Disclaimer: I still don't own the Gilmore Girls (Thank God for unanswered prayers). sigh (asterisks don't work anymore. It makes me sad.)
A/N: Okay, this chapter is sort of just a filler, I had considered jamming the whole thing into one, but I'm not going to. I'm going to break it up.
Reviewers! squeals Do you know how much I love thee? Let me count the ways... 'cept that I screwed that line up, so I will not proceed to chop up anymore. But I do! I do! I feel like Milo brought me flowers!
jlangblues891: squeal You reviewed my story! I loved that line, too! And no, it doesn't sound crazy, because I could see Jess in my head, too. I could see his eyebrows raising slightly and... I can just see the way he would say that. It was very cute, alas it had to be written. That's quite possibly one of my favorite lines, and Rachel is quite possibly one of my favorite characters, because she's cute, little and -unlike some people glares at Rory - wouldn't hurt Jess. You just can't go wrong there. I hate Dean. That adulterous loser.
Poodernite: grin Yeah, I already have a cute scene planned there, I just have to make myself write it. It's not for another couple chapters anyway.
I'm very glad everyone liked how I had Rory and Jess come back to each other. I considered the big dramatic ballad-y music, slow motion, the world stopped spinning and everyone disappeared... then realized I am not Ken Corday. So I went with the cake instead. Plus, I like cake. Everyone likes cake except a select few people that I don't claim to understand. Great. Now I want cake.
Now all the Narcos are back full force thanks to Tuesday's... lovely episode. Stupid Rory. But hey, I do think she realized it was a mistake. Last night I was ready to take heads of, but I talked to my made me, but..influenced me) and she brought me back down. People make mistakes, Lorelai was a good mother last night, and, well, Jess was no virgin either, so now they're...not really even, but still. I'm done now. And I don't want to watch the show ever again, and yet...
But now all of season two (the glory season) is ruined for me and I will never be able to enjoy another Jess/Rory moment or Dean/Jess fighting momrent, because in the end... Dean won. And I will always know that. She chose Dean. She made Jess leave and chose the cheating scumbag known as Dean. Oh yeah, she's a smart girl. rolls eyes I swear, just saying "Dean won" gives me a horrible taste in my mouth and a feeling of something eating away at the inside of my stomach. It's just... Hey, whoever said good guys finish last... has obviously seen Gilmore Girls. I hate that show.
I want to forget that night's episode. And to my mother, if you're reading this, which you're not, I am never ever watching something because you tell me to ever again.
Oh, and Where Are The Lits? We need each other at a time like this! Now Where Is The Love? is playing in my head. sigh Great.
Now I have to try to write Rory in a nice way.... Be glad I love you guys. Because I hate her and would like nothing more than for very bad things to happen to her. Forget all I said about a mistake. It was premeditated, that makes it worse. I can't forgive her, I can only call her mean (but true) names. And Dean even worse (but also true) names.
----------------------
"You wait right here," Rachel said as she put her arm up to keep Jess out of the barn.
"Oh, now you know how to get on a horse?"
"No, I don't. But I will learn. Besides, Aunt Lorelai said she'd help me."
"Well, don't fall and break your neck or anything," he said.
Rory chuckled. "Nice."
"Ha, I'm cooler than you," Lorelai said to Jess as she took Rachel's hand.
"Don't get too excited; she thinks the neighbor's cat is cooler than me," Jess told Lorelai.
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at him and took Rachel in the barn.
"Are you sure that horse is safe?" Jess asked Rory.
"Yep. Mom's had him for years."
"Then he's old, he's probably losing his mind and he'll buck her off or something."
She smiled. "Wow, Jess, you're turning into a real worrywart."
"I am not."
"Wet blanket," she continued.
"I don't want her to break anything, I don't call that-"
"Party pooper. Killjoy, even."
"Stop."
She smiled. "Don't worry. The horse is perfectly safe. He's even safer than Desdemona," Rory assured him.
"Your mom named a horse after the murdered wife in Othello?"
"Yeah. She's crazy that way."
He looked in to see if he could see Rachel yet.
"Earth to Jess." Rory waved her hand in front of his face.
"She's never been on a horse before," he said.
"She'll be fine."
"I know, I was just trying to see if I could see her."
"God, you are such a dad."
"I'm not God, he's up there," Jess said, pointing to the sky. "I can understand your confusion though."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, just evade my comment."
"We should get some food when we're done here. I'm hungry."
"You are unbelievable." Rory shook her head.
"Pizza, Luke's or Al's?" he asked.
"I can't believe you still do that."
"Then again if we go to Luke's Luke will be there, so pizza, Al's or Sandeeps?"
"And now you're bribing me with Sandeeps. Can't someone call you on your mushiness just once?"
"Sandeeps it is," he said.
Just then Lorelai brought Rachel out on Thunderbolt. "Ladies and gentlemen... and Jess, I present to you, Rachel Mariano!" Lorelai called dramatically, pointing to Rachel.
Rory smiled and clapped, nudging Jess to do the same.
"She can do tricks," Lorelai said, pointing to Rachel who waved.
"One hand, ladies and gentlemen. Give her a hand." Lorelai clapped.
"This is fun," Rory whispered to Jess.
"This is something only your mother is insane enough to do," he replied.
"But it's fun."
"She's going to rub off on Rachel and I'm going to have to deal with this," he stated.
"She's like Calamity Jane but without the alcoholism," Lorelai announced.
"Thank God," Jess replied.
"Quiet Jesse James," Lorelai scolded him. "Watch this, now she's going to go on a ride and leave you all here," Lorelai said with a smile.
"Have fun," Jess said.
"We'll be back soon," Lorelai told him, walking Thunderbolt to the path.
"She's so cute on that horse," Rory said once they had gone away.
He nodded. "She's going to be telling me how much she wants one now."
"Get her one."
"Oh, right, I'll just store him in the two inch bathroom of our apartment," he said sarcastically.
"As long as there's hay." Rory nodded. "Come on, let's go for a little walk while we wait."
"Okay." Jess nodded and followed her.
"By the way, I'm holding you to that Sandeeps thing."
"I figured you would." He nodded.
===
Rachel wrinkled her nose up. "What's that?" She pointed at the dish the waiter brought to the table.
"Broccoli and pinenut kofta," Rory said.
Rachel looked at Jess.
"Don't worry, we'll order pizza when we leave," he whispered.
Rachel smiled. "Okay."
"Hey, Sandeeps is good," Rory said with a pout.
"They do have some good desserts," Jess admitted.
"We have to get the churma laddoo, even Rachel will like them," Rory said.
"The what?" Rachel asked.
"Basically dough in powdered sugar," Jess said.
"I like elephant ears in powdered sugar," she offered.
"You like elephant ears in anything," Jess said.
She smiled. "Yeah, I just love elephant ears. They aren't really made out of an elephant's ears," Rachel told Rory.
"Oh..." Rory looked confused.
"Yeah. Jimmy told me they were, but Daddy said they aren't."
Rory glanced at Jess. "Jimmy?"
"You know, my dad," Jess said, picking at the food.
"I know, I just figured she'd call him grandpa," Rory said.
"Nope," he said simply. "I am never coming to Sandeeps ever again by the way," he noted as he made a face at the food and shoved the plate at Rory.
"I love Sandeeps," she said, taking a bite off the plate he offered.
"You're cracked," he stated.
"Do you at least like your neer more?" she asked, pointing to his drink.
"Nope. Want it?"
"I'm not eating everything you ordered."
"I've seen you eat; you can handle it."
"Can I get dessert?" Rachel asked.
"Sure, when the guy comes back over here order it," Jess said.
"Poor food," Rory said as she patted the side of the plate.
===
Jess put the pizza down on the counter of the Gilmore-Danes kitchen.
"That is so much better than Indian food," he said as he took Rachel's crust.
Rachel nodded. "Yeah, but the banana cake was really good."
"I can't believe you didn't like the fish fingers," Rory said.
"They weren't as good as Uncle Luke's fish sticks," Rachel said.
"Luke does make good fish sticks," Jess admitted.
"I'm gonna go get my camera. I want to take pictures of you and Rory," Rachel said.
"Remind me to thank your mom," Jess said to Rory, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, will you make funny faces with me?" Rory asked.
"No."
"Will you at least dress up in hats and boas?"
"No."
"What will you do?" she asked.
"Stand here."
"Hey, we should do more fun stuff while we're all here together," Rory said.
"Like what? This is Stars Hollow, the high point is when Kirk gets chased by Miss Patty because he didn't get to help with the dance routine."
"There's stuff to do in Hartford. Why don't we take her to the Mark Twain House?"
"It's a museum. She already has to suffer through a museum trip this week at school, I can't do that to her twice."
"Maybe she'll have fun."
"Well, she does like Mark Twain books," he mused. "I'll ask her." He shrugged.
Rachel came back and put her camera up to her eye. "Okay, smile."
Rory smiled and Jess stuck "bunny ears" behind Rory's head.
Rachel giggled and snapped her picture. "Okay. Now..." She paused, thinking of a pose. "Make silly faces."
"Yeah, right," Jess said.
"Fine, give each other a hug," Rachel said.
Rory smiled and sqeezed Jess tighter than she needed to.
"Can't... breathe," Jess said.
"You don't need to breathe, just smile," Rory said through her smile.
Rachel snapped her picture. "Wait, I'm gonna take another one for Aunt Lorelai, that's a funny pose."
"Okay, if you're done I want to run an idea by you," Jess said.
"What's that?"
"You know how you like Mark Twain?"
"Uh huh." Rachel nodded.
"Rory thought you might like to go tour his house," Jess told her.
"Yeah, in fact, it's my treat," Rory said. "We can buy stuff from the museum gift shop and see his drawing room and everything. It'll be fun," Rory said with a smile.
Rachel grinned. "That does sound fun."
"Yeah, so you want to go?" Rory asked.
"Yeah!"
Rory looked at Jess. "Ha, I told you she'd want to go."
"You're such a two-year-old sometimes." He shook his head.
"I love museums," Rachel said. "Daddy's going to chaperone my museum visit for school this week."
"Oh, is he?" Rory smiled, looking at Jess.
Jess shot her an annoyed look. "I got roped into it."
"Sure you did," she said, patting his back in a patronizing way.
"I did."
"Are you going to bring cupcakes?"
"No." He glared at her.
"He's going to write our names on our nametags though," Rachel said.
"You should bring cupcakes," Rory said.
"It's not a cupcake event," Jess said.
"No. But my birthday is in a week, I'm supposed to bring snacks in for that."
"Aw, it is?"
"Yep. My party's next Saturday. You should come."
"I don't know where you live," Rory said.
"In New York, we're having face painting and ballooon animals, it's going to be so much fun. Grandma is going to be there, too. She's dressing up in her ....ren....um.. What's it called?" She asked Jess.
"Renaissance dress."
"Yeah. Renaissance. Anyway, it's a pretty dress, and TJ's going to be there."
"Can't win 'em all," Jess said.
"That does sound fun. It's next Saturday?" Rory reviewed.
"Yep." Rachel nodded.
"Am I invited?" Rory asked Jess.
"No, you're not allowed to come. Stay away." He rolled his eyes.
"That's his way of saying he wants you to be there," Rachel said.
Rory smiled. "I'll be there. What do you want for your birthday?"
Rachel opened her mouth but Jess cut her off.
"Other than that," Jess said before she could say anything.
She pouted at him. "Fine. Books and anything for my baby dolls. I like to pretend I'm their mom."
"Oh, I used to do that. When I was in first grade I insisted on taking my baby doll everywhere and then I made my one friend at the sand box be the dad and he wasn't happy about it," Rory said.
"Good thing you never dated him," Jess replied.
"Yeah." Rory nodded in agreement.
"Do you want kids?" Rachel asked.
"Rachel," Jess said.
"What? I was just wondering."
"You don't need to be that bold."
"It's fine," Rory said. "Yes, I do want kids. That's why I had to dump him."
"She wants kids," Rachel told Jess.
"So I heard." He nodded.
"That's good," Rachel said.
"Wonderful," he said dryly.
"Aren't you glad she wants kids?"
"Absolutely. Maybe she'll have ten little Rorys running around and the world will forever be a better place. Are you done?"
She folded her arms. "I guess."
"Okay, let me change shoes and then we can go," Rory said.
"Okay." Jess nodded.
"I'll be right back."
As soon as she was out of sight Jess elbowed Rachel. "What was that?"
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Don't give me that 'I have no idea what you're talking about' tone."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Why are you so obsessed with whether or not Rory has kids?"
She shrugged. "I don't know."
He gave her 'the look'.
She sighed. "I just wanted to know if she liked kids or not."
"Why?"
Before Rachel had a chance to answer Rory came out. "Okay, I'm ready to rumble."
Rachel smiled and took Rory's hand, leading her out the door.
Rory looked at Jess with surprise all over her face at Rachel's action.
Jess just shook his head and followed them out. "Oh, boy."
===
"...With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. Old M-"
"Guys, please, give the song a rest," Jess said, trying to get Rachel and Rory to shut up for more than one second.
"We haven't been singing for long," Rachel said.
"You've tired out every animal in the animal kingdom. When you start asking me what sound an anteater makes you know you're desperate," he stated.
"Party pooper," Rory said.
"You warped into a child when we left the museum," he told her.
"We're just having fun."
"I'm about to take that Mark Twain quote coffee mug thing back; you don't need anymore coffee. It's obviously in your blood already."
You can't take it back. I already sang you the thank you song for buying it for me," Rory said.
"I feel like I'm on the Disney channel or something," he mumbled.
"Oh!" Rory looked back at Rachel. "We didn't sing Wheels on the Bus."
"Please don't," Jess said.
"He must be getting old," Rory told Rachel with a nod.
Rachel giggled. "Daddy's old."
"Daddy's still young," Jess said, "but he's about to kick you two out of the car."
"He never sings songs with me," Rachel said.
Rory shook her head in mock disappointment. "And here I thought you were cool."
"I'm more concerned with staying sane, thank you," he replied.
"Oh! I have an idea," Rachel said.
"What's that?" Rory asked.
"We could have a Rugrats marathon when we get home. I brought two of my tapes and we can eat popcorn, it'll be really fun. Can we?" Rachel asked.
"I like the Rugrats." Rory nodded.
"Me too. And I like All Grown Up. I like Kimmy."
"I don't think I've seen that," Rory said.
"My friend made me a tape with my favorite episode on it. We can watch that last."
"Okay. Jess, what do you think?"
"Is it that one with the kid with green hair?" Jess asked.
"Yep."
"But you've made me watch that episode about nine times," he said.
"But never with Rory. We have to watch it with Rory."
"Yeah, you don't want me to feel left out, do you?" Rory joined in with a smile.
He sighed. "Fine. What's one more time?"
"That's the attitude," Rory said, patting Jess on the back.
"I have got to make more friends," Jess said, shaking his head.
Rory and Rachel ignored him and went back to their own little conversation.
------------------------------------
A/N: Okay. I need your opinion. The plot-y part of the next chapter doesn't start until they're back in New York. Am I allowed to skip over the leaving of Stars Hollow, or do you want me to add that on? I need need need you to tell me, that way I know where to begin. Please review, I'll love you forever! Plus I need to know if i'm still doing all right. hugs
-Kate
A/N: Okay, this chapter is sort of just a filler, I had considered jamming the whole thing into one, but I'm not going to. I'm going to break it up.
Reviewers! squeals Do you know how much I love thee? Let me count the ways... 'cept that I screwed that line up, so I will not proceed to chop up anymore. But I do! I do! I feel like Milo brought me flowers!
jlangblues891: squeal You reviewed my story! I loved that line, too! And no, it doesn't sound crazy, because I could see Jess in my head, too. I could see his eyebrows raising slightly and... I can just see the way he would say that. It was very cute, alas it had to be written. That's quite possibly one of my favorite lines, and Rachel is quite possibly one of my favorite characters, because she's cute, little and -unlike some people glares at Rory - wouldn't hurt Jess. You just can't go wrong there. I hate Dean. That adulterous loser.
Poodernite: grin Yeah, I already have a cute scene planned there, I just have to make myself write it. It's not for another couple chapters anyway.
I'm very glad everyone liked how I had Rory and Jess come back to each other. I considered the big dramatic ballad-y music, slow motion, the world stopped spinning and everyone disappeared... then realized I am not Ken Corday. So I went with the cake instead. Plus, I like cake. Everyone likes cake except a select few people that I don't claim to understand. Great. Now I want cake.
Now all the Narcos are back full force thanks to Tuesday's... lovely episode. Stupid Rory. But hey, I do think she realized it was a mistake. Last night I was ready to take heads of, but I talked to my made me, but..influenced me) and she brought me back down. People make mistakes, Lorelai was a good mother last night, and, well, Jess was no virgin either, so now they're...not really even, but still. I'm done now. And I don't want to watch the show ever again, and yet...
But now all of season two (the glory season) is ruined for me and I will never be able to enjoy another Jess/Rory moment or Dean/Jess fighting momrent, because in the end... Dean won. And I will always know that. She chose Dean. She made Jess leave and chose the cheating scumbag known as Dean. Oh yeah, she's a smart girl. rolls eyes I swear, just saying "Dean won" gives me a horrible taste in my mouth and a feeling of something eating away at the inside of my stomach. It's just... Hey, whoever said good guys finish last... has obviously seen Gilmore Girls. I hate that show.
I want to forget that night's episode. And to my mother, if you're reading this, which you're not, I am never ever watching something because you tell me to ever again.
Oh, and Where Are The Lits? We need each other at a time like this! Now Where Is The Love? is playing in my head. sigh Great.
Now I have to try to write Rory in a nice way.... Be glad I love you guys. Because I hate her and would like nothing more than for very bad things to happen to her. Forget all I said about a mistake. It was premeditated, that makes it worse. I can't forgive her, I can only call her mean (but true) names. And Dean even worse (but also true) names.
----------------------
"You wait right here," Rachel said as she put her arm up to keep Jess out of the barn.
"Oh, now you know how to get on a horse?"
"No, I don't. But I will learn. Besides, Aunt Lorelai said she'd help me."
"Well, don't fall and break your neck or anything," he said.
Rory chuckled. "Nice."
"Ha, I'm cooler than you," Lorelai said to Jess as she took Rachel's hand.
"Don't get too excited; she thinks the neighbor's cat is cooler than me," Jess told Lorelai.
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at him and took Rachel in the barn.
"Are you sure that horse is safe?" Jess asked Rory.
"Yep. Mom's had him for years."
"Then he's old, he's probably losing his mind and he'll buck her off or something."
She smiled. "Wow, Jess, you're turning into a real worrywart."
"I am not."
"Wet blanket," she continued.
"I don't want her to break anything, I don't call that-"
"Party pooper. Killjoy, even."
"Stop."
She smiled. "Don't worry. The horse is perfectly safe. He's even safer than Desdemona," Rory assured him.
"Your mom named a horse after the murdered wife in Othello?"
"Yeah. She's crazy that way."
He looked in to see if he could see Rachel yet.
"Earth to Jess." Rory waved her hand in front of his face.
"She's never been on a horse before," he said.
"She'll be fine."
"I know, I was just trying to see if I could see her."
"God, you are such a dad."
"I'm not God, he's up there," Jess said, pointing to the sky. "I can understand your confusion though."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, just evade my comment."
"We should get some food when we're done here. I'm hungry."
"You are unbelievable." Rory shook her head.
"Pizza, Luke's or Al's?" he asked.
"I can't believe you still do that."
"Then again if we go to Luke's Luke will be there, so pizza, Al's or Sandeeps?"
"And now you're bribing me with Sandeeps. Can't someone call you on your mushiness just once?"
"Sandeeps it is," he said.
Just then Lorelai brought Rachel out on Thunderbolt. "Ladies and gentlemen... and Jess, I present to you, Rachel Mariano!" Lorelai called dramatically, pointing to Rachel.
Rory smiled and clapped, nudging Jess to do the same.
"She can do tricks," Lorelai said, pointing to Rachel who waved.
"One hand, ladies and gentlemen. Give her a hand." Lorelai clapped.
"This is fun," Rory whispered to Jess.
"This is something only your mother is insane enough to do," he replied.
"But it's fun."
"She's going to rub off on Rachel and I'm going to have to deal with this," he stated.
"She's like Calamity Jane but without the alcoholism," Lorelai announced.
"Thank God," Jess replied.
"Quiet Jesse James," Lorelai scolded him. "Watch this, now she's going to go on a ride and leave you all here," Lorelai said with a smile.
"Have fun," Jess said.
"We'll be back soon," Lorelai told him, walking Thunderbolt to the path.
"She's so cute on that horse," Rory said once they had gone away.
He nodded. "She's going to be telling me how much she wants one now."
"Get her one."
"Oh, right, I'll just store him in the two inch bathroom of our apartment," he said sarcastically.
"As long as there's hay." Rory nodded. "Come on, let's go for a little walk while we wait."
"Okay." Jess nodded and followed her.
"By the way, I'm holding you to that Sandeeps thing."
"I figured you would." He nodded.
===
Rachel wrinkled her nose up. "What's that?" She pointed at the dish the waiter brought to the table.
"Broccoli and pinenut kofta," Rory said.
Rachel looked at Jess.
"Don't worry, we'll order pizza when we leave," he whispered.
Rachel smiled. "Okay."
"Hey, Sandeeps is good," Rory said with a pout.
"They do have some good desserts," Jess admitted.
"We have to get the churma laddoo, even Rachel will like them," Rory said.
"The what?" Rachel asked.
"Basically dough in powdered sugar," Jess said.
"I like elephant ears in powdered sugar," she offered.
"You like elephant ears in anything," Jess said.
She smiled. "Yeah, I just love elephant ears. They aren't really made out of an elephant's ears," Rachel told Rory.
"Oh..." Rory looked confused.
"Yeah. Jimmy told me they were, but Daddy said they aren't."
Rory glanced at Jess. "Jimmy?"
"You know, my dad," Jess said, picking at the food.
"I know, I just figured she'd call him grandpa," Rory said.
"Nope," he said simply. "I am never coming to Sandeeps ever again by the way," he noted as he made a face at the food and shoved the plate at Rory.
"I love Sandeeps," she said, taking a bite off the plate he offered.
"You're cracked," he stated.
"Do you at least like your neer more?" she asked, pointing to his drink.
"Nope. Want it?"
"I'm not eating everything you ordered."
"I've seen you eat; you can handle it."
"Can I get dessert?" Rachel asked.
"Sure, when the guy comes back over here order it," Jess said.
"Poor food," Rory said as she patted the side of the plate.
===
Jess put the pizza down on the counter of the Gilmore-Danes kitchen.
"That is so much better than Indian food," he said as he took Rachel's crust.
Rachel nodded. "Yeah, but the banana cake was really good."
"I can't believe you didn't like the fish fingers," Rory said.
"They weren't as good as Uncle Luke's fish sticks," Rachel said.
"Luke does make good fish sticks," Jess admitted.
"I'm gonna go get my camera. I want to take pictures of you and Rory," Rachel said.
"Remind me to thank your mom," Jess said to Rory, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, will you make funny faces with me?" Rory asked.
"No."
"Will you at least dress up in hats and boas?"
"No."
"What will you do?" she asked.
"Stand here."
"Hey, we should do more fun stuff while we're all here together," Rory said.
"Like what? This is Stars Hollow, the high point is when Kirk gets chased by Miss Patty because he didn't get to help with the dance routine."
"There's stuff to do in Hartford. Why don't we take her to the Mark Twain House?"
"It's a museum. She already has to suffer through a museum trip this week at school, I can't do that to her twice."
"Maybe she'll have fun."
"Well, she does like Mark Twain books," he mused. "I'll ask her." He shrugged.
Rachel came back and put her camera up to her eye. "Okay, smile."
Rory smiled and Jess stuck "bunny ears" behind Rory's head.
Rachel giggled and snapped her picture. "Okay. Now..." She paused, thinking of a pose. "Make silly faces."
"Yeah, right," Jess said.
"Fine, give each other a hug," Rachel said.
Rory smiled and sqeezed Jess tighter than she needed to.
"Can't... breathe," Jess said.
"You don't need to breathe, just smile," Rory said through her smile.
Rachel snapped her picture. "Wait, I'm gonna take another one for Aunt Lorelai, that's a funny pose."
"Okay, if you're done I want to run an idea by you," Jess said.
"What's that?"
"You know how you like Mark Twain?"
"Uh huh." Rachel nodded.
"Rory thought you might like to go tour his house," Jess told her.
"Yeah, in fact, it's my treat," Rory said. "We can buy stuff from the museum gift shop and see his drawing room and everything. It'll be fun," Rory said with a smile.
Rachel grinned. "That does sound fun."
"Yeah, so you want to go?" Rory asked.
"Yeah!"
Rory looked at Jess. "Ha, I told you she'd want to go."
"You're such a two-year-old sometimes." He shook his head.
"I love museums," Rachel said. "Daddy's going to chaperone my museum visit for school this week."
"Oh, is he?" Rory smiled, looking at Jess.
Jess shot her an annoyed look. "I got roped into it."
"Sure you did," she said, patting his back in a patronizing way.
"I did."
"Are you going to bring cupcakes?"
"No." He glared at her.
"He's going to write our names on our nametags though," Rachel said.
"You should bring cupcakes," Rory said.
"It's not a cupcake event," Jess said.
"No. But my birthday is in a week, I'm supposed to bring snacks in for that."
"Aw, it is?"
"Yep. My party's next Saturday. You should come."
"I don't know where you live," Rory said.
"In New York, we're having face painting and ballooon animals, it's going to be so much fun. Grandma is going to be there, too. She's dressing up in her ....ren....um.. What's it called?" She asked Jess.
"Renaissance dress."
"Yeah. Renaissance. Anyway, it's a pretty dress, and TJ's going to be there."
"Can't win 'em all," Jess said.
"That does sound fun. It's next Saturday?" Rory reviewed.
"Yep." Rachel nodded.
"Am I invited?" Rory asked Jess.
"No, you're not allowed to come. Stay away." He rolled his eyes.
"That's his way of saying he wants you to be there," Rachel said.
Rory smiled. "I'll be there. What do you want for your birthday?"
Rachel opened her mouth but Jess cut her off.
"Other than that," Jess said before she could say anything.
She pouted at him. "Fine. Books and anything for my baby dolls. I like to pretend I'm their mom."
"Oh, I used to do that. When I was in first grade I insisted on taking my baby doll everywhere and then I made my one friend at the sand box be the dad and he wasn't happy about it," Rory said.
"Good thing you never dated him," Jess replied.
"Yeah." Rory nodded in agreement.
"Do you want kids?" Rachel asked.
"Rachel," Jess said.
"What? I was just wondering."
"You don't need to be that bold."
"It's fine," Rory said. "Yes, I do want kids. That's why I had to dump him."
"She wants kids," Rachel told Jess.
"So I heard." He nodded.
"That's good," Rachel said.
"Wonderful," he said dryly.
"Aren't you glad she wants kids?"
"Absolutely. Maybe she'll have ten little Rorys running around and the world will forever be a better place. Are you done?"
She folded her arms. "I guess."
"Okay, let me change shoes and then we can go," Rory said.
"Okay." Jess nodded.
"I'll be right back."
As soon as she was out of sight Jess elbowed Rachel. "What was that?"
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Don't give me that 'I have no idea what you're talking about' tone."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Why are you so obsessed with whether or not Rory has kids?"
She shrugged. "I don't know."
He gave her 'the look'.
She sighed. "I just wanted to know if she liked kids or not."
"Why?"
Before Rachel had a chance to answer Rory came out. "Okay, I'm ready to rumble."
Rachel smiled and took Rory's hand, leading her out the door.
Rory looked at Jess with surprise all over her face at Rachel's action.
Jess just shook his head and followed them out. "Oh, boy."
===
"...With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. Old M-"
"Guys, please, give the song a rest," Jess said, trying to get Rachel and Rory to shut up for more than one second.
"We haven't been singing for long," Rachel said.
"You've tired out every animal in the animal kingdom. When you start asking me what sound an anteater makes you know you're desperate," he stated.
"Party pooper," Rory said.
"You warped into a child when we left the museum," he told her.
"We're just having fun."
"I'm about to take that Mark Twain quote coffee mug thing back; you don't need anymore coffee. It's obviously in your blood already."
You can't take it back. I already sang you the thank you song for buying it for me," Rory said.
"I feel like I'm on the Disney channel or something," he mumbled.
"Oh!" Rory looked back at Rachel. "We didn't sing Wheels on the Bus."
"Please don't," Jess said.
"He must be getting old," Rory told Rachel with a nod.
Rachel giggled. "Daddy's old."
"Daddy's still young," Jess said, "but he's about to kick you two out of the car."
"He never sings songs with me," Rachel said.
Rory shook her head in mock disappointment. "And here I thought you were cool."
"I'm more concerned with staying sane, thank you," he replied.
"Oh! I have an idea," Rachel said.
"What's that?" Rory asked.
"We could have a Rugrats marathon when we get home. I brought two of my tapes and we can eat popcorn, it'll be really fun. Can we?" Rachel asked.
"I like the Rugrats." Rory nodded.
"Me too. And I like All Grown Up. I like Kimmy."
"I don't think I've seen that," Rory said.
"My friend made me a tape with my favorite episode on it. We can watch that last."
"Okay. Jess, what do you think?"
"Is it that one with the kid with green hair?" Jess asked.
"Yep."
"But you've made me watch that episode about nine times," he said.
"But never with Rory. We have to watch it with Rory."
"Yeah, you don't want me to feel left out, do you?" Rory joined in with a smile.
He sighed. "Fine. What's one more time?"
"That's the attitude," Rory said, patting Jess on the back.
"I have got to make more friends," Jess said, shaking his head.
Rory and Rachel ignored him and went back to their own little conversation.
------------------------------------
A/N: Okay. I need your opinion. The plot-y part of the next chapter doesn't start until they're back in New York. Am I allowed to skip over the leaving of Stars Hollow, or do you want me to add that on? I need need need you to tell me, that way I know where to begin. Please review, I'll love you forever! Plus I need to know if i'm still doing all right. hugs
-Kate