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Chapter 37

A week had passed and it was the day of the funeral. Jess and Luke were getting ready for it at the house, both wearing black suits. It had been a tough week for them, trying to get their heads round what had happened and also trying to get the adoption sorted out.

Lorelai came downstairs wearing a black dress with Abby. "Sookie's coming in a minute to pick this one up." She said.

"I thought Rory and Jamie were going to look after her." Luke said confused.

"Me too but they seem to have different plans." Lorelai said pointing to where Rory and Jamie appeared in the hallway. Rory was wearing a similar black dress as her mom and Jamie was wearing a black suit.

"We thought you might like the support." Rory smiled sheepishly.

Luke smiled at them, touched. Jess went over and gave her a hug and Jamie a manly pat on the back. "Thanks." He said sincerely.

The doorbell then rang. "Oh that'll be Sookie." Lorelai said going to the door. She appeared in the living with a shy Paris by her side. "You've got a visitor." She said.

"Paris?" Jess said surprised.

"Rory told me it was your mom's funeral today. Figured you could do with a friend." She said.

Jess gave her a small smile. "Thanks."

Finally Sookie turned up to look after Abby and they all headed off for the funeral.

They got to the crematorium and saw the hearse with Liz's coffin in. Luke looked at Jess. "You ok?"

Jess just nodded, reaching out and holding Paris' hand without even realising he'd done it. He looked up at his uncle. "Are you ok?" He asked.

Luke took a deep breath. "We're in this together right?"

Jess nodded. "Right."

They were all ready to follow the coffin in when Jess spotted a man walking up to them. "No..." He said.

"What?" Luke asked following his gaze.

"That's him. He's the one who made mom send me away." Jess said. "Make him leave, please!" He begged.

The man approached them and immediately recognised Jess. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't you dare talk to him." Luke said seething.

"I can talk to him how I like. He's not welcome here. He was nothing but trouble for me and his mother!" The man said.

"Don't make me laugh! You were the reason he was sent away. Now he's here to grieve for his mother and I'm here to grieve for my sister so I think you should leave before I make you." Luke said angrily.

"Are you threatening me?" The man chuckled. "That boy is nothing but a waste of space. I'm sorry you got stuck with him."

Luke suddenly punched him and the man recoiled.

"Luke!" Lorelai said holding him back.

"I warned you!" Luke fumed. "That boy is anything but a waste of space and if I hear you say one more thing about him, it won't be just that punch that you will be recovering from." He said menacingly, giving him a push. "Now clear off!"

The man just snorted but obviously knew not to push him so he reluctantly left.

"Are you ok?" Lorelai asked softly.

Luke caught his breath. "Yeh. I'm sorry." He looked at Jess. "Come on, let's go give your mom that send off."

Jess nodded and they all followed the coffin in and the funeral started.

Soon it was time for the eulogies. Jess went first. He stepped up and took a deep breath. "When I first heard about my mom's death, I didn't really know how to feel. To be honest, she made my life hell. She wasn't the best mom and I sometimes wished she'd go away and never come back. I know that probably makes me a terrible person but we had an awful apartment and rarely any food to eat." He paused for a minute to gather his thoughts. He looked to Luke who gave him an encouraging nod. "But you only get one mom and I know deep down this wasn't the real her. She got caught up in the wrong things and her life got a bit messed up. I realised she must have loved me when she sent me to stay with my uncle. She could have just thrown me out but she sent me somewhere she knew I would be looked after." Jess looked over at the coffin. "Mom, I know we never had the best relationship but you're my mom and I will always love you." He sniffed a bit before stepping down and sitting in between Paris and Luke.

Luke patted him on the back. "Good job kid." He said softly.

Jess gave him a small smile. "Your turn now."

Luke took a deep breath, gave Lorelai's hand a squeeze before stepping up. "Liz was a great sister when we were younger. Mom, dad, Liz and I were a tight family. I remember the good times I had with Liz as a kid. We laughed, we argued but above all we loved each other and we knew we'd be there for each other." He said getting a lump in his throat. Rory and Jamie exchanged glances and Jamie put his arm round her. "I know Liz went off the rails a bit..." He said. He felt his eyes well up as he looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. He suddenly felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Lorelai standing right next to him. She gave him an encouraging smile. "Liz wanted to live her own life when she got older and her and Jess went off to New York. I know she made some mistakes, many I had to bail her out of, but she was my baby sister and I loved her to bits." He said. He looked over at the coffin just like Jess did. "And I make this promise to you now, Liz, I will look after your kid and I will make sure he has the best life he could have." He looked at the photo of her sadly. "See ya sis." He said quietly before going back to the seats with Lorelai.

"Well done." Lorelai whispered in his ear.

They headed back to the diner to have some food but when they got there, they were surprised to find it packed with food and customers. Sookie came running over to them. "Hey, you're back!" She said.

"What's going on?" Luke asked.

"Oh the town wanted to pay their respects so they prepared this wake for you. I think this was their way to show their support." She said. "How was it?"

"Yeh it was ok, thanks Sook." Lorelai said. "Where's Abby?"

"Oh being passed round the diner. Everyone wanted a hold." She smiled.

Lorelai laughed and saw that she was in safe hands with Babette. She looked at Luke. "You ok hon?" She asked softly.

"I can't believe they did all this for us." Luke said stunned.

"Well Liz did live here, didn't she? And I think this is their way of supporting you and Jess. And to celebrate the good times you had together." She smiled.

Luke looked at her. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"Coming today. For everything. This week's been so hard what with Liz and the adoption and everything. I've never had the chance to thank you." He said and gave her a kiss. "You're amazing."

Lorelai smiled. "You don't need to thank me. And you're pretty amazing yourself." She said.

"Come on, let's get some food." He said.

"Thought you'd never ask! I'm starving!" Lorelai joked. Luke chuckled and led her over to the counter.

Meanwhile, Jess sat in the corner touched by what the town had done for them. Paris came and joined him. "Hey.." She said sitting next to him.

"Hey." He gave her a small smile. "Thanks for coming today. It meant a lot." He said sincerely.

"It's nothing. You would have done the same for me. How are you feeling?" She asked.

Jess shrugged. "I don't know." He admitted. "Still can't believe she's gone."

Paris nodded. "Well I expect you would probably like some time alone so I can go.." She said.

"No." Jess said. "It's fine. I'm glad you're here." He said.

Paris smiled at him shyly. "Look, Jess, I'm not really good with all this emotional talk..." She started saying but she was interrupted by Jess leaning over and kissing her.

"I think you're doing just fine." He smiled.

Paris smiled back. "I really am sorry about your mom." She said.

"Thanks." Jess said. "And thanks again for coming."

Luke and Lorelai were watching Jess and Paris from the counter.

"Do you think he will be ok?" Luke asked.

"He'll be fine. He's strong. Just like his uncle." Lorelai smiled. "Plus I think Paris might help him through it." She joked, watching them kiss.

Luke chuckled. "Yeh I guess she will."

"It's about time!" Lorelai joked.

Luke chuckled.

"Seriously though, don't worry too much about him. He'll be fine. He's got his friends and us." Lorelai said.

Luke sighed. "Yeh you're right. It was good of Paris to come."

"Yeh it was." Lorelai smiled. She looked at Luke. "And what about you? How are you holding up?"

"I'm ok." He said.

"Luke..."

He sighed. "Today's been hard." He admitted.

"Well you were amazing. Especially with Jess. You helped him through today and I'm sure he appreciated it." She said softly. "But if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Luke smiled at her. "Thanks."

Lorelai leant her head on Luke's shoulder as they looked round the diner at all their friends who have come to support them.

Hope you liked it! Review and let me know if you did! Sorry it was a bit late! :)