Title: Secret Santa Stars Hollow Style

Feedback: Yes please.

Summary: After their first term at Harvard, Rory invites Paris to stay in Stars Hollow for the Christmas Break, smack dab in the middle of the town's first Secret Santa Christmas celebration. Craziness ensues as everyone (especially Lorelai) tries to figure out who's their Secret Santa.

Spoilers: Everything up till Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving.

Rating: PG-13

Pairings: definite possibilities for Paris/Jess, Luke/Lorelai, and other ships.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Gilmore Girls

*NOTE*: Thanks to all who have been reading this story and have been enjoying it. I loved writing this story and I'm so glad that a lot of you seemed to have embraced it. Yes, the Jess/Dean kiss from the last chapter came to a surprise to many but it seemed like the best way to handle it. Very much a tribute to the Will/Scout kiss from the 'Young Americans' series finale as well as from the 'Godfather' trilogy. Although this is the last chapter, I have an idea for a sequel but it'll probably concentrate on one couple instead of the whole town. And if you thought the Jess/Dean thing was crazy, just you wait: there are more surprises in store for you... Also, this chapter's not as crazy as the other chapters but more romantic in feeling, okay? Enjoy!

****

PART VI SAY WHAT? WHO? UH, OKAY

"Oh my God!" Lorelai said between fits of laughter. "I can't believe I missed that. And he kissed him?"

"Right on the lips!" Rory squealed as sat on the couch with Lorelai as Paris paced up and down, completely silent. "I mean, I didn't really think that they'd go through with it but Jess just grabbed his face and kissed him."

"Wow." Lorelai said with disappointment. "I always miss the good stuff. Why didn't you take pictures?"

"Hello," Rory replied. "Didn't have a camera! But it definitely was something you just had to see for yourself."

"Man," Lorelai said with a sigh. "I wonder what else did I miss."

"Jess kissed me." Paris said suddenly.

"He what?" Lorelai and Rory said at the same time.

"Jess kissed me." Paris said as she plopped down on the couch.

"When? Where?" Lorelai asked with eagerness. "We need details!"

"We were lying in the snow when Taylor started screaming and then I don't know. I looked at him and he looked at me and then we kissed." Paris explained.

"Wow…"Rory said, amazed by the story.

"Was it a good kiss?" Lorelai asked.

"I mean, I haven't kissed many guys but…it was." Paris said with a small smile. "It was gentle, sweet, and romantic."

"Wow. Three adjectives I'd never think up when it comes to Jess." Lorelai observed.

"Mom!" Rory nudged Lorelai.

"Rory, I just thought when you were dating him that you were the only one who thought he was this great guy. I thought it was a crazy fluke." Lorelai explained. "But with Paris thinking the same thing, I have to wonder."

"I never said he was a great guy!" Paris protested. "He's a loudmouth jerk who can't help but pick fights with Dean."

"Then why did you kiss him?" Lorelai asked.

"Well, it just happened." Paris said with a sigh. "And at the time, I thought it was… wonderful. But then no more than two seconds later, he gets into Dean's face and starts a brawl all over again."

"Oh." Lorelai replied, beginning to understand the situation.

"But Dean and Jess have always been fighting." Rory said.

"And why? Because they both had a thing for you." Paris explained as she sat back onto the couch. "I mean they both broke up with you but they're still fighting. And it makes me think…that they'll never get over you. That Jess will never get over you."

"That's not true." Rory protested.

"Oh come on Rory!" Paris said as she shook her head. "Even on my better days, I could never compare to you. They look at you and they fall all over themselves to date you and when they look at me, Paris Geller, they just laugh and mock about how pathetic my life is! And I don't be ridiculed again!"

"Paris, this is different." Rory replied as she tried to comfort Paris. "Jess likes you. If he didn't then why did he kiss you?"

"I don't know." Paris said with a sigh. "Maybe he just wanted to add to my lists of embarrassments, I don't know."

"Well maybe you should go talk to him." Lorelai suggested. "Find out how he really feels about you."

"No, no." Paris replied as she stood up from the couch. "I can't do that. That means I have actually talk to him. Face to face."

"That's the idea, honey." Lorelai explained as she looked up at Paris.

"But I don't know what to say to him." Paris admitted.

"Well if you want to know where he stands, then you have to see him." Lorelai replied as she got up and rubbed Paris' shoulders for comfort. Then she turned around to Rory. "I forgot Rory! This came in for you when you were out." She then walked over to the closet and pulled it out.

"Oh my gosh!" Rory replied as she took a breath. It was a dark cranberry dress with spaghetti strings. It was gauzy at the hem while its bodice shimmered under the lights. Paired with it was a long black coat.

"It also came with this note." Lorelai said as she gave the card to Rory.

"Wear me and come to this location at 9 pm. Don't be late." She read outloud. "Mom, did you see who sent it?"

"It was just a delivery guy." Lorelai said apologetically. "But your Secret Santa really went all out this time."

"Yeah," Paris chimed in. "It's really great and I have just the thing to go with it. Wait here."

Paris ran towards Rory's bedroom and then came out with a little box wrapped up delicately in silver paper and ribbon.

"I was going to save it for Christmas but I think it's better to give it you to now." Paris said with a smile. "Open it."

Rory smiled as she ripped open the box to reveal a silver necklace with a little heart. Within the heart was a smaller heart shaped diamond. "Thank you Paris!" She replied as she hugged Paris tightly, completely touched by the gift.

"You're welcome." Paris replied with a smile.

****

The middle of Stars Hollow had turned into a spectacular Winter Wonderland. All the trees were glittered with twinkle lights. The snowmen, although slightly beaten from the snowfight earlier in the day, had been rebuilt and stood proudly close to the gazebo. Taylor had also sent in ice sculptures, shaped as angels, presents, santa claus and other holiday figures which stood on display all around the outside of the circle in the middle of town. The Christmas Tree stood tall as it waited to be lighted at midnight. And the horse drawn sleigh, which Taylor had been panicked about earlier finally arrived and had already been giving out rides.

"Isn't this great Jackson?" Sookie said with glee as they sat comfortably in the sleigh which rode around in a circle around town.

"Yeah it's great." Jackson replied with a smile. "But not as great as what you got me, Secret Santa."

"Jackson! How did you guess?" She looked at him with puzzlement. "I was trying so hard all week to keep it from you."

"Well, don't be mad but when I was cleaning out the closet today, I kinda stumbled upon your present." Jackson said with a wink. "I had no idea my wife was no naughty."

"Jackson!" Sookie whispered as playfully swatted him. "Not in front of the sleigh guy!"

"He doesn't care." Jackson insisted as he moved his head closer to Sookie's. "So are you mad?" as he looked her with puppy dog eyes.

"No, of course not." Sookie said with a smile. "I'm just glad you liked it, even before we even put it into use." She said with a wink. "I was thinking you could Santa and I could be Mrs. Claus… you like?"

"I definitely like." Jackson said with a smile as he kissed his wife.

"I forgot." Sookie whispered with a smile. "I have one more present for you."

"Really?" Jackson asked, eager to hear what she had in store for him. "What is it? It's not another costume is it? Cause you know how some pants look really bad on me like a sailor…"

"Jackson." Sookie interjected as she put her fingers to his lips to shut him up. "I think I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" Jackson asked, now puzzled.

"I think I'm ready to have a baby." Sookie said with a smile.

"Really? Are you sure?" Jackson said with concern. "Because I don't want to pressure you into anything."

"No, I'm ready Jackson." Sookie assured as she gazed into his eyes.

"So we're try?" Jackson asked her gently.

"Yeah, we're going to try." Sookie replied as she kissed him.

****

Lorelai, Rory and Paris walked slowly as they looked around at how marvelous the town had become.

"Wow." Rory commented as she looked around. "I can't believe Taylor pulled this off."

"He does it every year." Lorelai observed. "And despite his anal tendencies, he always manages to make everything beautiful. Hey Patty!" she waved as she saw Patty on stage with her little dancers.

"Hey Lorelai, Rory, Paris! We're just about to start the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies." Patty explained.

"Aren't they cold?" Paris observed as she watched the little girls slightly chatter their teeth.

"They'll be fine." Patty assured them. "They'll dance this one dance and then be sent to bed with hot chocolate. Sometimes you have to suffer for beauty."

"How's Taylor?" Lorelai asked. "I saw him this morning and he was so panicky."

"He's not doing too well." Patty said with a sigh. "Although I kept telling him that everything was going to be fine, the fact that the band that he hired hasn't showed up has made him go crazy. And now he's sitting over there," she pointed over at a sad looking Taylor sitting on a picnic table. "Drowning his sorrows in eggnog."

"Man, I know we always rag on him but it's Christmas! He shouldn't be so down." Lorelai said with sympathy.

"He'll be fine." Patty assured them. "Once he gets over his paranoia about Jess and the Secret Santa thing, he'll be fine. By the way, I heard you think that Luke's your Secret Santa. So are you going to try it with him?"

"Way to segue way into a topic there Patty." Lorelai replied. "No, I'm not going to try it with him. We're just friends."

"Keep telling that to yourself honey." Patty said with a smile. "Maybe someday we'll be as deluded as you are."

"Thanks Patty." Lorelai said sarcastically. "By the way, have you seen Kirk? We need to find him."

"He's right over there with the kids." Patty replied.

"Kids?" Rory repeated.

"You'll see." Patty said simply.

As they walked over to where Patty had directed them, there they found Kirk, dressed up in a Santa costume as kids lined up to sit on his lap.

"So what do you want for Christmas little boy?" Kirk asked under his beard.

"You're not Santa Claus. You're not that fat." The little boy replied.

"I am Santa Claus. It's just that Santa decided that lose some weight to have better self esteem." Kirk explained.

"I don't know." The boy replied, looking suspicious.

"Come on, just tell me what you want kid." Kirk said swiftly.

"Well, I want some Pokemon trading cards…" the boy said as he began to think.

"What are Pokemon?" Kirk asked.

"You don't know what Pokemon are?" the boy asked, shocked by the notion.

"Well…um.. of course I know what Pokemon are, silly." Kirk said as he pretend to joke with him.

"No, I think you're lying." The boy insisted.

"Come on kid, you're embarrassing me." Kirk whispered to the kid as the other kids stared at him.

"I think you're a phony." The kid said simply.

"Oh yeah?" Kirk asked.

"Yeah!" the boy answered.

"Well I think you're a spoiled brat, so guess what kid, you're going on my naughty list."

"You wouldn't!" the boy lashed at him.

"Just watch me." Kirk threatened back.

The boy, astonished that Santa would say such a thing, just jumped off of his lap and stomped on his foot as hard as he could. "Jerk!"

"Why you little…" Kirk exclaimed as he jumped on one foot to numb the pain. As he was about to chase after the kid, Lorelai and Rory walked over to him.

"Wow Kirk," Lorelai commented. "You handled that kid real well."

"Come on!" Kirk protested. "You saw how much of a brat he wa…" he stopped as he notice the other children staring at him with their shocked parents. "Umm… I don't know who are you referring, this Kirk that you speak of. I'm Santa Claus. Ho Ho Ho."

"Kirk, we need to talk to you." Rory insisted.

"Fine." He whispered to them and then looked over to the waiting crowd. "Santa's just going to take a little break right now but I promise I'll be right back." And then he motioned both Lorelai and Rory to walk over to the side where his Santa hut resided.

"So what's up?" Kirk asked as he looked at them.

"Well I, actually we wanted to give you your final Secret Santa present." Rory explained. "Surprise! I was your Secret Santa!"

"Wow!" Kirk said, completely shocked by the revelation. "You were the one who did all of that? The trophy, the date… where did you find my baby?"

"Well, I have my ways." Rory said as she winked at Lorelai. "But here is your last present."

As she revealed the box that she was carrying, Kirk jumped a bit, startled by the gift.

"It's a kitten." Rory explained, as she gave Kirk a better look. "Mom helped me pick it at the shelter."

Kirk just stared at it, a little hesistant of the orange and white kitten that was before him.

"Don't worry Kirk. He's not like cat Kirk." Lorelai explained, understanding his hesitance. "He's just a little kitty. He won't bite."

"Are you sure he won't just pounce on me when I'm not looking?" Kirk asked as he looked at him further.

"No…" Rory insisted. "Just hold him. You'll see."

After staring at it for a couple seconds, Kirk finally mustered up the courage to reach into the cage to pick it up. "If he attacks me, I'm holding you two responsible." Then he slowly picked it up in his hands and held it in his arms. He slowly began to stroke it as it yawn. "Hey, this isn't so bad."

"See?" Lorelai said with satisfaction. "He likes you already."

"We weren't sure of what to call it." Rory explained. "but you could call it little kitty Kirk. It'll be the first cat you own finally fit enough to have your name."

"Little kitty Kirk." Kirk repeated, trying out the name. "I kind of like it." Then he looked over to both Rory and Lorelai. "Thanks Rory for being a really nice Secret Santa. All of your presents were great." Then he looked over to the kids waiting for him, all of whom were looking really restless. "I've got to go back but really. Thanks you guys."

"You're welcome." Rory replied with a smile.

"Now go be the best Santa Claus ever." Lorelai quipped in. "And don't let the kids push you around okay?"

He looked back at them and smiled.

****

Taylor sat on the picnic bench alone as he poured himself another glass of eggnog from the bowl that rested in front of him. At first, he was just drinking straight eggnog but after waiting for so long for his band to arrive, he had given up hope and poured rum along with the eggnog and started drinking it for the heck of it. It was sad, he knew that despite his drunkenness but he felt depressed, alone and as if he had failed.

"Hey Taylor." Babette exclaimed as she walked over to him and sat down, with Morey by her side. "Why are you so down?"

"You look blue." Morey added.

" Everything ruined." Taylor said with a heavy sigh as he laid his head on the table.

"What are you talking about sugar?" Babette assured him. "Everything great. Come on Morey! Tell him!"

"Everything's cool. I really like the ice sculptures." Morey said with a smile.

"That doesn't matter." Taylor replied as he ignored their comments.

"Of course it does!" Babette exclaimed as she patted him on the back. "Would it help to say that I really liked all the gifts you've been getting me?"

"Thanks…"Taylor answered absentmindedly until he realized his cover was blown. "Hey! How did you guess?"

"I guess the gifts had a certain charm that kinda of said Taylor." She explained. "Conservative, yet classy, in a good way."

"You're welcome." Taylor replied with a sigh and then poured himself another glass.

"Oh come on Taylor." Morey said with a concerned tone. "Why are so bent out of shape? It's Christmas!"

"Come on! Tell us!" Babette urged. "Tell us what's really bothering you?"

"Him!" Taylor replied drunkenly as he pointed to Jess, who suddenly decided to make an entrance and join the festivities.

"Oh…" Babette and Morey said simultaneously, finally getting what he meant. "Him…"

****

Jess stood back and took a good look at the town before him. Although he had complained on many occasions on how crazy the town got whenever a holiday rolled around, he had to admit that the town did look half bad that night. As he was about to walk around to search for Paris, he noticed something from the corner of his eye that he just couldn't walk away from.

"Wow Kirk…" Jess observed as he walked over to Kirk, sitting on his Santa throne, holding kitty Kirk in his arms. "I didn't think you had it in you."

"Well, sometimes people can surprise you." Kirk replied but as he saw the restlessness of the children waiting for him, suddenly an idea popped into his head. "Come here Jess!" Kirk whispered suddenly as he reached out his hand and dragged Jess closer to him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jess cried out as Kirk tugged on his arm further.

"Don't swear in front of the kids!" Kirk whispered fiercely at Jess. "Now sit on my lap."

"Forget it!" Jess hissed quietly but Kirk kept pulling until he did.

"Just shut up and smile." Kirk whispered as he looked over at the kids and flashed them a smile.

"Have you gone completely nuts?" Jess whispered angrily to him.

"The kids are beginning to turn on me. I can tell by their suspicious stares." Kirk explained quickly. "Their eyes keep looking at me funny. And so I need you to convince them I'm really Santa."

"So have you been a good boy this year?" Kirk said loudly so the children could hear him.

"You're crazy you know that right?" Jess whispered to him, as Kirk continued the charade. "So what if the kids turn on you? How is that my problem?"

"Well, if you want your gift from your dear Secret Santa," Kirk muttered from his fixed smile. "then you'd better listen."

"You?" Jess whispered in shock. "You're the one who've been sending me those nutty gifts. Oh wait, why should this come as surprise. You're completely insane."

"yeah, I kinda figured that you're weren't so happy with what I got you," Kirk explained. "So I got you another gift. Hold kitty Kirk will ya?"

"Kitty Kirk?" Jess repeated as Kirk just handed the kitten to him so that he was able to reach into the inside pocket of his Santa suit and pull out an envelope and handed it to Jess.

"What is this?" Jess whispered as he looked at the envelope.

"You like music, right?" Kirk whispered as he took back Kitty Kirk.

"Yeah I like music." Jess said as he rolled his eyes.

"Well, I got you tickets to a concert in New York." Kirk explained quickly. "I wasn't sure what you liked so I just asked the ticket guy what was his favourite band."

"Radiohead." Jess exclaimed as he looked at the two tickets. "Man, that guy had good taste." And then he looked at Kirk. "This was decent of you."

"You're welcome." Kirk whispered back. "Now can you please help me? I'm dying here."

"Fine," Jess said and then put on a fake smile. "Hi Santa Claus!"

"Hello!" Kirk said with a low voice. "Jess is it? Have you been a good little boy this year?"

"Yes Santa!" Jess replied, putting on his best attempt at enthusiasm. "I've been the best little boy!" he then whispered to Kirk. "how about that?"

Kirk simply winked as he continued to ask Jess more questions.

****

Rory walked nervously up the stairs, wondering what laid in store for her. The room was completely dark and she couldn't see anything at all. It was just dark.

"Hello?" Rory called out from within the darkness. Suddenly the lights went on and there stood a smiling Miss Patty.

"Patty!" Rory exclaimed as she rushed over to her to give her a hug.

"Hello sweetheart!" Patty replied as she hugged her back.

"You're the one who's been sending me all those gifts?" Rory asked.

"Yes. Did you like them?" Patty replied with a smile.

"They were a little puzzling." Rory admitted. " I mean I loved them but I just don't understand why you bought me this dress and got me to meet you at your studio."

"Ooh! Let me see how it fits on you." Patty exclaimed as she helped Rory with her coat and looked at the dress. "I asked your mother for your measurements but I wasn't completely sure if it would fit you properly but yes, you look beautiful."

"The dress is so pretty." Rory agreed. " But I still don't get why I'm here."

"No more questions honey." Patty insisted as she walked away with her coat.

"Where are you going Patty?" Rory asked, completely puzzled by what was going on.

"Silly girl." Patty said as she dimmed the lights. "I'm giving you your present."

"My present?" Rory asked as she stood in the middle of the room.

"Yes, now hush now." Patty said as she pressed play on the CD player and sounds of Etta James filled the room. "Enjoy!"

"But…" Rory protested, however before she could get a word in edgewise, the door closed and she was left alone. She stood there, quiet as a mouse and wondered what Patty was up to. As the music got louder, a voice spoke up from out of nowhere stopped Rory dead in her tracks.

At last, my love has come along….

"May I have this dance?"

"No it can't be…" Rory whispered under her breath and then turned around to see Tristan standing in front of her, holding out his hand.

"Tristan…" Rory whispered as she walked slowly towards him.

"Hey Mary…" Tristan whispered back as he looked at his girl walk closer to him. He smiled at her with that mischevious grin.

Suddenly, Rory walked faster towards until she ran right into his open arms, grasping his face and kissed him hungrily as if she hadn't seen him in forever. She held onto his face, holding the back of his head and running her fingers through his soft blond locks as he wrapped his arms tightly around her, never wanting to let her go ever again. How she had missed his soft hair, the nape of his neck, his eyes and his lips. They kissed for what felt like a lifetime until Rory slowly broke away to take a good look at him.

"I thought you were going to be in Vermont for the whole Christmas break." Rory whispered as she traced her fingers down his cheek.

"I came home early." Tristan replied as he cupped his hand around her face, running his fingers delicately through her hair. " I missed you so much and when Paris called me about Miss Patty and her plan, well, I knew that I couldn't stay away from my girl."

They both closed their eyes as their foreheads touched and they swayed slowly to the music. They just held each other as the relief of being together warmed their hearts.

I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I could call my own.

I found a thrill that I could rest my cheek to, a thrill that I have never known…

"Did you miss me?" Tristan asked softly as he held her close, his head resting against hers.

"More than you'll ever know." Rory replied with a smile as she touched his cheek again and realized that it wasn't a dream. He was there, right in front of her and she was never letting him go again.

And here we are in heaven… for you are mine…at last….

****

Paris wandered aimlessly around in circles as crossed her arms. Everywhere she looked, all she could see were happy couples. Sookie and Jackson were standing under a street lamp where a mistletoe was hanging and were kissing each other tenderly as if there was no tomorrow. Babette and Morey sat together on a park bench sipping hot chocolate. Dave and Lane were probably somewhere making out to hide from the watchful eyes of Mama Kim and as she spoke, Tristan and Rory were together, alone at Patty's studio. And where was she? Well, like always, wandering around alone, doomed to be lonely forever. She then noticed that the sleigh was not occupied so out of boredom, she didn't know, she got on the sleigh and went for a ride.

After a few minutes she was sitting on the sleigh, suddenly, out of the blue, Jess jumped onto the sleigh, nearly startling her to death.

"Jess! What are you doing here?" Paris demanded as she took a moment to catch her breath. "You could have killed yourself!"

"Nah! I've done it before." Jess explained as he looked at her. "What I really came here to do was to talk to you."

"There's nothing to talk about." Paris said simply as she looked away with her arms crossed.

"You're still pissed at me aren't you?" Jess rationalized as he looked at her face.

"What do you think?" Paris replied, not moving her head once to acknowledge his presence.

"I'm sorry that I acted like a complete jerk," Jess exclaimed. "But you have to admit that Dean was acting like an asshole."

"Whatever," Paris said with a shrug. "What do I care if you get into another brawl with Dean. It's just your way of showing who's the man when it comes to Rory."

"Rory?" Jess exclaimed. "We hate each other not because of her. Yes, Rory was the source of many of our scuffles but I just don't like him cuz I fucking hate his guts."

"Why should I believe you?" Paris said emotionless.

"Because it's the truth. I would have hated him no matter what, even if Rory wasn't in our lives." Jess explained. "And you don't have worry about Rory either. She and I were over a long time ago. I'm over her."

"Rory's not a girl you can get over easily." Paris interjected. "Talk to Tristan. He knows what I'm talking about."

"But I'm not Tristan." Jess rationalized. "I could and I did get over her. Yes, I might care for her as a friend or a sister but that's it."

"Blah, blah, blah." Paris cried out as she rolled her eyes. "Just get to your point before I push you out of this sleigh."

"What I wanted to say was that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for acting like an asshole and I'm sorry for being a bigger asshole when I didn't say anything after we kissed." Jess explained as he tried to get the words out. "What I should have said was that I like you and I care about you."

"Really?" Paris asked as her tone of voice softened.

"Really." Jess insisted as he placed his finger under her cheek and turned her head to face him. "I also wanted to give you this."

She looked down at the box that he threw at her. "What is this?"

"Let's just it's the last gift from your Secret Santa." Jess replied.

"But I thought you said that you were stuck at Luke's?" Paris said. "And if you were at Luke's, how could you possibly have sent me those latkes."

"Well, I was telling you the truth." Jess said simply. "But what I didn't tell you was while Lorelai and Luke were busy duking it out with each other, to compensate for the sexual tension between them, that I snuck out to send you your present without them ever knowing the wiser. They never even noticed that even left."

"I thought for sure that you weren't the one." Paris explained. "Those gifts were so nice, so thoughtful…"

"Yeah, I'm not known for those things." Jess replied.

"But why Jess, why?" Paris asked.

"For the same reason it has always been: I like you." Jess answered simply. "Now open your gift."

Paris picked up the box that laid on her lap and proceeded to open it. She gasped as she looked at the opal earrings that laid inside of it. "Jess, how did you manage this?"

"Many long nights at Wal-Mart?" Jess teased as he looked at her. "Do you really like it?"

"I love them." Paris replied but then looked up at him. "But don't think this is going to make me make up with you." She said, pretending to be mad.

"Oh come on Paris." Jess answered. "You just have to forgive me, you just have to."

"And why should I?" Paris asked.

"Because if you don't then I still be the biggest asshole," Jess rationalized. "And if you don't find it in your heart to forgive me, then… who am I going to take to the Radiohead concert?"

"Radiohead? You have Radiohead tickets?" Paris asked.

"Hell ya, courtesy of Stars Hollow's own Santa himself, Kirk" Jess explained. "Who also happens to be my Secret Santa."

"Wow." Paris replied as she thought of his proposition. "Then I guess I have to forgive you." As she moved her head closer to him.

"I guess you do." Jess replied with a smile as he moved his head closer to her and kissed her. He then suddenly broke away from her and asked, "Do you really think that I'm an asshole cuz you know…"

"Just shut up and kiss me you fool." Paris exclaimed as she held his face in her hand while he wrapped his arm around as the sleigh continued to ride around the town.

****

Lorelai took a deep breath and walked into the diner. It was time to confront her Secret Santa once and for all and tell him that she knew what was going on. She had built her confidence level right up but when she looked up to see him, what she saw made her heart skip a beat.

"Wow." Lorelai said breathlessly. "You wore it. You actually wore it." As she pointed to him.

There Luke was standing, right behind the counter. But instead of his usual uniform of a plaid shirt and baseball cap, he was dress in a dark blue suit, with a dark blue dress shirt, with his hair combed neatly out. He looked good. He looked real good.

"It was you?" Luke asked as he looked at her. "You were the one who sent me the sign, the poster, that damn shi…I guess it figures. You're the only one who sick enough to come up with kind of gifts. I mean, really? What were you thinking?"

"That'd like to torture you as long as I could and have fun in the process." Lorelai replied as she shook her head in disbelief. "But I have to say, this takes the cake."

"Why? Because I look like an idiot?" Luke said as he looked down at his clothes.

"No!" Lorelai insisted as she sat down on one of the stools at the counter and fingered his suit jacket. "I knew it was going to look good on you since I have tried to dress you before but failed miserably, however, looking at you, right now, I must say you look so handsome."

"Oh stop it!" Luke scoffed at the suggestion but then looked at her. "You think?"

"Yeah sure!" Lorelai insisted as she lean back to get a closer look. "You look so good. But what my question is: why did you actually wear it? I mean, when I sent it to you, I didn't think you would ever wear it unless I forced you to."

"Well, in your card it did say to wear it." Luke explained.

"but I didn't think you were going to follow the directions." Lorelai protested. "I mean, when was the last time you ever listened to me?"

"Never, but I didn't know you were my Secret Santa." Luke explained. "Anyways, I just thought, what is one more humiliation going to do? It's not like I didn't have a list of humiliations from this experience, but since I was going to hit rock bottom pretty soon, I thought 'what the hell' and just wore the suit."

"Thank God you still have an impulsive streak in you because you look great." Lorelai said with a smile. "I might even say hot."

"Thanks I think" Luke replied. "So why did you make me wear this getup? And please don't say it's to make Taylor laugh because I don't think that I could take that."

"Hey the man is out there, almost swimming in a bowl of eggnog." Lorelai exclaimed as she pointed to the window. "I mean don't you think he needs, deserves to crack a smile? It's Christmas!"

"Is he really that bent out of shape? I mean, it just a few silly pranks. I mean his Christmas celebration seems like it's going without a hitch. And I heard that except for the band…."

"That's exactly what's bothering him." Lorelai pointed out. "He's seems so fixated that Jess is out to get him, he's been drunk like a fish the entire night. Now he's sort of sleeping it off but, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really feel sorry for him."

"Jeez…" Luke sighed.

"And about the suit, it wasn't to make fun of you." Lorelai said with a smile.

"Huh? It wasn't?" Luke, clearly getting confused.

"Well I only wanted you to wear it so I could see if it fits you. And seeing that it does, well, we won't about next week." Lorelai explained as she smiled.

"Worry about what? What's next week?" Luke asked, now getting more perplex. "Lorelai, what are you…"

"Well, when I went to my mother's yesterday, she just happened to give me these tickets to the ballet, you know to see The Nutcracker, for me and Rory, but since obviously Rory's going to be busy since a certain boyfriend of hers has miraculously come into to town, I thought maybe you could come with me." Lorelai explained.

"Me? Go to the ballet with you?" Luke asked, completely taken aback by the offer. "I don't know…ballet isn't really my thing…"

"Well it isn't mine either." Lorelai said, completely understanding his qualms. "I just thought that I shouldn't really let these tickets go waste and since there are two tickets, I thought that out of all the people in the world, who I want to suffer through it with and I immediately thought of you."

"Wow, you really don't get the mean of flattery do you?" Luke replied as he gave her a look.

"No seriously, it could be fun. I mean, I also buy you dinner. It's on me." Lorelai suggested. "But it's really up to you."

"Oh. A dinner and the ballet?" Luke asked mischieviously. "Lorelai, are you asking me out on a date?"

"No…"Lorelai replied as she casually shrugged it off. "It's just two old friends spending time together, getting something to eat and trying to keep each other awake during a really boring ballet. I'll even coerced Jess to cover for you and…I promise not to drink coffee tomorrow."

"Jess huh…"Luke began. "Hey wait a second here…are you saying what I think you're saying? You, Lorelai Gilmore, queen of coffee, who would be injecting coffee into her veins, will give up coffee for a whole day. And not just any day, but Christmas?"

"Yes, you heard right Luke." Lorelai declared as she bowed. "Tomorrow I will give up coffee just for you. And it will work out perfectly, I promise. You know why? Because tomorrow I'm going to my parents for Thanksgiving so without coffee, I'd be only semi-conscious, and drinking large quantities of spiked eggnog as a substitute. I'll be comatose and drunk and isn't that really the best way to spend the holidays with your loved ones?"

"I guess so." Luke replied with a laugh. "And you promise right? I mean, no making coffee at home. No buying coffee. No coffee-related products are to be consumed. Just straight no coffee, cold turkey, right?"

"Yes to all of the above mister." Lorelai replied with a smile. "I even wrote an agreement with Rory in such a case if you actually agree to this date thing."

"So you agree that it is a date right?" Luke said with a grin. "I mean you just said it yourself there that it is a date, correct?"

"No…"Lorelai scoffed, realizing the error in her ways. "I said date thing and that's completely different from a date. It's like a date but it's not."

"So it's something disguised as a date but in actuality it's not right?" Luke asked.

"Right." Lorelai agreed.

"Well then, how could I refuse?" Luke said with a grin. "I'd be happy to go with you especially for the fact that you won't be consuming coffee for a day. I have to see this one."

"Well great." Lorelai exclaimed with glee. "Oh I almost forgot. Merry Christmas Luke." She pulled out a piece of mistletoe from her purse, reached over the counter, kissed him on the lips with the mistletoe hanging right above them.

As she pulled back, a fully confused, blushing Luke stood there for a second without muttering a word. "Lorelai…what was that?"

"To say thanks." Lorelai replied with a wink. "I know."

"Know what?" Luke asked suspiciously.

"Come on Luke!" Lorelai replied. "You don't have to pretend anymore Luke. I know."

"What are talking about because I'm totally confused here." Luke asked as he gave her a look.

"Luke! I know! I mean the candy, the Jess thing, the tape and even the charm bracelet." She pointed to the silver bracelet around her wrist.

"I don't know what you're talking about Lorelai." Luke explained. "Maybe you need one last cup of coffee before substaining from it because you are not making any sense Lorelai."

"Luke, you don't have to wait till Midnight to tell me." Lorelai explained, now getting seriously annoyed with the situation. "I mean everyone in town pretty much knows who their secret santa is so since you already know that I'm your secret santa, why don't come out and say it that you're my secret santa and be…"

"I'm not your Secret Santa." Luke replied simply.

"Say what?" Lorelai exclaimed, shocked by the notion.

"I'm not your Secret Santa." Luke repeated himself as he was not clear the first time. "I mean, I'm flattered that you thought that I got you those gifts but it wasn't me."

"But..uh…" Lorelai stammered. "what about the story of the kid and the money?"

"It's true!" Luke explained. "Some little runt of a kid came up and told me about the little stunt and he gave me money for it."

"I thought that was just a front…"Lorelai said, confused. "So the kid actually existed… and the thought of a kid giving you money for Jess to dress up in a silly hat serving me coffee wasn't weird and you never question tha?"

"Well it is weird but why should I question it if it meant humiliating Jess." Luke explained. "You know as well as I know that you wouldn't pass up that chance."

"Yeah, that's true." Lorelai said with a sigh. "But now I'm really confused here. So if it wasn't you who sent me those gifts then who did?"

"I don't know." Luke admitted.

Lorelai sat there and thought for a minute and then suddenly pounced over and grabbed him by his jacket. "Luke, do you remember what this kid looked like?"

"Yeah, yeah." Luke said as he thought it over and then stared out the window. "Hey! There he is!" he pointed at the window to a 12 year old kid, running off somewhere.

"Luke, I've got to go" Lorelai said quickly as she ran towards the door. "You are going to come out for the Christmas Tree lighting right?"

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead." Luke said as he motioned to go after the kid. "I'll see you out there later. I just have to take care of some things here first."

"Thanks Luke." Lorelai exclaimed as she rushed out the door.

****

Taylor slept face down on the picnic bench, snoring slightly. "Jess… gonna get you…punk… hoodlum" he mumbled as he slept. He was so out of it, he didn't even notice as someone repeatedly called out his name. It was not until they nudged him that he jumped up, startled by the wakeup call.

"Hey…Taylor." Lane said with trepidation.

"Huh?" Taylor replied as he looked at her, with Dave and his two friends in tow. "Oh it's you. What do you want?"

"Sorry to disturb you but umm…we're here." Lane announced, wondering what Taylor would do next.

"What? What are you talking about?" Taylor said in a crass tone.

"Well, you needed a band right?" Lane asked. "well, we're a band, come to replace your other band, who seems to be a no-show at this point."

"You're a band?" Taylor asked, not quite sure how to make of this. "Are you any good?"

"We're great." Lane announced. "And we've been sent here courtesy of your Secret Santa."

"Secret Santa?" Taylor groaned. "So what are you going to do? Play heavy rock and then smash your instruments at the end? No thanks."

"No Taylor." Lane insisted. "We're a real band, hired to play real music. We'll just be playing basic Christmas tunes with a rock edge to it. That's it. We've already set up our stuff on the stage but we wanted you to know that we were done since technically speaking, we wouldn't have gotten this gig if it wasn't for you."

"And we're real sorry that we're late and all sir." Dave explained as he pointed to his two friends. "But we had to go two towns over to get these guys and the traffic was terrible so… yeah."

"So you're not pulling one over my head, right?" Taylor asked as he looked at the awkward teenagers standing before him. "You telling me the truth right?"

"Of course! We're completely on the up and up here Taylor." Lane replied as she patted him on the shoulder.

"Yes, we would never purposely deceive you sir." Dave added, uneasy by the suspicious look Taylor was giving him.

"Because if you're part of that conspiracy where Jess has been conspiring to make me go insane, well you better watch your step." Taylor announced.

"No conspiracies here Taylor." Lane assured him. "So can we play?"

"Whatever." He shrugged as they walked away, happy that he agreed. As he was about to go back to sleep, he looked over and did a double take because what he saw was something that he had never seen before. Something that he never dreamed could be possible.

He walked slowly towards the miracle. Maybe it was the rum kicking in, who knows, but he rubbed his eyes to check that he wasn't dreaming. That the fact that he was drunk didn't mean that what he saw was a figment of his imagination. Right there, standing right before his was Luke's Diner, complete with coloured Christmas lights, fake snow sprayed on the window and 'Happy Holidays' scrawled hastily onto the window.

He entered the diner, mouth gaped open, unable to find the words.

"Oh, here we go." Luke muttered to himself. He had changed quickly out of his suit and now stood there, waiting for his arrival.

"I can't believe it!" Taylor exclaimed, looking towards Luke with a smile on his face. "Of all your years here in Stars Hollow, ever since you took over your father's store, never did you actually comply with my Stars Hollow store decorations policy."

"Well I went completely nuts Taylor." Luke explained as looked at Taylor, who was completely out of it. "That's what happens when you join into these kooky town love-ins."

"But Luke, I didn't think that you'd actually cave in like this." Taylor explained.

"It wasn't much. I had lights up before but I never lighted them up and I found rusted can of fake snow lying around in the storage closet and scribbled a few words on the window. That's it." Luke explained.

"No, no Luke. You don't understand the significance of this moment." Taylor explained as he pointed to the window. "To you, it's just fake snow but to me it's like a Christmas miracle."

"Well, I just felt bad because you were out there, drunk and alone, so I just thought this might bring up your spirits a little bit." Luke explained as he bowed down his head. "And I felt guilty because I was the one causing you all the grief."

"You? You're the one who wrapped my tree around with the police tape? You paid those hoodlums to harass me? You kidnap my band."

"Hey, there was no kidnapping involved!" Luke protested. " I just gave them their money back and paid Lane's band to play here instead."

"I can't believe you're the one who's been making my life miserable just so that you could ruin Christmas." Taylor sulked. "How could you?"

"I was just having a little fun with you Taylor." Luke explained as he looked at him, though his face showed that he was culpable. "I never thought you'd take things so hard."

"Well I did." Taylor replied as he crossed his arms and continued to sulk.

"I'm sorry Taylor." Luke explained. "And to show that I really am sorry, I got you this gift. A real gift." He then walked around the counter to hand it to him.

"A gift?" Taylor asked and then whispered. "It's not gonna blow up in my face is it?"

"No Taylor." Luke replied as he rolled his eyes. He then watched Taylor slowly open his gift but his impatience was getting the better of him. "Oh damn it! Just open it already!"

"Luke!" Taylor exclaimed, completely shocked by what he was seeing. "A personalized plate collection?"

"Yep." Luke replied simply as he agonized at the sight of it. "Including all your favourite 50s singers' faces on them."

"Annette? Frankie? Connie? And Fabian?" Taylor read from the box, looking up to him with a wide smile.

"You have them all now." Luke replied with a sigh. "I thought it would look nice in your soda shop. Oh and here's your bill for next month's rent. 20% off."

"Luke, I don't know what to say." Taylor stammered as he looked at Luke and then suddenly put his plates set on the table nearby and grabbed him to hug. "Come here."

"Oh geez!" Luke moaned as he was uncomfortable with anyone touching him, nevertheless hug him.

"Merry Christmas Luke." Taylor exclaimed as he looked up at him.

"Merry Christmas Taylor." Luke replied with reluctance as he patted Taylor on the back.

****

Lorelai huffed as she finally caught up to the running rascal that she had been chasing for what it seemed to be forever. Finally at around the snowmen, she grabbed him by his arm and stopped him.

"Hey!" he exclaimed as he tried to walk away.

"You're a hard guy to chase after, you know that?" Lorelai exclaimed as she tried to catch her breath.

"Well, if you don't let me go, I'm going to scream and tell my mom all about you!" he threatened.

"No, no, no kid, you don't understand. I'm not trying to kidnap or hurt you." Lorelai explained as she tried to calm him down. "I just wanted to ask you a question."

"What?" He exclaimed as he looked at her.

"Who gave you the money to give to that grumpy man in the store the other day?" Lorelai asked gently.

"I promised not to tell." He replied, looking at her weirdly.

"No, you can tell me." Lorelai exclaimed.

"No, I promised my friend that I wouldn't say a thing." He repeated himself.

"Who is this friend of yours?" Lorelai asked.

"I told you! I'm not supposed to say!" the kid cried back.

She quickly grabbed him by the coat and got close to his face. "Now tell me you little brat, or really do something that you'll regret." Lorelai threatened as she gave his an evil look.

"Okay already! You didn't have to do that." The kid replied as he rolled his eyes and straightened his jacket. "The person who gave me the money was her." He then pointed to this mystery person and the moment that Lorelai saw her, she knew.

"Oh my God!" Lorelai suddenly realized and then ran off.

She made a quick sprint across the gazebo and panted as she got to the door. Lorelai peered through the window, but there was no one there. "Oh come on!" Lorelai muttered to herself. "You can't be gone yet."

She knocked on the door frantically until he finally noticed and opened the door.

"Hey Lorelai." Dean replied as he looked at her. She was panting, holding her stomach as she caught her breath. "Were you running a marathon or something?"

"Hey Dean," Lorelai said breathless as she leaned against the door frame. "I'm just getting a little exercise and I'm kinda realizing that I'm really out of shape."

"Yeah, you're not really known for exercising." Dean commented and then leaned closer to her. "So what are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to talk to you." Lorelai as she looked awkwardly at Dean, trying to shrug off any anxieties.

"Sure…"Dean replied as he looked at her strangely. "But I'm closing the store soon."

"Oh, this will only take a minute." Lorelai explained as she walked right past him into the store.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Dean asked as he followed her to the back of the store.

"You really got me there." Lorelai said with a laugh as she shook her finger at him. "I mean that whole time in the store this moment and you didn't even flinch."

"Oh." Dean replied simply. "So you know, right?"

"Man, getting that kid to go to Luke's for you was a pretty smart move, I must say." Lorelai exclaimed as she thought back to the kid. "I can't believe you got your kid sister to recruit the kid."

"Come on, what choice did I have?" Dean said rationally. "If I wanted to keep it a secret than I had to take drastic measures, and you know how nosey you can get."

"Uh…I'm not nosey." Lorelai scoffed at the remark. "I just like to know things and in my way."

"See? And if I didn't do what I had to do then you would have figured it out just like that." Dean explained.

"But the gifts… how did you?" Lorelai, still puzzled by them. Still puzzled by him.

"Well, I have spent countless nights watching movies with you and Rory." Dean replied. " I think I know you well enough that to know that you're addicted to junk food and coffee, you like to watch quirky, sometimes mudane, albeit always pop cultural stuff on tv and you, like me, will do anything to annoy, piss off and humiliate Jess in every way we can."

"Well, you got me at that one." Lorelai remarked. "But I also heard about a certain kiss that happened in a soda shop…" she said with a smirk.

"Don't ask." Dean said as he shivered thinking about the moment. "Ugh.. I still haven't washed off my lips long enough and unfortunately the memory of it all will be ingrained in head forever."

"Sorry Dean." Lorelai said with a laugh. "So I guess Jess isn't the greatest kisser as everyone thought."

"Nope, far from it." Dean remarked. "Which makes me wonder why Rory went out with him in the first place and why Paris is even interested in him now?" he said with a smile.

"I guess there's no accounting for taste." Lorelai replied as she smiled back at him.

"I guess not." Dean exclaimed with a sigh.

"Well, if it's any consolation, if I was Rory, I wouldn't have dumped you for Jess." Lorelai said with sympathy. "Not in a million years."

"Thanks." Dean replied as he gave her a smile. "That means a lot."

"Hey, I should be thanking you." Lorelai interjected. "I mean you really were the best Secret Santa a girl could ask for." As she showed off the charm bracelet around her wrist.

"You liked it?" Dean asked as he looked at the bracelet. "I thought it gave off the same kind of Lorelainess in it."

"Lorelainess? Okay." Lorelai said as she laugh. "Come here." She then wrapped her arms around him to hug him.

Dean wrapped his arms around her and was glad that she never had any ill will towards him. She was a good friend. As he held her, he slowly stared up towards the ceiling and felt an uneasiness in the pit of his stomach.

"Lorelai…"Dean began.

"Yeah?" Lorelai asked.

"Look up…"Dean replied.

She looked up slowly and groaned. There, hanging from the ceiling was another mistletoe.

"Crap." Lorelai replied as she pulled away from him. "What is with me and mistletoe? I'm always under them."

"Hey don't forget about me and the unfortunate incident that I never want to remember again." Dean said as he stared at it a little longer and then looked at her. "So what should we do?"

"I don't know." Lorelai admitted. "I mean, no one's around so maybe we can get out of it."

"Yeah, get out of it. That's a good plan." Dean said as he shuffled where he stood. "We'll just walk away and no one would know."

"But…" Lorelai began to ponder. "what if…Dean, do you believe in bad luck?"

"No…uh…well maybe." Dean said, uncertain.

"Well what if we cheat on this one and then bad luck is going to follow us?" Lorelai explained. "I don't want to be cursed with bad luck. My life has enough problems without getting cursed by that!" as she pointed to the ceiling.

"So…"Dean said as he furrowed his brow, wondering what to do. "What do you think we should do?"

"Well, I think, we should just get it over with and then forget it ever happened, deal?" Lorelai suggested. "We do it and then there's won't be any curse and our lives could just go back to normal, right?"

"Right." Dean agreed.

"Do you have qualms about kissing me because I don't think I would have any problems about kissing you except for the fact that you used to date Rory and I'm her mother." Lorelai said as a cold shiver went down her spine. Thinking it in those terms made it really icky in her mind.

"yeah, there is that." Dean as he made an uncomfortable face. "But there's going to be awkwardness anyways, in whatever light you see it in. It's you and me. It's gonna be weird."

"I know, but it can't be as bad as kissing Jess, right?" Lorelai explained as Dean nodded in agreement and shivered in disgust at the memory of it. "So let's just get it over with it now so we can just go outside and watch the Christmas Tree lighting."

"Okay." Dean agreed as he rubbed his hands together. "So do we count it off or what?"

"Okay… on my count, okay?" Lorelai replied as she looked at him. "Three, two, one…" As they moved closer to each other, they both aimed at each other's cheek but somehow they miscalculated and ended up kissing each other on the lips. At first, the moment that their lips touched, their eyes widened at the shock of what had happened but somehow, they didn't pull away from each other. Lorelai thought about how soft his lips felt against hers while Dean thought of how sweet her kiss was. Dean slowly his hand to her face, while wrapping the other around her to pull her closer to him. Their kiss deepened as Lorelai in turn, wrapped her arm around him as well and ran her fingers through his soft brown hair. For a moment, they were both entranced by and wrapped up by it, that they didn't pay attention to the world. Instead, the only thought that they had in their minds was how warm the kisses had become. Dean moaned softly as Lorelai slowly opened her eyes. Dean opened his eyes as well as the reality of what was happening hit them like a cold blast of air. They suddenly jumped away from each other, both stammering, mouths open unable to utter a word in edgewise. All they could do was stare.

Lorelai gave him questioning stare and wondered if the kiss even really happened or if it was just in her head. But as she looked at the confused look on Dean's face made her quickly realize that it wasn't a dream and that was left was a very awkward looking young man and a woman who could be his mother. The thought of that just made her feel old and even more desperate to escape.

"…Okay…"Lorelai said slowly, not exactly sure what they should do next. "Umm…Dean… I think I should go now…I'm just going to back away and leave, okay?"

"Yeah…" Dean responded with equal uneasiness as he looked down not being able to meet her eyes. "I've got to close up and uh…yeah."

"I see you outside, okay?" Lorelai said with a slight frown as the fact that they were in the same room together had been so comfortable before but now all they want to do was to leave each other's sight.

"Yeah…I'll see ya Lorelai." Dean replied as he wave at her and went about cleaning up once more.

As she left him in the store, she looked around and pondered at what she had done.

Dean, on the other hand, tried to get back to work but then quickly glanced out at the window as he looked at Lorelai as she walked away and wondered if their relationship would forever be as awkward as that moment right then. He then put his fingers to his lips, thought back and then quickly brushed aside and went about to sweeping again.

****

Lorelai walked slowly, trying to regain composure as she watch everyone crowd around the Christmas Tree, waiting for Taylor to give the okay to light it up. She gently nudged Rory who was standing, gazing up at the tree.

"Hi honey." Lorelai whisper as she tapped her and then Rory turned around to smile.

"Mom!" Rory exclaimed as she gave her mom a big hug. "Where were you? We were looking for you everywhere!"

"Oh I was around." Lorelai said vaguely, trying to smile.

"Are you okay?" Rory as she looked closer at her.

"I'm fine!" Lorelai said with enthusiasm and then turned to the blond hair boy who stood beside Rory. "So you are the infamous Tristan." She said slyly she held out her hand. "I've heard a lot, a lot about you. I'm so glad to have finally met you."

"And I'm glad to meet you as well. Rory always talks about you." Tristan explained as he shook her hand and then smiled.

"So what do you think, mom?" Rory asked as looked at her mother.

"Hmm..." Lorelai said as she looked at how handsome Tristan really was. "I told you Rory..you just can't beat seeing the real thing."

Rory smiled as she got close to Lorelai and hugged her, as she still kept holding Tristan's hand. Lorelai, in turn, rested her head on top of Rory's and watched the crowd around her. Babette and Morey stood together as they chatter happily. Sookie and Jackson had such cheerful looks on their faces as Sookie finally met Lorelai's glance and wave at her and mouthed at her that she had told Jackson an they were finally going to have a baby. Lorelai grinned back at her, happy for Sookie that she had such a great husband like Jackson. She looked around further as Kirk sat beside Miss Patty he doted on Little Kitty Kirk and Miss Patty awed about how adorable was the newest addition to Stars Hollow. Lane and Dave sat on the edge of the stage with their feet hanging down, as Lane leaned her head against Dave, while his head rested against her head. They looked content and peaceful. Even Jess, who was usually would have been so unhappy, was in turn actually smiling as his arms were wrapped tightly around Paris while Paris pointed up to the Christmas tree.

Lorelai sighed contently as it seemed as if everyone around her was happy for this one moment in time.

"Hey." Luke whisper as he approached her from behind.

"Hey." Lorelai whispered back as she smiled in his direction.

"So when is Taylor going to light the damn tree?" He asked her.

"I don't know but surprisingly enough, he looks happy." Lorelai observed as Taylor just stood beside the tree, looking excited. "I wonder why he's so cheerful again."

"I think he's gotten over his Jess paranoia so to speak." Luke explained as he looked over at her. "Now we're just stuck with plain, old, stick up his ass Taylor."

"Yeah." Lorelai said as she laughed. She smiled for awhile until she saw Dean, walking towards the crowd, with his hands in his pockets. They met each other's glance and for a moment there they didn't know what to do. Finally Lorelai began to smile. Seeing her, Dean smiled back.

"Are you okay?" Luke said as he remarked the look on her face.

"Yeah I'm fine." Lorelai replied as she gazed up at him. "I'm just fine."

As the clock struck midnight, Taylor raised his arms and then pushed the button and then the tree lit up like magic from top to bottom, as everyone gasped.

"Merry Christmas Lorelai." Luke whispered to her as he stood beside her.

Lorelai looked down at the happy expression on Rory's face as she hugged her tighter and then looked back at Luke. "Merry Christmas Luke." She whispered back and watched the Christmas tree illuminate like a bright star before them.

THE END.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I can't believe the series is finally over! It's the first story that I have ever written where it's been completed. And boy has it been a great run. Now that the story's finished, I can tell you where the inspiration of this story came from. Although what motivated me to write it was the fact that I could include Paris in the story, the main reason that I wrote this story was the Dean and Lorelai twist at the end. Despite everything and the fact that I adore Lorelai and Luke, I am a crazy Lorelai/Dean shipper and it was always the plan to have Dean be her Secret Santa. The accidents that happened as I wrote this story was to have so much about Kirk, so much about Jess (I never even thought I could really write him) and include most of the characters in the Stars Hollow world. Even though I'm really proud of this story, I know it's probably going to hard to categorized since it has so many ships going on at the same time and it doesn't truly focus on anybody. It's just a fun, kinda fluffy fic about the town. That's it. I don't know if I'll ever be able to write another GG fic but I'd like to think I could. Thanks for reading and loving it as much as I do.

Love, Cindy