3 out of 3

'Come on sweets. Let's get you home. We have your party to get ready for.' Lorelai said after calming her down. Rory nodded, she wanted to enjoy tonight. No matter what.

'Luke would you tell Jess he's welcome to come.' Rory said. Wanting to see him again. Luke nodded soundlessly.

'Make sure he knows presents are mandatory.' Lorelai said. Slightly surprised that Rory wanted him there. She was probably just being polite.

'He doesn't have to bring me anything.' Rory contradicted. Luke nodded again. As the girls left together.

'Don't be late hubby to be.' Lorelai called over her shoulder. Lorelai linked her arm through her daughters.

'Mom. It's weird that they're all back.' Rory said after a minute of walking in silence. 'It's so...I don't know. Unexpected.'

'I know sweets. I'm not surprised you fell out of your seat. So who were you most glad to see? Or do you hate them all? Do you want to get back with any of them?' Lorelai asked as they walked quickly towards home.

'I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they are here.' Rory lied. Her thoughts drifted to Jess. She never had been able to get him out of her head.

'Uh-huh.' Lorelai said. She decided to change the subject. 'So...you know now your back. You're not allowed to leave. Ever. I missed you too much.'

'I am going to have to find a new job.' Rory sighed. 'It's back to writing a hundred letters and sending them all out.'

'Hey! Do you think we can do our roller-coaster trip now?' Lorelai asked excitedly.

'No! In case you've forgotten we have a wedding to plan. Yours remember. It's happening in 8 weeks.' Rory said shaking her head as they reached the house.

'Oh yeah! You want to know something kid.' Lorelai said sitting on the couch.

'Always.' Rory smiled joining her mom.

'I'm happy. Really happy.' Lorelai sighed. A dreamy smile on her face.

'I know you are mom. I'm happy you're happy.' Rory said going to her room to change for her party. She stood in front of her wardrobe for ages. Trying to decide what to wear. She spotted a blue dress one that Jess had liked on her. All those years ago when she was 17. She'd worn it into the diner one night after Friday night dinner. Before they'd started dating. She remembered the way he'd looked at her. It was one of the first times she thought he really liked her. She slipped into the dress, glad it still fit her. Pulled her hair out of her pony-tail and let it hang loosely. Keeping her make-up simple and wearing some simple blue pumps. The whole outfit was simple. Nothing fancy like she would wear to impress Logan. Nothing that Dean would have noticed. She knew that this outfit was aimed to get Jess' attention. She looked in the mirror. There was something missing. She pulled out a box from under her bed. It contained items Jess had given her. Or lent to her while they were dating. She'd hid them away when they'd broken up. It was painful looking over them all. She found what she was looking for quickly. A piece of black leather. With a little clasp, and a silver book hanging from it. He'd given it to her not long after they'd started dating. She slipped it onto her wrist. It fit perfectly. She was ready to go out. She could already hear voices from the kitchen. She opened the door to find most people had already arrived. Her eyes searched round for one set of eyes. She found them. He was leaning against the back door frame. His eyes locked on her. He remembered the dress. She knew it. Smiling at him slightly she made her way over to her mom.

Jess' POV

Luke had told him that Rory wanted him at the party. Why did he feel nervous about going? Why did he want to go? He knew nothing could happen. She was over him. Still he wanted to see her. He debated for a while weather of not he should take the gift he'd brought. He had 2 actually. He decided it would be worse to turn up without a gift. Then it was what to wear. He looked through his bag he's packed when leaving philly. There wasn't much in there. When he spotted a certain item he knew he had to wear it. He pulled out his metallica shirt and pulled it on quickly. Putting his leather jacket over the top he went down into the diner to meet Luke.

'Ready to go?' Luke asked. He spotted the shirt. 'You're not wearing that are you?'

'Obviously.' Jess rolled his eyes. He'd made sure his hair looked the way it did when he was 17. Like he'd just rolled out of bed.

'Fine. Let's go. You got a gift?' Luke asked. Jess held up the two packages. 'You got her two?'

'I did only have one. But then I got a second.' Jess informed him. Following him out of the diner they walked to the house Jess knew so well. Entering the busy house through the back door. Most people were in the kitchen. Jess leaned against the door frame. Looking around for the guest of honour. The only one he cared about seeing. He couldn't see her anywhere. His eyes fell on her bedroom door as he heard it open. She stepped into the room. His eyes lingered on her for longer that strictly necessary. He couldn't help it. She was beautiful. That dress. The one that always took his breath away. His eyes drifted over her. Resting on the bracelet on her slender wrist. His heart skipped a beat. Surely she couldn't have put that on for no reason. He felt a little hope bubble inside him as she smiled at him. He was about to move over to her when she moved to her mom's side. So he stayed where he was. Simply watching her as she greeted the guests. Her smiled was beautiful. Every now and then she'd look over at him. As if making sure he was still there. Jess was just about to move over to her. She was currently alone. Before he could. Logan and Dean appeared. He stayed glued to the side of the door.

'Present time!' Lorelai yelled. Moving the party into the front room. Jess followed reluctantly. Keeping back from the crowd. He walked over to the window and leaned against it. Rory opened present after present. Then the only three people left to hand out gifts were the 3 ex-boyfriends.

'Here you go Rory.' Logan said handing her something wrapped in gold paper. She opened it. Finding what a diamond necklace. Very flashy. Very Un-Rory. She smiled. Jess could tell it was a polite smile. He knew everyone of her smiles. Next Dean handed her a present. It was a book. Which was slightly better than Logan's present. Jess smirked as he noticed the title. She already had that book. In hardback and soft back. He knew all the books she had. All the ones she liked. She smiled. Again it was just a polite smile. She pushed the book aside. Her eyes drifted to Jess. Almost expectantly. He smirked and handed her the 2 packages.

Rory's POV

Logan handed her a present. She opened it carefully. A diamond necklace. Typical Logan. Thinking he can buy my affections, she thought to herself. She forced herself to smile. Dean handed her a present next. Even before unwrapping it she knew it was a book. Her spirits soured a little. She opened it. Her heart sank. She had this book. 2 copies actually. Again she forced a smile onto her face. Her eyes drifted to Jess. He smirked at her and handed her 2 packages. Wrapped in blue paper. She opened up the first one. It was a manuscript. She looked at it 'The Broken Door' By Jess Mariano. Her face lit up.

'You wrote a new book!' This time her smile was genuine. Lorelai noticed the affect of his present. Watching her daughter with curiosity.

'So it seems.' Jess shrugged it off. Logan looked angrily at him. As did Dean. Rory started reading it straight away. Unable to contain her excitement.

'Open the other one.' Lorelai said. Rory looked up remembering the second package. She placed the manuscript carefully beside her and opened the second. It was a book. A simple blue cover with Black writing. 'Articles of Genius' She read aloud. 'A collection of articles by....Rory Gilmore.' She was shocked. She opened the book and sure enough every article she'd ever written was in there. Right back from Chilton. Through Yale and the Campaign trail. 'How did you get all these?'

'Do you Yahoo?' He asked bringing a smile to her face at the familiar words.

'But how did you get it put together.' Rory asked.

'I work in a publishing house.' Jess smirked at her. 'I could print more and distribute them if you like.'

Lorelai and Luke watched Rory as she sprang from the sofa and wrapped her arms around Jess. He stood baffled for a moment. Then put his arms round her waist. There was no possibility of him getting over her now.

'Thank you.' She whispered in his ear. Pulling away from him. Maybe all hope wasn't lost. He still knew her better than anyone besides her mom. He still knew how to make her smile. He still wanted to.

'Oh come on Rory. His presents are cheap. He wrote one of them and published the other for free. How can that be considered a better gift.' Logan asked. 'Do you know how expensive that necklace was?'

'Do you know me at all? Price doesn't matter with me.' Rory said sitting back on the couch and reading Jess' new book.

***

'Sweets. Put the manuscript down.' Lorelai said later that night. All the guests had gone home over 2 hours ago. Rory had been reading Jess' new book ever since.

'Can't...too...good.' Rory said turning the page.

'So? How long have you been in love with Jess?' Lorelai asked. This got Rory's attention. She snapped her head up to look at Lorelai.

'What?! I...I don't' Rory stammered.

'Yeah, sure. You can't fool me Rory. This morning in the diner you looked sad when he said he was here to see Luke. When he arrived at the party you could barely keep your eyes from looking at him. I seem to remember that happening at the dance marathon just before you two got together. How did you put it? That you couldn't control you're gaze from going to him. Well that happened tonight. Also don't think that the way you dressed escaped my notice. The bracelet. The Dress. You dressed to impress Jess. Yes I know that rhymes. Also the way you smiled at him when you saw your presents. The hug. No one else got a hug like that. So come on fess up. How long have you been in love with him? Since you saw him at Truncheon? Since he came to Yale the second time? The first time?' Lorelai pried. Rory sighed, she was going to have to tell her.

'From the moment I first saw him. In my room the night he came to dinner. He asked me to bail out the window with him. I never told you that did I? Well he did and I just...ever since then I felt something for him. I didn't realise at first. I thought it was just that I wanted him to be my friend. Then at the bracebridge dinner that time. He looked at me and I got butterflies. I knew I had feelings for him. But I guess I first realised I loved him, when we had the picnic. The bid a basket festival. We went to the bridge. We got pizza. Had coffee. Went round the book store for a few hours. It was perfect. I knew from that moment that I had been falling in love with him since I met him. I've never stopped. Every time I see him my heartbeat quickens. So there you go.' Rory said only pausing for breath once.

'Wow! You sure know how to give mommy a heart attack.' Lorelai said. 'You've loved him all that time. So what was that with Dean and Logan?'

'That was...I don't know. I thought I loved them. I thought I was over Jess so many times. Then I'd see him and I'd know, I've always loved him. Still do.' Rory sighed 'But it's hopeless. He doesn't want to be with me.'

'Oh Rory. If you really love him then you have to tell him.' Lorelai said comfortingly.

'NO! I can't. Promise me you won't tell anyone. Not even Luke. Especially not Luke. I...I can't tell him. It would kill me to hear him say no.' Rory said taking the manuscript to her room.

A/N- There we are. Let me know what you think..