Author's Note: Sorry that I waited for the fifth chapter to really start switching between characters, but it just flows better that way. The evolving relationship here is definetly Jess & Rory, but I wanted to incorporate as many characters as possible. Enjoy.

Chapter Five: Wedding Bells Don't Stop The World

His arm was wrapped around her chest, pulling her close to his warm body. She woke up feeling safe in his arms. She should be happy, right? The man she was hopelessly in love with had just agreed to marry her. She was happy about that, truly. Yet, there was a feeling in the pit of her stomach that reminded her that all was not right in her world. Some relationships were growing stronger, while others were falling apart. She needed to get out.

"Luke," Lorelai said softly, gently lifting his arm above her head and freeing herself of his embrace. "Luke, I have to go."

Luke shifted his position the bed, slowly opening up his eyes. "You have to go? It's only five o'clock. My alarm hasn't even gone off yet."

"I know," Lorelai said, letting out a huge yawn. "I have some things to do."

"At this hour? You can't even keep your eyes open. What kind of things could you possibly need to do without your vision?"

"Rory things."

This silenced Luke, and he immediately understood that Lorelai needed some time away from the happy so that she could think about the sad. She needed to rack her brain for a solution to getting her daughter and best friend back. "Oh, alright. I guess I'll see you later on?"

"Of course, my husband to be." The words sent shivers up both of their spines, ending in extremely wide smiles on both of their faces.

Luke sat up and gave Lorelai a kiss goodbye. "I love you."

"I love you too." Lorelai walked out of the apartment and down the stairs into the diner, unbeknowest to the fact that she was leaving Luke unable to fall back asleep because of the uncontrolable smile on his face.

The house felt empty without Rory. Lorelai had adjusted to living alone, but she'd always had the security of knowing that Rory would be coming home that weekend or that summer. Now that security was gone. But deep down, she knew that the way she was handling the situation was right. She knew that she shouldn't support Rory's decision because of the way her own life had turned out. Yes, she had a wonderful life, but getting it wasn't so easy. Not going to college, or not finishing it, was a very stupid decision, and she knew that Rory wasn't stupid. She knew that if she just pushed her a little bit, Rory's mind would get back on track and she would go back to school and have all of the oppurtunities that Lorelai didn't. She'd always been behind whatever it was Rory decided to do with her life, but this time it was different, and it was killing her.

Lorelai walked over to the couch and sat down, pillows all around her. She breathed out heavily with frustration, deciding whether or not she should call her daughter. Be strong, She thought to herself, Rory's a big girl. It may take some time but she'll realize that what your doing is for her own good.

She finished her thought and realized that this was the same way her parents used to treat her. They always said that the way they handled things was for Lorelai's own good. She hated them for it. She didn't want Rory to hate her, she wouldn't be able to take it. So what the hell was she supposed to do? I need to get out, she thought, getting up and putting on her boots. I need to get out and take a walk, clear my head, then I'll figure out what to do.

It was nine o'clock by the time she was finally out the door. She walked toward the center of town toward the coffee. She passed by the town's bookstore and it suddenly became impossible not to think of Rory. Hold it together, Lorelai!

She started to quicken her pace, hoping to get to Luke's and forget about everything. Straight ahead she saw Miss Patty, almost running her way.

"Lorelai! Lorelai, sweetie!" she was yelling, "Lorelai, I need to talk to you!"

"Patty? What's the matter? Is everything okay?"

"With me? Yes. With you?" she paused to catch her breath, "Not so sure."

"Oh, you heard about me and Rory?"

"You and Rory? No. But I did hear about something else."

"What is it?"

"Jess is back."

"Jess? Luke's nephew Jess?" Lorelai asked with a shocked look on her face.

"Yes, Jess."

"Again? What the hell could he be here for now? I swear if Rory sees him and she gets upse-" Lorelai couldn't finish her sentence. She realized that Rory most likely wouldn't see him, she probably wouldn't see Rory for a few days, and hopefully Jess would be gone by then. "Okay, Patty, thanks for telling me. I need to go talk to Luke."

"Wait, what happened with you and Rory?"

"Oh I'll tell you later on, I really have to go right now."

"Okay, sugar, talk to you later then." Patty walked down the street toward her school.

Lorelai almost ran the rest of the way to Luke's. She bursted in and ran right up to the counter. "Ceasar, where's Luke?"

"Upstairs."

"Okay thanks." Lorelai brushed past the counter and up the stairs to Luke's apartment. She threw the door open and then slammed it closed behind her. "Luke!"

"Hey." Luke came out of the bedroom with a broom in his hand. "What's the matter?"

"Jess. He's back."

"What?"

"Did you know he was back?"

"No. I would have told you. Wait, how do you even know."

"Miss Patty just told me."

"Well how does Miss Patty know?"

"Miss Patty knows everything."

"He's probably here for a reason. But I can't think of what it would be." Luke pondered the thought for a minute, "I wonder why he didn't come to see me."

"Probably robbing a bank or something, then running back to New York to try and sweep some poor girl off her feet and take her away to his bat layer."

"Hey, come on. I know he hasn't treated Rory so well in the past, but he's not that inconsiderate."

"I know, sorry. I'm just... fed up with everything."

"I know," Luke said, trying to soothe her. He walked over to her, pushed her hair away from her face, and kissed her forehead sweetly.

Lorelai put her arms around his lower back and buried her face into the comfort that was Luke's chest. "Thank God for you," she mumbled softly, "Thank God for you."