Author's note: This story is set mid/post AYITL. Currently in the market for a beta, so if you're interested - PM me. I own nothing, but if someone wanted to gift me Milo for Christmas I wouldn't complain...just putting it out there ;)
-I added an additional nugget from Jess's perspective rather than add it as a separate chapter since they are thematically similar and both so small. Enjoy
'You're still a contender.' Those words echoed through Rory Gilmore's mind as she sat in shock on the side of the bathtub. A contender? Who was she kidding? At this point she would be lucky to get a ticket to the fight.
Pregnant. She, Rory Gilmore,
jet-setting-technically-homeless-commando-going-journalist-extraordinaire, was with child. With child? Who says that anymore? What is this, John's gospel? But somehow that terminology made it seem less life altering.
What was she going to do? Shit. What was she going to tell Logan? He literally just left on his honeymoon yesterday. What was she going to tell her mother?
Don't go there, Rory thought to herself, too much room for imagination. Plus her mother wouldn't be back for another couple weeks from her Wild trip. Assuming she made it out alive, of course.
After what seemed like hours she finally stood and looked herself in the mirror. Should she look different? Feel different? She didn't feel any different other than the panic she was fighting to squash down. Deep breath, Gilmore, just keep on breathing.
Deep breath, Mariano, just keep on breathing. Jess thought to himself as he looked through the porch window at Rory. He could still hear the excited timbre of her voice telling him about the chapters of her book. Could still feel the zing in his blood from having her so close.
So what if he lied to Luke. It wasn't like he was exactly proud of the fact that he still carried a torch for Rory. She was the love of his life, she lit up his entire world with a single smile, and he couldn't stand to see her unsure of herself.
Truth be told he had been thinking that she should write a book for years now. Rory's voice was so distinct, so fresh and different from anything else out there. This was the right path for her. This was how she impacted the world. This was the Rory he knew - laughing and hopeful and so full of words they practically burst out of her onto the page.
With one last look he turned and walked down the stairs - the tiniest glimmer of hope taking root in his heart.