A Change of Heart

Chapter 3

Lorelai took one last look at her daughter as she walked out of the diner. She could tell that Rory was nervous, but she knew that everything would turn out fine.

"What are you thinking about?" Luke asked, noticing Lorelai's expression.

"Oh, nothing. Just worrying about Rory…I mean she looked nervous don't you think?"

"No. I think she looked fine. You're just overreacting." Luke rolled his eyes.

"Fine! But I bet you tomorrow she will tell us every detail!" Lorelai teased.

"Ugh! Stop! Don't remind me!" Luke said, playfully hitting Lorelai.

- - -

Jess could tell that Rory was nervous. He could see it in her eyes. She wouldn't look him in the eye and she was rubbing her ankles together self-consciously.

"Ror? You ok?" Jess asked taking Rory's hand in his.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine." Rory lied.

"You don't seem ok. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing…" Rory said, trailing off.

Jess grabbed Rory's hand and gently pulled her along with him, going upstairs. When they got inside he turned around and locked the door.

"Alright, spill." Jess said sternly, knowing that there definitely was something up.

Rory looked away shyly, blushed, and looked back at Jess.

"I'm nervous Jess." Rory said tearing up.

Jess walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her.

"Rory, you don't need to be nervous." Jess soothingly replied.

"I know, but this is our first time, this is something we never did before. I mean I know you have tons of experience and I just don't know what to do." Rory started to breathe faster, getting nervous.

"Rory, this is something special. Something between you and me, husband and wife. Even if you are nervous, we have the rest of our lives to get past that." Jess smirked.

Rory smiled and sighed, "I guess you're right. But I can't help but think that maybe I won't be good, or I won't be good as any other girl you have been with." Rory began to quietly cry.

Jess took Rory in his arms and held her gently, "Rory, you are the only one in my life now. You have always been special to me and those other girls don't matter. Those were mistakes, things I did out of anger, hurt, bitterness, and fear. This between us is purely out of love." Jess soothed her.

Rory began to cry. Jess not knowing what he did started to panic.

"I'm sorry." He finally said.

Rory looked up at Jess confused, "Sorry for what?"

"Well I hurt your feelings didn't I? Isn't that why you are crying?

Rory giggled. "No silly! You didn't hurt my feelings, that was one of the sweetest things anyone has told me." She placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him gently on his lips.

Jess smirked as she pulled away and went in to kiss her again.

"Jess." Rory managed to finally say between kisses.

"Hmmm?" was all Jess could manage to get out between kisses.

"Jess. I'm not nervous anymore." Rory said out of breath.

"Well that's a good thing." Jess said smiling at her.

"How about you help me get out of my dress?" Rory smiled at him turning around.

"Alright." Jess smiled broadly.

- - -

The next morning Rory woke to Jess typing on his computer.

"Jess?" Rory asked groggily, not seeing him around.

"Yeah hon?" Jess called from the small "living room," his mind elsewhere.

"What are you doing?" Rory asked, slipping out of bed and walking over to him.

"Oh, well I woke up this morning with a new idea for a book and I just had to start writing." Jess said kissing her hand, "How are you this morning Mrs. Mariano?"

"I'm doing great." Rory giggled loving the sound of her new name.

Jess smiled and kissed her. "Me too."

"I better get cleaned up. I know mom will be here at anytime just curious about how the night went." Rory rolled her eyes and blushed.

"You don't need to tell her that…at least not details." Jess teased winking at her.

"I know that!" Rory said hitting Jess gently.

"Haha! Well I was just teasing you."

"Ok, well I better go get ready now before I get distracted." Rory started to walk away.

Jess grabbed Rory's arm, "Distracted huh?" he said moving in to kiss her.

"Jess! I need to go get cleaned up!" Rory giggled, but not pulling away.

"Come on, I want to spend some time with my wife." Jess whined.

"You have the rest of your life to spend time with me." Rory tried to sound like she made up her mind, but she could tell he didn't buy it.

"Yeah, and you have the rest of your life to talk to your mother." Jess said kissing her again.

"Jess." Rory said sternly looking at him as serious as she could manage. Jess stared back at her trying to look sad.

"That's not going to work you know?" Rory said suddenly remembering she had a job interview today at 2. "Oh no! I totally forgot!"

"What?" Jess looked at her reluctantly.

"Jess, I have a job interview today at 2 remember! Oh shoot!" Rory started panicking.

"Job interview…Oh right! Shoot! Go get ready, and I will make sure you have everything you need." Jess said abruptly getting up and changing.

"Thanks Jess!" Rory called from the bathroom.

- - -

"Luke, when are they going to come down!?" Lorelai whined.

"I don't know Lorelai, give them time. Be patient for once in your life." Luke answered irritably.

"Well I want to know how last night went!" She teased Luke again.

"Stop it! That's their private business!" Luke acidly replied.

"Oh come on!" Lorelai begged.

"NO!"

As they were arguing Jess and Rory ran down in a rush. Lorelai and Luke looked at them shocked.

"Sorry we can't talk. I forgot I had that job interview today and we are running a bit late. We have to leave. I'll see you later ok mom?" Rory called over her shoulder as they ran to the car.

Luke and Lorelai sat there blankly staring out the window.

"Ok then." Luke finally said.

"Aww, now I can't ask them about it." Lorelai sadly replied.

"You'll get over it." Luke shot back.

- - -

After the interview Rory sat outside waiting for any news about her getting the job. Jess walked in with a cup of coffee.

"YAY!" Rory clapped her hands and reached for the cup.

"Hey, what do you say first?" Jess asks pulling the cup away.

"Give me my coffee or I will be forced to take it from you by any means." Rory anxiously answered.

"Wrong!" Jess said taking a sip from the cup.

"No!! That's mine!" Rory exclaimed.

"Not until you give me the right answer." Jess smirked.

Rory leaped out of her chair and lunged at him, attempting to grab the mug. Jess pulled away and laughed as Rory reached and reached for it. Rory getting a clever idea sat down and sighed.

"Fine, keep the coffee." Rory began to sniffle.

"Rory…" Jess started to say as he walked over to her.

Rory ceased the opportunity and grabbed the cup from Jess. "Haha! I tricked you!" She giggled and sipped from the cup.

"Hey that's not fair!" Jess pouted.

"Who says I play fair?" Rory smirked and kissed Jess.

"You're right, you don't." Jess answered.

"Rory Mariano!" an employee at the news station called for her.

Rory got up giving Jess and excited look and followed the employee. They reached the boss's office and walked in. Rory took a seat and looked at him expectantly.

"Mrs. Mariano." Mr. Black stated without any emotion.

"Sir." Rory replied nervously.

"We are pleased to welcome you to our team." Mr. Black smiled shaking Rory's hand.

"Thank you sir!" Rory smiled excitedly.

"You will start in two weeks. Be here on time and we will get the schedule to you today."

"Thank you so much. I can't wait and I am honored to be here." Rory smiled getting up and waving.

Rory smiled all the way down the hall and decided to poke fun with Jess. She walked out looking down and hid her smile. Jess looked up seeing her approach, his smile fading when he saw her face.

"Rory?" Jess got up fast and ran to her. "What happened?"

"Jess…" Rory said covering her face.

"Oh Rory!" Jess said taking her into his arms.

Rory looked up at him and smiled. "I got the job!"

Jess looked at her and smiled, "Never do that to me again!" Jess scorned her, but smiled.

"Well I wanted to have my fun." Rory winked.

"Oh Rory! I'm so proud of you!" Jess picked Rory up and spun her around.

"I start in two weeks, I have to go get my schedule now." Rory said taking Jess's hand and walking to the front desk where she received her schedule.

"Well this is just perfect!" Rory exclaimed happily, "Wait, what's the date?"

"It's August 4th, why?" Jess asked.

"Shoot! I have to sign up for my last year of college." Rory remembered.

"We can go do that now." Jess said pulling out of the parking lot.

After running all their errands for the day Jess and Rory headed home.

- - -

"Finally!" Lorelai exclaimed when she saw her daughter walk in the diner.

"Mom hi! I got the job and we went and signed me up for my last year of college! Everything is planned and ready to go." Rory was glowing and Lorelai could see that.

"That's great honey! You look exhausted, maybe you should go to bed." Lorelai was concerned.

"Yeah, I think I will." Rory yawned, "Good night mom! Love you!"

"I'll be up in a little bit." Jess said, kissing Rory.

Rory smiled as she walked up the stairs.

"She looks happy." Lorelai smiled at Jess. "You look happy too."

"Thanks, we are. Things seem to be going perfect for us."

"Yeah, well don't think that it will always be like that. Things will go wrong and will get tough. Just be ready ok?" Lorelai advised Jess, feeling like something was going to happen to stir up their happy mood.

"We will. Just don't worry ok? We're doing fine." Jess was a little afraid by Lorelai's serious tone when she "warned" him.

"Well I think I will head to bed too. It was a long day." Jess said kissing Lorelai on the cheek.

"Alright. Goodnight you dirty child." Lorelai teased.

"Touche!" Jess called from the stairs.

- - -

"Luke, I have a feeling something's going to happen soon. I don't know what, but something is."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Luke cautiously asked.

"I'm not sure. I think both, but I don't know." Lorelai shook her head.