Here's the next chapter! Hope you all enjoy. I will try to update both of my stories as soon as I can, but basketball season just started and it's harder for me to find time to write. So be patient! Hope you enjoy the story so far! R&R
Life's Lessons
Chapter 2
What Hurts The Most
A very gloomy Rory woke up the next day. She had taken the week off after the "incident" and she still hadn't fully recovered from her disappointment. She sighed and closed her eyes again, not wanting to face life today.
Jess felt Rory stir and heard her sigh. He slowly opened his eyes and turned to her. Seeing her so sad was hurting him, but he couldn't do anything about it. Well he could, but he couldn't just snap his fingers and make it happen.
"Ror?" Jess asked turning on his side and staring at her lovingly.
"Hmm?" Rory mumbled and opened her eyes. Jess was staring at her and she was caught off guard.
"You awake?" Jess playfully questioned and poked her.
Rory sighed pretending to be annoyed, "Now I am. Gee thanks!" She couldn't keep a straight face and laughed, but her smile quickly faded. It was gone as soon as it had appeared.
Jess frowned, he wanted so much for Rory to be happy, to laugh at nothing and see the twinkle in her eye. He just couldn't communicate with her, he wasn't very good at sharing his emotions, thoughts (sometimes), and feelings. To tell Rory that he was sorry and that this was hurting him as much as her, would be like sticking knives in his arm.
He was getting better though, the new adult Jess had matured intensely since he left Stars Hollow. Despite all his maturity, he still had that solid wall he put up to shield people from seeing inside him.
"Rory. I…" He didn't know what to say. He wanted to pour out his heart and soul, but he just couldn't.
"Jess, I'm sorry. I'm being so unfair to you. I want to visit my mom. I miss her." She looked up and Jess saw tears forming in her eyes.
"Fine. We'll go next weekend ok?" Jess didn't like Stars Hollow, but he knew that Rory loved it there. It was her home, and she missed her mother.
"Rory…never mind." Jess quickly regretted not talking to her.
"Ok." Rory looked down sadly.
Jess was frustrated with himself. Even this mature Jess was hurting Rory. He hated himself for it. "Rory I miss you. I miss the happy you. Are you ok?" Jess finally got up the courage to tell Rory how he felt. It was the hardest thing he had done, besides leaving her.
"I-I thought I was, but I'm not. Jess, I keep letting disappointment take over me and then I break down. I shouldn't want this so much." Rory sobbed.
Jess moved closer to Rory and wrapped his arms comfortingly around her. He gently rubbed her back and thought of what to say to her.
"Jess, was it right to start trying? Do you think it's putting too much stress on us?" Rory finally asked.
Jess held her close, he could feel her trembling. "Maybe."
"Maybe what?"
"Maybe…maybe we are putting too much pressure on us, and the pressure is causing stress, and the stress is too much for us to handle now. With work and bills."
"So we should stop trying then?" Rory began crying again.
"No, I never said that. I'm just saying that maybe we need to let things happen. Not try too hard you know?" Jess explained.
"Yeah. I guess so." Rory sniffled feeling stupid. She was putting a lot of stress on herself and when things weren't happening the way she wanted, she freaked out.
"What do you say? Just keep things as casual and see what happens?" Jess asked.
"Yeah. I'm sorry Jess." She whispered.
"Don't be. I love you." Jess kissed the top of her head.
- - -
Rory called into her work to take a few weeks off. She wanted to clear her head and visit her mom. Jess even took a few weeks off too. He would still write and do some business over the phone, but he wouldn't have to go to work.
The were packing to stay for a week and Jess could still see how unhappy Rory was. She tried to hide it, at times she did, but Jess knew her too well. He sighed watching her move about absentmindedly.
"Rory. Sit down, I'll finish packing." Jess suggested. Rory looked up at him and shook her head in agreement. She sat down and watched Jess intently. He saw her stare and him and smirked.
"What? Can't get enough of me I see." He teased.
"Don't be too sure Dodger." Rory grinned and stood up, walking over to him.
"Oh, so it's not just my good looks, it's my body you're after huh?" Jess stopped packing and moved closer to Rory, his face just centimeters from hers.
"Maybe…" Rory whispered slowly kissing him.
They kissed passionately until they finally had to break apart for air. They held each other close and Rory finally spoke up. "We should get going. If we want to make it there before night."
Jess reluctantly let go of Rory and picked up their bags. He turned around abruptly and kissed Rory. Rory giggled and grabbed her purse, keys, and a mug of coffee. Jess rolled his eyes when he saw the mug in her hand and smirked.
"Hey a Gilmore girl needs her coffee!" Rory defended.
"But you're not a Gilmore anymore, you're a Mariano. Remember?" Jess shot back.
Rory sighed in defeat, "But I am still a Gilmore by blood." Rory haughtily replied.
"Oh darn. And I thought I had you trapped." Jess sarcastically remarked.
Rory shook her head and closed the door behind them. "I love being a Mariano though." Rory whispered in Jess's ear. Jess smiled and handed her a bag.
"Here Mrs. Mariano. Take your bag, or better yet, mine. It's much lighter."
"Why Jess Mariano! I am appalled! Are you saying I'm a heavy packer?!"
"Yes I am." Jess stood proudly.
"You're right, but hey a girl needs her clothes, it's a lifeline." Rory laughed.
"Well my lifeline are books." Jess stated matter-of-factly. Rory made a shocked face and crossed her arms.
"I see how it is! Books are your lifeline, but not your wife? Well then, I guess you wouldn't mind if I just took the keys and drove to Stars Hollow by myself, now would you?" Rory pretended to be offended.
"Rory I didn't mean that!" Jess tried to make amends thinking he really did offend her.
Rory giggled, "Jess, I was just kidding. I love you." Rory said as she climbed into the passenger seat.
"I knew that." Jess shrugged, trying to keep his composure.
- - -
They arrived at Stars Hollow in a few hours, as they saw the sign Jess sighed. "Welcome to Peewee Village." Jess mumbled.
"Jess! This is my home! Well sorta, it's my hometown. I grew up here." Rory laid her head on Jess's shoulder and smiled when she saw Kirk running to the Diner to announce their arrival.
"Ah great! We can't even arrive without anyone knowing.' Jess complained.
Rory stifled a laugh and looked out the window. "Oh my gosh! Jess look!" Rory shrieked.
"It's a good thing I can see, because I can't hear now." Jess said rubbing his ears. Rory hit his arm playfully. Jess laughed and looked at where she was pointing.
"I can't believe it! They threw us a welcome home party!" Rory clapped her hands excitedly.
"You are acting like a little kid Rory."
"I like it!" Rory said in a small voice. Jess rolled his eyes and pulled parked next to the diner.
"Three, two, one." Jess covered his ears and as if on cue, Lorelai came running out screaming.
"RORY!!"
"MOM!" Rory jumped out of the car and ran to her mom. They ran into each other and fell on the floor laughing.
"Oh daughter of mine how I have missed you so." Lorelai dramatically said.
Rory hugged her mom tightly and stood up with her. "It's so great to be back. Even if it is just to visit." Lorelai looked down sadly.
"Why do you have to live so far away?"
"I'm sorry mom, but Jess's work is there and I didn't want him to give it up for me."
"Well you should have." Lorelai selfishly replied and glared at Jess as he walked up to him.
"Talking about me already I see." Jess seethed.
"There's the son-in-law who took my daughter away from me." Lorelai stuck her tongue out at him and pulled Rory protectively to her.
"Yep, and she gladly came with me. I think it's because I'm so good looking. Plus my body is pretty amazing too." Jess smugly shot back.
"You are poisoning her mind! That's what it is!" Lorelai covered Rory's ears as Rory struggled from her grip.
"Mom! Stop being mean to Jess." Rory knew that her Jess and Lorelai were just teasing each other, it's how their relationship ended up. They never really showed affection to each other except on rare occasions.
"He is poisoning your mind. It must be a writers thing."
"Hey, there is nothing wrong with a writer. They are just more complex than most beings. You being one of the less complex." Jess smirked and walked next to Rory.
"Rory! You're husband is being a meanie! Make him stop." Lorelai whined.
"Sorry, but when you talk about writers and my man that way, well you deserve it."
"Ooh, traitor!"
Rory laughed and grabbed Jess's hand. "Come on, I'm starving."
"Lukey!" Lorelai sung as she walked in the Diner.
"Never call me Lukey! Rory, Jess it's so nice to see you guys. How long you here for?" Luke asked giving Rory and Jess a hug.
"About a week. Give or take." Jess shrugged placing his arm around Rory's waist.
"Yeah. Luke can I have some coffee, and food! I'm starving." Rory pulled Jess along and sat at a table.
"Already taken care of." Luke said handing them their food.
"Jess, you look great. How are things at the book store?" Luke inquired sitting next to him.
"Things are going great. I'm writing another book now." Jess said eating his burger and fries.
"Yeah, Jess is doing amazing." Rory placed her hand on top of Jess's and smiled.
"Rory is doing great too." Jess praised her. Rory blushed and squeezed his hand gently.
"It's no big deal."
"Tell them about your promotion. And about your articles." Jess encouraged.
"Well I am now an official writer for the newspaper. I get to have articles in the paper almost everyday." Rory happily explained. Jess looked at her and he was beaming.
"So how's married life treating you?" Lorelai wiggled her eyebrows at Rory and Jess.
"Mom. That's private." Rory turned red.
"Yes, please say no more." Luke quickly stood up and walked away turning more and more red by the minute.
"It's amazing mother." Jess smirked.
"Don't call me mother! I don't want to feel like my mom." Lorelai pointed her finger at Jess. "So it's amazing huh?"
"Oh you bet. Rory is amazing. She could give you some tips for your own marriage." Jess was smug. He knew that if he wanted, he could make Lorelai feel embarrassed.
"Jess. Stop it." Rory was extremely red now.
"Images! Images that shouldn't be in my head are in my head!" Lorelai shrieked. "Make them go away!"
"You have just ruined mom's innocent mind" Rory informed Jess.
"I don't think it's that innocent." Jess chuckled.
"Yeah, you're right." Rory agreed.
Lorelai had gotten up and was now bugging Luke. "Honey, let's rent movies for tonight." She was whining.
"What for?"
"We're gonna celebrate Rory and Jess being here."
"Isn't that what the whole party outside is supposed to be?" Luke asked annoyed.
"They all left. And it was just a big banner anyway."
"Fine. But no Willy Wonka." Luke sternly told her.
"Aww, come on Luke."
"No."
"Please?"
"NO!"
"Fine." Lorelai said walking back to the couple. "I'm going to go rent some movies for tonight. I'll meet you at the house later."
"Alright mom. We're gonna go pay Lane a visit." Rory said pulling Jess with her.
"Ooh fun. See ya."
"Do I have to go?" Jess playfully whined.
"Yes."
"Fine."
- - -
Lane opened the door when she heard a knock on the door. She had known Rory was coming to town, but she wanted to tell her something as soon as she could. The twins came running to the door.
"Rory!" Lane exclaimed and hugged her.
"Lane! I miss you!"
Jess pretended to cough and Rory and Lane turned to look at him.
"Hi." Jess waved and looked at Rory. "Look, if I'm going to be left out, maybe I should meet you at the house." Jess suggested.
"Ok. You do that." Rory said, kissing him bye. Jess pulled out a copy of A Farewell To Arms from his back pocket and walked to the gazebo to read.
- - -
"So Lane, what's new with you? The twins seem happy." Rory tried to keep a smile on her face when mentioning the twins. She loved them, but she was still having a hard time dealing with not being pregnant.
"Kwan and Steve are great, Zach is doing great, and I'm amazing!" She said happily bringing Rory into the living room and sitting on the couch.
"I have something to tell you Rory." Lane timidly said.
"Ok shoot." Rory smiled.
"Ok, well Zach and I are, well, we're having another baby." Lane smiled.
"You-you are? Wow, that's, uh, that's great." Rory smiled falsely.
"Yeah, we are so excited. It's gonna be a handful though." Lane sighed and looked at Rory who was turning pale.
"You ok?"
"Um. Actually I don't feel to well. I'm gonna go find Jess. I'll see you later Lane." Rory quickly got up and walked out, waving as she left the house. As soon as she was out of sight, she took off running.
- - -
Jess was reading peacefully in the gazebo when he was Rory running, no she was sprinting, across the town square. He closed his book and stood up and followed her. He knew where she was going of course, it's where she always went when she was upset. She was going to the bridge.
"Rory! Rory wait!" Jess called after her and he ran faster.
"No, no, no!" Rory shouted through tears.
"Rory, wait. What happened?" Jess hollered.
Rory ignored him and ran faster, if that was even possible. Jess began to catch up to her and they both slowed when they got to the bridge.
Rory sat down and began sobbing harder than she ever had before. Jess walked quickly to her side and sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her. Rory fell apart in his arms, she let Jess hold her together. Lane was having another baby and Rory wasn't having one. It just wasn't fair. Lane already had kids, Rory didn't.
"Rory, what happened?" Jess was starting to get scared.
"La-Lane, is-is having a baby." Rory managed to say.
Realization hit Jess like a bomb. Rory hadn't ever gotten over their first pregnancy test and Lane, her best friend, having another baby wasn't good right now. Jess held her tighter now, not wanting to let her go.
"It's ok Ror. Everything will be fine." Jess whispered, rocking her gently.
"N-no it isn't." Rory sobbed louder.
"Yes it will. Ror, we've only been trying for two months. The last test you took was a month ago. Rory, all we have to do is be patient." Jess tried to reason with her.
Rory knew Jess was right. She sighed and nodded. Jess began to loosen his grip on her when she stiffened. "No Jess. Don't move." Rory begged. She felt so safe and secure in his arms.
Jess nodded and held her. They sat there for a good ten minutes when Jess suggested they go to the house.
"No, let's just stay a while longer. Read to me?" Rory asked.
"Alright, but all I have on me is Hemmingway." Jess informed her.
"That's fine." Rory mumbled quietly. Jess pulled out the book and began reading to her.
There you have it! Hope you all liked it! Let me know what you think and give any advice...thank you! Review please! :)