A/N: So it always bothered me that Rory was supposed to be so ambitious but never did anything on her breaks from school that would further or help her career. It was like once she got into University, she didn't need to be ambitious anymore. (Maybe that explains why she was struggling in AYITL) So I wrote Rory the way I wanted to see her - actually I really just wanted to match her actions to her words.

Thank you all for the kind feedback on this story! Sorry to say this might be a long one and I will try to not go too long without adding chapters.

Rory was spending the Summer volunteering at the Stars Hollow Gazette, working part time at the SH Book Store and part time at the Hartford Courant. Richard had an in at the Courant and Rory was happy to use this advantage. She was especially thrilled when Bernie Roundbottom (the editor of the Gazette) would approve a story she wrote for the Courant. It made her feel like she was bringing more world news to her hometown.

Logan was constantly running off on one Life and Death Brigade escapade or another. His father had given him a job at one of the family companies but Logan blew it off more often than not.

While Rory had very strong feelings for Logan and felt like she was her most fun version of herself when she was with him, they fought a few times due to his lack of work ethic. He would want her to come out more and she didn't understand how he could blow off such an amazing opportunity working in New York.

Rory was at home surrounded by containers of Chinese food, her laptop and random papers of notes. She was in her Yale sweatpants & tshirt, obviously in for the night ready to work.

There was a knock at the door, she didn't lift her eyes from her notes as she walked to the door and opened it,

"Another rager at the Gilmore house, I see. When does the keg arrive?"

Rory looked up and locked eyes with Jess, "Thankfully you got here, I know you're an expert at opening them."

"Can I come in?" Jess asked cautiously.

Rory stepped aside motioning for Jess to come in, as she closed the door and followed him to the living room she felt butterflies in her stomach.

"You're here alone?" Jess asked, eyeing all the food.

"Yeah, Mom and Luke left for the honeymoon this morning. Oh, ha ha, I ordered a lot of food."

They shared a smile.

"So what's up Jess? Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to say Hi. We didn't really get a chance to talk at the wedding. I'm sorry I didn't give you the head's up that I was coming. It was really last minute."

"Hey, you don't have to check with me when you come and go," Rory said as she sat on the couch trying to act casual.

"Rory, come on. I'm trying to apologize here. I've done a lot of thinking and, I'd like to believe, a lot of growing, since we last saw each other. I have a letter for you, I wrote it before I knew I was going to see you face to face. But I think I express myself better when I write, so I'm going to leave you the letter. I just wanted to see you and give it to you in person." Jess pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket and placed it on the coffee table. "I left you my new number in there. But I get it if you don't want to use it," He stood up and smiled at her. "I am really sorry about how I left. You deserved better. I hope the guy you're with now knows that."

Rory wanted to tell him to stay, but her mouth wasn't listening to her brain, or maybe it was her brain keeping her heart in check. Whatever it was she sat there and listened to him let himself out. She could hear him walking to his car and drive off. She sat in the silence for a few more minutes and then reached for the envelope. She had to read this letter!

When she was finished she had tears in her eyes, she reread it two more times before grabbing the phone and furiously dialing a number.

"Can you get over here? Now, if possible. Great!"

Twenty minutes later Lane was eating a spring roll as she read Jess' letter. "Oh my God!" Lane gasped.

"Right?"

"Oh my GOD!"

"Right!"

"What are you going to do?" Lane asked.

"I don't know," Rory sighed. "That's why you're here. You have to help me!"

Lane joined Rory on the couch and sat crossed legged facing her. Rory then turned to face Lane, they had assumed their 'Best Friend Serious Discussion' positions.

"So what is the debate?" Lane started. "Do you want to go to Philly to spend some of the Summer with him? Does he know about Logan? Is Logan a factor?"

"Of course Logan is a factor! I told him that I couldn't be in a no strings attached relationship, so he committed to me. I can't just bail on him. If I go to Philly I would have to have a long conversation with Logan first. I would be going to explore the option of a relationship with Jess, I can't do that behind Logan's back." Rory took a breath and then grabbed more food, "Okay, GO! Give me your opinion."

Lane thought for a minute, "We're doing the 100% honesty thing, correct? I can say anything and it won't affect our friendship, right?"

"Of course!" Rory nodded emphatically.

"Okay, then honestly I'm not a huge Logan fan. I know that I don't really know him, but I just never saw you with a guy like that. He just looks like a player. And someone who Lorelai would hate and I just can't wrap my brain around you being with someone so in your Grandparents' world."

"Mom hated Jess," Rory reminded her.

"Sure, but he has obviously grown from the kid she hated. He showed up for Luke. He made a pretty great toast at the wedding and if she read this letter, she would soften to him even more."

Luke was happily driving his truck listening to the soft rock music channel his wife settled on before falling asleep. He glanced over at her and smiled. Her head was resting against the car window, her mouth slightly opened and her beautiful hair falling into her face as it bounced along with the truck's movements. His left thumb kept going to rub the ring that now lived on that hand, as he traced it back and forth he couldn't help but smile and wish his parents could see him now. It wasn't that long ago that he was sure he would die alone and sad like his Uncle Louie. He should have known then that she would always be there, he should have known then that she was The One. They could have had an extra two years together if he would have worked up the courage to ask her out then, like he wanted to. "But all that regret shouldn't matter now", he could hear his Mother's voice saying, "What matters is now".

And now he was married to the love of his life with a baby on the way. He had his own family, he could officially refer to Rory as his daughter (he would just leave out the "Step" part) and soon there would be a baby to add to the mix. He glanced at Lorelai's stomach, her hand was resting on it protectively. She did this often and without realizing it. He was sure people must be guessing that she's pregnant because of that and the quickness of their wedding. But no one said anything to him, impressing him that Miss Patty and Babette COULD keep a secret if they wanted to.

He rounded a corner, pulled into a parking lot and turned off the car.

He put his hand on Lorelai's shoulder and softly shook her, "Hey, wake up, we're here."

Lorelai sighed and slowly opened her eyes, "Why did you let me sleep? I wanted to play road trip games with you."

"That's why I let you sleep!"

"Ha ha!" She said sarcastically and swatted his arm. She then looked around and smiled. "Where are we? It's beautiful!"

Luke beamed, he had planned the Honeymoon as a surprise to her.

"This, My Bride, is the Madison Beach Hotel. We are going to check in, I have already booked you an hour at the spa and then we will have dinner and a walk on the beach. Starting tomorrow you can help make the plans."

The next few hours went just as planned. Luke napped in the room while Lorelai had a massage and then they had a lovely dinner on the deck of the hotel overlooking the beach. After they finished eating, Luke held out his hand, helping Lorelai from her seat and placed his other hand on the small of her back. They walked down the steps to the beach strolling quietly and enjoyed the sound of the water.

"So, when we get back you will be at the twelve week mark," Luke smiled.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, I made a doctor's appointment for Monday the 27th. I know you're eager to tell more people so once I see the doctor and he says all is well we can go public."

"It's not that I want to go public, I just really wanted to tell Jess." Luke said softly.

"I have to say," Lorelai sighed, "I was impressed by him. He really showed up for you! Even his toast was something he obviously worked on and he rented a suit. It was nice to see him doing something nice for you. He even pulled me aside and talked to me. It was really nice."

Luke stopped in his tracks causing Lorelai to jerk to a stop, "Jess talked to you? About what? Please don't tell me you two fought."

Lorelai touched Luke's face, "I just told you it was nice, calm down. He apologized for being so difficult and rude to me. He said that with time and distance he realized that I was just looking out for you and Rory. He told me how much he cared about Rory, how proud he was that she was living her dream, and he told me that he was really happy for us because to him it was obvious that we both were pining for each other."

Luke scoffed, "I wasn't pining!"

Lorelai kissed him softly and then whispered against his lips, "Yeah you were Babe. And I was pining for you too."

"Oh you were?" He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Mmm Hmm" she kissed his cheeks, jaw and neck.

"Should we go back to the room and finish this conversation?" Luke giggled.

"I think that's an excellent idea, Husband."
Luke raised his eyebrows in delight at being called Husband, "Then let's go, Wife!"