A/N: I am getting less and less satisfied with these one-shots... *sigh* Ah well... Enjoy this bit of festiveness. (:

Special thanks to ElodieKumari94 for reviewing and to Thirteen Hadley and x Teru Teru Bozu for adding their favorites!

Disclaimer: ...

Christmases Passed

"As clingy as he's gotten since then," Cana whined to Mira across the bar, "that didn't mean I didn't want him here for Christmas! Argh!" Her head slammed into the bar. "He'll never back it back in this storm!"

"Don't lose hope, Cana," Mira comforted. "Christmas is still a few days away; I'm sure Gildarts will make it back in time! You know him – he never breaks a promise! Besides, the weather really isn't that bad…"

Lucy sighed from where she sat at one of the tables in the guild hall. As much as she had always loved Christmas, it was difficult for her to share in the joy that seemed to engulf the rest of the guild – including Gray. She hated to admit it, but she was almost a little relieved that she wasn't the only one who wasn't in a joyous mood.

"Lu-chan?"

The blonde turned her attention back to her friend. "Ah, gomen, Levy. What were you saying?"

Levy gave her a puzzled, searching look. "Is something wrong?"

Lucy looked away. "No… It's nothing…"

"You do realize you just contradicted yourself, right?" Levy asked as she leaned back in her seat, folding her arms over her chest.

Lucy stared at her friend for a moment, trying to figure out her reasoning. Oh, she finally realized after a moment, either there isn't anything wrong, or 'it' is just nothing to worry about even though there is something wrong… She sighed. "I don't know, Levy… Everyone just seems to be so happy that Christmas is only a few days away, but, for some reason, I'm just not. I haven't really been happy around Christmas since my mom died; the day just wasn't the same without her."

"Really?"

She nodded. "It's not that my dad ever forgot about Christmas, or anything, but my mom was the one who always made it a truly happy season. We had servants and all, but my mom and I were always the ones to make all the Christmas cookies; she really loved making them. And decorating the house! After she passed away though… My dad still made sure the hall was decorated and that the cooks made cookies, but it wasn't the same. All Christmas amounted to after that was opening presents and a feast for dinner. Aside from that, it was just another day for my dad to get some work done."

"How sad…"

"Hm."

The two were silent for a moment before Levy spoke again. "This year will be different, Lucy. You'll see! It may not be exactly the same, but life has to go on, always changing, or nothing good can ever happen. In the same way, you have to take the bad with the good; if there were no bad things, then we wouldn't know when we are granted good things! Even though previous years haven't been great for you, this year will be festive and joyous; everyone one will be here – everyone in our Fairy Tail family! Just wait until the Christmas Eve Party, Lu-chan! It's impossible to not be happy!"

Lucy smiled at her friend. "Maybe so… You know what would help me feel more festive?"

"What?"

"The snow has lightened up a little, so I think we should go Christmas shopping! I still need to figure out what to get Cana for that Secret Santa thing, after all, and I still need presents for a few other people, too."

Levy nodded enthusiastically. "Let's go!"