Life and Times of a Socialite

Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls. It belongs to WB/CW and Amy Sherman Palladino.

Chapter 4: The Prodigal Son Returns

Rory opened her eyes and peered at the lifeless body lying next to her and smiled. Logan looked so cute when he was sleeping not that he didn't look cute when he was awake; it was just that he looked so angelic and peaceful when he was dead to the world.

She quietly got out of bed and tip toed to the bathroom as not wake him. As she was brushing her teeth she thought about the anniversary party that she would have to attend very soon. She didn't want to think about running into Jess because that thought just depressed her. But she figured she still had quite some time before she would have to think about their inevitable reunion.

She wasn't looking forward to the celebration at all but the look on Luke's face when she said she would go was priceless. He seemed genuinely touched when she said she was going because Liz is his sister and she wanted to make him happy.

Rory was still thinking about Luke's reaction when she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist and she realized that Logan had woken up. She loved her mornings with him it actually felt like they were living together; she secretly fantasized that one day she and Logan would wake up every morning in their own house with maybe a couple kids running underfoot. She actually thought about marriage with Logan and what it would be like.

He started kissing her neck and she forgot about what she was thinking. He was so adorable with his haphazard hair and his bedroom eyes. She turned and looked straight into his eyes and he bent down and kissed her softly, it was a feather-like touch.

He turned her around and started leading her back to her bedroom. "Logan, honey I really have to go finish some work before I have to go to Stars Hollow to meet with Lane."

"You can do your work later and I know you have to meet Lane; don't worry you won't be late for your little girl talk," with that Logan pulled her into the bedroom and shut the door quietly behind them.

-GG- -

As Rory and Logan were enjoying their early morning jaunt, in Stars Hollow a car drove around the Town Square and circled back to park in front of Luke's Diner. The occupant of the car stayed within the vehicle for a few minutes and then cautiously opened the car door and proceeded to walk up to the entrance of the diner.

Luke was in the lull before his usual morning customers showed up and was trying to fix a toaster that had broken down the other day when he heard the bell ring above the diner door informing him of the entrance of a customer. He didn't look up knowing it was Kirk who always ended up being his first customer of the day. Instead he said, "Hang on Kirk I'll be with you in a sec."

"Now is that any way to greet your only nephew Uncle Luke?"

Luke's head whipped up and he looked at a more mature looking Jess Mariano. 'Well, well, well the Prodigal son returns,' he thought to himself. "Jess, hey…your mother told me you wouldn't be coming in until the day before her anniversary shindig," replied Luke.

"It's nice to see you too Luke. Yes I'm fine. I got here early because I got tired of the Peace Corps and I wanted to come back home," said Jess.

Luke went around the counter and embraced his nephew whom he hadn't seen in a year. "It's good to see you Jess."

"You're looking good Luke. So mom tells me your dating Lorelai; well it's about time man it's about time," joked Jess.

"Yeah Lore and I have been seeing each other for a while now and your mother and her hang out some times. In fact Lorelai is the one who's hosting this shindig at her Dragonfly Inn. You will love the Inn it's a great place," babbled Luke. "So where will you be staying now that you're here so early?"

"Well I thought I could stay with mom and T.J.; she mentioned that she wanted some work done on the house so I can do that while I stay there."

"That sounds like a great idea I've been helping T.J. with that, it would be nice to have someone around who actually knows how to fix things instead of being the cheerleader," joked Luke.

"Yeah I'm sure that would be nice."

"So Jess how was the Peace Corps did you like it? Was it interesting? Did you get any American newspapers by any chance?" asked Luke.

"The Peace Corps was an interesting experience but I think it's time to move on. I didn't get any American newspapers actually the place I stayed in was rather remote. Why do you ask?" replied Jess.

"Oh no reason, I just wanted to know if you were informed of any of the goings-on that happened in the states."

"No we were pretty isolated when it came to the media or press of any kind. It was actually an eye-opening experience that I will never forget, but I just felt it was my time to come home."

Luke looked at Jess closely to see if he was actually telling him the truth and he realized that he was. It was going to come as a shock to Jess just how much things had changed in the year he had been away.

Luke knew that it wasn't his place to tell Jess the news about Rory and how she had changed from the innocent, sheltered, naïve girl into an intelligent, cool, beautiful young woman. It seemed that Jess showing up so was a sign of some kind. Luke knew from the way Jess was acting that he thought that everything would be as he had left it a year ago.

The opening of the door and Lorelai walking in with her head in her purse interrupted them. It seemed that she was trying to get something out of said purse, but it refused to come out. "Hey Luke can you get me some coffee. I also want to tell you ahead of time that I'm going to use my cell phone to call Rory, so don't be mad," joked Lorelai.

She was still looking in her purse and hadn't noticed Jess standing beside Luke who hadn't moved from his previous spot.

"Aha, I found you cell phone dude you can't hide from me…Oh…umm…Jess…hi…didn't see you there," replied Lorelai.

"Yeah I figured you didn't, what with you looking in your purse and all. It's nice to see you Lorelai," said Jess in a serious tone.

"Yes, nice to see you as well. So, why are you…" Lorelai didn't get to finish her sentence since her cell started ringing at that exact moment.

Luke looked at her and pointed to the 'No cell phone' sign and pointed to the door, Lorelai took her cue and left them in the diner alone.

"Luke I'm going to go drop my stuff off at mom's and hang out with her and T.J. for a while; then I'll come down here and help you out with the diner if you want."

"Yeah sure that will be great you can cover for Lane when she takes her break at noon. Is that all right with you?"

"Lane works here?" at Luke's nod Jess proceeded to say, "Yeah sure I can do that. Things sure have changed around here if Lane is actually working. Bye Luke," said Jess and left the diner.

He had no idea as to how things had changed since the last time he had stepped foot in Stars Hollow.

Lorelai who had finished with her cell phone conversation re-entered the diner and looked at Luke who was pouring her a cup of coffee. "Well, this is going to be interesting now isn't it?"

"Lore, I had no idea he was going to show up here so early. He just told me that it was time for him to leave the Peace Corps and that he wanted to come back home."

"Luke does he know about all the changes that have taken place since he was last here?"

"No he's got no clue. Apparently the place he stayed in was located in a remote area where there were no newspapers and such. I didn't think it was my place to tell him, if anyone is going to tell him it has to be Rory," replied a frustrated Luke.

"Yeah I agree with that but you know that Rory doesn't want to deal with Jess since she's so happy with Logan," Lorelai said sarcastically.

"I figured as much," Luke said not catching the sarcasm. "So how are the party preparations coming along? Is Liz giving you a hard time?"

"Oh no, Liz is great. She so easy to work with, she should give my mother lessons on how to treat hired help," joked Lorelai.

The bell on the diner door rang while Luke was laughing at Lorelai's comment. He went to take the new customer's breakfast order and left Lorelai to fend for herself. Luke knew very well that Jess would attempt to get back together with Rory; her having a boyfriend would not deter him.

But this time Luke didn't know if he could pull it off because Rory and Logan were a very powerful couple with very powerful families who were looking forward to the day they would announce their engagement.

Jess wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of the life Rory was now leading, but Luke knew that Jess would try his hardest to get back into her life. He just didn't know if Jess could handle the pressure. Well as Lorelai said it sure was going to be interesting.

Revised: June 9, 2009