Jess was disoriented when he woke up. This wasn't unusual. He had been traveling so much that it took a minute for him to remember exactly where he was. What was unusual was the tangle of hair draped across his chest and the soft form snuggled into his side. As much as he would love to stay in bed holding Rory, he got up. His mind was racing, filled with thoughts about what had happened last night.
He wandered through the suite, grabbed his cigarettes and headed toward the balcony. Jess was so happy. When he met Rory he knew she was special, but he hadn't envisioned this turn his life would take. If he was being honest with himself he was also scared shitless. He was good at being alone. No one stayed around. By the time he was a teen both his parents were gone. He had spent a lot of time pushing people away. It was easier than waiting for them to leave.
He was staring out across the city, twirling a cigarette mindlessly between his fingers, when he heard a voice behind him. "Are you going to smoke that or mind meld with it?"
"Depends," he replied with a smirk.
"Tell me, what does your decision on smoking that depend on?"
"What's going to happen…." he replied as he took a step toward her and put his hand on her waist.
Rory leaned up and gave him a light kiss. "Good morning," she said as she leaned in for another, deeper kiss.
Jess tucked the cigarette into his pocket and threaded his hands through her hair. "Good morning," he mumbled as he leaned closer to Rory.
Jess had thought he understood Rory's love of coffee, but he was beginning to see that he had no idea. He had noticed that she seemed to drink it any time of day, which was fine, but the sheer volume she could consume was mind boggling to him.
They started the morning in the hotel with a pot of coffee and a pad of paper to make plans. Jess had an appearance in the afternoon.
Now that they had decided to make their marriage official they were eager to show it off. They had gotten the name of a few jewelers near the hotel and were hopeful that they could find what they were looking for easily.
Jess was trying to convince Rory that she didn't need to come to his event. He wasn't embarrassed or anything, he just didn't want her to feel obligated. Their life together would be full of these things and he wanted her to understand that she didn't have to attend every one. There would be so many opportunities.
Rory was determined. "It's almost like you don't want to show me off. Are you uncomfortable bringing me around, Mr. Mariano?" she said teasingly over her shoulder as she went to get more coffee.
"How could I be? Maybe I'm trying to keep you locked up in the hotel so that other guys can't see how good I have it. This could just be a ploy to keep you all to myself." He grinned at her.
"Exactly, how many cups of coffee do you drink in a morning?" Jess queried. "I knew you liked the stuff, but at the rate you drink it, I don't think you have a leg to stand on when you are telling me to quit smoking. It appears we both have our vices."
Rory came back to the table and set the coffee down. "It's not a vice. It's a way of life. Moving on, we are going to the jeweler's, do you have any idea what kind of ring you want?"
Jess scoffed. "It's not exactly like I've been sitting around drawing pictures in my diary. I'll get something plain. I don't want anything fancy. Now you on the other hand, do you have any ideas?"
She just shrugged, "Let's see what our options are."
They had been shopping for what felt like DAYS to Jess. Rory wasn't one of those annoying girls, who had to try on 50 different rings at each store, but still he was getting frustrated. She would look through the cases a couple of times, shrug and suggest they go somewhere else.
He understood that when they found the right one it would be obvious, but he was getting hungry, he had to work soon, and he wanted her to have it today.
A sign across the street caught his eye. "Rory, why don't we give this place a try," he asked as he began to pull her across the street.
She looked up and saw the store, E.B. Horn Vintage and Estate Jewelry. She squeezed his hand and said, "I have a good feeling about this!"
Jess was trying to figure out what exactly Rory wanted. "Do you want a diamond, or a different stone? Do you want two rings or just one?"
"We'll know when we see it," was all she would say.
Jess was almost ready to give up when he saw them. They were coordinating his and hers rings. Not matching, but it was obvious they went together, at least when you took them off.
"Hey babe, I've found them." Jess called to her.
She came over and looked down. The one ring was a beautiful filigree band. It was gold that had patinated over time. It was obviously well worn and loved. There were small diamonds set among the flowers and vines that were scattered across the band. It was delicate and substantial all at the same time. The men's band was just a gold band, but if you looked inside of it, there was the same flowers and vines engraved on the inside. It was perfect for them.
Rory turned and hugged Jess. "You're right they are perfect for us, especially yours," she said with a sly smile. "No one would guess that you are a softy under the tough guy exterior, or that your ring is filled with flowers."
Jess kissed her nose. "It's not filled with flowers. It's showing that under the exterior I am filled with my love for you. You own me Rory."
Rory was overwhelmed. She knew their relationship was moving forward, and that love was something they were working toward, but to hear him confess it openly, where anyone could hear it was still surprising to her.
Jess felt conspicuous when they entered the mega bookstore where his event was scheduled. He knew the bands on their hands weren't as obvious as they felt, but he couldn't help it. He was sure everyone was staring.
He spotted his team near the podium that had been set up and made his way over. Jess was happy to have Rory's hand encased firmly in his. He kept playing with her new ring. He couldn't help the feelings that had been building ever since he had married Rory.
He led her over to the group, and introduced her to them as his wife. There were some wide eyes, but everyone was smart enough to keep their thoughts to themselves. Jess made sure Rory had a spot nearby to watch his reading, but that she was out of the limelight. He wanted to protect her as much as possible from the gossip and speculation that was sure to come from her presence.
Rory was so happy she had tagged along with Jess. She really loved seeing another side of him. He loved to put out the vibe that he was gruff and untouchable, but when he was reading his work and answering questions another side of him showed. He was so passionate and articulate. It just made him more attractive to her.
She was daydreaming, watching Jess gesture with his hands as he talked, admiring how his forearm flexed under his tattoo, how the lights glinted off of his wedding band, when she was pulled out of her reverie. An assistant was crouching next to her.
"People have been wanting to ask about you. Even more so now that he is obviously wearing a wedding band. We have been putting them off and keeping them on track to talk about the book. What do you think of allowing someone to broach the subject?"
She sighed deeply before responding. "I guess we should just get it over with."
The assistant smiled in relief. "I'm so glad. Honestly, I wasn't sure how much longer we would be able to put the fans off."
Rory steeled herself for what was to come.
–
After Rory had given her blessing it took exactly one question before the subject turned to Jess' personal life.
He knew it was coming, but still he wished he could keep her in a bubble.
"Jess, this is such an honor! I have been a fan of yours since you published The Subsect." she began.
Jess smiled his appreciation as he waited for her to continue.
"As a huge fan I have been interested in your personal life, as I am sure most people here are. So can you tell us if the rumors about you and Rory Gilmore are true?" She was looking at him with an excited, hopeful smile on her face.
He gathered himself before responding.
"I hadn't planned on addressing this right now, but what I can tell you is that I met Rory Gilmore about a month ago. We decided to get married the same day we met. At the time we were both single. I know that there are a lot of rumors about what is going on with us. We are happy, we are together, and we are committed to each other."
Jess shot a look over to where Rory was sitting. He looked vulnerable in that instant. Before she even registered what she was doing she was across the stage and slipping her hand into his. She squared her shoulders and looked out across the crowd.
She wanted everyone to know that they were in this together.
AN: I don't own anything GG related. I am just giving them the stories I wish they had.
Also, thank you to all the reviewers. I look forward to hearing what you have to say every week. Special thanks to Nancy, since I can't respond to your posts. :)