I Love Loving You
By: Legacy at Heart.
Disclaimer: I own only Kate.
Story Summary: What if Rory had a twin sister? And what if Jess did not fall for Rory but her twin sister? Starts at Season 2 when Jess comes in and jumps around a little after that.
Chapter Summary: Dead Uncles and Vegetables: After a hard day, Kate takes out her anger on Jess with unexpected results. Luke and Loreali plan his uncle's funeral with resistance from the town, yielding an unexepcted result.
Song: The song Kate sings in this chapter is Taylor Swift's Starlight
Chapter 9: They're Kate and Jess
Kate smiled as she walked into the student council meeting, a month later. She was humming under her breath and thought of what she was going to do in a few short weeks.
"Oh, Kate, great," Francine said.
Kate glared at her as she sat down next to Paris. Francine smirked at her and got up.
"As special events coordinator, I have to say that it really pains me to say this. I'm sorry to say that due to the lack of not only funding, but also the lack of a space, we have to cancel our spring concert," she said.
Kate's eyes went wide and Paris looked at Francine. "That was subtle," she said.
Francine ignored her and Kate glared at her. She tried not to really show any other emotion but she knew that once she got out of that room, she would lose it. She just managed to finish that song!
"Oh, and happy anniversary," Francine whispered as she passed Kate's chair as she left.
Kate's heart stopped, as she pulled out her planner. The 5th of March…the anniversary of her and Tripp's first date. She forgot all about it because of the show and now, seeing Francine, hearing about the show, bought it all to the front of her mind. She felt gutted and she couldn't wait to go home and see Jess. She needed to get better.
And she would need Jess to make her feel better.
But when she got to the bridge, she found that Jess wasn't there. She frowned and walked back into the town square. He wasn't there. She peeked into the bookstore and still didn't see him. She dialed the apartment and no one answered her. She walked by Luke's and didn't spot him waiting the tables. She frowned and walked home.
"Kate, are you okay," Rory asked.
Kate nodded and walked upstairs. She pulled out her songbook and a couple of tears fell. She wanted to really sing that song.
Again, Francine found the perfect way to ruin her day.
At the inn, Lorelai was dealing with her mother as she tasted soups for the DAR meeting that she was hosting at the inn in a few weeks. She already witnessed her mother taste each soup twice and her headache throbbed hearing the announcing of a third tasting. She was ready to kill her mother when one of the staffers came over with an invoice for the new flowers for the inn.
"Oh, gosh, they're on time for once, good. Hey, do me a favor and, uh, tell Michel that on Wednesday," Lorelai started, signing the invoice when her mother spoke up again.
"Lorelai," Emily repeated.
"Thanks," Lorelai smiled at the woman. After she left, Lorelai turned back to her mother. "Um, Mom, I got a lot of other things happening here that can't come to a grinding halt for this," she informed her mother.
"So your full attention for a short period of time is too much to ask for," Emily asked.
"Mom, I'm already giving you more attention than I would someone in these circumstances. No one else would get eight separate soups to taste for a lousy DAR," Emily looked up at that and Lorelai quickly backtracked, "Sorry, a not lousy DAR meeting. We do this for weddings," she said.
"Well, would you like me to pay for the tasting," Emily asked.
"No, Mom, just decide in this calendar year," Lorelai replied
"Hey can I…I'm sorry," Sookie said, moving the bowl at the end of the table to Emily. "The mushroom is a great choice. It's super popular and it's my Jackson's favorite," she went on.
"Whose," Emily asked.
"Jackson, my fiancé," Sookie replied.
"Oh, you're getting married," Emily asked.
"To the best man in the world," Sookie beamed.
"Oh hey, while we're on the subject, um, bridesmaid's outfits," Lorelai asked.
"Ooh, I'm way ahead of you. I've already got a couple of ideas," Sookie admittedly replied.
"Is one of them having me design and make them so I don't secretly hate what you pick and then harbor a secret grudge against you for the rest of our lives?" Lorelai jumped in.
"It is now," Sookie replied, frowning.
"I'll do it," Lorelai stated.
"We make a good team," Sookie grinned as Michel walked in.
"That fellow's on the phone from the restaurant," he told Lorelai asked.
"Who," Lorelai asked.
"The flannel man with the protruding ankles," Michel went on.
"Oh, Luke," Lorelai asked, her face lighting up.
"I forgot his name from the desk to here, that's how memorable he is," Michel drawled.
"Okay thank you," Lorelai said, walking with him.
"Where are you going," Emily asked.
"Oh, to talk to Luke," Lorelai replied, pointing to the door.
"Can't you call him back," Emily asked.
"Have your third taste, Mom," Lorelai told her, leaving.
"Lorelai," Emily called. She sighed once she realized Lorelai wasn't stopping. "Is she always this scattered?" she asked Sookie.
"She's the stablest person I know," Sookie replied.
Emily frowned and shook her head.
Lorelai got to the desk and smiled as she took Luke off hold.
"Luke," she asked.
"Yeah, hi," Luke replied as he stood behind the counter at the diner.
"Hello," Lorelai said.
"How's it going," Luke asked.
"Pretty good, pretty good; how's things with you?" Lorelai asked.
"Oh, not bad. Dropped some eggs," Luke replied.
"Bummer," Lorelai sighed.
"Hazard of the business. Am I catching you at a bad time?" Luke asked.
"Oh, no, it's kind of slow here. So slow, in fact, that Michel and I were about to get the tetherball out," Lorelai told him.
"That's the thing with a ball tethered to a rope," Luke asked.
"Hey, I never knew that's where the tether part comes from," Lorelai said.
"Yeah, it's tethered. It's tied, like an anchor is tethered to a rope on a boat," Luke explained.
"Neat, neat," Lorelai nodded.
"Yeah, most people probably don't put that together," Luke said.
"Probably not," Lorelai replied.
"Yeah," Luke smiled a little.
Lorelai grinned on her end of the line. "So anything else," she asked.
"Uh, yeah, actually – if I needed a room or two for a couple of days, would that be possible," Luke asked.
Lorelai looked at the phone. "You need rooms," she replied, going over to the computer.
"Like nine," Luke replied.
"You need nine rooms," Lorelai asked, typing on the computer.
"Just for a couple of days, Wednesday and Thursday," Luke told her.
"Uh, well, I can take care of that," Lorelai replied. "What's it for," she asked.
"Uh, just some family coming in," Luke replied as Jess came into the diner. He waved and Luke nodded. The younger man stopped hearing "family".
"Who died and when should I hide," he asked.
Luke waved his hand to shush him. Lorelai started to talk again.
"Reunion, because we can get the tetherball out," she asked.
"Nah, funeral," Luke replied.
"Knew it," Jess muttered.
"What," Lorelai asked.
"Yeah, my Uncle Louie died last night and I'm arranging the funeral for him," Luke replied.
"Saint," Jess muttered, reading the paper in his hands.
"Oh Luke I'm so sorry. Here I was babbling about tetherball," Lorelai said.
"You weren't babbling," Luke told her.
"Well, you've got nine rooms, Wednesday and Thursday," she stated.
"You sure," Luke asked.
"It's a done deal," Lorelai replied.
"Thanks," Luke smiled.
"Luke I'm so, so sorry," Lorelai said, as she moved away from the computer.
"It's okay. It sounds like he went peaceful. He was eighty-five," Luke pointed out.
"But it's always hard. Are you okay," Lorelai asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Luke answered.
"Can I help you with anything else," Lorelai offered.
"No, the rooms are help enough," Luke replied.
"Are you sure, because I'm dealing with my mom now and I'd be happy to rush over and help with whatever. You'd be doing me a favor," Lorelai told him, smiling a little.
"The rooms are all I need, thanks," Luke replied, smiling a little. Jess rolled his eyes.
"You're welcome," Lorelai said.
"Well, I gotta go," Luke told her.
"Call if you need anything," Lorelai offered.
"I will," Luke nodded. "By the way that French guy's a putz," he added.
"Oh yeah, he know," Lorelai grinned.
Luke smiled. "All right, see ya," he said.
"Bye," Lorelai replied, hanging up.
Luke hung up in the diner and looked at Jess. "How was that thing at school," he asked.
"Fine," Jess shrugged.
"And you swear you're not in trouble," Luke said.
Jess handed him the paper. "Here's your proof," he said. "By the way I'll call crazy parrot lady if you call Liz," he added.
Luke smiled. "Thanks Jess," he said. "By the way, I think Kate was looking for you. Did you tell her about this," he asked, holding up the paper.
"Not yet, she's been rehearsing for that thing at her school next month," Jess replied.
"Well, she would love to hear about this," Luke said, handing him back the paper.
Jess ducked his head to cover his smile and walked to the stairs. "Yell if you need anything. Or if the flavor of the week answers," he told his uncle, going upstairs.
Luke smirked and shook his head.
"That's so sad," Rory said as the three Gilmores walked to the diner later on that day.
"I know," Lorelai replied.
"Was Luke, like, shaken over his uncle dying?" Kate asked.
"I don't know. He's so unflappable. It's hard to tell," Lorelai told them.
"The man definitely can't be flapped," Rory nodded.
When they entered the diner, it was a madhouse. Kate's blue eyes searched for her best friend and hardened when she didn't find him anywhere. What she did see, however, was the result of his blatant disregard for his uncle.
The place was packed from the late lunch/early dinner rush and Luke was in the middle of it all—by himself—and on the phone.
"What in the world," Kate whispered.
"Can I have another cup of coffee?"
"In a minute," Luke replied on the phone.
"More coffee here too, please," another customer said.
"Is that my food," a man asked from the table.
"More coffee for me too," Kirk called out from the counter.
"Shut up Kirk," Luke grumbled, taking plates from the cook.
"Is that my food," the old man from the table asked.
"Yes, Sy, that's your food," Luke replied.
"Well can I have it," Sy asked.
"I'm doing all I can here, folks," Luke told them.
He started to move around the diner and the cord started to hit people or wrap around their necks.
"Hey, hey, watch the cord," the guy from the counter called.
"Try ducking," Luke retorted.
"You should update to a cordless," Kirk piped up.
Luke sent him a look as he walked over to the girls, balancing the plates and the coffee, and the phone.
"Hey, whatcha doing?" Lorelai asked.
"Watch it," Kate said, as one of the plates started to slip.
"Ah," Luke said, as the three women all took something. "Thanks, thanks. I'm on the phone," he added.
"We noticed," Lorelai said.
"Yeah, I can't be on the phone and serve at the same time," Luke went on going back to the counter.
"We noticed that too," Rory replied as they followed him.
"But your re-enactment of Jerry Lewis in The Diner Guy is gonna wow the critics," Lorelai told him.
"Where should the poached eggs go?" Rory asked.
"Crank in the hat," Luke replied, pointing to Sy.
"Hey, I'm not a crank! You're a crank, crank," Sy called out.
"He is a crank," Rory muttered going off to give him the food.
"And the French toast," Kate asked.
"Lady with the giant purse," Luke told her, taking two more plates.
Lorelai grabbed him. "Hey, fall back, cowboy," she said as he started walking away again.
"What are you doing," Luke asked her.
"Come here," she said, pulling him behind the counter. "Just stay on the phone and give me these," she took the plates from him. "Where do they go?"
"Table by the window," Luke replied.
"Don't you number your tables," Lorelai asked.
"No," Luke replied.
"You should number your tables," Lorelai told him.
"What good would that do? If I said a number, you wouldn't know what table was what number," Luke shot back.
"But all restaurants number their tables. You should number your tables," Lorelai went on.
Luke sighed, knowing that she wouldn't give it up. "Table five, they go to table five," he stated, pointing to the table next to the window.
"Great…where's that," Lorelai asked, grinning.
Luke rolled his eyes. "Table by the window," he told her.
Rory came back and Lorelai handed her the plates. "Table by the window," she informed her daughter.
"Got it," Rory nodded.
"Luke, is Jess home?" Kate asked.
"Upstairs," Luke replied, not looking directly at her.
"Doing homework," Kate went on.
Luke scoffed. "Doubt it," he replied.
Kate frowned and walked upstairs. Lorelai and Luke looked at each other.
"I do not want to be Jess," Lorelai muttered.
"Me too," Luke nodded.
Kate walked up the apartment door and banged on it. Jess opened the door and Kate could hear the TV.
"Hey," he said, smiling a little at her.
"Why aren't you downstairs," Kate demanded, walking into the apartment.
"I was working on something," Jess replied. "What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"Nothing," Kate replied, looking around. "We're swamped downstairs and you're up here with "I Dream of Jennie"," she added.
"Background noise," Jess replied, shutting it off. He put his hands on her shoulders. "You're sure you're okay," he asked.
"Never better," Kate snipped back.
Jess looked at her and he could tell she was lying but he also knew that she would never tell him if something was up. He sighed and walked towards the door. He noticed that Kate wasn't following him.
"You okay," he asked again.
She snapped out of whatever was holding her in place and glared at him. Jess put his hands up.
"Stop asking me that," she hissed as she walked out ahead of him.
Jess mimicked her and walked out with her. Kate stopped and looked at him. He plastered a smile on his face and continued to walk downstairs. She shoved him through the curtain. Lorelai looked at him.
"Well that was graceful," she said.
"Your bipolar daughter pushed me," he retorted.
"Cork it," Kate replied, grabbing the coffee pot.
He rolled his eyes and started to bus tables. He sent his uncle a look. Luke shrugged and went back on the counter with his phone.
"I need mine only a quarter cup full of regular," Kirk said to Kate as she was going to top off his cup.
Kate raised her eyebrow. "What," she asked.
"I usually have three quarters decaf and one quarter regular," Kirk explained.
"I four quarters don't care," Kate narrowed her eyes, a look she reserved for Taylor during festival time. It scared Kirk to the depths of his soul.
"Fill her up," Kirk replied. Kate smirked and topped the cup off. "Oh, and I need seven equals," he added.
"Sugar's better for you," Kate pointed out.
"But Equal is no calorie," Kirk blinked at her innocently.
"But you know where that sugar comes from. They put chemicals in the Equal," Kate replied.
Jess was shocked that Kate was carrying a full conversation with Kirk. And over something about sugar and equal…while he got thrown out of his apartment and down the stairs and glared at…what the hell happened?
"Kate, can I see you outside," he asked.
Kate eyed Jess, as she opened seven packets of sugar and poured them into Kirk's coffee, giving it a stir.
"Try that and tell me how you like it," she told him.
Kirk nodded and tasted it. He smiled. "Perfect," he replied.
Kate beamed back and Jess gawked. She gave him the glare she used when Taylor changed her songs and walked to the kitchen. Jess steadied himself by holding onto the table he was cleaning.
"What alternate universe did I enter into," he muttered to himself.
"The same one where a guy with Van Halen hair is running my fine business into the ground," Taylor piped up from the table Jess was leaning on. He eyed Jess. "Kate used the look she gives me," he asked.
"When you re-write her songs," Jess nodded.
"Yikes…hey do you think she could use it on him," Taylor asked, pointing out to the fruit stand and a guy with long blonde hair.
"Desperate, huh," Jess asked.
"Horribly so," Taylor nodded.
Jess rolled his eyes and walked over to his uncle. "Taylor's lost it," he said.
"About time," Luke muttered. He listened to the phone and rolled his eyes. Jess felt bad for him; Luke was on hold for a good half hour with the funeral home in Florida, where Louie was living for the last decade or so. "Remind me if I tell you I'm retiring to Florida that I'm an idiot and you can shoot me," he told Jess.
"Still on hold," Jess cringed.
"Yeah," Luke replied. "What's with Kate," he added.
"I don't know, but the last thing she wants me to ask is how she's doing," Jess replied.
"Jess, order up," Kate yelled from the kitchen.
The diner men looked at each other. Jess sighed, not moving.
"She's going to come out here with a knife if you don't move," Luke pointed out, slightly afraid for his nephew's life.
"Probably," Jess replied.
"Not that it wouldn't be entertaining, but," Luke started when someone finally picked up. "Yeah, hi, I'm still here… Yes, the deceased is Louie Danes… Right…No, Hartford's not too far, I can do that. Thanks," he said to the person on the other end.
"So cross that off," Jess said, taking the order from the window. He took it to the couple by the door and Rory handed him a coffee pot.
"We're out of coffee," she said.
"What's up with your sister," he whispered, thinking that Kate had super hearing.
Rory shrugged, seeing Dean come in. Dean eyed Jess and Jess rolled his eyes, walking back to Lorelai and Luke.
"I'll make the coffee," Lorelai stated, taking the basket and the coffee bag.
"You know how," Luke asked.
Jess smirked as Lorelai scoffed. "Do I … ugh…I am Cathy Coffee, mister, the bastard offspring of Mrs. Folger and Juan Valdez."
She poured half the bag—actually a little more than that—into the basket and put that into the machine.
"That's too strong," Jess piped up.
Lorelai shook her head. "Foolish, young man, you have a lot to learn," she said.
"Not everyone likes it that strong," Luke pointed out.
"I will convert them. I am the Jehovah's coffee girl," Lorelai replied.
Jess and Luke shook their heads and then got back to work.
The next day, they both groaned as they hung up their phones.
"What the hell is with people," Luke grumbled, getting up and stretching.
"I just hope that the crazy isn't hereditary because that means I'm not having kids," Jess muttered as someone knocked on the door.
"Guys, it's me," Lorelai called out.
"That crazy might skip a generation so beware," Luke smirked going to answer the door.
Jess glared at his uncle as Lorelai came in with two plates.
"Hey. I got you a wimpy with a rose pinned on it and for Jess a burnt one with blood," she said.
"What," the other two asked.
"A turkey burger with onion and a burger with ketchup," Lorelai clarified.
"Thanks," Luke said as she sat down.
"So…how's the money pit," Lorelai asked looking at the still under construction apartment.
"It's coming along," Jess nodded, taking his plate from Luke.
"What about the funeral plans," Lorelai asked.
"None of them are coming; not a one," Luke grumbled.
"Who," Lorelai asked.
"Our relatives," Jess replied.
"The ones I booked all the rooms for. Not one is coming to Louie's funeral," Luke added.
"You're kidding…why," Lorelai was kind of shocked. After Luke was always there for her.
"I don't know; which lame-o excuse do you wanna hear first? A bunch of 'em claimed they can't get outta work," Luke complained.
"In their defense that's not so lame-o," Jess pointed out.
"Randy and Barbara don't wanna miss their brat kid's rugby semi-final," Luke went on.
"Rugby has semi-finals," Lorelai asked, as Jess nodded.
"What I said," he said.
"My sister never even called back," Luke continued.
"Not to my surprise," Jess shrugged.
"My cousins Paul and Jim, who my dad helped put through college, said they were too exhausted from a fishing trip. And slightly disturbed cousin Franny said she can't leave because her Petey's sick," Luke stated, giving Jess a look.
"Son," Lorelai asked.
"Parrot," the two men replied.
"Petey the Parrot," Lorelai laughed.
"I saw the stupid thing once on a visit, flapping its wings like crazy, banging around, squawking the only two words it knows over and over – Petey and gorgeous. 'Gorgeous, Petey, gorgeous, Petey'!" Luke ranted, taking on a "parrot" voice at the end.
"That's disturbing," Lorelai said, sitting back and crossing her arms.
"Our family's disturbing," Jess agreed.
"I'm so sorry," Lorelai shook her head.
Luke nodded. "That's not how it's supposed to go. A family member dies and you're supposed to be around," he stated.
"Well, you two will be there and that's good," Lorelai smiled gently.
"My dad would have wanted them there," Luke muttered.
The other two went silent and then Kate came up to the apartment. Jess looked at her and she frowned at him.
"What's up, honey? You got a herd of bulls shopping for China," Lorelai grinned.
"What," Luke asked.
"Customers," Lorelai explained. "How long have you owned a diner," she asked.
"Mom, Jackson's outside, watching Sookie and grandma measure the town," she announced.
"What," the other three asked.
Lorelai sighed, getting up. Her mother had completely taken over Sookie's simple wedding plans and written the sweet cook a one way ticket to Emily-land, complete with tape measure apparently. "I warned her about Emily-land," she muttered, going to the door. She kissed Kate on the forehead. "Tell him about yesterday," she whispered.
Kate sighed and nodded. "And you're making half of those things up, aren't you," she grinned.
"You got me," Lorelai said leaving the apartment.
Luke followed her out and stopped her as he closed the door.
"Is she okay," he asked, "I know that yesterday was her anniversary and she was really mad at Jess for some reason."
Lorelai smiled. "She just needs him," she replied. "They're Kate and Jess. They'll be fine."
Luke nodded. "Why are your mother and Sookie measuring the town," he asked.
Lorelai groaned. "I have no idea," she replied.
In the apartment, Kate was by the door and Jess was by the window. He looked out the window to see Emily and Sookie.
"What is going on with those two," he asked.
"Emily-land," Kate replied.
"Emily-land," Jess echoed.
Kate smirked, going over to the window. "It's an upside down world where the Horchow House is considered low-rent and diamonds less than twenty-four carats are Cracker Jack trinkets and Bentleys are for losers who can't afford a Rolls," she stated.
Jess chuckled. "Lorelai," he asked.
"Yes," Kate giggled, putting her head on his shoulder. She sighed as he took her hand. "It was my anniversary yesterday and I was reminded of it by the bitch, who Tripp cheated on me with after she cancelled my show," she admitted.
It all clicked for Jess. "And when you got home early, you looked for me and couldn't find me because I was still in school. That's why you were so upset," he said.
Kate nodded. "Not being able to vent to you properly made me even more upset and I know that I shouldn't have let it bother me and I'm so sorry but Jess I wanted to spend the day with you and you weren't around and that's how it started with Tripp and I don't want to lose you too," she rambled.
Jess smiled and pressed his lips to hers gently. Kate gasped and tightened her hold on his hand.
"Trust me, Gilmore, I'm always going to be here and you're not going to lose me," he whispered.
Kate smiled and bit her lip. "Do that again," she whispered.
Jess smiled and kissed her again. This time it was more than a press of the lips. The months of tension melted away from them and gave way for gentle passion and fire. Kate's hand went up his side to his hair and he wrapped his arm around her waist. They pulled away and grinned at each other.
"Long time coming," he asked.
"Very," Kate nodded.
Jess tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You okay," he asked.
Kate nodded again. "Very much so," she smiled. "Are you okay," she asked.
"I wanted to do that since that night I met you," Jess admitted.
Kate turned red and hugged him tight. "Me too," she replied.
Jess smiled and hugged her back, kissing her hair. "Come on, we have a diner to save from your mother," he smirked.
Kate laughed. "Maybe you and your new best friend Taylor could conspire on how to get me to run the hippie fruit stand guy out of town," she teased, getting out of his arms and to the door.
"Ah, geez," Jess muttered following her downstairs. He pulled her back to him and kissed her once more out of view from everyone else. Kate smiled and winked at him, going the rest of the way downstairs. Jess shook his head and walked into the diner.
Lorelai eyed the way the two came back down. Kate was in far better mood and Jess wasn't scared of her. Plus, they were working in perfect harmony. Kate took the orders and Jess would deliver them to the kitchen and they would bring them to the customers in sync.
"What the hell happened," Luke asked, seeing them.
"I don't know," Lorelai grinned. "But I like it," she replied.
Luke looked at her and shook his head, getting back to work.
Later that night, the group was in Miss Patty's studio at the weekly town meeting. Well, Jess and Luke were there. Kate, Lorelai, and Rory weren't there yet. The two men looked around as Taylor rambled on about the twinkle light guy.
"Holy cow," Jess muttered, trying not to laugh.
"It doesn't get fruitier," Luke replied, thinking that he was going to have to talk to Taylor after this without killing him.
"Sure you don't want me to watch later," Jess asked.
"Nah, I'll be fine," Luke replied.
"If you say so," Jess told him.
"Harry's House of Twinkle Lights has been an integral part of this time for twenty years, so it's only right that we honor his retirement. So I hereby designate next Tuesday, Harry the Twinkle Light Man from Harry's House of Twinkle Lights Day," their "fearless leader" announced.
The duo looked at him. "Well that just rolls off the tongue," Jess muttered as the Gilmores came into the studio.
"Ladies," Taylor sighed.
"Hey, at least we showed up this week," Kate shrugged as they all sat down next to Luke.
"Hey," Jess smiled at Kate as she and Luke switched seats so they sat next to each other.
"Hi," Kate replied, grinning back.
"You two made up," Kirk asked, seeing them.
"Turn around and pay attention, Kirk," Kate replied as Patty took over and Taylor went on a tirade about the produce stand. She put her head on Jess' shoulder and closed her eyes, catching bits and pieces of Taylor's rant.
"This is a type twenty-four B, otherwise known as a cart, kiosk, cart, kiosk permit. This is not valid for your business," he told the hippie.
"Why did you say it twice," the hippie asked.
"Yeah, you said cart, kiosk, cart, kiosk," Babette said.
"It's repetitive," Lorelai joined in.
"And redundant," Rory smiled.
"It's repetitive," Jess smirked.
"And redundant," Kate echoed.
"Very nice, Mo, Curly," Lorelai cheered.
"Thank you, Mac, Tosh," Kate nodded.
"It's not redundant. Its three separate things. It's a cart, a kiosk, and a mechanical hybrid referred to as a cart-slash-kiosk, hence cart, kiosk, cart/kiosk," Taylor explained.
"Taylor, I think you need to sit down," Patty gently coaxed.
"It's the stress. His store's deserted," Kirk piped up.
Kate nodded and watched as Taylor lost control of the crowd again. She shook her head and Jess smirked into her hair. Patty let the meeting go and everyone got up. Luke went after Taylor and Andrew. Jess looked at Kate, who cocked her head to the side, blue eyes dancing.
"Wanna help me clean up the diner," he asked.
"Sure," Kate replied, seeing Luke with the re-enactors.
"That looks like a great talk," Jess muttered, seeing the slight look of fear on Kirk's face.
"Sure you don't want me to come with you to the funeral," Kate asked, as he let her into the diner.
"I barely knew the guy and I don't want to make you do something that you really shouldn't have to," Jess replied.
Kate smiled and took his hand. "That's not about the funeral is it," she asked.
Jess looked down at their joined hands. "I always hurt the people that I care about the most," he whispered.
Kate's eyes went wide, her smiling growing with them. She pulled him away from the window and kissed him. He smiled into the kiss and wrapped his arms around her.
"Jess, you are not going to hurt me. We waited so long for this and you are my best friend. Yeah, we'll fight but we're not perfect. I want this. And I know you want it too. You're not going to hurt me. I trust you," Kate told him, taking his face in her hands, making him look her in the eye.
Jess smiled and caressed her cheek. "What did I do to deserve you," he asked.
Kate smirked. "You stole my book," she whispered, kissing him again.
Jess smirked and pinned her to the wall. Kate gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck. They were making out heavily when Luke and Lorelai came into the diner.
"I can't believe them," Luke ranted.
Jess groaned and Kate laughed as they came into sight. Rory, Lorelai, and Luke looked at them.
"Hello, what do we have here," Lorelai grinned.
Kate raised her eyebrow. "Taylor said no," she asked Luke.
Luke nodded. "Think you could scare him to saying yes," he asked.
"I'm good but not that good," Kate pointed out.
Jess smirked as he poured coffee for the Gilmores. "Why did they say no?" he asked.
"Apparently the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree," Lorelai replied.
"They all hated Louie and the way he would smoke cigars and blow the smoke in their faces and the way he would throw small tools and rocks at the re-enactors and the way that he would scowl and yell and never go to the functions—not that I blame him—and he apparently hit on Sy's wife and kicked Kirk's dog." Luke took a deep breath and Jess raised his eyebrow at his uncle. "So, yeah, they're not going," he finished.
Kate whistled slowly and Jess looked at his watch.
"A minute and a half of a rant," he announced. "You're spending too much time with the Gilmores," he said.
"So do you," Lorelai grinned.
Luke smirked at his nephew and Rory grinned at her sister and Kate and Jess rolled their eyes.
"Fine, yes, we got together," Kate admitted.
Jess nodded and the other three gawked at them. Rory and Lorelai high fived each other and Luke gave them a small smile.
"I guess you two want to keep this between ourselves," he asked.
"We would appreciate a couple of weeks of silence until Taylor calls for my running out of town," Jess replied.
"Hey, he comes after you; I'll cut him at the knees. I'll boycott all festivals," Kate told him.
"Really," Jess asked.
"Yeah, he doesn't even pay me, which I'm not going to fight him about until I turn eighteen. So you might want to stick around for that," Kate smirked.
"What have you done to my sweet angel? I have been telling you to do that for ages," Lorelai asked.
Kate laughed and shrugged. "Hey, I want to start enjoying things again," she pointed out.
Rory nodded. "How'd did this happen," she asked, gesturing to the new couple.
"When she apologized for yesterday," Jess replied.
"I knew it," Lorelai cheered.
"Mom, mom," Kate said, grabbing her mother's hand. "Remember, you do not tell anyone. We'll do that on our terms," she reminded her mother.
"Okay," Lorelai smiled.
"Thank you," Kate sighed in relief.
The next day, at the funeral home, Luke was glaring at the casket and looking out the door as Lorelai walked into the room.
"There you are," she said, going over to him. "What," she started when he cut her off.
"It won't close," he said to her, pointing to the casket.
"What," Lorelai asked.
"The lid," Luke told her.
"To what," Lorelai asked. He turned her around and she gasped seeing the unclosed casket. "Oh, hello…Louie," she said awkwardly.
"That's Louie," Luke confirmed as they slowly walked towards the casket.
"Nice tan," Lorelai muttered. "So, now, you say the lid won't close?" she questioned.
"Yes the lid won't close," Luke affirmed.
Lorelai nodded. "Did you buy the right size," she asked.
"Of course I bought the right size," Luke replied.
"It's the model we recommend for those of medium height and weight," the funeral director said as he stood off to the side and watched.
"And he's of medium height and weight," Luke gestured to his uncle.
"So then why won't it close," Lorelai asked.
"Because of the stuff," Luke replied.
"What stuff," Lorelai asked.
"The list of stuff that he wanted to be buried with," Luke replied.
"It's not uncommon," the funeral director piped up again.
"It's a very long list. His fishing reel, bowling trophy, a flask, his antique dueling pistols, his copy of Sherman's Memoirs," Luke informed her.
"Is all the stuff in there now," Lorelai asked.
"Yes is. I shoved it in the best I could but now it won't close which defeats the entire purpose of having a damn casket in the first place," Luke said.
Lorelai looked at her friend. "May I," she asked.
Luke sighed. "Give it a shot," he replied, rubbing his temples.
She pushed down on the lid and tried to close it but then it sprung right back up. "Whoa," he whistled.
"The football signed by Johnny Unitas gives it that bounce," Luke said, gesturing to the ball.
"Okay, well, what if we moved the gas mask and the pith helmet down towards the feet," Lorelai asked, looking inside.
"That end already has every baseball card he ever bought, thousands of them," Luke replied.
"Oh, bungee cord," Lorelai exclaimed. The funeral director shook his head and she frowned. "No…um…what if we got some people from the office here, you know, accounting or whatever, to sit on the lid and then we could latch it," she rambled as Luke sighed and rubbed his eyes. She turned towards the funeral director. "Do you have anybody you could spring. . .hm. I'm out of ideas," she said after the man shook his head.
"So am I," Luke announced.
"What," his companion asked.
"You know what, to hell with this," Luke told him, "To hell with this.
"Luke, now come on," Lorelai started.
"I can't deal with this anymore," Luke exclaimed.
"Well it has to be dealt with," Lorelai said.
"No, it doesn't. It's not as if he deserves my help or my respect," Luke replied.
"The man was your uncle," Lorelai said.
"He was a jerk," Luke told her.
"Come on, Luke, don't say that," Lorelai sighed.
"No, no, Taylor and the guys were right. I was cutting Louie slack out of respect for my dad, but the man was rotten and mean and selfish all his life. For God's sake, he's even selfish in death. Other people would've loved to have had those baseball cards. I would've loved to have those baseball cards. He's got Lou Gehrig's rookie card, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, tons of others – but no! My uncle, King Tut, has to take all of them to the afterlife with him!" Luke ranted.
"Sir, your voice," the funeral director spoke up.
"I'm done, I've had it. From now on, it's just the bare minimum and that's it." He grabbed his jacket and went to the door, stopping next to the director. "Dig a big hole and just dump the casket in unlatched. If stuff falls out, fine. Just pile on enough dirt and make sure nothing's showing" he ordered as he left the building.
Lorelai pinched the bridge of her nose and turned around.
"I'm assuming that wouldn't be appropriate either," she asked.
"No," the director said.
"Didn't think so," Lorelai muttered.
At the diner, Jess was refilling coffees as Kate and Rory took orders to the tables. One lady stopped Jess.
"Excuse me, young man, where's the young lady we've heard so much about who's using those delightful old diner phrases to place people's orders? It sounds so fun. Could you point her out for us," she asked.
Kate smiled, hearing her. She put her hand on Jess' arm and smiled at the woman. "No, that's my mother and she's not here now," she replied as Jess walked over to the counter.
"Aw, that's a shame," the customer said.
"She sings," Jess piped up as he took care of the coffee.
Kate turned and narrowed her eyes at him playfully. Jess grinned and the customer smiled at Kate. She sighed and started to sing a new song she worked on.
"And I said, "Oh my, what a marvelous tune" It was the best night, never would forget how we moved. The whole place was dressed to the nines; and we were dancing, dancing; like we're made of starlight, starlight; like we're made of starlight, starlight".
The crowd cheered and Jess whistled from the counter. Kate laughed and bowed her head a little.
"I never get tired of that," Jess whispered as she walked behind the counter.
"Thank you," she said.
Lorelai walked in and sat down. She eyed Jess. "Your uncle is a piece of work," she said.
"Luke," Jess asked.
"He walked out of the funeral home with Louie still in an unclosed casket with an autographed football and thousands of baseball cards," Lorelai told him.
"Geez," Jess whistled.
"And to make matters worse," Kate said, nodding to Taylor. "The nerve of him after what he said to Luke and how it always expects me to sing all over the place, he comes in here like nothing's wrong," she muttered.
"Why don't you check on the cheesecake cupcakes you think I don't know you put in the oven and I'll handle Taylor," Jess told her.
Kate smiled and walked into the kitchen. Lorelai smiled at Jess, who hid his grin.
"Stop that, it's sweet the way you care for her," Lorelai whispered.
"I think that's why we're together," Jess whispered back, going over to Taylor.
Lorelai smiled as Luke came back into the diner. Jess nodded to him and Lorelai smiled even more, as she did the checks.
"Hey, there you are, I was worried," she said, smiling at him.
"Yeah, sorry, I should've called. Thank you covering again," Luke smiled at her. "This'll be the last time, I promise," he added.
"It's okay. Where were you," Lorelai asked.
"Well, at first, I walked around a bunch, ya know, just trying to clear my head. Saw a lot of Hartford – and what a cesspool," Luke told her.
"You're not a city man," Lorelai smiled a little.
"Then I calmed down after awhile and I figured dumping Louie's body in an open grave with all his stuff probably would be a little cold," Luke went on.
"Just a tad," Lorelai smirked.
"So I got a Yellow Pages and I found a Big and Tall casket shop in Hartford," Luke told her.
Lorelai chuckled. "You're kidding," she laughed.
"Nope, I found a casket that would fit my hundred and sixty pound uncle and his hundred and forty pounds of stuff, got the lid to shut the first time we tried it, so the funeral's on as scheduled," Luke explained.
"Good for you," Lorelai cheered.
"I still don't know why I'm doing this," Luke told her.
"You're doing it for your dad," Lorelai gently reminded him.
"Yeah, I guess. Although he's dead, so he'd never know if I was doing it any different," Luke pointed out.
"He knows. He's got the big Luke picture screen on twenty four hours a day and he watches and smiles. And you're doing it because you're you," Lorelai replied.
Luke smiled. "Hey, I'm gonna change real fast and you can retire from your diner career forever," he told her.
"Oh no, it's fun. I came up with some new diner phrases. Do you know what a Lucky Duck Cluck is," Lorelai asked, grinning at him.
"Not offhand," Luke replied, amused by the woman.
"It's foie gras with chicken and green shamrock frosting," she told him.
"Why would anyone ever order that," Luke asked.
Lorelai looked at him like he was crazy. "If they're high," she replied. She frowned as she saw Emily walk into the diner. "Uh-oh," she muttered.
"What," Luke asked.
"Bad vibe sandwich just came in, better retreat," Lorelai answered.
"I won't be long," Luke rolled his eyes and went upstairs. When he opened the door, he stopped seeing Kate and Jess, eating cupcakes.
"Hey, what's going on here," he asked.
"Kate stressed baked," Jess smirked.
Luke chuckled as Kate pouted at them. "And Taylor was downstairs and I don't want to talk to him," she muttered.
"What did he do now," Luke asked.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Easter egg hunt songs," she muttered.
"Yeah, that could do it," Luke muttered.
"Then what he did to you," Kate muttered.
"What," Luke asked.
"Nothing," Jess replied. "Lorelai said that you were going insane," he asked.
Luke rolled his eyes as he walked into the bathroom with a change of clothes. "Louie had a long list of things that he wanted buried and of course nothing would be that easy. But I figured it out," he said through the door.
"That's good," Jess replied. "So everything's set, right," he asked.
"Yep," Luke said, coming out of the bathroom. Kate smiled and he smiled back. "I should go back downstairs and make sure your mother and grandmother didn't kill each other," he added.
Kate raised her eyebrows and rubbed her temples. "Sookie must have snapped out of Emily-world," she muttered.
"Emily-world," Luke asked, confused.
"Yeah, better not to ask," Jess replied.
Luke shook his head and left the apartment. Kate and Jess smiled at each other. He kissed her softly as he walked back out the door.
"See you down there," Jess asked.
"Yeah," Kate replied, smiling.
Jess smiled and walked out. He saw Emily by the door and Luke and Lorelai next to each other at the counter.
"What do you think of the Romanovs?" Emily asked Luke.
Jess raised his eyebrow at the question and looked at Luke.
"I think that they had it coming," Luke replied.
Emily rolled her eyes as she opened the door. "A match made in heaven," she muttered, leaving.
Later that day, Luke and Lorelai were the only ones at the gravesite. The reverend droned on and on. Lorelai spared a glance towards Luke and smiled gently at him.
"You okay," she asked.
"Yeah, I'm not big on funerals in general," Luke replied.
"Nobody is," Lorelai pointed out.
Luke nodded and the Reverend continued, "He passed away in his sleep, so the end came peacefully for Louie, which I'm sure is a great comfort to all who knew him."
"The passing away part was a great comfort for all who knew him," Luke muttered.
Lorelai cleared her throat. The Reverend looked at him. "I didn't know him," he said.
"Good thing," Luke nodded.
"But I understand he was a fine man, destined to be missed by many," the Reverend went on.
"Especially ones that were suing him," Luke muttered.
Lorelai looked at him in shock. "Stop," she said, hitting him gently, "Sorry father."
"Reverend," the priest corrected.
"Right," Lorelai nodded.
The Reverend nodded and then interred Louie.
"It was a nice service. Nice and...intimate," she said.
"I guess everybody deserves something at the end. Thanks for coming," Luke replied. Then he stopped and looked down at the grave. "That ain't me, right," he asked.
"What are you talking about," Lorelai asked.
"What Taylor said about me being like Louie, a loner, never being married and stuff? I mean, I am getting crankier as I get older, he's not so far off," Luke told her.
"You are not your uncle," Lorelai replied. Luke looked at her like he didn't believe her. "I mean, would Louie ever build someone a chuppah, or help fix things around someone's house without being asked, or make a special coffee cake with balloons for a girl's sixteenth birthday," she went on.
"Rory told you about that," Luke asked.
"Kate," Lorelai corrected, smiling. "And speaking of Kate, would Louie haven taken in his sister's kid without hesitating and without asking for anything in return," she continued.
"No one would've trusted Louie with their kid. He probably would've forgotten to feed him or something," Luke chuckled.
"You get my point," Lorelai smiled as she spotted the people coming over the hill.
The re-enactors came over the hill, making Luke and Lorelai smile as they watched.
"Thanks," he said, looking over at her.
"Anytime," Lorelai replied.
At the diner, Jess had a small smile as he helped the party go around the diner. He spotted Kate with Rory and Patty. He smiled at Kate, who walked over to him.
"Hey," she smiled.
"Hey," he replied.
"So this is a nice spread," she told him.
"I know, right," Jess smirked.
Kate smirked back. "You set this up," she said.
Jess looked at her. "You called Andrew and Taylor," he said.
Kate shrugged. "You caught me," she admitted.
"I thought so," Jess smirked.
Kate chuckled. "Hey, Jess," she said, as they leaned against the counter.
"Yeah," Jess asked.
"Where were you the other day," Kate asked. "When I was looking for you after Francine cancelled the show," she went on.
"Oh...the other day...okay, stay here and I'll be right back," Jess replied.
"Jess," Kate started as he walked up the stairs.
Kate shook her head as she saw Luke and Lorelai came into the diner.
"What is going on here," Lorelai asked.
"It's a wake," Rory grinned. "For Louie," she added.
"Who arranged this," Luke asked.
"We have no idea," Kate replied. "Well, it's going well, anyway. People brought a ton of food if you're hungry," she added.
"This is unexpected," Luke said.
"I think that this is for you too," Lorelai said.
"Am I dead," Luke asked.
"No, but people like you," Lorelai teased.
"Shut up," Luke muttered, hiding a smile.
"And with charm like that, how can they resist," Lorelai muttered, as they went to get food.
Jess came back down and handed Kate a paper. She looked over at him and then at the paper.
"Former Veteran Dies at 85, by Jess Mariano," she read aloud. "What is this? An obituary for a paper," she asked. "You joined your school paper," she realized, grinning.
Jess shrugged. "I found the paper office and figured that it would be a good idea," he explained.
"So that day I couldn't find you, you were you at a meeting," Kate whispered.
"Yeah," Jess replied.
Kate smiled and caressed his hand. "I'm so proud of you," she said.
Jess grinned back to her. "Well, I think that maybe, we should go and join people before our new status becomes known," he said.
Kate grinned and pulled him to a table where Luke, Lorelai, and Rory were sitting with people, who were telling stories about Louie.
"So, like I say, it's Halloween, right, and we're lucky Louie doesn't have razor wire around his yard, you know how he is. So finally one of the neighborhood kids, he gets all courageous and he goes sauntering up to the door and he goes 'trick or treat!' Louie finally throws the door open, looks at him and says, 'Did you get a Reese's cup tonight?' And the kid looks in his bag and he says, 'Yes sir, I did.' So Louie grabs it, says 'thank you very much!' then slams the door in his face," Sy said, as everyone laughed at the story.
"I'm sorry that I never met him," Lorelai laughed, letting Kate and Jess sit down.
"He was colourful," Luke replied.
"I never trick or treated again," Kirk admitted.
Jess chuckled and Kate laid her head on his shoulder as they listened to more stories. Lorelai smiled at them and saw the way Jess put his arm around Kate's chair and she nudged Luke. He smiled a little at them and sat back. Soon enough, he would sit his nephew down and lay down the law about dating Kate. But that was not today. Today, he wanted to relax and talk about his uncle with the crazy people who were his family.
Chapter 9: Done
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay but I hope that the route and the risk I took will pay off. I have plenty ideas about the key moments that Rory and Jess shared and make them moments that Jess and Kate will have and the story lines that this story will keep going. Again, read and review!