Chapter 25: Reconciliation

MEMORIES

From here on out are stories that happened between when Jen moved to Stars Hollow and the wedding. One-shots. In no particular order.

July - 7 months after Jen moved to Stars Hollow

Jen walked into the diner on Thursday night and glanced at the clock on the wall. 7:26. Oops. She was late. She had agreed to meet Luke at 6:30, for a quick bite before the movie at the Black-White-Read Theatre.

She saw Lorelai and Rory in the corner and angled over to say hello. They had become friendly over the past few months. Jen thought Lorelai was kind and funny and generous, if a little dramatic.

"Hey, you two," Jen said as she approached the table.

"Hi, Jen!" they both responded brightly.

Lorelai gestured at a chair, "Sit down."

Jen took a seat. "For a minute. I'm already late anyway. We're going to miss the movie."

"We are, too," Rory said. "We didn't have time to buy snacks, and what's the point of watching Lethal Weapon without snacks?"

Jen laughed. "I didn't even know what the movie was. I've been out of town so we were going to make a date night, but my flight was late." She shrugged. "That Hartford airfield is ridiculous."

"Yeah, but the drive from Boston is impossible." Lorelai sipped her coffee. "Where did you go?"

"San Francisco for work, then a day in Seattle. I adore San Francisco, and took a couple extra days to visit some friends. Seattle was just a quick stop at the office." Jen had lived in Seattle — they weren't happy memories.

"Well, welcome home," Lorelai said warmly.

"Thanks. I guess I should head upstairs." Jen rose from the table just as a man approached.

"Oh, Jen, this is my husband, Chris," Lorelai stood to make introductions. "Chris, this is Luke's fiancé, Jen Dante." Jen shook Chris' hand cordially.

"It's nice to meet you, Chris. I can't believe we haven't run into each other yet."

Chris smiled at her. "Likewise. I still travel a bit. Just got back from Seattle, actually."

"Me, too. Were you on the plane to Hartford?"

Chris shook his head ruefully. "No, I went to Boston. I've been in traffic for hours."

"See! I told you!" Lorelai broke in. "Change of plans, Chris. We're going to watch Lethal Weapon at home."

"Okay, then," Chris said. "I'm not even going to ask. Jen, it was my pleasure."

They said their goodbyes, and Jen waved to Cesar on her way upstairs to Luke's apartment. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She thought the television was on rather loud, so she pushed the door open.

It wasn't the television. Luke was sitting on the couch, with his guitar in his lap. He was playing a bluesy song and singing quietly. Jen closed the door quietly behind her and stood by the door. He's really good. His singing voice was strong and gravelly. When he finished, Jen clapped. Luke started, then blushed a little as put leaned his guitar back up on the stand.

"I didn't see you come in," he said, apologetically. "Hey, honey." He walked over to her and gave her a big hug.

"I'm sorry I'm so late. We sat on the tarmac forever waiting for a terminal." Jen offered her face for a kiss. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." Luke said, pulling her down on the couch onto his lap. "How was your trip?"

"Good," Jen said. "Even better to be home."

Luke's heart warmed the way it always did when she called Stars Hollow home. He looked at the clock. "Are you hungry? I ate earlier but I can fix you something."

Jen shook her head. "No, thanks." She smiled at Luke and nodded at the guitar. "You're really good. How come I haven't heard you play before?"

He blushed again. "I just fool around a little before bed, usually."

"You should play more," Jen said. "I like it."

"I'm not that good," Luke said. "I just play for fun."

"Well … like I said. I like it." Jen stretched out on the couch, her head in Luke's lap. "So …. what did I miss?" The diner was the social hub of town. If there was news, Luke would know.

"Nothing. Well, they voted unanimously to host a fall festival at the town meeting, but that wasn't a surprise. 110 years in a row or some ludicrous thing."

"Good. I like the festivals." She closed her eyes.

"Do you still want to go to the movie?" Luke asked.

"Not really," Jen answered lazily. "I saw Lorelai and Rory downstairs— they're not going either." She opened her eyes. "I met her husband, he was picking them up."

Luke frowned. "Christopher? He never comes into the diner."

Jen shrugged. "Well, he was in there. He seemed nice enough … oh." She looked up at Luke. His face was stormy. "I forgot. I'm sorry."

Luke shook his head, but he was still scowling. "I don't like him."

Jen snuggled up to Luke. "All right … "

He looked down. He knew that tone. "All right, but what?"

Jen shrugged again. "Maybe it's time to bury the hatchet. He's married to Lorelai —one of your best friends. One of my friends. And if you're with me and she's with him, why can't the past be in the past?"

Luke sighed. "I don't know."

Jen reached up and turned his face to meet hers. "Don't you think things would be better for you and Lorelai if you and Chris could be … well, if not friends … at least tolerate being in the same room?"

Luke's eyes were on hers. She saw the pain and jealousy and worry that flickered across them before he shuttered those feelings from her. That wound was still as fresh as the day Lorelai left him. "Okay," she said. "Okay." She sighed before she stood up and stretched again. "I think I'm just going to go to the Alamo ... it was a long flight and I'm exhausted. I'll see you tomorrow."

Jen leaned down and gave Luke a soft kiss. He felt the magic that always accompanied her kisses, he opened his mouth to say something… but she was gone.

xxx-xxx-xxx

Jen woke up at the Alamo in her deliciously comfortable bed. She opened her eyes to the wood beams on the ceiling and thought about the steam shower that awaited her. Then she looked to her right at the empty pillow and furrowed her brow. I need a cat, she thought. I don't like waking up alone. She had not expected to wake up alone this morning. Jen sighed as she briefly replayed the conversation of the previous evening, then she shook her head and resolutely got out of bed.

By the time she was done with her shower, she had talked herself out of the cat, and as she finished drying her hair, she smelled coffee brewing. Jen pulled on her ancient, faded Levi's and a white camisole before she padded barefoot into the kitchen.

The coffee pot was full. Luke was sitting on the back patio, looking up at the glass dome, his back to the door. Jen watched him momentarily, then sighed again.

She poured herself a mug before she slipped outside and sat in the chair next to Luke's. "Shouldn't you be at the diner?" she asked, very quietly.

Luke looked over at her. "I don't give a damn about the diner right now." His eyes were steely and gray as they roamed over her face. She looked back without speaking. She knew that look. When Luke was ready to talk, he would. She sipped at her coffee and looked out over the patio. I need to have the gardeners back in.

After several long minutes, he finally spoke. "I don't love her," Luke said, with more force than he intended.

"I know," Jen replied. She continued to survey the garden. I'll have them take the ferns out. They're messy.

"I love you," he continued.

Jen felt his eyes on her face, but she didn't turn. "I know that, too."

She heard him sigh. "You're going to make me say it."

She didn't respond.

He paused for another minute. "She chose him. I've already told you this."

Jen brushed an imaginary piece of lint off of her knee.

"You don't understand. He was always in the way … he's the reason …" Luke stopped. Oh my God.

Jen turned her face. Her brown eyes found his blue ones.

"He's the reason I'm not married to her."

Jen watched his face.

"He's the reason I'm free to be with you."

Jen still didn't move, just watched the turmoil of expressions play across Luke's handsome face.

"Damn," Luke said. "I never thought of it that way." His eyes never left hers, but her face was blank. He waited another long minute. "Say something, honey."

Jen looked up at the dome. "I need to have Kirk over to clean the glass again."

Luke let out a deep breath. He pulled the empty mug out of Jen's hands and disappeared into the kitchen. When he came back, he sat down and handed the full mug back.

"We're never going to be friends, he and I."

Jen took a sip.

Luke tried a different tack. "I'm so grateful that you found me."

Her eyes flickered over to him, so briefly Luke thought he imagined it.

"You and me … we're meant to be together. I know we are. You know we are."

Jen smiled into her cup, ever so slightly.

Luke reached over and tilted her chin until she met his gaze.

"You know we are. Right?"

"Yes."

He didn't let go of her face, he just gazed at her. "How did you get to be so wise?"

"Life's too short to stay angry," she said quietly.

Luke dropped his hand and moved it across his face and through his hair. He dropped his head back and nodded at the dome. "I'm sorry."

Jen looked back out into the garden. "This was the first time I had any concern about her." She looked at Luke with sadness in her eyes.

"Oh, honey, no." Luke leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and turned his head to look at her. "No. This is my insecurity, my guilt … please don't say that."

"I believe you mean that," Jen said, so quietly he could barely hear her. "So why can't you move past it?"

Luke dropped his head. You have to fix this. "Will you help me?" Jen looked into Luke's eyes, clear and true.

"Of course I will."

xxx-xxx-xxx

Jen walked through the huge front door of the Dragonfly Inn, then paused in the foyer to look around. She hadn't been in here since the Christmas party. Lorelai looked up from front desk.

"Jen! Hi. What a surprise," Lorelai said with a bright smile.

Jen smiled back without bitterness. Whatever had been between Lorelai and Luke was long gone—Jen had sensed that from the very beginning. She felt no jealousy either—that wasn't the reason she was here. There was something that Luke had to reassure himself about before he could truly bury the past. He had asked for her help, and so Jen found herself here, in Lorelai's inn.

"Good morning, Lorelai," Jen said warmly. She held up a coffee cup, fresh from Luke's Diner. "I brought you this."

Lorelai's smile got even wider. "I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth … but to what do I owe the pleasure?" She took the cup from Jen.

"I came to invite you to dinner. At the Alamo."

Lorelai paused. She considered Jen a friend, but they hadn't broken that personal space barrier yet. For obvious reasons, Lorelai thought. Out loud, she said, "Oh! How nice."

Jen took a deep breath. "You … and Chris."

Lorelai set the coffee cup down on the desk. "I'm sorry ... I think I just hallucinated."

"You didn't."

Lorelai moved an arm and invited Jen into the library. "Have a seat."

Jen sat, and Lorelai took the chair directly across from her. "How much do you know?"

Jen crossed her ankles and sat up straight. "All of it … at least, all of his side."

Lorelai nodded slowly. "The engagement."

"Of course."

"The ultimatum."

"Yes."

"The … uh …." Lorelai faltered.

"Even that. And the subsequent punching, followed by your rapid courtship and marriage to Chris."

Lorelai sat back. "That's a Yahtzee. Does Luke know you're here?"

Jen nodded. "He asked me to come. He thought you, or rather, Chris, might not agree if he asked."

Lorelai was speechless for a moment. "I don't know what to say. I can't answer without talking to Chris."

"Of course not," Jen answered easily. "But this is truly a peace offering. No catch."

Lorelai took a full minute to absorb this event, and the best she could come up with was, "Why?"

Jen tried to choose her words carefully. "Luke … needs to move past your … choice. Until he … uh … accepts …" she stopped. "There's no way to say this delicately. May I?"

Lorelai just nodded, fascinated by Jen's acceptance of the situation.

"Luke never liked the way Chris treated you and Rory. Because of that, it was a huge blow to Luke when you went to Chris after Luke didn't want to elope. He was even more rejected when you married him. He stewed in those feelings until he built up this massive complex, to the point where he's doesn't know if you chose Chris or if he forced your hand. So to me, his heart says yes, but his loyal, stubborn head is still not sure if he wronged you. Now, I love Luke. And I know he loves me … but until he understands that you made a decision … he can't move forward."

"Wow … you just butterflied that and laid it out on the slab, didn't you," Lorelai said, blinking rapidly.

Jen shrugged.

"You're really in the middle of a soap opera … that doesn't bother you?"

Jen shook her head. "Everyone's road takes a turn at some point. I just happened to meet Luke in the middle of one of his bends, and he can't straighten out and hit the throttle until he knows that you chose Chris … you didn't settle for him." Jen narrowed her eyes. "That's true, right?"

Lorelai nodded. "Yes."

"Good." Jen sighed. "Lorelai, Luke really cares about you. I promise, that doesn't bother me, it really doesn't. I'm so happy that he has a real, true friend. His anger toward Chris stems from the fact that he wants to be sure that he didn't cause you to make a decision you regret."

Lorelai had tears in her eyes. "I think you're a real, true friend. Thank you for loving my friend as much as you do." She stood up. "We'll come to dinner. I'll call you."

xxx-xxx-xxx

The doorbell rang just as Luke pulled a roast out of the oven. He set it down to rest before his eyes met Jen's. She lifted her brows. "Ready?"

Luke wiped his hands on a dish towel before he answered. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Well, it's too late now," Jen called over her shoulder as she walked to the door. She opened it wide, and warmly welcomed Lorelai and Christopher into her home.

"Wow, beautiful place," Chris said as he walked into the main room. "You've got some great stuff in here."

"Thank you," Jen said graciously.

"This bar …" Chris ran his hand along the ebony surface, "Where did you find it?"

Luke watched Chris from the kitchen. Smarmy bastard, he thought, then caught himself. No, he's being polite. Be the bigger man. You're the one that asked for help. He took a deep breath.

"It's from New Orleans," Luke's voice growled from the doorway. He hesitated at the doorway and glanced at Jen. She nodded encouragingly and smiled, and Luke knew in that moment he would do anything in his power to set her mind at ease. He could certainly play nice for a couple of hours.

Luke walked out and offered a hand to Chris. "An old oyster house, isn't that right, Jen?"

Chris shook his hand tentatively. "Well … it's certainly impressive," he said warily.

There was a long pause. Lorelai caught Jen's eye and worried her lip. Luke let go of Chris' hand and nodded. "My girl has good taste. Let me fix you both a drink. Lorelai, gin martini?" She smiled gratefully at the men. "Chris, what's your drink?"

"Scotch, if you've got it," Chris answered easily.

Jen let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

xxx-xxx-xxx

The big front door clicked shut and Jen sank against it with her eyes closed. Luke watched her from his stance near the fireplace. The evening had been long, and uncomfortable, and whether he asked for it or not, Luke resented being put in a defensive position. In his stubbornness, Luke had intended to play the "I told you so" game with Jen, but seeing her now, completely worn out, his heart softened. She did this for me. He was overcome by a wave of sympathy. He walked around the couch and enveloped her in his strong arms, rubbing her back until he felt her melt against him.

It was mostly relief she felt. The evening had started very awkwardly. After drinks, Luke left to finish the meal, but once they were all seated and had complimented the food, the palpable discomfort made Lorelai babble almost incoherently, while Luke dealt by clamming up. It had taken all of Jen's considerable conversation skills to keep the evening moving forward. Thankfully, Christopher had been fairly at ease and had tried hard, too — he seemed like a 'bygones are bygones' kind of person, and Jen admired that quality.

She leaned her head against Luke's chest and sighed.

"Hell of a night," Luke said quietly. Jen felt the rumble of the words more that she heard them.

She nodded. "And?"

Luke considered the evening. He had appreciated Jen's valiant efforts and tried to correct when he noticed he was withdrawing. And actually, surprisingly, he had even found himself interested in some of the things Chris had said. He pulled back from Jen slightly. "I don't hate him," he admitted.

Tears filled her eyes, taking Luke by surprise. "Hey! What's that for?" he asked gently, as he guided a Jen over to the sofa.

She sat down, and by the time Luke sat next to her, Jen had blinked her tears away. "Just relieved."

Luke looked questioning for a moment, then he sighed and pulled her into his lap. "This must have been terrible for you."

She leaned her forehead against his. "Are you over it? Really?"

"Yes. I accept that Lorelai is happy and Chris is not the devil." He cuddled Jen a little as he settled back into the sofa. "And I'm glad. Truly. But I'm very sorry you got caught in the middle. I thought it was gone …. I guess there was a little regret left. Not anymore."

He turned to face Jen, locking his beautiful blue eyes onto hers. They were intense, and clear, and honest. "It's you, honey. It's only you. I promise."

She rested her head against his chest.

The past is laid to rest, she thought. Mine, and now his. Luke's hand played with her engagement ring, twirling it around and around and around her finger. She fell asleep to thoughts of their future together, and when she woke later in the darkness, she was in her own bed. She turned her head to the right —Luke was sleeping next to her where he belonged. He stirred as she shifted, and he thought he heard her say, "I don't want a cat," before she fell back asleep.