6 Chapter 6

Lucy's POV

I felt so sleepy and honestly it was getting hard to concentrate on the wedding details. I mean even with my background with the aristocrats I didn't see a reason to care if the napkins were white or ivory. I'm sure paper towels would work just fine! This is how I knew it was time to go home. I'm the bride if I don't care then who should?

I yawned out perhaps a little too loud. I see Natsu smile and pull me in for a kiss before picking me up bridal style. I was starting to doze off so I only really heard the part about them coming over around 4 tomorrow. I smile as Natsu carries me home the slight sway of his walk rocking me. I snuggle my face into his neck as I fall asleep in his arms.

When I woke up I was securely wrapped in Natsu's arms. His head was on my shoulder his lips parted slightly as he let out soft snores I could feel his chest moving in time to his breathing. I smile, his features were so soft as he lay there holding me tight. I noticed for the first time that I was actually wearing pajamas for once. It was just a light pink nighty that just barely covered my bottom but I was wearing them. I pull Natsu closer and snuggle into his soft pink hair. I feel him adjust as well pulling me closer as I drift back off into a deeper sleep.

Natsu's POV

I woke up to an unpleasant squealing sound, I jumped up and used myself to cover Lucy in case it was some kind of attack one of my hands covering her stomach. My eyes were searching for the source of the noise when I realized it was Mira she was standing in the doorway to our bedroom with Levy and Grey behind her.

"What the hell?" I whisper yelled at them; somehow Lucy slept through that racket and I was not about to wake her. "What the hell are you doing here your not supposed to be here until this afternoon?"

"Flamebrain it is 4 pm how long did you guys stay up?" Grey's face was flushed and he was looking away.

I looked down remembering I had actually put pajamas on both me and Lucy last night when I saw my blue pajamas pants; thankful I covered Luce with the blankets better so that they couldn't see more of her, "What? No we went straight to bed there is no way we slept all day," I all but yelled disturbing Lucy I froze and when she settled back into her deep sleep I motioned for them all to leave the room. They did and I followed still in just my pants as I silently closed the bedroom door.

I look at the clock above the couch and sure enough it was 4:30. "But how?" They followed my gaze to the clock.

"Well when we didn't get an answer we went back to the guild and got Mira knowing she could get us in and we found you two cuddled up in each other's arms sleeping away," Grey responded.

I gave them a burning glare as my attention went to Mira. "And how exactly did you get into our home let alone our bedroom?" I ground out. I know that Lucy had put enchantments on the whole apartment to keep unwanted guest out and more on just the bedroom.

"Well a girl has to have a few secrets," Mira giggled in response. I glared at her and turned to Levy. Who had been so red the whole time I'm sure she was about to faint and I continued to stare her down until finally...

"Okay look Mira had an extra key from when she used to house sit the apartment and she was chanting the whole time until she saw you two!" It was Grey who broke.

I glared at Mira and held out my hand and waited for her to give me the key. She broke our trust by coming here. She sighed and handed over the key.

"We were only worried about you!" It was Levy this time.

"Do you understand what happens when dragon slayers are interrupted? Or when they catch someone spying on them? Do you have any idea of how close you were to dying back there?" I hissed at her turning my glare to each of them in turn until I returned to Levy. "Lucy told me that she learned a lot about dragon slayers with you. So how do you not know that can never break into their den?" My glare never leaving her eyes I could almost see her welting from being under my stare.

"..." She tried to speak I saw as her mouth opened and then closed but she couldn't seem to think of a reply or excuse.

"What happens?" Grey of course had to ask.

"We take out the threat," my voice had to be colder than his demon slayer ice magic; my glare colder still. I watched as they each had a chill go through them I could see as they all flinched even Mira at my words.

"Never do that again. You're lucky we were sleeping and that Mira fucking squealed!" My anger had only grown while I lectured them. "We wouldn't have even noticed it was you until it was over otherwise..." My voice gave out as I realized that I would have killed them. My own words echoed back at me haunting me. My anger turned to grief as I stood there tears started to flow freely down my cheeks.

Awkwardly Grey put his arm around my shoulders as the girls stepped far back; realisation of just how dangerous it was having finally sank in when they saw me being comforted by Grey of all people. I hated it but I appreciated it. I mumbled about never saying a word about this to anyone and Grey just smiled. The girls were far enough away that they couldn't hear us.

"You have to tell me these things, I don't know them. At least give me an easy book that says hey don't do this shit!" Grey whispered cuffing the back of my head with his open hand. I laughed and told him he had to wait about a month and a half and we would tell him a lot of things. He groaned but agreed smiling.

My tears had stopped and I was now smiling at Grey so the girls came back over. "We're sorry Natsu," Levy apologized.

"Yeah we were just worried and when I saw you I couldn't help but think about how absolutely adorable you two were together," Mira continued.

"Look we were probably just tired we have been going on a lot of s class mission and I mean a lot." I say.

"24," Mira supplied for me, I nod.

"Right so we probably just need to sleep for a day or two. Dragon slayers are like that we hibernate after stressful activities or even before if we know that it is coming. I think 24 missions in three weeks counts don't you?" I asked them and they nodded. Is there anything that can't wait a month or two for us I look at Levy and Grey and Levy flips open her binder to look.

"Only flowers and then only if you want something rare or hard to get," Levy looks up at me.

I answer saying, "pink, orange and red flowers; roses, lilies, and magnolias a little baby's breath to tie them together. I don't think those should be too hard right?" I ask smiling remembering how much Lucy loved them at the Dragon's Water Den Inn.

Levy took notes. "Is there anything I can answer now while Luce is asleep?" I ask hoping to take a little stressed away from her. Levy nods and we then figure out who I wanted my other groomsmen to be: Gajeel and Loke and a few other trivial things.

"So you guys hibernate?" Grey asked when we were done.

"Yeah, it is kind of difficult to prepare for to say the least. Females do it far more than the males. Why?" was my response.

"So why haven't you ever done it before?" Grey asked.

I stare at him a moment before realizing he never actually noticed and started to laugh at him. "Grey, hibernating can be anywhere from months on end like your thinking it just a couple days. Don't you remember me sleeping for a week at a time after a huge battle?" I had to wipe the tears from my eyes as I was laughing the earlier tension all but forgotten.

"Oh I thought that was just because you were hurt," he mumbled. "I guess that answers that though."

All four of us were smiling again and I had swung my arm around Grey's shoulders as we were chuckling. The girl's were smiling as well although Mira had a sad look in her eyes. I noticed and when it was time for them to leave I stop her asking to talk a minute first.

We watched as Levy and Grey left waving as they went smiles still apparent on their faces. I turned my attention back to Mira. I saw her flinch a little before I asked, "So what's on your mind?"

She looks at me shocked and was about to deny it when she looked up and saw the no nonsense look on my face before sighing, "I was just so happy that you and Lucy were actually together. I know it's dumb but there was a small, very stupid, part of me thinking maybe you two were just acting. I know it's crazy but I never really got to see you two do more than hold hands or you carrying her princess style and you guys did that before. I know I saw you two kiss when you first announced you engagement but otherwise nothing except when you fell asleep together in the booth the other night but that wasn't really a first time for that either."

I smile at her and ask, "So does that mean you just want us to show more affection for each other around you?"

She blushes a little bit and shows me a little devise that had a picture on it. Confused I look at the picture and realise it was me and Lucy snuggled into each other's arms. My face was against her breast as my arms were around her back. Lucy's hair was spread across the sheets behind her and if you look close enough you could see that I was kissing her just at her collar bone. Her arms were around my neck. Mira must have taken the picture as she was walking in.

"You need to give me that," I demand my voice deep and husky. "Then delete it." She nods a little surprised I wasn't upset. I glance behind me towards the bedroom.

Mira seems to understand and smiles at me, "Well I should be going I'll make a large print of this and you can pick it up at the bar when you ready. I'll delete it after you pick it up." She leaves as I wave at her and close the door behind her.

I all but run to the bedroom to find Lucy still asleep. I crawl in beside her and start to kiss on her neck and shoulders. I get a small "hmm" in response but otherwise she just snuggles into me and drifts into a deeper sleep. I frown and listen carefully directing all my attention to her small belly my heart, all but stops. My breathing goes ragged as realization dawns on me.

I quickly get dressed and run to the guild ignoring everyone's huffs as I run into the guild. I even ignore Grey and Levy as I run past them up to Master's office.

"Gramps! I run in without knocking not caring that Mira was there. He looks up at me with a worried expression seeing my frantic one. "It's Lucy!" I stop noticing Mira at last.

Master notices and thanks Mira for the report and that he would talk to her later. She nods and slowly leaves the room. Master closes the door activating the silence charm and turns to me. "Out with it boy; what's wrong?"

I break down in tears and fall to my knees, "Lucy started hibernating early." I walked and looked Master in the eyes as I said the next part, "We are having triplets." I see Master's eyes go huge as saucers before I continue. "Gramps she won't wake up for at least two months maybe longer."

"I don't know of a single case of a dragon having three babys at once. Twins are fairly usual but triplets?" I sob my hands trying desperately to wipe the tears away only to be covered again before my hands were even away from my face.

Gramps comes over and rubs my shoulder as I cry when my tears are finally drying up he speaks up, "You know I have been researching the whole process and I actually did come across something like this, actually I came across several even a few where they had quadruplets." I freeze looking up at him praying for an answer.

He smiles down at me and says, "she will wake up just fine. She will actually be stronger for it and so will all of your children. You have done nothing wrong and neither has she." He looks me in the eye before continuing, "If anything you have done absolutely everything right."

My tears no longer flowing but staining my cheeks none the less. I sigh out loud. "Gramps I don't think you understand." my voice was low but it still cracked as I looked down at my hands. "I will slowly go crazy the longer she is hibernating. We were only planning a month maybe a month and a half not two or more." I look up at him again before adding, "Gramps I'm not exaggerating or being dramatic the longer I am away from my mate the worse it will be." My hands start shaking again.

"Natsu, you don't have to be away from her." Master looks me hard in the eyes before continuing. "Look Natsu you can take care of Lucy even while she is asleep. I was planning to give you this when she started hibernating and it looks like that now is the time." Gramps walks over to a bookshelf and picks up a rather small but very delicate book the edges look every frail and you could easily see that the pages had yellowed and three paper itself was fragile before he walked back to me. Carefully laying the book in my hands.

"Natsu this book will be your lifeline to Lucy while she sleeps; read it carefully and follow the instructions and she will wake up exactly when she needs to. Not to early and not to late." Gramps pats me on the back. "Don't forget to take care of yourself too, if Lucy senses that you are under any more stress than before she will very possible stay asleep longer or wake up to soon endangering your children."

I carefully wrap the book in my scarf holding it more tenderly than broken glass. I look back to Master and smile for the first time since leaving the apartment and thank him. He hugs me close and told me, "anytime at all." I continue to smile and clean my face before running out of his office and running back Lucy again ignoring all those around me but this time I had a smile on my face.

Grey walked over to Mira and asked, "What do you think that was about?"

She only shook her head, "I don't know but it had something to do with Lucy."

I continued to ignore them as I ran through the guild doors. I was only barely aware that I overheard the conversation at all.

Still Natsu's POV

The hours ticked by as I read and reread the book hardly believing my eyes. I kept rereading it until I could almost recite it by heart and then I read it again. My mind argued back at what I was reading but at the same time my instincts told me that it was true.

I could talk to my mate still and get answers. Granted it would be completely unnoticeable if I had not read this book first but I could according to this book Converse with my mate and even make love with her.

'It is highly encouraged that you continue to have sex even while the female is hibernating. Do not mistake this for rape you still get her consent first it is just harder to understand her consent unless you have either A) Done this before or B) Have been instructed on how to do it such as this book will guide you to do.'

My mate can answer me and give me permission! Maybe I won't have to go crazy. My thoughts were racing around as I read the whole book again. I do not want to mess this up. I want Lucy to be the happiest person on Earthland and I couldn't have that if I hurt her in any way.

I looked up at the clock again this time it was showing that it was around 5 am. I snuggled into bed with Lucy and pulled her in close and decided to give it a harmless try.

"Lucy I love you, do you love me?" I watch carefully as she gave a small smile and gently snuggled into me. I breath a sigh of relief it worked just as the book described. "It looks like I won't go crazy then as long as your by my side." again a small smile appeared on her sweet lips.

"Lucy can I kiss you now?" I needed her I needed her so bad right now. It didn't need to be sex just a little taste of her love and I would be fine. Again I see a small smile on her face I gently reach down and give her a tender kiss it was more than a peck but not as passionate as if she were awake. I sigh in relief when the kiss ended and I see her frown. "I'm confused Lucy I thought you said it was okay?" I see her smile again. "Did you want more then?" again a smile.

Now it's my turn to smile, "I wonder how much more you could want?" I ponder out loud. "Just kisses?" a frown this time. Surely not sex already?" a small smile. "Well if that's what you want then that is what you get." I pulled off my clothes and gently caress her body kissing and nibbling as I went going around her little nighty careful not to damage it but leaving it on. I know that I get carried away and that she would be unhappy at the thought of me ruining her clothes.

If anything working through the silky fabric seemed to amplify the sensations for the both of us. I could hear her moan even in her sleep too my administrations. I slowly worked my way down eating her out once I got to her devine center. The smell of her arousal drove me nearly insane but I knew that Lucy, although loves to be treated this way, was also very impatient when it came to making love. I look to her face and ask her, "Do you want me to continue to eat you out?" A frown. "So you want me to thrust into you now?" a smile but not nearly so small as the others appeared. "Your wish is my command."

The sensations drive me to the edge and over and over again as I thrust into her hot center I vaguely realise that Lucy's fingers have curled giving her handfuls of the sheets. I smile again. "Luce I'm about to come is that okay?" a smile, thank Mavis. And then I scream out my release coming deep inside of her. I kiss her again deep and passionate as I slowly make my way down to her belly kissing and nudging, nosing her belly. I purr to her and our babies until I fell asleep, clutching her close to me.

When I woke up this time I was relaxed almost soothed. I did not like everything that I had learned from the book but it more than made up for it on the parts that I did. I grin as I sweetly cuddled my mate in my arms purring very loudly as I nuzzel her tummy seeing for the first time a little pudge. I jump up and hold Lucy tight and tell her I can actually see it now and how super excited I was. I glide my fingers along her belly kissing her neck when I see her smile at my words.

After a few hours of cuddling I get up and clean us up careful with Lucy in the bath before dressing her in more modest pajamas long sleeves and pants, I talk to her about who should watch after her while I go on a mission. The book said I needed to spend several hours away from her at least every other day so that I didn't stress her out more but the thought of leaving her all alone was to much for me. We decided on Mira and if she was too busy, which was a real concern, then Levy. I smile down at my mate. "You know it won't be long before we can tell the others about the babies," I say as I kiss along her ear, I see her smile again. "Don't worry I won't tell until you wake up so that way we can tell them together," I reassure her. "I better leave now or I won't go at all and I want you and our babies healthy. I love you Lucy I'll be back once I'm sure it has been long enough." I watch as I see her small smile again.

At the guild I walk in and find Levy already sitting at the bar talking to Mira. So I walk up to them with a smile plastered to my face which stopped their conversation as they looked at me.

"Natsu what's wrong? And where is Lucy?" Levy asked me. I guess my smile was a little too plastered so I dropped it.

"Well..." I start off saying as I rubbed the back of my neck. "Do you two remember everything from yesterday?" They nod and wait for me to continue. "What do you remember about hibernating?" I all them.

"Well you said that dragon slayers do it when they deal with stress mostly after the fact and that females..." Levy stopped.

"Females do it more often," Mira finished for Levy. They both have concerned looks on their faces.

"Lu-Chan?" Levy asked nervously. I just nodded at her.

"Wait you really stressed her out that much with the missions?" Mira asked. "That doesn't really make sense."

I face palm myself. How to go about this. The wedding of course and the honeymoon. I look up at them and say just that, "Wedding and honeymoon."

"Ohh," the girls say together. I try not to face palm again, dear Mavis help me.

"So here is the thing, I have to leave her every other day for several hours or it can be bad for her mental health and her body will basically dump a bunch of stress into her body for no reason." I wait for them to process this. I don't understand I thought Levy was supposed to be super smart. I watch but they just stare at me. I sigh but continue, "But if I'm still in Magnolia I won't be able to stay away from her; my dragon instincts will drag me back to her." They are awwing at me and I am starting to feel uncomfortable. "Can I get one of you two to check on her every couple of hours? Just make sure she is okay and I'll go on some mission or other to make the time pass by?" I finally ask.

"Of course Natsu! Lu-Chan is my best friend," Levy answers and Mira also agrees.

I sigh out in relief now time for the really hard part to explain. "This will take several weeks since this is her first time. It can even take as much as two months maybe longer are you sure it's okay?" Oh Mavis I hope that sounded convincing.

"Oh Natsu that long I'm so sorry," Mira cooed at me.

"How long was your first time?" Levy asked.

I look at Levy, I can't help but face palm myself. With my hand still in my face I say, "Levy I was a baby."

"Oh right," she giggles. "duh."

"So Mira how long have I been here? Do you know?"I ask hoping for a miracle.

She laughs a little, "only about 20 minutes."

I groan out loud and let my head hit the counter. "I guess I'll go pick out a mission," I grumble as I walk over and look at the board. I don't much care if it's a S class mission or not and the regular board was closer. They all seem to take to long though. Someone wanting their house cleaned another wanting a wizard entertainer for the weekend. I start to turn around and head to the S class missions when I see Grey making a bee line towards me.

I grumble a bit more but wait for him anyway. "Hey flame brain let's go on a mission together I heard you have time to burn."

I ignore the insult. "All these will take to long though," I grumble.

He pulls out a flyer that he had been holding and hands it to me. I give him a weird look before reading it. 'Need help, I have goblins infesting my yard should only take a few hours.' I look at Grey and was about to nod when I saw it was a S class mission. "How did you get this?" I ask him suspiciously.

He holds his hands up in surrender, "Easy there Mira handed it to me she said it just came in." I frown at him that doesn't make any sense at all. Grey is not a S class wizard.

I walk over to Mira and show her the flyer and ask her if she knows anything about it. "Yeah I told Grey to give that to you it's relatively close not that that matters to much now that you can fly and I thought it was exactly what you needed."

I nod, "And can Grey go with me?"

Mira stops and taps her finger on her chin thinking a moment before answering, "Well if Master approves then yes otherwise there would need to be at least two other S class wizards for him to go with."

I look at Grey and grin at him, "looks like we need to talk too Gramps." I guess he was relieved that I was willing to let him go because he was already running up the stairs two at a time and for once he was fully clothed too. I laugh at him as I follow him to Gramps office. He was already inside and I had heard him ask already before I walked into the office.

Master looks at me calmly almost studying me before he asked, "Did you finish the book?"

"I have it memorized Gramps," I respond proudly.

"Flame brain reads?" Grey questioned. I roll my eyes at him but didn't take the bait.

"Grey can you step outside a moment," Master looks at him as he says it letting him know that it was not a request. He nods and leaves the room I step over and activate the silence charm. I look at Gramps and see he is holding out a hand. I quickly pull out the carefully wrapped book and give it to him.

He flips through it a moment until he finds a page he likes. He begins to read aloud, "When two mates have bonded appropriately they will eventually begin to ..." Master stops and looks at me.

"Read each other's minds. This can cause some confusion between them if they are not aware that it was a possibility to begin with. But if the two are aware then they will be able to have full conversations even while one is hibernating and the other is not." I finish for him. I see Master grin a little before flipping a few more pages.

"If two dragon slayers fail to continue to have sex while the female is hibernating which is done just before she lays her eggs ..." He stops again.

"The male will slowly go insane from the loss or perceived loss of his mate. He will slowly die from the inside out. His magic will grow weaker his appetite will disappear and lastly he will simply lose the will to live." My face is neutral as I recite the book to him.

He nods again as if satisfied. "Natsu are you sure you can take this mission right now?" he seemed concerned for me which made me smile a little.

"I talked to Luce this morning about it. Not through the mind reading thing but the other the yes or no thing. I'm okay Gramps really. The book mentions that I have to leave her for several hours at least every other day so she and our babies can be healthy. That's the only reason I'm going. I plan to be back tonight," It felt good to be able to talk without anyone judging me or my reasons. Yeah Master is questioning me but only to see if I was okay. Not to poke fun at me and certainly not to hold it against me later. "Thank you, it really means a lot to me that you asked."

He smiles at me, "You should have asked her to be your mate sooner. You have matured so much in such a short time." We both laugh at this.

"So do you really want to take Grey with you?"He asked next.

I grin at him before asking, "Did you know I asked him to be my best man?"

He laughs out loud, "Really? Grey your best man I think I have heard it all now."

We continue to laugh for a while and I give him an update on Lucy, how Mira and Levy would check on her for me so that I can relax a little and actually leave for missions to take my time with them.

"That's good to hear and it will probably do her good too just having other ladies around her during this time." Master approved of our plans. "Okay Natsu you can take Grey on any S class mission while Lucy is hibernating but only if you feel like you can handle it on your own if the need were to arise."

I nod laughing and thank him. "So do you think we have tortured him enough yet?" I ask.

Again Master laughs and says, "I'm sure."

I walk out of the office still laughing with Master. "Grey, you can go with Natsu but only for the next two months. After that I'm cutting you off until you make S class yourself. But this will give you a little taste of what they are like normally," Master tells him. "Also Grey your clothes need to stay on." I have a hard time not laughing at him as he went from jumping up and down celebrating in only his boxers to searching for his clothes yet again and mumbling apologies.

I look at Gramps and he smiles and winks at me before returning to his office closing the door again stopping just before and saying, "Oh and Natsu good job with the book but you can't tell anyone what is in it or I will revoke Grey's permission." Then he nodded at Grey who heard every word before finally closing the door after I agree.

I look at Grey, "Any questions?" He shakes his head no his features a little pale. I'm trying so hard to keep a straight face it is almost comical. "Great then let's go take care of those goblins." He agrees now fully dressed we head to Mira.

"Mira I have permission for two months" Grey tells her.

"Only if he goes with me," I add.

"That's great news congratulations Grey," Mira takes the mission and stamps it for us. We walk outside and he looks at the flyer again. "It says it's in Hargeon it will take us a few hours to get there but we should be able to come back in the first train in the morning." Grey talks out loud.

I laugh at him, "Grey I haven't taken a train in months, do you really see me doing it now?"