On Boxing Day Lorelei and Rory were expected for dinner at Lorelei's parents house. "You are so going to chicken out." Rory whispered to her mother while they waited for the door to be answered. They had argued on the entire drive over whether Lorelei would actually tell her parents that she and Luke were getting married and that they were about to become grandparents again.
"I think one surprise is enough for today." Lorelei hissed just as the door came swinging open. Emily stood there with Richard behind her. Rory and Lorelei exchanged surprised looks. They had not seen the two of them together is months.
"Merry Christmas." Emily practically sang out holding her arms out to first Rory and then her daughter. Richard followed suite.
"It's the maids day off," Richard informed them after ushering them into the house. "So, I will take your coats for you."
"And I'll just check on dinner," Emily said setting off in the direction of the kitchen. "Margaret prepared everything Christmas Eve and left instructions for me to heat it up."
"Okay," Lorelei said in a very low voice griping Rory's wrist as they sat down in the living room, "Who are they?"
"I know," Rory whispered back "They both look happier then they have in months. Do you think they called a truce for today, it still being technically the holiday's and all?"
Their whispered conversation came to an abrupt stop when Richard and Emily made their appearance into the room together. "Now," Richard said heartily, "Drinks. What would everyone like?"
"Just soda for me, Grandpa." Rory said turning around to look at him.
"And Lorelei?" He asked. "A Vodka twist?"
"Actually, I think I'll have soda as well." Lorelei said casually avoiding looking at anyone in particular.
"Oh, don't be silly." Emily said with a flick of her wrist. "Two Vodka twists, Richard. This is a celebration after all, a day late, but still a celebration."
Lorelei shot Rory a guilty look. Her daughter only smirked and mouthed 'chicken.'
"Actually, Dad," she said. "I really just want a soda."
Emily, who up until this point seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood turned to her daughter with narrowed eyes. "You never want soda, you always want a vodka twist. Why should today be any different?"
Shifting nervously in her seat Lorelei smiled. "I am just suffering a little holiday overload," she said patting her stomach ignoring Rory's snicker. "I'm just gonna stick with soda today."
"Nonsense," Emily dismissed. "You can have one holiday drink with your parents and then you can drink all the soda you want." motioning for her husband to go on and pour the drinks.
"No, mom," Lorelei said, her voice raised. "I want a soda."
"For Heaven's sake, Lorelei," Emily finally exploded. "Why are you being so difficult."
"Because I'm pregnant!" She practically yelled.
The room fell quiet, Richard froze, holding a bottle of vodka in his hand and Emily simply stared at Lorelei, her mouth hanging open, slightly.
Taking control, Lorelei ran her hands down her thighs. "Yep, I'm going to have a baby. I wasn't going to tell you and dad until after I'd been to the doctor, I only found out the other day. And while I am stunning everyone into silence I might as well tell you that Luke and I are engaged." She held up her left hand to show off her ring.
Rory was surprised that she came out with it and so quickly. She knew how hard it was for her mother to be honest with her parents about normal everyday things, and this was definitely not an everyday situation.
Reaching over, Rory squeezed her mother's hand encouragingly. Lorelei kept her head held high, she was not going to back down or make excuses or apologize.
Richard was the first to react. Setting down the bottle vodka he walked over to his daughter who stood up to face him. Taking hold of her by the shoulders he leaned in and kissed her cheek before pulling her in for a hug. "Congratulations." He said patting her back. "Wonderful news, isn't it?" He asked turning to his wife.
"Yes, wonderful news," Emily agreed looking a bit dazed but standing up to congratulate Lorelei. She examined the ring and said all the right things. "I hope you are very happy."
Later, all four of them sat at the table, speaking easily. "I suppose we will be expanding our little dinners to five now." Emily commented on Lorelei's upcoming marriage to Luke. "Well, six soon enough." Casting a glance at Lorelei.
Peeking over at Rory Lorelei mouthed, 'Who are they?"
"And Rory," she continued unaware that she was puzzling both her daughter and grand daughter. "Maybe sometime you'll bring Logan along."
"Yes, maybe." Rory said staring down at he plate.
"Wonderful young man, that Logan." Richard boomed from the end of the table.
"He certainly is," Emily agreed taking a dainty bite of chicken. "I don't suppose you've met him yet?" She asked Lorelei.
"Actually, I have." Lorelei told them. "We had a Christmas Eve party and he came. I really like him."
Rory felt slightly uncomfortable to have her entire family discussing her relationship with Logan.
"I actually went for lunch with Catherine, Logan's mother, the day after the party. Some last minute shopping, you know." She said in an offside sort of manner, which meant they went especially to discuss Rory and Logan. "And she thought you were absolutely darling, Rory."
Blushing Rory muttered "oh, that's nice," continuing to be very interested in the contents on her plate. She was being discussed by middle aged society matrons as lunch time conversation. What was her life coming to?
"She seems to be under the impression that her son is quite taken with our young lady here." Emily smiled fondly looking at her granddaughter. "Of course I'm not in the least bit surprised."
"They're going to a party New Years Eve," Lorelei confided ignoring the daggers Rory was shooting at her with her eyes. She knew her mother was just trying to move the topic of subject further and further from herself and was therefore offering her young as a sacrifice.
"Now, that's nice." Richard said setting down his fork and looking at Rory with interest, perhaps realizing for the first time that his granddaughter and Logan were more then friends as she had first insisted. "Where is it?"
"I'm really not sure," she admitted toying with the food on her plate. "Logan asked, I said yes. I didn't ask any questions."
"Have you bought a dress yet?" her grand mother asked eagerly.
Startled she looked up. She hadn't even considered having to buy another dress. She had already used up her emergency fund and she didn't feel right hitting her mother up for a dress and asking her to replenish her emergency fund. Dating Logan was becoming expensive. "No, I haven't." she finally admitted.
"Well, then why don't we go shopping sometime before New Years." Emily said, excited at the prospect of shopping. "It'll be fun."
Looking helplessly at her mother for support she had no choice but to agree.
On their drive home later on Rory and Lorelei went over the evening. "Okay, so seriously. What is going on?" Rory asked. "They seemed exactly like they always have, together you know."
"I know." Her mother pondered equally as confused. "Dad even seemed to be living there. I mean, I didn't go and check to see if his toothbrush was in the bathroom or not but I definitely got the impression he wasn't going to be trudging back out to the pool house after we left."
"I was scared to ask." Rory admitted. "In case I jinxed it or something. I just hope they are back together. They belong together. I guess I am going to find out when Grandma and I go dress shopping later this week." She said casting her mother a nasty look.
"Better you then me," Lorelei laughed. "If they are happy with you, I figure they are willing to overlook what they would otherwise pick me to death about."
"Glad to be of service to you," Rory said and actually meant it. It was about time her mother had some happiness in her life and someone to share it with. Eventually her grandparents might realize that as well.
As if reading her daughter's mind Lorelei reached over and patted Rory's knee, "It's gonna be a good year, Babe. I just know it."