Mirajane was at the counter, that usual heartwarming smile plastered on her face as she served the children some afternoon snacks.

Diva was sitting at the middle with the two boys on both sides of her.

"Your favorite, Lucas" Mira said as she placed a bowl of chocolate-flavored ice cream in front of the boy.

He gave her a bright smile and a 'thank you' before digging in.

Gin had cookies and milk while Diva had her strawberry cake.

Now there were two people in the Dragneel Family who loved that kind of cake so much.

It was just the four of them in the room.

The others were in the company; Zeref was the acting CEO as substitute for Natsu while he was on business trip.

The rest of their people in the compound were all in the look-out and guarding duty for the heir's safety. With his parents away, Lucas was in full vulnerability.

Mira watched as the three ate their shares. She looked content. They were going to be the future of the household. Gin was going to be just like her husband.

The double doors opened, it was Bickslow.

"Well, everything's going out well so far around here," he said as he walked towards the bar counter, "Hey kiddos."

He sat on one of the stools next to Lucas.

"That's because you're doing a great job as chief of security," Mirajane gave him a knowing look.

"You flatter me too much, Mira," he replied with a chuckle, "Besides, Laxus is the chief, and I'm just the sub while he's out."

"Mhm...here you go, have something to eat," she handed him a saucer with a slice of cake, to which he gladly received.

As they ate, Bickslow noticed Lucas unwrapping something and placed it in his tiny mouth.

"Watcha got there, little prince?"

Lucas turned to him, showing him the lollipop as he answered,

"Candy"

"Invel gave it to him," Mira added, propping her elbows on the granite surface of the counter and still with that smile.

Bickslow slowly nodded.

"He's been eating that kind of lollipop every time I see him. Candies can ruin your teeth if you have too much, 'kay?" he playfully ruined Lucas' hair, getting a laugh from the boy.

"Gin, say 'aaahh'" Diva sounded as she brought a spoonful of strawberry cake to the boy's mouth. They were in their own little world.

Gin just went along with it.

Then he suddenly asked a question he has never asked before. Ever.

"Mommy," little Gin started, "I want a little sister."

Unexpected silence came into the room.

"U-umm...Daddy and I will talk about that when he gets back, okay?" Mira tried to hide the surprised look on her face.

Her son gave a nod and went back to eating his cookies.

Mirajane went to the sink, washing beer mugs that were already clean. It was obvious, she was distracting herself.

"Have you talked to her?"

Bickslow asked, his voice gentle.

It made her stop.

She turned off the faucet and slowly faced him.

"I did. I have forgiven her," her eyes were pained and her smile no more,

"But, am I a horrible sister for refusing to forget it?"

He looked at her, understanding it very well.

"Mirajane-"

"Of course not."

A new voice suddenly came into the room and joined their conversation.

It was Invel.

Their attention went to him; except for the children who only minded their own business.

"Invel," Mirajane recognized. As if forgetting what they were recently talking about, a sweet smile appeared on her lips, "What can I get for you? I made cookies and cakes."

"Been a while since we had a talk, come sit, man," Bickslow added with a wide grin.

"After all, Lisanna killed the baby girl," Invel continued, "Of course you wouldn't forget that."

Her smile disappeared just as fast as it appeared on her face.

The memories that happened started flooding back to Mira.

"S-Stop it," she murmured as she clutched her arm, closing her eyes shut. 

"Hey! Not in front of the children," Bickslow tried not to shout at him, "Diva, why don't you take the boys outside and play?"

Always being the obedient one, Diva did as she was told.

.

The doors closed and now only the three of them were left.

As soon as the children got out, he abruptly walked towards Invel.

"The hell is wrong with you?" he said it silently so just the two of them could hear, "You know you shouldn't bring that back in front of Mira."

"Relax Bickslow, that was years ago. She's over it," he smirked.

Not believing what he just heared, Bickslow boiled up inside.

"Shut the fuck up, man! Have you forgotten the grief Mira went through?" he was struggling to keep his voice low so she wouldn't hear.

"Of course not. Everyone went through that grief as well."

"I know you've always hated Lisanna. But for her and Mirajane's sake, don't bring that matter up again."

Invel looked past him and to Mira; her eyes were still shut, as if preventing a memory from resurfacing.

"Mirajane," he called out, getting a glance from her, "It's okay. You can forget about your dead baby and have another one."

"What the-!" Bickslow stared at him in utter shock.

Just then, She started screaming.

"STOP IT! STOP IT!," she was shaking as she circled her arms around herself, "STOP IT!"

"ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?!" Bickslow shouted as he gripped Invel by his collar.

He was mad. Angry. He just told him not to do it, but did it anyway.

Invel did it.

He just had to do it.

Not for long, Freed and Evergreen arrived.

Both confused at the scene in front of them.

"What's going-" Freed started but was cut off by the sound of a sharp scream.

"AAAAAHH!!!!"

Mira screamed as tears flowed out of her shut eyes. Her hands now clutching the sides of her head.

It was just like seeing how she was on the first week of losing her baby.

She was suffering again.

Evergreen immediately ran behind the counter to calm her down. Or try as hard as she could.

Mira continued to cry, her legs gave up on her and she dropped on the floor.

Ever hugged her tight; stroking her silver-haired head to soothe her,

"Shh... it's alright. I'm here. Shh..."

She was sobbing on the floor.

Mira held on to Ever, like there was no tomorrow. Her fingers dug deep into her upper shirt. Ever didn't complain even if it hurt.

"AAAHHH!!! NO! NO! MY BABY GIRL!"

"Oh Mira..." Ever's eyes started to moist just by listening to her.

As her ordeal was going on, Freed was the one struggling to break off the tension between the two men.

He had to push them apart so Bickslow would let go of the other's tie.

"What in the world happened here?" the green-haired asked out of confusion.

"Get out, Invel," Bickslow didn't answer and continued to glare at the other with anger.

Invel stared at him for a moment.

Then he sighed as though he was hurt.

"I was only trying to help."

He said before turning to leave.

But he turned to Mira with a smirk on his face before shutting the door close.

Freed didn't fail to see this.

"What's his problem?" he said, turning to Bickslow. 

"He's the problem," Bickslow answered angrily as he went to where Mira was.

She was still on the floor, crying.

She looked tired already from all the screaming and crying. It physically and mentally wore her out.

"No...No..." she murmured.

"That's enough, Mirajane." Bickslow gently spoke.

Tears started to dry on her cheeks and her eyes started to feel heavy.

Before she finally closed her eyes to sleep, she called out for someone's name she badly needed.

"...Laxus..."

"Should we tell him?" Ever looked up to Freed who was standing.

"I don't think now is a good time."

"Let's wait for them to get back. Laxus is going to be pissed about this," Bickslow added as he picked Mirajane up.

"Natsu will be, too" Ever agreed.

Bickslow scoffed,

"Of course he will be. Even if that bastard Invel is one of us, Natsu won't tolerate this."

.

.

BANGKOK

Lucy was at the round table near the room's glass wall overviewing the city. Her long hair loose and her body covered in white, fitting, knee-length turtleneck dress.

She was having tea.

"Feeling cozy huh?"

Natsu was still in his suit pants when he approached her.

Both were going to be at the meeting venue in the evening.

"I'm just having tea that's all," she said, giggling.

"Is that the one he gave you?"

"Mhm."

"I hope Invel won't steal you away from me with that trick," he smirked as she rolled her eyes at him.

Natsu leaned towards her, kissing her lightly on the forehead.

"I'd like to share it with you, but I know you don't drink tea" Lucy said with a smile, taking a sip of the drink.

"Mmmm," he hummed as he started towards the bed where the rest of his clothes were neatly laid,

"I only drink coffee."