A Future Foretold
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I basically don't own the characters or the other parts of the world and/or culture that I have mentioned below. I only have this computer, hundreds of cd's and books, and a car.
AN: First and foremost, my sincere apologies for the "tab-less" addition. I've tried all the possibilities to change this but it seems that nothing works. I hope that this problem doesn't interfere with the reading and maybe I'll stumble upon the remedy in times to come. Personally, this was intended to be a one time deal kind of thing for the August fic challenge at Bookends. I must say it's wonderful to have a great response and I think I just might give it another go. We'll see how this one goes and if this has enough of a story line to actually follow through. Thanks for taking the time to read this, it totally mean a lot to me. So grab your cup of java and sit back and enjoy the show.
My eyelids are heavy with the tiredness that has finally caught up to me from the week before. I had a double issue to write for the Times and I never knew how much I actually relied on coffee until it literally became the staple of my diet. I turn my head towards the TV in the living room as some blonde is trying to impress a man on an extremely lame dating show. I wonder what time it actually is; I got home at around seven and I must have crashed as soon as I hit the couch for the evening news. I should probably get up or my neck will be incredibly sore from the awkward position on the couch. Or I could just stay for another hour and watch 20/20.
My eyes flutter open as I feel Jess's lips brush across my face. "Hey you."
As I finally realize that I'm no longer dreaming I groggily mumble, "Where have you been?"
He looks down apologetically as he whispers, "I'm sorry babe, but my editor decided that the article wasn't good enough for him so the whole department had to stay because apparently since the news doesn't sleep, we're not expected to either. I'm serious; if my dream wasn't being a writer I'd march right up to his office and tell him exactly how I feel. Just because that guy isn't getting any doesn't mean he has the right to keep anybody else from getting some."
I can't stop giggling as I think of Jess's editor trying to get a woman. The man is the most awkward and rude New Yorker that I've ever met. When Jess first got his job at the magazine company his editor had actually hit on me thinking that I was some new intern. Nonetheless, even when he found out that I was just there to see Jess he still didn't get out of my face. "Jess, besides the crappy bosses that you have, you know you love your job."
Running a hand through his hair he replies, "Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean it pays the bills, doesn't it?"
"Hey, your job doesn't just pay the bills you know. I'm happy for you; you're good at what you do and you're an amazing asset to the company. If you're actually unhappy there, you know that I'll support you if you want to change jobs right?" I gaze into his eyes as I lazily rub my hand on his knee.
"I know; and I'm not actually that miserable. Just the daily work-gripe, you know? What kind of grown up would I be if I didn't come home and complain about work?" He smirks and cocks an eyebrow and I'm sure that everything's okay and that there's nothing to actually worry about.
"Hey Rory, how long have you been up? You kinda look like crap."
Sitting up on the couch so I could face him, I tease, "You sure know how to sweet talk the ladies, don't you Jess?"
Instantly regretting his crude word choice he recoils, "I didn't mean it like that, Ror. You know that I always think you're gorgeous, I just don't want you getting sick just because you didn't get enough sleep; and heaven knows that just because we're physically in bed doesn't mean we're actually sleeping." Smiling suggestively he adds, "How about we go to bed now?"
I try to look as serious as possible as I remark, "Hey I think you've forgotten something Jess."
"And what would that be Beautiful?"
I give him a look thinking that he would already anticipate my answer, "My 'hello, I've missed you a lot' kiss."
Raising his eyebrows up again he grins, "Why don't I show you how much I've missed you as we continue this in the bedroom?"
I screech in surprise when he slides an arm under my legs and the other around my back as he lifts me up and proceeds to carry me to the bedroom.
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Rolling over in the soft cotton bed sheet I fumble around for him as my hand finds its destination. "Hey Jess?"
"I thought the deal was that you'd sleep tonight and so I can keep you up tomorrow." Turning around, his traditional smirk is already in place as he gets that playful tone in his voice.
Getting a look of nostalgia in my eyes I reply, "I was just thinking about when we used to be younger."
Tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear he scoots closer to me so he can hear my whispers. "Oh yea, about what?"
"Just random thoughts about when we didn't have to think of all this grown up stuff; when our world wasn't filled with deadlines and bills and the only thing that we worried about was when was the perfect time to sneak out of the house to watch the sunrise from the bridge." My eyes glaze over as I reminisce of the simpler times when I wasn't really legally responsible for my actions and when things seemed to just flow my way. "You know, I never actually felt like a grown up until about a couple of months ago."
Sliding down so that he was eyelevel with me he says, "Really? Not even when you turned eighteen and was eligible to vote for who would run your country? Not even when you turned twenty-one when you could go out and get obscenely drunk, even though I know you would never do such a thing?" Chuckling softly, he pulls me closer to me and presses a gentle kiss on my forehead. Moving down my face with a showering of kisses he asks, "Well what changed your mind then? I know if it we're up to you, you'd stay a kid for ever. I mean, your mom is the living proof of someone that is literally 'young at heart'."
Smiling slightly I utter, "Oh just this little thing." I flash my hand across his face showing off the one piece of jewelry that I treasure the most and is entirely priceless to me. It's the token of Jess's love that he rarely lets come out, even though all the years has worn down some of the bad-boy persona that he carried with him for ages. The simple diamond ring is one thing that finally tore down the last brick that held the wall that kept him from finally surrendering his heart to another. Out of all my possessions I love this the most because it overcame all obstacles of love that life threw at us over the course of our relationship.
Pulling out of my reverie, I hear him answer, "Right, just the little symbol of our love. That's all, nothing important, just you and me and what defines us." Snickering, he knows that it's not just some little thing; that it's not just a ring but what actually binds us together.
Slapping him lightly I ask, "Can't you be serious Jess?"
"Oh sorry. I didn't know that this was one of those serious, defining moments in our relationship talks. You're right; okay I'm totally serious now, and which I might add is somewhat hard since you keep on rubbing your leg against mine."
"I just meant that being married is the best thing that could ever happen to me Jess. I mean, it opens up a whole new world to me and I love the feeling knowing that someone is there for me when I need or there for me when I get sick. It just feels amazing to not be alone." I'm slightly embarrassed for the surge of emotions that rush through me. I'm usually the more sensitive one out of the two of us but I don't normally go and gush out every emotion that I tend to keep to myself.
Whispering like it's a delicate secret that is only for our ears he confesses, "I know what you mean Rory. To tell you the truth these years with you have been the most amazing ones of my life; and since we got married, its been increased a hundred-fold every time I feel you next to me."
Kissing him in earnest with all the love for him that possess, I pull back and whisper, "Thanks."
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Another Monday begins as I trudge into the spacious Times office. Lifting my hand in a wave I greet my assistant, Roger, and he hands me my daily cup of morning coffee; a first in many more to come. I slightly twist the silver handle that opens the door to my own private office, and as I flip on the lights I'm greeted by an addition on my desk. I giggle childishly as I reach my desk where a single bouquet of flowers stands out. Reaching down I grab the card and read the familiar slanted scrawl:
Ror: Here's to finally being a grown up.
Smiling broadly with tears in my eyes I don't even notice that Roger has come inside and is talking to me. "What's the occasion?" He seems somewhat amused as he takes in my goofy smile.
"Nothing really, just one of those things." I barely register the rest of what Roger says and he finally takes the hint and softly closes the door behind him leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Picking up the phone on my desk I dial the familiar numbers that directly connects me to the one who gave me and incredible 'pick-me-up' since I'm known to hate Mondays. "Jess Mariano."
Speaking up immediately I try to remain cool as I reply, "I am now persuaded that you are the sweetest and amazing guy that I've ever met."
Laughing quietly to himself he says, "It took flowers for you to finally come up with that revelation? You didn't just know it by the fact that I told you that I love you? I'm hurt Ror."
"You know what I meant. You're just being impossible; I'm trying to inflate your ego a little here James Dean. If you don't want to, I could just go and rattle off all the reasons that you're not the sweetest guy."
With disbelief entering his voice, "Well, I know you couldn't come up with any actual valid reasons to argue your position Gilmore. I very well know that you just adore me too much."
"You called me Gilmore, you know that's not my actual legal name, or didn't you get the memo when I signed my name away that one fateful day?" I can't stop giggling, Jess always has this way to turn any situation, whether good or bad, and make it into some playful conversation that didn't make any sense to anyone but us.
"Sorry, my mistake I meant Mariano. That's too confusing, it's like I'm talking to myself. Besides you kept Gilmore to use as your pen name, so technically it's still your name."
"I know, Mom wouldn't let go. She said that if she had to loose me as her little girl, that I better at least keep her name for my job, since in her words, she worked off her butt and survived many dreadful nights at Friday dinners to keep me in school." I laugh at the memory as I remember Mom saying to Jess that the only way she was going to approve of his proposal was for me to keep my original name for my future as a big shot reporter.
"Hey Baby, I've gotta go. As much as I would love to stay on the line and listen to you ramble, I have a meeting in ten minutes. See you tonight?"
"Sure thing, see ya."
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I rush home with the bag full of grocery as I almost stumble through the front door. I want to do something special for Jess since he had surprised me with the flowers earlier in the week. I drop off the bags as I glance around the house. It's neatly furnished with several bookcases that adorn random walls of the apartment as well as our study where there are two large desks that are piled high with paperwork from each of our weekly assignments. I glance to the little side table next to the couch and see that the answering machine is blinking rapidly with messages from various telemarketers and from my mom. She never fails to call at least once every two days. I smile as I think about how a couple of years ago I would have been getting ready for another Friday dinner with the grandparents. Now I look around and I realize that I'm comfortable with the way that things turned out. I suddenly remember the groceries and I set off to become Suzy Homemaker for the next hour and a half. I pull out Jess's favorite cookbook and pray that I won't screw it up this time. Last time I made spaghetti it ended up clumped up together as we resulted to ordering pizza instead. Making sure that I followed every instruction down to a point, I'm pleased with the ending result. Everything smells delicious and I briefly wonder when Jess would be home so I could surprise him.
I almost jump out of my skin as a pair of arms encircles my waist as Jess's warm breath tickles my skin as he nuzzles into my neck. "What smells so good?"
I pop out of his arms as I yell, "Surprise!"
Smiling wistfully, he wraps me into a strong hug as he gives me a satisfying kiss that pours all of his emotions directly flowing from him to me. "I can't believe you cooked. It looks and smells wonderful. This is a good ending to my extremely crappy day. Let's eat, I'm starving."
I pull out of his arms to glance into his eyes to check if he was kidding about his bad day. However peering into those expressive coffee-colored irises I notice that there's the cloudy expression that he had once held as a somber, brooding, teen. Concerned I pull back and ask, "What is it, what's wrong Jess?"
His expression changed suddenly as his defenses go back up and he plasters on a fake smile and says, "Nothing, let's just enjoy what you've worked so hard for, okay? I rather not think about it for a couple of hours."
Knowing that whatever is bothering him will come out eventually, I remorsefully agree, "Okay, sure let's just eat."
AN: I hope that you've enjoyed this. I've got a couple of ideas coming and I think I might continue this for a little bit longer.
Side Note: I would like to thank all the authors that put time and their creativity into their fics, I would have never been swayed to actually write this if it wasn't for them. For those authors, I thank you for your hard work and your effort.
Give me a review if you'd like, but if not, no biggie. I'll still continue with this writing adventure, I'm sure there'll be someone reading it and that's all that matters.