New York City was quiet for once. It had been an easy ride home and Jess took out his key to Rory's apartment. She noticed it in his hand just as she'd been about to reach for hers and smiled.
"You still have it," she observed.
He turned to look at his girlfriend, giving her a smirk. "What'd you think I did with then?"
"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I guess I just didn't expect you to carry them with you."
Jess had the door unlocked and swung it open a few inches. "I had them with me in Philadelphia. When we left for Stars Hollow, I made sure to bring them with me."
"I'm glad you did," Rory followed him inside and hesitated on her next question. "So when you left for California...you left but you still brought your keys to my apartment? Even though we technically broke up?"
"Yeah," he nodded and shut the door. "I guess I didn't want to leave them here. Maybe it was hopeful thinking."
She grabbed his face and kissed him roughly. Jess kissed her back immediately. After seconds of intense kisses, Rory pulled away. "It was more than hopeful thinking."
He nodded silently and moved his hands to cup her face once her own had fell from his. Their lips touched lightly and he closed his eyes. "It's good to be home."
"Its good to hear you call it home," she smiled then remembered something. "I want to show you something."
"What?" He asked as Rory moved out of his arms and walked over to a closet.
He followed closely behind and watched as she knelt down and pulled a bunch of boxes out before dragging out a hidden one far in the back. "This is my Jess box."
"What the heck is a Jess box?" He asked with a small laugh.
"It is a box of things that remind me of you," she simply said. "Things from our high school relationship, things I wore, things you touched."
"Don't things you wore count as things I touched?" He teased.
She stuck her tongue out at him and struggled to bring the box out. Jess sprang to action and grabbed the box from her, surprised at the weight and brought it to the front of the couch.
"I want you to see all of this," she explained. "Because I know we've moved on from that fight and we're not bringing up the past anymore but..."
"But what?" He asked curiously.
"But your book," Rory smiled. "The things you wrote and how you felt...it was like I felt exactly what you felt. And I read the red notebook."
"Oh," he said. He wasn't sure how he felt that she actually had read it after all. A part of him was scared to know how she felt about it. "And?"
"And I don't think I ever knew just how much everything affected you back then," she told him. "I mean, I thought it was mostly me that was that hurt."
"It wasn't only you," he replied.
"I know that now," Rory took his hand and squeezed it a little. "But back then, I thought maybe we hadn't been as important to you after all if you could erase us and leave."
"I never tried to erase you -"
"Ssh," she put her hand over his mouth now instead. "I want you to see what you meant to me. It may not be words or a novel and it really may just be a box of stuff but it's my box of stuff. Jess stuff."
He nodded at her and she released his mouth. "Okay."
She watched as Jess moved to the box once again and opened the flaps. He pulled out the headphones from the distillers concert, the shirt of his that she'd worn, the teddy bear. He made his way through a pile of books, the obvious cause of the weight.
The dress fron Sookie's wedding was nearly folded in there as well. Jess took it out and held it up, remembering the way she looked in it thirteen years earlier. "This is in here?"
"Of course," she sat beside him. "That dress was the first time I actually acted on my feelings for you."
He smirked as he remembered. "That was a hell of a kiss."
"Up until that point, I'd never had a kiss like that before," she commented. "Honestly, I didn't have any after we broke up either."
"Me either," he smiled back and kissed her softly. Putting the dress down, he found a couple of cd's and a folded pile of papers. "What are these?"
Rory took a deep breath. She forgot he didn't know about these. "Those are my letters to you when I was in Washington."
"You didn't write me any letters," he was confused.
"Yes, I did," she whispered and rose her voice up so he could hear her. "Some only have a 'Dear Jess' on them but there are actually earlier ones that tell you how Washington was."
He unfolded them and sure enough, some were blank besides only two words and others filled up two sides of a page. "Why didn't you send them?"
"Because I was scared," she confessed.
Jess' eyes met hers and he held them in his glance. "Why were you scared? Because of me?"
"Because of how I felt about you," she corrected. "I was still with Dean and I had all these feelings about you. Some were about how much I liked being around you, some were about how good it felt to find someone I could have intelligent conversation with. There was also that I was really really attracted to you."
"That's a bad thing?" He smirked.
She shook her head. "Not exactly. But I tried to push it away because I had a boyfriend and that day at Skokie's wedding, you all but admitted you moved back for me. To a place you hated! Something took me over, I think."
"But if you sent them..." He thought out loud.
"I'd be admitting what I felt for someone who wasn't my boyfriend," she finished. "And a kiss was one thing. But I actually had strong feelings for you. I tried to deny it until I couldn't no more."
"I wish I knew," his eyes scanned through the longer letters. "Maybe things would have been different."
"I was too scared to break up with Dean," she shook her head. "I didn't know how to do it."
Jess wasn't sure what to say to that. He had always noticed the way Dean had been possessive over her or would overreact to small stuff. But he'd always also hoped she wasn't scared and hearing her admit the words made him feel sad so instead of replying, he wrapped an arm around her.
"Do you think..." She started then retried. "If I'd sent the letters, would you have been with Shane when I came back?"
"I don't know," he sighed. "I met her early in the summer that I can't say for sure. Maybe knowing how you felt would have done nothing."
"Because I was still with him?" She concluded.
"Partly," he put the letters down and pulled her closer so her head was right at his shoulder. "But also, I was this stupid kid. Knowing you felt that way and not having you probably would have made me act out."
He laughed at his former self, which was a good sign in her eyes, and she laughed too. "Like stealing more gnomes?"
"I'd have taken the whole family!" He replied dramatically then kissed her hair. "I can't really say for sure what would have happened then. All I know is that right now, I'm glad for how things turned out."
"Me, too," Rory kissed his shoulder. "Hey, Jess?"
"Yeah?" He murmered.
"Not to break up the conversation but," she smiled playfully. "We did mention practice when we got home, right?"
"Practice to practice," he said and leaned towards her and kissed. His body hovered over hers on the carpet and she smiled against his lips. She was home.
...
A week later, Rory groaned as she picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Is that any way to greet the woman who gave you life?" Lorelai said on the other line.
"Oh, hi, mom," she said. "I didn't know it was you."
"They have these amazing things on phones now called caller id," she teased. "They may not actually call it that anymore but it tells you who's calling!"
"I know," Rory said unenthusiasticly. "I'm just really tired and overworked and..."
"Hon...breathe," Lorelai instructed.
The younger Gilmore did as she was told. "Okay. I've breathed."
"Where's Jess?" She asked.
"Gee, now who needs the greeting manners?" Rory said as her humor pulled in.
Lorelai laughed. "I'm not after your boyfriend."
"So you say," Rory replied.
"Why would I be when I have my own Danes man at home?" She questioned.
"Well, okay, you're off the hook...for now," Rory warned then turned out of the joke. "Why are you looking for Jess?"
"I'm not looking for him," she answered. "I'm asking so he can help you."
"He's having drinks with Matt and Chris," she told her mother. The previous night, Jess' Truncheon co-partners had decided to visit and take a meeting with another potential writer. She hadn't minded until she realized just how much she wouldn't see him with them around.
"And why didn't you go with them?" She asked her daughter.
"Because its their guy time or whatever," she waved it off. "They spent the whole day with this guy who might not only get published by Truncheon but they're considering bringing onto the zine."
"So?" Lorelai prodded. "You worked all day, too. Go be with your boyfriend."
"I don't wanna intrude," she said. "I like that Jess has his own life apart from me. He has friends, Mom. Did you ever picture Jess Mariano with friends?"
"Well, he had you," she said. "But then again, he also wanted to make out with you at tamest."
"Mom!" She laughed. "Next point."
"Okay, Lane," Lorelai replied. "They're friends. And he was friends with her and Dave back in high school. Now he's friends with Zach."
"That's true," Rory smiled, happy that he wasn't actually as much of a loner as he tried to seem even back then.
"Let's not forget the most important of all," she added. "Me."
Rory officially laughed now. "Right. Because no one, not even me or Luke saw you and Jess on good terms coming. And we actually liked him."
"See, honey?" She teased. "Intrude. I'm sure he won't mind. Besides, he may be drunk. Drunk boyfriends can be fun."
Rory's smile faded fast as the words sank in. Lorelai was silent on the other end, realizing her mistake.
She spoke in a fast voice when she regained her voice. "Oh, hon. I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Someone needs to shut me up. I say such stupid things. My brain doesn't always work with my mouth and -"
"Mom, its okay," she cut her off. "Really. I mean it."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I am."
"I am sorry, though," she replied. "I should have thought first."
"Mom, don't worry about it," Rory shook her head. "And you're right. Sometimes drunk boyfriend is fun. Not all drinking is a crisis."
"I just wish I thought first," she pouted sadly.
"Don't worry about it," she told her mother. "Tell me about Stars Hollow. Did April get there okay?"
"Yeah, she got here 6 pm sharp," Lorelai said happily, easing back into happier conversation. "Anna was with her that caused some drama."
"Wait, Anna was there?" Rory sat up straight. "Why? April's an adult. And she just spent the holiday with her. That's why she didn't spend it with us."
"I don't know what's going on," she admitted. "Liz wasn't even happy to see her. She left pretty quick, though."
"Did she say anything?" She wondered.
Lorelai sounded like she was shrugging. "Not much. She brought April by the diner. Her and Luke talked privately and he still hasn't told me what about. I'm gonna ask later because she put a rain cloud over his mood."
"Its possible to put a rain cloud over a rain cloud?" Rory tried to make light of the conversation.
"I guess so," Lorelai told her.
Rory sighed. "Geez. The things I miss when I leave town."
"Come back soon then," she suggested.
"I'll try," she sighed. "Editing for the New York Times is definitely different than Yale Daily News."
"But its good?"
"Yeah. Its good."
"Good."
"Maybe you should tell Luke to come down here and visit," she suggested. "Before the baby's born."
"Really?" She asked excitedly. "It wouldn't get in the way of your love nest?"
"Not at all," she half-yelled. "Come on. Ask him."
"I will," she said. "He better not tell me he don't trust me around the coffee!"
"Use your femine wiles on him if he does!" Rory told her.
Lorelai let out a laugh. "Oh, hon, how do you think I get Luke to do anything?"
She made a face. "Oh, gross."
"Not much grosser than what I know about you," her mother pointed it back at her.
"What do you know about me?" She gasped.
Lorelai slowly replied. "There may have been some stuff around the upstairs apartment and in the garbage when Luke went to clean it."
"What kind of stuff?" She asked skeptically.
"I'm not saying anything," she replied.
"Mom!" Rory yelled. "What was in there?"
"Oh, what's that, Luke"?" The older woman said. "You need my help with Kirk?"
"Scaredy cat," Rory accused.
Lorelai gasped in return. "Am not! Got to go! Hubby needs me."
"Fine," she crossed one arm over her chest. "Bye."
"Bye, sweets," she said in a sweet voice. "By the way, your red bra was safely washed!"
"Mom!" She said as the dial tone sounded in her ear.
...
Jess slung his bag down and slouched on the couch. Rory looked over at him from the single seat she sat in, book in her lap. "Long day?"
He sighed. "Longer than expected."
"Matt and Chris finally make a decision?" She asked and moved over to sit beside him on the couch.
"They don't really think starting a Truncheon in New York is a good idea," he explained. "Something about if people want to read actual books over kindle, they'll go the library for free."
"But there are libraries everywhere," she said.
"Not like New York City libraries," he gestured with air quotes.
"So what then?" She asked. "You even told them you'd run it?"
"Yep," he closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the couch. "Apparently that's not enough of a reason to open a second store."
Rory wrapped her arms around her boyfriend. Ever since he'd come home last night from drinks from Matt and Chris, he'd been talking about a New York Truncheon. He had been slightly drunk when he suggested it to her but it made perfect sense since he planned on staying with her.
"I guess I shouldn't sell my Philly apartment," he joked as he opened his eyes.
"What does this mean?" She wondered. "Are you living here part time and the other part there?"
"I don't know," he threw his hands up then brought them back down. "I really thought it was a good idea."
"It is a good idea," she told him. "They just need to see that it is."
"They sounded very sure," Jess said. "Matt said something about how a store might not do good here."
"But he doesn't know that for sure, right?" Rory pressed.
"No, I guess not," he admitted. "But I just really wanted one home, one place to go to. Not to live between two cities and have to pay for an apartment I'm not even staying at."
"So sell it," she urged. "Stay at Truncheon when you go there."
"I don't know," he made a face.
"It's not like you'd live there," she continued. "It'd be a place to crash. And that way you will have one home."
Jess considered this for a moment. "And if they need me to stay unlimited amount of time?"
"Then stay unlimited amount of time," she nodded. "I don't know but we can make it work."
"We?" A smile tugged at his lips.
She smiled back. "Yes, we."
"Okay," he nodded. "I can try to maybe see if anyone would be interested. Old friends in Philly. Maybe even one of them will take it."
She snuggled closer to him and Jess kissed her on her hair. "It will work out."
He rested his chin on her. "How come even when I don't see a way out of something, you do?"
"Because one of us has to be the pessimist in this relationship," she laughed. "And the other's job is to help see a bright side."
"Any side with you is a bright side," he said.
"Cheesy," she smiled.
Jess smiled. "Like cheddar."
Rory laughed and lifted her head. "I love you, you know that?"
"I love you, too," he replied.
"Good," she smiled. "Just, I feel like I need to say it."
"I know what you mean," he brushed Rory's hair out of her face.
She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand then opened them again. "I'm glad this is the home you choose."
"Its always the home I choose," he whispered.
Rory kissed him softly and climbed into his lap. They deepened the kiss, hands roaming each others chest's and backs. Her nails dug into his chest through his shirt, thankful he'd taken off his jacket earlier. His hands roamed from her back to her bottom. One squeeze and another led Rory to groan loudly.
Jess smirked against her mouth and moved his lips lower to her neck. She arched her neck enough for him to get better access which just made him smirk bigger if he possibly could. His hands pulled at the hem of her shirt and she pulled apart, letting him slip it off of her.
The reaction was quick - his hands took no time moving to cup her bra-covered breasts. Rory's hands went to Jess' own shirt and he let her pull his off, too. Their lips attacked each other's again and just as he laid down with her on top, they heard it.
Rory's stomach rumbled loudly and she laughed almost shakily. "Of all the times..."
Jess laughed with her and kissed her stomach. "You hungry?"
"You're asking a Gilmore if she's hungry?" She asked.
"Right, stupid question," he backtracked.
She bit her lip which only made Jess regret even more that he was stopping this. "I don't want to stop."
"We'll finish after I feed you," he sat up and Rory moved with him. "Its not like we'll suddenly be out of the mood."
She blushed. "True."
"Come on," he picked his shirt up and was about to put it back on.
"Wait," she said. "Keep it off."
"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow. "You want me to cook shirtless?"
"Well, I'll not be wearing one either if that makes it any better," she smirked his own trademark back at him.
He pretended to think. "Okay, deal."
"That'll definitely guarantee the mood," she smiled as they walked into the kitchen to start dinner.
A/N: mostly filler chapter but still so much fun to write! I hope you like it!
And I kinda feel like if I just move Jess to a NYC Truncheon, I'll be stealing other writer's ideas. I've seen a lot of good fics that have done that and I wanted to try something different ;)
Also I apologize for the severe, horrible spelling errors in previous chapters. Having auto correct on is not always a good thing.