Thank you for the reviews. It took me a while to sit down and write this. I couldn't write about christmas cheer in November. I'm very 'bah humbug' about anything festive happening outside of the month of December. Including writing this chapter! :) Hope you enjoy, and all have a very merry Christmas!

I own nothing, though I have asked Santa for the Gilmore Girls, so fingers crossed everyone!

Hazy Shade of Winter

Rory pulled up her red and white knee sock that had fallen to her ankle and then poured herself a cup of coffee before retreating back into her living room. She set her cup on the table and picked up a copy of 'It's a Wonderful Life' when her cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Gilmore."

"Hey, Mathew, what's up?" Rory smiled, setting the DVD back on the table and settling on to the sofa.

"Nothing, just wanted to know what your plans for Christmas were."

"Oh, I have to work," She sighed, plucking the hem of the shorts she was wearing, "so mom, Luke and Charlie are coming here tomorrow. We'll spend Christmas Eve and Day together and they'll go back to the Hollow on the twenty sixth. Then they are going on holiday on the twenty seventh. A honeymoon of sorts."

"That's nice. Sucks you've to work though."

"Yeah, tell me about it. I'm seriously starting to hate this job."

"You love it."

"Sometimes." She sighed, picking up her coffee.

"What are you doing now?"

"I'm in my sweats, with a cup of coffee. Pizza's on its way and I'm having a Christmas movie day, starting with 'It's a Wonderful Life'." Rory smiled.

"Sounds fun. Sorry I'm missing it."

"Yeah, I bet!" Rory grinned, just as there as a knock on her door. "Oh, my food is here!" She stood up and looked around for her wallet. "Damn. I can't find my wallet." She walked to her door and pulled it open, without looking at the delivery boy, "One second," she told him over her shoulder, "Just looking for my wallet." She lifted her bag, and started rummaging through it, her phone cradled between her cheek and shoulder. She sighed loudly and then grabbed the phone again. "Listen, Mathew? I'll call you back in a minute." And she hung up, without waiting for an answer.

"I'll just be a secon-" She turned to the delivery boy and stopped mid sentence when she saw who was at her door. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard there was a showing of some Christmas movies." Mathew grinned, walking into the apartment carrying Rory's pizza. "I met the delivery guy on the way up." He explained, kicking the door closes with his foot, and pocketing his phone. "I didn't hear about the dress code though. Great socks." He smirked.

"Jerk. What are you actually doing here?"

"I didn't want to wait until the new year to have that date we mentioned at your mom's wedding."

"This is a date? I'm in knee high socks with reindeers on them and a Yale sweatshirt."

"And it's totally working for you." Mathew smiled as he put the pizza box on the coffee table.

"I'm going to change." Rory rolled her eyes and turned to head to her bed room. Mathew caught her by the wrist and pulled her back.

"You're not going anywhere. Sit." He sat down on the sofa and pulled her with him.

"Okay." She smiled and reached over and opened the pizza box. "Hungry?"

"Starved." He grinned and lifted a slice.

"So, you know my plans for Christmas, but what about you?" Rory poked Mathew in the leg with her toe. They'd finished watching 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'Miracle on 34th Street' and were debating either 'Home Alone' or 'The Grinch'. "Are you with your family for Christmas?"

"Yeah. I'll be at the Marianos."

"You're going to Jess and Lydia's? What about your parents?" She asked him, placing her legs back over his.

"Really disapprove of my choices in life. I haven't spent a holiday with them since I was eighteen."

"Wow. Where are they?"

"Boston." He answered shortly and she changed the subject.

"I get New Years Eve and Day off, so that's something right?"

"Yeah." He smiled, "You have anything planned?"

"Yeah," She smiled back at him, "I've been invited to a party."

"Oh."

"In Philly, by Lydia."

"When did she? We only decided to have a party in Empire yesterday."

"She's good with invites." Rory shrugged. "So you're okay with me coming?"

"More than okay." He squeezed her knee, "So 'The Grinch'?" He held up the DVD.

"Sure." She smiled, as he lifted her legs and got up to put the movie in.

"Do you have to go?" Rory asked, the two still curled up on her sofa.

"Yeah, it's a long drive. And Lydia will kill me if I miss Christmas Eve."

"But its late."

"I know." Mathew glanced at the clock which read 1:30 am. "But I'll see you in a week." He stood up and Rory joined him, grabbing his coat from her armchair.

"You're sure? About leaving I mean."

"Yeah. I have to." He grabbed her hand as they walked to her front door. "I mean we did say we would take this whole thing slow. And I know if I stayed, I wouldn't have the strength to go slow."

"Okay." She ducked her head. "I'll see you next week." She whispered.

"Yeah." He placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head up. "And you should really consider wearing that outfit. Especially the socks."

"Yeah, I don't think so." Rory grinned, shaking her head.

"Spoilsport." Mathew whispered, ducking his head and catching her lips with his.

His hand kept a hold of hers while the other found its place on her waist. Her free hand reached up and curled around his neck.

He pulled away first, placing his forehead to hers. "I really hate myself right now, but I have to go."

"I know." She nodded, kissing him again. "Go." She whispered, "Before I don't let you."

"Bye."

"Call me when you get home?"

"Rory, it'll be four by the time I get home."

"Don't care." She shook her head. "I just wanna know you got there okay."

"Okay. I'll ring you." Mathew opened the door, and taking his coat from her, gave her one last kiss and turned to leave. "Merry Christmas, Rory Gilmore."

"Merry Christmas Mathew." She smiled and closed her door, and then headed to her bedroom.

"Math, can I help with the cookie mix?" Lydia pouted from her spot on the kitchen counter.

"No."

"But Lily's allowed to help!"

"Lily is capable of not screwing it up."

"Not fair." Lydia sighed as Lily stuck her tongue out.

"You can decorate them. Like you always do."

"Fine!" She scrunched her face in frustration and jumped off the counter. "Call me when they're done!" She told them over her shoulder as she pushed open the kitchen door.

"Mathew kick you out?" Jess called from his spot on the couch.

"Yeah." She sighed as she sat down beside him, her legs tucked under her. "I'm on decorating duty only."

"Well, you did such a great job with the tree." Jess smirked rubbing her knee.

"Stop with your sarcasm!" Lydia swatted his arm.

"You know I don't do well with the festive season."

"Yeah, I know. But this is our first Christmas as an old married couple. And we have Lily. She's gotta be having a tough time under it all."

"I know."

"So, no more doom and gloom Mr Grinch?"

"No, nothing but festive cheer from now on in."

"Good!" Lydia grinned leaning over the arm of the sofa. "I was wondering if you could help me find a place for this?" She faced him again holding a sprig of mistletoe above her head. "I think it kinda works here." She smiled looking up.

"Really? You think so?" Jess smirked.

"Oh yeah, definitely the perfect place." Lydia moved closer to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Jess moved his hands to her waist just as Lily and Mathew came out of the kitchen.

"Guys! " Lily yelled, "No one needs to see that on Christmas!"

"You gotta lighten up Lily-Lou!" Lydia smiled as she pulled away from Jess. "Here."She tossed the younger girl the mistletoe. "Maybe you can use it on Ryan later!"

"I'm not seeing Ryan later. Christmas is for family." She said as she sat down beside her brother. "Always has been."

"Okay." Jess nodded as Mathew sat in the armchair near Lydia.

"Have Chris and Simon left already?" Lydia asked Mathew.

"Yeah. They left for Simon's parent's house this morning. Chris' mom phoned at six thirty to try and convince them not to go to Long Island and spend Christmas with them."

"They didn't budge?"

"Nope. Simon put his foot down. They spend Thanksgiving with Chris' family."

"Right. So where were you yesterday anyway?" Lydia changed the subject. "You were very secretive."

"I wasn't secretive. And I was in D.C." Mathew said flicking through a catalogue that was on the arm of the chair.

"D.C? Where Rory lives?" Lydia asked and Mathew nodded once. "What happened?" Lydia smiled sitting up on her knees, facing her friend.

"Nothing." He shrugged. "Watched Christmas movies, ate pizza."

"And...?" Lydia pressed.

"And," Mathew exhaled, "we kissed."

Both Lydia and Lily squealed in delight, while Jess smirked slightly. Lydia noticed Mathew didn't smile and was glancing nervously at Jess.

"Oh, I just remembered I have some presents still to wrap. Come on Lily, you can be my helper elf." Lydia jumped up and ushered Lily into her and Jess' bed room, Lily protesting the whole time.

"What are you talking about, you crazy woman?"

"Wrapping. Come on!" She smiled as she closed the door behind them.

"Subtlety isn't her strong suit." Jess laughed.

"It never has been." Mathew agreed, "But, she has always known when people need space."

"Yeah. I guess." Jess nodded.

"Are you okay..." Mathew started.

"With you and Rory?"

"Yeah. 'Cause you're my best friend Jess, and I know it's an unspoken rule about dating friend's exes. And this isn't any ex. It's the ex and-"

"Okay, first, you need to breath." Jess laughed. "Second, Rory and I dated in high school, and yes, we had a lot of shit following us for a while, but you know better than anyone how hard I fell for that redhead in there. Rory is nothing more than a friend now. Third, you mentioned the word 'dating'. In the five years I've known you, you've never dated anybody. I couldn't stand in the way of you actually growing up."

"You done?" Mathew frowned at his friend.

"Not quite. One more thing." Jess smiled. "I saw this coming a mile off. You're both pretty transparent." He laughed. "Just make it work. She doesn't deserve to have her heart broken again."

"Is this your version of the speech I gave you when you and Lyds got together?"

"No. I won't hurt you if you hurt her. But her mom will. And my uncle. Not to mention Taylor, Babette, Miss Patti, Lane and, yeah, pretty much that whole town." Jess stood and clapped Mathew on the shoulder and walked to his room and pushed the door open, almost knocking Lydia and Lily out in the process.

"I'll hurt you too." Lydia pointed her finger at Mathew, not phased by the fact she was caught eavesdropping. "And I've known him for twenty years and he never, ever dated anybody. Ever." She laughed as she crashed back onto the couch.

"You're not funny." Mathew narrowed his gaze on her.

"I'm a little funny." She stuck her tongue out and then turned to Lily. "Muppet's Christmas Carol?"

"Oh yeah!" Lily smiled as Jess lifted the DVD from the shelf and put it in the player.

"You think sprinkles would be Christmas overkill?"

"Yes." Mathew told his friend, looking over her shoulder.

"I don't care. I'm going for it." Lydia picked up the tube of red and gold sprinkles and scattered them over her iced cookies.

"Who let you in the kitchen?" A voice came from behind them.

Lydia turned with a wide smile to the new comer. "Jamie! You're here!" She crossed the kitchen and pulled her brother into a hug. When she let go of him, she swatted him across the head.

"What was that for?"

"That comment about me being in the kitchen. I can cook."

"Breakfast. You ruin everything else."

"Well this is just decorating. No biggie. Plus I think they're done. What do you guys think?"She turned to Mathew and Lily.

"Yeah, they're done." Lily grinned. "And Lyds, can I ask something?"

"Sure."

"How is it that you can make the most amazing breakfasts ever, but you screw up everything else?"

"I can take this one." Jamie laughed. "When our parents died, Lydia basically took care of me. But she couldn't cook. She never took any interest in it, but she quickly realised that she would either have to learn to make breakfast or leave the house two hours earlier to go out to breakfast."

"They only decent place in town for breakfast was on the opposite end of town than school." Lydia shrugged. "I figured I could order in for dinner and we had lunch in school. But breakfast was tough."

"Ever heard of cereal? Or toast?" Lily grinned as the four walked into the living room.

"Yes, smart ass. And we sometimes had those, but a cooked breakfast is always better. Your biggest meal is supposed to be breakfast."

"Whatever." Lily rolled her eyes and sat beside Jess. "What you reading?" She elbowed her brother.

He held up is book in response.

"'Let the Right One In'" Lily read aloud. "What's it about?"

"Vampires."

"Oh," Lily smiled, "Like 'Twi-"

"Proper vampires." Jess interrupted her. "They don't sparkle, or go to high school."

"What's he talking about?" Jamie asked Lydia.

"'Twilight'. Lily is obsessed. I don't get the fuss, its no 'Harry Potter'."

"Okay. So, traditional Christmas Eve movie?" Jamie smiled at his sister.

"Sure Munchkin." Lydia grinned, using her childhood nickname for Jamie. "You guys up for watching 'Edward Scissor-Hands'?"

"How it that a Christmas movie?" Lily asked trying to read over Jess' shoulder.

"He makes snow at the end." Lydia said as if it were obvious, using her fingers as imaginary scissors.

Jess rolled over in bed the following morning and found Lydia's side vacant. He glanced at the clock and saw it was still only five thirty. He rubbed his eyes before sitting up and pulling on a black hooded sweatshirt and he exited the room.

He put his head around Lily's bedroom door and found her in darkness, still asleep.

"Ow!" He heard Lydia hiss from the kitchen. "Son of a bitch!"

He pushed open the door and saw her, hair in a high bun, wearing his shirt and a pair of novelty Santa boxers, holding her hand under the running water. He padded across the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her waist. She jumped at the contact and whipped her head around, her face relaxing into a smile when she saw him.

"I burnt my finger on the waffle iron." She explained.

"Why are you up?"

"Making waffles."

"But why? We don't get up until nine when Mathew gets here. And definitely not before Christmas morning sex." He grinned, placing a kiss on her neck.

"Well, Lily's here. And remember she said that Sasha always made chocolate chip waffles on Christmas morning? And hot chocolate. So I'm glad your up. Yours is better than mine."

"You're kind of amazing. I'd forgotten she's told us that." Jess kissed her again before pulling the drinking chocolate out of the cupboard.

"I made a mental note." Lydia shrugged.

"Why are we making breakfast so early though? It's only quarter to six."

"Well, Lily told me yesterday that her, Jimmy and Sasha always got up when you phoned them on Christmas morning."

"Okay."

"And you always phoned at nine, making it-"

"Six in California." Jess nodded.

"Exactly. So I told Math and Jamie to be here at six. We're doing Christmas early this year." She smiled and poured more batter into the waffle iron.

There was a knock on door of the apartment ten minutes later, just as Lydia was plating up the waffles. "Will you finish this and I'll get the door?" She smiled at Jess who was sitting at the kitchen table.

"Sure." He stood and took her spatula from her as she headed out of the kitchen and to the front door.

"Merry Christmas!" She smiled as she opened the door, ushering both Mathew and Jamie, who had crashed at Mathew's, into the apartment.

"Where's Lily?" Jamie asked, kissing his sister on the cheek.

"Still sleeping. I'll wake her in a minute." She smiled as Mathew put his gifts on the coffee table and turned to her.

"I can't believe I'm up this early. I haven't been up on Christmas before eight since I was twelve." He hugged Lydia.

"I know. Thank you again." She kissed his cheek as Jess came out of the kitchen carrying a tray loaded with waffles and cups of hot chocolate. "You wanna wake Lil?" He nodded to her room.

"Sure. Back in a minute guys."

Lydia crossed Lily's room in silence, and sat on the edge of her bed, one leg tucked under herself. "Lily. Wake up Lily-Lou." She whispered, running her hand down Lily's arm.

"Wha-?" Lily groaned and slowly opened her eyes. "Lydia? What's going on?"

"It's Christmas." The older woman smiled.

"But it's only," Lily glanced at her alarm clock, "six."

"Isn't that what time you normally get up at? I mean if Jess calls from here at nine, you must be up be six, right?"

Lily sat up and lunged forward, catching Lydia in a hug. "You're the best big sister ever!" She laughed, and almost immediately started crying.

"Oh, God, hey, what's wrong?" Lydia pulled away from the hug and placed her hands at the side of Lily's face.

"I just miss mom and dad. Especially mom. She loved Christmas so much. Dad wasn't really into festive cheer. Not until Christmas morning. Then he was like a kid."

"Jess is excatly the same. So was my dad. And I've said it before, and I no doubt will say it again, it's okay to miss them."

"I know." Lily nodded, wiping under her eyes with her thumb, and then looked up a gave Lydia a bright smile. "So, presents?"

"Atta girl!" Lydia laughed, standing up and placing her arm around Lily's shoulder and leading her out to the living room.

"Are those...?" Lily pointed to the stack of waffles on the coffee table.

"Chocolate chip waffles?" Lydia smiled, "Yeah. And hot chocolate."

"Okay, that thing I said about you being the best sister?"

"You're taking it back?"

"No! Timing it by like a gazillion."

"Not a real number Lil. But thank you."

"Welcome." She smiled before hugging Jess and wishing him a Merry Christmas.

"Do you like it?" Lily bit down on her lower lip as Lydia unwrapped a present.

"As Easy As Pi: Stuff about numbers that isn't just maths." Lydia held up the book. "Amazing." She smiled as she flipped through it. She then sat it beside her and lifed the second part of her present. A grey tee shirt. She held it up and squealed with laughter. "This is amazing! Thank you Lil!"

She turned the shirt so the boys could see it. It had a picture of Michael Anthony Hall in 'The Breakfast Club' on it and the words 'I'm in the Math Club.' "It's perfect!" Lydia smiled. "I loved Brian Johnston."

"I thought you loved Bender?" Jamie asked.

"Well, yeah. He was hot and had a thing for redheads, but Brain was in the math club. And that's an academic club. Academic clubs are different than social clubs. Thank you again Lily!"

"No problem." The teen smiled. "Thanks for everything you guys got me."

"Hey, that's what guardians are for. Bleeding dry at Christmas. Now, who's up for 'White Christmas'?" Lydia smiled, standing up off the floor and offering her hand to Lily.

"Sure." Lily smiled and they both landed in a heap on the sofa.

"I'm up for some movies." Jamie agreed, moving so he had his back against the couch.

"I'll wash up." Jess stood up and put the DVD in the player, before collecting the dirty dishes and bringing them into the kitchen.

"Thanks babe." Lydia smiled as she hit play on the remote.

Mathew stood up and pulled his phone from his jeans pocket. "I'm just gonna go and-"

"Call Rory?" Lydia interrupted. "Tell her we said 'Merry Christmas' too! And say it first before you start having a 'No-you're prettier argument'!"

Mathew walked into the bathroom and flipped Lydia off before closing the door.

"Oh lovely!" Lydia yelled to the door, "And on Christmas too!"

"Rory? The girl from Thanksgiving?" Jamie turned his head to look at Lily.

"Yeah, Mathew's dating her now."

"Weren't they dating then?"

"No." Lydia laughed. "They were dancing around each other. This is new. Very new. They only kissed two days ago."

"Oh." Jamie nodded.

"Is Rory coming for New Years?" Lily asked.

"Yeah." Lydia nodded. "You staying for New Year, Munchkin?"

Jamie nodded and then glanced at Lydia, "It's okay I invited a friend, right?"

"Sure." Lydia opened a box of chocolates Mathew had given her and offered one to Lily. "Anyone I know?"

"No. You've never met her." Jamie shook his head, declining his sisters offer of candy.

"Her?" Lydia smiled, "You're bringing a girl?"

"Yeah." Jamie sighed. "Abby. And you have to be nice to her."

"I'm always nice." Lydia raised her eyebrows in fake indignation. "Aren't I always nice to Ryan?" She patted Lily on the thigh.

"I'm pleading the fifth on this one." Lily said causing Jamie to laugh and Lydia to roll her eyes.

"Well I'm looking forward to meeting her. When did you two get together?"

"Ah, well that's the thing. We've been together a while."

"What's a while?" Lydia asked, her gaze narrowed on her brother.

"End of my junior year."

"What? You've been dating a girl for seven months and this is the first I'm hearing of her?"

"You've heard of her before. She's finishing off her college career in Yale because she wants to go to an American med school. She went to Trinity, in Dublin."

"She's Irish?" Lydia smiled, and then her eyes widened, "Oh my-she's not the Abby you met?"

"Yeah." Jamie nodded, smiling.

"No way!"

"I know it's crazy. She was working at the clinic too. That's how I met her again, and we're in all the same classes. She's at home now but she'll be back for New Years."

"That's insane!" Lydia laughed.

"What's insane?" Lily asked, confused.

"Oh, this girl, Abby, Jamie met her when he was travelling through Europe-"

"When I was eighteen." Jamie interrupted her.

"And they fell in love." Lydia sighed.

"It wasn't love."

"It was as close to it as you'd ever got." Lydia kicked his shoulder, "And you were so heartbroken when she went back to Ireland and 'broke up' with you, you came home early!"

"I was not heartbroken."

"You were too. But I guess fate had a hand if you found each other again."

"I don't believe in fate."

"Well I do. And I promise to be nice." Lydia smiled.

"Thank you."

Lydia nodded and then hit him on the shoulder with her foot. "Hey kid? You're happy right?"

"Yeah." Jamie smiled, looking up at his sister.

"Good." She grinned. "That's all that matters."

Mathew then opened the door to the bathroom and walked back into the living room. "Rory says 'happy Christmas'," he told them before speaking back into the phone. "There, you happy? Okay. Well I'm gonna let you get back to your Christmas. Bye. I'll see you soon."

"Bye Ror!" Lydia and Lily yelled before Mathew hung up, both then collapsing with giggles.

Rory snapped her phone closed, a wide grin on her face as she came out of her room.

"Who was that?" Lorelai asked her.

"Hmm? Oh Mathew."

"The guys who works with Jess?" Luke asked picking up the discarded wrapping paper.

"Yeah, the one who came to your wedding with me." Rory nodded, sitting down beside her mom.

"What did he want?" Lorelai elbowed her daughter.

"To wish me a 'merry Christmas'." Rory shrugged, picking her mug of coffee up off the table.

"Oh. So he's not the reason you've have a goofy grin on your face?"

"What?" Rory asked wide eyed, "That can't be because it's Christmas?"

"No one likes Christmas that much. And why would he call? Not Lydia, or even Jess?"

"Fine," Rory sighed, "He showed up here the day before yesterday. We had pizza and watched movies."

"We do that all the time. You never smile that much."

"Well, we kissed." Rory blushed, hiding behind her coffee mug.

"Followed by-"

"Mom!" Rory interrupted her. "Baby ears!"

"And Luke ears." Luke shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I tell you what? I'll get Charlie here dressed and we'll go for a walk. Leave you girls to talk."

"No." Lorelai shook her head, "It's snowing, so me and Rory will get dressed and talk a walk. You two stay here. Male bonding, you can drink beer, discuss baseball, all that stuff." Lorelai stood and kissed both her husband and son on the head.

"Okay." Luke nodded, as the girls disappeared into Rory's bedroom.

"So you like him?" Lorelai sat on a bench in the park near Rory's apartment building.

Rory glanced at her mom before nodding once, clutching her paper coffee cup between gloved fingers. "Yeah." She sighed, watching her breath.

"What's the problem? He seemed to like you too."

"He's Jess' best friend."

"If Jess had a problem with it, I don't think Mathew would have come here sweets."

"I know. It's not really the Jess thing, or the fact that he lives in Philadelphia that bothers me. Its that I like him so much. After such a short time. I haven't really felt that in while. Not since-"

"Jess?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, maybe there's a reason they're best friends. But he seems more, I dunno, easy going than Jess?"

"He is. He's fun, and he reads and knows obscure bands and is content to veg out and watch movies. But I know nothing practical about him. I know his family live in Boston and he doesn't get along with them, but that's it."

"Then date him." Lorelai smiled. "You mentioned a New Years party?"

"Lydia invited me."

"Start there. Talk, get to know him. If you want my opinion? I kinda loved him. I think if you did date him, he would become my favourite of your boyfriends."

"Really?"

"Well yeah, its not hard. I hated Jess when you dated him, Logan always grated my nerves, and while Dean was a fabulous first boyfriend, he was slightly dull and turned out to be not good the second time around. So see, easy for Mathew to win that contest."

"Thanks mom." Rory smiled.

"Anytime babe." Lorelai squeezed her daughter's arm. "Should we head back?"

"Sure. It's getting cold sitting here." Rory stood up and linked arms with Lorelai.

"So," Lorelai adjusted the hat on her head, "what's it like being friends with Jess and his wife?"

"Fine. I really like Lydia, and Jess actually talks."

"I know, who knew he was capable?"

"Well I always suspected."

"And I thought you were nuts!"

"Hey." Rory smiled when Mathew opened his apartment door.

"Ror. What are you doing here?"

"New Years. Remember? The party?" She frowned.

"I remember," he ushered her into the apartment and took her overnight bag from her and gave her a light kiss, "I just meant that you're early."

"Oh well, I thought I could help you guy set up."

"We have staff that we pay to do that." He smiled as he walked into the kitchen

"Right." She followed him, leaning up against the door jam.

"Coffee?" He held up the pot.

"Sure." She smiled. "I'm here early 'cause I wanted to see you." She gave him a shy smile.

"Oh."

"And to see if I could crash here?"

"Ah, there it is." He chuckled.

"Well there's no room at Jess and Lyd's with Lily there. I thought I could have Jess' old room here."

"You could, but Jamie is staying here too, with his girlfriend." He handed her a mug of coffee and walked back into the living room.

"Oh, I guess the couch is fine." She shrugged, sitting down beside him.

He grinned and pulled her close to him, "Who mentioned the couch. You can crash with me."

"I can? What about slow?"

"Two adults can't share a bed to sleep?"

"Sure. Any two, random adults can share a bed to sleep. Us two? I'm not so sure."

"Fine, I'll take the couch."He smiled and took her coffee from her.

"Hey!" She protested, but he cut her off by pulling her into a kiss.

"Rory! You're here!" Lydia came into the apartment with Lily.

"Hey." Rory waved to the two, blushing.

"What are you doing here?" Mathew glared at his friend.

"Waiting on Jamie getting back from the airport."

"So you can pounce on the poor girl? I don't think so. Jamie left me with strict instructions to kick you two out if you came here. You'll meet her tonight." Mathew ushered the two to the front door and opened it.

"But we can stay and hang with Rory now." Lydia smiled, trying to duck under Mathew's arm."

"You'll see her tonight too. Bye!" He closed the door and turned back to Rory. "Sorry, I love her, but she oversteps the line sometimes."

"It's okay. You've met my mom." She laughed as he sat back down beside her.

"Yeah, that's true. So where were we?" He grinned.

"I was annoyed you took my coffee off me."

"Oh yeah." He smiled leaned in towards her, but was stopped when she held up her mug.

"But I got it back." She grinned and took a sip.

"Cruel woman."

"Whatever." She smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "You will learn that it's never okay to take coffee of a Gilmore. You'll not get away with it again."

"Okay. Well, as much as I love having you here early, I do have some work to do."

"Oh, that's okay," Rory smiled, "I'll read, or watch a movie."

"You sure?"

"Yes! Go, work. I'll be fine."

Mathew gave her one final kiss before standing and heading to the dining table where his open laptop sat, while Rory lifted a book from the coffee table.

"Mathew?" She called over her shoulder, frowning at the book in her hand. "Where'd this come from?"

"Mathew glanced over and narrowed his eyes in thought. "Jess, I think. I think Lily left it here."

"That punk!"

"What?" Mathew laughed.

"This is my book." Rory opened it, and flicked through it, "And it's covered in his notes!"

"It's yours?"

"Yeah. I gave it to him, before I was finished, to bribe him into coming to dinner with my grandma. He left before I got it back."

"Oh." Mathew nodded, scratching the back of his head, unsure of how to respond when Jess came through the door of the apartment. "You can take it up with him."

"Take what up with me?" Jess asked. "Oh hey Rory."

"Don't you 'hey Rory' me, mister!" She pointed at him.

"What I do now?"

"You stole my book. And wrote in the margins!"

"I'm sorry." Jess blinked, "Have I went back in time? I swear I've had this conversation before, I was seventeen, my first week in Stars Hollow?"

"Not 'Howl'. This." Rory held up the book.

Jess cocked his head to the left to read the title, "'The Holy Bar-'. Oh. Right."

"Yes. I never got to finish it."

"And you won't." Jess pulled the book from her grasp.

"Give that back!" Rory reached for it. "I wanna read it. Plus it's mine!"

"You can read it, if you keep an open mind."

"About?"

"I was angry when I read this. At myself, at life, at everything."

"So?" Rory raised one eyebrow.

"So, the stuff I wrote isn't-"

"Is there anything about me?"

"Some, just how I screwed up. How I felt about you." He sat down on the couch and handed her back the book. "Just, remember I was eighteen."

"Promise." She smiled and sat beside him.

"Uh, Jess, what are you doing here anyway?" Mathew asked from the table.

"Oh, I'd some papers to fax to New York, but the fax machine is jammed again and I was wondering-"

"If I would fix it?" Mathew sighed.

"Please." Jess nodded.

"I'm on it." Mathew sighed and headed downstairs.

"I can't believe you kept this." Rory flicked through the book again.

Jess shrugged and pulled a small package out of his inside pocket, wrapped in red paper. "I know Lydia probably already gave you a Christmas gift and signed my name to it."

"Yeah." Rory smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear, showing him the pair of small stud Sapphire earrings.

"Okay." Jess nodded, "But maybe this can make up for the borrowed book."

"Stolen book." Rory countered.

"Borrowed, you got it back." Jess smirked as she opened her gift.

"A book?" She quirked an eyebrow. "I haven't had a Jess Mariano recommendation in a while."

"Well, this isn't really a recommendation. I just thought you should have it."

"Oh, okay. 'A Town Called Malice' by JD Murphy." She turned to him. "I don't understand."

"It's me. I'm JD Murphy. A pen name."

"You wrote another book?" Rory smiled and Jess nodded once in response.

"That's incredible Jess. But why the pen name?"

"I didn't want to publish it. I didn't want anyone to read it. It was too personal. And once my name was on it, everyone would know it was me, and who it was about."

"About?"

"You." Jess said quietly.

"Oh." Rory swiped her fringe from her eyes.

"I mean your name is changed. Everyones name is changed. But yeah, it's about you, Stars Hollow. How I screwed it up."

"I'm Holly?" Rory asked, pointing to the first page."

"Yeah." Jess nodded.

"So, its dedicated to me? 'To 'Holly'. Sorry. In the end we both deserved more.'" She read aloud. "Why did you publish it? I mean, you said you didn't want to."

"Lydia. She found it and forced me to give it to Chris and Mathew. She's hard to say no to."

"Why did you write it then?"

"Same reason I write in the margins of book." He shrugged. "It was about a year after the open house, and I hadn't dealt with it, any of it. That we were over for good, so I started to write."

"What happened then? That you started to deal with it."

"Lydia. It was when she moved to Philly." Jess sighed. "I'm not giving you this to make you feel bad or anything. I just think you should know. And that I was the one to tell you, I guess."

"Thanks." She smiled, "I can't wait to read it."

"Why? You know the story."

"My side." She nodded, "I never knew what you thought about the whole..." She trailed off unable to find the right word.

"Fiasco?" Jess supplied, grinning.

"Yeah. That works." She laughed, just as Mathew entered the apartment.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing." Jess stood up and walked to his friend. "You get it sorted?"

"Yeah." Mathew nodded.

"Good. I'll see you guys tonight." Jess told them and pulled open the door and left.

"What was that about?" Mathew sat beside Rory.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "He was just giving me his book."

"He gave you it?"

"Yeah." She nodded, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "You mind if I use the shower?"

"Go ahead." Mathew smiled and lifted her overnight bag and brought it into his bedroom, Rory following behind him. "Bathroom's down the hall." Mathew pointed before heading back to his work.

"The place looks great." Rory smiled up at Mathew as they entered Empire.

"I'd nothing to do with it." He shrugged, letting go of her hand to lift two glasses of champagne, handing one to her. "Everyone's in the corner." He indicated with a nod of his head, taking her hand again and leading her across the room.

"Hey guys." He smiled at his friends.

"Hey!" Lydia pulled them both into a hug, "Rory, great dress!"

"Thanks." Rory blushed, smoothing down the front of her navy blue dress.

"She's right," Rory felt Mathew's lips brush near her ear, "you look amazing."

Rory rolled her eyes in response before turning to say hello to Chris and Simon, as well as Lily and Ryan.

"Where's Jamie and Abby?" Mathew asked Jess, who was leaning against the bar.

Jess nodded towards the two, "Dancing."

"They've started early."

"They're young." Jess smirked, taking a sip of his whiskey.

"We're going to request some songs. Anything you want me to ask for?" Lily appeared in front of her brother.

"Nope." He shook his head, "Just go have fun."

"I will!" She grinned, grabbing Ryan's hand and heading off towards the DJ.

"Five minutes." Jess wrapped his arms around Lydia's waist and pressed a kiss to her temple.

"I know. Then I get to kiss you senseless, without getting the evil eye from Lily, 'cause she'll be to busy making out with Ryan to notice."

"Oh jeez!" Jess groaned, leaning his forehead on Lydia's shoulder as she giggled.

"It's true!" She smiled. After a few moments of silence, she rubbed Jess' arm, "They look happy, don't they?"

"Who, Lil an-"

"No," Lydia cut him off, "Math and Rory. I've never seen him look that happy. Or her."

"You've only known Rory a few months!" Jess laughed.

"Best few months of her life!" Lydia smiled, "But they do loo happy, right?"

"They do." Jess agreed, turning his wife in his arms. "One minute." He smiled, kissing her forehead.

"And then goodbye to this somewhat crappy, somewhat fabulous year!"

"Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!" The crowd at Empire called out.

"Happy New Year, Rory Gilmore." Mathew whispered as he pulled Rory into a kiss, wrapping his arm around her waist, as one of her hands found its place at the nape of his neck, the other tangled in his hair.

He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. "Want to get out of here?"

"Please." She nodded giving him another kiss. He took her hand and lead her outside, hailing a taxi and heading back to Truncheon.

"Where'd Mathew and Rory go?" Simon looked round him after wishing Jess a Happy New Year.

"Dunno." Jess shrugged, a small smirk forming, as his sister bounded up to him and pulled him into a hug. "I love you Big Brother!"

"You too squirt!" Jess smiled, and turned to hug Abby, Jamie's girlfriend, as Lydia and Simon started to sing 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Rory rolled over and slowly opened her eyes.

"Morning." She heard Mathew whisper, his voice still scratchy from sleep.

"Hi." She smiled, meeting his gaze. "You been awake long?"

"Few minutes." He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer, and kissing the crown of her head.

"You know, we are like, the worst definition of 'slow' ever."

"I know. But was, good, right?"

"Oh yeah." Rory nodded. "Amazing, in fact. I'm annoyed we waited so long." She laughed, kissing his shoulder. "Though I was supposed to use this time to get to know you."

"Really?" Mathew raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything?"

"I hate oreos."

"How can you hate oreos?" Rory turned to look at him, eyes wide.

"Dunno." He shrugged, "Just never liked them. I got this scar," he pointed to his right elbow, "when I was eight. I feel off my surf board and hit some sharp coral."

"You surf?" Rory asked, impressed.

"Oh yeah. Any Californian worth their salt can surf."

"Can Lydia?"

"No, but she's never claimed to be a true Californian. And speaking of Lydia, she'll be here in, oh about, three minutes. Traditional New Years breakfast."

"You guys have more traditions than 'Fiddler on the Roof' and Stars Hollow combined!" Rory laughed and Mathew bent down and caught her lips with his own.

"Guys! You up!" They heard Lydia call out.

"Told you." Mathew smirked as he sat up, pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a tee shirt. "You coming?"

"There in a minute." Rory smiled as she slipped on the dress shirt Mathew had been wearing the night before.

"Okay." Mathew nodded, kissing her on the forehead, before leaving the room.

"Hey guys, Happy New Year." He told the six people in his living room."Where's Lydia?"

"Right here." She smiled coming out of the kitchen. "Where's Rory."

"She's coming." He hugged his friend.

"So I don't need to ask what happened to you two, since you disappeared at like two seconds past midnight?" Chris smirked at his roommate.

"God, you're such hypocrites. 'Cause, I'm betting you all had sex too last night!" Mathew sat down on the coffee table.

"I thought you guys were, you know, taking it slow? You had sex?" Lydia asked.

"Yes!" Chris, Simon, Jamie and Abby all said in unison, before Mathew could answer.

"Oh jeez." He groaned, rubbing his hand across his jaw.

"You all heard?" Lydia whispered, her eyes and mouth wide in shock.

"Please, don't tell Rory that!" Mathew asked, just as Rory opened his bedroom door.

"Tell me what?"

"Umm, that I forgot the waffles." Lydia gave her an apologetic smile. "Just pancakes, that okay?"

"Sure." Rory smiled, "As long as there's coffee."

"Oh there is. Wanna come help?" Lydia asked, turning back into the kitchen.

"Sure if by 'help', you mean 'watch'." Rory smiled, following her friend into the kitchen.

"So, you and Mathew?" Lydia smiled as she poured Rory a cup of coffee.

"How did-did he say something?"

"What? No!" Lydia shook her head. "You two just disappeared last night, so I figured, you know." She shrugged.

"Oh. Okay." Rory nodded and picked at the cuff of Mathew's shirt. "Are you gonna give me the 'don't-hurt-my-friend' talk?"

"Kinda, but only because I gave him the same speech."

"You did?"

"Yeah, you're my friend too. And all I want is for you both to be happy."

"Well, I can't speak for Mathew, but I am. Happy, I mean."

"Good. He's happy too. I can tell." Lydia smiled as she opened the box of ingredients she brought with her. "Now what pancake do you want? Plain, blueberry or chocolate chip?"

"Oh, chocolate, definitely." Rory grinned.

Review? It would make my year! :)