"Come on baby you need to put on your mittens it's cold outside." Rory had Libby had her on lap trying to get her to put the mittens on unsuccessfully.
"Here." Jess crouched in front of her. Jess ran his fingertips over Libby's hand until she unclenched them so he could put her mitten on. He did the same on her other hand. "Good girl."
"I'm a lousy mother." Rory declared.
"You're not a lousy mother."
"I can't even get my kid to put her mittens on."
"Rory she's eleven months old." Jess countered. "Trust me that doesn't make you a lousy mother."
"You can get her to put her mittens on."
"Ror, I know how to get her to open her hand because it works when she grabs something that she shouldn't that's all."
"I miss too much."
"Rory you're only gone for a few hours three days a week. You've worked hard enough that you should graduate with your class and trust me Libby will more proud of you for that than the fact that you could get her to put her mittens on."
"I know it's just…"
"Rory trust me, you're a great Mom. I had a lousy one so I know what I'm talking about." Jess gave her a kiss. "I'll go and put her in the car while you get your coat."
"Okay."
"Rory, she loves you and you love her that's what she'll remember." Jess stood by the door. "The rest of it doesn't matter."
"When did you take psychology?"
"The Internet. Free on-line course."
"You're taking courses on the Internet?"
"When I get bored." Jess replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Rory I was never going to college and honestly sitting in a classroom with some idiot prattle on about something I already knew about because I read it in a book bores me. I get that you like that stuff. This way I get to learn something I want to when I want to."
"I don't think that answered my question."
"I didn't think you'd care."
"I think it's great." Rory told him.
"Just don't tell anyone."
"Why not?"
"Just don't." Jess requested.
"Okay." Rory agreed.
GG
"Hey Mom." Rory said when she walked in.
"Hey Rory, Jess and my favourite person." Lorelai automatically went to take Libby from Jess.
"She's a little sleepy." Libby had her pyjamas on under her coat and mittens so it was less hassle to put her to bed when they got home.
"Okay, we'll put her in crib after I get a hug." They had a portable crib set up in Rory's room for when Libby came to visit.
"She started walking today." Rory told her.
"Walking?" Lorelai smiled.
"She walked three steps and fell down." Jess corrected. "We're still working on it."
"Three steps means she'll be walking by her birthday." Lorelai hugged Libby. "And you have to be careful where you leave things."
"The apartment was baby-proofed before she started to crawl." Jess pointed out. "You came and crawled around yourself."
"I know. I'll put Miss Sleepy to bed." Lorelai said. "Make yourself at home. Luke's cooking something that smells good."
"Thanks." Rory and Jess went and sat on the couch. "Everything okay?"
"I think I'm getting a headache."
"We'll stay we'll eat, we go home." Rory squeezed his hand. "At least it's not my grandparents."
Dinner went well, they talked about school and movies and general town gossip.
"So Mom, Jess said there was something you wanted to tell us?" Rory said as they
"I'll be right back." Lorelai got up and left the room.
"Do you want to tell us before she gets back?" Rory asked.
"Let your mother tell you." Luke replied.
When Lorelai came downstairs, she had her left hand behind her back.
"I have some news, it's kind of big." Lorelai pulled her hand and showed Rory. "Luke asked me to marry him."
"Wow." Rory grabbed her hand. "That is a nice ring, you're right Jess your grandfather did have good taste."
"You knew?" Lorelai questioned.
"He came by and took the ring out of the safe." Jess shrugged. "What was he going to do hock it?"
"When did he ask?" Rory inquired.
"Three days ago." Lorelai admitted.
"You call me to have me analyse your dreams you couldn't call to tell me you got engaged?" Rory asked.
"I want to get used to the idea?" Lorelai offered as an explanation.
"You wanted to spring it on everybody at dinner and then Grandma cancelled." It dawned on Rory.
"That too."
"Hey Jess, want to go outside it's a nice night." Luke suggested knowing it was going to be a long conversation.
"Good idea." Jess agreed.
TBC