Just Another Lorelai Gilmore
Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of the affiliated characters/references.
Chapter 10.
We had pulled up to the house after mom and Luke, but we stayed in my car long after they had gone inside. "I shouldn't have just blurted that out to your grandparents, Rory. I'm sorry."
Jess was sitting in the drivers seat, as I was too upset to be the one to drive home. "Don't apologize, you were being honest and at least now they know… everything." I thought back on their facial expressions, as I stood there pouring out my secret. Grandma looked more mad than I had ever seen, and I honestly think grandpa was close to tears. His face gave way to little emotion, but I saw the glisten in his eyes. A second Gilmore, unwed and pregnant. I felt horrible for letting them down in that aspect, but grandmas attack on Jess and myself, quickly drowned that feeling. How dare she attack one of the few people I have in my corner right now.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Jess questioned, lacing his fingers into mine.
"I'm so sorry how tonight turned out for you. Those things my grandma said, they're not true. You are right for me, Jess. I may not have done as much dating as other girls my age, but I know without comparison that I've found a great guy. As of right now, I don't think I deserve you. I've been a horrible person to many people, including you. Honestly have no idea what you see in me." I laughed through some tears.
"I see the girl who didn't turn her back as soon as she met me when I first came here. I see the girl who can hold actual conversations, with facts to back all her words. I see the girl who's stubborn as hell and fights for those she cares about. And most of all, I see the woman she's turned into, and how she makes me better myself every chance I get." He kissed me, and I felt all his words as our lips connected. I felt the truth and emotion. "If I ever hear you repeat how sappy I just got…" but I cut him off with another kiss, unwilling to let the moment die off.
"Some things are better left between the two of us." I smiled at him and decided to unbuckle. "Let's head inside, I don't want to miss mom's ranting."
Inside the house we could hear mom stomping around her room upstairs. Luke was on the couch rubbing his head."She's torn between being super proud of Jess for his honesty, and being super pissed about your grandma. I think I'll go to the diner and grab some rant meals real quick. Tell your mom that I will be right back." He grabbed his keys and headed out, I'm sure his real motive was to escape the fit she was throwing.
"They act like you're some lost child, who has stumbled into life!" And finally she made her appearance down the stairs with a shout. "I knew my mother wasn't going to handle Jess well, but if ANYTHING it's MY job to be upset who you're with! And if I'm not upset, then why should she be?! I swear, what gets me is how she acts like you're her daughter! She attacks you like you're about to be grounded. It's seriously déjà vu of my childhood. She does not have the right to do that!" She had stormed into the kitchen, and the sound of the coffee maker was evident. "Where the hell did Luke go?!"
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed her arm. "Mom, calm down. Luke went to get us food. Yes this evening was very upsetting, but if she wants to be this way, then we just wont be around her. Do I want that? No, of course not. I hope when she calms down, grandpa can talk some sense into her… about the Jess thing anyways. I have no expectations for the pregnancy announcement. That one, I'll understand most any reaction she eventually gives me. But thank you, for taking this all better than she has. And thank you for being upset about it with me." She gave me a warm smile and then turned to Jess.
"That was awfully brave of you. You've earned many extra points with me tonight. Lord knows this chicken over here, might have announced your relationship months down the road." I rolled my eyes at her comment.
"Which would just be a repeat of how you handled your Jason relationship. Except wait, no, his father did that for you." I grinned an evil grin her way.
"Now this is just getting ugly, let's be friends again." We shook hands and laughed.
We sat at the table talking for a bit waiting for Luke to return, while Jess was in my room. There was a knock at the door and we both looked at each other. "Did Luke forget his keys? Do we even lock that door anymore?" She asked, puzzled.
Both of us got up from the kitchen table and headed to answer the door. I was stunned to see my grandpa standing there. He looked very solemn, and somewhat awkward as well. "May I speak with you a moment out here, Rory?"
At first I glanced at my mom, who seemed to be leery of his appearance. "Sure grandpa. I'll be right back, mom." I stepped outside, and shut the door behind me. He motioned to the porch swing for us to have a seat.
"I remember the day your mother told us she was pregnant. I'll never forget that day. My heart broke, for your grandmother, our family, and most of all for Lorelai. She was so young, and in those times it was not easy and was not accepted easily, either." He took a deep breath and stared into his hands, folded at his lap. "This is not how I pictured a life for my granddaughter. Abandoned at such a desperate time, by a man I encouraged for her no less." A look of anger came over his face, and I could tell it was directed to himself.
"Grandpa, make no mistake, this was my doing whether you and grandma wanted me with Logan. I made my choices."
"I wish for many great things to happen in your life, Rory. And I wish to be apart of them as well. I don't want to miss things like I did after Lorelai had you. So my feelings on this situation will be kept to myself, and will be dismissed, because I don't want to lose you."
I gave him a hug from the side. "You won't grandpa, i didn't want to cut you out either. Now I just hope Grandma can feel the same."
He huffed and crossed his arms. "She is throwing quite the tantrum right now, as I'm sure you can imagine. But she will come around, I know so. And no matter her opinion, you've caught yourself quite the young man, Rory. The courage to step into a child's life, a child that isn't his. Your grandmother will come around with him as well, I'll see to it. He is welcome over to the house with you girls at any time. Now then, I better get going." We both stood up and hugged briefly. "Do not hesitate to ask for help if you ever need anything, young lady."
After we said our goodbyes, I went inside where mom was waiting anxiously on the couch. I started explaining everything Grandpa had said to me, and Jess came out of my room as well to listen. "Well kid, you've always had his heart, since the day you were born. I'm surprised, but not really. I'm glad he came to show his stance on the matter. Though, the fact Emily did not tag along, shows she's not supporting his feelings, I hope you know that."
I nodded as my mother spoke. "Him and I both have a feeling grandma will come around eventually."
Luke walked in just then, and sat the bags of food down on the coffee table for us. "Don't get used to me delivering this junk food, Rory. You can expect veggie burgers and salads at every other meal now that you're pregnant. And a good hearty breakfast, that's the most important."
I wrinkled my nose at the thought. But it was pretty sweet of Luke to care. "I've already switched to decaf for the most part, but I make no promises on giving up the fries!" I bit into a hot fry, proving my point. We all enjoyed dinner together, since we hadn't had much at the Gilmore's earlier.
Some time later, mom and Luke started getting ready for bed. "So Luke and I were talking, and if you guys would like to stay at the diner, you're more than welcome to. While Jess is here, it might make it a little less awkward for him. Now I personally don't mind where you two sleep, though you're in a new relationship, we're newly weds… lets just say we could all use the space." She gave a wink.
"Ah jeez." Jess got up from the couch and headed into my room, leaving my mom and I in a fit of giggles.
"Thanks mom, I think we will head over there. But Jess and I aren't really there yet, so us leaving the house, is just for you and Luke. God knows I've avoided therapy this long, let's not break the streak now." I joked with her, but was definitely happy to have some alone time to just hang with Jess. I got up and headed to my room. "Hey, I think I'd like to stay at the diner, less people, quality time with you."
He was already grabbing up his few belongings. "Sounds good to me." I nodded and started gathering a few items to take over to the apartment with me.
It was late, and Caesar had already closed up, so thankfully we didn't have to worry about an audience as we entered the diner and went upstairs. I sat my things down and plopped down on Jess' old bed. "Just like I wished for back when I was seventeen." I laughed as Jess crawled up the bed, settling next to me. He propped himself up on his arm, and looked at me with a smile.
I leaned in and kissed him, wrapping a hand in his hair. I felt his arm go around my back and pull me in closer to him. Flashbacks to Kyle's party ran through my head, pretty much the only other time we had done this. Not that life was any easier now, but at least things with Jess were good this time. Our kiss deepened, our mouths exploring one another, savoring the moment. And finally we broke apart. "As much as I want to continue this, I think its best we calm it down." I hated being the one to stop us, but I knew we would eventually have our moment, and for me, this wasn't it yet.
Jess nodded and gave me one last kiss before propping himself back up on his side. "So I was thinking we could head to New York tomorrow. If you don't have anything planned, and after you finish at the paper that is."
"Definitely, it'll be fun to get out and do something." I hadn't done much lately, except leave Stars Hollow for my doctor appointments and tonight's dinner. And jess and I hadn't really done anything together except eat and watch movies. I had subconsciously let my unexpected pregnancy take a toll on my activities, and I had to start living my life again. Leaning in, I snuggled up next to Jess, and he laid his head down with me.
—Thanks for reading and reviewing! I appreciate all of you for sticking with me and the story!! I decided to keep Richard alive in this series. I was torn between following AYITL timeline which would mean he died, and following my timeline which is only two years post graduation for Rory. So I kind of, last minute, wrote him into the last chapter! Anyways, enjoy! —
