Part 7 : I know I won't die alone

A little more than a year later, about a week and a half before the big event, it was Jess's bachelor party, that Luke had organized, where were invited T.J. (Liz's boyfriend), Richard Gilmore, Christopher (Yes! Rory's father!) and a few of Jess's friends and coworkers. Somewhere else was Rory's bachelorette party, that, obviously, had been organized by Lorelei, where Lane, Paris, Liz, Emily Gilmore, miss Patty, Babette, Gypsy and Rory's other friends and coworkers had been invited to. Both nights were going well until the moment when someone rang both doorbells. ''Oh no...'' Rory and Jess thought at the same time. So they got a strip-tease...A little later during the night, Rory went to the bathroom for a moment while composing a number on her cell phone.

Hello? a voice answered on the other end.

Hey, it's me.

Oh, hey. What's going on?

I miss you...

I miss you too...one more week and a half and it will all be over.

I know...time doesn't pass by quickly enough...

I can understand.

I still tried on my dress last night.

Verdict?

It's still so pretty...and I'm getting more and more nervous. Soon I won't be able to sleep.

Relax, Ror. I'm nervous too.

Well, I should go or they'll wonder what I'm doing in the bathroom.

Again that excuse?

I can't find a better one.

I see. I got to go too.

I love you Jess.

I love you too Ror. See you soon.

See you soon.

She hung up, smiling lightly, and she went back with the others.

A week and a half later – Big day, 7 AM

Rory was lying down in her bed at her mother's house, looking at the ceiling. It's been a moment she's been awake. The stress was killing her. At 7:01, her mother came in the room.

Come on up! she said. Today's the big day!

I'm scared mom...

I know hun. But when you'll walk down the aisle and that you'll see Jess at the other end waiting for you, it will all go away. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

What if Jess doesn't want to get married anymore? What if he doesn't love me anymore?

Rory, that's impossible. Jess loves you. That's the stress that makes you say that. Come on now, get up! Lane and Sookie are on their way here for hair dressing and make-up.

But the ceremony's only at 2!

I know, but we need a maximum of time to make you the prettiest wife!

Rory got stubborn and put her head under the blankets. She finally got up when Lorelei gave her a cup of coffee, that she gratefully took. A few minutes later, Lane and Sookie arrived and it all began. Rory began by taking a shower and, as soon as she was out of the bathroom, her mother and Lane assaulted – litterally – with hair products of all kinds while Sookie was making breakfast. At the same moment, in Luke's old appartment, Jess was still in his bed, but he'd been awake for a long time. Actually, he had barely slept, the stress had won on him last night, He looked at the clock: 7:33. He had still plenty of time. He closed his eyes to get some more rest, but someone knocked on the door a few minutes later. He tried to ignore it, but the person insisted. A voice came with the knocks.

Jess, it's me! his mother's voice said. I know you're there!

But what are you doing here?

I'd like to talk to you. Can I?

Give me a minute!

He got up, muthering under his breath, put on quickly his last night clothes and went to the door. It was barely opened tat he was already circled by his mother's arms.

Ah, my little boy!

Jess let go of her and went to do some coffee while Liz was sitting at the table.

So, what did you want to talk about? he asked her, sitting down, a cup in his hand.

Well, first I wanted to tell you congratulations. For this wedding, but also for all that you've accomplished these last years. I'm proud of you.

Huh...thanks.

I also wanted to tell you...that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for those years where I hadn't been there...well...I know it's been since your childhood, but...I wanted you to know that I'm sorry. When your father left, I panicked...and you see where it brought us. I didn't have the courage to ask Luke for help because I was scared that he would refuse after what I did.

What did you do?

I abandonned him when our father died, when he needed me.

Oh...

Yeah...anyway. I wanted you to know too that if Rory and you need anything, you can ask me. I'll try to be a better mother than I'd been. If we could at least get along, it would be a start. We'll probably never have what Rory and her mother have, but I only want you to don't be ashamed of saying that I'm your mother.

Jess stayed silent for a moment, trying to process the information through his brain.

Wow, he finally said, looking at her. Thanks.

She smiled shyly and got up.

Well, with that, I'll let you slowly get prepared. You're probably nervous, so I'll let you calm down. I'll see you later.

'Later, he answered absently, still not believing what he just heard.

He didn't move from there until new knocks could be heard.

Come in, he said.

The door opened to let his uncle in.

So Jess, how are you?

If you take off the knot in the stomach and the need to vomit, everything's fine.

You're nervous. It's normal. If you weren't, I would be asking myself some serious questions. So, how's that vows writing thing doing?

I haven't begun yet.

What? The ceremony's in less than seven hours, what are you waiting for?

Well figure that my mother came for a visit earlier and I'm still shocked by what she said.

She haven't said anything to discourage you, I hope!

No, no. Don't worry.

What did she say, then?

And he told him all that Liz had said. Luke was shocked too, then he left his nephew alone with his vows' writing.

1:59 PM, Stars Hollow's church, the same day.

Jess, more nervous than ever, was at the front and was impatiently waiting for the ceremony to begin. Behind him, Luke saw Jess's nervousness and put a hand on his shoulder, lightly squeezing it, trying to calm him down. Jess turned around to smile to him, when the first notes could be heard. He turned to face the aisle, waiting for Rory's arrival, who appeared a few seconds later at her father's arm, beautiful. She smiled to Jess, who smiled back with one of those rare smiles she loves so much. Their nervousness flew away immediatly. At the end of the aisle, Christopher, after kissing her on the cheek, let her daughter to Jess and went to sit down, and the ceremony finally began. Then the vow's exchange moment arived. Rory began.

Jess...what can I say about all this...with you, I discovered the real reality. The one that hurts, obviously, but also the one that makes happy. That's also with you that I discovered real love. I know I haven't had much experience in this, but I also know that I would leave you for nothing in this world. This moment, I only want to share it with you, as long as my entire life. I love you Jess. Don't forget it.

She turned around a moment and refaced him before sliding a ring around his ring finger. He squeezed her hands, once again a little nervous, and spoke.

Rory...my sun ray in the rain, my lull in the storm...Before knowing you, I wasn't very much apart maybe a little jerk of the worst kind. Without really knowing it, you often made me requestion and have a fight with myself. That time that I left, it was because I was scared. And I was ashamed. Ashamed of what I was, ashamed of what I had done, but most of all, ashamed of the way that I had treated you. I wasn't good enough for you. But you came to me all the same when I asked you for help despite what I had done to you and I thank you for it. I wouldn't be the man I am today without you. I met a lot of girls before you, but I've never loved any of them. You'll always be the only one for me.

He took the ring Luke was handing him and slid it on her finger, under her wet look. When he lifted his gaze, he saw Rory's tears, who was smiling despite her tears. The reverend spoke.

Good. Now, Jess Mariano, Lorelei Leigh Gilmore, by the powers given to me by the Church and the state of Connecticut, I now declare you husband, and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Jess didn't have to be asked twice. He took Rory's face in his hands and kissed her softly, wiping her tears with his thumbs. Everyone applaused.

If you had told me, 7 or 8 years ago, that I would meet a girl that would do of me a totally different man, I would probably have laughed before telling you to go to hell. Today, I finally realized how lucky I was to have a girl like Rory with me. If things had been different, I would probably have never met her, I would probably have never found a family that, even if it's a little crazy, I love. I would probably have never made up with my mother, I would even probably have never known what love is. Now, I know I won't die alone.

The End