2 Years Later

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- Lucy -

"LUCY! WHERES LAYLAS PACIFIER?!" Sting shouted over the loud screaming from the baby. "Uh, I don't know. I think it's in her crib somewhere. Sting, could you pass me that chicken leg?" I pointed over at the plate sitting on the dresser. "I CAN'T RIGHT NOW LUCY. HER CRYING IS KILLING ME RIGHT NOW! I NEED TO FIND THE PACIFIER!" He frantically looked everywhere.

I groaned and stuck my hand underneath me and grabbed the pacifier. "I was sitting on it." He bit his lip and pinched the bridge of his nose and huffed out in annoyance, "Lucy. I have been looking for that for 2 hours and you were sitting on it? How long have you known it was there?"

I pushed myself off the couch and breathed in and out, walking steadily over to the dresser to grab the chicken leg myself. "2 hours." I sighed, finally being able to eat something. "Ughhh!" Sting grumbled, washing the pacifier and placing it in Laylas mouth. "There you go. Finally, you were giving daddy a headache." He grinned, cradling her in his arms. She's almost 1 years old and yet he's still treating her like she's a newborn.

I couldn't help but smile though. It's been about -- 2 years since me and Sting got married. And, a couple months after that I got pregnant with Layla and, it was a successful pregnancy. But just a few months ago I found out I was pregnant, again. I rubbed my tummy and walked over to my wardrobe, gathering some clothes together.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Sting questioned. "I'm going to the guild. I want to see everyone."

"You want to see everyone? Or you want Mirajane to make you some real food since all we have here is fruits. Which is what you should be eating." He advised me but I just shrugged him off and undressed in the open. As I slid into some comfortable clothes I looked down at my stomach and noticed how fat I was getting already.

"I don't wanna go..." Sting murmured, humming and playing with Layla. I rolled my eyes and tied my hair up. "Suck it up. I'm starving."

"But every time we go to the guild Erza and Levy always hog Layla! I want some daddy and daughter time with my precious angel!" He wailed like a child. "Sting, do you hear yourself? Stop acting like a kid, now help me put on my shoes, I can't bend over." So he just reluctantly sighed and put Layla down before coming to help me. "Do we really have to go?" He asked once more. "Yes, Sting. Now hurry up."

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On our way to the guild Layla wouldn't stop crying for some reason and when she constantly cries, that's when Sting loses it. "Why won't she stop..." He groaned out, trying to ease himself a little. "I don't know. Come Layla. Come to mommy." I said sticking my arms out, motioning her for me to carry her. Without any hesitation she jumped into my arms with a giggle and the train of cries and screams were gone. But Sting was definitely more annoyed, "After everything I've done for you Layla...."

I jut rolled my eyes at him and started giving Layla kisses all over her face making her scream in delight. But while all this was happening, Sting couldn't help but grunt every 30 seconds.

When we finally got to the guild I gave Layla back to Sting and this time she didn't cry, which made him happy. "Hi everyone!" I greeted and they all waved and shot smiles back. But I looked over to Sting and saw him trying to hide in the back corner with the other guys with Layla, trying to hog her to himself. But knowing Erza, his time with Layla won't last that long. "Lucy Heartfilia!" Erza called out from the bar. "Hai!" I beamed a smile, slowly making my way over. "Long time no see everyone." I winked.

"I've been waiting for you! I knew you would come." Mirajane smiled, pushing a huge plate full of food toward me. "Well don't mind if I do." I smiled, digging right in without any hesitation.

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- Sting -

"What's up Sting?" Natsu grinned, motioning me to sit with him. "Yo. How you've been Natsu?" I asked, sitting Layla on my lap. "Eh. It's been boring since Lucy became a mom." He explained how Team Natsu hasn't really been Team Natsu anymore. Apparently since Lucy hasn't had time to go on jobs Erza started to ease out of it as well and that Gray took a one year job with Juvia a couple days ago. "You're not the only one struggling with Lucy."

"Why? I thought you and Lucy were terrific. You guys got married, had a kid and expecting another one."

But I just shrugged patting Layla softly on her head. "Remember what I asked you awhile ago? About Lucy..." But of course it took him some time to recall his memories before nodding his head. "It's not safe is it? I mean, you guys told me it's fine. But the girls told me it's not."

Though he just shrugged and leaned further back into his seat, "You're asking the wrong person about that."

"Yeah. You're probably right. I should ask Mirajane about it later."

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- Lucy -

"Thanks for the meal Mira!" I grinned, rubbing small circles on my bloated belly. "No problem Lucy. If you need anything else just tell me." Then the girls started chatting up about how cute Layla is and how much she looks like me.

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- Sting -

I closed the guild doors behind me and looked at Mirajane. "What's wrong Sting?" She questioned. "I need advice." And suddenly, she perked up with a big smile on her face. "You came to the right person!"

So I let out a heavy sigh and scratched my head, "You know, Lucy. I understand she's pregnant and all -- but, you know."

Mirajane grinned and patted my shoulder, "Sting. You have to understand that being pregnant isn't easy. She has to deal with her appetite and not to mention you both have to take care of Layla. There's a lot of stress and sometimes there's not a lot of time for other stuff."

I bit my lip and rubbed my face, "Okay. Okay -- I understand that. But I'm not just talking about our sex life. We don't do anything intimate anymore. We don't kiss, we don't hug, she won't even let me put my arm around her. I haven't slept in the same bed with her in forever. I have to sleep on the couch. But I'm not complaining, I just miss her."

But she just giggled and shook her head, "Gosh. I thought you guys communicate."

"What? Why? Is there a reason why she won't let me get close to her anymore?"

"Well. I promised her I wouldn't say anything but, you make her happy. --- she told me it's because she feels insecure around you."

But I just scratched my head shyly, "What does insecure mean again?...."

"She doesn't feel happy about herself when you're around."

"What? That's stupid. Is she worried about how she looks or something?"

Mirajane just cocked her head a bit to the side and rubbed her temples, "Oh boy. She doesn't feel right about her weight. She said when she looks at you she feels so lucky considering that she gained a lot of weight."

"What the hell? Of course she's gonna gain weight. She's pregnant!"

"Sting, just do me and yourself a favor. Do the right thing and make her happy again."

I looked her in the eyes and smiled, giving a thumbs up. "You can count on me."

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- Lucy -

"Ne ne Lucy? How are you and Sting?" Levy asked, sipping on something from her mug. "Great. Great." I grinned. But I don't know why I'm even trying to hide it. I told the girls what's wrong between us, how self concious I am around Sting. "You know Lucy. Maybe you're just not giving him a chance. You told me that he sleeps on the couch, maybe he misses you too." But I just giggled and looked over at Mirajane, "Ne Mira. You think you can make me a milkshake? Please." I said trying to change the subject.

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"Bye minna!" I waved, as me - Sting and Layla left the guild. It was already around 9:00 at night and Layla fell asleep already. "Sting can you carry her please?" I asked.

"Yeah, of course." He completely obliged, grabbing her right out of my arms. But the rest of the walk home we didn't say anything else to one another. I found it kind of strange. Though, I didn't say much and just let him be.

When we finally got home he put Layla down on our bed where me and her slept. Then I walked over to my wardrobe and took my clothes off, putting on some comfortable pajamas.

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- Sting -

I took my shirt and pants off getting ready to sleep when I just watched Lucy undress in the far corner. She may have put some weight on but she's still beautiful. But when she was done changing she went straight to sleep, no goodnight, no acknowledgement, nothing. So I just looked at her sadly and went to sleep.

But before I could even drift off into a deep slumber I could feel a slight tap on my shoulder. So I opened my eyes and saw Lucy, standing up in front of me. "Lucy?"

"Sting... Can I sleep with you?"

I was taken back a bit, totally in shock. "Y-Yeah. Come, we can sleep on the floor." I said, rushing over to the closet to get some sheets and blankets. When I finished setting up the bed I made sure her side was really comfortable just in case. "Thanks.." She muttered.

When we laid down on the ground we were facing each other, just staring. "You're beautiful..." I whispered, wrapping my arm around her, pulling her closer. She didn't say anything, she didn't have to. But she did embrace me, stuffing her head into my chest. "I love you." I said, grinning at the fact that I could finally hold her again.

So I closed my eyes and suddenly felt something pressed up against my lips. But by the time I opened my eyes she already moved back to her previous position. God, I was so happy. I kissed her head and pulled her even closer to me. "I really love you.." I said again.

"I love you to." She muttered in my chest. This was the best day I've ever had in awhile, well best night. "Goodnight Blondie."

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And that's the end of the book. Thanks for reading. :) I might do an 'Original' chapter where I make a chapter dedicated to what was originally supposed to be in the story but wasn't.