Heyyy! I know you all want more Love Story, but in the spirit of Christmas, I want to give you all some awesome one-shots! So this is a little multi chapter one-shot thing. It's half based off the Christmas carol 12 Days of Christmas and half based on the book/movie One Day by David Nicholls. Love the song and LOVE the book/movie! Two of my faves! So for those who don't know the song, google it. But as for the book/movie, hears a little run down: two people fall in love over a course of like 15 years, they hook up on a special day, the book takes place on that day and each chapter views their lives on that single day for the next 15 years. Even though the book focuses on that single day, it is still able to develop their love story and its totes cute! Check it out! This is a lot like it in that way but takes place on Christmas and deals with 12 years and the gifts that are given.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

To move during Christmas time had made Jo Taylor feel as if her parents despised her. How could parents be so cruel as to shift them and their only daughter from their hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina to Duluth, Minnesota right before Christmas? It was as if Santa was punishing her with this instead of coal this year.

What had she done to deserve such a thing? Jo was only nine when her and her family moved. She had just come home from her first day back after Thanksgiving break, and her parents had big news for her. Instead of having a little brother for her, they had a new house a million miles away from the only home she ever knew and loved. Saying goodbye to it had never crossed her mind in her nine years of living, so it was natural for her to freak out and throw a temper tantrum.

When her parents had finally calmed her down, they explained that Mr. Taylor had been offered a special job by the government agency for which he worked. They wanted and needed him to come up closer to the Canadian border because of some breaches in security. Jo didn't get why they needed everyone to move if he was the only one needed. But after they explained how they were a family and needed to stay together no matter what, she couldn't argue too much. It wasn't like it would change their minds.

So they packed up their house and car and were on their way to Minnesota in the middle of December. Jo had to say goodbye to her friends, her pony Partridge and the home that held her favorite pear tree. She had cried non-stop for the first few hours of their journey, but learned that no matter how much she cried nothing would change.

The closer they got to Minnesota, the colder and snowier it got. Jo's excited face had pressed against the car window the whole time for she had never seen snow in real life.

"Wow!" She had exclaimed. Her parents knew she'd be more excited to move once she got there.

Their new house was bigger than their old one, having less land than the one in North Carolina. The neighborhood was more suburban and close knit than their old one. The whole neighborhood knew that there was new family on the block and were excited to meet them.

For the first few days of their move, Jo's parents tried to set up the house before doing anything else, meaning Jo wouldn't be able to go to school until after the holiday break. She sat in her un-setup room sulking about being in the state equivalent to Antarctica. She hated the cold. She had no one to talk to. And most importantly she missed her room.

The room Jo had was on the side of the house with a window that overlooked a giant tree and the neighboring room at the house next door. It lacked color and joy and made Jo feel as if she were trapped. She eventually learned that the window of her room didn't have a screen and the tree next to it extended its branches close enough for someone to climb it, but she didn't dare risk trying.

One day when her parents weren't home, Jo decided to put on her coat and go outside to in the snow. She had never been outside since the move because she was scared she'd freeze to death. While she was cautiously watching the snow, she caught a glimpse of young blond boy walking out of the house next to her room and run to a group of boys. The group looked around her age, creating extreme excitement in her nine year old heart. But she didn't dare approach them.

It was December 23rd when the Taylor family had finally settled into their new home. It was on this day that people from the neighborhood had begun welcoming the family. Each family brought a welcoming present for them.

The first people to come were the Garcia family from across the street. Mr. and Mrs. Garcia only to be exact. Their son Carlos had been out all day with his friends and failed to make it. Next was Mrs. Diamond from three doors down from the Garcia's. She also had a son, but he was out with his friends as well.

A few other people also stopped by with their presents such as homemade fruitcake and cookies. Mrs. Majikowsky had made her special peppermint bark and even brought Jo a little stuffed snowman to play with. Jo liked that there was finally someone who acknowledged her existence.

Then came Christmas Eve when the Mitchel's (two doors down from the Taylor's) invited them over for Christmas Eve dinner. The Mitchel's had one son, named Hotense, who actually stayed home for dinner. He was Jo's age and welcomed her to the neighborhood. He was the first kid she met since they moved so she was glad to not be alone at this dinner. Hotense was kind and smart, but he told Jo to never call him Hortense, but instead refer to him as Logan (his middle name.)

Before the night had been over, Logan had left to go to his friend's house, leaving Jo alone once more with adults.

"If all the kids here would rather hangout with each other than even meet me, I'm never going to make friends." She had complained to her parents.

Christmas morning Jo woke up to a few presents from Santa and parents under their small tree. It felt like one of the saddest Christmas's she had ever experienced. She had barely any presents, and no friends to even share the few she had. Her parents tried to raise her spirits by promising her they'd take her out to dinner wherever she wanted, but she didn't need that.

"Santa, I know you've finished your rounds for this Christmas, but I don't want any presents anymore, I just want a friend in this new place." She had wished in her bedroom after breakfast.

When Jo ran back downstairs for lunch, there had been a knock on the door. She ran to go answer it with her dad and was greeted by a redheaded woman holding a plate of cookies in one hand and a three-year-old girl holding the other hand.

"Merry Christmas, I'm Jennifer Knight," the woman spoke. "And this is my daughter Katie." She gestured to the little girl who then waved at Mr. Taylor and Jo. Jo waved back at her.

"Nice to meet you, I'm David Taylor and this is my daughter Jo." Mr. Taylor said, accepting the plate.

"We want to apologize for not having come sooner to welcome you all to the neighborhood. My son broke his ankle a few days ago and we've been in and out of the hospital for it."

"Oh don't worry about it. We're not ones to hold it against you." He replied.

"Well, Katie and I want to know if your family would care to join us for dinner tonight. We know it's Christmas, but we would love the company and we'd be able to properly welcome you."

"We'd be delighted. My wife and I haven't been able to properly go grocery shopping and were planning to eat out, but a home cooked meal sounds much better." He said.

"Perfect. It was very nice to meet you two and we hope to see you all tonight." She and Katie waved them goodbye on their way next door. Jo saw that they lived with the blond boy she had seen a few days ago. She had wondered what had happened to him.

Jo and her dad went to the kitchen for lunch and then Jo ran up to her room to get ready for Christmas dinner with the Knights. She went through the suitcases full of unpacked dresses she had and failed to find any that were good enough for Christmas. She gave up and lay in her bed sulking when her mother came in with one of her unwrapped presents.

"What's that?" She asked her mom.

"Something you want but don't have yet." Her mom hinted.

"Doubt it can be some friends." She replied back gloomily.

"Sadly that's true, but maybe you can attract some friends with it." Her mom said. She walked over to sit next to Jo, handing the nine-year-old her present.

Jo opened the gift immediately and was super excited to see it was a dress. It was black velvet on top with a green and red plaid skirt. It was long-sleeved and with bejeweled neckline. It was beautiful in the little girl's opinion.

"Thank you mommy!" She exclaimed, hugging her mother as tight as she could. "It's the best!"

"I knew you'd like it." Her mother said. "Why don't you go shower and get ready and I'll make some hot cocoa before we head over to the Knights."

"Okay!" Jo said excitedly as she took her dress in hand and ran to the bathroom to get cleaned up.

After her shower, Jo got dressed and waited for her hair to dry. She was sitting on her bed brushing the excess water out when she looked out the window and saw the blond boy sitting by the window in the other house. It looked like he was watching her but when she looked closely he was staring at the snow falling instead.

She smiled at him and that's when he noticed her. He smiled back. She was about to wave when he turned around. She frowned before getting up herself. She went downstairs to sit with her parents and drink cocoa.

The plate of cookies Mrs. Knight had baked was sitting next to Jo's mug. She took one and ate it. She was amazed at how good they were. They were snicker doodles and chocolate chip cookies, two of Jo's favorite. She ate three before her mom stopped her from spoiling her appetite before dinner. Jo wished that there would be more at dinner later.

Her parents got ready and Jo did her hair and it was time to head over. Her mom had given Jo a gift bag to hold that was for Katie and the blond boy. Jo happily held it as they walked over to the house.

Mrs. Knight welcomed them in. Katie was standing on the steps right in front of the entrance, ready to greet them. She waved at Jo again with a big smile. Jo smiled back.

"Welcome to our home. I'm Jennifer." She introduced to Jo's mom.

"Hello, I'm Susan." They shook hands. "This is a lovely home you have Jennifer."

"Thank you. Your home is charming as well. We've been waiting for new neighbors ever since it was left empty a year ago."

Jo politely walked with the adults to the living room. It was there where Mr. Knight made his appearance. He was tall, blond haired with bushy eyebrows and green eyes. He had said hello to Jo before her parents, making Jo feel special.

"Hello, I'm Kevin Knight. My wife told me you were coming over, and I just want to say, it is a pleasure to have you in our home and neighborhood." He greeted.

The adults made small talk while Jo sat bored until Katie came running in to take Jo upstairs.

"Come wit me. We can play in my room." Katie told Jo. Jo happily followed the three year old up the steps and to her room.

"I'm Katie by the way." She told Jo.

"I'm Jo."

"Isn't that a boy's name?" The little girl asked.

"It's short for Josephine but I hate being called that." Jo replied.

"Well I like Jo better too." Katie said. "Do you want to play dolls or cars?"

"I like both so I don't care." Jo said. Katie went through her drawers to find a whole bunch of cars for them to play with. Jo liked Katie because she was cute and adorable but acted like she was much older than three.

"Katie, have you seen my hockey jersey?" The blond boy came in on crutches and a cast. He looked like his father with the same green eyes, bush brows, and blond hair. He noticed that Jo was in the room and said hello. "Aren't you the new girl that just moved in?"

"Um I guess so." Jo replied unsure if he was referring to her or not.

"My best friend Logan told me about you. He said you're nice." The boy said.

"Oh well that was nice of him." She responded.

"I'm Kendall by the way. Kendall Knight." He said, making his way on his crutches to Jo to shake her hand.

"I'm Jo Taylor." She greeted shaking his hand. "What happened to your foot?" She asked looking at the cast on his leg.

"I broke my ankle playing hockey with my friends. It's not a big deal but the doctors made me wear a cast." He explained. "Do you want to sign it?"

"Uh sure." She said. Kendall looked for a marker in the room. When he found one he handed it over to Jo. Jo kneeled down to his cast and signed it the best she could.

"So where'd you move from?" Kendall asked.

"My parents and I moved from North Carolina." She answered.

"Cool. Do you guys ever get snow there?" He inquired.

"No. Never." She replied.

"Seriously?" Kendall exclaimed in disbelief. "It snows here like 6 months a year at least!"

"Whoa!" Jo said in awe. "I've never seen snow. How do you live with all the cold?"

"I don't know. We're sorta used to it. Been born and raised here all my life. I would never want to go anywhere else." Kendall told her.

"I don't really like it here." She said. "I want to go back home to North Carolina."

"Why?" Kendall asked as if it were insane to not love Minnesota.

"I don't have any friends here. All my friends are back there. So are my pony and the best pear tree in the world." Jo told him.

"You have a pony?" Kendall was astonished.

"Had." She said sadly. "His name was Partridge and he was my best friend. Now I have no one."

"I'm sorry you had to leave him." Kendall apologized.

"It's not your fault." She said.

They sat in silence for a bit before Mrs. Knight called them down for dinner.

"Dinner!" Katie said excitedly as she rushed to go down.

"Katie, don't run! You'll fall!" Kendall yelled after his sister. He tried to rush over to make sure she listened, but his crutches caused him to topple over. Jo rushed to help him up.

"Are you okay?" She asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He said, using her help to get back up. "Thanks."

"How long until you're off the crutches?" She asked as he got back up.

"Another week or two." He said. "Won't be me again until next year." He joked.

She giggled. "You're funny."

"Thanks!" He said with a smile.

They walked downstairs where Katie had been waiting for them. She took a hold of Jo's hand and held her brother's as well, and walked with them to the dinner table. Jo sat next to her mom and Katie while Kendall sat across from his baby sister.

They enjoyed a good meal made by Mrs. Knight and Mr. Knight together. For dessert they had apple pie and raspberry sorbet. After dinner, they all went into the living room for cocoa.

"Jo, why don't you give Katie and Kendall the Christmas presents we brought them?" Jo's mother told her. Jo nodded willingly and picked up the gift bag and brought it over to Katie first. She pulled out a stuffed polar bear with a hat and matching scarf. Katie grabbed it out of Jo's hands and hugged it tight.

"I love it!" Katie exclaimed, as she examined it. "Thank you!"

Katie jumped up and gave Jo a big hug.

"You're welcome!" Jo said to the three-year-old. She then turned to Kendall to give him his gift, but he had disappeared momentarily. She was confused as to why he would leave so suddenly, but nonetheless she played with Katie until he had returned with a small gift bag of his own.

"What's that?" Jo asked.

"Merry Christmas!" He exclaimed, handing her the small bag. She was confused, but accepted his present. She then handed him the one she had for him. She waited for him to open his, but he stared at her, waiting for her to do the same.

"Aren't you going to open your gift?" She asked.

"You first." He said with an anticipating smile.

She looked at him as if he had three heads, but opened her gift up first anyways. She was taken aback by the beauty of the present. It was a small pear tree ornament with a crystal snow globe in the center that held a bird inside the globe. Jo was speechless. She had never been given such a beautiful present before and was shocked to have received it from someone she had just met.

"This is wow!" She said, still looking at it with eyes wide open. "Kendall you really shouldn't have given this to me. We just met."

"I thought you'd like it. I know it's not a horse, but the bird inside it is a partridge so it's close enough." He said. "I want you to have it so you can always keep a memory of your pony and home with you. Besides, you're the only friend I know who'd appreciate it."

"You want to be my friend?" She asked, surprised by his statement.

"Of course I do." Kendall said grinning. "You're nice and funny and seem really cool. Besides I don't have any girl friends, so you can be my first!"

Jo couldn't believe what he had just told her. She felt like she could cry from the happiness, but didn't. Instead she beamed brightly and got up to thank Kendall with a hug. "Thank you for the best present in the world Kendall."

He hugged her as best as he could with out falling over. He felt really good for making her smile as big as she did. He had seen her a few times in her room, looking sad and gloomy. He had never seen her smile, not really, until he had said they were friends. He was sure that the ornament wasn't what she had been talking about when she had thanked him.

For the first time since they moved, Jo felt like she would actually like this place. She didn't think she'd ever get a friend, but now she felt like she had two new ones.

Kendall opened his gift next and saw that it was also a stuffed animal, but it was a hockey-playing penguin. He liked it a lot and thanked both Jo and her parents. All the adults enjoyed watching their kids interact. Kendall's mom hadn't seen Kendall ever talk to a girl other than Katie, and was glad to see her son grow past the 'ew girls have cooties' stage. Jo's mom was ecstatic to see Jo finally be happy after they moved. She didn't want anything more than that. She couldn't help but feel thankful for Kendall and his family.

As the night grew to its end, so did the dinner party. The Taylor's thanked the Knights for their hospitality and left. Kendall had invited Jo over to his house again the next day so he could introduce her to his three best friends. She happily said yes before leaving.

When Jo got to her room she gently placed the ornament on her windowsill. She quickly changed and ran over to the seat under the window to look at her present some more. As she looked at it's intricate detail and colors, she looked up to see Kendall across from her sitting by his own window, staring at her. She waved at him and smiled. He did the same. He opened his window and poked his head out towards her. She opened her window to see why he did that.

"I wanted to tell you Merry Christmas again, and to say good night." He called out.

"Oh. Merry Christmas to you too Kendall!" She replied.

"Night Jo!"

"Night Kendall!"