Chapter 26 Popping the Big One
"Jess, what is going on?" Rory asked when she finally got him on his cell phone again later that afternoon. "Where are you, anyway?"
"I'm still running around," Jess said cryptically. "I've got a few more things to pick up. I will be back soon, probably at seven. Can you hold out for dinner until then?"
"Yeah. I had a Pop-Tart a little while ago to tide me over. Come on, Jess, where are you?"
"I told you, I'm running around. Errands and such."
"Errands and such? What's going on? What's up with the formality and the secrecy?"
"Nothing. It's just some running around. I'll tell you about it when I get home, at seven."
"You've mentioned that. What's going on with you, Jess? You're being awfully vague. Something's up and I want to know what it is. Come on, Jess, spill it!"
"Nothing's going on," Jess replied quickly. "Nothing's up, I promise. I just have some things going on. I'll see you at seven." He quickly hung up the phone before he said too much.
When Rory called, Jess was busy searching the majority of western Connecticut for white Christmas lights, not an easy task for late September, and he had just hit the jackpot. He already bought fifty candles and dozens of fresh sunflowers. Since he finally found the lights, the biggest challenge now was to unhook the generator from the diner and tow it behind Luke's truck and use it to power the lights and stereo.
His plan was fairly simple, but there were still a few flaws. He was going to propose on their bridge, but he was going to turn their bridge into an even more romantic place for them than it already was. He was going to line a path across the bridge with candles, lights, and sunflowers. He was going to have to pop the question right away because the ring was burning a hole in his pocket. He knew that he wouldn't be able to make it through dinner. There was only one minor snag in his master plan. Jess had no idea how he was going to propose. He didn't know what to say when he proposed. He wanted his words to be heartfelt, romantic, and memorable, but he also wanted to make it through his proposal without getting teary-eyed. He jotted down some notes and ideas, but he trashed most of them. The only constants were his opening and closing lines: Rory, I love you and will you marry me. The words were simple, honest, and to the point. Plus, he figured that if worst came to worst he would just say that.
After hours of running around, everything was perfect. He put the finishing touches on and silently prayed that everything would stay as he left it until they got back. Jess begged and bribed Zack to stand guard for a little while, and he agreed, but Jess didn't entirely trust him. Luke would have been Jess' first choice, but since he was busy being a daddy, Zack would have to do. Jess did know that Lane would kill her husband if he let Jess down under the circumstances.
Jess stopped off at Luke's apartment for ten minutes to shower, shave, and change his clothes from the grubby jeans he wore to get the scene set for the proposal into a pressed pair of khaki pants and a green button-up shirt and a matching tie. Jess arrived at the house promptly at seven to pick up Rory, who sat waiting rather impatiently in the living room.
She looked beautiful. She wore a black and white floral sundress with a light black knit cardigan sweater over it. On her feet were a pair of black ballet slipper-style shoes and she wore the necklace Luke had given her for her 21st birthday around her neck.
"Where have you been?" Rory asked as she pounced on him as he came into the room.
"Hey, Rory," Jess said, kissing her hello. "God, babe, you're especially beautiful tonight!"
"Thanks, but don't change the subject. Jess, what's going on? Please tell me, where were you today?"
"I told you I'd be back at seven and look, surprise, it's seven right on the button. Hey, babe, I'm even on time!"
"True, but you still haven't explained where you have been all day. Come on, Jess, what's up with you?"
"I just wanted us to have a special night, just the two of us. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"No, nothing's wrong with that. I just have had the feeling that you've been up to something all day. What's going on?"
"Nothing! Well, a little something, but it's no big deal. Really. It's just a surprise for dinner. Are you ready?"
"Sure. Yeah," Rory said, standing up. "Where are we going?"
"It's part of the surprise. Come on, Rory. Let's go," Jess said, taking Rory's hand and leading her out to the car. When they got settled in the car, Jess sprung the first surprise of the night on Rory, holding out a tie.
"What's this?" Rory asked. "A tie? What am I going to do with a tie?"
"It's not a tie. Well, technically, it is a tie, but it's a blindfold for tonight."
"A blindfold? Why do I need a blindfold?"
"Please, Rory. Just play along. Come on, sweetheart," Jess said. "It's part of the surprise. Please? For me?"
"Okay," Rory said. "But just this once, okay? And let me just say, it's a good thing I trust you!"
"Can you see anything?" Jess asked after he tied it tightly around Rory's head, making sure that it covered her eyes.
"Nope. I'm blinded by the fold. Now, where are we going? Come on, Jess, I feel silly."
"It's that surprise I was talking about," Jess said. "I promise you'll find out soon."
"You're being pretty free and easy with that promise word today," Rory retorted, adjusting the knot tied behind her head. "You promised me you weren't up to anything."
"You make it sound sinister. Nothing sinister is in the works. I just had to fib a little so that I wouldn't ruin your surprise." Jess started the car and drove around Stars Hollow for about twenty minutes before he turned down the dirt lane leading to the bridge and parking the car.
"We're here," Jess said. Rory could hear the smile in his voice. Jess hopped out of the car to help Rory get out. Taking her hand, he led her down the lane to the edge of the bridge before taking the blindfold off her eyes.
"We're here," Rory said in a barely audible whisper, taking in her surroundings. "Oh, my God. What's going on? This is amazing, Jess, absolutely amazing. It's beautiful. This is the most amazing, beautiful thing I have ever seen. I cannot even come up with original words to describe this!"
Rory knew she was at the bridge, but she hardly recognized it. Strands of lights twinkled in the darkness and sparkled dramatically, lighting up the bridge and the surrounding trees. Jars overflowed with sunflowers and candles flickered, the flames dancing in the moonlight, lining a pathway leading to a beautifully dressed table set in the center of the bridge. The table was covered with more candles and sunflowers. A bottle of champagne was chilling and the table was set with dishes Rory recognized from Luke's. A cart held a covered chafing dish containing what Rory assumed was their dinner.
"Come on," Jess said, taking Rory's hand.
"Jess, what is all this? Did I miss an anniversary or something?"
"No, not at all," Jess replied. "Rory, sweetie, please, let's sit down. I have something very important to talk to you about."
"Jess, what's going on?" Rory asked in a shocked whisper with the hint of tears in her eyes.
"Everything is perfect, Rory."
Jess led Rory down the bridge to the table and, once she was seated, Jess dropped down onto one knee in front of her. He took her hands in his, kissing them gently. His eyes glistened and he smiled before taking a deep breath.
"Oh my God," Rory said in a breathless whisper.
"Rory, I love you," Jess began with a smile.
"And I love you, too," Rory replied with happy tears in her eyes.
"From the moment I saw you, all those years ago, I knew that I loved you. I was just a kid then, but I knew that you made me feel warm and happy and I knew that must be love. But, that kid had no idea that I would continue to love you or that it was possible for that love to grow and mature into the love I feel for you right now. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, and I know that I can't change what happened in our past, what I did or how I hurt you, but I can promise you that history will never repeat itself. I grew up a lot and I've changed, Rory. We've both changed, for the better, but I have never, ever, stopped loving you. During our time apart, I dreamed that we would one day find our way back to each other. Well, Walt Disney was right, babe. Dreams and fairy tales really do come true. There really is a happily ever after. I'm living proof."
"Oh, my God," Rory said as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "Oh, my God, this is really happening!"
"I am so happy. I am the happiest I have ever been and I know we are meant to be together. We're soul mates. We're meant to be together forever. Rory, you are the love of my life and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Hell, my life didn't even begin until I met you, and I don't think I can continue without you. Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, will you make me the happiest man in the world? Will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?"
"Are you sure?" Rory asked softly.
"I've never been surer of anything in my life."
"Because if you're just asking me because of my freak out," Rory babbled, but Jess cut her off.
"Rory, I am asking you to marry me because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Your so-called freak out helped me to realize that you were ready for me to ask you."
"Will you ask me again?" Rory asked, smiling warmly.
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes," Rory replied breathlessly. "Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! I love you so, so much and I will. I can't wait to marry you!"
"Yes!" Jess crowed, jumping to his feet and grabbing Rory on his way up, scooping her into a big, tight hug. He spun them both around until they were both very dizzy, but he managed to stop just before he made them both fall into the lake. Jess sighed deeply and kissed Rory deeply and hugged her tight and held her close to him, smoothing her hair with his hand.
"Wait," Jess said quickly, taking the box from his pocket. "Sit," he said and Rory obliged. Jess got back down on one knee and opened the box. He pulled out the ring and slipped it onto Rory's left ring finger, where it fit perfectly.
"It's beautiful," Rory said, staring at the sparkling diamond ring on her finger. "I love it, Jess, and I love you."
"I love you, Rory," Jess replied, kissing her again, breathing her in. "I love you so much! Come on," he said, kissing her again. "Let's eat so we can call your mom and Luke and then we can go back to the house and really celebrate."
"They know?"
"You think I could ever keep a secret this big from Lorelai? Rory, have you met your mother?"
"True," Rory said. "Well, tell me. What did they say?" she asked. "How long have they known?"
"I wanted to be sure to cover all the bases, so I spoke with your dad, your mom, and Luke this morning and they were thrilled. I think if Matthew could talk, it would have been unanimous. And, I'm pretty sure Lane knows, too."
"What? How?"
"I bribed Zack to watch all this stuff while I showered," Jess explained. "And I doubt he would have kept that from Lane."
"So, was I the last person to find out we're getting married? What else have you done? Have you set the date yet? Can I pick out my own dress? How about the shoes? Do I get a say on the guest list?"
"Rory, come on," Jess said with a smirk. "There's no way I would tell your grandparents without you, a suit of armor, and a pack of angry pit bulls as a buffer!"
"Very funny."
"The only plans I made were for the proposal, Rory. The wedding will be planned by both of us, I swear. And in actuality, probably more by you and Lorelai than by me. We'll do whatever you want, big and elaborate or a chapel in Vegas, but when it comes to the date, I vote for the sooner the better."
"We're getting married," Rory whispered, kissing Jess deeply. "I'm going to be Mrs. Jess Mariano. Oh, my God!" she shouted. "Jess, we're getting married!"
"Yeah, babe," Jess said, smiling and returning her long, deep kiss and following it up with a slightly inappropriate butt grab. "We're getting married. Now, come on," he said. "We need to eat because I am not going to be able to keep my hands off you for much longer!"
"Well, what's for dinner?"
"Nothing fancy," Jess said, nibbling her neck. "Just spaghetti and meatballs."
"Oh, that'll keep for later," Rory said as she enjoyed the chills Jess' kisses caused to run down her body. "You know, I actually think spaghetti tastes better reheated. It gives the sauce a chance to really saturate the noodles. So, why don't we just go home and we can keep ourselves very busy?" Rory asked, her tone of voice a wonderful mix of sweet and seductive. "I want to show you just how happy I am right now, how happy you made me, and how excited I am to marry you."
Jess and Rory embraced tightly and continued to kiss and caress for a few lingering moments before Jess reluctantly pulled himself away.
"What about your mom?" Jess asked. "I promised her that we'd call."
"We can call later or we'll wait until they get home tomorrow and we'll tell them in person. I want to just be with you right now. Keep it our own special secret, just for tonight. Just about us. Is that okay?"
"More perfect than you know."