Disclaimer: I don't own anything, seriously.
When you lived in Stars Hollow, Christmas was always the best time of the year. There was a huge tree in the centre of town, they have a nativity scene and on Christmas eve the entire town gathers to watch. With everything that had happened in the last few weeks and Richard's episode in the hospital, the girls had been very excited for this.
Prior to moving to Stars Hollow, Christmas was always Lorelai's most dreaded time of the year. She'd have to deal with fights and arguments with Christopher and her parents and it always felt like an obligation, but she loved the traditions that she had started with the girls.
"Morning," Rory said as she entered the kitchen where Zoe was eating cereal. "We have cereal."
"In the cupboard." Zoe said pointing exactly to it.
Rory sat with Zoe and they were eating quietly until Lorelai entered the room and asked the exact same cereal question. Rory got a page from Dean saying that he couldn't come over because he had to mind his sister. They had planned to go and see the christmas movie playing at the theatre and would exchange presents.
"His sister is Clara, right?" Zoe asked.
"You know her?" Rory looked at her eight year old sister.
"She's in my grade at school," Zoe said now. "She's nice."
"He can bring Clara here and the girls can have a playdate," Lorelai chimed in. "I'll be here and you two lovebirds can go for a bit. Just make sure he clears it with his parents first."
"And you'd do that?" Rory asked Zoe now.
"Yeah," Zoe said excitedly. "It sounds like fun."
What Lorelai hadn't considered coming up with that perfect plan was that she had to chapernone two eight year olds around while she had to run to the inn to make sure everything would be okay over Christmas.
"We used to live here," Zoe said factually. "In the tool shed outside. I don't really remember it cause I was a baby, but we have photos. Mum, can I go and show her outside?"
"Just stay really close." Lorelai said as the two eight year olds ran off.
By the time Rory and Dean came back to the house, he had to run off with his sister and the girls all headed to the town square to see the nativity scene like they did every single year. The festivities would go until midnight and then everyone would wish each other a Merry Christmas.
"Merry Christmas!" The entire town cheered as it struck midnight.
Lorelai's tradition with the girls is that after midnight they would go home and then open presents and drink hot chocolate. The entire living room was covered in wrapping paper, Rory was fawning over her new and expensive books and Zoe the small sewing machine Lorelai had got her because she had become interested in making clothes.
"I love it." Zoe beamed.
"And I'll show you to how to use it tomorrow." Lorelai said as Zoe hugged her and they all went to bed.
Christmas day was generally sleeping in and then watching a christmas movie marathon ar home and then dinner at Sookie's, which she invited them to every single year.
"I think we should call grandma and grandpa." Rory said before they started the movie.
"Ugh, why?" Lorelai screwed up her face. "We've already done the christmas party."
"Grandpa was just in the hospital." Zoe said now, as Lorelai picked up the phone and had a brief, but exhausting conversation with her parents.
A/N: Let me know what you think, as per usual.