A/N ~ **Tears up** the final chapter . . . Its been great, hope you like
it and thanks, as always, to my reviewers, I love you guys!!! You made
writing this story worth it!! Anyway, here It is, chapter seven.
Disclaimer ~ I don't own anything, the song is called 'She Will Be Loved' by Maroon5
Shameless Plug ~ Read my other stories!!, especially 'Could It Be Any Harder?' it's a literati, as are all of my fics, I love reviews!! Ok plug over, read on
Chapter 7: Finally
Suddenly thunder crashed loudly all around them and with a jolt Rory awoke from her trance-like state. She had been sitting on that cold barstool in complete silence for the last thirty seconds, just trying to comprehend everything that had just happened. She could feel her hands shaking and she clasped them together to try and steady them as she drew a deep, slow breath. There were really no words to describe the regret that she was feeling, and springing from that regret were longing, sadness, and . . . was it love? Did she still love him? Had she never really stopped? She let her brain swallow the idea that she was still in love with Jess, and to be honest she really liked it. It was then that she looked up at him and caught his intense gaze, and she felt herself float away in it.
Everything was clear then, all the veils fell away and all she saw was honesty and affection in his eyes, as well as vulnerability. The same she had seen three weeks ago, only this time she wouldn't let it's presence be in vain. She stepped to her feet in cautious resolve and looked at a startled Jess as she nervously clenched and unclenched her fists.
She walked slowly and tentatively around the counter, all the while holding onto his gaze and feeling a warm strength sweeping through her body. She reached him and put out her hand to grasp his, squeezed it lightly, and led him out of the safe, secure diner and into the fierce wind and stinging rain which was falling mercilessly outside. He didn't even protest, he just followed her at a run in submissive but perplexed silence until they reached the steps of the gazebo.
Beauty queen of only 18
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else
As soon as they were under the safety of the gazebo roof Rory slowed down and then paused with her back to him, and as she slowly turned to face him she for the first time voluntarily let all of her concerns fall away with her feeling of obligation toward Dean and her mother. She wasn't going to let them hold her back any longer, this was her life and she wanted to be happy.
She was now facing him, she was but a foot away from him and she could feel the electricity rising again from just his proximity. Now that there had been a confession of lingering feelings they didn't need to be in contact to feel the power surge of each other's presence. She then looked into his eyes and said very purposefully "I'm going to Washington D.C for the summer." She paused and then continued, slowly losing her composure to his eyes, feeling the now familiar tears pushing through to mix with the rain sliding down her pink cheeks.
"I'm going to Washington and when I come back it will be to Dean." She weakened as she saw the look of comprehension and hurt and vulnerability resurface on his face from the rush of aching memories she had brought back by transporting them once again to that night. She could almost feel the nerves coursing through him by the look on his face. If he was going to stop her, if he was going to change it, now was his last chance, and he knew it.
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times
But somehow I want more
Jess just stood there, captivated in her eyes, and he heard her words ring through his head. And at the moment he was having difficulty understanding everything going on inside of him, all of the memories and emotions swirling about confused him to the point of no description.
First it was a surge of elation because he knew by the look of quiet conviction in her eyes that she was going to give him another chance, she was going to leave behind everything her mother wanted, she was going to forget Dean, and she was going to throw caution to the winds as she finally let her heart take control of her mind instead of the other way around, all for him, for them.
Then it was the realization of what he had to do. He knew he felt it, but this was the first time he would ever have to say it with meaning to anybody. Anybody. At first it scared him, the hugeness of what he was about to do, but one look into her eyes gave him the self-assurance.
He could do this.
This was it, this was Jess at his realest, a person that even he wasn't familiar with, and it scared him because he knew that as he was right now that even a pinprick could cut him deeply.
He stood there a moment not saying anything and hating this feeling of defenselessness and complete exposure, but then Rory raised her hand to his face, and let her palm support him as he completely surrendered to it. He felt all of the anxiety, restraint, and hesitation that had routinely rebuilt itself since the moment the first tear dropped to the floor, fall away and forever be forgotten. He felt himself draw a choppy breath and his face furrowed as he tried to fight oncoming tears. He finally looked at her, and he felt a part of him fall away as he took her hands and placed his palms against hers before intertwining their fingers and clasping her hands tightly, letting himself draw strength from her.
Quietly and shakily he said "Don't go." Rory remained silent as he drew another preparing breath and whispered in the most sincere, emotional, heartfelt voice "Rory I love you"
Tap on my window
Knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
My heart if full and my doors always open
You come anytime you want
That was it, it was all she needed to hear, and it was all she had ever needed to hear. Rory stood there for a few moments, mesmerized by him. He was so complex, but right now so simple. Standing before her was a boy, telling her he loved her, and by the feeling in his grasp and the expression on his face she knew it was genuine. She felt tears go falling down her cheeks, tears that for the first time in months had come from pure joy and surreal bliss. "I love you to" she said through happy sobs before he bent his head down and pressed his lips gently into hers. Passionately tender. It was the perfect kiss. The perfect moment.
I know where you hide alone in your car
I know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Cause it makes me catch her every time she falls
They reluctantly pulled apart and pressed their foreheads together. Neither speaking, neither moving, both crying. Jess was once again surprised by himself, he marveled at how easily tears came. This was not him . . . but maybe now it was . . . Rory Gilmore had changed him . . . And he didn't mind at all.
He stood there in silent awe of what he had become, and of how right it felt to hold her in his arms. Rory just cried in delight, she smiled through salty tears as she realized what love was.
It was dangerous and passionate, but the security she felt in his embrace made it perfect.
When they finally looked at each other Jess felt a grin spread across his face as Rory reached up and wiped lingering tear streaks from his cheeks, her hand cupped his cheek for the third time in the past few weeks and this time he kissed her palm before she drew her hand away and placed it once again in his. They stood there silently for a long time just basking in their aura and enjoying the moment before they both sat down on the bench and stayed there for a while, silently watching the rain. Rory's head positioned on Jess' shoulder, and his arm draped protectively around her. He wasn't ever letting go again.
It was nearly thirty minutes before Jess stopped stroking her hair to look down at her, her head nestled on his shoulder. He shifted a bit and, upon noticing the sublime and delicate expressions of sleep on her face, closed his own eyes and was able to really sleep for the first time in months. The last of the harsh rains softened and sprinkled down around them, finally stopping all together.
I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
Rory awoke the next morning still wrapped in Jess' arms. She remained motionless for a few seconds, just enjoying his smell and the rhythm of the rise and fall of his chest. She then shifted to gaze up at him and saw that he was awake. They shared smiles as she sat up and he took her hands with a light squeeze.
Not a word was needed for them both to understand that they were together, no matter what anyone thought of them, they were together. They just stood up silently and walked toward Luke's, surrounded by their own atmosphere; hand in hand, separate but entwined hearts.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was crowded at Luke's that morning when Lorelai walked in, but she was going to let nothing get in the way of her coffee consumption. She had just returned from Hartford, where she had spent a painfully long night with her mother and the first Lorelai when the storm had hit. She collapsed onto a stool at the far end of the counter and cried out desperately "Coffee!!" and in seconds Luke was before her pouring the elixir of life into a huge mug for her.
She nursed it for a few seconds as Luke rushed off to attend other customers and then took a huge gulp and called out for a refill. "You do know that you are slowly killing yourself every day" Luke said dryly and Lorelai smiled with flirtatious content.
Just then the bells above the door tinkled. Lorelai didn't take much notice of it until she realized that a hush had fallen over the diner and caught the shocked look on Luke's face. She then turned around to see her daughter standing in the doorway with Jess. She was beaming blissfully and Jess had a small smile playing about his sharp features. Their hands were clasped together and they were projecting a feeling of radiant happiness such that Lorelai, along with everyone else in the diner, didn't have to ask to know.
Rory and Jess were together.
Lorelai turned back to Luke and took another sip of coffee hearing cell phones that most likely belonged to Miss Patty or one of her recruits being flipped open and numbers punched rapidly in. She finally let a small smile creep onto her face as she looked at Luke, sure she didn't like Jess, but Rory had at last let her heart command her mind, a big step for her. Her smile was now full and bright as Luke looked down at her, "Finally." She said and went back to her coffee, waiting patiently for details.
Disclaimer ~ I don't own anything, the song is called 'She Will Be Loved' by Maroon5
Shameless Plug ~ Read my other stories!!, especially 'Could It Be Any Harder?' it's a literati, as are all of my fics, I love reviews!! Ok plug over, read on
Chapter 7: Finally
Suddenly thunder crashed loudly all around them and with a jolt Rory awoke from her trance-like state. She had been sitting on that cold barstool in complete silence for the last thirty seconds, just trying to comprehend everything that had just happened. She could feel her hands shaking and she clasped them together to try and steady them as she drew a deep, slow breath. There were really no words to describe the regret that she was feeling, and springing from that regret were longing, sadness, and . . . was it love? Did she still love him? Had she never really stopped? She let her brain swallow the idea that she was still in love with Jess, and to be honest she really liked it. It was then that she looked up at him and caught his intense gaze, and she felt herself float away in it.
Everything was clear then, all the veils fell away and all she saw was honesty and affection in his eyes, as well as vulnerability. The same she had seen three weeks ago, only this time she wouldn't let it's presence be in vain. She stepped to her feet in cautious resolve and looked at a startled Jess as she nervously clenched and unclenched her fists.
She walked slowly and tentatively around the counter, all the while holding onto his gaze and feeling a warm strength sweeping through her body. She reached him and put out her hand to grasp his, squeezed it lightly, and led him out of the safe, secure diner and into the fierce wind and stinging rain which was falling mercilessly outside. He didn't even protest, he just followed her at a run in submissive but perplexed silence until they reached the steps of the gazebo.
Beauty queen of only 18
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else
As soon as they were under the safety of the gazebo roof Rory slowed down and then paused with her back to him, and as she slowly turned to face him she for the first time voluntarily let all of her concerns fall away with her feeling of obligation toward Dean and her mother. She wasn't going to let them hold her back any longer, this was her life and she wanted to be happy.
She was now facing him, she was but a foot away from him and she could feel the electricity rising again from just his proximity. Now that there had been a confession of lingering feelings they didn't need to be in contact to feel the power surge of each other's presence. She then looked into his eyes and said very purposefully "I'm going to Washington D.C for the summer." She paused and then continued, slowly losing her composure to his eyes, feeling the now familiar tears pushing through to mix with the rain sliding down her pink cheeks.
"I'm going to Washington and when I come back it will be to Dean." She weakened as she saw the look of comprehension and hurt and vulnerability resurface on his face from the rush of aching memories she had brought back by transporting them once again to that night. She could almost feel the nerves coursing through him by the look on his face. If he was going to stop her, if he was going to change it, now was his last chance, and he knew it.
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times
But somehow I want more
Jess just stood there, captivated in her eyes, and he heard her words ring through his head. And at the moment he was having difficulty understanding everything going on inside of him, all of the memories and emotions swirling about confused him to the point of no description.
First it was a surge of elation because he knew by the look of quiet conviction in her eyes that she was going to give him another chance, she was going to leave behind everything her mother wanted, she was going to forget Dean, and she was going to throw caution to the winds as she finally let her heart take control of her mind instead of the other way around, all for him, for them.
Then it was the realization of what he had to do. He knew he felt it, but this was the first time he would ever have to say it with meaning to anybody. Anybody. At first it scared him, the hugeness of what he was about to do, but one look into her eyes gave him the self-assurance.
He could do this.
This was it, this was Jess at his realest, a person that even he wasn't familiar with, and it scared him because he knew that as he was right now that even a pinprick could cut him deeply.
He stood there a moment not saying anything and hating this feeling of defenselessness and complete exposure, but then Rory raised her hand to his face, and let her palm support him as he completely surrendered to it. He felt all of the anxiety, restraint, and hesitation that had routinely rebuilt itself since the moment the first tear dropped to the floor, fall away and forever be forgotten. He felt himself draw a choppy breath and his face furrowed as he tried to fight oncoming tears. He finally looked at her, and he felt a part of him fall away as he took her hands and placed his palms against hers before intertwining their fingers and clasping her hands tightly, letting himself draw strength from her.
Quietly and shakily he said "Don't go." Rory remained silent as he drew another preparing breath and whispered in the most sincere, emotional, heartfelt voice "Rory I love you"
Tap on my window
Knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
My heart if full and my doors always open
You come anytime you want
That was it, it was all she needed to hear, and it was all she had ever needed to hear. Rory stood there for a few moments, mesmerized by him. He was so complex, but right now so simple. Standing before her was a boy, telling her he loved her, and by the feeling in his grasp and the expression on his face she knew it was genuine. She felt tears go falling down her cheeks, tears that for the first time in months had come from pure joy and surreal bliss. "I love you to" she said through happy sobs before he bent his head down and pressed his lips gently into hers. Passionately tender. It was the perfect kiss. The perfect moment.
I know where you hide alone in your car
I know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Cause it makes me catch her every time she falls
They reluctantly pulled apart and pressed their foreheads together. Neither speaking, neither moving, both crying. Jess was once again surprised by himself, he marveled at how easily tears came. This was not him . . . but maybe now it was . . . Rory Gilmore had changed him . . . And he didn't mind at all.
He stood there in silent awe of what he had become, and of how right it felt to hold her in his arms. Rory just cried in delight, she smiled through salty tears as she realized what love was.
It was dangerous and passionate, but the security she felt in his embrace made it perfect.
When they finally looked at each other Jess felt a grin spread across his face as Rory reached up and wiped lingering tear streaks from his cheeks, her hand cupped his cheek for the third time in the past few weeks and this time he kissed her palm before she drew her hand away and placed it once again in his. They stood there silently for a long time just basking in their aura and enjoying the moment before they both sat down on the bench and stayed there for a while, silently watching the rain. Rory's head positioned on Jess' shoulder, and his arm draped protectively around her. He wasn't ever letting go again.
It was nearly thirty minutes before Jess stopped stroking her hair to look down at her, her head nestled on his shoulder. He shifted a bit and, upon noticing the sublime and delicate expressions of sleep on her face, closed his own eyes and was able to really sleep for the first time in months. The last of the harsh rains softened and sprinkled down around them, finally stopping all together.
I don't mind spending every day
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
Rory awoke the next morning still wrapped in Jess' arms. She remained motionless for a few seconds, just enjoying his smell and the rhythm of the rise and fall of his chest. She then shifted to gaze up at him and saw that he was awake. They shared smiles as she sat up and he took her hands with a light squeeze.
Not a word was needed for them both to understand that they were together, no matter what anyone thought of them, they were together. They just stood up silently and walked toward Luke's, surrounded by their own atmosphere; hand in hand, separate but entwined hearts.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was crowded at Luke's that morning when Lorelai walked in, but she was going to let nothing get in the way of her coffee consumption. She had just returned from Hartford, where she had spent a painfully long night with her mother and the first Lorelai when the storm had hit. She collapsed onto a stool at the far end of the counter and cried out desperately "Coffee!!" and in seconds Luke was before her pouring the elixir of life into a huge mug for her.
She nursed it for a few seconds as Luke rushed off to attend other customers and then took a huge gulp and called out for a refill. "You do know that you are slowly killing yourself every day" Luke said dryly and Lorelai smiled with flirtatious content.
Just then the bells above the door tinkled. Lorelai didn't take much notice of it until she realized that a hush had fallen over the diner and caught the shocked look on Luke's face. She then turned around to see her daughter standing in the doorway with Jess. She was beaming blissfully and Jess had a small smile playing about his sharp features. Their hands were clasped together and they were projecting a feeling of radiant happiness such that Lorelai, along with everyone else in the diner, didn't have to ask to know.
Rory and Jess were together.
Lorelai turned back to Luke and took another sip of coffee hearing cell phones that most likely belonged to Miss Patty or one of her recruits being flipped open and numbers punched rapidly in. She finally let a small smile creep onto her face as she looked at Luke, sure she didn't like Jess, but Rory had at last let her heart command her mind, a big step for her. Her smile was now full and bright as Luke looked down at her, "Finally." She said and went back to her coffee, waiting patiently for details.