Sugar and Spice: The More Things Change
By Misha
Disclaimer and Notes in Prologue.
Chapter Thirty-Five: Gilmore Girl Time
"Hey, Christa." Luke greeted when Christa arrived at his place. "Visiting your mom?"
"Yeah, I figured I'd bring her and Rory coffee." Christa told him. "Though I'm sure they've already been."
Luke just nodded and went to make her three coffees.
"I'm sure your mom will be happy to see you," Luke told her, "I know she misses you."
"College is crazy." Christa said with a shrug. "I swear this year is busier than last year."
"I'm sure having a boyfriend helps with that." Luke told her. "Your mom says you've been spending a lot of time with Colin."
Christa rolled her eyes. "She's been complaining to you?"
"Just a little bit." Luke confided. "But you're staying the night, right? And no Colin?"
"No Colin." Christa confirmed. "And yes, I am staying the night."
"Good, I think that will go a long way." Luke told her. He handed her the coffees. "Don't mind your mom, she's just protective of you and Rory."
"I know." Christa said, she grabbed the coffees, "talk to you later, Luke."
"See you."
Christa headed to the door, juggling her coffees. She and Luke weren't super close. She liked him, but they didn't have the same bond he had with Rory. But then, Stars Hollow had never been her home. She liked it here, she liked the crazy people, but it wasn't home and that meant she didn't have the same relationship with its residents, including Luke, that Rory did.
However, she had to admit that Luke was very nice, if a tad grumpy at times, and he seemed to be very good for her mother and really that was what mattered. Christa snuck a look back at Luke, who was now bickering with Caesar, and took in his general aura. He was a good, solid man and he was probably what her mom needed.
Christa was always going to dream about her mom and dad getting their act together and getting married. She knew Rory had let go of that dream, but deep down, she still hoped the day would come. Maybe because she had a different relationship with Christopher and had seen his best and knew the kind of man he was capable of being.
But now her mom had Luke and Luke was a good man and he really cared about Lorelai and in the end, what Christa really wanted was for her mom to be happy, even if it wasn't with her dad. It was hard, but Christa vowed that she'd be happy for her mom and support her relationship with Luke. Lorelai deserved to be happy and Luke was a good man who'd take care of her and wanting anything else would kind of make Christa a spoiled brat, something she tried hard not to be.
"You brought coffee!" Lorelai greeted her daughter.
"I did." Christa said with a grin. "I figure it must have been 3 hours since you last had coffee."
"You always were my favorite." Lorelai said, taking the coffee from Christa.
"Hey, hey," Rory said, coming up behind her mother, "I'm hurt. Ooh coffee!"
"The housekeeper makes terrible coffee." Christa complained, handing her sister a coffee. "So I always try and sneak out and get coffee. I didn't have a chance today, because Francine wanted me to have breakfast with her."
"Poor thing," Lorelai sympathized, though she wasn't sure if she was referring to the bad coffee or having to have breakfast with Christopher's mother. Both sounded equally horrible to her.
Christa grinned. "I brought DVDs." She announced, changing the subject. "I was feeling like an Audrey Hepburn marathon."
Rory and Lorelai both nodded.
"Good choice." Lorelai commented.
"I also have a bag of snacks in my car." Christa told them. "Because, you can't have movies without snacks."
"Of course not," Lorelai said with a smile, "if you could, you're not a Gilmore."
"I'll go get them," Rory offered.
Christa nodded and handed her sister her keys.
"So Colin doesn't mind us stealing you for the weekend?" Lorelai asked casually.
Christa shook her head. "Nope. He's off somewhere with the boys. We're basically out of communication this weekend. Our only contact is one text every 12 hours letting me know that he is still alive and not in jail—though I am on standby in case I have to bail them out."
"I'd think you were joking, but I've met your friends." Lorelai said dryly. "But yay to having you to ourselves!"
The news made her happier than it probably should, especially the bit about them being out of contact. She knew it was irrational, but it really did bug her how much time Christa spent with Colin and this seemed like a refreshing change.
"Some girl time is always nice," Christa told her warmly.
Rory returned with the snacks. "Who's ready for some candy?" She asked, holding up the bag.
"Me! Me! Me!" Lorelai announced, leading the way to the living room. She slipped the first DVD in and then settled down on the couch with her two girls, ready to eat some candy and watch movies all day. Life was good.
"So Colin is away with the guys?" Rory asked later, when they were all eating take-out.
"Just Logan and Finn." Christa said. "I don't know where they were going and I'm not asking questions. I prefer plausible deniability."
Rory laughed. "Good plan."
Christa looked around, probably to make sure Lorelai, who had gone to the bathroom, was really out of earshot. "There's a party this week. Wednesday night, we want you there."
"Ok." Rory agreed. "LDB stuff?"
"Not officially, but a good variety of members will be there." Christa told her. "It's a 50s party, so you'll need to dress up, but I'll provide the costume."
"I'm not dressing like a Pink Lady." Rory warned her sister.
"Not my plan." Christa assured her. "But the boys are going as greasers—which will be awesome. Logan can pull it off and Finn looks rakishly charming in anything, but Colin is going to be hilarious."
"Why is Colin going to be hilarious?" Lorelai asked, coming down the stairs.
"Christa's going to a 50s themed party," Rory answered for her twin, omitting her own planned attendance. She knew her mom didn't really like Christa's world or her friends, but didn't feel like she could interfere. However, she'd be less happy if she knew Rory was hanging out with them, even if it was just to help Christa out. Plus, then they'd have to explain the whole LDB thing and Lorelai wouldn't approve, so it was better just to stay silent.
"Colin is dressing up as a greaser," Christa said gleefully. "Logan and Finn too."
"Take pictures." Lorelai ordered. "Take pictures and then share them with me as soon as you get a chance. I'm not sure I can even picture that."
"It is an odd picture." Rory agreed. "Does Colin even own jeans?"
"One pair." Christa told her. "That he wears for costumes. I've seen him in jeans exactly 3 times in the last four years."
"He should take fashion advice from Luke," Lorelai said with a laugh, "there's a man who knows how to wear jeans."
Rory giggled at that. She actually liked Colin and she thought he was good to her sister, but he definitely wasn't a casual dresser and the idea of him in jeans and flannel was pretty silly.
Christa also laughed. "I'm trying to imagine Colin in flannel and my head can't even process it."
There was more laughter and then they turned their attention back to My Fair Lady. Rory leaned back, thinking how great it was to be here with her mom and Christa, just hanging out. It was like the way it always used to be and it was perfect.