*Unable to sleep for more than a few hours, Jess gets up early; writes a
note to Rory; and heads towards his car. By 6:30, Jess' car is parked in
front of Luke's diner and he is on his second cup of coffee.
"Alright, Jess, are you going to tell me why you're here?"
"I just needed to take a ride, Luke besides I felt like having coffee."
"You don't drink coffee, and don't tell me Rory's rubbed off on you that much because I know she didn't, I was standing right here when she called Lorelei on the phone complaining about how you've gotten her down to one cup before work. So for you to be sitting here drinking, not one but two cups of coffee says a lot so spill it."
"I want...I'm going to propose to Rory."
A smile spreads across Luke's face. "That's great, Jess."
"Tonight."
"I see."
"And I don't know how to do it...I don't even have a ring for her." Luke's eyes narrow as begins to think things over in his head.
"Maybe I should just wait, I just thought it would be nice to have all of Rory's *Jess looks over at his uncle, and my family there when I do it."
"No, it's a nice idea Jess, I think you should go with it. Look I'm closing at 11 so I can get a haircut and shave before I head over to Hartford tonight. I'll make you some breakfast, then you can walk around town for a bit maybe decide on how you want to do this, and then come back at 11 and we'll fix the ring problem ok?" Jess looks thoughtfully at his uncle, seeing in his eyes how much he cared for him. Luke was the only one in his family who'd taken the time to get passed his rough edges, he'd helped him get through college, and to Jess, Luke was his father. Luke brings pancakes for Jess, after a few minutes he leaves ready to clear his head.
In the last 7 years, Stars Hollow hadn't changed a bit, minus the fact that the Independence Inn had changed owners; everything was just as it was when Jess left it. Thinking over the events of past few days Jess suddenly remembers something. He stops in his tracks and heads towards the nearest payphone.
"Hello?"
"Sid? It's Jess."
"Oh hey, what's up?"
"Nothing really, is Dean there?"
"Dean? Yea hold on."
"Yea?"
"I just wanted you to know, I'm going to ask Rory to marry me."
"Man, that's great, congratulations. But why didn't you just wait till you got back to tell me?"
"I don't know I just thought, that if I wasn't the right guy for her, that you'd be the only one willing to tell me so."
"I'm sorry Jess but I can't do that. She loves you, I'm just the ex I don't have the authority to make that decision for her, besides I can't think of anybody who will ever love Rory more than you. So stop wasting time and go propose all ready."
Jess smiled, he had gotten the approval of the one person who at one despised him with a passion."
"Thanks, give Sid a kiss for me, tell her I'll call her tomorrow."
"Bye, buddy."
**Jess looks at his watch noticing the time—11:10
*Luke is waiting in front of the diner for Jess.
"Sorry I'm late, I got tied up."
"No problem, come on lets go upstairs to the apartment."
"For what?"
"You'll see."
*They get upstairs to the apartment Luke unlocks his dresser drawer and pulls out a small blue box.
"I know that this isn't exactly Rory's taste but I figured it's a start." Luke hands the box to Jess, he opens it revealing a gold ring incrusted with 3 small diamonds in the center and light sapphires along the sides.
Hands trembling with amazement, Jess looks at his uncle, "Thank you, Uncle Luke."
*The two men are now racking their brains as to how to make the ring suitable for Rory. For Inspiration they head down to the Jewelry store. Luke is at the counter looking at rings, Jess is pacing up the aisle his eyes catch on a ring in the case."
"L-Luke, look." Luke approaches Jess who is looking at a silver engagement ring almost identical to the gold ring in his pocket except the silver one has 2 small hearts on each side, a diamond in the center of each heart.
"Excuse me, may I see this ring?"
"Of course."
"Could I get the same ring but have these *Jess is now holding out the other ring pointing towards the sapphires* put where those small diamonds are."
"Absolutely, it'll take about 2 hours."
"Great we'll be back at 3."
"Come on kid, *Luke pats his nephew on the shoulder, lets go get our hair cut." The two men walk out of the store.
*Gilmore estate
*The three Gilmore girls decided to go clothes shopping. They are gone most of the day. Jess and Luke arrive together before they've returned home. Greeted by Richard follow him into the study to have a drink. 10 minutes the later the girls return. Rory walks into the study wearing a pale blue sundress and sandals. Jess looks up at her and his heart goes into his throat. Rory goes to Jess and hugs him.
"I missed you. Oh and Grandpa, Grandma says dinner will be ready in 5."
"Alright dear we'll just finish our drinks and be out in a minute."
"Ok." Rory walks out of the study and Jess turns towards his uncle and Richard."
"So you think that's a good way to do it?"
"Absolutely, Son. I better inform Emily first though, otherwise she might get in your way…make us have dessert or something out there."
"Thank you Mr. Gilmore." Jess walks out of the study, knees shaking slightly. He walks into the dining room. "Mrs. Gilmore, Mr. Gilmore wants to speak to you."
"If this about me rearranging those books on his desk…*Emily's voice trailed as she walked out of the room.
*Luke walks in taking a seat next to Lorelei, a moment later Richard and Emily reappear, seeming almost chipper. Dinner goes on rather slowly. Rory eyes Jess, noticing him pick at his food.
"Are you alright?"
"Um yea, I'm just not that hungry."
"Oh." Rory looked dejectedly at Jess knowing, that he never passed up chicken in his life."
*Dinner ends and they all assemble in the living room, waiting for coffee. Jess' face has turned even whiter as the evening wears on. He is holding hands with Rory, trying not to notice the look of disappointment on her face.
"Um, it's getting kind of hot in here, is there some where I can get some air?" Jess looked towards Emily.
"Oh yes, dear of course right out that back door."
"Thank you, I'll be back in a few minutes." He lightly kisses Rory's cheek and walks outside. The side door leads to a stone paved area over looking acres of open fields giving way to the lights of the city in the background. Jess stands there for a few minutes watching the sky, Rory worried about Jess' walks outside 10 minutes later.
"So what's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Come on Jess."
"I don't know being here these last few days has got me to thinking."
"About?"
"Commitment I guess, seeing your grandparents; married for so long, it kind of got to me. I mean your grandpa said some things that made me realize how much there is to a marriage. It's a lot to handle." Rory hangs her arms around his shoulders and he rubs her arms calmly.
"Look, Jess. I love you, and I know you love me. Whatever my grandfather said to you, it doesn't matter; I'm happy with the way thing are; maybe you know we're not cut out for marriage. We could be like Susan Sarandon and what's his face…. we can just live together and never get married. It doesn't matter."
"I don't think that's going to work.." Rory lets go of Jess; takes two steps backwards, her body trembling."
"So you're saying….* words fail Rory and tears being to flow from her eyes. She turns her back to Jess unable to bear his far off gaze.
"I'm sorry Rory. Jess looks at Rory unable to suppress her emotions any longer He smiles slightly and continues on. "Growing up I never had a father, my mom had numerous amounts of boyfriends come and go. It wasn't until I moved in with Luke that I understood what devotion was. He was the only person I'd ever know that devoted himself so much to one person. Even though they didn't get together until this year, my Uncle hadn't looked at another woman other than your mom in 6 years; he would give anything to make her smile. As much as I wanted to be like Luke, I never believed that I could be that kind of man…He pauses and takes Rory close to him… "I never believed until I came back to Stars Hollow and saw you."
*Rory pulls away from Jess, her eyes are dancing at him.
"Rory, when I woke up this morning I felt empty, like I had lost something. Even though you just down the hall I felt lonely not having you there lying next to me. Rory, I never want to wake up to an empty bed again.
"W-what are you saying Jess?"
"Lorelei Leigh Gilmore, Make an honest man out of an old Dodger, say you'll marry me."
"Nothing would make me happier than to spend my life with you, I love you Jess, yes."
They embrace, over Rory's shoulder Jess sees all four Gilmores and his Uncle standing at the window. They quietly step outside and in moments both Rory and Jess are taken over with hugs and kisses from their family. After hours of celebrating Rory falls asleep on the couch, her head on Jess' shoulder.
Emily eyes her newly engaged granddaughter sleeping peacefully. "Well, you kids better be off to bed. Luke it's late why not stay over. You can sleep in the guest room. Jess, is it alright with you if you sleep with Rory in her room?" Lorelei looks shockingly at her mother.
"Hey, well why does Rory get to share a room with a boy and I don't?"
"Because, Lorelei, they're practically married, I'll be lucky if you two ever get married." Emily eyes Luke who's nervously tapping his foot." Enough of this, everyone to bed."
They all walk upstairs Jess behind everyone carrying Rory to their room.
As they lay in bed, Jess watched Rory, amazed at how blessed he was .
"Alright, Jess, are you going to tell me why you're here?"
"I just needed to take a ride, Luke besides I felt like having coffee."
"You don't drink coffee, and don't tell me Rory's rubbed off on you that much because I know she didn't, I was standing right here when she called Lorelei on the phone complaining about how you've gotten her down to one cup before work. So for you to be sitting here drinking, not one but two cups of coffee says a lot so spill it."
"I want...I'm going to propose to Rory."
A smile spreads across Luke's face. "That's great, Jess."
"Tonight."
"I see."
"And I don't know how to do it...I don't even have a ring for her." Luke's eyes narrow as begins to think things over in his head.
"Maybe I should just wait, I just thought it would be nice to have all of Rory's *Jess looks over at his uncle, and my family there when I do it."
"No, it's a nice idea Jess, I think you should go with it. Look I'm closing at 11 so I can get a haircut and shave before I head over to Hartford tonight. I'll make you some breakfast, then you can walk around town for a bit maybe decide on how you want to do this, and then come back at 11 and we'll fix the ring problem ok?" Jess looks thoughtfully at his uncle, seeing in his eyes how much he cared for him. Luke was the only one in his family who'd taken the time to get passed his rough edges, he'd helped him get through college, and to Jess, Luke was his father. Luke brings pancakes for Jess, after a few minutes he leaves ready to clear his head.
In the last 7 years, Stars Hollow hadn't changed a bit, minus the fact that the Independence Inn had changed owners; everything was just as it was when Jess left it. Thinking over the events of past few days Jess suddenly remembers something. He stops in his tracks and heads towards the nearest payphone.
"Hello?"
"Sid? It's Jess."
"Oh hey, what's up?"
"Nothing really, is Dean there?"
"Dean? Yea hold on."
"Yea?"
"I just wanted you to know, I'm going to ask Rory to marry me."
"Man, that's great, congratulations. But why didn't you just wait till you got back to tell me?"
"I don't know I just thought, that if I wasn't the right guy for her, that you'd be the only one willing to tell me so."
"I'm sorry Jess but I can't do that. She loves you, I'm just the ex I don't have the authority to make that decision for her, besides I can't think of anybody who will ever love Rory more than you. So stop wasting time and go propose all ready."
Jess smiled, he had gotten the approval of the one person who at one despised him with a passion."
"Thanks, give Sid a kiss for me, tell her I'll call her tomorrow."
"Bye, buddy."
**Jess looks at his watch noticing the time—11:10
*Luke is waiting in front of the diner for Jess.
"Sorry I'm late, I got tied up."
"No problem, come on lets go upstairs to the apartment."
"For what?"
"You'll see."
*They get upstairs to the apartment Luke unlocks his dresser drawer and pulls out a small blue box.
"I know that this isn't exactly Rory's taste but I figured it's a start." Luke hands the box to Jess, he opens it revealing a gold ring incrusted with 3 small diamonds in the center and light sapphires along the sides.
Hands trembling with amazement, Jess looks at his uncle, "Thank you, Uncle Luke."
*The two men are now racking their brains as to how to make the ring suitable for Rory. For Inspiration they head down to the Jewelry store. Luke is at the counter looking at rings, Jess is pacing up the aisle his eyes catch on a ring in the case."
"L-Luke, look." Luke approaches Jess who is looking at a silver engagement ring almost identical to the gold ring in his pocket except the silver one has 2 small hearts on each side, a diamond in the center of each heart.
"Excuse me, may I see this ring?"
"Of course."
"Could I get the same ring but have these *Jess is now holding out the other ring pointing towards the sapphires* put where those small diamonds are."
"Absolutely, it'll take about 2 hours."
"Great we'll be back at 3."
"Come on kid, *Luke pats his nephew on the shoulder, lets go get our hair cut." The two men walk out of the store.
*Gilmore estate
*The three Gilmore girls decided to go clothes shopping. They are gone most of the day. Jess and Luke arrive together before they've returned home. Greeted by Richard follow him into the study to have a drink. 10 minutes the later the girls return. Rory walks into the study wearing a pale blue sundress and sandals. Jess looks up at her and his heart goes into his throat. Rory goes to Jess and hugs him.
"I missed you. Oh and Grandpa, Grandma says dinner will be ready in 5."
"Alright dear we'll just finish our drinks and be out in a minute."
"Ok." Rory walks out of the study and Jess turns towards his uncle and Richard."
"So you think that's a good way to do it?"
"Absolutely, Son. I better inform Emily first though, otherwise she might get in your way…make us have dessert or something out there."
"Thank you Mr. Gilmore." Jess walks out of the study, knees shaking slightly. He walks into the dining room. "Mrs. Gilmore, Mr. Gilmore wants to speak to you."
"If this about me rearranging those books on his desk…*Emily's voice trailed as she walked out of the room.
*Luke walks in taking a seat next to Lorelei, a moment later Richard and Emily reappear, seeming almost chipper. Dinner goes on rather slowly. Rory eyes Jess, noticing him pick at his food.
"Are you alright?"
"Um yea, I'm just not that hungry."
"Oh." Rory looked dejectedly at Jess knowing, that he never passed up chicken in his life."
*Dinner ends and they all assemble in the living room, waiting for coffee. Jess' face has turned even whiter as the evening wears on. He is holding hands with Rory, trying not to notice the look of disappointment on her face.
"Um, it's getting kind of hot in here, is there some where I can get some air?" Jess looked towards Emily.
"Oh yes, dear of course right out that back door."
"Thank you, I'll be back in a few minutes." He lightly kisses Rory's cheek and walks outside. The side door leads to a stone paved area over looking acres of open fields giving way to the lights of the city in the background. Jess stands there for a few minutes watching the sky, Rory worried about Jess' walks outside 10 minutes later.
"So what's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Come on Jess."
"I don't know being here these last few days has got me to thinking."
"About?"
"Commitment I guess, seeing your grandparents; married for so long, it kind of got to me. I mean your grandpa said some things that made me realize how much there is to a marriage. It's a lot to handle." Rory hangs her arms around his shoulders and he rubs her arms calmly.
"Look, Jess. I love you, and I know you love me. Whatever my grandfather said to you, it doesn't matter; I'm happy with the way thing are; maybe you know we're not cut out for marriage. We could be like Susan Sarandon and what's his face…. we can just live together and never get married. It doesn't matter."
"I don't think that's going to work.." Rory lets go of Jess; takes two steps backwards, her body trembling."
"So you're saying….* words fail Rory and tears being to flow from her eyes. She turns her back to Jess unable to bear his far off gaze.
"I'm sorry Rory. Jess looks at Rory unable to suppress her emotions any longer He smiles slightly and continues on. "Growing up I never had a father, my mom had numerous amounts of boyfriends come and go. It wasn't until I moved in with Luke that I understood what devotion was. He was the only person I'd ever know that devoted himself so much to one person. Even though they didn't get together until this year, my Uncle hadn't looked at another woman other than your mom in 6 years; he would give anything to make her smile. As much as I wanted to be like Luke, I never believed that I could be that kind of man…He pauses and takes Rory close to him… "I never believed until I came back to Stars Hollow and saw you."
*Rory pulls away from Jess, her eyes are dancing at him.
"Rory, when I woke up this morning I felt empty, like I had lost something. Even though you just down the hall I felt lonely not having you there lying next to me. Rory, I never want to wake up to an empty bed again.
"W-what are you saying Jess?"
"Lorelei Leigh Gilmore, Make an honest man out of an old Dodger, say you'll marry me."
"Nothing would make me happier than to spend my life with you, I love you Jess, yes."
They embrace, over Rory's shoulder Jess sees all four Gilmores and his Uncle standing at the window. They quietly step outside and in moments both Rory and Jess are taken over with hugs and kisses from their family. After hours of celebrating Rory falls asleep on the couch, her head on Jess' shoulder.
Emily eyes her newly engaged granddaughter sleeping peacefully. "Well, you kids better be off to bed. Luke it's late why not stay over. You can sleep in the guest room. Jess, is it alright with you if you sleep with Rory in her room?" Lorelei looks shockingly at her mother.
"Hey, well why does Rory get to share a room with a boy and I don't?"
"Because, Lorelei, they're practically married, I'll be lucky if you two ever get married." Emily eyes Luke who's nervously tapping his foot." Enough of this, everyone to bed."
They all walk upstairs Jess behind everyone carrying Rory to their room.
As they lay in bed, Jess watched Rory, amazed at how blessed he was .