Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I never will. (Try to sure me now! Muahaha! Sorry- weird mood today!)
A/N: This chapter takes place during Christmastime of Jess and Rory's SOPHOMORE year. Yes, I did skip over about a year, but nothing too eventful happened- Rory and Jess are still blissfully happy in Boston, both doing incredibly well in school. Lorelai and Luke are still the best of friends (sadly, nothing more). Amber moved back to New York for a while to be closer to the new boyfriend, whom I now name…….. JASON! Haha, but don't worry, she'll be back! And that's basically it! Now, I know that the title of this chapter most likely has given away what's happening, but it really does sum up the most important event in the chapter! YAY! Here we go!
Chapter 13
Proposals
Rory Gilmore was frantically throwing things into a suitcase. She and Jess were leaving in less than an hour to go back to Star's Hollow for Christmas. Rory, of course, knew exactly what books she wanted to take along, but hadn't given a single thought as to what clothes to bring. She tore open her closet door, pulled a bunch of random sweaters off of their hangers, and threw them into her suitcase. Just then, Jess entered.
"Hey babe, you just about ready?" Jess asked, fully knowing the answer to his question.
Rory laughed, "Almost? Uh, sure…"
Jess smirked and went to her suitcase. He started to fold the clothes and put them back inside. Rory ran to the laundry room and came back a few minutes later with her arms full of other clothes. She dropped them on the bed next to the suitcase.
"How did you do that?" She asked, seeing how everything now fit into her luggage.
"You know Ror, if you fold the clothes first, you can fit more in." He teased.
"Wow! Hey fold these too!" Rory said, pointing to the other clothes as she ran to the bathroom to get her toothbrush.
Jess finished packing her stuff and went into the bathroom. He stopped in the doorway and watched her carefully select eye shadow from the counter-top. He was in awe of her, and unbelieving of how lucky he was to be with her.
Rory soon saw him in the mirror. She smiled, "I get to see my mom today," she announced happily.
Jess took a few steps closer to her and put an arm around her waist, pulling her to him.
"You're all packed."
"Yay! So are we ready to go now?"
"I've got to get one more thing and then we're set."
Rory nodded, "I'm just gonna put these in my suitcase."
Jess leaned down and kissed her before going into his bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him. He went to the dresser and slowly opened a drawer. He dug through the socks until he found it. A small, velvet box, safely hidden at the bottom. He opened it and stared at the ring for a moment. It was perfect. Exactly perfect for Rory. Jess congratulated himself on finding the right ring, and keeping the secret from Rory for so long. He'd been planning it for weeks. Even Luke and Lorelai were in on it. They were back in Star's Hollow making sure everything was ready for the right moment.
Jess smiled to himself, closed the box, and placed it in his pocket. He picked up his suitcase and brought it into the living room. Rory was already waiting for him with hers.
"Ready?" she asked.
Jess nodded. He picked up both suitcases and went out the door, Rory locking it after she left. The two headed down to the car.
With everything loaded into the trunk, Jess and Rory began their trip home.
"Christmas music!" Rory yelled excitedly as she played with the radio. She finally found a station and began to sing along.
"DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY! FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA! TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY! FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!" Rory wailed as Jess drove down the highway. The station soon began to play commercials and Rory turned the sound down.
"It's going to be a great Christmas Jess. I can feel it."
"You can feel it? What, is that the Miss Cleo in you trying to escape?"
Rory smiled brightly at him, "It is though huh? It's going to be perfect."
Jess grinned, "Yeah. Perfect."
Gilmore House:
"They're still not working." Lorelai pointed out from her seat on the couch. The lights on her Christmas tree had gone out, and Luke volunteered to work his repair magic.
"Really Lorelai? Because I thought I fixed them an hour ago!"
"Aw Lukey, don't be such a Scrooge!"
"I'm trying my best to fix them." Luke insisted.
"I know, but try harder! It's Christmas Eve, and my about-to-be-engaged daughter and your about-to-be-engaged nephew will be here any minute! There MUST be lights!"
Luke shook his head, still fooling with the wires, "Did you go set up the stuff for Jess?"
"You want me to do it?"
"Why not? I'm fixing these."
"Me and fire? Can I really?"
Luke's eyes widened, "No, nevermind. I'll do it."
Lorelai grinned and agreed. The tree lights came back on.
"YAY! My hero!" Lorelai exclaimed, leaping from her seat and throwing her arms around Luke's neck hugging him.
Luke was shocked, but then he felt the tension escape him as he relaxed and hugged Lorelai back.
"Now go!" Lorelai insisted, pulling away.
"What?"
"Jess's stuff! For the thing!"
"Oh right." Luke went to the door and picked up a box on his way out.
"Try to get back before they get here!"
"I will."
"We're here! We're here! We're here!" Rory squealed as they pulled into Star's Hollow. They passed the diner and continued their drive to Lorelai's. When they arrived, Jess and Rory both got out of the car quickly. Rory grabbed Jess's hand and they went to the door. Rory turned the knob to enter, but found it locked.
A confused look fell upon her face, "It's never locked."
Jess shrugged, "So knock."
"At my own house?"
"Well how else are we going to get in?"
"We wait for them to look for us."
Jess smirked and knocked on the door.
"You knocked!" Rory said surprised.
"Well it's not new for me." Jess replied, smirking again.
A moment later Lorelai appeared at the door.
"Mom!"
"Rory!"
Rory and Lorelai hugged, then Rory went on inside.
"Hey Lorelai," Jess greeted.
Lorelai smiled her hello and hugged Jess too.
Jess was surprised, "What was that for?"
"Cause for some reason I like you now."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. And the plan helps too." She said more quietly.
"Everything set?"
"Yep. Luke just got back."
Jess smiled and he and Lorelai went into the living room to find Luke and Rory catching up.
The four of them sat and talked for a while when Luke caught his queue and began the 'skit.'
"Well, I've got to run back to the diner and get stuff ready for dinner."
"Can I come and help?" A very scripted Lorelai wanted to know.
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Come on Luke!"
"Fine."
"Wahoo!"
Lorelai and Luke got up and left the house.
"We'll meet you guys in half an hour at the diner?" Lorelai asked as she went.
"Yeah," Jess said, "Half an hour's good."
"So what was all that?" Rory asked when they were gone.
"What was what?"
"The act… what's going on?"
Jess just smiled and ignored her question, "Come for a walk with me?" He said standing up and offering a hand to Rory.
"Sure…" She took his hand and they left the house.
"Where are we going?"
"You know."
"Well, yeah. Why are we going to the bridge?"
"You'll see."
When they arrived at the bridge, even Jess was surprised at how beautiful it looked. The sun had just set, and a few stars were visible in the night sky. Dozens of candles lined the bridge.
Rory gasped, "Wow," she whispered, "What's all this?"
Jess took both of her hands in his as she looked up into his dark eyes. //I should be more nervous.// He thought to himself. //Why am I not so nervous?// It didn't take long for Jess to remember the answer, //Cause this is so right, I can't be scared.//
Jess brought one hand up to Rory's face and felt her cheek, "You're so beautiful."
She blushed and started to speak, "Jess what-?"
He put his fingers over her lips, silencing her. "Shh, Ror. I've got a whole speech planned out so don't go asking about what we're doing here okay?"
Rory nodded, and Jess took a deep breath before beginning.
"Rory, I didn't know it was possible to love someone as much as I love you. I really never thought it would happen, but I am so thankful it did. I know I don't deserve you Rory, but I'm a selfish guy and I don't want to lose you. You mean more to me than life itself. Without you in my life I don't know what I'd do." Jess knelt in front of her and pulled the small box from his pocket. "Rory, will you marry me?"
Tears formed in Rory's eyes. Now, Jess was worried he'd done something wrong. But the smile soon eased that fear.
"Yes."
Jess smiled and took the ring from it's box and slid it onto Rory's finger. He stood up and wrapped Rory up in his arms holding her tightly.
"I love you." He whispered into her hair.
"I love you too."
Jess stepped back from their embrace a little. He put one hand behind Rory's head, entangling his fingers in her hair. He leaned in and kissed her passionately.
A few moments later they broke apart, their arms still wrapped around one another.
"To the diner?" Jess asked.
Rory nodded and they left the bridge. They arrived at the diner a few minutes later, still bound closely together. Rory hadn't stopped beaming since the moment Jess asked her to marry him. Her eyes were lit up brighter than Jess had ever seen them before. He had made her happy.
"Attention Star's Hollow!" Rory called as they entered the diner. Everyone stopped and looked towards Rory and Jess in the doorway expectantly. Of course, they all knew what Rory was about to announce.
"I'm getting married!" She happily announced, and everyone in the diner began to applaud as she and Jess went to the counter to see Lorelai and Luke, who were sitting on stools.
Luke and Lorelai stood when they saw Rory and Jess approaching.
"Mom!!" Rory squealed, hugging Lorelai, "Jess- he…"
Lorelai smiled, "I know!!"
"You know?"
"Of course!"
Rory looked from Jess to her mother, realizing she had been in on the surprise. Her gaze then went to Luke.
"And you knew too?" she asked.
Luke nodded, smiling, "Congratulations Rory." He held out his arms to her and she hugged him. The thought hadn't even occurred to her to call Christopher and tell him… she was with Luke- the one father that was always there for her.
A moment later, Rory and Jess sat together at one of the tables, their fingers entwined. Lorelai was admiring Rory's ring.
"It looks even prettier than the pictures Jess."
Jess smiled. He'd been doing a lot of that lately. He laughed to himself… Funny how much you change when you fall in love.
Meanwhile, Luke was firmly insisting that Taylor leave the diner.
"It's Christmas Eve Luke! You would think you would be more hospitable on such a holiday!" Taylor argued.
"Go home Taylor."
"What? Do you have something important to do?"
Luke gave Taylor a 'duh' face, "What rock have you been living under? Rory and Jess just got engaged, and I'd like to have dinner with my family. So if you'll please leave…"
"Fine, fine." Taylor finally agreed and left- Luke locking the door behind him.
"Aw, we're your family now Lukey?" Lorelai teased.
Luke rolled his eyes, "Looks like we're about to be even more of a family now huh?"
Rory and Jess smiled.
"Well, come on. I've got dinner ready upstairs for us." Luke announced, motioning for the others to follow him up to the apartment.
During Dinner:
"God bless us, everyone!" Lorelai said as she stuffed food into her mouth. Everyone had just about finished their supper.
"Now bring us some figgy pudding!" Lorelai requested, as Luke rose form his chair. Luke shook his head.
"Do I even like figgy pudding?" Lorelai wondered aloud, "I bet I do… I like all pudding."
"Mom we have to be at Grandma's soon." Rory remembered.
"Mmm! Apple tarts!"
Rory laughed, "You guys still coming with us?" she asked of Luke and Jess.
"Of course." Jess confirmed, and Luke nodded in agreement.
"We have to change."
This time, Jess nodded, "We'll meet you at your house in an hour?"
"Okay!" Rory kissed Jess and then she and Lorelai went to leave.
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" Lorelai called as she went out the door.
About an hour later:
Lorelai and Rory are in Lorelai's bedroom finishing their make-up.
"Ror?"
"Yeah?"
"Does your hand feel heavy? It looks heavy."
Rory laughed, admiring her ring again.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"Grandma and Grandpa."
"I'm sure they'll be happy for you Ror."
"I hope so!"
"You should probably tell them tonight."
"Yeah." Rory said thoughtfully.
The Gilmore Girls then heard Luke and Jess come into the house.
"Hello?" they called up the stairs.
"In here!" Lorelai yelled, on her hands and knees digging through her closet.
Luke and Jess entered the room.
"Jess?" Rory asked.
"Yeah?" he asked, slipping an arm around her waist.
"Come with me downstairs?"
"Sure."
Rory and Jess left the room and went downstairs into the living room. They sat down on the couch.
"You look great." Jess said, putting his arm around her shoulders. Rory leaned into him and rested her head on his chest and sighed heavily.
"What is it?"
"The grandparents."
"What about them."
"They're going to want to plan a huge wedding."
"Is that what you want?"
"Huh?" Rory sat up a little and looked at him.
"Do you want a big, elaborate wedding planned with the help of your grandparents?"
Upstairs:
"Lorelai, what are you doing?"
"Looking for my other shoe." Lorelai wiggled her bare foot from inside the closet.
Luke laughed a little… quietly, so Lorelai couldn't hear.
"Color?"
"Red. With sparkles."
Luke began searching the rest of Lorelai's room. A few minutes later, he produced a red shoe from under the bed.
"Lorelai."
She poked her head out of the closet, "Ooh! That's it! Yay!"
She came out back into he room [A/N: I was going to say she came out of the closet, but then I realized how funny and terribly wrong that would be!]
Luke handed her the shoe and she sat on the bed and put it on. She stood once it was fastened.
"You really look amazing." Luke said.
Lorelai flashed him a grin, "Now, there were earrings around here somewhere…"
Luke groaned and he started the search with her.
Downstairs:
"What I want?" Rory asked.
"Of course what you want. It's your wedding isn't it?"
"But it's yours too."
"Ror, I don't care either way- as long as you're happy." Jess brushed a strand of hair from her face, "What kind of wedding do you want?"
Rory smiled and took a deep breath, "I don't want a big wedding. I want it here, in Star's Hollow. Just with family and friends… okay so the whole town- but that's still pretty small. And…"
"And what?" Jess asked, thoroughly overjoyed to see how happy Rory was imagining their future wedding.
"I want my grandparents there. I want them to help plan it but not plan it by themselves."
"I think that's doable."
"You think?"
"Of course."
"You know we'll have to explain all this to them tonight."
"I figured as much."
Rory leaned back, and enjoyed the comfort of being with Jess.
"Let's see how long it takes them to notice."
"Huh?" Jess asked, puzzled.
"Wait and see how long it is before they see the ring. Then tell them."
Jess laughed, "Sounds like a plan."
"What plan?" Lorelai asked, coming down the stairs with Luke not far behind.
"We're taking bets to see how long it will take for the grandparents to notice." Rory explained.
"Notice what? You mean the ROCK?!"
Rory laughed, "Yeah, that."
"Ten minutes." Lorelai said after not much deliberation.
"I must concur." Rory said.
"Come on, let's get out of here." Luke said, trying desperately to move things along.
"Alright, alright! We're leaving!" Lorelai said, grabbing her things and heading towards the door. Rory, Jess, and Luke followed.
A/N: Okay, I intended for this chapter to go through the party, but seeing as how it's already 12 pages long in Word, I made the executive decision to put that in another chapter. Which will be up as soon as I can get it up- I promise! Anyway, there was some fluff/mush/sap, but hey- it was quite unavoidable! Literati all the way kids! Haha, please review!