Ahhhhh. I don't even know how long it's been. I apologize for the wait... if anyone is even waiting. I hope you are. Gahh.

Anyways, this chapter is called Drop to Hold You and it's a song by Matt Nathanson, straight off his new album. Give it a listen. Seriously guys, just make a playlist from the chapter titles. These songs are my life.

Rory watched as Jess's back rose and fell with each one of his breaths. They were still in bed at the Dragonfly and Jess was still asleep. Rory had been up for an hour watching him for no real reason, but she enjoyed it immensely. She hated that by the end of the weekend they would be separated again, but she couldn't let that fact ruin his peaceful sleep.

When they had gotten to the inn the night before, they took a shower together and got into bed. They spent an hour or two lying together and talking about the things they had missed out on since they had seen each other last. They never brought up their fight or their long distance relationship. They only talked about good things; the things that made them happy.

She snapped out of her trance when she noticed Jess's head turn toward her. He yawned into the inside of his elbow before propping himself up. She smiled down at him and kissed him.

"Morning," she said, pulling away. He yawned again and turned to sit up next to her.

"Morning," he said back. Rory laid her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her and kissed her forehead. "How long have you been up?"

"Not long," she lied and he nodded silently. She glanced at the clock and noticed it was already eleven. Her friends were probably awake, filling their time until Rory joined them, with or without Jess. Their plans weren't anything spectacular, just lunch before they had to head back to the city and their boyfriends. "When do you need to go back to Philly?"

"Sometime tomorrow," he said, rolling his shoulders. "I promised Matt I'd be back in time for work on Monday morning."

"Yeah, I have to leave sometime tomorrow, too," she told him. "I hate this."

"I know."

"No, like, I really can't stand it. I feel my heart break every single Sunday."

"I know. Me, too. Things will be easier once we get our lives figured out. I can't leave Philadelphia or Truncheon and you can't leave Boston or the Globe."

"I hate that. I hate that I screwed this up before and I wasn't factoring you in when I was looking for jobs."

Jess let out a humorless laugh and rubbed his face with his free hand and Rory looked up at him; her face full of sadness.

"You had been dating Logan for years when you started looking for jobs. He had just asked you to marry him and you said no. You shouldn't have been thinking about anyone… especially your ex-boyfriend."

"I'm just so frustrated," she whined. "Why didn't I know that this would happen? How did I not see it?"

"You weren't in love with me," he said simply.

"Why was so blind?"

"Rory, stop. We can't change anything now. We weren't together, you had no idea this would happen. It's not your fault."

"I'm sorry. I just – I can't – I don't want to leave you again."

"I know."

"I have to go meet Alex and Paris for lunch," she told him. "Can we meet up later?"

"Of course," Jess said, kissing her on the forehead again. "I'm going to go back to the diner and get my things. I'll come back here and work."

"Okay."

They both got out of bed and dressed for the day. While Rory brushed her teeth, Jess did his hair and vice versa.

They left the inn, each with their own copy of their room key, dressed in thick fall jackets. Jess's hood was on and Rory's hands were stuffed deeply in her pockets. The weather wasn't unlike regular New England Octobers, but it was still uncomfortably cold for most. Jess walked with his arm around Rory's shoulders and his hands balled into his sleeves.

When they reached the diner, Paris and Alex were sitting at a table with Lorelai. Rory joined them and Jess just stopped to say hello before heading to the apartment.

"Sorry I ruined our weekend sans boyfriends last night," Rory said once he was behind the curtain.

"Don't worry about it, Kitten," Alex said with a smile before sipping his coffee. "Should we eat here for lunch?"

"You and Paris should choose," Rory told him.

"Here is perfect," Paris decided. "We need to leave right after lunch, though. I got called in to the hospital tonight."

"Oh, okay," Rory nodded. "Mom, are you going to stay and eat with us?"

"I would love to, but Mommy's got to head to the inn," Lorelai said and then downed her cup of coffee.

"All right, bye," Rory said, kissing her mother's cheek.

"I'll see you later. Bye, you guys," Lorelai said before leaving.

"How are things with you and Jess?" Alex asked, browsing the menu.

"They're good," Rory told him. "Things are still hard with the distance, obviously, but there's nothing I can do about it right now."

"It'll all work itself out eventually," Paris told her. "You just got back together, give it time."

"Ugh, I know. I just hate it," she whined. "Anyway, Alex what are you going to do tonight?"

"Kurt has the night off, I have the night off. We're thinking of a night out and then the morning in… if you know what I mean."

"I always know what you mean," Rory laughed. Luke came over to take their orders.

"Where's Jess?" He asked once everyone had told him their order.

"He's upstairs grabbing his stuff, or maybe he's working," she told him.

"You're not staying here tonight?"

"Mom said we could stay at the inn and we thought we'd mix it up."

"Okay," Luke said, stuffing his notepad into his shirt pocket. "Your food will be right up."

"Thanks," they all said as he turned his back.

"Sometimes I still can't imagine why your mother is married to him," Paris said, not nearly quiet enough.

"Paris, you know their whole story," Rory reminded her. "They're the Ross and Rachel of Stars Hollow. They're the only things that make sense in this crazy town."

"This is a crazy town," Paris mumbled, sitting back in her chair.

"Shut it," Rory said, turning toward Alex. "I wish I had what you and Kurt had."

"Your relationship with Jess is so much better," Alex told her. "You guys have a history and there's no question in how much you care about each other. You work so hard to make things work because the love you have for each other is worth it. You're lucky."

"I guess," she said. Once their food arrived, they changed the subject to softer topics. Alex told them about his new projects and possible future projects. Paris told them about residency and how she thought Doyle would propose any day. Rory talked about a piece she wrote that would be on the front page of Monday's paper.

Once the three of them were finished with lunch, she helped them pack up their things. She walked them out to Paris's car and hugged them both.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said when she pulled away from Alex. "I'll be home in time for dinner." He smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"Have fun," he said before sliding into the passenger seat.

"Call me when you figure out your schedule for next week and we can plan dinner or something," she said to Paris.

"I will," Paris told her. "We really have to go. Happy birthday."

"Thanks."

Rory stepped back onto the sidewalk and watched as her friends pulled away from the curb and headed toward the city. She started walking to her mother's house to get her car. She was hoping she wasn't becoming one of those girls whose life stops and focuses solely on her boyfriend, but she was afraid that might be the case.

She didn't have what Paris and Alex had, though. She had to take what little time was offered with Jess and run with it. She hoped her friends and family could see that; she hoped they understood.

She let herself into the house to grab a cup of coffee. The house was all clean, save for a small spread of food left on the counter. Her bedroom door was open and she could see April sitting on the bed, doing homework.

"Hey," Rory said, leaning against the door jam.

"Hi Rory," April said, closing her science book. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just picking up my car," she answered. "How were the kids last night?"

"They were great," April told her. "By the time Lane and Zach left, all three of them were sleeping. I just did my homework all night."

"That's good," Rory said. "It would have been better if you could have come to the party, but at least the kids were easy."

"How was it? I heard Jess showed up."

"He did," Rory said, smiling. "The party was great. Jess and I are fine. Everything worked out well."

"Don't you miss him when he leaves? Just seeing him on the weekends must be really hard," April said and Rory nodded. She let herself into her old room and sat on the bed, curling her foot beneath her.

"It really sucks," she admitted. "I think he's worth it, though."

"How old were you when you and Jess met?" April asked out of nowhere.

"We were seventeen," Rory said. "We didn't start dating until a year later, though. I was with Dean."

"Even though you were with Dean, did you know that you and Jess would end up together?"

"I didn't realize I cared about him all that much until Luke kicked him out and he moved back to New York," Rory started, lying back on the small bed next to April. "When he came back and I kissed him at Sookie's wedding, everything changed. I didn't know what I wanted or who I wanted to be with."

"Your story is like a movie," April told her. "I want what you and Jess have."

"It will happen one day," Rory said, putting her arm around Aprils shoulders. "You're still young; you've got plenty of time to find the man of your dreams."

"When you were sixteen, though, you were with Dean and you were in love," April pointed out. "I'm sixteen and just happy to have boys look in my direction."

"Stop it," Rory laughed. "You're gorgeous. Dean was great and all, but the way it ended really sucked."

"Oh, I've heard all about that," April laughed quietly. "I just can't wait to find someone who isn't such a little boy. Everyone in my grade is so immature."

"I remember that," Rory said. "Within the next year, you'll have boys flocking all around you; good ones, mature ones."

"I hope so," she said.

"I'll let you get back to your homework," Rory said, getting off of the bed. "It's probably time that I get out of this dress."

"I'll see you tonight at dinner?" April asked. "Dad's making a pot roast."

"Count me in," Rory said. "Bye, April."

April smiled and opened her book again. Rory grabbed a coffee and walked out to her car. She drove to the diner with her window open and her music playing softly. She parked outside of the diner and could see Luke and Jess standing behind the counter laughing about something. Jess caught her eye and smiled at her through the window before continuing his conversation with Luke.

She could remember when they could barely stand to be in the same room together. Now they spoke on the phone regularly; they talked about things that mattered. They could joke together, they cold lean on each other; they were a family. She was happy that Jess had Luke to talk to and that Luke was happy to listen.

All of a sudden she saw Dean and his beautiful second wife, Kara, walking across the street toward Luke's. Jess noticed them, too, said something to Luke and walked upstairs. Luke, oblivious to what was happening heard the bell above the door ring and he nodded in understanding. As soon as they were sitting, thankfully with their backs toward the door, Rory got out of her car and walked into the diner. Luke nodded in her direction from behind the counter and she smiled, walking upstairs.

Jess was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a soda. "Hey," he said and she sat across from him.

"Hey," Rory said. She rested her feet on his lap and he rested his hands on her calves.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" He asked, squeezing her ankles softly.

"I would love to," she said, taking her legs back and standing up. She kissed him softly on the lips. "Let me just get dressed."

He kissed her again and nodded. She walked to Jess's old bed where her bag was lying next to it. She picked out a pair of jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. Jess watched as she got dressed, her back to him. To him, the way she stepped into her jeans or put her arm through her sleeve was perfect. She could do no wrong as far as he was concerned. She fanned her perfectly straight hair out from being tucked in her t-shirt. She sat on the bed and put on her socks and sneakers. She did it all so easily, so beautifully.

"Ready?" She asked, turning around and putting on her jacket.

"I am," he said. He put on his jacket and took her hand. He carried her bag with his free hand. They left the apartment together and entered the diner at the same time. Luke was standing over Dean's table, taking his and Kara's orders. Rory pulled Jess's hand to stop him and they waited at the end of the counter.

"April invited us over for dinner tonight, is that okay?" Rory asked, leaning on her elbows, when Luke came back. Jess stood next to her with his hand on her back.

"Yeah, of course," Luke said. "Oh, but I have to bring her to Anna's by 7:30. So, we'll be eating at 5."

"That sounds perfect," Rory said. "Is that okay with you, Jess?"

"I love a free dinner," he confirmed. "See you tonight, Luke.

"Bye guys," Jess took Rory's hand again and he could feel Dean's eyes on them as they left the diner and stopped to put Rory's bag in her trunk and even as they crossed the street. He kept her hand in his and brought his arm around her shoulders. She felt him kiss the side of her head and she squeezed his hand.

They walked the rest of the way with only a few shared words. For the entirety of the walk, his arm was around her shoulders and she was holding his hand. Their hips bumped with almost every step, but they were used to it. Once they reached the bridge, he unraveled his arm from her neck and pulled her behind him by the hand. She smiled and let him guide her down the small slope to the aging bridge.

He sat down with his feet dangling over the water and finally let go of her hand. She sat down next to him and let him pull her into his side. She curled her legs beneath her and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I love you so much," she said quietly, burying her head in his neck and kissing it softly.

"I love you, too," he said, looking out over the quiet lake.

She rubbed his back and looked out at the lake with him. He let his head fall softly onto hers and held her tighter.

"You're really a grownup now," she said after a few seconds of silence.

"Why do you say that?" He asked with a quiet laugh.

"You just walked away from Dean," she told him, hugging him. "You never would have done that before."

"I have no desire to start anything with Dean," Jess said matter-of-factly. "Neither of us are eighteen anymore."

"I know," she said. "I like that."

"I guess I'm proving myself to you and Luke one avoided confrontation at a time," he said and kissed the top of her head.

"You don't need to prove yourself to either of us," Rory promised. "We both love you."

"Yeah," he said. She sat up to kiss him on the cheek. He rubbed her arm and held her face with his free hand. She smiled at him and he kissed her tenderly. She cupped his face in return and continued the kiss until they were lying on the bridge. They kissed slowly until Jess pushed himself to rest above Rory's body. He pulled away and kissed her forehead. "You're perfect. I'm just trying to match up."

"You're perfect for me," she whispered. He smiled and kissed her again, this time more passionately. She was pulling on his waist as he held himself with one hand and dug his other deep into her hair pulling her toward him. As soon as her hand touched his belt buckle in a fit of passion, his phone rang loudly from his back pocket and they sprang apart like they had been caught. They caught their breath and rolled off her while simultaneously pulling his phone out.

"It's Michael," he said, wiping his face with his free hand.

"Answer it," she instructed, sitting up and letting out a breathy laugh. "It might be about the author."

Jess nodded and answered the phone, sitting up and dangling his feet over the edge as if nothing had happened.

"What's up?" He asked and then cleared his throat.

"We got him," Michael whispered. "He's packing a bag to head to Philly."

"Why are you whispering?" Jess asked, mocking a whisper.

"I'm in his living room," he answered. "I don't want him to hear me gushing like a little girl."

"Okay," Jess laughed. "Well, that's great. He'll be there tomorrow?"

"He's got friends in the city, so he's staying with them tonight and we probably won't see him until Monday night for dinner," Michael said. "Which works out perfectly; Once you're back from your little relationship rehab, you'll have time to get your shit together and sign him."

"I'll be there by tomorrow night," Jess said. "My shit will be together by Monday morning. I'll get him."

"Good," Michael said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Tell the little lady I said hi."

"Will do," Jess replied. "Don't scare him away."

"Yeah, bye asshole."

"Michael says hi," Jess said, sliding his phone into his sweatshirt pocket.

"You got the author?" Rory asked excitedly.

"He's coming to hear us out, see what we can offer him," Jess explained. "He's a college kid; nobody else is knocking down his door. He'll sign with us easy; he's just trying to scare Mike into giving him a free ride to Philly."

"Smart kid," Rory smiled. "Congratulations."

He smiled and kissed her, lingering on her bottom lip. When he pulled away, she nearly fell into his lap, longing to continue. She licked her lips hugged his chest. "I don't want today to end," she whined and he hugged her and pulled her to sit with her legs making a bridge over his.

"We can't have this conversation every weekend," Jess told her, smoothing has hand through her hair. "It rips at my stomach every single time that we do."

"You're right," she said. "Of course you're right."

"Head back to the inn?" He asked, resting his forehead against hers.

"We can finish what Michael just rudely interrupted," she answered. He laughed and stood, pulling her with him. They kissed one last time and he grabbed her hand, sticking it into his pocket with his, and walked back toward the Dragonfly.