How did we get here - A Gilmore Girls fan fiction

Chapter 23

Christmas morning Rory wakes up to the smell of bacon frying and coffee brewing. "Heaven" is Rory's first thought.

Rory wakes up and heads downstairs. She sees Luke in the kitchen cooking breakfast and her mom setting the table.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty." Lorelai looks up to see Rory walking down the stairs. "Or should I call you Medusa? Did you have a wild sleep?"

"Bed head. Can I have some coffee?"

"Bad for the baby," Luke replies.

"Actually, it's not. Pregnant women can have up to a 12 ounce cup of coffee." Jess corrects Luke from behind Lorelai.

At the looks of shock from Luke and Lorelai, Jess laughs "do I really have to go through this again? Google, it's man's best friend."

Lorelai raises her eyebrows at Rory. Rory could tell her mom wants to talk.

"Merry Christmas everyone." Emily comes breezing in.

"Merry Christmas."

As everyone sits, there is an empty chair at the head of the table reserved for Richard.

After breakfast, Rory and Lorelai head upstairs. Lorelai follows Rory into her room.

"So Rory, you have some 'splainin' to do."

"About what?"

"Don't play innocent with me. You are the fruit of my loins. I know you better than anyone. What's up with you and Jess? I mean he left Philadelphia early. I am assuming to be with you. You talk to each other every night. You spend a lot of time at the diner. Even more time than me. And I am married to the owner. And now, Jess is looking up how much coffee pregnant women can drink.  So come on, spill."

"I don't know what's going on between us. The more time I spend with him, the more I like him. The more I see he has changed. Did I tell you he was the one who encouraged me to write my book? Things make sense when he's around. He's my compass."

"Do you love him?"

"I don't know. I do know he makes me happy and when I am around him, I am happier than when he's not there. Every time I enter a room, I look to see where he is. I want to talk to him about everything. Nothing is insignificant."

"How does he feel?"

"I don't know. He hasn't kissed me. I have always been the one to initiate the kiss. But that's probably my fault because I told him I don't know what I want and he's just letting me decide."

"Rory, what about Logan?"

"Mom, how many times do I have to tell you I don't want to be with Logan. I love him and will always love him. But I don't want to be with him."

"I understand that Rory. I get it. But Logan will always be in your life because you are going to have a baby together. That means if you and Jess get back together, Logan is going to be in his life as well. Is Jess ok with that? And in six months, a new born baby will be coming into this world. Is Jess ready for that? These are things you have to consider before jumping into a new relationship, Rory. It's not just your feelings you have to sort out. You have to think about that baby also."

Lorelai leaves Rory to stew in these thoughts.

*****

"Merry Christmas, Ace."

"Merry Christmas to you as well, Logan. Is it snowing over there?" Rory asks

"Just some flurries for now. We are predicted to get more snow this week. Have you smelled snow yet in your small  New England town?"

"Actually, I'm in Nantucket with my grandma."

"How's Emily? I bet she's happy to see you, your mom and Luke there."

"Yeah, she is. Jess is here also."

Logan pauses at the name. "Oh. Luke invited him?"

"No. I did. We have been getting closer since the wedding."

There is silence on the other end of the line.

"Logan, are you ok?"

"Yeah, Ace. I'm fine. So you and Jess?"

"I still don't know what we are. But yes. Me and Jess. I thought you should know since we are going to have a baby together."

"Yeah, ok. Rory, I have said this before. I will say it again. If you are happy, then I am happy. All I want is for you to be happy. Does Jess make you happy?"

"He does, Logan. He does make me happy."

"Than that's all that counts. I better go. Odette and I are catching a plane to Paris so we can surprise her family. Au revoir, mi amor."

"Bye, Logan." Rory hangs up the phone as she touches her belly. "I love you, too Logan. Always."

*****

It is time to open gifts. There were gifts under the tree. Rory got her grandmother a framed picture of the sonogram, her mom a charm bracelet with the letter G and some baby booties as a charm, and Luke a new fishing pole. Rory had told Jess earlier his present will be given later.

Rory was very excited about her gifts as well. Lorelai gave her a necklace with her birthstone, opal. As well as a promise of a birthstone for the baby when he/ she is born. Luke's present was her keys to her new apartment, copy of their lease agreement and a welcome mat. (Typical Luke gift. Very practical but sweet.) Jess's gift is a photo.

"What's this?" Rory asked Jess.

"It's a photo of your apartment. Your Christmas gift is the rocking chair for you and the baby. It's very comfortable. Lorelai, Luke and I approved it."

Rory is so touched by this gesture. Tears start streaming down her eyes. "Jess, thank you. It's perfect." Rory kisses Jess on the cheek.

"Ok, ladies, I have one more gift for you two." Emily pulls out two envelopes.

"Mom, what's this?" Lorelai asks.

"I sold the house in Hartford. It was too hard to keep it. Too many memories and it feels so empty without Richard. So this is your share of the sale price. Now you can do whatever you want with it. Rory, I hope you save it for your baby when he or she goes to college."

"Grandma, thank you. I love you very much."

"Rory, I love you too."