"Mom!"

"Loinfruit!"

Rory ran over and hugged her Mom, dropping her stuff as she did so. Jess smiled softly, shaking his head as he watched them.

"You're finally here for Christmas," Lorelai smiled, "I'm so happy, kid."

"I've been here for Christmas before, Mom," Rory said playfully. Lorelai rolled her eyes and nodded.

"True, but my hope is that it becomes a regular thing. Hopefully the hoodlum you've conned into coming with you will help me accomplish that?"

"I think I'd be beat to death if I didn't," Jess said, raising an eyebrow. "Luke!"

He spotted Luke across the room, looking to be in a heated conversation with Taylor. Luke made eye contact with Jess, nodded, and then turned around to Taylor to say one more thing ("This isn't over!", it sounded like) and came over to greet them.

"Rory, Jess. So nice to have you guys here."

"Thanks for having us. I know I'm in for a crazy Stars Hollow weekend, but you and Taylor are already at it? Has the thing even started yet?"

"He got here early, to inquire about Lorelai's permits and other stupid crap he has no business…"

"Alright, alright, we get the gist," Jess nodded. "Why don't we go drop our stuff and then come back down for a drink, and you can tell us all about it?"

"That sounds fantastic. I think I'm allowed to take a quick break for my only daughter," Lorelai smiled, "And her man."

"I'm touched."

"Well now, that's just too much information. She's still my daughter."

"And on that note, you're in room 3. Best room in the house," Luke interrupted, handing them a key.

"What, you working check-in now?" Jess snickered, earning a glare from Luke.

"Just trying to do my part to get you to shut up."

"And for that, we thank you," Rory smirked, taking the key. "We'll be back shortly."

"Sounds good, kid," Lorelai smiled, "Here's some cookies to make it more fun."

"Seriously? We'll be like fifteen…alright, nevermind. I know who I'm talking to. Thanks, Lorelai."

"You're welcome, vagrant."

"That one's new."

"Trying to find something festive."

"Good luck with the search."

Rory and Jess grabbed their bags and headed upstairs. Rory smiled at Jess as she unlocked the door to their room.

"Wow, this is nice," Jess said, looking around. He'd seen a bunch of the inn after the robbery, when he was helping Luke put things back together- but mostly the main areas and not the guest rooms. The whole Inn was gorgeous- maybe not Jess' personal taste, sure, but he could recognize how cozy and inviting everything felt. This room, however, seemed almost tailored to their exact tastes. It had a fireplace with firewood and instructions to call to get your fire set up next to it, a little sitting area with a loveseat small table for eating, and an enormous window with a gorgeous view overlooking the stables and the grounds of the Inn. Beyond all that, though, was the most personal touch. The room had an enormous old bookshelf full of leatherbound copies of classic novels. They were gorgeous, and coordinated with the room perfectly- but Jess couldn't help but guess that not every room had this. There were also two incredibly comfortable-looking reading chairs near the shelf, with a tiny side table between them, just big enough to hold a cup of coffee.

"Mom calls this room The Library," Rory said, almost as if she were reading his thoughts, "It's where she's always put me when I stay here. She put it together when they first started the place, and it's one of their normal guest rooms- very popular. But no matter what, if I'm at the Inn, she gets me this room."

"I can see why," he smiled, "That's great of her. And it's perfect for you."

"Actually, it's perfect for us," she smiled. Turning, she frowned, puzzled. "Huh. I don't recognize the piece of art behind you. That's new."

Jess turned, and saw that on the wall there was a gorgeous, historic-looking photograph. No one would have noticed it if they weren't looking, or super attuned like Rory, as it looked completely in place, and played beautifully with all of the other historic elements around the room. And in fact, he'd seen photographs of historic buildings and places all throughout the inn, so it never would have even occured to him if Rory hadn't pointed it out. But as he looked at it closely, it immediately clicked into place in Jess' mind.

"That's Independence Hall," Jess said quietly, stunned.

"…Independence Hall?"

"Where the Constitutional Convention took place. It's in Philadelphia."

"I know where the Constitutional Convention…wait. Our Philadelphia?"

"Yes. But I think in this case…my Philadelphia," Jess said, "You said this is new?"

"Competely. I'm sure it wasn't here before," Rory said, now transfixed. "She must have wanted to make you feel welcome here. Like this was your room too."

"It doesn't even make sense here. The Inn is in Connecticut," Jess muttered, rolling his eyes, but still looking softly at the painting.

"It makes enough sense. The Inn has a historic theme, and the depiction is historic," Rory noted, "Do you…"

"It was really thoughtful of her," Jess said, nodding, "I hope she didn't feel like she needed…"

"Jess, I know my mom. If anything, I think this is an olive branch."

"Doing what exactly?"

"To make you part of the family."

"Isn't it a little early?" Jess smirked, "And wasn't I already kind of…"

"You know what I mean," Rory said, blushing. Jess nodded.

"No one's really done something like this for me. I mean, maybe Luke. Do you think he said something? Or any chance he did it?"

"We can ask?"

"No…I don't want to make a big deal. Let's just get unpacked and go downstairs." Rory pursed her lips, but nodded and started unpacking.

A few minutes later, she called to Jess.

"All done! I'm gonna go say hi to Mom! See you downstairs!"

"Wai…"

Rory was already gone. When she got downstairs, she pulled her Mom aside.

"Thanks for giving us the library," she said pointedly, "I like the new art."

"You noticed?"

"Did you think I wouldn't?"

"What did Jess think?"

"Was it you or Luke?"

"Are we ever going to answer each other's questions?"

"Are we?"

"Touche," Lorelai smiled, "It was me. Luke hasn't even seen it, and I don't think he'd know what it was. Did Jess?"

"Of course he did, he had to explain it to me," Rory rolled her eyes. Lorelai grinned.

"And here I was thinking you were the smart one."

"Hush, you. Mom, that was…you didn't have to."

"I know, kid. But whether or not he noticed…I wanted that room to be both of yours. I think it's going to be for a while, hon."

"I really hope so," Rory smiled, pulling her mom in close for a hug, only to feel a tapping on your shoulder.

"I knew something was up when you were finished packing before me. How did you even manage that?"

"Shoved everything in a drawer," Rory shrugged, without remorse, "I wanted to say hi to Mom."

"And should I assume that means what I think it does?"

"…probably." Jess smiled good-naturedly at Rory and rolled his eyes.

"Fat lot of good I did talking if you weren't going to bother to listen."

"It was Mom, not Luke. He doesn't even know. Mom was…"

"Mom is here and can speak for herself, Loinfruit. But this is already pretty awkward."

"Precisely why I didn't want her doing this," Jess agreed, rolling her eyes, "But you know your daughter. I think that stubborn streak is genetic."

"You've met my mother, so you must realize it's actually weakening."

"We can only hope," Jess smiled, "But…yeah. Thanks, Lorelai."

"…of course. It's your room too now."

"Thanks."

"Alright, alright, no need to get sentimental," Rory joked, earning her double glares, "Ooh-kay…fine. Jess, let's go grab those drinks and see if we can corral Luke so we can catch up for a bit."

"That sounds like a reasonable plan. Are you going to spoil it by doing the exact opposite the minute I turn around?" he teased, following closely behind her.

"Hey, I hope…"

"It didn't actually bother me, Rory. If it did, I'd tell you right away. Also, it's you and your Mom. I'm never really gonna expect you not to share things and talk with her."

"Thanks, Jess. That really was sweet of her."

"It was…it's nice."

"What is?"

"That she's making so much effort to include me."

"Well, she told me she thought it would be for a long time," Rory shrugged, trying to sound casual. Jess smirked.

"And what do you think?"

"I mean, yeah, that's the hope. Right?"

"Nope."

"Nope?!"

"Nope."

"What do you mean, nope?! Jess Mariano, I swear, if I…"

"It's not the hope, Rory. It's the plan." he smiled, leaning in to kiss her.