AN: One more chapter left of this story! So excited to rewrite a little bit of GMW history! I have really enjoyed writing this one, and I'm hoping to have the last chapter out on Friday. Tomorrow is an important RL day for me, so I wanted to get this one out tonight. Thanks for the support! Enjoy!

Riley tried to keep the smile off her face. She tried to stay grouchy, she really did, but Josh made it nearly impossible. First, he took her ice skating, patiently leading her clumsy self around the ice, keeping her from falling. Next, he took her to see Santa, and they both posed for a picture, sitting on his lap.

Then, Josh bought her hot apple cider and brownies shaped like reindeer. They went to the park and made a snowman, giggling and getting into a snowball fight with some kids. Then they found some carolers, and Josh convinced her to join them.

They sang up and down the children's wing of the hospital, giving out candy canes and Christmas cookies. Josh snapped some pictures with the group before they departed, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As they left the hospital, Riley felt lighter than she had all day. She really did love doing kind things for others. The only thing dampening her spirits was the fact that she knew Josh was guiding her back to her own apartment.

"Come on, Ri, we have to face them all some time."

Riley shook her head. "I'm still so annoyed and a little embarrassed that I trashed the apartment. Auggie didn't deserve that."

"I'm sure Auggie understands," Josh reassured her, pulling her onto the subway that would take them to her apartment complex.

Riley's eyes started to water up, sitting in the subway car. Josh rubbed her back, telling her to forget about Lucas.

"He is probably already thinking about a million different ways to grovel for your forgiveness. Don't waste your precious time being sad. Let's enjoy Christmas together. Screw everybody else."

Riley laughed. "Thank you, Uncle Josh! I normally have to drag Maya kicking and screaming to do Holiday stuff. Today has wound up being so fun."

"It really has," Josh said, grabbing her hand and leading her to a place to sit. "Let's make each other a promise. From now on, let's set aside a day in December and do all this fun Christmassy stuff together. I enjoy it, you enjoy it. We can have an uncle/niece day. Just the two of us."

"I would really love that, Josh." A mischievous smile spread across her face. "But you know, Maya will be extremely jealous. Maybe you should have a Maya/Josh day to make it up to her?"

"Look at you, you little matchmaker!" Josh laughed. "If it will make you happy, I promise I will spend some quality time with Maya before I head to Philly."

"If it will make you happy, Uncle Josh, you should do that."

Josh nodded, standing up to exit the car at their stop. "I'll keep that in mind."

"I don't want to!" Riley whined, following him up to the street.

"Have a little faith, Ri!"

Approaching the apartment, Riley's reluctance had her slowing her steps to a snail's pace.

"Riley, I promise if you go up there and you want to leave, we'll leave. We'll go back to my dorm and watch Christmas movies."

"I'm holding you to that," Riley said, opening the door.

Walking into the living room, she gasped at what she saw. The house had been transformed into an idyllic Christmas scene. It looked even better than when she decorated it in the first place. There was soft piano music playing in the background and a large plate of cookies on the table, surrounding by smaller little goodie bags full of treats. A crockpot full of homemade hot chocolate sat on the counter, making the whole room smell sweet, and the bay window was full of Christmas presents.

She rushed over there, and her eyes widened, noticing her name was on every single gift.

"What is all this?" Riley asked, gesturing around the room with an awed smile.

Her parents, Auggie, Farkle, Smackle, Zay, Maya, Shawn and Katy piled into the living room from the hallway.

"We know how much you love Secret Santa, so we decided to do it a little differently," Farkle said.

"Each present is for you, but you have to guess who it's from!" Auggie said, grabbing a gift and handing it to her.

She shook it excitedly. "You guys didn't have to do all this..."

"Yes, we did," Maya said, coming to sit down next to her on the window seat. "We have all acted like jerks."

The present Auggie handed her was a little teddy bear.

"Auggie!" she shrieked. "You replaced Barry? Thank you!"

She gave him a hug and grabbed a small package that had birthstone earrings in them. She glanced around, knowing it had to come from an adult.

"Mom and Dad? Or Shawn and Katy?" she questioned, tapping her fingers against her chin in thought. Her dad couldn't stop smiling. "Mom and Dad! Daddy, you gave yourself away!"

She correctly guessed that Zay bought her some new headphones, Smackle got her a replacement Christmas sweater, and Farkle got her the latest book in a series they both liked.

There were three presents left, but when she reached for the smallest present, Maya smacked her hand.

"That one's last, honey."

Riley gave her a curious look before opening another present. This one was a black skirt that was short in the front and flowy in the back. She guessed Maya but was wrong. Maya got her a matching sparkly, red, sassy, halter top.

Riley laughed when she opened it. "To be fair, Peaches, you helped your parents pick out the skirt. This whole outfit screams Maya."

Maya giggled, giving her a hug. "Can you forgive us, Riles? This whole day we put the house back in order, got you presents, and really thought about what this time of year means. You've always known, and we've taken it for granted that you would fill our lives with the Holiday spirit."

"Thank you, everyone. I do forgive you. I forgave you before you gave me the presents. The fact that you took the time to do something thoughtful for me... All I've ever wanted was for everyone to enjoy this time and these traditions as much as I do."

"We do now. I'm going to bake cookies with my mom tomorrow," Zay said.

"And the Minki are going to decorate the tree as a family for the first time ever," Farkle added. "At least that's what I'm planning."

"My parents aren't making me go to Vermont! So we can spend the holidays just us," Smackle said, her excitement evident in her voice.

"And I realized I needed to give my new family a chance to have our own holiday traditions. You were right, Riles. Shawn's not going anywhere."

Riley gave Maya a hug, pulling all her other friends into it.

"It's a Christmas miracle!" she shouted. "You've all realized the true meaning of Christmas!"

When everyone was hugged out, Riley noticed the little gift. "Wait, what about this one? Josh, is it from you?"

"Sorry, niece, the day was my gift to you. Oh, and the framed picture of us with Santa," he said, pulling the picture out of his bag and giving it to her.

"Don't apologize. It was a perfect gift. A day filled with some of my most favorite traditions!"

She showed the picture to everyone, Maya giggling and blushing at the candid sight of Josh goofing off with Riley. His own face heating when Maya smiled in his direction.

"So who is this from? Mom?" Riley asked, shaking the box curiously.

Topanga shook her head. "Not me, honey. Why don't you open it and find out?"

Riley carefully peeled back the paper and found an ornate, silver, antique, key. When she picked it up, there was a note underneath it saying, 'Come to the roof.'

She glanced around at her friends and family, and they all had mischievous grins on their faces.

"You better do what the note says, Riles."

She hurriedly slipped her boots back on before running to the closet to grab her red holiday coat, along with her deep green scarf, hat, and gloves. Satisfied with her festive appearance, she gave Josh one last hug, whispering, "Thank you."

"Anytime, niece."

With a nod to everyone else, she walked out the door and climbed up to the roof access.

She opened the door, taking in the sight of twinkle lights hanging all across the roof and ledges and electric tea lights on every available surface, giving the whole roof a soft, comforting glow. There was powdery snow coating the ground and holly and garland lining the edges, and right in the middle of the magical scene, there was Lucas, wearing a hopeful smile and holding a sprig of mistletoe over his head.

AN: Squee! I had this image in my head of Lucas waiting for Riley, and I couldn't shake it. What did you think? I'm working on the last chapter, and I promise I'll have it up at some time on Friday.

I didn't want to go too heavy on the friendship apologies, and I know our dear, sweet Riley wouldn't need much to forgive them, so I thought this feel in line with the lighter mood of this story.

I'll see you soon!