(Luke and Lorelai's room)

"Have you tried talking to her?" Luke asked.

"We've talked." Lorelai said distantly. "As usual, nothing makes sense. What is with boys and the abrupt, illogical, romance departures? "

"Well, how long is she going to sit and her room and sob?" Luke's voice had a hint of annoyance in it.

"Till she deals with it." Lorelai replied easily. "She just had her first heartbreak."

"Heartbreak?" Luke asked nearly laughing. "It was one date… she's fifteen, how could she be suffering from heartbreak?"

"Don't act so naïve, Luke." Lorelai scolded.

"I'm not."

"You don't remember being fifteen? Loving someone?"

"Oh." He replied slowly. "You mean… you and Chris…. And…. Me and you."

"It's a pretty good example."

"Well… That was different. I mean, we were…. You were…." Luke put his hands in his back pocket. "Wow… were we really only fifteen?"

"Well, I was fifteen… you were seventeen." Lorelai smiled. "But it feels like we were older, doesn't it?" Lorelai asked as she walked closer to Luke. "You know, you never really realize how young fifteen is until the tables are turned and your kid is starting a love life."

"Yeah, it really puts it into perspective." Luke agreed. "Kind of feels too soon, actually."

"Well, we don't get to decide that." Lorelai smiled. "That's something out of our control. But we can be here when they need us… give them advice… give them space… love them."

Luke wrapped his arms around Lorelai. "I wish we'd started this years ago." He whispered.

"It's perfect the way it is now." Lorelai leaned her head against his chest. "Things have worked out for the best."

"You really think so?"

"I do." Lorelai smiled. "I'm very happy."

"Good." Luke replied proudly. "So am I."

"You know…" Lorelai began. "Jess and Rory both will be starting love lives, driving cars, graduating high school… even going to college before we even realize it."

"Scary…" Luke replied.

"Yeah, it is… but it's so beautiful to watch."

Luke leaned Lorelai away from him. "Do you think ….. well… would you like…" Luke was having trouble gathering his thoughts. He knew what he wanted to say, he just wasn't sure how to say it.

"More kids?" Lorelai asked.

Luke smirked. "Yeah."

"Do you think it's time?" she asked seriously.

"Only if you do."

"I think I do."

"You do?" A sudden burst of interest zoomed into Luke's voice.

Lorelai giggled. "We could use a little Luke jr. around the house. A little league baseball star… or a track record breaker."

"You'd want a boy?" Luke suddenly found the conversation very intriguing.

"I'd be happy with either." Lorelai gracefully replied. "What about you?"

"Either. Definitely." Luke smiled. "But, the idea of a little boy… a "Luke jr." He laughed. "That sounds really, really great."

"Well…" Lorelai lead Luke over to the bed. "Maybe…" she turned off the lamp. "We should get started."

The two snuggled into the bed together, bound and determined to bring new life into Stars Hollow.

Jess found himself still laying awake though his eyes were begging for sleep. Finally, he headed upstairs to Rory's room. He knew he wouldn't be able to get any rest until he apologized. He knocked on Rory's door.

"Who is it?" A sad voice asked.

"Jess."

"What do you want?"

"To talk."

"I don't want to talk to you."

"I know that." Jess paused. "Please, open the door."

Slowly, the door opened. Rory's eyes were red. She'd stopped crying, but was obviously still hurting.

"Look…" Jess exhaled deeply. "I'm sorry."

Rory gazed at him awkwardly. "For what?"

"For what Dean did to you today."

"No, you're not." Rory quickly spat. "I bet your thrilled. This is exactly what you've wanted for weeks."

"Yeah, it is… but seeing you upset…" Jess stare down at the floor. "I'd rather you see happy and with that moron that sad and alone."

"I'm not alone…. I have friends and family. I'll be fine." Rory ended sharply.

"Yeah, I know you will." Jess agreed. "I just…" He couldn't find the strength to come out and tell Rory what he had done. He knew she'd never forgive him if he told her what really happened. "I just, wanted to say sorry."

"Well, thanks." Rory began to close the door.

"Rory…" He quickly spat.

The door opened again.

"About what I said last night."

"Jess, please…"

"No… I … I don't know what I was thinking. I mean, I don't know why I would say something like that." Jess licked his lips. "I mean, I really like you…. But… well… I don't… you know."

Rory could see the boy's constant struggle with is words. "Love me?"

"Yeah." Jess replied shortly.

"We'll learn to love each other as cousins, Jess. It may take a while, but I'm sure it'll eventually work out. You'll see."

"Yeah. You're totally right." Jess nodded. "Good night." He slowly turned away and walked back down into the basement.

Rory shut her door and turned off the light. She crawled into bed and began thinking of all the things that had happened since her mom and Luke had gotten married. Lorelai had always said Stars Hollow was a boring, but exciting little town. Rory never completely understood how that could be possible until now.