Author's note: Finally...I'm back! Back from a fun and inspriring vacation, to give you the next chapter...Jess finally gets to tell his family...Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I still haven't found a way yet to make them mine, so...they're still not.

Afternoon changed into evening, which finally made it Christmas eve. Jess dressed up in his Yale clothes. Partly because they had seemed to bring him luck, but also because Rory still thought he had bought him for the holidays. Luke eyed him over when he finally came out of the bathroom.

"Nice outfit."

"Thanks for noticing. You look well too. No flannel in sight."

He smirked when his uncle almost seemed to be blushing. When was the guy gonna admit he dressed up for a certain Gilmore as well? Probably never. Or maybe on his deathbed. Pity. He might even stand a real chance.

Without further conversation both men gathered their gifts and headed to the Gilmore residence, a.k.a. the Crap Shack, where they were invited to spend the evening.

As usual around Christmas, the Gilmore mansion was ablaze with lights, snowmen, reindeer, Santa's and God only knew what other stuff. God was probably pretty much the only one who wanted to know anyway. Or not. If he was smart. Still, Jess couldn't hide his smirk as he rang the doorbell.

Stumbling and chattering could be heard before the door was yanked open. By a stunningly beautiful, very Christmassy looking Rory, dressed in a knee-length red dress with white fur adorning the neckline and the hem of the skirt. On her feet were matching red boots with fur and on her head a Santa hat with again, more fur. On anyone but Rory would this look ridiculously childish, on Rory it looked stunning.

"Merry Christmas, Jess!"

Two arms were thrown around his neck and a kiss was planted on his lips. Eagerly he kissed her back, until Luke cleared his throat.

"You think you two can get inside before we freeze our butts off?"

Jess grinned while letting go of his girl. With one hand he held Rory's and with the other he wiped away some of the lipstick she left on his cheek. Boy was it great to be in love!

Inside the house they were greeted by a cheerful Lorelai, dressed like her daughter, except for the color of her outfit, which was green. Mother and child looked amazing according to uncle and nephew. Soon they were seated in the comfortable living room, which was transformed into a magical winter wonder land. A huge decorated tree stood proudly in the corner, piles of gifts stacked haphazardly underneath. Christmas bells, mistletoe, Santa dolls, stuffed reindeer puppets were scattered around amidst the other typical Gilmore stuff. Yet, the crowded room was a warm and peaceful retreat, instead of a mess.

Luke put the men's parcels next to the towering heap already there. It looked bright and colorful and ridiculous, but even Luke couldn't help but smile.

First of course the ladies insisted on singing carols, eating Christmas cookies Sookie made them, drinking hot chocolate (for once giving up on coffee for the holiday spirit) en playing stupid games until even Jess was annoyed enough for one night.. He was growing edgy, he really wanted to let them all in on his big secret. Soon, before he would burst. Thankfully, Luke managed to convince them that roasting marshmallows on an inside bonfire was not such a good idea. After that ordeal and after seeing the look that graced the men's faces, Lorelai announced it was time for gift-opening.

It was a great time, with nice presents, funny presents and beautiful presents only meant for the one you love the most. Second most beautiful moment for Jess was the look in Rory's eyes when he gently slid a simple silver ring on her finger. It was smooth with a single blue sapphire in the middle and two tiny diamonds on each side. The ring had reminded him of her eyes. To her it was a symbol of their new start together.

Then came the moment of truth. Jess had withdrawn the envelope from the pile when nobody was looking. He wanted it to be the last gift of the evening. He cleared his throat to attract attention and luckily got it immediately. He felt his hand shake a little, which was a new sensation for him. He couldn't believe he was this nervous. Well, best get on with it. He turned to Rory.

"Rory, I originally wanted to give this last gift to you, but somehow I think Luke is even more entitled to. Forgive me?"

Rory, wondering what he could possibly be talking about, could only nod. She hadn't been able to utter a word after Jess had given her the ring. Jess gave her a smirk and a small kiss before turning to his surprised uncle.

"Luke…I know I let you down last time. But you know I've been trying very hard lately to get my life back together. So this gift is a promise to you, and to Rory that I won't screw up this time. Because now I do value your faith in me. I'm sorry I didn't last time."

He swallowed an upcoming lump in his throat and handed Luke the envelope. Luke, still surprised, seemed to take forever to open the damn thing, but the look on his face when he held the Yale envelope was definitely worth it. He gingerly opened the envelope, almost as if he was afraid it would contain a bomb. He shuffled through the papers, mumbling in himself. Until it was clear that the meaning had hit him.

"Jess Mariano, these better be real, or you'll be responsible for my heart attack."

"They are real, Luke. I got in."

Rory, who was trying her hardest to take a glimpse at the papers Luke was holding, now gave up.

"Got in? Got in where?"

Without a word, Luke handed her the papers, before taking two steps toward his nephew. Then he hugged the younger man, not even trying to wipe the escaping tears away.

"Congratulations son, I'm so very damn proud of you."

Rory began shrieking behind him, jumping up and down with excitement, with Lorelai joining her after snatching the now fumbled mess of papers from her daughter.

"Jess is going to Yale, Jess is going to Yale", both girls began chanting, performing some kind of weird Indian style dance with Jess as a totem pole. Jess didn't notice much of it though. He'd lost contact with earth the moment Luke had called him 'son'. Luke's son, not just his wayward nephew. His kid. It felt good, incredibly good and amazing. And stupid. Stupid, because he had traveled far over several hundreds of miles from Connecticut to Los Angeles to find his biological father, only to find out he had left the real father behind…

He left the Gilmore house that night in an elated mood.

Next to come...Yale Costs Money!!!!

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