"R-right there!"

"Here?"

"Yes! Just keep right there! That feels nice..."

Sting firmly massaged my shoulders. He was nice enough to help my discomfort. His fingers were gentle and treating my joints tenderly. I felt the pops and aches of my muscles and bones and then the satisfaction of not being in discomfort.

"Maybe when Yukino gets back, she could have that maid lady come out and help you." Sting pauses his massages and suddenly steps away.

"Eh? Virgo? Seeing her again would be nice, " I tapped my chin with my index finger. "Where'd Yukino go, anyway?"

"Oh, uh, " Sting became lost on what to say.

Rogue, sitting on the recliner he says, "Lahar and Dorinbolt kept her for more questioning about those guys who attacked you. She should be back any minute or should be back in the next hour."

"Again? This is like the fifth time this week." I avert my attention to my toes or try to peek at them. My bulging belly was bigger than life, it felt. I was only five—going on six—months.

Over the weeks, I had been on heavy lockdown by Sting and Rogue, with the extra (unwilling) help of Cobra and Midnight. They didn't want another scare, especially since, and I quote, "I could drop the calf right now if stressed." My first thought on that was they had intentionally called me a cow. I guess being under unofficial house arrest had its perks. I had these guys tied around my fingers, or so I like to think so.

Despite him denying it when mentioned, Cobra tried to keep in earshot at all times. I don't know if it was because of being pregnant made him itchy and protective, or if it was him being a dragon slayer and there was some mythical force going on. Does that also work for artificial dragon slayers?

"Can you blame them? They want every last detail. Even to the sound of their voices, " Midnight spoke up from his place in the air. Yes, I said air. He was levitating. Lucy approved levitating! "It's strange they haven't come scampering to you."

"Why's that?" I look at the ex-convict.

"Cuz you know more, wouldn't you?"

I shrug. "I'm more concerned about not breaking my spine when I walk."

Knocks on the doors shrills through the apartment. It caused a jolt within me. We weren't expecting any visitors and Yukino would either walk right in or use the key I lent her for emergencies.

"It's the old man, " Cobra suddenly appears, emerging from the bathroom with a casually bored expression. "And the cat."

Oh, right! Speaking of Happy, I had him fly to the produce market and get me some fresh strawberries. I've been wanting them for a while now.

Sting goes to the door, opening it with a greeting, "Yo!"

"Good afternoon, young man, " Makarov responded. "Have you been doing alright?"

"Oh, you know, keepn' a lookout for any prowlers!" Sting grins with a dramatic frantic 'prowler search'.

Makarov laughs halfheartedly. "That's what I like to hear."

"Lushie!" Happy soars toward me with a paper bag. "I got you the best ones I could find!"

"A-ah...thank you, Happy!" I smile as the blue-furred cat perched himself on my head. I open the bag and the stench of fish wafts into my nose. I pull back with disgust and as quick as I smell the rancid smell, I feel like I may blow chunks. "Oh, Happy! You got fish!"

"Did I? Oh, I guess you're gonna have to give them to me, then!" Happy seemed a little too enthusiastic about this.

"Ugh, fine! Don't get any scales or guts on me!" I grumpily hand the bag to the cat. I really wanted nice juicy strawberries...

"Oh my! What happened to you, child?" Makarov walks toward me, his eyes glued to my baby bump. "You're...you're--"

"More visibly pregnant? Yes, yes I am." I cross my arms over my chest dejectedly, pouting.

"H-how did this--?"

Did I not tell him? I'm pretty sure I did...maybe he forgot?

"Well, the thing is...those guys sped up my pregnancy, " I say, inwardly pouting because there goes my February baby..."It was the attack I told you about, remember?"

"I don't think I caught on..." Makarov trailed off before smiling, "I take it you are doing well? These men haven't been giving ya any problems, have they?" He eyed Midnight and Cobra.

I chuckle, "N-not really...I guess you can say our roles reversed somehow..." Makarov raised his eyebrows. "I-I say it because I feel like they're babysitting me!"

"Oh." Makarov barked out a laugh. "I don't think I'd have any different, child."

He pulls his tiny body onto the love seat. Adjusting his body, he smooths his clothes out and makes himself as comfortable as he can be. Any emotion that he had or held suddenly vanished from his aging face.

"Child, I..." He stopped himself before he could get his words out. "I...I think it's time for you to return to Fairy Tail."

"What?"

I couldn't feel myself say it. I couldn't feel anything, really. My ears droned out with stun. Go back? No. No. No, I couldn't...could I? I haven't seen my friends in months! What would they even think of me now? About the baby? They'd turn me away! I don't even want to know what Erza would do when she finds out the baby's father! And then there is Levy and Mira and Wendy and Lisanna--oh, god. Lisanna! I hadn't even thought of Lisanna! She would be broken! She is completely gonna flip her shit when she finds out—

"Oi! You're givin' me a headache, Blondie!" Cobra snaps me from my internal panic.

I finally come back into reality, my heart racing a million miles a second. "M-Makarov...I-I ca-can't!"

"Why not?"

"Be-be-because! Because, because I can't!"

Makarov frowns at me. "I understand your mindset, Child. Listen to me, yes? Your friends have been wondering about your whereabouts. Just recently, Lisanna has become struck with worry. I do think it's time to make an appearance at the guildhall. At least give them some form of tranquility, but I won't force you into something you don't want to do."

I stay silent, biting the inside of my bottom lip. I ponder about what I should do and if it would be a good idea or not? I couldn't seem to get past the fact that he roamed amuck within Fairy Tail. I think if it weren't for me being so...so...so terrified of what would happen if I did show up out of the blue...would he be there waiting with a devilish smirk, fists on fire. Glowering at me with red eyes. His smirk suddenly disappears and transitions into a loathing sneer. So full of hate and choler. He's standing there as he shouts at me, "You ruined everything!" And then, he attacks me.

I flinch out of my cursed imagination.

"Are you alright, Lucy?" Makarov asks me with his blue eyes latched onto my face. "You're awfully pale."

I wave dismissively at him, "I'll be fine..."

"You're not." Cobra's face was hard and stone cold. "You're terrified."

I shake my head. "You're right. I'm terrified, Cobra, but I can't hide forever, " I turn to Makarov. "When do we leave?"

My heart thudded roughly against my chest at my words. I knew once we left, I wouldn't be able to back out. I didn't think I would have gone back until my pregnancy ended. My courage quickly deflates even more.

What would they think of me now that I'm pregnant? Would they treat me any differently? Or would they still treat me as the same old Lucy they've always known and loved? How would they react? Good or bad? Oh, there's no doubt! It's gonna be bad! It's gonna be really, really, really bad!

"Oi! Stop panicking for Kami's sake! Shut your thoughts up!" Cobra growled rubbing his temples tenderly.

Oh. Right. He can hear me...I can't help but worry so much. I shake my head to keep myself from returning to very negative thoughts again.

"S-sorry..." I pull away from his gleaming eye and back to Makarov. "I'm sorry, Makarov, I just don't if I'm ready to go back or not. I just don't want to clash with him—"

"I've already thought ahead of you, dear, " Makarov interrupted me almost gently. "I'll merely send the boy away on a false mission. Only him, of course."

I gape at the old man, "To where, if I may ask?"

"Blue Pegasus. Master Bob has been on my tail for weeks to send some of my men over to him to help attract customers or something."

I slap my fingers over my mouth, giggling aloud. Dealing with Master Bob was like dealing with an old man who had severe ADHD plus a neverending session of energy. I would almost feel bad for him, but I remind myself of what he's done to me, and then all those feelings are gone.

"Seems like torture, " I grin, but all grinning was lost feeling the acute pain in my liver. "Ah, shit!" I lurch forward, catapulting Happy across the living room. I wince, hissing in pain as I hold the sides of my stomach.

"You alright?" Sting asks.

"No."

"Need some ice?"

"No!" I grunt, rubbing my side even though my pain is internal.

"I remember when my wife was pregnant, " Makarov said as he hopped from his spot on the couch and waddled over to me. "The best advice I can give you is your child is going to be a ball of energetic life." He places his hand on my stomach, giving a comforting rub, and just like magic, my baby has suddenly calmed.

"Thanks for the advice, but I think this is enough energy." I point to my belly in exaggeration.

Laughing, Makarov pats my arm. "Oh, I've missed having you around."

"So, " Midnight sassily began. "When do mentally prepare ourselves for uncertain death?" He played with his nails, his eyes trained only on his fingers, flickering toward Makarov for a split second.

"You young men don't have to worry about uncertain death. I will confirm you're Lucy's guests and shall be treated with the appropriate respect."

"Like, that makes everything so much better!" Midnight clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"Hey! You're gonna be with me, so no one's gonna touch you!" I try to reassure the gothic man.

"Keh."

I snap my attention to Cobra, "Wanna say something, Cobra?"

"Get outta here! I don't wanna be infected by your gross positive energy!" Cobra barked at us.

We all (except Cobra and Midnight) laugh in amusement. They did not find it so funny.

"Anywho, just come by Thursday, " Makarov turns to me, fishing some tickets from his pocket. "I've taken the liberty of paying ahead for your travels. By noon, you should be in Magnolia. I will be waiting for you at 8Island."

I take the tickets. "Thank you, Makarov." I embrace him. It takes a few seconds, but he hugs me back.

It felt nice to be near my grandfather-figure again. His warmth and kindness make me feel safe and protected. I'm saying that because he's one of the Ten Wizard Saints.

"No need to thank me, Child, " We pull away from each other. "Just do me a favor and stay safe," He abruptly looks at the four men. "I trust you four will protect her while I'm away." He held an intimidating expression.

Sting sweats profusely, Rogue merely nods as sweat trickles down his temple, Cobra folds his arms over his chest and sharply glares at the wall and Midnight merely shrugs, uninterested, or so it seemed.

"Since things have been cleared up here, " Makarov looks at me. "I shall take my leave. I don't want the others to grow suspicious."

"You're in Crocus, hours away from Magnolia! Of course, they're not gonna be suspicious." Cobra says rather sarcastically.

Makarov laughs his words off. "Indeed they will be, young man."

"Bye, Makarov! See you Thursday!" I say my farewell as he exits my apartment.

It became silent again. Like one of those awkward silences, you can't seem to shake away until some extraordinary happens.

The silence could have lasted longer than a good few minutes. Slamming open, Yukino makes her appearance with a grimace of how hard she opened the door.

"Wh-whoops..." She peered behind the door and at the wall, which now has the indention of the doorknob. The wall was cracked and white from the plaster. "I-I'll pay for that!" She giddily shuts the door.

"Yukino! You're back!" Lector and Frosch make their appearance, both flying from the hallway. Probably from my bedroom, where they had been napping, I think. The Exceeds crash into her, hugging her as if she'd leave again.

"Yes, I'm back! And I've got good news!" Yukino says beaming my way.

"What's the news?" I ask, heaving myself from the seat I sat on. I hold my belly as if it were glass.

"Well, it's more of good news for you, " Yukino hurries to me, a hand patting against my pregnant self. "The Council will no longer be questioning me nor will they be questioning you. Lahar and Dorinbolt decided they were undergoing a deep investigation with the people who attacked you."

That is good news...I think.

"Also, " Yukino crushed me in a side hug. "I got Cora to arrange an ultrasound with you! I filled her in on what happened, but I left the attackers of the conversation. So, she thinks this is a random act of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or so she rambled." The white-haired woman looked at me with doe eyes. "Is that okay with you?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. That's perfectly fine with me, but uh, " I clear my throat. "When is this?"

"I didn't know what you were planning, so, I set it up for tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yep! She said she can see you as early as you can be!"

Oof. I guess that makes everything easier? I hadn't even thought of going to the clinic again. My mind has been serving on and off track so much lately, I haven't been thinking of making appointments and whatnot.

"You could be a midwife, Yukino! You've got everything on spot!" I joked, but my chuckles were silenced when I see the serious expression painting Yukino's face.

"That's a wonderful idea, Lucy!" She beamed.

Was she...was she...sparkling?

"Uh, um! Yukino, I was kidding! I'm not gonna do home birth—" I hurry to put her ideas off.

"I'll ask Cora about the requirements of the training when we see her tomorrow!" Yukino giggled ecstatically.

Oh, dear...what have I gotten myself into?