Author's Note: Hey! Here's another chapter. I've had most of it written since the last update but I wasn't home to type it, sorry for the wait! I'll get working on the next chapter and have it up ASAP! Flashbacks are in Italic. And I'm strolling away from the chapter titles ending with the story title.
Disclaimer: No matter how many times I wish upon a star, throw a penny in a toilet, or blow out birthday cake candles, Gilmore Girls wont be mine.
Enough
Chapter Three: A Kiss
Sun rose that next day and the weather reflected the moods of Stars Hollow. Miss Patty could be seen outside her Dance Studio, wiping her eyes in the light drizzle that fell. Fog encased the town at five thirty and not a soul that knew the Gilmore's could sleep. Babbette and Morey sat on their front lawn, holding one another. Kirk sat in the bakery, in a sort of daze. Jackson stood outside, waiting for his wife so he could drive them to the hospital to see Lorelai.
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Footsteps echoed down the hallway, a pair of them. Sookie and Jackson. They reached the desk and Jackson went to speak the name when he spotted them. Luke and Jess. The older one staring out the window and the younger one asleep on a chair.
Hearing the noise, Luke turned around and found himself strangled by one of Sookie's hugs. He patted her head awkwardly as she pulled away, noticing his sadness.
"What can we do?"
Her voice was a whisper, tears clouding her eyes.
"Uh… someone should call her parents. I need to go back and check on the diner, so we can try to get Rory to come back with me for a while. Jess can stay here in case of… in case something happens." Everyone nodded, sadness creeping over him or her once again.
Sookie went to get Rory, stepping into the room, she choked on a sob. Her pale face, the tubes and monitors, the wires connecting her to things, the hideous hospital gown, it was all too much. Then, she saw Rory. Curled up at her mother's side fast asleep. Hand in hand. Walking over slowly, she gently shook her awake, against her better judgement.
Rory jumped and looked around. First her gaze on her mother then to Sookie. Suddenly, Sookie, one of which she returned gratefully, encased her in a hug.
The plan was explained and with a lot of arguing she agreed to go home and take a shower, gather some things for Lorelai and the like. She followed Sookie out of the doorway after making sure she gave her mother a light kiss on the cheek.
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She saw him first, sleeping on two chairs pushed together as a bed. He looked peaceful, at ease. Walking over, she took her coat off and laid it gently on top of him. Placing a gentle kiss on his cheek she walked over to where Luke and Sookie stood, endearing their questioning gazes.
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Silence filled the jeep for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. Not bothering to turn the radio on, Rory stared out the window taking in the beautiful fall foliage.
She had given Sookie her grandparents phone number and address just in cast. She was grateful that she didn't have to call them. Part of her didn't think shed be able to say it out loud. Her mother, the crazy, wacky, loved citizen of Stars Hollow, in a coma.
As they came nearer to the town, Luke started taking back roads. It was quicker and eliminated the need to drive through the Main Street and town square. The only disadvantage was, they had to pass the Stars Hollow High Gym.
Luke watched as Lorelai approached him, shoe in hand. He held back a laugh as he saw her, wondering what the whole carrying a shoe thing was.
"Hey, my shoe broke."
So, that was it? He thought as he looked at her. "What?"
"I need you to fix it."
"Do I look like a cobbler to you?"
"If I say yes, will you fix my shoe?"
"Let me see it." He agreed reluctantly, or that was his act. A part of him loved when Lorelai asked for his help. It proved he had a special place in her life, maybe even her heart.
"I only have ten minutes – please." She pouted and he met her eyes, and couldn't resist. It was strange how she had that effect on him, she always did.
"I think I have some glue back at the diner."
"Glue, yes – we love glue!" He tried not to laugh, as he looked at her and shook his head.
"I wouldn't say that too loudly if I were you."
"Thank you."
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"So, how's that situation going?" He had returned with her shoe, and some glue.
"Oh, it'll be okay."
"Good. Uh, listen, uh, I didn't really mean all that stuff I said earlier." It was awkward for him, to be talking to her about this stuff, when he thought about it with her, or at least used to.
"What stuff?" He couldn't believe she could forget, but then that was Lorelai.
"Uh, the kid stuff, you know." Even more awkwardness.
"Oh, it's no big deal."
"Yeah, I know, I just. . .I'm not really as anti-kid as I might have come off."
"'Drop another sucker in…'"
"Okay, yes. I don't always have the patience for 'em. They tend to be a little squishy, and that freaks me out a little."
"You don't have to want kids, Luke. Or like kids. It's not for everybody." He voice was soft, kind and to him, it was like she meant every word, and maybe she did.
"I know, but…although I'm quite happy going an entire day without having to deal with somebody else's bodily functions, if I ever happen to meet the right person . . .well, it would be a discussion."
"A discussion." She confirmed his answer, nodding her head.
"Yes. Probably a short discussion, but still. Here, hold this." He gave her the shoe, showing her how to hold it. "So what about you – you ever think about having another kid?"
"Oh, I don't know how much fun it would be without biology finals and headgear . . . but sure, if I ever happen to meet the right person, another kid might be nice." Their gaze met and each one held it. A sort of understanding passed through, although it went unnoticed between the two of them.
"Your shoe'll be ready in a minute."
"Thank you."
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The house was dark, as if mocking the most recent events. She entered slowly after promising Luke shed meet him out front in two hours time. She glanced around and fought back tears. She passed through the kitchen and into her room, closing the door behind her.
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Pain seared down his arm, causing him to jump u[. Jess took in his surroundings, and remembered. With a glance he saw Sookie at the desk on her cell phone and the clock. Six thirty. He has slept through the night. The jacket fell to the floor as he went to get up. At once, her recognized it. It was hers. A symbol that she had been there, she had acknowledged his presence.
He recognized the two older people walking in. Their pictures were scattered through the Gilmore house. Emily and Richard Gilmore. By this time, Sookie had disappeared and the elder Gilmore woman was yelling at one of the nurses.
"Excuse me? Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore?"
He spoke it softly, taking pity on the nurses. As he spoke it the nurse took the second to slip away to a patients room.
Their gazed jumped to him in a heartbeat. He gulped, looking at them closely. The, realized he'd have to continue.
"I'm… uh, Jess. Jess Mariano. Rory's…" he paused, considering it. What was he to Rory? Her friend? Boyfriend? "…Boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?"
"What happened to that last boyfriend of hers, Bean… was it?" Richard spoke after Emily, him thoughtfully, her in shock.
"Ah, yes. Bean… well, lets just say he is history. I'll let her explain." He tried to smirk and managed half a one. The Gilmore's nodded, then looked uncomfortable.
"Um… Lorelai?" it was Richard again, in a whisper.
"Right…" and he lead them to her.
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Fog surrounded her as she stepped out of the shower. Reaching for a towel, she heard a knock at the front door. Panicked slightly, she hurriedly wrapped the towel around her wet body and walked quickly to her room. The door creaked open and closed again. Rory sighed in relief when she heard her own name being called.
"Lane?" she asked, emerging from her room, still in her towel, then they hugged.
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Nine thirty blinked on the clock in front of him. Suddenly, he felt another presence. He turned from where he sat in the corner of the hospital room.
She leaned up against the wall, looking from him to her mother. She wore a thin gray hoodie and jeans, her damp hair pulled into a loose ponytail.
There was an empty chair next to him, so Rory walked over and sat next to him.
"Sookie made your grandparents get something to eat…"
She nodded and looked up at him. Taking in the brown-ness of his eyes as he did the same with her blue ones. Slowly, they leaned towards each other, her eyes fluttering closed. And they kissed a slow, soft, gentle kiss. A first kiss as a couple.
TBC.