Doesn't It Usually End With A Wedding? Chapter 1: Day 1

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino3. The story was based on ASP's Gilmore Girls and I am just continuing.

LETS GET STARTED!

Rory was nervous. She couldn't exactly place why because there were so many reasons yet none at all. Why should she be nervous to be going back home to Stars Hollow? It had always been her home with all her family and friends. She wasn't just nervous but so many other emotions but, mostly excited. She hadn't been home in over 6 months! She had talked to her mom over the phone at least once every two days occasionally talking to Luke. She called Lane every once in a while, too. So, why was she nervous? Gaining a new dad? But, that couldn't be it because Luke had always been her father-figure. As she went through the gate to get on her plane she real quick took out her phone and sent out her mom a text. "On the plane, turning off my phone. See you soon! x~Rory" With that, she turned off her phone as she sat down. She settled her carry-on bag in the overhead bin pulling out The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand and settling in the window seat. She held the book in her lap, looking out the window just for a couple seconds seeing the light rain sprinkle outside in the New York airport landing. Then, opening her book, she started on page one.

—THE DINER—

"This has to be the best week of my life, Luke!" Lorelai enthused with great passion. She was so excited to see Rory AND she was getting married! It really was the best week. Their whole family was going to be there. Rory, April, Liz, T.J., Doula, Emily, Richard, and last and probably the least, Jess. It was a pretty big family reunion. Everyone was so out of reach now. Of course, Liz, T.J., Emily, and Richard were pretty close but, not the kids. Rory, April, and Jess hadn't been seen in a long while.

"Really, Lorelai? It's not like you haven't said that all week including 8 times this morning." Luke was now smiling more than he ever had. Of course he was happy! Why would he not be? The level of sarcasm had been brought to a higher level while the wedding came closer and closer.

"What time is it?" Lorelai asked growing even more impatient.

"5 minutes since you last asked. Relax just a smudge. Have some coffee." Luke refilled her cup and quickly went to refill others mugs.

'Did he just purposefully give me coffee without arguing? I must be imagining things!' Lorelai smirked at her thoughts as she turned in her stool to look at the man she was to wed in less than a week.

—THE PLANE—

Rory was so focused in her book that she had barely noticed anyone had sat next to her. Not even noticing WHO was sitting next to her.

"It truly is amazing how you can read that book. I will never understand it." The boy turned man sat next to her smirking at her shocked face.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him a smile on her face. She hadn't even dared hide it. The excitement was clear in her voice, too.

"Well, Ms. Gilmore, you shouldn't have gone to Yale if you really are that stupid. I'm here for my future aunt and my current uncle's wedding. Or, you could reference them to your future Step-dad and current mother. Whichever one works so…" He was now smiling too as if their past had completely vanished.

"What did you bring to read on this not-so-long plane ride?" Rory questioned. Books were safe ground on their terms. HE was acting as if there was no troubled past between them but, Rory felt awkward at the moment.

"Well, coincidentally, I brought Hemingway, A Farewell To Arms." He held the book up so she could see the cover.

"You know, I have officially gotten through that book! It was for a class last year. Right before I visited Truncheon, actually!" She was so excited to tell him that she forgot all about the incident about a year ago.

"Oh…" Jess was now mono syllabic and Rory could understand why. She had crossed a line neither of them wanted to be crossed but, it had been too late to take it back.

—THE CAR (with L+L)—

"She is landing soon!" Lorelai screeched from the passengers seat. "Where is Jess landing? And when?"

"Gate 27 at 12 noon." Luke answered back with some excitement in his voice showing itself.

"W-wait! That's Rory's plane, though…" Lorelai said looking through her phone to make sure although she had memorized it last night and checked 3 times this morning. "Are you sure its Jess's?"

"Positive"

"Oh, god! We are in big trouble…" Lorelai whispered to herself.

—THE PLANE (with J+R)—

"So…I just got a text from my mom saying that we should get our bags and meet them where we are picking up April." Rory said to Jess as they were citing the plane. They had been so tense since Rory brought up Truncheon. "Listen, Jess, I know I completely ruined everything when I brought up Truncheon but, I just want to say sorry. I know that I was a complete jerk and I tried to come back but, it seemed inappropriate."

"Okay. Our bags are this way." He pointed to a tunnel that went to the center of the airport. They walked together in a very uncomfortable silence until Jess spoke up. " I don't hate you."

"You don't?" Rory was curious why not. He should. She had practically lied to him and then kissed him and ran. He has every right to hate her.

"'The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.'" Jess quoted. He didn't know why he quoted. He wasn't a person that quoted usually but, it worked in the situation.

"I just want you to know that you have every reason to hate me. I mean I would. It was that stupid jackass that made me do it." She was talking of Logan and Jess knew it but, was confused.

"Stupid jackass, huh?" He directed more to himself. "Must be a pretty big fight for you to be to be calling him that."

"Fight? Oh, wait, I thought Luke told you." She looked him in the eye while they kept walking.

"Told me what?" Jess questioned.

"We broke up. Logan and I, I mean."

"Really? When?" Jess's heart was soaring. Even if he couldn't have Rory and she had broken him so many times, he still cared for her and her being with that ' stupid jackass' didn't give her the best of impact.

"About 6 months ago. At my graduation. He proposes, I say I'm not ready, He leaves and never looks back." She scoffs at the thought and they stopped to pick up their bags.

"I'm sorry." He was sincere about it. She must have been hurt by it. According to her a year ago, she was in love with him. Deeply, madly in love.

"It's fine, Jess. It was a long time ago. No big deal." She assured him. After that they were silent until they were at April's gate. "This is it."

"Is this the first time you've met April after Truncheon?" He wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting into. He has spent sometime in Stars Hollow while Rory was away, spening time with Luke and his newly known cousin. They had grown pretty close.

"No. I've seen her around Thanksgiving and when I came home for my birthday. I haven't gotten to know her that well." She answered his question, looking around her for her mom and Luke.

"JESS!" All of a sudden a 15 year old girl is charging herself at Jess and jumping into his arms!

"Hey April! So happy you're here! I won't be alone." He whispered the last part into her ear although, Rory had heard it.

"Hi April." Rory whispered and April didn't really hear her. Jess was still hugging her. Hugging her like he truly missed her. Had he missed her?

After finally letting go of Jess, she realized Rory was there. "Oh, hi Rory. I didn't realize you were here."

"Oh, well, I've been here." She felt really awkward and it showed so, Jess decided to save her.

"Rory, um… why don't you call Lorelai and see where they are?" He asked.

"RORY!" Jess was so scared of the noise that he almost fell. In came Lorelai, almost pushing everyone to the ground, running up to Rory! "The fruit of my loom, my offspring, my baby bird, WELCOME HOME!"

"MOM!" She was more excited than she ever could be.

Everyone greeted everyone including Jess and Luke having their usual hug. They all walked to the car and went to the diner. They dropped Jess and Luke off at the diner while Lorelai, Rory, and April went to the Crap Shack. April was going to stay with the girls and Luke was going to stay above the diner with Jess. After going home to drop everyone's stuff off, everyone met back at the diner.

"So, my lady, what shall you have today?" Lorelai asked more excited than ever.

"Why, a burger with some coffee of course!" Rory asked matching the excitement in the room.

"So, what happened with Jess?" Lorelai asked at a much lower volume.

"Nothing. It just… Its us…" Rory sighed. "How can he not hate me? It makes no sense! He should hate me! He has the right to!"

This, of course, is when Jess chose to come over. "More coffee, Lorelai?"

"Okay, Jess, I know we don't know each other that well but, you should at least know to never ask a Gilmore if she wants more coffee." Lorelai answered and Rory nodded.

"Just wanted to make sure not that much changed on planet earth." He said looking at Rory and walked away.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Lorelai whispered really loudly to Rory.

"I have no idea." Rory answered, looking at Jess although, she knew exactly what he was talking about. He was talking about how much she had changed. And she didn't think it was a good thing, either.

Later, at the Crap Shack, Rory was in bed, trying to sleep but, couldn't. She looked over to the clock. 11:56 it read. She looked over to her bookshelf. She got up, picked up Howl by Allen Ginsberg. After about 10 minutes of reading the margin notes, she fell into a peaceful sleep.