Standard disclaimer applies.

Once more, this story was largely inspired by Colbie Caillat's song Begin Again. Please look up the lyrics. I'd love to think of the song as this story's soundtrack.

Chapter 10

The area surrounding Natsu's house has transformed over time. The cat-shaped wooden plaque was no longer there to welcome wanted or unwanted visitors. It had been replaced with the names of the new residents. Major renovations and significant reconstruction here and there have altered the former cabin into an imposing house. Well, since it's the lone building in the middle of the woods, it does appear like a mansion.

Yet, Natsu knows this is incomparable to the big estate Lucy had been used to growing up. Sure, even Lucy stares at it in awe whenever her eyes set upon it. When the celestial mage gave her seal of approval, it adds to Natsu's growing ego that he indeed has talent for construction.

Who knew? After all, he is known as the emperor of destruction.

So, he sits at the front porch of his mansion-like house like a king seated on his throne overlooking his vast kingdom. The Natsu from before, the one in his twenties, would never find time to ponder. But he is different now. Natsu is already in his early thirties. Often, these periods of reflection are god-given moments he cherishes.

He hears the steady stream of the river nearby thanks to his powerful senses. The sound of the water lulls him to sleep, as if a water nymph sings a solemn lullaby.

He remembers a faint humming coming from an elemental maiden who commands the nature of water. He remembers the glistening tears streaking down her rosy cheeks. He remembers her walking away, farther and farther away from him.

It has been a long time since he last saw Juvia. Far too long, and the ache in his heart grows by the minute.

"Why don't you just go to Uncle Jeel's house?" a much too-girly voice slices through his silence. He watches as the disturber of 'peace' squats down near the marble steps. She draws her knees closer to her chest, making her whole appearance even smaller in frame. She rests her chin on top of her knees then proceeds to give Natsu a scowl.

"Why?" Natsu asks feigning ignorance.

"You're so stubborn, Dad," the girl rolls her eyes. "It was your fault anyways," she states without hesitation, twirling a piece of lilac strand with her right finger. She is dressed in a one-piece blue dress with short sleeves and hem reaching below her knees. A lot of people always comment that she looks just like Natsu — as if the fire mage is wearing a silky straight, waist-length, light purple wig. The only thing that enhances her femininity is the early development of her chest, even though she's just barely thirteen.

"Listen, Aiko," Natsu turns to his daughter using his somewhat-stern voice. It rarely works on his children. "Your mom and I... we have this agreement. That when one of us leaves the house, we'll give each other at least 72 hours to cool off. It's only been a day."

"But we're suffering here, dad," an eleven-year-old boy comes out of the door to offer his own opinion.

"Shut up, Aki!" Aiko points an accusing finger towards her younger brother. "You talk as if you're the one taking care of the twins!" she flips her hair over her shoulder.

"You kids are exaggerating," Natsu grumbles, scratching his head. Sure, it really feels like he's been amputated when his wife is not around. After all, Natsu relies heavily on her. But for his own children to voice out his incapability? That hurts a bit. "I'm not that bad at parenting!" he protests like a little kid. "Plus, it's not just me who's at fault. Aki here as well," he points at the blue-haired boy standing beside him with his arms crossed.

The blue-haired boy is a mixture of Natsu's and Juvia's features. His slanted eyes frame navy blue orbs which almost seemed black like his father's. His cerulean spikes are styled just like Natsu's. Aki inherits his mother's nose shape while wearing his father's familiar toothy grin. One glance at him and people immediately can tell the Lockser-Dragneel genes flowing in his system.

Aiko's eyes travel to the scene of the crime — the reason why their mom has left the house. Both Natsu and Aki sheepishly avoid looking at that direction.

Just before Natsu offers another explanation for his alleged 'fault', two chubby boys come bouncing out of the house. One has wavy pink hair, disheveled. The other straight, sleek blue hair, cleanly cut. Other than the variation in hair colour and texture, the two are very much identical in facial features. Like Aki, these almost-six-years-in-age twins possess a mixture of Juvia's and Natsu's.

"Dad!" the pink-haired Jon bellows.

"We're hungry!" supplies the blue-haired Nate.

"But you just ate!" whines Natsu. Honestly, the father shouldn't be in the position of complaining about his boys' appetite. Except, they tend to eat more.

It's only been two hours after breakfast. How can these two active boys already act like they're starving?

"You didn't cook enough breakfast, Dad," Aki explains to his father in nonchalance. It gives a whole new meaning how their mother manages to make such a feast everyday — for about eight residents! "Jon and Nate practically gobbled everything as soon as they sat down."

"We did not!" the twins cry out in harmony, something the rest of the family members are used to do, but not necessarily immune to being amazed.

"Okay, okay," Natsu stands up from the lounge chair he himself built. He puts up his hand in surrender. "I'll try and make something."

This time all four of his kids yelp in synchronization. "No, Dad!"

He eyes them with a scowl. It is Aiko who assumes the spokesperson of the Lockser-Dragneel offspring. "Dad, don't be stubborn. Just go and get Mom, Nav-Nav, and Happy-kun." Natsu is about to object once again, ready to insist about the so-called 72-hour agreement with his wife. Both Aiko and Aki slightly push him down the marble steps leading to their house.

"Say hi to Uncle Jeel for us," Aki says with a big grin on his face.

"Bye-bye, Daddy," the twins bid him at the same time again, albeit the waving of their hands are of different direction.

With his shoulders slumping, a pout on his lips, Natsu relents to his kids. "Fine, fine. Clean up the house or your mom will throw a fit. She might leave us for a full month," he hollers as he traces the steps out of the forest into Magnolia town where Gajeel lives with his wife Levy.

It is enough of a threat as the kids scramble inside the house, ready to pick up the mess they created just yesterday. For sure, their mom wouldn't be happy if she sees the accumulated scatter in the living room.

Walking with his hands inside his trousers, Natsu tries to form the appropriate statements that will appease his lovely wife. He and Juvia rarely get into an argument. In fact, they never really get into a fight. If they fight, like what happened a day ago, it is usually a kind of minor issue.

In fact, it is so minor it's actually pretty petty, Natsu snickers recalling the scene.

But that's Juvia. That's his Juvia. The trigger can be unexpected, and it usually leaves Natsu dumbfounded. Yet, he still wouldn't have her in any other way. He is more than lucky to have her by her side. But to be able to call her 'his wife' for more than a decade now, he sure is blessed.

Natsu chuckles as he reminisces the moment the couple revealed to their guildmates about their relationship.

"Everyone, Juvia and I are together," Natsu announced in his typical, loud, boisterous volume as soon as he slammed open the guild doors. His fingers were intertwined with Juvia's as he held them up for the whole guild to see.

All heads turned to look at the two in silence. Then, all heads returned to their original position, going back to doing their own thing.

"Like I said, we're together now, got it?" he raised his volume another notch. Again, no one bothered to comprehend what the fire mage said. Although, there were a few eyes observing them.

One pair belonged to a white-haired barmaid, who was eyeing them with keen curiosity as she continued wiping the counter. Another pair belonged to a scarlet-haired, armour-wearing mage, whose lips were formed in a thin line. Hard to tell whether she was glad about this certain development or not. Yet, it supplied her the reason why Juvia informed the dorm she was leaving Fairy Hills. The third set of eyes was glaring at them. If not for a petite bluenette restraining the owner of the deadly glare, the fire mage might have been attacked by an iron-eating dragon slayer!

"Juvia thinks our guildmates aren't taking us seriously," muttered the water mage with a disappointed tune. She tightened her grip on Natsu's hand.

"Aye, sir! They're all probably thinking this is a prank," chimed in Happy.

As if a light bulb appeared above the salmon-haired mage, he tugged on Juvia's hand and winked at her. "I've an idea, Juv. Just go with flow, 'kay?" he whispered; the bluenette, albeit looking anxious, nodded.

Natsu climbed the platform that's usually set up as the concert stage, with Juvia in tow. Their fingers were still laced with each other, never letting go. They stood at the centre, and finally they had the full attention of the guilders. Natsu motioned for Happy, and then whispered something that not even Juvia heard. Happy enthusiastically bobbed his head in agreement, shouting a loud 'aye!'

"Everyone~!" Happy's high-pitched sing-song voice resonated throughout. "I now present you the future Mister and Missus Dragneel!"

Juvia stood still in surprise with wide eyes. Happy did a twirl while suspended in air. Natsu put up his thumb, a cheeky grin on his lips.

Almost everyone's mouth dropped open due to shock. To stun them even more, Natsu pulled Juvia towards him and landed a big, sloppy kiss on the water mage's plump lips. It only took a matter of seconds before Juvia responded with eagerness.

But none was as shocked as the newcomer who just opened the guild doors. To be welcomed by such a spectacle — the whole guild submerged in deafening silence, the only music was the kissing sounds coming from two unlikely couple. Soon, initiated by Mirajane, a thunderous applause filled the whole building. When the couple broke away from each other, the fire mage rubbed the back of his neck in surprising sheepishness, while the water mage gazed down on the ground. Her cheeks were tinted with a rose shade that matched her lover's hair. There was a sweet smile on her face.

No one noticed the white trench coat-clad ice mage, except for Natsu.

"Uncle Natchuu," a perky voice pulls the fire mage out of his reverie. Natsu doesn't need to squint or refocus his gaze to know the owner of such a shrill tone. It is a young girl, about nine years of age. Her long raven hair is put up in pigtails, bouncing in the air as she runs towards Natsu. "Hi Uncle Natchuu!" greets the girl.

"Hey Gem, how ya doin'?" he squats down to meet the girl at eye level.

The young girl giggles, her fingers crossed behind her back. She gives him a shy look, as she keeps standing on her tiptoes. "Umm... where is Aki-kun?" she asks. Gem's bashful personality, at times, reminds Natsu of an equally coy Juvia.

But before Natsu is able to provide the little girl with an answer, a tall figure carrying two luggage approaches the two. Natsu stands up and raises a brow at the approaching mage. "Oh, if it isn't ice princess," he greets smugly. He grins cheekily when Gem giggles at her father's nickname. "Yo!" Natsu raises his hand

"Yo," echoes Gray but in a rather monotonous manner. Like Natsu, nothing much has changed with the appearance of the ice mage. Yes, one can easily discern that both are no longer the teen mages at the height of their fame. Both are now fathers who matured... somewhat!

Natsu returns his gaze to the little girl, who really is the female, younger version of her father. "How was your mom's wedding?"

Gem Fullbuster claps her hands together. "It was fun, Uncle Natchuu. Mom made me wear a princess dress and crown." It seems Gray had just picked up his daughter from the train station after a few weeks in Crocus.

Natsu snorts. "I bet you're the true pretty ice princess, unlike someone I know," he hoots, patting the girl's head. "By the way, Aki's at home. Later though, maybe in the afternoon, I think he'll stop by at the guild with the twins." That piece of information seems to perk up the little girl as she squeals in delight. Natsu notices Gray scowling. It's simply too obvious that Gem has a crush on Aki. She tails him the moment the boy appears at the guild. Gem also sleeps over at the Dragneels, asking Aiko to invite her so she could learn water magic from Juvia.

It's almost a bit of poetic injustice. Who would think that Gray's only daughter (one he had with an ex-girlfriend) would be quite enamoured with Natsu's son? And, not to mention, the mother is Juvia!

Gem looks up to her father. "Daddy, let's go back to the guild later, okay?" The pleading puppy-eyed-look is enough for Gray to agree, albeit reluctantly.

"Let's get going, Gem. Your bags are too heavy," Gray tells his daughter. He smirks at Natsu, and the latter knows the ice mage is thinking of something insulting to throw. "Trouble with the wife, huh?"

Natsu nearly growls. "How the fu— how'd ya know?"

"The news has wings."

Ugh, that stupid, flying, fish-breath named Happy! Natsu can just imagine the blue exceed flying around the guild, announcing how much Natsu 'hurt' Juvia. Happy's loyalty now completely belongs to his wife.

"Whatever! I assure you things will be back to normal in no time," Natsu retorts in defensive stance. Gray's words from long time ago replay in his mind, and this makes Natsu more annoyed. "Well, later, frozen brains. I'm picking up my wife." He pats Gem's head once more before turning his back on the father and daughter combo.

"Remember what I told you back then, flame breath," Gray hollers after him. If the sweet Gem wasn't there, Natsu would've raised a middle finger.

As he makes his way towards Gajeel's house, Natsu couldn't help but think back to his conversation with Gray — some weeks after his relationship with Juvia was revealed.

"Oi, ice princess. Haven't seen you in like what? Two months?"

Natsu pulled out a chair across the ice mage. He found Gray inside a small pub, quite a distance away from the guild. Gray just returned from a more-than-a-month mission, entered the guild very early in the morning to report to Mirajane, and then left without a word to anyone. The fire mage of course had an inkling why Gray was staying away.

Juvia mentioned it to him — what Gray had confessed to her during her birthday. In her own apologetic way, Juvia pleaded with Natsu not to start a brawl with the ice mage — at least until she had a proper talk with Gray. Yet, Gray steered clear of Juvia, and the water mage didn't know how to make amends.

"Juvia's been waiting for you," Natsu said with feigned nonchalance. He couldn't help but feel jealous that his girlfriend was worried about the man she used to pine for.

Gray grunted. "Yeah? Made her wait too long so she went with the next best thing?"

Ouch. But, as promised, Natsu restrained himself from hitting his friend. "Nope. She just fell in love with the one who can love her more." Was he being cruel? Natsu didn't think so. He just wanted to be truthful to Gray — his childhood friend, sworn rival, his comrade, and frankly almost-brother. "You're still trying to figure out your feelings for her. I already know mine, and I think it's growing more and more each day."

Gray clenched his fists that were resting on the table. He snatched the half-filled mug and chugged the lager in one go. Wiping his mouth crudely with the back of his hand, Gray rolled his eyes at Natsu. "Wow, aren't you just so articulate with words now."

The salmon-haired mage chuckled at loud. He felt amused — not at how Gray appeared quite pathetic (just being honest here), but at the nature of their conversation. Both were practically engaged in a quite-civil discussion, even with bits and pieces of sarcasm thrown in. Natsu signalled the barmaid for two more mugs of ale.

"Look, ash-face, I'd love to be alone if you don't mind."

"Well, I mind, cold freeze. We need to talk."

Gray grr-ed, but accepted the ale the barmaid placed in front of him. "We already talked. So yeah, goodbye, see you when I see you."

Natsu leaned back on his seat, took a sip, and smiled brightly at the refreshing taste of the drink. He made a note to come by the pub every now and then. He planned to have this talk with the ice mage, and he won't leave until then. When he got to the guild in the morning, he had a whiff of the ice mage's scent. Without telling Juvia, he placed a peck on her cheek and rushed out before he lost the trail. And here he was, seated in a relaxing manner, eyeing Gray.

"You know..." he trailed off, taking another gulp of the malty liquid. "Juvia somewhat felt guilty."

"Haaah?" Gray made a stupefied sound.

"Well, she felt like she hurt you and caused you to avoid the guild. Does it really hurt your ego that she likes me?" Natsu decided to step on even more dangerous grounds. "Or it just hurts that you don't have her at the palm of your hands anymore?"

Gray tightened his grip on the mug's handle. Any more force and the glass would surely shatter. "Shut up. You don't know how I truly feel about her. I've liked her even before you did."

Natsu raised a brow. "Oh yeah? Didn't seem like it. When you ignore her, or brush her aside, do you know the type of expression she makes? It lasts only for a few seconds, but anyone watching her intently can surely see. It... It hurts to see her like that."

Gray opened his mouth to say something then clamped it shut after thinking twice. After a moment of silence, he finally let out the question, "How long have you been in love with Juvia?"

Natsu ran a hand through his hair. "In love? Maybe, I wouldn't know if I can call it love in the beginning. All I can say is that I've been attracted to her right away — just a few months after she joined our guild." There. He finally revealed it out loud. Natsu sensed that Gray doubted this admission. It's true; Natsu was the happy-go-lucky, fight-obsessed, rowdy young mage in everyone's eyes. Romance and crushes were least — perhaps never — associated with him. (Well, some assumed that when Lisanna returned, she and Natsu would be endgame. Except, Lucy was already in the picture. Who knew it turned out to be Juvia?!)

"Just talk to her, ice princess. I get mad seeing Juvia worried or sumthin'," Natsu barked with annoyance.

Gray gave him a smug grin. "You sure? What if I steal her from you?"

Natsu gave him a thoughtful look. "Nah... you're not the type to do that," he gave Gray a confident statement, and with a chuckle, added, "And I trust Juvia."

Gray downed the contents of his drink in one shot. Upon placing the mug on the table, he snatched Natsu's ale and drank it in one go as well. "There," he grumbled, "At least I stole one thing from you." He stood up, ready to put a conclusion to this unneeded discussion. "Hurt her, Natsu, and I will not care about being a guildmate. If you let her go, I will be there for her," his tone was serious, so Natsu didn't dare interject. "Even if I'm already with someone, I'll leave them just for Juvia," he said this without batting an eyelash. He was serious. "I will take Juvia away from you the moment you let her go."

It might've sounded like a threat or a warning. Natsu just decided to take it as a friend's advice.

"Don't worry, Gray, I don't think that will ever happen," Natsu assured him in a low voice but with firm conviction.

The ice mage turned around as he shoved his hands inside his coat's pockets. "I will talk to her when I'm ready. But right now..." he trailed off, which gave Natsu the perfect timing to respond.

"I understand. I will let the guild know you won't be in for a few more days."

And that is the last time the two comrades talked about anything pertaining to romance, as far as Natsu is concerned. The air around him and Gray is fairly the same — unruly arguments and immature fistfights. Of course for a time being, Natsu recalls, he and Juvia avoided any blatant displays of affection in the guild, most especially when Gray is around. The lovers have somewhat come to an unspoken agreement to not be so 'in-your-face' regarding their relationship.

In the guild, the two hardly sit with each other. Sure, they come in and go together. However to a stranger, one wouldn't assume Natsu and Juvia as a couple. They also rarely go on missions together — Natsu sticks to his Team Natsu, while Juvia enjoys alternating partners between Gajeel/Lily and Lisanna. At times, she even goes on missions with Cana.

About nine years ago, Gray has committed to a four-month-long mission in Crocus. It's where he met the mother of Gem, but the relationship lasted for only two years. With a mutual decision, Gray actually gains custody of his daughter. The deciding factor is Gem's potential magical ability. The young Fullbuster girl has shown signs since her toddler years, so Gray's ex-girlfriend agreed for Gem to live with her father. It is in fact a blessing in disguise, since Gem's mother married someone else.

Some part in Natsu believes there's lingering affection the ice mage has for the water mage. Natsu will never verify it with Gray. Thus, it will forever remain an inkling. He shakes his head to rid of such thoughts.

During this contemplation, Natsu finds himself in front of a two-storey brick house. He heaves a heavy sigh, not exactly keen on seeing the owner of the house.

Natsu isn't always a jealous man. Jealousy is Juvia's expertise (Juvia's words, not Natsu's!). The funny thing is — or is that irony? — Natsu doesn't get jealous when he sees Juvia and Gray talking. Nope, at least not anymore. The brunt of his hidden jealousy is actually Juvia's best friend. It annoys him that Juvia can still openly launch herself into Gajeel's arms. At times, the water mage even holds onto Gajeel's arm when they walk side by side.

They have argued about this once. Juvia states that she sees Gajeel as more than a friend, because he is her 'brother'. Natsu understands their relationship clearly. Still, sometimes jealousy pricks at him.

And the devil himself opens the door, even before Natsu is able to knock. Gajeel welcomes the fire mage with a snort fused with a mocking grin. "I smelt ya from afar. Disgusting!"

Natsu rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "I'm touched you embedded my scent in your slow-working brain."

"You mean stink?" Gajeel steps aside. It is his silent way of giving permission for Natsu to enter. "Can you just get your wife? She's hogging Levy's attention!"

"Yeah, yeah," Natsu answers by putting his hand up. He feels for the iron dragon slayer... somewhat. In fact, Natsu shudders at a distant memory; sometime the previous year he's in the same position as Gajeel — the Redfox couple had a major fight. Just like Juvia, Levy has sought help from her friends. Juvia has readily offered their home as Levy's temporary residence. The petite bluenette actually stayed with the Dragneels for three works. Damn Gajeel and his pride!

Natsu frowns when he remembers that during those weeks, a very-pregnant Juvia slept beside an equally-pregnant Levy in the guest room. It's a sight to see two pregnant women on one bed struggling to get up. Yet, the empty space in the bed he shares with Juvia was so damn cold...

"Hey baby," he calls out as he makes his way to the living room. He inhales the scent of ocean breeze mixed with a very fresh, sweet-like-honey aroma. There, he is finally greeted with the image of beauty and serenity. "Oh how I miss my angel!" Natsu coos as he rushes towards the water mage's side. Immediately, he picks up the lovely being. "Did you miss me?" he rubs his cheeks on her rosy ones.

The water mage stands up and folds her arms. "Hmmph," she exaggerates her glare with a sound effect. Juvia tries not to smile at the image of her husband acting like a goof as he carries around Navia, their eleven-month-old daughter, their youngest — so far. When the man doesn't turn her way, Juvia repeats her 'hmmph' loudly, flares up her nose, and stomps her foot on the carpeted floor.

"Can I take Navia home? I miss her so much. I can't sleep without her," Natsu faces his wife, his left cheek still pressed against Navia's right one. The baby releases bubbled giggles much to his delight.

Juvia glares at him directly, puffing her cheeks in annoyance. "I'm not going home yet," she announces in defiance.

"Is okay. But, can Navia go with me then?"

The water mage clenches her fists at her sides, shaking in aggravated irritation. "Natsu, you jerk!" she screeches in anger. Her husband automatically covers their daughter's ear, playfully telling Juvia that no cursing around kids. Again, it further ruffles the water mage's feathers in fury.

"Hey, you two. Please no domestic disturbance in the Redfox mansion," Gajeel interrupts them, his year-old son Glen now in his arms, Levy following in tow.

"Aww, Ju-chan, you're already leaving?" pouts the petite bluenette.

"Yes!" "No!"

Both dragon slayers answer in harmony, but surprisingly it is Natsu providing the negative reply. Juvia's eyes grow wider in shock.

"What do you mean 'no'?" she questions her husband.

Natsu shrugs. "I honestly don't think I did anything wrong."

"You burnt all the peonies, hydrangeas, orchids, and sunflowers in the garden!" Juvia bellows, only barely containing herself from transforming into her Sierra state.

"Yeah, do you know how long it took Ju-chan to grow them," Levy defends her friend. When Juvia knocked on their door a day ago, tears welling in her eyes, Navia in her arms, and Happy flying above carrying a luggage, Levy knew something major went down. Apparently, Natsu, while training with Aki, decided to test if the boy can control his fire in the garden. Well, it turned out Aki still lacked the control. And Juvia's delicate-smelling flowers turned into ashes. "She wanted to make some of those as potpourri," whines Levy.

It is Gajeel who snorts. "Sorry, Shrimp and Rainwoman, but I'm with flame-breath here. The yard is a place for training. Pot-whatever shouldn't have been planted there."

Juvia glares at her best friend. She walks to Natsu and takes Navia. "Nope, you're not taking Navia. Juvia and Navia are a package deal. Where Juvia goes, the little angel goes."

Natsu slumps his shoulder, giving up on teasing his wife. "I know. I know. I'm sorry, Juv. I came here to pick you up." He raised his hand in surrender. If they don't have the homeowners for audience, Natsu would've proceeded with a romantic monologue of how sorry he is. Well, as romantic as he could get. He'll just become the 'sweet' husband to Juvia once they're inside the privacy of their bedroom.

Gajeel hoots in laughter. "Geeheehee... Flame-breath has gone weak," he cackles unstoppably. "Elfman won't call you 'man' for giving in to this Puddle!"

Natsu grits his teeth in annoyance. He imagines pummeling the iron dragon slayer right there and then, even in front of his miniscule wife. Only... Only Juvia got to Gajeel first.

The bluenette hits him on the shoulder with such great force. "Don't call Juvia's husband weak! Gajeel the jerk!"

"Yeah!" Natsu sticks out his tongue from behind Juvia. "Juv, grab your stuff. The kids are waitin' for ya!"

Juvia huffs loudly. The anger inside her is dissipating slowly. But, she still wants Gajeel to earn his comeuppance for calling her Natsu 'weak'. She turns to Levy, hugs the petite woman, and gives a mischievous grin. "Levy-chan, Gajeel-kun's the one who sat on your reading glasses. He only blamed it on Glen," she whispers, but it's loud enough for Gajeel to hear. The latter protests, gives his friend a menacing dagger-like look, and pleads with his now-angry wife.

"Nat-Nat, hurry!" Juvia hollers at her husband. "Grab the pram. Juvia's bags are inside there. Bye Levy-chan. Come by the house any time."

The Dragneels exit the Redfox house in no time. Natsu pats Gajeel on the shoulder before dashing outside. They hear Gajeel apologizing for pinning the blame on their son, while Levy castigating him. The Dragneel husband and wife giggle as they leave.

"Let's put Navia in," Natsu tells his wife, and Juvia complies. Natsu takes the handbag, hooks it on his left shoulder, and proceeds to push the pram. "I'm really sorry, Juv. I really thought it'd be funny to see if Aki burns one flower. I didn't think he'd go all out and scorch the whole garden."

Juvia sighs. Even she, herself, finds it strange that she overreacted. It isn't the first time her husband burnt some of her plants. "Juvia was tired that day. So when Juvia saw the garden blazing, her eyes became raging flames of fury," she tells him softly. "Juvia was too late to unleash her water magic."

She hooks her arm on Natsu's free shoulder. "Juvia really missed her Nat-Nat," she confesses to him, after placing a tender kiss on his cheek.

Natsu halts his step. He squats down and nudges for Juvia to get on his back. Juvia protests that it's going to be a heavy toll on him. "Hey, I ain't a weakling," Natsu asserts. "I can carry my wife, while I push my baby's stroller!" It doesn't take much long to convince Juvia. After all, Juvia loves being piggybacked by Natsu.

"How are the kids?" Juvia asks him, running her fingers through Natsu's pink — err salmon-coloured strands.

"Like usual. Aiko acting so bossy, Aki trying to act cool, and the twins complaining about hunger. I don't think you missed much," he chuckles, repositioning Juvia on his back, one hand supporting her behind; her legs are tightly wrapped around his hip bone. "They hate my cooking," he says this with emphasized sadness, as if waterfalls of tears came rushing out of his lids. "Oh, a word of warning," he gazes at Juvia from the corner of his eyes. "The house is a mess!"

"Ugh! Juvia will put those children of yours in a water lock," she exclaims with feigned furor.

"Do it to the twins specifically. They're such gluttons." With that, the couple traces the path to their own mansion in laughter, making fun of their children.

"Inside?" Natsu inquires in between heavy panting.

Juvia tightens her wrapped arms around her husband's neck. A moan escapes once more. "Ju... ahh... Juv... nggh.. on pill." Natsu understands the implication. It's too soon to take away the title of the youngest from Navia.

The fire mage creates another movement that produces a shocking vibration in her system. Somewhere between stinging sensation and ecstasy, Natsu has increased his pace. He hasn't released her from their connection, and yet Juvia reached the peak twice already. Sometimes, she is amazed at how she can match Natsu's unlimited strength and energy. She knows that Natsu uses some kind of technique to make her achieve climax multiple times, while restraining himself for the final release. So when his passion and desires fill her in, Juvia couldn't help but cry out. It is the one purpose that Natsu invested for their room to be sound-proofed.

The fire mage collapses on top of his wife. His full weight is on her, and he knows he needs to move soon. When he is about to pull away, Juvia holds on to him, whispering, "Stay in Juvia for a while." He obeys her pleading command. His hand travels up and down the side of her body, creating circular movements on the flesh that bears her guild mark. Juvia's legs are still wrapped around his hips. She still wants to stay unified with her husband.

"Stay with me always, Juv."

"Juvia cannot live without Nat-Nat."

A few more moments in silence are spent between the two, their breaths heavy. Soon, Juvia releases Natsu, and the latter disconnects from her. Rolling on his side, Natsu takes her hand — the hand that wears his flames.

"It's supposed to be your birthday gift," Natsu sheepishly admitted to the water mage. He was never a romantic guy, but he thought getting this particular item was romantic enough. But that 'fight' happened, and Natsu didn't get the chance to give it to Juvia.

No, scratch that. He decided that this specific object should be meant for a different purpose. So, he racked his 'flame brains' for the best way to present it to her. Lucy gave him some ideas — all too cheesy and cringe-worthy. (Write a poem for her and read it in front of everyone at the guild. Bring her to a top restaurant wearing some fancy suit, candlelit dinner with a hired violinist. Put her on a boat. Etcetera, etcetera!)

Nope, nothing seemed perfect and romantic — Natsu style.

So, he employed the help of Erza and Mira, both too eager and excited to assist. It took two weeks for the plan to materialize. Too much flour, cracked eggs on the floor, burnt dough, wasted sugar, and scary-ass instructors.

It was all worth it, however, when Juvia yelped in glee seeing a Juvin-cake (Erza named it!). It was Natsu who measured the ingredients, mixed and whipped the dough, and placed inside the oven. Erza helped with sample-tasting (the Titania bully acted like a war commander during the baking sessions), and Mirajane did the decoration.

The cake was shaped and formed like a mini-Juvia. Mirajane was able to perfect the decoration using fondant. Juvia peered closely when she noticed something. On the Juvin-cake's left hand, some flames were protruding. No, it was a ring. A ring that encases a flame-like design. No, it's not a design. It was indeed flames.

Juvia grabbed the ring, as she was reminded of the heirloom she searched for during a mission. Sitting on the white gold band was a water droplet-shaped glass. Inside was a flickering flame so reminiscent of the one Natsu produces.

"N-N-N-Na-Nat-tsu-s-san?" she stuttered asking.

Natsu knelt in front of her, grabbed the ring, and wiped it on his scarf. "Juvia, spend your lifetime with me," his voice was soft and calm, but his eyes gave a look of pleading and asking.

Juvia brought her hands to her face as tears started streaming down her face. Natsu slipped in the ring and placed a kiss on it. Juvia knelt down, catching Natsu by surprise. "Natsu, please spend your lifetime with Juvia," was the answer she gave him.

In the middle of the park where they first kissed, overlooking a creek, the two are engulfed in a fiery session. Their lips molding as one with their tongues intertwined. Juvia would always tease Natsu for shedding a few tears during that heated moment, while Natsu argued it was Juvia's tears on his cheeks.

Either way, in that very moment, a vow has been put in place. Although it isn't very fairy tale-esque, where the maiden went through a magical courtship with the knight, it is an epic story that Juvia loved to relive. Each moment has been magical for them ever since.

"Hey Juv," Natsu sits up, a cute scowl etched on his face. He turns to his wife who is nearing la-la land. Juvia hums in reply, looking at him through half-lidded eyes. "How come we never achieve a unison raid?"

Her response? Natsu is roughly pulled down, his lips invaded with his wife's soft ones. "Cause every time we tried to do it," Juvia mutters, resting her head on his bare chest. "Juvia ends up getting pregnant."

"Oh."

THE END

A/N:
Aiko = love child
Aki = autumn
I cheated with their youngest (so far, gihihi) daughter by using the ship's name.

Special thanks to the following: JacobStoneclaw, Karlos1234ify, SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan, endingsarenotalwaysbad, Angelina1993, Dark Gothic Lolita, pizzajon, Natsu is Awesome, Laudi14, Guest426, GioM. Meow, DarkHyena, SakuraPetal91, Myrolerian, Hipster Bunny 007, freowin, Fancyunicorn, melneh, Ark19, KeiZiahKnight. 1886, animegamernerd15, LordDeuce, ArtanisRose, Snoopy A, No Vigilance, myafroatemydog, Lollipoplozzy, Steam Powered Crow, DeltaInsigna, Godzilla327, Prenumbra, purplesparkz02, NeonElement, samuel. felixs, rosaji, sanime04, justaguy35, Celine-nee-sama, Raphiix3, Gunreal, QuirkyyMist, 'Please domt', NaLishipper8, purpleswordsman, NaruHinaSecretLovers16, apitatoor, Pravus Prime, TheAwzumPrussia, Anyhow, random things, percy zoe and artemis fan, Jalis, HateOnMe73, Phoenixking9742, Kript, MineEngineer, and to all the guest reviewers, followers and readers!

It is indeed a pleasure to write this story. It feels bittersweet to let it go. I'm a sucker for happy-family endings, so I chose this route. I could've gone for a more 'artistic' with a cliffhanger, audience-supply-their-ending type, but for my first Navia fic, I want a happy family for this crack pairing. I might not respond to reviewers when I put up the chapter, but I'm truly thankful to those who spare a minute or two to write feedback.

Lastly, I have another NaVia fic in the works (in fact, first chapter's already completed, just fine tuning it). It is romance but with some angst and fantasy mixture — set in an AU-Fairy Tale timeline with some Japanese feudal era vibe, entitled TRACE ELEMENTS.

So, I'd highly appreciate it if you all will check it out once posted.

Once again, thank you sincerely for the support for Feeling of Flames.

m (_ _) m