DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gilmore Girls.


Chapter 13: "You read my mind, grandpa!"

Jess sniffled and wiped his tears with the back of his hand. It was done. He had told Luke about Stella and her tragic death. Luke knew everything now.

It was after lunch rush. The diner was quiet and they were alone. Jess had worked up the courage to have this talk with Luke ever since he got back from his chat with Rory. The image of her face tearing up haunted him and he couldn't shake off the fact that she had wanted him back, but he knew it was for the best. For both of them.

"I had no idea."

Luke had been so shocked by what Jess had told him that he had slowly sit down on one of the chairs while Jess told him the story. By the time Jess had gotten to the part where Stella died, Luke's face had turned into a sickly pale shade. Jess had thought it would be difficult to get words out, but just like the night before the words had come out of his mouth easily once he had worked through the first chocked up sentences. The same went for his tears, once they had broken the barrier there was no stopping them.

Jess reached for a napkin to wipe his cheeks. Gosh, he had become so emotional lately. It wasn't just tears of grief though, it was also of relief. Jess hadn't realized how much he wanted to confide in Luke, how much he needed Luke to support him in this, until he had actually invited the man in. His teenage self would have snorted in contempt at this ridiculous longing for comfort.

He waited for Luke to get over his shock. He didn't have to wait long before Luke stood up and pulled Jess in into the biggest hug Jess had ever received. The gesture made Jess tear up again and he buried his head into Luke's shoulders, for once allowing himself to feel small and vulnerable.

"I'm so sorry, Jess," Luke whispered in his ear, patting him on the head ever so softly. "I had no idea."

Jess couldn't say anything in response. The emotions overwhelmed him and he sobbed like a small child.

"You'll be okay, Jess," Luke continued. "I'm here for you. We'll get through this together."

That only made Jess cry even harder. He sobbed to the point where he could barely breathe, hiccupping every time he tried to inhale. Luke pulled him closer and tried his best to soothe. He wasn't used to having anyone crying his heart out in his arms, but he did the best his could. For Jess, who had never been consoled before it was everything he needed.

Once the tears started to slow down, Jess untangled himself from the embrace.

"I'm so glad Stella made me come here," he sniffled. "It was her idea that I should come here. I guess she knew what I needed better than I did myself."

Luke chuckled and smiled at his nephew. Seeing Jess this vulnerable made his heart ache.

"Women usually do. I'm so sorry I'll never get the chance to meet her. She sounds like an amazing woman."

"She was."

Jess hiccupped and suddenly felt very unsure about the request he was about to make to Luke.

"There is also another reason for me to come here." Jess bit his lips when Luke met his gaze. "Stella and I are wondering if you would like be Clara's grandfather. Stella's parents are dead and I don't trust Liz and Jimmy to be there for her. Will you be there for her?"

Luke's face lit up of pride.

"It would be my honor, Jess."

Luke smiled and Jess smiled back with tears threatening to spill again. Gosh, he really needed to stop being this emotional! It was ruining his reputation!

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Jess." Luke reached out and placed a hand behind Jess' neck. "I'm here for you and for Clara." He hesitated for a brief moment, then added: "I've missed you."

Crap! Tears started to flood down Jess' cheeks again.

"I've missed you too, Uncle Luke. I've been meaning to call you so many times, but... And when Stella..."

Luke shook his head and pulled his nephew into another hug.

"You're here now. That's all that matters."

Later on that afternoon, Jess and Luke were busy loading Jess' car with his belongings outside the diner. Now that everything had been resolved between him and Luke, Jess felt the need to return to Philadelphia to deal with other pressing matters. That Clara had fallen asleep before dinner shortened his stay even further. Jess wanted to hit the road and drive as much as possible before she woke up. The journey was long as it was, he want to have it even longer by pulling over every now and then to tend to Clara. Luke was just as sad to see him go as Jess was to be forced to leave so soon. He would have loved to stay another day or two to catch up with his uncle, but he had a job to go to. Catching up would have to be put on hold.

"You should get a new car," Luke remarked after a kick at one of the tires. "This old thing is hardly baby proof."

"It works fine," Jess replied with head inside the car. He was making sure the bags and the stroller were properly secured.

"I see rust here. Before you know it this whole car will be falling apart. And this tire looks pretty worn."

"I'm not buying a new car!" Jess came out of the car. "Do you know how much a car costs these days?"

"I can lend you the money."

"You're not gonna lend me money."

"I have money."

"I'm sure you do, but you are still not lending me any money."

"Why not? You'll get a new car. I'll even let you buy a black one."

Jess gave his uncle a glare.

"You're not buying me a new a car."

He walked around the car and opened the door to the backseat. Luke followed him with his eyes.

"How did you plan to take Clara to her violin lessons and ballet classes if you don't have a car?"

Jess shot straight up.

"Who says she gonna take violin lessons?"

"I am."

"She's not gonna play the violin or do ballet."

"Yes, she is."

"No! She's not some spoiled rich kid. She's my daughter. If anything, she's gonna play the drums and dance hip-hop."

Luke snorted.

"That won't get her into an Ivy League school."

Jess stared baffled at his uncle.

"Who says she's going to an Ivy League school?"

"Her grandfather. I've also checked up on kindergartens in Philadelphia. You may want to consider moving to a better neighborhood. I wrote down a couple of names of well renowned kindergartens on a paper and put it in your bag. You should check them out once you get back. The sooner we start prepare Clara for Ivy League the better."

Jess stared at his uncle, mouth open. Was he really being serious? A shadow of a smile in Luke's face made Jess realized his uncle was only mocking him.

"Very funny!" Jess muttered and closed the car door quietly to not wake Clara. "Are you really going to be this much of a pain in the ass from now on?"

"When it concerns my granddaughter, yes. You should know I take this responsibility very seriously."

Jess groaned. In his head, he could hear Stella laughing at him and saying he deserved everything he had coming. He packed the last few things and checked that the emergency bag with Clara's toys and diapers stood easily accessible from the driver's seat.

"So..." Luke said behind him. Suddenly sounding unsure. Jess turned around and found his uncle standing with his hands deep down in his pockets. "You and Lorelai seems to have buried the hatchet."

Jess shrugged.

"Yes, she's really great once you get to know her. And she's been fed with coffee." Jess chuckled, remembering the pleased look on Lorelai's face when had taken the first sip of the coffee he had made her this morning.

"She is a coffee addict," Luke quietly agreed.

Jess frowned. There was something wrong with Luke. Something Jess couldn't put his finger on.

"Something's up, Uncle Luke?"

Luke seemed to dread what he was about ask.

"I don't suppose you and her... uhm... I wouldn't blame you if you did..."

"What are you talking about?" Jess had no clue to what was bugging Luke.

"You and Lorelai, did you... last night... Babette said..." Luke couldn't get the words out. He didn't have to. Jess suddenly realized what his uncle was trying to ask him.

"Jeez, no, Luke!" Jess exclaimed horrified. "Me and Lorelai? Seriously? No way! She's Rory's mom. That would be weird in so many different ways. I would never do that to you, Luke!"

A sharp red color appeared on Luke's neck and cheeks.

"I wouldn't blame you if you and her had... You spent the night there and all."

"Taking care of Clara, yes!"

Jess couldn't believe this. Did is uncle trying insinuate that he and Lorelai...? Jess shivered. He did so not want to have those images in his head.

"Jeez, Luke, I don't know what you do when someone offers you a place to stay for the night but I don't jump into bed with them to show them my gratitude!"

Jess was pleased to see Luke squirm at these words.

"There is nothing going on between me and Lorelai, I promise. You shouldn't pay so much attention to what Babette and Miss Patty say. When did you even start listen to what they say anyway? No wait, don't tell me. I want to keep the image of grumpy old Luke in my mind." Jess gave his uncle a reassuring smile. "There is nothing between me and Lorelai."

Luke nodded, reassured but very embarrassed.

"Will you come to visit again sometime?" he asked to switch subject into something less embarrassing.

Jess adjusted Clara's seat belt so it wouldn't get uncomfortable for her before he answered his uncle.

"Yeah, about that. I was actually wondering if you wanted to come and visit us in Philly next month. There is this thing at Truncheon. It would be nice to show you where I work and so..."

Luke couldn't contain his joy. This was more than what he had been hoping for.

"I'd like that very much, Jess."

Jess grinned.

"Great, I'll send you an invitation."

Jess closed the door to the passenger's seat and sighed. This was it. Time to say goodbye.

"Well, I'll better get going. There's a lot of road to cover and I want to make most of it before Clara wakes up."

Luke nodded.

"Yeah, that's probably best. Drive safe."

The two men stared at each other for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then Luke took the initiative to a hug by holding out his arms. Jess smiled and accepted the geasture.

Luke's warmth and pats on the back felt so good, it was most reluctant Jess pulled away from him a moment later. For the first time in months, Jess didn't feel so alone anymore. If Stella had seen them standing here, hugging, outside the diner she would have rolled her eyes at them and called them emotionally constipated. The thought made Jess chuckle as he headed around the car.

With his hand on the door handle he stopped and looked at Luke again.

"Lorelai is a great woman. I understand why you have cared so much about her all these years. Just an advice from someone who recently lost someone dear: Tell her how you feel. If you don't, someone else might take her away from here. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life alone wondering 'what if'...?"

Before Luke could answer, Jess dived into the driver's seat and closed the door behind him. The engine came to life with a roar when he turned the key.

Lorelai came around the corner of the diner just in time to see Jess drive off, leaving a very forlorn looking Luke behind on the sidewalk.

"You think he'll be alright?" Luke asked her without taking his eyes off the car.

Lorelai saw the car take a turn at the next crossing and disappear between the buildings.

"Yeah, I think he'll be alright," she said and smiled.

Luke threw one last glance at the spot where Jess and his car had disappeared before he turned to Lorelai.

"Perhaps Madame fancies a coffee?"

Lorelai grinned.

"You read my mind, grandpa!"


AUTHOR: The End!