How did we get here - A Gilmore Girls fan fiction

Chapter 14

It has been a week since Rory has been to Luke's diner. She has been avoiding it, but today is Thanksgiving Day.

She hasn't spent Thanksgiving Day in Stars Hollow for the past four years. Rory is very excited to spend it with family today.

Unlike 14 years ago, when Lorelai and Rory were invited to four Thanksgiving meals, today it was just one, Luke's annual Thanksgiving lunch.

Luke, Jess and Cesar are at the diner early to prepare enough food for the army, or the town of Stars Hollow. Rory and Lorelai are at the flower shop picking up flowers for Luke's non existent vase.

Rory has been avoiding Jess all week. She was too hurt by Jess's reaction to the pregnancy news. She didn't know what to expect but she didn't expect him to make her feel worse for her mistake.

Instead, Rory spent the past week at the Gazette, getting the special Thanksgiving issue out for the town, reading her baby books and working part time at the Dragonfly Inn.

Rory has been in constant contact with Logan. He finally told Odette about the baby. She wasn't happy at all, but Logan reassures Rory that Odette and he will work things out.

She has been fielding phone calls from Mitchum and Shira Huntzberger. Rory is not ready to deal with the other set of grandparents. Logan promised Rory to take care of that problem.

Rory has also been looking for her own apartment but due to her limited income, choices are not looking good.

Today is Thanksgiving though. And as successful as Rory has been with avoiding Jess and the diner, today Rory will have to face Jess once and for all.

Rory and Lorelai were able to buy a bouquet of sunflowers and head to Luke's.

"You ok, hon?" Lorelai can sense the growing anxiety from her daughter.

"Yeah, mom. Just nervous. I don't know if I want to be here."

"Rory, it'S tradition. You don't have to talk to Jess if you don't want to, ok? I have your back." Lorelai puts her arm around Rory as they cross the street to Luke's.

"Happy Thanksgiving!!!" Lorelai exclaims as she enters the near empty diner. "Where is everyone?"

Luke looks up. "It's still early. Some of the turkeys aren't done yet. It's 11 AM. The lunch doesn't get served until noon. How many times do I have to tell you, you don't need to get flowers for me. I don't have a vase."

"And how many times do I have to tell you to get one?" Lorelai quips back.

Before Lorelai even finishes the sentence, Luke reaches from under the counter and pulls out a glass vase already filled with water.

"Oh, honey. You know me too well." Lorelai laughs and kisses Luke on the cheek.

While Luke and Lorelai have their exchange Rory stands by the door, one hand on the knob, looking ready to bolt.

Jess sees her from across the room, walks towards her and asks if they can talk in private.

"Ok." Rory follows Jess to the upstairs apartment. When she passes Luke and Lorelai, she nods to them to assure that she's ok.

When Rory enters the apartment, she's met with a big surprise. On the table are children's books tied in a bow.

Rory walks to the table and reads the titles, "Good night, moon", "Love you forever", "The tale of Peter Rabbit," and an illustrated version of "Oliver Twist".

Rory touches the books with tears in her eyes and looks at Jess. "Jess." She whispers.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to apologize. So I went to the bookstore and bought some books to help start a library for the little nugget."

"Bean. That's what I have been calling the baby."

"Like coffee beans?" Jess asks with humor.

"Yes. Exactly like coffee beans." Rory can't believe Jess got the reference so quickly. "Oliver Twist?"

"In case Bean wants to be a little Dodger."

"Thank you. I appreciate this very much Jess." Rory wraps her arms around Jess. As they start to pull away, Rory kisses Jess.

It was a kiss Jess has been wanting for months. Since he first walked into her office and suggested writing a book.

As Jess begins to pull Rory closer, Rory pushes away. "I'm sorry. That shouldn't have happened." Rory turns and leaves Jess standing stunned in the apartment.

The baby books still on the table where she left them.