He waited what seemed like a forever for this moment. Even if it only days. He waited on pins and needles for this to happen. He hoped, prayed, and dreamt about this moment. Yet, this moment in particular scared him more than any other moment in his life. He didn't know what was going to happen. She could wake up and hate him. She had every right too. After all he bailed. He just up and left again without saying goodbye. Or she could wake up and need him as much as he needed her. His mind went into a panic the moment the phone call came. He found himself overthinking everything that was going on as he ran back to the hospital, as he ran back to his Rory. Luke met him in the waiting room. "She is talking with the doctors right now." He said with pain as he looked at his young nephew. Jess tried not to freak out by the tone of the words, unsure of what was going to happen he just sat down and looked at the older man next to him.
"What is going on?" He asked as he looked at the floor bracing for the worst.
"She … her legs … she still can't feel them … they just won't move." The older man answered as he looked down not wanting anyone to see him start to cry. "Other than that she seems to be improving." The shakiness of his voice let pain he was feelings come through his hard shell. Jess couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had spent a week telling himself that she would be the same old Rory again as soon as she woke up, but he had no such luck. He didn't know how to make this easier on her. He didn't know anything. She didn't deserve this. He couldn't help, but curse the world in his head. She didn't deserve to ever feel pain like this. "She was asking for you." Luke said as he looked up for a moment.
Children are supposed to want to latch on to their parents when something bad happens. She always believed that. Maybe that is why it felt like a knife was being thrust into her heart every time her daughter opened her mouth and asked for Jess. She cursed the copy of The Fountainhead and the box of playing cards that gave it away that Jess was even there. She had to sit there and watch her daughter cry for an hour after talking to the doctors. But, as soon as she found a way to control her tears, she just looked up at her mother and asked "Is he here?" She didn't get why she needed to see him so bad. But, she just nodded before leaving the room to get him. She couldn't hate him as much as she used to. He sat there every night watching Rory. She could tell how much he cared for her. It just didn't feel right.
"Jess she wants you." She managed to say as she stared at the young man who was sitting in the waiting room with everyone else who had gathered around when the news that she was awake came. He just nodded as he got up and started to walk away. "I don't know why she had to talk to him so bad." Lorelai said as she looked at Luke. He had been her rock though all of this, the one person who was always there. He gave up his summer plans and the first girlfriend he had since Rachel left for her.
"She is probably just confused. You just need to understand that this is something she needs. You probably will never be able to understand why." Luke replied as he got up and wrapped his arm around her leading her towards the hallway. "Why don't we go get you some coffee? It's been almost four hours since your last cup." He said as he looked at her.
He wasn't sure what she was going to say as he walked into the room. He just smiled at her as he walked towards her bed. He was shocked when she smiled back at him. "You're back." She said softly as he sat down in the chair that had been sitting next to the bed.
"It was stupid of me to leave." He replied as he looked at her. "I know you probably hate me for leaving, but I just need you to understand that I know it was the biggest mistake in my life and that I will never do it again. As long as you are willing to give me another chance." He said as he reached to touch her hand like he had been over the last week as he practiced what he would say to her. She just stared at him for a moment. Her blue eyes just scanned him for a moment.
"You're here now." She replied as she looked at him. "Come here." She said as she patted a spot on the bed.
"I'm not going to hurt you am I?" He asked before he softly sat where she told him.
"You're fine. I just need you here with me right now." She said as she started to cry. He just reached out and whipped her tears away.
"Everything is going to be okay Ror." He whispered as he looked at her.
"I want to believe that." She said as she started to cry harder. It killed him to see her hurting like this. He didn't know what to do.
"I love you." He whispered wondering how she would react. But, she just kept crying.
"Don't leave." She choked out as she looked at him.
"I wouldn't dream of it." He replied as he moved closer to her trying not to think too hard about everything. If he thought about it he would break down too and then how could be strong for her. He knew that he just had to be strong for her.