[pic]*The next morning 6am.
Rory leisurely wakes in Jess' arms. Her eyes open and close gingerly as she becomes aware of her surrounds. She turns to Jess who is still asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around her, gently she kisses his cheeks and attempts to get up, but Jess hold is too tight, she can't escape.
"Jess.." She whispers softly. "I have to get up, and so do you. You're first class starts in an hour and a half."
"I'll miss it." Jess groans coherently.
"Rory swats him on the shoulder, "You faker!"
Jess opens his eyes and smiles at her, "Come on lets ditch."
"Oh no!" Rory giggles as Jess tickles her, "I haven't missed a day of anything since high school, and I have a reputation to withhold." Rory smirks at him.
"While so do I and what kind of person would I be if I got up out of this chair and went to school...that would be opposing my reputation." Jess says wryly.
Rory ignores his comment, "Come on! I'll make the pop tarts you go shave." Rory says breaking through Jess' arms.
Jess groans but after a minute gets up and makes his way to the bathroom.
15 minutes later: jess enters the kitchen freshly shower with his hair wet, there is still a slight sign of a five o'clock shadow on his face.
"Hey." He says gruffly.
"Hey, your stuff's over there, Juice in the fridge....plenty of orange." Rory says quietly. Looking at her reflection in the metal fridge she says, "Well I better shower, God I'm a mess." She smiles awkwardly at Jess.
"Hey." Jess says grabbing hold of Rory's arm as she walks past him.
Rory looks down at her arm and then up at Jess, "What?"
"You look beautiful," he says simply.
Rory smiles at Jess' lie, knowing that while her hair was matted to one side and her face was puffy and red, Jess was hurting just as much as she was on the inside. She recognizes the solemn yet comforting look in his eyes, Jess has gone into protective mode...whenever anything upsetting or dramatic happens in their lives, Jess retreats into his monosyllable responses, his somber expressions, and sweet words for Rory. Usually this only lasts a day or so but for some reason today Rory gets the feeling that that protective solemn Jess may stick around a while longer.
*5 weeks later: October has come and gone, November is half way through. It's Wednesday and Rory and Jess are preparing to go down to Stars Hollow for Thanksgiving.
Rory was right about Jess. Even five weeks after the incident, he remains reserved and quiet. At every opportunity he kisses Rory's cheek, holds her close and reminds her of her beauty. Rory wishes she could say she didn't need to be reminded, but these last few weeks have been very hard, if not for Jess' intimate gestures and encouraging words she probably couldn't have gotten through the last month.
5pm:
"Ready?" Jess asks picking the last suit case up off of the floor.
"Yeah." Rory replies taking a deep breath.
"You ok?" Jess asks concerned.
"Yeah just preparing myself."
"Oh ok." Jess replies, "Lets go.
*Stars Hollow: 7:30pm.
"What took you so long?!" Exclaims Lorelai as she bounds down the steps towards her daughter ands son and law.
"It's the day before Thanksgiving we're lucky we made it her at all." Jess remarks.
"Yeah yeah yeah, well at least you made it in time for dinner. Luke's on his way now with pizza!"
"Yay!" Rory claps her hands.
"Come on inside its freezing out here."
*10 minutes later.
*Rory Jess Luke and Lorelai are seated in the living room eating pizza while "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" booms out of the television.
"Oo! This is my favorite part!" Rory exclaims, "I love when they dance."
"I wonder if Patty can teach us to dance like that?!" Lorelai replies.
"We should ask her!" Rory turns to Jess and grins "Wanna take lesson with us?"
"I'll pass." Jess replies rolling his eyes towards Luke.
"If you're not going to pay attention to this crap, I'm going to turn it off." Luke barks at Lorelai playfully.
Lorelai covers Duke's ears and gives Luke a stern look, "There are small ears in the room watch your language....and Snoopy is not crap!"
Rory laughs and Luke and her mom.
Jess kisses Rory gently, glad to see her happy again.
3 hours and 4 Christmas specials later, Luke and Lorelai have gone up to bed leaving Duke asleep on the couch next to Rory and Jess.
"Bed?" jess asks.
"Good idea." Rory yawns.
Once in bed Jess can't help but mention Rory's excitement tonight, "So what was with you tonight?"
"I don't know." Rory responds honestly.
"ok." Jess replies rolling over.
"Rory sits up, "This place just makes me happy ok."
"I know." Jess says quietly. "I just wanted to tell you that it was nice to see you smile again."
"Yeah, it felt good to smile again and don't think you can fool me Jess Marino I saw you laughing while we were watching fraggle rock Christmas."
Jess rolls over again; pulling Rory close to him he looks down at her chest and then back at her. Grinning he replies, "I missed you."
Rory raises an eyebrow at him, "You did?"
"Oh yea!" He exclaims kissing her neck softly.
Rory pushes him away, "Jess."
Jess groans.
"It's 11 o'clock, we're in my mom's house.." Rory's cut off by Jess' lips brushing hers. Rory reluctantly pulls away as Jess' hand travels down her thigh. "You know, Luke probably isn't even asleep yet."
Jess leans over Rory, and gently grabs her arm, pinning her to the bed, "You're probably right." He kisses her again before he pulls his face away revealing a broad smile on his face.
Rory giggles at the sight of Jess' playfulness, "..this is my room...I grew up here...my Barbie doll house was in that corner..my care bears were over there", she attempts to point towards the window but Jess grasps her hand and kisses is passionately.
"And, and this bed...it's been here since I was three I used to have dreams....dirty dreams Hanson in this bed." Rory stifles a laugh as Jess leans in again to kiss her neck. Rory moans in response, not strong enough to pull away or reprimand him.
Jess laughs as Rory pulls him into a long kiss, placing his muscular around her waist, Jess tickles Rory playfully causing her to giggle loudly.
*Lorelai and Luke's room.
Luke rolls over feverishly, pulling his pillow over his head, finally after a few minutes he can't take it anymore.
Tapping Lorelai on the shoulder he claims, "That's it come on get up!"
"No, no I need my coffee...you can't kick me out I'm a paying customer!" Lorelai moans.
"Lorelai wake up!" Luke barks.
Lorelai opens her eyes and turns on the light, "What is you're problem Mr. Crabby."
"We have to go."
"Why?"
As if on cue Rory's giggle penetrate through the thin walls.
"Awwww does Luke feel uncomfortable?" Lorelai grins at Luke.
"Just shut up and let's go."
"Hey mister, it's 11:30 where are you taking me?"
"My place." Luke replies.
"Dirty."
"There's coffee in it for you if you don't say another word until we get there."
"Deal!" Lorelai exclaims as she jumps out of bed.
*10 Minutes later Luke and Lorelai are standing outside the diner.
"You, know, I wasn't really sleeping."
"No?" Luke replies distractedly as he opens the door to the diner.
"Nope." Lorelai says innocently, "I was just lying there waiting for you to attend to my womanly needs." Lorelai grins, as Luke turns pink.
"Stop it."
"What? I thought it was the theme of the night if they're going to do it in our house why couldn't we?"
"Can we change the subject please?" Luke replies agitated.
"Ok." Lorelai replies simply.
Luke turns around just as Lorelai grabs him by the shirt collar and pulls him inside.
Luke leans in for a kiss, as Lorelai stumble backwards towards the stairs, "See, I knew this was tonight's theme!"
*Rory's Room
Jess fumbles with the Rory's shirt as Rory pushes him away and sits up, "Did I just hear the door slam?"
"That was twenty minutes ago." Jess groans rolling over in an attempt to grab Rory's arm before she got up.
Rory quietly makes her way down the hallway towards her mom's room.
A moment later she returns, a confused look on her face.
Jess breaks out into laughter as Rory says, "They ditched us."
"Guess we were too loud for them."
Rory's face goes pink, "Do you think they....oh my God poor Luke!"
"Rory, don't worry about it." Jess says reassuringly.
"Now, come here." He holds his hand out for her, he's grinning excessively.
"You knew that was going to happen didn't you?" Rory smirks at Jess.
"Yeah well, you know how "sensitive" Luke is!"
"Oh my God! That's why you kept touching me!"
"No....I kept touching you because that's foreplay." Jess replies sarcastically.
"You know how ticklish I am...and you tickled me so, so Luke would drag mom down to the diner!" Rory eyes go wide as Jess' smirk broadens.
Rory attempts to hit him but Jess grabs her by the wrist and pulls her towards him, "Come on, you already know I play dirty."
Rory laughs as Jess runs his hand down her leg. Jess kisses her passionately,stifling her laugh and quieting her protest.
*10am
Rory yawns once again finding herself entwined in Jess' familiar protective arms. She looks up at him, he's wide-awake and she realizes that he must have been watching her sleep for some time.
"Hey." He mouths to her.
Rory smiles at him as she rolls out of bed and towards the door, knowing that if she dared to stay any longer Jess might talk her into skipping dinner all together.
Jess happily runs after her.
*Downstairs.
Rory and Jess enter the kitchen hand and hand.
Lorelai is sitting at the kitchen table petting Duke, Luke is nmaking pancakes.
"Good morning you dirty children." Lorelai smirks at them.
Both Rory and Luke go bright pink.
Jess returns Lorelai's glance, "Same to you." He replies raising an eyebrow at her.
Lorelai looks down at her paper, "He's no fun, Rory go get another husband... One that's intimidated by me."
"You intimidate everyone" Luke barks at her.
"Oh! Come on Rory lets go watch them blow up the balloons on tv!" Lorelai exclaims before rushing out of the kitchen, Rory close behind.
Jess turns to Luke, "So Luke, have a good night?"
"Shut up."
Jess sighs, "Look, I'm sorry about last night it's just...."
Luke mumbles, "I know."
"Excuse me?" Jess asks confused.
"I'm not having this conversation with you, I understand it, I get it....go watch the parade."
Jess turns to leave but glances back at Luke, "Thanks Luke."
"For What?"
"For understanding." Jess replies before exiting the kitchen.
*6 Hours later.
"Here's to everyone being here together!" Lorelai shouts as wine glasses clang together.
An hour later: the turkey has been carved, the potatoes have been eaten, just about everything is gone except for a few vegetables and some cranberry sauce.
"Mmm, Luke you still make the best turkey." Rory says with delight.
"Thanks." Luke nods at Rory.
"Speaking of turkey I think it's time for 6ths." Lorelai announces.
"I think it's time to wrap this stuff up...give yourself some time to digest the stuff, you can always have 6ths at 3am when I know you'll be raiding the fridge anyway."
"Nu uh. By then I should be on my 10th or 11th helping." Lorelai replies angrily crossing her arms.
"Pout all you want, I'm putting the turkey in the fridge, you're doing dishes, Rory you pick the movie." Jess barks the orders loudly.
"No fair! She picked the movie last year!!"
"Yeah, but at least I know she'll put on something that doesn't have dancing midgets in it who turn people into fruit."
"You just don't understand the genius that is willy wonka." Lorelai replies as Luke pushes her towards the kitchen.
"Man you'd think he'd be over getting freaked out by the oompa loompas." Jess replies shaking his head at Luke's retreating form.
"What should we watch? Muppets Christmas Carol or It's a Wonderful life."
"I go for the puppets." Jess smiles at Rory.
"They're not puppets they're mupp-" Rory is cut off by Jess' lips crashing into hers.
"We're watching Muppets, lets go." Rory says sternly pulling Jess towards the couch.
*10:30
Jess yawns profusely as Lorelai exclaims, "UNO! I win!"
"Who's idea was it to let her play this game again?" Luke asks.
"It's tradition, Luke." Rory replies.
"Alright, I'm going to bed." Jess announces."
"Wait, you can't not yet we've only played 6 rounds!" Lorelai replies.
"I can't take anymore of your happy dance, I'm going to bed so we can get going early tomorrow."
"Early?!" Lorelai exclaims standing up, "Why , I thought you were staying the weekend!"
"Mom, I have to work Saturday and I kind of promised grandma we'd go see her and grandpa for brunch." Rory replies shyly.
Lorelai groans, "Fine."
"But hey we'll be back in a week...winter festival right?"
"Yeah!" Lorelai exclaims. "We're going to have the best snowman this year."
"Definitely."
"Night babe." Lorelai says hugging her daughter.
"Night mom." Rory replies as Jess leads her towards the stairs.
Luke walks up behind Lorelai and slips an arm around her waste, "This was nice." He whispers.
*The next morning Rory and Jess left Stars Hollow and headed to Hartford where Richard attempted unsuccessfully to once again make Rory reconsider becoming a Lawyer. Rory and Jess returned home late in the afternoon and settled back into their weekly routine. The following week went by quickly and before they knew it, Rory and Jess were back in Stars Hollow building a snowman with Lorelai.
"Hehe this is great, hey Tess; Hand me that flannel shirt."
"You're going to be in so much trouble when Luke gets back here and finds out you made a Luke snow man." Jess says teasingly.
"Oh come on, isn't he great, Rory?"
"Huh, oh yea." Rory replies quietly.
"You ok sweets, you look a bit pale."
"I'm fine...just cold I wish Luke'd move a little faster with that coffee."
"Yeah, me too." Lorelai grumbles. "Here Rory do the honors, put on the backwards baseball cap." Lorelai grins at her daughter her gingerly takes the hat from her mother.
Rory leans forward on her toes and places the hat lopsided on the snowman.
Jess stands over her and fixes it as Rory slumps into him backwards.
Jess grabs her around the waist, "Ror? You ok?"
"I, I don't know I suddenly don't feel too well." Rory replies before passing out.
"Oh my God, Rory!" Jess exclaims taking her in his arms.
"My baby!" Lorelai exclaims.
"Go get Luke, we've got to get her to a hospital or something." Jess says calming his brow furrowed.
"Right." Lorelai replies panicking.
*An hour later. Hospital waiting room.
Jess is seated in a chair in the corner, his head facing down, his shoulder slouched.
"I can't believe they wouldn't let him go in with her." Lorelai whispers to Luke.
"All I know is that doctor was pretty young." Luke says uneasily.
"What if she's not ok and that's why Jess couldn't go in."
"That's not why they wouldn't let him in, that's common medical procedure." Luke replies.
"So you're up on all the modern medical procedures now?" Lorelai scoffs.
"Look I'm just saying.."
"I'm sorry, I'm just scared." Lorelai replies honestly.
"I know." Luke mutters as he kiss Lorelai's head, putting his arm around her.
"Mr. Marino and family." A snide nurse calls out.
Jess practically jumps out of he chair as he rushed over to the nurse, Luke and Lorelai close behind.
"Is she ok?" Jess asks, his voice high.
"She fine, why don't you go in and let her tell you all about it." The nurse smiles at Jess, "4th room on the right."
Jess turns to Luke and Lorelai, giving Lorelai an unsure look, "Go!" Lorelai exclaims. "You're the husband, she's in the hospital she wants you to be with her, go I've got Luke." Lorelai says to Jess squeezing his hand reassuringly.
"I'll be back." Jess calls to them as he heads towards the hallway.
Lorelai turns back to the nurse, "Is she really ok?"
"She's fine, just a little dehydrated, a little fatigued....a little pregnant but I swear she's going to recover."
Lorelai chokes on her words, "She's what?"
Luke smiles at the nurse, "I don't think you were supposed to tell her that, now she's going to go into cardiac arrest and you'll have another ER patient to deal with."
"Hey don't look at me the "patient" told me to wait until the tall brunette was out of sight and break it to her mother...just like that." The nurse smirks at them before turning on her heels and heading back down the hallway.
Lorelai turns to Luke, "Did y-you hear?"
"I heard." Luke replies pulling Lorelai into a tight embrace.
*Hospital room.
Jess enters quietly.
"Hi." Rory says catching Jess off guard.
"Hey!" Jess grins at Rory. "How are you feeling?!" Jess asks as he approaches her.
Rory holds out her hand for Jess to take, "I'm ok."
"You scared me." Jess says quietly.
"I'm sorry." Rory replies taking a deep breath.
Jess kisses her hand, "Don' be, I'm just glad you're ok."
"How's my mom?"
"Freaking out." Jess replies.
Rory laughs.
"Oh man, this was like the car accident all over again." Jess says as he rests his head on Rory's lap. "When they wouldn't let me in with you I thought we might have lost you." Jess says seriously.
"Jess, I fainted." Rory replies curtly.
"Yeah, but who knows what that means anymore..how was I supposed to know u didn't have an aneurysm or something."
"Well I didn't." Rory replies rubbing he hands through Jess' hair. "But...."
"What?" Jess asks lifting his head up.
"I fainted for a reason."
"Rory?"
"Jess, I'm pregnant." Rory whispers into his ear.
"You, you are?" Jess looks up at Rory.
"Last weekend...." Rory trails off.
"Are you sure?"
"Well these doctors are professionals, so I'd hope they're telling me the truth."
Jess lets his knees that he's been kneeling on give in causing him to fall to the floor.
"Jess!?" Rory exclaims.
"I'm fine." Jess replies as he stands up.
"So what do you think?" Rory asks apprehensively.
Jess sits down beside her on the hospital bed and gives her a gentle kiss, "I love you."
"I love you too." Rory replies noticing tears gathering in Jess' eyes. "Are you crying?"
"Is it ok for me to cry?" He asks defensively.
"No, because if you cry I'll start to cry and once I start.."
Rory is cut off by a tender kiss from Jess.
There is a knock at the door as Lorelai rushes in.
"Mom!" Rory exclaims. "Luke!"
"You're alive!"
"Yep!"
"And you're pregnant!"
"So the nurse told you."
"Yep."
"Congratulations." Luke says simply, kissing Rory on the cheek.
"Thanks Luke."
"Hey, what's with him?" Lorelai asks noticing that Jess is staring at Rory. "Wait a minute..." She continues as she turns her head sideways. "Have you been crying?"
"Leave him alone." Rory says.
"Haha Jess is a softy....just like Luke!!!!"
Rory giggles as both Luke and Jess give Lorelai death stares.
Rory leisurely wakes in Jess' arms. Her eyes open and close gingerly as she becomes aware of her surrounds. She turns to Jess who is still asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around her, gently she kisses his cheeks and attempts to get up, but Jess hold is too tight, she can't escape.
"Jess.." She whispers softly. "I have to get up, and so do you. You're first class starts in an hour and a half."
"I'll miss it." Jess groans coherently.
"Rory swats him on the shoulder, "You faker!"
Jess opens his eyes and smiles at her, "Come on lets ditch."
"Oh no!" Rory giggles as Jess tickles her, "I haven't missed a day of anything since high school, and I have a reputation to withhold." Rory smirks at him.
"While so do I and what kind of person would I be if I got up out of this chair and went to school...that would be opposing my reputation." Jess says wryly.
Rory ignores his comment, "Come on! I'll make the pop tarts you go shave." Rory says breaking through Jess' arms.
Jess groans but after a minute gets up and makes his way to the bathroom.
15 minutes later: jess enters the kitchen freshly shower with his hair wet, there is still a slight sign of a five o'clock shadow on his face.
"Hey." He says gruffly.
"Hey, your stuff's over there, Juice in the fridge....plenty of orange." Rory says quietly. Looking at her reflection in the metal fridge she says, "Well I better shower, God I'm a mess." She smiles awkwardly at Jess.
"Hey." Jess says grabbing hold of Rory's arm as she walks past him.
Rory looks down at her arm and then up at Jess, "What?"
"You look beautiful," he says simply.
Rory smiles at Jess' lie, knowing that while her hair was matted to one side and her face was puffy and red, Jess was hurting just as much as she was on the inside. She recognizes the solemn yet comforting look in his eyes, Jess has gone into protective mode...whenever anything upsetting or dramatic happens in their lives, Jess retreats into his monosyllable responses, his somber expressions, and sweet words for Rory. Usually this only lasts a day or so but for some reason today Rory gets the feeling that that protective solemn Jess may stick around a while longer.
*5 weeks later: October has come and gone, November is half way through. It's Wednesday and Rory and Jess are preparing to go down to Stars Hollow for Thanksgiving.
Rory was right about Jess. Even five weeks after the incident, he remains reserved and quiet. At every opportunity he kisses Rory's cheek, holds her close and reminds her of her beauty. Rory wishes she could say she didn't need to be reminded, but these last few weeks have been very hard, if not for Jess' intimate gestures and encouraging words she probably couldn't have gotten through the last month.
5pm:
"Ready?" Jess asks picking the last suit case up off of the floor.
"Yeah." Rory replies taking a deep breath.
"You ok?" Jess asks concerned.
"Yeah just preparing myself."
"Oh ok." Jess replies, "Lets go.
*Stars Hollow: 7:30pm.
"What took you so long?!" Exclaims Lorelai as she bounds down the steps towards her daughter ands son and law.
"It's the day before Thanksgiving we're lucky we made it her at all." Jess remarks.
"Yeah yeah yeah, well at least you made it in time for dinner. Luke's on his way now with pizza!"
"Yay!" Rory claps her hands.
"Come on inside its freezing out here."
*10 minutes later.
*Rory Jess Luke and Lorelai are seated in the living room eating pizza while "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" booms out of the television.
"Oo! This is my favorite part!" Rory exclaims, "I love when they dance."
"I wonder if Patty can teach us to dance like that?!" Lorelai replies.
"We should ask her!" Rory turns to Jess and grins "Wanna take lesson with us?"
"I'll pass." Jess replies rolling his eyes towards Luke.
"If you're not going to pay attention to this crap, I'm going to turn it off." Luke barks at Lorelai playfully.
Lorelai covers Duke's ears and gives Luke a stern look, "There are small ears in the room watch your language....and Snoopy is not crap!"
Rory laughs and Luke and her mom.
Jess kisses Rory gently, glad to see her happy again.
3 hours and 4 Christmas specials later, Luke and Lorelai have gone up to bed leaving Duke asleep on the couch next to Rory and Jess.
"Bed?" jess asks.
"Good idea." Rory yawns.
Once in bed Jess can't help but mention Rory's excitement tonight, "So what was with you tonight?"
"I don't know." Rory responds honestly.
"ok." Jess replies rolling over.
"Rory sits up, "This place just makes me happy ok."
"I know." Jess says quietly. "I just wanted to tell you that it was nice to see you smile again."
"Yeah, it felt good to smile again and don't think you can fool me Jess Marino I saw you laughing while we were watching fraggle rock Christmas."
Jess rolls over again; pulling Rory close to him he looks down at her chest and then back at her. Grinning he replies, "I missed you."
Rory raises an eyebrow at him, "You did?"
"Oh yea!" He exclaims kissing her neck softly.
Rory pushes him away, "Jess."
Jess groans.
"It's 11 o'clock, we're in my mom's house.." Rory's cut off by Jess' lips brushing hers. Rory reluctantly pulls away as Jess' hand travels down her thigh. "You know, Luke probably isn't even asleep yet."
Jess leans over Rory, and gently grabs her arm, pinning her to the bed, "You're probably right." He kisses her again before he pulls his face away revealing a broad smile on his face.
Rory giggles at the sight of Jess' playfulness, "..this is my room...I grew up here...my Barbie doll house was in that corner..my care bears were over there", she attempts to point towards the window but Jess grasps her hand and kisses is passionately.
"And, and this bed...it's been here since I was three I used to have dreams....dirty dreams Hanson in this bed." Rory stifles a laugh as Jess leans in again to kiss her neck. Rory moans in response, not strong enough to pull away or reprimand him.
Jess laughs as Rory pulls him into a long kiss, placing his muscular around her waist, Jess tickles Rory playfully causing her to giggle loudly.
*Lorelai and Luke's room.
Luke rolls over feverishly, pulling his pillow over his head, finally after a few minutes he can't take it anymore.
Tapping Lorelai on the shoulder he claims, "That's it come on get up!"
"No, no I need my coffee...you can't kick me out I'm a paying customer!" Lorelai moans.
"Lorelai wake up!" Luke barks.
Lorelai opens her eyes and turns on the light, "What is you're problem Mr. Crabby."
"We have to go."
"Why?"
As if on cue Rory's giggle penetrate through the thin walls.
"Awwww does Luke feel uncomfortable?" Lorelai grins at Luke.
"Just shut up and let's go."
"Hey mister, it's 11:30 where are you taking me?"
"My place." Luke replies.
"Dirty."
"There's coffee in it for you if you don't say another word until we get there."
"Deal!" Lorelai exclaims as she jumps out of bed.
*10 Minutes later Luke and Lorelai are standing outside the diner.
"You, know, I wasn't really sleeping."
"No?" Luke replies distractedly as he opens the door to the diner.
"Nope." Lorelai says innocently, "I was just lying there waiting for you to attend to my womanly needs." Lorelai grins, as Luke turns pink.
"Stop it."
"What? I thought it was the theme of the night if they're going to do it in our house why couldn't we?"
"Can we change the subject please?" Luke replies agitated.
"Ok." Lorelai replies simply.
Luke turns around just as Lorelai grabs him by the shirt collar and pulls him inside.
Luke leans in for a kiss, as Lorelai stumble backwards towards the stairs, "See, I knew this was tonight's theme!"
*Rory's Room
Jess fumbles with the Rory's shirt as Rory pushes him away and sits up, "Did I just hear the door slam?"
"That was twenty minutes ago." Jess groans rolling over in an attempt to grab Rory's arm before she got up.
Rory quietly makes her way down the hallway towards her mom's room.
A moment later she returns, a confused look on her face.
Jess breaks out into laughter as Rory says, "They ditched us."
"Guess we were too loud for them."
Rory's face goes pink, "Do you think they....oh my God poor Luke!"
"Rory, don't worry about it." Jess says reassuringly.
"Now, come here." He holds his hand out for her, he's grinning excessively.
"You knew that was going to happen didn't you?" Rory smirks at Jess.
"Yeah well, you know how "sensitive" Luke is!"
"Oh my God! That's why you kept touching me!"
"No....I kept touching you because that's foreplay." Jess replies sarcastically.
"You know how ticklish I am...and you tickled me so, so Luke would drag mom down to the diner!" Rory eyes go wide as Jess' smirk broadens.
Rory attempts to hit him but Jess grabs her by the wrist and pulls her towards him, "Come on, you already know I play dirty."
Rory laughs as Jess runs his hand down her leg. Jess kisses her passionately,stifling her laugh and quieting her protest.
*10am
Rory yawns once again finding herself entwined in Jess' familiar protective arms. She looks up at him, he's wide-awake and she realizes that he must have been watching her sleep for some time.
"Hey." He mouths to her.
Rory smiles at him as she rolls out of bed and towards the door, knowing that if she dared to stay any longer Jess might talk her into skipping dinner all together.
Jess happily runs after her.
*Downstairs.
Rory and Jess enter the kitchen hand and hand.
Lorelai is sitting at the kitchen table petting Duke, Luke is nmaking pancakes.
"Good morning you dirty children." Lorelai smirks at them.
Both Rory and Luke go bright pink.
Jess returns Lorelai's glance, "Same to you." He replies raising an eyebrow at her.
Lorelai looks down at her paper, "He's no fun, Rory go get another husband... One that's intimidated by me."
"You intimidate everyone" Luke barks at her.
"Oh! Come on Rory lets go watch them blow up the balloons on tv!" Lorelai exclaims before rushing out of the kitchen, Rory close behind.
Jess turns to Luke, "So Luke, have a good night?"
"Shut up."
Jess sighs, "Look, I'm sorry about last night it's just...."
Luke mumbles, "I know."
"Excuse me?" Jess asks confused.
"I'm not having this conversation with you, I understand it, I get it....go watch the parade."
Jess turns to leave but glances back at Luke, "Thanks Luke."
"For What?"
"For understanding." Jess replies before exiting the kitchen.
*6 Hours later.
"Here's to everyone being here together!" Lorelai shouts as wine glasses clang together.
An hour later: the turkey has been carved, the potatoes have been eaten, just about everything is gone except for a few vegetables and some cranberry sauce.
"Mmm, Luke you still make the best turkey." Rory says with delight.
"Thanks." Luke nods at Rory.
"Speaking of turkey I think it's time for 6ths." Lorelai announces.
"I think it's time to wrap this stuff up...give yourself some time to digest the stuff, you can always have 6ths at 3am when I know you'll be raiding the fridge anyway."
"Nu uh. By then I should be on my 10th or 11th helping." Lorelai replies angrily crossing her arms.
"Pout all you want, I'm putting the turkey in the fridge, you're doing dishes, Rory you pick the movie." Jess barks the orders loudly.
"No fair! She picked the movie last year!!"
"Yeah, but at least I know she'll put on something that doesn't have dancing midgets in it who turn people into fruit."
"You just don't understand the genius that is willy wonka." Lorelai replies as Luke pushes her towards the kitchen.
"Man you'd think he'd be over getting freaked out by the oompa loompas." Jess replies shaking his head at Luke's retreating form.
"What should we watch? Muppets Christmas Carol or It's a Wonderful life."
"I go for the puppets." Jess smiles at Rory.
"They're not puppets they're mupp-" Rory is cut off by Jess' lips crashing into hers.
"We're watching Muppets, lets go." Rory says sternly pulling Jess towards the couch.
*10:30
Jess yawns profusely as Lorelai exclaims, "UNO! I win!"
"Who's idea was it to let her play this game again?" Luke asks.
"It's tradition, Luke." Rory replies.
"Alright, I'm going to bed." Jess announces."
"Wait, you can't not yet we've only played 6 rounds!" Lorelai replies.
"I can't take anymore of your happy dance, I'm going to bed so we can get going early tomorrow."
"Early?!" Lorelai exclaims standing up, "Why , I thought you were staying the weekend!"
"Mom, I have to work Saturday and I kind of promised grandma we'd go see her and grandpa for brunch." Rory replies shyly.
Lorelai groans, "Fine."
"But hey we'll be back in a week...winter festival right?"
"Yeah!" Lorelai exclaims. "We're going to have the best snowman this year."
"Definitely."
"Night babe." Lorelai says hugging her daughter.
"Night mom." Rory replies as Jess leads her towards the stairs.
Luke walks up behind Lorelai and slips an arm around her waste, "This was nice." He whispers.
*The next morning Rory and Jess left Stars Hollow and headed to Hartford where Richard attempted unsuccessfully to once again make Rory reconsider becoming a Lawyer. Rory and Jess returned home late in the afternoon and settled back into their weekly routine. The following week went by quickly and before they knew it, Rory and Jess were back in Stars Hollow building a snowman with Lorelai.
"Hehe this is great, hey Tess; Hand me that flannel shirt."
"You're going to be in so much trouble when Luke gets back here and finds out you made a Luke snow man." Jess says teasingly.
"Oh come on, isn't he great, Rory?"
"Huh, oh yea." Rory replies quietly.
"You ok sweets, you look a bit pale."
"I'm fine...just cold I wish Luke'd move a little faster with that coffee."
"Yeah, me too." Lorelai grumbles. "Here Rory do the honors, put on the backwards baseball cap." Lorelai grins at her daughter her gingerly takes the hat from her mother.
Rory leans forward on her toes and places the hat lopsided on the snowman.
Jess stands over her and fixes it as Rory slumps into him backwards.
Jess grabs her around the waist, "Ror? You ok?"
"I, I don't know I suddenly don't feel too well." Rory replies before passing out.
"Oh my God, Rory!" Jess exclaims taking her in his arms.
"My baby!" Lorelai exclaims.
"Go get Luke, we've got to get her to a hospital or something." Jess says calming his brow furrowed.
"Right." Lorelai replies panicking.
*An hour later. Hospital waiting room.
Jess is seated in a chair in the corner, his head facing down, his shoulder slouched.
"I can't believe they wouldn't let him go in with her." Lorelai whispers to Luke.
"All I know is that doctor was pretty young." Luke says uneasily.
"What if she's not ok and that's why Jess couldn't go in."
"That's not why they wouldn't let him in, that's common medical procedure." Luke replies.
"So you're up on all the modern medical procedures now?" Lorelai scoffs.
"Look I'm just saying.."
"I'm sorry, I'm just scared." Lorelai replies honestly.
"I know." Luke mutters as he kiss Lorelai's head, putting his arm around her.
"Mr. Marino and family." A snide nurse calls out.
Jess practically jumps out of he chair as he rushed over to the nurse, Luke and Lorelai close behind.
"Is she ok?" Jess asks, his voice high.
"She fine, why don't you go in and let her tell you all about it." The nurse smiles at Jess, "4th room on the right."
Jess turns to Luke and Lorelai, giving Lorelai an unsure look, "Go!" Lorelai exclaims. "You're the husband, she's in the hospital she wants you to be with her, go I've got Luke." Lorelai says to Jess squeezing his hand reassuringly.
"I'll be back." Jess calls to them as he heads towards the hallway.
Lorelai turns back to the nurse, "Is she really ok?"
"She's fine, just a little dehydrated, a little fatigued....a little pregnant but I swear she's going to recover."
Lorelai chokes on her words, "She's what?"
Luke smiles at the nurse, "I don't think you were supposed to tell her that, now she's going to go into cardiac arrest and you'll have another ER patient to deal with."
"Hey don't look at me the "patient" told me to wait until the tall brunette was out of sight and break it to her mother...just like that." The nurse smirks at them before turning on her heels and heading back down the hallway.
Lorelai turns to Luke, "Did y-you hear?"
"I heard." Luke replies pulling Lorelai into a tight embrace.
*Hospital room.
Jess enters quietly.
"Hi." Rory says catching Jess off guard.
"Hey!" Jess grins at Rory. "How are you feeling?!" Jess asks as he approaches her.
Rory holds out her hand for Jess to take, "I'm ok."
"You scared me." Jess says quietly.
"I'm sorry." Rory replies taking a deep breath.
Jess kisses her hand, "Don' be, I'm just glad you're ok."
"How's my mom?"
"Freaking out." Jess replies.
Rory laughs.
"Oh man, this was like the car accident all over again." Jess says as he rests his head on Rory's lap. "When they wouldn't let me in with you I thought we might have lost you." Jess says seriously.
"Jess, I fainted." Rory replies curtly.
"Yeah, but who knows what that means anymore..how was I supposed to know u didn't have an aneurysm or something."
"Well I didn't." Rory replies rubbing he hands through Jess' hair. "But...."
"What?" Jess asks lifting his head up.
"I fainted for a reason."
"Rory?"
"Jess, I'm pregnant." Rory whispers into his ear.
"You, you are?" Jess looks up at Rory.
"Last weekend...." Rory trails off.
"Are you sure?"
"Well these doctors are professionals, so I'd hope they're telling me the truth."
Jess lets his knees that he's been kneeling on give in causing him to fall to the floor.
"Jess!?" Rory exclaims.
"I'm fine." Jess replies as he stands up.
"So what do you think?" Rory asks apprehensively.
Jess sits down beside her on the hospital bed and gives her a gentle kiss, "I love you."
"I love you too." Rory replies noticing tears gathering in Jess' eyes. "Are you crying?"
"Is it ok for me to cry?" He asks defensively.
"No, because if you cry I'll start to cry and once I start.."
Rory is cut off by a tender kiss from Jess.
There is a knock at the door as Lorelai rushes in.
"Mom!" Rory exclaims. "Luke!"
"You're alive!"
"Yep!"
"And you're pregnant!"
"So the nurse told you."
"Yep."
"Congratulations." Luke says simply, kissing Rory on the cheek.
"Thanks Luke."
"Hey, what's with him?" Lorelai asks noticing that Jess is staring at Rory. "Wait a minute..." She continues as she turns her head sideways. "Have you been crying?"
"Leave him alone." Rory says.
"Haha Jess is a softy....just like Luke!!!!"
Rory giggles as both Luke and Jess give Lorelai death stares.