Natsu grinned devilishly, pushing hair from his face in one rushed movement. Green eyes were locked on his target and though it was tiny, the little shit was fast.

Natsu stared a moment longer, eyeing the sword his target held. Could Natsu capture him unscathed?

There was only one way to find out. He shot forward, vaulting himself over the couch with one hand. When his bare feet hit the floor, the room shook.

He roared before he started forward again.

There was a scream of terror from the tiny creature before it took off running, winding its way through a maze of rooms. Natsu was getting closer, gaining ground with every step. He rounded a corner, arms stretching, hands reaching. He managed to grab a handful of fabric and the thing was forced to stop.

He twisted it around in his arms, words of victory on his tongue.

But, he had forgotten about the sword. It pierced his chest and Natsu stared with wide eyes. Surely this tiny thing couldn't kill him. That was impossible.

His body slumped, his legs no longer able to support his weight. He fell to his knees, sending tingles up his thighs. The creature giggled in delight, then yanked the sword from his chest.

Natsu fell face first, slain.

"I win!" The thing screeched, dancing in place.

Brown eyes stared at the felled beast, almost as if he were waiting. He tapped its head with his sword, frowning when it still didn't move.

He crouched down and used his thumb to lift up one of the eye lids. A green eye stared back at him, unseeing. Until it suddenly shot towards him, arms reaching for him in the same moment.

"You thought you could slay a mighty fire dragon?" Natsu bellowed, capturing the creature in his arms. There was no way he could escape now.

The thing screeched again, wiggling in his arms like a worm.

"Daddy, that's cheating!" Aiden pouted, staring up at Natsu with the same eyes as his mother.

Natsu lightened his hold and then there was a knock at the front door. Aiden ripped himself from his arms, darting to the door.

Natsu shot after him, releasing a growl of irritation. "Don't you dare open that door, Aiden!"

He and Lucy were trying to teach him the importance of stranger danger, but the kid just didn't get it.

"But, it's grandpa!" Aiden yelled over his shoulder, his hand reaching for the knob. Natsu slapped a palm against the door, preventing him from opening it.

"You don't know that for sure. That's why we look."

Aiden huffed in annoyance and shoved the curtain away from the sidelight, peeking out. Natsu took a look as well, just to be sure.

"See? It is him."

"Go ahead, then." Natsu moved his hand and Aiden yanked open the door and latched his arms and legs around Igneel's leg, his butt settled right on his grandfather's foot.

Natsu snickered.

Igneel worked his way inside and that's when Aiden caught sight of the gift in his hand.

"Is that for me?" His eyes were glued to it, even as Igneel set it on the dining room table.

"Yeah, but not until later, kid."

The rest of them arrived a few minutes later and Natsu could swear that Aiden's eyes widened with each gift he saw. His birthday wasn't until Tuesday, but with everyone working, it was easier to have his party the Saturday before.

When Gajeel walked through the door with four, Natsu shot Levy a look. She shook her head, pointing in Gajeel's direction.

"It was all him." She blamed. Natsu didn't doubt it. Gajeel was notorious for spoiling everyone.

She ushered Seb through the doorway, ruffling a hand through his blue hair, the only thing he'd acquired from his mother other than her cleverness. The messy hair, red eyes and stern look to him were entirely Gajeel.

He muttered a greeting before he caught sight of the rest of the kids and then he was all smiles. He glanced up at Levy for approval and when she nodded, he vanished.

Sebastian was only a few months younger than Aiden and the two were best friends. Seb was followed pretty closely by Ava, Erza's daughter. She was an exact replica of the redhead, which Jellal liked to say was for the best.

Ava's parents were sitting on the same couch he had launched himself over only an hour earlier. Erza was listening to Lucy talk. His wife was flailing her hands wildly, her long hair pulled up and away from her face and he couldn't fathom what sort of story she was telling them.

He watched her toss her head back and laugh, the sound bringing a grin to his own face. Mavis, she was beautiful. Lucy glanced over at him and smiled ever so slightly. A smile reserved just for him. Aiden came and sat on her lap, begging to open presents and Natsu stared at his tiny family.

No, he thought, that wasn't right. They were all his family, blood or not. Even the tiny bean growing inside Juvia.

Igneel came and threw an arm over his shoulder and stood for a moment, watching in the same way Natsu had been.

"You did good, kid." He said, voicing Natsu's own thoughts.

Natsu nodded. He couldn't ask for a better family if he tried.

And while Aiden was opening gifts, he wound his arms around Lucy from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"I want more, Luce. At least 32."

She giggled, placing her hand on his arm. "You'll have to settle with one more for right now."

He grunted.

Then stood straight.

She raised a brow in his direction before handing Aiden his next present. She could feel his eyes on her back as Aiden opened it. It was a stuffed red dragon from Gajeel that she knew he would love.

"What do you mean for right now?"

"What do you think I meant?"

Then he was back in her ear and she could tell he'd figured it out. "Okay, but that leaves 31 more, you know."

"Of course."