Nobody Said it Was Easy
- Guinevere -
A/N: I'm trying to finish this before school starts again, but that looks doubtful. This is not the end either…there's still AT LEAST two more chapters to come, so stay tuned. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: If I owned them, would I really have the time to be writing this? Didn't think so.
~*~*~
- 10 – Mistletoe and Holly
Rory and Jess had returned to Stars Hollow that day and said nothing of their agreement, nothing of their tentative reunion. Jess had let Rory out of the truck down the street from her house and she returned home to Lorelai who knew nothing of where she had been for the last three hours. Rory told her she had gone to Lane's and her mother believed her.
The next two weeks passed quickly as Stars Hollow prepared for the Christmas festivities. The tree in the center of town was strung with lights; snowmen popped up here and there; and even Luke hung a wreath in the window. Lorelai was busy with plans and preparations for the Dragonfly, which she hoped to have open by Christmas Eve, and didn't have the time or energy to notice that the father of her grandson was sneaking into the house every night at eleven o'clock sharp and scurrying away a few hours later.
Jess, for fear of crossing the elder Gilmore, had been visiting Rory and J.D. quietly every night since their road trip. With every passing visit, Rory was remembering what drew her to him from the beginning, but the two had not kissed, lest you count Jess's goodnight pecks on the forehead, since that day. They weren't ready to be in a full blown relationship, especially with a child, and they had agreed to go slow.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and the Dragonfly dining room was set to open in advance of the entire inn. All of Stars Hollow was invited to attend the first of many grand events of the Gilmore-Melville establishment, so Lorelai, Rory and J.D., along with Emily, were in Hartford shopping for festive attire.
They were currently surrounded by eager last-minute shoppers in Baby Gap looking for something "absolutely adorable", according to Lorelai, for J.D. to wear.
"Isn't this just darling!" Emily exclaimed, holding up a tiny sweater vest with a pine tree in the middle.
Rory looked away disinterested and Lorelai wrinkled her nose. "A little too J.Crew-accessory-baby," she thought aloud.
"Why are we even looking for something for him?" Rory asked, tired and annoyed. "He'll just spit up on it in the first five minutes and we'll have to change him anyway."
"Do I detect a little bit of the Grinch coming out there?" Lorelai joked, trying to ease the tension building up in Rory.
"I'm just being reasonable," Rory countered.
"Well he needs clothes anyway," Emily reasoned. "He's already grown out of the newborn and into the 6-12 weeks, so he'll need them. Here, look at this little green sweater. Plain, but still cute. And we'll get him those blue pants over there. How's that?"
Rory glanced at it and decided it was "Fine."
"Come on, perk up just a little bit," Lorelai told her with a nudge as they pushed through to the cash register.
"Can we go sit down after we're done here?" Rory asked. "I need a drink and I think J.D.'s diaper needs to be changed."
"I'll take him and change the diaper if you stay here with your grandmother," Lorelai offered, already on her way out. "Meet us in the food court, okay?"
"Sure," Rory mumbled and sidled up alongside Emily.
"What's the matter? And don't say nothing because I know something's wrong," Emily prodded as the stood in what seemed to be an endless line.
"Really, Grandma, I'm fine," Rory dodged.
"That's so reassuring, I almost believed it," Emily scoffed. "Come on, is it because you're finally realizing what a big job a baby is?"
Rory looked at her quizzically. "Not even," she answered.
"Then are you worried about going back to school?"
"That hasn't even crossed my mind."
"Then it's something to do with that boy, Jess. Your mother said he was back in town, that and a few other choice words."
Rory resisted the urge to yell 'bingo' at her grandmother's guess. She was, in fact, getting very frustrated at the fact that she and Jess had to hide on account of her mother, and her displeasure showed whenever they were together. "That may be it," she begrudgingly admitted.
Until then, Emily had been facing forward, ready to move ahead in line, but at this, she turned directly to her granddaughter. "So, what about him then?"
"Nothing more than he's back in town, staying at Luke's," Rory paused, then confessed: "And we've seen each other."
"So?" Emily couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
"Well he's been coming over every night for the past two weeks, after Mom is asleep, because the first time he was over, she threw a fit."
"Well, Rory, she's been pretty calm throughout all of this; I think she was long overdue an outrage." When Lorelai had gotten pregnant, well, let's just say life at the Gilmore's was not a tea party.
"Not in the middle of Luke's, ranting and raving at Jess. And she pretends she's fine with him being back now, but she's just waiting for him to get frustrated and leave town again so she can say 'I told you so'." Over the past two weeks, Lorelai had been going to Luke's only when necessary, and dropping hints to Rory that Jess being home and Rory accepting it was not cool.
Emily finally paid for the outfit, then led Rory out of the store and continued the conversation on the way to meet Lorelai. "What makes you think he won't? What have you two been doing on these midnight rendezvous?"
"Just talking, he's been bonding with J.D. And we've discussed it, and he wants to move back here for good, go to school in Hartford and help out with J.D., take a stab at being a dad for real."
"That may sound all well and good to you now, but you know, your father tried to do that. You were about two when he went to Stars Hollow and wanted to move in and be your dad for real. He and Lorelai just couldn't make it work, and he took off without so much as a note. He finally called your mother a month later from Chicago. I don't want that to be you."
Rory chose a table and sat down beside her grandmother. She was actually surprised that the two of them could have such a rational conversation on such a delicate subject. "I don't either, and I don't think it will be, but we have to have a chance. To be real, legitimate, not hiding from my disapproving mother."
"I'll support whatever decision you make, Rory, but I want you to consider everything before you make that decision, okay? And tell your mother, reason with her. If anyone will understand, it will be Lorelai."
"Okay, I'll try."
"Good. Now, why don't you invite that Jess and his uncle to Christmas dinner? I think everyone deserves a second chance to pass muster with the grandparents. And don't worry about your mother; I'll take care of her." Emily patted Rory's hand reassuringly.
"You must have a death wish Gram," Rory laughed, not sure whether to trust her or not.
"Maybe so. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you: Marilyn, from 'Motherhood' magazine called me the other day and wanted to know if 'that girl who wrote the Europe-while-you're-pregnant series' would like to write a monthly column."
"Really? What about?" This was big news since Rory hadn't heard anything since her last article just before J.D. was born.
"Oh, anything and everything. What it's like to be a young mother, I suppose. She left her number and needs a story by January 3rd, if you want to do it."
"I'll definitely do it. That's so great; thank you." A paying job doing something she actually liked? No way was Rory going to pass this one up.
"My pleasure. It's not everyday you get to see your granddaughter's pseudonym in print, now is it?" She was referring to the penname Rory had used, L.L. Hayden.
"Well, no, but I was thinking of using my own name, now that there's nothing to hide."
"Good idea. There they are," Emily cooed at J.D. as Lorelai pushed him to their table.
"I've got to tell you Rory," Lorelai sighed as she slouched into her chair. "That kid of yours can wiggle with the best of them. It took forever to change his diaper."
"Future runner in the making," Emily reasoned. "Now Lorelai, for Christmas dinner
I was thinking of inviting a few of the extended family."
"Oh, great. I haven't seen Uncle Gilbert for years."
"No, I was thinking more along the lines of Luke and Jess."
"Luke, I'm fine with, but Jess? Why have you turned to the dark side mother?"
"He's J.D.'s dad and Rory's fine with it, so I decided it was only fair to invite him to join us."
"Fine, but don't expect any pleasantries on my part. And just you wait until Dad meets him; he'll chew him up and spit him out." Lorelai knew there was no point in fighting her mother, so she would give in, but not easily.
"I think he'll like him, actually," Rory told her mother, deciding now was the best time to bring up the Jess topic. They were in a public place so, hopefully, a yelling match would be avoided and they also had a referee in the form of Emily. "And I wanted to tell you that he's been coming over, after you're asleep. And he and I have agreed on a plan of sorts. He's staying in Stars Hollow and he's going to help out with J.D. while he goes to school. And we're kind of together, but it's all a little undefined right now."
Lorelai was more than a little stunned. All she could muster was a weak "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you wouldn't have listened."
"Rory, I only want you to be happy. If he is what makes you happy, then I'll get over it. I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all. I know what it's like to love the guy and to trust every word he says, but it doesn't always end up how you hoped or planned."
"I know that, but we need to give it a try and see if it works for us. And by the looks of it, Jess is going to try to give it his all."
"Well good, I'm glad. Why don't you bring him tomorrow night and I'll just bite my tongue, okay?"
"Okay."
"Good," Emily agreed. "Now that that's settled, let's discuss tomorrow evening's festivities. I was thinking that it would be great if you could have sleigh rides again, like that time that group cancelled at your old inn."
"The Bracebridge Dinner? That was a fluke thing, but I might be able to arrange something."
Rory sat back and watched her grandmother and mother carry on as normal. What with the whole Jess thing out in the open now, Rory hoped that things would fully return to normal for her and her mother. And she hoped her mother could, as she had promised, accept that Jess wanted to be a part of the family.
~*~*~
"You look absolutely amazing," Jess complemented Rory's outfit when he arrived to take her and J.D. to the Dragonfly the next evening.
"You're looking pretty dapper yourself," Rory told him, admiring his clean-cut black button-up shirt.
"Well, you know me and first impressions. Will your grandfather be there too?" Rory had told him that he would have a second encounter with her grandmother when she invited him, but neglected to mention anything of her grandfather.
"He should be, barring a crash in the Tokyo stock market. Don't worry so much; he'll really like you."
"Or so you think."
"I know he will. Did Luke leave yet?"
"He took off about an hour ago, after your mother called, mumbling something about mistletoe and holly, so I hope so."
"Good. Um, can you get the two bottles out of the fridge and put them in that diaper bag on the table while I get J.D. into his coat?"
"Sure thing," Jess went followed Rory's order while she went into J.D.'s room and bundled him up for the ride across town. When he was ready and in his chair, she slipped on her coat, then joined Jess in the kitchen. "I'll take him if you take this," he offered, handing Rory the bag.
They got outside, argued over whether to take her car of Luke's truck, decided on her car and took off. Within five minutes they were in front of her mother's new inn. Covered in colored lights and garland, it was every bit the picture of perfection.
Stars Hollow was congregating in the dining room, so Jess and Rory discarded their coats and joined them. The table with the "Reserved for Gilmore" card was empty when they finally found it amongst the maze of people. Rory took the chair that afforded her equal view of both the kitchen and the entryway so as to warn Jess of an incoming family member.
She didn't have to wait long as Emily and Richard promptly arrived at five o'clock. "Here they come Jess," she whispered as they neared, then plastered a smile on her face, shifted J.D. in her arms and stood to greet them. "Grandma, Grandpa, isn't it lovely?"
"It's wonderful. I really like what your mother has done here," Richard approved.
"Yes, perfect for a DAR meeting," Emily agreed.
They were already eyeing Jess who had stood when Rory had. "Grandma, you and Jess have already met, but Grandpa, this is Jess; Jess, this is my grandfather."
Jess stepped up and offered his hand, which Richard shook with surprise. "Nice to meet you, finally," Richard told him.
"You too," Jess returned.
And then the awkwardness of it all commenced. Neighbors and friends stopped by to say hello and offer praise of Lorelai, who was nowhere to be found. Jess and Rory were busy trying to keep J.D. from falling asleep while Richard and Emily talked amongst themselves. Jess finally stepped up and decided to liven up the conversation.
"So, Mr. Gilmore, I hear you're in investments and finance," hey, whatever worked, he thought.
"Yes, actually. Mostly overseas, but I handle my own portfolio."
"I took a macroeconomics class last semester, but I never could get my head around the whole FTC thing."
"Oh, don't even bother trying; some days, I'm still sorting it all out. That's why all this Martha Stewart-WorldCom nonsense is happening. How did you like the economics, though?"
"It was decent, not really my thing though. I'm more of an English-History guy. Although, architecture is pretty interesting."
"If its architecture you want, then you should definitely look in to Frank Lloyd Wright, but Fifth Avenue in New York City is absolutely inspiring. And have you seen the plans for the old World Trade Center sight?"
"Yeah, I think it's pretty original, although there's a lot of open space I'm not too sure about. I'm from right around there, so there really needs to be a functional space, but also a monument; it's hard to do."
"I agree."
"Come on guys, let's liven up this conversation just a little," Rory requested, to which her grandmother nodded.
"Did somebody call my name?" Lorelai finally appeared behind Rory.
"Lorelai, this is quite something," Richard complemented her.
"Yes, it is, but where have you been?" Emily asked.
"Minor crisis in the kitchen with the duck," she explained, "But everything is fine now. Jess, Luke is looking for you outside," she told him with a quick glance, trying to be as civil as possible. Jess stood and left to find Luke and Lorelai settled into his seat.
"I for one quite like him," Richard approved when Jess was out of earshot. "From what Emily relayed, I was expecting some sort of antisocial vagrant, but he was quite the opposite."
Rory beamed while Lorelai rolled her eyes and Emily said: "He has redeemed himself."
"Where did you send him?" Rory asked, seemingly out of curiosity, but really because she anted to tell him that he passed the test.
"Outside with Luke to hang the last string of lights," Lorelai answered.
"Gram, can you watch J.D. for a minute? I just need to ask him a question before I forget." She was already standing and took off when her grandmother agreed. She greeted a few guests on her way out, but made a beeline for the door. Just as promised, Jess was on the front porch, with Luke nowhere to be seen.
"Hey," she called to him and he turned around.
"Hey. It's cold out here and you don't have a coat," he dropped the lights he was holding and went to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"My grandfather likes you, and my grandmother says you've made up for last time."
"Oh really? Well, I try."
"Hey, look," Rory pointed above them to the bee's nest of mistletoe.
"Yeah? So?"
"So? Proper etiquette indicates-"
"Screw proper etiquette," he pulled her to him and kissed her with as much strength as he had.
"That's not very proper, sir," she whispered as they broke apart.
"Sorry," he grinned at her, then lead her back inside the inn.
They were the picture of young love, but there were complications. Issues and problems to be dealt with; college to get through; a child to raise - they were up to the challenge. Seven months and an entire ocean had separated them, and that didn't stop Rory and Jess from finding their way back to each other. But there was a long journey, an entire lifetime still waiting for them.
~*~ To Be Continued ~*~
