Day 2 of CoLu week! Excuses. Hope you enjoy!

Excuses

Chapter 1

"Lucy, are you ready yet? Natsu will be here in a bit to take you on a date." Mirajane stated, walking into her room. Lucy could only sigh before looking at her sister-in-law, giving the woman a small smile before turning back to her full length mirror.

"I know." She muttered, taking in her appearance in her new, fancy dress, red high heel shoes, and how Mira had helped her style her hair into a fancy bun. She looked the picture of elegance, something that she despised since she had promised herself to never look like this again. She had cast that part of her past aside, but now because of everyone's expectancy, she was suppose to be with Natsu Dragneel. The son of a high noble who had stated to her grandfather that she would be a perfect match for his son.

The truth was, she only saw Natsu as a friend. At most as another brother, what with his protectiveness and joking habits around her. There was no chemistry, but she just wasn't sure how to tell everyone about how she felt. She already knew who she loved, but also knew that he was unattainable since he was her older brother's best friend. He had way to much honor to make a move on her, and she didn't want to cause any strain between her brother and his friend.

"Lucy! Did you even hear a word I said?" Mira sounded, causing her to blink and look at the woman who was suddenly standing beside her. Wincing as she realized that she had completely zoned her out.

"Sorry, Mira. I...It's just...Mira, how did you know that Laxus was the one for you?" She suddenly asked, watching as the woman blinked in surprise before giving a smile.

"I had always admired Laxus from afar, from a young age I had always had a crush on him. However, the time I knew that I have fallen for him, was when he pulled me off the path I was heading down. I was turning into nothing but a rebel child, on a fast track to being behind bars. He showed that, besides my siblings, there was someone out there that did care about me. I fell for him hard, and was lucky enough for him to like me back in return." She stated, causing Lucy to smile. She knew all too well what Mira was like when she was younger, mainly because she still had the attitude every once and a while. It was at those times when people knew to give the woman some space, and that the only person to approach was Laxus.

"Why are you asking so suddenly?" Mira asked, causing her to tense before giving a sigh and moving over to the bed.

"It's just...I honestly don't have any romantic feelings toward Natsu. If anything, he's a dear friend, and almost like a brother. Not to mention, I'm almost positive that he only sees me as a friend as well, and is only going through this because it is expected of him. Just like it is expected of me." She muttered, watching as Mira blinked and sat down beside her.

"Lucy. How long have you been thinking like this?" She asked, and Lucy gave a tight smile.

"Since our very first 'date'." She muttered, watching as the woman frowned and slumped her shoulders slightly.

"Why haven't you said anything before now?"

"I didn't want to disappoint anyone. Everyone seems so determined that me and Natsu are destined to be together, that we would be the perfect couple. How could I let everyone down? But, at the same time, how can I put myself into a life that I wouldn't be happy with? I know it's selfish thinking, but..."

"But nothing! Your happiness is the first thing in your families mind. Never forget that Lucy, if you don't want to go through with it, then say so. No one will think less of you, I promise. And if they do, well then they can answer to me and Laxus." Mira stated, causing Lucy to blink before giving a smile and hugging the woman.

"You're the best Mira. I am sorry that you'll never get those 'adorable babies' from me and Natsu though." She stated, watching with a smile as Mira waved it away.

"I just want babies from you. I don't care what guy you get with, so long as I get nieces and nephews to spoil. Any of your babies will be adorable, regardless of the man you're with." Mira stated, causing Lucy to roll her eyes but stand up with a sigh.

"Well, I guess tonight I'll be asking Natsu about what he thinks about all of this. Hopefully it will be the same, so we can end on good terms and still remain friends. Not to mention, I swear he has a crush on Yukino. Maybe I can convince him to try to ask her out." Lucy stated, blinking when Mira gave a squeak. Looking back at her, she saw that their was a distance look in the woman's gaze, before she swooned and held her cheeks.

"Those babies would be adorable! Not to mention since we have good relations with both families, I would still get to see them." She stated, causing Lucy to shake her head at the woman's antics. Honestly, she was so addicted to spoiling babies.

"Honestly, you and Laxus need to settle down and have your own babies." Lucy muttered, blinking as the woman went silent for a moment. A look of surprise on her face, before looking down in thought.

"Laxus and I...Having babies." She muttered, and Lucy stepped back as she nearly saw hearts appearing in her sister-in-laws eyes. She jumped as the woman shot to her feet, and gave her a wide smile.

"I wish you the best of luck with Natsu. I also promise not to tell anyone, and let you do it when you are ready." She stated, Lucy gave a nod and then stilled as the doorbell's chime echoed through the house.

"Lucy! Natsu is here!" Laxus called, causing her to inhale before exhaling and giving a nod. Following Mira out of the room, she followed her down the steps and into the main foyer where Laxus was waiting with Natsu.

"You look great Luce." Natsu stated, causing her to smile and accepting his arm when he held it out to her.

"Thank you Natsu, you're looking quit dashing as well." She stated, watching as he laughed and smiled alongside him.

"Alright you two, remember back by ten. Any later Dragneel and I'll tear you apart." Laxus growled, causing Lucy to roll her eyes, and hid a smile when Natsu gave him a single finger salute. However, before Laxus retort, Mira stepped forward, which was Lucy's cue to drag Natsu out.

"Laxus, I wanna talk about us having kids." They were already outside when Laxus's shout of surprise was heard.

Lucy carefully picked at her food, trying to think of a way to break it to Natsu that she didn't want this to continue between them since there was no chemistry. In fact, she could even tell that Natsu was deep in thought about something, since he wasn't being his usual cheerful, and slightly obnoxious self. Giving a sigh, she put down her fork, and looked up as he did the same.

"Natsu..."

"Lucy..."

Both paused and stared at one another for a moment before Lucy gave a small grin and gave a nod.

"Go ahead." She whispered, watching as he gave a nod before inhaling slightly.

"I know that we've been going out, solely to please our families, but...Well...I want to stop." He muttered, watching her closely, but all she could do was blink.

"N..Now don't get me wrong! It's not that you're not great or anything, you're amazing, it's just that...there is nothing between us. In all honestly, I just see you as a friend, or better yet a sister. It just feels wrong dating you, and..." His rambling ended on a grunt as she quickly stood and wrapped him in a hug.

"Oh thank goodness you do feel the same way! In truth, what you just said was the exact thing I was going to say." She stated, sitting back down to stare at him, laughing as she saw that he looked stunned. Before a small smile broke onto his face, and soon both of them were laughing.

"We must look a pair." She managed to get out between laughs, and then watching in amusement as Natsu just smiled before shaking his head.

"So, now that's settled, how do we break it to your grandfather, and my father?" He asked, causing her to blink and give a shrug.

"I was just going to be blunt and straight forward with Gramps." She stated, watching as he gave a nod before waving the waiter over.

"I don't know about you, but I want to get this over with quickly." He muttered, and she gave a nod as she stood alongside him. It was best to face the music now instead of later...

Lucy could only stare out her bedroom window, sighing in defeat as she listened to her grandfather argue with Natsu's father. As she had expected, neither family had liked what they had said about the "engagement" that they had bestowed upon them. Her grandfather had fussed a bit, but had accepted it because he wanted her to be happy.

Igneel on the other hand, well, it was taking a bit more convincing on his behalf. Merely because he said he wanted Lucy as his daughter-in-law and to to bind the bond between their families. Not to mention that her and Natsu hung out all the time anyway, so why not just marry. For some reason he just wasn't understanding that they hung out as friends, not lovers.

"Dad! Enough! There is nothing between me and Lucy! Besides, I want Yukino as my wife!" Natsu's screamed broke over the muffled argument, and Lucy felt her eyes go wide before rushing out of her room and toward the steps. Reaching them in time to see Natsu glaring at his father, who was staring down at him in shock.

"Y...Yukino? Eucliff's daughter? B..But you can't stand his son? Why would you date his daughter?"

"Yukino is nothing like Sting. Besides, she...she's really something else dad. I've already been on a few dates with her even, both of us sneaking around to see each other. We never said anything, because everyone always said that we looked good with someone else. I'm tired of the excuses. I just want to be with her." Natsu stated, and Lucy smiled at him as she watched the scene. Her brother and grandfather were there, their arms crossed with small smiles on their faces.

Igneel looked toward them, back to Natsu, and then gave a sigh. Shaking his head slightly before running a hand through his hair.

"Seems like I'm out numbered. Alright, alright. I give, I wont try and get these two together any more. They can date whoever they want." He muttered, shoulders slumping slightly as everyone grinned.

"About time, now. How about you join us for supper?" Makarov asked, and Lucy smiled as everyone nodded before heading toward the kitchen, except for her grandfather.

"You'll be joining us child?"

"I'll be down in a bit gramps." She whispered, watching as he gave a nod and then headed into the kitchen with everyone else. She gave a smile, but then sighed as she stared down the steps. If only it was easy to date whoever she wished, there was only one person she wanted, but yet she still couldn't have him. Erik "Cobra" Cubellos, wasn't someone who was, or would ever be interested, in her. She was his best friend's little sister, from the others she had seen him date, she probably wasn't his type either. Yet, for some reason, she couldn't cast away her feelings for him. Giving a sigh, she joined the others in the kitchen, forcing herself to smile along with all of them.

There is chapter 1! Chapter 2 will be posted some time after CoLu week! Thanks for reading!