My notes: Thanks for the nice words for Rory/Dean fight.:) I'm not his fan so I really enjoyed writing the fight between them. Now, what is the answer? Is Rory Gilmore become Rory Mariano? Read and you'll see.:)
Story: Four years after Philadelphia, Rory and Jess meet again. (In my story that night ended different. Keep that in mind.)This time in Stars Hollow for Luke and Lorelai's wedding. Each of them keep a secret. Secret, that can change a life.
Chapter 12 From Today
Rory froze for a moment. Then she put a hand on his cheek and looked at him. A smile appeared on her face.
'Be careful with what you ask, because I might say yes.'
Jess frowned.
'You might or you will?'
She leaned in and kissed him softly.
'I will say yes…' another kiss. 'I'm saying yes…' giggle and another kiss. 'Definitely - yes!'
Jess pulled back for second, looking in her eyes.
'You sure?'
Rory nodded and lay next to him with her chin on his chest.
'I am sure.'
'You know that it's not going to be a fairytale.' Rory put one finger on his lips to make him stop.
'It is when I'm with you…'
Jess smiled again and grabbed her by her waist.
'Okay, let's do this!' he said and rolled her under him. 'When?'
'As quickly as possible…' she whispered and ran her fingers trough his hair.
'Does that mean we get married before Luke and your mother?' Jess raised his eyebrows.
Rory pulled his head down and whispered.
'Yeah, but we are more special, aren't we?'
Jess smiled.
'Yes, we are.' He kissed her then pulled back. 'What about a little trip tomorrow…you, me and Annie in New York? We can jump here and there and accidentally appear at the court?'
Rory smirked.
'I like that idea…'
'I know you do…' Jess smirked and kissed her again. 'We have another hour.' He said and his lips went to her neck.
'One hour before…?' suddenly every thought flew out of her mind.
'Before Annie wakes up.' Jess said and his head went down to her belly.
'Yeah…' Rory grabbed his head to kiss him. 'Better hurry…'
Jess smiled again.
'I don't think so…' his mouth took another journey down her body.
An hour later, Annie rushed in the room and jumped on the bed. They were fully dressed and happy together.
'Annie, hun, how about we go on a little trip tomorrow?' Rory exchanged a look with Jess.
'Where?'
'In one very, very big city. With very, very big buildings. It's gonna be fun!' she said and looked at her daughter.
Annie looked at her.
'Is daddy comin' with us?'
Jess smiled and hugged his daughter. Since the last couple of days, Annie was almost stuck to him. She hardly made a move if he wasn't around somewhere.
'Yeah, daddy's comin'!' he said and kissed her on her hair, making her giggle.
'It's done!' Jess said to Rory above the little head. She smiled and nodded.
'It's done! But we have to be back before the evening.'
He raised his eyebrows.
'Dinner with the grandparents…' she looked at him, apologizing.
Jess frowned.
'That means I have to meet your grandmother again?'
Rory caressed him on the cheek.
'Sorry, but we have to do this. I'll make it fast, okay?'
Jess inhaled and nodded in answer.
'Okay. At least this time I will have a backup, don't I?'
He tickled Annie, who laughed loudly.
Rory watched them for a while. Her two loves. Here with her. Suddenly her smile faded. One of them would be gone soon if she didn't do something. At least, she could try. The only thing she had left was hope. Jess had stopped hoping long ago, but she hadn't. She wanted to fight for him.
Rory jumped of the bed.
'I have to make a call.' She said and walked to the door.
'To whom?' Jess' voice stopped her.
'To Paris. Her husband is a famous surgeon. Maybe he'll know some people who can help us…'
His smile faded.
'I thought I told you there is no hope. You will just hurt yourself when you realize that and I don't want it.'
'I thought I told you I'd try. I'm not giving up without a fight, Jess!'
His eyebrows lifted.
'That's new!'
'Don't mock me! I'm a new person now…'
She sounded almost offended.
'I can see that.' Jess shrugged. 'Okay, do what you want.'
'Thank you!' she sent him a blown kiss.
Jess reached out his hand and pretended to catch it.
Rory dialled the number and waited for Paris to answer.
'Hello?'
'Paris? Hi…' Rory smiled.
'Rory? I can't believe it…' she was surprised. 'It's been ages! How are you?'
'Good…well not exactly good, but…'
'What's going on? Can I help you?'
Rory bit her lower lip. She got nervous.
'I hope you can.'
'Just say it.' Paris sounded so sincere that that made Rory go straight to the point.
'It's about Jess. He…'
'Hold on a minute!' Paris interrupted her. 'You said Jess?'
'Yes'
'As in your Jess?'
'Yes.'
'Jess as your old boyfriend Jess?'
Rory imagined her face and smiled again. She was shocked.
'Yes.'
'I think I should sit down!' Paris paused for second. 'Now I'm sitting. Continue.'
'Jess and I live together with Annie…'
'Your daughter?'
'Our daughter.'
'Thank God I'm sitting! It's too much for one day!'
Another pause. This time Rory laughed.
'It's not funny!' Paris said, but she laughed at the answer. 'Okay, I'll digest this later. Now, tell me how I can help you.'
The happiness faded from Rory's eyes.
'Like I said, it's about Jess. He has a brain aneurysm.'
'What? Oh, my God, Rory, I'm so sorry…'
Rory gulped.
'It's okay. He told me that his doctor told him that he had about five or six months left. And his condition is untreatable. I want a second opinion. Do you think that your husband can help us?'
'John? Yeah, absolutely!' Paris said and that made Rory breath with relief. 'He has a conference this month, but if you send me the papers with the diagnosis, I'll make sure that he's gonna try to help you.'
'Thank you, Paris!' her voice trembled.
'Don't thank me now! I just hope that we can do something!' Paris tried to calm her and give her hope. Rory was grateful for that.
'Okay, I have to go now, but I'll send you the papers as soon as I can!'
'Okay. Be strong, Gilmore!'
Rory smiled at the tone.
'I'll try! Bye!'
'Bye!'
Rory had always dreamed of a big, fancy wedding. It's strange how one simple signature can make her more than happy. Jess and Annie were there and that was enough for her. More than enough. That wasn't her dream wedding, but it was her wedding and she was happy about it.
'Now mommy and me have same names?' Annie giggled when the three of them walked out of the court. Jess was holding one of her hands and Rory the other.
'Now all the three of us have the same last name!' Jess winked at Rory and made her smile. 'So, how do you feel, Mrs. Mariano?'
'Surprisingly good. Rory Mariano sounds way better than Rory Gilmore.'
'Indeed, but your mother is gonna freak out!' Jess frowned.
'Just my mother? What about Luke and the others?' Rory couldn't wipe off the smile of her face.
'Ice Cream!' Annie yelled and took them right to a street-stall.
Rory rolled her eyes.
'Like father like daughter!'
Jess smirked and ordered three cones.
The night of the dinner came quickly. Lorelai had been called to be told to go alone and wait for them there.
Jess walked out of the car and looked at her.
'Last chance!'
Rory smiled and caressed his cheek.
'Nice try, but we have to do this! Now be a big boy and act like your daughter. Look at how brave she is!'
Annie looked at him and took his hand.
'She's more lovable than me.'
'Don't be scared daddy. You can hold my hand all night!'
Jess smiled and kissed her on the hair.
'Thank you, my princess!' then his eyes met Rory's. 'Okay, let's get this over with!'
She nodded and pressed the doorbell.
The door opened and her mother smiled at her.
'They don't know anything!' she said instead of hello.
'I thought you were going to tell them!' Rory said.
'And ruin your surprise? Never!'
'You're enjoying this, aren't you?'
'Yep!' Lorelai smirked. 'Hi, son!'
Jess smiled.
'You kept the deal?'
Lorelai winked at him.
'At least I'm trying!'
Rory looked at them, surprised.
'What deal?'
'Rory, beautiful, how are you?' Emily and Richard appeared from the living room.
'It's show time!' Lorelai mumbled and Rory shot her a look.
'Hi, grandma, grandpa.' Rory gulped. 'This is Jess.'
'Jess?' Emily raised eyebrows.
'Luke's nephew.' Lorelai said tried not to smile. 'C'mon mom! You remember Jess. Don't be such a snob!'
'Lorelai!' Emily looked at her daughter, offended.
'What?' Lorelai continued. 'You've met Jess before!'
'With the black eye…' Jess interrupted her. This situation was starting to get funny. He smirked.
'Oh, that Jess…' Emily eyed him.
'What black eye?' Richard sounded curious.
'I was Rory's second boyfriend.' Jess smiled again.
'And he is my husband now!' Rory added, surprising even herself.
'What?' Lorelai, Emily and Richard exclaimed at the same time.
'It's true!' Rory lifted her left hand and the golden wedding ring glowed on her finger. 'Starting today I am Mrs. Jess Mariano!'
Lorelai looked at her daughter with disbelief and finally said.
'I think I need a drink!'
