Hey! Hope you enjoyed the last chapter! I would appreciate more reviews saying so, but whatever. So now Rory and Betsy each have to take up a sport. Luke attempts to teach Rory how to play softball, and Betsy takes a ballroom dance class that has some interesting participants Enjoy! Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or That '70s Shows. I would, however, gladly claim ownership of Luke and Hyde if someone offered them.
The Danes-Gilmore-Mariano Home- Stars Hallow, Connecticut- September 31, 1997
Lorelai Gilmore was calmly sipping her coffee and enjoying the Arts and Leisure section of the paper while her five year old quietly colored his Thomas the Train coloring book. They were both waiting for Luke to be done making his famous homemade waffles. Lorelai didn't even know waffles existed out of a box until she married Luke, but now she would never go back. It was rare that they had a nice quiet morning like this, but Lorelei didn't have to go into the Inn until nine, and Luke had Caesar open the diner that morning. The only thing missing was their two teenagers.
Rory made her way into the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee, and sat down at the table, taking a long sip. Then she put her head on the table, slightly jostling her coffee cup.
Lorelai looked up from the paper. "What's wrong, sweets?" she asked her daughter.
"I have to play a sport," Rory complained, her head now up and propped up on her hands. "I can't play sports! I have absolutely no athletic ability."
Lorelai looked like she was considering this dilemma. "Can you fake a limp?" This caused Rory to glare at her. Will laughed, finding his sister's expression funny. "Okay, sorry! What are your options?"
"Golf, tennis, swimming, lacrosse, basketball, softball..." Rory recited.
Luke looked up from where he was placing the waffles on plates. "I could teach you how to play softball."
Rory perked up, relieved that she would have someone showing her the ropes. "Really?"
Luke smiled. "Yeah. I'll show you how to throw and hit. You'll be a pro in no time." He placed a plate of waffles in front of her. "Now eat!"
The family all sat down and dug into their waffles. Jess was still missing, but Rory assumed he was still doing his hair. Jess was oddly particular about how messy his hair looked. "I'll take you to the batting cages tomorrow," Luke told Rory.
"Who's going to the batting cages tomorrow?" Jess asked as he walked into the kitchen. Luke gestured to the plate waiting on the counter for Jess, which he grabbed and sat down.
"I am. Luke's going to teach me how to play softball," Rory stated. Jess laughed. "What's so funny?"
"You, playing softball? Rory, how many times did you actual ever even change into your gym uniform? Like, twice?" Jess mocked.
Rory glared at him. "It's none of your business, Gel-Head!" She smirked when Jess's face turned red.
To make it funnier, Will started chanting Gel-Head quietly under his breath. Finally, Lorelai had enough. "Will, please stop that," she requested. Unlike his best friend, who would've kept going (and at a louder volume) until he was out of breath, Will stopped.
Luke give his nephew a stern look. "Well, since you're since interested, you can come with us. Help me teach the 'un-teachable'." The way Luke said that meant it wasn't a request.
Jess whined uncharacteristically. "Uncle Luke..."
"No buts. We'll go to the batting cages, teach Rory how to throw, and maybe I'll even take you two to that bookstore in Hartford." This perked both Rory and Jess up. The last time they were in Hartford, they had discovered a little bookstore that had practically everything and was dirt cheap.
Will looked up from his plate. "Daddy, can I go too?" he asked politely. For some reason Lorelei couldn't figure out, both her children were strangely polite.
Luke looked over at his wife, who was giving him a warning look that said, 'My son gets hurt, and you sleep on the couch for a month'. "I don't know, bud. Ask your mom."
Will turned to his mom and gave her big puppy dog eyes like Betsy had taught him to do. "Please, Mommy?"
Lorelei, not able to resist her son's pout, sighed. "Fine, but you better be wearing a helmet." Will was practically jumping up and down for happiness. "Now, off to school! All of ya, scram!"
All three kids grabbed their backpacks and headed towards the door, shouting goodbyes. Will headed over to Jackie's house since it was her day to take Mickey and Will to school while Jess, Betsy, and Rory walked together into town. Their bust stop was on the way to Stars Hallow High so Jess always made the walk with them, talking about almost everything. Of course, now they waited for Betsy. When she finally emerged, the three headed out.
Lorelei watched her kids go and smiled. She loved this family she and Luke had built. Her husband seemed to be thinking the same because, after he loaded the dishwasher, he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck. Life was good.
Marchette's Dance Studio- Hartford, Connecticut- October 1, 1997
Betsy stretched her long legs, looking around the room curiously. When she had heard Chilton required a sport, she had desperately searched for a loophole. Betsy Kelso simply did not do sports. Athleticism was not in her genes. Her father had not been allowed on any sport teams in high school because they were afraid he'd cause extreme injuries or just blow up the field in general. In fact, none of her uncles were athletic in high school. "Would've failed the drug test," Uncle Hyde liked to joke, usually wincing afterwards from the elbow to the rib Aunt Jackie gave him. Similarly, her mom had avoided sports to focus on school.
Luckily, there had never been a rule or requirement her aunt hadn't been able to find her way around. Disappointed there was no cheerleading squad or dance team, Aunt Jackie had made quite a few calls to Chilton, complaining about their lack of an arts/drama program. A few similar calls, some subtle threats, and a little flirting later, Jackie had been able to convince Chilton to offer a dance class as an alternative to sports. Betsy would've been scared of her aunt if she hadn't been so impressed. There was one catch. Chilton had insisted that the class had to be open to both male and female student so it turned into a ballroom dancing class.
Still, Betsy didn't mind as long as she didn't have to throw a ball or run. She knew Uncle Luke had offered to teach Rory softball and would've gladly included Betsy in the offer had she asked, but she had no desire to play any kind of sport.
"Not the kind of girl who likes to sweat, huh?" Betsy turned around to see Tristan DuGrey standing there, smirking at her. "I wouldn't have figured you for that type."
Betsy raised an eyebrow. "And what type is that?"
Tristan motioned his head towards Madeline and Louise, who were eagerly flirting with two guys in muscle t-shirts she didn't recognize. "You know, the prissy type."
Betsy didn't know why she felt the need to defend herself from this accusation, but she did say, "I'm not. I'm also not the super athletic type." Tristan looked at her curiously. "I have two left feet," she explained. Now that she thought about it, why was Tristan here? "And you?"
"I heard girls like guys who can dance," he answered cockily.
Betsy rolled her eyes. "I'm guessing you were always picked last for dodgeball?"
Tristan pretended to look offended. "My friends were always the captains. Of course I was picked first!"
The dance teacher clapped her hands together, grabbing everyone's attention. "Okay, welcome to ballroom dancing! I'll be your teacher. You can call me Miss Tay or just Tay. I'm going to partner you up based on height and a little bit of random chance."
Finally, she got to Betsy's name. "Betsy Kelso with Tristan DuGrey." Betsy immediately felt eyes on her. She was still the mysterious new girl at Chilton, and anyone associated with Tristan was immediately on the map.
She looked over at Tristan, who was smirking. This was going to be very interesting, she decided.
Mel's Batting Cages- Stars Hallow, Connecticut- October 1, 1997
Rory clutched the bat tightly, trying to imitate the stance Luke had shown her. Apparently, there was more to hitting the ball than just hitting the ball. Luke had shown her how to set up her feet, adjust her shoulders, hold the bat, and follow through when she swung. She stood there, taking a deep breath.
"Ready?" Luke asked, standing by the machine you used to start up the balls.
Rory smiled nervously. "Ready!" she said back. Luke started the machine. A ball came flying at her. She was so shocked by it that she forgot to hit the ball.
"You do know you have to swing the bat to hit the ball, right?" Jess mocked from his spot next to Will, who he was tossing a baseball around with.
Rory stuck her tongue out at him, which only made him laugh. "Ignore him," Luke advised. "The pitch was a little too low anyway. Just get ready for the next pitch."
She got into positioned and waited for the pitch. She swung and hit the ball down the ground. While Luke kind of looked proud, Jess still seemed to be laughing at her. Rory narrowed her eyes and got into position yet again. There was a fierce determination in her eyes, however, and swung hard. The ball flew into the fence and made a hard clank.
Jess's eyes widened. Luke had a proud grin on his face while Will looked excited. "Go, Rory!" he cheered. She smiled, exiting the batting cages and taking off her helmet, tossing it to Jess.
"Your turn," she said teasingly.
Jess grinned. "Bring it Gilmore," he said, putting on the helmet. The next two hours were pleasantly spent. Jess and Rory squabbled over who hit better and showed Will how to hit while Luke took his own turn in the cage.
Once he hit his last pitch, Luke stopped and looked at his watch. It was already five o'clock, and dinner was at seven. He knew it would it be at least an hour in the bookstore. "Kids, it's time to go!" he said, gathering up all their equipment. Rory helped him out while Will rode on Jess's back. He smiled involuntarily. When Liz had showed up at his diner with a baby Jess, he had been reluctant. It didn't take long for his nephew to capture his heart.
And now he had a family, a wonderful one. He had long considered Rory his daughter, and marrying Lorelai had only solidified that. He adored his son. In addition, there was Jackie and Hyde and his godson Micky. There was a lot to be grateful for.
"Race you to the car!" Rory shouted, breaking off into the parking lot. Jesse ran after her, Will squealing in delight. Luke smiled. He really did love his kids.