Under the Mistletoe

By: RoxyRoo

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: You never know just who is behind that white beard or in that red suit... Christmas fluff.

AN: Thank you for all your great reviews!

Part Four- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa

"Mommy, when is daddy going to be home?" five year old Ellie, also known as Lorelai Noelle Dugrey the IV asked.

Rory sighed, as she rocked little Tristan Janlan Dugrey the II. She didn't know quite how to tell the little girl. "Sweetie," Rory said real softly. "Daddy won't be coming home..."

"But it's Christmas Eve!" Ellie wailed.

"Shh," Rory shushed her, as TJ's eyes were starting to droop. She slowly stood up, to put the two year old in his crib. She smiled down at him, as he laid there, brushing a blonde curl from his face, before pulling the blanket up. He looked so much like his father, more so each day. When he was born, as Ellie had Rory's name, Tristan insisted their son had to be named after him, as it was only fair.

Rory turned, taking Ellie by the hand, as they quietly crept out of the room. She did not say a word, as she led Ellie down to her room. She picked her up, and settled on her bed with her, Ellie nestled into her arm.

"Sweetums, remember the talk we had?" Rory asked, as she softly brushed her hand through Ellie's coffee colored hair.

Ellie nodded, trying to hold back the tears. "Daddy isn't living here anymore, and it's not because of me."

Rory kissed the top of her head, knowing how hard the little girl was taking this. "You talked to him on the phone today for your Birthday, and he promised he would call again tomorrow."

Ellie turned her head to face Rory. "But I want him here! Do you think if I ask Santa, he'll bring him? I don't want no toys, just my daddy!"

Rory hugged the little girl to herself, as the tears flowed down both of their faces. Truth was, he was all Rory wanted also. The fight had been stupid, yet they had been separated for two months already. He was back in New York City, while Rory was left behind with their two children in the house they had made a home in her hometown, Stars Hollow. In the last five years, the Twickham house had become known to the small town as the Dugrey house.

Rory stayed there with her daughter until she heard Ellie's breathing even out. She was asleep. Rory gently untangled herself from the young child, lying her on her bed. She slowly tugged the blanket up to cover Ellie, before creeping out the door.

Rory sighed as she went downstairs. She went over to the closet, where her mother had brought over the children's presents earlier and stuck them in. She slowly took them all, lying them all under the tree. She then took her bag full of stocking stuffers over to the fireplace, filling the children's stockings with fun stuff for them.

Once she was done she stood back, starring at the tree. This was their holiday. Ever since that first Christmas where they met up again, Christmas had always been really special to the two of them.

A lone tear ran down her face as there was a knock at the door. Rory quickly wiped the tear away, before heading over to the door. Her mother must have forgotten something.

She opened the door only to gasp at the sight before her. There stood Tristan all decked out as Santa Clause.

"Hi," he said sheepishly.

"Hi," Rory said softly.

"I miss you."

A smile came across Rory's face. "I miss you too."

That was all Tristan needed to step through the door and embrace her. He held her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder.

"Oh Rory, let's never fight again," Tristan murmured into her hair.

Rory smiled as her arms tightened around him. She then glanced up. "Tristan, look."

Tristan looked up confused, before a wide grin broke out on his face at the sight of the mistletoe. "This brings back memories."

"It's tradition," Rory said seductively, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Tristan moved his mouth towards hers.

-

Ellie needed a glass of water. Well, that was what her reasoning for being out of bed would be if her mother caught her. She was hoping her mother had already gone to bed, so she could wait by the tree all night for Santa. She just had to catch him, so she could plead with him to give her, her father in exchange for all of her gifts. Going downstairs for a drink had helped Cindy Lou Who catch Santa Claus after all, so it must be a good alibi.

She froze at the top of the stairs as she heard a knock at the door. She saw her mother wipe her face, as she went to the door. Ellie dropped to her knees, peering downstairs through the bars of the staircase.

Her jaw dropped at the sight of Santa Claus. He was actually here in her house! She could barely contain her excitement. She was just getting ready to go downstairs when she saw him hug her mommy. Ellie froze mid step. She then watched as they both looked up. She watched with a heavy heart as then Santa Claus moved his head towards her mommy's, kissing her.

Ellie sniffled, as tears started fall to down her face. Her mommy was cheating on her daddy with Santa Claus.

She watched as they pulled apart. Her mommy took Santa's hand, walking backwards as she led him to the stairs.

Ellie quickly scampered off to her room before she could be spotted.

-

The next morning Ellie slowly got out of bed. It was Christmas morning. Normally she was so excited that could barely hold still, and would be waking up everyone in the house by now. But not this Christmas. Christmas was ruined. The one thing she wanted for Christmas she would not be getting. And it was Santa's fault. He wanted her daddy out of the way so he could move into his territory. She would be sure to tell daddy all about this when he called her today.

She slowly walked down the stairs, she could hear voices coming from the living room.

"Ellie! Come here, I have a surprise for you!" Rory called excitedly. She could not wait for Ellie's reaction.

Ellie walked into the room with her lip set to a pout. Something she had learned to do from her daddy. She had learned early on that her mommy could not resist it when her daddy did it.

"What's a little girl doing pouting on Christmas morning?"

Ellie's head shot to place where she heard the voice. "DADDY!" she squealed, running into his open arms, where he lifted her, swinging her a bit, before holding her tightly to himself.

"Hi my little Christmas Angel," Tristan murmured as he buried his nose in her air, breathing in her innocence. He then set her down on the floor. "You ready to open your gifts?" He lifted TJ up into his lap.

"No," Ellie said, the pout coming back.

Tristan frowned, looking behind her at Rory who shrugged her shoulders, before looking back at Ellie. "Why not Angel?"

"Because I hate Santa Claus!" Ellie said, crossing her arms against her chest, and sticking her lip out farther.

"Why?" Tristan asked confused.

Ellie glanced back at her mommy, giving her a glare, before looking at her daddy. She then leaned over to whisper in her daddy's ear, where mommy could not hear. "I saw mommy kissing Santa last night!"

As the little girl pulled back, Tristan could not help the laugh that escaped his mouth. Ellie narrowed her eyes at him.

"Tristan, what's wrong?" Rory asked confused about the glare she received from her little girl.

"I'll be right back," Tristan said, still chuckling to himself, as he quickly ran up the stairs.

Rory kept her mouth shut while they waited for Tristan to return. She could tell that something was troubling Ellie.

"Ellie," a voice called five minutes later.

Ellie turned to see low and behold, Santa Claus standing there. She set a very angry look on her face, before marching up to him and kicking him as hard as she could in the shins.

"OW!"

"LORELAI NOELLE!" Rory scolded, as her husband hopped on one leg, while holding his other one.

"No, Rory, it's alright," Tristan said, as he pulled down his beard, and took his hat off. Rory looked at him confused. "Ellie, it's me, daddy."

"Daddy? You're Santa?" Ellie asked confused.

"It was me last night, I'm who you saw kissing mommy," Tristan explained. Rory's mouth formed an 'Oh', as realization dawned on her.

Ellie looked from Tristan to Rory. "Does this mean you two are back together?"

Rory smiled, as she nodded her head. "Yes baby."

Ellie smiled widely. "Can I open my gifts now?"

Tristan chuckled. "Go ahead, you can help TJ with his too."

Ellie then dug into the pile of gifts under the tree.

Tristan went and sat by Rory, handing her a box.

Rory smiled as she opened it. It widened at the sight of the charm. A Santa hat. "Tristan," Rory sighed, as she leaned over to kiss him. Tristan kissed her back. His family was together again, and happy.

-

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AN: There should be about three more parts, and I'm hoping to have this all finished by Christmas. My plan is to post the final chapter on Christmas Eve night... We'll see if that happens ;). Someone asked about the charm bracelet, if I'll let you guys know what the other charms are. Each chapter has a charm for it, which have already been planned out. The charms more of a less go with what the chapter is about. Now go and review!