Author's Note: I know I know it's been months. Please don't hate me. It has been a rough couple of months and I could not find the inspiration to write. But never fear I am back. I've worked on this chapter for while and I think it is everything I wanted it to be. I really hope you all enjoy this chapter.

I have a lot of story left to tell and I'm hoping that I have more time to work on this. Read and review… it gives me inspiration to write and sometimes unintentionally gives me ideas; constructive criticism only. By the way, I am still in search of a beta. If anyone out there wants to job please let me know. The editing process is what ties up my writing and I'm my own worst critic.

Probably a lot of OOC'ness in this chapter but I'm trying to keep them true at heart. Trust me it all serves my master plan.

And one more thing, all you Milo fans out there, I highly recommend tuning into Heroes if you haven't already. It's a great show and its nice seeing Milo on the small screen again.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. If there was a God I would own Milo because that man is smoking hot! Sadly I don't so I settle for my fan fiction.

What a night!

It was everything and nothing like I expected. Everyone seemed to have a really good night. The board games were a hit. Note to self: Thank Dwight for donating them. It's not like he couldn't spare a few. He owns practically ever board game ever made. Everything was going very smoothly until my parents decided to throw an impromptu floor show – good thing that my friends either a) ignored them or b) did not care. I should be happy since that was the worse that happened.

Then there was Luke.

There are a few times in your life when you wish you could live in a moment forever. I had that moment last night. My god what can I say about that kiss? It was toe curling amazing. I never thought kissing Luke would have affected me that much. The only person I ever imagined would give me a toe curling kiss was Johnny Depp. Note to self: Watch Pirates of the Caribbean again.

That kiss was the highlight of my night. You would think that the test run of my own inn would be excitement enough. Not a chance. This is Stars Hallow and no matter what the occasion there is a ninety-nine percent chance something else will happen to top that.

I was kissing Luke last night! OH MY GOD!

Take the dance marathon for instance. Let's see to my recollection every year Kirk wins but thankfully its overshadowed by events like Dean breaking up with Rory, Taylor and Miss Patty sparring over the megaphone, or my favorite last years catastrophe; Babette tripped over Morey's foot in the first hour, fell into Gypsy and Andrew who fell into Lulu and Kirk which ended with Kirk's head stuck in the tuba. I couldn't make this up if I tried.

I do not think that I could have had a better night. Everything was just absolutely perfect. I really hope I can stay on this cloud all day today. I only have to get through breakfast here then I can go talk to Luke.

Luke.

"Good morning, Lorelai," a male voice called from behind me.

I turned away from the coffee machine and saw Jess standing in the doorway. This can't be happening. Couldn't even let me enjoy it for a few more hours? No.

Jess has to come.

Why is he here in my kitchen? Please don't let him tell me he asked Rory to marry him. I've had all the surprises I can handle from those two for the past week. Actually it could probably last me a life time. "Jess, hi." I decided it was the most appropriate thing I could come up with at the moment. Much better than 'go away you little bastard, stop ruining my moment'. Yeah, much better.

"I hope its okay for me to be back here," he explained as he stepped away from the doorway. "Is this even a good time?" He asked as he gestured his hands.

Good time? Let's see it is 7:00, I have yet to have a cup of coffee, breakfast is supposed to be served in an hour and I still have not seen Sookie or maybe I just missed her. I mean I have been in my own little world this morning. Can you blame me? Luke my best friend of eight years kissed me. Wow!

"Lorelai?"

"Oh sorry," I answer as I bring myself out of my thoughts. I look up and meet his eyes; something has really changed in his eyes. I can tell he is not the same kid that stole beer out of my fridge; he's a grown man now. "It was just a really long night."

"I know," he said as he took another step into the kitchen, "I was afraid I was going to miss the dancing midgets."

"They cancelled at the last minute."

"I figured."

Where do you go with the conversation after that? I just have nothing. I have never been at a loss for words. I pride myself on my quick wit and pop culture references. I failed. This has everything to do with me not being properly caffeinated yet. "Coffee?"

"That would be great."

He's being very polite. Almost overly polite. Like pushing creepy polite. I nod and force a small smile as I turn around to tend to the brewed coffee pot. Yummy. There is nothing better in the morning then the smell of freshly made coffee - at any time of day as a matter of fact. I grabbed two mugs and took the pot of steaming liquid into my hands and carefully poured generous amounts of my favorite beverage into each cup.

"So what do you think of the place?" I asked as I handed him a large blue mug. He hesitated a bit before taking the mug from my grasp.

"This place is great," he answered as I watched him take a sip of the black liquid. Jess likes black coffee; very boring. He swallowed hard before speaking, "Most entertaining inn I've ever stayed at."

"Would you have it any other way?" I say as I take the second gulp of my first cup of coffee for the day. I like my coffee with cream and two sugars; definitely much more exciting than black. It must be my nerves.

Jess is making me very nervous but in the way that makes me worry about my daughter nervous. I just want to know what he has to say; the good or the bad. I know deep down it can't be that bad but it still doesn't stop me from freaking out on the surface. Stranger things have happened around here lately like kissing Luke.

He stalls by placing the mug against his lips and shrugs his shoulders. "I mean this is Stars Hallow," I state just to keep the conversation going but still he says nothing.

He nods in agreement. Okay I've made my pleasantries. I've played very nice. What did he come to talk to me about? I would bet not even Luke is awake right now. Wait, that's probably not true. That is if he even could sleep after his grand gesture of his feelings last night. Luke kissed me.

Focus Lorelai. "Jess, what'd you come down here for?"

He placed his mug down on the counter and gulped a serving of air. "It's about Rory."

I want to collapse right now. He's going to tell me their engaged or married. What if they got married? There was a good hour they were unaccounted for last night. They pulled a Matt Camden on me. No they couldn't have. Could they? I'm starting to hyperventilate here and all he said is my daughter's name. I steady myself against the counter with my hands as I take a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" He asks sort of sincerely. I can't really tell. Probably because I'm too busy freaking out here. He's going to tell me he married my baby without asking without thinking without me. Not that he needed my permission but at least my presence would have been nice. I'm going to kill him.

"Crawl?"

"Excuse me."

"Pauly Shore. Carla Gugino. South Dakota." I am just starting to adjust to him being around again I really don't think I can handle welcoming him with open arms into my family. No. They are not married. They could not be. Rory is smarter than that. I am just overreacting here. There are just so many things going on in my head.

Luke. Kissing. Kissing Luke. Jess. Rory. Jess and Rory. Kissing Luke. My parents. Parents separated. Sookie. Breakfast. Kissing Luke. Need more coffee. Taylor. Suggestion cards. Michel. Kissing Luke. Kirk. Naked Kirk. Kissing Luke.

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!

Just spit it out Lorelai. Tell him what you are thinking. Tell him your worst fear and then he can just tell you that you're crazy; because I am. I must be for even thinking like this but when Rory is with him, she's impulsive and she would do anything he asked her too. But then she's still Rory. "Did you marry her last night?"

"Are you insane?"

Phew! They aren't married. Thank the Greek gods. "Engaged?"

"No," he stated with a hint of a chuckle. He tried to hide it under his breathe but I could hear it clear as day. He is letting some walls down. I can tell just by the tone of his voice. He still had that Jess monosyllabic tone but it was different, softer, and less guarded. He even occasionally speaks in full sentences. "Rory and I are still very up in the air."

"Good." Okay that came out a little cold. "I mean not good that you are still up in the air but good that you didn't get married."

"Lorelai, listen I know you don't like me very much," he is getting right to the point. It's about time. I nod my head in agreement as he speaks. He is right so far. "That's part of the reason why I wanted to talk to you."

"Should I be sitting down?" He is looking at me like I'm crazy. Maybe I am. This is insane. It's too early for this. "I feel like I should be sitting down. Let's go sit." Why I pick now to sit is beyond me. I probably should have been sitting this whole time. Stupid me. "Let me just refill my coffee, go have a seat in the dining room."

He takes his mug and exists to the dining room as I turn back to the coffee pot. I looked over at the clock and see that it's only been ten minutes; feels like it's been an hour. I start to leave the kitchen when the back door swings open.

"Okay, lets get moving guys, we have an entire breakfast menu to prepare," I hear Sookie barking orders as the kitchen staff files in carrying boxes and bags. I don't even want to know.

"Manny I want those strawberries cut perfectly and Scott make sure that the bacon is cut into the correct half sliced portions." She doesn't even notice me as she moves quickly to turn on the stove as Andy, her back-up, starts mixing pancake batter. That's fine. I'll ask questions later. Have to finish talking to Jess.

On second thought, maybe talking to Sookie while she makes breakfast isn't such a bad idea. Yeah it really is. Last time she caught her hair on fire because I was talking to her while she was cooking. I guess I have to go talk to him.

He is just sitting their calmly waiting for me to join him so we can 'talk'. As I walk over to the table I notice for the first time that he is wearing a black button down shirt hanging loosely over his jeans. He looks grown up. He is freaking me out a bit. He is dressed neat like Dean used to but he still has that punk edge to it because of his attitude. Focus Lorelai. Stop comparing Jess to Dean. Yes I loved Dean as Rory's boyfriend, he was sweet but Jess isn't Dean. Stop it Lorelai. Just stop it!

"So," I say as I pull out a chair with one hand and set my mug down with the other, "Jess what's all this about?"

"I got a job in Philadelphia."

"No," I said as I started shaking my head, "I'm not breaking her heart again for you." I just knew it. I knew that he was not going to stick around. My poor baby.

"It's not like that. I already told Rory, we talked about it – a lot actually." He says as he moves his gaze from his now empty coffee mug and to my eyes. His stare is really intense, powerful; almost mesmerizing. For anyone else, it would have captivated them but I've seen that gaze before. Christopher had that same look once upon a time. That's why Rory is here. Maybe that's the real reason I don't like Jess, he reminds me of Christopher. Oh my turn to talk.

"That's good. Talking is good," I chimed after I finished the sip of coffee that I'd been savoring.

"I need to take this job it's a great opportunity for me."

"Of course it is. So what's the problem?" I really do not see where this is going. He got a job. Good for him. Does he want a gold star?

"Even though she doesn't say it I know Rory doesn't want me to go. I think she's scared of what's going to happen if I leave again."

"Do you blame her?" Can I get a show of hands who would want to be in a relationship that unpredictable? I love spontaneity. I think its great and the key to true passion but there has to be some stability. Jess has never offered that. Leaving yet again just proves that. Then again it's not like he's leaving just to leave; he's leaving for a job, not to just runaway. Ugh, I hate this. Why was I chosen to play devil's advocate?

"No. I've given her every reason to doubt me. I love Rory and I want to be with her but…"

"The timing is off."

"It could have been but it's all these things. I got this job and Mrs. Gilmore…"

"Also known as the dragon lady."

"Right." He answers with a smile. He can't stand my mother either. Just from that one dinner he picked up on how intolerable Emily Gilmore can be. "Anyway, she asked Rory to spend the summer with her in Europe and I know she really wants to go. Then there is Yale in the fall, she still has so much left to do in school and I don't want to distract her."

"That's really big of you Jess, to put her needs first." Finally you decided to stop being selfish child and making her life crazy with uncertainty.

"She asked me to stay. I wanted to say yes but it wouldn't be fair. I don't want to ruin her plans."

"I think you are a big part of them Jess." A little piece of my anti-Jess wall just fell off because I admitted that.

"She wants to go to Europe and I need to take this job."

"So you're going to Philly, my daughter is going to Europe. Where does that leave you two as a couple?"

"I'm not sure yet but I want to do something special for her before I leave so she knows that when the timing is right, we can do this relationship thing."

"I'm not helping you propose."

"I was thinking of something a little less permanent."

"Jess, I'm not going to lie to you. I never thought you were good enough for Rory," I look into his eyes as I speak. He needs to know that what I'm saying is the truth and that I'm very serious. "Rory loves you. Even though I'm still not sure that you love her, the way she deserves to be loved… I guess I'm willing to give you a chance."

"Lorelai, I'm here to ask for you help, not to prove my love for Rory." He started as he got up from his seat. He placed one hand on his hip and gestured while he spoke with the other. "I know how I feel, Rory knows how I feel and that's all that matters. I came to you because I know you are one of the only people that can help me pull this off. But if you don't want to help me I'll find another way."

He walked away from table as I ran my hands through my head. I shook my head for a moment. Something inside me told me that I needed to stop him. I needed to help him. He was right I am insane. This whole situation is insane.

"Wait." I don't trust him. This might turn out really badly but for some reason I'm curious. I want to see what Jess 2.0 is really about. Maybe he'll be able to convince me that he is really in love with Rory or maybe he'll prove what I've suspected all along. "What do you have in mind?"

He walked back towards me and just as he was about to tell me his 'master plan' I noticed my bubbly daughter enter the dining room with smile the size of Connecticut on her sweet face. "Hey Sweets." She waved.

"We'll talk later," he whispered to me. He smirked then turned around to see her. She blushed as he walked towards her. I watched as her smile widened and her eyes started to sparkle. She reached her hand out and he took it into his so gently. He was really different with her. It was like they were in there own world.

I had to smile a bit. I never saw her glow like that before. My daughter was in love. I do not have to like it but I can see it as clear as day. I chuckled to myself as I grabbed the mugs off the table and started towards the kitchen. I have a breakfast to host very shortly and a surprise for my daughter; details still unavailable for that one.

So much for being on cloud nine all day. Maybe Luke will kiss me again and give me back that same high. No need. Just thinking about that kiss made me feel higher than I could ever get sniffing sharpie markers.

Luke kissed me.

It was an interesting night to say the least. I finally made my move and kissed her. I never wanted to kiss anyone so badly. I waited eight long and tumultuous years for that moment. Was it worth the wait? Of course it was. I kissed her and she kissed back. The best moment of my romantic life.

I just haven't been able to talk to her since then. It was a crazy night after that kiss and even though I went back to my room, I did not sleep. How could I? There were so many questions and not enough answers. At least I knew one thing for sure, she kissed me back. She didn't push me away; she didn't run or slap me.

She kissed me.

It was very hopeful. I guess those self-help guides to love books really do work – at least help - sometimes. She may mock them but those god forsaken books helped me realize it was her. It has always been her.

I've seen her running around here like a chicken with their head cut off. Maybe she already forgot about it.

Stop Luke! God damn it! Stop doubting yourself!

I can not take my eyes off of her. She is beautiful; especially her eyes. She has these remarkable blue eyes that are mesmerizing. I have discovered that the color of her eyes changes with her mood. Her moods fascinate me; she fascinates me. When she gets frustrated, which she has been all morning, the color of her eyes darkens slightly. Just a slight variation as if a bit of grey mixes with the glassy blue.

"You haven't moved since after breakfast?" A familiar voice said as his hand taps my right shoulder.

"Shouldn't you be showering for the hundredth time?" I ask in a very sarcastic tone as he takes the empty seat next to me and picks up a magazine from the table between us.

"I took a shower last night and one this morning. I forgot you don't know how to count that high," he responded nonchalantly as he flipped aimlessly through the periodical.

"Whatever helps you sleep better at night, Romeo." He took several showers last night after he got back to the room. He probably would have been more comfortable sleeping in there then on the chair. His shower time could only mean one thing he was with Rory and… that's as far as I'm going to into that.

"If I remember correctly, you were in there for quite a while yourself."

"I helped naked Kirk off the roof of the gazebo, I needed to shower." That was a large part of the truth. Trying to get a naked person off the roof of the gazebo was enough cause to shower repeatedly but add in the fact that it was Kirk. In the words of Lorelai 'gross'.

"Is that how you get your kicks now? I was starting to wonder…"

"No jackass. I was kissing – never mind." I did not want to get into this with him. Mainly because he is the biggest smart ass on the planet; even bigger than Lorelai and I really don't want his sarcasm to ruin my mood. I have not been in this good of mood since – hell I can't remember when I was in this good of mood.

"Kissing who Uncle Luke?"

It irritates me when he throws the 'uncle' title in. He does it on purpose. I prefer Luke; just plain Luke. No titles. Is that too much to ask for? "I don't want to have this conversation with you." Truthfully I wanted to talk to someone but somehow I did not think Jess was the best choice; mostly because I don't do the in-depth emotional conversations with him. We tried that already and we both agreed we should not talk about that stuff. Probably because neither of us wants to admit how we turn into sappy fucks around the women we love.

"It wouldn't happen to be the woman who runs this very inn would it?" He asked as he moved his gaze from the magazine to my direction. I looked up at him and noticed his cocked eyebrow. He knows.

"Aren't you supposed to be hanging out with Rory or something that involves you not being here?" Where was Rory anyway? Probably off primping herself for Jess; she has been doing that since he's been back in town. She doesn't need to. She is a beautiful young lady – just like her mother. The both of them could walk around in those pajamas with the feet on them and bed hair, they would still be gorgeous.

"You know Luke we can talk about this stuff," he said as he placed the magazine back on the table.

"Since when?"

"Since right now Uncle Luke."

"What is it going to take for you to leave me alone?"

"A million dollars," he said without a second thought as he leaned forward in his chair. He knows that I want to tell someone. He also knows that there is no way in hell I would give him a million dollars even if I had it lying around. He already knows I kissed Lorelai; he can tell. I should just tell him. Will he shut up? Probably not but what the hell do I have to lose.

"Okay, fine." I said as I leaned forward so that only he could hear me. "It was Lorelai, okay?"

"I knew it. She was not her normal space cadet self today, she was worse. More out of it than Daniel Baldwin."

"You talked to her?"

"Yeah, Lorelai and I go way back."

See smart ass. It's like he does not have an off switch when it comes to spurting out sarcasm in our conversations. "Jess."

"I wanted to talk to her about Rory."

"She'll break your legs if you hurt her again."

"Tony Soprano already warned me." Yeah I'm pretty sure I'd be more scared of Lorelai Gilmore, especially where Rory is concerned. She is a mother bear when she needs to be and nothing will stop her from protecting her daughter. Nothing. "Besides it's not going to be like that. I'm not going to be around long enough to hurt her again."

"Leaving is going to kill her. You can't do that to Rory again," I responded in a somber tone, "I saw what it did to her last time and…"

"She already knows." I looked at him quizzically. He must have sensed what my next question was going to be. "Remember when I came back I was on my way to start over again but I didn't know where?" I nodded. I do recall something along those lines. Actually, it was more like 'when I get there I'll call'. No idea where there was but that was Jess. "I had somewhere in mind, Philadelphia actually. I got offered this great job at a printing press. A junior editor type deal; I'm supposed to start in two weeks."

"But?"

"I could not leave things the way they were with Rory. I wanted to leave things on a good note this time."

"Very big of you. What do you have planned Jess?"

He shrugged his shoulders with a smirk. "Wait and see." He got up from the chair and walked towards the front door. I looked over my shoulder and there Rory was standing there with a book in hand waiting for him. I watched for a moment as he took her hand in his and led her out the front door.

Being in love with a Gilmore made you want to be a better man. I could see that in Jess. I wanted to be a better man for Lorelai. I wanted to be the man of her dreams. My nephew and I are in love with the most complicated women in the world. Life doesn't get any better than this.

"Luke," a soft female voice called across the room. I turned my head back to see the beautiful goddess standing in front of me. I lied. Life does get better. She smiled and her checks became flush. I stood up immediately and started towards her.

I stopped just short of arms reach and tried to find words; any words whether it was right or wrong. "About last night…"

"It was a great kiss."

"It was?!?" I was caught a little of guard but tried my best to recover. "I mean of course not that I think I'm some super kisser or anything but…" Why can't I ever find the right words when I'm around her? She makes me nervous and I like it. I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts. "Lorelai, I like you. I really, really like you."

"Hence the kiss."

"I just want to know we are on the same page here." Please tell me we are least reading the same book. I can deal with being a few pages ahead as long as it's the same book.

"Definitely the same page."

"Good."

"Good." She said with a smile. "I have to get back to work. Are we still good for that movie?" I nod. "Good. I'll see you later then." I nod. "Okay, bye." She says as she pivots and walks back towards the kitchen. She looks over her shoulder when she gets about half way and smiles before she disappears from my sight.

This is good. I stuff my hands into my front pockets and decide that its time to go. I should go check on Caesar and the diner. Yeah work will be a nice distraction until later.

"Let's just rent the movie." I said as I pushed myself up from the blanket we had laid out on the green earlier in the afternoon.

"We can't just watch the movie. We have to finish reading the book," she argued. "We've read half the book already, let's just finish it."

"Rory, I'm not a fan of Sparks' writing style." I said as I stuffed my hands into my front pockets and glanced around to see if the video store was open. You never know with these small towns. They keep really strange hours. Fucking weirdos. Why can't they just be like every other city in Connecticut?

"Why because it's romantic?" She asked me with big doe eyes as she gestured for me to help her up. I extended my hand and she grabbed on tightly as she effortlessly got to her feet.

"No because I don't like the book. The storyline is okay but very predictable." And it is. I've read this type of book before. They all start the same boy from the wrong side of the tracks falls in love with the town princess. Their parents try to keep them apart. They break up and eventually down the road, many years later they get back together. The end.

Sounds vaguely familiar to my current romantic situation doesn't it?

"We haven't even finished the book yet, how can you say it's predictable?"

"It's very Romeo & Juliet." She crossed her arms across her chest and pouted her lip. "I can tell so let's save some time and go rent the movie." I insisted as I shook the grass of the blanket and began folding it.

"You just want a chance to make out with me."

"Am I that transparent?"

"No." I placed the blanket down on the nearby bench along with the book we had spent all afternoon reading.

"Good," I said as I put my hands on her hips and pulled her body into mine. "I would hate to think I couldn't surprise you anymore."

"You just think your Casanova."

"Not even close." I am a pretty suave guy. If I want something or someone I can get them. I know how to play my cards better than most. I play to win. I don't just want to win with worry for one night. I want to have her with me forever. It just isn't the right time.

I don't have much money. No stability. Barely a job and I can't offer her any guarantees besides the fact that I love her. I can't let her fuck up her dreams by pulling her away from Yale. That's where she belongs. She is going to be a great political reporter someday. Going to Yale is a big stepping stone in that direction. I would never take that away from here.

Okay so I'm the jackass that asked her to come to New York to live with me but hey all I was looking for was a yes that she wanted to be with me. That she cared about me. That she loved me. That isn't a fucking crime. And look where we are at now because of it.

We are holding each other in the middle of the green in Stars Hallow as we argue about reading versus watching a movie. It's going to hurt her when I leave again but this time I won't leave without saying good-bye. We are going to part on excellent terms.

I have something special in mind for Rory; something that she wanted while we were together but never got. It is my mission to give that to her before I leave. At some point I have to go see Lorelai and finalize the plan. I only have two weeks before we have to say good-bye for now and it needs to be perfect. It has to be everything she envisioned. She doesn't deserve anything less than perfect.

"Do you really want to just rent the movie?"

"Yes, I really do." I said as I kissed her forehead. "Come on the video store is still open then we can go to your house."

"Or we could go to Luke's." She said as she looked at me with seductive eyes. She wants to. I want to. We can't. It still doesn't feel right. It's too soon. I have a feeling another cold shower is in my immediate future.

God it is so hard to turn her down but I want it to be perfect; candles, music, the whole nine cliché yards. That's what she wants. She doesn't want it to be a casual rendezvous at Luke's. She wants a whole perfect night leading up to the perfect first time. I want to make that happen for her. She just can't keep giving me those eyes. It makes me want to rip all her clothes off and just go from there.

"Or we could go to your house. It has junk food," I pointed out, "something Luke's won't have."

"You put up a good argument Mariano but my mom will probably be home," she said as we walked towards the video store.

"That's fine. Movie night was actually kind of fun."

"Jess Mariano, are you admitting publicly to having fun watching a movie with my mother and me?"

"What if I am?" I like being flirty with her. I'm usually not the flirty type. I never was until I was with her. She makes me want to flirt with her. I think it gets her excited. I want her to get excited around me. It makes things interesting. I love seeing her give me seductive eyes, she never did that before. Rory Gilmore has grown up. So have I. Hence the lack of the lets have sex right here right now attitude. It doesn't work with her. It's not her. I don't want that to be here.

"You are definitely not the same person."

"I am," I assure her as I gently pull her in front of me. "I just finally learned my vocal cords work when you're not around."

"You are unbelievable." She is smiling as she shakes her head in slight annoyance.

"I like that you think so," I said as I lowered my lips to hers. She knew what was coming and invited me closer by wrapping her arms around my neck. She parted her lips and allowed me in to explore her familiar mouth. Even though I knew the cavity of her mouth well it still thrilled me. Kissing her was always a new venture.

Our tongues danced rhythmically every time. She knew that I liked to kiss her hard and deep. I knew she liked it when I rolled my tongue around hers. When we parted I knew she liked a few small pecks to follow an intense kiss while I preferred to follow with a kiss to the tip of her nose and her cheek. We knew each other well. The kissing was like second nature to us, something we would never forget about each other. Yet each time it still felt brand new.

How is that possible?

That a kiss so proverbial can feel and taste so unusual every time; it must be because I love her. It's probably because we still have so many things to explore. Maybe it's simply because every moment I spend with her feels content and unfamiliar at the same time.

"So are we getting that movie?" She finally asked him several long minutes after their kiss.

"Yes," I answered in a single breath. We walked the final few steps to the video store. I held the door open for her and she stepped inside. "After you." I followed her inside unable to take my eyes away from her astounding assets. Rory Gilmore is going to be mine. Not tonight. Not tomorrow but before I leave, I will make one of her dreams come true.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked. I was really surprised by this idea. It was out of the ordinary for him but like I promised her, I would give him a chance. I had one, two – that's right two movie nights with the boy in a few short days. That's more than he was privy to when they were officially dating.

"Yes," he said matter-of-factly, without hesitation. He seemed very confident in his answer. This was what he really wanted to do for her.

"It's not really your thing." And I was not lying. This idea is the last thing I would expect from him.

"This isn't about me. It's about her. She wanted this and I want to give it to her." I believed him. I still have my doubts but this idea is making me second guess myself. I guess Jess 2.0 is really a good guy like she said.

"I guess your better late than never."

"My thoughts exactly. Are you going to help me?" He really wanted this to be perfect. I could tell by everything he laid out in front of me. He had it all planned out, every detail. He just needed me for one key element - her.

"How could I say no? You come to me with this plan that I know she's going to love." I could have said no. I just made her a promise to try. I owe this to her. "You are really trying aren't you?"

"I told you that this time was different."

"Yes you did. I just hope I can help you pull this off."

"Lorelai if anyone can get her to do this it's you." He said as he grabbed his wallet and keys off the kitchen table. "Thanks."

"I hope your right," I said as I shrugged my shoulders. "Let me know if you need anything else." He just nodded and walked towards the front door. He let himself out and closed the door behind him.

Walking over to the couch, I let out a long sigh I hadn't realized I was holding in. I looked at my daughter asleep on the couch as the credits from the movie rolled. She looked so peaceful, content. The first time all year I've seen her smile as she slept. She loved him and he was going to prove it.

His plan was flawless. I just needed to do my part.

Part of me was screaming that I should give her the heads up and let her in on Jess' plan. The other part of me wanted to give her this surprise. But there was still that tiny part of me that knew as good as this plan was, as much as Jess claimed to love her, he was still leaving her. I don't want to see her hurt again.

Maybe this time it will be different. Maybe this time her heart won't break. Maybe this time…