Hello people of FanFiction! How are you today? I know this is late, I'm sorry. My internet crashed the day I was gonna upload this chapter, so I was stuck in my bedroom with the lights off eating Nutella and waiting for it to be fixed. BUT, this is a Christmas themed chapter, to reflect upon the good old days of 2012. Well, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own JESSIE or anything affiliated with it. (I always forget to put it in there!)

"Why are you so high-strung on this, Emma? It's just decorations…" Claire asked as the kids brought out the Christmas decorations.

"Just Christmas decorations? That's like saying it's just about celebrating the birth of Jesus!" Emma exclaimed.

"Isn't this how Christmas started? Jesus was born to save all of mankind from our sins, yadda, yadda, yadda…" Claire explained.

"So..? It wouldn't hurt to put a little something-something into the season!" Emma stated.

Claire considered this, 'It's true, but mom and dad wouldn't let it go this far out. Then again, we didn't usually have Christmases together ever since Iraq and Afghanistan.'

"See..? It's not always about the Messiah, it's about aesthetic pleasure…"

"But, it's still about the Messiah." Claire added.

"Yes. And presents, and cute outfits, and decorations. So, everybody in the foyer, NOW!" Emma yelled into the air.

As people filed in, Emma stood beside the tree, tapping her foot against the ground impatiently. "Okay people, mom and dad are coming home for Christmas early this year, so get ready for some hard-core decorating. Luke, you're in charge of the kitchen. Ravi, you take the hallways. Jessie and Claire, you two take the foyer and the living room while Zuri and I take the tree." The blonde instructed.

"Got it." Everyone ran to their designated areas.

"WAIT-!"Emma shrieked.

"What?" Claire asked.

"DON'T CROSS THE POPCORN STRINGS AND THE GARLAND! AND MAKE SURE TO BE SYMETRICAL ABOUT THE RIBBONS! And don't forget about the lights! Make sure they don't go near anything flammable!" The eldest Ross called.

"Wow, I never thought Emma would be so… what's the word?" Claire whispered to Luke.

"…Bossy?" the boy asked.

"No… it's on the tip of my tongue." She stated.

"Annoying? Crazy? Stupid? Lo-" Luke suggested.

"Luke, quit flirting with Claire and get to the kitchen!" Emma shrieked, interrupting the conversation.

"I think the word I was looking for was insane. Go to the kitchen, little Lukie." Claire teased, pinching his cheek.

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"Let's go people! GO, GO, GO! Mom and Dad'll be here any minute!" Emma hollered.

"Emma, we're done with the decorations, why are you still so high-strung on this?" Claire asked.

"Emma's OCD, Obsessed with Christmas Details. Mom likes the details for the holidays, and ever since I can remember, Emma's been in charge of them." Luke explained.

"Well, now I know why she's going completely commando on us…"

He chuckled, "Yeah, that's probably the only thing she thinks she has in common with mom."

"That's…" Claire paused, "That's actually how I feel with my mom."

"Claire-" Luke started.

"Oh, shut up, idiot. This isn't a sob story!"

"…how, exactly does she feel?" Luke asked awkwardly.

"Uh," Claire scratched her head, "She feels distant, disappointed because she wants to be just like your mother, but she thinks she isn't good enough. She wants to be like her hero so badly that she's going overboard with everything that keeps them connected from everyone else."

"Are you sure we're still talking about Emma?" he asked softly.

Claire sighed, "Yes Luke, we're still talking about your sister."

"Doesn't sound like it."

"Doesn't sound like you'll get a punch either, but I don't know…" she threatened.

"Chill, girl! I was just kidding."

"Please, you sounded the most sincere I've ever heard since I've been living with you people."

"DING!" Rung the elevator. A beautiful blonde woman and a tall brunet man exited into the foyer.

"MOM! DAD!" the kids screamed.

"Hey kids! We just talked to Santa, and you guys'll be happy with what he told you! Right Morgan?" Mrs. Ross stated.

"Yeah, he went all out this year, lasers and streamers and a bunch of other stuff that I know would look awesome." Mr. Ross added.

"Oh, who's this?" The blonde asked, staring towards Claire.

Luke pulled said girl by her waist towards him, resting his hand there. "This is Claire. Jessie's cousin and now Jessie's her guardian."

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Ross." Claire stated, holding her hand out to shake. What she received was a tight hug and a squeal from the woman. "You two are so cute!"

"Uh, excuse me?" Claire asked in surprise.

"You and Luke." she deadpanned. "Aren't you two a thing?"

"Uh, no." Claire responded.

"But you two-" She started.

"I know mom, I said the exact same thing." Emma interjected.

"I just can't believe that they're not!" Mrs. Ross exclaimed.

"Don't worry, mom. Hey, why don't we go into the kitchen and get you a cup of chamomile? It looks like you need some rest anyways." Emma suggested.

"Claire, Jessie, would you two like to join us?" Mrs. Ross called.

"Of course, Mrs. Ross." Claire responded, walking with Jessie into the kitchen as the boys and Zuri Squealed about some totally epic toy that was coming out after Christmas.

"Just call me Christina, honey." The blonde reassured.

"Okay, Christina." Claire assured uneasily.

"So," Jessie started, preparing the tea. "How's it been?"

Christina sighed, "Tiring"

"Annoying." Emma added.

"Confusing." Claire put in.

"How so, cuz?" Jessie questioned.

"Oh, you know. Teenagers. Dating. Horomones. Future." Claire stated.

"So, how about your love life?" Christina interrogated.

"I don't really have one." Claire said, scratching her arm.

"Oh well, love could come at any given moment!" she exclaimed.

"Okay then." Claire stated, resting her back on the chair.

"Kids, come on! We're gonna go skating in ten minutes!" Morgan stated.

"Sk-skating?" Claire stuttered, eyes wide.

"Oh right, you haven't gone skating in quite a while, Claire." Jessie reminded.

"Well, we'd be happy enough to teach you." Christina suggested.

"No, I think I might stay with Ravi at the snack bar, but thanks." Claire answered.

"Okay then, we should get moving, it's a busy today at the Rockefeller Centre." Jessie stated.

Claire ran up to her room. 'Oh, good Lord. Now they're gonna think I'm some boring chick who can't do anything spontaneous.' Claire thought. "Well, at least I still have Ravi." She reminded herself.

"You have Ravi for what?" Luke asked, walking into the room.

"I'm not skating. Does it look like there are skating rinks in Texas? No. So, I am forced to stay at the snack bar with good 'ol Ravi." Claire stated.

"I can happily teach you."

"…Are you sure you'd want to do that?"

He chuckled, "Of course. It'll be a Milestone. Picture it 'Claire's first glide on skates'. That's a good one."

"Just shut up and get downstairs."

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"I. Hate. Skating." Claire said, shivering. They were back from the rink, and Claire was seething.

"Oh, come on! It was fun, you gotta say that." Luke suggested.

"Yeah, being pulled around on blades while being trampled by infants was fun." She answered.

"Hey! I'm not an infant! I'm almost a teenager!" Zuri yelled from the other room.

"Honey, you need to be at least in the first year of double digits for that to be made possible." Jessie informed her.

Zuri sighed loudly, "Fine."

Claire chuckled as Luke trotted towards the stairs. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you going?"

"Upstairs?" Luke deadpanned.

"Not without me. You're the one that got me onto the meat grinder also known as a skating rink, now you need to help me up the stairs."

"But, why?" he whined.

"Because, I'm sore everywhere from the neck down, and it's been a hassle just taking my jacket off." She stated, wincing at her intake of breath.

"Why me?" Luke kept on whining.

"You really want me to call Brian over here? I bet he's just dying to see me. Let alone carry me up the stairs." Claire challenged.

"Fine," he seethed, in the position to carry her bridal style.

"No piggy-back?" she asked innocently.

"Just shut up and hold on to me." Luke muttered, trudging up the stairs.

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"Guys! Get UP! IT'S CHRISTMAS!" Ravi and Zuri screamed, jumping on the brunette's bed.

"Why must you constantly ruin my dreams, Zuri?" Claire questioned, glaring at the two children.

"Come on, Claire! Just get up! WE'VE GOT PRESENTS TO OPEN!" Luke yelled in her ear. She groaned, getting out of bed with sluggish movements. As the kids all walked down the stairs, Claire saw the immense pile of presents, and bounded down the stairs like a Golden Retriever puppy.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!" she screamed.

"Yeah, now you wake up." Zuri chortled.

"Well, who can blame me? I'm in the Christmas spirit." Claire answered.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, KIDS!" Christina called, walking down the stairs.

"Yeah, who's ready to shoot a present opening movie?" Morgan asked. Silence followed as swift as the wind. "Okay, I guess I'm the only one."

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"These are for you, Claire." Jessie called, handing little over five presents and an envelope.

"Thanks." She grinned, taking the packages. Morgan was panning the camera towards her, waiting for the moment of pure bliss on her face. She ripped the paper on the box, gasping at the contents inside, reading the title over and over again: One Direction Deluxe Yearbook CD, Hoodie and Calendar Bundle. "JESSIE!"

"I know, I know. I'm awesome." The teen grinned.

"Emma, this present's from you." Claire ripped off the wrapping and pulled off the lid of the Tiffany blue (AN: If you guys didn't catch the hint, Emma gave a Tiffany's bracelet to Claire) box. "NO. No you did not."

The blonde shrugged, smirking. "But I did."

Claire ran up to hug the blonde beauty. "Thankyou thankyou thankyou!"

"It's no problem." She chuckled.

"Well I guess it's my turn now. Merry Christmas, Claire." Luke stated, handing her his gift.

She ripped off the packaging. "Luke. You- you got me a camera?" she asked, slightly smiling.

"Yeah," he said, scratching the back of his neck, a new habit to show his nervousness. "I can return it if you want. But, I think you might want it, it incorporates with your other gifts."

"Claire, this is our gift to you." Christina said, hugging the girl. She ripped open the box once again, then looked in awe at the content. "An iPhone 4S?"

"Hey, you're part of the family, and the family has a cellphone for each member." Christina informed her.

"Yeah, and plus… now I can text you whatever, whenever." Emma added.

Claire chuckled, then suddenly jumped as a ringing was heard from the cellphone. One New Message: Christina Ross.

Merry Christmas Claire! In addition to your other presents, someone has informed both Morgan and I that you never went to a DisneyParks site. Well, pack your bags, because you and the rest of the family is going to stay at the Boardwalk Inn's villas in Orlando, Florida during March Break! Hope to see you there!

Claire squealed and jumped the blonde mother, muttering "Thank you"s every second.

"It's not a problem, actually. Luke called us to ask if we could do this." Claire stood up and turned towards the freckled boy.

She ran and hugged him with all her might, "Luke!" she screamed, tears streaming her face as she jumped for joy.

"Hey, calm down. It's okay, I kinda wanted to go too." He muttered, looking up. His face flushed a deep scarlet and she looked up. 'Shit. Mistletoe.' She thought. Going on a whim, she kissed his cheek as the two blondes and the auburn cooed at the cuteness of it all. 'This really isthe greatest time of year.'

I know this is pretty suck-ish. I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. I've been busy for a while, but I do have chapter eight almost done, and I assure you, it'll be ready by Saturday. Until then, see you on the flip side!