California Dreamin'
Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls, any of its settings or characters. They belong to the respective owners including Amy Sherman Palladino, Daniel Palladino and Helen Pai. I also do not own nor do I claim any of the books, movies, songs or bands that are referenced from here on out.
Author Notes: The first part of this chapter is done through the thoughts of Rory, Paris and Glen. Italicized text denotes Rory's thoughts, bold text denotes Paris' thoughts, underlined text denotes Glen's thoughts. And this is an AU story. In this story Jess leaves Stars Hollow to live with his father but actually talks to Rory about it. The two split on amicable terms agreeing to take a break since they are both facing big life changes. They stay in touch and write letters back and forth though. Jess invites Rory and yes even Paris (because he knows they are a package deal) to spend spring break with him in California. As for Glen...well someone had to drive to the airport. Now our feature presentation!
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Chapter One: Welcome to the Hotel California
Look at all these trees! And all those dogs! And all this grass! Think of the pollen! Think about all the dust floating around! It makes me think. Did I bring refills for all my allergy medications? I hope so. This is a miserable trip already.
My god, look at Glen panicking already. We haven't been here an hour yet and he's already going into a panic attack. I can't say I don't sympathize though. I'm starting to have second thoughts about this trip as well. I mean, why did I agree to come here. Was I trying to prove something to myself? Maybe, I was angry at Asher and was trying to prove something to him. It doesn't matter. I should have gone to Oxford with him. There's no way this so called 'beach bungalow' can comfortably accommodate three extra people. Crazy Venice Beach hippies and there rainbow shacks.
Why does Paris keep staring like that? She looks even more aggravated than usual. I'll bet she knows that during the plane ride over here when she asked me to think of intellectual activities to do while we're here I wasn't of any ideas at all. I'll bet she knows what I'm thinking now. Yes, she knows that I'm nervous about seeing Jess because he loves me... maybe. And I love him...I think. Or maybe Mom's right. I just think too much.
The sun is unnaturally bright here. The holes in the ozone layer must be absolutely gigantic. Good thing I brought a whole case of sunscreen. Yes, yes there's nothing like some good old Coppertone SPF 70 to keep your skin safe. Let me just reach down into my blue bag here and-- oh my god! I don't feel it! What could of happened to it? Did it fall out into the overhead compartment? Or in the trunk of our taxi? This is awful. Now I'm going to be fried to a crisp. Melanoma here I come.
These crazy people are all about free expression. Yes, that's there excuse for not conforming and contributing to the rest of society--free expression. Albert Camus was about free expression too and look where he ended up.
I can't believe how nervous I am; but, what if he's found someone else. I mean, there's no way I can compare to any of these bleach blond bikini babes. I'm just a frumpy brunette from Connecticut. Then, why did he invite me here?
I'm sure of it now. I'm going to die of an asthmatic attach, or sun poisoning or from salt water filling up my lungs after I slip off a surfboard and break my neck!
Dear God! These people have compost bins! Compost bins! I mean I'm all for recycling seeing as it's the 'in' thing right now but in all seriousness what kind of barbarians just collect dirt, and liter and waste in colorful containers and call it a hobby.
Paris is totally freaked out by the compost bins.
I hope I don't accidentally fall into the compost bins.
We look stupid standing out here. We have to go in sometime. He's probably wondering where I...I mean...we are anyways.
"Paris, Glen, you guys ready to go in?" Rory asked grasping her luggage tightly.
"Ready when you are Rory," replied Glen. "In fact, the sooner I get inside the better.
"You first Gilmore," Paris interrupted cutting in front of Glen. "After all, it's your bad-boy, boho, angst-filled, artsy lover's family were staying with." Glen squinted not sure what to make of Paris' petite rant. Rory inhaled deeply and got ready to lay some ground rules for this so-called vacation.
"Paris, that's not true. Jess and I aren't even dating anymore. We haven't even seen each other since January."
"When he told you he loved you."
"That's beside the point." The brunette flushed. "Look, just please refrain from saying things like that once we get inside, okay?" Rory shrugged, realizing she was fighting an unwinable argument.
"I make no promises."
"Ring the bell Glen." Rory sighed at her companion's response. And ring the bell Glen did. In fact, he rang it with such urgency that one might have thought he was stuck outside with two crazy women.
Soon after a tall, blond, broad shouldered woman came to the door. She wore an energetic smile in addition to jeans, a vintage looking orange t-shirt and a tie-dye wrap on her head. Excitedly, she opened the door and gestured for the quartet to come in.
"You guys must be Jess' friends." She said while trying to close the door and ward off one of the more aggressive dogs. "I'm so excited you guys are here. We don't get to entertain often but I love the excitement of meeting new people. I'm Sasha, Jimmy's girlfriend and owner of this house and unfortunately that also means I have to inform you of the rules of the house. There aren't many but I ask that you follow the few we have. First of all curfew is 1 am period. We're all smokers here except for my daughter and she's nine but we do ask that you smoke outside. No one under 21 is allowed to drink. We eat at least one meal together a day. Everyone is expected to pick up after themselves. I know I don't have to even talk about drugs and... which one of you is Rory?" Glen and Paris ousted their friend by pointing to her. "I thought so. Rory, sex is forbidden in this house for people who don't own the house because they are the son of the guy whose girlfriend owns the house if you know what I mean. So, don't let him convince you otherwise. You seem like a smart girl and I think I'll like you so I don't want to see you knocked up."
"I understand." Rory stammered embarrassed and confused by Sasha's bluntness.
"I like her!" Paris declared "I also like that Picasso in the Kitchen. It gives the place kind of a Spanish flavor." Sasha turned around and grinned.
"That's what I told Jimmy but he insists that it just looks like a pornographic picture puzzle on an acid trip. If you kids like art you should definitely go to the Getty Museum while you're here. By the way how long are you staying? That'll probably be helpful information for when I go grocery shopping."
"Two weeks," Rory began.
"Three weeks," Paris interrupted her. "I got Asher to make some arrangements with our Professors. They provided him with all the work will be missing the extra week and he provided me with it. So, thanks to my connection we get an extra week of spring break." Paris smiled proudly and put her hands on her hips while Glen grumbled.
"Simply astonishing, a-ston-ishing."
"Now that you've worked that out let me show you guys where you'll be sleeping." Sasha said leading the college students down a narrow hall that was cool and breezy. "Paris, Rory, this is our guest room. You'll be staying in here. I hope you girls like it."
"It looks wonderful; I'll have no problem feeling right at home." Rory assured
"I'm not going to lie to you Sasha. I can't comment on this place until I run my inspection." Paris began. "It doesn't look good though. You see, I come to an overall rating of 1-10 based on rating based on 14 different dimensions including but not limited to cleanliness, any scents and or smells, feung shui organization, window trimmings and bathroom accessibility."
Sasha stared at Paris for a moment. In a futile attempt to decipher whether or not she was kidding. However, a Geller never reveals their secrets and so Sasha gazed over to Rory and learned from her affirmative nod that Paris was indeed serious. "Well, I'll show Glen to his room and leave you girls to unpack."
Sasha and Glen walked to the other end of the hall past the guest room and bathroom, past a smaller bedroom with the door cracked every so slightly ajar and finally to a spacious but plain room with a stellar view of the beach.
"Let me apologize in advance." Sasha began. "We originally thought that only Rory and Paris were coming to stay so we just cleared out the guest room. It was only Friday that we found out you were coming and we really had no place to put you so, you and Jess are going to be bunking together in his room for the time being. I know it sounds bad but it's not really awful Jess only really uses his bedroom to sleep and read and he only reads in here when it's raining so you basically have the place to yourself."
"Oh sweet lord!" Glen shouted. "The room isn't bad it's just it's so macho. I can feel it mocking me and emasculating me as we speak. You see there are just blinds on the windows; there are no clever storage options, hardwood floors and the whole black and white motif." He continued gesturing wildly about the room.
Glen had a little bit of a point. The room was had plain decor, modest furnishings and probably in relatively the same condition Jess found it in. The walls were a darker shade of gray and the hardwood floors were smooth, shiny and a rich, deep chestnut. There were strategically placed, black, shag rugs by the four post bed and the sliding door leading out to the beach. A lonely desk sat in the corner with books and papers scattered across it while its companion, a worn looking chair was draped with clothes. To Glen's astonishment, he spotted a yellow and blue surfboard leaning against a wall. However, he began to panic when he spotted two high shelves above the bed.
"What are those up on those high shelves," he questioned. "And how do know they're properly secured?"
"Those are just some of Jess' books and CDs," Sasha said trying to explain Glen's fears away. "But don't worry because if they fall they'll hit Jess before it reaches you because he will be high up in his bed and you will be safe and low to the ground in this nice, cozy cot." With that she kicked out a comfortable and new looking bed from underneath the taller, unmade bed.
Glen's breath started getting shorter and sharper; he began to shake a little and was turning an odd shade of plum. He exclaimed.
"The floor, well, I need to sanitize and disinfect it of course."
"Glen, why don't you relax. I have an idea. Let's step outside for a moment," said Sasha gently ushering him through the sliding doors.
Meanwhile, down the hall Paris decided it was time to interrogate Rory.
"So, why do you think she put us in here?"
"Common sense tells me it's because we're guests and this is the guest room," Rory groaned unzipping her suitcase.
"You think so, huh." Paris squinted her eyes. "Well it's not. This was a completely sexist room assignment. Oh yeah they said let's put the girls together in the pink room. Look at it," she grumbled "all pink and white and frilly."
"You're being ridiculous, Paris." Rory countered while heading over to the closet with her arms full of clothes. "First of all the room is coral, not pink, coral with white and silver accents. And the room is coral because this is a beach house and coral is a summer color. It was also popular during the 50s when this home was built. As for the 'frilly' linen sheets they're purpose is to keep you cool during the hot summer nights and oh my goodness!" She exclaimed opening the closet.
"What's your M.O. Gilmore?" Paris grunted while walking over.
Paris and Rory then proceeded to stare at a little girl sitting on the closet floor blissfully content in her own world unaware of the prying eyes upon her.
"Should we poke her with something?" Paris asked.
"No." Rory scolded. "Just---wait. I'm sure she'll notice us soon enough."
That was up for debate though. The girl couldn't have been any older than nine and had dark, wavy, slightly unmanageable looking hair. She sat perched in the closet on a throne of blankets and pillows wearing blue corduroys and a purple sweater, reading a medical dictionary. When it became evident that the girl was not moving Rory took the first step into coaxing the girl out.
"Hi sweetheart," Rory cooed kneeling down next to the girl. "My name is Rory; I'm a friend of Jess' from Connecticut. He invited me to come and stay for a while. What's your name?"
"My name is Lily, and I offer my sincerest apologies. Were you coming today? I must have written it wrong on my calendar. I'm Sasha's daughter, just Sasha's not Jimmy's."
"Oh, that's right. I remember now. Jess mentioned you in a few of his letters.
"That still doesn't explain why she was sitting in the closet like a creeper." Paris interrupted.
"Let me explain," the little girl started "you see, I can't really focus in large, wide-open spaces. I find there are way too many distractions. I'd much rather curl up in a place like this. I prefer closets but bathtubs work too and there's a great bureau in the living room. I'll just clear out of here and move in there."
"Well, thank you." Rory said. "Do you need any help?" Lily shook her head. "Alright then, I'll see you at dinner."
"I suddenly feel much more normal," commented Paris as she watched Lily leaved the room.
"She's sweet." Rory said hanging up her clothes. "Besides, this is Venice Beach. The people here are supposed to be eccentric."
"I don't know." Paris shook her head. "Maybe, I'm not giving this place a chance."
"You should Paris. I love it here. I can just feel it." And indeed, Rory did love everything about it. She loved the beach and the ocean in general.
She had fond memories of a trip she and Lorelai took the summer before she started first grade. She remembered they were lying on the beach at twilight. Lorelai was slathering aloe vera on her back after contracting a harsh case of sunburn on her back and mumbling about how the lifeguard was better looking than he was good at applying sunscreen. Rory on the other hand had placed her book down and was staring off into the distance when she saw a group of dolphins jump up out of and back into the water. It made her six year old life complete and there have been few experiences since that have rivaled it.
Rory also enjoyed her new habitat. She loved the house's bright, primary colors and its soft, comforting, pastels. The hip and casual 1950s architecture made it easy to let one's guard down and feel at home. Yet, at the same time the gentle noises of the ocean waves rushing ashore, the playful sea breeze which danced in through the windows and the exotic feel of wet sand and sea shells and silky sheets excited Rory and riled up in her romantic, dreamy, hazy feelings that even books could not.
"Hey, hey," a voice interrupted Rory's trance. "The king has arrived home to his castle and has been instructed to escort his two lovely female guests to dinner," said the stranger at the door, who vaguely reminded Rory and Paris of someone they knew. "You ladies don't know who I am do you?" The stranger asked.
"Well," Paris began. "Judging by your full head of jet black hair, olive complexion and Italian nose I'm guessing you're either here to collect protection money or you're Jess' Dad. Jimmy. Jimmy Mariano"
"You must be Paris," Jimmy said to the blond girl. "Jess told me you were quite the character."
Foreseeing an infamous Paris-Geller-Terminator-Tyraid coming on Rory inserted herself in between Jimmy and Paris and extended her hand out to the older man.
"Mr. Mariano. I feel so silly for not introducing myself. In fact, I can't believe I didn't realize you were Jess' Dad the minute I saw you."
"It's alright baby doll!" He exclaimed pulling Rory in for a hug. "No worries and call me Jimmy. Mr. Mariano is an old man's name. Now that were all on a first name basis shall I escort you to dinner?"
"I'll meet you there!" Paris shouted from the bathroom while Rory slipped out of Jimmy's grasp. "I've got meds to take." Rory hesitated but finally took Jimmy's arm.
"I'll gladly go Jimmy." After a few moments of awkward silence Jimmy struck up a conversation.
"I can't believe you're finally here. The elusive Rory Gilmore, prodigal daughter, sweetheart of Stars Hollow, future journalist, apple of my son's eye, the...I'm going stop myself here before I say something dirty."
"Thanks," Rory flushed. "But I hardly think I'm the apple of his eye."
"Sure you are. He's been excited about you coming for weeks. He tries not to show it but I can see it. Oh, I can see it alright. He must have gotten his taste in women from his mother's side of the family though because I like my women blond and crazy."
"Who are you calling blond?" Sasha asked laughing and setting the table for dinner. Rory comfortably seated herself on the right side of the table in between Lily and the empty chair she wanted to leave open for Jess when Glen walked in.
"Hey Glen, haven't seen you since we started unpacking. How do you like your room?" Rory asked.
"Well, I was scared at first but then I unpacked my Windex, Pinesol and therapeutic bean-bag chair and now I'm much better," commented Glen pouring lemonade for himself and Rory.
"You're staying in Jess' room?" Rory asked slightly taken aback and slightly jealous.
"Umm...yea" Glen stammered in response, while nervously picking at his salad.
"Don't worry Glen!" Paris shouted lazily shuffling into the dining room. "Rory's only jealous because she wishes she was in your position."
"Paris!" Exclaimed Jimmy good-naturedly. "What are those fuzzy contraptions on your feet and what possessed you to wear them to my dinner table?"
"Well Jimmy," Paris began sitting down at the table and cutting into her Rosemary chicken. "For your information these amazing things on my feet are slipper flops; a hybrid of your common household slipper and the beachy flip-flop. They provide the wearer with the practicality of flip-flops and the comfort of slippers. And. I'm wearing them now because it is 7:30 and I am strong believer in the proverb earlier to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. So, I'll most likely be in bed by nine tonight."
"I see, well, you'll have to excuse us. We're just a bunch of night owls around here," said Jimmy.
"It's alright," said Paris coolly. "You should just get used to me in the sight on these, right Rory?"
"You're lucky she's not already in her PJs." The brunette commented.
After dinner Paris has gone to bed and Glen decided to watch TV with the Marianos. To take her mind off Jess Rory decided to curl up with a book and a blanket in the hammock that she had been admiring all day. Rory was surprised at the relative ease with which she climbed into the hammock. However she had a much harder time getting situated with her blanket and book. Finally, she twisted herself up so that she was finally settled in with Kerouac's The Dharma Bums. She had initially thought of The Demons instead but then remembered she was on vacation and that the Russians had a way of making her feel blue.
Eventually, the breeze died down leaving Rory to rock herself back and forth. She tried leaning from side to side. That didn't work. Then she tried shifting her weight quickly from left to right. That didn't work either. In fact she almost tumbled out of the hammock. She thought she heard someone quietly laughing but saw no one and quickly dismissed it. Considering her mission failed she closed her eyes and curled up under her blanket. Soon after, she felt the gentle rocking motion she had so previously desired. It wasn't the wind and it wasn't anything she had done. It couldn't be. The motion was too steady and consistent. What or who could it be? The Yalie was stumped. But, she had to know so, she fluttered open her eyes.
"Jess!" she gasped happily.
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And that's the end of the first chapter kiddies! I hope you all enjoyed it! I know I'm bad a left this chapter off at a little bit of a cliff hanger. I already have chapter two written it just needs to be typed and this author is getting a new macbook so expect chapter two very, very, very soon. What can you expect in chapter two you ask? Well, the gang goes to the beach and the boardwalk, dinner is had at a boardwalk diner that seems vaguely familiar, Paris deals with sunburn, Rory gets highlights, Jess bonds with Lily and Glen discovers tanning. Oh, and did I mention there's some Java Junkie on the way because there so is. Thanks for reading!!!
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