**Chapter 9: Boys, Mothers, and Gilmores Galore: ***

**Bre POV**

"That is a fight you won't in Liz, and you know it. I have a stable home life, only ever been employed in one place, own a business that is doing well, and I don't have a criminal record. You have moved multiple times, history of drug and alcohol abuse and a criminal record. So just leave them Liz. Go be with your boyfriend and let me clean up your mess. Just like always. Except this time you are the one on the losing end because these kids are the best and deserve more than you can give them. Now get off my property before I am forced to call the cops on my own sister. And leave my town."

Liz looked shocked, heck we were all shocked. Luke never turns away family and is huge on family values. But then again we all know how he feels about Liz after what Jess and I had shared. He had no respect for her, and this was him dealing with someone trying to hurt his family.

"Luke, I am their mother."

"No you aren't." Jess and I said it in sync, "You haven't been our mother since the day Jimmy left." Liz stomped her feet, trying to find an angle she could use to win, but found none, "fine. Stay here in this hellhole town, I'm done caring." And just like that Liz Danes walked out the door and effectively out of our lives. I was quivering, but Lorelai put her arms around me and I took a few deep breaths and met Jess's eyes to calm myself down. I got up and decided to go take a walk to clear my head. I found myself in the choir room, and slid behind the piano, needing to play the pain.

Baby blues staring in the window pane
Just counting drops of rain
Wondering if she's got the guts to take it
Running down her dreams in a dirty dress,
Now her heart's a mess
Praying she'll find a way to make it

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

Searching for a sign in the night even like a lonely string of lights
That'll burn just long enough for you to see it
The road's been long and lonely and you feel like giving up
There's more to this than just the breath you're breathing

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

On the way down

You won't forget the heavy steps it took to let it go
Close your eyes, count to ten, hold your breath and fly

Keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Fly
Fly

As the last notes died out I heard clapping. I looked up and found Dustin leaning against the door of the choir room. "How did you find me?" He smiled, "I followed the sound from the locker room. I had a workout for the team this morning. I love your voice. You have another one? If you don't mind that is. The rumors about you were so true, your voice is epic!" I laughed. "Okay, I can do one more. This whole performing thing is getting easier day by day." He smiled while I thought up a song, and then I smiled. I decided to shock him. So I started to play.

Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Right in the moment this order's tall

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different "kind"
I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines

Come on skinny love what happened here
Suckle on the hope in lite brassiere
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Sullen load is full; so slow on the split

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
Now all your love is wasted?
Then who the hell was I?
Now I'm breaking at the britches
And at the end of all your lines

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?

Come on skinny love
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my

He was shocked, but he also looked amused. "That was awesome. Now it's my turn to surprise you. Scoot over." I smiled up at him, "You play?" "I play, not as well as you, but I play. My mom taught me. She plays for the church choir. But you have to sing because I am not great at that." "For some reason, I doubt that." He laughed and I moved over, grabbing the guitar sitting next to the piano. "Know how to play See You Again?" "Ya, you sing I rap."

**Jess POV**

"Ya, you sing I rap." I was frozen. I knew she would come here to play if she could, what I didn't expect was a guy to be here, a guy I didn't know, and that apparently she was comfortable with. I stayed quite listening as the first notes of a popular song came floating out of the choir room.

It's been a long day without you my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

Damn who knew all the planes we flew
Good things we've been through
That I'll be standing right here
Talking to you about another path I
Know we loved to hit the road and laugh
But something told me that it wouldn't last
Had to switch up look at things different see the bigger picture
Those were the days hard work forever pays now I see you in a better place

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gonna be with me for the last ride

It's been a long day without you my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
when I see you again

First you both go out your way
And the vibe is feeling strong and what's
Small turn to a friendship, a friendship
Turn into a bond and that bond will never
Be broken and the love will never get lost
And when brotherhood come first then the line
Will never be crossed established it on our own
When that line had to be drawn and that line is what
We reach so remember me when I'm gone

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gonna be with me for the last ride

So let the light guide your way hold every memory
As you go and every road you take will always lead you home

It's been a long day without you my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

She laughed and he joined in. I was frozen in place. "You are really good. Singing and piano playing." "From the winner of the talent show I will take that as a compliment, and say thank you, but it's not something I advertise." "Why not? You are pretty good. You're multi-talented." "Thank you, but it's just not something I do often, or ever really. I sang in the church choir when I was younger, but then I discovered sports and never really looked back. Until last night when I watched you. You had so much heart in your voice and you were amazing to watch. I'm sure Luke loved the song." "He seemed to so I'm happy it was the first time I ever performed in front of someone that wasn't Lane. I usually am a very shy person." I could see the reflection of the two in a window and the boy looked shocked, and was sitting much too close to my sister for my liking. So I decided to make myself known. I entered the room and Bre gave me a warning look that I knew meant to play nice, or at least as nice as I ever play.

"There you are, we all wanted to know where you went off to. Lorelai said you have the night off, and Luke made sure things were taken care of." I didn't know what this guy knew so I kept to vague things but she knew what I was getting at. "Okay thanks J. This is Dustin, he was…" "The poet, ya I remember." She looked amused that I paid attention to anyone else during the show, usually that kind of stuff isn't my thing. "Oh so you did pay attention, good. Dustin this is my twin brother Jess." The kid stood up and held out a hand, "Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." I smirked at his hand and didn't reciprocate and just said "huh." Bre rolled her eyes, "He's not very articulate, and don't bother with a handshake, he won't, obviously. Come on lets go get some food from Luke. I'm hungry." Dustin and Bre walked out and picked their conversation back up, and I trailed along behind them, deep in thought.

Great another guy hanging around my sister, except this guy she actually seems to like, and she let him close to her. She trusts him, but I don't. But I don't trust easily. I have seen this kid around, I know he's a jock, but he also seems to be smarter than any of the others, in a few advanced classes. None with my sister, I know that for a fact. I may have skipped to see her classes and make sure she was okay once or twice so I know who is in her classes, and he isn't. I was brought out of the thinking when I bumped into someone. "Hey Jess. What are you thinking about so hard?" Rory. Of course it had to be the girl dating farmer john, who was much too stupid for her, who would distract me from my deep thoughts. "My sister." "Oh yeah she left pretty quick this morning, is she okay?" "I think so." I pointed to the two people happily chatting at a table in my uncle's diner and she smiled at the two. "Oh that's Dustin, he's nice. He plays sports but he's also really smart, and loves to read. Maybe not as much as the three of us but he's definitely a reader. I had classes with him before I left for Chilton. Come on Jess stop frowning, he's a decent guy. Now let's go get some coffee because I need to pick your brain on something." I meant her eyes, "Using me for my brain now Gilmore?" "What are you going to do about it Mariano?" I smirked and followed her lead to the diner, smirking all the wider when I realized farmer john himself was watching from the window of the market.

**Luke POV**

I smiled at my niece when she entered with Dustin. I knew the guy, he played softball with us sometimes, and he was a good guy, his mother had seen to it that all of her boys learned how to respect and treat a lady, I served them some coffee and took their order and when I turned around Jess was walking in with Rory. "Hey guys. What can I get you? Besides coffee, I know that's partly why you're here Rory." She laughed and Jess moved around the counter to pour them coffee while Rory ordered. "A cheeseburger and fries please. I am going to enjoy greasy food while I can. I am going over to grandmas tonight because she says she doesn't see me enough and basically gave me no choice in this. Mom isn't happy, but she's going too. Grandma does want to meet friends of mine though. She's met Lane, maybe eventually she can meet Brenna…" She looked at me pleadingly. "That's a question for her Rory, she's had phone conversations with your grandmother at the inn and Emily was in fine form. It's up to Bre if she wants to open that bottle of crazy." She sighed, looking downcast. "Is there a reason you don't want to go tonight?"

"Mom and grandma got into an argument the other day, the air is going to be very frosty in Hartford tonight. I hate it when they fight, and Grandpa isn't going to be here to buffer, he's in Paris for a meeting and I would rather be here or anywhere but there." Jess, who had vanished upstairs came back with a book in his hand, which he held out to Rory, just as Dean walked in. "here you go. The things you are looking for should be in there." He passed her a copy of Farwell to Arms, and then smirked as Dean approached the counter his girlfriend was sitting at. "Hey Rory, what are you doing here?" She looked at him, confusion on her face, "Dean? Aren't you supposed to be at work right now?"

"Taylor gave me my lunch early and I saw you come in so I figured I would eat with you if that's okay?" "Oh, that's fine. I already ordered. I am borrowing one of Jess's books, he's got so much more insight into this author than I do and I figured I would borrow his mind to get some ideas for this paper I have to write." I left them to their discussion knowing that Dean was not a fan of my nephew.

"How are you two doing over here?" Dustin and Bre looked up, "Good Luke, can I have more coffee though?" I rolled my eyes, "to much time with Lorelai." Dustin chuckled, "That lady gets it in vats, and she's always so funny." I left them to discuss Lorelai and her coffee addictions, and served the few other customers I had, watching Jess eves drop on Rory and Dean, and it hit me, he liked her.

Just as the thought sunk in, the door opened and Lorelai herself breezed in, and headed straight for Brenna. "I need you to save me!" Brenna looked up confused, "Oh hello Dustin, congratulations on last night, but seriously Bre, I need saving. I have to go suffer Emily Gilmore's wrath and I need you to come with me and help me stay away from all the sharp objects. Rory is going to be no help!" "Hey mom! No fair! Just because I don't take sides!" Bre laughed, "Sure Lore, I'll save you but I will expect candy as payment because I may have not met your mother, but I have talked to her and wow." Lorelai was grinning in obvious victory. "Yes! Thanks sweetie! You're the best! Enjoy your afternoon and meet us at our house at 5:30!" she left them and went to her daughter, made a show of kissing her cheek and said hi to dean and then looked at me, and I sighed. "How much have you had?"

"Seven, but only three from this morning and yours is the best! Please Luke! I have to go to get tortured tonight!" She gave me the puppy eyes and I sighed and filled a mug, much to everyone's amusement, because Bre and Dustin were now sitting at the counter with Rory and Dean and Jess was leaning on the end of the counter pretending to read. "God, Luke you're a God! This is heavenly! Really good stuff!" She slid dramatically into a seat between the two girls and they all began to talk, and I just watched, glad that Bre wasn't to upset after this morning.

**Rory POV**

Dean was pushed to the side as I conversed with mom and Bre. Dustin was watching amused with our banter, but Dean just looked annoyed. I found my eyes straying to the other twin at the end of the counter. He was reading, and not paying anyone any attention. The sunlight coming in the windows highlighted his dark hair and dark eyes, I couldn't help but look, he was so interesting, and wicked smart, I always wondered what was going on in his mind. I read the cover, and was once again impressed. Red Badge of Courage is what he was so intently reading, and every once in a while he would pull a pencil out and make a note and I wondered what he was writing. He always saw things in a way I never did, and it was thrilling to have him and Bre here to talk books with. Mom and Lane didn't really get it, and neither Dean, although he tried.

I was brought out of the thought, when Dean tapped my shoulder. "Can I talk to you for a second?" "Sure, what's up?"

"Can we go somewhere, I only a few minutes left on my break?"

"Dean I am spending the afternoon with Bre, what's on your mind? They are in there own little world anyway."

"Really Rory! I came here to spend my break with you and we have spent it siting here listening to them talk. I wanted to spend some time alone with you. You have been distant lately…" I sighed, "Dean, I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be here. I enjoy talking to them though. They have such a different view on things. It's so different from how things are here in New York and they have so much to say it's interesting."

He huffed, "Really Rory, what's so interesting. They are both just street kids. Big whoop."

"Dean! Be nice! They are so smart! And different from everyone else here. And they are my friends. What is wrong with you? You don't mind when I hang out with Lane?" "Lane is harmless." He got up and stomped out. I met mom's eyes and she tilted her head in question. "Later." She nodded and we rejoined the other conversation.

**Jess POV**

I could feel her watching me. I knew it was her. She watched me read a lot. I always wondered what she was thinking when she did. I felt it when her eyes left me, and looked up briefly, of course Dean. It sort of looked like they were fighting, and I wasn't the only one who noticed. Lorelai had as well. I quickly looked back down when he left and missed the small exchange between Rory and her mom. I was to lost in the happy thought of the fact that I obviously pissed Dean off and my sister did as well and Rory and her mom spent an awful lot of time here these days and that probably made him angry. I smirked and then went back to the book, all thoughts of Bre, Liz and drama gone.

**Later that afternoon***

I had been kicked out of the apartment, just like Luke, while my sister got ready for her dinner with the Gilmores. She had spent about three hours with Dustin, and the two Gilmores in the diner before the others left to get ready. Dustin chatted with Luke for a few minutes about his mom and softball then he left and Brenna had run up the stairs and I hadn't seen her since.

I heard the lock click upstairs and knew she would be down in a minuet so I waited for footsteps on the stairs. She came through the curtain and I was shocked, and I wasn't the only one. Luke was staring at her as well as everyone else who was in the diner for an early dinner.

She looked amazing, still had the NYC edge but she had definitely toned it down for the elder Gilmores tonight. She walked over to me and Luke and smiled. I smirked, "Geeze it took you forever." She rolled her eyes and Luke laughed. "You look wonderful Brenna. Don't take anything Emily says to heart okay? I have heard the stories, and met her, she can be harsh, but remember you belong here and we all love you for you." She smiled at him, and even I was impressed because Luke doesn't do feelings. "Thanks Luke I will keep that in mind."

**Bre POV**

I tried not to be nervous on the walk from Luke's to Lorelai's, I knew I looked good, the reactions at the diner proved that point, but I didn't know if I was Emily Gilmore good. I didn't have a lot of clothes here because Liz still hadn't shipped our stuff even though it has been almost two months. Typical Liz.

I was wearing a high-waisted black skirt, my white long sleeve half shirt, the only few pieces of jewelry I had, my hair was down and curled a little bit around my face, to keep my bangs out of my eyes. I had my leather jacket over the shirt and my one pair of tall boots. They were black and heeled to make me taller, because shortness runs in my family. I had kept all four of my ear piercings in but changed a few out to match the outfit, my tat was not on show, and I only had a small stud in my nose and you couldn't see my belly button piercing. I had toned down the makeup to because I wanted to make a good impression. I knew that Emily knew I was coming because Lorelai had called her earlier and she had been reamed for the late notice. I walked up just as Lorelai and Rory were leaving and Lorelai smiled at me. "She's here Rory! And looking mighty pretty." I smiled at her and Rory rushed out so Lorelai could lock the door and then we headed for the car. I climbed in back, interesting to do in a skirt, but managed.

"You nervous hun?" I nodded and she smiled, "the best way to survive a night with my mother is to just grin and bear it, and in my case drink but you, poor thing, cannot do the last one." We all laughed and I focused on the conversation swirling around me instead of the butterflies in my stomach and we headed for Hartford.

When we made it to the Gilmore residence, I was left breathless. The house, well mansion, was beautiful. "Pretty yes, but usually very frosty on the inside. I hope you aren't attached to that jacket because the maid will take it." I had figured the jacket would come off, which is why I had worn the long sleeve underneath. As I followed them to the door I couldn't help but giggle at the expression on Lorelai's face. "Okay let's get this over with." She reached out and rang the doorbell, looking very unhappy and Rory and I laughed. The maid opened the door and as suspected took our coats before pointing us to the living room. I was floored by the inside just as I had been with the outside, but was drawn away from my observations of the house by Emily Gilmore herself.

She wasn't what I expected, at all. The small red head was not what I had imagined, I had imagined someone with Lorelai's coloring and height, but that must come from her father's side. "Well do come in. Rory dear, how are you? How is school? Lorelai, what on earth are you doing?" Lorelai had been eyeing the drink cart, and had moved towards it, instead of towards her mother. "Getting a drink mother, I had a very long day." "You didn't have to work did you? On a Saturday of all days." Lorelai didn't get a chance to answer however because then Emily focused on me. "Well who do we have here? Rory are you not going to introduce me to your friend?"

"Sorry grandma, mom distracted me. This is Bre, I mean Brenna Mariano. She moved to Stars Hallow recently, remember?"

"Ahh, so you are the girl my granddaughter has been raving about." I couldn't tell what she thought of me but I stepped forward anyway. "Yes ma'am. It is nice to meet you in person. We have spoken before, on the phone?"

"Ahh yes, the girl from the inn." I nodded, and Lorelai jumped in. "Mother can I have some wine now that you have been introduced? I'm sure the girls would also enjoy a soda…" Emily looked slightly annoyed. "Always so impatient." She moved to the drink cart and started to serve drinks while we all made ourselves comfortable on the couches. I was next to Rory and Lorelai was on her own. "So tell me more about yourself dear. All I know is that you work for my daughter." She did not sound impressed by that, but I remembered her reactions from the phone call, so that was not to surprising. "I moves to Stars Hallow almost two months ago from New York. We moved in with my Uncle Luke." Emily turned her head sharply. "Luke. As in the diner man?" I didn't like the disdain in her voice but for Rory's sake tried to continue playing nice. "Yes ma'am. He is my mother's brother, and took me and my brother in when my mom needed him to." "You have a brother?"

"Yes grandma, her brother is the boy I told you about? Jess? He reads just as much as me, and works in the diner?" She pursed her lips, "ahh the younger dinner boy, of course I should have guessed." She switched her gaze back to me, "Where in New York did attend school?" I winced, "Woodland Hills High School. In the Bronx."

"Why on earth did you attend school there? I have heard awful things about that institution." I winced again. "I lived in the Bronx ma'am that was the closest high school, so that's where I attended. I was in the advanced program, I am in the advanced track classes in Stars Hallow now." She didn't look pleased so I plowed on. "I am very good at most subjects but your granddaughter has been tutoring me in math, and in return I have helped her learn Spanish." She sniffed, "Spanish? What an awful language, Latin or French would be nicer for you to learn Rory."

"I am in French, grandma, but Spanish sounded fascinating to me, and Bre is almost fluent." Lorelai also jumped to my aid. "It certainly helps me at the inn. We have a lot of travelers who are Spanish speaking now and she is a huge help to have on staff, because she is the only one who knows Spanish." I shot her a grateful smile and she returned it. Emily however remained unpleased. "Spanish travelers, really Lorelai, what kind of clientele do you get these days. And as for her working at the inn, a lady her age should never be working. I have told you the same for Rory. Do ever listen to what I say, or is it not pleasing to listen to your mother." Rory winced and Lorelai flinched visibly. I felt bad for her so I came to her aid. "It is a great help to me ma'am that Lorelai allowed me to work. I want to help my uncle take care of us, and everything I make is going into my college fund, I hope to go college and succeed in life, and Lorelai is helping me reach that goal."

Just then the maid came to announce that dinner was ready, so Emily let it slide for now and led us to the dining room, another beautiful room, but I understood Lorelai's comment about the frosty air. I was seated next to Rory, who was across from Lorelai and Emily was at the head of the table. "Now tell me Rory, how are your classes going?"

"Fine grandma, and the paper is doing well as well. I have found two fellow book enthusiasts in Bre and her brother. Their collection is impressive and eclectic!" Emily looked at me, "You read as well?"

"Oh yes. I love it. I used to sit on the balcony at home and read and listen to the city noise. It was relaxing. Reading is always a new adventure waiting to be discovered to me, and it is one of the reasons I want to be a writer, and if I don't write I want to sing." She snorted, "Sing?"

"Brenna recently won a talent competition in Stars Hallow mom. She can play the piano, sing and play the guitar as well. She is very good. Maybe after dinner she could show you? The baby grand could use a play."

"I would love to play if you would like to hear ma'am."

"No thank you maybe another time." Rory looked at her grandmother with the famous Gilmore puppy face, "Oh please grandma, she is really good, and I just love listening to her play." Emily looked her granddaughter in the eye for a moment and then gave in. I knew she very rarely denied Rory anything, ad Lorelai looked pleased that Rory had won Emily over.

The rest of dinner went smoothly. Emily seemed to warm up to me, and her Rory carried most of the conversation after she stopped questioning me. We all oved to the front room after dinner and my heart jumped for joy when I saw the baby grand piano sitting there. I had always wanted to play on one and now I can!

I slid in behind the piano and smiled at Rory, "any requests?" She thought for a moment and then shook her head. "Lorelai?" She grinned and thought for a moment obviously trying to think of a song that wouldn't offend Emily but that she wanted to hear me play. "All of Me? John Legend?" I smiled and nodded in conformation. I took a deep breath and then recalled the notes and began to play.

What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

[Bridge]
My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind

[Chorus]
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh

As the last note faded, I looked up and Emily was obviously trying to not look impressed, and Lorelai and Rory were grinning from ear to ear and clapping. "Well you have a wonderful talent but I advise you to not make that your career young lady, musicians never make it for very long. I just smiled and thanked her and then Lorelai said it was time to go, so we got up and headed to the coat rack, and Emily saw us out. "It was wonderful to meet you young lady, please come again so that Richard can meet you, I'm sure he would love to talk books with you and Rory." I smiled, triumphant, "Thank you ma'am I will."

Sure the night started off rocky, but I just got the Emily Gilmore seal of approval! As Lorelai and Rory drove me home the gushed about how I won her over and by the time I made it home I was proud of myself.

As I climbed the stairs to the apartment I couldn't help the grin spreading across my face. The day had started off bad, but ended well, and that was all I could hope for, now Liz was gone, Dustin and I were getting closer as friends, and I had the Emily Gilmore seal of approval. I walked in and Luke was sitting up waiting. "Hey Bre, how did it go?" Jess looked up from his book as well, curious. "It went well, she likes me! It started off rough but by the end of the night we won he over!" Luke smiled, "That's great kid." Jess smirked and went back to the book and as I got ready for bed, I couldn't help but wonder what the next weeks would bring. I had a great new life, new friends and maybe even a relationship…

** Thought you guys deserved a long one, so here you go.***