Disclaimer: If I was in any way affiliated with Gilmore Girls, Amy Sherman
Palladino, The WB, or anything else, this thing would not be here. Besides,
I'm a broke teenager.
A/N: Thanks to everyone that has reviewed. I'm sorry that I'm so slow with updating, but school is evil and doesn't like to give me the time to write. I hope that you all like this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think and what you would like to see happen. Ideas and comments are greatly appreciated. And I apologize in advance for typos and errors (spelling and grammar).
Time Heals All Wounds?
Chapter Seven: Changes
After sleeping late, everyone got up and searched for some breakfast in Rory and Will's kitchen. Unfortunately, they didn't find much. So, the group decided that it would be best if Jess and Michael went back to their apartments so they didn't have to wear Will's clothes and so they could get some coffee and food from Coffee Addicts Anonymous on their way back. After being gone for about an hour, Rory and Will hear a knock at the door.
Will: (going to open the door) If you are not an extremely hot guy with his friend that is loved by Rory Gilmore, you better leave unless you have food or coffee.
Mike: (the door is now open and you see him and Jess carrying bags from Coffee Addicts Anonymous and they have messenger bags with clothes in them) A simple hello would be good enough.
Will: But where's the fun in that?
Rory: (coming out of the kitchen) Please tell me you guys stopped and got junk food too. We're running low on that too.
Will: (fake screaming) No!!! The world is coming to an end!
Mike: Don't worry, I think the various pastries that we have can hold you off for a little while. You can get your sugar fix later.
Will: Yay!
Jess: Are we going to stand and eat here or are we going to sit down?
Rory: Sitting? What is that?
The four walk over to the couch and eat their breakfast while cartoons are on in the background.
Rory: (throwing away garbage) So, about the junk food...
Will: Or are lack of it.
Rory: That's a little bit of a problem. I mean, what's a day of laziness without junk food?
Mike: Or movies?
Will: Oooh, good point.
Rory: Smart boy.
Will: How about you and Jess get the junk food and we'll take care of the movies.
Rory: Please get at least one John Hughes movie. I'm in an 80s teen movie mood.
Will: Yes Molly. (A/N: Ringwald - big 80s teen movie star.)
Mike: Don't forget about the crappy movie theater style popcorn.
Jess: I doubt that Rory would be able to forget something like that.
The four exit the building and go their separate ways. Rory and Jess are soon walking into the local grocery store. Rory immediately goes to the aisle with the candy and junk food while Jess follows with two baskets to put everything in. When he finds Rory, she is already holding a couple of bags of candy.
Jess: (gives her a basket) Here. I'm beginning to think that we will need a third.
Rory: (smiles) We probably will.
After going through the aisle with candy and chocolate in it, Rory and Jess have one basket filled with various types of gummy candy and chocolate. Next, they go toward the cookies, chips, and popcorn.
Jess: (gives Rory the other basket to fill and takes the full one) I'm going to get another basket.
Rory: (smiles) Have fun.
Jess: You know, Luke would kill me if he saw what we were doing.
Rory: And my mom would already have five baskets filled.
Jess: (chuckles) Lorelai and her junk food obsession. I think that only her coffee addiction is greater than that.
Rory: Coffee! We can't forget the coffee!
Jess: (walking away) I think I'll get two more.
Jess soon returns and finds Rory with the basket completely filled with different types of popcorn, chips, and cookies.
Jess: I say we just leave this all in front of a gym.
Rory: And deprive my stomach of all of this wonderful food?
Jess: Nevermind.
Rory: Come on, we still need the ice cream and coffee. Oooh, we can also get some muffins and doughnuts.
Jess: It scares me to think that we'll actually be able to eat all of this.
Rory: Of course we will.
After getting a couple of containers of various types of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, some coffee, and some baked goods, Rory and Jess make their way toward the register.
Jess: You have any idea how much this is going to cost?
Rory: (puppy eyes) But it'll be worth it.
Jess: True.
While they are waiting on line to pay, Rory begins to look at a nearby newspaper. On the top is a little box with information about an article in the Arts section with a picture of Jess near it.
Rory: (turns to Jess) Look at that copy of the Post.
Jess: Do I want to?
Rory: Just do it.
Jess: Fine.
He takes the paper and sees what Rory was talking about. He looks through the sections until he gets to the Arts section and sees what he was looking for.
Jess: And the press storm begins.
Rory: Come on, let's get it and read it later.
Jess: If you want to. But yours will kick it's ass when it comes out tomorrow.
Rory: Of course.
After paying, Rory and Jess head back to the apartment. When they get the door, they are greeted by the always hyper Will.
Will: Food!
Jess: We have enough to last the day.
Rory: Do you want to drink the ice cream or will you let us in?
Mike: Mmm, gimme the ice cream. (looks in the bag) Phish Food!
Jess: You've eaten it so many times that it's kinda stuck in my mind that it's one of your favorites.
Will: Come on, we went for a mixture of teen movies, musicals, and stupid love movies in general.
Rory: Which 80s movie did you get?
Mike: We got Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful.
Rory: Good choices. I'm in a Duckie mood right now.
Jess: May I admire you again today?
Rory: Of course. And nice impersonation of Duckie.
Jess: I try.
Will: Hey, Mike, gimme that bag. If they keep this up I'm gonna be sick.
Mike: I get to use it first.
Rory: Funny. Let's go. I'm hungry and I wanna watch Pretty in Pink.
Will: (takes the paper out of the bag) Hey, Ror, one isn't enough?
Rory: Look at the top corner.
Will: Awww, Jessie's in the paper. I'm so proud of you.
Jess: Please don't call me that again. Liz used to call me that.
Will: And the nickname flies out the window and my mind.
Mike: So, did you read it yet?
Rory: Nope. We were going to read it later.
Mike: Why don't we just get it over with now?
Rory: (reaches for the paper) All right. Let's see what they have to say.
Lights are flashing, reporters are waiting, cameras are rolling, and all of this for one man, J.M. Danes, the author of Small Town Heart, which is expected to top booklists all over the nation when it is released. At the release party for his novel, Mr. Danes, whose real name is Jess Mariano, revealed secrets about himself and his novel to explain the many questions that were created by the book and his use of an alias.
For those of you who have not read about Small Town Heart, here is a brief summary of the book, or you will find yourself lost later in the article. The story focuses on a young man named Anthony during his teenage years and what happens when he moves from the city to a small town where he knows no one, not even the uncle that he is living with. As you can tell from the title, the story is a love story and revolves around Anthony and his relationship with Rachel, 'the town's shining star.'
Over the course of the novel, Anthony is able to win over Rachel, much to the dismay of her boyfriend of about two years, Darren. After her and Darren break up, Rachel finds herself being comforted by her friend Anthony, who she is in love with. The story then follows the couple through their senior year of high school and their different experiences.
As the novel comes to a close, Anthony and Rachel are torn apart due to college and family. Rachel is going to Yale, while Anthony is moving to California to get to know his estranged father, James. The end is not really that. It is much more than a concluding chapter. It is the author telling us that the story is not yet over and the love that Anthony possess for Rachel is still going strong and he has not given up hope over the years.
That story is more than a work of fiction. That is the story of Jess Mariano and Lorelai Leigh "Rory" Gilmore, who is better known as Leigh Gilmore Hayden, writer for the New York Times Book Review section. My colleague in the world of journalism is the main character in the latest bestseller.
At last night's release party, the couple made their romance public and revealed the truth about their past and the present and hinted about the future.
Before being attacked by questions by various members of the press, Mariano made a brief speech that answered many of the questions that he was about to be asked. Beginning with revealing his real name, Jess Mariano then described how the book was based on his life when he was younger and his relationship with Ms. Gilmore.
After stating that the book was based on real life events, Jess Mariano revealed that Rachel was actually Leigh Gilmore Hayden and that their relationship had nothing to do with her upcoming article about him. Once he finished, Mariano answered different questions that range from what he plans to do for his next book to what he plans for his future with Gilmore.
The answers that he provided were truthful and exposed his emotions. For his romantic future, sorry ladies, but he made it clear that he is in love with Ms. Gilmore and would do anything to remain with her. As for his career, well, he says that he already has his next book planned out.
Yes, you guessed it. He plans for his next book to be a follow-up to Small Town Heart. Anthony and Rachel will be together again and maybe, this time, he will include an actual ending.
Rory: (looking up from the paper) That's pretty much all of it.
Will: (sarcastically) Let me go get a tissue.
Jess: Funny.
Mike: At least he was screaming that your book sucks or something.
Rory: (hugs Jess) They like you, they really like you!
Will: (laughs) Oh my God, you did not just say that.
Rory: Maybe I did.
Jess: I vote for watching the movies now.
Will: Good idea. I only feel like watching fake emotional junk right now.
The four grab their food and the movies and make themselves comfortable and begin to attack the pile of movies that they have. After watching Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, West Side Story, and Romeo and Juliet, the couples decided that they had enough for that day. Will and Mike decided that they would spend the night at Mike's apartment and Rory and Jess would stay there that night.
Will: Have fun you two.
Rory: We will.
Will: Do stuff that I would do.
Jess: That's the plan.
Rory: (slaps his arm playfully and blushes) Jess!
Jess: What, it's true.
Mike: We better go. Breakfast tomorrow?
Rory: Yup. See ya guys tomorrow.
Will: Bye.
Mike: Bye.
Jess: Later.
Rory: (closes the door and turns to Jess) So, what do you want to do now?
Jess: (grins) I have a few ideas.
Rory: Oh really.
Jess wraps his arms around Rory's waist and begins to kiss her. Soon, the kiss becomes more passionate and Rory has her arms around Jess's neck. They make their way over to her bedroom, but Jess breaks the kiss.
Jess: I'll be right back.
Jess goes over to where he has his stuff and pulls out an envelope with Rory's name on it.
Jess: (gives Rory the envelope) Here.
Rory: (confused) What is it?
Jess: Read and find out.
Rory sits down on her bed and she begins to read the letter to herself.
Rory,
Ever since I first saw you all of those years ago sitting in your room, I have been sure of two things. First, I love you with all of my heart. As each day passes, my love for you only grows stronger. The second thing is that I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you.
When I was younger, I did not care about anything or anyone, and then you come into my life. I was used to a life of petty crime, drinking, drugs, and casual, meaningless relationships based on sex. You were able to help pull me out of that world and realize that there is much more out there for me and that I could be more than a screw up from the city.
As soon as I arrived in Stars Hollow, everyone judged me, but you. You gave me a chance and waited to make your judgement about me after you got to know me. By giving me that chance, I was able to do something with you that I was never able to do before. I was able to open myself up to someone and truly welcome them into my life. I have not regretted doing that at all over the years.
You have been able to help me in my life more than anyone. If you had not believed in me when we were younger, I am afraid to think about what I would be doing right now. You have changed me so much over the years and I am so grateful that you were able to draw me out of my shell and help me experience life.
Rory, I have loved you for so long and will continue to love you as long as I am alive. You make me complete. You make me a better person. Sometimes I think about just how lucky I am to have you in my life.
Right now, you're probably crying, so look at me since I am sitting right in front of you.
Rory looks up at Jess as soon as she reads the previous sentence, and, as he predicted, there are tears in her eyes.
Rory: (sniffles) Jess...I don't know what to say.
Jess: (playing with something that is in his hand) That letter leaves some things out. What I am about to say, I couldn't include in that letter.
Rory: What is it?
Jess: Rory, I love you with all of my heart and soul. Will you marry me?
Rory: Jess...I...
Jess: (gives her the ring) You don't have to answer me right away. I know this is rushed.
All Rory can think to do is kiss Jess. In her heart, she already knows her answer, but her mind is telling her to think it over.
Later that night, Rory wakes up to see Jess lying next to her fast asleep and she gets up and goes over to where her computer is. She opens a familiar document and begins to furiously type away. Her face is filled with determination and love.
As soon as she finishes, Rory goes over to the phone in the kitchen and calls her editor.
Editor: (sleepily) Hello.
Rory: Hey, I'm so sorry to call this late, but I have a big favor to ask you. I have a change to make to the Mariano article. I'll email it to you write now.
Editor: This better be worth it.
Rory: It is, believe me.
Editor: Hold on.
Rory waits patiently and after a couple of minutes, which seems like eternity to Rory, he comes back to the phone.
Editor: You sure you want to do this?
Rory: Absolutely.
Editor: All right. I have a few calls to make, but this will just make it into tomorrow's paper.
Rory: Thank you so much.
Editor: Now go back to sleep before I change my mind.
Rory: Yes sir. Thank you.
Rory goes back to bed with a smile on her face.
The next morning, Jess wakes up to see Rory fast asleep with her left hand resting by her head. He can't help but notice the ring that he purchased on her ring finger. For a minute, Jess thinks that he is just dreaming since he never thought that he would be with Rory again, let alone engaged to her. Instead of letting her sleep, Jess starts to wake Rory up.
Jess: (to a half-asleep Rory) Hey sleepyhead.
Rory: Mmm, hi.
Jess: Have a good dream?
Rory: Very.
Jess: Really. Well, share it with me.
Rory: I met this really caring and sexy guy when I was a teenager. We were friends who became more than that. He left. I was crushed. Time passed and I never got over him. Then, he suddenly appears again and before I know it, I'm going to his book release party.
Jess: Sounds like a good dream.
Rory: But you don't know the ending of it.
Jess: Then tell it to me.
Rory: Why don't you go get the copy of the paper that is sitting outside the door.
Jess: Fine.
Jess gets up and goes to the apartment door. He opens it and finds that morning's issue of the Times waiting in front of it. He takes the paper off the ground and heads back to Rory's bedroom.
Jess: Now what do you want with the paper?
Rory: (sits up) There's an article in there that you might want to read.
Jess: Oh really?
Rory: Yup.
Jess pulls out the Book Review section and begins to look for Rory's article about him and his book. He finally sees it.
Rory: Read.
Jess: I already read it.
Rory: Then read it again.
Jess: All right.
Jess begins to read the familiar words and as he reaches the point where the article used to end, he notices that there is more to read.
Jess: (looks up) You extended it?
Rory: Just read.
Jess begins to read the unfamiliar portion of the article.
Now that all of you have read about Small Town Heart and my relationship to it's author, Jess Mariano, you might have a few questions. First of all, 'Rachel' and 'Anthony' have been reunited. It might have taken a few years, but things are finally they way that they should be. In fact, they keep getting better each day that I spend with Jess.
As for a question that I have wanted to answer for a long time, my answer is yes. Jess, my answer is yes. I have thought about this for so long, even when we were no longer together. I love you, I always have and I always will. So, yes, I will marry you.
I know, this is a very public way to tell the man that I love that I will marry him, but he chose a very public way to share our story, so what do you expect?
Jess: (looks up at Rory) Ror, I...
Rory: You...
Jess: (hugs her) I love you so much.
Rory: I love you too.
Not long after Jess finished reading Rory's article, there was a knock at the door and you could hear Will's voice.
Will: She's mine. Jess, you can't take her from me.
Jess: (opens the door) What about Mike?
Will: Nevermind. You can have Rory.
Rory: Thanks.
Will: I needed a barf bag while I read your article. Very emotional and sappy. It was great.
Rory: Thanks.
Mike: Excellent job Ror.
Ror: Can we go get some coffee now. I really need it.
Jess: You always need coffee.
Rory: True.
A/N: If the formatting, the bolds and italics, doesn't work I'm sorry, but ff.net doesn't like it when I try to do that. It could just be my stupidness when it comes to computers though. Well, I hope that you all liked this chapter. I have an idea for the next, which will be a little bit of a jump in time. If you have any ideas for what you would like to see happen, I will gladly read them. I really want to know what you guys would like to see happen since I'm not sure how much more I could write for this story. So, please review and I'll try to update sooner.
A/N: Thanks to everyone that has reviewed. I'm sorry that I'm so slow with updating, but school is evil and doesn't like to give me the time to write. I hope that you all like this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think and what you would like to see happen. Ideas and comments are greatly appreciated. And I apologize in advance for typos and errors (spelling and grammar).
Time Heals All Wounds?
Chapter Seven: Changes
After sleeping late, everyone got up and searched for some breakfast in Rory and Will's kitchen. Unfortunately, they didn't find much. So, the group decided that it would be best if Jess and Michael went back to their apartments so they didn't have to wear Will's clothes and so they could get some coffee and food from Coffee Addicts Anonymous on their way back. After being gone for about an hour, Rory and Will hear a knock at the door.
Will: (going to open the door) If you are not an extremely hot guy with his friend that is loved by Rory Gilmore, you better leave unless you have food or coffee.
Mike: (the door is now open and you see him and Jess carrying bags from Coffee Addicts Anonymous and they have messenger bags with clothes in them) A simple hello would be good enough.
Will: But where's the fun in that?
Rory: (coming out of the kitchen) Please tell me you guys stopped and got junk food too. We're running low on that too.
Will: (fake screaming) No!!! The world is coming to an end!
Mike: Don't worry, I think the various pastries that we have can hold you off for a little while. You can get your sugar fix later.
Will: Yay!
Jess: Are we going to stand and eat here or are we going to sit down?
Rory: Sitting? What is that?
The four walk over to the couch and eat their breakfast while cartoons are on in the background.
Rory: (throwing away garbage) So, about the junk food...
Will: Or are lack of it.
Rory: That's a little bit of a problem. I mean, what's a day of laziness without junk food?
Mike: Or movies?
Will: Oooh, good point.
Rory: Smart boy.
Will: How about you and Jess get the junk food and we'll take care of the movies.
Rory: Please get at least one John Hughes movie. I'm in an 80s teen movie mood.
Will: Yes Molly. (A/N: Ringwald - big 80s teen movie star.)
Mike: Don't forget about the crappy movie theater style popcorn.
Jess: I doubt that Rory would be able to forget something like that.
The four exit the building and go their separate ways. Rory and Jess are soon walking into the local grocery store. Rory immediately goes to the aisle with the candy and junk food while Jess follows with two baskets to put everything in. When he finds Rory, she is already holding a couple of bags of candy.
Jess: (gives her a basket) Here. I'm beginning to think that we will need a third.
Rory: (smiles) We probably will.
After going through the aisle with candy and chocolate in it, Rory and Jess have one basket filled with various types of gummy candy and chocolate. Next, they go toward the cookies, chips, and popcorn.
Jess: (gives Rory the other basket to fill and takes the full one) I'm going to get another basket.
Rory: (smiles) Have fun.
Jess: You know, Luke would kill me if he saw what we were doing.
Rory: And my mom would already have five baskets filled.
Jess: (chuckles) Lorelai and her junk food obsession. I think that only her coffee addiction is greater than that.
Rory: Coffee! We can't forget the coffee!
Jess: (walking away) I think I'll get two more.
Jess soon returns and finds Rory with the basket completely filled with different types of popcorn, chips, and cookies.
Jess: I say we just leave this all in front of a gym.
Rory: And deprive my stomach of all of this wonderful food?
Jess: Nevermind.
Rory: Come on, we still need the ice cream and coffee. Oooh, we can also get some muffins and doughnuts.
Jess: It scares me to think that we'll actually be able to eat all of this.
Rory: Of course we will.
After getting a couple of containers of various types of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, some coffee, and some baked goods, Rory and Jess make their way toward the register.
Jess: You have any idea how much this is going to cost?
Rory: (puppy eyes) But it'll be worth it.
Jess: True.
While they are waiting on line to pay, Rory begins to look at a nearby newspaper. On the top is a little box with information about an article in the Arts section with a picture of Jess near it.
Rory: (turns to Jess) Look at that copy of the Post.
Jess: Do I want to?
Rory: Just do it.
Jess: Fine.
He takes the paper and sees what Rory was talking about. He looks through the sections until he gets to the Arts section and sees what he was looking for.
Jess: And the press storm begins.
Rory: Come on, let's get it and read it later.
Jess: If you want to. But yours will kick it's ass when it comes out tomorrow.
Rory: Of course.
After paying, Rory and Jess head back to the apartment. When they get the door, they are greeted by the always hyper Will.
Will: Food!
Jess: We have enough to last the day.
Rory: Do you want to drink the ice cream or will you let us in?
Mike: Mmm, gimme the ice cream. (looks in the bag) Phish Food!
Jess: You've eaten it so many times that it's kinda stuck in my mind that it's one of your favorites.
Will: Come on, we went for a mixture of teen movies, musicals, and stupid love movies in general.
Rory: Which 80s movie did you get?
Mike: We got Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful.
Rory: Good choices. I'm in a Duckie mood right now.
Jess: May I admire you again today?
Rory: Of course. And nice impersonation of Duckie.
Jess: I try.
Will: Hey, Mike, gimme that bag. If they keep this up I'm gonna be sick.
Mike: I get to use it first.
Rory: Funny. Let's go. I'm hungry and I wanna watch Pretty in Pink.
Will: (takes the paper out of the bag) Hey, Ror, one isn't enough?
Rory: Look at the top corner.
Will: Awww, Jessie's in the paper. I'm so proud of you.
Jess: Please don't call me that again. Liz used to call me that.
Will: And the nickname flies out the window and my mind.
Mike: So, did you read it yet?
Rory: Nope. We were going to read it later.
Mike: Why don't we just get it over with now?
Rory: (reaches for the paper) All right. Let's see what they have to say.
Lights are flashing, reporters are waiting, cameras are rolling, and all of this for one man, J.M. Danes, the author of Small Town Heart, which is expected to top booklists all over the nation when it is released. At the release party for his novel, Mr. Danes, whose real name is Jess Mariano, revealed secrets about himself and his novel to explain the many questions that were created by the book and his use of an alias.
For those of you who have not read about Small Town Heart, here is a brief summary of the book, or you will find yourself lost later in the article. The story focuses on a young man named Anthony during his teenage years and what happens when he moves from the city to a small town where he knows no one, not even the uncle that he is living with. As you can tell from the title, the story is a love story and revolves around Anthony and his relationship with Rachel, 'the town's shining star.'
Over the course of the novel, Anthony is able to win over Rachel, much to the dismay of her boyfriend of about two years, Darren. After her and Darren break up, Rachel finds herself being comforted by her friend Anthony, who she is in love with. The story then follows the couple through their senior year of high school and their different experiences.
As the novel comes to a close, Anthony and Rachel are torn apart due to college and family. Rachel is going to Yale, while Anthony is moving to California to get to know his estranged father, James. The end is not really that. It is much more than a concluding chapter. It is the author telling us that the story is not yet over and the love that Anthony possess for Rachel is still going strong and he has not given up hope over the years.
That story is more than a work of fiction. That is the story of Jess Mariano and Lorelai Leigh "Rory" Gilmore, who is better known as Leigh Gilmore Hayden, writer for the New York Times Book Review section. My colleague in the world of journalism is the main character in the latest bestseller.
At last night's release party, the couple made their romance public and revealed the truth about their past and the present and hinted about the future.
Before being attacked by questions by various members of the press, Mariano made a brief speech that answered many of the questions that he was about to be asked. Beginning with revealing his real name, Jess Mariano then described how the book was based on his life when he was younger and his relationship with Ms. Gilmore.
After stating that the book was based on real life events, Jess Mariano revealed that Rachel was actually Leigh Gilmore Hayden and that their relationship had nothing to do with her upcoming article about him. Once he finished, Mariano answered different questions that range from what he plans to do for his next book to what he plans for his future with Gilmore.
The answers that he provided were truthful and exposed his emotions. For his romantic future, sorry ladies, but he made it clear that he is in love with Ms. Gilmore and would do anything to remain with her. As for his career, well, he says that he already has his next book planned out.
Yes, you guessed it. He plans for his next book to be a follow-up to Small Town Heart. Anthony and Rachel will be together again and maybe, this time, he will include an actual ending.
Rory: (looking up from the paper) That's pretty much all of it.
Will: (sarcastically) Let me go get a tissue.
Jess: Funny.
Mike: At least he was screaming that your book sucks or something.
Rory: (hugs Jess) They like you, they really like you!
Will: (laughs) Oh my God, you did not just say that.
Rory: Maybe I did.
Jess: I vote for watching the movies now.
Will: Good idea. I only feel like watching fake emotional junk right now.
The four grab their food and the movies and make themselves comfortable and begin to attack the pile of movies that they have. After watching Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, West Side Story, and Romeo and Juliet, the couples decided that they had enough for that day. Will and Mike decided that they would spend the night at Mike's apartment and Rory and Jess would stay there that night.
Will: Have fun you two.
Rory: We will.
Will: Do stuff that I would do.
Jess: That's the plan.
Rory: (slaps his arm playfully and blushes) Jess!
Jess: What, it's true.
Mike: We better go. Breakfast tomorrow?
Rory: Yup. See ya guys tomorrow.
Will: Bye.
Mike: Bye.
Jess: Later.
Rory: (closes the door and turns to Jess) So, what do you want to do now?
Jess: (grins) I have a few ideas.
Rory: Oh really.
Jess wraps his arms around Rory's waist and begins to kiss her. Soon, the kiss becomes more passionate and Rory has her arms around Jess's neck. They make their way over to her bedroom, but Jess breaks the kiss.
Jess: I'll be right back.
Jess goes over to where he has his stuff and pulls out an envelope with Rory's name on it.
Jess: (gives Rory the envelope) Here.
Rory: (confused) What is it?
Jess: Read and find out.
Rory sits down on her bed and she begins to read the letter to herself.
Rory,
Ever since I first saw you all of those years ago sitting in your room, I have been sure of two things. First, I love you with all of my heart. As each day passes, my love for you only grows stronger. The second thing is that I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you.
When I was younger, I did not care about anything or anyone, and then you come into my life. I was used to a life of petty crime, drinking, drugs, and casual, meaningless relationships based on sex. You were able to help pull me out of that world and realize that there is much more out there for me and that I could be more than a screw up from the city.
As soon as I arrived in Stars Hollow, everyone judged me, but you. You gave me a chance and waited to make your judgement about me after you got to know me. By giving me that chance, I was able to do something with you that I was never able to do before. I was able to open myself up to someone and truly welcome them into my life. I have not regretted doing that at all over the years.
You have been able to help me in my life more than anyone. If you had not believed in me when we were younger, I am afraid to think about what I would be doing right now. You have changed me so much over the years and I am so grateful that you were able to draw me out of my shell and help me experience life.
Rory, I have loved you for so long and will continue to love you as long as I am alive. You make me complete. You make me a better person. Sometimes I think about just how lucky I am to have you in my life.
Right now, you're probably crying, so look at me since I am sitting right in front of you.
Rory looks up at Jess as soon as she reads the previous sentence, and, as he predicted, there are tears in her eyes.
Rory: (sniffles) Jess...I don't know what to say.
Jess: (playing with something that is in his hand) That letter leaves some things out. What I am about to say, I couldn't include in that letter.
Rory: What is it?
Jess: Rory, I love you with all of my heart and soul. Will you marry me?
Rory: Jess...I...
Jess: (gives her the ring) You don't have to answer me right away. I know this is rushed.
All Rory can think to do is kiss Jess. In her heart, she already knows her answer, but her mind is telling her to think it over.
Later that night, Rory wakes up to see Jess lying next to her fast asleep and she gets up and goes over to where her computer is. She opens a familiar document and begins to furiously type away. Her face is filled with determination and love.
As soon as she finishes, Rory goes over to the phone in the kitchen and calls her editor.
Editor: (sleepily) Hello.
Rory: Hey, I'm so sorry to call this late, but I have a big favor to ask you. I have a change to make to the Mariano article. I'll email it to you write now.
Editor: This better be worth it.
Rory: It is, believe me.
Editor: Hold on.
Rory waits patiently and after a couple of minutes, which seems like eternity to Rory, he comes back to the phone.
Editor: You sure you want to do this?
Rory: Absolutely.
Editor: All right. I have a few calls to make, but this will just make it into tomorrow's paper.
Rory: Thank you so much.
Editor: Now go back to sleep before I change my mind.
Rory: Yes sir. Thank you.
Rory goes back to bed with a smile on her face.
The next morning, Jess wakes up to see Rory fast asleep with her left hand resting by her head. He can't help but notice the ring that he purchased on her ring finger. For a minute, Jess thinks that he is just dreaming since he never thought that he would be with Rory again, let alone engaged to her. Instead of letting her sleep, Jess starts to wake Rory up.
Jess: (to a half-asleep Rory) Hey sleepyhead.
Rory: Mmm, hi.
Jess: Have a good dream?
Rory: Very.
Jess: Really. Well, share it with me.
Rory: I met this really caring and sexy guy when I was a teenager. We were friends who became more than that. He left. I was crushed. Time passed and I never got over him. Then, he suddenly appears again and before I know it, I'm going to his book release party.
Jess: Sounds like a good dream.
Rory: But you don't know the ending of it.
Jess: Then tell it to me.
Rory: Why don't you go get the copy of the paper that is sitting outside the door.
Jess: Fine.
Jess gets up and goes to the apartment door. He opens it and finds that morning's issue of the Times waiting in front of it. He takes the paper off the ground and heads back to Rory's bedroom.
Jess: Now what do you want with the paper?
Rory: (sits up) There's an article in there that you might want to read.
Jess: Oh really?
Rory: Yup.
Jess pulls out the Book Review section and begins to look for Rory's article about him and his book. He finally sees it.
Rory: Read.
Jess: I already read it.
Rory: Then read it again.
Jess: All right.
Jess begins to read the familiar words and as he reaches the point where the article used to end, he notices that there is more to read.
Jess: (looks up) You extended it?
Rory: Just read.
Jess begins to read the unfamiliar portion of the article.
Now that all of you have read about Small Town Heart and my relationship to it's author, Jess Mariano, you might have a few questions. First of all, 'Rachel' and 'Anthony' have been reunited. It might have taken a few years, but things are finally they way that they should be. In fact, they keep getting better each day that I spend with Jess.
As for a question that I have wanted to answer for a long time, my answer is yes. Jess, my answer is yes. I have thought about this for so long, even when we were no longer together. I love you, I always have and I always will. So, yes, I will marry you.
I know, this is a very public way to tell the man that I love that I will marry him, but he chose a very public way to share our story, so what do you expect?
Jess: (looks up at Rory) Ror, I...
Rory: You...
Jess: (hugs her) I love you so much.
Rory: I love you too.
Not long after Jess finished reading Rory's article, there was a knock at the door and you could hear Will's voice.
Will: She's mine. Jess, you can't take her from me.
Jess: (opens the door) What about Mike?
Will: Nevermind. You can have Rory.
Rory: Thanks.
Will: I needed a barf bag while I read your article. Very emotional and sappy. It was great.
Rory: Thanks.
Mike: Excellent job Ror.
Ror: Can we go get some coffee now. I really need it.
Jess: You always need coffee.
Rory: True.
A/N: If the formatting, the bolds and italics, doesn't work I'm sorry, but ff.net doesn't like it when I try to do that. It could just be my stupidness when it comes to computers though. Well, I hope that you all liked this chapter. I have an idea for the next, which will be a little bit of a jump in time. If you have any ideas for what you would like to see happen, I will gladly read them. I really want to know what you guys would like to see happen since I'm not sure how much more I could write for this story. So, please review and I'll try to update sooner.