Usual Disclaimers Apply

Chapter 6: The New Arrival

Jerking awake, I realize that we have been sitting together for the better part of an hour. I look down and notice that Rory is sleeping, her face still stained by the remnants of her tears.

As I gaze upon her face, unwillingly I become aware of a jealous feeling creeping into my gut. Married? Well, I guess I shouldn't have assumed otherwise. I mean, I couldn't be the only guy in the world to appreciate her beauty, both inside and out.

I tear my eyes away from her face and check out her ring finger. Lo and behold, there is a simple wedding band adorning the finger. My mind fills with imaginings of Rory on her wedding day. I see a radiant Rory, much like on any other day, but positively glowing with pleasure and love. Surrounded by friends as she joins in holy matrimony with...

I shake my head to bring myself back to reality. I sigh. Thinking these thoughts won't help me get anywhere. They just make me depressed; make me long for the guy I used to be, the one who didn't let anything get to him, the one who was self-sufficient and didn't need anyone.

But I haven't been that guy in a long time. Not since Rory.

With that thought, I pull myself off the ground, not so gracefully pulling Rory into my arms as I go. I grunt under her weight, thinking that if I can't carry Rory I must really be out of shape.

Quietly I make my way back to Luke's.

I wake up, and for a moment, I can't figure out where I am. Then it hits me. This is Luke's. I feel a wave of loneliness hit me. I long to call the loneliness homesickness, but I can't. Ever since I came back to Stars Hollow, I've known that this is where I belong. The people here are what is left of my family, and I need them. They have become my only connection to my beloved mother. I can't risk losing that connection, so I have to move back here.

The decision made, I get out of bed. I make my way over to the phone and dial a now familiar number.

"Carrie? It's Rory." I pause, listening to the voice on the other end. "I'm okay." The question on the other end of the line is urgent.

"That's what I'm calling about." I pause, gathering my breath. "I've decided I need to stay down here...somewhat permanently." The voice on the other end escalates and I hold the phone away from my ear.

"No, I'm not drunk!" I say indignantly. "Yes, I've thought about it. I just really need to stay here...there's nothing really tying me down in Minneapolis. I'm sorry. Just, could you get Lyle ready to come? No, I'll come back and get everything. Are you sure? Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. Call me when you have a time."

I make my way down the stairs, tying my robe tightly as I descend. I pour myself a large cup of freshly brewed coffee, and make my way to a stool next to the counter, grabbing the book out of Jess' back pocket as I go, marveling at how some things never change.

He finishes taking Kirk's order and yells it back to Caesar. He turns to rest against the counter, reaching for his book. Startled at realizing it's gone, he looks at me, but I'm already absorbed in the book, oblivious to the surrounding world. With a sigh, he goes upstairs to track down another book. I chuckle to myself.

Using the unsupervised time to my advantage, I quickly grab a napkin and a pen, and jot down a simple note. This makeshift note I stick in the book, set it down on the counter and make my way to the apartment, passing Jess on the stairs.

As I return to the diner, I quickly spot my book lying innocently on the counter. That's just like Rory, I grumble to myself, take the book just long enough to make me go get another one. But, if I'm honest with myself, I love her for it.

I leave the book on the counter for as long as I can, trying not to give her the satisfaction even though I know that she can't see.

An hour later, Rory hasn't come back down and the diner is pretty much deserted – even Kirk has finished his breakfast and left. I'm wiping the counter down, like I've been doing for the past eight years. As I pass by the book, a corner of a napkin peaking out of the middle it catches my eye. I don't use bookmarks, I just dog-ear the pages. Slowly I look around to see if anyone is watching – a remnant of my teenage rebel years – and pick up the book.

I carefully pull out the napkin and, just like I expected, there is a message scribbled in dainty, familiar handwriting. For a moment, I pause. I don't even read the message. That handwriting affects me more deeply that I even want to admit. I used to be intimately accustomed to the handwriting. Seeing it now reminds me of the times during the past eight years that I've felt a sense of hopelessness. At times, I almost gave up hope. I thought I'd never see her again. Never hear her voice. Never see her handwriting. I blink back tears and I am struck by a thought. Who ever would have expected Jess Mariano to be brought almost to tears by handwriting?!

The thought makes me chuckle and breaks me out of my reverie. Suddenly, the writing comes into focus and the words finally penetrate my brain.

We need to talk. Meet me at the bridge.

Love,

Rory

Immediately, I know what we need to talk about. Her husband. In fact, knowing the subject of our conversation, the fact that she signed the note, 'Love, Rory' becomes kind of ironic, but I take it as a good omen.

I look at the clock. Damn. Luke won't be back from Lorelai's grave for a half and hour, and I certainly can't leave the diner unattended. I guess Rory will just have to wait.

With I sigh, I retrieve my laptop from the apartment and set myself as best I can to writing my novel.

Footsteps approach. Startled, I look up from my sketchpad.

"Jess, you scared me."

"Sorry." He pauses awkwardly, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. "So, you draw?"

"Yeah." I hadn't thought it would be this awkward. "I started about three years ago. It helps me relax."

He sits down on the edge of the bridge, and looks over my shoulder at what I've drawn. "You're pretty good."

"Thanks." I take a deep breath waiting for the questions. They don't come. Fine, he's gonna make me say it? "Ask your questions. You must have some. I know you heard me yesterday."

"Your marriage is falling apart?" His voice cracks on the word marriage.

"That's what I said. But it's not what you think. It's not what it sounds like." I shake my head at my poor choice of words both yesterday and right now.

"How is it?" Jess asks.

"Just like I couldn't acknowledge Mom's death, I'm not doing very well at acknowledging this. My husband died three weeks ago."

"What?" I can tell by the shock in his voice that whatever Jess was expecting, it wasn't this. I can't blame him. From my words, one would assume the my husband is still alive.

"I'm having a hard time accepting that I'm a widow. It's not like I didn't see it coming, what with Russ being in the coma...but I just didn't prepare myself for this."

I can tell Jess is floundering. "How about I start from the beginning?" I ask kindly, sniffing back tears.

"Please do."

"I married Russell O'Donnell six years ago. Almost a year ago, he was in a car accident and fell into a coma. We did all we could to help him. Finally, his parents and I agreed to take him off life-support. We were all by his side when he died." Surprisingly I managed to get up until the last sentence before I broke down.

"I'm so, so sorry, Ror." Jess pulls me into his arms, gently kissing my forehead. His kiss is so tender, so brotherly that, if I didn't know better, I'd think he didn't have feelings for me beyond a best friend. But I know better. I know it's hurting him to hear this. But now that I've started I can't stop.

My heart is breaking for her right now. She's endured so much and she's still sitting here in my arms. As much as I want to know the rest of the story, for I can tell there's more, I can tell how much this is hurting her.

"Shh, Ror. We'll talk more tomorrow." The way she looks up at me with such admiration and hope is almost more than I can bear. I help her to her feet and we walk in silent contemplation back to the diner.

I wake up the next morning full of excitement. Carrie's coming today. She talked to me last night and we both decided that it would be best for Lyle to come down now and worry about packing all my stuff later.

I walk down into the diner to find Luke making some scrambled eggs. I take one look at him and see how much stress my being here has put on him. I think he has taken it upon himself to make sure no one finds out I'm here, or more likely, keeping them from bothering me. Knowing the people of Stars Hollow as I do, that must be a Herculean task.

I pad my way over to him, and wrap my arms around his neck. He jumps, slightly startled but hugs me back as he realizes who I am.

"I'm sorry Luke."

"For what?" He seems genuinely confused, and I love him that much more for it.

"For being such a burden."

He quickly begins to protest, but I shush him.

"I'm ready to see them now." He sighs, resigned to the fact that I know what he's been doing all along.

"Are you sure, honey?"

"Yeah. Gotta face them some time, ya know?" I plaster a smile on my face.

I watch her as she interacts with the citizens of her town. She seems almost comfortable. Almost. But I keep catching her glancing up at the clock as if she's expecting something.

Suddenly the bus from Hartford pulls up outside of the diner. Not many people use the bus anymore, so it surprises me when a young woman and a little boy who I've never seen before disembark. It surprises me even more when Rory immediately abandons Sookie to run out of the door and straight towards the two strangers.

The young boy flings himself into Rory's arms. She picks him up, reaches for his bag but is waved off by the young woman. She smiles happily and gestures for the woman to follow her.

By now, everyone is watching. As she enters the diner, she heads straight for the stairs, catching my and Luke's eyes and nodding upstairs with her head. We follow Rory, and the young, blonde woman, both of us sharing confused glances. We enter the apartment silently.

Before I can even open my mouth, and attempt to formulate a coherent question, Rory says, "Jess, Luke, I'd like you to meet one of my best friends, Carrie Jo Switt. CJ, this is Jess," she gestures at me, "and this is Luke," she adds with a nod at Luke.

She sets the young boy down before continuing. "Guys, I'd like you to meet my son, Lyle Connor Gilmore."

AN: Not much of a surprise, was it? BTW, I just made an executive decision regarding her husband. Tell me what you think. About Jess' novel...I was just giving him something to do other than work in a diner (I just can't see him being stuck there all of his life). Review. Please?