After Rory found out that Luke and Lorelai were planning what would certainly be the first of many fun family Christmases she had to change her plans. She spoke with Logan and arranged to fly out to London on December twenty-seventh. He was disappointed, but told her he understood that her family situation is different than his. She was upset that he wouldn't fly to her to see a Stars Hollow Christmas, but she didn't tell him that.

Luke was excited that this would be his first Christmas with April. Anna was still giving him a hard time about letting April come to town for the wedding, so he was happy to get this time. He even offered to cut down the time April was supposed to spend there in December so she could come back for January. He said that he would pay for everything and that Anna was welcome to join April on one or both of the trips. But she refused, accusing him of trying to rub his happiness in her face.

Lorelai was in constant motion. Working practically around the clock on not only her own wedding, but on all the special events that were being held at the Dragonfly. She was thrilled that the business was doing so well and that Sookie and Michel were being so helpful. Sookie was taking her role as the Best Friend Of The Bride (BFOTB as she called herself) very seriously, knowing that Rory was busy with finals so she was doing everything she could to take things off Lorelai's plate. Michel was working seven days a week to ensure that all the parties were up to his standards and that Lorelai wasn't drowning in details.

"Luke? Where are you? I need coffee stat," Lorelai called as she whooshed through the diner's door.

"He's upstairs," Caesar called. "Grab yourself some coffee, my hands are covered in grease."

Lorelai skirted the counter and peaked into the back seeing that Caesar was cleaning the grease traps. "Don't you guys wait till the end of a shift to do that?"

"Are you kidding," Caesar laughed. "Mr. Clean wants it done four times a day! Thankfully I talked him down to three."

"How's your niece doing?"

"Better, thanks. Strep is no joke. She told me now that I have to get Luke to teach me how to make milkshakes because she swears his are the best."

"You gotta throw a banana in," Luke said as he emerged from the curtain. "It does something nice to the texture and you give them something a little healthy and they have no idea."

"Thanks, Boss!"

Lorelai stood with her mouth hanging open, "You have been sneaking healthy things into my food?"

He kissed her sweetly, "You AND Rory, from the moment I met you."

"Seriously," she asked as she slid onto a stool.
"I have added broccoli into the ground meat when making your burgers," he smirked.

"No way!"

He just raised his eyebrows in response.

"Meh, what do I care, as long as they taste good," she shrugged.

"Just trying to help you live longer. Hey, do you have a minute?"

"That's why I'm here, I had a break in my day and wanted to spend it with you."

"And my coffee. I just got off the phone with Maisy."

"Ooooh, how is she? I wish I knew I would have come up and grabbed the phone from you."

"Well you can call her back after this conversation if you want. Claudia and her family and Leo and Maggie are going to come to their place for Christmas, and I talked them into dinner with us and our crazy tribe for Christmas eve."

"That's great!"

"Yeah, but Zoey really wants to stay at the Dragonfly," Luke sighed. "I mean there's no real need, Buddy and Maisy live twenty minutes from here. And I told her that she could still ride Cletus or Desi even if she wasn't staying at the inn, but she really wants to. I know you're likely fully booked. Especially with it being a few days away, but I had to ask."

"I will call Michel and check," she smiled at him. "Can I use your phone? The owner doesn't like it when I use my cellphone here."

He shook his head as she batted her eyes at him. He lifted the receiver off the wall and handed it to her.

XoXoXoXoXoXo

"I'm so glad you decided to move into the new house after your wedding," Rory smiled. "I really need this last Christmas in our house."

Lorelai laughed, "It's not like I'm selling the place. Grandma and Grandpa refused any kind of payment for the new house, so why should I part with this one? Luke loves the idea of us owning as many properties as possible to keep them out of Taylor's hands."

Rory laughed, perfectly able to hear those words in Luke's voice. She looked up at their tree and grinned.

"Are you sure you're okay sharing your room with April? Luke said they could stay at his apartment."

"No way! Luke wasted enough time with all of us apart. We need to let this kid know what she's gotten herself into."
Lorelai smiled at her daughter, "So many years it was just you and me against the world. We finally have a family. Sorry it took me so long, Kid."

Rory kissed Lorelai's cheek, "When it was just you and me, we were a family. You know that, right?"

"I love you, Sweets," Lorelai hugged Rory. Then the girls went back to watching Scrooged, one of their classic Christmas favourites.

XoXoXoXoXoXo

"APRIL!" Luke was waving as he saw his daughter being escorted by a flight attendant through security.

"Dad!" April ran into his arms and he lifted her off her feet into a bear hug.

The flight attendant smiled and unfolded a paper in her hand. "You must be Lucas Danes," she smiled at Luke.

Knowing the drill, Luke put April down, took his wallet from his back pocket and showed the woman his driver's licence. She checked the ID against the information on her sheet, Luke signed and she wished them a good day.

"I can't wait until I don't need a babysitter on the plane," April sighed.

"I want to feel bad," Luke said as he threw her backpack over his shoulder. "But as an overprotective Dad I gotta say I'm not upset with someone keeping an eye on you while you travel alone." He took her suitcase in one hand and placed the other around her shoulders. "So? How's New Mexico? I like the new glasses."

"Well there's only so many times you can be called Sally Jessy before you know it's time to change your look."

Luke laughed and shook his head. "You and Lorelai are going to get along just fine!"

An hour later Luke opened the door to the house he was so familiar with yet still felt odd about just walking in. He smiled as he inhaled the aroma of brownies.

"We're here," he called out.

"Yay! We're in the kitchen. Brownies are almost ready," Lorelai answered.

April followed Luke through the house, her smile wary. She knew that Lorelai was really nice from the few interactions they've had. But she also knew that her showing up into Luke's life when she did caused a lot of problems for them and she was nervous Lorelai and others might hold that against her.

"Hey you two," Lorelai greeted. She kissed Luke hello and then turned to hug April. "How are you?"

"I'm uh, good," April stuttered in surprise by the warm welcome.

"Hey April," Rory smiled. "I don't know if you remember, we met in Philly, I'm Rory."

April nodded, "Yeah, I have a pretty good memory. You were at Jess's place. It's nice to see you again."

"I hope you mean that since we're sharing a room. You want to check it out?"

April nodded as Rory took the suitcase from Luke and April followed with her backpack. "Wow! That's a lot of books," April remarked as the girls disappeared behind Rory's door.

Lorelai tilted her head and smiled at Luke, "Our girls are home."

He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her more deeply, "Having all the girls I love under one roof is pretty cool."

XoXoXoXoXoXo

Stars Hollow was under a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Last minute shoppers were hurrying in and out of the stores and most people's orders were to-go at the diner. Luke sent Ceasar home after the breakfast rush and watched lovingly as April filled salt shakers.

"I think I'm going to close up for the day and start working on dinner preparations," Luke said after April finished her story about her swim meet. "Can you stay out here and let anyone who comes to the door know that we're only serving drinks and pastries?"

"Sure!"

Before either of them could move the bell over the door rang and a familiar voice called, "Did the whole town suddenly realize they could get burgers served with a smile at McDonald's?"

Luke shook his head as he came around the counter, "You made it! How was the drive? You hunk of crap hold together?"

The two men gave a typical male hug with pats on the back.

"Did you stop by -"

"Yes," Jess cut Luke off. "I went to see Liz, TJ and Doula. They were all excited about coming here tonight. I heard it's turned into quite the shindig. I thought you could use an extra pair of hands." He then noticed the quiet girl sitting at the counter, "Oh hey April! It's good to see you."

April smiled shyly, "Thanks, it's nice to see you."

Luke clapped his hands and looked at Jess. "Are you staying with your Mom or up in the apartment?"

"If you're okay with it I would prefer to stay here," Jess answered.

"You're my nephew, of course I'll shield you from a sleepover with TJ. Take your stuff up and turn on the oven, I think we're going to need all the cooking and warming space possible."

A few hours later the diner was locked up with a sign informing everyone that it was closed for a private party. Luke, Lorelai, Rory, April and Jess were milling around, setting the tables and putting appetizers on the counter.

"You better set up a spot for drinks," Lorelai called to Luke. "You know Patty is bringing her special punch no matter what the occasion. The restaurant is closed, that means Taylor can't hound her about a liquor licence."

"Taylor is actually home in bed with the flu, so Patty for sure will bring her punch," Luke agreed.

"Table is done," Rory declared as she and April finished setting the smaller tables into one long table to seat the crowd coming.

"What time is everyone supposed to get here," April asked.

Before Luke could answer the bell over the door indicated someone had arrived.

"Grandma, Grandpa," Rory called as she made her way to them.

Richard was helping Emily with her coat, "Merry Christmas all," he greeted the room. "Luke, I brought a case of wine, it's in my trunk."

"I'll get it for you Mr. Gilmore," Jess offered.

"Thank you," Richard handed Jess the keys and Jess headed to the Jag parked out front.

"Wow," Luke smiled as he shook Richard's hand, "I've never seen someone give Jess their keys so easily."

Richard looked stricken and snapped his head towards the window.

Luke let out a booming laugh, "I'm kidding! He's long past his hoodlum days."

Everyone laughed while Richard shook his head, "You should never joke about a man's car!"

"Or his wife," Emily added.

Luke and Richard shared a look over Emily's head and the two began to chuckle.

Lorelai returned to Luke's side after hanging up her parents' coats. She caught the end of the exchange and scowled, "I don't know how I feel about you two becoming so chummy."

"Oh give me a break," Richard waved her off, "I've spent my entire adult life surrounded by women. Let me have one ally, please."

"Yes," Emily drawled. "You only hang around women at work or at your Club with cigars, saunas, and golf."

Jess returned with a large wooden box, "Where do you want this?"

Luke helped Jess get the case tucked away.

"LORELAI"

Everyone turned as Zoey burst through the door and ran into Lorelai's arms almost knocking her over.

"Wait for us," Claudia called from the front step.

"Brace yourself," Jess whispered to Rory.

"Why?"

Jess nodded towards the crowd filing into the diner, "You know how Luke and I are quiet compared to you and your Mom? Well this crowd makes Liz seem quiet."

Rory's face lit up with excitement as she watched Lorelai greet Luke's family. Each member would hug or shake Luke's hand before giving Lorelai a bearhug. They were talking over each other and laughing. A stark contrast to Richard, Emily Rory, Jess and April all lined up in front of the counter watching the frenzy.

"Merry Christmas Sugas!" Babette screeched

"Well this should help with the volume level," Rory elbowed Jess.

Midway through the evening, everyone was there and settled. Luke quietly scanned the table lined on either side with his and Lorelai's family and friends. Liz was giving Doula a bottle while she chatted with Claudia, TJ was impressing Danny and Charlie with his progress on his Etch A Sketch drawing of Emily. Zoey and April were attempting to bond, but that seemed to be more Zoey trying and April being standoffish. Maisy and Emily were regaling each other with stories from Luke and Lorelai's childhoods. Jess, Rory and Richard were in deep conversation and debate about books and authors. Leo and Maggie were laughing as Patty and Babette told story after story about the Town and its residents. Luke smiled at how well these people seemed to blend together. He felt Lorelai's arms wrap around him from behind and her breath tickled his ear, "Not a bad trial run for the wedding, hu?"

He reached to take her hand and pulled her to the seat beside him, slinging his arm around her shoulders, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For bringing holidays like this back into my life," he grinned at her.

She leaned into him and whispered in his ear, "Be careful there mister. That tough and grumbly persona that you've cultivated for yourself is starting to show some cracks."

"I love you," he smiled before leaning over and kissing her.

"Wow! My big brother's views on PDA sure have changed," Liz declared loudly. "What's your secret Lorelai?"

"Ah man," Luke groaned.

"I'm simply irresistible," Lorelai laughed. Most of the table joined in her laughter, Emily tried to hide hers.

"Lorelai, you're not wrong," Richard agreed, gazing at his daughter, "Anyone can see your smile not only lights up the room, but is incredibly contagious. I can't imagine a person not wanting to be in your presence. You clearly take after your Mother."

The room let out a collective "awwe".

"We need some music," Patty announced. "Some dancing to work off the meal before dessert?"

"Caesar hides a radio in the kitchen," Luke offered. "I'll go grab that."

It wasn't long before Babette and Patty were singing along to the Christmas songs playing on Caesar's radio. Some people stayed in their seats while others were clearing the table and helping Luke clean in the kitchen.

Rory got a call on her cell so she slipped into the back hall by the storage room for some quiet. She hadn't bothered to glance at the caller ID before answering because she assumed it was Logan. "Hey," she smiled.

"Hey Kiddo, merry Christmas," Christopher's voice said happily.

"Oh, hi. Um yeah, merry Christmas," Rory stammered.

"Don't sound too happy to be hearing from your old man," Chris chuckled.

"Oh, no." Rory tried to recover. "I was just expecting Logan. You surprised me, that's all." She took a deep breath, "How are things? How's Gigi and Sherry?"

"We're all good. Gigi is excited for your visit. I wanted to say merry Christmas and confirm that you'll be here next week."

"I guess you didn't get my email," she sighed. "My Europe trip got changed. I'm only going for a week and I'll only be in London. I'm so sorry."

"What happened? Why the change? We were looking forward to seeing you! I've got a little girl here expecting you. How could you do this to us at the last minute?"

Rory's blood began to boil. All the times that Chris had promised to show up for her and bailed, all the times he didn't call on her birthday, all the years that she would go months on end without a word from him, all the times he let her down flashed across her eyes like a slideshow of a deadbeat father.

"Let's not do this today Dad," she said, trying to remain calm and quiet. "Because I think if we're keeping score, you've already spent more holidays with Gigi than you have with me." Her voice began to rise, "You want to know how I can bail on you? Because you have set that up as how our relationship works. I don't want to be angry right now, I'm having a wonderful evening with a room full of family. I'm sorry that Gigi will be disappointed and I will call sometime tomorrow to personally apologize to her. But you have no right to be upset, offended or call me out. I was twenty-one when we first spent even a little time together on Thanksgiving." She was yelling now and the diner got quiet, "You've missed countless birthdays, I know since I was thirteen I have never seen you on Christmas, and I will change all my plans right this second if you could tell me the last Father's Day you agreed to plans with me! For years I have been giving Luke a present on Father's Day. I'm so glad that in less than a month, he and Mom will be married and I will officially start calling him Dad. So take your shock and awe of me bailing on you and shove it!" She snapped her phone shut and tried to catch her breath. She looked up and saw Lorelai standing there with her arms open with Luke and Jess behind her. Rory let out a sob and rushed into her Mother's waiting arms.

"I'm going to take her up to the apartment for a few minutes," Lorelai told Luke and Jess.

"It's unlocked." Jess replied.

"Thanks," Lorelai nodded as she turned and led Rory towards the steps with an arm still around her.

When Luke and Jess came back into the main room the table was full of hushed conversations, with the people who knew all about Chris telling the others various stories.

April made her way to Luke, "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

He smiled, "I love you too."

"Don't ever think that I'll ever forget that since the moment you knew about me, you fought to have me in your life. You're even better than what I used to dream my Father would be."

The two hugged.

"Luke, where are Lorelai and Rory," Emily asked.

"They went up to the apartment. Lorelai wanted to help Rory calm down."

"Would you mind if I went up as well?"

"Not at all. It's through that curtain," he pointed. As she disappeared up the steps Luke smiled at April. "Let's set up the desserts."

"I gotta say, Liz is cooler than you and Jess led on," April said as she grabbed serving pieces while he took some pies from the oven.

"Really?"

"She knows so much about random things, she has some great stories about you -"

"Oh god, what is she telling you about me?"

"That when she fell out of the treehouse and your parents weren't home you ran with her in your arms to the doctor. She said when a guy stood her up for a date that you made Rice Krispy Treats and watched chick flicks with her. That you arranged for someone named Mia to take her to the Mother Daughter tea party at her school a few weeks after your Mom died. Ummm, she made me love you even more than I already did."

Luke shook his head and tried to hide the tears that were forming, "It's no big deal. She's my sister."

There was a knock on the frosted glass of Luke's old apartment door.

"Come in," Lorelai called, assuming it was Luke. "Oh, hi Mom," she greeted, unable to hide her shock.

"I came to see Rory," Emily explained. "Is she okay?"

Lorelai smiled and nodded, "She's just in the washroom, freshening up."

Rory emerged from the washroom, she blushed when she saw Emily. "Hey Grandma, I'm sorry I caused a scene. Especially on a holiday."

"Oh darling, there is no need to apologize," Emily sighed. "In fact, I came up here to apologize to the both of you."

Lorelai and Rory exchanged confused looks before turning their attention back to Emily.

"I wasted too much time and energy, risking my relationships with the two of you, trying to get Christopher to grow up and be a proper part of this family. I hope you two can try to understand the way I was raised and what I was taught to be the right way to do things. Your friends down there had many stories to tell your Father and I about how Chris has led you both on in different ways to believe that he wanted to be a family with you. Since that was always what he was telling me, I just believed him. However we all know that actions speak louder than words and after tonight I wanted to look you both in the eyes and apologize."

When both Rory and Lorelai stood staring at her in stunned silence, Emily turned to face Lorelai head on, "And Lorelai, I think you've made a wonderful choice in marrying Luke. Clearly he is a man who respects and loves his family. Hearing all the ways he's been there for both of you over the years, well, your Father and I owe him a debt of gratitude for making sure you two had a safe home and kept you fed all these years." Emily nodded, satisfied that she got out everything she wanted to say. She noticed Lorelai looking over her shoulder, turned and saw Luke and Richard in the doorway, both wearing shocked expressions.

Richard snapped out of it and slapped Luke on the back, "Well you're one of us now. She gave her seal of approval, you're a Gilmore now!"

Luke looked from Richard to Lorelai and back again, his mouth agape. He finally found his voice but could only say, "Dessert's ready."

"Ooooh I hope there's something chocolate," Emily grinned.

Everyone but Luke laughed.

Emily wrapped her arm around Rory, "Let's get to it." She touched Luke's arm as she passed him. She took Richard's hand so he would join her and Rory, leaving Luke and Lorelai alone.

"What the hell was that," Luke asked in a stunned voice.

"A Christmas miracle, Babe. My Mom and I finally agree on something."

XoXoXoXoXoXo

The next morning was the first time Lorelai ever remembered waking up before Luke. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, his arm wrapped around her, his breath gently tickling her ear as she used him as a pillow. She kissed his chest and slowly extricated herself from their jumble of limbs. Just as she was about to slide off the bed she heard him groan.

"Where are you going?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her back next to him. "I finally have a morning off and you're going to get out of bed early?"

She was looking down at him, all rumpled and sleepy. She played with the hair on his chest, "It's Christmas. I was going to check if it snowed, start some coffee, see if the girls are up."

He hummed, "But isn't that the advantage of having older kids? We don't have to rush to them at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning because they're probably still asleep.

"So what do you suggest we do," she teased.

Luke nodded towards the ceiling fan where Lorelai had insisted he hang the mistletoe, "Turn the fan on."

She laughed, got out of the bed and pulled the chain to turn the fan on low.

"Lock the door while you're standing," he commanded.