This is a second GG fanfic I'm working on. If I don't update fast, it's cuz I have another one I'm working on. Plus I have another story in mind that I want to get started, so I may end up working on three ff. So please review and let me know what you think, and be patient!
Life's Lessons
Chapter 1
What A Woman Wants
It was a sunny day in Philadelphia. The weather was just right, not too hot and not too cold. The young couple was sitting at the kitchen table. The girl with coffee in her hand and the guy with a copy of Oliver Twist in his hands.
"Jess. What time do you have to get to work?" Rory asked sipping her coffee, watching him intently.
"I have off today. It's my day of writing. I have some new ideas for another book." Jess set down his book and looked at Rory.
"Oh. I wish I had the day off." She sighed and got up.
"Call in sick." Jess suggested.
"I can't do that. I never call in sick, even when I am sick. Besides I never have missed a day of anything. The only time I did was when I ditched to visit you in New York." Rory reminded him.
"Ah yes. That was a great day indeed." He smirked and rose from his chair. He walked around the table to where Rory stood and kissed her. "Come on. Everyone needs a sick day."
"I can't today Jess. I need to turn in that article and get my next assignment. I'll take a day off next week." She kissed him on the cheek, and grabbed her mug of coffee. "I'll be back around four ok?" She said while grabbing her coat, keys, and article.
"Alright. I love you." Jess called out to her, pulling out his laptop and turning it on.
"I love you too Jess!" Rory shouted over the closed door. She smiled and headed down to her car. She had the best job in the world. Working for a newspaper that she loved. She had the most amazing husband she could ask for. But she felt empty. She wanted something else, something more. But she just couldn't bring herself to think about it.
Rory missed her mom terribly. She missed being able to talk to her everyday and tell her what was bothering her. This was one of those times she wished her mom was there. She pulled out her phone and called her mom.
"Hello my young padawan." Lorelai chirped.
"Hello mother." Rory teased.
"Hey. Don't ever do that again. It reminds me of my mom." Lorelai shuddered. "So what's up dearest?"
"I just wanted to talk." Rory lied. She was being bothered by something, but wasn't ready to talk about it yet.
"It doesn't sound like you just wanted to talk. Usually when you call, it's because you have something on your mind. Spill child." Lorelai pried.
"Fine. I just feel like I'm missing something."
"You mean me?"
"No, well yes. But that's not what I meant. Like I don't know. I don't know what it is that I want. Something has been bothering me and I don't even know what it is." Rory lied again. The truth was she knew exactly what was bothering her. She just couldn't admit it.
"Oh. Well details would help." Lorelai agreed.
"I'll talk to you about it when I figure it out. I gotta go mom. I'm driving and I can't get pulled over. I'm running a tad bit late for work."
"Ok sweets, call me soon. Love ya!"
"Love you too mom." Rory hung up and sighed. She thought it would be easy to tell her mom, but she couldn't. She was worried. She didn't know why she wanted this so bad. She sighed and thought about this the whole drive to work.
- - -
Jess sat there in the kitchen typing. He noticed Rory seemed a little distant lately. She was acting strange and he didn't know what was going on. Being the observant man that he is, he noticed she sighed a lot and when she tried talking about what was bothering her, she shrugged it off and changed the subject.
It had been a huge change for Rory to move to Philadelphia with him after they got married. She must be home sick, but she admitted that she loved it here. Jess was getting frustrated. He wanted to know what was going on with his wife, but nothing came to mind. He decided to talk to her tonight.
He pulled out his phone and called Rory's office.
"Hello?"
"Hey Ror."
"Jess! What are you doing? Did you already finish that chapter?" Rory asked surprised that Jess called.
"No, but I can't concentrate. I miss you too much." Jess tried to butter her up to get some answers out of her.
"Why aren't you a softie today?" Rory teased, but she sounded distracted.
"Rory, are you ok? You seem a little distracted and distant. You want to talk about it?" Jess sighed deciding to get right to the point.
"Huh? Oh yeah I'm fine. Work's just being hectic right now." Rory had never lied so much in one day before.
"Ok. Well if you can, try to get off early ok? I have a surprise for you."
"Ooh! Tell me! Tell me!" Rory squealed.
"Uh uh. You have to wait to find out." Jess told her.
"Fine!" Rory pretended to be upset, but giggled. "I'll see you tonight Jess. I gave to finish my article. Once I get this done and I look over it, I can head home. So the longer you keep me on the phone, the longer it will be until I get home."
"Ok bye!" Jess pretended to be over enthusiastic about seeing her, but didn't hang up.
"Jess! I didn't mean that fast." Rory laughed. "I'll see you later. Bye Jess."
"Bye Ror, see ya!" Jess hung up the phone smiling. He had a big dinner planned out for tonight. A nice candle lit dinner with pasta and some wine. He was even going to make a pie. He smiled and began working on his romantic dinner for Rory. He knew it was out of character, but he thought Rory needed something special.
- - -
Rory's smile faded as soon as she hung up the phone. She couldn't do this anymore. Lie to Jess and her mom. She had to just come out and say it. But she was afraid of what Jess would say. Everywhere she looked she saw them. Little children with their parents. She wanted to start a family, but didn't know if Jess was ready for that yet.
"Rory. You don't look too well. Maybe you should go home." Rory's boss, Mr. Black, suggested.
"I'm almost finished with this piece, then I will leave." Rory looked up immediately and began typing.
"Alright, but I think you need to take some time off. You seem distracted. Everything ok at home?"
"Yes. Everything's fine. Just tired I guess." Rory lied, yet again.
"Ok. Get that piece done and head home ok?" Mr. Black left shaking his head.
Shoot! Even my boss notices. I have to talk to Jess. Rory thought. She finished her article quickly and turned it in. She waved to her fellow employees and clocked out. She walked slowly to her car, looking around at all the families and children that passed her bye. A tear formed in her eye and she wiped it away before anyone could see.
- - -
Jess was waiting for Rory. He wanted this night to be special. It was just after four when he heard the door unlock. He quickly turned off all the lights and stood by the table.
Rory opened the door and absentmindedly threw her keys on the counter. She noticed that all the lights were off and looked around. She walked into the dining room and saw Jess standing there with a beautifully decorated table. He pulled out a rose and handed it to her.
"What's all of this?" Rory asked surprised.
"Just thought I would do something special for you tonight." Jess kissed her and pulled out her chair. "Sit."
Rory giggled and sat down. "Pasta! Aren't you the romantic tonight?" Rory smiled, but then frowned. "I didn't forget something did I? Our anniversary, birthday?" She was confused by this sudden burst of romanticism.
"No. You didn't forget anything." Jess sighed and sat down across from her. "I just thought you needed something special. You seem kind of down lately."
"Jess…" Rory began but couldn't finish her sentence. She got up and walked to their bedroom leaving a confused Jess behind.
"Rory?" Jess got up and followed her. He saw her sitting on the bed with something on her lap. He sat next to her. "What's that?"
"It's my photo album, well my mom's. She made it for me. It's all of my pictures from when I was a baby up to when I was in high school." She opened it to the first page and there was a picture of a newborn Rory.
"You were a cute baby." Jess complimented.
"Haha. Thanks." She turned the pages slowly and carefully looked over each page. When she finished she looked up at Jess and sighed.
"Jess. Do you ever think about…" She paused and looked away.
"About what?" Jess tilted his head to the side, trying to interpret her strange behavior.
"…about having kids. About starting a family. Jess, I want to have a baby." Rory finally managed to say. She had been keeping it in for so long now that it felt like such a relief to get if off her chest.
Jess was shocked. He hadn't expected that. He stared at her blankly and she looked away, tears beginning to stream down her face.
"Yes. I think about it every day. I just don't want to be a screw up father and ruin our kid's life." Jess stood up and walked to the window. Leaning against the wall.
"You wouldn't be a screw up. Jess you're not like your dad or my dad. You are a different person, and the experience you had while growing up, that helps you so you won't make the same mistake." Rory pleaded with him. She really wanted this, even though she knew it would cause a waiver in her career. She really wanted to have a baby.
"Rory…" Jess sat down next to her. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this, but Rory wanted to have a baby so bad. He could see it in her eyes. The pain he saw there when he mentioned not being a good dad.
"I knew it. I knew you would be upset. I should have just kept it to myself like I have been these past few months." Rory began sobbing. She tossed her photo album to the side and stood up.
Jess stared at her for a minute. He didn't know what to say or do. She was obviously upset and hurt. He had no idea she had been holding all this in for the past few months.
"Rory. Why didn't you tell me before?" Jess walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her and comforting her.
"I-I wanted to, but I was afraid you were gonna respond just like this." She sobbed harder and clung tightly to Jess.
"I never said I didn't want to have kids Ror. I just, I don't know. I'm sorry Rory." He stroked her hair gently and she started to pull away.
"Let's just forget this happened. You obviously don't want this like I do, so forget it." Rory got up and stalked out of the room. She sat down at the table and waited for Jess. He sighed and walked out of the room, sitting across from her again.
Rory calmly served herself some food and began eating, not noticing Jess watching her every move.
"Rory. I think we should try." Jess stated.
"What?" Rory looked up trying to hide her excitement.
"I think we should try having a baby." Jess smiled.
"Really? Jess, don't do this just because I want it. I want you to want it too." Rory poked at her food.
"I want it." Jess stood up and walked over to her. He knelt down so that he was eyelevel with her. "Rory Mariano, let's try having a baby."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you." She whispered in his ear.
"I know." Jess smirked. "Now finish eating this meal I slaved over for hours and hours." Jess ordered.
"Ok." Rory dug into her food, obviously hungry. She was, of course, a Gilmore. She could eat a mountain for all he knew.
After dinner both of them cleaned up. They washed the dishes in silent contentment, glancing at each other every now and then followed by a kiss.
"Jess, I love you." Rory whispered. Jess turned to her and kissed her.
"I love you too."
They finished the dishes and cleaned up. They sat down on the couch and Jess leaned in to kiss Rory. The passion in their kisses never ceased to fail. Slowly Jess began to make soft kisses down her neck. She sighed and stroked Jess's hair.
Jess lifted her off the couch and carried her to their bedroom, where they continues kissing. Rory pulled at the hem of Jess's shirt, trying to pull it off. Jess stopped kissing her and helped her pull it off. Beginning to pull Rory's shirt off.
- - -
The next morning Rory woke up late. She looked at the clock and it was already 7:30. She should be on her way to work now. She jumped out of bed and put on some clothes.
"Jess! We're going to be late for work!" She panicked.
"Ugh!" Jess moaned rolling over to face his wife. "Just call in sick Ror." Jess sat up and rubbed his eyes. Looking up to see Rory's distressed face, he smiled and kissed her. He patted the space next to him and looked up expectantly.
"I-I uh, I don't know." Rory stuttered. "Mr. Brown did say I should take a few personal days off, but I don't know Jess."
"Come on!" Jess pleaded.
Rory sighed, smiled, and sat down next to him. "Alright. I'll call and tell them I'll be out today."
Jess smiled and kissed Rory again. Another romantic day was spent and the lovely couple laid there in contentment.
Rory had decided to call Lane later that day.
"Hello?"
"Lane! I miss you!" Rory squealed and flung herself onto the bed.
"Rory?! Ahh! I miss you too! When are you coming to visit? Zach and I are waiting for you!" Lane said excitedly.
"I know, but it's just too hard with work. You know how the journalism business is. Work, work, work. Writing and more writing." Rory babbled on.
"How is work going?"
"It's going great! I love every minute of it, and Jess is doing great too. He loves his job and he is starting to work on his next book." Rory beamed.
"That's great. Tell him congrats for me." Lane exclaimed.
"I will. So I have something to tell you." Rory quietly informed Lane.
"What?"
"Jess and I are…"
"Pregnant?!" Lane asked practically screaming.
"No, but we are trying." Rory blushed even though Lane couldn't see her.
"That's great! You will inform me of any news as soon as you find out right?"
"Of course. Just don't tell my mom. I don't want to get her hopes up just cuz we're trying. So yeah, keep it quiet." Rory asked.
"Oh I won't say anything. My lips are sealed." Lane pretended to zip her lips and lock them.
"Good. Hey I gotta go. I'll call you later ok?" Rory said goodbye.
"Alrighty! Bye Ror!" Lane hung up and smiled. She knew Rory wanted to have kids, and this was great that they were trying.
Rory sighed and laid down next to a sleeping Jess. She curled up next to him and kissed his forehead.
- - -
Three weeks had gone by. A crying Rory sat on her bed. It was negative. She had thought for sure that she was pregnant, but no. She wasn't. She slumped to the floor and began sobbing.
Jess came home to find Rory on the floor crying. He rushed to her side and sat next to her. "Rory? What's wrong?"
"Jess…it, it was negative." Rory was barely understandable. But he heard enough to know what was causing Rory so much pain.
"I'm sorry." Jess apologized, he knew he had to comfort her, but he didn't know how.
"Jess, I'm sorry for freaking out. We only just started and I'm freaking out here. I just hoped that I was pregnant." Rory wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I know. But that doesn't mean we can't keep trying." Jess comforted her.
"Yeah." She sat up and hugged Jess, who lifted her up and put her on the bed. Rory giggled and began kissing Jess.
Hope you like! Please let me know what you think!! Thanks for reading!