A/N: Thanks so much for following my story, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Break. This will be my last Chapter before my Christmas. I hope to have time to write a few chapters next week cause after that I will be offline til the 9th of January. I will keep you posted. I will keep writing. I just don't know if I will have internet access to post. I appreciate all of the wonderful reviews. I feel like we are about half way through the story. Have a wonderful Holiday!

Chapter 25 - Jess

Jess had finished reading the note, the novel sat before him. He wasn't sure if he was the best person to read the novel with an objective eye. He leaned back in his chair. Godfather? She wanted him to be the Godfather to the baby. Before he could think, he picked up his phone and sent a text.

"I will be there the 13th, what time? JM." He set his phone down and it immediately buzzed. "1pm. RG" Jess smiled to himself.

"Thanks - JM" He thought of something else and quickly sent another message.

"Do you mind if one of my partners reads the book first? I may not be the best objective voice.-JM"

"Sure, you are the publisher, do what you think is best. - RG"

"Godfather? Huh? Sounds nice - JM"

"Ok, I know its you, can we stop with the initials?"

"RG"

"Haha! Yes, we can stop with the initials Ms. Gilmore!"

"Yes, Godfather! Every kid needs a good one."

":)! Gonna run the book down to Matthew, talk to you later."

"Night"

"Night"

Jess carried the book down to the main floor. Matthew was sitting at a desk editing his novel and Aaron was behind the counter talking to a customer. Jess set the book down on Matt's desk.

"This is the book Rory sent. She wants to see if we are interested in publishing it. I am not sure that I can be the best first reader, I am hardly objective when it comes to her. Do you mind taking the first look? She wants an honest opinion, I think she is a great writer, but I know her and her style well, I also know a lot of this story, I would like an outsiders point of view."

"Sure, I would love to take a look. Do you mind if I set aside editing to do it? Or should I do it after?"

"No, read the book first, then edit."

"Ok, I will get on it. By the way, I am two chapters in and so far, this is the least cheesy love story I have ever read. I like your take."

"Thanks man, don't worry, it gets cheesy."

Two days later, Jess was in his apartment taking his lunch break when there was a knock at the door. He answered the door and Matthew stood in front of him.

"You are going to want to call your publisher" was his opening statement."

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, something is very, very right." He held up a manuscript, it was Rory's. "This book is going to be too big for us to publish. It has the makings of a best seller. It is like a chic flick but in writing, it's funny, it's unapologetic, it is everything that makes everyone want to buy a book. The mom in hilarious, the grandparents are characters, the town she talks about, is it really like that?" Matt continued his ramblings and a smile spread across Jess's face. Matt was a hard sell, he didn't like corny stuff and he was a fastidious editor. He knew that if he said the book was gold, then it was.

"I will read it and then get in contact with the publisher. If it is what you say it is, I want to have everything settled when I see Rory next month."

"Wait, hold on, you are seeing Rory next month, for what?"

Jess's looked away from Matt and under his breath he mumbled "doctor's appointment."

"What?"

Jess cleared his throat, "I am meeting her for a doctor's appointment."

"Like a baby appointment?"

"Yes, look she asked me to be Godfather to the baby, she is supposed to find out the sex and asked me to come."

"You talked to her? Why didn't you tell us."

"No, well, not really, it was all in the note attached to the manuscript. Plus we texted a little."

"So you have been in contact with her since you told us about her, and since the manuscript came? And you have told us nothing?"

"Yes…" Jess didn't know what else to say. This was uncharted territory for him with Rory. Before when they had dated, cell phones were barely a thing, and whenever he saw her it was unannounced. This texting, staying in contact kind of thing was brand new to their dynamic and he was trying to process. "Look I was gonna tell you guys. I just am still trying to figure out where this is all at between us. She asked me to be the kids godfather, I said ok and that I would go to the doctor with her, I texted her to ask the time and we had a little back and forth. But she used the word friend in the letter she sent me at least half a dozen times, so I know that at least for now, that's where we are. I am her friend. I told you all the crap I told her about stringing guys along. I think this is her way of being clear that she isn't doing that. She does want me around, but she isn't trying to make me think there is something there that isn't. Even if there is."

"Wow, that's a lot you were holding in there Jess."

"Yeah, well, I told you I am trying to figure it all out."

"So a doctor's appointment to find out if the baby is a girl or a boy. And the dad is ok with you being there?"

"She hasn't told the dad, she isn't planning to, at least not immediately, she needs someone by her side."

"I see… well then, here is the manuscript, it is an amazing story. They could make a tv series or Netflix movie out it. I strongly suggest getting in contact with your publisher and if you want to work out a deal, have a contract ready for her on, what day did you say? February 13, hmm, that's the day before Valentine's Day, nice opportunity there."

Jess took the manuscript from Matt who preceded to make his way back down to the shop and get back to work. Jess, yelled down, "I am going to read this up here. Call me if you get busy and need help."

Jess went to the couch and got comfortable. "That good huh?" He queried out loud. "Let's see what your life looks like from your perspective."

Jess flipped over the last page of the manuscript and picked up his phone. His first call was to his contact at the publishing company.

"Amy, hi, Jess Mariano here."

"Are you calling about your new book? Let me guess you need an extension. No problem, I can give you another month."

"No, Amy hold on, the book is done, Matt is working on the first edit before we send it over. But I am not calling about that."

"What, done already, wow, that was fast. Is it as good as the chapters you sent over?"

"Probably a little better, I did some rewriting, but hold on Amy listen. I had a young author come in with a manuscript and I thought I would give it a look. Matt read it first, I just finished it. It is amazing. I think it is bigger than us, though we would like to funnel it the same as we do my books. I was wondering if I could send you the first few chapters."

"If you think it's that good, sure I will take a look. Email it to me."

"I only have a hard copy. Let me get in touch with the author to get the file and I will send you the first three chapters. I can have it to you by tomorrow."

"Ok, I will take a look, I will give you a call when I finish reading it."

"Ok, sounds like a plan."

Jess hung up the phone, pleased. He knew that even if Truncheon just got shared credit with the publisher, being able to have their name on this book would be huge. He wondered how Rory would take the news. Call or text? He fought with the dilemma before deciding this news needed to be done in person. He picked up his car keys, packed an overnight bag, his laptop, and headed downstairs.

"Guys, I will be gone overnight, heading to Stars Hollow."

"What?" Matt and Aaron voiced in unison.

"I need to get an electronic file from Rory for the book, I need to send it to Amy and the publisher. She is interested and will give it a read. Plus, I felt it important to deliver the news in person to Rory. She is going to be ecstatic."

Matt and Aaron looked at each other and together nodded their heads and said "mmhmmm."

Jess didn't mind their unconvinced look, in his mind he was already at her door with a good pretext for the visit.

Within four hours, he really was there. He rang the bell at her mom's house. Her car was parked outside, it was eight in the evening, he didn't expect her to be at the Gazette.

"I got it mom, it's probably the pizza."

"Tell the delivery boy, I will tip him tomorrow, I only have enough cash for the pizza."

"Ok," Rory opened the door and Jess appreciated the look of shock on her face, "Jess."