AN - Glad you guys enjoyed it :) The thing with Rory I always found strange which I think I now understand especially having seen AYITL and doing a rewatch prior to it is Rory very rarely actually knows what she wants and she pretty much always told what to do or does what she thinks she is supposed to do. When she does make up her own mind it's usually a disaster yet she is never blamed/the consequences are never addressed except for the losing her virginity debacle with Dean when Lorelai tries to impress morals on her and Rory storms off, which seems to be Lorelai's biggest fear and the turning down a job in season 7. One of the things that I found most fascinating when I did my rewatch and I don't know if it is intentional from ASP et al or if it is Alexis is how Rory's behavior changes when she is with different people, she very often matches/copies them. Anyhoo, as mentioned before Rory's main thread for the remainder of this becoming very long story is her finding what she wants and doing what is right for her. As for the proposal well I felt you deserved a little bit of niceness after the angst. I always loved how Lorelai and Luke got engaged in the show. Luke fighting for Rory's future and that look on Lorelai/Lauren's face. So a similar yet different approach was called for here :) And yes I too hated how with Lorelai splitting her worlds Emily & Richard and Luke never really interacted much as both parties were indeed enormous parts of her life though I did love the Luke and Emily interaction in AYITL even if he did screw up her hair :P
I'm feeling somewhat proud of myself, I started writing this story on the 4th January and a month later it's at 62,700 words having just finished writing chapter 15. Which I feel is a fair achievement even if I do say so myself. Anyways new chapter is below, Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 12 - A Whole Family Part 1
Rory stared at the papers that the lawyer had given her yesterday in confusion. Her court appearance had been brief and filled with jargon that had completely gone over her head. She had answered the questions that she had been asked and then been told she would receive a 300 hour community service order suspended for two years providing she completed a minimum twelve sessions of therapy in addition to the standard conditions of the sentence. The therapy and suspended sentence had been something to do with what had happened at Yale the day she walked out of the exam just over a six weeks ago. Somehow, someone, probably her grandfather, had got the report from the school support office which detailed her 'episode' as it had been referred to on numerous occasions and this had been factored in to how she was to be punished for her involvement in stealing the yacht.
The past six weeks had been a gone by so quickly yet at the same time felt like they had taken forever. After everything fell apart she and her mother had spent the weekend at her Grandparents as she had felt too exhausted to move and Lorelai hadn't wanted to leave her. Once they had returned home they had gone into hibernation mode, her Mom had taken the week off from work and the pair of them had watched movies, eaten junk food and just talked. It had been like when she was younger and it had been exactly what she needed. The prescription that she had given her had started to work during that time and finally she felt able to turn her brain off. When her Mom had had to go back to work, her Grandparents had taken her away to their summer beach retreat for several weeks. The quieter mind coupled with sea air and the abundant love and care from her Grandparents with regular visits from her Mom and Luke had meant that she was now finally coming back to something that resembled her former self.
"Deciphered the Swahili yet?" Lorelai asked sinking into the seat opposite her daughter at the kitchen table.
"I think," Rory wrinkled her nose. "What did Grandma want?"
"To let us know she's found a therapist who is approved for what you have to do, in a suitable location," Lorelai raised her eyebrows. "Hear the air quotes?"
"Uh Huh," Rory nodded. "In Hartford?" Rory frowned as Lorelai nodded in response. "That will be expensive."
"Yeah," Lorelai pulled the papers away from Rory. "She said they are covering it and not to ask about that any further."
"But it's therapy."
"So?"
"Gilmore's don't get their heads shrunken," Rory sighed watching as Lorelai scanned the papers.
"They do when it's court ordered Babe," Lorelai neatly folded the papers and slid them back in the envelope.
"How did she even do that so fast? I've only just managed to wrap my head around it," Rory took the envelope back and stared at it sadly.
Lorelai shrugged. "I have no idea. Your Grandma has always had this weird ability of picking the tiniest detail apart. It's like her superpower, that and the ability to find the most expensive item in a store." She wrinkled her nose. "Though that is kind of a reverse super power because the bargain is what should be sought. So," she slapped the palms of her hands onto the table, "my little Alice are you ready for your first shift of waitressing?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded with an air of nervousness.
"If it's too much you don't have to do it," Lorelai told her softly.
"No I want to, it helps Luke out and it means that Lane's job is there for her when she comes back," Rory gave her a brave smile.
"Ok," Lorelai nodded giving her daughter a warm reassuring smile. "Got your comfy shoes on?"
"Definitely," Rory swivelled in her seat and raised her leg to show her mother her sneakers. "I am ready for comfort and speed and hopefully no blisters."
"Atta girl," Lorelai bounced out of her seat.
"So what are your plans for today?" Rory asked grabbing her purse and following her mother to the front door.
"Well April is coming over to the Dragonfly so she can explore the local area as apparently it has a diverse ecosystem," Lorelai grinned. "I shall be doing next week's payroll and paying bills while she frolics in muck and gunge."
"We are very different people," Rory shook her head in amused disgust.
"As it should be," Lorelai threw her arm around Rory's shoulder as they walked down the street towards Luke. "So are you going to give Mommy freebies?"
"Luke already does that," Rory cringed. "I know dirty."
"Very," Lorelai gave her a knowing smile.
"No, Mom, I am not going to give you any free anything unless my boss says I am allowed to." Rory told her quietly as they walked along the street. They fell silently into step until they reached the diner and Rory took a deep breath. On her return to Stars Hollow she hadn't really ventured out and she hadn't really engaged in conversations with anyone and she was nervous as to how things were going to be.
"It's all going to be OK," Lorelai squeezed her shoulder and pushed her up the step. "And if you've had enough, Luke will let you go home," She pushed open the doorway and guided Rory into the diner. "Hey Apricot," she called brightly to April as they entered, the young girl sat on the stool by the register. "Stealing my spot again I see."
"It was my spot first," April swivelled on the stool gave her a cheeky smile. "Hi Rory, are you feeling better now?"
"Er Yeah, Thanks," Rory blushed.
"Was I not supposed to ask that?" April looked nervously between Lorelai and Rory. "Dad said you weren't feeling very well and had gone away with your Grandma and Grandpa last time I was here."
"That's OK," Rory muttered looking nervously.
"Yeah you can ask," Lorelai tweaked April's ponytail. "It's just everyone else."
"Oh," April cast her look around the diner. "Well I will run interference if you ever need me to. I have some great factoids about the Yeti crab that was discovered in the South Pacific earlier this year which I've been dying to use. I bet I can make even Taylor be quiet with that one."
"Impressive, you might want to teach your Dad those," Lorelai chuckled. "Though that would lessen the amusement of watching him trying to keep his cool when Taylor is at his most Taylorish."
"Hey," Luke came out of the kitchen.
"Hello," Lorelai smiled happily at him. "I come for daughter trade," she nudged Rory towards him.
"Sure," Luke nodded. "Don't track mud through the inn," he shot his daughter a meaningful look.
"I won't Dad," April rolled his eyes as she jumped off the stool and grabbed her bag. "Are we all eating together?"
"Yup," Luke nodded. "Here?" he tapped the counter.
"It's a date," Lorelai kissed him softly. "Bye Hun, bye Babes," she kissed Rory on the cheek. "Have a good day."
"I will," Rory nodded softly as Lorelai and April left the diner. She turned to look at Luke and smiled awkwardly. "So?"
"So, I should show you the ropes," Luke told her as he took a step back. "So this is the coffee maker…" he paused. "Do I need to show you this?"
Rory smiled. "Not how the machine works, but the blend, Mom is still trying to figure it out."
"Trade secret, so no telling," Luke smiled conspiratorially at her.
Rory chuckled. "My lips are sealed."
xXx
Lorelai glanced across at April as she pulled into her parking space at the Dragonfly, the twelve year old had been uncharacteristically quiet on the ride over to the Inn. "You OK?"
"Oh yeah I am," April smiled at her, "um…is it really Ok asking Rory if she was feeling better. I think I stepped into something you know being the kid I don't get told things," she rolled her eyes.
Lorelai pulled the keys out of the ignition and repositioned herself in her seat to look at the young girl. It had been a month since she and Luke had become engaged but they had yet to do anything, he still hadn't gotten a ring though he was 'working' on it and they hadn't told anyone yet, mostly because she wanted to tell Rory in person when things were a bit calmer and so together they had agreed to wait until Luke finalised the ring and she was happy that Rory was in a better place. "What did your Dad tell you?" she asked carefully, wary of the boundaries she had promised to observe in regards to April's parenting.
"That Rory wasn't very well," April told her softly, "and that she had gone away with her grandparents to recuperate. I'm guessing it wasn't a cold," she narrowed her eyes and chewed her lip. "It's nothing really serious like cancer is it?"
Lorelai's eyes widened in horror. "No! No nothing like that," she breathes a sigh of relief at the thought. She regarded the girl in front of her reminding herself that despite April's very grown up manner at times she was still a child who had just turned twelve, she also wasn't her child and even though she would have spoken and discussed it with Rory at that age Luke might not want her to know everything. "Rory has had a rough time the last few months, a lot of things got on top of her and she got a bit off track. Rory is doing a lot better and that's what is important. I'm telling you this because I believe you are grown up enough to understand that and I don't want you to feel like we are keeping secrets from you but this is all I am going to tell you alright?"
"I understand," April nodded seriously. "Is there anything I should do or say or not do or say? Mom and Dad say I can be too blunt sometimes."
Lorelai smiled at the concerned look on April's face. "No Sweets, you be yourself, just if you see her looking a bit unhappy just make her know you are there."
"Got it," April smiled. "So any rules for this place?"
"Yep," Lorelai nodded. "You can explore the grounds in the immediate vicinity of the Inn; think all that the light touches kind of deal."
"Huh?" April looked out of the car in confusion. "The light touches everything…" her mouth dropped open in realisation. "Like in the Lion King. So if you can see me from the porch I'm Ok to be there."
"That's the deal," Lorelai nodded. "Don't go in the barn. If you need anything I'm in the office. I'm going to be head down paying bills but just holler alright. Also if you have enough of sciencing then you can come in and use anything in the lounge area or read any of the books in the library. I'll come and grab you every so often for a drink and whatever treat the kitchen has going. I think Manny was making brownies today but that might be tomorrow either way some edible delight."
"Wow this place is like heaven," April grinned.
"I think so," Lorelai looked proudly up at her inn. "You have sunscreen on? Cos I have some in the office if you need."
"I put it on already. Plus…" April dove into her bag and pulled out an olive green fishing hat.
Lorelai grinned and took the hat. "Did your Dad give you this?"
"Uh huh," April nodded taking it back. "I know it's not pretty or girly but it keeps the sunburn away."
"Well, being unfashionable is better than getting melanoma."
"I agree," April put the hat on and gave her a beaming smile. "Maybe you can dress it up a little?"
"I think I can manage that." Lorelai tweaked the brim of the hat. "Go have fun kid."
xXx
"Hey Ace."
Rory froze and then slowly turned around, surprised beyond measure to see and hear Logan at Luke's. "What are you doing here?"
"Figured you show up here eventually, you used to talk about it enough," Logan smiled gently at her. "Plus this place has amazing coffee."
"It does," Rory nodded. "Do you want some?"
"Sure," Logan nodded and sat on the stool by the register. He waited patiently until she had finished pouring his cup. "So how are you?"
Rory looked at him nervously. "I'm Ok."
"Good," Logan took a sip of coffee. "You hadn't called."
"I know I'm sorry. I should have but with everything," Rory ran her hands through her hair nervously.
"I'm not here to test you Ace, just wanted to check you were OK." He smiled affably. "I know your guard dog told me to stay away."
"My guard dog?" Rory glanced over her shoulder nervously wondering if perhaps Luke had said anything.
"Paris."
"Paris?" Rory looked at him in surprise.
"Yeah," Logan gave her an easy grin. "It was fine, she was worried about you, I think. She's one scary uptight girl."
"She can be." Rory nodded. "I didn't…I never said any of this was your fault to anyone."
"No I know," Logan took a drink. "But I put you in Mom and Pops and Dad's way, so it's at least a bit my fault. I never meant for this to happen. I just liked having fun with you. I wanted them to like you."
"I know," Rory smiled weakly. "Logan…"
"It's OK Ace. I figured that whatever it was we were was ending and I understand." He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. "I just want you to be safe and OK. You are some kind of special and my particular brand of entitled party boy doesn't suit that."
"Logan."
"If you ever want to party or just chill, you have my number, I won't change it," Logan threw a twenty down on the counter. Rory took the money and moved to the register to give him change. "No don't worry about it," Logan smiled.
"Logan," Rory held out his change. "It's too much."
"No it isn't," Logan caught her outstretched hand and kissed it softly. "Go forth and soar Ace," he gave her a gentle nod and turned away. Rory gave a sad sigh as she watched him walk away.
Luke came out of the supply room at the back and frowned as he saw the forlorn look on Rory's face, slowly he made his way over to her, hovering by her shoulder and studying her with concern. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah," Rory gave him a weak smile. "A customer gave a big tip where do I put it."
"Tip jar," Luke inclined his head towards a jam jar. "You need to take a break?" he asked cautiously, worried by the sad expression on Rory's face.
Rory shook her head and raised her head high. "No I'm good," she gave him a soft smile. "I'm OK really."
xXx
Luke fiddled with his shirt sleeves as he waited for the door to open. Now he was here he felt like he should have dressed up, though that would have given his ever observant daughter the notice that something was up. He had left April with Lorelai and Rory under the pretence of needing to run an errand which he supposed is what this actually was though what he was about to do was far more important that errand made it sound. He looked up as the door opened.
"Luke?"
"Hello Mrs Gilmore, er Emily," Luke smiled nervously at Lorelai's mother as the woman looked him up and down in curiosity.
"Is everything alright with the girls?" Emily asked cautiously.
"Oh yeah they're fine," Luke assured her. "Could I …er come in?"
"Yes," Emily took a step back and held the door open so Luke could walk in. She closed the door behind him and looked him up and down once more. "Did Rory leave something here?"
"No," Luke shifted nervously. "I was actually hoping to speak with Richard if that would be OK, actually you and Richard."
"Oh," Emily took a sharp intake of breath and her eyebrows rose slightly and her eyes narrowed with slight suspicion, but the corners of her mouth twitched upwards. "He's in his study. Please go through to the living room and I'll get him."
Luke walked slowly into the ornate orderly living room and hovered by the couches unsure where he should sit. Nerves were chewing on his insides and though he had talked about the theory with Richard the practicality of what he was about to do was kicking his butt. He turned as he heard the clatter of feet; Richard and Emily rounding the corner as if in competition with each other.
"Luke my Boy," Richard greeted him with an overly large smile. "What brings you to this part of the world this fine Sunday Morning?"
"Mr Gilmore, Richard," Luke clasped his hands nervously.
"Luke," Emily moved closer. "Why don't you sit," she pointed to the couch opposite and Luke did as he was told while the Gilmore's took the couch opposite; Richard giving him a beaming smile and Emily trying to look nonchalant. "You wanted to talk with us?"
"Yes," Luke nodded and took a calming breath. "Er Mr Gilmore that night when Rory…well you know…um… I told you that I intended to marry Lorelai, and well we're engaged but I haven't been able to get a ring. My sister has my mother's but she wants to keep it which is Ok I guess but nothing I have seen quite matches it and you said about your mothers' rings and I wondered if the offer was still available if I might look at them."
Richard clapped his hands together happily. "Of course," he turned to look at Emily who was now beaming. "Which safe are they in?"
"The one in the bedroom. I'll get them." She shot Luke a beautiful excited smile as she hurried off the sofa and raced up the stairs.
"Would you like a drink to celebrate?" Richard asked smiling widely at his newly discovered son in law.
"Thank you Richard but No its still morning and I have to drive back," Luke shook his head. "Thank you for the offer."
Richard nodded happily. "Well you must come on Friday with Lorelai so we can celebrate with you then. I insist, in fact we should go out, make it a real treat of an evening to celebrate."
"Oh thank you Richard, you don't need to…"
"Nonsense we have to celebrate this," Richard puffed his chest up excitedly. "Have you and Lorelai discussed a date yet for the wedding? Because if you are flexible I'm sure I could get you into the club."
Luke's eyes widened in horror at the thought of having to go back to Richard and Emily's country club once more let alone get married there.
"Oh Richard," Emily's voice filtered down the stairs as she trotted down them clutching two small jewellery boxes. "Lorelai won't want to get married at the club, she hates it there you know this. Let's not start this with an argument." She settled onto the couch beside her husband with the ring boxes on her knees. "Now here they are," she opened the boxes. One a rich black velvet, the other a smaller grey satin and then turned them around, setting them on the table for Luke to look at.
Luke's eye was immediately drawn to the huge diamond ring in the larger of the two boxes and gasped it's giant oval diamond surrounded by four smaller diamonds that connected to a gold band in which more diamonds was inlaid was jaw dropping. He didn't even want to attempt to estimate its value but he wouldn't have been surprised if it cost about the same as a deposit for a decent sized house. The other ring in the smaller box made him gasp for an entirely different reason. The ring had a small circular diamond set onto a platinum band. The band and shoulders were embellished with engraved designs. It was beautiful and the only ring he had seen which he thought Lorelai might like. Tentatively he picked it up and stared at it intently.
"It was my mother's," Emily told him softly, her voice laced with barely contained excitement.
"It's beautiful," Luke told her sincerely.
"My mother died when Lorelai was 6 years old," Emily told her softly. "Mother left me her ring. It was before we had a safe in the bedroom cabinet and Lorelai used to sneak in when she thought I wasn't about and try it on."
"She did?" Luke smiled at the thought of Lorelai as a little girl loving the ring in his hand.
"She liked the pretty swirls," Emily sniffed as tears threatened both from the memory and the fact that Luke had picked her ring for Lorelai, "more than the diamond," she gave a light laugh. "I would be honoured if you gave it to her."
"Thank you Emily."
"Wonderful!" Richard gave him another even wider smile. "I'm so pleased we could help."
"Thank you," Luke nodded. "Now I've got this we can make it all official I guess and start telling everyone."
"Have you not told Rory?" Emily eyes widened.
Luke shook his head. "Not yet, we wanted to tell her and April together."
"Well our lips are sealed." Richard mimed locking his lips.
xXx
Luke sneaked in the back of Lorelai's into the kitchen. He was feeling slightly light headed, as despite his protests Emily and Richard had insisted that he had at least have one glass of champagne to celebrate. Lorelai's parents seemed genuinely excited about the impending nuptials as Richard kept calling them. Before he had left he had had to promise that they could take him and Lorelai out to celebrate at some point over the next week, which was nice if a little daunting. The idea of being engaged and married to Lorelai was a warm idea that encased his heart and helped him fight off the last few weeks of sadness that threatened to pull them all down, it had helped Lorelai get through the past few weeks of fear and concern for Rory. Now he had the ring, now Rory was getting better it was time to move forward and he had no idea what that actually meant. There was so much they had to consider and he'd been worried about Lorelai being ready he hadn't thought about himself. He just wanted to be with her and share his life with her. But there was all this process and planning and that terrified him. He put his hand into his pocket checking once again that the ring was there. He took a deep breath trying to remind himself that he was so nervous because it mattered so much to him. It wasn't as if he was waiting for a No, Lorelai had already said yes, but with the ring in his hand it felt like he was asking her for the first time. He took a step forward misjudging the gap and slamming his thigh into the side of the table.
"Hun?" Lorelai's voice sounded nervous for a moment. "Is that you?"
"Yup," Luke hissed through the pain.
Lorelai trotted into the kitchen and gave him a bright smile that made her eyes dance. "What did you do?"
"Banged my leg on the table," Luke muttered rubbing his thigh to try and lessen the pain.
"Luke!" Lorelai mock gasped. "Don't be so dirty and in the kitchen of all places."
"Will you stop!" Luke rolled his eyes and stood up straight. He took a step towards her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
She kissed him softly. "We're watching a movie. Did you get everything done that you needed?"
"Yup," Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out the small grey satin ring box. Lorelai made a little noise of delighted intrigue and held her left hand up. "I don't know if it will fit but I guess we can get it sized." Luke whispered as he opened the box.
"Grandma Victoria's ring!" Lorelai gasped as she saw the content. She held her breath as Luke pulled the ring out of its box and carefully placed it on her ring finger. It fit almost perfectly. "It's beautiful. You asked…"
"During our intentions talk, your Dad offered me the rings. I wanted to give you my Mom's ring but Liz has it and I saw this one and I just thought it was you." Luke looked at her nervously. "Do you mind that I spoke to them about it?"
"No," Lorelai shook her head as she stared at the ring on her finger. "I love this ring. I used to sneak into Mom and Dad's room and sneak it out when I was little, this and this fancy emerald necklace and all her hair combs."
"Hair combs?" Luke looked at her in confusion.
"Grandma Victoria always wore hair combs. One time when we went to see them for Thanksgiving I must have been about 4 I couldn't sleep and she came in with me and put my hair up like hers. I got her hair, all wild and curly, it's like my favourite memory of her," she smiled. "I love that I have her ring," she leant forward and kissed him once more.
"I'm glad you like it," Luke hugged her tightly kissing her with more force.
"What's that?"
The couple broke apart as April entered the kitchen. The twelve year old was staring at Lorelai's hand intently. "Is that? Are you?"
"Do I smell or something?" Rory called as she joined them. "What?" She looked at her slightly embarrassed yet smiling mother, to a blushing Luke to April who was stood with the widest smile possible on her face. April slowly raised her hand pointing to the ring on Lorelai's hand. "No!" Rory gasped. "Are you…are you guys getting married?"
Lorelai gave a small happy nod and then jumped as both Rory and April let out excited squeals and threw themselves at her and Luke. She hugged Rory tightly before her daughter released her and traded places with April. The younger girl smiled up at her.
"I'm so happy," April whispered as she hugged her tightly. "You're going to be my step mom," she took a step back and beamed at the three adults in front of her. She reached out and grabbed Rory's shirt tugging on it so that as Rory stepped out of her hug with Luke she turned to face April. "I get a sister," April grinned, throwing her arms around Rory's neck. She broke apart and rushed to her Dad once more. "Dad we get a whole family!"