.

.

"Careful, Lucy!"

The call lurches me backward, reluctantly returning to my straightened stance. I glance at Yukino, who hurries beside me within her thick winter coat. She tried her best to hurry through the powdery knee-high snow. It'd been a hellish first week of winter, some parts of the snow were soft and dusty, others were slick and icy. We were only supposed to get up to three inches of snow, but then the flurry turned into an icy tundra real quick.

I roll my eyes. "I'm fine." I huff out white condensation.

"It's real icy out here! You've got to be more careful!" She lectures, with the stern squint she directs at me.

These past two months have been hell, but I manage through like a champ. Winter is dead-ass freezing, the snow pelts down in giant clumps, ice entraps the sidewalks and stairs in patches. Understandably, I know why the white-haired woman wants me to tread cautiously. With me being...bigger...and more...delicate than I was, I couldn't agree more.

My child has grown more active than the first time I've felt him kick.

"Chill out, woman, " Cobra, who followed suit behind her, grumbled. "You're givin' me a headache."

He passes her as she glares at him, he didn't care in the slightest though. And if he did, he didn't show it.

"I see your attitude ceases to improve."

Cobra ignores her and steps into the street.

"Okay, guys, please don't fight. Sting and the others are waiting." I penetrate through their tension.

"You're right, " Yukino hops to my side and taking my elbow around hers. "Can't keep them any longer!"

.

.

.

"Lucy!"

"Wow, you're looking beautiful!"

"It's so great to see you!"

"My, you look like you're about to burst."

I am surrounded by the ladies of Fairy Tail, er, well, my closest ladies of Fairy Tail. Mira, Erza, Levy, Wendy and Carla, Lisanna, Biska and her Asuka, to name a few. I burn red with their shouts of compliments and short hugs and peppered kisses on my cheeks.

My complete shock overrode any emotion I may have been feeling. Yukino told me we were meeting Sting?

"Oh, h-hey, guys!" I try to brush off my surprise with a grin.

The place we're at is like a small restaurant, but with no people inside. From what I could tell, the interior is decorated with blue and pink streamers and other special kinds of stuff. There were tables covered with pink or blue table cloths and plates of food and drinks.

"What...is this?" I ask warily, eyeing my friends suspiciously.

"Well..." Yukino flushes.

"It's your baby shower!" Erza announces proudly.

"Hah?" I blink at her.

"We just thought since you're here and deliberately tucking yourself away for a reason you won't tell us, " Levy begins with a sad smile before it brightens. "Maybe we could celebrate the baby!"

I feel myself tear up. "Wah! I don't deserve you guys!"

Levy embraces me warmly, giving me a gentle squeeze before releasing me. "I believe you meant we don't deserve you."

The girls give encouraging smiles and grins.

"Now, come along, it's quite cold out here, " Erza said, stepping beside me and directing me into the restaurant and toward a comfy-looking chair that resembled a throne, but with pink cushions and armrests.

"You really didn't have to do all of this."

Erza lets out this laugh-chuckle sound. "Nonsense! You deserve this as much as any other new mother, Lucy. Don't keep trying to convince us otherwise. Besides, we wanted to do this. The gifts and party. That's what family does. We're there for family, through thick and thin."

"I'm grateful to you, " I say, wiping my misty eyes. "And all that you're doing for me."

"Here, let me take your coat, Lucy, " Mira gestured to my thick winter sweater. "I'll get you some hot cocoa."

"Thank you."

I stripped off my sweater and hand it to Mira, who smiles while taking it.

"Sit! Sit!" Erza ushered me to the chair.

"Here?" I eyed the throne-like seat.

"Of course, today is about you and your baby. A special seat for a special duo." Lisanna grinned cheekily.

My face heats up, feeling the compliments too much for me to handle. It's been a while since I've had this much attention, er, well, positive attention.

"Let me help you, " Erza took my hand as I struggled to lower myself to the seat. "Better?"

"Much, " I smile up at her and go to adjust myself. "Thank you."

"So, Lucy..." My attention focuses on Bisca who had Asuka on her knee. "Ya nervous?"

"Immensely," I answer almost immediately, rubbing my palm over my bump. "Nervous, scared, excited. All of the above, and then some."

"I thought that way too, when I had my Asuka, " The green-haired mother booped Asuka's nose, who giggled and mirrored the boop. "It's worth afterward. The tears and pain, I mean."

Yeah, that didn't really comfort me much...

"I don't know...I haven't thought much of it...and to be frank, I...I'm not sure I want--" I trail off, losing my words quickly.

This baby, I had imagined him so many times. And that psycho spirit quest dream I had, I had become too scared to imagine what he'd actually look like once he was born; it just felt too surreal.

"You'll know, in due time." Bisca smiled at me before flickering her attention a returning Mira.

"Here you are, just how you like it, " Mira graciously, and carefully handed me that tall mug. "Are you ready?"

I sip the whipped cream and peppermint chocolate winter drink, "For what?"

"Your presents! And cake!"

The mere mention of a cake made me salivate. I've been hounded about watching the caffeine I ingested, that maybe I'd be allowed just one slice of sweet goodness. Even if it were a lick, I'd drown in pure vanilla or chocolatey bliss.

"What kind of cake?" I ask licking my lips.

"Strawberry cake with buttercream and vanilla icing! Topped with a variety of strawberries grown throughout Fiore and Crocus! Nurtured from different types of soils and light! With an equal amount of sweetness and bitterness, it's the perfect combination of strawberries~" Erza squealed, smiling like a giddy high school girl.

"Hey, " Mira nudged the redhead with a knowing grin, "Remember, the cake is for her."

"R-right!" Erza snapped back quickly. "I didn't mean it that way, Lucy! I meant no intentions of---you may strike me!"

The re-equip mage immediately unsheaths her sword, presenting it to me while kneeling down.

"Goodness, no! Erza, you're fine! I'm not going to hit you!" I reject her frantically.

"Geez, Erza, don't freak her out, " Lisanna laughed. "We don't want her dropping the calf in the middle of the restaurant."

I look at the white-haired woman with a grin, "Yeah, that's probably not the best thing." I suddenly realize there were a few faces missing, "Hey, where's Midnight and Cobra?"

"Oh, " Yukino perks up. "Sting and Rogue took them someplace else. They figured we ladies would want some time to ourselves together, considering you haven't seen your friends in a while."

"That's very considerate of them, " Erza hummed in approval, returning to her seat. "Perhaps being with you, I've noticed a significant change in them. Being in your care has definitely improved their attitudes."

"You can say that again, " I hum, sipping my cocoa. "Midnight complains he doesn't like it, but I know he feels better. And Cobra, well, he hasn't said anything otherwise. Sometimes I wished I had his mind-reading magic."

"Careful what you wish for~" Bisca giggled.

I grimace a little, thinking back to all the times I would just happen to think a thought, when I didn't have the mind-protecting ring on, Cobra would hear my thoughts. I could feel the heat crawl up my cheeks from second-hand embarrassment.

"On second thought, I'm okay where I'm at..." I rub my bump again with a smile. And it drops.

Here we are. With all my, well, most of my family from Fairy Tail. Giving me gifts and sweets, and all their attention. I feel guilty. I've been silent all this time.

"I--"

"Here's the cake!" Wendy and Laki appeared, the lavender-haired woman carefully holding a large round cake with strawberry toppings.

"It looks absolutely delicious!" Erza licks her lips immediately, a platter already in her hands.

"I need to say something." My voice was on the verge of quivering.

My friends stilled, giving me their attention and patiently waiting for me to say whatever it was I was going to say so they'd return to their chatting and friendly gossiping.

"What is it, Lucy?" Lisanna, surprisingly, is the one who speaks up when my voice refuses to work.

I force down the lump that grew in the back of my throat. "About the baby...I..."

"What about the baby? Are you hurting?" Wendy said, concerned as she hurried to approach me.

"No, no, it's nothing like that, Wendy, " I smile at the young bluenette. " I just..."

Does Wendy know about how babies were made? I mean, I would assume she would, considering she's got the knowledge of ten thousand healing magic users. That may be overexaggerating, but she's one smart kid.

I reached out to her and ruffled her hair. "Actually Wendy, I've got a bit of a headache. Do you have anything I could take?"

"I'll have to check my bag, " Wendy shuffled her feet. "Oh, dear me! I think I left it in the back! I'll be a minute, Lucy."

"Take your time, " I smile as she hurried away. My smile drops when her figure vanishes behind a door.

"You don't have a headache do you?"

I shook my head lightly at the question, "What I'm about to confess probably would be too mature for her ears."

"Confess?" Levy perked. "Confess what?"

"Lucy, you don't have to do this, you know," Yukino said, locking her eyes with mine.

"I...I know."

My chest was tight, my heart thumping erratically against its prison. I take in short breaths and release them to relieve some of my anxiety.

"I-I..." My voice betrays me by cracking. Hot, messy tears are quick to run down my face.

I'm immediately surrounded by the ladies of Fairy Tail, they're all saying comforting nothings and telling me that it was okay. Their presence made me feel safe, especially Erza and Mira. My mind is trying to piece my words together, imagining many different ways to come about this.

I shouldn't lie to them anymore.

They were worried sick about me. They probably pondered relentlessly about my whereabouts and safety the whole time I was gone.

"It's alright, Lucy, " Erza's hand met my shoulder gently. She had her armor off, her thumb rubbing over the curve of my joint. "Just take your time. Breathe in and out, there you go now."

I take this time to recuperate myself before I'm taken out by an anxiety attack.

Would they think of me any differently?

Would they even believe me?

Part of me cried, saying they wouldn't and would cast me away like used garbage. Lisanna knew, maybe she'd vouch for me?

Gathering up enough courage, I wipe my tears away the best I can. Though my attempts seem futile, my heart squeezed out my sorrow through my eyes. With my sleeves, I wipe my eyes and now runny nose.

That's it.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

"Are you okay now?" Levy rubs my back and I nod weakly.

"Yeah, " I struggle to keep that nasty lump of a crying episode down. "I telling you about the baby, wasn't I?"

"Yes, " One of the ladies said as the crowd around me thinned. "What about the baby?"

"Well, I...I..." Come on! Just out with it, Lucy! I could see Lisanna looking at me strangely, as if she was wondering what I was going to do, or even say. "The baby...was...erm, I was, uh, well...not...!"

"What are you saying, Lucy?" Erza was standing tall, her expression hardening, fury sculpting her beautiful face.

"I'm...I'm s-saying...I was..." I sighed. Here goes. "I was raped."

The room went still. Eerily still. Dangerously still. It was like someone came in here and cursed us for being ladies. Erza's whole demeanor changed, her body was very tense.

"Why didn't you tell us, Lucy?" Levy was quiet at first, not looking at me.

"I--"

"What did you think we were going to do?!" Levy faced me now, crying herself. She was in complete disbelief and anguish.

"Levy, enough!" Bisca scolded, but it wasn't enough for the bluenette. "This is gotta be hard on her, ya can't just---"

"You could've come to us for help instead of running like a dog with its tail in between its legs! We're family! Couldn't you have trusted us?"

She was flailing her arms about, gesturing to herself and the others.

Emotions flare within me. "You don't think I wanted to? I couldn't! I was scared of what you guys would think of me! I'm terrified! I'm hurt and alone! I have to deal with my pain by myself because of happened! I'm ashamed!"

"It doesn't make sense, though! Were you so scared to come to us that you thought it was a good idea to bottle that trauma?"

"He threatened me, okay?!" I exasperated.

And then it was silent again. It wasn't like before when it was just silent. This is the kind of silence where you could practically feel the magical power hum within the air, and still hear a pin drop.

"Lucy..." Mira crouched before me, taking my hands into hers. Her striking blues pierce my brown ones. "It's okay to tell us. We're family, we're not judging you, and we're not doubting you."

Still hurt by Levy's outburst of painful 'why's, I avert my gaze over Mira's crown. "Then why does it feel like it?"

"I'm proud you told us. I can only imagine the strength you had to gather to tell us today, " Her smile was kind and sad. Her fingers squeezed mine in comfort. "Lucy?"

I don't want to look at her. Don't look at her. I knew if I looked at her, if I looked her in the eyes, I'd cry again. With that nasty lump reforming, I knew it would be the nail in the coffin for me.

"Lucy, " She said in a gentle, but unyielding tone. "Lucy, please look at me."

I flicker my sights to her pale face, the waters working now.

"Do we know him?"

That was it. My heart skipped a beat, practically shattering into millions of shards. The tears cloud my vision and Mira's face became nothing more than a blob of white and blue. I hiccup a few times as I cry, which gradually turn into agonizing wails.

The next thing I know, I'm being embraced fiercely by Mira. Her hold was tight but gentle.

"Shh...shh...it's okay, Lucy, " She hums softly, guiding my head into her shoulder as she hugged me. "We're here, and we're not going to let anyone hurt you."

"And if anyone tries, " Erza's voice was protective. "They'll have to go through us."

I couldn't see her, but I can tell she gestured to her and the ladies of Fairy Tail. She was beyond furious, I knew. They were hurt I didn't tell them, disappointed too. I did them wrong and they're upset.

But I wasn't ready to come forth before. I hope somewhere in their hearts, they understood that. Each and every one of them had their secrets, and this was mine.

"I wasn't there for you," Erza wept beside me, crouching down to my level, her left eye leaking tears. "All this time, you were suffering in silence and we never knew!"

"Who was it? If it's not too much to ask..." Levy croaked.

"I'm afraid...I just can't speak his name...not now." I shake my head.

Even thinking his name scares me. He haunts my everyday thoughts, hallucinates my peripheral vision, and my dreams. I know I've said his name in the past, but after that dream I had, I feel like I'm planted back at square one in recovery.

"You've been close with her, Argia-san, " Levy directed toward Yukino. "Did she tell you?"

"No, I... I don't know who it is. She never told me. I don't pressure her with this. If she doesn't want to tell us, then she doesn't have to."

Erza trembled in anger. "He will rue the very day he decided to harm you!"

"Erza, please..."

Before I could get into assuring Erza it wasn't her fault and that she didn't have to seek revenge for me, the restaurant doors flew open and the loud voice of Sting came chattering in.

"--and then we kicked serious ass!"

"Wow, " Midnight's monotonous voice was uninterested in whatever Sting was bragging about. "I've not paid any less attention to your story before."

The four men paused, completely void of sound or thought, probably. Poor Cobra, he's probably dealing with the constant tornadic wind of enraged and homicidal thoughts by now. No doubt he got winded the second they approached the restaurant.

Sting peered around, an eyebrow piquing.

"Hey, why's it all doom and gloomy in here? This is supposed to be a party!"