Sugar and Spice: The More Things Change
By Misha
Disclaimer and Notes in Prologue.
Chapter Forty-Eight: Part of the Family
"The food here is incredible." Andrew complimented over dinner. "Of course, I've come to know to always trust Christine's judgement when it comes to food."
Christa and Colin both laughed and Lorelai joined in.
It was interesting watching the dynamic between her daughter and Andrew. She'd noticed Andrew spent a lot of time praising Christa and it seemed he did value her opinion. Lorelai had never given much thought to what relationship, if any, Christa had with Colin's parents and it surprised her to see the warmth and obvious affection there.
The afternoon had actually gone well. It had been strictly business and Andrew had asked lots of questions about The Dragonfly and even given Lorelai a few suggestions. It had continued on that way even after Colin and then Christa had joined them.
It had been interesting to watch Andrew's interactions with the pair. He had asked a lot of questions of his son, obviously testing Colin's knowledge and observation skills, but he had also asked Christa lots of questions and encouraged her to give her opinion. Lorelai had assumed his interest in her daughter as a daughter-in-law had to do with her society girl qualifications, but it appeared he saw beyond that. It actually made Lorelai feel better about the whole situation.
"Sookie's the best cook in the whole world." Christa told him enthusiastically. "Though I have to admit the chef at your New York hotel is pretty close." She turned to Lorelai. "You need to check it out some time Mom, the whole place is amazing."
"I'd be honored to have you as a guest," Andrew offered, "you and Christine could come and spend the weekend. Bring your other daughter and have a girl's trip."
"That's very generous." Lorelai said non-committedly. The idea sounded nice, but at the same time Lorelai wasn't entirely comfortable with the offer and questioned the motives behind it.
Andrew didn't press, but Christa sent her a look that said they'd be talking about it later.
Dinner went smoothly, the conversation staying on business for the most part. Lorelai found that Colin's dad was actually fairly pleasant, not as pompous and boring as she remembered. But then her blind date had been so terrible it might have soured all her memories of that evening.
"I will be definitely adding the Dragonfly to our list of recommended local inns," Andrew told her as he prepared to leave, "this is a great operation you have here."
"Thank you." Lorelai said with a pleased smile.
Whatever personal motivations Andrew McCrae had had for the visit, Lorelai couldn't deny that a recommendation from him would be huge for the Dragonfly. She was proud of her business and wanted it to succeed.
"Christine, it was a pleasure as always." Andrew told her, giving Christa another hug. "Good luck with your exams."
"Thanks." Christa told him.
Lorelai expected Colin to leave with Andrew, since they had arrived together, but instead Andrew turned to his son and put his hand on his shoulder. "Good luck with your exams as well. I'll be in Sydney for the next two weeks if you need to get a hold of me."
Ok, apparently Colin was staying. Lorelai wasn't super thrilled with that news, as she had hoped for some time with her daughter. Rory was staying at Yale this weekend, because she needed to study.
"Ok." Colin said. Lorelai noted that there seemed to be a strain between father and son and there was more easy affection between Andrew and Christa.
Andrew said his goodbyes and left.
"We need to get back to Yale," Christa apologized.
"I understand." Lorelai told her. "I know exams are coming up."
She did understand, but it was a little disappointing that she'd had a whole afternoon of Christa's time and had had to share it with other people. But at least Winter break would be here soon and she'd have lots of time with both her girls.
"Ugh. I left one of my books at my father's house." Colin realized as he and Christa left Stars Hollow. "I was actually studying this morning."
"That's fine, we'll stop by and pick it up." Christa assured him. "I think tonight went well, don't you?"
"Surprisingly, well." Colin commented, "Though I think my father might have been having thoughts of your mother as wife #7."
Christa repressed a shudder. "Gross."
"However, that aside, I think my father honestly respects your mother as a business woman." Colin told her. "And she's doing a great job with the inn. My father, whatever personal flaws he might have, is a very good businessman and he appreciates that quality in others."
"I'm going to talk her into taking him up on his offer to see the New York hotel," Christa confided, "my mom, she hates things like that, taking what she sees as favors from others, so I'll have to convince her."
"I have confidence that you could talk anyone into just about anything." Colin told her teasingly.
A little while later they pulled up at Colin's dad's place.
"You might as well come in." Colin told her.
Christa nodded and followed him inside.
"The book's upstairs," Colin told her with a grin.
"If I follow you upstairs, we both know how it'll end up and, well, you have a perfectly nice apartment of your own." Christa pointed out.
Colin laughed and headed up the stairs. As he disappeared from sight, Andrew McCrae emerged.
"I thought I heard voices." He told her.
"Colin forgot a text book." She explained.
He nodded. "You're both welcome to stay the night, if you like."
"It's not that late," Christa said, "but thank you."
"You're welcome here any time." Andrew assured her and then he paused. "Actually, I'm glad you came by. I have something I was hoping to discuss with you, but I wasn't sure your mother would be too receptive."
"Oh?" Christa asked warily.
"Has Colin mentioned that he spends New Years with me?" Andrew asked her.
Christa nodded, confused. "Yes." She knew Colin and his sisters spent every New Years with their father at one of his hotels. According to Colin, his father had given up on fighting four ex-wives for Christmas Day and instead settled on New Year's. Colin grouched about it cutting into his party time, but Christa knew he appreciated that his father did devote that time to them.
"This year we'll be going to Switzerland," Andrew told her, "we'll be leaving the 28th and returning on the 3rd. Hopefully, that works for you."
"For me?" Christa asked, taken aback.
"I would love for you to join us." Andrew told her. "I consider you an important part of Colin's life, Christine, and because of that, part of my family."
Oh, yeah, Lorelai definitely wouldn't like that and obviously Andrew had picked up on that. Still, as much as Christa knew her mother objected and thought she and Colin were too young, she was pretty confident of their future. Plus spending the New Year at a luxury hotel in Switzerland sounded pretty awesome.
"My grandfather isn't well," she told him, "but assuming his health is stable over the holidays, then sure, I'd love to."
"You'd love to what?" Colin asked, as he came down the stairs, textbook in hand.
"I invited Christine to join us in Switzerland." Andrew told his son.
Christa looked at her boyfriend, realizing that she probably should have consulted with him before agreeing. After all, he might find it weird.
However, he just grinned. "There is this fantastic Chinese restaurant there that I need to take you to. I discovered it when I was at Zutterburg. You'll love it."
Christa grinned back, glad that he seemed ok with the whole thing. Though, she broached the subject again on their way back to New Haven.
"It doesn't bother you that your dad invited me to spend the holidays with you guys?"
"Why would it bother me?" Colin asked her. "Other than the fact that my father and sister's will be around and it won't exactly be a romantic holiday."
Christa laughed. "Some people might be a little weirded out by it. It's a big step."
"I plan on marrying you someday." Colin told her quietly. "We both know that's where we're headed. In a few years, you'll be an official part of the family. So, no it doesn't bother me that my father is already treating you that way. Ok, it's a little irritating that he's trying to run my life, but I'm used to that."
"It could be worse," Christa pointed out.
"Oh, definitely," Colin agreed, "I could be Logan. I mean, at least my father is pushing me to a job I love and marriage to the woman I love. I hate that he's trying to arrange my life for me, but I don't hate the life he's pushing me towards. It's the life I'd choose for myself, which is the frustrating part."
"Because if you rebel against it, you're only hurting yourself." Christa realized.
"Exactly." Colin told her. "However, there are still plenty of ways for me to rebel, and, hey, it means I'm not going to be miserable, which we both know is rare."
Christa smiled, knowing he was right. Sadly Juliet was also right when she commented that most of their friends would end up in unhappy, but socially acceptable marriages
