A/N Thanks for all who review and read. I hope you enjoy this one.

I own nothing

Ch 40 California

Rory and Jess came out of school on Thursday afternoon to find Rory's dad waiting by his car. Rory was surprised, she hadn't heard from him since November. "Hey Dad, what are you doing here?"

"What a father can't stop and see his kid?" Christopher had a goofy grin on his face.

The hackles on the back of Jess' neck went up. He hadn't heard much about this guy except from Rory and it seemed that he wasn't around much. The last time he apparently let his old man run roughshod over Rory and Luke had to be the one to put him in his place.

"Sure Dad, but you've never stopped at any of my schools before, so I'm surprised. Oh, this is Jess he's a good friend of mine and Luke's nephew." Suddenly Rory isn't sure her dad knows that her mom is getting married.

Chris wants to get Rory alone and really doesn't want to have Jess involved if he is Luke's nephew. "Hey Jess, good to meetcha. How's Chilton treating you? I was wanting to ask Rory if she wanted to get a coffee, but I didn't realize that she'd have company. I don't suppose you drink coffee or I'd ask you along."

Christopher still had that cheesy grin on his face and Jess just wanted to knock it off. Something was telling him that this guy was trouble and bad news in one package. "Actually I love coffee, thanks." Jess turned up his own fake smile to match Chris'.

Caught Chris had to improvise, "Well great, know of any place we could get some around here?"

Rory was watching this and she could see Jess was upset but she wasn't sure why. "Um, yeah Dad, there's a shop across the park over that way. Why don't we go there? I have to call mom and let her know I'll be late and Jess has to call Luke."

"No!" Christopher didn't want Lorelai to know he was here. "Uh, I mean, it won't be long and you don't have to tell your mom, right?"

Rory looked at Chris and knew something was up. "Why don't you want mom to know about us meeting? She wouldn't care, in fact I know she'd be glad you were taking an interest in your daughter."

"I know Rory, but I just wanted to spend some time with you without your mom worrying about well what she worries about. You know?"

"I guess. But then we can only stay until the next bus, so half an hour?" Rory looked at Jess and he nodded.

Jess was getting serious feelings of bad news from this guy. He made Jimmy, Jess' father look like a boy scout. They walked over to the coffee shop and Chris was talking about all the good times he and Lor had as kids. Although from Jess' stand point it sounded less fun and more like activities punctuated with alcohol. He knew Lorelai and who she was today didn't sound anything like she was back then. Jess looked at Rory and he could tell she wasn't sure of what to make of this. So far the guy hadn't tried to connect with Rory, not even in the lame adult, 'how was school, what did you learn, did you get detention today' way.

They got their coffee and he continued on the same, with tales about Lor and Chris in school. God, the guy was making Jess sick. As it was getting closer to the time they needed to make the next bus Christopher started to try and get them to stay a little longer. Rory being the nice girl she was couldn't seem to get the exact words out that would tell this jerk that they needed to go.

Then Jess remembered something, "Rory, doesn't Lorelai have class tonight? If you don't get home on the next bus you won't get to see her at all until late tonight and she'll be really hurt. Remember when we missed her that once?"

"Wow, Jess you're right. Dad, I have to go, but maybe you can come to Stars Hollow and we can go out for dinner sometime huh?"

"Sure, Rory, you, me and your mom. That'd be great!" Chris was very happy about this.

"Well, it'll probably just be you and me, mom's with Luke remember? But we could eat at Al's pancake world and have Chinese food. It's really good."

Finally Chris showed his true colors. "Aw, come on Rory, wouldn't you rather your parents get together? I mean all kids want that right? Just think, Lor, and me and you, living together one big happy family? I just want to take care of my girls that's all"

Rory looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Dad, why did you list me last in that group if you want to be with me so much? I don't know why you think mom would be so happy with you. I've seen her happy Dad. She's happy with Luke, he puts her before everything, anything that will make her happy, he tries his best to make happen. Do you know that he also includes me in what ever decisions are made with them? When they first started dating he asked me if I minded. If I had pushed and said yes, I know Luke would have left mom alone. The problem I have is that I don't know that my own father would respect me that much."

Tears were flowing down her face and Jess felt like a knife was in his gut and he wanted to punch Chris in the face sooo bad.

Chris said, "But Rory, why do you want this guy when you could have your own father? I couldn't leave Lor alone Rory, we have a history, a child together - you."

"That just shows me that this isn't really about me. This is about what you want. When I asked Luke if he could go back to just friends he told me that it was like breathing, he had no choice if he wanted to live. But for you it feels like we're trophies and I can't deal with that right now. So Jess and I are going to catch the bus. If you want to get to know me, then I would like that. If you're wanting to get to know me so you think mom will come back then don't call. Ever. OK?" Rory didn't wait for an answer. She turned and started to jog to the bus stop. Jess glared at Christopher then turned to join her.

The bus ride home was silent except for Rory sniffling as the tears continued to flow down her face. Jess really wished he carried a handkerchief except that they carry so many germs and just the idea of one is disgusting, but he could really use one about now. They got into Stars Hollow and Jess finally said, "Rory, let's go to Luke's and get some decent coffee OK?"

Rory had stopped crying by now but she looked like a shell of the girl who had walked out of school today. She looked at Jess and said, "I could use some, but please don't tell Luke what happened."

"I promise I won't mention anything while we're here. But Rory you either have to talk to Luke or your mom. They deserve to know what's coming down the sewer before it hits them."

Rory sighed, "Interesting analogy, but you're right. I just don't want to talk to anyone today. All right?"

"Yeah, I understand. But I've got to tell you Rory, that guy doesn't know what he's missing not getting to know you. Everyone in this John Irving novel town loves you. He may be your father, but he is some serious kind of disturbed."

Jess leaned in and gave Rory a hug out of comfort. What he hadn't expected was the jolt he felt from that simple contact. Rory must have felt it too because she almost jumped away as well.

"Um, thanks Jess. I think coffee would be good." Jess just nodded. What neither saw was Luke peering out the window at them since they had gotten off the bus.

When they walked through the door Luke nodded at them and looked directly at Jess and said, "Upstairs now."

He turned on his heel and went up to his office with Jess following closely. Luke stood by the door as Jess went by and he pointed to the kitchen chair as he shut the door. Luke didn't sit but delivered his questions while he paced around the office.

"I trusted you Jess, I still trust you, although what I just witnessed puts that trust in danger. So I want you to think very carefully before you answer this next question. What the hell were you thinking hugging Rory in the middle of the street!?!"

Jess took a deep breath and said, "Her father showed up at school today. I can't say anything more detailed because I promised I wouldn't but needless to say I was just comforting her not molesting her."

"Damn that putz. He must have hurt her, right? You don't have to tell me, but if you nod then I've figured it out myself right?"

Jess laughed the first time that afternoon, "You've spent way too much time with Lorelai! OK. You guess and I'll nod."

"All right, he wants her mom back, right? That's easy." Jess nodded.

"He wants Rory to move in with him?" Jess snorted. "I'm going to go with a no. He wants Lorelai to move in with him?"

Jess sort of nodded and sort of shrugged. "Would you say that was implied?" Jess nodded.

"Ok, what would get Rory really upset? Certainly the jerk wouldn't have been stupid enough to make her think he wants Lorelai back more than getting to know his own daughter?" Jess did a very deep nod.

"Aw, shit! Really? The asshole really said that to her face? Man, how's Rory doing? Didn't you hit this idiot!?!"

Jess laughed, "Man Luke, you want me to get arrested? Of course I wanted to hit the bastard, but how am I going to explain that to the police? He insulted his own daughter who is no relation to me, not even my girlfriend because my uncle and her mom are getting married and they'll send us both away?"

Luke grinned, "I've got access to a ton of lawyers and if you hit him you're still a minor, so the sentence would be light, we could get you probation easy. Nah, you're probably right. Listen Lorelai should be stopping by soon, she was concerned when you missed the first bus. I'll talk to her later about some of this, but I hope Rory will tell her the actual stuff. Let's get down there before Rory thinks you've vanished."

Jess said, "Hey Luke, before we go down stairs, did you hug Lorelai before you started dating? You know, when you're still just friends?"

Luke sighed, "Yeah Jess, I'd known her two years and she came into the diner looking like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was overwhelmed with her house and she didn't want Rory to know how bad everything was, the roof was leaking, the porch rail was loose, the backdoor lock sucked, well you get the idea. And she had no money to fix anything, so I told her I'd come over and fix it all. She said she couldn't pay me and I said it wasn't a big deal, she must have been thankful because she threw herself around my neck and funny enough, she was crying too." Luke smiled. "Best day of my life before the kiss by the lake."

Jess thought this was a perfect time to ask, "So why did you wait three more years to kiss her?"

"Don' know, maybe I was scared, maybe I was sure she wouldn't want a schmuck like me." Luke grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe because before that Lorelai didn't trust me or herself to love or be loved as intensely as we do; I know it still can scare the shit out of me, thinking it'll go away in a blink of an eye. I know that it was worth waiting for. So, do you think Rory is?" Luke looked pointedly at Jess.

"Yeah, I think she is."

"Good, don't make the beginning of your relationship the end of your friendship. Right now you have the inside track, even though if I hear about you actually hugging Rory I will not hesitate to send your ass to California. Got it?" Luke grinned at Jess.

"Well, if I doubted it before, the fact you hauled me up here after that small connection in the street dispelled any lingering doubt." Jess grinned and hit Luke on the shoulder. "Seriously Luke, I really like it here. You and Lorelai really treat me better than Liz or Jimmy ever did. I won't screw it up. Thanks."

"It's great having you here. I know Lorelai has enjoyed the time we all spend together and she has commented about how freakishly smart you are. We want to keep this going for as long as we can, I'm happy to be able to help out anyway I can."

They got to the diner and Rory looked up expectantly Luke was frowning and she got scared. "Luke, Jess didn't do anything, I just had a bad day and he was being supportive, I swear!"

Luke looked at her and said, "Well, I got that out of Jess, but he wouldn't tell me what happened to make your day so awful that you needed a hug. I'm not going to ask you myself, but you need to talk to your mom about this. I'm holding off judgment of Jess' fate until more information is given, I'll talk to your mom about it tomorrow night. Do you think you can tell her by then? If we need to find Jess a new school I need to know soon." Luke couldn't let her know that he wasn't going to send Jess away, otherwise she might think Jess had told him about what had happened, and technically he didn't. Luke smiled to himself.

"Luke I promise I'll tell mom when she gets back from class tonight, OK? I just don't feel like rehashing it at this moment, but please don't send Jess away, it really wasn't anything. Just two friends hugging, you and mom hugged when you were just friends, same thing. Please?"

"How do you know your mom and I hugged before? You weren't there." Luke was surprised she knew about that.

Rory actually smiled, "Mom had left the house looking like she was carrying it with her and when she came home she was flying. I asked her what had happened in between and she said you had told her you were going to fix our pretty little house and I asked her how much you were going to charge. She got this amazed look on her face and said you weren't charging anything. I told her she couldn't call you Duke again and she got this far away look in her eye. I asked her what was going on and she said that she'd hugged you and then she blushed. I think I knew it was just a matter of time until you two got together. That was the last time she called you Duke wasn't it?"

Luke was amazed that Lorelai felt the same way he did for so long. "Yep, after that it was Luke or burger boy." Luke chuckled.

Late that night Jess was studying in the kitchen at the house when the door opened. Lorelai walked in and saw Jess. "Hey Jess, is Luke around?"

"Why are you here?" Jess was surprised, Lorelai never stopped by after class. Sometimes she would call, but she never stopped by.

"Apparently for the love. Did I upset you Jess?" Lorelai was surprised at Jess' attitude. "I just want to talk to Luke for a second and then I'll be on my way, is he upstairs?"

"No, he's not here." Jess wasn't sure what to do Luke was in the stable working on that thing that he said was for the wedding and he wanted it to be a surprise.

"What do you mean he's not here? The diner's closed, dark and locked. Where else would my fiancée be if not at home?" Lorelai's eyes narrowed at Jess. "Is he coming home this evening?" She couldn't fathom Luke doing something dishonorable, so where would he be if not at home?

"Yeah, he'll be back shortly. He's just not here right now." Jess really wanted to get out of this conversation.

Lorelai picked up her cell phone and called Luke's cell. The phone could be heard upstairs. "OK, so his phone's here, but Luke isn't? Since I've given him that phone he's always carried it with him. Why's it in his room?"

"Maybe he slipped in while I wasn't looking and he's in the shower. Do you want me to tell him to call you when he gets out?"

"No, I'll go up and see if he's here myself." Lorelai started up the stairs and when Jess couldn't see her anymore he raced out the back door to the stables.

He burst through the door and yelled, "Luke, Lorelai's here and she wants to see you, she thinks you're out because I couldn't lie to her. You need to come up to the house now before you're no longer engaged!"

Luke dropped the rag he was using to stain the wood and followed Jess back up to the house. Lorelai was just coming out of the back door when they raced up. "Luke, why did Jess lie to me? Why didn't he say you were in one of the other buildings?"

Luke grinned and said, "Because he's smart enough to know you'd want to go see me and I was working on a surprise for you. But I'm glad to see you."

Luke leaned in to give her a quick kiss. "I'm covered in stain so I don't want to give you a hug right now, but if you come back into the house I'll be able to take off my jacket and greet you properly."

"A surprise? What is it? Can I see? Please Luke? Please?" Lorelai has done an about face and is jumping up and down around Luke.

Luke lead her up the stairs and into their bedroom, "Soon, but tell me what brought you here this evening. You never stop by after class."

"I'm so feeling the love here tonight, that is almost word for word what Jess said. I just wanted to talk to you about what Rory said tonight. She told me that Chris wanted to have a happy family with me, him and Rory, in that order by the way. Then he wanted her to put pressure on me to get back together with him."

"What a putz," Luke muttered.

"No argument here. Luke I've never hated Chris before, I've felt sorry, angry and indifferent to him, but never have I hated him until tonight. Even when Straub was insulting Rory and Chris just let him, I figured it was because he never stood up to his dad before, but now I question whether he even cares about Rory like a father would. How can a dad not love his daughter? Even when my father disapproved of me I never felt like he was indifferent about my existence."

Lorelai had started to cry and Luke reached across her to grab a Kleenex from the night stand. He held her in his arms and rocked her as she continued to weep.

"I don't know Lorelai, I've only known Rory for five years and I'm so amazed at what a great kid she is. I actually liked talking to her more than you before you stopped calling me Duke." Luke grinned at her and Lorelai smiled wanly.

"I guess some people don't realize how they've been gifted. He has this amazing daughter and he refuses to step up to the plate because things don't look exactly like he wants them to. We just have to let Rory know how much she is loved and valued, I don't know how much damage this idiot has done, but we need to try and support her through this." Luke kissed the side of Lorelai's head.

"Do you know how lucky I am to have you? I still don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm so happy I did. I love you so much!" Lorelai hugged him tighter.

"Back atcha."

"So, do I get to see my surprise yet?"

"Well, it's finished, but I was putting on the stain when SOMEBODY insisted on showing up." Luke raised one eyebrow at her.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, so do I get to see this now?" Lorelai started to jump a little.

Luke led her downstairs and out the back door to the stable. When they got there he turned and faced her, "Lorelai, I realized a while ago that at the lake we won't have a structure to stand under and I always pictured you getting married under a canopy, or an archway or something like that. So I found a picture of this and I've been working on it for the past month when you've been at your house. You and Sookie and Emily have been planning this whole thing and I wanted to contribute too. So, this is my gift to you, for our wedding."

Luke opened the door and Lorelai saw this beautiful arch with carvings of birds and grapes. "Luke it's gorgeous! I can't believe the detail, it's amazing! There's even a goat." Lorelai said.

Luke blushed and whispered, "They say that goats represent fertility." Lorelai whipped around to look at him and laughed.

"Don't tell Patty, she'll have a field day on this! Where did you find such detailed designs?" Lorelai is running her fingers over the dry part of the wood.

"I saw a picture in a book and I could picture you under there, so I figured it was a good one. It's a chuppah though."

"Is that bad?"

"Well, we're not Jewish. Is it bad for us to use a symbol that is of another faith? I really don't want to start off on the wrong foot especially by pissing God off." Luke grinned at her.

"Well, it looks like an arch, we can just tell people it's a wedding arch and the fact it's a chuppah can be our little secret. OK?" Lorelai kissed him deeply. "Thank you for my chuppah, it's beautiful and I can't wait to marry you under it."

"Me either." Luke suddenly felt like he couldn't catch his breath. "You have to go home?"

"Yep, Rory's there. I just didn't want to tell you about Chris over the phone. I'm glad I got here so I could see my beautiful gift." Lorelai smiled widely.

"Yep, me too. Tomorrow you get to stay over for two whole nights. I can't wait." Luke drew her to him and kissed her deeply. "Very soon this will be your permanent home and we won't be apart again."

"Can't wait."