"I hate to ever question Rory, but I can ask if you have gone insane." said Colin to Logan, walking into the kitchen to help carry food into the dining room. "You have always hated your dad."

"Well, he showed up being nice and he's been nice lately." said Logan, quietly, "And we decided to give him a shot."

"I am thoroughly creeped out." said Finn, walking in and in half-mock shock. "Your dad was asking about me and Colin and he actually seemed interested. Are we sure that is really your dad?"

"I'm confident." said Logan, laughing and putting some rolls in a basket. "There's not a lot of things I'm confident on, but I know my father." He finishes the task. "We better get in there just in case anything goes south."

"Hey guys! Please tell me the food is almost ready." said Rory, grabbing the bottle of wine and the bottle of sparkling cider.

"Just about." said Logan, giving his wife a kiss before she walks back into the dining room. All three load up with the last of the food and bring it to the dining room.

"About time on the food, I'm starving." said Lorelai. She had been shocked to hear from Rory Mitchum would be there and while she had been friendly, she hoped her daughter hadn't made the decision to include him lightly.

"Even after the chili fries an hour ago?" said Luke in jest, seeing Lorelai scowl at him. "We all know your eating habits."

"Well I can't speak for your mom, but it sure smells good." said Mitchum, standing and helping Rory into a chair, Lorelai looking shocked as Rory sits and thanks him. "Hope it's okay I am here." He said the last bit towards Lorelai and Luke.

"The more the merrier." said Lorelai, with a smile. "Oh and this is my stepdaughter April, I don't believe you two have met. She's in from New Mexico to join us for the holiday."

"It's nice to meet you." said April, giving Mitchum a handshake, smiling awkwardly. "You must be Logan's dad."

"That I am." said Mitchum, sitting back down as everyone takes a seat. "It's nice to meet you as well."

The platters get passed around and everyone serves themselves and the drinks are poured. A bit of time passes as everyone is busy eating.

"Thank God you actually learned to cook." said Lorelai, finishing up the food on her plate, complimenting Rory. "You certainly didn't get it from me and definitely not from your dad.

"Don't look at us...who knew Logan learned to cook in college." laughed Finn, setting Colin into laughing and adds jokingly, "Now we knew how he got the ladies."

"Yeah we don't do all this everyday, but Logan and I don't mind cooking." said Rory, taking a sip of cider and rolling her eyes at Finn. "Plus it's nice to have a nice family - and friends - meal." She gives a smile at Colin and Finn.

"I think it's delicious as well." said Luke, smiling at April and glad to have his daughter for the holiday.

"Well I'm stuffed. Why don't we move into the living room and we'll get the mess later?" said Rory, Logan helping her out of her chair. "I think I need a breather before dessert."

"I second that." said Luke. "Though I insist on at least getting the plates into the kitchen." He gives Rory a look as if to remind her he's never big on huge events. "How about I meet you guys in the living room in a bit?"

"Thanks Luke." said Rory, giving him a side hug before walking with the rest into the living room. She sits down with a sigh as Colin and Finn carry in a couple chairs from the dining room to make space for everyone to take a seat.

"As tradition, we all get to open a present on Christmas Eve." said Lorelai, picking up a bag of gifts she had had Luke carry in earlier. "I'm sorry Mitchum, I didn't know you would be here and I don't have one for you."

"It's quite alright. I probably should be heading back anyways." said Mitchum.

"I'll grab you some dessert before you go, Dad." said Logan, getting up and leading his dad into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he heads back and Rory gives him a look of 'Back already?'. "Don't worry, I sent him home with a piece of pie and at least a half dozen of the cookies. Figure it was a way to take care of some of them." He sits down as Lorelai hands out the gifts.

As everyone has finished opening up their gifts, Luke walks into the living room. "I got some of it put in the dishwasher for you. You know me, always moving." he said. "Sorry your dad left so quickly, Logan. Hope he likes the pie...it ws the one Lorelai requested I make." He winks at Lorelai.

"I passed out the gifts already. You took too long." said Lorelai joking. She hopes Logan's friends liked the gifts, though she felt new ties were probably too impersonal, but she had had no idea what to get them. "Anyone ready for dessert or is it just me?"

"Dessert sounds good." said Colin, standing. "How about me and Finn bring it in? Rory and Logan cooked tonight and Lorelai and Luke are cooking tomorrow. It only seems fair."

"Dessert in a jiff!" exclaimed Finn, doing his best fake bow and walking out of the room with Colin.

"Those two are the best entertainment." said Lorelai, laughing. "I don't think I could ever tire of them."

"You have the coolest friends!" said April, sitting next to Luke and feeling a little out of place. She hoped to fit in better the more family events she got to attend.

"Oh trust me, go on vacation with them and you will." said Logan, laughing and knowing his friends too well. "Thanks for being cool with my dad showing up and staying for dinner. I know we didn't give you two much warning or say in it."

"Trust me, we understand and he's part of your family." said Lorelai. "Glad he's making an effort for you guys."

"Okay, so we didn't know what everyone would want." said Colin, walking back into the living room, both him and Finn carrying more plates than seemingly possible. "We basically brought everyone one of everything."

"Well at least I couldn't decide." said Finn, passing out the plates he's carrying, giving April hers last with another bow to make her laugh. "Now no promises any of us will be able to even move later."

"Oh well, at least we have comfy furniture." said Rory, laughing and taking a bite of pie. She wondered how she would ever be hungry again before tomorrow...but was glad she would be spending it with the company in the room.