Picking up the pieces.
I own none of this, all rights go to the right people in charge.
a massive thank you to my Beta/Co writer kmay07. I couldn't have done this without you.
Also a massive thank you to all the many people who favourited, followed and reviewed each chapter of this story. each one put a smile on my face and lit a fire under me to get the next chapters out to you quicker.
Chapter seven: Discussions.
Rory, Jess and April were all waiting at home for them by the time Luke and Lorelai got home. All three ready for the Gilmore-Danes version of family dinner. Luke and Lorelai liked to have all of the kids over for dinner as regularly as their individual calendars would allow, or in a situation like the one they had today, and something important needed to be discussed.
Rory and Jess were in the living room discussing his business and Truncheon's expansion plans. He was explaining that they were looking into opening their newest location right in Hartford. April was in the room with them; however she had her nose deep in a book which it regularly was, so she was not paying them any attention. Once Luke and Lorelai entered the house, the whole family headed to the kitchen where Luke was checking on the dinner he made that morning.
"So we had been talking about expanding for the last few years. It was just a matter of where and when." Jess tells Rory. "We recently found a great building in Hartford though that had just come on the market so it all just came together, and the best part is it has a flat above it." Rory smiles softly. "Who have you got running it?" she asked trying her best to be hide the mild jealousy that she was feeling knowing that her life was in shambles and Jess's was so put together. It was such a change from when they first met and she was really trying to not let it bother her because she was truly happy for her friend.
"I'll be based here until we find someone to run it full time." Jess replies.
Rory rubs her stomach absentmindedly as she sits at the kitchen table and Luke begins serving dinner to the five of them.
"We're having family dinner tonight because we have something to discuss as a family" Lorelai announces after Luke takes a seat at the table. Rory and Jess stop their conversation to give Lorelai their full attention.
"So kids…Luke and I have been talking and we're thinking about making a life changing decision and it will affect everyone" She says seriously.
"What do you mean by life changing? Mom…" Rory questions. "Are you both ok? You are worrying me." Taking stock of the look of panic on her daughters face Lorelai quickly continues
"Oh honey, we're fine" she soothes. "It's a good change, I promise." She adds.
Luke reaches out and takes Lorelai's hand in his own.
"Yes, it is very a very good change. How would you guys feel about having a new sibling?" Luke says cutting to the chase choosing his words carefully. Even though Rory, Jess and April were grown he didn't want them to think they weren't all equally important to him and Lorelai even if they didn't all share the same DNA. April immediately had a giant smile take over her face. "OH MY GOD! Lorelai are you pregnant?" April asks. Rory frowned at the suggestion. She thought her mom would have told her if they were going to be pregnant together. Rory also decided in that moment, that once her mom had finished her discussion, she was going to tell Jess and April her own news. Her babies are going to have an Uncle Jess and Aunt April after all. "No no, this baby factory is closed for business." Lorelai quipped.
"We are actually looking into adopting." Lorelai says.
Rory smiles "Oh, that is amazing mom; seriously that is such a fantastic idea."
"It is still really early in the process." Luke adds to the conversation.
"What is the timescale are we looking at?" April asks. "I say we because I don't know about these two but I'll do anything to help you guys out because you're awesome. And amazing parents." April adds quickly.
"I agree." Jess says. Jess had kept quiet to this point, his uncle Luke was more like his dad in his mind and he was not sure exactly how to feel about the initial thought of them having a baby so he decided not to speak until Luke and Lorelai had finished talking to see exactly what was going on and he was glad he did. He looked over at Rory to see if he could decipher how she was really feeling about the possibility of gaining a new sibling and in examining her decided that there was something definitely going on that she wasn't telling him. Even though they dated briefly in their teenage years, their relationship now was much more of a familial one. She was his sister in the same way that April was and he could read her like an open book. He knew he needed to talk to Rory and get to the bottom of whatever she was going through but that would have to wait until after dinner. "I think any kid you guys adopt will be so lucky."
"Totally mom, Luke, you guys are the best. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help like April said. I know I speak for all three of us in saying we will do anything we can for you." Rory added supporting her family. Selfishly she was thankful that this was the route they were going and she felt a bit of a weight lift off her shoulders upon hearing their decision.
Luke beamed at his little family. "Well April, timescale wise after the holidays we start the paperwork, classes and interviews and hopefully by this time next year we will have another permanent member of the Gilmore-Danes family."
"Also, it's very touching that you all are so happy for us and wanting to help because I'm sure it'll be needed." Lorelai says before getting up and hugging April, then Jess and finally Rory.
"Also, we told your Grandma earlier Rory. She was also excited and was willing to help."
"That's great mom. I'm glad Grandma is on the same page with us." Rory replies. As the family continued the meal, they discussed the process the pair would endure when adopting, as well as what the couple was looking for in their potential child. As they were finishing up, Rory clears her throat to get everyone's attention.
"Well while we are all here and in sharing mood, I have some news to share as well." she says, Lorelai made eye contact with her daughter and gave her an encouraging nod she knew this had to be hard for Rory but she was so proud of her. Jess turns and gives Rory his full attention, as does April. "This news also kind of goes hand in hand with mom and Luke's actually." she starts. "There will actually two other little ones joining the family aside from the lucky little one that Mom and Luke will be adopting. And they will be looking up to their Uncle Jess and Auntie April and needing your guidance as well I am sure." Neither of them understand straight away causing Rory to chuckle softly. "I'm pregnant. With twins." Rory says. April lets out an usually girly squeal and rushes her sister.
"Oh Wow! Do you know what you're having?" April asks.
"Not yet." Rory replies. "I go to the doctor and will have a scan next week, I should hopefully find out then." She informs them. April hugs Rory tightly but the time on the wall clock catcher her eye.
"Oh shoot! I need to head off, it's mom's birthday tomorrow and if I don't leave now I'll miss the last train home." April stands and hugs Luke and Lorelai goodbye. Anna had moved back east last year after her mom passed to make things easier for April since she wouldn't have to travel cross country so often to visit with either of her parents. She was now in New York so just a train ride from Hartford.
"See you next weekend Kiddo." Luke says and April heads off.
Luke starts clearing up whilst Rory and Jess head into the living room. Rory knew there was more discussion coming and there would be some questions on Jess's part so she mentally prepared herself.
"So who's the dad? Anyone I know?" Jess asks.
Rory sighed of course he would pull out the big guns right out of the gate; she shouldn't have expected any less from him. "Logan." She mumbled knowing how Jess felt about Logan.
"The Blonde dick from Yale?"
"Yep. The one and only." Rory muttered. "However he has apparently decided to really earn that nickname, he has decided this time he doesn't want anything to do with me or the babies. He doesn't even know that I'm having twins." She starts trying to keep her emotions under control but she feels a few stray tears betray her and roll down her cheeks. "I'm going to be a single mom to twins. With no job, well no full time paying job anyway. And now I am going to be a homeless, essentially unemployed single mom because I certainly can't bring twins back here. This is such a small house as it is and if mom and Luke are thinking about adopting there is no way that me and the babies can stay here." Rory says. Her word vomit panic induced rant finally coming to an end.
"Woah, woah, woah. Calm down there killer!" Jess says. "I think I can solve two of your problems at once, and solve one of my own at the same time."
"You do?" She asks confused. "How in the world do you plan to do that?"
"Well let's see…..my company has a job opening that just happens to come with housing. To make it even easier the job is basically tailor made for you." Jess says like it's obvious.
"W…What are you talking about?" Rory replies still confused and now a little annoyed.
"Man, I've always thought that the whole pregnancy brain thing was a myth but you are really starting to make me rethink that here Doogie." Jess deadpans. "The new Hartford branch of Truncheon, the opening for an editor and branch manager that we were just talking about not 10 minutes ago, you know the one that comes with a 3 bedroom flat above the office. It would be the perfect job for you. And the perfect apartment too."
Rory just stares at him wide eyed and shocked. .
"B…But… What?" She says once more. "Are you out of your mind Jess? The job is perfect for me, come on seriously? I have never been an editor or been a manager before, how is that perfect? This is your business, your livelihood; you can't trust that to someone like me. Someone with no experience. I couldn't accept that offer and put you at risk even if I wanted to."
"Sure you could." Jess argues back. "The bulk of the job is just reading manuscripts and deciding whether we should publish them and doing some minor edits to those we do publish. You want to tell me exactly how getting paid to read and edit books is beyond your ability because to me it seems like you have been training for this job your whole life. There will be a little work in selling the books and our magazine in the actual storefront and you get to write a piece for the mag which is a monthly thing as well. You will have no issues with the writing thing, we both know that, and we can train you on the sales and managing the storefront. It's not too difficult. I mean I can do it and not burn anything down so I have total confidence that you can do it as well." He explains. "And it goes without saying that I would trust your opinion on manuscripts. But if it makes you feel better final approval would go through me and the guys. You would just basically be filtering out all the crap and anything you think is worthy of publishing would be filtered up to us for a final read so you won't have to worry about the pressure being all on your shoulders."
"Are you being serious right now Jess?" She asks once the shock wears off and she able to form full sentences. "Because if you are screwing with me you are going to find out if there is any truth behind the myth of crazy pregnancy hormones as well." Jess nods his head and laughs.
"Yes Rory! I am totally serious. It would save me having to interview people and trying to weed out people who don't care about books like I do, like you do. I wouldn't have to worry about if I could trust their opinion; I know I can trust yours. If you say a book is no good then it is no good end of story. You know the guys and they know you, you fit in with us and understand our business model and what we are looking for. Honestly I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. The more we talk about it the more sense it is making to me Rory. Think it over; I think it you come to the same conclusion once you look at the pro con lists. If decide you want to accept, we can meet and discuss the actual contract." He tells her.
"Ok, I'll think about it." Rory promises. "Give me a couple of days to just process everything and I'll get back to you by next week at the latest if that is ok." She queries.
"Take your time; I want you to be totally comfortable with your decision. We aren't closing on the building for two weeks anyway so it will be at least a month before things will be ready to go anyway." Jess reminded her. Rory pulled him for a quick hug as before he headed into the kitchen. "Thanks for always being here Jess." She mumbled.
Once Jess had left the room Rory pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Finn hoping maybe he could help her work through all of these new thoughts running through her head.
'Hey… I just had a very interesting evening and have got loads to tell you. Are you free for lunch sometime soon?'
Finn texts back almost instantly.
'Hello love, that sounds like it could be ominous, hope all is well. I'm free tomorrow if you are.'
Rory responds assuring him all is well and he has nothing to worry about and the pair schedule lunch for the following day.
The next day Rory and Finn meet at the little café they went to after they ran into each other the day of Rory's appointment as it was close to where Finn works. The pair order and sit in the same corner booth they had the last time they were in.
"So love, how have you been?" Finn asks flashing her his megawatt smile. "I am positively dying to hear your news darling. Don't keep Finny waiting." He wouldn't dare admit this aloud but he had been thinking about Rory a lot since their last meeting and the texts and phone calls they were exchanging a couple times a week were not nearly enough for his liking and he really wanted to see her in person. He was as giddy as a teenage girl on the eve of her first date when he had received her text asking if he was available for lunch this week. He still was so angry with Logan and didn't see that changing anytime soon. How dare he leave Rory to deal with this on her own? Sweet, kind, lovely Rory. He just could not come to terms with his friend's choice. Finn decided when they bumped into each other last time that he was going to do whatever he could to help her. He had always had a soft spot for Rory they had really gotten close during Logan's year in London and he was just as heartbroken as Logan was if not a little more so when she told them good bye in New Hampshire.
"Well Finny, things maybe looking up." Rory gushed sending him huge smiled in return. She was so grateful to be there with Finn at that moment. He had been so kind to her the last time she has seen him. It made her feel so much better knowing she had him in her corner. Every time she thought of Finn lately, which to be fair was becoming quite often, she couldn't help but smile. He just had this ability, whether he knew it or not, to make her feel calm. He always had, even when they were at Yale. He had always been her favorite of Logan's friends and it was no secret that the two of them shared a special bond.
"Well come on now, out with woman, what's happening? You know while I have my share of redeeming qualities patience is not one of them." Finn needled.
"Ok, well do you remember me telling you about Jess, Luke's nephew?" Rory quires
"Oh yes, how could I forget the man that led to our first Rory-less period at school?" Finn replies as Rory shoots him a glare clearly saying she did not appreciate the memory. "Anyway, with the help of Jess, who has come a long way since we were 20 as have you so before you bring up his shortcoming from 15 years ago I suggest you remember that you have grown from yours and he has as well thank you very much, I have a job offer as well as a place to call my own should I choose to accept." Rory says excitedly.
"Ok, and what's the job?" Finn asks with hesitance in his voice.
"Jess is part owner of the publishing company Truncheon Books. They currently only have their headquarters in Philly but business has been doing so well that have they decided it is time to look into expanding. Their first satellite location is going to be right here to Hartford. At first Jess was going to run it himself until he could find someone to take over. Well last night at dinner I told him and my step-sister April about the babies and he and I were talking afterwards. I started to panic a little about not having a job or place to live with the babies on the way, you know typical Rory freak out, and it all just clicked I guess. He offered me a position as an editor and manager of the Hartford branch. The real kicker is the shop they have chosen has a three bedroom flat right above it so it would be perfect." Rory informs him.
"Point taken on our past shortcomings love, my apologies and besides he has completely redeemed himself with this offer anyway. This is fantastic. You made it seem like you weren't sure if it was good or bad when we spoke last night but really this job is tailor made for you. I don't know why you would be worried. Have you seen the flat yet?" He asks the excitement just flowing out of him. This was the break that Rory needed and he knew it. He needed to find this Jess character and send him some very good scotch as a thank you.
"Not yet. I haven't actually accepted the job yet. You are right last night I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but once I had time to let everything sink in I realized what an amazing opportunity it is. I told him I would let him know next week but I am going to call him later today and accept and set up the meeting to go over the contract. . I was hoping to look over the flat when I look at the contract as well just to make sure that it looks ok." Rory explained.
"Good I am glad you are calling because I think you would be a fool to pass this one up. I just have one small request when you make the appointment to look at the flat and contract, please let me go with you. I am not saying that Jess will do anything shady so please don't take it wrong, but I have a ton of experience with business contracts and would just feel better if you would let me look it over for my own peace of mind. Not to mention there is no way that my best girl or my nieces or nephews will live in a flat that doesn't have the seal approval from yours truly."
"Of course Finn. I was actually going hoping you would be able to go with me since I don't have the experience that you do. It means so much to me, thank you. And I actually have another favour to ask of you as well if it isn't too much." Rory announced.
"Anything love."
"I have a scan next week. It's the scan where hopefully we will find out the genders of the twins. I was wonder if you would come with me?" Rory asks apprehensively.
"Of course love, I would be honoured to be there." Finn says his face lighting up. "Text me the date and time and location and I'll clear my schedule."
"Thank you!" Rory replies, her nerves disappearing the second Finn's face lit up.