Secrets

Chappie 5

Month 1

Natsu laid with Gray as the discussed nursery ideas for a baby, along with guessing its gender.

"What color do you want the nursery to be, Gray?"

He smiled.

"Maybe a pale blue?"

She smiled and asked him about cribs, cradles, car seats, strollers, etc. He smiled along with her as he continued to keep his hand on her stomach. Besides when she ran to the bathroom for the umpteenth time that night. Once he'd heard her dinner find its way out, he walked in and held her hair and rubbed her back; afterwards, handing her a towel. She took it, wiped her mouth, and leaned against Gray. After she fell asleep, he carried her to the bed and covered her along with himself.

Month 2

Natsu now had a small bump forming on her stomach. Her and Gray had already thought of a color pattern for the walls. Gray painted pink and Natsu painted blue. They hadn't known the baby's gender, so they did both colors. After painting a wall each, there was a knock at the door. They'd set down their rollers and brushes and opened the door. Lucy, Happy, and Erza were waiting.

"Hey, guys!" Natsu exclaimed with unseen blue paint on her nose. Happy flew up and sat on her head.

"Can we come in?" Erza asked.

"Sure thing." Gray smiled slightly and opened the door wider for them to enter. The couple discussed their nursery plans with the two, and were told to call if they needed help.

Month 3

Even though she was only three months pregnant, she looked as if she were 5 months. Of course, Natsu was concerned. But Gray noticed the uneasiness on her face.

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong. Maybe the baby's just growing faster." Gray suggested with a smile. She looked at him suspiciously, but decided that it made sense. Babies could be born at an earlier due date and still be healthy and ready to go. She sighed and he wrapped an arm around her.

"Come on, I'm gonna go on a mission. You gonna stay at the guild while I'm gone?"

She held his hand and opened the door.

"Yeah. How long will you be long?"

"Maybe a day or two."

"Well, then I'll be there during the day, but I'll come home for dinner and bed."

Gray smiled and kissed her forehead.

Month 4

Natsu admired the ring on her finger. After Gray had come home from yet another mission, they went home, and Gray had proposed. She was so happy. Now, they were watching a movie, when the baby had kicked. And Gray just happened to have his hand in the right place.

"Woah, was that the baby?" He asked incredulously. She smiled and nodded. Then they felt another kick, but in a different spot.

"Is... Is there more than one?"

"I don't know. Good thing I have an ultrasound appointment tomorrow."

He chuckled and they continued with their movie; his head now resting on her belly. She laughed and combed through his hair with her fingers.

Month 5

Natsu was walking around her house, picking up stray clothing as she went. She went upstairs and put it into the bin when the door opened.

"Hey, I'm home."

She smiled and hugged him after waddling down the stairs.

"I thought you were going to be gone for a week!"

"Well, I finished early, so I came home early."

"Good thing I cleaned." She mumbled. He laughed and kissed her cheek, then bent down and the same on her stomach.

"Only 4 months left!" He said in realization. Natsu kept a hand on her back and the other combed through Gray's hair.

"Yep! Then we get to see the ultimate art project."

He looked at her with confusion as he laughed.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You can't tell me that that wasn't a type of art."

He laughed and sat her down as they discussed more nursery ideas, along with wedding ideas.

Month 6

Natsu was in overalls and a t-shirt with her pink hair in ponytails as they finished painting the walls. Happy flew up behind them as they painted.

"Need help with anything?"

"Not yet, but I'll tell you when. Thanks anyways, Happy."

Natsu smiled. Happy sat in the middle of the floor and watched the two paint a wall together. After a while, Natsu set her paint roller down. She waved her hand toward her face and rubbed her back with her other hand as Gray finished up.

"What's wrong?" He asked her, concerned.

"It's hot, and my back is killing me."

He wrapped her arm around his shoulders and walked her to the chair in the room. She smiled up to him and thanked him as he continued to paint with a smile.

Month 7

Natsu and Gray watched yet another movie when Natsu felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.

"You okay, babe?"

Happy looked at him weird then back to Natsu with concern. She moved her position and the pain eased. But came back as soon as it had left.

"I don't know what this is or what to do."

Gray looked confused and worried.

"What do I do?"

"Call Lucy or Erza. Better yet, Porlyusica."

He nodded and called over Lucy. Along came Erza and Mira. After they'd checked things through, they'd told her they were 'Braxton Hicks contractions', also known as practice contractions. When they'd left, Gray and Natsu snuggled back up and finished their movie.

"That was... Scary, to say the least." Gray said with a chuckle.

"Scary for you, maybe. Not only was it terrifying, but also uncomfortable."

He laughed and supported her weight on his chest as another faux contraction came.