Disclaimer: See previous chapters for more clever disclaimers!
A/N: Thanks soo much to everyone that noted! And don't worry, this fic IS NOT over!!! Haha, I still have quite a few more chapters planned I think… Funny how this is turning out a lot longer than I planned! Anyways, keep reading and reviewing!
Chapter 15
That Time of Year
The next morning, Jess found himself heading back to the diner after several hours of watching Lorelai and Rory tear open gifts. He glanced at his watch, "7:34," Jess hook his head smiling, knowing that the Gilmore Girls were probably asleep again. He approached the diner and went inside. Luke was at the counter and Caesar was serving some customers. It was fairly busy for Christmas.
Luke did a double-take. "You're up early."
Jess just shrugged.
"You left before they woke up? What happened?" Luke asked, "I swear, if you did something to Rory I'll-"
"They were up," Jess said rolling his eyes, "It's Christmas… you know they digress to age six during the holidays."
Luke's eyes widened in realization, "How early did they drag you out of bed?"
"4 or so?"
Luke chuckled to himself, "Only for Rory huh?"
"Yup." Jess paused, "You want a hand?"
"Sure. I'm sure Caesar would like to go home."
Jess nodded and took over for Caesar just as the chime above the door sounded. A very familiar young woman, with big brown eyes and her dark curls tied back in a messy ponytail, stepped into the diner.
"Merry Christmas, Jess."
Jess looked up to see a fake smile plastered onto his sister's face. She looked happy to be there, but not happy in general.
He put down his order pad and hugged Amber. As he pulled away he carefully asked, "Where's the boyfriend?"
Jess noticed water instantly filling Amber's eyes. She quickly wiped a tear from her face. Jess put his arm around her and walked her to the stairs.
"I'll just go tell Luke I'm taking a break okay? I'll be right up."
Amber nodded and went up the stairs to the apartment.
"Luke!" Jess called as he entered the kitchen.
"What?"
"Amber's here. I'm going to go talk to her."
Noticing the seriousness in his voice, Luke asked, "Is she okay?"
"I'm gonna find out."
Luke nodded and Jess ran up the stairs after his sister.
Amber looked up from the spot on the floor she was concentrating on when she heard the door to the apartment open. Jess came in, closing the door behind him, and sat next to Amber on the couch. She smiled at him weakly.
"Did he hurt you? God, I swear, if he so much as laid a hand on you-"
"Jess." Amber interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"It's not what you think."
"He didn't…"
"No."
"Then what?"
"He just broke up with me… that's all."
"On Christmas?"
Amber nodded.
"Geez, what a guy." Jess said sarcastically, standing up.
"I really did love him."
"I know."
"I wish you could have met him."
"I think I'll live without the pleasure."
Amber sighed loudly and Jess sat down next to her again. "You going to be aright?"
She nodded, giving him a hug, "Yeah. Thanks."
"Anytime."
"So… anything new with you? How's school?"
"School's good."
"And Rory?"
Jess grinned. Amber raised an eyebrow at him, "I take it things are good between you two?"
"You could definitely say that."
"Why do I get the feeling you're leaving something out?"
"Cause I am."
"Oh?"
"I asked Rory to marry me."
Amber's jaw dropped in shock, "You did?"
"Yeah, I did."
"I take it she said yes."
"That she did."
Amber gazed into Jess's eyes. My baby brother. He's not so little anymore. Not so little- HAH! That's an understatement! My little brother is all grown up. He's getting married. Look at him. He can't stop smiling.
"Well congratulations."
"Thanks."
Just then, Luke knocked quietly on the door as he entered.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah Uncle Luke," Amber said with a genuine smile, "Everything's great."
"LUKEY DARLING!!! I NEED COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!" The three heard Lorelai's voice from downstairs.
Luke groaned and motioned to the door, "Shall we go?"
Jess and Amber followed Luke downstairs to find Rory and Lorelai sitting impatiently at the counter.
"Finally!" Lorelai said exasperated, "What took you so long coffee-man?"
Luke rolled his eyes and poured Rory a cup of coffee.
"Amber!" Rory said surprised, "You're back!"
Amber nodded, smiling and said, "I heard the news… Congrats."
Rory immediately beamed, taking Jess's hand in hers and holding it tightly. Then, seeing Luke set down her coffee, she grabbed the mug with her free hand.
"Not fair! I want some!"
"Lorelai, do you have to be so obnoxious all the time?"
"Yes! And you love me anyways so shut up and let me have coffee!"
"What if I don't?"
"You will."
"Why?"
"You always do."
Luke sighed once again and poured Lorelai a cup.
"Mmmm thank you!"
FAST FORWARD TO NEW YEAR'S EVE
Amber had traveled back to New York a few days earlier to get back to work. She had a steady job there, and was making a life for herself, so, although they'd miss her, everyone let her go back- because she needed to.
Jess sat at one end of the couch in the Gilmore's living room with Rory curled up into his side. Luke sat at the opposite end of the sofa, and Lorelai sat on the floor in between.
"Sixteen." Lorelai suddenly announced, shoving more popcorn in her mouth.
"You think?" Rory questioned, looking at her mother who was nodding.
"Well it's at least two more than last year."
"I thought we decided on twelve last year." Rory insisted.
"Margin of error." Lorelai explained.
Luke looked to Jess, "What are they talking about?"
"Dick Clark's face lifts."
Luke's eyes seemed to grow bigger, "You really think sixteen?"
Lorelai smiled, "Of course. See, back in '95, when Rory and I first began this debate…."
Twenty minutes later, Lorelai had reached 2001, but Rory interrupted her speech, pointing to the TV.
"Here we go!"
The four watched as the ball began to drop and thousands of freezing New Yorkers screamed the countdown. Lorelai and Rory yelled along with them.
"1… 0!!! Happy New Year!!"
Rory turned to Jess and he smirked, "Well we can't go breaking tradition."
"Oh no. Of course not." Rory grinned and leaned in to kiss Jess.
Lorelai looked at Luke expectantly.
"What?"
"It's tradition Luke!"
"No."
"Aw, come on!"
"Are you crazy?"
"Some seem to think so."
A few moments later, Rory and Jess broke apart to find Luke and Lorelai continuing with their banter.
"Mom, it's too late anyways."
"What? Why?"
"It's 12:07."
"Damn!"
"There's always next year."
Lorelai pouted and turned off the TV. Rory yawned.
"We should go then huh?" Luke said.
"Sure." Jess stood up and held Rory close, "Night Ror, I love you."
"I love you too Dodger." They kissed and Jess went outside.
"Bye Lorelai, Rory." Luke called a she followed Jess.
"So, you ready for the engagement party extravaganza tomorrow?" Lorelai asked.
"I guess. Remind me why we're doing this again?"
"Aw, come on Rory! The small-town princess is marrying the resident bad-boy! That calls for a party of SOME kind!"
Rory rolled her eyes.
"It'll be fun!"
Rory laughed, "I know." She really was excited.
They picked up the last of the snack remains from the living room and brought them into the kitchen.
"I'm gonna go to bed Mom."
"Okay, goodnight sweetie."
"Night."
Lorelai looked at Luke expectantly.
"What?"
"It's tradition Luke!"
"Well, okay."
Luke leaned in and kissed Lorelai gently. It was full of spark and passion. It was just the way Lorelai had imagined it: so perfect, so right.
Lorelai sat up in bed, out of breath. Did I really just dream that?
She got up and went downstairs. Glancing briefly into Rory's room on her way by, she went to the kitchen and picked at some of the remaining popcorn. Then, she saw the time.
"4:36??" Lorelai said out loud. She wandered back upstairs and lay down in bed. She had to get up in a few hours for Rory and Jess's party.
"I will not think about Luke. I will not dream about Luke." She whispered to herself, "Yeah right."
Lorelai forced her eyes closed and fell asleep.