Hey ! I know, I know, I should be ashamed for not updating in such a long time. And no, I don't think I get better with time

Anyway, I hope you appreciate. Comments, good or bad, are always welcomed.

I wanna thank Justyna, Ari, Ash for helping me sort thinhgs out about US School System.

And another very special thank to Lyds who kindly reviewed the chapter, so, thanks Lyds.

I hope I didn't mess anything.

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What Jess told his father seemed effective, because Jimmy Mariano was apparently okay with the perspective of his son getting married. Only Lily's constant babbling prevent the diner from being a total mess. Jess stayed, most of the time, in a thoughtful silence, while dominating the room without even saying a word.

Lily seemed to accept the role of housewife and cook of her 2 men. She was totally devoted to them, doing whatever they asked her. Rory was so lost in her thoughts that she barely noticed that Lily was talking to her.

–"There's a Hayden's store in Boston. I saw their ads in magazines. They have really great stuff. Do you buy clothes there sometimes? "

Rory nodded, but didn't add anything. She hadn't yet found the right occasion to tell Jess her connection to Hayden's. Unfortunately, Lily didn't give her any chance to.

–"Are you family with Hayden's ?
-Yes.
-Close family ?
-Quite close, Said Rory, smirking.
-How close? Insisted Lily.
-My great Grandpa founded the store.
–Wow ! That's great !"

They chatted for a short while about everything and nothing, and then Lilly and Rory headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

–"Dad works night shifts this week. I'll go over a friend's house to study tonight, but I'll be back tomorrow morning for breakfast. Said Lily.
-To study ? Aren't you on vacation?
-I'm in summer-class, so I can start my Degree on December. Two days after my 17th birthday.
-It's pretty young, isn't it?
-Jess was only 18."

Rory wondered how good the rural education system was, if they allowed such young people to have their diplomas.

–"What will you do after you get your degree ?

-I'll probably go to University. I'll specialize in a science, most likely Biology, Lily said, very proud. I got a full scholarschip at Harvard. Jess stayed to make sure I was financially independent. That's great because he got his own Degree during that time. He had to stay to pay mom's hospital bills anyway."

Rory turned to Lily, shocked.

–"Jess got what?
–His Degree. We might not have money, but we have brain in this family."

Rory looked so shocked that Lily paused.

–"You... you don't know anything about Jess, do you?

Only how he kisses and makes love, Rory thought. -Not that much, actually.

-Don't worry. Most people think that Jess is hard to get to know, and you've been together for only like, what, 2 days?"

This seemed so ridiculous that Rory turned away and started to dry the dishes.

–"Rory... There's nothing to be ashamed of. Yeah, you're pregnant, so what? It's no biggie."

Rory dropped the bowl she held, not knowing what to say.

–"It's not a big deal, repeated Lily, picking up the bowl.
–Did Jess tell you I was pregnant, or did you guess?
-He told my dad, and I heard. But I had already guessed.
-Great, muttered Rory.
-Yeah, perfect. Until Jess told my dad you were pregnant, I thought I was the only alive virgin older than 16."

Rory closed her eyes. –"I wonder what else they talked about, she said, sarcastically.

-They didn't talk much. Jess was just trying to explain what kind of girl you are."

Seeing that she wasn't helping Rory that way, Lily tried something else. – "Out of 200 girls in my school, 36 got pregnant. In my case, there's nothing to be worried about. Most guys are afraid to even kiss me.

-How so?

-Because of Jess. Every guy in town knows that Jess is my brother. They also know what he'd do to them if they tried anything. To protect a woman's virtue, Jess is more effective than a chastity belt.

-I wasn't under that impression", said Rory, laughing.

Lily bursted out laughing, and Rory realized she was too, and that she hadn't in a long time.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

When Jimmy left for work and Lily went to her friend's, Jess asked Rory to take a walk with him. Pleased to have another while before being alone with her anxiety, Rory accepted.

–"Lily told me you had a bachelor's degree. Why did you make me believe you were only a steel worker who was leaving for Venezuela?

-Do you think that a diploma makes a steel worker special?"

Rory felt the blame his words held.

–"Did I give you the impression of being snob?

-Are you?

-I … probably.

-I don't think so."

Rory was delighted that he didn't think she was.

–"May I ask you why?

-Because snobbish people don't care to know whether they are snobs or not. But to answer your previous question, I didn't tell you about my diploma because it's worthless if I don't do anything with my profession. For now, all I have is a bunch of ideas that aren't likely to come true".

Rory smiled, pretty sure she could read his mind.

–"I'm sure there's another reason. It was a test, right? You said you only were a steel worker to see if it counted for me, didn't you?

-I guess. Who knows? Maybe I'll always be a steel worker".

They both looked in each others eyes and smirked.

Jess resisted the sudden urge he had to hold her in his arms. She looked beautiful and youthful, she had dreams and had everything she wanted. He was leaving for a country where basic necessities were a luxury. He wanted to take her with him, but he knew very well it made no sense. But Rory was courageous, kind, and pregnant with his child. Their child. Maybe it wasn't that crazy, after all.

-"Rory, most couples spend months trying to get to know each other. We only have a couple of days before the wedding and less than a week before I leave. Don't you think we can make months in weeks?

-I guess we can," she said, surprised by his sudden serious tone.

–"Great. I don't know where to start, though. What do you want to know about me ?

-Okay… do you have a record or any diabetes in your family?

-No, do you?

-No. Your turn now. What do you want to know?

-Only one thing", he said, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Are you even half nice and great that you seem to be ?

-Probably not."

He stood up and smiled, pretty sure she was wrong.

–"Let's walk, before I forget what we're supposed to be doing. But to be completely honest, I do have a record"

She stopped walking and looked at him.

–"I have been arrested twice when I was nineteen.

-What have you done?

-I got in a fight. Before my mother's death, I was sure that if she was in a better hospital, with better doctors, she wouldn't die. My father and I tried our best. When insurance stopped paying, we sold everything we had, but that didn't make her live any longer. My dad tried to forget with alcohol, I was looking for someone to beat up."

He smiled, realizing that he was telling a 18 year old girl things which he never told anyone before. This young girl looked at him with understanding eyes that made her looks much mature than 18.