"Are you going to the party?" Serena asked, plopping down on the bench next to Dan.

"What party?" Dan answered, distracted as he dribbled the soccer ball expertly for a five year old.

Serena rolled her eyes, picking up the soccer ball so that he would pay attention. "You don't know? The big party where we all dress up and bring presents for someone there."

"I don't get it. Why do we have to bring presents for someone?"

"Because Christmas is coming! Are you gonna go?"

"Okay!" Dan smiled at her, not even bothered that he no longer had his soccer ball. "Is it that night that our parents are going to other party?"

Serena nodded earnestly. "Yup, they go to that party and ours is right next door! We get to wear dresses and the guys have to wear suits!"

Dan crinkled his nose at the thought of a tuxedo. "Aww..does that mean I have to wear a tie and all that?"

"Natie and Chuck like wearing ties." Serena pointed out, watching Dan's scowl grow deeper. "Please? I'll love you forever."

"Really?"

"Only if you love me back." Serena smiled shyly at him, releasing the soccer ball, letting it fall to the ground.

Dan set one foot on the ball, starting to dribble it again. "I do. I love you Serena."

"Good, so we're going to the party?"

"Okay." Dan agreed, smiling brightly.

--

"Daddy, can you help me with this? Dan held up his black tie to Rufus who was quickly doing his own.

"Sure." Rufus wrapped the tie around Dan's neck. "Do you have your present all ready?"

"Yeah, I got the lady to wrap it in blue paper with snowflakes on it!"

"Very cool." Rufus grinned, finishing the tie. "You're all set. Go get your present and then we can go, okay?"

"Okay!"

Twenty minutes later, Rufus was sipping a beer and Dan was at the little kids party, waiting anxiously for Serena.

"Danny!" The familiar voice made him turn sharply and grin.

"Serena." He breathed as she flung her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "You look very pretty."

She pulled back and twirled, showing off her dark green dress. "Thank you Danny," She said, pressing her lips against his cheek. "You look like a prince!"

Dan blushed and opened his mouth to speak when Nate came over, holding out a present. "Hey Serena. I, um, got this for you."

"Thanks Natie, but what about Blair? You should give that to her instead of me." Serena pushed the present back into Nate's arms, looking around wildly for Dan who had managed to disappear in the span of a minute.

Finally she spotted his dark head by one of the refreshment tables. "Danny," She breathed, once catching up to him. "Why'd you leave?"

"I don't like Nate very much." Dan mumbled, refusing to look at her.

"Why not?"

Dan's face turned red as he finally looked up to meet her eyes. "Because you like Nate more than you like me!"

"No I don't!" Serena protested, shaking her head. "I'll always like you the best, Danny. Honest."

"Really?"

"Yup. Natie's just a friend. You're the best." She smiled at him, stepping forwards and straightening his crooked tie.

"I got this for you." Dan mumbled, holding up the present. "I hope you like it."

Serena tore open the package, trying and failing at not ripping the wrapping paper. She opened the small box and gasped. She pulled out a gold heart locket dangling from its chain like a hypnotist's watch. "Danny, I love it!"

"My daddy told me put pictures in their, so I did." Dan unclasped the locket and showed Serena the pictures of the two sitting together in the snow.

"Thank you so much! Will you put it on for me?"

Dan nodded and somehow managed to clasp on the necklace. "Merry Christmas Serena."

"Merry Christmas Danny." She hugged him tight again, pressing her lips to his briefly.