AN: Hello there it's been quite a while! The first two chapters of this story are re-written and re-posted from an earlier story called 'Finally Home'. It's based on my favorite holiday movie 'Borrowed Hearts'. I found the movie on tv a few weeks ago and decided to add to this story. (Disclaimer: As per usual- I own nothing- Gilmore Girls/Borrowed Hearts-I'm only a fan). I'd love to hear from you all! I think I have to take down the previously posted chapters to replace them with these. They weren't edited and as I continued to write the story I had to change a few main plot points. I'm only leaving it up for now to help people find THIS story and communicate this new posting to all of the people with 'Finally Home' or my other stories on their alert lists. Thanks! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Carolers sang as the couple turned around and hustled hurriedly down the snow-covered path. The crowd cheer as he lifted her into the carriage and kissed her sweetly before it pulled off. Rory looked on and sighed. "Mom, when you and Daddy get married I think you should wear a dress just like that lady's."

"Well, we'll just see about that. It is pretty isn't it?" Rory tugged Layla's hand toward the door and they went back inside. The Dragonfly glowed with lights and shimmered with sparkles from the floor to the tip of the tree. "Well, let's get everything finished up here quick, okay Layla? I want to get to Grandma's house before it gets too dark alright?"

"Sure, I'll deal with Michele." She said, giggling and rubbing her hands together. Rory chuckled as Layla followed him innocently into the kitchen. She stepped onto the stage and looked over the crowd of co-workers surrounding her.

"Excuse me! Hey guys. I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed these past few months, and to thank your for not only making it fun for me to come to work everyday, but also a safe and encouraging place to bring my daughter. The both of us want to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. And to help that along, your Christmas bonuses are in your boxes. Merry Christmas!" She stepped down to a swarm of hugs and kisses before the crowd dispersed and she slipped on her coat. She walked over to see Layla animatedly with the large elaborate dollhouse in the Christmas display.

"Mom, One day, I'm going to find his house, and we'll buy it. We'll live in it one day, won't we?" Layla asked, looking up hopefully. Rory smiled.

"Simple as that huh, you pick out your dream house, and it just appears for you?"

"Yep."

"Well, in that case, we had better go. Maybe we'll find it."

"Good Idea." Layla folded into her coat and lifted up her bag. "Why do we have to stay with Grandma Emily?"

"Because the house isn't finished yet, and Uncle Luke has company, so we can't stay with Grandma Lorelai. But it will be fun to stay with Emily. She has a nice big house with a big tree, and lots of presents. It'll be a fun Christmas."

"Still, it won't be the same."

"I know sweetie."

The sounds of his fingertips typing furiously could have been heard a mile away, but his secretary came in anyway, handing him a few files. "Here are the papers you asked for Mr.Dugray." Tristan finally looked up, dazed from the computer screen.

"Oh, no, YES, sorry Betty, I'm...Thank you." He stumbled. She slid them onto his desk and meekly turned away. Her small plastic tree jiggled its few colorful ornaments as she sat down, signaling him to return to his work, but he was interrupted again.

"Tristan, my old friend, my oldest buddy, and dearest partner. Merry Christmas. And may I say how incredibly..." Tristan looks up, looking unimpressed. "...Incredibly rested you look." He said, trying to sound truthful.

"What do you want Sam?" He said, leaning back and running his hands through his hair for the tenth time today.

"Well, I came to drop by and tell you something."

"Which is..."

"Mr.Crouwse is coming on Saturday night. See ya!" He mumbled quickly, before popping up and heading for the door. Tristan suddenly got his energy back as he pounced up and snatched his sleeve from behind the desk.

"What!?"

"Oh yeah, he called this morning to ask if he could bring a gift for your family when he came down to discuss the contract and I said that he could." Tristan's eyebrows rose.

"You've got my interest!"

"Can I have my shirt back?" Tristan released him roughly.

"I told him that your wife and daughter would love to have him stay with you all for Christmas." Tristan sank into his chair.

"Oh my God, Sam. You would think that a guy who has known me since graduation would realize, I DON'T HAVE A FAMILY!"

"I know, I just kept talking and talking and it all spilt out." He admitted. Tristan looked up suspiciously.

"You didn't...keep talking, did you?" He asked cautiously.

"Well, no." Tristan relaxed, but Sam continued. " And by no, I mean yes." Tristan's forehead crashed onto his desk. "I just told him that they were lovely girls, gorgeous...brunette, blue eyes, really sweet."

"I'm done."

"No! We'll just find you a family."

"In forty-eight hours Sam?!"

"Yeah, I know it seems impossible, but you're Tristan Dugray! I'm sure we'll find someone. And Mr.Crouwse ate it up. He said how good it made him feel to be making a deal with a family man."

"I'm the farthest from a family man Sam."

"Maybe this girl will change that. At least for the holidays Tristan. We need this deal."

"I know. Oh man, what have I gotten myself into?" Tristan sighed and closed his laptop. Slipping it roughly into his briefcase, he grabbed his coat and hustled out of the office. "Where are you going?"

"Home, I've got to think about how I'm going to fix this mess you've made."

The road outside the Gilmore's house was already getting crowded and Rory sighed as she stepped out of the car. "It looks like it's already started huh, Layla."

"Yeah." Rory handed her keys to the attendant, and they opened the trunk to get their backs. A few young men in fancy tuxes took her bags.

"Inside Ms. Gilmore? Would you like me to put these in your rooms?"

"Yes, thank you. I'll just take these presents out of the back seat. Tell Emily we'll be right there." The attendant smiled and bent down to Layla.

"I assume the purple bags are yours Ms. Layla?"

"Yes they are." She smiled, reaching for Rory's hand. The attendant smiled as he headed for the house.

"Let's go for a walk Layla. I think we should get some fresh air before we go inside. We may never get of that party."

"Alright. We can look for my house." Rory sighed, laughing.

"Sure."

"I couldn't believe my ears, Sam told him that he could stay here, and with his family no less." The maids gossiped.

"But he doesn't have a family."

"Exactly. But apparently he does now. A wife, AND a daughter." The other maid gasped.

"Does Mr.Dugray know yet?" She asked incredulously. The door slammed as Tristan burst in the foyer. Dropping his coat on a chair he ran with his briefcase up the stairs to his office. The woman winced knowingly.

"Yep, he knows." Sam soon followed, and soon Tristan was chased down the stairs.

"Where? Where am I going to find a wife and daughter, brunette and blue eyed, who are gorgeous and willing to put up with this whole mess in 48 hours?"

"Well, they'll show up I'm sure."

"I like those lights Mom!" The girls walked, eyeing all the beautiful and extravagantly decorated houses, hauling their Christmas gifts and laughing. Light snow fell around them, making it a truly magical night.

"Oh me too. If there is one thing about this town that is impressive it's that they go all out at Christmas."

"Oh I suppose a pair of girls are just going to show up at the door." Tristan suggested sarcastically.

"Why not?"

"Who am I kidding? It's like talking to a four year old. I'll bet you expect them to bring gifts!"

"Mommy!" Layla pulled hard on Rory's hand, dragging her down the sidewalk. Rory struggled to hold Layla and the presents at the same time. "It's my house!"

"Baby, slow down! What are you talking about?"

"My dollhouse! There it is." And there it was, Rory looked up to see a huge version of Layla dream dollhouse.

"Oh my, Layla slow down!" But she didn't. She ran right up to the front door.

"What's that Tristan, fantasy girl I think!" Sam said, skipping to the front to door to greet who was making all the noise on the steps. He opened the door to find a rosy-cheeked young brunette girl in tight chocolate curls, followed by an out of breath beauty stumbling up after her. Her sapphire eyes glowed as she looked up apologetically at him and tried to hold together all of her boxes and bags. "Oh my God!"

"I'm so sorry. She likes your house. Layla!"

"No, please come in!"

"No thanks, we're going to a party just down the block."

"Come in and catch your breath, give her a chance to look around." Sam encouraged, grinning from ear to ear. Rory hesitantly stepped in.

"Thanks. Is this your house?" Rory asked, sweeping the snow off her sleeves. Layla kicked off her boots and bolted around the house.

"No, it's mine." Tristan finally spoke up softly, finally making his presence known.

"I'm Sam." He said, stretching his arm out to Rory, but she was in a daze, staring at the man she didn't think she'd ever want to see again.

"Rory."

"Tristan." They breathed. Rory slowly broke into a smile. "It's good to see you!"

"You too, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, our house is being renovated so," she started.

"Over the holidays?" He interrupted.

"Yeah, you're telling me!"

"Sorry, our?"

"Oh, Layla and I." She explained, but he still looked confused. "She's my daughter." Tristan's heart pounded. "We came to stay for Christmas with my Grandparents. You probably know them, Emily and Richard." She continued.

"Yes, I see them every once in awhile."

"Funny, you'd think they'd mention you."

"Well, I try not to be mentioned." He turned away.

"Well then you really have changed." She grinned. "Layla, sweetie we have to go." She said, breaking the silence.

"But Mom, it's the house!"

"I know sweetie but,"

"Wait, you're brunette!" Tristan burst out. Rory eyed him oddly.

"Umm...yes. Yes, and you're blonde, so what?" She asked, holding Layla's hand tight so she wouldn't escape again. The whole house seemed to surround her. Maid and Butlers eyed her shocked. "Come on Layla"

"Mrs. Gilmore," Sam started,

"Ms.Gilmore actually, but it's Rory." She corrected.

"Rory, I..."

"Merry Christmas Sam, but we really need to leave, we're going to be late. It was nice to see you again Tristan." She interrupted; she needed to get out of there, suddenly all the memories came back. She grabbed the bags in her left hand and Layla in her right and hustled out of the house. I bell on the door signaled her departure, and all seemed to hear it but Tristan; he was staring at the spot where she had just stood. "Merry Christmas Rory."