Chapter Twenty-Two

That night in the Gilmore house, Rory and Jess were doing the dishes, Luke was putting away the leftovers, and Lorelai was "supervising" everyone's work.

"So, I have some catching up to do because I'm a late transfer, but the classes are really interesting," Rory was saying. "There's one on films as historical references, their validity and such and how to tell. It's going to be fun. Oh, and the professor, Professor Rydell is his name, he shoots you with a water gun if you come into class late."

"You better not take that class," Luke teased Lorelai.

"Ha, ha," Lorelai scoffed. "So what's on tomorrow's agenda?"

"I have classes until four," sighed Rory.

"I have the appointment with the doctor Matt recommended," Jess replied.

"About the laser surgery?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, it's just a consult though, nothing definite," Jess replied.

"I wanted to go with you," Rory sighed.

"Luke's going to come. I don't want you to miss any classes," Jess said. "He's only going to evaluate me and decide if I can even have the operation. If we get past this point, then I'll make the next appointment when you can be there."

Rory leaned over to kiss Jess and Lorelai smiled, "Lucy and Kevin did a terrific job, didn't they?"

"Yeah," Luke sighed. "So did you. She's who she is because of you, you know?"

Lorelai nodded, "And he is who he is because of you," she whispered back. "I love you, Luke."

"Mm," Luke murmured. "Me too." And then he kissed her.

Jess finished drying the dishes and used the wet towel to wack Rory on the behind, "Come on, empty out that pan. We're going to start the movie."

Lorelai watched as Jess and Rory went in their separate directions, then complained, "Who said he could pick the movie?" she pouted.

"He didn't pick the movie," Luke replied. "I did."

An hour later, Rory and Lorelai were both sound asleep. Jess had moved himself into the big recliner that Richard and Emily bought him. Rory was cuddled up next to him, Luke was on the sofa with Lorelai, her head in his lap as he stroked her hair affectionately. Rory occasionally stirred in her sleep, when she did, Jess tightened his hold and kissed her forehead.

"So, are you really going to do it?" Luke asked.

"Yeah, I consider myself the luckiest man in the world. I'll never find myself a better partner. I love her," Jess declared. "And I'm going to marry her. Tomorrow, after I tell her that the doctor says he can operate, once I know I can be a real husband to her, I'm going to give her the ring and I'm going to marry her."

"Jess, you're awfully young. You can't possibly," Luke began.

"Luke after these last few months I know more about committing and…I want to be with Rory and live as her husband," Jess told him.

Luke let out a long sigh, "I wish I could argue with you, Jess. But the truth is I feel the same way myself," he said looking down at Lorelai. "What do you want to do about them? Should I carry Rory to bed so you can do your thing?"

Jess nodded, "Please. She's usually up two hours or so a night with me so I don't want to disturb her now."

Luke gently moved Lorelai into the sitting position and lifted her into his arm, "I'll be right back."

Half an hour later, Rory was still peacefully sleeping in her and Jess' bed downstairs. Upstairs, Lorelai and Luke lay awake holding each other in the dark. Out of the blue Luke said, "He wants to marry her."

"I know," Lorelai said. "And as much as I hate to admit it, she wants to marry him. I'm…my only fear is they're too young to make it last."

"I was at first too, but they've been through so much in the last four months. If one or the other really wanted out…"

Lorelai cut him off, "I know you're right," she sighed. "I'm just not sure I'm ready to lose a daughter."

"Think of it this way," Luke chuckled. "You won't be losing a daughter, but you'll be gaining one big pain in the ass."

The following afternoon, Luke and Jess waited in Dr. Michael Thorton's inner office. The esteemed neurosurgeon had been recommended to Jess by Drs. Davis and Camden. The physician had just examined Jess and now they waited.

"Jess," Luke said. "Whatever he says about the operation, I don't want you to lose hope. Just because it's no now, doesn't mean it will be no forever."

"I know, Luke. Que sera sera, right?"

Luke nodded, "Right."

A few minutes later, the door opened and Dr. Thornton came in. His face was serious and looking at it made Jess' stomach drop, "So?" he asked expectantly.

"Mr. Mariano, Mr. Danes, I've looked over all of the tests Dr. Davis ran, I've read the therapists reports, and weighted all that information against my own assessments. Before I tell you my decision, I want you to be aware that spinal surgery of any kind has risks and in paraplegics, those risks are increased tenfold. As this is a very knew procedure, you could potentially end up worse off than you are right now," the doctor explained.

"Dr. Camden told us about the risk of infection, but we decided to try anyway," Jess replied.

Dr. Thornton nodded, "I see why your doctors feel you'll benefit from surgery an d you are a young man, Jess, however, I don't feel with your present condition this surgery will benefit you. This is not a cure-all, Mr. Mariano. You'll have to work and work hard to gain any benefit and I don't think you are physically in the condition to handle such an undertaking.

"So your saying no? The answer…the answer is no?" Jess asked his voice desperate.

The doctor nodded and removed his glasses, "For the time being I'm afraid so, I'm sorry."

"You're sorry!" Jess snapped. "You're…"

Luke put a strong hand on Jess' shoulder, "Jess, calm down. Let's just go home."

Luke took Jess' chair and pulled it back, but Jess took over powering it himself. "Suppose I best get used to it," he murmured and left the doctor alone in his office.

Jess was quiet the whole drive back to Stars Hollow. It was nearly four o'clock by the time they got back. "Should I drop you at the house? Rory should be home by now."

"Um, no. I need some time to think before I face her. You can leave me at the diner I'll get myself home," Jess replied.

"If you're sure you're welcome to," Luke replied. "Supper at six."

Jess went down to the bridge and looked out at the water. The lake wasn't deep, only three feet or about, but looking into it, the water seemed endless. Just like this problem now did, this morning he'd been dreaming of being here, proposing to Rory at their special spot, giving her the tiny golden ring with the little speck of a stone he'd bought on credit the day before. Now that dream might as well be at the bottom of the lake.

It was a little after six when Luke arrived home and was greeted by jumpy and eager Lorelai and Rory. "So. How did it go?" Lorelai asked.

"Didn't Jess tell you?" Luke asked his expression crestfallen.

"No," Rory replied. "He's not with you."

"No, he wanted to be alone. The, uh, the news isn't good. We were turned down," Luke sighed and Lorelai went to him and put her arms around his waist. "I have no idea where he got to."

"I have a pretty good idea," Rory sighed. "I'll be back in a bit."

Rory immediately headed for the bridge. If Jess was upset or hurting he would be there. He loved that place. It was his place and after awhile it became their place. Sure enough Jess was there staring at his lap, opening and closing something that he held in his hand.

"Hey," Rory greeted. "Dinner's ready."

Jess started when he heard her voice. He should have expected her, but as he sat there he had no idea how much time had passed. The sudden start caused him to drop the box he'd been holding. Rory closed on his and bent to retrieve it. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw what was nestled in the dark blue velvet.

"Jess, what is this?"

"Nothing," he mumbled and stared at the water.

"Oh no. This is something. Definitely something," Rory countered, somewhat uneasily. She moved closer and knelt in front of Jess, blue eyes meeting brow. "What is this?"

"Itsyourengagementring," Jess mumbled quickly.

"My what?" she asked gently.

"Your ring, okay. I wanted to give it to you when I told you that I was going to be able to have the surgery. But now…now that's not happening so I might as well…" He reached to take the box from her hand but she moved it out of his reach.

"Jess, you wanted to…you were…" Rory was speechless.

"Yeah. I love you and I wanted to be your husband, but I wanted it to be real, not like this. I'll…I don't want this for you," he looked at his lap.

"Shouldn't I be the judge of that?" she asked softly. "I want to be with you. I love you."

Jess leaned over and gently kissed her lips. "I really wanted that operation, you know? I wanted to dance with you on our wedding day, make love to you, walk the floors with our babies…I had so many dreams…" His voice caught and a tear leaked out of his eye.

Rory smiled a sad smile and brushed the tear away. "We still can have those dreams, being together is how we get those dreams, Jess. Walking would just be a fringe benefit. Now are you going to put that ring on my finger or what?"

Jess couldn't help but chuckle as he removed the tiny ring from it's box, "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes," she nodded firmly through tears and watched as Jess slipped the ring on her left ring finger.

Jess smiled, "You do realize this qualifies as a deal right?"

"But of course," Rory replied in a faux French accent and leaned in to kiss him. "Now, let's go tell my Mom and Luke.

Luke and Lorelai were both pacing the kitchen when Rory and Jess bolted into the house by way of the kitchen entrance. "Mom, Luke…guess what!"

"What? You look happy! I didn't think this news would constitute a happy."

"That news doesn't, but…" Rory held out her hand. "This news does."

Lorelai let out a shrill screech and grabbed Rory holding her tightly. "I'm so happy for you. I didn't think I would be, but I am. Oh, Sweets, congratulations. Congratulations Jess." Lorelai leaned over to kiss her new "son" on the cheek.

"Thanks, Lorelai," he smiled.

Luke leaned over and hugged his nephew, "I'm proud of you. Congratulations."

"Wow, this is really…" Lorelai started then stopped, her face suddenly getting sad.

"Mom?" Rory asked worried. She truly wanted Lorelai to be happy for her and Jess. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just always thought that I'd get married before my daughter did," Lorelai sighed.

Jess looked over at Luke and made a sideways motion with his head. Luke took a deep breath and turned to Lorelai, "Actually…I wanted to talk to you about that."