A/N: I'm so, so sorry for the delay! This is a double-update to make up for it (so please check chapters 17&18). I had the hardest time writing these 2 chapters and very nearly gave up, so please cheer me up with some feedback (good or bad). I need to know that you guys are still reading! :')

Chapter 17

Lorelai was still turning the letter over yet again, watching as her cold, sweaty fingers left stains on the thick paper. She paced around the sofa, trying to push back the dread rising within her. Sookie was trying her best to soothe her. 'There has to be a mistake. It has to be a mistake. Someone must've been seriously drunk when they'd looked through your income statements. I mean, I get that it's Yale, but that doesn't mean they don't make human errors, right?'

'Right.' Lorelai agreed, her stomach still in knots, fanning her face with the letter.

Sookie went on. 'They probably just mixed up her application with an application from one of those rich trust-fund kids. You'll call on Monday and they'll fix it right away.'

'Right.'

'It'll be one of these things we all laugh about later. Everything's going to be okay.' Sookie said gently. 'Sweetie, say something. Please.'

'What if it doesn't get fixed? Sookie, I can't pay for Yale. I'm not exactly Scrooge McDuck here. I mean, maybe, maybe, I can put Rory through the first year at Yale… If I use the savings I'd set aside for the Dragonfly Inn, but otherwise –'

'It won't come to that. No reason to assume the worst here.'

'After the first year, if she doesn't get a scholarship for her second year, I can't do anything. Short of selling the house and the car, I can't think of anything that would fix this. And I can't let Rory not go to Yale, not after she got in, not after everything we sacrificed.'

'Oh, honey, don't think like that. You're gonna call them on Monday and they're gonna fix this and all this worrying will be for nothing. You'll see.'

'With the Independence Inn gone, where does that leave me? Sookie, I feel like I just transported right back to my twenties, dependent and trapped and penniless.'

'Hey, don't say that. What's Rory doing today? Are you gonna tell her?'

'I won't tell her until Monday, I think. She'll freak if she finds out now.'

'Yeah, that's good thinking.'

'She's with Jess today. He's supposed to be taking her to prom.' Lorelai said uneasily.

'Prom? Ooh, that's exciting. She must be excited. Is this the Stars Hollow prom?'

The stress about the Yale letter quickly morphed into another kind of worry. 'Oh, God, Sookie. I let her go to New York with him. What the hell was I thinking? What if they get into another accident on the highway or with one of those truck drivers with giant tattoos?'

'Lorelai, calm down, I'm sure they're both –'

'Tattoos. Oh God, they could be at a tattoo parlor. Getting matching, punk tattoos. Or he could be teaching her how to smoke. Or how to set things on fire. I don't if Jess sets things on fire, but it seems likely, right? Remember all the petty crime? What if he gets her arrested for shoplifting?'

'Honey, stop, you're projecting all your worrying on Rory.'

'He could be getting her drunk. Oh my God. I'm a bad mother.'

'No, you're not. Just take some deep breaths. Rory's not getting tattoos and she's not drunk. I'm sure you trusted Jess with this for a good reason. What did they say they were doing till prom?'

'Looking at books.' Lorelai sighed, rubbing her temple. 'But, I mean, what are the chances they're just looking at books?'

'I can see why this is your favorite park.' Rory said, in between kisses, as they walked through Washington Square Park. Not that she could see much with her lips plastered onto Jess's, but he was navigating them effortlessly. They walked side by side, steadying each other as their kisses became longer and more insistent. Their steps occasionally buckled, making them slow down till they walked in sync again. They were getting to a good rhythm and Rory was tripping a lot less than before, even as she got more and more lightheaded.

'Told you.' Jess agreed easily, before pulling her in for another deep kiss. His arms tightened around her shoulder and waist as he bit at her lower lip.

She could only sigh in response, as she let her light-headedness take over, distracted by the butterflies in her stomach and the goosebumps that rose all over her arms at Jess's light touch. She couldn't tell how much time had passed or which part of the park they were in. She couldn't tell if they were walking in a straight line or in circles. She couldn't catch her breath. She couldn't even tell him that she couldn't catch her breath. When Jess flicked his tongue against hers, she thought her knees would give out. She felt him laugh against her, or maybe he was getting breathless too.

She was vaguely aware that he'd just pushed her up against a tree, his knees bumping hers as his head dropped to her neck. Her lips tingled as she tried to steady her breathing. His breath warmed her neck as he licked and sucked at the sensitive skin. As his hands trailed from her waist to her hips, hers slid from his hair down his back and she almost felt him shiver too. When she whispered his name, his lips came back to meet hers and his hips crushed against hers. His shirt rode up easily beneath her hands, as they circled his lower back. It was only when a leaf fell against her cheek that she realized where they were.

'Jess, we can't do that here!' Rory exclaimed, her eyes widening as she froze against him suddenly. She licked her lips and felt herself blush violently.

'Sure, we can.' He whispered huskily. His head dipping closer to hers, his body leaning into hers again.

'There might be kids around.' She said, though she couldn't actually look around, since all she could see was Jess.

He didn't seem the least bit fazed. 'So? They'll cover their eyes.'

'But…'

'And their ears.' He added, his lips suddenly grazing her earlobe.

'People are staring.'

'Who cares?'

'Jess!'

He turned to look at her, then said seriously. 'I'm flaunting you. And I like it.'

'But everyone can see.'

'Wouldn't be flaunting if no one was around.'

'But –'

'Rory, no one knows us here. We're completely invisible. Just think about that.' His eyebrows did a little shrug before he whirled them around, so his back was against the tree and she was pressed into him, facing away from anyone who might be staring.

He started kissing her again slowly, almost carefully, and Rory's stomach flooded with more butterflies. His hands travelled over her stomach and curled around her waist, over her shirt, then under it, but moved no further. When their kisses remained soft and slow, Rory's hands reached up to grab his shoulders, deepening the kiss. When he didn't pull her closer, she barely hesitated before sliding her chest against his, pressing against him as she craved more warmth. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she realized he was letting her set the pace and that she should slow them down, but her body had other ideas. Almost involuntarily, she slid her tongue through his lips just as they parted. Within moments, she was pressing her body tightly against his, making him sigh against her lips. Or was he laughing? The smug bastard. His hands had somehow ended up in the back pockets of her jeans.

'Jess!'

'What? That was all you!' He defended with a laugh.

'That…' She removed his hands from her pockets, staring pointedly as he gave her a lopsided smile. 'was all you.'

'Hey, I can't help it when you're wearing my shirt like that.'

'Like what?'

'Like that.' He stared pointedly at her chest, tracing the skin under her clavicle, making her blush.

She put a hand across her chest, rubbing her arm. 'Wasn't there supposed to be some book fair we're going to?'

'There is.'

'And?'

'Well, it's not here.' Jess turned to her neck lazily, pressing soft kisses.

'So we're not going?'

'We're making a few stops before we get there.' His muffled reply came.

'What stops?' She asked curiously.

'My God.' Lifting his head, he rolled his eyes mockingly. 'So. Many. Questions.' He punctuated each word with a light kiss.

'Come on. Tell me, tell me, tell me.' She pleaded.

'If I tell you, will you stop interrupting and ruining all my good work?'

'Yes.' She promised sincerely.

He stared at her and she noticed him hesitate slightly. Running his fingers through her hair, he said. 'Well, I was thinking we could stop for hotdogs. Or we could pass by a certain record store.'

Was he nervous? He looked away, then back to her, as if waiting for her reaction. He seemed relieved upon seeing a slow smile spreading on her face. 'Hmm. I think I'm getting Déjà vu.'

'We could do something else, if you want.'

'Jess, did you plan this whole thing so you could recreate our first date?' Rory's eyes softened and she found herself unable to stop smiling, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

'New York wasn't our first date.'

'That doesn't answer my question.'

'Hey, you could just suggest something else, it's a flexible plan.' He shrugged again, feigning total nonchalance.

Rory thought back to care packages and fruit baskets and damaged snowmen. How he'd looked up the 22.8 miles. She shook her head. This evasion tactic was familiar, so was the accompanying self-deprecating squirming. She probably couldn't get him to admit it, but she couldn't pass up the chance to tease. 'One week with us Gilmores and you're already turning into a big softie.'

He snorted. 'I'm a New Yorker. I wanted to go to New York. That's it!'

'Grand gestures are so Stars Hollow.'

'This is not a grand gesture.'

'My small town's rubbing off on you.'

'We're just walking around New York.' He defended, looking more and more flustered.

She laughed. 'Big, hopeless romantic.'

He turned away uncomfortably. 'We don't even have to do it.'

'Too late, grand gestures can't be taken back.' She pecked his cheek.

'Oh, jeez.'

'Big softie.'

'Again, just walking around.'

'You're nice.'

'You're delusional.'

She paused. 'Well… I am still a bit lightheaded.' She stared pointedly at his lips.

He sighed dramatically. 'See? Delusional.' Then, he pulled her in for another dizzying kiss.

After hanging up with Sookie, Lorelai decided to distract herself by immersing herself in the important task she'd been given for Rory's prom, which as it turned out, was exactly the diversion she needed. After ironing Rory's dress and putting aside the shoes, she busied herself with testing out various makeup items. She packed different shades of glittery eyeshadows, creamy blushes that went with Rory's skin tone, pale-colored lipsticks that Rory liked, and darker shades she herself enjoyed. She rummaged her own dresser for the shiny hairspray she always knew would come in handy and the silvery bobby pins they'd both used before. She smiled as she added four of her favorite lip glosses and methodically marked her makeup recommendations with little gold-star stickers.

She found herself reminiscing about the prom she'd never attended. Her belly had been too big to fit into any dress at that point and even if it hadn't, the Chilton school board, which had often treated her pregnancy as a contagious sickness, would've had very strong opinions about her parading herself at a school dance. At the time, her teenage-self had been devastated. Missing prom was one of several major disappointments that accompanied her pregnancy. It was made even worse by the fact that Christopher went without her, with some blonde, tasteless bitch. It'd taken her a long time to let go of the anger and disappointment. The feeling of missing out on something that will never come back. Sure, prom isn't that big of a deal, not something to dwell upon everyday for the rest of one's life. But… hadn't a small part of her agreed too quickly that that troublemaker take her daughter to prom, just so Rory wouldn't miss out? Hadn't she herself gotten a little excited at the thought?

She was about to call Rory, mainly to check that no tattooing was going on, when the doorbell rang.

'Just come in. The stuff's on the table.' Lorelai called out, thinking it was Dave, Lane's boyfriend, coming over to pick up the prom bag as planned. When she was only met with silence, Lorelai frowned and walk over to open the door. There weren't many people who'd show up unannounced at her doorstep. Sookie, Babette, Luke, maybe miss Patty. Based on the silence, Lorelai thought it might be Luke. It wasn't unusual for him to drop by and check in on Jess, or rather pretend to grumble about something that needed fixing, while sneakily asking about Jess. Maybe if she hadn't been straightening her shirt and thinking up retorts to his imaginary rants in her head, she would've managed to contain her surprise a bit better at seeing her mother at the door.

'Lorelai, for the love of God. You look like you've never greeted a guest at your house in your life. What's the matter with you?' Her mother stared her down in mild disdain.

When Lorelai managed to finally talk, she sounded cold, almost robotic. 'Mom. What are you doing here?' She nearly did a double take when she recognized the older woman standing behind her mother. 'And… Oh God, miss Celine? Is that really you?'

'Natalie Wood. Emily, look, it's Natalie Wood!' The Gilmore fashion consultant, miss Celine, looked as cheerful as ever. She wore her same crazy outfits from 20 years ago; long flowing robes, exotic turbans, shiny satin gloves.

As Emily entered the living room, followed by miss Celine, Lorelai couldn't contain her surprise at seeing the older woman. 'Wow, I had no idea you were still…' alive, Lorelai cleared her throat. '…Working.'

'Oh, I tried to retire once. Olivia de Havilland wouldn't hear of it.' Celine said with her characteristic chuckle.

'Your couch looks frumpy. Lorelai, were you sleeping on this couch?' Her mother said, eying the couch.

Lorelai could only be grateful a certain dark-haired boy wasn't sleeping on it at that moment. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his things shoved in the far corner of the living room; jackets, shirts, books, shoes. She was glad he'd remembered to put most of his messy clothes in drawers for once. Still, it would only take her mother one glance at the items in the corner to elicit an entire afternoon of questioning.

She took a breath and replied to her mother as evenly as possible. 'We like our couches frumpy in this house, mom. And we like our guests to call before they visit.'

Thankfully, Emily huffed and forgot all about the couch. 'Oh, don't worry. I didn't come here to see you, Lorelai. You're released from your obligation to make any perfunctory conversation with me, remember? I came here for Rory.'

Lorelai expected the sourness. It'd been weeks since she'd repaid the Chilton money, but her parents couldn't let go of the offense. Repaying borrowed money back to Emily Gilmore? It was a capital offense. And no way would her mother pass up the chance to chastise her about that, again.

Lorelai retorted. 'It's just you usually give advanced notice before visiting, so I'm a little surprised. Hell, even Emily Post would agree that it's a little surprising.'

'Rory's my granddaughter. Am I not allowed to come see my granddaughter?' Emily raised an eyebrow in challenge.

'She's not here, mom. Which you would've known if you'd called.'

'It's Saturday afternoon. Where would she go?'

'Yeah, well, crack dens are open pretty early these days.' Lorelai glared drily.

'I don't know if you know, Lorelai, but Rory was supposed to come meet me after school on Thursday. Of course, she made it sound like she didn't have a single second to spare with all her schoolwork and exams. But I'm here to tell her, you simply have to make time for family. No matter the circumstances, you don't cancel on your grandmother three times.'

Three times? Go Rory. 'I'll pass that message on to her.'

'I'm not gonna be around forever, you know.'

'Noted. I'll pass that on too.'

'I think I'll go use your bathroom, dear.' Miss Celine said, in an uncomfortable attempt to escape the conversation, and shuffled away to where Lorelai pointed.

Emily went on, exasperated. 'Your daughter has to learn that there's a proper way to treat family invitations. Especially when it's to discuss a dress that I'll be wearing for her graduation, to make sure I look presentable at her school.'

'Ah. And here I thought miss Celine came along just to chat.'

'Although I certainly shouldn't be surprised by her behavior when she only has you to show her these things, should I?'

Lorelai shook her head. Of course, this had to be her fault somehow. It always was. 'I didn't tell her to cancel on you, mom. If Rory said she was busy, she was busy.'

'So call her then. Is she with that Asian friend of hers? Jane?'

'She's not with Lane.'

'Well, I'm sure she can be excused from whatever chore or study group she's with to come see her grandmother for an hour.'

'No, mom, she can't.'

'That's just non-sense. I demand you call her, Lorelai. If she can cancel plans with her grandmother for a whole week, I'm sure she can cancel whatever other commitments she has for the next few hours.' Emily demanded.

'Here's an idea.' Lorelai gave an non-humorous chuckle. 'Why don't you come back tomorrow when Rory's actually here?'

'Tomorrow's Sunday.' Her mother said indignantly.

'Rory could drop by your place tomorrow and help you pick out a dress then.'

'Sunday's the day of rest, Lorelai. I was lucky enough to find this one free appointment with Celine this morning. And you know how busy her schedule is. She won't be available tomorrow.' She sighed, widening her eyes dramatically.

'I'm trying to think of new ways to say she's not here, but I really don't know how, mom. Rory's not here. She's out today.'

'Well, then make the call and tell her to come back. I'll wait right here. I'm sure she'll be coming home soon anyway if she has all these exams and school assignments like she said.' Emily pointedly settled into the nearest armchair and crossed her legs. 'Don't you even clean up around here? Honestly, your living room looks like someone's dirty bedroom.'

Lorelai eyed Jess's pile of clothes again. She scrambled her mind for a way to get her mother out of the house. If Emily stayed, she would soon start criticizing the contents of the room and it would end in disaster, since there was very little that normally escaped Emily's notice. But having her linger around in Stars Hollow with the rumor mill about Jess in full swing was even more dangerous. 'When I said Rory was out, mom, what I meant was she's not available. It's an all-day thing.'

'All day? Oh, please. There aren't enough things in this small town of yours to keep her busy all day.'

Well, there's one smirking, dark-haired boy who'll keep her plenty occupied, Lorelai thought. She sighed and said, as resolutely as possible. 'I'll have her call you tomorrow.'

'What is she busy doing? Where could she possibly be?'

It was at that unfortunate moment that Dave decided to show up, his head peeking into the living room. 'Ms. Gilmore? I came to pick up the stuff for prom.'

Emily was silent, frowning in thought. Lorelai took a breath and held it. Three. Two. One.

'Lorelai? Who's that boy?' She furrowed her brows, pausing to frown at Dave. 'Is Rory dating this boy? Is he taking her to prom?'

A/N: Onto the next one!