Missing Pieces

Chapter 21: He's Out

"Happy birthday!" Lorelai, Luke, Emma and Will exclaimed excitedly as Finn and Rory walked in the door of the Crap Shack Saturday morning.  People would soon begin arriving for Rory's Stars Hollow birthday bash.

"You guys do know that my birthday was yesterday, right?" Rory chuckled as Emma ran across the room.  She quickly picked her up and hugged her while Finn kissed Emma on the top of the head.

"Minor detail," Lorelai dismissed quickly.  "We're finishing this birthday week strong."

"It has been a great week," Rory said with a broad smile, looking up at Finn sweetly.  He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him in order to give her a chaste kiss.

"You two are disgustingly sweet, and I think it's fabulous," Lorelai told them both just as more people began arriving. 

Before she knew it, the house was full of family and friends who had come to celebrate her 38th birthday in true Gilmore style, complete with a pink feather boa and a birthday crown.  As Rory looked around the room to see all of the people who had gathered in her honor, she was acutely aware of someone who was not there.

"Hey Mom," Rory began quietly after pulling Lorelai into a quiet corner, "did you guys invite Jess?"

"Yeah, he should be here soon.   I think he had something going on at Truncheon this morning that he had to take care of before he headed this way."

"Good," Rory said uncertainly.  "Emma and I haven't seen him in weeks, and I was afraid he wouldn't make it."

"Is everything okay there?" Lorelai prodded.

"Yeah, as far as I know.  He's just been busy with getting the new location up and running, I think."

Rory walked away, effectively ending the conversation, and returned to her birthday party.  Everyone was enjoying food prepared by Luke and Sookie when Jess finally walked through the door.

"Uncle Jess!  I've missed you!" Emma squealed as she ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"I've missed you too, half-pint.  How's my girl?"

"I'm good.  It's Mommy's birthday party!"

"I know, that's why we're here," Jess chuckled.  "Where is your mom?"

"In the kitchen," she replied happily before jumping down and going back to playing with the kids.

Jess proceeded to the kitchen and stopped abruptly when he saw Rory standing there, wrapped up in Finn's arms as they whispered to each other.  He made a sudden course correction and turned back toward the living room, having no desire to see the two of them together.  He snuck out the front door and out onto the front porch, already wanting to avoid the lunatics that resided in the kooky town.  About half an hour later, Luke came out looking for him.

"Hey, Rory's about to open gifts and then we're going to have cake.  You coming?"

"Yea," was the only reply Jess offered as he followed his uncle back into the thick of the party, sitting awkwardly on the outskirts of the celebration.

"You all know that I said presents weren't necessary this year," Rory mock scolded the crowd, "but for those of you who can't seem to follow directions, I'll open them now," she finished, earning chuckles from the room.

Rory opened  her very own garden gnome from Babette and Morey, a very generous check from her Grandma Emily, and a monkey lamp from her mom before moving to Finn's gift.  She narrowed her eyes and stared him down.

"You have done enough already this week, mister," she informed him sternly.

"Just open it before you get all upset.  I promise that it wasn't expensive; it's just something small that I wanted you to have," Finn replied, trying to hide the smile from spreading across his face.  He'd had it custom-made for her, and while it was true that it wasn't expensive, it was very meaningful to him.  He hoped she would share the same sentiment.