My note….Even though this chapter takes place leading up to and during the two days before Christmas, it isn't the last. There are still a few additional holidays we need to cover before this story officially ends.

'TIS THE SEASON

CHAPTER 4: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

"Hey Spin", Jimmy called over to his best friend, who was sitting on the couch in the living room, flipping through the channels on the television as he dug into the bag of potato chips, on his lap. "If you were Ashley...what would you want for Christmas?".

Spinner looked up from the tv and chuckled. "If I were Ash...and you were my boyfriend?", he teased playfully. Jimmy nodded and tucked the catalog he was paging through, into his lap. He pushed over to the couch, and pulled up next to Spinner.

Spin locked eyes with Jimmy and turned serious. Jimmy leaned foward in attention as he waited for Spinner's reply. "A Ferrari", he answered casually.

Jimmy rolled the magazine and clubbed Spinner over the head with it, before letting out a frustrated sigh and sinking back into his chair. "Dude, a Ferrari?".

"Well yeah", he defended. "I mean, you're totally loaded, and you wouldn't be able to drive one yourself...".

"And you are a complete idiot", Jimmy cut in sarcastically.

"Hey man, I was just trying to help", Spinner replied defensively, digging his hand back into the bag of potato chips at his side. "Besides...you're the one who asked me", he grumbled as he chewed.

"Yeah, remind me never to do that again", Jimmy mumbled dishearteningly, under his breath, earning himself a narrowing glare from Spinner. Jimmy studied his best friend critically for a moment, before adding, "Do you even know how much a Ferrari costs, Spin?".

Spinner's lips quirked up into a playful smirk, as he snatched the discarded catalog from Jimmy's lap. "Man, there's hundreds of ideas in here", he stated, pointing to a pair of earrings in the jewelry add. "Here, she likes to wear those long, dangly things".

Jimmy just shrugged, so Spinner began flipping through the pages. "Why don't you just get her a sweater or something", he offered disinterestedly, not finding anything else in the booklet that caught his eye. "Or that perfume she wears", Spinner closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Dude, Ash always smells so good".

"It's her shower gel...and, those are all things she'll probably get from her family", Jimmy replied dishearteningly. "I want to give Ash something special...unique".

"So paint her one of your priceless works of art", Spinner suggested simply, as he lost interested in the subject and turned his attention back to the now, hlaf empty, bag of potato chips.

"She's already got a bunch of my sketches", Jimmy sighed frustratedly, not only at his lack of options, but at the chip crumbs that were falling from Spinner's hand, onto the couch cushions.

Spinner caught Jimmy eyeing the chip bag and offered it to him, but was met with a disgusted grimace and sharp shake of the head. "Dude, there's gotta be something out there that Ashley wants", Spinner shrugged, as he settled back into the pillows and grabbed for the remote.

Jimmy snatched the bag from Spinner, then leaned back in his chair. He reluctantly popped a chip into his mouth and thought, there was one thing out there that Ashley wanted. Jimmy smiled to himself...and he was going to do everything he could to give it her.

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"Isn't this nice El?", Ashley asked as she fingered the material of the shirt she was admiring. "It reminds me of Jimmy...soft, warm...cuddly", she smiled and trailed off into her own little dream world. But that didn't last long...the slight giggle from Ellie snapped Ashley right out of her reverie. "What?", she queried, incredulously. "You have to admit, he would look gorgeous in it. It's the right style, size, color and it would totally compliment the...".

"Twenty other things you bought him today?", Ellie teased playfully.

Ashley gasped dramatically and gently swiped Ellie on the shoulder, with the back of her hand. "So not true, and...it was more like ten", she defended innocently. "It's not my fault Jimmy's so easy to buy for".

Ellie smirked at her best friend. "I know, I was just kidding. And I think it's sweet what you're doing", Ellie stated sincerely. "Just save some stuff for everyone else".

Ashley's smile widened. "Okay, I'll try", she sighed and dropped her hands from the shirt, and began to walk away...only to have Ellie snatch the shirt up, and add it to her own growing pile.

"It's our first Christmas together and Jimmy's first 'real' one, at home", Ashley continued as her and Ellie snaked their way through the racks, in search of the registers. "I want it to be special. I want to give him the kind of Christmas, I remember", she stopped and smiled over her shoulder at Ellie. "Jimmy's never really done the decorating, caroling, baking...or even waking up Christmas morning to find a bunch of presents under the tree. It was always Christmas morning in some hotel room, at some exotic resort, with only room service for breakfast and two or three of the years hottest and most expensive electronics, for gifts".

"Oooh, sounds horrible", Ellie shivered with mock repulsion.

"You know what I mean", Ashley maintained, with a mild snicker and a fake glare.

"Well, you've definitely got the 'bunch of presents' part, down", Ellie added in jest, as she motioned to the shopping bags in Ashley's hands.

Ashley just rolled her eyes. "I know it seems like a lot, but it really isn't", she defended, as she counted on her fingers. "I got him that cd he wanted, a new set of sketching pencils, a picture frame for our photo from the winter dance, new ear pods for his mp3 player...", Ashley paused momentarily and frowned,"...even though he'll probably get the newest model from his parents...".

Again, Ellie's giggle stopped Ashley. "Like I said before Ash...you've gotta save some stuff for the rest of us", she aptly reminded. Ashley nodded reluctantly as she fell back into step, only to stop after a few feet, when she reached a rack of men's sleep pants. Ellie sighed as she grabbed the sleeve of Ashley's shirt and gave a tug, "Step away from the pajamas, Ash".

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Jimmy sat in front of the full lengnth mirror that hung on the far wall of his walk-in, or what he called...roll-in closet, to adjust his tie. He hated suits, and hated tuxedos even more. He stared at his reflection for some time...until the chime of the doorbell, brought him back to the present.

"Ash? I thought we were gonna pick you up", Jimmy rambled, as he pushed fully into the family room to see his father close the door behind his girlfriend. "You didn't have to drive, we have a car coming...".

"I didn't drive, my mom dropped me off", she answered simply, slightly amused by his nervousness.

"Oh", he sighed, sounding somewhat relieved. "So we'll still need to drop you home tonight, right?".

"Yeah, I guess", Ashley replied obviously, with a slightly questioning chuckle.

"Good", Jimmy breathed out as he reached for the overcoat that hung on the arm of the couch.

Ashley stepped over to Jimmy and leant down gracefully to place a soft, chaste kiss on his cheek. "You look amazing", she whispered into his ear, before straightening back up.

Jimmy felt like a complete ass. In his shock to find Ashley standing there in his living room, he failed to actually notice her. He let his eyes sweep over her and immediately, his trademark grin appeared. "And you are absolutely stunning", he complimented, breathlessly.

A small, but playfull smile crept up onto her lips. "Wow, and that's without seeing what's underneath", Ashley teased, her long coat fluttering at her knees as she swayed from side to side. "I hope you're not disappointed when you see my dress", she added lightly.

Jimmy blushed furiously with embarrassment, for the second time that night. "I don't think that's possibly, Ash", he shook his head, as he continued to study her.

Their eyes stayed locked on one another until there was a lound honk from outside and Mr. Brooks called out, "Car's here".

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The ride to the hotel in the six-passenger stretch limousine Mr. Brooks had acquired for the night, was a treat for Ashley. But not so much for Jimmy. He sat quietly, jaw set, one hand clenched tightly in Ashley's, and the other, idly drumming on the leather console, next to him. As if the awkward transfer into the vehicle, which required the assistance of both his dad and the limousine driver wasn't bad enough for Jimmy...the thought of having to do it again, this time, in the carport of the hotel ballroom, where many of his father's associates and families would be witness, was almost unbearable.

The soft caress of Ashley's thumb across his hand, began to calm Jimmy. He turned to look at her. "The city looks so beautiful from inside here", she commented, leaning slightly over his lap, to peer out the darkened window.

"Ya think?", Jimmy replied distractedly, following her gaze.

"You seem to think so", Ashley stated pointedly, earning a quizzical look from Jimmy. "Your eyes have hardly left that window, since we got in".

Jimmy shrugged apologetically. "I'm sorry...I'm just a little preoccupied".

Ashley gave a soft smile in understanding. "I guess this isn't as magical for you...", Jimmy's eyes shot up, as her words piqued his interest. "...this is obviously not your first time in a limousine...".

"It's yours?", he asked incredulously. Ashley nodded affirmitively. "You're kidding?".

"Nope", she answered simply, then snuggled into his side. "I rode in a Town Car on my way to the airport when I went to London, but this is my first time in an actual limo".

"Well, I hope it's everything you've imagined it to be", Jimmy chuckled softly.

"Actually, I'm a little disappointed", she sighed playfully as her eyes traveled upwards. "I've always wanted to stick my head out of the sun roof of a moving limousine", Ashley added, looking up at him with smiling eyes.

Jimmy's grin grew wider. "You still can...", he offered cautiously. "...that is, at risk of frostbite...or ruining these perfect curls". Jimmy's feather-like caress, ran across Ashley's lower jaw and into her expertly pinned hair.

Ashley reached up to cup Jimmy's cheek, and whispered softly, "Being here with you, right now...is definitely everything I've imagined it to be".

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"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?", Ashley teased lightly as she jiggled her key into the lock.

Jimmy shrugged bashfully. "No, it was great Ash", he conceeded...and it was. The transfer out of the car, was a lot less embarrassing then Jimmy imagined, due in part by the probability that the cold weather kept most of the guest in the lobby, rather than carport.

At the party, Jimmy and Ashley sat at a table with his parents, Mr. Brooks' assistant and her family. There was dinner, which itself, was lavish, accompanied with polite conversation, all around. The meal was followed by a short, end of the year, awards ceremony, an equally extravagant dessert bar, and finally, some lively dancing.

Jimmy was mildly pleased with the fact that he only had to explain his "condition" to a select few, those who had never heard about the shooting, and the reality that their bosses son was confined to a wheelchair. Jimmy relaxed quickly and let himself enjoy the night, although he concluded that having the most beautiful woman in the room, by his side, may have had something to do with his easy going nature. The couple maintained a proper formalism, all while fitting in perfectly with the other teens and twenty-somethings in the room. They even managed to impress Mr. Brooks with their moves, out on the dance floor.

Ashley was surprised to see Jimmy still waiting patiently behind her as she opened her front door. Ever the gentleman, Jimmy always insisted on escorting Ashley to the door at the end of their dates, at least the ones where she wasn't the one to have to drop him off. "I had a wonderful time tonight", she told him, completely sincere.

Jimmy smiled up at her and took her gloved hand in his. "So did I", he concured, entwining their fingers together. "But the night's not over yet", he added suggestively, with a flash of those sparkling brown eyes. "I was wondering if I could come in for a bit".

Ashley's expression changed from giddy to perplexed. "But Jimmy, your parents are waiting for you", she stated, motioning to the idling limousine parked in front of her house.

"I know...", he looked back over his shoulder. "...this'll only take a few minutes".

Ashley shrugged agreeably and stepped aside so Jimmy could enter. "Mom, Jeff...what are you doing up?", she asked, startled to find them sitting on the couch, still dressed in the clothes they had on earlier that day.

"Jimmy wanted us to be up for this", Kate replied cryptically, unable to hide her wide grin.

"Ugh...finally", Toby grumbled as he padded sleepily, from the den.

Ashley turned to her boyfriend. "Jimmy...what's going on?", she queried questionably.

His smile widened as he took an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to Ashley. "I wanted to give you your Christmas present".

"But Christmas isn't for two days", she pointed out as she accepted the gift.

Jimmy looked at his watch. "Actually, it's after midnight, so technically it's now Christmas Eve", he retorted playfully. "And I need to give it to you now, because...", he paused to look between a beaming Kate and Jeff. "...well, you'll see".

Ashley knitted her brow as she hesitantly opened the envelope. "Wow Jimmy...", she gasped as she read the small print. "I...wow...".

He chuckled, "You talked so much about how great Christmas was in London and how much you were going to miss your dad this year, so...".

"It's amazing, really...", Ashley faltered slightly. "I..".

"I know it doesn't give you much time, but it was only flight I could get on such short notice", he explained excitedly. "Your plane leaves tomorrow at eight, so you won't arrive in London until late that night", Jimmy continued. "...but at least you'll wake up to Christmas morning with your dad". At those words, Ashley's eyes filled with tears. "What's wrong...you don't like it?", Jimmy asked softly.

"No, I love it", Ashley replied, sniffling back her tears. "It's probably the most amazing gift I've ever gotten..." a slight hesitation. "...and I'd love to see my dad, and Chris and London again...", another pause, as she sank down onto the couch so she could look at Jimmy directly.

Ashley laid the envelope on the cushion beside her as she took Jimmy's hands in hers. "I really appreciate this Jimmy, I do...it's just...I was so looking forward to spending this Christmas with you", she explained, a small watery smile, breaking through. "Me with your family tomo...I mean, today, and you with my family tomorrow".

Jimmy's heart sank a little, but he forced a smile.

"You can exchange this ticket for one that arrives in London on the fourth, and returns home on the eighth", Toby called out from his place at the computer. "But you'll loose a few days there, and miss the first day back at school".

Ashley shot her step-brother a wide smile, then looked up at Kate. "Mom?", she asked hopefully. Kate nodded, and an estatic Ashley turned back to Jimmy. "Why don't you look happy about this?", she asked critically, her smile fading fast. "I thought you wanted to spend the holidays with me".

"Ash, of course I do", Jimmy insisted, giving her hands a squeeze for emphasis, but the slight shift and heavy sigh that immediate followed, were unconvincing.

Ashley lowered her eyes in disappointment, but in doing so, caught a glimpse of something peeking out from under Jimmy's coat. What's that?", she asked curiously.

Jimmy followed her gaze down. He'd been so distracted with giving Ashley the plane ticket that he forgot all about the small box that went with it, and hadn't realized it had fallen onto his lap. "Nothing really", he shrugged it off.

Ashley held out her hand expectantly. Jimmy overted his eyes and reluctantly handed over the box. "I thought the trip to London would be the perfect gift", he rambled disappointedly. "And I really don't have anything else to give you tomorrow...". The thought of trying to find Ashley another gift, on Christmas Eve, was less than thrilling for Jimmy.

With a soft gulp, Ashley's eyes filled with tears again. Jimmy bit his lip, misinterpreting her reaction. "Are you kidding me?", she gasped incredulously, as she slid onto his lap. "Jimmy, this is the most perfect gift, ever", she insisted, running her finger across the inscription engraved on the silver heart ornament in her hand. "Our first Christmas...together".

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OMG, I was totally freaking out. I rushed home to finish proof reading(done super fast, so I can't guarantee there won't be huge glaring mistakes)this chap., only to find the site acting all screwy. Luckily it didn't last long and I was able to get it done. Hope you all like it.

My many thanks to...havocmangawip, SAMii, lilfiftyfour and Sunshyne08, for their wonderful reviews. Thanks guys!!!

Degrassi is not mine.