Title: Christmas Mayhem
Author: MassCoffee
Feedback: My first. I need criticism.
Summary: My take on the future FINAL episode of the GG. Many things have changed, so be afraid, be very afraid. Get some popcorn and coffee and don't forget to widen your horizon.
Author's Note: Thankyou thankyou thankyou for everyone's reviews. My writing can only get better thanks to you guys. But I can't tell you what you want to know or you wouldn't want to read what's going to happen next!
Rating: PG-13. At least it will be.
Pairing: L/L and R/J
Disclaimer: For the love of God don't sue! I don't own anything! Do you hear me!
Spoilers: There shouldn't be any. I only make up some.
Lorelai walked with Jess out to his car in the driveway of the inn.
"Awwwww. You've still got your first car!!"
"I couldn't part with it. It's got a lot of memories attached to it."
"We have to name it!"
"No we don't." Jess got into the driver's side.
"Better yet! Let's christen it! I'll buy a bottle of champagne and we'll hit it over the top of the car. The upholstery will get all wet and sticky and you'll have to replace it."
"It's been christened. Numerous times. And not in that way."
Lorelai gave him a dirty look and folded her arms.
"What now?"
"You didn't open the door for me."
"What am I, your manservant?"
Lorelai pouted. Jess rolled his eyes as he jumped out of the car and opened the door for her.
"Thank you kind sir." Lorelai flashed him one of her flirty smiles as she got in the car.
"You keep forgetting Lorelai. I am not my Uncle."
"Hmmm really? Being easily manipulated by yours truly must run in the genes somewhere I guess."
"I give up." Jess got in the car.
"See! see! You're the spitting image of him!" Lorelai poked at him cheerfully. "Can I choose the radio station?"
"Ugh!" Jess put his foot down on the accelerator in frustration. The place he was heading for wasn't far and he hoped that he would reach it without further ordeal. But he needn't have worried. When Lorelai saw their destination, she became speechless.
As Jess parked and got out, Lorelai found herself unable to move. Gripping the car door, she leaned her chin against it and bit her lip. She could feel the tears coming on. Instead of opening the car door for her, Jess let Lorelai take the scene in.
The house.
"Jess, what-?" She turned to him in confusion. Jess just smiled gently.
It was the house. The one she and Sookie had poured all their hopes and dreams into. The house they thought they couldn't ever have because a certain sweet lady had had too many memories attached to it.
"It hasn't changed a bit." She said to herself. She was wrong however. Even now she could see several people working on rebuilding its foundations. Her eyes focused on one man in particular climbing down a ladder. He was dressed in the familiar flannel shirt and cap.
"Excuse me for a moment." Jess said. He went and sat on the hood of the car as he made a call on his mobile. Lorelai came to her senses.
"Hey yuppie boy! You didn't open the door for me!"
Jess glared at Lorelai and then at the phone. The Real Estate company had made him take it when he first got the job. Maybe it was time to resign. Giving himself a shake, he returned his thoughts to the task at hand.
Realizing Jess was not going to open the door for her, Lorelai stepped out on her own. Not sure what to do, she slowly walked up to the house.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
She jumped at the sharp tone in Luke's voice, but quickly recovered.
"Now you've said that many times before." She said a little too sweetly. "And what was my reply?"
"This time its different dammit!" Luke looked at her with disappointment written all over his rugged face. He looked at the car in the distance and his eyes narrowed at Jess.
"Right!" He stormed his way over to the car. Jess had just hung up when Luke reached him.
"What the hell are you doing bringing her here?! It was supposed to be a Christmas present. Hence the importance of giving it to her on Christmas!"
"Don't blame me, she tricked me Luke!"
By this time, Lorelai had reached them and caught this last part.
"I did not! Don't believe him Luke!" Lorelai couldn't help smiling.
"You must be really fond of that lake buster cause I'm about to take you for another visit! I can't believe you told her about the house!" Luke yelled menacingly at his nephew. Jess just grinned.
"You got me the house?" Lorelai interrupted.
They both look at her without responding.
"For a Christmas present?"
Jess smiled at her whilst Luke stared down at his shoes.
"For a present? How? Why?" Lorelai asked, but realized she didn't care just then. She ran back up to the house before either of them could answer. She looked up at it and her stomach began to flutter. Luke and Jess came up beside her.
"The house is in a hell of a state! I don't know what you and Sookie saw in it." Luke said.
"Everything!" She yelled and hugged Luke so tightly that he almost fell over.
"Easy there!" Luke pushed her gently away and blushed. Next was Jess's turn.
"Okay! Now that I'm over the initial shock of it all, I now officially care enough to know how you guys did it!"
"Wait till the lawyer arrives. Then we'll tell you." Jess said.
"Is this the famous Mrs Gilmore?" Another man who had been working on the house had made his way up to the small group.
"Miss Gilmore if you please. Are you fixing my house?"
"Not very bright is she?" The man said turning to Luke.
"She's not normally like this. Lorelai this is Jeromy. He was a friend of my father's." Luke said. The man took off his glove and shook hands with Lorelai.
"I thought we'd have a little more time to work on it before you saw it Miss Gilmore. To be honest I thought we had until Christmas!"
"Oh no! Its perfect! It couldn't have looked better if you had put fairy lights on it!"
Jeromy raised his eyebrow. "Fairy lights? No one said anything about fairy lights."
"Oh that reminds me! I have to call Sookie! She has to feel my happy vibes! Jess I need your phone!"
"Use your own!"
"I can't. It's at home. Somewhere. The batteries are dead. Luke do you have one?"
"A machine that emits radiation, causes brain tumors and fits in your pocket? Wow I gotta get me one of those!"
"No matter what you say diner boy, you can never make me mad at you again!" Lorelai grabbed Jess's phone. She was about to press the dial button when she stopped.
"Oh no!" She wailed. "I can't. I just can't accept it."
"What?" Jess asked, a little puzzled at her reaction.
"The inn! I can't just leave Bobby with no manager!"
"And who may I ask, is Bobby?"
"The new owner! He's the one that bought it from Mia when she retired. At first I thought he was really mean, but then, he kept me on! He didn't turn the inn into an evil casino with karaoke bar! He didn't turn Sookie and I into bar girls with bunny costumes!"
"Bunny costumes? He must be merciful indeed, or gay." Jess said.
"Well I'm sorry Lorelai but I am putting my foot down on this. We went to a lot of trouble to get you, Rory and Sookie this place. Not to mention the numerous times something in that house has hit me on the head. So Bobster can just forget about keeping you on!" Luke growled. There was silence for a moment as no one had expected this little outburst from Luke of all people.
"Thankyou." Lorelai bent her head and dialed Sookie's number. As the phone rang she impulsively hugged Luke and was about to kiss him on the cheek when Sookie picked up the line. Lorelei slowly walked away from the group. The three men laughed as Lorelai began jumping up and down from the excitement of telling her best friend the news.
"Funny lady." Jeromy says as he puts his glove back on. "But I think you convinced her Luke."
"Yeah." Luke frowned. He had noticed that Lorelai had broken the heel on her left shoe from jumping around. He'd have to fix that later.
"You didn't tell me she was your girlfriend." Jeromy accused.
"That's because she's not."
"Just a friend huh?"
"Yup."
"You're so full of crap!" Jeromy said before walking back to the house. "Nice to see you again Jess."
Whilst waiting for Sookie, Lorelai and Jess gave themselves a tour of the house. They then sat on the front porch, listening to the sounds of hammers and drills.
"When's the big bad lawyer coming?" Lorelai asked.
"He'll be here a little after Sookie."
"Jess you know I can't accept it."
"What?"
"I can't let you guys spend so much money on me! I know you're rich now and everything but-"
"Who said I spent any money?"
"Huh? Jess, I hate to be the one to tell you this but you can't steal a house."
"You underestimate my skills."
"Jess I can't afford this."
"Yes you can."
"Jess I can't! I'm paying for Rory's tuition as well as many, many cans of dog food."
"You still have that dog?"
"Yes, Max is still alive and well. He is the best boyfriend I ever had. In fact, I think he knows where my mobile phone is. Even better than human Max in that aspect."
"I thought you might have killed him by now. Like those hamsters that one time."
Lorelei's eyes widened. "Luke told you? I'm going to kill him, right after he fixes up this house."
"Fran Weston left that dog to you when she died, didn't she?" Jess regarded her curiously.
"I don't think she thought that Will through very well. Or maybe she didn't like poor old Max."
"She wanted to leave everyone in the town a little something."
"She was a sweet lady. Did you go to her funeral?"
"I was still the town vandal then."
"Oh, well serves you right you rebel you! You should have seen Rory's face when they handed me Max."
"I will savor the thought later. But I get to see your face now, because she left you and Sookie something else."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No! I feel like such an evil greedy horrible person! I don't deserve it."
"She must have known you wanted it."
"I don't understand. Why now?"
"Well as you can understand, a piece of land is quite a big thing. The will was questioned by a few uh 'friends' of Ms Weston's."
"Oh. I see. They're-they're contesting the will?"
"Not any more! Thanks to me, my sucking up skills and a blood sucking lawyer. Actually he's a good friend of mine so don't tell him I said that."
"Jess, you have the kind of manipulative character that could fool the bouncer guy at the pearly gates! But how did you find out?"
"Luke showed me the photos and told me he wanted to get it for you. He's been saving up for some time and wanted to apply for a loan. I checked the market and found out what was going on. It went on from there."
"Wait a second, you're in Real Estate now?"
Jess waited for Lorelai to come up with some smart comment.
"Today, I am not myself and I am so happy I could cry. So I think instead of insulting your new career I will hug you!"
Lorelai did exactly that.
"And now you owe me big time." Jess's eyes began to twinkle.
"Hey this is not a Godfather movie!"
"I didn't get rich from doing something for nothing."
"But it's a Christmas present. I can knit you a sweater and we can still call it even."
"You can't knit!"
"I can French knit. Rory bought me this kit last year called 'Knitting Nancye!'. Actually, Nancye is really ugly, but she makes really thin strands of wool which are completely useless unless you know how to sew."
"Forget the sweater, how about permission to beat up Rory's guy?"
"Hmmmm. Let me think. No! I know! I'll knit you a scarf!"
"How about being really mean to him?"
"Slippers?"
"Annoy him?"
"Jess! I know you still love Rory! I'm sorry things didn't work out for you guys! But you can't make me take your side over hers! She's my kid! And if she's happy with-with whatever his name is, then so be it!"
"You don't even know his name?"
"Its some really boring name that my mother will just love!"
"She's not happy with him." Jess mumbled under his breath.
"Just because you can't be happy with anyone else, doesn't mean she can't be!"
Jess stared at her coldly.
"Jess I'm sorry. You know how my tongue runs away with me."
"Don't worry about it. Enjoy your present." He got up and left.
"Jess wait! Auggh!" Lorelei buried her face in her hands.
In another part of the US, Rory was chucking her bags into the back of a taxi. A man dressed in a trench coat and gloves came up beside her.
"How did I do?" Rory asked him as he kissed her on the corner of her mouth.
"You did fine. They loved you."
"I sensed a lot of hostility."
"Impressing my brother was not my top concern."
"No, no, the bad karma vibe was definitely coming from your parents."
"What funny things you say! Now to Connecticut!"
"Why won't you let me ring Mom and tell her? We never hide anything from each other! This is so important. She'll be upset!"
"Rubbish! It'll be a Christmas surprise!"
"I guess."
"Come on, get in the car before I kiss you again."
"Was that a threat? Somehow I'm not worried if it gets carried out."
The taxi driver honked the horn rudely. They reluctantly got into the car. As they made their way around the block, Rory looked down at the diamond cluster ring on her finger. It suddenly reminded her of the bracelet that her first love had made for her.
I can't lose it this time, she thought.
I can't let Jess claim it, called her deeper subconscious.
But she would not let herself think of that. She turned her thoughts to seeing her Mom again. Rory felt a wave of sadness wash over her as the cab stopped outside the airport. It was her second time in a plane and she had neither told nor shared the moment with Lorelai.
"Are you ok Rory?"
"Fine, let's get the tickets." Rory made a secret promise to herself that she would tear up her new passport when she got home. She was going to get a new one so that she and Mom could still go on their 'first flight' together.
"Yes I can get you two tickets to New York Sir". The lady at the computer announced cheerily. "But you must understand that your request is a little late, especially at this time of the year. Unfortunately, the closest flight has only one in business and one in economy, will that suit?"
"That's fine. Rory?"
"Huh?" Rory turned in confusion. She had been looking at the baggage trolleys on the side wall. She was imagining how much Lorelai would have liked to have played with one of them.
"You take business and I'll take economy. Fine?" Her fiancé asked impatiently.
"Fine." Rory smiled meekly.
"The flight's in three hours at door E-51, enjoy your flight." The lady smiled. As they made their way down the hall, Rory caught sight of a phone.
"I just need to call my roommate! She told me to ring her at the college before she went home for the holidays!" Rory explained as she broke away from his side.
"I'll see you at the terminal!" He called after her.
At the Gilmore house, Lorelai and Luke were pulling out the Christmas decorations. They were dragging out the old Christmas lights when Lorelai's bare foot stood on something sharp.
"Ow! Stupid pointy glass thingies!" Lorelai hopped on one foot until the sharp pain subsided.
"I don't know why you insist on making me untangle the lights every year. You never put them away properly the year before and you always manage to drop, break and stand on every single glass cover." Luke complained as he inspected Lorelei's foot. Seeing no harm had come to her, Luke sat on the floor and began the futile task of untangling the cord.
At that moment, the phone rang. Lorelai hobbled up to the phone and picked it up.
"I am in pain and I do not want to be disturbed!" Lorelai whinged down the phone.
"Just go out and buy a new set of Christmas lights Mom!"
"Rory?" Lorelai forgot her foot. "Hey there Miss Smart Professional Future Journalist! When does break begin?"
"You're not making Luke untangle them are you?"
Lorelai turns to Luke. "Rory says hi!"
"Hmffff." Luke ignores her as he manages to undo a knot.
"Luke says grunt!"
"Mom you have to listen to me very carefully. Please don't talk or get mad until the end!"
"I'm already mad! You're not here with me and Christmas is very very close!" As Lorelai's face was one big smile, Luke severely doubted Lorelai had meant what she said. But as the phone conversation progressed, Luke watched Lorelai's face grow steadily less spirited. A slight frown had formed on her brow and her smile had become curled and less pleasant.
There was a slight pause before Lorelai grabbed a pen and wrote a few things down.
"Of course I'm not mad! Oh my God I am so happy for you! Just come home okay? I love you! Bring me a souvenir. One of those globey thingies that snow when you turn them upside down." Lorelai said. A few goodbyes were exchanged before she finally hung up the phone.
"Everything okay?" Luke asked. Lorelai huffed as she carefully stepped over some of the lights and sat down next to him.
"She went on a plane without me."
"Huh?"
"She's getting married Luke! To some prosy guy called Arthur Donahue. He made her take a plane to visit his parents. Now they're catching one back to New York this afternoon. That makes it two times Rory has been on a plane and I haven't."
"I think you're worrying over the wrong things here. Did you just say she was getting married?"
"No." Lorelai sniffed. "She's engaged."
"Is, uh, prosy boy coming with her?"
"Yup, which means I have to be nice to him now even though he was with Rory on her first flight and I wasn't."
"Enough about the stupid plane!"
"I knew this would happen. I knew she'd stop telling me everything once she went to college. I must have turned into my mother and nobody was here to stop me! Now its too late."
Luke gave her a hug. "Stop panicking, gees! You know that's not true. Rory loves you. What time is the plane coming in?"
Lorelai sniffed. "Late tonight."
"We can make it! Have you got the plane details?"
"Yes." Lorelai pointed to the piece of paper up on the table. Luke got up.
"Let me go get my truck and we'll head to New York straight away."
"But Rory said she's coming here by cab."
"We'll give her a surprise of our own." Luke said as he left the house. Lorelai smiled and jumped up. She made her way upstairs to grab her coat and some shoes.
Jess's face appeared around the door of the kitchen to make sure everyone was gone. He had heard every word. He had not meant to eavesdrop. But the word 'Rory' made him do strange things.
He had come with the intention of helping Lorelai with her decorations. Instead, he made his way over to where the phone was. The piece of paper was still there with all the details Rory had left her mother.
Jess pulled out his own phone from his jeans pocket and dialed a number.
"Yes, Hello, I wanted to talk to Caitlin!"
There was a pause as he was put on hold. Jess smiled to himself.
"Hello Caitlin? Yes it's Jess Mariano. Listen, I have a few favors to ask."
"Attention Please. Lorelai Gilmore would you please report to the services desk near door A-12. I repeat, Lorelai Gilmore please report to the services desk near door A-12, thankyou." The speakers in the terminal echoed down the numbers halls of the airport.
Rory looked at Arthur. They were standing in line for boarding.
"It's ok, I'll see you at the end of the flight ok?" He smiled. Rory gave him a quick kiss before breaking into a run. It was ten minutes when the desk finally came into view.
"Lorelai Gilmore." Rory wheezed out as she leaned against the cool desk. The woman looked up at her indifferently. Her name-tag read the cheesy words 'Hi! My name is Caitlin'.
"Phone for you in that booth over there."
Rory nodded, too out of breath to say anything for a moment. She hurried over to the phone and picked it up.
"Mom?" She asked as she picked up the phone. No one answered.
"Hello hello? Whoever you are you're making me miss my plane! So speak up!"
The caller hung up. Angry, Rory stormed up to the lady at the desk.
"If they ever call again, don't bother notifying me." Rory said before walking back to the way she came. As she boarded the plane, she noticed in confusion that there was another services desk only a few inches from her.
After the plane had taken off, Rory pulled off her seatbelt and got out a book. It was no point in searching for Arthur in economy. On the way here he had slept the entire way.
Waiting at the airport, Lorelai was gripping Luke's arm very tightly. Amidst a large group of people waiting for the same plane to arrive, they were the only two standing.
"She's coming through this door right?" She looked at him.
"Yup."
"Is the plane here yet?"
"No. Why don't you go get yourself a coffee?"
"No! I have been forewarned by many survivors to never to taste the coffee sold in airports."
"Are you sure that's not airplane food they were warning you about?"
"Better safe than sorry."
"Are you sure? You smell alarmingly like toothpaste."
Lorelai pulled out a half empty pack of mints. She pulled out another one and popped it in her mouth.
"Wanhn hunn?" She said, holding out the bag to him. Luke shook his head. "You should frequent airports more often if they make you quit coffee."
"I will build up an immunity to poisonous coffee before that happens." Lorelai's hands were shaking from nervousness. They calmed down a little as Luke wrapped his hand over the fingers that were gripping his coat. He knew how upset she got when Rory was coming home. She was always so scared that Rory had grown up much too fast while they were apart.
"I feel much more nervous about seeing her in an airport. Do you think we'll recognize her?" Lorelai asked, half jokingly.
"Unless she's dyed her hair green I'll think we'll be safe." Luke said sarcastically. In the corner of his eye, he spied Jess coming up to them. That suspicious looking grin had not left his face since he had offered to go with them to New York. Luke knew that grin and didn't like it one bit.
"Here's the Grinch!" Lorelai said, pretending to hide her mints from him.
"Awww come on. I bought them for you." Jess smiled and made a grab for them.
"Luke help! Save my mints!" Lorelai shrieked as she ran behind Luke.
"Quiet! Airport security is really jumpy these days." Luke said.
"Yes. They can never be TOO careful these days." Jess said dangerously. Lorelai was about to ask him what nasty secret he was hiding when the timetable screens flashed the arrival of Rory's plane.
"Oh my God! Rory's here! Luke quick we have to be out front!" Lorelai grabbed Luke's arm. Jess had decided not to be a part of this first reunion, but Lorelai was having none of that. Before Jess could sit down, Lorelai had appeared beside him and pulled him right up to the gate entrance.
"Are you sure you couldn't get us any closer?" Luke asked as he felt the crowd behind him pushing him into the metal gate. Lorelai wasn't listening.
Amongst the other greetings exchanged between the new arrivals and their friends and family, Lorelai's voice was as clear as day.
"Rory!" She leapt over the fence scaring the other passengers out of their wits. Rory didn't seem to care.
"Mom!"
Lorelai grabbed her only daughter roughly by her upper arms and hugged her tightly. After what seemed like ages, they finally broke apart.
"Excuse me, I thought you were somebody else. A young girl actually about this high?" Lorelei held out her hand at about chin height. Rory grinned broadly.
"I swear! It's me Mom it's me! I'm just wearing very thick shoes!"
"I can't believe you went on a plane! What was it like? Tell me everything and leave out nothing!"
"They gave me a complimentary bottle of Chardonnay!"
"Did they give you a coloring book?"
"No. But I was in business class!"
"All the more reason why they should have given you a coloring book. Oooooh. Was it very spacious? Was your seat bigger than your old bed?"
"Twice the size! And oh! Luke!" Rory hugged him, so glad to see his friendly face.
"Hey Rory! You look great for someone who's jetlagged." Luke said. What was with these Gilmore girls and hugs lately?
"You have a new coat!" Rory looked at it in surprise.
"Uh huh." Luke answered uneasily.
"You don't have that pathetic excuse for a life jacket anymore?"
"Ahhh no. I think Lorelai burnt it after she got me this one."
"I hate being away. I miss all these little things! I so should have been there when Mom made a ritual burning of that coat!"
"I put on ceremonial paint and everything." Lorelai said smiling. Actually, it was sitting in Max's kennel at home, but Luke would probably take it back if he knew it was there. Lorelai felt happy that Luke was here to greet Rory. Actually, any thought of Luke these days made her happy.
"So where's this fiancé we've all heard about?" Jess asked as he silently joined the group.
Rory gaped and felt her throat going dry.
The pit of her stomach, which had survived the plane trip without any trouble, was now traitorously churning.
She wanted to hug him, kiss him and tell him that she still loved him after what seemed like ages. She wanted him to forgive her for getting scared. For thinking what they had had was too intense.
The urge was stronger now that he took a step nearer.
The ring on her finger felt like it was burning into her skin. All she wanted to do was to rip it off and throw it into the air.
Jess took her hand ever so lightly and gently kissed her cheek. "Hey." He said softly, his eyes not leaving hers.
Oh God how I missed that scent, Rory thought.
Lorelai gave Luke a small knowing smile. Luke's frown relaxed a little, but he knew Jess better than anyone else. Right now, his instincts told him that Jess was up to something.
"I think we've lost him." Lorelai said.
"Huh?" Rory said. Damn, it was the second time that day she had been caught off guard.
"Your fiancé, he must have passed us already. He's probably gone ahead to get the bags. Ooooh that reminds me, we have to try one of those luggage trolleys! Ready for another ride baby?" Lorelai said. Rory and her mother joined hands and ran down the escalator together.
The trolley had suffered a great deal of damage by the time they had actually gotten Rory's bags.
"I wonder if they sell them." Lorelai idly asked Luke as Rory reluctantly climbed out of the trolley.
"I bet they'd sell you that one." Luke retorted.
"I just thought. Wouldn't it be the perfect thing to use if one's car has broken down and they really really wanted to use a drive-through to buy food!"
"Not unless you wanted a tour of the local police station."
Rory and Jess came back up to them.
"Still no sign of the elusive Arthur?" Lorelai asked.
"You know, I'm beginning to think you made him up." Jess added cheekily.
Rory punched him in the shoulder. At least she could do that without feeling like she was cheating on Art.
Jess threw her back a very sexy smile. Uh God, she was wrong.
"I'll go find him." Rory said as she left them.
Half and hour later, Rory began to truly panic.
"He's not here!" She said. "He can't have gone ahead! He's never been here before!"
"Weren't you sitting next to him on the plane?" Luke asked.
"No, we got separated! He was in economy."
"A true gentleman. Grandma will try and steal him away from you."
"Not if he's not here!" Rory stormed off to one of the checkout desks.
"You see that?" Luke said to Lorelei as he pointed in Rory's direction. "That nervous breakdown she just had proves beyond a doubt that she has not changed and that she is truly your daughter!"
Lorelai hugged him. "You just made me so happy!"
Luke and Jess rolled their eyes.
Rory approached the young man at the checkout desk.
"Excuse me. Where is my fiancé? He was on the plane and now he isn't and now I am getting very very scared. In fact I'm thinking about calling up my old friend Paris here so that she can scare you into answering me. Believe me, I'm reaching that point where I am perfectly willing to inflict that torture upon you!"
"Um okay Miss. What was this young man's name?" The man turned to the computer in front of him.
"Arthur Donahue! He was in economy for the New York flight that arrived just under an hour ago!"
"He was huh? It says here he never boarded."
"What!" Rory shrieked. The man began get nervous again.
"He never boarded Miss. I'm sorry."
"Do something! Ring up the airport! Maybe he had an accident? Don't make me ring Paris!"
"Miss I don't know what you're talking about, but if you sit over there for ten minutes, I will call and make some inquiries."
"Thank you." Rory said and flounced into the proffered chair. Fifteen minutes later, Lorelai joined her.
"So Arthur never boarded huh?"
"He must have been killed! Robbed!"
"Or maybe hon, just maybe he changed his mind about going?"
"No! He wouldn't do that do me!"
Lorelai gave her a worried look.
"Don't look at me like that! He didn't reject me! He owes it to me to come here. I had to sit through his stupid parents and his stupid brother trying to discern my faults and failings. He did not turn into a cowardly custard at the thought of meeting my Mom! No way!"
Luke came up to them with two cups of coffee in his hands. "Jess and I just packed up the car. Here!"
Lorelai eyed hers suspiciously.
"I went to the shop outside to get it for you. Now drink!"
"Thanks Luke." Rory smiled and drank deeply. Despite its obvious lack of caffeine, both girls appreciated the hot drink.
The man at the desk gestured for Rory to join him. She jumped up and ran to him. He held the phone up for her to take.
"For you." He said and left her alone. Rory picked up the phone held it to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Rory! Are you ok?"
"Art! I'm fine! What happened?"
"Don't get me started! These rude people here at security reckon they got an anonymous tip saying that I was carrying firearms! Can you believe it?"
"You! You never even carry a letter opener around with you! Did they find anything?"
"What a funny thing to say. No darling they didn't. Once this is settled, I'll be over there as soon as I can."
"Do you want me to come back and join you? Can I do anything?"
"No I am perfectly fine. They've taken my mobile so I'll have to call you when I arrive. You're staying at your mother's house right?"
"Uh huh!"
"I promise I'll be there in time for Christmas!"
"You'd better be!" Rory said. They said their goodbyes and Rory hung up the phone. She turned around and bumped straight into Jess.
"Security got him huh?"
"I can't believe it! There are some crazy people in this world. You know I think the guy that made the tip was the same one that called me at the airport."
"What are you talking about?" Jess asked as he and Rory finally exited the airport.
"I'm saying I think we were set up!"
"I think you're very tired." Jess said, trying to stop the wicked grin from showing itself too much.
Something clicked in Rory's brain that moment. She remembered when Jess had destroyed the ice sculpture so that a humble Gilmore snowman could win a competition.
"Jess you worked at an airport once right?" Rory asked him.
"Yeah, what are you getting at?"
Rory stopped for a moment. Wild accusations were suddenly crowding her tired brain.
"Finally! Is everything okey dokey?" Lorelai said as she and Luke approached them.
"Hunky dory!" Jess replied.
"Wait till you see my Christmas present Rory!" Lorelai hugged her daughter one more time before they got into the car.
"And there's many more to come!" said Jess.
"More?" Rory gave Jess the evil eye.
"I don't think this Christmas will be one I want to remember." Said Luke.
"Oh yes you will! You're getting lots and lots of hugs pal. And I'm dragging you three to Christmas parties every night!"
"Ho ho ho Luke!" Jess teased.
Ho ho ho indeed.
To be continued. And if you thought that was a wild ride. Strap yourselves in cos there's more coming!
Author: MassCoffee
Feedback: My first. I need criticism.
Summary: My take on the future FINAL episode of the GG. Many things have changed, so be afraid, be very afraid. Get some popcorn and coffee and don't forget to widen your horizon.
Author's Note: Thankyou thankyou thankyou for everyone's reviews. My writing can only get better thanks to you guys. But I can't tell you what you want to know or you wouldn't want to read what's going to happen next!
Rating: PG-13. At least it will be.
Pairing: L/L and R/J
Disclaimer: For the love of God don't sue! I don't own anything! Do you hear me!
Spoilers: There shouldn't be any. I only make up some.
Lorelai walked with Jess out to his car in the driveway of the inn.
"Awwwww. You've still got your first car!!"
"I couldn't part with it. It's got a lot of memories attached to it."
"We have to name it!"
"No we don't." Jess got into the driver's side.
"Better yet! Let's christen it! I'll buy a bottle of champagne and we'll hit it over the top of the car. The upholstery will get all wet and sticky and you'll have to replace it."
"It's been christened. Numerous times. And not in that way."
Lorelai gave him a dirty look and folded her arms.
"What now?"
"You didn't open the door for me."
"What am I, your manservant?"
Lorelai pouted. Jess rolled his eyes as he jumped out of the car and opened the door for her.
"Thank you kind sir." Lorelai flashed him one of her flirty smiles as she got in the car.
"You keep forgetting Lorelai. I am not my Uncle."
"Hmmm really? Being easily manipulated by yours truly must run in the genes somewhere I guess."
"I give up." Jess got in the car.
"See! see! You're the spitting image of him!" Lorelai poked at him cheerfully. "Can I choose the radio station?"
"Ugh!" Jess put his foot down on the accelerator in frustration. The place he was heading for wasn't far and he hoped that he would reach it without further ordeal. But he needn't have worried. When Lorelai saw their destination, she became speechless.
As Jess parked and got out, Lorelai found herself unable to move. Gripping the car door, she leaned her chin against it and bit her lip. She could feel the tears coming on. Instead of opening the car door for her, Jess let Lorelai take the scene in.
The house.
"Jess, what-?" She turned to him in confusion. Jess just smiled gently.
It was the house. The one she and Sookie had poured all their hopes and dreams into. The house they thought they couldn't ever have because a certain sweet lady had had too many memories attached to it.
"It hasn't changed a bit." She said to herself. She was wrong however. Even now she could see several people working on rebuilding its foundations. Her eyes focused on one man in particular climbing down a ladder. He was dressed in the familiar flannel shirt and cap.
"Excuse me for a moment." Jess said. He went and sat on the hood of the car as he made a call on his mobile. Lorelai came to her senses.
"Hey yuppie boy! You didn't open the door for me!"
Jess glared at Lorelai and then at the phone. The Real Estate company had made him take it when he first got the job. Maybe it was time to resign. Giving himself a shake, he returned his thoughts to the task at hand.
Realizing Jess was not going to open the door for her, Lorelai stepped out on her own. Not sure what to do, she slowly walked up to the house.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
She jumped at the sharp tone in Luke's voice, but quickly recovered.
"Now you've said that many times before." She said a little too sweetly. "And what was my reply?"
"This time its different dammit!" Luke looked at her with disappointment written all over his rugged face. He looked at the car in the distance and his eyes narrowed at Jess.
"Right!" He stormed his way over to the car. Jess had just hung up when Luke reached him.
"What the hell are you doing bringing her here?! It was supposed to be a Christmas present. Hence the importance of giving it to her on Christmas!"
"Don't blame me, she tricked me Luke!"
By this time, Lorelai had reached them and caught this last part.
"I did not! Don't believe him Luke!" Lorelai couldn't help smiling.
"You must be really fond of that lake buster cause I'm about to take you for another visit! I can't believe you told her about the house!" Luke yelled menacingly at his nephew. Jess just grinned.
"You got me the house?" Lorelai interrupted.
They both look at her without responding.
"For a Christmas present?"
Jess smiled at her whilst Luke stared down at his shoes.
"For a present? How? Why?" Lorelai asked, but realized she didn't care just then. She ran back up to the house before either of them could answer. She looked up at it and her stomach began to flutter. Luke and Jess came up beside her.
"The house is in a hell of a state! I don't know what you and Sookie saw in it." Luke said.
"Everything!" She yelled and hugged Luke so tightly that he almost fell over.
"Easy there!" Luke pushed her gently away and blushed. Next was Jess's turn.
"Okay! Now that I'm over the initial shock of it all, I now officially care enough to know how you guys did it!"
"Wait till the lawyer arrives. Then we'll tell you." Jess said.
"Is this the famous Mrs Gilmore?" Another man who had been working on the house had made his way up to the small group.
"Miss Gilmore if you please. Are you fixing my house?"
"Not very bright is she?" The man said turning to Luke.
"She's not normally like this. Lorelai this is Jeromy. He was a friend of my father's." Luke said. The man took off his glove and shook hands with Lorelai.
"I thought we'd have a little more time to work on it before you saw it Miss Gilmore. To be honest I thought we had until Christmas!"
"Oh no! Its perfect! It couldn't have looked better if you had put fairy lights on it!"
Jeromy raised his eyebrow. "Fairy lights? No one said anything about fairy lights."
"Oh that reminds me! I have to call Sookie! She has to feel my happy vibes! Jess I need your phone!"
"Use your own!"
"I can't. It's at home. Somewhere. The batteries are dead. Luke do you have one?"
"A machine that emits radiation, causes brain tumors and fits in your pocket? Wow I gotta get me one of those!"
"No matter what you say diner boy, you can never make me mad at you again!" Lorelai grabbed Jess's phone. She was about to press the dial button when she stopped.
"Oh no!" She wailed. "I can't. I just can't accept it."
"What?" Jess asked, a little puzzled at her reaction.
"The inn! I can't just leave Bobby with no manager!"
"And who may I ask, is Bobby?"
"The new owner! He's the one that bought it from Mia when she retired. At first I thought he was really mean, but then, he kept me on! He didn't turn the inn into an evil casino with karaoke bar! He didn't turn Sookie and I into bar girls with bunny costumes!"
"Bunny costumes? He must be merciful indeed, or gay." Jess said.
"Well I'm sorry Lorelai but I am putting my foot down on this. We went to a lot of trouble to get you, Rory and Sookie this place. Not to mention the numerous times something in that house has hit me on the head. So Bobster can just forget about keeping you on!" Luke growled. There was silence for a moment as no one had expected this little outburst from Luke of all people.
"Thankyou." Lorelai bent her head and dialed Sookie's number. As the phone rang she impulsively hugged Luke and was about to kiss him on the cheek when Sookie picked up the line. Lorelei slowly walked away from the group. The three men laughed as Lorelai began jumping up and down from the excitement of telling her best friend the news.
"Funny lady." Jeromy says as he puts his glove back on. "But I think you convinced her Luke."
"Yeah." Luke frowned. He had noticed that Lorelai had broken the heel on her left shoe from jumping around. He'd have to fix that later.
"You didn't tell me she was your girlfriend." Jeromy accused.
"That's because she's not."
"Just a friend huh?"
"Yup."
"You're so full of crap!" Jeromy said before walking back to the house. "Nice to see you again Jess."
Whilst waiting for Sookie, Lorelai and Jess gave themselves a tour of the house. They then sat on the front porch, listening to the sounds of hammers and drills.
"When's the big bad lawyer coming?" Lorelai asked.
"He'll be here a little after Sookie."
"Jess you know I can't accept it."
"What?"
"I can't let you guys spend so much money on me! I know you're rich now and everything but-"
"Who said I spent any money?"
"Huh? Jess, I hate to be the one to tell you this but you can't steal a house."
"You underestimate my skills."
"Jess I can't afford this."
"Yes you can."
"Jess I can't! I'm paying for Rory's tuition as well as many, many cans of dog food."
"You still have that dog?"
"Yes, Max is still alive and well. He is the best boyfriend I ever had. In fact, I think he knows where my mobile phone is. Even better than human Max in that aspect."
"I thought you might have killed him by now. Like those hamsters that one time."
Lorelei's eyes widened. "Luke told you? I'm going to kill him, right after he fixes up this house."
"Fran Weston left that dog to you when she died, didn't she?" Jess regarded her curiously.
"I don't think she thought that Will through very well. Or maybe she didn't like poor old Max."
"She wanted to leave everyone in the town a little something."
"She was a sweet lady. Did you go to her funeral?"
"I was still the town vandal then."
"Oh, well serves you right you rebel you! You should have seen Rory's face when they handed me Max."
"I will savor the thought later. But I get to see your face now, because she left you and Sookie something else."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No! I feel like such an evil greedy horrible person! I don't deserve it."
"She must have known you wanted it."
"I don't understand. Why now?"
"Well as you can understand, a piece of land is quite a big thing. The will was questioned by a few uh 'friends' of Ms Weston's."
"Oh. I see. They're-they're contesting the will?"
"Not any more! Thanks to me, my sucking up skills and a blood sucking lawyer. Actually he's a good friend of mine so don't tell him I said that."
"Jess, you have the kind of manipulative character that could fool the bouncer guy at the pearly gates! But how did you find out?"
"Luke showed me the photos and told me he wanted to get it for you. He's been saving up for some time and wanted to apply for a loan. I checked the market and found out what was going on. It went on from there."
"Wait a second, you're in Real Estate now?"
Jess waited for Lorelai to come up with some smart comment.
"Today, I am not myself and I am so happy I could cry. So I think instead of insulting your new career I will hug you!"
Lorelai did exactly that.
"And now you owe me big time." Jess's eyes began to twinkle.
"Hey this is not a Godfather movie!"
"I didn't get rich from doing something for nothing."
"But it's a Christmas present. I can knit you a sweater and we can still call it even."
"You can't knit!"
"I can French knit. Rory bought me this kit last year called 'Knitting Nancye!'. Actually, Nancye is really ugly, but she makes really thin strands of wool which are completely useless unless you know how to sew."
"Forget the sweater, how about permission to beat up Rory's guy?"
"Hmmmm. Let me think. No! I know! I'll knit you a scarf!"
"How about being really mean to him?"
"Slippers?"
"Annoy him?"
"Jess! I know you still love Rory! I'm sorry things didn't work out for you guys! But you can't make me take your side over hers! She's my kid! And if she's happy with-with whatever his name is, then so be it!"
"You don't even know his name?"
"Its some really boring name that my mother will just love!"
"She's not happy with him." Jess mumbled under his breath.
"Just because you can't be happy with anyone else, doesn't mean she can't be!"
Jess stared at her coldly.
"Jess I'm sorry. You know how my tongue runs away with me."
"Don't worry about it. Enjoy your present." He got up and left.
"Jess wait! Auggh!" Lorelei buried her face in her hands.
In another part of the US, Rory was chucking her bags into the back of a taxi. A man dressed in a trench coat and gloves came up beside her.
"How did I do?" Rory asked him as he kissed her on the corner of her mouth.
"You did fine. They loved you."
"I sensed a lot of hostility."
"Impressing my brother was not my top concern."
"No, no, the bad karma vibe was definitely coming from your parents."
"What funny things you say! Now to Connecticut!"
"Why won't you let me ring Mom and tell her? We never hide anything from each other! This is so important. She'll be upset!"
"Rubbish! It'll be a Christmas surprise!"
"I guess."
"Come on, get in the car before I kiss you again."
"Was that a threat? Somehow I'm not worried if it gets carried out."
The taxi driver honked the horn rudely. They reluctantly got into the car. As they made their way around the block, Rory looked down at the diamond cluster ring on her finger. It suddenly reminded her of the bracelet that her first love had made for her.
I can't lose it this time, she thought.
I can't let Jess claim it, called her deeper subconscious.
But she would not let herself think of that. She turned her thoughts to seeing her Mom again. Rory felt a wave of sadness wash over her as the cab stopped outside the airport. It was her second time in a plane and she had neither told nor shared the moment with Lorelai.
"Are you ok Rory?"
"Fine, let's get the tickets." Rory made a secret promise to herself that she would tear up her new passport when she got home. She was going to get a new one so that she and Mom could still go on their 'first flight' together.
"Yes I can get you two tickets to New York Sir". The lady at the computer announced cheerily. "But you must understand that your request is a little late, especially at this time of the year. Unfortunately, the closest flight has only one in business and one in economy, will that suit?"
"That's fine. Rory?"
"Huh?" Rory turned in confusion. She had been looking at the baggage trolleys on the side wall. She was imagining how much Lorelai would have liked to have played with one of them.
"You take business and I'll take economy. Fine?" Her fiancé asked impatiently.
"Fine." Rory smiled meekly.
"The flight's in three hours at door E-51, enjoy your flight." The lady smiled. As they made their way down the hall, Rory caught sight of a phone.
"I just need to call my roommate! She told me to ring her at the college before she went home for the holidays!" Rory explained as she broke away from his side.
"I'll see you at the terminal!" He called after her.
At the Gilmore house, Lorelai and Luke were pulling out the Christmas decorations. They were dragging out the old Christmas lights when Lorelai's bare foot stood on something sharp.
"Ow! Stupid pointy glass thingies!" Lorelai hopped on one foot until the sharp pain subsided.
"I don't know why you insist on making me untangle the lights every year. You never put them away properly the year before and you always manage to drop, break and stand on every single glass cover." Luke complained as he inspected Lorelei's foot. Seeing no harm had come to her, Luke sat on the floor and began the futile task of untangling the cord.
At that moment, the phone rang. Lorelai hobbled up to the phone and picked it up.
"I am in pain and I do not want to be disturbed!" Lorelai whinged down the phone.
"Just go out and buy a new set of Christmas lights Mom!"
"Rory?" Lorelai forgot her foot. "Hey there Miss Smart Professional Future Journalist! When does break begin?"
"You're not making Luke untangle them are you?"
Lorelai turns to Luke. "Rory says hi!"
"Hmffff." Luke ignores her as he manages to undo a knot.
"Luke says grunt!"
"Mom you have to listen to me very carefully. Please don't talk or get mad until the end!"
"I'm already mad! You're not here with me and Christmas is very very close!" As Lorelai's face was one big smile, Luke severely doubted Lorelai had meant what she said. But as the phone conversation progressed, Luke watched Lorelai's face grow steadily less spirited. A slight frown had formed on her brow and her smile had become curled and less pleasant.
There was a slight pause before Lorelai grabbed a pen and wrote a few things down.
"Of course I'm not mad! Oh my God I am so happy for you! Just come home okay? I love you! Bring me a souvenir. One of those globey thingies that snow when you turn them upside down." Lorelai said. A few goodbyes were exchanged before she finally hung up the phone.
"Everything okay?" Luke asked. Lorelai huffed as she carefully stepped over some of the lights and sat down next to him.
"She went on a plane without me."
"Huh?"
"She's getting married Luke! To some prosy guy called Arthur Donahue. He made her take a plane to visit his parents. Now they're catching one back to New York this afternoon. That makes it two times Rory has been on a plane and I haven't."
"I think you're worrying over the wrong things here. Did you just say she was getting married?"
"No." Lorelai sniffed. "She's engaged."
"Is, uh, prosy boy coming with her?"
"Yup, which means I have to be nice to him now even though he was with Rory on her first flight and I wasn't."
"Enough about the stupid plane!"
"I knew this would happen. I knew she'd stop telling me everything once she went to college. I must have turned into my mother and nobody was here to stop me! Now its too late."
Luke gave her a hug. "Stop panicking, gees! You know that's not true. Rory loves you. What time is the plane coming in?"
Lorelai sniffed. "Late tonight."
"We can make it! Have you got the plane details?"
"Yes." Lorelai pointed to the piece of paper up on the table. Luke got up.
"Let me go get my truck and we'll head to New York straight away."
"But Rory said she's coming here by cab."
"We'll give her a surprise of our own." Luke said as he left the house. Lorelai smiled and jumped up. She made her way upstairs to grab her coat and some shoes.
Jess's face appeared around the door of the kitchen to make sure everyone was gone. He had heard every word. He had not meant to eavesdrop. But the word 'Rory' made him do strange things.
He had come with the intention of helping Lorelai with her decorations. Instead, he made his way over to where the phone was. The piece of paper was still there with all the details Rory had left her mother.
Jess pulled out his own phone from his jeans pocket and dialed a number.
"Yes, Hello, I wanted to talk to Caitlin!"
There was a pause as he was put on hold. Jess smiled to himself.
"Hello Caitlin? Yes it's Jess Mariano. Listen, I have a few favors to ask."
"Attention Please. Lorelai Gilmore would you please report to the services desk near door A-12. I repeat, Lorelai Gilmore please report to the services desk near door A-12, thankyou." The speakers in the terminal echoed down the numbers halls of the airport.
Rory looked at Arthur. They were standing in line for boarding.
"It's ok, I'll see you at the end of the flight ok?" He smiled. Rory gave him a quick kiss before breaking into a run. It was ten minutes when the desk finally came into view.
"Lorelai Gilmore." Rory wheezed out as she leaned against the cool desk. The woman looked up at her indifferently. Her name-tag read the cheesy words 'Hi! My name is Caitlin'.
"Phone for you in that booth over there."
Rory nodded, too out of breath to say anything for a moment. She hurried over to the phone and picked it up.
"Mom?" She asked as she picked up the phone. No one answered.
"Hello hello? Whoever you are you're making me miss my plane! So speak up!"
The caller hung up. Angry, Rory stormed up to the lady at the desk.
"If they ever call again, don't bother notifying me." Rory said before walking back to the way she came. As she boarded the plane, she noticed in confusion that there was another services desk only a few inches from her.
After the plane had taken off, Rory pulled off her seatbelt and got out a book. It was no point in searching for Arthur in economy. On the way here he had slept the entire way.
Waiting at the airport, Lorelai was gripping Luke's arm very tightly. Amidst a large group of people waiting for the same plane to arrive, they were the only two standing.
"She's coming through this door right?" She looked at him.
"Yup."
"Is the plane here yet?"
"No. Why don't you go get yourself a coffee?"
"No! I have been forewarned by many survivors to never to taste the coffee sold in airports."
"Are you sure that's not airplane food they were warning you about?"
"Better safe than sorry."
"Are you sure? You smell alarmingly like toothpaste."
Lorelai pulled out a half empty pack of mints. She pulled out another one and popped it in her mouth.
"Wanhn hunn?" She said, holding out the bag to him. Luke shook his head. "You should frequent airports more often if they make you quit coffee."
"I will build up an immunity to poisonous coffee before that happens." Lorelai's hands were shaking from nervousness. They calmed down a little as Luke wrapped his hand over the fingers that were gripping his coat. He knew how upset she got when Rory was coming home. She was always so scared that Rory had grown up much too fast while they were apart.
"I feel much more nervous about seeing her in an airport. Do you think we'll recognize her?" Lorelai asked, half jokingly.
"Unless she's dyed her hair green I'll think we'll be safe." Luke said sarcastically. In the corner of his eye, he spied Jess coming up to them. That suspicious looking grin had not left his face since he had offered to go with them to New York. Luke knew that grin and didn't like it one bit.
"Here's the Grinch!" Lorelai said, pretending to hide her mints from him.
"Awww come on. I bought them for you." Jess smiled and made a grab for them.
"Luke help! Save my mints!" Lorelai shrieked as she ran behind Luke.
"Quiet! Airport security is really jumpy these days." Luke said.
"Yes. They can never be TOO careful these days." Jess said dangerously. Lorelai was about to ask him what nasty secret he was hiding when the timetable screens flashed the arrival of Rory's plane.
"Oh my God! Rory's here! Luke quick we have to be out front!" Lorelai grabbed Luke's arm. Jess had decided not to be a part of this first reunion, but Lorelai was having none of that. Before Jess could sit down, Lorelai had appeared beside him and pulled him right up to the gate entrance.
"Are you sure you couldn't get us any closer?" Luke asked as he felt the crowd behind him pushing him into the metal gate. Lorelai wasn't listening.
Amongst the other greetings exchanged between the new arrivals and their friends and family, Lorelai's voice was as clear as day.
"Rory!" She leapt over the fence scaring the other passengers out of their wits. Rory didn't seem to care.
"Mom!"
Lorelai grabbed her only daughter roughly by her upper arms and hugged her tightly. After what seemed like ages, they finally broke apart.
"Excuse me, I thought you were somebody else. A young girl actually about this high?" Lorelei held out her hand at about chin height. Rory grinned broadly.
"I swear! It's me Mom it's me! I'm just wearing very thick shoes!"
"I can't believe you went on a plane! What was it like? Tell me everything and leave out nothing!"
"They gave me a complimentary bottle of Chardonnay!"
"Did they give you a coloring book?"
"No. But I was in business class!"
"All the more reason why they should have given you a coloring book. Oooooh. Was it very spacious? Was your seat bigger than your old bed?"
"Twice the size! And oh! Luke!" Rory hugged him, so glad to see his friendly face.
"Hey Rory! You look great for someone who's jetlagged." Luke said. What was with these Gilmore girls and hugs lately?
"You have a new coat!" Rory looked at it in surprise.
"Uh huh." Luke answered uneasily.
"You don't have that pathetic excuse for a life jacket anymore?"
"Ahhh no. I think Lorelai burnt it after she got me this one."
"I hate being away. I miss all these little things! I so should have been there when Mom made a ritual burning of that coat!"
"I put on ceremonial paint and everything." Lorelai said smiling. Actually, it was sitting in Max's kennel at home, but Luke would probably take it back if he knew it was there. Lorelai felt happy that Luke was here to greet Rory. Actually, any thought of Luke these days made her happy.
"So where's this fiancé we've all heard about?" Jess asked as he silently joined the group.
Rory gaped and felt her throat going dry.
The pit of her stomach, which had survived the plane trip without any trouble, was now traitorously churning.
She wanted to hug him, kiss him and tell him that she still loved him after what seemed like ages. She wanted him to forgive her for getting scared. For thinking what they had had was too intense.
The urge was stronger now that he took a step nearer.
The ring on her finger felt like it was burning into her skin. All she wanted to do was to rip it off and throw it into the air.
Jess took her hand ever so lightly and gently kissed her cheek. "Hey." He said softly, his eyes not leaving hers.
Oh God how I missed that scent, Rory thought.
Lorelai gave Luke a small knowing smile. Luke's frown relaxed a little, but he knew Jess better than anyone else. Right now, his instincts told him that Jess was up to something.
"I think we've lost him." Lorelai said.
"Huh?" Rory said. Damn, it was the second time that day she had been caught off guard.
"Your fiancé, he must have passed us already. He's probably gone ahead to get the bags. Ooooh that reminds me, we have to try one of those luggage trolleys! Ready for another ride baby?" Lorelai said. Rory and her mother joined hands and ran down the escalator together.
The trolley had suffered a great deal of damage by the time they had actually gotten Rory's bags.
"I wonder if they sell them." Lorelai idly asked Luke as Rory reluctantly climbed out of the trolley.
"I bet they'd sell you that one." Luke retorted.
"I just thought. Wouldn't it be the perfect thing to use if one's car has broken down and they really really wanted to use a drive-through to buy food!"
"Not unless you wanted a tour of the local police station."
Rory and Jess came back up to them.
"Still no sign of the elusive Arthur?" Lorelai asked.
"You know, I'm beginning to think you made him up." Jess added cheekily.
Rory punched him in the shoulder. At least she could do that without feeling like she was cheating on Art.
Jess threw her back a very sexy smile. Uh God, she was wrong.
"I'll go find him." Rory said as she left them.
Half and hour later, Rory began to truly panic.
"He's not here!" She said. "He can't have gone ahead! He's never been here before!"
"Weren't you sitting next to him on the plane?" Luke asked.
"No, we got separated! He was in economy."
"A true gentleman. Grandma will try and steal him away from you."
"Not if he's not here!" Rory stormed off to one of the checkout desks.
"You see that?" Luke said to Lorelei as he pointed in Rory's direction. "That nervous breakdown she just had proves beyond a doubt that she has not changed and that she is truly your daughter!"
Lorelai hugged him. "You just made me so happy!"
Luke and Jess rolled their eyes.
Rory approached the young man at the checkout desk.
"Excuse me. Where is my fiancé? He was on the plane and now he isn't and now I am getting very very scared. In fact I'm thinking about calling up my old friend Paris here so that she can scare you into answering me. Believe me, I'm reaching that point where I am perfectly willing to inflict that torture upon you!"
"Um okay Miss. What was this young man's name?" The man turned to the computer in front of him.
"Arthur Donahue! He was in economy for the New York flight that arrived just under an hour ago!"
"He was huh? It says here he never boarded."
"What!" Rory shrieked. The man began get nervous again.
"He never boarded Miss. I'm sorry."
"Do something! Ring up the airport! Maybe he had an accident? Don't make me ring Paris!"
"Miss I don't know what you're talking about, but if you sit over there for ten minutes, I will call and make some inquiries."
"Thank you." Rory said and flounced into the proffered chair. Fifteen minutes later, Lorelai joined her.
"So Arthur never boarded huh?"
"He must have been killed! Robbed!"
"Or maybe hon, just maybe he changed his mind about going?"
"No! He wouldn't do that do me!"
Lorelai gave her a worried look.
"Don't look at me like that! He didn't reject me! He owes it to me to come here. I had to sit through his stupid parents and his stupid brother trying to discern my faults and failings. He did not turn into a cowardly custard at the thought of meeting my Mom! No way!"
Luke came up to them with two cups of coffee in his hands. "Jess and I just packed up the car. Here!"
Lorelai eyed hers suspiciously.
"I went to the shop outside to get it for you. Now drink!"
"Thanks Luke." Rory smiled and drank deeply. Despite its obvious lack of caffeine, both girls appreciated the hot drink.
The man at the desk gestured for Rory to join him. She jumped up and ran to him. He held the phone up for her to take.
"For you." He said and left her alone. Rory picked up the phone held it to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Rory! Are you ok?"
"Art! I'm fine! What happened?"
"Don't get me started! These rude people here at security reckon they got an anonymous tip saying that I was carrying firearms! Can you believe it?"
"You! You never even carry a letter opener around with you! Did they find anything?"
"What a funny thing to say. No darling they didn't. Once this is settled, I'll be over there as soon as I can."
"Do you want me to come back and join you? Can I do anything?"
"No I am perfectly fine. They've taken my mobile so I'll have to call you when I arrive. You're staying at your mother's house right?"
"Uh huh!"
"I promise I'll be there in time for Christmas!"
"You'd better be!" Rory said. They said their goodbyes and Rory hung up the phone. She turned around and bumped straight into Jess.
"Security got him huh?"
"I can't believe it! There are some crazy people in this world. You know I think the guy that made the tip was the same one that called me at the airport."
"What are you talking about?" Jess asked as he and Rory finally exited the airport.
"I'm saying I think we were set up!"
"I think you're very tired." Jess said, trying to stop the wicked grin from showing itself too much.
Something clicked in Rory's brain that moment. She remembered when Jess had destroyed the ice sculpture so that a humble Gilmore snowman could win a competition.
"Jess you worked at an airport once right?" Rory asked him.
"Yeah, what are you getting at?"
Rory stopped for a moment. Wild accusations were suddenly crowding her tired brain.
"Finally! Is everything okey dokey?" Lorelai said as she and Luke approached them.
"Hunky dory!" Jess replied.
"Wait till you see my Christmas present Rory!" Lorelai hugged her daughter one more time before they got into the car.
"And there's many more to come!" said Jess.
"More?" Rory gave Jess the evil eye.
"I don't think this Christmas will be one I want to remember." Said Luke.
"Oh yes you will! You're getting lots and lots of hugs pal. And I'm dragging you three to Christmas parties every night!"
"Ho ho ho Luke!" Jess teased.
Ho ho ho indeed.
To be continued. And if you thought that was a wild ride. Strap yourselves in cos there's more coming!