Breathe, breathe, breathe.
"It's like I have to actually remind myself to breathe. It's crazy..." Rory was inbetween nodding off, her head lying on Jess' shoulder.
"Hopefully you don't forget to do that – I'm not really into that whole 'dating a corpse' thing. Not after that whole messy situation last time, anyway..." Jess smiled down at her, eliciting a laugh from the rosy cheeked girl. The chill air had turned both of their noses to cherries.
Dawn was about to crack the darkness. They were relaxing against a tree by their beloved bridge. The first timid rays of blue morning were creeping up on them.
"I can't believe that we've been out here all night." Rory tried to scoot a little closer.
"Sitting in the snow even."
Jess's arm tightened around Rory's waist, pulling her snug against him. He rested his chin on her head, reveling in this renewed feeling.
"When are you gonna tell him?" His voice was gruff.
"As soon as I speak with him."
"And that will be..." he let the question hang in the dewy air.
"Today. I think he's coming here."
"Fantastic. The three of us can put on hats and have a little ho-down," he drawled. After a second he looked down at her, a mock serious expression covering his features. "You think he'll be my date for Spring Fever? I mean I know it's short notice and all, but what if I give him my most charming smile?"
She gazed up at him sternly. "Well, I'm glad that you find all of this so hilarious."
He shrugged. "He's a dick. You know that he is. Why should I feel any sympathy for him?"
"I'm not asking you to sympathize for him. I'm just asking that you don't compound things and make them any worse."
"Would I do that?"
"Yes," was her swift response. She could feel his chest rising and falling in a deep chuckle. A breeze floated by and a shiver shot through her.
"Come on, we need to get you home." He reluctantly untangled himself, getting to his feet and and held out his hand to help her up.
"Did I tell you how right this feels?"
He smirked a bit. "Tell me again."
"This feels right."
"That it does."
Their arms were snaked together, fingers entwined. They walked in companionable silence but the world never sounded sweeter.
--
"Rory!"
"Yeah, mom, it's me." They entered through the front door, Lorelai's voice wafting down from the upstairs.
"Ya want me to go?" Jess asked quietly, before he was sighted.
"No. Stay." Rory looked at him through nervous eyes. "Please?" He nodded simply.
Lorelai rushed down the stairs distractedly. "Oh, kid!" she breathed in relief when she heard her voice. "You had me scared! I actually woke up early – I know, I woke early and there wasn't even a fire at the Inn to blame for it! It was a horrible dream and Bono kept telling me that there was no more pizza left in the world and I just kept screaming 'no, no, no...'. Anyway, since I was up I figured that you should have to suffer with me but then you weren't-" she finally looked up.
"Hi." Jess stood awkwardly, still grasping Rory's hand.
Lorelai stood speechless.
"Um, mom. Hey, sorry I've been up, actually..."
"I can see that -" she was still staring, gob-smacked, at Jess.
"Yeah, well, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry."
"When – how – what – where?" Her mother stuttered, not able to fully form any words.
"That was good – my journalism professor would be very proud."
"Rory," she chided.
"Jess is back," she offered lamely.
"I can see that. Why is he here with you, holding your hand?"
"I'm right here, you know...I can hear you." Jess replied.
"What about Logan?" Lorelai ignored him.
"It's over."
"Does he know that? You can't do this again; lead someone on like this. Why does this always happen when he comes around? You treat the other guy like dirt. First Dean and now Logan. It's not right."
Her mother's comments stung her, even though it was the truth. She stood in silence. Jess spoke up for her.
"Look, you don't know what you're talking about..."
"No, it's true. You're right, mom. You know it, I know it," she turned tearfully to Jess. "You know it, too. You come around and everything just turns foggy..."
His face crumpled a bit. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm a big jerk, that's all."
Lorelai looked contrite. "That's not what I'm sayin', kid. I love you. You're the best kid in the world! Everyone knows that. All I'm trying to say is that you need to think things through a little bit better sometimes." She laughed a little. "That sounds funny – me saying that to you. With all of your lists and plans." She paused. "I'm just saying that even though Logan has never been my favourite person, you still need to treat him with respect; because that's who you are."
Rory nodded. "I never got over Jess. I know that you don't agree with my decision, but I hope that you can try to understand it. And yes, he can be jerky at times..."
"Hello? Still here -" He interjected and was still ignored.
"Rory, you're the smartest person in the world. And the coolest – well, after your mother, of course." She smiled genuinely. "I trust your judgment."
Rory returned the smile. "Thanks, mom." She hugged her mom, still not relinquishing his hand.
Lorelai turned a threatening glare to him. "If you even think about trying to break my daughter's heart again I will do very,very,very,very dark things to you. Do you understand?"
He nodded curtly. "I'm not gonna make the same mistakes again. Trust me."
Rory beamed up at him.
There was the sound of a throat clearing behind them and they all snapped their attention to the still open doorway.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Logan asked snidely.
"Oh! Logan..." Rory was thinking of something clever to say, something to alleviate the thick tension of the moment. "You remember Jess, don't you?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry that it took so long to update! I would be most honoured if you reviewed – I hope that you guys liked it! And a very enormously mammoth THANK YOU to all of you who have reviewed and who like this! You guys are the very best! I should have another update up here again within the next few days...