Sorry for the delay! I've been trying to get over an illness this week so haven't felt up to writing but I'm finally feeling better now so here's the next chapter. :)

Chapter 12

"Hey, are you ok?" Jess asked softly.

"Yeah.." Charlotte said quietly as she stood with him by security at the airport, watching Rory say goodbye to their mom, Luke and Mia. She blinked back some tears as she saw both Rory and their mom wipe their eyes quickly.

"Are you sure?"

"Just..uh..trying to keep it together." She admitted quietly.

"Got it." He said giving her hand a squeeze as Rory turned to face them.

"Take care of my sister, won't you?" Rory told Jess, giving him a teary smile.

"I will." He said. "Take care of yourself yeah?"

"I will." Rory smiled softly. "And you, no more running off!" She told Jack who was stood by them. She then took a deep breath and turned to Charlotte. "So..."

"So..." Charlotte gave her a tremulous smile. "You're finally getting your dream." She said.

"Yeah.." Rory said tremulously. "Just...don't have those babies until I get back ok?"

"I promise." She laughed. "Although you will have to come back when you said you would or else it will be quite tight. Unless you find out you love London and don't ever want to come back..." She joked.

Rory smirked. "I think I'm good. There's no way I won't be back..." She said, subtly glancing over to Sam.

Charlotte saw the glance and smiled softly. "Have a good flight. Take London by storm." She said giving her sister a hug.

"Thanks." Rory said softly.

"We'll get off and leave..uh..you two to say goodbye." Charlotte said.

"Rory!" A voice suddenly called.

"Dad!" Rory said surprised seeing their dad rush in with Gigi.

"Oh thank god!" Chris said. "I was worried I would miss you! I wanted to say goodbye in person and tell you good luck. And Gigi wanted to say bye too."

"Well I'm glad you made it." Rory smiled, giving Gigi a hug and then her dad. "Thanks for coming." She smiled at him softly.

"I wouldn't have missed saying goodbye." He said sincerely.

"Oh and good luck with the move and everything." Rory said.

"Thanks." He said.

"Well you should probably get going through security. We'll leave you to say your last goodbyes." Charlotte said knowing Rory wanted some time alone with Sam beforehand.

"Well...thanks for coming to see me off!" Rory smiled tremulously at everyone. "I'll...I'll call you when I get there."

"Have a safe flight hon." Lorelai said.

"Go get your dream." Charlotte smiled.

"Bye guys." Rory smiled and she watched them all trail out. She took a shaky breath before turning to Sam. "I really should get through security..." She said reluctantly.

"Yeah.." He said taking a deep breath. "You'll be amazing, I know it."

Rory blinked back tears. "You really think so?"

"Hey, this is what you were meant to do, what you've always wanted to do. You'll amaze them all in London." Sam said softly.

"I love you." Rory said launching forward to hug him. "You know that right? You know I'm not going because I don't love you right? I love you and I want to marry you. As soon as I get back, we're getting married I promise!" She said earnestly.

Sam smiled softly. "I love you too." He said kissing her.

"I'm going to miss you so much." Rory said.

"I'm going to miss you too." Sam said. "But we'll be ok. I've already planned to visit and we'll speak everyday. We'll be fine." He assured her.

Rory smiled softly at him. "I know." She said. "I really should go through..."

"Yeah." Sam said.

Rory leant in and kissed him again. "I'll call when I land." She said.

"Have a good flight." He said.

Rory nodded and reluctantly started backing away from him. "Bye." She said quietly.

"Bye Rory." Sam said softly. "I love you."

"I love you too." Rory said and with that, she turned and started to go through security, turning back to give Sam one last wave before disappearing from sight.

The following day, Charlotte and Jess had just returned home from their 12 week scan. They had dropped Jack off at the Crap Shack for him to hang out with Mia and Lorelai. Jess glanced across at Charlotte as they were walking along the streets in Stars Hollow. "So are you happy?" He asked.

"Yeah.." She said distracted.

"That sounds convincing." Jess said dryly.

"Sorry. I just, two girls. We're having two girls." Charlotte said.

"I know. I was there." He said smirking slightly. He looked at her troubled expression. "You're not happy we're having girls?"

"No I am!" She said quickly. "I really am! I just...Jack didn't want sisters, remember?" She said biting her lip slightly.

"You're worried about Jack..." Jess said slowly.

"What if he hates them because they're girls? What if this restarts all this jealousy he had before?" She said glancing at him. "What if..."

"Ok, you could go on forever if you do that." Jess interrupted her. "Look, Jack is going to love his sisters. You know he's getting round to the idea of siblings. He's going to be fine." He assured her. "This is meant to be a happy day. The babies are healthy, we've found out we're having girls, we should be happy." He smiled.

Charlotte glanced at him and sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry." She said. "I am happy. Really." She smiled at him.

"Good." Jess smiled. "So am I."

"And our girls are so going to have you totally wrapped round their fingers." She smirked.

"What, like Jack has with you?" He shot back, smirking.

"Touche." Charlotte grinned. "Oh hey look, Andrew's closing the store!" She exclaimed as they passed the shop. "Aw that sucks! I wonder why he's closing..."

"He's retiring." Jess said.

"How do you know that?" Charlotte asked.

"He told me." He said. "You forget I used to work there. He wanted to let me know in case I thought of working there again."

"Oh right." She said.

"Do you think he might sell the place?" He asked.

"I don't know. Why?" She said.

"Just wondering." He shrugged.

"Oh ok." She said. "Well maybe you should ask him seeing as you two seem like such good friends." She teased.

"Maybe I will." Jess smirked.

"Hey Luke!" Charlotte smiled as she and Jess walked into the diner to have some lunch before picking up Jack. "Can we get two burgers please?"

"Coming up." He nodded. "The appointment go well?" He asked.

"Yeah it was really good." Charlotte nodded.

"Everything's healthy." Jess told him.

"And the gender, we'll tell you later." Charlotte grinned. "With mom."

"Yeah because god forbid we tell you first." Jess smirked.

"Good call." Luke smirked. "Oh have you heard from Rory today?" He asked.

"Yeah she called to wish me luck for the appointment. She's good, struggling a bit with the jet lag but at least she has a few days before she starts work." Charlotte said.

"Tell her hi from me when you next talk to her will you?" Luke said.

"I will." Charlotte smiled. "Although you know you can actually use your cell and call her yourself..." She teased.

"Oh I don't want to disturb her." Luke waved her off.

"Or you still don't have any idea how to use your cell..." Jess smirked.

"Did you want your food to go or...?" Luke said smirking slightly.

"Sorry. We'll stop." Charlotte grinned.

"Good." Luke said.

"We won't make fun of your tech phobia." She grinned.

"Or your aversion to trying out any new technology." Jess smirked.

"You two belong together." He rolled his eyes disappearing into the kitchen.

"Well played." Charlotte grinned at Jess.

"I learn from the best." He joked.

Charlotte laughed. "So what are your plans this evening?" She asked.

"I told Sam I'd take him to the pub before he heads back to New York tomorrow." Jess said. "Is that ok?"

"Of course! You don't need to ask." She smiled. "I might take the time to catch up with Lane."

"Sounds good." He smiled.

"Dead cow, dead cow." Luke said placing the food down in front of him. "I hope you both choke on it." He said dryly.

"Such service!" Charlotte grinned tucking into the food.

"So how are you feeling about going back tomorrow?" Jess asked as he drank a beer in the pub with Sam that evening.

"Alright." He shrugged.

"Really? Going back to New York alone? Going back to your apartment by yourself? Without Rory?" Jess said.

"I thought you were meant to be cheering me up here." Sam said chuckling slightly. "Because if this is the best you can do, I think you need some practice."

"Sorry." Jess smirked. "I just...isn't it weird going back to live in New York by yourself?"

"I've lived there by myself before." He pointed out.

"I know but that was ages ago now." Jess said. "Why don't you move closer to us?"

Sam looked up at him in surprise. "What?"

"It would mean we could see more of each other." Jess shrugged.

"Aw Jess, do you miss me?" Sam teased.

"Don't flatter yourself." Jess smirked. "It was only an idea. But if you have this great life and job in New York, be my guest." He shrugged.

Sam looked at him for a moment. "Ok what's going on?"

"What? Nothing." Jess said.

"You've never cared about me going back to New York before when I've visited here. Why do you suddenly have a sudden urge for me to stay?" He said.

"I don't." Jess said.

"Jess, come on..." Sam said.

Jess sighed. "Andrew's selling his bookstore." He told him.

"Really? Wow! That sucks. You go there all the time, don't you?" Sam said.

"I used to." He nodded. "I've worked there as well."

"Oh yeah, you said." Sam nodded.

"I want to buy the store." He admitted.

"Seriously?" Sam said surprised. "His bookstore? You'd keep it as a bookstore?"

"I don't know." Jess said. "I haven't thought about the specifics yet but I've kind of missing running my own place." He admitted. "But I can't afford it by myself. And I don't think it would be much fun if it was just me running it as well..." He said, glancing up at Sam.

"Wait a minute...Are you suggesting...?" Sam said shocked. "Are you suggesting we go into business together?"

"Why not?" Jess said.

"Uh...because I live in New York. My life is there and my job." Sam pointed out.

"Yeah but we used to talk about one day working together remember?" Jess said. "We were going to kiss the world's ass, I seem to remember you saying." He smirked.

Sam chuckled. "I do remember that." He said. He glanced at Jess. "Are you actually being serious? Like, you really want to do this?"

"Yeah." Jess nodded. "The diner's great and I don't mind helping Luke out. He's paying me well for more responsibility but I really want to strike out on my own again. But I want a partner. A reliable partner so that I'm able to take some time out when the babies come." He said glancing at him. "You were the only person I thought of and wanted." He admitted.

"But...I would have to move here. Where would I live?" Sam said. "And what about Rory?"

"Rory won't be back for six months." Jess told him. "This would give you something to do. And by then, we could be doing so well that you could be a silent partner if you really wanted to. Which would mean you and Rory could get back to your own life when she's back. I just...I'd need the help setting it up."

Sam was quiet for a moment, taking another sip of his beer. "I'll think about it." He said. "I want to talk to Rory as well."

"Ok that's fair." Jess said. "I need to talk to Charlotte anyway."

Sam nodded. "Can I call you next week and let you know?" He said.

"Yeah." He shrugged.

"It's a big decision. If I do decide to do this with you, I really need to think about things and sort things out in New York." Sam said.

"Yeah I know. I get that." Jess nodded. "Look, it's no pressure ok? I really want to do this but if you don't want to, that's cool. I'll understand. I'll find another way to still do it." He assured him.

Sam glanced at him and nodded. "Ok. Thanks."

Jess nodded and sipped his beer again. He looked up after a moment. "You know, New York is a dump...We should know..." He smirked.

"Drink your beer." Sam smirked.

So I hope you liked it! :) Please keep the reviews coming as I love reading them! Your support means so much to me so thank you! You are the reason I keep writing. :)