Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I kind of really wish I did.
Author's Note: There were a couple different directions I could have gone with in this chapter, and I like the one I chose. I hope you like it too. Happy reading!
"Hon?" Rory Gilmore opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She could hear her mother moving about in the kitchen, and the smell of coffee wafted into her bedroom. Rory rolled over, and rubbing her eyes, glanced at her alarm clock. It was late, but not late enough. She glared at her door, and then groaned and sat up. Now was a good a time as any, she mused, and as she shed her pajama bottoms for sweats, she tried her best to tame the mess that had taken over her normally straight brown hair.
"Coming, mom!" She yelled back, checking her appearance in the mirror. She was pale-paler than usual, and she looked disoriented. Her lips were bruised, and there was- oh god, there was a hickey on her neck. She contemplated hiding it, wearing her hair down, a turtleneck maybe? But she dismissed the thoughts as quickly as she'd had them. There was no use hiding anything. Lorelai would know everything by the end of the day anyway. Opening her door she looked upon Lorelai sitting at the table, sipping, from what looked like, two cups of coffee.
"Well if it isn't my beautiful-" She stopped and took a good look at her daughter, squinting her eyes. "Are you Ok, Sweets?" She asked, taking a bigger sip and tilting her head. Rory shrugged her petite shoulders and as sat across from her mother, picked up one of the mugs and took a sip. She looked up quickly and found Lorelai's eyes on her. She could feel tears threatening, but blinked them back.
"Mom, there's something we need to talk about…"
"So you told her." Rory nodded, twisting her rings and keeping her eyes averted. Lorelai had not taken the news well. "Well what did she say?" She looked up at Jess, who had his heart in his eyes, and blinked back tears.
"…nothing. She didn't say a thing." He frowned, and then leaned across the counter to hold her hand. Rory sighed and ran a hand through her still messy up do and . She smiled shyly, and Jess leaned down, just a half inch, and kissed her lips lightly. At that moment, Lorelai entered the diner, and then recoiled at the sight. Rory and Jess sprang apart, and Lorelai swallowed uncomfortably, her hand at her throat.
"So when you said that the two of you were together, you meant," she paused, to swallow, to regain her bearings. "This?" She asked waving her hand at them. Rory colored pink, and swallowed, but nodded. Lorelai nodded, sliding into a chair, worry lines etched into her face. Luke passed with a steaming pot of coffee in his hands, and she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt. "You-you're Ok with this?" She hissed, dragging him down to eye level. Luke looked worse for wear, sleep deprivation shining from his eyes. He frowned.
"Okay? No I'm not Okay with it, Lorelai. You know Rory is like a d-niece to me, and Jess will only hurt her. But honestly? If it comes down to Rory or the streets? I'll pick Rory in a heartbeat." With that, he straightened and turned, pouring coffee for the next nearest customer. Lorelai sighed and pouted, shooting a glance at Rory who sat at the counter looking about as miserable as she felt.
"Rory?" She called, rubbing her temples. "Can you come here for a second?" Rory looked up, hope in her eyes. She squeezed Jess's hand, and let go, walking to Lorelai's table.
"Yeah, mom?" She whispered, biting her lip and coming to a stop in front of Lorelai's table, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"I guess… well, if you like him, there has to be some good to him." She looked down, hiding her grin as Rory squealed excitedly, and threw her arms around her mother's shoulders.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You'll learn to love him as much I do I swear!" She kissed Lorelai's cheek and rushed back to the counter. "She's Ok, with us." She giggled, tipping his face down so she could kiss him. "It'll be Ok." She whispered, and he held his breath, praying that it would be.