Geena Davis at the Oscars

Lorelai jumped from the couch, followed by Paul Anka, and rushed to the door, finding her daughter standing in front of it, a bag at her feet. She yelped "Rory!" before pulling the girl in a hug, while the younger man in the other room froze, looking around for a quick way out.

"What are you doing home? Is something wrong? Why didn't you call? I missed you and I'm never letting you leave again!" Lorelai said in rapid fire, not loosening her embrace.

"Nothing's wrong, I just had some time off and decided to come by."

"Why didn't you call?"

"Because the whole point of a surprise is to be, you know, surprising."

As soon as she finished her sentence Luke appeared from the living room, holding a screwdriver in his hand.

"Hey, Rory."

Rory let go of her mother and gave Luke a quick hug.

"Hey. So…can I come in or are you just going to leave me standing here?"

"Sure, but, hon, uh…" Lorelai started saying while Rory took the few steps until she reached the living room, where she stopped in her tracks when she saw the young man standing awkwardly and looking at her. She managed to whisper, "Jess…" before her mother could continue her sentence "Jess is here!"

Jess took a step forward and smiled softly at her. "Hi."

She waved at him the turned around and looked at her mother who was just walking in behind her, followed by Luke. "Of all the gin joints, huh?" Lorelai quipped before putting her hands on Rory's shoulders and directing her towards the kitchen "Now let's leave the boys to work while we have some coffee, ok?". Rory just nodded and they went into the kitchen, leaving the guys alone. Once they got there Lorelai pulled two cups out of the cupboard and filled the coffee machine with water, waiting for the coffee to be done, while Rory was looking at her.

"So you want to tell me what's Jess doing here?" Rory whispered for only Lorelai to hear.

"He's come to get the TV." Lorelai responded, using the same tone.

"Why?"

"Long story, I'll explain later. Is it ok that he's here?"

"Yeah, sure, why wouldn't it be? I was just surprised, that's all."

"I was just asking…so have you seen him since…?"

"Since Philadelphia? No."

"Have you talked at all?"

"No."

"Ok." Lorelai filled the cups and then said, loud enough to be heard in the other room "So, how's life on the road? Tell me everything!"

"Yes, because after at least 3 emails a day there is so much left to tell. How are the wedding plans going?"

"I want to build a bonfire and Luke's not letting me."

"Smart man. Now why do you want a bonfire?" Rory said while she filled the two cups and then headed for the table, sitting down.

"To keep us warm. And when my mother drives me crazy, which is bound to happen, I can just push her in." Lorelai replied as she sat down on one of the other chairs.

"I am not bailing you out on your wedding night, just so you know."

"Ungrateful child! For this I will add two more bows to your dress."

"Speaking of my dress, when can I see it?"

"It's a surprise."

"You're hiding it from me."

"No." Lorelai drew out the word, a playful smile on her face.

"God, does it have a butt-bow?"

"Well, now, honey, what kind of a mother and bride-to-be would I be if it didn't have a butt-bow?" Lorelai grinned, sipping her coffee.

"A nice and loving one?"

"Fat chance!"

"At least tell me it doesn't have a hoop-skirt."

"Oh, no, no, a hoop skirt wouldn't match my Geena Davis at the Oscars wedding dress."

"Ok, now I know you're kidding." Rory paused and looked at her mother who still had the same devious smile on her face. "Right?"

"You'll just have to wait and find out."

"God help me."

The girls continued to chat for a while, drinking their coffees. Half an hour later, Luke walked in the room, followed by Jess.

"Done."

Lorelai looked up at her fiancé.

"Done, done? You weren't even close when I left."

"It seems we can get a lot more done if someone isn't commenting from the couch."

"I resent that!" She looked away from him and to Jess, who was standing behind him, staring at his shoes. "So, Jess do you want something to eat? I'm not feeding your uncle, he's being mean again."

Jess looked up and shook his head.

"Nope…I think I'll just go."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Luke told Liz that I'm coming in town and she asked me to go to her house for lunch."

"Meet your half-sister?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"Ok, have fun then."

Luke looked at his watch then said "I think I'll go, too, I have to be back at the diner."

"Leaving us all alone? How ever will we deal?" Lorelai replied in an exaggerated Southern accent.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find a way."

"Just for this I'm not feeding you tonight either."

"I think I'll live. Bye."

"Bye."

Rory muttered a quick goodbye as well, looking intensely at the cup in her hand and the men left, leaving the girls alone again. Once they were out of the house Lorelai looked back at her daughter.

"Not very talkative today."

"I…uh…it's just weird, you know?"

"What is?"

"Jess back in this house. You being nice to him."

"That's the only reason it's weird?"

"Yes…why?"

"Just asking. You better make it not-weird fast, 'cause you'll have to spend a lot of time in the same room at the wedding."

"I'll work on that."

…Later that evening…

After her mother had fallen asleep she got out of the house and walked slowly through the quiet town. Being back there was waking up many memories, as was seeing Jess. Soon, she found herself at the old wooden bridge, without even noticing that she was heading that way, and saw him sitting there.

"Hey, Jess."

I'm sorry it took me this long to get this chapter up but work has been crazy. Also, my 3 or 4 chapters are starting to look like they may turn into a bit more(I'm not sure yet). Thank you for all the wonderful and helpful reviews(a special thanks goes to Love and Rock Music). I know, still way too little Rory and Jess but the next chapter will be all them so I hope it will make up for this one. Next chapter should be up...Thursday, if work doesn't get in the way again. Thank you again for the reviews, I hope you liked this chapter.