Just Another Lorelai Gilmore

Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls nor any of the affiliated characters or references.

Chapter 20.

—Jess' POV—

I opened the bedroom door, Rory was asleep on the bed, curled around a book. It was almost dinner time and I debated letting her sleep longer or wake her up to eat. Sleeping and eating are both vital essentials to a Gilmore girl, so my decision was tough.

I sat at my desk, deciding on giving her a few more minutes to sleep. I pulled out my notebook, covered in a bad sketch of a building that looked like Truncheon. Opening a second location that I could run had been going through my mind for a year, and now more than ever. Emily was right, a baby needed income and I needed more of that. Rory and I both knew Luke and Lorelai would help, but that was not an option for me. Out of all the maturing I had done, I couldn't take any steps backwards in life. Stepping up meant providing, and I wanted to do that. When Sophia is born, Rory would have to take time off, and I would be the sole income for us. Truncheon didn't pay too bad, but another location would help tons. I had yet to voice this to anyone until tonight. The guys were on board, and I knew Rory would be too.

"Hey what's that?" I looked up at the sound of Rory's tired voice. She stood in the doorway, rubbing her eyes and face, waking up.

I looked down at the notebook and back at her. "I don't want to upset you if this doesn't pan out like I hope, so I wasn't really planning on telling you yet…"

She looked nervous, playing with the bottom of her shirt and fidgeting. "Just tell me, I over heard you telling the guys something anyways. Whatever it is, I want to know." And her eyes flashed a bit of sadness.

Standing up, I went to her and hugged her. "Hey its nothing bad. Don't look so down. It would just be upsetting if it didn't happen." I went and grabbed the notebook and presented it to her. "I asked Chris and Matt about opening a second location, which we have wanted to do here in Philly. But instead, I asked if I could open it up on my own. I was thinking somewhere around Hartford. This long distance crap has been fine, but what about when the kid is here? I'm supposed to be stepping up and being a dad, and what? Only see you guys every other week, if that?" I sat at the desk and grabbed my head in frustration. "She's already lost out on her biological father, and I don't want to be there only half the time. If we can get the finances and loans we need, then I want to do this. It's just a matter of getting all that to open another place."

She walked over and sat on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. Slowly, she leaned down and kissed me with a small sigh slipping between her lips. "I feel so stupid for being worried. I heard you telling the guys you didn't want me knowing, and I jumped to conclusions. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." I rubbed her back reassuringly. "I only wanted to wait and tell you when I knew it could actually happen. Because if this doesn't go through, I'm gonna be so bummed about it. I like it here in Philadelphia, this place has changed me. But I want to be with you, and I want to be more accomplished." I laughed a bit. "God listen to me, you've turned me to a sap Gilmore."

She smiled brightly and stood up. "Come on, let's go get some dinner and I want to go baby shopping. Having a name picked out, had really got me in the mood to buy stuff for her now."

I rolled my eyes and stood reluctantly. "Ok, but we're not going to hold hands and skip down the aisles parading in baby clothes."

Her laugh was loud and she held her stomach as she chuckled. "Now there's the Jess I know and love. Stop making me laugh or I'm going to pee on your floor. Little girl is already kicking my bladder as it is. I'm gonna get ready and then we can go. I feel like pizza tonight, too."

Later on after dinner, we found a baby store in the mall. Rory was walking up and down the aisles, ooh and awwing at every outfit she saw. This was a side to Rory I never thought I'd see. Sure she loved shopping like her mother, but going crazy over a pink dress with yellow flowers. It was nice, watching her become a mother. Moments like these, didn't make me regret choosing to be here, just made me wish that biologically, that kid was actually mine. I've been here from pretty much the start, but I was missing part of the experience. The waiting for her to take a test, the revelation that she was pregnant. I don't love her or Sophia any less for it, but maybe one day we can have that together.

"Hey mister, you look like you're zoning out over here! I know this isn't exactly your idea of having fun, but come on, come look at the outfits with me, please?" Her voice broke my trance and I put on a smile.

"Yeah sorry, just full from all that pizza, got me in a daze." I watched as she held up outfits, expecting me to be as thrilled over the tutu pants as she was.

—The next day—

"So you'll be coming to Stars Hollow in a couple weeks? We have an ultrasound scheduled, it's the long detailed one, so that will be nice to see her for a while up on the screen." Rory asked as she packed up her bag to leave.

"Yeah, I already told Chris and Matt I would be gone for at least a few days. Not to get ahead of ourselves, I am going to be looking at properties and buildings since in the area." She had a huge grin on her face. This excitement was what I was afraid of when I told her. Because this was a very theoretical plan.

"I really hope this happens! It'll be so nice to have you around every day. I know you said not to get too set on it, but I cant help it. This long distance has been such a pain, knowing you could be there… my hopes are high." She walked over to me after zipping up her bag, and sat on my lap, kissing my softly. "I have to get going if I want to beat traffic."

"I know, I'll see you in a couple weeks though." I kissed her again and rested a hand on her stomach. "Try not to get your mom all emotional while I'm gone, Sophia." I looked up at her. "Let me know when you get home safe, ok."

With a long goodbye kiss and 'I love you's', she was out the door.

—Rory's POV—

I pulled into the driveway of the house in the late afternoon, surprised to see mom's car there. She would normally still be at the Inn. Grabbing my bag from the back, I headed inside. Mom was sitting at the coffee table, with an expectant smile on her face. "You look abnormally happy."

"Well I missed you too, loin fruit. But yes, I am extremely happy! I have, Well WE but Luke isn't here to show you, a big surprise for you!" She grabbed my hand and dragged me behind her outside.

"What has gotten into you? What surprise is outside? Because it's a little late for that treehouse I begged for when I was nine, mom." I looked around, wondering what she could be showing me.

We stopped at the garage and she pried open the doors. "Welcome home!" She held up her hands as if I was supposed to be getting it.

"I don't understand." I glanced around, the garage was completely empty, so I wasn't sure what I was looking at.

"Luke and I hired Tom and his crew to come transform the garage into a kind of studio apartment for you and the baby!!" She jumped and clapped, not withholding her excitement.

I looked around again, noticing the insulation that had been started in the walls. This was definitely way bigger than my room, and a good solution since I didn't have money for my own place. "Is this even possible, I mean, it will be livable?" Lorelai nodded as we stepped further inside the garage. "Thank you so much." I gave her a hug, truly appreciating the gesture. "How long does he think it will take?"

"Well apparently it already has a lot of the structure it needs and outlets. We're obviously insulating it, and putting in a couple more windows. The whole front will be changed out, because duh, you don't want those doors as your entrance. Emily has been calling and pestering me to let her buy you a house, but I really figured for now, you would prefer being at home with help at first. I told her you might change your mind. What do you think?"

Tears slid down my face as I pictured this place filled with my things and Jess'. With a crib and baby toys laying around. "I love the idea. I'm definitely not ready for grandma to buy me a house, I'm glad you went with this."

"So back to the time frame. He said a couple months, just to get in the supplies and the work done. Though I'm sure he's overestimating, and hopefully it will be sooner. Luke wants to offer more money for him to rush it. Apparently April is coming to live with us and… we kinda need your room for her." She gave a guilty smile my way and I let out a laugh.

"Why not just the apartment above the diner for me and the baby?" I asked, curiously.

"Luke is finally going to use it as his office, like it was meant to be all along. He's so disorganized when it comes to his orders and paper work. I finally convinced him to use that space. Plus, I want my grand baby around me damnit." She put her foot down in true Lorelai fashion.

I walked over and hugged her again. "Thank you mom, this is going to be so amazing. Having a bigger space and still being with you guys. Just… thank you, so so much." I held onto her, my hopes higher than ever now that Jess will get to open that second location and live with me.

—Thanks for reading and reviewing! Loving the feedback! And glad you are all enjoying the story!—