Author's Note - I know that many of you have been waiting forever for me to continue this story, and I am sorry that I have let it sit so long. Life got in the way of writing as it often does. So here it is, the next chapter, and hopefully, it will only be about ten more to the end, not sure yet. Thank you my readers for your patience. I hope you enjoy what I have written. If you reread before you read the new chapters, excuse my typos as I found many rereading my own work to inspire me to write again. Leave reviews if you would like. EC

48 - Jess

As he walked out the door with his laptop case Jess let out a huge breath of air. He had been holding his breath. He wasn't much of a talker under the best of circumstances, but holding his tongue today had been one of the hardest he had ever had to do. He wanted to be unconditional with Rory, but it was all killing him. So… the best he could do was just be there and let things happen the way they were meant to happen. He couldn't do anything about her decisions, and having been the boy who grew up without a dad, he knew that he wouldn't wish that on any kid. Even one who he was willing to take responsibility for.

He found his way to the nurses station and with his half smile that seemed to charm most ladies, was able to convince them to let him print. Thank god for wireless printers he thought. Although, he was sure that some IT guy in the basement was not going to be happy that he had accessed a printer. It didn't matter though, he needed to do it for Rory and that was that. He profusely thanked the nurse, but could see the visible disappointment when he told her that his girlfriend would very much appreciate the favor.

Rory had told him it was ok for him to read the letter, and he stood there for a moment taking in the paper it was printed on for a long minute before making the decision of whether or not to read the letter. The truth was that he wasn't sure he wanted to know what it said. He had already talked all of it over with Rory and he wasn't sure if he needed to know exactly how she told Logan what was happening with her, with them. Maybe… built into it as well, was a little bit of fear. Fear that she would leave a door open with Logan to her. Jess knew that Lorelai had done it with Christopher for years, and having a child with someone kind of guaranteed they would be in your life forever, like it or not.

With as final jolt of resolution, Jess folded the letter in half and walked back into the hospital room. He didn't need to know how she told Logan, he only needed to know what he was going to do about it. He, Jess, was going to stand by her side and be there...no matter what came.

He walked into the hospital room. Rory lay in the bed eyes closed, apparently resting. Looking like the ethereal goddess she had become.

She opened her eyes as he approached her and he silently held out the printed paper, keeping his peace. Because, the truth was, that this time, he felt sure, he felt confident in their future. He was willing to wait it out. He handed her the envelope he had also managed to snag from the flirty nurse and she read over the letter quickly, signed it, folded it into the envelope, wrote Logan on the outside and sealed it. He could see her thoughts rumbling around in her head as she contemplated her next step.

But before she could tell him anything, the door burst open and in walked Emily Gilmore, in a huff.

"You would think they were guarding the President of the United States in this hospital as much as they refuse to give out room numbers," she voiced as she walked in past the threshold.

" Thank God I had the sense to call Lorelei and ask her for the room number. They refused to give it to me, something about a previous problem with the patient." Emily paused and finally stopped her tirade. She looked right at Rory, "do you know what that was all about?"

Rory laughed at her grandmother's comment " I have an idea," she said while making eye contact with Jess in a conspiratorial fashion.

"Hmphh, " was Emily's retort. Then, more to herself than anyone, she voiced out loud why the Gilmore's had never thought to donate money to the maternity ward. They should have thought that they were bound to have grandchildren some day.

Jess didn't take his eyes off of Rory in all the nonsense that was provoked by the arrival of Emily. He watched her smile, and laugh at her grandmothers antics. He also noticed when her amused face turned to thoughtfulness, and then when she had finally made a decision. It was a quick process.

Emily had barely set her purse down on the couch, after thoroughly wiping it down with a paper towel from the bathroom, and made her way to properly greet her granddaughter and Rory had already made up her mind. Whatever that was, he waited to hear.

"Well Rory, according to your mother, you are only 6 cm and the doctors say we are in for a long night. I am so glad I did not rush and took the time to call the maids to open my bedroom at the Hartford house. That way I will not miss a nights sleep unless necessary. " Rory just smiled, and Jess smiled too, knowing that Emily would never fail to be Emily. But when Rory finally spoke, Jess realized that maybe being so Emily could come in handy sometimes.

"Grandma…I need to ask you to do something very important for me." Emily stopped in her tracks and took in the seriousness of Rory's voice.

"Rory, for god's sake, you are about to have a baby, what could be more important than that, right now."

"Grandma, I don't have a lot of time to explain, really, I want to have this settled before mom gets back."

Jess saw the look cross Emily's face, she was being asked about something important that did not include Lorelai and she liked it. Though the Gilmore's had grown closer over the years and even more so it seemed since Richard's death, Jess could tell by her expression that she couldn't help feel superior, that Rory was asking her to do something that she wasn't asking Lorelai to do.

"Ok, what is it?" Emily asked, suddenly feeling the importance of her presence.

"I need you to deliver this letter. Logan is on his way here and I want him to read this before he comes through that door." Rory indicated toward the door of her room. "It would probably be best to head him off in the lobby, cause he has no idea to look for me in labor and delivery. I need him to read this before we talk. He won't deny you. He has always been extremely polite and kind to you. He might try and talk his way over mom, but he won't do that to you. He is too well brought up."

Emily looked at Rory with a million questions on the tip of her tongue. Jess saw her start to word them and the discard them one by one. Finally, she asked, "Does that letter say what I imagine it says?"

Rory just nodded her head. "Pretty much."

Emily took the letter from Rory's hand, grabbed her purse, tucked it in, and started walking toward the door with her mission well in hand. She stopped just as she reached it, and turned, "Rory, what do I do after he reads the letter?"

Rory let out a long sigh, "well, if he still wants to come and see me after he reads it, then I will have to talk to him. Bring him here. But there is a strong chance, that he will turn and walk right back out of the hospital without ever seeing me."