Chapter 14
"Chris", Jess called out when he heard the doorbell ring, "I pay you to do a job and that's to get the door."
Chris popped his head in from the other room. "Oh forgive me master. I had no idea my job description was to be 'Jess' Slave'. I must have missed the fine print on that one."
He went back to what he was doing.
"Die", Jess mumbled getting up to get the door.
"I really hope that's someone trying to sell something for you", Chris mocked, "you're just so cheery this morning."
"Die twice", Jess scowled.
"Sure grandpa", Chris mocked.
Jess reached the door and opened it. "If you're selling something we're not interested", he said shutting the door again.
"I'm not selling anything, Jess."
He held the door open right before closing it. He had the home team advantage, he could close the door in her face and she'd definitely get a clue then. But on the other hand, he'd never know why she really came.
"What are you doing here", he asked.
"Can I come in", Rory asked.
Jess stepped aside without answering, so she took that as a yes.
"It's a nice place", she commented when she walked in.
"It's a bookstore/publishing house", he mumbled, "no big deal."
She nodded her head and smiled awkwardly.
"But thank you", he said.
She smiled a real smile. "You're welcome."
"What are you doing here, Rory", he asked again.
"I needed to talk to you", she said.
"Could of called, email, smoke signal", he said shrugging.
"This needed to be in person", she answered.
He nodded his head and walked towards the kitchen. "You want some coffee?"
"Do you even have to ask", she smiled.
"Yes then", he smiled for the first time since she'd arrived.
"Thank you Jess", she said sitting at the counter, "so I read the book."
Jess paused at the coffee machine for a split second. "And…"
"And it was great", she smiled, "I read it in one night. I couldn't put it down."
"So you're review will say a real page turner", Jess said, "Thanks… look forward to it."
"Jess", Rory said as he handed her the cup, "I sent Logan home the next morning."
"What do you want me to say", he asked, "good for you… he wasn't 'the one'… better luck next time… what Rory…"
"You don't have to say anything", she said.
"Good then you're done here", he said walking away.
"Jess…."
"No Rory", Jess said, "I hope you didn't come here for sympathies cause you are not getting them from me."
"I didn't", she said slowly.
"Good", he said loudly, "the door's that way… I'm sure you can find your way home."
"I thought I did", she mumbled grabbing her purse.
"What did you say", he asked while her back was turned.
"I don't know what you're so mad at me for…"
Jess just stared at her as she turned around.
"You wrote a book where you made all you're hometown friends look like buffoons… you made me look like a selfish brat… Is that really what you think of me?"
"No", Jess said.
"Why did you leave", Rory asked.
"You told me to."
"No I mean ten years ago", Rory said, "You had to have known I knew that day on the bus. I saw your bag and I waited for you to say it. Why didn't you say anything? All you told me was you couldn't take me to prom. That's the last thing you ever said to me. If you would have told me to wait for you Jess… damn it I would have!"
"I have never regretted a decision so much in my life."
"It doesn't change the fact you left without saying goodbye. Without even saying anything at all…"
"What did you want me to say", Jess was getting angry, "I'm sorry I can't take you to prom because I skipped so much school they're not letting me graduate oh and by the way Luke kicked me out so I'm going to find my dad."
"I would of tried to help you", Rory said.
"How Rory", Jess asked, "you're mom wasn't exactly lighting candles for me so it's not like I could have stayed with you…"
"I loved you", Rory said softly causing Jess to soften his expression.
"If it means anything… I loved you too…"
"And now", Rory asked.
"I've always loved you Rory Gilmore and I always will."
"I'm sorry", Rory said, "for yelling…"
"I deserved it", he said.
Jess stepped closer to Rory and she moved a little back. He felt sudden déjà vu and he was taken back to their first couple of awkward kisses.
"What are you doing", she whispered.
"Just stand still", Jess said.
Rory smiled and leaned in kissing Jess. Their kiss started slow until he deepened it, placing his hands on her cheeks. They pulled away at the same time.
"I've missed you."
"Jess", Rory pulled away, "it's not just me anymore… I come with a package… I have Lori to think about… I need to know you're not going to bolt at the first sign of trouble-"
Jess cut her off with another kiss.
"I'm not going anywhere", he smiled.
"You promise", Rory grinned.
"I promise", Jess said, "Rory I love you and Lori's great. I'm not letting you both go…"
"Good answer."
Rory leaned in and kissed him softly. Jess deepened the kiss. They both smiled into the kiss. It was the ending of one lifetime, but the beginning of another. Rory knew from that moment on, all she needed was back in Stars Hollow and right in front of her. She smiled and leaned her forehead against Jess' placing butterfly kisses all over his face and kissing him deeply all over again.
The end!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay so that's the ending… I told you it'd be happy… Hope you guys enjoyed it. Remember to review!