I would hate me too. It took me a really long time to get this chapter out. It's long, but I feel like I could have gone on still. I spared you that, though. At least I know what's coming next. I'm sorry it took so long, but I'm done with school for the summer. I'll be updating more. The title of this chapter is Any Other World by Mika. I'm not really a fan of Mika, but this song does things to me. I hope you enjoy...
It was finally Rory's birthday. She was off of work on Thursday and Friday so that she could get to Stars Hollow and spend her actual birthday with her mother. As soon as she pulled into the driveway Lorelai and Paul Anka ran out to greet her. Rory ran into her mother's open arms, smiling.
"Happy birthday, beautiful daughter!" Lorelai screeched and Rory jumped back at the sudden volume.
"Thank you," she said and Lorelai held her hand over her head to let her spin. Rory stopped with a smile before bending over and patting the dog. "Hi, boy."
"I'll grab your stuff, you take him inside," Lorelai demanded. Rory ran with Paul Anka up the steps and into her childhood home. He ran up the stairs to the master bedroom while Rory followed the sounds of Luke's muffled swearing into the kitchen.
"Rory! Happy birthday," Luke said as he turned the stove off.
"Thanks Luke!" Rory said, smiling. "What are you doing here in the middle of the day on a Thursday?"
"Your mom asked me to come over and make you guys lunch, so I took a little break," he said, arranging dishes. They heard Lorelai come into the house and the sounds of Rory's rolling duffle behind her.
"Luke, you didn't have to do that. We could have come to the diner to eat," Rory told him. "Mom, why did you make Luke leave the diner just to come home and work for you?"
"I wanted some alone time with my precious daughter before I let her into town on her twenty-sixth birthday," Lorelai explained, leaving Rory's bag against the wall. "Everyone is very excited to see you."
"Well, thank you, Luke," Rory said and Luke nodded.
"I should get back, but I'll be home pretty early tonight," he told them, kissing Lorelai before leaving the house.
"This looks delicious," Rory said, excitedly. She sat down in front of a full plate across the table from Lorelai. "Did you tell him what to make, too?"
"Oh no, Luke knows us well enough to know what kind of things we like on our birthdays," Lorelai told her. They both began eating. "So, when is your boyfriend joining us tomorrow?"
"Jess actually won't be here for the party," Rory said, quietly. "I didn't tell you that?"
"No, you didn't. Are you guys fighting? Do you want me to kick his ass?"
"Mom, no. We're fine. He's actually got some pretty exciting things lined up for the next couple of days. He's speaking in two different classes at NYU today and tomorrow and then he and Matthew are meeting with a perspective author."
"So, he's not celebrating with you on your birthday? That's kind of a bummer."
"Yeah, it is," Rory conceded. "It's good for him, though. Plus, we went to dinner this past weekend when I was in Philly. He promised he'd call me before the day ended."
"Well, he better," Lorelai said. "If he doesn't, I will make Luke kick his ass."
"I don't think it will be necessary, but thank you," Rory said. They continued eating until Rory realized her mom had brought in her suitcase. "Why'd you bring my bag in? I just have to take it back out to the car when I go to the diner, anyway."
"Well, I figured, you could stay here in your old room slash April's current room. She won't be here until tomorrow night."
"I guess I could do that," Rory considered. "It might be fun to stay in there for a change. I miss it."
"Well, for tonight, it is all yours," Lorelai promised, squeezing Rory's hand across the table. "When's your other boyfriend coming? And Paris?"
"They're driving in together tomorrow," Rory said. "They're leaving their boyfriends in the city and we're all going to enjoy our weekend sans significant others."
"That should be fun; I bet Paris doesn't get to do that a lot."
"She never does. Between the hospital and Doyle, she's a very busy lady. I hope she has fun this weekend," Rory told her.
That night, after dinner with Luke, Lorelai, Sookie, and Lane, Rory was lying in her bed typing up some notes for work. It was nearly midnight and Jess hadn't called yet. Granted, Rory wouldn't be thinking about it if Lorelai hadn't brought it up at dinner and Lane didn't sound so unfazed. It made her feel like she was in high school again, her mother and her best friend were second guessing Jess's feelings and commitment and Rory couldn't blame them. They didn't see Jess as he was; they still saw him as a teenager. Lying in bed, lonely, she saw him the same way.
When her phone finally did ring, it was 11:58. "Hi," she said.
"Happy birthday," Jess said.
"Barely," Rory reminded him.
"Rory, please don't be mad," Jess pleaded as he sat on his bed in his hotel room.
"Jess, I'm not mad. I just feel a little like Samantha Baker."
"I didn't forget your birthday."
"Then why are you calling me so damn late?" Rory asked, putting her computer on the floor.
"I was busy all day and by the time I realized what time it was I figured I'd wait to be the last one to say it."
"That's a horrible excuse," Rory hissed, standing from her bed to pace. "You're a writer, Jess. I'd figure you'd come up with something a little more clever."
"Are you seriously picking a fight with me over this?" Jess asked as he kicked his shoes off.
"Just admit that you forgot my birthday and we'll be done with this."
"Done with what, Rory? This argument or something else?"
"Are you trying to break up with me… on my birthday?!"
"You are the one who's making it sound like you want to break up. That's what I was questioning," Jess yelled slamming his fist against the bed. "Also, it's not your birthday anymore."
"Did you, or did you not, forget my birthday?" Rory asked fiercely, avoiding the question at hand.
"No, Rory. I did not forget your birthday," Jess answered. "But I wish that I had, maybe then we wouldn't be having this fucking fight over nothing." With that he hung up the phone and Rory threw hers against her pillows.
She plugged it into the charger and shut the light off before settling into bed. It took a while for her to fall asleep. She was pissed at Jess and he had hung up on her. Some grown up relationship they were in; their first fight back together and they couldn't even resolve it. She was sure that she wouldn't be the one to apologize. Jess should have called a lot earlier. He should have made it a point to make it to her party, even if he had to bring Matthew along with him.
"I heard some yelling last night," Lorelai said when she found Rory in the kitchen waiting for the coffee to brew.
"Jess finally called," she explained shortly. "What do we need to do for the party tonight?"
"Whoa, Ror, do you want to talk about the Jess thing?"
"No, I want to make sure that the party tonight is a raving hit," Rory said just as the pot finished filling. "What should I do to help?"
"Nothing, it's your party so you should take the day off," Lorelai told her, watching her pour coffee into a travel mug. "Go wait for your friends. You said last night they would be here around one, right?"
"Yes, and they will definitely be here by then. I talked to Paris this morning," Rory said. "I'll bring my stuff to Luke's and hang out with Lane and the boys until they get close. Let me know, though, if you need any help."
"Go to Lane's. Steve and Kwan will be so excited to see you," Lorelai said, ushering Rory out of the kitchen. "April is watching them and Doula tonight. The whole town over the age of eighteen is going to be here."
"Great, I can't wait."
Rory took her bag and got into her car. As she drove through town and saw all of the people, she couldn't help but get excited about the party. She really missed everyone. She couldn't wait for the shenanigans that could play out. Someone was bound to make out with someone inappropriate and there was sure to be at least one public break up. No matter how old she was getting, nothing excited her more than a real Stars Hollow get-together.
After she dropped her stuff off at Luke's and filled her coffee cup again, she walked over to Lane and Zach's house. She couldn't wait to see the boys. The last time she was in town and she went to Lane's, they were heading to take a nap. It was early enough, though, that they were still awake when she got there.
She let herself into the small house and found Steve and Kwan sitting in front of the TV watching some ridiculous show that only three year olds could find entertaining. Lane was in the kitchen cleaning the dishes when Rory found her.
"They are so distracted, that they didn't notice their favorite aunt walk past them," she said when Lane turned around.
Lane checked her watch. "Well, it's their favorite show," she said. They hugged and walked to the living room to sit on the couch behind the twins. "How was the rest of your birthday?"
"If by that, you mean, did Jess ever end up calling me? The answer is yes. He called two minutes before my birthday ended," Rory said, flopping back into her seat.
"That could either be really sweet or really stupid," Lane decided.
"How could that ever be sweet? He forgot my birthday until the very last possible minute."
"Maybe it was a Jess way of being sweet. It's cliché to try and be the first person to say happy birthday, but he wanted to be the last," Lane explained and Rory groaned. "Or, he really could have been brain dead and he forgot."
"He said that he wanted to be the last one to say it, but I don't believe it. Things have been so good between us that he didn't want to admit that he was wrong and it ended up starting a fight anyways."
"Maybe," Lane said.
"You believe him?"
"I didn't say that," Lane defended. "I am always on your side, Rory; especially when it comes to Jess."
"Thank you."
"Just let him explain if he tries to again. I'm guessing one of you ended the conversation abruptly."
"You know us so well," Rory laughed.
"I know that you two love each other and, even if he did forget your birthday, things will be okay."
"Thanks," Rory said, solemnly. "Anyways, are you excited for the party tonight?"
"I am really excited," Lane gushed. "Zach and I haven't really gone out without the boys in a while. We both need a night out; your birthday is the perfect excuse."
"I'm glad I can help, then. You two deserve some time off," Rory decided.
"So do you; good thing you got yourself a nice long weekend. Thursday to Sunday in your hometown to celebrate your birthday; that's not too shabby."
"I'm glad to be home. I even got to stay in my room last night. I haven't done that in at least two years. I always loved my room."
"Your room was the setting for so many of our childhood memories. I've always loved that room, too."
"I know. Not just my room either, that house is my favorite place in the world. It's been redone and looks so different, but it feels the same. Is that weird?"
"No. We've had your birthday parties there for the past twenty years. We've spent endless hours talking about boys and hanging out with boys. Your house was always my safe haven. I met my husband in your garage, you know? You met your boyfriend during some disastrous dinner on his second night in town."
"Not to mention, Mom has been through so much there. All of the men in her life; my dad, Luke, Jason, Max. All of us have basically grown up in that house and I wouldn't want it any other way."
All of a sudden, they realized that Steve was standing up from his spot on the floor and the credits of the show were rolling. "Potty," he said, plainly.
"Go potty and yell for Mommy if you need any help," Lane said and Steve ran towards the bathroom. Kwan sat down on the couch between Rory and his mother. Rory pulled him to sit on her lap.
"Heya Kwan," she said causing him to smile. "What are you doing today?"
"Mommy's taking me to the park and then Abril is playing wit Eve and me," he told her. "Doula, too."
"Wow," Rory said. "That sounds like so much fun. I bet you can't wait to do those things." Kwan smiled again before leaping off her lap and running towards his bedroom.
"I'm going to go check on Steve. I'll be right back," Lane said, standing from the couch.
Rory took her phone out of her pocket to check for any messages. There weren't any, but she knew that she should get going to meet Paris and Alex at the diner. So, when Lane came back into the living room after putting the boys down for their nap, they talked and drank a cup of coffee each.
"I'll see you tonight," Rory said as she opened the door.
"I can't wait. Everyone's really excited," Lane told her, leaning against the wall. "We'll be there at eight."
"Bye, Lane."
Rory left and walked towards the diner. She wanted Alex and Paris to get their things settled before they decided on anything else. Alex would want to buy some alcohol for the party and Paris would want to eat. When she got to the diner, Lorelai was sitting at the counter with bags all around her stool. Luke was on the phone, standing at the register.
"Hi, Mom," Rory said, sitting next to her.
"Rory, hi. What are you doing here?" Lorelai asked, kicking some of the bags away from Rory and her line of sight.
"It's almost one," she reminded her mother. "Paris and Alex will be here any minute."
"I guess I lost track of time," Lorelai admitted, sipping her coffee.
"Who's Luke talking to?" Rory asked. "He doesn't look too ecstatic."
"It might be Jess, but I don't know."
"Why would he be mad at Jess?"
"I don't know, Sweetie. He's been on the phone ever since I got in here. I had to get this cup of coffee myself; perks of being the owner's wife, I guess."
"That's weird," Rory thought aloud. "The Jess thing, not you getting your own coffee. You did that before you got married."
"Want one?"
"Please."
Lorelai walked to the other side of the counter and poured a cup for Rory. "I'm going to go home, though. I'll see you a little later."
"Are Grandma and Grandpa coming?" Rory asked once Lorelai was standing next to her again.
"Yes, they are. They'll be there by eight, but they said that they couldn't stay long."
"Maybe it's a good thing Jess couldn't make it, then. The three of them don't need any interactions."
"That's a good way of looking at it," Lorelai laughed. She leaned towards Rory and kissed her cheek. "Love you, Sweets."
As Lorelai left the diner, Rory could see Paris's car outside. She drank her coffee and strained to hear Luke while Paris and Alex made their way inside. Luke seemed stressed; she couldn't hear him very well, but she could see the vein in his neck and he kept playing with his baseball hat with his free hand.
"Hi, Princess," Alex whispered into her ear. She turned around, smiling and hugged him tightly.
"Hi," she screeched. "Hi, Paris!"
"Happy birthday," she said, putting her bag next to her feet.
"You already said that yesterday, but thank you," Rory said, smiling. "Come on, we should get your things upstairs." As they walked by Luke he looked at Rory smiling. It just confused her more. She still didn't know whether or not he was talking to Jess. Once they reached the apartment, Rory explained who would sleep where. "Paris, you can sleep in the bigger bed, Alex the couch pulls out to a bed and that's all yours."
"Sounds perfect," Alex exclaimed. He put his bag next to the couch and Paris put hers on Luke's old bed.
"We haven't eaten yet. We figured the three of us could get something together. Then, we can all go to the liquor store," Paris suggested taking in the apartment. "You're taking Jess's bed?"
"I always do," Rory told her. "And the plan sounds great. We can eat downstairs if you want to."
"I love Luke's food," Alex announced. "And did Jess ever end up calling you last night?"
"He did two minutes before midnight. He said that he wanted to be the last one to say it," Rory told him.
"You don't sound happy about that," Paris remarked.
"He hung up on me after I accused him of forgetting my birthday. We haven't spoken since," she explained. "Whatever."
"That's so unlike Rory Gilmore," Alex decided. "You never say whatever. You fight back and you call him out."
"You're reverting back to the last time you were together," Paris accused.
"Today's a big day. I can fight with him tomorrow," Rory argued. "Or he can call."
"Let's just go down and eat," Alex suggested, steering the girls toward the door.
Luke was finally off the phone when they reached the diner. Neither he nor Rory commented on who he may have been talking to. He just took their orders and delivered them once they were ready.
"Why is he acting so strange?" Paris asked before taking a bite of her salad.
"He's not," Rory told her. "He's acting like Luke."
"I guess I just never realized how strange Luke was, then."
Rory ignored her and the three of them started up a new conversation. Alex was sending some of his original pieces to Chris at Truncheon. He had picked two of his favorites with help from Rory and he put them in the mail right before he and Paris left for Stars Hollow. Now he just needed to get them approved and into the magazine. It could be a lot of great publicity.
Once they were finished, they all piled into Paris's car to go to Woodbridge. As tradition, they all went to the liquor store to pick up the alcohol that they wanted for themselves and would pick up some for the party. Stars Hollow parties were rarely BYOB. Everyone that threw a party cared enough to supply the drinks. Mrs. Patty, though, always came prepared and whether or not it was Founders Day, she brought enough punch for the whole town.
After the trip to the liquor store, Rory, Paris, Alex, and Lorelai were sitting in the kitchen watching Sookie finish the food for the party. "Rory, you're not supposed to look sad on your birthday," Alex said pointedly.
"It's not my birthday and I'm not sad," Rory told him. "I'm just tired of waiting for the party to start. I'm really excited."
"Of course," he said skeptically. "Lorelai, why was your husband acting extra weird and antisocial today?"
"It beats the hell out of me," she answered. "He seemed normal when he left this morning."
"He was on the phone for a while today and he was not himself," Paris explained.
"Oh, when he may or may not have been talking to Jess," Lorelai decided.
"He looks so good," Sookie commented absentmindedly.
"Yeah," Rory agreed, smiling. "I never did find out if he was talking to Jess or someone else. It doesn't matter, though."
"Ah, the reason you're not sad," Alex said and Rory shook her head and ate a cookie off of the platter on the table. "When do people start arriving?"
"An hour or so," Lorelai told him.
"An hour?! I only have an hour to finish this all," Sookie all but screamed before she started mixing faster.
"Sookie, everything's fine," Rory laughed. "You have plenty of time, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine."
"Do you need a paper bag?" Paris asked as Sookie bent over, breathing heavily.
"Give her ten more minutes, and if she's still breathing like that, I'll take care of it," Lorelai promised. "Sweets, please smile and don't let this thing with you and Jess get to you. You're having a good time tonight, I swear."
"I'm really fine; Jess is the last thing on my mind right now."
"Bull."
Just then, Luke came shuffling through the kitchen door stopping short at the people he wasn't expecting. "Hi," he said before leaning down and giving Lorelai a quick kiss. "I'm going to take a shower and get ready." Then he was gone.
"That was kind of weird," Sookie commented, resting against the counter.
"I told you," Alex said, taking a drink of his coffee.
"I'll talk to him when he gets out of the shower," Lorelai promised. "In the meantime, though. You three should go get ready."
"And we're off," Rory said, pulling Alex and Paris with her.
"I better see smiles and dancing when you get back," Lorelai threatened.
"I'll try!"
"So, are you going to call him or are you being stubborn and waiting for him to call?" Alex asked. They were walking through the square, Paris a few feet ahead.
"I just don't want to deal with it right now. I don't want to hear his excuses and I don't want to admit that I may have overreacted."
"So, that's why you're being pissy," Alex concluded. "You think you're wrong."
"I don't think I'm wrong about him forgetting my birthday, but I definitely know I'm wrong about how I attacked him," Rory admitted. "Like I said, though, I don't want to deal with it tonight. I want to have fun."
"Is there any particular reason you attacked him?" Alex asked as they walked into the diner.
"At dinner last night, my mom and Lane were making me feel like Jess not calling me meant that Jess was reverting back to himself ten years ago," Rory vented. "The worst part was that they weren't even doing it on purpose. They weren't trying to say anything bad about him. They both like him, and yet that seed is still planted in their minds and it was inadvertently being planted in mine."
"Wow, you have problems," Paris commented as the three of them walked up the stairs and into the apartment.
"Thank you," Rory said humorlessly.
"It's just that you thinking Jess was acting like an eighteen year old made you act like an eighteen year old. That's not healthy."
"Shut up, Paris," Rory said sadly. Paris shrugged and rifled though her bag, searching for clothes to wear. Alex was sitting on the couch, his duffel bag next to him, doing the same thing; pulling out his outfit piece by piece. Rory pulled out her blue dress from the closet, a pair of heels from her bag, and all of her makeup and took them with her into the bathroom. "I'll be five to seven minutes."
"Do you think that Luke was talking to him today?" Paris asked Alex.
"I think so, probably. Maybe he knows something and doesn't want Rory or Lorelai to find out and that's why he's being weird."
"What would he know that he wouldn't want Rory and Lorelai to find out?"
"I haven't the slightest idea," Alex told her. Paris finished picking out her outfit and waited for Rory to finish in the bathroom. As she walked out of the bathroom, she was finishing up her mascara.
"Alexi-Poo!" She yelled as Paris hurried into the bathroom to get ready herself.
"Yes, darling?"
"Should I wear a white cardigan, a gray cardigan, or a black cardigan?" Alex looked up from his duffel bag and compared each sweater Rory was holding.
"I'd go with the white," he decided and Rory slid it on. "Are you excited?"
"I really am. Everyone's going to be there, even my grandparents. I've been looking forward to this for almost two weeks."
"Only a little while longer," Alex told her.
"I can't wait!" Rory pulled on her sweater, already planning on taking it off no more than fifteen minutes into the party.
