Gilmore Girls: Breaking Free

Chapter 6: Saturday

A short while later, Rory joined Jess in the kitchen. She felt a lot better after her shower and Jess was glad to see she looked happier than she had the night before.

"I am so sorry about last night Jess," Rory started, anxious that there be no misunderstandings. "I really am okay....I was just very tired and it had been such a big day.....I'm not usually needy like that....we are going to be just fine....."

"It's okay Rory..." Jess began. "This is something you shouldn't have to carry alone....I just can't believe Huntzburger doesn't want to be here for you.....If it were my child, I would drop everything and move Heaven and earth to be with you two!"

Jess detected something change in Rory's eyes. He immediately became suspicious. "You haven't told him yet.....am I right?"

Rory looked uncomfortable as she answered, "It's just not as easy as it seems...the whole thing would end up in the media....you don't know his family....so please don't mention this to anyone....I haven't even told my mom it's his baby!"

Jess was surprised to hear that and despite the fact he didn't agree with Rory keeping the father from knowing, he kept his opinions to himself, said his goodbyes and headed off to his conference, promising to check on her at the end of the weekend.

Rory sat in the sun trying her best to relax. She had to get into some writing but needed to refocus. Jess' visit had really messed with her resolve to be independent and stick to her plan! She still couldn't believe that she made him sleep in her bed!

"I don't know if it was just my hormones but I can't afford to be falling apart like that, especially now that I have a real job again!" Rory scolded herself. "I do hope that things are going to get easier. This baby needs a mom who has her life together and doesn't invite ex boyfriends to stay the night in their bed whenever they are feeling a bit fragile! .....I don't know how Mom coped so well...she was half my age and did everything by herself!....I wonder if she was fearful of failing like I am?"

Rory decided to make the effort to go for a walk and perhaps check out the real estate agents in town while picking up some personal items from the store. She needed to keep looking toward her end goal, which was to be independent by the time Logan was married. Rory breathed deeply and resolved that she would not cry! She was doing really well as she headed up the road until she received a call from her father.

"Hi Dad, how's it going?" Rory asked already feeling teary at the sound of his voice. She hoped that he wouldn't ask anything too deep!

"Hey Rory, I'm doing pretty well, how about you?" Christopher replied, noticing some different sounds in the background.

"I'm great! Just going for a walk..." Rory replied hoping that she would not need to say where she was.

"Sounds like you're near the water! I can hear sea gulls!" Christopher commented.

"Well I'm actually in York, Maine...." Rory admitted, silently cursing the seagulls for giving her away. "I've come here to write and at the moment I'm staying in a friend's place."

"Wow well that sounds good! It's nice to have a change! I was going to ask you out for dinner tonight but that might be a bit difficult..." Christopher stated but then had an idea. "You know I've been looking for an excuse to get my new motorbike out and I think I have found it! How about I ride up and have dinner with you in York!"

Rory wasn't expecting this but she felt like she couldn't really say no and besides she really needed some company. "Okay then....that would be really cool Dad! You can stay with me...there are plenty of spare beds!"

"Great! I'll go get my leathers on and I'll see you in about 5 hours!" Christopher said sounding very excited.

"Lovely! Don't forget to have plenty of rest stops Dad and just take it easy —you aren't 25!" Rory reminded him protectively.

Rory was just about to head across the road to Williams Partner's Realty when a familiar voice called out her name. Turning her head, she was surprised to see it was her new boss Matt Morgan!

"Hello Rory," Matt said hoping he wasn't being too forward. "How's your weekend going?"

Feeling quite flustered, Rory was sure she was most likely blushing as Matt's steely blue eyes checked her out.

"Hi Mr Morgan...Matt...I'm having a good weekend so far!" Rory replied wishing she had gone to a little more trouble when dressing this morning.

"If you're not too busy, would you like to join me for coffee?" Matt asked seizing the opportunity while it was presented to him. "There's a great little place just around the corner called the Stonewall Kitchen."

Rory didn't hesitate, "Yes that is just what I need! Thank you...I was hoping to have some cafe recommendations....I take my coffee very seriously!"

Rory scolded herself for saying that when she was supposed to be weaning herself off coffee! Fortunately, she had only had decaf this morning so she could have a full strength coffee with Matt without arousing suspicion.

Before long, Rory and Matt were sitting chatting away about their life stories. Somehow, Rory felt comfortable with this man she had not known for long. He was intrigued by the story of her mom raising her and managing to accomplish so much at such a young age.

"It's amazing how people rise to the occasion and deal with whatever life throws at them. I really admire people like your mom! She sure did a great job with you!" Matt concluded hoping he didn't sound like he was coming onto his new employee.

"She really was fun to live with! We used to have movie nights and eat all sorts of takeaway food and there was so much confectionary!" Rory reminisced. "It's still a surprise to me that I have good teeth!"

"Sounds like fun...perhaps we could have a movie night soon!" Matt suggested, hoping he wasn't moving too fast.

Rory was taken aback by Matt's suggestion but flattered too. It would be nice to have a date with someone to get her mind off Logan. "That would be great!"

Matt grinned from ear to ear as he escorted Rory from the cafe. He just had the feeling that things were really looking up for him! Since losing his girlfriend in a tragic accident, Matt hadn't dated much at all. He was very popular at his church but shied away from asking out any of the young women there.

"Maybe it's time, I opened myself up to something new...." Matt thought as he returned home. "Maybe I can start fresh with someone who doesn't know I've been walking around under a black cloud for the last twelve years!"