"Are you guys here yet or am I going to have to get a cab home?"
"You won't need a cab. We're just running a little bit late…" In the background she could hear a car starting up, meaning that she was going to be on her own for at least half an hour. "Just grab a drink or something and we'll be there before you know it."
Rory sighed. Being on the road had been exciting at first, but she had spent the last two months looking forward to being at home for Christmas. Obama's campaign trail was going well so far, but she didn't get the political thrill out of it that some other people did. Truthfully, she was exhausted and wanted to go home. Throughout middle school and high school she had idolized Christiane Amanpour and had dreamed of a career being an overseas correspondent, but what she really wanted to do was be close to her family. It had changed so much over the last couple of years, and she didn't like being away for so long.
For the last couple of months Rory had considered resigning from her position on the campaign trail, but it was a risky bet. She didn't have another job lined up and could hardly interview at other places while she was on the road, so if she decided to quit then that was that for the time being. She would always have a place at home, but it seemed too much like moving backwards to move back home. She hadn't discussed it with Lorelai because she knew she would support her no matter what, but she kept going around in circles when she thought about it herself. Rory wasn't much of a spiritual person, but she wanted someone to give her some sort of sign that would push her in one direction or another.
Rory actually sighed as her black suitcase rolled toward her at the baggage claim. It was looking more beat up than usual, thanks to the nearly constant travel. It was fitting, since Rory was feeling more beat up than usual. She doubted a week at home would be enough to recharge completely, but hopefully it would make her feel a little bit more whole. She felt like over the last seven months she had left a lot of herself on metal folding chairs and hotel beds all over the country and that wasn't a great feeling. After graduation she was certain she had done the right thing by turning down Logan's proposal when the campaign job offer came along, but she would be lying if she hadn't wondered a time or two what it would be like to be settled at home somewhere with a fiancé and a regular job. It was probably a lot less stressful.
After a mojito at the airport bar, Rory was feeling a lot less stressed already. Just being in Connecticut was enough to make her feel a little more grounded. She was idly stirring the ice cubes in her class when her phone bleeped with a text, indicating that her mom and Luke were at the airport somewhere. Since it was two days before Christmas the airport was absolutely packed, and she figured there was no way she was going to find them if they were both moving around so she decided to stay put. For once, she felt like the relaxed person in a sea of stressed out people. She was usually the one dashing around, trying to make it to the next plane or bus on time. Now everyone else was racing around, trying to catch a flight somewhere for Christmas. Rory considered ordering another drink to add to this relaxed feeling, but before she could wave the bartender over her mom and Luke wove their way up to the bar.
"Oh, Luke. Seven months on the road and our girl has taken to the bottle. I knew it would happen." Lorelai put her hand over her heart in mock sorrow, even though she was the one who told Rory to grab a drink in the first place.
"Welcome back, Rory," Luke said affably, going straight past Lorelai's comment like he usually did.
"Thanks, Luke," Rory said, hopping off the stool to hug them both. "April didn't want to tag along?"
"She's catching up with some old swim friends today, but she'll be home for dinner. She'll be over at your mom's house," he corrected himself, tripping over his words slightly. "We're having dinner with you guys tonight."
Lorelai picked up Rory's suitcase and grimaced. "You would think after being on the road so much you would learn to pack a little lighter," she said. "And I was going to wait until we got home, but since Luke so gracefully provided me with a segue, I'll just tell you right now. Luke moved into the house."
"Wow, that's great!" Rory wasn't entirely surprised, but it was great news either way. Her mom had been so happy with Luke and both she and Rory had been devastated when the relationship ended. "I'm glad things are going so well for you guys."
"Consider it your Christmas gift," Lorelai said, linking her arm through Rory's. "You and me and Luke and April, all together for the holidays."
Rory smiled. "That does sound great," she agreed. "But that's not my only Christmas present, right?"
Lorelai pouted. "You're gone for months on end and all you're worried about is your presents?"
"I didn't see you for my birthday," Rory pointed out. "I've heard in some cultures the 22nd birthday is the biggest one a girl has."
"Is that so? I didn't realize we were a member of that culture," Lorelai said. "Even so, some presents might have collected while you were gone. And souvenirs from town events. And a few tape recordings of town meetings I attended in your absence."
"Stars Hollow hasn't been the same without you," Luke added.
As her mom and Luke chattered on their way to the car, Rory considered Luke's statement. She hadn't been the same without Stars Hollow, either. She had always prided herself in her independence and desire to travel and experience the world, but it wasn't all it cracked up to be. She was completely burned out. She knew she couldn't live in Stars Hollow forever, but she wanted to live somewhere besides a hotel. This week, she decided. This week she would figure out what she was going to do with her life in the new year.