A/N: Sorry it's taken this long to post this, but with exams going on, I barely have time to breathe. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Honeymoon begins

Sunday morning, Rory woke up, a huge smile creeping on her lips as she snuggled closer to Jess. Lifting her hand, she looked at it and he kissed the top of her head, hugging her closer.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure it wasn't a dream." She lifted her head, kissing him softly. "Good morning, husband."

"How long are you going to call me that?" He smirked and she lifted a finger to her mouth, pretending to think about it.

"Mmm…haven't decided yet."

"Let me know when you have, ok?"

"I will." She kissed him again quickly. "I'm going to go track down some food. I'm starving."

"You want me to go?"

"Nope. Mom said she was going to have someone drop some cake in the mini-fridge last night. That and some coffee should be enough until lunch time."

"A whole hour away." Jess smirked, watching her as she got out of bed, picking up his shirt from the floor and putting it on, not bothering to button it up before walking to the other side of the room, turning on the small coffee machine before opening the fridge.

"Cake?"

"Sure."

Sitting back on the bed and handing him a plate, Rory looked at him, a giant smile on her face.

"What is it this time?" Jess chuckled, looking at her.

"Your wedding ring. Don't mind me." She pointed to his hand then looked at him again, realizing something. "Did you say an hour?"

"What?"

"'Till lunch."

"Yeah." He nodded, picking up his watch and showing it to her.

"Crazy." She muttered under her breath, shaking her head before taking a bite from the cake. "How much hell do you think grandma will give us if we're late for lunch?"

"I'm sure we can get away with it. Why, how late do you plan on being?" Jess smirked, looking at her.

"Very late."

Walking into the inn's dining room later that day, Rory blushed, hiding her face in Jess' shoulder when she realized everyone was looking at them.

"'Cause the guilty look is definitely going to throw them off." Jess whispered, chuckling and kissing the top of her head.

"Shut up." She smacked his arm, sitting down in a chair next to Lorelai. "Hey, mom."

"Finally dragged yourselves out here?"

"It's your fault, there's no clock in the room. We just lost track of time."

"Uh-huh. Sure." Lorelai laughed, shaking her head. "Coffee?"

"Please."

"Jess?"

"Yeah, sure."

"So, how's everything been going here?" Rory asked after one of the waiters brought over their coffees.

"Nothing much. Mom's been looking for you."

"Where is she?"

"I think back in her room or something. I have no idea." Lorelai shrugged. "But I wouldn't get so excited; as far as I can tell you're in for a lecture."

"What did I do this time?" Rory grimaced, going over things in her head.

"You missed breakfast which makes you a bad hostess. Clearly."

"Ugh." She made a face, drinking from her coffee. "Can she not relax for a second?"

"Impossible."

"You'd think she'd ease up that now that the kid won't be born out of wedlock."

"No chance." Lorelai huffed, spotting her mother walking in the room. "Red alert! Red alert! Incoming!"

"Jess, run." Rory leaned over to him and he looked at her.

"You sure?"

"Yes. Run." She smiled, kissing him quickly before he stood up, heading in the opposite direction. After a quick dodge through the kitchen, he wound up on the back porch, finding Jimmy there, leaning against the railing.

"Bored already?" He smirked, standing next to the man, looking inside the inn through a window at Rory, who was listening to her grandmother talk.

"Not really my crowd. Babette and Patty sat down at my table and started badgering me with questions so I've exiled myself out here for a bit."

"Sorry." Jess shrugged.

"It's fine. I'll deal with it." The man smiled back at his son. "You did good for yourself, Jess."

"What?"

"You seem to have a good life here."

"My life's in Philadelphia, but I get your point. I would however prefer to be spared of the rest of this conversation." He smiled back at the man, running a hand through his hair.

"Can I at least tell you I'm proud of you?" Jimmy looked at him, hesitant.

"As long as you don't hug me."

"I wasn't planning to." He chuckled, nodding. After a few seconds of silence, Jess looked at him, more serious than before.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Why'd you leave?"

"Jess, I…uh…" The man mumbled, not knowing what to say.

"I'm not trying to start a fight. Just…want to know, I guess. You had to have known it was going to come up at some point."

"Yeah, I just figured it would take a couple more visits."

"I mean, I get the leaving without saying goodbye thing. I've done it. But you..."

"I was a jerk." Jimmy shrugged, looking at Jess. "There's no good reason. I got scared and bailed. That's about it. Plus, I didn't think you'd miss me much. It's not like I could have done any good to you or Liz by staying."

"Ok." Jess nodded, running a hand through his hair.

"That's it?" He looked at him, incredulously and Jess smirked.

"I'll email you if I have any follow up questions."

"Ok." Jimmy chuckled, relaxing.

"Did you try to say that you're going to visit again earlier?" Jess realized and the older man nodded.

"If it's ok with you. I'd like to see you more often. And I know I don't really have a leg to stand on to claim I'd be a good grandfather to your kid, but I'd like to at least meet it after it's born. Actually…uh…" Jimmy mumbled, trying to get over his embarrassment. "I got something for your kid. It's nothing much but…" Taking a small package out of a pocket, he shoved it into Jess' hands. "Here."

"You've been carrying this with you?" Jess smirked.

"Didn't want to lose it." He shrugged again, looking down.

"Thanks."

"Guys, what are you doing outside? It's freezing." Rory walked to them, wrapping her arms around Jess.

"Hey, some of us don't get to see snow that often." Jimmy smirked, looking at the young couple.

"Would it kill both of you to wear warmer clothes then?"

"And I'm the overprotective one here." Jess smirked, kissing her temple.

"Sorry, I'm keeping him outside."

"Well, just in case you decide you're frozen enough, food's being served inside. Plus there's this whole heating thing. Awesome invention, keeps rooms warm."

"Coming." Jess nodded, kissing her temple again. "Jimmy?"

"After you."

As soon as they were back in their seats, Rory looked at Jess, her fingers playing in his hair.

"What was that about?"

"Talking." He placed a quick kiss on her lips then recounted the conversation.

"Wow. That went…well."

"Figured I'd better bring it up while I'm in a good mood."

"You ok with his answer?"

"At least it's an answer." Jess shrugged, kissing her again. "And he didn't try to find an excuse, so…I don't know. I'm ok with it."

"How about with him coming back to visit? See the kid, all that?"

"Are you ok with it?"

"It's your call."

"Ror…" He looked at her and she smiled, tracing his lip with her thumb.

"I want whatever makes you happiest. If you're ok with him coming to visit and see the kid, then I'm ok. And he's trying, so we can as well. If it doesn't work out, then that's it. God knows this kid will have more than enough people to love him or her."

"Ok. One more visit, then we'll see."

"Ok." Rory nodded, kissing him.

Later that afternoon, Rory sat down on the couch next to Jess, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Dad and Gigi left."

"We should head soon as well if we want to get there before dark." He kissed the top of her head, smiling.

"I still need to talk to mom and give her the keys to our place so she can go drop the presents."

"Ok." He kissed her head again, rubbing her arm. "How are you feeling?"

"Not as horribly tired as usual."

"Good." Picking up the package from the couch, he gave it to her. "You forgot to open this earlier. Or do you want to wait until we get back home?"

"Jimmy's present?"

"Yeah."

"Shouldn't you open it?"

"I don't care."

"Ok." Carefully opening the package, Rory smiled, picking up the tiny baby outfit. "It's cute."

"It was nice of him, I'll give him that."

"Hey, mom and dad wanted to say goodbye before they headed back home. They were waiting at the front desk." Lorelai appeared next to them, holding a cup of coffee. "Oh, sweet. Who's it from?"

"Jimmy." Jess replied, standing up. "Should we go before they come find us and we get lectured again?"

"Be back in a second." Rory smiled at her mother before standing up, taking Jess's hand as they both headed for the reception area. Finding her grandparents waiting there, she let go of Jess before hugging Emily quickly.

"Thank you so much for everything, grandma."

"Nonsense, you don't have anything to thank me for."

"But the dress and…"

"You have nothing to thank me for." The woman repeated, smiling. "Best wishes, Rory."

"Thank you."

"Congratulations, Jess."

"Thank you." He smiled, nodding. Stepping in front of Richard, Rory gave the man a hug as well.

"You made a beautiful bride, Rory."

"Thanks."

"You'll take care of her, right, Jess?"

"Of course." The two men shook hands.

"We'll see you in a couple of weeks, grandpa."

"Have fun in New York." Emily smiled again before looking at the front door. "We should get going."

"Thank you again for coming."

"Goodbye, Rory. Jess." Richard nodded as he headed for the door, opening it for his wife. Before she walked out, she turned around, looking at her granddaughter.

"I assume I don't have to remind you to send thank you notes, do I, Rory?"

"As soon as we get back, grandma. As soon as we get back." She grinned, trying to stop herself from laughing until the two were out of the room. "One step forward, one back." She snickered, hugging Jess.

"Progress. At least she's talking to me."

"Well, she has to. Husband and all that." Rory smiled, lifting his hand and placing a kiss on his palm, next to the wedding ring. Appearing next to them, Jimmy smiled, dropping his bag at his feet.

"I'm going to head out now."

Quickly letting go of Jess' hand, Rory turned around to look at the man, smiling. "Do you need a ride or anything?"

"Cab. I've inconvenienced you guys enough already."

"You haven't." Jess shook his head. "Come visit again when you have time."

"I will." The older man nodded, smiling as he ran a hand through his hair. "If you get tired of all the cold, California's a nice place to visit."

"We'll think about it." Jess smirked, extending his arm. "It was good to see you again, Jimmy."

"You too." He shook his son's hand, then looked at Rory. "And meeting you. It was really nice to meet you."

"Same here." Rory smiled. Hearing a car honk outside, Jimmy glanced at the door, running a hand through his hair.

"That's my cab."

"Have a safe flight." Jess answered, watching as the man picked up his bag and started walking towards the door.

"I'll…give you a call in a couple of weeks." Jimmy mumbled, making Jess nod and smirk.

"Ok."

"See you." He waved once before walking out the door, leaving the younger couple alone.

"And I think we're now officially the only ones left here." Rory smiled, burying her face in his chest as his hand started running down her back.

"Does that mean we can leave as well now?"

"Why are you so excited about leaving?"

"Kidding me? You, me, a room and no one that will dare call us because…hell, I'm sure they know better than that."

"One track mind. Seriously." Rory grinned, lifting her head and kissing him quickly. Taking his hand, they walked back in the library, finding Lorelai still on the couch. "Mom, we're going to go now." Digging through her pocket, she took out her keys, handing them to Lorelai. "Here."

"Ok. I'll drive over at some point this week and drop your presents and the clothes."

"What clothes?"

"Some maternity clothes mom had left." Rory smiled, wrapping her arm around Jess. "Just leave them anywhere around the living room. I'll arrange everything once we're back."

"Anything else you need?"

"Don't think so. Wedding dress?"

"I have the bag, I'll hang it in your closet."

"Thanks." Rory smiled. "Want to go get the bags?" She looked at Jess but he shook his head.

"I'll bring them, you say goodbye."

"Thank you." She placed a quick kiss on his lips and he let go of her.

"I'll put them in the car and bring it to the front."

"Honk when you're here."

"Ok. Bye, Lorelai."

"Bye. Have fun." She waved at Jess before he headed towards the back door of the inn. Sitting down on the couch, Rory smiled, picking up the small outfit.

"Can you take this with you as well?"

"Sure." Lorelai smiled, taking it from her. "It was nice of Jimmy to do this, wasn't it?"

"Things seem…better. He said he'll call, Jess agreed to another visit sometime soon."

"That's good. How are you feeling about it?"

"He seems like a nice guy. I don't like what he's done, but if Jess is ok with it, I have to be."

"You can always rant to me." Lorelai grinned, rubbing her daughter's arm.

"Thanks. For everything."

"Hey, only daughter and all that." She smiled. "You happy, hon?"

"So happy." Rory reassured her, smiling. "Yesterday was perfect. Everything is."

"Good. I know it's your honeymoon and all that, but give me a call to let me know you're alive once in a while."

"Will do." Hearing the car honk outside, they both stood up. Hugging Lorelai, Rory smiled. "Say goodbye to Luke for us, ok?"

"I will. Love you, kid."

"Love you too."

A while later, in the car. Rory kicked off her shoes, smiling.

"Excited, husband?" She ruffled his hair and he glanced over, nodding and smirking.

"You could say that. Nice to finally have you all to myself."

"All yours."

"Did you look at any of the houses I bookmarked?"

"A couple. I was going to call the agency on Wednesday or something to arrange a couple of viewings."

"Which ones?"

"I'll point them out to you when we have a computer again."

"Ok."

"I love you, husband." Rory grinned again.

"Love you too." Jess smiled, lifting his hand and caressing her cheek gently. "So…maternity clothes?"

"It will be nice to have something that fits well. It's getting harder to fit in my old ones." She ran her hand over her bump, looking down.

"You saying you're officially fat now?"

"Good thing I have me a husband and don't have to worry about being pretty." Rory laughed, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently.

"You're still pretty." He smirked, looking at her. "Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind when you get fat." He chuckled and she shook her head, laughing as well.

"Pregnant, you jerk." She stuck out her tongue.

"Yeah, I remember. God knows you keep mentioning it." Jess laughed, looking at her again.

"Now I'm really wondering why the heck I married you." She grinned, ruffling his hair.

"Because you had to. I got you in trouble, didn't I?" He smirked.

"Only way you could have gotten me to agree to marry you."

"Oh, now you're on." Jess laughed.

"Shut up and drive, husband." Yawning, she stretched her arms. "Mind if I get some sleep? The last few days might have been a bit too crazy."

"Go ahead. I'll wake you when we get there."

"Thanks."

A few minutes later, Jess looked at her again, seeing her already asleep, a smile creeping on his lips before turning around to focus on driving.

A few hours later, they were lying in the bed of their hotel room. Kissing the top of her head, Jess pulled away, making her grumble.

"What's going on?"

"I forgot something." He got out of bed, opening his bag and pulling out a small package. Throwing it to her, he smiled, sitting back down on the bed. "Here."

"What is it?"

"Wedding present."

"Jess, I don't think that's how it works."

"You get married, you get presents. That's exactly how it works." He chuckled, moving closer to her and kissing her.

"Smartass." Rory smiled, shaking her head. "Can I open it?"

"It's your present, you can do whatever you want with it."

"I love you, husband." She smiled, ripping the paper to find a small book, with nothing written on the cover. "What's this?"

"Told you I was writing something for you." He shrugged, looking at her.

"Do I tell you often enough you're perfect?"

"I don't think so." He laughed, placing kisses down her cheek and neck. "However, I do have one condition before you get to read it."

"What is it?"

"If you as much as think about crying, I'm taking the book away from you and hiding it until the kid turns 5."

"You wouldn't." She pouted, her fingers running through his hair.

"Yes, I would."

"Jerk." She lifted her head, kissing him as she cupped his face with one hand. "My jerk."

"I can take it away now, if you prefer." He started reaching for the book but Rory moved her hand away from him, laughing.

"Mine."

"Only as long as you're not crying."

"No promises." She kissed him again. "You make me very, very happy, you know that, right?"

"I have to, otherwise everyone would kill me. Go ahead and start reading, I know it's killing you." He smirked, kissing her one more time.

"Thank you."