Luke and Jess sat impatiently downstairs, Luke wearing a suit and tie, Jess opting for open collar. "Jeez, how long does it take them to get ready?" Jess asked. "It's worse when they're together," Luke said gruffly, looking at his watch.
Chaos reigned upstairs. "Mom, do you have my gold necklace?"
"Yeah, you left it here the last time you were home."
"The time I spent a half hour looking for it before I left?" She burst into her mother's room. "Take it off!" she demanded. Lorelai sighed, and reluctantly handed the necklace to her daughter. "What do I wear now?"
"Uh, maybe some of your own jewellery?" Rory gestured towards her mother's dressing table.
"But I'm bored of all my stuff." She pouted, hoping for sympathy from Rory.
A passive-aggressive voice came from downstairs. "Ladies, the ceremony starts in a half hour, we're gonna leave without you."
"Just so we're clear, if Rory's not going I will just drive home." Luke turned around to glare at Jess, unimpressed. Lorelai rolled her eyes, grabbed a necklace off her dressing table, and put it on as she walked downstairs. "Can't believe I married someone who insists on being on time for things."
Jess let a smile spread across his face. "You look beautiful." He stared at Rory, who was smiling up at him. "Alright lovebirds, we gotta go." Luke was now holding the door open.
As it turned out, arriving at the last minute was probably for the best. Jess could feel eyes on him and didn't want to have to field questions – or watch Rory field them – until there was booze nearby. He hated to admit it, but she had probably been right about doing the big reveal now. He clenched his jaw as he saw Babette pointing at him out of the corner of his eye.
They're talking about how she's too good for you. You're punching, and everyone here knows it.
It took Rory's hand on his to bring him back to the moment. She smiled at him, and he got lost in her eyes, the anxiety melting away. "Thank you for coming, Jess." She kissed him on the cheek. "I know this isn't your thing, and I know your stressed but I – I'm really happy I'm here with you."
Jess felt himself blush. He put his arm around Rory, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm happy too."
Lorelai insisted on rushing the group to the reception to beat the crowd to the bar. "Two champagnes, a beer, and – Jess?"
"Uh, I'll take a champagne." Luke stared at him, eyebrows raised. "What? I'm comfortable enough with my masculinity to enjoy some bubbles now and then." Rory squeezed his hand.
He's so fucking cute.
By the time they found their seats, the toasts were beginning. There'd be time enough for the alcohol to hit before the interrogations began. More people had noticed him in the move from the ceremony to the reception, and he could feel eyes on him.
It's fine. I don't care what they think. I'm doing this for her.
Jess looked over at Rory. She didn't notice – she was listening to the speeches, smiling softly. She tucked her hair behind her ears to show off a pair of delicate gold hoop earrings. He loved looking at her in those moments where she didn't notice. The moments where he could watch her just – being.
She's perfect.
"…and it makes me incredibly happy to be standing here today. My mother is a lesbian, and I love her." The crowd laughed at Damon's callback to his childhood catchphrase. "To Connie and Gypsy." The brides kissed as the guests repeated the toast. Gypsy stood up. "Okay now let's get this party started." Lane scampered over to the DJ booth and led off with Celebration by Kool and the Gang. "I'm gonna say hi to Lane real quick, before she gets too into the music," Rory said, kissing Jess on the cheek as she stood up. Her best friend beamed, arms outstretched as Rory walked towards the DJ booth.
"Oh my God, hi! It's been way too long," she said, hugging Rory.
"Ugh I know, school is so intense right now, but I finally decided to give myself the night off. Uh, Kool and the Gang?"
"Yeah, you gotta start by giving the people what they want, and then mix in some of the deep cuts later. It's not always easy, but I manage. So, oh my God, Jess is here! With you! You and Jess!"
Rory smiled and looked over at him quickly. "Yeah. I don't know if he's having a great time – I think he's stressed about everyone finding out about us, but I'm really happy he came."
"You look happy," Lane said, and Rory nodded. "So hey, you guys go dance, and later on I'll put on Free Bird and Won't Get Fooled Again and you and Jess and I can catch up."
"Sounds great." She turned back towards the dancefloor to see Ms. Patty and Babette walking towards Jess, who was taking a swig of beer. She showed up at his side as they reached him and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Rory, doll, how are ya?" Babette hugged her, followed by Ms. Patty. "So good to see you, Rory. And Jess! Well, well, well, this is a surprise. I don't know when I last saw you anywhere other than Lorelai and Luke's house."
"Good to see you, Ms. Patty. I, uh, I came with Rory."
"Yes dear, I can see that," she replied, smirking.
"So what happened?" asked Babette. "I didn't think you two were on the best of terms since all that drama when you were kids!"
Jess looked off to the side. "Uh, well, we've both grown up a lot since then," said Rory, awkwardly.
"Well jeez I sure hope so! Jess, you were a real piece of work back then!" Rory heard Jess sighing beside her as Babette spoke.
"Yeah, you better be careful Jess, if you hurt Rory again you'll have the whole town after you!" Ms. Patty laughed, but Rory and Jess could both tell she meant it. Jess set down his glass and turned to Rory. "Look I'm sorry, I gotta get out of here." He turned to walk away before Rory grabbed his arm.
"No, Jess, wait." She turned back to the town gossips. "Look, Babette, Ms. Patty, I know you worry about me, but you can't talk to Jess like that. He's a good guy and he's good to me. He's a good boyfriend and a good brother and a good nephew and a great author and – look, if I can get over stuff that happened 10 years ago, then so can you. I don't need you to be mad on my behalf. Jess is a good guy, and he deserves your respect." It wasn't until she stopped speaking that she noticed an uncomfortable silence had fallen over the reception. Lorelai spoke up from beside the bar. "Uh, there's nothing to see over there, people. Hey, let's do shots!"
Ms. Patty and Babette stood in stunned silence for a moment. So did Rory, surprised at how animated she'd gotten. She hadn't realised she was so defensive about Jess. She felt his hand tighten around hers.
"I – I'm sorry doll," stuttered Babette. "I didn't mean anything by it. You look terrific together!"
"You could give me and my second husband a run for our money!" Ms. Patty chimed in. "Speaking of, I'm off to see if I can find number four. You two have fun – but not too much." She winked at them as she walked away, Babette following.
Rory turned to Jess. "So, uh, I guess we ripped off the band-aid."
He pulled her towards him and pressed his lips against hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He tightened his hold on her as the kiss became more intense. For the few seconds that they were wrapped up in each other, they forgot about everything and everyone around them. Jess pulled back, and Rory came back to the moment.
"Thank you," he said.
She pulled him in for another short kiss.
"Don't mention it."