Chapter 159

"Hey, kid," Lorelai answered her phone, "How goes the party planning?"

"It's going well! I think we've got just about everything sorted," Rory said, looking at the list on her laptop, "You passed on invites to all the Stars Hollow folks, and Jess is talking to the Truncheon guys today. So we're good on people. I confirmed Paris and Doyle, separately of course. He's going to drive in separately to surprise her."

"Alrighty then. I guess that makes sense. Should we invite your grandparents?"

"Yeah, I think so," Rory sighed, "It's been too long since we've seen them anyway."

"Speak for yourself. My mother showed up at the Inn last week."

"What?"

"She had questions about the wedding and apparently, I wasn't punctual enough in getting back to her," Lorelai said, rolling her eyes, "We had a cup of coffee and she interrogated me until she was satisfied, and then drove home."

"Wow," Rory said, "I mean, I'd love to say I'm surprised, but…"

"Me neither. Emily is Emily," Lorelai agreed, "Anyway…what do you need from me for Inn setup?"

"Nothing much, really. Sookie's handling the food and we've already talked, she's on it. And I coordinated with Michel about decorations."

"Pink balloons everywhere, I presume?"

"Indigo, actually. It's her favorite color. And candles. It's still Stars Hollow, and casual, but I wanted it to feel elegant for her."

"You managed to get indigo specifically?"

"Yep. Michel was a huge help. And the candles are silver and gold, and we have bunches of wildflowers everywhere. Those might be a little less Paris, but they're casual and pretty and cost-effective."

"Wow, you're doing a lot for this, hon."

"It's not that much. And Paris deserves it."

"She's lucky to have you. Um, music?"

"I talked to Lane. She's coming, bringing Zack and the boys, and a mix that she thinks would be very tailored to Paris' tastes."

"…do I want to know?"

"I'm cautiously optimistic, but I guess we'll both see."

"I'll double down on the cautiously. You sure you don't need help with anything else?"

"I don't think so. Games aren't really Paris' thing, but decorating onesies will be cute. No registry or gifts, other than whatever people feel like giving. Have you gotten her anything?"

"Yep. Luke and I got her something. And by that I mean Luke's name will also be on it. You?"

"Still trying to figure it out," Rory sighed, "Paris isn't the easiest person to buy for."

"Because she could buy everything herself?"

"Exactly," Rory nodded, "But I'll figure something out with Jess. Maybe trying to give her a way to get up here more- a train pass or something. I know how much she's wanting to get out of…get some time away."

"Think it'll still be that way after the baby's born?"

"I have no idea, but I wouldn't bet on it changing. Last time I mentioned it to Paris, she made clear that the move and everything else wasn't an indication of things being all good there."

"Ugh. Well, at least it'll be a nice party for her," Lorelai shrugged.

"Yeah. And an opportunity for her to get to see some other people, do some other things…"

"Do you think she even wants Doyle there? Honestly?"

"Honestly? Probably not, but I don't see how we can exclude him without being rude and awkward."

"…fair point. But maybe we can see if Zack can run interference or something? Crowd Doyle with people so she doesn't really have to interact?"

"You really think Zack would volunteer for that?" Rory asked, rolling her eyes. Lorelai sighed.

"Yeah, no, you're right. Oh!" Lorelai lit up, "But maybe we could set the townies on him!"

"Wait, who do you mean specifically?"

"Stars Hollow's finest. Kirk, Taylor, Miss Patty, Babette, Maury…"

"Are any of them invited?"

"Not yet, but they can be, and they'll come. It's not like there's anything to do in Stars Hollow," Lorelai pointed out. "They'd love to interrogate Doyle, I'm sure, and if he finds himself as endlessly fascinating as I remember, we may be able to have them barrage him and basically sequester her."

"That could work!" Rory exclaimed, happy to have found a solution. "Can you get in touch with…"

"Making it happen as we speak," Lorelai promised, "And…it's circulating. All should be in order. Though I take no responsibility for anybody's antics when they're there."

"An important disclaimer whenever Kirk is involved," Rory acknowledged.

"Well, alright, kid. I'll get back to work. But I'm excited to see you, and this is a great thing you're doing for Paris. I'm sure she'll love it."

"Thanks, Mom," Rory smiled, "I'll talk to you soon."

"Hey, you guys free this weekend?"

"Depends. What for?" Matt asked.

"You trying to get out of work again?"

"Please, the place is going to be dead this weekend anyway, the city cleans out on three day weekends," Jess said, rolling his eyes. "I was actually told to pass on an invitation to Stars Hollow."

"Stars Hollow? Your better half's place of origin? What's the occasion?" Chris inquired.

"Yeah, the wedding isn't for another couple weeks, right?" Matt asked. Lorelai had invited both Matt and Chris, who had graciously said yes, and who were bringing Jane and Hannah respectively.

"Nope, it's still a bit further out. This is actually for a surprise baby shower for Paris, Rory's friend."

"Doesn't she live in Boston?" Chris asked.

"New York," Matt said, not looking up, "Right? I thought you said she moved."

"I…yeah, she did," Jess said, surprised that Matt had remembered. "Very recently. But Rory's planning a shower in Stars Hollow for her so that she and her mom can throw it, basically, and she was hoping you guys could come. Apparently she really liked you both."

"That questionable sense of judgment aside, I suppose we could take a quick road trip," Chris said, looking at Matt. Matt nodded.

"Yeah…that sounds…sure," Matt agreed, quickly getting lost in another task, "Count me in."

"Great. And bring your girlfriends. Paris loved Hannah, and I'm sure she and Jane will get along great."

"Sounds good," Chris agreed. Matt nodded in agreement before reabsorbing himself in his tasks.

"I'm home!" Rory announced, coming in the door. Jess met her, taking the takeout food bags from her hands and giving her a quick kiss.

"Always a good part of the day. How was yours, by the way?"

"Busy! I was finalizing everything for Paris' shower," Rory answered, "By the way, did you ask the guys?"

"Yep, they're in," Jess nodded, "And I told them to bring Hannah and Jane."

"Great," Rory smiled, relieved, "God, I'm so happy it's working out. Nobody deserves this more than Paris."

"It's a nice thing you're doing for her," Jess said.

"Well, it's overdue," Rory said simply, "Anyway, I'm gonna shower, and then we can eat, okay?"

"Sounds good," Jess nodded, "I'm just finishing up this email anyway."

As Jess sat back down at his computer, he started smiling to himself. It was not lost on him that Rory was putting in a great deal of effort to do this for Paris, and really, truly selflessly this time. She was putting together something that would make Paris happy in the moment, and that it would also help Paris deepen the friendships she was building with Lane, Lorelai, and even facilitate building them with Hannah, Chris, Jane and Matt. Supporting Paris in doing the thing that had made Rory insecure only a few days before. Jess really admired Rory's self-awareness. He knew that she sometimes had a tendency to be judgmental and avoidant, and this was her tackling some of that head-on, tackling her own weaknesses and doing her best to troubleshoot her own failings. Yes, failings. Rory had failings, as did Jess, and every other person either of them had ever met. He knew that fact was harder for Rory to accept than most, and even as much as he occasionally tended to idealize her, he was very aware of her faults, just as she was very aware of his. Such was the nature of an intimacy as developed as their own. He knew that the fact that they were aware of each others' imperfections was not an impediment to their love. Rather, it was a testament to its progress, to the deepening of their closeness, and something that he thought spoke to the viability of their relationship in the long-term, not just its continuation, but its evolution. He smiled, appreciative of what Rory was doing and grateful to be with a person who wanted to do it. Then Rory came out of the bathroom.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"You're naked. Why wouldn't I be staring at you?" he smirked. She laughed.

"I know that stare, and it's not this one. Tell me, what were you thinking?"

"Just about how great you are," Jess said earnestly, and honestly. Rory raised an eyebrow. "…naked." He grinned. She rolled her eyes, entertained.

"Fine, don't tell me. But after I put on clothes, come eat this Thai food with me before it gets cold."

"You got Thai again?"

"…we're overdue for a couple."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know," Rory smiled, "You complaining?"

"Not for a second. Just wondering how I got this lucky."

"Keep thinking that, and remember it when I drag you back to Stars Hollow again in a couple of days to spend time with Paris."

"…we might need more Thai food."