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The Other Gilmore Girl
"You can't spell families without lies."- Four Christmas'
When my sister got here a week ago I was more excited than anything in the world but now I'm not so sure I should be. There is just this unsettling feeling I have that there is something else going on. Something I should know about. I decide to ask her about it. I take my time walking down the hall and into the guest room. I knock on the door.
"Hopie, it's me?" I call.
"Come in, Emily." She returns. I open the door and see my sister sitting cross legged on her bed flipping through a magazine. She looks up from her book and smiles at me. "Hi,"
"Hi," I smile back. "May I sit with you?"
"Of course." She says pushing her magazines out of the way. I take a seat beside her and realize how much she resembles our mother.
"Have you talked to Mom, recently?" I ask trying to get the conversation started.
"No, it's been awhile."
"Does she even know you are in the country?"
"No, wedding's and funeral's, Emily, those are the only time I see Victoria and I like it that way." she says not taking her eyes off the magazine.
"Oh." I simply say not knowing how to respond. "So I wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot" she says wanting me to continue.
"Well I just wanted to know have you notice anything different in the girls?"
"Your girls?" she asks.
"Yes," I say.
"They have gotten taller."
"No I mean emotionally," I pause. "To me it seems both Lorelai and Rosalie haven't been themselves. Lorelai sleeps all day and Rose hardly mutters a word."
"Rose could just be shy, I mean I haven't seen her in ages and Lorelai is a young woman, sleep is good for her."
"I suppose so." I sigh. Maybe I'm just over thinking things. I'll just wait and see if anything is the matter. "So lunch is ready when you want to eat." I say before getting up and closing the door. I walk down the hall to Lorelai's room. I hear her music, she must be up.
"Lorelai?" I call though the door. "Lorelai do you hear me?"
"Hang on!" I hear her yell before the music is turned down. "Oh crap...Hey Mom! What's up?"
"Lunch is almost ready. Are you alright?"
"Yeah just tripped over my shoes."
"Well maybe if you pick up your room a bit, that wouldn't happen." I sigh, the sight of her room is hideous, clothes and shoes everywhere. I warn Lorelai numerous times to clean it up, she just doesn't listen. "Well come down when you're ready."
"Sure thing!" she says before turning on her music on again and shutting the door.
I walk to the door next to Lorelai's, which is Rose's room. "Rosalie?" I knock lightly.
"Come in!" she says.
"Hey what you up too?" I ask nosily.
"Nothing much just talking to Reese on the phone."
"Very well. Carry on. But not too long, lunch is ready."
"Okay be down in second." she says as she says goodbye to her boyfriend.
"Are you feeling okay?" I ask putting my hand to her head.
"Yeah why?"
"You just been acting different lately." I respond.
"School I guess. Just gets harder and harder." she smiles before going downstairs.
"Do you think I should hire you a tutor?" I ask following behind her.
"No mom." She says. "I don't think that will be necessary."
"Are you cold honey?" I ask her as we sit down. Lorelai and Hope are already sitting at the table. They were mumbling something but as we approached the table they fell silent.
"No," she says.
"Then why do you have that sweater on?" I continue.
"Oh well um…." She says fumbling through her words. "I was…um…cold earlier…and I just put it on."
"Well do you want to take it off at the table since you aren't cold anymore?"
"No, um I don't want to get cold again." She says quickly.
"Alright." I say dropping the subject. "Lorelai,"
"Yes mom."
"You do remember that the photographer is coming back this afternoon don't you."
"Yes mom." She says again. We got the dress a size bigger this time so that way we can just pin the dress back if it's too big.
"Good," I say. "I'd like you to go put your dress on after lunch."
"Whatever." She says briefly.
I sigh at the stillness of the room. No one is saying anything. They are all keeping something from me I can feel it.
"Alright," I say dropping my fork on the table. This seems to get everyone's attention. "Someone had better start talking. Lorelai and Rose both go completely pale but it's Hope that opens her mouth.
"Okay Emily," she says. "I haven't been completely honest with you." Lorelai looks her with shock and disbelief written all over her face. "I didn't just come here for a visit. I'm getting divorced."
"What?" I ask shocked.
"I'm afraid so."
"Why?"
"Jon and I have just fallen apart."
"Does that mean you're moving back here?" Lorelai asks getting excited.
"I'm not sure dear." Hopie said with a hint of concern and sadness in her voice.
"Oh." she says upset.
"Well if you need my help with anything just let me know." I say concerned for her well being. I never had to experience a divorced and hope never need to.
We all finish our lunch. As the maid clears the plates, Lorelai and Rose run up to their rooms. Hope stays in the dining room sipping at her tea.
I don't bother her giving her time to adjust to her new life, and giving her space. As I walk through the living room I hear yelling from upstairs. It appears Lorelai and Rose are yelling at each other again. It has been the 3rd time this week. I'm on my breaking point. I quickly walk up the stairs, and barge into Rose's room. To my surprise it isn't Rose and Lorelai it is Rose and Reese.
"Reese?" I say wondering how he got into Rose's room. "When did you get here? Is everything alright? I heard yelling."
"Yeah everything is fine, Rose and I were just in a disagreement." Reese says a hint of anger in his voice.
"Where is Rose?"
"She went into Lorelai's room. Want me to get her?"
"Yes please do. Tell her I'm downstairs waiting for her."
I see him exit and knock on Lorelai's door. "Hey." he says knocking.
"Hold on!" Lorelai yells as she comes to the door. She appears in a tee shirt and shorts, fully unaware of who she is answering the door to. "Oh my gosh-" she yells.
"Nice body!" Reese says in a sexy tone. "Can I get some?"
"Perv! What do you want?"
"Rose in here?" he asks.
"No," she yelled. "Why, what did you do?
"I didn't do anything." He says with a bit of an attitude. "bye,"
"Bye" she say irritated. She doesn't like Reese. She never has. I don't understand why he seems okay to me but she hates the kid's guts.
"Never mind, Reese." I say. "I'll find her myself."
"Okay," he shrugs. "I'm sorry Mrs. Gilmore, but I think I'm going to go home. "Alright dear, I'll call your mother and tell her you are on your way." I tell him.
"Thank you," he says as we both walk down stairs.
Reese leaves and I call Claudia. After I hang up the phone Lorelai comes downs stairs in her dress.
"How's this," she says spinning around." Liza wasn't able to come back and do her hair so she did it herself and it honestly doesn't look half bad.
"It'll do," I say. She grimaces and goes into the foyer where the photographer has been setting up since after lunch.
"Smile Lorelai," I remind her.
She flashes a smile at me in a sarcastic manor.
After she gets set up with the photographer I head back up stairs to check on Hope.
I can hear her sobs from outside of her door. "Hopie," I whisper quietly from outside her door. I knock. "May I come in?"
"Sure. It's open." she says laying down in the dark room.
"I'm sorry were you sleeping?"
"No. It's fine I was just resting." she says a bit of sadness comes over her voice.
"I just came to see if you've seen Rose."
"No I haven't. I thought she was with Lorelai." Hope said concerned.
"Lorelai was with the photographer. Oh well I'll find her. "Where could she have gotten to?" I say to myself. I scope the upstairs. Walking into Lorelai's room, which was still a mess. I almost twisted my ankle walking through the mounds of discarded clothing. "Lorelai!" I yell.
"Yeah! I hear her say heading to her room. "Mom! What are you doing in my room?"
"I was looking for Rose. Why can't you pick up your room!" I yell irritated and frustrated because I can't find Rose.
"Sorry don't know what to tell you. I think her and Reese are out in the backyard."
"Thank you. Now pick up your room!" I warn her.
I walk downstairs and outside. I don't see them. I decide to look in the Pool House. I open the door. "Rose!?" I call to her.
"Yeah?" she says as she comes out in her bathing suit.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Me and Reese were going to swim." she says as she covers herself with a towel. I notice she has bruises on her arms and legs.
"What is wrong? Why do you have so many bruises?"
"Oh I..." she quickly said, "I was running at track and fell. But I'm alright."
"Wait I thought Reese was heading home."
"He was but then I wanted to go swimming. So he said he wanted to swim to."
"Oh ok then. Not too long, and I'll send Hope out to keep an eye on you guys." I say.
"Mom." she sighs and then smiles.
"Have fun," I say reluctantly.
"Lorelai," I yell as I walk in the house.
"What?" she calls back.
"I want you to go swimming with your sister and Reese."
"It's cold out there." she replies.
"The pool is heated." I yell again. "Now get your bathing suit on."
"But you just told me to clean my room," she protests.
"Lorelai, now."
"Erg!" .
"and hurry up." I finish.
A few minutes later she comes down in her bathing suit but it doesn't quite fit the way I remember it.
"Do you need a new bathing suit?" I ask.
"Maybe," she says walking away from me and out the door to the pool.
I walk into the foyer where the photographer is "How did it go?" I ask.
"It went very well she is a very beautiful young lady." He says.
"Yes she is," I agree. Hope comes down the stairs.
She starts to speak. "Hey Em, I-" she stops talking as we both hear shouts coming from the pool.
We exchange glances and charge towards the door.
"I'm telling mom," Lorelai yells.
"Lorelai if you say one word I will make your life miserable." Rose threatens.
Lorelai looks shocked. "I don't care what you do Rosalie Hope Gilmore. I'll kick his ass myself." She snaps.
"I'm warning you Lorelai," Rose replies equally as harsh.
"You have got to the count of three to get away from that creep."
"1,2,3." She says defiantly. I am so mesmerized by the nature of the argument that I can't even think to stop it.
"Emily," Hope says pulling back to reality.
"Oh," I quickly reach outside. "What is going on out here?" I ask still shaken.
"Tell her," Lorelai demands.
"You have no right." Rosalie fires back. "Who are you to judge me, to tell me what to do when you are in the situation that you are in?"
"Uh oh." Hope whispers from beside me. I realize at this time that I am missing something big time.
"I'm your big sister," Lorelai screams. "It's my job to protect you."
"I am a big girl." Rose cries.
"Then prove it." Lorelai calls back. "Tell her."
"There is nothing to tell." Rosalie replies softly.
"Fine," Lorelai says giving up. She almost starts talking but Rose does instead.
"I hate you," Rose screams at her sister. Lorelai looks hurt but she takes it. She turns to me. "Lorelai is pregnant with Christopher Hayden's baby." She confesses.
For a second my legs almost give out from under me. I can't breathe. I turn away from my children and walk inside. From behind me I can hear Hope kicking Reese out and sending Lorelai and Rosalie to their rooms. The room is spinning.
"Let me get you a glass of water Emmy," Hope says. She hasn't called me Emmy in ages. Not since we were very little and Emily was too hard for her young mouth to form. I remember vividly that mom would correct her every time she said it and got to the point where Emmy was a swear word in our home that she was punished for using. I am shaking so hard that I can barely hold the glass.
"I need Gin," I tell her. She doesn't argue. She just makes the drink and hands it to me. "She's pregnant," I realize that my biggest fear has come to life. I down it immediately and the burn in my throat is all I have to show for it. "and Christopher." I say remembering the rest. "Lorelai is pregnant." It all makes so much sense. "Why didn't I see it?"
"That isn't your fault. Lorelai knew what she was doing," My sister tries.
I nod. "Yes, it is. I am their mother. I'm supposed to know these things."
"So it's my fault that my husband slept with his secretary and every other twenty year old in the city?"
"What?" I ask confused as to what one has to do with the other.
"As a wife I should have seen that something was wrong." She admits. "But I didn't."
"Hope,"
"No, you listen. You aren't psychic. This is not your fault." She hugs me and I except it.
"I have to call Strobe and Francine. They should know about this." She nods and I stand up and do my best to reach the telephone.
I tell them they need to get over here immediately and hang up just as Richard walks through the door. I hate to think about what he'll say when all of this comes out and I will have to be the one to tell him.
"Emily, I'm home." He says.
"I'm going to go check on the girls," Hope whispers to me. I nod and go to greet my husband.
"Hello dear," I say helping him with his coat and handing it to the maid. "How are you?"
"I am quite well, thank you."
"Good." I say with all the composure left in my body. "Because there are a few things we need to talk about."
Now you review and tell me how much you want chapter 13.
