-Ivy
Disclaimer: No, sadly enough, I cannot take any credit for the creation of Gilmore Girls. I own nothing. Everything belongs to Amy Sherman-Palladino and the WB.
Distribution: If you really want to use it that badly, just ask. Thanks!!!
As always, if you like it, review please. If you don't like it or think it needs work, tell me! I appreciate it!
Love always,
Ivy
Prologue: TimeJess Mariano looked around, taking in all the sights from the gazebo in which he stood. He was currently attending Rory Gilmore's high school graduation party, which was being held in the middle of the Stars Hollow and seemed to be the current residence of ALL Stars Hollow citizens. Looking around, he couldn't help but smile when he caught sight of Lorelai and Rory leading a conga line through the town square. 'Rory…' he sighed to himself. She was…perfect. Rory had graduated from Chilton as co-valedictorian, sharing the title with Paris, and was headed off to Harvard in the fall, just as she had always dreamed. And…she was his. All he had waited for through the years seemed to finally be coming together. Yes. Everything was as it should be… Except…except for one thing.
Jess glanced down at the shimmering diamond ring he held in his fingers. It was elegant and classy, yet simple and tasteful – just like Rory. Today…today he was going to do it. Today he was finally going to ask her to be his forever, to marry him. He knew they were young, but he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He chuckled to himself; if only Taylor knew what he was thinking right now. The town hoodlum marrying the town's little princess; what a radical thought. But yet…so close to coming true. Jess had already spoken to Lorelai, convincing her that Rory could still go to Harvard, and that no actual plans had to be made until college was over. Surprisingly enough, Lorelai had consented, knowing that Jess made her daughter truly happy; as long as he never interfered with Rory's dreams. In reality, Jess could've cared less if was five months or if it was five years until he and Rory actually tied the knot; but he wanted…no he needed that promise that someday…someday they would be together…perfectly.
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*2 hours later*
Rory Gilmore looked around at the remains of the party, smiling as she said her 'goodbyes' and 'thank-you's' to the last of her guests who were just starting their journeys towards their respective homes. Journeys. In some ways, that's just what Rory had begun…her journey – through life.
All of a sudden Rory felt a tap on her shoulder, and, gasping, whirled around, only to reveal a smirking Tristan, who strangely enough had become one of her best friends after his return from military school at the beginning of their senior year.
"Dreaming about me again, Mary?"
"Maybe in YOUR dreams, DuGrey."
Tristan placed a hand over his heart in mock distress, "Oh, you wound me, Mary."
After regaining his composure he continued, "Anyways, Ror, I just came over here to tell you that I gotta split; although you know how much I'd love to do another rendition of karaoke "Livin' La Vida Loca" with you."
Rory smiled. "You sure that you don't want to stick around for Gilmore movie night, Tris? There may be some Donna Reed mocking in store."
"Sorry, Ror." Tris bent over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Plus, it looks like you have one last guest over there who appears to need some of your lovin'."
Rory turned to see who Tristan was looking at, to find Jess sitting in the gazebo, reading. She smiled at the sight, and then turned back to Tristan, giving him a hug. "Thanks, Tris. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Anytime. Bye, Mary." With that, Tristan gave her one last look that anybody besides Rory could have deciphered as one of blatant love and infatuation, and walked to his car, driving off into the night.
After watching Tristan leave, Rory turned and walked over to the gazebo, quietly taking a place next to Jess on the bench. For a while, the two sat in comfortable silence, merely taking in each other's presence. After a few minutes, Jess turned to her, holding out his hand, "Wanna go for a walk?"
"Sure." Rory replied, taking the hand of the man she loved.
Hand-in-hand, Jess and Rory silently walked through the streets of Stars Hollow, one contemplating the journey ahead, and the other thinking about how lucky they really were to be able to take part in that moment. Soon, they found that their feet had led them to the bridge, which over the months had become designated as 'their' spot. Here was where they had shared so many moments, both significant and insignificant. Here was where they had shared moments like the present, where they were just happy to be together, carefree about the future. Here…here was where Jess hoped that they would be promised to each other for a lifetime…
Rory sat down, motioning for Jess to join her. When he did, she wrapped his arms around her and leaned back against his chest, inhaling the scent that was purely…Jess.
Jess, gazed down at the beauty leaning against him, wondering exactly how he came to be so lucky. 'Now's the time, Mariano.' he thought.
"Hey, Ror?" Jess whispered into the ear of the girl nestled beside him.
Rory turned to face him, keeping his arms around her, "Yeah, Jess."
"Do you love me?" Jess whispered huskily.
Rory nodded, confused by his actions.
"Then will you listen to something I have to ask you?"
"Of course, Jess. Anything." She replied, slightly worried.
'Okay, here goes' Jess thought to himself, then began…
"Ror, you know I love you…You're the only one in this whole crazy town that actually understands what I have to say. Hell," he laughed, "you're one of the only people in this town that actually bothers to LISTEN in the first place. You know me for all that I am, you know my faults and difficulties, and yet for some unknown reason, you still love me. Of course," he paused, "maybe it's a bribe, considering I HAVE seen you in the morning before you have had any coffee, and it's not always pretty…"
Rory laughed, nudging him with her elbow, but still allowed him to continue. She wanted to see where he was going with this…
"But you know, I think your quirky habits have just made me fall more in love with you…" he rose, holding out his hand to help her up. Then to Rory's surprise, he bent down on one knee, and pulled out the ring he had spent hours agonizing over in the jewelry store.
"So for all of this, I am asking you – Lorelai Leigh Gilmore – if you will marry me…"
Rory stood, shocked. Inside, she was torn. 'You're only 18!' her mind cried, but then her heart would instantly counter-attack, 'Yes, but she loves him!!!' But after just one look into Jess's eyes, she knew her answer.
"Jess…" she breathed, and then tearfully managed to choke out "Yes…I will marry you…" before placing her arms around him.
Jess rose and enveloped her in his arms, happier than he ever had been, and happier than he ever would be again…
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'If only'… is a thought that often runs through people's minds. If only I'd worn the black dress, instead of the white; then this wine stain wouldn't have shown… If only I'd taken that road instead of this one…If only I had waited… But for this couple, the phrase that comes to mind is…If only time could've stopped at that instant, forever suspending the joyful moment of those two young lovers. But as we all know, time and nature stops for nobody. So time went by, bringing with it new obstacles on every horizon…