A/N: Thank you so much once again for the feedback! I love how positive the reviews for the last chapter were. It means so so much! :)
Jess tapped his pen on the table, counting how many times he did so. One, two, three, ten, sixteen...he wondered how long he'd been sitting there and not getting any writing done. He thought writing on paper onstead of a laptop would help but his mind was focused on Rory and what she had told him. A week had passed since they decided to give it another try but it was still nagging at him what she went through. He could kill Logan for it. He wanted to.
Instead of continuing where he left off, all he thought of were things to say to her and how she might have felt, still might be feeling too. Then his mind told him how she probably found a way to move on already, that she had already grieved and her telling him was probably just her wanting to be honest, not to start a big discussion about it. Jess sighed, throwing his pen down. His notes weren't even getting much thought into them.
After turning his head to his cell phone, Jess picked it up and stared at her number before dialing. It rang a few times and then he heard the familiar voice. "Hey, its Rory. You missed me and I'm sorry to have missed you too. Leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as possible."
Jess smiled, thinking back to the kooky voicemail openers her mom used to leave. Back in high school, he got a kick out of them but he was glad that Rory was capable of having a normal one even if it was probably just in case work called. He sighed and put his phone back down besides him on the table and tried to concentrate.
He had just finished half a page of notes when the door burst open and in walked Lorelai. She looked surprised to see him there. "Hey."
"Hey," he leaned back in his chair.
She looked at him questionably. "You're not with Luke today at the house?"
"Nah," he shook his head. "Luke figured I needed a break from Kirk for the day. So I'm here while Lane and Cesar run the diner."
She nodded, smiling. "Lane is gonna inherit this place one day, I swear."
"I bet she gets it instead of me," he smirked.
"Well, he is her kids' godfather," she pointed out. "That'd be a pretty nice gift back."
"Hey, I'm family," he pointed out, feigning hurt.
Lorelai smirked back and sat down at the table. "Maybe when you have kids of your own then."
Jess stared at her and she snapped her mouth shut in shock. Maybe it was a mistake to say even as a joke considering the latest development of the man in front of her and her daughter. He saved her from any more awkward silence. "Or April."
"Right," she agreed, grateful. "Though I hear she has a boyfriend..."
Jess laughed. "Luke must be tormented."
"Oh, he is," she laughed. "Think Rory 2.0."
"That's pretty bad," he replied with an almost grin.
"Imagine if she lived closer," she suggested. "Or worse, right upstairs his diner like you did!"
"He'd be collecting condiments every five minutes," he gasped in mock surprise.
Lorelai smiled at him. "This is probably going to be really weird considering our history but since we're sitting here, laughing together. And I'd like to think me and you get along better now, too."
He looked her suspiciously, wondering where she was going with this. "What's so weird?"
She sighed, letting out a breath. "I'm glad the two of you are giving it a second chance."
If Jess had been eating or drinking anything right now, he swore he could have choked on it. "Say that again?"
"You heard me," she said. "Don't make me repeat it."
Jess grinned. "Oh, I did hear you but I'd like to hear it again."
"Shut up or I'll tell Luke he has to watch you two like a hawk again," she pointed at him accusingly.
"I'd like to see him try," Jess shrugged. "Neither of us even live here."
"He will find a way," she nodded determinedly. "Oh yes he will."
The grin slid off Jess' face and he turned serious. "But really. I know we...get along now, I guess is the right words, but I never expected to hear you say you were glad about us."
"Consider us both surprised," she replied. "But I've noticed something in Rory since she saw you again and even more so in her voice when we talk after you two got back together. It hasn't been that long but there's a difference. I think you can...or do make her happy."
Jess was silent, waiting for a punch line. When he didn't get one, he said in a low voice, "Thanks. That...that means a lot."
"You're welcome," she told him. "Though, if you tell anyone I said this, I will make you pay."
"I have no doubt's about it," he confirmed.
She nodded with a menacing stare on her face. "Good, then."
...
The sun was way too bright. Jess squinted at the light and remembered what it was like in California all those years ago. That helped some to think how this was the not the brightest day he's ever seen. But still - the sun was too bright.
He walked across the street of Truncheon and down to the coffee shop he was instructed to. When he walked on, he didn't see her yet so he went on line and ordered himself a simple, regular coffee. Jess would never understand why exactly people drank all those fancy things on the menu. Once he got his order and turned around after paying, he noticed her.
A smile broke out on his face when he saw Jen. Her blonde hair was swept into a side braid and her own face mirrored his smile as she made her way to him. When she reached him, she kissed him softly on the lips and Jess felt himself smile against her mouth, a bigger smile than when she walked in. "Hey."
"Hey," he replied. Jess motioned to a table in a corner and they moved to it, swerving the tables. "How are your parents?"
"As positive as always," Jen's voice was icy.
"What happened?" They sat down and the expression on his face was concerned.
"What always happens," she sighed. "They told me I'm not doing anything with my life working in a bookstore. They don't think I should be dating someone who works in one either because then you won't support me if I continue to work in said bookstore."
"Did you tell them I'm an author too?" Jess asked teasingly.
She gave him a look and he laughed. "I've tried that. They can't get past the part where you're not as famous as J.K. Rowling."
"Maybe I don't want to be as famous as J.K. Rowling," he shrugged and drank some of his coffee.
"Shit," she muttered, realizing she didn't order herself anything. "I didn't get my own coffee. I'll be right back."
He smirked into his cup and took another drink. When she got back, coffee in hand, she smiled. "I'm sorry. You don't want to hear this."
"I don't mind," he shrugged.
"You should," she argued. "Here I am, complaining about my parents not approving of my life when you never really had your parents care about yours."
"So?" He asked. It had been hard enough for him to admit about Liz and Jimmy so hearing her say it now almost made him go completely silent. "My parents are the past. If you even want to call them my parents."
"See?" She gestured to him with her arms after drinking some of her coffee. "You actually have reason to complain."
He shook his head, looked down at his feet then back at his girlfriend. "It doesn't matter. Not anymore."
"Of course it does," her voice softened. "Jess, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be," Jess told her. "You can tell me whatever shitty thing your parents said or did and I'm not gonna break into some emotional mess how my daddy left me."
"I know," she agreed. "But I feel bad."
"Don't," he said and touched her hand. "Really. I'm fine."
She smiled at him. "So you really want to hear all about the visit?"
"Sure," he nodded. "Why not?"
Jen laughed and started telling him everything that happened since she left for her parents until when she drove back into town.
...
Rory dropped her purse into her car and took a deep breath. She was exhausted. Her editor had sprung a spur of the moment article to write into tomorrow's edition and she had just spent all day working on it. She couldn't wait to go home if she was being honest.
First, she checked her phone. There was a couple of texts from her mom, one from Lane, and a missed call from Jess. Rory smiled to herself. They'd talked on the phone every morning and night since getting back together. She missed him and really wanted to see him. She also wished he was closer than Stars Hollow or that she was.
Rory drove home and as soon as she got there, grabbed her phone. She texted her mom back and Lane too, even sent Paris a message. Then she dialed Jess' number, promising herself she would call her mom after. He didn't answer on the first few rings so she waited and then finally it led to an automated message about the person not being there. She figured he'd have a non-personal voicemail.
Hanging up the phone, she went and checked the fridge for something to eat. There was some leftover Chinese in there and Rory took it out, sniffing to make sure it was still good. It seemed some things she learned from her mother had stuck over the years. Taking out a soda to have with it, she dug into the food. It still tasted delicious.
The sound of her phone ringing caused her to jump out of her seat and check who was calling. Her heart lurched at the number and name appearing on the screen. "Jess?"
"Hey," he said. "Seems like we keep missing each other, huh?"
"We're not now," she smiled. "How are you?"
"Okay," he answered nonchalantly. "Better now."
She nodded. "Me, too."
"I've been having a hard time concentrating today," he admitted.
"Really?" She pouted. Rory couldn't imagine Jess not focusing on his writing. "How come?"
"Keep thinking about you," he explained. "Probably more than I should."
"I know how you feel," she sat on the couch and curled her legs under her. The last of her food was forgotten. "Work was so busy but all I wanted was to talk to you."
"I tried to," he said. "One of our misses today."
"I wish I didn't miss you," she said.
"Ouch," he teased. "You don't want to miss me?"
"Shut up," she laughed. "You know what kind of miss I mean."
"I do," he agreed. "And I did. Miss you that way."
"I did, too," her face heat up. "When can we see each other again?"
"Uh..." He stopped them continued. "I'm not sure."
Rory pouted. "I guess I can try to get a few days off work to come visit."
"Nah," Jess said. "We'll work something out."
"Okay," she whispered. "Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"I really wish I could kiss you right now," she told him.
He cleared his throat. "I wish that, too."
"Soon," she answered. "Really soon."
"Good," she could almost hear his smirk. "So how busy was busy? Work was okay?"
"It was good," she nodded. "But I like heads up before big articles, you know? I'm not a light, you can't turn me on and off."
He laughed low on the other end and she made a face, asking him what. "Just what you said."
"What?" She wondered out loud then caught her own words as they repeated in her head. "Oh."
"Exactly," he agreed. "But you know, maybe it is possible to turn you on and off."
"Or maybe you could shut up," she warned with a smile.
She pictured him surrendering with his hands up if they had been in the same room having this conversation. "Okay. I guess I'll just hang up then and go back to helping Lane."
"Don't you dare," she threatened. "Wait, Lane? My Lane?"
"I believe she's Zach's Lane," he pointed out. "Unless there's something you would like to share...?"
She smiled, turning red again. "You are on very thin ice tonight, mister."
"And you're not here to warm me back up," he pouted.
Now her face turned beet red. Rory loved how easy it was to get back to normal with Jess, it felt so right and as if no time had passed. "Maybe soon."
"I'm gonna hold you to that," he said and she got shivers remembering when she had called him after Friday night dinner the week of the bid-a-basket lunch.
They talked for another half hour, making plans for when they see each other and hoping a space opened up in their schedules to make it possible.
...
The next morning, Rory groaned loudly as her alarm blared. She reached out to shut it off and covered her eyes. She hadn't slept well and wasn't entirely ready to wake up. Climbing out of bed seemed like a task she'd rather forget.
Sitting up, she let out a cough then a sneeze. Her eyes widened and she groaned a second time. "Please do not tell me I'm getting sick."
Rory's mind raced through everyone she had contact with and everything she did the previous day. She gasped when she remembered an intern named Stan who sniffled as he handed her papers yesterday.
"Oh, no," her hands came in contact with her head, holding it in place. After more sneezing and coughing, Rory got out of bed and called in to her boss. He was very understanding, apparently Stan had come in today worse than yesterday and he had yelled at him to go home. Her boss had told her he'd send her emails of anything he needs and to email anything back. Rory was grateful to him for letting her stay at home.
She went to her cabinets and made coffee but once it was done, it had no taste. Rory made a face as she downed it and put on tea instead. Maybe she should have done that in the first place. There was no medicine to be found in any of her cabinets but Rory didn't want to go out shopping for any, either. Instead she drank her tea and ate some crackers she was surprised she even had.
Her phone rang loudly and she reached over to see who it was. Her mother was calling her this early? She was curious so she answered. "Mom? Is the world over?"
Lorelai laughed on the other end. "Nah. My insane husband woke me up."
"No!" Rory gasped. "He knows not to do that."
"You'd think so right?" She laughed. "But no. He woke me up then went and opened the diner and now all I can think about is the wonderful coffee brewing downstairs and how I can't have any!"
"Oh, mom," she laughed. "Stay calm."
"I can't!" Lorelai cried. "I want the coffee!"
"You can't have it," her daughter told her. "You're going through withdrawal."
"Pregnant women can have coffee," Lorelai replied. "If I wanted to, I could down there right now and demand some."
"That may be," Rory agreed. "There is also the tiny problem where once you have one cup, you will want another."
"Drat," she groaned and Rory laughed, momentarily forgetting how sick she was getting. "Do you know the limit for pregnant women and coffee?"
"No, sorry," Rory laughed. "Might have to look that up."
"Damn," Lorelai said. "Looking something up included getting up, right?"
"Or using the phone in your hand," Rory suggested.
"Aha!" Lorelai yelled. "I knew this was helpful!"
She heard a groan in the background, one that sounded very un-Luke like but very much a guy. Soon she heard a younger boy's voice and knew Evan was awake. Rory laughed. "I think you woke everyone up."
"I'll just blame Luke," she replied. "He woke me up, first, after all."
Rory nodded. "Sure. Go with that."
Lorelai was about to say something but Rory sneezed once, twice, three times in a row and caused the conversation to move to a new direction. "Hun? You okay?"
"I'm fine," she sniffed.
"You don't sound fine," Lorelai pointed out. "Are you sick?"
"A little," Rory admitted. "Some guy at work was sick. I'm already home today. I called and am getting emails on what to do."
Lorelai was quick to respond. "You need emails on what to do when sick?"
"For work!" Rory laughed which led to a cough. "Besides, I know what to do when sick. I just don't have medicine...or soup."
"You don't have medicine or soup?" She asked. "Oh, kid."
"I know," Rory said. "I'll get some...later. When going outside sounds like a good idea."
"Well, okay," she said hesitantly. "Feel better, all right?"
"Thanks," she said. They exchanged a few more words then hung up. Rory again felt lonely looking around her apartment and noticed the food she left on the table. Walking back to it, she stuffed it back into the fridge and hoped it was still good.
...
"You're going back to the house today," Luke told Jess when he came downstairs.
"Fine," Jess agreed. He didn't feel like arguing so early.
"Fine?" Luke turnes to him in surprise. "I didn't expect you to cave so easily."
"Me, either," Jess said. "But I had a day off from everything yesterday so I guess I owe you one."
Luke stared at him. "Okay. Thanks."
Jess just nodded and started to walk away from the curtain but he turned back and said, "Can I have tonight off though?"
"For what?" Luke asked then gave up. "Know what? I don't wanna know. And sure, you can. You're not a kid anymore. Hell, you don't even really work for me. Take off what you need."
"Thank, Uncle Luke," Jess said with a small smile.
"And don't call me Uncle Luke!"
The small smile grew as he went to Lorelai's house to face the craziness over there that is Kirk.
...
After talking to Jen at the coffee shop, Jess couldn't stop thinking about his own family. Sure, he still had contact with Liz but suddenly he almost felt...guilty about Jimmy. After all, he had let him stay with him that summer and they'd barely talked since. Maybe it was meant to be like that but he was willing to try.
He dialed the phone number he'd only called a few times. Keeping contact with Lily was not the same as keeping contact with Jimmy. She'd been the one to give him updates on his father, whether or not he asked for them, and often told him of her mother.
No one answered the call. There was some message about reaching Jimmy and Sasha and all their strays but not much else. Jess hung up the phone as fast as he had dialed. What the hell was he thinking? It goes both ways. If Jimmy wanted to talk to him, he could. Maybe Lily was the only one who cared after that summer. He wasn't even sad or disappointed. Not even surprised - he was just numb.
Instead of dwelling on how his dad doesn't give a shit about him, or how if he did he didn't act like it, Jess called the one family member he always could rely on. "Hello?"
"Hey, Luke."
A/N: I hope you liked this! More lit in person is coming! Also I was thinking of doing less flashbacks, I'm not stopping them alltogether but maybe not every chapter or just one if there is. I was thinking the story might be more interesting from this point as mostly present day with a few flashbacks in-between. I don't know if I'll actually keep up with it, I didn't even get to all my flashback ideas yet, but I wanted to give you guys a heads up because you've all been amazing and I wanted to share that thought with you.