The rambunctious Fairy Tail couldn't have been louder, I had originally thought. But, when Erza called my name as she met my gaze, it was like an army began to cry. Every soldier yelling at the same time. I couldn't count the familiar faces of my friends as they lunged themselves at me.

Wendy, Erza, Gray, Levy, Mira, Cana.

There were more, but I focused mainly on my closest peoples. I had questions being thrown at me every second and their voices began to sound like gibberish. Maybe I should have brought earplugs? I should've brought some for Cobra since he's probably getting the worse of the loudness. I glance at him only to see his face all scrunched up in mixed emotions, but the one emotion I could see clearly was the pain. Biting my lip, I look behind me again.

"Wha—wait, hold on—" I twist around in my chair, trying to break through the crowd and their questions, but it was like my voice was drowned out.

"SILENCE!" Makarov disperses the crowd with his shout.

The mages back up in their muttering silence. It was either the shout was sudden or the respect/fear of the guild master showed its colors.

The old man next to me gave a satisfied nod. I mouth a "Thank you, " at Makarov with a small smile before hearing Erza reapproach from behind.

"Where were you, Lucy? We've been worried sick! Please tell me you were safe during your absence!"

It's now or never. . .I breathe out anxiously. I get up from the stool. I face my friends with trembling limbs, "I'm sorry that I worried you guys. I've had a lot going on, " I indicate the ' a lot' by rubbing my belly. "I hope you forgive me. . ." I avert my attention to the floor in guilt.

"Yo-you. . ." Erza stammered in shock, her eyes trained on my abdomen. "A. . .a b-b-b-baby?!"

~!

An hour tops.

That's probably how long it took for everyone to settle down again, I mean, they were still on edge, but they definitely calmed. Well, after they discovered Midnight and Cobra next to me, it was like another uproar.

Makarov deemed the men under my protection and briefly explained their situation. The petition and the council's decision, much to Erza's protective dismay.

My friends surround me once again. They talked to me, asking questions and trying to catch up. It really felt like I hadn't left. . .my heart clenched tightly. This felt—it felt really nice. I was engulfed in warmth and loved again.

I tried to answer their individual questions, but some questions I. . .I couldn't answer. Not because they were difficult, but because they were the "I-don't-know-how-to-answer-that" kind of questions.

"And to think!" Mira began sliding me my old usual strawberry milkshake toward. "And here I thought you were sick! I mean, you probably were, but you know."

I nod at the white-haired barmaid's words. "It definitely hasn't been a walk in the park." I hum musingly. I take the chilled glass and latch my mouth onto the straw.

"What I find incredulous, " Erza firmly began. "Is why they would drop felons onto you whilst in such a fragile condition."

I jump. "Th-they didn't know, Erza!" I make eye contact with the redhead. "When I found out I was pregnant, I didn't want anyone knowing. That's why I. . .we packed up and left."

"But, you could've come to us, we would've helped you, " little Wendy speaks up, her wide eyes trained on me almost tearfully. "We're your friends, aren't we?"

"Yes, yes, you guys are my friends!" I sharply burst. I get the concerned glances and stares. I sigh deeply. "It. . .It's really complicated right now. There's a lot more behind this than I would like to admit. You've just got to trust me and know that I've got it under control."

"Yet you didn't trust us enough to come to us." Gray bitterly slipped out.

Ba-dump. I knew deep down they all were hurt and confused. I can't just tell them what was going on. I didn't expect them to understand nor do I expect them to forgive me for months of absence.

"Oi, give Blondie a break." My ears perk up as Cobra suddenly speaks against my friends. "She's dealt with a lot of shit. She doesn't need any shit from you or anyone else."

"What'd you say—" Gray goes to bite back.

"Gray, enough." Erza steps in, holding up her armored left hand in the air to silence the ice mage. "You may not agree with him, but he is right."

"So. . .Lucy, " I perk up at Mira's chirpy voice. "How many months are you?"

Ah. Heat surged through me. That was an excellent question! I wish I knew exactly. I was what? Like going on my second trimester when that cult used that spell on me. . .so, would I be three or five? My brain throbbed in mild confusion just by thinking about it.

"Does it matter?" Levy plopped on the bench next to me. "I mean, it does matter, but what I would love to know is the gender!"

Son of a—! Why me?!

That certainly brightened the mood and earned a lot of agreement through my friends. Well, shit.

"W-well, I-I. . ." I stammer poorly before inhaling a large breath. "I don't know, honestly. I mean, I had the chance to know, but I refused."

"What? Why?" Mira and the others were genuinely puzzled.

"I-I don't know. I guess I wanted to be surprised, you know? But, if it makes you happy, I have sonogram photos."

Mira squealed loudly. "Where are they?"

"In my bag."

The second the sonogram photos were out, being flashed around by my friends. The sounds of astonishment echoed throughout the guildhall.

"Oh my! So cute!" Mira gushed with a giant smile.

"Indeed." Erza agreed.

"Do you have names picked out yet?" Levy's question kind of threw me off.

I didn't have names. I wasn't busy to not work on brainstorming. I haven't thought about names. Now that the subject has been brought to the light of my attention, I probably should start. My focus had been snagged by everything that has been happening around me, that I haven't gotten to pick names for my baby.

"Hmm. . ." I hummed while twiddling my thumbs on the tabletop. "I. . .I guess if the baby is a boy, I'd name him Lukus, or Luke. Luke Jude Heartifilia, in honor of my father."

"Why, that's an unusual name. You don't see very many Luke's today." Mira nodded almost in approval. "I think it's wonderful, Lucy."

"And if it's a girl?" Wendy piped up.

I smile warmly at her. "If it's a girl, then, I think I'll name her Nashi. Nashi Layla Heartfilia, also in honor of my mother. Besides, I've always wanted a daughter named Nashi. It's quite a pretty name, yeah?" I caress my belly lovingly.

"I agree. I take it the children will take your name? What about the father?" Erza inquired.

The father? "Oh, um. . .what about the father?" I chuckle nervously feeling the cold chill of my anxiety creep up within my spine.

Erza and Mira seemed to share identical expressions, their eyes focused on one person. No, no. It's wasn't me. O-oh no. Cobra was their victim.

"Your charge seems rather clingy, Lucy. " Mira began darkly.

"Indeed." Erza glowered just as darkly as the eldest Strauss.

Don't tell me. . .do they think Cobra is the father? I erupt into a giant blush that stained from my neck and up.

"The fuck you two flies talkin' 'bout?!" Cobra growled. He, too, was just as red as I was.

"Wha—Whoa! Erza! Mira!" I immediately, or as fast as I could, I jump to my feet. "Cobra's not the father! Trust me!"

"Then is it the loitering goth guy?"

"I'm not loitering!" Midnight shouts his defense from the bar.

"That's good news I suppose, " Mira's blue eyes still lingered at Cobra. "Then if it's not rude of me to ask, who is the father?"

"O-oh, um, nature calls!" I stammer, untangling from the table.

"But, you haven't—!"

"Sorry, but I'll be right back!" I hurry away from the table and toward the back halls. I didn't really have to use the restroom. I just had to get away, which seems to be my answer for every hard and unbearable question. Escape from it all.

I didn't want my friends doubting me any more than they were. The last thing I need from them is the neglect and anger of pointing fingers. Nor did I want to be humiliated in front of my family. It's not their fault and it's not mine, either. I guess the only person I can blame is. . .

"Oof!" I clash into someone.

"Lisanna?!"