A/N: Hi again! So this is actually taking place at Christmas eve eve, I skipped some time but I hope you don't mind! There's a reason for it too!
Jess walked out of their bedroom and towards the kitchen. "When are we supposed to be in Stars Hollow?"
Rory peeked from behind the wall to look at her boyfriend. "I told mom we'd be there tonight. Tomorrow morning at latest."
"Tonight?" He groaned. "You're serious?"
She nodded. "Come on, tomorrow is Christmas eve."
"And?" He waited.
"Jess!" She laughed. "Don't tell me you forgot about my grandmother's party."
"Was trying to," he joked.
Rory moved herself into the kitchen with him. "No, you're coming with me. I'm not letting you out of it."
"Its gonna be her rich friends and the DAR people," he said.
"Yes," she agreed.
"They're not my kind of people," he pointed out.
"I know you have to be a certain kind of person to enjoy their company," she said but when she saw his eyebrow raise, she corrected herself. "Fine, a rich kind of person to enjoy their company."
"Its gonna be so boring," Jess leaned against the counter and crossed his arms.
She mirrored his movements and crossed her own arms. "Maybe. But its important to my grandma and to me. And you love me, don't you?"
"I'm seriously questioning it right now," he replied.
Rory stuck her tongue out. "You're such a jerk."
"Yeah well if I love you enough to go to a DAR party, you know me enough to accept my inner jerk," he commented.
"Who says the jerk is inner?" She challenged.
He smirked at her. "I'll go. I won't be happy about it."
"Well no one would dare ask Jess Mariano to be happy about something," she replied with a small smile.
"I can be happy," he countered. "You of all people know that."
Rory nodded with a huge smile now. "Yes, I do."
He turned to the counter and grabbed a cup, pouring coffee into it. When he was finished, he handed it to her. "So...you're packed already then?"
"Almost," she sniffed the sweet coffee smell then took a drink of it.
"What does almost mean?" He wondered.
"It means I just have to grab a few more things," she shrugged vaguely.
Jess watched her suspiciously but commented no further. "Okay."
Rory wrapped her hands fully around the cup. "What about you? Did you pack anything yet?"
"Not yet," he shook his head.
"But we're leaving today!" She gasped.
"Yes, but I didn't know that," he replied. "I'll pack later."
"Later is when we're leaving," Rory explained.
"I don't need to pack that much," he shrugged.
"Fine," she out the coffee cup down after she managed to finish the whole thing during the conversation. "But if you forget anything..."
Jess smirked, "You can tell me I told you so."
"Deal," she smiled.
...
It was finally time to go and Jess stuffed the last items into his duffel bag. Rory watched him from the doorway as he looked to her triumphantly. She crossed her arms. "Why do you have to use that bag?"
"I like this bag," he replied. "It fits what I need."
"It's old and hole-y," she said.
"Lived in," he corrected.
"We should get you a new luggage," Rory commented.
"Or I could just keep using this because I don't mind," Jess grabbed the bag and walked out of the bedroom but only after kissing her cheek as he passed.
Rory followed him out into the living room. "Why won't you just get a new duffel bag then?"
"Because I don't need one," he said. "Why is it such a big deal?"
"Its not," she shuffled her feet. "But that bag is the same bag you had when you came to Stars Hollow. It's the one you had when you..."
"Oh," he whispered.
Rory nodded. "Yeah."
He dropped the bag and walked over to her. Jess rubbed his hands over her arms then finally pulled her in for a hug. "Is that why you don't like me using the bag?"
"Yes," came a muffled reply.
"I'll get a new one," he agreed instantly.
Rory rested her chin on his shoulder. "Really?"
"Yeah," he hugged her tighter and kissed the side of her head.
She nodded again and leaned out of the hug after another minute. "You ready?"
"Yeah, I'm ready," he answered.
"Good because the shopping will have to wait for now," she smiled at him despite how sad she'd been seconds earlier.
"Well, good, because I don't want to shop right now," he laughed.
Jess grabbed as many bags as he could and Rory grabbed what was left. She locked the door behind them as they piled out of the apartment building and into the night to Jess' car.
...
When they reached Stars Hollow a few hours later, Jess didn't bother going to Lorelai and Luke's house. Instead, he drove around the diner and parked his car behind it.
"Luke won't mind?" Rory asked.
"Nah," he shook his head and gave her a smirk. "If anything, he'll just suggest we park at your mom's."
She nodded in agreement and opened her door. Jess was out before her and grabbed their bags. He left a couple for her to pick up because she had been very admanent about not letting him carry all the bags.
The bell chimed above the door. Jess whispered to Rory, "Does this feel like déjà vu?"
"Of course," she replied. "That's the fun part."
"Rory!" A small voice called.
Evan ran to his sister and hugged her as tight as he could. She smiled brightly down at him and leaned down, letting the bags drop and hugged him back. "Hey, baby brother."
Luke walked out of the kitchen and smiled instantly when he saw who entered. Quickly, he tried to hide the smile but both Rory and Jess and the diner patrons had caught him. "You're early."
"I told Mom we'd be here," she said then looked around. "Where is Mom by the way?"
Evan pulled on her sleeve. "She's with auntie Sookie."
"They're at the inn," Luke explained.
"Ah," she smiled. "That makes sense."
"Apparently its been crazy there," the older man went on.
"Speaking of crazy," Jess interrupted. "So is the weight of these bags. I'm gonna go bring them up, okay?"
"Okay," she kissed him quick.
"I wanna come!" Evan exclaimed.
"Then come on, buddy," Jess instructed. "Grab a bag."
Rory handed him the lightest bag they have and watched as her boyfriend and brother walked up the stairs. She moved to sit at the counter. "Burger and fries, please."
"Like you even need to ask," he winked. "Coffee while you wait?"
She smirked a smirk that could rival Jess. "Oh, like you even need to ask."
He headed out to the kitchen and came back after he told caeser of their new arrivals and handed her a cup of coffee. "How's New York?"
"New York is good," she nodded. "Busy. But we finally got the last of Jess' stuff in the apartment."
"Oh, you did?" He wondered. "He told me he'd let me know when you did that. I offered to help."
"You had just left with mom," she waved it off. "Besides, he had to go down to Philly. It made sense Matt and Chris came back with him and helped."
"Maybe," he grunted out.
Rory looked over at the curtain that led to the upstairs apartment then back to her stepfather. "Hey, Luke?"
"Yeah?" He replied.
"What's my mom doing at the inn anyway?" She wondered. "I thought she said since was month eight, she would take it easy."
"To her being at the inn is taking it easy," he half-smiled. "She was going a little crazier than usual not going, anyway."
"Oh," she said. Rory thought Lorelai would love to spend time at home and have Luke and Evan wait on her hand and foot.
Jess and Evan walked down the stairs and both sat to the left of Rory. There was no empty seats to her right and she smiled at them and their return. "I think he wants to stay upstairs with us."
Rory laughed. "Oh, bud, you have to stay with Mom, remember?"
"But I want a sleepover up there!" He pointed above him.
"Lorelai won't like it if she doesn't have him home for Christmas morning," Jess said.
"Yeah, there's that and you know...the other thing," Rory sighed dramatically.
Evan looked between the two of them as Luke smirked at their teasing. "What other thing?"
"You know," Jess nudged him. "That other thing."
"What? What?" He asked impatiently now.
"That Santa won't be able to find you," Rory explained. "If youre not at your own house for all the nights a week before Christmas, Santa can't find your address."
"What?" He asked shocked. "Dad!"
"I'm afraid they're right," Luke added.
Jess kept his mouth tight lipped to not do his usual smirk. "See, kiddo? After Christmas, though, we're gonna go all out. Make a big sleepover."
Evan made an excited face but before expressing his excitement, he turned to Rory. "Can we?"
She made her most serious face. "Well, you know, if Jess says we can..."
"Yes!" He cheered and hugged her.
Luke smiled at them once again, even Jess did and both were distracted by a call of an order being up. Rory's to be exact. Jess ordered his own food after he made a playful glare at Rory for not getting him any food.
...
"What time do we have to be at your grandmother's?" Jess asked as he fixed his tie in the mirror.
"Six-thirty," she said from inside the bathroom.
"But the party's at seven," he frowned. The tie just didn't want to tie, it seemed. "Your grandmother does everything at seven."
"She still is," Rory said. "Just we're special. We're coming early."
Jess sighed. "Do I really have to wear a tie?"
She walked out of the bathroom and over to her boyfriend with a laugh. "Yes, you do. Here. Let me help."
He let Rory's hands replace his and get to work on the tie. He smiled softly at her as he watched her concentration. "You're pretty good at this."
"Well, you don't be with a Huntzberger as long as I was without mastering ties," she said as light as she could.
Before he could respond to that, she was finished and straightened it out too. "It look okay?"
"You look very handsome," Rory smiled at him then stepped backwards. "What about me?"
Jess looked at her almost floor-length dress. It wasn't too loose but it wasn't tight at all, it went down to just above her ankles. And his favorite part was that it was a baby blue and made Rory's eyes stand out. "You look gorgeous."
Her cheeks reddened. "Thank you."
"Should we head down?" He asked as he noticed the time.
"Oh yeah," she looked at the clock, too. "Mom, Luke and Evan should be downstairs by now."
"Isn't Luke worried about losing business closing on Christmas eve?" Jess wondered as they left the apartment.
Rory snatched her purse quickly at its place by the door and shut it behind her. "I don't think so. I think he's more worried about my mom if she doesn't get any apple tarts tonight."
"Smart man," he nodded.
As expected, the three figures who waited in the diner were Luke, Lorelai and Evan. Rory thought Evan looked adorable in his tiny suit and she could see Luke was itching to be in normal clothes. Another way he related to Jess, she thought.
"Sweets, you look beautiful," Lorelai smiled hugely and hugged her daughter.
"You think?" She asked modestly.
"Of course," her mother replied.
"You do," Luke told her and hugged her himself. When she pulled out of the hug, he asked, "We all set to go?"
"Yep," Rory nodded. "All ready."
"Let's go before the wrath of Emily Gilmore sets in," Lorelai joked but they all knew it was true at the same time.
They took two separate cars to Hartford. Instead of taking their right cars however, Jess and Rory found themselves in Luke's truck while Lorelai and Luke drove with Evan in Jess' car.
It seemed like a weird arrangement but they thought it made sense the parents ride together with Evan though they didn't all fit into the truck. It also didn't seem like a good idea to all squeeze into Jess' car for the ride down.
When they approached the house, Jess slowed down behind his uncle and sighed. "Do we really have to go inside?"
"Yes," Rory squeezed his hand for comfort. "Please, Jess. I know that when we had...that break, she wasn't exactly a fan of you..."
"Or ever, you mean?" He smirked. "We all know your grandmother has hated me since the first time she heard my name."
"Maybe," she agreed. "But she also did like you somewhat."
"Because we weren't together, probably," Jess butt in.
She almost laughed laughed at the accuracy of his words. "Also possible. But Jess, I love you and I'm sure if we give her enough time to see how happy you make me and how much I love you, she'll come around."
"She still hasn't come around to Luke fully," Jess countered.
"I didn't say how much time is enough," she smirked almost and kissed him quick.
They all climbed out of each car and went up to the door. Lorelai decided to be the brave one and knocked first. A shy looking maid opened the door slowly. "Yes?"
"We're here for the party," Lorelai said brightly.
"The party hasn't started," the maid replied.
"Ah, yes," Lorelai went on. "But we were instructed to come a half hour early."
"Um..." The maid fidgeted and looked inside the house. "I don't know if I'm suppose to let anyone in yet."
As if on cue, Emily's voice came through. "Imogen, why are you standing there with the door wide open? Are you trying to catch the outside chill?"
She stopped when she noticed who stood outside the door and her expression turned much peppier. "Hi, Mom."
Everyone exhanged greetings and the five of them stepped inside the grand house. The maid - Imogen - took their coats and scurried off.
Emily directed them to the living room which was now filled with waiters and workers. They noticed how decorated the house was for Christmas and Lorelai snickered at the candles still being the same inches apart.
They caught up while they waited for seven to come. Emily remarked how glowing Lorelai looked which led to another showing of the latest sonogram. She said no comments to Jess. In fact, she barely acknowledged his presence at all. He was more than fine with that.
Seven pm finally rolled around and guests started appearing. Rory was pleasantly surprised to see Paris and Doyle trail in with their kids not too far behind. They were among the first guests there. Emily was also pleasantly surprised to see Paris there, despite Rory being so unsure.
Familiar faces came through - Rory noticed an old face in Tristan DuGray alongside a raven haired women she assumed to be his wife. Jess had excused himself for a moment so she chose to go up to him.
"Tristan?" Rory said as she approached him.
He turned around and with a small chuckle, he replied, "Mary."
"Does that nickname never die?" She asked.
"Maybe," he said. "I haven't seen you since...god, how long has it been?"
"Fourteen years," she remembered. "Geez, we got old."
"Nah we were just kids then," Tristan replied. "So how are you, Mary?"
"Good, I'm good," she nodded with a huge smile. "I live in New York City, editing for the New York Times."
"Shit," he smiled brightly back at her. "That's amazing. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Rory said. "What about you? What'd Tristan DuGray end up doing?"
"I actually work as a lawyer," he said and she almost spit out the drink she forgot she had.
"You're a lawyer?" She asked.
"Gee, don't sound so shocked," he said sarcasticly.
"I am, though," she replied. "How did that happen?"
"I messed up a lot growing up," he explained. "I guess I wanted to be there for other people who deserve a second chance."
"Wow," Rory said. "Military school did you good, huh?"
"You could say that," he grinned.
"And speaking of doing good," she pointed to the girl he had been standing with moments earlier before she had walked to him. "Who's that?"
"That would be my wife," he told her. "Met her three years ago. I knew she was the one instantly."
"That's great," she smiled and she meant it. She didn't have any hard feelings towards her old crush.
"What about you?" He asked. "I heard you got married a while back."
"Oh, uh..." She shook her head. "That didn't work out. We got divorced a couple of years ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Tristan said.
"Thanks," she smiled sadly at him but it was gone in seconds. "But I'm acting dating someone now. We've known each other a little less than you and I have as a matter of a fact."
"Oh, really?" His eyebrow quirked. "He knew bag boy then?"
"He sure did," she laughed now at the old memories that had been so infuriating at the time.
"Well, I'm glad you're happy," he touched her arm lightly.
"Me too," she smiled. "That you're happy I mean."
She leaned in to hug Tristan and he hugged her back. It felt nice to get in a good place with someone she used to know. They said their goodbyes and exchanged numbers to keep in contact every so often.
When Rory walked away from Tristan, she saw why Jess had been delayed. He stood near a familiar face she hadn't expected to see tonight. She walked up to them and held her head high, prepared.
"Hello, Honor," Rory said as she reached them.
"Rory!" Honor gasped. "I was hoping to see you!"
"You were?" She asked skeptically.
"Of course!" The blond shook her head dramatically. "Emily had invited me and Josh here tonight. At first I was surprised but then I figured it'd be nice to come see you."
"It is nice to see you," Rory agreed. She had always liked Honor. "So you met Jess?"
"Fortunately," he murmered.
"I had read one of his books recently," she gushed. "Directly darkly. I had to come see him!"
"You read my boyfriend's book?" She asked.
"Boyfriend?" Honor wondered then looked between the two of them. "Wait. You two are together?"
"Very much so," Jess added though he wasn't sure she heard much at the moment.
"I didn't know that," she mused. "I guess I always assumed you and Logan would work it out and get back together."
"Not anymore," she shuffled her feet. It had definitely became her new nervous tick. "I think the years long marriage not working kind of stopped that."
"Oh," Honor said surprised. "I guess maybe I was wrong."
"We're all entitled to that at least once, right?" Rory replied and put her arm linked with Jess'. "Walk with me?"
"Yeah, sure," he agreed.
"Excuse us," she told Honor sweetly.
"Rory, wait," she said and the two of them stopped. "I wanted to tell you something. Or give you something is more accurate."
"What?" Rory asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Honor searches through her tiny purse and pulled out an envelope. "This is from Logan. For you."
"Oh," Rory could only say.
Her fingers were shaky and she couldn't move them to take the thin piece of paper. Jess stepped in for her and held the paper. "Thanks."
"I didn't read it," she justified. "Don't worry."
Rory just nodded and when they were far enough away, Jess handed her the letter. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I think," she nodded.
"Come on, let's go somewhere," he whispered to her as he sensed the change in her mood.
"Okay," she agreed.
Jess led her to her grandfather's study. It felt very weird and sad to be in this room after losing him. She looked at the picture of herself on the wall and smiled. He had really loved that picture.
"You need to talk?" He asked.
"No," she shook her head slowly. "I just don't really know how to react."
"Logan wrote you a letter," he pointed out. "That's something, for sure."
"It is," she agreed. "But what kind of something?"
"You won't know until you read it," Jess urged despite his better judgement.
"Not yet," Rory told him. "After Christmas...if there's anything in here I might regret reading right now, I don't want to know yet."
"You sure?" He asked and she nodded.
"Distract me with something," she said.
"Okay," he tried to think of topics. "Who was the blond guy I saw you hugging?"
Rory laughed and it sounded like relief to Jess' ears. "That was Tristan. We went to Chilton together."
"Huh," he said, not expecting to hear Chilton.
"He liked me," she explained. "Purposely drove Dean nuts."
"I think I'd like this guy," he joked. "Good taste in girls, or girl, the dislike of Dean..."
"You would like him," she grinned. "Maybe one day I'll introduce you."
"We'll trade stories of torturing the old boyfriend," he smirked.
She laughed. "Thank you."
"Anytime," he said and kissed the top of her head.
"Let's go back out there," she said and found her mother right away. Jess split off and ended up in a conversation with Paris.
About a half hour after they escaped into the study, something happened. It was small at first but Rory watched her mother's face change.
"Mom?" She asked. "You okay?"
"I don't think so," she shook her head. "I think...I think my water broke."
A/N: Please don't hate me for a cliffhanger! Next chapter will be up as soon as possible!