Rory had always loved this time of year. Everything felt warm. Not like the summer, when the air was hot, but, happy-warm. All the houses were cozy, and people wore wool scarves and sewaters. There was always a fire in Sookie's fireplace, and her house was always decorated with Christmas lights.

That isn't saying much, of course. The lights were the only form of decorations to be found in the house, so every holiday was hailed with red and green lights. It was a matter of great confusion to the trick or treaters. However, that wasn't the point. People were also different this time of year. Even the harsh proffessors at Chilton were filled with an unedning happiness. Honestly, when did you hear, "Oh, what the hell, it's Groundhog day, no homework,"?

She understood why the merriment failed to reach Tristan, but still did all she could to cheer him up. Christmas was meant to be filled with peppermint mochas and presents, not worry and stress.

No one could embodie this better than Finn himself, who on Christmas eve, the last Friday before vacation, came to school in a Santa suit.

"Finn! I demand that you remove that improper attire this instant!" Mrs. Sprind ordered.

"If you insist," Finn sighed, setting down his book bag, "Though it's might cruel of you to strip me down to me knickers on Chrissie's eve." The teacher blanched.

"Finn, don't you dare remove that rediculous outfit!" she called shrilly, sending the class into fits of laughter.

"Oh, you like that?" Finn asked the giggling crowd, "Merry Chrissie! Peppermint sticks for everyone!" he tossed out a handfull of candy canes, and sat down.

-

Rory had already made her gift for Tristan. She had agonized for days asking herself, "What do you get someone who has everything?" and then it hit her. She hadn't even tried wrapping it this time, this time simply finding a very tall, very thin bag. Very tall. She marched proudly in to school with it, glad that she had insisted on exchanging gifts at school.

"A pogo stick?" he asked incredulously when he pulled it from the bag. His face was priceless, as she had known it would be. Which is why she brought her camera. She snapped a picture of his flabergasted expression and gleefully awaited her own gift.

"I have to carry this around school all day, you know." he said, and she nodded proudly.

His gift for her came in a small velvet box. It was a beautiful white gold ring, inlade with a single black pearl. Rory knew better than to decline the outrageous gift.

"Thank you, Tristan," she said softly, a smile breaking free of numb lips.

"I figured a daimond wasn't special enough for you. This fit better." she kissed him soundly.

-

When the troup reached Rory's house (the obvious destination for a Christmas sleep over, duh) they heard a crash and a muffled cry. They rushed inside to see Lorelai under the Christmas tree, all sprawled out on the ground.

"Little help?" Lorelai asked impatiently. Tristan and Finn quickly relieved her of the Tree, easilty righting it. She glared at them.

"Well, it was a lot harder alone." she assured them. They shared a smile. The tree was barely four feet tall, either one of them could have lifted it alone.

"Decorations?" Rory asked, diverting her mother's attention from the tree.

Finn and Tristan were delighted to discover that decorations at the Gilmore house were far from ordinary. They consisted of at least thirty barbie dolls, with the hair tied into a loop to fit over the branches.

"Merry Christmas indeed," Finn laughed, putting prom barbie at the top of the tree.

"What?" Lorelai asked defensively, "you don't like malibou barbie?"

"Lolalai, dear, I love malibou barbie."

-

"Why do you leave cookies under the tree?" Tristan asked curiously.

"So we'll have something tp eat tonight!" Lane's voice entered with her and she closed the door. Rory rushed to hig her friend.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, bibleboy," Lane said.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii, Lane," he responded. Finn popped into the room. He sauntered over to Lane, and got down on one knee.

"Doll, I know you haven't had the pleasure of my lips, as of yet, but I figured I'd make it a holiday prezzie. Now, hows about?" Lane wrinkled her nose at him and smirked.

"Dream on, crocodile hunter."

"Oh!" he faked being shot, falling on the ground. "Oh, woe is myself, look, look now. Shakespear himself would be at a loss for words! Here lies a man, smitten and smote, and frightfully unrequited..."

"Oh, stop being such a baby." Rory japed lightly.

"Ahah!" Lorelai entered with the night's ingredients. "Willie Wonka, the Three stoodges, and the greatest cartoon history lesson of our time, Rocky and Bullwinkle."

"Come again?" Finn asked.

"Oh, come on, it covers everything! The Cold war; Boris and Natasha. Canadians; Dudley DoRight. Plus those fairy tales are right on." Lorelai explained.

"I'll try anything for you, my love," Finn gazed comically adoringly into Lane's eyes, and she blushed. Then she smacked herself for clushing. Then she looked away.

"Hey mom, I thought you were spending the night at Sookies." Rory inquired.

"Yeah, I am, though I sure will miss Rocky and Bullwinkle. Sigh...

...okay see ya, and stay out of my liquor cabinet!"

"You don't have one!"

"Good answer, kid. See ya!"

They spent the night watching the movies and pigging out on spiced cider, marshmallows, cookies, cake, pizza, and eggnog. Rory and Tristan retired to her room shortly after Finn and Lane dozed off. It was a perfect night.

So, I have no idea whether or not Lorelai has aliquor cabinet or not, and I don't think you do either, so shh.

I already have the new years eve bit done, though I am still editing it. Besides, I would love to hear your comments on this dovelopement before adding another one.

College app-ing is actually going okay, and I'll definitely be finished by the 30th. After that, the story writing will know no bounds! I'm thinking of starting a prison break one after this. Any mutual watchers?