PART 8
The week went by surprisingly quickly. Rory didn't have to call her mother back with the homework and her job, but Jess called Luke to talk to him about something he was planning…On the Friday night of that week was the town meeting and Lorelei, with Luke's, Sookie's and her parents's help, wanted to reason the people of Stars Hollow about Rory and Jess's relationship. The meeting began at 7 PM, as usual.
Taylor: Good evening fellow resident of Stars Hollow and welcome to the last town meeting before Christmas.
Lorelei got up.
Taylor: Yes Lorelei?
Lorelei: Can I talk to all the town, please? I'd like to talk to you about something.
Taylor: Go on.
Lorelei: Thank you Taylor.
She got to the front of the room.
Lorelei: Ok. Good evening everyone. You surely remember my daughter that left a few months ago with Jess, Luke's nephew.
Taylor: Lorelei, why are you bringing this back?
Luke: Taylor, let her talk!
Taylor: Ok, ok…
Lorelei: Thanks Luke. If I bring this subject back that's because for the first time in 3 months, I got a phone call from Rory last Friday.
Miss Patty: Really? How is she?
Lorelei: She's really good. And, to answer the question that might be burning everyone's lips right now, yes, she's still with Jess.
Whispers could be heard all around, such as ''he might have brought her in a gang'' or ''he beats her up to keep her with him''. Lorelei heard all of this and it made her really upset.
Lorelei: Listen to me, here. They're not part of a gang and Jess doesn't beat Rory up in order to keep her with him. They're both going to the high school near where they're living, and they live in an appartment in New York together. If really Jess would have tried to get Rory into anything or try to cause some pain, she would have tried to let me understand it when she called. You see, everthing you thought about Jess was all wrong. Behind that mask he's giving himself is hiding a guy that would do anything for my daughter. And I realized this much too late. Ask Sookie and Luke, or even my parents about it, who I thank to be here tonight, they'll confirm. You can continue to hate Jess if you want to, but Luke, my parents, Sookie and me, we decided to give him a chance. Ah, before I forget. They're coming to Stars Hollow for the 2 next weeks. Jess called Luke last night when Rory was at work, he's planning something for Rory. We don't know what it is, Jess didn't want to tell Luke. So it will be a surprise for everybody. So you get over your feelings towards Jess and you do them that gift for Christmas or you just shut up and leave them alone. Thank you and good evening.
She sighed deeply and got out of the room, soon followed by her parents, Luke and Sookie.
Sookie: Wow Lorelei, I'm impressed! You litterally shut them up.
Lorelei: I just hope that they got the message.
Richard: Don't worry, I don't think it could have been any clearer.
Lorelei: Thanks dad.
Emily: Ah, Lorelei, do you have any plans for Christmas Eve?
Lorelei: Not yet, why?
Emily: What about you come to Hartford with Rory and Jess?
Lorelei: Well…ok. But only us. I don't want too many people.
Emily: Don't worry, it wasn't my intention. But may I at least invite mr. Danes and Sookie to join us?
Lorelei: If they want to.
Luke: I'll be there.
Sookie: Same here. And I'll brind Jackson.
Emily: Good! So that's set. This is where we leave you. We'll see you on next Tuesday night at our house of Hartford, at 8 PM.
Lorelei: Ok mom. See you later!
Sookie: Bye mr. and ms. Gilmore!
Luke: Bye!
Richard and Emily stepped in their car and left.
Sookie: Tell me Lorelei, when do they arrive?
Lorelei: Who?
Sookie: But Rory and Jess!
Lorelei: Oh, sorry. Tonight, around 10.
Sookie: Wow. How are you feeling?
Lorelei: Nrevous. Very nervous.
Luke: Join the club.
Lorelei: Well at least I'm not the only one.
Sookie: It will be alright, don't worry.
Lorelei: They're going to see Luke before. It gives me some time. Then Luke brings them at my place. We'll discuss a little.
Sookie: Ok. I gotta go, ok? Good luck.
Lorelei: Thanks Sook. See you later.
Sookie: See you later. Bye Luke!
Luke: Bye Sookie!
And Sookie left. At the same moment, the door of miss Patty's opened. Taylor got out first, followed by miss Patty, Babette and Kirk. They came to see Lorelei.
Taylor: Lorelei, just know that your little speech really touched us, and I'm speaking in the name of the twon. We decided, at unanimity, that we would give Jess a chance.
Lorelei: Thank you Taylor.
He left.
Kirk: And I think I'm speaking for the town when I'm telling you that we are all sorry for our attitude.
Miss Patty: Sincerely sorry.
Babette: Awfully sorry.
Lorelei: Oh, that's ok for me. You should instead tell this to Rory and Jess.
Miss Patty: Well, special meeting on Monday night at 7. Bring Rory and Jess, you'll see.
Lorelei: Thanks you. All of you.
Miss Patty, Babette and Kirk left.
Lorelei: So…that's not that I don't enjoy your company, dear Luke, but I'd live to clean up a little the house before Rory and Jess arrive.
Luke: Yeah, same for me. I'll see you later?
Lorelei: Yup, later.
They turned on their heals and got back home. At the same moment, in New York, Jess was waiting for Rory to get back from work to leave. He had already packed some stuff and the suitcases were near the door. When Rory came in, she stepped into a suitcase.
Rory (joining Jess, who's watching the tv): What are doing the suitcases near the door?
Jess: We're going to Stars Hollow.
Rory: What? To Stars Hollow?
Jess: Yup. I called Luke, it's ok. He and Lorelei will tell it to the town.
Rory: Oh, ok. When do we leave?
Jess: As soon as you're ready.
Rory: Can I at least shower?
Jess: Sure, but do it fast.
Rory: Promise.
She kissed him quickly and got into the shower. She finished about 10 mnutes later, dressed up, went into the bedroom to take her purse and met up wth Jess.
Rory: I'm ready.
Jess (turning off the tv): Ok. Let's go.
He took the 2 suitcases and got out, and Rory locked behind them. In the car, Rory was nervous about seeing her mother. Jess noticed it. He took one of her hands.
Jess: You nervous?
Rory: A little bit, yeah.
Jess: Don't worry, I'm sure it will all be alright.
Rory: I hope so.
He kissed her hand. About 2 hours later, around 10, they arrived in Stars Holloe. Jess pulled up in front of Luke's.
Rory: We're seeing Luke first?
Jess: Yeah, I don't know why.
Rory: Ok.
They entered and climbed up the stairs to Luke's appartment. The last was walking nervously around the room, when he heard a knock on the door. He opened and when he saw it was Rory and Jess, he let them in. He then took Rory in his arms and shook Jess's hand.
Jess (when Luke was done): What a welcome!
Luke: Hi Jess, hi Rory. I missed you.
Rory: We missed you too, Luke.
Jess: Hey, why did we have to come here before going to Lorelei's?
Luke: Because I wanted to bring you there. We have to discuss. The 4 of us.
Jess: Oh, ok.
Luke: Ready to go?
Rory: Not really. But when we have to go, let's go.
Luke: Exactly.
Jess: Let's go…
They got out of the appartment and left for Lorelei's house with Jess's car, Luke behind the wheel. They got there about 5 minutes later. In front of the door, Rory breathed deeply, Jess holding one of her hands, and knocked. Lorelei opened a few seconds later.
Rory (after a moment of silence): Hey mom.
Lorelei (leanning in for a hug): Oh Rory…
They stayed like this during two long minutes, leaving Luke and Jess a little awkward.
Lorelei: Come in! Hey Jess.
Jess: Hi.
Luke: Hey Lorelei.
Lorelei: Hey Luke.
Rory and Jess went to the living room. Lorelei held back Luke.
Lorelei: Are you ready?
Luke: I don't know…you?
Lorelei: I don't know either…
Luke: It'll be alright.
Lorelei: You sure?
Luke nodded. They joined Rory and Jess. The two monopolised the couch so Luke sat down on the coffe table and Lorelei sat down in the armchair that was in front of the couch.
Jess: So, what did you want to discuss with us?
Lorelei: Huh…actually, there wasn't really any discussion. We just wanted to fill you up with some things.
Rory: Well, ok. Fill us in.
Luke: Ok…first, we told the town that you would be here for a while. We don't really know how they took it, but we know there's a special meeting on Monday night at 7. I assume it concerns you, Taylor wants you to be there.
Lorelei: After the speech I made them, I hope it's good news!
Rory: You made a speech to the town?
Lorelei: You remember your boyfriends reputation before you left? That's what was about my little speech.
Rory: Oh, right.
Jess: Is there anything else we have to know?
Luke: Yes.
Lorelei: I hope you didn't have any plans for Christmas Eve 'cause you'll spend it at Emily and Richard Gilmore's house. Luke, Sookie, Jackson and me too.
Jess: Am I up to some speech from them? Like about the fact that I brought Rory with me?
Luke: Jess, mr. and ms. Gilmore got on our side as soon as they knew that you and Rory had left. They understood how much you loved each other and that you would do anything to be together. Lorelei talked about it with them. They told her almost what I just told you. They don't have any reason to be mad at you.
Jess: Well I'm glad to hear it. It's going to be easier than I expected.
Lorelei: Great. Did we anything else to tell them, Luke?
Luke: I don't think so.
Lorelei: Well, after that…Rory, Jess, welcome home.
Luke: Yeah, welcome home.
Rory and Jess: Thanks.
Luke: So with this, I gotta go, I'll go to sleep, that's me who opens the diner tomorrow morning.
Lorelei: Good night Luke!
Luke: Good night to all of you too.
And he left the Crap Shack.
Rory: Well, the road's been long and stressful, I'm really tired. I'm going to bed too.
Lorelei: Ok. Oh, just before, Rory, I saw Lane tonight and she wants you to call her.
Rory: Ok. This one's the good one. Good night!
Lorelei: Good night hun.
Jess: I'll be there in a sec, I'll take our stuff.
Rory: Kay.
They kissed quickly and Rory went to her room and Jess got out. Lorelei went to see Rory.
Lorelei: Rory, honey…
Rory: What's going on?
Lorelei: Jess and you…did you…you know…did what I'm thinking about?
Rory: I'll be totally honnest with you, mom. Yes, we did it. But it's not long ago.
Lorelei: Ok, and…
Rory (cutting her off, seeing where she was going): And yes we were safe, and no, Jess didn't force me into anything.
Lorelei: Good. Have you…been sleeping…in the same bed for a long time?
Rory: Since the first night we were in New York?
Lorelei: And nothing happened until recently?
Rory: I told you mom. You really think I had my mind on this, the first weeks? It took us quite a long time before being used to live together. There wasn't only me who had to adapt, Jess too. When we arrived, we had barely enough money to eat in a restaurant. We were depending on Jess's mother. It's not been a long time since we began to pay for everything we have to pay for.
Lorelei: Ok, ok. I got it.
Jess (coming in): You got what?
Lorelei: Oh, something. Good night!
And she got out of the room. A few seconds later, we could hear her footsteps going up the stairs. Jess dropped down the suitcases in a corner and went to Rory.
Jess: So?
Rory: So what?
Jess: It wasn't as horrible as you thought it would be, was it?
Rory: Yeah. I already feel better. I wonder what the town wants to tell us.
Jess: Yeah…I'm looking forward to it.
Rory: Let's get to sleep. I'm exhausted.
Jess: Yeah, me too.
Jess went to the suitcases and got out from it Rory's pyjama and his pyjama bottom. They changed and slid under the sheets after they took them off a little.
Jess: It's a little smaller than ours, no?
Rory: Yeah, that's true. But I like it.
Jess smiled.
Jess: Good night Rory. I love you.
Rory: I love you too Jess. Good night.
Rory turned off the lamp. They fell asleep moments later, Rory all snuggled up against Jess.