All I Want For Christmas (Is You)

2005

When Logan had first brought up the idea, she thought he was crazy and laughed at him. And she thought he'd let it go. After all, getting a tree up to his apartment would be a task in itself, and besides, they'd get bored of it quickly enough and then what? She'd be left alone to decorate it all by herself. Plus, there was no room in his apartment.

Then she came over one day and there was room in the corner. Enough room for a tree. She narrowed her eyes, but didn't say anything.

Then the cranberries arrived in the fridge and popcorn was being popped and the Christmas music was playing and lights were being tangled up. He went through with it. So she watched and laughed as Finn, Colin, and Logan tried to get the tiny tree through the door of the apartment.

When they finally got it through and set it up, she noticed how small it really was. It was barely six feet- Finn was taller than the tree- and it was sort of scraggly looking. There were flakes of snow hanging off the branches that were starting to melt in the heat of the apartment.

Finn winked at Rory, and then shook the snow out of his hair. "It's really starting to snow hard out there, love. It's times like this I miss Australia."

"The snow isn't that bad!" Rory defended. "My mom used to say that magical things happened in the snow."

Finn shook his head. "I hate to burst your bubble, doll, but the only magical things that happen are auto accidents."

Logan laughed and wrapped his arms around Rory, trying to diffuse the situation. His girlfriend and his best friend had such strong, and differing, opinions on things. "Who wants some eggnog?"

Finn's eyes lit up. "The good kind?"

"You know it."

Finn ran over and gave his best friend a hug- with Rory still in the middle. Suddenly she was pressed into his chest. He smelled like whiskey, cigarettes and old spice. Typically Finn. He inhaled deeply and pulled her and Logan closer. "I love you guys," he whispered before pulling away.

"So why isn't Mariah Carey playing? I was promised Mariah Carey," Colin said.

"Quit bitching," Logan replied. "We'll have it later."

Colin glared, but stopped bugging him about it for the moment. "So where's the eggnog?"

"Fridge. Can you get the cranberries out as well? We have stringing to do."

Three hours later and what seemed like thousands of strings later (strings of popcorn, cranberries, lights, whatever they could string), the tree was finally put together. Rory laid her head on Logan's shoulder. "I had my doubts, but the tree looks good."

"You did an excellent job, Ace."

"I learned everything from my mom," she told him proudly.

"Well, tell her I commend her for her stringing skills."

"She prides herself on them."

"If no one argues, which they better not, I'm putting Mariah Carey on. Finally." Colin glared at Logan.

The strains of "All I Want For Christmas(Is You)" started up. Rory almost cringed. "Did he have to?" she whispered to Logan.

Finn nodded. "He has to. Just bear with it for an hour or so."

"What are you three getting me?" Colin asked. "Is it the trip to Cabo I've been wanting? That's a hint, by the way."

Logan laughed. "Patience, Colin. We'll eventually go to Cabo. What about you, Finn?"

"You haven't got my present? For shame, my lovely," Finn threw himself back into his seat and pouted.

"You haven't told me what you want yet. Usually you have a list at Halloween."

Finn glanced quickly at Rory. "If you loved me, you'd know what I want."

"Do you want an X-box?"

"I was hoping you'd say that! What about you, Reporter Girl? What will make your heart flutter? And don't say my love, you know how that'll hurt Logan." He winked at her again.

Rory shook her head. "I don't really need anything, Finn. But thank you."

"Everyone needs something, love," Finn countered.

"It's not necessary, really."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not leaving with that."

"I'd tell him something, he'll be insufferable otherwise," Colin said.

"Love you too," Finn sang.

Rory locked eyes with Finn. "All I want is to have a merry little Christmas."

And she could have sworn that Finn grinned. Not smirked, but grinned. And that was what she wanted for Christmas.