missmara13

Takes place in my Ryan/Jess universe, after Jess met The Nana, but before the visit to Newport. Features Jess and Luke, and talks about Ryan.

"What?" Luke snapped as he answered the phone.

"Great phone manners, Luke," Jess replied.

"Jess? What's the matter, do you need bail money?" Luke said, though there was a hint of humor in his voice.

"No, I don't need bail money," Jess said. "Actually, I've got some news, good news."

"About your book?" Luke asked.

"No," Jess said. "Better."

"Better?"

"I'm seein' somebody," Jess said. "Somebody new."

"That's great! What's her name?"

"Ryan."

"Her name's Ryan?"

"No, his name is Ryan."

There was a long moment of silence before Luke spoke. "Funny."

"I'm not joking," Jess replied. "I've been seeing him for a couple months, and... and it's going really well."

"You're dating a guy?"

"Yeah."

"Named Ryan?"

"Yeah," Jess said. "He's... I'm happy."

"I... I don't know what to say."

"Say it's okay," Jess said quietly.

"Of course it's okay," Luke replied. "I just didn't expect it."

"I met his Nana already, she lives in the Bronx, so it was a quick trip, and I sort of got talked into going to meet his family in California for Thanksgiving, but... I was thinking maybe of bringing him to meet you for Christmas. If that's cool."

"That sounds... great," Luke said.

"Wow, Luke, try not to get excited," Jess said.

"You tell me something like this and expect me to..."

"To be happy I'm happy?" Jess said. "Ass," he added before hanging up.

Five seconds later, Jess' phone rang and he answered. "What?"

"You're still an idiot."

"I learned from the best," Jess replied. "I just... I don't give a shit what Liz or Jimmy think about this, but you... I wouldn't be where I am if you hadn't pushed me. I don't wanna let you down."

"You can't let me down, Jess. Not when you're happy and healthy."

"His biological parents disowned him 'cause of me," Jess said. "Told him not to call until he stopped being... stopped being gay. I don't want you to say the same to me."

"I wouldn't," Luke said. "And I can't wait to meet him."

"You think I'm pulling your leg, don't you?" Jess asked.

"Let's just say, I'll keep a healthy amount of skeptisism until I meet him," Luke admitted.

"But you're not... freaked?" Jess asked.

"Surprised, and maybe waiting for the punchline, but not freaked," Luke said. "Come on, if I didn't get fed up with you during the whole kidnapping garden gnomes phase, I'm not gonna do it now."

The End