How did we get here - A Gilmore Girls fan fiction

Chapter 17

Luke's is closed earlier than usual today, so the diner was empty. Jess is at the counter, counting the tips when he heard Rory come in.

"Hey, Rory. I'll be with you in a minute." Rory sits at one of the tables and watches Jess count the money. When he is done, they head upstairs to the apartment.

Rory is surprised to see Jess's duffel bag on the table. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, I have to go back to Philadelphia and talk to my business partners about plans for next year. And hand out bonus checks for the employees. I will be back the week before Christmas. I promise."

"Ok." Try as she might, Rory couldn't disguise her disappointment that Jess is leaving so soon. He has become a comforting presence in the past month.

Jess grabs Rory's hands, leans back on the table, and looks at Rory. "What's wrong?"

"It's silly. It's just I don't want you to go."

"I will be back. I promise. I'm not gonna be gone long." Jess pushes her chin up so he can look into her blue eyes. "I am here always when you need me. Distance is not going to change that."

"Jess, I don't know what's going on between us. I am so sorry for kissing you yesterday."

"I'm not sorry."

"It's just I have to straighten out my life first. I have to prepare for this baby, sort out what I want from Logan before I am ready for a new relationship. I am determined to be a good mom and being a good mom means making sure my life is straightened out in some way."

"Look, I understand. I will help you in any way I can. I won't expect anything back." Jess brushes a strand of hair off Rory's face and looks at her more closely.

Rory looks into Jess's eyes, leans forward and kisses him.

This was a kiss that Rory and Jess have been wanting but too scared to act on. As they pull apart, Rory just puts her head on Jess's chest, listens to his heartbeat while he wraps his arms around her. They stand together like that without saying a single word.

"I'm sorry, Rory. I shouldn't have done that." Jess whispers into her hair.

"I'm not sorry."

Jess's cellphone rings. Caller ID says it's his uncle.

"Hey, Luke. Uh huh. Uh huh. Yeah Rory's here. Yeah. Uh huh. Ok. We will see you then. Thanks." Jess hangs up the phone. "Luke wants us to come over. He's preparing dinner."

"Yum. What's he making?" Rory's stomach is grumbling.

"Knowing Luke, something good." Jess laughs.

Jess picks up his duffel bag. "You're going to leave after dinner?" Rory asks a little hurt.

"Yeah, I want to get some stuff taken care of this weekend. Don't worry, I will be back. I promise." Jess reassures Rory.

They head out of the apartment, lock up the diner, and get into Jess's car for a short drive to the Gilmore house.

As they enter the house, the smell of a home cooked meal greets them. Lorelai and Luke are in the kitchen.

"What are you cooking, Luke?" Jess looks at the stove for any hint.

"Lamb chops with roasted vegetables and spring pea risotto."

"He refuses to let me help," Lorelai pouts.

"Last time you helped, the risotto burned," Luke teases.

Rory's stomach growled even louder. "Yum. Can't wait to have some."

Thirty minutes later, Luke, Lorelai, Jess and Rory are eating their food at the table. Jess and Luke are discussing Jess's plans to go to Philadelphia when the landline rings. The answering machine picks up and to everyone's surprise, it was Emily.

"Lorelai Gilmore!!! I haven't heard from you since the wedding. You're so busy in the honeymoon stage you forgot your grieving mother. And tell me WHY I have to hear from Shira Huntzberger that I am going to be a great grandmother. Imagine the embarrassment I had to hear from Shira Huntzberger of all people that Rory is pregnant!!! You better call me as soon as you get this message and explain yourself."

"Rory, in all your pregnancy excitement, did you tell your grandmother?" Lorelai looks quizzically at her daughter.

"Oops, I forgot. I should call her now."

Rory excuses herself from the table, goes into her room.

"Hi, grandma."

"Rory Gilmore, I get it. There are no longer Friday night dinners. But that shouldn't mean you can cut me off your life." Emily really sounded hurt for being kept in the dark.

"I am so sorry, grandma. I haven't told anyone really but mom, Logan, Luke and Jess."

"You mean you told that low- life thug before me!"

"Grandma, he has changed. And he is family now." Rory is getting upset with her grandmother.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called him that. But Rory, I was so embarrassed that Shira knew before me."

"I am genuinely sorry, grandma."

"Well, I will see your mom and you for Christmas, right? Christmas at Nantucket." Emily says.

"Um, yeah grandma. We will see you then. Love you grandma."

"Bye, Rory." Emily says before they hang up.

Rory looks towards the doorway and sees her mom standing there. "I think I just accepted grandma's invitation for Christmas at Nantucket, mom."

Lorelai rolls her eyes knowing Rory would do anything for Emily.

As Rory exits her bedroom, she sees Jess and Luke exchange hugs. Jess shakes Lorelai's hand, walks to Rory and whispers "you want to walk me out?"

Rory follows Jess out the door to his car. "So this is goodbye."

"No, Rory. This is see you later." Jess kisses Rory on the cheek.

"It is what it is. You. Me." Rory hugs Jess and kisses him on the cheek before stepping back so he can enter his car and leave.