Twelve

In the weeks that followed their weekend away, Rory and Jess settled into a new and somewhat exhausting routine, Rory jumping into the insanity of midterms and Jess taking on more and more work.

Jess started as a bartender at the place down the road from the apartment, spending five days a week working for Truncheon and three nights a week fixing drinks and begrudgingly responding when customers tried to make small talk with him. He definitely hadn't missed working in a job in customer service, but he was slightly more suited to it now as opposed to when he worked at the diner. Rory hated Jess's second job almost immediately, if only because their free time rarely overlapped and when it did they were both drained, but she knew that this would be temporary and it was best for their family.

A few days after their return to New Haven, they made their way back to Dr. Gunderson's office for a routine checkup. Everything was proceeding perfectly, Rory's nausea had practically disappeared, only reappearing when in the presence of eggs, and Rory could regularly feel baby dancing and kicking like crazy. They were also assured that Jess would be able to be let in on that experience in the next few weeks, too, and it sent his heart flying. The anticipation of getting to feel his baby – to be able to acknowledge each other's presence through touch – was almost too much for him to handle. Every time Rory felt the baby move, Jess's hand reached for her stomach in hopes that he could feel it, too.

In addition to the usual excitement that day was the added thrill of knowing that in one month, they'd get to know if their baby was a girl or a boy.

Really, they couldn't wait.

Rory's birthday was rapidly approaching, and she had plans to spend it with her friends and family in Stars Hollow. Her mother no doubt was planning some sort of birthday bash, and Rory was happily along for the ride, just excited to be surrounded by her favorite people. There was a small pang, however, when she realized her grandparents wouldn't be present. She didn't even know if she would get a phone call from them that day.

Since she'd told them about the baby, neither party had contacted the other. As much as it hurt to be on the outs with her grandparents again, Rory refused to come back to them with her tail between her legs as if she'd done something wrong. If someone was going to break the silence, they had to be the ones to do it, and if they didn't want to accept that she was having a baby, that was on them. Her strong feelings on the matter didn't stop her from hurting every time it crossed her mind, however. A deep ache spread through her chest whenever her mind drifted to a future for her baby that didn't involve Emily and Richard.

A week before her birthday, Rory was stationed at the kitchen table and surrounded by various textbooks. She was already busy with looming midterms and then a small epidemic had hit her staff, everything from sniffles to fevers making the rounds and leaving her with more work than normal as people called out sick. Then, on top of everything else, she felt behind on the pregnancy reading she had assigned herself, so her mind kept wandering back to the many books she had purchased on the subject. So, she set up a study system not unlike that which she used in high school, jumping from one subject and task to the next.

That evening, Paris and Doyle were out, Jess was at work, and thus Rory was home alone. She was taking advantage of having the entire apartment to herself, spreading out her study materials throughout the living room and listening to whatever music she desired while she worked. But, as much as she would hate to admit it, her mother was kind of right about that apartment. It was sketchy and Rory didn't always feel safe when she was home alone – especially after dark. So, when there was a knock at the door, she startled. As much as she would hate to admit it, her mother was kind of right about that apartment.

She tried to ignore it and return to her reading, trying desperately to just wish away the unwelcome visitor. But the knock sounded again so she tentatively rose from her chair and approached the door, grabbing a spatula on her way – just in case it was a strangely polite intruder that thought to knock first and she found herself in need of a weapon should the kind burglar try to attack her when she opened the door. When she looked through the peephole, however, an entirely different fear spread through her body.

Looking entirely out of place in the dingy stairway stood her grandmother.

Rory took a deep breath to steady her nerves and unlocked the many locks before opening the door.

"Grandma?"

Emily wore a disgusted frown as she examined the stains and torn wallpaper around her. But her scowl lessened lightly when her eyes fell on Rory.

"Rory, hello."

"Grandma, what…"

"May I come in?"

Rory stood firm in the doorway. "Why?"

"I'd like to talk to you," Emily said. There was something in her eyes, a kind of sadness or hurt that softened Rory's resolve.

"Um, sure." She stepped aside and waved her grandmother into the apartment, quickly placing the spatula on the counter. She was suddenly and painfully aware of the second-hand furniture, tiny TV set, and other items that screamed "we're a bunch of broke twenty-somethings". Even more so, she was embarrassed of her wardrobe, having unfortunately chosen a pair of Jess's old sweatpants and a slightly ratty tank top for the day of Emily's surprise visit. She folded her arms across her chest uncomfortably.

Emily turned and faced Rory, seeing her for the first time in weeks and taking in the sight of her granddaughter. Observing how much had changed in just a few weeks.

Her eyes widened at the sight of Rory's bump.

Rory blushed as she saw her grandmother make eye contact with her stomach before averting her gaze and looking slightly pale. She hated that she felt embarrassed about anything around her, but most of all she hated that Emily could make her feel embarrassed about something she loved so dearly.

"Can I get you something to drink? We have water and… well, water." Rory said stiffly.

Emily shook her head as she gazed around the small apartment. "No, thank you."

"Okay. So…" She cleared her throat, shifted uncomfortably. "I'm guessing you weren't just in the neighborhood," she said, scuffing the toe of her slipper on the floor.

Emily regained her composure, standing up tall. "No, I was not."

"So?" When Emily didn't respond, Rory scoffed and let her arms fall to her side. "Grandma, why are you here?"

Emily looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact. "I wanted to apologize," she practically whispered.

Well, Rory didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't that.

"For?" she asked quietly.

Emily took a shaky breath. "For my unkind words the night you told me about your… situation."

The vague reference to her pregnancy, talking around it as if it were a subject to be avoided at all costs, lit a fire in Rory.

"Pregnant isn't a dirty word, Grandma. I'm pregnant. I told you I was pregnant, and you…" She took a deep breath to steady herself, to keep her voice from increasing in volume. "You yelled at me, you insulted my boyfriend, and you didn't talk to me for over a month."

"I know. And I'm sorry. Truly, I am."

It was then that Rory noticed the misty look in her grandmother's eyes and it halted her in her anger.

"Oh."

Emily sniffed slightly, still avoiding eye contact as Rory looked on. "When you said you were pregnant, I… I saw your mother. I saw a child telling me she was having her own child. A child who had yet to start a life and who was now having a baby outside of marriage at such a young age."

Rory had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "My life is started, Grandma. It started a long time ago. This is just… a part of my life. The next chapter. And just because Jess and I aren't married doesn't mean we don't love each other. We're committed – to each other and to the baby."

Emily nodded slightly. "I realize that now. I'm discovering that the world is different now and that's something I have to get used to."

Rory felt a little flabbergasted. She'd almost never seen her grandmother so vulnerable. So transparent.

"My pride was a large part of why I wasn't able to be a part of your life when you were a baby," Emily said quietly. "It's one of my biggest regrets. I don't want to miss out on my great grandchild's life. So, if you'd let me…"

Rory blamed her hormones for the tears pricking her eyes and the lump preventing her from speech. She cleared her throat.

"Grandma…" Rory whispered roughly. "I want you in my baby's life."

A small smile showed on her grandmother's face. "Really?"

Rory nodded. "Yes. But…" She sighed. "You have to promise not to ever act like he or she is some sort of family blemish or mistake."

Offense flashed across Emily's face before she relaxed. "Absolutely."

Rory smiled at her grandmother.

There was work to be done, but it was a start.

"Great," Rory said gently.

Emily shifted in place and cleared her throat, resuming her regular poise. "Well, I should be on my way. Say hello to Jess for me, will you?"

She was full of surprises today.

"O-oh. Sure, will do."

"Right. And…" Emily said as she was making her way to the door. "Happy birthday, Rory."

Rory ginned. "Thank you, Grandma," she said as the happy tears threatened again. A thought dawned on her as her grandmother began to leave the apartment. "Oh! Hold on."

Rory ran to her room and grabbed a spare copy of the most recent ultrasound and returned to the living room, handing it to Emily. "Here, for you and Grandpa. We're finding out the sex in a few weeks."

Emily gazed at the photo in wonderment and awe, a soft smile resting on her face. "Thank you, Rory."

Rory nodded and said goodbye, closing the door behind her grandmother and leaning on it. She was kind of exhausted from the interaction, still trying to process how so much had happened in just fifteen minutes.

She was scared about moving forward. Scared her baby would have to overhear the same things she had about how she hadn't been a part of the great Gilmore plan. But… her grandmother seemed serious about this. Serious about making sure this baby was loved and accepted. So, Rory was returning to her relationship with her grandmother tentatively hopeful. She knew from experience that it wouldn't always be smooth sailing, but words couldn't describe how much she appreciated the effort. For herself and for her baby.

Late that night she laid in bed, waiting for Jess to return from work. It was already after one in the morning, and her eyelids were heavy, but she wanted to be able to at least see Jess before she went to sleep having not crossed paths since they'd woken up that morning. She was starting to drift off, the article she was editing slipping off her lap, when she finally heard the front door open and close, the locks clicking into place shortly after.

She moved her work aside as Jess's heavy footsteps approached the bedroom and the door opened, the small lamp on the bedside table illuminating his exhausted form and accentuating the dark circles under his eyes. He fell forward on the bed without a word, smelling like the stale alcohol and cheap cigarettes he was routinely surrounded by. A familiar worry crept up within Rory as she reached over and ran her fingers through his hair. Her touch brought a tired smile to his lips and he turned to face her, reaching his own arm out to place his hand on her burgeoning bump, running his thumb back and forth gently. It had become his favorite way to say hello to the both of them.

"Hi," he mumbled into the bed.

"Hi," Rory responded, smiling although she had a crease of concern between her eyebrows. "How was work?"

Jess grimaced. "A girl tried to throw her drink in some creep's face."

"Tried?"

"He ducked. I was behind him."

Rory couldn't help but laugh. She clamped a hand over her mouth after the outburst.

"I'm so sorry," she said through her giggles.

Jess cracked his own smile. "I was pissed at first, but I got to throw him out and then the girl tipped me like twenty-five bucks for one drink, so it's alright." He closed his eyes. Between the soft bed beneath him and the soothing, repetitive feeling of Rory's nails stroking his scalp, he was quickly losing the battle against sleep. "How was your night?" he asked softly.

"Oh, you know. Worked on some stuff for the paper, read more of my pregnancy books, made up with Grandma, caught up on homework…"

Jess cracked one eye open. "Did you say you made up with your grandmother?"

Rory smiled. "Yep. She came over."

"Here?" he asked, trying to picture the ever-polished Emily Gilmore in their admittedly slightly dingy apartment.

Rory nodded. "She apologized for everything she said."

"And you believe her?" Jess asked tentatively.

"I think so. She admitted that her pride was a big part of not being a part of my childhood and she didn't want that to happen with her great grandchild."

"Huh."

Rory smiled, Jess's voice soft with sleep, his eyes closed despite his efforts to keep them open.

"She even said to say hi to you for her."

"Hello…" Jess mumbled, already half asleep again.

Rory chuckled at Jess's sleepy greeting. Realizing he was still fully dressed, shoes included, she climbed out from under the covers and walked around to the end of the bed.

"Hey, get out of your stinky clothes before you fall asleep," she said, taking his shoes off for him.

She received only a grumpy grunt in reply.

"Jess, I love you, but I do not want to sleep next to you while you're wearing someone else's drink."

She walked around to his side of the bed and pulled his arm to sit him up.

"Stop, I'll do it…" he whined, and Rory had to suppress a giggle at how childish he sounded.

Working together, they managed to get him out of his jeans and t-shirt and under the covers. Jess was asleep the second his head hit the pillow.

Rory, on the other hand, lay wide awake next to him.

She'd never seen him so physically exhausted. It had only been a few weeks of working two jobs, and between the reading and editing he did for Truncheon and his late nights serving drinks, he barely had time to work on his own book.

Rory frowned. She felt guilty, like it was her fault that he was working himself to the bone. Deep down, she knew that wasn't the case, but she also hated that there wasn't more she could do. Realizing she wasn't going to be able to sleep until she figured out a solution, she got out of bed, grabbed a notebook, and tiptoed out to the living room, settling down on the couch with a blanket and a sense of determination.

When the sky turned from black to deep blue, the world still quiet but eagerly anticipating the frenzy of daily life, she was looking fondly at the mess of scribbled numbers on the page in front of her. It would require a lot of budgeting, a couple favors, and a lot of second-hand items, but she'd found a solution.

She tiptoed back to their room and crawled back into bed next to Jess. As she laid down, she reached over and placed a kiss on his head. A warm smile lit up her face as he reached out, still completely unconscious, and pulled her to him, curling around her and nuzzling his nose into her neck with a sigh.

In her happy place, she was asleep within minutes.

"Okay, what if you work one night a week, and I take on tutoring on the weekends?"

"I really don't want you to take on anything extra, okay?"

Jess and Rory had been debating their money situation for an entire week. Now, on the way to Stars Hollow for Rory's birthday weekend, they felt close to an agreement. At least, they would if Jess would budge on Rory taking on extra work.

"Come on!" Rory objected.

"Rory, you're already working at the paper, taking way too many classes, editing my book – "

"Except you have no time to write so I have nothing to edit," Rory argued.

"And," Jess continued, "you're extra tired. For good reason, too. I've said this before and I'll say it again: you're growing a human, a human that you will have to… push," he gestured awkwardly, "out of your body at the end of all this. Let me take on the extra money making."

Rory folded her arms over her chest and pouted. Sure, other women would probably kill to have their partner be so eager to take on extra work so they didn't have to. But Rory was raised to be a strong, independent woman and she didn't want to have to rely on Jess for everything.

"Look. It's Friday, your birthday's Sunday, we're almost to Stars Hollow so let's just table this for now, okay? I promise we can keep debating budgets the second we're on our way back home." Jess said as they passed the sign welcoming them to town.

Rory cracked a smile. "Alright, fine."

Minutes later, her smile grew to a wide grin as they pulled into the driveway and she laid eyes on her house for the first time in weeks. Once Jess had the parking brake on, Rory clambered out of the car and began to make her way up to the porch, eager to greet her mother. But before she could make it far at all, an endearingly grating voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Rory! Happy birthday, honey—" Babette froze, her eyes going wide as soon as they landed on Rory. "Oh my God!" she cried at the top of her lungs. "Morey, get out here!"

Rory winced as she realized her mistake.

They'd been so busy that they hadn't made it to Stars Hollow recently. Meaning, no one knew about the baby. The baby that was very obviously showing through Rory's snug top and maternity jeans.

"Crap," she mumbled as Jess sidled up beside her.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Rory, honey, why didn't you tell us you were pregnant?" Babette shrieked.

"Oh. Crap," Jess muttered.

"Babette, I've just been so busy with school, I haven't been able to make it back to Stars Hollow lately…"

"Does your mother know?"

"Yes, Mom knows. So does Luke."

"What are you having? How far along are you? Are you excited? Jess!"

Jess was reeling.

"Huh?"

"You're gonna be a daddy! Got some good swimmers, huh?" Babette cackled.

"Oh dear God…" Rory said under her breath.

"Excuse me?" Jess asked through gritted teeth.

"Hey, kids, when did you get here?" Lorelai called, coming down the stairs from the house, her eyes bouncing wildly around the group, trying to ascertain what exactly was going on.

"Just a few minutes ago, Mom! Just enough time for Babette to find out about the baby!" Rory said, shooting her mother a look that she hoped would be interpreted as a desperate plea for help.

"Oh, well, isn't it great, Babette?"

Babette opened her mouth to answer, but Lorelai kept talking.

"Well, Rory's probably pretty tired from the drive, she should get inside so she can rest. Right hon? You tired?"

"Oh, right, yep," Rory said, feigning a yawn.

"Oh of course! Go, rest, grow that baby of yours! But I expect all the details later!"

"Bye Babette!" Rory called over her shoulder as she and Jess hurriedly followed Lorelai into the house.

They all collapsed in the living room after drawing the curtains. Knowing Babette, she would have already called Miss Patty, so within minutes the whole town would know and they didn't want prying eyes trying to peer into the house.

"Oh my God. How could I have forgotten to tell anyone in town?"

"Because they're a bunch of nutcases and it was private information?" Jess suggested.

Rory shot him a glare before slumping further into the couch. "Great, now I'm going to have to fend everyone off all weekend."

"Want Paul Anka to be your guard dog?" Lorelai asked.

"Mom. He's afraid of peas."

"So?" Lorelai asked looking hurt.

"That isn't the best sign of a dog willing to fight anyone that asks me invasive questions about my uterus. Oh please, you know they're going to ask overly private questions," Rory said in response to Jess's grimace. Just then the house phone rang.

Lorelai let it go to voicemail and soon Luke's frantic voice came over the speaker.

"Lorelai? Lorelai! I know you're at home, pick up the damn phone and explain why I'm suddenly being asked a bunch of questions about Rory and Jess and the baby! Lorel—Kirk! Shut up and back off! No, I will not tell you that—No! Damn it, Kirk, that is private information! Stay away from Rory! Do not ask her that, either! Kirk, I swear to—"

The message ended with a long beep, leaving the three in silence.

"Jeez…" Jess groaned, throwing his head back against the couch.

"You can say that again," Rory grumbled.

That night they set up in Rory's old bedroom for their weekend in the Hollow, Rory settling into her bed and Jess into the attached trundle. The original plan had been to stay at the diner apartment, but after a day of trying to figure out how to avoid run-ins with the intrusive townsfolk, they decided staying at the house was a safer option, even if it did mean less privacy in a different way.

They both laid wide awake in the darkness, stewing on the unfortunate circumstances that had fallen upon them.

"So, the whole town knows we're here," Rory said.

"Yep."

"Which means people we didn't exactly want to see know we're here…"

Jess sighed heavily. "Yeah."

"Your mom's going to want to see you."

"I know," Jess whispered.

Jess was beyond conflicted.

Liz had been attempting to reach out since Luke had told him about the impending arrival of Jess's half sibling, but he'd sent every call to voicemail. And now, said sibling was due to arrive in the next month, complicating Jess's thoughts even further.

"I'm going to have to see her eventually. I mean, I think I want to know this kid…" he whispered, thankful for the privacy that darkness allowed. Sure, it was Rory he was talking to. But when it came to discussing Liz, talking to anyone was a challenge.

"Right."

"I might as well get it over with."

"Okay," Rory whispered back.

"Will you… come with me?" Jess asked hesitantly, half desperate for Rory's stabilizing presence and half embarrassed he felt like he needed someone with him in order to see his mother.

Rory's heart skipped. She didn't know what real support or encouragement she could offer him, but she would do anything she could.

"Jess, of course. Whatever you need."

Jess reached up from his place on the trundle bed, finding Rory's hand and holding it tightly.

"Thank you," he muttered, releasing a shaky breath.

Jess stood facing Liz and TJ's house on the outskirts of town.

They'd had a plan for the weekend, and this wasn't it. It was the day before Rory's birthday, and instead of getting a head start on celebrating, on giving her a weekend like she'd given him, they preparing to have lunch with his mother and his – as loathe as Jess was to refer to TJ as such – his stepfather.

But his mom was trying to… connect? Apologize? Have a relationship? And as much as Jess wasn't sure he wanted that, he wanted a chance to know his sibling. So here they were.

Rory came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle and propping her chin on his shoulder, the contact anchoring him. Strengthening him. If it weren't for Rory, he wouldn't have had the guts to be there at all.

She was his lifeboat.

"You okay?" she asked quietly.

Jess took a shaky breath, not knowing how to answer.

"We'll go in, we'll have lunch, we'll go home. Easy peasy," Rory said reassuringly.

"Right," Jess said, his voice tense.

Rory unfurled her arms and came to stand at his side. He immediately searched for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.

"Thank you for being here," he said, meeting her eyes.

Rory nodded. "I'm not going anywhere."

Taking one final deep breath, he forced himself to walk to the front door and knock.

Every muscle in his body tensed when the door opened, revealing a very pregnant Liz.

"There's my boy!" she cried, grinning widely.

"Liz," Jess said shortly, offering her a very small smile and stiffly accepting the awkward hug she wrapped him in.

"And Rory, you're glowing!"

"Hi, Liz," Rory said, plastering on a kind smile.

Rory had spent relatively little time with Liz, only encountering her at family holidays and events. She'd always been a little bit of a mystery, but Rory found she held a kind of grudge against her now that she knew more of Jess's story. Rory had to remind herself to stay calm and focused on the task at hand – supporting Jess – whenever the angry thoughts against Liz for her lack of parenting came to mind.

Liz ushered them into the house and led them into the living room where TJ was sitting.

"Can I get you guys something to drink? Water? Coffee? Soda?"

"Water's fine," Rory said. Jess nodded in agreement.

Liz made her way to the kitchen, leaving Rory and Jess to sit on the couch. Jess was still gripping Rory's hand firmly and once they were seated, she gently rubbed her thumb against his knuckle to try to comfort him.

"Jess," TJ greeted shortly.

"TJ."

"Rory, wow, you're glowin'!" TJ exclaimed.

"So I've been told!" Rory chuckled weakly.

"Man, those pregnancy hormones are really doing you good," TJ said, as obliviously and inappropriately suggestive as only TJ could.

"TJ…" Jess warned as Liz reentered the room.

"Here you guys go," she said as she handed Jess and Rory their waters. "So, how are you guys?"

"We're fine," Jess answered.

"Good, good!" Liz chirped.

An awkward silence hung over them.

"So, Liz," Rory started. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Liz said, waving her hand. "Ready to pop this one out though, let me tell you!" she said, pointing to her stomach.

"I can imagine."

"Just wait until you're almost nine months along!" She paused to laugh. "Who would have guessed that my Jess would be a daddy just a few months after he became a brother?"

"I wouldn't have!" TJ chimed in. "Y'know, I never imagined him as a father. Seeing how his old man, you know…" TJ said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder apparently to indicate Jimmy's leaving, as if absence of a parent somehow disqualified you from parenthood yourself.

"Oh, Gary, stop," Liz laughed.

"Hey, I didn't get to ask Rory what TJ stood for!" TJ objected at the revelation of his real name.

Jess's hand gripped Rory's even tighter, his jaw tense and his eyes focused on a spot on the carpet. Rory was fuming and they'd only been there for ten minutes.

She cleared her throat purposefully.

"Well, Jess is already a great partner and a great dad, as much as he can be before the baby's born," she said in a controlled tone, her eyes sharp. "He's really going to be an amazing father."

Liz and TJ immediately sobered, and Jess shot Rory a grateful smirk before refocusing on the carpet.

"Oh course he is, he's a natural," Liz gushed, as if taking some sort of credit for how good Jess had "turned out."

It set Rory's teeth on edge.

Just then, a timer buzzed in the kitchen.

"Oh, that's lunch! Jess, baby, would you help?"

Jess's eyes shot up to Liz. Rory squeezed his hand affectionately, offering him a reassuring smile.

"Sure, coming," he muttered, releasing Rory's hand and following his mother to the kitchen.

Rory and TJ sat alone in an awkward silence.

"Jess really is going to be an amazing father," Rory said quietly. "No thanks to Jimmy, and no thanks to Liz either. He is who he is because of him."

TJ was about to object when Jess returned, announcing lunch. Rory stood up and walked to him, placing a kiss on his cheek and then walking with him to the dining area, leaving TJ to follow numbly.

The rest of lunch went awkwardly but without major issue, Jess even relaxing the slightest bit and telling his mother about some of the things he'd been working on at Truncheon. By the time he and Rory left, the group was almost amicable. It was kind of a success.

Kind of.

When they returned to Lorelai's house, the anger bubbled up and out of Rory. She paced back and forth in front of Jess who was sitting on the couch.

"I cannot believe TJ's audacity to just assume you'd be a crap dad!" she shouted. "And Liz just going along with it? Like he wasn't totally coming down on her kid? And then at lunch! Ugh! How she kept claiming she knew you and knew you were going to do great things your whole life! Like she was somehow responsible for your success! Excuse me? You are doing great things despite her! I am not a violent person, but wow, I wanted to throw my chicken at her! And it would do some serious damage since it was so dry."

Jess watched Rory rant with a soft smile on his face.

"And, oh my God, the amount of pregnancy advice she gave me when you cleared the table. Never leave me alone with your mother again because I don't think I can survive another minute of her talking about how certain herbs, and I quote, 'seriously relax your cervix.' I don't need advice on how to relax my cervix! My cervix will relax just fine without her help! And another thing. How can she just act like everything's all okay? Like she didn't hide that she was pregnant with your brother or sister for seven months? Like she didn't make Luke be the one to tell you? How dare she just pretend everything is fine and normal and that she didn't hurt you? This time and every other time! How is that okay with you?"

Jess stood and stopped Rory in her tracks with a kiss. By the time he pulled back, Rory's shoulders had released their tension.

"Was that just to get me to shut up?" she asked with a small smile.

Jess smirked. "A little. But also because I love you."

"Well, I love you too, but you sure chose a weird moment to show it," Rory teased.

"I appreciate you being there today. Really. For running interference and going along with all the crap Liz said. Just… thank you," Jess said quietly.

Rory filled with emotion.

"Of course."

"Seriously, Rory. No one's ever… I don't talk about Liz much. But when I do, people tend to take her word over mind. They see the ditzy hippy and the kid that screwed up too much for her to handle. People stopped hearing my side of the story a long time ago. So you listening to me, believing me when I talk about her, I…" He faltered, shaking his head, words suddenly becoming too much and too little to say what he was trying to get across.

Rory's throat burned and tears stung her eyes.

"You deserve to be heard, Jess. And I'll always be around listen, no matter what."

Jess leaned forward and touched his forehead to hers, bittersweet smiles on their faces.

Just then, Lorelai burst through the door and Rory and Jess startled apart like teenagers that had been caught fooling around, despite being in their twenties in an adult relationship and a baby on the way. There was just something about being back in Stars Hollow that made them feel seventeen and twenty-two all at the same time.

"Oh, good, you guys are back!" Lorelai said cheerfully. "Who's ready for birthday weekend to start?" she yelled with a grin.

A/N: Like I've said, we're not fans of Liz here. I'm not trying to make her a total villain, but also I have... lots of feelings about Liz. Most of them not so great. But on a happier note so, so excited for Rory's birthday in the next chapter! Thanks for reading!