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In the vast town of Magnolia, people come and go, browsing through various booths. Some produce stands, and some are just trying to pawn off items for a pretty penny. It was nice outside, really, and it's being nice, children came out to play. I watch the children of all sizes, tall, short, skinny, chubby, white, black, and even a strange pink-toned child play ball out in the street.

The nervousness inside never ceased to stop blossoming with incredible anxious heat. Flaming, it burned my veins. I'd been thinking about Fairy Tail, well, after the fact of getting over the train incident. I had established the uniqueness of power-tapping, surviving a hostage situation (in which the weird heist trio had escaped with nothing, according to authorities), and not getting whacked by Porlyusica's trusty broom.

After reaching the city, we had decided to fill our bellies at a restaurant which name I can't pronounce correctly. Apparently, it was a four-star, but it wasn't fancy at all, not that I care about the fanciness. I sit here, thinking we're only a step (metaphorically) away from reuniting with old friends. They aren't old, well, I mean except for Macao and Wakaba, but I wasn't really close with them. I couldn't bring myself to face them before Makarov arranged my return (with my permission, of course) and it's nearly tearing me apart inside just thinking about what'll happen when I do arrive.

I was anything but ready. It's too soon, I felt. They've gone months without knowing where I was and if I was okay or not. With no letters or words from me, they've probably forgotten about me already. Part of me wishes that I hadn't left at all, and the other part is still crying in fear, shaking, rocking back and forth, wanting to die in isolation.

My heart was racing so fast, I thought it'd pop right out of my chest. The blood rushed to my ears, pulsating and throbbing. And even though Makarov was right beside me, guaranteeing his full support and protection, I wanted to hightail it out of Magnolia.

I mean, how will my friends react? Not only toward the men in my care, but to my baby? I can see them warming up to the baby part. . . the criminals latched to my back, not so much. I wring the hem of my maternity shirt anxiously.

How will I even approach them? The shirt I'm wearing doesn't exactly hide my bulging baby bump, even if it's not that big, it's still as noticeable as a drop of ink on a blank canvas. It's very stressful to devise what I'd say or do as the questions will be shot at me, left and right. "I left because I was scared you would reject me and my very unplanned pregnancy, sorry for disappearing! I hope we can still be friends!" Yeah, that'd never work.

"Oi, could ya stop givin' me a headache?" Cobra rumbled from across the booth. His only eye is trained on me, glowering to indicate his annoyance.

"Sorry. . ." I mumble, flickering my sight toward the window again. I didn't feel a single tweak of remorse for him, at all. I knew he knew that. He and Midnight were probably as on edge as I am.

"Fortunately for you, they won't attack you."

I chuckle softly. I guess that's true. My insignia adorned the back of my right hand. It was like my life's adventure had finally begun. My lips fall into a small frown. Did my adventure truly end here? This baby has put a huge kink into my life, not just for me, but for Makarov, Happy, Cobra, and Midnight. There are numerous people affected by what had happened to me, and they don't even know it.

And most members of Fairy Tail would probably deny it because they know him so well. Older members would scoff in my face, telling me they watched Natsu grow up into a powerful, dedicated, compassionate wizard. My flesh shudders as I realize I was doing it again.

A child in the street, possibly only several months to a year old, trudges his waddle after the older kids, a big, slobbery giant, showing off his pink, toothless gums. I watch as his tiny shoe snags on an even cobblestone and he tumbles downward. I grimace as the boy faceplants into the road. Ouch. The second after the fall, a woman with wild orange hair quickly rushed to the crying baby. She scoops him up carefully, smushing him to her bosom, kissing his forehead and checking over him for any injuries. A smile crept upon my lips.

I wonder what it'll be like when I comfort my own child?

"Did we miss anything?" Makarov's tears my attention away from the heartwarming scene.

"I don't think so?" I say, eyebrows knitting together.

"Lushie, I brought you a fishie!" Happy swoops in, landing on the table surface in front of me, holding a plush fish. It was nearly the size of Happy himself. Its scales were an indigo color, as well as the entire body. I blink at it before realizing it was nothing more than a toy.

I smile warmly at the cat, "Aw! Thank you, Happy! You shouldn't have."

Makarov laughs, "You should be proud! He tried to eat it after he won it."

I giggle, patting Happy's head. Warmth filled me. Happy really was a sweet kitty. I was just about to gush about his sweetness when a body plops on the outside seat next to me.

"Ugh! Can this place be any more boring?" Midnight grumbled out aloud.

"It won't be boring for too long now, " Makarov said climbed onto the seat. "Our food should be arriving soon. We'll head toward the guild after eating."

"Gre-eat." Midnight sarcastically rolled his tongue, dragging the word.

I elbow him. "Lighten up, will you?"

"Can you?" Cobra chirps my way.

"Eh?" I regret even talking. I bite my tongue, feeling the wave of unrested emotions washed over me like a tsunami. "I. . .it's different for me! I've got a reason to be nervous!"

"Yeah, us too." Midnight remarks.

Gr! Stop coming back with comebacks that overwhelm my comebacks! I resist the strong urge to bang my head on the table.

"Right. Sorry."

"I know it's rather unnerving for the three of you, " Makarov begins, glancing between us. "It will be all right. Once we arrive, I will explain the situation, only briefly, though."

"But what about the baby?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Hm? It is your choice to tell the tale, child. Although I have a strong feeling you will be welcomed warmly. . .while being surrounded by questions."

"I figured that."

The Fairy Tail Guild

I gape at the glorious building in astonishment. The smile blooms on my face and I couldn't stop it. Heart pounding, I truly felt like I was seeing Fairy Tail for the first time all over again. I hold Happy in my arms, anxiously as if he'd disappear.

"L-Lushie. . . I can't breathe!" Happy gasps out.

"O-oh! I'm sorry, Happy, " I loosen my grip on the cat.

" S'ok!"

Makarov bounces in front of us with a large, playful smile. "Now, remember: my children can smell fear."

Huh? What the hell?

Not allowing us to respond to that off-handed comment, Makarov swiftly turns to the doors.

"Makarov. . .what—" I didn't get a chance to stop him.

The doors open and suddenly we were here. The aroma of beer, food, and. . .well, mothballs washes over us like rain.

"It stinks." Cobra grunts under his breath.

"Smells like cheap booze." Midnight chimes in on the 'I smell with my nose' game.

"It's always smelled like this. . .although, it has been a while since I've been in here. Smells can change." I cautiously glance around the guild.

The tables weren't full of people, they were scattered about and yes, there was a maximum amount of chatter, which I think Cobra is suffering from. We receive a few curious glances, but other than that, not much activity.

Everything was still as we reach the bar. It was suddenly eerie. I couldn't tell if Cobra and Midnight had tensed up or if the guild members around had realized who they were.

"Sit! Sit! Please, be our guests!" Makarov hopped onto the countertop, sitting on the bar surface.

I deadpan at his carelessness. "O-Okay. . ."

Just as I go to sit on the stool, which it became uncomfortable for me because the bar's edge dug slightly into my belly, which didn't boat well for the child inside. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from the hissing out from the mean kick. Ouch. Yep. This kid is gonna be a soccer player one of these days.

"Hey, Mira could ya get us some booze?" Makarov called into the back, receiving a muffled reply.

I freeze hearing the name. Oh, shoot! Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!

"Oh, bring water or tea!"

From somewhere behind, I could hear the guild doors open again. I tense up completely when I hear the familiar voices of my friends. The friends that I have missed so much. My eyes grow hot with tears threatening to spill over.

"You did a wonderful job, Wendy. I'm proud of you!"

Clench. Erza's stern, yet soft voice seeps into my ears like a silent melody long forgotten.

"I-I didn't do much! You did most of the work!" Wendy's shy and timid voice stutters out bashfully as she's complimented.

"Erza's right, Wendy, " Gray's voice chilled the air. "You're improving."

"Hm? What is it, Wendy?"

I don't know how I could, but I could hear the light sniffing. Cobra tenses up next to me as if knowing the Dragon Slayer probably recognized his scent.

"I'm n-not sure. . ." the young girl answered back shyly.

"Oh? Back are you? That job was supposed to take all day!" Makarov greets the team with a grin.

"I guess our team effort helped finish it faster!" I could hear Wendy trot up behind us.

"Indeed it has, " Erza's armor clanked as she grew closer. "Hm?"

I couldn't help it one bit. I really, really couldn't. My hormones take over and I'm glancing over my shoulder to look at my friends.

Erza stared directly at me. Her red fringe hides her right eye still. Her mouth becomes agape and suddenly her brown eyes become as wide as saucers. I could see the tears just brim her eye.

"L-LUCY?!"