~Lucy's POV~

I jumped with excitement as I heard the buzzing of the door bell. I placed down the salad bowl that I was preparing and sprinted towards the door.

"They're here everybody," I yelled out, straightening down my hair in the process. I swung the door open, revealing my dear friends and their daughter. The outside air was brisk, snow falling from the rooftops.

"Juvia," I gasped, wrapping my arms around her. It hadn't been too long since I'd last seen her, but we've both been really busy with the holiday and such. Christmas was yesterday, so we decided to postpone our Christmas dinner till this evening.

"Lucy!" She began to laugh, accepting my bear hug. Shortly after our friendly embrace, I moved on to Gray. I always knew Gray had a thing for Juvia, but he finally made a move after Natsu and I got back together. That was such a long time ago; now we're all so grown up.

"Hey Lucy," he said with a smile.

"Hey!" I had to reach up on my tip toes to properly give him a hug, but I had practice since Natsu was so tall.

"Oh Rose," I boasted, looking at the young lady in front of me. "You look beautiful." Rose, Gray and Juvia's only child, goes to school with my youngest, Ash. She's got her father's raven hair, and her mother's ocean blue eyes. Her porcelain skin glowed against her shimmering navy dress.

"Oh," she paused, blushing. "Thank you Mrs. Dragneel."

"Please come in." I held the door as they shuffled inside, wiping their boots on the welcome mat.

"Ice Princess!" Ash and Natsu yelled simultaneously. Ash, who's also 16, was born with his father's pink hair and good looks. I did give him my chocolate brown eyes that caused all the ladies to melt.

"It's been 16 years, and you still won't quit it Flame Brain?" I rolled my eyes; laughing at their childish behavior. Even after maturing, they still refuse to call each other by their real names.

Ash looked amused as his father gave him a fist bump. I couldn't help but laugh. My heart melted at the sight of Gray and Natsu hugging. They may piss each other off on a daily basis, but they're still genuine friends.

"Where's your oldest Lucy?" Juvia asked, placing her bag by the door.

"Ah," I sighed, "Ember should be home any minute. She's out with her boyfriend right now." I sent Juvia a suggestive look, brow raised and all.

"She has a boyfriend now? Jeez these kids are growing so fast."

"I know right? He seems like a pretty nice guy, they go out all the time." I said as I re-tied my apron.

"Maybe he just can't help himself. Ember is a beautiful girl. She looks just like you." I laughed, a smile spreading across my cheeks.

"Rose looks a lot like you as well." I eyed Rose standing awkwardly by the door. She hadn't made any progress to settle herself in. I scanned the room, my eyes immediately falling on Ash. He seemed to be staring at Rose, mouth agape and all.

He then stood up and made his way toward her. Of course Natsu and Gray didn't notice that he'd left, all their attention was focused on the TV. Usually, Natsu helps me cook, but I insisted that I made Christmas dinner alone.

"What's up Rose?" Ash questioned, hand scratching the back of his head. I knew that look. Juvia must have caught my drift because we both glued ourselves to one side of the kitchen archway. We were both disrespectfully eaves dropping, but we're their mothers, so it's okay.

Rose's head lifted, exposing her pristine beauty. Her dark blue eyes may look mysterious at first, but they were actually so soft. "Hi Ash," she replied quietly. I could see her red cheeks from here.

Ash, disregarding all of his previous nerves, grabbed Rose's hand. Juvia and I both shimmied a little closer. "I have some music that I want you to hear." With that, they left, exiting the living room, headed for Ash's bedroom. Usually I would be fine with this when they were children, but now? They're much older, and have a lot of hormones.

"Do you think we-" I was cut off by Juvia.

"No, let them have their fun. We were both pretty reckless teens." We both laughed, remembering the night where Juvia and I spilled all of our secrets over a tub of chocolate icecream.

"Do you need some help in the kitchen?"

"Everything is just about ready, but if you could set the table, that would be great." She nodded and headed for my cabinets, pulling bundles of plates and silver ware.

Just as I was about to sit down, I heard the front door swing open.

"I'm home!" I heard a pair of foot steps enter the house.

"Ember!" Everyone seemed to call her name at once. Natsu was the first one to meet her at the door. I don't really know why, but Natsu had a natural draw to her since day one. She was also a daddies girl growing up, so I understand where the connection came from.

"Glad you're home sweet heart." They hugged as Natsu ruffled her long blonde locks. "You spend too much time with that boy. Forgot about us already?"

"Dad," she rolled her eyes, "I'm 19, almost 20! I'm growing up."

"Stop it, don't say that." She laughed, which caused Natsu to chuckle as well. Everyone else had their little confrontations with my college daughter.

"How is Alex doing?" I asked, plopping my apron on the counter top.

"He's good!" She replied, a sparkle glimmering in her eye.

"Are you ever going to bring him over for dinner?" Natsu yelled from the other side of the room.

"I'll make sure to invite him to our next family gathering, okay?." A light shade of pink appeared on her cheeks.

"What did you two do today?" I was always asking questions about their dates and such. Her cheeks instantly turned red.

"Uh, nothing really. We just watched a movie." I gave her a suspicious look. She was my daughter, I knew when she was lying.

"Okay, sure." I rolled my eyes sarcastically. I wasn't going to push the details any farther.

"Mom," she took my hand. "Why don't you go sit down, gather everyone for dinner. I can finish up preparing everything with Aunt Juvi." She looked up at me with those beautiful onyx eyes. I saw my reflection through her pupils.

"If you insist. I guess I should go get Ash and Rose."

"Wait they're together?" She smiled, looking at the floor devilishly.

"I'm not sure," I laughed. I wiped the palm of my hands on my jeans, and made my way towards Ash's room. His room was just down the hall, so I didn't even think about knocking. I thought they would've heard me.

"Honey, it's time for-" I immediately stopped and slammed the door. I think I might've just ruined my son's first kiss. As I entered I saw Rose and Ash kissing. It wasn't anything graphic, just a small peck on the lips. He did have his hands in her hair though...already learning.

"Mom!" Ash screamed from behind the door. He opened it slightly, his face barely peaking out. "What did I tell you about knocking?" His cheeks were burning with embarrassment. He avoided eye contact and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry, I forgot." I couldn't help but smile like an idiot. I couldn't wait to tell everyone.

"Oh no," Ash said suspiciously, "I know that look. Mom please do not tell everyone like last Christmas." His voice was quiet, but shameful. Last Christmas, I told everyone an embarrassing story of when he was a baby. Everyone got a kick out of it, but will never let Ash see it down.

"Okay okay. Just come out for dinner." I then peered in his room, exposing a mortified Rose sitting on his bed. Her face reminded me of Erza's hair. "You too Rose."

I was too giddy to keep my mouth shut. I ran right up to Natsu, my lips brushing against his ear. "Ash and Rose just kissed." I whispered, knowing Natsu would blurt it out.

"Ash and Rose just kissed??" Natsu screamed so loudly, that everyone's head turned instantaneously. His mouth was agape with shock.

"I knew it!" Ember shouted loudly, placing a glass cup on the table. Juvia just about dropped a plate she was so surprised. I swear Gray looked just about ready to kill my one and only son.

"Oh my God, mom." Ash said, appearing from the hallway. Rose trailed behind nervously.

"Your father said it." I gave Natsu a little shove, teasing him.

"I'm so proud of you my boy. Now you're a man." I scoffed at Natsu's comment, laughing slightly.

"Can we please just get on with dinner." Ash looked so pissed, but he couldn't hide his smile. I could tell he was really happy.

Everyone started moving towards the table, taking their seats.

"Here, why don't you and Rose sit next to each other." Ember teased Ash with her eyes, sitting next to me instead. I swear Gray was about to break his metal fork he was gripping it so hard.

We all just laughed. This is my family, and I love them so very much.