he still had the pink dumbbells he'd tried to foist onto her when she'd first started the guild. The living room had her old sofa, bookshelves packed with her books and her writing desk was already over flowing with sheets of paper, journals, quills and ink jars, a glass of water sat on the edge from last night.

The bathroom was crowded with her beauty products, on the counter around the sink and around the edge of the bath, a hamper of dirty clothing sat between the sink and the tub and basket of neatly folded towels rested at the base of the tub.

The kitchen was the first thing they'd finished furnishing, pantry full to bursting to satisfy Natsu and her current appetite, a stash of fish that had been preserved for Happy any time he wanted them, brightly coloured plates and mugs lined the cupboards above the sink, flowerpots and herbs lined the window sill to take advantage of the sunlight.

Seeing their stuff together all the time made her so happy.

Lucy prepared herself a bowl of porridge with a dollop of blackberry jam and some sliced apple, she took a seat at the kitchen table and blew over the top of the porridge to cool it down while she read through the list that Levy had prepared for her.

Levy had gone above and beyond the call of duty and provided an extensive list of reading material, she probably wouldn't have enough jewels to pay for all of them so she'd probably have to be quick selective of her choices.

Some titles were generic and obvious – 'Your baby and you', 'Eating well when you're expecting', 'What mothers do', 'The first year' and other similar sounding titles. There were also some titles that sounded like mother's journal and books for emotional well being for a first time mother.

She put the list down and tucked into her late breakfast.

Plates and utensils in the sink, she went to the bathroom to shower and get ready.

Lucy was twenty weeks in to the pregnancy, four months gone by already and only five months to go. It sounded like she had plenty of time left but she knew that the time would fly by, She'd already had warnings about how fast time would pass so she couldn't procrastinate too much.

Undressed and ready to step into the tub, she ran a hand down and over the swell of her belly, over the last few weeks it had become a little more pronounced, jutting out just enough for her usual jeans and skirts to be too tight and uncomfortable so she'd have to think about purchasing some maternity clothes soon but for the time being she had some nice dresses that fit nicely around her bump.

She took some time under the hot water to ease the ache in her breasts and her lower back before she rinsed her hair out and stepped out of the tub, grabbing the towel that had been sitting on the radiator so that it would be warm for her and wrapping herself up. She wrapped her hair up in another warm towel and then faced the mirror to finish getting ready.

She settled for a flowery dress that fluttered around her thighs and a pair of strappy sandals. She grabbed her bag and slung it across her shoulder, threaded her jumper through the strap and made sure to pick up Levy's list before she finally left the house to head into town.

Town was bustling as always, restaurants and cafes over flowing from the lunch rush which meant wonderful smells were permeating the streets and making her hungry despite the fact she'd just eaten but combined with the scents escaping the open doors of the bakeries that dotted the street, her mouth was watering.

So she stopped in and bought a small-ish bag of pastries she had persuaded herself she'd share with Yolande, if she could resist eating them all before she got there. But her first stop was the book store Levy had assured her that she'd be able to find all the books she'd need.

Magnolia's Reads was a well stocked book store with an accommodating owner who was always happy to order in books he didn't have on hand, for Levy he bent over backwards since she was his best customer though in the last few years Lucy had been included on the list of privileged customers, Mr Juniper had a marvellous selection of writing stationary, from fine quills and good quality ink and inkwells to journals and a wide variety of parchments.

She greeted the aging man with a warm smile and wave then made her way to the back of the store where she knew he stocked the maternity books. She came to halt in front a bookshelf jammed with baby books and that feeling of lost helplessness washed over her again whenever she tried to buy some of these books, in all those cases she'd left empty-handed. Not this time.

She pulled out her list and started searching, though did there have to be so many books for the same subject.

"First time mother?"

Lucy jumped in surprise and spun around to face a young woman, older then her by a few years maybe but with a swollen stomach telling her she was also expecting. She looked friendly and warm and was currently smiling directly at Lucy. She returned the smile and laughed nervously.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Don't worry about it, you have the same bewildered expression most first time mothers have, myself included."

"It's comforting to know it's not just me I suppose." They laughed together and the lady offered her hand.

"I'm Susie."

"Lucy." She shook her hand and Susie fell in line with her to look at the books as well.

"How far along are you if you don't mind me asking?" She tilted her head to the side to look down at Lucy's small bump.

"Four months."

"Ah, I'm six months but this is my second... and third."

Lucy took a moment to think about it then smiled.

"Twins?"

"Yup."

"I couldn't imagine..." She wasn't even far along but already she was beginning to feel the burden on her body from carrying just one, to carry two... "I'd be so scared."

"It is daunting but I've always wanted a big family." Susie ran a hand over her bump and grinned. "I haven't seen you at any of the classes." Lucy frowned in confusion and tilted her head in question.

"Classes?"

"Antenatal classes, I'm sure the midwives are supposed to mention them."

Lucy thought back to her last appointment and smiled nervously. At three months she'd been invited back for her first scan and three month check up and Natsu had been a little – a lot – excited about seeing his baby for the first time on the screen. Him and Happy had caused quite a commotion in the clinic as they celebrated the news of a healthy developing foetus. The midwife found it cute at first but when Natsu started spewing fire she was quick to reprimand him, threats of kicking him out of the room whilst she finished up with Lucy had him bowing in apology.

"She might have been a little distracted; my boyfriend is a bit... um... over the top sometimes."

Susie nodded her head in understanding. "My husband cried like a baby during both my pregnancies, and even harder when he found out I was having twins." She laughed behind her hand and Lucy joined in, not bothering to correct her assumption that the distraction had been tears but actually potential property damage, which was nothing new in Lucy's world really.

"So, these classes... anyone can come?" Lucy enquired.

"Of course, and partners are welcome as well."

She wasn't sure what went on at these classes but imagining Natsu in a setting like that acting all domestic and the like amused her immensely, she even giggled a little which earned her a curious glance from Susie, but she just couldn't envision it all, Natsu's natural environment would always be surrounded by brawling guildmates and raucous friends.

"Perhaps I could come to class as see what it's like?"

"Oh I recommend it!" Susie clapped her hands together in excitement. "It's a super friendly group and it's good way of making friends and sharing experiences." She started rummaging through her bag until she found what she was looking for, a pen and memo pad. She scribbled across the paper with a tongue poking from the corner of her mouth. She ripped the sheet free and thrust it straight into Lucy's hand, she gave her hands a quick squeeze before letting go.

Lucy looked down at the note, it was what she assumed was the address of the place that held the classes, including times and dates. She tucked into her purse with a thank you and a smile.

"Oh look at the time!" Susie announced with a flourish of panic. She reached past Lucy and grabbed a book off the shelf. "I'm supposed to meeting my husband in five minutes and it'll take me longer than that to waddle to the restaurant. It was really nice to meet you Lucy and I hope you come to next week's class."

With a promise of attendance Lucy waved goodbye and Susie was dashing off as fast as her belly would allow her. Lucy stood there for a moment longer, feeling somewhat bemused by the sudden encounter, but then she smiled and settled a hand over her own burgeoning belly and turned back to the books.

She suddenly felt a lot less nervous.

She picked out a few titles, including the ones on the list and an extra one aimed at father's, she could hope that Natsu might be interested in reading but perhaps she was being a little over optimistic. She shrugged and added it to her pile anyway.

She exchanged pleasantries with Mr Juniper, who inquired surreptitiously if there was any reason she was buying them. Once she revealed they were for her his face lit up and he grabbed her hands in a comforting grip and offered her his most sincere congratulations. He was trying to be sneaky but she was sure he discounted some jewels off her purchase. With a knowing smile she thanked him and left with the promise he'd put aside a ream of parchment and some of the specially imported ink she preferred.

Yolande's house was quite close to her old apartment, she wondered wistfully if nice people were living in it now, after her tenancy the landlady probably got picky and only accepted someone respectful who wouldn't damage or have friends who would damage anything every other week. She was lucky she didn't get kicked out during her six years living there.

She stopped by a newsagent to pick up a few puzzle magazines for Yolande, who like to keep her brain active, but as she took them to the till another range of magazine's caught her attention and made her stop. This morning's thoughts popped back into her mind as she scanned over the covers of bridal magazines. A collection of smiling brides in beautifully designed dresses and surrounded by floral masterpieces in idyllic locations, other magazines dedicated specially to flowers and cakes mingled in amongst the brides.

Hesitantly she picked out one at random. A woman with her hair twisted up in a flurry of eloquent curls that tumbled down her back, professionally held in place by a beautiful emerald studded comb. A pearlescent wispy veil clung to the comb and trailed down her back effortlessly. The dress was to die for but...

She looked down at her growing belly and sighed, not one she could pull off at the moment... not that she was going to need one right now or any time soon since she wasn't actually getting married or anything! Wistful musings had turned into delusions, she knew she wasn't getting married nor that she had to for any reason... but... it would be kind of nice.

To bear his name, to be tied to him in another way that would cement their already strong relationship, to wear a pretty dress and to see Natsu looking at her like she was the centre of his universe... she shook her head, they didn't need to be getting married for that, he already looked at her like that.

Though it might be nice for their child, to be a family of one name... the Dragneels... to become more of a unit...

She wanted it.

She was surprised by the vehemence of the thought, the sudden intense longing that seemed to appear out of nowhere. She wanted to marry Natsu. She wanted become a Dragneel. To be seen as his in every way possible.

What was she supposed to do with this desire? Did she just propose the idea to Natsu and see what he would say? Should she hint it? Probably not, Natsu wasn't good at reading subliminal messages and hints so it would be waste of time and effort. The best thing to do would be straightforward and ask him outright.

The worst thing he could do was say he didn't really want to and she'd respect that, after all they didn't need to get married to be happy.

That was settled. She put the magazine back and paid for Yolande's ones, promising herself that she would talk to Natsu about the prospect of getting married once he was home.