“Are we going to get breakfast?”

“If you want.”

“Absolutely. I’m famished.” Rory rubbed her mitts together in anticipation.

“Well in that case, maybe we should turn around.”

The pair stood in front of the Gilmore’s house.

“I think you may be right on that one,” Rory replied, absent-mindedly. Something was niggling away at the back of her mind but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. “From memory, all we have in the fridge is a quarter of a cheese jaffle from Monday.”

Jess grimaced, but wasn’t surprised.

“You don’t say. Well, shall we go?”

“Mm?”

“Unless you have something to do here…”

It triggered something in Rory’s mind.

“Oh!” Rory exclaimed, remembering something. “Stay right there,” she said seriously, then turned and ran into the house. On the kitchen table was a note from Lorelai.

Rory:

I don’t know whether you’ve seen Taylor’s hideous poster yet (doesn’t he have terrible taste in colours, I mean I guess I sort of knew that anyway but you have got to see this to believe it) but you have to give your KK present TODAY. Normally, I would do the opposite of anything Taylor wanted but you know how paranoid he is about this.

Have fun today sweetie

JJJ

PS: Try to find out from Jess who Luke has: he has to be of some use. Sorry sorry, I know, and I am trying. Really I am!

PPS: Don’t forget that educational pamphlet I read you the other day about the dangers of fraternizing with dark-haired teenage males whose name begins with ‘J’.

Rory couldn’t help shaking her head at this and grabbed her neat little stack of presents and carried it outside.

“Present round?”

“Yeah. I forgot about it and I have to have an early start. Much, much heavier than a paper round. Here,” she said breathlessly, handing him a present.

“What’s this?”

“Your Christmas present. I have to go. Read that,” she said forcefully, pointing to the package.

“Thanks for the surprise,” he called after her.

“No problem,” she smiled, turning around briefly with a flick of her scarf-ends. “See you later.”

***

Rory slid the Bible, wrapped in red and green paper (always a safe alternative), decorated with all the trimmings and festive tag, onto the ‘welcome’ mat of the Kims’ doorstep, then quietly walked away, smiling. She saw a familiar figure in the distance.

“Dean!” She called, and saw the figure stiffen. “Wait, Dean!” Rory hurried over. “Here,” Rory said, handing him a present.

He wasn’t sure what to do, but accepted it.

Rory looked into his face, still visibly imprinted with hurt.

“Look Dean, I know you’re probably still angry. For what it’s worth, you were right. About me, about Jess, about all of it. And I am really sorry for hurting you. I just hope that you can forgive me sometime soon.” Rory stopped, surprised with herself.

Dean didn’t answer. He seemed to be preoccupied with his thoughts.

“Well, merry Christmas,” she said, preparing to turn away.

“You too.” Rory looked up, surprised. She hadn’t expected a response. Dean paused, then enveloped Rory in a hug. “I have a question to ask you.”

“Go ahead,” she replied, smiling, already knowing the question.

“Well, …”

***

“Luke! Why are you still in there? Sheesh, you take even longer than me.”

Luke stopped scrubbing his nails for a second to look up at the heavens as if to ask Why me? Is it something I did?

Luke resisted the impulse to sneak out of the bathroom, telling himself firmly that it was his house…well, apartment, and he would do just as he damn well felt like it. Nevertheless, as he walked out, he tried to be as quiet as he could. 

To his surprise, Lorelai was nowhere to be seen. Luke took this opportunity to do something he had dreaded doing for a long time.

***

Jess was looking after the diner, walking around with two jugs of coffee, one decaf, one regular. Luke had peculiarly left him in charge, mumbling something about … something.

“Hey,” came a voice from behind him. It was a rough statement, for the purpose of recognition, and certainly not for greeting.

He turned around slowly and was unexpectedly tossed something.

Jess couldn’t help but smirk, an expression that always made Dean want to hit him. Preferably right on the nose.

Jess rooted around in the package and drew out a CD.

“Huh,” he said, temporarily surprised. “Well, what do you know,” he drawled.

Dean glared.

“Just…shut up. I came to say one thing and one thing only.”

“Well, shoot.”

Dean inhaled deeply.

“I just wanted to say…”

He paused again.

“Don’t hurt her,” he finally got out.

There was a silence.

“I never would,” Jess said quietly. He looked at Dean. “She told you to get this.” It wasn’t a question.

“What do you think?” With that said, Dean strode out.

***

All around Stars Hollow, people were exchanging gifts. Joy, laughter and even a touch of romance were in the air. Everyone was happy and excited, everyone except…

Luke distastefully pressed the gold filigree doorbell and a tune vaguely Blondie-like echoed. Trust Taylor to have a musical doorbell.

“Taylor!” Luke called. He was in no mood for … anything Taylor-like.

Taylor opened the door, distressed and disrobed.

“Ah!” Luke exclaimed, blinded.

“Now really,” Taylor complained. “What is this unseemly business about?”

Luke soundlessly handed him a package, still shielding his eyes. In his wildest nightmares he didn’t even come close to being as scared as seeing Taylor in boxer shorts.

“Happy holidays,” he said, glowering, “and for God’s sake put something on.” He stomped away. Life was cruel in so many ways, Luke reflected bitterly as he left.

Taylor, meanwhile, carefully unwrapped the gift.

“Ooh…” He made an appreciative noise. “Collected works of Chopin. This is indeed a good Christmas.”

Outside, Luke was walking as fast as he could away from there. Lorelai could not know about this under any circumstances.

***

Luke opened the door to the diner and breathed in the utterly familiar scent of toast and donuts. He leaned against the door in thankfulness.

“Luke!”

He had forgotten. For one blissful moment, he had forgotten Lorelai was still in the near vicinity of the diner.

“What is it?”

Lorelai descended on him, all smiles.

“Here.” She handed a gaudy present, the wrapping printed with cheery elves, reindeer and jolly old Santas.

“It was you.”

“Well who else would send you something that would make you physically sick to look at, let alone eat?”

“Good point,” he muttered. “So, do I want to know what this is?”

“Of course! Open it.”

Luke made no movement.

“Please please please?”

He did so, reluctantly, taking as long as possible in order to annoy her. This passive form of revenge was all he was capable of when it came to payback.

He took out the feathered, sequined and pink thing.

“It’s an apron!” Lorelai cried happily. “Come on then, put it on.”

Luke’s deadpan face took on a slightly greenish cast then.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It’s hideous,” he said stubbornly.

Lorelai’s mouth trembled theatrically.

“How could you say that…after all the trouble…all the heartache I’ve been through…to find you…” She looked like she was about to break down. “The perfect present.”

“Oh, alright,” Luke said crossly, and slipped on the horrible thing. “Happy?”

“Perfectly,” Lorelai replied, her happy self again. “But, because you upset me so, you owe me one favour.”

“What? Why-”

“Who did you have Luke?” Lorelai’s eyes were ones of a person desperate to know. Luke smiled inwardly. This was going to be his revenge and it was going to be sweet.

“Well, if you must know,” he said, heaving a dramatic sigh, “I had that Ms. Reed. You know, the interior designer.”

“Oh.” An image of a Venus-type woman flittered through Lorelai’s mind. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

“Well…” Luke took on a disaffected tone. “Most men like the blonde, blue-eyed, long-legged thing. Anyway, I’ve got to serve some more coffee.” As he walked away, a triumphant round of applause burst in his mind. Game, set, match, Luke, he congratulated himself, leaving a petulant Lorelai sitting.

***

It was getting late and Lorelai was getting impatient. All of Stars Hollow had received their presents, whether sneakily thrown through the window, left on the doorstep or had it flat out handed to them. She felt an insane urge to pout, but instead decided to dig into her turkey.

“Mmm…this really is worth 50 cents a week.” Lorelai chewed her turkey with relish.

“I agree,” Rory concurred. “And I take back any uncomplimentary comments I may or may not have made regarding it.”

“It accepts your apology,” Lorelai said with a perfectly straight face.

“How gracious of you, Mr. Turkey.”

“Mr. Turkey…sounds like a pageant title.”

“The male equivalent of Miss Australia.”

The doorbell rang and both Rory and Lorelai looked up expectantly.

“What are you doing?” Rory asked incredulously as Lorelai deftly patted down her hair and adjusted her jumper before standing up.

“Nothing. Why would you ask, hun?” Lorelai sashayed happily to the door and opened it with a flourish, only to reveal … Kirk.

“Hello,” he said.

The two Gilmores stared at him, eyes wide.

“Merry Christmas?”

More silence.

“Got your present,” he said, trying to break the ice.

“You…” Lorelai had started mildly hyperventilating, dreading the tea and biscuits she was somewhat obliged to offer him.

“Oh!” Kirk smiled broadly, a revelation suddenly occurring to him. “Oh, I know what you’re thinking.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Lorelai said, a frozen smile still affixed to her face. “I guarantee it.”

“Well, I’m not your KK, if you were thinking that.”

“Oh, er … I wasn’t thinking that at all,” Lorelai lied, badly. “I was surprised because you…you’re carrying a sequined handbag.” This was, at least, partly true.

“This? That’s your present.” Lorelai mentally breathed a sigh of relief. “And this card,” he offered Lorelai a pink envelope, which she opened with interest, almost bursting with inquisitiveness at the choice of messenger.

Lor:

Sorry I couldn’t stay around: urgent business call. Had to bribe this guy to give the present to you. Say sorry to Rory for me.

P.S. I was your K.K. Stop pouting, it’s not that disappointing.

Love Chris

“Well there you go,” murmured Lorelai unhappily. “Probably should have known. And I am not pouting.”

***

Rory sat at the edge of the rink, after Lorelai had declined to come along, pleading a case of indigestion from too much turkey. Clearly, it was a lie. Lorelai had a cow’s stomach when it came to food. Rory herself felt a little betrayed by her dad. I’ll skate that off, she promised herself.

Very familiar music played. It was that perennial Christmas favourite, White Christmas and dreamy white lights whirled around the rink.

Rory sighed wistfully as she watched couples make their way around the rink. Unluckily, she was a terrible skater. Uncoordinated barely began to describe her skating ability, or, rather, lack of it.

Undeterred, she clapped on her practically-new-from-lack-of-wear skates, made her own wobbly way onto the smooth ice and pushed herself forward.

Almost immediately, she fell over. Rory preferred not to think of the reason in case it was something as embarrassing as having tangled her legs together. She rubbed her shin ruefully.

Jess’ voice called out to her from the sidelines.

“Why are you always around when I embarrass myself?” She demanded, turning around.

“It’s a talent,” Jess replied. “A gift from the heavens that comes in more useful every day.”

“Sorry,” Rory apologized. “Can you help me?”

“I suppose.” Jess put on his own skates and glided over to Rory. She noticed, much to her disgust, that he was quite a good skater. However, it should be pointed out that Rory’s perception of a ‘good’ skater is anyone who could skate in a straight line.

Jess pulled her up with a minimum of fuss and then turned around, heading off the ice.

“Hey hey hey,” Rory protested. “And where are you going?”

“Somewhere else.”

“Not likely,” Rory laughed. “If I have to publicly embarrass myself, I’m taking someone down with me.”

“Presumably that’s me,” Jess guessed.

“What a leap of logic. I’m astounded.”

“You do need a lesson or two,” Jess said, not terribly nicely. “I’ve never seen a glide that wonky.”

***

“We’re closed,” Luke said automatically as he heard the door open.

“Don’t worry, the door was open.”

Luke wondered why he hadn’t locked the door. I could’ve pretended not to hear her, he thought.

Lorelai sat down, sighing.

“Just a coffee thanks Luke, I need a bit of a pick-me-up.”

“Where’s Rory?”

“With your delinquent nephew, I assume.”

“You assume?”

“She went ice-skating alone. Three guesses she’s not going to be alone for long.”

“Are they…” Luke trailed off. Saying it out loud just sounded strange.

“Oh yeah.”

“Good for them,” Luke said, with a decisive nod of the head. The presence of a smile lingered around his face, but couldn’t quite push to the surface.

“Now that is a debatable point.”

The two talked animatedly, basked in the golden glow of the diner’s lamps, never realizing the mossy green plant they were chatting underneath.

***

A great deal later, Rory was all skated out.

“Do you wanna get outta here?” Jess asked.

“Might as well,” she replied. “I’ve got enough bruises, I think.”

It was the bridge. It was always the bridge that they came to. Rory sat cross-legged on the frozen bridge, using her jacket as a buffer and looked expectantly at Jess. However cool he tried to act, sometimes he was just plain transparent.

Jess silently handed her the gift, which he had taken from his pocket.

Anticipating something mind-blowing, Rory unwrapped the plain blue wrapping paper from the vaguely square-ish present. Not terribly surprisingly, it was a box. Yes, just a box. A lovely, shiny, dark red cherry wood box, but nevertheless, a box.

She looked at Jess in puzzlement.

“Open it,” he instructed. She did so, the well-oiled hinges sliding without whines of protest.

There was a silence as Rory’s eyes digested what she saw there.

“Oh,” Rory half-sighed, speechless. “It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she said softly.

Jess motioned with his eyes.

“I was about to,” she protested. Then, beseechingly, she held out her arm to him.

With adept fingers, Jess carefully clipped the silver bracelet around Rory’s wrist.

“There,” he said, leaning back and making light of the situation. Rory stared at her wrist, encircled by a slender silver strand that glinted in the moonlight.

Rory stopped herself saying something inane like ‘how did you know?’ or ‘you really shouldn’t have’. Instead, she just smiled, a dazzling smile seemingly with the joy of the world contained within.

Their eyes met, and slowly, they drifted towards each other, drawn together by an irresistible force.  Their lips brushed together gently, but fleetingly. Her hands fell from his hair to his shoulders, and then slid to lock around his neck as his slid his hands to her waist, pulling her against him, their lips meeting once more. Rory leaned into the kiss, eyes closed.

She had kissed him before, but not like this. Maybe it was from the heat of the moment, or maybe it was their proximity to one other, or maybe it was something else altogether, but at that moment, all she could think about was his mouth on hers.

It was nothing like kissing Dean, which was sweet and familiar. Kissing Jess was like kissing a stranger, thrilling and exhilarating.

The room spun around in dizzying circles, the colours and shapes melting and melding into a single spiral, and rainbow stars exploded all around her, but all that mattered was Jess, right there, right now.

After an eternity, they parted. Jess kept his arms around her, holding her, Rory’s face bowed down into Jess’ shoulder, her hands clasped across his back.

“How did we end up like this?” Rory breathed.

He shrugged.

“Guess it’s just…” He trailed off, unable to describe it.

“Just one of those things?”

“Guess so.”

They stood there, under the glittering night sky, locked in one another’s embrace. And, as pure white flakes of snow floated down from the sky, the sealing touch was laid. Blissfully, another Christmas had ended, and it had been the most magical of all…