Finn is the gatekeeper, being that he has the most reliable memory and ability to put things in a place to be found when a night of drunken revelry gets out of hand. However; it looks like he forgot something rather important, as did everyone else. Post AYITL
Disclaimer: So not mine, jeepers if they were, do you think I'd be writing for free?
A/N: Wow! Thank you all for the support, this is an odd idea that popped into my head and I am so pleased with how well you are all receiving it! I appreciate all the reviews, favorites and follows, you really are an amazing audience for my muse, THANK YOU!
What They All Forgot
Chapter 2 – And That's Lunch
Rory was sitting in her grandfather's office, it was the only room in the once stately Gilmore home her grandmother had yet to touch, for that she was grateful, it allowed her to write her story and her mother's in a place of safety and inspiration. She typed her notes as she remembered them and began organizing them in a story web she wanted to see the overlaps and be sure to capture the artful chaos that was growing up the daughter of a runaway teen in small town USA. Sher stretched her back glanced at the desk clock and realized it was past lunch time. She scrubbed her hands over her face and padded to the kitchen in search of sustenance. She had just begun to build her sandwich when her cell phone rang.
"This is Rory." She answered and held the phone between her neck and shoulder while she dressed the bread and halved the sandwich.
"Hey girly, I wanted to get together before the bridal shower and fittings, are you free for lunch?" Stephanie giggled.
Rory looked at her sandwich and figured, 'it'll keep', "Sure I am staying at my grandparent's house so I can meet you. Did you want to meet at the club, or did you have a place in mind?" She moved to a drawer and retrieved a baggy for the abandoned lunch.
"Actually, Colin can't make the tasting at the banquet hall, please come with! I can be there in five minutes." She had her sweetest voice on.
Rory reconsidered the sandwich, "Of course, you are the bride and shouldn't have to do the tasting alone, I'll be ready when you get here." They said their goodbyes and Rory dashed upstairs to change from her comfy Yale sweats. She had just finished slipping on her boots and securing her ponytail when the bell rang. One more quick look, and she was down the stairs to head to a tasting of what was sure to be DAR approved fare. "Hey Steph, you look cute as always, just six more weeks and you will be Mrs. McCrea, are you ready?"
Steph looped arm through Rory's as Rory secured the house, "More than you can imagine. I can't believe we are finally here, truth tough, I always thought you and Logan would be the first, hell we all did, and now he is marrying someone his parents approve of and you are writing the great American novel. Who would have thought? Oh, by the way, I have a hot single cousin you are just going to adore, so come open minded okay?"
They cruised along the interstate to the coveted Woodwinds venue, the stately European styled manor was just what one would expect, it had an old-world charm and elegance that suited Stephanie to a tee. The car came to a stop and they were helped from the car and led directly to the dining room where the man himself, Chef Silvo greeted them.
"Ladies, welcome, I was not aware this was a modern wedding." He looked at the slip, it clearly said Colin and Stephanie, perhaps one of them was transitioning?
Steph beamed, " no chef, this is Rory Gilmore, my maid of honor, Colin had a last-minute deposition so she kindly agreed to accompany me."
"Gilmore, do you happen to be relation to Lorelai Gilmore of the Dragonfly, and know her wonderful chef Sookie" He beamed.
"Actually yes, Lorelai is my mom and Sookie is my godmother, I was raised on her wonderful food and don't get me started on the 'Miracle Risotto'. She returned his enthuastic smile, and Stephanie squeezed her arm.
"Well Ms. Stephanie, you have chosen a perfect pallet for your tasting companion, I am sure you will have a wedding feast to remember with her assistance. Shall we?" He waived them to a table that had been preset with the dishes she had chosen earlier and she positively glowed at how lovely they were.
"Chef, I didn't expect a preview of the place settings, thank you, it is a beautiful as I hoped." The soft cameo glowed under the light and the kiss of gold around the edge gave just the right touch of style. She and Rory took their seats and he proceeded to wave the staff to begin the starting appetizers, small plates of stuffed mushroom, mini quiche, mini wellingtons, salmon puffs and periwinkles, each was a delight the palette, Rory even found she enjoyed the subtle flavor of the periwinkle that slipped easily from its shell with the clever pick. Next came the soup course they had three to choose from, a woodland mushroom, classic white chowder and a decadent lobster bisque which the ladies agreed upon immediately. A simple salad course was presented, the classic Cesar, then the three main courses presented, steak Diane, chicken Cordon Blue, and sand dabs in a heady butter sauce, they approved all three for guest options, sides of bacon-wrapped grilled asparagus, sautéed mini zucchini with an herb sauce and fingerling potatoes with rosemary, each dish was sure to please. Since the chef knew and respected Sookie he was agreeable to allow her to provide the cake, something he did not normally allow, but he so wished to know the lady and her eccentricities better. In all the tasting was a hit and Rory regretted none of it, the food was elegant and would be the talk of the season. The ladies thanked the chef and he graciously accepted their praises assuring them will would be exactly as served today on the day of the wedding.
They slipped into the waiting car and were amazed that over two hours had passed, Stephanie leaned back with her hand on her tummy, "I don't know how you did it Gilmore, I know you have a famous appetite, but you even ate the vegetables and I don't recall your even ever eating vegetables before, care to let me in on your secret and don't think I didn't notice your avoiding the wines or forgoing coffee, spill."
Rory looked her friend, and knew she could trust her, "Well my dress may have to be let out a bit and not because of my appetite." She raised her brows hoping her friend got the hint.
"No, oh, my GOD! You're pregnant?! Rory, careful, Gilmore is pregnant, who, how, why?" Steph gushed and perched forward.
"Yup, six weeks, the usual way and the usual suspect." She sighed and laid her head back on the bench. "He came to say goodbye, I broke with him months ago when she moved in, it just felt wrong to continue, then six weeks ago he and the boys show up and take me on my own 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride' the night was pure magic, it is the night Colin bought the King's Head in New Hampshire that my mom is helping with since he can't resell it to save his soul."
"He told me he had it settled, I thought he had sold it." She sighed, "Well at least it is in your mom's capable hands she is sure to turn it around. Did you tell him, does Logan know?" Stephanie pat her friend's hands with her own, "You have to tell him, you know that, right?"
"I know, but this isn't an email or a text, this face to face, I know he is in town starting next week for the wedding fittings, parties and such, I am sure he and I can work in a discreet meal, and I will tell him then. I also know Odette isn't due to arrive until the week of the wedding." She sighed noting Stephanie's look of amazement at her knowledge of Logan's schedule. "Finn, he called me out of the blue, took me to lunch, one I promptly lost, bought me the stick, held my hand while waiting the timer, then held me as I sobbed. He has been amazing, I can't believe how wonderful he has been, he even scheduled me with a very discrete OB the day before the fitting so I can work with the seamstress, perhaps have a sliming panel inserted to assure privacy in the matter." She tapered off.
"Wow, a baby and you are keeping it, just wow and thank you for keeping it a secret, I would have never asked, but thank you." The women rode the rest of the way to the Dragonfly in silence. Sookie would be so pleased to make the cake.
