Disclaimer: These characters are so not mine. This particular scenario is though.
Thank you to my reviewers:
LitGG1982: Thanks so much! No worries about not reviewing the last chapter, anything you give me is highly appreciated; your reviews are wonderful.
RogueHoney: Thank you, I'm trying not to rush, but it's hard. When I'm writing, I want you guys to be able to read it ASAP because I'm really happy with how this is going.
Gilmore-Buffy-Fan13: Thank you, I'm glad it was funny.
Cila: I know! Jess and Lorelai agreeing must be a sign of the apocalypse…or me trying to make a happy family…choose whichever you prefer. (And yum, I love chocolate cake!)
petitos grasshoppertje: Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that it was actually funny; I was hoping it wasn't just in my head, lol.
amythestpony: Here's more!
Tookie Clothespin: Thank you! Here's more.
luvablemilo: Thanks so much, this one should whet your appetite for Jess. There's more down that road to come…
DevilPup9: Thank you, again, I'm glad it was actually funny! I figured that it never seemed like Jess hated Liz or anything, but they certainly don't have a typical mother/son relationship, so I made it as much as I could like a relationship two people like them might have.
xh4z3L3y3sx: I have a secret I'm going to tell you…shh...ready?...I'm a sucker for fluff. Hehe. That you for your reminder, after all the old Jess is the one we all fell in love with, right?
just hidden: She would, wouldn't she? At least I thought it would make things interesting…Yeah, Kirk probably should have been following someone around somewhere, but he's actually kind of hard to write, so I forget about him sometimes! Oops!
LoVeIsTrUsT: Thank you! And, I am. Every review I get makes me squeal with delight. (Seriously, I had to explain to my dad what I was doing on the computer, hehe)
AN: I just want to start off by saying 'Wow' and 'Thank you' to all the reviewers. That section just keeps growing every chapter and that gives me the 'warm and fuzzies' inside. Again, this sort of just came out when I sat down to write, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I surprised myself because I actually made myself cry at one point; I wonder if you'll be able to tell which?
'Twas the Night Before…
It was four forty-five in the afternoon and Rory stood inside the cozy Stars Hollow Meeting house, which served as both church and synagogue for the local people. For the time being, it was the rehearsal space for tomorrow's long anticipated wedding of Luke and Lorelai. Outside, there were still some flurries falling on a fresh layer of snow, and the people involved in the wedding were beginning to arrive. Lorelai and Luke were already in the back, speaking with the minister. Rory watched them contentedly, her thoughts drifting to how her life was going to change in the next twenty-four hours. Sure, she didn't really live at home anymore, and having Luke around wasn't exactly new, but she thought it was nice to know what she would have to come home to, if she ever needed it. Her thoughts were interrupted by an arm snaking around her waist and pulling her into a gentle embrace.
"Hello Rory."
"Jess! You startled me."
"Didn't mean to," Jess claimed innocently.
"Sure you didn't…"
"Rory!"
Rory and Jess flew apart at the sound of her grandmother's voice.
"Hello Grandma, Hello Grandpa," Rory greeted nervously.
Things with her grandparents had been tense since she moved out, and since she informed them that her father would be paying for her tuition from now on. The low point had come when Rory paid back what she already owed them in tuition for Yale, also with money from Christopher. They had not reacted well to an end to her Friday night dinner obligations, but she had in fact forced their hand into being polite by subtly suggesting that if they wanted voluntary dinners they had better not burn any bridges. She and her mother were in the process of slowly rebuilding a relationship with them, but it was an arduous process. It had taken both Luke and Rory's encouragement to get Lorelai to invite them to the wedding at all, saying that she would someday regret not having them there if she cut them out. Lorelai had expressed serious doubts about the matter, but gave in and invited them anyway.
Now, her grandmother was standing in the church, staring Jess down like he was about to steal a collection basket, while her grandfather was sizing him up curiously.
"Grandma, Grandpa, I'd like you to meet Jess, Luke's nephew. Jess, you remember my Grandmother, and this is my Grandfather. Grandma, you remember Jess from when I knew him in high school, right? He, uh, came over for dinner once."
"Oh yes, and what a pleasant experience that was."
She turned to Jess and looked him up and down.
"I assume you've been more careful about avoiding black eyes, recently?"
Jess shifted uncomfortably under her hard stare, but decided he wasn't going to let her get the best of him.
He stuck out his hand and offered, "That night was…unfortunate. I guess I wasn't up to making a very good impression back then."
Emily attempted to repress a sneer as she half-heartedly accepted his hand. Hoping to make some progress, Jess turned to Rory's grandfather and again offered his hand.
"Hi."
Richard regarded Jess for a moment and then took his hand and shook it.
"Hello, young man."
"Grandpa, would you believe that Jess reads even more than I do?"
Richard raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Well, my dear, I didn't think that was possible. Tell me, uh, Jess was it? What do you do with yourself? Are you in school?"
Again, Jess could feel himself wanting to squirm under the scrutiny of both Rory's grandparents' gazes, but he struggled to keep himself composed.
"No, actually, I'm not in school. I work at a small publishing company in Philadelphia."
"Not in school? Just what exactly do you plan on doing with yourself without an education?"
Jess found himself bristling at the judgmental comment, but he swallowed his irritation as best he could.
"I've gotten a better education from the books I've read than I could ever get in a school. It suits my needs."
Jess was trying his best to be civil, but these people really brought out the worst in him. Richard scoffed a bit at Jess' brash disregard for the merits of attending an accredited school, but was interrupted by Rory before he could continue.
"Jess writes, Grandpa."
Jess shot Rory a look that screamed 'Stop helping me!'
"You write? What did you write?" Richard asked, barely concealing the skepticism in his voice.
"A book."
Rory shot Jess a glare, but he just stared back.
"A book? What sort of book? I can't imagine…"
Noticing Rory was starting to get really upset, Jess decided he should swallow his pride and tell Richard a little bit about his book.
Interrupting Richard, Jess explained, "I wrote a short novel that got noticed by the publishing company I now work for. They printed five hundred copies on an author-promoted basis, which means I was responsible getting the book into stores. There's no money in it, but it's been a great experience."
Richard seemed to consider this for a moment, but was interrupted again before he could actually respond. Everyone had arrived and the minister wanted to start the rehearsal.
As Richard and Emily walked away to be introduced to the others there they didn't know, Jess turned to Rory to speak with her in a hushed voice.
"C'mon, Rory! What were you trying to do to me there?"
"I was just trying to help," Rory responded a bit too defensively, "And you should be proud of your writing."
"Huh."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Hey, don't go all mono-syllabic on me now."
"Fine. You want to know what's wrong? I really don't like giving people the chance to belittle me, and you're just throwing it out there, practically asking for it."
"Hey! I didn't know he'd react that way. I didn't think you would mind. Grandpa loves books; I thought…I don't know what I thought! Sorry for mentioning it at all. Happy?"
Rory began to walk away to where her mother was standing, but Jess realized the situation had gotten blown way out of proportion, so he gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.
"Hey now, get back here," he said soothingly, "What just happened?"
Rory frowned and considered it for a moment.
"I'm not really sure," she admitted.
"I don't want to fight."
"Well, I don't want to fight either."
"Then why are we fighting?"
"I don't know…I really was just trying to help," Rory said apologetically.
"I know. I'm sorry for being sensitive about my writing. It's just that, it means a lot to me, and I don't share things that mean a lot to me with just anyone."
"I know…" Rory twisted her hands together nervously. "Are you mad I told them?"
"No," he conceded, "I'm just not used to people bragging about me. Not much experience with that in my life."
"Hey…"
"What? It's true. C'mon, they're waiting for us so they can begin."
He took her hand and squeezed it, and she squeezed back in an unspoken agreement that their little fight was over.
And with that, Jess led Rory to the front where the minister was explaining the different roles and procedures they would each be responsible for. Richard, Emily, and Liz were not in the wedding per se, but as immediate family they were attending the rehearsal and the dinner afterwards. Things got off to a smooth start once Sookie was able to start controlling her giggling around Jess, the reason for which only Lorelai, Liz, Rory, and Jess understood.
As Best Man and Maid-of-honor, respectively, Jess got to escort Rory up the aisle and stand directly across from her during the ceremony. He found his eyes drawn to her constantly, and she made it easy to watch her without being noticed because she herself was busy watching Lorelai and Luke. He loved how happy she seemed; there was a sparkle in her eye and a lightness of heart that hadn't been there when he saw her four months ago. He was so consumed with watching her that he didn't even notice TJ making a fool of himself as head usher, or the fact that he himself was being watched carefully by Richard.
Before he knew it, the rehearsal was over and they were all piling into cars to go to Sniffy's for the rehearsal dinner. Luke, Lorelai, Rory, Jess, Sookie, Jackson, Liz, TJ, Richard, and Emily were soon at the homey tavern being seated by Maisy and Buddy. The old couple was generously expressing their happiness about the coming wedding and their fondness for Luke. Jess couldn't help but laugh a little when Emily pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her chair and Maisy put Emily in her place with a quick but light jab about her fancy outfit messing up the well-worn furniture. It was a good feeling to see that woman get flustered for once.
As the night wound down Jess noticed Richard watching him for the third time, and he nudged Rory and whispered in her ear to let her know. Rory shrugged her shoulders, but stood up to see if she could find out what was going on.
"Hi, Grandpa. Could I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course, Rory, is anything the matter?"
"No, no, there shouldn't be," Rory said as she waited for her Grandfather to stand so they could find a place to talk.
"Well, what would you like to talk to me about?" Richard asked as they found a secluded corner.
"I've just noticed that you've been quiet during dinner, and I couldn't help but notice you watching Jess."
"Well, yes, Rory. I am a little surprised by the attitude you allow him."
"Attitude?"
"Yes, the way he's always watching you, I swear he hasn't taken his eyes off of you for longer than ten seconds the entire night."
Rory blushed when she realized her Grandfather was right about the amount of attention Jess paid her, but, unlike him, she was pleased about it.
"Yes, Grandpa? Is there a problem with that?'
"Well, are you dating him now? I was disappointed to hear things weren't going well with Logan, but I hardly thought there would already be someone else in the picture."
Rory did her best to resist being indignant that he would dare bring Logan up and to snuff that conversation topic as quickly as possible.
"Logan and I are no longer together. It was a mutual decision, and I'd rather not bring him into this."
"It's just that this Jess seems to be very serious about you, and that concerns me."
"Jess and I are…well, I'm not sure exactly what we are right now. We are dating – sort of, but I wouldn't say we're serious. Why would you say that he seems serious?"
"Don't you notice all the little attentions he pays you? Sitting next to that boorish man TJ so you didn't have to, calling the waiter over to refill your water while you were deep in conversation with Lorelai, giving you his unused fork when you dropped yours so you didn't have to wait for a new one, and he kept the waiter from removing your plate before you were finished while you were in the ladies' room."
"He was being nice, grandpa."
"Oh? Are you sure that's it? That's all he wants? How well do you know him?"
"I've known him since high school, grandpa," Rory practically snapped, no longer able to completely refrain from being indignant at his accusations.
"Well, yes, but from your grandmother's stories that doesn't seem to be a very high recommendation. I thought he was the one that ran off without saying goodbye?"
Rory was practically fuming now, though she tried to keep her cool for Lorelai and Luke's sake. The last thing they needed was a family blow-out the night before the wedding. Keeping her voice as even as possible, Rory attempted to level with Richard.
"Listen, Jess may have made some mistakes in the past, but it's my decision whether or not to forgive him, and I have. He's made it perfectly clear through his words and actions that he is a different man now, and I would like for you to accept that. I also ask you to accept the fact that he's not in school and that he doesn't have the 'good breeding' or fancy job you expect, and to consider this:" Rory continued with a pointed look at her grandfather, "Jess is the one who convinced me to return to Yale. Not Mom, not you, not Logan. He was able to get through to me in a way no one else could, so maybe you should refrain from passing judgment so quickly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back for dessert."
Richard's face had softened somewhat at the mention of Rory returning to Yale, but with the end of her speech, Rory spun on her heel and marched back to the table, leaving Richard somewhat dumbfounded.
"Is everything okay?" Jess asked when he noticed Rory's agitation as she resumed her seat next to him.
"Fine. Everything's fine," she said with slight exasperation.
Jess stroked her fingers with his thumb and then kissed her hand, reassuring her that he was there for her. Rory smiled slightly, and then grinned when he leaned in to suggest they order dessert. Richard was once more watching the young couple, but this time he was trying his best to appreciate the fact that Jess seemed to genuinely care Rory. He wasn't exactly pleased, but it would have to do for now.
The group finished their dessert and said their goodbyes, wishing each other well until tomorrow morning. Luke, Lorelai, Jess and Rory were the last ones left, saying goodbye to Buddy and Maisy, who had insisted that the meal for the group was on the house. Luke and Lorelai had protested fiercely, but Maisy finally won them over.
"It's usually the parents of the groom who are responsible for the rehearsal dinner," she said, "It's the least we can do. Your mother would've wanted it this way, Luke."
Luke had immediately given in to that argument, and it brought tears to Rory's eyes to see him so touched by their thoughtfulness.
"You big softie," Jess whispered in her ear as he approached her from behind and put an arm around her waist.
"Shush, you. It's really sweet of them to offer like that."
"I never said it wasn't," Jess replied with a raised eyebrow.
"Tonight was nice…except for grandpa acting all weird towards you…everything else was really nice."
They stood together for a few moments watching Luke and Lorelai say goodbye for the evening. Luke would be accompanying Jess back to the diner apartment for the night so as not to mess with the wedding gods and break the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding.
"You know how Sookie said tonight that it was too bad it took Luke and Lorelai so long to get together?"
Rory hummed her affirmation.
"Well, I was just thinking that maybe it's not actually so bad."
Rory turned her head to look up at Jess questioningly.
"Well, what if, they had to go through all that, so that they would be ready for each other?"
"You believe in fate now, Jess?" she chuckled.
"Not exactly, it's just that…I don't know, maybe they'll be better off for all they went through to get together."
"It's a nice thought."
"It reminds me of us," he said suddenly after a few moments of silence.
This surprised Rory, and she turned around to face him. He had a sheepish grin on his face, and he leaned in to talk in her ear again.
"I don't know…it's just that, obviously there've been a lot of times since we've known each other that we weren't ready for each other. In fact, I think that until now, there hasn't been a time where both of us were actually ready…at least to have…what I hope we can have soon…"
She could feel his breath tickling her neck as their cheeks brushed against each other. They were both slowly pulling back, brushing their faces together, not wanting to rush the moment. She felt his arm tighten around her waist to pull her body closer to his. Finally, their foreheads rested together and their noses bumped slightly as he leaned in.
"Rory! Let's go! I need to get my beauty rest so I can be a beautiful bride tomorrow," Lorelai called cheekily.
The moment gone, Rory collapsed with a groan and a giggle into Jess' shoulder.
"So much for that idea," he sighed.
She gave him a small hug and whispered, "You just keep thinking what you're thinking."
Jess sighed, "Again, it's not like I have a choice."
They went their separate ways, Jess with Luke and Rory with Lorelai, but both couldn't quite erase from their senses the feeling of having the other so close.
Lorelai had gone straight to bed upon getting home, but Rory lay staring at her ceiling. She had too many things on her mind to fall asleep at the moment. First was the moment with Jess outside Sniffy's. At the mere thought of what had almost happened her neck would tickle from the memory of his breath on her skin.
As easy as it was for thoughts of Jess to fill her mind, he wasn't the only person she was thinking of. Rory couldn't help but think that this was she and Lorelai's last night together, just the two of them, as it had been her entire life. As of tomorrow morning, she would have Luke as a step-father, and her mom would finally get the whole package she'd yearned for, for so many years. It was a bittersweet realization for Rory that the fearsome twosome she and her mother had formed for so many years would never really be back. Their relationship had changed a long time ago, but the addition of Luke to the mix was like a final confirmation that they could never go back to the way they were, two girls who were each other's entire world, who relied on each other for everything, and had nothing without each other.
Just as those thoughts were starting to weigh heavily on Rory, she heard her door creak open and sensed Lorelai approaching her bed.
"Hey kid. You asleep?"
"No."
"Me neither."
Rory scooted over and her mother quickly crawled under the covers with her.
"We had some good times, just you and me didn't we, kid?"
Rory snuggled closer to her mom and fought back the tears that were stinging her eyes.
"I'm so happy for you, mom. I really am. I just can't believe how much everything has changed."
"Me too, Rory. I'm so excited for tomorrow, and I'm so sure that marrying Luke is the right thing, but I can't help but be a little sad. It's like the end of an era for us."
"I was just thinking the same thing."
"It's not even that it's really changing things, it more like the final proof that things already have changed."
Rory sniffled, "You read my mind."
After lying silently for a few moments, Lorelai continued.
"You're still my world, Rory. I was lost without you."
"Not as lost as I was without you."
"I love you, kid."
"I love you, too, Mom."
With that, both Gilmore girls snuggled further under the covers and drifted off to sleep, comforted that, even though things would never be the same, they still had each other after all.
AN: I'm hoping to at least get through Luke and Lorelai's wedding before I go back to school (phooey!). Don't worry, school won't mean no more writing, it'll just mean I'll be writing instead of doing work that I'm supposed to, heheh.