*Christmas Eve day—It's 9am. Lorelei and Sookie are in the kitchen with the
kids decorating cookies. Jackson is wrapping presents in the other cabin.
Luke is making pancakes. Rory is in the shower. Jes has just woken up.
An incoherent Jess stumbles into the kitchen. Lorelei grins at his disheveled form. He mumbles in response.
"Jess!" Elliot screeches causing him to wince as the child wraps her arms around his knees.
Jess stumbles backing into the counter, yet he manages a smile for the girl.
"Hey!" comes a soft voice from the living room.
"Coffee's on the counter." Luke's gruff voice interrupts.
"Yay!" Rory says giddily.
Jess muses at Rory's happiness, "Well hello Mary sunshine."
"Oh come on, it's Christmas."
"Not technically." Jess smirks at which Rory hits him playfully, he responds with a bear hug, but is interrupted.
"Ew! Gross!" Lorelei exclaims.
"Shut up and eat." Luke replies shoving pancakes on the table.
Sookie hastily moves the cookies to the counter as the kids settle into their seats.
*1/2 hr later
Jackson appears in the doorway' circles under his eyes. "Luke?"
"Yea?"
"Ready to go?"
"Huh—oh right, we have to get a tree."
Andrew's ears perk up at the word tree, "Can I come?!"
Jackson shrugs, "Sure, buddy."
"If he gets to go, I come too." Elliot jumps at the opportunity.
"Luke sighs, "Fine, get in the truck."
The two children run out the door followed by Jackson and Luke. A moment later Elliott returns, "Hey, Uncle Jess. Are you going to come?"
Jess looks down at Elliott and then at Rory. Rory nudges him in the arm, "Um, yea, I guess I could." Elliott runs back outside. Jess turns to Rory, "I'll be back later" He kisses her on the cheek and leaves.
*Hr later.
Lorelei, Sookie and Rory are wrapping presents.
"Jeez, did you buy these kids enough toys?" Rory scoffs.
"Come on, it's Christmas…besides two of those are for Jackson." Sookie giggles.
Rory nods but rolls her eyes.
Lorelei interjects, "Roll those eyes now, but that tune of yours tune will change in a few years." Rory sits silently as Lorelei continues. "Hey, do you realize you sent Jess out to do something festive and he didn't even complain?"
Rory smiles, "Well, he never could refuse a pretty face."
Lorelei takes hold of Rory's chin and grins towards Sookie, "…and what a pretty face it is."
"Actually, I was referring to Elli's."
"Oh…hey you know that is weird. He hasn't more than 5 feet away from her since last night."
"Frightening experiences can do that to men." Sookie cuts in.
"That's actually true, remember when I fractured my wrist, Dad drove all night to see me."
"When Andrew was 3 months old he had a fever, took him to the hospital…they thought it was the infant crib disease, Jackson's face literally turned blue…an hour later they realized it was nothing, sent Andrew home. Andy didn't sleep in his crib for a month after that."
Lorelei laughs out loud, "Know what's funny?"
"What?" Sookie manages though a mouthful of tape.
"I gave birth to a coffee addict, you gave birth to kids who think vegetables are snacks…"
"So?"
"Rory's going to have hoodlum babies! They'll break out of their play pens and knock down other kids' block houses!" Lorelei smirks.
"Shut up. I am not." Rory frowns playfully throwing a ball of wrapping paper at her mother.
The three women break out in giggles as Luke and Jess enters the room. Taking in the scene the two men shrug at each other.
"What's so funny?" Jess nods in Rory's direction.
Her face goes pink as she replies shyly, "Nothing…just a joke."
"Oh…well, you better move this stuff those monsters are going be in her as soon as Jackson unbinds them." Luke remarks seriously.
"Unbinds them?"
"They were really high on sugar, because someone had to give them a Milky Way bar." Luke says agitatedly.
All eyes turn to Jess, "We stopped at a gas station…that car has like no heat they needed something to keep them alive."
"Well there goes any chance of getting them to nap." Sookie replies shoving boxes of presents down the hall.
*4 hrs later—7pm—The tree is finally decorated with presents underneath it. Dinner has been cleared away. Sookie and Lorelei are down the hall getting the kids in their pjs. Luke sitting in the couch with Jackson, Jess is sitting in a chair, Rory on his lap.
"Story time!" Andrews voice booms down the hall.
Jackson groans as he stands up to greet his children. "What should we read?
"The letters book, Daddy." Elliott chimes in.
"The letter book?"
"Yeah, the one with all the letter from Santa…it was on the table, daddy. I saw it."
Jackson Stands there dumbfounded. A thought pops into Jess' mind, "Uh, Jackson…I think she means 'The Father Christmas Letters'. I was reading it before…hold on I'll get it. Jess gets up and heads to the bedroom. A moment later he returns holding a dark blue book.
"That's it!" Elliott exclaims. "Read it, Jess!"
"I think your dad shou—
"No, no that's ok. You read…I'll go get the cookies ready." Jackson replies before walking into the kitchen.
"Ok…" Jess sits on the couch. Elliott and Andrew leap onto the couch beside him. Jess begins to read. Shaky at first his words become clear and calm. Elliott moves in closer leaning on Jess for support.
The room is quiet except for Jess' voice. Rory looks around the room and smiles. In the kitchen is Jackson and Sookie giggling together over cookies, to her left is her mother asleep in Luke's arm. And to her right, her husband, the once lost soul, enjoying Christmas for the very first time.
*1 hr later. Elliott has fallen asleep on the couch; Jackson comes in and carries her inside followed by Andrew. Luke wakes Lorelei and they head to their room. Jess stands up and stretches his legs as Rory enters the kitchen.
"Need any help?" Rory asks addressing Sookie.
"No, Sweetie. It's late. Go to bed, Jackson will be back in a minute."
Rory nods and turns to the doorway. Jess is standing there holding out his hand.
"Ready?"
"Yea." Rory answers following him to their room.
*Jess/Rory's room
Jess crawls into bed next to Rory. A broad smile crosses his face.
"You had fun didn't you?"
"I really did. I mean I don't know why, all I know is that I just spent the whole day with people who for them everything is new and exciting." Jess looks up at the ceiling. "Do I sound like a sappy moron?"
"Yea…but you're my moron." Rory giggles as Jess tickles her.
The moment passes and all is calm again. Jess turns towards the ceiling again; Rory closes her eyes.
"Rory?" Jess says seriously
"Yea?"
"We should do that."
"What?"
"Have a kid."
Rory smiles, "Jess…"
"I know…I haven't been that open to the whole idea before, but I don't know. I've changed my mind. I never thought I'd be any good at it…you know because of my dad and everything. But maybe that's why I'd be ok at it. I mean I know what a bad father is...so I know everything not to do." Jess rambles on.
"Jess…"
"Rory, I want to be father."
"Jess…"
"What?"
"You are."
Jess starts to speak but stops as Rory words come into affect. "I am?"
Rory nods, as Jess lies there speechless. "God…w-why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought I just did."
"Rory…"
"Well, I don't know. I mean last week you were so busy…and I was scared you'd be upset, I thought I'd try and get through Christmas first. But then this whole week, you've completely changed. I saw you smile…and not just for a min—
Rory is interrupted by a kiss, "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Did you tell your mom?"
"No."
"Do you want to tell her now, come on. I'll go with you if you wa—
"Let's wait till Christmas is over."
"Ok."
"Let's get some sleep."
Jess nods before kissing Rory again. "Goodnight." Jess turns out the light.
"Jess?"
"Yea?"
"Merry Christmas."
An incoherent Jess stumbles into the kitchen. Lorelei grins at his disheveled form. He mumbles in response.
"Jess!" Elliot screeches causing him to wince as the child wraps her arms around his knees.
Jess stumbles backing into the counter, yet he manages a smile for the girl.
"Hey!" comes a soft voice from the living room.
"Coffee's on the counter." Luke's gruff voice interrupts.
"Yay!" Rory says giddily.
Jess muses at Rory's happiness, "Well hello Mary sunshine."
"Oh come on, it's Christmas."
"Not technically." Jess smirks at which Rory hits him playfully, he responds with a bear hug, but is interrupted.
"Ew! Gross!" Lorelei exclaims.
"Shut up and eat." Luke replies shoving pancakes on the table.
Sookie hastily moves the cookies to the counter as the kids settle into their seats.
*1/2 hr later
Jackson appears in the doorway' circles under his eyes. "Luke?"
"Yea?"
"Ready to go?"
"Huh—oh right, we have to get a tree."
Andrew's ears perk up at the word tree, "Can I come?!"
Jackson shrugs, "Sure, buddy."
"If he gets to go, I come too." Elliot jumps at the opportunity.
"Luke sighs, "Fine, get in the truck."
The two children run out the door followed by Jackson and Luke. A moment later Elliott returns, "Hey, Uncle Jess. Are you going to come?"
Jess looks down at Elliott and then at Rory. Rory nudges him in the arm, "Um, yea, I guess I could." Elliott runs back outside. Jess turns to Rory, "I'll be back later" He kisses her on the cheek and leaves.
*Hr later.
Lorelei, Sookie and Rory are wrapping presents.
"Jeez, did you buy these kids enough toys?" Rory scoffs.
"Come on, it's Christmas…besides two of those are for Jackson." Sookie giggles.
Rory nods but rolls her eyes.
Lorelei interjects, "Roll those eyes now, but that tune of yours tune will change in a few years." Rory sits silently as Lorelei continues. "Hey, do you realize you sent Jess out to do something festive and he didn't even complain?"
Rory smiles, "Well, he never could refuse a pretty face."
Lorelei takes hold of Rory's chin and grins towards Sookie, "…and what a pretty face it is."
"Actually, I was referring to Elli's."
"Oh…hey you know that is weird. He hasn't more than 5 feet away from her since last night."
"Frightening experiences can do that to men." Sookie cuts in.
"That's actually true, remember when I fractured my wrist, Dad drove all night to see me."
"When Andrew was 3 months old he had a fever, took him to the hospital…they thought it was the infant crib disease, Jackson's face literally turned blue…an hour later they realized it was nothing, sent Andrew home. Andy didn't sleep in his crib for a month after that."
Lorelei laughs out loud, "Know what's funny?"
"What?" Sookie manages though a mouthful of tape.
"I gave birth to a coffee addict, you gave birth to kids who think vegetables are snacks…"
"So?"
"Rory's going to have hoodlum babies! They'll break out of their play pens and knock down other kids' block houses!" Lorelei smirks.
"Shut up. I am not." Rory frowns playfully throwing a ball of wrapping paper at her mother.
The three women break out in giggles as Luke and Jess enters the room. Taking in the scene the two men shrug at each other.
"What's so funny?" Jess nods in Rory's direction.
Her face goes pink as she replies shyly, "Nothing…just a joke."
"Oh…well, you better move this stuff those monsters are going be in her as soon as Jackson unbinds them." Luke remarks seriously.
"Unbinds them?"
"They were really high on sugar, because someone had to give them a Milky Way bar." Luke says agitatedly.
All eyes turn to Jess, "We stopped at a gas station…that car has like no heat they needed something to keep them alive."
"Well there goes any chance of getting them to nap." Sookie replies shoving boxes of presents down the hall.
*4 hrs later—7pm—The tree is finally decorated with presents underneath it. Dinner has been cleared away. Sookie and Lorelei are down the hall getting the kids in their pjs. Luke sitting in the couch with Jackson, Jess is sitting in a chair, Rory on his lap.
"Story time!" Andrews voice booms down the hall.
Jackson groans as he stands up to greet his children. "What should we read?
"The letters book, Daddy." Elliott chimes in.
"The letter book?"
"Yeah, the one with all the letter from Santa…it was on the table, daddy. I saw it."
Jackson Stands there dumbfounded. A thought pops into Jess' mind, "Uh, Jackson…I think she means 'The Father Christmas Letters'. I was reading it before…hold on I'll get it. Jess gets up and heads to the bedroom. A moment later he returns holding a dark blue book.
"That's it!" Elliott exclaims. "Read it, Jess!"
"I think your dad shou—
"No, no that's ok. You read…I'll go get the cookies ready." Jackson replies before walking into the kitchen.
"Ok…" Jess sits on the couch. Elliott and Andrew leap onto the couch beside him. Jess begins to read. Shaky at first his words become clear and calm. Elliott moves in closer leaning on Jess for support.
The room is quiet except for Jess' voice. Rory looks around the room and smiles. In the kitchen is Jackson and Sookie giggling together over cookies, to her left is her mother asleep in Luke's arm. And to her right, her husband, the once lost soul, enjoying Christmas for the very first time.
*1 hr later. Elliott has fallen asleep on the couch; Jackson comes in and carries her inside followed by Andrew. Luke wakes Lorelei and they head to their room. Jess stands up and stretches his legs as Rory enters the kitchen.
"Need any help?" Rory asks addressing Sookie.
"No, Sweetie. It's late. Go to bed, Jackson will be back in a minute."
Rory nods and turns to the doorway. Jess is standing there holding out his hand.
"Ready?"
"Yea." Rory answers following him to their room.
*Jess/Rory's room
Jess crawls into bed next to Rory. A broad smile crosses his face.
"You had fun didn't you?"
"I really did. I mean I don't know why, all I know is that I just spent the whole day with people who for them everything is new and exciting." Jess looks up at the ceiling. "Do I sound like a sappy moron?"
"Yea…but you're my moron." Rory giggles as Jess tickles her.
The moment passes and all is calm again. Jess turns towards the ceiling again; Rory closes her eyes.
"Rory?" Jess says seriously
"Yea?"
"We should do that."
"What?"
"Have a kid."
Rory smiles, "Jess…"
"I know…I haven't been that open to the whole idea before, but I don't know. I've changed my mind. I never thought I'd be any good at it…you know because of my dad and everything. But maybe that's why I'd be ok at it. I mean I know what a bad father is...so I know everything not to do." Jess rambles on.
"Jess…"
"Rory, I want to be father."
"Jess…"
"What?"
"You are."
Jess starts to speak but stops as Rory words come into affect. "I am?"
Rory nods, as Jess lies there speechless. "God…w-why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought I just did."
"Rory…"
"Well, I don't know. I mean last week you were so busy…and I was scared you'd be upset, I thought I'd try and get through Christmas first. But then this whole week, you've completely changed. I saw you smile…and not just for a min—
Rory is interrupted by a kiss, "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Did you tell your mom?"
"No."
"Do you want to tell her now, come on. I'll go with you if you wa—
"Let's wait till Christmas is over."
"Ok."
"Let's get some sleep."
Jess nods before kissing Rory again. "Goodnight." Jess turns out the light.
"Jess?"
"Yea?"
"Merry Christmas."
