A/N: I feel that I should probably start out apologizing. I could find no reference to Jess' date of birth on the show, so I made him a Christmas baby. If I've missed the reference, please suspend that knowledge for a chapter or two and pretend that you don't know. I've also edited and proofread, but it's 2 a.m. and I can't be held accountable for my mistakes. I appreciate any feedback. ;-)

December 24, 2015, 12:01 a.m.

Happy Birthday, Dodger. Coming home for Christmas? - R

Jess clumsily reached for his phone, and squinted as his eyes struggled to adjust to the bright screen. The text message was the same every year, delivered at 1 minute past midnight, without fail. He chuckles at her reference to Stars Hollow as home. After spending the past 10 years in Philadelphia, she knew that he no longer thought of Stars Hollow as home, as if he ever had.

As much as it pained him to admit it, (and he never would admit it aloud to anyone, ever), he looked forward to her message. They had exchanged many texts and e-mails, even a sporadic phone call or two, in the eight years since Luke and Lorelai's wedding. Still, there was something special about her birthday text.

He typed out his typical response, "Can't. Sorry. Maybe next year." He chuckled as he pressed the send button, anticipating her response.

"Fine! I guess if you won't come to Stars Hollow, I'll just have to come to Philadelphia. See you soon."

Every year she made the same threat to visit him in Philadelphia, and every year he told her that she was welcome anytime. Despite the promises and good intentions, it had been eight long years since they had last seen one another.

He quietly sat his phone back down on the bedside table, and eased his head back down to rest on his pillow.

December 24, 2015, 5:32 a.m.

After one last look around her small studio apartment, Rory shuts off the lights, grabs her suitcase and closes the door behind her. The airport shuttle she had reserved had arrived and now waits for her at the curb just outside of her building. No turning back, she thinks as she watches the city wake up from the window of her speeding shuttle.

"Going home for Christmas, Miss?" The driver asks, breaking the silence.

"Not this year." She answers, confidently. They ride in silence until the lights of LaGuardia airport come into view.

The shuttle pulls up at the curb, and she grabs her bags, tips the driver and heads inside.

"Have a safe flight, Ma'am, and Merry Christmas." The driver calls from behind her.

A Merry Christmas, indeed, she hopes as she makes her way through security and finds a seat at her gate. Her flight is a short one, scheduled to last only a bit over an hour, but she still feels the butterflies fluttering around her stomach.

Get it together, Gilmore!

She opened the front zipper of her carry on bag, and slid her hand inside, making sure that the stack of papers were still intact. Although there was no reason for them not to be, it gave her comfort to know that they were there, exactly where she had left them.

"Flight 2033, nonstop to Philadelphia is now boarding at Gate 12." The voice shouted over the loudspeaker. Her heart raced, as she stood in line to board the plane, knowing that she would soon be in the presence of the man that knew her better than anyone, the one that got away.

Note: I should also mention that I do not own these characters, but I love them as if they were my own.