Author's Note: I'm trying to make the chapters longer, but that means I might not be updating as quickly. So…read and review!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls. If there is something that you don't recognize from the show, it is original and it is mine.

Lorelai arrived early at the country club, but Richard and Emily were even earlier.

"Ahh, Lorelai," Richard said with a smile. He stood up to kiss her cheek and pull out her chair. "How's the firm?"

"Fine, Dad. Nice to see you, Mom."

Emily had a knowing smile on her face. "Hello, Lorelai. Is Adam joining us later?"

Lorelai gave her a confused look. "No...he's not coming."

"Oh." Emily looked over at Richard, who nodded proudly.

"I told you," he said with amusement.

"Told her what?" Lorelai asked.

"Your mother had this notion that you wanted to meet us to announce your engagement to Adam," Richard chuckled. "I, of course, knew that wasn't the case."

"Oh really? Why did you think I wanted to talk to you guys?" Lorelai asked.

"Obviously, you've been made partner at the firm. Congratulations, sweetheart."

"Yes, well done, Lorelai," Emily said flatly.

"Oh, Dad. I didn't make partner," Lorelai said and watched Richard's smile disappear.

"You didn't?" he asked. Lorelai shook her head. "Well, then, what's your news?"

She took a deep breath. "Okay, I just want both of you to stay calm."

Emily and Richard glanced nervously at one another.

"Actually, it's good news. I'm just not sure how you'll take it."

"For God's sake, Lorelai, tell us what's going on," Emily demanded.

"I met my daughter."

"Excuse me?" Richard asked.

"She was the Chilton student you asked me to mentor, Mom. You and Charleston were right, she's a great student," Lorelai said.

"Oh dear," Emily said quietly as she looked into her lap.

"Her name is Rory and she lives in a small town about a half hour away, Stars Hollow. Her dad runs an inn there-"

"Lorelai, how can you be so casual about all this?" Richard asked quietly.

"Dad-"

"Don't you remember how embarrassed and nervous and scared you were? Do you want all of Hartford to find out about your illegitimate child you had when you were sixteen?" Emily asked. "We agreed to keep the past in the past."

"It was difficult when the past walked into my office," Lorelai replied. "And yes, when I was sixteen, I didn't want anyone to know. But I'm an adult now, and she is a great kid, and I have nothing to be ashamed of. I want you to meet her."

"Oh Lorelai, please," Richard said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Why not? She's your grandchild." Lorelai looked at Emily. "Mom?"

Emily patiently took a drink of tea. "Does she want to meet us?"

"Emily-"

Lorelai smiled and interrupted Richard. "Yes. She's so brilliant, Mom, and she's a wonderful girl. I think she would really like to get to know the both of you."

"Well, then why don't you come over for dinner Friday night?" Emily suggested.

"Great. I'll have to check with her first."

"I suppose we should invite her parents as well," Emily added.

Lorelai nodded. "Her dad is a great guy, I'm sure he'd like to come."

"What about her mother?"

Lorelai paused. "Um, she died nine months ago."

"Oh..." Emily said sympathetically, but Richard had grumbled something. "What was that, dear?"

"I see what's going on now," Richard said. "You want her back."

"Oh, Richard, don't be ridiculous," Emily said quickly. "Just because Lorelai is getting to know Rory doesn't mean she's going to quit the firm and raise the girl."

Lorelai was quiet for a second. "I just think she should know her biological family."

"Do you plan on introducing her to Christopher?" Richard asked.

"If she wants to see him and he would like to meet her."

"Why do you want to go open up old wounds?" he asked. "I don't see why-"

"Because she's my daughter!" Lorelai interrupted loudly. "She's my child, Dad. Don't you understand that? Don't you want to see her? She's your only grandchild!"

Richard paused. "I just don't want you to forget what you've been working for all these years. I suggest we drop the matter for now. What is everyone going to order?" Richard asked as he looked at his menu. Lorelai and Emily shared a look, and ended the discussion.

Rory came running into Luke's, and saw Greg sitting at the counter having coffee. "Dad! Lorelai just called!" she said as she sat next to him.

"What did she have to say?" Greg asked, chuckling a little, though Luke didn't find the situation so amusing.

"She invited us to dinner at her parents' house this Friday. Can we go?"

"Sure, that sounds nice."

"Great, I'm going to go study." She stood up.

"I thought you finished your homework this morning," Greg asked.

"I did, but Lorelai said her dad is really well read so I'm going to go catch up on my French poetry." Rory was running out of the diner as quickly as she came in.

"So, the grandparents," Luke said and Greg looked up at him.

"What now?" Greg asked. "You look more cynical than usual."

"Are you sure you want Rory to meet these people?"

"She has a right to meet them."

"There was a reason she gave Rory up," Luke pointed out. "You don't think her parents had something to do with it."

"I'm sure they don't hold anything against Rory. Come on, Luke, I know I was a little unsure about this when Lorelai first showed up, but I think she's a good person and Rory will benefit from knowing her. Most of the town has gotten used to that, everyone thought she was wonderful at the banquet."

Luke hesitated. "You're not going to ask her out, are you?"

Greg sat up. "What? Of course not." Luke narrowed his eyes. "She's Rory's mother."

"And you're Rory's father. You don't think that maybe Rory's thinking-"

"Dana hasn't even been gone a year." Luke didn't respond right away, remembering how much Greg had loved his wife.

"Hey, Greg, I'm sorry-" Luke began, but Greg waved him off as he stood up.

"I'll see you around."

Lorelai was sitting at her desk, picking through a to-go salad that Aaron had picked up for her at the cafe while she was reading a legal journal. When the phone rang, she swallowed her mouthful, and answered, "Lorelai Gilmore."

"Don't you ever say hello when you answer the phone?" Rory asked.

Lorelai smiled. "I try to maintain my professional exterior when talking to clients."

"Oh, so they don't know about the wild night in Spain during World Cup Soccer?" Rory chuckled.

"Hey, you were sworn to secrecy about that night."

"Sorry, I forgot."

Lorelai smiled. "So, what's up?"

Rory was sitting on her bed with piles of books opened around her. "I was just thinking about tomorrow night."

"Are you nervous?" Lorelai asked.

"Well, I haven't read this much since I was cramming for the SATs last fall. I stayed up for 36 hours with coffee in one hand and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare in the other."

Lorelai laughed. "You shouldn't be nervous. They're going to love you, Rory."

"I hope so. I've never met any of my grandparents." She chuckled. "What should I call them?"

"I guess you can't call them Grandma and Grandpa," Lorelai thought out loud, then added silently to herself, since you don't even call me Mom.

"Would Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore be too formal?"

"I think your best bet is Richard and Emily," Lorelai decided. "Oh, and your dad is coming, right?"

"Yeah, he's looking forward to it."

"Good."

Adam came into her office without knocking. "Why haven't you returned my messages?" he asked.

"Adam, I'm in the middle of something," Lorelai said.

He grunted. "You couldn't possibly be talking to a client. You haven't done that for days."

"I can go if you need-" Rory began.

"No, Rory, this will only take a minute." She put the phone to her shoulder. "Adam, you're right, I haven't been doing my best this week. I think I've passed my prime. So, I'm going to retire."

Adam rolled his eyes. "What is this, Lore? Did you get a better offer from someone else?"

"No, I just don't think this is where I want to be anymore. I've got six weeks before I can leave, I know. I'll get all my cases handed off. You'll hardly notice I've left."

"Lorelai-"

"Now, if you'll excuse me." Adam sighed but closed the door. "Sorry about that," Lorelai said, and the girls returned to their conversation.

Rory was shuffling through her closet and pulled out a dress, then turned around, holding it up to her. "What about this?" she asked frantically.

Dean glanced up from the book he'd been looking at while sitting at her desk. Smiling, he said, "That's nice."

She turned back to her closet and took out another dress. "Or I could wear this?"

"That's nice too."

Rory groaned. "You're not being very helpful."

Dean stood up and walked over to her. "Well, stop being all neurotic. You will look great no matter what you wear." He leaned down and kissed her gently, touching her arms. When he leaned back, Rory smiled. Then they heard the doorbell and Rory frowned.

"Rory! Lorelai's here!" Greg called from upstairs.

"I'm not ready yet!" she whined.

"I'll get the door," Dean chuckled as he walked out of her room, closing the door. He walked into the front door and opened it. "Hey, they'll just be a minute. Come in."

"Oh, hi, Dean," Lorelai said as she came inside. "What are you doing here?"

"Just helping Rory get ready. She's really nervous."

"I know. But she'll do great." Lorelai paused. "You really like Rory, don't you?"

"Of course. She's an amazing girl."

"She is."

Dean let out a nervous laugh. "Did I do something wrong?"

Lorelai shook her head. "I just hope you appreciate her."

"I do." Dean felt like someone who had only known Rory a few weeks was judging him. He'd been in love with her a year.

"Hey Lorelai," Greg said as he came downstairs. "You look very nice."

"Oh, thanks," Lorelai said quietly and she suddenly felt that awkward first date feeling when Greg smiled at her.

"What's taking her so long?" Greg chuckled.

"Well, women take more primping than men," Lorelai countered.

"Okay, okay, I'm ready," Rory said as she came out wearing a plain light blue dress and a dark cardigan sweater over it.

"Oh, you look pretty," Lorelai said, making Rory blush. "We should get going, don't want to be late."

"Right," Greg said and the four of them walked outside. Greg walked over to his door and opened the passenger door for Lorelai.

"Oh, we can take my car, you don't know the way," Lorelai hesitated.

"I'm sure I can follow directions." Lorelai got inside and after Greg shut the door, she noticed Dean sitting on his bike and Rory chastely kissing him goodbye. Greg got in the car.

"Does that bother you?" Lorelai asked and Greg looked over.

"No more than it should," he said causally. Dean drove off so Rory came over and got in the back seat. "Ready?" Greg asked as she glanced at her in the rear view mirror. Rory nodded, but both Lorelai and Greg saw her fidgeting.