Chapter 14. Dinner at Luke's
"Here you go." Jess said as he offered her a cup of coffee.
"Thanks." She replied as she motioned for him to take a seat on the couch next to her.
"Rory, you can stay here as long as you want. Your mom is going to figure it out eventually; I mean this is Stars Hollow. Two stop signs and your back where you started." He declared as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"I know. She is probably downstairs right now talking to Luke." She replied.
"Well do you want to talk to her?" He asked sweetly.
"No." Rory stated angrily.
"Rory I think you should. Your mom is crazy but she is also a great mother and the fact that you're twenty and she is still concerned about every detail in your life is annoying but also great too." He explained.
"Jess how can you talk so nicely about her when she hates you?" She asked curiously.
"Because she is a part of you and I love you so I have to like her too." He replied as he kissed her forehead lightly.
"You are so wonderful you know that?" Rory said in amazement.
"Well I don't know about wonderful, but I try." He replied with his trademark smirk.
"You're perfect." She said as she snuggled a little closer.
"Luke I need to talk to her." Lorelai pleaded.
"I think she needs her space. Rory is a great girl she will come around Lorelai." Luke replied as he continued to block her from the stairs.
"I really messed up this time. Me and my big mouth." Lorelai said as she took her seat in defeat.
"Do you really not trust Jess?" Luke asked as he poured her some coffee.
"I don't know. I want to believe he has changed for Rory and your sake but I just. I don't know Luke. With everything that has happened with Rory in the last year, the whole Dean fiasco and all. I just can't see her get hurt again. Does that make me so awful?" Lorelai declared with sadness in her voice.
"No it doesn't. Part of why I love you is because you are a terrific mother. But Lorelai I love Jess too. He is my family. I trust him. You should too. Alright?" Luke replied lovingly.
"I know you're right. I just wish Rory would talk to me." She said with a large sigh.
"Try her later. After you get off work come by here for dinner. I will make it for the four of us." Luke replied.
"Okay sounds good. Thanks Luke. I love you." Lorelai said as she thanked him with a kiss.
"See you later." Luke replied as he went back to work.
That night Lorelai showed up at their apartment and knocked on the door as she waited for the door to open.
"Hi. Come on in." Jess said feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Hi Jess." Lorelai replied with the same awkwardness.
Lorelai greeted Luke with a kiss before looking around the room for her daughter.
"Where's Rory?" she asked.
"She's reading in my room. I'll go get her." Jess replied as he headed for the room.
"Rory, your mom is here." Jess said as he walked towards her.
"Okay, give me a minute." She replied somberly.
"It will be alright Rory. Your mom loves you. We can get passed this I promise." He said as he held his hand out for her.
"Since when did you become so wise and optimistic?" She asked as she took his hand.
"Ever since the girl I love said she loved me back. I've never been happier." He replied with a sweet smile.
"Well don't you know exactly what to say?" She said as she kissed him tenderly.
He led her out to the kitchen and then took his seat.
"Hey Rory." Lorelai greeted her daughter.
"Hi mom." She replied.
The four of them had a nice but awkward dinner. Lorelai was itching to have a real heart to heart with her daughter. She knew doing that over dinner was out of the question. Jess and Luke started doing the dishes and clearing the table. This was her chance.
"Rory could we go for a walk please?" Lorelai asked tentatively.
"Sure." Rory replied as she grabbed her coat.
"I'll be right back." Rory said as she went and kissed Jess quickly before heading out.
The Gilmore girls walked in silence for a few moments before Lorelai broke the silence.
"Rory I'm really sorry. I was out of line. I should trust your judgment." Lorelai declared.
"Mom I forgive you. I mean I understand you're worried but Jess is so amazing. Take the time to really get to know him now. Forget about everything from before. He's grown up and is everything I could ever ask for." Rory replied kindly.
"I saw how he looked at you during dinner kid. He is so in love with you." Lorelai said with a motherly smile.
"I love him too." Rory replied with a smile.
"I know you do sweets. I plead temporary insanity if that's okay?" Lorelai asked.
"I'll take it!" Rory said as she embraced her mother in a hug.
"I hate when we fight, I love you kid." Lorelai replied as she squeezed her daughter.
"Me too, I love you too mom." Rory said squeezing her mom tighter.
Rory and Lorelai made it up the stairs and entered the apartment happy.
"I take it you two are okay now?" Jess asked as he wiped a dish dry.
"Yes, were good." Rory replied as she kissed him lightly before taking a seat on the couch.
"Jess can I talk to you for a moment?" Lorelai asked.
"Um, sure." He replied hesitantly.
The two of them went out into the hallway.
"Jess I'm sorry I have been giving you a hard time. You used to be irresponsible, but your not now. I know you love Rory and wouldn't leave her again. So I apologize for acting the way I have." Lorelai apologized genuinely.
"Lorelai you don't have to apologize. I have given you plenty of reasons to not trust me. You love Rory, I can relate. I want her to be safe too. I can keep her safe I promise you." Jess replied.
"I believe you. Look at you Jess Mariano, You're a good kid!" Lorelai said as she messed up his hair a little before heading back inside………………….
A/N Hey everyone! Here's another update! Please review! I love reviews it lets me know you guys like my story. It's a great motivator for me. I hope you all like it! Enjoy your weekend everyone!
-Kara