I'm back-finals are next week and I don't feel like studying so here I am.
*It's been a week since where I left off last time.
"Jess, hurry up, we're going to be late."
"Eh, Ror, if we're late he'll just wait for us, don't stress out." Jess replies, straightening his tie in the mirror.
"I know, but I haven't see my dad in months and he's bringing his new girlfriend and he's really excited about it."
Jess sighs, "Ok, look I'm done, we can go now. Do I look ok?"
Rory approaches Jess, she runs a steady hand through his hair and nods. "Perfect."
Jess leans in and kisses her softly on the lips.
"Ok lets go." Rory grins.
Jess takes her hand in his as they exit the apartment.
*10 minutes later: Jess and Rory arrive at Tallulah's, a local upscale restaurant.
Rory scans the place for signs of Christopher.
Jess nudges Rory.
Rory looks up to see Chris standing next to a tall auburn-haired women, waving profusely.
"Subtly escapes him, huh?" Jess mutters.
Rory grins, "Shh."
Chris approaches them, "Hey."
"Dad!" Rory says warmly, as Chris envelopes her in a hug.
"I missed you kid. Hello Jess."
Jess nods as he shakes Chris' hand.
"Rory, Jess, I'd like you too meet Natalie, my girlfriend."
"Hi." Rory smiles at Natalie.
"It's so great to finally meet you, Chris talks about you two all the time."
"Really?" Jess raises an eyebrow at Chris.
"Don't worry I left some details out." Chris smirks back at Jess.
Jess smiles genuinely, "Good thing."
Chris rubs his hands together, "Alright I'm starving, lets eat."
*10 minutes later: The four are seat around a small table in the center of the restaurant, waiting on their food.
Chris looks up from his menu, "Ror, I can't believe how great you look, Jess taking good care of you?"
"The best." Rory smiles.
"Good."
"So Rory," Natalie speaks up. "Chris showed me some of your articles, you're a phenomenal writer."
"Oh. Thank you. Yeah dad told me you're a teacher, what grade do you teach."
"10th."
"High school." Jess cringes.
Natalie grins, "Yeah it's definitely a challenge, but I'm one of the lucky ones, the kids don't give me too much of a hard time."
Jess nods.
"So kiddo, what's been going on with you, still working hard?"
Rory nods.
"She's a workaholic, brings the laptop to bed with her." Jess replies.
"That's my Rory."
"I talked to your mom last week actually, she told me about your exciting news."
"She did?" Rory eyes Jess shamefully. "We meant to tell you sooner, we've just been so busy."
"I bet, but anyway congratulations Jess. Who would have ever thought they'd give you a book deal."
Jess smiles, "Not me that's for sure."
"Is that all mom told you?"
"Let's see, she told me that, she mentioned your Grandfather turning his business over to that idiot from summer camp......and the Inn's doing fantastic."
"Oh."
"Our calls are usually pretty short."
"Right."
Jess squeezes Rory's hand.
Rory smiles at him.
"Get it over with." Jess mutters.
"Dad."
"Yeah?"
"I'm pregnant."
Chris' eyes twinkle, "Wow."
Rory grins.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Come here."
Rory stands up and hugs her father.
"So I guess you're sticking with this guy?" Chris motions his head towards Jess.
Rory rolls her eyes, "Dad."
"I'm kidding, I couldn't think of anyone better for you."
"Congratulations, Jess."
Jess shakes Chris' hand again. "I can't believe Lorelai managed to keep her mouth shut on this one."
"Yeah she's being suspiciously well behaved lately." Rory smirks.
"Luke keeps her in line." Jess replies.
Rory laughs, "He does the best he can."
"Did you tell your grandparents yet?"
"We made sure to tell Grandma the first chance we got."
"Yeah, I don't think Emily Gilmore would've allowed you to live it down if you didn't."
" Yeah."
"So how are you doing? Feeling ok? Not working too hard?"
"I feel fine, and I work as much as I need to."
"Which obviously is too much."
Jess laughs.
"Just make sure you don't over do it, ok Rory."
"Ok Dad." Rory sighs amusedly. "So Natalie how did you meet Dad?
"A friend of mine has a Son that goes to school with Georgia, she introduced us."
"Ok, it's been an eternity, how long does it take to make some steak..I'm starving."
*Dinner arrived 5 minutes later, with apologies from the waiter, the rest of the dinner went off without a hitch.. before they knew it Rory and Jess were back at the apartment getting ready for bed.
*Bedroom.
Rory pulls a long t-shirt over her head, as Jess sprawls out on the bed.
Rory shakes her hair out, and then stretches.
"I'm never eating again." Jess moans, resting an arm across his stomach.
"That really was a good dinner."
"Mmm, Don't mentioned food." Jess replies lying back.
Rory crawls up next to him, "You and my Dad got along pretty well tonight."
Jess puts his arm around Rory, "He's a good guy, Rory."
"Yeah. He's come a long way."
Jess nods, burying his face in her hair, "Let's stay here."
"What?"
"We just won't get out of bed, we'll stay right here all day, we both have off."
"But,"
"I know I know, we have to eat, but we can order in and I'll volunteer to answer the door, but except for food and bathroom, we stay here."
"I'm going out with Lane and James tomorrow."
Jess groans, "Then I'm stuck with Dave tomorrow."
"You like Dave, he's your best friend."
"But I'd rather stay here with you."
Rory smiles, "Well what if I keep things with Lane and James short..I could be home by 4, 5 tops."
Jess pouts, "Well I guess I'll take what I can get."
"Come on Jess, another couple weeks and you'll be home everyday, you're going to get sick of me."
"Sick of you? Never."
Rory smiles at Jess, "Your sentimentality is creeping me out."
"Fine from now on I'll refrain from any form of sentiment and the only time I'll say anything is when it's time for dinner and I want to know what you're cooking."
"Me cook, ha." Rory smirks.
"Now that's creepy."
"Shut up."
"So you'll be home by 5 tomorrow?" Jess raises an eyebrow at Rory.
Rory nods, resting her arm against her stomach.
Jess stares at her, "You better."
"I promise." Rory replies with a yawn.
"Bed time." Jess says pulling the covers over Rory.
"Yes Sir." Rory smiles, snuggling close to him.
*12:30pm: The Next Day.
Rory is out with Lane and James, shopping.
"God, I feel so left out." James muses, eyeing a shelf of stuffed animals.
"And why is that?" Lane asked.
"Well I'm the only one in the group not pregnant, and it's like I'm out of the loop."
Rory grins, "Hon, I thought we talked about this and you understood, you're a man and can't carry children."
Lane giggles.
"See I'm a man, so I should be with the other men, trash talking about women."
"Well you're more than welcome to go meet up with Dave and Jess, J, but they're probably at the house drinking and watching the game."
"That is soooo boring, why can't there just be an equilibrium, I'm telling you once you two pop those kids out I'm going to be left in the dust.. "The boys." Will have their football Sundays and you two will take the ankle biters to the park, and I'll be stuck getting coffee by myself."
"First off, that will never happen, and second what about Meredith, your fiancée?"
"Busy with wedding plans, in between gigs, plus she's my fiancée, not my friend it's a totally different thing, I'm dependent on you guys."
"Well we're dependent on you too, there's no way we'd leave you out, besides the "ankle biters" will expect their uncle James to come with them to the park."
"Uncle James?"
"Nice ring to it, huh?"
"You two are my girls." James says loudly, putting his arms around them.
*Elsewhere.
"So why are we here again?" Jess asks, raising an eyebrow at Dave. "Didn't you say Lane made you promise not to buy anymore guitars."
"Yeah..but this one's not for me."
"Whatever."
"Seriously, Lane's been stressing out lately, you know getting ready to go visit her mom and stuff and last night while it went off ok, it wasn't with out its issues, so I wanted to get her something special."
"So you're getting lane a guitar?"
Dave grins, "No, come here I've been looking at this for weeks."
Dave points to a small wooden guitar in the corner of the store.
"Uh huh and it's a bit on the small side."
"It's for the baby, well when he's like 3, it's kind of like a promise thatour child will learn an instrument."
"Nice." Jess replies, patting Dave on the back.
"Ow watch it."
"Pulled something?"
"I wish, last night when we told Mrs. Kim, she had like death grip on me, I have a huge bruise on my ack."
Jess laughs, "Look at it this way you made it out alive."
"Not before she guilted Lane into going on a high fiber diet, and reminding me through bible scripture that men who leave their families, burn in hell forever."
"Man am I glad I have Lorelai for a mother in law, the only thing you have to worry about with her is if Rory ever mentions anything stupid that I've done, she'll bring it up every 5 minutes.and she doesn't forget, I still here comments about breaking my ankle tripping over that kid's jump rope."
Dave laugh, "That was kind of amusing, dude."
"Shut up." Jess glares at his friend.
"Here. Take this." Dave says handing Jess the guitar. "So, what do you think the girls are talking about right now?"
"Correction, the girls and their honorary member."
"Oh right, hey you did tell him he could come hang out with us right?" Dave asks, placing the guitar on the counter.
"I told Rory to tell him, but I don't really think he likes us too much..I think we're a little too macho for him. "
"That will be $185.35" The cashier says.
"Whatever." Dave says handing the cashier his money.
"But I'm pretty sure they're swapping horror stories, and talking about us."
"Yeah, um so how are you doing man?"
Jess scoffs "Excuse me?"
"Well I mean if they're talking about it, why can't we?" Dave asks honestly. "I mean things are changing, it involves us, and we're going through the same stuff so why shouldn't we talk about it, release some of the pent up stress."
"You're like a women, Dave, you know that?"
"Fine forget it, I just thought we'd be adults about this."
Jess sighs, "If we're walking down the street, and somebody goes to pass by us, I walk in front of Rory, without thinking about it."
"Really?"
"I have no idea what the deal is, I don't know if it's ok for somebody to like hit her in the arm when they go by or whatever, so I just automatically go into shielding mode."
Dave smiles, "Lane yelled at me yesterday because I told her don't worry about the laundry just go lay on the couch, she says all I've been doing is banishing her to the couch.but I can't help it it's just a reflex, I just want to do everything so she doesn't have to."
"You have issues."
"I know I don't mean to do everything, I just I don't know the rules."
"Seriously, somebody should tell men these things." Jess says, holding the door open.
"I know." Dave replies. "Hey want to grab something to eat?"
"Yeah, something greasy....with cheese."
"Burgers it is." Dave replies, turning left.
*The two men walk in silence for the next few minutes.
Jess clears his throat, "Rory's starting to show."
Dave looks over at him, "Yeah?"
"I noticed it last night, she was wearing one of my old Metallica shirts and she laid down on her back, and there it was."
"Wow."
"It was really weird, I was shocked even, I know that sounds stupid but I just couldn't believe it was Rory there next to me."
Dave watches Jess seriously, "Brings it into perspective huh?"
"It's just like I guess I've been so cool about everything because off hand there's nothing different. I mean it's just like me and Rory have been talking about oh well this is what we're going to do when we have kids, and then last night it was just there, I couldn't deny it anymore, it just hit me, this is happening and in less than 7 months, that's nothing."
"I tell you this is a stressful business, and I don't want to say anything to Lane because.."
"You're afraid she'll go off on you."
"Exactly."
"You know maybe, this wasn't such a bad idea, I kind of feel better."
"Me too." Dave says warily, "Maybe we could do this on a semi-regular basis.would that be weird?"
"Probably, but if we were say going out for a beer and you happened to bring something up, I guess it would be rude not to discuss it."
"And Lane and Rory go for coffee at least once a week, so we could go have a drink while they have coffee or on a Friday night."
"Right."
"So it's settled then."
"Let's just not mention it too much."
"Deal." Dave says as they approach Burger King.
*7pm: Rory and Jess are curled up in bed.
"So did you and Dave have fun today?" Rory asks.
Jess shrugs, "I guess, we really didn't do anything, got lunch watched some tv. How about you?"
"I had a great time, I'm so glad I'm not going through this by myself-"
"Um Ror, what about me."
"You know what I mean Jess, it's just so good to know there's somebody going through the same thing."
Jess tucks his arms behind his head, "I know."
"And it was so good to see James again, I feel like he hasn't been around lately, I hope Meredith hurries up and seats a date.
"Yeah.."
"And I uh, bought something today?"
"Oh yeah?"
"It's just a little something and you're probably going to think it's really stupid, but we were going past that vintage t-shirt place and I couldn't help myself." Rory grins, opening the draw to the night table. "Here." She says handing Jess a small black bag.
Jess pulls out its context without looking in the bag, "Wow."
"What do you think?"
"What is it?"
"Turn it over."
"The Ramones?"
"It's a onesie."
"A whatty?"
"It's a shirt that buttons at the bottom..for the baby."
"So our kids going to be running around in an old Ramones shirt?"
"Well if you prefer clowns, I can return it."
Jess cringes, "No clowns."
"I'm glad we agree."
Jess smirks, "Yeah."
"See our baby's going be cool, no stupid doe-eyed rabbits and ducks."
Jess smiles brightly at Rory as he places the shirt back into the bag and places it on the nightstand.
"so.." Rory grins.
Jess stares at Rory.
"What?" She asks with a smile.
"Nothing." Jess says hoarsely.
"You're looking at me funny again."
"Sorry." He mumbles. "But I promised."
"Promised what?"
"I promised you I wouldn't be all sentimental, and creep you out." Jess replies matter-of factly.
"You know I was kidding."
"Yeah but-" Rory cuts Jess off with a kiss.
"Tell me." She replies, pull back to look at him.
"You're beautiful."
"Stop it. Tell me what you were going to say."
"That's what I was going to say." Jess replies sweetly.
Rory turns her sideways, "I love you."
"Love you too." Jess replies, wrapping his arms around Rory.
"As much fun as I had today...I couldn't wait to come home to you." Rory whispers.
"Really? I couldn't stop thinking about you all day."
Rory grins, "That's what I like to hear."
"I'm serious."
"I know."
Jess smiles contently as Rory runs a hand through his hair.
Jess pulls her closer to him, resting his hands against her back.
Rory moans contently, "this was a good idea, we should stay in every night."
"I told you so." Jess replies absentmindedly, his eyes fixated on Rory's stomach.
Rory follows his gaze, "What?"
"Shh." Jess says quietly, forbidding Rory from moving.
"Jess-"
"Look." Jess says huskily. "You're here.." Jess says his hand grazing Rory's shoulder, and you stomach is here." Jess continues, as his hand moves down Rory's front.
Rory makes a small noise, "You just noticed this?"
Jess shakes his head, causing his hair to fall into his face, "Last night when you got into bed."
Rory grimaces, "It's starting."
" I like it." Jess says biting his bottom lip.
"You do?"
Jess nods, with out breaking eye contact, "It makes it seem real."
Rory beams at Jess.
"I was thinking about it all day, and when I got home I sat down and wrote 3 full pages."
"You did?"
"I was inspired."
Rory places her hands on her stomach, "So this is ok? You're not grossed out?"
Jess says nothing, he takes Rory's hands and places them at her side with one hand, and pulls up her shirt with the other, leaning in he kisses her abdomen softly.
Rory sniffles over come with emotion.
Jess sit up leaning on his arm for support, "I'm so lucky."
"You're going to make me cry, and then I won't stop." Rory replies, pretending to be annoyed.
"Listen. I'm going to be home starting in two weeks, and I'll be here for everything, that's lucky, I think."
"Yeah."
"I feel like I'm the star of a WE channel movie, every time I leave the house, I want to be back here right away to be with you."
Rory's eyes twinkle at Jess, "You're just being protective."
Jess sighs, resting his head on her shoulder, "I'm being insane, you're going to get sick of me soon."
Rory takes Jess' head in her hands, forcing him to look at her. With a grin she says, "Sick of you? Never."
"You humor me." Jess replies, stretching his arms out.
"You know, my dad was right?"
"Yeah?"
"There's nobody better for me."
Jess shakes his head, "I don't know about that."
Rory looks at him sternly, "I do. I chose you."
"Again, I say I'm lucky." Jess replies with a cough.
"No, I'm the lucky one...I couldn't do this with anybody else."
Jess scoffs.
"Jess I'm serious. You don't realize.you're the only guy I've ever let see me really cry, I've acted stupid in front of you, picked fits with you, screamed my head off at you for no reason, you've seen me at my worst."
"And your best." Jess cuts in, tracing Rory's jaw with his fingertips.
Rory rolls her eyes, "You're the only one that I've let see every side of me, you're the only one I've ever felt comfortable with."
"Ror." Jess says thickly, "You're you know it's the same for me."
Rory simply smiles back at jess. "My point is I couldn't do this with anybody else, I wouldn't want to."
Jess kisses Rory on the head, "That means a lot to me."
Rory watches Jess warily, "Jess I'm scared."
Jess laughs, "I know."
Rory shakes her head, "no really, I'm terrified, actually."
Jess sighs, "We've been through this, You're going to be a great mom, and I'm going to do the best I can."
"It's not just that I'm scared of actually going into labor, I'm scared of the pain, what if I can't handle it?"
Jess squeezes her hand, "You can handle it, you're the strongest person I know."
"A-and what about after, what if things aren't the same between us?"
"Ror, things are going to change, they'll change for the better."
"So many couples separate and divorce because it's not the same, what if we- "
Jess put his hand to Rory's mouth, "Don't even say it, it won't happen, I refuse to walk away from you ever, I can't be with out you again."
"But.."
"And if we are ever having trouble that's what Luke and Lorelai are for, they'll take the kid for a weekend and we'll work it out."
Rory lies back, resting her head against Jess' chest.
Jess wraps his arms around her, "It's going to be fine, everything will work out."
"I'm still scared." Rory says quietly.
"I know, and that's ok."
"Jess."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Being you."
"Shh. Lets stop talking about this." Jess says softly. "You want to go to sleep?"
"Jess." Rory says oddly.
"What?"
"It's 8 o'clock."
"Oh..so uh, what do you want to do then?"
"Let's just lay here."
"Do you want me to put a movie in?"
Rory shakes her head, "No. Here."Rory reaches up and guides Jess' hands towards her stomach.
Jess makes a small nose.
"Let's just stay like this...the three of us."
"That's scary to hear." Jess replies.
"No, it's comfortable, you better get used to it."
Jess taps Rory's stomach, "Ok..I think I can do that."
"Mmm. Good." Rory replies closing her eyes.
Jess sighs contently, as he turns of the light and settles in, Rory's heart beating calmly against him.
*And this is how the Mariano's spent their in. And it was the best night either one had had in a long time.
A/N Lame end I know, but I figure this stuff makes people sentimental and I've never really experimented with it in my writing so I'm trying. Feedbacks appreciated. Until next time (
*It's been a week since where I left off last time.
"Jess, hurry up, we're going to be late."
"Eh, Ror, if we're late he'll just wait for us, don't stress out." Jess replies, straightening his tie in the mirror.
"I know, but I haven't see my dad in months and he's bringing his new girlfriend and he's really excited about it."
Jess sighs, "Ok, look I'm done, we can go now. Do I look ok?"
Rory approaches Jess, she runs a steady hand through his hair and nods. "Perfect."
Jess leans in and kisses her softly on the lips.
"Ok lets go." Rory grins.
Jess takes her hand in his as they exit the apartment.
*10 minutes later: Jess and Rory arrive at Tallulah's, a local upscale restaurant.
Rory scans the place for signs of Christopher.
Jess nudges Rory.
Rory looks up to see Chris standing next to a tall auburn-haired women, waving profusely.
"Subtly escapes him, huh?" Jess mutters.
Rory grins, "Shh."
Chris approaches them, "Hey."
"Dad!" Rory says warmly, as Chris envelopes her in a hug.
"I missed you kid. Hello Jess."
Jess nods as he shakes Chris' hand.
"Rory, Jess, I'd like you too meet Natalie, my girlfriend."
"Hi." Rory smiles at Natalie.
"It's so great to finally meet you, Chris talks about you two all the time."
"Really?" Jess raises an eyebrow at Chris.
"Don't worry I left some details out." Chris smirks back at Jess.
Jess smiles genuinely, "Good thing."
Chris rubs his hands together, "Alright I'm starving, lets eat."
*10 minutes later: The four are seat around a small table in the center of the restaurant, waiting on their food.
Chris looks up from his menu, "Ror, I can't believe how great you look, Jess taking good care of you?"
"The best." Rory smiles.
"Good."
"So Rory," Natalie speaks up. "Chris showed me some of your articles, you're a phenomenal writer."
"Oh. Thank you. Yeah dad told me you're a teacher, what grade do you teach."
"10th."
"High school." Jess cringes.
Natalie grins, "Yeah it's definitely a challenge, but I'm one of the lucky ones, the kids don't give me too much of a hard time."
Jess nods.
"So kiddo, what's been going on with you, still working hard?"
Rory nods.
"She's a workaholic, brings the laptop to bed with her." Jess replies.
"That's my Rory."
"I talked to your mom last week actually, she told me about your exciting news."
"She did?" Rory eyes Jess shamefully. "We meant to tell you sooner, we've just been so busy."
"I bet, but anyway congratulations Jess. Who would have ever thought they'd give you a book deal."
Jess smiles, "Not me that's for sure."
"Is that all mom told you?"
"Let's see, she told me that, she mentioned your Grandfather turning his business over to that idiot from summer camp......and the Inn's doing fantastic."
"Oh."
"Our calls are usually pretty short."
"Right."
Jess squeezes Rory's hand.
Rory smiles at him.
"Get it over with." Jess mutters.
"Dad."
"Yeah?"
"I'm pregnant."
Chris' eyes twinkle, "Wow."
Rory grins.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Come here."
Rory stands up and hugs her father.
"So I guess you're sticking with this guy?" Chris motions his head towards Jess.
Rory rolls her eyes, "Dad."
"I'm kidding, I couldn't think of anyone better for you."
"Congratulations, Jess."
Jess shakes Chris' hand again. "I can't believe Lorelai managed to keep her mouth shut on this one."
"Yeah she's being suspiciously well behaved lately." Rory smirks.
"Luke keeps her in line." Jess replies.
Rory laughs, "He does the best he can."
"Did you tell your grandparents yet?"
"We made sure to tell Grandma the first chance we got."
"Yeah, I don't think Emily Gilmore would've allowed you to live it down if you didn't."
" Yeah."
"So how are you doing? Feeling ok? Not working too hard?"
"I feel fine, and I work as much as I need to."
"Which obviously is too much."
Jess laughs.
"Just make sure you don't over do it, ok Rory."
"Ok Dad." Rory sighs amusedly. "So Natalie how did you meet Dad?
"A friend of mine has a Son that goes to school with Georgia, she introduced us."
"Ok, it's been an eternity, how long does it take to make some steak..I'm starving."
*Dinner arrived 5 minutes later, with apologies from the waiter, the rest of the dinner went off without a hitch.. before they knew it Rory and Jess were back at the apartment getting ready for bed.
*Bedroom.
Rory pulls a long t-shirt over her head, as Jess sprawls out on the bed.
Rory shakes her hair out, and then stretches.
"I'm never eating again." Jess moans, resting an arm across his stomach.
"That really was a good dinner."
"Mmm, Don't mentioned food." Jess replies lying back.
Rory crawls up next to him, "You and my Dad got along pretty well tonight."
Jess puts his arm around Rory, "He's a good guy, Rory."
"Yeah. He's come a long way."
Jess nods, burying his face in her hair, "Let's stay here."
"What?"
"We just won't get out of bed, we'll stay right here all day, we both have off."
"But,"
"I know I know, we have to eat, but we can order in and I'll volunteer to answer the door, but except for food and bathroom, we stay here."
"I'm going out with Lane and James tomorrow."
Jess groans, "Then I'm stuck with Dave tomorrow."
"You like Dave, he's your best friend."
"But I'd rather stay here with you."
Rory smiles, "Well what if I keep things with Lane and James short..I could be home by 4, 5 tops."
Jess pouts, "Well I guess I'll take what I can get."
"Come on Jess, another couple weeks and you'll be home everyday, you're going to get sick of me."
"Sick of you? Never."
Rory smiles at Jess, "Your sentimentality is creeping me out."
"Fine from now on I'll refrain from any form of sentiment and the only time I'll say anything is when it's time for dinner and I want to know what you're cooking."
"Me cook, ha." Rory smirks.
"Now that's creepy."
"Shut up."
"So you'll be home by 5 tomorrow?" Jess raises an eyebrow at Rory.
Rory nods, resting her arm against her stomach.
Jess stares at her, "You better."
"I promise." Rory replies with a yawn.
"Bed time." Jess says pulling the covers over Rory.
"Yes Sir." Rory smiles, snuggling close to him.
*12:30pm: The Next Day.
Rory is out with Lane and James, shopping.
"God, I feel so left out." James muses, eyeing a shelf of stuffed animals.
"And why is that?" Lane asked.
"Well I'm the only one in the group not pregnant, and it's like I'm out of the loop."
Rory grins, "Hon, I thought we talked about this and you understood, you're a man and can't carry children."
Lane giggles.
"See I'm a man, so I should be with the other men, trash talking about women."
"Well you're more than welcome to go meet up with Dave and Jess, J, but they're probably at the house drinking and watching the game."
"That is soooo boring, why can't there just be an equilibrium, I'm telling you once you two pop those kids out I'm going to be left in the dust.. "The boys." Will have their football Sundays and you two will take the ankle biters to the park, and I'll be stuck getting coffee by myself."
"First off, that will never happen, and second what about Meredith, your fiancée?"
"Busy with wedding plans, in between gigs, plus she's my fiancée, not my friend it's a totally different thing, I'm dependent on you guys."
"Well we're dependent on you too, there's no way we'd leave you out, besides the "ankle biters" will expect their uncle James to come with them to the park."
"Uncle James?"
"Nice ring to it, huh?"
"You two are my girls." James says loudly, putting his arms around them.
*Elsewhere.
"So why are we here again?" Jess asks, raising an eyebrow at Dave. "Didn't you say Lane made you promise not to buy anymore guitars."
"Yeah..but this one's not for me."
"Whatever."
"Seriously, Lane's been stressing out lately, you know getting ready to go visit her mom and stuff and last night while it went off ok, it wasn't with out its issues, so I wanted to get her something special."
"So you're getting lane a guitar?"
Dave grins, "No, come here I've been looking at this for weeks."
Dave points to a small wooden guitar in the corner of the store.
"Uh huh and it's a bit on the small side."
"It's for the baby, well when he's like 3, it's kind of like a promise thatour child will learn an instrument."
"Nice." Jess replies, patting Dave on the back.
"Ow watch it."
"Pulled something?"
"I wish, last night when we told Mrs. Kim, she had like death grip on me, I have a huge bruise on my ack."
Jess laughs, "Look at it this way you made it out alive."
"Not before she guilted Lane into going on a high fiber diet, and reminding me through bible scripture that men who leave their families, burn in hell forever."
"Man am I glad I have Lorelai for a mother in law, the only thing you have to worry about with her is if Rory ever mentions anything stupid that I've done, she'll bring it up every 5 minutes.and she doesn't forget, I still here comments about breaking my ankle tripping over that kid's jump rope."
Dave laugh, "That was kind of amusing, dude."
"Shut up." Jess glares at his friend.
"Here. Take this." Dave says handing Jess the guitar. "So, what do you think the girls are talking about right now?"
"Correction, the girls and their honorary member."
"Oh right, hey you did tell him he could come hang out with us right?" Dave asks, placing the guitar on the counter.
"I told Rory to tell him, but I don't really think he likes us too much..I think we're a little too macho for him. "
"That will be $185.35" The cashier says.
"Whatever." Dave says handing the cashier his money.
"But I'm pretty sure they're swapping horror stories, and talking about us."
"Yeah, um so how are you doing man?"
Jess scoffs "Excuse me?"
"Well I mean if they're talking about it, why can't we?" Dave asks honestly. "I mean things are changing, it involves us, and we're going through the same stuff so why shouldn't we talk about it, release some of the pent up stress."
"You're like a women, Dave, you know that?"
"Fine forget it, I just thought we'd be adults about this."
Jess sighs, "If we're walking down the street, and somebody goes to pass by us, I walk in front of Rory, without thinking about it."
"Really?"
"I have no idea what the deal is, I don't know if it's ok for somebody to like hit her in the arm when they go by or whatever, so I just automatically go into shielding mode."
Dave smiles, "Lane yelled at me yesterday because I told her don't worry about the laundry just go lay on the couch, she says all I've been doing is banishing her to the couch.but I can't help it it's just a reflex, I just want to do everything so she doesn't have to."
"You have issues."
"I know I don't mean to do everything, I just I don't know the rules."
"Seriously, somebody should tell men these things." Jess says, holding the door open.
"I know." Dave replies. "Hey want to grab something to eat?"
"Yeah, something greasy....with cheese."
"Burgers it is." Dave replies, turning left.
*The two men walk in silence for the next few minutes.
Jess clears his throat, "Rory's starting to show."
Dave looks over at him, "Yeah?"
"I noticed it last night, she was wearing one of my old Metallica shirts and she laid down on her back, and there it was."
"Wow."
"It was really weird, I was shocked even, I know that sounds stupid but I just couldn't believe it was Rory there next to me."
Dave watches Jess seriously, "Brings it into perspective huh?"
"It's just like I guess I've been so cool about everything because off hand there's nothing different. I mean it's just like me and Rory have been talking about oh well this is what we're going to do when we have kids, and then last night it was just there, I couldn't deny it anymore, it just hit me, this is happening and in less than 7 months, that's nothing."
"I tell you this is a stressful business, and I don't want to say anything to Lane because.."
"You're afraid she'll go off on you."
"Exactly."
"You know maybe, this wasn't such a bad idea, I kind of feel better."
"Me too." Dave says warily, "Maybe we could do this on a semi-regular basis.would that be weird?"
"Probably, but if we were say going out for a beer and you happened to bring something up, I guess it would be rude not to discuss it."
"And Lane and Rory go for coffee at least once a week, so we could go have a drink while they have coffee or on a Friday night."
"Right."
"So it's settled then."
"Let's just not mention it too much."
"Deal." Dave says as they approach Burger King.
*7pm: Rory and Jess are curled up in bed.
"So did you and Dave have fun today?" Rory asks.
Jess shrugs, "I guess, we really didn't do anything, got lunch watched some tv. How about you?"
"I had a great time, I'm so glad I'm not going through this by myself-"
"Um Ror, what about me."
"You know what I mean Jess, it's just so good to know there's somebody going through the same thing."
Jess tucks his arms behind his head, "I know."
"And it was so good to see James again, I feel like he hasn't been around lately, I hope Meredith hurries up and seats a date.
"Yeah.."
"And I uh, bought something today?"
"Oh yeah?"
"It's just a little something and you're probably going to think it's really stupid, but we were going past that vintage t-shirt place and I couldn't help myself." Rory grins, opening the draw to the night table. "Here." She says handing Jess a small black bag.
Jess pulls out its context without looking in the bag, "Wow."
"What do you think?"
"What is it?"
"Turn it over."
"The Ramones?"
"It's a onesie."
"A whatty?"
"It's a shirt that buttons at the bottom..for the baby."
"So our kids going to be running around in an old Ramones shirt?"
"Well if you prefer clowns, I can return it."
Jess cringes, "No clowns."
"I'm glad we agree."
Jess smirks, "Yeah."
"See our baby's going be cool, no stupid doe-eyed rabbits and ducks."
Jess smiles brightly at Rory as he places the shirt back into the bag and places it on the nightstand.
"so.." Rory grins.
Jess stares at Rory.
"What?" She asks with a smile.
"Nothing." Jess says hoarsely.
"You're looking at me funny again."
"Sorry." He mumbles. "But I promised."
"Promised what?"
"I promised you I wouldn't be all sentimental, and creep you out." Jess replies matter-of factly.
"You know I was kidding."
"Yeah but-" Rory cuts Jess off with a kiss.
"Tell me." She replies, pull back to look at him.
"You're beautiful."
"Stop it. Tell me what you were going to say."
"That's what I was going to say." Jess replies sweetly.
Rory turns her sideways, "I love you."
"Love you too." Jess replies, wrapping his arms around Rory.
"As much fun as I had today...I couldn't wait to come home to you." Rory whispers.
"Really? I couldn't stop thinking about you all day."
Rory grins, "That's what I like to hear."
"I'm serious."
"I know."
Jess smiles contently as Rory runs a hand through his hair.
Jess pulls her closer to him, resting his hands against her back.
Rory moans contently, "this was a good idea, we should stay in every night."
"I told you so." Jess replies absentmindedly, his eyes fixated on Rory's stomach.
Rory follows his gaze, "What?"
"Shh." Jess says quietly, forbidding Rory from moving.
"Jess-"
"Look." Jess says huskily. "You're here.." Jess says his hand grazing Rory's shoulder, and you stomach is here." Jess continues, as his hand moves down Rory's front.
Rory makes a small noise, "You just noticed this?"
Jess shakes his head, causing his hair to fall into his face, "Last night when you got into bed."
Rory grimaces, "It's starting."
" I like it." Jess says biting his bottom lip.
"You do?"
Jess nods, with out breaking eye contact, "It makes it seem real."
Rory beams at Jess.
"I was thinking about it all day, and when I got home I sat down and wrote 3 full pages."
"You did?"
"I was inspired."
Rory places her hands on her stomach, "So this is ok? You're not grossed out?"
Jess says nothing, he takes Rory's hands and places them at her side with one hand, and pulls up her shirt with the other, leaning in he kisses her abdomen softly.
Rory sniffles over come with emotion.
Jess sit up leaning on his arm for support, "I'm so lucky."
"You're going to make me cry, and then I won't stop." Rory replies, pretending to be annoyed.
"Listen. I'm going to be home starting in two weeks, and I'll be here for everything, that's lucky, I think."
"Yeah."
"I feel like I'm the star of a WE channel movie, every time I leave the house, I want to be back here right away to be with you."
Rory's eyes twinkle at Jess, "You're just being protective."
Jess sighs, resting his head on her shoulder, "I'm being insane, you're going to get sick of me soon."
Rory takes Jess' head in her hands, forcing him to look at her. With a grin she says, "Sick of you? Never."
"You humor me." Jess replies, stretching his arms out.
"You know, my dad was right?"
"Yeah?"
"There's nobody better for me."
Jess shakes his head, "I don't know about that."
Rory looks at him sternly, "I do. I chose you."
"Again, I say I'm lucky." Jess replies with a cough.
"No, I'm the lucky one...I couldn't do this with anybody else."
Jess scoffs.
"Jess I'm serious. You don't realize.you're the only guy I've ever let see me really cry, I've acted stupid in front of you, picked fits with you, screamed my head off at you for no reason, you've seen me at my worst."
"And your best." Jess cuts in, tracing Rory's jaw with his fingertips.
Rory rolls her eyes, "You're the only one that I've let see every side of me, you're the only one I've ever felt comfortable with."
"Ror." Jess says thickly, "You're you know it's the same for me."
Rory simply smiles back at jess. "My point is I couldn't do this with anybody else, I wouldn't want to."
Jess kisses Rory on the head, "That means a lot to me."
Rory watches Jess warily, "Jess I'm scared."
Jess laughs, "I know."
Rory shakes her head, "no really, I'm terrified, actually."
Jess sighs, "We've been through this, You're going to be a great mom, and I'm going to do the best I can."
"It's not just that I'm scared of actually going into labor, I'm scared of the pain, what if I can't handle it?"
Jess squeezes her hand, "You can handle it, you're the strongest person I know."
"A-and what about after, what if things aren't the same between us?"
"Ror, things are going to change, they'll change for the better."
"So many couples separate and divorce because it's not the same, what if we- "
Jess put his hand to Rory's mouth, "Don't even say it, it won't happen, I refuse to walk away from you ever, I can't be with out you again."
"But.."
"And if we are ever having trouble that's what Luke and Lorelai are for, they'll take the kid for a weekend and we'll work it out."
Rory lies back, resting her head against Jess' chest.
Jess wraps his arms around her, "It's going to be fine, everything will work out."
"I'm still scared." Rory says quietly.
"I know, and that's ok."
"Jess."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Being you."
"Shh. Lets stop talking about this." Jess says softly. "You want to go to sleep?"
"Jess." Rory says oddly.
"What?"
"It's 8 o'clock."
"Oh..so uh, what do you want to do then?"
"Let's just lay here."
"Do you want me to put a movie in?"
Rory shakes her head, "No. Here."Rory reaches up and guides Jess' hands towards her stomach.
Jess makes a small nose.
"Let's just stay like this...the three of us."
"That's scary to hear." Jess replies.
"No, it's comfortable, you better get used to it."
Jess taps Rory's stomach, "Ok..I think I can do that."
"Mmm. Good." Rory replies closing her eyes.
Jess sighs contently, as he turns of the light and settles in, Rory's heart beating calmly against him.
*And this is how the Mariano's spent their in. And it was the best night either one had had in a long time.
A/N Lame end I know, but I figure this stuff makes people sentimental and I've never really experimented with it in my writing so I'm trying. Feedbacks appreciated. Until next time (