Christmas chapter for the year Charlotte is two. Happy New Year!
Stars Hollow is lit up for Christmas. Rory steers the car through the streets, glancing back to where her daughter is sitting on the backseat.
"Look Charlotte! Stars Hollow!"
"Stars!" her daughter exclaims, staring out of the window. Her blue eyes, decided by Lorelai as the Gilmore eyes, are wide with excitement. "Stars!"
Rory laughs, parking the car outside her mother's house and getting out. She has barely closed the car door when Lorelai comes out of the house, running down the steps and down the path, heedless of the icy snow, Paul Anka barking at her feet.
"Rory!"
"Hey Mom!" Rory shouts back. She unbuckles Charlotte, lifts her out and passes her straight to Lorelai who hugs her tightly.
"Both my girls," Lorelai says, giving Charlotte a big kiss. "Look at how big you've gotten!"
"You only saw Charlotte last week," Rory points out and Lorelai sticks out her tongue.
"She still looks bigger, don't you, honey?"
Charlotte stares at her grandmother, making Lorelai and Rory laugh.
"Okay, let's get you inside," Lorelai says, starting back up the steps with more caution. "It's freezing!"
Rory follows her mother into the house, carrying her and Charlotte's suitcases and dropping them in the hall with a thump.
"Rat bastards!"
"Language!" Lorelai admonishes, putting her hands over Charlotte's ears and Rory rolls her eyes with a grin.
"I believe you were the person who taught me that term for heavy luggage."
"Not until you were at least in Kindergarten," Lorelai coughs. "Anyway, how much stuff can a two-year-old need?"
"Too much," Rory sighs. "What with packing and listening to that kids' playlist all the way from Philadelphia, my head is spinning!"
"I'll make us some coffee," Lorelai promises. "Sit and relax, little daughter! It's Christmas!"
Rory nods, looking around the brightly decorated house and taking a contented breath. "It's good to be back."
"Good to have you back," Lorelai says, kissing her cheek. "Both of you. I don't think Charlotte is quite old enough for coffee -"
"Give it another a year!"
"But maybe some hot chocolate?"
"She'll love that, thanks Mom," Rory says. She sits down with Charlotte on the couch, looking at the familiar pictures, when her gaze rests and her eyes freeze. Rory's mouth is still hanging open when Lorelai brings the drinks over.
"What is it?" Lorelai asks, putting the cups down. "You look like I've made you decaf!"
"Um, Mom," Rory says slowly. "Why is that painting of me on the wall?"
Lorelai looks behind her to see the painting of Rory, made when she was seventeen and which once hung in Richard's study.
"It couldn't stay at Mom and Dad's old place."
"But why is it here?" Rory insists. "Here, in this house, on your living room wall?"
"Mom hadn't put it up!"
"That's not a reason for you to!"
"Sure it is!" Lorelai says, lifting Charlotte up so she can see it. "Look, Charlotte! It's your mama!"
"Mama!" Charlotte exclaims, pointing at the painting. "Mama!"
"Okay, it's freaking me out," Rory says, getting up. "That painting is horrible."
"No, it's great! Dad wanted it and look, it's a totally natural pose."
"I'm wearing that weird dress!"
"But you're reading, and that's natural! Be thankful - Grandma wanted you to have your arms above your head!"
"Thank you for the flashback, I remember," Rory grumbles. "My arms ached all afternoon!"
"And now you have that to remind you too."
"Yeah, thanks," Rory says sarcastically. Lorelai smiles sheepishly and says,
"Mom was talking about putting it in storage and I just couldn't let her - I always liked that painting of you."
"That's Emily coming out," Rory says and Lorelai's mouth hangs open.
"How very dare you."
"I'm kidding," Rory says. "It's fine, Mom. Kind of disconcerting seeing it here, but it's fine."
"Mama," Charlotte says again, sounding curious, and Lorelai gives her a bounce.
"That's right, angel."
"Bear," Charlotte says and Lorelai frowns over her head at Rory.
"Is this some nickname I haven't been clued in on?"
"She wants her bear," Rory explains, opening Charlotte's bag. "New obsession of the week. Crap, where is it...oh crap, I'm trying not to say crap! Dammit!"
"Big improvement," Lorelai remarks. "What's the crisis?"
"Bear's not here," Rory says grimly. "She'll have a meltdown."
"Uh-oh."
"I'll text Jess," Rory says, getting her phone out as Charlotte says bear again. "I know, sweets. Bear's coming."
"That doesn't sound creepy at all," Lorelai comments. "What time is Jess getting here again?"
"Sometime after dinner - he's just got a few things to finish for Truncheon. I said we could all drive down together but Jess wasn't sure how long he'd be."
"Plus it gives you more time to see your glorious mother," Lorelai grins, and jumps as Charlotte lets out a shout. "Though I didn't figure in a bear meltdown."
"She can take a nap, and hopefully Bear will be on his way," Rory says seriously. "Come on, Charlotte! Naptime!"
Charlotte resists halfheartedly, crying for her bear, but soon she's dozed off in Rory's bedroom, a childhood bear of Rory's tucked in the crook of her arm and an old shirt of Luke's Charlotte uses as a blanket under her cheek.
"Crisis averted," Lorelai murmurs under her breath. "Doesn't she look adorable?"
"It's the sleep," Rory says but she smiles, tiptoeing over to brush Charlotte's hair away from her eyes. "She is adorable, isn't she?"
"It's her grandmother's dazzling genes," Lorelai jokes, putting an arm around Rory. "Let's go finish that coffee."
Now that Charlotte's asleep Rory lets herself feel how truly tired she is. She closes her eyes for a moment and Lorelai touches her hand, startling her.
"Hey - do you need a nap too?"
"No," Rory says, yawning. "Maybe. I'm okay."
"You sound tired."
"I am tired. It's been crazy at work and taking care of Charlotte and getting ready for Christmas, and she knows what Christmas is now, sort of. She's so excited."
"That's cute though."
"It's less cute when she's waking me up by shouting Christmas in my face every morning," Rory says, making Lorelai laugh. "But it's cute she's so excited, you're right. I can't wait to take her to the Christmas Eve parade. Who's playing Santa this year?"
"Andrew."
"That's cool. He was kind of like Santa to me as a kid, ordering all those books."
"Don't I know it - I used to bring him a list of books you wanted before you were old enough to do it yourself. I remember one year you wanted them for Christmas and put them on your letter to Santa and I was so scared they wouldn't arrive in time. I'm pretty sure Andrew pulled a few strings."
"Maybe he is Santa after all," Rory says in mock-seriousness and Lorelai nods.
"But where does he keep the reindeer?"
"Miss Patty, maybe? She raises chickens."
"True," Lorelai agrees. "Or maybe Kirk...he has about a million jobs, after all."
Lorelai and Rory laugh, finishing their coffee, and Rory goes on to talk about the newest article she's working on and planning for the wedding she and Jess are having next year. Lorelai smiles over her cup and says, "You sound happy, kid."
"I am, Mom," Rory says, smiling back. "I am."
"I still can't believe you're getting married."
"Me neither."
"And to that punk," Lorelai jokes. "Man, if you'd told me back when you guys were seventeen that Luke's nephew was marrying you and tracking down a bear for your daughter I'd have broken something laughing."
"That's heartwarming," Rory says wryly. She looks down at her empty cup and feels a little sad. "I never thought I'd have Charlotte the way I did."
"Honey," Lorelai says, moving closer to her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to -"
"It's fine," Rory says quickly. "I'm okay - she's perfect, and I get to be her mom. How she got here doesn't matter, right?"
"Right," Lorelai says, squeezing her hand and Rory sighs.
"Logan sent a giant stuffed tiger."
"A tiger?"
"A tiger. It sings, too. Charlotte is terrified of it."
"Maybe it'll be the next step from the bear!"
"Gee, I hope not. It scares me too."
Lorelai laughs but she sounds concerned as she asks, "Have you spoken to Logan?"
"We're waiting for our annual Christmas phonecall," Rory says bitterly. "When Charlotte was born he said he'd call as much as he could. Sometimes he doesn't call for weeks and when he does, he sounds so uncomfortable."
"I guess it's an uncomfortable situation."
"I know...I just wish I could make it better. Charlotte's so young now but when she's older..." Rory's voice trails off and Lorelai hugs her arm around her shoulder, kissing the side of her daughter's head.
"Charlotte's got you, Jess, me and Luke and Mom, and she's going to be just fine. That's a promise."
"I know," Rory says, looking up and smiles as Lorelai adds, "She's a Gilmore. She's already awesome."
Lorelai puts on a Christmas movie and, without intending to, Rory falls asleep against her mother's shoulder and wakes up with a jump as the front door opens.
"Anyone home?"
"Luke!" Rory exclaims, sitting up and rubbing the crick in her neck. "Hey! Merry early Christmas!"
"Merry early Christmas!" Luke says warmly, putting down his bags of takeout and giving her a hug and then Lorelai. "And look who I found on the way here!"
Jess ducks inside, giving everyone a wave and laughing as Rory jumps up, demanding, "You're early, Mariano!"
"Good to see you too," Jess chuckles. "Got out sooner than planned."
Rory gives Jess a kiss and sighs in relief as she sees Charlotte's bear hanging in his hand, when, on cue, her daughter starts crying.
"Boy, are we glad to see you," Lorelai says seriously. "I've heard all about Bear!"
"On it," Jess says, lifting the stuffed animal up and going into Rory's room. "Where's my girl?"
Charlotte is sitting up in bed, sobbing, but when she sees Jess she lifts out her arms and says happily, "Daddy!"
"Daddy's here," Jess says, sitting on the bed and lifting Charlotte into his arms. "There's my girl. And look, I've got Bear!"
Charlotte sucks on her thumb, looks at the bear Jess has given her and hugs Rory's old one closer. "My bear," she says happily and Rory turns to Lorelai.
"I don't know if I should laugh or cry."
"Now you've got two!"
Charlotte is wide awake so they get her up and take her into the kitchen, where Rory pours her a glass of juice.
"Grandpa Luke!" Charlotte says joyfully upon sight of her grandfather, who gives her a kiss and makes her a Santa burger. Charlotte discards it after one bite but Luke simply remarks that she takes after Lorelai and pours Charlotte more juice. Jess carries Charlotte into the living room and, as Charlotte sips her drink, she catches sight of the painting of Rory again and says happily,
"Mama!"
"Oh, jeez!" Jess exclaims, staring at it. "What's that doing here?"
"That is a painting of my daughter, Jess!" Lorelai says indignantly. "You don't like it?"
"Not quite to my taste."
"Mom's teasing you," Rory says as Lorelai goes to make more coffee. "Didn't think it was her taste either...it's definitely not mine. I remember there was supposed to be a swan in that picture but it kept freaking out, and looked ready to attack."
"I told you swans are vicious birds," Jess says seriously and Rory laughs.
"That they are. I'm lucky it didn't beak me, huh? What with that and the deer hitting my car I haven't had much luck with wildlife."
They look at the picture a little longer. Seeing it again makes Rory almost feel that uncomfortable dress she'd had to wear for it, but it also reminds her of Richard, who'd put in his study. He'd been so happy it was worth the pain of posing and Rory smiles.
"That painting really creeps me out," Jess says to Rory, breaking her thoughts. "I'd almost forgotten it exists."
"Me too."
"Can I throw a towel over it?" Jess asks but smiles as his daughter says insistently to him, "Mama!"
"That's right, that's your mama," Jess says to Charlotte. "Wasn't she pretty?"
"I still am," Rory teases and then gives her daughter a kiss. "That's me a long time ago, Charlotte."
Charlotte, bored of art for the day, loudly announces that she needs the bathroom. Rory takes her and when she gets back finds that Jess has put a blanket over the painting.
"It's not that bad," Rory laughs and Jess protests, "It just weirds me out a little."
"I know. Mom really likes it for some reason."
"Because it's of you."
"There's a million photos of me," Rory protests and Jess says, "Yeah, but it's a special painting. Plus her dad wanted it...probably makes Lorelai think of him too."
Rory nods and Jess takes the blanket off before Lorelai comes back in. They look at it a moment longer until Charlotte runs past them, a Christmas cookie tight in her hand and Lorelai at her heels pretending to be annoyed.
The rest of the evening is spent eating too much (or just enough according to Lorelai and Rory) and catching up, Charlotte asleep with both bears beside her. The next day they go for a walk around Stars Hollow, admiring the lights, and Lorelai dresses Charlotte in a miniature Santa outfit, coaxed only away from taking pictures all evening by being reminded of the parade. Luke is talked into going with them under much duress, grumbling about tradition, but quietens as Charlotte starts getting excited to see Santa. They all head out, joined by Lane and her kids, but there's worried murmuring amongst the crowd as they arrive.
"What's wrong?" Lorelai asks Babette. "Did Kirk get stuck hanging up the Christmas lights again?"
"Andrew's sick as a dog," Babette says. "Was trying on his Santa suit earlier and bam! Puked all over the square."
"Oh no," Lorelai groans. "Poor Andrew."
"Please tell me they cleaned the square," Rory says queasily but her nausea is far from abated as Babette cheerfully tells her Petal took care of it. "Is Andrew okay?"
"He's fine, sugar," Babette promises. "Just got a high fever and talking about elves dancing on the ceiling!"
"Sounds like a real Tom Wolfe Christmas," Jess whispers to Rory who giggles guiltily.
"Who's taking his spot?" she asks and Babette spreads her hands.
"No one, far as I can tell, that's the problem. Andrew only just got sick and the parade is starting in five minutes!"
"Charlotte's going to be so disappointed," Rory says sadly. "Honey, Santa might not make it, okay?"
"No Santa?"
"He had to see a man about an elf," Jess jokes but picks Charlotte up as her lower lip starts trembling. "Hey, it's okay kiddo, he's still going to come later. He's just busy right now."
Charlotte sniffles into Jess's neck and he kisses her curly hair beneath the Santa hat. "You're like Santa too, dressed like that!"
"Look, angel," Rory says. "Aren't the lights pretty?"
Charlotte is unappeased. They go over to a stand to buy hot chocolate before the parade starts and Rory smiles, remembering the Christmas she was pregnant and Jess had gotten her hot chocolate and doughnut after the van had closed. She'd been so sad, that Christmas, but that night had been perfect and she leans up to give her fiancé a kiss.
"Your mouth tastes of chocolate," Rory says and Jess grins.
"That a problem?"
"Nope, a bonus."
They kiss again and break apart as Lorelai asks, "Hey, where's Luke?"
"He was here a second ago," Rory says, looking around. "Maybe he went back to the house?"
Lorelai frowns. "He would have told me."
"Maybe he had to run over to the diner," Jess suggests. "Luke'll show up in a minute, I'm positive."
Lorelai nods but she stares around at the crowd. "Maybe I should go look for him."
"Mom, the parade's starting."
They all look up as the procession starts, lanterns gleaming in the dark. Rory hugs Charlotte closely to her, breathing in her soft warmth, and then jumps as her daughter shrieks, "Santa!"
Someone has filled in after all. The surprise Santa marches along, sack on his back, ringing a bell and calling, "Merry Christmas!"
Rory stops in disbelief and a glance at her family shows they're thinking the same. It can't be.
"Luke?" Lorelai exclaims and the Santa stops, saying under his breath, "I'll explain later. Merry Christmas!"
Rory looks over at Jess to see him laughing so hard he's almost doubled over and starts laughing herself, almost dropping her daughter who is wriggling with excitement.
"Santa! Santa! I want to see Santa!"
"She's as bold as you are," Rory remarks to Lorelai and nods as Luke stops to take Charlotte's hand. "Go on, sweets! It's Santa!"
"I remember when it was you in those parades," Lorelai says fondly as they watch Charlotte walk in the parade with Luke, eyes wide with excitement and her costume matching his. "You were just as cute."
"I can't believe Luke did that for her."
"I can," Lorelai says and Rory smiles.
"Actually, I can too."
After the parade when Luke has given out all the gifts in the sack, they head back to the house. Before Jess has opened his mouth Luke holds up a hand.
"Not one word, nephew."
"Just wanted to know if there was anything in that sack for me, St Nick."
"More of the lump of coal variety."
"I'll bet," Jess grins. "Thought you hated tradition?"
"Anything else, wiseguy?"
"Yes," Jess says, stopping. Luke stops as well, looking defensive, but smiles as Jess says sincerely, "It was really great of you to step in like that."
"Couldn't disappoint Charlotte," Luke says simply. "I know how excited she was."
"Thank you," Rory says and her stepfather smiles, hugging his arm around her.
"It was my pleasure."
It's less fun getting Charlotte ready for bed. She's hyped up on sugar and general Christmas excitement and even once she's been convinced into getting changed into her new pyjamas, which also have Santa on, Charlotte runs up and down the hall shouting, "Christmas!" at the top of her lungs.
"It's bedtime," Rory says firmly. "Christmas won't come if you don't go to sleep."
Her daughter stares at her blankly and then shouts, "Christmas!" yet again.
"Come on, little miss," Jess says, lifting her up. "Time for sleep."
Charlotte allows her parents to tuck her into bed, both bears beside her, and finally closes her eyes after a story. Rory and Jess back out, holding their breath, and stay up a little later after Lorelai and Luke have turned in for the night.
"I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow," Rory groans and Jess grins.
"I can. Our daughter's reminded us of it enough times."
"Too many."
"One day she'll be a moody teenager and won't want to celebrate Christmas at all."
"Don't ever say those things, Jess Mariano," Rory says, sitting up. "Not our little girl!"
"She'll still be our teenager."
"That's a million years away," Rory says sleepily and smiles as Jess says, "We'll be married then too."
"I know...crazy."
"Not crazy - it makes total sense."
"Not arguing."
Rory sits up, putting her arms around Jess and kisses him. He kisses her back, smiling into her mouth and as they lie down together on the couch the living room door bursts open. Rory and Jess break apart like guilty teenagers as their daughter walks in, rubbing her eyes.
"Christmas?" she asks sleepily and Rory says gently, "Not yet, sweets. Go back to bed."
"Want up," Charlotte says and, although Rory and Jess are trying to get her to sleep through the night, Jess goes over, lifts her into his arms and carries her over to the couch.
"Here we go," he says gently. Charlotte snuggles between them, sucking her thumb.
"Sleepy," she tells them, eyelids drooping. Jess gives her a kiss and they see that Charlotte has fallen asleep. Rory gently takes her back to bed, tucking her in, and tiptoes back to find that Jess has dozed off too. Rory watches him, half-amused and half-disappointed and then climbs onto the couch with him, lying beside him.
"Rory?" Jess asks sleepily and Rory gives him a small kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Jess."
"Love you," Jess says, half-asleep. Rory closes her eyes, just for a moment, and the next thing she knows someone is jumping all over her.
"CHRISTMAS!"
"Yes, it is," Rory groans, wondering how such a small person can be so loud. "Don't jump on my leg, sweets."
"CHRISTMAS!"
"Did someone say it's Christmas?" Jess exclaims, getting up and swinging Charlotte into his arms, making her roar with laughter. "Merry Christmas, Charlotte!"
Rory watches them for a moment, her heart full. Right now, nothing matters. The only thing Rory knows is that Jess is Charlotte's father in the ways that matter, it's Christmas morning and she's so happy she can't speak. She smiles and smiles at them until Charlotte shouts, "Mama!"
"Merry Christmas, sweets!" Rory exclaims, getting up and giving her daughter a big kiss. "You're still the best gift I've ever gotten."
Jess hugs her and Charlotte tightly until Lorelai and Luke come in, and talk turns to Christmas wishes and excitement over opening the gifts under the tree (a contest between Lorelai and Charlotte).
"Luke, you going to dress up as Santa again?" Jess teases and Luke points at him.
"Onetime thing, my friend. Next year it's your turn."
"I'd like to see that," Rory teases. They gather around the tree and Lorelai's eyes meet Rory's. Mother and daughter smile and Rory remembers all their Christmases, just the two of them but no less magical. It's a long time ago but equally, no time at all.
"Merry Christmas, Mom."
"Merry Christmas, Rory."
They turn to Charlotte, the newest Gilmore girl, who's reading the picture book Jess gave her with joy in her eyes and Rory's heart swells. She loves her daughter so much it hurts and, without getting what Luke would call sappy, isn't this what Christmas is all about? This is what Rory remembers, from those Christmases before. Not that it was a small occasion, not the stress of going to her grandparents - it was the love of it all. Love for her mother and now love for her daughter. Rory looks around at her family and relaxes into the bliss of it. Merry Christmas.