GRAY'S POV

It's been 3 weeks since my return from Australia. These 3 weeks were blissfully spent with my princess in our abode.

A week after my arrival, I joined my dad's company as an employee because dad wants me to learn all the aspects from the basic level before I become the CEO.

It's a new experience to work with my lady as I can be with her all day. 

By now, I have proved my love for Juvia to Gajeel but still, he didn't give me the ring. 

So I'm waiting for him to fully accept and believe me.

As I was sitting in the cabin, my thoughts drifted towards Juvia as she took leave. Hoping she was alright.

For the past week, she has been feeling quite nauseous and undergoing frequent mood swings. 

Damn, I'm not able to keep track of how many times she changes her moods in a split second.

I need to take her to the hospital to get her checked as I don't want her to suffer from a disease due to my ignorance.

Suddenly the telephone on my table rings, "Hello Gray here."

"Son, it's me. Come to my cabin with the files of our new project which I gave you in the morning."

Before I could reply, he kept the call. I soon collected the files of the new contract which we signed with the Lebanon government...

"May I come in, dad?"

"Yeah come in." 

My dad was sitting in the rolling chair while his secretary was gazing through the sheets from his folder.

"Here, this is the file which you asked for." I gave him the file after that he saw through it.

"Listen, Gray, it's an urgent meeting. The Lebanese government has called us to explain the types of tiles which we make and deliver to the clients. 

     So you will be going to Lebanon along with my secretary. Go make a PowerPoint presentation and get it ready by tonight.               

   Tomorrow morning, you will leave. It's an official meet so I guess, you will be staying there for a week. 
   Go to prepare soon. I informed your mom to pack your luggage."
Dad ordered me and he looked tense.

"But dad, I need to take Juvia…." 

Before I could complete, he spoke in an angry voice, 
"Son, personal life and business life are different. She took care of herself when you were not there for these 4 years. 

   Go and finish the task which I gave you. Just make sure the contract doesn't go out of our hands. It's very important for our company. "

It was no use now to protest against him. "Fine, I understand. Dad, you don't get tense." I left his cabin.

After going to my cabin, I called Juvia, "Hey princess, listen, I won't be coming home. Dad has given me an urgent job which needs to be done soon. So I will be going to Lebanon and to finalize the deal."

"Oh, it's okay, Gray. I will manage. So take care, when will you come back?" She asked me with a hint of worry.

"I will be back in a week or so. You take care. You have been feeling sick for quite some time now. 
   I will tell dad you won't be coming to the office for a few days. See if you are feeling worse, go visit the doctor before I come back.
    Don't wait for me. Take care, princess. I love you… I will be back soon." 

"Okay, My Gray, I'm feeling alright now. Don't worry about me. You take care. Bye, see you soon. I Love You too…" She ended the call.

Soon I called Gajeel, I knew she wouldn't visit the doctor so I called him to inform him about Juvia's health. He assured me that he will take her to the hospital.

JUVIA'S POV

As soon as I ended the call, I couldn't control the urge to throw up. 

Since a week, I've been feeling quite tired and tired, always feeling nauseous and a few days back, to add fuel to the fire, a vomiting session began which was making me feel even worse. I don't know what's happening to me.

After coming out of the bathroom, my mobile once again rings, this time it's a call from Gajeel.

"Oh Gajeel-Kun, how are you? Don't you have work today?" I asked him.

"I took a day off. Come I need to talk to you about something. So are you free?" He asked me.

"Yeah, I'm free. Where should I come?"

"Come to the publishing house, Erza and her kid are coming over there. We can talk there.. come soon. Bye." He kept the call.

After taking a bath to remove this vomit stench from my body. I dressed up in loose clothing so that it won't make me feel suffocated and dizzy.

I took the cab to reach the place even though I could go there by walk. Really something was off-balance in my body. I can't figure this out.

Soon after I reached the place, the girls greeted me.

"Hi Juvia, come we were waiting for you. Gajeel informed us you would be coming as he called you up it seems. What happened?" Levy-San asked me.

"I dunno, Levy-San. How come you girls are spending some quality time without me?" I pouted and they giggled.

"You were quite busy with Gray. That's why we didn't feel like disturbing your privacy." Lucy defended.

"Hey Juvia, you look tired. Are you alright?" Erza asked me in concern while Reiki was clapping sitting in her laps.

"Yeah, I'm fine. No worries." I assured them. Then Gajeel-Kun came by.

"Yo girls, hi Sprinkler…"

"Hi…"

Gajeel-Kun sat beside Levy-San and began to look at me with a deep stare which made me uncomfortable.

"Is something wrong with my face? Why are you staring at me like this, Gajeel-Kun?" I asked as I examined my face.

"No, It's just nothing. Fine, let me get to the matter directly, what do you feel about Gray? Give me an honest answer, are you happy with him?" Gajeel-Kun asked with a serious tone.

"It's ridiculous, Gajeel-Kun. Of course, I love him very much. I can't imagine my life without him so does he. 

  See I know you are being paranoid thinking he might leave me but I trust him, he won't do such things. He also sees me as his life.

   It makes me happy to be by his side. Believe me, Gajeel-kun your thoughts and insecurities are baseless." I smiled and gave him a confident look.

"Fine, if you believe then, who am I to stop you? All I hope for is your happiness.
   I know he loves you and cares for you. He always thinks about you and your safety all the time. Go on, Sprinkler.. let's hope that idiot soon proposes to you." 

Gajeel-Kun wore a gentle smile and ruffled my hair while the girls were smiling.

"Thank you for being my brother and understanding me. I'm really lucky…." Then suddenly I blanked out.

AFTER SOMETIME 

I slowly opened my eyes, I looked around and came to know I was in the hospital. No one was by my side.

I slowly sat up in bed. Then Gajeel-Kun came in, "Hi Sprinkler, how are you feeling?" He patted my shoulders.

"I'm feeling good now. What happened? Why am I here?"

"You suddenly passed out during the conversation. I actually called you to clear out my insecurities and to get you to hospital.

  I know Gray is going to Lebanon for a week, he told me you were not feeling well for quite a few days. So he asked me to accompany you to the hospital. 

    But it has become a need to get you checked after seeing you passed out." Gajeel sighed.

"So what did the doctor say? Is something wrong with my body? Am I going to die? Please don't tell, that's the truth." I asked him in fear.

He cast his eyes down and his bangs covering his eyes,

"Sprinkler, get a tight hold of yourself because the news which I'm going to say is something bad for me. I can't believe why God always betrays me?" Gajeel spoke in a sad tone.

I cupped his face and made him look into my eyes,
"Gajeel-kun, don't tell me I'm really going to die. I don't want to leave you and my Gray behind at this point of life. Why does God always snatch my happiness?"

I began to cry as I could no longer hold the tears. Am I really going to die?

"Listen Sprinkler, he did not snatch away any of your happiness. God just betrayed me and made your Stripper's wish come true…"

I didn't understand what he was trying to say to me. 

He smiled and hugged me, "Sprinkler, you are going to be a mother. You are pregnant. That Stripper is gonna be a dad. By this way, his wish has come true…" Gajeel-Kun patted my back without breaking the hug.

I couldn't believe the words which I heard just now. 

"Are you sure, Gajeel-Kun? You are telling me the truth. Am I really pregnant?" I asked him.

"Yeah Sprinkler, you are pregnant and it looks like you are already 3 weeks along.
   That idiot had done his deed as soon as he came back from Australia." Gajeel-Kun growled.

I placed my hands on my stomach and caressed it, my, no, our baby is growing inside me. I'm really happy. 

Yeah, I remember this baby would have formed during the time of Gray's birthday bash as we didn't use protection.

"Gajeel-kun, I'm really happy. Hope even you feel the same. Please don't kill my Gray.." I began to tear up.

"Hey, I was just kidding that day. I'm really happy. It's after all my nephew/niece.. congratulations Sprinkler… inform this news to Gray soon.." He gave me the mobile.

"No Gajeel-Kun, now he is going for an urgent meeting. In a week, he will be back then I will inform about our baby.. for now, let it be between us. 
  Don't tell this matter to the girls and others but I feel sorry for hiding this from Jellal, even though he is my brother."

"Okay as you wish. Don't worry that jelly head will not feel offended once he knows the reason. 
  But I'm really happy and I know even our parents will be happy." He ruffled my hair.

I'm really happy finally we are going to become parents and start a family of our own. 

Hope Gray gets joyous after hearing this news.

GRAY'S POV

Soon one week passed by, the meeting was successful. We made sure they understood our products. 

The Lebanese government gave the approval to proceed with the project.

"Hey Dad, I'm back." I went inside my dad's cabin. He welcomed me with a warm smile.

"Hi son, you did a good job. You are finally becoming a good businessman. I'm proud of you. Now go home and take rest." He said with a smile.

"Dad, where is Juvia? Didn't she come to the office?" I asked him as I removed the tie.

"No son, ever since you left to Lebanon, you said she won't be coming to work because she was not feeling well. 
   I gave her leave from work. She looks really tired.
   Go home, she has been staying with us since then." Dad said with a sad face.

"What happened to her? Don't tell me she is suffering from some serious sickness, dad. 
   She didn't even call nor messaged me once during this week. What happened? Tell me?" 
I caught hold of my dad's shoulder and began to shake.

"Son, get a hold on yourself. She is alright, sheesh. If she was serious, then why would I be in the office doing my work casually?
Just go home and see her, Mika is taking care of her." 

Dad assured me. Soon I left that place and made my way home.

"Oh coming wait, who is it? Can't they have a thing called patience in them." 

My mom opens the door. She smiles and welcomes me with a hug.

"Hi Gray, how are you? When did you come back from Lebanon?" She asks me and gets a glass of water to drink.

After drinking it, "I came in the early morning flight. Okay, mom how is Juvia? What happened to her? Where is she now?"
I asked her worried about my princess' health.

"Just relax, Gray. She is alright. She is just feeling tired. That's all which usually occurs, don't worry. Go upstairs….she is in your room." I just dashed towards my room.

After seeing the doors were opened, I saw her sleeping in a nightgown.

I went up to her and sat in the bed. I tugged those stray strands of hairs behind the ears to catch a glimpse of her face.

Indeed, she looked tired and much paler than usual skin tone. I kissed her forehead and she seems to be relaxed now. As she was slightly smiling.

"Gray, don't disturb her. She just slept after throwing up all the contents which she ate yesterday night. Come out…" Mom said in a low voice just not to disturb Juvia's sleep. I went out.

Mom kept a hand on my shoulders and patted, 
"Gray, relax. She is alright. Don't worry. Her mobile got lost that's why she didn't call or message you.
   
   Gajeel-Kun was the one to drop her here, the very next day of your departure. 

   We urged her to call and speak to you but she said, she will wait for your return and she needs to say something very important."

"What's this important matter? Didn't she say to you guys, mom?" 

I wondered what she wanted to say to me that can't be told over the mobile.

"We didn't nag her for any information. Whatever it is, it's between you two. 

But I and your dad can make out she is indeed going to say something good to you. So don't worry about that….
   
Moreover, Gajeel-Kun told you to visit him as soon as you come back. He wants to give the ring back to you." My mom smiled.

"Okay, mom just cut that ugly smirk from your face. I know he must have told you and dad everything…" I blushed.

"Yeah way to go Gray. I guess, Gajeel-Kun finally gives you his approval and he has a reason why he didn't want you to propose to her a month back." My mom said with a small smile.

"Tell me, mom, what did that metal-head say? I know he must have told you this as well." I nagged my mom for revealing further.

"I guess, you must hear this on your own from his very mouth. And Juvia-chan doesn't know about our conversation with her brother. 

  He called us out separately to inform this very information. So get ready and go meet your future brother-in-law.." 

My mom winked and left me to go besides my sleeping beauty. I smiled and went to get ready.

GAJEEL'S POV

It looks like Gray has come back. Fine, it's time I give him the ring back and give my approval for his proposal.

"Levy, where are you?"

"What is it, Gajeel? I was boiling the milk to give the twins some corn flakes for breakfast." 

My petite wife huffed which made her look cute.

"Nothing much, is breakfast ready for us? We are going to have a guest joining us soon." I informed her.

"Yeah, our breakfast is ready. So Gray is back, huh!!! You better give him the ring back or else I will not let you touch me anymore." She smiled and left me with a twitching eye.

Just then, our servant lady leads Gray into the living room. I waved at him to join us at the dining table.

"Yo Stripper, how are you? Come join us for breakfast." I smiled at him.

"Hey, it's 11 in the morning. Now you are having breakfast, it's called brunch. Nah!! Thank you for your concern. So why did you call me?" He asked after sitting down.

Just then, Levy entered the dining room with 2 plates of pancakes and bacon.

"Hi Gray, make yourself feel home. Here, have my version of pancakes. We are sure you must have had nothing from the morning."

Levy served him his plate and came towards me.

"Thanks, Levy. That's so sweet of you." He thanked her and helped himself in serving the maple syrup.

"So Stripper, the reason I called you now is I'm giving you the ring back. Take it and make my sister happy. 

I believe and trust you that you will keep your words in taking care and staying by her side forever." 
I reminded him of his promises.

"Of course, I will keep up my promise. Besides, thank you for believing me. Finally, I got your approval after a month." He exclaimed.

"Oh, and the reason I wanted you to wait is not that I didn't trust or have faith in you. I knew from the very start itself, you were made for her and vice-versa.

  I could see that in your eyes through the way you look and care for her. 

So the reason I wanted to halt this happy moment was that tomorrow is our parent's Death Anniversary.

  Every year Juvia broods on this day and it lasts for around one month for her to get back to normal. So I…."

Gray stopped me in the mid, he gave his sincere smile,

"I got it. What you are trying to say? Every year that day symbolizes something of a bad, sad and depressing atmosphere and you wanted that to change that once and for all.

   I betcha even your parents will be happy about this. I really envy you guys, that I didn't have a sibling to have a relationship like you both. 
   
 Always looking out for each other and thinking about their happiness. Juvia is truly blessed as she has a brother like you. 

  I swear, from tomorrow on and for the years to come, your parent's death anniversary will always symbolize goodness and a new life force for your sister."
Gray assured me and smiled brightly.

"Thank you Stripper.. hope you keep your words." Then we continued to eat our brunch meal.

MIKA'S POV

It's 1 PM in the afternoon and Gray called me to inform me of what happened over there in Gajeel-Kun's place.

That boy really loves his sister. Speaking of this, it's time to wake Juvia-chan. Before I make my way to her room, Silver enters the house.

"You have come really early today. Did you leave Gray as the in-charge? 
  Don't you know he just came in the morning? He should be resting now." I scolded him for being such an inconsiderate father 

"No, who said I left him as the in-charge? Gray has gonna somewhere and will join us for dinner? I came back because I didn't have anything important in my schedule and was free for the rest of the day." 
Silver rubbed his head in an attempt to reduce my anger.

"Fine, I believe you." I smiled and told him everything that Gray informed me.

"Oh, I get it. My son is so romantic just like me." Silver praised himself.

"Hey, you were not even as romantic as you seem now when we began to date. 
It was me who was all lovey-dovey on you. He got that from me not you." I crossed my arms and pouted.

He hugged me from behind and whispered, "Yeah...yeah...I get it. You are the most romantic person. If you allow me to show my romanticism towards you later…" He never failed to make me blush even at this age.

I pinched his nose, "Hey old man, don't forget soon we are going to be grandparents. You are not that young Silver anymore, got it…"

He smirked and kissed my lips, "Same goes for you, Mika. So where is Juvia-chan? Is she alright? Morning, I heard her vomiting out her stomach."

"Oh don't worry, its usual morning sickness. And it seems a little hard on her.. poor thing, I knew this Gray wouldn't be able to keep his hands on her. See how he got her pregnant even before marriage?" I said in a serious tone.

"Hey anyways, he is going to propose to her tomorrow and within 2 weeks, they will be married. So don't worry, at least now he is a 25-year-old responsible man, not a 21 years old student. 

So, see the difference, it is perfectly fine… He loves her very much and so does Juvia-chan. It's the symbol of their love which is growing as our grandchild."
Silver encouraged me with the honey-coated words.

"Yeah...you are right. I agree. Let me go get her for lunch. At Least she needs something to throw up.." I said and went upstairs.

I saw Juvia-chan sitting on the bed and she looked a bit fine as compared to the morning.

"So how are you feeling, Juvia-chan?" I asked her and patted her back.

"Better I guess, but I'm still quite tired. Did my Gray come back, Mom? Where is he?" She asked and began to look out in the corridor.

"He came while you were sleeping. He will join us for dinner. Now he is winded up with some work. So get freshened up and come let's have lunch." I called her out.

She smiled and got up and went to the restroom.

"So Juvia-chan, how are you feeling?" Silver asked his concern.

"A bit better, I guess. Thank you for asking, dad." She smiled.

"It's okay. Anything for our daughter and grandchild. So when are you planning to say this to Gray? Now he is back.." Silver asked her.

"I guess, tonight I will tell him. I'm actually waiting to disclose this happy news to him since I found out. Hope he also feels joyous after knowing about this." She smiled and caressed her tummy.

"Oh Juvia-chan, you are already feeling like a mommy. Don't worry our boy will also feel the same.  
   Hope he gets to be a good daddy as well. You will help him out, right?" I winked at her.

"Sure mom, we will together go through this pregnancy." She smiled and showed thumbs up.

"Okay, Juvia-chan but why don't you say this news after few days, probably after tomorrow. Just you know.." Silver now confused her with his words.

"Okay dad, as you say…"  Juvia without a word back obliged to Silver's words and began to feel down.

After eating our lunch, we spent some time talking about babies much to our delight. Then Juvia excused herself as she was feeling tired.

I took this as the opportunity to ask Silver why he wanted her to hide this news from Gray for another day.

"Because if she says to him today, his proposal plan will be ruined as she might think he was proposing her due to the kid not because he loves her. 
  So let it be a surprise gift for Gray which he will receive after the proposal." Silver grinned.

"How thoughtful you are…." I hugged and praised.

Hope tomorrow turns out to be the best day of their life.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

So in two more chapters, this story gets over. I must thank and appreciate everyone who read and supported this story. 
  Thank You very much. It means a lot.