A/N: I just thought that it was about time Rory and Jess's lives intertwine once again.
Chapter 1: Back from Suffragette City
"It's small," The bright blue-eyed girl toured the last apartment available on her list.
A voice came through the cell phone in her hand, "…quaint, charming, cozy."
"Mom," The young woman flipped the light switch in the laughably 'quaint' kitchen space.
"Well Hun, right now you just really need a place. This one is in your budget, an easy subway ride to work, in a decent neighborhood…you won't be running into Angie, Brad and the kids, but the good coffee place is just a few buildings down."
"True," She looked out the window into the busy afternoon New York City street.
"And, I mean, you don't have to get a place on your own," The voice hid a chuckle, " Your grandparent's place on the Upper East Side will always be there."
She could hear her mother smirking through the phone, "That's not funny mom," She opened a closet, "I'm getting a place."
"Did you get a chance to schmooze with the neighbors?" Something rattled in the background.
"Not really, It's been pretty quiet so far," She noticed the exceptionally clean and well-lit bathroom, definitely a Pro.
"Ninjas?"
"Shaolin Preists."
"What kind of vibe are you getting?" Her mother's voice grew louder to compensate for the background noise of people talking.
"I'm getting a Thai takeout kind of vibe," She noticed the well kept hardwood floors.
"Mmm, tastes like a good vibe. What's the book capacity?"
"Actually it's really good. It's a one bedroom, but has an exceptionally roomy living area space. And it has great floors."
"What a grown-up thing to say, 'Great floors!' Now the most important question whenever considering a new place of residence..." Her mother's tone was serious, "Was it built upon an Indian burial ground?"
"No it was not built on an Indian burial ground…however it was built on a Native American burial ground," She corrected her mother.
"Listen here missy, we don't correct when it comes to killer houses! You wouldn't want to be in Margot Kidder's shoes, would you?"
"Margot Kidder? No, but possibly the remake," She laughed.
"Ah yes, true kryptonite. Ryan Reynolds shirtless with an axe, god bless Canada."
She noticed the built-in shelf, "It comes with built in shelves, perfect for books."
"Well, it sounds like you've made your decision."
"It does?"
"You're picturing your books there," Her mother said in a knowing manner.
Taking the book out of her purse, she placed it on the built-in shelf, 'The Subsect' seemed to fit in perfectly, "You're right! I found an apartment!"
"Yay! You're gonna be a New Yorker," A beep came through with her mother's voice, "Oh, that's probably Michele, he's been calling nonstop from the Inn."
"Do you have to get it? I won't be able to talk to you until tomorrow night! And the time change thing always messes me up."
"Nah! How else will he learn? Plus, I'm going to board soon."
"So you're liking the part-time gig?"
"Yes. You know I never seriously considered the job at all when they first offered, but now it's amazing. I get to travel one weekend a month to tell other people how to run their inns? I'm like Gordon Ramsay without the Kitchen Nightmares," Her mother raved, "Plus, I have an expense account."
"I'm so proud of you, Mom. Have I told you that lately?"
"Right back at cha, kiddo."
"I think I'm going to sign for this place now," She was confident in her decision, "Pros outweigh the Cons tenfold."
"Okay kid, they're calling my flight to board. But leave me a message about the move-in date, I'll be damned if I'm not one of the first to taste the Thai takeout vibe with you!"
"Okay mom, I love you! Be safe! Check for snakes!"
"I love you too child o' mine. Bye, Rory."
"Bye Mom," She had a place of her own.
As she took the book off the shelf, an envelope fell out from between the pages. It was a letter addressed to her, from Jess. She put it back into her purse, where she always kept it. She knew it was a girl thing and that she was being silly, but now that she was really going to be living in New York, she felt closer to him.
She had wanted to call and tell him that she was moving to New York, but his cell phone never got reception and the publishing house was in the middle of moving to a new location and there were the million more excuses she thought of. The last time they had seen each other was a few months ago in DC. They met for lunch and talked about everything, and he had even mentioned the girl he was dating, she was a poet. He never mentioned her in any of his letters, not once. But she liked that he had someone he could share his life with. He deserved that.
Rory's phone buzzed, she had a new text message from her mother. It read, 'Told me to turn this off! No snakes yet! So proud of you!'
Rory Gilmore took one last look at the place, and went to sign the lease...and then get some coffee.
---
"Chris, it's fine. The space looks fine. Matthew and I have it under control," A dark haired young man exited a small store, "Fine, wait let me send you a picture."
He positioned his cell phone facing the small store front, making sure to get all the letters of the sign in the photo. He snapped the picture and hit send.
The phone in his hand buzzed, he answered, "What do you mean it looks pretentious? How is 'Bookman Old Style' font suddenly pretentious?"
Matthew opened the door, "Remind him he picked out the font."
"You picked out the font Chris, it's fine. Yeah, we're sending out the invitations today," He mouthed the word 'invitations' to Matthew who gestured that they were ready.
"Alright. Bye," He hung up the phone.
"Truncheon Books, NYC," Matthew read the sign aloud, "Has a nice ring to it."
"It does," He said with pride.
"I'm gonna check out that coffee place we passed by earlier," Matthew lit a cigarette, "You want anything, Jess?"
"I'm good, thanks."
Jess Mariano looked around at the busy New York City street, the concrete jungle welcoming him home.
Thanks for reading! Reviews are always appreciated.
