Rory managed to get through the first semester and efforts of trying to study for her finals while looking after Libby.
Libby's first Christmas had gone well, the little girl being spoilt by all her grandparents and great-grandparents.
At the beginning of February, just weeks before her first birthday Jess was sat on the floor playing with her when Rory came home from school.
"Hey." Rory said coming in and setting her things down on the table.
"Hey." Jess replied. "Lib, look it's Mommy."
"Mama." Libby babbled.
"Hey baby." Rory said.
"Lib shall we show Mommy what we've been trying to figure out today."
"What's that?" Rory asked walking closer.
"Stay there." Jess told her. "Crouch down."
"Okay." Rory agreed hesitantly.
Jess got Libby to her feet and pointed her in Rory's direction. He held her up by her hands.
"Lib go to Mommy."
Libby took a few steps before Jess let go of her hands, Libby managed to take three steps by herself before she fell onto her diapered butt.
"She can walk!" Rory exclaimed and grabbed Libby and hugged her.
"She's only been able to manage one step by herself all day, so it's a work in progress."
"Are you a clever?" Rory held her tightly.
"Ror, you might want to let up so she can breathe." Jess suggested.
"Mommy is so proud of you."
"And would Mommy like to hear some good news?" Jess inquired.
"Good news?"
"Your grandmother called."
"That usually tends to indicate bad news." Rory pointed out.
"Apparently she came down with a bad head cold and doesn't want to give it to Libby so dinner is off tonight."
"So we get just us tonight." Rory handed Libby a toy.
"No." Jess replied.
"No?"
"Lorelai invited us to dinner, there's something she wants to tell us." Jess replied.
"Is Luke cooking?" Rory asked.
"I'd say so."
"Okay. Did she give you a hint as to what she wants to tell us?"
"No." Jess replied.
"But you have an idea?"
"Luke came and got something out of the closet he'd left in the drop safe." Jess replied.
"Do you know what?"
"Let's just say my grandfather had nice taste in jewellery."
"He proposed?" Rory questioned.
"That would be my guess."
"That's huge." Rory said.
"We don't know that." Jess stated. "Focus on Libby walking."
"Mama." Libby said.
"Sorry baby." Rory gave Libby a kiss. "Do you want to try walking again?"
Libby stuck out her tongue.
"I'd take that as a no." Jess suggested. "Did you have a good day otherwise?"
"I got an A on my paper."
"Don't you always." Jess smiled.
"Not always but pretty close."
"You're doing great."
"You're not doing badly either." Rory told him.
"Dada." Libby said crawling over to Jess.
"Hey kid." Jess picked her up. "We have to start teaching you new words." Libby's vocabulary was limited to Mama, Dada and a few other choice words.
"You'd think that given how much you read to her she would have a bigger vocabulary."
"She'll get there eventually. She's a work in progress."
"A good one." Rory smiled.
"Definitely." Jess agreed.
TBC