A/N:: Thanks for yur review, chosen-gurli, but...I don't understand why you got offended b/c Gary said 'y'all'. I say it ALL the time, and I AM FROM Texas, and I don't have a problem with it...I don't exactly get why you do, but sorry that I offended you or whatever. Plus, I didn't say anything about a 'hick' or w/e...not that I remember, at least. I did *really* bring out the "Texan stereotype" in Gary, lol...I know we [here in Texas] don't actually talk like that. I wanted to make Gary a fun character, and look, I did. [IMO anyway] I'm pretty much just trying to have fun with this story now, it's getting OOC some, I know, but I don't care. If it helps me to actually enjoy what I'm writing, so be it. LOL b/c quite frankly, I'm only finishing this story b/c you guys wanted me to. ;/ But now, like I said, I'm just having fun with it. ;)
Chapter 5
"Jess, can you set the table, please?" Liz asked.
"We never used to—"
"I have company, and I want to eat at the table. Just do as I ask, please."
Jess rolled his eyes, biting back a response as he felt Rory squeeze his arm. He glanced at her and sighed. Then he turned to his mother, who was watching them. Jess gave Rory a quick kiss, then took the stack of plates from Rory and went to set the table.
Rory walked over to Liz. "Do you need help with anything, Ms. Mariano?"
"No, it's just about done," Liz answered. "And call me Liz." She looked at Rory. "He's changed, you know."
"Excuse me?"
"I know what it took for him to come back. I know he surely didn't want to. I have a feeling you had something to do with it. Thank you."
Rory shook her head, but her face was turning red—a dead giveaway. "No, not really. He just—"
"You seem like a good influence on him," Liz interrupted.
"I'm not trying to influence him at all," Rory told her. "Jess does what he wants."
"But if he didn't want to disappoint you..."
"I don't know."
How do I keep ending up alone with this woman? I wish I was stuck with the cowboy instead…
"Supper's ready!" Gary called.
Everyone went into the dining area and sat down at the table.
Gary set down a platter of mystery meat.
"If that's something you found on the side of the road, I'm not eating it," Jess announced.
Luke laughed, and Rory and Lorelai exchanged a worried look. They hadn't even thought about that.
Liz let out a sharp breath. "Jess, don't start."
Gary shook his head, laughing. "He's just havin' fun, darlin'," he said to Liz. He turned to Jess. "I bought this at the store and cooked it myself."
"Thank you," Lorelai muttered, and she and Rory started digging in.
Gary sat down and Jess watched as his mother took Gary's hand. She and him shared a smile and Jess looked away.
Rory leaned over. "How are you doing?" she asked softly.
Jess gave her a small smile. "I'm okay. It'll all be over in two days, right?"
"Right," Rory agreed. She kissed him on the cheek.
No one said anything for awhile, and finally, Liz broke the silence.
"You know, Jess, I never told you how proud I am of you for moving to Stars Hollow."
"I kind of didn't have a choice," he replied, pushing around the peas on his plate with a fork.
Rory tensed. She felt an argument coming on...
"Everyone has choices," Liz said dismissively. "But I hear you are doing good, so I'm happy. Your grades are getting better, you have a nice friend—"
"I'm aware of all that."
"I'm proud of you," Liz said again.
"It only took, what, seventeen years? Better late than never, right Liz?"
"Don't attack me, I was just—"
"Jess, don't," Rory pleaded as Jess stood up. She grabbed his arm. "Please."
Jess gently pried her fingers off of him. "I'm sorry," he told her. "But I have to..." He looked around for a second, before walking out of the room and disappearing out the front door.
Rory tried to follow him, but he was already gone.
* * * * *
"I...I really hoped he would get onboard for this and see how happy I am, and just...be there. He's supposed o be the one to give me away, because Dad..." Liz trailed off and waited for her sobs to die down. "I knew he wouldn't be too happy about it, but...I'm his mother. You know?"
Luke wrapped his arms around his sister and let her fall into his arms and cry.
"I know, Liz. But he'll come around, you'll see."
"The wedding is tomorrow."
"I know. But he'll be there, and he'll give you away, and—he'll be there," Luke assured her.
"I want him to be there..." Liz said.
"He will, trust me." Luke glanced up as Gary walked over, concerned. Gary took Liz's hand and led her out of the room, speaking softly to her.
Lorelai walked over. "That was nice of you, Luke."
"Yeah, well, I know Jess. He'll be there. He might be a little late, but he'll come."
Lorelai nodded, and they sat down on the couch.
"Where's Rory?" Luke asked her.
"Outside, hoping Jess will come back."
"Are you sorry you came?" he asked suddenly.
She caught his eye. "No."
He nodded, his eyes falling to his hands.
Lorelai took a breath and reached over, placing her hand on his.
He glanced at her, and she found herself smiling. Luke smiled back, and before he knew what was happening, they both leaned in and Luke kissed her as her eyes slowly closed.
They pulled apart a minute later, and Lorelai bit her lip, unsure of what the next move would be. Luke's expression mirrored her own, so they just sat there a minute, staring at each other—waiting for the other one to do or say something.
Trouble was, Luke was scared to say what he was really thinking—that he had been waiting for this moment for years—and Lorelai didn't know what the kiss meant, yet, so...she wasn't sure what she should say. Even though...it was a great kiss. She couldn't tell him that, though, could she? No. Well...no.
A/N:: I know this chapter's even shorter than the last one, but I'm gonna have 'em kinda short so I can have more chapters, & I can get them up faster for you guys. It's easier. Please—no complaints, b/c at least I'm writing. ;D And sorry if you didn't like where I went with the end of the chapter...I don't know why I did it, really. I mean, I'm a big JavaJunkie 'shipper, but...I dunno, I just wrote it and decided to keep it. Add a little more drama or something. Once again, I dunno. LOL. Please just review, not based on the length, but on the content. Is the story still worth continuing?? Let me know. 'Help Me Remember' should be up soon. I have like 2 more chapters of that one written, LOL. That one's easier and more fun to write than this, but I'll try not let that affect how often/hard I work with this story. Thanks for being so patient with me.
