"This wasn't exactly my plan for the summer." Jess had been helping his uncle get the supplies needed for fixing the diner window.

"I know, I'm sorry, it wasn't my plan either."

"I know, I know. Who let's Kirk drive anyway?" Luke just laughed at his nephew.

Jess hated to admit that he missed this place sometimes. He wa glad to finally make it down, he had convinced the guys to let him take an extended break before his book hit the shops, they kept pitching the idea of a book tour to build momentum for it. They had agreed he could stay until the wedding and he could bring Rory back with him for as long as he wanted when he returned, he ahdn't mentioned this plan to Rory yet but he was sure she would be happy to visit for a while before school started again.

"So how are plans for the wedding coming anyway?"

"As far as I know it's all done, chances are Lorelai will change her mind about half of it before the day but I'm sure it will work out in the end."

"Not nervous at all?"

"Not at all, we have taken this long getting here, I think nerves are long past."

"Good, I'm glad you two finally got here."

"Me too."

The two got to work trying to fix the wall of the diner.

"I'm pregnant."

"No!"

"Yes! Pregnant, I'm going to be a mum, a mum. I don't even know how to look after myself."

"Wow, a baby. You'll be a great mum, Lane."

"Sure, when I'm older and have my life together more than I do now."

"You're married, you have your life, and now a baby."

"Urgh, a baby."

"Urgh? What does Zach say about it?"

"I haven't told him, how do I tell him that?"

"Well you told me, just do the same with him."

"He'll freak out, he won't know what to do. We were supposed to have time with just us, kids were supposed to be a future possibility, not now."

Rory just sat with her friend quietly and let her vent her frustration, she kenw her friend and knew she would see the good side of this soon. She had complete faith that her and Zach would be great parents.

Rory was happy that Jess had arrived back in Stars Hollow, she had missed him so much when they were apart. Now all his time was taken over by helping with the diner but at least they had evenings together and she hoped it wouldn't take too long to fix. Her and her mum could see it was looking much better so went in to check on things.

"Hey, looking much better in here now."

"Yeah, we're nearly done, can open up again in a couple of days."

"You know, while you're closed, we could spruce up the place a bit."

"No, no, no, no, no. I let you paint the place before, it doesn't need another spruce."

"Just a little reworking of space, new chairs and tables, maybe thinking about the colouring?"

"No, not again."

Rory and Jess left them to it and moved around to the counter, this conversation would go on a while, but it amused them both.

"Coffee?" Rory just gave him a look. "Right, why ask, there you go."

"Thanks." They stood there leaning there backs against the counter in silence, just watching the conversation play out.

"Are they always like this?"

"Yeah pretty much. So you're nearly done here, does that mean we get more time together soon?"

"All my time is yours as soon as this is finished, I'm here until after the wedding so we have a couple of months yet."

"And after the wedding?"

"I have to go back to work, but Matt and Chris have made it very clear they would happily have you around for as long as your able after that." He found himself slightly nervous as he said it, he wasn't sure how she would feel about an extended time at Truncheon.

"I suppose I'm available for the second half of my summer, if you're as happy as the guys are to have me?" He smiled at her as she said that.

"You even have to ask?"

"So double date?" Jess wasn't sure he was going to enjoy this. "What exactly does that entail?"

"Could be anything knowing my mum, but I just think we are in for an evening of Luke's food and a couple of movies, nothing too bad."

"Fine." Like he would ever say no to her. "Do we at least get a say in movies this time, I don't want a night of chick flicks again."

Rory just laughed at the suggestion and Jess found humself nodding, he knew he didn't stand a chance of picking a movie.

"Got dragged into this too, huh?"

"Yep."

"Wanna help with the food?"

"Sure." Jess settled into the work in the kitchen, he had gained some knowledge of cooking since his time with his uncle.

"So, how are things?"

"Fine. Book is done, it will be rolling out soon."

"And Rory?"

"Things are good there, rough with the distance but we are making it work."

"Ok, I really think you can make this work this time."

"I hope so."

"Something smells good in here." The girls both had come into the kitchen at the smell of cooking food.

"It will be ready soon. Sit." Jess laughed at Luke trying to get Lorelai away from the oven.

"I didn't know you cooked." Rory had come around to look over Jess's shoulder.

"Bits and pieces." She raised her eyebrows slightly and went to sit at the table next to her mum.

"Let me cook something?"

"No!"

"No."

"No!"

All three said it simultanously at Lorelai and started laughing amongst themselves while Lorelai attepted to look hurt and failed.

"I'm not that bad."