PART 10
On the next morning, every body that was sleeping under Lorelei Gilmore and Luke Danes's roof slept until late in the morning. Fortunatly for them, the diner and the inn were closed on december 24, 25 and 26. All this people awoke around 10, still a little tired but happy. Luke got up and got into the shower and then, when he began his breakfast, an idea popped into his mind. He prepared breakfast for four people, wrapped it all and got to the Crap Shack around 10:35. In the Gilmore house, despite the fact that they were all awoken, everybody stayed in bed until someone knocked on the door. Rory, seeing her mother wouldn't get up and open the door, she got it.
Rory (opening the door): Luke? What are you doing here?
Luke (coming in): I'm bringing breakfast.
Rory (following him to the kitchen): But why?
Luke: I didn't want you to get food poisonning, since your mother doesn't cook, so...
Rory: Oh, okay. That's nice of you, but you know, Jess can cook!
Luke: Really?
Jess (coming out of the bedroom): Yeah, really. You know Luke, if the mother doesn't cook, the daughter doesn't either! It takes someone who knows how to cook when we're in New York! And you know, I remembered some things while looking at you.
Rory: It wasn't very nice, what you said about my mom and me.
Jess: Maybe but admit that I wasn't all wrong...
Rory: Well...ok. That's true. I guess I'll have to learn some tips.
Luke: Don't worry, I'm sure Jess will personnally take care of it.
Rory: Oh, I count on it!
Luke (putting 2 plates down on the table): Well, eat before this conversation drifts apart.
Rory and Jess laughed lightly and sat down to eat after a quick kiss. At the same moment, Lorelei came in.
Lorelei: What's going on in here?
Rory: Hey mom! Luke did breakfast!
Lorelei: Really? Why? I could have done it by myself!
Luke: I told myself that Rory and Jess were risking food poisoning if your were cooking. I didn't want them to be sick tonight, at your parents'.
Lorelei: I'm not that bad at cooking!
No protestation came.
Lorelei: Rory, this is where you're supposed to protest and defend mommy.
Rory: You know mom, put apart reheat some things, you don't do anything else in cooking.
Lorelei: Well...ok, that's true. But they're good, my reheated things, arent'they?
Rory: Ah! I just can agree!
Luke: Ok, ok, enough of that. Lorelei, you're served.
Lorelei: Thanks Luke.
Luke: No problem, Lorelei.
He and Lorelei joined Rory and Jess. An hour and a half later, Luke got back home to begin his preperatives for the night, as long as Rory, Jess and Lorelei, who got a phone call from Sookie during the afternoon, the poor woman didn't where was the Gilmore's mansion. Around 7:15, everybody was ready to go...well...everybody was, if yo don't count Lorelei and Rory. Luke and Jess were on the couch and were waiting for the two girls. Lorelei finally appeared, wearing a simple black asymmetrical dress.
Lorelei: So, what do I look like?
Luke: Beautiful, Lorelei.
Jess: Yeah, beautiful.
Lorelei: Thanks! You coming, Rory? We're waiting for you!
Rory (from up the stairs): You sure it fit?
Lorelei: I told you it does, Rory. Come on down!
She finally came down. When Jess lifted up his eyes, he thought he was having an attack. Rory was wearing a blue dress that stopped above the knees and there were sparkles everywhere that were star-shaped. She also had a silver necklace and earings, silver and star-shaped made too. He hair was loose with a light make-up.
Rory (shy): I feel ridiculous...
Lorelei: Rory...
Jess (coming near): You're wonderful, Ror.
She suddenly felt as she was the most beautiful woman. Jess leaned in and kissed his girlfriend.
Luke (getting on his feet): Well I think we can go.
Lorelei: Let's go!
Luke made Lorelei put on her jacket, so did Jess with Rory's. They got out, Lorelei locked the door and they took the direction of the Gilmore headquarters, Lorelei behind the wheel, in Hartford. They arrived about 30 minutes later.
Lorelei: Hey, we're 10 minutes early! What about we roll around the block a couple times and we come back?
Luke: Why?
Lorelei: Arrive early isn't an habit for me.
Rory: It doesn't kill to change our habits, sometimes, mom!
Luke: I agree. Let's go!
They got out of the car and went to the door. There, Lorelei didn't knock but looked instead at her watch.
Luke: Lorelei, what are you doing?
Lorelei: I'm waiting.
Jess: Are you waiting for snowing, or what?
Lorelei: Non, I'm waiting for 8 sharp.
Rory (desperate): Oh, mom...
Luke: Seriously, Lorelei...
He didn't add anything else and rang the bell. A few seconds later, Emily opened the door.
Emily: Lorelei! For once, you're early! Come in!
Lorelei (coming in, to herself): It's not that I didn't try to be right on time...
Emily: WhatEEmily: What are you saying, Lorelei?
Lorelei: Oh, huh, nothing, I was just thinking loud.
Emily: If you say so. Good evening, mr. Danes! How are you?
Luke: Very well, and you, mrs. Gilmore?
Emily: Very well too. Follow Lorelei to the living room, I'll be there in a minute.
Lorelei and Luke left for the living room. Emily came to Rory and hugged her.
Rory (surprised): Huh...hi grandma.
Emily: Hi Rory. So, how are you?
Rory: Better since not long ago, and you?
Emily: Better since you remade contact with your mother. If only you knew how worried I was. For your mother but for you too.
Rory: I know grandma. I'm sorry.
Emily: That's nothing.
Rory: This is Jess, grandma. Jess, this is my grandmother, Emily Gilmore.
Jess: Good evening mrs. Gilmore. I'm glad to finally meet you. Rory talked a lot about you and mr. Gilmore.
Emily: So you are Jess. I'm glad to finally meet the boy who makes my granddaughter's heart beat. Welcome in the Gilmore family.
Jess: Thanks you.
Emily: Oh, you can call me Emily. Come on, let's join the others.
They went to the living room. Lorelei and Luke were discussing with Richard, who got up when he saw Rory.
Richard: Ah, Rory!
He hugged her.
Rory: Hey grandpa.
Richard: Tell me, how are you?
Rory: Much better.
Richard: Ah, I'm glad to hear it. Who's your friend?
Rory: That's my boyfriend, grandpa, Jess Mariano. Jess, this is my grandfather, Richard Gilmore.
Jess and Richard held hands.
Jess: Hi mr. Gilmore. I'm glad to finally know you. Rory talked a lot about you.
Richard: So you're the famous Jess. I'm glad to meet you. Welcome in the Gilmore family.
Jess: Thank you sir.
Richard: You can call me Richard. Sit down!
Rory and Jess sat down on the couch facing the one where Lorelei and Luke were sitting.
Emily: Only Sookie and Jackson are missing! For now, what would you like to drink? Lorelei?
Lorelei: Martini.
Emily : Good. Mr. Danes?
Luke: You can call me Luke. I'll have a martini too, please.
Emily: Ok. Rory, Jess? I can call you Jess?
Jess: Sure. A soda. I'll have a soda.
Rory: SRory: Same for me.
Emily: Ok. Richard, you do the martinis? I'll go get the sodas in the kitchen.
Richard: Yes Emily.
She left for the kitchen and Richard did the martinis. A minute later, Emily came back with two glasses full of soda and gave them to Rory and Jess. At the same moment, the bell rang.
Emily: Oh, that might be Sookie and Jackson. I'll go get it.
A few minutes later, Sookie appeared, soon followed by Jackson and Emily.
Sookie: Hey everyone! Sorry, we're late, we had trouble to find the place.
Emily: It's nothing Sookie. That's understandable. What will you and Jackson have to drink?
Sookie: Hum...martini.
Jackson: Scotch on ice for me.
Emily: Very well. Richard, you can take care of it?
Richard: Sure.
While Richard was preparing the drinks, Sookie went to see Rory and Jess.
Sookie (hugging Rory): Ah, Rory! I'm so happy to see you. How are you?
Rory: Much better.
Sookie: Glad to hear it. And you Jess?
Jess: Much better too.
Sookie: Good. I wanted to tell you...I'm sorry for how we all acted towards you. We should have protected you instead of acting how the rest of Stars Hollow did.
RoRory: Sookie, that's ok now. Of course, we're still a little mad at the rest of Stars Hollow, but as for my mother, Luke, Jackson and you, Jess and I we talked about it and we decided to forgive you. What most matters is that YOU guys accept Jess. The rest of Stars Hollow, it's a little harsh but...we don't care. We still have our appartment in New York, and we want to stay there. But you can come as often as you want to...and call us before just to be sure we're there. We'll leave our address and phone number later.
Lorelei: Rory, I'm so happy to hear this!
Rory: Mom, you're my mother. I couldn't hold a grudge for the rest of my life. Living without never talking to you is impossible.
The mother and the daughter smiled at each other.
Sookie: Thank you Rory, and to you too Jess.
Jackson: I wasn't really involved, but thank you all the same.
Luke: Yeah, thank you.
Emily: Is there any more beautiful gift on earth than forgiveness?
Rory (looking at JessRory (looking at Jess): Yes. Love.
Jess kissed her softly, and smiled to each other.
Emily: They're cute, aren't they? What about we eat?
They all got up and went to the dining room. A few hours later, around 1 in the morning, while everyone else was talking, Rory fell asleep on Jess's shoulder. Lorelei noticed it and went to see Jess.
Lorelei: Jess, Rory and you seem exhausted. Take the jeep's keys and go home. Luke and I will go back with Sookie and Jackson.
Jess: Ok.
He woke Rory up.
Jess: Ror? Ror? Wake up, we're going home.
RoryLRory: Ok.
They got up and went the hall. Emily joined them, so did Lorelei.
Emily: You're leaving?
Rory: I'm sorry grandma, but I'm really tired. I won't hold on too long.
Emily: Ok. I understand. Be careful on your way back.
Rory: Promised grandma. Bye.
Emily: Bye Rory. I hope to see you again, Jess.
Jess: Bye mrs. Gilmore.
Lorelei (kissing her daughter on the forehead): See you later Rory.
Rory: 'Later mom.
Lorelei: Be careful Jess.
Jess: Will do.
Rory and Jess left and Lorelei and Emily got back with the others. Lorelei, Luke, Sookie and Jackson left around 3. When they arrived in Stars Hollow, Lorelei offered the couch to Luke since Sookie and Jackson dropped them both at Lorelei's. Luke agreed. Inside, Lorelei, after dropping down her jacket and her boots, went upstairs and came back down a few minutes later with gifts and blankets. She put the gifts on an armchair, wished Luke good night and went to sleep. They all got up early in the afternoon, Luke first, then Lorelei, Rory and Jess. Lorelei made coffee and they decided to open the presents. Lorelei offered to Luke a new cap, a cell phone to Rory and a Ramones cd to Jess. Rory also offered a new cap to Luke, places for the next concert of the Bangles in New York to Lorelei and to Jess, 2 CDs and a book writen by Hemingway. As for Jess, he gave Lorelei a Bangles cd, a gift-card in a great restaurent to Luke and a necklace and a bracelet, both made of gold, to Rory. Luke offered 500$ to Rory and Jess, and to Lorelei, it was...
Lorelei: A cooking book? Why?
Luke: In order to make you eat other things than reheated, junk food and stuff from my diner.
Lorelei: Well, ok. But I can't guarantee it will be as excellent as it looks like in this.
Luke: I'll show you some things, if I have to.
Lorelei: Ok.
Jess : Luke, those 500$...that's too much.
Luke: Listen Jess, that's my way to help you. Liz did much, now it's my turn. It's a pleasure for me to give you that money.
Rory: Thanks a lot Luke. Thanks to you too mom, that will be useful.
Lorelei: That's why I give it to you. Hey, you'll come with me to that show?
Rory: Sure! And you'll also can see our appartment.
Lorelei: Cool! I'm looking forward to it!
They discussed again a little, then Luke got back home, Rory and Jess went for a walk and Lorelei stayed home in her pyjama, looking at her cooking book that Luke just gave her. In town, Rory and Jess didn't cross much people, but, once more, Dean, who ignored them again, with Lindsay. After about and 1 hour of walking, they sat down under the gazebo.
Jess (after a moment of silence): Rory, can I talk to you?
Rory: Yeah, sure. What's going on?
Jess: What's going on is that I love you. More than anyone can think of. Those last months spent together made me realize something. I would spend my whole life with you. Later, I'd like to have kids, and their mother, I want it to be you. Your mother's right, I would do anything for you. You'll probably say we're still young and that we've been together for not very long, but I don't care.
He took from one of the pockets of his jacket the traditionnal velvet little box and opened it, revealing a beautiful gold ring with a flower made of little diamonds.
Jess: I love you Rory. You make me crazy. So...do you want to marry me?
Rory remained silent for a moment, completely stunned.
Rory: I love you too Jess. I do want to marry you.
Jess: Really? You want?
Rory: Yes Jess. You make me crazy too...and I want to spend the rest of my life with you too.
Jess put on the ring on her finger and kissed Rory furiously. He then held her in his arms, as if he was scared she would disappear.
Jess: If only you knew how much I love you...
Rory: I think I got an idea 'cause I love you as much, if it's not more.
They kissed again, gently this time, then Jess just looked around and Rory looked down at her ring. A few minutes later, Rory's cell phone rang.
Rory: Hello?
Voice: Rory, it's your mother. You can come home, please? There's someone who wants to see you.
Rory: Ok.
She hung up.
Rory: We have to head back home, there's apparently someone who wants to see me.
Jess: Let's go then.
They got up and went home.