Disclaimers : I don't own anything. I only use the characters from the tv shows One tree hill and Gilmore girls for fun.
I'm still french and i think my english is getting worst, but i can't let this story witout the end. So be nice.
Previously
"You may think that's weird but I was really happy to think that I was going to be a father. I knew that my all life was about to change…" Jess hesitated. He didn't know why he was telling all this to Brooke, a woman he barely knew… But when their eyes locked, all the doubts he had disappeared. There as no pity in her eyes, just a friend, here to listen. So he continued with the story.
"But I knew how it was to grow up without a father. And it was out of question that my child suffered this. And the mother was not anyone; it was Rory my first true love…"
"Everything seems idyllic when you tell the story. You loved each other, both of you wanted the child…" Brooke didn't know what to think anymore.
"That's what I tought."
"What happened?" Brooke asked.
Chapitre 4
« It's long story, and not really unique, i have to say » answered Jess, he didn't know if he should continu this story.
« That's ok, i have time. »
At this moment, to Jess's relief, deserts were served. And Rose and April came back, it's really crazy the time they need to go to the bathroom… Knowing them, he wasn't surprised that they play matchmakers, and this time he actually liked the girl. But it was absolutly out of question that he admited it.
« Saved by the bell » Said Brooke amused.
« It seems yea… But i'm under the impression that i will not take of that easily… »
« You're starting to know me, at least i will not have to harrass you to have the end of the story »
« Dam it, i should be careful! Who could whish not to be harras bye Brooke Davis. » Definetly this woman remade out of him a part he believed extinct. He did go out with other woman before, being a father did not made him a monk. But never anoyone of them met Rose.
« Be carfeful about wish you make, it might come true. » She replied with a smile.
« Don't make promesses, you can't keep… » He said in her ear.
Brooke shivered. Never a man had this effect on her. She didn't know if it was a good or a bad thing.
At the end of the meal Rose and Arpil decided to go to the movies. Brooke and Jess took advantage of the time to go walking in Central Park. Scarcely had they set foot in the park, that Brooke claimed the rest of the story, with this famous look who could make the Puss in Boots jalous and nobody could resist. And certainly not Jess.
Flashback
10 months after the phone call.
It's now a year since the opening of Truncheon Books. A year that my life has completly change. Regrets? Maybe, but what is sure is that i will never change my life for anything.
The only thing i'll do diferently would be talking about my daughter to my family. But, Rory still refuse to do it, so i don't say anything.
I share my life between my daugther, Rose Lorelei Mariano, she is everything to me. In 3 months she completly changed my life. From young rebel, terror of Stars Hollow i became a father. And Rory, the woman of my life, the mother of my kid. What could i wish for more ?
I openend the door of my apartement, arms loaded. Supermarkets are not made for me. Lots of people jostling, kids screaming, sailsman trying to make you buy anything… In short, I was glad to be home.
« Rory? Sory, i'm late, but there was a lot of people. In adition it was the cashier's first day she had to ask for help every 5 minutes… Rory ? »
No answer, a bad feeling came over me.
On entering the room i noticed an enveloppe with my name on the bed. My throat tightened. I was hoping that this really was not what i thought.
Jess,
You will certainly think that i'm a coward, and i can't blame you. But i can't keep living like this. These last months you have been wonderful to me. You loved me, made me feel safe.
You said nothing to our family about the baby because i didn't want you to even if you didn't agree with me. And for that i'll always be thankful.
However, this life is not for me. I love you and i love our daughter, but i can't be a mother. And i can't be your wife either (i heard you talking with Matt about proposing to me).
With time i hope that you will forgive me, and you will understand that i did what was the best for all of us. You are taking care of Rose better than i ever could. There's so much things i want to do before starting a family… Everything happened so fast.
Don't think for a moment i regret having a child with you. I could never have dream for a better father for my kid, or even an other baby than Rose.
Take care of yourself and our daugther, this little wonder.
I love you both,
Rory.
P.S : Lane took Rose to the park, they should be here around 6pm.
At this moment, the world collapsed around me. She was gone, with no coming back. She was leaving me, adandoning our daugther, destroying everything with had build together since the day she told me she was pergnant.
I didn't know Lane was here, until she gently shook my shoulder.
« Jess, what's wrong ? Is there a problem ? » She asked looking woried and putting Rose into my arms.
I didn't say anything, i gave her the letter. Rose was so peaceful, she was looking at me with her big blue eyes. How could Rory abandon her ?
« Oh » said Lane en sitting on the bed beside me. It was the only thing she could say after reading the letter. It was exactly the only thing i could have say.
Two weeks later
It was now two weeks since she left . Two weeks that the only thing that pervented me from collapsing is knowing that Rose needed me.
I started working at the shop again, keeping an eye on Rose. She was so innocent, she didn't realise that her mother had just abandon her. How could she?
« Jess ! Ho, ho, Jess i'm talking to you… »
« Ho, excuse me Lane, i was thinking. »
« Listen Jess, i know that you don't like talking about this … » She started.
« So why do you insist ? » I interrupted her with an irritated voice.
« Because if i don't, nobody else will do it. I know that Rory did not want to tell it to your famillys but Jess, you and Rose need them. She is gone to live her life somwhere else, leaving everything down, including her own daughter! So i think that you can do without her opinion.» she said, unable to get the idea that the woman who just abandon her familly was the same girl she grew up with, her best friend, her sister.
«Yes, but how do you want me to do? You want me to go to Luke's saying « Hey everybody, it's been a while! By the way, this is Rose my daugther, Rory's too, but she decided that the mother's job wasn't for her and now she left without notice. So, what's new? » I totally see the picture… »
« Jess, stop being silly. I know it's not easy, but i will be there. I have your back. And i can assure you, as i am a mother myself, that even if you think you don't need them you'll be happy to have them by your side. Even if you're in Philadelphie and they are in Stars Hollow.»
« Okay, okay, i'm gonna make plans to go see them in a few days… Before i chiken out… »
« You don't need to, i arranged everything. Your bags are ready, we just have to put them in the car. Then, Stars Hollow here we come! For a week. »
« How did you now i was gonna say yes ? »
« I did not, but it's better this way. Plan B was putting a sleeping pill in your coffee and taking you there by force. You are sparing me to drag your body to the car. »
« Glad i can help ! » Replied Jess. Note for myself : never argue with a Kim.
« You'll see, it'll not be that bad. » She said trying to reassure him.
« I'm sure. A week in hell, it can only be good. »
Stars Hollow
In front of Luke's diner
« We should go inside… » Said Lane
« Just wait a few more minutes… »
« Jess, we've been in the car in front of Luke's for 15 minutes now. Everybody must know that you're here. Taylor might be calling everyone for a town meeting to discuss the fact that the town's hooligan is here. » She said amused.
« One more reason to be ready to confront them.»
« Jess Mariano ! I give you 30 secondes to get your ass out of this car and go in the diner, if you don't i will drag you there myself! And remember i grew up with Mama Kim, i do not make empty threats! »
« Okay, okay ! I'm going! So don't forget you come with Rose in about twenty minutes… »
« Yes chief! Do you want us to synchronise our watches? » She asked mocking.
« Very funny ! You'll laugh less when Luke et Lorelei killed me. Rose will be orphan and you will find yourself with another child on the arms! »
« Oh, gosh you've seen through me. How did you do to find out my machiavellian plan to keep Rose to myself? »
« Very funny! » i said exasperated.
« Go, before i throw you out the car ! »
When i walked inside the diner everyone starded at me. Except Kirk, who, when he saw me ran out of the diner, probably to spread the news.
« Well, well. If this is not Stars Hollow's terror himself… » Lorelei greeted me.
« Hey ! I'm offended! I'm here for 30 secondes, and so far, only one person ran away ! »
« Indeed, there is progress … »
« Jess, what are you doing here ? » Interrupted the voice of my uncle.
« Hello to you to uncle Luke. I'm happy to see you to. »
« Don't start beein a smart ass! » He said taking me into an akward hug to say hello. « Of course i am happy to see you ! But i am surprise to see you here, in Stars Hollow. »
« Why? A nephew has no right to visit his favorite uncle? »
Luke and Lorelei stared at me unbeliving.
« Okay, Lane forced me. I would like to talk to you about somethig, both of you… In private. Please ? » I asked.
« Wow, did you kill someone and need our help to get rid of the body? Because if that's the case, i want a really cool code name, like…. »
« Lorelei » cuted an angry Luke.
« Can we go upstairs ?» i asked thanking my uncle to have stop Lorelei's rambling. Knowing her she could have go on for hours.
« Yes, sure. Go ahead, I tell Cesar i'm taking a break. »
« So Jess, what do you want to talk about ? » Asked Lorelei, breaking by the same time the heavy silence that had setteled in the room.
« You should seat down »
« Oh, no ! You really killed someone » Started Lorelei.
« Lorelei, seat down and let Jess talk. »
« Thanks Luke. I don't really know where to start… I want you to know that i'm really sorry to not have told you sooner, but Rory didn't want me to. »
« What Rory has to do with it? »
« Lorelei ! » Said Luke to make her stop.
« Here the thing, that's not easy for me to tell you that, so no more interuption, please. Once, i'm finished you can say everything you want. You also have to know, that i'm not waiting anything from you. I just want you to know. »
« Jess, stop beating around the bush » Luke looked at me with a worried look. And i was going to disapoint him again…
« So, … »
And i told them everything, from the night of the opening (sparing them details), to this morning when Lane conviced me to come to Stars Hollow. I showed them the letter. Once i started, i couldn't stop.
At first they had a hard time beliving everything, but the letter and the strange attitude Rory had with them this last months conviced them.
« I can believe that Rory could do that. I thougt i raised her better. I can't believe that she acts like her father. Abandon her daughter! My grand daughter! Oh, my gosh! I'm a grandmother!» Said Lorelei crying. « Where is my grand daughter ? »
« Here » Said Lane who just enterded the appartement with Rose. She waited behind the door as i told them everything that happened.
« Can i? » Asked me Lorelei, eyes filled with tears.
« Of course. Lorelei, let me introduce you to your grand daughter, Rose Lorelei Mariano. Rose, this is your grandma Lorelei. »
« She's beautiful » Said Lorelei hugging Rose, crying even more.
« Jess, why didn't you came to us before ? » Asked Luke.
« I wanted to, but i don't know why, Rory always refused… »
« You'll have anounced me you got Rory pregnant, i might have killed you. But with everything i just learned, i just have one thing to say… »
Here it goes, he is going to tell me how disapoint in me he is, how i was irresponsible, that Rory was right to leave me…
« I'm proud of you Jess, you became an amazing man, you are a wonderful father. Rose is lucky to have you. »
I looked Luke staight in the eyes, i do not know if he suspected how much is words touched me.
He huged me, and i knew everything would be fine.
