The Gilmore girls were positively glowing. They grabbed each other's arms and danced around in a circle in the small town of Stars Hollow. Every couple of minutes, one or the other screamed, then the other joined in, and finally they began to giggle uncontrollably. They walked home, arm in arm, coffee and dinner forgotten.
"Wow Mom," Rory Gilmore exclaimed. "I thought I had exciting news, but it certainly wasn't getting a proposal! I'm so happy for you!" Although many teenage girls were not often interested in their mother's little lives, there was no doubt that Rory Gilmore was being sincere. She hugged her mother in a sign of affection.
Lorelai smiled, and patted Rory's arm. She paused for a minute in thought before she talked.
"The question is Rory, what should I do about this proposal? I love Max, but am I really ready to give up what we have together? Is it really time to stop being the two of us? This could be the most important decision I 'd have to make in my life! I certainly don't want a marriage of mine to end like so many of our singer buddies! Ugh! Too much thought for now. Tell me about Dean and you!"
Rory let her mom talk it out, knowing that it was the best way. She was too pleased with getting back together with her boyfriend Dean to let the thought of Mr. Medina and her mother cause any unneeded trouble. So, she told her mom all about the way Dean came to Chilton and how happy she was and how they were starting over again. However, once they reached home, the idea of someone else in their little house, like Mr. Medina, started to hit home, and she wondered what would be decided. She knew she would be able to voice her opinion, and she wasn't wrong.
"Rory," Lorelai asked. "What do you think I should do? This decision will definitely affect your life as well. Do you want Max to join our family?"
Rory spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully. "I think there's only one way to make this decision, Mom. If you love Max, and he's the guy for you, then you should get married. You guys should spend your life together. You deserve it, Mom. You're a wonderful person, and Mr. Medi- Max, is so lucky to get you! I love it just being us, and I'd miss it so much, but now you have to make your decision for you, forgetting about me. You've spent the last sixteen years making decisions always with me your most important person, but now it's your turn. If you love him, and you want to spend the rest of your life with him, do it. If you don't, and you're not sure, then wait. Don't say yes yet. Tell him you're still thinking. But this decision Mom, is all you. Don't even take me in consideration, I'll be off in a couple of years anyway. I love you so much, and I know you'll be able to make the right decision, just take your time. And I can help you if you need me to, I'm good at advice."
Lorelai hugged her daughter and said, "You know what we need, ICE CREAM!"
"But we're not wallowing, Mom," Rory smiled.
"No, but this decision is just as hard as wallowing!" She walked over to the refrigorater, and in doing so noticed the calander and the clock. "Oh goody gosh darn! It's Friday! We're late for Friday night dinner!" Lorelai exclaimed. "Quick, get ready, and I'll call my mother to tell her we're running late!" With that, the Gilmore girls broke apart and hurried to drive to their weekly plans.
"Why are you so late?" Emily Gilmore asked as she answered the door.
"Hi Mom, nice to see you, too. Rory and I were at the pet store where we bought three huge dogs who we're going to name after the Three Stooges, Larry, Moe, and Curly," Lorelai answered.
"You what?" Emily was horrified.
"Mom's just joking Grandma. Don't worry. I was just late from school and we got caught up with some stuff. Sorry," Rory apologized.
Emily hugged Rory around the shoulder saying it was no problem. She then started to walk off, deep in conversation with Rory, and leaving Lorelai behind. Lorelai followed, but didn't mind as much as she often did. She had a secret that she knew would attract all the attention if she wanted to share. She didn't though, so she went off to find her father and discuss the insurance business. All the while, however, she was thinking to herself about the huge question that just opened up in her mind. She thought Max was a great guy- nice, funny, caring, interested in Rory, and her obviously liked her, even maybe loved her! However, she really barely knew him. They had never discussed the truly serious ideas with him, because she always wanted to have fun. Would marriage hinder their fun? Ugh! What about family? Did Max want children? More children could kill her and Rory's relationship! Then a horrible though crossed Lorelai's mind. Where would they live? Would Max want her and Rory to leave Stars Hollow? Stars Hollow was her home, her family; they were the people that took her in as a pregnant, scared teenager. She vaguely remembered a book she once read a long time ago. Emma, by Jane Austin. When the heroine didn't want to leave her own home to move to the one of the man who wanted to marry her, he said he would move into her own home. Lorelai smiled when she realized that that would be what Max would do. She wondered how he would fit into her little town. She and Rory had been accepted; they were known, welcomed, and loved everywhere. But what about Max. He didn't seem like he fit in as well. He was more of a big city guy. Too much thought. Even though she pretty occupied with her thoughts, she was able to stay pretty much alert. She only made one mistake when answering how much money the Inn was taking in this season with "1,000 yellow daisies". Rory stifled a laugh and Lorelai covered for herself by explaining that it'd been one of those days.
Dinner was rather uneventful until Emily Gilmore gave an interesting invitation.
"Rory, how would you like to come with your grandpa and I to Martha's Vineyard this summer or a week or two. I'm sure you'd have a lovely time. There are many people around whom you could get together with and there are many things to do. Besides, Grandpa and I have the cottage, and it'd be way too big for just the two of us. Maybe you could even invite a friend along!" Both Emily and Richard beamed at their granddaughter.
Rory and Lorelai were both quite surprised, but Rory recovered first. "That's a really nice offer, grandma, but I don't know. I mean, I was thinking of getting a summer job this summer, and a plane ticket to Martha's Vineyard is a lot of money. I don't think Mom and I can-"
"Nonsense, Rory, Of course we'll pay for you to come. Even your friend if you want to bring one. And I'm sure you can not work for a week. It's your summer," Emily tried to convince.
"Mom, don't push too hard. It's Rory's decision, and of course I would buy the ticket, you guys are being kind enough to invite her to come!" Lorelai said, after recovering. "I'm sure we'll have to think about it though, but now we really should be going. It's really late. Thank you for the dinner, it was great."
In the car, both Gilmores were still surprised. Lorelai was also feeling a little sorry for herself. "I can't believe she invited you to go and not me. You and a friend!"
"Oh, don't be sad Mom, she probably thought you had to work. Besides, I'm not going," Rory said, although she did have a little wisp of longing in her voice. She had never gotten to go on a vacation like that before, and to bring Lane along would be wonderful. If only her mom could go, too.
"No Rory, you must make this decision on whether or not you want to go. Forget me. I probably do have too much work to get away anyways. It's a very lucky oppurtunity," Lorelai said, still sadly.
"You know Mom, this could an oppurtunity for you as well. If I go away for a week, you could easily have Max come, and test the whole marriage idea," Rory suggested, carefully.
Lorelai looked at her daughter and started to smile. Maybe the Martha's Vineyard week would be a good week after all. Lorelai pulled the car over and grabbed her daughter over in a hug saying, "What a good idea, what a good idea."
