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Chapter 3

"Wait a minute, you're telling me you're actually...pregnant? With Logan's baby?" Lane asked as she and Rory were sat in Lane's living room.

"Yeah..." Rory said hesitantly.

"Wow.." Lane said.

"I know I messed up but..." Rory started.

"No Rory, you followed your heart. Logan's the one that was engaged, not you." Lane pointed out.

"Yeah but I was still dating Paul. Sort of." Rory said. "And I knew he was engaged. I swore to myself after Dean that I wouldn't become that woman again. I ruined Lindsey's life with my selfishness."

Lane looked at her sympathetically. "We all make mistakes. We're not perfect. But don't think for one minute this is all your fault because Logan is just as responsible."

"I know." Rory sighed. "I just...I guess I always hoped I'd have a kid one day but I never thought it would be like this. I imagined I'd be married and really happy and ready for this. But I'm not even close. I'm not married and I have no one to do this with."

"Logan seriously said he didn't want to be involved?" Lane asked.

"Pretty much." Rory nodded.

"What a jerk." Lane frowned.

"I don't blame him." Rory shrugged.

"Well I do! He should step up like a man no matter what the consequences are. God, Luke didn't know he had a daughter for 12 years but as soon as he did, he stepped up and he was there for April." Lane exclaimed.

"Lane.." Rory said.

Lane sighed. "Sorry. I just...I want you to be happy. You're my best friend. Are you sure you're going to be ok? You know I'm always here if you need any advice right?"

Rory smiled. "Yeah I know. Thanks Lane." She said softly. "I have mom and Luke as well and even Jess." She admitted.

"Jess?" Lane asked surprised.

"Yeah I kind of had a breakdown at the wedding and I told Jess everything." Rory admitted. "He was really nice. Nicer than he should have been considering how I treated him before when I was with Logan the first time."

"That was years ago though. I'm sure he's forgiven you for that. Besides he messed you around when you were dating too." Lane pointed out.

"I know. It was just...well, nice." Rory admitted. "It felt like me and Jess again. He said he'd be there for me if I needed it. I mean who's ex would say they would be there for you and your kid from another guy?"

"Hardly any." Lane agreed. "Jess has grown up a lot. I mean look at everything he's achieved. I know I wasn't a fan when we were younger but that was only because he treated you badly. I've grabbed a coffee with him every now and then whenever he's been up to visit Luke and I have to say he's really grown up. He even helps babysit for us sometimes so that me and Zach can have a night out."

"Really?" Rory asked surprised.

"Yeah." Lane said.

"Even my mom's warmed to him. I never thought I'd see the day." Rory admitted.

Lane laughed. "Oh yeah, I don't think anyone thought that would happen. But that shows you how much Jess has changed."

Rory smiled. "Yeah." She said softly.

Lane looked at her. "Well anyway, anything you need, I'm here ok?" She smiled at her best friend.

"Thanks Lane." Rory said gratefully. "Oh did I tell you I bumped into Dean?" She said.

"No!" Lane exclaimed. "Tell me everything!" She demanded.

Rory walked into the diner after she left Lane's and was surprised to see Jess working behind the counter. "Hey." She said.

"Hey back." Jess nodded.

"I didn't know you were working here." Rory said.

"Yeah I have some time off so I offered to help out here so that Luke could have a few days off to spend with your mom after their wedding. I know they can't go on a honeymoon right now so I thought this was the next best thing." Jess said.

Rory smiled. "That's nice of you."

"Yeah well I owe them." Jess shrugged. He got a mug and poured some coffee into it, sliding it over to her.

"You remembered!" Rory grinned.

"Yeah a couple of things about you stick." He smirked.

Rory took a sip happily but then nearly spat it out. "This is decaf!" She exclaimed.

Jess glanced round and then leant in. "I'm not going to be the one responsible for your kid having two heads." He smirked.

Rory frowned. "Mom drank coffee when she was pregnant with me."

"Yeah and you're as crazy as she is. Point proven." Jess smirked.

"Jess!" Rory whined. "Please!"

"Sorry. Luke's orders as well." Jess said.

Rory huffed. "Great." She muttered.

"How are you feeling anyway?" Jess asked.

Rory looked up and saw the concern in his face and gave him a small smile. "I'm ok." She said.

"Have you told...?" He asked.

"Yesterday." Rory said quietly. "It didn't go well."

"Well he's a jerk then." Jess said. He saw Rory's face and sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah well it is what it is. I really shouldn't have expected anything more." Rory said giving Jess a small smile.

"So..you're going to do it alone then?" He asked cautiously.

"I'm going to have to. My mom did it and I guess I did't end up too bad." Rory said. "With some exceptions."

"No, you weren't bad at all." Jess gave her a smile. "You'll do great and my offer still stands. I'm here if you ever need someone to talk to." He said.

"I think I might have to take you up on that." Rory admitted.

"Well you know where to find me." He said.

Rory looked up at him and they locked eyes for a moment. "Thanks Jess." She said softly.

Jess gave her a small smile before breaking her gaze. "I better go..." He said gesturing to some customers waiting for their orders.

"Oh yeah sure. Sorry, I won't keep you anymore. I should head home anyway." Rory said getting up. "Can I just grab a danish?" She asked.

"Grab away." Jess said.

"Thanks." Rory said grabbing a pastry and putting it in a bag to go. She headed to the door but before leaving, turned back. "I guess I'll see you around then." She said.

"Yeah see you around." Jess nodded.

Rory hesitated for a moment. "Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow or something? Or dinner if you're working here?" She offered. "Have a proper catch up?"

Jess glanced at her for a moment but then nodded. "That would be nice. Meet me here at about 7 tomorrow?" He said.

Rory smiled. "Sounds good. See you then."

Jess smiled. "Good. See you then."

"Bye Dodger." Rory said with a slight smirk.

Jess smirked. "Bye."

Rory grinned at him before leaving the diner and crossing the square. Jess watched her go before smiling slightly to himself and then getting back to work.

Hope you liked it! Please keep letting me know what you think. Your reviews will do mean so much to me so thank you so much for your support! :)