Just Another Lorelai Gilmore
Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of the affiliated characters/references
Chapter 2.
I sat at one of the many tables amongst all the towns people, watching as mom seemingly floated around in joy. Her second wedding of the day was beautiful, and without interruption. I took a sip of my apple cider, the celebratory drink that substituted the champagne everyone else was enjoying. I had the itch to leave and continue writing my book, with sudden inspiration, but knew it was way too early to dip out on the reception just yet.
"So, second time today I've caught you looking more than miserable. Anything you wanna talk about Gilmore?" I turned in my chair to face jess, as he situated himself at the table with me.
I shook my head. "Nothing worth fretting over, at least for anybody else. Just life." I gave a smile to try and prove I wasn't lying.
"You've been out of college for two years, Ror. So if it's the whole, no real job, no house, no credit thing give yourself a small break. Not everyone snaps into a perfect life after tossing their cap in the air." He smirked and for a brief moment grabbed my hand in his with a reassuring squeeze. "Besides, you've started your book, and that's a great accomplishment."
It amazed me how much he had changed, and how much he talked now, and not just to me. I was glad to be his friend, glad to have put the nasty past we had behind us, well, behind us enough to enjoy small talk here and there. I've hung my sad head on many shoulders, and complained to many people, but something about having Jess care and ask, made me feel more comfort than I had before. Our past may hold many fights and blame games, but his presence now meant a lot to me. I must be going crazy, knocked up by another man and my heart is racing at the touch of jess' hand. As if we'd ever have another chance after the mess I'd gotten myself into.
"You wanna dance, err… or something?" He asked with hesitation. "I mean, maid of honor and best man, I think its our duty as the chosen ones." He had stood up, offered his hand out, waiting for mine to grasp it and join him.
"Only if you don't dance as spazzy as Luke." I gave him a teasing smile and slowly slid my hand into his, walking over to the designated dance area by the gazebo.
"I think I can manage a slow song without letting the inner spazz out." He wrapped an arm around me, continuing to hold the hand he had taken when offering to dance. We swayed slowly, with a modest amount of space between us. "I guess, we're like cousins or something ridiculous like that now."
I gave a genuine laugh and snort, putting my head down in giggles before looking him in the eyes. "Oh god please don't ever refer to me as your cousin." We were both laughing, imagining the thought of that was absurd. "That will put a whole damper on the thoughts seventeen year old me used to have."
His eyebrow shot up in question and he gave a knowing smirk. "So, wanna share any of those thoughts with me? Maybe you're not the innocent girl everyone thinks you are."
I rolled my eyes, "Oh please, I think we both know what was running through our minds back then, no need to put it into words now." I could feel I was blushing, and honestly surprised I had insinuated that I thought of him that way before. "You may be losing your hoodlum reputation, as we dance Jess." I had whispered near his ear, as I spotted quite a few onlookers; two of them being mom and Luke with goofy grins on their faces. I could feel he had tensed a bit as I whispered, and I would be lying a bit to myself if I said I didn't enjoy that reaction.
"Ah jeez. This town has gotta get better cable, so they're not mesmerized by everyone else's lives." He shifted a little in our stance, "Well song is over anyway. Now they can stop gawking." He slowly dropped our hands and released his other arm that had been wrapped around my back. "Thanks for the dance, though."
"Thank you for the dance, I was getting a little restless over there before." We made our way over to the buffet, and I loaded some of the dessert items that had been brought out. "I was just about to leave, I've had a sudden inspiration on more for my book."
"Isn't it the most refreshing thing when the words just come pouring out? It feels like your mind has just opened for the very first time. Like, you've literally just cut yourself open and have bled every thought you've ever had." He had a twinkle in his eye as he talked, genuine excitement over this thing we now shared.
"It is, Thanks for giving me the idea Jess. This book has been very healing and at the same time, it's cutting open old and new wounds. But in the best way. I've never had more passion for writing than when I've been putting this book together."
I sat at the table I had been sitting at before, but he continued to stand. "Are you taking off already?" I questioned, and was a little sad that he probably was.
He nodded in confirmation. "Truncheon has a couple releases I need to help sort in the morning, and I have to finish some details with an artist for a party we're having." He had been looking off to the party, but finally turned back to me. "Thanks for the company."
I stood up abruptly and gave him a hug. Who knew when I would see him again, and next time I could very well have a child in tow, or be ridiculously huge and showing my pregnancy. I pulled back from the hug, reluctantly. "Drive safe, ok."
I could tell he was surprised by my action. "I'll touch in with you guys, when I'm there safely." He gave me a smile and headed off.
"Uh so Cindy Lou who, have you warmed the heart of the grinch or what?!" I laughed as my mother was clearly buzzed and took Jess' previous chair from the table. "I saw you guys dancing and chatting away, what's up with that?" She had 'gossip face' on, meaning she was expecting a lot of information, when there was really none to give.
"Sorry to disappoint you on the day of your wedding mom, but we were just talking before he headed back to Philadelphia." I stuffed a cookie Sookie had made, into my mouth.
"Talking never looked so cozy out on the dance floor. Now I am not opposed to the idea of Jess, but you guys are cousins now… or something. And I'm only thinking of you and all the kissing cousin jokes I can make, when I point this out." She laughed an evil laughed and threw her head back.
On the other hand, I was shocked she just admitted that she wasn't opposed to Jess anymore. But I shook my head, approval from Lorelai or not, I still had one bun in the oven to cook, and that would stop me all in its own. "Well thank you, for already conjuring up some jokes on our behalf, but you forget I'm in the process of making your grandchild and well…" I drifted off my words, and tried not to get sad. It wasn't fair of me to bring down her night.
"Alright, alright the teasing stops. I'm sorry sweets." She rubbed my arm, and gave me a hug. "You look tired, Ror. I would not mind at all if you slipped away to go rest."
"Thanks mom, I am very tired. I don't know how you're not falling over after being up all night and marrying Luke, twice!" I stood up and gave her another hug. "Congrats again, I'm so happy for you guys."
She had tears in her eyes, I'm sure a mixture of being tired and all her booze was creating emotions. "This is the dream, kid. Ive got the guy, the great daughter, the life." She was still holding onto our hug. "You'll be here one day too, you've just taken the Lorelai approach at getting there."
Tears slid down my face after I started walking away from the party. I definitely needed some sleep, and I needed this day to be over.
As I neared the house, I noticed a couple lights on and Jess' figure walking about, probably gathering his things to head out. My cell phone then rang, lighting up the dark with Logan's contact picture glowing. Surprised he was calling so soon, I leaned on my car and took the call. "Hey, I wasn't really expecting a call back so quickly…"
"Look, I don't know what to do here. I've been thinking all day, and I just go in circles with every option. As much as I hate where I've landed career wise, I'm settled here. I finally have my family's approval, which never meant anything but now it means something, Ace. I'm supposed to be getting married in less than six months. Not long ago, I would've done anything to be with you, but you turned me down. You chose not to be with me." He sounded worried, and probably a little intoxicated.
"Logan stop right there, this isn't me trying to choose to be with you. This is me giving you information on a situation that's happened." I spoke softly, but direct, so he could calm down.
"I'll give you whatever you need for the baby. I'll send money, the Huntzbergers won't notice a few thousand missing a month. I just don't know what I can offer in terms of being there."
"So is that what you want Logan?" I suddenly felt scared, scared that I will be an only parent, but also I felt relief. I heard the door shut loudly and I shot my head up as Jess nearly ran past me. "I gotta go." I hung up the call and walked briskly after Jess. "Hey! Wait up!" He didn't even look back, and now I wondered how much he had heard. "Jess!"
"I wouldn't want to interrupt your call to your boyfriend." He shouted over his shoulder, then stopped suddenly and looked back. "I can't believe you're still with him! You wanna talk about how your life is such a mess and things aren't going your way? Take a look at who you keep in your company Rory." He snapped with the last part and continued on his way.
I let him go, besides what could I say? 'It's not what you think? We're just discussing what to do with our illegitimate child?' I sighed in defeat and headed back up the driveway, wishing mom would be coming home after the reception, rather than going to the Inn and then her honeymoon.
I glanced down at my phone, which had an unread text from Logan. 'Sorry for not being the person you deserve. Let me know how much your medical bills come to and how things progress.'
And so starts the journey of being a single mother.
Thanks for reading! I hope you're enjoying everything so far! I'm trying to decide if I will stick to AYITL and keep with Richard being deceased, or stick to the 'real timeline' and have him alive. Though I feel, to capture Emily's character from the revival, his character would have to have already passed away. Thoughts? Let me know how you're liking the story and review! Thanks again!*
