Chapter Fourteen: Gifts

WARNING: This chapter will contain a pretty important spoiler if you're not at the Edolas arc and over yet!

As I walked out my rented place the next morning, securing my whip onto my belt, I prepared myself for the huge surprise on my birthday. I was now officially eighteen, not quite believing it. As I reached the doors of Fairy Tail, I prepared myself for whatever they would throw at me.

I pushed open the doors as everyone leapt up and yelled, "Happy Birthday!"

"Ahhh!" I screamed from shock for a moment before I started laughing and smiling as Natsu and Happy leapt on me, before all the other more-outgoing members leapt onto me. I laughed and got back up as Natsu and Happy got off.

"Presents!" shouted Natsu, shoving a box under my nose. It was small and was black velvet. It was also ring sized.

I nearly choked on my own spit but I smiled happily to be polite to Natsu and try to look flattered.

"Aw… That's so sweet!" said Bisca, "I had no idea you guys were in a relationship!"

"What?" said half the guild.

"Nani?" said Natsu as everyone started clapping and cheering, assuming the same thing I had. I looked up and looked at everyone who had assumed Natsu was proposing. Everyone had known that Natsu was 'going to do something great', something so great, I 'won't believe it'.

I couldn't believe this, that's for sure. As I scanned the cheering crowd, I saw a navy haired person go through the crowd and disappear out the balcony.

Gray? I thought, about to go after him but I decided to be polite and see Natsu's gift first. I opened the box, grinning at Natsu and saw a flash of silver. Oh, dear God, it was a ring!

I looked down and nearly fainted in relief. It wasn't a ring, but a beautiful necklace. It had a thin, sparkling silver chain with a gem-studded N in fancy writing. Natsu grinned and held up a black version of it but instead of the N, it was an L.

"It's friendship necklaces!" said Natsu, "Now we can make sure we're always friends! Happy and I have some too, see?" He held up another necklace with H on it, "But Happy doesn't really wear necklaces so he doesn't wear his but I do."

"Aw…" I said, slipping the necklace around my neck, "That's so sweet! Thanks, Natsu! But, how could you afford this?" The diamonds glittered in the light pouring in from the windows.

Natsu grinned, "Yay! You like it!" He paused and continued, "I used the money we earned on that princess mission."

I smiled, "Aw, Natsu, you didn't have to spend the money on this! And of course I like it!" I wanted to go out to the balcony then and check on Gray but then the girls of Fairy Tail were onto me, chorusing 'Happy birthday!' and hustling me out the door.

"What the heck? Where are you guys taking me?" I asked, "I actually felt like taking a mission today…"

"Nonsense!" said Cana, one of the few hustling me along, "You can't take a mission on your birthday! It's the one day we're allowed to have the day off except if we're sick! Now come on!"

"I wouldn't be struggling if you tell me where we're going!" I said.

"You'll see," said Evergreen, also there.

Eventually I was at a familiar café. I blinked and realised I was at the place where I had agreed to meet with that photographer traveller guy, but never had because I went on a mission with Natsu and Happy instead.

"This is the place where I went to meet that guy…" I said, suddenly feeling pretty guilty.

"Don't worry, he didn't mind," said Cana, "Anyway, ta-dah!"

I looked around, "What's 'ta-dah'?"

Wendy laughed and pointed, "Over there, Lucy-san! He's only staying for a short time so be quick!"

I looked over and my heart gave one big thump for sitting in one of the café chairs, was my father! He looked different to how he normally did, now wearing normal clothes in I don't even know how long, since he always wore a suit and after his fortune was gone, he looked like a homeless beggar. Though, when I looked over at him, he smiled and waved us over.

I slowly approached him, as if he would suddenly stop looking so kind, that he would without warning suddenly transform back into that cold, ignoring father I always knew. But surprisingly, he didn't as I took my seat. I was actually beginning to wonder if they had bribed him to look so pleasant or if they threatened him or something. But I knew that wasn't true. Even if they had, Dad would never be able to make this face so believable. As I looked at his face, all I saw was actual love and happiness which I was used to seeing on my mother's face instead of his. I smiled happily.

"As soon as we heard he was in town, we had to get him to come," explained Lisanna, "So we thought we could make this your birthday present! Do you like it?"

"Yes!" I said. As far as I could remember, my birthdays had always meant a huge, over-the-top party with all these rich people bustling in and giving me presents like bracelets and cosmetics with a huge cake and maybe fireworks at night. And this little party made me happier than those ever could.

"Happy birthday, Lucy," said Dad, smiling. I grinned, "Arigato, Dad." I looked meaningfully at the others.

"We'll just leave you guys alone…" said Erza, easing everyone away, "Oh, and the guys of the guild picked up the tab so you don't have to pay for anything. Bye!" she said, turning around and hustling everyone away.

"So," I said, when they were gone, "How long are you in town for?"

"About 20 minutes actually," answered Father, looking around for any eavesdroppers, "I'm here on an errand for my guild, but I also wanted to wish my daughter a happy birthday."

"Oh," I said, "Good to see you're still doing your bit for the guild and… that you remembered."

"I've heard about your progress in the guild," said Father, "And that recent mission on saving a princess."

"Uh… sure," I said. I wanted to explain that we didn't actually have to save the princess from anything but I wanted to savour what 20 minutes we had, "We managed to complete it which is good."

"Layla would have been proud," murmured Father, "You've achieved so many Celestial Keys, Lucy. That's already an achievement I'm proud of. Nice belt, by the way."

"Thanks," I said, touching one of my keys before letting it swing back down.

After that, we talked about random things like the weather and what was happening in each other's lives and ordered cake and drinks even though I hadn't even had breakfast yet. It was only one time though; it should be OK. Then, before I knew it, Father had stood up and announced he had to leave. Did twenty minutes really past just then? Whenever I sat down with Dad before, it seemed like twenty years before he would let me go.

"Oh," I said, disappointed he was leaving so soon, "OK. Bye, Dad."

"I believe that's the first time you were sad to see me go," said Dad.

"Well, no offence, but your talks on money and business always put me to sleep," I said.

"None taken," said Father, "I understand now I should've treated you better." He handed me a rather large box, "I know this doesn't make up for everything but…" He chuckled, "It was your mother's favourite outfit." He smiled and left, "Bye, Lucy."

"Bye!" I called, taking a proper look at the package. It was wrapped in white, sparkly paper and had a pale blue bow in the corner. I walked to my rented place and went inside my bedroom, lying down on the bed. My birthday had been the best one yet. The sun reflected off my necklace and made glimmers on the wall. I decided to relax a bit before I went back to the guild. I got up and picked out a piece of paper and some writing equipment.

Dear Mother, I wrote,

Today, Father visited Magnolia on an errand but he still made time to see me for my birthday. I'm really happy that he did! He also gave me a present that he said was your favourite outfit. I'm sure I'll love it. I also have a little dilemma with Gray and Juvia. If you were here, I'm sure you would have told me some great advice. But, I guess now I have to solve it myself. I really appreciated it when you appeared in my dream a few days ago and give me a warning of what was to come. Even when you're not here, you're still watching over me, Mother. Thank you.

Lucy

I folded it up, putting it in a tiny envelope and placing that in its usual box where I put all my letters. When I closed the box, however, a glimmer caught my eye. I looked over beside the box and saw a little piece of paper folded over once with my name on it. I went over and picked it up.

It was white background with elegant blue swirls of different tones. My name was in silver writing which glimmered. I opened up and the note and read what was inside, nearly having a heart attack. I looked over at the box my father had given me and smiled, I guess I'll wear that. God knows I barely have any warm clothes.

I opened the box and looked at what was inside. The box was lined with black silk and taking up three quarters of the box was a folded snow white dress. I unfolded it and changed into it, taking off my skirt and top. It had a heart-neckline bodice with full sleeves that came in at the waist and slightly puffed out at the skirt which went down to my mid calves. The whole dress was made of silk except for the sleeves which were carefully woven lace. The bodice had little diamonds on it which shone in the sun. The skirt was plain and pure white. It was beautiful. I saw some shoes in the box as well, which were tucked under the folded dress. They were slip-on heels the lightest shade of blue, almost white and had a normal heel.

Taking up the other quarter of the box was a small, narrow box. I lifted the lid and there were the jewellery. There was a pair of dangling silver earrings in delicate little strings which moved with the slightest movement. I put them on and tied up my hair in its usual hairstyle with a silver band I already owned. There was also a necklace but I wanted to wear Natsu's for the day.

Thanks, Mother, Father, I thought for the outfit, securing my hair. I stood up after slipping on my shoes and took along the note, reading it over one more time before I left:

Dear Lucy,

As you've noticed, I haven't given you your birthday present yet… Don't worry, I haven't forgotten; meet me by the large lake in the forest if you want to. I'll be there all day so maybe as soon as you read this note? I also have to talk to you about something…

P.S: Dress warmly. I think there's going to be a change in the weather.

Gray.